US1641743A

US1641743A - Apparatus for securing closure caps to paper receptacles

Info

Publication number: US1641743A
Application number: US680036A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cecil F Dawson
Original assignee: Individual Drinking Cup Co
Current assignee: Individual Drinking Cup Co; INDIVIDUAL DRINKING CUP COMPANY Inc
Priority date: 1923-12-11
Filing date: 1923-12-11
Publication date: 1927-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 1944-09-06

Description

p c. F. DAWSON APPARATUS FOR SECURING CLOSURE CAPS TO PAPER RECEPTACLES Filed Dec. 11, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet l 3 "wa l tow.

1,641,743 Sept 1927' c. F. DAWSON APPARATUS FOR SECURING CLOSURE CAPS TO PAPER RECEPTACLES Filed Dec. 11, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Se t, 6 1927,

p c. F. DAWSON APPARATUS FOR SECURING CLOSURE-CAPS TO PAPER RECEP'IAGLES 4 Sheets-Shet 3 Filed Dec. 11, 1923 APPARATUS FOR SECURING CLOSURE CAPS TO PAPER REGEPTACLES Filled Dec. 11, 1923 7 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I & $151 Pateined Sept. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES CECIL I. DAWSON, O! IAS'ION, PENNSYLVANIA, ABSIGNOR '10 INDIVIDUAL DNINKING CUP COMPANY, INC., OI IABTON, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION 01' PENNSYL- VANIL APPARATUS ron aacunme cnosunn care who runs ancnr'rncnnsl I Application fled December 11, 1928. Serial No. 680,086.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for securin closure caps to pa er receptacles, and w e susceptible of a wlde range of usefulness in PlOVldlIlg closed 5 paper containers or ackages for various purposes it is especia y applicable to paper cups that are used for serving ice cream and drinks to provide temporaay; covers or closures for said cups when e ice cream or drinks are to be carried from the soda fountain to the consumer.

The object of the invention is to provlde an improved simple, eflicient apparatus whereby closure caps can be quickly msert- 16 ed within paper receptacles of tapering form to effect an eflicient interlocking engagement of the same therewith without the necessity of preliminary or se arately preparing a groove or seat in t e receptacle 20 to receive the marginal rtion of the closure cap, and without cturin or damaging the receptacle so that it is possible to employ paper drinking on s or other containers in the usual' form from a v groove at the upper end thereof. when not requiring a cover, and to readily convert the cup 1nto a closed package of mexpenslve construction, when desired.

In accordance with the invention a paper cup or other container of tapering form is supported exteriorly and held confined inwardly of its outer end portlonagainst distortion, and while so supported and held a closure cap consisting of a stiff (paper disk of the proper size. to correspon with the size of the larger end ortion or mouth of the paper receptacle is orced uniformly and evenly into the outer end of the receptacle with suflicient pressure and to a sufiicient 40 distance to stretch and bend outwardly the side wall of the receptacle to effect a secure interlocking connection between the parts, the wall of the receptacle above the point of support being given a slight outward bulge by the insertion of the cap and a groove or seat formed at the interior of the receptacle in which the marginal portion of I the cap is firmly seated.

The invention comprehends a tubular or chambered holder or support adapted to encompass the major portion of the receptacle below the outer end portion thereof, in

which the closure ca is to be inserted, saidtubular or chambers holder being of a size and shape corresponding to that of the' major portion of the receptacle to closely fit about and su port the same against distortion, and sai holder or support having an annular shoulder at its outer end portion with an adjoining annular flange or part that is of greater diameter than the dlameter of and extends in s aced relation with the upper end portion 0 a receptacle when seated in the holder prior to the a plication of the closure ca thereto, sai annular shoulder and adjoining annular flange or part of the holder serving to assist in the formation of 'the'seat or groove in the receptacle for the closure ca when the closure cap is forced therein. e invention also contemplates a presser member or plunger provided with means for holding a closure cap thereon and adapted to force the closure cap evenly into the end portion of the rece tacle while the latter is supported in the older together with means for regulating the distance the closure cap is forced into the receptacle and the pressure exerted upon the side wall thereof. The invention further comprehends, in combination with the other elements referred to, means for feeding closure caps singly to the plunger or presser member in proper centered relation therewith, and also cup removing or ejecting means for the holder.

The mvention, with other objects and advantages. thereof, and the particular construction, combinations, and arrangements of parts comprising the same will be under-.

stood from the hereinafter contained detail description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, and illustrating embodiments thereof. I

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a paper cup seated in the holder prior to the insertion of a closure cup therein, the presser member or plunger with a closure ca thereon being shown, in part section an part side elevation, above the upper end portion of the cup in centered relat on therewith.

Figure 2'is a detail section of the upper portion ofthe holder and upper part of the'receptacle after a closure cap has been applied thereto.

