AU463579B2 - Method and apparatus forc losing and/or sealing receptacles - Google Patents

Description

60,248/73

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AND/OR SEALING RECEPTACLES

Background of the Invention

generally to a method The present invention relates and more particularly for closing and/or sealing receptacles, sealing open relates to an improved method for closing and/or the relatively deformable top receptacles of the types having

side wall constructions, such as those made 2fom composite,

fibrous or other such.materials, which are easily crushed.

various types of closure and receptacle Heretofore, seal arrangements have been provided to form a pull-type

types of fluid materials, such as fruit for storing various

juices, beer, lubricants, milk and other such liquid

Thus, for instance, such receptacles are made materials.

from relatively deformable or yieldeble materials, such

plastic or the like, as fibrous or composite materials, and top with which are adapted to be closed at the bottom

a closure made, for instance, from a metallic material.

beaded border Such cover are oftentimes provided with a

or edge which is generally rolled by means of a beading

tool into sealing engagement with the side wall material

of the receptacle. Oftentimes, the top closure or cap

is provided with a pull-type tab to provide access into

the interior of the receptacle. One such pull-type tab

arrangement is disclosed in United States patent No.

3,353,739. In the installation of such closures,

measures must be employed that will insure the most

reliable operation of the equipment for large scale

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a tight fluid seal production in relation to providing the entry of foreign to prevent leakage from and/or Since the matter from and/or into the receptacle. generally made from bodies of such receptacles are materials, it is vital readily deformable or yieldable distortion, damage or injury to apply the closure without forces applied during the. to the. receptacle resulting from

closing and/or sealing operations. or capping In the past, many types of closure have generally comprised devices have been employed which to hold the closure or a presser die or tool adapted against the receptacle or cap so as to press the same the die is made in one container mouth. .In such case, so as to force the closure or more parts and is designed walls to provide the or cap edge against the receptacle apply seal. However, such prior devices normally body severe axial compressive forces to the receptacle in distortion during the sealing operation resulting such types of devices and/or damage thereof. Moreover, with receptacles or containers are generally limited for use constructions sufficient having relatively rigid side wall sealing operations. to withstand Euch forces during the which have Further, in tear-off type cosures are sometimes accidentally scores in their skirts, the scores secured on containers ruptured when the closures are the container as has by rolling their skirts against of closures frequently been required for affixation The prior art is L lmin a on flexible containers. tear-off closures method and apparatus for securing which does not on collapsible or fragile containera

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or accidentally either collapse or break the containers

rupture the scores in the closures during affixation. various Typical prior art patents illustrating are disclosed in types of closure and/or seaing apparatus the following patents: United States Patent Nos. 1,436,

457; 2,859.575; 2,916,861; 3,073,478 and British

Patent No. 711,005. Summary of the Invention

The method of the present invention is carried

to axial out without subjecting the body of the container Such forces which would rupture or crush the container. axial result is accomplished by supplying only sufficient

force to the container to move it into a downwardly

opening recess or groove which is pre-formed in the

closure by bending the peripheral portion upwardly and

then downwardly. The outer periphery of the closure

terminates in a bead. The container thereby holds the

closure against a stationary member, in position where

the closure can be acted upon by a die, which exerts a

force upwardly and inwardly against the outer portion of

the closure, until the upper portion of the can is crimped

between the walls of the closure groove and the bead is

firmly embedded within the outer wall of the container.

Normally, the force required to effect a satisfactory seal

by a crimping operation would, if exerted axially upon

the container, crush the walls and render it useless.

The present method solves the problem without necess-

itating the application of axial forces of such magnitude as to rupture or crush the container. The method may

be carried out by various forms of apparatus but one

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and is hereinafter form is illustrated in the drawings described in detail. of This invention also solves the problem closures when accidental rupture of scores in tear-off containers. the closures are affixed to flexible there is According to the present invention and/or sealing a receptacle provided a method for closing comprising the steps of: a depending peripheral positioning a closure having rib or bead thereon skirt with an outwardly projecting skirt disposed on a container mouth with the closure surface on the container adjacent an outwardly facing mouth, at least around the restraining the top of the closure of said depending periphery thereof in the region skirt and throat therein up- moving a draw ring having a tapered and container to wardly with respect to the closure the bead on the closure move the tapered throat against the outwardly facing to constrict it inwardly toward and secure the closure surface on the container mouth on the container. invention also Accordingly, the present receptacles for closing and/or sealing provides an apparatus

comprising: for mounting a receptacle a support assembly adapted top; having a sidewall and an open a to receiving a closure having a head assembly adapted annular bead an outwardly projecting depending skirt with thereon;

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48 /73 said support assembly and said head assembly adapted to be positioned relative to one another so that said

closure is disposed on the top of said recentacle with

said skirt disposed adjacent an outwardly facing surface

near the to.p of the sidewall of said receptacle; said head assembly including a draw ring and stop means;

said head assembly being adapted to permit said closure to

be disposed circumferentially with respect to said draw

ring and with said closure bead disposed above said draw

ring and with the top of said closure disposed against

said stop means; said draw ring being adapted to move upwardly with respect

to the closure and container to engage the bead on the

closure as retrained by said stop means to constrict

the bead radially inwardly towards the sidewall of the

receptacle as the draw ring is moved upwardly past the bead on the closure; and drive means for producing relative motion between said

draw ring and said closure and container.

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Brief Description of the Draw'ings Fig. i is a fragmentary, front elevation view, with parts in section, illustrating the apparatus of the invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, side elevation view, but on a reduced scale illustrating tile apparatus of Fig.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, generally perspective view on an e nlarged scale illustrating in greater detail portions of the support and die assemblies of the invention and looking generally in the direction of line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section view on an enlarged scale illustrating ones step in the closing and sealing operation of the invention; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical section view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating another step in closing and sealing operation of the invention; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical section view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the closure and bead construction thereof prior to sealing engagement with a receptacle; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, vertical section view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the closed and sealed condition of the closure around the receptacle of Fig.6;

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,248 !/7 and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, vertical section the closed and view on an enlarged scale illustrating the closure sealed condition of a closure by crimping the bead on the against the neck of the container above closure. Description of the Preferred Embodiments.

One form of apparatus for carrying out the and foregoing method is illustrated in the drawings

particularly in Figs. 1 to 3 thereof, wherein the app- in aratus which is designated generally at 2 is shown or connection with a closure of lid C for a container

receptacle R. In the form shown, the apparatus 2 mounted ganerally comprises a head assembly 6 which is upon a vertical support or post 8 which, in turn, is

mounted upon a base or frame 10, and a support assembly

12, which may also be mounted on the frame 10. Although

one such apparatus has been illustrated, it is understood

that any number of similarly arranged units could be mounted on a single frame for multiple sequencing oper-

ations, as desired. In the embodiment of the apparatus illustrated,

the support assembly 12 includes a cam member 14 con-

centrically mounted on a shaft 16 for rotation about a

horizontal axis. The shaft 16, in turn, may be driven

by a suitable electric motor (not shown) which may be

mounted interiorly of the frame 10. A bearing member

18 is mounted on the frame 10 which carries, in its

bore, a bushing 20. A piston member 22 is disposed

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for reciproc al slidia-u movement v.ithin tie bushing one end of the piston member 22 carries a dependinlg cam follower member 24 of stepped construction disposed for reciprocal movement within a complementary shaped stepped bore 25 provided in the frame 10. A cam roller

26 is rotatably mounted adjacent the terminal end of the follower member 24 for camming coacting- engagement with the outer peripheral surface 27 of the cami member 14. via The opposite end of the piston member 22 is connected fasteners 28 to a table-lilke carrier member 30. The carrier 30, in turn, mounts a cros or carrier plate respect 32 which is disposed in concentric relation with thereto. The ca .rrierPlate 32 mounts a Plurality, such as three, push rods 34 which are symmetrically disposed adjacent the outer peripheral suirface of the plate, as seen in Pig. 3. In the form shown, the push best

rods 34 are spaced apart from one another a distance greater than the maximum transverse dimension of the receptacle R so as to facilitate insertion and removal of respective receptacles onto and from the carrier plate 32 during normal operation of the apparatus. Preferably, the push rods 314 have a lengthwise dimension of such receptacle to enable closure and sealing of the closure member C with respect thereto, as will hereinafter 'he more fully described. As best seen in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, a pressure plate or pad 36 is disposed concentrically within a stepped bore provided in the carrier plate 32. The car- rier 32 and Pressure 36 plates are provided with comple- mentary stepped shoulders, as at 35, to enable movem'ent 4635,7 9

60,248 /76 enable movement of the plate 36 in one direction relative to the plate 32, but to limit movement of' the Plate 36 in the Opposite direction so that the Plates 32 and 36 move, as a unit, in one direction, namely, in an upward direction. A cylindrical sleeve 38 depends from the plate 36 and is disposed for- reciprocal movement within a bore 40 provided in the carrier member 30. A resilient

coil spring 43 is disposed within the sleeve 38 so as8 to bear at one end against t he plate 36 and at its other end against the piston member 22. By this arrangement,

the Plate 36 mounting the receptacle Riis resiliently mounted with respect to the carrier Plate 32 via spring 43 upon reciprocal movement of the support assembly 12 relative to the head assembly 6 during the closure and sealing operation. Preferably, the upper surface of

the pressure Plate 36 is provided with a recessed groove 41 (Fig. 3) for receiving the lower bead 42 of the receptacle R so as to hold the .same in concentric relation with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the device during the closure and sealing operations. In the embod iment illustrated, the head assembly 6 includes a cross-head member 4j4 from which depends a pressure block 46 which has a chamfered (Fig.4) terminal end, as at 47. The cross-head member 44 and pressure block 46 are mounted in stationary relation on the post 8 (Fig. 2) during no rmal operations for closing and sealing a selective size of receptacle, but the same may be adjusted vertically on such post dependent upon the selected receptacle size. Depending from the cross- head member 44 is a die assembly 48 for deforming the 1 4635,79

60,248/7-T peripheral portion and bead 49 of the lid C into sealing engagement with the side wall of the receptacle R. As

shown, the die assemably 48 includes a cross plate

which is resiliently attached to the cross-head member

44 via a plurality three) guide rods 52 (Fig. 4). The guide rods 52 are symmetrically arrsnged with respect

to the pressure block 46 and are resiliently attached

at one end to the cross-head member 44 and are slidably

received at their outer ends in counterbores 53 provided

in the cross plate 50. Coil springs 54 are disposed

around each of the guide rods 52 so as to beer at one

end against the head 44 and at the opposite end against

the plate 50 to enable resilient vertical movement of

such plate relative to the stationary pressure block 46.

The guide rods 52 are headed, as at 55, to limit axial

movement of the plate 50 in a direction away from the

pressure block 46. A draw ring, or die 56, is concent-

rically disposed within a shouldered opening provided

within the plate 50. The plate 50 and die 56 are

provided with complementary shaped countersunk shoulders,

as at 58, to provide interlocking interchangeability

between such parts. In the form shown, the die 56 has

an inclined peripheral surface 59 which has a maximum

transverse dimension the same as or slightly greater than

the maximum transverse dimension of the bead 49 on the

closure and which has a minimum transverse dimension

which is less than such maximum transverse dimension of

such closure. 'he surface 59 merges into a generally

vertically oriented inner peripheral surface 60 which has

a substantially uniform maximum transverse dimension

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which is less than the corresponding maximum dimension

of such bead. By this arrangement, the surfaces 59

and 60 coact to progressively embed such bead into the

wall of the receptacle and/or to compress the wall

portion of the skirt above the bead against such

receptacle wall, as will hereinafter be more fully described. In the form shown, a retainer plate or ring

62 is mounted on the plate 50 via suitable fasteners, as

at 63. The plate 62 has a cavity 64 (Fig. 4) dimensioned

to accomodate the closure C therein. The plate 62 may

be provided with a door-like slot 65 (Fig. 3) which communicates with the cavity 64 and which is adapted to

slidably receive one of the closures C therthrough and

into the loaded position within the cavity 64 for use

in closing and sealing the receptacle. In the invention, the receptacle R illustrated

includes a tubular side wall 66 which, in this example

is of substantially right circular cylindrical configuration.

As shown, the receptacle has a bottom wall 67 (Fig. 3)

with the aforesaid bead 42 which may be of a metallic

aluminum) construction. The receptacle in the

invention is adapted to be closed and sealed with the

aforesaid closure or lid C which may be of a metallic

construction aluminum) including a top wall 68

(Fig. and inclined inner peripheral surface 70, and

inner vertical peripheral surface 72 and in interconnecting

arcuate shaped bight portion 74, and outer generally vertically oriented flange-like skirt portion 76 which terminates in the aforesaid curled bead 49. Such lid

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formation results in a downwfardly facing recess or groove 75 which receives the upper end of the receptacle as the cam 14 moves it upwardly. The Bide wall 66 of the receptacle R is prefer-

ably made from a lightweight composite of fibrous meter- ial, such as paper, cardboard or the like. For example, the wall may be comprised of overlapping layers of paper in conjunction with a fluid impervious material, such as metallic foil, plastic or the like. The invention has

specially beneficial application when employed with lightweight side wall materials having reduced mechanical strength in relation to the axial loads incurred during the crimping or swedging operations requi red to apply the closure.. In a typi cal operation for closing and sealing a receptacle R, a closure of lid C is simply inserted

into the draw ring or die 56 via slot 65 in the plate 62. The receptacle may then be placed on the pressure plate 36 and centrally registered via recessed groove 41. Thus installed, the drive motor, not shown, may be actuated via foot pedal 78 (Fig. 2) to commence the cycle of operation. Actuation of the motor rotates cam

14 (Fig 1) about a horizontal axis from its starting position (solid line) toward its maximum throw position (dotted line) for camming coacting engagement with the roller 26 of the cam follower 24. Upon rotation of the cam, the cam follower 24 is moved vertically upwardly to commence vertical movement of the carrier member carrier Plate 32, resiliently mounted Pressure plate 36 and the pusher rods 34 in a direction toward the head 13 4 635.7 9

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assembly 6. For example, in the embodiemnt shown, such comoonents may initially raise a total of 2-7/3 inches. During this initial vertical movement, the receptacle R moves axially upwardly through the draw ring or die 56 sad into the groove 75 so as to pick up the closure C disposed therein. Such upward movement of the receptacle continges until the upper end of the receptacle carrying the closure seats against the underside of the pressure block 46. Thus positioned the receptacle ad closure are oriented so t-at that may be crimped or swedged together into sealed relation. In the invention,

the travel of the cam 14 is sufficient to assemble such component parts, whereupon, the coil spring 43 may be compressed axially to enable vertical telescoping movement of the pressure Plate 36 carrying the receptacle via the guiding sad sliding movement of the sleeve 38 within the bore 40. By this arrangement, the receptacle mounting the closure is held in a resilient forwarding condition relative to the pressure block 46 which is retEned in a staVionary horizontal plane. As the car-

rier plate 32 continues its upward vertical movement, the

push rods 34 are brought into engagement with the underside of the crosa plate 50 which is resiliently mounted for vertical yielding movement via guide rods 52 and springs 54. After a slight dwell, the component parts

continue their upward movement so as to deform the closu~re C into interlocking engagement with the confronting mounting edge of the receptacle via the. inter action between the pressure block 46 and the die 56. Durin6 this deforming movement, the receptacle is held in a resilient floating 14 4 635,79

60, 2489-173 condition via the resilient telescopic mounting of the pressure Plate 36 so that the receptacle can move down- wardly with reference to the carrier 30, thereby to rel-

Java the receptacle body relative to vertical compressive forces required to perform the interlocking engagement between parts. Inter action between the pressure bbck 46 and the die 56 causes the closure C to be deformed, for

example, from the condition illustrated in Fig. 6 to the condition illustrated in Fig. 7, when the sealing is accomplished mainly by embedding the bead 49 in the wall 66 of the container. By this arrangement, the clo- sure C is positively secured in interlocking relation with the upper marginal edge of the receptacle R so as to provide an effective fluid seal between the parts without- distortion to the body of the receptacle, particularly when the letter is made from relatively weak materials. At the maximum throw of the cam 14, the die 56 has been pushed vertically upwardly via push rods 34 tos position above the closure 'I now interlocked with the receptacle R, whereupon, the closed and sealed receptacle is then, in

effect, ejected from the die assembly 48. Continued

actuation of the cam 14 commences its return stroke into its bottom position (solid line, Fig.- 1) so that the receptacle can be manually removed from the supporting pressure plate 36 thereby to enable insertion of another receptacle end closure for a repeated operation, as afore- said. Fig. 8 illustrates a sealing method wherein the neck of the container is crimped betwreen the walls of the groove 75 above the bead 49 on the closure C.

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During such action, constri-ction of the bead forms the an inwardly pro.-ectiflg rib 80 in the skirt 76 above the bead, which compresses the contstiner wall against inner vertical wall 72 of the closure. As such time, of the wall 72 acts as an inner suj-port for the neck in the container. Such form of sealing is advantageous that the closure will conform more readily to irregular- greater ities in the container finish, and will1 accommodate variations in tolerances of the container finish than vwill a rigid bead. This could be particularly important in sealing more rigid containers. It is an advantage of this invention that it sub- substantially eliminates accidental rupture of any clos- stantially vertical score in the skirt of a tear-off The ure during affixiation of the closure to a container. conventional itoll-on method of/ Lu: of closures to

flexible containers rolls the closure skirt inwardly progressively around the skirt and therefore places any can vertical scores in the closure skirt in tension which rupture the scores. This invention effects simultaneous clo- inwvard swiaging of all portions of a bead around the sure skirt so that vertical scores in the skirt and bead are pressed together or compressed rather than stretched, and therefore does not rupture the scores. It is to be understood that this invention is

not restricted to t:e details of-the apparatus illustrated and described herein since such apparatus may be modified in a variety of ways. For example, it will be apparent

to those skilled in the art that apparatus could be

employed in which a closure is pcsitioned on a container 16 4 635,79

S0.2 48 /73 and a die thereafter moved upwardly with respect to the

container to swage an outward projection on the closure

skirt inwardly against the container mouth to secure

the closure on the container. It will also be apparent

that a closure to be applied by this invention can have

a variety of forms as long as it has an outward projection

such as a rib or bead of its skirt which can be swaged

inwardly by means of a die which is moved upwardly

against the projection. Such projection may be continuous

or discontinued around the closure skirt, and if a bead

is empoyed, it may be either inwardly or outwardly curled.

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The claims defining the invention are as followvs: 1. A method for closing and/or sealing a receptacle comprising the step of: positioning a closure having a depending peripheral skirt with an outwardly projecting rib or bead thereon on a container mouth with the closure skirt disposed adjacent an outw.ardly facing surface on the container mouth, restraining the top of the closure at least around the periphery thereof in the region of said depending skirt and, moving a-draw ring having a- tapered throat therein up- wardly with respect to the closure and container to move the tapered throat against the bead on the closure to constrict it inwardly toward the outwardly facing surface on the container mouth and secure the closure on the container. 2. A method as set forth in claim 1, in which the closure includes a substantially vertical wall dis- posed against the inside surface of the container mouth, and support is provided against such wall as the draw ring and tapered throat therein are moved against the bead on the closure. 3. A method as set forth in claim 2, in which the container is made of compressible material, and con- stricting the bead on the closure forms an inwardly projecting rib in the closure skirt above the bead, which rib compresses the container wall against said vertical wvall of the closure.

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Claims (1)

1. 60,248 73 4. An apparatus for closing and/or sealing

   receptacles comprising:

   a support assembly adapted for mounting a receptacle

   having a sideiwall and an open top;

   a head assembly adapted to receive a closure having a

   depending skirt with an outwardly projecting annular bead thereon;

   said support assembly and said head assembly adapted to be positioned relative to one another so that said

   closure is disposed on the top of said receptacle with

   said skirt disposed adjacent an outwardly facing surface

   near the top of the sidewall of said receptacle; said head assembly including a draw ring and stop means;

   said head assembly being adapted to permit said closure to draw be disposed circumferentially with respect to said

   ring and with said closure bead disposed above said

   draw ring and with the top of said closure disposed against said stop means; respect said draw ring being adapted to move upwardly with on the to the closure and container to engage the bead

   closure as restrained by said stop means to constrict of the the bead radially inwardly towards the sidewall past the receptacle as the draw ring is moved upwardly bead on the closure; between and drive means for producing relative motion

   said draw ring and said closure and.container. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein, the head assembly the draw ring is resiliently mounted on means to constrict and coacts telescopically with the stop

   the closure bead around the receptacle.

   248 73 6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein, ring upwardly said drive means operates to move said draw far to with relation to the stop means sufficiently provide a clearance above the sealed receptacle. 7. An apparatus for closing and/or sealing with receptacles substantially as hereinbefore described reference to the accompanying drawings. 8. A method for closing and/or sealing a as receptacle according to Claim 1 substantially hereinbefore described.

   Respectfully,

   PHILLIPS ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK

   Attorneys for:

   ALUMINUM COMPANY OF -*IERICA.

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