US2730279A - Bottle crating and decrating machines - Google Patents

Description

Jam 10, 1956 A. G. ENocK 2,730,279

BOTTLE CRATING AND DECRATING MACHINES Filed Nov. 25, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. l0, 1956 Filed Nov. 23, 1951 A. G. ENOCK BOTTLE CRATING AND DECRATING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. l0, 1956 A. G. ENocK BOTTLE CRATING AND DECRATING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 25, 1951 f yfff y@ Marne/vs Jan. 1o, 1956 A. G. ENOCK 2,730,279

BOTTLE CRATING AND DECRATING MACHINES Filed Nov. 25, 1951 5 Sheets-Shet 4 Jan. 10, 1956 A. G. ENocK 2,730,279

BOTTLE CRATING AND DECRATING MACHINES Filed Nov. 23, 1951 5 S11eet,S-Shee\l 5 Unted States Patent iice 2,730,279 Patented Jan, 10, 1956 2,730,279 BOTTLE CRATNG AND DECRATING MACHINES Arthur Guy Enock, Thame, England, assignor to Graham- Enock Manufacturing Company Limited, London, England Application November 23, 1951, Serial No. 257,783 8 Claims. (Cl. 226-14) This invention relates to bottle crating machines and has for its object to provide a bottle crating machine by which the placing of lled and capped bottles in a crate is effected automatically.

The invention consists in a bottle crating machine wherein lled and capped bottles are fed to bottle marshalling means by which the appropriate number of bottles is arranged in relative positions conformed to those they will occupy in a crate and wherein bottle transferring means are provided which lift the marshalled bottles and transfer them to a position above a crate and lower them into the crate.

The bottle transferring means may comprise a plurality of suspended bottle gripping devices which are cam operated to release the bottles transferred thereby.

The bottle marshalling means may comprise a table onto which bottles in predetermined line groups are transferred from a bottle feeding conveyor means being provided for spacing the bottle to the desired pattern.

The operation of the moving elements of the machine may be effected by pneumatic means comprising compressed air actuated cylinder means.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a bottle crating machine according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a corresponding plan.

Figure 3 is an end elevation partly in section.

Figlre 4 is an elevation of a bottle gripping device.

Figure 5 is a section plan at V-V of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a diagram of a pneumatic control circuit.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are respectively partial elevation, plan and end elevation of a modified arrangement of bottle marshalling assembly.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one mode by way of example, a bottle transferring element comprising a plate 1 is mounted upon supporting rollers 2 which are freely mounted upon spindles 3 carried by angle irons 4. The angle irons are connected at their ends by channel irons 5 and 5a to form a frame which is guided for vertical movement upon columns 6, 6a. The frame 4, 5 overhangs one pair of columns as seen in Figure l.

Movement of the frame 4, 5 is effected by a pair of pneumatic cylinders 7 which are pivotally mounted upon the columns 6a the piston rods being connected to the frame.

The frame 4, 5 is guided in its vertical movements by guide means 8 connected between the columns 6 and the channel iron 5.

The plate 1 is adapted to be reciprocated relatively to the frame 4, 5 by means of an air cylinder 9 which is connected between the channel iron 5 and a bracket 10 mounted on the plate 1.

The plate 1 supports a plurality of bottle gripping devices 11 which are arranged in a pattern corresponding to the positions of the bottlesin a crate. As shown in the present apparatus the gripping devices are arranged in four rows of ve grippers in each row.

Each gripper 11 comprises a pair of gripping arms 12 which are pivoted on a common axis on a bracket 13 secured to the plate, see Figures 4 and 5. The arms 12 at their lower ends are provided with curved surfaces 14 which in cross section are of arcuate shape and are provided with a supporting ledge 15 adapted to engage beneath the shoulder 16 of a bottle.

The arms 12 are moved to their bottle gripping position by a pair of leaf springs 17. Opening of the arms to the bottle release position is eifected by a rotary cam 18 located between and engaging the surfaces 19 of the arms.

The cams 18 are mounted upon shafts 20 supported by brackets 21 from the plate 1, there being four shafts parallel with one another for the four rows of grippers.

At corresponding ends the shafts 1S are provided with arms 22 connected to a common bar 23. The bar 23 is coupled by a lever 24 to the piston of an air cylinder 25 carried by the plate 1. Upon operation of the cylinder 25 at the appropriate time all the cams 1S are operated to open the gripper arms 12.

When the plate 1 is in its right hand position as viewed in Figure 1, it is located above a bottle marshalling table 26 which is provided with a series of Islots 27 through which bottle spacing lugs 28 project. The lugs 2S are mounted upon endless bands 29 supported upon terminal wheels 3i). The lugs 2S are spaced from one another a distance conforming to the diameter of a bottle.

The bottles are delivered in a single line to the marshalling table by a bottle conveyor 31 and are transferred in groups by a pusher bar 32 carried by oscillating arms 33 operated by an air cylinder 34 pivotally mounted on the columns 6.

From the position shown in Figure 1, the frame 4, 5 with the bottle transferring assembly is lowered by actuating the air cylinder 7 to bring the grippers 11 into operative engagement with the bottle on the marshalling table and upon subsequently rising to its original position the bottles are lifted from the marshalling table.

Located laterally of the marshalling table 21' but at a lower level is a crate conveyor comprising a spaced pair of endless conveyor chains having supporting rollers '70 travelling along guide tracks 71 with return tracks 72, the tracks being supported upon a frame work 73.

When a crate 74 is moved into a position beneath the bottle transforming assembly in its discharge position it abuts against a stop-roller and engages a control-valve actuating lever 76. The roller 75 extends across the track of the crate conveyor and registers the crate in the longitudinal position. The crate 74 is registered laterally by a pusher bar 77 and a :zo-operating fence 35. The pusher bar 77 is carried by arms 36 on a rock shaft 36a.

The rock shaft is couped by a lever 37 to an air cylinder 3S.

In order to allow a lled crate to proceed from the bottle receiving position it is raised to a position above the height of the stop roller 75, so that it will be pushed onto and over the roller by the oncoming empty crate. The raising means comprises a spaced pair of bars 39 connected together by a pair of U-shaped members 40. These members are connected to actuating means cornprising an air cylinder 41, by rock shafts 42 one of which has a lever 43 secured thereto and coupled by arms 44, arms 45 and rods 46, which extend through holes in the members 40.

When the bottle transferring assembly is moved to the left position in Figure 1 by actuation of the air cylinder 9, the frame 4, 5 is lowered by actuation of the air cylinders 7 until the bottles in the grippers are located in the waiting crate, whereupon the air cylinder 25 is operated to actuate the cams 18 and release the bottles. At the beginning of a cycle of operation the bottle transferring assembly (plate 1) is located in the left hand upper position as viewed in Figure 1 and the bottle grippers 11 are in the open position.

On the operation of a control valve by an attendant the bottle transferring assembly is moved to the right to a position above the marshalling table 26.

The plate 1 is then lowered a short distance (which may be determined by a displaceable stop carried by the plate 1) to a position in which the bottle grippers 11 surround the bottle necks, the arms still being open, whereupon the cams 18 are operated to permit the arms to close under the action of springs 17 and thus grip the bottles.

The plate 1 then rises and the assembly moves to the left as viewed in Figure l and the assembly is then lowered to place the bottles in the crate, lust prior to the plate 1 reaching its lowest position the grippers 11 open to release the bottles and remain open until the plate 1 is again lowered to the marshalling position where a fresh series of bottles has in the meantime been marshalled.

As above described the various movements of the parts are effected through air cylinders and a convenient control circuit will now be described with reference to Figure 6 it being appreciated that the figure is only a diagrammatic representation and the parts may not therefore occupy their correct relative position. The cylinders and valve illustrated in the diagram are of known construction.

In operation the valve Sti (actuated by Ithe lever 76) is momentarily depressed causing the valve 51 to reverse whereby the cylinder 9 is actuated to move bottle transferring assembly plate 1 to the right and Athe piston of cylinder 52 to the left. The cylinder 52 actuates the stop 53.

In moving to the right the plate 1 actuates valve 54 thereby reversing valve 55 so that cylinder 7 is actuated to lower the plate frame 4, onto the stop 53. At the same time the plate (or frame) actuates the valves 56, 57.

Valve 56 reverses valve 55 and valve 57 reverses valve 58 causing the cylinder 2S to close the grippers 11, and cylinder 7 to raise the frame 4, 5. In rising the plate 1 will actuate valve 59 reversing valve 51 so that the cylinder 9 will move plate 1 to the left causing it to actuate valve 60.

The actuation of valve 60 reverses the valve 55 so that the cylinder 7 lowers the frame 4, S and brings the plate 1 into engagement with valve 61. Thereupon the valves 55 and S8 are reversed, causing the cylinder 25 to operate the cams 18 and release the grippers 11 and the frame 4, 5 is raised -to its original position.

Known forms of interlocking means may be provided between the parts of the control system.

Suitable valve means will be provided which may be actuated by the bottles on the bottle conveyor for controlling the cylinder 34 actuating the group pusher 32.

Similarly, suitable valve means are provided for controlling the cylinders 38 and 41 such valves being actuated through means associated with the crate conveyor.

According to a modified form of bottle marshalling means see Figures 7-9, the groups of bottles from the bottle conveyor 31 are transferred to the marshalling table 62 by bars 63 which circulate through a closed path and move across the conveyor 31.

The bars are detachably mounted by spaced pins 64 upon an endless band 67 mounted on terminal rolls 65 one of which operates as a driving drum.

The pins 64 are preferably located withadditional pins so that the bars 63 may be arranged for example for 1 pint and 1/2 pint bottles.

The table 62 is provided with fences 66 which space out the bottles as they are transferred from the bottle conveyor 31.

The band is. driven intermittently for example by an oscillating lever actuated by an air cylinder the arrangement being such that there is a pause when the desired number of rows of bottles are marshalled, until the bottles are lifted clear.

Instead of a band 67, spaced chains mounted on end sprocket wheel may be provided.

Although the invention has been described in connection with the crating of bottles it will be appreciated that certain features of the machine may be utilised in the de-crating of bottles and the delivery thereof to a bottle washing plant, and in connection therewith the empty bottles may be deposited onto an inspection table from which they may be delivered in single line to the washing plant feed conveyor.

I claim:

l. A bottle crating machine, comprising conveyor means for delivering bottles in line to said machine, means for transferring groups of bottles from said conveyor and marshalling them on a marshalling table in spaced relationship into a group pattern conforming to the positions they will occupy in a crate, a crate conveyor located laterally of the marshalling table, a frame located above and extending over the marshalling table and crate conveyor, said frame having a vertical displacement relating to the marshalling table and crate conveyor, a plate carried by said frame and movable laterally relatively thereto from a position over the marshalling table to a position over a crate on said crate conveyor, a plurality of bottle gripping devices suspended from said plate and conforming to the pattern of a marshalled group of bottles, said gripping means being operable by a downward vertical movement of said frame to grip the bottle necks, means for operating the gripping devices to release bottles gripped thereby when the bottles are placed in position in a crate, pneumatic means comprising air cylinders for actuating said frame, plate and gripper bottle releasing means, and control means for said cylinders located to be actuated by the moving parts in sequence whereby the cycle of operations is automatically controlled.

2. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein each bottle gripping device comprises a pair of bottle engaging arms pivoted upon a common axis, spring means for closing the arms to grip a bottle neck, and rotary cam means located between the arms for opening the arms to release the bottle when in the crate, the cams being actuated by pneumatic cylinder means mounted on said plate.

3. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bottle feeding conveyor is continuously driven and moves the crate against a positioning stop, means for moving the crate laterally against a positioning fence, said means being actuated by an air cylinder, means for raising a crate above the level of the positioning stop whereby an oncoming crate pushes the raised crate over the stop, the crate raising means being actuated by an air cylinder.

4. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim l, wherein the bottle marshalling means comprises a bottle feeding conveyor for feeding a series of bottles in line, means for transferring line groups of bottles from said conveyor to the marshalling table comprising a series of spaced pusher bars lying parallel to the feed of said conveyor, said bars being mounted on an endless travelling band and circulating around said conveyor and marshalling table, and means for intermittently driving the band' and causing a dwell period when the predetermined number of bottles is marshalled.

5. A bottle crating machine comprising means for marshalling bottles in spaced relationship into a group having a pattern conforming to the positions they will occupy in a crate, bottle transferring means for lifting a rnarshalled group of bottles and transferring them laterally to a position above a crate and lowering them into the crate, said transferring means including a plurality of suspended bottle gripping devices, each bottle gripping device comprising an opposed pair of bottle engaging arms pivotally mounted on a common axis, spring means for pressing said arms into bottle gripping relation, and rotary cam means located between said arms for spreading them to their bottle release position, means for lowering said bottle gripping devices relatively to the marshalled group of bottles to a position where they engage and grip the bottle necks by a relatively downward movement and means for actuating said rotary cam means to actuate the bottle gripping devices to release the bottles when they are located in the crate.

6. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bottle gripping devices are mounted on a plate slidable horizontally in a frame, means for imparting vertical downward movement of the frame relatively to the group of marshalled bottles to lower said bottle gripping devices into the bottle gripping position, and then upwardly to a horizontal bottle transferring position, and then vertically downward to a bottle crating position.

7. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim 5,

wherein a continuously moving conveyor delivers crates to a bottle receiving position, a positioning stop in said position for holding the crate against forward movement, and means for displacing a crate laterally against a side positioning fence while engaging said stop.

8. A bottle crating machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein means are provided for lifting the crate above the level of said positioning stop whereby the crate is moved over the stop by an oncoming crate.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,090,855 IagenbergV Mar. 24, 1914 1,243,407 Hawthorne Oct. 16, 1917 1,247,722 Rogers et al. Nov. 27, 1917 2,358,447 Creamer Sept. 19, 1944 2,524,846 Socke et al Oct. 10, 1950

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