US2108932A - Method of and apparatus for applying closure caps to receptacles - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 22, 1938. E. VON SEGEBADEN ET AL 2,108,932

' METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE CAPS TO RECEPTACLES Filed OCT.. 3l. 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 22, 1938. E. voN SEGEBADEN ET A1. 2,108,932

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE CAPS TO RECEPTACLES Filed Oct. 5l, 1934 cuoco cano c Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD lOF AND APPARATUS FOR. APPLY- ING CLOSURE CAPS TOy RECEPTACLES Application Gctober 31, 1934, Serial No. 750,890 In Sweden November 4, 1933 14 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for applying closure caps to jars, bottles or similar receptacles.

lOne object of our invention is to provide a :simple method of and apparatus forv applying closure caps to jars, bottles or similar receptacles, forcing the material of the cap into intimate contact with the neck of the receptacle, conforming said material in accurate accordance with "exterior beads, threads or irregularities of the neck of the receptacle.

Another object of our invention is to provide a method of and vapparatus for applying closure caps to jars, bottles or similar receptacles, exertv'ing a` sufficient downward pull upon the skirt of the cap to maintain an hermeticl seal without exerting undue pressure, tending to injuriously affect the top of the cap and a gasket or the like applied between'the mouth of the receptacle and the top of the cap.

Still another object of our invention'is to` provide -amethod 'of and apparatus for applying closure caps to jars, bottlesor similar receptacles, to accommodate at all times the capping ele- 1 ments employed to theexternal surface of the part ofthe receptacle tofforce the material of the receptacle into intimate contact with said contour. vregardless of the shape of Vsaid contour which may have irregularities, deformations-or threads, at all times maintaining Va uniform downward dragging action upon the material .of

the cap skirt that is to be brought into con-- formity with the contour of the underlying part of the receptacle, avoiding undue deformations- 3-'6- ofthe parts of the skirt to -be applied.

vStill another object of our invention is to pro vide .a methodof and apparatus for spinning closure caps to the threaded necks of jars, bottles orsimilar receptacles, to continuously pull the fmaterial of the closure cap downwardly from the top Aof the receptacle, exerting a uniform dragT ging action independentlyof the spinning action.

Still, another object of our invention is to provide ya method of and apparatus for .applying yclosure caps topreferably threaded necks of jars, bottles or similar receptacles, progressively forcing one part of the cap into intimate conformity with .the threads or the like on simultaneously bending and securing a lower sealing portion of the cap below a rim or the like of the neck of the receptacle, utilizing practically allthe period of cap applying for firmly securing said sealing panying drawings, in which similar reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:-

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus, with `the parts in the relativepositions which they assume prior to the bringing of the receptacle into position to initiate the cap applying operation; Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the relative positions which the parts assume after the receptacle has been elevated into operative position, the cap applying operation having been completed; Fig. 3 is a Vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the apparatus; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View of part of `the apparatus,l forming still another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a vertical vsectional View of the lower part of still another embodiment of the apparatus as well as the neck of -a receptacle, the operative yparts of the apparatus 'having finished the lcap applying; Fig. 6 is a section on the line VI-VI of Fig. v3; Fig.'7 is a section-on the line VII-VII of Fig.'3. Figs. 8 to "11 show modified embodiments of thel invention.

Referring to the drawings, I designates a casing enclosing a spinning head. To the upper hub portion 55 of thev casing is secured a cap 2 and in its lower endis Vsecureda bell having a central opening 56. A sleeve `5l forms an extension of a gear wheel -4 and is rotatably journalle'd within the hub 55 and meshes with another gear wheel'5 part of whichv isl-sh'ownf-in the drawings. A nut 62V is threaded -to the top end of the sleeve 51 and a Awear ring 63 is interposed betweenthe nut '62 and the top end of the hub 55 thus suspending the gear wheel 4. The wheel 5 is mounted on a continuously driving shaft, not shown. A lsleeve E is fitted within thesleeve 5l and'mounte'd for longitudinal movement therein. Relative rotary movement between the gearwheel 45 and the sleeve 6 is prevented by la key 8 :litting neatly within a recess in the sleeve 6 and extending `freely within an elongatedl slot 'l formed upon the inner surface -of the sleeve :51 and gear wheel 4. Secured to the lowery extremity of the sleeve 't is a plate I9, integrally-"formed with` four depending spaced fingers HiY for guiding the bottle neck when the latter is elevated'into operative position. A longitudinally movable, 'non-rotate able shaft Il isfitted within the sleeve '6; One end of a coiled contractile spring |2 is interposed between the cap 2' and a ring 9 ysecured to the shaft H so that the spring will force the shaft downwards and `hold a ringl secured to the shaft ll in abutting relation to a hub on the cap 2 to suspend the' .cappingamecha-nism.

The lower extremity of the` shaft II has a radial flange I3 tting within a recess |4 forming an extension of the central bore of the sleeve 6. Moreover, the lower extremity of the shaft I I has a central bore I5 in which is longitudinally movable a pin I6 forming an upper extension of a plunger I1 which serves as an abutment for the bottle to be capped. A coiled contractile spring I8 seats upon an abutment of the bore I5 as well as upon a radial liange 58 of the plunger I1 and serves to hold with yielding pressure the flange 58 against the plate I9. Four radial brackets 59 are formed integrally with the sleeve 6.V To the brackets there are pivoted two levers 22 and two levers 6|. The upper extremity of each lever carries an anti-friction roller 21 and a weight 26. The rollers 21 are mounted to roll upon the substantially conical inner surface 64 of an annular trackway 28 secured to the casing I. Each lever 22 is arranged opposite to a lever arm 6|.

On the extremity of the depending arms of each lever 6I is rotatably journalled a spinning disc 20. To the depending arms of the levers 22 are pivoted links 23 having a rear extension 82 and being connected to one end of a tension spring 24, the other end of which is secured to a corresponding finger I0. The springs 24 urge the links 23 to swing downwards to force the extensions 82 to engage abutments 25 on the levers 22. Each link 23 carries a spinning disc 2| which is rotatablyjournalled thereon and the spinning face of which is shaped like the groove of the receptacle thread. When rotating the sleeve 6 with the arms 22 and 6|, centrifugal force will lling the weights 26 outwardly and the several parts will occupy the position shown in Fig. 2 so Y that the discs 2D and 2|, respectively, are movable to dilferent levels and transversally to the receptacle 29, the discs 2| occupying a higher position than the` discs 26. The discs 20 are positioned somewhat nearer the longitudinal axis of the spinning mechanism than the discs 2 I.

In operation, a cap 39 is placed on the threaded neck of the bottle 29 which is then elevated from its initialposition shown in Fig. 1 to abutting engagement with the plunger I1. The continuously .rotating gear wheel 5 revolves the gear wheel 4 which'drives the sleeve 6 to rotate with the arms 22 and 6| with the spinning discs and the weights. Thereby, the anti-friction rollers 21 are pressed against the lower part of the surface 64 of the trackway 28 by the weights 26 and all the spinning discs are still held out of engagement with the cap on the bottle neck. Continued upward movement of the bottle will rst raise the plunger I1 against the tension of spring I8 to bring the flange 58 into engagement with the flange I3, and on still further continued upward movement of the receptacle the rotating sleeve 6 with the arms 22 and 6| is caused to move upwards against pressing action of the spring I2 and the rollers 21 are continuously caused to roll upon an upper wider portion of the trackway 28, and then the spinning discs are moved into engagement with the skirt of the cap covering the threaded bottle neck. Due to the fact that the discs 2|! occupy an initial position less remote from the longitudinal axis of the spinning mechanism than the discs 2| the discs 2|) will iirst hit the cap and they will bend the lower edge of the skirt of the cap below an annular rim on the bottle neck and the friction between the discs and the skirt will cause the discs to revolve during their planetary motion around the bottle neck on continuoushT exerting yielding pressure upon the skirt. Immediately after the discs 20 having thus been brought into operation the discs 2| hit the skirt of the cap slightly above the inwardly bent portion thereof and force the material of the skirt into intimate contact with the thread beginning there and extending upwards towards the end of the bottle neck. Then the spinning discs are urged upwards by the groove of the thread on tensioning the springs 24. On the progressive upward movement of the discs 2| the discs 20 will constantly exert spinning action upon the lower edge of the skirt holding it with yielding pressure against the bottle neck, and permit just as much longitudinal displacement of the material of the skirt as will be necessary to allow accurate conforming of said material to the threaded portion of the bottle neck. The deformation of the skirt of the receptacle will, therefore, cause practically no changes of the initial pressure between the top of the cap and the mouth of the receptacle or upon a gasket interposed therebetween, and nevertheless the material of the cap skirt will be brought into intimate contact withv practically any irregularities or deformations of the threaded portion of the bottle neck. After completing the spinning action now described the different spinning discs occupy the relative positions shown in Fig. 2. On descending the capped bottle the compressed spring l2 urges the revolving spinning mechanism downwards, the anti-fric-` tion rollers 21 will ride upon a narrower portion of the trackway and the levers 22 and 6| will swing the discs 2| and 20, respectively, out

of engagement with the cap, the discs 2| in ad-v brackets 35 formed integrally with the sleeve 6.'

On the upper extremity of each rock shaft-there is rotatably mounted a sleeve 4| having two arms 36 and 31, respectively. The arms 36 each carriesv an anti-friction roller 38 and the arms 31 are connected with they sleeve 6 by the intermediary of a tension spring 39. The tension spring 39 forces the roller 38 against the outer conical surface of an annular trackway 40 which is secured to the gear-wheel 4. The lower end of the sleeve 4| has a recess 42 into which projects a lug 43 from a flange 44 secured to the shaft 34. The recess has such a width that the sleeve 4| may swing freely on the shaft 34 through a certain angle. The discs 2l are according to Fig. 3 journalled on up and down swinging arms 46 which are pivoted to forks 41l on shafts 34 and actuated by springs 45, one

end of which is secured to said arm, the other end being secured to a bracket 35. Each disc 20 is journalled on an arm 33 rigidly secured to a rock shaft 34. Each shaft 34 is enclosed by a spring 32 which urges the arms 33 and 46 in-v wards.

In operation, on pressing the plunger |1 and sleeve 6 upwards by means of the bottle 29 the arms 36 are swung inwards by the springs 39 and then the lugs 43, which engage each a side .wall of a recess 42, are permitted to follow the swinging movement of the sleeves 4| and the springs 32 swing the arms 33 and 46 to yieldingly press the rollers 20 and 2|, respectively, against 2,1aos,932

a cap placed on the neck of 'the bottle. In this case the spinning discs 2| are brought intov engagement withit'he cap inthe proxlmityof the mouth of the bottle .and the spinning is-effected on downward. movement of the discs 2|, i.. e., on tensioning the spring .45. On .descending the bottle after the'spinning operation has'beenlnished the spring I2 urges the sleeve-6l andthe rollers'38 downwards andthe conical surface oi thetrackway 4D forces the arms 36 outwardly, one wall of the recess 42 hits the lug 43 and the rock shafts 34-are swung back to their initial angular position, i. e., the `spinning discs are moved out of engagement with the cap on the bottle neck.

According to Fig. 4,'the discs 2| are-supported by `arms 55`keyed to vrock shafts 34.V The forked'- ends ofthearms'55fhave'vertical spindles -54 on which the --discs 2 I `are loosely mounted. Springs 48 are interposed between the discs 2| and the lower legs of the forks for resiliently urging the discs upwardly. "Thus the vspinning discs may by the engagement-with threads beforced downwards on compressing the springs 48.

It is provided that the apparatus indicated in Fig."5 has 'spring-actuated Aarms 22 andl for supporting the discs 2| and 569, respectively. Thus said arms are urged inwardly by 'the springs 49, one end of which is connected to the arms, their other ends being connected to the sleeve 6. The spinningfdiscsZl are-secured to shafts 5U-which are rotatably journalledand axially movable in the forked ends of' the arms l22. Their operative movement axiallyofk the bottle l neck is eiected by the thread of the bottle neck.

The spinning discs 69 which have to force part ofthe cap skirt into an angular groove 3| oi' the bottle neck are loosely mounted on xed shafts 5| in the forked ends of the'armsl and actuated at their upper side as Well as 'at' their lower side by compressed 'springs 52, permitting movements of the discs '69 axially of the 'bottle-neck to conform with the groove 3|, whatever irregular shape or position said vgroove might have.

According to Fig. 8, the spinning tools .are developed 'to conform with bottle necksor the like being particularly irregularly shaped. .The upper spinning tool is in this .case shaped as a ring 68 loose-ly mountedV on a-spindle 53 on the arm 22.

