Capping method and apparatus
AssigneeShibuya Kogyo Co., Ltd.
InventorHiroaki Kitamoto
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A capping apparatus 1 includes torque sensor 12 which detects an output torque when a chuck 7 is driven for rotation by a motor 9. Initially, a cap 5 is held by the chuck 7. The cap 5 is fitted over a mouth of a vessel 2, and then the chuck 7 is rotated through one revolution in a clamping direction. A resulting output torque is detected by the torque sensor 12, and the output torque rapidly increases at the position where the threads on the cap 5 and the vessel 2 abut against each other (an incipient position of meshing engagement P). The cap 5 is rotated through a given angle of rotation as referenced to the incipient position of meshing engagement P, thus threadably engaging the cap 5 with the vessel 2. The invention allows a uniform clamping of cap 5 at the completion of the capping operation.
Claims11
A method of clamping a cap onto a vessel comprising the steps of:
- providing a cap having threads, a vessel having threads with a predetermined winding angle adapted to engage with the threads of the cap, a capping head holding said cap and a motor for rotating the capping head in a clamping direction;
- rotating the cap and the vessel relatively with respect to each other at an elevation where the threads on the cap and vessel are not engaged with each other;
- detecting an incipient position of meshing engagement when the distal ends of the threads of the cap and vessel come into contact with each other by measuring the torque acting on the cap when the distal ends of the threads of the cap and the vessel come into contact with each other;
- and
- rotating the cap in a clamping direction by a predetermined rotational angle with respect to the incipient position of meshing engagement to clamp the cap to the vessel.
A capping apparatus for clamping a cap onto a vessel, said apparatus comprising:
- a capping head for holding a cap having threads;
- a motor for rotating the capping head in a clamping direction so that the cap can be clamped onto a vessel having threads with a predetermined winding angle adapted to engage with the threads of the cap;
- an elevating mechanism for raising the capping head up and down;
- measuring means for measuring torque acting on the cap held by the capping head;
- angle detecting means for detecting an angular position to which the capping head is rotated;
- and
- control means for rotating the cap and the vessel relatively with respect to each other at an elevation where the threads on the cap and the vessel are not engaged with each other, detecting an incipient position of meshing engagement where the distal ends of both threads come into contact with each other by measuring the torque acting on the cap when the distal ends of the threads of the cap and vessel come into contact with each other, and rotating the cap in a clamping direction by a predetermined rotational angle with respect to the incipient position of meshing engagement to clamp the cap to the vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.