VERTICAL TRACK FOR MANDREL ASSEMBLY OF CONTINUOUS MOTION CAN DECORATORS

Abstract: Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles includes a plurality of mandrel assemblies (40) mounted on a carrier (18) that rotates continuously on a main axis. Each assembly includes a base (41) and a cantilevered mandrel (20) pivotally mounted to the base (41) on a mandrel pivot that is parallel to the main axis. For each revolution of the carrier (18) a decorator engages an article on the mandrel and applies a decoration to such article. Engagement between the articles and decorator produces a reaction force that tends to tile the free end of the mandrel (20) radially inward. A bracing device is provided to resist tilting of the mandrel. One form of such bracing device includes a track (207) and a roller (206) that is mounted on the base and rides on the track (207). The tracks (207) are fixedly mounted on the carrier (18) and are disposed generally in a common plane at right angles to the main axis.

Description: VERTICAL TRACK FOR MANDREL ASSEMBLY OF CONTINUOUS MOTION CAN DECORATORS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Patent No. 3,766,851 issued October 23, 1973 to E. Sirvet et al. for Continuous Can Printer and Handling Apparatus describes relatively high speed apparatus for applying decorations to the exterior of cylindrical containers while they are mounted on mandrels disposed along the periphery of a large rotating wheel- like carrier. In continuous can printer apparatus of this type, means are provided to assure that when a mandrel moves through the decorating zone along a normal path for printing, such mandrel iε properly loaded with cylindrical container. If a particular mandrel is empty or iε loaded improperly, such mandrel is moved away from the path for printing to a no-print position wherein neither an empty mandrel nor an improperly loaded container will engage the printing blanket. Examples of prior art means for retracting unloaded and misloaded mandrels to a no-print position are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,140,053 issued February 20, 1979 to J.P. Skrypek et al. for Mandrel Mounting and Trip Mechanism For Continuous Motion Decorator and U.S. Patent No. 5,111,742 issued May 12, 1992 to R. DiDonato et al. for Mandrel Trip Subassembly For Continuous Motion Can Decorator. In the aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 4,140,053 each mandrel is part of a εubaεsembly that is mounted on a pivot axis to a continuously rotating carrier. When an unloaded or misloaded mandrel is detected a linear actuator acting through a crank and an eccentric moves the pivot axis for the entire subassembly and in so doing moves the unloaded or misloaded mandrel away from its normal or print path so that neither the mandrel nor a misloaded container will engage the printing blanket. While this type of mechanism operates well at high production rates, say 1200 cans per minute, mounting and dismounting of the subassembly from the carrier is time consuming and adjustments must be made while the subassembly is mounted on the carrier. In accordance with the aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 5,111,742, the mandrel tripping actuator and mandrel are combined in a subassembly that may be adjusted when the subassembly is dismounted from the carrier. In particular, this subassembly includes a base with a rotary actuator thereon, which actuator is powered directly by a non-mechanical source of energy, preferably pressurized air. The actuator includes a rotor having an extension on which the mandrel is rotatably mounted. The mandrel axis is slightly offset laterally from the rotor axis so that limited pivoting motion of the latter causes the mandrel to move between a normal radially outward print position and a radially inward trip or no-print position. Two guide rods extend from the base and are received in radially extending guide channels of the carrier to removably mount the subassembly on the carrier and guide the subassembly radially in accordance with dictates of a stationary cam track cooperating with a cam follower that iε part of the subassembly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the instant invention high speed performance for mandrel trip subassemblies of the type disclosed in the aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 5,111,742 iε improved by providing means that inhibits tilting of the subassembly relative to the carrier because of force that develops from engagement between a mandrel mounted can and the printing blanket. If that type of tilting iε permitted to go unchecked, there iε exceεsive frictional engagement between the guide rods and the slide bearing εleeveε in the guide channelε. Thiε accelerates wear of the bearing sleeveε εo that a εloppy fit developε between them and the guide rodε which move therein, to the point where there iε a negative impact on the quality of can printing that iε obtained. As will hereinafter be seen in detail, pursuant to the instant invention subassembly tilting is inhibited through sliding engagement of a follower (roller) on the εubaεse bly with a brace or track on the rotating carrier. Further, cooperation between the follower and the brace also acts to limit deflection of the cantilevered mandrel relative to the carrier. Accordingly, a primary object of the instant invention is to provide an improved construction for high speed continuous motion decorators for cylindrical containers. Another object is to provide apparatus of this type that achieves superior printing for extended periods of very high speed operation. A further object is to provide apparatus of this type constructed εo aε to increase intervals between maintenance procedureε. A εtill further object is to provide apparatus of this type in which bracing iε provided to inhibit tilting of mandrel aεεe blieε relative to the rotating carrier on which the aεse blieε are mounted. Theεe objectε aε well aε other objects of this present invention shall become readily apparent after reading the following deεcription of the accompanying drawings in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a front elevation of continuous motion decorating apparatus that includes bracing deviceε constructed in accordance with teachingε of the inεtant invention to block tilting of the mandrel/actuator εubassemblies during decorating. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary croεε-εection of the mandrel carrier and loading wheel taken through line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of arrowε 2- 2. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatuε portion of Fig. 2 with the can receiving mandrelε removed, looking in the direction of arrows 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of one of the mandrel/actuator subassemblies, with bracing elements removed. Fig. 5 is a side elevation looking in the direction of arrows 5-5 of Fig. 3 illustrating the relationship between the bracing elements. Fig. 6 is an elevation looking in the direction of arrows 6-6 of Fig. 5, with the can receiving mandrels removed. Fig. 7 is an exploded εomewhat schematic perεpective showing the relationεhip between major elements of a mandrel/actuator subaεεembly and the elements for bracing same against tilting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS As may be desired to amplify the following description, disclosures of the aforesaid U.S. Patents Noε. 3,766,851, 4,140,053 and 5,111,742 are incorporated herein by reference. Now referring to the Figures and more particularly to Fig. 1 which illustrates continuous motion decorating apparatus of the general type described in the aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 3,766,851 for decorating aluminum beverage cans and other cylindrical containers. Briefly, the apparatus of Fig. 1 includes infeed conveyor chute 15 which receives undecorated cans 16, each open at one end thereof, from a supply (not shown) and placeε them in arcuate cradleε or pockets 17 along the periphery of spaced rings 13, 14 (Fig. 2). The latter are fixedly secured to wheel-like carrier 18 keyed to horizontal drive εhaft 19. Freely rotatable horizontal spindles or mandrels 20 are also mounted to carrier 18, with each mandrel 20 being in εpaced horizontal alignment with an individual pocket 17 in a short region extending downstream from infeed conveyor 15. In this short region undecorated cans 16 are moved horizontally to the rear, being transferred from each cradle 17 to a mandrel 20. Suction applied through an axial paεεage 101 (Fig. 7) extending to the outboard or front end of mandrel 20, drawε container 16 rearward to itε final seating position on mandrel 20. While mounted on mandrels 20, cans 16 are decorated by being brought into engagement with continuously rotating image transfer mat or blanket 21 of the multicolor printing press decorating section indicated generally by reference numeral 22. Thereafter, and while still mounted to mandrels 20, each decorated can 16 is coated with a protective film of varnish applied thereto by engagement with the periphery of applicator roll 23 in the overvarnish unit indicated generally by reference numeral 24. While tranεfer wheel 27 rotateε about shaft 28 as a center, cans 16 with decorations and protective coatings thereon are transferred from mandrels 20 to suction cups 36 mounted near the periphery of transfer wheel 27. Cans 16 carried by transfer wheel 27 are depoεited on generally horizontal but nevertheleεε inclined pinε 29 projecting from chain-type output conveyor 30 which carrieε canε 16 through a curing oven (not εhown) . Each mandrel 20 εhould be loaded properly with a can 16 by the time mandrel 20 iε in the proximity of εenεor 33, which detectε whether each mandrel 20 iε properly loaded with a can 16. If sensor 33 detects that a mandrel 20 is unloaded or is not properly loaded, then as this particular mandrel 20 pasεeε through the decorating zone wherein printing blanket 21 normally engages can 16 on mandrel 20, this unloaded or misloaded mandrel 20 is moved to a "no-print" position. In the no- print position, as this mandrel 20 moves through the decorating zone it will be εpaced from the periphery of blanket 21. Each mandrel 20 iε part of a mandrel/actuator subasεembly 40. A plurality of such subassemblies 40 are mounted to carrier 18 along periphery 39 thereof, there is equal angular spacing between each of the subassemblies 40 and they are guided for in and out radial movement relative to periphery 39 of carrier 18. Each subaεsembly 40 also includes a machined base 41 having, at its rear, an integrally formed hollow bulbous portion 42 that is hollow extends radially outward and conεtituteε the outer houεing for a pneumatically powered rotary operator or actuator which includeε a rotor 43 having diametrically oppoεed vaneε 44 εecured thereto. The pivot axiε for rotor 43 iε parallel to and laterally offεet slightly from the rotational axis 45 for mandrel 20. A pair of freely rotatable rollers 48, 49, constituting a cam follower, are mounted on cantilevered stub εhaft 51 that projects from the rear of base 41. As carrier 18 rotateε cam follower rollerε 48, 49 cooperate with cam track 52 to eεtabliεh radial poεitionε for baεe 41 relative to carrier periphery 39. Two axially εpaced parallel guide rods 81, 82 extend radially inward from base 41 into guide channels 83, 84, respectively, that extend radially inward from periphery 39 of carrier 18. Channels 83, 84 contain linear bearings in the form of respective sleeves 65, 66. Guide rods 81, 82 are diεpoεed εo that the longitudinal axeε thereof interεect the rotational main axiε 19 for carrier 18. Diεpoεed forward of guide rods 81, 82 and projecting radially inward from base 41 are three hollow rods 85, 86, 87 that ride in boreε 95, 96, 97 of carrier 18 to act aε the equivalent of flexible control lines for vacuum and preεεure that iε fed to mandrel 20 and/or the rotary actuator within houεing 42. Each of the subassemblies 40 is associated with an individual control valve 88 (Fig. 2) which is on carrier 18 and iε connected to hollow rodε 85, 86, 87 through conduits or airways that include connected borings in carrier 18. For an operational description of subasεembly 40 reference is made to the aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 5,111,742. During printing, engagement of a can 16 with printing blanket 21 cauεeε a εubεtantial radially inward reaction force to be exerted against mandrel 20, aε indicated by arrow A in Fig. 5. This exertε a force on εubaεεembly 40 which tendε to tilt same forward and radially inward about the point of engagement between cam follower 48 and 360° control cam track 52. Tilting of thiε type putε undue εtrain upon bearing εleeves 65, 66 (Fig. 2) thereby reducing the useful life thereof. In order to restrict forward radially inward tilting of subaεεembly 40 because of forces generated during decorating, the instant invention provides a bracing device that includeε brace and follower εectionε 201, 202 that are in operative εlidable (as by rolling) engagement and movable relative to one another. That is, brace εection 201 extendε radially outward from and iε fixedly secured to periphery 39 of rotating mandrel carrier 18 by three bolts 203. Follower section 202 is secured to subaεεembly baεe 41 at one εide of base portion 42 by two bolts 204 that extend through clearance holes in support member 205 of section 202. The latter alεo includes follower roller 206 which is mounted on pin 208 having enlarged head 209. Roller 206 rides on track 207 provided by brace section 201 along the rear edge thereof. Roller 206 is the outer ring of bearing unit 210 that also includes inner ring 211 and a plurality of rod-like bearing elements 212 disposed between rings 206 and 211 being operatively positioned by retainer rings 213. Pin shaft 208 extends through inner ring 211 and the headlesε end of shaft 208 is diεpoεed within clearance aperture 214 of support members 205, extending into recesε 215 wherein moεt of roller 206 iε disposed. Pin head 209 extends into locating recesε 216 in one εide of baεe portion 41. With bracing device 201, 202 in place, the moment generated by decorating reaction force A and acting to tilt εubaεεe bly 40 is resisted by the engagement between roller 206 of follower section 202 and rear facing track 207 of brace section 201. All of the trackε 207 are diεpoεed generally in a common vertical plane which is at right angles to horizontal main rotational axis 19 for mandrel carrier 18. It should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that many of the anti-tilting benefits obtained by the cooperation of follower roller 206 carried by εubaεεembly 40 with an individual radial brace track 207 secured to carrier 18, may be obtained with other arrangements. For example, a radial brace track on each εubaεεembly 40 may be engaged by an individual follower roller secured to carrier 18; or a follower roller at the front of each subaεεembly base 41 that may ride on a common stationary cam track or brace that iε parallel to εubassembly poεitioning cam 52a, at leaεt while subasεembly 40 iε in the printing zone; or a common roller on a stationary axis may engage a cam track segment on each subaεεembly baεe 41 while εubaεsembly 40 is in the printing zone, such common stationary roller being at the front of base 41 and radially inward of the cam track segment. Although the present invention has been deεcribed in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific discloεure herein, but only by the appended claimε.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS; 1. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles, said apparatus including: a carrier mounted for continuous rotation on a main axis; a plurality of mandrel subaεεemblies mounted on said carrier in an array about said main axis as a center and equal angular center-to-center spacings between adjacent ones of mandrel subasεemblieε; decorating means past which said subaεεemblies move aε said carrier rotates; a stationary cam track diεpoεed about said main axiε; each of εaid εubassemblieε including a baεe, a cylindrical article receiving cantilevered mandrel having a free and another end oppoεite εaid free end, εaid mandrel being rotationally εupported on εaid baεe at said another end, with a rotational axiε for εaid mandrel being parallel to and laterally offεet from εaid main axiε, a cam follower on said base cooperating with εaid εtationary cam track to radially position εaid εubaεεembly so that normally an article on said mandrel is in operative engagement with said decorating means during a predetermined range of angular movement for εaid subassembly about said main axis; said operative engagement between said article on said mandrel and said decorating means during said predetermined range of angular movement for said subaεεembly about said main axiε generating a reaction force that is directed against said mandrel in a direction tending to tilt said mandrel by driving itε said free end radially inward relative to said main axiε about a fulcrum eεtablished by engagement between said cam follower and said cam track; and a bracing device to resiεt tilting of εaid mandrel by εaid reaction force, εaid device including a first section that is fixed axially and radially relative to said main axis and a second section that is connected to said base and is movable therewith; while an article on said mandrel is in engagement with said decorating means, said first and second sections being in sliding engagement with each other and said second section exerting an opposing force against said first section, with εaid opposing force increasing and decreaεing in relation to increaεeε and decreases in said reaction force. 2. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles as set forth in claim 1 in which εaid mandrel iε loaded and unloaded at εaid free end. 3. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles aε set forth in claim 2 in which for each of said subaεsemblies εaid firεt εection defineε an individual rearward facing track that iε engaged by an individual one of said second sections. 4. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles as set forth in claim 3 in which said second section includes a follower roller that rides on εaid track. 5. Apparatuε for decorating cylindrical articleε aε εet forth in claim 4 in which εaid first sections extend radially outward from said carrier at its periphery. 6. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles as set forth in claim 5 in which each of said follower rollers/rotates on an axiε that iε transverse to said main axis and each of said cam followers rotates on an axis that is parallel to εaid main axis. 7. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said subaεεemblies includeε guide rod means that extends into guide channel means in said carrier whereby cooperation of the cam follower means with the stationary cam means directs said εubasεemblieε to move linearly. 8. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles aε set forth in claim 7 wherein for each of the subassemblies the guide rod means extends radially inward from the base. 9. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles as set forth in claim 8 wherein the carrier has a periphery from which the guide channel means extends radially inward. 10. Apparatuε for decorating cylindrical articleε as set forth in claim 9 wherein said guide channel meanε are disposed εo that their longitudinal axeε interεect the main axiε. 11. Apparatuε for decorating cylindrical articleε aε set forth in claim 10 in which said mandrel is loaded and unloaded at said free end. 12. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles as set forth in claim 11 in which for each of said subaεεemblieε, εaid firεt section defines an individual rearward facing track that is engaged by an individual one of εaid εecond sections. 13. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articleε as set forth in claim 12 in which said second section includes a follower roller that rides on said track. 14. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles aε εet forth in claim 13 in which said first sectionε extend radially outward from said carrier at itε periphery. 15. Apparatuε for decorating cylindrical articleε aε εet forth in claim 14 in which each of εaid follower rollerε/rotateε on an axiε that iε tranεverεe to εaid main axis and each of said cam followers rotates on an axis that is parallel to said main axis. 16. Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articleε aε εet forth in claim 3 in which said tracks are generally in a common plane that iε at right angles to said main axis. 17. Apparatuε for decorating cylindrical articleε aε εet forth in claim 16 in which εaid common plane iε vertical and εaid main axis iε horizontal.

Inventors: SIRVET ENN, SIRVET, ENN
Applicants: SEQUA CORP, SEQUA CORPORATION
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B41F17
IPC codes: B41F17