US2153039A - Sealing machine - Google Patents

Description

'7 Sheets-Sheet l April 4, 1939. F. L DARLING SEALING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1936 .9% hm WW April 4, 1939. F 1 DARLlNG 2,153,039

SEALING MACHINE Filed June 20. 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 nll HAI `MMIII@ INV ENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

April 4, 1939. F. L. DARLING vSEALING MACHINE l Filed June 20, 1936 ,'7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENT OR.

/1/3 ATTO F. L. DARLING SEALING MACHINE April 4, 1939.

lll|||||| 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 [/HIIII INVENT OR.

April 4, 1939. F. l.. DARLING SEALING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1936 HILl 7 Sheets-Shea?l 5 INVENTOR.

y f ATTGRNEY.

April 4, 1939. F. l.. DARLING SEALING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 20, 1936 INQgSNToR. Y Fha/22%: L .mlmg B mam/ ATTOR NMN April 4, 1939.

F. L. DARLING 2,153,039

SEALING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1956 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 ,MUNI

1N VENTOR.

/w' ATTORNEY.

Patented pr. 4, 1939 UNITED lSTATES SEALING MACHINE.

Frank L. Darling, Paterson, N. J., assignor to Anchor Cap & Closure Corporation, Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 20, 1936, Serial No. 86,383

24 Claims. (Cl. 226-84) The present invention relates to the sealing art and more particularly to a machine for sealing closure caps to containers.

In sealing closure caps to containers it is desirable that the sealing machines be operated rapidly and seal a large number of containers a minute. The objection to most machines is that they are operated intermittently, that is, containers are presented singly to a capping device,

m are stopped, sealed and thereafter moved away from the sealing station. Machines have been devised to operate continuously with closure caps 'which are sealed by pressing the caps on the containers. Such machines have used a continuously moving conveyor for presenting the con- Such machines are large, cumbersome, expensive and not satisfactory, since they take up considerable space and are not adapted to work well with filling machines and conveyors.

The present invention aims to overcome or minimize the above difliculties by simplifying the sealing machinery for applying caps to containers and by increasing the speed of operation thereof. Ve present invention accomplishes this, in part, by sealing a container while it moves continuously on a conveyor, and, in part, by

f sealing groups of containers simultaneously while they move continuously on a conveyor. The present invention is particularly vapplicable to closures which require substantial sealing pressure or which must be reformed during the sealing operation to provide a secure seal.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple,`V inexpensive sealing machine adapted to seal containers more eiciently.

Another object of the invention is to increase the speed of sealing caps to containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sealing machine adapted to seal a group of containers simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sealing machine adapted to seal containers without stopping the movement of the containers as they are delivered to the sealing station.

Another object of the invention is to provide a continuously operated sealing machine adapted PATENT OFFICE to reform the skirts of the caps as they are sealed upon containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sealing machine which may readily be adjusted to accommodate caps and containers of different 5 sizes.

Anothervobject of the invention is to provide a sealing machine wherein the sealing heads or chucks are pneumatically operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a 10 sealing machine'having a pneumatically operated mechanism controlled by automaticl devices for rendering the mechanism effective at predeter mined intervals.

A further object of the invention is to provide 15 a device for feeding and spacing a group of containers with respect to the sealing mechanism.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will 20 be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice. I

A preferred embodiment of the invention has 25 been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein y Fig. 1 is a4 side elevational view, partly in sec- 30 tion, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view illustrating a device for feeding containers to the sealing machine;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the linev 35 3-3 on Fig. 1 of the sealing mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view taken along the line 4 4 on Fig. 3; v

Fig. 5is a sectional view of a sealing chuck and a valve for operating the sealing chuck at pre- 40 determined intervals;

. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the sealing chuck valve, illustrating the valve in neu-, tralposition A at the start of a cycle, in position to move a chuck down at B, in position to move the chuck up at C, and in neutral 'position D at the end of a cycle;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view taken along the line 'l-l on Fig. 6; 50

Fig. 8 is an end elevational View of the sealing machine;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a cam for reciprocating the sealing mechanism carriage taken along line 9,-9 on Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the sealing mechanism.

