Patent ID: 6973761

Claim:
A capping machine which applies a downward force to apply caps onto an upper threaded neck of at least one container, said capping machine including a container support, a wear plate with at least two abutments, said container support countering at least a majority of said downward force as said cap is threaded onto said neck of said at least one container to inhibit deformation or crushing of the body and base of said container during the insertion of a cap, said container support at least partially engaging said at least one container at a lower surface of a flange that at least partially extends radially from said neck of said at least one container, said wear plate at least partially inhibiting rotation of said at least one container as said cap is threaded onto said neck of said at least one container, and including a star wheel, said container support connected to said star wheel to move said at least one container along a generally circular path, said wear plate and said container support moving in unison with said star wheel about a machine axis wherein said at least two abutments are disposed at an angle other than parallel to each other and extend upwardly from an upper surface of said wear plate.