US3752294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cap sorting apparatus
Assignee: OI Glass Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-08
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1992-06-08
Abstract
Abstract An improved wheel-type sorter for magnetic and nonmagnetic skirted closure caps. A hollow cap transfer disk is rotated by a rim drive system. The transfer disk is mounted in facing relationship with an annular, bell-shaped support member. A series of orifices in the periphery of the face of the transfer disk facing the support member are connected to a source of vacuum. Caps to be sorted are fed through the support member and are adhered on the transfer disk, in substantially single file, near the bottom of the transfer disk''s path of travel by the effect of the vacuum present at the orifices. The caps so adhered are rotated upwardly as the disk moves to a sorting zone. A guide member just prior to the sorting zone positions caps for accurate discrimination in the sorting zone. A rotating wheel in advance of the guide member deflects slightly misaligned caps into contact with the guide member. In the sorting zone, a discriminating finger accepts caps which have their interior facing the transfer disk and rejects caps having their interior facing away from the disk. Finally, outlet guide rails guide accepted caps away from the influence of the vacuum in the orifices and deliver the caps in single file to a capping process.
Inventors
- 👤 S Harmon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:07
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G47/1478; B65G47/1485; B67; B67B; B67B3/00; B67B3/02; B67B3/06; B67B3/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
Apparatus for sorting skirted closure caps comprising, in combination: a hollow cap transfer disk mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, said disk containing a plurality of peripherally arranged orifices on one exterior face of said disk and communicating with the interior of said disk; means connected to the interior of said disk for producing subatmospheric pressure within said disk; means adjacent the lower portion of said disk and said peripheral orifices for directing caps to an on-edge, single-file alignment along the peripheral portion of said disk to allow said directed caps to be held to said disk under the influence of said subatmospheric pressure; means for supplying caps to said directing means; means for rotating said disk to thereby move caps held thereon successively to a sorting zone adjacent the upper portion of said disk; cap guiding means extending into said sorting zone for posItively positioning caps at a pre-selected radial distance from said horizontal axis as the caps enter said sorting zone; continuously rotating means in advance of said guiding means for deflecting slightly misaligned caps into contact with said guiding means; discriminating means in said sorting zone for accepting caps having the interior thereof facing said disk and rejecting caps having the interior thereof facing away from said disk; and outlet means at the exit end of said sorting zone for guiding accepted caps in single file from the influence of said subatmospheric pressure in said disk.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
Apparatus for sorting skirted closure caps comprising, in combination: a hollow cap transfer disk mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, said disk containing a plurality of peripherally arranged orifices on one exterior face of said disk and communicating with the interior of said disk; means connected to the interior of said disk for producing subatmospheric pressure within said disk; means adjacent the lower portion of said disk and said peripheral orifices for directing caps to an on-edge, single-file alignment along the peripheral portion of said disk to allow said directed caps to be held to said disk under the influence of said subatmospheric pressure; means for supplying caps to said directing means; means for rotating said disk to thereby move caps held thereon successively to a sorting zone adjacent the upper portion of said disk; cap guiding means extending into said sorting zone for posItively positioning caps at a pre-selected radial distance from said horizontal axis as the caps enter said sorting zone; continuously rotating means in advance of said guiding means for deflecting slightly misaligned caps into contact with said guiding means; discriminating means in said sorting zone for accepting caps having the interior thereof facing said disk and rejecting caps having the interior thereof facing away from said disk; and outlet means at the exit end of said sorting zone for guiding accepted caps in single file from the influence of said subatmospheric pressure in said disk.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for producing subatmospheric pressure comprises a supporting member having passages formed therein; a hollow cross-beam carried by said supporting member; means for connecting said passages to the interior of said hollow crossbeam; a shaft mounted on said crossbeam for rotatably supporting said transfer disk intermediate said crossbeam and said supporting member, said shaft having channels communicating with the interior of said transfer disk and the interior of said crossbeam; and a vacuum source connected to the passages of said supporting member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said supporting member comprises a substantially bell-shaped, annular member with the flared end thereof positioned adjacent the fae of said transfer disk containing said orifices; and wherein said means for supplying caps includes a cap holding hopper connected to the end of said supporting member opposite said flared end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further including means for adjusting the distance between the flared end of said supporting member and said transfer disk.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means for adjusting the distance between the flared end of said supporting member and said transfer disk comprises means for axially adjusting said shaft relative to said crossbeam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further including a hinge member attached to said supporting member for pivotally mounting said crossbeam, and a latch for releasably securing said crossbeam in position relative to said supporting member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further including a substantially conical rejected cap deflector positioned centrally on said transfer disk facing said flared end of said supporting member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including a plurality of substantially J-shaped agitators mounted on the orifice containing face of said transfer disk for tumbling caps preparatory to their assuming on-edge positions on said disk.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said outlet means includes a sweep rail for removing from said disk and guiding to a discharge point those caps having their closed side facing said discriminating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said discriminating means comprises a vertically downwardly extending finger spaced horizontally from said transfer disk a distance in excess of the axial depth of said caps being sorted, a tip portion at the lower end of said finger disposed at an angle for projection into the open side of a cap, and means for yieldably urging said tip portion to a position for entry into a cap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cap guiding means includes a guide member having a convex arcuate upper surface radially, inwardly spaced from the peripheral path of movement of the caps moved by said disk, said guide member having its'' forward end extending into said sorting zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said guide member further includes a first concave arcuate portion extending from the forward end of said guide member generally downwardly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said guide member further includes a second concave arcuate portion extending upwardly from the end of said guide member adjacent said continuously rotating means and intersecting said first concave arcuate portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3318434A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |