A sealing machine and method for controlling a sealing machine Includes the following steps: placing capped containers provided with a seal on plates, rotating the plates, pressing the seal against the cap of the container and fastening said seal using a sealing head. The step of rotating the plates is performed by rotating each plate independently of the other plates. The method further includes: detecting at least one parameter associated with the rotation of a plate and/or with a compression load between each sealing head and the seal, and comparing the value of the detected parameter with a reference range.

A sealing machine and method for controlling a sealing machine Includes the following steps: placing capped containers provided with a seal on plates, rotating the plates, pressing the seal against the cap of the container and fastening said seal using a sealing head. The step of rotating the plates is performed by rotating each plate independently of the other plates. The method further includes: detecting at least one parameter associated with the rotation of a plate and/or with a compression load between each sealing head and the seal, and comparing the value of the detected parameter with a reference range.

Methods and apparatus for rotating a container delivered to a container manipulation system on a conveyor are described. In some embodiments, first and second carriages are positioned on opposite sides of the conveyor, each carrying respective forward and rear clamp arms. Each clamp arm is selectively independently moveable and carries at least first and second vertically spaced-apart wheels. All of the wheels are engageable with the container on the conveyor. At least two wheels on the first carriage are power-driven and selectively rotatable. The remaining wheels are free-spinning. Additional methods, systems and apparatus are also disclosed.

Methods and apparatus for rotating a container delivered to a container manipulation system on a conveyor are described. In some embodiments, first and second carriages are positioned on opposite sides of the conveyor, each carrying respective forward and rear clamp arms. Each clamp arm is selectively independently moveable and carries at least first and second vertically spaced-apart wheels. All of the wheels are engageable with the container on the conveyor. At least two wheels on the first carriage are power-driven and selectively rotatable. The remaining wheels are free-spinning. Additional methods, systems and apparatus are also disclosed.

An apparatus for securing a cap on a cylindrical container includes: a stage for separately receiving a cap and a container; an elevator movable upwardly away from the stage and downwardly toward the stage; and a cap holding assembly mounted on the elevator. The cap holding assembly comprises: a capture member platform, the capture member platform including a capture unit configured to capture the cap; at least one extendable member extending through the capture member platform, the at least one extendable member movable from a home position with the extendable member above a center of the cap captured by the capture unit and an engagement position with the extendable member engaging the center of the cap and urging the center of the cap downwardly relative to an outer sidewall of the cap; and a claw member attached to the capture member platform that is movable between an unengaged position, in which the claw member is not positioned to engage the cap, and an engaged position, in which the claw member is positioned to engage a lower edge of the cap.

An apparatus for securing a cap on a cylindrical container includes: a stage for separately receiving a cap and a container; an elevator movable upwardly away from the stage and downwardly toward the stage; and a cap holding assembly mounted on the elevator. The cap holding assembly comprises: a capture member platform, the capture member platform including a capture unit configured to capture the cap; at least one extendable member extending through the capture member platform, the at least one extendable member movable from a home position with the extendable member above a center of the cap captured by the capture unit and an engagement position with the extendable member engaging the center of the cap and urging the center of the cap downwardly relative to an outer sidewall of the cap; and a claw member attached to the capture member platform that is movable between an unengaged position, in which the claw member is not positioned to engage the cap, and an engaged position, in which the claw member is positioned to engage a lower edge of the cap.

An apparatus for securing a cap on a cylindrical container includes: a stage for separately receiving a cap and a container; an elevator movable upwardly away from the stage and downwardly toward the stage; and a cap holding assembly mounted on the elevator. The cap holding assembly comprises: a capture member platform, the capture member platform including a capture unit configured to capture the cap; at least one extendable member extending through the capture member platform, the at least one extendable member movable from a home position with the extendable member above a center of the cap captured by the capture unit and an engagement position with the extendable member engaging the center of the cap and urging the center of the cap downwardly relative to an outer sidewall of the cap; and a claw member attached to the capture member platform that is movable between an unengaged position, in which the claw member is not positioned to engage the cap, and an engaged position, in which the claw member is positioned to engage a lower edge of the cap.

An apparatus for securing a cap on a cylindrical container includes: a stage for separately receiving a cap and a container; an elevator movable upwardly away from the stage and downwardly toward the stage; and a cap holding assembly mounted on the elevator. The cap holding assembly comprises: a capture member platform, the capture member platform including a capture unit configured to capture the cap; at least one extendable member extending through the capture member platform, the at least one extendable member movable from a home position with the extendable member above a center of the cap captured by the capture unit and an engagement position with the extendable member engaging the center of the cap and urging the center of the cap downwardly relative to an outer sidewall of the cap; and a claw member attached to the capture member platform that is movable between an unengaged position, in which the claw member is not positioned to engage the cap, and an engaged position, in which the claw member is positioned to engage a lower edge of the cap.