GB716790A - Improved method and apparatus for processing surfaces of tubular containers and other articles - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for processing cylindrical objects moving in upright position along a conveyer comprising head means, a lift located at a predetermined position along the conveyer to remove the objects from the conveyer, means for detecting the presence of the objects at the predetermined position and arranged to control the operation of the lift, means for operating the lift to move an object from the conveyer and into engagement with the head means whereby the object is retained between the lift and the head means, means for rotating the head means to rotate the object about its axis while it is retained in engagement with the head means by the lift, and processing means positioned adjacent the peripheral surface of the object when it is rotated for performing a processing operation on at least a portion of the surface of the object. As shown, an endless conveyer consisting of chains 112 carries drums 10. A lift 16 has a platform 216, Fig. 5, symmetrically under the line of the conveyer and is operated vertically <PICT:0716790/III/1> <PICT:0716790/III/2> <PICT:0716790/III/3> <PICT:0716790/III/4> <PICT:0716790/III/5> by a hydraulic jack 210 thus raising the drum, the platform being provided with flanged rollers 222 on sloping, upwardly turned arms 218 to engage the bottom of the drum. The drum then rises until the head meets the rotary headplate 18 consisting of a flanged disc 410, Fig. 9, with engaging lugs 412 all fastened to central shaft 414, belt-driven from motor 422. Processing devices, e.g. grinding wheels 22, 24, Fig. 3, sprays 26, Fig. 1, are positioned near drum surfaces by attachments to the frame, or internally, e.g. spray nozzles 714, Fig. 1, and 710, Fig. 5. The cycle is initiated by the moving drum 10 touching a detector arm 310 Fig 4, which moves rod 316 and latch-arm 318 allowing the transverse rod 320 to rotate and raise the stop-ends 338 of rods 336 attached to shaft 320 and also raises the trigger-arm 344, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, and end 348 in advance of the ends 338 relative to the drum. On pushing, the arm 344 slides in lug 342 on arm 340 fixed to shaft 320 and operates a switch 346 and sets the lift in motion and the lift, being interconnected by shaft 350, Figs. 4 and 5, to shaft 320 in such a manner that the latch-arm 318 is re-set and the ends 348, 338 are lowered as the lift is raised. The shaft 350 may also put on switch 516 of the control system 20, Fig. 1, at the head of the apparatus. A one-revolution clutch of usual type 440 and 436, Fig. 9, is fitted to shaft 464. The number of revolutions of central shaft 414 is predetermined relative to one of shaft 464 and the cams 610, 612 &c. are designed accordingly to operate the processing devices 22 &c. for portions of these revolutions as desired. Cam 510 operates a switch 512 to lower the drum and lift after required processing and return the drum to the conveyer, thus completing the cycle. Grinding, spraying wax or paint &c. cleaning and abrading &c. may be done to the peripheries and chimes or other areas of any tubular containers as desired by the above described fully-automatic means.