US3040491A - Method of and apparatus for handling cans having end beads - Google Patents

Description

June 26, 1962 v. K. VllTANEN .METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CANS HAVING END BEADS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 25, 1959 INVENTOR VEIKKO K. VIITANEN In M ATTORNEY June 26, 1962 v. K. VHTANEN METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLI 3,040,491 NG v CANS HAVING END BEADS Filed March 25, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 1 1 q fl Q, 6: s w

INVENTOR VEIKKO K. VIITANEN WwW ATTORNEY 3,040,491 LING June 26, 1962 v. K. VIITANEN METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HAND CANS HAVING END BEADS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 23, 1959 INVENTOR VEIKKO K. VIITANEN ATTORNEY June 26, 1962 v. K. VIITANEN 3,040,491-

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CANS HAVING END BEADS Filed March 23, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F'IE E INVENTOR VEIKKO K. VIITANEN A'I'TO RNEY United States METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING The present invention appertains in general to can casing machines and more particularly to a method of preventing the interlocking of can end beads during can casing operations and to apparatus for performing the method.

The annular end seams or beads projecting from the sides of can bodies are a source of many problems during certain can casing operations. In one such casing operation cans of the type mentioned are stacked in reclining position, one upon another and in juxtaposed relation in the case or carton loading chute of a can casing machine. Each can stack comprises one tier, and a plurality of such tiers may be required to fill a shipping case or carton. A plurality of such stacks or tiers are collected in the chute with thecans of adjoining stacks in end-to-end relation and extending lengthwise of the chute. A case of the top opening variety and of appropriate size and shape to hold one or more tiers is located in can receiving position about the discharge end of the chute. The case is then filled by advancing all the cans lengthwise in the chute until the correct number of tiers have been pushed from the chute into the case to fill the same.

While filling the chute with cans the rims or beads at the ends of some of the cans in one tier frequently catch over and become interlocked with the beads of adjacent cans in an adjoining tier in a manner known in the tradeas rim lock. Since the cans, at the time of the casing operation are filled with a product and are rather heavy the interlocked cans cannot readilybe separated. Additionally, the cans are under pressure exerted endwise thereupon, and this is another factor that makes it difiicult to separate cans in rim-locked interengagement. If this rim locked condition exists between the cans of the tier last to enter a filled case and the cans of the adjoining tier remaining in the chute, removal of the filled case from the chute is seriously hindered. Cans will be pulled from the case by cans in the chute interlocked atent O therewith and/or from the chute as a consequence of their being interlocked with cans in the easel Thus, it is evident that loading operations. are slowed by the problems resulting from the interlocking of the end beads of the cans.

An object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide an improved can casing machine.

Another object is to provide an improved can handling method to prevent interference with separation of adjoining tiers by rim lock between the beads of cans of the adjoining tiers during can casing operations.

Another object is to provide improved means in a can casing machine to prevent interference with separation of adjoining tiers by rim lock between the beads of cans of the adjoining tiers.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a can eas ing machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective of a portion of the machine shown in FIG.,1 as viewed from above the front of the machine and at one side.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a portion of the machine shown in FIG. 1, and illustrates the apparatus in an advanced operational position.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 and illustrates the apparatus in a further advanced operational position.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation partly in section showing several cans in rim locked condition.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation partly in section showing cans positioned in accordance with the teaching of the present invention.

The apparatus of the present invention is an improve: ment to the case loading machine fully disclosed in US. Patent 2,650,009 of C. E. Kerr for Apparatus for Packing Containers. The machine embodying the present invention and the machine of the previously mentioned patent are constructed similarly and operate in a similar manner. Therefore, the patent mentioned above may be referred to for details of construction and operation of the case loading machine presently disclosed.

