US557073A - Capsule machine - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

F. A. HUBEL & J. M. SMITH.

CAPSULE MACHINE.

ANDREW RGRAHAM. PHOTO-UTMQWASM NGI'O N. D C

4 SheetS- S-heetB. P. HUBEL & J. M. SMITH.

. (No Model.)

V Patented Mar. 24, 1896.

CAPSULE MAGHINB. No. 557,073.

FIG. 2

AN DREW EGRNMM. PHDTO-UTNQWASHIN EI'ON. D C

(No Model.) I v 4 Sheets-Sheet 3. F. A. HUBEL 8v J. M. SMITH.

CAPSULE MACHINE.

No. 557,073. Patented Mar. 24, 1896.

INVENTOQZS v QMJ jig $98K? I mopcw mum.mmuuimmumaron n c (No Model.) v 4 Sheets-Sheet 4'. F. A.- HUBEL & J. M. SMITH. CAPSULE MACHINE No. 557,073. Pate nted Mar. 24, 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

FREDERICK A. I'IUDEL AND JESSE H. SMITH, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN; SAID SHITII ASSIGNOR TO SAID HUBEL.

CAPSULE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 557,073, dated March 24, 1896.

Application fil d January 20, 1894. Serial No. 497,551. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FREDERICK A. HUBEL and J ESSE M. SMITH, citizens of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of \Vayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Capsule- Outting Machines; and we declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to capsule-cutting machines, and has for its object improvements in that class of machines in which a capsule is trimmed and stripped from the mold upon which it is formed.

The special object. of the improvement is to produce a perfectly-symmetrical evenlytrimmed capsule which shall be accurate in size and holding,capacity, and which shall have its edges smooth and true without being torn or broken.

Another object of our invention is to produce a machine which shall trim and strip the capsule from the mold at one operation.

In the drawings, Figure 1, Sheet 1, shows a front view of the machine. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, shows a view of the right-hand side of the machine. Fig. 3, Sheet 3, shows a vertical section of the machine at right angles to the main shaft; Fig. 4, Sheet 4, shows a top view of the machine with the spreader-head removed. Fig. 5, Sheet 4, shows a horizontal section at line mm, Fig. 1. Fig. 6, Sheet 3, is an enlarged horizontal section of the cutter and pusharms, showing their relation to each other and to a capsule-mold pin. Fig. 7 ,Sheet 2, shows a plan view of the clutch mechanism, showing the inclined lugs and actuating-springs.

The object of the invention is to cut off the end of the capsule to the proper length and to push back the refuse so cut off and leave it apart from the capsule' The capsule is formed by covering the moldpin of the desired shape with a film of gelatine or other substance. One or more of these mold-pins are secured to a plate, and one or more of these plates are operated upon by the machine. In the drawings, a machine is shown to operate upon one mold plate .carryin g eighteen mold-pins, but the machine'may be enlarged to operate on any number of moldplates, carrying any number of pins desired Without departing from the invention.

In this invention the capsules are cut to the proper length by a circular cutter whose cutting-edge rolls on the surface of the moldpin and is held to its work by a yielding pressure in the manner set forth in the patent of Frederick A. Hubel, dated February 13, 187 7 No. 187,279. In the machine of said patent, as used in practice, the cutter, besides being used to out, was also used to push back the refuse material, resulting in rapid and uneven wear of the cutting-edge. In the present invention the cutter is only used for cutting, and is then held back while the push-lips are let into the cut and push'the refuse back.

In the drawings, A A are the side pieces of the frame, properly connected together by the top plate B, cross-bar O, and rods D to form the framework.

E is a table secured to a plate F, which is adjustably secured to'a plate G. The plate F is connected to the frame by means of vertical adjustable guideways II formed in the frame, which permit a vertical motion of the plate and itstable E. (SeeFig. 5.) The plate G has formed on it journal-bearings I in which the shaft J revolves. On the shaft J are rollers K, which roll on the cams L secured to the main shaft M, which shaft is journaled in the frame. The vertical motion of the table E is thus controlled by the cam L.

A single cam L and roller K may be used, but I prefer two.

In order to regulate the length of the capsules the table E and its plate F are made vertically adjustable with reference to the plate G. The means shown in the drawings for obtaining this adjustment consist of two screws N N, intermediate between the bearings I 1, fixed to the plate G and the plate F.

Each screw has fixed to it a pinion O, which engages a gear-wheel P fixed to the shaft Q. The shaft Q is journaled in lugs formed on the plate F, and has fixed to it a handle R, by which it and the gear-wheels and screws N N may be simultaneously turned. The turning of the screws N N by the handle R causes the table E to move vertically, and when the table is at the desired adjustment it is clamped firmly in place by the following-described means: Two studs S S pass loosely through vertical slots in the plate F and are made fast to the plate G. (See Fig. 5.) A yoke T connects the ends of the studs S S, and the position of the yoke is made adjustable by the nuts U U screwed on the studs. A lever V is journaled on the shaft Q. The hub of the lever V is connected to the yoke T by the toggle-link XV. \Vhen the lever V is moved so as to straighten the toggle, as shown in Fig. 5, the plate G is drawn tightly against the plate F, and this same movement clamps the shaft Q.

Other in cans for adjusting and clamping the table E than those described and shown in the drawings may evidently be used without departing from my invention.

A mold-plate is shown at A carrying eighteen capsule-mold pins B. This mold-plate rests on the top of the table E and is held in position on the two sides and back by strips 0 fixed to the table. On the front the mold-plate is held and clai'nped in position by one or more movable dogs l). This dog passes through a slot in the table, the upper end pressing against the edge of the moldplate.

The dog is carried on a rod E, on which it can slide. It is forced inward by a spring F, and is held from moving too far by a collar G on the rod E. The inner end of the rod E is pivoted to a block II, which slides in a notch formed in the plate F. The outer end of the rod E is connected to a crank-shaft I journaled in lugs fixed to the table. A handle J (see Figs. 1 and 2) is fixed to crankshaft 1 and serves to turn it. The handle is provided with suitable catch and stops K K to hold it in its extreme positions. The circular motion of the outer end of the rod E and the linear motion of its inner end causes the dog D to move back and down below the surface of the table when the handle J is moved down to its lower stop K, thus leaving the table clear for placing the mold-plates and removing them.

The cutters are in the form of round disks (1, with sharp edges. (See Figs. 3 to 6.) These cutters are suitably journaled on the ends of arms Z), which are secured at their other ends to revolving heads 0. Each head 0 is secured to one end of a hollow shaft (Z, which is journaled in the top plate 13, and the bar 6 fixed to said top plate. Each shaft (Z has a pinion f fixed to it and another pinion g loose upon it. The alternate shafts (Z have the fixed pinion above the loose one, while the other shafts have the fixed pinion below the loose one. All the upper pinions on all the shafts gear into each other and form one set, while all the lower pinions gear into each other and form a second set.

One set of pinions is driven by one of the gears h and the other set is driven by the other gear 71. The gears h are preferably double the diameter of the pinions f and g,

so that one-half revolution of h will cause a complete revolution of the pinions.

The gears h are fixed to shafts 1', which are journaled in the frame, and are driven by shaftj through miter-gears 7t 7a. The shaftj is also journaled in the frame, and has fixed to it a gear-wheel Z. The gear Z engages a segmental gear on (see Fig. 2) fixed to the main shaft M.

There are two rollers 17. n, which turn on journals fixed to the gear-Wheel Z. These rollers roll 011 the edge of a circular flange 0 fixed concentric on the shaft M. The rollers 72- 91 when in contact with the flange o prevent the shaft j and the cutter'heads c from turning. That part of the flange 0 opposite to the segmental gear on is cut away, so that when the gear m engages the gearl the latter is turned through a little more than one hundred and eighty degrees, until the gear m is disengaged from gear I, when one of the roll ers it comes in contact with the inclined part 1) of the flange 0. The roller 72., in moving up on the incline 17, turns the shaft j slightly backward and then locks the shaft again, when both rollers are on the cylindrical part of the flange 0.

Besides the cutter-arm I), each of thehcads c has fixed to it one or more push-arms q. Each puslrarm is provided at its free end with a lip r projecting inward toward the mold-pin. (See Figs. 3 to 6.)

All the cutter and push-arms are flattened near where they are connected to the heads 0, so as to form springs.

The spring part of the arms are bent to such a form that the free ends of the arms all tend to press inward toward the mold-pin. They are all held out by spreader-rods s s, passing down through the centers of the hollow shafts cl d.

Each cutter and push-arm has a cam-shaped projection 25 on its inner side below the spring, which bears against the spreader-rod and holds the free end of the arm back. The cams t on the cutter-arms are not opposite the cams on the push-arms. The spreaderrods are reduced in diameter, as shown at e.

\Vhen the spreader-rods-are in the position shown in Fig. 3, the cutters and pushers are all held back. If the spreader-rod be pushed down, the cam 75 on the cutter-arm will enter the reduced part c and let the cutter in against the mold-pin, but still hold the pushers out. If the spreader be pushed still farther down, the cam '15 of the cutter-arm will ride up on the rod again and move the cutter out, while the cam i on the pusher will enter the reduced part i) and let the pushers in against the mold-pin. The return of the spreader to its original position will bring the cutter and push-arms to their original positions. (Shown in Figs. 3 and 6.)

Motion is given to the spreader-rods by the means described as follows: All the spreaderrods are connected to a plate a, forming part of the spreader-head I). This head has connected to it two rods 0' c, which are guided for vertical motion by slides (1 cl on the frame. Each rod has a roller 6' journaled to it, which roller travels on the edge of a camdisk f, fixed to the main shaft M. The profile of this cam is shown at f, Fig. 2, which also shows the profile of the table-lifting cam L.

Motion is given to the machine through a pulley g mounted loosely on the main shaft M. The hub of the pulley has formed upon it the teeth h of a clutch. The other half t" of the clutch is connected to rods j, which slide parallel to the shaft in a hub is, which is fixed to the shaft. The ends of the rodsj are connected together by a plate Z, and this plate has fixed to it an inclined lug n. A similar but reversed lug o is fixed to a collar which encircles the hub 7c, and in which the hub freely turns. The collar is formed with an arm m, which is connected by a rod 19 to the end of a lever g, which latter is fixed to a shaft 0* journaled in the frame. Springs k are seated in the hub is, and arranged to force the half-clutch 1 into engagement with the half-clutch h. To the shaft 0" is fixed an arm 8, which engages at its free end with a lug t fixed to one of the .cams f. To the same shaft is fixed an arm 2;, connected by a rod w with the starting-lever x. A spring 2 holds these parts in the position shown in Fig. 2.

The form of driving mechanism, clutch and starting mechanism described and shown .in the drawings is -well adapted for the work; but any other form which will give the required intermittent motion of the main shaft may be used.

The starting mechanism may be connected to the plate-locking handle J, so that the motion of locking the mold-plates will start the machine; also the handle J may be unlocked automatically during the descent of the table E. These are conveniences which add to the rapidity of operation of the machine.

The operation of the machine is described as follows: The machine being at rest, the handle V is moved to unclamp plate F from plate G. The handleR is then moved to raise or lower the table E to an adjustment giving the desired length of capsule. The plates F and G are then clamped by handle V. The mold plate or plates, having the mold-pins covered with gelatine, or other substance of proper consistence, are then placed on the table and moved back against the stop 0. The locking-handle J is then turned so as to throw the dogs D up and lock the plates in position. The starting-handle so is next moved so as to throw the end of arm S out of engagement with lug t and at the same time move the arm m so that the inclined lug 0 travels past the lug n. This motion unlocks the main shaft M and also permits the two halves of the clutch h t" to be brought into engagement with each other by the springs 70 so that the motion of the pulley g is communicated to the shaft M. The shaft M revolves until the inclined lug n moves up onto the lug 0 and draws the half-clutch 2" out of engagement with the half-clutch h, when the motion of the shaft ceases and is positively stopped by the lug t coming in contact with the end of arms 5. During the one complete revolution of the main shaft the motion of the other parts succeed each other in the following order: The table is first raised by the cam L till the cut-0E line is directly opposite the edge of the cutters and rests in that position. Next the spreader-rods are moved down by cam f, which lets the cutters in against the mold-pins and then rest. The segmental gear m then engages the gear Z, which causes the cutters to turn about and in contact with the mold-pins and cut off the capsule. Near the end of this last movement the spreaders are moved down so as to throw the cutters out and then rest. At about the same time the roller 01, traveling on the incline 19, turns the cutters back to their original position, where they rest and are locked by the two rollers n n, resting on the circular flange 0. Next the table is raised by cam L until the cut-off line comes just opposite the lips r of the pushers and then comes to rest. The spreaders are then moved down, letting the lips of the pushers in against the moldpins and they rest. The table is then raised again and the refuse is pushed back on the mold-pins, as shown in Fig. 3, and it rests. The spreaders are then raised by the cam f to their original position, (shown in Fig. 3,) thus moving and holding the cutter and pusharms out and they rest. The table is now lowered by the cam L, which is positively stopped in its original position by the lug If and arm .9. The locking-handle J is next thrown down, and the mold-plates removed, thus completing the cycle.

WVhat we claim is 1. In a machine for trimming gelatine capsules, the combination of a table for holding the molds, a cutter adapted to roll in contact with the capsule whereby the lower edge of the capsule is trimmed oft, a push-lip, having its edge arranged at right angles to the axis of said capsule and adapted toengage in the cut formed by said cutter at the time that said cutter is disengaged therefrom, and means for adjusting said table, whereby the refuse is pushed back in a line parallel with the axis of said capsule, substantially as described.

2. In a capsule-trimming machine, the combination of a supporting-frame with a table supported in said frame, arms supported at the lower ends of hollow shafts, revolving cutters and push-lips secured at the lower ends of said arms, adjustable rods within said hollow shafts having a reduced part at their lower ends, lugs on said arms adapted to en gage the lower ends and reduced parts of said rods, whereby said cutters and push-lips are forced into and out of engagement with said capsules, and means for revolving said hollow shafts whereby said cutters and push-lips aremade to turn around said capsules, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a capsule-trimming machine, the combination of a supporting-frame, a table adapted to support the plate carrying mold-pins, hollow shafts j ournaled in the upper end of said supporting-frame, cutters and push-lips supported from the lower ends of said hollow shafts, means for rotating said hollow shafts whereby said cutters and push-lips are made to turn around said capsules, rods within said hollow shafts having their upper ends engaged with a yoke, cam-wheels supported on a shaft journaled in said frame and adapted to raise and lower said rods whereby said cutters and push-lips are brought into and out of engagement with said capsules, means for driving said shaft, and means for stopping said shaft at every complete revolution, substantially as, and for the purpose described.

4:. In a capsule-trimming machine, the combination of a supporting-frame, a table adj ustably supported in said frame, vertical hollow shafts journaled in the upper end of the frame, sprin g-arms supported at the lower ends of said hollow shafts, revolving cutters and push-lips secured at the lower ends of said spring-arms, adjustable rods within said hollow shafts having a reduced part at their lower ends, lugs on said spring-arms adapted to engage the lower ends and reduced parts of said rods whereby said cutters and pushlips are forced out of, or allowed to spring into engagement with the capsules, and means for revolving said hollow shafts whereby said cutters are made to roll around and trim said capsules, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In acapsuletrimming machine, the combination of a supporting-frame, a table mounted in said frame, adapted to support plates carrying mold-pins, cutters and push-lips adapted to rotate around said mold-pins, means whereby said mold-pins are given an intermittent movement with respect to the cutters and push-lips, and means whereby said cutters and push-lips are swung into and outof engagement with said mold-pins, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In a capsule-trimming machine, the combination of a supporting-frame, an auxiliary frame guided in ways formed in said supporting-frame and carrying a table, said table adapted to support a plate having mold-pins mounted thereon, means whereby said plate is firmly secured to said table, a shaft carrying rollers at its outer ends, journaledin said auxiliary frame, a second shaft journaled in said supporting-frame, and carrying camwheels adapted to engage with said rollers whereby said auxiliary frame is compelled to rise and lower at every complete revolution of said cam-wheels, a loose driving-pulley mounted on said second shaft, and means for starting and stopping said cam-wheels at every complete revolution, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof we sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK A. I-IUBEL. JESSE M. SMITH. Witnesses:

CHARLES F. BURTON, FRANCES CLoUcH.

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