Method and apparatus for orientating an annular element such as a flange of a pour spout fitment

Abstract

An orientating apparatus for a pour spout fitment ( 4 ) having an annular flange ( 4 F) comprises a mounting device for supporting the fitment ( 4 ), a follower ( 22 ), a drive arrangement arranged to produce relative rotary motion, about an axis, between the mounting device and the follower ( 22 ), a biassing device arranged to urge the follower ( 22 ) towards the mounting device, and a detection device arranged to detect relative movement between the mounting device and the follower ( 22 ) under the action of the biassing device and allowed by a notch ( 4 G) in the flange ( 4 F) and thereby to cause the drive arrangement to stop the relative rotary motion and to orientate the fitment ( 4 ).

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
   
   
       30 . A method comprising supplying a pour spout fitment, producing pressing force between a follower and an annular surface of said fitment, producing relative rotary motion, about the axis of said surface and between said surface and said follower in contact with said surface, until said surface allows or causes relative movement between said follower and said surface transversely of said relative rotary motion, detecting that the latter relative movement has been allowed or caused, thereupon ceasing said producing of said relative rotary motion, and thereafter applying the thereby orientated fitment to a container. 
   
   
       31 . A method according to  claim 30 , and further comprising, before said producing pressing force, displacing said fitment to an orientating location, said producing pressing force, said producing relative rotary motion, said detecting and said ceasing being performed while said fitment is at said orientating location. 
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 31 , and further comprising, before said displacing said fitment to said orientating location, displacing said fitment to a singulating location wherein said fitment is singulated relative to another fitment substantially identical to the first-mentioned fitment. 
   
   
       33 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein said producing said relative rotary motion is until said periphery allows movement of said follower towards said axis. 
   
   
       34 . Apparatus comprising a device for supplying a pour spout fitment having an annular surface, a mounting device for supporting said fitment, a follower, a drive arrangement arranged to produce relative rotary motion, about an axis, between said mounting device and said follower, a biassing device arranged to urge one of said mounting device and said follower towards the other, and a detection device arranged to detect relative movement between said mounting device and said follower under the action of said biassing device and thereby to cause said drive arrangement to stop said relative rotary motion. 
   
   
       35 . Apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein said follower has a leading end of a wedge form whereby relative movement between said follower and said fitment in a direction of said axis causes said leading end to ride onto an outer periphery of said surface. 
   
   
       36 . Apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein said detection device comprises an inductive sensor associated with said follower. 
   
   
       37 . Apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein said drive arrangement comprises a plunger substantially co-axial with said axis and turnable about said axis. 
   
   
       38 . Apparatus according to  claim 37 , wherein said plunger is of cupped form for receiving the exterior of a screw cap of a pour spout fitment of which said surface is of a flange of a pour spout thereof. 
   
   
       39 . Apparatus according to  claim 38 , wherein said cupped form is of a frustoconical form which widens forwardly. 
   
   
       40 . Apparatus according to  claim 38 , wherein said cupped form has pressure-equalisation holes between the interior and the exterior thereof. 
   
   
       41 . Apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein said mounting device is at an escapement having, in turn descending downwardly, a singulating location for said fitment, an orientating location for said fitment and a transfer location for said fitment, said mounting device, said follower, said drive arrangement, said biassing device and said detection device being effective in relation to said element at said orientating location. 
   
   
       42 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein said mounting device comprises an escapement pin. 
   
   
       43 . Apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein said mounting device comprises a laterally acting, reciprocable pin. 
   
   
       44 . A method comprising producing pressing force between a member and the outer periphery of an annular element, producing relative rotary motion, about the axis of said element and between said element and said member in contact with said periphery, until said periphery allows or causes relative movement between said element and said member towards or away from said axis, detecting said relative movement, and thereupon ceasing said producing of said relative rotary motion, thereby to orientate said element. 
   
   
       45 . A method according to  claim 44 , and further comprising, before said producing pressing force, displacing said element to an orientating location, said producing pressing force, said producing relative rotary motion, said detection and said ceasing being performed while said annular element is at said orientating location. 
   
   
       46 . A method according to  claim 45 , and further comprising, before said displacing said element to said orientating location, displacing said element to a singulating location wherein said element is singulated relative to another element substantially identical to the first-mentioned annular element. 
   
   
       47 . Apparatus comprising a mounting device for supporting an annular element, a follower member, a drive arrangement serving to produce relative rotary motion, about an axis, between said mounting device and said member, a biassing device arranged to urge one of said mounting device and said member towards the other transversely of said axis, and a detection device arranged to detect relative movement between said mounting device and said member under the action of said biassing device and thereupon to cause said drive arrangement to stop said relative rotary motion, thereby to orientate said element. 
   
   
       48 . Apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein said member has a leading end of a wedge form whereby relative movement between said member and said element in a direction of said axis causes said leading end to ride onto an outer periphery of said element. 
   
   
       49 . Apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein said detection device comprises an inductive sensor associated with said member.