US2084093A - Machine for coating cans - Google Patents

Description

June 15, 1937. A. L. KRONQUEST 2,084,093

MACHINE)` FOR COATING CANS Filed Dec. 50, 1935 l1 Sheets-Sheet l :ganga n www/ L www i i- I I @w www awww .www w www w. www www wm Q Awww. M 3 WM .00. $5@ noo. .,SN m NNN No. wo. ww Sm.

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June 15, 1937. A. 1 KRONQUEST MACHINE FOR COATING CANS Filed Dec. 50, 1935 ll Sheets-Sheet f5 Jlie 15, 1937. A, KRONQUEST 2,084,093

MACHINE FOR COATING CANS Filed Dec. 30, 1955 l1 Sheets-Sheet 4 gmc/whom:

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June 15, 1937. A KRONQUES-r 2,084,093

MACHINE FOR COATING CANS Filed Deo. 30, 1955 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 June 15, 1937. A. KRoNQUEsT MACHINE FOR COATING CANS Filed Dec. 50. 1935 1l Sheets-Sheet 6 Swine/YM.'

Afz'gdlf. Jfyongue June l5, 1937. A. L.. KRONQUEST MACHINE FOR COATING CANS Filed Dec. 50, 1935 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 June 15, 1937. Af L KRQNQUESTv 2,084,093

MACHINE FOR COATING CANS June 15, 1937. A. L. KRONQUEST 2,084,093 MACHINE FOR coATING cANs n Flile Dec. 30, 1935 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 @Mlm/MAM June 15, 1937. A. L. KRONQUEs-r 2,084,093l

MACHINE FOR COATING CANS Filed DeC. 30, 1935 1l- Sheets-Sheet l0 Sme/rm;

June 15, 1937- A. l.. KRONQUEST MACHINE FOR COATING CANS Filed Dec. 50, 1935 11 Sheets-Sheet l1 www w.

- Patented June 15, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR. COATING CANS Application December 30, 1935, Serial No. 56,740

26 Claims. (Cl. 91-44) The invention relates to new and useful improvements in a machine for coating the interior surface of a can.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine for coating cans wherein the'can travels continuously in an inverted position during the application of the coating thereto and the draining of the surplus coating therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above type with a series of coating units which travel with the cans and operate in succession upon the cans for coating the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above type with a means common to all of the coating units for supplying 0 ing the travel thereof for supplying the coating tothe coating material under pressure to said units.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a coating machine of the above type with a coating nozzle which is moved into the can durthe interior of the can, and wherein said coating nozzle is withdrawn from the can for the draining of the surplus coating therefrom and the discharge of the can from the machine.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above type with a means associated with each coating unit for regulating the supply of coating to the nozzle so that the coating is discharged from said nozzle onlyduring 'a portion of the travel of the can withV the coating that if there is no can to be coated, no coating will unit.

A stillfurther object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above type in which there isa means associated with each coating unit so be admitted to the nozzle.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in partbe hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In thedrawingss Figure 1 is a top plan view showing more or less diagrammatically a coating machine embodying the improvements;

Fig. 2 is a side' elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan View of the turret portion of the machine -with which the coating units are associated;

the main supply tank for. the coating material;

Fig. 7 is a view partly in side elevation and partly broken away and in section showing in particular the cam operating to raise the nozzle into the can;

Fig. 7a. isa view in detail showing the cam for lowering the nozzle after'the coating operation has been performed;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view through one of the coating units and showing a vcan in place and the nozzle'positioned for supplying coating to the interior of the can; t

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the nozzle as withdrawn;

Fig. 10 is a View similar to Fig. 9, but showing the can removed and the no-can, no-coating control in raised position cutting off the supply of coating to the nozzle;

Fig. 10a is a sectional of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a view partly in plan and partly in section of the manifold which supplies the coating material under pressure to all of the coating units;

Fig. 12 is a side view showing the mounting for the manifold for the coating, and also the pump for supplying the coating material to the manifold;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 11, and showing in place the relief valve for permitting the discharge of the coating material from the manifold so as to maintain a continuous supply of coating in the manifold under a substantially uniform pressure;

Fig. 13a` is a section onx the line 13a-|31; of Fig. 11;

` Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view through the draining tank midway between the ends thereof;

Fig. l5 is a view inside elevation showing the construction of the canway where the cans enter the machine; l

Fig. 16 is a detail in side elevation showing a portion of they canway and the conveyor at the place where the cans are ejected from the machine, and

