Abstract: A sealant dispensing system is disclosed which is capable of applying sealant material to irregularly shaped, i.e., non-circular, closure members. To accomplish this, the closure member is loaded onto a rotary chuck in a conventional manner. The sealant applying gun, however, is moveable relative to the end. In this manner, through a combination of rotation of the closure member and movement of the gun, the gun is able to follow the outline of a closure member of any shape. In order to allow non-circular closure members to be loaded onto a chuck, the chuck must first be stopped. After the closure member is loaded, chuck rotation is then initiated. In order to allow this selective chuck rotation, the chuck may be attached to a servo motor. An electromagnet may be located in proximity to each chuck of the sealant dispensing system.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a sealant to an outer rim of a can lid supported on a rotating lift chuck for movement into and out of a location beneath a sealant applying gun wherein the can lid is held onto the rotating lift chuck during the application of the sealant by at least a partial vacuum. Also, each sealant applying gun is pivotally mounted between a first location blocking the removal of an underneath lift chuck and a second location permitting the removal of the underneath lift chuck.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the opening of a solenoid actuated valve in a sealant dispensing gun are disclosed. A proximity sensor is provided adjacent a portion of the needle valve stem in order to sense when the needle valve has reached its open position. A dispense timer is initiated when the proximity sensor indicates that the needle valve has reached its open position. In this manner, the needle valve may be maintained in its open position for the desired dispense time only without regard to the response time of the solenoid device. Also disclosed is an apparatus and method for adjusting the valve open limit of a sealant dispensing device which incorporates a solenoid or motor actuated valve open limit device. A flow sensor is located in-line with the sealant supply path of a dispensing gun in order to monitor the dispense weight during each valve open cycle. A moving average of the dispense rates may then be calculated and compared to predetermined limits.

Abstract: A nozzle actuating and adjustment system for applying sealant to a can lid member comprising a nozzle which has a sealant dispensing opening, a needle valve means, a needle valve seat surface and a sealant flow passage for enabling flow of sealant material onto the lid member. The needle valve is selectively axially movable between an open sealant applying position and a closed non-flow position relative to the needle valve seat surface. A spring means is operatively associated with the needle valve means to normally hold the needle valve means in the closed lowered position. A needle valve actuator solenoid is operatively connected to the needle valve for selectively causing axial upward movement of the needle valve from the closed position to the open position by a predetermined axial distance to provide a predetermined sealant flow gap in the nozzle means to dispense a predetermined amount of sealant material during a predetermined dispensing time period.

Abstract: A nozzle actuating and adjustment system for applying sealant to a can lid member comprising a nozzle which has a sealant dispensing opening, a needle valve, a needle valve seat surface and a sealant flow passage for enabling flow of sealant material onto the lid member. The needle valve is selectively axially movable between an open sealant applying position and a closed non-flow position relative to the needle valve seat surface. A spring is operatively associated with the needle valve to normally hold the needle valve in the closed lowered position. A needle valve actuator solenoid is operatively connected to the needle valve for selectively causing axial upward movement of the needle valve from the closed position to the open position by a predetermined axial distance to provide a predetermined sealant flow gap in the nozzle to dispense a predetermined amount of sealant material during a predetermined dispensing time period.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving articles, such as lids for containers, from one location to other locations depending on processing requirements of a manufacturing operation wherein a continuous supply of lids are separated into units, each having a plurality of lids, which units are moved into a plurality of infeed stations and transferred to one of a plurality of inclined generally planar surfaces in spaced apart generally parallel relationship and wherein the lids roll over the inclined generally planar surfaces under the influence of gravity and wherein the transfer of a unit from an infeed station to one of the plurality of inclined generally planar surfaces and the movement thereover is controlled by a plurality of pivotally mounted gates. Heating means are provided for curing a heat curable coating on portions of the lids when necessary.

Abstract: Doming apparatus for forming a domed bottom wall in a can body includes a pressurized nitrogen source which acts through a cylinder and piston arrangement to impose a predetermined amount of resistance to movement of a clamp ring and former die used in the doming procedure and wherein the nitrogen pressure source is a self-contained unit removably attached to the domer assembly and which can be serviced and replaced independently of the domer assembly.

Abstract: A sealant supply system for a sealant applying machine having a plurality of rotatable sealant applying head devices rotatable about a central axis of rotation and comprising support means for supporting the system on the machine; a rotatable sealant supply chamber means mounted on the support means for holding a supply of sealant material and having a bottom wall portion, a side wall portion, and an upper wall portion; coupling passage means in a lower portion of the chamber means for connection to the sealant applying head means to supply sealant thereto; a spindle means mounted on the upper wall portion of the chamber means for enabling rotation of the chamber means; a first central passage means in the spindle means enabling supply of air and sealant to the chamber means; bearing journal means and bearing means on an outer wall portion of the spindle means for rotatably supporting the spindle means; a non-rotatable housing means for receiving and rotatably supporting the bearing means and the spindle mean