A-t-o Inc.

Charles N Long

A container capping apparatus having a generally vertical tubular spindle carrying a cap holding chuck assembly is rotatable about its axis to apply a screw cap to a container with predetermined force. A control rod is vertically movable within the spindle against an actuator spring to release the applied cap from the chuck. An axle carried by the control rod projects through vertically elongated slots in opposite sides of the spindle, and is received in a control collar slidable on the spindle. A cam follower is carried by a yoke vertically slidable on the spindle and an external adjusting nut is carried by the yoke for movement therewith in operative engagement with the collar. The vertical position of the nut relative to the yoke is selectively adjustable, thereby to adjust the position of the control rod relative to the cam follower.

Spindle for capping machine

A capping machine turret has a number of circumferentially spaced screw-cap applying spindles with a cap engaging chuck at the lower end of each spindle. Each screw cap applying spindle of the capping machine is rotated by means which frictionally applies an accurately predetermined torque to the spindle and therefore to the cap engaging chuck at the lower end of the spindle. This is accomplished by providing a pair of pinions which are rotatably mounted on each spindle and are continuously rotated by drive means associated with the turret generally. Drive washers are provided at the outer radial faces of the two pinions and between the pinions and these drive washers have internal spline formations which interfit with external spline formations on the spindle. Spring means is provided for applying an axial compressive force against the assembly comprising the two pinions and three drive washers whereby the spindle is rotated by the frictional force between the radial faces of the pinions and the several drive washers. This predetermined axial force determines the maximum torque which can be applied to the screw caps by the capping spindle.

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Buffalo, NY, United States of America

Charles N Long