Patent GB-1143161-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus adapted for use in the manufacture of can body portions
IPC: B21D51/28
Filed: 1966-05-16
Abstract: 1,143,161. Non-metallic tubes. BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO. Ltd. 16 May, 1966 [19 May, 1965], No. 21614/66. Heading F2P. [Also in Division B3] Tubular bodies or cans are made from strip material S which is pierced to form a series of uniformly spaced holes 14, Fig. 6, fed forward by feed mechanisms engaged in the holes, cut to partially sever successive lengths of strip thus forming a length of connected body blanks, which are formed into connected tubular bodies B to be then separated from one another. As shown the strip is unrolled from a roll 10 and passed between rolls 15, 16 of a punching mechanism 12 where the holes 14 are formed and the accuracy of their location is checked by a roller 17. The strip then passes between rolls 30, 32 of a decorating mechanism which prints a design on the strip and then through a drying device 46. Cuts 52, Fig. 7, extending from the strip edges part way towards the holes 14 and score lines 54 are formed by rolls 60, 78 in a cutting and scoring mechanism 50, after which the strip passes into a body making mechanism 58 through which it is fed by lugs 98 on a chain 92 which engage in the holes 14. The strip is formed into tubular bodies by a die and mandrel in the mechanism 58, and an overlapping seam is formed to which adhesive or solder is applied by an applicator 104. The connected bodies are conveyed on a support chain 110 to one or more rolls 122 around which they are passed so that the flexing causes breakage along the score lines 54 and separates the bodies B from one another. The punching mechanism 12 illustrated in detail in Figs. 9 and 10 is driven from a main drive shaft 21 through a shaft 146 and gear train 162. The two rolls 15, 16 are driven in synchronism and the holes 14 are pierced by members 140 on the roll 15 which enter holes 142 on the roll 16. Scrap is blown from the holes by air pressure. Exact location of the members 140 with the holes 142 is ensured by alignment means 180 on the rolls. Elastomeric bands 174 are fitted on the rolls to assist in feeding the strips. Adjustable doctor rolls 190 cause the strip to move in a cuved path over the roll 16. The location of the holes 14 is checked by passing the strip over a roll 18 driven by a chain 200 and having lugs 19 which enter the holes 14. If a hole is misplaced the strip will be raised over the lugs 19 and will contact a switch 212 to stop the machine. The strip is coated and decorated by the rolls 30, 32 in the mechanism 28, exact location of the printed design with the holes 14 being ensured by passing the strip over a roll 36 which is connected by a chain to the rolls 30, 32 and which has lugs 38 which enter the holes 14 to provide precise registration and aid the uniform feeding forward of the strip. The cutting and scoring mechanism 50 also has a roll 70 with lugs 72 which ensure uniform feed and exact registration of the holes (14) with cutting and scoring members on the roll 60 which form cuts and scores 52, 54, Fig. 7, extending from the edges of the strip towards the holes 14. The body making mechanism 58, comprises a die 80 with side members 230, 232, Figs. 13, 17, which progressively forms the strip into tubular bodies around a mandrel 82, the overlapping seam being finally pressed into intimate contact by a member 86. Adhesive or solder is then applied to the seam by the applicator 104 before the bodies pass on to the chain 110. In other embodiments (not shown) -thermoplastic adhesive may be applied to the strip at various other points in the machine and reactivated e.g. by a heated mandrel after the lap seam has been formed or the chain 110 may be replaced by a V-shaped guide. Forward feed of the bodies and accurate location of the seam with the applicator is ensured by lugs on chains which form one or more feeding means 90, 106, 112. The completed bodies have grooves at the ends resulting from the line of fracture passing through the holes (14) when the bodies are separated.