Abstract:
The modular turret cage is used with a capping machine adapted to apply closures to containers, such as beverage, food, or water containers. The capping machine includes a stationary cap. The modular turret cage has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the turret cage is rotatably received in the stationary cap. The turret cage includes a top mounting plate at the top end of the turret cage and a base mounting plate at the bottom end of the turret cage. A plurality of panel sections extends between and connects the top mounting plate and the base mounting plate. The panel sections are fixedly connected to the top mounting plate and the base mounting plate and are separately removable from the top mounting plate and the base mounting plate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
         [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/333,611, filed Nov. 27, 2001, entitled “Modular Turret Cage For A Capping Machine”, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to capping machines for applying caps to containers, such as beverage, food, and water containers, and, more particularly, to a modular turret cage for use with such machines,  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Capping machines are used in the art to apply caps to containers, such as beverage, food, and water containers. For example, capping machines are used to apply plastic or metal caps to plastic, glass, and metal containers. Containers for beverages, food, and water are often provided as bottles and may have wide bottle openings or narrow bottle openings. Capping machines must be able to apply caps to both “wide mouth” and “narrow mouth” bottles.  
           [0006]    Capping machines known in the art generally include capping turrets that are used to apply the caps to the bottles. Capping turrets presently used in the art are typically cast as one-piece castings. Such one-piece castings are expensive to fabricate and require a substantial lead-time for their manufacture. The resulting cast structure is bulky and not easily manipulated. Additionally, each capping turret is essentially provided as a custom-made unit and, thus, each individual turret must be individually designed and fabricated, which further increases their cost. Each individual capping turret must be designed for each pitch diameter filler and/or number of heads in the capping machine. The one-piece casting design used in the art may be reused only on capping machines of the same pitch diameter and equivalent number of heads.  
           [0007]    In view the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved turret cage for a capping machine that reduces the cost associated with designing and machining turret cages for capping machines. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular, but standardized, turret cage that may be used on different capping machines with only minor adjustments. It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a modular turret cage for use with capping machines that overcomes the disadvantages of one-piece cast turret cages discussed previously.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The above objects are accomplished with a capping machine and modular turret cage made in accordance with the present invention. The turret cage is intended for use with a capping machine generally adapted to apply caps (i.e., closures) to containers. The turret cage is preferably adapted to apply plastic caps to plastic containers suitable for use in storing beverages, food, or water, but the present invention envisions that the turret cage may be used to apply plastic or metal caps to plastic, glass, or metal containers.  
           [0009]    The capping machine of the present invention includes a stationary cap and a modular turret cage rotatably received in the stationary cap. The modular turret cage has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the turret cage is rotatably received within the stationary cap. The turret cage further includes a top mounting plate located at the top end of the turret cage, a base mounting plate located at the bottom end of the turret cage, and a plurality of panel sections extending between and connecting the top mounting plate and the base mounting plate. The individual panel sections are preferably fixedly but removably connected to the top mounting plate and the base mounting plate.  
           [0010]    The panel sections may be substantially U-shaped in horizontal cross-section and have a center portion and two outward projecting fins. The fins of each of the panel sections may define a recess therebetween for receiving a spindle of the capping machine. The panel sections may each have a top end fixedly secured to the top mounting plate. The panel sections may each include a cover plate attached to the top end of the panel section for restricting outward movement of the spindle.  
           [0011]    The panel sections may each further include a bulged portion formed in the center portion on an opposite side of the panel section from the fins. The plurality of panel sections may be positioned such that the bulged portion of each of the panel sections faces inward toward a central axis of the turret cage. The base mounting plate may define a plurality of cutout sections around the circumference thereof. The cutout sections may be defined between respective pairs of outward extending projections, which extend circumferentially around the base mounting plate. The fins of the panel sections may be fixedly secured, respectively, to two adjacent projections around the circumference of the base mounting plate.  
           [0012]    The capping machine may further include a center gear disposed inside of the plurality of panel sections. The panel sections may each define a central aperture for allowing the teeth of the center gear to coact with the spindle received in the recess defined by the fins of each of the panel sections. The panel sections may be made of steel, stainless steel, or ductile iron. The top mounting plate and the base mounting plate may be made of stainless steel.  
           [0013]    The present invention is also a method of assembling a modular turret cage for use in connection with a capping machine adapted to apply caps (i.e., closures) to containers. The method may comprise the steps of: providing a circular-shaped base mounting plate; providing a circular-shaped top mounting plate spaced from the base mounting plate; connecting the base mounting plate and top mounting plate with a plurality of panel sections spaced around the circumference of the base mounting plate and the top mounting plate; and individually and removably securing the respective panel sections to the base mounting plate and the top mounting plate to form the turret cage.  
           [0014]    When the capping machine includes a stationary cap, the method may include the step of rotatably receiving the top end of the turret cage in the stationary cap member. The method in accordance with the present invention may further include the steps of receiving the spindles of the capping machine into the recesses defined by the respective panel sections and preventing outward movement of the spindles with a cover plate attached to a top end of each of the panel sections.  
           [0015]    Furthermore, the present invention may be a panel section used to assemble a modular turret cage for a capping machine. The panel section may include an elongated body having a center portion and two outward projecting fins defining spindle receiving recess therebetween. The center portion may define a central aperture. The fins may have a portion tapering to a top end of the elongated body. The panel section may further include a cover plate attached to the top end of the elongated body for restraining outward movement of a spindle received in the recess. The center portion of the panel section may define a bulged portion formed on an opposite side of the panel section from the fins. The top end of the elongated body may define a plurality of notches that define conduits for supplying lubricating fluid to a spindle received in the spindle receiving recess. The body of the panel section may be made of steel, stainless steel or ductile iron.  
           [0016]    Further details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective and partially exploded view of a modular turret cage in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective and partially exploded view of the modular turret cage of FIG. 1 with the modular turret cage shown cooperating with a stationary cap of a capping machine;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective and exploded view of the modular turret cage of FIG. 1 showing individual component parts of the modular turret cage and a spindle of the capping machine;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a base mounting plate of the modular turret cage of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a detail view of Detail  5  in FIG. 4;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the modular turret cage and capping machine of the present invention having additional panel sections;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the panel sections used in the modular turret of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is front view of the panel section of FIG. 7;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a side view of the panel section of FIG. 7;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a top view of the panel section of FIG. 7;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is bottom view of the panel section of FIG. 7;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  in FIG. 8; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  in FIG. 8. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 5 , a modular turret cage  10  in accordance with the present invention is shown. The turret cage  10  includes a top end  12  and a bottom end  14 . As used in this disclosure, the terms “top” and “bottom” refer to the orientation of a given element as shown in the accompanying drawings. An annular or “top” mounting plate  16  is provided at the top end  12 . A base or bottom mounting plate  18  is provided at the bottom end  14  opposite from the top plate  16 . The base plate  18  is annular-shaped in a similar manner to the top plate  16 . The top plate  16  and base plate  18  are generally circular-shaped.  
         [0031]    The turret  10  further includes a plurality of panel sections  20  connecting the top plate  16  and the base plate  18 . The assembled turret  10  is generally cylindrical in shape and the panel sections  20  are positioned around the circumference of the turret  10 . The present invention envisions that any number of panel sections  20  may be used in the turret  10 . FIGS. 1 and 2 show twelve panels sections  20  extending around the circumference of the turret  10 . FIG. 6, discussed hereinafter, shows thirty-two panel sections  20  extending around the circumference of the turret  10 . Thus, the number of panel sections  20  may be changed to suit specific production output requirements. Thus, a large number of panel sections  20  could apply a greater number of caps (i.e., closures) in the bottling process per minute, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. As used in this disclosure, the terms “caps” and “closures” are synonymous and refer to the physical structure used to seal a container, such as bottle.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 shows the turret  10  cooperating with a stationary cap or support portion  22  of a capping machine. The top end  12  of the turret  10  is received rotatably within the stationary cap  22 . The stationary cap  22  may be affixed to the capping machine by conventional mechanical fasteners, such as bolts  24  and the like. The panel sections  20  are each generally U-shaped in horizontal cross section and define a recess  26  formed to receive a spindle  27  of the capping machine. The spindle  27  may be held in place within recess  26  with a cover plate  28 . The cover plate  28  permits the spindle  27  to move vertically, but restricts any outward movement by the spindle  27 . Each of the panel sections  20  will typically have a spindle  27  positioned therein. The spindle  27  is the rotating member of the capping machine that applies the cap or closure to the container, such as by screwing the cap or closure onto the neck of a beverage container or bottle.  
         [0033]    FIGS.  3 - 5  shows the details of the turret  10  in accordance with the present invention. One panel section  20  is shown in FIG. 3 and is connected to the top plate  16  at the top end  12  of the turret  10  with a pair of bolts  30 . The panel section  20  is connected to the base plate  18  at the bottom end  14  of the turret  10  with a pair of bushings  32  that cooperate with a pair of bolts  34 . Thus, each of the panel sections  20  in the turret  10  is rigidly connected to the top plate  16  and the base plate  18 . The base plate  18  further includes a plurality of substantially semi-circular or cutout sections  36 . The use and function of the cutout sections  36  will be discussed herein in connection with FIGS.  7 - 13 , but are generally provided to allow the spindles  27  of the capping machine to move up and down in the recesses  26 . A single spindle  27  is shown in FIG. 3, but it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that each of the panel sections  20  in the various figures of this disclosure will have a spindle  27  associated therewith.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the turret  10  of the present invention. The turret  10  of FIG. 6 is substantially identical to the turret  10  of FIGS. 1 and 2, but includes additional panel sections  20 . The turret of FIG. 6 includes thirty-two panel sections  20 . As shown in FIG. 6, the turret  10  of the present invention houses an internal large center gear  40 . The gear  40  is used to turn the spindles  27  (see FIG. 3) located within the panel sections  20  to twist the designated cap onto the bottle or other container, as is known in the art. To allow the teeth of the gear  40  to coact with the spindles  27 , each of the panel sections  20  defines a central aperture  42 .  
         [0035]    To arrange such a large number of “linear” or vertical panel sections  20  around the circumference of the turret  10 , the panel sections  20  are specially designed. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and  7 - 13 , the panel sections  20  are U-shaped in horizontal cross-section, as stated previously. The panel sections  20  each include a center portion or leg  50  and two projecting fins or legs  52 . The recess  26  is formed between the fins  52 . As stated previously, the spindles  27  of the capping machine are received in the recesses  26  formed in the panel sections  20 . The fins  52  include a tapered portion  53  at the top end  12  of the turret  10 . The fins  52  generally extend outward from the turret  10 . As the turret  10  rotates within the cap portion  20 , the fins  52  provide the additional benefit of generating cooling air flows that help transfer heat away from the turret  10 .  
         [0036]    The panel sections  20  each further include a bulged portion  54  formed in the center portion  50  on the opposite side of the panel section  20  from the fins  52 . The bulged portion  54 , along with the fins  52 , adds to the structural strength of the panel sections  20 . The panel sections  20  are connected to the top plate  16  and the base plate  18  so that the bulged portion  54  faces inward toward a central axis L of the turret  10 . As shown in FIGS.  3  and, more particularly, in FIG. 7, the fins  52  are connected to the base plate  18  by mechanical fasteners, such as bolts  60  and the like. The bushings  32  and bolts  34 , discussed previously, are used to affix the center leg  50  to the base plate  18  at the bottom end  14  of the turret  10 . FIG. 11 is a bottom view of one of the panel sections  20  and illustrates the connection between the center leg  50  and the base plate  18  provided by the bushings  32  and bolts  34 . The cutout sections  36  of the base plate  18  are formed to cooperate with the fins  52  of the panel sections  20 . In particular, the fins  52  of the panel sections  20  are fixedly secured, respectively, to two adjacent projections  61  around the circumference of the base plate  18 . As shown in FIG. 3, the cut-out sections  36  are each defined between adjacent pairs of the projections  61 . Thus, the fins  52  are connected to adjacent pairs of the projections  61 , respectively.  
         [0037]    As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of notches  62  is formed at a top or upper end  64  of each of the panel sections  20 , which define conduits for supplying lubricating fluids and the like to the spindle  27  located within recesses  26  in the panel sections  20 . The panel sections  20  may be made of a ferrous-containing metal such as steel, stainless steel, or ductile iron. Ductile iron is the presently preferred material. The top plate  16  and the base plate  18  are preferably made of corrosion-resistant material such as stainless steel.  
         [0038]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the center gear  40  includes gear teeth  70 . The spindle  27  received in the recess  26  of each of the panel sections  20  also preferably has gear teeth  72  that coact with the gear teeth  70  of the center gear  40 , which is disposed within the multiple panel sections  20  of the assembled turret  10 . The interaction between the gear teeth  72  of the spindles  27  and the gear teeth  70  of the center gear  40  rotates the respective spindles  27  within the recesses  26  defined by the respective panel sections  20  to apply a cap (i.e., closure) to a container. The gear teeth  72  of the spindles  27  coact with the gear teeth  70  of the center gear  40  through the apertures  42  defined by the respective panel sections  20 .  
         [0039]    The turret  10  of the present invention may be changed for use on different capping machines by simply changing the size (i.e., diameter) of the top plate  16  and the base plate  18  and altering the number of panel sections  20  attached to the top plate  16  and the base plate  18 . Thus, the turret  10  may be sized to accommodate different production requirements. This is particularly useful in the beverage container field, but the present invention may be applied in other container fields where a cap is being applied in a rotary fashion to a container because the capping machine manufacturing time is reduced.  
         [0040]    The present invention was described with reference to the above-described preferred embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the present invention. Obvious modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereto.