Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGRQUND OF THE INVENTIQN,
The instant invention relates generally to machines for
putting screw caps onto containers and more specifically it
relates to a cap disc clutch mechanism.
Numerous machines have been provided in prior art that
are adapted to put screw caps onto containers using rotating
cap tiglltening discs spinning in opposite directions on both
the front and rear of the cap simultaneously. This can often
create marring of the cap, excessive wear of the cap
tightening discs themselves and thirdly and most importantly,
an inconsistant tlghtening of caps from one container to
another. For example, U.S. patent numbered 3,905,177 is
illustrative of such prior art~ While these units may be
suitable for the particular purpose to which they address,
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they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present
invention as heretofore described.
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SUMMA~RY OF_THE INVENTION
A primary objeck of the present invention is to provide
a cap disc clutch mechanism that will overcome the
shortcomings of the prior art devices.
Another object is to provide a cap disc clutch mechanism
designed as a torque limiter that will eliminate the direct
drive mechanically used in the prior art devices, that will
sense the torque between a cap and neck of a container and
will allow the cap tightening discs to stop once the desired
torque is reached and at the same time, allow the spindle
shaft to still spin.
An additional object is to provide a cap disc clutch
mechanism that that is adjustable to different torques since
the torque required for caps and containers varies
conslderably depending upon cap material, cap liner material,
diameter of the cap, pitch~of the cap thread, ambient
temperature and general condltions at capping time,
temperature of product being~filled, etc.
A further object ~is to provide a cap~disc clutch
; 20 mechanism that~is simple and éasy to use and resets itself
automatically ~or subsequent~capping.
A~still further~object is to~provide a cap disc clutch
mechanlsm that is economical in cost to manufacture.
Further objects~of~the lnvention will appear as the
desoription proceeds.~
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To the accomplishment of the above and related objects/
this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact,
however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that
changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated
and described within ~he scope of the appended claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION_OF THE DRAWL~Ç~ g~
Figure 1 is a cross s~ctional view of the invention withthe bottle and cap in phantom.
Figure 2 is a top view taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1
through the drive shaft.
Figure 3 is a bottom view taken in direction of arrow 3
in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an exploded cross sectional view of the
outer plates, inner plates and:~frict~ion pads.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TbE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which
similar reference characters denote similar elements
throughout the several views, Figures 1 through 3 illustrates
a cap disc clutch mechanism 10. In use a pair of spaced apart
cap disc clutch mechanism 10 are provided in which each are
driven by a spindle shaft 12 on a capper machine (not shown),
so that both can act simultaneously, spinning in opposite
directions, for engaging a cap 14 and tightening the cap onto
a container 16 ~both shown in phantom in Figure 1).
Each of the cap disc:clutch mechanisms 10 consists of a
clutch hub I8 kayed at 20 onto the spindle shaft 12 which
prevents movement circumferentially between the hub 18 and the
shaft 12. A clutch spool 22 is attached to::bottom of the
spindle shaft 12 by a retaining washer 24 and clutch mounting
screw 26 while at the same time rotatable about the clutch hub
18 by a bushing 28 and retaining ring 30. A cap tightening ;~
disc 32 is disposed wlthin the spool 22 for engaging the cap
14. A plurality~:o springs 34 are: disposed~about and intc top
of the:spool 22. A plurality of torque pins 36 are disposed
about and lnto: the top of the spool 22. A friction plate
assembly:38~is disposed over the c1utch hub 18 to sit upon the
springs 3~4~and lS in engagement with the torque pins 36. An
adjusting nut~40 is threadable onto top portion of the clutch
hub 18 and bearab:le onto top of the~friction plate assembly 38
so that the~friction~plate assembly can provide torque to the
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torque pins 36 and into the spool 22. The adjusting nut 40
has a plurality of side apertures 42 therein. A clutch;
adjusting tool 44 is provided for engagement within one of the
side apertures 42 in the adjusting nut 40 for turning the
adjusting nut to change tension therebetween, thus varying
pressure from the clutch hub 18 through the friction plate
asse~bly 38 and onto the spool 22. Both of the cap disc
clutches 10 will sense the torque between the cap 14 and neck
of the container 16 and will allow the cap tightening discs 32
to stop once the desired torque is reached and at the same
time, allow the spindle shaft 12 to still spin.
The clutch spool 22 further lncludes a lower detachable
flange 46 so that the cap tightening disc 32 can be installed
into the clutch spool 22.~ A plurality of lower flange screws
48 are for securing the lower flange 46 onto upper portion 50
of the clutch spool 22 àfter the cap tightening disc 32 is
installed thereto.
The friction plate assembly 38 as best seen in Figure 4
includes a plurality of large plates 52, a plurality of large
plates 52, a plurality of large plates S2, a plurality of
small plates 54 and a plurality of friction~ pads 56. The
large~plates 52, the small~pIates 54 and the fr1ction pads 56
~are disposed over the~clutch hub 18 in a stacked relationship
in which generally~one of the small~plates 54 sits between two
of the frietion pads 56 and~one of the large plates 52 sits
; between two~of~ the frictlon pads 56.~ The large plates are in
engagement~wlth the torque~pins 36; ~80 as to provide better
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dissipation of heat due to friction therbekween from the
friction pads 56 and better distribution of pressure to the
torque pins 36.
While certain novel features of this invention have been
shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims,
it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions
and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated
and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the invention.
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