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.
Claims21
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 serrated portions,
- wherein each serrated portion of the plurality of serrated portions is structured to be engaged by a partially threaded cap on a respective container passing along the production line and solely as a result of such engagement:
- a) the second member is caused to rotate with respect to the first end of the first member and b) the partially threaded cap is tightened on the container as the container moves past the mechanism on the production line.
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 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 serrated portions,
- wherein each serrated portion of the plurality of serrated portions is structured to be engaged by a partially threaded cap on a respective container passing along the production line and solely as a result of such engagement:
- a) the second member is caused to rotate with respect to the first end of the first member and b) the partially threaded cap is tightened on the container as the container moves past the mechanism on the production line.
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 serrated portions;
- providing a container having a threaded cap thereon;
- causing the second member to rotate, without the use of a drive motor coupled thereto, solely by moving the container relative to the mechanism such that the threaded cap engages one of the serrated portions;
- and
- tightening the cap on the container solely by continuing to move the container relative to the mechanism while the threaded cap is engaged with the one serrated portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.