An apparatus (100) for automated capping and de-capping of test tubes (112) having an ejector pin (230) system for individualized cap (113) ejection.

Methods of sealing a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods that reduce the amount of force applied to a metallic bottle to seal the metallic bottle with a ROPP closure. The methods include use of a capping apparatus that may include more thread rollers than known capping apparatus. Optionally, the thread rollers may use more forming passes to form threads on the ROPP closure. The capping apparatus may also rotate one or more of the ROPP closure and the metallic container in a closing direction before the metallic container is discharged. In one embodiment, the thread rollers form the closure threads before or after a pilfer roller applies a sideload to the ROPP closure.

The invention relates to a capper head having at least one movement arm, which has an actuation section for actuating the at least one movement arm and a contact section for contacting a cap. The capper head further has a control element that is or may be brought into contact with the actuation section of the at least one movement arm to effect a movement of the at least one movement arm, and a cover that covers the control element and the actuation section of the at least one movement arm. Preferably, the cover may protect important components of the capper head from cleaning fluid, etc.

A sealing and pressure dosing apparatus, and container filling method, including a capping machine (102) which receives containers (1). Closures (80) are applied to the containers (1) immediately following the raising of pressure within the containers (1) by a pressure dosing system in a pressure sealing chamber (84). Preferably a cooling system is integrated with the capping machine.

A quick-change coupling is described for a container treatment machine, in particular a capping machine, with an outer member and an inner member engaging therewith in a positive-fit manner, between which members torques in a working direction of rotation and axial forces can be transmitted. Due to the fact that the outer member and the inner member are connectable to each other by pushing one into the other and twisting, a simple connection/separation of the quick-change coupling is possible without tools, as well as reliable and play-free transmission of unidirectional torques and contact pressure forces.

A capping head for applying caps on containers or bottles and a capping assembly are provided. The capping head comprises a gripping assembly having a hollow body longitudinally extending along a vertical axis and internally defining a seat for the cap, the seat being delimited at its lower end by an inlet mouth for the introduction of the cap. A moving assembly is connected to the gripping assembly for controlling the movements thereof and is hermetically separated therefrom, and an ejector member is housed inside the hollow body of the gripping assembly, in such a manner that it is free to axially slide. The ejector member carries first and second magnetic elements such that a relative axial approach of the second magnetic element towards the first magnetic element results in a translation of the ejector member towards the lower inlet mouth of the gripping assembly.

A self-adjusting capping chuck includes a support having a longitudinal axis, a guide element fixed with respect to the support and having guides, jaws which engage respective guides and are movable with respect to the support between release and gripping positions, the jaws have respective gripping surfaces and first cam surfaces, and a control ring movable relative to the support along the longitudinal axis between lowered and raised positions and having second cam surfaces cooperating with first cam surfaces of the jaws, so that the movement of the control ring from the lowered to the raised position moves the jaws from the release to the gripping position. The control ring has an abutment wall arranged to abut on a head surface of a closure element so that, during movement of the chuck along the longitudinal axis, the closing element moves the control ring from the lowered to the raised position.

Disclosed is a method of fastening a cap of a container, the method including: specifying a screw thread engagement point of a cap and a neck ring of a container; and aligning the engagement point with a fastening start position of the cap and fastening the cap to the neck ring, in which the specifying of the engagement point includes detecting the engagement point by rotating the cap in a reverse direction in a state where the cap is seated on the neck ring.

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.

A system and an apparatus for dispensing and retrieving products is provided. The system may include: a grasping head; first and second grasping members, each grasping member comprising: a top member; a post member; and first and second grasping fingers, where the first and second grasping fingers extend from the post member and are spaced apart from the top member by a predetermined distance, where the first and second grasping members are connected to the grasping head, where at least one of the first and second grasping members is movably connected to the grasping head, where the at least one of the first and second grasping members is movable relative to the other of the first and second grasping members.