US2551476A - Transfer means for thermoplastic caps, having means to heat said caps during transfer - Google Patents

Description

May 1, 1951 E. VANTLANDER 2,551,476

TRANSFER MEANS FOR THERMOPLASTIC CAPS, H NG MEANS TO HEAT SAID CAPS DURING TRANSF Filed March 51. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l 3nventor (Zttorneg VANTLANDER 2,551,476 TRANSFER MEANS FOR THERMOPLASTIC CAPS, HAVING MEANS May 1, 1951- TO HEAT SAID CAPS DURING TRANSFER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 31, 1949 Gttorneg y 951 E. VANTLANDER 2,551,476

TRANSFER MEANS FOR THERMOPLASTIC CAPS, HAVING MEANS T0 HEAT SAID CAPS DURING TRANSFER Filed March 31, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 (lttorneg E. VANTLANDER 2,551,476 TRANSFER MEANS FOR THERMOPLASTIC CAPS, HAVING MEANS TO HEAT SAID CAPS DURING TRANSFER 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 51, 1949 -QB S/ Summer 6' 0144420 VA/VTL/Wfif Q Clttorneg May 1, 1951 E V N R 2,551,476

TRANSFER MEANS FOR THERMOPLASTIC CAPS, HAVING MEANS TO HEAT SAID CAPS DURING TRANSFER Filed March 51, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I 3nveutor (Ittomeg Patented May 1, 1951 TRANSFER MEANS FOR THERMOPLASTIC CAPS,

HAVING MEANS T0 HEAT SAID CARS DURING TRANSFER Edward Vantlander, Astoria, N. Y., assignor to American Seal-Kan Corporation of Delaware, Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware Application March 31, 1949, Serial No. 84,719

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for applying flexible skirted hood caps to the mouth of mill; bottles. It is especially adapted for applying and sealing hood caps having a pleated skirt which is in whole or in part coated with a thermoplastic adhesive which requires heat and pressure for sealing it about the mouth and pouring lip of a mill; bottle. Such a cap is shown and described in Patent No. 2,325,168 issued on July 27, 1943, to the American Seal Kap Corporation of Delaware on an application of Herbert G. Vore.

lfhis machine is especially adapted for use in smaller dairies whose total volume of business is such that it does not justify the installation of one of the more complicated and expensive high speed machines of this type which is available today.

The principal object of the invention is to rovide a simple and efficient machine of this type which is relatively cheap to manufacture and which can be used in conjunction with standard filling and capping machines in use at the present time.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means for heating the skirts of the caps in order to soften the adhesive applied thereto.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel and efficient means for successively withdrawing caps from the bottom of a stack of nested caps, of the aforesaid type, and pre senting them to the heating means for sufficient time to render the thermoplastic adhesive thereon soft and tacky, and then discharging the caps in a chute by which they are conveyed to a capping station.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character which is driven directly from the filling and capping machine with which it is associated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved suction head by which the caps are grasped and withdrawn from the stack.

Other and more limited objects of the invention will be apparent from following the specification and the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof wherein:

Fig. l is a horizontal section taken on the line E-i of Fig. 2 showing my improved machine associated with a. standard filling and capping machine which is shown somewhat diagrammatically in top plan;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my machine, parts thereof being broken away for the purpose of illustration;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional end elevation as viewed from the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged substantially vertical section taken on the line 4- 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a central vertical section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 6-.6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a detail section taken on the line '15-? of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 an edge view of the cap chute with the lower end thereof in section to show the cap supporting and applying means;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken on the line i0l@ of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 11 is a central vertical section through one of the suction heads.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings I have shown my improved machine applied to a standard filling and capping machine which includes a filling tank i which is rotatably supported above a base 2. Between the tank l and the base 2 are a plurality of stools 3 which are suitably mounted upon a rotatable turret which is adapted to be rotated in unison with the tank I. A plurality of filling valves are carried by and extend down.- wardly from the tank 5 in alignment with the stools 3. Empty bottles are delivered to the filler by a conveyor 5. As the bottles are delivered they are successively transferred from the conveyor .4, by a rotating star wheel 5, onto successive stools as they move past the star wheel 5. As the bottles are carried around on the stools 3 the stools are elevated to raise the bottles up into engagement with the filling valves through which the bottles are filled as they travel around on the stools. After the bottles have been filled the stools are lowered and the filled bottles are then successively transferred by a star wheel 6 onto stools i mounted on a rotating turret beneath suitable capping heads. After the bottles have been capped they are transferred from the stools i back onto the conveyor 4 by which they are carried away. The star wheel 5 is mounted upon a shaft 8 and all of the various elements are operated in unison by suitable mechanism mounted in the base 2.

My improved apparatus includes an upwardly extending standard to the upper end of which is secured a horizontally extending arm. The standard may be secured to a suitable base or may be bolted to the filling and capping machine as desired. Supported by the horizontal arm are a cap reservoir adapted to hold a stack of caps, a heating mechanism by which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition to be sealed over and about the mouths and pouring lips of bottles, a cap supporting and applying means, a chute by which heated caps are delivered to the cap supporting and applying means and a transfer mechanism by which caps are successively withdrawn from the reservoir and conveyed through the heating mechanism and then deposited in the chute.

The transfer mechanism comprises a rotating hub to which are secured three equally spaced radially extending hollow arms. A suction head is slidably mounted on the outer end of each of the arms. The transfer mechanism is arranged to successively move the suction heads under and past the reservoir. As each suction head comes under the reservoir it is automatically elevated by a pair of suitable cams into engagement with the bottom cap in the reservoir which is grasped and removed from the stack. After being withdrawn from the reservoir the cap is conveyed through an arcuate shaped heating chamber where it is heated by an electrical resistance element until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky. After leaving the heating chamber the cap is deposited in a hopper secured to the upper end of the delivery chute. In the hopper the cap is turned edgewise after which it drops into the delivery chute which conveys it to the cap supporting and applying means secured to the lower end of the chute. The cap supporting and applying means is disposed in the path of the filled bottles, as they are transferred from the stools 3 of the filler to the stools i of the capper, in position for the top of successive bottles to engage and withdraw successive caps therefrom as the bottles move thereby. The cams by which the suction heads are elevated into engagement with a cap in the reservoir are moved from an inoperative position to an operative position by a suction operated piston in a suitable cylinder mounted upon the horizontal arm. The operation of the piston is controlled by the filled bottles passing a predetermined point as they are being filled. At this point there is a valve having an operating handle which projects into the path of the bottles being filled. The valve is located in the suction line between the source of suction and the cylinder on the horizontal arm. As a bottle engages the operating handle it moves it to momentarily open the valve. Suction is then applied to the cylinder causing the piston therein to move downwardly. The downward movement of the piston elevates the cams into position to raise a suction head into position to withdraw a cap from the reservoir. The valve is so located with respect to the capping station that it takes a bottle substantially the same amount of time to travel from the valve to the cap applying station as it takes a cap to be withdrawn from the reservoir heated and delivered to the cap supporting and applying means at the capping station. With this arrangement each bottle initiates the release of its own cap. If a bottle is missing in the regular succession of bottles travelling to the cap applying station then a corresponding cap will be missing in the regular succession of caps travelling to the capping station to meet the bottles. The transfer mechanism is driven through suitable connections from the shaft 8 on which the star wheel 5 is mounted. Suction is applied to the cylinder and to the suction heads by a vacuum pump and suitable conduits.

After the bottles leave the capping station with caps loosely applied to the mouths and pouring lips thereof they are positioned upon the stools l of the capping mechanism under suitable capping heads. The capping heads force the caps fully into the mouths of the bottles and clamp and hold the skirts about the pouring lips of the bottles until the thermoplastic adhesive cools and hardens firmly securing the caps in place. Such an arrangement is shown in the patent to Goodwin et al. No. 2,325,163, issued July 27, 1943.

Referring now to the drawings by reference characters, the numeral I 6 indicates an upwardly extending standard which may have the lower end thereof secured to a suitable base or bolted to the filling and capping machine as desired. Secured to the upper end of this standard in is a horizontally extending arm II, which during operation projects over the filling and capping mechanism. A brace I2 between the standard In and arm I I is provided for strengthening purposes. A pair of spaced wedge-shaped supports I3 are secured to and extend upwardly from the free end of the arm II, one at each side thereof. A cover plate I3a is secured to the upper edge of the supports l3 and extends therebetween. The forward end of the plate I3a is secured to and supported by a pair of plates I3b extending upwardly from the arm II. Secured to and extending upwardly from the plate I3a is a pair of spaced parallel frame members I 4 and 15. A pair of identical spaced parallel supporting bars I6 are suitably secured, as by welding, to the rear edges of the supporting frames I4 and I5. The bars I5 extend up beyond the upper ends of the frame members I4 and 15 a short distance where they are bent at right angles as indicated at I? and then extend forwardly over the upper ends of the frame members I4 and I5 in alignment therewith. The upper ends I! of the bars I6 each has a bore I8 thereinv Removably mounted in the bores I8 is a pair of identical rods I9 which extend upwardly from the ends I! of the bars I6 and support therebetween a cap reservoir 20 to which the upper ends 2! of the rods are welded as indicated at 22. The cap reservoir consists of an open-ended tube, the lower end 23 of which is disposed a short distance above the forwardly extending ends I! of the rods I6.

