# US 4,395,864 A · Apparatus for the automatic counting and bagging of can ends

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 4,395,864 A
- Document ID: US4395864A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/229,161
- Filed: 1981-01-28
- Granted: 1983-08-02
- Earliest claimed: 1981-01-28
- Assignees: American Can Company
- Inventors: Gerald R. Anderson; David L. Mayne; Joseph L. Spychalski
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4395864A

## CPC

- B65B 5/06: Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
- B65G 57/03: from above
- B65G 61/00: Use of pick-up or transfer devices or of manipulators for stacking or de-stacking articles not otherwise provided for
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)

## Abstract

An automatic system for accumulating, counting, stacking and bagging can ends. The system is designed to protect the end against damage by minimizing the handling of the end. An automatic dispenser counts and dispenses can ends to one of a pair of end stacks which are mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. The end stacks are indexed from a loading position to an unloading position where the filled stack is pivoted from a normally vertical attitude to a horizontal discharging attitude. Ends are discharged to an automatic bagging system for packaging and storage.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Apparatus for counting and bagging can ends comprising:
(a) a frame;
(b) dispensing means, mounted on said frame for receiving, orienting and dispensing a count of can ends;
(c) turret means, mounted on said frame for rotation about a vertical axis, said turret being indexable from a first position to a second position, or from a second position to a first position, said turret means further including pivot means operable in said second position;
(d) a first stack and a second stack, pivotably mounted below said dispensing means on opposite sides of said turret in vertical parallel spaced apart relation, and wherein said first stack is aligned with said dispensing means for receiving accumulating and axially arraying said count of can ends and wherein said turret may be indexed to rotate and first stack from said first position to a second position remote therefrom and concurrently therewith to rotate said second stack from said second position to said first position for receipt of a count of can ends and wherein said stack in said position may then be pivoted from a vertical attitude to a horizontal attitude for unloading said count of ends or from a horizontal attitude to a vertical attitude for indexing of said turret; and
(e) bagging means mounted on said frame to receive a bag and support said bag in alignment with said horizontally disposed stack.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stack comprises:
(a) a mast with a bearing plate for pivotal mounting on said turret;
(b) guide blocks mounted on said mast in longitudinal alignment;
(c) a slide rail received within said guide blocks to support said stacked can ends when said stack is in said horizontal attitude and when said ends are conveyed along said rail during said unloading;
(d) a plurality of guide rods received within said guide blocks defining in cooperation with said rail a channel in which said ends are arrayed;
(e) an elevator movable within said channel to support said arrayed ends when said stack is in said vertical attitude and to expell said arrayed ends during unloading; and
(f) drive means to advance and retract said elevator.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the speed of the drive means may be controlled to synchronize the lowering of said elevator with the feed rate of said dispensing means to ensure a uniform and minimum free fall distance for said can ends.