Decorator assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11124016-B2
Application number	US-201916353003-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2019
Priority date	Mar 14, 2018
Publication date	Sep 21, 2021
Grant date	Sep 21, 2021

Abstract

A decorator assembly includes a cup holder assembly, a cup transfer assembly, and a decorator mandrel turret assembly. The cup holder assembly is structured to hold a number of cups in a nested, bottom leading configuration. The cup transfer assembly is structured to move cups from said cup holder assembly to a decorator mandrel turret assembly. The decorator mandrel turret assembly is structured to rotatably support a number of cups.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A decorator assembly comprising:
a cup holder assembly structured to hold a number of cups in a nested, bottom leading configuration;
a cup transfer assembly structured to move cups from said cup holder assembly to a decorator mandrel turret assembly;
said decorator mandrel turret assembly structured to rotatably support a number of cups;
said cup transfer assembly includes a number of feedscrew assemblies and a transfer disk;
each feedscrew assembly structured to de-nest and move a cup from a nested stack of cups to said transfer disk;
each feedscrew assembly defining an elongated cup path;
each said cup path having a first end and a second end;
said transfer disk including a generally circular body and a number of cup mounting assemblies;
said transfer disk body including an axial surface;
said cup mounting assemblies disposed on said transfer disk body axial surface and disposed circumferentially about said transfer disk body;
each said cup mounting assembly including a distal surface;
said cup mounting assembly distal surfaces defining a distal plane;
said cup path second end disposed at a clearance distance from said cup mounting assembly distal plane;
wherein said cup transfer assembly is structured to apply a bi-directional air pressure to each said cup as each said cup is disposed at said cup path second end;
each feedscrew assembly includes a blower assembly;
each said blower assembly structured to apply a positive air pressure into each said cup when each said cup is disposed at said cup path second end;
wherein said positive air pressure is structured to propel each said cup toward said transfer disk;
each said cup mounting assembly includes a bi-directional air pressure assembly;
each said bi-directional air pressure assembly structured to apply a negative air pressure at each cup bottom outer side when each said cup is disposed at said cup path second end;
wherein said negative air pressure is structured to propel each said cup toward said transfer disk;
said decorator mandrel turret assembly includes a turret disk and a number of mandrel assemblies;
each said mandrel assembly rotatably coupled to said turret disk;
said turret disk structured to rotate about an axis of rotation;
said transfer disk is structured to rotate about an axis of rotation;
wherein each said cup mounting assembly rotates from a first position, wherein each said cup mounting assembly is disposed adjacent said cup path second end, and a second position, wherein each said cup mounting assembly is disposed adjacent said turret disk; and
wherein, when each said cup mounting assembly is disposed adjacent said turret disk, said bi-directional air pressure assembly is structured to apply a positive air pressure at each cup bottom outer side.

2. The decorator assembly of claim 1 wherein each feedscrew assembly is structured to position a cup in a transfer position with a minimal offset.

3. The decorator assembly of claim 1 wherein each feedscrew assembly is structured to position a cup in a transfer position with a specific minimal offset.

4. The decorator assembly of claim 1 wherein each said feedscrew assembly is structured to substantially envelop a cup as said cup moves from said cup path first end to said cup path second end.

5. The decorator assembly of claim 4 wherein:
each feedscrew assembly includes a plurality of elongated feedscrew members;
said plurality of feedscrew members disposed adjacent to each other with the longitudinal axes thereof disposed substantially parallel to each other;
each said feedscrew member including a body with an outer surface; and
each said feedscrew member body outer surface defining a number of sequential helical conical portions.

6. The decorator assembly of claim 5 wherein:
said plurality of elongated feedscrew members including four feedscrew members;
said four feedscrew members disposed about a prime axis, wherein said prime axis is substantially parallel to each feedscrew member longitudinal axis;
wherein said feedscrew members define a progressing cup cavity; and
said cup cavity corresponding to the outer surface of said cups.

7. The decorator assembly of claim 5 wherein each feedscrew member has a resilient outer surface.

8. The decorator assembly of claim 1 wherein said decorator mandrel turret assembly defines an obstruction free feeder space.

9. A decorator assembly comprising:
a cup holder assembly structured to hold a number of cups in a nested, bottom leading configuration;
a cup transfer assembly structured to move cups from said cup holder assembly to a decorator mandrel turret assembly;
said decorator mandrel turret assembly structured to rotatably support a number of cups;
said cup transfer assembly includes a number of feedscrew assemblies and a transfer disk;
each feedscrew assembly structured to de-nest and move a cup from a nested stack of cups to said transfer disk;
each feedscrew assembly defining an elongated cup path;
each said cup path having a first end and a second end;
said transfer disk including a generally circular body and a number of cup mounting assemblies;
said transfer disk body including an axial surface;
said cup mounting assemblies disposed on said transfer disk body axial surface and disposed circumferentially about said transfer disk body;
each said cup mounting assembly including a distal surface;
said cup mounting assembly distal surfaces defining a distal plane;
said cup path second end disposed at a clearance distance from said cup mounting assembly distal plane;
said number of feedscrew assemblies includes a first feedscrew assembly and a second feedscrew assembly;
said number of cup mourning assemblies includes a first set of cup mounting assemblies and a second set of cup mounting assemblies;
said first set of cup mounting assemblies disposed at a first radius; and
said second set of cup mounting assemblies disposed at a second radius.

10. The decorator assembly of claim 9 wherein:
said decorator mandrel turret assembly includes a turret disk; and
wherein said turret disk is structured to move at a generally constant rotational speed.

11. The decorator assembly of claim 9 wherein said decorator mandrel turret assembly defines an obstruction free feeder space.

12. A decorator assembly comprising:
a cup holder assembly structured to hold a number of cups in a nested, bottom leading configuration;
a cup transfer assembly structured to move cups from said cup holder assembly to a decorator mandrel turret assembly;
said decorator mandrel turret assembly structured to rotatably support a number of cups;
said cup transfer assembly includes a number of feedscrew assemblies and a transfer disk;
each feedscrew assembly structured to de-nest and move a cup from a nested stack of cups to said transfer disk;
each feedscrew assembly defining an elongated cup path;
each said cup path having a first end and a second end;
said transfer disk including a generally circular body and number of cup mounting assemblies;
said transfer disk body including an axial surface;
said cup mounting assemblies disposed on said transfer disk body axial surface and disposed circumferentially about said transfer disk body;
each said cup mounting assembly including a distal surface;
said cup mounting assembly distal surfaces defining a distal plane;
said cup path second end disposed at a clearance distance from said cup mounting assembly distal plane;
said number of feedscrew assemblies includes a first feedscrew assembly and a second feedscrew assembly;
said number of cup mounting assemblies includes a first set

Assignees

• Stolle Machinery Co Llc

Inventors

• Dominico James W
• Jablonski Weniek (Rex) E
• Didonato Russell
• Verhoven Leonard A

Classifications

• B65G59/108

  the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the axis of the stack · CPC title

• B65G51/02

  Directly conveying the articles, e.g. slips, sheets, stockings, containers or workpieces, by flowing gases · CPC title

• B65G47/915

  provided with drive systems with rotary movements only · CPC title

• B65G29/00

  Rotary conveyors, e.g. rotating discs, arms, star-wheels or cones (mechanical projectors B65G31/00; screw or rotary spiral conveyors B65G33/00) · CPC title

• B41P2217/61

  internally, e.g. for mugs or goblets · CPC title