CA2390950A1 - Conveyor system for can end conversion systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A transfer conveyor system utilizing at least one endless conveyor belt (60) of reinforced flexible rubber-like material having a series of nests for carrying can end shells fitted into holes in th e belt (60). The belt (60) is rotatably supported around an idler drum (57) and a drive drum (55) which is provided with circumferential teeth for positively driving the belt (60). The can end shells are positively seated into the nests and held therein by a circular array of independent flexible stepped fingers as the nests are transferred through conversion tooling (35, 36). Completed can ends are carried around the drum (55) at the end of the upper flight of the belt (60) where the can ends are ejected from the nests and moved alo ng a chutes. The chutes receive the can ends from the lower flight of the belt (60), providing a compact conveying system.

Description

WO 01138207 PCT/LiS99127978 CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR CAN END CONVERSION SYSTEMS
Field of the Invention This invention relates to conveyor systems for moving can en.parts, namely shells. through end conversion apparatus wherein the shel'_s are scored, sometimes embossed, and nave an operating tab secured in position w,~th respect to a separable pouring panel.
Background of the Invention Several forms of conveying systems have been, and presently are, used in conversion presses to carry shells through and between tooling stages at which operat~~;;ns are perrormed on the she-_~s. A rotary tooling system was widely used in the beginning of the manufacturing of easy-open ends. such system was supplied wit: tabs made on dif erent eau-pment and fed into the rotary tooling from a magazine type supply. ';'hr~se systems are presently considered as outdated, and those wh~c:~. remain are devoted to converting some specialty ends. :~ nest :,levice used in the rotary system has three movable fingers -o hold the end essentially in the nest center. In reality the two strongest springs overcome the weakest and hold the end against tha' outside diameter, actually off center. The nest end location with respec;_ to the too_~:ng stations around the rotatable ~able, and more cr_tically between stations, _.. ccn-_rolled y;~ the :onditior. of an indexing ae:== box .
Some conversion systems, princ~palivr used for specialty ends, employ a transfer oar type of mechanism for moving the parts though the stations of the end conversion tooli:~g. A
typical example is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,999,195. These are generally considered as relatively slow ~r operation.
Continuous conveyor belts predominate in the types of end conversion equipment presently marketed. Such continuous belts are presently the choice fo= several systems designed for the large volume beer/beverage type of ends. U.S. Patent 3,812,953 shows a typica; rubber:fabric type of belt, and U.S. Patent No.
5,~~8,410 shows a typical metal (usually stainless steeli type of belt. Such continuous belts do operate at higher speeds, but _1_ ci ~R~Trn ~rF ~H~Fr ramE 2s~

WO O1J38207 PCTlUS99/27978 they generally utilize a vacuu.-n system to hold the ends is place in openings in the belts as these parts travel through the teol;,r_g; this usually produces an additional. load on r_he belt drive, and tends to collect dirt which poses another impediment.
S curthermore, there have been ~ngoing problems invol~~ing poor belt life, difficulties in forming a splice when such belts are replaced, or threading G continuous belt about drive and take-up drums and through the tooling as part of the ~eit replacement process.
1C Thus, vacuum hold-down systems for reeping shells in position in holes of a bel= (as in the prior art) have been found to be expensive and dirty, and to impose an extra ~:oad or. the belt movement which reauires extra torque from the ~;elt drive and additional wear along the bei~. ':'he elimination of macuum hold-15 down systems alone the belt through the various staT~ions of tooling wil-~ provide a post savings both in construction operation and in later maintenance.
Another aroblem has arisen from the need to keep round shells from rotating in the end carrying holes in the ;pelts.
20 U.S. Patents Nos. 9,799,896 and 4,946,208 disclose efforts to avoid such turning of the spe_ls andlor ends. Namely Patent 4,799,846 discloses end shell carriers fitted to a continuous belt, and Patent 4,946";28 dis;:loses roughened rims surrounding the shell-receiving opening, _.. a continuous belt. 'Thus, it has 25 beer. recognized that turned ends between work stations have been a long time :.case of spoi'~ed ends. A system wt:ich will posv_.ively retain the ends against rotation, without vacuum, is highly desirable.
U.S. Patent No. =,196,:317 disc-;oses a multi-carrier conveyer 30 system, one of which was designed and operated for some time about forty years ago. The individual carriers are attached to a pair or conveyor chains which are advanced intermittantiy to move the carriers along the tooling stations of the end conversion tooiir_g, in synchronism with sets of reciprocating press 35 rams/platens which close and open the tooling at the successive stations. A lost motion. type of connection cetween ~;he carriers CI ICICTiT11T1= Clll=FT lRlll F 9~1 and the chains allows for substantia'~ relative motion of the carriers, into and out of receptors which locate the carriers (and thus the shells and/or ends! re~:ative to the upper and lower tooling. Sucz connections inherently introduce play in the fore/aft connections by which the chains advance the carriers, thus slowing the operation and placiaa additiona'_ centering responsibility en the receptors for consistent proper alignment c= the shells and ends with respect to the tooling at each station. Th'_s system used spring finger fer retaining parts in the carriers, similar to the retainers used in the aforementioned rotary systems.
Summary of the Invention The transfer :-onveyor system of '.die present Invention uti~~izes a c~sr.vAyor comer i.,ing at yeast one ~.:ontinuous belt of reinforced flexible rubber-like material, with cogs or teeth on its underside and vrith a series of ~:ests which fit into holes in the belt. The nests are attac:zed at their opposite edges to the positively driven, intermittently advancing, belt.
The belt i.s supported by and routed around an idler drum, located outside the press frame boosts next to a down-slacker mechanism, and a drive drum located Yrithin the press frame adjacent the opposite name posts. The progressive end conversion too_i~rg for r~a~:ing snel~'.~s ~:ito completed easy-open can ends is -iocatec between t:e post: alone !above and be'ow; the upper and lower. tooling sets. The tab rr;aking tooling is preferably located between the drive drum and the other frame posts, and the carrying strip of formed tabs is routed back to the main tooling station where the r_abs are applied to the ends.
'he drive drum and idler d rum are providzd with circumferential tooth configurations which form a positive drive to the belt.
The press includes power take-off mechanisms which drive and synchronize the shell feeding, tab strip feeding, and other mechanisms.
The attachments between the IlestS and belt are located on 5 transverse center lines ;perpendicular to the path ef belt travel;, which attachments permit the genera'_.ly flat and rigid _;_ SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) nests to travel around the end =urns of the belts, and to carry r_he parts within the nests about this turn. These attachments thus allow for limited and c~r.trolled relative movement between the nests Grid the belt, only ~a directions parallel to the plane ef motion of the belts, but not in directions perpendici:lar (up and down) with respect ~o the belt upper surface.
The active iupper; flight of the heir is lifted and moved incrementally forward wrier the press is opened, -_0 locate the nests successively in alignment with progressive stations of can end conversion tooling. The flight is then lowered to locate the rests onto the :over tooling :~1_.gned precisely with respect to r_he 'oo'~ing before it closes.
::ach nest comprises a positive holding device in the ferrn of a circular array of fle:tible fingers i:~ a nest ring, which array engages shells firmly at their periphery and inhibits the shells ~ror~ rotating or shifting between operations. In a typical embodiment of the lnventior, there are plurality of nests in each of two to four lanes along the belt or belts. Shells are rotary downstacked or loaded into the nests near the beginning of the active flight of the conveyor belt.
The shells are positively seated into the rests by applied differential air pressure, and then are mechanically positively seated .~tc and firmly held by the circular array of ..ndependent stepped fingers as the nests are transferred '~zrough the conversion tooling. After corversicn the completed ends are carried around the drum ar_ the end of the upper flight, and the ends are elected =rom the nest _ings and moved ;as by force from air streams] along a table or chutes to ~~onveyers familiar in end making facilities. 'These chutes thus receive the ends rrom the lower or return flight of the conveyor, providing a compact (end-to-end? conveying system.
Also, this new belt transfer system, preferably but not necesarily usung multiple belts, lends itself to easier end size changes and even to 7wnning differenr_ sizes of ends in each lane.
This is readily accomp'~ished by attaching nests of different.
sizes in different ones of the lanes.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 01/38207 fCT/US99/27978 Other ob'iects and advantages of the invention will ee apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended clav~.ms.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is side view of the conveyor system, pith potions of the parts in-feed and discharge and of the press bolster, ram, and tooling, all shown schematically; L~ig. O is a plan view of the sysr_em i::ui~ding portions :W to Lonveycr drive and the tab tootling and tab transfer mechanisms;
Fig. 3 is an elevation view of the rear of the press fitted with the system of the invention;
Fig. 4 is an er.'~arged view of a segment of a :.hree ~~ane trap.~-.fen belt wit" artuczed nests;
Fi;: 5, o and ~ are, respecrively, side, top, and end views of the mechanism fen discharging container ends rrom the system;
Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view or- the down-stacker or shell feeder device (down-stacker) at the entrat:ce region of -he upper flight of the transfer belt;
Fig. 9 is a plan view of the lifter pad for the tranfer belt located in the region where that belt traverses the tooling;
=lg. 10 i.s an en'_~rged top view of one of the nest structures;
=la. :._ is a cross-s°cticnal view o~ one nest;
Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-sect'_enai ~,iew of nest ~aith a shell g=ipped therein:, showing also the connection. of the nest to the bel t;
Fig. i3 is an enlarged plan view of a typical embodiment of the tooling station. shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 14 (sheet ii is a detail view of the positive a:.sertion mechanism.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment Press s Drive Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show, respectively, the overall configuration of a press i:~ accordance with the invention, and the general arrangement of the progressive tooling t:; work upon shells, =orm completed tabs from a strip of material, and attach SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 01/38207 PCTlUS99/27978 these tabs to complete the manufa,~_ture or conversion of the shells into ends for cans and similar containers.
For purposes of this description the press ~.llustrated in Figs. l, 2 and ? is typical of a one hundred twenty five ton single acting press, and includes a bed 10, side frames including uprights or posts 12, .?, 19 and 15 defining side openings 16 and 17, and a crown 18 supported or. the side frames. The crank 20 is rotatably supported in the ,~.rown, has secured to it a flywheel 22, and is belt-driven by a drive :rotor 25 supported on top of the crown structure. The crank is connected to the slide 30 by a pair of connecting rods (not shown), a:rd ~.:ooperative upper and lower end tooling sets, indicated by the general =eference numerals 35 and 36, are mounted on the sl,~de and on -he bed, resoectiTre 1 y . The upper and lower tab t,~ciing ?7~.,, fitte~~ to the punch plate 38A which in turn is supported on the press slide 30, and lower or die tooling 37B, fitted to a bed plate 38B or tre press bolster, is mounted i:~ the press inside posts 13 and 17 and is supplied with a continuous strip of metal (in conventional fashion) i=rpm the rear of the press (fig. 2).
The -ab tooling may be of any desired type, an example being disclosed in U.S. patents 5,741,105 of 21 Apr;~l 1998 and 5,799,816 of 1 September 1998, .~,oth issued to the assignee of this app_~oa ion.
At the opposite side of the Dress from the flywheel, :rank 20 is fitted with a power take-off pulley 38. Referring to Figs.

3, a belt 40 transfers power from the crank pulley 38 to a pulley 42 connected to drive a shaft 95 which is mounted in suitable bearings supported outboard from posts 13 and 15, which are part of the right hand side frame of the press ~s viewed from the front(see dig. 2). Shaft ~5 (see Fig. 3) is connected through a clutc': and coupling 98 to a right angle intermittent drive unit 50, of conventional construction, which i.n turn i~ connected through an output clutch to a shaft 53 supported in bearings and carrying a drive drum 55 which is rotated in timed intermittent fashion, synchronized with the rotation of the c.rar.s~ 20 and the motion of press slide 30. At the other (or left) side of the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) wo oma2o~ rcTms~mms press, outboard of the side frame and posts 12 and 14, an ,_dler drum 57 (Figs. _ and :) is supported l.. suitable bearings 58, Lxtending between the drums =5 and 3~ .s an endless conveyer belt 50, fitted with integral drive teeth 6i. The illustrated embodiment employs a single belt with r_t:ree lanes, cut it should be understood that para'~lel multiple belts, each with one or more lanes of nests, are within the purview ~:f this invention.
The belts) is of the endless type, as later described, and is provided with multiple rows or ia:~Ps (e.g. three lanes I, II
and III in the illustrated embodiment; of openings 62 (gig. 4) which are regularly spaced to correspond to the spaying of the centers of the tooling stations. In these openings are nests 65 of a diameter such that ears 66 ~a tre nest. overlap the edge of the openings !Figs. 4 and 12).
The nests 65 are relatively light weight and generally rigid molded plastic parts and thei- spacing in the direction of motion or the belt and nests (see fig.4) is equal to the spacing of successive stations of the tooling. The nests 65 are placed in openings 62 along the lanes in belt 60 and attached to the belt by r_~vets or pins 67. Thus ehells deposited in the .nests are carried by the belt through the tooling 35-36, n intermittent or step-wise fashion, synchrcnvzed to she operating strokes of the press. Smells ~ ;!=lg. ~.~) to be conv'rted are loaned onto belt 60 at tme _oading station indicated by general ?.5 reference numeral 68 in Figs. l, 2 and 3, and the shells, when converted ir.tc finished ends, are unleaded from the rests at the unloading station indicated by the general reference numeral 70 ;Fig. _ and 5;, and located at the beginning of the lower flight of belt 60.
The loading mechanisms, generally described later, are also referred to in the art as a down-stacker mechanism, in reference to the manner in which this mec~:anism removes single shells from the bottom of a supply stack and places 3 single shell S into each nest at the loading station 68 (Figs. l, 2 and 81. At the discharge location, the Finished ends are ejected v~r.to disc2:arge lanes or chutes, later described.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 01/38207 PCTlLIS99/279?8 In the present system, the caries oz ring shaped nests 65 Upreferably circular), are arrayed in lanes ., II and III, along flexible conveyer be--= 60. Nests 65 have an underside 36 iFigs.
11. and w2) which rests on belt 60 at the edge of openings 62 to define the vertical cr height dimension of she nest:s in the belt.
"'he nests have a rim i~l which .s Fitted v~nto the corresponding opening 62, and include independently flexible gripping fingers ?5 which are integral t~:.~ rim '%4 througi; flexible arms ?3 and whicr present a discontinucus ledge ?6 through whic, the curl C
of an end shell S initially passes iFigs. 10, 11 and 12i.
A shell ~s placed into a nest ri;.g by moving the she d with the curl C upward and its central panel P and chu g: wale CW
facincr downwarc ;see ~'io. 6) . The cur: ~~ of the shell " -..
pulled tr'.rough -he '_r:ward and downward tapered f=~.r.gers ':.~ and onto the lower rirn. The bottom of the shell, _r:cluding the lower end of its chuck wall CW and the central panel n, is they. 'yocated at the lower edge cf the nest with curl ~ between the lower rim surface 71 and Fincers ~5.
fingers ~l5 are somewhat extended cr opened in a radially cutward direction during tt-:is process, and then the fingers close wnward entirely around and over the shell ctrl ~, so as to exert a centering force en the shell as it is loaded lnto the nest, and tc hold it securely aboc_ its ent-re periphery. '.'his retains the shell especially against rurni.na while various operations are performed on it and a tab is attached to it, as the shell progresses through the tooling stations.
A vacuum box ?8 is located beneattn the loading station and creates a differential in air pressure between the top and bottom of each she'..i as it is p~~aoed onto nests 65, thereby F~lacinq or locating the shells onto the nests. "_'hereafter the shells are positively inserted into the nests and subsequently controlled by the nests: no =urther vacuum retention i_~ needed as the shells progress through tl:e tooling stations.
Belt 60 has rows of teeth or lugs 61 on its underside to mate with teeth ~5T or. driving drum 55 and 5?T on idler and guiding drum 5?. Thus belt 60, in passing around these vrums, is _g_ SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 2fi) Guided into an upper Lligh_ 60A e:itendinq from she idler drum Sr, and lower return flight 60B (see :'ig.w). One or more air cy«nders 8:i urge idler dru-n 7 in a d~~recticz away from the drive drum ~5, to maintain a predetert~,ined tension in tha belt, partioular~-y along Lpper flight 60A.
The attachments between tests 65 and beet 60 a~_loca for limited controlled relative movement of the nests, but only in directions tangen- to the turns :,f the Lei:, about ~::e drums, thus t:~e nests remain flat about the turns and can carry parts (the shells and resultant ends) about drum 55 from the upper to the lower be_t flights.
