US3712017A - Method and apparatus for the application of caps to bottles or the like - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for the application of caps to bottles or the like Download PDF

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Publication number
US3712017A
US3712017A US00056416A US3712017DA US3712017A US 3712017 A US3712017 A US 3712017A US 00056416 A US00056416 A US 00056416A US 3712017D A US3712017D A US 3712017DA US 3712017 A US3712017 A US 3712017A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
caps
path
containers
ram
marginal
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00056416A
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English (en)
Inventor
U Knabe
A Gust
A Hinxlage
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Holstein und Kappert Maschinenfabrik Phonix GmbH
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Holstein und Kappert Maschinenfabrik Phonix GmbH
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Publication of US3712017A publication Critical patent/US3712017A/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B1/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying stoppers
    • B67B1/04—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying stoppers by inserting threadless stoppers, e.g. corks

Definitions

  • Each attachment 30 Foreign Application priority Data has a two-piece ram which is moved downwardly by the respective capping unit while the latter tracks a July 19, 1969 Germany ..P 19 36 795.4 fixed cam whereby the rinksha-ped outer part of each ram depresses the marginal portion of a ca'p during a [52] US. Cl. ..53/43, 53/314, 53/319, first stage of each revohnion of the associated capping 5 3/ 328 unit so that the marginal portion remains spaced from [5 Cl.
  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the application of closures or caps to bottles or other types of containers. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in a method and apl paratus for the application of plastic caps to bottles or the like, especially of plastic caps wherein the central portion of the cap forms a cup which is introduced into the mouth of a bottle and has a marginal flange which overlies the top face of the bottle. The flange can be provided with a projection or tab which facilitates removal of the cap.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of applying plastic caps to bottles or analogous containers in such a way that the caps are protected against undue deformation, that the caps invariably seal the tops of containers, and that the caps permit convenient removal of excess fluid or other matter prior to completion of the sealing operation.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved bottle capping apparatus which can be utilized for carrying out the above method.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can be utilized for the application of conventional caps as well as for the application of caps, particularly plastic caps, which must penetrate into the interior ofa bottle in order to insure satisfactory sealing action along the internal surface of the mouth.
  • An additional object of the invention is to provide novel attachments which can be used with conventional bottle capping apparatus to permit the application of plastic caps.
  • One feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a method of applying to the open tops of bottles or like containers caps of the type having a cupped central portion which is to enter the mouth of a container and an annular marginal portion which is to abut against the open top of the container.
  • the method comprises the steps of advancing a succession of containers in upright positions along a predetermined path,
  • caps into register with the open tops of successive containers which advance along the path, applying to the thus placed caps a first downward pressure to move their marginal portions closer to the open tops of the respective containers, and thereupon applying against the caps a second downward pressure which acts against their central and marginal portions and suffices to effect such penetration of the central portions into the tops of the containers that the marginal portions abut against the respective tops.
  • the path for the containers is preferably a circular path or includes an arcuate portion
  • the step of placing the caps into register with the tops of successive containers preferably comprises feeding a succession of caps along a second path which is tangential to the arcuate portion of the path for the containers so that the caps move downwardly to a level where they are automatically entrained by successive containers.
  • the caps are preferably of the type having lifting tabs which extend downwardly and outwardly from the respective marginal portions, and the method preferably comprises the additional step of maintaining each cap which travels along the second path in a predetermined orientation so that the tabs of the caps which reach the path for the containers extend into the paths of movement of and are entrained by the open tops of successive containers.
  • One of the purposes of the two-stage application of caps is to permit removal of impurities or other foreign 1 matter, particularly liquid and/or foam, which are located between the open tops of containers and the marginal portions of the partially applied caps. Such impurities can be removed in a step which precedes the application of the second or final downward pressure.
  • FIG. I is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a bottle capping apparatus which embodies the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the apparatus, further showing a conveyor for bottles and a feeding device for plastic caps.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown a'portion of a bottle capping apparatus 23 wherein several equidistant capping units CU (only two shown) travel along a circular path below a fixed ring-shaped cam 31.
