U.S. patent application number 09/741500 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-07 for process for can delivery and removal at a textile machine.
Invention is credited to Kovacs, Otmar, Peter, Carsten, Ueding, Michael.
Application Number | 20010002503 09/741500 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7866316 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010002503 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ueding, Michael ; et
al. |
June 7, 2001 |
Process for can delivery and removal at a textile machine
Abstract
A given plurality of empty round (cylindrical) cans are brought
by a can carrier into an empty can magazine of a textile machine
which produces a band output. These cans are taken from the can
carrier, one after another, to be filled at a filling station from
whence filled cans are sequentially moved to a just emptied can
carrier in a full can magazine. This can carrier, after the receipt
of a given plurality of filled cans, are transported out of the
full can magazine. Subsequently, the can carrier, which, in the
intervening time, has been emptied and is now to be found in the
empty can magazine, is transported by means of an elevated
crossover into the full can magazine, which has become free. For
the well-timed release of a can carrier loaded with empty cans as
well as the transporting of a can carrier from the filling
operation loaded with filled cans, there is a Hold Station serving
as a buffer zone for an empty can with its can carrier. There is
also a Removal Station serving as another buffer station for a
loaded can carrier carrying filled cans. Cans other than round ones
may be used.
Inventors: |
Ueding, Michael;
(Ingolstadt, DE) ; Kovacs, Otmar; (Berching,
DE) ; Peter, Carsten; (Ingolstadt, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEPHEN E. BONDURA, ESQ.
DORITY & MANNING, P.A.
P.O. BOX 1449
GREENVILLE
SC
29602-1449
US
|
Family ID: |
7866316 |
Appl. No.: |
09/741500 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09741500 |
Dec 19, 2000 |
|
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|
09290810 |
Apr 13, 1999 |
|
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|
6161257 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
19/159A ; 19/65A;
57/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2701/31 20130101;
B65H 67/0428 20130101; D01H 9/185 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
19/159.00A ;
19/65.00A; 57/90 |
International
Class: |
D04H 011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 30, 1998 |
DE |
198 19 376.9 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A process for transporting cans to and from a filling station of
a textile machine which produces fiber bands, the process
comprising: depositing filled cans that are leaving the filling
station onto a can carrier which is located in a full can magazine
of the textile machine; guiding simultaneously empty cans from a
can carrier located in an empty can magazine of the textile machine
to the filling station; removing the can carrier in the full can
magazine from the full can magazine upon a specified plurality of
filled cans being deposited on the can carrier; and when the empty
cans are removed from the can carrier in the empty can magazine and
the full can magazine is empty, moving the can carrier in the empty
can magazine sideways into the full can magazine at a generally
right angle to the directions that the can carriers enter the empty
can magazine and leave the full can magazine.
2. A process as in claim 1, further comprising restraining the can
carrier in the empty can magazine.
3. A process as in claim 2, further comprising restraining the can
carrier in the full can magazine.
4. A process as in claim 1, further comprising conveying a can
carrier carrying a specified plurality of empty cans to a hold
station within the empty can magazine.
5. A process as in claim 4, further comprising transporting the can
carrier carrying empty cans located in the hold station within the
empty can magazine to a supply station for the individual
presentation of empty cans at the filling station.
6. A process as in claim 5, further comprising transporting a can
carrier, which is supplying empty cans to the filling station,
located in the supply station within the empty can magazine to a
receiving station within the full can magazine once the can carrier
is void of empty cans.
7. A process as in claim 6, further comprising transporting the can
carrier, which is located in a receiving station within the full
can magazine and has been loaded with filled cans, from the
receiving station to a removal station within the full can
magazine.
8. A process as in claim 7, wherein the transporting of the can
carriers in the hold station and the supply station within the
empty can magazine and the can carrier in the receiving station
within the full can magazine occurs simultaneously.
9. An apparatus for transporting cans to and from a filling station
of a textile machine which produces fiber bands, said apparatus
comprising: an empty can magazine into which a can carrier
accommodating empty cans enter to supply said filling station with
empty cans until said can carrier is void of cans; a supply
mechanism for aiding delivery of one single empty can at a time
from said can carrier located in said empty can magazine to said
filling station of said textile machine; a full can magazine in
which filled cans leaving said filling station are deposited onto a
can carrier located in said full can magazine until said can
carrier is filled with a specified plurality of cans; and a
crossover apparatus for transferring said can carrier that is void
of cans in said empty can magazine to said full can magazine by
moving said carrier sideways at a generally right angle to the
direction said can carrier enters said empty can magazine and
leaves said full can magazine.
10. An apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising of restraining
means located in said empty and full can magazines to aid in
retaining said can carriers which are entering each
respectively.
11. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the empty can magazine
possesses at least one hold station for accepting can carriers
carrying empty cans, and a supply station, for accommodating said
can carrier carrying the empty cans, from which said empty cans are
movable to said filling station.
12. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said full can magazine
possesses a receiving station for accommodating said can carrier
which receives filled cans depositing from said filling station,
and at least one removal station for allowing can carriers fully
loaded with a specified plurality of filled cans to be transported
away for said textile machine.
13. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said empty can magazine and
said full can magazine are disposed parallel to one another.
14. An apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said stations in said
empty can magazine and said full can magazine are disposed parallel
to one another.
15. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said crossover apparatus is
movable the distance of the width of one of said stations in two
directions which are perpendicular to the directions in which said
can carriers enter said empty can magazine and leave said full can
magazine.
16. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said crossover apparatus
is movable toward said full can magazine conveying said can
carriers located in said empty can magazine in such a manner that
said can carrier in said empty can magazine crosses over into said
full can magazine.
17. An apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising a first
monitoring device, which is integral to said empty can magazine,
for monitoring can removal from said can carrier in said empty can
magazine to said filling station.
18. An apparatus as in claim 17, further comprising a second
monitoring device, which is integral to said full can magazine, for
monitoring can acceptance from said filling station to said can
carrier in said full can magazine.
19. An apparatus as in claim 18, wherein said first and second
monitoring device feed information to a control device which
controls said crossover apparatus for determining when said
crossover apparatus should be activated.
20. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said can carriers contain
guide means to keep said cans in an orderly formation.
21. An apparatus as in claim 20, wherein said can carriers contain
slip restraint means to prevent cans from slipping.
22. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said filling station
possesses a can exchanger for engaging said can advanced by said
supply mechanism from said can carrier in said empty can magazine
to said filling station and for transporting said filled cans from
said filling station to said can carrier in said full can magazine.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present application is a Divisional Application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/290,810, filed Apr. 13, 1999.
[0002] The present invention concerns a procedure for the transport
and placement of empty and full cans using can magazines and can
carriers, and also concerns an apparatus for executing the
procedure.
[0003] Conventionally, for the bringing of empty cans to the
filling head of a draw frame, and for the reception of the filled
cans in the draw frame, roller conveyors are provided (RIETER-High
Capacity Stretch Works RSB 951). The cans to be filled in that
method must be taken off from a transport wagon by an operating
person, and set upon the roller conveyor. When this is done,
because of the required inclination of the roller conveyor, the
cans, especially upon being set upon that end of the roller
conveyor remote from the draw frame, must be lifted to a relatively
high elevation. In the same way, the full cans must be taken off a
roller conveyor and placed upon a transport wagon. This method of
procedure is thus labor and energy intensive.
