Apparatus and method for inverting a stop flange on a tamper-indicating closure

1. Apparatus for inverting a stop flange on a tamper-indicating closure, from an axially outwardly oriented position as molded to an axially inwardly oriented position for use, which includes:

a support base for supporting the closure such that the stop flange as molded is spaced from and oriented away from said support base,

a pedestal movably carried by said support base at a position spaced from said support base,

a locator ring carried by said pedestal and movable with said pedestal to engage the stop flange on a closure carried by said support base and to bend the stop flange radially inwardly, and

an inversion ring for movement through said locator ring to engage and invert the stop flange bent radially inwardly by said locator ring to the axially inwardly oriented position for use.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said support base is movable toward said pedestal and said inversion ring such that the stop flange on a closure supported on said support base is engaged by said locator ring and said inversion ring in sequence.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 including cam means coupled to said support base for moving said pedestal relative to said support base.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said cam means includes a cam in stationary position relative to said inversion ring and a cam follower carried by said support base, said cam follower being engaged with said cam and said pedestal to move said pedestal and said locator ring toward and away from said support base as said support base is moved toward and away from said inversion ring.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said cam follower includes an arm pivotally carried by said support base, a first cam roller on said arm and engaged with said cam and a second cam roller on said arm engaged with said pedestal.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 5 including a spring engaged with said pedestal and biasing said pedestal away from said support base.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 including a thread pilot between said support base and said inversion ring, said thread pilot engaging a closure on said support base prior to engagement of the closure with said locator ring or said inversion ring to hold the closure on said support base.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said locator ring includes a surface for engaging and rounding the closure prior to inversion of the stop flange.

9. Apparatus for inverting a circumferentially continuous stop flange on a tamper-indicating closure, from an axially outwardly oriented position as molded to an axially inwardly oriented position for use, which includes:

a support base for supporting a closure such that the stop flange as molded is spaced from and oriented away from the support base,

a thread pilot spaced from and opposed to said support base,

a circumferentially continuous locator ring surrounding said thread pilot, and

a circumferentially continuous inversion ring disposed between said locator ring and said thread pilot,

said support base being movable toward said thread pilot, said locator ring and said inversion ring to engage a closure supported by said support base with said thread pilot to hold the closure in position on said support base, then to engage the closure with said locator ring preliminarily to bend said stop flange from the axially outwardly oriented position as molded to a radially inwardly oriented position, and then to engage the stop flange with said inversion ring further and finally to bend the stop flange from said radially inwardly oriented position to the axially inwardly oriented position for use.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim 9 wherein said locator ring includes a surface for engaging and rounding the closure prior to inversion of the stop flange.