Improvements in and connected with Bottle Sealing Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in and connected with Bottle Sealing Machines.
We, THE CROWN CORK COMPANY, LIMITED, of 79 and 81, Paul Street, Finsbury, in
the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to machines for applying to bottles closing or sealing devices
consisting of crowns or caps, such as the devices known as "crown corks" which
comprise a metallic crown containing a compressible sealing disc, such crown being
adapted to be affixed over the mouth of the bottle by having its edge bent or set
around a locking shoulder on the bottle head while the device is under pressure.
In the specification of Letters Patent No. 7877 dated April 26th, 1892, there is
shown and described a machine for sealing bottles by foot power, and in the specifica-
tion of Letters Patent No. 17671 dated August 16th 1898 there is shown and described
an improvement thereon providing for performing similar operations by steam or
other extraneous power. In either of the above cases the rapidity of operation is
limited by the requirement that the operator places the sealing devices or closures
singly in the throat of the sealing head, and also places and removes the bottles in
the inachine singly.
It is desirable for the more rapid performance of the sealing operations that the
crowns or seals be automatically placed in position within the sealing head and the
removal of the sealed bottles from the machine be also automatically performed,
leaving to be performed by the operator only the successive placing of the bottles
upon the machine. By such a machine as is hereinafter described the number of
bottles which may be sealed by an operator is increased to about double that of
the machines described in the specifications above referred to.
In the two forms of machines last mentioned, the sealing head is given vertical
motion to and from the bottle and its support. In the machine made the subject
of the present application, the series of sealing heads employed are vertically
stationary while the sealing pressure is obtained by the vertical motion of the
bottle supports. In the machine described in the latter of the specifications
referred to above, the mechanism for automatically limiting the sealing pressure, and
compensating for small variations in the length of bottles of a given capacity, consists
of an hydraulic device fully described therein. In the present invention the
limitation of sealing pressure is accomplished and a similar compensation for
varying lengths of bottles is procured by different means not of an hydraulic
character. The machine which is the subject of the present application, as a
whole, performs all the functions of the two previously referred to, and in addition
thereto, automatically selects the closures from a hopper in which they are
promiscuously placed and presents them with the proper side up to the sealing heads
in juxtaposition with the bottle beads, and automatically removes the sealed bottles
from the apparatus.
In order that the said invention may be olearly understood and readily carried into
effect we will proceed to describe the same more fully with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which·

page_text: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine principally in section on a central line.
Figure 2 is a front elevation.
Figure 3 is a plan with the feed mechanism removed.
Figure 4 is a partial plan in horizontal section on line A-B Figure 2, the clutch
driving mechanism being broken away.
Figure 5 is a top view of a channel plate forming part of the feed mechanism.
Figures 6, 6 and 6 are respectively a top, an edge and a bottom view of an
agitating and selecting ring forming part of the feed mechanisın.
Figures 7 and 7 are respectively a plan and an elevation and development of a
detail.
Figure 8 is a detached elevation of the hopper.
Figure 9 is a detached view in plan of another detail hereinafter described.
Figures 10 and 10 show in plan and vertical section respectively a throat ring
forming part of one of the sealing heads.
Figure 11 is a sectional view of the channel plate showing a certain spring to be
hereinafter described.
Figure 12 is a sectional view of one of the sealing heads.
Figures 12, 12, 13, 13 and 14 show details relating to a channel through which the
crowus piss from the feed mechanism to the chute by which they are conveyed to the
sealing heads.
Figures 15, 10 and 17 are detail views hereinafter referred to.
a is the base-piece to which is secured a stationary hollow column b. Secured to
the column bis a cam b' (Figures 7 and 7) whose rise and fall is symmetrical.
Surrounding the column is a second hollow column e, made a running fit at its top
and hottom upon the column b and formed into a step at its extreme lower end which
runs upon a corresponding step surface formed on the bottom part of the column b.
c is an upward extension bolted to the column c and made a running fit at its top
and bottom on the column b. The column c has secured to its lower end a bevel gear
wheel c facing downwards, which is engaged by a pinion secured to a horizontal
shaft journalted in a bracket co secured to the base a. The shaft c is actuated by a
pulley co and a well known clutch mechanism. The clutch is operated to stop or
start the machine by the usual sliding cone through the instrumentality of
levers c and c fulcrumed respectively on the bracket c and a casing d surrounding
and enclosing the lower mechanism, the levers being connected by a bar,
The casing is provided with doors d' held by latches ³ through which doors access
may be had to the interior of the casing.
The column c has an enlargement at its top and bottom, both of which are
perforated for the reception of a series of cylinders e and ef which slide vertically in
them and in one another. The cylinders e have journalled on their lower ends
rollers e¹ which engage the stationary can b¹. The column c is caused to revolve,
carrying with it the cylinders e and et, and, through the cam b', the cylinders e rise
and fall during a part of the revolution of the column c and remain down the greater
part of the time. To ensure the lowering as well as the rising of the cylinders e at
the proper time, a small roller ƒ (Figure 1) is journalled on a projecting lug on eacli
of the cylinders e, which rollers engage an overhanging flange b2 formed upon the
can b. In this way as the column c is rotated the cylinders e will successively rise
to the position shown as occupied by the left hand cylinder e in Figure 1, and fall
again to the original level.
The cylinders have attached to their upper ends U-shaped guides es against
which the bottles are placed and by which they are centered, and rubber pads e² are
let into the top of the cylinders to form a cushioned rest for the bottoms of the
bottles. is a nut threaded on the column 6 bearing upon a shoulder formed
on the upper end of the column c, to prevent said column c from rising off its
step by the action of cain b¹. h is a table forming a platform upon which to
assemble bottles ready for placing in the apparatus, and to receive those delivered
therefrom after sealing. ¹ is a wiper or switch oscillating upon a pivot ' in the
table h and held in position by a spring h³ under the table h, shown in dotted lines

page_text: |in Figure 4; its function is to wipe into place against the guides any battles not
properly placed by the operator; the bottles being placed by the operator while the
tops of cylinders e pass in front of him. The wiper h¹ is held in position by the
spring in order to yield and avoid fracturing the bottles in case one should be so
placed as to get caught between it and one of the horns of the guides e. h³ is another
wiper, rigidly secured to the table h, which switches the sealed bottles off the
cylinders & after they have been sealed and lowered to the level of the table.
In the operations of the parts so far described, the column o and its attached
inccbanism is rotated in the direction of the arrows Figures 3 and 4, the bottles being
wiped into place, while the cam b¹ successively raises and lowers the cylinders e and e
to seal the bottles, the bottles being successively placed on the rubber pads while
the cylinders are in the lower position, and finally the sealed bottles are auto-
matically removed by the wiper 15.
are
The cylinders e each contain an automatic pressure releasing mechanisin to be now
described. Sliding vertically within the cylinders e are a set of cylinders e. The
middle body of the cylinders et is reduced in diameter to slide through and be guided
by nuta e, made in halves to permit of their being placed in contact with the smaller
diameter of the cylinders e and forming stops for the upward limit of motion of the
cylinders e' within the cylinders e. The cylinders et have sliding within them a third
series of cylinders es, closed at the bottom and opened at the top into the chamber of
cylinders through holes e in guides e scoured in the tops of the cylinders e. Screwed
into the tops of the cylinders are rods i which slide freely through the top and
bottom of the cylinders e, and secured to the lower ends of said rods are bevelled
buttons Hinged to the bottom of each of the cylinders by pins are a pair of
tripping dogs whose free ends are partly bevelled to engage with the bevel on the
upper side of buttons . In the bottom of the cylinders e are placed cylindrical
pieces having a continuation upward of steel cylindrical pieces j screwed therein.
The cylindrical pieces envelope the dogs and limit their outward motion.
hardened steel rings bevelled at their top edges to conform to the outer bevel on the
free ends of the dogs . Surrounding the cylindrical pieces are helical springs ³
resting at their lower ends upon flanges on the pieces j, and at their upper
ends upon the bottom of the cylinders 6. The springs have sufficient
compression only to support the weight of the superposed parts and to restore
them to the position shown in Figure 1 after depression of these parts; and add no con-
siderable amount to the sealing force of the apparatus. A series of much stiffer
helical springs envelope the cylinders and rest at their lower ends on flanges
formed on the bottom of cylinders and at their tops upon the under side of the
cylinders e. The springs are given original compression sufficient to compress
the crowns or caps upon the bottles and no more, and are held in the original
compression by the contact of the dogs with the rings and the buttons i¹, or
with the buttons i¹ only when the predetermined sealing pressure has been reached
and the dogs are closed into position to pass down into rings by the bevelled tops
of said rings . As, however, bottles of a given capacity vary in length, the parts
just described are designed to release the sealing pressure as soon as the limiting
compression of the springs is reached. By the construction shown and just
described it will be seen that with a bottle placed on the pad and forced upward by
the can until the sealing resistance becomes greater than the predetermined
compression of the spring j this spring begins to be slightly further compressed,
the button i descends slightly from contact with the dogs causing them to be
moved inward by the inclined top surface of the ring until they can pass down
within the ring, and the button holds the spring under its original compression,
while the bottle is released from all pressure; after which the resistance offered by
the lighter spring ja restores the parts to the positions shown in Figure 1 while the
whole is being dropped to its lower level by the cam bi preparatory to receiving
another bottle. In this way the predetermined compressive force of the spring joan
never be exceeded more than a very slight amount by a variation in the length of
the bottles.

page_text: do are thin sheet metal sleeves secured at their upper ends to the cylinders et and
freely enveloping the upper ends of cylinders e to protect the interior mechanism of
the cylinders e and from any of the liquids being spilled upon the machine,
entering the sliding joints of the one cylinder within the other. 10 are holes bored
in the tops of the cylinders e' (shown in dotted lines only Figure 1) for the escape
of and re-entrance of the air from and to the interior of the cylinders as the voluine
is changed by the sliding of cylinders et within the cylinders e; and, for a similar
purpose, Loles et are provided in the bottom of the cylinders e.
Secured by a flunge at its lower end to the top of the hollow column c is a hollow
column c¹ having a screw thread on a portion of its middle length. k is'a cylindrical
piece fitting over the column c' and adjustably held in vertical position thereou by a
nut. The nut is made in two pieces so as to permit of its being placed in
position shewn, it having a groove formed in it which embraces a flange on the
piece h. The piece is made to revolve with the column c¹ by means of a feather ke
(Figure 3) upon which it slides when adjusted vertically on the column o'. Secured
to the piece is a series of sealing beads corresponding in number and position
with the cylinders e and e'. Inserted in the lower ends of the sealing heads is a
series of taper sealing throats & which effect the closing in of the corrugated flanges
of the crowns when the latter are forced up into them by the bottle heads. Below
the sealing throats k' is a series of throat rings k', opeu at their outer sides as shown
in Figures 10 and 10, which figures are drawn to a larger scale for clearness. The
throats and throat rings are secured in place by nuts 4. In the upper part of
sealing heads is a series of plungers k extending down into the sealing throats k+
and limited in their lower position by a flange forined thereon resting upon corre-
sponding seats formed in the lower ends of the sealing heads. The rise of the
plungers is resisted by springs reacting at their lower ends upon the flanges of
the said plungers and at their upper ends on nuts. The function of the plungers k is,
when the crowns are inserted in the throat rings A, to hold them in contact with the
top of the bottle, and exert a direct downward pressure to effect the compression of
the sealing medium which the crowns contain, while the throats * compress the
corrugated flanges of said crowns around the bottle heads. Surrounding and running
in a groove formed in the lower ends of the sealing heads, is a flat ring o
(Figure 9) whose inuer edge meets the open sides of the throat. rings. The
ring ko is made in two pieces and hinged on a post which is adjustably secured
to a socket standard 12 by a set screw t¹, said standard being secured at the bottom to
the table. The function of the post 41 is to assist in holding the ring 10 from
rotating when in place, and to support it when opened for removal of any obstruction
in the throat rings. The function of the ring 10, when closed in its operative
position, is to confine the crowns in the throat rings as they are carried around to
the sealing point to meet the rising bottles. At that part of the ring
opposite to the post a channels is cut partly in each half of the ring.
Through this channel & the crowns or caps pass into the throat rings 4 as they
pass by in the rotation of the sealing heads A.
crowns.
The throat rings occupying the bases of the scaling heads are of the form
shown in Figures 10 and 15, each having a flaring mouth or entrance for the
The bases of the sealing heads as shown in Figure 15, are of such shape
as to touch each other, and a groove is made (Figure 16) in the front for the
reception of the ring so that the crowns are directed through the passage of
the ring 10 to the throat ring and there is no space between the throat rings into
which the crowns can pass. Figure 17 is a section on line J-K of Figure 15
showing the relation of the chute, the ring 410 and the throat ring. Figure 16 is a
section on line G-H of Figure 15.
m is a hopper into which the crowns or caps are indiscriminately placed. Its
bottoin is formed at an augle of about 45° and is secured to an outer channel
plate m3. This channel plate is secured to a bracket. piece m² which has a flanged
socket on its lower end which embraces the upper end of the column b and rests upon
the piece h. The bracket piece m² is prevented from rising off the column b by a

page_text: nut m, ar is held from rotating with the piece k, by a key mº, while allowing the
piece k, and the bevelled gear wheel secured thereto to freely revolve with the
colmnu c¹.
All the parts carried by the piece and bracket piece m² accompany any vertical
adjustment of the piece for different sizes of bottles. Fitting over the upper end
of the piece k is a horizontal bevelled gear wheel m³ secured to rotate therewith by
a feather m. Upon a stud te run two bevelled pinions m², m³, secured together. The
pinion in engages the bevelled gear wheel m³ and the pinion m³ engages a bevelled
gear wheel formed upon the plate mo which rotates upon a stud 10 and presents on
its upper side a plane surface to which is secured a selecting ring m¹ by means of
foot pieces m". The upper surface of the selecting ring m¹s is bevelled and is provided
with a series of agitators or ribs ms, and in its under side the selecting ring m
has channels of of such dimensions and forin that the larger diameter of the crowns
or caps o cannot pass through unless the larger or flanged side of such crowns in
toward the surface of the bevelled gear wheel plate mo, the channels of being only
wide enough for the passage of the smaller diameter of the crowns o.
In this way
the crown
lying indiscriminately upon the plate m forming the bottom of the
hopper and agitated by the rotation of the ribs m¹³ will pass into the channels o'
of the selecting ring m from the inside if they present themselves with the flanges
or larger diameters next the plate mº, but cannot pass if presented with the flange
upward. Such of them however, as fail to pass because presented wrong side up are
tumbled and agitated by the ribs m¹s until all finally find their way through the
selecting ring by gravitation at its lower circumference, where the agitated
crowns or caps will principally accumulate. To protect the upper part of the selecting
ring from the mass of crowns in the hopper, a plate or partition (Figure 1) is pro-
vided in the latter. Let into the upper surface of the channel plate m where it
underlies the selecting ring m are switching ribs o slightly projecting above its
surface, shown in plan in Figure 5 and in elevation in Figure 11. These ribs engage
the corrugations of the crowns and tend, as the selecting ring m rotates over them,
to cause the crowns o to pass out beyond the periphery of the selecting ring m.
Secured to an inner channel plate m¹ is a switch point of which insures the passage
of the crowns or caps out into the outer channel of should the ribs of fail to perforin
this duty. In occasional cases a crown might arrive against the switch point o³ in
such exact line with an approaching point of one of the triangular partitions between
the transverse or angular channels of the selecting ring mas to become crushed.
To avoid this contingency a spring of is provided carrying an upward projection 0°
on its free end, which protrudes upward through a slot in the channel plate m'.
This spring point is so placed with reference to the switch point and the
approaching points of the triangular partitions of the selecting ring me, that a crown
or cap which would otherwise be crushed against the switch point of will either be
switched by the spring point of outwardly sufficiently to avoid the crushing line, and
to ensure the operation of the switch point o³ so as to force the cap or crown into the
outer channel of, or, by receding below the channel plate m', permit the crown to be
forced inward to rejoin the promiscuous mass of crowns upon the plate mº. The
spring point also serves to switch inward any crowns which may have partially
entered the passages in the selecting ring m wrong side up, as far as their wrong
position will perimit, thus returning them again to the central mass of crowns. The
outer channel o is curved upward and inward, as shown respectively at 10¹
Figs. 5, and 8, so that if any obstruction is offered to the passage of the crowns
on their way to, or in, the final channel or chute o', as, for example, by the solecting
apparatus delivering more crowns into the channel than are removed from the
chute o in the sealing operations, the line of crowns will break inward and be dis-
charged back through an opening p in the bottom of the hopper m under the parti-
tion to rejoin the indiscriminate mass of crowns lying upon the rotating gear
wheel plate m, as shown at t, & Fig. 5.
The chute of leads the crowns or caps to the channel s in the front of the ring +10
whence they pass by the gravitation of the column in the chute o' into the throat

page_text: rings
through the said channel s. As the juxtaposed bottles are forced up into the
throats they are successively sealed and again dropped with the crowus attached
as the cylinders e' descend. The sealed bottles as they are then carried around at
the level of the table are switched off the cylinders et by the stationary switch h³ to
be further removed from the table h by an attendant. pare openings in the side of
the hopper m under the partition to permit of access to the mass of crowns or caps
lying upon the gear plate. The said openings are closed by doors 7 when in
operation, secured by latches operated by the knobs p³. is a bracket or brace
secured at its upper end to the casting m³ and at its lower end to the ring 10 when
the latter is closed and the machine in operation; thus supporting the side of ring to
opposite to the post kl.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of the hopper mn and its attached mechanism with the
gear cover V, Figs. 1 and 2, removed. The bevelled gear is here shown in place
also. Figure 9 is a plan of the retaining ring to showing the grooves where the
lower end of the chute o enters it, and a throat ring as it would arrive opposite
the chute o' to receive a crown or cap. Figures 10 and 10 are a plan and a section
of a throat ring drawn to a larger scale for clearness. In Figure 6 of the selecting
ring ma crown o is shown in dotted lines as passing through one of the passages of
of the said selecting ring m; and similarly in Fig. 5 the dotted circles o represent
the crowns, after passing through the passages in the selecting ring 12, passing ou
in a continuous line to the chute 7, except as shown at t, where their passage is
obstructed.
The screw thread upon the column c¹, the nut engaging the same, and the
post sliding in the socket standard as secured by the set screw t, permits of the
adjustment of the piece k with its attached sealing heads 4 and the entire feeding
mechanism, vertically to accommodate bottles of different volume and dimensions
independently of the pressure releasing mechanism described above, which compen-
sntes only for slight variations in the lengths of bottles of a given volume and
supposedly given length.
The operator stands at the front of the machine and places the bottles upon the
cylinders as they pass. The bottles are centered by the gauges e³, und us they pass
around to the back of the machine they are forced up into the throats by the
cam until the predetermined limit of upward pressure is reached, when the
pressure releasing mechanisin slightly drops them, after which the cam & returns
them to the original level and they are swept off upon the table by the switch h".
The feeding and selecting apparatus above automatically supply the crowns or caps
to the sealing mechanisın.
To more clearly illustrate the path of travel of the crowns after they pass through
the channels of the plate into the channel of this channel o' is illustrated on a
larger scale in Figures 12 to 14. In Figure 12 is shown a detail of a part of the
upper edge of the selecting ring and the channel plate m' together with that part
of the hopper m having the opening 2 through which the crowns pass back into the
hopper when there is an obstruction for any reason. This figure shows the relative
position of the channel o' to its adjacent parts when in position in the machine, the
section being taken on the line C-D of Figure 13 just opposite the opening p. The
inclination of this channel at its entrance is shown in the sectional Figure 12 which
is taken on the line E-F of Figure 13, viewed in the direction of the arrow band
with the part in the position it occupies in the machine. Figure 13 shows the
channel o in plan as it would appear removed from the machine and resting on its
flat base and not in its proper position, as this view is intended principally to show
the shape of this channel. Figure 13 is also a section on line C-D of Figure 13
viewed in the direction of the arrow, but it will be understood that this sectional
view does not show the plate in its proper relative position and is intended primarily
to illustrate the configuration of the plate in section at this point. The corresponding
highest parts of Figures 13 and 13 are indicated by º.
Figure 14 shows a cover plate of for the channel, this being in place in Figure 12.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven⭑
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to us by
our foreign correspondent, we declare that what we claim is :-
1. A machine for applying crowns or caps to bottles, comprising a series of sealing
heads, means for automatically feeding said crowns thereto, a series of bottle sup-
porting devices, means for rotating the heads and supporting devices and means for
Causing the bottle supporting devices to approach and recede from the sealing heads
during their rotation whereby the crowns are automatically fed to the sealing heads
and the bottles carried by their supporting devices automatically raised to be sealed
and lowered after sealing to be removed, substantially as described.
2. In a machine for applying crowns or caps to bottles, a series of sealing heads,
means for feeding the crowns automatically to said heads, a series of bottle supporting
devices, means for rotating the heads and supporting devices, means for causing the
bottle supporting devices and sealing heads to approach and recede during their
mutual rotation, and means for removing the sealed bottles automatically froin their
supporting devices, substantially as described.
3. In a machine for applying crowns or caps to bottles, a pressure limiting
mechanism comprising a support for the bottle, a spring held under an original pre-
determined compression, a tripping mechanism and means for automatically operating
the same wben said predetermined pressure is reached, substantially as described.
4. In a pressure limiting mechanism for bottle sealing machines, a support for the
bottle, a compound cylinder, a spring between the two members thereof, said spring
being given an original predetermined compression and means substantially as
described for releasing said compression when said predetermined limit has been
reached, by allowing one member of said compound cylinder to slide within the other
to shorten the same as a whole, substantially as described.
5. In a machine for applying crowns or caps to bottles, a series of rotating com-
pound cylinders, said cyclinders comprising an upper inverted cylinder, supporting
the bottles, a lower cylinder, a third cylinder sliding within said upper cylinder, a
pair of tripping dogs, a rod secured to the upper cylinder and carrying on its free
end a button engaged by the tripping dogs, a sleeve for the bevelled button, limiting
the outward motion of the dogs, a spring within the upper cylinder, said spring being
given an original compression sufficient only to perform the sealing compression and
a lighter spring to restore the parts after being tripped and the pressure released,
substantially as described.
6. In a machine for automatically applying crowns or caps to bottles, a series of
sealing heads, a hopper, a single chute between the hopper and the sealing heads for
supplying the bends in succession and means for properly feeding the crowns to the
chute, substantially as described.
7. In a muchine for automatically applying crowns or caps to bottles, a series of
sealing heads, a hopper, a single ohute between the hopper and sealing heads and
means for confining the crowns within the sealing heads until attached to the bottle,
substantially as described.
8. In a machine for automatically applying crowns or caps to bottles, a series of
sealing heads, compressing mechanism, a hopper to receive the crowns, an inclined
rotating bottom plate, and a selecting ring baving a series of channels adapted to
permit the passage of the crowns therethrough in a certain position, an outer
channel way surrounding said selecting ring, and a single chute arranged to deliver
said crowns to the series of sealing heads and compressing mechanism, substantially
as described.
9. In a machine for automatically applying crowns or caps to bottles, a hopper, a
selecting ring in the bottom thereof arranged in an inclined position and adapted to
be rotated, and a series of channels extending through the selecting ring adapted to
permit the passage of the crowns when fed in proper position, agitators carried by
the selecting ring, and a plate » protecting the upper part of the selecting ring from
the mass of crowns in the hopper, substantially as described,

page_text: 10. In combination with a hopper, a selecting ring in the bottom thereof with
channels therethrough for the passage of the crowns in proper position, a chute for
directing the crowns to the sealing mechanism and a channel adapted to receive the
crowns as they pass froin the selecting ring, said channel passing outside of the wall
of the hopper and devinting from the plain circle of the selecting ring, and an open-
ing being formed in the wall of the hopper at the point of deviation whereby when
obstruction is offered to the free movement of the crowns the surplus will be thrown
back within the hopper through the said opening, substantially as described.
11. A bottle sealing machine having its parts constructed, arranged and combined
to operate substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings
for the purposes specified.
Dated this 7th day of November 1900.
HASELTINE, LAKE & CO.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.