US2191227A

US2191227A - Bottle washing machine

Info

Publication number: US2191227A
Application number: US237872A
Authority: US
Inventors: John R Dostal
Original assignee: STURDY BILT EQUIPMENT CORP
Current assignee: STURDY BILT EQUIPMENT CORP; STURDY-BILT EQUIPMENT Corp
Priority date: 1938-10-31
Filing date: 1938-10-31
Publication date: 1940-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 1957-02-20

Description

Feb. 20, 1940. J. R. DOSTAL BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 31, 1938 Feb. 20, 1940.

s Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 31. 1938 Feb. 20, 1940.

J. R. D OSTAL BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 31, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I sf 111F475 r al,

Patented Feb. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE John R. Dostal, Milwaukee, Wis.,

Sturdy-Bilt waukee, Wis.

Equipment Corporation,

assignmto Mil- Application October 31, 1938, Serial No. 237,872

3 Claims.

This invention pertains to bottle washing machines, and more particularlyto a mechanism for removing inverted bottles from the conveyor racks and delivering the same to any subsequent handling apparatus.

The invention has primarily for its object to provide a comparatively simple, eflicient, and inexpensive mechanism for removing the inverted bottles from the conveyor racks of the conventional bottle washing machine, and delivering the same in upright position, regardless of the usual variations in shape and size.

Incidental to the foregoing, a more specific object resides in the provision of a delivery mechanism for washing machines, including means for raising the inverted bottles out of their racks or holders, and causing the same to tilt in one direction through gravity upon a transfer table, which in turn deposits the bottles right side up upon a delivery conveyor.

A further object resides in'the provision of a shiftable and pivotal transfer table, which not only deposits the bottles in upright position upon the delivery conveyor, through the action of gravity, but also prevents jarring and breakage of the bottles, in that the same are gradually and gently placed upon the conveyor through the pivotal action of the table on its shiftable support.

A more detailed object resides in the novel construction of the plungers for ejecting or removing the bottles from the conveyor racks, whereby they are caused to tilt in one direction by gravity when the necks are released.

With the above and other, objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a conventional washing machine, with the present invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a detailed section taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 3, illustrating the manner of delivering the bottles to the transfer table.

Figure 3 is a iragmentary plan view of a pordesignates the custbmary tank tion of a bottle washing machine embodying the present invention.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail similar to Figure 2, and illustrating the manner in which the bottles are deposited upon the delivery conveyor.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a detailed section taken on the line 66 of Figure 3, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective 01 one of the plunger heads.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, one type of bottle washing machine has been illustrated, which forms the subject matter of another application. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is equally applicable to numerous conventional washing machines, in that they embody several characteristics in common, namely, an endless bottle conveyor comprising a plurality of racks pivotally connected together, and provided with spaced heads or pockets for the reception of bottles in inverted position, the heads having vertical openings therethrough to allow cleansing fluid to be sprayed into the bottles by stationary nozzles, as the racks travel over the nozzles.

That portion of the bottle machine illustrated constitutes the discharge end where the bottles are removed after the same have passed through the machine and have been subjected to the various cleansing operations. The numeral I for receiving the usual cleansing fluid, and mounted therein, in any suitable manner, is an endless track 2, upon which the bottle conveyor 3 is mounted for intermittent movement in one continuous direction. The conveyor 3 comprises a plurality of transverse racks 4 pivotally connected at their inner ends, and provided at their outer ends with supporting rollers 5 which ride upon the outer rails of the track 2. Each rack is provided with a plurality of hollow heads or sockets 6 for reception of the necks of the bottles in inverted position. Inasmuch as the means for intermittently feeding the conveyor forms no part of the present invention, and is well known to those skilled in the art, it is considered unnecessary to describe the same.

At any suitable point in the machine, whereit is desired to remove the bottles, following the washing operations, a plurality of plungers I are slidably journalled in a bracket 8 secured to the bottom of the tank I, it being understood that the plungers are arranged in transverse alinement with the openings in the heads 8 of the conveyor racks. The plungers 1, which project through the bottom of the bracket 8 in the tank I, are carried by a transverse head 8, which simultaneously elevates and lowers the plungers when the alined rack is at rest between its intermittent movement. I

As best shown in Figure 'I, the heads of the plungers I are provided with a projecting nib III, which extends into the mouth of the bottle to aline the same on the plunger, which is cut away on one side at II. Thus, as the plungers are elevated, and the necks of the bottles released from the heads 8, the bottles, through the action of gravity, will tilt in the direction of the cut-awa portion, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2, there being no support for that side of the head of the bottle because of the cut-out portion.