Described generally, the present machine comprises a base or frame upon which the various parts are mounted having a table or runway for a conveyor adapted to continuously move ccntainers from one end of the table to the other. A sealing mechanism with one or more chucks is mounted on a reciprocating carriage above the conveyor and is adapted to move in the same direction and at the same rate of speed as the containers on the conveyor. Suitable automatic devices for rendering the sealing mechanism effective at desired intervals are associated with the carriage. An infeed spider or the like may be utilized for properly spacing the containers on the conveyor with respect to the sealing chucks. A suitable drive mechanism is provided for operating the conveyor, the carriage for the sealing mechanism, and the infeed mechanism.

Referring again to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1, 3 and 8 there is shown a machine having a substantially rectangular base or frame I with upright members 3 adapted to serve as legs which may be bolted to the floor or other suitable foundation and bracing members 4 at each side of the frame secured to the upright members. Other suitable bracing members may be connected to the upright members to provide a rigid frame construction.` A pair of bars or plates are attached to the frame and are spaced apart to provide a longitudinally extending table or runway for a conveyor 6 adapted to move containers from one end of the table to the other. Preferably, the bars extend outwardly beyond both ends of the frame to provide a station at one end for placing the containers on the conveyor and a station at the other end for removingthe 'containers from the conveyor. A suitable angle iron or flanged member Tis attached to each side of the frame to provide a support for the conveyor (Fig. 3).

The conveyor may comprise Ia pair of endless chains 9I mounted on suitable sprockets I0 connected to rotatable shafts II and I2 supported by the plates 5 at the respective ends of the runway. The chains 9 are spaced apart and extend over the flange members'I at the respective sides of the runway to provide a channel for the containers. The chains are connected to each other by transversely extending bars I3 adapted to engage the containers to move them along the runway. Preferably, the bars are spaced longitudinally with respect to each other and are adapted to place a container under each sealing chuck simultaneously. 'In order to operate the conveyor, the sprocket shaft II is provided with a gear I4 (Fig. 8) driven by a gear I5 which, in

turn, is driven by a gear I6 mounted on a shaft i II driven by a suitable source of power. A crank I9 may be attached to the shaft II for rotating the shaft to operate the machine manually. A belt 20 may be provided beneath the chains 9 for supporting the containers while being Imoved along the runway which may extend along the edges of the horizontal flanges of the.

angle irons 1 to prevent sidewise movement. The

belt is mounted on a pair of idling rollers 2i rotatably supported by shafts 22 extending through the side plates 5. Ihe belt normally is stationary, but is adapted to be moved with the conveyor while the caps are sealed to the container, as Awill be described hereinafter. Suitable guide bars 24 may be attached to the frame 75 at each side of the runway for guiding and cenlprovided with suitable guide members 23 for guiding the containers to the runway. The guide members 26 are provided with lugs 21 having slots 28 therein for receiving suitable bolts 29 having nuts 30 threaded thereto for attaching the guide members 25 to the platform. The slots 28 preferably are relatively longr to facilitate adjusting the position of the guide members to accommodate containers of any suitable diameter. At or near the ends of the guide members 26, adjacent to the conveyor, a latch member or finger 3l is pivotally mounted on the platform which is provided with a projecting portion 32 adapted to extend into the path of the containers and retain the foremost container until one of the bar members I3 has moved past the infeed platform. The nger 3l is normally held in the path of the container by a spring 3ft but is adapted torbe moved out of retaining position by a plurality of projections 35 on a rotattatable disc 39. v'I'he discs 36 and 39 are mounted on a rotatable shaft 40 and are circumferentially adjustable with respect to each other, so that the projections 35 release the retaining latch prior to the time the transfer arms 3l engage a container. The shaft lil is rotated by the rotating conveyor shaft i2 throughthe intermediation of a gear il meshing with a gear 32 driven by a sprocket gear M connected by a chain d5 to a sprocket gear 46 on the rotating conveyor shaft I2.

As the containers are delivered by the conveyor, they pass beneath the frame I which supports a longitudinally reciprocating frame or vcarriage 50 for mounting the sealing mechanism.

