US2660353A - Band applying mechanism - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 24, Q E, GAMPP BAND APPLYING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 24, 1948 Nov. 24, 1953 G. E. GAMPP BAND APPLYING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 24, 1948 JNVENTOR.

' GEORGE E. GAMPP JMJJ',

@Harney Nov. 24, 1953 G, E, GAMPP n 2,660,353

BAND APPLYING MECHANISM Filed July 24, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN1/Emol@ GEORGE E. GAMPP f 0 Nov. 24, 1953 Filed July 24.

6 Sheets-SheetI 4 I I 256 @im I f2@ i 1| 240 l l I :244- i l 248 f 242 u "i 246 'l q 248 /L' 4 T-) l l 250 8 INVENTOR.

GEORGE E. GAMPP BY J- $414.

Nov. 24, 1953 G. EGAMPP BAND APPLYING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 24, 1948 INVENOR. GEORGE E. GAMPP BY l.

Jau/Ab 'J'za/ Nov. 24, 1953 G. E. GAMPP BAND APPLYING MECHANISM V' 6 Sheets-Sheet 6- Filed July 24, 1948 1| P P m bm Q MM JM M NWN N\Q\ @Vx QW\ c W H I- L mi m w bmx D@ l EQ QQ d W Patented Nov. 24, 1953 BAND APPLYING MECHANISM George E. Gampp, Kenmore, N. Y., assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application July 24, 1948, Serial No. 40,532

12 Claims.

This invention relates to band applying machines, more particularly to mechanism for applying a flexible band over the neck of a container.

One of the main objects of the invention is to more positively and accurately place the band over the neck of the container.

Still another object of the invention is to mechanically grip one end of the band and thereby strip it from members whereon the band is partially expanded, and apply the band to the neck of a bottle whereby slippage of the band during stripping and application to the bottle neck will be avoided.

These and other objects not specifically mentioned may be obtained by the construction which will be hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevation of a machine upon which a plurality of carriers, each having sleeve applying means of this invention incorporated therein, are operatively supported for applying sleeves to bottles;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section thereof on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of a cam track embodied in the machine of Fig. 1 as seen from the opposite side thereof;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of a portion o'f the machine on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, transverse vertical section of one of the sleeve carriers;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section thereof on line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the lower portion of one of the sleeve carriers;

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view thereof, taken approximately on line 8-8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 8a is a fragmentary, rear elevation illlustrating part of the mechanism seen in Figs. 7 and 8;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the lower end of a sleeve carrier illustrating the sleeve engaging and applying means prior to an operation in which the sleeve is engagedr thereby for movement to position a sleeve upon the neck of a bottle;

Fig. 9a is a horizontal section thereof on line srt-9a, Fig. 9;

Fig. 10 is a similar view, illustrating an intermediate step in the movements of the parts in applying a sleeve to a bottle;

Fig. 10a is a horizontal section thereof on line lua-Illa of Fig. 10;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation, partly in section, illustrating the parts of Figs. 9 and 10 in the position in which a sleeve has been gripped in a manner for application of the sleeve to a bottle neck;

Fig. 11a is a horizontal section thereof on line IIa-ilafof Fig. 11;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Figs. 9-11 in which the sleeve engaging parts have been moved to the position in which a sleeve has been opened to circular form directly over a bottle neck;

. Fig. 12a is a horizontal section thereof on line 12alia of Fig. 12;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional elevation of the parts illustrated in Fig. 12, wherein those parts have been moved to position the sleeve aboutl the bottle neck;

Fig. 13a is a horizontal section thereof on line i3d-i3d. of Fig. 13.

It will be observed that Fig. 1 of the present application corresponds essentially to a `portion of Fig. 8 of the copending application of H. G. Allen et al., s. N. 738,470, filed March 31, 1947, for Band Applying Machine. Likewise Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 61 thereof, and Fig. 4 corresponds to Fig. 64 in that application.

In Fig. 1 the bottles or other containers B, to the necks of which sleeves are to be applied, may be advanced continuously in the direction of the arrow in spaced relation by a conveyor 20 having a horizontal run travelling along the top of the conveyor frame 22. The bottles B may be spaced apart on run 22 by suitable movable elements 24 corresponding to hold-back fingers Ill and |12 ofA the above mentioned application a distance apart corresponding to the distance apart of a plurality of sleeve carrying elements or carriers C which travel in an endless path about the machine. Further description of the conveyor 2D and elements 24 is deemed unnecessary since the construction and operation thereof is fully disclosed in the above mentioned application. It may be noted, however, that conveyor 20 travels at a higher speed than the elements 24, wherefore it slips on the bottoms of bottles B, thus urging them instantly into engagementwith the elements 24.

The sleeves are applied to the carriers C in any suitable manner on the side of the machine opposite to that shown in Fig. 1. This operation is described in detail in the aforesaid application and need not be described herein. As illustrated in Fig. l, the upper and lower end of each carrier C is operatively secured to upper and lower sprocket chains 26 and 28 which travel about sprockets 30 mounted on vertical shafts 32 i2 in the embodiment of the invention illus-H trated, includes a pair of parallel spaced upright Y rods or supports dil to the upper ends of each pair of which is secured a member |32; operatively attached to the upper sprocket chain 26. lower ends of the rods lo have secured thereto supporting members M by which they are attached to the lower sprocket chain 28. Below TheVA the members 32 on each pair of rods d0 there is secured thereto a bracket 48 supporting a roller Eil, Fig. l. Each paiiuofrods is also supports a vertically movable slide v52 at the rear of which is mounted a rollerifl,v Fig. l. Between movable element 52 andbracket i8 andsurrounding one of the rods itis a coil spring the use of which will be hereinafter explained.

Each sleeve carrier C (see Eigs. 5 and?) yis provided with a pair -of pendant lingers 6o. The front or `outer linger .5B is secured to the lower end of a connector vor adaptor 62 which may be secured at its upperend .to .a pendant arm 'ad which is pivotally mounted on a Stud $5 journalled in spaced outer and-inner .bearing portions @3 and l0 of the .memberd before mentioned. The inner. or rear finger 6B, is fastened to an adaptor 'i2 secured to another pendant supportingarm le which, like the arm .64., =is similarly pivoted on another stud Si supported bybearing portion 'i8 and another outer bearing portion E8 of the member @5. The arms Maand 'l2 are mounted on the two shafts 6.5, which are arranged in axial alignment, to simultaneously swing inwardly and outwardly toward and away from each other. For controlling the in and Vout movement of the fingers Si! the arms M .and 14 vare each provided with a roller or .cam follower 16 mounted, to operatively engage oppositely inclined faces 18 of a tapered cam or wedge 8p fixed to the lower end of a rod 82 whichis slidablly mounted in member se and is fixed at its upper end to the slide 52 to reciprocate verticallyY therewith. Contact be tween the rollers lo, andthe cam member 3E is assured by a tension spring Sel, Fig. 5, which at its opposite ends is suitably secured to adaptors $2 and l2. When the cam member '8o isv moved upwardly thev fingers 6g are urged by the spring 34 towards each othel. ,SQ that their inner faces are closely adjacent. It 4is in the foregoing position, which occurs only on the side of the machine opposite to that shown in 1Eig. l, that this action occurs. It is here that the limp and partially Opened band or .sleeves D are slipped upwardly Onto the lower .ends of the collapsed .1ingers.

However. the Sleeves soul@ also be applied by hand. Automatic mechanism, similar to that described in the above mentioned application, causes the fingers to be spread apart by downward movement o f the cam SD to an extent suffi.-Y cient to cause the sleeves to be retained on the fingers.

The fingers 6G may be releasably locked in closed position during the application of a sleeve thereto by suitable mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5. This mechanism includes the latch 8B pivoted at one end to the adaptor l2 and having adjustably secured in its free end a stop screw 88. Intermediate its ends latch 8B has a notch 9D into which, in the closed position of the fingers 6U a lug S2 on the lower end of arm (is may seat. In actual practice the sleeve is applied to the fingers by upward movement of a pair of suction blocks or members (not shown) similar to thefsuction pads 5&2 of the above mentioned application. At the time when these blocks arrive at a position where it is desired to apply the sleeve to the ingers the upper end of one of said blocks strikes stop screw88 thereby raising and releasing latch 86 from-lug 92.

It will be recalled that spring 55 surrounding one'of theca'rrier rods le exerts downward pressureagainstthe -slide 52. Since rod 82 carrying cam is fixed to slide 52, the cam wedge 80 will be moved' downwardly through the action of spring 56 between rollers "iE to cause the fingers E@ -to be spread apartto engage and supportthe sleeve assoon as the latch has been released.v The extentto-which the fingers-6o are opened during the foregoing step of applying the Vsleeve' is controlled by the engagement of roller on each carrier C with the lupper edge of a hori` zontal cam bar -l-Q (see Fig. l). As soon as the carrier leaves the `sleeve applying station orzone the roller 5o travels to a lower portion |32 of camV bar 86 (Fig. l) where, through action of camwedge Sii, the fingers vGopen to a greater extent to draw the sleeve vtauter vand thereby retain it more securely onrtlie .ngers shown in Figs. 5, 9a andz 11a. This position is such thatpartsof the sleeve gripping and applying mechanism, which will bepresently described,` can move to positions Vbetween. the fingers S8 to effect the necessary sleeve ygripping operation.

A suitable embodiment of mechanism 'for gripping the lower edgeof a bandD to remove it from the fingers ASil and applyit to the neck of a bottle B willnow be described. .Referring to Figs. 9aand 10a of the drawings, it will be noted that-thev of the fingers EB, assume a substantially cyl-in drical form of a diameter at the lower section `of the sleeve which is somewhat-greater than the diameter of the lbottle-top to which it is being applied, as illustrated in'Figs. 13 and 13a. Each sleeve gripping mechanism forms a part of a carrier C and is mounted on a slide |93 which-is reciprocable on the lower portions of the carrier rods 4a below part 44 (seeFigs. 7 and 8).

beyond the rods 40 there are provided a pair -of forwardly extendingintegral bearing sleeves l2. In one of these sleeves is mounted a pivot stud ||4 whose forward endsup'ports -a pendant arm H6. In the other bearing'- sleeve ||2 is mounted a pivot stud |20 to the forward end of which' is' clamped the upper end `of'a pendant arml |22. The front end of stud IM has rigidly fixed to it f a plate or clip |'24the lower end of which is bent rearwardly at |26, Fig.y 7, and through which extends a bolt |28. One end of bolt t28 is threaded into a lug |30 on the adjacent arm H6. Between part 12s of clip |24 and the iug |30 is 'a compresi In this positionthe fingers will approximate the location thereof On portions of the slide HG projecting outwardlyv sion spring |32 acting to urge part |28 away from lug |30 whereby adjustment of arm I I6 relatively to arm |22 may be effected by screwing thumb nut |29 on the bolt |28 in or out and locking it in adjusted position by a cock nut |3|, see Fig. 7.

Referring again to arm II6 it will be noted that it is provided with an angular portion |36 projecting from the hub portion thereof and constituting therewith a bell crank pivoted on stud I 4. Similarly arm I2;2 has an angular extension |38 projecting from its hub portion and constituting therewith a bell crank movable about stud |26. Attached to the free ends of extensions |36 and |38 is an adjustable connecting rod |40. To the lower ends of arms ||6 and |22 are secured gripper blocks |44. The under face of each block is under cut and has fastened thereon a sleeve engaging member |46. Each member |46 has an upstanding arcuate flange or section |48 the curvature of which approximates the curvature or outside diameter of the top portion of a bottle to which a sleeve is to be applied. The bottles may be of various congurations and may either have a cork within the neck or a cap surmounting the top. In a transverse direction the iianges |48 are of less width than the space between a pair of opened lingers 6|) so as to be able to pass in between those lingers, as shown in Fig. 10o..

As shown in Figs. 11a., 12a, 13, and 13a, each block |44 has formed therein a longitudinal bore |50 in which is slidably mounted a plunger |52. The outer end of each plunger |52 has a head |54 which is reciprocable in a chamber |56 the outer end of which is closed by a circular diaphram or flexible member |58 held in position by a closure plate |66. Between the inner face of head |54 and a shoulder |62 formed in chamber |56 is arranged a coil spring |64 which surrounds the plunger and urges it outwardly so that its inner end will be disposed within the bore |56 or aligned with the adjacent wall of the block |44 as shown in Fig. 13. Plungers |52 may be actuated by fluid pressure, such as compressed air, to cause them to move inwardly or toward each other to engage and deect inwardly the intervening portions of the lower edge of a sleeve extending between the lingers 60 and thereby clamp such portions between the plunger ends and the outer faces of the gripping flanges |48 after said flanges have been moved upwardly into the sleeve, in a manner which will be hereinafter explained. Compressed air may be conducted into chamber |56 to deflect diaphragms |58 in any suitable manner. For example, as shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings, the lower ends of a pair of flexible hoses |16 are connected to an inlet pipe |12 secured in one of the closures |68 and communieating with a notch |14 in the closure |68 to thereby conduct air to the outer faces of the diaphragms |58 in the area back of the plunger head |54. The opposite or upper end of each hose |16, see Figs. 1, and 6, connects with the ends of a transverse passage |16 in the part 44 which connects the carriage with the lower chain |28. The passage |16 is in communication with an upright passage |18 which may, for example, be formed in one of the upright rods 40 and leads to the top of the rod. Here the passage isA in communication with one end of a ilexible hose |80. The other end'of each hose |86 is connected to duct I 82 formed in a rotary Valve head |84 mounted at the top of the standard 36.

'I'he number of flexible members I 80 and ducts front side of cam track 2I|l is provided with camA |82 corresponds to the number of carriers C in the installation, and the rotary Valve head |84 is arranged to ltravel at the same rate of speed as that of the carriages through their connection with the chains 26 and 28. Thus at each complete rotation of a carriage about the machine its duct |82 passes into and out of communication with a segmental part (not shown) in a stationary valve |86 underlying valve head |84, through which compressed air may be delivered at an appropriate time and duration for actuating the plungers |52 t-o operatively engage a sleeve as stated. Since the construction of the stationary valve correspends to the structure of the stationary valve 6I6 of the aforesaid application, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary except to state that compressed air is supplied to the segmental part in member |86 by a supply pipe |88.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, there is mounted on the rods 48 of each carriage directly below the slide 52 thereof, another slide |98 on which is supported a roller |32 which in the travel of the carriage about the machine engages with the upper face of a cam track designated generally by the reference |84, see Fig. 2. As shown in full lines in Figs. 2 and 3, and in broken lines in Fig. 1,'cam track |94 is provided on the side of the machine opposite to that illustrated in Fig. l with a cut away portion or notch 36. This track is also provided, as shown in detail in full-lines in Fig. 1, with an inclined cam section |38 at the lower end of which is a short horizontal section 266 followed by an oppositely inclined section 282.

Sections |86, 286, and 282 may be supported on a` vertically adjustable support 284 for adjustment with respect to the main track portionr |94, to enable those sections to be shifted up and down to allow the sleeve gripping mechanism t-o appropriatelg,1 function with bottles of different heights.

In order to enable the sleeve gripping mechanism to engage the sleeves on the fingers '66, stretch them to the form shown in Figs. 12a and 13a, lower the sleeves down upon and release them onthe bottle necks and then effect the return of the gripping mechanism to normal position, the following mechanism may be provided. A lower cam track structure (Figs. 1 and 4) is designated generally at ZIB. At the rear of the machine as viewed in Fig. 4, cam track structure 2 I8 is provided with a horizontal section 2 I 2 having inwardly curved end portions 2| 4 and 2|6. This section is iixed to the standard 36. Extending from the end 2|4 of section 2|2 is a track portion ZIS which is located slightly inward of" the track section 2|2. Part 2li! connects with a curved cam plate 223 concentrically disposed about the adjacent shaft 32 and secured to the lower end of the bearing member 33. The other end of the bar 222 is connected to a curved plate 224 similarly mounted about shaft 33 at the opposite end of the machine. As shown in Fig. 4 there is formed at the connection between parts 222 and 224 a cam recess 226 for a purpose which will be hereinafter explained. It will be seen in Figs. l and 4 that the outer or track sections 228 and 236 formed of vertical plate sections, the latter being at a somewhat greater distance from the standard 36 than is the section 228. Sections 228 and 238 are con- 'nected by a'somewhat abrupt incline 232 on one end of section 236. The ends of sections 228 and 236 overlap relatively short track sections 234 and 236 which are secured to the adjacent cam plates 224 and 220. The cam sections 228 and,

accosta:

Roller 240 is mounted at vthe free end of one rvarm 242 vof abell crank lever pivotally mounted one. shaft244 supported on one of the. sleeves ||2.

