US3623594A

US3623594A - Cap-feeding apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3623594A
Application number: US868750A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jacob Ravn; David Mcarel
Original assignee: West Co Inc
Current assignee: West Pharmaceutical Services Inc
Priority date: 1969-10-23
Filing date: 1969-10-23
Publication date: 1971-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-30

Abstract

Cap-feeding apparatus for caps having a top and a skirt depending from the outer edge of the top comprising a hopper section for caps disposed in a random fashion and having a discharge opening, a discharge tray disposed below said discharge opening, first vibrating means for effecting actuation of said discharge tray, a selector tray below said discharge tray for receiving caps discharged from said discharge tray, said selector tray including first orientation means for orienting all of the caps in a top-up or top-down position and second orienting means operable to reposition caps so that all caps discharged from said selector tray are oriented in the same way, an accumulator section to receive caps from the selector tray, second vibrating means for effecting vibration of said selector tray and effect discharge of caps to said accumulator section, and sensing means in said selector tray and accumulator section, for sensing caps therein and operable to control actuation of said second vibrating means in response to load of caps sensed.

Description

United States Patent Primary Examiner-Albert J. Makay Assistant Examiner.lohn Mannix Attorney-Howson and Howson ABSTRACT: Cap-feeding apparatus for caps having a top and a skirt depending from the outer edge of the top comprising a hopper section for caps disposed in a random fashion and having a discharge opening, a discharge tray disposed below said discharge opening, first vibrating means for effecting actuation of said discharge tray, a selector tray below said discharge tray for receiving caps discharged from said discharge tray, said selector tray including first orientation means for orienting all of the caps in a top-up or top-down position and second orienting means operable to reposition caps so that all caps discharged from said selector tray are oriented in the same way, an accumulator section to receive caps from the selector tray, second vibrating means for effecting vibration of said selector tray and effect discharge of caps to said accumulator section, and sensing means in said selector tray and accumulator section, for sensing caps therein and operable to control actuation of said second vibrating means in response to load of caps sensed.

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CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS The present invention relates to apparatus for feeding container closures, for example, bottle caps so that they are properly oriented upon entry into an assembly machine wherein the caps are applied to a container such as a bottle.

The present invention is adapted for use with various types and sizes of container closures and is in the present instance illustrated and described in connection with a closure of the type comprising a circular top having a central removable disk portion, a skirt depending from the outer peripheral edge of the top and a liner of a resilient material such as rubber mounted against the inner side of the top.

The present invention provides certain advantages in capfeeding apparatus. For example, in the cap-feeding apparatus of the present invention only a few caps are agitated at any one time thus reducing the possibility of contaminating contents of the container by reason of aluminum dust particles formed by interengagement or nesting of caps, which dust particles adhere to the face of the liner confronting the contents, Additionally, the chances of a plurality of caps nesting together and fouling up the operation are greatly reduced.

Furthermore, in the present apparatus all of the caps entering the selector chamber are properly oriented. Thus, the caps only pass through the apparatus one time obviating the complex recirculating system of prior apparatus. The cap feeder of the present invention is comprised of comparatively few parts that are comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. Furthermore, the apparatus is suited for handling caps of various sizes by reason of the fact that some of the parts such as the selector trays and accumulators are easily interchangable. Additionally, by reason of the fact that the essential parts of the apparatus are easily disassembled, the unit lends itself to easy sterilization.

These and other objects of the present invention and various features and details of the operation and construction of a cap-feeding apparatus in accordance with the present invention are hereinafter more fully set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view ofa cap-feeding apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention with parts broken away to show the internal construction thereof more clearly;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus again with some of the parts broken away to show the internal construction;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are enlarged sectional views taken on lines 33, 4-4, 55, and 6-6 respectively ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through the apparatus taken on lines 77 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on lines 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing one ofthe discharge tracks;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on lines 99 of FIG. 4 showing the selector section of the apparatus;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the main frame and tray;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the sensor arms mounted on one end of the tray; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the control system for operation of the apparatus.

