US2668650A

US2668650A - Pressure-sustaining sealing head

Info

Publication number: US2668650A
Application number: US177450A
Authority: US
Inventors: John B Wilson
Original assignee: HUYLER S
Current assignee: HUYLER S; HUYLER'S
Priority date: 1950-08-03
Filing date: 1950-08-03
Publication date: 1954-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 1971-02-09

Description

Feb. 9, 1954 .1. BfwlLsoN PRESSURE-SUSTAINING SEALING HEAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5, 1950 ffl/12%.

:ge Il 1.11.

` INVENTOK Jamv E. Wfyarr,

Armi/VM Feb. 9, 1954 1 B wlLsoN 2,668,650

PRESSURE-SUSTAINING SEALING HEAD Filed Aug. 3. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR. )f f uzwy a' www@ ATMP/WK Patented Feb. 9, 1495.4'

UNITED srATEsj PATENT OFFICE '2,668`,650

.PRESSURE-SUSTAINING SEALING HEAD John B. Wilson, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor, 'by mesne assignments, to Huylers, New York,

Y., a corporation of New York Application August .3, 1950, Serial No. 171,450

14 Claims.

.The 'type of foil cap with which the invention A is primarily concerned comprises a substantially planar cody adapted to rest loosely upon the rim of a receptacle mouth .and a ,perimetral anga .substantiallyperpendicular to the body, adapted 'to overlie. span .or cosh-rond .the bead at the receptacle mouth, and further adapted .to be distorted to a condition in which it embraces such bead .to secure the cap in place on the receptacle .mouth The present invention is particularly concemed `with .mechanism for .thus .distorting cap flanges.

Mechanism for accomplishing this function in connection with milk bottles and the like ,has been-known heretofore, typical .examples of such mechanism being .disclosed in the patents to Hogg .2,086,552 and 2,112,842. In such devices, a plastic element having 'flow characteristics is pressed agaianst the ,bodyof the-cap .to be applied and then .a shroud or cowl is moved downwardly with respect to such element to produce a. -flowing action in the perimeter of 'such element which .spreadsvor vrolls the cap flange into intimate .contact with the entire .surface of the bead and with a portion-of the receptacle surface beneath the bead., the receptacle body, inthe meantime, .sustaining the downward force .necessarily exerted against the plastic .element to accomplish that l:dow-ing action.

It is desired similarly to apply similar caps to other types of containers made from materials too fragile, in an axial direction, -to sustain `.that

necessary downward pressure; and 1t is the pr1- A mary object of the present invention -to provide a .sealing head, otherwise similar to the devices heretofore known in the art and vexempllied oy the .above-identified patents, -but so constructed as to .be self-sustaining and to relieve the receptacle .from the necessity of withstanding the force required thus to mold the Jcap flange about the receptacle bead.

-,Some of such relatively fragile Areceptacles are fragile also in an .inwardly radial direction. :It will be obvious that `the molding prslu'e lexerted against the :cap flange has 1a substantial radially-inward component. It .is a further nbject of the invention so to construct a sealing .2 head that the head itself will sustain thereceptacle rim against distortion resulting from the application of such radially-inward pressure thereagainst during .the llange-,molding step.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to 'the fact, .however, that the drawings are illustrative only and that .change may be .made in the specific constructions illustrated and described. so long as the vscope of .the appended claims .is not violated.

Fig. l is .a iront .elevation .of one form of sealing mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view therethrough taken substantially on Athe 'line 2, .v2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is .a fragmental section taken substantially .on the line, V3 of Fig..2.; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmental View, taken on the plane of Fig. 2, but showing the parts in different re1- ative positions.

Fig. 5 a side lelevation of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. -6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line y6 I6 of Fig. 5*; and

Fig. 7 is .a view A.similar ato Fig. 6 Jeu-t showing the parts in different relative positions.

Conventional capping (and sometimes lilling) machines include .two types, in .one .of which, -receptacles lto be capped are successively :brought to the .capping station where they are located up. on a platform, which platform .is then reciprocated into cooperative relation with .a lcapping device. The platform is then lowered, the receptacle is lmoved away from the platform, .and a new receptacle to be capped is deposited upon the platform. In another form of conventional capping machine, the platform isstationary, and the sealing head .is :reciproeated toward amaway from the platform. 'Hand Acapping :devices :are Ausually of the latterorm.

InFigs. 1 to 4,;1 have shown an embodiment of my invention adapted for installation in 'the former type :of conventional .mening wohin@- I have shown ,fragments of a frame 1i! upon which is mounted a platform Il guided in the frame Afor substantially vertical reciprocation, and means, formingno part of thenresent invention, is provided rior periodically reciprocating the platform 1l L I have vshown a .conventional form of paper receptacle l2 stationed on the platform ll and.`

iixed to the frame I0. A guidebeli t9'is preferably associated with the cowl. (Si.

Supported Within the cowl-rima head generally by the reference numeal mandi snp ported upon a stem 2I guidedin aportionnfthe frame I0 for reciprocation in the line of`movement of the platform I I. The head, itszprefferred form as illustrated', comprises a back plate 22 and aforwardplate 2.3, both xedly supportedupon the stein. 2L and gripping. therebetween a plastic shapingr element 24 which projects perimetrally beyond. the plates. 22. and. 23 as. at 25` The plates 22 and 23.wi1l'preferably be quite rigid, and may be made ofany suitable metal. The shaping element 2L and.. particularly its perimetrally-proiecting. particuli. on. the other hand. will' be fomiedofplasticmaterial such as rubber or its. substitutes., dow characteristics. lreff'arably.r the forward faceof the plate 2 will he provided' with a. perimetral channel 2S' opening forwardly and proportioned. to receive therixn of the receptacle mouth. 8.o that the radially-outwardlyfacing wall of. 'said channelLwill' snugly. enter the receptacle mouth t'o sustain the rim of the re.- ceptacle against radially-inward distortion.

Journall'ed in a. frame portion I0.' upon, an transverse to the line of'movement; of' the .platform tI and thehead.' 1Z0r is a rock. Shaft 21 iixedly carrying` an arm 28. The remote end. of the arm 28' is pivotally connected to a 29 which, in turn, is pivoted'at' 39 to the upper end of the stem 2l. A second arm 3l is xedly. carried by-the rock shaft ZT'and has its remoteend operatively connected as at.32 (through a suitable lost motion connection) with. a har 332. At its opposite ends, the bar 33 isprovided with tapped openings 34, 3.4 in whicl are threadedly received the upper ends of two rods35; 35. said rods being guided, as in

bushings

35, 36 supported by the frame I0; for' reciigzromit-ion.inthe direction of movement' ofA the platform It and the stem 2I. Stop nuts 3T; 3l" are" preferably mounted on the rods 35. 351.

The operationof the mechanism just' described is as follows: A fragile receptacle I2, which may be made of paper or' similar material, is located on the platform H" in registry with the cowl I6. a cap i4 being looselysupported upon the upwardly-opening mouth ofthe receptacle in tlie manner illustrated in- Fig. 2: The rods 35'. 35 are nicely adjusted, in their

openings

34, 34. so that their lower ends will' be engaged by the platform H, upward movementof the platform, precisely at the instant when the receptacle mouth bead I3- seats itself snugly in the channel 26 of the head plate 23. The body I4 of the cap will' inwardly of the receptacle mouth by a very slight pressure which the receptacle is capable of sustaining. as the bead so seats itself.

As the platform I I engages the lower ends ofl the rods 35, the rods will be entrainedto par- 7.5 form-Hinregistry with the cowl ticipate in further upward movement of said platform; and, as the rods move upwardly. they will cause clockwise movement of `the arms 3l and 28, as viewed in Fig. 3, to enforce corresponding movement of the head 20. Thus, the exertion of any substantial pressure, between the platform II and the head 20, axially upon the receptacle I2.. is prevented; and.- the'head 20 is.` forced to move. upwardly, with respect to the stationary cowl, along with the platform II and the receptacle I2.

Samb` upwardmoyement of the head 20 with respect'to theV tapered wall I 1 of the cowl I6 results ima flowing distortion of the perimetrallyprojecting; portion: 25 of the element 24. thus rolling and molding the cap flange I5 into intimate engagement with the entire surface of the bead I 3' and with a portion of the external wall off thoreceptacle I2, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. The rods 35. as has been said, cooperatewith the platform. II to prevent. the.- exertion of any substantial. force upon. the receptacle I2 in an axial direction;4 and the receptacle mouth is sustained against distortion in. re.- sponse. to the radial pressure exerted thereagainst by. the portion. 25 ofv the. element. 2.4. by the engagement. of the plate 23. with. the inner surface of the receptacle mouth.

Asthe platform. Il retreats. it will befollowed by. thohead 2n. andthe rods 35.11ntil. the collar 3K on the. stem. 2I meetsthe frame portion I inwhichsaid stem isguidedi In the form of invention illustrated in Fig, 5'. o.. frame 4u is fragmentally and somewhat diagrammatically illustrated; said frame providing a. platform 4I upon which a receptacle. IZ is adapted to be supported in registry witha cowl 4.2' similar to the. cowl" I6. The cowl. 42 is provided, with an upwardly-tapering inner wall 43' and an upper end wall 4'4; and preferably a. guide bell 45 will be associated therewith.

