US2364971A - Can treating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

12, 1944- E. E. HAGELINE 2,364,971

CAN TREATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 8, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l Q L om m 1 mv mm o \NVENTORI EMIL E.HGGEL|NE 3? gem/ 8 PM,

Dec- 1 1 4 E. E. HAGELINE CAN TREATING APPARATUS 3 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Jan. 8, 1941 Fig. 3

' INVENTORI! EMIL EHGGELINE Dec. 12, 1944.

E. E. HAGELINE CAN TREATING APPARATUS Filed Jan: 8, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.4.

INVEN'TORZ EMIL E. HHGELINE v (B Qam/ Patented Dec. 12, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CAN TREATING APPARATUS Emil E. Hageline, Chicago. 111.; assignor to The Lathrop-Paulson Company, Chicago, 111.,

corporation of Illinois Application January 8, 1941, Serial No. 373,542

14 Claims.

This invention relates to can treating apparatus and deals more particularly with mechanism for projecting treating fluids, such as water, steam, soap, etc., into the interior of cans conveyed along a path through the apparatus. The improved apparatus is especially suited for the treatment of milk cans, but will be found suitable for use in connection with other cans or containers.

In cleaning or disinfecting the interior of milk cans, for example, it is necessary to project the treating fluid well into the interior of the can, and unless the jet or nozzle device which discharges the fluid is extended into the can opening and into the interior of the can, effective treatment is not certain. If the nozzle is not extended into the can being treated, at least a part of the liquid is deflected by the ,neck portion of the can and is wasted. Also in the case of a milk can,

the nozzle should extend well into the can in order to direct the fluid along the curved surfaces rearward of the neck portion.

However, in apparatus where the cans move therethrough along a defined path, the movement of the cans themselves prevents the use of any stationary nozzle means which would project into the interior of the cans. This makes it de-- sirable to provide apparatus in which the treating nozzles are moved into extended position within the cans as the cans move through the machine, and the present invention has in view the provision of improved apparatus of this nature.

An object of the invention is to provide means for positively moving the nozzle device into its extended position within the can to be treated after the can has been moved to the treating position. Another object is to provide improved conveyor mechanism for moving the cans along the path into treating position and which is also elTective for actuating the nozzle moving mechanism. A further object is to provide apparatus.

in which the operation of the can moving mechanism is coordinated with the nozzle moving means so that each function is accomplished automatically and in the proper time relationship. It is further desired that the movement of the nozzle moving means be accomplished quickly and certainly within only a part of the time needed for advancing a can into treating position. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent after the following detailed description.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a broken side view in elevation showing a milk can being moved into position over the treating nozzle device; Fig. 2, a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the nozzle device in projected position extending within the neck of the can and showing the conveyor mechanism retracted ready to advance another can; Fig. 3, an enlarged vertical sectional view taken as indicated at line 3-3 of Fig. 4, but showing the nozzle device in projected position; and Fig. 4, an enlarged plan view of the apparatus, the nozzle device being here shown in raised or pro-- jected position. a

In the illustrations given, A designates a can to be treated; B, conveyor mechanism for advancing the cans; C, a nozzle device for delivering the treating fluid; and D, means for turning the nozzle device into position extending into the can.

The can A may be an ordinary milk can or any other container which is tobe treated on its interior. In the case of .a milk can, as here illustrated, there is a constricted neck portion ll] and a frusto-conical mouth portion l I. It is essential that the treating nozzle be extended beyond the mouth II and well into the neck ll], so that the treating fluid may be sprayed or otherwise projected against and along the bell-shaped surfaces of the can interior.

A track l4 provides a path along which the cans are moved as they pass through the ma chine and this may consist simply of a pair of strips having an even top surface and so spaced as to give steady support to the cans carried ininverted position thereon.

The conveyor mechanism B here comprises a' pair of rails l5 and I5 which, as more clearly seen in Fig. 3, are supported on the rollers l6 and 16*. Similar rollers are provided at spaced intervals along the frame, as indicated at I! in Fig. 2. Such rollers are mounted on shafts supported by framework in any suitable way. As shown in Fig. 3, the roller shaft 18 is rotatably mounted in brackets 19 which are attached to the strips of track [4. It will thus'be clear that the rails l5 and HP are so mounted as to be free to move forward and back parallel with the track. At their ends, rails 15 and iii? are connected with power means, not shown, for driving them in reciprocal movement, forward and back.

A pin 20 extends transversely connecting the rails l5 and I5, and pivotally carried on this pin The in the frame of the machine so as to be tiltable from a retracted position, shown in Fig. 1, to the projected position shown in Fig. 2. A conduit system 21 connects with the interior of the extension 25 when this is raised to the projected position. If preferred, a valve may be employed, as in common practice, for closing off the flow of liquid to the nozzle except when the nozzle is in extended position. Such valves are well known and need not be described in detail as they form no part of the present invention. It should. be understood that the tubular portion 25 and the aperture portion 26 of the nozzle may take any suitable form, it being required only that the device be movable to the position extending into the interior of the can.

On the top side of the nozzle device, as shown in Fig. 1, is a lug member 30 which is formed partly by a strip 3i which has its rearward portion 3i turned downwardly to provide a rearward inclined surface. The forward end of strip 3| abuts the transverse portion of the yoke member 40. It will be understood that the lug member 30 may take other forms and may be constructed in many other specific ways. The yoke or hooking member 40 may comprise the side members 4| and 42 which, referring to Figs. 1 and 3, are provided with the slots 43 through which the pin 20 extends. The lower rearward ends of the sides 4| and 42 are equipped with the outwardly-extending stops 44- and 44 The central or transverse portion 45 of the yoke 40 is arranged to pass over the strip 3| of the lug 30 and in its backward movement to hook on the forward end of this strip to turn the nozzle toward upright position.

Operation The conveyor rails l5 and l5 move in wide reciprocal movement, and as they move rearwardly the dogs2l and 24 bow to pass under the cans on the track l4. After the end of the rearward stroke and the rails again begin forward movement, each of the dogs 2| and 24 will engage the rims of cans and move them forwardly along the track. A can beginning movement in this way toward a treating station is shown at the right hand portion of Fig. 2. It will be seen that at this position, the yoke member 40 is free and supported between the pin 20 and its stop portions 44 and 44 resting against the underside of the rails l5 and I5 As the rails l5 and I5 advance,.the transverse portion 45 of the yoke member engages and slides over the strip 3| of the lug 30. Fig. 1 shows the positions assumed when the conveyor mechanism has moved almost to the end of its forward stroke. The adjustment of the stroke is such that the can is moved forwardly just sufficiently to permit the nozzle device to turn upwardly into upright position within the can neck. It will be observed that the yoke portion 45 may slide forwardly over the nozzle extension 25 to permit this movement.

After the completion of the forward stroke of the conveyor, and as rearward movement takes 75 place, the yoke portion engages the lug 30 and this operates to turn the nozzle device about its pivot, causing the nozzle extension to extend vertically well up into the neck of the can. After vertical or extended position has been attained, as shown at the lefthand portion of Fig. 2, the lug 30 has been lowered, and the yoke portion 45, being prevented from following it by the stops 44 and 44 becomes disengaged from the lug. For the remainder of the rearward movement of the conveyor mechanism, there is no actuation of the nozzle, and the nozzle device remains upright and in extended position until after a dog 24 engages the can into which the nozzle was extended and with forward movement pushes the can along the track from its treating position. As the treated can is pushed from treating position (see lefthand portion of Fig. 2), the side of the can neck engages the nozzle extension 25 and pushes the nozzle again to retracted position, the can passing over it.

On the same forward movement of the conveyor mechanism as operates to move the treated can from the treating position, another can is moved forward to treating position over the nozzle which was retracted by the first can, and then on the following reverse movement of the mechanism, the nozzle is again elevated to projected position inside the second can in the same manner as was before described.

Thus the apparatus continues operation, moving the cans successively into treating position and moving the nozzle mechanism for treatment of each can interior during the period the can remains in treating position.

It will be understood that whenever the nozzle is turned to projected position, this operates to open the passage from the source of fluid supply so that the fiuid flows freely into and through the nozzle onto the interior walls of the can.

- Such control of fluid flow may be arranged in any suitable way, for example, by providing a valve at the pivot joint of the nozzle device as disclosed in Lathrop Patent No. 2,283,679, or by any other suitable valve means.

While only one treating station has been shown and described, any number of stations may be provided along the same track so that at one station the cans may be treated, for example, with soap water, at another with clear water, and at still another with steam, etc. It will be apparent that each of such stations may be actuated both as to the advancement of the cans and as to the movement of the nozzle device, by the same or common conveyor mechanism.

The apparatus of the present invention is especially advantageous in that it positively drives the nozzle into operative or extended position. Such action is much to be preferred over springpressed or counterweight means for bringing a nozzle into projected position. Another definite advantage provided by this improved apparatus is that the nozzle mechanism is operated quickly to project it into the can and during only a portion of the rearward stroke taken by the conveyor mechanism. Also the operation of the nozzle takes place at the first part of the reverse movement of the conveyor; this is advantageous in that it allows ample time for the flow of treating fluid into the interior of the can before there is actuation to remove the jected positionwith a source of fluid supply, and

means carried by said conveyor mechanism for engaging said pivoted nozzle upon movement of said mechanism in said direction, said means being effective upon movement of said mechanism in another direction 'to turn said nozzle about its pivot into projected position extend- "ing into a can which is in treating position on sill-d path. I

2. Apparatus for treating cans, comprising conveyor mechanism having reciprocal movement, its movement one direction being to advance the cans to be treated along a defined path, a movable nozzle swing-ably mounted on a pivot fixed in osition with respect to said path and connected when in projected position a source or fluid supply, and means carried by said conveyor mechanism for engaging said pivoted nozzle upon movement or said mechanism in said direction, said means being effec tive upon movement of said mechanism in another direction to swing said nozzle about said pivot into projected position extending into a can which is in treating position on said path, said means being operable to move said nozzle into projected position during the first part of the stroke of said mechanism in said other direction.

3. Apparatus for treating cans, comprising conveyor mechanism having reciprocal movement, its movement in one direction being to advance the cans to be treated along a defined path, a nozzle swingably mounted on a pivot fixed in position with respect to said path for discharging treating fluid to the interior of the cans, and means actuated by movement of said mechanism in another direction for moving said nozzle into projected position extending into a can in treating position on said path, said nozzle being swingable again into retracted position withdrawn from the interior of said can upon actuation by said can when the can is advanced along said path from said treating position.

4. Apparatus for treating cans, comprising a path along which can are moved for treatment, a swingably mounted nozzle device supported below said path and clear of said path when in retracted position so as to permit a can to pass along said path into treating position over the device, reciprocating actuating mechanism for advancing a can along said path into treating position as it moves in one direction, and means actuated by said mechanism as it is moved in a counterdirection for engaging said device to swing the same upwardly to projected position in which it extends across said path and into said can in treating position.

5. Apparatus for treating cans, comprising a path along which cans are moved for treatment, a tilt-able nozzle device supported below said path and when in retracted position clear of said path so as to permit a can to pass along said path into treating position over the device, actuating mechanism movable in one direction to advance a can along said path into treating position, and means actuated upon movement of said mechaiiismin another direction for turning said nozzle device to projected position in which it extends across said path and into said can in treating position, said last-mentioned means being effective only during the first part of the movement or said mechanism in said other di Tedfio'n.

6. In apparatus of the character set forth for treating can-s with fluids, a pivoted nozzle device movable about its pivot from a position free of the cans to a position where it extends into the interior or a can, and reciprocating mechanism carrying a hooking member, said device'being equipped with a lug, said hooking member and lug being engageable during movement of said mechanism in one direction for turning said deviceto its extended position within a can.

7. Apparatus for treating cans, comprising a path along which cans are moved in treatment, a tiltable nozzle device supported adjacent said path and when in retracted position being clear of said path to permit cans to pass therealong, reciprocally moving conveyor mechanism, the forward stroke of saidmcch-anism being effective to advance a can into treating position near said nozzle device, a pivoted yoke member driven in reciprocal movement by said mechanism, said nozzle device being equipped with a lug member, saidyoke and lug members being engageable only during return movement of said mechanism to effect turning of said device into position where it extends across said path into the interior of a can in treating position.

8. In apparatus of the character set forth for treating cans, a tiltable nozzle device adapted when in retracted position to pass cans thereover and movable to a projected position in which it extends into the interior of a can in treating position in the apparatus, said device being equipped with a lug member, and a nozzle actuating member driven in reciprocating movement, said actuating member being pivoted and movable forwardly over said device into hooked engagement with said lug so as to turn said device into projected position upon its succeeding rearward movement, and means for disengaging said actuating member from said nozzle device after said device has been moved to projected position and during the remainder of the rearward stroke of said actuating member.

9. Apparatus for treating cans, comprising a path along which cans are moved in treatment, a tiltable nozzle device supported adjacent said path, said device being equipped with a lug member, reciprocally moving conveyor mechanism, the forward stroke of which is effectiye to advance a can into treating position near said nozzle device, a pivoted lug-engaging member driven in reciprocal movement by said mechanism, said lug and lug-engaging members being engageable only during return movement of said mechanism to effect turning of said device into positlon Where it extends into the interior of a can in treating position.

10. Apparatus for treating cans, comprising a path along which cans are moved in'treatment, a tiltable nozzle device supported adjacent said path, said device being equipped with 2. lug member having an inclined rearward surface and an abutting forward surface, reciprocally moving conveyor mechanism, the forward stroke of which is effective to advance a can into treating position near said nozzle device, a pivoted lugengaging member driven in reciprocal movement by said mechanism, said lug-engaging member being adapted to move over said inclined surface of said lug during the forward stroke of said mechanism and to engage said abutting surface during the rearward stroke of said mechanism to turn said device into position where it extends into the interior of a can in treating position.

11. Apparatus for treating cans, comprising a path along which cans are moved in treatment, a tiltable nozzle device supported adjacent said path, said device being equipped with a lug member, reciprocally moving conveyor mechanism, the forward stroke of which is efiective to advance a can into treating position near said nozzle device, a pivoted lug-engaging member driven in reciprocal movement by said mechanism, said lug and lug-engaging members being engageable only during return movement of said mechanism to effect turning of said device into position where it extends into the interior of a can in treating position, said lug-engaging member being equipped with means for disengaging it from said lug member after said device has been turned to extended position and during the remainder of the return movement of said mechanism.

12. Apparatus for treating cans, comprising a path along which cans are moved in treatment, a tiltable nozzle device supported adjacent said path, reciprocally moving conveyor mechanism, the forward stroke of which is effective to advance a can into treating position near said nozzle device, and means for engaging said mechanism with said nozzle device during return movement of said mechanism to effect turning of said device into position Where it extends into the interior of a can in treating position.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 in which said means is engageable only during the first portion of the return stroke of said mechanism.

14. Apparatus for treating cans, comprising means providing a path along which the cans are moved in treatment, a. nozzle swingably mounted on a pivot, said nozzle being adjacent said path and normally in retracted position permitting cans to move freely along said path, reciprocating actuating mechanism adjacent said path and movable there-along, means carried by said mechanism for engaging the can to move the same along the path when the mechanism moves in one direction, means carried by said mechanism for swinging said nozzle about its pivot into projected position extending into a can in-treating position on said path, said means being operable when said mechanism moves in the opposite direction, said nozzle being swingable about its pivot to retracted position to permit movement of a treated can from said treating position, and a conduit for delivering fluid to said nozzle when the nozzle is in projected position.

EMIL E. HAGELINE.

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