A cap support generally indicated by the numeral 24 is slidably supported (for the purpose to be described) between the bar ends i! by bosses 25 which are formed integral with the cap support and have bores 26 through which the bar ends I! extend. The bores 26 are made considerably larger than the bar ends I! in order that the cap support 24 may slide freely without danger of binding. lhe rearward movement of the cap support 24 is limited by stop pins 2'! projecting outwardly from the bar ends I7, and the forward movement is limited by the upward extensions of the rods I9. The cap support 24 comprises a split ring 28 having the opposed ears 29 and 30. A screw 3I which extends freely through a smooth aperture in the ear 29 is screwed into a threaded aperture in the car 30. A coil spring 32 is disposed about the screw 3! between the ears 29 and 3B. The screw 3| and spring 32 are provided to adjust the diameter of the ring 28. A pair of arcuate opposed jaws 33 having downwardly and inwardly inclined surfaces 34 are formed integral with and extend downwardly from the lower edge of the ring 28,

one at each side thereof, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 7. The jaws 33 are adapted to support a stack 35 of nested inverted caps which extends downwardly from the reservoir 20, through the lower end 23 thereof, into engagement with the aws.

A hub 36 is rotatably mounted between the frames I4 and I5 upon a stud 3? which is rigidly secured to the frame I5 as indicated at 38. The hub 30 has a reduced end 39 which extends through and bears in a cylindrical bore 40 in the frame I4. A sprocket 4| is keyed to the reduced end 39 and is held thereon by a nut 42. Three equally spaced radially extending hollow arms 4-3 are secured to the hub 30 midway between the side frames I4 and I5. slidably mounted upon each arm 43 is a sleeve 04 each of which has secured to the outer end thereof a suction head generally indicated by the numeral 45. During operation the hub 35 is continuously rotated through the sprocket il by a chain 45 which is driven by a sprocket 41 mounted on one end of a rotating shaft 09 which is mounted in suitable bearing carried by the wedge-shaped supports I3. A bevel gear 49 is secured to the other end of the shaft 49. The bevel gear 09 meshes with a bevel gear 50 secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 5i. The shaft 5I is rotated by the shaft 8, of the filling machine, through a connecting shaft 52 and a pair of universal joints 53.

Each suction head 45 comprises a base 55 having two spaced annular flanges a and 52' extending outwardly therefrom and providing therebetween an annular recess 50 in which is seated a sponge rubber gasket 59. The base 55 is secured to the outer end of a sleeve 00 and has two spaced longitudinal bores 50 and therein which are connected by a transverse bore 02. The bores 90, III and 52 provide a communicating passageway between the interior of the sleeve 00 and arm 43 and the annular chamber 53 defined by the annular flange 51. An axially aligned recess 64 in the base 55 intersects the transverse bore 02. A valve plunger 55 having an annular groove 59 is slidably mounted in the recess 04. The valve plunger 05 has a stem 07, of reduced diameter, which extends out from the recess 04 into a cupshaped member 08 which is shown as formed integral with a plate 59 which is secured to the base 55 within the chamber 58 by screws I0. A disc II is pinned to the outer end of the stem 8i, and a coil spring I2 is disposed about the stem 61 between the disc II and the plate 69. The spring I2 normally urges the valve plunger outwardly until the shoulder formed between the stem 9'5 and the valve plunger 05 engages the back of the plate 69 which prevents further outward movement. In this position the annular groove 00 is out of register with the bore 52 and communication between the interior of the sleeve 44 and the chamber 63 is cut off. But when the suction head is raised to remove a cap from the bottom of the stack 55, as will be hereinafter described, the valve stem and plunger are depressed, bringing the groove 65 into register with the transverse bore 62 establishing communication between the chamber 59 and the interior of the sleeve 44 and arm 03. The base 55 of the suction head 45 carries a pair of rollers I5 which are rotatably mounted upon suitable axially aligned studs I0 secured to and projecting outwardly from the base 55. The sleeves 44, which are slidably mounted on the arms 4-3 for radial movement, are prevented from turning on the arms 43 by pins I1 which are secured to the arms 43 and extend through elongated slots I8 in the sleeves 44. The sleeves 44 are normally urged radially inwardly by springs I9 which have one end thereof connected to the pins I? and the other end thereof connected to pins 00 carried by the bases 55.

The stud 3'! has an axial bore therein. The inner end of the bore 85 is connected by a transverse bore 86 to an annular groove 81 which is formed in and extends partially around the stud 31. The outer end of the bore 85 is connected by a coupling 88 to a tube 89 which leads to a vacuum pump (not shown). The stud 90 also has a longitudinal groove 90 formed in the periphery thereof, the outer end of which is open to theatmosphere as indicated at 9! Radial bores 36a disposed in axial alignment with the hollow arms 43 provide communication first between the interior of the arms 43 and the annular groove 81, and then between the arms 43 and the longitudinal groove 90.