  • the circular path for the capping units CU is concentric with and is located above a second circular path defined by a conveyor 32 which transports bottles 33 (or other containers having open tops) in upright positions and in such a way that each bottle 33 is in register with one of the capping units.
  • the conveyor 32 receives bottles 33 from a second conveyor 34 which can form part of a bottle filling machine.
  • a feeding device '30 here shown as comprising a downwardly inclined chute, extends tangentially of the conveyors 32, 34 and serves to place plastic closures or caps P into register with the open tops of successive bottles which enter the circular path below the conveyor for the capping units CU.
  • Each cap P includes a cupped central portion 24 (FIG. 1) which is to enter the open top or mouth 25 of a bottle 33, an annular marginal portion 27 which is to abut against the upper surface 28 of the open top 25, and a lifting tab 3 which extends downwardly and outwardly from the marginal portion 27.
  • the width of the chute 30 is such that the caps P which travel therein toward the transfer station between the conveyors 32, 34 are held in a predetermined orientation, namely, with the lifting tab 3 leading.
  • each capping unit CU comprises an upper section 1 and a separablelower section or attachment 2.
  • the upper section 1 constitutes a separate capping unit which can be utilized for the application of convention caps, for example, for the application of caps of the type having a flat circular central portion which overlies the opening in the neck of a bottle and a corrugated marginal portion which engages the bead at the top of such opening.
  • a feature of the present invention resides in that the lower sections 2 can be secured to the upper sections 1 of a conventional capping apparatus to form therewith capping units CU which are suited for the application of plastic caps P.
  • the upper sections 1 are mounted on a carrier or hearing 4which forms part of a conveyor for transport of capping units along the aforementioned circular path above the conveyor 32 for the bottles 33 and below the cam 31.
  • Each lower section 2 is coupled to the respective upper section 1 by one or more bolts 5, pins or analogous fasteners.
  • Each upper section 1 comprises a housing 6 for a relatively weak helical spring 7 and a stronger helical spring 8.
  • the lowermost convolution of the spring 7 bears against a collar 9 provided on a motion transmitting ram 10 of the upper section 1.
  • the spring 8 is effective when the ram 10 is employed for the application of conventional caps. This ram can be moved upwardly against the opposition of the spring 7 and to the extent determined by a fixedly mounted ring-shaped stop 11 in the housing 6.
  • Each lower section 2 has an apertured flange 12 which is secured to the carrier 4 by the aforementioned fasteners 5 and supports a housing 13 for helical springs V against the opposition of the spring 14.
  • the axial bore 17 of the outer portion l6 accommodates a reciprocable inner ram portion or plunger 18 which can move relative to the outer portion 16.
  • the upper end of the plunger 18 is provided with a head 19 which abuts against the corresponding ram 10.
  • the lowermost convolution of the spring 15 bears against a sleeve-like stop 20 which carries a diametral pin 22 passing through an elongated slot 21 of the plunger 18.
  • the outer portion 16 is held against rotation on the housing 13.
  • Each bottle '33 which begins to travel along the path defined by the conveyor 32 carries a plastic cap P which is placed onto its open top 25 by the chute 30.
  • Such bottle registers with one of the capping units CU, i.e., its open top 25 is located below the composite ram 16, 18 of the lower section 2.
  • the cupped central portion 24 of a properly placed cap P extends somewhat into the opening of the top 24 (this is not shown in FIG. 1 in order not to conceal the topmost part of the bottle 33).
  • the lowermost part of each outer ram portion 16 is provided with a ring-shaped centering element 26 which can insure requisite alignment of the cap P with the bottle 33.
  • the cam 31 causes the unit CU to descend slightly so that the outer portion 16 applies to the capP a first or initial pressure which is sufficient to move the marginal portion 27 nearer to the surface 28 of the open top.
  • the surface 28 defines with the underside of the marginal portion 27 an annular space or gap which is wide enough to permit convenient expulsion of any foreign matter, particularlyclearance between the surface 28 and the underside of the marginal portion 27 can be effected by a sterilizing fluid which is discharged against the travelling bottle 33 by'one or more nozzles 36.
  • the cam 31 causes this unit to again move downwardly whereby the lower section 2 approaches the bottle 33 and the-internal surface 29 0f the outer ram portion 16 (whose ring-shaped centering element 26 abuts against the marginal portion27 of the cap) moves upwardly with reference to the housing 13 and engages the lower end face of the stop 20.
  • the cam 31 continues to move the capping unit CU downwardly so that-the further upward movement of the outer portion 16 takes place against the joint opposition of the springs 14 and 15.
  • the lower end portion of the plunger 18 extends through and beyond the centering element 26 and enters the cavity or recess of the central portion 24 of the cap P.
  • the final closing and sealing pressure is applied in response to a further descent of the capping unit CU whereby the bottle 33 holds the parts 16, 18 against downward movement so that the springs 7, 8 are stressed and furnish the force which is needed to insure satisfactory deforming and sealing action.
