Patent GB-1463048-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for assembling ends to can bodies
IPC: B21D51/26
Filed: 1975-07-10
Abstract: 1463048 Seaming GULF & WESTERN MFG CO (HASTINGS) 10 July 1975 [22 July 1974] 29087/75 Heading B5K [Also in Divisions B3 and B8] The ends of can bodies are inserted in peripheral grooves in can ends and the walls of the grooves closed against the bodies in apparatus which includes means for depositing an adhesive in the grooves before assembly with the bodies. Cans of metal or other material, e.g. fibreboard, may be used with hot or cold adhesive which at least partially cures while the walls of the groove are pressed against the body. The bottom can end D, Fig. 1, from a stack C is advanced by a reciprocating feeder F to the adhesive station G and then through two idle stations to a star wheel H. Can bodies from a feeder K are assembled with the ends D in the wheel H which delivers the assemblies to a turret M where endwise pressure is applied to the assemblies as the walls of the grooves are closed on to the bodies of the cans by radially contractible dies 278, Fig. 10. The assemblies are discharged into a star wheel N leading to a shoot P. Drive for the star wheels, turret and reciprocating feeder is initially through belts from a motor R. Can ends D are withdrawn from the bottom of the stack past adjustable fingers 18 by a vacuum cup 22, Fig. 3B, on a post which is raised by a cam. A further cam 25 on the post operates a switch 29 to open the vacuum line but a further switch 33 operated by the presence of can bodies in the supply to star wheel H must also be closed for the vacuum line to open. The level of cans in the stack is sensed by switches 34, 36 to give a visible or audible signal or operate a can-end supply. The lowest can end is deposited between abutments 60, 62, Fig. 3A, on opposed feed bars 44, 46 attached to a slide 50 and is advanced by the bars to the adhesive station G. Further abutments (68, 70), Fig. 4A (not shown), on the bars 44, 46 and pivoted catches 104, 114, Fig. 4B, on a bridge 52 between the bars respectively, advance a treated can end from the adhesive station through two idle stations where camoperated suction devices 72, 74 hold the can ends during return movements of the feeder, to the star wheel H, Fig. 4B. Spring clamps 228 carried by the lower of two pocketed discs 204, 206 of the star wheel H locate the can ends beneath the pockets 214, 216 as they are indexed along a track 202 to a position where can bodies drop as from a screw conveyer into the can-end grooves. At the adhesive station, Fig. 6, a chuck 130 raised by a cam 136 clamps the can end against an upper member 146 and rotates it while adhesive is applied by a nozzle on a housing 186 which may be heated. A switch 194 operated by raising the can end starts the adhesive supply to housing 186. The upper member 148 is mounted on a pivoted arm 150 which is raised by a cam 162 on the feed bar 44 during operations of the feeder. Assembled cans are deposited by the star wheel H on to anvils 282 in the turret M, each anvil being surrounded by an ejector 283 and crimping dies 278 within a bevel-closing ring 268. During indexing of the turret the anvil and dies 278 are raised by a cam 275 to close the can-end groove on to the wall, the cam acting through a spring 296 against return springs 290 to press the body K against an upper pad 262.