US2367387A - Topping machine for canning - Google Patents

Topping machine for canning Download PDF

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US2367387A
US2367387A US442445A US44244542A US2367387A US 2367387 A US2367387 A US 2367387A US 442445 A US442445 A US 442445A US 44244542 A US44244542 A US 44244542A US 2367387 A US2367387 A US 2367387A
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plunger
carrier
crank
movement
containers
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US442445A
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Lynn E Davies
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White Cap Co
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White Cap Co
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B1/00Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B1/20Reducing volume of filled material
    • B65B1/24Reducing volume of filled material by mechanical compression

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a topping machine for use in the commercial packaging or canning of food materials and the like, its purpose being to depress or push the material down within the packing receptacle or can to a location below the upper rim thereof, and provide a suitable head space if desired, preliminary to the placing of the closure or cover upon the can. Accordingly, it is adapted to be employed in the canning line between the filler, which places the-material inthe cans, and the closure applying device which places the closures upon them.
  • topping mechanism which may be embodied in the form of a comparatively small unit which canvbe installed in the canning line and which will perform its intended function at suitable speed, yet will apply the pressure to the product sufficiently slowly to permit the product to accommodate itself to the pressure and adjust its position within the can in such fashion as to avoid mutilation or bruising.
  • Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of apparatus embodying my invention, showing same installed in association with a conveyor which forms part of a canning line;
  • Fig. 2 is a similar side elevational view, on a larger scale, of the portion of the mechanism shown in the upper part of Fig. 1, certain parts being broken away and shown in section;
  • Fig. 3 is a detail showing in elevation certain of the parts included in Fig. 2;
  • Fig.4 is a top or plan view of a'portiomof the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, certain of the parts being broken away and shown in horizontal section; I
  • Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of a portion of the mechanism taken on approximately line 5-5 of Fig. 1, the illustrations in Figs. 4 and 5 being on a larger scale than that of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 6- is a diagram serving to illustrate certain of the features of the operation of the machine.
  • the reference numeral l0 designates a traveling belt portion of a conveyor adaptedito support packing receptacles standing thereon in upright position and carry them with progressive movement in thedirection indicated bythe associated arrow.
  • Supported stationarily in association with the belt I is a frame member ll upon which are mounted ear housings I2 and I4, the former being located to one side of the belt and somewhat above it.
  • Shaft l8 has affixed to its projecting end a circular crank disk 30 and shaft 20 carries amxed to cranks.
  • plunger revolving shaft is hasafllxed to its projecting end a radially extending crank arm 82, to which is pivoted at 34 a link 35 (see Fig. 3).
  • Link 35 carries at its outer end a hub 36 which projects from opposite sides of said link and is fitted with antifriction bushings 31 and 38.
  • the compound crank comprising arm 32 and link 35 will be I referred to as a plunger guiding crank.
  • a pressing plunger comprising a disk-like head 41 and stem 48.
  • the stem is screw-threaded in and passes'through a sleeve 49 which is guided coaxially within the hollow mounting member by means of a collar-l.ke enlargement 49a at the lower end of the sleeve and a sliding fit-of the upper portion of the sleeve in a central aperture in the top of the mounting
  • a nut 50 is threaded onto the projecting upper end of the sleeve 49 and, by contact with the upper end of the'mounting,,1imits downward movement of thesleeve.
  • each of the plunger heads may be moved upwardly against the pressure of its spring 5
  • the carrier 46 is provided with a vertically extended slot 52 in which fits the bushing 31 of the hub 36 in such fashion that said bushing and. hub may travel upwardly and downwardly in the slot.
  • the bushing 38 which is carried on the opposite end of the hub 36 (see Fig. 4) fits in an arcuate slot 55 which is defined by the margins 56a and 51a of guide members 56 and 51, which guide members are fixedly mounted on the casing ll. Consequently, as the crank arm 32 is revolvedv by rotation of shaft l6,
  • the upper half of the orbit of hub 36 is concentric with shaft l6 because bushing 38 is then riding on the con 'centric marginal portions 51b of guide member 61, but in the lower half of its orbit, hub 36 travels in a flatter arc, eccentric of shaft i9, clue to the fact that the guide margins 63a and 51a are formedon arcs of greater radius than the margin 51b.
  • the hub 36 is permitted to follow the eccentric .path due to the fact that the link i 35 which carries it is pivotally connected at 3 5 to crank arm 32 and also due to the fact that 1 the hub and its bushing 31 are free to move iongitudinally of slot 52.
  • the total extent ,of horizontal movement of -:the carrier is a distance T corresponding to the diameter of profile 5'") or chord of profile 51a, and the total extent of vertical movement considerably greater than 0, the acceleration of the movement of carrier 40 in the horizontal sense is varied from that of the simple harmonic motion which it would have if controlled entire- 1y by the crank disks.
  • This variation is permitted by the shiftable mounting of the bearings 4
  • ) is that of a crank of varying length, due to the factthat the distance of the hub from the center. of shaft I9 is varied by the guide profiles.
  • the period during which the carrier 46 has this modified movement is while it is traveling in the rightward direction of that figure, namely, forward in,the direction of movement of the conveyor 10, and it is during a portion of this modified or equalized movement that the plungers 41 are rendered effective on the material in the containers which are located below them on the conveyor.
  • the hub 36 approaches the rightward end of guide margin 510., said hub is being moved away from shaft l9 so that link 35 is swung toward the tail 32a of crank 32, finally reaching a point where tail 32a compresses a spring 33 whichis carried on link 35.
