Disc feeding apparatus for use with a packaging machine or the like

Abstract

An improved multi-station machine is disclosed for assembling ring-type closures from generally cylindrical paperboard cylinders and generally circular paperboard discs. The machine employs a rotatable dial plate, carrying eight mandrels and an improved ring clamping system, which dial plate is incrementally rotated by an automatic indexer assembly relative to the various operating stations which consist of a ring feed station, a disc feed station, an adhesive dispensing station, a curling station, a grooving station and a closure ejecting station. Means are provided for controlling the operation of the various stations so that they operate in substantial synchronism with one another and with the rotatable dial plate. The improved disc feed station automatically feeds the lowermost disc from a stack of discs to a position over a ring on the dial plate and simultaneously forms a peripheral skirt on the disc and positions it in an open end of the ring. The adhesive dispensing station employs a pair of tube pumps to dispense adhesive and lubricant on partially assembled ring-type closures. The grooving station automatically forms a peripheral groove and a corresponding radially inwardly extending rib in the cylindrical wall of an assembled ring-type closure. The closure ejecting station provides vacuum means for withdrawing a completed closure from a mandrel on the dial plate and pressurized air means for assisting in the automatic removal of the closure from the mandrel and for automatically propelling the thus removed mandrel from the machine. The ring feed station provides means for preventing the introduction of rings onto the dial plate in response to an indication of insufficient discs at the disc feed station. Control means are provided for manually indexing the dial plate as well as prevention of disc feed, and adhesive and lubricant dispensing if an appropriate ring is not present on the dial plate, as well as control means for preventing ring feed if sufficient discs are not available at the disc feed station. Various other control features are disclosed for the prevention of operator injury, material waste and machine jamming.