Automatic container capping and dispensing device

Abstract

An automatic container capping and lid dispensing device is provided in which a vertical magazine of stacked horizontally disposed lids is vertically reciprocated toward and away from a vertically disposed container beneath the magazine. Such downward stroke of the magazine releases the lowermost lid therein and seats it on the rim of the container to cap the latter. The return stroke prepares the stack of lids for the next dispensing and capping stroke.

Parent Case Text

This invention relates to container capping devices and more particularly to means for dispensing lids for containers or the like from a magazine and placing the lid on the container as it is dispensed and is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 390,243, filed Aug. 21, 1973 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,898.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the dispensing of stacked container lids, one at a time for the purpose of applying each dispensed lid to a container, it has been customary to use a coin feed type mechanism which slidably displaces the lowermost lid from a stack of lids in a loadable magazine and then apply the lid to the container with yet another mechanism, synchronously related or timed with the dispensing mechanism.

Such equipment has a number of disadvantages, not the least of which are cost, complexity and bulk, precluding the use of such equipment for all but high volume situations where its cost, complexity and size are not parameters of impracticability.

Furthermore, such equipment requires lid designs which are compatible with coin feeding, thus eliminating nested, thin-walled, low cost plastic and other lids from this form of automated dispensing.

Thus, there is an established need in the art for a low cost lid dispensing and capping unit for containers which effects its functions in an optimally limited space, is not unduly limited to particular lid designs and which is readily adaptable to use with many types of equipment such as automatic filling machines, vending machines and the like.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and novel means for dispensing container lids one by one from a stack of lids in a magazine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and novel means for dispensing container lids one by one from a stack of lids in a magazine and to cap a container with said lid as it is dispensed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel lid dispensing and container capping device which performs its dual function with but a single operating stroke.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel lid dispensing and container capping device which is optimally simple in construction, of optimally minimum dimensions, low in cost, rapid in operation and operable with low cost, thin-walled lids of plastic or the like.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lid dispensing and container capping device having a tubular vertical magazine of stacked lids which utilizes a single short stroke vertical displacement of the entire magazine to effect dispensing of a lid and capping of a container therewith.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more fully apparent with reference to the following specifications and drawings which relate to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vertically extending tubular magazine is mounted for vertical reciprocation in a combined cam and bearing and holds a particularly stacked and/or nested container lids each disposed transversely of the magazine. At the lower end of the magazine are a set of releasable leveling and dispensing detents selectively engaging the lowermost lid in the magazine, said detents being jointly disposed about the periphery of the lower end of the magazine with a set of clamping shoes of which engage the lids and cause them to seat on and cap a container at the lowermost reach of each reciprocation of the magazine.

The leveling and dispensing detents and the lid clamping shoes are mounted on individual leaf spring members on the magazine and are timed to the reciprocations of the magazine by the combined cam and bearing to dispense one lid at a time and cap a container with that lid for each reciprocation of the magazine during a single downward stroke of said magazine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation in cross-section taken along line 1--1 of FIG. 4 of a dispenser and capper of the present invention at or toward the uppermost position of a reciprocation of the magazine.

FIG. 2 is a similar view to FIG. 1 representing a lower position of the magazine and an intermediate actuation of the leveling and dispensing detents and clamping shoes of the present invention just prior to the container capping operation;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and 2 representing the lowermost or container capping position of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a cam and bearing configuration of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring in detail to the drawings and with particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the dispenser and capper 10 of the present invention is shown as including a vertically disposed tubular magazine 12 of my suitable cross-sectional configuration (although specifically shown as having a circular cross-section) in which a plurality of lids 14 of a size co-extensive with the cross-section of the magazine 12 have been stacked in a nested configuration by way of a vertical loading slot 16 as is known in the art.

