IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0126150
(2005-05-11)
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등록번호 |
US-7310983
(2007-12-25)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Schill,Joseph G.
- Shortridge,Jeffery L.
- Shuey,Christopher D.
- Green,Dennis E.
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Belvac Production Machinery, Inc.
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
15 인용 특허 :
25 |
초록
▼
A machine arrangement includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line. This machine line incorporates apparatus which is associated with and/or comprises part of the machines for: at least one of moving, holding, manipulating and shap
A machine arrangement includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line. This machine line incorporates apparatus which is associated with and/or comprises part of the machines for: at least one of moving, holding, manipulating and shaping cans as they pass from a can infeed to a can discharge of the machine line and move along a path having a predetermined configuration. This apparatus minimizes operations necessary for changing from a set up suitable for modifying a can having a first set of dimensions to a set up suitable for a can having a second set of dimensions.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A machine arrangement comprising: a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line, wherein the machines each comprise first and second turrets; apparatus means associated with and/or comprising part of the machines for:
What is claimed is: 1. A machine arrangement comprising: a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line, wherein the machines each comprise first and second turrets; apparatus means associated with and/or comprising part of the machines for: at least one of moving, holding, manipulating and shaping cans as they pass from a can infeed to a can discharge of the machine line and move along a path having a predetermined configuration, and for: minimizing operations necessary for changing from a set up suitable for modifying a can having a first set of dimensions to a set up suitable for a can having a second set of dimensions, wherein the apparatus means comprises: means for moving one of the first and second turrets with respect to the other whereby a distance between the turrets is adjustable with respect to a length of a can which is to be processed; and a turret starwheel arrangement which supports cans in predetermined operative positions with respect to the first and second turrets and which comprises first and second separate segments which are respectively supported on the first and second turrets so that, as the distance between the first and second turrets is adjusted with respect to the length of a can to be processed, the distance between the first and second segments is simultaneously changed. 2. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for moving comprises a position adjusting drive mechanism which is selectively operable to reposition one of the first and second turrets with respect to the other. 3. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 2, wherein the means for moving further comprises a table immovably fixed to a machine chassis, the table cooperating with the drive mechanism so that the drive mechanism moves the support member along said table, and wherein said support member includes a locking mechanism for locking the support member to the table. 4. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 2, wherein the position adjusting drive mechanism comprises a threaded shaft which is rotatable to induce repositioning of the one of the first and second turrets. 5. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of the first and second turrets supports one of a) push plate and ram arrangements and b) when the can to be processed is to be necked, necking dies and knockout ram arrangements, and the other of the first and second turrets supports the other of the a) push plate and ram arrangements and b) necking dies and knockout ram arrangements. 6. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the predetermined operative positions are positions wherein they are aligned with respect to the a) push plate and ram arrangements and b) necking dies and knockout ram arrangements. 7. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apparatus means comprises a plurality of dies which are slidably disposed in position on a turret structure and a plurality of clamps which are secured to the turret structure by way of a plurality of bolts, each clamp having an engagement surface which engages a portion of each die and holds the dies on the turret structure. 8. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 7, wherein the plurality of clamps are each pivotally supported on the turret structure. 9. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 8, wherein each of the clamps has a detent to hold the clamp in an open position wherein it is pivoted away from a position wherein the clamp holds at least one die in position on the turret structure. 10. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of the clamps is held on the turret structure by the bolts. 11. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first turret is moveable with respect to the second turret and wherein the first turret comprises: a cam support member; a cam support stationarily on the cam support member; a support block which is rotatable with respect to the cam and connected with a drive shaft which operatively interconnects the first and second turrets for synchronous rotation therewith; and wherein the apparatus means comprises: a position adjusting drive mechanism which is selectively operable repositioning the first turret with respect to the second turret; and a shaft adjusting tool which interconnects the cam support member and the support block during repositioning so that during repositioning when the first turret is moved with respect to the second turret by the position adjusting drive mechanism, the spatial relationship between the cam support member and the support block remains unchanged. 12. A machine arrangement, comprising: a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line, wherein each machine has first and second parallel, synchronously contra rotating shafts which respectively support a turret starwheel and a transfer starwheel, the turret starwheel and the transfer starwheel being arranged to pass cans therebetween and move the cans along a part of a path having a predetermined configuration; and apparatus means associated with and/or comprising part of the machines for: at least one of moving, holding, manipulating, inspecting, and shaping cans as they pass from a can infeed to a can discharge of the machine line and move along the path having the predetermined configuration, and for: minimizing operations necessary for changing from a set up suitable for modifying a can having a first set of dimensions to a set up suitable for a can having a second set of dimensions, wherein the apparatus means comprises: first and second timing plates which are respectively associated with the first shaft and the second shaft, each timing plate being positionally adjustable with respect to, and then secured in place on the shaft with which it is associated, each timing plate being configured so that the first timing plate is associated with the turret starwheel and the second timing plate is configured to connect the transfer starwheel with the second shaft, wherein the timing plates, once adjusted and fixed in their respective positions on the respective shafts, are such that the turret starwheel and the transfer starwheel can be respectively interchanged with a different turret starwheel and a different transfer wheel and the positional arrangement of the timing plates on the shafts causes the positional relationship between the interchanged turret starwheel and the interchanged transfer starwheel to be the same as the positional relationship between the turret starwheel and the transfer starwheel before the interchange. 13. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 12, further comprising: infeed and discharge devices at the upstream and downstream ends of the machine line and wherein the apparatus means comprises the infeed and discharge devices each comprising first and second halves which are operatively interconnected with one another so as to be slidable toward and away from one another. 14. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 13, wherein the two halves of each of the infeed and discharge devices are movably supported on each other by way of a plurality of shafts. 15. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 14, wherein collars through which the shafts extend, are fixed to the two halves and arranged to be selectively tightened/released to allow for reconfiguration of the infeed and discharge devices. 16. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 12, wherein the predetermined configuration is serpentine. 17. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 12, wherein the machines comprise at least in part, a plurality of machine modules and/or a plurality of machines which are mounted on a common chassis. 18. A machine arrangement, comprising: a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line, each machine having a drive shaft which supports an interchangeable starwheel which is configured to transport cans along a part of a path having a predetermined configuration; and apparatus means associated with and/or comprising part of the machines for: at least one of moving, holding, manipulating, inspecting, and shaping cans as they pass from a can infeed to a can discharge of the machine line and move along the path having the predetermined configuration, and for: minimizing operations necessary for changing from a set up suitable for modifying a can having a first set of dimensions to a set up suitable for a can having a second set of dimensions and wherein the apparatus means comprises: a timing plate which is associated with the drive shaft, the timing plate being positionally adjustable with respect to, and then secured in place on, the drive shaft, the timing plate being configured to connect a first interchangeable starwheel to the shaft in a manner wherein, when the first interchangeable starwheel is changed with a second interchangeable starwheel, the second starwheel assumes the same angular rotational relationship with respect to the drive shaft as the first starwheel which it replaces. 19. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 18, wherein the second starwheel has can receiving recesses which are different in diameter with respect to the can receiving recesses of the first starwheel. 20. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 18, wherein each of the interchangeable starwheels comprises first and second segments. 21. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 20, wherein the machines each comprise first and second turrets and wherein the first and second segments comprise separate segments of a turret starwheel arrangement where the first and second segments are respectively associated with the first and second turrets. 22. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 20, wherein the first and second segments are connectable to form a single unit and wherein there are a plurality of second segments each having a different width which can be selected from in order to adjust a width of the single unit. 23. A machine arrangement as set forth in claim 22, wherein the first segment has a plurality of equidistantly spaced can receiving recesses about its periphery, each recess being formed with a first portion of a vacuum channel, and wherein each second segment is formed with a second portion of the vacuum channel, each vacuum channel being completed when the first and second segments are secured together and the first and second portions of the vacuum channel are brought into register with one another.
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