MXPA06011494A - Capping device with force adjustment mechanism and method of adjusting - Google Patents

Abstract

A capping device fits caps onto containers by applying an axial force to the caps as they are threaded onto the containers. The capping device utilizes a driv e member rotatable about an operational axis for imparting rotation to a capper body slidably coupled to the drive member. A helical spring urges the capper body away fro m the drive member with a biasing force. An adjustment mechanism adjusts the biasi ng force thereby adjusting the axial force applied to the caps as they are threaded onto the containers. A pair of retaining pins move between a latched position to prevent adjustment of the biasing force and an unlatched position to allow adjustmen t of the biasing force. The retaining pins are biased in the latched position to prevent inadvertent adjustment of the biasing force during use.

Description

PLUGGING DEVICE WITH FORCE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM AND ADJUSTMENT METHOD FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally concerned with a plugging device for fitting caps on containers, particularly beverage containers. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with the tamponing device having a configuration for applying an axial force to pre-threaded caps as they are screwed onto the containers. The plugging device also includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the axial force to accommodate different applications and / or optimizing the operation of a tamponing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Corking machines commonly use multiple corking devices, also known as corking heads or head equipment to equip pre-threaded lids on containers to secure the contents disposed within the container. A typical plugging device includes an actuator member operatively coupled to a driving force such as a drive motor or turret assembly for imparting rotation to the drive member. A plugging body is coupled to the drive member to rotate with the drive member and slide relative to the drive member. A portion that engages the cap is mounted to a lower part of the cap body via a clutch dependent on its torque, such that when the cap body moves downwardly to engage a cap to be threaded onto the cap. the container, the clutch limits the amount of torque transmitted to the lid. Frequently, a spring acts between the coupling portion with the cap and the driver to soften "the impact of the plugging body on the cap.In other words, the spring absorbs the impact of the downward movement of the tamping device, tailored that the packing body comes into contact with • the lid to screw the lid onto the container.Otherwise, the lid may not fit properly on the container.In some systems, the driving force provided by the spring is adjustable to adjust In these systems, a collar with internal threads engages with the external threads on the drive element, so that the collar can be threaded or unscrewed on the drive element to move the collar up or down, respectively The spring, which acts between the collar and the body of the tampon, is compressed or decom primed when the collar is threaded or unscrewed on the drive element, respectively, thereby adjusting the driving force. To prevent the collar from moving, and prevent the driving force from changing, a locking screw fixes the collar in place in a predetermined adjustment position on the drive member. However, the set screw may be prone to movements during use. Vibration to the plugging device caused by upward and downward rotation and movement associated with repetitive operation can inadvertently release the set screw from its position, thereby resulting in undesirable movement of the collar out of the predetermined setting position. , thereby undesirably adjusting the driving force. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device that prevents inadvertent adjustment of the driving force. There is also a need in the art for a device that includes a way to have the ability to determine the change in driving force during adjustment, so that the user can adjust each of the multiple plugging devices in the packing machine to a desired force setting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a plugging device for fitting caps on containers by applying an axial force to the caps as they are threaded onto the containers. The plugging device comprises a drive element for rotating about an operational axis. A plugging body is slidably coupled to the drive element and rotatably fixed to the drive member. As a result, the plug body slides relative to the driver member along the operational axis during use and rotates with the plug body around the operational axis during use. A driving element drives the plugging body away from the driving element with a driving force. An adjustment mechanism adjusts the driving force, thereby adjusting the axial force applied to the lids as they are threaded onto the containers. A retention mechanism prevents adjustment of the driving force in a locked position and allows adjustment of the driving force in an unlocked position. The retention mechanism includes a movable fastener between the locked and unlocked positions. The retention mechanism also includes a drive component that urges the fastener in the locked position to prevent inadvertent adjustment of the driving force during use. As a result, the undesirable adjustment of the driving force is avoided, thereby improving the consistency in the axial force applied to the lids as they are threaded onto the containers and reducing the soiling of the lids and the time of paralysis that may occur when the driving force is inadvertently adjusted. In another aspect of the present invention, the retention mechanism includes a plurality of discrete detents disposed on the driver to receive the fastener. In this instance, the fastener is placed in one of the plurality of discrete detents in the retained position to prevent adjustment of the driving force and the fastener moves outwardly from the plurality of discrete detents in the non-locked position. to allow adjustment of the driving force. In another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of visual marks corresponding to increments of the driving force are provided on the plugging device, in such a way that the user can determine the change in the driving force during the adjustment of the driving force. In still another aspect of the present invention, a rolling mechanism is a reservoir between the inner surface of the driving member and the outer surface of the plugging body, to allow relative sliding movement between the driving member and the packing body, while it prevents relative rotational movement between the drive element and the plug body. The rolling mechanism includes a plurality of internal bearing slots defined on the inner surface of the driving member, a plurality of complementary external bearing grooves defined on the outer surface of the packing body and a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the grooves. Each of the slits is parallel to the operational axis. The present invention also provides a method for adjusting the axial force applied to the lids as they are threaded onto the containers. The method includes moving the adjusting mechanism to a predetermined adjustment position to adjust the driving force of the driving member, adjusting by axial force applied to the caps as they are threaded onto the containers. The method further includes retaining the adjustment mechanism in the predetermined adjustment position with the fastener to prevent further adjustment of the driving force and driving the fastener in the position required to retain the adjustment mechanism normally in the position of default setting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as it is better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plugging device; Figure 2 is another perspective view of the tamponade device fitted with an upper portion being spaced from a lower portion; Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the tamponade device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partial side view of the lower portion of the tamponing device; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the tamponade device taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6A is a detailed cross-sectional view of a retention mechanism and adjustment mechanism of the lower portion of. Figure 5 with the retention mechanism shown in the retained position, and Figure 6B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the remaining mechanism and the adjustment mechanism of the lower portion of Figure 5 with the retention mechanism shown in the position without retaining DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the figures, in which similar numbers indicate similar or corresponding parts in all the various views, a plugging device is shown in general with the number 10 in figures 1 and 2. The plugging device 10 includes an upper portion 12 and a lower portion 14. As discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the upper portion 12 is mounted to a tampon machine (not shown), which imparts rotation to the tamporing device 10 about an axis Operation A via a drive motor, turret assembly or other driving source. The lower portion 14 has a stopper unit 11 (shown in dashed lines) mounted at a lower end thereof. The plugging unit 11 may comprise a clutch Ia 'and a portion 11b that engages the lid, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,240,678, incorporated herein by reference. The rotation of the plugging device 10 finally provides torque to the portion 11b that engages the lid in a conventional manner to thread the pre-threaded caps C onto containers R as the containers R and the caps C pass through the container. the clogging machine. The plugging device 10 simultaneously applies an axial force to the caps C as they are threaded onto the containers R. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the lower portion 14 of the packing device 10 is detachable from the upper portion 12 for service and / or to change the type of packing unit 11 for different applications. The lower portion 14 of the tamporing device 10 will be described in detail later herein. A detailed description of the upper portion 12 and the manner in which the lower portion 14 quickly connects and disconnects from the upper portion 12 is described and claimed in the copending US patent application Serial No., File Number of the '. Lawyer 65,111-099, filed on the same date with this, which is incorporated herein by reference. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the lower portion 14 of the plugging device 10 includes a connector 16 for inserting the upper portion 12 for connecting the lower portion 14 to the upper portion 12. The connector 16 has a base flange 18 which. defines a plurality of openings 20 and a pair of channels 24. Driving keys 25, which are fixed to the upper portion 12, are press fit within the channels 24 when the lower portion 14 is connected to the upper portion 12. drive keys 25 transfer the rotation of the upper portion 12 to the lower portion 14. A tapered body 28 is disposed on the base flange 18 and extends upwardly from the base flange 18 to engage with the upper portion 12, as further described in the copending application incorporated herein by reference. Referring to Figures 3-5, an impeller sleeve 32 having a cylindrical shape is mounted to the connector 16. The impeller sleeve 32 has an upper flange 33 with a plurality of openings 35. The fasteners 22 are inserted through the openings 20. in the base flange and opening 35 in the upper flange 33 to secure the drive sleeve 32 to the connector 16. Thus, when the upper portion 22 rotates about the operational axis A and imparts rotation to the connector 16 via the drive keys 26, the The driver sleeve 32 also rotates with the conductor 16. A plug body 34 is slidably coupled to the driver sleeve 32 and rotationally fixed to the driver sleeve 32, such that the plug body 34 slides relative to the driver sleeve 32 as length of the operational axis A during use and rotates with the drive sleeve 32 around the operational axis A during use. The corking body 34 includes a connector flange 52 for attaching the corking unit 11 (shown in phantom lines in Figures 1 and 2) in a conventional manner. An inner sleeve 53 having a cylindrical shape extends upwardly from the connector flange 52 into the interior of the thrust sleeve 32. A bearing mechanism acts between the inner sleeve 53 and the thrust sleeve 32 to provide the relative sliding movement and fixed rotational movement between the packing body 34 and the driving sleeve 32. The bearing mechanism includes a plurality of internal bearing slots 38 defined on an inner surface 36 of the driving sleeve 32 parallel to the operational axis A. Also, the bearing mechanism includes a plurality of complementary external bearing grooves 42 defined on an external surface 40 of the packing body 34. The external bearing grooves 42 are aligned with the internal bearing grooves 38 parallel to the operational axis A. The bearing mechanism also includes 44 ball bearings captured between the internal bearing grooves 38 and external 42. The slits 38, 42 and ball bearings 44 allow the plug body 34 to move smoothly up and down along the operational axis A relative to the drive sleeve 32. At the same time, the 44 ball bearings prevent relative rotation between the driver sleeve 32 and the plug body 34. Thus, the driver sleeve 32 acts as a rotational driver to rotate the plug body 34 about the operational axis A. Preferably, there is at least three sets of internal bearing slots 38 and external 42 with ball bearings 44 disposed therebetween. In one embodiment, 16 sets of internal bearing slots 38 and 42 external ones are used with four ball bearings 44 falling within each set of slits 38, 42. In this embodiment, 44 ball bearings are less than 0.635 cm (1/4 inch) in diameter. A retainer 43 is disposed within the driver sleeve 32 to engage the plug body 34. The retainer 43 includes threads 46 on an external surface thereof configured to engage with threads 48 disposed on an internal surface of the plug body 34. A upper detent flange 43 retains ball bearings 44 within bearing grooves 38, 42. Similarly, drive sleeve 32 includes a lower flange 47 (see Figure 5) that retains ball bearings 44 at an opposite end. Although not shown, the upper rim of the retainer 43 may include an opening for receiving a clip to secure the retainer 43 to an upper portion of the inner sleeve 53 of the plug body 34. Referring briefly to the detailed view of Fig. 3, 44 ball bearings are shown suspended in the outer bearing slots 42. It should be appreciated that this is for illustrative purposes only. During the actual assembly, the driving sleeve 32 is first slid over the corking body 34 and the slits 38, 42 are aligned. Then, with the slits 38, 42 aligned, the ball bearings 44 are disposed in the corresponding pairs of slits 38, 42 and captured between the lower flange 47 and the upper flange of the retainer 43. A driving member 50 is disposed between the sleeve impeller 32 and the corking body 34 for driving the corking body 34 away from the driving sleeve 32 with a driving force F. The driving member 50 is preferably a coil spring 50 disposed on the base flange 52 of the corking body 34 around an annular tier 55. A bellows spring (not shown) could replace the coil spring 50. As shown, a spring washer 54 with a downward facing flange 57 is disposed on top of the coil spring 50 with the flange 57 which fits into the interior of the coil spring 50. The coil spring 50 provides the axial force finally applied by the stopper unit 11 on the stoppers C as they are threaded onto the containers R. Referring specifically to Figure 5, an adjustment mechanism is operatively coupled to the coil spring 50 to adjust the driving force F acting on the plugging body 34, thereby adjusting the force axially applied to the caps C as they are threaded onto the containers R by the selected packing unit 11. The adjustment mechanism includes external threads 56 disposed on an external surface of the driver sleeve 32. The adjustment mechanism further includes a collar 61 having an inner surface with internal threads 58 for engaging with the external threads 56 of the driving sleeve 32. The user rotates the collar 61 in relation to the driving sleeve 32 between a plurality of adjustment positions to raise or lower the collar 62 as a result, since the coil spring 50 constantly presses the washer a spring 54 against a flange 63 of the collar 61, this movement compresses or decompresses the coil spring 50. This adjusts the driving force F provided by the coil spring 50. During operation, the collar 51 could vibrate or otherwise disengage from the position of desired adjustment and begin to rotate upwards to release the coil spring 50 and decrease the driving force F. In order to prevent this from occurring, a detent mechanism is operatively coupled to the adjustment mechanism to limit the adjustment of the driving force F. The holding mechanism includes a pair of fastening elements 67 movable between a retained position, to prevent adjustment of the driving force F and a non-retaining position to allow adjustment of the driving force F. The fastening elements 67 are further defined as retaining bolts 67. The retaining mechanism further includes a series of vertical channels 74 defined in the supe outer surface 40 of the driving sleeve 32, parallel to the operational axis A, to receive the retaining bolts 67 in the retained position. The vertical channels 74 operate as a plurality of detents described and spaced for the retaining bolts 67. A retaining sleeve 66 is attached to the retaining bolts 67 to move the retaining bolts 67 between the retained and released positions. More specifically, the retaining bolts 67 interconnect the clamping sleeve 66 and the collar 61. In this embodiment, each of the retaining bolts 67 includes a first end fixed to the clamping sleeve 66 in a pressure-tight manner and a second tapered end extending into the elongated grooves 72 defined in the collar 61. The grooves 72 penetrate through the internal threads 58 of the collar 61. The tapered ends of the retaining bolts 67 are formed to align with the internal threads 58 of the collar 61, when the retaining bolts 67 are in the non-retaining position. More specifically, the tapered ends include a tapered section 73 that matches the shape of the internal threads 58. In one embodiment, the tapered section 73 includes a 60 degree taper to match a 60 degree taper of the internal threads 58. Referring to Figure 6A, the retaining bolts 67 protrude through the slots 72 out of alignment with the internal threads 58 of the collar 61 in the retained position. Here, the second ends of the retaining bolts 67 are disposed in one of the vertical channels 74. Since the second ends of the retaining bolts 67 do not align with the internal threads 58 in this retained position, the collar 61 can not rotate in relation to the driving sleeve 32. In other words, the second ends of the retaining bolts 67 are connected to the external threads 56 of the driving sleeve 32 in either one or the other rotational direction. Thus, the retaining bolts 67 can not move out of the vertical channel 74. This is the normal position of the retaining bolts 67. Referring to Figure 6B, the clamping sleeve 66 has moved downward, in such a way that the retaining bolts 67 protrude through the slots 72 in alignment with the internal threads 58 of the collar 61. This is the non-retained position of the retaining bolts 67. Now, the second ends of the retaining bolts 67 are aligned with the internal threads 58 to engage with the external threads 56 of the drive sleeve 32. Thus, the collar 61 can be rotated between the plurality of adjustment positions to adjust the driving force F. A plurality of drive components 64, further defined as spring springs. compression 64, are circumferentially spaced in recesses along the flange 63 of the collar 61 to drive the clamping sleeve 66 upwardly away from the flange 63 for normally placing the retaining bolts 67 in the retained position and preventing inadvertent adjustment of the driving force F during use. The holding sleeve 66, which includes a textured outer surface 68 for fastening by a user, includes a flange 71 that extends downwardly beyond the collar 61 to conceal the compression springs 64. During use, the user pulls downwardly. on the clamping sleeve 66 which pulls the retaining bolts 67 to the bottom of the grooves 72 in the collar 61 (see Figure 6B). The tapered sections 73 of the retaining bolts 67 are thereby aligned with the internal paths 58, such that the retaining bolts 67 can be moved through the external threads 56 to rotate the collar 61 relative to the sleeve. impeller 32 for compressing or decompressing the coil spring 50. Once the desired adjustment position of the collar 61 is found, the user releases the clamping sleeve 66. If the retaining bolts 67 are not yet aligned in one of the vertical channels 74, further rotation of the collar 61 either in one direction or another will automatically place the retaining bolts 67 in the next available channel 74. once the retaining bolts 67 are in a vertical channel 74, the compression springs 64 drive automatically the clamping sleeve 66 upwards and return the retaining bolts 67 to the upper part of the grooves 72 in the collar 61 in the position n hold (see Figure 6A). The height of the grooves 72 in the collar 61 is equal to one-half the distance of the internal threads 58. From here, the retaining bolts 67, which remain in the appropriate vertical channel 74, are now aligned with one another. crest of the external threads 56, as shown in Figure 6A, in such a way that the additional rotation of the collar 61 either in one direction or another is impeded. Referring again to figures 3 and 4, a series of visual marks or markers 76 are arranged on the outer surface 40 of the driving sleeve 32 in at least a few, if not all, of the vertical channels 74 to indicate the amount of the driving force F, that is, compression force , such as in pounds, provided by the coil spring 50, in such a way that the user can determine the change in the driving force F which is effected when the driving force F is adjusted. A tube 78 extends through the drive sleeve 32 and the stopper body 34 in the lower portion 14. The tube 78 is used with the stopper unit 11 for purposes well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail. . Preferably, each of the components described above are formed of metal or metal alloys, such as stainless steel, aluminum and the like.

Other appropriate materials can also be used to form these components. While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted by elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications can be made to suit a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without deviating from the essential scope thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. A plugging device for equipping lids on containers by applying an axial force to the lids as they are threaded onto the containers, the device is characterized in that it comprises: an impeller to rotate about an operational axis, a clogging body slidably coupled to the driving element and rotationally fixed to the driving element, such that the clogging body slides relative to the driving element along the operational axis during use and rotates with the driving element about the operational axis during use, a driving element urges the plugging body away from the driving element with a driving force, an adjustment mechanism operatively coupled to the driving element to adjust the driving force, thereby adjusting the axial force applied to the caps to as they are threaded onto the containers, and a retention mechanism that includes a movable attachment element between a retained position to prevent adjustment of the driving force and a non-retained position to allow adjustment of the driving force, the retaining mechanism includes a driving component operatively coupled to the fastening element for driving the fastening element in the retained position to prevent inadvertent adjustment of the driving force during use. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive element has an external surface and the adjustment mechanism includes external threads disposed on the external surface of the drive element. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustment mechanism includes a collar having an internal surface with internal threads for coupling with the external threads of the drive element, to allow the rotation of the collar in relation to the drive element between a plurality of adjustment positions. 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the driving element is arranged between the collar and the stopper body. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the collar defines an elongated slot that penetrates through the internal threads and the fixing element protrudes through the slot in alignment with the internal threads of the collar in the position without retaining to engage with the external threads of the drive member as the collar is rotated between the plurality of adjustment positions. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the fixing element protrudes through the slot out of alignment with the internal threads of the collar in the retained position to prevent coupling of the external threads with the drive element and prevent the rotation of the collar in relation to the driving element. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the retaining mechanism includes a second fixing element movable between a retained position to prevent the rotation of the collar in relation to the driving element and a non-retaining position to allow rotation of the collar in relation to the drive element. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the collar includes a second elongated slot which penetrates through the internal threads opposite the other slot and the second fixing element protrudes through the second slot in alignment with the second slot. Internal threads of the collar in the non-retaining position and out of alignment with the internal threads of the collar in the retained position. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that it includes a clamping element operatively coupled to the collar and fastening elements for manually moving the fastening elements in the grooves between the retained and non-retaining positions. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the driving component includes a plurality of springs that urge the fastening element to place the fastening elements normally in the retained position. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening elements are further defined as retaining bolts, each of the retaining bolts includes a first end fixed to the fastening element and a second end extending to the fastening elements. slots, wherein the second end is formed to align with the internal threads of the collar in the non-retained position. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the retention mechanism includes a plurality of vertical channels defined on the external surface of the drive element for receiving the fixing element in the retained position. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that it includes a plurality of visual marks on the external surface of the driving element in the vertical channels corresponding to increases in the driving force, in such a way that the user can determine a change in the driving force during the adjustment of the driving force. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving element is further defined as a compression spring, with the adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the compression of the compression spring to adjust the driving force. 15. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a rolling mechanism arranged between the drive element and the stopper body to allow relative sliding movement between the drive element and the stopper body, while preventing the Relative rotational movement between the drive element and the plugging body. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the bearing mechanism includes a plurality of internal bearing grooves defined on an internal surface of the driving member, a plurality of complementary outer bearing grooves defined on an outer surface of the body of the bearing. clogging and a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the slits, each of the slits is aligned parallel to the rotational axis. 17. A plugging device for equipping lids on containers by applying an axial force to the lids as they are threaded onto the containers, the device is characterized in that it comprises: a driver for rotating about an operational axis, a plugging body slidably coupled to the drive element and rotationally fixed to the drive member, such that the stopper body slides relative to the drive member along the operational axis during use and rotates with the drive member around the operational axis during use , a driving element that drives the plugging body away from the driving element with a driving force, an adjusting mechanism operatively coupled to the driving element to adjust the driving force, thereby adjusting the axial force applied to the lids as they are threaded on the containers, and a retention mechanism that includes a fastening element for retaining the adjustment mechanism in a predetermined adjustment position, the retaining mechanism includes a plurality of discrete detents disposed on the driving element for receiving the fastening element, wherein the fastening element is movable between a position retained in one of the plurality of discrete detents to prevent adjustment of the driving force and a non-retaining position out of the plurality of discrete detents to allow adjustment of the driving force. 18. A plugging device for fitting caps on containers by applying an axial force to the caps as they are threaded onto the containers, the device is characterized in that it comprises: a driving element for rotating about an operational axis, a body of plugging slidably coupled to the drive element and rotationally fixed to the drive member, such that the plug body slides relative to the drive member along the operational axis during use and rotates with the drive member about the operating axis during the use, a driving element that drives the plugging body away from the driving element with a driving force, an adjustment mechanism operatively coupled the driving element to adjust the axial force, thereby adjusting the axial force applied to the tailored lids which are threaded on the containers, and a plurality of visual marks corr In this way, the user can determine a change in the driving force during the adjustment of the driving force by means of the adjusting mechanism. 19. A plugging device for equipping lids on containers by applying an axial force to the lids as they are threaded onto the containers, the device is characterized in that it comprises: a driver element having an internal surface for rotating about an axis operational, a plug body having an outer surface slidably coupled to the inner surface of the driver member and rotationally fixed to the inner surface of the driver member; a rolling mechanism disposed between the inner surface of the driving member and the outer surface of the plugging body to allow relative sliding movement between the driving member and the packing body, while preventing relative rotational movement between the driving element and the driving element. clogging body, and a driving element urging the plugging body away from the driving element with a driving force, the rolling mechanism includes a plurality of internal bearing slots defined on the inner surface of the driving member, a plurality of slits of complementary external bearings defined on the external surface of the plug body and a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the slits, each of the slits is aligned parallel to the operational axis. 20. A method for adjusting the axial force applied to the lids as they are threaded onto containers, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing a packing device having a packing unit for rotating about an operational axis for threading the caps on the containers and a driver to drive the tampon unit down towards the containers with a driving force, moving an adjustment mechanism to a predetermined setting position to adjust the driving force of the driver, - adjusting by this is the axial force applied to the lids as they are threaded onto the containers, retaining the adjustment mechanism in the predetermined adjustment position with a fastener to prevent further adjustment of the driving force, and driving the fastener into a retained position to retain the adjustment mechanism normally in the position of you default