US1892773A - Can washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 3, 1933.

I. H. KENDALL CAN WASHING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY 3 Jan. 3, 1933. 1. H. KENDALL 7 CAN WASHING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 21, 1929 II I 1/ l/ ,1

TOR j/NYEN BY 7 7 0%9M ATTORNEY 5 1933- l. H. KENDALL CAN WASHING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1929 10 Sheets$heet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY S Jan. 3, 1933. l. H. KENDALL CAN WASHING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1929 1Q Sheets-Sheet 4 Q01 {Z VLM ATTORNEY 5 1933' l. H. KENDALL CAN WASHI NG MACHINE- Filed June 21. 1929 10 Sheets-Sneet 5 ATTORNEY5 Jan. 3, 1933. l. H. KENDALL CAN WASHING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR Q2 3 ATTORNEY 5 Jan. 3, 1933. H. KENDALL CAN WASHING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEY-5 Jan. 3, 3%33.

a. H. KENDALL 1,892,773

CAN WASHING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet s INV NTOR N l M ATTORNEYS Jan. 3, 1933. 1. H. KENDALL CAN WASHING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 INV'ENTOR BY lwufl' ATTORNEY 5 Jan. 3,1933. l. H. KENDALL I CAN WASHING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 INVENTOR X /C1 M(4@ r W ATTORNEY 5' Patented Jan. 3, 1933 IRA. H. KENDALL, 0F POTSDAM,

NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENEVIEVE A. KENDALL,

OF POTSDAM, NEW YORK CAN WASHING MACHINE Application filed .Tune .21, 1929.

My invention relates to a new and improved can washing machine, and a new and improved method of handling cans in order to cleanse them.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide-an improved can washing machine in which milk cans or the like can be washed, together with the covers therefor, and the covers will be automatically applied-to the cans.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of this type in which the cans will be washed, .steamed, etc., while they are in inverted position, and the. cans will then be reversed so as to be moved to a conveyor, by means of very simple and efficient mechanism.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a simple can-reversing device which shall require no movable parts.

Another object of my invention is to provide a can-reversing mechanism which shall reverse the can with little or no injury thereto.

Another object of my invention is to provide simple and efficient mechanism for automatically placing the can covers in proper position. a

Another object of my invention is to provide mechanism for this purpose by means of which the can covers'will be placed upon the respective cans, without completely closing the cans so that any vapors within the cans are free to escape.

Another object of my invention is to' provide a device of this character in which the can covers will be automatically seated into proper position 7 after the cans moved by conveying mechanism.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine in which the cover holding device will be released by the feed mechanism of the conveyor. 7

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved hydraulic drive for actuating the machine and the feed for the con veyor. I

Another object of my invention is to provide improved feed mechanism for the conveyor.

have been Serial N 0. 372,594.

Other objects of my invention will be set forth in the following description and drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, it being understood that the above general statement of the objects of my invention is intended merely to generally ex plain the same and not to limit it in any manner.

Fig. 1 is an elevation partially in section of one embodiment of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine, some of the parts being broken away to illustrate the same more clearly.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig.- 4.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

I, Fig. 5 is a detail view which shows the feed-clog shortly after it has begun its backward stroke and before it has completed said backward stroke.

Fig. 6 is a detail view partially insection showing how the can-is pushed off the conveyor by means of the deflector.

Fig. 7 is a detail top view of the deflector.

Fig. 8 is a detail side view of the trip mechanism which is actuated to permit the cover to slide off the chute.

Fig. 9 showsa modification of the feed dog mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line 1()-l 0 of ig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the feed dog shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the feed dog shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on the line 13-13 of Fig. 9 showing the two end dogs.

Fig. 14 is a shown in Fig. I

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the operating mechanism and control valves.

Fig. 16 is a detail view showing the trigger for starting the device to produce a single stroke.

F 17 is an elevation showing the operating mechanism which is controlled by the trigger, the trigger not being shown in this view.

Fig. 18 is a modification of the driving mechanism for the conveyor.

partial plan View of the device Fig. 19 is a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating a different drive and control for the operating mechanism.

Fig. 21 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a detail top view showing another form of drive for the turntable.

The general type of machine to which the improvements are applied is shown in my previously filed application Serial No. 249,172, which generally describes a machine of the rotary jet type.

The device comprises a stationary casing 1 having an openng through which cans may be taken out or put in. The washing mechanism for the cans is of the type shown in said application Ser. No. 2%; ,17 2, and the top part 2 of the casing is separate from the oottom part 1. The top part 2 of the casing is pro vided with washing or steaming heads 3 having pipes l which are connected to suitable sources of hot water, cold water or steam.

I have not shown the details of the means for providing either hot water or cold water orsteam or the like, to the heads 3, because such mechanism is now well known per se, and this invention is not directed to such mechanism acr so.

As shown in 2, the top part 2 of the casing is provided with a partition l which divides the top part of the turntable into a series of rotatable pockets 5 in each of which a can cover Ca is located. The turntable is provided with a shaft 6 having a bevel gear 7 which meshes wi a bevel gear 8 on a shaft 9 which serves to drive the turntable on which the cans and can covers are mounted. These parts are intended to merely illustrate a conventional drive for operating the turntable, as the special forms of drive utilized, and which form a part of my invention, are later more fully described.

It is to be understood that each can has a cove r above the same, and that the cans and covers are moui'zted upon a common turntable. This turntable can be continuously operated by means of the drive shown in my previously filed application No. 249,17 2. However, one of the improvements of the present invention consists in providing an intermittent drive, and more particularly a hydraulic drive such as later specified herein. The advantage of a hydraulic drive is that if a gear is broken, it is not necessary to accurately time or adjust the machine, which is necessary with a gear drive. Likewise, the use of the hydraulic drive later disclosed herein, makes the installation of the device much more flexible because the position of the conveyor with respect to the easing can be varied to suit particular conditions. It is to be understood however, that I do not limit this invention to the use of a separate hydraulic drive for the turntable.

Each of the pockets 5 is provided with a. finger 10 which is fixed to the bottom wall 11 of the respective pocket 5. The can cover Ca is held in tilted position as shown in Fig. 1 by means of a retaining finger 12 which is pivotally mounted at 14. The finger 12 which is shown at the left hand side of Fig. 1, can rock up and down in the plane of the paper. The finger 12 is upwardly actuated by means of a. lever 15, to release the cover. The top wall of the stationary upper portion 2 of the casing is provided with a fixed bar 16. Then the pockets 5 are successively turned into proper position, the fixed bar 16 strikes the vertical portion of the corresponding arm 15 to rock the same in the clockwise direction, and to raise the finger 12 to release the cover Ga which then falls into the chute 17 as shown in Fig. 1. The cover is there held in position by means of the trigger 18 which is pivoted at 19 to an ear extending from the lower wall of the chute 17. As shown at the right hand side of Fig. 1, each lever 15 is pivoted at 20 to an ear depending from the top wall of the respective pocket 5 and the vertical arm of each lever 15 projects through said top wall of the pocket.

The cans C are placed in inverted position upon the saddle plates 21 of a turntable which is mounted upon the shaft 6. In order to remove the cans C from their saddle plates 21, a deflector bar 22 is utilized. This deflector bar 22 is preferably made of hard wood, the grain of which is diagonal or inclined to the longitudinal axis thereof. This deflector bar or plate 22 is suitably connected to a metal plate 23 which is provided with cars 24 by means of which it is turnably mounted on a rod 25 which is connected to the casing. The weight of the deflector plate 22 normally keeps it in the horizontal position and a suitable stop is provided for preventing the deflector plate 22 from moving below the horizontal position. As shown in Fig. 6 the deflector plate 22 contacts with the neck of each can so as to push it oil the saddle 21. The deflector plate contacts with the neck of each can while said deflector plate is held at an angle to the direction of movement of the can, while said can is being pushed off the respective saddle 21. Hence, each inverted cah is gradually pushed off its saddle until the center of gravity of the can passes beyond the edge of the saddle, whereupon the can is free to tilt, so that it can be inverted into the proper position. As each inverted can C is pushed off the saddle plate 21 by the deflector plate, it falls upon an inverter 26 which comprises two curved bars 27. As shown in Fig. 2 for example, the said bars 27 are inclined towards each other so that the distance between their outer ends is much smaller than the distance between their inner ends. The

purpose of this is to cooperate with th'e'curva ture of the-cylindrical wall of the can so that when the can is inverted, it does not fall too far, as a heavy fall, would damage the can. For example, and as shown in Fig. 1, when the can is completely inverted, it has only fallen a very short distance compared with the total hei ht of the can. The effect of the inverter 26 is to impart a relative raising movement to each can while the can is tilting and falling from its respective saddle plate 21. One of the bars 27 is provided with a guard plate 28 having a vertical flange which prevents the can from falling to one side. Likewise, the casing 1 is provided with an inclined lip 30to prevent the can from falling down into the wrong position when it is pushed forwardly by the deflector plate. Likewise, the conveyor upon which the inverted can fallsis provided with a guard plate 32 having a protector 33 made of leathor or other suitable material to prevent the can from being injured or bumped, or from falling too far.

The conveyor consists of a series of stationary bars 35 separated by slots 34, along which bars the cans are pushed by feed dogs 36. These dogs operate intermittently. Likewise, and as shown in Fig. 3, for example, the conveyor is upwardly inclined so that the cans are raised while they are pushed away from the inverting apparatus. Hence, when the cans are forced off the bars 35, they can be deposited upon a gravity conveyor provided with suitable rollers which can carry them to any other part of the plant. However, it would not be departing from my invention if said conveyor would be horizontal.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the feed dogs 36 are pivotally mounted upon pins 37 connected to slide bars 38 which slide upon rollers 390, these details being also shown in Fig. 1. Likewise, the slide bars 38 are connected to angle members 39 upon which the bottoms of the dogs 36 rest, so that they are normally held in the inclined pos tion shown in Fig. 3. The angle members 39 thus move in unison with bars 38. The left-hand end pin 37 is connected to a link 40 which is pivotally c0nnected to a wheel 41 which is revolved so that the link 40 acts as a pitman. Hence, all the dogs are simultaneously reciprocated. The distance between adjacent dogs 36 is greater than the width of a can. While I do not wish to be limited to the specific figures stated herein, I prefer to have the dogs reciprocated through a path which is twenty inches long and to space the dogs 37 eighteen inches apart. VVh-en the dogs are moved towards the right, they cannot tilt and hence they engage the cans and push them forward. When they are moved to the left, said dogs are free to tilt so that they pass under the cans. The lefthand end dogs 36 operate through slits in ;the members 32 and 33.

As shown in Fig. 1, each can is pushed by a pair of feed dogs 36. This tends to automatically bring the cans in proper alignment upon the conveyor in case one of the cans moves a little too far after it has been inverted.

In my previously filed application Ser. No. 249,17 2 I have shown a movable battle. which would downwardly deflect the stream of water issuing from a washer nozzle if a can were not in proper position. Experience has shown that the control means for said battle are not absolutely uniform in operation.

As shown in Fig. 6 herein, the washing nozzle 57 is provided with a baflie 125 which is connected upon lever 126 pivotally mounted at 127 to the nozzle. hen the battle 125 is in the operative position shown in Fig. 6, the water which is projected upwardly from the nozzle 57 (this nozzle being connected to turnable member 58 is downwardly deflectedtoasuitabletankorcompartment. The lever 126 is provided with a projection which cooperates with inclined or cam plate 129. The cam plate 129 operates upon the projection of the lever 126, while the deflector plate 22 is automatically pushing the can off the saddle so that when the can is about to fall off the saddle 21, the bafiie 125 has been moved to the operative position shown in F 6. The weight of the parts normally keeps the baffle 125 in said operative position.

However, as the member 58 turns, together with the turntable, the projection of the lever 126 is freed from the plate 129, so that when a can is pushed upon the empty saddle 21, it turns the lever 126 backwards or in the clockwise direction, thus moving the battle 125 to the inoperative position. The extension of the lever 126 is provided with a roller. 128 similar in function to the roller shown in said application Ser. N 0. 249,172.

It is necessary to release a cover Ca after the inverted can on which said cover is to be deposited, has been moved one stroke by the feed dog mechanism. In order to additionally prevent the can from falling out of the proper position when it is inverted, a guard plate 42 is fixed to the conveyor as shown in Fig. 1.

Upon the backward stroke of the feed dogs, the trigger or finger 18 must be released to permit the cover Ca held thereby to fall into proper position on the can as shown for example, in Fig. 3 (second can from the left).

The finger 18 is pivotally connected at 43 to a link 44 which is pivotally connected at 45 to a lever 46 which is pivotally connected to rock shaft 47 mounted in lugs 48 extending from the conveyor.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 4, the rock shaft 47 is provided with a finger 47a having a lip 470. The finger 47a is mounted to turn freely with respect to the rock shaft 47 in one direction. .Hence, if the finger 47 a is turned in the clockwise direction, it does not operate the rock shaft 47, or the trigger 18. However, if the finger 47a is turned in the counterclockwise direction, its lip 47c operates to turn the lever 46 in the counterclockwise direction, thus raising the link 44 to cause the release of the cover Ca.

As shown in Fig. 8, the slidable bar 38 which is adjacent said finger 47a is provided with a cam member 47?). lVhen the slidable bar 38 is moved forwardly, or to the left of the position shown in Fig. 8, the cam member 476 merely turns the member 47a in the clockwise direction, without operating the rock shaft 47, until the cam member 477) has passed beyond the said member 47a, so that the member 47a is free to fall back into the position shown in Fig. 1. Upon the return or backward stroke of the feed dog mechanism and while the cans are stationary, the

cam 47b engages the finger 47a to turn it in the countercloclnvise direction, thus releasing the cover Ca, and permitting it to fall upon the top of the can which is then adj acentthe chute 17.

The chute 17 is adjustably held upon the support 49 by means of the turnbuckle device 50.

It is desirable to have the cover Ca fall into the inclined position shown in the second position from the left, illustrated in Fig. 8, so that any steam or vapor in the can can escape. For this purpose, bars 51 and 52 are rigidly secured to the end of the chute 17, the

ibar 52 being adjustable with respect to the bar 51. For example, the adjacent ends of the bars 51 and 52 can be slotted and a suitable wing nut device can hold the bar 52 in adjusted position. The flange of the cover slides upon the bar 52, when the cover is released from the position shown in Fig. 1 so that the cover is slid on the prop-er can C, in the tilted position illustrated.

As shown in Fig. 3, the conveyor is provided with uprights 53 having arms 54 adjustably pivoted thereto. Said arms 54 are provided with a roller 55 and this forces the covers into the cans. The final position of the cover is shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 3.

The washing liquid or the like is supplied by means of nozzles 57 which are connected to the turnable valve body 58 mounted on the shaft of the machine, so that said valve body turns in unison with the turntable. The details of the movement and control of the valves are shown in application Ser. No. 249,172.

In the modified type of feed dog mechanism shown in Figs. 9-12 inclusive, a single row of feed dogs 59 is utilized. Each said dog has an enlarged sleeve 60 provided with a bayonet joint or slot 61, by means of which each of these dogs 59 is pivotally mounted upon a pin 37.

As shown in Fig. 9, the dogs at the left hand side of the conveyor catch underneath the bottom flanges of the cans to push them forwardly. However, a pair of dogs 36a are provided at the right hand end of the conveyor and these push the can off the bars 35 to the gravity feed conveyor (not shown), or other means for receiving the same. This construction makes it unnecessary for the right hand feed dogs to move beyond the conveyor bars 35.

An improved hydraulic drive for the turntable on which the cans and their covers are mounted, and for the feed dogs of the conveyor, is shown in Figs. 1518.

As shown in Fig. 15, the revoluble turntable is operated by piston 63 located in cylinder 62. The hydraulic power is supplied by means of oil or other suitable liquid under pressure.

The movement of piston 63 in cylinder 62 is controlled by a valve 64 located in a casing 65. The feed dogs are operated by piston 66 which moves in hydraulic cylinder 67, and the movement of piston 66 is controlled by valve 68 located in valve casing 69. The piston rods 83 and 7 O of the pistons 66 and 63 pass through suitable packing glands, which are also provided for the rods of the piston valves 64 and 68.

As shown in Figs. 15 and 17, the piston rod 70 is provided with a collar 71 which embraces the pin 72 of a toggle joint compristing the levers 73 and 73a. As shown in Fig. 15, the lever 73 is pivotally connected at 75 to the frame of the machine. Hence, when the piston rod 70 moves forward, the arms 73 and 73a are first moved until they are aligned with each other and then they are further moved until they form an angle which is opposite and equal to that shown in Fig. 15.

The are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 15 indicates the stroke of the piston 63.

The hydraulic cylinder 62 is pivotally connected to the frame of the machine at 74. The toggle arm 7 3a. is pivotally connected at 76 to a ratchet arm 77 provided with a pawl 78 (shown in Fig. 17) which operates on the ratchet or index plate 79. This index plate 79 is connected to the turntable on which the cans and can covers are mounted, so that an intermittent drive is provided for said turntable.

hen the piston rod 7 0 moves forwardly, the ratchet arm 77 is turned in the clockwise direction to turn the shaft 6 a suitable fraction of a revolution, until levers 73 and 73a are aligned. Then, when said levers 73 and 73a are turned by the further movement of the piston rod 70, the ratchet arm 77 is then brought back to the original position shown in Fig. 15 At this point the piston 63 is at the end of its forward stroke and the toggle arm levers 7 3 and 73a form an angle equal and opposite to that indicated in Fig. 15.

When the piston 63 moves back to the position shown in Fig. 15, the shaft 6 is turned another fraction of a revolution and the arm 77 is finally brought back to the position shown in Fig. 15. This provides the desired intermittent drive for the machine, as distinguished from the continuous drive shown in my application Ser. N 0. 249,172.

s shown in Figs. 15 and 17, the piston valve 68 is provided with a valve rod 80 having collars 81 and 82. The pin 72 moves between these collars 81 and 82 so as to alternately push against them, and hence to 0perate the valve 68. The collars 81 and 82 are made sufficiently wide, so that the pin 72 never passes beyond them, even though pin 72 has some lateral movement when the arms 73 and 7 3a are actuated.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 17, the piston valve 66 is provided with a pistonrod 83. As shown in Fig. 17, the piston rod 83 is pivotally connected at 84 to a sector 85 whose angle is greater than 90. Said sector is pivotally connected at 86 to the frame of the machine. The sector 85 meshes with the gear 87 which is mounted on a shaft 88. The rock shaft 88 is provided with an arm 89 which is pivotally connected to a link 90 which operates the conveyor dogs.

Each-movement of sector 85 causes the gear 87 and the shaft 88 to turn substantially a complete revolution. Hence the movement of the feed dogs corresponds to the turning of gear 87 from one dead centre to the other. Hence, the movement of the feed dogs is slow at the beginning and at the end of each stroke, which is highly desirable.

As shown in Fig. 15, the piston rod 83 is provided with an extension 91 which is adapted to strike the collar 92 of the rod 93 of the control valve 64. The rod 93 is actuated in the opposite direction by link mechanism 94 which can be operated by the trigger 95 mounted in the bar 96, springs 97 being used to normally keep the trigger 95 in its upper position.

A motor M is provided which has a belt 98 which turns the pulley 99 of a pump P. The outlet or pressure side of the pump P is the pipe 100 and the inlet or suction side of the pump is the pipe 101. The pipe 100 is connected to the branch pipes 102 and 103. The branch pipe 102 is connected to the valve casing and the branch pipe 103 is connected to the casing 69. The casing 69 is also connected by the pipe 104 to the suction side of the pump and the casing 65 is also connected by the pipe 105 to the suction side of the pump. The ends of the casing 62 are connected to the ends of the valve casing 65 by means of the pipes 107 and 109. The casing 67 has its ends connected to the ends of valve cas ng 69 by pipes 108 and 115.

The pressure side of the pump and the suc tion side of the pump are connected by bypasses B and Ba having valves V and Va. The valve V is a fine adjustment valve which is allowed to remain in open adjusted position, and the valve Va is a quick opening valve. If the valve Va is completely opened, then all the liquid circulated by the pump can pass through by-pass Ba so-that no power is delivered. If the valve Va is completely closed, then a regulated amount of liquid passes through delivered by the pump is thus regulated. The system may include a reservoir T.

The operation of this device is as follows, assuming that the parts are initially in the position shown in Fig. 15.

Assuming that the pump P is operated, then oil or any other liquid under pressure is supplied to the valve casing 65 through the pipe 102 and to the valve casing 69 through the pipe 103. The liquid cannot escape from valve casing 69 from pipe 104, and it cannot escape through valve casing 65 into pipe 105, because each of the valves 68 and 64 has twopiston like heads which at this time prevent communication between the pressure side of the pump and the suction side of the pump, through said valve casings.

The oil or other liquid under plied to the casing 65 passes through the pipe 109 to the casing 62 and actuates the piston 63. The oil under pressure which is supplied by the pipe 103 to the valve casing 69 cannot pass out through the pipe 108, because the piston 66 is now at the limit of its right-hand stroke. The outward movement of piston 63 causes the turntable to be turned. The piston 63 is shown in F ig. 15 at the end of its left hand stroke. While the piston 63 is moving to the right, the liquid in casing 62 can pass out of pipe 107 to valve casing 65, and out of valve casing 65 through pipe 105 to the suction side of the pump. lVhen piston 63 is actuated, the pin 72 pushes collar 81 into the dotted line position shown in F 15, so that the valve 68 is pushed until it occupies a position similar to that position of the valve 64 which is shown in Fig. 15. That is, the valve 68 closes the port of the pipe 108 and opens the port of the pipe 115. While the valve 68 is being moved to the right, the liquid in front of its righthand piston end is free to drain out of valve casing 68, through pipe 104 to the suction end of the pump. The valves 68 and 64 have sufficient inertia, so that when they are impelled, they move to occupy either one of the end positions shown in Fig. 15. Likewise, said valves 68 and 64 prevent communication at all times between the pressure side of the pump and the suction side of the pump, through valve casings 69 and 65. lVhen the piston 63 isat the right hand end of its stroke, it does not close the port of pipe 107. Any suitable and well known means may be used for restricting the strokes of pistons 63 and 66, so that they do not move to the extreme pressure supby-pass B, so that the power ends of their respective casings or cylinders. The lower end of the piston valve 68 need not directly obstruct the port of said pipe 108, because it shuts off communication between pipes 103 and 108, if it is moved to a position between their ports. This right hand movement of valve 68 causes oil under pressure to be supplied to the casing 67 through pipe 115 so that the piston 06 and the piston rod 83 are moved to the left. When piston 06 moves to the left, the liquid passes out of cylinder 67 through pipe 108, which now communicates with pipe 10% and the suction side of the pump, since valve 68 has been moved to the righthand (or upper) end of casing 69. It is to be understood that the cylinders, valve casings, and other parts may occupy any desired relative position, the positions shown in Fig. 15 are intended to merely diagrammatically illustrate them.

As shown in Fig. 15, when the piston 66 is moved to the left of the position illustrated in said Fig. 15, the member 91 does not operate the collar 92 on the valve rod 93. Likewise, the valve rod 93 is not actuated because it only has a single collar 92, which is operated by member 91 only when the piston 66 and its piston rod 83 are being moved towards the right hand end of the cylinder 67.

Hence, when the piston 06 is moved to the left hand end of the cylinder 67, the device will come to a stop.

However, when the attendant receives a can of milk from the dairy, he first must empty the milk into a tank, before placing the can in the washing machine. The hollow bar is arranged at the edge of said tank (not illustrated in the drawings) so that when the attendant dumps the milk into the receptacle therefore, a trigger 95 is depressed, so that the lever mechanism 94 can operate. That is, while the piston ends of the valve 64 need not directly obstruct the port of the pipe 109, one of the piston-like ends prevents any oil from passing out of the valve casing 65 to said pipe 109. While valve 6 1 is being moved to the left-hand end of its casing 65, the liquid at the left of the left-hand piston end of said valve can pass out of casing (35 through pipe to the suction side of the pump P.

When the piston valve 6% is pushedto its lefthand position, liquid under pressure will be supplied to the right-hand side of the casing 62, to push the piston 63 back to the original position shown in Fig. 15. While piston 63 is being pushed to the left, the liquid at the left-hand side thereof, can pass out of cylinder 62 through pipe 109, which is in communication with exhaust pipe 105, since valve 04; is now in its left hand position. The pin 72 then strikes the collar 82 to move the valve 68 back into the position shown in Fig. 15. Oil under pressure is now supplied through the pipe 108 to the left hand side of the casing 67 so as to push the piston 66 to the right and to thereby impart a stroke to the feed dogs.

if the valve rod 93 is supplied with two collars 92, similar to the collars 81 and 82,

then the 1 iachine will be constantly and interinittently operated.

However, in practical use, the workman usually desires to invert the can in order to pour the milk therein into a suitable tank, and to then place the can into the machine. The advantage of using single collar 92 and tie trigger is that the machine does not move until the trigger 95 is pressed down and the machine then operates for only a single stroke. Hence, brings the can to the machine, the machine is stationary and presents an empty saddle or space. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 18 and 19, a different type of intermittent drive for the turntable on which the cans are mounted, is shown. The piston rod 70 is provided with a pin 70?) which slidably engages a collar 70a of an arm of a sector 111. This sector 111 also preferably has an angle which is greater than 90, and it meshes with a gear The shaft on which gear 112 is mounted, has a collar 11* to which a link 115 is connected. Said link 115 is pivotally connected at 118 to the pawl arm 119. Said arm 119 has a pawl 116 which is acted upon by means of a blade spring 117 and the pawl 11'? intermittently actuates the ratchet or index wheel 110, which is connected to the turntable.

Since the turntable is preferably mounted upon ballbearings so as to minimize friction, and since the turntable has considerable inertia, it tends to overrun its correct position when it is intermittently operated by the pawl and ratchet arm before described.

in the embodiment shown in Fig. 20, the piston rod 70 is pivotally connected at 135 to a toggle arm 133 which is pivotally connected at 134 to the stationary casing. Toggle arm 133 cooperates with a second toggle arrn 133a, the outer positions of said toggle arms being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 20. The toggle arm 133a is pivotally connected at 14:0 to a pawl arm 141 which is loosely'mounted upon the shaft 142 of the turntable. The pawl arm 141 has a pawl 144; in unted thereon, and this turns the ratchet 143. The index plate which is also mounted upon said. shaft 142 is provided with stop projections 132. The toggle arm 133 is provided with a pin 137 which slides in the slot of a stop lever 138. Said stop lever 138 is provided with a downwardly bent end, shown in Fig. 21, so that when said stop lever 138 is moved to the dotted line pos tion shown in Fig. 20, said downwardly bent end prevents any further movement of the adjacent stop projection 132. The index plate 130 is provided with radial recesses 131.

when the workman Likewise, the embodiment shown in Figs. 20 and 21 provides a different control for actuating thecontrol valves 64 and 68. As shown in Fig. 20, spring members 152 and 152a are mounted on a fixed portion of the casing so that they can push upon the collars of the valve rod 93. A link 136 is pivotally connected to the toggle arm 133 at 135 and said link 136 is pivotally connected to an arm 145 of the vertical rock shaft 146.

As shown in F in. 21, the rock shaft 146 is provided with an arm 147 which is pivotally connected to a link 148a, connected to the feed dogs for pushing the cans forwardly upon the conveyor. 7

Likewise, and as shown in Fig. 21, the rock shaft 146 is provided with an arm 148 having a slotted end or Scotch yoke. This Scot-ch yoke operates in combination with. a pin 149 mounted upon the valve-actuating lever 150 which has the weight 151 at the outer end thereof. The lever 150 is pivotally connected at 150a to the frame of the machine. The action of the Scotch yoke is to move the lever 150 a little beyond the vertical position, so that the weight 151 moves the lever 150 to an inclined position which is opposite to that illustrated in Fig. 20. hen the lever 150 is thrown over to the right of the position shown in Fig. 20, it bends the spring member 152 so as to push the valve rod 93 and to move the valve: 64 to the other or left hand position. Hence, the movement of the piston 63' is automatically reversed at the end of each stroke thereof, the pipe connections being the same as those before described.

In the embod ment shown in Fig. 22, the piston rod is pivotally connected at. 156 to the forked member 157 which is pivotallv connected at 154 to the lever 153. The forked member 157 is provided with ends 157a and 157?). The index plate 130 is provided: wi'h recesses 131a. When the piston rod 70 is pushed to the right, the forkedmember 157 is turned on its pivot 150 unt l its actuating end 1577) enters one of the recesses 1310;, so as to turn the index plate 130. Lever 153 encounters a spring stop or buffer 158 when it is at the end of its forward movement. If the turntable tends to overrun the correct position. the index plate 130 continues to turn with said turntable, so as to tend to turn the forked member 157 in the counterclockwise direction on the pivot 154. However, ths is prevented because the piston rod 70 has not yet begun to move back to its left hand position. When the piston rod 70 is moved to the left of the position shown in 22, this causes the forked member 157 to slightly rock so that the end 157 Z releases the index plate 130. The broad end 157a cannot enter any of the recesses and it limits the counterclockwise rocking movement of the member 157 so that the lever 153 is turned counterclockwise until the piston rod 7 0 has reached the limit of its left hand movement.

I claim that the above machine is pioneer to the extent that it is the first rotary machine in which the cans are automatically discharged and inverted. It is likewise the first rotary machine in which the cans are automatically discharged upon a conveyor to be then moved away from the point of discharge. I

It also is the first automatic machine of the rotary type to place the covers upon the cans.

The deflector plate can be considered as an ejecting device to eject the cans from the c0nveyor upon which they are mounted, said conveyor being a turntable in the instant case. However, I do not wish to be limited to the use of a turntable for holding the cans in inverted position.

Likewise, where I nism in the claims, I do not wish to be limited to mechanism which positively forces the cans off the turntable, as release mechanism for this purpose would be equivalent to ejector mechanism. I

Likewise my machine is pioneer in that'it is the first in which the covers are held above the level of the cans and upon the same conveyor.v and in which the cans are inverted to he delivered upon second conveyor mechanism 1.

(consisting of the bars 35 and the feed dogs), and the covers are released or ejected to be delivered to the inverted cans after they have been moved away from the point in which they are delivered upon a second conveyor mechanism.

Hence, while I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is clear that numerous changes and omissions could be made without departing from its spirit, and that new and useful subcombinations are disclosed herein, which could be utilized in other machines or combinations than those described herein.

For example, while I rely upon the force of gravity for delivering the cans and can covers from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, I do not wish to be limited to the construction shown in which the second conveyor means are below the level of the cans and the can covers held in position on the turntable. For the same reason I do not wish to be limited to the use of latch mechanism for holding the covers upon the turntable, and for subsequently holding the covers in the chute.

Likewise, in F ig. 15 I have shown control mechanism for the operating mechanism of the machine, which is operated by the weight of a can. However, I do not wish this aspect of my invention to be limited to a device in which a separate hydraulic drive is employed for operating the turntable because this control would be effective if a mechanical movement was caused to operate specify ejector mechasome or all of the parts of the can washing machine.

I claim:

1. In a can washing machine, a revolublc conveyor adapted to hold a plurality of cans thereon, means adapted to turn said conveyor so that it moves in unison with said cans, automatic ejecting means adapted to eject cans from said conveyor at a predetermined point, and automatic inverting mechanism adjacent said ejecting means and adapted to invert the ejected cans.

2. In a can washing machine, a revoluble conveyor adapted to hold a plurality of cans thereon, means adapted to turn said conveyor, automatic ejecting means adapted to eject cans from said conveyor at a predetermined point, and automatic inverting mechanism adjacent said ejecting means and adapted to invert the ejected cans, and automatic mechanism adapted to actuate the cans in order to move the inverted cans away from the said inverting means.

3. In a can washing machine. a turntable adapted to hold a plurality of cans thereon, automatic ejecting mechanism adapted to eject a can from said conveyor at a predetermined point, automatic inverting mechanism adapted to invert the ejected can, and automatic mechanism adapted to actuate the inverted cans in order to move them away trom said inverting mechanism in a straight line. 7

4. In a can washing machine, revoluble conveyor means adapted to hold a plurality of cans and to also hold a plurality of can covers above the level of the said cans, means adapted to turn said conveyor, means adapted to eject cans from said conveyor upon second conveyor means which are locatcd below said revoluble conveyor, inverting mechanism adapted to invert said cans before they are delivered upon said second conveyor means, and means adapted to deliver covers from said first mentioned conveyor upon the inverted cans, after said inverted cans have been moved away from the point upon which they have been received upon said second conveyor means.

In a can washing machine, a revoluble conveyor adapted to hold the cans to be washed in inverted position and also adapted to hold can covers to be washed, means adapted to turn said conveyor, second conveyor mea s located below said revoluble conveyor, means adapted to invert the cans on the first mentioned conveyor into proper position and to deliver them to the second mentioned conveyor means, and means adapted to deliver can covers from the first mentioned conveyor on the cans located on the second conveyor means.

6. In a can washing machine, the combination of a first conveyor and second conveyor means which are lower than said first conveyor, means adapted to actuate said conveyors, said first conveyor being adapted to hold cans in inverted position and to also hold can covers, said cans and can covers being so held above the level of the second conveyor means, delivery and inverting mechanism adapted to deliver cans from the first conveyor to the second conveyor means while inverting the cans, latch mechanism adapted to hold the can covers on the first mentioned conveyor, a delivery chute associated with said first mentioned conveyor and having second latch mechanism associated therewith, automatic means adapted to release the first mentioned latch mechanism when a cover is aligned with said chute, so that said cover is then delivered into said chute, and release mechanism for said second mentioned latch mechanism operable by the movement of the second conveyor mechanism to deliver a can cover to a can located on said second conveyor means.

7. In a can washing machine, the combination of a. first conveyor and second conveyor means which are lower than said first conveyor, said second conveyor means including reciprocating feed dogs, means adapted to actuate said conveyor, means adapted to reciprocate said feed dogs, said first conveyor being adapted to hold cans in inverted position and to also hold can covers, said cans and can covers being so held above the level of the second conveyor means, delivery and inverting mechanism adapted to deliver cans from the first conveyor to the second conveyor means while inverting the cans, latch mechanism adapted to hold the can covers on the first mentioned conveyor, a delivery chute associated with said first mentioned conveyor and having second latch mechanism associated therewith, automatic means adapted to release the first mentioned latch mechanism when a cover is aligned with said chute, so that said cover is then delivered into said chute, and release mechanism for said second entioned latch mechanism operable only upon the return stroke of said feed dogs to deliver a can cover to a can located on said second conveyor means and which has been given a forward movement by said feed dogs.

8. In a can washing machine, a conveyor adapted to hold the cans in inverted position thereon, and a deflector plate located at the level of the necks of said cans and adapted to automatically eject the cans from the conveyor, said deflector plate being mounted so as to be upwardly tiltable.

9. In a can washing machine, the combination of a first revoluble conveyor adapted to hold cans in inverted position, second conveyor means adapted to receive cans from said first conveyor, and delivery and stationary inverting mechanism adapted to deliver the cans from the first conveyor to the second conveyor means while inverting the same, said second conveyor means being lower than the first conveyor and the difieronce in their res ective heights being less than the height of the can, so that when the canis inverted it falls through a distance lessthan the height thereof.

v 10. A can-inverting device comprising a pair io f stationary non-parallel bars, and means. adapted to deliver cansto beinverted to the Widely spaced ends of said bars with the centers of gravity of such cans above the plane of said bars.

11. A can inverting device comprising a pair of bars which are curved in a vertical plane, said bars being inclined to each other, so that their rear ends are closer than their front ends. i

12. In a can washing machine, a first conveyor adapted to hold the cans in inverted position, second conveyor means located. in a plane which is at an invariable distance below said first mentioned conveyor, and stationary inverting mechanism intermediate said conveyors and adapted to invert and partially raise the centre of gravity of a can falling freely thereon, the distance between said inverting mechanism and said second conveyor means being less than the height of a can.

13. In a can washing machine, the subcombination of conveyor mechanism adapted to move cans in a predetermined condition and delivery mechanism adapted to deliver covers to rest on said cans in tilted position, said delivery mechanism comprising a bar on which a flange of the cover is caused to slide while it is moving to a position above the open neck of the can, said bar being inclined to the plane of said conveyor mechanism.

14. In a can washing machine, conveyor mechanism for the cans embodying reciprocat-ing feed dogs arranged in a longitudinal row, the longitudinal distance between adjacent feed dogs being less than the width of the can.

15. In combination, a can washing machine and operating mechanism therefor which includes mechanism for moving the cans, and a control for said operating mechanism, said control being operable by the weight of a can.

16. In combination, a can washing machine and operating mechanism therefor which includes mechanism for moving the can, a control for said operating mechanism including a valve, and control means for said valve operable by the weight of a can.

17. In combination, a can washing machine and operating mechanism therefor which includes mechanism for moving the can, a control for said operating mechanism including a valve, and control means for said valve operable by the weight of a can, said control means for said valve including a movable member connected to said valve, said movable member being adapted to support the weight of a can and to move under said weight.

In a can'washing machine, a conveyor for the cans embodying spaced bars between which reciprocating feed dogs are mounted, said feed dogs being tiltabiy mounted on a reciprocating support, said feed dogs being mounted to engage the bottom flanges of the cans to pull them forwardly.

19. In a can washing machine, a conveyor for the cans embodying spaced bars between which reciprocating feed dogs are mounted, said feed dogs being tiltabiy mounted on a reciprocating support, said feeddogs being mounted to engage'the bottom flanges of the cans to pull them forwardly, said feed dogs being arranged in a single aligned row.

20. In a can washing machine, a conveyor adapted to hold the cans in inverted position, second conveyor means adapted to receive the cans from the first conveyor, first mechanism adapted to intermittently operate the first conveyor, second operating mechanism adapted to intermittently operate the second conveyor mechanism, a first control for the first operating mechanism, a second control for the second operating mechanism, said first control being operated by the second operating mechanism and the second control being operated by the first operating mechanism.

21. In a can washing machine, the combination of a first conveyor on which the cans are adapted to be mounted, a first hydraulic jack adapted to intermitently operate said first conveyor, second conveyor means adapted to receive the cans from the first conveyor,

a second hydraulic jack adapted to intermittently operate the second'conveyor mechanism, a firstcontrol valve for the first hydraulic jack,a second control valve for the second hydraulic jack, operating mechanism for the first control valve actuated by the second hydraulic jack, and operating mechanism for the second control valve operated by the first hydraulic jack.

22. In a can washing machine, the sub-combination of a first conveyor adapted to have cans mounted thereon, second conveyor mechanism adapted to receive the cans from the first conveyor, operating means adapted to intermittently operatesaid first mentioned conveyor and said second conveyormechanism in a single operative movement, andcontrol means operable by the weight of a can to cause said operating mechanism to produce the next movement of said machine.

23. In a can washing machine, operating mechanism adapted to produce single operative movement of the machine and to then cause the stoppage thereof, and control mechanism adapted to'be operated by the weight of the can to again cause said operating mechanism to produce a single succeeding operative movement.

24. In a can washing machine, a turntable adapted to hold cans thereon, a pivoted bar adapted to be oscillated, a pawl connected to said bar to intermittently turn the turntable in the same direction when the bar is oscillated, a pair of toggle arms pivotally connected to each other, the first toggle arm being pivotally connected to said arm and the other toggle arm being pivotally connected to a fixed point on the machine, and reciprocating mechanism adapted to actuate said toggle arms through a stroke of predetermined length, said toggle arms having the same relative inclination at each end oi said stroke so that the turntable is given a positive turning movement during each stroke ot' said reciprocating mechanism.

25. In a can washing machine, the sub-cont bination of a first conveyor adapted to have the cans mounted thereon, second conveyor mechanism adapted to receive the cans from the first conveyor, a first hydraulic jack hav ing a reciprocating piston provided with a piston rod, said piston rod being connected to said first conveyor, a second hydraulic jack having a second piston provided with a second piston rod, said second piston rod being connected to said second conveyor mechanism to actuate the same, a control valve r'or the second hydraulic jack having collar means adapted to be operated by the movement of the first piston rod and a control valve for the first hydraulic jack having collar means adapted to be operated by the movement of the first piston rod.

26. In a can washing machine, the combination of a conveyor having reciprocating feed dogs adapted to feed the cans along said conveyor, a gear having an arm which is connected to said feed dogs, and means adapted to oscillate said gear so that said arm moves substantially between opposite positions of dead centre.

27. In a can washing machine, a turntable adapted to support a plurality of cans, actuating mechanism adapted to intermittently turn said turntable in the same direction and movable stop mechanism operated by said actuating mechanism and adapted to prevent the overrunning of said turntable.

28. In a can washing machine, the combination of a turntable adapted to have a plurality of cans mounted thereon, said turntable having a top member connected thereto and provided with a plurality of stops, mechanism adapted to impart an intermittent movement in the same direction to said turntable and to its stop member, a movable locking member adapted to engage one of said stops when it is in operative position, and means adapted to intermittently move said locking member from the inoperative to the operative position, so that the said locking member is moved to its operative position to engage one of said stops when the turntable is driven.

29. In a can washing machine, the subcombination of a control valve having a valve rod, a pair of drive members adapted to respectively actuate said valve rod in opposite directions, a lever having means associated therewith to normally urge said lever into either one of two normal positions in which it operates the respective drive member, and means operable by the movement of a can conveyor for urging the lever towards either one of said normal positions.

30. Mechanism for inverting a can comprising means adapted to support the can during the turning movement thereof, said means being adapted to partially raise the centre of the can during the turning movement thereof, so that the fall of the centre of gravity of the inverted can is less than the height of the can.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

IRA H. KENDALL.

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