Cap Tightening Mechanism and Capping System and Method Incorporating Same
AssigneeInternational Plastics and Equipment Corporation
InventorsMike Palmer, Nick Kulka
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanism for tightening a partially threaded cap on a container passing along a production line. The mechanism includes a first member having a first end and a second end. The first end being structured to be coupled at or near the production line and the second end being rotatable with respect to the first end. The mechanism further including a second member coupled to the second end of the first member and rotatable therewith. The second member having a plurality of cap engaging portions, each of the cap engaging portions being structured to engage the partially threaded cap on a container passing along the production line in a manner that tightens the partially threaded cap.
Claims20
A mechanism for tightening a partially threaded cap on a container passing along a production line, the mechanism comprising:
- a first member having a first end and a second end, the first end being structured to be coupled at or near the production line, the second end being rotatable with respect to the first end;
- and
- a second member coupled to the second end of the first member and rotatable therewith, the second member having a plurality of cap engaging portions, each of the cap engaging portions being structured to engage the partially threaded cap on a container passing along the production line in a manner that tightens the partially threaded cap.
A system for tightening a threaded cap on a container, the system comprising:
- a production line structured to move a plurality of containers, each container having a partially threaded cap;
- and
- a mechanism structured to tighten each of the partially threaded caps onto the respective container, the mechanism comprising:
- a first member having a first end and a second end, the first end being structured to be coupled at or near the production line, the second end being rotatable with respect to the first end;
- and
- a second member coupled to the second end of the first member and rotatable therewith, the second member having a plurality of cap engaging portions, each of the cap engaging portions being structured to engage the partially threaded cap on the respective container passing along the production line in a manner that tightens the partially threaded cap onto the container.
A method of tightening a threaded cap on a container, the method comprising:
- providing a mechanism comprising:
- a first member having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to a fixed point, the second end being rotatable with respect to the first end;
- and
- a second member coupled to the second end of the first member, the second member having a plurality of cap engaging portions;
- providing a container having a threaded cap thereon;
- moving the container relative to the mechanism such that the threaded cap engages one of the cap engaging portions in a manner that causes the second member to rotate and also that causes the threaded cap to tighten on the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.