Method and apparatus for clamping a container during processing.

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

[0004] ,

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 635,782, filed on Feb. 27, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to systems, methods, and devices for forming or processing a manufactured product. 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 various 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), multiple operations can generate rotational forces 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 in 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] Therefore, it may be desirable to create an apparatus and method for reducing or eliminating rotational forces applied to a container during a machining operation. <0000%023>

Means for Solving the Problems

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

[0007] According to another embodiment disclosed herein, a device for restraining the rotational movement of an article being processed comprises a pressure plate assembly including a guide assembly that is generally ring-shaped. The guide assembly comprises at least two guide pins extending laterally from a first side of the guide assembly. The guide assembly further comprises at least two elastic devices positioned on one of each of the at least two guide pins. The device further comprises a container guide having an opening for receiving the open end of a container moved in a first direction and for positioning the open end of the container relative to the processing device. The container guide is positioned adjacent to the first side of the pressure plate assembly. The at least two elastic devices are configured to compress in response to the movement of the container guide in the first direction. The at least two elastic devices are configured to reduce pressure in response to the movement of the container guide in a second direction which is generally opposite.

[0008] According to one method disclosed herein, a method for processing an article includes the step of providing a star wheel having a plurality of pockets. Each of the plurality of pockets includes a pressing plate that contacts the closed end of an article at a first end and contacts a rotary processing device at a second end which is the overall opposite end. The method further includes providing an opening inside itself for receiving the opposite open end of a container and an overall ring-shaped guide assembly positioned between the rotary processing device and the article guide. The guide assembly includes at least two guide pins that extend overall laterally from a first side of the guide assembly and at least two elastic devices positioned on one of each of the at least one guide pin. The method further includes moving one of the pressing plate or rotary processing device toward the other pressing plate or rotary processing device by a first distance in a first direction, thereby moving the open end of an article toward the rotary processing device through the article guide. The method further includes the step of moving the pressing plate or rotary machining device a second distance further in the first direction so that a second portion of the article abuts against the outer surface of the article guide, thereby moving the article guide toward the machining device independently of the rotary machining 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 the step of compressing at least two elastic devices in response to the movement of the article guide, independently of the second ram assembly, thereby suppressing or preventing the rotational movement of the article if the open end of the article is being machined by the rotary machining device.

[0009] The foregoing summary does not represent all embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides some examples of the novel embodiments and features described herein. The foregoing features and advantages of the present disclosure, as well as other features and advantages, are considered inventive individually or in any combination and will become clear from the following detailed description of the illustrated examples, as well as from the modes for carrying out the invention related to the accompanying figures and the accompanying claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1A] This is a side view of the container before it enters the molding machine. [Figure 1B] This is a front view of the container shown in Figure 1A after it has been removed from the molding machine. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a portion of a rotatable molding apparatus according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is another perspective view showing a rotatable molding apparatus. [Figure 4] This figure shows a cross-section of a clamping device according to one embodiment. [Figure 5A] This figure shows a partial cross-section of the clamping device in Figure 4 in a position where it is not loosened, according to one embodiment. [Figure 5B] This is an enlarged view showing the spring assembly of the clamping device in Figure 5A. [Figure 6] This figure shows a cross-section of the clamping device in Figure 4 at the clamping position according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figures 4 through 6 show perspective views of spring guide assemblies for use in clamping devices. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] This disclosure allows for a variety of modifications and alternative forms, several representative embodiments of which are shown in the drawings as examples and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited to the specific forms shown in the drawings. Rather, this disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0012] This disclosure is susceptible to many different types of embodiments. Representative embodiments are illustrated and described in detail herein, and it should be understood that this disclosure should be considered as an example of the principles of this disclosure, and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of this disclosure to the examples given. To that extent, elements and limitations disclosed in, for example, the summary, outline, and detailed description sections but not expressly stated in the claims should not be incorporated into the claims, individually or collectively, implicitly or by inference. For the purpose of providing this detailed description, unless specifically waived or logically prohibited, singular forms include plural forms and vice versa, and terms such as “include,” “equip,” or “have” mean “include without limitation.” Furthermore, approximate words such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” and “approximately” can be used herein to mean, for example, “in,” “near,” or “in the vicinity,” or “within 3 to 5%,” or “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances,” or a logical combination thereof. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only, and the features shown therein are not necessarily to scale.

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

[0014] The machine may be used to shape, process, or perform other operations on container 1 (see Figures 1A and 1B), thereby changing the shape of container 1 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 and enters the pockets of a rotatable forming device such as a turret / star wheel (see, for example, Figures 2 and 3). Each star wheel has any number of pockets and can hold containers for processing and transport. After leaving the first stage, container 1 enters a second stage for further processing / shaping.

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

[0016] An example of a rotatable molding apparatus that may be used to deform the shape of container 1 is shown in Figures 2 and 3, and in Patent Document 1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0017] Referring to the non-limiting embodiments of Figures 2 and 3, the rotatable forming 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 pocket having a pressing plate 112 at one end and a rotatable processing device (processing spindle 108) at the other end. The pressing plate 112 is configured to contact the bottom, i.e., the closed end, of the container 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the pressing plate 112 is positioned on each pressing ram assembly 106 for moving the container 1 toward the processing spindle 108. The star wheel 102 further includes a vacuum manifold 113 for providing vacuum to the pressing plate 112 to assist in holding the container 1, cams (e.g., cam 110) for operating one or more pressing ram assemblies 106, drive gears for rotating the processing spindle 108, and / or an air manifold 115 for pressurizing the container during processing, etc. The pressure ram assembly 106 in Figures 2 and 3 extends around the outer surface of the turret star wheel 102 and connects to its outer surface. Due to the rotation of the turret 100 and the interaction between the cam follower and the cam 110, the pressure ram assembly 106 slides relative to the drive shaft 101.

[0018] The turret star wheel 102 is coaxial with the drive shaft 101 and is configured to receive containers 1 from a feed star wheel or a transport star wheel. The transport star wheel is configured to receive containers from a first-stage processing turret (e.g., a forming turret assembly) and supply containers to the next-stage processing turret. The turret star wheel 102 may have any appropriate number of parts or pockets 103 corresponding to the number of press 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 each of the processing spindles 108 thereon in order to change the appearance / shape of the container 1. The processing spindle 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 in any suitable application where a rotational force is present 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 to be 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 rotating 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 includes generally 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] Multiple guide pins 304 are spaced uniformly throughout the spring guide assembly 300. Individual springs 218 are positioned on 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, so that the springs 218 can be easily compressed and extended, as described later. It is intended that any appropriate number of guide pins and corresponding number of springs may be used. The number and size of the springs 218 help determine the clamping force applied to the container 1. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to increase the number of springs and to reduce the spring deflection 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 the spring holder 303, as shown in Figures 4 to 6.

[0024] The use of the gripping device 201 according to one non-limiting embodiment is described herein. Figure 4 shows a pressing ram assembly 106 with a trimmer head 200 that interacts with the open end 3 of a container 1 to be trimmed. In the illustrated embodiment, the trimmer head 200 is constantly rotating, thereby allowing any corrugated earrings on the open end 3 of the container 1 resulting from prior shaping to be straightened. In some embodiments, the trimmer head 200 rotates at a relatively high rotational speed.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the gripping device 201 is in a non-gripping position, the vacuum pressing plate 112 mounted on the pressing ram assembly 106 assists in holding the container 1. During a “pressing stroke” or trimming load cycle, the body of the container 1 is moved axially from a first position toward / inward to the pressure plate assembly 214 and the rotating trimmer head 200 in a first direction (e.g., the direction of arrow A shown in Figure 4) at a controlled speed and distance, thereby moving the open end of the container 1 toward the rotating trimmer head 200 through the container or can guide 203 to a second position. The container or can guide 203 assists in aligning the open end 3 of the container 1 with the trimmer head 200.

[0026] Further movement of the pressing ram assembly 106 a second distance in the direction of arrow A causes the shoulder 202 of the container, which has 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 pressing plate 112. At the full stroke of the pressing ram assembly 106, the turret 100 is in a first position, at which point 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 machined (e.g., trimmed). Suppressing or preventing the rotation of the container 1 during machining is desirable as it may potentially reduce defects. The distance between the pressing plate and the rotatable machining device is greater in the second position than in the first ("full stroke") position.

[0027] After the open end 3 of the container 1 is machined (e.g., trimmed), the pressing ram assembly 106 is then moved away from the trimmer head 200 into a second position by the movement of the vacuum pressing plate 112 connected to the pressing ram assembly 106, in which case the container 1 is moved away from the pressure plate assembly 214. In the second position, the spring 218 is either uncompressed or depressurized, 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 Figures 4 to 7, multiple coil springs 218 are used to generate a clamping force. However, the clamping force may be generated using other methods and apparatus, including, but not limited to, corrugated springs (e.g., steel corrugated springs), polyurethane springs, compressible gas springs, other elastic devices, any combination thereof, or similar devices.

[0029] In some non-limiting embodiments, the pressing plate 112 is formed from steel or other suitable metal or material. The pressing plate 112 also or alternatively includes a rubber elastic surface or insert, which contacts the bottom edge of the container 1 to help resist rotation of the container 1 during trimming. The pressing plate 112 may also or alternatively have a polished or coated contact surface to achieve the same purpose.

[0030] Although the embodiments described herein are discussed in relation to trimming devices, clamping devices may be used in other applications where rotational forces are present and rotation of the container is not desired. Such applications include, but are not limited to, threading, curling, rotational molding, and similar processes.

[0031] The present invention is not limited to the exact configurations and structures disclosed herein, and any and all modifications, alterations, and variations evident from the foregoing description fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the concept encompasses any and all combinations and subcombinations of the features and embodiments described herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1...container 3...Open end 100 ···Processed Turret 101... Drive shaft 102...Turret Star Wheel 103...Pocket 106...Pressure Ram Assembly 108 ··· Processing spindle 110...cam 112...Pressure 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. The drive shaft and A star wheel having a plurality of pockets configured to hold each article, wherein each of the plurality of pockets has a pressing plate at a first end and a rotatable processing device at a second end which is the overall opposite end, and each of the pressing plates is configured to contact the closed end of the article, A guide assembly, which is generally circular and located at the second end, comprises at least two guide pins adjacent to and extending laterally from the guide assembly, the at least two guide pins each comprising at least two elastic devices located on each, and the guide assembly comprises a generally central opening configured to receive the open end of the article to be processed. A processing turret equipped with, When the processing turret is in the first position, the at least two elastic devices are compressed, and when the processing turret is in the second position, the at least two elastic devices are not compressed overall. A machining turret in which the distance between the pressing plate and the rotatable machining device is greater in the second position than in the first position.

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

3. The machining turret according to claim 2, wherein when the machining turret is in the first position, the article is configured to be machined by the machining device.

4. The machining turret according to claim 1, wherein the at least two elastic devices include a coil spring, a corrugated spring, a polyurethane spring, a compressible gas spring, or any combination thereof.

5. The machining turret according to claim 1, wherein the machining device is a trimming device, a threading device, a curling device, or a rotational molding device.

6. The machining turret according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the pressing plate that contacts the closed end of the article includes an insert or polished coating configured to suppress the rotation of the article.

7. The machining turret according to claim 6, wherein the insert includes a rubber elastic surface.

8. The machining turret according to claim 1, further comprising a vacuum manifold for providing a vacuum between the pressing plate and the closed end of the article.

9. The machining turret according to claim 1, wherein each of the pressing plates is located in its respective ram assembly and is movable in a direction coaxial with the drive shaft as a whole.

10. A device for suppressing the rotational movement of an article being processed, the device is A guide assembly that is generally circular in shape, having a generally central opening configured to receive the open end of an article to be processed, further comprising at least two guide pins adjacent to the guide assembly and extending generally laterally from a first side of the guide assembly, and further comprising at least two elastic devices positioned on one of each of the at least two guide pins, A machining device positioned adjacent to the guide assembly, Equipped with, A device wherein 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 at least two elastic devices are configured to be restored in response to an increase in the distance between the processing device and the article.

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

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the at least two elastic devices include a coil spring, a corrugated steel spring, a polyurethane spring, a compressible gas spring, or any combination thereof.

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

14. The assembly further comprises a pressing plate configured to contact the closed end of the article and assist in the movement of the article through the guide assembly, The device according to claim 10, wherein, in response to the compression, the pressing plate and the guide assembly apply a clamping force to the article, thereby suppressing or preventing rotational movement of the article.

15. A method for processing an article, the method is A step of providing a star wheel comprising a plurality of pockets, each of which includes a pressing plate that contacts the closed end of the article at a first end and a rotating machining device at a second end which is the overall opposite end; A step of providing a guide assembly that is generally circular in shape and positioned between the rotary machining device and the pressing plate, wherein the guide assembly includes at least two guide pins adjacent to the guide assembly and extending generally laterally from a first side of the guide assembly, and at least two elastic devices are positioned on each of the at least two guide pins. A step of moving one of the pressing plate or the rotary machining device toward the other of the pressing plate or the rotary machining device in a first direction, wherein the rotational movement of the article is suppressed or prevented when the at least two elastic devices are compressed as a result, and the open end of the article is machined by the rotary machining device; A method that includes this.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of restoring the at least two elastic devices in response to movement of the pressing plate or the rotary machining device in a second direction which is an overall opposite direction.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the at least two elastic devices include a coil spring, a corrugated steel spring, a polyurethane spring, a compressible gas spring, or any combination thereof.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the rotary machining device is a trimming device, a threading device, a curling device, or a rotational molding device.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the pressing plate includes an insert or a polished or coated surface configured to contact and suppress the rotation of the article.

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