The carriage 50 comprises a substantially rectangular member 5I for supporting the sealing mechanism provided with rollers 52 adapted-to ride on a track such as bars or rods 54 connected to the upright frame members 3 at each side of the machine (Figs. 1 and 3). D ownwardly extending uprights 55 are secured to the supporting member 5l and carry an anvil device 56 preferably constructed of suitable plates and bracing members (Figs. 3 and 4) adapted to extend beneath the container supporting belt 2l) and serve as a supporting anvil while the caps are being applied to the containers. ably is provided with rollers 5l riding beneath suitable rods or bars 59 connected to the frame of the machine. By mounting the upper rollers 52 above the rods 54 and the lower rollers 5l below the rods 59, the carriage 5t cannot move up or down while being reciprocated with respect to the frame. Preferably, the rollers have a recess intheir outer periphery such as an shown herein or have a projection corresponding to the groove in the roller for preventing sidewise movement of the carriage.

Any suitable mechanism may be utilized for reciprocating. the carriage, but preferably a roller 65 is mounted at oneside of the anvil and extends through a slot 60m an oscillating arm 61 pivotally mounted on the frame at 60. The slot 66 is elongated to compensate for lost motion so that angular oscillating motion of the arm 61 imparts linear motion to the carriage 50. The arm-61 may be oscillated by a connecting rod 10 'attached thereto at 1| which is reciprocated by a suitable 'device such as a cam mechanism (Figs. 1 and 9 adapted to move the carriage 50 through a portionv of its travel in the same direction and at the samel rate of speed as the conveyor, while the sealing mechanism is sealing the caps to the containers' and to move the connecting rod in the opposite direction to return th'e carriage lto its initial posi- `tion after the sealing operation. The connecting rod is slidably mounted on the shaft I1 by means of .a suitable longitudinal'slot 15 formed in the connecting rod. i

The sealing mechanism (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) preferably comprises one or more capping heads 80,

here illustrated as three, which are supported by A. a suitable member 8| attached to the uprightsv 55.

of the carriage by bolts 82 extending through slots 84 in the uprights. Suitable nuts 83 are threaded to the bolts and are adapted to be loosened to slide the supportingmember 8| upwardly or downwardly with respect to the uprights to adjust the height of the sealing heads. The nuts may be tightened thereafter to hold the sealing head supporting member in its adjusted position. In order to facilitate raising and lowering the sealing head supporting member 8|, suitable threaded rods 85 are connected thereto at 86 and extend upwardly through threaded collars 81 rotatably mounted on the top member 5| of the carriage. The collars are adapted to be rotated by a shaft 89 extending longitudinally along the carriage having worm.

gears 90 thereon for rotating suitable pinion gears 8| attached to the collars 81. Theshaft 89 may be rotated by a handwheel or crank in either direction to raise or lower the heads into a desired position. The threaded rods 85 'se'rve as supporting members while the nuts are loosened, whereby the sealing head isheld in adjusted position until the nuts are tightened. The threaded rods 85 are operated simultaneously and maintain the sealing heads 'in level position while being raised or lowered. i

The sealing heads are secured to the supporting member in any suitable manner and are spaced apart approximately the same distance as adjacent container engaging bars I3 on the conveyor chains. In this manner, a container is presented simultaneously to each of the sealing heads and is properly centered with respect to the sealing heads. v

Referring more Vparticularly to Fig. 5 one of the sealing heads is illustrated in detail. Since all of rings or packing 91. Each piston .preferably has an integral downwardly depending sleeve |00 which extends through the bottom of the cylinder and is threaded at its lower end for attaching a suitable cap crimping chuck |0|. The chucks may comprise a cylindrical skirt |02 having a. flared or tapered annular portion |04 at `the inner lower edge thereof for crimping lor constricting the skirt of a cap radially inwardly to seal the cap on a container. A suitable anvil |05 for pressing the caps downwardly on the containers while the crimping chuck is effective is mounted on a rod |00 slidably retained in the sleeve |00 byan en larged portion-|01 at the upper end adapted to seat on a shoulder'l09 at the upper end of the piston sleeve. If the chuck should accidentally lift a cap from the container, the cap will be ejected from the sealing head, because upon upward movement of the piston the rod |06 engages the top wall of the cylinder and is held stationary while the s kirt portion of the chuck moves' upwardly with respect to the piston sleeve to eject the cap from the chuck'(Fig. 5). f While thel prescntmachine 'is particularly adapted to seal crimped caps, it will, of course, be understood that othe types of caps may be sealed by substituting pressed air to the top of the cylinder to move the piston downwardly`and an inlet at the bottom of the cylinder for admitting air to move the piston upwardly. Preferably, the inlets |0 of the respective cylinders are connected to a compressed air conduit ||2 which is connectedto a valve I5. Y By utilizing a single valve and connecting all the cylinders thereto, the sealing chucks are adapted to be operated simultaneously.

The valve ||5 (Figs. 5 and 6) preferably comprises a circular base ||1 mounted on the `sealing head supporting member 5| having apertures ||9 and v|20 extending therethrough which are in communication with the conduits 2 and IIG respectively, and a threaded aperture |2| which is in communication with the atmosphere for exhausting pressure on either side of the pistons. A cylindrical casing |22 is threaded to the base I1 and a cover member |23 having a bushing |24 provided with a packing |25 is threaded to the upper end of the casing; If desired, a cap |21 may be threaded tothe bushing to retain the packing in position. Compressed air is supplied to the valve by a conduit |26connected to the.

cover member |23.

In order to control the flow of air to the apertures ||9 and |20 and to place the apertures in communication with the exhaust aperture |2I, a

circular disc |30 is rotatably seated on the upper face of the base member ||1 within the casing |22. The disc |30 has an aperture |3| (Fig. 6)

at the top thereof through which pressure is adapted to pass from the conduit |26 during the operation of the machine and has a circular slot or'groove 32 at the underside thereof in com-v munication with .the aperture |3| adapted to register with the apertures ||9 and |20 alternately (Fig. .6, B andC). Preferably. the slot |32 is formed in the disc so that it may be placed between the. apertures H9 and |20 (Fig. 6, A and D). When in this position neither of the apertures ||9 and |20 is in communication with air pressure and pressure is shut off to hold the pistons 96 stationary. In order to open the lower end of the cylinder Vto atmosphere while pressure is effective at the upper side, and vice versa,

`a circular slot or groove |35 is provided at the underside of the disc |30 adapted to connect the aperture |20 with exhaust aperture |2| (Fig. 6, B) and to connect aperture I9 with the exhaust aperture |2| (Fig. 6, C) alternately at desired intervals. The disc |30 is adapted to be rotated by a shaft |39 extending through the bushing |24 and having a key- |31 at the lower end adapted to fit into a key slot |36 formed in the disc. The shaft has an arbor portion at its upper end for mounting an operating arm |40 which is held in place by a nut |4| threaded to the upper end of the shaft The arm |40 is adapted to be turned to operate the valveby contact projections such as dogs |42 and |44 (Fig. 6) attached to the top frame members 4. Preferably thedog |42 is on the front side of the machine (Figs. 1 and 6) substantially at the end where the containers are fed by the conveyor, while the dog |44 is mounted on the back of the machine further away from the feed end of the frame. When the sealing head carriage is moved in the same direction as the conveyor, the dog |42 engages one end of the arm and turns it to operate the valve to admit air to the top of the sealing head cylinders, which causes downward movement of the sealing chucks. Upon further movement. of the carriage the dog |44 engages the other end of the arm and turns it to operate the valve to admit air to the bottom 0f"the sealing head cylinders which cause the sealing chucks to be raised upwardly. A third dog |45 is bolted to one of the frame members 4 at the end of the frame where the containers leave the machine, which turns the arm to place the valve in neutral position (Fig. 6, A and D) so that compressed air is shut olf and the sealing head pistons are held stationary. v

In Fig. 'Z-one of the valve arm operating dogs is shown in detail, together with the arm |40, the latter being shown in section. Since both j dogs |42 and |44 are substantially similar, only One need be described in detail. The dogs preferably comprise a pivotally mounted latch member or finger |46 having a projection |41 at its free end adapted to engage the side portion |49 of the arm |40. The nger is pivoted at |50 on a bracket member |5| and is held in position by a at spring member |52 bolted to the bracket. In order that the arm be turned to operate the valvel only when the sealing head carriage is moved in the direction with the containers and not be turned when moved in the opposite direction,'the finger is provided with a cam face |54 adapted to be engaged by a cam surface |55 on the arm- |40to move the linger or latch member downwardly in opposition to the spring |52. In this manner, the arm |40 is forced over the latch members and is not rotated to operate the valve while the sealing head carriage is moved back into its initial position. The brackets I5| for mounting the dogs |42 and |44 may be attached to the frame members 4 by bolts |53 at any suitable position with respect to the end of the frame to operate the valve at desired'intervals. In this manner the position of the dogs with respect to each other and the end of the frame may be adjusted to vary the sealing chuck operating cycle.

