Method and apparatus for clamping a container during a processing operation - Patents.com

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 to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 635,782, filed February 27, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

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

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

[0004] During the manufacturing process of containers (e.g., cans), several operations can result in rotational forces being applied axially to the can body. In particular, such forces can be applied undesirably during processes used in finishing the open end of the can, such as trimming, threading, curling, rotational molding, and the like. These undesirable forces can result in defects to the container, such as incomplete trimming, misshapen threads or curls, or the like. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, it would be desirable to create an apparatus and method for reducing or eliminating rotational forces applied to containers during processing operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment disclosed herein, the processing turret includes a drive shaft and a star wheel with a plurality of pockets configured to hold individual containers. The plurality of pockets includes respective press plates at a first end and rotatable processing devices at a generally opposite second end. Each of the press plates is configured to contact a closed end of the article. The processing turret further includes a pressure plate assembly disposed generally adjacent each of the rotatable processing devices. The pressure plate assembly includes at least two resilient devices disposed on respective ones of the at least two guide pins. When the processing turret is in a first position, the at least two resilient devices are compressed, and when the processing turret is in a second position, the at least two resilient devices are generally uncompressed. A distance between the press plate and the rotatable processing devices is greater when the processing turret is in the second position than when the processing turret is in the first position.

[0007] According to another embodiment disclosed herein, a device for inhibiting rotational movement of an article to be processed comprises 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 resilient devices disposed on a respective one of the at least two guide pins. The device further includes a container guide with an opening for receiving an open end of the 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 a first side of the pressure plate assembly. The at least two resilient devices are configured to compress in response to movement of the container guide in a first direction. The at least two resilient devices are configured to reduce pressure in response to movement of the container guide in a generally opposite second direction.

[0008] According to one method disclosed herein, a method for processing an article includes providing a star wheel including a plurality of pockets, each of the plurality of pockets including a pressure plate contacting a closed end of the article at a first end and contacting a rotary processing device at a generally opposite second end. The method further includes providing an opening therein for receiving an opposite open end of the container and a generally 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 resilient devices disposed on a respective one of the at least one guide pins. The method further includes moving one of the pressure plate or the rotary processing device a first distance in a first direction toward the other of the pressure plate or the rotary processing device, whereby the open end of the article is moved through the article guide toward the rotary processing device. The method further includes moving the pressure plate or rotary processing device further in the first direction a second distance such that a second portion of the article abuts an outer surface of the article guide, thereby moving the article guide toward the processing device independent of the rotary processing device. The second portion of the article has a diameter greater than a diameter of the opening of the container guide. The method further includes compressing the at least two resilient devices in response to movement of the article guide independent of the second ram assembly, thereby inhibiting or preventing rotational movement 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, which are believed to be inventive alone or in any combination, will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrated examples and modes for carrying out the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a side view of the container before it enters the molding apparatus. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a front view of the container of FIG. 1A after it has exited the molding apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a rotatable molding device according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is another perspective view of the rotatable molding device of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of a clamping device according to one embodiment. [Figure 5A] 5 illustrates a cross-section of a portion of the clamping device of FIG. 4 in an unrelaxed position, according to one embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the spring assembly of the clamping device of FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] 5 illustrates a cross-section of the clamping device of FIG. 4 in a clamped position, according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a spring guide assembly for use in the clamping device of FIGS. 4 to 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, and several representative embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific forms shown in the drawings. Rather, the present disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0012] The present disclosure is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms. Representative embodiments have been shown and described in detail herein, and it is understood that the present disclosure should be considered as an illustration of the principles of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the disclosure to the illustrated embodiments. To that extent, elements and limitations disclosed, for example, in the Abstract, Overview, and Detailed Description sections, but not expressly recited in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims, either alone or collectively, by implication, inference, or otherwise. For the purposes of providing this detailed description, the singular includes the plural, and vice versa, unless specifically disclaimed or logically prohibited, and the terms "including," "comprising," or "having" mean "including without limitation." Furthermore, approximation words such as "about," "approximately," "substantially," "approximately," and the like, may be used herein to mean, for example, "at," "in the vicinity," or "in the vicinity," or "within 3 to 5%," or "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances," or any logical combination thereof. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes, and the features shown therein are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0013] The gripping devices described herein may be part of a separate machine or one (or more) machines in a machine line. Before discussing the specifics of the gripping devices contemplated by the present disclosure, a general description of the machines and machine lines according to one embodiment will be generally described.

[0014] The machine may be used to form, process, or perform other operations on container 1 (see Figures 1A and 1B) whereby the shape of container 1 is changed from a first shape as shown in Figure 1A to a second shape as shown in Figure 1B. In a multi-stage line, container 1 is first fed into a first stage where it enters pockets of a rotatable forming device such as a turret / star wheel (see, e.g., Figures 2 and 3). Each star wheel may have any number of pockets to hold containers for processing and transport. After exiting the first stage, container 1 enters a second stage for further processing / forming.

[0015] When fed into 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 molding stage, an expansion stage, and / or any other suitable processing or forming stage, or combinations thereof. When the container has passed through all processing / forming stages, it is discharged from the machine. In an embodiment, the multi-stage line may be a recirculating system or an in-line system.

[0016] One example of a rotatable molding device that may be used to modify the shape of container 1 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and in US Pat. No. 6,393,323, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] 2 and 3, a rotatable molding apparatus or processing turret 100 may include a drive shaft 101 and a turret star wheel 102. The star wheel 102 includes a plurality of pockets 103, each with a press plate 112 at one end and a rotatable processing device (processing spindle 108) at the other end. The press plate 112 is configured to contact the bottom, i.e., closed end, of the container 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the press plate 112 is disposed on a respective press ram assembly 106 for moving the container 1 toward the processing spindle 108. The star wheel 102 may further include a vacuum manifold 113 for providing a vacuum to the press plate 112 to assist in holding the container 1, a cam (e.g., cam 110) for actuating one or more press ram assemblies 106, a drive gear for rotating the processing spindle 108, and / or an air manifold 115 for pressurizing the container during processing, etc. 2 and 3 extends around and is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the turret starwheel 102. Rotation of the turret 100 and interaction between the cam follower and cam 110 causes the pressure ram assembly 106 to slide relative to the drive shaft 101.

[0018] The turret starwheel 102 is coaxial with the drive shaft 101 and is configured to receive containers 1 from an infeed or transfer starwheel. The transfer starwheel is configured to receive containers from a first stage processing turret (e.g., a mold turret assembly) and deliver the containers to a next stage processing turret. The turret starwheel 102 may include any suitable number of parts or pockets 103 corresponding to the number of pressure ram assemblies 106.

[0019] The press ram assembly 106 is movable in a direction coaxial with the drive shaft 101. The press ram assembly 106 holds the container 1 and presses the container 1 onto a respective work spindle 108 thereon to change the appearance / shape of the container 1. The work spindle 108 may include, for example, a die or an expander. A die may be used for neck shaping of the container, while an expander may be used to expand the shape of the container. In other embodiments (not shown), the work spindle may be coupled to a movable press ram assembly, and the work spindle may be moved / pressed onto the container while the container is held and generally stationary. In yet another embodiment, both the container and the work spindle are coupled to respective press ram assemblies and moved towards each other.

[0020] Although the gripping devices and methods for using the gripping devices described herein may be used in any suitable application where rotational forces are present and rotation of the container is not desired, the apparatus and methods are described herein with respect to a trimming device.

[0021] 4 to 7, the gripping device 201 described herein is configured to grip a container 1 such that the container is sandwiched between a pressure plate assembly 214 (generally disposed adjacent to the processing device) and one of the pressing plates 112 where rotation of the container 1 is inhibited or prevented. The gripping device 201 includes a pressure plate assembly 214 shown for use with a trimmer head 200 according to one non-limiting embodiment and disposed adjacent to the trimmer head. As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 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 is configured to receive a guide assembly (e.g., spring guide assembly 300) at a first end and further includes an opening at an opposite second end configured to receive at least a portion of a processing device (e.g., trimmer head 200) through the opening. The spring guide assembly 300 is disposed between the rotating processing head and the container or can guide 203. The container or can guide 203 is positioned generally adjacent to the mounting plate 301 .

[0022] 7, the spring guide assembly 300 includes a generally 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 resilient devices (e.g., springs 218), each 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 guide pins 304 are generally evenly spaced along the spring guide assembly 300. An individual spring 218 is disposed over and around each guide pin 304. The inner diameter of the springs 218 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide pins 304, allowing the springs 218 to easily compress and expand as described below. It is contemplated that any suitable number of guide pins and a corresponding number of springs may be used. The number and size of the springs 218 helps determine 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 generally uniform clamping force and a longer "spring life". The guide pins 304 and springs 218 pass through openings in the mounting plate 301 and spring holder 303, as shown in Figures 4-6.

[0024] The use of the gripping device 201 according to one non-limiting embodiment will now be described. Figure 4 shows the pressure ram assembly 106 with the trimmer head 200 interacting with the open end 3 of the container 1 to be trimmed. The trimmer head 200 in the illustrated embodiment is constantly rotating / rotating, which allows the wavy earrings on the open end 3 of the container 1 caused by the previous shaping process to be trimmed. In some embodiments, the trimmer head 200 rotates at a relatively high rotation speed.

[0025] 4 and 5, when the gripping device 201 is in a non-gripping position, a vacuum pressure plate 112 mounted on the pressure ram assembly 106 helps hold the container 1. During a "pressure stroke" or duty cycle of the trimming process, the body of the container 1 is moved axially at a controlled speed and distance in a first direction (e.g., the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 4) from a first position toward / into the pressure plate assembly 214 and the rotating trimmer head 200, which causes the open end of the container 1 to move toward the rotating trimmer head 200 through the container or can guide 203 to a second position. The container or can guide 203 helps align the open end 3 of the container 1 with the trimmer head 200.

[0026] Further movement of the pressure ram assembly 106 a second distance in the direction of arrow A causes the container shoulder 202, having a larger diameter 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 toward the trimmer 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 pressure plate 112. At a full stroke of the pressure ram assembly 106, the turret 100 is in a first position, in which the spring 218 is compressed and a maximum clamping force may be obtained. The resulting clamping force inhibits or prevents the container 1 from rotating so that the container 1 may be processed (e.g., trimmed). Inhibiting or preventing rotation of the container 1 during processing is desirable because it potentially reduces defects. The distance between the pressure plate and the rotatable processing device is greater in the second position than in the first ("full stroke") position.

[0027] After the open end 3 of the container 1 has been processed (e.g., trimmed), the pressure ram assembly 106 is then moved by the vacuum pressure plate 112 coupled to the pressure ram assembly 106 back from the trimmer head 200 into a second position where the container 1 is moved away from the pressure plate assembly 214. In the second position, the spring 218 is uncompressed or depressurized and the container 1 is no longer "clamped" between the pressure plate assembly 214 and the pressure plate 112.

[0028] 4-7, a plurality of coil springs 218 are used to generate the clamping force, however, the clamping force may be generated using other methods and apparatus, including, but not limited to, wave springs (e.g., steel wave springs), polyurethane springs, compressible gas springs, other resilient devices, any combination thereof, or the like.

[0029] In some non-limiting embodiments, the pressure plate 112 is formed from steel or other suitable metal or material. The pressure plate 112 may also or alternatively include a rubber elastomeric surface or insert that contacts the bottom edge of the container 1 to help resist rotation of the container 1 during the trimming process. The pressure plate 112 may also or alternatively include a polished finish or coating on the contact surface to accomplish the same purpose.

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

[0031] The present invention is not limited to the exact configuration and structure disclosed herein, but any and all modifications, variations, and variations that become apparent from the foregoing description are within the spirit and scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims.Furthermore, the present concepts include any and all combinations and subcombinations of the features and aspects described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1...container 3...Open end 100 ··· Machining Turret 101 Drive shaft 102 Turret Star Wheel 103 Pocket 106 Pressure ram assembly 108 Machining spindle 110... Cam 112 Pressing plate 113 Vacuum manifold 115 Air manifold 200 ···Trimmer head 201 Grasping 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 containers, the plurality of pockets having respective pressure plates at a first end and a rotatable processing device at an opposite second end, each of the pressure plates configured to contact a closed end of the article; a pressure plate assembly disposed adjacent each of the rotatable processing devices, the pressure plate assembly comprising a ring-shaped guide assembly having at least two guide pins extending therefrom, the at least two guide pins each comprising at least two resilient devices disposed thereon, the guide assembly configured to surround 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 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 guide pins and the at least two resilient devices extend from the ring-shaped guide assembly in a direction coaxial with the drive shaft.

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

6. 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.

7. 1. A device for restricting a rotational movement of an article to be processed, the device comprising: a pressure plate assembly configured to surround an open end of the article to be processed, the pressure plate assembly including at least two resilient devices disposed on at least two respective guide pins; a container guide having an opening for receiving an open end of a container moving in a first direction and for aligning the open end of the container with a processing device, the container guide being disposed adjacent a first side of the pressure plate assembly, the processing device being disposed adjacent to the pressure plate assembly; Equipped with The at least two resilient devices are configured to be compressed in response to movement of the container guide in a first direction, and the at least two resilient devices are configured to be depressurized in response to movement of the container guide in an opposite second direction.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the at least two resilient devices and the at least two guide pins extend from a ring-shaped guide assembly.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein an inner diameter of the guide assembly is greater than an inner diameter of the container guide opening.

10. The device of claim 8 , further comprising a mounting plate configured to receive the guide assembly, the mounting plate further including an opening for receiving at least a portion of the processing device therethrough.

11. The device of claim 7 , wherein the processing device is a trimming device, a threading device, a curling device, or a rotational molding device.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the processing device is a trimmer head disposed adjacent to the pressure plate.

13. 8. The device of claim 7, 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.

14. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein when the at least two resilient devices are compressed, the processing turret is configured to inhibit or prevent rotation of the article, and the article is configured to be processed by the processing device.

15. The device of claim 7 , wherein the at least two guide pins are three or more guide pins.

16. 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 an opposite second end; providing an article guide having an opening therein for receiving an opposing open end of a container, and a guide assembly disposed between the rotary processing device and the article guide, the guide assembly including at least two guide pins extending laterally from a first side of the guide assembly and at least two resilient devices disposed on a respective one of the at least two guide pins; moving the pressure plate or the rotary processing device in a first direction such that a portion of the article abuts an outer surface of the article guide, thereby moving the article guide and the processing device toward each other; compressing the at least two resilient devices in response to movement of the article guide, 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:

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

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the processing device is a trimming device, a threading device, a curling device, or a rotational molding device.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the pressure plate moves in the first direction and the rotary processing device remains stationary.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the pressure plate and the pressing plate are configured to apply a clamping force to the article in response to the compression.

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