GERALD M FUTEJ
Engineers in West Chester, PA
License number
Pennsylvania PE035692E
Category
Engineers
Type
Professional Engineer
Address
Address
West Chester, PA 19380
Professional information
Bottle Cap Delivery System
US Patent:
5531057, Jul 2, 1996
Filed:
Sep 8, 1995
Appl. No.:
8/525224
Inventors:
Matthew R. Coleman - Pottstown PA
Gerald M. Futej - West Chester PA
James D. Ash - Pottstown PA
Gerald M. Futej - West Chester PA
James D. Ash - Pottstown PA
Assignee:
Crown Cork and Seal Company, Inc. - Philadelphia PA
International Classification:
B67B 306, B67B 3064, B65B 728
US Classification:
53308
Abstract:
A bottle-cap positioning apparatus (10) positions bottle-caps (12) beneath the orbiting capping heads (14) of a rotary bottle-capping machine (18) for pick-up. A cap feeder (40) places the caps (12) on a semi-circular pick-up path directly under the orbital path (16) of the capping heads (14). An endless belt (68) is supported on a pair of pulleys (52, 54) and orbits around a guide block (76). The guide block (76) has a convex surface (78) that pushes the belt (68) outward to parallel the pick-up path. Cap push-paddles (80) extend radially out from the endless belt (68) and slide the bottle caps (12) sequentially along the pick-up path. Gears (58, 62, 64, 66) drive the pulleys (52, 54) and synchronize the endless belt (68) with the capping heads (14). The endless belt (68), push-paddles (80), pulleys (52, 54) and gears (58, 62, 64, 66) are disposed inside and beneath the orbital path of the capping heads (14) to reduce factory floor space requirements and worker exposure to moving parts.