US2251949A - Can tester elevator - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 12, 1941. w. PECHY 2,251,949

CAN TESTER ELEVATOR Filed July 19, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 34 55 a Q 54 o Q o /5 a g 52 1 I56 J 57 a D H ml:

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CAN TESTER ELEVATOR Filed July 19, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR AT hNEY Aug. 12, 1941. w, p c

CANTESTER ELEVATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet s Filed July 19, 1958 INVENTOR BY 34a LO.

ATTORNEY Aug. 12, 1941.

w. PECHY I CAN TESTER ELEVATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 19, 1938v Ill-Z INVENTOR WM G LJZ,

NEY

Patented Aug. 1 2, 1941 CAN TESTER ELEVATOR William Pechy, Elizabeth, N. .L, assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 19, 1938, Serial No. 220,152

5 Claims. (o1. 209-88) The present invention relates to a container or can tester elevator and has particular reference to an elevator which includes devices for detecting and eliminating imperfect cans from the procession of cans passing through the elevator.

. The invention contemplates a can tester ele-. vator which is adapted to be interposed in a line of automatic can making machines and which transfers from one machine to another partially completed cans normally having two end closure members in place.

An object of the invention is the provision of a can tester elevator of the character contemplated wherein each can as it is received in theelevator is tested at its ends to ascertain if theclosure members are in proper place and to detect such cans which lack one or both closure members so that only perfect cans or cans having both end closure members in proper place, will be carried on to a succeeding machine in the line for the performance of a subsequent operation thereon.

Another object is the provision of such a can tester elevator wherein cans detected as being imperfect regarding, their end closure members areeliminated, at apredetermined station, from the line of cans passing through the elevator so that such cans will not interfere with the good cans while undergoing subsequent operation.

Numerous other objects and advantages. 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 if thereof.

- Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a can tester elevator embodying the instant invention, parts being broken away;

r Fig. 2 is a Wiring diagram of the electric apparatus used in connection with the elevator;

Fig. 3 isa transverse section through the lower portion of the elevator the view, being taken substantially along the line 33 in Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal or plan section taken substantially along the line 44 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view taken substantially along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation as viewed substantially along a plane indicated by the line 86 in Fig. 4;

Fig, 7 is an enlarged horizontal section taken substantially along the broken line l-'l in Fig.

1, the view being rotated through ninety degrees relative to its position in Fig. 1;

Fig, 8 is a sectional detail view takensubstantially along the line 88 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged horizontal section taken substantially along the line I 0IB in Fig. 9.

In the machine shown in the drawings as a preferred embodimentof the inventioncans A having end closure members B loosely assembled therewith enter the elevator byway of an-endless belt carrier C (Figs. 1 and 4). The cans are received by a vertically disposed conveyor D and at a station adjacent an end detector device F.

Each can as it is received in the conveyor D is tested by the detecting device and, cans having only one or no ends in proper place are immediately detected as being imperfect.

Detection of a can which lacks one or both end members sets in motion a time delay and can discharge mechanism G which discharges the imperfect can from the elevator as it is being carried up to a higher level. Discharge of the i can is effected by a blast of air issuing from nozzles which are located adjacent the path of travel of the cans. Provision is made for selecting one of 7 several positions of discharge and therefore there are a plurality of sets of these nozzles arranged along one side of the elevator. Each set is disposed adjacent a can discharge chute H, this arrangement constituting predetermined stations J at any one of which the imperfect can may be eliminated from the elevator as desired. A corresponding setting of the time delay mechanism G makes thisselection possible.

Referring now to the details of the elevator it will be observed that the conveyor D comprises a vertically disposed endless chain ll (Fig, 1) provided with flights I2 which are secured to the chain at spaced intervals along its length. The chain takes'over a lower or driven sprocket I3 which is located in a base housing [4 and over an upper or idler sprocket I5 which is supported in the upper end of a vertical frame 16 mounted on the base housing. Openings I! in a top wall section 18 of the base housing permit the passage of the chain and its flights therethrough.

