US2366811A - Packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

w. w. slBsoN, JR., vs-:T A| 21,366,811

PACKAGING MACHINE Jan.y 9. 1945.

'17 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 24, 1942 Jan. 9, 1945.

W. W. SIBSON, JR., ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE F'iled June 24, 1942 17 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 9, 1945.

W. W. SIBSON, JR., ET AL.

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1942 17 Sheets-Sheet I5 Jan- 9, w45- W. w. slBsoN, JR., ET AL 2,366,831

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1942 I 17 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 9, 1945 w. w. slBsoN, VJR., ET AL 2,365,811v

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1942 17 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 9, 1945- w. w. slBsoN, JR.'Y ET Al. 2,356,811

Filed June 24, 1942 IPL' Jan- 99 1945- w. w. slBsoN, JR., ET AL 2,366,811

' PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1942 17 Sheets-Sheet 7 Jan- 9, 1945 wfw. slBsoN, JR., ET Al. 2,366,811

PACKAGING MACHINE l Fliled June 24, 1942 1'7 SheetS-Sheet 8 Jan- 9v 1945. w. w. SIBSON, JR., ET Al. 2,366,811

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1942 17 sheets-sheet 9 Jan, 9, 1945. w. w. slBsoN, JR., ET AL 2,366,811

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1942 17 Sheets-Sheet l0 Jan. 9, 1945. w. w. slBsoN, JR., ET AL 2,336,811

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1942 17 Sheets-Sheet l1 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.\\\\\\\\\\Y!\\\\\\\\\\lf Jon J1.

Jan 9, 1945 w. w. slBsoN, JR., ET AL 2,366,811

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1942 17 Sheets-Sheet 12 2/ 1F llllrlilllllll l-l 5 w. w. slBsoN, JR., ET A1. 2,366,811

PACKAGING MACHINE Jan. 9,. 1945.

Filed June 24, 1942 17 Sheets-shew:I 13

Jan. 9, 1945- w. w. slBsoN, JR., ET Al. 2,366,811

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 24. 1942 l'TSheets-Sheel 14 Jan. 9. 1945'.

W. W. SIBSON, JR., ET AL PACKAGIYNG MACHINE 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed June 24, 1942 Jan. 9, 1945.

W. W. SIBSON, JR., ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1942 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 16 Jan 9, 1945 w. w. slBsoN, JR., ET AL 2,365,811

PACKAGING MACHINE 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 17 Filed June 24. 1942 PatentedJan. 9, 1945 I'Acimc'mc.l MACHINE Walter W. Sibson, Jr., and Harold H. Belcher,

Philadelphia, Pa.,

assignors' to 'Proctor &

Schwartz, Incorporated, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 24, 1942, Serial No. 448,306

38 Claims.

This invention relates to packaging apparatus, andv particularly to a fully automatic` machine for filling containers, which are primarily closed at one end, to a definite axial dimension, Within fprescribed tolerances with respect to the closed end of the container.

More especially, they present invention relates to a pa-ckage filling machine wherein the contents of each container is progressively increased by measured increments, intermittently deposited in the container; and wherein each increment is compacted in the container before the next ihcrement is-admitted, whereby the complete composite contents of the containerI will be of substantially uniform density throughout the aforesaid predetermined axial-dimensio`n thereof.

Specifically, the present invention relates to aY l* machine for filling the cylinders or casings of incendiary bombs, with. divided or granulated particles of compactable materials, further description rof which would appear to be unnecessary for a clear understanding of the preseit invention.

The present invention further relates to safety apparatus for detecting irregularities in the intended operations, or failures of the various component units of the machine; and to apparatus A for controlling subsequent operations of the machine in the event of failure or irregular operation of any one or more of said units.

Another feature ofthe present invention re-A sides in providing apparatus for detecting failure on the part of the operator toremove a lled package from the machine and for detecting failure on the pari; of the operator to have placed an empty package in the machine at the initial station 'where the lled packages are normally removed from and" empty packages installed in the carriers provided for supporting the packages individually in the machine, prior to the beginning of the lilling cycle for each package;

the provision of apparatus for detecting the presence of any substantial body of matter in a presumably empty package which has been installed paratus for controlling the operation of the ma:

. chine to prevent initial operation at the beginning of a new filling cycleA whenever any ofthe aforesaid irregularities occur, and whenever certain irregularity occurs in the operation of various units of the machine during the lling or compacting operations of the ma-chines.

