Closure transferring mechanism

The present invention relates to a mechanism, system and method for transferring closures. More specifically, the invention relates to a mechanism, system and method for transferring a closure from a first station, preferably a closure chute to a second station, preferably a closure chuck, through the use of a button with a lobe.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mechanism and system for transferring closures. More specifically, the invention relates to a mechanism and system for transferring a closure from a first station, preferably a closure chute to a second station, preferably a closure chuck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a traditional capping operation, closures are transferred from a feeder to a capper for placing the closure on a suitable object. With the advent of thermoplastics and other flexible materials, closures such as caps often times are not cylindrical, and are referred to as “out-of-round” or oval. The larger the cap, the deeper the cap and the thinner the material from which it is made, the more likely it is that the cap will have “out of round” or ovality issues. Traditional capping apparatus often times have difficulty in handling out-of-round caps. However, caps that have a tendency to be out-of-round are often requested from a purchaser for functional, cost or aesthetic reasons. Therefore, an apparatus capable of handling out-of-round closures is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a capping mechanism capable of handling closures, including out-of round closures. The mechanism can be capable of transferring a closure with an opening of a predetermined intended width from a first station to a second station. The system comprises a button attached to a moving device. The moving device can be capable of moving the button from proximate the first station to proximate the second station. The button can be capable of removing the closure from the first station and delivering it to the second station.

The button can have a base having an outer portion which tapers inward and upward toward a substantially planar inner portion. Preferably, the inner portion has a width that is greater than the intended width of the closure. The button can also have at least one lobe extending substantially perpendicular from the base. Preferably, the lobe can have a bottom section proximate the base, a middle section and a top section, and can define a lobe perimeter that tapers outward from the bottom section to the middle section and tapers inward from the middle section to the top section. Preferably, the width of the lobe perimeter at the middle section is slightly less than the intended width of the closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is often desirable to place a plurality of closures12onto a plurality of containers58or other suitable devices. Typically, the closures12will be transported to a capping facility in a cardboard box or other suitable device. The closures12can then be removed from the box and placed into a feeding mechanism8, which can be any mechanism capable of feeding closures12into a capping operation.

A preferred embodiment of the current invention is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. As can be seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, a feeding mechanism8can have a closure chute10that holds a number of closures12. Preferably, the closures12are perfectly round. However, due to manufacturing or other inconsistencies, closures12can be out-of-round or oval. Each closure12has a closure base14and a side wall16that extends from the closure base14at preferably a right angle or close thereto to form an open end17. The sidewall16has a thickness18and, in round caps, defines an inner diameter20and an outer diameter22. The sidewall16of oval caps will define an oval shape having a narrow axis24and a broad axis26. In practice, the intended or desired width of a closure12will be the inner diameter20of a substantially round closure12.

Preferably, the closure chute10has an end28that allows for the exit of one closure12at a time. Preferably, the closure chute10is at an angle relative to horizontal such that gravity helps to move the closures12toward the end28. The closure chute10may vibrate or have a moving surface (not shown) to help move the closures12toward the end28. The closure chute10preferably has a narrow section25that is slightly wider than a closure12, which helps to feed closures one at a time. More preferably, the narrow section25is adjustable so that it can easily handle closures12of different diameters. The closure chute10preferably has hold backs30which will hold a closure12at the end28. While held at the end28, an oval closure12can be in a position where it is predominately narrow axis24or broad axis26leading.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the button40can be returnably moved to the chute10in an assembly line fashion. The button40can be mounted on a shaft (not shown) which is movable by a motor (not shown), manually, or other suitable means. In a preferred embodiment, the button40can be mounted on a turret32. As used herein, the word turret is not intended to denote only a circular moving mechanism, but also one that can move in a longitudinal linear path or other suitable direction. In a preferred embodiment, the turret32can have a center point34and an outside perimeter36which is preferably capable of rotating around turret center point34. The turret32can be rotated manually, but more preferably by a motor (not shown) or other suitable device. Preferably, at least one button40can be disposed on the perimeter36of the turret32. Preferably, the turret32is located such that the button40can be rotated so that can come into contact with a closure12at the end17of the closure chute10and can remove the closure12from the chute10. Further, replicating devices known in the art can be used to remove the closure from the chute, and may align the button40similarly.

As can be seen inFIGS. 1-4, the button40can have a base42that is preferably wider than the outer diameter22of the closure12. Preferably, the base42is circular. In one embodiment, the hold backs30of the chute10can be set at a predetermined distance apart from each other. With this predetermined distance, all round closures12in the chute10may be expected to protrude relatively the same amount from the chute10, allowing the button40to properly pull the closures12from the chute10. However, oval closures12may be narrow axis24or broad axis26leading. If the closures12are narrow axis24leading, the closures12may protrude further past the hold backs30than a round closure12. If the closures12are broad axis26leading, the closure12may not protrude as far past the hold backs30as a round closure12.

In a preferred embodiment, the base42has a substantially planar inner portion44and a tapered portion41. Preferably, the tapered portion41is the outer portion of the base42, however, the tapered portion41may be a non-integral feature (not shown) capable of being attached to the button40proximate a lead lobe50extending from the base42. In one embodiment, the tapered portion41tapers inward and upward toward the lobe50. The tapered portion41allows for the button40to remove closures12that protrude different distances from the cap chute10due to the closures being oval. Closures12protruding beyond a predetermined amount may make first contact with the tapered portion41of the button40. As the button40passes the chute10, the angled nature of the tapered portion41can allow a closure12that protrudes beyond the predetermined amount to slide upward toward inner portion44, allowing the button40to properly pull the closure12from the chute10.

The inner portion44can preferably be slightly wider than the closure12at its open end17. The inner portion44can be substantially planar to allow the closure12to evenly contact it. The inner portion44preferably has at least one lobe50extending substantially perpendicular therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the inner portion44has a lobe50with four extensions51or as many of six extensions extending therefrom, with each extension51at approximately a ninety degree angle from the adjacent extension51. Any extension51can be set as the lead extension51that will make the initial contact with the closure12to preferably pull it from the chute10. The lobe50can have a top section52, middle section54and a bottom section56that is proximate the inner base44. The middle section54of one or more lobes50defines a predetermined perimeter in a plane substantially parallel to the inner base44. The middle section54can be sized so that the closure12is properly positioned on the button40and will not be easily flipped off the button40. The middle section54can have a perimeter that is slightly less than the closure12at its open end17.

Preferably, the lobe50can taper inwards from the middle section54to the top section52. Even more preferably, the lobe50tapers in a partially concave fashion. The radius tapering of the lobe50can provide a lead and also may act as a spreader for the narrow axis24of an oval closure12. Preferably, the lobe50can taper inwards from the middle section54to the bottom section56. In this embodiment, if the closure12has threads (not shown), the closure12may be pulled downward onto the button40as the closure12is pulled from the chute10.

As the closure12is pulled from the chute10, a biasing mechanism60can assist in laying the closure12flat on the button40. The biasing mechanism60can be an arm or flat plate. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing mechanism60can have a biasing surface62disposed at a slight upwards angle relative the plane of the button40. The surface62can have a pivot point at a point above the center line of the closure12. Most preferably, a lower point63of the biasing surface62is disposed in a spaced relation to the path of the button40such that the lower point63is slightly above the button40when the button passes by the biasing mechanism60. More preferably, the biasing mechanism60is spring loaded with a springing portion64or tension screw (not shown) attached thereto. As the closure12is pulled onto the button40, biasing surface62can exert a tension against the top of the closure12. The biasing surface62can press the closure12flat onto the button40.