Patent ID: 7377085
Filing Date: 2008-05-27
Classification: B67B

Abstract:
1. A capping machine, comprising: a fixed structure and at least one capping device for applying a cap on the neck of a bottle or similar container, wherein said at least one capping device comprises: a cap applying head movable along an axis, and a gripping unit removably connected to a lower end of the applying head and having a tubular body with an end mouth which is adapted to receive and hold a cap therewithin, said gripping unit comprising an ejecting member which is freely slidably mounted within the tubular body of the gripping unit along said axis, said ejecting member being totally separate and independent from said head, wherein said machine further comprises stop means connected to said fixed structure, said stop means being independent and separate from said gripping unit and said cap applying head and being located outside of said gripping unit and said cap applying head in a position in which they are able to limit the upward displacement of said ejecting member when the tubular body of the gripping unit moves upwards along with the applying head after the application of the cap on the bottle, so that the ejecting member is moved downwardly with respect to said tubular body of the gripping unit during said upward displacement, and so that, in the event the cap remains in the end mouth due to a failure in an operation for applying the cap on a bottle or container, the cap is ejected from the end mouth by said ejecting member.