The cap-feeding apparatus of the present invention is especially adapted for use in orienting container closures or caps 10 used on pharmaceutical bottles or the like. These container closures generally comprise an annular top portion 11 having a removable central disk 12 connected to the top by fracturable bridge means 13, a skirt 14 depending from the outer peripheral edge of the top and a liner l6 ofa resilient material, for example rubber. The caps are generally made of aluminum material. (See FIG. 9).

Considering now the broad details of the apparatus in terms of function, caps are deposited in a random fashion in a supply bin 20. Thereafter, the caps are discharged to a selectively actuatable vibrating discharge tray 22, the supply bin having an adjustable bottom wall defining a first discharge opening 24 for controlling flow of caps down the rearwardly inclined bottom wall 26 of the discharge tray 22. At the inner terminal end of the bottom wall 26 there is a second discharge opening 28 through which the caps in random fashion drop to the rear portion of the selector tray 30. The rear section 30a of the selector tray is defined by, the present instance, two arcuate leaf springs 32a and 32b which are disposed at a preselected height above the base of the selector tray to permit discharge of caps therefrom only in a top-up or top-down position. The base 34 of the selector tray is inclined so that the caps normally move toward the front end thereof. The front end of the selector tray has, in the present instance, two

trackways

36 and 38 through which the caps are guided, each of the

trackways

36 and 38 having selector sections 3611 and 38a which are in the form of openings having a castellated side edge configuration whereby caps which are oriented in a topside-up position fall through the selector section openings to a common discharge chute 40. Those caps entering the selector section topside-down will pass over the selector openings to the end of the

trackways

36 and 38 and discharge into an accumulator section 42. Caps from the discharge chute 40 will also discharge into the accumulator section 42 and be properly oriented. The accumulator section which is disposed generally transversely to the selector tray 30 comprises broadly a pair of spaced-apart plate members 44 and terminating in a discharge opening permitting only a single row of caps to be discharged therefrom to an assembly machine where the caps are applied to a container such as a bottle.

First vibrating means broadly designated by the numeral 50 is provided for vibrating the discharge tray 22 to control flow of caps from the supply bin to the selector tray 30. Second vibrating means broadly designated by the numeral 52 is provided for vibrating the selector tray 30 to effect movement of the caps therein in the manner described above. When the apparatus is in operation, the second vibrating means 52 is actuated continuously whereas the first vibrating means 50 operates periodically and is controlled by sensors in the form of the leaf springs 32a and 32b in the selector tray and a sensing arm 54in the accumulator section.

Considering briefly the operation of the apparatus and assuming that the apparatus is completely empty of caps, the operator simply fills the supply bin 20 with caps. It is noted that when the apparatus is turned on, the selector tray is continuously vibrating and, since the sensors such as the leaf springs 32a and 32b in the selector tray and the sensing arm 54 sense the nonpresence of caps, vibrating means 50 for the discharge tray 22 is operative to effect movement of the caps from the supply bin to the selector tray. These caps, of course, will move under the leaf springs and through the apparatus in the manner described above. When a predetermined number of caps accumulate in the rear section of the selector tray, the first vibrating means 50 is temporarily shut down as sensed by the leaf springs 32a and 32b and sensor 52, thereby stopping vibration of the discharge tray 22. The leaf springs 32a and 32b and sensor 54 are operatively connected together and operate in parallel so that one of the sensors will not itself be effective to initiate actuation of the vibrating means 50. In other words, the vibrating means 50 is actuated when the number of caps in each area falls below a predetermined number.

Considering now more specifically the construction and arrangement of the apparatus, there is provided a main frame broadly designated by the numeral 60 having an elongated base 62 and an upstanding head portion 64 at one end of the base for housing and first and second vibrating means. The various elements of the apparatus discussed above such as the supply bin 20, the discharge tray 22, selector tray and accumulator section are mounted on the main frame in a manner described hereinafter. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the base 62 includes depending feet to mount the apparatus on a level support surface.

With respect to the specific arrangement of the supply bin 20, the supply bin which is supported above the main frame 60 by a pair of spaced side panel members 66 consists of opposed side and

end walls

68 and 70 which are downwardly divergent to funnel the flow of caps to the discharge tray. The supply bin also includes a bottom wall 72 having an adjustable extension 74, the front edge of which defines the first discharge opening 24. By adjusting the position of the bottom wall extension 74, the first discharge opening 24 may be varied to provide a means for controlling flow of caps therethrough.

The discharge tray 22 which underlies the supply bin includes a tray section 80 having downwardly sloping bottom wall 26 and a U-shaped bracket 84 secured adjacent the open end of the tray section. Note that the bottom wall of the tray section has an upwardly inclined lip 86 adjacent the discharge end. The tray section is connected to a bar-type leaf spring 88 which at its outer terminal ends is connected to the side panels 66 as best illustrated in FIG. 1. At its opposite end, the U- shaped bracket 84 is connected to a bar-type leaf spring 90 which is also connected at its outer terminal ends to the panels 66. The discharge tray is adapted to be selectively vibrated and to this end there is provided a solenoid 94 mounted in the head portion of the main frame which when alternated current is applied thereto attracts an armature 96 connected to the leaf spring 90. This arrangement which comprises the first vibrating means effects movement of caps from the supply bin through the first discharge opening 24 over the lip 86 of the tray section to the selector tray assembly 30 which is disposed below the discharge tray 22.

The selector tray assembly has a generally rectangular base 34, parallel upstanding sidewalls 106a and l06b and an upstanding rear wall 108. The selector tray is compartmented to provide the rear chamber 30a defined by a pair of arcuate spring members 32a and 3217 which are spaced a predetermined distance from the base of the tray to permit caps to pass thereunder either right side up or right side down. The

discharge trackways

36 and 38 are defined by parallel

upstanding ribs

134 and 136 which are spaced from their respective sidewalls 106a and 106b, the ribs terminating in a V- shaped apex portion as at 140 whereby caps discharged from the rear chamber pass to either of the

discharge trackways

36 or 38. Note that the front portion of the base of the discharge tray is dished as at 144 so that the trackways are inclined slightly inwardly toward the longitudinal centerline of of the discharge tray. Each trackway at its forward end has a selector section 36a and 38a in the form of openings having a castellated inner edge as at 152. As illustrated, caps moving along the trackway which have the edge of the skirt facing downwardly are discharged through the openings 152 and pivoted. These caps fall into a chute 40 defined by a depending section 160. As illustrated, the caps which have the edge of the skirt facing upwardly pass over the selector sections 36a and 38a and continue to the end of the trackways and are deposited directly into the accumulator section 42.

The selector tray is also mounted for vibration by second vibrating means and to this end the selector tray is mounted on a pair of

runners

164 and 166 supported above the sidewalls of the main frame by means ofa pair of leaf springs I68 and 170 at the forward end and leaf springs I72 and 174 at the opposite end which mount the bar members to the head portion of the main frame. A crosspiece 180 which mounts an armature 182 aligned with a solenoid 184 mounted in the head portion effects vibration of the

runners

164 and 166. The selector tray is removably mounted on these runners in the present instance by means of a pair of forward pins 190 which engage in V-shaped slots 192 and are secured in place by clamp member 194. The tray also mounts a pair of rear pins 196 which abut L-shaped clamping members 198 on the

rails

166 and 164. Note that the

pins

190 and 196 are mounted on the respective sidewalls so that the selector tray is sloped forwardly at about a to angle relative to the main frame.

The accumulator section as best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 comprises a narrow chamber slightly larger than the height of the cap disposed transversely to the apparatus and mounted adjacent the discharge end of the selector tray. The accumulator section is defined by spaced apart front and rear plate members 4444, the inner plate member having rearwardly

inclined ramp sections

204 and 206 aligned with the central discharge chute from the selector tray and the

trackways

36 and 38. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the accumulator section is downwardly inclined and mounts a pivotal oscillating arm 210 at its discharge end operable to facilitate discharge of caps in a single row to a feed mechanism 212 connected to an apparatus for assembling the caps to containers. A sensing arm 54 is mounted in the accumulator section which is operatively connected to the second vibrating means and functions in conjunction with leaf spring sensors 320 and 32b to temporarily halt flow of caps from the selector tray when the load of caps falls below a predetermined level.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown therein a schematic electrical representation of one form of electrical circuit suitable for producing the above-described operation of the bin-vibrating means 50 and the selector tray vibrating means 52. It is understood that while the leaf spring sensor 32a, 32b and the sensor 54 are illustrated in this example as utilizing capacitance effects to determine the approximate number of caps adjacent the sensor, other known forms of apparatus including, but not limited to, ultrasonic and photoelectric detectors, may be utilized instead.

As shown, a source 200 of alternating line current supplies operating current through the double-throw line switch 202 to the variably tapped voltage-regulating transformer 204. Between the variable tap 206 of transformer 204 and one contact of the line switch there is connected the series combination of the solenoid 184 of selector tray vibrator 52 and the conventional rectifier 208. The effect of this circuit is that, when the line switch 202 is closed, the vibrator 52 is continuously operated to vibrate correspondingly the selector tray 30. By adjustment of the position of tap 206, the strength of these vibrations can be set to the desired level.

Similarly, the solenoid 94 of the bin-vibrating means 50 is supplied with alternating line current from line switch 202 by way of the conventional rectifier 212 and the variable resistor 214. Adjustment of the variable resistor 214 provides control of the amplitude of vibration of the bin vibrator. However, it is noted that currents flowing to solenoid 94 must also pass through the normally closed contacts 218 of the relay switch 220, which occurs when the contactor 222 is in the deenergized position thereof shown in full line; when relay 220 is actuated, the contactor 222 assumes the upper, broken line position and the contacts 218 are opened to discontinue operation of bin vibrator 50.

More particularly, relay switch 220 comprises three pairs of

switch contacts

218, 226, and 228, and two

contactors

222 and 230.

Contactors

222 and 230 are ganged together to be operated simultaneously by the plunger 234 associated with the solenoid winding 236. The two sensors (32a, 32b) and 54 are connected effectively in parallel to an associated oscillator 240 and trigger circuit 242 so that either sensor alone is responsive to the presence of a predetermined number of caps near it to cause the oscillator 240 to deliver to trigger circuit 242 a signal of sufficient strength to actuate the trigger circuit, to pass a current through the solenoid winding 236, to energize the relay 220 and thereby to stop operation of the bin vibrator 50, as desired. Apparatus is well known and commercially available for providing this sensing operation, including the oscillator and trigger circuit, the sensing elements and the interconnecting circuitry, and hence need not be described in detail. It is sufficient merely to point out that operating power for the oscillator and trigger circuits is supplied from output terminals 246 and 248 of a conventional power supply 250; the latter power supply derives its input alternating current from line source 200 by way of the line switch 202 and the usual power transformer 252.

The two sets of

relay contacts

226 and 228 are utilized in connection with the

pilot lights

260 and 262 to provide an optical indication of whether the relay 220 is in the condition to maintain the bin vibrator 50 in its on or off condition. More particularly, in the deenergized condition of relay 220 current from line source 200 passes through closed line switch 202 and contacts 226 to the on" pilot lamp 262, thereby indicat ing that the bin vibrator 50 is operating; contacts 228 are open and the off lamp is extinguished. When relay 220 is energized so that contacts 226 are open and contacts 228 closed, the off" pilot lamp 260 is illuminated Accordingly, in the overall operation of the equipment as exemplified in HQ. 12, closing of the line switch 202 causes the selector tray vibrator 52 to operate continuously at a vibration level determined by adjustment of tap 206. If the number of caps adjacent both of sensors (32a, 32b) and 54 is less than a predetermined value, the relay 220 will remain deenergized, the bin vibrator 50 will operate to deliver additional caps to the selector tray, and the "on pilot lamp will be illuminated. However, when sensor 32a, 32b senses that an adequate number of caps is present in the selector tray, the relay 220 is automatically actuated to arrest operation of the bin vibrator 50 and terminate delivery of additional caps to the selector tray, until such time as sensor 32a, 32b produces a signal indicating that insufficient caps are present. This signal allows relay 220 to become deenergized and reactuates the bin vibrator 50, unless at this same time the sensor 54 produces an output signal indicative ofan excessive number of caps in the accumulator section of the apparatus, in which case operation of the bin vibrator will again be inhibited until such time as caps are cleared sufficiently from the accumulator section. In this way it is assured that there will be delivered to the selector tray a sufficient number, but not an excess, of caps, and that in the event of overloading of the accumulator section of the apparatus the feeding ofcaps to the selector tray will also be terminated.

There is shown in H0. 11 a slightly modified form of the sensing springs, the remainder of the apparatus being identical to that described above. In the present instance the sensing leaf springs 332a and 332b are bent inwardly at their free terminal ends at a sharper angle than the springs 32a and 32b. Additionally. by tuning the springs to the frequency of the vibrating tray a different vibrating pattern can be effected as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and ll.

We claim:

I. Cap-feeding apparatus for caps having a top and a skirt depending from the outer edge of the top comprising a hopper section for caps disposed in a random fashion and having a discharge opening, a discharge tray disposed below said discharge opening, first vibrating means for effecting actuation of said discharge tray, a selector tray below said discharge tray for receiving caps discharged from said discharge tray, said selector tray including first orientation means for orienting all of the caps in a top-up or top-down position and second orienting means operable to reposition caps so that all caps discharged from said selector tray are oriented in the same way, an accumulator section to receive caps from the selector tray, second vibrating means for effecting vibration of said selector tray and effect discharge of caps to said accumulator section, and sensing means in said selector tray and accumulator section, for sensing caps therein and operable to control actuation of said second vibrating means in response to load of of caps sensed, said sensing means in said discharge tray comprising a pair of arcuate leaf springs having their free terminal ends in close proximity and being spaced at a preselected height above the base of the selector tray whereby caps may only pass under said leaf springs in a top-up or top-down positron.

2. Cap-feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including at least one trackway in said selector tray through which all of the caps pass before entering the accumulator section.

3. Cap-feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second orienting means comprises a selector opening in a trackway in said selector tray whereby caps moving along said trackway engage through said opening to be properly oriented.

4. Capfeeding apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means operable to effect continuous vibration of the selector tray and selective vibration of the discharge tray in response to load of caps in said selector tray and accumulator section sensed by said sensing means therein.

5. Cap-feeding apparatus for caps having a top and a skirt depending from the outer edge of the top comprising a hopper section for caps disposed in a random fashion and having a discharge opening, a discharge tray disposed below said discharge opening, first vibrating means for effecting actuation of said discharge tray, a selector tray below said discharge tray for receiving caps discharged from said discharge tray, said selector tray including first orientation means for orienting all of the caps in a top-up or top-down position and second orienting means operable to reposition caps so that all caps discharged from said selector tray are oriented in the same way, an accumulator section to receive caps from the selector tray, second vibrating means for effecting vibration of said selector tray and effect discharge of caps to said accumulator section, and sensing means in said selector tray and accumulator section, for sensing caps therein and operable to control actuation of said second vibrating means in response to load of caps sensed, said discharge tray having an inclined bottom wall having an upturned lip and including a U-shaped bracket extending from said lip to define a second discharge opening through which the caps pass to the selector tray.

6. Cap-feeding apparatus for caps having a top and a skirt depending from the outer edge of the top comprising a hopper section for caps disposed in a random fashion and having a discharge opening, a discharge tray disposed below said discharge opening, first vibrating means for effecting actuation of said discharge tray, a selector tray below said discharge tray for receiving caps discharged from said discharge tray, said selector tray including first orientation means for orienting all of the caps in a top-up or top-down position and second orienting means operable to reposition caps so that all caps discharged from said selector tray are oriented in the same way, a nonvibrating accumulator section to receive caps from the selector tray, second vibrating means for effecting continuous vibration of only said selector tray and effect discharge of caps to said accumulator section, and first and second sensing means in said selector tray and accumulator section respectively operating in parallel to control actuation of said first vibrating means in a manner to effect actuation thereof and hence discharge of caps from said discharge tray only when the load in said selector tray and accumulator section are both below a predetermined level.

7. Cap-feeding apparatus for caps having a top and a skirt depending from the outer edge of the top comprising a hopper section for caps disposed in a random fashion and having a discharge opening, a discharge tray disposed below said discharge opening, first vibrating means for effecting reciprocal vibrating actuation of said discharge tray thereby to effect generally straight line movement of said caps therethrough, a selector tray below said discharge tray for receiving caps discharged from said discharge tray, said selector tray including first orientation means for orienting all of the caps in a topup or top-down position and second orienting means operable to reposition caps so that all caps discharged from said selector tray are oriented in the same way, an accumulator section to receive caps from the selector tray, second vibrating means for effecting continuous reciprocal vibration of said selector tray thereby to effect generally straight line movement of caps therein and effect discharge of caps to said accumulator section, and first and second sensing means in said selector tray and accumulator section respectively operating in parallel to control actuation of said first vibrating means in a manner to effect actuation thereof and hence discharge of caps from said discharge tray only when the load in said selector tray and accumulator section are both below a predetermined level.

8. Cap-feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said selector tray is detachably mounted to said apparatus so that it may be readily removed and replaced by another selector tray having orientation means adapted for caps of a different size than the orientation means of said first selector tray whereby the apparatus may accommodate caps of different sizes.

9. Capieeding apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said hopper section is an integral assembly and wherein the discharge tray and selector tray are discharged in overlying relation to provide for a generally straight line movement of the caps therethrough and providing a compact apparatus.

Claims

1. Cap-feeding apparatus for caps having a top and a skirt depending from the outer edge of the top comprising a hopper section for caps disposed in a random fashion and having a discharge opening, a discharge tray disposed below said discharge opening, first vibrating means for effecting actuation of said discharge tray, a selector tray below said discharge tray for receiving caps discharged from said discharge tray, said selector tray including first orientation means for orienting all of the caps in a top-up or top-down position and second orienting means operable to reposition caps so that all caps discharged from said selector tray are oriented in the same way, an accumulator section to receive caps from the selector tray, second vibrating means for effecting vibration of said selector tray and effect discharge of caps to said accumulator section, and sensing means in said selector tray and accumulator section, for sensing caps therein and operable to control actuation of said second vibrating means in response to load of of caps sensed, said sensing means in said discharge tray comprising a pair of arcuate leaf springs having their free terminal ends in close proximity and being spaced at a preselected height above the base of the selector tray whereby caps may only pass under said leaf springs in a top-up or top-down position.

4. Cap-feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means operable to effect continuous vibration of the selector tray and selective vibration of the discharge tray in response to load of caps in said selector tray and accumulator section sensed by said sensing means therein.

7. Cap-feeding apparatus for caps having a top and a skirt depending from the outer edge of the top comprising a hopper section for caps disposed in a random fashion and having a discharge opening, a discharge tray disposed below said discharge opening, first vibrating means for effecting reciprocal vibrating actuation of said discharge tray thereby to effect generally straight line movement of said caps therethrough, a selector tray below said discharge tray for receiving caps discharged from said discharge tray, said selector tray including first orientation means for orienting all of the caps in a top-up or top-down position and second orienting means operable to reposition caps so that all caps discharged from said selector tray are oriented in the same way, an accumulator section to receive caps from the selector tray, second vibrating means for effecting continuous reciprocal vibration of said selector tray thereby to effect generally straight line movement of caps therein and effect discharge of caps to said accumulator section, and first and second sensing means in said selector tray and accumulator section respectively operating in parallel to control actuation of said first vibrating means in a manner to effect actuation thereof and hence discharge of caps from said discharge tray only when the load in said selector tray and accumulator section are both below a predetermined level.

9. Cap-feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said hopper section is an integral assembly and wherein the discharge tray and selector tray are discharged in overlying relation to provide for a generally straight line movement of the caps therethrough and providing a compact apparatus.