The upper flight 60P. of =he belts is ~-ifted upward by a snr~:~g biased lifter pad ~s when the press is opened, an the alis and attachoc nests %: are movee incrementally forward over the lifer pad, to locate nests 65 su~ce~si~~ely in a.Lignment with progressiv:~ tooling stations or sets ~5, ~6 ~~f the can end conversion tooling ;Figs. :. & 2v. As the press closes, she lifter pad descends and causes t~:e upper flight 60A to lower the nests therein, and r_he end shells S therein, onto the lower tooling 36 whi.~e pilot mechanisms (nor shown) align. the nests precisely with respec!-. to the tooling before ~_ closes. Guide rails 84R on the upper surface or pad 84 maintain centering of the upper flight 60A pith .respect to the tool_ng as v_:.at flight ad~.Tances through the tooling.
In the ellustrated embcd'_ment oz the invention, there are three lanes I, II, iII of regularly spaced multiple nests 65 in a sing:.e flexible reinforced rubber composite belt. As mentioned, it is possible to use slightly spaced apart multiple belts each with multiple lanes of nests, all mounted around common drive and idler drums. Shells are rotary loaded (or down-stacked] near the beginning of the upper fl=~ght 60A of the conveyor by down-stacker mechanisms, at the left in Figs. 1, 2 and 13. The vacuum box 7~
under this region of the belt path produces a differential pressure which tends r_o pull each shel'_ into a nest. The shells are positively snapped i._ place and firmly held against rotation as they are transferred through r_he conversion tooling.
_g_ SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 01/38207 PCTlUS99127978 A positive insertion mechanism is provided in the form of three insertion assemb~~ies 85 of like construction, each comprising a mounting bracket ~SF~ extending from punch plate 38A, a shat 855, a riser 85R on the Lottom of shaft 855, and an insertion head 85H of a suitable plastic material which has is 'owes Face shaped to conform generally to the inner upper surface of a shell placed in a nest. These insertion heads are dimensioned and arranged to push a shell pcsitive'~y into engagement with the internal teeth of each nest, one drive increment before it passes into the tooling. the F.fter conversicr, the ends travel around drum 55 anc then are ejected from the rvests and moved, by Force °rom air streams; 87 a;orw.g the ~:hur_es 89 t~ ~.cnveyors -anvil iar ? n end making °aci'~_ties_ Conveyor and Tab Strip Drive The power takeo'f shaft 45 is connected via pulley 90 and belt 9? to a further shaft 95 extending across ,-he _.ear of the press bed. ~his shaft actually comprises several sections.
First Section 95A is supported in bearings 97 and carries pulley 99 driven by belt 92. Sec:cnd shaft section 95B is connected through couple..~.g 101 to the input of right ancle gear drive unit ~00, and through that unit and a =urther ~~oiipling 10~ to third shaft section °5C. _. f~srther ~oupli: g ,,0y ;Fig.. 4,'. is connected to the riche angle output of cear drive uni~ ?.00, to drive a shaft 105 which is supported i.n depending bearing mounts -_07.
The waft i05 drives a pair of pulleys 108, and also drives an eccentri:. 1i0. The purpose o' these driven items '_s explained hereafter.
Shaft section 95B is ::onnected '.~,y the .fLrther coupling 112 (Figs. 3 and =?) to another shaft section 115C, which is supported in suitable bearings 114, and this shaft section in turn drives a final shaft section =05D through an overload friction-type clutch 116. The ~-final shaft section 105D is supported in bearings 117 below and rearward of the discharge station 68, and a pulley 118 and belt 119 provide power to that station.
Tooling Layout SI IRSTITlITE ShIEET (RULE 261 Figs. 1, 2 and 13 illustrate general details of the upper and lower tooling sets ?5, 36.
The punch holder plate 37A is fastened tc the bottom surface of the slide 30, and a die shoe or plate 38A ;s supported below, S in the space between Lhe flights cf belt n0. The die shoe and the pu:~ch holder plate are provided with conventional cooperating stop blocks which provide limits for the closed position of the tco.linc (in known manner) and the punch holder plate is fitted with guide rod.y arranged generally near the four corners of the rectangui.ar parts or the tooling, and extending downward -nto receiving posts or sockets fitted to the die shoe. These include suitable precision bearinc glides whit: assure the necessary high accuracy of _nterfit between the copper ipunch) and lower. ..die) tooling carts.
Conventional end conversion -_ociina is mounted on the die shoe, defining a plurality of sta~ivns arranged in multiple lanes, corresponding Lo the lanes o= conveyor belt 60.
Corresponding upper or punch tco~~ing is mounted to the underside of punch holder plate 37A, above the die tooling on plate 38A.
Thus shells placed in the apertures ef the ::onveyor nre carried progressively to the succeeding stations cf the end conversion toolinc by eacr step-wise movement of the conveyor. When the press eoens -_-am rises) conveyor 60 is i.~.dexed :left to right it:
~'iqs 1 and 2;. °receding conveyor .-notion, the stripper pad 84 ;Fig. ~) is rai..sed to guide the conveyor above the die tools.
The end converting Fath thus defined extands from, side to side of the press and the end conversion staLv~:~ns are laid out on the die shoe and punch holder plate in such fash,~or. that they are generally symmetrically disposed with respect to the front to back center _ines of the press, ~.rith t:ze tab tooling at the side of the press, beyond, the location of drive drum 55.
Referring to ~~igs. 2 and 13, which show a one belt, three lane embodiment, the end conversion cooling stations are disposed in lanes 1, TI and III, and are ldent._fied ns:
bubble stations: I-A, II-A, III-A
button station I-B, II-H, III-B

