US3898898A

US3898898A - Method and apparatus for opening barrels

Info

Publication number: US3898898A
Application number: US425108A
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony R Peres
Original assignee: Peres Electronic Machinery Inc
Current assignee: Peres Electronic Machinery Inc
Priority date: 1973-05-25
Filing date: 1973-12-17
Publication date: 1975-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 1992-08-12

Abstract

A method and apparatus for opening barrels comprising a table for rotatably supporting a barrel and a cutting blade movable in response to a source of low fluid pressure into engagement with the top of the barrel, and then movable in response to a source of high fluid pressure causing the cutting blade to pierce the barrel top. Rotation is imparted to the barrel in timed relation to the application of the high pressure source to assure movement of the barrel before the high pressure is applied to the cutting blade. The barrel opener has a brush and vacuum source for cleaning off the barrel top up stream of the cutting blade. Rotation of the barrel through a little over one revolution causes the blade to sever the circular top from the barrel. The barrel opener is further provided with a gripping mechanism for releasably gripping the severed barrel top, and mechanical apparatus for sequentially (1) simultaneously lowering and tilting the severed barrel top to relieve the pressure in the barrel, (2) raising and tilting the barrel top in the opposite direction for leveling the barrel top (3) positioning a wiper blade in a barrel top wiping position, (4) swinging the gripping mechanism and severed barrel top gripped thereby across the wiper blade for wiping off the excess product from the undersurface of the barrel top, and (5) deactivating the gripping mechanism for releasing the barrel top into a storage bin after it has been moved clear of the barrel body.

Description

United States Patent [191 Peres 1 Aug. 12, 1975 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPENING [57] ABSTRACT BARRELS A method and apparatus for opening barrels compris- [75] inventor: Anthony R. Peres, Bristol, NY. ing a table for rotatably supporting a barrel and a cutting blade movable in response to a source of low fluid [73] Asslgnee' S i 2 tymlc Machines pressure into engagement with the top of the barrel,

n and then movable in response to a source of high fluid [22] Filed: Dec. 17, 1973 pressure causing the cutting blade to pierce the barrel 21 Appl. No: 425,108

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 364,055, May 25,

1973, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 82/47; 82/48; 82/101; 30/4 A; 30/6.4; 30/155 [51] Int. Cl B23b l/00 [58] Field of Search 30/8, l4, 15, 15.5, 6.4, 30/4 R; 82/46, 48, 50, 101, 102

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,262,994 4/1918 Stokes et a1. 30/6.4 1,370,943 3/1921 Boyd et a1 i 30/8 3,156,044 11/1964 Congdon et al..... 30/4 R 3,667,120 6/1972 Krist 30/155 3,739,471 6/1973 Peres 30/4 A Primary Examiner-Leonidas Vlachos Attorney, Agent, or FirmStonebraker, Shepard & Stephens 62 I 82 I06 1 I 32 "5B {1 34- l I 2 I l l top. Rotation is imparted to the barrel in timed relation to the application of the high pressure source to assure movement of the barrel before the high pressure is applied to the cutting blade. The barrel opener has a brush and vacuum source for cleaning off the barrel top up stream of the cutting blade. Rotation of the barrel through a little over one revolution causes the blade to sever the circular top from the barrel. The barrel opener is further provided with a gripping mechanism for releasably gripping the severed barrel top, and mechanical apparatus for sequentially (l) simultaneously lowering and tilting the severed barrel top to relieve the pressure in the barrel, (2) raising and tilting the barrel top in the opposite direction for leveling the barrel top (3) positioning a wiper blade in a barrel top wiping position, (4) swinging the gripping mechanism and severed barrel top gripped thereby across the wiper blade for wiping off the excess product from the undersurface of the barrel top, and (5) deactivating the gripping mechanism for releasing the barrel top into a storage bin after it has been moved clear of the barrel body.

9 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures FATENTEU 1 @975 3, 898,898

SHEET 3 2 STORAGE BIN COMPRESSED .4 A IR 5 g IO PSI V EXHAUST LINES SHEET FIG.

FIG. I2

FIG- l5 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPENING BARRELS RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part of a parent divisional application Ser. No. 364,055 filed May 25, 1973, and now abandoned based on a grandparent application Ser. No. 154,023 filed June 17, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,739,472. The parent divisional application to be abandoned upon the filing of this continuation-in-part application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to container opening mechanism, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for opening barrels.

2. Description of Prior Art It is known in the prior art to provide power-operated opening mechanism for cans, barrels, and the like. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,610,094, 1,892,582 and 2,711,580, power-operated electric can openers are disclosed in which a can is placed on a rotatable turntable which moves the can relative to a fixed cutter blade. U.S. Pat. No. 2,441,322 discloses an electric can opener in which the turntable carrying the can is raised causing the can to engage a stationary cutting blade, and to operate a switch energizing a motor that drives a cam rim rotating element for rotating the can and severing the top off of the can as the can rotates. US. Pat. Nos. 2,886,887 and 3,110,962, relate to barrel openers in which a cutting mechanism is mountable on and movable around the top of the barrel to cut off the top. Although the aforementioned patents disclose mechanisms for opening cans, barrels and the like, such container opening mechanisms are susceptible to jamming due to the fact that maximum force is applied to the cutting blade prior to or simultaneously with the application of force to the container for rotating it. In addition, none of the prior art patents discloses a container opening mechanism that automatically sequentially cuts the top off of the container, grips the severed top and tilts it to relieve the pressure in the barrel or under ,the top, raises and levels the top, wipes off the excess product from the bottom of the barrel top as it is swung away from the container, and then releases the barrel top into a storage bin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention includes within its scope a method and apparatus for opening a barrel. The barrel opening apparatus comprises a turntable for rotatably supporting a barrel releasably held thereon by a quick release clamp. A cutting means comprising a rotatable cutting wheel is mounted above the top of the barrel, and a power means is provided for applying low fluid pressure to the cutting means for moving the cutting wheel toward the top of the barrel, and then applying high fluid pressure to the wheel after it engages the top causing the wheel to pierce the top. Drive means is provided for imparting rotation to the turntable and barrel prior to the application of the high fluid pressure to the cutting wheel. As a consequence, possible jamming of the barrel rotating mechanism is minimized. After the barrel has been rotated slightly over one revolution to cut the circular top from the barrel, barrel top gripping means comprising a suction means or an electromagnet is moved into engagement with the severed top for releasably gripping it. A pneumatic-mechanical control means is provided for controlling the gripping means, and initially tilts and preferably simultaneously lowers the gripping means with the top gripped thereby for tilting the top to release the pressure in the barrel. The control means then lifts and levels the gripping means and top above the barrel, and then swings the gripping means and barrel top causing the undersurface of the top to move across a blade previously moved into a wiping position at one edge of the barrel top for wiping off any excess product from the undersurface back into the barrel. The gripping means and top are moved until the barrel top clears the barrel body and is in vertical register with a storage bin. The gripping means is deactuated releasing the barrel top which dropsinto the bin.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for opening a barrel in which rotation is imparted to the barrel before a cutting blade is pressed into engagement therewith.

Another object of the invention isto provide a method and apparatus for opening a barrel in which initially a low pressure force is applied to a cutting means for moving the cutting means into engagement with the barrel top, and then a high pressure force is applied to the cutting means causing it to pierce the barrel top.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for automatically severing the top of a barrel, gripping the severed top, tilting the top I to relieve the pressure in the barrel, raising and leveling the barrel top, and simultaneously swinging the barrel top away from the barrel body and wiping off any excess product on the undersurface of the top during such movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically opening a barrel that is of simple design and construction, reliable in operation, and economical to manufacture.

The invention and its objects and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presented below. I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barrel opening mechanism of this invention with the barrel omitted for purposes of clarity.

FIG. 2 is a segmental view in perspective of the cutting wheel and rim follower in a cutting position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a gripper;

FIGS. 4-8 are partially schematic, elevational views of the barrel opener of FIG. 1 proceeding through a sequence of operations to open a barrel;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram view showing a pneumatic system for operating a cylinder;

FIG. 10 is a partially schematic bottom view of a guide roller and cutter wheel assembly for another preferred embodiment of the inventive barrel opener;

FIG. 11 is a partially schematic plan view of the guide roller and cutter wheel assembly of FIG. 10 positioned relative to a barrel to the opened;

FIG. 12 is a partially schematic side elevational view of the guide roller and cutter wheel assembly of FIGS. and 11;

FIG. 13 is a partially schematic, partially crosssectional view of the cutter wheel of the assembly of FIGS. 10-12 cutting through the outer lip of the cover rim of a barrel;

FIG. 14 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional view of a severed outer lip of a cover rim after retraction of the cutter wheel; and

FIG. 15 is a partially schematic, partially crosssectional, side elevational view of a compressed air punch for loosening a severed cover from a barrel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings, the barrel opening mechanism of this invention comprises a flat, horizontally oriented bed 10 mounted on adjustable legs 12 and rotatably supporting a vertically extending shaft 14, the upper end of which is rigidly secured to the center of a circular turntable 16. The turntable is provided with a plurality of peripheral, depending casters 18 which ride on the upper surface of bed 10. The turntable 16 has an arcuate, vertically-extending retaining rail 20 along a portion of the periphery of the table which is engageable by the lower end of a barrel 22- mounted on the turntable. The barrel 22 is releasably held on the turntable and against rail 20 by a quick release clamp 24 of any suitable type adapted to encircle the barrel and to be quickly latched and unlatched. The shaft 14, turntable 16, and barrel 22 are rotatable as a unit by any suitable drive mechanism as best seen in FIG. 4 such as a motor 26 mounted on bed 10 for rotatably driving sprockets, one secured to the motor shaft and the other secured to shaft 14, through an endless chain 28 trained over the sprockets.

A pair of spaced apart vertically extending side frame members 30 are rigidly secured to opposite sides of bed 10 adjacent the rear of turntable 16 by any suitable means such as bolts or welding. The side frame members '30 are further secured together by upper and lower horizontally-extending cross-bars 32. A barrel support roller 34 is mounted on each side frame member 30, and the rollers are engageable by a barrel rim 36 when the barrel is mounted on the turntable as seen in FIG. 4 for properly locating the upper end of barrel 22 relative to a cutting means. The cutting means as best seen in FIG. 2 comprises a housing 38 slidably mounted on a pair of vertically extending shafts 40 supported between the upper and lower cross-bars 32. A laterally extending shaft 42 is journaled for rotation in housing 38, and a circular follower 44 having a peripheral notch for receiving the upper barrel rim 46, and a cutting or shearing wheel blade 48 having a V-shaped peripheral cutting edge and secured by a nut to shaft 42 for rotation therewith. An arcuate shroud 50 encircles the upper portion of cutting wheel 48 and has a wire brush 52 secured to the front end thereof for brushing the barrel top 54 and removing any foreign matter therefrom upstream or in the path of cutting wheel 48. The shroud 50 is connected by a hose to any suitable vacuum source, not shown, for sucking away any foreign matter dislodged by brush 52 and cutting wheel 48. The cutting wheel and housing 38 are movable between a normal rest position as seen schematically in FIG. 4 in which cutting wheel 48 is spaced above barrel 22, and a cutting position as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 in" which cutting wheel 48 piercesthe barrel top 54 adjacent rim 46 for severing the barrel top. Movement of the housing 38 and cutting wheel 48 is achieved by any suitable fluid cylinder such as an air cylinder 56 secured to the lower cross-bar 32 and having a cylinder rod 58 secured to cutter housing 38. The air cylinder 56 may be of any known type as shown schematically in FIG. 9 having an air port at each end connected by tubing to any suitable air valve 60 commercially available on the market. The valve is pneumatically connectable to two sources of air pressure, a low source of substantially 10 pounds per square inch and a high source substantially in the range of 80 100 pounds per square inch. By sequentially operating valve 60, the low pressure air source is initially connected to the proper end of air cylinder 56 for moving the cutting wheel 48 into engagement with barrel top 54. Substantially when this occurs, the same port is connected by valve 60 to the higher pressure source causing the cutting wheel 48 to pierce the barrel top 54. After barrel 22 has rotated a sufficient distance to sever top 54, air valve 60 is again actuated to connect one port to exhaust and the other port to the low pressure source for returning the cutting wheel 48 to its normal rest position. In order to reduce the noise and minimize anyshock or damage to housing 38 and/or cutting means, shock absorbers 62 of any suitable type are interposed between the housing and upper cross-bar 32.

The barrel opening mechanism is further provided with gripping means for gripping the circular barrel top 54 after it is severed from barrel 22, pneumaticmechanical control means for controlling movement of the gripping means to accomplish certain objectives, and wiping means for wiping off any excess product from the undersurface of the severed barrel top 54. The barrel top gripping means (See FIG. 1 preferably comprises suction means 64 rigidly secured to one end of an arm 66 that is pivotally mounted via a spherical bearing 68 or the like intermediate its ends on a horizontally swingable boom 70. The suction means 64 comprises a bell-shaped member connectable by a hose 72 to any suitably controlled suction or vacuum source. The opposite end of arm 66 is pivotally secured to a cylinder rod 74 of a tilt air cylinder 76 mounted on boom 70. Actuation of cylinder 76 controls pivotal or tilting movement of suction bell 64. The swing boom is secured to a vertically extending shaft 78 slidably journaled in upper and lower arms 80 of a U shaped bracket 82 rigidly secured to one of the side frames 30. The shaft 78 is axially movable within arms 80 by a lift air cylinder 84 secured to lower arm 80 of bracket 82, and having a cylinder rod, not visible in FIG. 1, secured by a link 86 and sleeve 88 to a necked down cylindrical portion of shaft 78. Accordingly, actuation of lift air cylinder 84 transmits axial movement to shaft 78 for moving boom 70 and suction bell 64 vertically up or down. The lower end of shaft 78 extends through the housing of an air motor 90 secured to frame member 30, and is coupled by any suitable means, not shown, to air motor 90. When the air motor is actuated, shaft 78 is rotated causing the swing boom 70 secured thereto and suction bell 64 to move from their normal rest positions, in which the suction bell is out of vertical register or alignment with barrel 22, through an angle to a registered position, in which the suction bell 64 is directly above barrel top 54. Although the suction bell 64 is a preferable form of gripping means, an electromagnetic 92 as shown in FIG. 3 may also be used.

The wiping means as best seen in FIG. 1 for wiping off any excess product from the undersurface of the severed barrel top 54 cmprises an L-shaped plate 94 secured to lower bracket arm 80 and having a laterally extending pin 96 forming a pivot for a wiper arm 98 to which a preferably arcuately shaped wiper blade 100 of a radius substantially equal to the radius of the barrel is ad justably secured. The wiper blade is movable by an air cylinder 102 pivotally mounted to bracket 82 and having the bent end of its cylinder rod 104 pivotally secured to wiper arm 98. Accordingly, actuation of wiper blade air cylinder 102 pivotally moves wiper arm 98 and blade 100 from its normal rest position as seen in FIG. 1 to a wiping position as seen in FIG. 7 in which the blade 100 is horizontally positioned. Adjustment means are provided between cylinder rod 104 and wiper arm 98 in the form of a plurality of openings in the arm for receiving the end of cylinder rod 104. Further adjustment may be provided by constructing wiper arm 98 from two threadably engaged parts, not shown. If desired, the wiper blade 100 may be a straight blade rather than arcuately shaped, and suitable product catching means provided for catching any wiped off product that is not wiped off directly into the barrel.

The drive motor 26, air motor 90 ,and

air cylinders

56, 76, 84 and 102 are all operated in timed sequence by an electric-pneumatic logic system of any known type mounted in part in a boxlike panel 106 secured by any suitable means to frame members 30. The electricpneumatic logic system shown schematically in FIG. 9 comprises a plurality of timing units of any suitable type for each of the barrel opening operations for actuating suitable solenoids or relays in timed sequence for controlling any suitable air valves for simultaneously connecting a source of pressurized or compressed air to one side of a cylinder position and the opposite side of the piston to exhaust. The timing units, air cylinders, air valves, relays, etc., are all commercially available components, and may be pneumatically and electrically connected together in any suitable way.

In the operation of this invention in accordance with one possible sequence of operations, the barrel opening mechanism is normally in its rest position as seen schematically in FIG. 4. A barrel 22 to be opened is placed on turntable 16 against retaining rail 20 by any suitable conveyor, portable barrel cart or hoist, not shown. The barrel 22 is secured to turntable 16 by guide release clamp 24. The operator depresses any suitable start button, not shown, and drive motor 26 is energized for rotating the barrel and turntable as a unit. After approximately l/30th of a second delay provided by a timing unit or time-delay mechanism, the power is connected to a solenoid or relay which moves an air valve 60 to a position for introducing compressed air under pressure of substantially pounds per square inch to the cutting wheel air cylinder 56 for moving cutting wheel 48 and rim follower 44 into engagement with barrel top 54 and rim 46 respectively. As soon as this occurs, another relay is actuated moving valve 60 to a position for introducing air under pressure of substantially 80 100 pounds per square inch to cutting wheel air cylinder 56 for forcing the cutting wheel 48 through barrel top 54, and severing the top as barrel 22 is rotated. After the barrel has been rotated a sufficient distance to completely sever the top, which is normally a little more than one revolution, a timing unit disconnects the power to drive motor 26 for stopping further rotation of barrel 22. The timing unit actuates another relay moving an air valve to a position for introducing air under pressure to air motor 90 for swinging boom and bell member 64 of the suction means from their rest positions as seen in FIG. 4 to a registered position in which suction bell 64 is directly over barrel top 54. The valve is turned off and the suction bell 64 remains in its registered position. At this time, the timing mechanism actuates a relay for introducing pressurized air to lift air cylinder 84 for moving suction bell 64 vertically downwardly and into engagement with barrel top 54 as seen in full lines in FIG. 6. Substantially when this occurs, the timing unit actuates a valve connecting suction bell 64 to a source of vacuum, causing bell 64 to releasably grip barrel top 54. The timing unit actuates another relay for actuating an air valve for introducing pressurized air to tilt cylinder 76 for simultaneously tilting suction bell 64 as lift cylinder 84 preferably continues to move the bell downwardly. The result of this action is to tilt barrel top 54 as seen dotted in FIG. 6 to relieve the pressure in the barrel or under the barrel top. The timing unit actuates another pair of relays for simultaneously moving the air valves for the tilt and lift

cylinders

76, 84 respectively in positions for introducing air to the opposite sides of the cylinders causing barrel top 54 to be lifted above the top of barrel 22 and to be moved to a level horizontal position as seen in FIG. 7. The timing unit actuates another relay and an air valve to introduce air under pressure to wiper blade cylinder 102 for pivoting wiper blade 100 from its rest position as seen in FIG. 1 to its wiping position as seen in FIG. 7. If desired, this operation of moving wiper blade 100 to its wiping position may be preferably accomplished prior to swinging boomt 70 to its registered position in which suction bell 64 is directly over barrel top 54. The timing unit then actuates a relay for operating an air valve coupled to air motor for driving the air motor in the opposite direction for rotating shaft 78, swinging boom 70, suction bell 64 and barrel top 54 across wiper blade which wipes into barrel 22 or any suitable catching means any excess product from the undersurface of barrel top 54. When boom 70 and suction bell 64 are returned to their normal rest positions as seen in FIG. 8, relays are actuated for moving air valves into positions for returning wiper blade 100 to its rest position and disabling air motor 90. Also, at this time, the timing unit actuates a relay disconnecting the vacuum source to suction bell 64 causing it to drop barrel top 54 into any suitable storage bin or the like.

Experience with the invention since the original application was filed has led to some improvements shown in FIGS. 10-15 and described below. Generally, these include a better way of severing the cover and a better way of loosening the severed cover from the barrel.

It has been discovered through experience with the invention that there is less chance of getting dirt or metal scraps into the contents of the barrel if the severing cut is made on the outer lip of the cover outside the wall of the barrel. Barrel covers have a rim formed to fit over the upper edge of the barrel wall, and the rim has an outer lip tightly pressed against the outer wall of the barrel to hold the cover in place. Making the severing cut in the outer lip of the cover rim keeps the cut ting process outside the barrel wall, prevents any dirt or metal scrap from getting into the contents of the barrel, and is preferred for health and safety reasons.

Making the cut through the outer lip of the cover rim makes the severed cover more difficult to remove, because the upper part of its rim and the radially inner wall of its rim are still tightly engaging the top edge of the barrel wall. To overcome this difficulty, the invention includes a better way of loosening the severed cover from the barrel by using compressed air directed into the barrel through a hole in the cover to the region of the underside of the cover to pop the cover loose from the barrel. The hole can be made before or after the cover lip is severed, and a punch making the hole can be hollow and fed with compressed air for popping the cover loose.

FIGS. 10-12 schematically show a guide roller and cutter wheel assembly 11 for making the preferred cut through the outer lip of the cover rim of a barrel 13. Assembly 11 is driven up and down guide bars 40 by air cylinder 56 through a pair of connecting rods 15 in a similar way that cutter housing 38 is moved vertically.

'Assembly 11 is raised up for positioning barrel 13 in place for rotation or for removing barrel 13 after severing its cover, and assembly 11 is lowered to the position of FIG. 12 for making the preferred cut through the outer lip of the cover rim.

Assembly 11 has an inner guide roller 17, and a pair of outer guide rollers 19 for riding respectively on the inner and outer surfaces of rim 21 of cover 23. Assembly 11 also includes cutter wheel 25 that is movable radially relative to rim 21 by air cylinder 27, and a pair of

guide rollers

29 and 31 are arranged concentrically with cutter wheel 25 and respectively above and below cutter wheel 25. Air cylinder 27 preferably moves cutter wheel 25 into engagement with rim 21 by low pressure air for relatively gentle contact between cutter wheel 25 and rim 21, and then air cylinder 27 applies high pressure air to cutter wheel 25 to drive cutter wheel 25 into the outer lip of rim 21 for severing cover 23 from barrel 13.

The severing cut is best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 where cutter wheel 25 is shown in FIG. 13 as being driven .into the outer lip 37 of rim 21 of cover 23 outside the wall 39 of barrel 13.

Guide rollers

29 and 31 are arranged to engage outer lip 37 to limit the depth of insertion of cutter wheel 25 into outer lip 37. When barrel 13 is rotated sufficiently so that cutter wheel 25 fully cuts through outer lip 37, a ring 41 is cut away from the outer edge of outer lip 37 as best shown in FIG. 14, and this allows removal of cover 23 from barrel 13.

Loosening of cover 23 is preferably done as shown in FIG. 15 with a punch 43 that punches a hole in cover 23 and is hollow so that compressed air can be directed through a line 45 into punch 43 and out an opening 47 into the region of the underside of cover 23. The compressed air builds up a pressure between contents 49 in barrel 13 and the underside of cover 23 to pop cover 23 loose from the upper edge of sidewall 39. A guard 51 prevents cover 23 from flying upward out of control.

Punch 43 can be inserted into cover 23 either manually or pneumatically, and a hole in cover 23 can be manually made with a separate punch so that air from a separate compressed air line can be manually directed to the hole to the undersurface of cover 23. Also, a cover engaging, tilting, lifting, and wiping mechanism such as described above can be used in co- 8 operation with punch 43 or after operation of punch 43 for raising and removing severed cover 23.

Parts for supporting a movable cutter wheel, for rotating the barrel, and arrangements of air cylinders for moving such parts can be varied in many ways. Guide rollers and cutter wheels can also be arranged in different ways and made of different materials for generally steadying and guiding the rim of the barrel so that the cutter wheel can make the desired cutwithout damage to the cutter wheel. The preferred barrel opener can be fully automatic including cover removal or can be partially manual in its operation.

Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that other embodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances. Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing and defining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or related embodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this application but falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, those skilled in the art will be able to vary many of the parts and operations within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A barrel opening method comprising:

a. securing said barrel on a rotatable stand;

b. lowering a guide roller and cutter wheel assembly into engagement with the rim of the cover for said barrel;

c. using low pressure air to bring said cutter wheel into contact with the outer lip of said cover rim outside the wall of said barrel;

(1. rotating said stand to rotate said barrel with said guide rollers riding on both the inside and outside said cover rim;

e. using high pressure air for driving said cutter wheel radially inward into said outer lip of said cover rim as said barrel is rotating to cut through said outer lip to the outside of said barrel wall; and

f. removing said cover. v

2. The method of claim 1 including punching a hole in said cover and directing compressed air through said hole under said cover to loosen said cover from said barrel.

3. The method of claim 2 including punching said hole after severance of said outer lip of said cover.

4. The method of claim 3 including using a punch for both punching said hole and directing said compressed air into said barrel under said cover.

5. The method of claim 1 including using a gripping means for lifting said severed cover from said barrel.

6. A barrel opener having means for rotating said barrel on a stand and comprising:

a. a guide roller and cutter wheel assembly;

b. means for lowering said guide roller and cutter wheel assembly into engagement with the cover of said barrel so said'guide rollers ride on the rim of said cover;

0. said cutter whee] being disposed radially outward from the outer lip of said cover rim outside the wall of said barrel;

d. low pressure pneumatic means for urging said cutter wheel radially inward against said outer lip of said cover rim;

e. high pressure pneumatic means for driving said cutter wheel radially inward into said'outer lip of said cover rim as. said barrel is rotating to cut 8. The barrel opener of claim 6 including a punch for punching a hole in said cover and means for directing compressed air through said hole and under said cover to loosen said severed cover from said barrel.

9. The barrel opener of claim 6 including means for gripping said severed cover for liftingg said cover from said barrel.

Claims

1. A barrel opening method comprising: a. securing said barrel on a rotatable stand; b. lowering a guide roller and cutter wheel assembly into engagement with the rim of the cover for said barrel; c. using low pressure air to bring said cutter wheel into contact with the outer lip of said cover rim outside the wall of said barrel; d. rotating said stand to rotate said barrel with said guide rollers riding on both the inSide and outside said cover rim; boom e. using high pressure air for driving said cutter wheel radially inward into said outer lip of said cover rim as said barrel is rotating to cut through said outer lip to the outside of said barrel wall; and f. removing said cover.

6. A barrel opener having means for rotating said barrel on a stand and comprising: a. a guide roller and cutter wheel assembly; b. means for lowering said guide roller and cutter wheel assembly into engagement with the cover of said barrel so said guide rollers ride on the rim of said cover; c. said cutter wheel being disposed radially outward from the outer lip of said cover rim outside the wall of said barrel; d. low pressure pneumatic means for urging said cutter wheel radially inward against said outer lip of said cover rim; e. high pressure pneumatic means for driving said cutter wheel radially inward into said outer lip of said cover rim as said barrel is rotating to cut through said outer lip to the outside of said barrel wall to sever said cover from said barrel; and f. means for removing said severed cover from said barrel.

7. The barrel opener of claim 6 including guide rollers concentric with said cutter wheel on opposite sides of said cutter wheel for engaging said outer lip of said cover rim.

8. The barrel opener of claim 6 including a punch for punching a hole in said cover and means for directing compressed air through said hole and under said cover to loosen said severed cover from said barrel.