An Improved Process of and Machines for Soldering Metallic Boxes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process of and Machines for Soldering Metallic
Boxes.
I, OTTO ASCHE, of 7 Rue Cail, Paris, France, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement, roference
being bad to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say :-
My invention relates to an improved process of, and machines for, soldering
metallic boxes, whether such boxes be empty or filled.
The novel process, hereinafter described, consists essentially in causing an
arrangement or combination of cold and hot tables to act, either from above, or
from below, upon one or several metallic boxes suitably prepared, as hereinafter
described, for this purpose.
The effect produced by each of the hot tables is to melt the solder which has
been previously applied by any suitable means, such as by tinning to the parts of
the box to be soldered, the passage of the cold table serving to cause the solder to
set, so producing the soldering.
These
In this process, the boxes to be soldered are not in direct contact with the
soldering tables, but are separated therefrom by metallic strips or blades of good
beat conducting and preferably non-solderable material, as for instance, aluminium,
interposed between the boxes and the tables. During the passage of the soldering
tables, the boxes are held against the strips or blades by any suitable means.
strips or blades prevent any direct contact with the tables, and being attached at
fixed points independent of the boxes to he soldered, the effects of the friction
resulting from the pressure on the boxes, and the movement of the soldering tables,
are entirely obviated. During the passage of the hot table, sufficient heat is
communicated through the blades or strips, to the box to be soldered, to melt the
solder and, under the action of the cold table, sufficient heat is absorbed to again
set or solidify the solder, the metallic union between the parts to be soldered being
thus completed.
The function of these metallic strips or blades is therefore very important, as
without their use it would be impossible to obtain a homogeneous soldering. If
the boxes to be soldered were pressed directly against the soldering tables while in
movement, the friction which would be produced would tend constantly to drag
away the lid to be soldered, since a lubricating of the hot table is impossible, owing
to the very high temperature necessary to be given to it to remelt the solder.
Even admitting the possibility of fixing the pieces to be soldered sufficiently firmly
to prevent displacement of the lid, the mechanical strain of the friction would
prevent a homogeneous soldering being obtained, as the least shaking experienced
by the solder at the moment it is on the point of solidifying, is quite enough to
disjoint or rupture it.
And in order that my invention may be readily understood, I will describe the
same fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :
Fig. 1 is an elevation of my improved soldering machine,
Fig. 2 a plan thereof;
Figs. 3. 4 and 5. 6 are detail views, to a larger scale, shewing in end view, and in
axial section, respectively, two modified constructions of the box-holders and of
their mechanism

page_text: Figs. 7, 8 and 9 shew in longitudinal elevation, plan, and side view, respectively,
an arrangement which can be given to the machine.
One form of machine intended for the application of my process is constructed
as follows:
A base plate having a pillar 1, is provided with a rotating arm 2, which carries, at
its end, an arrangement or combination of cold tables 3. 5. and hot tables 4, (Fig. 2).
This arm receives rotary motion from a shaft 6 through gearing 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
and from a central shaft 13 which passes up the pillar 1. This latter carries at top
a broad plate or crown 14 the periphery of which serves as a race or path for the
friction rollers 15 on the arm 2, and which rollers prevent the rising of the tables
during their passage over the boxes to be soldered. The base plate 1 further
carries four tables 16, 17, 18, 19, on which are the supports or rests 20, 20, for
holding the boxes to be soldered, and the mechanism for operating them. The
number of these tables, and of the supports or rests for each table, is optional, and
varies according to circumstances. The tables 16, 17, 18, 19, are adjustable
vertically by means of screws 21, or their equivalent.
The supports or rests 20, 20 are each mounted on the end of a movable rod 22,
pressed upwards by counterweights 23, or other equivalent arrangement.
The pressure exerted on the rods 22 by these counterweights 23, may be taken
off at will, by means of eccentrics 24 fitted on shafts 25. Each of these eccentrics
is provided with a lever 26, which is turned into the vertical position when the
boxes to be soldered have been placed upon the supports or rests 20.
At the side
of each support or rest, is a small pillar 27 (Fig. 3) having a movable head in
which is fixed the strip or blade 28 which, during the soldering operation, is
interposed between the box and the soldering tables.
The first cold table 3, which at the start passes over the boxes, is provided with
a tappet 29 which, in passing, reverses the levers of the eccentrics, thus rendering
the counterweight 23 free to act, and allowing it to raise the rod 22 of the box-
holder, so that the box is pressed against the strip or blade 28, and this latter
against the soldering tables.
The said first cold table 3, thus serves to place the boxes to be soldered in the
required position. The hot table 4, which follows it without appreciable interruption.
of continuity, and is heated in any suitable manner, melts the solder previously
applied to the parts to be soldered, and the third table 5 (second cold table) which
follows the hot table, also without appreciable interruption of continuity, absorbs
the heat transmitted through the intermediate strips or blades 28 in order to solidify
again the solder.
In the machine shewn in the drawings, the gas enters through the tube 30, from
above, and the compressed air, or blast, for feeding the blow pipes for heating the
hot tables, enters through the tube 31 passing through the pillar 1. Each of these
tubes is provided with a rotating tap so as to follow the rotation of the arm 2
carrying the soldering tables. Any other means for heating may, however, be
employed, as for instance mineral spirits, with Bunsen burners, which would have
the advantage of not necessitating the installation of tubing.
The use of this machine, which may be worked by hand, by treadle, or by a
motor, is exceedingly simple as the operative has only to place the boxes on the
supports, lay the cover or lid upon the boxes, and then to cover them with the
intermediate strip or blade which, for readiness of handling, is provided with a
hinge. When the soldering tables have passed on, the soldered boxes are removed
and replaced by others to be soldered, and so on.
Figs. 5 and 6 show a modified construction wherein the boxes to be soldered are
placed above the soldering tables, and these tables pass under them, and have the
same organization and working as the previous ones.
Fig. 7, 8 and 9 show another form or arrangement of soldering machine,
working according to the same process, and based upon the same principle, but
whereas the arrangement or combination of cold and hot tables 3, 4, 5, rotate
around a vertical axis and pass circularly over the boxes to be soldered, the said

page_text: tables, in this arrangement, are binged or jointed together (see Fig. 7), pass over
two drums 1, 1, and travel in a straight line over the boxes to be soldered. The
boxes are here placed in rows on the box-holders 20, 20, which are similar to those
previously described. The releasing of the counterweights 23 which effect the
squeezing or pressing of the box against the tables and the intermediate strips or
blades 28, is effected in the same manner as previously, and the arrangement of
these intermediate strips or blades is the same and performs the same purpose as in
the circular machine.
The number of tables and of box-holders is likewise optional, and the output of
the machines may be increased in the proportions desired. The various parts of the
machine shewn in Figs. 7. 8. 9 are indicated by the same reference numerals as
the corresponding parts in the machine shewn in Figs. 1 to 6, and their working
will be readily understood on reference to the explanation given for the first type
of machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention.
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood that
I do not limit myself strictly to the details of construction herein described, and
shown in the drawings, but that what I claim is :
1. A process for soldering empty or filled metallic boxes, wherein an arrange-
ment of cold and hot tables or plates is caused to pass over, or under, the boxes to
be soldered, said boxes being supplied with solder (by a previous tinning, or other
suitable means,) and being held tight by pressure, during the passage of the tables
or plates, against metal strips or blades of a good conductor of heat interposed
between the boxes and tables to prevent friction between them, substantially as
described.
2. A machine for carrying out the above claimed process, and consisting of an
arrangement or combination of cold and hot tables rotating around a pillar and
passing successively over a series of box-holders capable of being released so as
to exert a pressure upon the boxes to be soldered between the rotating soldering
tables, fixed metallic strips or blades, of a good conductor of heat, being employed
to prevent any injurious effect of friction on the boxes to be soldered, as herein-
before described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings.
3. A machine for carrying out the above claimed process, and consisting of an
arrangement or combination of cold and hot tables travelling around two drums
and passing in a straight line over the boxes to be soldered, fixed metallic strips
or blades, of a good conductor of heat, being employed to prevent any injurious
effect of friction on the boxes to be soldered, as hereinbefore described with
reference to Figs. 7 to 9 of the drawings.
Dated this 25th day of November 1895
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 5ª Market Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.