US3262248A

US3262248A - Apparatus for securing lids on containers

Info

Publication number: US3262248A
Application number: US288135A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jacob P Lovoy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-06-17
Filing date: 1963-06-17
Publication date: 1966-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 1983-07-26

Description

July 26, 1966 J P. LOVOY 3,252,243

APPARATUS FOR SECURING LIDS ON CONTAINERS Filed June 17, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. y 1 Jacob F? Lox 91 BY MV M Afforneva July 26, 1966 J. P. LOVOY APPARATUS FOR SECURING LIDS 0N CONTAINERS Filed June 17. 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 \1 l//////////////////////////////////////fl///////////// INVENTOR.

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Jacob P.

A 7 forngys July 26, 1966 J. P. LOVOY 3,262,248

APPARATUS FOR SECURING LIDS 0N CONTAINERS Filed June 17, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Jacob F? Lovey M ,Mhy

A Homgys United States Patent 3,262,248 APPARATUS FOR SECURING LIDS ON CONTAINERS Jacob P. Lovoy, Birmingham, Ala., assignor to William C. Gilrner, Birmingham, Ala. Filed June 17, 1963, Ser. No. 288,135 11 Claims. (Cl. 53--335) This invention relates to apparatus for securing lids on containers and particularly to such apparatus which shall be adapted to secure a ductile lid on a container, such as a glass jar or the like.

An object of my invention is to provide apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container in which only the under peripheral surface of the lid is pressed against the container, thereby eliminating excessive expansion of the ductile lid to provide a firm fit between the lid and the container.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container in which the sealing action is obtained by pressures being applied at the top of the lid and along the peripheral under surface thereof whereby the skirt of the lid is turned under by a squeeze action without the application of pressure intermediate the top of the lid and the under peripheral surface thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container in which a minimum of vertical pressure is required between the container and the apparatus.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container of the character designated in which the container floats or moves with angularly spaced lid forming members, thereby eliminating the necessity of mounting the container rigidly within the apparatus and thus reducing breakage by the application of excessive pressures to the lid and container.

A further object of my invention is to provide apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container of the character designated in which improved stop means is provided which limits inward movement of the lid forming members, thereby assuring that a uniform pressure is applied around the periphery of the lid and container.

A still further object of my invention is to provide apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container of the character designated which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which does not require highly skilled operators to operate the same.

As is well known in the art to which my invention relates, it is very difficult to apply a uniform pressure to secure ductile lids onto containers, such as glass jars and the like, due to the fact that such containers are often slightly out of round. Also, excessive pressures cannot be applied to such containers due to the fact that they are easily broken. Furthermore, prior methods of attaching ductile lids to such containers have often resulted in loose lids due to the fact that the material forming the skirts of the lids is stretched during the forming operation whereby upon release of pressure, the skirt tends to separate from the container.

To overcome the above and other difficulties, I provide apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container in which the skirt of the lid is deformed by a squeeze action between the top of the lid and the under peripheral surface of the lid. The portion of the lid skirt between the under peripheral surface and the top of the lid is not contacted by the forming means whereby upon release of pressure, the material forming the skirt tends to grip the container to thus provide a firm connection between the lid and the container. To assure a uniform application of pressure to the lid during the forming operation, I provide an annular stop member which is disposed to be engaged by the forming members whereby inward movement of the forming members is limited. The forming members are mounted on centrifugally actuated members which extend in a common plane about the lid. Accordingly, the :amount of pressure applied to the lid is controlled by the rate of rotation of the forming members about the lid.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus for securing a lid on a container, partly broken away and in section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the forming member out of contact with the lid;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmental, sectional view showing a forming member in contact with the skirt of the lid during the initial forming operation;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental, sectional view showing the position of the forming member relative to the pressure plate and the container after the forming operation has been completed;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 77 of FIG. 2, parts being omitted for the sake of clarity; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmental view showing the means which prevents rotation of the pressure plate.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a main frame 10 having a base 11 and a head 12 which are supported in vertical spaced relation to each other by a column 13. Mounted for vertical reciprocation in the base 11 is a support member 14 which comprises a vertical rod 16 supported at its lower end by a cam 17. Rotary motion is imparted to the cam 17 by an operating handle 18 whereby the rod 16 is raised and lowered relative to the base 11. Mounted on the rod-like member 16 is a supporting plate 19 which is adapted to support a container 21 between the base 11 and the head 12, as shown in FIG. 1. Upstanding brackets 22 are mounted on the supporting plate 19 in position to engage the container 21 and thus align the same relative to the lid forming members to be described hereinafter.

The head 12 comprises a housing 23 which is connected at one end to the upstanding column 13. Secured to the under surface of the housing 23 by suitable mean is a horizontal plate 24 which is formed integrally with a depending annular flange 26 that is adapted to surround the upper portion of the container 21, as shown.

Mounted within the housing 23 by suitable means, such as bolts 27,. is a bearing unit 28 having balls 29. Mounted for rotation within the bearing unit 28 is a sleeve-like member 31. To limit axial movement of the sleeve-like member 31 relative to the bearing unit 28, I provide an annular recess 32 in the outer surface of the sleeve-like member in position to receive an annular snap ring 33.

Extending downwardly through an opening 34 in the housing 23 is a stationary sleeve-like member 36 which is held in position by a set screw 37 carried by a supporting bracket 38. As shown in FIG. 7, the support bracket 38 is secured to the housing 23 by suitable means, such as bolts 39. Suitable bearing units 41 and 42 are interposed between the sleeve-like member 31 and the sleevelike member 36 whereby the sleeve-like member 31 is adapted for free rotation relative to the sleeve-like member 36. A pulley 43 is mounted non-rotatably on the sleeve-like member 31 and is driven by a motor 44 through a V-belt 46. Formed integrally with the lower end of the sleeve-like member 31 is a horizontal, rotatable member 47.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, depending pivot pins 48 are secured to the rotatable member 47 at angularly spaced intervals. Preferably, the upper ends of the pivot pins 48 are provided with suitable threads 49 which engage threaded openings 51 provided in the rotatable member 47. A lever arm 52 is mounted intermediate its ends on each of the pivot pins 48, as shown in FIG. 2. Mounted for rotation at one end of each of the lever arms 52 is a forming member 53. Accordingly, angularly spaced forming members 53 are arranged concentrically about the top of the container 21, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and a ductile lid 54 is positioned on the top of the container 21 whereby the skirt of the lid indicated at 56 extends outwardly and downwardly around the upper portion of the container. To hold the lid 54 in position on the container 21 prior to the forming operation, I mount a pressure plate 57 adjacent the lower end of a rod-like member 58 which is adapted for a limited amount of axial movement relative to the sleeve-like member 36. Mounted within the upper portion of the sleeve 36 is a sleeve member 35 which defines'a spring abutment for a compression spring 35a which in turn surrounds the rod-like member 58. A transverse pin 35b is carried by the lower end of the rod-like member 58 in position to ride in downwardly opening slots 60 provided in opposite sides of the sleeve 36, as shown in FIG. 8, to prevent rotation of the pressure plate 57. Accordingly the spring 35a urges the rod-like member and the pressure plate 57 toward the lid 54 whereby the lid is forced against the top of the container 21. The lower surface of the pressure plate 57 is convex, as shown in FIG. 7 whereby any excess material in the container is expelled prior to the sealing operation.

In view of the fact that the forming members 53 are arranged concentrically about the lid 54, the pressure plate 57 only applies suflicient pressure to the top of the lid 54 to hold the lid in place until the forming members 53 are moved into engagement with the skirt 56 of the lid. Accordingly, the container 21 and the lid 54 are adapted for free floating movement with the forming members 53 whereby a uniform pressure is exerted to the skirt of the lid 54 even though the top of the container 21 may be out of round. Axial movement of the rod-like member 58 relative to the sleeve-like member 36 is limited by the lower end of the sleeve-like member 36 engaging the upper surface of the pressure plate 57 and engagement of the upper end of the sleeve-like member 36 with lock nuts 59 carried by the rod-like member 58.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, each forming member 53 is provided with a peripheral projection or flange 61 which is adapted to engage an annular surface 62 carried by the pressure plate 57. The lower end of each forming member 53 slopes downwardly and outwardly, as shown in FIGS. 3-5 to provide a peripheral portion 63 which is adapted to engage the under peripheral surface of the skirt 56 of lid 54, as clearly shown in FIG. 5. That is, as the forming member 53 moves inwardly toward the lid 54 it turns the skirt 56 under whereby it assumes the position shown in FIG. 5 upon completing the sealing operation. The portion of the forming member 53 between the contact portion 63 and the peripheral flange 61 remains out of contact with the lid 54 to thus provide an annular recess 64 between the lid 54 and the forming member. Accordingly, the lid 54 is secured in place by a squeeze action between the area of contact 63 and the peripheral flange 61.

To urge the forming members 53 inwardly toward the lid 54, I mount a counterweight 66 on each of the lever arms 52. That is, the counterweights 66 are mounted on the opposite side of the pivot pins 48 from the forming members 53.

Each lever arm 52 is provided with upper and lower elongated members 67 and 68 for receiving the counterweights 66. Elongated slots 69 and 71 are provided in the elongated members 67 and 68, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. Each counterweight 66 is provided with an upstanding projection 72 which is adapted to ride within the elongated slot 69, as shown in FIG. 6. The counterweight 66 is held in selected positions relative to the elongated members 67 and 68 of the lever arm 52 by set screws 73 which extend through the elongated slots 71 into threaded engagement with the counterweigh ts 66. Accordingly, each counterweight 66 is mounted for sliding adjustment relative to the lever arm 52. Also, the counterweight 66 is mounted wholly within the confines of the lever arm 52 whereby it does not interfere in any way with the operation of the apparatus.

To return the forming members 53 to their outermost positions relative to the pressure plate 57, as shown in FIG. 2, I connect the ends of the lever arm 52 opposite the forming members 53 to adjacent pivot members 48 by suitable tension springs 74. Accordingly, upon stopping rotation of the member 47 and the lever arms 52, the springs 74 move the forming members 53 out of engagement with the lid 54 whereupon the container 21 may be removed from the apparatus.

To stop rotation of the rotatable member 47, I provide a suitable brake 76 which is provided with an arcuate surface 77 in position to engage the periphery of the rotatable member 47, as shown in FIG. 2. The brake member 76 is actuated by suitable means through a rod 78.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my apparatus for securing ductile lids on containers will be readily understood. The container 21 having a lid 54 thereon is positioned on the support member *14 against the aligning brackets 22 whereby the container is positioned beneath the pressure plate 57 with the angularly spaced forming members 53 extending in a common plane about the top of the container 21 and the lid 54. With the container 21 thus positioned, rotary motion is imparted to the rotatable member 47 by energizing the motor 44. As the rotatable member 47 rotates, the counterweights 66 move outwardly by centrifugal force whereupon the forming members 53 are urged into engagement with the skirt 56 of the lid 54, as shown in FIG. 4. In view of the fact that the lid 54 is held in place by the forming members 53, excessive pressure is not exerted on top of the lid 54 by the pressure plate 57. Accordingly, the container 21 and the lid 54 are adapted for free floating movement with the forming members 53 whereby uniform pressure is exerted around the periphery of the lid 54. The forming members 53 continue to move inwardly until the annular peripheral members 61 engage the annular stop 62. In this position, the contact portion 63 of the forming member 53 is in firm engagement with the under peripheral surface of the skirt 56 whereby the lid 54 is secured to the container 21 by a squeeze action between the area of contact 63 and the pressure plate 57. It will thus be seen that there is no contact between the forming member 53 and the lid 54 in the area of the annual recess 64. Accordingly, I eliminate excessive expansion of the lid 54 intermediate the peripheral point of contact 63 and the pressure plate 57. By eliminating excessive expansion of the lid in this area, the lid fits the container 21 with a snug fit and does not become loose or separated therefrom. Also, by applying pressure only along the under peripheral surface of the skirt 56 of the lid 54, the lid tends to grip the adjacent surface of the container 21 upon release of the pressure imparted by the forming members 53.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised improved apparatus for securing ductile lids on containers. By applying pressure to the under peripheral surface of the lid and to the top of the lid only, the pressure is applied by a squeeze action at spaced apart points which results in a firm seal between the lid and the container. Also, by providing apparatus wherein the container floats freely with the forming members, together with centrifugally actuated means for urging the forming members into engagement with the lid, a uniform pressure is applied all the way around the skirt of the lid even though the container may be out of round. Also, by providing an annular stop on the pressure plate in position to be engaged by the forming members as they move inwardly, the amount of pressure applied to the lid is uniform and is limited. Furthermore, by providing adjustable counterweight units which are mounted wholly within the confines of the lever arms, any desired pressure may be applied to the lid by the forming members by merely changing the position of the counterweights and locking the same in selected positions. It will also be seen that by providing the brake unit in combination with the rotatable member 47, the rotation of the forming members 53 may be stopped in a minimum of time whereby the sealed container may be removed and another container positioned in place on the support member 14.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container comprising:

(a) a supporting frame having a base and a head mounted in vertical spaced relation to each other and adapted to receive a container therebetween,

(b) a support member carried by said base member in position to support said container,

(c) means to impart relative vertical movement between said support member and said head whereby said container is positioned at selected positions relative to said head,

(-d) a pressure plate carried by said head and disposed to engage the lid of a container positioned on said support member,

(e) a rotatable member carried by said head and mounted concentrically about said pressure plate,

(f) angularly spaced levers pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on said rotatable member,

(g) a forming member mounted for rotation adjacent one end of each of said levers in position to engage the peripheral under surface of a lid on a container supported by said support member upon inward movement of said one end,

(h) counterweights carried by said levers in position to urge said forming members toward a lid on the container upon rotation of .said rotatable member,

(i) an annular member on each of said forming members disposed to engage an annular bearing surface on said pressure plate to limit downward movement of said forming member relative to said pressure plate, and

(j) an annular stop on said pressure plate disposed to engage said forming member and limit inward movement thereof relative to said pressure plate.

2. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined in claim 1 in which aligning means is carried by said support member to position a container beneath said pressure plate.

3. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined in claim 1 in which the pressure plate is carried by the lower end of a vertically extending member which is mounted concentrically of said forming members.

4. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined in claim 1 in which the means to impart relative vertical movement between said support member and said head comprises a cam actuated member operatively connected to said support member.

5. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined in claim 1 in which each of said forming members comprises;

(a) a first annular peripheral portion disposed to engage only the peripheral under surface of a lid,

(b) a second annular peripheral portion spaced from said first annular peripheral portion and disposed to engage said annular stop on said pressure plate, an

(0) there being an annular recess between said first and second annular peripheral portions whereby the portion of each forming member between said first and second annular peripheral portions is out of contact with a lid upon engagement of said forming member with a lid.

6. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined in claim 1 in which the counterweights carried by the levers are mounted wholly within the confines of the levers.

7. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined in claim 6 in which each counterweight is adapted for longitudinal movement adjacent longitudinally extending slots in said lever and securing means extends through said slots into said counterweight to hold said counterweight at selected positions relative to said lever.

8. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined in claim 1 in which the angularly spaced levers extend in a common plane.

9. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container comprrsrng:

(b) a movable support member carried by said base in position to support said container,

(c) means to reciprocate said movable support member in a vertical direction whereby the container is raised and lowered,

(d) a pressure plate carried by said head and disposed to engage the lid of a container positioned on said movable support member,

(g) a (forming member mounted for rotation adjacent one end of each of said levers in position to engage the peripheral under surface of a lid on a container positioned on said support member upon inward movement of said one end,

(h) adjustable counterweighits carried by said levers in position to urge said forming members toward a lid on the container upon rotation of said rotatable member,

(i) an annular flange on each of said forming members disposed to engage an annular bearing surface on said pressure plate to limit downward movement of said [forming member relative to said pressure plate, and

(j) an annular stop on said pressure plate disposed to engage said forming members and limit inward movement thereof relative to said pressure plate.

10. Apparatus ctor securing a ductile lid on a container comprising;

(d) a pressure plate carried by said head and disposed to engage the lid of a container positioned on said support member,

(f) angularly spaced forming members mounted for notation with said rotatable member in position to engage .the peripheral under surface of a lid on a container supported by said support member upon inward movement of said forming members,

(g) means to move said forming members inwardly upon rotation of said rotatable member,

(h) an annular member on each of said forming members disposed to engage an annular bearing surface on said pressure plate to limit downward movement of said forming member relative to said pressure plate, and

(i) an annular stop on said pressure plate disposed to engage said forming member and limit inward movement thereof relative to said pressure plate. 11. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined in claim 10 in which the lower surface of the 5 pressure plate is convex.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1962 Fox 53-335 3,076,300

FOREIGN PATENTS 240,348 10/1925 Great Britain.

15 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

R. L. FARRIS, Examiner.

2/1963 Luedi et al 53340

Claims

10. APPARATUS FOR SECURING A DUCTILE LID ON A CONTAINER COMPRISING; (A) A SUPPORTING FRAME HAVING A BASE AND A HEAD MOUNTED IN VERTICAL SPACED RELATION TO EACH OTHER AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A CONTAINER THEREBETWEEN, (B) A SUPPORT MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID BASE MEMBER IN POSITION TO SUPPORT SAID CONTAINER, (C) MEANS TO IMPART RELATIVE VERTICAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND SAID HEAD WHEREBY SAID CONTAINER IS POSITIONED AT SELECTED POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID HEAD, (D) A PRESSURE PLATE CARRIED BY SAID HEAD AND DISPOSED TO ENGAGE THE LID OF A CONTAINER POSITIONED ON SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, (E) A ROTATABLE MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID HEAD AND MOUNTED CONCENTRICALLY ABOUT SAID PRESSURE PLATE, (F) ANGULARLY SPACED FORMING MEMBERS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION WITH SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER IN POSITION TO