Method of and apparatus for applying caps to containers

Claim 5

A method according to claim 2, wherein the strip of interconnected caps is pre-coated on one side with hot-melt adhesive, said one side being brought into engagement with the containers and being heat-sealed thereto at said terminal location.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 2, which includes the addition steps of: reciprocating a liquid dispensing means along said first feedpath, dispensing a measured quantity of liquid from said means simultaneously into a plurality of containers during each forward motion of the dispensing means, and returning the dispensing means at the end of each forward motion to a start position in register with a plurality of succeeding containers to be filled.

Claim 7

Apparatus for capping containers, comprising: first conveyor means for feeding a succession of containers in equally spaced relation along a first feedpath at a first rate of feed, means for advancing a succession of caps in interconnected strip form along a second feedpath having a point of register with the first, means for applying each successive cap to a respective container at said point of register, second conveyor means positioned adjacent to the point of register and engageable with said containers with applied caps, said second conveyor means being operable to disengage the containers from the first conveyor means and to advance the containers at a second rate of feed greater than the first, and severing means synchronized with the second conveyor means for severing the applied caps from the strip.

Claim 8

Apparatus for capping containers, comprising: first conveyor means for feeding a succession of containers in equally spaced relation along a first feedpath at a first rate of feed, means for advancing a succession of caps in interconnected strip form along a second feedpath having a point of register with the first, means for applying each successive cap to a respective container at said point of register, second conveyor means positioned adjacent to the point of register and engageable with said containers with applied caps, said second conveyor means being operable to disengage the containers from the first conveyor means and to advance the containers at a second rate of feed greater than the first, and severing means synchronized with the second conveyor means for severing the applied caps from the strip.

Claim 9

Apparatus for capping cup-like containers of frusto-conical shape, comprising: an endless belt conveyor having a horizontal forward run, said forward run defining a first feedpath, the conveyor providing a series of equally spaced pockets adapted to receive and support the containers, container dispensing means mounted above said forward run for dispensing containers into said pockets, drive means connected to the endless belt conveyor for driving the conveyor at a first rate of feed whereby to advance the containers along said feedpath, means for advancing a succession of caps in interconnected strip form along a second feedpath having a point of register with the first, capping means located at said point of register for applying each successive cap to a respective container fed thereto, a horizontal ramp mounted beneath said forward run, the ramp being engageable with the bottoms of the containers in advance of the point of register for raising the containers within said pockets, feed means located after the point of register and engageable with the containers and applied caps for advancing same along a horizontal feedpath at a second rate of feed greater than the first, and severing means synchronized with said feed means for severing the applied caps from the strip.

Claim 10

Apparatus for capping cup-like containers of frusto-conical shape, comprising: an endless belt conveyor having a horizontal forward run, said forward run defining a first feedpath, the conveyor providing a series of equally spaced pockets adapted to receive and support the containers, container dispensing means mounted above said forward run for dispensing containers into said pockets, drive means connected to the endless belt conveyor for driving the conveyor at a first rate of feed whereby to advance the containers along said feedpath, means for advancing a succession of caps in interconnected strip form along a second feedpath having a point of register with the first, capping means located at said point of register for applying each successive cap to a respective container fed thereto, a horizontal ramp mounted beneath said forward run, the ramp being engageable with the bottoms of the containers in advance of the point of register for raising the containers within said pockets, feed means located after the point of register and engageable with the containers and applied caps for advancing same along a horizontal feedpath at a second rate of feed greater than the first, and severing means synchronized with said feed means for severing the applied caps from the strip.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said feed means comprises a lower belt conveyor having a forward run aligned with said ramp and engageable with the raised containers for supporting the containers in the raised position, an upper belt conveyor having a forward run aligned with said second feedpath, said lower and upper conveyors being spaced so that the containers with applied caps are engaged frictionally between their forward runs, and drive means connected to the upper conveyor for driving the latter at said second rate of feed.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 7, including a liquid Dispensing device having a plurality of dispensing nozzles aligned along said first feed path, means for reciprocating said device along said first feedpath, said reciprocating means being synchronized with said endless belt conveyor for moving the device at said first rate of feed on each forward and return motion, and means for dispensing a measured quantity of liquid from said device simultaneously into each of a plurality of containers on each forward motion of the device.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said means for advancing a succession of caps comprises a pay out reel for dispensing the caps in interconnected strip form, a driven sprocket engageable with the interconnected caps as they are dispensed, and guide means for guiding the strip to the capping means at said point of register.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said severing means comprises a rotary multi-bladed knife combined with a crimper for crimping the edges of the caps onto the containers.