GB665506A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for handling filled cans - Google Patents

Abstract

665,506. Filling and closing cans. CONTINENTAL CAN CO., Inc. June 30, 1949. [July 1, 1948] No. 17370/49. Class 125(ii). [Also in Group XXX] Cans are transferred from a filling machine situated at the point R, Fig. 2, to a closing machine situated at the point C in such a way that they are gradually accelerated and at the same time spaced, by means of a rotary turret plate of large diameter having a plurality of pivoted arms arranged around its periphery, pockets on the outer ends of the arms, and means for shifting the arms relative to the turret plate while maintaining the circular arrangement of the pockets such that the movement of the pockets is retarded adjacent the filling machine to pick up closely spaced cans thereon, and is thereafter accelerated gradually to increase the spacing of the cans in the pockets prior to transfer to the closing machine. The turret head plate 14 rotates upon a collar 7 mounted in bearings 8 in a frame 9 which includes an annular table 13 around which the cans are pushed. Transfer arms 33 are pivoted by means of pins 36 to the turret head and each has an integral arm 59 provided with a collar 60 and an integral inward extension 64 below the head plate 14, Fig. 6, provided with a notch 65 into which a spring loaded detent 66, sliding in a sheath 68 on the plate 14, is urged to lock the arm 33 in the radially extended position. The detents 66 are held in locking position during one half cycle by a semi-circular rail 75 which prevents a roller 71 on a pin depending from the detent 66 from being moved inwardly. During the other half cycle, roller 71 is guided in a track 72 and roller 60 is guided in a track 62. Track 72 causes each detent 66 to be withdrawn and held withdrawn until just before leaving the track; meanwhile, after the detent is withdrawn, each arm 33 by its roller 60 engaging the track portions 78, 79 is first inclined forwards sharply, and then slowly moved to a rearward inclination as the pockets 43 pass the can receiving position R whence the pockets 43 are crowded together and slowed up to receive slowmoving closely spaced cans from a filling machine. After the rearward inclination is reached, the arms are moved to the radial position thus accelerating and spacing the cans while pushing them around the annular table 13. A guide 63, Fig. 6, extends around the annular table to keep the cans in the pockets. During the first half cycle referred to above, can tops X, Fig. 6, are fed on to the cans and the cans pass under an arcuate plate 58 to screen the can from the atmosphere. A gaseous fluid is then admitted from a tube 84, Fig. 2, into an arcuate chamber 85, Figs. 2, 6 in a non- rotating plate 26 pressed by springs into contact with an annulus 21 of the turret head, and into conduits 24 as these come opposite the chamber 85. Conduits 24 lead along ribs 18 on the turret head plate and through bores in the pins 36 to conduits 56 in the transfer arms 33. A valve 47 is kept open against a spring 50 by a can in the pocket 43, the can pressing on a bell crank 51. When a can is in a pocket 43 the gaseous fluid thus passes to a fanshaped nozzle 57 projecting under the top X into the can. Conduits 24 leave the arcuate chamber 85, cutting off supply of gaseous fluid, when the cans reach a point C at the bottom in Fig. 2, where they are transferred to the closing machine (not shown).