GB968146A - Improvements in machines for processing articles - Google Patents

Abstract

968,146. Filling and capsuling cans; conveying cans. REDDI-WIP Inc. Sept. 15, 1960 [Sept. 28, 1959], No. 31833/60. Headings B8A and B8T. A can filling and closing machine comprises a stationary structure including a column 21, reservoirs 31, 36, 39, 42, a container track 28 and associated can support mechanism; a rotating cam bed 145; and a rotating feed rack including a ring 182 supporting discharge followers 186 and feed followers 187 which cooperate respectively with discharge and supply conveyers 193, 192. Filling and closing mechanism.-The stationary track 28 is secured to a guide plate 26 supported by legs 23. The plate 26 and track 28 have concentric bores guiding piston-rods 83 and pistons 79. Corresponding bores, made in an upper ring plate 50 carried by support arms 48 locate cylinders 52 which act as filling chambers. An extension 60 of each cylinder 52 enables crimper mechanism carrying a can lid to rotate laterally. Valves 63, 65 in the cylinder casing are connected to the vacuum and steam reservoirs 31, 36 respectively; a third valve, Fig. 3 (not shown), also in the cylinder casing, is connected to a gas reservoir 39. A bore 92 supplies filling material from a double-acting measuring cylinder 96 controlled by a cone valve 97 which is held sealed by a compression spring 98. A ratchet 100 on the end of the cone valve shaft is engaged by a dog shaft in a housing 106 when actuated by a solenoid housed at 107. The solenoid operates in response to a sensor in the cylinder extension 60 which reacts to the presence of a can lid carried by the crimper mechanism. A bracket 108 on the solenoid housing 107 is pivoted to linkage 109, 110 connected to a filler actuating rod 111 which pivots the solenoid and plunger mechanism through 90 degrees to turn the cone valve ratchet 100. The crimping mechanism ineludes a guide sleeve 121, Fig. 7, in which a hollow shaft 123 integral with a plunger 128 is movable axially when struck by a hammer 151, Fig. 1, and radially by means of a gear sector 133 mounted on its squared end 132. The gear sector 133 is engaged by a further gear sector mounted on a vertical actuating shaft 135. An L-shaped shaft 126, moved radially with the shaft 123, carries crimping segments 138 engaged by the plunger 128 and a magnetic ring 139 to hold the can lid 119. Rotating cam control.-Cams formed on the rotating bed 145 control the action of the filling and closing mechanism. Cam a actuates the piston-rods 83 to raise the pistons 79 into the positions shown in Fig. 4 at which the cans are filled and closed. Cam b operates the cover removal shafts 135. Cam c operates a rod 150 to which the crimping hammer 151 is attached. The filler actuating rods 111 are engaged by a cam d and have increased vertical travel due to the formation of a groove 152 in the cam bed. Cam plates e, f and g effect opening of the gas, steam, and vacuum valves respectively through intermediate crank arms and torque rods. Cam h is circular except for a discharge feed lobe 173, Fig. 8, which engages push rods 169 having magnetic yokes 172 at their outer ends. The yokes 172 discharge filled cans from the pistons 79 on to the track 28, rotate to contact an empty can, and retract, as the push rods 169 move off the lobe 173, to supply the empty can to a piston 79. The cam bed 145 is rotated via a shaft 176 by an electric motor (not shown). Feed mechanism.-The can rack ring 182, also driven from the shaft 176 carries legs 184, 185 supporting the discharge and feed followers 186, 187 respectively which propel cans on the fixed track 28. The ring 182 rotates at the same speed as the cam bed 145. In a modification, both the ring 182 and cam bed 145 rotate clockwise, but the ring 182 moves at twice the angular speed of the cam bed. Operation.-An intermittently actuated star wheel 198 propels empty cans from the supply conveyer 192 into alternate pockets between the followers 186, 187. Each can is rotated thereby until attracted by a magnetic yoke 172 which draws it to a vacant position on a piston 79 for filling. Cam a raises the piston until the can lid contacts the magnetic ring 139 (at the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 4). The lid being held, the piston 79 is slightly lowered, and the lid swung laterally into the cylinder extension 60. Air is evacuated from the filling chamber as the vacuum valve 63 is opened, and the chamber then filled with sterilizing steam through the valve 65. The vacuum valve opens again to clear the steam, and the piston 79 raises the can (as shown in phantom lines in Fig. 4) which is filled with inert gas through a further valve, Fig. 6 (not shown). The cone valve 97 is turned to admit filling material from the measuring cylinder 96 while the gas valve remains open. After filling, the piston 79 is lowered to enable the lid to be swung back into position on the can, and again raised to press the closure home while the crimping hammer 151 actuates the plunger 128 to seal the can. The gas valve is closed, and the piston 79 lowers the can to the level of the track 28. The magnetic yoke 172 then returns the filled can to the control of a follower 186 for discharge on to the conveyer 193 by means of deflector bars 194. Specification 968,147 is referred to.