  • bushing 31 is held against the ⁇ profile 51b of guide-member 51 by the pressure of spring 33 during the return or leftward movement, and when hub 36 passes the leftward end of profile 5'"), the hub is urged away from the tail portion 32a and into the slot 55.
  • the filled containers are set upon the conveyor belt l0 ahead of the screw conveyor I5 (viz., to the lefttof Fig. l) and are advanced by the conveyor belt until engaged by the helical flange
  • the course of-the center of B is defined by the arc bo-b1ao which is on radius R.
  • the horizontal tion of its orbit By proper design of the con-* tour of profiles 56a and 51a, the rate of horizontal advancement of the carrier 40 in the lower portion of its orbit may be made to correspond very closelyto the rate of progressive movement of the flights'fill.
  • the timing of parts is such that in the course of each cyclical revolution of the carrier 40, three of the containers will be moved and positioned by the flights 60 and belt ill to proper locations for entry of the three plunger heads 41 into them simultaneously. The downward movement of the plunger heads operates.
  • the plunger heads 41 are interchangeable to permit installation of heads of diameter suitable for the particular containers being handled, and sprocket 64 is rotatably adjustable on its mounting flange 63 to permit corresponding adjustment of chain BI and flights 60, and pr'esser bar 45 is adjustable laterally on brackets 44 in order to position the plungers properly for containers of different diameters.
  • the points be, 1310, 1720 et seq. to biao represent the center positions of B at consecutive unit time intervals, at which times the end of arm A is at corresponding points ac, aw et seq. which are equally spaced from one another onarc a --a.
  • the positionsof A and B at points do are, aco, (1120 and (1.150 are .carrier plate 40 during the'corresponding unit time intervals.
  • each of the space intervals dodio, dio2o, d2od30) etc. represents the distance traveled by any given .point of the containers' mouth, its center for example, during a given unit of time.
  • the circle 0 represented the orbit of the centers of crank disks 30 and 3
  • Each of the space intervals can-em, em-ezo, 820-630, etc.,
  • plungers 41 Inasmuch as the movement of the plungers 41 is exactly the same as that of carrier'plate 40, it is apparent that the displacement of the container relative to the plunger in the horizontal direction is very slight in the course of the travel of the container from to duo. Consequently, the diameter of the plungers need be but very little less than that of the mouths, of the containers.
  • the centers of plungers 41 follow paths which are resultants of the vertical movement eo--e9b, 690-3180 and horizontal'movement bob1ao, and hence the path of any point on a. plunger, its center for example, is defined by the 'arc pcp9o -p1ac, which'arc, it will be observed, has a.
  • the plunger first contacts the material projecting above the mouth of the receptacle when the plunger center is at point pm, and that. the plunger first enters the mouth of the receptacle when its center is at'pzo which, on the scale illustrated, would allow a total entry or plunge depth of one-half inch while the container is traveling from dzo to dab. From the latter point movement of the plunger is upward,
  • the plunger in both examples where the plunger has a simple harmonic motion there would be a very substantial discrepancy as between the forward movement of the plunger and the advancing movement of the container, and in order to permit the plunger to enter the container at the level of p and remain in it until it reached the same level at the point of withdrawal, the plunger would have to be of so much smaller diameter than the container mouth that it would be practically ineffective to depress the material in the container.
  • the point at which it could enter the container would have to be much 2,867,887 or the container is while the container is travelthemselves to one another in the containers, the likelihood of bruising or macerating them is reduced, and they are more likely to remain in their depressed position in the containers after they are relieved of pressure from the plungers.
  • the extent of vertical movement of the carrier and plungers is relatively short as compared with the extent of their horizontal movement, and also that the radii of gyration of the revolving parts are comparatively short.
  • a pressing mechanism comprising .a carrier, a plunger mounted on said carrier and located above the path of the containers, a plunger revolving crank and a plunger guiding crank operably connected with saidcarrier and having horizontal axes of revolution parallel with each other, the connection of said plunger revolving crank with said carrier permitting them relative sliding movement in the horizontal directions and retainin them against relative movement in the vertical directions, the connection of said plunger guiding crank with the carrier permitting them relative sliding movement in the vertical directions and retaining them against relative movement in the horizontal directions, means for revolving both said cranks in synchronism with the feeding movement of the conveyor, and means for conducting said plunger guiding crank through an orbit larger than that of the plunger revolving crank.
  • a pressing mechanism comprising 5 a carrier, a plunger mounted on said carrier and closer to mo in both the horizontal and vertical relationships, and that, in turn, would still further shorten both the duration and depth of the plunging action.
  • the result would be that the plunger would have a short, jabbing action on the material'instead of the slow depressing action and prolonged holding-down effect on the material which characterizes the plunger action of my above described invention.
  • the plunging movement is slow in relation to the advancing movement of the containers, and the period during which the plungers remain in contact with the material in the containers is prolonged.
  • the pieces of material have opportunity to adjust located above the path of the containers, a plung ing movement in the vertical directions and re-,
  • a pressing mechanism comprising a carrier, a plunger mounted on said carrier and located above the path of the containers, a plunger revolving crank and a plunger guiding crank operably connected with said carrier and having horizontal axes of revolution parallel with each other, the connection of said plunger revolving crank with said carrier permitting them relative sliding movement in the horizontal directions and retaining them against relative movement in the vertical directions, the plunger guiding crank having a variable throw and its connection with the carrier permitting them relative sliding movement in the vertical directions and retaining of the portion which is above that axis.