Fig. 17 is a view Fig. 16. Y

In the present illustrated embodiment of the invention, the coating machine includes a turret section where the coating is applied tothe inteview on the line Illa-lila in plan of the parts shown in rior of the can, and a draining section wherein the surplus coatingis drained from the can and interior of the can. In the turret section is a section of the machine is a tank for the coating material, and these two tanks are connected. The tanks are steam-jacketed so that a coating material of a thermo-plastic character may be reduced to a liquid form for application to the rotating turret having at the outer portion thereof a support lwhich overhangs the tank containing the coating material. Mounted on this turret are a series of coating units, each of which includes a nozzle or coating pipe. There are two stationary cams which operate ,upon these nozzles one after another for raising and for lowering the same. The cans to be coated are placed in pockets in the rotating turret by means of a traveling conveyor consisting of a series of blocks which are pivotally connected. Each block contains gauge fingers over whichthe mouth of the can is placed and centrally of the gauge fingers is an opening through the block through which the nozzle is raised into the can. 'I'he can is moved along guide rails by means of a post which is an extension of the pivot joining the blocks. This post extends beneath the blocks for a short distance, and the lower end of each post engages in succession a recess in the turret in the nature of a sprocket wheel, and thus it is that when the turret is rotated, it causes the conveyor for the cans to move with the turret. This conveyor not only encircles a portion of the turret, but it runs back and forth in a circuitous path in the drainving tank. The cans are brought to the vcoating .units by the conveyor and are placed in a pocket in the turret which centers the can over the nozzle. Associated with the turret is a manifold for supplying the coating under pressure to` each coating unit. This manifold is stationary, and the coating is supplied thereto by a pump, the pump taking its coating from the tank. There is an outlet from the manifold back into the tank which is controlled by a spring-closed valve. This enables the manifold to be supplied with coating material at a predetermined desired pressure.. As the coating units travel over the manifold, they are brought into communication therewith. 'Ihe communicating port between the `manifold and the nozzle of each coating unit contains a valve which is -normally 'closed so as to cut off the supply of the coating material to the coating nozzle. When a can is placed in a pocket in the turret for coating, it contacts with this valve, and during the travel of the can it is forced downward so as to open the valve and permit the coating to be supplied to the coating nozzle of the coating unit with whichthe can is associated. If there is no can, then no coating is supplied to the coating unit. vThe 'cans are delivered to the conveyor in an inverted position and are conveyed in succession to the traveling coating units. lThe nozzle is raised into the can while it is traveling and the coating discharged therefrom so asr to flood the interior of the can with coating material. The nozzle is then withdrawn, and as the can continues its travel, the surplus coating willl drainy therefrom back into the tank. As the can travels in a circuitous path through the draining-section, there is ample time for the excess coating to drain from the inverted can and the coating to cool sumclently so as to set. 'Ihe cans are then discharged from the machine.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the

coating machine as shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes a turret section I in which is mounted for rotation, a turret 2. It also includes a draining section which is vindicated at 3. 'I'he turret sec-v tion of the machine and the operating mechanism 'therefor is shown in detail in Figures 3 to 5. Referring in particular to Fig. 4, the turret includes a hub portion 4 having radially extending arms .carrying at their. outer ends a supporting rim 6. The hub portion 4 is fixed to the upper end of a shaft 1. 'Ihis shaft 1 is mounted for rotation in a bracket bearing 9 rigidly secured to a lower housing 9. This lower housing 9 is mounted on a supporting base I0.

There is a combined end thrust and radial ball bearing II at the lower end of the bracket bearing 8, and a radial ball bearing I2 at the upper end of the bracket. rI'he shaft 1 is mounted in this bearing and the hub 4 is keyed to the upper end of the shaft. At the lower endeof the shaft is a worm wheel I3. This worm wheel I3 meshes with a worm gear I4 carried by a shaft I5 mounted in suitable bearings in a depending skirt I 6 which is formed integral with the lbracket bearing 8. A cover plate I1 is attached to the lower end of the skirt I6 thus forming a chamber in which the Worm wheel I3 is located. The shaft I5 'carries a sprocket wheel I8.

Mounted on the base III is a motor I9. A sprocket wheel 20 is carried by the shaft of the motor, and a sprocket chain 2l runs over the sprocket wheels 20 and I8, and thus the turret is rotated. The turret may be turned by a hand mechanism when the motor circuit is broken.` 'I'his hand mechanism includes a shaft 22 mounted for endwise movement in a bearing 23 carried by the lower housing section 9. The inner end of this shaft 22 is provided with a recess .24. Surrounding the shaft 22 is a. spring 25, and on the outer end of the shaft is a hand-wheel 26.

When the shaft is pressed endwise, the recessed" end of the shaft will pass over the end of the shaft I5 and a pin 21 carried by the shaft 22 will enter a recess 28 formed in the end of the shaft I5, and thus it is that the shaft 22 is connected to the shaft I5 so that it may be rotated by the f to the center'of rotation of the turret, and anV inner wall 3l likewise concentric to the center' of rotation of the turret. The inner wall extends all the way around the turret. The outer wall is semi-cylindrical and is connected to parallel extensions which are connected to the inner transverse wall' 32 `(see Figures 1 and 3). The draining tank section is also connected to this transverse wall 32 aswill be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

Inorder that the coating material in the coating tank be heated and maintained in a liquid form, there is a heating chamber 33 which extends underneath the bottom plate 29 and up along the outer wall 39. This chamber is pref- .erably supplied with steam from a steam pipe 34 (see Fig. 6). Outside ot the steam chamber 33 is insulation as indicated at 35 `in Fig. 4 of the drawings.` Attached to the uppery end of the wall is a cover plate 35, and the outer wall 31 enclosing the insulation is attached to this cover plate at the upper vend and the extension of the wall of the steam Achamber at its lower end. y

'I'he machine is particularlyv adapted for the coating of a can body which is used for packa ing beverages, such as beer. It is well known that the canI must be coated onthe interior thereof with a non-metallic material which prevents the beer from -contacting `with the metal, and the purpose of the machine is to flow a thermo-plastic material over the entire inner surface of the can after it is completed .and ready for filling. The can is illustrated in the drawings and consists of a cylindrical body por tion 38 to vwhich a bottom end 39 is secured in the usual manner. The top end 4l) is coneshaped and'is seamed to thecan body, likewise in the usual manner. This cone-shaped end terminates in a mouth portion to which a sealing cap may be attached. The can during coating thereof is maintained in an inverted position and the coating material is delivered to the interior of the can so that the entire inner surface is flooded with the coating material.

Associated with the turret is a series of coating units which operate upon the cans in succession. -The turret overhangs the tank for the coating material as shown in Fig. 8, and the outer face of the rim support 6 of the turret is formed with a series of segmental pockets indicated at 4| in the drawings. These pockets are shaped so as to conform to the curvature of the can. Attached to the under side of the rim support 6 is a supporting ring 42. Said ring is fastened to the rim support by suitable bolts, one of which is indicated at 43 (Fig. 8). The ring 42 extends outward beyond the pockets in the rim support and provides a supporting ledge 44 on lwhich the conveyor for the can rests and travels while the can is being coated. This extension forming the supporting ledge has recesses formed therein as indicated at 45 in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The conveyor for the cans is in the form of a series of blocks 46 which have interengaging hinge ears, and a post 41 extends through these ears and pivotally connects the adjacent blocks'. These blocks 46 pass over the supporting ledge 44 and rest thereon. The post' 41 extends below the block a short distance and the lower ends of the posts engage in succession the recesses 45 in the turret ring. These recesses 45 are in the nature of a sprocket wheel which, operating upon the post, impart movement to the conveyor as` the turret rotates.

Each section of the ring between the recesses 45, 45 is providedwithan opening 48. A nozzle or coating pipe 49 is-mounted for reciprocation in this opening 48. The pipe 49 is secured to a crosshead 50. This crosshead is T-shaped and is adapted to slide in a T-shaped guideway 5| formed in the depending skirt 52 of the ring 42. The guiding recess 5| is formed by integral ribs 53, 53 having flanges projecting toward each other at their outer edges. This guiding recess is directly beneath the opening 48 in the ring extension. The crosshead 50 carries a roller 54 which is adapted to engage a cam 55.` This cam of the turret so that the roller 54 as it travels with the turret can contact with the cam, and as it moves along the cam, the nozzle or pipe 49 will be raised. The nozzle or pipe 49 is traveling with'the turret, and the turret and conveyor are traveling together, and therefore, the pipe may be raised through an opening 58 in the conveyor block.' Mounted on the conveyor block are a series of guide lingers 59 which center the mouth of the can directly over the opening 58 in the block 46, and-therefore, the nozzle -or pipe will move up into the can to a position adjacent the bottom end thereof as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. Associated with the lifting cam 55 is a guiding member 60. This guiding member 60 is formed at the lower edge of a plate 6|,

and the plate 6| is bent laterally at its upper end so as to overlie the/top plate of the tank. Bolts 62, 62 pass through this plate and secure it to the top of the tank.

When the roller, reaches the upper end of the cam 55, it passes on to a supporting rail 63, and thus the pipe is retained in its raised position. This supporting rail63 is mounted on the upper end of the cam 55, and on a bracket 64 attached to the outer wall of the tank. around to the opposite side of the machine where there is alowering cam for lowering the pipe or nozzle, and this-lowering cam will be described later.

Associated with the turret is a manifold 65 which is provided with a, chamber 66. The mani. fold is ring-shaped and the chamber 66 is segmental, extending throughout only the region in which coating isv to be applied to the can. This manifold is shown in plan in Fig. 1l. The chamber 66 extends from a point 61 to apoint 68. 'I'here is a slot 69 in the upper wall of the' manifold which extends from one end thereof to the other. This manifold underlies the ring 42. The lower face of the ring and the outer face of the manifold are machined so as to have a tight running contact with each other. There is a rib 18 on the manifold which engages the inner face of the ring 42 and the outer face of the manifold engages the skirt 52 of the ring. 'Ihis manifold has a series of posts 1| threaded into the lower wall thereof, and these posts slide freely in openings 12 formed in lugs 13 which are in turn welded to the inner wall 3 of`the tank. A spring 14 surrounds the post and bearing against the under face of the manifold, yieldingly forces the same upward, so as to maintain a sealed contact between the upper machined face of, the mani,- fold and the under face of the ring. There are a series of bolts threaded through projecting ears 16 carried by the manifold. These bolts are This rail 63 leads adapted to be placed very close to the upper face of the ears 13 and may be adjusted to different set positions. A lock nut 11 threaded on to each bolt serves to hold said bolt in a set position. The purpose of these bolts will be described later.

4The ring 42 is provided with an opening 18 which is disposed centrally of each pocket 4| and at the innerside thereof. Mounted for movement in this opening is a valve rod 19. A spring 88 contacting with the lower end of the valve rod normally raises the same until it is brought intol contact with an adjustable stop 8|. The valve rod is provided with a longitudinal port 82. There is an annular recess 83 surrounding the valve rod and radial ports 84 connecting the longitudinal port 82 with this annular recess 83. The ring is also provided with a radial port 85. When the valve is in the position shown in Fig. l0, communication between the chamber 66 and the radial port 85 is cut off. When, however, the valve rod is moved to a lower position, as indicated inL Fig. 9, then the recess 83 is brought into register with the port 85 and communication is established between the chamber 66 and the port 85.` The port 85 at its outer end communicates with the opening in which the pipe 49 moves. 'I'he pipe is hollow, opening at its upper end, thus forming 75 l a discharge nozzle. 'Ihe pipe, however, is closed f at its lower end. The pipe has an opening 86 in Fig. 8. When the `pipe is lowered to the position shown in-Figures 9 and 10, then communication between the port 85 and the interior of the pipe is cut oif.

'Ihe purpose of the valve rod 19 is to cut olf allsupply of coating material to the nozzle when there is no can to be coated. 'I'he can is guided between guide rails 81 and 88 whichcontact with the upper end of the can. 'I'hese guide rails are carried by a series of U-brackets, and these brackets are supported by bracket arms 98 carried by posts 9| which are secured to the cover plate 36.

, The guide rails 81 and 88 are shaped to conform to the path of travel of the cans. In the-region where the can is nested in the pocket in the traveling turret, the guiding rails are curved about the center of rotation of the turret. y

The conveyor, as noted above, is made up of a series of blocks 46 which are pivotally connected in the manner of an endless chain. The endless conveyor chain, as a whole, is indicated by the numeral 46a. The chain slides along guide rails with the posts forming the pivot for 'connecting the adjacent blocks passing between the guide rails. These guide rails are so disposed that the conveyor 46a travels along a straight line of travel as it approaches the turret, and then it follows around the turret with the posts contacting with the notches formed in the turret so that the turret serves as a driving sprocket for the conveyor. There is a canway which leads to and into the machine. lThis canway is so shaped that the cans will pass by gravity along the canway as they enter the machine. At the entrance into the machine, there is a bracket 92 mounted on the frame of the-machine.. There are other similar brackets, and extending through these brackets are extensions of the can guide rails 81 and 88. There are guide rails 81a and 88a which contact with the double seam at the lower end of the can and serveto guide the can in its movement. There is a supporting rail associated with this canway which is indicated at 94 (see Fig. 3). This supporting rail extends along the left-hand guiding rail\81a and terminates at 94a. Asl the cans move along this canway, they will move into` the path of travel of the conveyor 46a. The posts 41 on the conveyor are spaced a .distance slightly greater than the diameter of the cans so that the cans may readily pass be- `tween the posts.A The canway, as shown in Fig.

3, is at an inclination to the path of travel of the conveyor 46a, as noted above, and therefore, the cans will be placed in succession between the traveling posts. The guide rail 88 has a portion 88b bent inward toward the path 4of travel of the conveyor, and thence outward, and this aids in the directing of the can as it passes between the posts. The conveyor will cause the cans to move along on the supporting rail 94. The conveyor passes around an idler 95 and this will place the can in the pocket of the turret. It is `still supported by the rail, as shown in Fig. 10a.

The canway is provided with a swinging gate 96 pivoted at 91, which gate is closed by a spring 98. In case a can when it moves into the conveyor contacts with a post, this swinging gate 96 can yield so as to aid in the placing of .the cans between the posts.

There is also a gate 99 which is pivoted at |88.

The spring 98 is connected to this gate and yieldingly forces the'same to closed position. A rod |8| is connected to the gate and to a switch so that incase of a jam, the gate 99 will yield, and moving outward, will operate through the rod I8 I a switch |82 for stopping the machine.

When av can approaches the end oi the sup- |83 carried by the U-bracket 89. This cam bar extends from a point |04, wherethecans are brought into the pockets in` the turret, to a point |84a, at the other side of the path of travel of the turret, where the cans are moved out of the pockets. The purpose of this cam bar is to force the cans Adownwardly after they pass oil' from the guide rail 94 so as to depress the valve rod 19 and thus open the port to permit the coating material to pass into the pipe or discharge nozzle. The turret in its travel brings the yalve rod beneath the can lbefore the can leaves the end 94a (see Fig. 10a) of the supporting rail "94, so that when the can passes oi from the supporting rail, it then rests on the valve rod. The cam bar |83 is so shaped that it will positively move the can downon to the valve rod and it will force the valve rod downward against the tension of the porting rail 94a, it moves underneath a cam bar i spring, holding it raised, and this will bring the can mouth down over the guiding fingers 59. This positioning of the can in the turret pocket and the lowering of the same, opens communication between the chamber 66 and the port 85, and it also places the can sothat it is centered relative to the opening 58 in the conveyor block 48. The cam bar |83 has a section |85 thereof made separate, and this separate section is pivoted at |86 so that it may be maintained in a position in alinement with the cam bar, or released and lifted to a raised position. A locking bolt |81 is provided for holding the section |85 of the cam bar in its lowered or closed position. The purpose of this movable section is to permit the ready removal' of a can from the coating station for the purpose of inspection when desired, or

in case .of a jam. The cam bar |83 is so shapedthat the can is lowered to move the valve rod so as to open the port, and then the can is r tained in its lowered position.

After the can is placed and the valve rod depressed, then the cam 55 operating on the roller 54 will raise the pipe or nozzleinto the can and place the same well up toward the bottoml of the can. This upward movement ofthe pipe or nozzle brings the opening 86 into register with the port 85, and thus the coating iiuid will pass out through the nozzle and flood the entire interior of the can. Excess coating material will flow out manifold into and out of the can. Inasmuch as the turret overhangs the tank, the coating mate` rial discharged from the can passes back into the tank.

The chamber 66 of the manifold 65 is supplied with coating material by a pump |88. This pump is of the usual character and is driven by a sprocket chain |89 which runs over a sprocket wheel ||8 carried by the shaft of a motor The inner wall 3| of the tank is provided with a thickened bearing support 3|a (see Fig. 5). The pump shaft is indicated at`||2.. 'I'his shaft extends through this bearing support and carries the sprocket wheel ||3 over which this sprocket 'chain |09 runs. Ihe pump is at the iner end of the shaft and is located in the tank containing the coating material; while, of course, the sprocket wheel and the chain driving the same are located inside of the inner wall of the tank.

'I'he tank does not travel; neither does the pump L iianged sleeve I4. Springs III 5 bearing against the flanged sleeve hold it in fluid tight connection with the manifold. The purpose of this yielding sleeve connection between the pumpcasing and the manifold is to permit the manifold to move and be yieldingly held pressed against the under side of the traveling ring of the turret. If the pressure on the coating discharged to the chamber 66 becomes excessive, it may force the manifold away from the traveling ring. This tendency of the manifold to move away from the ring is resisted by the supporting springs 14, and it is further limited in its movement by the yielding fluid connection between the stationary manifold and the traveling ring, but at the same time, permits a certain amount of movement of the manifold away from the ring without the breaking of parts.

The pump is. so disposed asl to supply the manifold with the coating material at a point adjacent the end 68 thereof (see Fig. 1l) Adjacent the other end of the manifold61 is an opening ||6 in the bottom wall of the manifold which is controlled by a valve H1. This valve is mounted on a stem ||8 which slides in a bearing H3 in the upper wall of the manifold, and a spring |20 encircling the stem of the valve normally holds it in its raised closed position. .The chamber-66 is lled full of the coating materialzthrough the operation of the pump. The pump, as noted, is located in the tank containing the coating material, and the coating material passes into the pump through an intake port |`2 I. As soon as the tank is filled, then this valve ||1 is forced open so that the coating material will flow back into the tank. This insures that the tank may be kept filled with coating material and free from air, and also the coating material will be maintained under adesired pressure which can be regulated by adjusting the thumb nuts serving as an abutment for the spring |20. There is an adjustable stop |22 for limiting the movement of the valve, and it will be preferably forced toJ an open position so' as to' allow a certain amount of the fluid to pass continuously ,into and out of the chamber 66. This stop screw c an be adjusted to increase the flow, if desired. The slot 69'in the inner wall of the manifold leads to the chamber 66, and as the turret rotates, the passage controlled by the valve rod at each coating unit will vbe brought over the slot 69 and a communication maintained with the manifold `while the turret is traveling through substantially 180 degrees.v

The remainder of the manifold serves as a sup.

Y port for the ring, but it does not, in any way,

function in the supplying ing stations.v

As above noted,the pipe or nozzle is raised into of coating to the coatthe can through the operation of the cam 55 on the roller 51|. Thse cams are so disposed that the pipe is raised to supply the coating substantially at the radial line A, in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The pipe or nozzle remains raised with the roller running on the rail 63. While the coating units ,are traveling throughn arc of substantially 150 degrees, then the roller comes into contact with a member 60a similar to the vmember 60, but which serves as a cam for forcing the` roller 5,4 downward, and this retracts the pipe from the can. There is a member 55a similar to the cam 55 on the opposite side of the machine which serves as a control member to regulate ythe downward movement of the roller 54, and the lowering of the pipe from within the can. As soon as the pipe or nozzle starts to move downward, the opening 86 in the pipe is closed and this stops the ow. of the coating material.

Attached to the-upper housing of the turret section of the machine is a digaining section through which the cans are conveyed in a circuitous path to permit the excess coating material to drain from the can and the remaining film covering the interior of the can to set. This draining tank is preferably rectangular in outline. The two side walls |23, |23 are parallel with each other and are connectedat their outer ends by an end wall |24. 'Ihe side walls are connectedl at their inner ends by an end wall |25, and this end wall |25 is securely bolted to the transverse wall 32 of the turret section of the machine. Joining the side walls and the end wall is a bottom wall- |26. Spaced beneath the bottom wall |26 is a second bottom wall |26a. This forms a chamber |21 which is supplied with steam from the pipe |28. An outlet pipe |29 is also connected to this steam chamber |21.

The end walls and the side walls project beneath J heated by the steam jackets above described,l

and thus the coating material which 'is of a thermo-plastic character is kept in La: liquid form. Extending from one side'of the draining tank to the other' are angle bars |33. Mounted on these anglev bars gare' vguiding rails |34, |34 on which the conveyor rests and moves. These guiding rails are vspaced so that the lower ends of the posts 41 pass between the guiding rails and direct the movements ofthe conveyor 46a. Thev guiding rails l3da, |34a` extend into the turret section of the machine. The blocks which Y constitute the conveyor, when they leave the turret, engage an idler roller |35., and this directs the conveyor so that the posts will pass between the guide rails and into the draining tank.` The guide rails extend from the left-hand end of the draining tank (Fig. 1) to a point adjacent the right-hand end. At the right-hand end of the tank there is a cross beam |36, and

fixed to ,this cross beam are a series of fixed bearsame to rotate. The sprocket disks are mounted for free rotation on the xed bearing posts. There are four of these bearing posts with a.

There are also plates |32 at the ends and l section, they are moved off from the valve rodsl sprocket disk on each at the right-hand of the tank. -There areA supporting brackets at the lefthand end of the tank in which are mounted bearing posts |39. As shown there are three of these bearing posts and associated with each bearing post is a sprocketdisk. There are guide rails extending from the sprocket disks at one end of the tank to the other and thus it is that the conveyor passes from one end of the tank to the other in a circuitous path, and nal- 1y passes from the draining tank into' the turret section and around the turret Wheel. It is the turret Wheel Which serves as the driving means for the conveyor, and these Sprocket disks are merely idlers for supporting and directing the movement of the conveyor.

When the cans reach the side of the turret where the conveyor passes into the draining and rest on the supporting ngers 59. If desired,

afsupporting rail may be used so as to hold` the cans slightly off from said fingers, but it 1s essential that the fingers shall be close to the can mouth and aid in the draining of the coating material from the can. The cans during their travel through the draining tankk are guided by rails which are xedly mounted on brackets attached to the tank (see Fig. 14). The tank is provided With posts and a bar |4| connects the same. There are a series of these bars, and

supported by the bars are the guide rails |42 l which contact with the upper portion of the can and guide it While the can is supported onthe post. lThis cap has a depending ilange guiding ngers and is moved along by the travel of the conveyor through the combined action of the supporting ngers and the post which is in the rear of each can. 'I'hese posts, as noted above, extend below the conveyor and yfare guided by the rails |34, |34.

At the upper end of each bearing post |31 and also at the upper end of each bearing post |39 there is a cap |44 which is xed to the bearing which is connected to the axis of rotation of the sprocket disk. There is also a hub |45 on said cap, and this provides an annular guiding channel along which the upper end portion of the inverted can travels while the conveyor is passing'. around the sprocket disk. The conveyor after it passes around the sprocket disk carried by the post 31a, then passes along the side wall of the tank into the turret section where it encircles the turret. Associated with the guiding railsv |42, |42 along this straight run oi the conveyor into the turret section, arev guide rails |43, |43 which contact with the lower end of the can for guiding the same. There are also supportingrrailsl |43a, |43a lwhich engage beneath the shoulder of the can. vThese supporting rails, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, incline up;

ward, and they gradually liftthe can off from,

is cut away so as to pet the posts travel through,

Directly beneath the draining tank is a main supply tank |48. 'I'his main supply tank is preferably rectangular-and is supported on suitable pedestals. 'Ihe draining tank extends over the supply tank for a portion of its length and' 5 thermo-plastic coating material to liquid form. 4

The steam chamber associated with the'tan'k |48 is indicated at |50 in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Disposed in the main supply tank is a pump |5| which draws the liquid coating material from the main tank and forces it through a pipe |52 into the tank associated with the turret. As-

sociated with the pump at the intake side thereof is a strainer |53. The pipe |52 islconnected with a pipe |54 which passes through the end wall of the turret section of the tank. Located in this section of the tank is an adjustable over-y flow for regulating the .level of the coating material, both in the draining tank and in the supply tank. This means for regulating 'the level, includes a standpipe |55 having a sleeve |55 secured tol the upper end thereof. 'I'he sleeve is closed at itsv upper end and'has a threaded connection with the pipe |55. There are openings |5'| adjacent the upper end of the sleeve. 'Ihe uid in thel tanks-will pass through these openings .|51 into the pipe |55 and thus out of the tank associated with the turret and back into the main tank |48, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 6 of the drawings. By adjusting the sleeve |56 on the standpipe |55, the level E of the coating liquid can be varied.

.The pipe |54 has a valve-controlled draining section |58l which extends over the main tank and by stopping the pump and opening the valve, the coating liquid may all be drained from the tank associated with the coating machine back into the main'supply tank. The pump |5| is driven from a motor |59. Mounted inthe side wall of the main auxiliary tank is a thermostat |60 which is connected with the control line so as to insure that the machine will not be started until the coating liquid has. reached the proper temperature and liquid i'orm for circulation. There is also a thermostat Il -which'is attached tothe inner wall of the tank associated with the turret (see Fig. 5) and this thermostat is conthe cut-away space which is indicated at |4353 (Fig.'16). This shaping of the guide rails so as to direct the can transversely from the.v4 conveyor serves as a means for electing the can from the machine.

nected to a usual control circuits'o as to insure that the machine will not be started until the coating material in the tank adjacent the coating unit is at the proper temperature so that it may be applied to the cans. 1

The operation of the machine is thought to be obvious from the detail description which has been given above. The cans are f ed into the machine one aftenanother in inverted position and are placed in front of the traveling posts on the conveyor. The cans are supported and directed by guide rails which .are stationary and are moved along these guide rails by the posts on the traveling conveyor. When the cansare brought into the turret section of the coating 'machine they are placed one after another in the pockets of the turret,'and atter'they are fully seated inthe the can continues its travel, the pipeor nozzle is .raised into the can, vand when it reaches its full plus coating material ilowing from the can back into the tank. The application of the coating material continues while the can .istraveling until it is thoroughly supplied withtl'ie coating material, after which the' pipe or nozzle is' moved downward and this cuts ofi the supply ofrceating l material. The can in` it n l moved out of ,the valve rod whichi'sre e ug e'action ofl the spring thereon.v 1 f 'iI-'iesolepuipose of'thislvalve rod is to prevent any discharge.fof-coatingv from the nozzle or' pipe w en itisrais nless there is a can to be coated. If there is can placed in the coating unit, the pipe or nozzle will raise to its upper position without establishing any connection between the pipe and the manifold chamber 66.

When the can leaves its support on the'end of the valve rod, it is lowered on to the guide fingers 5,9 and is conveyed along by the guide fingers and the guiding posts through the draining tank. The guide rails are so constructed 'as to engage a can and raise it on from the guidingngersfand lift it to a level where it can be discharged from the p machine. The cans are moved, alongthedraining tank through a circuitous p'athizwhichis of sufficient length to permit the draining of the surplus material from the cans and the setting vof the l material before a can is discharged from the machine. A thermo-plastic coating material is used which is liquefied by heat and it will cool quickly as the can travels in the inverted position through the draining section. It is to be noted that the conveyor travels beneath the surface of the coating material, and therefore, the coating material will serve to lubricate the conveyor and the movable parts directly associated therewith. It is also to be noted that the coating material is taken from the tank and delivered to a manifold which supplies all of the coating units, and therefore, all

' of the cans are supplied with coating material at a uniform pressure and in a uniform quantity.

It is obvious that the path of travel of the conveyor-in the draining section may be shortened or lengthened, as desired, and means may be provided, if found necessary, for the cooling of the cans to aid in the setting of the coating material. It is also obvious that many changes in the details of construction and the arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims..

Having thus described the invention,r what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters- Patent, is-` l. A machine for coating cans comprising a supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank travels, means contacting with the mouth of the can for centering the same to receive the nozzle and means for supplying coating material from the tank through said nozzle into .the can.

2. A machine for coating cans comprising a sup- 2,084,093 lleading from the manifold to thecoatingunit. As

porting frame, a tank for coating material mountis cut off when there is no can to be coated and means associated with said conveyor for engaging the mouth of the can and centering the same -to receive the. nozzle. v

-ed thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank 3. A machine for coating cans comprising a supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, means for operating said conveyor continuously, a series of coating units traveling with said conveyor and operating in succession on said cans for coating the same, each unit including a coating nozzle, means for raising the nozzle into the can as it travels, means contacting with the mouth of the can for centering the same to receive the nozzle and means common to all of the nozzles for supplying coating material from the tank thereto.

4. A machine for coating cans comprising a sup'- porting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, means for operating said conveyor continuously, a series of coating units traveling with said conveyor and operating in succession on said cans for coating the same, each unit including a coating nozzle, means for raising the nozzle into the can` as it travels, means contacting with the mouth of the p can for centering the same to receive the nozzle means common to all of the nozzles for supplying coating material from the tank thereto, and means whereby the supply of coating to the nozzle is cut oi when there is no can to be coated.

5. A machine for coating cans comprising a supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, means for operating said conveyor continuously, a series-of coating u nits traveling with said conveyor and operating in succession on said cans for coating the same, each unit including a coating nozzle, means contacting with the mouth of the can for centering the same to receive the nozzle, a stationary manifold disposed in said tank, means for supplying said manifold with coating material from said'tank under pressure, and means whereby the nozzle of each coating unit is connected with said manifold whereby a'supply of coating material is discharged into the can associated therewith.

6. A machine for coating cans comprising a l supporting frame,v a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, means for operating said conveyor continuously, a series of coating units traveling with said conveyor and operating in succession on said cans for coating the same, each unit including a coating nozzle, means for raising said nozzle into a can as it-travels, means contacting with the mouth of the can for centering the same to receive the nozzle means for supplying coating material from the tank to the nozzle, and a valve means between the tank andthe nozzle controlled by the can for cutting off the supply of coating to the nozzle when there is no' can to be coated.

7. A machine for coating ecanscomprising a supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a rotating turret having a series of pockets adapted to receive cans to be coated, means for continuously rotating said turret, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying and placing cans in an inverted position in succession in the pockets of said turret, a coating unit associated with each pocket and traveling with said turret, each coating unit in cluding a nozzle, means for raising the nozzle into the can in the pocket 'as the turret rotates, means contacting with the mouth of the can for centering the same to receive the nozzle and means for supplying said nozzle with coating material from said tank when raised.

8. -A machine for coating cans comprising a 'supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a rotating turret having a series of pockets adapted to receive cans to be coated, means for continuously rotating said turret, a conveyor disposed Within said tank for conveying and placing cans in an inverted position in succession in the pockets of said turret, a coating unit associated with each pocket and traveling withv said turret, each coating unit including a nozzle, means for raising the nozzle into the can in the pocket as the turret rotates, means contacting with the mouth of the can for centering the same to receive the nozzle, rmeans for supplying said nozzle with coating material from said tank when raised, and-means controlled by the can whereby the supply of coating to the nozzle is cut off when no can is placed in the pocket associated therewith.

9. A machine for coating cans' comprising a supporting frame, a tank for coating material mountedl thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, said conveyor including a block having an opening therethrough, a series of ngers around said opening and adapted to enter the mouthof the can for centering said can relative to said open- -ing, a coating nozzle, means for reciprocating said nozzley for moving the saine through said opening and into said can, and means for supplyingcOating'material from the tank through the nozzle into the can.

l0. A machine for coating cans comprising a supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, said conveyor including a block having an opening therethrough, aseries of(ngers around said opening and adapted to enter the mouth of the can for centering said can relative to said opening, a coating nozzle 4traveling with said conveyor and adapted to move up through said opening into the can, means for supporting and causing said nozzle to travel with said conveyor, a stationary cam adapted to operate upon said nozzle for raising and lowering the same, and means for supplying coating material from the tank through the nozzle into the can.

11. A machine for coating cans comprising a supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying`cans-in inverted position, said conveyor including a block having an. opening therethrough, a series of lingers around said opening and adapted to enter the mouth of the can for centering said can relative to said opening, a coating nozzle adapted to move up through said opening and into the can, a stationary manifold associated with said tank, means for supplying said manifold with coating the port remains closed.

from said tank under pressure,-means for supporting and moving said nozzle along said manifold in the conveyor, said supporting means for the nozzle having a port leading'from said manifold to the nozzle, said nozzle when in raised position communicating with said port whereby coating material is discharged from said nozzle into the can.

12. A machine for coating cans comprising a supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a. conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, said conveyor including a block having an opening therethrough, a series of fingers `around said opening and adapted to enter the mouth of the can for centering said can relative to said opening, a coating nozzle adaptedto move up through said opening and into the can, a stationary manifold associated with said tank, means for supplying said manifold with coating from said tank under pressure, means for supporting and moving said nozzle along said manifold in the conveyor, said supporting means for the nozzle having a. port leading from said manifold to 'the nozzle, said nozzle when in raised position communicating with said port whereby coating material is discharged from said nozzle into the can, a valve rod associated with said port, and yielding means for raising said valve rod for closing theport, said valve rod being disposed so that the can rests thereon and depresses the rod to open the port whereby when there is no 13. A machine for coating cans comprising a supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, said conveyor including a block having an opening therethrough, a series of fingers around said' opening and adapted to enter the mouth of the can for centering said can relative to saidopening, a turret, a supporting ring carried by said turret and having a depending skirt, said skirt being provided with a T-shaped guideway, a

crossheadV movable in said guideway, a nozzle carried by said crosshead and adapted to move up through said opening into the can, a roller carried by said nozzle, and a stationary cam adapted to engage said .roller for raising and lowering the nozzle as the turret travels.

14. A machine for coating cans comprising a supporting frame, a tank for'coatingmaterial mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, said conveyor including a block havingv an opening therethrough, a series of fingers around said opening and adapted to enter the mouth of the can for centering said can relative to said opening, a turret, asupporting ring carried by said turret and having a depending skirt, said skirt being provided with a T-shaped guideway, a crosshead movable in said guideway, a. nozzle carried by said crosshead and adapted to move up through said opening into the can, a roller carried by said nozzle, a. stationary cam adapted to engage said roller for raising and lowering the nozzle as the turret travels,(and means for sup-15 nozzle as the turret travels, a stationary manifold mounted beneath said ring and with which said ring makes a sealed running contact, said ring having a port leading to the nozzle, said manifold having a slot in its upper face with which said Vport is brought into register, said nozzle having an opening leading thereto adapted to register with said port when the nozzle is in raised position, and means for supplying said manifold with coating material under pressure from said tank.

16. A machine for coating cans comprising a supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed Within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, said conveyor including a block having an opening therethrough, a series of fingers around said opening and adapted to enter the mouth of the can for centering said can relative to said opening, a turret, a supporting ring carried by said turret and having a depending skirt, said skirt being provided With a T-shaped guideway, a crosshead movable in said guideway, a nozzle carried by said crosshead and adapted to move up through said opening into the can, a roller carried by said nozzle, a stationary cam adapted to engage said roller for raising and lowering the nozzle as the turret travels, a stationary manifold mounted beneath said ring and With which said ring makes a sealed running contact, said ring having a port leading to the nozzle, said manifold having a vslot in its upper face with which'said port is brought into register, said nozzle having an opening leading thereto adapted to register with said port when the nozzle is in raised position, means for/supplying said manifold with coating material under pressure from said tank, and yielding means for pressing said manifold against the ring.

17. A machine for coating cans comprising' a supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, said conveyor including a block having an opening therethrough, a series of iingers around said opening and adapted to enter the mouth of the can for centering said can relative to said opening, a turret, a supporting ring carried by said turret and having a depending skirt, said skirt being provided with a T-shaped guideway, a crosshead movable in said guidevvay, a nozzle carried by said crosshead and adapted to move up through said opening into the can, a roller carried by said nozzle, a stationary cam adapted to engage said roller for raising and lower the nozzle as the turret travels, a stationary manifold mounted beneath said ring and With which said ring makes a sealed running contact, said ring having a port leading to the nozzle, said manifold having a slot in its upper face with which said port is broughty into register, said nozzle having an opening leading thereto adapted to register with said port when the nozzle is in -raised position, means for supplying said manifold with coating material under pressure from said tank, and a relief valve connected with said manifold for permitting the coating material to ilow from the manifold back into the tank when a predetermined pressure is obtained on the manifold.

18. A machine for coating cans comprising a' supporting frame, a tank for coating material mounted thereon, a conveyor disposed within said tank for conveying cans in inverted position, said conveyor including a series of blocks, rods pivotally connecting said blocks and extending above the same for engagement With cans and below said blocks for guiding and driving the conveyor, a rotating turret, a series of coating units carried thereby and adapted to supply coating material fro-rn the tank into said cans, said turret having a ring on which the coating units are mounted, a series of recesses adapted to engage the bottom ends of said rods for operating said conveyor, and means for rotating the turret.

19. A machine for coating cans comprising a turret section, a rotating turret mounted therein, a tank associated with said turret, a draining section, a tank associated With said draining section and connected with the tank of the turret section, a conveyor movable in a circuitous path in said tank of the draining section and around the turret in the tank of the turret section, said conveyor including means for conveying the cans in inverted position, said turret having a series of coating units, each including a nozzle mounted on and traveling with the turret, means associated with the nozzles for supplying coating material from the tank through the nozzles into the cans during a portion of the travel of the cans in the turret section and permitting the excess coating to drain from the can and the coating to set While the can is traveling through the draining section.

20. A machine for coating cans comprising a turret section, a rotating turret mounted therein, a tank associated with said turret, a draining section, a tank associated with said draining section and connected With the tank of the turret section, a conveyor movable in a circuitous path in said tank of the draining section and around the turret in the tank of the turret section, said conveyor including means for conveying the cans in inverted position, said turret having a series of coating units, each including a nozzle mounted on and traveling with the turret, means associated with the Anozzles for supplying coating material from the tank through the nozzles into the cans during a portion of the travel of the cans in the turret section and permitting the excess coating to drain from the can and the coating to set While the can is traveling through the draining section, and means associated with each of said tanks for heating the same.

21. A machine for coating cans comprising a, turret section, a rotating turret mounted therein, a tank associated with said turret, a draining seetion, a tank associated with said draining section and connected with the tank of the turret section, a conveyor movable in a circuitous path in said tank of the drainingsection and around the turret in the tank of the turret section, said conveyor including means for conveying the cans in inverted position, said turret having a series of coating units, each including a nozzle, means associated With the nozzles for supplying coating material from the tank through the nozzles linto the cans during a portion of the travel of the cans in the turret section and permitting the excess coating to drain from the can and the coating to set while the can is traveling through the

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