Apparatus for guiding and positioning closures on containers

Abstract

An apparatus for directing and seating a closure having abutments disposed about its interior periphery, with a container having mating grooves for receiving such closure. The preferred embodiment employs an overhead adjustable belt for correctly positioning and guiding the closure onto a moving container by applying a continuous downward force across the top of the closure once it comes to rest upon the container. The container in turn is caused to be contacted at its periphery by a rotating belt and a back-up stationary surface. The resultant torque imparted thereto urges, the container to turn and positively engage and lock with the closure abutments. An alternate embodiment, employs a knurled roller disposed along the container-closure line of travel for initially positioning the closure on the container by engagement with the closure at its periphery. A frictional pawl further upstream, contacts the already positioned closure to cause initial locking between the closure abutments and container grooves. Finally, the closure-container unit is acted upon by a pair of rotating conically shaped rollers also disposed in the line of travel, so as to finally lock the closure to the container. This embodiment makes use of an adjustable overhead guide assembly for controlling vertical movement of the closures as they are positioned to the containers.