Abstract A process for capping a resilient thermoplastic bottle wherein the bottle has a rigid capping portion with an annular ring of thermoplastic material immediately below the cappable portion of the bottle, said process comprising placing the bottle on a bottle carrier in registration with a bottle-capping device, positioning a support device immediately below the annular ring of thermoplastic material on the bottle with a clearance gap between the support device and the annular ring of thermoplastic material, applying a cap to the cappable portion of the bottle using an axial compressive capping force wherein the resilient thermoplastic bottle deflects against the bottle carrier with enough deflection to close the clearance gap between the bottle support device and the annular support ring of thermoplastic on the bottle absorbing a portion of the axial capping force whereupon the bottle support device absorbs the remaining capping force.
A process for capping a resilient thermoplastic bottle having a rigid capping portion and an annular support ring immediately below the capping portion, said process consisting essentially of: a. placing the bottle on a bottle carrier in registration with a bottle-capping device; b. positioning a support device below the bottle annular support ring with a clearance gap between the support device and the support ring; and, without removing the bottle from the bottle carrier, c. applying a cap to the cappable portion of the bottle using an axial compressive capping force, whereby the bottle deflects against the bottle carrier to close the gap between the support device and the bottle support ring and absorbs a portion of the axial capping force, whereupon the support device absorbs the remaining axial capping force; and d. removing the capped bottle from the capping device, whereupon the bottle returns to substantially its original configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A process for capping a resilient thermoplastic bottle having a rigid capping portion and an annular support ring immediately below the capping portion, said process consisting essentially of: a. placing the bottle on a bottle carrier in registration with a bottle-capping device; b. positioning a support device below the bottle annular support ring with a clearance gap between the support device and the support ring; and, without removing the bottle from the bottle carrier, c. applying a cap to the cappable portion of the bottle using an axial compressive capping force, whereby the bottle deflects against the bottle carrier to close the gap between the support device and the bottle support ring and absorbs a portion of the axial capping force, whereupon the support device absorbs the remaining axial capping force; and d. removing the capped bottle from the capping device, whereupon the bottle returns to substantially its original configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein bottles are automatically and continuously placed in registration with the bottle capping device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the support device is positioned about 40 to 60 mils below the bottle support ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic bottle is a polyethylene terephthalate bottle.