A distribution unit for feeding lids (1) to necks (9) of containers (10) comprises a chute element (102) arranged for receiving a row of lids (1), an outlet opening (103) arranged for releasing said lids (1) one at a time, said outlet opening (103) being intended to be positioned above a conveying device (100) suitable for conveying said containers (10) along an advancement direction (F) so that each of said containers (10) interacts with said chute element (102) to remove a corresponding lid (1) from said outlet opening (103), said distribution unit (101) further comprising a guide element (105) having an active surface (106) extending on an opposite side of said chute element (102) with respect to said outlet opening (103) and arranged for interacting with said lids (1), said active surface (106) having a stepped profile.

A capping plant (10) for capping containers (100) made of thermoplastic material, comprising: a capping unit (11) of a rotating carousel type comprising a plurality of capping stations (111) and first guide means (14) arranged so as to contact a part of a tubular body (100a) of the containers (100) which is exposed towards an outside of the rotating carousel of the capping unit (11); a star-wheel (12) located downstream of the capping unit (11); an outfeed conveyor (13) located downstream of the star-wheel (12); a connection cross-member (17) between said first guide means (14) and the outfeed conveyor (13), the outfeed conveyor (13) being integrally constrained to a first portion (17a) of the connection cross-member (17) and the first guide means (14) being integrally constrained to a second portion (17b) of the connection cross-member (17); an actuating device (18) configured to adjust the height of said connection cross-member (17).

A capping chuck assembly having a chuck housing, a retaining assembly and a cap gripping assembly. The chuck housing receives a cap and has longitudinal axis of rotation. The retaining assembly includes a plurality of retaining jaws and a biasing member. The retaining jaws are movable radially, with biasing member inwardly biasing the jaws. The cap gripping assembly includes a plurality of gripper assemblies spaced apart from each other about the axis. Each gripper assembly has a cam arm rotatably mounted to the chuck housing with a lever arm portion extending toward the axis of rotation configured to rotate relative to the cap receiving opening. An engaging jaw is coupled to the gripper assembly. Rotation of the cam arm away from the cap receiving opening directs the engaging jaw radially toward the axis of rotation. An ejection assembly is disclosed as well as a method of retaining a cap.

A capping chuck assembly having a chuck housing, a retaining assembly and a cap gripping assembly. The chuck housing receives a cap and has longitudinal axis of rotation. The retaining assembly includes a plurality of retaining jaws and a biasing member. The retaining jaws are movable radially, with biasing member inwardly biasing the jaws. The cap gripping assembly includes a plurality of gripper assemblies spaced apart from each other about the axis. Each gripper assembly has a cam arm rotatably mounted to the chuck housing with a lever arm portion extending toward the axis of rotation configured to rotate relative to the cap receiving opening. An engaging jaw is coupled to the gripper assembly. Rotation of the cam arm away from the cap receiving opening directs the engaging jaw radially toward the axis of rotation. An ejection assembly is disclosed as well as a method of retaining a cap.

The present invention concerns a motion transmission group for capping heads for screw caps. This group comprises a device for applying in use a predefined axial load to means of axial engagement of the caps which a capping head associated in use with said group is provided with. The device comprises at least one axially pre-loaded compression spring so as to generate in use this predefined axial load. The device is separable from the main structure of the transmission group as a single body, with the aforesaid at least one spring maintained associated with a support structure of the device in pre-loaded condition by means of two axial positioning portions to allow the replacement of the device with a structurally similar device, but suitable to generate in use a different axial load.

A capping machine includes a gripper having a pair of gripping arms provided on an outer peripheral portion of a rotating body and configured to grip a cylindrical portion of a vessel, an opening and closing device configured to open and close the gripping arms, and a capping head liftably and rotatably provided on the rotating body. The gripping arms are arranged symmetrically with respect to a radius of the rotating body. The gripper has a protrusion for preventing the vessel from rotating on a vessel gripping surface of the gripping arms. The gripping arms have outer and inner gripping surfaces which are connected in a V shape. The protrusion is formed only on the inner gripping surface of a right gripping arm. A cap held by the capping head is screwed onto the vessel while sticking the protrusion into the cylindrical portion.

A system and method for a self-actuating, mechanically-biased container restraint. The system requires no computer-aided control or timing, nor is any external power source needed, other than the force exerted as a container is inserted into the restraint. The system relies upon an assembly including mechanically-biased pivoting levers, each of which has a horizontal element and a vertical element. All actuation occurs as the base of an inserted container comes into contact with the upper surface of the horizontal elements of multiple pivoted levers positioned at the base of a channel adapted to serve as a guide for the inserted tube. The levers are biased in this elevated position by mechanical means, such as a spring. As the inserted tube presses the horizontal members downward, the top portions of the vertical members are pivoted inward toward the container's exterior. Friction pads situated upon the interior surface of each vertical element are brought into contact with the exterior of the container, thereby gripping it. This gripping action holds the container with sufficient friction to permit the removal or attachment of a screw cap. Further embodiments of the invention include a mechanically biased platform supporting the channel and the pivoting levers. This base is biased and positioned to permit the channel and the pivoting lever assembly to be translated downward against the force biasing the platform and translate through the body of the container restraint. This further advancement of container, the channel and the lever assembly cause the pivoting levers to assume fully engaged gripping positions, and brings the vertical elements of the levers (and flexible friction pads upon them) into full upright positions. In this position the friction pads apply a maximum static friction force to the exterior of the container.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for capping a plurality of bottles enclosed and sealed in a plastic bag. The method comprises disposing the plurality of bottles in a tray in a predetermined array such that caps, disposed in a plate can be displaced for convenient capping in a single step. Ratchet tools are disclosed for facile threading of caps to bottles.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for capping a plurality of bottles enclosed and sealed in a plastic bag. The method comprises disposing the plurality of bottles in a tray in a predetermined array such that caps, disposed in a plate can be displaced for convenient capping in a single step. Ratchet tools are disclosed for facile threading of caps to bottles.

A spindle-shaft unit for closing containers with a screw closure includes a spindle that is rotatable and axially movable relative to a housing and a bearing unit arranged between the housing and the spindle. The bearing unit comprises a sliding bearing that interacts with the spindle and a further bearing that interacts with the sliding bearing. The spindle is arranged at the sliding bearing such as to be displaceable and non-rotatable relative to the sliding bearing. The further bearing secures the sliding bearing so as to be rotatable and non-displaceable relative to the housing.