GB1403798A - Apparatus for removing closures from bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

1403798 Uncapping bottles W RINK 7 Dec 1972 [18 Dec 1971] 56445/72 Headings B8T and B8C An apparatus for the removal of screw threaded closures from bottles similar to that in Specification 1,253,798 has a housing 10 with head 15 that engages the neck of a bottle when the platform 1, 2 is lowered and spring 13 is compressed. The housing has a tubular member 16 surrounded by a diaphragm 17. The diaphragm has two sets of lugs 24 and 25 which protrude through perforations 22 and 23 respectively and are actuated by fluid pressure from a tube 21. The lugs 25 are designed to grip the neck of a bottle below the screw thread when fluid pressure is applied. Lugs 24 are at a height to grip closures that are unscrewed by the rotating mandrel 7. With a high fluid pressure the lugs grip the bottle necks and closures sufficiently for the platform 1, 2 to be raised and lift the bottles and closures from a bottle transport container. As the platform lifts, the mandrel withdraws from the closure under the action of the spring 13. The platform is then lowered to deposit the bottles in the position required. By reducing the fluid pressure to an intermediate level the grip of the lugs 25 is sufficiently reduced for the bottles to remain behind when the platform is again raised. The platform is then moved to the required position to release the closures. At this point fluid pressure is completely released and the lugs 24 allow the closures to drop out. The tubular member 16 may be omitted, Fig. 3 (not shown), and the lugs 24 and 25 combined into elongated lugs, Fig. 2 (not shown). The apparatus may be operated by an electropneumatic control system Fig. 4 (not shown).