Cans 14 (FIG. 5) of the common cylindrical type and having ,end beads 16 (FIGS. 5 and 6) are delivered on end to the case loading machine 17 (FIG. 1) where tiers 18 comprising a predetermined number of cans arranged in rows are successively assembled at a tier pickup station 20. After the assembly of each tier 18, it is picked up by transfer arms 22 of a rotary turret 24 moving in the direction of the arrow 26 (FIG. 1) and deposited in a case loading chute 27 as indicated at 18'. It will be noted that each tier 18 in the chute 27 is disposed on one edge of the tier, i.e., turned through approximately in a clockwise direction (FIG. 1) from the position of the tier at station 20, so that the cans are reclining.

When thus arranging tiers of cans successively in a loading chute by previously known apparatus, the condition known as rim lock frequently develops. This condition of cans within a loading chute is illustrated in FIG. 5, which shows parts of two adjoining tiers 18a-18b of cans in a loading chute 27a. Each tier 18a and 18b consists of several superimposed rows extending transversely of the chute. One can 14a in the next to the lowest row in the tier 18a has been displaced within the chute 27a rearwardly with regard to the directionof can'advance, and the corresponding can 14b in the following tier 18b has been similarly displaced. Consequently, the bead 16a at the trailing end of the can 14a has become lodged behind the beads 16c and 16d at the leading ends of cans 14c and 1401, respectively, beside the can 14b in the tier 1812. Since the cans are propelled through the chute 27a by pressure exerted from behind, the can 14b presses forward against the can 14a. Occasionally this causes the bead 16a of the can 14a to be gripped with considerable force between the beads 16b and and between the beads 16b and 16d. However, the principal cause of difiiculty in separating two adjoining tiers such as those exemplified by tiers 18a and 18b in FIG. 5, is the lack of uniformity in the direction in which adjacent transverse rows are offset. Since the can 14c is offset forward from the can 14b, its leading end overhangs the trailing end of the can 14a, and the bead 16a of the latter cannot readily be disengaged from-- the bead 16d by raising the tier 18a relatively to the tier 18b. Similarly, the trailing end of the can 1411 overhangs the leading end of the can 14d, which interferes with lowering the tier 18a relatively to the tier 18b to disengage the bead 1611 from the bead 160. Therefore,

when cans thus in a condition of rim lock are in adjointier 18 enters the chute 27, each transverse row of the tier is moved into an offset position with respect to the next lower row in a manner to be fully explained herely greater than, the thickness of a can bead measured parallel to the axis of the can, and, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the direction of offsetting of an upper row with respect to the next lower row is forward, i.e., in the direction of can advance within the chute 27.

After a plurality of can stacks or tiers 18 are collected in the chute 27, the case filling operation is performed.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1, the case loading machine 17 has a frame structure 28, only a fragment of which is shown. The turret 24 comprises two horizontally spaced spider members 30 (FIG. 2) fixed to a horizontal shaft 32 (FIG. 1) extending transversely of the machine and journalled in opposite parts of the frame structure 28. Each spider member 30 has three radially extending arms 34, 36 and 38 of equal length and spaced apart equal angular intervals. The two spider members 30 are positioned at opposite sides of the machine 17 with corresponding arms 34, 36 and 38 of the two spiders in alignment with each other (FIG. 2). A pivot rod 40 extending in parallel relation to the shaft 32 is journalled in the outer ends of each two cooperating arms as illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows one of the rods 40 pivoted in the arms 3636. Each rod 40 carries four of the transfer arms 22, one for each row of cans 14 which extends vertically in a tier 18' in the loading chute 27, as shown in phantom in FIG. 2. Four transfer arms 22 fixed to one pivot rod 40 comprises a can carrier assembly, the three can carrier assemblies being identified by the numbers 42a, 42b and 42c, respectively (FIG. 1). Each transfer arm 22 of each carrier assembly 42 has an elongate transfer finger 44 provided with a straight can aligning surface 46 which faces upward when the associated carrier assembly 42 is at the pick-up station 20. The surfaces 46 of each carrier are in'a common transverse plane and are engaged by one end of each of the cans 14 of a tier carrier thereby. A retaining thumb 48, projecting from each finger 44 at a right angle to the surface 46 and in the direction of turret movement, holds the cans carried by the finger from sliding radially inward of the turret 24 during operation thereof. The thumbs 48 of each carrier assembly 42 are aligned transversely of the machine 17 to hold the cans of each transverse row in alignment. One end of each pivot rod 40 has a bell crank 50 fixed thereto for rotary movement with the rod. The arms 52 and 54 of each bell crank 50 are provided with cam follower rollers 56 and 58, respectively.

A stationary cam plate 60 for controlling the action of the carrier assemblies 42a, 42b and 420 is fixed to the frame structure 28 in such a location as to be contacted by therollers 56 on the bell cranks 50. One camming surface 62 of the cam 60 (FIG. 1), when engaged by one of the rollers 56, holds the associated carrier assembly 42 with the can aligning surfaces 46 thereof substantially radially of the shaft 32 during the transfer of the tiers 18 from the station 20 part way to the chute 27. Another camming surface 64 encountered by each of the follower rollers 56 as it leaves the surface 62, disposes the associated carrier assembly 42 with its surfaces 46 substantially vertical as shown in the phantom and the full line positions of the carrier assembly 42c (FIG. 1). In this way, the tier 18 is turned 90 from the horizontal arrangement in which it was assembled, to a vertical arrangement, wherein the cans 14 thereof are lying on their sides, as indicated at 18 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4). Each roller 56, while engaging the camming surface 64, is held against the same by a retaining strip 65 to positively retain the finger surfaces 46 in vertical position. During this time the can ends defining one face of the tier 18' engaging the surfaces 46 are transversely aligned.

While the surfaces 46 are vertical the tier 18 (FIG. 1) carried by the carrier 420 is deposited into the chute 27 on the floor 78 thereof and advanced therealong a certain distance. Advancement of the tier 18' by the assembly 42c is stopped (FIG. 3) by engagement of the associated follower roller 58 with the camway 66 of a cam 67. The cam 67 is located adjacent the cam 60 and is fixed to the frame 28. During continued advance of the turret 24, beyond the position shown in FIG. 3, the cam 67 effects pivoting of the assembly 420 in a counterclockwise direction relative to the turret 24 so that the fingers 44 are moved out of engagement with the cans 14 deposited on the chute floor 70 (FIG. 4). As a result, the carrier 42c is moved downwardly below the chute 27 without disturbing the position of the cans therein.

The chute floor 70 comprises an elongate can support plate located below the highest point in the travel of the thumbs 48 of the can carriers 42 (shown in phantom in FIG. 1) and toward the rear of the machine in the path of the can carrier assemblies. The floor plate 70, which is bolted or otherwise fixed to a base 72 (FIG. 2), is attached by bolts 74 to opposite frame members 75 (only one of which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4) of the frame structure 28 for vertical angular adjustment about a transverse axisj As shown in FlGS. 1, 3 and 4 the can support plate 70 is inclined upward toward the rear of the machine 17 at an angle of about 5. The front end of the plate 70 (FIG. 2) has longitudinal, open ended slots 76 through which the transfer arms 22 pass so that the carriers 42 can deposit the tiers of cans carried thereby onto the chute. Upstanding side walls 78 (FIG. 2) are secured to the frame structure 28 at each side of the can support plate 70 to confine the cans to the chute 27 for movement lengthwise thereof.

Operation of the case loading machine is controlled by a program clutch 80 (FIG. 1) so that the turret 24 can be rotated intermittently. The drive or input end (not shown) of the clutch 80 is fixed to a transverse countershaft 82 journalled in the frame structure 28. The shaft 82, during operation of the machine, is driven continuously by a motor (not shown) having a drive belt 84 trained around a sheave 86 fixed to the shaft 82. A sprocket chain 88 operatively connects a sprocket 90 fixed on the driven end (not shown) of the program clutch 80 with a sprocket 92 keyed to the turret shaft 32.

The clutch 80 is of a single revolution type and is normally held with the driven end out of engagement with the shaft 82 by a clutch dog 94 so that the turret 24 is at rest. A solenoid 96 is provided to temporarily withdraw the clutch dog 94- from the clutch 80 to permit its driven end and the sprocket 90 to make a single revolution when the solenoid 96 is energized. For this purpose, the armature 98 of the solenoid 96 is pivotally connected to one end of a suitably mounted bell crank 100 connected to its opposite end to the clutch dog 94. A restore spring 102, coiled about one end of the clutch dog 94 urges the same into position to stop the driven end of the clutch 80 after the same has made one full turn (FIG. 1). Means such as a normally open, foot operated switch 104 (FIG. 1) in the electrical control system (not shown) of the macline 17 is provided to close the circuit of the solenoid 9 Toward the end of one cycle of operation, when the can carrier assembly 42c reaches the phantom position (FIG. 1) the can aligning surfaces 46 thereof are vertical. At such a time the tier 18' carried by the carrier 42c is on edge and over the chute floor 70 with the leading ends of the cans 14 in the bottom transverse row thereof ready to make first contact with the inclined can support plate 70. As movement of the carrier assembly 420 continues Therefore, even though from the phantom to the full line position (FIG. 1) the tier 18 is moved downward onto the upwardly inclined chute floor 70. When approaching the full line position (FIG.1) the tier 18' is fully lowered until both ends of the cans at the bottom. of the stack are supported by the inclined plate 70. This action causes all the cans of the tier to be tilted upward (FIG. 1) at their leading or downstream, ends. All the cans of the tier, however, continue to engage the abutment or can aligning surfaces 46 with the beads 16 at their trailing ends during the tilting action. In this way each transverse can row (except the lowermost) in the tier is offset from the next lower row in the direction of can advance within the loading chute 27. This uniformly olfsetrelation of the cans 14 of superimposed rows in each tier spaces the lowermost parts of the bead 16a (FIG. 6) at the leading ends of the cans Me in each transverse row (except the lowermost row) in one tier 18a far enough forward to receive loosely therebehind the uppermost parts of the beads 16 at the trailing ends of the cans 147 in the next lower transverse row in the tier 18 immediately in advance of said one tier 182. beads of certain caiis of one tier are disposed behind beads of certain cans of a following tier, the uniformity of such bead relationship permits instantaneous separation of said tiers by lowering the lead ing tier slightly before moving the same forward from the next following tier. 'As a result, the cans of adjoining tiers are so disposed that their beads cannot become interengaged in such a manner as to cause consequential displacement of any of the cans of either tier as a result of rim lock when one tier is separated from the other.

Let it be assumed that the chute 27 (FIG. 1) is filled with tiers 18 having the horizontal rows of cans 14 thereof offset in an axial direction in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and that a case of the top opening type capable of holding one tier 18' is to be filled with cans. The tier 18' last deposited 'on edge in the chute 27 by the carrier 420, has advanced all the preceding tiers 18 in the chute until the cans of the leading tier 18' project a short distance therefrom beyond the discharge end of the support plate 70 (FIG. 1). This condition of the cans in the chuteand the position of the tier 18' at the discharge end of the chute 27 illustrate the condition existing between successive cycles of operation of the machine. A shipping case 110 of correct size is put in place about the discharge end of the chute 27 (FIG. 1). The tier 18 at the pickup station 20 isready to be picked up by the can carrier 42a upon operation of the turret 24. While the case 110 is held in place, the operator closes the switch 104 to momentarily energize the solenoid 96 and thereby actuate the clutch 80 to drive the turret 24 in the direction of the arrow 26 through one-third of a revolution. During the early part of this cycle, with the cans 14 of all of the tiers 18' in axially offset relation and fully supported by the plate 70, the can carrier 42c advances from the fullline position (FIG. 1) to the position shown in FIG. 3. The can aligning surfaces 46'of the carrier 42c remain vertical during such movement due to continued engagement of the follower roller 56 with the camming surface 64. Before the roller 56 passes beyond the camming surface 64 the follower 58 on the bell crank arm 54 associated with the carrier 42c enters the camway 66 and moves to the. lower end of a downwardly curved portion 112 thereof as shown in FIG. 3, which is so contoured that the associated can aligning surfaces 46 continue to remain vertical. Thus, all the tiers 18 are advanced in the chute and the tier 18' at the discharge end of the chute 27 (FIG. 3) is advanced from the chute and into the case 110' to fill the same. The filled case 110 is next taken away from the chute 27 (FIGS. 4 and 6) by lowering and pivoting the case 110 in a clockwise direction. In lowering the case the cans therein are immediately moved downward (FIG. 6) out of contact with the cans in the tier at the discharge end of the chute.

The forwardly oifset relation of the beads at the leading ends of all cans in the tier then remaining at the discharge end of the loading chute 27, with respect to the beads at the trailing ends of all cans in the tier in the loaded case is illustrated in FIG. 6. This relationship makes it possible forthe cans of these two tiers to be separated from each other without consequential displacement of any can from either tier. In other words, due to the fact that all superimposed transverse rows of cans in each tier are ofiset in the same axial direction the beads 16 of laterally adjacent cans in adjoining tiers cannot interlock. Therefore, at no time is it possible for cans to be pulled from the case and/ or from the loading chute due to rim lock when removing a filled case in the manner mentioned. Thus, the cans in the filled case are readily separated from the cans remaining in the chute 27, and the filled case can easily be removed and routed to other equipment such as a case closing machine.

The cycle in progress during filling of the case 110* continues and is completed after removal thereof. Further advance of the carrier assembly 42c, beyond the FIG. 3

position, brings the follower roller 58 into a downwardly inclined portion 114 (FIG. 4) of the camway 66 as the follower roller 56 moves from between the camming surface 64 and theretaining strip 65. The contour of the camway 66 is such that the carrier assembly 420 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 4) away from the cans 14- of the tier 18- deposited thereby in the chute 27. The. cycle continues until the tier at the pickup station 20 is raised by the carrier 42a and deposited in the chute 27 in the position of the last tier 18' to arrive in the chute 27 (FIG. 1) with the cans offset as previously described. This movement of the turret 24 advances all the cans in the chute 27 preparatory to the next case filling operation and brings the carrier 42b into position beneath the pickup station 20.

The carrier assemblies 42 are successively controlled by the cam 66 and the camway 66 during successive cycles of operation in the manner described in connection with the assembly 420. The other can carriers 42a and 4212 each perform similarly to the can carrier 42c and in so doing each deposits a tier of cans in the inclined chute 27 and advances all the tiers therein a certain increment. It will be understood that cases of the top opening variety holding more than one tier can be filled by use of the machine 17 by repeating the described cycle While a case remains in receiving position with relation to the chute 27.

An embodiment of the present invention wherein the can engaging surfaces 46 and the can support plate 70 of the loading chute 27 form an acute angle has been shown and described. It is to be understood that interfcrence with separation of adjoining tiers by rim lock can as well be prevented when the fioor plate 70 and the can aligning surfaces 46 of the carrier assemblies 42 form an obtuse angle, i.e., by tilting the floor plate '74) downward rather than upward as above described. In such case, the filled cases can easily be removed by lifting them slightly, rather than by lowering them.

The present invention is not to be limited to use with cylindrical cans since it can be successfully employed in handling end beaded cans of non-circular shape.

While a particular embodimnet of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that the method and apparatus of the present invention are capable of modification and variation without departing from the principles of the invention and that the scope of the invention should be limited only by the scope and proper interpretation of the claims appended hereto.

The invention having thus been described, What is believed to be new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. In apparatus for handling cans having peripheral laterally projecting end beads, an inclined case loading chute for supporting stacks of cans with the axes of the cans extending lengthwise of the chute, means mounted adjacent the case loading chute for lowering a can stack edgewise into stack supporting relation on the case loading chute, and vertical can aligning means on the stack lowering means engageable with corresponding ends of the cans of the stack for holding each can against endwise movement in one direction whereby upon engagement of the bottom of the stack with the case loading chute the cans of the stack are pivoted vertically to uniformly offset each can with respect to a next vertically adjacent can.

2. In a case loading machine, .a case loading chute having a floor plate for slidably supporting within the chute a plurality of stacks of end beaded cans disposed on their sides with the cans of adjoining stacks in axially aligned end to end relation, and can pusher means engageable with corresponding ends of the cans in one stack and operable to advance all the stacks on the floor plate, said floor plate and said can pusher means having a set inclination with respect to each other during advancement of cans in said chute thereby retaining all the cans in all the stacks uniformly axially offset from all vertically adjacent cans to prevent interference with separation of the stacks by rim lock between the beads of cans in adjoining stacks.

3. In a can casing machine, a case loading chute having a floor plate for supporting cans for movement therealong, said floor plate being inclined upward toward the discharge end thereof, a movable can carrier for supporting a stack of cans lying on their sides with their axes horizontal, said can carrier having a vertical surface engaging all the cans in the stack at the ends thereof remote from said end of the floor plate, and means connected to the can carrier for moving the same downward obliquely toward said end of the floor plate and toward the floor plate for bringing the bottom of the stack into engagement with the inclined floor to tilt all the cans of the stack upward at the ends thereof toward said end of the floor plate while engaging the vertical surface of the can carrier at their other ends to uniformly offset all the cans of the stack with respect to a next vertically adjacent can.

4. In a can casing machine, a can carrier movable along a certain path, said can carrier having a can aligning surface engaging and transversely aligning ends of the cans of a stack of cans in reclining positions on the carrier, a case loading chute having a floor plate extending lengthwise of the path for supporting stacks of cans deposited thereon by said can carrier, and means engaging the can carrier for disposing said can aligning surface at a particular angle and for moving the same downward together the floor plate to bring the bottom of said stack of cans against the floor, said can aligning surface of the can carrier and the floor plate being inclined with respect to each other when said aligning surface is disposed at said particular angle, to pivot vertically the cans engaging said can aligning surface to thereby uniformly offset each of said cans with respect to a next vertically adjacent can. Y

5. In a can casing machine, a can carrier movable along a certain path, said can carrier having a can aligning surface engaging and aligning transversely the ends of the cans of a stack of cans on the carrier, said cans being in reclining positions, a case loading chute having a floor plate extending longitudinally with respect to a portion of the path for supporting can stacks deposited on said floor plate by said can carrier, means for retaining said can aligning surface of the can carrier and the floor plate at a constant inclination with respect to each other when said carrier is moving along said path portion, and means for moving the can carrier obliquely toward the floor plate and lengthwise of the floor plate in said path portion to bring the bottom of the stack of cans on the can carrier against the floor plate to pivot each can of the stack into a uniformly offset position with respect to a next vertically adjacent can and to advance the stack along the floor plate.

6. In a can casing machine, a can carrier movable along a certain path, said can carrier being arranged to support a stack of cans in side by side relation, can carrier moving means operable to move said can carrier downward in said path, said can carrier having a surface engaging and aligning corresponding ends of the cans of the stack and disposed at a particular angle during downward movement of said can carrier, a can support plate extending obliquely with respect to said can aligning surface when the same is disposed at said particular angle, and means mounting said can support plate for angular adjustment, said can carrier being arranged to bring the bottom of the can stack against the support plate while the carrier is moving downward to pivot vertically all of the cans of the stack in engagement with the aligning surface of the can carrier and thereby offset each can of the stack with respect to a next vertically adjacent can.

7. In a machine for easing end beaded cans, a turret journalled for vertical rotation, a can carrier secured to the turret for advancement thereby in a predetermined path of travel, a case loading chute having a can supporting floor intersecting said path, a drive connected to the turret to turn the same and advance the can carrier from a pickup station to a discharge location in the case loading chute to transfer a tier of cans from the pickup station to the loading chute, first control means engaging the can carrier for holding the same in a first position with respect to the turret to receive the tier thereon at the pickup station, second control means engaging the can carrier prior to arrival thereof at said discharge location for moving the can carrier with respect to the turret from said first position to a position wherein the tier is disposed on edge on the carrier, and can aligning means on the can carrier engaging one end of each of the cans while the tier of cans is disposed on edge on the carrier, said loading chute floor being inclined at an acute angle with said can aligning means when the tier of cans is disposed on edge on the carrier whereby as the tier is deposited by the can carrier onto the chute floor the cans of said tier are pivoted vertically against the can aligning means into inclined positions relative to the aligning means to offset each can of the tier endwise with respect to a vertically adjacent can.

8. In. a machine for easing end beaded cans, a turret journalled for rotation about a horizontal axis, a can carrier secured to the turret for advancement thereby in a predetermined path of travel, a case loading chute having a can supporting floor located in said path, a drive connected to the turret to turn the same and advance the can carrier from a pickup station to a discharge location in the case loading chute to transfer a tier of cans from the pickup station to the loading chute, first control means engaging the can carrier for holding the same in a first position with respect to the turret to receive a tier thereon at the pickup station, second control means engaging the can carrier prior to arrival thereof at said discharge location for moving the can carrier with respect to the turret from said first position to a position wherein the tier is disposed on edge on the can carrier, can aligning means on the can carrier engaging one end of each of the cans while the tier of cans is disposed on edge on the carrier, said loading chute floor being inclined at an acute angle with said can aligning means when the tier of cans is disposed on edge on the carrier whereby as the tier is deposited by the can carrier onto the chute floor the cans of the tier are pivoted vertically in engagement with the can aligning means into inclined positions relative to the aligning means to otfset each can of the tier endwise with respect to a vertically adjacent can, and can pusher means on said turret engaging the said one end of each of the cans to advance the tier longitudinally of the cans along the floor of the loading chute while maintaining the offset condition of the cans in the tier.

9. In a machine for easing end beaded cans, a turret journalled for rotation about a horizontal axis, a can carrier secured to the turret to be advanced thereby in a predetermined path, a case loading chute having a can supporting floor adjacent said path, a drive connected to the turret to turn the same and move the can carrier from a pickup station to the case loading chute to transfer a tier of cans from the pickup station to the floor of the loading chute, first control means engaging the can carrier to hold the same in a first position with respect to the turret to receive a tier thereon at the pickup station, second control means engaging the can carrier adjacent the loading chute for moving the can carrier with respect to the turret from said first position to a position wherein the tier carried thereby is disposed on edge with the cans lying on their sides, and can aligning means on the can carrier engaging one end of each of the cans and'arranged to be disposed at a certain angle during engagement of said can carrier with said second control means, said can aligning means and said chute floor being in inclined relation with respect to each other when said can aligning means is disposed at said certain angle, whereby each can of the tier upon engagement thereof with said floor is moved endwise and is oflfset with respect to any vertically adjacent can.

10. In a machine for casing end beaded cans, a turret journalled for rotation about a horizontal axis, a can carrier secured to the turret for advancement thereby in a predetermined path, a case loading chute having a can supporting floor adjacent said path, a drive connected to the turret to turn the same and move the can carrier from a pickup station to the case loading chute to transfer a tier of cans from the pickup station to the floor of the loading chute, first control means engaging the can carrier to hold the same in a first position with respect to the turret to receive a tier thereon at the pickup station, second control means engaging the can carrier adjacent the loading chute for moving the can carrier with respect to the turret from said first posit-ion to a position wherein the tier carried thereby is disposed on edge with the cans lying on their sides, can aligning means on the can carrier engaging one end of each of the cans and arranged to be disposed at a particular angle by engagement of said can carrier with said second control means, said can aligning means and said chute floor being inclined with respect to each otherwhen said can aligning means is disposed at said certain angle, whereby each can of the tier upon engagement thereof with said floor is moved endwise and is offset with respect to any vertically adjacent can, and can pusher means on said turret engaging the said one end of each of the cans to advance the tier along the floor of the loading chute while maintaining the ofiset condition of the cans in a tier.

11. The method of casing end beaded cans which comprises arranging on their edges in a case loading chute a plurality of tiers of cans with the cans of each tier being aligned transversely in a predetermined plane and the cans of adjoining tiers being arranged in end-to-end abutting relation, the cans of each tier being inclined with respect to the plane of alignment thereof whereby the vertically adjacent cans are offset endwise with respect to each other to space the end beads of vertically adjacent cans from each other longitudinally of the cans to prevent interference with separation of adjoining tiers by rim lock between the beads of cans in adjoining tiers, and advano-' 10 ing the tiers of aligned cans in the chute to propel a predetermined number of the tiers into a case.

12. The method of handling cans comprising successively loweringindividual tiers of end beaded cans lying on their sides in superposed relation with their axes horizontal, vertically aligning all the cans of each of said tiers, arresing all the ends of the cans at one face of each tier While continuing downward movement of the opposite ends of the cans thereof to tilt all of the cans in the tier into inclined positions and thereby uniformly ofiset the Vertically aligned cans of the tier with respect to each other, thereafter during the downward movement of each tier arresting downward movement of the other ends of the cans thereof to retain the cans of the tier with their end beads spaced from each other, and advancing each succeeding tier with the cans thereof moving endwise and in end to-end relation with the cans of the preceding tier.

13. The method of handling cans comprising successively lowering individual tiers of end beaded cans lying on their sides in the tier, holding the cans of each successively lowered tier against endwise movement in one direction, arresting downward movement of the ends of the cans defining one face of each successively lowered tier while continuing downward movement of the other ends of the cans thereof to pivot vertically all the cans of each stack and thereby to oifset each can of each tier with respect to a next vertically adjacent can, thereafter arresting the downward movement of the other ends of the cans to dispose the cans of each tier in axially 0&- set positions with their end beads spaced from each other in a direction parallel to the axes of the cans, and advancing each successively lowered tier of axially offset cans in an axial direction and in end-to-end relation with the cans of a preceding tier.

14. The method of casing end beaded cans which comprises arranging on their edges in a case loading chute a plurality of tiers of cans with the cans of each tier aligned transversely in a predetermined plane and with the cans of adjoining tiers arranged in end-to-end abutting relation, the cans of each tier being inclined with respect to the plane of alignment thereof whereby the vertically adjacent cans are ofiset endwise with respect to each other to space the end beads of vertically adjacent cans from each other longitudinally of the cans to prevent interference with separation of adjoining tiers by rim lock between the beads of cans in adjoining tiers, and effecting relative movement between the tiers of aligned cans and the chute longitudinally of the cans to discharge a predetermined number of tiers of cans from the chute into,

a case.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,637,833 Mueller Aug. 2, 192.7 2,345,560 Albertoli Apr. 4, 1944 2,718,313 ONeil Sept. 20, 1955 2,731,131 51131111011 Jan. 17, 1956 2,782,578, Madden Feb. 26, 1957 2,809,484 Gentry Oct. 15, 1957 2,828,000 Herbert Mar. 25, 1958 2,857,721 Ardell et a1 Oct. 28, 1958

Images