A device for holding a container in a container handling machine, for example for holding a support-ring-free bottle for the application of a screw closure, includes a carrier and a holding arrangement arranged on the carrier. The holding arrangement is movable relative to the carrier between a closed position for holding the container and an open position for releasing the container. The holding arrangement includes a collar-shaped support projection for supporting the container on a retaining ring of the container. The collar-shaped support projection includes a support projection region of a first holding arm and a support projection region of a second holding arm. The first holding arm and the second holding arm are arranged on the carrier so as to be pivotable in relation to one another for moving between the open position and the closed position.

A chuck for a capping machine includes a plurality of chuck members, a biasing member configured to bias the plurality of chuck members radially inward, an abutting portion configured to abut against a top face of a cap, and a plurality of chuck jaws provided on an inner surface of each of the plurality of chuck members to engage knurls of the cap. Each of the plurality of chuck jaws includes a leading flank and a trailing flank. An angle of the trailing flank with respect to an outer circumference of the cap is less than an angle of the leading flank with respect to the outer circumference of the cap.

The present invention relates to a capping machine equipped with a plurality of capping heads with roto-translation movement. In particular, the present invention relates to a capping head (1) comprising a supporting structure (2) on which a roto-translation system (3) is mounted, operatively connected to a capping device (4), characterized in that the roto-translation system (3) comprises a linear motor (3a) and a rotary motor (3b) operatively coupled so as to impart a roto-translation motion to the capping device (4) and in that the capping head (1, 201) comprises a suspension system adapted to keep the rotary motor (3b) in a raised position even when the linear motor (3a) is disconnected or electromagnetically decoupled.

A chuck for a capping machine includes a plurality of chuck members, a biasing member configured to bias the plurality of chuck members radially inward, an abutting portion configured to abut against a top face of a cap, and a plurality of chuck jaws provided on an inner surface of each of the plurality of chuck members to engage knurls of the cap. Each of the plurality of chuck jaws includes a leading flank and a trailing flank. An angle of the trailing flank with respect to an outer circumference of the cap is less than an angle of the leading flank with respect to the outer circumference of the 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.

A container sealing machine comprising: a rotary turret having a plurality of sealing heads arranged to rotate about an axis of the rotary turret, each sealing head comprising: an inductive heater arranged to inductively heat a foil closure of a container, and a sealing surface arranged to exert pressure on the closure, and a plurality of gripper assemblies arranged to rotate about the axis of the rotary turret, each gripper assembly being arranged for engaging a neck of a container; a bottle and a closure for use in such a machine; and a machine and method for manufacturing such a closure.

There is provided an automated analyzer which can eliminate static charge on receptacles storing analytes or reagents to thereby offer improved accuracy of analysis. The automated analyzer comprises: a receptacle carrier mechanism operative to hold a plurality of receptacles storing liquid and to carry the held receptacles in a given direction; a reader device for reading identification information of the receptacles carried by the receptacle carrier mechanism; a static eliminator for eliminating static charge on the receptacles carried by the receptacle carrier mechanism; and an input/output controller for causing the static eliminator to carry out the elimination of the static charge in synchronism with successive reading by the reader device of the identification information of the receptacles carried by the receptacle carrier mechanism.

The present invention relates to a capping machine equipped with a plurality of capping heads with roto-translation movement.

In particular, the present invention relates to a capping head (1) comprising a supporting structure (2) on which a roto-translation system (3) is mounted, operatively connected to a capping device (4), characterized in that the roto-translation system (3) comprises a linear motor (3a) and a rotary motor (3b) operatively coupled so as to impart a roto-translation motion to the capping device (4) and in that the capping head (1, 201) comprises a suspension system adapted to keep the rotary motor (3b) in a raised position even when the linear motor (3a) is disconnected or electromagnetically decoupled.

A rotary capping machine for containers with screw caps includes a central and fixedly mounted support around which a rotary carrier having capping arrangements can be driven to rotate rotation by a first motor. The capping arrangements have capping tools that can be lifted and lowered and that can be rotated by a second motor. Each has, on its underside, a capping head for receiving screw caps. The support central includes a bottom support, the top end of which is connected to a middle support that forms a bearing section and that has a rotary bearing. The middle support releasably connects to a top support, which releasably connects to a head plate. The drive gear's rotation axis and that of the first motor are parallel to the machine axis. The drive gear meshes with a crown gear formed on the rotary carrier. The second motor's drive gear is parallel to the machine axis and meshes with a crown gear formed on the control element.

A spindle-shaft unit for closing a 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.