A pair of similar cams generally indicated by the numeral are slidably mounted against the inner walls of the frames I4 and i5 adjacent the upper ends thereof. Each cam 95 comprises a base 90 having an outwardly extending rib 91 and an upwardly extending arm 98 thereon. The ribs 9'! are slidably mounted in elongated slots 99 through the frames I4 and i5, and are held therein by plates I00 which are secured thereto. The arms 90 have upwardly and forwardly inclined cam surfaces 98a formed along the rear thereof. The cams 95 are normally urged downwardly in the slots 99 by springs IIII, and are raised at predetermined times by rocker arms I02 which are pivotally mounted upon studs I03 secured to the frames I4 and I5. The upward movement of the cams 95 is limited by adjustable stop screws 94 extending down into the slots 99 in position to engage the upper ends of the ribs 91.

One end of each of the rocker arms I02 engages a shoulder I04 on each of the cam arms 90 opposite the cam surfaces 98a. The other ends of the rocker arms I02 are connected by a pair of links I05 to a cross-head I00 which is secured to the outer end of a piston rod I01, the inner end of which is secured to a piston I08 slidably mounted in a cylinder I09. The cylinder I09 is secured by bolts IIO to the underside of the cover plate I3a, between the wedge-shaped supports I3, and a pair of plates I3b which support the forward upper end of the plate I3a. The lower end of the cylinder I09 is connected to the vacuum pump previously referred to by a conduit I I I. When vacuum is applied to the cylinder I99 beneath the piston I08, the piston I08 therein and the piston rod I01 and crosshead I06 connected to the piston I08 will be drawn downwardly. The downward movement of the crosshead I06 through the links I05 will rock the rocker arms I02 which in turn will raise the cams 95 to their uppermost position, as determined by the stops 94, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The operation of the piston I08 and consequently the raising and lowering of the cams 95 is controlled by a three-way valve II2 which is interposed in the conduit III between the cylinder I09 and the vacuum pump, and is adapted to alternately connect the cylinder I09 to vacuum and to atmosphere. After suction to the cylinder I09 has been cut off and the cylinder vented to the atmosphere, the piston I08 and parts carried thereby are returned to their initial position by a compression spring II3 disposed about the piston rod IIlI between the plate I3a and the crosshead I06. The valve II2 which is mounted at a predetermined location on the fi1l ing machine has on operating handle II4 which projects into the path of the bottle and is adapted to be successively engaged by the bottles as they are being filled. Each bottle as it engages the handie H4 operates the valve to connect the cylinder I99 to the source of vacuum. After a bottle passes the handle I I4 the valve is returned to its initial position, venting the cylinder I09 to atmosphere by suitable spring means, not shown.

As the suction heads 45 are moved along their orbital path by the rotation of the hub 33, they pass through a heating chamber generally indicated by the numeral I226. The heating chamber I comprises a pair of spaced side walls I2I, which are secured to and straddle the frames I4 and i5, and an arcuate peripheral wall I22. A

plurality of insulating spools I23 are secured to the peripheral wall I22 in spaced relation within the chamber I20, and support thereon an electrical resistance heating element I24, which are adapted to radiate heat radially inwardly when energized.

A hopper I26 having a pair of spaced upwardly extending side walls I21 secured to the opposed faces of the frames I4 and I5 is mounted adjacent the lower rear end of the heater I26. The hopper I26 is connected to and discharges into the upper end of a downwardly and rearwardly inclined chute I28, the lower end of which is connected to a vertical chute I29 supported by a bracket I30 secured to and extending rearwardly from the horizontal arm II. A cap deflector plate I3I is connected to one of the walls I2I of the hopper and inclines inwardly and downwardly into the hopper, and a cap-supporting and applying means is mounted in the lower end of the vertical chute I29.

The cap supporting and applying means, generally indicated by the numeral I35, comprises a pair of spaced supports I33 each having a downwardly and inwardly inclined surface I3! which are adapted to engage the lower peripheral edge of a cap and support the cap in a vertical position at the lower end of the chute I29 as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. The supports I33 are secured to the side walls I38 of the chute I29 at the lower open end thereof, and each has a forwardly extending arm I39 secured to the lower end thereof below the inclined surface I31, along which the caps slide as they are being withdrawn from the support by moving bottles. The front wall I43 of the chute terminates a substantial distance above the lower end of the chute as indicated at I SI, and the rear wall I42 is cut out as indicated at I43 to provide for the passage of the neck of a bottle between the side walls I38 and the supports I33. A gate I44 which is pivotally secured to the lower end of the front wall I49, as indicated at I45, extends downwardly and forwardly from the lower edge I4! thereof into the path of caps as they are being withdrawn from the supports I36 by the bottles. The gate I44 is yielclingly held in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 8 by a spring I46, and is provided to assure the tipping of the caps onto the mouth of bottles as they are being withdrawn from the supports I36 along the arms I39.

