Patent GB-1389233-A (GB)
Title: Rotary automatic machine for filling, stoppering and printing  on containers
IPC: B65B43/50
Filed: 1972-05-22
Abstract: 1389233 Rotary filling and closuring machines; rotary conveyers; packaging apparatus OCME OFFICINA COSTRUZIONI MECCANICHE EMILIANA SRL 22 May 1972 [22 May 1971 15 March 1972] 23995/72 Headings B8T B8A and B8C A rotary machine fills, fits a lid on, and prints on a container. The machine consists of an intermittently rotatable turntable 13 mounted on a central pillar 11. The turntable 13 comprises a rotatably mounted cylindrical body 14 which is integral with a prismatic member 18. The member 18 supports pincers 20 each consisting of two claws 21. Each claw 21 extends from an arm 22 which is pivoted about a pin 23 to the member 18 and has an integral ear 24 with an end slot 25 in which fits a pin 26. The pin 26 projects from a slide 27 which slides vertically in a guide 28 in the member 18, there being one pin 26 for each pair of claws 21. As the slide 27 moves downwardly the claws close under the bias of a spring 47, and as it rises, they open. The slide is controlled by cams 32, 33, 34 and followers 30, 31 mounted on a pin 29 fixed to the slide 27. The claws 21 are adjusted to allow for containers of different width by means of the cam 32 which is of sawtooth form and can be moved around the member 18 by a worm and rack assembly 36<SP>1</SP> to adjust the height of the slide 27. Thereafter the cam 32 stays fixed relative to the member 18. The cam 33 is mounted on a pillar 37, and the cam 34 is vertically movable. Neither of these cams moves angularly. When a follower 31 hits either of them the associated claws 21 open. Columns 48 are adjustable to allow for containers of different height. Operation.-A container is conveyed to the machine at A, Fig. 4, and rests in one of the seats 46 around the disc 45 mounted on the body 14. The bottom of the container rests on the two stationary rings 85, 86 supported on pillars 87, Fig. 1. As the container moves from A to B the follower 31 leaves the cam 33 and the claws 21 grip the container. At B the container is filled by a metering unit 49 and nozzle 50. The filled container is moved to C, where a lid (52), Figs. 9-10 (not shown), is dispensed on to the container by a dispenser 51. At D the container is supported from below by a plate (56) on a column (57) and a press 53, Fig. 1, comprising a pneumatic jack 54 with a plate 55 at the end of its stem pushes the lid (52) home on to the container (71). The container passes on to E where it is centered to locate it correctly for printing at F. At E the follower 31 is over the cam 34 which is raised by a jack (39), Figs. 5 and 6 (not shown), so that the claws 21 are opened, and a plate 95, idly mounted on an arm 65, is lowered by a jack 66 on to the container, which is supported from below by a plate (58) supported on a column (60) and rotated by a motor, Fig. 11 (not shown). The centering mechanism, Fig. 14, consists of a resiliently mounted blade 69 which, when it engages the welding seam 70 on the container 71 pivots about 73 and pushes the arm 74, to which it is connected by a spring 77, so that the arm 74 pivots about 75 and a pin 79 on the arm activates a microswitch 80 stopping the motor which rotates the plate (58). Then the plate 95 is lifted, the cam 34 is lowered, causing the claws 21 to grip the container, and the turntable is rotated to F where the claws 21 are again opened to release the container by raising the cam 34. The arm 65 is lowered again and another idly mounted plate 96 is lowered on to the container which is supported by another rotating plate (59) on a column (61) while the printing device 83 prints on the container, Fig. 12 (not shown). After  this the plate 96 is lifted and the cam 34 is lowered closing the claws 21. The turntable moves the container to G and the follower 31 rises as it engages the cam 31, opening the claws 21. The container leaves the machine by conveyer 90. An alternative means for presetting the claws to allow for different widths of containers is provided, Figs. 15 and 16 (not shown). Height adjustment.-The filling, closuring, centering and printing mechanisms may be supported by columns 48a, Fig. 18, which are adjustable to allow for different heights of containers. Each column 48a comprises a fixed outer sleeve 114 in which is slidable a second sleeve 115 with a plate 116 at its top for supporting the mechanisms. A screw 117 is fixed to a shaft 119 and a nut 118 is fixed to the sleeve 115. The shaft 119 is rotated to vary the height of the sleeve 115. The sleeves 115 of all the columns 48a are adjusted in unison by means linking chains which pass round the pinions 121 at the end of each shaft 119.