Closure closing device
AssigneeStackteck Systems Limited
InventorKevin Chiu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a laterally movable lifting arm and follower which may be mounted adjacent a mold. The lifting arm is movable from a cap engaging position wherein it initially moves the cap away from the mold into the path of the follower. The cap is initially moved across the lid by lateral movement of the lifting arm. The follower is subsequently passed across the cap to lockingly engage the closure.
Claims17
A closing device for closing a molded closure while said closure is in a mold and wherein said closure has a body hingedly connected to a cap, said cap being swingable about said hinge over said closure body and said cap and said closure body as provided with mutual interlocking means for securing said cap to said closure body in a closed configuration, said closing device comprising:
- a head movable across said cap and said closure body in a lateral direction while said closure is in said mold;
- a lifting arm having a base end movably connected to said head and a forward end extending away from said head for contacting said cap;
- a follower connected to said head adjacent said base end of said lifting arm;
- a lifting arm actuator acting between said head and said lifting arm for moving at least said forward end of said lifting arm to contact said cap and to move said cap from an open molded configuration toward said closed configuration;
- and
- a head actuator for moving said head in conjunction with said arm and said follower across said cap and said closure body for said follower to urge said cap toward said closure body to engage said interlocking means and secure said closure in said closed configuration.
A method for closing a cap over a closure in a mold cavity with the method comprising the following steps:
- (i) providing a laterally movable lifting arm and follower adjacent the mold cavity;
- (ii) engaging the cap with the lifting arm;
- (iii) rotating the lifting arm to lift the cap away from a corresponding recess in the mold cavity;
- (iv) moving the lifting arm across the closure body by laterally moving the lifting arm;
- and
- (v) passing the follower across the cap to urge the cap toward the closure body to lockingly engage the cap with the closure body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.