US2681758A - Can-closing machine - Google Patents

Description

June 22, 1954 B. LIPSON CAN-CLOSING MACHINE 6 Sheqts-Sheet 1 Filed June 24, 1952 {m M .W a F Y B L. l d w ATTORNEY June 22, 1954 B. LIPSON 2,631,753

CAN-CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORn BENJAMIN LIPSON ATTORNEY June 22, 1954 B. LlPSON 2,681,758

CAN-CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 3 39 INVENTOR. BENJAMIN LIPSON k/Lama;

ATTORNEY June 22, 1954 B. LIPSON CAN-CLOSING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 24, 1952 \X 3. m vw m M a m w L N0 L vm NM m m m E m 0? www m a 4 8 @9 B Y B ATTORNEY June 22, 1954 B. LIPSON CAN-CLOSING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 24, 1952 INVENTOR. BENJAMIN LIPSON ATTORNEY Patented June 22, 1954 CAN-CLOSING MACHINE Benjamin Lipson,'Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to 'Girard Paint '& Varnish Mfg. .00.,iPhiladelphia,

Application June 24, 1952, Serial N0. 295,231

,14 Claims. 1

'Thepresent invention relates generally to can filling and closing mechanism and itrelatesmore particularly to mechanism for automatically feeding, filling and closing cans of the'type provided with'lids havinga plurality of small peripheral fastening lugs adapted to be 'crimped beneath the rim of the can.

An object of the present invention is to provide new and improved mechanism for automatically feeding, filling and closing cans or like containers having lids provided with a plurality of small peripheral fastening lugs adapted to be crimped beneath the rim of the can. Another object of the present invention is to provide feeding, filling and closing mechanism for cans of the type mentioned above, which mechanism is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which, at the same time, is positive'and dependable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in theaccompa-nyingdrawings forms thereof which are presently preferred; it beingunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, and that the several parts-and elements canbe variously-arranged and organized, without departing from thespirit'or essential attributes of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is aperspective view of an automatic can feeding, filling and closing machine constituting one embodiment 'of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical crosssectional view'taken generally along the line"2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the crimping head in noncrimping position.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional viewtaken generally alongthe line 3 3 of. Fig. 2, L but showing the crimping head in crimping position.

Figure 4 is a generally horizontal crosssectional view taken generally'alongthe line -4--4 of Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectionalviewtaken generally along the line 5-'-5 of Fig. 4.

Figured is across-sectional viewtakengenerally alongthe line 6-6 of'Fig. 2.

"Figure '7 is a schematic view and wiring diagram of the crimping head and can-positioning stile automatic controls.

Figure 8 is a schematic viewand wiring diagram of a modified embodiment incorporating an automatic conveyor for feeding empty cans to the filling and closing mechanism of the-embodiment of Figs. 1-7.

In one embodimentof the present invention shown generally inFig. 1, I may providea suitable frameindicated generally by the reference character 20 and including a plurality of ballbearing rollers 2| mounted intermediate a-pair of longitudinally extending channel -members 22. The channel members 22 maybe tilted-slightly from the horizontal (from right'to left in Fig. 1

and from left to right in Fig. '2), so as tofacilitate the feeding of empty cans to the can-closing mechanism, as will be more fully described hereinbelow.

Guide-rails 23 are mounted on top of the channel members 22 and serve to maintain the cans C uponthe rollers 21 as indicated in Fig. 1.

Mounted above the rollers 21, generally adjacent the lower take-off end of the frame'20-is a crimper indicated generally by the reference character 24, which is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and '3. The crimper 24 is supported belowan elevated horizontal cross-bar 25, which in turn is supported atits rear end by a'vertical structuralmember 2'6 extending-upward from the rear of the frame 20, and, at its front end by a vertically-disposed generally U-shaped structural member 21 extending upward from the'front of the frame 20.

The crimper 2 4 includes a -center-post28-- fastened to, and. extending downward from, the cross-bar 25 and terminating, at its lower end, in an enlarged, generally horizontally-disposed fixed circular'head 29 provided with a plurality of peripherally-distributed pivotally-mounted crimplug-fingers 30.

Slidably mounted upon the center-post is a ring-member 3! to which the upper ends of a plurality of circwnferentially-distributed links 32 areconnected by pins 33; the lower ends of-the links 32 being connected, by'pins 3G, to theupper free ends of the pivoted crimping-fingersdfl.

'When the slidable ring-member Si is in lowered position upon the center-post 28, the crimpingfingers 30 aretilted so that their lowermost jawportions35 are shifted inwardly and upwardly relative to the head 29, as indicated in Fig. 3. 0n the other hand, when the ring-member 3| ;is in raisedposition upon the center-post 28, the crimping-fingers 30 are oppositely-tilted so that 3 their j aw-portions 35 are shifted downwardly and outwardly relative to the head 29, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

A generally U-shaped slide 36 straddles the cross-bar 25 and is connected, at its lower end, to the ring-member 3|.

The U-shaped slide 36 and the ring-member 3| are adapted to be moved up or down by a conventional double-acting compressed-air motor 31 which includes a generally vertically-disposed cylinder 38 having upper and lower compressedair inlet- connections 39 and 40 respectively, and a piston or plunger 4| slidably mounted within the cylinder intermediate the connections 39 and 4t and movable therewithin either up or down, responsive to air-pressure exerted below or above it.

