Abstract:
A preferred embodiment includes an apparatus for distributing a horizontal force through angular communication with a neck ring of a bottle having at least one surface. One preferred embodiment includes a stationary member shaped to accommodate the bottle and securing mechanism extending from the stationary member ring having one or more projections and a member to convey a neck ring towards a bottle. A horizontal force transmits the bottle about the stationary member and upon contact with the one or more projections is distributed into vertical and horizontal components causing the one or more projections to penetrate the neck ring.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application also claims Priority to: 1.) U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/266,157; filed 3 Dec. 2009, titled “Bottling Mechanism.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to Bottling Technology. In particular, the present invention relates to Bottling Technology that may be implemented in Multiple Bottling Applications. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Presently bottling technology involves transitioning numerous bottles through a line of mechanical components, each of which performs a specific function. Bottles are first filled with a desired liquid and in time eventually the liquid is capped within the bottle. This is known as the capping phase. These steps often occur at a high frequency and involve the capping of tens if not hundreds of bottles per minute. The speed and accuracy at which bottle caps can be applied to a bottle neck is absolutely critical. 
         [0006]    While fluid can be sealed within a bottle through numerous means which include enclosing the bottle via pressure fitting, using a type of threading mechanism, and numerous other applications, none is more desirable for an end user than a “capped” bottle. 
         [0007]    Applying a threading mechanism about an open end of a bottle is one of the most effective and preferable methods. This is because, the amount of torque applied can be adjusted, controlled, and manipulated to meet the requirements for the necessary capping implementation. Using such a method is more desirable than pressure fitting a cap, both due to both property constraints and the ability to limit energy input. For example, it is not necessary to pressure fit a cap on a water bottle, because the escape of carbon from the bottle is not necessary. Similarly, less torque is necessary to seal a water bottle than that of a soda bottle. Supplying minimal amounts of torque in various applications is advantageous for numerous reasons including the exhaustion of less energy. 
         [0008]    To that end, when torque is applied about a bottle, a natural tendency to spin occurs. To counteract the spin, bottles are often secured about the bottom via petal shaped plates. Additionally, small “knives” are located atop a portion of the caping mechanism, which physically “bite” into a portion of the bottle near its threads. Once the plates and “knives” have secured the bottle, torque is then applied about an opposing edge of the bottle, and in turn, the cap then seals the fluid within the bottom. Unfortunately, tendency to spin remains present which results in failures in the bottling process. These failures are believed to be in large part, a result of insufficiently securing a neck of a bottle, while simultaneous torsional loads are applied. 
         [0009]    Although present systems represent great strides in the bottling technology, many shortcomings remain. 
         [0010]    Thus there exists a need for an apparatus which secures the neck of a bottle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of apparatus  10  and a bottle to be capped by apparatus  10 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a bottle neck engaged by apparatus  10 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of apparatus  10 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of apparatus  10 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a forward view of apparatus  10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates apparatus  10 . Apparatus  10  is employed to distribute horizontal force through angular communication with a neck ring  31 . Neck ring  31  and extends substantially perpendicular from a longitudinal orientation of a bottle. Apparatus  10  includes stationary member  11  which is fashioned according to the shape of a bottle. A securing mechanism  20  extends from stationary member  11 . Projections  26 A and  26 B are formed from securing mechanism  20  and disposed opposite member  22 . Member  22  slopes generally downward towards in order to guide neck ring  31  towards projections  26 A and  26 B. 
         [0018]    Once a portion of neck ring  31  is transmitted towards securing mechanism  20 , member  22  guides neck ring  31  towards projections  26 A and  26 B causing penetration of a lower surface of neck ring  21 . As horizontal forces transmit bottle  30  towards securing mechanism  20  along radial length  27 , and contact is made with neck ring  31 , vertical and horizontal components are generated causing penetration of a lower surface of neck ring  21 . 
         [0019]    Once penetration has occurred, neck ring  31  becomes removably attached to apparatus  10  such that neck ring  31  rests just beyond an upper surface of stationary member  11 . The body of bottle  30  remains engaged about stationary member  11  while neck member  31  remains confined within securing mechanism  20 . At this point, bottle  30  is prevented from rotating and vertically shifting about the curvature of stationary mechanism  10 . After bottle  30  becomes stabilized, a chucking mechanism installs a bottle cap about the top of bottle  30 . Finally bottle cap  30  is released from securing mechanism  20  and conveyed beyond the radial length of stationary mechanism  20  as the curvature of securing mechanism  20  and stationary member  11  correspond. 