Positioned adjacent the plungers I is a transfer mechanism, generally designated by the numeral l2, and comprising a support I8 pivotally connected to a frame II, which is suitably mounted on the casing I, and also carries a delivery conveyor to be hereinafter described. Pivotally connected to the outer end of the support It, and normally resting thereon, as best shown m Figure 3, is a transfer table I! provided with a plurality of v-troughs I8 podtioned in longitudinal alinement with the bottle-receiving heads 6 of the conveyor rack. The inner faces of the troughs it are preferably lined with rubber, or other suitable cushioning pads If, for receiving the bottles from the plungers 1, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2.

Considering now the operation of the plungers I, and the transfer mechanism, it will be understood that the-same are coordinated with the intermittent movement of the conveyor 8,. being actuated from the same source, comprising a motor-driven shaft I8 journalled in a suitable bracket I9 secured to the bottom of the casing I. As best shown in Figures 1 and 5, a transverse shaft 20 is operatively connected with the shaft I8 through the bevel gears 2|. Mounted on the shaft 28 is a cam 22, provided with a single cam track 28, which actuates both the plunger and transfer mechanism, as will be later described in detail. In connection with the operation of the plungers 1, a shaft 24 is journalled in the bracket 25 secured to the bottom of the tank I, adjacent the cam 22. Mounted on one end of the shaft 24 is a depending arm 2', while the opposite end of the shaft carries the lateral arm 21, which in turn is provided with a roller 28 projecting into the cam parting oscillatory movement to the depending arm 26.

Adjacent the plunger head 8 a depending bracket 28 is fastened to the bottom of the tank I, and has a shaft 30 journalied therein. Secured to one end of the shaft 88 is a lever 8|, one end of which is connected with the plunger head 8 by the links 32, while the opposite end carries a counter-balance weight 88. An arm 88,

, mounted on the shaft 88, and connected to the arm 28 by a connecting rod 88, oscillates the shaft 30, which in turn reciprocates the plugers I.

Actuation of the transfer mechanism I2 is attained in like manner by the cam 22, the pivotal rocker arm 88 being provided with a roller 81 engaged in the cam track 28. The rocker arm 88 is further connected with the rod 88 which in turn is connected with an arm "secured on track 23, tlllls im-.

the transverse shaft 48, journalled in a depending bracket II fastened to the bottom of the tank I. The shaft 40 also has secured thereto an arm 42 connected by asuitably adjustable .link 48 with an arm 84 carried by the support I8. Obviously, oscillation of the rocker arm 36, through the connections thus described, will impart oscillatory movement to the pivotal support I8, and inasmuch as the roller 28 is positioned ahead of the roller 81 in the cam track 28, actuation of the transfer mechanism is subsequent to that of the plungers I.

To assist in the operation of the transfer mechanism, one of the pintles l8, pivotally connecting the support I8 on the frame I4, is provided with a counter-balance weight 48.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be quite apparent that elevation of the plungers I will eject the necks of the bottles from the heads 8 of the conveyor rack, and, as the necks are released, gravity will cause the bottles to tilt and be deposited upon the transfer table I5, in the manner illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 2. The support If is then elevated on its pivotal connection to that position illustrated in Figure 4, which causes the bottles to gradually slide downwardly in the trough to a suitable conveyor 41, preferably of the conventional chain type. However, inasmuch as the normal position of the transfer table, and the limited clearance between the delivery conveyor 41, and the top of the conveyor 8, requires that the transfer mechanism be pivotally connected at one side of the delivery conveyor, it is essential that means be provided to shift the bottles on to the delivery conveyor, and therefore the transfer table is pivotally secured to the outer or upper end of the support I8, and provided with a counter-balance weight 48, which, in the upright position of the support I3, serves to rock the lower end of the transfer table upwardly, as illustrated in Figure 4, thus shifting the bottles on to the conveyor 41 against a stop plate 48, preferably formed of rubber or other cushioning material. Likewise, in order to cushion the bottles as the same slide downwardly in their respective troughs during the upward movement of the support I3, the edge of the frame It, adjacent the transfer mechanism, is provided with a cushioning strip 58, against which the bottles abut prior to being shifted upon the conveyor.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 5, the delivery conveyor is actuated by a chain and sprocket connection with the shaft 52, which in turn is driven by the shaft I8 through the bevelled gears 58.