vThe other arm` 245 ofthe bell crank has a pivotal connection ,248 with one. end of an adjustable connecting link 250. The other end of this ,link

is similarly. connected at 252 to the lower end ci an arm 254 fixed to the rear end of the pivot stud ||.4.. Mounted on the upper end of pivot shaft 244 is' an arm 25s` which carries at. its free end an adjustable stop .screw 258. This stop screw is engageable with a stop Vit!! on the adjacent bearing sleeve ||2 and, when in contact therewith, as illustrated in Fig. 8, limits the number movement of the sleeve gripping members to thereby prevent those members from engaging each other in the travel of the carriage when, for example, the roller 246i might be riding free of the cam structure 2id. Thus by manipulation of the stop screw 258 on each carrier C individual adjustment of the inner position of the gripping elements at the lower ends of arms IIS and |22 may be effectedto assure uniform travel of these elements on all of the carriers.

Referring now to Fig. 8a, it will be observed that a4 link 292 has one end thereof pivoted at 28d toth `rear face of slide ||il and at its opposite end is similarly connected to slide |99. This link thus provides means whereby' the movements of slide |99 up and down rods 4t eiects similar motion .of slide HE in accordance with the position of roller |92 on slide ISG as it travels about the cam structure |94. Assuming' the cam follower |92 of a carriage C is travelling to the right on Fig. 2, the gripping elements will be opened with respect to a sleeve on a pair of fingers 69, approximately as indicated in Fig. 7. As soon as the follower |92 reaches the cam notch or recess |95 the stucture including slides |90 and Hl) will travel downwardly on rods 49 a distance such as will enable the top edges of flanges |48 of the gripping means to descend to a plane below the bottom edge of a sleeve as shown in Fig. 9. While roller |92 is still within the notch |96 of the cam structure |94, roller 24|twill enter earn notch 225 of cam structure 2li), thereby effecting simultaneous inward motion of the gripping elements to the position in Figs l0 and 10a so that the iiange portions |48 will be disposed below and within the portions of the sleeve intermediate ngers B9. This motion is eiiected through the swinging of pivot 248 of the bell crank about pivot 244 and the con.- sequent swinging of arm 254 about stud ||4 through the connecting linlr 25E. rfhis action results in inward movement of arm H8 about stud ||4 through the before mentioned construction and arrangement of these parts. Since arm IIE is provided with the integral arm |3t thisarm will also move and through the connecting rod |49 will eiiect similar movement of arm |38 and thereby impart motionvto arm |22 but in the opposite direction.

Asthe carriage C continues to travel, the roller |92 Vthereon will move upwardly out of notch |92 of cam structure |94, causing a return or upward movement of slides |99 and H8 and carrying the gripper anges |48 upwardly within the sleeve, asshown in Fig. 11.' V'At 'this point,v compressed air operatesto engagetheplungers |52 with .the intervening portions of .the sleeve Vto thereby pressthese portions of the sleeve into gripping contact with the flanges 148. The carrier-conf.. tinues totravel, Aand in so doing the roller Y241| leaves the notch 226 and travels' about .the arouate section 224, retaining .the parts in position shown in Fig. 4V11. Eventually the carriage .will arrive at thefront 'of the machine and thecam follower 249 in travelling from' the part 224 to a position *against the front oi partg2|9 ridesa slight incline 210 which, through themov'ementl of roller 240, causes the 'gripping mechanisml to. be separated to the position vindicated .in Fig. l2 wherethe flanges |49 have carried 'the lower portion of the'sleeve outwardly to the position shown in |20I in which clearance between grip ping mechanism and the iingers 59 is effected.' The sleeve is thus gripped and expanded preparatory to` lowering it overa bottle neck to the position shown in Fig. 13.

Continued travel of a carrier C will carry thev roller 249 along the face of cam section'228, wfhile at the same time the roller |92 on that carrier; having travelled along the corresponding hor-izontal portion of cam structure |94 will arrive at and travel downwardly on the inclined'section |98 thereof. This downward travel causes the gripping mechanism to lower a gripped sleeve to the position of i3; When the sleeve has been lowered to its intended position the compressed air is released, causing retraction of the plungers |52 to free the sleeve from the gripper mechanism. Continued travel of the roller |92 to the lower end of incline |98'serves to carry' the flanges |48 below the lower edge of the sleeve. At this time the cam follower 248 'will' engage the incline 232 of cam structure which will cause the arms H6 and |22 to swing about their pivots to carry the iianges |48 outwardly beyond the sleeve for needed clearance during return or upward travel of the grip-ping devices. During the foregoing retraction of the flanges |48 the roller |92 on the carrier will Ytravel across the short .cam section 299 to give the nec-V essary dwell for clearance, after which it en' continued travel of the carriage the follower '240' will ride over cam portions 23, 229 and' 2|8 55. while returning .to the cam section or tracke2|2 at the rear of machine, It may be noted that the width of cam track sections 228'and 239`is sufficient to provide contact of roller 249 therewith during vertical movement of thev gripping' means'.

While in the foregoing disclosure, the invention has been shown in connection with mecha# nism for moving the sleeves downwardly and upon containers traveling horizontally, the invention may Abe modi'ed withinv the scope 'of the present invention to 'cause upward movement of the containersinto the opened sleeves while such openedsleev'es are held stationary or are carried horizontally on the carriers. v

What is claimed is: V 1. Ina machine for applying acollapsible band;l ing sleeve to a container', the combination with means for holding open a banding sleevaa supe port for holding 'the containers in position to ,receive a 'bandin'g'sle'e've' of sets of opposed grippers aeedszss coacting to positively grip one end of a sleeve held by said means, each of said grippers having an inner and outer member adapted to grip an intervening end edge of said sleeve, and mechanism for operating said grippers to grip said end edge of the sleeve held opened by said means and move said grippers to position said sleeve over one end of a container on said support.

2. In a machine for applying a banding sleeve to a container, the combination with means for opening a collapsed banding sleeve; of sets oi opposed grippers coaoting to grip one end of a sleeve opened by said means; and mechanism for operating said grippers to grip one end of the sleeve opened by said sleeve-opening means and move said sleeve over one end of a container; each set of grippers comprising an inner gripper arranged to enter one end of the sleeve opened by said means, and anouter gripper arranged opposite said inner gripper and adapted to enn gage the exterior face of `the intervening end of the opened sleeve; and said gripper-operating mechanism including members for inserting said inner grippers into one end of the opened band and devices for moving said outer grippers to press against the intervening end of the opened band whereby said end of the band will be gripped between the inner and outer grippers while the opened band is retained on said means.

3. In a machine for applying a banding sieevc to a container, the combination with means for opening a collapsed banding sleeve, of setsl of opposed grippers coacting yto grip one end of sleeve opened by said means, and mechanism for operating said grippers to grip one end of sleeve opened by said sleeve-opening means and move said sleeve over one end of a container: each set of grippers including an inner gripper having an arcuate shape and arranged to enter one end of the sleeve opened by said means, .and an outer gripper movably mounted to press the intervening end of said band against said inner gripper; and said gripper-operating mechanism including members for moving said inner and outer grippers outwardly whereby said band will be expanded to a predetermined extent tolfacilitate application thereof to the container to which said band is to be applied.

4. In a machine for applying a banding sleeve to a container, the combination with means for opening a collapsed banding sleeve; of sets of opposed grippers coacting to grip one end of a sleeve opened by said means; and mechanism for operating said grippers to grip one end of the sleeve opened by said sleeve-opening means and move said sleeve over one end of a container; eachset of grippers including an inner gripper having an arcuate shape and arranged toenter one end of the sleeve opened by said means, and an outer gripper adapted to press the intervening end said band against saidinner gripper; and said to a container, the combination with a support for 1 holding Vthe containers in position to receive a banding sleeve, sets of grippers coaoting to positively grip one end of a banding sleeve internally 10 and externally; ofmechanism for operating said grippers to grip one end of a banding sleeve, and means to move saidy grippers to expand the gripped sleeve to a predetermined size and shape and then move said sleeve over one end of said container on said support.

6. In a machine for applying a banding sleeve to a container, the combination with sets of grippers coacting to'grip one end of a banding sleeve; of mechanism for operating said grippers to grip one end of a banding sleeve, expand the gripped sleeve to a predetermined size and shape, and then move said sleeve over one end of a container; each set of grippers comprising aninner gripper arranged to enter one end of a banding sleeve, and an outer gripper arranged opposite said inner gripper and adapted to engage the exterior face of the intervening end of the sleeve; and said gripper-operating mechanism including members for inserting said inner grippers into one end of the band and moving said outer grippers into a position opposite the inner grippers, and a pneumatically operated device for pressing said outer grippers against the intervening endr of the band whereby said end of the band will be gripped between the inner and outer grippers.