The valve 5 and the sealing chuck cylinder 95 preferably are lubricated by attaching an oil cup |56 to the compressed air conduit |26 (Fig. l). Oil is permitted to drip slowly into the conduit |26 and is forced into the valve and cylinders by the compressed air. Excess oil is prevented from being sprayed through the exhaust port |2| and on the containers by la conduit |51 (Fig. 3) attached to the exhaust port |2| and extending to the bottom of the machine (Fig. 1). 'I'he outlet end of the conduit |51 may be provided with a perforated baille member |59 adapted to prevent spraying of oil when pressure is released from the cylinders.

The machine illustrated and described herein may be driven by any suitable source of power, but preferably a motor |60 (Fig. 1) is mounted at the bottom of the frame. The motor may be connected to a speed reduction gear |6| or the like adapted to rotate a sprocket gear |62 on the shaft |1 by means of a chain |64. 'Ihe gear |62 rotates the shaft |1 to operate the cam 12 and to rotate the conveyor operating gears which, in turn, operate the container feeding device. The drive means may be concealed within the frame by suitableplates |65 removably attached to the lower end of the upright frame member 3 and the runway member 5.

To operate the machine the container feeding guides are adjusted to accommodate the containers to be sealed and the longitudinally extending container guides 23 are adjusted to center the containers with respect to the sealing heads. The height of the sealing head support is adjusted, so that the chucks are in proper position to apply the caps to the containers, by rotating the rod 89 to rotate the screw members 85. Thereafter, the conveyor chain is adjusted to position the bars I3 with respect to the sealing chucks so that containers will be directly beneath the chucks when the sealing head carriage is at the sealing station. 'This may be do-ne by disconnecting the chain sprockets |0 from the shaft and rotating the sprockets manually until the containers are under the sealing heads while the sealing chucks are effective. The infeed spider is then adjusted to feed-a container from the infeed platform just before one of the conveyor bars moves upwardly behind the container. Thereafter the sprockets are secured to the shaft to facilitate rotation thereof when the machine is operated. After these preliminary adjustments have been made the machine may be operated manually by turning the handle I9 to see that all the parts move freely and that the sealing chucks and containdetermine whether or no-t the cylinders and chucks operate properly. If necessary, the contact dogs |42 and |44 may be adjusted on the frame members 4 to operate the valve at correct intervals. 'Ihe machine may now be started by starting the motor which causes the infeed spider to feed containers to the conveyor, the conveyor to move containers continuously under the sealing frame, and the sealing frame or carriage to move with the containers while the sealing chucks are operated by air pressure.

The operation of the sealing chucks during the sealing cycle is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 10. First, the carriage is moved to the right hand end of the frame (Fig. 10) while the valve is in neutral position (Fig. 6A) and a group of containers having caps loosely carriage now is moved by the cam 12 and connecting means in the same direction and at the same rate of speed as the conveyor, while the valve arm |40 engages the dog |42 (Fig. 6B) to operate the valve to admit air to the upper ends of the cylinders whereby the chucks move downwardly simultaneously and seal the caps to the containers (Fig. in dotted lines and Fig. 10). As the carriage continues to move with the containers, the other end of the. valve arm |40 engages the dog |44 (Fig. 6C) to operate the valve to open the upper end of the cylinders to atmosphere by means of the exhaust port and to admit air to the lower` ends of the cylinders whereby the chucks move upwardly simultaneously out of engagement with the caps (Fig. in dotted lines). The conveyor then continues to move the sealed containers to the delivery end of the machine where they are removed while the sealing head carriage stops as it reaches the end of the frame. At this point the valve arm engages the contact projection |45 and turns the valve into neutral position (Fig. 6D). The cam 12 thereafter is eiective to move the carriage towards the other end of the frame until it is back in starting position for the succeeding cycle of operation. During the return of the sealing head carriage, a succeeding group of containers is delivered by the conveyor. While the carriage is being moved back into starting position, the valve arm |40 remains in neutral position and is forced over the resiliently mounted latches of the dogs. The supporting anvil 56 beneath the belt moves with the sealing chucks to provide a rigid support for the containers during the sealing operation. The containers while being sealed are forced downwardly on the belt which causes the belt to be pressed against the anvil and move with the containers and the anvil. The belt preferably is made of leather or the like and is adapted to act as a cushion for the containers when they are pressed downwardly on the anvil.