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) rivet forming station: I-C, ~i-~, I~1-c score station: T-D, TT_-D, III-panel form station: I-E, II-E, _~T_-E
transfer/stake .station: 1-~', II-., iII-F
a Details of the _rdividual cu..~.ches and dies are not shown since these will vary with any ~articuiar instal~.~ation, and they are not necessary nor an understanding of she present invention.
Referring to Figs. 1, _ and :3, in 'he end conversion tooling, there is provided a bridua 120 at the stake stations which -eceives the strip of part-ally formed tabs from the tab tooling and carries the attached cabs across the end .~_~onversion roo:~ing. The bridge consists of a bottom plate 121 with a front to back extending slot, and a ;,over '24 secured to the strip, whereby the slot ',?? p=oxides ~ closed passageway for a strip of :hate=ial from which tabs are =o=_;~ed.
Thus, as particLlar_y shown. .a =igs. 2 and 13, the stations of the end conversion tooling, a-~or.g witt: the conveyor, define a site-to-side end conversion oat'.~_ while the tab forming tooling defines a tab forming path in a Front-back direction tha:. is transverse to and beyond the end conversion path at a location beyond idler drum 57, and then loops bac~~ to carry the tabs into .he t=ansferlstak~ station, as shown by the phantom lines i.n Fig.
Shell Feed/End Discharge ?5 The shell feeding mechanism 65, sometimes referred to as a downstacker, has been mentioned earlier with respect to its general 'unction, and its location on the press yFig. :.') outboard of posts i2 and .4. 'This mechanism is per se known, but a brief description of .t is desirable =,. apprecyate its fLnction in the present invention.
There are multiple mechanisms, each designated ray r_he general reference numeral 145, one each of which (as shown in Figs. 1, 2 & 3. is mounted over .he conveyor lanes I, TI and III.
Fen s.impliiication only one will be described. The base plate i5 ;47 holds these mechanisms, and is mounted ever conveyor 60, outside of the left side frame. A bottom plate 148, to which r_he SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 01!38Z07 PCTlt3599127978 base plate is bolted, includes vacuum chamber 78 (F?.g. 1) to which a vacuum hose fitting '.51 is attached from a vacuum lower VB. Plates 147 and 148 are recessed to define a shallow passageway 153 receiving the conveycr_ belt ~0.
Above chamber 150 there are circular feed opening of a diameter just large enough to pass the shells S which descend from a stack thereof contained within guide rods. The lowermost shell ~ has its lip supported on the feeding threads of three feed screws spaced around each feet opening such that one full rotation of these screws will carry the lowermost shell from the stack and deposit the sne~~l in a nest n5 located beneath the feed operang.
a power and ti:ni_~g nor the feed screw rotation is derived from a colt which is driven from Gower take-oft shaft section 45 as earlier described.
By proper selection of puiley~ sizes and gear sizes, teeth numbers, and ratios, the intermittent rotation of the shaft is translated into 360o rotat-ons of feed screws 158, Gnd a single shell is deposited in a nest 65 as those openings halt under the feed opening.
Tab Tooling and Attachment As previously mentioned the ~abs are formed from a strip of aluminum or :ike material, suppl-ed .nom a rol-i and directed along the tab forcni:,g path ~nhicr. is °ransverse to tr:e en~u Z5 conversion path. This strip is advanced through the tab forming tooling, 37A, 37B, forms a reverse loop, passes back through the guide 160A iFig. 2; into the stations 1-F, II-F, III-F and the remaining scrap strip is cut into suitable pieces and discharged.
In known manner, the =ivet roles '_n the tabs located at this station are thus aligned with the button. or rivet on the ends, and as the tab strip connections are .severed, the tabs are set onto the ends. Compiet~closing of the tooling =finishes the attachment by staking the rivets to form the well-known integral rivet attachment. between the tabs and ands. After =he final tooling station operation tY:e end conversion is complete and the ends proceed around drum 5% no r_:~e unloading mechanism. The SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 01!38207 PCTlUS99/279~8 remainder of the strip 115 proceeds to a cutter (not shown) where the strip is cut into short lengths as it is fed incrementally.
"_'hese scrap lengths can cs suitab'ry collected for reclaiming, in known fashion.
The conveyor belt 6C is taut in the upper flight and level across the lifter pad. In his oositior: the belt advances only after the lift movement has stopped. The finished ends are parried _n nests 65 around the drum 57 into the beginning ox t'~e return 'light. Discharge chutes 88 ;Figs. 5-?'~ extend from a locatio:. below -he beginning of the return flight to a location through and beyond the press frame.
A knock-out device, extending into the space between the heir flights 60a, 60H, includes a bracket 1?.", attached to the press ram (Figs. ~ and 7). :nook-out __ngs 172 are positioned such that when ti:e ram descends, finished ends are elected from the nests onto chutes 88 where they are carried by air streams, from a compressed air pipe 86, to the end cf the chutes.
Another advantage of this invention is that it enables producing ends of as many different sizes as r_here are lanes of 2G nests in the belt. The nests are spaced according tc the tool station ~,enterlines, which is also the inde-:ed movement of the belt. The retainers or ears on the nests _'~t.ersect these centerli:~es by pre vidir.g rests in one o~ more lar:es ~iWch have grew=~r :~r lesser radii c~ ~heii ears, _~ is possible to handle sheyis, and produce ends, of di'ferent sizes simultaneously.
~rlhile the method herein described, and the 'orms of apparatus for carrying this method into eTfect, constitute preferrea embodimenr_s of -his invention, _t is tc be understood that the izver_tion is not limited to This precise method and forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made ~n either without .ieparting from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended cia~~.ms.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims (10)

