US3191354A - Vacuum capping machine and components thereof - Google Patents

Description

June 29, 1965 R. K. MCELROY ETAL VACUUM CAPPNG MACHINE AND-COMPONENTS THEREOF 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm M f E (l Filed July 7, 1961 June 29, 1965 R, K, MGELROY ETAL 3,191,354

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 7, 1961 INVENToR fram/ Play/eh BY Eobfjz /17 cib@ MM 7W June 29, 1965 R. K. MCELROY ETAL 3,191,354

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF Filed July 7. i961 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 CLEAN/N6 ZNE F [LTER DOWN 0N CONTR/NEI? DUR/NG VACUUM/ING HND INE'HT GAS BLOW- BACI( CYCLES; /N ONE 0F NRE 5794655.

\ Lona/NG VACUUM RELEQSE? CHP TWISTED 0N CONTA/NER mp TRANSFER L-.sTAT/o/v HEAD PIC/f5 l/P CAP CAP TRANSFERRED INVEN-TOR arz/a .Pfaz/J .ff NEU/bari EN CFZfQy INTO VQUUM CHAMBER June 29, 1965 R. K. MCELROY ETAL 3,191,354 VACUUM GAPPING MACHINE AND coMPNENTs THEREOF 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 7, 1961 June 29, 1965 R K MGELRQY ETAL 3,191,354

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 7, 1961 www WWW/f June 29, 1965 R. K. MGELROY ETAL 3,191,354

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF 15 sheets-sheet e Filed July 7. 1961 June 29, 1965 R. K. MGELROY ETAL 3,191,354

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF Filed July 7, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet '7 June 29 1965 R. K. MGELROY ETAL 3,191,354

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF Filed July 7, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 4 INVENTURS.

M+ Waadt/0V June 29, 1965 R. K. MGELROY ETAL 3,191,354

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF Filed July 7, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 June 29, 1965 R. K. MOELROY ETAL 3,191,354

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF Filed July 7, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet l0 r11/@m MM 155m/ w June 29, 1965 R, K, McELROY ETAL 3,191,354

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF Filed July '7, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 June 29, 1965 R, K, MGELROY ETAL l 3,191,354

VACUUM CPPING' MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF Filed July 7, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 12 /00 f 5@ /Z/W June 29, 1955 R K, MoELRQY ETAL 3,191,354

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF Filed July '7, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 June 29, 1965 R, K, Mol-:LROY ETAL- y 3,191,354

v'AcuuM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF Filed July 7, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 Hond-,70N cw?. 0F ELgvaT//va PLArFoR/ws June 29, 1965 R. K. MGELROY ErAL VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE AND COMPONENTS THEREOF Filed July 7, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 (FLEmr/AG-PM'IFORM cfr/w) WPP/NG H540 FOTHTE'S 0 i6 i l l I l N w Hh C \H M 5 @.-MMWIVWIIVVIIMI Il:

o 5% N L www w r m. d, j MM o XI. 'am m -MN m mm m /mf ORN )H wa/VH En fm Mm Mmmm WM@ mm mM/REB FW @MC DUCMURA .MMM Mw. Mwaufmw H/A m A Hmns 0 @mp Rw G Hrm? Ww wiuw|..-.-N m ww w @md P0 LM@ @N522 PL H P/ LRC A FV hanno c 6 l LEAEADA rffcm RCHWHHT mfanaawm Nwmnw /W/P HP 0 ip w lmmwkm i United States Patent O 3,191,354 VACUUM CAPPENG MACHINE AN CMPONENTS THEREOF Robert K. McElroy, Elmhurst, and Frank P. Lawler, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N .Y., a corporation of New York Filed July 7, 1961, Ser. No. 122,498 3) Claims. (Cl. 53 96) The invention relates to a new and improved container sealing machine including as a part thereof new and improved components. More specically, the invention is directed to a container evacuation and cap applica- `tion machine Acapable yof `high speed efhcient operation in .a fully automatic manner, the machine including certain components which also constitute parts of the present invention.

'There are many different proposed types of vacuum capping machines, some of which are capable `of efficient use. Such machines are quite complicated with regard to structural and operational aspects and are difficult to maintain in efficient operating condition. Furthermore, vacuum sealing machines as known prior to this invention are often limited in use depending on the particular product with which the containers are filled. By way of example, powdery particulate materials, such as instant `coffee and the like, create vacuum packaging diiiiculties due to their tendency to be readily displaced from the container when the container is subjected to vacuumization conditions. Filtering means vsuch as a cloth or screen have been proposed for positioning over the open -top of a container during evacuation thereof. However, a low residual-oxygen condition must exist in the container headspace and in the interstices between particles of the ,contents at the time the cap or closure is applied to the container 'and the attempts to meet this requirement have led to very complicated, often unworkable, mechanical arrangements. In this regard, the .fine and powdery material can .be `drawn against the cap and interfere with the forming of an effective hermetic seal.

With regard to the mechanical complexities of known 4forms of vacuum capping machines, it will be appreciated Athat there are many operational steps involved which are `difficult to mechanically regulate effectively under high speed operational conditions. For high speed operation, it is essential that the various steps involving evacuation, cap delivery, and cap application be carried out efficiently and consistently. In order to obtain and `maintain consistently controlled operation of a high speedcapping machine, there has been ya tendency to design highly complicated machines and components which are dicult and expensive to maintain.

It is an object of .the present invention to `provide a new and improved vacuum capping machine and new and improved components thereof which are particularly adapted for efficient and consistent high speed operation accompanied by simplified maintenance.

Another object is to provide a new and improved-machine for automatically evacua-ting air from the head space of a filled container and capping the same, the machine incorporating therein a plurality of uniquely arranged mechanically operating assemblies which provide for improved savings and ease in maintenance thereof.

Still another object' is to provide a new and improved vacuum capping machine and components thereof, the

machine being adapted for high speed operation for eflicient evacuation of air from the head space of containers filled with powdery or particulate material, and also from the interstices between particles of the lill, certain new and improved components of the machine being specially designed to provide for retention of the particulate Patented June 29, 1965 ICC material in the container during the evacuation cycle thereof and during cap application thereto.

Additional objects involve the provision of new and improved components for use in a vacuum capping machine, -such components including a unique drive arrangement between upper and lower rotating assemblies, `a new and improved capping chamber unit, a new and improved cap delivery device, a new and improved container gripping arrangement, and a new and improved container positive feed arrangement.

Other objects not specifically set forth will become apparent from the Vfollowingdetailed description of the invention made in conjunc-tion with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial vertical section of the vacuum capping machine ofthe invention with certain parts thereof illustrated in elevation, this view being taken generally along line 1 1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a -top plan of the machine as viewed generally `along line 2 2 in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view .of the machine taken generally along -line 3 3 `in FIG. 1 and illustrating different operational aspects of the machine ascompared with `those shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view taken generally along line l4 4 -in FIG. 1, this view being intended primarily to illustrate certain aspects of the drive arrangement of the machine;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cap loading mechanism yof the machine taken generally along line 5 5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial vertical section of one container evacuation and 4capping assembly;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. l8 is a transverse section of a portion of the assembly of FIG. 6 `taken generally along line 8 8 therein;

FIG. 9 is a transverse section of another portion of the assembly of FIG. 6 Ataken generally along line 9 9 therein;

FIG. 10 is still another transverse section of a portion o' `the assembly of FIG. v6 taken generally along line 1ti 1t therein;

FIG. 1l is an enlarged vertical section of the filter and cap application head of the assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a partly sectioned elevation of the filter and cap appiication head of FIG. 1l illustrating certain parts thereof in different operative posi-tions;

FiG. 13 is a bottom plan view taken generally along line 13 13 inFIG. 1l;

FIG. 14 is a combined transverse section and plan view taken generally along line 14-14 in FIG. 11;

FIG. l5 is a sectional plan view taken generally along line 15-15 in FIG. l1;

FIG. 16 `is a vertical section of one of the elevating platform or platen assemblies of the machine illustrating the' same in lowered position for receiving a container on the platen;

FIG. 17 is a partial view similar to FIG. 16 illustrating the position of certain partsof the assembly when the assembly is in its `fully elevated position when jars of less than maximum height are being capped;

FIG. 18 is a transverse section taken generally along line 13 18 in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a transverse section taken generally along line 19 19 in FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary side elevation as viewedalong line 2i 20 in FIG. 16;

FIG. V21 is a fragmentary, partly sectioned plan view of a portion of the machine `as viewed along line 21 21 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is a sectional vview in elevation of a portion 3 of the machine illu-strated in FIG. 21 taken generally along line 22-22. therein;

FIG. 23 is another partly sectioned elevation taken generally along line 23-23 in FIG. 21; v

FIG. 24 is an enlarged partial vertical section of the evacuation and cap application chamber forming a part of the machine;

FIG. 25 is a vertical section taken generally along line 25`-25 in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a View similar to FIG. 24 illustrating operational use of certain of the components of the chamber;

FIG 27 is a transverse section of the jar gripping arrangement of the chamber taken generally along line 27-27 in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a partial view similar to those of FIGS; 24 and 26 illustrating additional operational aspects of the chamber; Y

FIGS. 29-31 are views similar to FIG. 28 illustrating voperational'aspects of the chamber;

FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 26 illustrating cap application to a container;

FIG. 33 illustrates an enlarged detailed cross section of the container gripping arrangement; p

FIG. 34 is a partial section of the chamber illustrating unused cap rejection therein;

FIG. 35 is a side elevation of the cap delivery device of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a sectional plan View of the device taken generally along line 36-36 in FIG. 35;

FIG. 37.is a sectional plan view of the device taken generally along the line 37-37 in FIG. 35; l

FIG. 38 is a fragmentary end elevation of the device as viewed from line 38-38 in FIG. 35;

FIG. 39 is a partial schematic view of the container feeding arrangement of the invention illustrating certain components thereof in plan view;

FIG. 40 is a view similar to FIG. 39 illustrating the elements in `different operative positions; and

FIG. 41 is a diagrammatic layout of a typical cycle of operation of the machine of the invention illustrating certain cam track contours and their relative actions.

The vacuum capping machine as best shown in FIG. 1 includes a center upstanding column suitably secured at the bottom thereof to a base member 11. The column 19 is provided with an axially extending passage 12 closed olf at the bottom thereof by a plug 13 and terminating upwardly beyond the midpoint of the column. The upper end of the passage 12 has associated therewith a plurality of radially outwardly directed openings 14 extending through the column 10. The upper end of the-column 1t) is provided with a separate axially directed passage which at the upper end thereof is in communication with a conduit 16 suitably attached to the column 1t). The lower end of the passage 15 communicates with a plurality of radially directed openings 17 extending through the column 10. The lower end of the passage 12 is in communication with a conduit 18 which is suitably secured to the column 10 and extends radially outwardly therefrom through the base member i 11. They passage 12 including the conduit 18 provides for the delivery of an inert gas, such as nitrogen, for use in the machine in a manner to be described. The passage 15 through its associated conduit 16 is connected to a suitable vacuum source (not shown) for a purpose tobe described.

The base memer 11 has as a part thereof a drive arrangement including a gear housing Ztl in which a plurality of gears 21, 22, 23 (see FIG. 4), 24, 24D, and 25 are suitably mounted. The gear 21 is driven through a gear box 26 suitably mounted on the base member 11 from opposite sides of which extend a pair of drive shafts 27 (see FIG. 4) one of which may -be connected to a motor (not shown) and the other of which may be used as a power take-off means for driving a conveyor or the like. The gear box 26 further includes an upwardly directed drivenv gear 28 which is meshed with a large gear 30 fixedly secured to an annular ange member 31 formed integral with a vertical sleeve portion 32 of a container supporting assembly which is generally designated by the numeral 3.3. y

The container supporting assembly` ,33 basically includes an annular radially projecting platform portion 34 integrally formed with the sleeve portion 32 and mounting therein through peripherally located, circumferentially spaced groove-like openings 35 a plurality of container supporting and lifting platform or platen assemblies generally designated by the numeral 36. The sleeve portion 32'of the container supporting assembly 33 is supported on sleeve bearings 37 at itsupper and lower ends about the 'column 10 for rotation thereabout as driven by the gears 2S and 3i). The tiop surface of the base member 11 has secured thereto an annular cam track 38 the top surface of which operatively engages a cam roller 40 forming a part of each platen assembly 36. The track 38 functions to control operation of the platen assemblies 36 during rotation thereof about the center column 1t). In this regard each platen assembly 36 includes a container supporting and lifting platen 41 on which a container 42 is positioned, the left-hand platen 4121s viewed in FIG. 1 having been raised by the cam track 33 to place the container 42 supported thereon in a bell-shaped chamber 43 of a vvacuum chamber and cap application assembly 44 posi- Vtioned thereabove.

The right-hand platen 41 as viewed in FIG. 1 is in its lowermost position as controlled by the associated portion of the cam track 38 and the container 42 supported thereon is free from the chamber 43 of the assembly 44 positioned thereabove.

Mounted `above the container supporting assembly 33 is a container evacuation and capping assembly generally designated by the numeral 45.l This assembly includes a housing 46 mounted on the center column 10 for rotation there'about in synchronized relation with the container supporting assembly 33. The housing 46 delines a large annular vacuum chamber 47 with which the passage 1S of the column 10 is in communication through the openings 17.l The chamber 47 has mounted therein a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially directed stitfening ribs 48 which also act as bale plates in cooperation with the relatively largeY size of the chamber to minimize the pulsation of air drawn through the chamber 47 during operation of the machine. Below the chamber 47, the housing 46 is formed with a second smaller annular chamber 50 having therein an apertured annular insert 51 and circumferentially spaced stitfening rib baies 52 (see FIG. 3). The insert 51 provides communication with the openings 14 of the passage 12 vof the column 10 for a supply of inert gas during operation of the machine. The lower end of the housing 46 has depending therefrom a plurality of circumferentially spaced, fixed drive pins 53 the lower ends of which are clamped in locking collars 54 mounted in the radial plate 34v of the container supporting assembly 33. In this manner, the upper assembly 45 is rotatably driven by the lower assembly 33 to thus make use of a single power source in operatingV the machine.

The container evacuation and capping assembly 4S further includes a radially directed annular plate member 55 provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings therein adjacent the outer periphery thereof in which the vacuum chamber and cap vapplication assemblies 44 are removably mounted.` Each of these assemblies generally includes the barrel-shaped container receiving chamber 43, a valve assembly 56, a cap delivery assembly 57, and an upwardly projecting cam actuated operating portion 58. The operating portion 58 is controlled by a cam roller 60. The valve assembly 56 is operated by a plurality of cam rollers 61. The cap delivery device 57 is operated by a pair of cam rollers 62. The valve assembly 56 is suitably connected to the vacuumization chamber 47 by a pipe 63 and is suitably connected to the inert gas supply chamber 50 through a pipe 64. A suitable cap delivery chute is positioned relative to the machine as indicated by the broken lines identified by the numeral 65 (also see FIG. 5). Caps are delivered by this chute to each cap delivery device 57 when the same is withdrawn outwardly from its associated chamber 43 as shown in the right-hand portion of FIG. 1. The left-hand portion of FIG. 1 illustrates a cap delivery device 57 engaged with its associated chamber 43 during the evacuation and cap application operation of the machine.

The machine further includes a cam actuating assembly generally designated by the numeral 66. This assembly includes an internally threaded vertical adjustment sleeve 67 received about the upper end of the column 10 and supporting a vertically slidable non-rotatable, spline conneeted sleeve portion 68 on the column. Annular thrust bearings 70 are mounted at the lower end of the sleeve 67 in supporting engagement with portions of the sleeve .68. The upper end of the housing 46 of the container evacuation and cap application assembly 45 is Vat least partially supported on `the sleeve 68 through a rotatable bearing structure 71. The top portion of the sleeve 67 is provided with a collar 72 to which a suitable lever or wrench bar 73 may he attached to raise or lower the sleeve 67.

The cam actuating assembly 66 further includes a radially directed annular plate 74 which has mounted thereon about the outer periphery thereof a cam track member '75 in which the cam rollers 6) of the vacuum chamber and cap application assemblies 44 are received. The cam track 75 opens outwardly of the machine thus permitting ready withdrawal of the cam rollers 60 therefrom. The assembly 66 further includes a depending sleeve-like cam track portion 76 which on the outer surface thereof is provided with a plurality of circumferentially variable cam tracks engaging the cam rollers 61 and 62 `of the vacuum chamber and cap application assemblies 44.

The particular arrangement described regarding the positioning and type of cam tracks used in the machine is of special importance in connection with eiciency. in machine operation and maintenance. The cam actuatlon assembly 66 is xed against rotation on the center column and the cam track portion '76 thereof extends downwardly between the chamber assemblies 44 and the center column to permit ready removal of any assembly 44 for maintenance or replacement purposes. In other words, the chamber .assemblies 44 may be individually removed from the machine without disturbing any other operating mechanism or part of the machine and the arrangement is such that replacement of a chamber assembly 44 on the machine results in automatic alignment of the various cam actuated parts thereof with the cam track portions of the assembly 66. Furthermore, regardless of from what portion of the cycle a chamber assembly is removed, replacement of the same or a new assembly in the same portion results in immediate adjustment of the assembly to conform to the particular portion of the cycle.

The container evacuation and capping assembly 45 is vertically adjustable with the cam actuating assembly 66 along the center column 10. The assembly 45 is, in effect, rotatably supported on the sleeve 68 through the rotatable bearing means 71. Of course, this assembly is further supported by the container supporting assembly 33 through the drive pin arrangement including the pins 53 and locking collars 54. The interconnected assemblies 45 and 66 may be adjusted vertically relative to the container supporting assembly 33 by threaded movement of the sleeve member 67 of the assembly 66 along the upper threaded end of the column 10. All other column engaging parts will slide therealong upon loosening of the drive pin arrangement. A change in vertical positioning of the upper assemblies will ybe necessary when the machine is used with containers of less than maximum height. During vertical adjustment of the interconnected assemblies 45 and 66, the interengaging operational parts thereof will maintain their cooperative positions. Thus no special adjustments are necessary other than a raising and lowering of the interconnected assemblies.

Referring to FGS. 1-4, to one side of the machine and arranged tangentially relative thereto is an endless conveyor 77 carried on a suitable frame 78 and adapted to deliver containers to and from the vacuum capping machine. A container guide plate assembly Sti is suitably mounted on the conevyor 77 and projects over an adjacent portion of the plate 34 of the container supporting assembly 33. The guide plate assembly is provided with a container delivery slot portion Si and a container removal slot portion S2. The conveyor 77 and guide plate assembly Si? constitute a portion of a container feed and take-off device which among its elements includes a uniquely designed and arranged container position control means 83 rotatably mounted on shaft S4 connected to the Agears 24 and 24D. The control means is in the form of a pair of cooperating disc-like members as best shown in FIG. l. Thecontrol means may be in the form of a starwheel of a type to be described and includes at least one pocket portion S5 in which a container is received from the conveyor '77 and delivered onto a platen 41 of the plate 34. Each pocket portion 85 is `specially designed as will be described to provide for the introduction of a container onto the container supporting assembly 33 at a velocity equal to the rotational speed of the supporting assembly and further providing for positive holding of the container on a platen 41 until at least the top of the container is received in capping chamber 43.

. A synchronizing container feed control means in the form of a rotating disc-like member 36 is mounted on a shaft 37 operated by the gear 25. This member is provided with at least one container receiving pocket p0rtion 83 and operates to positively separate each container delivered thereto on the conveyor 77 for proper feeding thereof to the container position control means S3. The container feed and takeoff device is completed with the provision of a container helper member 99 which projects into the slot portion 82 of the guide plate assembly Sti. The helper member 9? rotates on a shaft 91 driven by the the gear 23. This member is provided with at least one concave edge portion 92 designed to engage a container and move the same from a platen 41 of the container supporting assembly 33 onto the conveyor '77 following capping of the container.

With the basic elements of the machine having been generally described, FG. 3 illustrates the operational por tions of a complete cycle of operation involving 360 rotation. Capless containers 42 are delivered by the conveyor 77 into the slot portion Si of the guide plate assembly. The synchronizing feeder member 86 provides for controlled delivery of the containers to the container position control means 83 which automatically places each container on a lowered platen 41 carried by the container supporting assembly 33. As the container moves counterclockwise in the machine as viewed in FIG. 3, the platen supporting the same is slowly raised by the cam track 33 and eventually the top of the container is at least partially received in a chamber 43 of an overhead evacuation and cap application assembly 44. The position control means 83 maintains engagement with the container until the overhead chamber receives at least a portion thereof thus preventing spilling or crushing of the container during high speed operation of the machine.

The cycle of the operation continues through the second quadrant during which a chamber 43, in which the container is enclosed, is evacuated and inert gas is used to sweep the same. Upon passing through the third quadrant, the container still confined in a chamber 43 is supplied with a cap which is automatically twisted thereon in complete sealing engagement. Additional operations occur in the third quadrant of the cycle as indicated by the legends on FIG. 3 and these particular operations will be subsequently described. Upon entering the fourth quadrant, the vacuum established in the chamber 43 containing the capped -container therein is released and the platen i1 supporting the container is lowered in time for the container to be received in the slot portion S2 of the guide assembly 80. The container is then ultimately engaged by the helper member 90 which provides for a positive movement of the container onto the conveyor 77 by means of which it is taken away from the machine. As indicated in FIG. 3, the empty platen as it passes through the .guide plate assembly 80 after having a capped container removed therefrom and prior to receiving an uncapped container thereon may be subjected to automatic cleaning to remove any product that might accumulate thereon. Any suitable means may be utilized to provide a cleaning action in the cleaning zone such as an air jet.

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of the cap delivery chute 65 the position of which relative to the machine is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. l. The chute 65 may be of any known type having an open end portion which cooperates with elements of the cap delivery device 57 in a manner which will be described. Among other things, the device 57 includes a cap receiving plug or boss 93 which is disc-shaped to be received within a known type of rotatable cap 94. The cap 94 consists essentially of a face panel having a depending annular skirt portion suitably provided with means for engaging interrupted locking lugs on the top outer surface of a container such as a glass jar 42. The cap 94 also carries a suitable gasket internally thereof in which is impressed the top edge of the open neck of a jar to provide for a hermetic seal. Cap application to the boss 93 may be positively controlled by a roller assembly 95 located at the open end of the cap delivery chute 65.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate one of the container vacuum chamber and cap application devices 44 of the machine in connection with the basic operating means therefor. The device includes the bell-shaped chamber portion 43 which opens downwardly to receive therein a filled container for evacuation and capping thereof during operation of the machine. As previously described, the entire device 44 is removably mounted on the rotating plate 55 by means of suitable fasteners 96. The chamber 43 includes a cap delivery side opening 97 therein and a manifold-type portion 98 to which the valve assembly 56 is attached. ri`he top central portion of the chamber 43 receives therethrough a reciprocating shaft member 100 which at the lower end thereof has mounted thereon a cap application and filter unit 101. Attached to the top of the chamber 43 is a housing member 102 which, as best illustrated in FIG. 10, is partially open along a side portion thereof. A pulley-type member 103 is received about the shaft 100 within the housing portion 102 and projects slightly therefrom through the side opening therein. The lower end of the pulley 103 is journaled in a rotatable bearing unit 104 carried by the housing portion 102 and at the top thereof is journaled in a Similar bearing unit 105which is carried by an upper housing portion 106 secured to the top of the housing portion 102. A portion of the shaft 100 extending through the pulley member 103 is provided with axially directed splines or ribs 107 which are received in cooperating grooves in the core of the pulley member 103 thus providing for vertical reciprocal operation of the shaft 100 through the pulley member 103 and its associated housing portions. Rotation of the pulley member 103 will result in rotation `of the shaft 100 and the cap application and iilter unit 101 attached thereto, the pulley member 103 being rotatable relative to the housing portions 102 and 106 which mount the same.

- The top end of the shaft 100 extends upwardly through the housing portion 106 into a capping pressure adjustment assembly 108. This assembly includes a top plate 110 having an externally threaded depending sleeve portion 111 through which the top end of the shaft 100 is vertically slidably received. Fixed to the plate 110 is a cam Vroller mounting unit 112 to which the cam roller 60 is rotatably attached. The sleeve portion 111 receives thereabout a spring pressure adjusting member 113 which, as best shown in FIG. 8, is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced set screw notches onV the outer periphery thereof with which a set screw 114 functions to lock the member 113 in a prescribed adjusted position axially along the sleeve portion 111. A `spring 115 is received about the shaft 100 in end abutment with the adjusting member 113 and a shoulder portion of a slidable sleeve member 116 forming a part of the capping pressure adjustment assembly 108. The sleeve member 116 mounts a rotatable bearing unit 117 between the same and the shaft with the shaft race being fixed thereon between a threaded nut 11S and the upper ends of the ribs 107. The sleeve 116 is received in an outer sleeve 120 which is slidably mounted in the upper portion of the housing 106 and to the upper end of which is secured the cover plate 110.

The upper end of the housing 106 is in the form of a sleeve and is provided with a pair of oppositely positioned, axially extending guide slots 121 in which key members 122 slide. These members as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 arersuitably attached to the outer sleeve 120 of the capping pressure adjustment assembly 108. The upper end of the housing 106 is provided with an opening 123 aligned with an opening 124 in the outer sleeve 120 by means of which. access can be gained to the adjusting member 113 to threadedly advance or retract the same on the sleeve portion 111. As shown in FIG. 8, another opening 125 is provided in the upper end of the housing 106 for access to the set screw 114 threadedly mounted ,in the outer sleeve 120.

In the operation of the various elements described above, it will be appreciated that the chamber 43 and attached housings 102 and 106 are fixedly mounted in the machine. FIG. 6 illustrates the retracted position of the cap application and filter unit 101 and shaft 100 in the assembly. During rotation of the assembly 44, the cam track will vary and will result in downward movement of the shaft including the capping pressure adjustment assembly 10S and the cap application and filter unit 101. The shaft 100 will slide downwardly through the pulley member 103 which is vertically fixed. The extent to which the spring 115 is compressed in its initial adjustment will determine the extent of capping preessure apjplied through the shaft 100. In other words, when a predetermined pressure is reached, further downward movement yof the shaft 100 will terminate even though the cam roller assembly 112 continues to force the assembly 108 downwardly. Under such conditions the predetermined expansion force of the spring 115 is overcome causing the spring to compress further and the cover plate and outer sleeve 120 will move downwardly relative to the shaft with the shaft remaining vertically fixed with the upper end thereof projecting out of the top of the cover plate 110. The lspring is further compressed to the extent where it will give the desired capping pressure.

The pulley member 103 as previously described is designed to impart rotation to the shaft 100 and attached cap application and filter unit 101 for rotation of a cap carried by the unit 101 in applying the same to a container. The outer surface of the pulley member 103 may be provided with a friction member of composition or rubber if desired for cooperation with a fixed shoe element 126 shown in phantom in FIG. 1 and as shown in FIG. 2. The shoe 126 is suitably carried by a supporting member 127 attached to the top plate 74V of the cam actuating assembly 66. Thus the shoe 126 is fixed at a point of cap application in the rotational cycle of the machine. As each vacuum chamber and cap application assembly 44 passes the shoe 126, the same engages the pulley member 103 thereof and rotates the same through a prescribed arc which results in a rotation lof the shaft 1.1i@ to the same extent. In this manner the cap is twisted onto the container.

FIGS. 11-15 illustrate in detail the cap application and filter unit 151. The bottom end of the shaft 100 is formed with a reduced end portion which has a series of circumferentially spaced, axially extending spline-like ribs 128 thereon. A collar member 130 is received thereabout and is provided with a plurality of grooves 131 in the lower portion thereof in which the ribs 128 are received thus providing for axial sliding of the collar 13? and other units attached thereto along the reduced end of the shaft 111) and further keying the collar and units attached thereto for rotation with the shaft 100 during cap application. The bottom end of shaft 16) is provided with a bore 132 in which one end of a coil spring 133 is seated. The opposite end of this spring is suitably fixed to an inner central surface portion of a magnet holder 134 which is suitably `threaded on the bottom portion of the collar 13). A permanent magnet 135 is mounted in the bottom outer surface of the holder 134 and projects downwardly therefrom.

A rigid porous filter member 136 is fixedly mounted between the magnet holder 134 and the collar 130. The filter 13e is preferably Aformed from sintered metal beads or the like and is of inverted cup-like shape. The upper end surface of the filter 136 is provided with a fiat-sided aperture for mounting in rotational driven relation between the members 1349 and 134 and the lower edge thereof is provided with a circumferentially continuous, radially outwardly directed flange portion 137. The bottom edge of the filter 136 is held in engagement with a gasket 138 which is of generally L-shape in cross section. the gasket 133 is fixedly mounted in an inner circumferential groove 14) of a collar 141 which is received about `the filter 136. The upper end of the collar 141 is provided with an inwardly directed tiange portion which retains therein a spring member 142 inabutment with the upper surface of the flange 137 of the filter 136. As will be described in detail and as is partially shown in FiG. l2, the filter unit upon extended upward movement of the shaft 109 will compress the spring 142 to recess the magnet 135 further into the collar 141 and away from the gasket 138 to provide for the rejection of any cap which has not been accepted by a container. In this regard, the gasket 138 is shaped to conform to the outer edge configuration of a cap with the magnet 13S functioning to hold the cap in the collar 141 in engagement with the gasket 133. Y The spring 133 urges the unit 101 downwardly toward the end of the shaft 1% and separation `of the unit from the shaft is prevented by a transverse locking pin 143 which extends through the shaft within the collar 130 for engagement with an inner surface portion of the top of the housing 135i. The spring 133 addsa requisite degree of resiliency to the capping pressure during cap application use of the unit 101 for mating of cooperating thread portions of the cap and container.

FIGS. 16-20 deal with the structural and operational details of the container raising platen assemblies 36. Each `assembly includes a tubular housing 144 which i-s -suitlably mounted in a groove 35 of the plate 34 -of the miachine. A platen supporting sleeve 145 extends upwardly through a bottom cover plate 147 of the housing 144 .and projects outwardly above a top cover plate 148 thereof. The sleeve is -suitably secured to the under .surface of the platen 41. The upper and lower portions of the housing 144 suitably mount therein bearing sleeve members 151) which as best shown in .FIG. 19 are split to define aligned slot portions in which a guide rib 146 fixedly mounted in i the housing 144 is received. The sleeve 145 has ian axially l@ Y extending groove 149 therein in which the guide rib 146 is received. Thus vertical reciprocal movement of the sleeve through .the housing 144 -is provided for, while relative rotation `is prevented.

The flanged lower end of 4the sleeve 145 -ha-s suitably connected thereto a cam roller assembly 151 which at the base thereof is provided with a cam roller 152 mounted on a pin 153 extending through parts of the housing. The housing includes a vertical guide slot 154 closed by a cover plate 155. The cam roller 4t) is mounted on a pin 156 which extends through a bifurcated plunger member 157 received in the housing 151. The upper end of the plunger member is in the form of a rod portion 158 which is received in the interior of the sleeve145 and has seated thereagainst one end of a coil spring 16). The other end of the coil spring is seated aga-inst the under surface of the platen 41. The pin mounting the cam roller 40 projects from the plunger member 157 into the guide slot 154 and the cam roller assembly may move upwardly in the housing 151 to compress the spring 16) as controlled by the elevation of the cam track 38. In this regard .the portion of the housing 151 is slotted to receive any elevated cam track portion therein as shown in FIG. 17.

As previously described, .the platen .assembly 36 is raised after receiving a container on the platen 41 thereof and the raising is controlled by the cam track 38. The platen assembly moves upwardly until it abuts the chamber 43 of .the overhead vacuum c-hamber `and cap application assembly 44 in a manner to be described. The platen 41 actually closes off the bottom of ythe chamber 43 and during that portion of the cycle when the chamber is either evacuated or subjected to inert Vgas flushing, the corresponding portion of the cam track 38 is of sufiicient height to bring `about at least a partial compre-ssionof the spring 160. This aids in establishing a tight sealing engagement between the platen and the bottom open end of the cooperating chamber.

Also las previously described, the entire container evacuation and capping assembly 45 and the cam actuating assembly 66 are vertically adjustable along the column 10 to accommodate containers of variable height. When containers of less than maximum height are to be capped, the `assemblies 45 and 66 .are lowered and it will be appreciated that the cooperating platen assemblies 36 need not necessarily rise to the same vertical height as required during the capping of containers of maximum eight. Accordingly, the spring will be compressed such as to the extent shown in FIG. 17 where full vertical travel of .the platen 41 is not required and abutment thereof in sealing engagement with an `overhead chamber 43 `is obtained .at a lower height.

The outer cam roller 152 of each platen assembly 35 is arranged for operation on a separate cam track portion :such as the portion 161 shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. This cam track portion is vertically adjustably mounted on the outer surface yof the cam track 38 in the cap application portion of the cycle. As previously described, the caps used contain gaskets on the inner surface thereof and in order to obtain a tight hermetic seal, it is desired that the top edge of the open end of the container be embedded in the gasket material. Thus at that portion Iof the cycle when the cap is actually twisted ont-o the container into tight sealed condition, the cam track portion 161 by engagement with the cam roller 152 backs up the platen assembly 36 to provide a reaction force for the cap application 4force applied by .the evacuation and filter unit 101 previously described. In this manner, separation of .the platen 41 from :sealing engagement with the bottom end of its associated chamber 43 is prevented.

In connection with vertical adjustment of the upper assemblies 45 and 65, reference has been made .to the use of ,a plurality of circumferentially spaced, vertically directed drive pins 53 which extend downwardly from fixed attachment to the lower end of the housing 46 of the as-

Claims (1)

1. A MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY EVACUATING AIR FROM A FILLED CONTAINER AND CAPPING THE SAME, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING A CENTER COLUMN, A CONTAINER SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID COLUMN NEAR THE BASE THEREOF, A CONTAINER EVACUATION AND CAPPING ASSEMBLY ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID COLUMN ABOVE SAID CONTAINER SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY, DRIVE MEANS FOR SAID ASSEMBLIES TO ROTATE THE SAME IN SYNCHRONIZED RELATION, SAID CONTAINER EVACUATION AND CAPPING ASSEMBLY INCLUDING CONTAINER CONFINING CHMABERS SPACED RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID COLUMN, CAM ACTUATED EVACUATION MEANS AND CAP DELIVERY MEANS FORMING A PART OF EACH CHAMBER, AND A CAM ACTUATING ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON SAID COLUMN ABOVE SAID CONTAINER EVACUATION AND CAPPING ASSEMBLY AND FIXED AGAINST ROTATION RELATIVE TO SAID COLUMN, SAID CAM ACTUATING ASSEMBLY HAVING A PORTION THEREOF EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY BETWEEN SAID CHAMBERS AND SAID COLUMN FOR ACTUATION OF SAID EVACUATION AND CAP DELIVERY MEANS.

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