Patent GB-1461543-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for providing caps on containers
IPC: B21D51/46
Filed: 1975-05-12
Abstract: 1461543 Packaging; feeding sheets SIGNODE CORP 12 May 1975 [18 Oct 1974] 19850/75 Headings B8C and B8R A container T having a flanged open end, and particularly for packaging a refrigerator or stove, is provided with an end closure C in apparatus comprising folding means 100 to 103 on a support 24 and including devices for folding the closure C downwardly to form a peripheral flange, means, e.g. an elevator (34, Fig. 4, not shown), for raising the container T into engagement with the closure C, when further devices in the means 100 to 103 fold the closure flange into underlying engagement with the initially outwardly extending container flange, and further means on the support 24 for folding the closure and container flanges parallel to and lying against the container walls. Containers T are supplied to the elevator (34) by conveyers (21, 32), and as each container arrives a closure C of a size appropriate to the container is placed by an operative on a plate 56, Figs. 1, 11, of a conveyer 55. Each of the folding means 101 and 103 is movable on a trolley 110, see also Fig. 5, by a hydraulic cylinder 125 towards its position for folding an edge of a rectangular closure C, such movement enabling handling by automatic adjustment of different size containers. The folding means 100, 102 are stationary. On the conveyer 55 a transverse edge of the closure C is engaged in a notch in a member 70, Fig. 7, to move it in accordance with the width of the closure C to actuate cable and pulley mechanism to adjust a reflector 58 controlling an electric eye switch 5, 7, see also Fig. 1, to stop the folding mechanism 103 in its required position. A pneumatic cylinder of the conveyer 55 advances the closure C until its leading edge interrupts a photoelectric cell 90 whereby movement of the folding mechanism 101 by its hydraulic cylinder 125 is halted in dependence upon the length of a closure C. Figs. 12 to 14 illustrate operation of the folding mechanisms 100 and 101, folding taking place during upwards movement of the container. Transverse folding members 210 carried by L-shaped pivoted brackets 211, see particularly Fig. 12, are raised by pneumatic cylinders 216 into channel shaped cavities 230 see also Fig. 5, to form closure flanges which are folded against the container flange by folding members 309, Fig. 13 carried by pneumatically actuated U-shaped members 310. Further upward movement of the container C forces the flanges against surfaces 321 to fold the flanges parallel with the container walls. The folding mechanisms 102, 103 are of different construction from the mechanisms 101, 102 and comprise folding rods 202, 203, Fig. 6, carried by pneumatically actuated generally L-shaped member 240. After the folding of the flanges as shown in Fig. 14 plastics or steel strapping is supplied from a roll 35, Fig. 1, by a strapping head 350 around a channel 356 to bind the container T. Feeding the cap sheet, Figs. 1, 11.-The cap C is placed on a platform 56 beneath a feeding boom 80, raised to the dot-dash position shown by piston and cylinder means 82, 83 to facilitate placing of the cap by hand. The boom is then lowered and a feed member 86 is advanced by a piston-and-cylinder portion 85 of the boom to the position shown overlying the container T.