What is claimed is:

1. A conveyor system for can end conversion equipment, comprising at least one relatively narrow width endless belt, means supporting said belt in a loop path including upper and lower flights, means for moving said belt in a predetermined direction with an intermittent motion through predetermined increments, a plurality of nests positioned extending across said belt and extending in at least one lane longitudinally of said belt, said nests being attached to said belt along centerlines which are perpendicular to the loop path of said belt whereby each nest can traverse the portions of the loop path between said upper and lower flights, each said nest having at least one nest ring for receiving and securely holding a can end shell, the nests rings in the respective nests being aligned along said at least one lane longitudinally of said belt, said nests rings of successive nests being spaced apart a common distance which is equal to the increment of motion of said at least one belt, means for raising and lowering a section of said belt and attached nests along said upper flight of said belt during each incremental motion thereof, and means for unloading can end shells from said nests at the beginning of the lower flight of said belt.

2. In a conveyor system for can end shells being processed into easy open can ends in a conversion apparatus, said conversion apparatus including progressive tooling for working on end shells, said tooling being arranged in successive stations along a predetermined path; the improvement comprising a conveyor belt having regularly spaced openings therein spaced apart corresponding to the spacing of the tooling stations, said openings extending along at least one lane extending longitudinally along said belt, first and second drums supported respectively at opposite ends of said predetermined path to define upper and lower flights or said conveyor belt, end shell carrier nests fitted into said openings in said belt, said nests including an array of flexible fingers adapted to engage the periphery of a shell to hold the shell therein during conversion work on the shell as the shell is passed through said tooling, attachment means on each of said nests fastening the respective said nest to said belt along a line transverse to said belt to allow each said nest to pass around said drums, a loading station along said upper flight of said belt located between said first drum and the first of said tooling stations, means at said loading station for presenting an end shell to each nest located at said loading station, and means cooperating with said belt at said loading station to place a presented end shell onto said fingers.

