Press system and vacuum port assembly therefor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017100764-A1
Application number	US-201615373997-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 9, 2016
Priority date	Apr 30, 2013
Publication date	Apr 13, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A vacuum port assembly is provided for a press system including a die assembly and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly includes a conveyor belt, a vacuum manifold coupled to the die assembly, and an airflow generator. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of holes for receiving and moving shells in a plane with respect to the die assembly. The vacuum port assembly includes at least one port member including inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end has amounting portion for removably coupling the port member to the vacuum manifold. The outlet end is in fluid communication with the airflow generator, thereby establishing fluid communication between the airflow generator and the vacuum manifold. The inlet end extends outwardly from the vacuum manifold generally perpendicular with respect to the plane of the conveyor belt.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A press system comprising:
a die assembly; a transfer assembly comprising a conveyor belt, a vacuum manifold coupled to the die assembly, an airflow generator, the conveyor belt including a plurality of holes and being structured to receive and move a plurality of shells in a plane with respect to the die assembly; and a vacuum port assembly comprising:
at least one port member including an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having a mounting portion, the mounting portion removably coupling the at least one port member to the vacuum manifold, the outlet end being in fluid communication with the airflow generator, in order that the at least one port member establishes fluid communication between the airflow generator and the vacuum manifold,
wherein the inlet end extends outwardly from the vacuum manifold generally perpendicular with respect to the plane of the conveyor belt.

2 . The press system of claim 1 wherein the mounting portion includes a flange and a fastening mechanism, and wherein the fastening mechanism removably couples the flange to the vacuum manifold.

3 . The press system of claim 2 wherein the fastening mechanism is a number of bolts; and wherein the flange is bolted to the vacuum manifold.

4 . The press system of claim 1 wherein the vacuum manifold has a height; wherein the inlet end has a first diameter; wherein the outlet end has a second diameter; and wherein the first diameter is substantially equal to or larger than the height of the vacuum manifold.

5 . The press system of claim 4 wherein the first diameter is substantially the same as the second diameter.

4 . press system of claim 4 wherein the first diameter is between 0.5 inches and 2.5 inches.

7 . The press system of claim 1 wherein the inlet end has a first longitudinal axis; wherein the outlet end has a second longitudinal axis; and wherein the first longitudinal axis is generally perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis.

8 . The press system of claim 1 wherein the at least one port member comprises at least two port members.

9 . The press system of claim 8 wherein all of the port members are substantially identical.

10 . The press system of claim 1 wherein the press system is a conversion press; wherein the die assembly comprises a plurality of dies; wherein the dies include a plurality of tool stations; wherein the vacuum port assembly further comprises a plurality of conduits; wherein the airflow generator is a plurality of blowers; wherein each of the dies includes a plurality of port members; wherein the conduits connect each of the port members in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the blowers to create vacuum pressure within the vacuum manifold; wherein the vacuum pressure maintains the shells in a desired position with respect to the conveyor belt; and wherein the conveyor belt moves the shells with respect to the dies in order that the tool stations progressively form the shells into completed can ends.

Assignees

• Stolle Machinery Co Llc

Inventors

• Mccarty Patrick K
• Carstens Aaron E

Classifications

• B21D51/2692 Primary

  Manipulating, e.g. feeding and positioning devices; Control systems · CPC title

• B25B11/005

  Vacuum work holders · CPC title

• B21D43/18

  by means in pneumatic or magnetic engagement with the work · CPC title

• B65G21/2036

  for retaining the load on the load-carrying surface (individual suction grippers B65G17/323) · CPC title