Patent GB-694908-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to jar capping apparatus
Inventor: BOWEN JOE
IPC: B67B3/20
Filed: 1951-05-08
Abstract: 694,908. Stoppering. KERR & CO., Inc., A. H. May 8, 1951, No. 10814/51. Class 125(ii) In apparatus for applying screw-caps in a single operation to a number of jars 18 in a predetermined arrangement in a carton 17 supported on a conveyer 16, the caps are fed along conveyers 21 ... 23 (Fig. 10a) whence they fall down shoots 24 ... 26 into cap receiving receptacles 27 mounted for rotation about horizontal and vertical axes on a carrier which reciprocates up and down on pillars 33, the receptacles being turned over as the carrier descends and the caps being screwed on by rotation of the receptacles. As shown the carrier has four frames 30 each having three receptacles and the conveyers for the caps each feed four receptacles, one on each frame. Cap feed (Figs. 5 and 8). Each conveyer 21 23 comprises a power driven endless belt, the lower conveyer projecting beyond the one above it to allow easy placing of the caps thereon. The cap stream is divided into four streams by fingers 41 ... 43 each feeding into a cap shoot which is made up of channels 46. Near the lower end of channel 46 there is provided an escapement comprising a plate 50 having two pins 52, 53 pivoted at 51 and fixed to a lever 56. Normally pin 52 is in the path of the caps under the influence of a spring 54 but, when the cap carrier rises, a member 91 thereof engages a lever 199 which in turn engages lever 56 to pivot plate 50, withdraw pin 52 and project pin 53 into the path of the next succeeding cap. The leading cap falls, down through ring 57 into the receptacle 27. Cap carrier (Figs. 1, 2 and 5). On a base plate 122, which can be adjusted in height relative to conveyer 16 either by screw and nut means 123, 125 or by a fluid-pressure jack 126 to accommodate different heights of jar, are supported four corner posts 33 on which the rectangular carrier 86, 114, 90, 91 is reciprocated by fluid-pressure cylinders 120. The receptacle frames 30 are adjustably mounted in slots 116 formed in members 86, 114 so that the frames can be adjusted laterally for different jar diameters. Each frame comprises longitudinal bars 69, 70 and end plates 79, 80 which are pivotally carried in members 86, 114 on shafts 84, 87, the latter of which carries a gear 92. To overturn the frames 30 during the descent of the carrier, the gears 92 are all rotated by a reciprocating rack 93 operated by a fluid-pressure device 155. The receptacles are each fitted with a chain wheel 32 and a chain 98 passes round these, an idler 100 and a gear 99 on a shaft 101 driven by bevel gearing 102, 103 on shaft 104 driven by an electric motor 105. In a modification, the gears 99 are rotated by a common chain driven by a single electric motor. On each frame, the centre receptacle is fixed and the right-hand one can be adjusted to and from it by removable links 81 of different length. Similarly the left-hand receptacle can be adjusted by removable links 82. Cap receptacles (Fig. 5). Each receptacle 27 comprises a cup 58 for receiving the cap which is held therein by an electromagnet comprising a core 68 and a coil 67 supplied with current by wipers from conductor bars 77 on the inner faces of frame bars 69, 70. The bars 77 are connected by wires 171 passing through shafts 87 to a generator 167 through a rheostat 169. The motors 105 are also supplied from generator 167. Operation. As a carton approaches on conveyer 16, the carrier is rising by the admission of fluid pressure to cylinders 120 at the 'end of the preceding operation. The carton abuts a switch 134 (Fig. 2) to make it, which switch is connected in series with a solenoid 142 and a switch 139 on a post 133 adapted to be made when the carrier reaches the top. When the two switches are made, the solenoid 142 is energised to open a valve in the fluid pressure system to reverse the motion of the carrier. The carrier has been filled with caps from the shoots 24 ... 26 at the top of its stroke. Descent of the carrier operates trips to energise the magnets in the receptacles 27 and to set them rotating. A trip is also actuated to supply pressure to the cylinder 155 to actuate the rack 93 to cause the frames to turn over. The carrier continues down and applies the caps. During its ascent, which is initiated by a further trip, the frames turn over again, the magnets are de-energised and the motors 105 stopped. A trip is also made to supply fluid-pressure to a cylinder to lower the switch 134 out of the path of the carton to allow it to be discharged by faster-moving conveyer 205. After the carton has passed on, the switch 134 is elevated again by a spring to intercept the next carton. The electrical initiation of the start of the cycle may be replaced by a valve actuated by the carrier at its highest point to reverse the supply of fluid to cylinders 120. The conveyers 16, 205 have adjustable, lateral guide flanges 129 and the top flaps 132 of the cartons are kept out of the way by deflectors 131.