         [0020]    Securing mechanism  20  includes several components which assist in the securitization of neck ring  31 . Projections  26 A and  26 B are formed from securing mechanism  20  to establish points that remain sharp enough to pierce neck ring  31 . An upper portion of securing mechanism  20  provides guidance such that a neck ring  31  can be transmitted towards projections  26 A and  26 B. Securing mechanism  20  is shaped according to the slope of an upper surface of neck ring  31  such that once a bottle is inserted into securing mechanism  20 , the slope of the upper surface of neck ring  31  slides in accordance with the slope of upper portion of neck ring  31 . As the slopes of each component meet along a horizontal path, neck ring  31  is transmitted horizontally and vertically such that a bottom portion of neck ring  31  is pierced by projections  26 A and  26 B. Projections  26 A and  26 B sufficiently pierce neck ring  31  such that neck ring  31  is prevented from rotating. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a side view of securing mechanism  20  of apparatus  10  is shown.  FIG. 2  illustrates Neck ring  31  fully engaged by securing mechanism  20 . Securing mechanism  20  is disposed within a channel of stationary member  11  such that projection  26 A is disposed just above the top of stationary member  11 . A gap between projection  26 A and top portion of securing mechanism  20  extends according to the thickness of a neck ring to ensure that the neck ring fits snugly between projection  26 A and lip portion  22 . Securing mechanism  20  is shaped such that neck ring  31  prohibits portions of bottle  30  from striking another portion of securing mechanism  20 . Neck ring  31  prevents damage to bottle  30  while providing securing point so that torsional forces may be properly applied to the threading of bottle  30  without damaging the chucking mechanism such that the bottle to remains fixed. 
         [0022]    Edges of protruding members  26 A and  26 B are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of stationary member  11 . By orienting the edges perpendicular to the stationary member  11 , a substantial penetration of neck ring  31  can be obtained. In certain embodiments, protruding members  26 A and  26 B extend substantially parallel to the orientation of the slope of the upper portion of member  22 . In other embodiments, protruding members  26 A and  26 B extend substantially parallel to the orientation of stationary member  11 . 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of apparatus  10  is illustrated where the shape of stationary member  11  is slightly different. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the curvature of securing mechanism  20  and stationary member  11  follow similar arcs. It is incumbent to note that in the present embodiment securing mechanism  20  attaches to stationary member  11  by being seated in a channel and coupled using two rivets. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , another side view of apparatus  10  as shown in  FIG. 3  is illustrated. As is depicted in  FIG. 4 , securing mechanism  20  is seated within a channel such that protruding members  26 A and  26 B extend slightly above the surface of stationary member  11  and parallel to member  22 . While it is preferable two protruding members  26 A and  26 B, in particular embodiments, various protruding members can be employed to extend at varying degrees of slope. For example, in certain embodiments member  22  may extend parallel to the surface of stationary member  11  and not parallel to protruding members  26 A and  26 B. In other embodiments, protruding members may extend at an angle less than or greater than they presently extend and may extend to a longer or shorter distance. Such embodiments would be preferable when neck rings of various sizes are required. 
         [0025]    It should be noted that in a preferred embodiment bottle  30  preferably includes a neck ring with a generally flat lower portion and a curved upper portion. By using a bottle with a generally flat lower portion, protruding members  26 A and  26 B are more likely go get a better “bite” into a neck ring. However in alternative embodiments such as where a neck ring extended in a downward sloping manner protruding members  26 A and  26 B could be adjusted to “bite” into a neck ring at a particular angle. For example, if the lower surface of the neck ring were to extend downward, protruding members  26 A and  26 B could also extend generally downward, but be oriented such that the tips of the protruding members extend in a fashion substantially parallel to the slope of the lower portion of the neck ring. 
         [0026]    In the event that a user desired to “bite” into a top portion of a neck ring, meaning that protruding members were oriented along the top portion of securing member  20 , one could do so as long as a “bite” is achieved by running parallel to the slope of the portion of the neck ring into which it is biting. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a frontal view of apparatus  10  is illustrated. As is shown protruding members  26 A and  26 B extending from securing mechanism  20  which is disposed about channel  25 . In this particular embodiment, protruding members  26 A and  26 B each include tip portions which are supported by more substantial bases. Protruding members  26 A and  26 B are generally disposed about the width of channel  25  in order to “bite” into the largest portion of a neck ring. Further channel  25  is disposed along the rear portion of stationary member  11  in order to ensure that the bottle neck is first properly seated before a proper bite can be achieved. 
         [0028]    In certain embodiments, channel  25  and an accompanying securing mechanism  20  may extend to various lengths and include additional protruding members located at numerous locations. For example, in another embodiments channel  25  may extend to greater than or less than a quarter the radial length of stationary member  11 . In such embodiments, additional protruding members may be employed. If, for example channel  25  were to extend to a quarter the radial length of the curvature of stationary member  11 , three or four protruding members could be employed to further secure the mechanism. Similarly, if one desired to have protruding members “bite” into the top surface of a neck ring, protruding members could be disposed in a downward facing fashion and member  22  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) could be oriented to slope upward. It should also be noted that in the present embodiment, securing mechanism  20  should be made of a different material than stationary member  11  and is preferably designed to be replaced after a certain number of capping iterations. 
         [0029]    Various components of apparatus  10 , including stationary member  11 , and securing mechanism  20  may be made from a wide variety of materials. These materials may include metallic or non-metallic, magnetic or non-magnetic, elastomeric or non-elastomeric, malleable or non-malleable materials. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include metals, plastics, polymers, wood, alloys, composites and the like. The metals may be selected from one or more metals, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel, magnesium, or any other structural metal. Examples of plastics or polymers may include, but are not limited to, nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PE), polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), or polycarbonate and combinations thereof, among other plastics. Apparatus  10  and its various components may be molded, sintered, machined and/or combinations thereof to form the required pieces for assembly. Furthermore each apparatus  10  and its various components may be manufactured using injection molding, sintering, die casting, or machining. 
         [0030]    It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims. 
         [0031]    All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of various embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that other variations can be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.