Method and device for clamping container during processing operation

Abstract

To provide a system, method, and device for forming or processing an article of manufacture.SOLUTION: A device for inhibiting rotational motion of an article to be processed comprises a pressure plate including a ring-shaped guide assembly. The guide assembly comprises at least two guide pins extending from a first side in a lateral direction. The guide assembly further includes: two resilient devices positioned over a respective one of the at least two guide pins; and a container guide configured to receive an open end of a container moved in a first direction and to align the open end with a processing device. The container guide is positioned adjacent to a first side of the pressure plate assembly. The two resilient devices are configured to be compressed in response to movement of the container guide in the first direction and are configured to decompress in response to movement of the container guide in a second direction opposite to the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 635,782, filed Feb. 27, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, and devices for forming or processing a manufactured article. More specifically, aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for reducing or eliminating rotational forces applied to articles or containers, such as bottles and cans, during a machining operation.

Background Art

[0003] In the container manufacturing industry, there are a variety of approaches for manufacturing and processing different container structures, including bottles, cans, jars, or the like.

[0004] In the process of manufacturing a container (e.g., a can), a plurality of operations can generate rotational forces that are axially applied to the can body. Such forces can undesirably be applied, particularly during machining used in finishing the open end of the can, such as trimming, threading, curling, rotational forming, and the like. These undesirable forces can result in defects to the container, such as incomplete trimming, deformed threads or curls, or the like.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, it may be desirable to create an apparatus and method for reducing or eliminating rotational forces applied to a container during a machining operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one embodiment disclosed herein, the processing turret includes a drive shaft and a star wheel having a plurality of pockets configured to hold individual containers. The plurality of pockets include individual pressing plates at a first end and a rotatable processing device at a second end which is generally the opposite end. Each of the pressing plates is configured to contact a closed end of an article. The processing turret further includes a pressure plate assembly disposed generally adjacent to each of the rotatable processing devices. The pressure plate assembly includes at least two elastic devices disposed on respective ones of at least two guide pins. When the processing turret is in a first position, the at least two elastic devices are compressed, and when the processing turret is in a second position, the at least two elastic devices are generally not compressed. The distance between the pressing plate and the rotatable processing device is greater when in the second position than when in the first position.

[0007] According to another embodiment disclosed herein, a device for suppressing the rotational movement of an article to be processed includes a pressure plate assembly including a generally ring-shaped guide assembly. The guide assembly includes at least two guide pins extending laterally from a first side of the guide assembly. The guide assembly further includes at least two elastic devices disposed on respective ones of the at least two guide pins. The device further includes a container guide having an opening for receiving an open end of a container moved in a first direction and for positioning the open end of the container with a processing device. The container guide is disposed adjacent to the first side of the pressure plate assembly. The at least two elastic devices are configured to be compressed in response to movement of the container guide in the first direction. The at least two elastic devices are configured to reduce pressure in response to movement of the container guide in a second direction which is generally the opposite direction.

[0008] According to one method disclosed herein, a method of processing an article includes providing a star wheel having a plurality of pockets. Each of the plurality of pockets includes a pressing plate that contacts a closed end of the article at a first end and contacts a rotary processing device at a second end that is an opposite end overall. The method further includes providing an opening for receiving an open end opposite the container inside itself, and an overall ring-shaped guide assembly disposed between the rotary processing device and the article guide. The guide assembly includes at least two guide pins extending generally laterally from a first side of the guide assembly, and at least two elastic devices disposed on each of the at least two guide pins. The method further includes moving one of the pressing plate or the rotary processing device a first distance in a first direction toward the other of the pressing plate or the rotary processing device, whereby the open end of the article is moved toward the rotary processing device through the article guide. The method further includes moving the pressing plate or the rotary processing device further a second distance in the first direction, whereby a second portion of the article abuts against an outer surface of the article guide, thereby moving the article guide toward the processing device independently of the rotary processing device. The second portion of the article has a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening of the container guide. The method further includes compressing at least two elastic devices in response to movement of the article guide independently of a second ram assembly, thereby suppressing or preventing rotation of the article when the open end of the article is processed by the rotary processing device.

[0009] The foregoing summary does not represent every embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides some examples of the novel aspects and features described herein. The foregoing features and advantages of the present disclosure, as well as other features and advantages, are considered to be progressive, either alone or in any combination, and will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrated examples, as well as from the modes for carrying out the invention related to the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] This disclosure is capable of various modifications and alternative forms, and some representative embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific forms shown in the drawings. Rather, this disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0012] This disclosure is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms. Representative embodiments are illustrated and described in detail herein, and this disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principles of this disclosure and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of this disclosure to the illustrated embodiments. In that regard, elements and limitations disclosed in, for example, the summary, brief description, and detailed description sections but not explicitly recited in the claims should not be incorporated into the claims singly or collectively by implication, inference, or the like. For the purposes of providing this detailed description, unless otherwise disclaimed or logically precluded, the singular forms include the plural forms and vice versa, and the terms "comprising," "including," or "having" mean "including without limitation." Further, approximating words such as "about," "substantially," "approximately," etc. may be used herein in the sense of, for example, "in," "near," or "in the vicinity of," or "within 3 to 5%," or "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances," or logical combinations thereof. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes and the features shown therein are not necessarily to scale.

[0013] The gripping device described herein can be an individual machine or part of one or more machines within a machine line. Before discussing the specifications of the gripping device intended by this disclosure, a general description of a machine and a machine line according to one embodiment will be outlined.

[0014] The machine can be used to shape, process, or perform other operations on the container 1 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B), whereby the shape of the container 1 is deformed from a first shape as shown in FIG. 1A to a second shape as shown in FIG. 1B. In a multi-stage line, the container 1 is first fed to a first stage and enters a pocket of a rotatable forming device such as a turret / star wheel (see, for example, FIGS. 2 and 3). Each star wheel has any number of pockets and can hold the container for processing and conveyance. After exiting the first stage, the container 1 enters the second stage and is further processed / form shaped.

[0015] When fed to a multi-stage line, the container 1 is processed through any number of stages such as, for example, a necking stage, a curling stage, a trimming stage, a threading stage, a rotational forming stage, an expansion stage, and / or any other suitable processing or forming stage, or a combination thereof. When the container has passed through all the processing / forming stages, the container is discharged from the machine. In certain embodiments, the multi-stage line can be a recirculation system or an in-line system.

[0016] An example of a rotatable forming device that can be used to deform the shape of the container 1 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and Patent Document 1 incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] Referring to the non-limiting embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotatable forming device or machining turret 100 may include a drive shaft 101 and a turret star wheel 102. The star wheel 102 includes a plurality of pockets 103, and each pocket is provided with a pressing plate 112 at one end and a rotatable machining device (machining spindle 108) at the other end. The pressing plate 112 is configured to contact the bottom of the container 1, i.e., the closed end. In the illustrated embodiment, the pressing plate 112 is disposed in respective pressing ram assemblies 106 for moving the container 1 towards the machining spindle 108. The star wheel 102 further includes a vacuum manifold 113 for providing a vacuum to the pressing plate 112 to assist in holding the container 1, a cam (e.g., cam 110) for actuating one or more pressing ram assemblies 106, a drive gear for rotating the machining spindle 108, and / or an air manifold 115 for pressurizing the container during machining, etc. The pressing ram assemblies 106 of FIGS. 2 and 3 extend around the outer peripheral surface of the turret star wheel 102 and are connected to the outer peripheral surface thereof. Due to the rotation of the turret 100 and the interaction between the cam follower and the cam 110, the pressing ram assemblies 106 slide relative to the drive shaft 101.

[0018] The turret star wheel 102 is coaxial with the drive shaft 101 and is configured to receive the container 1 from a feed star wheel or a transfer star wheel. The transfer star wheel is configured to receive the container from a first-stage machining turret (e.g., a forming turret assembly) and supply the container to the next-stage machining turret. The turret star wheel 102 may be provided with any suitable number of parts or pockets 103 corresponding to the number of pressing ram assemblies 106.

[0019] The pressing ram assembly 106 is movable in a direction coaxial with the drive shaft 101. The pressing ram assembly 106 holds the container 1 and presses the container 1 into the respective processing spindles 108 thereon in order to change the appearance / shape of the container 1. The processing spindles 108 may include, for example, a die or an expander. The die can be used for forming the neck of the container, while the expander can be used for expanding the shape of the container. In other embodiments (not shown), the processing spindle may be connected to the movable pressing ram assembly, and the processing spindle may be moved / pressed onto the container while the container is held and held stationary as a whole. In yet another embodiment, both the container and the processing spindle are connected to respective pressing ram assemblies and move towards each other.

[0020] The gripping device described herein and the method of using this gripping device can be used for any suitable application where a rotational force exists and rotation of the container is not desired, but this apparatus and method are described herein with respect to a trimming device.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 4 through 7, the gripping device 201 described herein grips the container 1, which is configured to be sandwiched between a pressure plate assembly 214 (disposed generally adjacent to the processing device) and one of the pressing plates 112 that inhibits or prevents rotation of the container 1. The gripping device 201 includes a pressure plate assembly 214 shown as being used with and disposed adjacent to a trim head 200 according to a non-limiting embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 7, the pressure plate assembly 214 includes a mounting plate 301, a guide assembly 300, a spring holder 303, and a container or can guide 203. The mounting plate 301 receives a guide assembly (such as a spring guide assembly 300) at a first end and further includes an opening at an opposite second end and is configured to receive at least a portion of a processing device (such as a trim head 200) through the opening. The spring guide assembly 300 is disposed between the rotary processing head and the container or can guide 203. The container or can guide 203 is disposed generally adjacent to the mounting plate 301.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 7, the spring guide assembly 300 generally includes a ring-shaped guide plate 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide plate 302 is generally ring-shaped, although it is contemplated that the guide plate may have any other suitable shape. The guide plate 302 includes at least two elastic devices (such as springs 218), each of which is disposed on at least two guide pins 304 extending from a first side of the spring guide assembly 300 in a lateral direction generally coaxial with the drive shaft 101.

[0023] The plurality of guide pins 304 are spaced evenly along the spring guide assembly 300. The individual springs 218 are disposed over and around each guide pin 304. The inner diameter of the spring 218 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide pin 304, whereby the spring 218 can be easily compressed and extended as described hereinafter. It is contemplated that any suitable number of guide pins and corresponding number of springs may be used. The number and size of the springs 218 assist in determining the clamping force applied to the container 1. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to increase the number of springs and deflect the springs less to achieve a more uniform clamping force and a longer "spring life". The guide pins 304 and springs 218 pass through the openings of the mounting plate 301 and spring holder 303 as shown in FIGS. 4 through 6.

[0024] The use of the gripping device 201 according to a non-limiting embodiment is described herein. FIG. 4 shows a pressing ram assembly 106 with a trim head 200 that interacts with the open end 3 of the container 1 to be trimmed. The trim head 200 of the illustrated embodiment is constantly rotating / spinning, whereby the corrugated earring of the open end 3 of the container 1 due to prior forming can be straightened. In some embodiments, the trim head 200 spins at a relatively high rotational speed.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the gripping device 201 is in the non-gripping position, the vacuum pressing plate 112 mounted on the pressing ram assembly 106 assists in holding the container 1. During the "pressing stroke" or the loading cycle of the trimming process, the body of the container 1 is moved axially in a first direction (e.g., the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 4) at a controlled speed and distance from a first position towards / into the pressure plate assembly 214 and the rotating trim head 200, whereby the open end of the container 1 is moved to a second position towards the rotating trim head 200 through the container or can guide 203. The container or can guide 203 assists in aligning the open end 3 of the container 1 with the trim head 200.

[0026] A further movement of the pressing ram assembly 106 by a second distance in the direction of arrow A causes the shoulder 202 of the container, which has a diameter larger than the open end 3 of the container 1, to contact the outer surface of the container or can guide 203, thereby moving the container or can guide 203 from the second position towards the trim head 200. In response to this movement of the container or can guide 203, the spring 218 is compressed, thereby applying a clamping force to the container 1 between the pressure plate assembly 214 and the pressing plate 112. At the full stroke of the pressing ram assembly 106, the turret 100 is in the first position, in which position the spring 218 is compressed to obtain the maximum clamping force. The resulting clamping force suppresses or prevents the container 1 from rotating, and the container 1 can be processed (e.g., trimmed). Suppressing or preventing the rotation of the container 1 during processing is desirable as it potentially reduces defects. The distance between the pressing plate and the rotatable processing device is greater when in the second position than when in the first ("full stroke") position.

[0027] After the open end 3 of the container 1 is processed (e.g., trimmed), the pressing ram assembly 106 then retreats from the trim head 200 into a second position by the movement of the vacuum pressing plate 112 connected to the pressing ram assembly 106. In this second position, the container 1 is moved away from the pressure plate assembly 214. In the second position, the spring 218 is either uncompressed or in a state where the pressure is reduced, and the container 1 is no longer "clamped" between the pressure plate assembly 214 and the pressing plate 112.

[0028] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, a plurality of coil springs 218 are used to generate the clamping force. However, the clamping force can be generated using other methods and devices including, but not limited to, wave springs (e.g., steel wave springs), polyurethane springs, compressible gas springs, other elastic devices, any combination thereof, or the like.

[0029] In some non-limiting embodiments, the pressing plate 112 is formed of steel, or other suitable metal or material. The pressing plate 112 also or alternatively comprises a rubber elastic surface or insert, and this portion contacts the bottom end of the container 1 to assist in resisting the rotation of the container 1 during the trimming process. The pressing plate 112 also or alternatively may comprise a polished finish or coating on the contact surface to achieve the same purpose.

[0030] The embodiments described herein are discussed with respect to a trimming device, but the clamping device may be used in other applications where a rotational force exists and rotation of the container is not desired. Such applications include, but are not limited to, threading, curling, rotational molding, and the like.

[0031] The present invention is not limited to the exact configurations and structures disclosed herein, and any and all modifications, variations, and permutations that become apparent from the foregoing description are within the spirit and scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims. Further, this concept includes any and all combinations and subcombinations of the foregoing features and aspects.

Explanation of Signs

[0032] 1 ··· Container 3 ··· Open end 100 ··· Machining turret 101 ··· Drive shaft 102 ··· Turret star wheel 103 ··· Pocket 106 ··· Pressing ram assembly 108 ··· Machining spindle 110 ··· Cam 112 ··· Pressing plate 113 ··· Vacuum manifold 115 ··· Air manifold 200 ··· Trimmer head 201 ··· Gripping device 202 ··· Shoulder 203 ··· Container or can guide 214 ··· Pressure plate assembly 218 ··· Spring 300 ··· Guide assembly 301 ··· Mounting plate 302 ··· Guide plate 303 ··· Spring holder 304 ··· Guide pin

Claims

1. A drive shaft; a star wheel having a plurality of pockets configured to hold respective articles, the plurality of pockets having respective pressure plates at a first end and a rotatable processing device at a generally opposite second end, each of the pressure plates configured to contact a closed end of the article; a generally circular guide assembly disposed at the second end, the guide assembly including at least two guide pins adjacent to and extending laterally from the guide assembly, the at least two guide pins including at least two resilient devices disposed thereon, the guide assembly including a generally central opening configured to receive an open end of the article to be processed; A machining turret comprising: When the processing turret is in a first position, the at least two elastic devices are compressed, and when the processing turret is in a second position, the at least two elastic devices are generally uncompressed; A processing turret, wherein a distance between the pressure plate and the rotatable processing device is greater when in the second position than when in the first position.

2. The processing turret of claim 1 , wherein the processing turret is configured to inhibit or prevent rotation of the article when the processing turret is in the first position.

3. The processing turret of claim 2 , wherein the article is configured to be processed by the processing device when the processing turret is in the first position.

4. The processing turret of claim 1 , wherein the at least two resilient devices include a coil spring, a wave spring, a polyurethane spring, a compressible gas spring, or any combination thereof.

5. The processing turret of claim 1 , wherein the processing device is a trimming device, a threading device, a curling device, or a rotational molding device.

6. The processing turret of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the pressure plate that contacts the closed end of the article includes an insert or an abrasive coating configured to inhibit rotation of the article.

7. The processing turret of claim 6 , wherein the insert includes a rubber elastomeric surface.

8. The processing turret of claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum manifold for providing a vacuum between the pressure plate and a closed end of the article.

9. The processing turret of claim 1 , wherein each of said pressure plates is disposed on a respective ram assembly movable in a direction generally coaxial with said drive shaft.

10. 1. A device for restricting a rotational movement of an article to be processed, the device comprising: a generally circular guide assembly having a generally central opening configured to receive an open end of an article to be processed, further comprising at least two guide pins adjacent to and extending generally laterally from a first side of the guide assembly, the guide assembly further including at least two resilient devices disposed on respective ones of the at least two guide pins; a processing device disposed generally adjacent to the guide assembly; Equipped with The at least two elastic devices are configured to be compressed in response to a decrease in the distance between the processing device and the article, and the at least two elastic devices are configured to restore in response to an increase in the distance between the processing device and the article.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the processing device is a trimming device, a threading device, a curling device, or a rotational molding device.

12. The device of claim 10 , wherein the at least two resilient devices include a coil spring, a steel wave spring, a polyurethane spring, a compressible gas spring, or any combination thereof.

13. The device of claim 10 , wherein the at least two guide pins are three or more guide pins.

14. a pressure plate configured to contact a closed end of the article to assist in moving the article through the article guide; The device of claim 10 , wherein in response to said compression, said pressure plate and said guide assembly apply a clamping force to said article, thereby inhibiting or preventing rotational movement of said article.

15. 1. A method of processing an article, the method comprising: providing a starwheel including a plurality of pockets, each of the plurality of pockets including a pressure plate at a first end contacting a closed end of the article and a rotary processing device at a second generally opposite end; providing a generally circular guide assembly disposed between the rotary processing device and the pressure plate, the guide assembly including at least two guide pins adjacent to the guide assembly and extending generally laterally from a first side of the guide assembly, with at least two resilient devices disposed on each of the at least two guide pins; moving one of the pressing plate or the rotary processing device in a first direction towards the other of the pressing plate or the rotary processing device, whereby the at least two elastic devices are compressed, whereby rotational movement of the article is inhibited or prevented when an open end of the article is processed by the rotary processing device; A method comprising:

16. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising restoring the at least two resilient devices in response to movement of the pressure plate or the rotary processing device in a second generally opposite direction.

17. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least two resilient devices include a coil spring, a steel wave spring, a polyurethane spring, a compressible gas spring, or any combination thereof.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the processing device is a trimming device, a threading device, a curling device, or a rotational molding device.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the pressure plate includes an insert or an abrasive finish or coating configured to contact and inhibit rotation of the article.

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