Patent ID: 9096334
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for capping and sealing a vial with a cap, the vial comprising a hollow body having an opening to the interior thereof and a flanged neck surrounding the opening, the flanged neck having an undersurface, the cap comprising an elastomeric stopper arranged for disposition within the opening in the vial and an annular seal arranged to be crimped around and tightly engage the flanged neck of the vial to hold the stopper in place, said apparatus comprising a base and a carriage, said carriage being movable and comprising a platen, a first member, a second member, a load cell and at least one roller, said base being arranged to receive the vial thereon with the vial oriented so that the neck of the vial confronts said platen, said carriage being arranged to be moved relative to said base after the stopper is located in the opening of the vial, whereupon the movement of said carriage causes said platen to engage and apply a force to the stopper to drive the stopper into the opening of the vial, said load cell being coupled to said platen and moveable with said carriage to provide a signal indicative of the force applied to the stopper by said platen, said apparatus being arranged to halt the relative movement between said platen and said base when said signal provided by said movable load cell indicates the application of a desired force to the cap to thereby firmly seat the stopper within the opening in the vial, said at least one roller being arranged to apply a force to the annular seal to crimp the annular seal on the neck of the vial to hold the stopper in place within the opening in the vial and thereby seal the vial.