Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
211886 ~
M~Tt'~ FOR 8BCURING O-RING8 TO CAP8
FIELD OF THE lNv~ lON
The present invention relates to a machine for
securing O-rings to caps, either interiorly in cases
where the cap has a bore, or exteriorly in cases where
the cap has a neck portion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Present machines for inserting O-rings onto or
into caps operate with pneumatic or hydraulic systems.
However, because it is difficult to achieve high
synchronization of pistons used in such systems, the
speed at which the process of placing O-rings on or in
caps must be maintained at a relatively slow pace.
OBJECT8 AND 8TATENENT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to
provide a machine which overcomes the above problems and
which permits a much higher rate of ring installation.
This is achieved by providing a machine which
is entirely mechanical, none of the components co-
operating to install the O-rings into and onto the caps
being pneumatically or hydraulically operated; hence,
synchronization is much easier to obtain than that
presently used.
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The present invention therefore relates to a
machine for securing O-rings to caps which comprises:
a support structure;
a first station fixedly mounted to the support
structure and including means for serially receiving and
displacing caps to a first dispensing area and means for
serially receiving and displacing O-rings to a second
dispensing area;
a second station fixedly mounted to the support
structure and spaced horizontally from the first station
and including means for serially receiving and displacing
caps having O-rings secured thereto;
a third station disposed between the first and
second stations and being movable to and fro between the
5 first and second stations;
cap engaging means mounted on the movable
station;
O-ring engaging means mounted on the movable
station and disposed in vertical alignment with the cap
0 engaging means;
means on the movable station causing a vertical
displacement of the cap engaging means and of the O-ring
engaging means during a complete to and fro horizontal
displacement of the movable station whereby the cap
engaging means and the O-ring engaging means are caused
to define a circular trajectory including a common
tangential travel;
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means for causing a transfer of an O-ring from
the O-ring engaging means onto the cap during the
tangential travel;
first holding means in the first dispensing
area of the first station allowing the cap engaging means
to engage a cap;
second holding means in the second dispensing
area of the first station allowing the ring to be
deposited on the O-ring engaging means; and
means on the second station allowing a cap with
O-ring thereon to be deposited in the receiving and
dispensing means after the common tangential travel.
In one form of the invention, the O-rings
engaging means are removably mounted from the movable
station so that first and second embodiments may be used
alternatively with the remaining components of the
machine.
In the first embodiment, the O-ring engaging
means are equipped with means for engaging interiorly the
O-rings and stretching them outwardly so that they be
fitted exteriorly onto a cap.
In the second embodiment of the invention, the
O-rings engaging means are so constructed as to insert
the O-ring interiorly within the bore of the cap.
21188~1
Other objects and further scope of
applicability of the present invention will become
apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
It should be understood, however, that this detailed
S description, while indicating preferred embodiments of
the invention, is given by way of illustration only,
since various changes and modifications within the spirit
and scope of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art.
IN THE DR~WING8
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a
machine made in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof;
Figure 3 is an enlarged front elevational view
of the movable station and parts of the two fixed
stations of a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4 is a view similar to figure 3 showing
the movable station in the position of placing a O-ring
onto a cap;
Figure 5 is an enlarged elevation, partly
cross-sectional showing the cap holding means and the O-
ring engaging means;
Figure 6 is a view similar to figure 5 showing
the O-ring prior to being placed onto the cap;
Figure 7 is an enlarged elevation showing the
O-ring after insertion on the cap;
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Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along
lines 8-8 of figure 7;
Figure 9 is an elevational schematic view
showing the circular trajectory of the cap engaging means
and the 0-ring engaging means of the first embodiment;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the
cap engaging means and the 0-ring engaging means of the
first embodiment;
Figure 11 is a view similar to figure 4 showing
a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view
showing the top portion of the 0-ring engaging means
illustrated in figure 11;
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the
position of the 0-ring engaging means prior to insertion
of the 0-ring into the bore of a cap;
Figure 14 is a view similar to figure 13 but at
90 from the position shown;
Figure 15, which is shown on the same sheet as
figure 9, is a view similar to figure 9 but showing the
circular trajectory for the second embodiment of the
invention; and
Figure 16, which is shown on the same sheet as
figure 10, shows the 0-ring engaging means of the second
embodiment of the present invention.
2118861
DE8CRIPTION OF PREFERRED ENBODINENT8
Referring to figures 1 and 2, the machine of
the present invention, generally denoted 10, is supported
on a frame 12 mounted on a base 14. The machine
comprises three main stations, consisting of oppositely
disposed stations 16 and 18 which are fixedly mounted to
the frame 12 and a station 20 movably disposed between
the two fixed stations 16 and 18. Upper and lower rods
22 and 24 are mounted to and horizontally extend between
stations 16 and 18 allowing station 20 to move
horizontally to and fro between stations 16 and 18.
Referring also to figure 3, the first fixed
station 16 comprises an horizontally extending rail
structure 17 which is adapted to receive and displace
horizontally caps 26 onto which O-rings have been secured
while the second fixed station 18 comprises upper and
lower horizontal rail structures 28 and 30 which are
adapted to respectively receive the caps 26 and the O-
rings 32. Structures 16, 28 and 30 are not essential
parts of the present invention; hence, a detailed
description of their construction is not deemed
necessary. The principal purpose of these rail
structures is to channel caps, O-rings or caps with O-
rings to a desired station, as may be seen in figure 4.
A pair of arms 34 and 36 pivotally mounted at 38 and 40,
respectively, are used to allow or prevent the horizontal
2I1~86 ~
displacement of the caps 26 and the 0-rings 32 in the
directions indicated by arrows 42 and 44, respectively.
As shown in figures 5 and 6, a pair of
pivotally mounted cap retaining clamps 46 and 48 is
displayed at the innermost end of the structure 28 while
a pair of pivotally mounted 0-ring retaining clamps 50
and 52 is displayed at the innermost end of the rail
structure 30. Clamps 46 and 48 pivot about respective
hinge axes 54 and 56 while clamps 50 and 52 pivot about
respective hinge axes 58 and 60. Also, seen in figure 6,
clamps 46 and 48 include oppositely facing cap retaining
seats 62 and 64 while clamps 50 and 52 include oppositely
facing jaws 66 and 68 to hold an 0-ring 32. Clamps 46
and 48 further include rollers 70 and 72 which are
adapted to rollingly contact a rod 74 forming part of a
cap engaging means 75 which, in turn, forms part of the
upper part of the movable station 20 (as detailed
hereinbelow). Means, generally denoted 76, are mounted
to the lower part of the movable station 20 to seize the
0-ring 32 from the clamps 50 and 52 (also as detailed
hereinbelow).
Reverting to figures 3 and 4, the movable
station 20 comprises a main chassis 78 with upper and
lower horizontal extensions 80 and 82 in the direction of
the fixed station 18. The chassis 78 displays a
vertically extending slot 84 with opposite guide rails 86
,- - 8 - 211~
and 88 in which is engaged a pair of roller guides 90 and
92 to which is secured vertical shaft 94, 96
respectively. These guides are and rotatably mounted to
circular disks 98, 100 which, in turn, are rotatable
about shafts 102, 104 respectively. These shafts are
driven by a motor 106 (figure 1) via a belt 107 and a
clutch device 108 (figure 2). As seen in figure 2, the
two shafts 102 and 104 are interconnected by means of a
pair of gears 110 and 112 which provide them with
rotations of opposite direction as indicated by arrows
111 and 113 (see figure 3). The rotation of disks 98 and
100 causes the horizontal displacement of the movable
station 20 (see arrow 114) as well as the vertical
displacements of the shafts 94 and 96 (see arrows 95 and
97) as a result of the guide rollers 90 and 92 engaged in
the guide rails 86 and 88.
Referring to the schematic representation of
figure 9, the circular trajectories 111, 113 of guides 90
and 92 cause similar circular trajectories 154, 156 of
the cap engaging means 75 and of the 0-ring engaging
means 76; this is accomplished via a pair of links 116,
118 connecting the rods 94, 96 to the cap engaging means
75 and the 0-ring engaging means 76.
The machine illustrated in figures 1-10 is
adapted for placing 0-rings onto the neck portion of a
cap while figures 11-16 illustrate a second embodiment
2ll886~
whereby the machine is adapted for inserting an O-ring
inside the neck portion of a cap. Both embodiments are
achieved by simply replacing the 0-ring engaging means
which differ from one embodiment to the other. However,
in both embodiments, the cap is provided with a bore in
its upper part so as to receive therein the lower end 166
of the rod 74.
Whenever it is wished to place an 0-ring onto
the neck portion of a cap, the means 76, illustrated more
particularly in figures 5-10, will be mounted to the
movable station of the machine.
Referring to figure 5, means 76 comprise a
sleeve member 130 in which is mounted a series of
circumferentially spaced fingers 132, each pivotally
mounted at 134. The upper extremity 136 of each finger
is radially moved inwardly and outwardly as a result of
the vertical displacement of the lower part of the finger
within the bore of sleeve 130 which is shaped with
sloping faces 142, the latter being contacted by the
lower extremity 138 of the finger when vertically
displaced by the central stem 140. Hence, where the
upper extremities 136 are in their innermost radial
position, they extend through the O-ring 32 and, as the
extremities 138 contact the surfaces 142, they outwardly
and radially stretch the 0-ring such as shown by the
2118g~ 1
-- 10 --
dotted lines. Simultaneously, a series of
circumferentially spaced elements 144 located between the
finger extremities 136 contact the lower edge of the jaw
portions 66 and 68 of the clamps causing them to pivot
outwardly about axes 58 and 60. These jaw portions then
remain in contact with the outside wall of the fingers
such as shown in figure 6. In this latter figure, the
finger extremities 136 are shown extending beyond the
threaded neck portion 26a of the cap, but slightly lower
than the lower edge of the cap head portion 26b.
Although not shown, springs are used to return the clamps
50 and 52 to their original position afterwards.
Referring to figures 7 and 8, the continuous
upward movement of shaft 140 causes the raising of a
series of the circumferentially spaced pushing elements
144 displacing the 0-ring 32 off the fingers 136 until it
snaps into place under the cap head 26b.
As can be seen in figure 9, the circular
trajectories of guides 90 and 92 in the directions
indicated by arrows 111 and 113 are transmitted through
links 116, 118 to the engaging means 75 and 76 as
indicated by arrows 154, 156. Because of the vertical
alignment of these engaging means, there is a common
tangential trajectory. However, such trajectory is
flattened to an horizontal line during the 0-ring
transfer onto the cap; these horizontal trajectories are
-- - 11- 2ll~8fi
indicated by dotted line portions 158 and 160. Referring
also to figure 10, this horizontal segment of each
circular trajectory is permitted by the action of springs
162 and 164 which are compressed during this segmental
travel. During the 0-ring transfer operation, a cap
frictionally engaged to the extremity 166 of rod 74 will
contact the upper extremity of the 0-ring engaging means
76 prior to the above mentioned tangential point; they
remain in contact horizontally under the action of their
respective springs 162, 164, which are compressed in a
direction away from the contact point.
As can be seen in figure 10, the cap engaging
means 75 comprise a holding member 168 secured to the
link 116 and in which is housed the spring 162 acting on
the vertically moving rod 74. Similarly, the 0-ring
engaging means 76 includes the spring 164 which acts
against the inner sleeve member 165 onto which are
mounted the pushing elements 144.
Rod 74 is movable within the sleeve member 168
(as indicated by arrow 172 in figure 5) which, in turn,
is movable vertically (as indicated by arrows 173 in
figure 6). As the sleeve 168 is lowered, it contacts the
guide rolls 70 and 72 causing the pivotal movement of the
cap engaging clamps 46 and 48 about their pivot points 54
and 56. Although not shown, springs are used to return
211~g6~
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the clamps 46 and 48 to return to their original position
afterwards.
Figures 11-18 pertains to a machine according
to the present invention when embodied to insert an O-
ring within a cap. The entire machine described abovewith reference to figures 1-10 is not altered when
embodying this second embodiment with the exception that
the cap engaging means 76 of figures 1-10 are replaced by
a modified cap engaging means, generally denoted 200.
10Referring to figure 11, the cap engaging means
200 comprise two separate parts: a funnel shaped member,
generally denoted 202, and an O-ring engaging assembly
204. The cap 206 used with the present embodiment is
constructed (see figure 13) with a lower inner threaded
15bore 206a and an upper bore 206b into which frictionally
fits the lower extremity 166 of the vertical rod 74 of
cap engaging means 75.
The funnel member 202 is supported on a bracket
208 secured by means of fastening elements 210, 212 to
the chassis 78 of the movable station 20.
Referring to figures 13 and 14, the funnel 202
comprises a cylindrical portion 214, the inner bore of
which has a portion defined by inwardly inclined faces
216, a top annular face 218 on which rests the lower
2118861
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peripheral edge of the cap and a bottom face 219, the
function of which will be described hereinbelow.
The 0-ring inserting means 204 is adapted to
insert an O-ring 220 into the bore 206a of the cap.
Referring to figure 12, it comprises a hollow cylindrical
part 222 having a series of upper extensions 224, 226,
228 and 230 projecting vertically from the upper edge 232
thereof. Within member 222, a cylindrical member 234 is
vertically displaceable and includes, at its upper end,
10 a pair of half-cone shaped elements 236, 238. Between
these elements 236 and 238 extends a rectangular plate
member 240 which is vertically displaceable.
As can be seen in figures 12 and 16, plate 240
is slidably received within the cylindrical member 234
15 and between the cone-shaped elements 236 and 238. This
plate may be pushed downwards at the level of the top
face 234' of the cylindrical member 234 during the 0-ring
transfer operation against the action of a spring 250
which has its lower end bearing against the vertical
20 support 252. This spring serves to return elements 236,
238 and 240 upwards after the O-ring transfer operation
is completed.
Figures 12 and 14 illustrate the insertion of
the 0-ring 220 within the bore 206a of the cap. The
inner inclined faces 216 of the funnel member bend the 0-
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ring in the shape illustrated in figure 12. As elements
226 and 230 reach inside the funnel member and contact
the lower edges of the inner inclined walls 216, elements
224 and 228 continue upwards and penetrate slots (not
shown) in walls 216. The cylindrical member 234 further
continues upwards pushing the 0-ring by the upper edges
of the inclined walls 216 to thereafter locate it
properly against the top face 254 of the bore of the cap
as illustrated in figure 11.
In figure 15, the dotted lines 256 indicate the
circular trajectory of the 0-ring engaging means 204 as
well as that of the funnel 202. As in the first
embodiment illustrated in figures 1-11, there is also
provided in this second embodiment a common tangential
travel during which the cap transferring elements are
maintained in a horizontal direction allowed by the
action of spring 250.
For both embodiments illustrated in the
drawings, the movable station 20, after the 0-ring
transfer operation to the cap, moves towards an entry 260
(see figures 3 and 11) of the rail structure 16. These
caps are moved horizontally until they drop into a
collecting bin (not shown).
Although the invention has been described above
in relation to two specific forms, it will be evident to
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a person skilled in the art that it may be modified and
refined in various ways. It is therefore wished to have
it understood that the present invention should not be
limited in scope, except by the terms of the following
claims.
