US3094254A - Nutating nozzle - Google Patents

Description

June 18, 1963 J. J.. cuLLEN ETAL.

NUTATING NOZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 29. 1960 June 18, 1963 .1.J. cULLEN ETAL NUTATING NOZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 29, 1960 www.

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United States Patent O 3,094,254 NUTATING NOZZLE James J. Cullen, Framingham, and Richard P. Stokes,

Malden, Mass., and Robin Mackay, Mercer Island,

Wash., assignors to W. R. Grace & Co., Cambridge,

Mass., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Feb. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 11,599 5 Claims. (Cl. Z22- 504) This invention relates to a nozzle adapted to apply gasket forming compositions to container closures and other metal parts and particularly adapted to place a ring or lining of such a composition in small closures such as bottle crowns or caps.

The function of a nozzle in applying a gasket forming composition to a metal part is to apply a uniform stripe of such a composition to the desired portion of the metal part. The composition is of such a nature that it can later be transformed, usually by heat, into a solid gasket. Normally a needle valve nozzle has been used for this purpose, since such a nozzle can provide a uniform flow of compound and can be adapted to provide a quick and positive control of the initiation and cessation of llow of compound so necessary if areas of overlap or underlap where the end of the gasket meets the beginning is to be avoided.

Such a nozzle consists of a tip which also serves as a valve seat, a compound receiving passage which terminates at the tip, a needle which passes through the passage, one end of which is adapted to cooperate with the valve seat in the nozzle tip, a valve actuating mechanism which cooperates with the other end of the needle, a conduit for supplying compound to the compound receiving passage and means for actuating the valve mechanism.

To apply the gasket forming composition at the proper place on the metal part, the nozzle tip and the metal part necessarily must move relative to each other. Normally this has been accomplished by moving the metal part in a predetermined path beneath a stationary nozzle. Since most such metal parts such as the ends for cans or caps for jars and bottles require a circular lining this most usually has been accomplished by placing the metal part on a rotating chuck and rotating the part beneath the nozzle. In some instances it is not convenient tot rotate the part because of its size, shape or configuration. In such instances it has been proposed to move the nozzle instead of the part. In one such instance, it has been proposed that the entire nozzle assembly be moved, but this proposal has not proved to be very satisfactory because of the weight of the entire assembly and because of the diiculties of providing a ilexible means of supplying the compound while maintaining a constant compound pressure at the nozzle tip and means for actuating the nozzle. More recently it has been proposed to maintain the majority of the assembly in a stationary position and to rotate a nozzle tip having an oit-center outlet about the assembly. In connection with this proposal however, it has proved difiicult to provide a satisfactory, completely fluid-tight, slip coupling to allow for the relative movement of the two parts of the nozzle assembly.

The nozzle of the present invention avoids these diiculties by providing a stationary valve actuating mechanism and compound supply port, a. ilexible compound receiving passage and a nozzle tip which can be moved in a predetermined path without rotating relative to the re- Y forming a circular gasket on a metal part. The details of 3,094,254 Patented June 18, 1963 ice the invention will be better understood by the reference to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a sectional elevation of the nozzle of this invention.

FIGURE 2 shows a sectional elevation of an alternate form of the nozzle of this invention.

The nozzle assembly rests on a base 10 which is rigidly mounted on a metal pant transport device such as a conventional compound applying machine indicated at 11 by cap screws 12-12. The upper portion of base 10 is threaded and is surrounded by a threaded collar 13, which engages the threads of base 10. This permits the collar 13 to be raised or lowered as the nature of the metal part demands. Collar 13 is locked in place by set screw y114.

Bearing seat 15, into which an annular ball bearing `16 is pressed, is supported yby collar 13. The inner and outer races of ball bearing 16 are retained by ring retainers 17. Drive ring 18 is force fitted into the inner race of bearing 16. Drive r-ing 18 may be provided with a drive gear, or more conveniently with a pulley 20 adapted to receive a timing belt. The drive gear or drive pulley `is attached to the drive ring 18 by screws 19 which engage tapped bores in ring 18. A driving motor (not shown) adapted to drive the drive gear or drive pulley through gear or belt means (not shown) may then be placed at some convenient remote location.

The drive ring '18 incorporates an angular bore 21, the displacement of which form the vertical axis is a variable depending on the diameter of the closure to be lined. For example, the departure from the vertical axis is 10 if a common crown closure is to be lined. Bore 21 is shouldered at 22 to provide a stop for the outer race of radial ball bearing 23 which is pressed into the bore 21. The race of bearing 23 is held by retainer 24.

Bridge 31, which forms a stationary support, is provided with the ports 53, and a connecting, T-shaped fluid passage 30a. The bridge is fastened to bearing seat 15, by the cap screws 33-33. A hose 29, is secured to the bridge 31, by the jamb-nut 32. Hose bore 30 communicates with the vertical leg of passage 30a. Nozzle-tip 25, iits snugly into the inner race 26, of bearing 23, and is provided with an axial bore 30b, which terminates in a needle-valve seat 55, formed adjacent the exit orifice 40. The upper portion of nozzle-tip 25, is connected to the lower end of the hose 29, by the jamb-nut 2S, which is threaded into the enlarged upper portion 27, of nozzle-tip 25. Thus, as shown in FIG. l, passage 30a, hose bore 30, and passage 30b, together form a continuous path for fluid sealing compound which is delivered through a conduit connecting the port 53, to an external pressurized source.

Proper height adjustment of the assembly is secured by the adjustable legs 34 screwed onto studs 35-35 which project from the working face of transport device 11. To make the adjustment, after the collar 113 has been set (which determines the elevation of `bearing seat 15), the legs 34 are run up until they just touch the bearing seat 15. Two check nuts 36 (only one of which is shown), lock the legs 34 after the adjustment is made.

Extension 37 forming a part of and rising above bridge 31 forms the base for the valve actuating mechanism 3S and also houses shaft packing 39 and packing follower 41, which is threaded into the extension 37.

The valve actuating mechanism 38 as shown comprises an air cylinder 42, provided with a piston 43, the travel of which is limited by adjustable stops 44 and 4-5 threaded into the actuating mechanism body. Air is admitted (or exhausted) both above and below the piston through the ports 46 and 47. Air vents l48--48 in both stops prevent the trapping of air as the piston closes against each stop. Obviously, alternate valve actuating mechanisms may be employed.

Piston 43 is carried on piston rod 49. In the design as shown in FIGURE 1, the rod, its flexible extension 51 and the needle 52 are formed from a single piece of a fatigue resistant alloy, such as a beryllium-copper alloy. Experience has shown that this alloy will withstand the fatigue of bending extremely well and, even when the nozzle tip revolves at speeds up to 3600 r.p.m. for extended periods the needles give long, dependable service.

Alternatively since there is no rotary motion of needle 52 relative to extension 51 or rod 49, these three parts or any two of them may be formed of different materials and fastened together as by a threaded or a force it. For example, it is preferable to form the tip of needle 52 of an abrasion resistant material such as a tungsten carbide.

Compound under an adjustable head pressure flows into the valve through one or the other of the ports 53. The other of ports 53 is provided to permit the recirculation of compound which is desirable in connection with heated compounds. If not so used the second port may be plugged. Operating adjustments are simple. After the collar 13, and the legs 34, have been adjusted, as described above, to raise or to lower the height of the nozzle tip 25, to suit the closure and to secure the placement of the lining compound which is desired, the volume of compound deposited on the closure is adjusted (l) by varying the head pressure on the compound entering port 53 and (2) by changing the lift of the needle by raising or lowering the stop 45, then locking the stop with screw 54. Shut-oft is secured by adjusting the down stroke of piston 43 by adjusting the lower stop 44 to allow the needle to seat in conical seat 55.

In the version of valve actuating mechanism shown, valve opening is controlled by air which is supplied to the actuating mechanism by an electropneumatic valve mechanism which in turn is controlled by an electrical impulse supplied for example by a breaker switch which rides on an adjustable cam which in turn is geared to the metal part transport device so as to supply compound only when a part is in position to receive compound. Other valve actuating mechanisms may be used.

FIGURE 2 shows a modiica-tion of the nozzle which is used when no copper contamination of the compound can be tolerated. (For example, a very few parts per million of copper catalyze the oxidative degradation of natural rubber.)

All of the structure in the nozzle of FIGURE 2 remains lthe same as that of FIGURE 1 as previously described except that the piston rod 49', instead of continuing as a single piece of the needle, ends in a liat 56. Nozzle-tip 25 is bored to receive an opening spring 57 which pushes upwards against the shoulder 58 formed on the needle shaft 59. The upper end of shaft 59, after passing through a slotted guide portion 61 of nozzle-tip 25', terminates in a hemispherical head 62, which is urged by spring 57, into constant contact with the Hat end 56 of piston rod 49. Another slotted guide, 63 adjacent the needle point 64, keeps the needle in alignment. Consequently, this valve is opened by the spring and closed by the piston.

This version of the nozzle also has given dependable service while operating at the rapid opening and closing cycle necessary to apply compound to as many as 300 metal parts per minute and while revolving at 3600 r.p.m.

It will be understood that a non-circular motion may be imparted to nozzle tip 55 by a suitable mechanism replacing the ball bearings described such as by providing a cam and cam follower or by offseting the axis of motion from axis of rotation of the bearings.

We claim:

1. A nozzle for applying predetermined quantities of lluid gasket-forming material to container closures and like parts comprising the combination of a stationary support, a passage for fluid in said support, a valve actuating mechanism having a piston and a piston-rod mounted on and Vextending above the support, a flexible hose attached to and extending downwardly from the support having the bore of said hose maintained in communication with said passage, a nozzle-tip attached to the opposite end of the hose having a fluid passage communicating with said bore, a valve seat formed in the passage adjacent the lower end of the nozzle-tip, a valve needle positioned within said passage and said bore adapted to be reciprocated by fthe piston along a path angularly displaced from the axis of travel of the piston and piston-rod and co-operating with the valve seat to form a fluid seal, means to maintain the nozzle-tip angularly displaced from the vertical axis,

' and power-connected means to Cause the nozzle-tip to move in a prescribed path.

2. A nozzle adapted yfor use in ,combination with container closure lining machinery having a nutating nozzletip, means to supply fluid lining compound to said tip, and valve means to control the flow of compound through said nozzletip, including means to secure the nutatory motion of said tip comprising a 'first named radial bearing having a fixed outer race and a rotatable inner race, means including a drive ring to rotate the inner race, a second named radial bearing having outer and inner races, having its outer race seated in the drive ring and havingr its axis angularly disposed to the vertical axis of the first named bearing, the said nozzle-tip being iitted through and supported by the inner race of said second named bearing whereby, when said inner race of said first named bearing is rotated, the end of said nozzle-tip describes a circular path.

3. A nozzle according to claim il wherein the pistonrod 49, the intermediate connecting portion 51 and the valve needle 52 are combined in a unitary structure formed of a fatigue-resistant alloy, and wherein the intermediate connecting portion 51 possesses a sutliciently smaller diameter than that of the piston-rod portion 49 and the needle portion 52 as to be bendable and permit the reciprocation of the needle and the consequent opening and closing of the valve in the nozzle-tip despite the nutatory motion of the nozzle-tip.

4. A lining machine nozzle having: an angularly dis,

. posed nozzle-tip arranged to sweep about the sealing area of a closure, a longitudinal bore terminating in a discharge orice in said tip, a valve seat in the bore adjacent the orice, a valve needle co-operating with said seat to close the bore, a valve actuating mechanism, and means to conduct fluid sealing compound to said bore, wherein the valve needle is formed in two parts, the first of which is attached lto the valve actuating mechanism and the second of which is slidably supported by guides in the `bore of said nozzle-tip and wherein the nozzle-tip is provided with a spring which normally urges the second part of the valve needle toward an open position and wherein the upper end of the second part terminates in a hemisphere which rests -against the bottom of the said `first part.

5. A nozzle for container closure compound applying machines comprising a base, a rst radial bearing having an outer race attached to said base, an inner race, means associated with the inner race to rotate said race, a second radial bearing having inner and outer races supported by the said means and having its axis angularly disposed to the vertical axis of the first named bearing, a nozzle tip tted through the inner race of the said second bearing, a valve needle cooperating with said tip and forming a needle valve, flexible conduit means to conduct compound to said tip and means to operate the valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS (Other references on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Robins Nov. 2, i1948 Stange J-an. 31, 1950 Cornelius Nov. 9, 1954 Gemeinhardt Dec. 11, 1956 5 Shafer Mar. 5, 1957 Alholm et a1 Oct. 6, I1959 Neiner Dec. 1, 1959 Alholm et lal. Dec. 13, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS France Oct. 31, 195=1

Claims (1)

1. 5. A NOZZLE FOR CONTAINER CLOSURE COMPOUND APPLYING MACHINES COMPRISING A BASE, A FIRST RADIAL BEARING HAVING AN OUTER RACE ATTACHED TO SAID BASE, AN INNER RACE, MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INNER RACE TO ROTATE SAID RACE, A SECOND RADIAL BEARING HAVING INNER AND OUTER RACES SUPPORTED BY THE SAID MEANS AND HAVING ITS AXIS ANGULARLY DISPOSED TO THE VERTICAL AXIS OF THE FIRST NAMED BEARING, A NOZZLE TIP FITTED THROUGH THE INNER RACE OF THE SAID SECOND BEARING, A VALVE NEEDLE COOPERATING WITH SAID TIP AND FORMING A NEEDLE VALVE, FLEXIBLE CONDUIT MEANS TO CONDUCT COMPOUND TO SAID TIP AND MEANS TO OPERATE THE VALVE.

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