US 12,275,626 B2
Self-actuating mechanically-biased container restraint
Jurjen Sinnema, Joure (NL); and Franciscus Feijen, Leeuwarden (NL)
Assigned to BD KIESTRA B.V., Drachten (NL)
Filed by BD KIESTRA B.V., Drachten (NL)
Filed on May 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/658,430.
Application 18/658,430 is a continuation of application No. 17/288,788, granted, now 12,012,323, previously published as PCT/EP2019/079336, filed on Oct. 28, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/752,042, filed on Oct. 29, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0383736 A1, Nov. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. B67B 3/20 (2006.01); B67B 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC B67B 3/206 (2013.01) [B67B 3/2066 (2013.01); B67B 7/182 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated system for mechanically capping and decapping a container, the system comprising:
a mechanical cap gripper assembly comprising:
an ejector operatively coupled to an impeller, both of which are concentrically positioned about a rotatable threaded drive shaft, wherein the impeller rotates in response to rotation of the threaded drive shaft;
a coupler assembly operatively engaged with the ejector wherein the ejector comprises a plurality of ejection rods and wherein the impeller translates along the threaded shaft to allow the ejector to move from a first position where each of the plurality of ejection rods are retracted from the coupler assembly to a second position where each of the plurality of ejector rods are advanced into the coupler assembly, wherein the coupler assembly further comprises a plurality of fingers, each of which receives a biased engagement spline wherein the engagement splines are in a gripping position when the ejector is in the first position;
wherein the mechanical cap gripper assembly operates to cap and decap a container held in container constraining assembly comprising a block having a proximal and a distal end with a channel therein from the proximal end to the distal end, the channel adapted to receive the container from the proximal end in the block, the channel having a length such that a portion of the container that receives the cap does not enter the channel;
at least one lever positioned proximate to a distal end of the channel in the block wherein the at least one lever is pivotally attached to the block and wherein the lever has a radial portion that extends substantially radially with respect to the channel and an axial portion that extends substantially axially relative to the channel and wherein the radial portion and the axial portion of the lever rotate with respect to an axis defined by the pivotal attachment of the lever to the block wherein the at least one lever is mechanically biased with a first biasing force such that the radial portion of the at least one lever extends inwardly and upwardly into the channel and the axial portion of the at least one lever extends upwardly and outwardly with respect to a channel axis; and
wherein, in response to a downward force exerted by the container in the channel that exceeds the mechanical bias of the at least one lever, the lever pivots at a proximal end of the radial portion and axial portions of the lever such that a distal end of the radial portion is urged downward in response to the downward force exerted on the container received by the channel and the distal end of the axial portion is urged toward the container in the channel such that the distal end of the axial portion contacts the container with a static friction force (Fs).