A rod 42 extends downward from the piston 4i through the bottom end wall of the cylinder 38 (appropriate packing, not shown, being provided to give a fluid-tight seal therebetween) and connects at its lower end to the top of the U-shaped slide 36. A supporting-member 53 extends upward from the cross-bar 25 and holds the motor 31 in vertical alignment with the U-shaped slide 36 and center-post 28.

It is apparent that, when compressed-air is introduced into the lower portion of the cylinder 38, through the lower connection 46, the piston 4|, the U-shaped slide 36 and the ring-member 3! will move upward; and that introduction of compressed-air into the upper portion of the cylinder 38 through the connection 39 will cause downward movement of the aforesaid parts; ap propriate bleeder-openings or vents (not shown) being provided in the cylinder 38, in conventional manner, to permit movement of the piston in either direction.

A helical spring 44 is mounted upon the underside of the head 29; the spring 45 serving to eject the can from the crimper at the end of the closing operation, in a manner to be more fully described hereinbelow.

Disposed below the rollers 2! in vertical alignment with the crimper 24 is a can elevator indicated generally by the reference character 45. The elevator 45 includes a double-acting compressed-air motor at, similar to the motor 31, described above, and provided with an upwardly extending rod 41 terminating in a generally horizontal connecting bar 48 extending intermediate a pair of vertically-disposed arms 59. At the upper ends of the two arms 49 are mounted a pair of generally horizontal members 50 which extend transversely generally parallel to the rollers 2i and which are disposed within the clearances intermediate adjoining rollers when the elevator is in lowermost position, as indicated in Fig. 2. However, when the vertical arms 49 are moved upward (bushings providing slidable supports therefor), the horizontal members 55 areraised above the level of the rollers 2|, as indicated in Figure 3. This upward movement of the elevator 45 lifts the superimposed can so that its lid L is pressed upward against the underside of the crimper head 29 and compresses the spring 44 in the manner indicated in Fig, 3, with the peripheral fastening lugs of the lid in position to be crimped inward and upward against the rim of the can when the crimper is actuated to shift the crimping-fingers 30 from the position of Figs. 1 and 2 to the position of Fig. 3 in the manner described above.

When the motor 46 is oppositely actuated, the elevator 45 is moved downward to the retracted 4 position of Fig. 2. Thus, the can is no longer supported by the horizontal members 53 and the spring M forces the closed can downward, away from the head 29 and upon the rollers, assuming that the crimping-fingers 30 have been returned to their original open-position of Figs. 1 and 2.

I also provide novel mechanism for accurately positioningsuccessive cans in vertical alignment with the crimper 24 and the elevator 45. This can-positioning mechanism, which is best shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5, includes a generally U- shaped bracket 52 attached to the front of the frame 2e and extending generally outward therefrom, and supporting'a rotatable stile indicated generally by the reference character 53. The stile 53 includes a generally vertical shaft 54 extending through the upper horizontal panel 55 of the bracket 52. The lower horizontal panel 56 of the bracket 52 is provided with a bearing-block 5'5 in which the lower end of the shaft 54 is journalled; another bearing-block 58 being provided for the shaft 54 on the underside of the upper panel 55.

The upper end of the shaft 54 carries an enlarged hub 59 from which a plurality (for example six) of uniformly circumferentially distributed spokes extend radially outwardly in a generally horizontal plane. The underside of the hub 59 is provided with a plurality (for example six) of uniformly circumferentially distributed, radially extending locking-grooves 6|; the locking-grooves preferably being disposed in alternating circumferential position with the spokes, as best indicated in Fig. 4.

A generally vertical locking-bar 62 is slidably supported on the bracket 52 and is provided with a spring 63 which normally tensions it upward so that its upper end is disposed within one of the locking-grooves 6| so as to lock the style 53 against rotation. The lower end of the lockingbar 62 is connected to a solenoid 64 mounted on the panel 56 and adapted, when energized, to pull the locking-bar 52 downward (against the pressure of the spring 63) so as to disengage it from the locking-groove BI and thereby to permit rotation of the stile 53. When the solenoid 64 is de-energized, the spring 63 again moves the locking-bar 62 upward and against the underside of the hub 59, so that the upper end of the lockingbar automatically snaps into the next lockinggroove 6| when the latter is brought into alignment with the locking-bar upon rotation of the hub.

Also slidably mounted on the bracket 52 is a vertical push-bar having an inclined upper camming end 66 which is in vertical alignment with one of the spokes 50 when the locking-bar 52 is engaged within one of the locking-grooves 6 l as indicated particularly in Figs. 1 and 5. The push-bar 65 is provided with a spring Bl which normally urges it downward so that its camming end 65 is somewhat below the spoke 50. The lower end of the push-bar 65 is connected to a solenoid I58, which is mounted on the lower panel 56, and which is adapted, when energized, to move the push-bar 55 upward (against the pressure of its spring Bl) so as to bring the upper inclined end 55 into camming engagement with the spoke. The camming action resulting from this upward movement of the push-bar 65 causes rotational movement of the spoke 6B and the hub 59 (counterclockwise in Figs. 1 and 4) assuming that the locking-bar 62 has first been moved downward so as to free the hub; the rotation continuing until the next locking-groove comes atsi gtse rnto alignment witn the "locking' bar asstiming that, in the interim, the locking-bar asr'movd back upward to locking position, in the--manner d'esoribed above.

-'When the solenoid i M is-' de energizedg the :xspring 61 moves the push bar 65 downward to its *ioriginal lposition enabling the 'next spoke to swinginto thealigned posi'tion-f'shown in Figs; 1 alm- 5.

s.-As:'indicatedzin Figs. -1 'a'ndi'4; therspokestm'are *crimper and elevator as described :above) .the

next one-sixth revolution of "the stile will .position -the next successive can beneath :the *crimp'er simultaneously with removal of the first, nowclosed can.

i A single throw on-off" limit switch168 is mounted just-above the. guide-rail '23' at the rear 'of the frame 20, along-the center-'lineof the stile :53 the switch 68' being normally'open and' being "adapted to "be pushed closed. by the side ofa can positioned beneath the crimper .24 by adjoining spokes of thestile.

This last mentioned can position, which can be called the lid-attaching or crimping. position, is designated, in Fig. 4, by the reference character *I-V. Other can-positions, as shown in Fig. 4 and as will be more "fully described hereinbelow, are: lid-applying position III; can fillingposition II; and-"indexing position I. :If desiredLadditional can positions 1 (not shown) a could bepro- :vided for" on the conveyor between-positions II and III. The cans occupying such additional .positionswould serve merely to spacethe crimp'er further away fromtheother mechanism, to give additional working room and also a'dditional' time in which to -place-the lids upon the-filledcans preliminary to crimping.

A double-throw limit switch 69 vis positicned above the guide-rail '23 at the rear :ofthe frame -20 on the transverse center-line of can position -III. "Limit switch- 69 is normallyspring-tensioned A to finger-extended: position wherein its contacts 6941 are closed and contacts '69-bare open. However, whena'canis placed in position III, its side forces the limit switch finger =to retracted position opening the contacts 6 9-a and closing the contacts BB-b.

As-indicated inthe wiring diagram of Fig. 7, the contacts-of limit switch 68 and the contacts 'BQ-b of the limit switch 69 are connected in series within an electrical; circuit for automatically actuating the crimper 24 and the stile 53 inv a manner to be described hereinbelow.

This last-mentioned actuating mechanismtineludes a constant-speed synchronous motor 10 mounted within the lower portion? of the frame and having a. shaft 1 I upon which :are mounted four cam- 'discs 12,113 "l4and 15.,r asbest1 shown in F- igs. 6 /and 7. Micro-switches 116, I 1.1, 18 and 19 are mounted in operative juxtapositionzto the cam 'discs 12 re's'pectively. The peripheral edges (N-a. 13--a, 14 a and15-a, respectivelwicof thecam discs are provided with arcuate grooves in (12-"b,"13-b, 14-'-b and 15-17, respectively) "of vary- "ing extent. The micro-switches are spring-tensioned t'o normally closed-position in which their fingers (16-a, Fl-a, 'Hi a and IS-a, respectively) extend outwardly.

' When the higher portions of" the peripheries of the "cam-discs are adjacent the fin'gersofthe 10 :retracted switch-open position, as indicated in Fig." "7. Howeverpwhen the'cam-discs rotate=-so as to bring their peripheral grooves *adjacentthe microi-switch'fingers,thelatterare free to-move micro switches, the fingers are forcedinwardto outward to extended, switch-closed position.

Compressed-air inlet'pipe extends from any 'suitable "air-compressor (not shown) and-'to 'the lower portion of the frame 20 at which it connects to two air-distributorvalves 8l a:nd-82, of conventional construction. The valve tl is con- 'nected,- by pipes 33 and 34, to the upperand lower connections -39 and. 40, respectively, of l the *crimper-actuating motor 31, describedabove.

Similarly, the valve 82 is connected, by'pipes 135 and 86, to the upper and lower connections "46 a and46-b ofthe mctor'46 actuating the can i elevator 45.

'The'air-distributor valve 8| is connected in "series with the micro-switch or relay N and is provided with conventional means (not shown) for admitting air to the pipe "83 and simultane- ='ously closing the pipe 84 when the micro-switch is closed to complete the circuit; and forclosi-ng the pipe 83 and simultaneouslyadmitting airto the pipe 84 when the circuit is broken.

Similarly, the air-distributor valve 82 isconnected in series with the micro-switch or relay 16 and is provided with conventional means (not shown) for admitting air to the pipe Bii-and simultaneously closing the pipe 85 when the micro-switch is closed and the circuit is completed; and for closing the pipe '86 and sim ultaneously 'admitting airto the pipe 85whenthe circuit is broken.

The solenoid 64 operating the locking-bar62 :is connectedin series with the micro-switch .o'r -r elay' 1'8,-'so that, when the micro-switch 78 1s closed, the solenoid is energized to move the locking-bar 62 downward and out of engagement with the stile 53, in the manner described above.

Thesolenoid I68 operating the'push-bar 65, is connected in series 7 with the: micro-switch or relay 19, so thatpwhen the micro-switch -'l 9 is closed, the solenoid I68 is energized to movethe fpush-ba'r. '65 upward into camming engagement with one ofthe spokes of the stile, as described above.

The motor I0 (which may, optionally, operate at 20 R.'-P. M., so as to givea 3-second cycle) is construoted'and arranged to rotate the cam-discs 12T5(counterclockwise in Fig. 7) soasto cause opening and closing'of the micro-switches or-re lays 16-19 in predetermined sequence, and-therebyfto-cause operation of the'crimper, elevator and "stile in the following manner.

111 r-so that contacts 69 1;. of 1 limit switch til-are tributor valve 1242 of the cam-disc 12 adjacent the finger IE-a of the micro-switch or relay [6, thereby closing "the micro-switch and actuating the air-distributor valve 82 to send compressed-air through the pipe 86 and the lower air connection 46-1) of the lower compressed-air motor 56 so as to raise the can elevator 45 and to lift the can from the rollers and up against the head 29 of the crimper 24 and compressing the spring 4 1, in

the manner shown in Fig. 3. In this stage of operation, the crimping-fingers 30 of the crimper 24 are in open position as indicated in dash-dot lines in Fig. 3.

Upon continued rotation of the motor and the shaft 1|, the groove 13-h of the cam-disc --13 reaches the finger TI-a of the micro-switch or relay 1'1 so as to close the micro-switch and thereby to complete the circuit to the air-dis- Bl, sending compressed air through the pipe 33 and the upper air-inlet 39 of the crimper cylinder 38; thereby forcing downward the U-shaped member 21 and the slidable "ring-member 3|, which results in pivotal movement of the crimping-fingers 36 from the dashdot-line position of Fig. 3 to the solid-line position, forcing the jaw-portions 35 of the crimping-fingers 30 inwardly and upwardly against the can has been maintained in raised position by the elevator 45.

The peripheral dimension of the groove 13 i) is less than that of the groove 12-?) so that, upon continued rotation of the motor and the camdiscs, the groove 13-?) passes completely past its micro-switch finger ll-a before the groove 'IZ-b has completely passed its micro-switch finger lB-a. In other words, the greater radius peripheral portion Hi-a contacts the finger ll-a and opens the micro-switch ll while the microswitch 16 still remains closed.

When the greater radius peripheral portion IS-a thus opens the micro-switch 11, the air- .distributor valve 8| is oppositely actuated so as to close off the pipe 83 and to open the pipe 84, thereby sending compressed-air through the connection 40, into the lower end of the cylinder 38. This drives the piston 4| of the compressed-air motor 31 upward so as to shift the crimper to the open non-crimping position shown in dash-dot lines in Fig. 3.

Thereafter, upon continued rotation of the motor 10, the larger radius peripheral portion l2-a of the cam-disc 12 contacts the finger IS-a of the micro-switch 16, thereby opening the microswitch and oppositely actuating the air-distributor valve 82 so as to close off the pipe 86 and to open the pipe 85. This sends compressed-air through the connection lfi-a into the upper portion of the motor 46, thereby driving the elevator 45 downward from the position of Fig. 3 to its original lowermost position of Fig. 2, so as to return the can (upon which the lid has now been crimped as described above) to the rollers 21.

Further rotation of the motor 10 brings the groove 14-?) of the cam-disc I4 opposite the finger 'lfl-a of the micro-switch 78, thereby closing the micro-switch and actuating the solenoid 64, so

-- as to move the locking-bar 62 downward'and' out of engagement with the locking-groove 6| of the stile hub 59.

While the solenoid B4 is still kept energized, the groove 15-1) of the cam-disc 15 comes opposite the finger 19-11 of the micro-switch 19 so as to close the micro-switch and thereby to energize the solenoid I68 which moves the push-bar 65 upward so that its uppermost inclined camming end 66 contacts the adjoining spoke 60, imparting to the latter a horizontal movement (counterclockwise in Figs. 1, 4 and '7), causing rotation of the stile 53.

This rotation of the stile shifts the first can (upon which a lid has been crimped as described above) so that it moves away from its position beneath the crimper (the can sliding on the rollers toward the left in Fig. l. and toward the right in Figs. 2 and 4) and is shoved toward the lowermost take-off end of the frame 29, from which it can be removed by hand or by a conventional conveyor (not shown) or the like and can go to a shipping room.

At the same time, this rotation of the stile permits the second can (which has been filled and upon which a lid has been placed) to enter between the next two adjoining spokes of, the stile and to be shifted thereby toward the crimping position originally occupied by the first can.

It is essential, of course, that the second can be urged toward the first of the two spokes which will encompass it, to make sure that it will move into position to be engaged by the spokes upon rotation of the stile. It is possible to rely on the force of gravity, resulting from the inclination of the channel-members 22, to urge the second can (and succeeding cans) toward the crimping position. However, as will be described hereinbelow, I prefer to employ mechanism for maintaining positive pressure upon the cams, in the interest of greater dependability and uniformity of operation.

Shortly after the push-bar 65 has been actuated to initiate rotation of the stile, as described above,

continued rotation of-the motor 10 brings the larger radius peripheral portion hi-a. of the camdisc 14 opposite the finger 18-4): of the microswitch 18 so as to open the micro-switch and to tie-energize the solenoid 64, thereby permitting the locking-bar 62 to be moved upward, by its spring 63, against the underside of the hub 59 so that it automatically engages within the next locking-groove BI and re-locks the stile after it has completed one-sixth of a revolution. This one-sixth revolution of the stile shifts the second can to the position originally occupied by the first can, namely in vertical alignment with the crimper and elevator, as indicated in Fig. 2.

Upon further rotation of the motor 10, the larger radius peripheral portion IE-a, of the camdisc 75 is brought opposite the finger 79-1; of the micro-switch 19 so as to open the micro-switch and thereby to de-energize the solenoid I68, thereby enabling the spring 61 to drive the pushbar 65 downward to its original lowermost position. I

Further rotation of the motor 10 brings the groove 12-b'of the first cam-disc 12 opposite the finger 16-1) of the micro-switch 76 so as to close the micro-switch and to initiate a second cycle of operations, identical to those described above, resulting in crimping of the lid of the second can, and positioning of the third can beneath the crimper.

It is obvious that, for continued operation of 19. the.-sti1e,: the;crimper andithe elevator asdescribed above, it is essential that therealways bea can in position III, readyto be shifted to position IV. Thus, if throughjnadvertance or mishap, there isnocandnrposition III, there is nothing to retract the plunger of .theqlimit switch 69, so that they latter. assumes, its. normal position, opening the:contacts. 69-b andbreaking the circuit to the motor 10. soaasto stopfurther rotation of the cam-discs" and to prevent actuation. of the crimper, stile or elevator.

A manual-switch 88, also-mounted on the front ofitheyframeaZIl, permits the locking-bar solenoid 6.4 to be energized. independently of the automatic-circuit, andienables operator manually to shift the: stile 53, as for example in starting or ending-a. crimping sequence. I

A generally horizontal delivery pipe 89 is disposedhabove. theframe 219 and is provided with a downwardly-directed spout 90 which, as indicatedparticularly in Fig. 1, is adapted to deliver fiuidor the like into an open-top can located on therollers 2| at position II. Operatively connected within the delivery pipe 89 is aflow-control valve 9I having a pivoted operating handle 92; the handle being normally spring-tensioned to the. position shown in solid lines in Fig. 1. (wherein thevalve is closed) and being manually 'shiftable tozthe: position shown in dash-dotlines in Fig. 1 (wherein the valve is open).

As mentioned above, automatic operation of the machinerequires that'four (4.) cans be placed upon the rollers 2| in positions IV, III, II and I, respectively; the can in position I being shown in. phantom in-Fig. l for greater clarity of illustration; I

As: indicated above, it is possible to place an empty can on the rollers atposition I manually and; to-rely upon the force of gravity (resulting from'the'inclination of the channel-membersZZ) to urge: the cans toward the crimper (from right toleft in Fig. 1).

However, I preferto provide positive can indexing and shifting mechanism, which may include a generally horizontal cylinder 93 mounted uponthe rear channel-memberrill anddisposed slightly above the level. thereof. A piston 94 is mounted within the cylinder 93 in fluid-tight sliding relationship therewith, and is provided with. arod9'5 extending therefrompaxially. beyond the end of the cylinder; suitable packing-means (not shown) :being. provided at. the endof the cylinder: to maintain a fluid-tight seal between the pistonrod and'the cylinder. Disposed within the :cylinder 9.3 is avcompression-spring 98 which normally urges the piston andthe piston rod to outermost. extended (position.

The cylinder 93. is provided with an air-inlet opening disposediadjacent that end'of the cylinder through WhiChllhEDiSliOIl rod emerges. An aird'eliverypipe 9B1leads tothe openingQ'I from an air-distributor valve 99 also connected to the pipeBl'I mentioned above; the valve 99being provided withconventional controlmechanism (not shownlfor sending compressed air through the pipe 98 when its electrical circuit is closed (so as to drivethe piston and piston rod forward to retracted position within the cylinder, against the pressure of the spring 96) and for venting the cylinderwhen itselectrical circuit is open (was to permitthe spring 96- to return the piston and piston rod to their original extended position).

A pusher-arm is connected, as at I9I, to the free end of the. rod. 95 and extends generally horizontally at right angles. thereto. An arcuate 1d pusher; I .02 I is: mountedat one end of the pusher-'- arm Ill Irand is adapted to conform to thecurvature ofithe-cans, so as to guide them and maintain them in centered relationship upon the rollers 2I during shifting thereof, as will be described below.

The other end of the pusher-arm Isl extends through an elongated axial slot I93 formed in a cylinder I95 supported upon the frame 20 ingenerally the same horizontal plane as, but slightly rearwardly of, the cylinder 93; a somewhat elongated. cylindrical guide-member I96 being rigidly connected to the end of the pusher-arm Iilil. The guide-member I96 conforms relatively accurately to the-bore of the cylinder Hi5 so that it maintainsthepusher-armin rigid right-angular relationship to therod95 during axial movement of the latter.

The cylinders 93 and I95 are so dimensioned that they permit movement. of the piston rod and pusher-arm, just sufiicient to shift a can from'position I onthe rollers'to position II; the

two positions beingindicated insolid lines and V dash-dot lines, respectively, in Fig. 4;

As shown in Fig. 7, the electrical contacts of the valve 99 are connected in series with the contacts et a of the double-throw limit switch 69 located at can position III, so that, when a can" is at position III, the circuit to thevalve 99will be open. However, when there is no can precisely at position III; the spring-action of the limit switch'fiil will cause it to move to position in which contacts 69-awill be closed, andthe valve will be energized to send compressed air through the pipe 98 to drive thepiston, piston rod and pusher-arm forward; as described above.

Located at can position I, is another limit switch I9! provided with contacts I98 and a finger Ifiil; the finger. I99 being normally springtensioned to extended position wherein the contacts I98 are openybut being forced to retracted position when a can. is' placed at position I, so as to close the contacts I08. The end III! of the finger Hi9 is enlarged laterally so that it maintainscontact with thecan, even after the can is shiftedsomewhatfromits original position I. In. contrast; the plungerof the limit switch 69 is free to springto extended. position almostimmediately after shifting of the can-from position III; It is apparent that the enlarged end lllltresults in delayed operation of. the limit switch I II! as compared to the limit switch 99.

The contacts Hide-re connected in series with the electricalcontacts of the valve 99, in a separate circuit which is in parallel with the contacts Es a of the limit switch59. In other words, the valve 99 is energized. to send air to the cylinder 93' when the contacts I59-at or the contacts I98 are closed, and is de-energi'zed only when hot sets ofcontacts' 69-a and I08 are open.

The operation of the pusher mechanism will nowbe described; Assuming. that there are threecans at positions IV, IIIand II, it is apparent thatwthe pusher mechanism can not operate because there isno can-at position I' to close the contacts Ifltand. because the presence of a can at position 111 keepscontacts fill-a open.

However whena can is placed at position I (either manually or by operation ofan automatic feedconveyor to be described hereinbelow), contacts Hi8 are closed thereby energizing the valve 99 and actuating the pusher mechanism. so as to shift all four. cans along. the rollers (from right .toleft. in Fig.1. andfrom left to right in Figs.

2 and 4). The enlarged end IIB maintains the contacts I08 in closed position during the initial portion of the shifting operation and until after the can has been moved away from position III sufficiently to permit the limit switch 69 to shift to position closing contacts 59-41.

In this way, the circuit through the contacts IIIB'supplies power to the valve 99 during the initial portion of the shifting operation, after which the circuit through the contacts lie-a takes over to supply power to the valve 99 during the remainder of the shifting operation.

However, as soon as the can which was originally in position II reaches position III, it shifts the limit switch 69 so as to open the contacts BB-a, thereby breaking both circuits to the valve 99 and shunting off the valve so as to permit spring-urged retraction of the pusher mechanism to its original position. I

It is apparent that, by placing another empty can at position I, the shifting cycle will be repeated.

However, before placing another empty can at position I, the operator pulls the handle 92 to open the valve SI and fill the can at position II and also places a lid upon the previously-filled can occupying position III.

In this way, every time the pusher mechanism operates, it moves an empty can from position I to position II; it moves a filled can from position II to position III; it moves a can which has been filled and upon which a lid has been placed, from position III to position IV; and it moves a can, upon which a lid has been crimped, from position IV to the take-off end of the frame 20.

Since the other contacts 69-!) of the limit switch 69 are connected in series with the motor III driving the cam-discs I245, the crimper and stile actuating operations are synchronized with the operation of the pusher mechanism. That is, it is only after a filled'can has been delivered to position III by the pusher mechanism that the stile and crimper can operate in the manner described above.

If the operator requires additional time in which to fill a can at position III, it is possible, simply by lengthening the frame 25!, to provide an additional can position (not shown) intermediate positions II and III, this additional position being the one at whch the lid is placed in position.

In Fig. 8 there is shown, more or less schematically, a modified embodiment of the present invention in which mechanism is provided for automatically feeding empty cans to position I on the frame 25. In this embodiment, the crimper mechanism and the stile mechanism are the same as in the embodiment of Figs. 1-7 described above, and accordingly, no showing of these parts is incorporated in Fig. 8.

The pusher mechanism of this embodiment is also the same as that of Figs. 1-7, with the exception that, in place of the single throw limit switch IIII described above, there is provided, at position I on the frame 21?, a double throw limit switch III'I-c having two sets of contacts IIIt-a (corresponding to the contacts I08 described above) and Hit-b; the finger III S-a carrying the enlarged end IItl-c being normally spring-tensioned to outermost extended position in which the contacts I984; are open and the contacts Hit-b are closed.

Positioned at right angles to the frame 2II, there is provided. a conveyor I I I having an endless belt II2 supported upon an idler drum I I3 and a 2I of the frame ZII.

power drum I I4; the endless belt leading to position I on frame 29.

The power drum H4 is provided with a pulley wheel II5. A V-belt H6 is looped around the pulley wheel I I5 and also around another pulley wheel I II operatively connected, by means of an electromagnetic clutch IIB, to the drive shaft I I9 of a motor I29. The motor I20 is operatively connected to the source of electric current so that it runs continuously at constant speed. The clutch I I8 is of conventional construction and is normally spring-tensioned to open position wherein the wheel III is disengaged from the motor, so that the conveyor belt I I2 is stationary.

However, when an electrical circuit to its contacts is closed, its solenoid element is energized to close the clutch and to cause rotation of the pulley wheel III, the V-belt H6, the pulley wheel II5, the power drum H4 and the conveyor belt II2.

As indicated in Fig, 8, the contacts of the clutch II 8 are connected in a series circuit with the contacts IIIIi-b of the limit switch Ifi'I-a and also one pair of contacts I2I of a double throw limit switch I22 having another pair of contacts I23, to be referred to hereinbelow. The limit switch I22 is operatively connected to the operating handle 92 of the filling valve III, so that when the operating handle 82 is in its normal closed position, the contacts I2I are open and the contacts I23 are closed. Manual movement of the operating handle $2 to position opening the filling valve EII opens the contacts I23 and closes the contacts I2 I.

The contacts I23 mentioned above are con nected in series with the contacts IIIIl-a of the limit switch Ifil-a which controls the operation of the pusher mechanism as referred to above.

The operation of this embodiment is as follows:

Assuming that there are cans at positions II, III and IV, as described above, but no can at position I, and assuming also that there are a number of empty cans upon the conveyor belt I I2 with the endmost can ready to be transferred to position I on operation of the conveyor I I I, it can be seen that with the operating handle 92 in valve-closed position, the circuit to the clutch H3 is completed and the clutch is shifted to closed position causing movement of the cone veyor belt I I2 so as to shift the endmost can on the conveyor belt into position I on the rollers When the endmost can is shifted fully to the rollers 2| at position .I, it pushes the finger IIlII-a of the limit switch III'I-a inward so as to open. .the contacts IIIB-b, thereby breaking the circuit 'to the clutch and stopping the conveyor belt H2,v

With the finger IIiB-a in this retracted position, the contacts IE!8a of the limit switch IIl'I-a are in closed position. However, the circuit to the air-distributor valve 99 is still open due to the fact that the contacts I23 of the limit switch I22 are open.

When the can at position II has been filled the operator returns the operating handle I32 to valve-closed position thereby opening the con-- tacts I2I and closing the contacts I23.

also to transfer the cans at positions II, III and IV) and thereafter to return the pusher-arm I09 to its original position, in the manner described above. ,While the limit switch IIl'I-a will auto- Closing .matically shift to position closing contacts H184) "as soon as the canhasfbeen shiftedfaway from position I, the fact thatthefcontacts l2l of the limit switch I22 are open prevents closing of the clutch H8 and movement of the conveyor belt H2 until the operating handle 92 has again been shifted to position opening the filling valve 94.

In other Words, movement of the conveyor belt H2 is initiated by opening of the valve handle 92 and is automatically terminated upon delivery ofa can to position I; while movement of the pusher mechanism is initiated upon closing of the valve handle 92.

Since, as described above, the crimper mechanism and the stile mechanism are integrated with the operation of: the pushermechanism, it can be seen that manual operation of the valve handle 82 controls the entire operation of the machine.

,In' other words, when an. empty can is delivered to position II, the operator manuallyshifts the handle 92 to positionopening the valve 9| so as to deliver fluid or the like from the pipe 89 into that can. In so doing, he automatically initiates movement of the. conveyor belt H2. so as to shift another empty can from conveyor I l l to position I, this shifting taking place during the filling operation.

When the can has been filled, the operator moves the handle 82 to position closing the valve and, in so doing, automatically initiates a complete cycle of can shifting, crimping and, stile rotating operations, whereby the empty can at position I is transferred to position II,the filled can at position II is transferred to position III, the previously-filled can at positionIII (upon which a lid has been placed by the operator) is transferred to position IV and, the closed can at position IV is transferred to the take-off end of the frame 23. a

If desired, conventional .means (not shown) can be added, above position III, to feed lids automatically to filled cans soas to eliminate the need for the operator to do this manually.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms and, accordingly, the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specification as indicative of the scopeaof this invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. In a machine for crimping lug-type lids to cans or the like, an elongated frame having a generally horizontal track for slidably supporting a plurality of cans thereon; a. crimper mounted adjacent one end of said frame above said track, said crimper having a downwardly-directed head, a plurality of pivoted crimping-fingers mounted on the periphery of said head and means including a cylinder and a double-acting compressed air operated piston operatively connected to the crimping fingers for actuating said crimpingfingers so as to force them inward and upward against the lugs of a lid after a can and its lid have been positioned against the underside of the head and thereby to crimp the lugs into looking engagement with the rim of the can and thereafter to return the crimping-fingers to their original position; means mounted on said frame for positioning successive cans on the track beneath the crirnper; said crimper also having a spring mounted on the underside of its head, the spring being compressed when a can is forced upward against the head and operating forcibly l o eject. the can from. theorimper at the end of the crimpingv .operationyand elevator mechanism mounted on the frame beneaththe track in vertical alignment with the crimper and con structed and arranged to lift the aforesaid can up off the track and against the head of the crimperpreliminary to the crimping operation and thereafter to lower the closed can backon to theitrack.

.2. A'construction according to claim 1 wherein the can positioning means comprises rotatable turnstile mounted on the side of the frame and having a plurality of uniformly spaced radial spokes extending horizontally above the track, the space between adjoining spokes being just suflicient to accommodatea single can, and means for releasably locking the turnstile againstrotation in successive positions whereinthe enter line between successive pairs of spokes is generally in vertical alignment with the crimper.

3. In a machine for crimpinglug-tiiplids to cans or the like, an elongated frame havinga generally horizontal track for slidably supporting a plurality of cans thereon; a crimper mounted adjacent one end of said framefabove said track; elevatormechanism mounted on the frame beneath the track in vertical alignment with the orimper for lifting a can up off the track and againstthe crimper and thereafter to lower the can back onto the track; means mounted on said frame for positioning successive canson the track beneath the crimper and above the elevator mechanism, said can positioning means comprising a rotatable turnstile mountedon the sideof the frame and havingia plurality of uniformly spaced radial spokes extending hormone tally above the track with space between adjoining spokes just suiiicient to accommodate a single can, and means for releasablyloc king the turnstile against rotation in successive positions wherein the center line b etween successive pairs of spokes is generally in vertical alignmentuwith the criinper, said turnstile locking imeans comprisinga plurality of uniformly circumferentially Y distributed grooves formed in the turnstile hub and a finovable locking-bar normally springurged so that its end extends into one of the grooves in looking engagement therewith v and solenoid-actuated means for periodically momentarily retracting the locking-bar to permit rotation of the turnstile until the next groove" is engaged by the locking-bar.

4. A construction according to claim 3 wherein the turnstile is also provided with means for positively rotating it after the locking-bar has been retracted.

5. A construction according to claim 4 wherein the turnstile rotating means comprise a movable push-bar normally spring-urged to retracted position and means for moving said push-bar into extended position so that its end strikes one of the turnstile spokes and causes rotation thereof.

6. A construction according to claim 5 wherein the means for moving the push-bar is solenoidactuated in timed relation to the solenoid-actuated movement of the locking-bar.

7. A construction according to claim 6 wherein the push-bar moves in a generally vertical plane and is provided with an inclined end adapted to make camming engagement with the spoke.

8. A construction according to claim 1 wherein the elevator is also provided with means including a cylinder and a double-acting compressed air operated piston for raising and lowering it in timed relation to the operation of the crimper, the raising of the elevator preceding the closing of the crimping-fingers and the lowering of the elevator following the opening of the crimping-fingers.

9. A construction according to claim 8 wherein the crimper and the elevator are actuated by separate double-acting compressed-air motors, each motor being provided by an electricallycontrolled air-distributor valve constructed and arranged to deliver compressed-air alternately to opposite ends of the valve so as to cause reciprocation of the motor in predetermined timed relationship.

10. A construction according to claim 8 wherein a pair of limit switches are mounted on the frame adjacent the crimping position and the next preceding position, said limit switches being connected in series and being constructed and arranged to cause operation of the air-distributor valves only when both of the aforesaid can positions are occupied.

11. In a machine for crimping lug-type lines of cans or the like, an elongated framehaving a generally horizontal track for slidably supporting a plurality of cans thereon; a crimper mounted adjacent one end of said frame above said track; means mounted on said frame for positioning successive cans on the track beneath the crimper; elevator mechanism mounted on the frame beneath the track in vertical alignment with the crimper and constructed and arranged to lift the aforesaid can up off the track and against the crimper and thereafter to lower the can back onto the track; and automatic means mounted on the frame, for positively moving a plurality of cans along the track and toward the crimper, said can-moving means comprising a reciprocating pusher-arm extending over the track and electrically controlled mechanism for moving the pusher-arm forward only when there is a continuous line of cans on the track intermediate the crimper and the pusher-arm and means for thereafter returning the pusher-arm to original position, the pusher-arm actuating mechanism including an electrical circuit having a limit switch mounted on the frame adjacent the pusher-arm can positions, said limit switch being maintained in depressed circuit-closing position only when there is a can at the pusher-arm position so as to cause forward movement of the pusher-arm, and shifting to extended circuitopening position after the can has been shifted appreciably forward of its original position.

12. A construction according to claim 11 wherein the pusher-arm actuating mechanism also includes a second electrical circuit connected in parallel with the first circuit and having a limit switch mounted on the frame at the position preceding the crimper, said limit switch being maintained in depressed circuit-opening position when there is a can centered at the aforesaid crimper-preceding position and shifting to extended circuit-closing position when there is no can precisely at the crimper-preceding position.

13. A construction according to claim 12 wherein the pusher-arm is connected to a piston disposed within a cylinder and spring-urged to position retracting the pusher-arm and wherein an electrically-controlled air-distributor valve is operatively connected to the cylinder and to the aforesaid electrical circuits whereby closing of either circuit sends compressed air to the cylinder so as to move the piston, against the pressure of the spring, to advance the pusher-arm and whereby opening of both circuits vents the cylinder and permits spring actuated return of the piston and pusher-arm.

14. A construction according to claim 13 where: in the pusher-arm is provided with a cylindrical guide-member at one, end, the guide-member being slidably disposed within an elongated axially-slotted cylindrical-bore chamber mounte ed on the frame.

References Cited in the file of thi patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 13,851 Brinkman Dec. 22, 1914 880,408 Schmitt Feb. 25, 1908 1,290,424 Valerius Jan. 7, 1919 1,509,254 Pilley Sept. 23, 1914 1,679,939 Maw Aug. 7, 1928 2,444,155 De Back June 29, 1948 2,546,205 Zimmerman Mar. 27, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 614,258 Germany June 5, 1935

Images