The construction and operation of the machine, as a Whole, and the component units thereof, in detail, will be fully disclosed hereinafter,

in a carrier for fllling; and the provision of ap- 145 references being had to the accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a partial sectional elevation of the machine as taken on the line I-I, Fig. 3;

FigZ is a sectional plan view taken on the linel Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 4 4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 5 5, Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view taken on the line '6 6, Fig. 71;

Fig. 7 is a sectional planv view taken on the line 1 1. Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the f Fig. 9 is apvertical sectional view taken on the Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken' on the line Ill-I0, Fig. 2, through the first station lwhere full containers are removed from the carriers andempty containers are placed in the carriers;-

Fig. 11 is a'vextical sectional view taken on the line lI-I l, Fig. 10:

Fig. 12 is a sectional plan 'view taken on the Fig. 13 is a sectional plan view taken line I3l3, Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line I4-Il,Fig. 10;

. Fig. 15 is a partial vertical sectional view taken on the line I5-l5, Fig; 4, through the second station where inspection of the carriers ismade and with other parts 0f .the machine omitted for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line |6-I6, Fig. 3, through the third station, where the first increment of the contents4 of 'each container is placed therein;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the filling apparatus shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is an end view 'of the filling apparatus shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a sectional View taken on the line |9--|9,Fig.118;

Fig. 20 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 2li- 20, Fig.- 7, through the station where the last increment of the contents of each container is placed therein; Y

Fig. 21 is a sectional plan view taken on the unen-Juneau;

on the -ils- 46, Fig. 45.

Fig. 22 is a sectional` plan line 22-22, Fig. 20; y

Fig. 23 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 23-23, AFig..4, through the station where the irst increment is 'pressed in the container; Figs. 24, 25 and 26 illustrate the first, second view taken on the Aand third increments being pressed in the container;

Fig. 32 illustrates the fifth increment as being l pressed in the container;

Figs. 33 and 34 are respectively a sectional plan view and sectional elevation illustrating the mechanism for forming and electing the fifth increment from the apparatus shown in Figs. to 22 inclusive;

Fig. 35 is a piping diagram of the cylinders, valves etc. for controlling the various operations ofthe machine in proper sequence;

Figs. 36 .to 41 inclusive illustrate the various valves in section; l

Fig. 42 is a sectional elevation of a detail of .the invention, taken on the line 42-42, Fig. 5;

Fig. 43 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 43-43, Fig. 42;

Fig. 44 is a sectional elevation of another detail of the invention, taken on the Buell-4I, Fig. '7;

Fig. 45 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 45-45, Fig. 3; and

Fig. 46 is a sectional elevation taken on the line The machine comprises a, rigid frameworkr which, in the present instance, includes four hori. zontal, vertically spaced deck plates or platforms I, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. These four decks are maintained in xed' vertically spaced relation to i each other by a seriesof standards or uprights 5, 5, which are. spaced apart angularly about a common vertical axis located at the geometric centers of the several decks ofthe machine.

Coaxially aligned and coextensive with a common vertical axis of the machine, and fixedly supported in bearings 6, 6 carried by the several horizontal decks I, 2,' 3 and! is the main shaft 'l of the machine, on which is rotatably mounted, between the bottom deck l and the next .upper deck 2, a package supporting drum 8.

The drum 8,'in the present instance, is of polygonal cross-section, in plan, and securedto the perimeter of the drum 8, in equal angularly spaced relation to eachother, is a plurality of package carriers I 0, twelve,` in number in the present instance (see Fig. 2)

The drum 8' and its twelve package carriers l0 il are intermittently rotated, as a unit, about the stations are alphabetically designated A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H,I, J,Kand L.

