US3766851A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous can printer and handling apparatus
Assignee: Chromalloy Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-15
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A continuous can printer is constructed with a worm and starwheel type input conveyor which delivers undecorated cans to cradles mounted along the periphery of a rotating carrier. The loaded cradles move axially to transfer the cans to horizontal spindles mounted on the same carrier and thereafter suction is applied to firmly seat cans on the spindles. The loaded spindles are positively controlled for radial movement whereby improperly loaded cans are positioned for ejection and properly loaded cans are positioned to engage the image transfer blanket of a printing unit, thereafter engage the applicator roll of an overvarnish unit, and then be transferred to a suction cup on a rotating wheel-type carrier of a transfer unit through the application of high pressure air at the spindle and the application of a vacuum at the suction cup. Controlled radial movement of the suction cups matches speed and path of movement thereof at a transfer region to the speed and path of pins on a conveyor chain that extends through a curing oven. At the transfer region the conveyor chain moves along an inclined path while the transfer carrier rotates on a horizontal axis so that in the transfer region the conveyor pins move toward the transfer carrier to enter cans carried by the suction cups. In the transfer region controlled axial movement of the suction cups gradually displaces them toward the conveyor pins. At the outfeed end of the transfer region each conveyor pin is entered well into a can and this can falls free of its holding suction cup when the vacuum thereat is released.
Inventors
- 👤 E Sirvet
- 👤 J Skrypek
- 👤 E Whelan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:55
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F17/00; B41F17/08; B41F17/14; B41F17/20; B41F17/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for decorating tubular articles including infeed conveyor means; continuously rotatable loading means which receives undecorated articles from said infeed conveyor means; a plurality of support elements to receive undecorated articles from said loading means and continuously rotatable carrier means supporting said elements in a generally circular array; decorating means operatively disposed to apply decorations to undecorated articles carried by said support elements; transfer means to receive decorated articles from said support elements; output conveyor means to receive decorated articles from said transfer means; said loading means including a plurality of cradles disposed in a generally circular array with each of said cradles receiving individual undecorated articles for each revolution of said loading means; cradle moving means for imparting axial movement in sequence to said cradles to transfer undecorated articles from said cradles to said support elements; and an individual deflectable means mounted to each of said cradles on the end thereof remote from said carrier means which is deflectable so as not to force loading of deflective articles onto said support elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for decorating tubular articles including infeed conveyor means; continuously rotatable loading means which receives undecorated articles from said infeed conveyor means; a plurality of support elements to receive undecorated articles from said loading means and continuously rotatable carrier means supporting said elements in a generally circular array; decorating means operatively disposed to apply decorations to undecorated articles carried by said support elements; transfer means to receive decorated articles from said support elements; output conveyor means to receive decorated articles from said transfer means; said loading means including a plurality of cradles disposed in a generally circular array with each of said cradles receiving individual undecorated articles for each revolution of said loading means; cradle moving means for imparting axial movement in sequence to said cradles to transfer undecorated articles from said cradles to said support elements; and an individual deflectable means mounted to each of said cradles on the end thereof remote from said carrier means which is deflectable so as not to force loading of deflective articles onto said support elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the transfer means includes a continuously operated conveyor; said output conveyor means including a plurality of carrying elements which enter into and thereby receive decorated articles from said transfer means at a transfer region; means defining a path for said output conveyor means such that in said transfer region said carrying elements move toward said transfer means in a first plane angularly disposed with respect to a second plane wherein said continuously operating conveyor moves; said carrying elements extending transverse to said first plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 also including a suction source and pressure source, and valving means for connecting the respective sources to each of said support elements at predetermined angular positions thereof; said valving means including cooperating relatively stationary and relatively movable sections in abutting relationship at an interface plane disposed generally at right angles to the rotational axis for said carrier means; said relatively movable section being connected with said rotatable carrier means for rotation in unison therewith; said stationary and movable sections being located relatively close to said axis whereby speed of relative movement between said sections is not excessive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said valving means is enclosed for all angular positions of said carrier means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for decorating tubular articles including infeed conveyor means; continuously rotatable loading means which receives undecorated articles from said infeed conveyor means; a plurality of support elements to receive undecorated articles from said loading means and continuously rotatable carrier means supporting said elements in a generally circular array; decorating means operatively disposed to apply decorations to undecorated articles carried by said support elements; transfer means to receive decorated articles from said support elements; output conveyor means to receive decorated articles from said transfer means; said loading means including a plurality of cradles disposed in a generally circular array with each of said cradles receiving individual undecorated articles as said loading means rotates; said transfer means including a continuously operating conveyor; said output conveyor means including a plurality of carrying elements which eNter into and thereby receive decorated articles from said transfer means at a transfer region; means defining a path for said output conveyor means such that in said transfer region said carrying elements move toward said transfer means in a first plane angularly disposed with respect to a second plane wherein said continuously operating conveyor moves; said carrying elements extending transverse to said first plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for decorating tubular articles including infeed conveyor means; continuously rotatable loading means which receives undecorated articles from said infeed conveyor means; a plurality of support elements to receive undecorated articles from said loading means and continuously rotatable carrier means supporting said elements in a generally circular array; decorating means operatively disposed to apply decorations to undecorated articles carried by said support elements; transfer means to receive decorated articles from said support elements; output conveyor means to receive decorated articles from said transfer means; said loading means including a plurality of cradles disposed in a generally circular array with each of said cradles receiving individual undecorated articles as said loading means rotates; said transfer means including a continuously operating conveyor; said output conveyor means including a plurality of carrying elements which eNter into and thereby receive decorated articles from said transfer means at a transfer region; means defining a path for said output conveyor means such that in said transfer region said carrying elements move toward said transfer means in a first plane angularly disposed with respect to a second plane wherein said continuously operating conveyor moves; said carrying elements extending transverse to said first plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said transfer means includes a plurality of holding means and means active in said transfer region to move said holding means axially toward said output conveyor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which there is a wheel-type structure constituting the conveyor of said transfer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said transfer means includes a plurality of holding means employing suction forces to hold decorated articles, with final transfer of articles from said holding means to said support elements resulting solely from discontinuance of said suction forces after said carrying elements are entered a substantial way into articles being held by said holding means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which support elements do not contact articles while the latter are being held by said holding means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 also including means active in said transfer region to move said holding means axially toward said output conveyor means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
243 words
Apparatus for decorating tubular articles including infeed conveyor means; continuously rotatable loading means which receives undecorated articles from said infeed conveyor means; a plurality of support elements to receive undecorated articles from said loading means and continuously rotatable carrier means supporting said elements in a generally circular array; decorating means operatively disposed to apply decorations to undecorated articles carried by said support elements; transfer means to receive decorated articles from said support elements; output conveyor means to receive decorated articles from said transfer means; said loading means including a plurality of cradles disposed in a generally circular array, with each of said cradles receiving individual undecorated articles for each revolution of said loading means; said transfer means including a continuously operating conveyor; said output conveyor means including a plurality of carrying elements which enter into and thereby receive decorated articles from said transfer means at a transfer region; a plurality of holding means carried by said continuously operating conveyor; means active in said transfer region to effect convergence of said holding means and said output conveyor means by directing movement of said carrying elements transverse to a plane in which said continuously operating conveyor moves; said holding means employing suction forces to hold decorated articles, with final transfer of articles from said holding means to said support elements resulting solely from discontinuance of said suction forces after said carrying elements are entered a substantial way into articles being held by said holding means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
243 words
Apparatus for decorating tubular articles including infeed conveyor means; continuously rotatable loading means which receives undecorated articles from said infeed conveyor means; a plurality of support elements to receive undecorated articles from said loading means and continuously rotatable carrier means supporting said elements in a generally circular array; decorating means operatively disposed to apply decorations to undecorated articles carried by said support elements; transfer means to receive decorated articles from said support elements; output conveyor means to receive decorated articles from said transfer means; said loading means including a plurality of cradles disposed in a generally circular array, with each of said cradles receiving individual undecorated articles for each revolution of said loading means; said transfer means including a continuously operating conveyor; said output conveyor means including a plurality of carrying elements which enter into and thereby receive decorated articles from said transfer means at a transfer region; a plurality of holding means carried by said continuously operating conveyor; means active in said transfer region to effect convergence of said holding means and said output conveyor means by directing movement of said carrying elements transverse to a plane in which said continuously operating conveyor moves; said holding means employing suction forces to hold decorated articles, with final transfer of articles from said holding means to said support elements resulting solely from discontinuance of said suction forces after said carrying elements are entered a substantial way into articles being held by said holding means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 in which support elements do not contact articles while the latter are being held by said holding means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |