US2367393A - Closure cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 16, 1945. c, c, N

CLOSURE CLEANING DEVICE" Filed Dec. 30. 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 My J2 m Jan. 16, 1945.

c.- GREEN CLOSURE CLEANING v DEVICE Filed Dec. 30. 1939' ,2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g M wvbo'c Clarence 0 G'z-een lama Patented Jan. 16, 1945 UNITED 'STATES PATENT ,OFFICE oLo SURE-[CLEANING DEVICE:

Clarence 0. Green, Lancaster, Pa., assignqr to Armstrong Cork Company, Lancaster, Pa., a

corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 30, 1939, Serial No. 311,842

18 Claims. (Cl.2'2688.1)

This invention relates to closurecleaning devices and, more particularly; to a closure cleaning device for application to a capping and bottling machine to remove dust and dirt .particles from the closures, such as crown caps, be-

fore they are fed to the capping head of thecleaned at the place of manufacture, it will bethe capping, head along which ,the closures are fed usually by gravity, and a capping head which applies the closure to a bottleorother-receptacle.

, No provision is made for removing foreign matter from the closures; if foreign matter,such' as dried particles of the liner binderor metal fins, if the closure be of metal, remain in the closure,

upon subsequent application of the closure to a Y I I receptacle, the packaged product may be deleteriously affected. This is a problem of considerable magnitude in the bottling industry. Foreign matter present in the packaged product may not only discolor such product, but may inv,iuriously afiect the consumer; obviously, the presence of-foreign matter in packaged products deleteriously affectsconsumer acceptance ofthe packaged products. 1

The chief object ofthis invention is to provide a cleaning device for ready-application to bottling and. capping mechanism which speedily, positively and efiiciently dislodges dust and dirt particles from the interior and on the exterior of the closures and withdraws or removes such particles from the vicinityof the closures. An object of this invention is to provide a closure cleaning device for application to a closure feeding chute of bottling or capping apparatus which positively and quickly removes dust and dirt in the closures or loosely adhering thereto before such closures arexapplied to receptacles. A further object is to provide'a closure cleaning device in which streams of compressed air are discharged through jets to. dislodge dust' and dirt particles from closures and direct such particles in a suction zoneso that they can be removed from the vicinity of the closures. A still further object is toprovide a closure cleaning device in which a suction unit is provided to remove dust and dirt particles from the vicinity of closures in a closure feeding chute. A still further object is to provide a closure cleaning device having a suction unit for removing dust and dirt particles from the vicinity of closures in a closure feeding chute and in which means are provided to vary the effective force of suction.

This invention relates to the combination with a capping and bottling apparatus including a closure feeding chute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, of means for creating a zone'of suction within and adjacent to the'closure feeding chute, and means for dislodging dust and dirt particles from closures in the chute and. directing such particles into the suction Zone, said'means also serving to assist movement of the closures along thechute and. being effective for moving said closures through the suction zone and along the chute. Y

This invention further relates to a closure cleaning'device for. application to a closure feeding chute which comprises means for creating a zone of suction within and adjacent to the closure feeding chute-and means for dislodging dust and dirt particles from closures in the chute and directing the dislodged, particles within the'suction zone in order that they may be removed from the vicinity of the closures within the chute,

' said means serving to assist movement of the closures along the chute and being effective for 7 Figure 1 is aplan view'of my closure cleaning device applied to a closure fee'ding chute;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a sectional view of a modification of the device shown in Figures 1 and-2.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a crown feeding chute 2 adapted to feed closures -3, such as crown caps, from the hopper to the capping head of a bottling and capping appa ratus. Preferably, the chute 2 is rectangular in form and is curved as shown in Figure 2 to expedite accurate and ready feeding of closures to the capping head. A plurality of openings are provided on opposite sides of the chute 2, for apurpose hereinafter explained. A suction unit is connected to the chute 2 by means of an adapter or casing 4; the suction unit being adapted to create a suction zone within the adapter 4 extending within the chute 2. Such unit may comprise a fan 5 mounted on the shaft of a motor 6 adapted to create a partial vacuum within the adapter 4 and the chute 2 thus withdrawinga stream .of .air from the chute 2 through the adapter :or casing 4. A housing 1 encloses the fan 5 and leads to a receptacle 8 for storing dust and dirt particles removed from the suction zone in the chute. effective suction force as desired,- a plurality of by-passes or ports 9 are provided in the adapter 4 to permit ingress of air from "the exterior of the adapter. The ports 9 are adjustable and may be opened or closed by means of the air'control caps ID to vary the effective suction force within the chute 2; it will be understood, of course, both ports 9 may be opened or closed to .anydesired extent or either port .may be opened .or closed, as desired.

vA compressed .air jet .II is provided extending through the adapter or casing 4 to the chute .2, .best illustrated in Figure 2. .The jet II is con- :-nected 'toa cross tube 12 which .in turn leads to any-suitable source .of compressed air. Preferably, a petcock L3 .mounted on an end of the .tube forming the ,jet -H .is provided to vary the .force of the stream of compressed air fed through .the jet .H. The jet H feeds a stream of compressed air into the interior .of closures 3 in the .chute '2 thus dislodging dust and .dirt particles within the interior .of the closures '3 and directingsuchdislodged particles within the suction zone created by :the suction unit to remove In order to vary the i them from .the vicinity of closures .in the chute.

The stream of compressed air .fed through the .jet .H likewise serves to force closures 3 in the chute 2 through the suction .zone therein and assists .in their movement along the chute.

On the opposite side of the chute 2 from the .adapter 4, is illustrated .a member [4 through which streams .of compressed air may be fed to .the exteriors .of closures 3 in the chute. Pref- .erably, the member 14 follows the curvature of the .chute .2 in order to permit secure engagement therewith. If desired, a gasket l5 of cork or rubber composition may be interposed between the member I4 and the chute 2 to prevent leak- .ageof compressed air jthere'between. The member .I4 is drilled to provide conduits I6 leading to the chute .2 through which streams of compressed .air may pass t dislodge dust or dirt particles .on the exteriors of the closures 3 in the chute. suitable tubing vl'l to the .cross tube [2 which leads to a .suitable source of compressed air. .Preferably, petcocks I18 are provided'inthe tubing 11 to vary the force of thestreams orf compressed air .fed through the conduits it. Such streams of compressed air dislodge and remove dust and dirt ,particles adhering to or resting on the exteriors of closures 3 in the chute 2 and direct them within the suction zone created by the fan 5 .so that they are removed from. the vicinity of the closures. .It will be appreciated use of "the .member 14 .is not essential to the satisfactory operation of my device although it is desirable. Dust or .dirt particles adhere .to the exteriors of closures in the .chute and, while such particles .do not fall in the receptacles, they .may detract from the appearance :of the package; use of :the member l4 ensures removal of such particles .thus assuring the attractive appearance of the completed package.

The conduits l6 are connected by z In operation, the suction unit is actuated and immediately creates a suction zone within the adapter 4 extending within the chute 2. The lay-passes or ports 9 may be opened or closed depending upon the force of suction required. Streams of compressed air are fed from the jet .II and the conduits I6 to the closures 3 within the chute 2, the stream .from the jet l i being fed to the interiors of the closures 3 while the streams from the conduits l6 are fed to the exteriors of the closures 3; such streams dislodge dust and dirt particles resting in or adhering to the closures and direct the dislodged particles within the suction zonecreated by the fan 5 for removal from the vicinity of closures in the chute. Preferably, the stream of compressed air from the jet .H exerts .a force on the closures greater than the suction force created by the cfan 5 so that it moves the closures 3 through the suction zone and aids in moving the closures along the chute 12 to the capping head of the apparatus. The efiec'tive force of the .streams of compressed air fed through the jet H and the conduits 16 in the member l4 may be increased or decreased as desired by means of the petcocks I3 and 58. Likewise, as ointed out above, the effective suction force created by the fan 5 may be varied by closing or' opening the ports 9 permitting ingress of air from the exterior of the device. It will be understood either or both ports 9 may be opened or closed individually or collectively depending upon the effective suction force required. Removed dust and dirt particles are carried from the suction zone through the adapter 4 and the housing I to the storage receptacle 8.

In Figure 3, I have illustrated a modification of the cleaning device shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this case, the cleaning device is so constructed that the suction unit may be placed some distance away from theclosure feeding chute. This maybe desirable in some instances to assist in rapidand accurate cleaning of the bottling and capping apparatus thus obviating any possibility of damage to the motor of the suction unit by careless or inefficient cleaning of the apparatus I have illustrated a closure feeding chute l9 leading from ahopper 20 to the capping head shown in dotted outline in Figures 1 and 3 of a bottling and capping apparatus. Closures 2i are fed along the chute I9 generally by force of gravity. The chute I9 is generally similar to the chute 2 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. An adapter 22' ismounted on the chute l9 adjacent the hopper 20 and is open to the hopper 29 as shown at 23 to receive loose dust and dirt parti-cles falling therefrom. A suction unit is connected to the adapter 22 by a coupling 24 and serves to create a'suction zone within the adapter 22 extending within the chute I9. The suction unit comprises a fan 25 mounted on the shaft of a motor 26. The fan 25 is enclosed in a housing 2"! which leads to a storage receptacle 23. A suitable flexible hose 29 serves to connect the fan to the adapter 22 by means of the coupling 2'3.

A compressed air jet 3!] is provided extending through theadapter 22 and is connected to any suitable source of compressed air. A petcock 3| serves to vary the effective force of compressed air ifed through the jet 30. The operation of the device is similarto that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. That is, the fan 25 is actuated to create a suction zone Within the adapter 22 extending within the chute IS. A stream of compressed air is fed through the jet 30 to the closures, preferably, the interiors thereof, and serves to dislodge dust or dirt particles resting in ora'dhering to the closures and directs such dislodged particles within the suction zone for removal from the vicinity of the closures.- The stream of compressed air also serves to move the closures ally speaking, the structure shown .in Figure 3 is not as satisfactory as thatshown in Figures 1 and 2 but is particularly advantageous in uses where it is desired to place the suction unit som distance away from the machine.

It will be appreciated my invention provides a cleaning device which quickly, positively and efiiciently dislodges and removes dust and dirt particles from closures before they are fed to a capping head. As discussed above, presence of foreign matter in such closures may deleteriously affect-the packaged product and, hence, it is es sential that such foreign matter be removed be fore the receptacle is sealed by means of a closure. My invention provides positive means for dislodging and removing dust and dirt particles from the vicinity of closures in 'the closure feeding .chute, thus preventing such matter falling into the packaged product and contaminating the same. The device may be readily applied to bottling and capping mechanism and may be removed when it is desired to clean the mechanism thus obviating any possibility of injury to the mechanism.. I

While I have described and illustrated preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood my invention is not so limited since it maybe otherwise embodied within thescope of the following claims. v

I claim:

1. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feeding chute for conducting closures from ahopper to a capping head, a jet through which a stream of compressed air may be fed to dislodge dust or dirt particles from the interiors of the closures as they passalong the chute, a backing member mounted adjacent said chute having conduits extending therethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding fluid 1 member corresponding to the through said conduits to dislodge dust or dirt particles adhering to the exterior surfacesof closures in the chute, and means for withdrawing dislodged particles from the vicinity of closures in the chute.

. 2. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feeding chute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, a jet through which a stream of compressed airmay be' fed to dislodge dustor dirt particles from the interiors of closures as they pass along the chute, means for varying the effective force of said stream, a backing member mounted on said chute having conduits extending therethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding. a stream of compressed. air through said conduits to the chute to dislodge dust or dirt particles collected on the exterior of closures in the chute, an adapter mounted on said chute, and a suction unitconnected to said adapter serving to create a suc-v tion zone therein extending within the chute, the stream of compressed air fed through said jet directing dislodged dirt particles into said suction zone and being efiective for moving closures therethrough, said adapter having adjustable ports serving to vary the effective suction force created by said suction unit, said suction unit including a fan adapted to withdraw a stream of air from the suction zone carrying with it dislodged dust and dirt particles, and means to actuate said fan.

3. In combination with a cappingapparatus including a closure feeding chute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, a jet through which a stream of compressed air may be fedto dislodge dust or dirt particles from the interiorsof closures as they pass along the chute, said stream assisting in the movement ofclosures along the chute, means for varying the force of said stream, a backing member mounted on said chute having conduits extending therethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding a stream of compressed air through said conduits to the chute to dislodge dust or dirt particles collected on the'exterior of closures in the chute, an adapter mounted on said chute having adjustable ports therein, a fan adapted to withdraw a stream of air from the chute throughthe adapter carrying with it dislodged dust and dirt particles, a receptacle for withdrawn dust particles, a housing enclosing said fan and connected to said receptacle, ,and means for actuating said fan.

4. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feeding chute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, an adapter mounted on said chute and open tosaid hopper, said adapter serving to retain dust and dirt particles falling from the hopper, a jet extending through said adapter, saidjet permitting a stream of compressed air to be fed therethrough to the chute to dislodge dust or dirt particles carried by closures in the chute, means for vary-.

ing the pressure of the stream of compressed air, a fan adapted to withdraw dust particles from the chute through the adapter, means to actuate said fan, a flexible hose connecting said fan and the adapter, a housingenclosing said fan, and a receptacle for withdrawn dust particles connected to said fan'housing. I

5. In a closure cleaning device for application to a closure feeding chute, the combination of a jet through which a stream of compressed air may be fed to dislodge dust or dirt particles from the interiors of closures as they pass along the chute, a member adapted to be mounted on the chute and having conduits extending therethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding fluid through said conduits to dislodge dust or dirt particles adhering to the exterior surfaces of closures in the chute, and means'for withdrawing dislodged particles from the vicinity of closures in the chute. 1

6. In a closure cleaning device for application to a closure feeding chute, the combination of a compressed air jet through which a stream of compressed air may be fed to dislodge dust or dirt particles from the interior of closures as they pass along the chute, means for varying the effective forceof said stream, a member adapted to be mounted'on the chute having conduits extending therethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding a stream of compressed air through said conduits to the chute'to dislodgedust or. dirt particles collected on the exteriorof 010- sures in the chute, an adapted mounted on the chute having adjustable ports therein, a fan adapted to withdraw a stream of air from the v chute through the adapter carrying'with it dislodged'dust and dirt particles,'means to actuate said fan, a receptacle for withdrawn dust particles, and a housing enclosing said fan and connected to said receptacle.

'7. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feeding chute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, means for dislodging dust or dirt particles from the interiors of the closures as they pass along the chute, a backing member mounted adjacent the chute having conduit extending therethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding fluid through the conduits to dislodge dust or dirt particles adhering to the exterior surfaces of closures in the chute, and means for withdrawing dislodged particles from the Vicinity of closures in the chute.

8. In a closure cleaning device for application to a closure feeding chute, the combination of means for dislodging dust or dirt particles from the interiors of closures as they pass along the chute, a member adapted to be mountedon the chute and having conduits extending therethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding fluid through said conduits to dislodge dust or dirt particles adhering to the exterior surfaces of closures in the chute, and means for withdrawing dislodged particles from the vicinity of closures in the chute.

9. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure fee-ding chute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, an adapter mounted on said chute, a jet extending through said adapter, said jet permitting a stream of compressed air to be fed therethrough to the chute to dislodge dust or dirt particles carried by closures in the chute, a fan adapted to withdraw dust particles fro-m the chute through the adapter, means to actuate said fan, a flexible hose connecting said fan and the adapter, a housing enclosing said fan, and a receptacle for withdrawn dust particles connected to said fan housing.

10. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feeding chute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, means for dislodging dust or dirt particles from the interiors of closures as they pass along the chute, a backing member mounted adjacent said chute having conduits extending therethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding fluid through said conduits to dislodge dust or dirt particles from the exterior surfaces of closures in the chute, and means for withdrawing dislodged dust particles from the vicinity of closures in the chute, said dislodging means urging movement of closures along the chute against the resistance of the Withdrawal means.

11. In a closure cleaning device for application to a closure feeding chute, the combination of means for dislodging dust or dirt particles from the interiors of closures as they pass along the chute, a member adapted to be mounted on the chute and having conduits extending therethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding fluid through said conduits to dislodge dust or dirt particles adhering to the exterior surfaces of closures in the chute, and means for withdrawing dislodged particles from the vicinity of closures in the chute.

12. In combination with a capping machine having a hopper and a capping head, a chute for feeding the caps from the hopper to the capping head, a casing communicating with the chute, means for creating a suction in the casing for removing dust from the chute into the casing, and pneumatic means extending into said casing and having a nozzle positioned adjacent the chute for directing a blast of air against the caps as they pass the communicating means to accelerate the movement of the caps through the chute, said air blast nozzle acting to dislodge dust adhering to the caps to facilitate its removal from the chute by the suction in the casing.

13. In combination with a capping machine having a hopper and a capping head, a chute for feeding crowns from the hopper to the capping head, said chute having a curved portion adjacent the capping head, a casing connected to said curved portion, said casing having an opening communicating the interior of the chute therewith, means 'for creating a suction in the casing for removing dust from the chute through said opening into the casing, and pneumatic means extending into said casing and having a nozzle positioned adjacent said opening for directing a blast of air against the crowns asthey pass the communicating means to accelerate the movement of the crowns through the chute, said air blast nozzle also acting to dislodge dust adhering to the crowns to facilitate its removal from the chute by the suction in the casing.

I l. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feeding chute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, an adapter communicating with said chute, means for creating suction in the adapter for removing dust from the chute into the adapter, and pneu- V matic means extending into the adapter and having a jet disposed adjacent the chute for directing a blast of air against the closures as they pass the communicating means to accelerate movement of the closures through the chute, said jet acting to dislodge dust adhering to the closures to facilitate its removal from the chute by the suction in the adapter, said adapter having an adjustable port serving to vary the eifective suction force created by said suction means, said suction means including a fan, a motor adapted to actuate said fan, and a storage receptacle for withdrawn dust.

15. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feeding chute for conducting closures from a hopper to a cappinghead, an adapter communicating with said chute, a suction unit for creating suction in the adapter for removing dust from the chute into the adapter, a jet extending into the adapter and disposed adjacent the chute for directing a blast of air against the closures as they pass the communicating means to accelerate movement of the closures through the chute, said jet acting to dislodge dust adhering to the closures to facilitate its removal from the chute by the suction in the adapter, the suction unit including a fan, a receptacle for withdrawn dust, a housing enclosing said fan and connected to said receptacle, and means to actuate said fan.

16. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feeding chute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, an adapter open to the hopper and communicating with the chute, said adapter serving to retain dust and dirt particles falling from the hopper, means for creating suction in the adapter for removing dust from the chute into the'adapter, and pneumatic means extending into the adapter and having a jet disposed adjacent the chute for directing a blast of air against the closures as they pass communicating means to accelerate movement of the closures through the chute, said jet acting to dislodge dust adhering to the closures to facilitate its removal from the chute by the suction in the adapter.

17. In'a closure'cleaning device for application v to a closure feeding chute, the combination of a casing adapted to be connected to said chute,

means for creating suction in the casing for removing dust from the chute into the casing, and pneumatic means extending into the casing and having a jet adapted to be disposed adjacent the.

chute for directing'a blast of air against the closures as they pass the-casing. to accelerate move- .ment of the closures through the chute, said jet acting to dislodge dust adhering to the closures to. facilitate its removal from the chutebythe suction in the casing.

'18. In aclosure cleaning device for application casing adapted to be'connected to said chute, means for creating suction inthe casing for removing dust from the chute into the casing, said casing have adjustable ports therein serving to I vary the effective suction force created by the suction means, and pneumatic means extending into the casing and having a jet adapted to be disposed adjacent the chute for directin a blast of air against the closures as they pass the casing to accelerate movement of the closures through the chute-against the resis'tance of the suction means, said jet acting to dislodgedust adhering tothe closures to facilitate its removal from the chute by the suction in the casing. 1 j

- CLARENCE Q'GREEN;

to a closure feeding chute, the combination of a i

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