3. A conveyer system as defined in claim 2, wherein said means or placing an end shell includes a vacuum box below said belt upper flight at said loading station to draw an end shell onto said fingers of the rest located at said loading station.

4. A conveyor system as defned in claim 3, further including insertion means located between said loading station and the first of said tooling stations and driver. synchronously with said progressive tooling to insert the end shell into full engagement with said fingers of said nest.

5. A conveyor system as defined in claim 1, further including means defining an unloading station beneath said lower flight of said at least one belt whereby each easy open end processed through said tooling is carried about said second drum to said unloading station, and means at said unloading station for ejecting converted easy open ends from said nests.
6. A conveyor system as defined in claim 2, wherein said nests each include a base ring having a peripheral ledge dimensioned to seat upon the edge of said openings in said belt, and said fingers are integral inwardly projecting extensions from said base ring and are spaced apart around the interior of said base ring.
7. A conveyor system as defined in claim 6, wherein said fingers include shoulders thereon defining an interrupted circular surface adapted to press against the periphery of an end shell to retain the shell stationary in the nest whereby the shell is retained solely inwardly directed pressure of said fingers.

progressive tooling to insert the end shell into full engagement with said fingers of said nest.
A conveyor system as defined in claim 1, further including means defining an unloading station beneath said lower flight of said at least one belt whereby each easy open end processed through said tooling is carried about said second drum to said unloading station, and means at said unloading station for ejecting converted easy open ends from said nests.

6. A conveyor system as defined in claim 2, wherein said nests each include a base ring having a peripheral ledge dimensioned to seat upon the edge of said openings in said belt, and said fingers are integral inwardly projecting extensions from said base ring and are spaced apart around the interior of said base ring.

7. A conveyor system as defined in claim 6, wherein said fingers include shoulders thereon defining an interrupted circular surface adapted to press against the periphery of an end shell to retain the shell stationary in the nest whereby the shell is retained solely by inwardly directed pressure of said fingers.

8. A carrier nest for use in a conveyor system for can end shells to be processed into can ends, said carrier nest including a base ring having a central opening and a peripheral ledge dimensioned to seat upon the edge of an opening is a conveyor belt, an array of independent fingers extending inwardly from said base ring adapted to engage the periphery of a shell to hold the shell therein during conversion work on the shell, said fingers comprising spaced apart integral arms extending from the interior of said base ring, said arms being sufficiently flexible to permit independent motion of said fingers, said fingers each including shoulders thereon defining an interrupted annular surface within said base ring adapted to press against the periphery of an end shell to retain the shell stationary in the nest.

9. A conveyor system as defined in claim 8, wherein said fingers have gripping shoulders extending generally vertically within said central opening of said base ring to press against the rim of a shell to retain the shell stationary in the nest.

10. A conveyor system as defined in claim 9, wherein said fingers also include supporting shoulders projecting generally inward from said gripping shoulders to defining an interrupted supporting surface adapted to extend under the rim of an end shell whereby the shell is retained in the nest by inwardly directed pressure of said fingers and the rim of the shell is supported by said fingers.

The applicant wishes to add three (3) new claims, Nos. 8, 9 & 10, to this application.
Enclosed herewith are new claims pages 17 & 18, containing the last two lines of claim 4, claims 5 through 7 (original) and new claims 8-10. The new claims have been added to cover details of the nest used in the Conveyor System all of which details are fully described in the Specification and shown in the drawings.
It is believed that no additional searching is required. It is also believed that no additional fee is required.
This amendment is being submitted under Article 19 to the International Bureau (Rule 46.2) within 16 months from the International filing date of 26 November 1999 (26.11.99).