Apparatus and Methods of Capping Metallic Bottles

Abstract

An apparatus and methods of sealing a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to capping apparatus and methods that reduce the amount of force applied to a metallic bottle to seal the metallic bottle with a ROPP closure. The capping apparatus may include more thread rollers than known capping apparatus. Optionally, the thread rollers may use more forming passes to form threads on the ROPP closure. The capping apparatus may also rotate one or more of the ROPP closure and the metallic container in a closing direction before the metallic container is discharged. In one embodiment, the thread rollers form the closure threads before or after a pilfer roller applies a sideload to the ROPP closure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to the manufacture and sealing of containers. More specifically, this invention provides an apparatus and methods used to seal metallic containers with Roll-on Pilfer Proof (ROPP) closures.BACKGROUND[0002]Metallic containers offer distributors and consumers many benefits. The metallic body of a metallic container provides optimal protection properties for products. For example, the metallic body prevents CO2 migration and transmission of UV radiation which may damage the contents of the metallic container and negatively influence the effectiveness of ingredients, as well as the flavor, appearance, or color of the product. Metallic containers also offer an impermeable barrier to light, water vapor, oils and fats, oxygen, and micro-organisms and keep the contents of the metallic container fresh and protected from external influences, thereby guaranteeing a long shelf-life.[0003]The increased durability of metallic con...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The present invention provides novel apparatus and methods that apply less simultaneous force to metallic bottles during the sealing of the metallic bottles than prior art sealing apparatus an

Problems solved by technology

For example, the metallic body prevents CO2 migration and transmission of UV radiation which may damage the contents of the metallic container and negatively influence the effectiveness of ingredients, as well as the flavor, appearance, or color of the product.

Further, some consumers avoid plastic containers due to concerns that the plastic may leach chemicals into consumable products.

Because of the high speeds of the production lines, techniques or processes that may work in other industries or with containers formed of other materials do not necessarily work at the high speeds required for metallic container production lines.

Failures are possible when a greater than the nominal topload is used with a nominal sideload.

Another failure observed when too much topload is used is deformation of the metallic bottle 2.

Still another failure associated with the use of too much topload is ROPP closures 10 that are undesirably difficult to remove from metallic bottles 2.

A less than nominal topload

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