US2668550A - Apparatus for automatically opening cans, dispensing their contents, and flushing the cans - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 9, 1954 H. BURGE 2,668,550

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPENING .CANS, DISPENSING v THEIR CONTENTS, AND FLUSHING THE! CANS Flled Dec 29 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l r i u ATTORNEY Feb. 9, 1954 H BURGE "2,668,550

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPENING CANS, DISPENSING THEIR CONTENTS, AND FLUSHING THE CANS Filed Dec. 29 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Feb. '9, 1954 Filed Dec. 29, 1950 H. BURGE APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPENING CANS, DISPENSING THEIR CONTENTS, AND FLUSHING THE CANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 9, 1954 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPEN- ING CANS, DISPENSING THEIR CONTENTS, AND FLUSHIN G THE CANS Harry Burge, Delphos, Ohio Application December 29, 1950, Serial No. 203,308

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved automatically operating machine for successively opening and eiiecting the discharge of the contents of each of a plurality of filled and sealed v cans advancing longitudinally and intermittently j along a confined course of travel and flushing the cans.

In various industrial establishments it is often necessary to open a large number of cans containing various products and collect such dispensed products for further usages. In accord- .ance with the present invention, I have provided an improved can-opening apparatus which em- ,bodies a frame structure formed with a longitudinally extending can-holding guideway having associated therewith motor-driven means for effecting positive but intermittent advance of a plurality of product-containing cans along the ,guideway.

The present invention further comprehends I hereafter, when the penetrating device is sub- .,'sequently elevated, axially formed perforations Q will be .provided in both the top and bottom walls of the"p'erforated cam-enabling the contents of the latter to be quickly discharged under the ac- 'tion of gravity and suitably collected for desireduses. The construction of the can'-penet'rating portion of the cutting device is such as to depress in its operation the bottom of the can centrally toward the opening produced in the bottom bythe cutting or penetrating device, and to thereby assist in effecting a further and. complete drainage of the can contents.

Further, the invention comprehends a vertically slidable frame-carried crosshead with which the cutting instrumentality or device is connected for vertical reciprocation, the cross- .head being power-driven and so actuated that when the cans on the frame gu'ideway arein motion, bringing a fresh unpenetrated can into vertical registry with the puncturing or penetrating device, the latter occupies an elevated position free of the motion of the moving cans, and

x when said cans are caused to come to rest, an

unpenetrated leading can will be brought into alignment with the penetrating device. Again, the present invention includes a pressure-actuated flushing head which is connected with the vertically reciprocable crosshead in laterally offset relationship with respect to the penetrating device, so that when the latter is lowered to penetrate thetop and bottom of a can, the said flushing head will be simultaneously lowered and caused to enter the interior of a can previously perforated by said device, whereby through the provision of the apparatus, there take place simultaneously the operations of penetrating a can to liberate its contents, and the flushing with Water or other liquid of a can from which the contents thereof have been drained.

Further, the present invention provides a valve mechanism positioned in a fluid supply line leading to the pressure-actuated flushing head, whereby when the head occupies an operative position within a punctured can, liquid under pressure is delivered thereto, escaping in various directions through angularly related ports present in the head to produce a thorough cleansing or scouring action upon the interior walls of the can to remove substantially completely contents which normally adhere to said inner walls after the major portion of such contents have been removed therefrom.

It is, therefore, an object of the present in vention to provide improved apparatus for carrying out the above identified features of operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which is essentially simple in construction, positive in operation and capable of being employed over prolonged periods of time without requiring adjustment, at-

' tention, repairs or causing shut-downs because of mechanical failures.

.For afurther understanding of the invention,

' reference is to be had to the annexed drawings,

which show a single preferred embodiment of myinvention.

Fig. l is a perspective view of the improved automatic can opening, cleaning and dispensing apparatus comprising the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken through the apparatus and disclosing the can-penetrating device in its lowered position;

Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing on an enlarged scale and in greater detail the can-penetrating device in its lowered position, and illustrating the depression produced in the bottom wall of a can penetrated by the device;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of my improved apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line V-V of Fig. 4

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view disclosing the operation of penetrating a can with the tubular cutter of the present invention and also of scouring or rinsing each can penetrated or opened by the cutter;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view disclosing the lower end of the cutter;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional View taken through the scouring head; 1

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken on theline lilI3ofFig.9.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there has been indicated at 10 a frame structure on which is supported the can-opening mechanism of the present invention. In this instance,

' the structure includes upright leg members shown at ll, the latter being joined by suitable transverse members I2 in producing a rigid structure. Forming a part of the frame structure are spaced parallel angle rails l3, which extend horizontally and longitudinally of the structure. In this instance, there is positioned between the members $3 an open-topped tank H for the re ception of the contents of cans opened by the apparatus of the present invention. The tank,

as shown, is formed with an inclined bottom l5, which slopes toward a sump I6 provided in the tank at one end of the frame structure, the sump being equipped with a valved outlet H, or its equivalent. The top of the tank is open and is disposed in a horizontal plane immediately beneath a longitudinally extending guid'eway 18 formed by the frame structure between its angle members l3 and the sides l'3a, and along which guideway a plurality of cans disposed vertically and in row formation are intermittently advanced.

The cans may be delivered to the receiving end of the guideway 18 by means of an inclined conveyor way indicated at l9, and thereby brought into registry with the peripheral edge of a pair of 'J'oined rotating disks 20. These disks are each formed circumferentially with an arcuate recess or notch 2!, the dimensions of which being such as to engage a can, indicated at 22, and move the can from the receiving portion 23 of the guideway I8 and along the arcuate extension 24 thereof, pushing the cans ahead of the can engaged by the disk so that the preceding cans are advanced longitudinally but intermittently along the guidweay. At the same time the cans gravitate from the conveyor way 19 and are deposited on the receiving portion 23 of the guideway [8 in registry with a peripheral edge of the disk 20 and subsequently with the can-receiving and propelling notch 2! of said disk, thereby obtaining intermittent can movement.

To drive the can-advanci g disks 28, I preferably employ an electric motor indicated at 25. The latter is mounted on a shelf 26 projecting from the lower portion of the frame structure [0.

' Through suitable speed-reducing gearing disthis sprocket there passes the links of an endless chain 33. The latter is also trained over a sprocket 34 which is carried by a, shaft 35, the latter being supported in the casing 31 of a second speed-reducing gearing. This latter gearing drives a vertical shaft 38 at a desired rate of speed, the disks 20 being fixed to the upper end of the shaft 38. It will be understood that various other equivalent mechanisms may be employed for rotating the can-advancing disk or disks 29 in lieu of the specific mechanism set forth. In this mechanism, however, the motor 25 through the speed-reducing gearing arranged in the casing 2'! drives the shaft 28 carrying the sprocket 29and the chain 33, whereby, through the speed-reducing gearing contained in the casing 31, desired rotational speeds are imparted to the disk shaft 38. Through a pinion 30 mounted on the shaft 28, motion is imparted to a gear 31 mounted on a countershaft 32, which is journaled as at 320. on the frame structure, the countershaft being driven by the pinion 30 engaging with the gear 31.

On the outer ends of the counter shaft 32, there are mounted for rotation in a vertical plane disks 39. Pivoted as at 49 in eccentric relation to the axis of rotation of said disks are the lower ends of a pair of pitman rod 4|, the upper ends of said rods being pivoted as at 42 to a crosshead 43 slidably mounted in an inverted U-shaped frame 44, and which extends upwardly and rigidly from the frame structure it substantially mid-way of the length of the latter.

As the disks 39 rotate, vertical reciprocatory movement is thus imparted to the crosshead 43. The crosshead is formed with a plurality of vertically spaced transversely extending rigid cross members 45. Secured by the strap or cleats 46, or their equivalents, to these cross members is the upper portion of a vertically disposed tubular cutter device 41, the lower portion of said device being beveled on an angle, as indicated at 48. The throw imparted to the crosshead by the disk 39 and the pitman rod 4| is such that when said crosshead is elevated, the lower end 48 of the device is disposed above the horizontal plane defining the tops of the cans positioned in the guideway 18.

As a result of the action of the notched canmoving disk 20, the cans move intermittently along the guideway l8 in calculated increments of linear travel corresponding to the diameter of the cans being handled. Through this arrangement, the cans are brought progressively and consecutively into vertical axial alignment to the tubular cutting and penetrating device 41. The timing of the mechanism is such that when the cutting device reaches a point in its movement above the cans, the latter are then advanced bodily and longitudinally by the action ofthe'disk or disks 29.

When such longitudinal movement is terminated, a filled can will be disposed in alignment with and immediately below the cutter device, whereby as the latter descends, the top and bottom walls of the can, indicated at 49 and '50, respectively, will be axially penetrated by the cutter device. In this regard, it will be noted, by reference to Fig. 3, that as the cutter devicepasses through the lower end wall 5|] of a can, its action is to produce a depression 5| around the opening 52 formed in the bottom 53 by the cutter device. When the latter is subsequently elevated, and withdrawn from the can, the can contents are free to flow under the action of gravity through the opening 52, the same being collected in the tank l4.

After opening or puncturing a given can, the

a sence cutteris elevated and withdrawn froma can by the action of the crosshead and its drive mechanism so that the disk or disks 20 are allowed to operate to advance the cans in the guideway IS a distance equivalent to the diameter of one can before movement of the cans is arrested. This oper ation brings a fresh unpunctured caninto vertical registry with the penetrating cutter, causing'the can last punctured or perforated to be moved from the puncturing position shown at A on the guideway to the drainage position indicated at B. Thus, while the following can is being punctured by the descent of the cutting or penetrating tool or device 41, the contents of-the immediately preceding can, occupying the position indicated at B, are allowed to drain as far as their viscosity and the action of gravity will permit. In the next operation of the disks 2!].

v the first-punctured can is moved to the flushing thereby assuring complete removal of the can contents through the automatic operation of my improved apparatus.

To supply the head 53 with fluid under pressure, the crosshead 43 carries rigid pipe members 54 which project laterally in offset relation from the vertical plane of the crosshead, said pipe members including a depending extension 54' on the bottom of which the head 53 is carried. The

rigidity of the pipe members 54 enable the same to move unitarily with the crosshead, so that as the latter is lowered to cause the can-penetrating device to pass through the top and bottom walls of a can in position A, the head 53 is simultaneously lowered, passing through the opening in the top of a can occupying position C in the drawings, entering the interior of this can. A- fluidadvancing pipe line 54a includes a valve 56 having an operating stem 51 which is actuated by the pivotally movable lever arm 58.

As the crosshead moves downwardly, the outer end of the arm 58 engages a fixed frame-carried stop 58a, moving the stem 51 against spring resistance and opening the valve 56, thereby allowing a fluid, such as water, to enter the head 53 under pressure and to issue from said head through ports provided therein, striking forcibly all the inner wall surfaces of the can undergoing cleaning. The rigid pipe members 54 and 54' of this fluid-conducting system include a flexible hose connection 59, whereby to compensate for the vertical reciprocation of the crosshead in relation to the stationary pipes through which fluid is advanced under pressure to the flushing head. When the arm 58 leaves its engagement with the stop device 58a, causing the arm to rock,

the spring means acting on the valve 56 will cause the latter to assume a position of closure, arresting liquid flow to and from the head 53. As the crosshead is elevated to remove the cutting tool from the can-occupying position A on the guideway, the flushing head is likewise removedlfrom a can occupying position C, so that the entire linear row of cans located on the guideway I8 may then be advanced by the subsequent operation of the disks 20. The empty. cans aresuitably discharged from the free end of the guide- W y, and may be flattened or compressed by means of the apparatus disclosed in my prior application, SerialNo. 195,164 filed November 13,- 1950, now abandoned, or may be otherwise utilized.

The cutter tube 41 has its lower beveled end 48 provided internally with a stationary curling bar 60. Said bar in its operation causes-the can topto curlas at 6| as the same is undergoing cutting, preventing the formation of free metallic particles incident to the can puncturing or penetration by thecutter 41. The frame 44 carries a stationary shearing plate 62, which is disposed adjacent to the upper end wall 49 of the can, to prevent a penetrated can from lifting in unison with the cutter tube as the latter progresses on its inactive or withdrawing movement- Normally the plate 62 is spaced from the upper portions of the cans.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, particularly, the

- spray head 53 advantageously may be composed of a pair of internally threaded members indicated at and 66, the former being carried on the lower end of the depending pipe extension 54. A set screw 51 may be used to positively hold the member 65 against undue rotation.

In the construction illustrated, the member 65 carries an internal sleeve 68, one end of the sleeve being externally threaded in order to be received within the internal threads of the member 65, while the other end of the sleeve 68 is externally threaded to receive the internal threads of the member 66.

Intermediately of its length, the sleeve 68 is provided with annular rows of spaced fluid outlet ports 69. These ports register with annular spaces shown at 10 and 1| in Fig. 9, the spaces being formed between the adjacent ends of the members 65 and 66 and a circular rib 12 integrally formed with and projecting circumferentially from the sleeve 68. In this instance, the rib 12 is provided with reversely. inclined surfaces 13 contiguous to itsouter circumference, which are disposed normally in spaced relation from complemental annularly beveled walls 14 provided on adjacent ends of the members 65 and 66, whereby to produce annular outlet grooves 15 through which the water or other cleansing fluid may issue under pressure and in relatively angular relation, as disclosed at E and F in Fig. 6.

After the head 53 first enters a can, the timing of the valve 56 is such as to cause fluid to issue therefrom under pressure, scouring the under surfaces'of the top can walls 49 and also the sides of the vertical cylindrical walls, such scouring action being continued as the head first moves upwardly and secondly downwardly while in the can occupying the position C, assuring a thorough removal of adhering can contents from the inner walls of each can.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be apparent that I have provided novel and efficient apparatus for rapidly puncturing and opening hermetically sealed or closed cans in a manner effective to produce'discharge of the contents of such cans and the complete removal of the can contents from the can interiors. The opening or puncturing apparatus by which the cans are penetrated through the top and bottom end walls thereof render such cans nonreflllable'or reusable. The operation of the machine is entirelyautomatic'and dispenses with operations heretofore executed manually.

" "It will beappreciated that while' I have shown and described a singlepreferred' embodiment 'of my invention, 1- do not wish to be limited to the details of'constructiondisclosed since it will, be

effecting intermittent advancing movement of a linearly disposed row of adjacent cans along said trough, power-actuated can-penetrating means mounted on said frame, said penetrating means being engageable with a can positioned on said trough when. the engaged can is at rest,:

and actuating mechanism for causing said penetrating means to pass axially completely through said cans in successive order in a manner penetrating opposite end walls thereof to form discharge openings for the can contents 2. Automatic can-opening. apparatus; comprising: a frame structure formed witha longitudinally extending guideway, power-driven means arranged at one end of said guideway for. effecting intermittent advancing movement of. alinearly disposed row of cansarranged in side by side vertical order along said guideway, a single can-penetrating cutter mounted on said frame structure above said, guideway, means synchronizing the operation of said cutter with' the means for intermittently advancing cans along said guideway, whereby to bringsaid cans successively into vertical registry withzand beneath said cuttenand mechanism operative to cause the latter when the cans are at. rest to move downwardly to penetrate successively both the top and bottom end walls of said cans to form contents-discharging openings therein.

3. Automatic can-opening apparatus comprising: a frame structure formed with a longitudi-' by side vertical order along said guidewayn time beneath said cutter in axial registration with the latter, and means for moving said cutter relative to an engaged can to cause said cutter to penetrate successively opposing end walls of the can, producing axial openings in said end Walls. for the discharge of its contents.

6. Automatic can-opening apparatus comprising: a frame including a canholder, means for successively feeding filled cans to said holder, a single reciprocable cutter carried by said frame, and means for moving said cutter into engagement with a can positioned on said holder to cause the cutter to penetrate successively both top and bottom. end walls of a can to form axial openings therein.

7. Can-opening apparatus comprising: a frame structure formed with a longitudinally extending I can-receiving guideway, power-driven means for effecting intermittent advancing movement of a linearly disposed row of cans arranged in side by side order along said guideway, a cutter-frame arising from said first-named frame above said guideway, a can-penetrating cutter mounted for reciprocation in said cutter frame, an actuating motor, and synchronized motion-imparting means driven by said motor operative to effect reciprocation of said cutter between intervals of can movement on said guideway to cause the 8. In can-opening apparatus, a frame structure formed with a longitudinally extending can-receiving guideway, a rotatable disk arranged in one end of said guideway, said disk being formed l .with a peripheral, notch extending inwardly from a circular edge defining the disk periphery, motor-driven means for impartingv rotation continuously to said disk and thereby effecting intermittent advancing movement of a linearly disl posed row of cans along said guideway through forces exerted by a can occupying the notch of said disk on a preceding row of cans on said guideway, a singlecutter means disposed intermediately of the length of said guideway, said a vertically reciprocable can-penetrating cutter mounted for confined slidingmovement above said guideway, means synchronizing the operation of said cutter with the means for, intermittently advancing cans along saidguideway,

. both the top and bottom'end walls of said 031115;:

to form contents-discharging openings therein, and a receiving tank for the contents of cans penetrated by said cutter while the cans are positioned on said guideway.

4. Automatic can-opening apparatus ing: a frame structure; power-driven means eif'ecting intermittent longitudinal advancing movement to a linearly disposed. row of cans supported by said frame structure, and. a single vertically reciprocable can-penetrating means successively engageable with thetop and bottom end walls of said cans topenetrate the same and form openings therein, such penetration taking place while the cans are at rest.-.-

5. In can-opening apparatus, a framda vertically reciprocable hollow cylindrical cutter carried by said frame, said cutterh-aving asharpened and angularly disposed point-forming end,

cutter means being arranged normally above the can on said guideway, and means driven synchronously with the operation of said disk for causing said cutter means to penetrate cans ,occupying a predetermined position on said guideway to-produce openings successively in both the top and bottom end walls of the penetrated cans.

9. In can-opening apparatus, a frame structure formed with a longitudinally extending can-receiving guideway, a rotatable disk arranged in one end of said guideway, said disk being formed with a peripheral notch extending inwardly from a circular edge defining the .disk periphery,

motor-driven means for imparting rotation continuously to said disk and thereby effecting interforces exerted by a can occupying the notch of said disk on apreceding row of cans on said guideway, cutter means disposed intermediately of the length of said guideway, said cutter means being disposed normally in a plane above the can on the guideway, means driven synchronously with the operation of said disk for causing said cutter means to penetrate successively cans occupying a predetermined position on said guidewayto produce openings in both the top and bottom end walls .of the penetrated cans, and a :head for. discharging a flashing liquid under pressure into the interior of cans perforated by said cutter means.

10. In a can-opening machine, a frame structure formed with a longitudinally extending canreceiving guideway, power-driven means effecting intermittent advancing movement of a linearly disposed row of cans along said guideway, poweractuated can-penetrating means arranged adjacent to and normally above said guideway, said last-named means having end-penetrating 'engagement with the top and bottom walls of a can occupying a predetermined position on the guideway, said penetrating means serving to produce openings in the top and bottom end walls of a can penetrated thereby, whereby to cause drainage of the can contents while the penetrated can is retained in an upright position on said guideway, a flushing head movable in unison with said can-penetrating means into the interior of a can through the opening produced in the top end wall of the can by said penetrating means, and valve-controlled means for supplying a liquid under pressure to said head for discharge from the latter only when said head occupies a position within the interior of a can.

11. In automatic can-opening and contentsdischarging apparatus, a frame formed with a guideway, means for advancing a row of upright cans in adjacent order longitudinally and intermittently of said guideway, a vertically reciprocable hollow cylindrical cutter carried by said frame, said cutter having a sharpened and angularly disposed point-forming end, means for moving said cutter to cause the same to penetrate successively the top and bottom end walls of said cans to produce axial openings in said walls, the support for said cans provided by said frame being such as to enable the cutter to pass through and below the bottom walls of each can to turn the material comprising said bottom wall downwardly in funnel-like fashion, whereby to cause a free outflow of the contents of the penetrated cans when the cutter is removed from engagement therewith.

12. In automatic mechanism for discharging the contents of filled cans, a frame forming a longitudinally extending guideway for the reception of a row of vertically arranged cans, means for imparting intermittent movement to the cans positioned in said guideway, a vertically reciprocable head carried by said frame above said cans, a cutter carried by said head, said cutter being arranged in vertical registry with the axis of each of said cans as the latter are intermittently moved along said guideway, means synchronized with the movement of said cans for causing said head and cutter to descend in a manner penetrating successively the top and bottom end walls of a can positioned in vertical registry with the cutter, the support provided for said cans by said frame being such as to enable the cutter to pass completely through the bottom end Wall of an engaged can and depress said bottom wall around the opening formed therein by said cutter, and means carried by said head in a position to enter an opening formed in the top end Wall of each cutter-penetrated can to discharge a flushing liquid over the inner wall surfaces of each can to remove adhering contents.

13. In automatic mechanism for discharging the contents of filled cans, a frame forming a longitudinally extending guideway for the reception of a row of vertically arranged cans, means for imparting intermittent movement to the cans positioned in said guideway, a vertically reciprocable head carried by said frame above said cans, a cutter carried by said head, said cutter being arranged in vertical registry with the axis of each of said cans as the latter are intermittently moved along said guideway, means synchronized with the movement of said cans for causing said head and cutter to descend in a manner penetrating successively the top and bottom end walls of a can positioned in vertical registry with the cutter, the support provided for said cans by said frame being such as to enable the cutter to pass completely through the bottom end wall of an engaged can and depress said bottom wall around the opening formed therein by said cutter, means carried by said head in a position to enter an opening formed in the top end wall of each cutter-penetrated can to discharge a flushing liquid over the inner wall surfaces of each can to remove adhering contents, and an open-topped receptacle arranged beneath said guideway in position to receive the contents of the can penetrated by said cutter and removed by the action of said flushing means.

HARRY IBURGE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,893,831 Weber Jan. 10, 1933 2,084,973 John June 22, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 535,172 Great Britain Apr. 1. 1941

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