US2223480A - Container sealing machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 3, 1940. v DARUNG I 2,223,480

CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 3, 1940. F. L. DARLING 2223,430

I CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 3, 1940. F. L. DARLING CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 19:56 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 WWW h m Dec. 3, 1940.

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 F. L. DARLING 2,223,480

CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1956 Dec. 3, 1.940. F. L. DARLING, 2,223,480

CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ilk v.

Dec. 3, 1940. F. L. DARLING I 2.223,480

CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1956 J 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 f 65 jzg jg/ -J68 J'ZZ Patented Dec. 3, 194G CONTAINEfi SEAE-ING MACHDIE Frank L. Darling, Teaneck, N. J., asdg'nor, by memo assignmentato' Crown Can Company, Philadelphia, 19s., a corporation oi Pennsyl- Application December 16, 1936, Serial No. 116,207

stood that the machine is applicable to other containers.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a sealing machine for cans and other containers and which is extremely simple in design, will operate at a high capacity, and which may be producedet very reasonable cost, and also to provide a novel and emcient method of sealing containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for vacuumizing or otherwise varying pressure conditions within cans or other containers and which isoi extreme simplicity, but has a degree of efficiency equal to that of more involved and expensive machines.

in present vacuum canning practice the cans used are generally oi two types, one type being that in which the can is finally and completely sealed by a seaming operation and must be opened with a can opener, and the other type, generally used for vacuum packed couee, being that wherein the side wall oi the, canis provided with a circumierentially extending rim opening seal so that the top may he removed and rewill not warrant the installation such a ma-' chine. Another factor is the great size and weight of such a. seaming machine, necessitating a fairly large plant constructed with a particular view oi supporting the load oi the machine. The above problems are of particular impor-- tance with reference to the handling of coffee. It is now generally conceded that coflee is maintained in best condition when packed under vacuum, but at the present time. vacuum packing in cans may only be accomplished with vacuum- 55 lzing seaming machines. and since these me chines are too expensive tor the, numerous small packers throughout the country, this type of packing has not heretofore been adopted by them, and their only opportunity ior competition with the larger packers has been-by selling 3 ooilee packed in paper containers and by rely= lng upon rapid sales oi small sheli stochs by retailers; an arrangement ofdoubtiul efllcacy with regard to the freshness of the cofleaand altogether misatlsfactory from an operating standgo point.

The machine of the prese'nt invention operat-v ing upon a can of the type disclosed in my above mentioned patent, will produce a packed prodnot having a more eficient seal than acan which is finally closed by seaming but the cans may, nevertheless, be readily opened by a removable closure which is reinsertable to keep the contents in proper condition.

It is the present practice oi can manuiacturers to supply to packers can bodies seamed and closed at one end, it, 0! course, being necessary for the packer to have a seaming machine with which to finally close the other end of the can after it has been filled. By the machine of the present invention, used with the can of my above mentioned patent, can bodies having both ends seamed thereto at the can manuiacturing catchlishment may be supplied to the packers and the latter may apply the closure of the can oi my patent to one end of the can and with the machine oi the present invention. By this proce dure, the packer does not require a wow machine, but he is able to market his product in a can which has a seal of an efllciency equal to that of a can which is finally closed by a seaming-machine.

Since the machine or the present invention includes means to vacuumize the can, it will enable small packers to pack products such as 40 cofiee in a vacuumized can and thereby fully compete with larger packers who at the present time are the only concerns which can afford to vacuum-pack coilee or other products.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a vacuum sealing machine by means of which an emcient vacuum will be produced in such a manner that the contents of the can will not be disturbed.

In numerous vacuumizlng machines, dimculty so is encountered in gradually producing a vacuum in the container. the vacuum occasionally being so rapidly produced that the products are entirely withdrawn from the cans.

The flow line oi the present machine includes valves which will permit the creation of the vacuum to be regulated according tothe nature or the product being handled. 1

Another important object oi the invention is 5 to provide a vacuumizing machine wherein the valve mechanism for controlling the vacuum is extremely simple in construction and may be readily repaired and regulated.

In 'most vacuumizing machines, particularly 'those of the rotary table type, the valve niechanism is in the form oi a manifold valve of substantially one-piece construction and having a number of ports therein to simultaneously control each vacuumizing head.

The machine the present invention includes a valve mechanism wherein each head is provided with a separate valve and the entire flow a system is constructed oi connections of stand: ard construction, eliminating the necessity of. an especially machined valve structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flow control valve of simple construction but of high eii'iciency, the valve being of the poppet type and having higher sealing efliciency than the usual rotary disc type valve used in multiple head vacuumizing machines.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a sealing head which will cooperate with the can of my above-mentioned patent to form an air-tight seal between the two.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for moving containers to a position upon a rotary table and which is so designed that the possibility of containers being jammed in the mechanism is entirely eliminated.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for moving containers from a rotary table to a stationary table, and which mechanism is entirely controlled by the rotary table through a driving arrangement of extremely sim-pleconstruction.

Another object of the invention is to providea novel form of mechanism for stopping and positioning containers beneath a mechanism for operating upon the container.

4 Still another object of the invention is the provision in a container sealing machine of a means to secure the caps to the containers by soldering.

50 I Machines have heretofore been developed in which soldering operations were performed under the sealing head but such machines are extremely complicated in construction. By the machine of thepresent invention, acting upon a 55 can of the type disclosed in my above mentioned patent, the'containers may be closed and entirely sealed beneath the sealing headsand then moved'to a soldering mechanism which operates in timed relation to the sealing heads to secure.

gg'the caps to the containers. Since'a greater period of time is required for the vacuumizing process than for the soldering operation, one soldering head or heating element will handle the vacuumized cans from a number of heads 65 and the present machine is of such design that it may take advantage of this fact, thereby contributing to the low cost of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which will efiiciently vacuumize and 70 seal a container having a slip opening closure of the type disclosed in my patent for Vacuum sealing can, No. 2,024,511, December 1'7, 1935.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following draw- 75 ings; wherein:

permit the first can to be pushed from beneath Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the outi'eed portion of the machine, with the front cover 5 plate removed;

Figure 4 is a central and transverse vertical sectional view taken on a line corresponding to the line 5-4 of Figure 5;

Figure 5 is a, horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a top view of the valve mechanism and the vacuum reservoir of the machine, with their respective cover plates removed;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 'il of Figure 6, the view showing one of the valves in detail;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view through one of the vacuumlzing and sealing heads used on themachlne;

Figure 9 is a. top plan view of a can of the type shown in my Patent No. 2,024,511, showing the vacuumlzing and sealing head in vacuumizing relation with respect thereto;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing the head in sealing and closure applying relation to the can;

Figure 11 is a top plan view of ures 9 and 10;

Figure 12 is a detail vertical sectional view through the lower portion of one side of the vacuumlzing head included in the present invention; and

Figure 13 is a sectional view on the line l3|3 of Figure 8 showing the construction of the sealing sleeve used in the machine. I

The machine illustrated in the attached drawings as embodying the invention may be generally described as comprising a stationary table 30 within which is mounted a rotary table 3i, filled containers being delivered to the left hand end (Figures 1 and 2) of the stationary table 30 by any suitable conveyor means and positioned upon an endless infeed conveyor 32 which conducts each container to a point opposite a reciprocating transfer element or pusher 33 which positions successive containers upon platforms 34 which are vertically reciprocable in the rotary table 3|. After a can, for example, has been placed upon a platform 34, and as the latter moves with the rotating table ill, the platform will rise to bringthe upper end of the can in contact with the lower edge'of a bell 35 forming part of the sealing and closure-applying head so that the upper portion of the can will be covered or enclosed to be sealed from atmosphere as shown in Figure 9. When vacuumizing is completed, the can will be moved further upwardly by the platform, raising the bell to the position shown in Figure 10 and to bring a closure on the can in contact with a stationary closure applying member or presser foot 36 within the bell 35 and which will firmly seat the closure on the can top. Subsequently, the can will be removed from its platform by a suitable dial or wiper 31 and moved beneath a reciprocable soldering iron or heating element 38 which will descend to solder or sweat the closure in secured position upon the top of the can, the can being stopped in proper position beneath the heating element 38 by .a gate mechanism 39. At the moment that a succeeding can is moved to a position beneath theheating element, the gate mechanism 39 will be released to the can of Figassaeso the heating element and from the the second can.

Supporting structure and driving" mechanism As is best shown in Figures d and 5, the machine is supported upon a circular base plate All, the rotary table it being substantially concentric with the base plate tit, and thestationary table so which surrounds the rotary table and extends forwardly therefrom being supported upon pillars 46 soul-distantly spaced about the base plate as shown in Figure 5, the two front posts it; being provided with lateral extensions dl which support the forwardly extended portion to oi the stationary table 30. Suitable casino plates it may be provided about the stationary portions of the machine to enclose the same.

The machine is driven by a motor ht which operates a reduction gear El from the upper end of which extends a vertical drive shaft 52 having a. pinion 53 provided at its upper end, the pinion 5t meshing with a large gear Btl fixed to a hollow main shaft lid which extends from a point adjacent the base so of the machine to a point above the level of the rotary table ti, shaft to being iournalled and supported by an anti-friction bearing bl upon which the table ti, lreyed to shaft to rests, the bearing bl being in turn supported upon the upper edge of a collar to extending upwardly from a spider tit provided with lateral bosses to which surround and are secured to the posts tit. A second anti-friction bearing ti is provided on the shaft so beneath the spider ht to hold the table against upward vertical move:- ment. The extreme lower end of the shaft to moves within a socket so formed by an annular upward extension on the base plate (iii, a tight joint being formed about the lower end oi the shaft so by means of packing th positioned between the interior wall of the socket bill and the outer surface of the shaft, the packing to being maintained-secure by means of a gland or pressure member 66 which is inept forced downwardly upon the packing by means of bolts ti extending therethrough and into the base so of the machine.

The rotary table ti is secured to the shaft 56 by means of set screws id or the like. The vacuum reservoir it having the valved lines extending therefrom is secured to the upper end of the shaft 56, this structure being supported upon a plate it having 2. depending collar is thereof threaded on the upper end of the shaft, the threaded con mention being secured in proper relation by a set screw it.

The vacuum reservoir is is formed on the plate it by and within an annular wall or flange it extending upwardly from the plate, theupper end of the reservoir being closed by a top plate machine by 'iltightly secured to the upper end of the flange,

it-by bolts or the like. A vacuum is maintained in the reservoir it through a pipe lid extending from a point below the top plate li and-downwardly through a bushing at and through the shaft :56 to the basetb oi the machine, where it is connected, as by a pipe 82, to a vacuum pump. not shown. As indicated at 8 oil is maintained about the lower portion of the pipe to and within the hollow shaft so, this oil serving to lubricate the bearing of the shaft within the socket M and also serving as a seal to prevent any air from entering about the lower end of the shaft 53; to reduce the vacuum within the reservoir 12, as might be the case if only the bushing 8! in the lower wall or" the reservoir was relied upon to maintain a seal at the lower portion of the reservoir. It will be observed that a very emclent seal is thus provided between the rotating shaft b6 and reservoir l2 and the stationary pipe to. i

As shown in Figures a and 5, a sprocket M is fixed to the shalt 5t beneath the spider so,

sprocket as driving a chain so which also engages a sprocket 87 on a vertical stub shaft db journaled in a plate supported from the spider 5t. Shaft 88 is provided at its upper end with a bevel gear so meshing with a bevel gear so fixed to a horizontal shaft ti journaled in depending walls of the forward extension to of the stationary table portion $63 of the machine. At its forward or outer end, the shaft ti is provided with a sprocket wheel at which drives a sprocket chain as also passing so on a shaft at and by means of which the soldering iron or heating element at is reciprocated, as will be hereinafter described.

As also shown in Figures 4 and 5, the rotary table at has a ring 6th secured to the lower ends Sill of bosses use which project downwardly from the table, the ring being held. to the bosses by bolts it? extending through slots iilii in the ring and into the lower ends of the bosses. Pins i it project downwardly from the ring 6%, thepins being cool-distantly spaced about the ring and being arranged to mesh with pins ill projecting horizontally from a collar lit fixed to a vertical shaft iltl journaled in the upper arm lid of a bracket lib suitably secured in the stationary table til, shaft i it being operatively connected to the reciproosting transfer member til through the mechanism described immediately below. v

The transfer member or pusher 323 is of inverted box form, with a top well lit, outer wall ill], and an areuate inner wall lid which is curved on such a radius that it will fit against the side walls of cans delivered thereto by the infeed conveyor 332. The body of the pusher mounted on a frame including an inner cross member its having a longitudinally extending? rod i2ii fixed thereto and projecting rearwardly or outwardly through a sleeve iii formed in-v tegrally with a rear cross member tit which is fixed to a vertical driving arm tilt and is slid- Kilt able with respect to the body portion of the jammed against the inner guide plate the when the pusher moves inwardly. In such event, the

rear plate I 22 fixed to the driving arm its may move inwardly along the rod ltd and against the action of the spring lit without varying the position of the body and can contacting portion 1 it of the pusher. Thus the can will not be crushed and no parts of the machine can be damaeed- The drivingarm I28 of the pusher is pivotally connected to a linlsflb operatively con- 75 er position shown in Figure 2 at the moment before a platform 34 of the rotary tablejl is moved directly opposite the same. If a can is then presented against the arcuate inner. face 8 of the pusher by the infeed conveyor .32, the pushor will move the can inwardly and upon the platform 34 at the moment that the platform comes directly opposite the pusher.

As is shown in Figures 2 and 4, a container engaging bracket M8 is fixed to the table 3i above and on the inner side of each platform 33 to receive and center a container on the platform.

The provision of the slots I08 in ring I 05 enables .the position of the ring and'its pins IIQ to be cireumferentially adjusted with respect to the rotary table 39 so that the reciprocation of the pusher 33 will be properly timed with respect to the rotation of table 3|.

Each of the vertically reciprocating container supporting platforms 34 is of circular form and includes a downwardly extending hub I30 which moves in a sleeve I3I centrally disposed with regard to a guide spider I32 cast in the rotary table 3I beneath each platform aperture of the table. The platform 34 will of their own weight tend to move to their lowermost position, at which time their upper surfaces will be flush with the surface of the rotary table ti, each platform then resting on the upper portion of its guide spider I32. Crosspins I33 are provided in the sleeves I and the hubs I39 are slotted as indicated at I34 to receive these pins, this 7 arrangement preventing the platforms from rotating. At its lowerend, each hub I 30 is provided with a roller I35 adapted to move on a circular cam track I36 fixed to thelarge spider 59 forming part of the machine frame, the cam track I36 including-a low portion I31 arranged opposite the pusher 33. In clockwise successsion (Figure 5), after the low portion I31, the cam track I36 also includes an incline I38, an intermediate rise I39, a second and further incline v Mil, and an upper rise IflI which is followed by a drop M2 to the low portion I31. The operation of the platforms 34 will be subsequently described in connection with the operation of the sealing heads or bells 35.

The sealing and closure applying heads As best shown in Figure 6, arms I project from the plate 13 positioned at the upper end of the hollow shaft 56, one of the arms I55 being provided for each head of the machine, the ma.- chine in its present embodiment being equipped with five such heads. The outer end of each arm 45 is apertured to receive a tubular member I 46 having its upper end threaded to receive a nut WI. Beneath the arm M5, the tubular member M6 is provided with a shoulder I48 and a collar I49 has an inwardly projecting flange positionedbetween the underside of the arm I55 and the upper surface of the shoulder M8, a sealing ring also preferably being positioned between the flange of collar I49 and the shoulder I548. The collar M9 is externally threaded to receive a gland nut I50 having an iii-turned flange to engage beneath a flange I5I on a bendable or collapsible sealing sleeve I52, preferably formed of rubber.

The sealing sleeve Itfi is also provided with a flange IEI at its lower end which is secured bemonth the inwardly projecting flange of a gland nut I53 threaded to the upper end I" of the bell member 35. A coil spring I5! is positioned about the tubular member I46 within the sealing sleeve Q52 and the upper portion I5 of the bell, the upper end of spring H55 bearing on the lower surface of the shoulder I48 and the lower end of the spring extending into a counterbore I56 in the upper extension I54 of the bell and bearing upon the lower end of the counter-bore. By

this arrangement, the bell is tended downwardly to the'position shown in Figure 8, the sealing sleeve I52 forming a seal between the tubular member M5 and the bell. The sealing sleeve i5! is bowed outwardly intermediate its length, as shown in Figure 8, being maintained in this position by a metal ring I51 cast in the sleeve at the apex of its bowed portion.

The bell 35 is of generally cup-shaped form with its lower portion open, and in its normal downward position the upper wall I59 of the bell bears upon a gasket I66 seated in a ring, ISI

threaded on the lower end of the tubular member I46. Immediately above the upper surface of the gasket I 66, the tubular member I46 is provided with apertures or ports I63, which ports will normally be closed from the bell because of the. fact that the lower surface of the upper'wall of the ball bears on the gasket I80. The lower s end of the tubular member I46 is closed by a stud I having its upper end threaded into the lower end of the tubular member below the ports I63. The stud I65 is threaded at its lower ex-.

tremity to'receive the closure applying head or presser foot 36 which is so mounted on the stud that it will be positioned somewhat above the lower edge of the bell 35.

By the above arrangement, the interior of the portion of the groove indicated at I68, being.

adaptedto receive a' rubber sealing ring I69 which is adapted to bear upon the upper surface of a can or other container to be vacuumized. The shoulder or step I Ill of the groove is ad- Jacent the exterior surface of the sealing ring I89 so that a shallow and open groove III is provided adjacent thesealing ring to receive the upwardly extending circumferential flange with which the tops of tin cans are normally provided. The outer wall I12 of the groove I68 is tapered downwardly and outwardly from the shoulder I'Iil, so that when the upwardly projeeting flange of a can moves upwardly toward the shoulder I'IB, it will be centered with respect to the shoulder.

A means is provided to force cans downwardly from the bell, this means comprising a plurality of bent spring elements I73, one of which is shown in detail in Figure 12. As shown in the latter figures, each spring is secured to the outer wall of the bell and its inner end generally conforms to the wall I72 and the shoulder I'Iii, but

is normally spaced from these surfaces by its own resiliency. However, when a can bears against the spring, as shown in Figures 9 and 10,

the inner portion of the spring will seat in a u radial groove I'll, so that it will lie flush with the surfaces I12 and "II.

As is shown in Figures 6 and 8, the upper end of each tubular member I46 communicates with the vacuum reservoir I2 through a line generally designated by the numeral I75, each line preterably formed of suitable pipe fittings including a valve I76 which operates to place the tubular element I 86 in direct communication with the reservoir, and a. valve Ill which is operated to place the tubular'member I66 in communication with the atmosphere.

Each line I75 also includes a manually operable valve I78 which may be set to properly regaaaasso Referring to Figure 'l, the valve there shown comprises a tubular body I88 threaded at both ends, with a wrench receiving portion provided between the-threaded portions. Within the valve body ltd, there is positioned a sleeve-like valve element I82 provided with a bore I83. The inner endof the bore I 83 is closed as indicated at ltd and includes a radially extending annular flange I85 having a rubber gasket I86 seated in its inner face and arranged to contact with the end of the valve body I88 within the fitting I8I.

The valve member I82 is provided with inlet bores I87 spaced slightly inwardly from the contact surface of the gasket I88 and has other bores I88 provided in its far end, the latter end being closed by a plug I88 which also comprises a contact member to engage a cam by means of which the valve is operated. Valve member I82 I is normally held in the position shown in Figure 7 by means of a coil spring I80 having one end bearing on the valve body I80 and its opposite end bearing on the closure or contact member I89. In the closed position of the valve, no flow may occur through the sleeve-like valve member I82 because the ports I81 are withinthe valve body member and the gasket I86 is in contact with the end of the body member. Obviously, ii. the valve element I82 is forcedto the right from the msltlon shown in Figure 7, flow may occur through'the ports I81, bore I 83 and ports I88. or in the reverse direction.

When the valve of Figure 7 is used as an atmospheric valve I", it is mounted as shown in Figure 7 in a fitting I9I included in each line I15 closely adjacent the upper end of the tubular member I46, the threaded portion distant from the contact member I88 being threaded into the fitting IBI. will thus project from the casing covering the upper portion of the machine to be operated by a striker memberin a manner hereinafter set forth. When the contact member I89 engages the striker member, the valve element I82 will The contact member I89v be moved to the right from the position shown in Figure 7 so that atmospheric pressure may flow inwardly through the ports I88 and through the bore I83 to the bent open ports I87.

When the valve of Figure '7 is to be used as a vacuum flow controlling valve, the threaded portionof the body member I80 is engaged in an aperture in the wall 18 of vacuum reservolr |2 so that the contact member I88 will be within the reservoir and subject to operation by a cam member within the reservoir. When the cam moves the contact member I89 toward the body member I88, air will be drawn from the pipe line I18 through the ports I57, valve bore I83 and ports I 88 into the reservoir I2.

It will be observed that the valve illustrated in Figure '7 is extremely efilcient in providing a close seal under operating conditions involving a vacuum, the spring I98 serving to hold the packing ring I88 in close engagement against the adjacent end of the valve body Ifibgthe come pression of the sealing ring I86 in an axial direction simultaneously causing the packing ring to have a close fit within the groove in flange I85. Furthermore, in the event of wear of the sealing ring ltd, a new ring may readily be substituted merely by driving out the tapered pin I380. which holds the contact member I88 in the valve member I82 so that the spring lee may be released and the valve element I 82 entirely removed from the valve body.

Since a vacumn control valve I16 and an atmosphere valve I'I'I areincluded in each of the lines I15 leading to the tubular member M6 associated with each bell 35, a vacuum may be provided within each bell after it has been raised from the gasket Ito as hereinafter described, or atmospheric pressure may be directed to the interior of the bell.

The vacuum valves I76 are controlled by a cam I91 shown in Figures 4, 6 and 8 as secured to the upper end of the vacuum pipe to within the vacuum chamber I2. As best shown in Figure 6, the cam I91 includes a low surface I98 provided on the portion on which the contact 33. m a clockwise direction, from the low portion I88, the cam I91 '15 then provided with an incline I89 leading to a high portion 200 of some length and which terminates at a relatively sharp decline 2M leading back to the low portion I88.

Operation of oacuumizing and closure applying heads In the operation of vacuumizing and closing containers set forth below, such operation is set forth as it would occur with a can of the type disclosed in my patent for Vacuum sealing can, No. 2,024,511, issued December 17, 1935. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, such a can 2III includes'a top wall 2! I having an upwardly extending peripheral flange '2 I2 formed by the seaming oi the top 2 to the body of the can, Spaced slightly inwardly from the flange H2 is an annular groove 2I3, andspaced somewhat further inwardly from this groove is an aperture 2" of the can defined by an upwardly and outwardly inclined lip 2 I 5 which terminates in an upwardly facing and relatively sharp edge indicated at 2 IS. The lip 2I5 projects upwardly from an'annular groove or trough 2II, this groove being defined on its outer side by an upwardly and outwardly inclined wall 2I8.

The closure or can 228 used on thexcan is of the slip type and includes a. central recessed portion 22I having side walls 222. A laterally extending flange 223 is provided on the closure at the upper end of the side wall 222, the laterally extending flange being provided with an upwardly facing annular groove 22R. As l ustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the annular pocket on the under surface of the closure 220 defined by the side wall 222 224, three of these points normally being circumferentially spaced about the closure. As described in my above mentioned patent, the points 226 have solder and flux applied thereto before the can track 936 so that the can will rise no further for a substantial portion of the rotation of the closure is placed upon the can.

The cans 2"] are delivered to the machine by any suitable mechanism, preferably immediately after the cans have been filled, and with the closures 22d merely resting in the apertures 2M of the cans, so that while the skirt 222 of the closure will be substantially centered within the lip 2i! of the can top, the upper edge am of the lip will not project into the body of the sealing material 225. l

The continuously moving infeed conveyor 32 will bring successive cans opposite the reciprocating transfer member 33 and at the moment that a container supporting platform 36 of the rotary table comes opposite the transfer member, the latter will move the can inwardly upon the platform, the can being substantially centered upon the platform by the arcuate bracket E28. At this moment, the platform 34 which receives the incoming can has its upper surface flush with the surface of the rotary table -3I, the roller I 35 (Figure 4) which controls that platform being on the low portion I 31 of the cam track I36. Also,

the atmospheric valve I11 associated with the bell 35 above the platform 34 will be closed due to the action of its springs I90. The vacuum control valve I18 associated with the bell will also be closed, due to the fact that its contactor I89 will at this momentbe opposite the low portion !98 of the valve operating can I91 as shown at A in Figure 6.

As the rotary table SI moves in a clockwise direction (Figure 6), the platform roller lee will move upwardly on the incline I38 of cam track I38, so that the top wall of the can will contact with the lower surface of bell 35 in the manner shown in Figure 9, the upwardly extending edge flange 2I2 of the can contacting-with the incline I12 of groove I10 on the lower edged the bell to center the can about the sealing ring E69 oi the bell and so that the sealing ring will bear on the top 01' the can immediately outside of the annular groove 2I3 in the top of the can. The platform and can will move upwardly sufliciently far to raise the bell 3% on the tubular member fit and against the action of the coil spring 555 until the ports I $3 in the tubular member are opened or exposed to the interior or the bell. At this time, the cam roller I35 of theplatform will have reached the intermediate high portion E39 of the to open so that the vacuum efiective in vacuum reservoir 12 may act through the corresponding line l'iil, tubular element Hit and through the ports its to create a vacuum in the bell 35.

the aperture 2H of the can, a vacuum will thus be exerted in the interior of the can.

As shown in Figure 9, when the top wallof the can is in firm contact with the bell, the shoulder I591: adjacent the inner side of the seal ing ring I69, and which projects downwardly past the lower end of the ring, will fit into the groove 2I3 in the can top wall. The vacuum condition in the bell will then tend to draw the sealing ring inwardly against shoulder "59a and down into the groove 2I3 so that a tight seal is provided. The provision of the shoulder I694: is desirable because it contacts with the can top to prevent the latter from deforming the sealing ring, as would occur if the movement of the can against the sealing ring were not limited as is done by the shoulder.

It will also be noted that the upper wall ill of groove Ild will not contact with the top of can flange 2l2. Such contact would of course interfere with the seal between the can and bell.

In the preferred operation of the machine, the manual valve I18 in the vacuum line I is only opened to such an extent that a sudden high vacuum will not be created, the machine relying upon a continued gradual drawing of vacuum to the desired stage, rather than a sudden action to attain such stage. In line with that purpose, the vacuum control valve I15 will be held open for approximately 180 degreesof rotation of the rotary table, and until the 'contactor 89 of the vacuum control valve comes opposite the decline 2M of the valve control cam I91. However, just prior to the moment when the vacuum control valve closes, the roller 135 of the container platform 34 will moveup the incline I40 to the high portion Iii of can track I36, this action causing the can to force the bell 35 further upwardly on the-tubular element I46. The additional raisins oi. the can 210 will bring the closure 220 in contact with the stationary presser foot 38, as

shown in Figure 9, the flange 85a oi the presser foot bearing on the flange 223, of the can closure 220. As a result, the closure will be forced tightly downwardly into the aperture 2 of the can, causing the relatively sharp upper edge 2I6 of the lip 2% of the can to be embedded in the plastic 225 in the closure. However, as described in my above mentioned patent, the shoulder formed by the under surface oi the annular groove 22% in the closure will contact with the surface an of the can top before the lip 2 I5 can out. entirely through the plastic 2225.. Also, at this time, the points 226 on the closure will contact with the top 2 of the can. The can will thus be sealed withits contents maintained in a vacu.

Immediately after the closure has been applied to the c to seal the same in the manner de= and the bell til. However, a vacuum condition will still exist within the bell and in the line lid outwardly oi the vacuum control valve no. but this vacuum will be tested by the opening of the atmosphere valve ill resulting from contact of its contactor list with the atmosphere valve trip 28% (Figures 1 and 2) mounted on a post 235 7 extending upwardly fromv the stationary table til. Atmospheric pressure will then ficw into the bell to and line We and inst subsequently to this therollerith of the container supporting platform 2% will move down the in cline Hit of com trash tothe low portion 2m downwardly, the bell 85 likewise moving downwardly by the action 01' the spring I56 until its upper wall seats upon the gasket ISO to seal 5 the ports I63. Because of the close contact between the top of the can and the sealing gasket I 69, a can may at times tend to adhere to the bell but this adhesion will be broken by the light spring I113 so that the can will move downwardly from the hell with the platform and to a position flush with the surface of the )rotary table M.

It will be observed from the above that the final control of vacuum flow is obtained by the upward movement of each bell 35 upon its tubular element M6, caused by contact of a can 2M n therewith. Hence, if no can is presented beneath abell, no waste of vacuum effect will occur.

The outje ed dial and heating element In the embodiment 01' my invention shown in the present drawings, the containers will bedial by a lug 231, the arm of the dial which will then be at the position marked 238a will project very slightly inwardly over the surface of the rotary table 3 i. The next lug 231 coming toward the dial with the rotation oi the rotary table will move behind or to the right of the arm at 238a, with the result that the dial will be turned in a counterclockwise direction as the lug brushes behind the arm to finally move it to theposition indicated at 2361?. v

The rotation of the dial 31 described above will,

with the cooperation of a fixed guide member 238 which projects over the rotary table ,9] from the stationary table 30. move the can to the position shown at C in Figure 2 and the nextmovement or the dial will position the can at 0 directly beheath the soldering iron or heating element 38. L

The dial will be stopped in proper position by engagement 01 a spring-pressed element 239 in one of three notches spaced about a disc 239a fixed to the upper end of stud 235. The casing for the spring-pressed element 239 is fixed to one or the arms of dial 3''.

The can is stopped beneath heating element 38 by a gate mechanism 39 including an arm 280 which projects from an inner guide member 2. The guide member 2 and an outer guide memco her 242 cooperate to insure that the container will move in a straightline after it has left the heating element 98. The gate mechanism 39 is controlled by the arms 298 of outieed dial 31 in a manner hereinafter set forth.

As shown in Figure 3, the heating element 98 includes an electrically heating unit 245 receiving current through a lead 246, the unit being carried at the outer end or an arm 241 which extends inwardly and laterally from a vertical 70 rod 2% having a plunger 249 at its lower end which is reciprocable in a housing 25!! mounted on the upper side of the outer guide member 242.

A coil spring 25I is provided in the housing 250 above the plunger 249 to tend the plunger to .75 downward position, the plunger 249 also being provided with a roller 252 which contacts with the cam 98 fixed to the horizontal shaft 99. The

cam 98 has a number of spaced high portions 253 designed to lift the heating element 24% after each can has been sweated or soldered and to then permit the heating element to be moved downwardly by the action of the spring 2M and into close contact with the points 226 of the closure or cap 229 of a can.

' I Because oi the fact that the points 226 of th element 265 with the can will be necessaryto cause the solder to be melted or sweated so that it will flow upon the top 2i! of the can so that when the solder hardens it will hold the closure in the desired position on the can as described in my above-mentioned Patent No. 2,024,511, the heating element thus serving as a closure securing means.

After the closure securing means 38 has acted upon the can, the gate mechanism 39 will be released or moved inwardly in the direction indibated-by the arrow in Figure 2; and by reason of the fact that the succeeding partial rotation of the outfeed dial tl will cause the arm of the spider indicated at the position 2360 to-brush against a horizontally extending plate 25B'secured to an arm 259 horizontally slidable in a fixed bracket 2th. The inner end of the arm 259 is pivotally connected to the inner end of the gate arm 24d so that when the plate 258is moved to the right, the gate arm 2M! will be swung in the direction of the arrow to lie flush with the inner guide member 24 l The can simultaneously being moved from position C by the outfeed dial 3? will then contact with the can beneath the now raised heating element 5% to move the latter'can to the right. Immediately thereafter, the arm of dial ill which has been in contact with the gate control plate 258 will move out of contact with this plate and the latter will then be returned to the position shown in Figure 2 by the action of a moving toward the heating'element 38 will be stopped in proper position beneath the latter.

It will be obvious that the movement of successlve cans away from the heating means 38 will cause cans to be successively pushed from the right hand or outfeed side of themachine.

It is to be noted that the counterbore lit in the upper portion I54 oi the bell 35 extends into the upperportion of the bell such an extent that only a relatively small area ISM of the bell is in contact with the tubular element M6. The clearance between portion I,54a and the tubular member I46 is such that the bell may rock or tilt relatively to the tubular element I48 in the event that a canpresented beneath the valve is slightly tilted. It will be noted too that the bowed resilient sealing sleeve I52 will permit such tilting of the bell on the tubular element I48 without affecting the sealing of all oi. the elements from atmossealing, the bell would not slide freely, while if the packing were too loose, leakage would result.

, The provisionrinthe sealing sleeve I52 01 a means such, as the ring l5'l to maintain it against 5v collapse is also important. For example, were it not for the ring I51, or some similar arrange- I ment, the sleeve l52 would tend to crease or bend inwardly upon itself on a longitudinal line at the bowedportion. The inner upper and lower faces of the sleeve are also provided with relatively crossed ribs I520 as shown in Figure 13, these ribs preventing the inner upper and lower walls of the sleeve from closely contacting with each other when moved together by the folding of the sleeve as the bell moves upwardly and when a vacuum condition exists in the sleeve.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction shown in the drawings, and that the example of the use of the machine and mechanisms which has beengiven does not include all of the uses of which they are capable; and that the phraseology employed in the specification is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

I claim:

1. The combination in a vacuum sealing machine of a container platform, a source of vacuum, a bell supporting element having a passage therein adapted to communicate with said source of vacuum, a bell arranged to move with respect to said bell supporting element and normally out of communication with the vacuum passage, means to move said platform with respect to said bell to present a container to the latter, and thereby move said bell with respect to said supporting element to place the bell in communication with the vacuum passage.

2 The combination in a vacuum sealing machine, of a source of vacuum, a bell supporting 0 element having a passage therein adapted to communicate with said source, a bell arranged to move with respect to said element and normally positioned'out of communication with the passage, and means to move a container intocontact with 45 said bell to move the latter with respect to said supporting element and place the bell*in communication with the vacuum passage.

3. The combination in a vacuum sealing machine,v of a container platform, a source of 60 vacuum, a. bell supporting element having a pas-' sage therein adapted to communicate with said source of vacuum, a bell movable with respect to said supporting element, means to move said platform with respect to said supporting element to 55 cause a container thereon to engage said bell,

and cooperating valve elements respectively carried by said supporting element passage and bell and arranged to be operated upon movement of said bell with respect to said supporting element so to place the passage in communication with said bell.

4. Ihe combination in a vacuum sealing machine, of a container platform, a bell supporting element having a passage therein, a source of v '66 vacuum adapted to communicate with said supbell with respect to said supporting element, and means to additionally move said platform to cause the container thereon to move said bell further with respect to said supporting element and cause the container to contact with said 5 presser foot. I

5. The combination in a vacuum sealing machine, of a rotary table, means to deliver partially closed containers to said table, a' vacuumizing bell associated with said table, a vertically rigid 10 presser foot within said bell to close and seal containers, a vertically reciprocable platform to position containers incontactwith said bell and subsequently move the container closure into contact with said presser foot, vertically reciprocable 010- 15 sure securing means spaced from said table, and means to move containers from said table to said last-named means.

6. The combination in a vacuum sealing machine, of a container platform, a bell supporting 2o element of tubular form, a source of vacuum in communication with said supporting element, a bell movable with respect to said bell supporting element, a presser foot within said bell and fixed at the lower end of said tubular supporting eleg ment, means to move said platform with respect to said supporting element to cause a container thereon to engage and move said bell, cooperating valve means carried by said supporting element and said bell, respectively, and operated by 30 movement of said bell with'respect to said supporting element to place said bell in communication with said source of vacuum when a container initially moves the bell with respect to said supporting element, and means to additionally move, 35 said platform to cause the container thereon to I move said bell further with respect to said supporting element and cause thecontainer to contact with said presser foot.

7. A vacuumizlng structure for containers com- 40 prising a tubular element, a container engaging bell slidable on said element, cooperating valve means carried by said element and said bell, respectively, and adapted to place said bell in communlcation with said element when said bell is moved with respect to said element, and a resilient sleeve secured to said element and said bell to provide aseal between the same. 4

8; A vacuumizing structure for containers comprising a bell, the lower edge of said bell being 5 provided with a resilient ring adapted to contact with the top-of a container body, and means on said bell to free a container therefrom after the container has been vacuumized.

9. The combination in a vacuum sealing machine, of a vacuum reservoir, a flow valve comprising a body element of sleeve form, a tubular valve element having a radially extending flange at one end thereof and ports in its wallv spaced longitudinally from said flange, means to urge go said flange into contact with one end of said body element and holdsald ports within said element; and valve operating means within said reservoir.

10. A vacuumizing structure for operation upon a container provided with a peripheral flange projectlng upwardly from its top wall, comprlsinga bell member having a sealing ring in its lower edge adapted to bear upon the top wall of the container, and a groove adjacent said ring adapted to fit over the peripheral flange on the container, the outer wall of the groove being downwardly and outwardly inclined to cooperate with the peripheral flange of the container to center the container with respect to the bell member.

ii. A. vacuumzing structure for operation upon;

a container including a top wall having a closurereceiving opening therein and a groove surrounding the opening, comprising a bell member having a downwardly projecting sealing ring in its lower edge adapted to bear upon the top wall of the container adjacent the outer edge of the groove, and an annular shoulder on the lower edge of the bell immediately adjacent the sealing ring and adapted to fit in the container top wall groove to limit downward movement of the bell with respect to the container.

12. The combination in a container handling machine, including a rotating table, of means to move containers from the rotary table comprising a dial rotatably mounted adjacent the table and having arms extending over a portion ofithe table surface, and trip means spaced about the periphcry of the table and adapted to contact with said arms adjacent the axis of the dial to rotate the latter to remove containers fromthe table, adjacent arms of the dial having their. side walls curved to substantially coincide with the path of movement of the trip means so that the inlti cl and final portions of each movement of the dial performing means, means to stop containers beneath the operation performing means, and means to hold said last-named means in container stopping position and constructed and arranged to be released from container stopping position by contact of a dial arm therewith during rotation 01' said dial.

15. The combination ina container handling machine including means to perform an operation upon a stationary container, of a rotating dial to move a container beneath the operation performing means, means to stop containers beneath the operation performing means, means to urge said last-named means to container stopping position, said last-named means being positioned in the path of movement of said dial and adapted to be released upon contact of a dial armtherewith. f

16. A vacuumizing structure for containers comprising a bell arranged to contact with the top of a container body, and means on the lower portion of said bell to free a container therefrom after the container has been vacuumized.

17. The combination in a vacuum sealing machine, of a rotatable vacuum reservoir, a flow valve carried by said reservoir, and a stationary cam within said reservoir to actuate said valve.

18. The combination in a machine for creating a predetermined pressure condition within a container, of a fluid flow line to establish such pressure, a sealing head reciprocable thereon, and means to seal said head to said line comprising a longitudinally bowed collar, and means within said collar to maintain the same in bowed condition.

19. The combination in a container sealing machine, vof a support, ,a bell slidable on said support, and adapted to contact with a container, said bell being in contact with said support'over a limited area to enable it to tilt with respect thereto.

20. The combination in a container sealing machine, oi a support, a bell slidable on said support, and adapted to contact with a container, said bell being in contact with said support over a limited area to enable it to tilt with respect thereto, and means to provide a seal between the support and bell throughout therange of sliding and tilting movement of the bell.

21. The combination in a container sealing ma- 1 chine, of a support, a bellslidable with respect to said support, a longitudinally bendable element having its ends respectively secured to said bell and support, and means within said bell to prevent its inner surfaces from closely contacting with each other when the same is bent.

23. A sealing collar bendable and outwardly bowed intermediate its ends to provide opposed inner shoulders, one of said shoulders being providedwith a series of projections to prevent the same from having abutting and circumferentially FRANK L. DARLING.

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