[0004] Further, from AT 343 047, a device for the supply of a
preparatory machine with cans for a spinning works is known. At the
beginning, empty cans stand on a transport wagon, and subsequently
slide onto a guiding track which leads to a draw frame. The cans,
after the filling process, are pushed onto an additional transport
wagon by means of a chain with grab arms. For each can,
respectively, a grab arm is provided. After the unloading of the
first transport wagon, it is moved on further by means of a pushing
apparatus. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the grab
arm must insert itself each time between two cans. The cans, for
this action, must be exactly positioned as to the distance between
them. This alignment is not always possible in the every day work
of a spinning factory.
[0005] For the pushing of the transport wagons, these must have
pivotable wheels.
[0006] This is disadvantageous upon manually pushing the wagons,
because the pivoted wheels make the wagon too hard to steer. Also,
the pushing apparatus is very highly stressed because of the
engendered torque which arises from the pushing of the wagon. This
stress is the cause of a high degree of wear and tear on the
pushing apparatus. As a result, the pushing apparatus must be very
ruggedly designed.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] All these disadvantages being considered, a primary purpose
of the invention is to create a procedure and an apparatus, which
eliminate such difficulties.
[0008] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious
from the description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0009] These purposes of the invention, so defined, may be achieved
by a procedure for the transport of empty cans to a filling station
of a textile machine which produces material in bands and the
placement of filled cans in a full can magazine, from which the
filled cans are removed. In the procedure, a specified number of
empty cans is on a can carrier in the empty can magazine of a band
producing textile machine. A can to be filled is taken from the can
carrier to a filling station from whence the filled can is
transported to a just emptied can carrier, which carrier is to be
found in the full can magazine. This carrier, after being loaded by
a specified plurality of filled cans, is taken out of the full can
magazine. The can carrier in the empty can magazine, which carrier
in the mean time was emptied, is transported by means of at least a
partial lifted crossover which is essentially free of torque
damage, into the full can magazine which has just become
unoccupied. Since the can carrier remains adjacent to the draw
frame or to some other band producing textile machine, while the
cans are being filled and the cans after the filling are deposited
directly on a can carrier, the work to be carried out in regard to
the delivery and removal of the cans to and from the machines by
the operator is substantially reduced. The labor and power
intensive transfer of two empty cans from the can carrier on a
roller conveyor, or, the related removal of full cans from a roller
conveyor and the transfer of these heavy cans onto a can carrier
may be dispensed with.
[0010] A procedural method of restraining in position the can
carrier in the empty can magazine and/or in the full can magazine
in position is particularly advantageous in order to increase
safety measures associated with the transfer of an empty can to a
band producing textile machine, or with the removal of a filled can
from a band producing machine.
[0011] For smooth operation, it is necessary to separate the
bringing in of a can carrier to the filling head and the related
removal of a can carrier from the output device of the filling head
from the in and out transport of can carriers to and from the draw
frame. In accord with the invention, there has been provided an
additional wait-position which serves as a buffer for the can
carrier.
[0012] Principally, a can carrier from an empty can magazine, this
being the source from which empty cans are routed to the filling
head, may be brought into a buffer position from which, upon call,
the carrier may once again be removed. The purpose of removal may
be to bring the carrier into the full can magazine.
[0013] If, however, in a start-up situation, a full can carrier
finds itself in the empty can magazine and an empty can carrier
finds itself in the full can magazine, then a procedure in accord
with the present invention is particularly advantageous. At the
very moment when in the empty can magazine the can carrier becomes
empty, and also the can carrier in the full can magazine becomes
full, the procedure allows that an exchange of the can carrier in
the empty can magazine as well as in the full can magazine may be
carried out.
[0014] For the carrying out of the procedure, an apparatus in
accord with claim 5 has been provided in agreement with the
invention for the supply of empty cans to a filling station of a
band operating textile machine and for the placement of filled cans
into a full can magazine, from which the filled cans are removed.
The apparatus provides a supply mechanism for the empty can
magazine with the aid of which the cans that find themselves on a
can carrier in the can magazine are singly deliverable to the fill
station. An elevated crossover system for transfer of an emptied
can carrier from the empty can magazine into the full can magazine
is also provided, wherein the crossover apparatus lifts up, at
least partially, the can carrier and/or transports it over free of
torque damage. The acceptance apparatus for respectively one can
carrier and its slip restraining facility, as well as regarding
run-in as run-out from the filling head, leads to an easing of the
labor. By means of the advantageous development of both the empty
and full can magazines having a slip restraining facility, a
greater degree of safety is assured by the transfer of a can to or
from the band operating textile machine.
[0015] Advantageously, by allowing the crossover apparatus to be
movable underneath the can carrier, a particularly space saving
embodiment of the invention has been achieved.
[0016] So that not every time, that the can carrier on the feed
side of the filling head, has yielded all its empty cans to the
filling head, in other words, the can carrier on the discharge side
of the filling head is filled with full cans, the operating person
or a transport apparatus stand ready with a new can carrier with
empty cans or must be ready for the taking away of the can carrier
with filled cans, additional unit positions which serve as buffers
for the can carrier are advantageously developed.
[0017] This development makes possible the setting of a can wagon
with empty cans in readiness, or the taking away of a can carrier
with full cans, independently of the continual operation of the
filling procedure. The adjacency of the hold positions of the empty
can and the full can magazines as particularly advantageous in
consideration of space relationships as for the manipulation of the
can carrier.
[0018] The empty cans must be conducted to the filling station. So
that an ejection apparatus for the individual cans on their side
remote from the filling station can take hold, a run-up ramp
extending to await position may be provided.
[0019] In order to carry out the transfer of can carriers from one
hold position into another position in an especially simple way,
using the movable crossover apparatus is particularly advantageous.
After a can carrier has been taken away on the pick-up side of the
draw frame, and thereby requisite space has been created because of
the removal of the can carrier, now all can carriers on the draw
frame are moved in common to a hold position.
[0020] Principally, the can carrier may be designed in an optional
manner, for instance, as a pallet. Nevertheless, the use of can
wagons may show itself to be of value. In such a case, a design of
the can carrier as a can was on the orientable casters may be
advantageous since the pivotable casters may be pulled along during
the transfer of the can wagon from one to the next hold position
for general availability.
[0021] Independently as to whether only one end of the can carrier,
or the entire can carrier is lifted for the switching of the same
from one place to another, the development that allows the
crossover apparatus to interact with a guide, vertically adjustable
with a lift apparatus especially in the form of an inflatable hose
has shown itself to be particularly a practical improvement.
[0022] For a simple and safe manipulation of can handling during
the presentation of the can to the filling head, or during the
retrieval of the filled can from the filling head, the design of
the invented apparatus using guides and installable slip restrain
devices is advantageous.
[0023] According to the purpose of the application, cans of various
sizes may be placed in service. Thus, for instance, cans with
diameters ranging between 250 to 600 mm are common. In order not to
have to build different equipment for each size of can, the empty
can magazine can possess an installable guide to accommodate the
width of the can carrier. In this manner, a basic design has been
created, wherein by means of a simple readjustment, that is, the
adding or removal of guide elements, a fit may be made for the
desired can size.
[0024] In order to assure that the can carrier crossover transfer
can only be carried out, when a number of preliminary conditions
have been met, it is advantageous to use monitoring devices in the
empty can and full can magazines.
[0025] For the easing of can manipulation by pushing the cans where
the can carrier is concerned, it is advantageous if the can carrier
possesses guide and slip restraint means to keep the cans in an
orderly row.
[0026] The procedure and the apparatus in accord with the present
invention avoid the power consuming and accident hazards related to
the run-in to the filling head of the draw frame and can handling
at the Removal Station of the filling head. Moreover, excessive
wear and tear at these positions is prevented, such as is
unavoidable on the setting of cans onto roller conveyors. The
invention is also independent of the shape of the can and the
procedure finds application not only using round cans, but also in
connection with flat or rectangular cans.
[0027] The concept of "rectangular can" is not to be limited as it
is understood, but is to encompass all shapes of cans. These cans
may exhibit a large or small cross-sectional size, independent of
the shape of the cross-section. In other words, the concept of the
can is independent as to whether or not the ends are constructed by
a circular cross-section or the ends conform to straight lines of
the walls. Further, the acceptable can shape is independent of the
size of possibly provided curvature radii at the transition from a
side wall to the bottom of the can.
[0028] Embodiments of the invention are presented in the following
with the help of the drawings to provide a more complete
description and explanation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIGS. 1a) to 1f) shows a first presentation of the invention
in a schematic drawing;
[0030] FIGS. 2a) to 2e) show, in schematic style, a modified
presentation of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 3 & FIG. 4 show the preferred embodiment of the
invention in plan view and profile, respectively;
[0032] FIG. 5 shows, in a schematic presentation, a further
modification apparatus in accord with the invention in connection
with two stretch lanes;
[0033] FIG. 6 shows the invention in a schematic presentation in
connection with an arrangement of can carriers in front of the
filling station in two rows; and
[0034] FIG. 7 shows a further modification of the invented
apparatus in connection with so-called "flat" or rectangular
cans.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of
which are shown in the figures. Each example is provided to explain
the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. In fact,
features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be
used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment.
It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications
and variations.
[0036] FIG. 1, with the help of which the procedure in accord with
the invention is to be first explained, limits itself to a
presentation of the principal, required elements for the carrying
out of the procedure.
[0037] In FIG. 1, principally the filling station 1 a band yielding
textile machine 8 (see FIG. 4) such as, a draw frame is
schematically indicated in the form of a dotted circle. To the
filling station, a can magazine 6 is attached, which is partitioned
first, into an empty can magazine 3 for the supplying of empty cans
2 to the filling station 1 and second, into a full can magazine 4
for the acceptance of the filled cans 20 from the filling station
1. For the supply of empty cans 2 to the filling station 1, a
supply mechanism 30 is assigned to the empty can magazine 3. This
occurs as the opposite movement of the filled cans 20 into the full
can magazine 4 is activated by ejection of the full cans out of the
filling station 1.
[0038] The individual procedure steps are now explained in more
detail with the assistance of FIG. 1a to FIG. 1f. In the shown
start situation of FIG. 1a, there is found in the empty can
magazine 3 a loaded can carrier 5 with a specified number of empty
cans 2 thereon. At this moment, as drawn, empty can carrier 50
stands ready. With the aid of the supply mechanism 30, the
individual empty cans 2 are brought, one after the other, off of
the can carrier 5 into the active zone of the filling station 1
(see arrow f.sub.1 in FIG. 1b). In this zone, the can 2 is filled
with fiber band. Subsequently, the once empty can moves now as full
can 20 into the full can magazine 4 on the already stationed can
carrier 50.
[0039] FIG. 1b shows that point in time at which the can carrier 5
in the empty can magazine 3 is cleared of empty cans and the can
carrier 50, which is in full can magazine 4, is loaded with the
specified number of full cans 20. At this moment, the can carrier
50 is brought out of the full can magazine 4 (see arrow f.sub.2)
and can carrier 50 is conducted to a band working machine (not
shown) for further processing (see FIG. 1c). Immediately thereupon,
the previously emptied can carrier 5 is taken out of the empty can
magazine 3 (see arrow f.sub.3 in FIG. 1d) and conducted to the full
can magazine 4 (arrow f.sub.4 in FIG. 1e).
[0040] Into the can magazine 3, which has now become empty by the
above actions, a new can carrier 51 loaded with empty cans 2 is
brought (see arrow f.sub.5 in FIG. 1f). This resets the procedure
to the original situation in accord with FIG. 1a and the describe
operation cycle begins anew.
[0041] In accord with the described and illustrated procedure, the
can carriers 5, each with an entire grouping of empty cans 2 to be
transported, are simply run into the empty can magazine on the
supply side of the filling station 1 of the band yielding textile
machine 8 (see FIG. 4) and left there during the filling process.
In this way, the operating personnel is spared very strenuous
activity. They need not remove any empty cans 2 from the can
carrier 5 in order to conduct them to the empty can magazine 3.
Also, they are not required to later take the filled cans 20 out of
the full can magazine in order to place them on the can carrier
50.
[0042] The remaining work, in the case of the previously described
version of the procedure, is the bringing of the can carriers 5,
50, 51 . . . into the empty can magazine 3, the transfer of one of
the emptied can carriers 5, 50, 51 . . . out of the empty can
magazine 3 into the full can magazine 4, and the retrieval of one
of those can carriers 5, 50, 51 . . . out of the full can magazine
4.
[0043] However, even the transfer of an emptied can carrier 5 out
of the empty can magazine 3 into the full can magazine 4 may be
carried out without human involvement. How this is done is depicted
in FIG. 2, as a modified embodiment shows. The emptied can carrier
5, found in the empty can magazine 3, is brought into the full can
carrier magazine 4, after the release of the full can magazine 4 on
the direct way, that is at right angles to the delivery and
retrieval direction of the can carrier (see arrow f.sub.5 and
f.sub.2 in FIGS. 2d, 2e). The means of doing this will be described
later in more detail with the aid of FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0044] In the case of the embodiment previously described with the
help of FIG. 1,
[0045] the transport out of the full can magazine 4 of the filled
can carrier 50 which is filled with cans 20,
[0046] the setting in readiness of an empty can carrier 5 in the
full can magazine 4, and
[0047] the setting in readiness of can carrier 51 loaded with empty
cans 2 in the empty can magazine 3,
[0048] can only be carried out after the loading of the can carrier
50 which is in the full can magazine 4. In order to hold the
unavoidable production interruption to the shortest time possible,
the operating person must execute these steps immediately after the
loading of the can carrier 50 with full cans 20.
[0049] Based on the above grounds, the procedure described above is
changed in such a way that the setting in readiness of a can
carrier 52 (FIG. 2d) with empty cans 2 in the empty can magazine 3
is done independently as to whether the filling station 1 with the
empty can supplying can carrier 5 is already empty or not.
[0050] In an analogous manner, the retrieval transport is carried
out for a can carrier 50 (FIG. 2e) which is loaded with full cans
20, whether the can carrier 5, which has been served by the filling
station, is already partially, or even completely, loaded with full
cans 20 or not. For this purpose, the empty can magazine 3 as well
as the full can magazine 4 possess, respectively, an additional
place as a buffer station for a further can carrier. The empty can
magazine 3 possesses a Supply Station, or buffer place, 32 for the
can carrier 5 from which the mentioned supply mechanism 30 forwards
the empty cans 2 singly for filling one after the other, timed by
the filling activity of the filling station 1. Besides this, the
empty can magazine 3 has a Hold Station, or buffer place, 31
inserted ahead of it, to which a new feed of empty can 2 enters
with its attendant can carrier 51. This is brought in before it is
conducted to the feed position. The full can magazine 4, on its
side, possesses a Receiving Station 40 and a buffer or Removal
Station 41. The filled cans 20 yielded by the filling station 1 go
to an empty can carrier 50 which was placed in readiness on the
Receiving Station 40. The can carrier 50, after loading, is
switched to the Removal Station 41, where it waits to be taken
away.
[0051] The four hold position areas,
[0052] Hold Station 31 [waiting station]
[0053] Supply Station 32 [supply of empty cans]
[0054] Receiving Station 40 [receiving full cans]
[0055] Removal Station 41 [take away to process]
[0056] of the empty can magazine 3 and full can magazine 4 comprise
all hold positions of the can magazine 6 as depicted in FIG. 2, and
are arranged next to one another.
[0057] The individual operational steps of this modified procedure
should also be more closely examined in the following. In the
indicated start position in accord with FIG. 2a, there are found in
the empty can magazine 3 can carriers 51, 5 ready with empty cans.
The first can carrier 51 with empty cans 2 finds itself at the Hold
Station 31 in its buffer or waiting phase, while the other, i.e.,
can carrier 5, loaded with empty cans, is already in its supply
position on the area Supply Station 32 (see FIG. 2a).
[0058] In the full can magazine 4, on the other hand, on the
Receiving Station 40 stands principally an empty can carrier 50 in
readiness, while the Removal Station 41 is not occupied.
[0059] The supply mechanism 30 (see FIG. 1), which is designed in a
conventional manner and according to the need, may be placed next
to a can carrier or even above a can carrier. The supply mechanism
30 now supplies to the filling station 1 one empty can 2 (arrow
f.sub.1), which, in a known manner, grabs the one can 2 and conveys
it under a filling head. In this place, the actual filling process
takes place. After the completion of the filling process, the now
filled can 20 is further moved along and finally ejected out of the
filling station 1 onto the prepared can carrier 50 that is at the
receiving point, or the Receiving Station 40. In this way, the
supply mechanism 30 runs all empty cans 2, one by one from the can
carrier 5 to the filling station 1. The can 20, now full after the
completed filling procedure, is ejected from the filling station 1,
and moved farther on to the can carrier 50. The can 20 impacts
against the last ejected can thereon of the row of cans, which
builds up on this carrier, and shoves the entire row of cans away
from the filling station until the can carrier 50 is full (FIG.
2b).
[0060] If all the empty cans from the can carrier 5 in the Supply
Station 32 are removed and the can carrier 50, which is on the
Receiving Station 40 of the full can magazine 4, is loaded, then,
by means of a elevating crossover device 7 (to be described later,
see FIGS. 3 and 4), all the can carriers 51, 5, 50 found in the can
magazine 6 are lifted and moved sideways through such a
displacement that the can carrier 5 transfers from the Supply
Station 32 to the Receiving Station 40 (see arrow f.sub.6 in FIG.
2c).
[0061] The two can carriers 51, 50 which neighbor this can carrier
5 are, in the same direction of movement, brought on to the hold
position which is adjacent to their starting position. The can
carrier 50 with the full cans 20 can enter into the removal area in
the Removal Station 41, which up to this point was free. The can
carrier 51, which was placed in readiness in the hold position with
the empty cans 2, moves onto the supply position 32.
[0062] The two middle wait stations, i.e., 32 and 40, which work
together with the filling station 1, find themselves again in a
normal operational situation. The two outer wait stations, on the
other hand, do not become directly a part of the filling process
and serve as buffer stations. Thus, it is unimportant if, here, a
new can carrier 52 with empty cans 2 is brought in (see arrow
f.sub.5 in FIG. 2d). The can carrier 50 with the full cans 20
should be removed (see arrow f.sub.2 of FIG. 2e) in the time span
between two executed crossover displacements. Thus, this may be
carried out in a wide time span without interruption of the filling
procedure. It is not significant, whether these "to or from"
movements of can carriers occur manually by an operator or fully
automatically with the help of an automatic transport and transport
control apparatus.
[0063] Before a further procedure variant is explained, referring
to FIGS. 3 and 4, an apparatus should be described with the help of
which the procedure in accord with FIG. 2 maybe brought about. In
the presentation of this, elements will be omitted which are not
relevant for the understanding of the invention.
[0064] In FIG. 3, principally, a section of the can exchange
mechanism 10 is presented as a part of the filling station 1 (see
FIGS. 1 and 2). This mechanism exhibits a bow shaped can guide 100,
which essentially extends from the Supply Station 32 to the (not
shown) filling head of the filling station 1. The can exchanger
possesses further a rotating come-along arm 11 by which, in FIG. 3
the free, co-acting ends are to be seen embracing the can to be
transported (see the pertinent can 2a, drawn in dashed lines).
Another bow shaped can guide 101 of the can exchanger extends
itself from the filling head to the Receiving Station 40. An
additional can guide 102 is assigned to the Receiving Station 40
with the purpose of diverting a filled can 20 coming from the
filling head out of the circular track of the can exchanger 10 in a
direction to the can carrier 50, which carrier is then located on
the Receiving Station 40.
[0065] The can guides 100, 101 and 102 are placed beneath the
operating zone of the rotating come-along arm 11, so that freedom
of motion of the come-along arm is not limited.
[0066] The can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . may be designed in any
appropriate shape, for instance, as a pallet or the like. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a can wagon finds application as
can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . These can carriers exhibit on its
end remote from the can exchanger 10 a grabbing yoke 53 extending
upwards, with the help of which the can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . .
(here a can wagon) may be manipulated by an operating person. From
the grab yoke 53 to its end proximal to the filling station, the
can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . (can wagon) has a can hold position
54, which is laterally bounded to guides 55 and 56, in order to
hold the cans 2 or 20 in a row. Between these guides 55 and 56, the
can hold position 54 has two or more reinforcing strips 540 and 541
in order to reduce the friction between cans 2 or 20 and the can
carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . (can wagon).
[0067] The described features of the can wagon are clearly
recognizable in the case of the can carrier 50 which is to be found
on the Receiving Station 40.
[0068] The can wagon possesses on its underside, two pairs of
wheels 59 and 590. The pair of wheels 59 remote from the grab yoke
53 is not pivotable or turnable. On the other hand, the pair of
wheels 590 nearer to the grab yoke 53 is pivotable. In other words,
the pair is adaptable to the direction of movement of the can wagon
by the swinging of its holding means. In case of necessity, instead
of one or the other pairs of wheels 59, 590, even a single caster
can find application.
[0069] The can magazine 6 has restraining guides 60 and 61. These
guides are located respectively, on the proximal and remote sides
of the can exchanger 10, thus separated by the length of a can
carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . in order to maintain the can carrier 5,
50, 51, 52 . . . , not only on the Supply Station 32, but on the
Receiving Station 40, in a defined position in respect to the can
exchanger 10.
[0070] This assurance of position of the can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52
. . . in the area of the guides 60 and 61 is of considerable
importance for an error free function in the conducting of empty
cans 2 to the can exchanger 10, as well as in the removal of filled
cans 20 from the can exchanger 10.
[0071] Further restraining means 62 for the can carriers 5, 50, 51,
52 . . . are arranged on each of the hold positions, (Hold Station
31, Supply Station 32, Receiving Station 40, Removal Station 41)
which secure the can carriers 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . at right angles
to the can movement to the can exchange 10, as well as to the can
20 movement from the can exchange 10. This restraining means 62 may
be designed in various ways, as a comparison of the hold positions
(Hold Station 31, Supply Station 32, Receiving Station 40, Removal
Station 41) makes clear. As may be plainly seen in FIG. 4, in the
three hold positions (32, 40, 41) which follow the Hold Station 31,
these restraining means 62 are designed in wedge shape (prisms).
The Hold Station 31 on its feed side (i.e., on its remote side from
the filling station) possesses two wedge-like positioning guides
620 with the aid of which the can carrier 51 sent to this Hold
Station 31 is aligned into an exact specified position. For this
purpose, the two positioning guides 620 are designed to fit upon
installation to the width of the can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . ,
which are to be conducted to the hold position. The Hold Station 31
possesses further a threshold 310, over which the can carrier 51,
designed as a can wagon, must roll when it is brought into hold
position. For this purpose, a guide bolt 510, provided on the
underside of the can wagon, ingresses a stationary, wedge shaped
guide 311 which exactly positions the can carrier 51. In order to
make a clear presentation on the drawing (FIG. 4), the guide bolt
510 is simply shown on the can carrier 51 which is in a hold
position. However, it is self evident that all can carriers 5, 50,
51, 52 . . . are similarly equipped. The threshold 310 together
with the guide 311 form, in this arrangement, a restraint for the
can carrier 51 in order to positively define its position relative
to the can exchanger 10.
[0072] The already mentioned feed apparatus, which exhibits a frame
300, is to be found, in accord with FIGS. 3 and 4, between the
Supply Station 32 and the Receiving Station 40. The feed frame 300
grips on the end, remote from the filling station 1, of the row of
cans, which are arranged on the can carrier 5 on the Supply Station
32. The feed frame 300 shoves the cans 2 to the can exchanger 10
one by one synchronously with the function of the can
exchanger.
[0073] So that the feed frame 300 can reach the end of the can row
remote from the can exchanger with some assuredness, in accord with
the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a stationary take-up wedge 33
is provided. The take-up wedge 53 extends itself from that side of
Supply Station 32 which is remote from the Hold Station 31 up to
direct adjacency to the Hold Station 31 over the full breadth of
the Supply Station 32. If, then, a can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . .
is transferred from the Hold Station 31 to the Supply Station 32,
then a can 2, which is remote from the filling station and is found
in the can row on the can carrier 5, abuts the take-up wedge 33.
This take-up wedge now shoves the entire can row through a distance
of specified dimension in the direction of the can exchanger 10 and
creates the necessary space for the introduction of the feeding
frame 300. For instance, if this feeding frame 300 finds itself in
an extremely pivoted start position, then it can be swung around
for the feeding operation as shown in FIG. 3.
[0074] In case it is desired, provision may be made allowing the
feeding frame 300 to take over the described function of the
take-up wedge 33, so that a separate element may be dispensed
with.
[0075] For the crossover of the can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . .
from one position to the neighboring position a crossover apparatus
7 is installed underneath the bottom of the can carrier 5, 50, 51,
52 . . . This crossover apparatus is comprised, in accord with the
shown embodiment, essentially of a wagon or sled 70, which is
movable at right angles to the supply and removal direction of the
can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . (see arrows f.sub.5 and f.sub.2 in
FIGS. 2d, 2e). This wagon or sled 70 has a carrying surface for the
acceptance of can carriers 5, 50, 51, 52 . . .
[0076] In accord with FIG. 3, the sled 70 is connected with two
driving pistons 71, which in turn communicate with a in/out
connection or a pressure medium. This connection is indicated by
the lines 710, 711, and 712, which are connected with a control
device 72. The control device 72 operates in a control connection
with the filling station 1 (see line 720). The sled is on rails 73,
or the like, which are upwardly adjustable by means of guides 730
at their ends (FIG. 4). For reasons of clarity, in FIG. 4, only a
single guide 730 is shown, although it is self evident that a guide
of this kind is furnished on each end of the rail 73. For a lift
drive for each of the two rails 73, a hose 74 serves, which is
closed by means of clamping elements 740 and 741 at each end. This
closed hose 74 is connected by lines 742, 743, 744 with the control
device 72. In accord with FIG. 4, the clamping elements 740 and 741
also operate within one of the guides 730 respectively.
[0077] In order to prevent the can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . from
moving itself relative to the wagon or sled 70 while the crossover
apparatus 7 is operating, a restraining means 75 is provided on the
carrying surface of the sled 70, analogous to the stationary
restraining means 62 of the can magazine 6. Beyond this, the
relative distance of the can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . to the
filling station 1 is secured by the guides 60 and 61, not only when
these are on the bottom, but also during the transfer movement from
one position to the next.
[0078] On the ends of the Supply Station 32 of the empty can
magazine 3, which ends are proximal to the can exchanger 10, a
monitoring device 9 (FIG. 3) is assigned. This device determines
whether or not, the can carrier 5 in that place, at that time, has
been emptied, or if a there is still a can 2 thereon. The
monitoring device 9 may be designed in various ways. One way would
be a counting device, which is preset with the number of cans 2 to
be found on a can carrier 5. As each can 2 passes this device 9, a
value of "one" is deducted. Upon the reaching of the value of
"zero", this situation is announced to the control device 72.
Alternate to this, a simple light relay 90 may be put into service,
the beam of which is interrupted by the cans 2, until the last can
2 has left the can carrier 5. By means of a line 900, a
corresponding signal is sent to the control device 72.
[0079] The light relay 90 may be provided not only at right angles
to the can movement direction, but also parallel thereto. For
example, the light relay 90 light source or photo-diode is arranged
on the feed frame 300, and the reception element on an appropriate
place on that side of the Supply Station 32 which is proximal to
the filling station 1.
[0080] An additional monitoring device 91, connected with the
control device 72 by means of a line 911, is assigned to the
Receiving Station 40 of the full can magazine. Monitoring device 91
with the help of a light relay 910 determines whether or not a can
carrier 50 in the receiving position is completely loaded with
filled cans 20.
[0081] The control device 72, which communicates over the line 720
with a control system of the band producing textile machine 8,
correlates the operation of the can magazine 6 with the operation
of the band yielding textile machine 8. Therefore, the supply
mechanism 30, which, in a manner not shown, is connected with the
control device 72, can only operate in an cooperative way with the
operation of the can exchanger 10.
[0082] The presentation of further possibly necessary monitoring
systems is omitted, for the sake of clarity.
[0083] If all the cans 2 from the can carrier 5, which is in the
supply position, are sent to the filling station 1 from the can
carrier 5, and also if the can carrier 50 in the receiving position
is again fully loaded with newly filled cans 20, then the loaded
can carrier 50 must make room, so that the empty can carrier 5 from
the supply position in the empty can magazine 3 may be transferred
to the receiving position in the full can magazine 4. At the same
time, a can carrier 51 with empty cans 2 should come into the
supply position, so that the filling operation may be further
carried on. In this way, during this operational phase, three can
carriers, namely the emptied can carrier 5 and the neighboring can
carriers 51 and 50 are to be moved.
[0084] In order to be able to have a timely exchange of the can
carrier 5, 50, 51 . . . the crossover apparatus 7, in a next-to-one
another-arrangement of the holding area of the can magazine 6, is
so designed and so dimensioned, that it is able to transfer all
three can carriers 5, 50, 51, . . . simultaneously. For this
purpose, the carrying surface 700 of the sled 70 extends over three
neighboring positions, that is, over the width of all together
reduced by the breadth of one positioning area. In the illustrated
idle time, the sled 70 find itself in a lowered position, wherein
the carrying surface 700 extends itself from the Supply Station 32
to and beyond the Removal Station 41.
[0085] If signal messages from the monitoring devices 9 and 91 have
been input to the control device 72, then this releases the
crossover guidance of a can carrier from the empty can magazine 3
into the full can magazine 4. This crossover guidance can only be
activated after the can carrier arranged in the empty can magazine
3 has been emptied and a can carrier fully loaded with full cans 20
has been removed from out of the full can magazine 4. Next, the
control device 72 activates an emptying of one side of the drive
piston 71, which now moves the sled 70, which is found in its
lowered position underneath the can carrier 5 and 50. The sled 70
is moved out of an idle or waiting state sidewards to the extent of
the breadth of a positional hold place, until the sled is under the
can carrier 51, 5, and 50 and thus extends inclusively from the
waiting position to the receiving position. In this position, the
reaching of which may be signaled to the control device 72 through
a (not shown) monitoring device, for instance in the form of a
limit switch, the control device 72 so acts, that air or another
gaseous or liquid medium is opened to two hoses 74. The hoses fill
themselves therewith, and at the same time lift the two rails 73,
along with the sled 7. In this lifting operation, the sled 70
carries upward the three can carriers 51, 5, 50, which are in its
lifting zone. These lifted can carriers 51, 5, 50 are, in this way,
brought out of the operating area of the stationary restraint means
(guides 311, positioning guides 620 as well as the restraining
means 62).
[0086] The sled 70 can now be run back into its starting position,
whereby it transfers the can carriers 51, 5, and 50, which were
carried along with the sled, in such a way, that the can carrier 51
loaded with empty cans 2 is found in the Supply Station, the empty
can carrier 5 is in the Receiving Station and the can carrier 50
loaded with full cans 20 is in the Removal Station. After reaching
its starting position, the sled 70 is once again lowered as the
fluid is let out of the two hoses 74.
[0087] During the crossover operation, the can carriers 51, 5, 50
which are assembled on the sled 70 are secured against sideways
sliding by the restraining means 75 on the sled 70 and sliding
against the can exchanger 10 by the two guides 60 and 61.
[0088] From the standpoint of illustrative clarity, for FIG. 4, the
point in time of the absolute start of operations was chosen. At
this exact time, the two placement positions, which take part in
the operation, namely Supply Station 32 and Receiving Station 40,
have been loaded by means of the transfer of the wagon or sled 70.
This sled 70 is still not lowered. Already, now, the waiting
position may be loaded anew by means of a new can carrier 51, as
FIG. 4 shows.
[0089] If, at a later time, a can carrier loaded with full cans 20
stands ready on the Removal Station 41 to be taken away, then the
sled 70 would be temporarily run to the left out of the depicted
position in FIGS. 3 and 4. This being done so that the sled 70
makes the Removal Station free. For the inception of this function,
at an appropriate position, a switch 92 (FIG. 3) may be provided,
which, with the help of line 920 is in controlling contact with the
thereto connected control device 72. If the can carrier 50 has left
the Removal Station 41 (FIG. 2e), then, with the aid of the switch
92, (or another switching means, for instance, a time switch, a
light relay, or the like) activity may be initiated in which the
wagon or sled 70 returns to its idling or start position, however,
without having to be lifted for this return movement, since it
carries no can carrier with it.
[0090] Since the wagon, or the sled, when it finds itself in its
start or idle position, releases the Hold Station 31, it is
possible at that place, at an optional time, to set up in
readiness, a can carrier 51 with empty cans 2.
[0091] The crossover of a can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . from one
position (wait area) to the next, may be done, principally, in an
optional manner. Indeed, this may be done in accord with the design
of the can magazine 6 singly or in common with other can
carriers.
[0092] Within the framework of the present invention, the procedure
as well as the apparatus may be modified in a multitude of ways.
This may be done especially through exchange of single features
with equivalents thereto or by other feature combinations. So, it
is very true that the crossover of the can carriers in a single
direction and consideration of the design of the crossover
apparatus 7 brings special advantages. However, this is not the
only possibility which may be advanced for the transfer of can
carriers 5 from one of the position areas onto the next to be
occupied--with consideration given to the operational cycle.
[0093] Thus, FIG. 6 shows an arrangement, which is to be preferred
in the case of close arrangement of the neighboring filling station
1. In this arrangement, the matter is indifferent as to whether the
neighboring filling station 1 belongs to different band producing
textile machines 8 (FIG. 4) or is always a pair-wise part of a
double headed draw frame. Since, in a case of an unchanged, close
arrangement of the filling station 1, to be able to provide a Hold
Station 31 as well as a Removal Station 41--in addition to the
Supply Station 32 and the Receiving Station 40 with the can
carriers which work in conjunction with the filling station
1--these two additional placement areas are not arranged in the
same rows as the Hold Station 31 and the Receiving Station 40, but
in one preceding row, that is, on the side remote from the filling
station 1. The empty can magazine 3 encompasses thus the two left
placement areas (Hold Station 31 and Supply Station 32), while the
full can magazine 4 encloses the two right placement areas,
(Receiving Station 40 and Removal Station 41). In accord with the
design of the band producing textile machine 8, and its filling
station 1, a mirror image arrangement is also possible.
[0094] The operation phase shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the
operational phase in accord with FIG. 2d. The empty cans 2 were,
with the aid of a not shown feeding mechanism 30 (see FIGS. 1 and
3) of the filling station 1, brought to the filling station 1 and,
after the filling process, moved then as filled cans 20 to the can
carrier 5, which is in the receiving position. During this elapsing
time, the can carrier 50 from the Removal Station 41 must be
removed, in order to keep this position free for the later
acceptance of the can carrier 5. If the can carrier 5 is loaded,
then it will be transferred from its receiving position to the
Removal Station 41, which has meanwhile become free. The can
carrier 51, which has now become empty, is then transferred from
the Supply Station 32 to the Receiving Station 40. In this way, the
Supply Station 32 becomes free, to which is brought the can carrier
51 previously deposited on the Hold Station 31. The Hold Station 31
now stands ready for the acceptance of another can carrier, filled
with empty cans.
