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

The present invention provides a new method and apparatus for sealing metallic bottles with a ROPP closure. The invention reduces the amount of force applied to the bottle during the sealing process compared to prior art methods, which reduces the likelihood of damage to the bottle. The invention also includes a capping apparatus with more thread rollers to form the closure threads on the ROPP closure, which reduces the amount of force applied to the closure and the bottle. The metallic bottle can store pressurized beverages without unintended venting, and the light-weight metallic bottle created using a reduced amount of metal material has a reduced material thickness and weight. The invention helps to save manufacturers, bottlers, and shippers millions of dollars annually and provides a more cost-effective solution for producing metallic bottles.

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 may result in a failure due to substandard sealing of the metallic bottle 2.

This can result in insufficient contact of the ROPP liner 14 with the bottle curl 6 and a failure to seal the metallic bottle 2.

Another failure caused by the use of too little topload is loss of seal of the metallic bottle 2 by movement of the ROPP closure 10.

This can result in venting of the content of the metallic bottle 2.

Although less than the cumulative load applied to glass bottles sealed with ROPP closures, these loads are almost excessive for current metallic bottles 2.

The small production window results in overstress and failures of the metallic bottle 2 or the ROPP closure 10 when the capping apparatus 22 is out of calibration or for marginal metallic bottles 2.

Due to the limitations associated with known methods and prior art apparatus used to seal metallic bottles, there is an unmet need for methods and apparatus of sealing metallic bottles that apply less force to the metallic bottle to achieve a seal.

Images