Patent ID: 6484477
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: B67B,B67C

Abstract:
A method for closing beverage containers with a screw-top closure that comprises a reclosable drinking portion and a protective cap to cover said reclosable drinking portion, said method comprising the steps of:opening said reclosable drinking portion in said screw-top closure; transporting said screw-top closure into a cleaning position in a cleaning arrangement; cleaning said screw-top closure with said cleaning arrangement; transporting said screw-top closure to a capping machine upon completion of said cleaning step; moving said screw-top closure in said capping machine into a position to be capped onto said beverage container; moving a beverage container in said capping machine into a position to be capped with said screw-top closure; screwing said screw-top closure onto said beverage container to close said beverage container; closing said reclosable drinking portion of said screw-top closure subsequent to screwing said screw-top closure onto said beverage container; moving said beverage container with said screw-top closure into a position to be further capped with said protective outer cap; moving said protective outer cap into a position to placed onto said screw-top closure; placing said protective outer cap onto said screw-top closure to partially surround said reclosable drinking portion of said screw-top closure to protect said reclosable drinking portion from contamination and thus produce a sanitary reclosable drinking portion; and moving the beverage container out of the capping machine.