Figure 3 is a detail section on an enlar d scale of an upper portion of the holfi iar, and an upper portion of a receptacle and closure cap secured in interlocking relation.

Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of the presser or plunger member. Figure 5 is a detail plan of a closure cap. Figure 6 is a detail view of a valve de- 4 vice for controlling the suction holding means of the plunger.

Figure ,7 is a longitudlnal sect on of the magazine or holder for a stack of closure Gil S.

plunger mechanism.

rolled to "preferably, as

Figure 11 is a detail inverted plan of the plunger illustrated by Figure 10.

Figure 12 is ,a top plan view of the modified construction i lustrated by Figure 10 and also showing diagrammatically in lan the holder and feeding means for a stac of closure caps.

Figure 13 is a detail top plan view of the upper end of the standard of the construction illustrated by Figure 10.

Referring articularly to Figure 1 ofthe drawings, a esi ates a pa er receptacle of tapering form, t e articu ar receptacle illustrated, by way example, being one of the well known constructions of paper drinking cups commonly employed for serving ClI'lIlkS at soda fountains, the same being of trunco-conical sha e and havin a bottom a, a side wall a an an outwar ly curved or p flange a. b designates a closure cap consisting of a pa or disk of the requlred strength and sti nes's. The cap 6 is shown, of a diameter slightly less than that of the upper end of the receptacle 'a so that the same can readily enter within the upper end ofthe receptacle.

The support or holder for the rece tacle, in this instance, is shown as a metal b ock '1 having an interior chamber of a shape and size corresponding to that of the paper cup or other container a-to closely surround the major portion of the receptacle below the point to which the closure cap is to be inserted into the larger upper end portion of the receptacle, the said chambered support extending over the upper part of the receptacle a suflicient distance to afford the neces- I sary supportfor the receptacle adjacent the point of insertion of the closure "cap while at the same time ermitting of the necessary stretching or bending outwardly of said upper portion of the receptacle to form a seat or groovetherein for the marginal ortion of t e closure cap. The receptacle ho deror support 1 has an'annular shoulder 2 at its upper marginal edge, and an adjoining surrounding wall part. or flan e 3 that is of greater diameter than the cfiameter of and which extends in spaced relation with the ad acent upper end portion of a receptacle upper adjoining cylindrical enlarged part 6.

The bottomvface 7 of the lower part of'the plunger or presser member 4 is of substantially the same diameter as that of the closure disk I) and is adapted to enter the receptacle. The plunger 4 is provided with suction means or holding a closure cap I) thereon, said means including a passage leading through the plunger to the bottom face thereof together with suction creating means connected with said passage. The plunger 4" is shown, in the present instance, provided withan interior chamber 8, openings 9 leading therefrom to its bottom face.

1', and a passage 10 leading through the same from its u per face to said chamber 8. 12 designates a iihxible hose connection lead ing from the upper end of the passage 10 to a vacuum pump 12. 13 designates a short tubular handgrip part having a detachable threaded connection with a collar 14 on a nipple 15 engaging the threaded wall of the upper portion of the passage 10 in the plunger 4:. (See Figure 1 of the drawings.) The enlarged upper part 6 of the plunger 4 is of a diameter greater than that of the larger end of the receptacle a, and is adapted at its lower face to engage the outer end or flange a of the receptacle, said enlarged upper part 6 serving as a stop to limit the distance the lower part 5 of the presser member or plunger can force the closure cap into the receptacle and the degree of pressure to which the side wall of the receptacle is subjected, the cap being inserted into the receptacle a predetermined distance nicely gaged in accordance with the size of end of the receptacle, and the character of material used. etc., to producethe desired interlocking of the parts without fracturing or crushing the receptacle.

Referring particularly to Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings, the means for applying closure caps singly to the face of the plunger in proper centered relation therewith the closure cap relative to the outer ca s' therein.

he magazine is shown as comprising. a

- cylindrical body part 16 and a supporting base 17, the body part of the ma azine 16 having flanges 16' which are detac ably secured to the base 17 by screws 18. '19 designates the follower for the magazine and 20 a coiled expansion spring for the follower.

The plunger guiding and cap retaining and feeding means comprises a pluralitypf V yieldable fingers 21, sai

fingers having 1nwardly inclined or beveled face portions 21" adapted to engage the marginal edge portions of the closure caps b, and with outwardly inclined or beveled faces 21" for engagement by the plunger 4. The yieldable fingers are shown as consisting, of small head or block portions 21 carried at the upper ends of spring members 22, the lower ends of said spring members 22 being riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the side wall or part 16 of the ma azine, the upper portion of the part 16 being provided. as shown, with longitudinal slots 23 through which the finger portions 21 are adapted to work. In the application of a closure cap to the plunger 4, the plunger is forced downwardly into the magazine, the same engaging the beveled face portions 21" of the fingers 21 being guided thereby into centered relation with the stack of caps b within the magazine, at the same time the fingers 21 are expanded or forced outwardly by the plunger, the uppermost cap within the container being released and withdrawn from' the magazine in the withdrawal of the plunger 4. v v

The magazine mafybe loaded with a stack of closure caps by orcing the same'therein through its delivery end portion, or the holder may be charged with closure caps by detaching the part 16 of the magazine from the base 17 and inserting the stack of cups into the lower end of the part 16 after first removing the follower "19 and spring 20.