A; headindicated generally by the reference numeral 46l comprises a forward plate 41 and a back plate 48 between which is engaged a plastic element 49 similar to the element 24 and'h'aving. a. portion 50' perimetrally projecting beyond the the.stiff plates 47 and 48. The plate 41' is preferably formed with a peripheral channel 5f functionally identical with the channel' 26;

Two rods 52, 52 penetrate the uppex` wall 44 of*- the cowl 42 and are suitably suspended from a cross' bar 54'. A stem 55', suitably guided in a portion of the frame 413 for reciprocation toward and away from the platform 4I, has its lower endreceivedin an opening 56' in the cowl wall 44, andY carries a nut 51- whereby said cowl is suspended from the stem 55. Screws 58.penetrate the bar 54 and are threaded into suitable sockets in the upper ends of. the rods 52. while screws 59 penetrate the Ahead plate 4l andare received in sockets in the lower ends of the rods 52; whereby thel head 46' is suspended from the rods $2-, and the element' 49--isclamped'between the--plates4I-and 48. the latter. of which is backed bypins'GIl-penetratingtherodsi.

Stcp-rods 6I, flmctionazlly similar to the rods 35.. are' threadediy mounted'in' tapped openings 63-in the opposite ends-of the bar 5'4, which bar is supported centrally uponthe cowl 42; Stop Z0. nuts 64 are preferably carried bythe rods or. and

said rods are guided, in frame elements 62, forreciprocation along lines with the' line; of reciprocation of the stemi.

A receptacle I2= being located` upon the piat- 42,A andcarrying moved downwardly by the force exerted thereupon by the stem 55, whereby the tapered cowl wall 43 will distort the perimetrally-projecting portion 50 of the plastic element 49 to mold the flange I5 about the bead I3 and against the side wall of the receptacle I2 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7. During this operation, the radially outwardly facing wall of the channel 5I sustains the receptacle rim against radial distortion, while the rods 6I sustain the downward pressure exerted upon the head 46, through the portion 50 of the element 49, by the downwardly moving cowl wall 43. A

`After the crimping or molding operation has been completed, the stem 55 is lifted to raise the cowl 42. In most instances, the head assembly will not partake of the upward movement of the stem until the cowl wall 44 engages the bar 54. If, by any chance, the frictional engagement of theportion 50 of the element 49 against the cowl wall 43 should entrainthe head assembly with the cowl during initial upward movement thereof, the 4bar 54 will soon strike the guide portion of the frame 40, whereby its upward movement will be arrested while the cowl returns to the position of Fig. 6.

Obviously, the vertical position of the rods with respect to the bar 33, or of the rods 6I with respect to the bar 54, may be adjusted to accommodate the mechanism to the capping of receptacles of various heights; or rods of different lengths may be substituted for the rods illustrated in order'to accommodate the devices to receptacles of different heights. Similarly, the plates 23 and 4l may be replaced by plates of different proportions to accommodate the mechanisms to receptacles of different mouth diameters.

I have found that, through the use of the present invention, the currently extremely popular caps can be successfully applied to receptacles which could not possibly be closed by such caps through any mechanism heretofore known to me.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a machine of the class described, a head member, a plastically-deformable element supported concentrically adjacent said head member and having a perimetral portion projecting beyond the limits of said head member and free for deformation relative thereto, a cowl element coaxially associated with said head member and presenting a perimetral wall toward said perimetral portion of said deformable element for cooperation therewith, one of said elements being axially tapered and said cowl element wall cooperating with said deformable element perimetral portion, upon relative movement between said head member and said cowl element in one direction, to deform said deformable element perimetral portion toward the center of said deformable element, a platform member adjacent said head member, means for effecting relative movement of said platform and said head and cowl toward each other, and a spacer normally xed relative to one of said members for limiting the approach of said platform member and headmember while permitting further approach of said platform member and cowl element to effect relative movement of said head member and cowl element in said one direction.

2. A machine for crimping a cap upon the beaded mouth of an axially-fragile receptacle, comprising a platform upon which the bottom of such a receptacle may rest, a head above said platform for registration with a receptacle on said platform, means for producing relative movement of said platform and head toward each other, means including an element operatively connected to said head for arresting such relative movement at the point of engagement of said head with a cap supported on such a receptacle supported on said platform, a plastically-deformable element concentrically supported adiacent said headand having a perimetral portion projecting beyond the limits of said head and free for deformation relative thereto, a cowl coaxially associated with said head and presenting a tapered perimetral -wall toward said perimetral portion of said element for cooperation therewith, said cowl wall cooperating with said element perimetral portion, upon relative movement between said head and said cowl in one direction, to do form said element perimetral portion toward the center of said element, and means for effecting relative movement of said platform and cowl toward each other after arrest of relative movement of said platform and head toward each other to deformsaid element perimetral portion.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said spacer is normally fixed with respect to said head member and further is adiustable relative to said head member to vary the relative positions of said head member and platform member .at which such approach is stopped.

4. The device of claim 3 in which said spacer comprises a pair of rods adjustably threadedly connected to said head member, projecting toward said platform member, and engageable withv said platform member to limit relative movement of said head and platform member toward each other.

5. The device of claim'l in which said cowl element is fixed, said head member is axially reciprocable relative to said cowl element, said platform member is reciprocable, in the line of movement of said head member, and said spacer establishes a driving connection between said platform member and said head member at a point intermediate the ends of the path of movement of said platform member.

6. The device of claim l in which said platform member is fixed, said head member is supported from said cowl element, said cowl element is axially reciprocable toward and away from said platform member, said means for effecting relative movement has a driving connection with said cowl element, and said spacer engages said platform member at a point intermediate the ends of the path of movement of said cowl element and supports said head member therefrom during further movement of said cowl element toward said platform.

7. In a machine for applying to the open, perimetrally-beaded mouth of a fragile receptacle a cap of deformable material having a body and a depending perimetral flange adapted, when said cap body rests on the rim of said receptacle mouth, to span the bead at the receptacle mouth. the invention comprising a platform for supporting the bottom of such a receptacle, a head adapted to engage the body of acapresting on the mouth of a receptacle so supported, means carried by said head and movable relative thereto to engage the ange of such capand crimp the same around and under such bead, cam means operatively associated with saidmovable means and acting, upon relative movement between said head and said cam means in one direction, to actuate said movable means, means for producing relative movement of said platform and said head and cam means toward each other, and means independent of such receptacle for arresting relative approach of said platform and said head while relative approach of said platform and cam means continues, said arresting means, comprising a spacer element fixed with respect to said head and engageable with said platform to limit the exertionof pressure between said platform and said head upon suchreceptacle.

8. Forming apparatus comprising a platform adapted to support a ,fragile receptacle having a closure thereon, a cowl adapted to enshroud said closure and the portion of such receptacle with which said closure is associated, a shaping means having flow characteristics located within said cowl, said cowl and said shaping means being relatively axially movable and said cowl cooperating with said shaping means, upon such relative movement in one direction, to cause' said shaping means to exert radially-inward shaping pressure upon such closure to mold the same into conforming engagement with the' external surface of such receptacle, meansffor effecting relativek movement of said platform and said cowl and shaping means toward each other, and spacer means independent .of such receptacle and comprising a rigid element extending between said shaping means and said platform forl arresting relative approach of said platform' and shaping means while relative approach of said platform and cowl continues.

9. In a device of the class described, a frame, a platform guided by said frame for reciprocation relative thereto, a cowl fixedly supported by said frame in the line of reciprocation of said platform, a head concentrically associated with said cowl and supported for reciprocation relative thereto in said line, an annular shaping element havingfiow characteristics carried by said head and projecting perimetrally therefrom for cooperation with said cowl, a rod guided in said frame outside said cowl for reciprocation in the direction of reciprocation of said platform, an end of said rod projecting into the path of movement of said platform, and means providing a driving connection between said rod and said head to enforce reciprocation of said head relative to said cowl upon movement of said rod by said platform.

10. The device of claim 9 in which said driving connection includes an element connected for movement with said head, said rod having an adjustable threaded connection with said element upon an axis parallel with the line of movement of said platform.

1l. The device of claim 9 in which said driving connection comprises a rock shaft journalled on said frame on an axis transverse to the line of movement of said platform, an arm fixed tomove with said rock shaft, means providing an operative connection between said arm and said head, a member having an adjustable threaded connection with said rod, a second arm fixed to move with said rock shaft, and means providing an operative connection between said second arm and said member.

1'2. In a device of the class described, a frame, a platform stationary with respect to said, frame, a cowl guided in said frame for reciprocation toward and away from said platform, a head concentrically associated `with said cowl, means supporting said head from said cowl forrelative movement therebetween in the line of reciprocation of said cowl, an annular shaping element having flow characteristics carried by said head and projecting perimetrally therefrom -forjco-v operation with said cowl, a rod fixed for move-l ment with said head and engageable with, said platform, upon movement of said head and cowl toward said platform to arrest approach of said head toward said platform while approach of said cowl toward said platform continues, said cowl, during such further approach, acting uponsaid shaping element to produce iiowing distortion thereof radially inwardly. 3;, 13. The device of claim 12 in whichsaid rod fixed to said head for adjustment relative thereto in a line parallel with the line of movementofsaid head. v

14. 'I'he device of claim 12 in which said cowl enshrouds said head and shaping element y'and is formed to provide an internal surface progress sively tapering away from said platform, the means supporting said head comprising an element fixed to said head and penetrating that wall of said cowl remote from said platform, anda bar outside said cowl and adapted to rest on said remote cowl wall, said element being fixed to said bar and said rod being fixed to said bar. JOHN B. WILSON.A

References cited in the fue of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS