Spin-welding holder and loading apparatus

Claim 2

The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said radially movable means comprises a band having a tightenable loop and said operating means comprises a diaphragm connected with one end of the loop for drawing it tight around a part.

Claim 3

The combination defined in claim 3 wherein spring means normally biases said diaphragm in a direction to maintain said loop in radially expanded position.

Claim 4

The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said band is connected at one end to said holder and has an opposite end free from connection to said holder and connected with a diaphragm rod extending from said diaphragm.

Claim 5

The combination defined in claim 5 wherein means is provided for rotating the axially opposite holder in a direction of rotation such that if the same rotation were imparted to parts gripped by said band they would tend to cause the bands to more tightly grip the parts.

Claim 6

The combination defined in claim 2 wherein the parts received by the lower holders of each pair of holders have end wall portions; stationary vacuum duct means having a portion extending generally in the orbital path of said lower holders with vacuum ports in the lower face thereof generally in orbital alignment for supporting the end wall portions of said parts; means for transferring said parts, one behind the other, to said vacuum duct means; and means orbiting with each holder for engaging a part and moving it along said duct means into the orbital path of the holder and to a position of axial alignment therewith.

Claim 7

The combination defined in claim 2 wherein depressable support means for said upper parts are provided in the orbital path of said upper holders; and means is provided for transferring said upper parts to said depressable support means.

Claim 8

In apparatus for friction-welding thermoplastic container parts certain of which comprise cup-shaped parts with end wall portions, and the like, together: carrier means mounted for rotary movement; pairs of vertically aligned upper part and lower part holders on said carrier means disposed in axial alignment and mounted for relative axial movement to bring parts held in them from a remote position axially into engaging relationship for friction-welding; means for relatively moving said holders in a rotary path about their axes to create sufficient friction between said engaged parts to friction-weld them together; means for supplying said upper parts to certain of said holders; means for supplying said lower parts to axially opposite holders; the part received by the lower holder of each pair of holders being supplied in inversely disposed position; the means for supplying parts to said lower holders including orbitally stationary vacuum duct means having a portion extending generally in the orbital path of said lower holders with vacuum ports in the lower face thereof generally in orbital alignment fOr supporting the end wall portions of said parts; means for transferring said parts, one behind the other, to said vacuum duct means; and means orbiting with each lower holder for engaging a part and moving it along said duct means into the orbital path of the lower holder and to a position of axial alignment therewith.

Claim 9

The combination defined in claim 9 in which said latter means comprises a finger having a concave surface configured to receive a part and concentric with the lower holder, supported above each lower holder.

Claim 10

The combination defined in claim 9 in which star-wheel means delivers said parts to the duct means which is generally S-shaped and has its ports arranged generally in an S-pattern.

Claim 11

The combination defined in claim 11 in which one portion of said pattern is arranged along the orbital path of said star-wheel means and another is arranged along the orbital path of the lower holders for receiving the lower parts.

Claim 12

In apparatus for friction-welding thermoplastic container parts and the like together, where at least one of the parts has a wall portion to which suction holding force may be applied: carrier means mounting pairs of vertically aligned upper part and lower part holders in axial alignment for relative axial movement to bring parts held in them from a remote position axially into engaging relationship for friction-welding; means for relatively moving each pair of holders in a rotary path to create sufficient friction between said engaged parts to friction weld them together; means for moving the carrier means along a path of travel; means at a loading station adjacent said path of travel for supplying said upper parts to certain of said holders; means for also supplying said lower parts to axially opposite holders; the part, received by the lower holder of each pair of holders having the wall portion to which suction-holding force may be applied; the means for supplying parts to the lower holders including: stationary vacuum duct means having a portion extending generally in the path of said lower holders with vacuum ports in the lower portion thereof for supporting said wall portions of said parts; means for transferring said parts, one behind the other, to said vacuum duct means; and means moving with each lower holder for engaging a part and moving it along said duct means into the path of the lower holder and to a position of axial alignment therewith.

Claim 13

In apparatus for friction-welding thermoplastic container parts and the like together: carrier means mounted for movement in a path of travel; pairs of vertically aligned upper part and lower part holders on said carrier means disposed in axial alignment and mounted for relative axial movement to bring parts held in them from a remote position axially into engaging relationship for friction-welding; means for relatively moving said holders in a rotary path to create sufficient friction between said engaged parts to friction-weld them together; means for supplying said upper parts to certain of said holders; means for supplying said lower parts to axially opposite holders; stationary, generally vertically depressible support means for parts provided in the path of the upper holders to assist in moving the parts into the upper holders; and means for transferring parts to said depressible support means.

Claim 14

The combination defined in claim 14 in which said depressable support means comprises a pivotally supported roller platform; and spring means normally biases said platform to its raised position.

Claim 15

In apparatus for friction-welding thermoplastic container parts, some of which have axially extending ribs, and the like together: carrier means mounted for movement in a rotary path of travel; pairs of vertically aligned, orbiting upper part and lower part holders on said carrier means disposed in axial alignment and mounted for relative axial movement to bring parts held in them from a remote position axially into engaging relationship for friction-welding; means for relatively moving said holders in a rotary path to create sufficient friction between said engaged parts to friction-weld them together; means for supplying said upper parts to certain of said holders; certain of said holders comprising lower holders mounted for rotation relative to the upper holders and having axial grooves to receive the parts with ribs; drive means in the path of said lower holders for revolving them to perform the friction-welding operation; means for supplying said lower parts to axially opposite holders; and radially projecting abutment means disposed between said latter means and drive means in the orbital path of said lower holders to extend radially into their path at the time parts are released by said means for supplying parts to impart a rotary jog to the holders and cause the parts to be received by the lower holders with an interfitting rib and groove relationship.

Claim 16

The combination defined in claim 16 wherein said lower holders comprise mandrels over which container parts are received; said mandrels having suction chambers and ports leading from said chambers through said mandrels to vacuum clamp the parts to said mandrels.

Claim 17

In apparatus for friction-welding thermoplastic container parts and the like together: carrier means mounted for movement in generally rotary path; pairs of vertically aligned lower part holders on said carrier means disposed in axial alignment and mounted for relative axial movement to bring parts held in them from a remote position axially into engaging relationship for friction-welding; means for relatively moving said holders in a rotary path to create sufficient friction between said engaged parts to friction-weld them together; means for supplying upper parts to certain of said holders and lower parts to axially opposite holders; orbitally stationary support means at a loading station adjacent said path of movement having a portion extending generally into the orbital path of said holders between the orbital path of the upper and lower holders for supporting parts; means for transferring parts, one behind the other, to said support means; and positioning finger means orbiting with each holder which receives a part from said support means engaging a part on said support means and moving it along said duct means into the orbital path of the holder and to a position of axial alignment therewith.