With a view of accurately adjusting the spinning discs relative to threads on the bottle necks said discs are according toFig. .9 .arranged obliquely. They are each keyed Yto a spindle 6l axially movable mainly in the same manner yas the spindle 50' of Fig. 5 but obliquely of the bottle' neck in conformity with the pitch ofthe thread.

If desired, the cap applying tools may according toy Fig. l0 instead of being rotatable discs have the shape of sliding pressing members, such as ingers 1D and 1| replacing the discs 2| and 69, respectively, shown in Fig. 5. The rear ends of said lingers straddle the arms supporting them and thereby relative rotary movement is prevented. -The discs 2U may possiblyfbe'replaced by pressing members, e. g., forming jaws. According to Fig. l1, two jaws 12 of rubberare supported by rotatable arms 13 arranged tobe swung in the same manner as the Varms' '22 and Y:6.1, shown in Fig. 5. Another arm 14 carries =a .spinning disc 1-5 andV isarranged Vto rotate around the bottle neck to .e'iect'the spinning operation in the same manner as described with reference to Fie. 5.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for applying a closure cap having a depending `skirt to the mouth of areceptacle, comprising! capping tools, said tools being singly mounted for movements at substantially different levels transversely to the receptacle to yieldingly press different longitudinal sections of the skirt against said receptacle, one of said tools -being operative to move progressively longitudinally o'f the receptacle relative vto another of said tools throughy a range of action beyond'thatof said other tool, the transverse and longitudinal movements of said one tool being independent of `any other` of 4said capping tools, and accommodating to the contour of said receptacle -to force thematerial of the skirt into: intimate contact with said receptacle.

2. Apparatus for applying a closure .cap having a depending skirt -to' the mouth of a receptacle, comprising `capping tools, a yielding memberior actuating .one of .said tools,.said tools being singly mounted for movements at substantially different levels transversely to `the receptacle to yieldingly press .different longitudinal sections of the skirt against said receptacle, one of said tools being operative to move progressively against the action of said yielding member longitudinally `'of the receptacle relative to another of said ltools through a range of action beyond that of said other tool, the. transverse and longitudinal movements of saidv one vtool being independent ofuany other of said capping tools, and accommodating to the contour yof said receptacle to forcethe lmaterial of the skirt into intimate contact with said receptacle.

3. Apparatus for applying closure caps having depending skirts to the mouths of receptacles, comprising capping tools, said tools being singly mounted for movements atfsubstantially vdiffer-- ent levels transversely `to the receptacle to yieldingly press diierent longitudinal `sections-of the skirt .against said receptacle, one of said tools being developed asa spinning tool vand operative to move progressively longitudinally Yof the receptacle relative to another of said tools through vra range of action beyond that of said other tool, the 1 transverse and longitudinal movements of said tool' being independent of any other of said capping itools, and accommodating to the contour. of said receptacle to force the materialr of the skirt into .intimate contact with said receptacle.

4. Apparatus for applying closure capshaving depending skirts to the mouths of receptacles, comprising spinning-tools, said tools being singly mounted for movements at substantially diierent levels .transversely to the receptacle to yieldingly press .difiere-nt longitudinal sections of the skirt against said receptacle, one of said tools being operative to move progressively longitudinally of the receptacle relative to another of said tools through a range of action beyond that 'ofi said .other tool, the transverse and longitudinal movements of said one tool being independent 'of any other of said spinning tools, and accommodating to the contour of said receptacle to` force the .material ofthe skirt into intimate contact with said receptacle. Y

5. Apparatus for applying closure caps having depending skirts to the mouths of receptacles, comprising capping tools, said tools being singly mounted for movements at substantially diierent levels transversely to the 'receptacle' to yieldingly press diiierent longitudinal sections of the skirt against said receptacle, one of said tools sol sol

being operative to move progressively longitudinally of the receptacle relative to another of said tools through a range of action beyond that of said other tool, the transverse andl longitudinal movements of said one tool being independent of any other of said capping tools, and accommodating to the contour of said receptacle to force the material of the skirt into intimate contact `with said receptacle, said tools being mounted to actuate opposite sides of the skirt.v Y

6. Apparatus for applying closure-caps having depending skirts to the mouths of receptacles, comprising capping tools, a shaft, said tools be.- ing singly mounted for movements ,at subs-tantially different levels transversely to thereceptacle to yieldingly press diiferent longitudinal sections of the skirt against said receptacle, one of said tools being developed as a spinning tool and rigidhr secured to said shaft, said shaft being mounted for progressive axial movement longitudinally rof and lateral movements transversely to the lreceptacle to move the tool securedrthereto transversely and longitudinally independently of any other of said capping tools to force the materialof the skirt into intimate contact with said receptacle.