In operation the apparatus is mounted adjacent a filling and capping machine with the cap supporting and applying mechanism I disposed in the path of the filled bottles along which they are moved as they are being transferred 8 from the filling mechanism to the capping mechanism by the star wheel 3, and with the shaft 5I connected to the shaft 8, which drives the star wheel 5, by the connecting shaft 52 and the universal joint 53. Then when the filling and capping mechanisms are operating the hub 36, and the arms 43 and suction heads carried thereby, are operated in unison with the filling and capping mechanisms. As the bottles are carried around on the stools 3 while being filled, they successively engage the operating handle II4 of the valve H2 and momentarily open the valve II2 which applies suction to the cylinder I59 be neath the piston I38. After each bottle passes fl the handle II4 the valve II2 returns to its initial position, cutting off suction to the cylinder I09 and venting it to atmosphere. The application of suction to the cylinder I09 moves the piston I88 therein downwardly which rocks the rocker arms I42 and raises the cam 95 into position for the cam surfaces 38a to be engaged by the rollers on the suction heads 45 as the heads are carried around by the hub 36 and the arms 43. After the rollers engage the cam surfaces 98a the continued movement of the heads causes the earns 95 to raise the heads into engagement with the bottom cap of the stack 35 of nested caps. The arrangement and timing of the apparatus is such that the cams 95 are raised just prior to the engagement of the rollers 15 therewith. As the suction heads engage the bottom cap of the stack the valve plungers 55 therein are depressed which opens the passage between the interior of the hollow arms 43 and the chambers 03 in the heads. Suction is then applied to the chambers 63 through the tube 85, bores and 85, annular groove 81', radial bores 35a, hollow arms 43 and the passageways in the heads 45 between the chambers 63 and the interior of the arms 43.

The bottom caps of the stack 35 will then be suctionally gripped and held firmly against the sponge rubber gaskets 59 carried by the heads. Then upon further movement of the suction heads the stack support will be moved forwardly and upwardly to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, after which the bottom caps are withdrawn from between the jaws 33 and carried through the heating chamber I29. While travelling through the heating chamber the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive on the skirts thereof becomes soft and. tacky in condition for securely sealing the caps over and about the mouth and pouring lips 0 bottles. As the suction heads and caps thereon leave the heating chamber I23, they pass over the hopper I23 between the upwardly extending sides I2'I thereof. At this point the radial bores 36a pass out of communication with the annular groove 81 and into communication with the longitudinal groove 30 which cuts off the suction to the chamber 63 and vents it to atmosphere thus releasing the caps and allowing them to drop into the hopper I26. The caps fall from the hopper I26 into the chute I28 past the deflector plate I3I which turns the caps to an edgewise position as they enter the chute I28. The caps then roll down the inclined chute I28 into the vertical chute I 29 and drop onto the supports I36 in position to be engaged by the necks of bottles moving past the bottom of the vertical chute I29 and between the supports I36. As the caps are withdrawn from the chute they are deposited loosely over and about the mouths and pouring lips of the bottles. The bottles are then moved onto the stools I beneath suitable capping heads which press the caps firmly onto the bottles and clamp .and hold the cap skirts about the necks of the bottles until the thermoplastic adhesive on the cap skirts cools and hardens securely holding the caps in place.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a very simple and efficient apparatus for carrying out the objects of my invention.

It is to be understood that I am not limited to the specific construction shown and described herein as various modifications can be made thereto within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a downwardly inclined reservoir adapted to hold a stack of inverted nested caps having a thermoplastic adhesive applied to the skirts thereof, a heating chamber in which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition for sealing the caps over and about the mouth and pouring lips of bottles, a cap supporting and applying means adapted to be disposed in the path of filled bottles being transferred from a filling mechanism to a capping mechanism, a chute by which. heated caps are delivered to said cap supporting and applying means, and a cap transfer mechanism operative to successively withdraw caps from the bottom of said stack of nested caps and carry said caps through said heating chamber and then deposit said caps in said chute for delivery to said cap supporting and applying means, said transfer mechanism comprising a hub rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis, a plurality of radially extending arms secured to said hub, a suction head slidably mounted on the outer end of each of said arms, means for rotating said hub to move successive suction heads successively under said stack of caps through said heating chamber and over the upper end of said chute, and means operative to shift said suction heads on said arms into engagement with the bottom cap of said stack as they pass thereunder.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a downwardly inclined reservoir adapted to hold a stack of inverted nested caps having a thermoplastic adhesive applied to the skirts thereof, a heating chamber in which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition for sealing the caps over and about the mouths and pouring lips of bottles, a cap supporting and applying means adapted to be disposed in the path of filled bottles being transferred from a filling mechanism to a capping mechanism, a chute by which heated caps are delivered to said cap supporting and applying means, and a cap transfer mechanism operative to successively withdraw caps from the bottom of said stack of nested caps and carry said caps through said heating chamber and then deposit said caps in said chute for delivery to said cap supporting and applying means, said transfer mechanism comprising a hub rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis, a plurality of radially extending arms secured to said hub, a suction head slidably mounted on the outer end of each of said arms, means for rotating said hub to move successive suction heads successively under said stack of caps through said heating chamber and over the upper end of said chute, means for elevating said suction heads into engagement with the bottom cap of said stack of caps as they pass thereunder,

