US2983089A - Cap fastening machine - Google Patents

Description

May 9, 1961 D. H. REESE ErAL CAP FASTENING MACHINE 1 5 W Ma R! v, m x-Qk mm .M E24 6 P W a w w J Y m 0 w m N .N. w M m w Filed Aug. 25, 1955 n! [Il a May 9, 1961 D. H. REESE ETAL 2,983,089

CAP FASTENING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TORF 0044410 ,9, Fifi! Pun/5 P, PIN/Vi) Irma [rs May 9, 1961 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 9 FIG-3 n I II I D. H. REESE ET AL CAP FASTENING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR5 May 9, 1961 D. H. REEsE ETAL CAP FASTENING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 2, mg m mi M Vfl m 0. mm? f m 2 y; i w w May 9, 1961 D. H. REESE ETAL CAP FASTENING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 w: my mfl i m a 6 4 J I N 5 3 7 0 5 i I I a w w 1 w W p I I r A- E w y W w W May 9, 1961 D. H. REESE ET AL CAP FASTENING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 May 9, 1961 D. H. REESE ETAL CAP FASTENING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 at-l6 May 9, 1961 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 D. H. REESE ET AL CAP FASTENING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR5 awn/410x255! Pu z 5 2 Pm A/n @KEQ ,a/uum irrap/vixs May 9, 1961 D. H. REESE ET AL CAP FASTENING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 INVENTOR5 904 440 ,9, P625! Pa a; 2 PM I United States Patent Oficje 2,983,089 Patented May 9, 1961 CAP FASTENING MACHINE Donald H. Reese, Lafayette, and Rufus P. Ranney, San

Filed Aug. 25, 1955, Ser. No. 530,492

49 Claims. (Cl. 53--72) This invention relates to a machine for automatically applying caps or bungs to drums, barrels and other like containers.

More particularly this invention relates to a machine for automatically applying screw caps or bungs to steel drums in synchronism with an automatic filling machine wherein steel drums are supplied in rapid succession to a filling and weighing station with their bung holes in registry with a filling mechanism and at which each drum, in its turn, is filled to a predetermined net or gross weight, as desired, each filled drum then being transported to a capping station. The machine of the present invention has as an important object the application of screw caps or bungs to drums delivered to a capping station from an automatic filling machine of the character described.

The machine of the present invention has, as one of its principal objects, the provision of an automatic capping operation which is integrated and synchronized with an automatic filling operation such as described in Guerard et a1. application Serial No. 307,554, filed September 2, 1952, entitled Drum Filling Machine, now US. Patent No. 2,793,659. The machine of 'the present invention also preferably employs a vacuum-operated, flexible or universal type of chuck mechanism for picking up bungs or screw caps, aligning them properly with bung holes and then screwing the bungs or caps into the bung holes, such as described and claimed in another copending application, Ranney et al. Serial No. 317,856, filed October 31, 1952, entitled Cap Fastener, now US. Patent No. 2,731,185.

Previous practice in connection with automatic and semiautomaticfilling of containers such as steel drums, with products such as petroleum products, has been to carry out the weighing and filling operations automatically or semiautomatically, with or without a concomitant automatic orienting operation in which empty drums are received with their bung holes in random position and are automatically oriented to locate the bung hole of each drum in a predetermined position for registry with the filling mechanism. In such prior operations the final step of applying bungs or caps to the filling drums has been carried out manually with a torque wrench.

Heretofore, to our knowledge, this capping operation has not been carried out automatically, at least in connection with such containers as 55 gallon steel drums intended for petroleum products.

In connection with the high speed, automatic capping of steel drums filled with'petroleum products, certain difficult problems are encountered which are not encoun tered to the same degree in many other types of capping operation. Thus, steel drums are sufficiently expensive that it is the custom for the purchaser to return them, obtaining a refund for the returned drums. Consequently, an oil refinery or other establishment carrying out large scale filling operations employs a great many used drums. Such drums are reconditioned; i.e., they are cleaned and repainted, and badly damaged drums are repaired mechanically. Nevertheless, it will be apparent that ab, solute uniformity of drums is impossible because of the variety of old drums used and because used andrecon ditioned drums have become damaged.

In Ranney et al. applicationv Serial No. 317,856, referred to above, certain of the dificulties encountered in the capping of steel drums of this character are described. Thus, as pointed out in the description and as illustrated in the drawings of that application, the bung holes of steel drums will vary with respect to distance from the axis of the drum (such variation being referredto hereinafter as horizontal deviation), and it frequently happens that owing to imperfections in drums or to damage sustained by drums the bung holes do not lie in a horizontal plane (such departure from horizontal being referred to hereinafter as vertical deviation).

It will, therefore, be apparent that a truly automatic.

capping mechanism must adjust itself automatically.

for horizontal and vertical deviations of the bung holes. Yet another problem involved in an automatic, .high speed capping operation of the character described is the fact that drums, as they come to a filling machine, are

provided with different types of bungs which may require different types of chucks or wrench members for picking them up and manipulating them. Since drums as they come to a filling machine will usually have .a random distribution of different types of bungs, it is apparent that a fully automatic capping machine must be able automatically to sense each typeof bung and to provide the proper form of chuck.

Another problem encountered in an automatic filling and capping operation is the fact'that, quite apart from structural differencesas noted above, bungs are frequently painted the same color as the barrels (e.g., olive drab in the case of military supplies), and it is important that each bung be replaced in its corresponding barrel. This is especially troublesome when mixed orders are being filled.

Yet another and a very serious problem in an automatic filling and capping operation carried out at high speed of the order of, say, one 55 gallon drum each thirty seconds, is that all of the parts of the machine must be integrated with no station lagging behind any other. Also safety features should be incorporated in the machine such that if, for some reason, operation ceases or slows down in. one part of the machine, operation of other parts of the machine will be adjusted appropriately and automatically.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic capping machine having features which obviate some or all of the difiiculties and problems mentioned hereinabove.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic capping machine which is adapted to high speed, automatic capping of steel drums with screw type bungsl Another object is to provide an automatic capping ma chine of the character and for the purpose described which automatically adjusts itself for horizontal and vertical deviations of bung holes.

A further object is to provide an automatic capping machine which is selective with regard to the type of bun-g or cap and is able to receive filled drums or other containers with a random distribution of two or more types of bungs having structural differences and requiring different types of chuck.

Another object is to provide, in connection with an automatic capping machine, an automatic bung or cap delivery mechanism which is operable to replace eac bung in its corresponding drum or barrel. 7,

Yet another object is to provide an automatic capping machine which is operable at high speeds in conjunction With ,a high speed filling machine (with ,OI'.WlthQUI, a

Q high speed orienting element) such as that described in Guerard et al. application Serial No. 307,554, mentioned hereinabove.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims.

One form of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine of the present invention shown associated with an automatic filling and weighing mechanism.

Figure 2 is a view taken along the line 22 of Figure 1 showing a part of the machine of the invention in side elevation.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the conveyor and escapement mechanism for conveying caps or bungs and releasing them one by one.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken along the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken along the line' 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a view taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 2 showing the capping station partly in section and partly in top plan view.

Figure 8 is a view taken along the line 8--8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a staggered vertical section taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 7, showing in detail the operating mechanism for one of the capping chucks.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line lit-10 of Figure 9 showing, on a larger scale than in Figure 9, the rotary seal for the chuck mechanism illustrated in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view taken along the line 11-11 of Figure 2, showing on a larger scale than that in Figure 2, another portion of the operating mechanism at the capping station.

Figure 12 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section of an automatic trip valve employed in the control circuit of the machine.

Figure 13 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section showing another portion of the operating mechanism at the capping station, more particularly the drum ejecting mechanism.

Figure 14 is a view as seen from above Figure 13, showing the drum ejecting mechanism with a drum in position at the capping station.

Figure 15 is a view taken along the line 15-45 of Figure 1, showing the drum clamping means for clamping and holding a drum at the capping station.

Figure 16 is a view taken along the line 16-16 of Figure 1, but on a larger scale than that in Figure 1, showing a control feature of the machine employed to suspend operation of the machine in the event that a filled drum that has been ejected from the capping station but has not proceeded forwardly to clear the way for the next drum.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the drum gripping and pusher means employed to grip and push a filled drum from the filling station to the capping station.

Figure 18 is a side elevation of the same as seen along the line 1818 of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a transverse section along the line 19-19 of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary view showing a part of the mechanism employed to operate the gripping and pusher means shown in Figures 17 to 19.

Figure 21A is a diagrammatic illustration of a portion of the control circuit of the machine shown in Figures 1 to 20.

Figure 21B is a continuation of Figure 21A.

Figure 22 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical midsection, of a vacuum-operated pilot valve which is employed in the control circuit.

The mechanical features of the machine will first be described with reference to Figures 1 to 20.

Mechanical features Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the machine as a whole is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. It comprises a filling and weighing station which is generally designated by the reference numeral 11 and a capping station which is generally designated by the reference numeral 12. To the right of the filling station 11, as viewed in Figure 1, there may be provided an orienting station such as that described and claimed in the aforesaid patent application, Guerard et al. Serial No. 307,554. At the filling station 11 there is provided a scale platform 13 which supports a drum 14. A weighing mechanism such as that described in the aforesaid copending application Serial No. 307,554, may be provided to continuously record the net weight of the drum as it is filled, after having tared the empty drum.

Filling of the drum 14 or other container is accomplished by a filling mechanism which is generally designated by the reference numeral 15 and which may be of the type described in the said copending application Serial No. 307,554. Such filling mechanism, insofar as it is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a lance 17 having a tip 18 which is extensible and retractable between an open position and a closed position, the closed position being shown in Figure 2. Details of such construction are described in the aforesaid application Serial No. 307,554. The filling lance 17 is operated by means of an hydraulic cylinder 19. There is also illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a drip pan 20 which pivots on a drain pipe 25. The purpose of the drip pan 20 is to catch drippings from the lance 17 when the latter is retracted from a drum and the drip pan is swung underneath the lance 17.

A pusher mechanism 26 is also provided for the purpose of propelling each empty, oriented drum from the orienting station (not shown) to the filling station, to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. This pusher mechanism is substantially identical with that described in the aforesaid copending application Serial No. 307,554. but with certain modifications as hereinafter described. Briefly stated, the said pusher mechanism comprises a pair of spaced, parallel rods 27 fixed to the framework of the machine and a slide member 27a slideable on such rods. A pusher arm or frame 23 is provided which is pivotally mounted on the slide member 27a at 2811. At its forward, or left-hand end as viewed in Figure 2. the frame 28 is provided with a locating finger 29 pivotally mounted on the frame 28 in the manner described in the aforesaid co-pending application Serial No. 307,554. At its extreme forward or left-hand end, the frame 28 is provided with a roller 31 for rolling on the chime 30 of the drum 14.

All the features of the pusher mechanism 26 thus far described are identical or substantially identical with those described in the aforesaid copending application Serial No. 307,554. However, the said pusher mechanism is further modified in a respect which will now be described.

A drum ejector means 32 is provided for ejecting filled barrels from the filling station in the form of an arm 33 pivotally mounted on the slide member 2711 at 28a but for pivoting independently of the pusher frame 28. A cylinder 34 pivots the arm 33 at its extreme forward or lefthand end as viewed in Figure 2, the arm 33 is provided with a gripping hand 38 having a pair of spaced plates 40 (see also Figures 17-19) between which are slideably mounted a plurality of fingers 41 each having laterally projecting ears 41a which normally rest upon the upper edges of the plates 40 and are held resiliently in contact therewith by tension springs 41b. As will be seen from an inspection of Figures 2 and 17, the plates 40 and the fingers 41 are off center to clear the vent bung 41a (see Figures 1 and 17). As will be seen from an inspection of Figure 18 it is the purpose of the fingers 41 to grasp the chime 30 of a drum '14. (The vent bung 41a is intended to be removed when the drum is emptied through the main bung hole, to allow entry of replace ment air.)

Referring again to Figure 2 and also to Figure 20,.the ejector arm 33 has a rearward extension 33a which is engageable with the lower end of a lever 42 pivoted on the frame of the machine at 42a, and which is normally held in the position illustrated in solid lines in Figure 20 by a spring 43 but which can be pivoted counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 20 by the piston of an hydraulic cylinder 44.

Operation of the machine as thus far described and apart from the control mechanism is as follows:

When an empty drum has been oriented to locate its bung hole in a predetermined position at the orienting or bung locating station, the locating finger 29 will be located within the bung hole 45. The slide member 27a is caused to move forwardly, from right to left as viewed in Figures 1 and 2. It wiil be apparent that, as the slide member 27a so moves, it will carry the empty, oriented drum with it, and it will also be apparent that the locating finger 29 will maintain the bung hole 45 in its predetermined oriented position. The stroke of the slide member 27a is such that it will deposit the drum at the filling station on the weighing platform 13 with the bung hole in registry with the filling lance 17. While a drum is being oriented at the orienting station and a drum is being lled at the filling station '12, the rearward extension 33a of the ejector arm 33 will be located beneath the lever 42, hence the gripping hand 39 will be clear of the drum at the filling station and will not add weight to such drum. At the commencement of forward movement of the slide member 27a, cylinder 44 will operate to rock the lever 42 and disengage it from the ejector arm 33, which will therefore drop by gravity and engage the fingers 46 with the chime 30 of the filled drum. Continned forward motion of the slide member 27a will cause the filled drum to be pushed forwardly to the capping station while an empty drum is deposited at the filling station.

After the empty drum has been deposited on the weighing platform, the following sequence of operations occurs as described in detail in the aforesaid Guerard et 'al. application Serial No. 307,554: The pusher frame 28 is raised by the cylinder 34 and is retracted to the loeating station (the arm 33 being raised and retracted with the frame 28); the empty weight or tare of the drum at the filling station is recorded; the lance 17 descends through the bung hole of the drum and opens up; filling commences, first at a very rapid rate with the lance wide open, then at a reduced rate with the lance partially closed; and then the lance 17 is closed and retracted from the drum.

While the pusher frame 28 and ejector arm 33 are being retracted, they are maintained in raisedposition, hence when the rearward extension 33a of ejector arm 33 reaches the end of its return stroke, it will underlie the lever 42, which meanwhile will have returned to its normal spring position. Then the pusher frame 28 is lowered onto the next drum at the locating station, hence the extension 33a will contact the lever 42, which will hold the gripper hand 39 in raised position to clear the drum at the filling station while it is being filled.

A means is also provided for conveying caps or bungs to the capping station in properly timed relation to the progress of drums through the machine. This means is illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 and is best shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, two types of cap or bung are there illustrated. One type is the Rieke cap which is manufactured by the Rieke Company, Auburn,

Indiana, U.S.A., and is described in detail in the aforesaid copending application Serial No. 317,856. Another type is the Tri-Sure cap, which is manufactured by American Flange & Manufacturing Co., of New York, N.Y., and is also described in detail in the aforesaid Ranney et al. application Serial No. 317,856. Suffice it to say for purposes of the present description, that the Rieke cap shown at 46 in Figures 3 and 4 has a flange 46a which projects outwardly and the Tri-Sur'e cap shown at 47 does not have a corresponding flange and is of lesser overall diameter. Advantage is taken of these structural differences in the manner and for the purpose explained hereinafter.

A conveyor mechanism is provided for conveying caps or bungs such as those shown at 46 and 47, such conveyor mechanism being generally designated by the reference numeral 48. This conveyor mechanism extends rearwardly, or to the right as viewed in Figures'l to 4 to some convenient point preceding the entire machine (including the locating station), so that an operator may from time to time pick off loose bungs from the drums as they are supplied to the machine, e.g., as the empty, unoriented drums travel by gravity down a slanting roller conveyor toward the machine. The rate of travel of drums through the machine is quite rapid, e.g., one 55 gallon drum each thirty seconds. However, ample time is provided for an operator to pick up loose caps or bungs from tops of drums prior to their delivery to the machine, it being necessary only that, from time to time, the operator walk along the gravity conveyor line, pick up bungs from a few dozen drums and deposit them on the conveyor mechanism 48 in the same order as they are picked up from the drums. This simple manual operation, if carried out to place the bungs or caps on the conveyor 48 in the same order as they arrive with the drums, is all that is required. The conveyor 48 will supply the bungs to the capping mechanism in this same order, such that bungs of diflerent drums are not intermixed.

The bung conveyor mechanism 48 comprises spaced upper tracks 49 (see Figure 5) which receive and guide the upper reaches of endless chains 50 which engage sprockets 51 and idlers 51a, one such sprocket being driven so as to cause continuous movement of the chain, the upper reach thereof traveling from right to left as viewed in Figures 1 to 4. The lower reach of the chain is received in and guided by lower tracks 49a. The upper tracks are provided with vertical flanges 52 over which lie the horizontal flanges 46a of the Rieke caps 46 and between which lie the Tri-Sure caps 47. In both cases, however, the cap rests on the chains 50 and the Rieke flange 46a clears the flanges 52.

An escapement mechanism is provided which is shownin Figure 3 and is there designated generally by the reference numeral 60. The escapement mechanism 60- comprises an escapement member 61 which is pivoted on the frame of the machine at 62 and which has a forward guard or keeper member 63 and a rearward guard and pusher member 64. The escapement mem ber 61 is operated by pneumatic means including an air cylinder 65 within which is reciprocable a piston 65a having a rod 66, the outer or right-hand end of which, as viewed in Figure 3, is rotatably connected to a link 67 which is integral with the escapement member 61. A spring 68 normally urges the piston 65a to the left as viewed in Figure 3 and holds it and the escapement member 61 in the positions shown. At the appropriate in-.

stant in the operation of the machine, i.e., when a filled drum at the filling station is ejected from the filling station and delivered to the capping station, compressed air is caused to enter the cylinder 65 through a line 310 and an inlet port 69, thereby causing movement of the piston 65a from left to right as viewed in Figure 3, thereby rocking the escapement member 61 in counterclockwise direction.

47, as the case may be, off the chains 50 onto an inclined The pusherv portion 64 of the" as; capement member 61 will push the leading cap 46 or a chute which is described hereinafter. At the same time, the pusher member 64 acts as a guard to hold back the next succeeding cap or bung. Upon venting of the air pressure in the cylinder 65 at a later stage of operation, as described hereinafter, the spring 68 will push the piston 65a from right to left to the position shown in Figure 3 and will, therefore, rock the escapernent member 61 in clockwise direction so as to be in the position shown in solid lines in Figure 3 and to allow the next succeeding cap or hung on the chains 50 to move forwardly to be held by the guard 63.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 6, inclined chutes and 76 are provided for guiding the released cap or bung to the capping station. As will be seen from an inspection of Figure 4, the chutes 75 and 76 coincide at air their upper, right-hand ends adjacent the forward end of the conveyor 48. The upper chute 75 is formed by spaced tracks 78 which are spaced apart a distance such that the threaded body portion 46b of a Rieke cap 46 will fit easily between the tracks but such that the gasket of the flange portion 46a will rest upon the upper edges of the tracks as illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 6 and will slide down such tracks to the tongue 79a of a plate 79. The cap 46 will then slide down the plate 79. It

will, therefore, be apparent that, as each Rieke cap 46 is released from the horizontal conveyor 48, it will slide by gravity down the upper chute 75. The lower chute 76 is formed by two, spaced tracks or plates 80 which are spaced apart at 80:: a slight distance for a purpose explained hereinafter. The spacing of the upper tracks 78 is sufficient that a Tri-Sure cap 47 will fall between them into the lower chute 76. It will, therefore, be apparent that each of the Tri-Sure caps, upon release from the conveyor 48, will find its way to the lower chute 76 and slide down along it by gravity. The purpose of the spacing 80 between the plates 79 is to clear lugs 47a which are commonly formed on this type of cap.

Referring now to Figure 2, the upper and lower chutes 75 and 76 terminate at their lower ends, and selectively guide the caps or bungs to cups 81 and 82, respectively. The cups 81 and 82 are supported by a fixed plate 83 which is supported by the frame of the machine. As is most clearly shown in Figures 7 and 8, the plate 83 has a central recess or socket 84 which is in registry with the bung hole 45 of a drum deposited at the capping station.

Two capping assemblies 85 and 86 are illustrated in Figure 8 which are identical with those described and claimed in the aforesaid Ranney et al. application Serial No. 317,856, to which reference may be made for details not described in their entirety in the present application. It will be understood, of course, that other types of cap fastening assemblies may be used. However, those illustrated are preferred.

Still referring to Figure 8, the two capping assemblies 85 and 86 are there shown which are in registry with the cups 81 and 82, respectively. As will be seen each of the cups 81 and 82 has a flared portion 87, an annular shoulder 88 and a socket 89, the shoulder 88 of the cup 81 being of greater diameter to receive the flange 46a of a Rieke cap 46.

Each of the capping assemblies 85 and 86 comprises an upper coupling 100, a lower coupling assembly and chuck 101 and a spindle 102 formed with an axial suction passage 103. The upper coupling has a sleeve 104 and to the upper end of the spindle 102 is fixed a head 105 having a rounded periphery which is free to rotate about horizontal axes against the inner surface of the sleeve 104. The lower coupling assembly 101 comprises a head 106 similar to the head 105 which also has a rounded periphery which is rotatable about horizontal axes against the inner surface of a sleeve 107. A nut 107a holds the head 106 in place in the sleeve, and to the lower end of the sleeve 107 is fixed a wrench fitting 108 which engages a cap or bung. The fittings 108 of the two assemblies 85 and 86 are, of course, different to fit different types of cap. More specifically, the fitting 108 in the Rieke assembly 85 is intended to engage with, to fit and to serve as a wrench for rotating a Rieke type of cap and the fitting 108 in the right-hand assembly 86 is intended to engage with, to fit and to serve as a wrench for rotating a Tri-Sure type of cap. A seal is provided at 109, the details of which are described in the said copending application Serial No. 317,856 and a seal is also provided at 109a for sealing against a cap or bung when it is engaged with the chuck. A socket 110 is also provided which is urged downwardly by a spring 111.

As described in the aforesaid Ranney et al. application Serial No. 317,856, suction is applied through the passage 103 and the registering openings in the seal 109 and the fitting 108, to pick up and hold a cap or bung. As also explained in the said copendiug application, the double universal joints provided by the coupling 100 and chuck 101, automatically adjust the chuck for horizontal and/or vertical deviations of the bung holes of drums.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 9 and 10, each of the capping assemblies 85 and 86 (the assembly 86 being illustrated in Figure 9), is supported and operated by means which will now be described. The assembly 86 (likewise the assembly 85) is supported by a bracket which is fixed to and extends outwardly to the right as viewed in Figure 9, from a shaft 116 which is journaled in bearings 117 fixed to the frame of the machine. Just above the outer end of the bracket 115 and supported thereby is a housing 118 within which is disposed a worm wheel 119 meshing with a worm 120 driven by a shaft 120a which is driven by an hydraulic motor 121 (see Figures 1 and 2). The worm wheel 119 is fixed to a sleeve 122 which is journaled in bearings 122a, and the sleeve 122 is in turn fixed slideably but nonrotatably to a hollow shaft 123 which constitutes an extension of the spindle 102 and which is enclosed by a casing 124. As is most clearly shown in Figure 10, a rotating seal is provided at 125, such seal comprising a ballbearing 130, the inner race of which is clamped to the hollow shaft 123 by means of a nut 131 and the outer race of which is clamped to a sleeve 132 by means of a nut 133. As will be seen the central passage 103a of the shaft 123 communicates with a line 347 through which air is sucked by means described hereinafter. The upper end of the sleeve 132 is threaded to a piston rod 135 which extends upwardly into a cylinder 136 such cylinder having ports 353 and 353a (see Figure 9). To the upper end of the rod 135 is fixed a piston 139 which is reciprocable in the cylinder 136, and the rod 135 has an extension 140 above the piston 139 which is intended to engage the plunger of a valve 366 for a purpose explained hereinafter.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 11, the shaft 116 is rotated to the left or to the right to register either of the chuck assemblies 101 with the bung hole of a drum, by means of a pair of pneumatic cylinders 141 and 142 which, as illustrated, are arranged end-to-end. A piston 143 is reciprocable in the cylinder 142 and has a rod 144 pivotally connected to the frame at 145. The cylinder 141 has a piston reciprocable therein to which is connected a rod 151 which is rotatably connected at its outer end, or to the right as viewed in Figure 11, to an arm or lever 152 which is fixed to the shaft 116. it will be apparent that, when compressed air is supplied to the cylinder 141 to move its piston 150 from right to left as viewed in Figure 11, the arm 152 will be rotated in clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 11, thereby bringing the right-hand capping assembly 86 and its chuck assembly 101 (see Figure 8) into registry with the recess 84 in the plate 83 and with the bung hole 45 of a drum.

"( s It will also be apparent that, when the direction of travel aosaosa of the piston 150 is reversed, thev arm 152 will be rotated in counterclockwise directionto. return the right-hand chuck assembly 86 to the neutral position illustrated in Figures 8 and 11. It will also be apparent that, when compressed air is delivered to the cylinder 142 in a direction to move its piston 143 (i.e., relatively to the cylinder 142) to the right as viewed in Figure 11, thatthe arm 152 will be rotated in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 11, thereby bringing the left-hand chuck assembly 85 into registry with the bung hole of a drum, and that when the piston 143 is moved (relatively to the cylinder 142) in the opposite direction, the chuck assembly 85 will be rotated back to its.neutral position illustrated in Figures 8 and 11. Thes stroke of each of the pistons 143 and 150 is such as to bring the respective chuck assemblies 85 and 86 into precise registry with their corresponding cups 81 and 82, respectively, and into precise registry with the recess 84 and the bung hole 45 of a drum at the cappingstation.

Referring now more particularlyto Figures 1 and 9, a cam arm 153 is provided which is fixed to and rotates with the shaft 116, the outer end of which (to the left as viewed in Figure 9) serves as a cam to actuate the plungers of three valves 359', 359a and 359b, in the manner and for the purpose described hereinafter.

As stated, bungs or caps 46 and 47 are released by the escapement mechanism 60 as described hereinabove and as illustrated in Figure 3. Each released cap slides down-- wardly along the proper chute 75 or 76, as explained hereinabove. As also explained, there are two capping assemblies 85 and 86 for the two different types of caps 46 and 47. It will be apparent that, for fully automatic operation, some means is required whereby the machine can sense the type of cap or bung which has last been released from the conveyorrmechanism. A portion of such sensing means is illustrated in Figure 12 and will now be described.

Referring to Figure 12 a trip valve 326 is there shown which has a plunger 154 enclosed by a housing 155 which is fixed to the-frame of the machine. A trip pin 160 is provided which is notched at 161 for a purpose explained hereinafter and which has a rounded head 162 which engages the plunger 154 of the valve. The head 162 is provided with a pin 163 which projects laterally therefrom. A spring 164 is compressed beneath the head 162 and, therefore, urges the plunger 160 upwardly and tends to lift the valve plunger 154. A cocking means is provided by reason of the notch 161 which is capable of engaging a shoulder 165 and is urged into such engaging action by a small piston.166 which is urged upwardly in a passage 167 by a spring 168. In operation, and apart from the control mechanism described hereinafter the valve and its cocking means are operated as follows:

The trip valve 326 is normally in the cocked position illustrated in Figure 12, i.e., with its plunger 154 in the down position and with the trip pin 160 in the cocked position shown. When a hung or cap such as that shown at 46 descends along the chute 75, it will strike the lower end of the pin 160 and will disengage the notch 161 from the shoulder 165. The spring 164 is then free to expand and, in expanding, it pushes the plunger 160 up-' wardly and causes retraction of the valve plunger 154. This results in setting the valve in its so-called spring position for a purpose which is explained hereinafter in connection with the control circuit. The valve will remain in this position until compressed air is delivered thereto in the manner explained hereinafter, thereby causing the plunger 154 to move downwardly against the force of the spring 164, carrying with it the plunger 160. When .the latter has been pushed downwardly to the position illustrated in solid lines 'in Figure 12, with the notch 161 in registry with the shoulder 165, the cooking spring 168 and piston 166 will act against the pin 163 to pivot the plunger :160 to the .inclined position shown in Figure 12 such that, when the compressed air 10 is exhausted from. the valve 326, thenotch 161 will engage the shoulder 165. The valve operatingvmechanism In the operation of the capping station machine as thus far described, and apart from the control mecha-.

nism, bungs or caps are released from the overhead conveyor 48 by the escapement mechanism 60 in the manner described hereinabove, and each released cap or bung will slide down its appropriate chute or 76 and will trigger or release the valve actuating mechanism illustrated in Figure 12, thereby placing the respective valve 326 in its spring position. This will result, through the control means described hereinafter, in a sequence of operations which include the following events:

Suction is applied to the line 347 (see Figures 9 and 10), thereby applying suction to the appropriate capping assembly or 86 through its passages 103 and 103a. Also the appropriate shaft a will start rotating, thereby causing the corresponding spindle 102 and chuck 101 to commence rotating. Air pressure beneath the piston 139 in cylinder 136 is released through port 353, thereby causing'the piston 139 and its associated chuckassembly 101 to drop by gravity into the appropriate cup. 81 or 82; Suction applied through the line 347 will cause the chuck to hold the cap 46 or 47, as the case may be. Compressed air isthen again delivered through the port 353 to the cylinder 136 beneath the piston 139, causing the latter to ascend, thereby lifting the chuck assembly 101 and the cap held by it. Next, the appropriate cylinder 141 or 142 is operated to rotate the appropriate capping assembly 85 or 86 (i.e., the assembly containing a cap or bung) into registry with the recess 84 in the plate 83 and with the bung hole 45 of the drum which, meanwhile, will have been delivered to the capping station in the manner explained hereinabove.

A part of the control mechanism associated with and located at the capping station is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. Referring to these figures, there is shown a cylinder having a rod 176 rotatably connected at its outer end to a lever 177', the other end of which is fixed to a sleeve 178 which is pinned to the lower end of a shaft 179. To the sleeve 178 there is also fixed a drum ejector lever 180 on the outer end of which is rotatably mounted a roller 181. The shaft 179 is journaled in ball bearings 182, and mounted on its upper end is a sleeve 183 which is free to rotate on the shaft 179. To the lower end of the sleeve 183is fixed a cam 184 having a high dwell 185 and a low dwell 186, such cam serving to operate a valve 300 in the manner and for the purpose described hereinafter. A torsion spring 187 urges the sleeve 183 in counterclockwise direction" as viewed in Figure 14, and a stop member188 is provided to limit rotation of the sleeve 183. A' cam lever 189' is fixed to the sleeve 183 and rotatably mounted on the outer end of the lever 189 is a roller 190. The'stop member 188 also causes the cam lever 189 to rotate clockwise (as viewed in Figure 14) with the drum ejector lever 180.

The ejector lever 180 is normally held in the position illustratedin Figure 14 by the cylinder 175. When the, capping stationis unoccupied by a drum, the torsion spring 187 normally holds the cam lever'189 in the position shown in broken lines in Figure 14, i.e., lying athwart the path of travel of drums into the capping station. As a drum is pushed into the capping station,

the ejector lever. 180 will remain in the position illus j trated in Figure 14 but the drum will rotate the cam lever 189 in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 14,

This will 7 cause the high dwell 185 of the cam 184 to contact thei plunger of the valve 300, which constitutes a sig'nalin to the position shown therein in solid lines.

the manner and for the purpose described hereinafter assaosa that the capping station is occupied by a drum. When a drum has been properly capped and the appropriate chuck assembly has been elevated and rotated back to the neutral position illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the cylinder 175 is supplied with compressed air in such manner as to rotate the ejector lever 180 in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 14, from the position shown in solid lines therein to the position shown in broken lines, thereby ejecting a filled and capped drum from the capping station. By reason of the stop 188, the cam lever 189 is prevented from rotating back to the transverse position illustrated in broken lines in Figure 14 until compressed air is supplied to the cylinder 175 to rotate the lever 180 back to the position shown in solid lines in Figure 14. Then the cam lever 188 rotates back by reason of the torsion spring 187.

Referring now to Figures 14 and 15, and more particularly to Figure 15, there is-provided certain clamping mechanism for firmly clamping both sides of a drum at the capping station and holding it in position during the capping operation in opposition to the torque produced by the capping operation. For this purpose two cylinders 200 and 201 are provided, the cylinder 201 being operated by hydraulic fluid and the cylinder 200 by compressed air. The construction of these two cylinders is otherwise identical. As shown, the cylinder 200 has a piston 202 reciprocable therein having a rod 203 to the outer end of which is attached a serrated clamping menu her 204 which is pivoted on the rod at 205 and has clamping jaws or teeth at 206. An expansion spring 207 is provided which normally holds the rod in the retracted position illustrated.

In operation, at the appropriate instant after a drum has been located at the capping station, fiuid is admitted first to the hydraulic cylinder 201 to cause its clamping member 204 to advance and contact but not to move the drum. Then the air cylinder 200 is operated to move its clamping member 204 toward the drum. The clamping member of the hydraulic cylinder 201 serves as a rigid stop because of incompressibility of the hydraulic fluid, and the air in the air cylinder 200 will compress when its clamping member 204 contacts the opposite side of the drum. Thus the drum is clamped firmly in position without disturbing its position. At a later instant in the cycle of operation, after a cap has been screwed into the drum, the pressure in cylinders 200 and 201 is relieved, the springs 207 will cause retraction of the clamping members and, the drum is free to be ejected from the capping station.

At the conclusion of the capping operation and after the capped drum is unclamped, the cylinder .175 will oper.te to rotate the ejector lever 180 to eject the capped drum. Then the cylinder 175 will be operated in the reverse direction to rotate the lever 180 back to the position shown in Figure 14.

Control circuit Referring now to Figures 21A and 21B, and from time to time to Figures 1 to 20, the control system of the machine described above and illustrated in Figures 1 to 20 operates as follows: In the'control system which is illustrated in Figures 21A and 21B, certain standard equipment is employed, such as valves operated by spring pilots, hand pilots, cam pilots, hydraulic pilots and/or air pilots. These and other items of equipment are shown diagrammatically and they are for the most part of standard, purchased type'and require no 'detailed description herein. One'such valve is that shown at the lower left of Figure 21B and is indicated by the reference numeral 300. A spring (unnumbered) is shown at the right and a cam is indicated by the letter C at the left, indicating that the valve 300 is spring operated, that it has a normal spring position and that it also assumes a cam position when the cam is operated.

The valve 300 is also shown as being provided with a drain or exhaust line indicated by the reference character D, such characterization being omitted, however, in the case of other valves and being indicated by the same diagrammatic symbol. Referring now to Figures 13 and 14 the valve 300 is there shown and the cam 184 is the cam which operates the valve 300 to place it in its cam position. As will be seen, when a drum is pushed into place at the capping station it will rotate the cam lever 189 in clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 14, thereby causing the cam roller of the valve 300 to ride up onto the high dwell 185 of the cam, thereby placing the valve 300 in its cam position. Hydraulic fluid under pressure from a suitable source (not shown) therefore passes through a line 301 and the valve 300 to a line 302, thence to a valve 303. The valve 303, like the valve 300, is a spring operated valve having also a cam position. In its cam position the valve 303 communicates the line 302 with a line 305 but when in its spring position it does not permit such flow of pressure. The valve 303 is placed in its cam position when the pusher 26 (see Figure 2) is in its extreme forward position. Hydraulic pressure then passes through the line 305 to the hydraulic pilot H of a valve 307. (See Figure 21A.) This places the valve 307 in its hydraulic pilot position wherein it communicates lines 308 and 309. Compressed air from a suitable source (not shown) then passes from the line 308 through valve 307 to the line 309, thence through a line 310 (Figure 21B) to the bung escapement cylinder 65 (see also Figure 3), and also through a line 315 containing a restriction 316 to the pneumatic barrel clamping cylinder 200 (see also Figure 15). The line 315 is also provided with a by-pass line 317 containing a check valve 318 so that pressure can pass through line 317 only in the direction indicated by the arrow, such bypass and check valve serving a purpose explained hereinafter. By reason of the supply of pressure through line 310 to the bung escapement cylinder 65, the latter will be actuated to release a hung or cap in the manner explained hereinabove, causing it to slide down the appropriate chute 75' or 76. It will be assumed that a Rieke type of cap shown in Figures 3 and 4 at 46, is released. Air pressure supplied in the manner described to the pneumatic drum clamping cylinder 200 will cause one of the drum clamping members 204 to move inwardly, thereby contacting the side of the drum. Meanwhile some of the hydraulic fluid passing through the line 305 will pass into a line 319 (Figure 213), thence to the hydraulic pilot of a valve 320, thereby placing that valve in its hydraulic pilot position. A portion of the hydraulic fluid will also pass through a line 321 containing a reducing valve 322 and a check valve 323, to the valve 320. When the valve 320 is in its hydraulic pilot position, the line 321 and a line 325 are connected, thereby communicating hydraulic pressure through the latter line to the hydraulic drum clamping cylinder 201 (see also Figure 15), thereby causing the opposite clamping member 204' to move forwardly to contact the opposite side of the drum. The purpose of the restriction 316 referred to hereinabove in connection with the pneumatic barrel clamping cylinder 200, is to create a slight lag in the operation of that cylinder and its corresponding clamping member in relation to the hydraulically operated cylinder 201 and its respective clamping member. The hydraulic cylinder is operated at a relatively low pressure, e.g., l5 p.s.i. by reason of the reducing valve 322, such pressure being suflicient to move the respective clamping member 204 quickly into contact with the drum 14 but insufiicient to move the drum. The pneumatic cylinder 200 is operated at a higher pressure, e.g., 60 p.s.i., hence will clamp the drum firmly in position and will resist a high torque. The check valve 323 effectively closes the hydraulic cylinder 201, which therefore acts as a rigid stop reacting against the pneumatic cylinder 200, and it does so slightly in advance of the" pneumatic cylinder. 1

As explained hereinabove with reference to Figure '12, the release of a Rieke cap down its chute 75 will cause t to trip the corresponding valve 326 which isshown 1n Figure 12 and also in the control diagram, Figure 21A. This places the valve 326 in its spring position in which 1t communicates an air pressure line 327 with a line 328. Air then passes through the line 328 to the air p1lotA of a valve 329a. The valve 329a is one side of a double purpose valve, the other side being indicated as 32912. The valve 329a functions with the right hand or Rieke side of the system, and the valve 32% with the left-hand or Tri-Sure side of the system. When the valve 329a is placed in its air pilot A position, hydraulic fluid under pressure from a suitable source (not shown) passes through a line 330 containing a stop valve 335 to a line 336 containing a compensated flow control valve 337, to the valve 329a, thence to a line 338' to the hydraulic motor 121 of the Rieke mechanism 85. Spent hydraulic fluid drains through a line 339a and a common line 339 to sump. The compensated flow control valve 337 is of a known construction and is of a type such that it passes fluid at a predetermined volume rate regardless of back pressure within suitable limits, such that the hydraulic motor 121 will rotate the spindle 103 and the chuck 101 at a constant speed regardless of increasing torque caused by increasing tightness of the cap in a bung hole, as explained in more detail hereinafter.

Meanwhile a portion of the air flowing through the line 328 is diverted through a line 340 containing a needle valve 345 to a venturi 346, thereby creating suction in a line 347 connected to the venturi and to the passage 103a in the spindle 123 (see Figures 9 and 10). Air is also supplied through the line 328 and a line 348 to a valve 349. (See Figure 21B.) The valve 349 is spring operated and has a normal spring position. It also has a vacuum pilot designated by the reference character V. The construction of valve 349 is described in detail hereinafter with reference to Figure 22. It has a diaphragm which is controlled by the vacuum pilot and the spring. Suction is applied to the vacuum pilot through a line 350 and the line 347, which is connected to the axial passage 103a of the spindle 123 and to the venturi 346. (Figure 21A.) As long as air is being sucked up through the chuck 101 into the axial passage 103a and the line 347, insuflicient vacuum is applied to the vacuum pilot of the valve 349 to actuate it, hence that valve remains in its spring position. As long as the valve 349 remains in its spring position, it communicates the line 348 with a line 351 which is also connected to the air pilot of a valve 352. (Figure 21A.) When the valve 352 is in its air pilot position it communicates a line 353 containing a restriction 354 with a line 355. Referring to Figure 9 as well as to Figure 21A, it will be seen that the line 353 communicates with the chuck lifting cylinder 136 beneath the piston 139. The line 355 connects the valve 352 with a valve 356 (Figure 21B) which, at this stage of operation, is in its normal, spring position thereby communicating the line 355 with an exhaust line 357 which is connected to atmosphere. It will, therefore, be apparent that air pressure in the chuck lifting cylinder 136 beneath the piston 139 is free to exhaust through line 353, valve 352, line 355, valve 356 and line 357 to atmosphere. The release of pressure beneath the piston 139 as a result of this setting of the valves 352 and 356 permits the piston 139 to descend by gravity, but under control of valve 354, -thereby causing the chuck 101 to descend a short distance into its appropriate cup 81 (see Figure 9) to pick up a Rieke cap or bung 46.

Assuming that the chuck 101 immediately makes proper contact with the bung, its O-ring 109a (see Figure 8) will seal against the bung and a vacuum will be created in the lines 347 and .350, hence in the vacuum pilot:

connected to a valve 359a (Figure 21A). At this stage. of operation, the valve 359a is in spring position as exvplained hereinafter. Therefore the valve 359a communicates the line 358 with an exhaust line 360 which is open to the atmosphere. valves indicated as 359, 359a and 35911 which are shown in the control diagram and also in Figure l. The valves 359a, 359 and 35% are normally in spring position but each is placed, at a suitable instant during the cycle of operation, in cam position by engagement with the 'cam bracket 153, which is shown in Figures 1 and 9.) At the commencement of the capping cycle and at the stage of operation now under consideration the cam bracket 153 will be in the central neutral position illustrated in Figure 1, therefore in contact with the valve 359 and leaving the valve 3590 (also the valve 35%) in spring position as explained above. It will, therefore, be apparent that with the valve 349 in its vacuum pilot position and the valve 359a in spring position, compressed air will exhaust from the air pilot of valve 352 to the atmosphere through line 351, valve 349, line 358, valve 359a and line 360. This will result in returning the valve 352 to its normal spring position in which it communicates an air pressure line 365 with the line 353. Compressed air will then pass through the line 365, the valve 352 and the line 353 to the cylinder 136 beneath its piston 139 and will raise the piston 139 to the up position illustrated in Figures 9 and 21A. This will result in raising the chuck 101 out of the cup 81.

A valve 366 is provided which is located at the upper end of the cylinder 136 and which has a normal spring position, and also a cam position in which the valve is placed when the piston 139 is in the up position illustrated in Figures 9 and 21A. Whenthe piston 139 returns in the manner just described to its up position, it therefore places the valve 366 in its cam position. In this position the valve 366 communicates a compressed air line 367 (which is common to both sides of the system) and a branch 368a with a line 369 which is also connected to a valve 370 (Figure 21B). The valve 370 has meanwhile been placed in its air pilot position as follows: Air from the line 348 passes through the valve 349 (which, as stated above, is in its vacuum pilot position) to a line 375 which is also connected to the air pilot of the valve 370. When the valve 370 is in its air pilot position it communicates the line 369 with a line 376a which is also connected. to the air pilot A of a valve 377. This places the valve 377 in its air pilot A position wherein it communicates an air pressure line 378 with a line 379 which is also connected v to the chuck pivoting cylinder 142. The cylinder 142 is shown in the control circuit of Figure 21A and also in Figures 1 and 11. It will be seen that compressed air is communicated to the cylinder 142 in such manner as to move the cylinder 142 to the right. Air exhausts from the cylinder through a line 380 and the valve 377 to an exhaust line 381a which contains a needle valve 382 and which communicates with the atmosphere. Such movement of the cylinder '142 will rotate the Rieke capping mechanism from the position shown in Figures 8 and 11, into registry with the bung hole 45 of a drum at the capping station. I

Such movement of the capping mechanism will cause the cam bracket 153 (see Figures 1 and 9) to rotate from its central, neutral position shown in Figure l (in which it is in contact with the plunger of valve 359) to a position in which it is in contact with the plunger of valve 359a. (In the control circuit of Figure 21A, the valves 359a and 35% and the chuck mechanisms 85 and 86 are transposed from their actual relative positions which are shown in Figure 1. This transposition is for the purpose of clarity, to maintain those elements of the circuit relat- (The' valve 35921 is one of three.

ing to one of the capping mechanisms on one side of the diagram and those relating to the other capping mechanism on the other side of the diagram. Those elements which are common to both sides are located in most cases centrally of the diagram.)

This movement of the cam bracket 153 results in returning the valve 359 to its spring position and in placing the valve 359a in its cam position. When the valve 359a is in its cam position it communicates a line 387 with the line 358. The line 387 is supplied with compressed air from the line 340, as illustrated. Thus compressed air is caused to pass from line 387 through valve 359a and line 358 to the valve 349 (Figure 21B). The valve 349 is still in its vacuum position by reason of the fact that a bung is in place in the chuck 110 and is sealed therein, thus creating a vacuum in the line 350. Since the valve 349 is in its vacuum pilot position, the line 358 is in communication with the line 351. Hence it will be apparent that air pressure will now be applied to the air pilot of the valve 352 (Figure 21A). The valve 352 is, therefore, placed in its air pilot position in which it communicates lines 353 and 355. The valve 356, to which the line 355 is connected, is still in its normal spring position, hence communicates line 355 with an exhaust line 357 which is connected to the atmosphere. Accordingly, pressure is exhausted from the chuck lifting cylinder 136 beneath the piston 139 through line 353, restriction 354, valve 352, line 355, valve 356 and line 357 to atmosphere. Accordingly, the piston 139 and with it the chuck 101 containing a hung, will drop to engage the cap with the bung hole of a drum at the capping station. As explained in detail in the aforesaid copending application Serial No. 317,856, by reason of the double universal joints in the capping mechanism the chuck 101 will automatically adjust itself for horizontal and vertical deviations of the bung hole. Meanwhile, the bung is held firmly in place, and in operative engagement with the chuck by the vacuum created by the venturi 346. Also the chuck is spinning and will act as a wrench to thread the bung into a bung hole. When the bung has been properly aligned with the bung hole in the manner described herein and in greater detail in the aforesaid copending application Serial No. 317,856, it will be screwed into the bung hole. The flow control valve 337 (Figure 21A) referred to above will continue to deliver hydraulic fluid at the same volume rate to the hydraulic motor 121; hence the chuck 101 will continue to spin at constant speed notwithstanding increasing torque and increasing back pressure on the line 338 as the bung tightens up in the bung hole. However, when a predetermined back pressure has been built up (i.e., when the bung has been screwed into its bung hole to a predetermined degree of tightness) rotation of the chuck 101 will be terminated in the manner now to be described.

For this purpose a sequence valve 388 is provided (Figure 21A) which is connected by a line 389 to the line 338 through which hydraulic fluid is supplied to operate the hydraulic motor 121. The sequence valve 388 may be of standard, known construction and does not require detailed description herein. It exhausts through a line 390a and a common line 391 to an overload relief valve 392. The line 391 has a restriction 393, and it is connected (ahead of the restriction 393) to a line 394 which is connected to the hydraulic pilot of a valve 395 (Figure 21B).

The sequence valve 388 is, in effect, a signal valve which is set to open at a predetermined pressure, e.g., 500-550 p.s.i. When the back pressure in line 338 reaches this predetennined value by reason of a predetermined torque (hence predetermined tightness of the cap in the bung hole), the valve 388 will open. Hydraulic fluid at this pressure will then flow through the line 391. It is desirable to protect the hydraulic pilot of valve 395 against this high pressure; hence the overload relief valve 392 is provided which opens at, say

200250p.s.i. The purpose of the restriction 393 is to exhaust fluid under pressure from the hydraulic pilot of valve 395 at a controlled rate to allow a dwell of that valve in its hydraulic pilot position for a sutiicient time, e.g., about two seconds. The purpose of the dwell is to insure resetting of the control system in the manner which will now be described.

When the reset valve 395 (Figure 21B) is placed in its hydraulic pilot position it communicates an air pressure line 410 with a line 411. The line 411 is also connected to a hand valve 412 (Figure 21A) having a hand control H, such valve being normally in its spring position, thereby communicating the line 411 with a line 413, thence through a branch line 413a with the air pilot of the trip valve 326. The resulting pressure pulse to the air pilot of the valve 326 recocks that valve and places it in the cam position shown in Figure 12, thereby shutting off the supply of air from the supply line 327 to the line 328. As a result of this closing of the valve 326 with respect to the line 328, suction in the lines 347 and 350 will be terminated, Vacuum is, therefore, broken and the chuck 110 is caused to release the bung or cap, which meanwhile has been screwedinto its bung hole. Also the valve 349 (Figure 21B) is caused to return to its normal, spring position because no vacuum is applied. Moreover, line 328 (Figure 21A) exhausts through trip valve 326 to exhaust line 326a, hence exhausts air pressure from the air pilot A of valve 329.4. This resets valve 329a and shuts off hydraulic pressure to hydraulic motor 121 and stops that motor. The valve 352 (Figure 21A) also returns to its normal, spring position because no air is supplied through lines 328 and 348 and because the pressure in the air pilot of valve 352 is free to exhaust through line 351, valve 349, lines 348 and 328 and valve 326. With the valve 352 aagin in its spring position, air will pass from the air supply line 365 through valve 352 to line 353, thence to the chuck lifting cylinder 136 beneath the piston 139, resulting in the lifting of the piston 139 and of the chuck 110. When the piston 139 reaches its up position illustrated in Figures 9 and 21A, the valve 366 will again be placed in its cam position. When the valve 366 is in its cam position it communicates lines 368:: and 369, thereby supplying air to the valve 370. (Figure 21B.) Meanwhile, compressed air has exhausted from the air pilot of valve 370 through line 375, valve 349, line 358, valve 359a (Figure 21A), lines 387, 340 and 328 and valve 326. Valve 370 is, therefore, returned to its spring position, and in this position it communicates line 369 with a line 376b, which is also connected to the air pilot A of valve 377 (Figure 2113). Meanwhile air pressure from the air pilot A, of valve 377 is free to exhaust through line 376a, valve 370 and a line 414 to atmosphere. When the valve 377 is in its air pilot A position, it communicates air pressure line 378 with line 380, thence with the chuck pivoting cylinder 142 (Figure 21A) in such manner as to. move the cylinder to the left. This pivots the chuck mechanism and returns it to its central, neutral position illustrated in Figures 2 and 8.

Air from air pressure line 410 (Figure 213) also passes through valve 395, line 411 and hand valve 412 (Figure 21A), as described above, to a line 415, thence to the air pilot of valve 320, (Figure 21B) which is therefore placed in its air pilot position. Consequently hydraulic fluid is allowed to exhaust from the hydraulic barrel clamping cylinder 201 through line 325 and valve 320 to sump. The spring 207 in cylinder 201 will, therefore, retract the respective clamping member 204. Air also passes from the same source 410 throughvalve 395, line 411, hand valve 412, line 413 and branch line 41311, as described above, to a line 41312, to the air pilot of valve 307 (Figure 21A), thereby placing that valve in its air pilot position. When the valve 307 is in its air pilot position it communicates the line 309 with an exhaust line 416. As a consequence, compressed air is exhausted the bung escapernent cylinder 65" (Figure 21B) ,through' lines 310 and'309, valve 307 Y and line 416, and

from the pneumatic barrel cl-ampingcylinder 200 through the by-pass line 317, its check valve 318, line 315, line 309, valve 307 and exhaust line 416. The purpose of the bypass line 317 is to allow very rapid exhausting of pressure from the pneumatic cylinder 200 for a rapid return of this cylinder to its normal, spring position in in Figures 1 and 16.- It is normally in its spring position but it also has a cam position in which it is placed by depression of a lever 419a which is shown in Figures 1 and 1 6. The lever 419a is depressed only when a drum is located in the position shown in the extreme left of Figure l, i.e., just beyond the capping station.

Frequently in capping or bunging barrels of lubricating oil and other petroleum products, a seal is applied to each bung afterit has been screwed into a hung hole. This is done tonconrrply with consumers requirements or as a matter of business policy, to indicate that each barrel has not been opened and that the contents have not been disturbed. At the present time it is contemplated that such sealing operation will be performed manually by an operator. Filled drums are blocked down the line some distance and from time to time the operator will apply seals to the filled drums that have accumulated. Because of preoccupation with other duties, the operator may allow too many filled drums to accumulate, and a drum may be located at the position indicated at the extreme left of Figure 1. When in this position the lever 419a will be depressed and, as a consequence, the valve 419 will be in its cam position. When the valve 419 is in its cam position air pressure in line 418 cannot pass through the valve 419 to line 420. As will be apparent from the description hereinafter, this condition will stop further operation of the machine until the space adjacent the capping station is cleared.

Assuming that this area is free and clear, as is normally the case except for the brief interval of time while a drum is passing over the lever 419a, the valve 419 will be in its spring position and, when in this position, it will communicate the line 418 with a line 420 which is also connected to a valve 421. The valve 421 meanwhile has been placed in its air pilot A position during a previous part of the cycle of operation, i.e., while the valve 359 (Figure 21A) was in its spring position, hence communicating air pressure from the air pressure line 417 with a line 422 which contains a needle valve 422a and has a by-pass 422b containing a check valve 4220. The line 422 is also connected to the air pilot A of the valve 421. (Air pressure, meanwhile, has exhausted from air pilot A of valve 421 through a line 433, a valve 424 and an exhaust line 424a.) Hence air pressure in line 420 can pass through the valve 421 to a line 423, thence to the'air pilot A of a valve 424, thereby placing that valve in its air pilot A position. In this position the valve 424 communicates an air pressure line 425 with a line 426 containing a restriction 427 and having a bypass 428 containing a check valve 429. The line 426 is also connected at one end of the drum ejecting cylinder 175, to the right of the piston thereof as viewed in Figure 21B. The cylinder 175 is, therefore, operated to eject the drum in the manner described hereinabove. Air exhausts from the other end of the cylinder .175 through a line 430 and the valve 424 to an air exhaust line 431 containing a restriction 432 and which communicates with the atmosphere. also passes through a line 433 branching from the line 426 to the air pilot A, of the valve 421, and air pressure exhausts from air pilot A of valve 421 through line 422, by-pass 422b and check valve 4220 (Figure 21B) and valve 359 to an exhaust line 417a (Figure 21A). The valve 421 is, therefore,

placed in its air pilot A position, and in this position it communicates the line 423 with an air exhaust line 434 which communicates with the atmosphere, thereby exhausting air pressure from the air pilot A of the valve 424. When the ejected drum contacts the lever 4191: (see Figures 1 and 16) it places the valve 419 in its cam position, in which the line 418 is communicated with a tion as explained hereinabove.

line 435. Air pressure will then pass from the air pressure line 417 (Figure 21A) through the valve, 359 (which is in its cam position), line 418 and valve 419 to line *435, thence to the air pilot A of valve 424, thereby placing that valve in its air pilot A position. When the valve 424 is in its air pilot A position it communicates the air pressure line 425 with the line 430, which is also connected to the drum ejecting cylinder to the left of' the piston thereof. This will result in moving the piston to the right as viewed in Figure 21B, hence will rotate the drum ejecting lever counterclockwise to the position shown in Figures 1 and 14. The cam lever 189 will also rotate with the stop 188 by reason of the torsion spring 187 (see Figure 13) and since no drum is at the capping station the cam arm 189 will be free to rotate to the position shown in broken lines in Figure 14. The cam lever 189 will, therefore, cause the low dwell 186 of the cam 184 to register with the plunger of the valve 300, thereby returning that valve to its spring position.

This completes a cycle of operation and the machine is now in readiness to receive the next filled, weighed drum and to commence a new cycle.

In the operation described it has been assumed that the chuck 101 picked up a bung and formed a vacuum on its first pass. It may, however, happen that imperfect conlower it again, and to repeat this hunting operation, if

necessary, until the chuck makes proper contact with a bung and forms a vacuum. Such means is incorporated in the control circuit illustrated and described above and will now be described in detail.

A line 450 is provided which is connected at one end to the valve 366 (Figure 21A) and at its other end to the air pilot of the valve 356 (Figure 21B). The line 450 contains a needle valve 451 and is provided with a by-pass 452 containing a check valve 453.

When the piston 139 descends in the chuck lifting cylinder 136 at the commencement of a cycle of operation, the valve 366 is returned to its normal spring posi- In this position the valve 366 communicates the air pressure lines 367 and 368a with the line 450 so that compressed air can reach the air pilot of the valve 356. However, the rate at which air pressure is supplied to this air pilot is controlled by the setting of the needle valve 451, which is purposely set so that it will actuate the air pilot of the valve 356 only picked up and a vacuum is not formed within such predetermined time, then sufficient air pressure will have been delivered to the air pilot of the valve 356 to actuate the same, thereby. placing the valve 356 (Figure 21B) in its air pilot position. In this position, the valve 356 coma municates an air pressure line 454 with a line 355, thereby supplying air under pressure to thatlineQ the valve 349 (Figure 21B) is still in its normal spring Meanwhile the chuck 101 will have de- Meanwhile, I

position because insufficient vacuum has been created in the vacuum pilot V of the valve 349. In this position the valve 349 communicates line 348 with line 351, which places the valve 352 in its air pilot position. In this position, the valve 352 communicates lines 355 and 353. It will, therefore, be apparent that, when the condition described above exists, i.e., when the chuck 101 has dropped but has not picked up a hung and formed a vacuum within a predetermined interval of time, air will pass into the cylinder 136 beneath the piston 139 through line 454, valve 356, line 355, valve 352 and line 353. The piston 139 will, therefore, lift and will lift the chuck 110.

When the piston 139 reaches its top position, it will place the valve 366 again in its cam position, which will exhaust compressed air from the air pilot of the valve 356 through the line 450, the by-pass 452, check valve 453, valve 366 and an air exhaust line 455. The valve 356 will, therefore, return to its normal spring position, and will communicate the line 355 with the air exhaust line 357. The valve 352 meanwhile is still in its air pilot position, hence communicates line 353 with line 355. It will, therefore, be apparent that pressure will be exhausted from the cylinder 136 beneath the piston 139 through line 353, valve 352, line 355, valve 356 and line 357 to atmosphere. Accordingly, the piston 139, and with it the chuck 110, will drop again, thereby making a second pass at the hung in the cup 82.

This procedure will repeat itself indefinitely until the chuck has picked up a hung and has formed a vacuum. It Will, therefore, be apparent that an effective bunting operation is provided whereby effective operation of the machine is insured.

In the description of the control circuit hereinabove, a number of needle valves and the like are referred to and are shown in Figures 21A and 21B; e.g., the needle valve 345 (Figure 21A) in line 340 leading to the venturi 346 and the needle valve 354 (Figure 21A) in the line 353 connected to pilot valve 352. The purpose of some of these needle valves, etc. will be apparent. In general they are intended to control speed of operation of various components of the machine and are adjustable to synchronize the various operations of the machine. The following detailed description of the functions of several of these valves will suffice as an explanation.

The needle valve 345 (Figure 21A) controls the air pressure to venturi 346, hence controls the degree of suction or vacuum in lines 347 and 350, hence in chuck 101 and the vacuum pilot of pilot valve 349. The valve 354 (Figure 2 1A) controls the rate of supply of air pressure to and exhaust of air pressure from the chuck lifting cylinder 136 beneath piston 139; hence it controls the speed of operation of that piston 139.

The function of the needle valve 422a in line 422 (Figure 21B) is more complex. When the valve 359 returns to its spring position (i.e., when the cam bracket 153, see Figures 1 and 9, is pivoted to one side), compressed air exhausts through line 418, valve 359 and line 417a. However, because of its compressibility, air pressure remains in line 420 (Figure 21B) for a brief interval of time. If compressed air is delivered immediately from air pressure line 417 through valve 359 and line 422 to air pilot A of valve 421, air pressure remaining in line 420 will pass through valve 421 (which would be in its air pilot A position) to line 423, thence to air pilot A of valve 424. To avoid this, the needle valve 422a is provided which causes a delay in actuation of the A pilot of valve 421 until pressure has exhausted from line 420.

The function of the needle valve 322 (Figure ZlB) is to reduce the hydraulic pressure supplied through pilot valve 320 and line 325 to the hydraulic drum clamping cylinder 201. Pressure for operating that cylinder need not and should not be as high as the pressure in line .305. The function of needle valve 427 is to control the exhaust of air pressure from drum ejecting cylinder (Figure 21B) through line 426, etc., hence to control the speed of operation of that cylinder in one direction. The needle valves 382 and 383 (Figure 21B) control the rate of exhaust, hence the rate of operation of the chuck pivoting cylinder 142. We have found that, with air cylinders such as the cylinders 175 and 142, smoother operation is obtained by'placing such control valves on the outlet side rather than the inlet side of the cylinder.

Among other features of the machine which are illustrated in the drawings but are not described hereinabove, there may be mentioned the following:

Referring to Figures 21A and 21B, it will be seen that a line 480 is connected to valve 395. This line, which is continued in Figure 21A, is also connected to a valve 481 which is supplied with compressed air by a line 482. The line 480 also branches at 483, the branch 483 being connected to the control circuit of the drum filling mechanism. The valve 481 is normally in its spring position wherein the air pressureline 482 is not connected to the line 480. However, the valve 481 is placed in its cam position when a door (not shown) in the enclosure (not shown) of the capping mechanism is opened. When the valve 481 is thus placed in its cam position, air pressure passes from line 482 through valve 481 to line 480, thence to valve 395 (Figure 21B), which is normally in its spring position. Hence air pressure passes from line 480 through valve 395 to line 411. Air pressure thus delivered to line 411 will stop the capping mechanism, as will be apparent. Thus, it will recock the trip valve 326, hence shut off air pressure to line 328 (Figure 21A), etc. Air pressure delivered through branch line 483 will also stop the filling mechanism.

It will, therefore, be apparent that the door operated valve 481 serves as a safety feature to stop the machine whenever an access door is opened, e.g., for inspection, adjustment or repairs.

A line 484 is connected to the valve 300 (Figure 21B). As explained hereinabove, the valve 300 is placed in its cam position when a drum is delivered to the capping station, thereby communicating hydraulic pressure line 301 with line 302 and starting a cycle of operation. When the capping station is empty, the valve 300 is in its spring position, and in that position it communicates pressure line 301 with the line 484. Pressure in line 484 is a signal to the filling mechanism that the capping station is empty, hence in readiness to receive another filled (but uncapped) drum. The valve 300, in fact, takes the place of the valve 341 shown in Figure 25 of Guerard et a1. Serial No. 307,554. That valve provided a downstream signal to indicate whether the space adjacent and downstream from the filling station is clear. The addition of the capping mechanism of the present invention requires that the corresponding valve be moved farther downstream.

Referring to the Rieke chuck pivoting cylinder 142 in Figure 21A, its piston 143 is there shown in its neutral position, i.e., holding the Rieke chuck 101 (see Figures 8 and 11) in registry with the Rieke cap 81. The piston 143 is held in this neutral position (until the appropriate signal, as explained hereinabove) in the following manner. The valve 377 (Figure 21B) is as yet in its air pilot A position, hence communicates air pressure line 378 with line 380, thence with cylinder 142 in such manner as to hold the piston 143 in neutral position.

A line 486 containing a check valve 487 is shown in Figure 213 connecting lines 450 and 380. The purpose of this connection is as follows: When the chuck 101 has picked up a cap or bung, then lifted and pivoted into registry vw'th the bung hole of the drum and then descended 'and commenced to screw the cap into the bung hole, it is necessary to prevent the chuck from lifting again until the capping operation has been completed. 'However, when the chuck 101 is in its down

Images