US3775829A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for removing screw caps from containers
Assignee: BURTON J MACHINE CORP
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Filing: 1972-07-31
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for removing the screw cap from returnable bottles and like containers prior to refilling the bottles. The twist-off cap on the bottle is impaled by a blade and the blade and bottle are then relatively rotated to remove the cap. In the preferred form of the invention the bottles are moved around an arcuate path of travel and the large diameter body portion of the bottles are pressed against a frictional material to rotate the bottle while the impaling blade is held stationary relative to the bottle. Ejector means is provided for removing the caps from the blades. In another form of the invention, particularly adaptable for use with noncircular bottles, the impaling blades are rotated relative to the bottles.
Inventors
- 👤 H Rice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:22
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67B; B67B7/00; B67B7/18; B67B7/182; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49815; Y10T29/49819; Y10T29/49821
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
In the method of removing a screw cap from a cylindrical container, the steps of: moving the container along a path of travel, impaling the cap during said movement by an impaler having a noncircular cross section and simultaneously holding said impaler against rotation relative to the axis of rotation of said cap, establishing an abutment having a frictional surface alongside said path, urging said bottle laterally against said abutment surface during said movement whereby said container rotates about its longitudinal axis relative to said cap during said movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
In the method of removing a screw cap from a cylindrical container, the steps of: moving the container along a path of travel, impaling the cap during said movement by an impaler having a noncircular cross section and simultaneously holding said impaler against rotation relative to the axis of rotation of said cap, establishing an abutment having a frictional surface alongside said path, urging said bottle laterally against said abutment surface during said movement whereby said container rotates about its longitudinal axis relative to said cap during said movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surface is cylindrical and said path of travel is circular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for removing a screw cap from a cylindrical container comprising: means for moving said container along a path of travel, an impaler supported for movement with said container, means for impaling said cap by said impaler during said movement, an abutment having a friction surface alongside said path, means for urging said container laterally against said abutment surface during said movement whereby said container rotates about its longitudinal axis relative to said impaler.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for removing a screw cap from a cylindrical container comprising: means for moving said container along a path of travel, an impaler supported for movement with said container, means for impaling said cap by said impaler during said movement, an abutment having a friction surface alongside said path, means for urging said container laterally against said abutment surface during said movement whereby said container rotates about its longitudinal axis relative to said impaler.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said impaler is spring urged away from said cap at all times and cam means is provided for urging said impaler through said cap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein stop means is provided for engaging said cap when said cap has been removed and said spring means moves said impaler away from said cap for ejecting said cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said path is arcuate and said friction means is radially outward of said container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a wheel radially inwardly of said path urges said container radially outwardly against said friction means during said movement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3589103A
Cited
US3587208A
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US3583447A
Cited
US3686824A
Cited
US3613332A
Cited
US3689973A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |