Patent ID: 7299602
Filing Date: 2007-11-27
Classification: B67B

Abstract:
1. Capping device for screwing a prethreaded sealing cap onto a neck of a receptacle with an axis of symmetry, the neck having a threaded upper portion with height Hf provided with at least one thread with N turns and a lower portion with crimping ring, the sealing cap including a head and a metallic crimpable skirt, the device comprising: a capping head; rotating means for rotating the capping head at a rotation speed Ω about an axis of rotation common with the axis of symmetry; and axial displacement means for moving the capping head axially closer to and away from the neck which is fixed in axial position during a capping operation; the capping head comprising: a bearing head constructed and arranged to retain the cap during screwing and crimping operations, the bearing head being selectively coupled to the capping head for rotation and axial displacement; resilient means for applying a force varying from 20 to 150 N on the cap through the bearing head during at least a part of the rotating of the capping head; means for decoupling the bearing head from rotation of the capping head when torque on the bearing head increases beyond a predetermined level, and means for decoupling the bearing head from axial displacement of the capping head when axial displacement of the cap terminates by blocking of further rotation of the cap by the neck of the receptacle, thereby terminating rotation and axial displacement of the bearing head; means for crimping the skirt under the crimping ring, and means for coupling the axial displacement means to the crimping means upon termination of rotation and axial movement of the bearing head, thereby activating the crimping means crimp the skirt under the crimping ring, wherein the capping device utilizes a capping operation comprised of a rotating step and a crimping step in a single axial displacement of the capping head.