[0095] The transfer of a can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . , from one
placed position into the next, may be carried out, for instance, by
a (not shown) provided, height adjustable wagon, or the provision
of a similar sled, onto which a further wagon or sled may be found.
The direction of movement of the stacked wagons or sleds are set at
a right angle to one another. For instance, if the lower wagon or
sled is movable at right angles to the supply and removal
directions of the can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . , (arrow f.sub.5
and f.sub.2 in the FIGS. 1c and 1f), then the upper wagon or sled
is movable parallel to the supply and removal directions.
[0096] The restraints of the can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . may
also, in such a design, be done in a similar manner to that
described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4 (restraint means 62;
guides 60, 61; restraint means 75; threshold 310; guides 311).
[0097] The restraint means can, however, be designed in deviant
manner from the previous descriptive embodiments. In doing this, it
is possible, instead of lifting the can carriers out of the active
zone of the restraining means, to move the restraining means out of
the movement zone of the can carrier.
[0098] This procedure would only be done for the duration of the
transfer movement, that is, during the placements at the empty can
magazine 3, 3a. Conversely, this procedure would be done also for
the removal of the full can magazine 4, 4a out of the movement zone
of the can carrier. This procedure/operation is not shown.
[0099] In connection with the FIGS. 3 and 4, various means of
restraint were described (restraining means 62, positional guides
620, guides 60, 61, threshold 310, guide 311 . . . ). It is self
explanatory, that not all these named restraining means must appear
in applications simultaneously and in the described or depicted
designs. It is even possible to replace these restraining means, or
some of them, with feet, instead of the wheel pair 59, 590 of the
can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . , so that the restraint is made
secure by the friction between the footings and the surface base.
Otherwise, it could have been mentioned above that the restraining
means would be appropriate for the size of the can carriers 5, 50,
51, 52 . . . transporting the cans 2, 20. This occurs by
substitution or exchange of restraints of this kind. In order not
to waste valuable space, it is advisable not to set up a can
magazine 6 for all possible sizes which possibly could come into
use, but to provide this installation ability simply within a
certain framework, that is, for can diameters which do not vary too
much from one another.
[0100] Principally, instead of a height adjustment for the sled 70,
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or a sled adaptable for an apparatus in
accord with FIG. 6, a simple height adjustment of the carrying
surface 700 relative to the sled 70 could be provided. In this
case, this height adjustment as well as the sled drive could be
carried out by means of motors, ratchet bars, and the like.
[0101] It is not required, that the crossover apparatus 7 be
located underneath the can carrier. Moreover, the equivalent
crossover apparatus 7 may be designed for another place and in a
different manner. For instance, on both ends of their operating
position in can magazine 6, can carriers may have encompassing
transport belts or chains (not shown).
[0102] These belts or chains, by means of a belt or chain
motivator, may be activated and possess one or more come-alongs
with which the can carriers may be impelled to follow the belt or
chain movement. A link with the control system would regulate the
placement or lifting of the transport connection.
[0103] In accord with the described embodiment examples, it is
presupposed that the can carriers 5, 50, 51, 52 . . . , to be set
inside the can magazine 6, are always picked up as a complete
package. This is not unconditionally necessary. Alternatively, it
may be provided, that in case of a can carrier designed as a can
wagon, with a single pivotable caster, or a swingable caster pair
or wheel pair 590 (see FIG. 3) and a single non-pivotable caster,
or a second non-pivotable caster-pair or wheel pair 59, generally,
the end of the can wagon is tiltable from the floor. This end is
remote from the wheel pair which is suited to the movement
direction (or a corresponding caster), in order to release the can
wagon for the crossover motion of the can wagon from one placement
area to another. The other wheel pair 590 (or the corresponding
single caster) may, in the mean time, maintain floor contact, which
orients the movement direction of the can wagon provides the with
can wagon support.
[0104] Even so, it is also possible that the can carrier may be
seized on each of its ends, each with a respective transport
apparatus. This transport apparatus being, for instance, a chain
with grippers allows essentially a torque free switch over. In this
embodiment, the can carrier, in case all casters are designed as
pivotable, is not elevated. In the case of non-pivotable casters,
the can carrier is at least raised on that end of the non-pivotable
caster. By means of the transport being essentially torque free,
the transport apparatus is substantially free of wear and may be
made in a lighter type of construction.
[0105] As already described above, the can carrier 5, 50, 51, 52 .
. . may be designed in various ways. In this way, under certain
circumstances, special guide means (guides 55 and 56--see FIG. 3)
may be dispensed with, dependent upon the design and method of
operation of the supply mechanism 30, which is able to remove the
empty cans 2 from the end of a can carrier, which end is proximal
to the filling station 1. This may be done without the necessity of
shoving the entire row of cans. The same is valid for the slip
reducing means (support strips, 540, 541--see FIG. 3) which were
constructed, for instance, from a material particularly low in
friction such as plastic. In some cases, generally no friction
reducing measures are required, especially if the supply apparatus
lifts the empty cans 2 upon their presentation at the can exchanger
10.
[0106] In the case of the embodiment examples up to now, there were
always provided, respectively, two placement areas (Hold Station 31
and Supply Station 32 and Receiving Station 40 and Removal Station
41) for the empty can magazine 3 as well as for the full can
magazine 4. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 demonstrates that it is
thoroughly desirable to provide even more buffer stations for the
two magazines (empty can magazine 3 and full can magazine 4).
[0107] FIG. 5 shows two filling stations 1 and 12 following one
another in production. Of these, for instance, the first filling
station is a part of a first draw frame (not shown), and the second
filling station 12 is a part of a second draw frame 80. The first
draw frame with the filling station 1 forms a first draw passage 1,
wherein the second draw frame 80 forms a second draw passage 11.
The can magazine 6 of this second draw passage II may be so
constructed as has been previously explained with the aid of FIGS.
2 to 4. On the entry side of this second draw passage II, are found
two can carriers 57 and 58 with full cans 20, the bands of which
(not shown) are supplied to the stretch machine 80. On the one
side, beside these two can carriers 57 and 58 are located two
further can carriers 570 and 571 with full cans 20, which are to
occupy the places of the can carriers 57 and 58 as soon as the cans
20 of these carriers are emptied. On the other side of the can
carriers 57 and 58 are found two further can carriers 580 and 581.
The cans 2 of can carriers 580 and 581 have just been emptied on
the draw frame.
[0108] The first draw passage I shows as buffers, in its empty can
magazine 3a, a total of two Hold Stations 31 and 31a and in its
full can magazine 4a, two Removal Stations 41 and 41a.
[0109] For the operation of the second draw passage II, the second
draw frame 80 must always have two can carriers 57 and 58 standing
simultaneously available. In this matter, it is good to consider
arranging the corresponding magazines of the second draw passage II
of the draw frame 80 in order to collect the can carriers in
pairs.
[0110] But in accord with FIG. 5, it was done otherwise. Here it is
assured, that the necessary can carriers 57 and 58 which are loaded
with full cans 20 are continually supplied, pairwise, to the draw
frame 80 and, correspondingly, also pairwise, again removed from
the draw frame.
[0111] The ejected can carriers 582 and 583 from the draw frame 80
of the second draw passage II, arrive, thus pairwise again, in the
empty can magazine 3a of the first draw passage I. They are
deposited on the two waiting position areas Hold Station 31 and
31a. One can carrier after the other is then singly transferred
from one position to the next. In the full can magazine 4, the can
carriers are first assembled and set down, and only then, when a
pair is complete, is it further sent, as a pair, to the second draw
passage II.
[0112] As a rule, the two draw passages I and II do not operate
synchronously. For this reason, as is indicated in FIG. 5 between
the draw frame of the first draw passage and the draw frame 80 of
the second draw passage II, an apportioning track 81 is interposed.
This track provides the possibility that can carriers from various
draw frames of the first draw passage I may be supplied, according
to need to various draw frames 80 of the second draw passage
II.
[0113] By means of the above described design of the two draw
passages I and II, the possibility does not have to be excluded,
that only single can carriers may be brought from one draw frame of
the first draw passage I to a draw frame 80 of the second draw
passage II. This possibility allows simultaneous availability of
can carriers from different draw frames of the first draw passage I
to a draw frame 80 of the second draw passage II, for instance, to
be able to mix fiber bands of various quality.
[0114] Previously, embodiment examples for the manipulation and for
the filling of round cans 2, 2a, 20 were described. Yet, the
invention is not limited to this design. FIG. 7 shows a further
modification, which is specially adapted for the supply of so
called flat cans, or rectangular cans 21, to a filling station 13
and for the placing in readiness of rectangular full cans 21a of
this type for removal. The filling station 13 is, in this
embodiment, so designed in a manner customary for the flat or
rectangular cans 21. The rectangular can 21, during the filling,
undergoes a transverse motion (see double arrow f.sub.7) in the
direction of its greater axis. While this movement is proceeding, a
back and forth motion is imparted at right angles thereto (see
double arrow f.sub.8).
[0115] On the supply side of the filling station 13, there is
located an empty can magazine 34 with a waiting position 340 and
the supply position 341, to which a supply mechanism 342 is
assigned. On the removal side of the filling station 13, there is a
full can magazine 42 with a receiving position 420 and a removal
position 421.
[0116] The four positions 340, 341, 420 and 421 of the two can
magazines 34 and 42 are, in the drawn example, arranged along a
line. Parallel to this, a transfer apparatus 76, for instance, in
the form of a conveyor belt, is found. In the extension of the
transfer apparatus 16, a can forwarding path 82 is found, while on
the removal side, a can carrier removal track 83 is provided. Both
the can carrier supply track 82 and the can carrier removal track
83 may be so designed, so that can carrier may be transported
automatically in a known manner. However, a track in the form of a
path without any particular marking or design, also may be
furnished. Along this track, an operating person can bring a can
carrier 500 into a readiness position 820 (see arrow f.sub.17) from
which position, after the freeing of the holding position 340, can
transfer the carrier 500 thereto. This transfer may be done in an
optional manner through the operating person or an automatic
apparatus. In analogous manner, a can carrier 503 placed ready for
removal on the removal position 421 may be transferred in a
corresponding way from the removal position 421 to a removal ready
position 830. From the removal ready position 830, can carrier 503
can be removed by an operator or an appropriate transport apparatus
(for instance, a self running wagon or the like).
[0117] In each case, according to the design of the can supply path
82, the readiness position 820 may be formed by the waiting
position 340. In an analogous manner, the removal position 421 can
coincide with the removal readiness position 830.
[0118] The apparatus now described in its construction in accord
with FIG. 7, operates in the following manner.
[0119] The assumption is made that the situation presented in FIG.
7 is given as a starting point. Thus, by means of the operation of
the supply mechanism 342, a rectangular can 21, which is on a can
carrier 501 in the supply position 341, is taken to the operational
zone of the filling station 13 (see arrow f.sub.9) and may be
filled there. In doing this, the rectangular can 21, in a
conventional manner, is subjected to transverse agitation inside
the filling station 13 (see double arrow f.sub.7) and, when
required, this transverse motion is overlaid with a to and fro
motion (see arrow f.sub.8). When the rectangular can 21 is filled,
then, by a not shown ejection means, which is a component of the
filling station 13, the can 21 is pushed out of the filling station
13 in the direction of the arrow f.sub.9a onto the can carrier 502,
where the filled cans 21 are collected until the can carrier 502 is
full. The filling station 13 can also be arranged outside of the
transfer wagon. In the case of this example embodiment, an
additional can exchanger is required.
[0120] At an earlier point in time, during the filling of the
removable rectangular can 21a on the can carrier 502, loaded can
carrier 503 is removed from the removal placement area 421. It is
either directly transported away from here, or, in the case
previously provided, transferred over into the removal readiness
holding station 830 (see arrow f.sub.10).
[0121] When the can carrier 502 is completely full, then the
removal position 421 is free to accept it. The can carrier 502 is
now transferred from the receiving position 420 in the direction of
the arrow f.sub.11 onto the removal position 421 which has
previously become free.
[0122] While the last rectangular can 21 is still in the filling
station 13 after being taken from the can carrier 501, to the
filling station 13, the emptied can carrier 501 is given over to
the crossover device 76 (see crossover position, 760) in the
direction of the arrow f.sub.12 by a means not shown. The device 76
brings the can carrier 501 in the direction of the arrow f.sub.13
into a receiving wait station 761.
[0123] Since now the supply position 341 is empty, the empty
rectangular cans with their can carrier, which is now on the
waiting position 340, may be transferred onto the supply position
341 (see arrow f.sub.14). This occurs during the time in which the
last rectangular can 21 of the previously emptied can carrier 501
is still in the filling station 13. After the filling thereof,
without interruption of production, immediately a new rectangular
can 21, now from the can carrier 500, is brought to the filling
station 13.
[0124] As soon as the can carrier 502 with full rectangular cans 21
is fully loaded, and is brought away from the reception position
420 to the removal position 421, then the previously emptied can
carrier 501 is transferred out of the receiving wait station 761
into the receiving position 420 (arrow f.sub.15). This transfer
happens during the time in which the first rectangular can 21 of
the follow-up can carrier 500 is filled, so that the filling
station, without interruption of production, can relinquish the
filled rectangular can 21a to the ready set can carrier 501 which
has come to the receiving position 420.
[0125] While the rectangular can 21 from the can carrier 500 is
sent to the filling station 13 to be filled, a ready new can
carrier (not shown) has been transferred in a direction of the
arrow f.sub.16 from the ready set position 820 to the waiting
position 340.
[0126] The special design of the (not shown) apparatuses for the
transfer of the can carriers 500 to 503 out of or into one of the
mentioned positions 820 to 830, that is, the bringing of one of the
can carriers onto the one or the other of the positions 340, 341,
420 or 421, may be constructively solved in optional ways. In that
matter, the relative arrangement of the positional areas 340, 341,
420 or 421 as well as the provision of the positions 820 or 830
play no important role. Thus, arrangements in accord with the FIGS.
1, 2, 5 or 6 are entirely possible even in connection with flat or
rectangular cans.
[0127] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations can be made in the present
invention without departing from the scope of the invention. It is
intended that the present invention include such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
* * * * *