The conveyor chain II is actuated in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) by the rotation of the lower sprocket 13. For this purpose the sprocket I3 is mounted on a cross shaft 21 (Figs. '1 and 3) which is journaled in bearings 22 formed in the base housing I4. Shaft 2| is driven through a gear 23 which is carried on the vator.

5 shaft and which meshes with a driving gear 24 mounted on a parallel cross shaft 25.

Shaft 25' is journaled in a pair of bearings 26 one of which is formed in the base housing I4 and the other in a casing 21 bolted to a side of tire elevator and its movable parts and may be rotated by any suitable means.

The upper or idler sprocket I5 is mounted on a cross shaft (Fig. 1). This shaft is jour naled in bearings 36 which are formed in the upper end of the vertical frame H5.

The carrier C, which brings the cans A into a the elevator, is located adjacent the bottom of 1 the elevator and it carries the cans horizontally or at right angles to the path of travel of the conveyor flights l2 as they move vertically. The

carrier at the machine end takes over a pulley 4| (Figs. 1 and 4) which is mounted on a shaft 42 carried in bearings 43 formed in a bracket.

. secured to the base housing l4.

retained in carrying position'on the carrier by side guide bars 45.

The cansA therefore enter the elevator in a horizontal position and are received on a platform 48 which is disposed adjacentthe discharge end of the carrier C and which is bolted to the base housing M. The platform extends infront j and along each side of the path of travel of the conveyor flights l2 being cut away for clearance at this position. V

A can A after being received on the platform 48 is pushed along by following incoming cans and into the path of travel of the conveyor flights. As the next flight just below comes up adjacent the platform it engages under the aligned can A and carries it vertically toward the top of the ele- Duringthis upward travel of the picked-off cans A they are guided by cooperating'pairs of inner rails 5| end rails 52 and outer rails 53 (Figs. 1 and 4) which are secured in brackets 54 bolted to the vertical frame l6; At the-top of the elevator these guide rails curve around the upper sprocket l5 and thence project offat a tangent to any suitable place of discharge for the elevated cans.

The inner rails 5| at their lower ends extend down adjacent the can receiving platform 48 and 1 thus serve as stops to properly locate the in- 3 coming cans so that each willbe in proper picking-oif position when the rising conveyor flight l2 engage thereunder. The'end rails 52 locate and maintain the cans in proper endwise position within the elevator.

The outer guide rails 53 are adjacent the outer side wall of each can as it moves upwardly along The cans are in the carrier 0 andit moves over the platform and around its path of travel. Each outer guide rail preferably comprises a long upper section 55 3 which curves around the sprocket l5 and a plurality of short sectio'ns56 which are in alignment but spaced apart, thereby leaving can discharge 1 openings ST-adjacent' the. discharge chutes. H hereinbefore mentioned. .Thesechutes are secured to. extensions of certain of the rail brackets 54.

As hereinbefore m'entioned' .each .can it 1 enters the elevator,isntestedbythe. end detector I device, F to ascertain if the can end membersare in proper place. This testing is done after an entering can on the platform 48 passes into its momentary position under the guide rails 5|, 52, 53 and just prior to being engaged and lifted by one of the conveyor flights I2. Thus the detector device F is located at the bottom of the elevator adjacent the entrance platform 48.

The detectordevice F includes a pair of curved and horizontally. movable detector fingers 6| (Figs. 1 and 4) which are mounted on vertical pivot pins 62 carried in bearings 63 of brackets 64 secured to the vertical frame Hi and on opposite sides thereof. The outer ends of the fingers curve inwardly toward the path of travel of an entering can and are normally disposed adjacent and between the guide rails 5 52. In this normal position (Fig. 4) the outer ends of the fingers are adjacent the ends of a can in its testing position and are in vertical alignment with the can guide rails.

The inner ends of the detector fingers 6|, on the opposite'side of.v the pivot pins 62, extend through openings 61 formed in the sides of the vertical frame. It where they are inside the frame and in almost abutting'position with each other, as shown in Fig. 4. These inner ends of the fingers are held under spring tension by a pair of springs 68. One endof .eachspring is connected with the inner end of its finger while the opposite end of the spring is hooked over .a lug 69 secured to the vertical frame l6.

The tension springs 68 hold the inner ends of the detector fingers6| against a roundedhead H of a plunger 12 carried in a swivel block '13 which is'pivotally secured in'a plate 14 mounted on the base housing I4. The tail end of the plunger." is connected with the inner end of a cam arm 16. Intermediate its length thecam arm is mounted on a pivot stud 11 secured in a bracket 18 carried on the base housing l4. .The outer end of thecam arm'carries a cam roller. 19 which operates in a groove 8| of a detector cam 82 mounted on and rotated by the main drive shaft 3| of the apparatus. As the main drive shaft 3| rotates, the cam 82 in one position acts onthe roller 19 to shift the cam arm .16 toward the right as viewedin Fig. land thus tends topull the plunger 12 away from the inner ends of the detector fingers 6|. Since the detector fingers are held under the tension of the springs 68 they remain in engagement with the plunger head II and rock on their pivot pins during thereceding' movement of the plunger. This rocking of the fingers moves their outer ends toward the ends of the can A then in the testing position. V

If both end closure members'B of the can are in proper place the outer ends of themoving detector fingers 6| engage them and thereby further rocking movement of the fingers is arrested.' The plunger head H continues 'back howeverand draws away from the fingers. This set of conditions prevails for a good: can" and nothing. further happens here until the plunger head is moved back when thefingers are again engaged'and the can is'released this being at about the time the conveyor flight IZ picks' up the can. Such a good can continues alongits upward path of. travel through the elevator, up over the upper sprocket l5 and is discharged to any suitable place of deposit for the-de'siredsubsequent operation. '7'

If one or both of the end closure members B are missing from. the can beingtested another setwof conditions are present. The outerend of the detector finger, where there is a missing or open end-in the can, instead of being stopped in its detecting movement, continues on further passing into the inside of the can. This extra movement of either or both fingers actuates an electric switch 85 (Figs. 1 and 4) which in turn sets in motion other electrical and mechanical devices which result subsequently in discharge of the can from the elevator. Actuation of the switch 85 is effected by engagement of one or both of a pair of plates 86 (see Figs. 4 and one plate being secured to the inner end of each detector finger 6|. These plates extend above the plunger head II and when a finger is rocked the extra distance described above, its plate engages against and moves a switch arm 81 mounted on a pivot pin 88 carried in a box 89 which houses the switch 85.' This arm is retained under tension of a spring SI which normally holds the arm against a stop pin 92 secured in the switch box.

Movement of the switch arm 81 rocks a flat side cam 96 carried on the pivot pin 88 and located inside the switch box. The cam presses against a yieldable contact 91 and moves it into engagement with a stationary contact 93 disposed in the switch box and thereby closes the switch.

Referring now to the wiring diagram in Fig.

2 it will be seen that the yieldable contact 9'! of the switch 85 is connected by a shunt wire IOI to a main lead wire I02 transmitting electrical energy from a suitable source of power such as a generator I03. The other or stationary contact 98 of the switch is connected by a shunt wire I04 to a solenoid I05 (see also Fig. 9) which in turn is connected by a wire I06 to the opposite or return main lead wire I01 of the generator. Thus when the switch 85 is closed the shunt circuit is completed and electric energy from the generator I03 passes along and energizes the solenoid I05.

The solenoid I05 is associated with the time delay and can discharge mechanism G and when energized sets'this mechanism so that the can will be discharged from the elevator by way of a predetermined discharge chute H. For this p' pose the solenoid I05 is provided with a movable core HI (Fig. 9) retained under normal pressure of a compression spring H2 disposed within the solenoid. The core extends outside of the solenoid and is formed with a head H3.

The solenoid core head I I3 is located adjacent the path of travel of a plurality of timing pins i2! (Figs. 9 and 10) which are carried in spaced, peripheral, vertical holes I22 formed in a horizontal timing disc I23. The pins are adapted to be shifted vertically in the holes by the solenoid head H3 and when shifted to remain in position until positively returned. The normal position of a pin I 2| is that shown at the left of the disc, as viewed in Fig. 9, the top of the pin being seated in a counterbore and flush with the top of the disc. The lower end of the pin is then depending from the bottom of the disc.

Retaining of the pins in either of their two positions is effected by a compression spring I25 which is located inwardly of each pin in a radially disposed horizontal bore I26 formed in the disc I23. A spring button I2! is backed up by the spring and presses against the side of the timing pin holding it frictionally in place until positively moved.

The timing disc I23 is rotated in time with the upward passage of cans through the elevator.

It is secured tothe upper end of a vertical shaft I3I (Fig. 9) which is journaled in bearings I32 in a gear housing'i33 formed as a part of the bracket 'I8-(see also Figs. 1, 4 and 6). Within the gear housing the shaft I3I carries a bevel .gear I35 which meshes with a bevel pinion I36 mounted on the innerend of a horizontal stub shaft 37 journaled in a bearing I38 formed in the housing. The outer end of the stub shaft carries a sprocket l39 driven by a chain I4I which also takes over a driving sprocket I42 mounted adjacent the cam 82 on the main driv ing shaft 3|. l 7

As the main driving shaft 3i actuates the conveyor chain II and its flights I2 in time with the other moving parts ofthe elevator it also rotates the timingdisc I23 in the same time therewith and in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 10. Thus when a conveyor flight I2 moves past the can testing station, a timing pin I2I carried around by the rotating timing disc I23 is passing over the head II3 of the solenoid cor-e I I I.

When'a can picked up by a conveyor flight at the testing station has been detected as one lacking one or both end members, the core head H3 of the energized solenoid I05 extends up into the path of travel of the approaching timing pin I2I. As the lower end of the pin engages the raised solenoid core head H3 the pin is shifted upwardly into its raised position. An inverted L-shaped lug I45 secured to the solenoid and extending over the top of the timing disc prevents the timing pin from being raised too far when it is shifted upwardly.

The upper end of the raised pin I2I now projects above the top surface of the timing disc being held frictionally by its spring button I21. After such a setting of the timing pin for its corresponding imperfect can, the time required for such a pin to reach a given position provides for the time delay necessary before thecan reaches a desired discharge chute H in itsupward travel through the elevator.

The air blast which is used for the discharge of the imperfect canfrom the elevator issues from a series of pairs of spaced nozzles I5I (Figs. 1 and 7) which are located adjacent each of the discharge chutes H at the discharge stations -J. These nozzles are all'connected as by cross pipes I 52 and vertical pipes I53 which in turn join with a main supply pipe I54 leading from a suitable source of supply of compressed air. Each nozzle I5! is fitted with a manual shut-off valve I56 so that all nozzles may be closed excepting those located at the particular station from which it is desired to discharge detected cans.

The main supply pipe I54 includes a main air valve I53 (Fig. 8) having a valve stem I59 the upper end of which constitutes a core of a valve actuating solenoid I60 bolted onto the valve. The solenoid is also held by a bracket strap I6! which is secured to the vertical frame I6. A compression spring I63 housed within the solenoid normally presses the core stem I59 into the valve seat and keeps the valve closed as long as good'cans'are passing through the elevator. It is only when the solenoid is energized that the valve is opened, and this energizing of the solenoid takes place only when an imperfect can reaches a position of discharge. I

Again referring to the wiring'diagram in Fig. 2 it will be seen that one side of the valve actuating solenoid I60 is connected by a shunt wire 5 I65 to the main return lead wire I01 of the gen- I of deposit.

erator'cir'cuit. 'The other side .of the, solenoid isconn-e'cted'by a shunt-wire I68 to a. discharge switch IISTI- and this switch is joinedby'a wire I68 to the main lead wire I02 of the:generat orrcir cuit. With-switch lfil-iclosed; electric energy from the-generator passes along the shunt circuit to energize the valve actuatingsolenoid I60.

