US3864898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic container capping and lid dispensing device
Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corp
•
Filing: 1973-08-21
•
Granted: 1975-02-11
•
Expires: 1993-08-21
Abstract
Abstract An automatic container capping and lid dispensing device is provided in which a vertical magazine of stacked horizontally disposed lids is vertically reciprocated toward and away from a vertically disposed container beneath the magazine. Such downward stroke of the magazine releases the lowermost lid therein and seats it on rim of the container to cap the latter. The return stroke prepares the stack of lids for the next dispensing and capping stroke.
Inventors
- 👤 John Barth West
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:06
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B43/00; B65B43/42; B65B43/44; B65B7/00; B65B7/16; B65B7/28; B65B7/2807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
In a lid dispensing and container capping means the combination comprising: elongated tubular magazine means for holding a plurality of container lids in a substantially coaxial stack adjacent an open dispensing end of said magazine; bearing means mounting said magazine means for reciprocating movement of said magazine; said bearing means including cam means; leveling and dispensing detent means mounted on said magazine and extending in-board of said open dispensing end thereof to preclude said stack of said lids from dispensing in a first position of said magazine means relative to said bearing means; said detent means being constrained by said cam means to a position outboard of said magazine means in a second position of said magazine means relative to said bearing means; clamping means mounted on said magazine means adjacent said dispensing end thereof and extending through the periphery of said magazine and constrained by said cam means into selective engagement with a plurality of said lids in said stack; said clamping means being out of engagement with said lids when said detent means is inboard of said magazine means and in engagement with said lids when said detent means is outboard of said magazine means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a lid dispensing and container capping means the combination comprising: elongated tubular magazine means for holding a plurality of container lids in a substantially coaxial stack adjacent an open dispensing end of said magazine; bearing means mounting said magazine means for reciprocating movement of said magazine; said bearing means including cam means; leveling and dispensing detent means mounted on said magazine and extending in-board of said open dispensing end thereof to preclude said stack of said lids from dispensing in a first position of said magazine means relative to said bearing means; said detent means being constrained by said cam means to a position outboard of said magazine means in a second position of said magazine means relative to said bearing means; clamping means mounted on said magazine means adjacent said dispensing end thereof and extending through the periphery of said magazine and constrained by said cam means into selective engagement with a plurality of said lids in said stack; said clamping means being out of engagement with said lids when said detent means is inboard of said magazine means and in engagement with said lids when said detent means is outboard of said magazine means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said detent means comprises a plurality of detents spaced about the periphery of said magazine means, each said detent being mounted on a follower arm extending therefrom into proximity with said bearing means; said fOllower arms having rise and dwell surfaces thereon engaging said cam means in response to reciprocating movement of said magazine means relative to said bearing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said clamping means comprises a plurality of clamping shoes, conformally shaped to said lids and spaced about the periphery of said magazine means, each said clamping shoe being mounted on a follower arm extending therefrom into proximity with said bearing means; said follower arms having rise and dwell surfaces thereon engaging said cam means in response to reciprocating movement of said magazine means relative to said bearing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said detent means comprises a plurality of detents spaced about the periphery of said magazine means, said detents being mounted on respective first follower arms extending therefrom into proximity with said bearing means; and wherein said clamping means comprises a plurality of clamping shoes, conformally shaped to said lids and spaced about the periphery of said magazine means in alternating positions with said detents, said clamping shoes being mounted on respective second follower arms extending therefrom into proximity with said bearing means; said first and second follower arms having rise and dwell surfaces thereon engaging said cam means in response to reciprocating movement of said magazine means relative to said bearing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention defined in claim 4, wherein said rise and dwell surfaces on said first and second follower arms are interrelated to constrain predetermined coordinated displacements to said clamping shoes and said detents.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said clamping means is displaced from said detent means such that the outermost lid in said stack rests on said detent means in the inboard position of the latter and at least the next adjacent lid in said stack is held by said clamping means when said detent means is in said outboard position, thereby permitting said outermost lid to be dispensed from said magazine means and the remainder of said lids to be retained therein for each reciprocation of said magazine means relative to said bearing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
152 words
Capping means for containers comprising: magazine means holding a plurality of container lids in a substantially vertical stack with each said lid disposed substantially horizontally; holding means for positioning an open mouthed container beneath said magazine means with the open mouth of said container in registry with said stack of lids; bearing means mounting said magazine for reciprocation on its longitudinal axis toward and away from said holding means; said lids and the mouth of said container having conformally shaped coacting rim structures to effect a force fit therebetween; and lid retaining and release means cooperating with said magazine and synchronized with the reciprocations thereof releasing the lowermost lid in said stack and retaining the remainder of said lids therein as said magazine approaches said container and subsequently applying a substantially vertical force to said rim structure of said lowermost lid to effect said force fit of said lid to said container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
152 words
Capping means for containers comprising: magazine means holding a plurality of container lids in a substantially vertical stack with each said lid disposed substantially horizontally; holding means for positioning an open mouthed container beneath said magazine means with the open mouth of said container in registry with said stack of lids; bearing means mounting said magazine for reciprocation on its longitudinal axis toward and away from said holding means; said lids and the mouth of said container having conformally shaped coacting rim structures to effect a force fit therebetween; and lid retaining and release means cooperating with said magazine and synchronized with the reciprocations thereof releasing the lowermost lid in said stack and retaining the remainder of said lids therein as said magazine approaches said container and subsequently applying a substantially vertical force to said rim structure of said lowermost lid to effect said force fit of said lid to said container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said lid retaining and release means laterally constrains said lowermost lid during application of said substantially vertical force.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said lid retaining and release means comprises: detent means selectively extending inboard of said magazine means beneath said lowermost lid in said stack; and clamping means selectively engageable with a plurality of said lids to retain all but the said lowermost of said lids in said magazine; said clamping means including: boss means overlapping said rim structure of at least said lowermost lid to apply said substantially vertical force thereto during the reciprocation of said magazine, and skirt means beneath said bosS means effecting a lateral constraint to said lowermost lid to maintain registry between the said rim structure thereof and that of said container mouth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention defined in claim 9, wherein said lid retaining and release means further includes actuating cam means engaging said bearing means selectively moving said detent means and said clamping means into and out of engagement with said stack of lids in predetermined sequence synchronized with said reciprocation of said magazine means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention defined in claim 10, wherein said bearing means includes cam surfaces thereon; and wherein said actuating cam means comprise first and second pivoted follower arm means mounting said detent means and said clamping means, respectively, to said magazine means; said follower arm means including rise and dwell surfaces sequentially engaging said cam surfaces on said bearing means during reciprocation of said magazine means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said open end of said magazine means terminates below said detent means and said clamping means to laterally constrain said lid means independently of said detent and clamping means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said magazine means includes a dependent portion extending below said lid retaining and release means and enshrouding the mouth of said container to laterally constrain said lid means independently of said lid retaining and release means when said lowermost lid is applied to said container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention defined in claim 7, wherein the said release of said lowermost lid, retention of the remainder of said lids and subsequent application of substantially vertical force to said rim structure of said lowermost lid to effect said force fit of said lid to said container all occur during a single continuous stroke of said magazine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |