JPS61268164A - Method and apparatus for trimming food from can flange region - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention is a continuation-in-part of commonly-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 494,565 filed May 13, 1983.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for filling and closing open-topped containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for closing a filled can or preparing it for "clipping" by trimming and cleaning the overhang from the flange area of the can.

The invention is particularly suited to the food canning industry where it is necessary to obtain a perfect joint for proper sealing. However, the invention has wide application in areas such as non-food packaging where can sealing is a problem due to the nature of the product being packaged.

Prior Art Particular attention must be paid to obtaining a perfect seal, especially in the food canning industry, so that the food does not spoil. In canning operations using metal cans, there should be no food particles or residue around the top edge or flange of the filled can to ensure a perfect joint with no air leakage. is usually required. In a typical canning operation, cans are filled with food and liquid and then delivered to a head spacer. Head space is obtained by inserting a plunger into the can to drain excess liquid and compressing the food before lidding. When canning meat or fish, a filling operation with a plunger used to insert the mass of food into the can leaving enough head space without requiring a separate operation to create head space. It is better to do this.

In either case, the lid is then hermetically fitted to the can by forming a roll-on joint between the lid and a small outwardly flared flange around the upper edge of the can. This joint must be sufficiently tight to avoid contamination of the contents by bacteria or the like. Although packaging for non-food products does not pose a health risk, complete sealing is required to prevent product damage or deterioration.

During the filling of the can or the creation of the head space, which involves the use of a plunger, small pieces of food often protrude from the can or splash onto the outside of the can and become stuck in the flange area. For certain foods, such as tough sushi and bone-containing meats, this problem is truly acute. Food debris on the flange makes a tight seal between the flange and the lid impossible, thus inhibiting proper sealing of the can. Although it is common to clean the sides of the can before attaching a lid and labeling, this cleaning operation is not effective in removing food debris and is not relevant to the subject matter of the present invention. . Although a variety of mechanical cutters have been developed for trimming debris, these mechanical methods have not been a sufficient answer to this problem. One example of a mechanical trimming device is the W,C,Pro 1
No. 2,444,502, issued June 6, 948. Therefore, the current practice in most canning operations is to inspect each can, manually remove debris, and manually dispose of each improperly filled can, or to remove the can from the line. It is to pull it out from. Due to high labor wages, this is an expensive operation and the possibility of improper joints being overlooked or untreated.

Therefore, there is a clear need, particularly in the food canning industry, for an apparatus and method that prevents the formation of improper can joints due to the presence of food particles along the flange area of the can. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus and method that is less labor intensive and eliminates the consequences of improper bonding in the first place.

Shusara Huangwei! The present invention removes debris from the flange area of the can by a cutting operation that includes directing one or more cutting jets at the flange area of the can toward an anvil member while rotating the can about its longitudinal axis. Provided are methods and apparatus for removing. A plunger carrying an anvil is inserted into the can, and the plunger shields the contents of the can from the spray of the high pressure water cutting jet. The anvil cooperates with the cutting jet and serves as a support member for cutting the debris. Although the anvil-plunger eliminates excess fluid to create adequate head space, the head space is always already created prior to use of the anvil of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the flange trimming device of the present invention be inserted directly into an automatic canning line between the conventional "filling" operation and the "seaming" device.

In one embodiment of the invention, a number of flange trimming stations are arranged in a circle.

Each station has a rotatable platform for holding the can upright, and the platform is mounted around a circular base table. The base table is rotated about its center via a gear ring and pinion arrangement by a motor coupled to the base table. As the base table rotates, fixed friction rails are positioned to frictionally engage the camp platform, thereby causing the camp platform platforms to rotate about their vertical axes as the base table rotates. A high pressure water cutting jet/nozzle is provided on the base table of each station and is oriented tangentially to the area occupied by the flange of the can positioned on the associated platform. The cutting jet is a constant stream of high pressure water that cuts and sheds debris around the flange as the platform rotates.

On each platform, a freely rotatable anvil-forming plunger rotates the can together with the base table a predetermined number of times during one revolution of the table, and the plunger is lifted again to remove the can from the plant platform. Create a shield between the ice cutting jet and the can in the area where the ice cutting plunger is lifted and the can is on the platform.

? In another embodiment of the invention, a rotatable base table supporting a rotatable can platform is driven by a variable speed hydraulic motor that also drives various can feeding mechanisms. In this method, the drive mechanism may be adjusted to selectively control the speed.

In addition, the anvil-plunger is suspended from the upper member which rotates when the plunger is removed from the can.

In feeding a can to its associated platform, a cam follower device first raises the anvil-plunger and then lowers the anvil into engagement with the can. The anvil enters a preformed head space in the open top of the can, and the anvil is caused to rotate with the can by frictionally engaging the can. The anvil works in conjunction with the cutting jet to actually separate and remove the can food grain particles. Of course, the anvil is placed in place within the open top of the can to protect the contents of the can from ingress of water from the jet spray. Positive air pressure is introduced through an orifice in the bottom of the anvil to eliminate the possibility of this vacuum effect, thus preventing food from sticking to the anvil when it is removed. Similarly, the bottom surface of the anvil may be dished or concave to help prevent food particles from adhering to the anvil when the anvil is removed. Positive air pressure is applied to the anvil only when it is retracted from the top of the can just before it is removed from the flange trimmer.

The device described above is very effective and economical. The simple design of the device creates a highly reliable machine that requires little maintenance. This machine can be placed in a conventional food processing line and run at the normal can speeds of an automated line. This device reduces labor costs. This is because the device virtually eliminates the need for manual splicing and uses less power and less water for its operation.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a conventional cylindrical can for processed foods has an outwardly flared flange 2 at its upper edge, which flange is designed to contain bacteria. , used to form a rolled seam with a flat circular lid to seal the contents against other contaminants. In a preferred embodiment of the flange trimming device 3 of the invention, twelve flange trimming stations 4 are arranged in a circular section within the outer shell 6 which shields bystanders from spray or debris. Each station 4 includes a platform (can or container support) for supporting and rotating the can 1, a high pressure cutting jet spray assembly 8 for cutting off the food product projecting from the flange area of the can, and a plunger assembly 9 for forming an anvil. The cutting jet acts as a knife against the anvil. Anvil-plunger 9 shields the contents of the can from jet spray.

The platform 7 is freely rotatably mounted on a shaft 11 extending upwardly from a rotatable base table I2, and the rotatable base table 12 is supported on struts 13 and centered on a central shaft 14 that can rotate together with the base table. It's being served. A riser table 16 having a semi-circular cutout portion for positioning the can l on the platform 7 is attached to the central shaft 14 at approximately the midpoint level of the can 1. A fixed friction rail 15 adjacent to the outermost point of platform 7 and in frictional contact with this plant platform 7 causes platform 7 to rotate when base table 12 is rotated. base table 1
2 meshes with a pinion 18 driven by a 2 horsepower motor 19 and is driven by a ring gear 17 provided under the base table, thereby rotating the base table 12 and the central shaft 14. Approximately 22'A rl
The rotation speed of lm is advantageous in that it is slow enough to extend the life of the equipment without maintenance, yet sufficient for the 12 station equipment to achieve high can throughput rates of about 252 cans per minute. It is. Of course, this rotation speed can be varied depending on the desired can processing speed. A gear arrangement may be provided between the motor 19 and the ring gear 17 as required to produce the desired rotational speed, by means well known to those skilled in the art.

Each jet spray assembly 8 has a jet spray nozzle (shared cutting device) 21 which is held by a bracket 22 identified on the riser table 16 to position the nozzle 21 on the platform 7. Aim at the area occupied by flange 2 of can l.

The nozzle 21 is supplied with pressurized water by an inlet conduit 23 extending through the strut 13 to a swivel connection 24 at the base of the vertical bore 27 of the central shaft 14 . Four horizontal bores 26 direct water from vertical bores 27 to base table 12.
to each of the four manifolds 28 supported by. Each manifold 28 supplies pressurized water to the riser table 1.
Three adjacent nozzles 21 are fed through hoses 29 passing through holes 6 and 6. Although a single nozzle 21 has been found to give satisfactory results, two or more nozzles directed at the same spot or at several different spots on the flange of the force may alternatively be used. The jet nozzle 21 preferably has an orifice diameter on the order of 0.004 inch, and the water pressure 20, to create a water knife effective to cut material from the flange of the can.
A range of 0.000 to 55,000 psi is preferred. Of course, the size of the nozzle and the water pressure required will depend on the nature of the food being canned. For example, in salmon canning, it is necessary to have the ability to separate bone and hard skin material, which requires a higher pressure range.

The cutting jet acts on the plunger side wall as an anvil during its cutting action.

The plunger assembly 9 of each trimming station 4 has a plunger head or anvil 31, each plunger head being tapered and snug enough to seal the contents of the can against water from the jet spray 21. It is sized and shaped to fit into the can 1 and, if necessary, drain excess liquid from the can to ensure the desired volume of the head space of the can. A plunger head 31 for correct centering of the can 1 on the platform 7 is suspended directly above the platform 7 by a vertical spindle 32 rotatably and vertically movable within a cylinder or guide sleeve 33. The spindle and guide sleeve are supported by an upper table 34 that rotates together with the central shaft 14 and base table 12. A cam follower or roller 36 at the top end of each spindle 32 rolls in a fixed circular cam track 37;
Each track 37 has a ridge 38 formed over approximately 105° of the circle to lift the plunger 31 upwardly, thus allowing incoming cans to be positioned and outgoing cans to be removed from below. Referring to Figure 3, Kan 1
The spray shield 39 is formed by a fixed arc plate extending over an angle of approximately 140° between the nozzle 21 and the nozzle 21.
The amount of water that raises the plunger 31 is to prevent it from entering the can 1. This spray shield 39, subtracted from FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity, extends outwardly below the raised plunger 31 and is attached to a convenient fixed part of the machine frame 46 by known means. Preferably, it is supported by a support 40.

Alternatively, a valve may be provided to stop the spray while the plunger is raised. In addition, in such a case, both the shield and the valve can be omitted. That is plunger 3
This is because the volume of water ejected from the nozzle 21 while raising the can is small, being only a few cubic centimeters per can.

During operation, top table 34 and base table 12 rotate with the central shaft. can filled with food
is conveyed by a feed conveyor 41 from a conventional filling machine to the device 3. A star feed gear 42 or other known feed mechanism
Since the platform 7 passes each time the base table 12 rotates, the can 1 is sent onto the platform 7. As shown in FIG. 4, when the can 1 is placed on the Blattbohm 7, the plunger or anvil 31 is in the raised position and the spray shield 39 blocks the flow from the nozzle 21. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, as the top table 34 and base table 12 rotate, the cam follower 36 of the plunger assembly 9 reaches the cam track 37 and lowers the plunger into engagement with the can 1. let The fixed friction rail 15 rotates the platform 7, causing the can 1 and anvil 31 to rotate. The ice-cutting jet stream from nozzle 21 uses its aggressive cutting action to remove debris from flange 2 using the anvil.

As the upper table 34 and base table 12 continue to rotate, the cam follower 36 reaches the ridge 38 of the cam track 37 and raises the plunger 31 from the can 1, causing the shield 39 to move toward the nozzle 21 as shown in FIG. Block the flow again. A pick-up star gear 43 then picks up the can 1 from the platform 7 and places it on a pick-up conveyor 44, which feeds the can into a conventional lidded machine.

Modifications of the can flange trimming device are shown in FIGS. 8 to 13. In this form of the invention, the flange trimming apparatus 113 is provided with trimming stations 114 in the manner described above, with twelve such stations in the particular machine shown. As shown in FIG.
The shaft 117 serves as a support for the lower bearing mounting portion 1.
18 and an upper bearing mounting portion 119 in the top or cover plate 121 of the machine. The cover plate 121 is the side wall 12
2, the side walls partially surround the central shaft 117 and are connected to and supported by the base of the frame 116. The lower end of the central shaft 117 is provided with a drive gear 122, which is connected to a variable hydraulic motor 123.
and a drive pinion 124. shaft 11
7 is equipped with a circular base table 126 formed by its flange. A base table 126 supports the can platform. A riser table or turret 127 is formed by the second flange of shaft 117 and serves to support the cutting nozzle. The third circular flange 128 of the central shaft is provided with a guide sleeve 129 of the plunger guide rond. Support webs 131,132 are used to stiffen the associated flanges.

Base table 126 supports twelve can support platforms 133 attached to vertical shaft 134. Shaft 34 is provided for free rotation relative to table 126, or alternatively, can platform 133 may itself be rotatable relative to vertical shaft 134.

In either case, the can platform is connected to the peripheral gear tooth 1
36, the teeth of which are connected to a fixed annular gear ring 13 mounted on the inner periphery of the base support frame 116 as shown in FIG.
It meshes with 7. The function of the gear ring 137 and the gears around the can platform is equivalent to the function of the friction rail or bar 15 in the embodiment of FIG. Rotate it. The speed of the can can be controlled as it moves around the circular path, and the gears can be selected to obtain the required number of revolutions of the can for the desired cut. In a variant, a separate drive may be provided for the rotation of the can platform so that it can be selectively controlled depending on the desired number of rotations over the can path of the trimming machine.

Turret 127 includes an arcuate cutout 138 that engages approximately the middle of can 111 as the can is carried on platform 133. Cutout 138 is provided with a press-fit insert 139 to allow different sized cans to be machined. Each flange trimming station includes a jet nozzle assembly 141 also supported by a turret 127. 1st
Referring to Figure 1, each nozzle unit 142 may be of conventional design and, as discussed above, has an orifice diameter on the order of 0.004 inch. However, the size of the orifice can vary depending on the amount of pressure used, the type of food to be canned, and other variable factors. However, it will be appreciated that in any case, the high pressure jet produced by the nozzle 142 must in all cases be able to actually cut off the excess food product. The anvil of the plunger assembly 115 is
Serves as a backup or support in the traditional "knife and anvil" cutting method. The nozzle 142 is connected to the holder 1
44 and supported by a rounded portion 143 supported by an angle bracket 146. Bracket 146 has a vertical member 147 attached to turret 127 and a horizontal plate 148. Fractional part 14
3 includes a pole-and-socket attachment 149 on a vertical leg or member 147 that allows the nozzle 142 to be freely adjusted to precisely direct the jet stream to the desired angle of impingement on the anvil and cann flange. To allow adjustment about a horizontal axis, holder 144 is connected to pivot link 151 by a pin-slot connection 152, thus allowing the angle of the jet stream to be adjusted vertically. Link 151 is pivotally connected to horizontal arm or plate 14a by pivot connection 153. If desired, the pivot connection 153 may also be a bin slot to increase the range of adjustment. Pivot connection part 15
The pin members 154, 156 of 2.153 may each comprise a clamp bolt for holding the rounded portion 143 in its adjusted position. To enable adjustment of the jet nozzle about the vertical axis, horizontal arm 148 is free to rotate about bolt 157 as a pivot point. As shown in FIG.
is provided with a slot 158 and a clamp port 159 to enable the nozzle support 146 to be clamped in place for directing the jet stream. In this configuration, with particular reference to FIG. 10, the jet nozzle assembly 1
41 are positioned on either side of the can to direct the jet flow tangentially to the can flanges. The can can therefore be rotated in either direction if desired. This feature is important in installations where the entire flange trimming machine must be installed on the opposite side of the canning line from the side shown in FIG. Of course, in this example, the direction of rotation of the base table 126 is reversed, causing the can to rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation shown in FIG.

High pressure fluid for the jet nozzle 142 is supplied from a high pressure fluid conduit 161 that is deflectable to the angle necessary to adjust the rounding portion 143 and orient the nozzle. The tube 161 is connected by a suitable fitting 162 to a horizontal passage 163 which is connected to the vertical shaft 11.
7 is connected to a single supply passage 164 within 7. Although shaft 117 is shown in FIG. 9 as a solid casting or the like, it will be appreciated that other constructions are possible.

A desired feature is the positioning of high pressure fluid tubing within vertical shaft 117. The high pressure fluid pipe 166 is connected to the slot connection 16 that rotates the shaft 117 during supply of high pressure fluid.
At 7 it is connected to a suitable source of high pressure fluid. The high pressure fluid source may consist of any suitable pressure intensifier or pumping device known in the art capable of producing the magnitude of fluid pressure required for the particular trimming operation. As mentioned above, a pressure fluid of about 20, Q Q Q ~ 55,000 psi,
It has been successfully used in canning salmon foods, which poses severe problems of cutting bone and skin tissue.

Each plunger assembly 115 consists of an anvil member 168 and a vertical plunger rod or spindle 169;
The spindle 169 is mounted freely movable vertically within a guide sleeve 129 supported by a circular flange 128 of the shaft 117. Reciprocating operation of plunger assembly 115 is substantially the same as described for the embodiment of FIG. Anvil 168 is suspended directly above platform 133, as seen in FIG.
Of course, it rotates together with the central shaft 117 and the base table 126. A cam follower or roller 171 at the top end of each spindle 169 rolls in a fixed circular cam track 172 attached to cover plate 121. As shown in FIG. 8, the cam track 172 has a ridge 173 over approximately 105° of the circle formed, which lifts the spindle 169 and anvil upwardly, thereby positioning the incoming can. , the outgoing can can be taken out from under the anvil.

Details of anvil 168 are best shown in FIG. The spindle 169 connecting the anvils consists of a hollow tube, the acid intermediate tube being closed at its upper end and provided with an anvil member at its lower end. The anvil 168 has a bearing 174
is provided for free rotation on the spindle 169 by a retaining ring 176 and is held at the end of the spindle 169 by a retaining ring 176. Anvil 168 is circular in cross-section and has a reduced diameter lower end 177 that is sized to fit snugly into a particular can 111 . As shown in FIG. 11, the can 111 typically includes a flange or beveled lip portion 178 that is used for the crimping operation when capping the top of the can. A diagonal or tapered layer 179 of the anvil forms the transition between the reduced diameter portion 177 and the upper body of the anvil, and the angle of the shoulder is selected to cooperate with the can lip portion 178 in the cutting operation. In trimming salmon foods, it has been found that angles in the range of 30 to 45 degrees from the horizontal provide optimal results in cutting flexible bones that project into the region of the lip portion 178 of the can. In this particular application, the angle of shoulder 179 acts as a "bone tensioner" for the cutting jet, and the anvil itself provides a support that not only deflects but also cuts the bone. Of course, for a given trimming operation, the shoulder 1790 angle will depend on the type of food being packed.

The anvil 168 has a concave or dished bottom surface 181 which is used to prevent the formation of a vacuum and to prevent food or the like from adhering to the bottom surface of the anvil when the anvil is removed from the can after a trimming operation. Helpful. Furthermore, the bottom wall 182 of the anvil is provided with a plurality of orifices 183 that connect the outer or bottom surface 181 to the hollow spindle 1.
Connected to the inside of 69. The hollow interior of spindle 169 accommodates shaft 1 for rotation together with shaft 117.
It is connected via an air hose 184 to a ring 186 fixed to 17 . Referring to FIG. 12, ring 1
86 includes an inlet opening 187 positioned to align with an air pressure conduit 188 of a valve block 189 secured to a plate 191, which is connected to the cam trunk 172 as shown in FIG. connected to fixed parts of the machine frame, such as Conduit 188 is supplied with air pressure via air hose 192 from a suitable remote air pressure source (not shown). As can be seen in FIG. 12, the ring 186 and inlet 187 for each plunger assembly are connected to the central shaft 187 when the can is moved from the feeder to the ejection position.
17 and in the unloading position the cans are again discharged onto the moving conveyor line. Valve block 189 is positioned above the ejection station where the can is ejected from the base table following removal of the anvil member from the top of the can. A ceramic seal 193 is positioned between fixed valve block 189 and moving ring 186. When the inlet openings 187 are moved to meet the air pressure outlets 188, pressurized air is supplied to the respective hollow spindles 169, passes through the orifices 183 and enters the can between the concave bottom surface 181 and the food product. In this way lifting or suctioning of the food product is prevented when the anvil is removed.

FIG. 1O is a plan view showing a can supply and removal mechanism for a flange trimmer. A continuously operating conveyor 194 connects a conventional can filling mechanism upstream from the can flange trimmer and a conventional lidding device located downstream of the can flange trimmer.
(not shown) to be inserted into a continuous can filling line. Conveyor 194 receives filled cans at the line's normal operating speed and is driven at a speed suitable for removing trimmed cans from the unit. As the can 1f1 approaches the flange trimming mechanism, a helical spacer device, known in the art as a screw spacer 196, is used to move the can 1f into the starwheel transfer device 1.
As you approach 97, release the can appropriately. The transfer device 197 removes the cans from the conveyor and places the cans on the can platform 133 in a well known manner. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, another starwheel 199 is provided for removing the trimmed can from the rotating can platform. Actually, the conveyor chain 194 is operated by the variable speed hydraulic motor 123 shown in FIG.
, screw spacer 196, supply star wheel 197
, the extraction starwheel 199 and the shaft 117 of the flange trimming unit. In this way, the devices of these various interconnected operating units can be synchronized.

An arcuate guide rail 201 is installed around the feed starwheel 197 to hold the can in place relative to the starwheel as the can moves onto the can plant platform 133. A second arcuate guide rail 202 is installed around the removal starwheel 199 to hold the can in place relative to the starwheel as the can returns from the can platform to the transfer conveyor 194. The guide rail 202 is the guide rail 203
and a straight section extending parallel to the conveyor chain along the conveyor chain to maintain the can on the chain conveyor as the can is moved away from the flange trimming device. Arc-shaped guide rail 2
01 , 202 extend above the level of the rotating turret 127 and their internal parts are connected to the third arcuate rail 204
The arcuate rail 204 prevents jet flow from a continuously active jet nozzle from entering the open top of the can prior to lowering of the anvil in the feed position and following removal of the anvil in the unload position. Acts as a shield. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the ends of shield 204 extend around turret 127 a sufficient distance to block jet spray until the anvil is lowered.

During operation, the can 111 is brought close to the flange trimming device on the conveyor 194 and the turret 1 is rotated by the screw spacer 196 and star wheel 197.
27 and can be placed on the can platform 133. The operating speeds of these units are selected to feed the cans into the can plant platform in synchronism with the rotation of the vertical shaft 117. At this point, the can is filled with food and the filling of the can is usually provided with an appropriate amount of space. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the jet stream at the feed station is blocked by the arcuate shield 204 from hitting the cans, which
3, the anvil 16 is in the raised position. Of course, the can platform rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10 as the coolet rotates. Once the can rests on the can platform, the cam follower of each trimming station reaches a portion of the cam track 173 that, as rotation continues, lowers the anvil onto the top of the can. Because of the flanged lip portion of the can and the tapered layer 179 of the anvil, the can is automatically centered relative to the anvil, and the rotating can causes the anvil 168 to be centered as the trimming station progresses through its circular path.
Rotate.

In practice, the anvil is inserted approximately 5/16 of an inch into the top of the can. Anvil dish-shaped or concave bottom surface 181
normally does not come into contact with the top surface of the food in the can. Also, there is no air pressure in the hollow spindle 169 throughout the entire path of the forecan from the supply station and to the removal station. Continuous rotation of the can and anvil occurs throughout the path of the can due to the engagement of the gear ring 137 with the gear periphery of the can platform. The direction of rotation of the can is into the path of the jet stream from the nozzle 142, as shown in FIG. The nozzle is preadjusted by manipulation of the adjustable fitting to strike the canlip portion and anvil surface 179 at an optimal angle. The number of rotations of the can flange into the jet stream may be controlled by a gearing system to give the optimum number for the food to be canned. The jet spray itself may be focused so that the central part of the jet stream performs a knife-cutting action on the anvil and the entrained surrounding water particles help remove debris cut by the jet stream. it is obvious. As the turret continues to rotate, the cam follower
171 reaches a ridge 173 on the cam track to vertically remove the anvil from the top of the can. At this point, the artificial passageway 187 of each trimming station mates with the outlet conduit 188 of the fixed valve block 189 to provide air pressure flow to the spindle 169. Air pressure is supplied through orifice 183 to the area between the concave bottom of the anvil and the food product to prevent food from being sucked out of the can and from sticking to the bottom of the anvil when the anvil is removed. do.

At this point, the jet nozzles of each trimming station have been moved to a position behind the spray shield 204, thus preventing the introduction of jet stream into the open top of the can. The pick-up starwheel 199 then picks up the can 111 from the can platform and places it on the pick-up portion of the conveyor 194, which feeds the can into a conventional lidded machine.

If desired, the spray shield 2 indicated in dotted lines in FIG.
06 may be designed to surround the entire flange trimming device to prevent water spray from escaping and to protect the operator or observer from the constantly operating water jet. Preferably the shield is partially or fully transparent to allow observation of machine operation for inspection. Removable bell-shaped covers forming the inlet and outlet openings for the cans may be placed over the entire machine for easy removal for repair and maintenance, if desired.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described for use in a food processing environment, variations to this embodiment and different applications are within the scope of the invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention with the can in place at the trimming station, with certain parts removed for clarity; FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 4-7 are sectional views of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1 near a flange trimming station; FIG. Figure 8 is a schematic sequential view of the station and can; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention with the can in place in the trimming station, with certain parts removed for clarity; 9 is a vertical sectional view taken along the vertical center line of the embodiment of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 9, and FIG. Figure 3 is a detailed partial cross-sectional view showing the jet nozzle mount and anvil plunger in position at the top of the can. FIG. 12 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a pulp device for a positive air pressure device, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken at 13-13 in FIG. 11. ■, 111... Can or container, 7.133... Container indicating device, 9.115... Plunger, 21.142
...Nozzle or jet cutting device, 31.168...
・Anvil. Yamato's history 20 fields

Claims (18)

[Claims] (1) A method for cleaning the edges of an opening of a filled container prior to capping by use of high pressure fluid cutting jets, the method comprising: directing at least one stream of high pressure fluid cutting jets onto the periphery of the container; creating relative motion between a container and the at least one high pressure fluid cutting jet to move the high pressure fluid cutting jet along the edge;
A method characterized in that, prior to capping, the jet stream contacts solid debris adhering to the peripheral edge to separate it and remove solid debris. (2) inserting an anvil member into the opening of the container and then directing the at least one high pressure fluid cutting jet such that a central portion of the jet performs a knife cutting action on the anvil member to remove the solid debris; the anvil member cooperates with the periphery of the container to provide a cutting support surface for the cutting jet, and the anvil member cooperates with the periphery of the container to provide a cutting support surface for the cutting jet. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it creates debris tensioning means and prevents the introduction of fluid from the jet stream into the interior of the container. (3) rotating the container at least 360 degrees after applying the cutting jet, then stopping the cutting jet, and then withdrawing the anvil member from the container; The method described in section 2). (4) Positive air pressure is introduced into the container through the anvil member when the anvil member is withdrawn, thereby preventing material in the container from adhering to the bottom of the anvil member. Claim No. (3)
The method described in section. (5) directing the cutting jet substantially tangentially to an edge of the container and rotating the container relative to the cutting jet so as to move the edge in a direction opposite from the jet stream; The method according to claim (3). (6) During the cutting action of the cutting jet flow, 1406-3
866.5kg/cm^2 (20,000~55,00
The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the pressure is maintained at 0 psi). (7) The method according to claim (6), characterized in that, prior to inserting the anvil member, a head space is created above the material in the container. (8) A device for cleaning the peripheral top edge of a filled container with an open top prior to lid attachment, comprising a container support device for supporting the container and rotating it around its central axis; , a plunger mounted above the container support device, the plunger being attached to the bottom end of the container support device and adapted to be inserted into the open top of a container supported in place by the container support device. an anvil member disposed adjacent to the container support device for directing a cutting jet toward the top edge and for directing a cutting jet to the anvil member during a predetermined number of rotations of the container; a high-pressure fluid jet cutting device for performing a knife cutting action on the solid waste to cut the solid waste and aiming the cutting jet so that entrained surrounding fluid particles dislodge the cut solid waste; In operative connection, the anvil member is inserted into the container prior to application of the cutting jet to shield the contents of the container from the jet flow, and the anvil member is withdrawn after the predetermined number of revolutions. A device characterized in that it has a control device for controlling. (9) The container support device includes a base table, a device for rotating the base table about a vertical axis, a container platform rotatably attached to the base table, and a container platform that rotates when the base table rotates. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for rotating the container platform so as to rotate the container resting on the container platform about its vertical axis. (10) The base table is attached to a vertical shaft, and the device for rotating the base table has a variable speed motor drivingly connected to rotate the vertical shaft. The device described in (9). (11) a fixed ring located adjacent to the base table and at the level of the container platform, and between the ring and the periphery of the container so as to rotate the container platform when the base table rotates; A device according to claim 9, characterized in that it has a device for acting in the manner described in claim 9. (12) The plunger has a vertical shaft provided at the center of the container platform, and a shaft guide device provided to rotate together with the base table and slidably engage the vertical shaft. , wherein the anvil is freely rotatably mounted to the bottom end of the shaft for rotation when the anvil is frictionally engaged with the open end of a container positioned on the container platform. Claim No. (9)
Apparatus described in section. (13) The device according to claim (9), wherein the bottom surface of the anvil is concave in order to keep the bottom surface out of contact with the contents of the container. (14) the vertical shaft is hollow and further has an air pressure supply port operatively associated with the vertical shaft; an orifice is provided in the air pressure supply port and the vertical orifice for introducing positive air pressure into the container between the anvil and the contents of the container upon withdrawal of the anvil from the top of the container. 2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a device for coupling with a shaft. (15) the anvil has a cylindrical upper body portion, a reduced diameter bottom end adapted to fit into the top of the container, and a tapered annular shoulder between the upper body portion and the bottom end; The device according to claim (12), characterized in that: (16) the edge of the container is flared outwardly for reception with the lid sash, and the tapered annular shoulder is configured to support and pull debris adhering to the container for cutting by the cutting jet; 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it cooperates with said container. (17) a riser table arranged to rotate with the base table, the riser table being supported in place on the container platform to maintain the container on the container platform during rotation; The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the device comprises a turret in contact with an intermediate portion and further comprises a nozzle mounting device provided on the riser table for mounting the high pressure fluid jet cutting device. . (18) The nozzle mounting device includes a device for clamping the nozzle of the fluid jet cutting device in place during cutting.
Apparatus described in section.