U.S. patent number 3,857,265 [Application Number 05/252,829] was granted by the patent office on 1974-12-31 for apparatus for electrohydraulically forming tubular elements.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Continental Can Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph A. Geuss, Kent B. Godsted, John W. Grek, Warren F. Howeler, Lubi Radosh, Donald J. Roth, Norbert L. Wright.
United States Patent |
3,857,265 |
Howeler , et al. |
December 31, 1974 |
APPARATUS FOR ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY FORMING TUBULAR ELEMENTS
Abstract
This invention relates to a novel apparatus for forming or
reforming tubular elements by positioning a tubular element
internally of a split mold and generating an electrical discharge
in a chamber internally of each tubular element whereby a shock
wave is created to radially outwardly expand the chamber and force
the tubular element into conformity with the split mold cavity.
Inventors: |
Howeler; Warren F. (Oak Lawn,
IL), Radosh; Lubi (Palos Heights, IL), Roth; Donald
J. (Chicago Heights, IL), Wright; Norbert L. (Park
Ridge, IL), Grek; John W. (Lisle, IL), Godsted; Kent
B. (Dolton, IL), Geuss; Joseph A. (Erie, PA) |
Assignee: |
Continental Can Company, Inc.
(New York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
26942712 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/252,829 |
Filed: |
May 12, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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749885 |
Aug 2, 1968 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
72/56; 72/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D
26/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B21D
26/00 (20060101); B21D 26/12 (20060101); B21d
026/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;72/56,63 ;29/421E
;100/264,272 ;425/242,450 ;113/115 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Herbst; Richard J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Diller, Brown, Ramik &
Wight
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 749,885,
filed Aug. 2, 1968, entitled APPARATUS FOR ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY
FORMING TUBULAR ELEMENTS, now abandoned.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privelege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. Apparatus for reforming tubular elements comprising means for
conveying tubular elements between loading and discharging
stations, mold means carried by said conveying means for receiving
the tubular elements in cavities of said mold means, flexible
chamber means internally of each mold means and in telescopic
relationship to the tubular element therein, means for periodically
conducting a fluid medium into said chamber means, means for
generating an electrical discharge in said chamber means whereby
each tubular element is reformed by the fluid medium to the
configuration of the cavities, means for opening each mold means
for the removal of each reformed tubular element therefrom, means
surrounding said chamber means for clamping a peripheral edge of
each tubular element against cooperating clamping surface means of
each mold means, means for increasing the pressure of the fluid
medium in the chamber means prior to the operation of said
generating means, and means for increasing the clamping force
between said clamping means and said clamping surface means
depending upon the increase of pressure of the fluid medium in the
chamber means.
2. Apparatus for reforming tubular elements comprising means for
conveying tubular elements between loading and discharging
stations, mold means carried by said conveying means for receiving
the tubular elements in cavities of each mold means, flexible
chamber means internally of each mold means and in telescopic
relationship to the tubular element therein, means for periodically
conducting a fluid medium into said chamber means, means for
generating an electrical discharge in said chamber means whereby
each tubular element is reformed by the fluid medium to the
configuration of the cavities, means for opening each mold means
for the removal of each reformed tubular element therefrom, means
surrounding said chamber means for clamping a peripheral edge of
each tubular element against cooperating clamping surface means of
each mold means, said surrounding means is a member mounted for
sliding movement externally of said chamber means, and means for
moving said member toward said clamping surface means for clamping
the peripheral edge of each tubular element.
3. Apparatus for reforming tubular elements comprising means for
conveying tubular elements between loading and discharging
stations, mold means carried by said conveying means for receiving
the tubular elements in cavities of said mold means, flexible
chamber means interiorly of each mold means and in telescopic
relationship to the tubular element therein, means for periodically
conducting a fluid medium into said chamber means, means for
generating an electrical discharge in said chamber means whereby
each tubular element is reformed by the fluid medium to the
configuration of the cavities, means for opening each mold means
for the removal of each reformed tubular element therefrom, means
surrounding said chamber means for clamping a peripheral edge of
each tubular element against cooperating clamping surface means of
each mold means, said surrounding means is an annular piston
mounted for sliding movement externally of said chamber means, a
housing surrounding said piston and defining a chamber therewith,
and means for introducing a fluid medium into said chamber for
moving said piston toward said clamping surface means for clamping
the peripheral edge of each tubular element.
4. Apparatus for reforming tubular elements comprising means for
conveying tubular elements between loading and discharging
stations, mold means carried by said conveying means for receiving
the tubular elements in cavities of said mold means, flexible
chamber means internally of each mold means and in telescopic
relationship to the tubular element therein, means for periodically
conducting a fluid medium into said chamber means, means for
generating an electrical discharge in said chamber means whereby
each tubular element is reformed by the fluid medium to the
configuration of the cavities, means for opening each mold means
for the removal of each reformed tubular element therefrom, said
tubular elements are closed at one end thereof and are open at
another end, rigid immovable means for clamping the closed end of
each tubular element between said chamber means and said mold
means, and means for clamping the open end of each tubular element
between said chamber means and said mold means whereby the reformed
tubular elements are of generally uniform heights due to localized
reforming of the tubular elements between the clamped ends
thereof.
5. Apparatus for reforming tubular elements comprising means for
conveying tubular elements between loading and discharging
stations, mold means carried by said conveying means for receiving
the tubular elements in cavities of said mold means, flexible
chamber means internally of each mold means and in telescopic
relationship to the tubular element therein, means for periodically
conducting a fluid medium into said chamber means, means for
generating an electrical discharge in said chamber means whereby
each tubular element is reformed by the fluid medium to the
configuration of the cavities, means for opening each mold means
for the removal of each reformed tubular element therefrom, said
mold means include a plurality of split molds, each split mold is
defined at least in part by a pair of mold bodies which are movable
away from each other by said opening means and toward each other by
closing means, said opening and closing means include linkage means
coupled to each of said mold bodies, one of said linkage means is
operative by said closing means to draw one of the pair of mold
bodies toward and into contact with the other of the mold bodies,
and the other of said linkage means is operative by said closing
means to push the other of the mold bodies toward and into contact
with said one mold body.
6. The reforming apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said one
and another linkage means include a plurality of pivotal links, and
said links are disposed in generally parallel relationship in the
closed position of said mold bodies.
7. The reforming apparatus as defined in claim 6 including means
mounting said mold bodies for guidable sliding movement relative to
each other between the open and closed positions thereof.
Description
A primary object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus
for "stylizing" one-piece metallic can bodies or similar tubular
elements by hydraulic and electrohydraulic forces. The term
"stylizing" is intended to mean the reforming of a tubular can body
to a desired configuration, and more specifically to not only
changing the over-all contour of the can body but to impress,
emboss or otherwise transfer minute details to an exterior surface
of the can body. For example, from the standpoint of consumer
acceptance it might be found desirable to manufacture can bodies in
which beer is to be packaged to a "beer barrel" configuration such
that upper and lower end portions are of a smaller diameter than a
central body portion, and the latter is preferably provided with
circumferential grooves disposed in axially spaced relationship.
This imparts to the can body the appearance of a "miniature" beer
barrel.
In accordance with the invention one-piece can bodies are
sequentially delivered by a lifter platen to a position beneath a
pair of mold bodies of a split mold in axial aligned relationship
to a support carrying a flexible chamber. The can body is elevated
and a peripheral flange thereof is clamped between a portion of the
chamber support and portions of the mold body upon the closing of
the split mold. Liquid under pressure is then delivered to the
chamber which causes the progressive expansion thereof which in
turn forces the can body into general conformity with a mold cavity
of the split mold. At this point the pressure is not sufficiently
high to transfer minute details from the mold cavity to the
exterior surface of the can body. Thereafter an electrical
discharge is created in the chamber while still under pressure to
create a high energy shock wave to terminate the stylizing
operation by forcing the exterior surface of the can body into
intimate contact with the mold cavity upon the momentary high-force
expansion of the chamber. Thereafter the pressure is relieved, the
chamber is purged, the split mold is opened, and the lifter platen
is lowered to remove the stylized can body incident to the
discharge thereof from the apparatus.
In addition to the broader aspects of the invention heretofore
described, it is also a primary object of the invention to clamp
each can body in the split mold in such a manner as to produce
stylized can bodies of substantially uniform repetitive heights,
and to provide novel means for increasing the clamping forces in
proportion to the increase of pressure in the chamber.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel
apparatus for stylizing can bodies in the manner heretofore set
forth wherein novel linkage means are provided for closing the
split molds in such a manner which preloads the links of the
linkage mechanism to thereby effectively clamp closed the split
molds and resist the high forming forces, particularly the
electrohydraulic force which approximates 30,000 p.s.i.
Still another object of the invention is to provide novel means for
pressurizing the fluid chamber in the form of an intensifier which
is so arranged in a hydraulic system that noncorrosive hydraulic
fluid is used to pressurize the corrosive medium (saline solution)
within the chamber to thereby reduce the high cost which would
otherwise be involved in employing noncorrosive stainless steel or
other material in a hydraulic system containing only corrosive
fluid.
A final object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus of
the type heretofore set forth wherein a plurality of split molds
and expansible chambers are carried by a turret, each of the
chambers includes a pair of electrodes, and both the power supply
and a storage capacitor (or inductor) are located externally of the
turret thereby eliminating the necessity of high voltage rotary
electrical and hydraulic connections as well as eliminating the
need for a splash-proof ignitron which would otherwise be required
if the storage capacitor were carried by the turret.
With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter
appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood
by reference to the following detailed description, the appended
claimed subject matter, and the several views illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
IN THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a highly schematic top plan view of the apparatus of this
invention, and illustrates the various operations which are
performed and the areas at which they are performed between the
time a can body is fed to a turret of the apparatus and thereafter
discharged therefrom in its stylized form.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one of a plurality of split molds and
expansible chambers carried by the turret, and illustrates the
manner in which a can body on a lifter platen is raised upwardly
into external telescopic relationship to the expansible chamber and
internal telescopic relationship to a mold cavity.
FIG. 2A is a schematic view similar to FIG. 2, and illustrates the
can body in its uppermost position as a pair of split mold bodies
begin to close.
FIG. 2B illustrates the mold of FIG. 2A in its completely closed
and locked position with a peripheral flange of the container body
clamped between a support of the expansible chamber and portions of
the mold bodies.
FIG. 2C is a schematic view with a portion of the expansible
chamber broken away for clarity, and illustrates the chamber being
radially expanded under the influence of hydraulic pressure to
conform the can body to the general contour of the mold cavity.
FIG. 2D is a schematic view of the can body after it has been
stylized by the discharge of electrical energy across a pair of
electrodes to transfer intimate cavity designs to the exterior of
the now stylized can body.
FIG. 2E is a schematic view illustrating the open position of the
mold and the now purged chamber, and illustrates the stylized can
being removed by downward movement of the bottom die body or lifter
platen.
FIG. 3 is a timing diagram, and indicates the relationship between
turret rotation and the relationship of a can body to the
operations being performed relative thereto.
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the hydraulic system of the
apparatus, and illustrates a fluid isolator or intensifier for
pressurizing the expansible chambers.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus with certain
structure removed for clarity, and illustrates means for feeding
can bodies to the apparatus, the manner in which four split molds
carried by a turret are opened and closed, and means for
discharging stylized can bodies from the turret.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary axial sectional view taken through the
apparatus with certain portions removed for clarity, and
illustrates the mounting of the turret, and cam and cam follower
means for lifting a can body carried by a bottom die body into
external telescopic relationship to one of the expansible chambers
prior to closing the split mold associated therewith.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially in
section, taken generally along line 7--7 of FIG. 8, and illustrates
a linkage mechanism associated with each split mold for opening and
closing the same through the operation of a cam and cam follower
mechanism.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line
8--8 of FIG. 7 and more clearly illustrates the four split molds
and the linkage mechanisms associated therewith.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line
9--9 of FIG. 8 when the split mold is at a feed station, and
illustrates the manner in which a can body is transferred from a
star wheel to a position in alignment with the open split molds by
a cam and cam follower mechanism.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally
along line 10--10 of FIG. 9, and illustrates a plurality of
passages for connecting a vacuum source to the under side of a can
body carried by the bottom die body for holding the can body
thereon.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken generally along line 11--11 of
FIG. 10, and illustrates one of a plurality of compression springs
associated with the lower die body or platen.
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of another platen, and
illustrates the convex configuration of a chamber when employed in
conjunction with a bottom seamed or seamless can body.
FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken generally along line 13--13
of FIG. 6, and illustrates four vacuum lines each of which is
associated with one of the platens.
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9 but
taken at a position at which the can body has been lifted by the
platen to its uppermost position, and illustrates a cam follower
for supporting the platen during the forming operation.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one of the split mold bodies, and
illustrates the particular configuration of a cavity formed
therein.
FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the split
molds, and illustrates the manner in which a cam and cam follower
associated with a linkage mechanism closes the split mold.
FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the split
mold and linkage mechanism of FIG. 16, and illustrates the manner
in which the cam follower is moved upwardly to close the split
mold.
FIG. 18 is an axial sectional view taken through one of four
identical transducers of the apparatus, and illustrates an interior
rigid cage structure surrounded by an expansible bag-like element
which defines the expansible chamber, and additionally illustrates
the container body in external telescopic relationship thereto.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 19--19
of FIG. 18, and illustrates the manner in which one of a pair of
electrodes is connected to a conductor.
FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken generally along line 20--20 of
FIG. 18, and illustrates the manner in which the other of the
electrodes is connected to a conductor and passage means for
introducing and removing liquid from the chamber.
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 21--21
of FIG. 18, and more clearly illustrates the internal cage
structure of the transducer and particularly a plurality of
circumferentially spaced electrode-supporting pillars.
FIG. 22 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken through a
stationary central supporting column of the turret, and illustrates
a pair of rotary valves forming a portion of the hydraulic system
of FIG. 4 for pressurizing and purging the transducer chambers.
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 23--23
of FIG. 22, and more clearly illustrates the manner in which the
valves are coupled to each of the four transducers and to
drain.
FIG. 24 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of one of the
transducers, and illustrates alignment between stator and rotor
contacts for creating an electrical discharge across the
electrodes.
FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken long line 25--25 of FIG. 24, and
more clearly illustrates the relative position between the stator
and rotor contacts at the time of discharge.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The can body stylizing apparatus of this invention is generally
designated by the reference numeral 10 and includes a rotatable
turret 12 which carries four identical split molds 13 (FIG. 2), a
transducer 14, and a bottom mold body or platen 15. Referring in
particular to FIGS. 1 through 2D, a can body C is delivered to an
infeed star wheel 16 which transfers the can body C in overlying
relationship to the platen 15 which is moved counterclockwise, as
viewed in FIG. 1. A vacuum holds the can body C upon the platen 15
as the platen 15 rises upwardly to position the can body C in
external telescopic relationship to an expansible chamber 17 of the
transducer 14. As the platen 15 is elevated mold bodies 18, 20
defining therebetween a mold cavity 21 begin to close (FIG. 2A),
fully close, and clamp a peripheral flange F between a portion of
the transducer 14 and portions of the split molds 18, 20 (FIG. 2B)
at which point the split molds 18, 20 are locked and the vacuum is
cut off (FIG. 2B).
Liquid is then introduced into the interior of the chamber (FIG.
2C) to progressively expand the chamber and thereby radially expand
the container C into general conformity with the contour of the
cavity 21. At a pressure of approximately 600-800 p.s.i. the can
body C is not in intimate contact with the cavity surface and any
minute details thereon would not be totally and accurately
transferred to the can body exterior. In order to transfer such
minute details an electrical discharge is created across a gap
between a pair of electrodes 19, 22 which creates a momentary shock
wave resulting in a force of approximately 30,000 p.s.i. which
forces the exterior of the can body C into intimate contact with
the mold cavity 21.
The chamber 17 is purged, the platen 15 is decompressed and lowered
(FIG. 2E), the split mold 13 is subsequently fully opened, and the
now stylized can body is removed from the apparatus by a discharge
star wheel 23 (FIG. 1).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring in particular to FIG. 6 of the drawings, the turret 12
includes a stationary tubular upstanding support 24 which is fixed
to an underlying portion (not shown) of a frame F'. A rotatable
tubular member 25 surrounds the support 24 and a lower end portion
thereof includes a flange 26 to which is welded a gear 27. A
suitable bearing 8 is positioned between the gear 27 and the lower
end portion of the support 24 while a bushing 30 is disposed
between reduced end portions 31, 32 of the support 24 and the
rotatable member 25, respectively.
Another stationary support 33 (FIG. 6) of a generally annular
configuration is supported above the support member 24 and in axial
alignment therewith by a plurality of supporting rods 34. A bearing
assembly 35 mounts a tubular member 36 for rotation relative to the
stationary support 33. The tubular member 36 carries a table 37 at
its upper end and is secured at its flanged lower end (unnumbered)
to another tubular member 38 which is in turn secured to the
reduced end portion 32 of the rotatable member 25. In this manner
rotation imparted to the rotatable member 25 by the gear 27 is
transferred by the tubular members 36, 38 to rotate the table 37 as
well as a turret member 40 which is welded or otherwise secured to
the tubular member 38.
The turret member 40 is formed by an upper annular plate 41, a
lower annular plate 42 and a peripheral plate 43. Four identical
transducers, each being referred to generally by the reference
numeral 14, are suspendingly supported from the lower plate 42 at
points equidistant from the axis of rotation of the turret member
and in 90.degree. spaced relationship to each other.
Referring in particular to FIG. 18 of the drawings, each of the
transducers 14 includes an internal rigid cage structure 46 defined
by a plurality of circumferentially spaced conductive rods 47 which
are welded at their lower ends to a conductive electrode support 48
and at their upper ends to a conductive metallic plate 50. The rods
47 pass through bores 51 in an annular insulating member 52 which
is in internal telescopic relationship to an annular supporting
collar 53 which is suspended from the plate 50 by a flanged
clamping collar 54. A plurality of springs 55 permit limited axial
movement of the collar 53 relative to the plate 50. The annular
insulating member 52 further includes a pair of passages 56, 57
which are in fluid communication with respective passages 58, 59 of
the plate 50 (FIG. 20) and collectively the passages 56 through 59
function to introduce a fluid medium, such as a low (4 percent)
concentrate saline solution, into the interior of an expansible
chamber 17 defined in part by a flexible bag-like element 61. A
pair of passages 62, 63 likewise formed in the annular insulating
member 52 are in fluid communication with respective passages 64,
65 of the plate 50 for purging the liquid from the chamber 17.
Another annular insulating member 66 is threadably secured to the
plate 50 at its upper end portion and the electrode 19 passes
through a bore 67 thereof in axially aligned spaced relationship to
the electrode 22 to therebetween define an electrode-electrode gap
68 across which electrical energy is discharged to expand the
bag-like element 61 radially outwardly during the second phase of
the stylizing operation heretofore described in conjunction with
FIG. 2D.
The bag-like element 61 is supported at its upper end portion
within a chamber 70 of the collar 53 by means of a two-piece piston
71 which is mounted for limited axial movement in the chamber 70.
The piston 71 is prevented from moving completely out of the
chamber 70 by means of a restraining collar 72. A lower annular
arcuate surface 73 of the piston 71 is contoured to clamp the
peripheral flange F of each of the can bodies C in conjunction with
the mold bodies 18, 20, as will be described more fully hereafter.
The clamping force is increased in proportion to an increase in
pressure internally of the chamber 17 by means of a pair of ports
74 which conduct incoming pressurized liquid from the passages 56,
57 into the chamber 70 above the piston 71.
Each transducer 14 is suspended from the plate 42 of the turret
member 40 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 75
(FIGS. 18 and 19) received in flanged insulators 76 which project
through bores 77 of the plate 42. An annular insulator 78 maintains
the plate 42 in spaced relationship to a conductive plate 80 into
bores 81 of which each of the bolts 75 is secured.
The conductive plate 80 is connected to the electrode 19 by a
coupling 82 which includes a conductive collar 83 and a conductive
plate 84. The conductive plate 80 is likewise supported in spaced
relationship to the plate 50 by a plurality of bolts 85, each of
which passes through insulators 86, 87 and is threadably secured in
a bore 88 of the plate 50. Conductors 90, 91 are secured to the
respective plates 80, 50 by bolts and nuts (unnumbered). Current
will therefore flow along a path traced from the conductor 90, the
conductive plate 80, the collars 83, 84, the electrode 19, the
electrode 22, the support 48, the rods or pillars 47, the plate 50
and the conductor 91.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 through 9 which illustrate the
manner in which each of the platens 15 is mounted for sliding
movement upon the rotatable member 25 between a lowermost position
(FIG. 9) at which time the can body C is removed from the infeed
star wheel 16 to an uppermost position (FIG. 15) at which time the
split mold 13 is completely closed. Four plates 92 (FIG. 8) are
secured in a conventional manner to the rotatable member 25, and at
upper and lower ends of each plate 92 is a radially outwardly
directed bracket 93, 94, respectively (FIGS. 6, 7 and 9). The
brackets 93, 94 each have a pair of bores (unnumbered) which
receive cylindrical rods 95, 96. The rods 95, 96 are in parallel
relationship to each other and define a slide path for a slide 97
which includes a pair of bores 98, 100 (FIG. 10) in which are
received the rods 95, 96. A bracket 101 which carries the platen 15
is secured to the slide 97. Thus, upon upward movement being
imparted to the slide 97 from the position shown in FIG. 9 the
slide 97 is guided upwardly by the rods 95, 96 to the position
shown in FIG. 24 while opposite movement is likewise guided by the
rods 95, 96.
Each of the slides 97 is reciprocated upwardly and downwardly
during the rotation of the rotatable member 25 by means of a cam
track 102 (FIG. 6) which encircles the rotatable member 25 and is
suitably secured to the frame F'. A cam roller or follower 103 is
positioned in a groove 109 of the cam track and is secured to the
slide 97 by a plate 104. As the rotatable member 25 rotates each
slide 97 carried thereby similarly rotates as does each plate 104
and platen 15 whereupon the cam follower 103 lifts and lowers each
platen 15 in sequence to the operations being performed by the
apparatus 10.
Each platen 15 includes a tubular supporting head 105 which is
bored at 106 and counterbored at 107 (FIG. 11). A lip of the head
is rounded as at 108 to receive the bottom radius of the can body
C. A cylindrical insert 110 having a peripheral flange 111 is
positioned within the bore 106 while a reduced stem 112 thereof is
positioned in a bore 113 of the bracket 101. A plurality of springs
114 disposed in opposed recesses of the bracket 101 and the head
105 normally urge the latter upwardly to the position illustrated
in FIG. 11. However, the head 105 may move downwardly until a
shoulder 115 contacts the upper surface of the bracket 101. The
insert 110 is secured in the position illustrated in FIG. 11 by
means of a bolt 116 which permits sliding movement and prevents
rotational movement. A pin 117 force fit into a bore 118 of the
bracket 101 includes an end portion slidably received in a bore 120
of the head 105 to likewise permit vertical sliding movement of the
head 105 while preventing rotation thereof.
A generally inverted U-shaped bracket 121 is secured to the under
side of the bracket 101 and carries cam roller or follower 122
which rides upon a cam track 123 (FIG. 14) supported by an upright
support 124 of the frame F'. The function of the springs 114 is to
permit the can body C to be placed under a predetermined
compressive force between the head 105 and the shoulder 73 of the
transducer 14 prior to the closing of the split mold 13. The
function of the cam follower 122 when it is on the upper portion of
the cam track 123 is to support the bracket 101 against the
extremely high forces (30,000 p.s.i.) created during an electrical
discharge across the electrodes 19, 22.
The can C is preferably held on the head 105 of the platen 15 by a
partial vacuum created in the bore 107 (FIG. 11). The volume
beneath the bottom wall of the can C is connected to a conventional
vacuum source (not shown), such as a vacuum pump, by a passage 125
in the head 110, a radial port 126 (FIG. 10) in the stem 112 and a
portion of the bracket 101, a port 127 which opens into the bore 98
of the slide 97, an annular chamber 128 between the bore 98 and the
exterior surface of the rod 95, a radial bore 130 (FIG. 9) in the
rod 95, an axial passage 131 in the rod 95, a passage 132 at the
lower end of the rod 95 which passes through the plate 92 and
terminates at a passage 133 in the rotatable member 25, a passage
134 and a conduit 135 which passes through an opening (unnumbered)
in the gear 27. Suitable seals (unnumbered) are provided for
preventing undesirable leakage.
FIG. 12 illustrates a modified platen 15' wherein a head 105'
having a bore 106' and a counterbore 107' receives an insert 110'
having a convex upper surface 136. The surface 136 is formed of a
convex configuration to cooperate with a correspondingly contoured
dome-shaped bottom B' of a container C'.
The split molds 13 are of identical construction and the mold
bodies 18, 20 thereof are mounted for sliding movement relative to
each other between the open and closed positions illustrated in
FIGS. 7, 8 and 16. The mold bodies 18, 20 are supported from the
lower plate 42 of the turret member 40 by means of a plate 140 to
one side of each of the molds 13 (FIG. 8) and a pair of plates 141,
142 at an opposite side of each of the molds. The uppermost ends of
the plates are welded to the under side of the plate 42 while the
lower ends are rigidly connected together by a pair of cylindrical
rods 143, 144. The rods 143, 144 are preferably coupled to the
plates 141, 142 in a removable manner as, for example, by
projecting threaded end portions through bores of the plates 140
through 142 and employing nuts to fasten the assembly whereupon the
split molds 13 can be readily removed, repaired or replaced.
The mold bodies 18, 20 include aligned bores in each of which is a
bushing 145, 146 through which is respectively received the rods
143, 144, as is best illustrated in FIG. 16.
The molds 13 are opened and closed by a linkage mechanism 150 (FIG.
16) which includes a pair of rods 151, 152 each of which is
surrounded by bushings 153 in the bores 155. The bores 155 are in
alignment with bores 156 of the mold body 20 which receive an end
portion of each of the rods 151, 152. The end portions of the rods
151, 152 carry flanges 157 and are secured in position by a nut
158, in a manner clearly illustrated in FIG. 16.
Each of the rods 151, 152 includes a bifurcated end portion 160
which is secured by a pivot pin 161 to a link 162. Each of the
links 162 is in turn connected to a generally T-shaped member 163
by a pin 164. The T-shaped member 163 is supported by a pair of
plates 165, 166 which are welded to the under side of the plate 42
of the turret member 40, and the lower end portions thereof are
pivotally connected by a pin 167 to a bifurcated extension 168 of
the member 163. The extension 168 is in turn connected to a link
170 by a pin 171 and another pin 172 secures each of the links 170
to a bifurcated portion 173 of each of the mold bodies 18.
Each of the T-shaped members 163 includes a further bifurcated
portion 174 which is connected to a link 175 by a pin 176. The link
175 is in turn pivotally connected by a pin 177 to a rod 178 which
is mounted for sliding telescopic movement in a sleeve 180 (FIGS. 6
and 7) carried by the turret member 40. Each rod 178 is prevented
from rotating by a groove and key, which is generally designated by
the reference numeral 181. A cam follower or roller 182 is carried
by the upper end portion of each of the rods 178 and is received in
a cam track 183 which is fixedly secured to the under side of the
stationary support 33, in the manner best illustrated in FIG. 6 of
the drawings.
As the turret member 40 rotates the follower 182 moves in the track
183 to raise and lower each of the rods 178 to respectively close
and open each of the split molds 13, in the manner best illustrated
in FIG. 17. Upon upward movement of the rods 178, the rods 151, 152
are drawn to the left as viewed in FIG. 16 to pull along therewith
the mold body 20 while the downward pivoting movement of the
extension 168 from the position shown in FIG. 17 to that shown in
FIG. 16 moves the mold body 18 from left to right until the bodies
are in the closed position shown in FIG. 16. It will be noted that
the link 170 applies a force through the mold body 18 in a
direction opposite to that which draws the mold body 20 toward the
mold body 18. Thus, it is possible by the linkage mechanism 150 to
preload the split molds 13 in the closed position to thereby
effectively resist forming forces which might otherwise tend to
open the same.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 24 and 25 of the drawings which
illustrate a pair of contacts 185, 186 secured by bolts 187 to an
insulating plate which is in turn secured by bolts 190 to a
bifurcated bracket 191 which is secured to a vertical plate 192.
The plate 192 is fixedly secured in any conventional manner, as by
welding, adjacent each of the transducers. The contact 186 is
connected to its associated transducer by the conductor 90 while
the contact 185 is connected to the transducer by the conductor
91.
Another pair of contacts 195, 196 are supported from a post 197
adjacent the rotatable turret member 40. The contacts 195, 196 are
each secured by bolts and nuts 197 to a generally L-shaped
insulating member 198 having a recess 200 in which is seated a
plate 201 having an arcuate aperture 202 through which passes a
bolt 203. A pivot pin 204 and an insulating bushing associated
therewith journals each of the members 198 for slight pivoting
movement relative to the pivot pin 204, as indicated by the
unnumbered double headed arrows in FIG. 25. A spring 205 is
connected to each of the plates 201 and a pin 206 passing through a
support member 207 which is conventionally secured to an upstanding
support 208 of the apparatus frame F'. The contacts 195, 196 are
mounted for pivotal movement to permit the faces thereof to come
into intimate contact during the rotation of the rotatable member
40 such that upon reaching the position shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 a
discharge is created across the electrodes 19, 22 from a source of
electrical energy (not shown) such as a storage inductor or
capacitor which is connected to the contacts 195, 196 by conductors
(not shown).
A pair of rotary valves 210, 211 (FIG. 22) form part of a hydraulic
system 215 (FIG. 4) of the apparatus 10. The valve 210 includes a
sleeve-like housing 212 which rotates with the tubular member 38
and includes four conduits 213 which pass through openings 214 and
are each connected to an associated one of the transducers 14. A
stationary sleeve 216 is fixedly support atop a rigid conduit 217
and includes an interior chamber 218 which is connected to an
annular channel 220 of the housing 212 by four ports 221. Liquid
within the chamber 218 is connected to a drain by means of a
plurality of tubular bolts 222 of the valve 210 which open into the
chamber 218 and into an annular passage 223 formed between the
conduit 217 and another conduit 224. The conduit 217 is connected
to a check valve 225 (FIG. 4) and to a conduit 226 which is in turn
connected to a pump 227.
The valve 211 delivers low concentrated saline solution to the
various transducers by means of the conduit 224, a chamber 228 in
the sleeve 216, a plurality of ports 230 in the sleeve 216, an
annular channel 231, and a plurality of conduits 232 which are each
connected to one of the transducers 14 and a fluid isolator 235
(FIG. 4) in a manner which will be described immediately hereafter
in conjunction with a description of the operation of the apparatus
10.
STYLIZING OPERATION
The infeed star wheel 16 rotates counterclockwise as viewed in FIG.
1 during which time the clockwise rotation of the turret 12 brings
the platen 15 into underlying axial registration with the can body
C. At this time a vacuum is being drawn over the flow path
heretofore described relative to FIGS. 9 through 11 of the drawings
and as the can body C seats upon the shoulder 108 (FIG. 11), the
can body C is firmly held upon the head 105 of the platen 15 as the
latter begins to rise as the cam follower 103 (FIG. 6) moves
upwardly under the influence of the cam track 109 (FIG. 6). During
this upward movement the platen 15 is guided by the slide 97 as it
moves upwardly along the rods 95, 96 (FIGS. 7 to 9).
During the upward movement of the platen 15 a solenoid valve SV6
(FIG. 4) is operated to conduct water from a suitable source
through a conduit 236 to the pump 227 to avoid loss of its "prime."
The solenoid valve SV6 is one of a plurality of valves associated
with each of the transducers which is operated in sequence by a
plurality of timing cams (not shown) which are rotated in a
conventional manner in synchronism with the rotation of the turret
12 to initiate the various operations of the apparatus 10.
A pair of solenoid valves SV3 and SV5 are then operated to conduct
a low (4 percent) concentrate saline solution to an outlet chamber
237 of the intensifier 235 and to the chamber 17 of the transducer
14. The saline solution is created by conducting water from a
suitable source through a valve 238 (FIG. 4) and diverting the flow
through a check valve 240, a needle valve 241, a brine tank 242 and
a conventional rotometer 242 which monitors the saline solution
flowing through a conduit 243 which, as need be, may be supplied
with fresh water flowing through a check valve 244, a needle valve
245, a pressure regulator 246 and a rotometer 247 to provide the
desired concentrate of the solution to the conduit 224 which
delivers the same to the chamber 228 of the valve 211 (FIG. 22) and
thence to a selected one of the transducers through the conduit 232
which is connected to a conventional accumulator 251 by a conduit
252. The conduit 252 continues the flow of the solution through a
valve (unnumbered) of the solenoid valve SV5, a conduit 253, a
check 254, a conduit 255, a conduit 256 which includes a branch 257
having a check valve 258 and conduits 260, 261 (FIG. 5) which are
connected to the ports 58, 59 (FIG. 20). This begins to fill the
chamber 17 of the transducer 14 with the low concentrate saline
solution, and also fills the outlet chamber 237 of the fluid
isolator 235 through a conduit 262.
The platen 15 continues to rise and eventually reaches the top of
its stroke at which time the flange F contacts the shoulder 73 of
the transducer piston 71 and upon the contact of the cam follower
122 with the cam surface 123 (FIG. 14) the head 105 compresses the
springs 114 to intimately urge the flange F against the shoulder
73, as is best illustrated in FIG. 18. This upward movement also
raises the piston 71 slightly upwardly from the position shown in
FIG. 18 to allow clearance between the can body flange F and
clamping shoulders 263 of each of the mold bodies 18, 20 as they
are closed about the can body C.
After the platen 15 is fully raised and the springs 114 are
compressed the die bodies 18, 20 begin to close as the cam follower
182 (FIGS. 6 and 16) begins to rise by means of the cam track 183
which draws the associated rod 178 upwardly to eventually close the
mold through the linkage 150, in the manner heretofore
described.
The vacuum is now cut off to the platen 15 in a conventional manner
and the solenoid valve SV5 is closed to terminate the saline
solution feed. A solenoid valve SV2 is then operated to switch a
valve 264 to its power position at a time that the chamber 17 is at
line pressure (40 p.s.i.) and after the mold bodies 18, 20 have
been fully closed. During the introduction of the solution into the
chamber 17 air is expelled between the container body C and the
exterior of the bag-like element 61 as the latter conforms to the
contour of the can body C, although the latter is not deformed at
this time. A continuously operating motor M (FIG. 4) drives a pump
265 to conduct hydraulic fluid into a chamber 266 of the isolator
235 behind a piston 267 over a flow path defined by a conductor
268, a check valve 270, a conventional rotary joint 271 carried by
the rotating table 37 (FIG. 6), a conduit 272, and a conduit 273.
As the pressure begins to increase in the chamber 266 a piston 279
begins to move downwardly to increase the pressure in an
accumulator 274 through a conduit 275 and to also increase the
pressure within the chamber 17 through the conduit 262, the conduit
256, the conduits 260, 261, the ports 58, 59, and the passages 56,
57. The pressure is increased in the chamber 17 until it is
approximately between 600-800 p.s.i. at which time the bag-like
element 61 is expanded radially outwardly to force the container
body into general conformity with the mold cavity 21. However, at
this time the fluid pressure is insufficient to intimately urge the
exterior surface of the can body C into intimate relationship to
the fine details of the mold cavity surface.
The introduction of the fluid into the chamber 17 also increases
the clamping force exerted upon the can body flange F due to the
ports 74 (FIG. 18). The gradual expansion of the can body C also
expels air from between the can body and the die except in the fine
detail areas.
The continued rotation of the turret 12 eventually brings the
rotary contacts 185, 186 into alignment with the stationary
contacts 195, 196, respectively, which closes a circuit from the
stored energy source (not shown) which causes a discharge across
the electrodes 19, 22 and the spark gap 68 to cause a momentary
shock wave which expands the bag-like element 61 further outwardly
at a force up to 30,000 p.s.i. This results in the further radial
expansion of the can body C and urges the exterior surface thereof
into intimate contact with the fine detailed portions of the mold
cavity 21. An ignitron may be placed in series with the stored
energy source to more accurately control the discharge of the
capacitor and the ensuing electrohydraulic (E-H) pulse. While a
force of 30,000 p.s.i. has been indicated as being satisfactory for
most operations, the pressure developed may be approximately
between 25,000-75,000 p.s.i. for less than 100 micro-second at a
capacitor discharge across the electrodes of 30,000 joules at
10,000 volts.
After the can has been "stylized" the solenoid valves SV2 and SV6
are closed to respectively remove the drive pressure to the fluid
isolator 235 and to close the flow from the conduit 236 to the pump
227. With the valve 264 now in its drained position the pressure in
the accumulator 274 acting through the conduit 275 forces the
piston 279 upwardly and hydraulic fluid in a chamber 266 is
conducted to a reservoir by the conduit 273, the valve 264, a
conduit 278, a rotary valve 280 adjacent the rotary valve 271, a
conduit 281 and a reservoir 282 which is preferably connected to
the pump 265 by a conduit 283. As the piston 273 rises fluid is
withdrawn from the chamber 17 through the passages 62, 63 (FIG.
20), passages 64, 65, conduits 237, 238 and a conduit 262 until
such time as the pressure within the chamber 17 is zero, as is the
pressure within the chamber 70 (FIG. 18) which releases the
clamping force of the piston 71. As the mold bodies begin to open a
solenoid valve SV4 is operated to its open position and the
centrifugal pump 227 continues to remove the fluid from the chamber
17 through the conduits 287, 288, the conduit 213 (FIG. 22) of the
valve 210, the valve 210, the conduit 217, the check valve 225 and
the conduit 226. The centrifugal pump 227 creates a vacuum
internally of the chamber 17 such that the bag-like element 61
collapses against the pillars 47 of the cage 46 (FIG. 2E) to permit
the now stylized can body to be readily removed therefrom during
downward movement of the platen 15.
Vacuum is again applied to the platen 15 to clamp the stylized can
body to the head 105 and the platen 15 begins to lower as its
roller 122 descends along the cam surface 123 to completely
decompress the springs 114 just prior to the die bodies reaching
their fully opened position under the influence of the cam track
183, the cam follower 182 and the rod 178 associated with the
linkage mechanism 150. After the die bodies 18, 20 are fully open
and the springs 114 are fully decompressed, the platen 15 begins to
lower as the follower 103 descends to the lower position of the cam
track 109, after which the vacuum to the platen is discontinued and
the stylized can body is discharged to the star wheel 21.
Between approximately 302.degree.-312.degree. the cam track 183 is
contoured to close the die bodies partially in order that the die
bodies can clear the star wheels 16, 21, the vacuum is again
applied to the platen 15 for subsequent can body pick-up, and the
solenoid valves SV4 and SV6 are respectively closed and opened to
terminate the draining of the chamber 17 and the intensifier 235,
and to provide water to the evacuation pump 227 to prevent the loss
of its prime. Thereafter the cycle of the apparatus 10 continues in
the manner heretofore described.
It is pointed out that the saline solution is a corrosive liquid
and care must be taken in order that the saline solution does not
admix with the noncorrosive hydraulic fluid introduced into the
chamber 226 of the fluid isolator 235 (FIG. 4). To this end a pair
of O-ring seals 290, 291 surround the piston 279 on opposite sides
of the radial port 292 which is connected by a conduit 293 to a
check valve 294 which is in turn connected by a conduit 295 to the
conduit 213. Any hydraulic fluid which seeps past the O-ring seal
290 is thereby withdrawn from the area between the seals 290, 291
during the purging of the chamber 17 upon the operation of the
centrifugal pump 227. Likewise, any of the corrosive saline
solution which seeps upwardly past the O-ring seal 291 is likewise
conducted to drain through the port 292, the conduit 293, the check
valve 294, etc. during the purging of the chamber 17.
If some slight contamination of the saline solution does occur, it
may be removed prior to being introduced into the chamber 237 of
the isolator 235 by removing a portion of the conduit 262 and
directing the saline solution from the conduit 255 directly to the
conduit 284, a filter 296, a check valve 297 and a conduit 298
connected to the remaining portion of the conduit 262, while
reverse flow can be prevented by a conduit 300, a check valve 301,
and a conduit 302.
While preferred forms and arrangements of parts have been shown in
illustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that
various changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
* * * * *