초록 ▼

A method for sorting and/or orienting caps using an automated capping line can comprise providing a single cap to a cap-receiving cavity defined in a body of a puck. In various embodiments, the body can be vibrated to settle and/or orient the cap to a properly oriented position within the cap-receiv

A method for sorting and/or orienting caps using an automated capping line can comprise providing a single cap to a cap-receiving cavity defined in a body of a puck. In various embodiments, the body can be vibrated to settle and/or orient the cap to a properly oriented position within the cap-receiving cavity. In at least one embodiment, the vibrating can include applying horizontal vibration and/or vertical vibration to the body. As a result, the properly oriented caps can be conveyed to a capping machine configured to apply each cap to a cap-receiving portion of a container.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of sorting and orienting caps, the method comprising: a. providing a plurality of pucks to a conveyor, each puck comprising a surface and a cavity defined in the surface;b. providing a plurality of caps to the surfaces of at least a portion of the plurality of pucks, wherein the number o

1. A method of sorting and orienting caps, the method comprising: a. providing a plurality of pucks to a conveyor, each puck comprising a surface and a cavity defined in the surface;b. providing a plurality of caps to the surfaces of at least a portion of the plurality of pucks, wherein the number of the plurality of caps exceeds the number of the cavities in the portion of the plurality of pucks;c. settling a group of the plurality of caps into at least some of the cavities in the portion of the plurality of pucks;d. removing excess caps by blowing the excess caps with air;e. vibrating the portion of the plurality of pucks to cause at least a portion of the settled caps to orient uniformly wherein the vibrating the portion of the plurality of pucks comprises applying one of horizontal vibration, vertical vibration, and combinations thereof;f. detecting one of proper orientation and improper orientation of the settled caps; andg. transferring the properly oriented caps to a capping machine. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising: a. positioning the plurality of pucks in a row on a belt portion of the conveyor; and activating the conveyor. 3. The method of claim 1, comprising: a. integrally forming the plurality of pucks with a belt portion of the conveyor; and activating the conveyor. 4. The method of claim 1, comprising: a. transferring the settled caps to a plurality of cap carriers when detecting the proper orientation, andb. conveying the plurality of cap carriers and the settled caps to a capping machine. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the uniformly oriented caps are positioned at a local minimum state of potential energy.