A device for supplying a container closure to a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, includes a rotatable carrier wheel for transporting a container closure from a supply position, at which the container closure to be supplied is supplied from a closure supply, to a transfer position, at which the transported container closure is received by a closing device, wherein the carrier wheel is configured so as to be displaceable between an operating position corresponding to the transfer position, and a retracted position in which the carrier wheel is spaced from the transfer position. The device also includes a scraping unit configured to remove the container closure held by the closing device. The scraping unit is mounted upstream of the rotatable carrier wheel with respect to a movement direction of the closing device. A closing device including the device is also described.

Method and systems for manual handling are described. In one embodiment, a holding section, a distribution section and a manual section are provided. The holding section is adapted to hold the container during manual handling. The distribution section is adjacent the holding section and includes a robot adapted to select and pick containers from the holding section. The robot is disposed to distribute the container. The manual section is disposed adjacent the conveyor. The manual section is adapted for inspection or filling of the container. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Method and systems for manual handling are described. In one embodiment, a holding section, a distribution section and a manual section are provided. The holding section is adapted to hold the container during manual handling. The distribution section is adjacent the holding section and includes a robot adapted to select and pick containers from the holding section. The robot is disposed to distribute the container. The manual section is disposed adjacent the conveyor. The manual section is adapted for inspection or filling of the container. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

A dispensing apparatus including a holding portion for holding a plurality of caps; a retaining device including a gap expandable between a retaining configuration preventing the cap from passing therethrough and a releasing configuration wherein the cap is releasable therethrough; a positioning device configured to receive the cap from the retaining device, the positioning device including an opening expandable between a narrow configuration preventing the cap from passing therethrough and a wide configuration wherein the cap is passable therethrough. The gap of the retaining device is expandable to the releasing configuration when the opening of the positioning device is retracted to the narrow configuration, and the gap of the retaining device is retractable to the retaining configuration when the opening of the positioning device is expanded to the wide configuration. A capping apparatus having such dispensing apparatus, and methods of dispensing a cap, and of capping, are disclosed.

A dispensing apparatus including a holding portion for holding a plurality of caps; a retaining device including a gap expandable between a retaining configuration preventing the cap from passing therethrough and a releasing configuration wherein the cap is releasable therethrough; a positioning device configured to receive the cap from the retaining device, the positioning device including an opening expandable between a narrow configuration preventing the cap from passing therethrough and a wide configuration wherein the cap is passable therethrough. The gap of the retaining device is expandable to the releasing configuration when the opening of the positioning device is retracted to the narrow configuration, and the gap of the retaining device is retractable to the retaining configuration when the opening of the positioning device is expanded to the wide configuration. A capping apparatus having such dispensing apparatus, and methods of dispensing a cap, and of capping, are disclosed.

A packing apparatus for use in a sterile environment has an article loading and supply system. The loading system has a hatch in a first wall (P1) positioned at a height corresponding to a normal and ergonomic working height for an operator. The hatch faces an operating station which is to be supplied with the articles. A container element (2) has an internal volume (25) for containing articles, with a first article loading opening (21) and a second article unloading opening (22). The container element (2) is positioned in the sterile environment and is movable so that it can be positioned in a lowered position (PA) which corresponds to the hatch position for loading articles through the first loading opening, and then positionable in a raised position (PS) in which the second loading opening (22) is above the operating station (S1) for unloading the articles to be supplied thereto.

A device for supplying a container closure to a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, includes a rotatable carrier wheel for transporting a container closure from a supply position, at which the container closure to be supplied is supplied from a closure supply, to a transfer position, at which the transported container closure is received by a closing device, wherein the carrier wheel is configured so as to be displaceable between an operating position corresponding to the transfer position, and a retracted position in which the carrier wheel is spaced from the transfer position. The device also includes a scraping unit configured to remove the container closure held by the closing device. The scraping unit is mounted upstream of the rotatable carrier wheel with respect to a movement direction of the closing device. A closing device including the device is also described.

A device for supplying a container closure to a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, includes a rotatable carrier wheel for transporting a container closure from a supply position, at which the container closure to be supplied is supplied from a closure supply, to a transfer position, at which the transported container closure is received by a closing device, wherein the carrier wheel is configured so as to be displaceable between an operating position corresponding to the transfer position, and a retracted position in which the carrier wheel is spaced from the transfer position. The device also includes a scraping unit configured to remove the container closure held by the closing device. The scraping unit is mounted upstream of the rotatable carrier wheel with respect to a movement direction of the closing device. A closing device including the device is also described.

An apparatus for applying a container closure to a container, for example for applying a can lid to a can, for example in a beverage filling plant, includes an application unit having a closure receptacle for receiving a container closure, and an ejector unit movable relative to the application unit for ejecting a container closure received in the closure receptacle, wherein an ejector part, for example in the form of an ejector screen, which comes into physical contact with the container closure, for ejecting the container closure is arranged on the ejector unit on its side facing the closure receptacle, wherein the ejector part is detachably attached to the ejector unit via a quick-coupling mechanism. A closer including the apparatus is also described.

An apparatus for applying a container closure to a container, for example for applying a can lid to a can, for example in a beverage filling plant, includes an application unit having a closure receptacle for receiving a container closure, and an ejector unit movable relative to the application unit for ejecting a container closure received in the closure receptacle, wherein an ejector part, for example in the form of an ejector screen, which comes into physical contact with the container closure, for ejecting the container closure is arranged on the ejector unit on its side facing the closure receptacle, wherein the ejector part is detachably attached to the ejector unit via a quick-coupling mechanism. A closer including the apparatus is also described.