US1928450A - Container capping machine - Google Patents

Description

SQP- 26, 1933- J. J. GAYNOR CONTAINER CAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 10, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Sept 26, 1933 J. J. GAYNOR CONTAINER GAPPING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. .o m

Original Filed Jan.. 10, 1931 Sept 26 1933- J. J. GAYNoR l,928,4

CONTAINER CAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 10, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented sept. ze, 193s con'rsrnan @carpino MAonrNn John Ll. Gaynor, Delphi, llnd., assigner to Horix Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a rvcorporation'ci Pennsylvania Original application January 1i), 1931, Serial No. 507,890.l Divided and this application January 12, 1932. Serial No. 586,124

7 Claims.

i This invention relates totheriilling` and capping of containers, and more particularly to mechanism for placing a cap on a container by automatically actuated capping mechanism.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 507,890, filed January l0, 1931.

One object of my invention is to provide in combination with a capping device a conveyor for bringing containers, hereinafter referred to as` bottles, into position to be, capped, and timing means for controlling the actuation of the capping device in accordance with movement of a bottle on the conveying means.

A more specific object of'rmvy'invention is to provide in combination with a bottle iilling machine a capping device arranged tocap a bottle when the bottle-is brought beneath the same, said capping vdevice being actuated by mechanism including a trip clutch which trips when a bottle moves into position to be capped.

In order to 'illustrate these and other objects of my invention which will become apparent in the course of the ensuing description, I have illustrated in the drawings one embodiment which my Vinvention may assume.`

`lin the drawings which are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments shown, p

Fig. l is a View in elevation of a filling machine combined with capping mechanism( arranged to cap a bottle as it passes from the lilling machine; v f

Fig. `2.is a detail view with parts broken away to facilitate illustration of the capping, device and actuating mechanism therefor; i

Fig. 3 is a View of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, taken at right angles to Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3; j

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line V-V of Fig. 2; l. i

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the actuating cam and lever r`for the capping mechanism, this view being taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a detail View on an enlarged scale of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, butshowingu the capping kdevice in raised position;

Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional views on an enlarged scale, showing the jaw lmembers of the clutch in closed andopen positions respectively.

The lling machine which `is shown only fragmentarily in Fig. 1 mayv be of any Well known type. 1, the tank 9 below whichare arranged the nll- There is shown in` broken lines, in Fig.

ing heads 10. A hopper 11 is'adapted to discharge caps through a chute 12 to be fed to the capping device. The hopper and chute are supported on standards 13 braced by an upper cross member 14 and a lower platforml, forming a frame in which the tank is mounted for rotation. A rotating table 16 is mounted above the lower platform and is driven by suitable actuating mechanism not shown. This table comprises a plurality of stirrups r17 (see Fig. 5), each stirrup being elevated and lowered by suitable elevating means 18. This elevating means may comprise a cam or track which controls the position of the stirrups 17 during rotation of the 70 pushed onto the stirrup 17 by the star wheel 22. 80

At the discharge pointof the lling machine is a stationary support 25 to which is secured a guide ringer 26. This nger projects angularly inwardly so as to deflect bottles from the stirrups 17 onto the support 25. The yokes pass in succession over the finger 26. The following arm of each yoke 24 cooperates with the linger 26 to move the bottle oi of the stirrups 17 onto the support 25. Since the details of the filling machine do not enter into the present invention, they have been omitted from the drawings and are not described in this specication.

The capping mechanism may be of the type adapted to apply a screw cap if the neck of the bottle is provided with screw threads. Where catsup bottles or the like are being filled, the capping device may be of the type adapted to apply crown caps. Certain aspects of my invention are broadly applicable to these and other types of cap applying devices, and it is to be understood that do not limit my invention tothe particular type of cap, applying devices illustrated in the drawings. These cap applying devices, however, have a cap receivingV recess in which the cap is disposed when it is applied to the bottle. The vcap applying device is then actuated so as to apply the cap to a bottle, and is again supplied with a cap byhaving such cap placed in the cap receiving recess.v This cycle is repeated as often as a bottle is presentedto be capped.

In the drawings, and more particularly in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, I have shown a crown cap applying device including a spring pressed plunger disposed above a die block as is customary in crown capping machines. The die block has a lateral opening 28 (see Fig. 4) through 'which caps enter the cap receiving recess 29. In this form of capping device, the cap receiving recess is directly beneath the spring pressed plunger of the capping device.

The chute 12 has a flexible vportion which is connected to a curved portion 30 secured to the side of the capping device. The opening 28 is a lateral opening and, therefore, caps must .be deflected from their path down the chute in order to enter the cap receiving recess A29. The weightV of the column of caps in the chute 12 is taken by an abutment member 32 at the lower end of the curved portion 30 of the chute; and at this .time

the lowest cap in the chute is in line with the cap receiving recess 29.

I have provided mechanism, ydescribed and claimed in the parent application, for pushing this lowermost cap laterally from the chute into the cap receiving recess 29. This mechanism comprises a swinging arm 33 having at its lower end a head 34forengaging lthe cap. This swinging arm is pivoted at 35 toa bracket 36. Itsupper end is provided with a crank 37 formed with an arcuate slot 38. A pin 39 which is supported by a 4bracket 40 extends into the slot 38. The bracket 40 is carried by a vertical rod 41, slidably mounted in lugs 42 and 43. A compression spring 45 extends between the lower lug 43 and the bracket 40, thus tending to move the bracket 40 upwardly.

The rod 41 is yieldably pressed downwardly relative to the capping device when a spring pressed plunger 47 engages the upper cross member 14. The plunger 47 is slidable within a bore 48 in the rod 41 and is pressed upwardly by a spring 49. vWhen the cap within the capping device has been applied tothe bottle, the capping device rises, bringing the spring pressed plunger A47 into engagement with the cross member 14. This lowers the bracket40, swings the arm 33 inwardly, and causes the lowermost cap in the chute to be pushed by the head 34 into `the cap receiving recess 29.

As is apparent from Fig. l, the capping device is normally maintained in elevated position by a coiled spring 50 suspended by hook 5l from the upper cross member 14. The lower end of the spring 50 is attached to a jaw carrying member 53 of a trip clutch generally indicated by the numeral 52. A pin 54 secures a rod 53 to the clutch member 53, the rod 58 extending vertically along the axis of the clutch member 53. A threaded sleeve 55 surrounds the rod 58 and is slidable relative thereto; but normally the sleeve 55 is positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with lits lower end bearing against the upper end of the clutch member 53. By rotating the threaded sleeve relative to the capping device, vertical adjustment of the capping device is eifected; as the This rod 57 is reciprocated at a regular rate; and

the trip clutch `is provided with the purpose of against which the cam 68 bears.

causing the capping mechanism to reciprocate with the rod 57 when this clutch is tripped. The lower end of the rod 57 is slidable in a bearing 59. A block 60 provided with trunnions 61 is secured to the lower portion of the rod 57 above the bearing 59. The trunnions 6l are disposed in slots 62 in the two forks 63 on the end of a lever 64. rI`he lever 64 has a pivoted mounting 65. A shaft 66 rotatably mounted in bearings 67 carries a cam 68 for actuating the lever 64. The latter carries intermediate its ends a roller 69 A bevel gear 70 on lthe inner end of the shaft 66 meshes with gear n teeth 71 on the underside of the rotating table 16.

It is apparent, therefore, that as the table 16 is rotated, the shaft 66 drives the cam 68 so as to depress the block 60. The block 60 is secured to the rod 57 so that the latter is forced downwardly. Return movement of the rod 57 to its upper position is brought about by a suitable counter-weight or by resilient means not shown.

The capping device is not rigidly connected to the clutch member 53 by the rod 58; but instead, the sleeve 55 is slidable on the rod 58 and resilient means are provided for connecting the capping device to the rod 58 so that instead of smashing Ya bottle, if an unusually tall one is being capped, or if, for any reason, the cooperation of parts of my improved mechanism of the capping device is imperfect, the connection between the capping device and the rod 58 will yield. 'Ihis yieldable connection comprises a compression spring bearing with its lower end against the upper end of the sleeve 55 and surrounding the upper portion of the rod 58. A nut 73 engages the upper end of the spring 75 and is locked in adjusted position by a lock nut 74.

Tripping of the clutch 52 is brought about through the inward movement of a pair of pivoted jaw members 76 mounted in slots in the sides of the clutch member 53. These slots extend clear through the clutch' member 53 so that the jaw members may enter the bore 56 when swung inwardly. At 78 (as indicated in Fig. 2) the rod 57 is provided with a peripheral groove having shoulders 79 and 80. The edges ofthe upper end of the rod 57 are beveled as indicated at 83, so that the pivoted jaw members will be wedged apart to admit the upper end of the rod 57, should the latter be elevated while these jaw members are contracted. The jaw members 76 are urged inwardly by leaf springs 85 secured to the sides of the jaw carrying member 53. The jaw members 76 are each pivoted at one end to the jaw carrying member 53 as indicated at 86 (see Fig. 3). A wedge member 87 cooperates with the other ends of the jaw members to separate the same except when the capping device is to be actuated. It is apparent, therefore, that so long as the wedge 87 is removed from the position 4shown in Fig. 1 so that the leaf springs 85 may force the jaw members 76 inwardly, these jaw members will engage in the groove 78 so as to clutch the member 53 and the capping device mounted thereon to the rod 57. The reciprocations of the rod 57 are, therefore, transmitted to the capping device and the spring 50 is elongated each time the capping device is pulled downwardly. This spring 50 accordingly acts to return the capping device to its upper position. A dash pot 88 acts to cushion the return movement of the capping device.

The wedge 87 is carried on one end of a bell `crank lever 89 pivotally mounted at 90 on the support 25. A coil spring 91 tends to return this Abell crank levertol the' position indicated inFig. v5.- An arm-92 of the bell crank lever 89 projects into the path of the bottles being pushed from the stirrups 17 onto the support 25. Each time `a bottle moves along the finger 26 it engages the arm 92 and rocks the bell cranklever 89 so as to remove thewedge 87 from between the jaw members 76. Itis apparent, therefore, that each time a bottle is delivered onto the support 25 the clutch 52 is tripped. Should nofbottle be delivered from a stirrup 17, the clutchis noty tripped and the jaw members 76 remainseparated. The "rod` 57 accordingly moves downwardly relative to the member 53 without pulling` the capping device downwardly with it.

The operation of my improved mechanism is as follows: Bottles are fed along the conveyor 20 and are deflected by the deflecting guide 21 and the star wheel 22 onto the stirrups 17 of the lling machine. vThe bottles are then lled from the filling heads 10; and when each stirrup comes around to a position adjacent the support 25, the bottle is ready to be discharged from the filling machine. Such discharge takes place because of the engagement of the nger 26 with the bottles so as to crowd the samebetween the ringer 26 and the following arm of the yoke 24 on the stirrup 17. `This forces -the bottle against the arm 92 and trips the clutch 52 just as the bottle is being pushed beneath the capping device. Capping accordingly takes place immediately at the point of discharge rfrom the filling machine onto the stationary support 25. The clutch having been tripped, the capping device is carried downwardly by the rod 57 so as to place a cap on the top of the bottle. l

If the next stirrup 17 is empty, the wedge 87 is permitted to return and remain in position between theiaw members 76, and the capping device is accordingly not actuated until another bottle is forced on a'stirrup onto the support 25.

, The pushing of this succeeding bottle onto the support pushes the preceding bottle out from the capping device. Guides 94 are provided for guiding the capped bottles back onto the conn veyor 20.

bring about actuation of the capping device when a bottle is delivered beneath the capping device.

A further advantage of my invention resides in `the arrangement for capping a bottle immediately upon its delivery from a lling machine onto a support beneath the capping device. It will furthermore be understood that there is additional advantage in the provision of the automatic control for the actuation of the capping device in such an arrangement since a bottle is delivered o nto the support and immediately capped, and

. the capping mechanism does not again descend until the capped bottle has been pushed out from beneath the capping device by the delivery of the next succeeding bottle from the lling machine.

Certain advantages arising as a consequence of the improvements I have provided in a capping device by my invention are not'restricted to the combination of the capping device in the manner illustrated in the drawings with a lling'machine, nor infact with any particular apparatus. `It is j to be understood, therefore, that from certain aspects, my invention is broadly applicable to cap- -the like, as used throughout the specification and vclaims are used generically asterms of definition f positionbeneath said device while a container ping devices, whether constructedas separate units, or whether used in any of a variety of combinations. l

The terms cap and capping mechanism and cic form ofbottlecapping mechanism andpne 'particular arrangement of bottle' filling machine and bottle capping mechanism, it will be Aunderstood that the invention is not restricted to the particular construction and arrangement shown,

but may be variously modiiied within the contemplation of the invention and under the scope of the following claims.

`I claim:

1. In a closure applying machine, a capping device, positive means for moving a container to operative position beneath the capping device, actuating means for the capping device, and means controlled by movement of a container toward operative position for rendering said actuating means operative, said controlled means being engaged by a container only during movement of a container toward operative position but disengaged from such container at operative position. e

2. In a closure applying machine, a closure applying device, means for moving a container to operative position beneath the closure applying i device, actuating means for lowering said closure applying device to apply a closure to a container, and control means engaged by a container in moving toward operative position for rendering said actuating means operative, said control means being disengaged from a container which has reached operative position.

3. In a closure applying machine, a closure 11'5 applying device, means for moving a container to operative position beneath the closure applying device and permitting a dwell of such` container in operative position, actuating means for the closure applying device, and means controlled A by movement Aof a container toward operative position for rendering said actuating means operative, said controlled means being engaged by a container only during movement of a container toward operative position but disengaged from such container at operative position.

4. In a container closing machine, a device for fixing a closure to a container to seal the same, means for moving a container toward operative is in such operative position, actuating means for said device, and a trip for timing the sealing operation of said device, said trip being controlled by engagement therewith by a container moving toward operative position and being disengaged from the container when the same reaches operative position.

5. In combination, a container filling machine, a closure applying device, means for transferring the sued containers in succession from the filling machine to operative position beneath the closure applying device and permitting each container to dwell in operative position for thehinterval between the discharge of successive containers from the lling machine, actuating means for said closure applying device, and a trip engageable by a container moving towardoperative position for rendering said actuating means operative, said trip being disengaged from a container` which is in operative position.

7. combination, a container filling machine =of the rotary type having a :rotatable carrier and guides thereon yfor :the containers, a ysupport for receiving a container from the filling machine, a .guide for deiiecting filled containers in succession from the :carrier of the filling machine onto .said support, a Vclosure Iapplying device `arranged to close a container lsuppor-tedon said support, means for actuating said closure applying -device, and a trip engaged by a container -while be- -ing -deected from said carrier for timing the actuation of said closure applying device.

:JOHN J. GAYNOR.

DISCLAIMER 1,928,450.4- J0hn J. Gaynor, Delphi, Ind. CONTAINER OAPPING MACHINE. Patent dated September 26, 1933. Disclaimer filed April 29, 1936, by the assignee, Home Manufacturing Company and Mrs. John J. Gaynor, owner of residual interest. Hereby enter this disclaimer to claims 1 and 3 of the said Letters Patent.

[Oficial Gazette May 19, 1936.]

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