  • a pressing mechanism comprising a plunger disposed above the path of t e containers, a carrier on which said plunger is mounted, a pair of plunger revolving cranks on which the carrier is supported, said cranks being mounted for revolution about parallel horizontal axesand having operating connection with the carrier which allows it sliding movement relative to them in the horizontal directions but not in the vertical directions, a plunger guiding crank mounted for revolution about an axis parallel is greater than that of either of said. first mentioned cranks.
  • a topping device comprising a movable carrier, a plunger carried thereby and arranged for travel in a vertical orbit above the path of the containers in positions to press material downwardly in them while they are traveling progressively at constant speed, a revoluble crank connected to the carrier, means for revolving said crank at constant speed to actuate the carrier to revolve the plunger in its orbit cyclically in synchronism with the conveyor, and means-for guiding the carrier to hold'the plunger to a flatter course during its travel in the direction of the conveyors movement than in the reverse direction.
  • said plunger guiding crank having operating connection with the carrier which allows the carrier sliding movement relative-to it in the vertical directions but not in the horizontal directions, means for revolving all of said cranks in synchronism with the feeding movement of the conveyor. and means cooperating with sad plunger guiding crank to induce sliding movement of the carrier relative to the plunger revolving cranks in the horizontal direction.
  • a pressing mechanism comprising a plunger disposed over the path of the containers, a carrier on which said plunger is mounted, said carrier being movable in horizontal directions longitudinally of the path of the containers and in vertical directions toward and from said path, a plunger revolving crank and a plunger guiding crank arranged for revolution about horizontal axeswhich are parallel with each other, means for revolving said cranks and operating said conveyor in synchronism, the periods of revolution of said cranks being the same,
  • a plunger disposed over the crank revoluble about an axis parallel with those of the first mentioned cranks, a hubforming a driving connection between the carrier and said third crank, said hub beingsliiftable toward and from the axis of revolutions of said third crank, means for revolving all 8f said anks in syn-1 chronism with the feeding movemzkkzf the conveyor, and means for shifting sai ub toward and from the axis of said third crank incident to revolution oi the latter.
  • topping machine In a topping machine, a combination as specified in claim 6 and wherein the extent of 9.
  • a topping device comprising a movable carrier.
  • a plunger carried thereby and arranged for travel in a vertical orbit above the path of the containers in positions to press material downwardly in them while they are traveling progressively at constant speed
  • a revoluble crank'connected to the carrier means for revolving said crank at constant speed to actuate the carrierand there- 4 by revolve the plunger in its orbit cyclically in synchronism with the conveyor, and means for guiding the carrier to decelerate the vertical movement of the plunger in the lower portion of its orbit relativeto its rate at corresponding positions in the upper portion of its orbit.
  • packaging apparatus having a conveyor operable to move containers progressively in a series at a constant rate along a horizontal path
  • a topping device comprising a movable carrier
  • a conveyor operable continuously to move containers progressively in a series at a constant rate along a horizontal path
  • a plunger arranged for revolution in a vertical orbit above said path to positions to press material downwardly in containers traveling at constant speed along said path
  • a movable carrier on which said plunger is mounted
  • a crank having rotary connection'with 'said carrier, meansfor revolving said crank in synchronism with the conveyor to move the carrier in a vertical orbit
  • guide means cooperating with the carrier to shift the plunger periodically back and forth relative to the crank in directions parallel with said path and in the course of the orbital movement of the plunger.
  • Packaging apparatus as specified in claim 11 and wherein operation of the guide means is timed with the feeding movement of the conveyor.
  • Packaging apparatus as specified in claim 14. In packaging apparatus, in combination, a
  • conveyor operable continuously to move containers progressively in a series at a constant rate along a horizontal path, a plunger arranged for travel in a vertical orbit above said path to positions to press material downwardly in containers traveling at constant speed along said path, a movable carrier on which said plunger is'mounted, a crank having rotary connection with said carrier, means for revolving said crank in synchronism with the conveyor to travel the carrier in a vertical orbit, and means eflective on the carrier in the course of its orbital movement to shift it periodically back and forth relative to the crank in directions arallel with the path of the containers.
  • Packaging apparatus as specified in claim 14 and wherein there is a plurality of plunge'rs mountedon the carrier and equidistantly spaced in a series longitudinally of the path of the containers for pressing cooperation with a plurality of containers simultaneously.
  • Packaging apparatus as specified in claim 14 and including means for positioning containers with their centers equidistantly spaced in said path, and including also a plurality of plungers mounted on the carrier in a series parallel with said path and with their centers equidistantly spaced to agree with the spacing of.
  • a conveyor operable continuously to move containers progressively in a series at a constant rate along a horizontal path
  • a plunger arranged for travel in a. vertical orbit above said path to positions to press material downwardly in containers traveling at constant speed along said path
  • a movable carrier on which said plunger is mounted a crank having rotary connection with said carrier, mean for revolving said crank in synchronism with the conveyor to move the carrier upwardly and downwardly in a vertical orbit, and means cooperating with the carrier during its orbital movement to increase the amplitude of the plungers horizontal movement in its orbit relative to that out its vertical movement therein.

Description

Jan. 16, 1945.
| E. DAVIES TOPPING MACHINE FOR CANNING Filed May 11, 1942 s sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.
' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR.
L. E. DAVIES Filed May 11, 1942 TOPPING MACHINE FOR CANNING Jan. 16, 1945.
Illlllll Jan. 16, 1945. E. DAVIES 2,367,387
' TOPPING MACHINE FOR CANNING Filed May 11, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 QQQ u Patented Jan. 16, 1945 TOPPING MACHINE FOR CANNING Lynn, E. Davies, Park Ridge, 111., assignor to White Cap Company, Chicago, Ill., acorpotation of Delaware Application May 11, 1942, Serial No. 442,445
18 Claims.
This invention relates to a topping machine for use in the commercial packaging or canning of food materials and the like, its purpose being to depress or push the material down within the packing receptacle or can to a location below the upper rim thereof, and provide a suitable head space if desired, preliminary to the placing of the closure or cover upon the can. Accordingly, it is adapted to be employed in the canning line between the filler, which places the-material inthe cans, and the closure applying device which places the closures upon them.
In order to fit properly. into the canning procedure without interrupting or retarding the progress thereof, it is essential that the topping operation be accomplished quite expeditiously and while the cans are moving progressively at thenormal rate at which the line is operated.
Many commodities, peeled fruits for example,
are of tender or delicate structure \and may be It is the general purpose of the present invention to provide a topping mechanism which may be embodied in the form of a comparatively small unit which canvbe installed in the canning line and which will perform its intended function at suitable speed, yet will apply the pressure to the product sufficiently slowly to permit the product to accommodate itself to the pressure and adjust its position within the can in such fashion as to avoid mutilation or bruising.
show in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and hereinafter describe, one form in which it may be embodied and used. It is to be understood, however, that this is presented merely for purpose of illustration and is not to be construed in any fashion to limit the appended claims short of the true and most comprehensive scope of the invention in the art.
In said drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of apparatus embodying my invention, showing same installed in association with a conveyor which forms part of a canning line;
Fig. 2 is a similar side elevational view, on a larger scale, of the portion of the mechanism shown in the upper part of Fig. 1, certain parts being broken away and shown in section;
Fig. 3 is a detail showing in elevation certain of the parts included in Fig. 2;
Fig.4 is a top or plan view of a'portiomof the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, certain of the parts being broken away and shown in horizontal section; I
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of a portion of the mechanism taken on approximately line 5-5 of Fig. 1, the illustrations in Figs. 4 and 5 being on a larger scale than that of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 6- is a diagram serving to illustrate certain of the features of the operation of the machine.
The nature of the invention will be most readily ascertainedfrom a description of the illustrative embodiment shown, which is as follows.
It is to be understood that the reference numeral l0 designates a traveling belt portion of a conveyor adaptedito support packing receptacles standing thereon in upright position and carry them with progressive movement in thedirection indicated bythe associated arrow. Supported stationarily in association with the belt I is a frame member ll upon which are mounted ear housings I2 and I4, the former being located to one side of the belt and somewhat above it. A
- helical conveyor I5 is journaled in the housing I2 a chain 21.
and extends longitudinally of the belt along and above one side thereof. 0n posts l6, which are supported on the housing 12, is carried a casing having a chain 26 entrained on them and sprockets 22 and 25 having entrained on them A stub shaft 28 extends upwardly from within housing land is connected by beveled gears 29 with shaft 20. Consequently, shaft 20 is rotated by rotation of shaft 28 and, through the sprocket and chain connections, rotates shafts l8 and I!) in the same direction. The sprocket and chain connections are such that the three shafts l8, l9 and 20 are rotated at the same speed.
Shaft l8 has affixed to its projecting end a circular crank disk 30 and shaft 20 carries amxed to cranks.
-guided by trackways 12.
its projecting end a circular crank disk 3| of the same diameter as crank disk 30, said disks being hereinafter referred to as plunger revolving shaft is hasafllxed to its projecting end a radially extending crank arm 82, to which is pivoted at 34 a link 35 (see Fig. 3). Link 35 carries at its outer end a hub 36 which projects from opposite sides of said link and is fitted with antifriction bushings 31 and 38. The compound crank comprising arm 32 and link 35 will be I referred to as a plunger guiding crank.
Extending alongside the casing is'a carrier frame 30 which is mounted on the crank the carrier frame is mounted a horizontal presser bar 45'and fixed on this presser bar are three upwardly extending plunger mountings 46, 46
and 46" arranged at equidistant intervals in alignment" longitudinally of the presser bar. In each of these plunger mountings is mounted a pressing plunger comprising a disk-like head 41 and stem 48. i The stem is screw-threaded in and passes'through a sleeve 49 which is guided coaxially within the hollow mounting member by means of a collar-l.ke enlargement 49a at the lower end of the sleeve and a sliding fit-of the upper portion of the sleeve in a central aperture in the top of the mounting A nut 50 is threaded onto the projecting upper end of the sleeve 49 and, by contact with the upper end of the'mounting,,1imits downward movement of thesleeve. The sleeve is yieldably pressed downwardly by means of a coiled spring wh'ch bears at its upper end against the overhanging top flange of the mounting and at itslower end sleeve. By virtue of this arrangement each of the plunger heads may be moved upwardly against the pressure of its spring 5|, and also, by screwing the stem upwardly or downwardly in the sleeve 49, each of the plungers may be adjustedvertically relative to the presser bar 45.
At its middle the carrier 46 is provided with a vertically extended slot 52 in which fits the bushing 31 of the hub 36 in such fashion that said bushing and. hub may travel upwardly and downwardly in the slot. The bushing 38 which is carried on the opposite end of the hub 36 (see Fig. 4) fits in an arcuate slot 55 which is defined by the margins 56a and 51a of guide members 56 and 51, which guide members are fixedly mounted on the casing ll. Consequently, as the crank arm 32 is revolvedv by rotation of shaft l6,
- which shaft rotates at the same speed as shafts l8 and 2D, the path of hub 36 is defined and'controlled by the contours of the margins of guide members 56 and =51 upon which bushing 38 of said hub rides.
In the arrangement shown, the upper half of the orbit of hub 36 is concentric with shaft l6 because bushing 38 is then riding on the con 'centric marginal portions 51b of guide member 61, but in the lower half of its orbit, hub 36 travels in a flatter arc, eccentric of shaft i9, clue to the fact that the guide margins 63a and 51a are formedon arcs of greater radius than the margin 51b. The hub 36 is permitted to follow the eccentric .path due to the fact that the link i 35 which carries it is pivotally connected at 3 5 to crank arm 32 and also due to the fact that 1 the hub and its bushing 31 are free to move iongitudinally of slot 52.
The total extent ,of horizontal movement of -:the carrier is a distance T corresponding to the diameter of profile 5'") or chord of profile 51a, and the total extent of vertical movement considerably greater than 0, the acceleration of the movement of carrier 40 in the horizontal sense is varied from that of the simple harmonic motion which it would have if controlled entire- 1y by the crank disks. This variation is permitted by the shiftable mounting of the bearings 4| and the shiftable engagement of the bushing 31 of hub 36 in slot 52 of the carrier. The propelling and guiding action of hub 36 on carrier 4|) is that of a crank of varying length, due to the factthat the distance of the hub from the center. of shaft I9 is varied by the guide profiles. Because of the fact that the guide profiles 56a and 51a are formed on a greater radius than ,that of the profile 511), the acceleration of the horizontal movement of the carrier while traveling through the greater .portion of the lower half of its orbit is reduced, and thus its rate of movement in the horizontal sense is renagainst theprojecting collar portion 430. of the s the plunger and container, than what it would be if the horizontal movement followed uniformly the simple harmonic motion of the crank disks. The shafts l8, l6 and 20, as viewed in Fig. 2, are rotated in counterclockwise direction. Hence, the period during which the carrier 46 has this modified movement is while it is traveling in the rightward direction of that figure, namely, forward in,the direction of movement of the conveyor 10, and it is during a portion of this modified or equalized movement that the plungers 41 are rendered effective on the material in the containers which are located below them on the conveyor. As the hub 36 approaches the rightward end of guide margin 510., said hub is being moved away from shaft l9 so that link 35 is swung toward the tail 32a of crank 32, finally reaching a point where tail 32a compresses a spring 33 whichis carried on link 35. As a result, bushing 31 is held against the {profile 51b of guide-member 51 by the pressure of spring 33 during the return or leftward movement, and when hub 36 passes the leftward end of profile 5'"), the hub is urged away from the tail portion 32a and into the slot 55.
-The filled containers are set upon the conveyor belt l0 ahead of the screw conveyor I5 (viz., to the lefttof Fig. l) and are advanced by the conveyor belt until engaged by the helical flange |5a, which flange, accordingly, spaces the successive containers at proper intervals.
\ As each container leaves the rightward end of time intervals. .center of the shaft I!) (Fig. 2) and the vector 2,367,387 'by-a chain 6| that is entrained about a pair of I ate the chain. The spacing of the flights 60' corresponds with the spacing of the plunger heads 41, and the diameter ofv the sprockets 62 and 64 is such that the rate of progressive movement of the flights corresponds approximately with the rate of horizontal advancement of the carrier 40 while it is traveling through the lower pora radius R1. from a center M at a distance D above center N represents the guide profile 58a, arc H having radius RH represents the guide profile 51b, and arc K on a radius R1: represents guide profile 51a. Since the 1 course of B throughout the lower portion of its orbit is determined by profiles K and L, the course of-the center of B is defined by the arc bo-b1ao which is on radius R. Theoretically, the horizontal tion of its orbit. By proper design of the con-* tour of profiles 56a and 51a, the rate of horizontal advancement of the carrier 40 in the lower portion of its orbit may be made to correspond very closelyto the rate of progressive movement of the flights'fill. Moreover, the timing of parts is such that in the course of each cyclical revolution of the carrier 40, three of the containers will be moved and positioned by the flights 60 and belt ill to proper locations for entry of the three plunger heads 41 into them simultaneously. The downward movement of the plunger heads operates. to press the solid pieces of material in the containers downward in them to an extent predetermined by the position of adjustment of the plungers in their mountings and the elevational adjustment of easing l1 relative to conveyor belt Ill. The plunger heads 41 are interchangeable to permit installation of heads of diameter suitable for the particular containers being handled, and sprocket 64 is rotatably adjustable on its mounting flange 63 to permit corresponding adjustment of chain BI and flights 60, and pr'esser bar 45 is adjustable laterally on brackets 44 in order to position the plungers properly for containers of different diameters.
Certain of the results accomplished by the machine as to the timing of the forward movement. of the plungers with the progressive movement of the containers and as to their pressing distance from be to him) should be equal to half the distance traveled by a container during one complete cycle of arm A and the distance from N to ban should be equalto or very slightly less than the radius of a circle having a circumference equal to the distance traveled by the container in one complete cycleof arm A. In practice, ;however, in order to avoid excessive shock effect at the ends of profile K, the horizontal distance bo-b1ac should be made somewhat less than the theoretical figure. For example, if the theoretical distance were seven and one-half inches, a feasible practical distance would be seven inches. With the points b0 and ban thus located, the position of M is readily determined. The points be, 1310, 1720 et seq. to biao represent the center positions of B at consecutive unit time intervals, at which times the end of arm A is at corresponding points ac, aw et seq. which are equally spaced from one another onarc a --a. In the diagram the positionsof A and B at points do, are, aco, (1120 and (1.150 are .carrier plate 40 during the'corresponding unit time intervals. It will be seen, by comparison of projected points C10, C20, C30, C40 et seq. with action on the material therein, particularly as compared with machines in which the plungers' have uniform circular motion, are illustrated in the diagram of Fig. 6. the path traveled by the mouth of the container as it is movedprogressively at a constant rate of speed by the conveying mechanism, and each of the space intervals dodio, dio2o, d2od30) etc., represents the distance traveled by any given .point of the containers' mouth, its center for example, during a given unit of time. The circle 0 represented the orbit of the centers of crank disks 30 and 3|, and hence the vertical diametenof that orbit represents the extent of vertical movement of the carrier 40. Each of the space intervals can-em, em-ezo, 820-630, etc.,
represents the distance which the centers of the crank disks travel per unit of time on orbit O, and the distances between the horizontal lines which are projected from the points eo, e10, ezo, etc., represent the distances which the carrier 40 is moved vertically during the corresponding The center N represents the The line C-represents points 0110, 1120, (Z30, d4o et-seq., thatthe horizontal travel of carrier plate 40 corresponds very-closely with the progressive travel of the container throughout almost the entire extent of the travel of B on profile K. Accordingly, inasmuch as the movement of the plungers 41 is exactly the same as that of carrier'plate 40, it is apparent that the displacement of the container relative to the plunger in the horizontal direction is very slight in the course of the travel of the container from to duo. Consequently, the diameter of the plungers need be but very little less than that of the mouths, of the containers. The centers of plungers 41 follow paths which are resultants of the vertical movement eo--e9b, 690-3180 and horizontal'movement bob1ao, and hence the path of any point on a. plunger, its center for example, is defined by the 'arc pcp9o -p1ac, which'arc, it will be observed, has a. considerably lesser rate or degree of curvature than does the profile bo-brao. It may be assumed that the plunger first contacts the material projecting above the mouth of the receptacle when the plunger center is at point pm, and that. the plunger first enters the mouth of the receptacle when its center is at'pzo which, on the scale illustrated, would allow a total entry or plunge depth of one-half inch while the container is traveling from dzo to dab. From the latter point movement of the plunger is upward,
and it is completely withdrawn from the mouth of the container slightly beyond p160. Thus the ing from 1320 to pm, and it is to be observed that the plunging movement while the plunger is depressing the material within the container is relatively slow, giving the material opportunity to adjust itself within the container and thus greatly decreasing the possibility of bruising or mashing. portions of the material as compared with the likelihood presented if the travel of the plunger were a simple harmonic motion. For purpose of comparison I show at :c:i:' the path of a plunger traveling with a simple harmonic motion on a radius of the same length as Rx. Here it will be seen that the depressing of the material from the level of p to me would have to be done very much more quickly by such plunger than is the case where the vertical movement of the plunger is modified in accordance with the present invention. A harmonic motion on the radius R3: is chosen for this comparison because that is the maximum radius of the center of B in its orbit. If we take for comparison the movement of a plunger which travels with a simple harmonic motion in an orbit which is of the same extent as the distance traveled by the container in the course of one cycle of the plunger, it will be found that the depressing of the material in the container would have to be done still more rapidly. The path of such a plunger is illustrated by the arc y1/'. Moreover, in both examples where the plunger has a simple harmonic motion there would be a very substantial discrepancy as between the forward movement of the plunger and the advancing movement of the container, and in order to permit the plunger to enter the container at the level of p and remain in it until it reached the same level at the point of withdrawal, the plunger would have to be of so much smaller diameter than the container mouth that it would be practically ineffective to depress the material in the container. Accordingly, in order that the plunger might be of'suflicient diameter to operate effectively, the point at which it could enter the container would have to be much 2,867,887 or the container is while the container is travelthemselves to one another in the containers, the likelihood of bruising or macerating them is reduced, and they are more likely to remain in their depressed position in the containers after they are relieved of pressure from the plungers. It will be observed that in the course of a cycle, the extent of vertical movement of the carrier and plungers is relatively short as compared with the extent of their horizontal movement, and also that the radii of gyration of the revolving parts are comparatively short. These features permit desirable limitations in the height of the machine and enable it to operate rapidly with smoothness.
What I claim is:
1. In a topping machine having a conveyor operable to feed containers progressively in a straight path, a pressing mechanism comprising .a carrier, a plunger mounted on said carrier and located above the path of the containers, a plunger revolving crank and a plunger guiding crank operably connected with saidcarrier and having horizontal axes of revolution parallel with each other, the connection of said plunger revolving crank with said carrier permitting them relative sliding movement in the horizontal directions and retainin them against relative movement in the vertical directions, the connection of said plunger guiding crank with the carrier permitting them relative sliding movement in the vertical directions and retaining them against relative movement in the horizontal directions, means for revolving both said cranks in synchronism with the feeding movement of the conveyor, and means for conducting said plunger guiding crank through an orbit larger than that of the plunger revolving crank.
v2. In a topping machine having a conveyor operable to feed containers progressively in a straight path, a pressing mechanism comprising 5 a carrier, a plunger mounted on said carrier and closer to mo in both the horizontal and vertical relationships, and that, in turn, would still further shorten both the duration and depth of the plunging action. The result would be that the plunger would have a short, jabbing action on the material'instead of the slow depressing action and prolonged holding-down effect on the material which characterizes the plunger action of my above described invention. In the machine illustrated in the drawings, 'the timing of the rotation of shafts l8, l9 and 20 with the conveyor mechanism l0, l5 and 6| is such that upon each revolution of said shafts a container will be advanced by the conveyor a distance three times as great as the cente'r-to-center spacing of plungers 41. Consequently, inasmuch as the spacing of the containers on the conveyor by the flights corresponds to the spacing of the plungers, three containers will be operated upon simultaneously at each plunging stroke of the plungers and will then be moved onward beyond the reach of the plungers while the three following containers are advanced to positions to receive the plungers at the next plunging stroke. As pointed out above, the plunging movement is slow in relation to the advancing movement of the containers, and the period during which the plungers remain in contact with the material in the containers is prolonged. As a result, the pieces of material have opportunity to adjust located above the path of the containers, a plung ing movement in the vertical directions and re-,
taining them against relative movement in the horizontal directions, means for revolving both I said cranks in synchronism with the feeding movement of the conveyor, and means restricting revolution of said plunger guiding crank to a vertical orbit having a horizontal axis greater than its vertical axis.
3. In a topping machine having a conveyor operable to feed containers progressively in a straight path, a pressing mechanism comprising a carrier, a plunger mounted on said carrier and located above the path of the containers, a plunger revolving crank and a plunger guiding crank operably connected with said carrier and having horizontal axes of revolution parallel with each other, the connection of said plunger revolving crank with said carrier permitting them relative sliding movement in the horizontal directions and retaining them against relative movement in the vertical directions, the plunger guiding crank having a variable throw and its connection with the carrier permitting them relative sliding movement in the vertical directions and retaining of the portion which is above that axis.
4. In a topping machine having a conveyor operable to feed containers progressively in a predetermined path, a pressing mechanism comprising a plunger disposed above the path of t e containers, a carrier on which said plunger is mounted, a pair of plunger revolving cranks on which the carrier is supported, said cranks being mounted for revolution about parallel horizontal axesand having operating connection with the carrier which allows it sliding movement relative to them in the horizontal directions but not in the vertical directions, a plunger guiding crank mounted for revolution about an axis parallel is greater than that of either of said. first mentioned cranks.
8. In packaging apparatus having a conveyor operable to move containers progressively in a series at a constant rate along a horizontal path, a topping device comprising a movable carrier, a plunger carried thereby and arranged for travel in a vertical orbit above the path of the containers in positions to press material downwardly in them while they are traveling progressively at constant speed, a revoluble crank connected to the carrier, means for revolving said crank at constant speed to actuate the carrier to revolve the plunger in its orbit cyclically in synchronism with the conveyor, and means-for guiding the carrier to hold'the plunger to a flatter course during its travel in the direction of the conveyors movement than in the reverse direction.
with those of the first mentioned cranks, said plunger guiding crank having operating connection with the carrier which allows the carrier sliding movement relative-to it in the vertical directions but not in the horizontal directions, means for revolving all of said cranks in synchronism with the feeding movement of the conveyor. and means cooperating with sad plunger guiding crank to induce sliding movement of the carrier relative to the plunger revolving cranks in the horizontal direction.
,5. In a topping machine having a conveyor operable to move containers progressively in a predetermined path, a pressing mechanism comprising a plunger disposed over the path of the containers, a carrier on which said plunger is mounted, said carrier being movable in horizontal directions longitudinally of the path of the containers and in vertical directions toward and from said path, a plunger revolving crank and a plunger guiding crank arranged for revolution about horizontal axeswhich are parallel with each other, means for revolving said cranks and operating said conveyor in synchronism, the periods of revolution of said cranks being the same,
and driving connections between said cranks and the carrier whereby the plunger revolving crank is eiIective to revolve the carrier in a vertical plane and the plunger guiding crank is effective to move the carrier back and forth in the horizontal directions in said plane through-a distance greater than the throw of the plunger revolving crank. l
6. In a topping machine having a conveyor operable to feed containers progressively in a predetermined path, a plunger disposed over the crank revoluble about an axis parallel with those of the first mentioned cranks, a hubforming a driving connection between the carrier and said third crank, said hub beingsliiftable toward and from the axis of revolutions of said third crank, means for revolving all 8f said anks in syn-1 chronism with the feeding movemzkkzf the conveyor, and means for shifting sai ub toward and from the axis of said third crank incident to revolution oi the latter. a
'7. In a topping machine, a combination as specified in claim 6 and wherein the extent of 9. In packaging apparatus having a conveyor operable to move containers progressively in a series at a constant rate along a horizontal path, ,a topping device comprising a movable carrier. a plunger carried thereby and arranged for travel in a vertical orbit above the path of the containers in positions to press material downwardly in them while they are traveling progressively at constant speed, a revoluble crank'connected to the carrier, means for revolving said crank at constant speed to actuate the carrierand there- 4 by revolve the plunger in its orbit cyclically in synchronism with the conveyor, and means for guiding the carrier to decelerate the vertical movement of the plunger in the lower portion of its orbit relativeto its rate at corresponding positions in the upper portion of its orbit.