While the delivery conveyor 41 may be employed to discharge the bottles deposited thereon to any subsequent handling mechanism, in the present instance the bottles are deposited upon a rotary table 54, from which they may be either manually removed, or delivered to another conveyor.

As best shown in Figures 5 and 6, the outer end of the conveyor frame i4 is supported by a pedestal 55 which carries the bracket 56. The shaft 51 of the outer conveyor sprocket 58 is journalled in the bracket 58, and is provided with a bevelled gear connection 58 with the'vertical shaft 80, also journalled in the bracket 56, and having secured thereon the rotary table 54. Secured to the-top of the frame I4, adjacent its outer end, are a pair of guide rails 8i which retain the bottles on the delivery conveyor, and, being laterallly offset at their outer ends, guide the bottles to the rotary connection with the table 54, which is rotated in synchrony with the movement of the conveyor, and therefore takes the bottles away. As the table rotates, the bottles, if not removed, will abut the rail 6| projecting across the table, as best shown in Figure 3, and although the table may continue to rotate, the bottle will simply slide over the same, thus preventing blocking of delivery to the table.

A rail 6|, connected with the conveyor rails 6|, surrounds the table to retain the bottles thereon. However, where it is desired to deliver bottles from the table to a subsequent conveyor, the rail 6 l can be opened and a radial guide projected over the table to direct bottles therefrom through said opening.

From the foregoing explanation, considered in accompanying drawings, it is believed that the operation of the present invention will be quite apparent, in that as each conveyor rack 4 comes to rest over the plungers l, the plungers are actuated by means of the cam 22, causing the same to be projected through the heads 6, which causes the bottles to tilt and fall upon the table IS. The cam 22 is so timed as to then actuate the transfer mechanism H by rotating the support I! upwardly to a substantially vertical position, as shown in Figure 4, during which movement the bottles slide downwardly in the troughs l6, and after first engaging the'cushion strip 5ll, provided in one edge of the conveyor frame I4, the counter-balance weight 48, connected with the pivotal table 15, causes its lower end to rock away from the support [3 and slide the bottles upon the delivery conveyor 41, which discharges them upon the table 54, as heretofore described.

It will be quite apparent from the foregoing that an exceedingly simple and positive delivery mechanism has been provided, which is capable of handling bottles of various shapes and sizes, in that at no time is it necessary to positively grip the bottles. Instead gravity is employed throughout in shifting the bottles from the ejecting plungers and depositing them upon a delivery conveyor.

I claim:

1. In a bottle washing machine including an intermittently movable conveyor provided with hollow sockets for the reception of inverted bottles, a bottle delivering mechanism comprising a delivery conveyor, a plurality of plungers having their ends cut away at one side for projecting bottles from said sockets and causing the same to tilt in one direction, and a transfer mechanism for receiving the ejected bottles and depositing the same rightside up upon said delivery conveyor.

2. In a bottle washing machine including an intermittently movable conveyor provided with hollow sockets for the reception of inverted bottles, a bottle delivering mechanism comprising a delivery conveyor, means for ejecting bottles from said sockets, and a transfer mechanism for receiving the ejected bottles and depositing the same rightside up upon said delivery conveyor, said transfer mechanism comprising a pivotal support, and a counterbalanced table pivotally connected to the outer end of said support and provided with spaced bottle receiving troughs.

3. In a bottle washing machine including an intermittently movable conveyor provided with hollow sockets for the reception of inverted bottles, a bottle delivering mechanism comprising a delivery conveyor, means for ejecting bottles from said sockets, and a transfer mechanism for receiving the ejected bottles and depositing the same rightside up upon said delivery conveyor,

said transfer mechanism comprising a pivotal support, and a counterbalanced table connected to the outer end of said support and provided with spaced bottle receiving troughs and adapted toswing away from said support to position the bottles on said delivery conveyor as the support is rotated upwardly.

JOHN R. DOSTAL,