US1813954A - Bottle capper - Google Patents

Description

H. G. RICE BOTTLE CAPPER July-ll, 1931.

Filed oct. l51, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 Eu/ 3 Jcwoc 61.75150@ July 14, 1931. H. G. R1@ f 1,813,954

BOTTLE CAPPER Filed oct.' 51, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 2 Eem HCL/10M Ciy'c@ 73% Patented July 14, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAROLD G. RICE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO INDESTRO MFG.' G0., OF CHICAG,...

ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS BOTTLE CAPPER Application led October 31, 1928. Serial No. 316,251.

My invention relates to bottle cappers of that type having a base, an upright or frame on the base formed with a rack bar, in the present instance a double rack` bar, a

rider slidable on the upright of the frame and having journaled or pivoted therein a pinion to engage the teeth of the rack bar and carrying atv one side a handle or lever for turning the pinion or spur gear for causing the rider to be reciprocated on the upright for the purpose of moving a capping head carried by the rider into and out of capping position.

The invention more particularly relates to l5 a novel construction of bottle capper including the base, an upright mounted on the base,

' a rider slidable on the upright, and a lever associated with a pinion journaled in the rider for actuating the rider in applying the caps to the bottles and in raising the capping head with the rider when the cap has been applied so that it will clear the bot tle and permit the latter to be removed Jrom capping position.

The lever is normally keyed or operatively connected to the pinion for turning the latter in either direction to reciprocate the rider due to the constant meshing of the pinion with the rack bars of the upright of the frame, but by manipulation of the pawl or dog on the handle, the `latter may be turned free of the pinion in either direction Without moving the rider and after releasing the pawl, turned to raise or lower the rider and capping head a greater degree without turning the handle in a large arc or completely around so as to secure greater or less pressure during the capping operation or for preliminarily adjusting the rider Y and capping head to bottles of dii'erent heights or clearing the bottle after being capped. A

The device is so constructed that a very substantial and high-class article is produced and the fit between the parts or friction between the rider and the upright, as well as due to the meshing ,of the pinion with the rack bars, will permit the lever and rider, together with the capping head carried thereby, to remain in its raised position clear of the bottle when the handle- 1s raised so as to leave both hands free to; carry on the capping operation if this bev desired. However, this is not necessary or essential as the lever may normally drop or swing down to lower the rider and cap? ping head untilthe latter strikes the bottle, one hand being all that is usually required for inserting and removing the bottles while the other hand is operating the handle or lever. The toothed mechanism may be conveniently manipulated while grasping the handle so as to permit the handle to be turned free of its operating shaft in either direction when this is desired.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a novel, strong, and attractive bottle capper construction including the frame comprised by the base and upright and the rider Vand to attach the handle directly to the aXis of the pinion instead of'forming a segment on the end of a handle concentric to a pivot spaced from the end of the handle, thus insuring more accurate mating of the pinion and rack bars and greater leverage, so that greater pressure may be applied with less expenditure of manual e'fort.

With the above and other objects in View,

the invention consists in certain novel structure and arrangement of parts to be herein after more particularly specified and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a per in accordance with the` present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the lower part of the upright-and the base in section. l

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section takenV on the `section line 3-3 of Figure 1, `the base being shown in plan. Y

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the section line 4-4 of Figure. 1. 1

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the section line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the operating handle, and pawl and toothed mechanism taken on the section line 6-6 of Figure 5.

bottle capeeV lia Y 'their inner ends abut as seen in Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the section line 7&7 of Figure 6, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the section line 8 8 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the bottle capper as illustrated comprises a frame including a base 9, preferably a metal plate of some non-rusting and non-corrosive metal, although it may be of any suitable sheet metal of proper stiffness. rlhis base or foot plate has suitable openings 9 by which it may be anchored to a work table or other supporting surface. The central portion of the base plate is raised as indicated at 10, being suitably pressed into shape if desired and adapted to support thereon the bottle to be capped. TWhile the base is preferably shaped as shown and the raised portion 10 yis substantially circular at the front and of reduced width to correspond with the shape of the base plate at the back, this is somewhat arbitrary but desirable in view of the fact that and the marginal portion may be rigidly secured to the supporting surface. The raised portion preferably has two spaced parallel depressions 11 forming stiliening ribs to give additional strength.

Arranged upon the base is the frame structure proper including a transversely arranged upright 12 in the form of a Hat bar of uniform thickness-enlarged in width at its lower portion as indicated at 13, or reversely, tapering upwardly while the upper portion is of uniform width. The lower end of the upright is bent forwardly at right angles to provide an attaching foot 14 suitably anchored to the base as b y rivets 15 passing through openings in these parts. These fastenings are preferably located outwardly of the ribs 11 and the front edge of the angular end or foot 14 presents a concaved shoulder against which the bottle may abut, although the neck of the bottle must be aligned vertically with the capping head, to be later described, whether the bottle engages this shoulder or not.

To add rigidity and strength to Ythe upright as well as to the appearance of the capper, the bar 12 is reinforced with a plurality,'preferably a pair, of spaced parallel bars 16 arranged in back of and in contact with the upright bar 12 at their forward edges and riveted through slots in the bar 12 as by means of lugs 17 projecting from the forward edges of the bars 16. These bars are arranged longitudinally of the base at right angles to the bar 12 and at 'their lower ends are formed with tongues 18 clinched through corresponding 4slots in the raised portionlO of the base 9, the tongues being preferably turned inwardly so that Figure 1 of the drawings.

`The bars 16 also preferably taper upthe base will lie flat' 1,813,954. A j* f wardly to an intermediate point of the height of the upright bar 12, their top edges being rounded off as indicated at 19 and formed with recesses 2O to receive the edges of the bar 12 produced by slots 21 therein. At this point the bars 16 are offset forwardly indicated at 22 and the lower ends of these offset portions form shoulders 23 to engage the lower edges of the slots 21, the same as at the top except that the curved portion 19 of the bars 16 project up in back of the bar 12 and lock the parts in assembled relation. By reason of the offset portions 22, the bars 16 are continued upwardly in front of the upright bar 12 and have rearwardly projecting lugs riveted thereto through spaced slots in the upright bar 12 as indicated at 24 near the top of the frame and at a point intermediately between the top and the offset portions. The portions ofthe bars 16 which extend in front of the upright bar in parallel relation and have teeth forming rack bars 25. Y

rlhese bars are also spaced from the side edges of the bar 12 so that the projecting sides form flanges on a-substantially U- shaped or nishaped frame in cross section.

rThe rider is indicated at 26 and comprises side plates 27 with sloping front edges which may be connected by a sloping top and front plate 28 welded to the edges or formed integral with the side plates and produced by bending or forming the same as desired. These side plates are bent to form outwardly projecting guideways 29 which slidably engage the edges of the upright bar 12 or flanges of the frame as more particularly shown in Figures l, 2, and 5 of the drawings while the side plates it against the outer faces of the rack bars for free sliding movement. The guideways 29 are produced by bending the plates or sides 27 outwardly at right angles, then rearwardly, and then inwardlyT and engage the back of the bar 12 where' they may be con nected centrally thereof after abutting, by means of outturned flanges 30 with rivets 31 disposed through registering openings therein. A capping head 32 is carried by the rider, and in order to attach the same, the plates 27 may have semi-circular depressions 33 with depending rivet lugs 34 at their lower edges upset after passing through slots in the top of the head. An apertured cushion 35 may be provided in the capping head, it being understood that the latter is designed to receive the bottle caps in theapplication thereof to the bottles and that the reduced rivet lugs may be formed without projecting below the bottom edges of the plates or sides of the rider by recessing said plates on each side of the lugs as indicated at 36 to receive the top of the capping headthcrein.

12 are spaced apart y A handle 37 is pivoted onthe rider, the axis or shaft 38 thereof being preferably formed of stock material ribbed in the manner of a toothed pinion or spur gear, part of which is indicated at 39 between the sides of the rider, and is adapted to mesh with the teeth of the rack bars. The sides of the ridermay have tubular extensions 40 and 41,*one end of the shaft being turned down as indicated at 42 to take in one opening or bearing 40 for rotation and having suitable means to prevent its longitudinal displacement as by means of a gib key or cotter pin 43 disposed through a diametrihcal opening in the reduced portion 42 forming one journal end of the shaft outwardly of the bearing 40. The opening or bearing 41 is larger than the bearing 40, being sufficiently large to receive the toothed portion of the shaft. down to provide a reduced portion 44 and a two-part brass, bronze or other soft bushing 45 is fitted in this reduced portion to form a sleeve in which said reduced portion may rotate.

The end of the shaft 3S on which the handle 37 is attached has a double-acting toothed wheel 46 in the form of a sleeve keyed thereto, being internally grooved to take on a tapered or reduced portion of the ribbed or toothed shaft as indicated at 47, and being fixed to the shaft will rotate therewith. The toothed wheel has side flanges forming sleeves 48 on which the handle is free to turn by means of openings in the enlarged side portions 49 at the inner end of the handle, which latter is formed by bending a strip or sheet of metal upon itself. p

A spacer 50 is provided between the portions 49 to keep them in spaced relation while a rivet 5l extending through the spacer and sideportions connects the latter and prevents spreading thereof. rfhe dou- ,ble acting pawl has its teeth so formed that the shoulders 52 act in opposite directions. A pawl 52 is pivoted at 53 through the sides of the handle and has a lug or detent 54 to engage the toothed wheel to fix the han- `dle to the toothed whee-l so that the two will turn together. Normally the pawl is held into engagement with the toothed wheel by a spring 55 between the bight portion of the handle and the pawl, preferably seating in a recess or iiattened portion 56 of the handle and in a recess 5.7 in the pawl. The free end of the latter projects below the handle for convenient manipulation while grasping the handle or lever. By this means swinging of the handle will turn the shaft and by reason of its pinion meshing with the rack gears, the rider may be caused to reciprocate on the frame to raise the rider and capping head, whereby a bottle may be However, the shaft is turnedA inserted and a cap applied by swinging the handle down to lower the ridery and capping head. However, should it be desired to ad- Should it be desired to adjust the rider and capping head to a lower position, the pawl is disengaged from the toothed wheel so that the handle may be swung upwardly while turning on the toothed wheel without turning the shaft or pinion and consequently without raising the rider. Then by releasing the pawl and swinging 'the handle down, with the pawl engaged with the toothed wheel, the toothed wheel will be rotated together with the shaft and pinion while the latter is in mesh with the rack bars,'whereby the rider and capping head will be lowered to apply the caps during the capping operation after being adjusted to the desired position. It also may be mentioned that normally there is suificientfriction between the parts so that when the handle is swung upwardly to raise the rider and capping head carried thereby out of capping position, the handle and parts may remain in this position leaving both hands free for other work. However, this is Anot absolutely essential as usually one hand is sufficient for placing the caps in the capping head and the bottle in position, while4 the other hand is used to operate the handle for applying the caps and then removing the bottle so capped after raising the handle to elevate the rider and capping head out of capping position.

It also may be stated that turning the handle in a Yreverse direction the rider may be caused to travel upwardly on the frame or rack hars until the pinion is free of the rackteeth, when the rider may be lifted off or it may be reapplied and slid down'on the frame'by turning the handle vin the opposite direction. The downward movement of the rider will be limited by engagement of its back portions with the upper ends of the curvedportions 19 or the shoulders producer -thereby in back of the bar 12.

While I have shown and described my invention in a preferred form, lf am aware that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing Vfrom the principles of the invention, the, scope of from one side of the rider, and a handle ro tatably mounted on the extended end of the shaft having a detent detachably locking said handle to said shaft.

Y in the rider and having a pinion inmesh with the rack portion, a toothed member fiXed on the shaft, a handle free to turn on the shaft, and a detent carried by the handle to engage the toothed member.

3. A bottle capper comprising a base, an upright on the base liavinga rack portion, a rider slidable on the upright, a` capping head carried by the rider, a shaft Journaled in the rider and having a pinion iii mesh with the rack portion, a handle on the shaft outwardly of the rider, and a detent mechanism detacliably locking said handle to said shaft.

4. In a bottle capper, a base, an upright on the base including a transversely arranged bar having its lower end anchored to the base, a longitudinally arranged bar anchored to the base against the first bar and having an upper rack portion, a rider slidable on the bars and having a. capping head, said rider having side portions con nected at the front and bent to form guideways engaged with the side edgeslof' thefirst bar and at ,the back thereof, a pinion Jour- `naled in the rider in mesh with the rack portion, a toothed member fastened to the pinion, a handle pivoted on the toothed member, and a spring detent carried by the handle to engage the toothed member to cause the latter and the pinion to turn when the handle is moved and adapted ,to be'released to permit the handle to turn free.

5. In a bottle capper, a frame including a base, a transversely arranged upright on the base, longitudinally arranged bars anchored vto the base at the back of the upright and extending through the same about midway of its height and having shoulders engaging the first bar, said second bars being spaced apart and extending up in front of the first v bar and anchored thereto as well as formed with rack teeth at their front edges, a rider slidable on the bars and having side plates connected at their forward portion and outwardly extending guideways engaging the side edges of the first bar and inturiied portions disposed against the back of the first bar, a pinion journaled in the rider, a capping head on the rider, and a lever on the 1 pinion having a detent connection therewith.

6. In a bottle capper, a frame having an upright with apair of spaced rack bars, a rider slidable on the upright and having a capping head, a ribbed shaft having a reduced end journaled in the rider and a rey duced intermediate portion also journaled in the rider to provide a pinion therebetween engaged with the teeth of the rack bars, a ,toothed member on the shaft, a handle journaled to operate over the toothed member, and a spring-pressed detent carried by the handle to engage the toothed member, as and for the purposes specified.

7. In a device of the class described, a base member, a plate extending upwardly from said base member and secured thereto, a pair of plates also extending upwardly from said base member inspaced lparallel relation in planes perpendicular to that of said first plate, the ends of said parallel plates extending through said base member and flanged over so as to substantially abut against each other and said parallel plates Xtending through said first plate so as-to in-Y terlock therewith, said parallel plates having rack teeth formed thereon, a rider slidably mounted on said first plate and carrying a .capping head, a piiiion joiiriialed in said rider and co-operating with said rack teeth, a handle secured to said pinion, a

toothed member carried by said pinion, and a spring-pressed detent carried by said handle for disengaging said handle from operative relation with said pinion.

8. In a device of the class described, a base member, a pair of bars extending upwardly from said base member and having rack teeth formed on the upper portionV thereof, a rider slidably mounted on said bars and carrying a capping head, a shaft Journaled in said rider and having a pinion formed thereon cooperating with said'rack teeth, a toothed member carried by said pinion, a handle rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a detent engageable with said toothed member for detachably locking said handle to said shaft.

. HAROLD G. RICE.

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