US1805243A - Can feeding mechanism - Google Patents

Description

y 1931. o. HQHANSEN CAN FEEDING MECHANISM original Filed sept' 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l y 2, 1931. o. H. HANSEN CAN FEEDING MECHANISM Original Filed Sept. 22, 19 2 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 simple and efficient can feed for deliver Patented lh'lay 12, 1931 l 3llii 243 0R1 'WASHIEGTGH, YV'ISCONSIN CAN FEEDING- lliECl'cIi-LNESRT Original application filed September 22, 1922, Serial No. 589,888. Batent No. 1,877,443, dated July 17, 1928.

Divided and this application filed September 25 1926.

This invention relates in general to improvements in the art of transporting or feeding similar objects in succession, and relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of mechanisms for automatically and positively delivering receptacles such as cylindrical cans in succession downwardly in accurately spat-ed relation to each other.

An object of the invention is to provide a tin cans or similar objects in a substantial vertical direction.

Some of the more important specific objects oi. the invention are as follows 2- To provide improved feeding mechanism which is especially adapted to positively transport cylindrical objects in succession in a downward direction while the axes of the objects are horizontally disposed.

To provide a positive feed for relatively frail objects such as tin cans, which is operated by impositively acting propelling mechanism in order to prevent distortion or damage to the objects.

To provide improved can feeding n1echa nism for delivering successive cans downwardly in accurately spaced relation to each other.

To provide other improvements in the details of construction and operation of can feed mechanisms, whereby the cost of man ufacture is reduced to a minimum and the V etticiency is enhanced to a maximum.

The present application is a division of the application upon which Patent 1,67? A43, was granted July 17, 1928, which application covers the novel features of can washer mechanism illustrated but not specifically claimed herein.

A clear conception of an embodiment of the present invention and of the operation of feed mechanisms constructed in accordance therewith, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

1 is an elevation of an improved vertical can feed showing the same applied to Serial No. 137,787.

a can washing machine having the front cover thereot removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the improved vertical can feeding mechanism and the initial washing chamber of the can washer, k

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the final washing chamber of the improved can washing machine.

Fig. 4: is a top view of the driving mechanism constituting a part of the improved can teed.

The can washer to which the improved can feed has been applied herein by way of llustration, comprises in general a main casing 2 forming a pair of communicating substantially circular chambers; a stationary tubular fluid admission header 3 projecting centrally into each of the chambers; a fluid distributing spider 5 rotatably supported upon each of the headers 3; a can transpor .1 each of the spiders 5; can supply mechanism assoc atedwith the top of the initial washing cuamber; a can discharge rotor 8 associated with the final cleansing chamber; suitable ing rotor 6 rotatably associated t mechanism for driving the various movable elements hotwater and steam supnlvmeans communicating with the initial aird final cleansing chambers res )ectively; a pivotall'v supported cover 7 for enabling convenient access to all portions of the interior of the casing 2; and supporting members 2% for suspending the washer from the interior ofa factory.

Located above the initial washing Cllllll be and adjustably associated with l'he casing 2, is a can supply chute 12 which is adapted to deliver the successive cans 9 hr gravity, in proximity to the vertical feed mechanism or drum 14L.

timed relation. into the spaces between in successive advancing can hoolzsot the first transporting rotor 6. In order to insure proper engagement of the cans 9 with the helicalprojection 15, the wall of the casing 2 directly opposite and above the inlet feed mechanism, is provided with guiding projections 43 which are directed downwardly and toward the rotor 15. These projections l3 function to gently push the successive gravitating cans 1) toward the rotor 1a without distorting the cans.

The cleansing chambers are provided with peripheral can guiding rails 14 which are adapted to conduct the successive cans along a definite 5 shaped coijirse during cleansing; thereof. The can porting rotor 6 and the hot water distrilaiting spider 5 of the initial washing chiunber, are sinniltaneousl} rotatable in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, the can hooks of the initial rotor being, formed to receive the cans 9 in succession from the feed drum 1s: to d liver the preliminarily washed cans against an a djustable guide 17 which directs the cans upwardly into the final cleansing chamber. The outer extremities of the arms of tli water distributing spider are provided with laterally directed hot water discharge nozzles 18 which are formed to deliver the water in the form of films against the side walls and into the corners of the cans while being; transported by the initial rotor (-3. T he water distributing spider 5 and the adjacent rotor 6, are drivingly connected by parallel pins 11. The rotor ('3 is freely endwiso removable from the water distributing spider 5 upon removal of the cap screw and washer. and the spider 5 is likewise endwise removable from the stationary header 3.

The can transporting); rotor i and the steam distributing spider 5 of the final cleansing; chamber, are rotatable in a cinch-- wise direction as viewed in Fig.1. 1, the can hooks oi. this rotor being adapted to receive the cans 9 in succession from the rotor (i of the initial washing chamber, and to deliver the finally clean. d cans against the can hooks of the final discharge rotor S which directs the successive cans along: an adjustable discharge guide 20 and downwardly through a final discharge passage located below the washer. The outer extremities of the arms of the steam distributing spider 5 are provided with laterally directed stean'i nozzles 19, these nozzles being; formed to do liver the steam in the form of films against the side walls and into the corners of the cans while they are being transported through the final cleansing chamber. The steam distributing spider 5 and the adjacent rotor 6 are drivingly connected by means of parallel pins 11. The rotor 6 of the final cleansing chamber is likewise freely endwise removable from the steam distributing spider 5, and the spider 5 is also endwise removable from the steam distributing header 3. i

The final discharge rotor 8 is rotatably mounted upon a stations-r I pivot 29 and is movable in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. The final can discharge conduit to which the cleansed. cans are delivered by the rotor 8, is provided with guides 21 which cooperate with the upper and lower walls of the final discharge passage to deliver the washed cans into the discharge chute 22. The chute 22 is attached to the casing 2 and may be positioned to deliver the cans directly to the fillingmachines. The cover 7 attached. to the casing 2 by hinges and may be locked in closed position by a releasable clamp 26. The cover 7 incloses both of the cleansing chambers and the conduits communicating therewith, and permits free accessto the entire interior of the washer with out interfering" with the can inlet and discharge chutes The interior of the casing 2 is also provided with suitable passages for conducting water to the drain 21-3.

The driving mechanism for inipartin motion to the movable elements of the washer. consists of a pulley 13, a friction clutch 39, a shaft 38 si'ipporting the pulley 13 and the clutch 39, gearing 37 connecting the shaft 38 with a vertical shaft 36 upon which the feed orum 14 is mounted, bevel gears 35, 34 drivingly connecting the vertical. shaft 36 with a counter shaft 33, a pinion 32 attached to an end of the counter shaft 33 and meshing with a gear l: secured. to the hot water distrihuti n5); spider 5, a similar gear 4 secured to the steam distributing spider 5, and a gear 16 secured. to the final discharge rotor 8 and i'neshin r with the gear 4 of the steam distributing spider. The drive shaft 38 is moun ed in hearings in the bracket 10 which is angularly adjustably supported upon a stationary adjusting: plate 16. The plate 16 is provided with a plurality of spaced holes 49 formed to receive locking bolts 12 in order to posi tively position the driving mechanism in a desired position of adjustment. The driving coaction between the elements of the fricti on clutch 39 may be varied by adjustment of thecoinpression of the spring 40, with the aid of an adjusting nut 41 coacting with screw threads on the shaft 38. It will be noted that with this arrangement of elements, motion is transmitted from the drive shaft 38 through the supply drum 14; to the initial washing rotor, from the initial. 'ash ing rotor to the final cleansing rotor, and from the final cleansing rotor to the discharge rotor 8.

During normal operation of the washci: power is applied through the pulley 13 to impart continuous rotary motion to the horizontal shaft 38 through the friction clutch 39. The rotary motion of the shaft 38 is transmitted through the gear 37 to the can feed drum 14, and through the vertical shaft 36 and ears 35, 34 to the counter shaft 33 and pinion 32. The rotating pinion 32 pr0- IOU duces rotation of the spiders 5, the transporting rotor 6, and of the final discharge rotor 8, in the directions heretofore referred to. rls the successive cans 9 gravitate towarc. the projections 43 on the casing 2, they are pushed endwise by the upper inclinec surfaces of th se projections, toward the revolving teed drum 1%, the helical projection of which engages the adjacent ends of the successive The revolving projection 15 cooperates with the gravity feeding to produce positive mechanical feeding, and gently deposits the successive cans 9 in the notches between the successive can hooks oi the initial rotor 6 in properly spaced relation. As the cans 9 are transported through the initial washing chamber with their open ends exposed to the nozzles 18, hot water is delivered into the cans. As each can 9 advances to th space between the two cleansing chambers, interior besides being subjected to hot 'ater washing, is gradually and additionally subjected to the cleansing action of steam. The hot water jets are eventually removed "from the moving cans 9 as they advance lllUO the final cleansing chamber wherein the can interiors are finally cleansed by the action of steam jets delivered from the nozzles 19. The cans 9 a e finally delivered by the rotating discharge rotor 8 along the discharge guide 20 in an obvious manner.