Each of the lids 14 within have inverted U-shaped peripheral rims or flanges 14A with the outermost lip 14B thereof flared outwardly of the lid 14 into substantial juxaposition or immediate adjacency to the internal walls of the magazine 12. The fit of the lids 14 within the magazine 12 is such that they will feed downwardly therein in their stacked configuration by the action of gravity.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outwardly flared tip 14B of the lids 14 is designed to snap over the rolled top rim portion 18A of a drinking cup or container 18 which is positioned in a holder or retaining means 20 of any suitable configuration coaxially beneath the magazine 12 and lids 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the uppermost position of the magazine 12, the latter being reciprocated by means of any suitable known mechanism in the art through sequential short reciprocal strokes along its own axis, the said magazine 12 is so disposed with respect to a generally annular guide bearing and cam means 22 as to result in the stack of lids 14 being held within the magazine, beneath the lowermost lid 14, by a plurality of leveling and dispensing detents 24 engaging the flared tip portion 14B of the said lowermost lid 14. This position of the magazine also results in a disengaged condition of a plurality of arcuate clamping shoes 26 having a lowermost internal horizontal rim portion 26A1 having a substantially conformal overlapping fit with the outer top edge of the rim portions 14A of the lowermost lid 14 in the magazine 12 and an arcuate horizontal groove 26A2 formed in the inner face thereof to conformally receive the edge portion 14B of an adjacent lid 14 in the vertical stack.

The detents 24 are mounted on one end of respective upstanding leaf spring follower arms 24A having a cam rise 24B and two adjacent dwells 24C and 24D at the opposite ends of the rise 24B adjacent the external periphery of the annular bearing guide and cam ring 22.

The uppermost outer rim portions 22A of the cam ring 22 are the actuating cam surfaces for the detents 24 via the leaf springs 24A and the sloping upper internal surfaces 22B of the cam ring 22 are the actuating cam surfaces for the clamping shoes 26 as will be hereinafter more fully described in conjunction with the description of operation of the present invention.

The clamping shoes 26 are mounted on upstanding leaf spring follower arms 26B having a rise 26C and dwell 26D adjacent the cam ring 22 at the lowermost ends of the said leaf spring arms 26B.

The general orientation of the said leaf spring follower arms 24A and 26B, the cam ring 22 and the magazine 12 are shown in FIGS. 1-4 as having a common fixed point 27 at the upper end thereof by a means of common stirrup or keeper 27A mounted on the outer surface of the magazine 12 for each cooperating pair of detents 24 and clamping shoes 26B to work externally and internally, respectively, with the surface 22A and 22B of the cam 22.

The holder 20 can be a turret, a fixed socket or any suitable form of cup holder for automated and high speed use as well as for intermittent of random dispensing of the lids 14 and the resulting capping of cups 18 or other containers.

Any suitable mechanism can be utilized to drive the tubular magazine 12 through its reciprocal strokes, including manual actuation. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a motor M driving an eccentric E acting against a drive follower 12B on the magazine 12 can provide the reciprocation in conjunction with a return spring 12C all as schematically shown.

In a turret or other automated configuration of the cup holder 20, for example, the holder 20 would be synchronized with and/or trip the actuating mechanism of the tubular magazine 12 such that the stroke would take place as the cup 18 is brought in to its final coaxial position with the magazine 12 and lids 14.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cam is shown as having lowermost internal dwell surfaces 22C immediately beneath the rise surface 22B which ultimately engages the dwell position 26D of the leaf spring followers 26B of the arcuate clamping shoes 26 in the lowermost reaches of the downward stroke of the magazine 12, i.e., when the clamping shoes 26 are in their innermost positions.

Additionally, the cam 22 includes bearing surfaces 22D arranged in substantially regular intervals, every ninety degrees (90.degree.) in the preferred embodiment, radially inboard of the internal cam surfaces 22B, 22C and in sliding contact with the external periphery of the magazine 12.

The cam 22 is suspended from a fixed plate 28, through which the magazine 12 extends, by means of four support studs or columns 30 anchored in sockets or parts 22E in the four corners of the cam means 22. A port 28A is provided in the plate 28 to permit themagazine 12 to pass there through.

An annular bearing sleeve 32 is positioned in the plate 28 coaxially with the port 28A and externally concentric with the magazine 12 to provide additional bearing support for the reciprocating magazine 12.

OPERATION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and assuming FIG. 1 to be the initial or dwell position of the dispenser and capper 10, an uncapped container 18 is moved beneath the magazine 12 in coaxial alignment therewith such that the cup rim or head 18A is indexed beneath the open portion of the rim 14A of the lowermost lid 14 in the lid stack in the said magazine 12.

At this point in time the dwell surfaces 24B of the follower arms 24A are engaged by the outer periphery of the cam ring 22 and rise surfaces 22C of the follower arms 26B are positioned adjacent the internal cam surfaces 22B of the cam surfaces 22B of the cam ring 22, holding the leveling and dispensing detents 24 beneath the lowermost lid 14 in engagement with the flared lip 14B and holding the clamping and capping shoes 26 and the arcuate rims 26A thereof out of engagement with the lids 14.

As the magazine 12 is axially displaced downward to the position of FIG. 2, the rise 24B of the follower arms 24A engages the upper rim 22A of the cam ring 22 and progressively causes each follower arm 24A to flex outward and carry the leveling and dispensing detent 24 thereon out from under the lids 14 when the dwell 24C reaches the cam ring 22.

While this action is taking place, the rise 26C on the follower arms 26B engages the upper internal rise surface 22B of the cam ring 22 and progressively forces the clamping shoes 26 into engagement with the rims 14A of the lids 14 such that the arcuate slots 26A2 of the clamping and capping shoes 26 engage the flared lip 14B of one of the said lips and force same down and into the outer corner of the rim portion 14A on the next lowest lid and the arcuate lower edge portions 26A1 also engage the rim portion 14A of the latter.

The two foregoing actions are such that the clamping action of the clamping and capping shoes 26 is accomplished prior to a full release of the lids 14 by the leveling and dispensing detents 24.

Continued downward displacement of the magazine 12 to its lowermost position of travel in FIG. 3 will force the lowermost lid 14 (which is not engaged by the clamping shoes 26) onto the rim 18A of the cup 18, with the flared lip 14B of the lid riding out and over the cup rim 18A and the cup rim 18A thereby seating in the rim 14A of the lid 14. The inner surface of the magazine 12 beneath the clamping shoes 26 comprises a skirt portion or the like imposing a lateral constraint on the lowermost lid 14 to insure registry of the rim 14A with the rim 18A of the container 18.

With the clamping and capping pads 26 still gripping the remaining lids 14 in the stack of lids in the magazine 12, the back-stroke of the magazine 12 is commenced in this capping and dispensing cycle. The clamping shoes 26 retain their grip on the remaining lids in the clamping shoes through the position shown in FIG. 2 and until the levelling and dispensing detents 24 are returned to position beneath the lids 14 by the dwells 24D on their respective follower arms 24A engaging the outer periphery of the cam ring 22.

Then, prior to reaching the top of the back-stroke (position of FIG. 1) the clamping shoes 26 release the lids 14 in the lid stack to drop by gravity onto the leveling and dispensing detents 24, thus positioning the now lowermost lid 14 in the lid stack for the next dispensing and capping stroke of the magazine 12.

The clamping shoes 26 are fully released by the rises 26C on their respective follower arms 26B clearing or resting above the internal rise surface 22B of the cam ring 22.

The next cycle is commenced upon placing a new cup 18 in place beneath the unit 10 in the cup or container holder 20.

The holder 20 can be a turret, a fixed socket or any suitable form of cup holder for automated and high speed use as well as for intermittent or random dispensing of the lids 14 and the resultant capping of cups 18 or other containers.

Any suitable mechanism can be utilized to drive the tubular magazine 12 through its reciprocal strokes, including manual actuation. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a motor M driving an eccentric E acting against a drive follower 12B on the magazine 12 can provide the reciprocation in conjunction with a return spring 12C, all as schematically shown.

In a turret or other automated configuration of the cup holder 20, for example, the holder 20 would be synchronized with and/or trip the actuating mechanism of the tubular magazine 12 such that the stroke would take place as the cup 18 is brought in to its final coaxial position with the magazine 12 and lids 14.

It should be noted at this time, referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, that the lowermost end 12A of the tubular magazine 12 extends downward to at least the lowermost extremity of the leveling and dispensing detents 24 such that the lowermost lid 14 and the rims 14A and 14B thereof are enclosed by the magazine 12 to an extent precluding lateral displacement of the lid 14 being dispensed therefrom and forced onto the rim 18A of the container 18.

As can be seen from the foregoing description and drawings, the present invention provides a versatile, positive acting; simple and reliable lid dispensing and container capping device which is particularly well adapted for high speed volume use but which is simple enough, and thus low enough in cost, for a wide variety of intermittent or sporadic modes of use.

The present invention may be modified as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a lid dispensing and container capping means the combination comprising:

elongated tubular magazine means for holding a plurality of container lids in a substantially coaxial stack adjacent an open dispensing end of said magazine;

annular bearing means mounting said magazine means for relative reciprocating movement of said magazine thereto within the inner periphery of said bearing means;

said bearing means including cam means on the outer and inner periphery thereof;

leveling and dispensing detent means mounted on said magazine and extending inboard of said open dispensing end thereof to preclude said stack of said lids from dispensing in a first position of said magazine means relative to said bearing means;

said detent means being constrained by said cam means to a position outboard of said magazine means in a second position of said magazine means relative to said bearing means;

clamping means mounted on said magazine means adjacent said dispensing end thereof and extending through the periphery of said magazine and constrained by said cam means into selective engagement with a plurality of said lids in said stack;

said clamping means being out of engagement with said lids when said detent means is inboard of said magazine means and in engagement with said lids when said detent means is outboard of said magazine means;

wherein said detent means comprises a plurality of detents spaced about the periphery of said magazine means, said detents being on one end of respective first follower arms extending therefrom into proximity with the outer periphery of said bearing means; and

wherein said clamping means comprises a plurality of clamping shoes, conformally shaped to said lids and spaced about the periphery of said magazine means at corresponding peripheral positions with said detents, said clamping shoes being mounted on one end of respective second follower arms extending therefrom into proximity with the inner periphery of said bearing means;

said first and second follower arms comprising leaf springs having rise and dwell surfaces thereon engaging said cam means in response to reciprocating movement of said magazine means relative to said bearing means and having the other ends thereof fixed in a common mounting means on the outer periphery of said magazine means at each of said peripheral positions.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said rise and dwell surfaces on said first and second follower arms are interrelated to constrain predetermined coordinated displacements to said clamping shoes and said detents.

3. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said clamping means is displaced from said detent means such that the outermost lid in said stack rests on said detent means in the inboard position of the latter and at least the next adjacent lid in said stack is held by said clamping means when said detent means is in said outboard position, thereby permitting said outermost lid to be dispensed from said magazine means and the remainder of said lids to be retained therein for each reciprocation of said magazine means relative to said bearing means.

4. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said bearing means, said cam means includes internal cam surfaces spaced about the inner periphery for engaging said second spring folower arms to selectively position said detent means in response to reciprocation of said magazine in said bearing means; and

said bearing means further includes bearing surfaces intermediate said internal cam surfaces engaging the outer periphery of said magazine means.

5. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said open end of said magazine means terminates below said detent means and said clamping means to laterally constrain said lid means independently of said detent and clamping means.

6. Capping means for containers comprising:

magazine means holding a plurality of container lids in a substantially vertical stack with each said lid disposed substantially horizontally;

holding means for positioning an open mouthed container beneath said magazine means with the open mouth of said container in registry with said stack of lids;

annular bearing means having outer and inner peripheries mounting said magazine for reciprocation on its longitudinal axis toward and away from said holding means within the inner periphery of said bearing means;

said lids and the mouth of said container having conformally shaped coacting rim structures to effect a force fit therebetween; and

lid retaining and release means cooperating with said magazine and synchronized with the reciprocations thereof releasing the lowermost lid in said stack and retaining the remainder of said lids therein as said magazine approaches said container and subsequently applying a substantially vertical force to said rim structure of said lowermost lid to effect said force fit of said lid to said container;

said lid retaining and release means comprising detent means selectively extending inboard of said magazine means beneath said lowermost lid in said stack and clamping means selectively engageable with a plurality of said lids to retain all but the lowermost of said lids in said magazine;

said annular bearing means including spaced outer and inner cam means in registry at selected positions about said outer and inner peripheries of said bearing means;

said detent means and clamping means being mounted, respectively, on first and second leaf spring follower arms cantilevered at common mounting points for each cooperating pair of detent and clamping means corresponding to said selected positions of said spaced outer and inner cam means; and

said first and second leaf spring follower arms including rise and dwell surfaces sequentially engaging said outer and inner cam means, respectively, on said annular bearing means during reciprocation of said magazine means.

7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said bearing means further includes bearing surfaces intermediate said internal cam means engaging the outer periphery of said magazine means.

8. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said magazine means includes a dependent portion extending below said lid retaining and release means and enshrouding the mouth of said container to laterally constrain said lid means independently of said lid retaining and release means when said lowermost lid is applied to said container.

9. The invention defined in claim 6, wherein said clamping means comprises arcuate shoes having a lower edge portion for engaging the outer rim portion of the next lowermost lid in said stack and a conformal recess for receiving the outer periphery of the rim portion of the third lowermost lid in said stack for each reciprocation of said magazine means.