As a matter of general description, an empty .package Z is placed in, and locked against acci-n dental displacement from, one of the carriers. Ill

4,at the intitial station A (see Figs.. 2 and 12),

l5. ment as being prepared for entrance into the conasocian after which, assuming that all conditions hereinafter described are satisfled, the drum I is rotated to the extent of 30 degrees and indexes the empty container Z at station B (see Figs. 2. 4 and 15).

Station B is a gauging or detecting station where inspection is mechanically made to detect whether or not there is a container in place in the carrier l0, andwhether or not there is any matter of any kind in the container. If an empty container Z is properly installed in the carrier III, which is located at station B, the drum 8 is then rotated another 30- degrees and places the still empty container in, position at station C. (see Figs. 2, 3 and 16), to receive the first increment of the material with which the container is to be filled.

At station C, the first increment Y1 (see Fig. 23) of the contents of the package is deposited in the empty container Z by a suitable filling or dispensing unit X1 (see Figs. 1'6, 17,18 and 19). After the first increment Y1 has been deposited in the container Z, at station C, thedrum B-is rotated another 30 degrees and places the par-l tially nlled container Zin the 'first pressing position at station D (see Figs. 2, 3 and 23).

At station D, the initial increment Y1 is compacted to uniform density in the bottom of the container Z (see Fig. 24), by a vertically reciprocal ram R1. after which the container Z is moved to station E (see Figs. 2', 3 and 16).

At station E, the second increment Y2 is deposited in the container Z, on top ofthe previously compacted initial increment Y1, by a filling unit X2, after which, by a further 30 'degree movement of the drum 8, the container is placed in the second press position at station F (see Figs. 2,3 and 25) At station F, the second increment Y2 is compacted to uniform density on top of and in' firm contact with the upper endofvthe initial increment Y1 (see Fig. 25), by a ram R11, after which the container Z is moved to station G (see Figs;

2,3and16). l j

At station G, a third-increment Y3 is deposited in the container Z, on top of the compacted second increment Y*,'by a feeding orfllling unit X3. A ,further 30 degree movement of the drum 8 brings the container Zinto position VH (see Figs. 2, 3 and 26), for compacting of the loosely deposited increment Y:1 to uniform density, on top of and in firm contact with the second increment Y2, by a ram R3.

At the end of another 30 degree movement of the drum 8, the container Z comes to rest in position at station I see Figs. 2, 3 and 16) to re ceive a fourth increment Y4 from a feeding unit X4. The loosely deposited increment Y4 (see Fig. 27 is subsequently compacted to vuniform density against the increment Y:l by a ram R4, at station J (see Fig. 28).

From station J', the container Z is moved to station K (see Figs. 2, 3, 20, 21 and 22) to receive a flfth'increment Y for subsequent compacting against increment Y4 at station L (see Fig. 32)

, by vairain R5. r

When the completely filled container Z is ready to leave the iinal pressstation L; the five cony secutively deposited and subsequentially compacted increments, Y1 to Y5 inclusive, which collectively constitute the complete contents Y of the container Z, have been individually and col- Alectively compressed to a predetermined axial dimension with respect to the inner bottom surface a of the container Z, with the density of the charge Y substantially uniform throughout its bulk. 1 l

The now-full container Z is then moved, by another 30 degree rotation of the drum 8, from the 4inal pressing station L to the initial station A,

. carried out for each of the twelve containers supported at any one time by the twelve carriers i0, in succession, as a result of which, the various containers are undergoing diierent stages of the lling and compacting cycle simultaneously.`

The drum 8 is moved intermittently, in steps of 30 degrees each, to bring each carrier I8 into vertical alignment with each of the stations A to L consecutively, by a gear I I (see Figs. 6 and 8) which is rigidly secured to the underside .of the drum 8, and which meshes with? pinion I2. The pinion I2 is secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft I3, which is rotatably mounted in bearings I', Ill carried by the deck I and base structure I5 underlying the deck I. f

Secured to the lower endof the shaft I3 is a ratchet wheel I8, which is adapted to be engaged 30 by,a pawl I1 pivotally mounted on one end of a lever I8. The lever I8 is loosely mounted on the lower end of the shaft I3 and its second end is pivotally connected to the outer end of la piston rod I9. The piston rod I9 is operated by a piston (not shown) adapted for reciprocation in a cylinder 29.

One end of the cylinder is pivotally connected at 2l to the base structure I5. Motivating uuid, admitted through a exime conduit P5,

l draws the extended piston rod I9 into cylinder 28 posite direction and causes the pawl Il to move idly around the ratchet wheel I6. while the drum 8 remains stationary.

In order to eiect absolute axial alignment between each carrier I0 and the axis of the station at which it is positioned, the drum 8 is provided with a plurality of downwardly prjecting indexing studs 25, see Figs. 6, 8 and 9.

Diametricallyopposite indexing studs 25 are adapted to be respectively engaged and held between pairs of indexing rollers 21, 2 1, .which are carried on arms 28,28. The indexing arms 28, 28 are respectively secured to the upper ends of vertical indexing shafts 29, 29, which are rotatably mounted in bearings 30, 30 carried by the deck I and foundation structure I5.

. 0n the lower ends of the shafts 29, 29 are levers 3I, 3|. The -outer end of each lever3l is connected to one end of a resilient link 32, the opposite end of which is slidably mounted in a bracket 33 secured to the foundation structurev I5. On each link 32 is an adjustable collar 34, between which and the bracket 33 is confined a compression spring 35, encircling the link rod 32. The springs 35 tend at all times to rock the shafts 29 and levers 28 in a manner to cause the indexing rollers 21, 21 to engage a.v diametrically opposite pair of the indexing' pins 25, 25, and thereby align the carriers I0 with the axes of the stations A to L inclusive. The indexing mechanism also serves to retain the drum 8 inV a fixed position during the idle return movement of the drumactuating piston rod I9. Y

Each ofthe package carriers II) (see Figs. 10 to 14 inc1usive) comprises a :frame 40 of substantially U-shaped cross section arranged vertically, with the open side of the frame facing radially outward from the axis of the drum 8.

The upper end of each frame 4l) is pivoted at 4I to one end of a suspension 42, the yopposite end of which is pivoted at 43 to a horizontal arm'of an L-shaped bracket 44.k A vertical arm 45 of the bracket 44 is adjustably mounted on one of the outer at vertical surfaces 46 which constitute the perimeter of the polygonal drum 8, and is secured in position thereon by bolts 41. Between the suspension link 42 and the horizontal arm of the carrier supporting bracket 44, is a compression spring 48, which, at all times, tends to rock the link 42 upwardly and thereby move the carrier I8 upwardly, in the direction of its longitudinal axis.

The upward movement of the frame 48. is'

limited by adjustable studs 99 which, in the present instance, are carried by the frame 48 and engage the undersides of the heads 50 of the bolts lil by which the brackets lll are secured to the drum 8.

The arrangementx of the suspension links 42 provides for independent axial movement of the package carriers parallel to the axis of the drum 8 for reasons which vwill more fully hereinafter appear.

The lower en-d of the frame 48, in each instance, is guided in its vertical movement by a roller 5I which is interposed between the back wall 52 of the frame 40 and the outer at face d6 of the drum 8, said roller being coni-ined in a cage 53 mounted on the rear wall 52 of the frame 40.

Outward swinging movement of the frame 40, with respect to the drum 8, is prevented by a vertical bar 54, which is secured to the back wall 52 of the frame 80 `by vertically spaced bolts 55, 55, and a horizontal bar 56 lying inside the back wall 52 of the frame 40, and securedgat its opposite ends by bolts 51, 51 to the drum 8. The horizontal bar 56 is spaced from the surface 46 of the drum 8 by sleeves 58, which encircle the bolts 51 and project through the slots 58 formedin the rear wall 52.

Secured in each of the side walls or legs 60, 60

of the U-shaped frame 40 are trunnions 6I, 6I,

which are in axial alignment with eacha other.'

vof the package.

'I'he chuck and funnel element 65 is bored accurately. to fit the outside diameter of the cylinder a1, las indicated at 66. The upper edge 24 of the `cylinder 21 abuts against an annular shoulder 68, formed in the upper part of the chuck and funnel element 65, and limits the upward axial movement of the package within the chuck. The lower end 61 of the chuck 65 is spaced above the

Images