JPS6226315B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for feeding and discharging cylindrical cans in a printing press. The main components of such a printing press are an infeed device, a loading device that places the cans on the mandrel, a printing blanket wheel that transfers the image from the bracket cylinder to the container, and chain conveyor pins that pass through the heating and drying oven. and a transfer mechanism for moving the decorated can.

Traditionally, infeed mechanisms have included star wheels that deliver cans one after the other into pocket wheels, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,261,281, or elements such as star wheels and screw conveyors, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,766,851. Contains the bonding structure of

The feed mechanism conveyed the cans to a pocket or saddle wheel having pockets for holding the cans in axial alignment with the mandrel on the mandrel wheel.
The pockets or saddles disclosed in the above patents are either radially retractable or axially movable for conveying the cans to the mandrel. US Patent No.
The mechanism shown in No. 3016153 uses an axially moving push bar to place the cans on the mandrel and to transfer the decorated cans from the mandrel to a pinch conveyor. In prior art constructions, the infeed device used various moving parts, and the ejector device used a complex mechanism to transfer the decorated cans to the pinch conveyor.

The present invention relates to a can printing and transport mechanism in which the infeed device lacks star wheels, screw conveyors, and other moving parts. The cans are conveyed directly from the normal supply line to the ramp through which they fall by gravity into the pockets of the pocket ring. A pocket on the outer circumferential surface of the pocket ring is contoured to receive a cylindrical can and is stationary relative to the pocket ring, but is conveyed in unison with the ring as the ring is rotated. The can within the pocket is an axially oriented mandrel attached to this wheel, hereinafter referred to as the pocket mandrel wheel. A spring shoe contacts the closure of each can as it leaves the ramp, and this, in combination with the vacuum applied through the mandrel opposite each can, draws and seats the can onto the mandrel.

Rotation of the pocket mandrel wheel brings the can into contact with the blanket cylinder. Immediately prior to contact with the printing device, the end of the can mandrel is brought into contact with a pre-rotating belt, thereby bringing the can to the surface speed of the blanket cylinder and ensuring a precisely matched speed.

Another feature of the invention is a transfer mechanism by which the decorated cans are transferred from the mandrel to the pins of a chain conveyor that conveys the cans through a heating and drying path. This transfer mechanism includes a suction cup on a wheel and a motion mechanism, where all movements of said cup are by a single cam movement, as opposed to other mechanisms that require double cams and complex mechanisms. radially and axially.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the star wheels, screw conveyors, push rods and other moving parts traditionally used to move cans from a supply line to a mandrel that transports the cans to the printing cylinders where they are decorated. It's about doing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a movable pocket for positioning cans within the pockets of a pocket mandrel wheel without the use of moving parts and for positioning these cans adjacent to the mandrel for axial orientation and seating. The purpose is to pull and seat the can on the mandrel without the need for it.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for producing a speed that precisely matches the rotating surface speed of the can mandrel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for transferring decorated cans from a mandrel to suction cups on a transfer wheel, said transfer wheel conveying these cans to the pins of a chain conveyor. and the cans are deposited on the pins for passage through the furnace, the transfer device including a mechanism for controlling all radial and axial cup movement by a single cam movement.

Still other objects of the present invention are to significantly increase the operating speed, yet the increased speed reduces the cost of printing containers, reduces repair and maintenance costs, simplifies construction and eliminates moving parts. A high degree of efficiency is obtained by providing a new transfer mechanism.

The present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a can printing machine embodying the present invention, in which a can 10 has a cylindrical shape with one end closed and the other end open. The cans are fed from a conventional track system onto an inclined infeed ramp 11 through which the cans are moved by gravity. The ramp is equipped with guide rails 12, 13 and a top guide 14. The can passes and fits into the pocket 15 of the pocket mandrel ring 16. As the mandrel wheel rotates past the infeed ramp, the can rolls down the shaped infeed guide and contoured pocket surface until it is fully seated within the pocket 15. There are therefore no moving parts that can cause any wear, and precise feeding timing is achieved by the pocket and its contour. The closed end of each can has a spring shoe 17 that guides the can toward a mandrel 18 on a pocket mandrel ring 16.
be brought into contact with

A vacuum is applied through the mandrel 18, still with the guidance assistance of the spring shoe 17, to draw and seat the can on the mandrel 18 opposite the open end of the can. Clockwise rotation of the pocket mandrel wheel brings the can into contact with the printing blanket cylinder 19 where the image is transferred to the can 10.

Just before the can and printing tool come into contact, the mandrel 1
One end of 8 is in contact with pre-rotating belt 20 on roller 21 to give the can on the mandrel the same speed as the surface speed of blanket cylinder 19. This belt wraps around the circumference of cylinder 19 and is driven by this cylinder to ensure a surface velocity that matches the cylinder. The roller 21 is the belt 20
Used to maintain tension. Ink is transferred to the blanket cylinder by an inker/plate cylinder 22. Four such ink application stations are used in this machine.

The decorated can is transferred from pocket mandrel wheel 16 to a suction cup on transfer wheel 24. This transfer zone is indicated at 25 in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the transfer section. Transfer wheel 24 consists of 24 positions to ensure adequate time for transfer. A hub 30 is secured to a cantilevered shaft 31 which is driven simultaneously with the pocket mandrel wheel 16.
The flange 32 of the hub 30 has an inclined sliding shaft 33.
The sliding shaft 33 is secured within the bore 36 by a shoulder 34 and a screw and washer 35. a housing 37 is pivotally carried on a portion 38 slidably mounted on the shaft 33;
This sleeve portion carries a vacuum head 40 and a screw 41. The outer end of the head 40 is provided with a rubber shock absorber 42 and a rubber suction cup 43. A shell-shaped hub portion 45 carries a pivotally mounted arm 46 which carries a pair of cam follower rollers 47 supported on an axle 48. axis 4
At the opposite end of 8 is provided a joint 49 which is pivotally attached to the link 44. The driven roller 47 is disposed in contact with a box cam 50 which is fixed against rotation by a shaft support hub 51. As the hub 30 rotates, the cam follower roller 47 moves up and down over the bulge of the cam 50 to rotate the arm 46.
This movement of the arm pivots link 44 through joint 49 and slides housing 37 down along axis 33, thereby moving suction head 40 axially and radially.

Decorated can 10 is transferred from mandrel 18 to transfer wheel 24
To transfer the can, the can is blown off the mandrel 18 onto the suction cup 43 of the transfer suction vacuum head 40, which is held by a vacuum.

The vacuum is applied to the passages 52 and 53 in the head and the shaft 33.
is applied to the cup 43 via passages 54 and 55 in the hub 30, a passage 56 in the hub 30, a chamber 57, a passage 58 in the hub 30, and a rotary valve 59 connected to a vacuum source. Rotary valve 59 is connected to hub 3 to form chamber 57.
The end plate 60 is bolted to the end plate 60. This chamber functions as a vacuum manifold, thereby transferring a large amount of vacuum to the vacuum head 40.
Place it as close as possible.

During the transfer operation, the cam driven roller 47 moves the box cam 5
0 to rotate the link 44 counterclockwise, thereby moving the housing 37 toward the axis 3.
Slide down on 3. The resulting cup 43
The radial movement of the mandrel 18
Make the robot take a route that matches the route of. Transfer area 25
At the beginning of this common path, air is blown through the mandrel to transfer the can from the mandrel to the cup. The axial movement created in the cup also causes the can to completely disengage from the mandrel. During this time, vacuum is applied to passages 54 and 5 in FIGS. 3 and 4.
4a, 54b and passages 53, 52 to the vacuum head 40 and to the suction cup 43. Bushes 62 and 63 are used for vacuum sealing at this location.

Once in the unloading area of the can on the transfer wheel, the profile of the cam 50 causes the housing 37 to be slid further down on the shaft 33. When the head 40 reaches the unloading point 65, the vacuum passage is blocked by the housing 62. As the housing 37 continues to be retracted, the notch 61 provided in the shaft 33
3, thereby opening the passage 53 to the atmosphere and eliminating the vacuum. At this point, the pincher 66 separates the can from the suction cup and transports it through the oven for drying.

As clearly shown in FIG. 5, the pocket 15 on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating wheel 16 has a front surface that gradually slopes toward the can seating surface defined by a circular surface whose cross-sectional shape corresponds to a portion of the can circumference. Has a surface.

The method of feeding and discharging cans in a printing and transporting device according to the invention is such that the stationary pockets 1 of the rotating pocket wheels 16 are moved by gravity in a guide path.
5 from a direct source, said feeding device and pockets having no moving parts. Pocket ring 16 has a mandrel facing each pocket. A spring device contacts each can as it enters the pocket to begin moving axially onto the mandrel, while a vacuum is applied through the mandrel to draw and seat the can on the mandrel. The can is printed while held on the mandrel. After printing is finished,
The decorated cans are blown off the mandrel onto a suction cup on a suction head which is part of a transfer assembly on a rotating transfer wheel. Radial downward movement of the suction head and cup on an inclined shaft attached to said rotating transfer wheel moves the cup in a path that coincides with the path of the mandrel and at the beginning of this path sprays through the mandrel. Air moves the can from the mandrel to a suction cup that is held by a vacuum. The suction cup/head further descends on the inclined shaft to block the vacuum passage and remove the can from the cup and position it on the pin of the chain conveyor. All movement of the housing 37 carrying the vacuum head/cup 43 is radial and axial and is accomplished by a single cam action.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a front view of a can printing machine embodying the invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one of the transfer locations, where the cans are transferred from the pocket mandrel wheel to the suction cup on the transfer wheel; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the transfer vacuum head showing details of the valve mechanism, FIG. 5 is a partial elevational view of a portion of the infeed device, FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of the container attachment area of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 is an enlarged end view of a device for transferring decorated cans to a pinch box; FIG. 10...Can, 11...Slope, 12, 13...Guide rail, 14...Top guide, 15...Pocket, 16...Pocket mandrel ring, 17...Spring shoe, 18...Mandrel, 19... ...Printing blanket cylinder, 20...Preliminary rotating belt,
21...Roller, 22...Inker/plate cylinder, 24...Transfer wheel, 25...Transfer area, 30...
...Hub, 31...Cantilever shaft, 32...Flange, 3
3... Inclined sliding shaft, 34... Piece, 35... Washer, 36... Inner hole, 37... Housing, 38
...Sleeve part, 40...Vacuum head, 41...
... Screw, 42 ... Rubber shock absorber, 43 ... Suction cup, 44 ... Link, 45 ... Shell-shaped hub portion, 46 ... Arm, 47 ... Followed roller, 48
... shaft, 49 ... joint, 50 ... box cam, 51 ...
...Hub, 52, 53...Head passage, 54, 55
...Shaft passage, 56...Hub passage, 57...Chamber, 5
8... Hub passage, 59... Rotary valve, 60... End plate, 61... Notch, 62, 63... Bush, 6
6...Pinchen.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1 (a) Directly by gravity into pockets which are independent of the moving parts and which are stationary mounted at axially opposite positions on the rotating pocket mandrel wheel, successively in the guide path. (b) contacting each can with a flexible spring member after placing one pocket can to guide it onto the mandrel; and (c) passing the can through the mandrel to attract and seat the can on the mandrel. (d) printing cans on a mandrel; and (e) sliding on an angled shaft coupled to a transfer assembly rotating on a hub having an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the pocket mandrel wheel. moving a suction cup radially of the transfer assembly mountably mounted and into a path that coincides with the path of the mandrel, wherein the angled shaft is inclined both axially and radially with the axis of the hub; (f) blowing air through the mandrel at the beginning of the mating path to move the can from the mandrel to the suction cup; (g) applying a vacuum through the suction cup to retain the can in the cup; (h) applying a vacuum to the suction cup; A continuous can printing and transfer method comprising the steps of moving a conveyor pin into a can held on a suction cup and (i) removing the vacuum holding the can to eject the can to the chain conveyor pin. 2. Continuous can printing and transfer equipment of the type having a rotating mandrel for conveying the cans to be decorated and a rotating transfer wheel for transferring the decorated cans from the mandrels of the mandrel wheel to the pins of a chain conveyor, comprising: (a) a mandrel; a hub driven in time with a mandrel wheel on an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the wheel; (b) an angle carried by the hub that has a radial and an axial component with respect to the axis of the hub; (c) slidably mounted for movement along the axis of the angled shaft in a combined radial and axial direction with respect to the hub, the axis of which is fixed to the axis of the hub; (d) moving said vacuum head/suction cup assembly along an angled axis and transferring the can from the mandrel to the vacuum head/suction cup assembly; (e) a device for moving this assembly both radially and axially relative to the hub to follow the mandrel path on said mandrel wheel;
A continuous type comprising an improved transfer wheel including a vacuum source device which provides a vacuum to the vacuum head at a predetermined point of the transfer wheel rotation and which vacuum retains the transferred can onto the suction cup for a portion of the transfer wheel rotation. Can printing and transfer equipment. 3. A device for moving the vacuum head/suction cup assembly is coupled to the assembly for producing both axial and radial motion in the assembly via a single cam and the profile of the cam. 3. A continuous can printing and transport apparatus as claimed in claim 2, including a cam follower. 4 a sleeve slidably mounted on said angled shaft and directly carrying a vacuum head/suction cup assembly, a housing pivotally mounted on said sleeve, at one end to said hub and at the other end to the housing; further comprising a link pivotally coupled and pivotally mounted between the ends and coupled to the cam follower for transmitting motion of the cam follower thereto, through the motion imparted by the single cam. 4. The continuous can printing and transfer apparatus of claim 3, wherein the continuous can printing and transfer apparatus is configured to produce both axial and radial movement of the vacuum head/suction cup assembly. 5. said cam being contoured to produce a radial movement of the vacuum head and suction cup in a combined radial and axial direction, such that said cup is located in a path matching the arcuate shape of the path of the mandrel; 4. A continuous can printing and transport apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the apparatus is configured to move a vacuum head.