Patent GB-285697-A (GB)
Title: A machine for applying closures to bottles
IPC: B67B5/06
Filed: 1927-05-14
Abstract: 285,697. Tevander, O. N. May 14, 1927. Capsules and the like, applying.- In a bottle-capping machine comprising a positioner for a bottle having a skirted closure cap, mechanism to contract the skirt, and mechanism adapted to flux cement in the presence of and following the contraction of the skirt to secure the skirt permanently in contracted relation, the positioner and the mechanisms are adjustable into co-operative relation. The machine may carry out the method described in Specification 267,838 and is adapted to draw a length of wire from a reel, wind it about the skirt of the cap and secure by solder the overlapping portions thereof, the wire being finally severed to permit removal of the bottle. A base 4, Fig. 1, supports a deck 2 in which a table 10 is adapted to be rotated by a central shaft 16 on which it is mounted. The shaft 16 also drives a star wheel S which feeds bottles on to the table 10 where they are supported by resilient rests 9 adapted to be raised by rollers 21 running on a cam track 20. The shaft 16 extends above the table 10 and is journaled in a spider 16<2> supported by pillars 16<3> mounted on the base 4. Each bottle is positioned beneath a guide member 38 supported by a bracket 39 depending from a support or platform 30 rotatable with, and adjustable vertically on, the shaft 16. Above the support 30 a non-rotatable sleeve 59<5> surrounds the shaft 16 and carries at its base a stationary gear carrier 59<4> and on its upper portion a stationary cam 108. As the shaft 16 rotates, the cam track 20 raises the bottle through the guide 38, which contracts the skirt of the cap, into a chuck 37, Fig. 9, the bottle raising a plunger 40 disposed in the chuck and a rod 41 secured to it. The rod 41 slides in a sleeve 42 rotatably mounted in bearings 44, 43 in the support 30 and in a bracket 47 mounted on the support respectively. Elevation of the rod 41 lifts a collar 51 which surrounds a shaft 52 forming an extension of the sleeve 42 and the collar causes a lever 54, Fig. 8, mounted on the bracket 47 to depress a vertical rod 57 and a parallel rod 61 secured to it. A nut 64 on the rod 61 turns a bell-crank lever 65 withdrawing its support from a sleeve 59 slidably mounted on the rod 57 and permitting a spring 58 to lower the sleeve as soon as an extension 59<1> on it has passed off a cam 59<2> on the gear carrier 59<4>. The sleeve carries a second extension 68 connected to a clutch member 70 surrounding the sleeve 42. In its normal raised position, the clutch member 70 engages a corresponding stationary part 71, but when lowered it engages a member 72 secured to the sleeve 42 and carrying a spiral gear 109. This gear meshes with a spiral gear 110 adapted to be rotated by rack portions 112, 165, Fig. 6, on the gear carrier 59<4> or held stationary by feathers 113, 117 thereon. The sleeve 42 receives one and a half revolutions to wind a wire 73 about the skirt, the wire being drawn from a reel 75 mounted to rotate with some friction on a shaft 76 supported by the shaft 52. The wire passes through a tube 86 disposed in the sleeve 42 to a nozzle 74 beyond which it extends to a fixed block against which it is clamped by a pivoted member 92 actuated by a lever 97 mounted on and rocked by a shaft 98 rotatable in bearings in the brackets 39, 47. The shaft 98 carries at its upper end an arm 105 the end of which engages in a cam slot in the cam 108. In operation, as the bottle is moved clockwise from the left hand position, Fig. 6, the sleeve 42 is held stationary by the feather 113 until the cam' track 20 has raised the bottle. The bottle top, raising the plunger 40, engages the sleeve 42 with the pinion carrying clutch member 72 and as the pinion 110 passes beyond the feather 113, the rack 112 rotates the sleeve and winds the wire about the skirt. The overlapping portions of the wire are then soldered together by heating the tin coating thereof. A yoke 134, Fig. 6, adjustably supported by two of the pillars 16<3> is provided with a cam 137 adapted to raise a roller 146, Fig. 8, carried by a yoke 141 mounted on two contact members 139, Fig. 12, slidable in the guide 38. Spring-pressed contact members 119, 120 engage the overlapping portions of the wire, contact with an electric battery being made by wipers 143, 144 adapted to engage contact bars 133 and 127, 128, the latter being adjustable in length. A spring 147 returns the yoke 141 to its normal position when the roller 146 has passed the cam 137. The soldering is effected whilst the pinion 110 is held stationary by the feather 117. The soldered wire is then cut from the length by shears comprising a fixed blade 149, Fig. 19, and pivoted blade 150, the pivoted blade forming part of a bell-crank lever the other arm of which engages one or other of two stops 158, 159 in a hollow member 160 secured to a yoke 155, Fig. 6, adjustably mounted on two of the pillars 16<3>. The hears are mounted on a lever 152 secured to a rock shaft 153 pivoted in a bracket 154 on the yoke 155. On the upper end of the shaft 153 are arms 163, 164 adapted to be engaged by cams 161, 162 on the support 30 to rock the lever 152 and bring the shears into engagement with the wire, the engagement of the bell-crank arm of the shears with the stops 158, 159 effecting the severing and release movements of the blade 150. During this operation, the feather 117 continues to keep the pinion 110 immovable. When the severing is completed the pinion 110 leaves the feather 117 and the rack 165 rotates the sleeve 42 for half a turn to bring the end of the wire to the grippers 92 ready for operation on the next bottle to be set on the rest 9. A star wheel 166 secured to the table 10 removes the bottle from the machine into a delivery shoot (not shown).