US3800501A - Cap feeding apparatus - Google Patents

Cap feeding apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3800501A
US3800501A US00223233A US3800501DA US3800501A US 3800501 A US3800501 A US 3800501A US 00223233 A US00223233 A US 00223233A US 3800501D A US3800501D A US 3800501DA US 3800501 A US3800501 A US 3800501A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
closures
cap
portions
closure
engaging
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00223233A
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English (en)
Inventor
H Raatz
E Melzer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Continental Can Co Inc
Original Assignee
Continental Can Co Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Continental Can Co Inc filed Critical Continental Can Co Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3800501A publication Critical patent/US3800501A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
    • B67B3/20—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps by applying and rotating preformed threaded caps
    • B67B3/204—Linear-type capping machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
    • B67B3/20—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps by applying and rotating preformed threaded caps
    • B67B3/204—Linear-type capping machines
    • B67B3/2053—Linear-type capping machines comprising capping heads

Definitions

  • the improved track apparatus includes a pair of opposed track elements each having an inwardly extending, upwardly directed face for supporting a margin of a cap area wherein the tracks are of reduced width so as to provide an open space of increased width thercbetween, and a relieved or cut out portion providing a stop element for engaging the lower marginal portions of a cap and detaining it in a predetermined position to be picked up by passing jar or bottles.
  • the invention is an improvement over previous devices intended for the same purpose but usually constructed so as to include spring loaded, transversely acting pins.
  • the apparatus of the invention engages the jar cap on a marginal portion thereof which is always of uniform, circular construction and accordingly, caps with indented or textured skirt portions may be satisfactorily handled at high rates by this device.
  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for handling jar or bottle caps, and more particularly, is directed to an improved cap feeding apparatus which includes a track assembly used to guide a succession of caps from a storage area to a point above a conveyor or the like and to position the caps for pickup by jars or bottles moved past the feeding apparatus by the conveyor.
  • One form of jar cap feeding apparatus which is well known in the prior art includes a guide way for a plurality of caps formed by a pair of opposed track units of a mirror image configuration and each including an upwardly directed surface portion along which a portion of the cap slides as the cap moves from a storage area to a pickup or capping area.
  • the caps pass along the track to a predetermined point where they are engaged by a pair of pins which are spring urged along an axis coplanar with and perpendicular to the direction of cap travel into an extended position for engaging the cap skirt.
  • the cap is thus held under a slight but definite retaining force against forward movement so that it will not fall from the guide or track under the weight of caps stacked behind it but loosely enough such that when the leading edge of a jar moved beneath a cap engages the forward edge of the cap, the cap is drawn along and then removed from the track by the jar.
  • the pins of the type referredto abov have rounded inner surface portions and are urged transversely of the tracks by small coil springs.
  • An arrangement of this type is generally satisfactory for many capping operations, however, such an apparatus is not always able to be used satisfactorily with caps having textured skirts, and especially those caps wherein a series of grooves or recesses are provided so as to enhance the appearance of the cap or for improved gripping.
  • the pins commonly engage the detent or grooves on one cap while not engaging them on another or succeeding cap, with the result that the caps are not held with uniform force, and satisfactory feeding is not able to be achieved.
  • An improved apparatus of this type would desirably be of simple construction so as to be highly reliable and be constructed and arranged so as not to depend on engaging a major portion of the cap skirt in the interest of uniformity in operation.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for handling jar caps.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cap or closure feeding assembly having a particular form of track arrangement which serves to guide and position caps just prior to assembly thereof with bottles or jars to be capped.
  • Still another object is to provide a cap track which is adapted to perform a detaining or positioning operation on the caps on a production line in a simple and straight-forward manner.
  • a further object is to provide a cap feeding apparatus having a pair of opposed cap positioning tracks which are easy to manufacture and which are reliable in use.
  • a still further object is to provide an apparatus which includes, jar cap feeding tracks having a particular form of upwardly directed surfaces thereon so as to engage a succession of jar caps to provide positive stopping and at the same time to permit controlled and accurate release of such caps when they are positioned over the neck portion of a jar with which the caps are to be associated in use.
  • Another object is to provide a cap feeding apparatus which engages only the lower'margin of a cap and which does not depend for operation on engagement with a major portion of the cap skirt.
  • Another object is to provide a cap feeding assembly which includes a pair of improved cap tracks each containing vertically arranged detents in the track, means for maintaining a downward force on the caps positioned in the track, and means guiding the cap so as to permit removal therefrom when a force is applied to the cap in a predetermined direction.
  • a cap feeding apparatus which includes means for engaging the top portion of a cap, means in the form of a track having pairs of upwardly directed surfaces for engaging the lower, outwardly directed margins of the cap skirt, opposed notches at the junction of the two pairs of surfaces and adapted to engage a portion of the skirt, and resilient means positioned opposite to the notches and adapted to exert a biasing force on the jar cap.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of the invention, showing a feeding assembly including a chute, a cap track and a guide assembly for positioning jar caps for attachment to jars or bottles passing therebeneath;
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a preferred form of track used to position caps for pickup.
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a pair of cap tracks showing the position of the tracks in respect to each other and in respect to a cap received therebetween.
  • caps are of a type having a plurality of grooves in the skirt portion thereof, wherein a succession of caps is fed downwardly from an extended cap feeding chute and wherein the feeding assembly terminates at a position disposed just above the path of a succession of jars passing along a predetermined axis.
  • FIG. 1 shows the invention to be embodied in a cap feeding apparatus generally designated and adapted to receive and position a succession of jar caps 12 for operative association with the neck portions 14 of a succession of containers such as the jars 16 passing beneath the apparatus 10.
  • the feeding apparatus includes a pair of oppositely disposed, generally symmetrical guide tracks 18 disposed at the lower end of a feeding chute 20, and each including a generally vertically extending guide surface 22 adapted to engage or remain closely spaced apart from the skirt portions 24 of a succession of passing closures 12, and thus partially to determine the path taken by the closures.
  • each guide track 18 includes means in the form of a rear rail 24 and a forward rail 26, for supporting the closures 12.
  • Each of the rails 24, 26 respectively has upwardly directed support surface 28, 30.
  • the upwardly directed surface 28 of the rail 24 is generally straight, while the upwardly directed surface 30 of the forward rail 26 is formed on an arc of large radius.
  • the rails 24, 26 also include respective side surface portions 32, 34 which are spaced apart from each other a distance somewhat less than the diameter of the cap or closure 12.
  • the upper or rearward rail 24 terminates at its forward end in a slightly angled surface 36, which lies just opposite a counterpart surface 38 forming the rear edge portion of the forward rail 26.
  • positioning means for the closure 12 is provided in the form of a notch 40 lying between the forward and rearward rails 26, 24.
  • caps having the lower edges 42 thereof supported by the upwardly directed surface 28 of the rear rail 24 will slide down in the chute 20 by gravity, with or without the force of additional caps behind them, so that the leading cap or closure 12 occupies the position thereof shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
  • the rear surface 38 of the forward guide rail 34 engages the margin 44 of the cap lyingjust above the lower edge or surface 42 thereof, but lying below any gripping grooves 46 or the like which may be formed in the skirt portion 24 of the closure 12.
  • the lower surface 48 of a fixed guide assembly 50 preferably helps initially to position the caps or closures 12 in the tracks 18, while a slight downward pressure on the upper surfaces 52 of the closures 12 is maintained by the lower surface 54 of a movable top guide 56 which is mounted, as at point 58, for pivotal movement.
  • Biasing means in the form of a spring 60 is provided to urge the guide 56 downward under a slight force, thereby preventing caps from being released from the position shown by the force of gravity or by forces imposed by a stack of closures behind the closures which is foremost in the feeding apparatus 10.
  • the positioning means illustrated in the drawings is in the form of an open groove or slot 40 which serves to separate the two rail units 24, 26 from each other.
  • This form of positioning means is actually made merely for convenience in manufacturing, however, and it will be understood that the provision of the slot itself is not necessary, but only the provision of the rearwardly directed surface 38 of the forward rail 26. It is also anticipated that another equivalent form of positioning means might be provided.
  • the positioning means is fixed rather than movable, and is adapted to act on the lowermost margin of the closure so as to be certain of not engaging grooves or indentations 46 formed in the side walls or skirt 24 of the closure.
  • the cap feeding as sembly of the invention and in particular, the track units 18 are advantageously used with caps or closure 12 having a plurality of flutes, grooves or indentations 46 therein
  • the form of track referred to herein works equally well with caps having smooth skirt portions.
  • prior art devices depending for operation upon spring urged or other retainers or positioning means adapted to engage the side wall portion of cap skirts are not satisfactorily used in all cases with caps having grooved or other highly textured skirt portions.
  • the apparatus of the invention is equally suitable for use with a large variety of currently available jar and bottle caps.
  • the upper or following cap disposed just behind the cap 12 being fed onto the jar 16 is shown to be spaced apart from the lower cap 12.
  • this condition might occur in passing, but normally, the caps 12 would be touching one another with the front portions of the following caps touching the rear portions of the leading caps, thus, in the case of a full chute 20, exerting a considerable force on the lower cap.
  • the present invention provides means for further improvement and added reliability in cap filling operations, and provides an improved feeding assembly having a number of advantages and characteristics, including those pointed out specifically herein and others which are inherent in the invention.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention having been set forth by way of example, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
  • a cap feeding apparatus for directing a succession of container closures, each having an upper surface portion, a circumferential side wall portion and a lower circumferential edge portion, along a predetermined path and for positioning said closures for pickup by passing containers, said apparatus comprising, in combination, guide means disposed closely adjacent the side wall portions of a succession of said closures to prevent movement thereof laterally of said path, means for engaging the upper surface portions of said closures to prevent substantial movement thereof toward said upper surfaces thereof, means adapted to support the lower edge portions of said closures from the underside, and fixed immovable means for positioning said closures at a predetermined point along said path in advance of the discharge end thereof by engagement of said closures just above the lowermost edge portions thereof, said fixed immovable means also permitting release of said closures from said point for further movement along said path upon upward movement of the forward portions of said closures due to engagement by said containers, whereby said closures will remain at said point until engaged by one of said containers for removal from said feeding apparatus.
  • a cap feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging said upper surface portions of said closures comprises a fixed guide and a resiliently mounted guide having portions for engaging said upper surface portions of said closures, said resiliently mounted guide being disposed with the closureengaging portion thereof between said fixed immovable means.
  • An apparatus for feeding a succession of container closures each having an upper surface portion and a skirt portion terminating in a circumferential bottom edge along a predetermined path and positioning said closures adjacent a succession of passing containers for removal of said closures by said containers comprising, in combination, a pair of oppositely directed track units, each track unit having side wall portions facing .each other and adapted to guide the skirt portions of a succession of said closures along said path, support rails on said track units having upwardly directed surfaces for supportingly engaging each of said closures from underneath the bottom edge thereof, means disposed between said tracks and disposed thereabove for engaging the top surface portions of said closures to permit only limited movement of said closures toward said upper surfaces thereof, and fixed immovable closure positioning means in said path intermediate the opposite ends thereof for engaging said closures just above said bottom edge portions thereof, said positioning means being adapted to engage and stop a closure moving along said rails in one position of said closure, and to release said closure in another position of said closure for completing its movement along said path.
  • support rails are in the form of forward and rearward support rails for each track, the upwardly directed surfaces of said rails being slightly spaced apart from each other to provide notches which present said fixed immovable closure positioning means.
  • said means for engaging said top surface portion of said closure comprises a fixed guide portion and a movable guide portion, said movable guide portion being mounted for pivotal movement and resiliently urged into a position overlying a cap with the lower surface of said movable guide being adapted to engage a cap positioned by said positioning means generally centrally of said closure.
  • each of said tracks includes a forward and a rearward rail, the forward rail having a generally curved upwardly directed surface, and the rearward rail having a generally flat upwardly directed surface, and said forward rail terminating at the rear thereof in a relatively steeply inclined positioning surface.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sealing Of Jars (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Casting Or Compression Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Devices For Use In Laboratory Experiments (AREA)
US00223233A 1972-02-03 1972-02-03 Cap feeding apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3800501A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US22323372A 1972-02-03 1972-02-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3800501A true US3800501A (en) 1974-04-02

Family

ID=22835628

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00223233A Expired - Lifetime US3800501A (en) 1972-02-03 1972-02-03 Cap feeding apparatus

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US3800501A (da)
JP (1) JPS5235232Y2 (da)
AU (1) AU465308B2 (da)
CA (1) CA981643A (da)
DE (1) DE2245691C2 (da)
DK (1) DK140692B (da)
ES (1) ES410575A1 (da)
FI (1) FI59574C (da)
GB (1) GB1408535A (da)
IT (1) IT978753B (da)
NO (1) NO136920C (da)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2395436A1 (fr) * 1977-06-24 1979-01-19 Caterpillar Tractor Co Ensemble de transmission aux roues pour vehicule
US4571920A (en) * 1983-11-29 1986-02-25 Apv Burnett & Rolfe, Inc. Beer keg capping machine
US4922684A (en) * 1988-01-15 1990-05-08 Pi, Inc. Caps for milk bottles and an applicator for placing caps on bottles
US5426912A (en) * 1990-10-31 1995-06-27 Continental White Cap, Inc. Magnetic cap guide
EP0731055A1 (en) * 1995-03-09 1996-09-11 CarnaudMetalbox plc Capping apparatus
US20140137521A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2014-05-22 Thomas Niehr Method and linear installation for filling containers with a filling material
CN107826692A (zh) * 2017-11-15 2018-03-23 青岛德隆装备有限公司 一种直线式钢丝摇摆压盖机
US11186392B2 (en) * 2016-02-12 2021-11-30 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Distribution unit for feeding lids to necks of containers
CN114655905A (zh) * 2022-04-24 2022-06-24 成都青软智控科技有限公司 一种用于样本管的旋盖机构

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2125379B (en) * 1982-08-17 1986-06-18 Metal Box Plc Capping machines
CN114434120A (zh) * 2021-12-24 2022-05-06 扬州爱莎尔气雾剂制造有限公司 一种气雾剂罐压盖一体自动化安装装置及其使用方法

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2169973A (en) * 1938-07-18 1939-08-15 White Cap Co Apparatus for feeding and applying closure caps
US2433549A (en) * 1940-08-03 1947-12-30 Crown Cork & Seal Co Container sealing apparatus
US2836947A (en) * 1952-06-23 1958-06-03 Crown Cork & Seal Co Cap feeding and applying mechanism
US2917880A (en) * 1957-04-24 1959-12-22 Owens Illinois Glass Co Method of and apparatus for packaging food products
US3012388A (en) * 1958-10-23 1961-12-12 Anchor Hocking Glass Corp Means for sealing threaded-type containers
US3364653A (en) * 1965-05-05 1968-01-23 Metal Box Co Ltd Apparatus for feeding caps to containers
US3477202A (en) * 1965-11-16 1969-11-11 Skane Emballage Ab Device for placing threaded closures on containers

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2805532A (en) * 1956-03-19 1957-09-10 Ralph F Anderson Cover applying apparatus

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2169973A (en) * 1938-07-18 1939-08-15 White Cap Co Apparatus for feeding and applying closure caps
US2433549A (en) * 1940-08-03 1947-12-30 Crown Cork & Seal Co Container sealing apparatus
US2836947A (en) * 1952-06-23 1958-06-03 Crown Cork & Seal Co Cap feeding and applying mechanism
US2917880A (en) * 1957-04-24 1959-12-22 Owens Illinois Glass Co Method of and apparatus for packaging food products
US3012388A (en) * 1958-10-23 1961-12-12 Anchor Hocking Glass Corp Means for sealing threaded-type containers
US3364653A (en) * 1965-05-05 1968-01-23 Metal Box Co Ltd Apparatus for feeding caps to containers
US3477202A (en) * 1965-11-16 1969-11-11 Skane Emballage Ab Device for placing threaded closures on containers

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2395436A1 (fr) * 1977-06-24 1979-01-19 Caterpillar Tractor Co Ensemble de transmission aux roues pour vehicule
US4571920A (en) * 1983-11-29 1986-02-25 Apv Burnett & Rolfe, Inc. Beer keg capping machine
US4922684A (en) * 1988-01-15 1990-05-08 Pi, Inc. Caps for milk bottles and an applicator for placing caps on bottles
US5426912A (en) * 1990-10-31 1995-06-27 Continental White Cap, Inc. Magnetic cap guide
EP0731055A1 (en) * 1995-03-09 1996-09-11 CarnaudMetalbox plc Capping apparatus
US5699654A (en) * 1995-03-09 1997-12-23 Carnaudmetalbox (Holdings) Usa Inc. Capping apparatus
US20140137521A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2014-05-22 Thomas Niehr Method and linear installation for filling containers with a filling material
US11186392B2 (en) * 2016-02-12 2021-11-30 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Distribution unit for feeding lids to necks of containers
CN107826692A (zh) * 2017-11-15 2018-03-23 青岛德隆装备有限公司 一种直线式钢丝摇摆压盖机
CN107826692B (zh) * 2017-11-15 2023-07-28 青岛德隆装备有限公司 一种直线式钢丝摇摆压盖机
CN114655905A (zh) * 2022-04-24 2022-06-24 成都青软智控科技有限公司 一种用于样本管的旋盖机构

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4892340U (da) 1973-11-06
FI59574B (fi) 1981-05-29
IT978753B (it) 1974-09-20
AU465308B2 (en) 1975-09-25
AU4562772A (en) 1974-02-21
NO136920C (no) 1977-11-30
DK140692C (da) 1980-03-24
GB1408535A (en) 1975-10-01
DK140692B (da) 1979-10-29
JPS5235232Y2 (da) 1977-08-11
NO136920B (no) 1977-08-22
DE2245691C2 (de) 1984-06-14
FI59574C (fi) 1981-09-10
ES410575A1 (es) 1976-06-16
DE2245691A1 (de) 1973-08-09
CA981643A (en) 1976-01-13

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