10. In packaging apparatus having a conveyor operable to move containers progressively in a series at a constant rate along a horizontal path,
, a topping device comprising a movable carrier,
terial downwardly in them while they are traveling rogressively at constant speed,-the travel of the plunger in the lower half of its orbit being in the general direction of the conveyors movement, means operating at constant speed in synchronism with the conveyor for actuating -=the carrier to revolve the plunger in its orbit cyclipally, and means cooperating with the carrier to decrease the rate of vertical movement of the plunger in the'lower half of its orbit as compared with its vertical rate in .the upper half thereof. 7
11. In packaging apparatus, in combination, a conveyor operable continuously to move containers progressively in a series at a constant rate along a horizontal path, a plunger arranged for revolution in a vertical orbit above said path to positions to press material downwardly in containers traveling at constant speed along said path, a movable carrier on which said plunger is mounted, a crank having rotary connection'with 'said carrier, meansfor revolving said crank in synchronism with the conveyor to move the carrier in a vertical orbit, and guide means cooperating with the carrier to shift the plunger periodically back and forth relative to the crank in directions parallel with said path and in the course of the orbital movement of the plunger.
12. Packaging apparatus as specified in claim 11 and wherein operation of the guide means is timed with the feeding movement of the conveyor.
the'orbit of said hub in the horizontal direction 1e 13. Packaging apparatus as specified in claim 14. In packaging apparatus, in combination, a
conveyor operable continuously to move containers progressively in a series at a constant rate along a horizontal path, a plunger arranged for travel in a vertical orbit above said path to positions to press material downwardly in containers traveling at constant speed along said path, a movable carrier on which said plunger is'mounted, a crank having rotary connection with said carrier, means for revolving said crank in synchronism with the conveyor to travel the carrier in a vertical orbit, and means eflective on the carrier in the course of its orbital movement to shift it periodically back and forth relative to the crank in directions arallel with the path of the containers.
15. Packaging apparatus as specified in claim 14 and wherein there is a plurality of plunge'rs mountedon the carrier and equidistantly spaced in a series longitudinally of the path of the containers for pressing cooperation with a plurality of containers simultaneously.
16. Packaging apparatus as specified in claim 14 and including means for positioning containers with their centers equidistantly spaced in said path, and including also a plurality of plungers mounted on the carrier in a series parallel with said path and with their centers equidistantly spaced to agree with the spacing of.
the containers.
17. In packaging apparatus, in combination, a conveyor operable continuously to move containers progressively in a series at a constant rate along a horizontal path, a plunger arranged for travel in a. vertical orbit above said path to positions to press material downwardly in containers traveling at constant speed along said path, a movable carrier on which said plunger is mounted, a crank having rotary connection with said carrier, mean for revolving said crank in synchronism with the conveyor to move the carrier upwardly and downwardly in a vertical orbit, and means cooperating with the carrier during its orbital movement to increase the amplitude of the plungers horizontal movement in its orbit relative to that out its vertical movement therein.
18. In packaging apparatus, in combination, a
conveyor operable continuously to move containers progressively in a series at a constant rate along a horizontal path, a plunger arranged for travel in a vertical orbit above said path to positions to press material downwardly in containers traveling at constant speed along said path, a movable carrier on which said plunger is mounted, a crank having rotary connection with said carrier, means for revolving said crank in synchronism with the conveyor to move the car- LYNN E. DAVIES.
US442445A 1942-05-11 1942-05-11 Topping machine for canning Expired - Lifetime US2367387A (en)

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2432823A (en) * 1943-04-01 1947-12-16 Continental Can Co Container fill packing apparatus
US2517616A (en) * 1946-03-01 1950-08-08 American Can Co Can closing machine
US2518223A (en) * 1945-12-04 1950-08-08 Andrew L Christiansen Can packing machine
US2618425A (en) * 1946-09-20 1952-11-18 Anchor Hocking Glass Corp Machine for applying and sealing closures on containers
US2768656A (en) * 1953-06-22 1956-10-30 Crown Cork & Seal Co Headspacer
DE3337558A1 (en) * 1983-10-15 1985-04-25 Maschinenfabrik August Herbort Gmbh & Co, 3300 Braunschweig Filling machine for filling fillable receptacles with piece goods
US5971041A (en) * 1998-06-22 1999-10-26 Kalish Canada Inc. Container filling apparatus with walking nozzles bank

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2432823A (en) * 1943-04-01 1947-12-16 Continental Can Co Container fill packing apparatus
US2518223A (en) * 1945-12-04 1950-08-08 Andrew L Christiansen Can packing machine
US2517616A (en) * 1946-03-01 1950-08-08 American Can Co Can closing machine
US2618425A (en) * 1946-09-20 1952-11-18 Anchor Hocking Glass Corp Machine for applying and sealing closures on containers
US2768656A (en) * 1953-06-22 1956-10-30 Crown Cork & Seal Co Headspacer
DE3337558A1 (en) * 1983-10-15 1985-04-25 Maschinenfabrik August Herbort Gmbh & Co, 3300 Braunschweig Filling machine for filling fillable receptacles with piece goods
US5971041A (en) * 1998-06-22 1999-10-26 Kalish Canada Inc. Container filling apparatus with walking nozzles bank

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