US 3,945,108 A · Core inserter for filters

Abstract

Method and apparatus for repetitive insertion of filter cores into filters in an automatic manner wherein filter elements of closed loop accordion-pleated configuration are fed to the apparatus and accelerated substantially downwardly upon an upright "wand" having a configuration which cooperates with a "squeezer" mechanism to stretch the upper end of a filter element somewhat to enlarge its central opening. A core is dispensed from a hopper to a swingable reciprocating core catcher which positions a core above a filter element previously positioned on the wand. A plunger is timed to move abruptly downwardly thereby forcing the core completely into the enlarged central opening in the filter element, whereupon the wand is abruptly swung generally downwardly to a take-off position to eject the completed assembly into a suitable collection hopper. The above mentioned operations are continuously repeated at a substantially rapid rate.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method for utilizing a swingably mounted rod having a widened intermediate portion for inserting a hollow cylindrical core element into an annular shaped accordion pleated filter element which filter element is substantially non-bendable in the axial direction while being capable of expanding in the radial direction, said method comprising the steps of

a. holding the rod to an upright position;
b. depositing a filter element upon the rod so that the widened intermediate portion lies intermediate the ends of the filter element;
c. squeezing the bottom of the filter element whereby the widened portion of the rod acts as a fulcrum to enlarge the upper end of the filter element;
d. droppping the core element upon said rod and so that the core element at least partially enters the enlarged upper open end of the filter element;
e. pressing the core element downwardly into the filter element to substantially longitudinally align the core and filter elements;
f. releasing the bottom end of the filter element to enable the filter element to resume its natural configuration.

3 more elements

Apparatus of automatically inserting core elements into filter elements said core elements comprising a substantially hollow cylindrical shaped member, and said filter elements being generally annular in shape and having an accordion pleated configuration, said apparatus comprising:

a rod having a first end swingably mounted upon a shaft;
first means for moving said rod between an upright position and a downward takeoff position;
said rod having a widened portion spaced inwardly from its opposite free end;
a platform secured to said rod positioned between said widened portion and said first end;
second means for depositing a filter element upon the free end whereby said platform supports the bottom end of said filter element so that the intermediate portion of the filter element is substantially aligned with the widened portion of the rod;
third means for squeezing the bottom end of said filter element whereby the widened portion of the rod acts as a fulcrum to cause the upper open end of the filter element to become enlarged;
fourth means for moving a core element toward the free end of said rod so that the core element is immediately above the enlarged open end of the filter element;
fifth means for pushing the core element into the filter element so that the core element and the filter element are substantially longitudinally aligned;
said first means rapidly moving said rod towards the takeoff position at an angular velocity sufficient to cast the completed assembly off of said rod and into a suitable collection bin.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Core inserter for filters

Life of this patent

Core inserter for filters

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16