Appeal No. 2005-1227 Page 3
Application No. 10/099,321
container 1 until the actual momentary value of the torque transferred from the motor 9
to the closure cone 5 as determined by the current or voltage sensor 13 or the torque
sensor 15 reaches a predetermined tightening moment M1, the so-called application
moment. As soon as this moment M1 is reached, the angular rotation sensor 17 is
activated by the control device 19. As soon as the closure is additionally screwed down
through the desired angle of rotation W after reaching the application moment M1, the
control device 19 issues a signal to cut off the energy supply to the motor 9, thereby
preventing any further rotation of the closure. Spatz further teaches that, if the increase
in torque after reaching the application moment M1 and prior to reaching the desired
angle of rotation W is too small, this is an indication that either the seal in the cap is
defective, the cap was fractured prior to application on the container or the bottle thread
was inaccurately shaped. In any case, one can conclude therefrom that the cap will
race or spin on the container. The container is thus considered defective and is
separated out by a signal in the control line S. See column 6, lines 15-25. If, on the
other hand, the torque rises too rapidly after the application moment M1 has been
reached, and prior to reaching the desired angle of rotation W, this indicates that
damage has occurred at the thread of the cap or the container or that the cap or closure
has tilted on the container. Such a container is considered defective and is separated
out. See column 6, lines 26-34.
Based on the disclosure of Spatz discussed above, the methods of claims 6 and
7 read on the Spatz method in the following manner. Spatz’s screw closure 3 is
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Last modified: November 3, 2007