MECHANICALLY DRIVEN EJECTOR ARRANGEMENT FOR CAN BODY TRIMMING MACHINE

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed concept relates generally to trimming or cutting a container body, such as can bodies used in the food and beverage industries and, more particularly, to ejector arrangements for removing a scrap ring of material from a mandrel of a trimmer arrangement used for trimming can bodies. The disclosed concept further relates to trimmer arrangements and trimmer machines including such ejector arrangements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Can bodies, such as those used in the food and beverage industry among others are, typically, formed in a bodymaker. That is, a bodymaker forms blanks such as, but not limited to, disks or cups into an elongated can body. A can body includes a base and a depending sidewall. The sidewall is open at the end opposite the base. The bodymaker, typically, includes a ram/punch that moves the blanks through a number of dies to form the can body. The can body is ejected from the ram/punch for further processing such as, but not limited to, trimming, washing, printing, flanging, inspecting, and placed on pallets which are shipped to the filler. At the filler, the cans are removed from the pallets, filled, have ends placed on them, and then the filled cans are repackaged in six packs and/or twelve pack cases, etc.

Trimming of the can body after being formed on a bodymaker is typically carried out by a trimmer machine which receives can bodies from the bodymaker and then trims the open end of each can body such that the can body has a uniform length/height before moving on to further forming/processing steps such as mentioned above. Conventional methods, machines, and systems of trimming can bodies tend to fail to effectively remove the scrap or waste portions removed from a can body, which can cause various machine malfunctions and downtime resulting therefrom. Thus, there is a need for improved arrangements for scrap removal that overcome the problems known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the disclosed concept provide improved arrangements for scrap removal in trimming machines which address shortcomings of conventional arrangements. As one aspect of the disclosed concept, an ejector arrangement for removing a scrap ring from a mandrel of a trimmer arrangement of a can body trimming machine is provided. The ejector arrangement comprises: an ejector member structured to be disposed adjacent and in engagement with a portion of the mandrel of the trimmer arrangement; and a mechanical arrangement structured to selectively move the ejector member with respect to the mandrel so as to selectively eject the scrap ring from the mandrel.

The ejector member may comprise an ejector ring that is sized and configured to encircle the mandrel.

The mechanical arrangement may further comprise: a cam follower arrangement structured to follow a cam surface of a cam body; and a slidable linkage arrangement coupled at a first end to the ejector member and coupled at a second end to the cam follower arrangement such that the ejector moves responsive to the cam follower moving responsive to a change in the cam surface. The mechanical arrangement may further comprise a biasing arrangement, wherein the cam follower arrangement comprises a roller member structured to be engaged with the cam surface of the cam body, and wherein the biasing arrangement is structured to bias the roller member against the cam surface. The biasing arrangement may comprise a number of spring members.

As another aspect of the disclosed concept a trimmer arrangement for a can body trimming machine is provided. The trimmer arrangement comprises: a generally hollow cylindrical mandrel structured to be fixedly coupled to the process shaft via a process frame, the mandrel being sized and configured to be disposed within the open end of an untrimmed can body; a cutting arrangement positioned in and/or about the mandrel, the cutting arrangement structured to trim the untrimmed can body into a trimmed can body and a scrap ring of material; and an ejector arrangement for removing the scrap ring from the mandrel, the ejector arrangement comprising: an ejector member disposed adjacent and in engagement with a portion of the mandrel; and a mechanical arrangement structured to selectively move the ejector member with respect to the mandrel so as to selectively eject the scrap ring from the mandrel.

The ejector member may comprise an ejector ring that is sized and configured to encircle the mandrel.

The mechanical arrangement may further comprise: a cam follower arrangement structured to follow a cam surface of a cam body; and a slidable linkage arrangement coupled at a first end to the ejector member and coupled at a second end to the cam follower arrangement such that the ejector moves responsive to the cam follower moving responsive to a change in the cam surface. The mechanical arrangement may further comprise a biasing arrangement, wherein the cam follower arrangement comprises a roller member structured to be engaged with the cam surface of the cam body, and wherein the biasing arrangement is structured to bias the roller member against the cam surface. The biasing arrangement may further comprise a number of spring members.

As yet a further aspect of the disclosed concept a trimmer machine for trimming can bodies is provided. The trimmer machine comprises: a frame; an infeed assembly coupled to the frame and structured to receive untrimmed can bodies; a process turret rotatably coupled to the frame; a discharge assembly; and a drive arrangement operatively coupled with the process turret and structured to selectively rotate the process turret about a process axis; wherein the process turret is structured to receive the untrimmed can bodies from the infeed assembly and provide trimmed can bodies to the discharge assembly, wherein the process turret comprises: a process shaft rotatably coupled to the frame and operatively coupled to the drive arrangement so as to be aligned along, and rotatable about, the process axis; a plurality of pusher arrangements, each pusher arrangement having a pusher ram coupled to the process shaft via a linear motion guide such that each pusher ram is translatable parallel to the process axis but otherwise fixed with respect to the process shaft; and a corresponding plurality of trimmer arrangements, each trimmer arrangement aligned with a corresponding one of the pusher arrangements, wherein the pusher ram of each pusher arrangement includes a push pad disposed at a first end thereof that is structured to receive and hold a can body of the untrimmed can bodies by a bottom of the can body while the can body is trimmed via the corresponding trimmer arrangement while the can body moves from the infeed assembly to the discharge assembly, wherein each trimmer arrangement comprises: a generally hollow cylindrical mandrel fixedly coupled to the process shaft via a process frame, the mandrel being sized and configured to be disposed within the open end of an untrimmed can body; a cutting arrangement positioned in and/or about the mandrel, the cutting arrangement structured to trim the untrimmed can body into a trimmed can body and a scrap ring of material; and an ejector arrangement for removing the scrap ring from the mandrel, the ejector arrangement comprising: an ejector member disposed adjacent and in engagement with a portion of the mandrel; and a mechanical arrangement structured to selectively move the ejector member with respect to the mandrel so as to selectively eject the scrap ring from the mandrel.

The ejector member may comprise an ejector ring that is sized and configured to encircle the mandrel.

The trimmer may further comprise a trimmer cam body fixedly coupled to the frame, the trimmer cam body having a cam surface, and the mechanical arrangement may further comprise: a cam follower arrangement structured to follow the cam surface of the trimmer cam body; and a slidable linkage arrangement coupled at a first end to the ejector member and coupled at a second end to the cam follower arrangement such that the ejector moves responsive to the cam follower moving responsive to a change in the cam surface. The mechanical arrangement may further comprise a biasing arrangement, wherein the cam follower arrangement comprises a roller member structured to be engaged with the cam surface of the trimmer cam body, and wherein the biasing arrangement is structured to bias the roller member against the cam surface. The biasing arrangement may comprise a number of spring members.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the disclosed concept, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosed concept.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trimmer machine in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the trimmer machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view of the trimmer machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 looking at the sectional plane indicated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another sectional elevation view of the trimmer machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 looking at the sectional plane indicated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the sectional view indicated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an ejector arrangement of the trimmer machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the ejector arrangement of FIG. 6 with components thereof rotated about 180 degrees about a processing axis of the ejector arrangement; and

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the arrangement of FIGS. 6 and 7 looking at the sectional plane indicated in FIG. 7 with selected elements shown in section to provide for internal details to be shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be appreciated that the specific elements illustrated in the figures herein and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept, which are provided as non-limiting examples solely for the purpose of illustration. Accordingly, specific dimensions, orientations, assembly, number of components used, embodiment configurations and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting on the scope of the disclosed concept.

Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, clockwise, counterclockwise, left, right, top, bottom, upwards, downwards and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.

As used herein, the singular form of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, “structured to [verb]” means that the identified element or assembly has a structure that is shaped, sized, disposed, coupled and/or configured to perform the identified verb. For example, a member that is “structured to move” is movably coupled to another element and includes elements that cause the member to move or the member is otherwise configured to move in response to other elements or assemblies. As such, as used herein, “structured to [verb]” recites structure and not function. Further, as used herein, “structured to [verb]” means that the identified element or assembly is intended to, and is designed to, perform the identified verb. Thus, an element that is merely capable of performing the identified verb but which is not intended to, and is not designed to, perform the identified verb is not “structured to [verb].”

As used herein, “generally” means “in a general manner” relevant to the term being modified as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, “substantially” means “for the most part” relevant to the term being modified as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, “at” means on and/or near relevant to the term being modified as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As employed herein, the term “can” refers to any known or suitable container, which is structured to contain a substance (e.g., without limitation, liquid; food; any other suitable substance), and expressly includes, but is not limited to, beverage cans, such as beer and soda cans, as well as cans used for food.

As used herein, a “fastener” is a separate component structured to couple two or more elements. Thus, for example, a bolt is a “fastener” but a tongue-and-groove coupling is not a “fastener.” That is, the tongue-and-groove elements are part of the elements being coupled and are not a separate component.

As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs. As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. As used herein, “adjustably fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant general orientation or position relative to each other while being able to move in a limited range or about a single axis. For example, a doorknob is “adjustably fixed” to a door in that the doorknob is rotatable, but generally the doorknob remains in a single position relative to the door. Further, a cartridge (nib and ink reservoir) in a retractable pen is “adjustably fixed” relative to the housing in that the cartridge moves between a retracted and extended position, but generally maintains its orientation relative to the housing. Accordingly, when two elements are coupled, all portions of those elements are coupled. Further, an object resting on another object held in place only by gravity is not “coupled” to the lower object unless the upper object is otherwise maintained substantially in place. That is, for example, a book on a table is not coupled thereto, but a book glued to a table is coupled thereto.

As used herein, the phrase “removably coupled” or “temporarily coupled” means that one component is coupled with another component in an essentially temporary manner. That is, the two components are coupled in such a way that the joining or separation of the components is easy and would not damage the components. For example, two components secured to each other with a limited number of readily accessible fasteners, i.e., fasteners that are not difficult to access, are “removably coupled” whereas two components that are welded together or joined by difficult to access fasteners are not “removably coupled.”

As used herein, “operatively coupled” means that a number of elements or assemblies, each of which is movable between a first position and a second position, or a first configuration and a second configuration, are coupled so that as the first element moves from one position/configuration to the other, the second element moves between positions/configurations as well. It is noted that a first element may be “operatively coupled” to another without the opposite being true.

As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components “engage” one another means that the elements exert a force or bias against one another either directly or through one or more intermediate elements or components. Further, as used herein with regard to moving parts, a moving part may “engage” another element during the motion from one position to another and/or may “engage” another element once in the described position. Thus, it is understood that the statements, “when element A moves to element A first position, element A engages element B,” and “when element A is in element A first position, element A engages element B” are equivalent statements and mean that element A either engages element B while moving to element A first position and/or element A either engages element B while in element A first position.

As used herein, “operatively engage” means “engage and move.” That is, “operatively engage” when used in relation to a first component that is structured to move a movable or rotatable second component means that the first component applies a force sufficient to cause the second component to move. For example, a screwdriver may be placed into contact with a screw. When no force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver is merely “temporarily coupled” to the screw. If an axial force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver is pressed against the screw and “engages” the screw. However, when a rotational force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver “operatively engages” the screw and causes the screw to rotate. Further, with electronic components, “operatively engage” means that one component controls another component by a control signal or current.

As used herein, “correspond” indicates that two structural components are sized and shaped to be similar to each other and may be coupled with a minimum amount of friction. Thus, an opening which “corresponds” to a member is sized slightly larger than the member so that the member may pass through the opening with a minimum amount of friction. This definition is modified if the two components are to fit “snugly” together. In that situation, the difference between the size of the components is even smaller whereby the amount of friction increases. If the element defining the opening and/or the component inserted into the opening is/are made from a deformable or compressible material, the opening may even be slightly smaller than the component being inserted into the opening. With regard to surfaces, shapes, and lines, two, or more, “corresponding” surfaces, shapes, or lines have generally the same size, shape, and contours.

As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component that is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body.

As used herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality). That is, for example, the phrase “a number of elements” means one element or a plurality of elements. It is specifically noted that the term “a ‘number’ of [X]” includes a single [X].

As briefly discussed in the Summary above, embodiments of the disclosed concept provide for removing the scrap or waste portion of a can body in a trimmer machine. An example of a trimmer machine 10 and selected views of portions thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept, are shown in FIGS. 1-5. The general purpose/functionality of the trimmer machine 10 is the same as conventional trimmer machines - to receive untrimmed can bodies 2, such as those formed by a bodymaker, and to output trimmed can bodies 4 having uniform ends and a predetermined height. Accordingly, the trimmer machine 10 includes a frame, shown generally as 12 (formed from one or multiple elements), an infeed assembly 14, a process turret 16, a discharge assembly 18, and a drive arrangement 20 operatively coupled with selected components (discussed further below) of the trimmer machine 10 to operate the trimmer machine 10. The infeed assembly 14 is coupled to the frame 12 and is structured to receive untrimmed can bodies 2 (such as produced by an adjacent can bodymaker, not shown). The process turret 16 is rotatably coupled to the frame 12 so as to be selectively rotatable about a process axis 22 by the drive arrangement 20 in an operating direction R. As discussed in greater detail below, the process turret 16 is structured to receive the untrimmed can bodies 2 from the infeed assembly 14 and provide trimmed can bodies 4 to the discharge assembly 18 from which the trimmed can bodies 4 are then moved on to further processing arrangement/steps (such as previously mentioned in the Background). The path, also referred to herein as the workpath 24, taken by an untrimmed/trimmed can body 2/4 through the trimmer machine 10 is shown in FIG. 3.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1-5, the process turret 16 includes a process shaft 26 that is rotatably coupled to the frame 12 and operatively coupled to the drive arrangement 20 so as to be aligned along, and rotatable about, the process axis 22. The process turret 16 further includes a plurality of pusher arrangements 30 and a corresponding plurality of trimmer arrangements 32, each trimmer arrangement 32 aligned with a corresponding one of the pusher arrangements 30. Each pusher arrangement 30 includes a pusher ram 34 (only one is shown in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2) coupled to the process shaft 26 via a linear motion guide 36 such that the pusher ram 34 is translatable parallel to the process axis 22 but otherwise fixed with respect to the process shaft 26. The pusher ram 34 is a generally elongate member having a push pad 38 at a first end thereof and a cam follower arrangement 40 at an opposite second thereof. The push pad 38 is structured to receive and hold a can body 2 by a bottom of the can body 2 using a vacuum force provided by a vacuum source (not numbered, e.g., such as utilized in conventional arrangements) while the can body 2 is trimmed via the corresponding trimmer arrangement 32 (discussed further below) while the can body 2 moves from the infeed assembly 14 to the discharge assembly 18 about the process axis 22. Translation of the pusher ram 34, and thus the can body 2 held to the push pad 38 thereof, toward and away from the corresponding trimmer arrangement 32 is controlled by interaction of the cam follower arrangement 40 of the pusher ram 34 with a number of cam surfaces 42 of a cam body 44 fixedly coupled to the frame 12 of the trimmer machine 10. While only one complete pusher arrangement 30 is shown on the process turret in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is to be appreciated that such example embodiment utilizes four pusher arrangements 30 and four corresponding trimmer arrangements 32 (only two of which are numbered in FIG. 1). It is also to be appreciated that the quantity of pusher arrangements 30 and corresponding trimmer arrangements 32 may be varied without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8 in addition to FIGS. 1-5, each trimmer arrangement 32 includes a generally hollow cylindrical mandrel 46 and a cutting arrangement 48 (FIG. 5, shown schematically, e.g., having an inner and outer knives or any other suitable arrangement). The mandrel 46 of each trimmer arrangement 32 is fixedly coupled to the process shaft 26 via a process frame 50 so as to rotate about the process axis 22 in a fixed positioning relative to the process shaft 26. The mandrel 46 is sized and configured to be disposed within the open end of a can body 2 when the can body 2 is moved toward the trimmer arrangement 32 by the pusher ram 34 of a pusher arrangement 30 (such as generally shown in FIG. 6). Once the open end of the can body 2 is positioned on the mandrel 46, the top of the untrimmed can body 2 beyond the desired height of the desired trimmed can body 4 (referred to below as the scrap ring 52) is trimmed by the cutting arrangement 48 which is disposed in and/or about the mandrel 46 as the can body 2 generally passes from the infeed assembly 14 to the discharge assembly 18 about the process axis 22. Upon reaching the discharge assembly 18, the trimmed can body 4 exits the trimmer machine 10 leaving the scrap ring 52 of material (i.e., the top portion of the untrimmed can body 2) on the mandrel 46, such as generally shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, as the mandrel 46 rotates about the process axis 22 beyond the discharge assembly 18 toward a scrap chute 54 (FIGS. 3-5) provided as part of the trimmer machine 10. The scrap chute 54 includes an intake 56 positioned generally below the process shaft 26 which is sized and configured to receive scrap material, such as the scrap ring 52, and transport (e.g., via vacuum and/or mechanical means) such material away from the trimmer machine 10 for appropriate further handling.

In order to selectively remove the scrap ring 52 of material from the mandrel 46 of each trimmer arrangement 32, each trimmer arrangement 32 further includes an ejector arrangement 60. Each ejector arrangement 60 includes an ejector member 62 positioned adjacent to, and engaged with a portion of, the mandrel 46 and that is selectively moveable/actuatable outward along the mandrel 46 by a mechanical arrangement 64 so as to push the scrap ring 52 off of the mandrel 46 and into the scrap chute 54 as the trimmer arrangement 32 passes by the intake 56 of the scrap chute 54. In the example ejector arrangement 60 shown in the FIGS. 6-8, the ejector member is an ejector ring sized and configured to encircle the mandrel 46 so as to generally engage and push the scrap ring 52 off the mandrel 46, in the direction shown by arrow E. In such example, the mechanical arrangement 64 includes a linkage arrangement 66 that is slidable with respect to a subframe 68 that is fixedly coupled to the process shaft 26. The linkage arrangement 66 extends between a first end 70 that is fixedly coupled to the ejector member 62 and a second end 72. In order to time the actuation of the ejector member so as to deposit the scrap ring 52 into the scrap chute 54 as the mandrel 46 of each trimmer arrangement 32 passes by the intake 56 of the scrap chute 54, the ejector arrangement 60 further includes a cam follower arrangement 74 that is coupled to the second end 72 of the linkage arrangement 66 and structured to follow a number of cam surfaces 76 of a cam body 78 fixedly coupled to the frame 12 of the trimmer machine 10 about the process axis 22. In the example embodiment described herein, the cam follower arrangement 74 includes a roller member 80 engaged with a cam surface 76. In order to maintain engagement of the roller member 80 with the cam surface 76, the mechanical arrangement 64 further comprises a biasing arrangement 82 that is structured to bias the roller member 80 against the cam surface 76. In the illustrated example embodiment, the biasing arrangement 82 comprises a pair of spring members 84 biasing the follower arrangement 74, and thus the roller member 80, away from a portion of the subframe 68 toward the cam surface 76. As can be appreciated from the side and bottom views of the cam body 78, the cam surface 76 in such example embodiment positions the roller member 80, and thus the coupled ejector member 62 in a retracted position (i.e., closest to the cam body 78/furthest from the end of the mandrel 46) on the mandrel 46 for the majority of a rotation about the process axis 22. The cam surface 76 then changes rather rapidly for a short portion to cause the roller member 80 and coupled ejector member 62 to move outward (i.e., away from the cam body 78 toward the end of the mandrel 46) to slide the scrap ring 52 off of the mandrel 46 and into the intake 56 of the scrap chute 54.

From the foregoing it is thus to be appreciated that embodiment of the disclosed concept provide improved mechanically driven arrangements for reliably handling scrap material produced from trimming can bodies as compared to conventional arrangements.

While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” or “including” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.