US5321935A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slewing device for screw caps and method for putting screw caps on containers
Assignee: Closure Systems International Deutschland GmbH
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Filing: 1991-03-02
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Granted: 1994-06-21
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Expires: 2011-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A slewing device for screw closures for containers includes a screw closure receiving member, a drive for rotating the receiving member, and a control arrangement for controlling power supply to the drive and including a torque sensor for sensing an instantaneous drive torque, a comparator for comparing the instantaneous drive torque with a closing torque having a predetermined value, and a sensor for sensing an angle of rotation of the receiving member and actuatable only upon the instantaneous drive torque reaching the predetermine value. The method of placing a screw closure on a container includes applying a drive torque to the screw closure to screw it down onto the container, sensing an instantaneous drive torque applied to the screw closure, comparing the instantaneous drive torque with a closing torque having a predetermined value, and sensing an angle of rotation of the screw closure only upon the instantaneous drive torque reaching the predetermined value of the closing torque.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Spatz
- 👤 Wolfhard Schwarz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:06
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67B; B67B3/00; B67B3/20; B67B3/2073; B67B3/208; B67B3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A slewing device for screw closures for containers, comprising: a screw closure receiving member; a drive for rotating said receiving member; and control means for controlling power supply to said drive, said control means including: a torque sensor for sensing an instantaneous drive torque; comparator means for comparing the instantaneous drive torque with a closing torque having a predetermined value; and a sensor for sensing an angle of rotation of said receiving member and actuatable only upon the instantaneous drive torque reaching the predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A slewing device for screw closures for containers, comprising: a screw closure receiving member; a drive for rotating said receiving member; and control means for controlling power supply to said drive, said control means including: a torque sensor for sensing an instantaneous drive torque; comparator means for comparing the instantaneous drive torque with a closing torque having a predetermined value; and a sensor for sensing an angle of rotation of said receiving member and actuatable only upon the instantaneous drive torque reaching the predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A slewing device according to claim 1, wherein said torque sensor comprises at least one of a current sensor and a voltage sensor forming part of a power supply circuit for said drive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A slewing device according to claim 1, further comprising a power reversal circuit associated with said control means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A slewing device according to claim 3, wherein said torque sensor is associated with said power reversal circuit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of placing a screw closure on a container, comprising the steps of: applying a drive torque to the screw closure to screw it down onto the container; sensing an instantaneous drive torque applied to the screw closure; comparing the instantaneous drive torque with a closing torque having a predetermined value; and sensing an angle of rotation of the screw closure only upon the instantaneous drive torque reaching the predetermined value of the closing torque.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of placing a screw closure on a container, comprising the steps of: applying a drive torque to the screw closure to screw it down onto the container; sensing an instantaneous drive torque applied to the screw closure; comparing the instantaneous drive torque with a closing torque having a predetermined value; and sensing an angle of rotation of the screw closure only upon the instantaneous drive torque reaching the predetermined value of the closing torque.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said drive torque sensing step includes sensing at least one of a current and a voltage of power supply for driving the screw closure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of rotating the screw closure, after the enclosing torque of a predetermined value is reached, a predetermined angular amount.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of determining a chronological change of the closing torque.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said step of sensing an angle of rotation includes comparing an instantaneous angle of rotation with a predetermined angle of rotation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 5, further comprising the steps of reversal of power supply, and determining an opening moment as soon as a rotational angle of the screw closure exceeds 0°.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 5, further comprising the steps of selecting the predetermined closing torque as a limiting torque exceeding a desired closing torque, and rotating the screw closure through a predetermined angle counter a closing direction when the limiting torque is reached.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of initiating an additional closing process upon a determination of at least one of a defective angular value and a defective torque value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of sorting out a container upon sensing at least one of a defective angular value and a defective torque value.
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) | 1997-06-20 | 1997-12-20 | 1998-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-20 | 2001-12-20 | 2002-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-20 | 2005-12-20 | 2006-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |