Patent ID: 6115992
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
An apparatus for placement of caps on openings of containers, comprising:a frame;a conveyor positioned adjacent said frame for advancing a container along a predetermined path, the container having an opening and a generally vertical axis extending through the center of said opening;a spindle assembly having a longitudinal axis, said spindle assembly being connected to said frame for movement along said longitudinal axis of said spindle assembly between a first position and a second position;a container guide mechanism connected to said frame for guiding a container so that the container axis generally coincides with said axis of said spindle assembly;a cap delivery system for delivering a cap to said spindle assembly such that when a cap is delivered the vertical axis of the cap generally coincides with said spindle assembly axis;a cap gripper attached to said spindle assembly such that when said cap gripper grips a cap delivered by said cap delivery system the vertical axes of the cap, the container and said spindle assembly are generally coincident when said spindle assembly overlies the container; andmeans for controlling a portion of the movement of said spindle assembly along said longitudinal axis of said spindle assembly by holding said spindle assembly in said first position until a cap is axially aligned under said cap gripper by said cap delivery system, then moving said spindle to a third position, intermediate said first and second positions, where a cap is gripped by said cap gripper, and then releasing said spindle to fall freely until the cap engages the open end of a container before said spindle reaches said second position.