Apparatus and method for a capping machine
First Claim
1. An apparatus for installing a cap having a threaded portion on a container having a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the cap corresponding to the threaded portion of the container, the apparatus comprising:
- a rotatable cap chuck, wherein the cap is positionable by the cap chuck in supported relation with the container;
a driver adapted to rotate the cap chuck, wherein the rotational velocity of the cap chuck is adjustable by the driver and a torque is imparted to the cap, wherein the torque is sufficient to rotate the threaded portion of the cap in screw tightening relation with the threaded portion of the container;
a first monitor, wherein the torque imparted to the cap is monitored;
a second monitor, wherein the amount of rotation of the cap is monitored;
a processor, wherein the processor is adapted to compare the monitored amount of cap rotation to a stored range of preferred amounts of cap rotation, and wherein the processor is adapted to compare the monitored torque to a stored range of preferred values of torque;
a controller, wherein the controller is adapted to control the driver, and wherein the rotational velocity of the cap is adjustable in response to the compared monitored torque and monitored amount of rotation;
a release adapted to disengage the cap from the cap chuck after a selected amount of rotation has been made.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A capping machine (10) and method for installing a cap (12) having a threaded portion onto a container (14) having a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the cap corresponding to the threaded portion of the container, the capping machine having a rotatable turret (20) and a rotatable cap chuck (16) which grips the cap and positions the cap on the container. The cap chuck is rotated by a spindle (22) driven by a servo motor (24) at adjustable and reversible rotational velocities independent of the rotational velocity of the turret. The number of rotations of the cap is determined by monitoring the number of rotations of the servo motor compared to the number of rotations of the turret and is transmitted to a spindle drive control(70). The torque imparted to the cap is monitored by a torque monitor (50) and is transmitted to the spindle drive control. The rotational velocity of the cap is adjustable in response to the compared monitored number of rotations and monitored torque. The capped container is released from the cap chuck after a selected number of rotations of the cap onto the container has been made. Caps applied outside a selected range of monitored torques and number of rotations are tracked and rejected.
61 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for installing a cap having a threaded portion on a container having a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the cap corresponding to the threaded portion of the container, the apparatus comprising:
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a rotatable cap chuck, wherein the cap is positionable by the cap chuck in supported relation with the container; a driver adapted to rotate the cap chuck, wherein the rotational velocity of the cap chuck is adjustable by the driver and a torque is imparted to the cap, wherein the torque is sufficient to rotate the threaded portion of the cap in screw tightening relation with the threaded portion of the container; a first monitor, wherein the torque imparted to the cap is monitored; a second monitor, wherein the amount of rotation of the cap is monitored; a processor, wherein the processor is adapted to compare the monitored amount of cap rotation to a stored range of preferred amounts of cap rotation, and wherein the processor is adapted to compare the monitored torque to a stored range of preferred values of torque; a controller, wherein the controller is adapted to control the driver, and wherein the rotational velocity of the cap is adjustable in response to the compared monitored torque and monitored amount of rotation; a release adapted to disengage the cap from the cap chuck after a selected amount of rotation has been made. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22)
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20. A method for installing a cap having a threaded portion on a container having a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the cap corresponding to the threaded portion of the container, the method comprising:
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positioning the cap in supported relation with the container; imparting a torque to the cap wherein the torque is sufficient to rotate the cap; rotating the cap with the threaded portion of the cap in engaged relation with the threaded portion of the container at an adjustable rotational velocity; monitoring the magnitude of the torque imparted to the cap; monitoring the amount of rotation of the cap; comparing through operation of a processor the monitored torque and the monitored amount of rotation to stored selected values; adjusting the rotational velocity of the cap in response to the compared monitored torque and amount of rotation; maintaining imparted torque until a predetermined amount of rotation is made; removing imparted torque. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification