Patent GB-333363-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to automatic can testing machines
IPC: G01M3/32
Filed: 1929-07-11
Abstract: 333,363. Continental Can Co., Inc., (Assignees of O'Neil, J. H.). March 1, 1929, [Convention date]. Testing efficiency of cans.-The can to be tested is caused to form a wall between a chamber under a fluid pressure above atmospheric and a chamber closed at atmospheric pressure, and any increase in this pressure due to a leak controls means for ejecting an imperfect can. A series of testing units are mounted on a turret rotated about a vertical axis by worm gear 2b, 2c from a shaft 2d. Each unit consists of a chamber 4 formed integral with the turret in which is. located a can support 5. This support is carried by a rod 7 on which is a collar 8 bearing on a roller 9 carried by a rock lever 10 pivoted to a cross-head 12. The cross-head is moved up and down as the turret rotates by engagement of a roller 16 in a fixed cam race 17. Spaced bars 18, 19 are carried by the cross-head 12 and are connected at the upper ends to a cross bar 20 on which is mounted the closing head 21 which is provided with a pad 22. The can C is fed into the machine along the guide 23, Fig. 5, on to a support 5 which is then lowered into the chamber 4. On the first part of this movement, the roller 13 passes out of a recess 15 and rocks the lever 10 to raise the collar 8 and support to seal the top of the can against the pad 22. Can and bead 21 then move down together, the pad closing the chamber 4. A pipe 24 supplies compressed air to the can through a valve 25 controlled by a cam on the fixed frame. At one side of the chamber 4 is a control valve provided with a water column. The valve includes a rotatable metal sleeve 27 within which is a sleeve 34 made of insulating material and again enclosing two metal sleeves 35, 36 spaced apart by an insulating sleeve 37. The composite sleeve is provided with radial parts adapted to register with ports 48 or 49 and hence through a space 47 to a port 46 when the valve is rotated step-bystep by engagement of the head 29 with fixed pins a - - e. A rod 38 connects the sleeve 31 to the frame. The chambers 4 are arranged between the outer and inner walls 43, 44 of an annular chamber which is filled with water to a constant depth. The sleeves dip into the water. When the valve head meets the pin a it is rocked so that the chamber 4 is open to the atmosphere above the water in the annular chamber as shown in Fig. 1 through ports 46, one of she radial ports and a longitudinal passage; and it is during the rotation of the turret between pins a, b that the chamber 4 is closed. The column of water within the valve electrically connects the sleeves 35, 36. When the pin b is passed, the valve is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 3, and the top of the water column is in communication with the chamber 4. The can is now under internal fluid pressure, and, if leaky, the water column is depressed and the circuit between sleeves 35, 36 is broken. The pin c is next passed and communication between column and chamber 4 cut off. The column is held, and during the next step, the can is raised and the chamber opened, a leaky can is now ejected and pin d gives an idle rock to the valve. Engagement of pin e releases the trapped air above the column and when pin a is passed, the passage 46 is connected through the valve to the atmosphere as at first. The top of the valve wipes under a sliding pin 57 provided with a cam 58, and if the sleeves 35, 36 are not electrically connected, the solenoid 69 is not energized and the pin is lifted the armature 65 establishing a circuit between contacts 70, 73 This energizes a solenoid 85 and causes the link 90 and lever 78 to be moved to eject a can. If the water column has not been depressed, then the circuit of the solenoid 69 is made and the armature 65 is held, the pin 57 merely moving upward against influence of the spring 63. The sound cans are delivered by the guiding device 91. Specification 291,272 is referred to.