While the sealing machine is described as being air operated, it will be understood that the sealthe sealing chucks may be moved downwardly by air pressure and moved upwardly by spring means or vice versa. Various other changes may be made within the scope of the invention.

It will be seen that the present invention pro-i vides a simple eicient machine for sealing containers moving continuously beneath the machine in a straight line. The sealingchucks are effectve while moved with the containers, 'whereby the containers need not be stopped individually at the sealing station. Also complicated devices for operating the machine intermittently are eliminated. The continuous movement of the containers increases the speed of the machine and enables the machine to be connected directly with a suitable filling machine. By sealing a group of containers simultaneously, the sealing capacity of the machine .is further increased without operating the machine at an excessive rate of speed. The machine may be readily adjusted for containers of various sizes and shapes and the sealing chucks may be interchanged to accommodate various sizes of caps. The machine is rugged in construction and can readily withstand any rough usage to which it may be subjected.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and v.scope of the invention and without sacrificing any oi' its advantages, it is to be understood that all matterherein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a sealing machine, the combination of a conveyor for moving a group of containers beneath a sealing mechanism, a sealing mechanism having a plurality oi sealing chucks for simultaneously sealing the group of containers, means for moving the sealing mechanism at the same lrate of speed and in the same direction as the group of containers, a normally stationary endless belt beneath said conveyor for supporting the containers and. means for 'rotatably mounting said belt to permit movement of said belt with said containers while said sealing mechanismis sealing the containers and. is moving with the containers.

v2. In a sealing machine, the combination of Vmeans for moving a container in a straight line under a sealing mechanism, a reciprocable sealing mechanism having a pneumatically operated sealing chuck for sealing a cap to the container, means for moving said sealing mechanism in the same direction and at the same speed as the container to move said chuck in vertical alignment with the container, andmeans responsive to the movement of said sealing mechanism adapted to cause said chuck to be operated.

3. In a 'sealing machine, the combination of means for moving a group of containers in a lineal direction, a sealing mechanism having a group of pneumatically operated sealing chucks for simultaneously sealing caps to the containers, means for moving the sealing mechanism at the same rate of speed and in the same direction as the group of containers to bring said chucks in vertical alignment with the containers and for returning the sealing mechanism to its initial position, and valve means operated during the movement of said sealing mechanism for periodically rendering the chucks eective to seal caps to the containers. 4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a conveyor adapted to deliver containers to a sealing mechanism, a support for a sealing mechanism periodically movable with said conveyor, a pneumatic cylinder mounted on said support, a'piston in said cylinder, a capping chuck operatively connected to said piston, a valve adapted to admit air to the upper end of said cylinder to move said piston `and chuck downwardly and adapted to admit air to the lower end of said cylinder to move said chuck and piston upwardly, and means for operating said valve at predetermined intervals.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of aconveyor adapted todeliver a group of containers to a sealing mechanism, a slidable support for a sealing mechanism, means for periodically moving said support with said conveyor, a group of air cylinders, a piston in each of said cylinders having acapping chuck connected thereto, a valve adapted to simultaneously admit air to the upper end of each of said cylinders to move said pistons and chucks downwardly and adapted to simultaneously admit air to the lower end of each of said cylinder to move said chuck and piston upwardly, and means for operating said valve at predetermined intervals.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a conveyor for delivering containers to a sealing mechanism, an air-operated cylinder above said conveyor having a piston therein and a sealing chuck operatively connected to said piston for applying caps to the container, means for periodically moving said cylinder in the same direction and at the. same rate of speed as the containers are moved by the conveyor and for returning said cylinder to its initial position, a valve movable with said cylinder for admitting air to ythe upper end of said cylinder to move said pistonv and chuck downwardly to seal a cap and for admitting air to the lower end of said cylinder to move said piston and chuck upwardly, an arm carried by said valve for operating said valve, a stationary member adapted to move said arm and cause said valve to admit air to the upper end of said cylinder when said valve arm is moved into contact with said stationary member, and a second stationary member adapted to move said arm and cause said valve to admit air to the lower `end of said cylinder when said valve arm is moved into contact therewith.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a conveyor' for delivering containers to a sealing mechanism, an air operated cylinder above said conveyor having a piston therein, a

sealing chuck operatively connected to said piston for applying caps to the container, means for periodically movingA said cylinder in the same direction and at the same rate of speed as the containers are moved by the conveyor and for returning said cylinder to its initial position, a valve movable with said cylinder for admitting air to the upper end of. said cylinder to move said piston and chuck downwardly to seal a cap and for admitting air to the lower` end of said cylinder to move said piston and chuck upwardly, said valve havinga conduit therein for opening the lower end of said cylinder to atmosphere while air is admitted to the upper end and for opening the upper end whenair is admitted to the lower end, an arm for operatingl said valve carried by said valve, a stationary member adapted toengage and move said arm and cause said valve to admit air to the upper end of said cylinder when said cylinder is moved into a predetermined position, and a second stationary member adapted to move said arm and cause said valve to admit air to the lower end of said cylinder when said cylinder is moved into a second predetermined position.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a conveyor for delivering containers Kto a sealing mechanism, an air operated cylinder above said conveyor having a piston therein anda sealing chuck operatively connected to said piston for applying caps to the container,

.means for periodically moving said cylinder in the same direction and at substantially the same rate of speed as the containers are moved by the conveyor and for returning said cylinder to its initial position, a valve movable with said cylinder for admitting air to the upper end of said cylinder to move said piston and chuck downwardly to seal a cap and for admitting air to the lower end of said cylinder to move said piston and chuck upwardly, said valve having a conduit therein for opening the lower end of said cylinder to atmosphere while air is admitted to the upper end and for opening the upper end while air is admitted to the lower end, an arm carried by said valve for operating said valve, a stationary member adapted to engage and move said arm and cause said valve to admit air to the upper end of said cylinder when said cylinderis moved into a predetermined position, a second stationary .member adapted to engage land move said arm and cause said valve to admit air to the lower end of said cylinder when said cylinder is moved into a second predetermined position, and a third stationary member adapted to engage said arm' after the connected to each piston, means for moving said cylinders in the same direction and at the same 'rate of speed as said containers to periodically cause each cylinder to move in vertical alignment with one of the containers, a valve for causing the pistons and chucks to move at desired intervals, means for operating said valve to admit air to said cylinders to move said chucks downwardly, and means for operating said valve to admit air to said cylinder to move said chucks upwardly.

10. In a device ofI the class described, the combination of a conveyor for delivering a group of containers to a sealing mechanism, a group of air cylinders above said conveyor each having a piston therein adapted to move upwardly and downwardly and a capping chuck operatively connected to each piston, means for moving said cylinders in the same direction and at the same rate of speed as said containers to periodically cause each cylinder to move in vertical alignment with one of the containers, a valve for causing the pistons and chucks to simultaneously move upwardly and downwardly at desired intervals, means for operating said valve to admit air to said cylinder to move said chucks downwardly, and means for operating saidvalve to admit air to said cylinder to move said chucks upwardly, said means for operating said valve being adjustable to determine when said chucks are moved upwardly and downwardly.

11. In a sealing machine, a frame, a sealing mechanism slidably mounted.` on said frame having an air cylinder for actuating a capping chuck in combination with a valve mounted on saidsealing mechanism for operating said cylinder comprising a cylindrical casing provided with an upstanding wall and a base having a conduit for admitting air to the upper end of said cylinder, a second conduit for admitting air to the lower end of said cylinder, and a third conduit for opening the valve to atmosphere, a disc member seated on said base member having a groove therein adapted to register with the conduits of said base member, an aperture in communication with said groove for admitting air to said cylinder conduits, a cover member for said valve casing, and means rotatably mounted in said cover member for rotating said ldisc to operate said valve said frame having stationary means for engaging said last means to effect rotation thereof.

12. In a device of the class described, the comy rollers,

against upward movement, a sealing mechanism supported by said carriage, and means for reciprocating said carriage.

13. In a device of thel class described, the combination of a base for a sealing machine, a pair of parallel rods connected to said base, a carriage Ihaving rollers thereon adapted to ride on said rods to movably mount said carriage on said base, a sealing mechanism supported by Said carriage. an anvil beneath said sealing mechanism connected to said carriage for supporting containers to be sealed, and means for reciprocating said carriage. y

14. In a device of the class described, the combination oi. a base for a sealing machine, a pair of parallel rods connected to said base, a carriage having rollers thereon adapted to ride on said rods to movably mount said carriage on said base, a sealing mechanism supported by said carriage, a sealing anvil connected to and movable with said carriage and said sealing mechanism, means for reciprocating said carriage on said rods, and a conveyor for delivering containers beneath said sealing mechanism.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base for a sealing machine, a pair of parallel rods connected to said base, a carriage having rollers thereon adapted to ride on said rods to movably mount said carriage on said base, a sealing mechanism supported by said carriage, a sealing anvil connected to and movable with said carriage and said sealing mechanism, means :for reciprocating said carriage on said rods, a conveyor above said anvil for delivering containers beneath said sealing mechanism', and means for delivering containers to said conveyor.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination oi a belt mounted on a pair ci idling v rollers, a conveyor comprising a pair of chains lhaving' container engaging bars connecting the vrespective chains, a sealing mechanism above said conveyor, and a container supporting anvil beneath said belt. y I

17. In a device of the class described, the com-I bination of a belt mounted on a pair of idling a conveyor for delivering containers on said belt, a sealing mechanism above said conveyor adapted to move with `said conveyor at predetermined intervals, anvil beneath said belt, said sealing mechanism and supporting anvil with said conveyor while said sealing mechanism is eliective to seal a cap on a container.

18. In a sealing machine, the combination of a conveyor for moving a container in a straight line, a movable carriage adapted to be reciprocated, a sealing mechanism supported by said carriage for sealing a cap to the container, means for moving said carriage and sealing mechanism in a horizontal plane and in the same direction and at the same speed as the container while said sealing head is eiective, and supporting means beneath said conveyor connected to said carriage and movable with `said sealing mechanism a container supporting 19. In a sealing machine, the combination oi' means for moving containers in lineally spaced relation under a sealing mechanism, a sealing mechanism having a plurality of pneumatically i operated sealing chucks for sealing caps to the containers, means for periodically reciprocating said sealing mechanism in a horizontal plane and in the same direction and at the same speed as the containers to move said chucks into verand means for moving tical alignment with the containers, and means operated by movement of said sealing mechanism to render said sealing mechanism eiective to seal the caps to the containers while said chucks are in alignment with the containers.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination of a conveyor adapted to deliver containers to a sealing mechanism, a ybelt beneathl said conveyor for supporting the containers,a support for a sealing mechanisml periodically movable with said conveyor, a pneumatic cylinder mounted on said support, a piston in said cylinder, a capping chuck operatively connected Ato said piston, a valve adapted to admit air to the upper end of said cylinder to move said piston and chuck downwardly and adapted to admit air to the lower end of said `cylinder to move said chuck and piston upwardly, and means for operating said valve at predetermined-ina tervals.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination of a conveyor adapted to deliver containers to a sealing mechanism, a support for a sealing mechanism periodically movable with said conveyor, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted on said support, a piston in said cylinder. a capping chuck operatively connected to said piston, a valve adapted to admit iiuid pressure to the upper end of said cylinder to move said piston and chuck downwardly and adapted to admit uid pressure to the lower end of said cylinder to move said chuck and. piston upwardly, means for operating said valve at predetermined intervals, and an anvil member connected to said support and movable therewith adapted to support the containers while. said capping chuck is moved downwardly.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame for a sealing machine, a conveyor adapted to deliver containers to a sealing mechanism, a support for a sealing mechanism slidably mounted on said frame and periodically movable with said conveyor, a capping chuck, pneumatic means for moving said chuck downwardly and upwardly, a valve adapted to admit air to said pneumatic means at predetermined intervals, and means on said frame for operating said valve in response to the movement of said support. e

23. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame for a sealing machine, a conveyor adapted to deliver containers. to a sealing mechanism, a support for a sealing mechanism slidably mounted on said frame and periodically movable with said conveyor, capping means on said support, pneumatic means for moving said capping means downwardly and upwardly, a valve on said support adapted to admit air to said pneumatic means at predetermined'intervals. and means adjustably mounted on said frame for operating said valve in respbnse to the movement of said support to determine the intervals at which said valve is operated.

24. In a sealing machine, the combination of a support, a conveyor for moving a group of containers in a straight line over said support, va sealing mechanism having a plurality of sealing chucks for simultaneously sealing the group of containers, and reciprocating means for moving

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