US3810345A - Box capping machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for automatically removing box lids from a first conveyor and placing such lids on boxes carried by a second conveyor. The apparatus includes a carriage having first and second lid pickup devices in which the first lid pickup device removes a box lid from a lid holding station on the first conveyor and transfers the lid to a ready pickup station. Simultaneously the second pickup mechanism removes a box lid from the ready pickup station and places such lid on a box located at a box holding station on the second conveyor. The apparatus includes electrical and fluid systems arranged in a manner that the lids will be placed on the boxes or containers automatically without an operator being present after the apparatus has been started.

Description

nited States Patent 1191 Lemmond et a1.

1 1 BOX CAPPING MACHINE [76] lnventors: Everett C. Lemmond, Rt. 2; James W. Edwards, l3l6-15th Ave., SE,

both of Decatur, Ala. 35601 [22] Filed: Nov. 13, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 306,245

1451 May 14, 1974 Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner--Horace M. Culver Attorney, Agent, or Firm--A. Yates Dowell, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for automatically removing box lids from a first conveyor and placing such lids on boxes carried by a second conveyor. The apparatus includes a carriage having first and second lid pickup devices in which the first lid pickup device removes a boxlid from a lid holding station on the first conveyor and transfers the lid to a ready pickup station. Simultaneously the second pickup mechanism removes a box lid from the ready pickup station and places such lid on a box located at a box holding station on the second conveyor. The apparatus includes electrical and fluid systems arranged in a manner that the lids will be placed on the boxes or containers automatically without an operator being present after the apparatus has been started.

15 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures PATENIEDMAY 14 i9 3.810.345

saw a or 9 FIG. l8

AIR IN FIG. 20

BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to containers of various kinds and relates particularly to apparatus for automatically placing a lid or cap on a container after the container has been filled.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past, containers have been filled with articles to be stored or shipped and after the articles were placed within the containers, either the top of the container was folded and sealed by tape, adhesive, or the like, or a separate lid was placed on the container. Containers which are sealed normally are used one time only, while containers having an independent lid normally can be used repeatedly since the lids'c an be easily removed to permit access to the contents of the container and after the contents 'have been removed, the lid can be reapplied.

Normally containers having lids have required that the lids be applied manually after the containers have been filled due to the difficulty in placing the containers in an exact position and then mechanically placing a removable lid on the container. Prior attempts to automatically place lids on containers have resulted in the lid either being dropped accidentally or removed from the container when the lid applying mechanism is retracted. Some examples of the prior art are U.S. Pat.

Nos. 1,809,842 Goodwin; 1,989,039 .1. R. Geyer; 2,919,532 Earnheart; and 3,501,895 R. L. Geyer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION the ready pickup station and transfers such lid horizontally and vertically to place the lid on a container located in the fixed predetermined position at a container holding station. Thereafter the second lid pickup mechanism is retracted while the lid remains on the box or container. Preferably a first conveyor is provided for supplying lids to the lid holding station and a second conveyor is provided for moving filled boxes to the box holding station.

It is an object of the invention to provide a box capping machine including apparatus which removes a lid from one location and automatically places such lid on a box or container in a remote position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lid holding mechanism having portions which positively engage the lid while the lid is being transferred and placed on a container but which releases the lid after the lid has been placed on the container so that the lid remains thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lid holding station with the first lid pickup mechanism in non-clamping position.

FIG. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed section on theline 6--6 of FIG. 4 with the lid holding mechanism in clamping position.

FIG. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the ready pickup station.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation thereof.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the lid holding and depositing mechanism with portions broken away for clarity.

FIG. 11 is a section on the line ll--ll of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a section on the line 12-12 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the box positioning and holding station.

FIG. 14 is a section on the line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section on the line l515 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary section of the lid ready pickup station illustrating the lid pickup mechanism moving downwardly to pick up a lid.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary section illustrating the lid being applied to a box.

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective of the'hydraulic system.

FIGS. 21 and 21a are schematic diagrams of the electrical system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With continued reference to the drawings, abase frame 25 is provided on which abox conveyor 26 is mounted. Theconveyor 26 includes an in-feed section 27, abox positioning section 28, and an out-feed section 29. Asillustrated, each of the sections of theconveyor 26 includes a plurality ofrollers 30. It is recognized that substantially any other conventional type of conveyor could be mounted on theframe 25 for movingboxes 31 or other containers fromone position to another. Also the rollers of each section can be freely rotatably mounted so that the boxes move lengthwise of the conveyor by gravity, or as illustrated, one or more of the rollers of each section can be driven by a source of power.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, apower plant 32 is mounted on thebase frame 25 and drives a multiple sheave drive pulley or sprocket 33 drivingly connected by a belt orchain 34 to a driven pulley orsprocket 35 carried by at least one of the rollers of the in-feed section 27. Asecond belt orchain 36 drivingly connects the pulley or sprocket 33 to a multi-sheave pulley orsprocket 37 mounted on anintermediate shaft 38. A drive belt orchain assembly 39 connects themultisheave member 37 with a driven pulley orsprocket 40 carried by at least one of the rollers of the out-feed section 29 of the conveyor. In this manner at least one of the rollers of the in-feed section 27 and the out-feed section 29 is driven when thepower plant 32 is in operation.

It is desirable to operate the rollers of thebox positioning section 28 of the conveyor independently of the in-feed and out-feed sections and, therefore, theintermediate shaft 38 is connected to aclutch 41 and the opposite side of such clutch is provided with a drive pulley or sprocket (not shown), connected by a belt orchain 42 to a pulley orsprocket 43 carried by at least one of therollers 30 of thebox positioning section 28.

Normally theboxes 31 are filled with articles as the boxes travel along the in-feed section 27 of theconveyor 26 and in some cases in which the boxes contain perishable goods, such as dressed chickens, fish, certain vegetables and the like, a refrigerant medium such as ice or solidified carbon dioxide is added to the contents of the boxes as the boxes travel along the in-feed section 27 of the conveyor.

When the filledboxes 31 are transferred from the infeedsection 27 to thebox positioning section 28, it is important that the boxes be disposed in a fixed predetermined position. In order to do this, abox positioning apparatus 48 is mounted on thebox positioning section 28 of the conveyor. Thepositioning apparatus 48 includes a pair of box endengaging pads 49 swingably mounted onshafts 50 carried by the support structure for theconveyor 26. Each of thepads 49 includes anoperating lever 51 which pivotally receives one end of alink 52 and the opposite end of each of the links is pivotally connected to opposite sides of adisk 53. Such disk is rotatably supported on apost 54 carried by the support structure of theconveyor 26.

A pair of boxside engaging pads 55 are swingably mounted onhinges 56 mounted on the conveyor support structure. Each of theside engaging pads 55 is swingably connected to one end ofa link 57 and the opposite end of such link is swingably connected to one end of alever 58. Such lever is swingably mounted intermediate its ends between a pair oflugs 59 welded or otherwise attached to the conveyor support structure. The opposite end of each of thelevers 58 is pivotally connected to one end ofa link 60 and the opposite end of each of thelinks 60 is pivotally connected to opposite sides of thedisk 53 and substantially 90 from the ends of thelinks 52.

ln order to operate theend engaging pads 49 and theside engaging pads 55 simultaneously and cause such pads to clampingly engage all four sides ofabox 31, thedisk 53 is eccentrically connected to one end of apiston rod 61 carried by afluid cylinder 62 which is swingably supported on the conveyor support structure. When thepiston rod 61 is extended, thedisk 53 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 13, and thepads 49 and 55 are retracted from the box. When thepiston rod 61 is retracted within thecylinder 62, thedisk 53 is rotated in a clockwise direction and thepads 49 and 55 are moved into engagement with the ends and sides of the box. If one of the end or side pads engages the box before the cooperating end or side pad, such box is moved slightly toward the nonengaged pad until the pressure on all four pads is substantially equal at which time the box is located in a predetermined position.

After thebox 31 has been located in a predetermined position on thebox positioning section 28 of theconveyor 26, it is necessary to place a cap orlid 65 on thebox 31 to cover the contents therein. Preferably the lid includes an upper substantiallyflat portion 66 having a downwardly extendingflange 67 disposed entirely around the periphery thereof. Normally the inner surface of theflange 67 snugly engages the outer surface of the side walls of the box while the bottom surface of theupper portion 66 engages the upper edge of the open top of such box when the box and top are in assembled relationship.

In order to automatically place alid 65 on thebox 31, amain frame 68 is located above and generally at an angle to thebase frame 25 and such main frame includes a plurality ofupright posts 69 welded or otherwise attached to a pair of generally parallel carriage supporting tracks 70. Alid conveyor 71 is provided adjacent to themain frame 68 and such lid conveyor has one end located below one end of thetracks 70 and the opposite end extending outwardly from the tracks and terminates at a source of supply (not shown) of preassembled lids.

Thelid conveyor 71 can be of any desired construction including perforated or non-perforated belts, chains, rollers, or the like; however, for purposes of illustration, a pair of substantiallyparallel belts 72 have been provided which extend around drums 73 supported by ashaft 74 and such shaft is channeled inbearings 75 carried by themain frame 68. Thebelts 72 are driven from anyconvenient power plant 174.

The area at the end of thebelts 72 adjacent to thetracks 70 constitutes a lid holding station indicated generally at 76. A pair of spaced generallyparallel guides 77 are mounted on cross bars 78 connected to themain frame 68 and if desired oneend 79 of each of the guides is flared outwardly todirect lids 65 into thelid holding station 76. Alimit switch 80 having an upwardly extendingtrigger 81 is disposed at one end of thelid holding station 76. Theswitch 80 controls the power plant which drives thelid conveyor 71 so that when a lid being carried by the conveyor engages thetrigger 81, power will be interrupted to the lid conveyor power plant and such lid will remain at the lid holding station.

To remove the lid from thelid holding station 76 and place such lid on abox 31, anelongated carriage 82 is provided having aframe 83 which is supported by a plurality ofrollers 84 located within thetracks 70. Thecarriage 82 is reciprocated back and forth within thetracks 70 in any desired manner, as by afluid cylinder 85 having one end connected to themain frame 68 and having an extendable andretractable piston rod 86. At one end of thecarriage frame 83, alid pickup mechanism 87 is provided for removing alid 65 from thelid holding station 76 and transferring such lid to aready pickup station 88 which will be described later.

The lid pickup mechanism includes a pair of clampingmembers 91 hingedly connected to oppositesides of thecarriage frame 83. Each of themembers 91 includes a pair of angularly disposedarms 92 spaced apart along the length ofthemembers 91 and such arms are connected together by arod 93. Each of the rods rotatably receives one end of alink 94 and the opposite ends of such links are pivotally connected to opposite ends of alever 95. Thelever 95 is swingably mounted about acentral pivot 96 carried by abrace 97 fixed to thecarriage frame 83.

In order to oscillate thelever 95 and move the clampingmembers 91 into and out of engagement with alid 65, afluid cylinder 98 is supported on thecarriage frame 83 and such cylinder includes apiston rod 99 the free end of which is swingably connected to one end of alink 100 the opposite end of which is swingably connected to thelever 95. With particular reference to FIGS. 4 7, it will be seen that extension of thepiston rod 99 causes themembers 91 to swing away from thelid 65 and retracting the piston rod causes themembers 91 to clampingly engage thelid 65.

When the lid at thelid holding station 76 is clamped by themembers 91, thecarriage 82 is moved in a forward direction until the lid is disposed above theready pickup station 88 at which time thepiston rod 99 is extended to permit the lid to fall by gravity onto the ready pickup station.

Theready pickup station 88 includes aframe 103 having a pair of cross bars 104 supported by threadedrods 105 and such rods are adjustably mounted bynuts 106 onbraces 107 carried by themain frame 58. The cross bars 104 are located in a position to extend into the corners of alid 65 and preferably the upper ends of such cross bars are provided with a downwardlycurved portion 108 to cause thelid 65 to slide down thecurved portion 108 in case the lid does not fall straight when released by the clampingmembers 91. Theframe 103 is adjustable to any desired elevation merely be adjusting thenuts 106 on therods 105. When alid 65 is supported by theframe 103, substantially the entire length of the downwardly extendingflanges 67 of such lid are free of obstructions.

In order to remove alid 65 from theready pickup station 88 and positively place such lid on abox 31, thecarriage 82 is provided with alid holding mechanism 110 at the end remote from thelid pickup mechanism 87. Such lid holding mechanism includes a supporting frame 11 having a generallyrectangular wall structure 112 defining a hollow substantially rectangular housing which is open at the top and bottom. The free end of thepiston rod 86 is swingably mounted to apivot 114 carried bylugs 115 mounted on one side of thewall structure 112.

A pair oflongitudinal bridges 116 span the hollow frame 11 1 and are welded or otherwise fixed to thewall structure 112 at opposite sides of such frame. To each of thebridges 116 are mounted a pair of generally parwhich includes a downwardly extendingpiston rod 1 18. A pair of invertedU-shaped support members 119 are fixed to the lower ends of thepiston rods 118 and extend generally transversely of theframe 111. The support members are disposed generally normal to thebridges 116 in such a manner that the intermediate portion of one of the support members is connected to the I twoforward cylinders 1 17 and the intermediate portion of the other support member is connected to the two rear cylinders. Opposite downwardly extending ends of each of theU-shaped support members 1 19 are welded or otherwise attached to a substantiallyrectangular ring 121. Operation of thecylinders 117 raises and lowers thering 121 in a substantially vertical direction and in order to guide thering 121 during the vertical movement, apost 122 is welded or otherwise attached to each corner of the ring and each of such posts is slidably mounted in asleeve 123 carried by thewall structure 112.

Apressure plate 125 is located below each of thesupport members 119 and each of such pressure plates allel vertically disposedfluid cylinders 117 each ofstanchions 126 which extend through openings in the:

support members 119 and are adjustably connected thereto by nuts 127. A spring or otherresilient member 128 is disposed between the pressure plates and thesupport members 119 to permit limited movement of the pressure plates in a generally vertical direction. Thesprings 128 urge thepressure plates 125 downwardly until thenuts 127 engage thesupport members 119 and form a stop.

At the lower end of thering 121, askirt 129 is welded or otherwise attached to each side and such skirts extend downwardly and outwardly from the ring. Alid engaging finger 130 is swingably connected by ahinge 131 to the lower extremity of each of theskirts 129 and each of such fingers has alower portion 132 on which the hinge is mounted and anupper portion 133 disposed at an angle to the lower portion. Each of thefingers 130 is provided with an' outwardly extendinglug 134 by means of which such fingers are selectively operated.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 12, thefingers 130 at the front and rear of thelid holding mechanism 110 are adapted to be operated independently and simultaneously byfluid cylinders 135 mounted onbraces 136 and such braces in turn are supported by thering 121. Each of thecylinders 135 has apiston rod 137 the free end of which is connected to abracket 138. Alink 139 is swingably connected at one end to thebracket 138 and the opposite end of such link is swingably connected to thelug 134 of the front and rear fingers.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, thefingers 130 on opposite sides of theframe 111 are operated together by afluid cylinder 140 having apiston rod 141 and such fluid cylinder is mounted on thering 121. The free end of thepiston rod 141 is swingably con-. nected to one end of an operating link 142 the opposite end of each is swingably connected to one end of alever 143. Such lever is swingably mounted about apivot 144 located intermediate its ends and such pivot is fixed to one of theskirts 129. Each end of thelever 143 is swingably connected to one end of a link and the opposite ends of such links are swingably connected to thelugs 134 carried by thefingers 130 at opposite sides of theframe 111. In and out movement of thepiston rod 141 causes thelever 143 to swing about thepivot 144 and cause thelinks 145 to move inwardly and outwardly simultaneously depending upon the direction of movement of the piston rod. Preferably thefluid cylinders 135 and 140 are operated simulta* neously so that all of thefingers 130 operate together.

As illustrated best in FIG. 12, atrigger 148 is mounted on one of thesupport members 119 and such trigger includes an inwardly extendingportion 149, an upwardly extendingportion 150, and an outwardly extendingportion 151. The inwardly extending portion has alid sensing switch 152 with a downwardly extending spring loadedprobe 153 associated therewith. The outwardly extendingportion 151 is adapted to engage alimit switch 154 when thering 121 is lowered to its extreme position. Theother support member 119 is provided with an outwardly extendingtrigger 155 which is adapted to engage alimit switch 156 when thering 121 reaches its upper extreme position.

With particular reference to FIGS. 21 and 21a, a pair ofelectric supply lines 160 and 161 are connected to any desired source of electrical energy. At the beginning of operation with nolids 65 orboxes 31 in the machine, a start switch 162 (line 1) is provided and operation of such start switch energizes an emergency stop relay 163 (line 1) which seals itself in through stop relay contact 163-1 (line 1 bypass) and energizes the machine control circuit through stop relay contact 163-2 (line 2). Fluid under pressure from any conventional source is introduced into the machine and such fluid flows into thecylinders 117 and causes thering 121 to be raised until the trigger 1S5 engages the upper limit switch 156 (line 9) which in turn energizes an upper limit control relay 164 (line 9). A reset switch 165 (line 21) is then operated to energize a carriage reverse control relay 166 (line through normally closed reverse limit switch 167 (line 21), normally closed forward limit switch 168 (line 21), and upper limit control relay contact 164-1 (line 20).

When the carriagereverse control relay 166 is energized, normally closed contact 166-1 (line 36) opens and normally open contact 166-2 (line 37) closes and energizessolenoid valve 169 to introduce fluid intocylinder 85 and move the carriage to the reverse position where it is ready to pick up the first lid. A lid feed conveyor switch 170 (line 4) is moved to the On position. This energizes lid conveyor control relay 171 (line 4) through normally closed limit switch 80 (line 4) and the normally closed contact 173-1 (line 4) oflid pickup mechanism control relay 173 (line 3). Energizing lidconveyor control relay 171 operates the drive motor 174 (line 44) of thelid conveyor 71 through normally open relay contact 171-1 (line 44) of the lid conveyor control relay 171 (line 4).Motor 174 drives thelid conveyor 71 to move a lid to thelid holding station 76. When thelid 65 is in position, such lid engages limit switch 80 (line 4) and opens the same to de-energize lidconveyor control relay 171 and stop the conveyor.

When the carriage reaches the reverse position, such carriage engages and closes a reverse limit switch 176 (line 8) and energizes a reverse limit control relay 177 (line 8). When the reverselimit control relay 177 is energized, normally open contacts 177-1 (line 30), 177-2 (line 3) and 177-3 (line 38) close and normally closed contacts 177-4 (line 26) and 177-5 (line 10) open. When reverse limit control contact 177-l (line 30) closes, electrical energy flows to first and second timing relays 178 and 179 (lines 30 and 31 respectively) and astepper relay 180 through a normally closed contact 183-1 (line 30) of reset control relay 183 (line 22). Thestepper relay 180 has a first wafer 181 (lines 17-20) and a second wafer 181 (lines & 26). Energizing thestepper relay 180 causeswafers 181 and 182 to move to the first position.

After a one-tenth second delay, normally open timing relay contact 178-1 (line 3) closes and energizes the lid pickup mechanism control relay 173 (line 3) through limit switch 80 (line 3), which closes when a lid is in position, as well as reverse limit control relay contact 177-2 (line 3) and control relay contact 185-1 (line 3) of a lid position control relay 185 (line 2). Normally open lid pickup mechanism contact 173-2 (line 5) closes and seals in the lid pickupmechanism control relay 173 through normally closed control relay contact 186-1 (line 5) of forward limit control relay 186 (line 7). Normally open lid pickup mechanism contact 173-3 (line 33) closes energizing solenoid valve 187 (line 33) and such solenoid valve introduces fluid under pressure intocylinder 98 to operate thelid pickup mechanism 87. Normally open lid pickup mechanism contact 173-4 (line 27) closes to energize the stepper relay through lid position control relay contact -2 (line 27), lid sensor contact 188-1 (line 26) oflid sensor control relay 188 (line 16), thesecond stepper wafer 182, down control relay contact 189-1 (line 26) of a down control relay 189 (line 17), down limit control relay contact 190-1 (line 26) of down limit control relay 190 (line 6), timing relay contact 179-1 (line 26) and normally open timing relay contact 178-2 (line 26). Thestepper relay 180 then moveswafers 181 and 182 to the second position.

In this position thefirst wafer 181 energizes a carriage forward control relay 191 (line 18) through normally open upper limit control relay contact 164-2 (line 18). Normally closed carriage forward relay contact 191-1 (line 38) opens and de-energizes the carriage reverse solenoid valve 169 (line 37). At the same time, normally open carriage forward relay contact 191-2 (line 35) closes energizing carriage forward solenoid valve 192 (line 35). This causes fluid to be introduced into thecylinder 85 to move the carriage to the forward position where thelid pickup mechanism 87 is located above theready pickup station 88.

As the carriage leaves the reverse position, the reverse limit switch 176 (line 8) opens de-energizing reverselimit control relay 177 which in turn de-energizes timing relays 178 and 179 (lines 30 and 31 respectively). When the carriage reaches the forward position, forward limit switch 193 (line 7) is closed by thecarriage 82 so that the forwardlimit control relay 186 is energized. Normally open forward limit control relay contact 186-2 (line 36) closes sealing in solenoid valve 192 (line 35) which controls the movement of thecarriage 82. Normally closed forward limit relay contact 186-1 (line 5) opens and de-energizes lid pickup mechanism control relay 173 (line 3) which in turn opens lid pickup mechanism relay contact 173-3 (line 33) and opens solenoid valve 187 (line 33). This releases the lid from the clampingmembers 91 and permits the lid to drop by gravity onto theready pickup station 88.

When the lid falls onto the ready pickup station, it engages and closes ready pickup station limit switch 194 (line 2). Normally open forward limit relay contact 816-3 (line 29) closes and energizes timing relays 178 and 179 and thestepper relay 180 through normally closed reset control relay contact 183-1 (line 30) and causes thestepper relay wafers 181 and 182 to move to the third position. After a l/lO second delay, normally closed timing relay contact 178-3 (line 29) opens and de-energizes thestepper relay 180 and closes normally open timing relay contact 178-2 (line 26). After another l/ 10 second delay, normally open timing relay contact 179-1 (line 26) closes and energizesstepper relay 180 through normally closed reverse limit control relay contact 177-4 (line 26), normally closed lid sensor control relay contact 188-l, the third stepper contact, normally closed down control relay contact 189-1, normally closed down limit control relay contact 190-1 (line 26), and timing relay contact 178-2 which closed previously. It is noted that lid sensor control relay contact 188-1 is closed because there is no lid in thelid holding mechanism 110. Thestepper relay 180 then moves to a fourth position.

in the fourth position of the stepper relay, carriage reverse control relay 166 (line is energized through upper limit control relay contact 164-1 and the carriage moves to the reverse position, as previously described. As the carriage moves from the forward position, forward limit switch 193 (line 7) opens and deenergizes forward limitcontrol relay 186. When the carriage reaches the reverse position, reverse limit switch 176 (line 8) closes and energizes reverselimit control relay 177.

When reverselimit control relay 177 is energized, reverse limit relay contact 177-2 (line 3) closes and energizes lidposition control relay 185 through ready pickupstation limit switch 194 which closed when the lid dropped onto theready pickup station 88. Normally open reverse limit control relay contact 177-1 (line 30) closes andmovesthe stepper relay 180 to the first position. After a two-tenths second delay, timing relay contact 179-2 (line 17) closes and energizes down control relay 189 (line 17) through thefirst wafer 181, lid position control relay contact 185-2 (line 17), which closed when the carriage returned to the reverse position, and lid sensor control relay 188-2 (line 17 Normally open down control relay contact 189-2 (line 17) closes and seals in down control relay 189 (line 17). Normally open down control relay contact 189-3 (line 32) closes energizing the down solenoid valve 195 (line 32). This causes thelid holding mechanism 110 to move down to pick up thelid 65 from theready pickup station 88.

When thelid holding mechanism 110 reaches the extreme Down position, thetrigger 148 closes down limit switch 154 (line 6) energizing down limit control relay 190 (line 6). When down limitrelay 190 is energized, normally open down limit relay contact 190-2 (line 23) closes energizing a lid pickup control relay 196 (line 23) and the lid pickup solenoid valve 197 (line 24).Solenoid valve 197 introduces fluid under pressure intofluid cylinders 135 and 140 to pivot thefingers 130 about the end of theskirt 129 so that the fingers are disposed belowthelid 65 on the-ready pickup station. Lid pickup control relay contact 196-1 (line 24) closes and seals in the lidpickup solenoid valve 197.

When alid 65 is in thelid holding mechanism 110, theprobe 153 closes the limit switch 152 (line 16) and energizes lid sensor control relay 188 (line 16). Normally closed down limit control relay contact 190-1 (line 26) opens and normally open down limit control relay contact 190-3 (line 28) closes energizing thestepper relay 180 through normally open timing relay contacts 179-1 and 178-2 (line 26) so that the stepper relay moves to the second position.

In this position, normally closed lid sensor contacts 188-1 (line 26) and 188-2 (line 17) open, and normally open lid sensor contacts 188-3 (line and 188-4 (line 19) close. When thestepper relay 180 moves from the first position, it de-energizes down control relay 189 (line 17) which in turn de-energizessolenoid valve 195 so that thelid holding mechanism 110 returns to the Up position.

When thelid holding mechanism 110 returns to the Up position, trigger 155 closes the up limit switch 156 (line 9)v and energizes upperlimit control relay 164. This causes thecarriage 82 to move to the forward position by energizing carriage forward control relay 191 (line 18) which de-energizes solenoid valve 169 (line 37) and energizessolenoid valve 192, as previously described.

When thecarriage 82 again leaves the reverse position, it opens reverse limit switch 176 (line 8) deenergizing controlreverse limit relay 177 and resetting timing relays 178 (line 30) and 179 (line 31). Upon reaching the forward position, the carriage actuates forward limit switch 193 (line 7) energizing forward limitcontrol relay 186 causing thestepper relay 180 to move to the third position. At this time lid sensor control relay 188 (line 16) is still energized by alid 65 in the lid holding mechanism and the stepper relay will not be energized again until abox 31 is located in thebox positioning section 28 of thebox conveyor 26.

To energize thebox conveyor 26, the box feed control switch 199 (line 39) is moved to the automatic position and the box conveyor switch 200 (line 43) is moved to the On position. If there is no box located in the in-feed section 27, or thebox positioning section 28 of the box conveyor, box conveyor control relay 201 (line 41) is energized through the normally closed infeed conveyor limit switch 202 (line 41) and the box positioning section clutch 41 (line 39) is energized through box hold control relay contact 203-1 (line 39) of box hold control relay 203 (line 11) which is normally closed. Normally open box conveyor control relay contact 201-l (line 43) closes and energizes thebox conveyor motor 32 starting thebox conveyor 26. Box conveyor control relay 201 (line 41) is sealed in by a box in-feed limit switch 204 (line 40), normally closed box hold control relay contact 203-2 (line 40) and normally open box conveyor control relay contact 201-2 (line 40).

When thebox conveyor 26 is in operation, a box moves through the in-feed section 27 and onto thebox positioning section 28 until it closes normally open box positioning limit switch 205 (line 11). When boxpositioning limit switch 205 closes, it energizes box hold control relay 203 (line 11) through normally closed box out-feed reset control contact 206-1 (line 12) of box out-feed reset control relay 206 (line 14). When box hold control relay 203 (linell) is operated, normally closed box hold relay contact 203-l (line 39) opens de-energizing the clutch 41 and stopping thebox positioning section 28. Normally closed box hold control relay contact 203-2 (line 40) and box limit switch 204 (line 40) both open clearing the seal in the circuit to boxconveyor control relay 201, however, the relay remains energized and the in-feed section 27 of the box conveyor continues to run until another box actuates in-feed conveyor limit switch 202 (line 41) at which time thebox conveyor motor 32 stops.

When abox 31 is located on thebox positioning section 28 and the boxpositioning limit switch 205 is energized, normally open box hold control relay contact 203-3 (line 10) closes and seals in boxhold control relay 203. Normally open box hold relay contact 203-4 (line 34) closes and energizes solenoid valve 207 (line 34). Operation of thesolenoid valve 207 causes fluid under pressure to be introduced into thefluid cylinder 62 to operate the end-engagingpads 49 andsideengaging pads 55 to locate the box in a predetermined position. Normally open box hold control relay contact 203-5 (line 19) closes energizing down control relay 189 (line 17) through thefirst wafer 181 of the stepper relay, normally open lid sensor control relay contact 188-4 (line 19) and timing relay contact 179-2 (line 17). Normally open down control relay contact 189-3 (line 32) closes energizing thedown solenoid valve 195 and causes thelid holding mechanism 110 to move down and place a lid on the box.

When thelid holding mechanism 110 reaches the Down position, thetrigger 148 closes down limit switch 154 (line 6) and energizes down limit control relay 190 (line 6). Normally open down limit control relay contact 190-4 (line 13) closes and energizes box outfeed reset control relay 206 (line 14) through normally open forward limit control relay contact 188-4 (line 13) which closed when the carriage reached the forward limit switch 193 (line 7). Normally open down limit control relay contact 190-3 (line 28) closes and energizes stepper relay 180 (line 26) causing it to move to the fourth position. Normally open box out-feed reset control relay contact 206-2 (line 15) closes and seals inrelay 206 through the box out-feed limit switch 208.

When thestepper relay 180 moves thewafers 181 and 182 to the fourth position, down control relay 189 (line 17) is de-energized. Normally open down control relay contact 189-3 (line 32) opens de-energizing solenoid valve 195 (line 32) andcap holding mechanism 110 goes to the Up position. I

When thelid holding mechanism 110 reaches the Up position, thetrigger 155 closes uplimit switch 156 and energizes upperlimit control relay 164. Normally closed upper limit control relay contact 164-3 (line opens and de-energizes box hold control relay 203 (line 11) which in turn de-energizes solenoid valve 207 (line 34) which releases the box.

When the box is released, limit switch 204 (line 40) closes and energizes box conveyor control relay 201 (line 41) through normally closed contact 203-2 (line 40) and normally open in-feedconveyor limit switch 202. This causes theconveyor motor 32 to start and drive the box onto the out-feed conveyor section 29. As the box moves clear of thebox positioning section 28, it strikes the box-out limit switch 208 (line which opens and de-energizes box out-feed reset control relay 206 (line 14).

When thelid holding mechanism 110 reaches the Up position and energizes upper limit control relay 164 (line 9) it energizes carriage reverse control relay 166 (line through normally open upper limit relay contact 164-1 (line 20) and the carriagereverse control relay 166 in turn energizes solenoid valve 169 (line 37) and causes the carriage to move to the reverse position. Upon reaching the reverse position, the carriage closes reverse limit switch 176 (line 8) and energizes reverse limit control relay 177 (line 8). Reverse limit relay contact 177-1 (line closes and causes thestepper relay 180 to move thewafers 181 and 182 to the first position ready to repeat another cycle.

Thecarriage 82 remains in the reverse position until a lid actuates limit switch 80 (line 4) at which time the operation is repeated. Sequency interlocking is provided so that the mechanism cannot attempt to place a lid on a box if there is no box at the box positioning section. Also thelid holding mechanism 110 cannot pick up another lid from the ready pickup station until a lid within the lid holding mechanism has been placed on a box.

In the operation of the device, one or more filledboxes 31 are moved along thebox conveyor 26 until the first box is located on thebox positioning section 28 at which time thefluid cylinder 62 is operated to rotate thedisk 53 and move the box-engagingpads 49 and 55 into engagement with the box.Pads 49 and 55 move the box to a predetermined position.

Thecarriage 82 is retracted to a reverse position along the tracks until thelid pickup mechanism 87 at the rear of the carriage is located above thelid holding station 76 and thelid holding mechanism 110 at the front of the carriage is located above theready pickup station 88. In this position, thefluid cylinder 98 at thelid pickup station 87 is operated to move themembers 91 into clamping engagement with a lid at the lid holding station. Simultaneously thecylinders 117 are operated to lower thelid holding mechanism 110 until the outwardly extendingportion 151 of thetrigger 148 engages thelower limit switch 154. During the descent of the lid holding mechanism, thepressure plates 125 engage the upperflat surface 66 of thelid 65 at theready pickup station 88. Continued downward movement of thelid holding mechanism 110 causes thesprings 128 to be compressed and causes theprobe 153 to engage the lid and close thelid sensor switch 152. When thelower limit switch 154 is closed, fluid under pressure is introduced into thecylinders 135 and 140 to pivot thefingers 130 inwardly about the lower extremity of theskirt 129 so that such fingers are located below theflange 67 at all four sides of thelid 65.

After the fingers are extended, the direction of movement of thecylinders 177 is reversed so that thelid holding mechanism 110 travels upwardly and thefingers 130 engage the bottom edge of thelid flange 67 and remove the lid from the ready pickup station. In this position, thepressure plates 125 are still in engagement with the top of the lid so that such lid is clamped between thefingers 130 and thepressure plates 125. Thecarriage 82 then is moved to its forward position at which time the fluid cylinder of thelid pickup mechanism 87 at the rear end of the carriage is operated in a reverse direction to release the lid from the clampingplates 91 and permit such lid to fall by gravity onto theready pickup station 88. Simultaneously thefluid cylinders 117 are supplied with fluid under pressure to lower the lid holding mechanism and thelid 65 carried thereby until thetrigger 148 engages thelower limit switch 154 to stop downward travel of the lid holding mechanism.

During the downward movement of thelid holding mechanism 110, thefingers 130 engage the top of thebox 31 which is held in position by thebox positioning apparatus 48 and guide thelid 65 onto the box. Just before thetrigger 148 engages thelower limit switch 154, the lower surface of the flatupper portion 66 of the lid engages the upper edge of the box. Continued downward movement of thelid holding mechanism 110 further compresses thesprings 128 since the pressure plates are stopped. Thelid holding mechanism 110 continues downward movement until the fingers are clear of the lower edge of theflange 67. When thelower limit switch 154 is closed, fluid cylinders and are energized to retract thefingers 130 so that the inner ends of the fingers are located below and generally in alignment with thering 121. The flow of fluid to thecylinders 117 is reversed to raise thelid holding mechanism 110. During the initial upward movement,

thepressure plates 125 are urged downwardly by thesprings 128 so that the pressure plates hold the lid on the box while thelid holding mechanism 110 is moving upwardly. After short upward movement of the lid. holding mechanism, thestops 127 of the pressure plates engage thesupport members 119 so that the pressure plates are raised with the lid holding mechanism. When the lid holding mechanism reaches its upper extremity, theupper limit switch 156 is closed'by thetrigger 155 which interrupts the flow of fluid to thecylinders 117 and introduces fluid into thecylinder 85 to move thecarriage 82 rearwardly to its rearmost position, and the process is repeated.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for automatically placing a lid on a box, said apparatus comprising a frame, meansfor intermittently moving a box to a box positioning station associated with said frame, means for positioning and holding the box in a fixed predetermined position. at said box positioning station, a lid pickup station located adjacent to said frame, means for supplying a preformed lid having an uppper portion and a downwardly extending lower portion to said lid pickup station, carriage means movably mounted on said frame, lid holding mechanism carried by said carriage means, means for raising and lowering said lid holding mechanism relative to said carriage means, means on said lid holding mechanism for positively engaging the upper and lower portions of said lid, and means on said frame for moving said carriage means so that the lid carried by said lid holding mechanism overlies and is in-alignment with the box at said box positioning station, whereby said lid holding mechanism is operated to remove a lid from said lid pickup station, said carriage means is moved along said frame until the lid is disposed above said. box, and thereafter said lid holding'mechanism is lowered to place the lid on the box while the box is in fixed position.

2. The structure ofclaim 1 in which said means for positively engaging said lid includes pressure plate means resiliently engaging the upper portion of the lid, and a plurality of movable finger means for engaging the lower portion of the lid selectively.

3. The structure ofclaim 1 including a lid holding station located adjacent to said frame, means for supplying lids to said lid holding station, a lid pickup mechanism carried by said carriage means in a position remote from said lid holding mechanism, and means on said lid pickup mechanism for selectively engaging a lid at said lid holding station, whereby when said carriage means is moved along said frame said lid pickup mechanism places the lid from said lid holding station onto said lid pickup station.

4. The structure ofclaim 3 in which said means for selectively engaging the lid at said lid holding station includes a pair of clamping members hingedly mounted on opposite sides of said carriage means, and fluid cylinder means for operating said clamping members simultaneously.

5. The structure ofclaim 4 in which said means for supplying lids to said lid holding station includes conveyor means, and means for interrupting movement of said conveyor means when a lid is located at said lid holding station and operating said conveyor means after a lid has been removed from said lid holding station.

6. The structure ofclaim 1 in which said means for positioning and holding the box at said box positioning station includes a plurality of pad means, and means for selectively moving said pad means into engagement with the sides of said box to move the box to a predetermined position.

7. The structure ofclaim 6 in which said means for intermittently moving a box includes a conveyor for boxes, a frame supporting said box conveyor, said pad means being hingedly mounted on said conveyor frame, a disk rotatably mounted on said conveyor frame, link means connecting each of said pads to said disk, and means for rotating said disk selectively, whereby said pad means are operated simultaneously to move a box to a predetermined position.

8. The structure ofclaim 7 in which said box conveyor includes an in-feed section for supplying boxes to said box positioning station, and an out-feed section for removing boxes from said box positioning station after a lid has been placed on the box.

9. The structure ofclaim 8 including switch means on said in-feed section for operating said conveyor after a box has been moved to said box positioning station.

10. The structure ofclaim 1 in which said lid holding mechanism includes a housing, ring means adjustably supported by said housing, operating means carried by said housing for moving said ring means relative to said housing, pressure plate means carried by said ring means, said pressure plate means being resiliently mounted for limited movement, a plurality of finger means swingably carried by said ring means, and means I on said ring means for selectively moving said finger means to engage a lid.

11. The structure ofclaim 10 in which said ring means includes a downwardly and outwardly extending skirt for supporting said plurality of fingers, sa'id fingers being located outwardly of the inner surface of said ring means in retracted position and having portions which extend inwardly of the inner surface of said ring means to a position to engage the lower portion of a lid when the fingers are operated. I

12. Apparatus for automatically placing a lid on a box, said apparatuscomprising a frame, first conveyor means for moving a box to a box positioning station ad'- jacent to said frame, means for positioning and holding the box in-a fixed predetermined position at said box positioning station, a lid ready pickup station mounted on said frame, a lid holding station located adjacent to one end of said frame, second conveyor means for supplying preformed lids having an upper portion and a downwardly extending lower portion to said lid holding station, a carriage movably mounted on said frame, said carriage having a lid holding mechanism at one end and a lid pickup mechanism at the opposite end, said lid pickup mechanism including selectively operable clamping means for engaging a lid at said lid holding station and placing said lid on said ready pickup station when the carriage is moved, means for selectively raising and lowering said lid holding mechanism, said lid holding mechanism including means for positively engaging the upper and lower portions of a lid at said ready pickup station, means for moving said carriage so that the lid carried by said lid holding mechanism is in alignment with the box at said box positioning station and can be placed thereon by said raising and lowering means, and means for temporarily holding the lid on crating said second conveyor means, limit switch means for interrupting operation of said second conveyor when a lid is located at said lid holding station and energizing said operating means when the lid has been removed from said lid holding station by said lid pickup mechanism.

15. The structure ofclaim 12 including guide means at said lid holding station for locating lids on said second conveyor means in a predetermined position.

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus for automatically placing a lid on a box, said apparatus comprising a frame, means for intermittently moving a box to a box positioning station associated with said frame, means for positioning and holding the box in a fixed predetermined position at said box positioning station, a lid pickup station located adjacent to said frame, means for supplying a preformed lid having an uppper portion and a downwardly extending lower portion to said lid pickup station, carriage means movably mounted on said frame, lid holding mechanism carried by said carriage means, means for raising and lowering said lid holding mechanism relative to said carriage means, means on said lid holding mechanism for positively engaging the upper and lower portions of said lid, and means on said frame for moving said carriage means so that the lid carried by said lid holding mechanism overlies and is in alignment with the box at said box positioning station, whereby said lid holding mechanism is operated to remove a lid from said lid pickup station, said carriage means is moved along said frame until the lid is disposed above said box, and thereafter said lid holding mechanism is lowered to place the lid oN the box while the box is in fixed position.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said means for positively engaging said lid includes pressure plate means resiliently engaging the upper portion of the lid, and a plurality of movable finger means for engaging the lower portion of the lid selectively.

3. The structure of claim 1 including a lid holding station located adjacent to said frame, means for supplying lids to said lid holding station, a lid pickup mechanism carried by said carriage means in a position remote from said lid holding mechanism, and means on said lid pickup mechanism for selectively engaging a lid at said lid holding station, whereby when said carriage means is moved along said frame said lid pickup mechanism places the lid from said lid holding station onto said lid pickup station.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which said means for selectively engaging the lid at said lid holding station includes a pair of clamping members hingedly mounted on opposite sides of said carriage means, and fluid cylinder means for operating said clamping members simultaneously.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which said means for supplying lids to said lid holding station includes conveyor means, and means for interrupting movement of said conveyor means when a lid is located at said lid holding station and operating said conveyor means after a lid has been removed from said lid holding station.

6. The structure of claim 1 in which said means for positioning and holding the box at said box positioning station includes a plurality of pad means, and means for selectively moving said pad means into engagement with the sides of said box to move the box to a predetermined position.

7. The structure of claim 6 in which said means for intermittently moving a box includes a conveyor for boxes, a frame supporting said box conveyor, said pad means being hingedly mounted on said conveyor frame, a disk rotatably mounted on said conveyor frame, link means connecting each of said pads to said disk, and means for rotating said disk selectively, whereby said pad means are operated simultaneously to move a box to a predetermined position.

8. The structure of claim 7 in which said box conveyor includes an in-feed section for supplying boxes to said box positioning station, and an out-feed section for removing boxes from said box positioning station after a lid has been placed on the box.

9. The structure of claim 8 including switch means on said in-feed section for operating said conveyor after a box has been moved to said box positioning station.

10. The structure of claim 1 in which said lid holding mechanism includes a housing, ring means adjustably supported by said housing, operating means carried by said housing for moving said ring means relative to said housing, pressure plate means carried by said ring means, said pressure plate means being resiliently mounted for limited movement, a plurality of finger means swingably carried by said ring means, and means on said ring means for selectively moving said finger means to engage a lid.

11. The structure of claim 10 in which said ring means includes a downwardly and outwardly extending skirt for supporting said plurality of fingers, said fingers being located outwardly of the inner surface of said ring means in retracted position and having portions which extend inwardly of the inner surface of said ring means to a position to engage the lower portion of a lid when the fingers are operated.

12. Apparatus for automatically placing a lid on a box, said apparatus comprising a frame, first conveyor means for moving a box to a box positioning station adjacent to said frame, means for positioning and holding the box in a fixed predetermined position at said box positioning station, a lid ready pickup station mounted on said frame, a lid holding station located adjacent to one end of said frame, second conveyor means for supplying preformed lids having an upper portion and a downwardly extending lower porTion to said lid holding station, a carriage movably mounted on said frame, said carriage having a lid holding mechanism at one end and a lid pickup mechanism at the opposite end, said lid pickup mechanism including selectively operable clamping means for engaging a lid at said lid holding station and placing said lid on said ready pickup station when the carriage is moved, means for selectively raising and lowering said lid holding mechanism, said lid holding mechanism including means for positively engaging the upper and lower portions of a lid at said ready pickup station, means for moving said carriage so that the lid carried by said lid holding mechanism is in alignment with the box at said box positioning station and can be placed thereon by said raising and lowering means, and means for temporarily holding the lid on the box while said means for positively engaging the lid is released.

13. The structure of claim 12 including means for operating said first conveyor means to move a box adjacent to said box positioning station, limit switch means for interrupting operation of said first conveyor when a box is located adjacent to said box positioning station and energizing said operating means when the box on said conveyor means has been moved to said box positioning station.

14. The structure of claim 12 including means for operating said second conveyor means, limit switch means for interrupting operation of said second conveyor when a lid is located at said lid holding station and energizing said operating means when the lid has been removed from said lid holding station by said lid pickup mechanism.

15. The structure of claim 12 including guide means at said lid holding station for locating lids on said second conveyor means in a predetermined position.

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