The can teed mechanism insures proper delivery of the cans 9 to the machine without dama in the relatively trail rece tacles. o t: j

It a can 9 should become ammed in the positive feed afforded by the drum 14, or between any other moving elements of the machine, the clutch 39 will slip and thus avoid damage. The 1:: cover 7 permits free access to all parts of the interior of the washer, and the various elements are conveniently adjustable and removable to produce most etlicient and sanit-c y conditions oi operation. The improved driving mechanism reduces the power consumption to a minimum, and the t 'iction clutch 39 serves as a safety device for posiively preventing breakage of parts in case abnormal object enters the machine. The can inlet and discharge chutes 12, 255 cooperating with the angularly adjustable drive mechanism, facilitate convenient location or" the washer, and the vertical feed mechanism is obviously a 'iplicable otherwise than in a can washer. Tiis vertical can feed mecha nism is extremely simple, compact, positive, and automatic in operation and has been found to produce excellent results in commerci. operation.

lt should be understood that it is not de ed to limit the invention to the exact details of construction and operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

' it is claimed and desired to secure by Lettcrs Patent i. in combination, means forming a chamher and a chute for delivering a succession of cylindrical cans with their axes horizontal downwardly toward said chamber, a feed drum having a helical projection extending "ate one side of said chute, said drum being directly engage-able with the open end edges and said projection being rollably engageable Wiill the lower curved side portions of the successive cans passing through said chute to retard the travel of upper cans and to deliver the successive lower cans in definitely spaced relation into said chamber, and means associated with the opposite side of said chute for urging the successive cans into op erative engagement with said projection.

2. In combination, means storming a chamber and a chute for delivering a succession of cylindrical cans with their axes horizontal downwardly toward said chamber, a movable element rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and having a helical projection with which the successive cans passing through said chute are rollably engageable so as to retard the travel of upper cans and to deliver the successive lower cans singly and in definitely spaced relation into said chamber, and means associated with said chute above said projection for urging the successive cans toward the axis of rotation of and into operative engagement .with said projection.

3. In combination, means forming a chamher and a chute for delivering a succession of cylindrical cans with their axes horizontal downwardly toward said chamber, a teed drum having a helical projection extending into said chute, said drum being engageable with the ends and said projection being ongageable with the lower side portions of the successive cans passing through said chute to retard the travel of upper cans and to deliver the successive lower cans in definitely spaced relation into said chamber, and means asso ciated with said chute above said drum for urging the successive cans toward the axis of rotation of and into operative engagement with said drum and said projection.

4:. in combination, means forming a chamber and a chute for delivering a succession of cylindrical cans with their axes horizontal downwardly toward said chamber, a series of can hooks revolvable about an axis within said chamber, a feed drum having a helical projection extending into one side of said chute, said drum being directly engageable with the open and edges and said projection being rollably engageable with the lower curved side portions of the successive cans iassing through said chute to retard the travelot upper cans and to deliver the successive lower cans in definitely spaced relation between said hooks in succession, and means associated with the opposite side of loo said chute for urging the successive cans into operative engagement with said projection.

5. In combination, means forming a chamber and a chute for delivering a succession of cylindrical cans with their axes horizontal downwardly toward said chamber, a series of can hooks revolva-ble about an axis within said chamber, an element rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and having a helical projection with which the successive cans passing through said chute are rollably engageable so as to retard the travel of upper cans and to deliver the successive lower cans singly and in definitely spaced relation between said hooks in succession, and means associated with said chute above said projection. for urging the successive cans toward the axis of rotation of and into operative engagement with said projection.

(i. In combination, means forming" a chamber and a chute for delivering a succession of cylindrical cans with their axes horizontal downwardly toward said chamber a series of can hooks revolvable about an axis 'ithin said chamber, a feed drum having a helical projection extending into said chute, said drum being engageable with the ends and said projection being engageable with the lower side portions of the successive cans passing through said chute to retard the travel of upper cans and. to deliver the successive lower cans in definitely spaced rela tion between said hooks in succession, and means associated with said chute above said drum for urging the successive cans toward the axis of rotation of and into operative engagement with said drum and said projection.

7. A device for supporting and releasing successive elements, comprising, a single revolvable upright feed screw adapted to support a stack of elements on its thread at one side of the stack and to successively remove the elements from the bottom of the stack and then release the same, and stationary means at the opposite side of the stack for urging the successive elements onto the thread of said screw.

8. A device for supporting and releasing successive elements comprising, a revolvable upright teed screw adapted to support a stack of cylindrical elements having parallel axes on its thread at one side only of the stack and to successively remove the lowermost elements from the stack and then release the same at equal intervals, and means at the opposite side of the stack for urging the successive elements longitudinally of their axes onto the thread of said screw.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is affixed hereto.

OSVALD H. HANSEN.

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