'7.v In a-machine for applying a banding sleeve to a container, the combination with sets of grippers coacting to grip one end oia banding sleeve;

of mechanism for operating said'grippers to grip one end of a banding sleeve, expand the gripped sleeve to a predetermined size and shape, and then move said sleeve over one end lof a container; each set of grippers including an inner gripper having an arcuate shape and arranged to enter one end of the sleeve, an outer gripper movably mounted to press the intervening end 'of v y having a diameter slightly greater than the portion of the container to which said band is to be applied, and instrumentalities for moving said members downwardly with said grippers and ledges to apply the expanded sleeve to one end of a container.

8. In a machine for applying a banding sleeve to a container, the combination with a support forvholding the containers in position to receiveI a banding sleeve, spaced vsets of grippers coactn ing to grip theA edges of one lend of a banding sleeve; each set ot grippers comprising an inner member and an outer member, the inner member engaging the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer member engaging the outer surface oi l said sleeve, of mechanism for operating each of said grippers togrip the intervening edge of one l containers in position to receive a banding sleeve,

means for supporting an openedV sleeve, setslof pincer -like grippers having inner and outer mem bers coacting to grip an intervening yedge, ofone end of such opened sleeve between vsaid inner and outer members, and mechanism for effecting gripping `action of said opposed grippers to 11 grip Said end of eaid opened 4 sleeve ,and te. move said verinnere te annly Ysaid 4eleeve te @aid enntainei- 1.0., kIna machine for annlvine a nenibie haneingeleeveto a Container, aeunpert ier. oldine 'the containers in posit-ion to `reeeive a banding sleeve, means v,for -eunnerting 1an-opened Sleeve. -nnnQsed erinnere each having members movable toward and away from 4veach"other and .ee-,acting :te nQSitii/ely grasp anintervening end edge .of auch Opened sleeve, .mechanism fer eieetine grinning aetien of eaid erinnere te erin .Said enen end .Qi Said sleeve, and means ier eieetine Arelative movement between Said mechanism and -Said nunport te lnl aee 'said Sleeve into pesitien about a container on said support.

1:1. xIn a machine for applying e. ,banding 'sleeve to a eontainer, the eembinatien with a sunnnrt for holding the containersin position `Vto receive a banding sleeve, opposed sets of grRDefS. eael; set being operative to grip .an intervening vedge of a banding sleeve and said sets being mounted Iormovernent toward andaway `fxornqeaelfi ethei` set; of mechanism for Aoperating said grippeifs to grip an edge of a bandi-iigsleeve, and comprising adjustable cam means to move said movable sets .of grippers avi/a;7 from each other to expand a sleeve grinned thereby te control Ythe extent te which `said erinnere are moved anartand adjust able to vary the predetermined movement of said grippers and movesaid gr-ippers and said sleeveover one end of abontainerton vsaid support.

12. In a machine Vfor applying a `banding sleeve te .eO ntairiei;A a eunnert ier linidlne the een ta ere neef 'en ,te receive a banding eleeveI a plurality of erinnere, ea n ei `Said erinnere be..- ine adapted to `erin tneinideand .outside 0i int rven'ne end ,edge Qf .a `banding Sleeve; of Ineehan for Operating 4said,erinnere te erin an intervening edge of a banding sleeve, said nlurality of erinnere being eiireularlyenaeed one `from. tbeother, :and eemprieing adjustable earn means tn ,nieve each .of ,Said plurality vof erinnere in a radial direction toward and awayfrern eachother a predetermined distance ,fer a .predetermined adjustment oi said earn :te expand a banding sleeve held thereby .to a sneeie predetermined Size te it over .Said .container vvherebr vdifferent sizes of bands and containers may be aecommo dated.

Gnome n. GAME?.

'References enea ,in the me pf this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,800,657 Pelletier Apr. 14, 1931 1,835,336 Risser Dee. 1, 1931 2,068,107 'N ygard Jan. 19, 1937 2,103,302 Strout Dec. 2 8, y1937 2,149,377 Winslow Mar. 7, `19,39 2,437,117 Orstrom Mar. 2, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 720,853 France Feb. 25, 1932 661,299 Germany, June 16, 1933

Images