Linking apparatus and method for a can shaping system
AssigneeDelaware Capital Formation, Inc.
InventorsHarold James Marshall, Mohamad Hachem Saadi El Hachem
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A linking apparatus and method for connecting two can making and processing machines. The linking arrangement includes a coupling arrangement synchronously connecting the respective drive arrangements for the two machines, and a transfer member for sequentially transferring can bodies between the two machines. The coupling arrangement includes a first gear drivingly connected to a first one of the machines, a second gear drivingly connected to a second one of the machines, and an intermediate gear interengagingly connected between the first and second gears. The transfer member includes a vacuum star-wheel driven by the intermediate gear.
Claims27
A linking apparatus for sequentially transporting a plurality of elements between a first machine and a second machine, the first machine including a first rotatable drive arrangement and the second machine including a second rotatable drive arrangement that is independently rotatable with respect to the first drive arrangement, the linking apparatus comprising:
- a coupling arrangement adapted for connecting the first and second drive arrangements for synchronous rotation with respect to one another, the coupling arrangement including:
- a first rotating member adapted to be connected for common rotation with the first drive arrangement,
- a second rotating member adapted to be connected for common rotation with the second drive arrangement, the second rotating element being coupled for interrelated rotation with respect to the first rotating member, and
- an intermediate rotating member coupled for interrelated rotation between the first and second rotating members;
- and
- a transfer member adapted for sequentially transporting the plurality of elements between the first and second machines, the transfer member being connected for common rotation with the intermediate rotating member.
An assembly for shaping cans, the assembly comprising:
- a first machine adapted for performing a can shaping operation, the first machine including a first base, a first transport arrangement adapted for moving the cans relative to the first base, and a first gear train driving the first transport arrangement;
- a second machine adapted for performing a can shaping operation, the second machine including a second base, a second transport arrangement adapted for moving the cans relative to the second base, and a second gear train driving the second transport arrangement;
- and
- a linking apparatus synchronously connecting the first and second gear trains and adapted for transporting the cans between the first and second transport arrangements, the linking apparatus including:
- a coupling arrangement having a first gear rotating in common with the first gear train, a second gear rotating in common with the second gear train, and an intermediate gear rotatably interengaging the first and second gears, and
- a transfer wheel rotating in common with the intermediate gear and having a plurality of vacuum fixtures adapted for respectively engaging ones of the cans when the cans are being transported between the first and second transport arrangements;
- wherein the coupling arrangement further has a first clutch for connecting the first gear train to the first gear, and a second clutch for connecting the second gear train to the second gear.
A method of transferring cans between a first machine and a second machine, the first machine including a first gear train and the second machine including a second gear train, the method comprising:
- connecting a coupling arrangement adapted for synchronizing rotation of the first and second gear trains, such that the second gear train is independently rotatable with respect to the first gear train, the coupling arrangement including:
- a first gear adapted to be connected for common rotation with the first gear train,
- a second gear adapted to be connected for common rotation with the second gear train, the second gear being coupled for interrelated rotation with the first gear, and
- an intermediate gear coupled for interrelated rotation between the first and second gears;
- and
- connecting a transfer member for common rotation with the intermediate gear, the transfer member being adapted for receiving the cans from one of the first and second machines and discharging the cans to another of the first and second machines.
The method according to claim 22, wherein the first gear is adapted to be axially offset with respect to the first gear train, and the second gear is adapted to be axially offset with respect to the second gear train.
An assembly for shaping cans, the assembly comprising:
- a first machine adapted for performing a can shaping operation, the first machine including a first base, a first transport arrangement adapted for moving the cans relative to the first base, and a first gear train driving the first transport arrangement;
- a second machine adapted for performing a can shaping operation, the second machine including a second base, a second transport arrangement adapted for moving the cans relative to the second base, and a second gear train driving the second transport arrangement;
- and
- a linking apparatus synchronously connecting the first and second gear trains and adapted for transporting the cans between the first and second transport arrangements, the linking apparatus including:
- a coupling arrangement having a first gear rotating in common with the first gear train, a second gear rotating in common with the second gear train, and an intermediate gear rotatably interengaging the first and second gears, wherein the coupling arrangement is axially offset with respect to the first and second gear trains;
- and
- a transfer wheel rotating in common with the intermediate gear and having a plurality of vacuum fixtures adapted for respectively engaging ones of the cans when the cans are being transported between the first and second transport arrangements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.