means to apply suction to said suction head as they engage said bottom caps to cause said suction heads to suctionally hold and withdraw said bottom caps from said stack, and means for causing said suction heads to release said caps when said suction heads are over said chute.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a downwardly inclined reservoir adapted to hold a stack of inverted nested caps having a thermoplastic adhesive applied to the skirt thereof, a heating chamber in which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition for sealing the caps over and about the mouths and pouring lips of bottles, a cap supporting and applying means adapted to be disposed in the path of filled bottles being transferred from a filling mechanism to a capping mechanism, a

' chute by which heated caps are delivered to said cap supporting and applying means, and a cap transfer mechanism operative to successively withdraw caps from the bottom of said stack of nested caps and carry said caps through said heating chamber and then deposit said caps in said chute for delivery to said cap supporting and applying means, said transfer mechanism comprising a hub rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis, a plurality of radially extending arms secured to said hub, a suction head slidably mounted on the outer end of each of said arms, means for rotating said hub to move successive suction heads successivel under said stack of caps through said heating chamber and over the upper end of said chute, cam means adapted to be engaged by successive suction heads and operative to elevate said suction heads into engagement with the bottom cap of said stack of caps, means to apply suction to said suction heads as they engage said bottom caps to cause said suction heads to suctionally hold and withdraw said bottom caps from said stack, and means for causing said suction heads to release said caps when said suction heads are over said chute.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a downwardly inclined reservoir adapted to hold a stack of inverted nested caps having a thermoplastic adhesive applied to the skirt thereof, a heating chamber in which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition for sealing the caps over and about the mouths and pouring lips of bottles, a cap supporting and applying means adapted to be disposed in the path of filled bottles being transferred from a 1 filling mechanism to a capping mechanism, a