7. In an apparatus for applying a clos-ure cap having a depending skirt to the mouth of a receptacle, a pair of capping tools,- a shaft, said tools being mounted for movements at substantially diiferent levels transversely to the recepwith said receptacle.

tacle independently of one another to yieldingly press different longitudinal sections of the skirt against said receptacle, one of said tools being l developed as a ring loosely mounted to adjust itself obliquely on said shaft and free to move longitudinally of the receptacle to progressively force the material of the skirt into intimate contact with said receptacle.

8. Apparatus for applying a closure cap having a depending skirt to the mouth ofa receptacle, comprising capping tools, movable yielding carriers for said tools, said carriers supporting said tools singly to move them at substantially different levels transversely to the receptacle to yieldingly press diiferent longitudinal sections of the skirt against said receptacle, one of said tools being operative to move progressively longitudinally of the receptacle relative to another of said tools through a range of action beyond that of said other tool, the vtransverse and longitudinal movements of said one tool being independent of any other of said capping tools, and accommodating to the contour of said receptacle to force the material of the skirt into intimate contact 9. In an apparatus for applying a closure cap having a depending skirt to the mouth of a receptacle, capping tools, a movable carrier, said tools being singly mounted for movements at substantially different levels transversely to the receptacle to yeldingly press different longitudinal sections of the skirt against said receptacle, one of said tools being supported by said carrier to be progressively moved longitudinally of the receptacle relative to another of said tools through a range of action beyond that of said other tool, the transverse and longitudinal movements of said one tool being independent of any other of said capping tools to force the material of the skirt into intimate contact with the receptacle.

10. In an` apparatus for applying a closure cap having a depending skirt to the mouth of a receptacle, capping tools, said tools being singly mounted for movements in substantially different levels transversely to the receptacle to yieldingly press different longitudinal sections of the skirt against said receptacle, one of said tools being operative to move progressively longitudinally of the receptacle in a direction ufrom the range of action of another of said tools towards the mouth of the receptacle, the transverse and longitudinal movements of said tool being independent of any other of said capping tools, and accommodating to the-contour of said receptacle to force the material of the skirt into intimate contact with said receptacle.

11. In an apparatus for applying a closure cap having a depending skirtto the mouth of a receptacle, spinning tools, said tools being singly mounted for movements in substantially different levels transversely to the receptacle to yieldingly press different longitudinal sections of the` skirt against said receptacle, one of said tools being operative to move progressively longitudinally of the receptacle in a direction fromv the range of actiongofvanother of said tools towards the mouth of thefreceptacle, the transverse and longitudinalmovements of said one tool being independentv of any other of said spinning tools, and accommodating to the contour of said receptacle to force the material of the skirt into intimate contact with said receptacle.

12. In an. apparatusfory applying a closure cap having a depending skirt to the mouth of a receptacle, capping tools, said tools being singly mounted for movements in substantially different levels transversely to the receptacle to yieldingly press diiferent longitudinal sections of the skirt against said receptacle, oneof said tools being developed as a spinning tool and operative to move progressively along the receptacle at a right angle to threads formed on said receptacle,

the transverse and progressive movement of said one ytool being independent of any other of said capping tools to force the material of the skirt into intimate contact with said threads.

13. The method of applying a closure cap to a receptacley having an externally threaded top, which comprises placing a skirted cap on the receptacle, progressively spinninga screw thread on the cap skirt beginning the thread at ,they

lower and completing it at the upper threaded portion of the receptacle and simultaneously spinning a lower portion of the cap skirt into intimate contact with the receptacle below a rim of said receptacle with a rconstant and smooth pressure until the spinning of the screw thread is finished.

'14. In an apparatus for applying a closure cap having a depending skirt to the mouth of a receptacle, a pair of capping tools, said tools being mounted for movements at substantially different levels transversely to the receptacle to yieldingly press different longitudinal sections of the skirt against said receptacle, one of said tools being operative to move subsequently to the otherv material of the skirt into intimate contact with' the receptacle.

ERNST voN SEGEBADEN. BROR JOHNSON.

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