In racticing the invention, a receptacle a is positioned within the holder 1. A closure cap I) is supplied to the bottom face of the plunger or presser member 4 in centered relation therewith by forcing the plunger or presser member into the magazine, and the closure cap I; held on the plunger or presser member by the suction holding means thereof. is then forced inwardly into engagement with the side wall of the receptacle by the plunger or presser member 4, the latter being adapted to be operated by hand by pressing or tapping theredn. After the closure cap has been forced into engagement with the side wall of the receptacle, upon withdrawal of the plunger or presser member, the hold exerted bytthe suction means upon the closure cap is broken. the closure cap being left seated in place in secure interlocking relation with the receptacle, (as

shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings),

the frictional en agement between the clo-- sure cap band t e side wall of the receptacle a being such as to overcome the holdin force exerted by thesuction means, whic is. as will be readily understood, relatively slight, just sufiicient to hold the relatively light closure cap centered upon the bottom face of the plunger. If des1red, a valve 24 may be employed, saidvalve being adapted to cut of communication with the suction means and establish communication between the suction chamber 8 of the plunger and the atmosphere to relieve the suction on the cap after the same has been forced into interlocking engagement with the receptacle.

Means is provided for ejecting or remov-' ing the receptacle from the holder 1 after the insertion of the closure cap 6 therein. For this purpose, in the particular construction shown, the support or holder 1 is provided with a. separable bottom art 1 conforming to the configuration of t e bottom a of the receptacle and adapted to be moved longitudinally of the chamber of the support or holder. 1 designates an operating stem for said movable bottom part 1, said 'stem being; provided with a handle 1.

Hill

The movable bottom part 1" normally occupies the position illustrated" in Figure 1 of the drawings. As will be understood by forcing the bottom art 1 outwardly from its normal position t rough the medium of the operating stem 1", a receptacle within the holder will be released and expelled or forced outwardly therefrom.

In Figures 10, 11 12 and 13 of the drawings, is illustrateda -modified form of plunger and operating means therefor associated with the receptacle holder or support and the cap holdingand feeding means. In this form of apparatus 25 designates the receptacle holder or support and 26 the closure cap magazine, these parts being the same in form as in the constructions previously described. 27 designates the plunger or presser member carried on the lower end of a rod 28 mounted for reciprocation in an arm 29, which is pivotally mounted on a standard 30 to swing horizontally, the arm 29 being adapted to be swung .to posi tion'and support the plunger directly over the receptacle holder or support 25 and to one side thereof to a position over the magazine 26. Means is provided to lock the arm in its tplosition when supporting the plunger over e receptacle support or holder 25.

suitable means may be employed forthis purpose, the particular locking means shownfinthe drawing comprising a sprm latchi'3l adapted to en age notches 32 an 33 in the uppe part 0 the support 30 ,and the inner-end of the arm 29 respectively. 34 designates a collar on the upper-end of the plunger rod 28 adapted to engage the arm 29 and'limit the downward movement of the plunger or presser member 27. 36 is acoiledexpansion spring interposed between a knob or handle 37 on the upper end of the plunger rod 28 and the arm 29 and acting to return the ma position. A collar 38 on the plunger rodservesas a stop to limit the extent of u ward movement of theplunger rod. The

unger 27 is provided with closure cap holding means similar to that of the plunger illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

' 39 designate the interior suction chamber of centered "relation therewi ing the closure cap by the plunger, the cap the plunger or presser member 27. '40 designates the openings leading from said suction chamber 39, to the bottom face of the lunger or presser member, 41 the passage eadin from' said chamber to the upper face of the lunger or presser member, and 42 is the ffzaxible hose connection leading from the upper end of the passage 41 to the suction creating means (not shown). 43 designates theyalve in the flexible hose connection for cutting off communication with the suction creating means and to establish communication between the interior suction.

chamber 39 of the plunger or presser member 27 and-the atmosphere.

improved apparatus, as hereinbefore M set fbrth', provides for quickly and. easilysecuring closure caps to paper receptacles of tapering form. It will be noted that by the provision of the means for applying closure caps singly to the plunger in proper t and for carryis definitely located in centered relation relative to the plunger and the open end of the receptacle in the application of the closure cap thereto. The preliminary or separate grooving or shaping of the receptacle to provide a bulge or seat portion to receive and interlock with the'mar inal portion of the cap is entirely avoide the invention making it possible to use drinking cups or containers 1n the usual continuous smooth form or free from a groove at the upper mouth portion thereof, and to readily convert such cups into closed .ackages or containers, as desired, the pacllages so formed being of an inexpensive nature.

It will understood that the invention is applicableto secure closure caps to various kinds of paper rece tacles other than that of the particular orm of drinking cup shown in the drawings, and that the parplunger to its upper- 1. An apparatus for securing closure caps to paper receptacles, said apparatus includmg means for supporting the receptacle, a plunger member a apted to force a closure cap into the receptaclegneans for holding a closure cap on the face of the plunger and means for feeding closure caps to an in centered relation with the face of the plunger, said means. includin ,a magazine adapted to support a stack of closure caps for engagement at one end by the plunger follower means for the magazine, and sai magazine having an open longitudinall disposed delivery end part provided wit ca retaining means adapted to be engaged an actuated by the plunger to release a closure cap from the stack when the plunger is moved longitudinally to engage the end of the stack of caps.

2. An apparatus for securing closure caps to paper receptacles,

said apparatus includmg means for sup orting the receptacle, a plunger member a apted to force a closure cap 1nto the receptacle, .means for holding a closure. 0:?) on the face of the plunger, and means or feeding closure caps to and in centered relation with the face of the plunger, said means including a magazine adapted to hold a stack of closure caps for engagement at one end by the plunger, a spring pressed follower for the magazine, an said magazine having an open longitudinally disposed delivery end part provided with a plurality of spring closure cap retaining fingers adapted to be engaged and moved outwardly by the plunger to release a cap from the stackwhen the plunger is moved to engage the end of the stack of caps.

3. An apparatus-for securing closure caps to paper receptacles, said apparatus including means for supporting the receptacle, a plunger member cap into the receptacle, means for holding a closure cap on the face of the plunger, and means for feeding closure caps to and in centered relation with the face of the plunger, said meansincluding a'magazine adapted to hold a stack of closure caps for engagement at one end by the plunger, a spring pressed follower for the magazlne, and said magazine having an open longitudinally disposed delivery end part pro-, vided with yieldable cap retaining fingers adapted to be engaged and moved outwardly by the plunger to release a closure cap from the stack when the plunger is moved to enadapted to force a closurev yieldable fingers having beveled faces for engagement by the plunger.

4. An apparatus for securing closure caps to papenreceptacles, said apparatus including means for supporting the receptacle, a plunger member adapted to force a closure zap into the receptacle, means for holding a closure cap on the face of the plunger, and means for feeding closure caps to and in centered relation withv the faceof the plunger, said means including a magazine adapted to hold a stack of closure caps for engagement at one end by the plunger, a spring pressed follower for the magazine, and said magazine having an open longitudinally disposed delivery end part provided with yieldable "cap retaining fingers adapted to be engaged and moved outwardly by the plunger to release a closure cap from the stack when the plunger is moved to en-' gage the end of the stack of caps, said yieldable fingers having inwardly inclined cap engaging faces and adjoining outwardly flaring faces for engagement by the plunger.

5. An apparatus for securing closure caps to paper receptacles, said apparatus including means for supporting the receptacle, a plunger member adapted to force a closure cap into the receptacle, means for holding a closure cap on the face of the plunger, 1nd means for applying closure caps to and in centered relation with the face of the plunger, said means including a magazine adapted to hold a stack of caps for engagement at one end by the plunger, a s ring pressed follower for the magazine,- an said magazine having an open longitudinally disosed delivery end part provided with means or engagement by the plunger and acting to guide the plunger in centered relation with the stack of closure caps.

6. An apparatus for securing closure caps to paper rece tacles of tapering form, said apparatus inc uding means of tubular form tapering interiorly to confine the side wall of the receptacle inwardly of the lar er end thereof against lateral distortion, sai means having an annular shoulder atv its upper margin and an adjoining fiangeportion of greater diameter than and extending in spaced relation with the adjacent portion of a receptaclewhen seated within said receptacle holding means prior to the application of a closure cap thereto, in combination with a plunger to force a closure cap into the larger end of the receptacle, said plunger having a bottom face of a diameter greater than the interior diameter of said holding means directly below said shoulder to extend over and in opposing relationship with said shoulder, said annular shoulder and adjoining flange part-acting to assist in the formation of-a seat in the receptacle to receiv the closure 'cap.

7. An apparatus for securing closure caps to paper receptacles, said apparatus including means for supporting the receptacle, a plunger member adapted to force a closure cap into the receptacle, means for holding a closure cap on the face of the plunger, and means for feeding closure caps to and in centered relation with the face of the lun er said means includin a ma azine the plunger is moved to engage the end of the stack of caps.

In testimonywhereof I hereunto signature.

CECIL r. DAWSON.