chute by which heated caps are delivered to said cap supporting and applying means, and a cap transfer mechanism operative to successively withdraw caps from the bottom of said stack of nested caps and carry said caps through said heating chamber and then deposit said caps in said chute for delivery to said cap supporting and applying means, said transfer mechanism comprising a hub rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis, a plurality of radially extending arms secured to said hub, a suction head slidably mounted on the outer end of each of said arms, means for rotating said hub to move successive suction heads successively under said stack of caps through said heating chamber and over the upper end of said chute, cam means mounted for sliding movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted when in operative position to be engaged by successive suction heads and operative to elevate said suction heads into engagement with the bottom cap 01' said stack of caps, means to appl suction to said suction heads as they engage said bottom caps to cause said suction heads to suctionally hold and withdraw said bottom caps from said stack, and means for causing said suction heads to release said caps when said suction heads are over said chute.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a downwardly inclined reservoir adapted to hold a stack of inverted nested caps having a thermoplastic adhesive applied to the skirt thereof, a heating chamber in which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition for sealing the caps over and about the mouths and pouring lips of bottles, a cap supporting and applying means adapted to be disposed in the path of filled bottles being transferred from a filling mechanism to a capping mechanism, a chute by which heated caps are delivered to said cap supporting and applying means, and a cap transfer mechanism operative to successively withdraw caps from the bottom of said stack of nested caps and carry said caps through said heating chamber and then deposit said caps in said chute for delivery to said cap supporting and applying means, said transfer mechanism comprising a hub rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis, a plurality of radially extending arms secured to said hub, a suction head slidably mounted on the outer end of each of said arms, means for rotating said hub to move successive suction heads successively under said stack of caps through said heating chamber and over the upper end of said chute, cam means mounted for sliding movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted when in operative position to be engaged by successive suction heads and operative to elevate said suction heads into engagement with the bottom cap of said stack of caps, means responsive to the passage of bottles past a given point for moving said cam means from inoperative to operative position, means to apply suction to said suction heads as they engage said bottom caps to cause said suction heads to suctionall hold and withdraw said bottom caps from said stack, and means for causing said suction heads to release said caps when said suction heads are over said chute.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a downwardly inclined reservoir adapted to hold a stack of inverted nested caps having a thermoplastic adhesive applied to the skirt thereof, a heating chamber in which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition for sealing the caps over and about the mouths and pouring lips of bottles, a cap supporting and applying means adapted to be disposed in the path of filled bottles being transferred from a filling mechanism to a capping mechanism, a chute by which heated caps are delivered to said cap supporting and applying means, and a cap transfer mechanism operative to successively withdraw caps from the bottom of said stack of nested caps and carry said caps through said heating chamber and then deposit said caps in said chute for delivery to said cap supporting and applying means, said transfer mechanism comprising a hub rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis, a plurality of radially extending arms secured to said hub, a suction head slidably mounted on the outer end of each of said arms, means for rotating said hub to move successive Gil suction heads successively under said stack of caps through said heating chamber and over the upper end of said chute, cam means mounted for sliding movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted when in operative position to be engaged by successive suction heads and operative to elevate said suction heads into engagement with the bottom cap of said stack of caps, a rocker arm having one end thereof operatively connected to said cam means and the other end thereof connected to a pressure operated piston, means for applying pressure to said piston to cause it to rock said rocker arm and move said cam means from inoperative to operative position, means to apply suction to said suction heads as they engage said bottom caps to cause said suction heads to suctionall hold and withdraw said bottom caps from said stack, and means for causing said suction heads to release said caps when said suction heads are over said chute.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a downwardly inclined reservoir adapted to hold a stack of inverted nested caps having a thermoplastic adhesive applied to the skirt thereof, a heating chamber in which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition for sealing the caps over and about the mouths and pouring lips of bottles, a cap supporting and applying means adapted to be disposed in the path of filled bottles being transferred from a filling mechanism to a capping mechanism, a hopper into which heated caps are deposited, a chute connected to said hopper by which caps are conveyed from said hopper to said cap supporting and applying means, cap tilting means within said chute by which caps are turned to an edgewise position as they pass from said hopper into said chute, and cap transfer mechanism operative to successively withdraw the bottom cap from said stack of nested caps and carry said caps through said heating chamber and then deposit them in said hopper, said transfer mechanism comprising a hub rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis, a plurality of radially extending arms secured to said hub, a suction head slidably mounted on the outer end of each of said arms, means for rotating said hub to move successive suction heads successively under said stack of caps through said heating chamber and over the upper end of said chute, and means operative to elevate said suction heads into engagement with the bottom cap of said stack as they pass thereunder.

8. In a device of the character described the combination of a cap reservoir adapted to hold a stack of inverted nested caps having a thermoplastic adhesive applied to the skirts thereof, said stack extending down below the lower open end of said reservoir a substantial distance, stack supporting means disposed below the lower end of said reservoir in position to releasably engage the bottom cap of said stack, said stack supporting means being slidingly supported on suitable guides and adapted to be moved forwardly on said guides as caps are successivel withdrawn from the bottom of said stack, a heating chamber in which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition for sealing the caps over and about the mouths and pouri g lips or bottles, a cap supporting and applying means adapted to be disposed in the path of filled bottles being transferred from a filling mechanism to a capping mechanism, a chute by which heated caps are delivered to said cap supporting andapplying means, and a cap transfer mechanism operative to successively Withdraw caps from the bottom of said stack of nested caps and carry said caps through said heating chamber and then deposit said caps in said chute for delivery to said cap supporting and applying means, said transfer mechanism comprising a hub mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a radially extending arm secured to said hub, a suction head mounted upon the outer end of said arm, means for rotating said hub to successively move said suction head under said stack supporting means through said heating chamber and over the up per end of said chute, and means operative to cause said suction head to engage and Withdraw the bottom cap of said stack of caps from said stack supporting means and deposit said bottom cap in said chute after said suction head has passed through said chamber.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a downwardly inclined reservoir adapted to hold a stack of inverted nested caps having thermoplastic adhesive applied to the skirt thereof, a heating chamber in which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition for sealing the caps over and about the mouths and pouring lips of bottles, a cap supporting and applying means adapted to be disposed in the path of filled bottles being tran ferred from a filling mechanism to a capping mechanism, a chute by which heated caps are delivered to said cap supporting and applying means, and a cap transfer mechanism operative to successively withdraw caps from bottom of said stack of nested caps and carry said caps through said heating chamber and then deposit said caps in said chute for delivery to said cap supporting and applying means, said transfer mechanism comp-rising a hub mounted for rotation. about a horizontal axis, a radially extending arm secured to said hub, a suction head mounted upon the outer end of said arm, means for rotating said hub to successively move said suction head under said reservoir through said heating chamber and over the upper end of said chute, means operative to shift said suction head on said arm into engagement with the bottom cap of said stack, a holder carrying the lower caps of said stack, and means mounting said holder to slide in the direction of advance of said head as the head. passes said stack in its rotation.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a downwardly inclined reservoir adapted to hold a stack of inverted nested caps having a thermoplastic adhesive applied to the skirt thereof, a heating chamber in which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition for sealing the caps over and about the mouths and pouring lips of bottles, a cap supporting and applying means adapted to be disposed in the path of filled bottles being transferred from a filling mechanism to a capping mechanism, a chute which heated caps are delivered to said cap supporting and applying means, and a cap transfer mechanism operative to successively withdraw caps from the bottom of said stack of nested caps and carry caps through said heating chamber and then deposit said caps in said chute for delivery to said cap supporting and applying means, said transfer mechanism comprising a hub mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a