Discharge switch IEI (Figs. 4 and 9) is .normally open and is provided with a stationary contactI'lI and ayieldable contactIIZ; Yieldabl'e contact; H2 is in engagement with a flat sidecarn [13111913111861 on a vertical pivot shaft I14 carried in suitable bearings formed in a switch box I15 which houses the switch parts.

Outside of the box the pivot shaft I14 carries a, horizontal switch arm I'I'I-(see also Fig. 10) which is disposed parallel with and close to the top surface of the timing disc. I23. A tension spring -II8 isconnected'at one-end to the arm and at its opposite end to a stationary plate I19. Plate I 79 .is loosely bored for the shaft I14 and is secured to the bottom of the switch box I15. Spring I18 normally holds the arm I'I'I stationary against a stop lug I8I formed on the plate and in such-position'the switch contacts III, I12 are held apart. r

The outer end of the switch arm I" extends into the path of travel of the upper end of a raised timing pin I2I as it is moved around in the counterclockwise (Fig. 10) rotation of the disc I23. Since under normal conditions the tops of thepins are flush with the top of the disc ordinnarily the pins will pass under the switch arm without interference. A raised pin engages against the outer end of the switch arm and shifts it toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 10. This engagement takes place at the precise moment'when the imperfect canhas reached its position of discharge.

Shifting of the switch arm I'II-rocks its pivot shaft I14 and switch cam I13 and thereby closes the switch I61. This energizes the valve actu- I ating solenoid I60 which quickly opens the main air valve I58. This actionis only momentary, the

. 'valve being open only until the moving'timing pin 1 rides off the end of the switch arm I'I'I. This momentary opening of the main air valve is suflicient, however, for a blast of air to pass from the main air pipe I54 into the pipes I52, I53 and 1 to issue from the open nozzles II.

blast impinging against the side of the can blows I it ofi' its conveyor flight" I2 and into the selected chute H where it is directed to any suitable place The raised timing pin I2I after leaving the 1 switch arm II I is depressed back into-its normal 1 position by its top'riding under an inclined stationary cam shoe or r reset cam I85 (Figs. 9 and Mention has already been made of selective setting of the time delay mechanism G to'deter- 1 mine the exact place of discharge of imperfect cansfl The reset' cam I85 and the discharge 5 switch I67 together with their associated parts 1 are. adapted to be manually shifted around the path of travel of the timing pins- I2I for this purpose. The switch and the reset cam are both carlied on a. bracket I86. (Figs. 4 and 9). which is bolted to a ring I81 concentrically disposed over Thering is retained by a in its recess to any de- The airi Thus when it isidesiredto discharge cans from the upper chute H (Fig. 1) the position of the switch and the reset camshould; be that illustrated, by Way of example, in the drawings (Figs. 9 and 10')". The distance of .the can movement by the elevator,- when the ican is discharged at the upper chute H is equal to six flight spaces from the testing station and for such a setting the position of the discharge switch I67 will be six timing'pinjspaces from the solenoid I05 (Fig. 10)

Inrlike; manner, if cans are to be'discharged from :the lower chute H (two flight spaces from the testing station) the switch will be set at X (Fig. 10two timing pin spaces from the solenoid I05). "Ifp the discharging is to be done by way of the intermediate chute H (four flights up) the switch should be set at Y (Fig. 10-.four timin pin spaces from solenoid I05). If more than three chutes are to be used the number of timing pins may be'accordingly increased.

