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VIAL CAPPING APPARATUS

  • US 3,852,941 A
  • Filed: 08/20/1973
  • Issued: 12/10/1974
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1973
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A capping machine for assembling a cap to a vial with rotation and pressure, said capping machine being adapted for operative association with:

  • a. first means for delivering caps to a first location;

    b. second means for delivering filled vials to a second location; and

    c. third means for receiving capped vials at a third location;

    said capping maching comprising;

    d. a rotary worktable mounted for rotation about an upright axis;

    e. at least one capping device mounted on said worktable adjacent its periphery for rotation therewith;

    f. fourth means for rotating said worktable whereby said capping device moves therewith in an arcuate path through said first, second, and third locations;

    said capping device including;

    g. a vial holder for receiving a vial from said second means, for tightly holding said vial between said second and third locations, and for delivering said vial to said third means;

    h. a cap holder comprising a pair of fingers for holding a cap by the rim thereof, a mechanism for moving said fingers toward one another to closed position for holding a cap during movement of said capping device between said first and third locations and for moving said fingers apart to release said cap from said fingers at said third location;

    i. an elongated, upright spindle mounted for upward and downward movement in axial direction;

    j. a barrel mounted on said spindle for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said spindle and being movable upwardly and downwardly with said spindle, said barrel supporting said cap holder at the lower end thereof;

    k. a first cam follower connected to said spindle;

    l. a first cam arranged in camming relation to said first cam follower, said first cam having a camming surface contoured for moving said cap holder with said spindle and said barrel downwardly at said first location whereby said cap holder descends on a cap at said first location, the camming surface of said first cam being contoured to effect upward movement of said cap holder with said spindle between said first and second locations, and said camming surface of said first cam being contoured to effect downward movement of said cap holder with said spindle between said second and third locations whereby said cap holder is biased downwardly on said vial during assembly of said cap to said vial;

    m. a turning ring formed about said spindle on the surface of said barrel;

    n. A turning block engageable with said turning ring between said second and third locations for rotating said cap by said cap holder relative to said vial during assembly of said cap to said vial;

    o. an aligning ring on said barrel formed about the axis of said spindle and including a pair of flat spots therein, said flat spots being disposed inwardly of adjacent portions of said aligning ring, and p. a second turning block engageable with said aligning ring between said third location and said first location for rotating said cap holder until said fingers are spaced apart in the direction of movement between said third location and said first location.

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