Abstract:
An improved apparatus for the feeding and placing of a preformed cover(44) on a linearly advancing preformed container(130), said improved apparatus being automatically operated in response to an "on-demand" condition, said improved apparatus including a frame assembly(12), an inclined hopper assembly(14), a cover separating assembly(16), a transfer chute assembly (18) an infeed conveyor assembly(20), and a cover seating assembly(22). This improved apparatus may also provide selective orientation of a pour spout or bung located in a circular cover.
Abstract:
An improved apparatus for separating a preformed cover from an inclined nested stack of covers, advancing and simultaneously rotating said cover from a substantially vertical disposition to a substantially horizontal disposition by means of a transfer chute, said cover advancing to a placing position, by means of gravity, on an inclined chute. Said cover being placed on a matching container, said container advancing on a process conveyor. Said apparatus adapted for feeding and placing a range of covers of like design without the need for intermediate adjustments.
Abstract:
This invention pertains to a troughing conveyor for products such as bags, boxes, cartons and the like. It is anticipated that products of like configuration and initial orientation are carried to an orienting conveyor means. This conveyor system has a stop plate that is actuated as and when required to insure that an oriented product has exited the system before entrance of another product to said system. Two plate-like conveyors are arrayed in tandem and are of like size and extent. These conveyors are troughed to provide a shallow included angle and the upper extents are also formed with convex arc so that the product is transported on two points. Each of these conveyors is independently driven by variable-speed gear motors, each with computer programs controlling the speed of each of the conveyor extents. An electric-eye counter device insures that an oriented product has exited the system before another product has been delivered. Orienting of the product may require a speed-up, stop or reverse at times of one or both conveyor movements. The needed actuation is determined and then a program for each conveyor is provided. A new product in size, configuration or initial orientation may require a new program for each conveyor motor.
Abstract:
This invention shows two mechanisms for receiving, separating, delivering covers to a gravity chute, and thence to metering and cover-positioning and -pressing means. The feeding of covers may be automatic or may be hand-loaded. One embodiment shows the separation mechanism employing Y-members that are actuated by a reciprocated ring with jaws and guide supports in a common plane. Adjusting means for size and cover thickness, both metal and plastic, is contemplated. The other mechanism utilizes jaw arms that are stacked one above the other and preferably are arranged as four pairs, with upper arm jaws moved by one cycled ring and the lower arm jaws moved by another cycled ring. Vacuum cups remove and carry the removed cover to a gravity chute and a metering and cover-pressing apparatus that provides insured placement of only the forwardmost cover on a traveling container. Orienting means is also contemplated, and plural delivery chutes are shown. A height-adjusting means is also depicted.
Abstract:
This invention pertains to bail applying mechanism particularly for plastic containers with molded-on ears with access openings to the interior of the ear. These plastic containers are usually provided with wire bails when the container is empty. These plastic containers may have their body formed with a taper. "Shingling" of tapered containers is prevented by a guide rail disposed immediately above the transported containers. This guide rail extends through the bail applying station. A backup is also provided when and where the plastic container is provided with molded-on ears having an access opening. This bail applying mechanism may also be used with metal containers with attached sheet metal ears which may be absent apertures for the wire bail or the apertures may be mispositioned if present. This bail applying mechanism has a pair of curling dies, each pivotally secured, and with each die is formed a receiving and retaining recess and there is a reciprocably moved pin which is caused to enter the recess and engage and fixedly position the curling die prior to moving the wire end of the bail to and through the die and into the ear of the container. A cover member is moved into a position in which a groove in the curling die is covered during the forming and inserting of the wire bail end into the ear.