radially extending arm secured'to said hub,,a suction'head slidably mounted upon the outeriend of said arm, meansfor rotating said hub'to successively move said suction head under said-reservoir through said heating chamber and over the upper end of said. chute, and means operative to shift said suction head into engagement with the bottom cap of said stack as it passes thereunder said last mentioned means being responsive to the passage of a bottle past a given point and to .the rotation of said hub.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of a downwardly inclined reservoir adapted to-hold a stack of inverted nested caps having a thermoplastic adhesive applied to the skirt thereof, a heating chamber in which the caps are heated until the thermoplastic adhesive thereon becomes soft and tacky in condition for sealing the caps over about the mouths and pouring lips cf bottles, a cap supporting and applying means adapted to be disposed in the path of filled bottles being transferred from a filling mechanism to a capping mechanism, a chute by which heated caps are delivered to said cap supporting and applying means, and a cap transfer mechanism operative to successively withdraw caps from the bottom of said stack of nested caps and carry said caps through said heating chamber and then deposit said caps in said chute for delivery to said cap supporting and applying means, said transfer mechanism comprising a hub mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a radially extending arm secured to said hub, a suction head mounted upon the outer end of said arm, means for rotating said hub to successively move said suction head under said reservoir through said heating chamber and over the upper end of said chute, means rendered operative by the passage of a bottle past a given point to cause said suction head to engage the bottom cap of said stack of caps, and means rendered operative by the engagement of said suction head with said bottom cap and the rotation of said hub to cause said head to withdraw said bottom cap from said stack of caps and to deposit said bottom cap in said chute after said suction head has passed through said heating chamber.

12. In an apparatus for applying skirted hood caps to bottles having a reservoir adapted to support a stack of nested hood caps and a cap applymechanism the combination therewith of, a hub mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a radially extending arm secured to said hub, a head secured to the outer end of said arm, means for rotating said hub to successively move said head past said reservoir, a cap picker means carried by said head and operative as said head moves past said reservoir to withdraw the end cap from said reservoir for delivery to said cap applying mechanism, a holder carrying the lower caps of said stack, and means mounting said holder to slide in the direction of advance of said head as the head passes said stack in its rotation.

13. In an apparatus for applying skirted hood caps to bottles having a reservoir adapted to support a stack of nested hood caps and a cap applying mechanism the combination therewith of, a hub mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a radially extending arm secured to said hub, a suction head secured to the outer end of 'said arm, means for rotating said hub to successively move said suction head past said reservoir, a normally closed valve in said suction head for 15 controlling the application of suction to said head, means operative to bring said suction head and the end cap of said stack of caps into engagement with each other as said suction moves past said reservoir, means carried by said suction head which are rendered operative by engagement with said end cap to open said valve to supply suction to said head to withdraw said end cap from said stack for delivery to said cap applying mechanism.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination of a reservoir adapted to hold a stack of nested hood caps, a heating chamber through which caps are conveyed, a cap applying station, a chute by which caps are delivered to said cap applying station, and a transfer mechanism by which caps are successively withdrawn from said reservoir conveyed through said heating chamber and deposited in said chute for delivery to said cap applying mechanism, said transfer mecha- 15 the end cap of said stack of nested caps, spring means for moving said sleeve and said head radially inwardly after said head has been released bysaid cam means, picker mechanism carried by said head and operative to withdraw the end cap from said stack of caps and to deposit said end cap in said chute after said head has passed through said heating chamber, and means to shift said cam means from inoperative to operative position in timed relation to the movement of bottles past said cap applying mechanism.

EDWARD VANTLANDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,007,892 Recht Nov. 7, 1911 1,905,615 Wright et a1 Apr. 25, 1933 1,964,078 Podel June 26, 1934 2,037,631 Hultin Apr. 14, 1936 2,076,116 Brinton Apr. 6, 1937 2,304,146 Brinton Dec. 8, 1942 2,325,163 Goodwin et a1 July 27, 1943 2,325,164 Goodwin July 27, 1943 2,325,168 Vore July 27, 1943 2,361,176 Carvey Oct. 24, 1944 2,397,297 Sonnenberg Mar, 26. 1946

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