US3589103A — Machines for unscrewing caps or stoppers from con…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 243 words

Machine for unscrewing caps or stoppers from containers, characterized in that it comprises a plate for carrying heads and mounted, in two guides, in a manner enabling it to be vertically displaced, in which head carrier are mounted a number of working heads which, when the machine is operating, are simultaneously applied to the tops of all the containers in a packing case, without the need for removing the containers from the case, so as to disconnect the caps or stoppers therefrom, which heads each comprise a centering sleeve for facilitating their fitting to the stopper or cap, punch means located in the base of an extractor cup, open at the bottom, for attaching said stoppers or caps firmly to a mechanically actuated rotating shaft, which is contained in the interior of each head, and ejection means in the form of a longitudinally displaceable rod adapted to eject the cap or stopper when separated from the container, the machine also comprising a tray for receiving the caps or stoppers and automatically positioned below the heads when the head carrier is in its highest position, and, in the vertical guides, a hydraulic or pneumatic distributor means which correlates the movements of all the elements mentioned, actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic means, as well as automatic means for controlling the distribution of fluids, and a device for locating the paCking cases in which the containers are located in a position in register with the heads.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 243 words

Machine for unscrewing caps or stoppers from containers, characterized in that it comprises a plate for carrying heads and mounted, in two guides, in a manner enabling it to be vertically displaced, in which head carrier are mounted a number of working heads which, when the machine is operating, are simultaneously applied to the tops of all the containers in a packing case, without the need for removing the containers from the case, so as to disconnect the caps or stoppers therefrom, which heads each comprise a centering sleeve for facilitating their fitting to the stopper or cap, punch means located in the base of an extractor cup, open at the bottom, for attaching said stoppers or caps firmly to a mechanically actuated rotating shaft, which is contained in the interior of each head, and ejection means in the form of a longitudinally displaceable rod adapted to eject the cap or stopper when separated from the container, the machine also comprising a tray for receiving the caps or stoppers and automatically positioned below the heads when the head carrier is in its highest position, and, in the vertical guides, a hydraulic or pneumatic distributor means which correlates the movements of all the elements mentioned, actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic means, as well as automatic means for controlling the distribution of fluids, and a device for locating the paCking cases in which the containers are located in a position in register with the heads.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the head carrier, mounted in vertical guides, is connected to the piston rod of a vertical pneumatic cylinder which moves the head carrier from a top position to the operating position and vice versa.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 52 words

Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, integral with the shaft of each head, is a pinion which meshes with a horizontal transversely positioned rack which engages the pinion of each of all the heads in a row so that the rotary movements of said shafts and punches take place simultaneously.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 77 words

Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the shafts of the heads, fitted with punch means, each have at their extremities a screw-threaded part linked to a control screw fixed in the upper part of each head in such manner that when said shafts rotate, an upward or downward displacement also takes place which enables the cap or stopper to be moved away from or towards the container, according to the pitch of their screw-threaded link.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 83 words

Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that each rack for actuating the shafts of the heads is connected to the piston rod of a horizontal pneumatic cylinder which automatically operates when its circuit is connected to the distributor means fitted in the guides of the head carrier and moving therewith, there being as many pneumatic cylinders as there are rows of heads in the head carrier, said pneumatic cylinders being connected to a common fluid supply pipe whereby they are simultaneously actuated.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 61 words

Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the shaft of each head is tubular and houses and acts as a guide for a rod actuated by a pneumatic means in a movement coordinated by the distributor means located in the guides of the head carrier, which rod, when downwardly displaced, ejects the cap or stopper held by the punch means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 48 words

Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a tray for collecting the ejected stoppers or caps, which tray, when the head carrier reaches its highest position, is automatically located below the centering sleeves, moved by the distributor means of the guides of the head carrier.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 78 words

Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the guides for the linear vertical movement contain appropriately disposed orifices and passages for compressed air, so that, depending upon the position of the head carrier, the remaining movable elements are actuated in a coordinated manner when the pneumatic circuit for feeding the actuating elements is established through said distributor elements and in such manner that incorrect movements cannot occur since each of the movements depends upon the foregoing one.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 106 words

Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the extractor cup, which carries the punch means, can rotate eccentrically relatively to the axis of the shaft of the head, by means of a sliding link constituted by an intermediate part which consists of a vertical cylinder of relatively small length, in the upper and lower faces of which are diametral grooves of T-shaped cross section, these being opposed and forming an angle of 90* with each other and in which can move slides of complementary form to that of the grooves and solidly connected respectively to the shaft of the head and to the extractor cup.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 66 words

Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the centering sleeve surrounds the lower cylindrical part of the body of the head and is telescopically slidable thereover, a spring being held between the sleeve and the body of the head, which spring biases these parts away from each other and is compressed when they move downwards, to suit possible variations in the height of the bottles.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 80 words

Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the centering sleeve contains in its lower inner portion a stop spring, fixed at its upper end to said sleeve and carrying at its Lower end a stop ring which comes into contact with the base of the neck of the container and is compressed when the head descends, applying force to the spring, and is extended when the head moves upwards, the container being pressed downwards and prevented from being lifted.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 35 words

Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the centering sleeve contains a window facing the operator and enabling him to introduce his fingers to remove any fragments that may become separated from the stopper.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 28 words

Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the punch means consist of at least two rods of different length to enable the pressure to be applied progressively.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the extractor cup incorporates a bowed spring which embraces the stopper and prevents it from falling, so that it may be ejected at the appropriate moment.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 150 words

Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it incorporates a pneumatic or hydraulic system which starts and stops the machine automatically upon commencement and completion of each working cycle, which system comprises: a receiving table; a stop for locating the packing case and situated on the receiving table; an actuating fluid distributing valve positioned below the receiving table and actuated by the above-mentioned locating stop when this is pushed by the said packing case, which distributing valve starts up the various elements of the machine, initiating the working cycle, by way of said distributor means; a pnuematic or hydraulic cylinder which contains a piston, the rod of which is connected to said locating stop and which is actuated upon completion of the working cycle so as to retract said locating stop, thereby releasing the packing case and permitting it to act upon the distributor valve, so stopping the machine.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-06-28	1974-12-28	1975-06-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-06-28	1978-12-28	1979-06-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-06-28	1982-12-28	1983-06-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Machines for unscrewing caps or stoppers from containers

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