It is thought that the invention and many of 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 the parts without departing from the spirit and-scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a can elevator, the combination of a conveyor for carrying cans having end members applied thereto from one level to another level, a plurality of vertically spaced can discharge chutes disposed adjacent the path of; travel of the cans through the elevator, a can end testing device including detector fingers disposed at the entrance of said conveyor and simultaneously movable into engagement with the opposite ends of the cansintime with'their passage into said conveyor for detecting imp r ect cans which lack end members, a detector solenoid operable by said detector fingers when a can lacking its end members is detected, atime delay mechanism including a rotatable disc rotating in time with said conveyor. and having shiftable timing pins which are moved into operative position by said detector solenoidan air' nozzle disposed in line with e'achlo'ii said caii discharge chutes, a pipe line connecting with said nozzleand leading to a suitabl so'urceof compressed air, and a solenoid actuated valve in said pipe line and operable by a positionedtimingpin of saidtimedelay mechanismfor issuing a blast of co'm'pressed air through said nozzl'e soth'at the detected can will be discharged from the elevator. byway of said chute at a predetermined time. I

2., In .a canftesting lelevator, the combination of a vertically disposed conveyor for carrying cans'havingIend-mernbers applied thereto from one, level to another level, a can discharge chute disposed adjacent the path of travel of the cans through the elevator, a can end testing device includingpivotally mounted detector fingers simultaneously movable into engagement with the opposite ends of thecans, means for actuating said detectorrfingers in time with the passage of the cans through the elevator for detecting cans Which vlack both .end members, a detector solenoid operable bysaid detector fingers when a can lacking an end memberis detected, a time delay mechanism including a rotatable disc rotating in time with said conveyor and havin gshiftable timing pins which are moved into operative position;by-,said detectorsolenoid, an air nozzle disposed in line with said can discharge chute, a pipe line connecting with said nozzle and leading to a suitable source of compressed air, a solenoid actuated valve in said pipe line and operable by a positioned timing pin of said time delay mechanism for issuing a blast of compressed air through said nozzle so that the detected can will be discharged from the elevator by way of said chute, and means for resetting said timing pins for subsequent operation.

3. In a can elevator, the combination of a conveyor for carrying cans having end members applied thereto from one level to another level, a can discharge chute disposed adjacent the path of travel of the cans through the elevator, a compressed air nozzle located in line with said discharge chute and disposed adjacent the path of travel of said cans, a normally closed valve for controlling the passage of air through said nozzle, and means for detecting imperfect cans which lack both end members and including devices for momentarily opening said'valve to issue a blast of air from said nozzle to remove the detected can from the elevator by Way of said discharge chute, said can detecting means further including a pair of oppositely disposed detector fingers pivotally movable toward and away from the opposite ends of the cans to detect the presence or absence of a said end member, and means for actuating said detector fingers in synchronism with the movement of the cans into the conveyor.

4. In a can elevator, the combination of a conveyor for carrying cans having end members applied thereto from one level to another level, a plurality of spaced discharge chutes located adjacent the path of travel of the cans through the elevator, a can discharge nozzle located in line with each of said discharge chutes and disposed adjacent the path of travel of the cans, said nozzles having connection with a source of supply of compressed air, a manually operable stop-cock adjacent each nozzle to selectively render a particular nozzle effective, a valve for controlling the passage of air from said air source to said effective nozzles, and means for detecting cans which lack end members, said means including devices operating to momentarily open said valve after a can Without an end member has been detected so that a blast of air will be issued from said efiective nozzle and the detected can thereby removed from the elevator by way of the discharge chute associated with said selected nozzle, said can detecting means further including a pair of cam actuated detector fingers disposed at the inlet end of said conveyor and pivotally movable toward and away from the opposite ends of the cans and engageable therewith when an end member is present on the can.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyor for carrying cans having end members applied thereto, a can discharge chute disposed adjacent the path of travel of the cans on said conveyor, can ejecting means located in line with said discharge chute and disposed adjacent the path of travel of said cans,

and means for detecting imperfect cans which lack an end member and including devices for actuating said can ejecting means to remove the detected can from the conveyor by Way of said discharge chute, said can detecting means further including a pair of oppositely disposed detector fingers pivotally movable toward and away from the opposite ends of the cans to detect the presence or absence of a said end member, each of said detecting fingers having means for operating said ejecting means upon detecting the absence of a can end, and means for actuating said detector fingers in synchronism with themovement of the cans into the conveyor.

WILLIAM PECI-IY.

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