US2095960A

US2095960A - Vacuum machine

Info

Publication number: US2095960A
Application number: US566575A
Authority: US
Inventors: Neils P Bach
Original assignee: American Can Co
Current assignee: Primerica Inc
Priority date: 1931-10-02
Filing date: 1931-10-02
Publication date: 1937-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 1954-10-19

Description

Oct, 19, 1937.

N. P. BACH VACUUM MACHINE Filed oct. 2, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 THUN" Oct. 19, 1937. N. P. BACH VACUUM MACHINE Filed Oct. 2, 1931` '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .J KN/ m 7 luv.

y a .\\\\l/ lll/111171717717 gaz oct. 19, 1937.

N. P. BACH VACUUM MACHINE Filed oct. 2, 1931 5 sheets-sheet s Figi INVENTOR B A11A-d? l LV@ l ATTQRN 5.5 and Patented Oct. 19, 1937 PATENT OFFICE VACUUM MACHINE Neils P. Bach, Geneva, N. Y., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 2,

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine or apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers and has for a particular object the provision of a rotating container carrier turret and a float Valve engaging the turret and providing a seal for a vacuum chamber, the float valve utilizing' atmospheric pressure for maintaining the proper lit, the amount of this holding pressure and its eiect being carefully and accurately controlled at all times.

The present invention is particularly adapted to the use of a suction control device associated with a iioat valve of this general character, such a control insuring the proper sliding t while preventing binding of the valve against the turret, all elements being self-contained and auto- 'matically compensating in theiractions.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a control means for a float valve which operates sothat the effect of atmospheric pressure against the valve during vacuumization of a container is partially counteracted and a definite controlled sealing pressure for the valve parts is maintained.

Animportant object of the present invention is the provision of a regulator for a float valve of the character described wherein the regulating deviceA may be adjusted to provide any desired valve pressure for sealing'I a vacuum chamber.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of a pressure controlled iioat valve and a continuously rotating container carrier turret for conveying the containers into and out lof. a vacuum chamber', the vacuumized containers 35 being closed in vacuum. the valve and turret controlled seal allowing a highdegree of vacuum'in the chamber while permitting easy operation o the turret. i

Numerous other objects of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection With the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is. a sectional view taken throughan apparatus for sealing containers in vacuum, this apparatus exemplifying a. preferred embodiment of the present` invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus taken substantially along vthe broken line 2--2 'in Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail of one of the turret pockets with its enclosed sealing device for closing the container under vacuum;

1931, serial 10.566575 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan detail of the turret section. i

Such a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a combined vacuumizing and sealing apparatus mounted on a stationary framewhich includes a unit b-ase 2l on which is mounted a` central column 22 and a side bracket 23. 'Ihe column 22 provides a. support for the container carrier turret and also carries a gear housing 24 mounted above.

The can carrier turret comprises a substantially cylindrical shell or turret member -25 provided with container pockets 26 adapted to receive containers 21 having a loosely applied closure or cover 28. A sealing mechanism is illustrated in the drawings for hermetically securing this cover 28 to its container.

The turret 25 is indirectly mounted for rotation on the column 22 and for this purpose is formed with a central sleeve 29 joined by a top plate 3| to its outer shell. The sleeve is formed with a bottom flange 32 which rests upon a ball bearing unit l33 carried by a flange 34 formed in the lower end of an inner sleeve 35 mounted for rotation on the column 22. The sleeve 35 is supported upon a ball bearing unit 36 which is carried'upon a shoulder 31 formed in an intermediate web 38 of the column 22. In this way the column directly supports the sleeve 35 and the latter supports the turret, the bearing units allowing free and independent 'movement between column 22 and 'sleeve 35 and between the sleeves 35, 29. r

The containers 2l are introduced into the machine in any suitable manner as by.a conveyor chain 4l (Fig. 1) operating over. sprockets 42 carried on a shaft 43 journaled in an extension table 44. This table may be carried by or otherwise properly associated with the frame of the machine so that the containers are delivered into the turret pockets. In such delivery theyv are guided between guide rails 45 and as each container approaches the inner ends of the rails. it is engaged by an arm of a rotating starwheel 46. This starwheel is mounted upon a.' vertical shaft 41 suitably journaled within the table 44 and is rotated in proper time with the travel of the l chains 4|.

