Clutch assembly for handling a container
AssigneeBelvac Production Machinery, Inc.
InventorsDavid Joseph Mammolenti, Syed Ali Asghar, Harold James Marshall, Robert Charles Graefe, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a clutch assembly (100) for handling a container, and an associated method for using the clutch assembly. The clutch assembly includes a shaft (102) configured to rotate in a first direction and a second direction, opposite from the first direction. The clutch assembly further includes a clutch coupled to a first end of the shaft. The clutch includes at least two rollers (108) configured to move into a first position, extending radially beyond a periphery of the clutch, and out of the first position, extending radially flush with or inward from the periphery of the clutch.
Claims19
A clutch assembly for handling a container having an opening, the clutch assembly comprising:
- a shaft configured to rotate in a first direction and a second direction, opposite from the first direction;
- and
- a clutch at a first end of the shaft configured to at least partially fit within the opening of the container, the clutch including:
- a cam having at least two cam surfaces;
- and
- at least two rollers, each roller of the at least two rollers being configured to engage against an inner surface of the opening of the container and a cam surface of the at least two cam surfaces when the shaft rotates in the first direction, and disengage from against the inner surface of the opening of the container and the cam surface when the shaft rotates in the second direction.
A clutch assembly for handling a container, the clutch assembly comprising:
- a shaft configured to rotate in a first direction and a second direction, opposite from the first direction;
- and
- a clutch coupled to a first end of the shaft, the clutch including:
- at least two rollers configured to move into a first position, extending radially beyond a periphery of the clutch, and out of the first position, extending radially flush with or inward from the periphery of the clutch.
A spindle shaft assembly for handling a container, the spindle shaft assembly comprising:
- a rotary ball spline;
- a clutch assembly connected to the rotary ball spline, the clutch assembly including:
- a shaft configured, based on the rotary ball spline, to translate and to rotate;
- and
- a clutch coupled to a first end of the shaft, the clutch being configured to at least partially fit within an opening of a container, the clutch including:
- a cam having at least two cam surfaces;
- and
- at least two rollers, each roller of the at least two rollers being configured to engage against an inner surface of the opening of the container and a cam surface of the at least two cam surfaces when the shaft rotates in the first direction, and disengage from against the inner surface of the opening of the container and the cam surface when the shaft rotates in the second direction;
- a first drive mechanism configured to translate the clutch assembly;
- and
- a second drive mechanism configured to rotate the clutch assembly.
A machine arrangement comprising:
- a support plate configured to rotate, the support plate including at least one spindle shaft assembly coupled thereto, the at last one spindle shaft assembly being configured to handle a container and including:
- a rotary ball spline;
- a clutch assembly connected to the rotary ball spline and configured to translate and rotate;
- a first drive mechanism configured to impart translational motion to the clutch assembly;
- and
- a second drive mechanism configured to impart rotational motion to the clutch assembly;
- a reverse rotation plate configured to contact the second drive mechanism to impart the rotational motion to the second drive mechanism in a first direction;
- and
- a stationary belt configured to contact the second drive mechanism to impart the rotational motion to the second drive mechanism in a second direction, opposite from the first direction.
A method of trimming a container via an opening of the container, the method comprising:
- inserting a clutch at least partially into the opening of the container, the clutch having at least two rollers and a cam having at least two cam surfaces, with each roller of the at least two rollers corresponding to a respective cam surface of the at least two cam surfaces;
- rotating the clutch in a first direction to cause the at least two rollers to engage an inner surface of the opening of the container and the at least two cam surfaces;
- trimming the container by applying at least one knife against the container, with the container engaged with the at least two rollers and rotating with the clutch;
- upon completion of the trimming, rotating the clutch in a second direction, opposite from the first direction, to cause the at least two rollers to disengage from the inner surface of the opening the container;
- and
- withdrawing the clutch from the opening of the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.