Patent GB-1049426-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for making frusto-conical label constructions for bottles and the like
IPC: B65D41/44
Filed: 1963-07-26
Abstract: 1,049,426. Container closures; making labels. REYNOLDS METALS CO. July 26, 1963 [July 27, 1962], No. 29829/63. Headings B8F and B8T. A cap or label for a stoppered bottle 30 is formed from a flat blank 59 into frusto-conical shape on a mandrel, and a portion 42 of the formed blank adjacent its smaller end is bent inwards, whilst on the mandrel, to provide an abut ment for the smaller end of an identical cap when the latter is nested therein, and prevents a vacuum occurring between nested caps. A number of abutments 42 may be provided by slitting the cap wall at circumferentially spaced positions, and forcing that part above each slit inwardly. The smaller end of the cap has tabs 64 which are bent into the plane of the end, and then attached to a separate end disc 38. The cap is annularly perforated at 40 enabling the smaller end to be torn off. The blank may comprise a metallic foil adhered to a paper backing. Apparatus for producing such caps includes a rotary table 45, Fig. 10, on a stationary support 44, carrying tapering mandrels 46 which are indexed from a first station 47, where they receive a flat blank, to subsequent stations 48-58 at some of which further operations are performed. At station 47 a blank is picked up from a stack by a perforated hollow member 134 connected to a suction source, and the edge 61 of the blank is positioned on the top side of the mandrel. The latter is perforated at 100 along its length, Fig. 21, not shown, and connected to a vacuum source whereby the blank is held by the mandrel which is then rotated about its axis through one revolution to form the blank into frusto-conical form with its opposed edges 60, 61 adhered together. For the latter purpose the edge 60 is coated with an adhesive by a roll 138 on its way from the stack to the mandrel. During this rotation an arm 118 pivoted at 119 to the mandrel support compresses the blank against the mandrel; the arm is moved away from the mandrel by cam means when the blank is fed to it. At the station 49 a die 145, Fig. 12, not shown, is forced against the tabs 64 to force them against the flat face of the mandrel. At station 51 a disc 38 is cut from a strip 66, Figs. 5 and 13, not shown, and impaled on a spindle 67 projecting from the mandrel. On passing to the station 52, a heated die 183, Fig. 17, not shown, 'is forced against the flat end of the mandrel to heat seal the disc 38 on to the tabs 64. When station 53 is reached the cap is perforated at 40 and also slit at circumferentially spaced positions by discs 190, 191 respectively, Fig. 18, not shown, secured to a member 192 rotated by a drive shaft 203; alternatively the mandrel is rotated about its axis, with the discs urged into frictional engagement with the cap. During each rotation of the mandrel a pressure pad 206 holds the cap firmly against it. At station 54 the portions 42 are formed by being bent inwardly by spring fingers 218, Fig. 21, not shown, extending from a forwardly urged member 217. Prior to the fingers engaging the cap at positions above the slits, the cap is forced from the end of the mandrel a slight amount by a part 89 urged outwardly by cam means, thereby providing a cavity 214 for the reception of the fingers. The completed cap, on reaching the station 56, is removed from the mandrel and stacked in a hopper 68 by an arm 220, Fig. 24, not shown, carrying suction pickup means 225 which is swung towards and away from the hopper by a hydraulic motor 227. The suction may be provided by piston and cylinder mechanisms 229-232 connected to the motor 227. A final nesting of the caps in the hopper is effected by an arm 237 driven by an hydraulic motor 237.