'Iurret 25 is'also rotated in synchronism with the starwheel i6r so that the engaged container r of the guide rails. forces the container fully within the pocket. A

Rollers are rotatably carried on the starwheei 45, there being one roller for each arm. A roller 5| moving in itscircular path of travel after thejcontainer has been discharged from the associated arm of the starwheel, comes'into engagement with a'circular cam wall 52 formed in one end of a rock lever 53. This lever is mounted for oscillation upon a. bolt 54 secured to the table 44. 'Ihe opposite end of the lever 53 terminates in an inwardly extending finger 55 which engages the inserted container 21 carried inside of the turret pocket and pushes it inwardly into fully seated position.l This action is effected by oscillation of the lever 53 which is moved on its pivot when the roller 5| (Fig.7 1) rides along the cam wall 52.

After the roller passes the lever', the latter is moved back into normal position (shown in dotted lines Fig. 1) by a spring device. For this purpose the lever carries a sliding pin 56 which is pivotally secured at 51 adjacent the wall 52. A spring 59 is interposed between the lever and a lug 59 mounted upon the table 44 and this tends to move the lever counter-clockwise on its pivot but yields under the rocking influence of the starwheel as just described.

The pockets 25 of the container turret 25 (Figs.-

1` and 2) are spacedv around its periphery and are less in height than the turret, which leaves aU solid or unbroken upper peripheral surface 65 above the pockets and va similar unbroken lower Vsurface 56 below. These cylindrical walls, together with the intermediate cylindrical wall sections between pockets provide the proper movable surface for fit engagement .with a oat valve which is used to maintain a surrounding airtight seal for the pockets while they aresuccssively under vacuum.

A float valve for this purpose comprises a semicircular valve member 1I which is coextensive in height with the height of the turret 25 and which partially encircles the turret, extending and enclosing practically half of its cylindrical surface. This valve 1| is mounted for sliding movement within a housing 12 formed in the side bracket 23 of the frame and rests upon a bottom wall 13.

Extensions 15, project rearwardly from the valve 1| and slide on exterior machined surfaces 15 of the housing 12. There is an extension 15 on each side of the housing and`this valve mounting holds the float valve` in proper aligned position relative to the turret 25.

' Lugs 11 project laterallyfrom each side of the housing 12, there being a lug in alignment with and tothe rear of each ,extension 15. Each extension 15 carries a pin 18 which has sliding movement within its associated lug 11 and each pin carries asprlng 19v which is interposed between a lug 11 `and an associated 'extension 15. These springstend to force the oat valve into engagement with the rotating turret 25 and assist, with other devices hereinafter described,

in producing the proper seal for the vacuum chamber. x

The turret 25 is continuously rotated by connection with a source of drivingpower and for this purpose a ring gear 3| (Fig. 2) is mounted on the flange 32 of the turret sleeve 29, this gear being just outside' of the bearing unit 33. Gear 8| ris engaged by a gear 82 carried on the upper end of a vertically disposed shaft 83 journaled in 38 of the column 22 and in bearings 89 formed in foot sections 81 of the column. y

The shaft\83 also carries a gear 9| which meshes with va gear 92 keyed to the lower end of a vertically extending shaft 93` journaled in bearings 94 formed in the column. The upper end of shaft 93 extends into the gear housing 24 and carries a `bevel gear 95 which meshes with a gear 96 mounted on a drive shaft 91 journaled in a bearing 98 formed in the housing 24. Shaft 91 also carries a drive pulley 99 by means of which rotating power may be applied to the drive shaft. Collars |00 are pinned on the two ends of the shaft 93 and hold it in proper vertical position.

The inner face of the float valve 1| is recessed at |0| (Figs. l and 3) and the pockets 25 of the turret which are adjacent said valve are simultaneously vacuumized to eect vacuum chambers for the sealing operation. This recess |0I provides air intercommunication and exhaust for this purpose.A A pipe |02 is threadedly secured into .the circular extension wall of the float valve and its opposite end' is secured to a flexible connection |03 connecting with a pipe |04 threaded in a T |05, one arm of which is connected with a pipe |06 leading to a vacuum pump (not shown) or other suitable source of vacuum.- By means of` this connection air is withdrawn from the interior of those pockets 29 included between the engaged surfaces of the float valve and the peripheral Walls of the turret. A vacuum chamber is thus established which includes the pockets.

As long as this vacuum condition exists in the Vacuum chamber atmospheric pressure on the exterior of the float valve 1| tends to force it against the peripheral walls of the turret. the

`amount of this pressure varying with the degree of vacuum.y In the present invention this cir-v cumstance is utilized in a/ unique manner by combining a device with the float valve which is adapted to be more or less vacuumized so that it partially counteracts the atmospheric pressure on the valve and lessens the contact pressure of the valve against the turret.

'I'he compensating function of such a device is effective upona substantial area of the rear exterior wall of the oat valve and atmospheric pressure at this zone is replaced by a vacuum or rareiiedatmosphere. A bellows I|| (Figs. 1 and 2) is located in the housing 72 and one end is connected to the end wall of the. housing while the opposite end connects with the fiat outer or rear wall of the float valve. The interior of the bellows is connected by a pipe ||2 with the r los of the vacuum pipe los. Air is thus withdrawn from the interior of the bellows at the same time that the air is extracted from the vacuum chamber.

with each turret pocket for this purpose, therek being illustrated in the drawings (Figs. 2 and 3) a form of sealing device capable of bending a part of the cover flange into sealing position beneath a shoulder of its container.

Each turret pocket 26 is provided with centering plate ridges |2| which constitute locating walls for holding the container in its proper position for sealing. A shelf |22 is falso extended across the turret pocket being formed integrally with the pocket wall.` Its upper surface is in horizontal alignment with the top of the table 44 and presents a surface over which the container 21 is moved as it enters the turret pocket.

A plunger device is located within the lower part of each pocket 26 and comprises a base plate |23 having a stem |24 slidably disposed within a bearing sleeve |25 carried in the turret 25. The upper surface of the base plate is also in the same horizontal plane with the shelf |22 during insertion of the container within its pocket. The base plate provides the support for the container after it is seated in the members |2|. When the rotating turret brings its pocket and container to a position where it becomes a part of the vacuum chamber, the base plateis raised and the container is lifted into sealing position. This is effected in the following manner.

The container 21 with its superimposed cover 28 is lifted through a partition |35 projecting inwardly from the pocket wall and cutting oi a section of the upper part of the pocket for the cover sealing devices in a sealing head; The

cover in its raised position engages and is clamped on a chuck |36 located within the sealin'g chamberthe plunger |-23'providing the opposing clamping element for holding the container in sealing position.

The chuck |36 is carried on the lower end of a sleeve |31- which extends vertically throughan outer sleeve |38 rotatablymounted in a bearing |39 formed in the turret. 'I'he plunger head |23 lifts the container rst so that its cover engages the chuck after which further lifting continues, this time accompanied by a lifting of the chuck with certain sealing devices carried thereby. This action is for a purpose hereinafter fully described.`

Sealing of the container. in vacuum andthe `and is held by a flange; |43 formed on the chuck .I 36. A cover plate |44 secured to the chuck by screws |45 holds the die ring on the chuck in proper sliding position. 1

l The jaw section |4| is cutaway or tapered on its bottom corner edge to provide a tapered throat |46 through which the -c'over 28 and the upper end of the container 21 move as the former is seated 4within the chuck. At this time the encircling walls-of the throat |46V of the floating die ring are centrally disposed relative to the container and the cover and allow their free passage through the throat. The necessary s'liding movement imparted to the floating `diering |40 to effect the proper bending action is controlled by an eccentrically mounted collar mem-` |38. Collar |5| has no verticalmovement being vmay be described as horizontal and is utilized as a driving means for the floating bending die. The collar |5| is formed with an annular wall |54 having a-bottom inner edge tapered at |55.

At the time the floating die member 40 islifted with the chuck |36 in the second stage of insertion of the containerinto the sealing chamber as described, an upper and outer tapered wall |56 formed in the die ring engages and seats within the tapered Wall |55 of the collar |5I. When in this locked position the die ring |40 moves in unison with the shifting collar and also describes a horizontal motion. This movement forces one side of the jaw |4| against the lower skirt of the cover 28 and bends it under a shoulder on the container as illustrated on the lefthand side in Fig. 3. As the movement continues, adjacent sections of the jaw |4| progressively engage the depending skirt of the cover flange and complete the bending thereof in one complete rotation of the sleeve |38.

'I'he sleeve |38 is rotated by a connection best illustrated in Fig. 2. For this purpose the sleeve |38 is formedat its upper end with an enlarged gear xsection |6|, the teeth of which engage a central gear |62 keyed to the upper end of the sleeve 35. This sleeve 35 and the gear I 62 are rotated on the column 22 by a gear train which comprises a gear section |63 formed in the lower end of the sleeve-which meshes with a gear |66 (see also Fig. 1) which rotates upon a stud |61 supported by the column web 38. The gear |66 is integral with a superimposed gear |68 which meshes with a gear |69 formed' as a lower gear section of the gear 82.

To assist in avcontrolled raising and lowering of the chuck |36 and the sleeve |31 when the container is lifted by the base plate |23, a cam track is used for cooperation with the cam truck |21. The upper `end of reach sleeve |31 carries a cam roller |15 which traverses a peripheral cam track |16 formed in a stationary cam disc |11 keyed to the column 22 and located directly above the gear |62. A locking collar |18 threadedly engages the column and rigidly clampsC the cam disc.

The contour of the lcam track |16 corresponds in part with the cam track |21 so that after a. container 21 is clamped between the base plate .|23 and the chuck |36all of these parts will raise together and the floating die ring |40 locks with its actuating collar 5|. The cam track |16 also cooperates with the cam |21 to simultaneously lower the chuck, container and base plate after sealing.

Lowering of thedie ring |40 disengages its tapered wall |56 from the tapered wall |55 of the collar |5| and following this a tapered wall |8| formed in the outside lower corner edge of the die ring engages asimilar tapered/surface |82 formed in the partition |35. Centralizing of the die ring takes place as it shifts over with its wall into full engagement with the wall surrounding the opening in the partition. The inwardly projecting jaw section |4| is nowvin a central vposition and free of the container and its sealed cover and continued lowering oi' the base plate |28 again brings the sealed container into its lowered position in the turret pocket. o

To insure positive discharge from the sealing head this lowering action. is accompanied by a positive stripping of. the sealed container from the chuck. For this purpose a knockout pad (Figs. 2 and 3) .is used beingnormally locatedv within a pocket |86 in the chuck |28. It is secured Ito the lower end of a knockout rod |81 which is slidably disposed within the sleeve |31. The upper end of the rod |81 carnes a cam block |88 (see also Fig. 4) which rides against the outer wall oi' a cam |88 mounted upon the cam disc |11. ISI which operates within a cam groove |92 formed in the cam |88.

When the chuck |88 has reached its lowered position, the knockout lpad |85 with its rod |81 continues downwardly with the lowering of the base plate |28 and restingon the sealed container, positively discharges it from the chuck.

The sealed container. 21-still' on its lowered base plate |28 further is carried into a p osition oi' discharge. The pocket 28 containing the container moves beyond the end of the float valve 1| and atmospheric air entersl the pocket. A container nge'r discharge located within each pocket (Fig. l) now comes into play to eject the container from the pocket. Each device comprises apair of swinging arms |85 located one above and one below the top and` bottom guide ridges |2I and normally out of contact with the container. These two arms are secured to a vertically disposed shaft |88 through the turret wall.

Thecam 20| effects oscillation of the arr'n |91 and the shaft |88 which controls movement of the ilngers |95 so that the sealedcontainer 21 when carried to a position of discharge is moved out of its turret pocket (Fig. l). A guide rail 205` is disposed adjacent the turret and prevents-premature discharge of a sealed container.'from its turret pocket, this guide rail being a part oi' one of a 'pair of'spaced rails 208 formed in a discharge table 281. I'he iingers |95 move the sealed container onto the table 201 where it is engaged by apair oi' moving discharge chains 208 passing over sprockets 209 mounted'on a shaft 2| I, journaled in the table.

Unsealed containers are thus fed in succession into adjacent turret pockets and after sealing in vacuum the containers are successivefy discharged each pocket emptying ,its :sealed container as it passes adjacent the-position oi discharge.

It is thought-that the inventionand many'oi its attendant advantages will be, understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent 'that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of theparts, without departing from the-spirit and scope of the l invention, or sacriiicing all oi' its material ad- The block |88 carries a cam roller which extends,v

ers, the combination of a stationary trame, a container carrying turret rotatably mounted in said frame, a iiot vvalve interposed between said frame and said turret on which valve the turret has sliding contact sothat the valve forms a slid-- ing seal for a vacuum chamber, and vacuum means associated with said float valve for parvchamber is under vacuum, and means for regulating said counteralcting means in accordance with the amount of vacuum in said chamber.

3. JIn an apparatus for vacuumizing containers,

lthe combination of a stationary frame, a container carrying turret rotatably mounted in said frame, a float valve interposed between said frame and said turret and forming a sliding seal for a vacuum chamber with which Valve the turret has sliding contact, vacuum means associated with said float valve for partially counteracting 'the effect of atmospheric pressure against itl/when said chamber is under vacuum, and Vmeans for .adjusting said counteracting means.

y ,4. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, the combination oi a stationary frame, a container carrying turret rotatably mounted in said frame and said turret and forming a sliding seal for a vacuum chamber, and a bellows connected with said iioat valve and with aV source of vacuum for partially compensating the pressure of .frame, a iloat valve interposed between said,

the outside atmosphere against the valve whilev said chamber is under vacuum.

5. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, the combination-of a stationary frame, a container carrying turretrotatably mounted in said frame, a oat valve interposed between said frame and said turret and forming a sliding seal for a vacuum "chamber, a bellows connected with I said -iloat valve and with a source of vacuum i'or partially compensating the pressure of the outside atmosphere against the valve while said chamber is under vacuum, and means for regulating the amount of vacuum within said bellows.v

6. In an apparatus Vfor vacuumizing containers.v

the combination of a stationary, frame, a container carrying turret rotatably mounted in said frame, a iioat valve interposed between said frame an said turret, yielding devices for forcing said oat valve into contact with said turret to provide a sliding seal for. a vacuum chamber,

and vacuum meansfassociated with said oat valve .for partially counteracting the effect of said yielding devices and atmospheric pressure against it when said chamber is under vacuum.

7. In an apparatus for. vacuumizing and sealing, containers, the combination of a stationary frame, a container carrying turret having a plurality of container receivi pockets rotatably mounted in'said'irame, a iloatval've interposed between'said frame and said turretjlg-,means for" forming a vacuum in said turret pockets, con' tainer sealing instrumentalities carried Iby said turret for sealingfsaid containers 'while in Asaid vacuum, and a vacuum conduiti'ncluding a movinterposed between said frame and said turret means for forming a vacuum in said turret pockets, actuating means for causing said instrumentalities to seal a container when its pocket is vacuumized, and a vacuum conduit including a movable member secured at its opposite ends to said frame and valve respectively for partially counteracting the eiect of atmospheric pressure against said valve during such vacuumizing and sealing. i l

9. In an apparatuskfor vacuumizing containers, the combination of a stationary frame, a container carrying turret rotatably mounted in said frame, a float valve interposed between said frame and said turret and forming a sliding seal for a vacuum chamber, vacuummeans associated with said float valveffor partially counteracting atmospheric pressure against it when said chamber is under vacuum, and means for adjusting said counteracting means in accordance with the vacuum in said chamber to effect a predetermined pressure contact between said oating valve and said turret.

10. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, the combination of a bodily fixed part and a relatively movable part contacting with each.,

" other and dening a vacuum chamber adapted to receive a container to be vacuumized, means for vacuumizing said chambenand means responsive `to said vacuumizing means for lessening pressure ers, the combination of a rotary turret having means to receive and close a container, a iiXed part, and a valve "having a sliding contact with said xed part and engaging said turret to form a vacuum chamber to enclose the container, and vacuumizing means operating on said valve to lessen the friction between said turret and valve and also operating to vacuumize said chamber.

12. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, the combination of(a rotary part having chambers, Aanon-rotary part arranged toy leave open and to close said chambers as said rotary part turns, vacuum means for relieving the mutual friction of said parts, means for vacuumizing said chambers when closed, means for moving the containers vertically in said chambers when the chambers are closed, and means for closing the containers when they are in vacuumized condition. i

13. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, the combination of a rotary part having chambers, a non-rotary part arranged to leave open and to close said chambers as said rotary part turns, means for vacuumizing said chambers and containers therein when the chambers are closed, means for closing the containers when they are in vacuumized condition, and a vacuumized-device operating on said non-rotary part for lessening the contact pressure between said rotary and non-rotary parts.

14. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, "the combination of a rotary turret, a oat valve engaging the turret to form a vacuum chamber, means for vacuumizing said chamber whereby said turret and valve are frictionally urged together due to external atmospheric pressure opposing the vacuum, and means for applying the vacuum to press said valve in the contrary 16. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containv ers, the combination of a container conveyor,'a valvecasing contacting said conveyor and substantially sealing itpagainst the atmosphere, a vacuum chamber formed in part by said conveyor and having container sealing mechanism therein, i,

vacuum means for exhausting the air from said chamber and ,simultaneously from a plurality of cbntainers therein, said vacuum means causing relative movement' between said conveyor and said casing, and auxiliary means responsive to said vacuum means for controlling said movement.

17. In an apparatus for vacuumizing andsealing containers, the combination of a container ;conveyor, a valve casing adapted to seal said conveyor against the atmosphere, a vacuum chamber formed in part by said conveyor and containing mechanism for sealing a container, a vacuum means for exhausting the air from said chamber and container and causing relative pressure between said conveyor and said casing, and counter vacuum means'for controlling said pressure.

NEILS P. BACH.`