US4614077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic tightening method and apparatus
Assignee: K T Manufacturing Co Ltd A CORP OF JAPAN
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Filing: 1985-04-17
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Granted: 1986-09-30
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Expires: 2005-04-17
Abstract
Abstract An automatic tightening method comprises the steps of transferring a torque, generated in a driving section for a screw cap through a power transmission joint section to a container, thereby screw-tightening the screw cap in a tightening apparatus for screw-tightening the screw cap by a rotational torque from the driving section, detecting a tightening torque applied to the container, adjusting the driving section or the power transmission joint section when the tightening torque reaches a predetermined tightening torque, and holding the predetermined tightening torque for a predetermined period of time, thereby obtaining the predetermined tightening torque irrespective of the transmitted rotation torque. Also, an apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed herein.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasutami Muto
- 👤 Kiyoshi Kohzuki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:14
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67B; B67B3/00; B67B3/20; B67B3/2073; B67B3/208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An automatic tightening method for screw tightening a closure component to a container component, the tightening method comprising the steps of: transferring a torque generated in a driving section for the closure component through a power transmission joint section to the container component, thereby screw-tightening the closure component to the container component by a rotational torque from said driving section; detecting a tightening torque applied to the container component; adjusting said driving section or said power transmission joint section when the tightening torque reaches a predetermined tightening torque to terminate an increase in said torque; and holding said predetermined tightening torque for a predetermined period of time, thereby obtaining said predetermined tightening torque irrespective of the transmitted rotational torque.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An automatic tightening method for screw tightening a closure component to a container component, the tightening method comprising the steps of: transferring a torque generated in a driving section for the closure component through a power transmission joint section to the container component, thereby screw-tightening the closure component to the container component by a rotational torque from said driving section; detecting a tightening torque applied to the container component; adjusting said driving section or said power transmission joint section when the tightening torque reaches a predetermined tightening torque to terminate an increase in said torque; and holding said predetermined tightening torque for a predetermined period of time, thereby obtaining said predetermined tightening torque irrespective of the transmitted rotational torque.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An automatic tightening method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said screw-tightening is carried out after the closure component has been temporarily tightened to the container component by inertia forces of fastening means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
An automatic tightening apparatus for screw-tightening a closure component, by a rotational torque from a driving section, said automatic tightening apparatus comprising a power transmission joint section for transmitting a rotational torque generated in said driving section for the closure component; a torque detector for detecting a tightening torque applied to a container component, to be closed by the closure component; and means for adjusting said driving section or said power transmission joint section to terminate an increase in said torque when a predetermined tightening torque is reached and to hold the tightening torque at said predetermined tightening torque for a predetermined period of time irrespective of the transmitted rotational torque.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
An automatic tightening apparatus for screw-tightening a closure component, by a rotational torque from a driving section, said automatic tightening apparatus comprising a power transmission joint section for transmitting a rotational torque generated in said driving section for the closure component; a torque detector for detecting a tightening torque applied to a container component, to be closed by the closure component; and means for adjusting said driving section or said power transmission joint section to terminate an increase in said torque when a predetermined tightening torque is reached and to hold the tightening torque at said predetermined tightening torque for a predetermined period of time irrespective of the transmitted rotational torque.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An automatic tightening apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said power transmission joint section comprises a frictional member, and said adjusting means adjusts a pressure applied to said frictional member, to thereby hold said predetermined tightening torque.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An automatic tightening apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said power transmission joint section comprises a ball clutch, and said adjusting means adjusts a pressure applied to said ball clutch, to thereby hold said predetermined tightening torque.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An automatic tightening apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said power transmission joint section comprises a hysteresis clutch, and said adjusting means adjusts a voltage and a current supplied to said hysteresis clutch, to thereby hold said predetermined tightening torque.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automatic tightening apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said driving section comprises a torque motor, and said adjusting means adjusts a voltage and a current supplied to said torque motor, to thereby hold said predetermined tightening torque.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-29 | 1990-03-31 | 1990-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-29 | 1994-03-31 | 1994-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-29 | 1998-03-31 | 1998-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |