Apparatus for manufacturing filter cartridges, and method of using same
An apparatus for placing an end cap on a cylindrical workpiece includes a stationary support base, a guide member, a push bar, and an applicator device. The guide member is affixed to the stationary support base, and includes a ramp, disposed at an angle to the horizontal. The push bar is slidably movable in relation to the support base. The applicator includes a back plate which is operatively pivotally attached to the push bar at a pivot connection. The lower part of the applicator has a post attached thereto, which rides along the ramp of the guide member. Linear inward movement of the push bar, from a first position to a second position thereof, moves the applicator post up the ramp of the guide member, pivoting the applicator around the pivot connection, and causing the back plate to move from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation thereof. The applicator further includes a clamping jig having a plurality of curved segments, for grasping a circular end cap therebetween.
1. A method of applying one or more end caps to a filter element, the filter element having a first end and a second end, the method comprising:
supporting the filter element at least at a central portion thereof;
grasping a first end cap with a first clamping device associated with a first end cap application apparatus;
positioning the filter element adjacent the first end cap application apparatus; and
pivotally moving the first clamping device around a first pivot connection from a first position toward a second position to urge the first end cap against the first end of the filter element.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
grasping a second end cap with a second clamping device associated with a second end cap application apparatus;
positioning the filter element adjacent the second end cap application apparatus; and
pivotally moving the second clamping device around a second pivot connection from a third position toward a fourth position to urge the second end cap against the second end of the filter element.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first and second clamping device are pivoted simultaneously to urge the first and second end caps, respectively, against the filter element.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first position comprises a substantially horizontal position and the second position comprises a substantially vertical position.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of grasping the first end cap with the first clamping device, comprises:
moving a plurality of arcuate segments on the first clamping device toward the first end cap to contact the first end cap.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying an adhesive to the first end cap.
7. An apparatus for applying one or more end caps to a filter element, the filter element having a first end and a second end, comprising:
a first means for supporting the filter element at least at a central portion thereof;
a second means for holding a first end cap;
a third means for positioning the filter element adjacent the second means; and
a fourth means for pivotally moving the second means around a first pivot connection from a first position toward a second position to urge the first end cap against the first end of the filter element.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising:
a fifth means for holding a second end cap;
a sixth means for positioning the filter element adjacent the fifth means; and
a seventh means for pivotally moving the fifth means around a second pivot connection from a first position toward a second position to urge the second end cap against the second end of the filter element.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the second and fifth means are pivoted simultaneously to urge the first and second end caps, respectively, against the filter element.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the second means comprises a plurality of arcuate segments configured to move toward the first end cap to contact the first end cap.
11. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a fifth means for applying an adhesive to the first end cap.
12. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first position comprises a substantially horizontal position and the second position comprises a substantially vertical position.
13. An apparatus for applying one or more end caps to a filter element, the filter element having a first end and a second end, comprising:
a first device configured to support the filter element at least at a central portion thereof;
a second device configured to hold a first end cap;
a third device configured to position the filter element adjacent the second device; and
a fourth device configured to pivotally move the second device around a first pivot connection from a first position toward a second position to urge the first end cap against the first end of the filter element.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
a fifth device configured to hold a second end cap;
a sixth device configured to position the filter element adjacent the fifth device; and
a seventh device configured to pivotally move the fifth device around a second pivot connection from a third position toward a fourth position to urge the second end cap against the second end of the filter element.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second and fifth devices are pivoted simultaneously to urge the first and second end caps, respectively, against the filter element.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second device comprises a plurality of arcuate segments configured to move toward the first end cap to contact the first end cap.
17. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a fifth device configured to apply an adhesive to the first end cap.
18. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first position comprises a substantially horizontal position and the second position comprises a substantially vertical position.