Dual ram assembly for necker machine

[0001] The present invention relates to a flail assembly system for a turret machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method of using a flail assembly on a necking machine line according to the preamble of claim 13. Such a system and method according to the preamble of these claims are disclosed, for example, in US-A - 4446714.

[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of machines for forming or machining an object, such as for example a beverage container or can. In particular, the invention relates to push type flail assemblies. In particular, the present invention relates to push type flail assemblies which comprise two flail devices in a single unit.

[0003] Flail assemblies can be used to push or move articles such as cans. For example, flail assemblies can be used to push a can that is processed in a wrapping, cutting, expanding, necking or other forming operation.

[0004] Conventional flail assemblies comprise a cylindrical or round flail that moves axially relative to the turret shaft, as well as a straight sleeve that is permanently mounted on the shaft. The beater can be moved by a ribbed cylindrical cam. Conventional assemblies in conventional revolver heads work with one flail assembly pushing the can (at the closed end of the can) to the forming head on the machine, as well as with another separate flail assembly pushing the forming instruments into the interior (or on the can) at the open end of the can.

SUMMARY [0005] One embodiment of the invention provides a flail assembly for a turret machine according to claim 1.

[0006] It should be noted that both the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory in nature and do not constitute a limitation on the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] These, as well as other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a machine line for a machine system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a module with a revolver machine and a conveyor star wheel according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the twin-beater assembly on a modular revolver machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a twin-beater unit.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the double-beater assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the twin-beater assembly taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the twin-beater assembly taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 4, which shows a can inserted into the internal and external instrumentation.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the turret necking machine with twin-screw assemblies taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 3.

FIG. 8 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the double-beater assembly of Fig. 7.

FIG. 9A shows a side view of an anti-lifting device for a twin-beater assembly according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9B is an exploded perspective view of the anti-lifting device of Fig. 9A.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a turret machine employing the anti-lifting device of Fig. 9A.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the necking module with the turret machine of Fig. 10.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the can before necking according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0008] According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a twin-beater assembly that includes an internal punching device and an external die device. Each double-beater assembly contains two beaters, each beater containing a set of tappets that follow a cam surface that pushes the connecting tooling (internal or external) toward or away from the object to be machined. Internal and external tooling may be configured to perform necking operations on the workpiece to be machined or any other type of work operation (such as, but not limited to, unwinding, reforming, trimming, curling, expanding, threading, inspection, and the like).

[0009] Machines can be used to create, process or otherwise process an item. On the machine line, the object is first fed into the first machine to fill the revolver star wheel pocket. Each star wheel can have any number of pockets for holding items to be machined or moved. For example, a revolver star wheel may have six, eight, ten or more positions to hold six, eight, ten or more objects, respectively. The objects are then passed to a conveyor star wheel adjacent to the turret. Each conveyor star wheel has any number of pockets for holding items to be machined or moved. For example, a conveyor star wheel may have twenty pockets or any other suitable number. It is noted that the star wheel may have from one station to any suitable number of stations. A conveyor star wheel can have the same number of pockets as a revolver star wheel. Alternatively, conveyor star wheels may have more pockets than revolver star wheels. The objects in the embodiment remain stationary in the axial direction, while the twin-beater assembly moves towards and away from the object to carry out the machining operation.

[0010] The object is then passed from a revolver star wheel to a conveyor star wheel, which conveys the object to another machine on the machine line, which will implement a different stage of the machining operation. When all machining / necking steps are completed, the workpiece is unloaded from the machine line. The machine line may be a circulating machine line, a line or any other type of machine line.

[0011] For illustrative purposes only, the following description will describe the mechanisms and methods to be used for the can. It should be noted that any other type of object (such as those described above) may be used.

[0012] Embodiments of the invention relate to mechanisms used in can making machines. More precisely, matrix canning machines. In the canning process, the open end of the can is reduced in diameter. In most cases, numerous downs are required in the canning process. Sliding twin-beater assemblies are used to guide and regulate the interaction of molding tooling and workpiece (cans). The can is filled with compressed air to strengthen the can body and counter the necking forces to stabilize and hold the can in the correct position during the molding process.

[0013] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

[0014] Figures 1-9 illustrate a double-screw assembly 100 for performing necking operations on an object 5 through a machine line 10. The object 5 may be a can, any suitable food or drink container, jar, bottle or any other suitable object. The object 5 has an open end 6, an opposite closed end 7 and a side wall 8 extending from the closed end 7, as shown in Fig. 12. Alternatively, object 5 may be open at both ends or object 5 may have any other desired configuration. After the respective machining operations are completed, the lid, lid or other closure can be placed on the object 5.

[0015] For illustrative purposes only, the following description will describe a twin-beater unit 100 that can be used in a machine module 20 (such as a necking machine) or machine line 10 for use in can processing 5. It should be noted that any other type can be used item 5 (as described above). Alternatively, the double-beater unit 100 can be used on a machine that does not work on cans 5, but can be used on machines that work on any other suitable machine or assembly line.

[0016] Fig. 1 illustrates a machine line 10 in which the cans 5, according to an embodiment, are fed to a continuously rotating feed star wheel 21 from the feeder 30. The cans 5 are passed from the feed star wheel 21 into pocket 22A in conveyor star wheel 22 in machine line module 20, best shown in Fig. 2. The cans 5 are continuously rotated in the machine line 10, as the cans 5 pass from one module 20 to the next module 20. From the conveyor star wheel 22, the cans 5 are passed into pocket 24A in the revolver star wheel 24 on the turret head 50. In pockets 24A turret star wheel 24 can 5 undergoes a machining operation (necking operation) through tooling 105 (see Fig. 6B) on the respective twin-beater unit 100, which corresponds to pocket 24A on the star turret 24. After the necking operation in the first stage on the first module 20, the can 5 is passed to the adjacent conveyor star wheel 22 and the process is repeated through the machine line

10. At the end of the machine line 10, the can 5 can leave the machine line 5 via the discharge (or exit) path 40.

[0017] Although the invention is not so limited, embodiments of the invention may include forming machines 50 with one or more twin-screw assemblies 100, constructed as modules 20. The use of modules 20 allows the assembly of the machine line 10 and its modification to obtain as many forming stages as required and to allow the addition of additional stages, such as the step of winding, necking, trimming, curling, threading and / or transforming / reprofiling the base, which may be added and / or removed as needed.

[0018] As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the module 20 comprises a base 54 with an foot portion 56 and an arm portion 58. The turret machine 50 is located on the base 54. The module 20 also includes a corresponding conveyor star wheel 22. The double-beater units 100 are disposed around the peripheral surface of the turret 50.

[0019] The double-beater assembly 100, as shown in Figs. 4-8, includes first and second beater 140, 150 and tooling 150. The first beater 140 includes a first bracket 142 connected (directly or indirectly) and extending from the frame member 110 attached to the sliding block 130. The first bracket 142 is attached to the frame member 100 via fasteners 151. The first set of pushers 144 is attached to the first bracket 142 by means of fasteners 146. Fasteners 151, 146 may include bolts, screws or any other type of fastener. The first set of followers 144 are rollers configured to follow the first cam surface 170 (Fig. 2) on turret 50.

[0020] Beater 150 includes a second bracket 152 connected to (directly or indirectly) and extending from frame member 110 (see Figures 4 and 5). The second bracket 152 is connected to the frame member 110 by any type of attachment (not shown). The second set of pushers 154 is attached to the second bracket 152 by means of fasteners 156. The second set of pushers 154 are rollers configured to follow the second cam surface 180 (Fig. 2) on the turret 50.

[0021] The frame member 110 houses the tooling 105 for the twin-beater assembly 100. The first beater 140 includes an external die device 148. The second beater 150 includes an internal punching device 158. When the push rod sets 144, 154 follow their respective cam surfaces 170, 180, the brackets 142, 152 slide towards or away from the can 5 to be machined in the corresponding pocket 24A in the star turret 24. When the second support 152 is moved (pushed) towards the can 5, the inner punching tool 158 is extended towards the can 5 (Figs. 6A, 6B). At the same time, the first support 142 is moved (pushed) towards the can 5, thereby pushing the external matrix device 148 towards the can 5. When the outer and inner devices 148, 158 reach the can 5, then the device 148, 158 performs the necking operation on the can 5 and then retracts as the tappets 144, 155 continue to move along the path of their respective cam surface 170, 180.

[0022] The frame member 110 and the sliding block 130 slide (slide) along the profiled rail 120 as the followers 144, 154 follow the path of their respective cam surfaces 170, 180. The frame member 110 is attached to the sliding block 130 by means of the appropriate fastener. For example, Fig. 5 illustrates a pin 134 used to attach the frame member 110 to the slide block 130.

[0023] The sliding block 130 slides on the profiled rail 120. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate lubrication lines 132 that feed lubricant from the connector 133 in the frame member 110 to the sliding block 130. The lubricant helps the sliding block 130 to slide along the profiled 120 rails. The double beater 100 is rigid because the rolling elements (not shown) between the sliding block 130 and the profiled rail 120 allow the construction of the double beater 100 with zero ground clearance or light preload, which eliminates any instability of the beater; they thus form a 100-rigid double-beater unit 100. Rolling elements can be preloaded ball bearings. The bearings can be automatically lubricated by any suitable mechanism.

[0024] The rail 120 is "profiled" because of its shape. The rail 120 has been cut or formed to form the profile (profile) best shown in Fig. 4 and is therefore a profiled rail. Alternatively, the rail 120 may be cut or formed into any other suitable shape (profile). For example, the rail 120 may be formed to have a rectangular shape with grooves or protrusions, as shown in Fig. 4. Alternatively, rail 120 may have a profiled shape that includes a single rounded profile or a combination of rounded curves and angular or flat parts.

[0025] The double-beater unit 100 can be moved through the following ribbed cylindrical cams, such as the first and second cam surfaces 170, 180, shown in Figs. 2-3 - The first and second cam surfaces 170, 180 form a slightly inclined path for the first and second of tappets 144, 154. The first and second cam surfaces 170, 180 have an arc of approximately 270 degrees around turret 50. Alternatively, the first and second cam surfaces 170, 180 may have any other suitable arc.

[0026] When the follower sets 144, 154 follow the first and second cam surfaces 170, 180, the twin-beater unit 100 moves back and forth. In the forward-most position, the outer and inner devices 148, 158 are inserted into or around the open end 6 of the can 5 for necking operations on the can 5. The can 5, in one embodiment, does not slide in the axial direction towards or away from the double-beater unit 100 when it is in pocket 24A. On the contrary, the can 5 remains in its pockets 24A, while the outer and inner devices 148, 158 moves into and out of the can 5. The can 5 only stays in its pocket 24A and rotates with the revolver star wheel 24 during the corresponding stage in the necking operation . The can 5 is then transferred to an adjacent conveyor star wheel 22, which then moves the can 5 to pocket 24A in the next turret star wheel 24 in the second (or next) stage of necking operation. In the next stage of necking operation on the next turret star wheel 24, the outer and inner devices 148, 158 in another twin-screw assembly 100 performs the necking operation.

[0027] Pusher sets 144, 154 may have a convex, flat, or any other suitable profile or shape. Figs. 4-5 illustrate an example of cam followers 144, 154 with a convex profile according to an embodiment of the invention. The tappets 144, 154 may have a convex / curved shape to prevent eccentric loading. It should be noted that the profile shown in Figs. 4-5 is only an example. The convex profile of the tappets 144, 154 may be more or less curved.

[0028] The double beater 100 is configured so that no beater collides with another beater. The first bracket 142 is thus located at a height above the second bracket 152 so that the first set of tappets 144 is higher than the second set of tappets 154, as shown in Fig. 4. This arrangement prevents the tappets 144, 154 from interfering with each other. as shown in Fig. 7 - 8, the first cam surface 170 extends upwardly from the turret 50 higher than the second cam surface 180. According to one embodiment, the first set of pushers 144 is located approximately equal to the second support 152, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0029] Tooling 105 of the twin-beater unit 100 is configured to completely guide (support) the can 5 to be machined as shown in Figs. 6A-6B. The outer matrix device 148 includes a cylindrical inner surface 193 for piloting or supporting the can 5. The inner punching device 158 includes an oblique guiding surface 192 and followed by a cylindrical surface 194, as best seen in Figs. 6A-6B. When the outer die device 148 and the inner punching device 158 interact with the can 5, the cylindrical inner surface 193 supports the can side wall 8 prior to contact with the outer die profile 193A. The punching tool 158 fits into the open end 6 of the can 5 to form support for the can 5 during the necking operation. The cylindrical inner surface 193 supports the can 5 by contact with the side wall 8 of the can 5 before the can 5 comes into contact with the outer matrix profile 193A.

[0030] According to an aspect of the invention, the method of using the double-beater assembly 100 in the necking machine line 10 includes the step of creating a first necking station in the corresponding pocket 24A on the first necking machine 50 with the first double-beater assembly 100 comprising a first beater and a second beater 140, 150 attached to each other . The second beater 150 with the internal punching tool 158 is moved towards the can in the first necking station. The first beater 140 with the external matrix device 148 is simultaneously moved towards the can. The device 148, 158 then performs the first stage of the canning operation on the can 5. Then, the outer die device 148 and the internal punching device 158 are pulled out of the can 5. The can 5 is stationary in the axial direction relative to the outer and inner devices 148, 158. The outer and inner devices 148, 158 move to and from the can 5 in the axial direction of the can 5 so that the can 5 remains stationary in the axial direction relative to the outer and inner devices 148, 158.

[0031] The can 5 is then transferred from the first necking machine 50 to the conveyor star wheel 22. Then the can is transferred from the conveyor star wheel 22 to the second necking station (in the corresponding pocket 24A) in the adjacent star turret 24 to the second turret 50 with a second 100-beater unit 100.

[0032] According to another embodiment, as shown in Figs. 9A-11, the twin-beater unit 100 includes an anti-lifting device 160. The anti-lifting device 160 is attached to the turret 50 (see Figures 10 and 11). The anti-lift device 160 is configured to form an outer guide for the double-beater unit 100. The anti-lifting device 160 forms an outer guide and acts as an opposite force to prevent the tappets 144, 154 from lifting off the cam surfaces 170, 180.

[0033] The anti-lifting device 160 includes an anti-lifting bracket 166 that is attached to the turret 50 by means of fasteners 168. Fasteners 168 secure the anti-lifting bracket 166 to a fixed portion of the turret 50. Two rollers 164 are attached to respective oblique surfaces 167 of the bracket, as can be seen in Fig. 9B. Each roller 164 is attached to the respective oblique surface 167 by an eccentric sleeve 162, as best seen in Figs. 9A-9B. Each roller 164 is attached with a nut 164A, an eccentric sleeve 162 and a fastener (pin) 163.

[0034] Each roller 164 in the anti-lift device 160 is pressed against the bracket 142 of another adjacent twin-beater unit 100. When the double-beater units 100 move along the first and second cam surfaces 170, 180, the anti-lift device 160 helps to maintain the first and second set of pushers 144, 154 on their respective cam surfaces 170, 180.

[0035] As best seen in Fig. 10, each double-beater unit 100 contacts (is pressed) by a roller 164 with two different anti-lifting devices 160. In other words, the anti-lifting device 160 is positioned between each double-beater unit 100 on the turret head 50 such that the anti-lifting device 160 is in contact with two different double-beater units 100, and each double-beater unit 100 is in contact with two different anti-lifting devices 160.

[0036] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the double-beater assembly shown in various exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative. Although only a few embodiments are described in detail in the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., changes in size, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of various elements, parameter values, systems) assembly, use of materials, colors, orientations and the like) without departing from the inventive idea and advantages of the present invention. For example, elements represented as integrally formed may be formed of many parts or elements, the position of the elements may be reversed or otherwise changed, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be changed or varied. In addition, it should be noted that the terms attached, connected or attached may mean attachment, connection or attachment not permanent or permanent. As said, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this application. The order or order of any process or method steps may be changed or rearranged in accordance with alternative embodiments. Without departing from the scope of the claims, substitutions, modifications, changes or omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of exemplary embodiments.