  • the clearance between the stop 11 and the collar 9 of the ram 10 is desirable to compensate for eventual differences in the height of successively treated bottles 33.
  • the intervals of time which are provided for the application of the first pressure during the first stage of the capping and of the second pressure during the next stage of capping can be varied by replacing the cam 31 with a different cam. The length of such intervals depends on the nature of the plastic material of the caps P and on the desired sealing action. As a rule, the application of the final pressure will last longer, especially if the caps P exhibit a tendency to reassume their original undeformed state. Such final pressure can but need not be applied in two or more steps.
  • the lower sections 2 are removed (either individually or together) and the distance between the sections 2 and the conveyor 32 is adjusted to insure that the rams 10 can reach the open tops of bottles which travel along the circular path defined by the conveyor 32.
  • An advantage of the improved capping apparatus is that it can be used for the application of several types of caps and that the parts (sections 1) which are used for the application of conventional caps need not be appreciably altered in order to cooperate in the application of caps P.
  • the operation of the feeding device (chute 30) is highly reliable so that each bottle 33 which leaves the conveyor 34 receives a cap P in an optimum orientation for attachment to and sealing engagement with the respective open top 25. It was found that such a simple feeding device is capable of supplying caps P at the rate and with the accuracy required in a modern automatic bottle capping apparatus.
  • Many presently known apparatus employ complicated transfer devices which place plastic or other caps into registry with the mouths of bottles or analogous'containers.
  • the springs 14 are rather weak so as to prevent excessive penetration of central portions 24 of the caps during the initial stage of application, namely, during that stage which precedes the expulsion of foreign matter from the spaces between the surfaces 28 and the marginal portions 27.
  • the springs 15 are stronger but are preferably designed and mounted in such a way that the second or final pressure rises gradually until it reaches the desired maximum value. Since the application of the final pressure takes place while the ram portions 16, 18 respectively engage the portions 27, 24 ofa cap P, such cap is held against any undesirable deformation.
  • a method of applying to the open tops of bottles or like containers caps of the type having a cupped central portion which is to enter the open top of a container and a marginal portion which is to abut against the open top of the container comprising the steps of advancing a succession of containers along a first path; advancing a succession of caps along a second path intersecting said first path and leading to a level where the successively fed caps are directly engaged and entrained by the successive containers with the open tops of the latter substantially aligned with said caps; applying to the caps aligned with the respective containers a first downward pressure to move their marginal portions nearer to the open tops of the respective containers; and subsequently applying to the caps a second downward pressure which acts against said central and marginal portions and which suffices to effect such penetration of the central portion into the tops of the respective containers that the marginal portions abut against the open tops.
  • Apparatus for applying the open tops of bottles or like containers caps of the type having a cupped central portion which is to enter the open end and an annular marginal portion which is to abut against the open top of the container comprising first conveyor means for transporting containers in an upright position along a first circular path; a plurality of capping units each having a vertically movable ram; second conveyor means for moving said capping units along a second circular path which is concentric with and located above said first path so that each container moving along said first path is aligned with one of said capping units; feeding means for feeding caps in succession along a third path extending substantially tangential to said first path to a level of the open tops of the containers transported along said first path so that the caps are directly engaged and entrained by the open tops of the containers and so that each container moving along said first path beyond said third path carries a cap therewith; and cam means for moving the rams of successive capping units downwardly in a plurality of stages including a first stage during which a descending
  • each of said units comprises an upper section and a lower section, said rams forming part of said lower sections and each of said upper sections having motion transmitting means for moving said rams downwardly in response to travel along said cam means.
  • each of said lower sections further comprises resilient means said upper sections comprises carrier means separably supporting the respective lower section.
  • eachof said lower sections comprises resilient means interposed between at least a portion of the respective ram and the corresponding motion transmitting means.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Sealing Of Jars (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
US00056416A 1969-07-19 1970-07-20 Method and apparatus for the application of caps to bottles or the like Expired - Lifetime US3712017A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19691936795 DE1936795A1 (de) 1969-07-19 1969-07-19 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Aufsetzen von Plastikverschluessen auf Gefaesse

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3712017A true US3712017A (en) 1973-01-23

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ID=5740295

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00056416A Expired - Lifetime US3712017A (en) 1969-07-19 1970-07-20 Method and apparatus for the application of caps to bottles or the like

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US3712017A (fr)
AT (1) AT310020B (fr)
BE (1) BE752860A (fr)
CH (1) CH524537A (fr)
DE (1) DE1936795A1 (fr)
FI (1) FI53693C (fr)
FR (1) FR2055686A5 (fr)
GB (1) GB1293747A (fr)
LU (1) LU61352A1 (fr)
NL (1) NL7010545A (fr)
SE (1) SE366011B (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3777449A (en) * 1971-06-03 1973-12-11 Holstein & Kappert Phonix Gmbh Method and apparatus for applying closures to containers
DE3118462A1 (de) * 1981-05-09 1982-11-25 H. Strunck GmbH + Co Maschinenfabrik, 5000 Köln Vorrichtung zum maschinellen aufbringen von druckverschluessen auf flaschen o.dgl.
US5447007A (en) * 1991-05-18 1995-09-05 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Device for filling and closing packs for liquids
US6205744B1 (en) * 1999-08-27 2001-03-27 Patented Innovations Llc Bottle sealing apparatus
US6349524B1 (en) 1999-08-27 2002-02-26 Patented Innovations, Llc Bottle sealing method and apparatus
US6655115B1 (en) 1999-08-27 2003-12-02 Patented Innovations, Llc Method of forming a seal over a cork in a necked bottle
US20120285121A1 (en) * 2009-11-20 2012-11-15 Pentii Airaksinen System for plugging paint cans

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1927212A (en) * 1929-10-18 1933-09-19 Lakewest Corp Arched cap bottle seal
US2154172A (en) * 1936-11-30 1939-04-11 Lathrop Paulson Co Cover applying mechanism for can washing machines
US2353200A (en) * 1941-07-01 1944-07-11 American Can Co Can capping machine
US2821823A (en) * 1952-12-22 1958-02-04 Olin Mathieson Machine for applying stoppers to bottles
US3040494A (en) * 1960-06-13 1962-06-26 Ralph F Anderson Lid feeding apparatus
US3471992A (en) * 1965-03-11 1969-10-14 Owens Illinois Inc Container sealing method

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1927212A (en) * 1929-10-18 1933-09-19 Lakewest Corp Arched cap bottle seal
US2154172A (en) * 1936-11-30 1939-04-11 Lathrop Paulson Co Cover applying mechanism for can washing machines
US2353200A (en) * 1941-07-01 1944-07-11 American Can Co Can capping machine
US2821823A (en) * 1952-12-22 1958-02-04 Olin Mathieson Machine for applying stoppers to bottles
US3040494A (en) * 1960-06-13 1962-06-26 Ralph F Anderson Lid feeding apparatus
US3471992A (en) * 1965-03-11 1969-10-14 Owens Illinois Inc Container sealing method

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3777449A (en) * 1971-06-03 1973-12-11 Holstein & Kappert Phonix Gmbh Method and apparatus for applying closures to containers
DE3118462A1 (de) * 1981-05-09 1982-11-25 H. Strunck GmbH + Co Maschinenfabrik, 5000 Köln Vorrichtung zum maschinellen aufbringen von druckverschluessen auf flaschen o.dgl.
US5447007A (en) * 1991-05-18 1995-09-05 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Device for filling and closing packs for liquids
US6205744B1 (en) * 1999-08-27 2001-03-27 Patented Innovations Llc Bottle sealing apparatus
US6349524B1 (en) 1999-08-27 2002-02-26 Patented Innovations, Llc Bottle sealing method and apparatus
US6655115B1 (en) 1999-08-27 2003-12-02 Patented Innovations, Llc Method of forming a seal over a cork in a necked bottle
US20120285121A1 (en) * 2009-11-20 2012-11-15 Pentii Airaksinen System for plugging paint cans

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE366011B (fr) 1974-04-08
NL7010545A (fr) 1971-01-21
FI53693B (fr) 1978-03-31
CH524537A (de) 1972-06-30
AT310020B (de) 1973-09-10
LU61352A1 (fr) 1970-09-21
FI53693C (fi) 1978-07-10
DE1936795A1 (de) 1971-02-11
FR2055686A5 (fr) 1971-05-07
GB1293747A (en) 1972-10-25
BE752860A (fr) 1970-12-16

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