US3243936A - Apparatus for de-capping and filling containers - Google Patents

Description

April 5, 1966 R. F. ANDERSON 3,

APPARATUS FOR DE-CAPPING AND FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 27, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 5, 1966 R. F. ANDERSON 3,243,935

APPARATUS FOR DE--CAPPING AND FILLING CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27, 1963 April 5, 1966 R. F. ANDERSON APPARATUS FOR DE--CAPPING AND FILLING CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 27, 1965 April 966 R. F. ANDERSON 3,243,936

APPARATUS FOR DE--CAPPING AND FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 27 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent C) 3,243,936 APPARATUS FOR DE-CAPPING AND FILLING CONTAINERS Ralph F. Anderson, 332 Calvin Park Blvd, Rockford, Ill. Filed Feb. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 261,302 13 Claims. (Cl. 53-381) This invention relates to apparatus for filling pro-formed containers and particularly to an apparatus for removing lids from pre-capped containers preparatory to filling the containers.

When pre-forrned cartons are used in packaging material, it is sometimes necessary to take precautions against entrance of foreign material into the pre-formed containers while the containers are stored and during shipment of the pre-formed containers, to prevent contamination of the material when the containers are subsequently filled. In the so-called nesting type containers, the stacked containers effectively prevent the entrance of foreign material into the pro-formed containers. However, in the non-nesting type container, it is a general practice to apply lids to the containers to close the empty containers during storage and transportation of the same to the place where the containers are filled. The present invention is directed to an apparatus'for removing the closure lids from the containers to enable filling of the containers and subsequent reclosing of the containers by the application of the lids thereto.

An important object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for rapidly and positively removing lids from pre-capped containers, preparatory to filling and subsequent re-capping of the containers.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for removing the lids from pre-capped containers, and which avoids damage to the containers and lids during separation of the same. I

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for removing lids from pro-capped containers, and which is adapted for use with round type containers and lids.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a combined filling and tie-capping machine in which the decapping apparatus is arranged to remove the lid from the pre-capped container and feed the 'de-capped container to the filling machine at a level below the filling nozzle, and the filling machine is arranged to then elevate the container into filling position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for removing lids from pre-capped containers preparatory to filling the same, and which automatically effects de-capping of the containers at a rate corresponding to the rate at which the containers are filled.

These, together with other objects and advantages of this invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG, 1 is a side elevational view of a filling machine havin the de-capping apparatus of the present invention applied thereto;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the filling machine and de-capping apparatus, with parts removed to illustrate details of construction;

PEG. 3 is an end elevational view of the de-capping apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the tie-capping apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the de-capping apparatus;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views taken on the 3,243,936 Patented Apr. 5, 1966 plane 66 of FIG. 5 and illustrating the de-capping apparatus in different moved positions;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the lid support mechanism on the de-capping apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the plane 9-9 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the plane 10-10 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the de-capping apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view through a p:e-capped container; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view taken on the plane 13-13 of FIG. 11.

Referring generally to'FIG. 1, there is illustrated a machinefor de-capping containers, filling the containers, and re-applying the caps or lids to the containers. In general, the apparatus includes inlet conveyor means 21; a de-capping apparatus 22; a transfer conveyor means 23 for feeding the de-capped containers to the filling machine; a filling apparatus 24 for filling the containers; an elevator mechanism 25 for elevating the containers on the transfer conveyor to the filling mechanism; an outlet conveyor 26 for moving the filled containers away from the filling apparatus and to a capping station, and a cap applying'mechanism 27 for re-applying the caps or lids to the filled containers. A lid conveyor'28 is provided for transferring the lids from the decapping apparatus 22 to the capping station 27. Any suitable means may be usedfor the inlet conveyor means 21, the transfer conveyor means 23 and the outlet conveyor means 26 and, in the embodiment shown, they are all of the endless type.

The de capping apparatus 22 is particularly designed for handling round containers 30 of the type shown in FIG. 12. In general, the containers include a generally cylindrical side wall '31 and a bottom closure disk 32 which is attached-t0 the lower end of the side wall, as by 2. rolled rim 33 on the side wall. The containers are preferably formed with a reinforcing bead or rim 34 at their upper end. In order to prevent the entrance of foreign material into the pro-formed containers, a lid 35 is applied to the pre-formed containers to close the same during shipment and storage. As shown, the lids include a mouth spanning disk 36 and a flange 37 on the periphery of the mouth spanning disk, and which flange is arranged to telescopically engage the upper end of the container sidewall. The mouth spanning disks 36 are generally formed separate from the flange 37 and are retained in position on the flange by a rolled rim 38 or the like. While the rim does prevent upward movement of the mouth spanning disk relative to the flange, it is possible to dislodge the disk from the flange when a downward pressure is applied to the disk. It is accordingly necessary to take precautions during re-capping of the container, to prevent the dislodgement of the mouth spanning disk from the flange on the lid, due to the differences in air pressure between the inside and outside of the container produced in response to separation of the lid from the container.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the de-capping apparatus is supported on'a base frame including spaced side members 41 and a cover plate 42 which overlies the side members. A support post 43 is attached to the base frame and extends upwardly therefrom. The inlet conveyor 21 has a drive drum 44 which is conveniently rotatably supported in a bearing 45 on the support post at a level above the base frame, and the inlet conveyor is driven in a manner described more specifically hereinafter. The inlet conveyor also includes a tray 46 and a plurality of belts 47 which are entrained over the drive roller and overlies the tray to engage the underside of the prewith the side of the container to depress the same. This provides an air space between the container and lid to allow air to enter the container. An air jet is advantageously provided for moving the separated lid from the de-capping station to a position on the support plate 55 overlying the nozzle. For this purpose, the finger 98 is in the form of an air nozzle and is connected through a tube 166 to an air supply source. As best shown in FIG. 13, the finger 98 is conveniently formed of a tube that is flattened to an oval shape at one end. The end is closed by a plug or solder 98a and a jet orifice 93b is drilled through the plug at an angle toward the lead edge of the cap to direct a jet of air against the inside of the cap adjacent the lead side thereof for advancing the cap to the support plate 55. In addition, the air jet from the nozzle 98b positively injects air into the container during separation of the cap therefrom to prevent forming a partial vacuum in the container. As is apparent, the air supply to the finger 98 can be either continuous, or intermittently operated in timed relation with the movement of the finger, in the manner described hereinafter.

The transfer conveyor 23 is positioned below the inlet conveyor 21 a distance at least equal to the height of the containers. As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer conveyor includes a drive drum 111 which is mounted on a bracket 112 attached to the base frame 41, and an idler drum 113 mounted by a bearing bracket 114 on thepost 43. Conveyor belts 115 are entrained over the drive drum 111 and the idler drum 113, and guide rails 116 are provided adjacent opposite sides of the conveyor for guiding the containers therealong. The inlet conveyor 21 and transfer conveyor 23 are conveniently driven from a common drive. As best shown in FIG. 1, the drive includes the motor and gear reducer unit 116 having an output shaft 117. A sprocket 113 on the output shaft is connected through a chain 119 to a sprocket 121 on a cross shaft 122 attached to the base frame 41. The cross shaft 122 is connected through a chain 123 to the drive drum 111 of the transfer conveyor 23 and is also connected through a chain 124 to a shaft 125, and which shaft is connected to a chain 126 to the inlet conveyor drive drum 44 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

The tie-capping apparatus of the present invention can be used in conjunction with various different filling machines. However, it is advantageously employed in connection with a filling machine of the type generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and which employs an elevator 25 for raising the empty container to the filling station. In general, the filling machine includes a main frame 131 having support legs 132 and a sub-frame 133. A filler nozzle 134 is mounted on a post 135 attached to the main frame, and the filler nozzle has a fitting 136 adapted for connection to the source of material being dispensed. The elevator 25 includes a container engaging platform 13S positioned below the nozzle and attached to a slide mechanism 139 which is elevated and lowered as by a fluid cylinder and piston 140, 141. The container engaging platform 138 is normally positioned as shown in FIG. 1 adjacent the level of the transfer conveyor 23, and the platform is operative to elevate the container from the transfer platform upwardly to a filling position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown, container engaging fingers 144 are mounted on the nozzle and are yieldably urged as by a spring 145 to a position engaging and holding the container in its filling position around the nozzle. A container support is also provided at the filling stations and includes a frame 147 supported on a slide 148 for vertical sliding movement, and which frame has laterally movable container support members 149 pivotally mounted thereon as by pins 151. The support members 149 have support ledges 152 thereon arranged to underlie the lower end of the carton to support the same, and, advantageously, the support members are interconnected by links'153 and a bell crank 154 which is pivotally mounted at 155 on the bracket 147, to assure equal and opposite movement of the support members. The support members are swingable outwardly as the container is elevated and then move inwardly into underlying relation with the container to support the same and, conveniently, the support members are cam operated out of path of the container being raised by the elevator 25, as by a cam member 150 attached to the elevator and which engages a finger 156a on one of the support members 149. The support members 149 support the container during filling and move downwardly as the container is filled. Downward movement of the container and support is yieldably opposed as by a lever 156 having a roller 157 at one end which engages the slide 148. The lever is pivotally mounted at 158 intermediate its ends and has a counterweight 159 at the other end to counterbalance the weight of the slide 148; the bracket 147; the support members 149 andthe empty carton carried thereby. When the container is filled, the outlet conveyor 26 is operated to move the filled container away from the filling station and to the capping apparatus 27.

The outlet conveyor 26 is intermittently operated to move the filled containers away from the filling station, and for this purpose, there is provided a one-revolution clutch 161 which is driven from a drive motor 162 and which is connected through gearing 163 to the conveyor drive sprocket 164 for the outlet conveyor 26. The clutch 161 has an electro-responsive actuator 165 which is operated under the control of switches 166 and 167. The switch 166 is arranged to be operated by a finger 169 carried by the vertical movable container support slide 148, to operate the clutch when the container moves downwardly to a level adjacent the lower end of the nozzle. Switch 167 is connected in series with switch 166 as by a conductor 168 and is arranged to be closed as by an arm 184 on the elevator slide mechanism 139, only when the elevator is in its lower position, to prevent indexing of the outlet conveyor before the elevator has returned to its lower position. The switches 166 and 167 are connected to the clutch actuator 165 and to a source of power, by conductors 179, 171 and 172. When the clutch is operated, it indexes the conveyor and moves the filled container away from the filling station. The elevator 25 is then operated to raise a succeeding container into filling position. As shown, the fiuid operator 140 for the elevator is operated by a flow reversing valve 173 having lines 174 and 175 connected to opposite ends of the cylinder 140. The valve 173 is conveniently of the air actuated type and has a first valve actuator 176 connected through a tube 177 to an air bleed valve 178, which valve is operated by a cam 179 on the output shaft of the one-revolution clutch to move the valve 173 to a position to elevate the elevator 25 after the filled container has been moved away from the nozzle. A second valve actuator 181 is also provided on the valve 1'73 and connected through a tube 182 to an air bleed valve 183. This valve is operated by the arm 184 on the elevator mechanism when the latter reaches its raised position, to thereby move the valve 173 to a position to effect lowering of the elevator.

The output shaft of the one-revolution clutch is also connected through a shaft 136 to the drive shaft 85 for driving the lid removing rolls. The latter are thus operated in timed relation with the filling machine to separate a container from its lid each time the filling machine is operated. A valve 133 is operated by a cam 189 on the output shaft of the one-revolution clutch, and which valve is arranged to control the supply of air to a tube 19% leading the air nozzle 71 and to the nozzle of the container depressing finger 98. Operation of the valve 188 is timed to supply air to the lid transfer air nozzle 71 and to the air nozzle on the container depressing finger 98 at the time that the finger 98 is moved into engagement with the side of the container, to thereby blow a tainer on the intermediate, conveyor 23. V 'vances the container to the elevator belowthe filling nozzle and the elevator is operated after the filled container has been moved away from the nozzle to elevate previously removed lid up the chute '68 and to introduce air into the container at the de-capping station.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the capping apparatus is operated in timed relation with the operation of the filling machine to separate a container from its lid, each time a container is filled by the filling machine. The de-capping apparatus operates to draw the container downwardly away from its lid, to positively separate the container from its lid, and to deposit the con- 'The latter adthe succeeding container ,into filling position.

. As will be seen, the de-capping rolls 73 and 74 engage the sides of the container to positively separate the container from its lid and the depressing finger 98 depresses '8 flange and support the lid against downward movement, lid support fingers mounted at opposite sides of the path of movement of the pre-capped containers as the latter are advanced to the capping station for movement into the side engaged by said lip, andv means yieldablyurging and out of engagement with the lid at the side opposite said fingers into their lid engaging position. i a I;

4. The combination of claim 3.wherein said lid support fingers have a lid support'portion disposed adjacent the side of the container adjacent the underside of the lid' to allow air to enter the container. This prevents separation of the mouth spanning 'dislrfrom the flange on the lid. The air jet 98b is directed against the underside of the separated lid adjacent its lead edge and advances the lid to the platform 55 over the nozzle 71.. The latter thanizpushes the lid u'p the chute 6S and over to the capping station 27.

Iclaim: r r

1. 'An apparatus for removing flanged lids from precontainer downwardly to separate the container from the lid, and means operative in timed relation with said capped annular containers preparatory to' filling of the containers in an upright position along a generally horizontal pathrto a de-capping station, means at the de-capping station engageable with the flanged lid onthe container for supporting the same against downward -movecontainers comprising, means for advancing the pre-capped I 7 last mentioned means for pressing atleast one side of the container inwardly in the region adjacent the lid to allow air to enter the container during separation of the,con-' tainer from the lid. v p v w 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said last mentioned means includes means for directing a streamlof air into the containento aidin introducing air into the containeriduring withdrawal of the container from the lid.

ment, laterally spaced generally horizontal rolls p osito one end of the respective-roll to allow a container to advance along said path to a position between said rolls.

2. An apparatus tainers comprising, inlet conveyor means for advancing containers along a generally horizontal path to a dofor removing flanged lids from precapped annular containers preparatory to filling the con- 5 capping station, a lid support atthe de-capping station in eluding a lip shaped to extend part way around the .container tolocate'the container at the'de-capping station and positioned adjacent the level of the underside of the lid flange as the pre-capped container is advanced to the de-capping station to engage the underside of the lid flange and support the lid against downward movement, lid support fingers mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the lid at the side of the lid opposite the side engaged by said lip, and means engageable with the container at the de-capping station for drawing the container downwardly to separate the container from its lid.

3. An apparatus for removing flanged lids from precapped annular containers preparatory tofilling the containe rs comprising, inlet conveyor means for advancing containers along a generally horizontalrpath" to a decapping station, a lid support at the ale-capping station including a lip shaped to extend part wayaround the con tainer to locate the container at the tie-capping station and positioned adjacent the level of the underside of the lid flange as the pre-capped container is advanced to the tie-capping station to engage the underside of the lid 7. An apparatus for removing lids from pre-capped containers preparatory to filling of the containers comprising, means for advancing pro-capped containersto a de capping station, means at the de-capping station engageable with the lid on the, container for supporting the lid against downward movement, spaced rolls at the decapping station engageable with the container for drawing the container downwardly to separate the container from the lid, means for driving said rolls, and means operative in timed relation with said rolls for'pressingat least one side of the container inwardly in the region adjacent the lid to allow air to enter the container during separation of the container'from'the lid. i

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said last men- 4 V tioned means includes a finger mounted for movement intoand out of engagement with the side of the container 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said finger comprises an upwardly directed nozzle for directing'a V stream of air upwardly alongside the container to aid in filling the container with air during separation of the container from the lid.

10. An apparatus for removing lids fiom-pre-ca'pped containers preparatory to filling of the containers comprising, means for'advancing pre-capped containers to a de-capping station, means at the de-capping station engageable with the lid on the container for supporting the lid against downward movement, spaced rolls at the decapping station engageable' with the 'containerffor draw ing the container downwardly to separate the container from the lid, means for driving saidrolls, and container support means mounted on at-least one of the rolls to underlie and support the container at the de-capping station, said container support means being movable with the rolls outwardly from underlying relation with the container to allow the container to move downwardly when the rolls are rotated.

11. In combination with a filling machine including a filling nozzle, an apparatus for removing lids from precapped containers and for feeding the de-capped containers to the filling nozzle, said apparatus'comprising, inlet conveyor means for advancing pre-capped containers to a mile-capping station, means at the de-capping station engageable with the lid on the pre-capped container for supporting the lid against downward movement, clecapping means at the de-capping station engageable with the container for drawing the container downwardly to separate the container from the lid, transfer conveyor means spaced below said inlet conveyor means a distance at least equal to the height of a container for moving the de-capped containers to a position spaced below the filling nozzle, and elevator means for elevating a container from the level of said transfer conveyor means into filling position below the filler nozzle.

12. The combination of claim 11 including outlet conveyor means disposed at a level above said transfer conveyor means for moving filled containers away from the filling nozzle.

13. In combination with a filling machine including a filling nozzle, an apparatus for removing lids from precapped containers and for feeding the de-capped containers to the filling nozzle, said apparatus comprising, inlet conveyor means for advancing pre-capped containers to a tie-capping station, means at the de-capping station engageable with the lid on the pre-capped container for supporting the lid against downward movement, de-

iii capping means at the de-capping station engageable with the container for drawing the container downwardly to separate the container from the lid, transfer conveyor means spaced below said inlet conveyor means a distance at least equal to the height of a container for moving the de-capped containers to a position spaced below the filling nozzle, elevator means for elevating a container from the level of the transfer conveyor means into filling position below the filler nozzle, outlet conveyor means disposed at a level above said transfer conveyor means for moving filled containers away from the filling nozzle, means operative in response to filling of a container for operating said outlet conveyor means to move a filled container away from the filling nozzle and for operating said elevator means to raise an empty container into filling position, and means for operating said dc-capping means.

References Qited hy the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 774,378 11/1904 Carter 53--38l X 2,828,593 5/1958 Colgren et al. 2,931,147 5/1960 Barnby.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. AN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING FLANGED LIDS FROM PRECAPPED ANNULAR CONTAINERS PREPARATORY TO FILLING OF THE CONTAINERS COMPRISING, MEANS FOR ADVANCING THE PRE-CAPPED CONTAINERS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION ALONG A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL PATH TO A DE-CAPPING STATION, MEANS AT THE DE-CAPPING STATION ENGAGEABLE WITH THE FLANGED LID ON THE CONTAINER FOR SUPPORTING THE SAME AGAINST DOWNWARD MOVEMENT, LATERALLY SPACED GENERALLY HORIZONTAL ROLLS POSITIONED AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID PATH AT THE DE-CAPPING STATION AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE SIDES OF THE CONTAINER, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID ROLLS FROM AN INITIAL POSITION AND IN RELATIVELY OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS THROUGH ONE REVOLUTION AND BACK TO SAID INITIAL POSITION TO DRAW A CONTAINER DOWNWARDLY AND SEPARATE THE CONTAINER FROM ITS LID, SAID ROLLS HAVING CONCAVE PERIPHERIES TO EXTEND PART WAY AROUND A CONTAINER TO LOCATE THE SAME AT THE DE-CAPPING STATION, SAID ROLLS HAVING A PORTION OF THEIR CONCAVE PERIPHERIES AT THE SIDES WHICH ARE ADJACENT IN SAID INITIAL POSITION CUT AWAY FROM THE BASE OF THE CONCAVE PERIPHERY TO ONE END OF THE RESPECTIVE ROLL TO ALLOW A CONTAINER TO ADVANCE ALONG SAID PATH TO A POSITION BETWEEN SAID ROLLS.

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