US808536A - Bottle-sealing apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

No. 808,536. PATENTED DEC. 26, 1905.

G. H. GILLETTE.

BOTTLE SEALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 1901. RENEWED SEPT. 1, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H6. 2, Hi g WITNESSES:

No. 808,536. PATENTED DEC. 26, 1905.

, G. H. GILLETTE BOTTLE SEALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.11, 1901. RENEWED QEPT. 1, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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INVENTOR:

UNITED PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. GILLETTE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO' THE CROWN- CORK AND SEAL CO. OF BALTIMORE CITY, OF BALTIMORE, MARY- LAND, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1905.

Application filed November 11, 1901. Renewed September 1, 1904. Serial No. 223,000.

To all w/mnt it Uta/y concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. GILLETTE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bottle- Sealing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention aims to provide an improved apparatus adapted for the sealing of bottles by means of metallic caps. In this style of seal a cap is usually pressed down upon the head of a bottle and whileheld down by considerable pressure a projection, formed by crimping the flange of the cap, is forced under a shoulder on the head of the bottle, so as to hold the cap down in the position to which it is pressed. My invention provides certain improvements whereby the operation for fas tening the cap in place is simplified, whereby there is very little danger of breakage of the head of the bottle, and whereby various other advantages are obtained, as hereinafter specified in detail.

My invention is adapted for use in either a foot-machine or a power-machine of any common or suitable type.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrating embodiments of my invention, Figure 1 shows the same applied to a foot-machine. Fig. 2 is a section through what is called the head of the machine. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the parts in the lower portion of the head, showing some slight modifications in detail. Fig. 4 shows the head of a bottle with a cap applied accord ing to the manner of operation of mymachine. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a power-machine containing individual sealing heads constructed according to my invention. Fig. 6 is an enlarged section of one of the heads used in the machine of Fig. 5. Figs. 7 and 8 are similar views showing the parts in different positions. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified detail.

In my apparatus the crimps are formed at one operation while the cap is held down with the desired pressure and in the desired position on the head of the bottle. The crimp ing is preferably accomplished by means of a series of crimping members, such as jaws, pins, or the like, which are held in a position surrounding the flange on the cap while the cap is pressed down on the head of a bottle, and which are then forced inward to indent the edge of the flange at separate points, so as to crimp it, the indentations engaging under the shoulder on the head of the bottle. Before the positive movement of the apparatus to crimp the flange the crimping members are preferably arranged to bear against the flange with a yielding pressure to hold the same in place. For this purpose I preferably use a cap with a substantially cylindrical flange, so that when the bottle is sealed it presents a neater appearance than the flaring flanges now in use. While it projects very little beyond the contour from the bottlehead, the projection is quite sufficient for engagement by the usual unsealing-tool.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the head of the apparatus, comprising as a whole all the operating parts except that which moves the head itself. Any suitable means maybe provided for giving the head a reciprocating vertical motion down upon the cap on thehead of the bottle and up out of the way to permit the removal of the bottle. An ordinary foot-machine is shown in Fig. 1, in which the operator by alternately bearing down on and releasing the pedal B gives the necessary reciprocation to the arm O, which is connected to the head. Any suitable stand D is provided below and in line with the head for supporting the bottle. This is preferably adjustable, as shown, to permit of use with different sizes of bottles. An arm E, fixed on the frame of the machine, serves to guide the head A in its movements. The operator presses down on the pedal B, which movement brings the head A down on the cap F and presses it down on the bottle, producing the necessary crimping or indentation, as hereinafter explained. The cap F, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, has a preferably cylindrical flange and after the operation is crimped or indented at its lower edge, as shown in Fig. 4. The head A of the machine is, in fact, the operating member, the downward movement of which first subjects the cap to the necessary pressure and then operates the crimping members to crimp the edge of the cap under the shoulder of the head of the bottle. The downward pressure on the cap is preferably obtained by means of a plunger G, which is arranged to have a slight reciprocating movement within the operating member A, the upward movement being against the pressure of a spring H. The spring H is preferably held by means of a cap J, screwing into the upper end of the tubular operating member A. An annular shoulder I may be provided surrounding the operating member A and transmitting the movement of the arm C to the operating member, the arm C being held by the shoulder I and the cap J, as illustrated. The plunger G has at its lower end a head K, which receives the pressure of the spring: H, preferably by the intermediation of certain parts, which I will now describe. The head K may be provided with an annular groove, as shown at L, Fig. 3, or may be plane, as shown in Fig. 2. Jaws, as M or M, are supported upon the head K by oflset portions N and are provided outside of their points of support with upwardly projecting points 0. The upwardly-projecting points are pressed down by a flanged tubular member P, which at its upper end is engaged by a ring ,Q, which takes the direct downward thrust of the spring, and thus transmits it to the head K, pressed downward upon the cap, and to the jaws M to press their projecting points R yieldingly inward against the flange of the cap with a slight pressure, so as to hold the same in place, the pressure depending upon the leverage due to the distance between the parts N and O. The pressure of the spring H upon the head K is adjustable by turning a nut S on the upper end of the plunger G, so as to pull the plunger up against the pressure of the spring. At the first movement of the operating member A down upon the cap the points R of the jaws are forced slightly outward by the cap against the pressure of the spring H, which tends to hold them pressed inward. The continued movement brings the head K down upon the top of the cap with a very heavy pressure, also increasing to some extent the pressure of the points R against the flange of the cap. The cap may be first placed on the bottle or may be first introduced into the machine-head and then brought down upon the bottle. For producing the desired indentation of the flange of the cap while it is held down under pressure I provide the jaws with an outward-inclined face, as shown, and I provide a ring T on the lower end of the operating member A, having a conical interior face, so that during the final movement of the operating member A the interior conical face of the member T engages the outer inclined face of the aws M and positively forces the points R inward against the flange of the bottle, so as to crimp it. The pressure to which the jaws are subjected in an inward direction might break the head of the bottle if it should be brought to bear against it, and it is necessary, therefore, to insure that the points or other movable parts of the jaws M shall bear against the flange of the cap only at the lower points of the flange, where there is a groove in the bottle. For this purpose the head K of the plunger may be made of larger diameter than the cap F, so as to positively prevent any part of the jaw above the point R coming against the flange of the cap, as shown in Fig. 2, or, as shown in Fig. 3, each of the aws M may be deeply recessed immediately above the point R, so as to avoid any possible contact with the upper part of the flange of the cap. These features of my invention are very valuable in saving a considerable breakage of bottles, which is due to a large extent to the irregular thickness and diameter of the heads of the bottles. When the pedal B is released, the operating member is lifted by the spring shown in Fig. 1. The-first movement releases the inclined faces of the jaws from contact with the inner conical face of the ring T, the jaws remaining in place by the pressure of the spring H on the upwardlyprojecting points 0. The continued movement lifts the jaws upward, the spring H permitting a suflicient outward movement of the aws for this purpose and the aws being forced outward by the configuration of the indented flange.

It is to be understood that the construction shown in detail in these figures as embodying my invention may be widely departed from without departing from the actual invention. For example, for use in a power-machine I propose to modify the arrangement of the parts in the manner shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive. This apparatus is here illustrated to show the use of my invention in a power-machine, though I do not in this application claim the features specific to such machine; but I am not to be understood as waiving my right to claim the same in a separate application. The. details of the rotary power-machine here shown are not es sential to the invention, since they may be modified in a variety of ways known to those skilled in this and allied arts. For the purpose of showing the application of my invention to a machine of this sort, however, I have chosen the particular type herein described. In Fig. 5 a table U is rotated by means of a pinion V, driven from a shaft X, having the usual friction-clutch Y and connections for driving it from any suitable source of power. With the table U rotates also a central shaft Z, which is supported upon a ball-bearing at its upper end from a plate a, carried at the top of the fixed supporting-frame. The shaft Z carries a pair of rings 1) and c, which serve as guides and supports for the operating members A of the several sealing mechanisms. The vertical movement of the operating members A is obtained from a series of cams d on the under side of the stationary plate a as the operatthat shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

ing members are rotated. The plate a is clampedas, for example, by bolts eupon the upright membersf of the main frame, be ing first adjusted to any suitable position by means of screw-threaded adjusting-rods g, which screw through a portion of the plate a and which are turned in one direction or the other by any suitable means, as by the gearing h at their lower ends, connecting them to the main shaft X. The lever throws the shaft X in one direction or the other to secure the movement of the adjusting-rods gin the desired direction. In connection with mechanism for this purposethat is, for sealing bottles, which of course vary considerably in height-this feature of adjustability of the top plate a is of considerable importance.

The details of construction whereby the movement of operating means A is utilized to produce first the necessary pressure and then the necessary crimping action may be, as stated before, considerably difierent from In Figs. 6,7, and 8 the crimping members instead of being in the form of pivoted jaws are in the form of pins 76, which are carried in a depending flange Z from the head K of the plunger G. The flange Zis at all points outside of the cap, and the pins 76 press against the cap only at points below the shoulder on the head of the bottle, so that with this construction any pressure against the sides of the head of the bottle is avoided and the danger of breakage from irregular-shaped heads is minimized. The operating member A in this construction is a tubular reciprocating member, the same as in the constructions previously described. A ring T is carried at the lower end of the member A and has an inner conical face which when the operating member is pressed downward bears against the heads of the pins 7: and forces them inward to form the necessary indentations or crimps. The downward movement of the operating member A is transmitted to the plunger G by the intermediation of a spring H, having the same function as the spring H in Fig. 2. The spring H bears at its lower end on a collar surrounding the plunger G and at its upper end against a diaphragm m in the tubular operating member. As the operating member is pressed downward, therefore, the movement is transmitted through the spring H to press the head K down on the cap with considerable force and then while the cap is so pressed down the pins 7c are positively forced inward to crimp the flange of the cap. For the reverse operation the operating member is provided with a means for positively engaging the plunger G to lift it after the operating member has first made a movement sufficient to permit the pins 7c to move outward and release the cap. A suitable means consists of a slot n in the lower end of the plunger G, which is engaged by a screw or other projection p, projecting inward from a guide-ring g in the lower end of the operating member. As the operating member moves upward from the position of Fig. 6, it first relieves the pressure on the heads of the pins it, as shown in Fig. 7, the screw p moving up to the top of the slot n at the same time. The further upward movement of the operating member A lifts the plunger and the head K from the cap, the pins 7c moving outward to permit such upward movement of the head K. (See Fig. '8.) The desired downwardmovement of the operating member A is obtained from a plunger 1", which is guided in the upper tubular end of the member A and which carries at its upper end in a suitable bearing a roller 8, which as the guiding supporting-rings b and c are revolved rides over the under face of the cams d, and thereby presses the operating member A downward, a cushioning-spring t being preferably interposed to relieve the suddenness' of the movement and toprovide during the first downward movement of the plunger 1" the yielding pressure of the crimping members against the flange of the cap, which is an important feature of my invention. To prevent the plunger 1, and with it the roller 8, from turning on the vertical axis, I preferably use a pin it, fixed in the ring I), upon which an arm of the roller-bearing is guided vertically. When the roller 8 passes beyond the lowest point of the cam d, the operating member A is returned to its uppermost po sition by means of a spring 1;, bearing against a collar w on the operating member.

The machine shown in Fig. 5 is arranged to receive twelve bottles, (the one in the rear being omitted for the sake of clearness,) and has four cams d, the proportions of the parts being such that the bottles are divided into groups of three, of which, at the instant illustrated, one bottle is being sealed, the next has been sealed and is ready to be removed, and the third has received its cap and is in position ready to be sealed. The feeding of the bottles to the machine and the removing of them may be accomplished by hand or by any other suitable means. The number of operators will depend upon the number of bottles which the machine handles and the rapidity of operation and may be either more or less than that shown.

Though I have described with great par-- ticularity of detail various embodiments of my invention, yet it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to any one or all of the embodiments described. Various modifications thereof in the details, arrangement, and combination of parts are possible to those skilled in the art without departure from the invention. For example, a spring may be used for automatically spreading the crimping members outward from engagement with the cap. Thus in Fig. 9 the crimpingjaws in the inoperative position of the machine are held apart bya series of springs y, sup orted upon the plunger-head and normal y pressing outward, but yielding when the plunger is pressed downward on the cap. The other elements to be used with this construction are the same as those shown in Fig. 2. When the jaws are compressed by the downward movement of the ring T, the springs y yield to permit the necessary movement. When the ring T moves upward again and the bottle is withdrawn, the springs y assist in freeing the aws from the cap.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a bottle-sealing apparatus, the combination of a plunger, means for holding the same pressed down on a cap on the head of a bottle, a series of crimping members, means for pressing said crimping members yield- 7 ingly inward against a flange on such cap to hold it in place, and means for positively forcing said crimping members inward to crimp such flange while said plunger is so pressed down.

2. In a bottle-sealing apparatus, the combination of a plunger having a head adapted to bear on a cap on the head of a bottle, a series of jaws supported on said plunger-head, means for yieldingly pressing down said aws and through them said plunger-head so that said jaws press yieldingly inward against a flange of such cap to hold it in place, and means for positively forcing said jaws inward to crimp such flange while said plunger-head is so pressed down.

3. In a bottle-sealing apparatus, the combination of a plunger having a head adapted to bear on a cap on the head of a bottle, a series of jaws supported on said plunger-head in position to surround a flange of such cap,

a spring operating on the tops of said jaws and through them on the top of said plungerhead, and a movable operating member arranged to compress said spring at its first movement whereby to hold said jaws yieldingly inward against a flange of such cap to hold it in place, and to positively force said jaws inward during its continued movement, whereby to crimp said flange.

4. In a bottle-sealing apparatus, the combination of a plunger having a head adapted to bear on a cap on the head of a bottle, a series of jaws supported on said plunger-head in position to surround a flange of such cap, a spring operating on the tops of said jaws and through them on the top of said plungerhead, and a movable operating member arranged to compress said spring at its first movement whereby to hold said jaws yieldingly inward against a flange of such cap to hold it in place, said operating member and jaws carrying cooperating inclined faces whereby during the continued movement of said operating member said jaws are forced positively inward to crimp said flange.

5. In a bottle-sealing apparatus, the com' bination of a plunger adapted to bear on a cap on the head of a bottle and having on its lower part a head or enlargement, crimping jaws loosely mounted upon said head and having portions projecting outside of said head, and means engaging said projecting portions and adapted to press downward thereon to press the lower parts of said crimping-jaws inward.

6. In a bottle-sealing apparatus, the combination of a plunger adapted to bear on a cap on the head of a bottle and having on its lower part a head or enlargement, crimpingjaws loosely mounted upon said head and having portions projecting outside of said head and upward, and means engaging said projecting portions and adapted to 'ress downwardly with a yielding pressure t ereon to press the lower parts of said crimping jaws inward and to simultaneously press said plunger yieldingly downward.

7. In a bottle-sealing apparatus, the combination of a plunger adapted to bear on a cap on the head of a bottle and having on its lower part a head or enlargement, crimpingjaws loosely mounted upon said head and having ortions projecting outside of said head and upward, a sleeve engaging said projecting portions and adapted to press downwardly thereupon to press the lower parts of said crimping-jaws inward and to simultaneously press said plunger yieldingly downward, a spring bearing upon said sleeve, and an operating member bearing upon said spring.

8. In a bottle-sealing apparatus, the combination of an operating member, a plunger arranged to reciprocate therein, a head on the lower end of said plunger, a spring arranged to be pressed downward by said operating member, a sleeve surrounding said plunger and between said spring and saidhead to transmit the pressure of said spring to said head, crimping members supported on said head, and means for positively forcing said crimping members inward.

9. In a bottle-sealing apparatus, the com bination of an operating member, a plunger arranged to reci rocate therein, a head on the lower end 0 said plunger, a spring ar ranged to be pressed downward by said operating member, a sleeve and a ring Q surrounding said plunger and between said spring and said head to transmit the pressure of said spring to said head, crimping members supported on said head, and means for positively forcing said crimping members inward.

10. In a bottle-sealing apparatus, com prising a plunger, a series of crimping mem-' bers associated therewith and means for first yieldingly pressing the crimping members inwardly and then positively pressing them in, to effect the crimping, substantially as described.

11. A bottle-sealing apparatus, comprising a plunger to rest on the cap onthe bottle, a series of crimping members supported thereby, and means for first yieldingly pressing the crimping members inwardly and then pressing them positively inwardly to eiIect the crimping, said means including a mem'- ber having a conical surface to operate the crimping members, substantially as described.

12. In combination, in a bottle-sealing apparatus, a plunger, a series of crimping members associated therewith, a s ring subjecting the said plunger to a yie ding pressure and an operating member inclosing said plunger and having its lower end provided with a conical interior to operate the said GEORGE H. GILLETTE.

WVitnesses DOMINGO A. USINA, FRED WHITE.

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