Improved Machine for Use in Making Cans.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 2nd May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Machine for Use in Making Cans.
I, AXEL JOHNSON, residing at Oakland, in the County of Alameda, State of
California, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a certain new and useful machine for use in making
cans, which consists in the arrangement of parts and details of construction, as will
be hereinafter fully set forth in the drawings and described and pointed out in the
Specification.
The object of the present invention is to provide a machine adapted to trim and
cut a number of can body blanks from a single sheet of metal conveyed there-
through the machine being more especially designed to cut and form body blanks
to be used in connection with the can-making machine fully set forth and described
in Letters Patent of Great Britain, Number 15,322, granted to A. Johnson and
H. C. Black the Eleventh day of August, 1894, although the machine may be utilized
for the cutting from the sheet of metal passing therethrough any style of a can
body blank.
In order to comprehend my invention, reference must be had to the accompanying
sheets of drawing, wherein
Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the machine, the delivery end thereof
being partly broken away;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the mechanism illustrated by
Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a detail end elevation of the trigger lever;
Figure 4 is an enlarged detail side elevation of trigger lever showing actuating
pin and part of reciprocating carriage:
Figure 5 is a top plan view of the mechanism disclosed by Figure 1, the slitting
rolls and forming rolls being partly broken away, and the extracting mechanism
for the formed can body blanks being removed;
Figure 6 is a side view in elevation of the machine, the extractor mechanism
being removed and the delivery end of the machine being partly broken away, the
feed mechanism for the blank sheet of metal being likewise removed;
Figure 7 is a rear end elevation of the machine, showing the position of the
forming rolls, the cutting or slitting rolls, and the guide rolls, and the extractor
mechanism for the can bodies;
Figure 8 is a front end elevation of the machine with the feeding mechanism for
the sheet of metal left out; said view showing the position and arrangement of the
first or forward pair of cutting knives;
Figure 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view, showing the position of the swinging
frame or cross-head when thrown over or closed;
Figure 10 is a detail top plan view of the mechanism illustrated by Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a broken end elevation, on line -æ, Figure 6, viewed from the
direction of the delivery end of the machine;
Figure 12 is a detail side elevation of the sliding frame;
Figure 13 is a cross sectional view, showing position of the forward pair of
knives when closed;
Figure 14 is an enlarged sectional detail view, showing the relative position of
the cutting or slitting rolls, crimping rolls and guide rolls; the body blank being
represented by dotted lines, and the travel thereof being indicated by the arrow;

page_text: Figure 15 is a front elevation of the can body cutting or slitting rolls ;
Figure 16 is a front detail view, partly broken, of the guide rolls;
Figure 17 is a broken top plan view, showing the position of the cutting or
slitting rolls and the forming rolls;
Figure 18 is an enlarged detail view, showing cross head and upper and lower
cutting knife;
Figure 19 is an enlarged detail top plan view, showing lower knife and part of
the frame;
Figure 20 is a top plan view, showing a sheet of metal after having passed
through the cutting knives; said sheet being shown as being partly cut by the
cutting or slitting rolls, the ends being formed into hooks;
Figure 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of the can body blank, taken ou
line, Figure 20;
Figure 22 is an end view of one of the body blanks viewed in direction of
arrow 1, Figure 20;
Figure 23 is a similar view of the body blank viewed direction of arrow 2,
Figure 20;
Figure 24 is an end view of a can body blank in cross section, after having passed
through the forming rolls of the machine ;
Figure 25 is an enlarged detail sectional view, showing the position of the
swinging frame or cross-head when open, or about to receive a sheet of metal; said
figure showing the swinging frame or cross-head in a position opposite to that
illustrated by Figure 9;
Figure 26 is a side view in elevation of the delivery end of the machine, showing
the mechanism for extracting the formed body blanks from off the guide rolls;
Figure 27 is an enlarged detail end elevation of one of the extractor jaws;
Figure 28 is an enlarged detail front elevation of one of the extractor jaws;
Figure 29 is an end view of the machine viewed from the delivery end; said view
showing fully the extracting mechanism for the formed body blanks; aud
Figure 30 is a top plan view of the body blank extracting mechanism.
The letter A indicates the main or supporting frame of my machine-which
supporting frame may be of any suitable style-said frame being cast or provided
with the side pieces A. These side pieces are cast with the guide grooves a
(Figure 8), within which guide grooves works or slides the reciprocating open
carriage B. This carriage has imparted thereto a forward and backward movement
or reciprocation, through the medium of the double rack frame B', the forward end
of which frame is fulcrumed to the bracket B3 depending from the reciprocating
carriage B by means of the pin or bolt b. The double rack frame has a recipro-
cating motion given thereto by the gear-wheel B³, which wheel is secured to the
shaft C which passes through the main frame of the machine.
As the gear-
wheel 133 is carried around, the teeth thereof engage with the upper teeth of the
double rack frame during one-half of its rotation, and draws the rack frame
forward and engages with the lower teeth of the rack frame during the remaining
portion of its rotation, so as to cause the rearward movement of the said frame,
the reciprocation of which rack frame imparts a corresponding movement to the
carriage B.
In order that the gear-wheel 133 shall only engage the teeth of the rack frame
during a half-rotation, I place over one-half of the cog-wheel the semi-circular
plate C, the periphery of which plate comes flush with the outer edge of the
covered gear-teeth. The periphery of this plate C₁ engages the lower face of
the plate C2 while the teeth of the gear-wheel engage with the lower rack
teeth 2 of the rack frame. The lower edge or face of the plate C-which plate
is bolted to the side of the rack frame and extends the full distance of the rack
teeth comes flush with the lower edge of the rack teeth '; consequently, the
moment the said semi-circular plate engages the surface of the plate C, the rack
frame will be raised or swung upward upon its fulcrumed point or pin b, which
removes the rack teeth 61 from engagement with the teeth of the gear-wheel B³ and

page_text: causes the lower rack teeth 62 to move into mesh with the teeth of the said gear-wheel.
After the rack frame has traveled its full inward distance or toward the feed end of
the machine (Figure 2), the exposed teeth of the gear-wheel engage the upper teeth
of the rack frame and cause the rack frame to move outward or toward the delivery
end of the machine.. The upper teeth of the rack frame are thrown into mesh with
the teeth of the gear-wheel B3 by the semi-circular plate engaging with the upper
surface of the plate C³ bolted to the side of the lower member of the double rack
frame, which causes the fulcruned rack frame to move downward, causing the
lower teeth of the rack frame to move out of engagement with the teeth of the
gear-wheel and throwing the upper teeth of the rack frame into mesh therewith.
In order to assist in moving the fulcrumed rack frame up and down so as to throw
the upper or lower teeth of the rack frame into mesh with the gear-wheel, 1 secure
at each end of the frame a projecting stud c, e, which studs are engaged by the
roll secured to the semi-circular plate of the gear-wheel B³. This roll engages
with the stud e when the rack frame has moved its full outward distance and assists
in throwing the rack frame upward so as to place the lower teeth & into mesh with
the teeth of the gear-wheel, and it engages with the stud c when the rack frame
has moved its full inward distance and assists in throwing the lower teeth of the
rack frame into mesh with the teeth of the gear-wheel.
The rack frame is thus reciprocated back and forth by the continuous rotary
travel of the gear-wheel.
The weight of the rack frame is counter-balanced and the outer end thereof
prevented from dropping downward as the said rack frame is moved beyond the
main frame of the machine by means of the supporting roll & secured to the rod D;
which rod works within the thimble D' bolted to the rear or delivery end of the
machine, Figures 2 and 6. The rod D is held upward by the spring & located
within the thimble D'. This supporting roll d, being spring-actuated, assists the
rack frame to swing upon its fulcrumed point.
Motion is imparted to the shaft C which carries the gear-wheel B3 by the
shaft D2, the motion of which is imparted to the shaft C through the medium of
the pinion secured to the shaft D2 engaging with the gear wheel D³ secured
to the projecting end of the shaft C. The shaft D2 is driven by the drive wheel D*
secured to the end of said shaft.
From the feed end of the machine project the rods E, upon which work the
From this cross
slide plates El; which plates are connected by the cross piece E².
piece or plate project the supporting strips E³ and elastic clip pieces E. The slide
plates and cross piece or plate may be said to constitute the reciprocating feed bed
for the blank sheets of metal. This feed bed is moved in and out, or toward and
from the machine, by the movement of the reciprocating carriage B.
To the brackets F depending from the cross piece E of the feed bed is secured
the upper end of connecting rod F', the lower end of which is secured to the cross-
shaft F which connects the ends of the brackets F which project from the main
frame, Figures 1 and 2. The connecting rod F is secured to the trigger lever G
fulcrumed to a rod or shaft G projecting from the inner face of one of the side
pieces of the main frame below the reciprocating carriage B by the rod G². The
outer end of this rod is connected to the upper end of the short lever G³ projecting
from the cross shaft F by the pin G3 and the inner end to the trigger lever G by
pin G, Figures 2, 3, and 4. Upper end of the trigger lever G is engaged by the
pin H, which works tightly within the thimble H secured to the under face of
the reciprocating carriage B, Figure 4. This pin is normally held outward by the
resiliency of spring H secured within the thimble, and the pin H is prevented
from falling out of the thimble by means of the cross pin h, which works within an
elongated slot ' cut within the thimble H. As the reciprocating carriage is
carried inward or towards the delivery end of the machine, by the herein before
described mechanism, the pin H rides upon the inclined upper end of the trigger
lever G, Figure 4. The pin while riding upon the inclined end of the trigger lever

page_text: moves upward within the thimble H'. The moment the pin has passed beyond the
inner edge of the trigger lever, the pressure of the retained spring forces the said
pin below the face of the lever. Now, as the reciprocating carriage is moved
outward or toward the feed end of the machine, the depending pin H engages the
edge of the trigger lever and, having no inclined face to ride upon, draws the said
lever over toward the feed end of the machine, which causes the lower end of the
lever to move inward, carrying therewith the rod G2, which throws the upper end
of the connecting rod inward, causing the feed bed to move toward the machine.
The moment the pin H is carried outward such a distance as to move from engage-
ment with the trigger lever, said lever will be drawn into its vertical position by
the spring (which connects the lower end of said lever to the main frame of the
machine, Figure 2); while the feed bed will be drawn outward by means of
the spring 1, which forms a connection between the cross piece E2 and the cross
rod 12, which connects the ends of the rods E and forms a stop for the outward
movement of the slide plates E¹, Figure 5.
I
At the front of the reciprocating carriage B (or feed end of the machine), I
secure the lower cutting knife J, held in place by the projections or lugs j fitting
within the dovetailed guide grooves cut in the face of the front or outer end of
the said carriage, Figure 19. The knife J is held upward by the springs J';
which springs are held in thimble J secured to the front edge of the carriage B,
Figures 8 and 18. This knife has the grooves J³ cut in the face thereof, into
which fit the lips of the upper or male knife. Above the knife is located the
upper or male knife K; which knife is bolted or otherwise secured to the cross-
head K. This knife is provided with the cutting lips K2, which fit within the
grooves J³ cut in the face of the lower or female knife. The outer ends of the
cross-head K¹ fit and move or slide within the vertical guide grooves L formed by
channeling away the inner face of the forward ends of the reciprocating carriage,
and securing to the said forward ends the face plates L', Figures 5 and 8.
From
the front of the cross-head K¹ project the brackets K, which hold in place the
shafts K, to the outer end of which I secure the rolls J, which rolls rest or bear
upon the track L of the cam plates L³, which plates are fastened to the main
frame, Figures 1, 2, 6, and 8. The track or support 12 gradually curves downward
from the point until forward end of the cam plate L³ is reached (as shown in
dotted lines Figures 1 and 6), and the cam plate is provided with an inwardly
projecting flange at this portion of the track or support, so as to provide an inclined
groove in the cam plate for rolls J' to travel within. As long as the rolls J travel
over the straight portion of the track L, the upper or male cutting knife will be
held away or above the lower knife; but when the rolls enter the downwardly
inclined portion of the supporting tracks, the upper or male cutting knife will
gradually lower or move downward, until the rolls J* reach the lowest portion of
the inclined groove--which will be when the reciprocating carriage has moved its
full outward distance. As the reciprocating carriage is carried inward, the cross-
head carrying the upper or male cutting knife is gradually raised by the rolls J
traveling up the inclined track. The cutting edge or face of the upper or male
knife is made at an incline, so as to act as a cutting shear when brought down
against the lower knife.
To the top of the vertical movable cross-head K' I bolt the brackets M which
carry the hollow standards M', the two being preferably made in one casting
These standards project downward against the inner face of the cross-head, and
within the same work the stems or rods M2; which rods are prevented from
dropping from within the standards by means of the pins M³, which work withi
the elongated slot M of the standard, Figure 18. By means of the springs N
located within the hollow standards, the rods M2 are maintained outwards. Thes
rods have secured to their lower end the inclined clamp plate N', which plate, whe
the cross-head K' has been lowered so as to cause the upper knife to cut the shee
of metal, bears upon the inclined-shouldered portion №2 of the reciprocating

page_text: carriage, and holds the outer end of the sheet of metal tightly clamped; while the
edge projecting beyond the face of the inclined shoulder N2 is bent or turned down
30 as to make the hook p (Figure 21), as will be hereinafter fully set forth.
To the flangen inwardly projecting from the front end of the reciprocating
carriage are secured the plates P, which support the sheet of metal as fed into the
machine, and guide its forward end beneath the guide plate P. This guide plate
is secured to what I term the pressure bar P2; which bar extends transverse of the
machine, and at its ends is connected to the head blocks P³. These blocks work up
and down, so as to raise and lower the pressure bar P2 between guides p', p², of
the movable frame R; which frame slides in and out within the grooves of the
swinging frame R'. The presser bar is raised and lowered by the rotatable shaft S;
which shaft passes through the swinging frame R' (Figures 10 and 11) and works
within the elongated slots s cut within the sides of said frame R', and the elongated
slots cut within the head blocks P³. This shaft S is connected to the head
blocks P3 by toggle levers, which levers are connected together as shown--
and to the shaft S and head blocks, respectively.
To the projecting end of the rotatable shaft S is fastened the crank arms S¹; to
the outer end of which arms I secure the rolls S2. These rolls, as the reciprocating
carriage moves forward or toward the feed end of the machine, travel beneath the
inclined fixed cams T bolted to the side piece of the machine; which cams throw
the rolls S and crank arms downward. This movement of the crank arms throws
over or oscillates the rotatable shaft S, which causes the toggle lever to draw the
head blocks P³ downward and force the presser bar tightly against the face of the
slide frame R, Figure 25. The presser bar is raised as the rolls S are carried
beneath a second inclined cam located at the opposite end of the machine, as will
be hereinafter fully explained.
The slide frame R is connected to the strengthening rib or plate T1 of the
swinging frame by means of the springs T2; which springs serve to keep the slide
frame firmly in place and prevent the same moving in and out with a jolt.
To the upper inner edge of the strengthening plate or rib T¹ is secured the
cross plate T3; which plate is provided with a series of projecting male dies T.
which project above the surface of the strengthening plate. These dies or the die
plate are carried over with the swinging frame and fit within the female dies U of
the die plate U', secured to the rib U2 of the reciprocating carriage, when the.
swinging frame has been swung over its full distance-Figures 2, 9, and 25.
In front of the die plate T3 is secured the cutting blade or knife V; which
knife, as the swinging frame is carried or swung over, registers with the cutting
edge of the circular knife VI. This circular cutting knife is provided with the
raised beads or ribs &, which fit within the grooves of the cutting knife V as the
swinging frame is carried over. The circular cutting knife is provided with square
shoulders which fit within seats cut within the sides of the reciprocating carriage
and said knife is held rigidly in place by the screw bolt w, which passes through
the frame of the reciprocating carriage into the said knife. The ends of the
square shoulders of the cutting knife terminate in rounded journals which project
beyond the sides of the reciprocating carriage and upon these rounded ends or
journals loosely secure the bearing boxes X-one for each journal-to which
the swinging frame is secured by bolts w¹. These bearing boxes constitute a part
of the swinging frame and to the outer face of each bearing box is secured the
mutilated gear W₁. The teeth of these gears engage with the teeth of the rack
bars W, secured to each side piece of the main frame, as the reciprocating
carriage is carried back and forth and turns the swinging frame over. In order
to assist in the throwing over of the swinging frame so that the entire strain.
thereof will not fall upon the teeth of the mutilated gears and rack bars, I provide
the cam levers Y; which levers are fastened to the face of the gears W. The
5 ends of these cam levers project beyond the face of the mutilated gears and move
under the rolls Y¹ supported by brackets Y2 above the main frame. As the cam
levers pass under the rolls Y₁ the levers are thrown downward; which partially

page_text: raises the swinging frame; after which the said frame is thrown completely over
by the gears engaging the rack plates, Figure 25.
At the inner end of the reciprocating carriage, I secure the upwardly curved
horns X which horns, as the swinging frame is swung over, pass through the
openings cut through the cross piece of the slide frame. As the swinging frame
is carried its full distance over, the horns, projecting upwardly upon a curve, draw
the sliding frame outward a slight distance, so as to draw the cut edge of the
metal plate from beneath the cutting knife V and place the same over the die U,
in order that the die T when pressed down may form a pocket in that edge of
the sheet to receive the hook or flange formed upon the opposite edge or end,
when the can body is formed. The die Ts is pressed firmly down by the rolls
secured upon projecting end of shaft, which shaft passes through the swinging
frame (Figure 10) moving under the inclined portion g of the cain plates 9²,
secured to and projecting above each side of the main frame of the machine,
Figures 1, 2, and 5. As the rolls travel beneath the inclined portion of the
cam plates, the inner end of the swinging frame (or that portion nearest the
circular-shaped cutting knife VI) is forced downward; the movement of which
causes the male die to press firmly upon the female die.
In order that my machine, as thus described, may be fully understood, the
operation of the several parts as a sheet of metal is passed or conveyed through,
will now be set forth.
Presuming, for the purpose of illustration, the carriage to be upon its return or
outward stroke, or toward the feed end of the machine :-
The sheet of metal from which the can body blanks are to be cut and formed is
placed upon the reciprocating feed bed or carriage; the outer end thereof being
held between the clips E' and plates E³. When the reciprocating carriage has
moved outward such a distance as to cause the stud or pin H to engage with the
trigger lever G, the reciprocating bed will be thrown inward, through the medium
of the before-described connecting rods, toward the outwardly-traveling carriage.
As the carriage continues its outward movement a sheet of metal will slide upon
the supporting bars A projecting forwardly from the cross plate A secured to
the forward end of the reciprocating carriage (Figures 1 and 2), and be carried
inward between the forward cutting knives until the inner end rests upon the edge
of the cutting knife V; the sheet as carried inward moving beneath the presser
bar P. By the time the sheet of metal has moved inward this distance, the
rolls S² will have traveled beneath the inclined cams T and the presser bar brought
down so as to clamp the sheet of metal firmly. As the rolls J4 of the cross-
head K carried by the reciprocating carriage move within the inclined grooved
portion of the plates L³, the cross-head K' will be gradually lowered; the move-
ment of which cross-head carries the cutting knife K therewith; which knife,
acting in conjunction with the knife J, shears or trims the outer end of the sheet
of metal, the lip or bead K2 of the said cutting knife K registering with the
grooves J³ in the stationary cutting knife J. This lip or bead K2 cuts away the
metal, as shown at 4, Figure 20. As the reciprocating carriage moves its full
outward distance, the cutting knife K is carried below the face of the knife J,
and in its downward movement contacts with the pins or studs & outwardly
projecting from the knife or blade J, and forces the cutting knife J downward
below the edge of the inclined shoulder N. Inasmuch as the face of the plate N
and shoulder N is inclined, it is obvious that as the outer end portion of the sheet
of metal is pressed down upon the face of the inclined shoulder, the same will be
buckled or curved downward; the buckling or curving of which will draw the
cut edge slightly inward or beyond the edge of the cutting knife J. The cut
edge of the sheet of metal will thus be left overlying the edge of the inclined
shoulder N. The continued downward movement of the cross-head K' causes the
shoulder of the cutting knife K to bear upon the cut edge of the sheet of
metal projecting beyond the edge of the inclined shoulder N2 and bend or turn
the end downward, so as to provide the hook or flange p, Figure 21. After this

page_text: hook or flange has been formed, the reciprocating carriage begins to move inward
and the cross-head Kand clamp plate N' to gradually lift or raise.
As the
reciprocating carriage continues its inward travel with the sheet of metal held
firmly down at its inner end portion by the presser bar or plate P³, the cam
plates y move under the rolls y' (Figure 1) and partially turn the swinging
frame ; after which the said frame is entirely thrown or swung over by the
mutilated gears W₁ engaging the teeth of the rack plates secured to the
sides of the main frame. During the swinging movement of the said frame R' as
the reciprocating carriage continues its inward travel, the inner end of the sheet
of metal which rests upon the knife V is carried against the cutting edge of the
circular knife V, which trims this end of the sheet as the swinging frame
continues to turn over. In this cut of the sheet of metal, the ribs or beads v-
which register with the grooves ¹ of the cutting knife V-cut away the sheet, as
shown at 3, Figure 20. After this edge of the sheet of metal has been properly
cut and trimmed, the horns X' pass through the openings of the slide frame Ras
the frame R continues to swing over to a horizontal position and gradually draw
the slide frame from within the swinging frame a short distance. This outward
movement of the slide frame is sufficient to draw the cut sheet of metal held
against the sliding frame by the presser bar or plate P2 away from the cutting
knife V and place the cut edge or end thereof over the die U. By this time, the
swinging frame will have been thrown into a horizontal position, or made its full
swing, and the die T will rest upon the edge of the sheet, directly over the die U.
After the swinging frame has been thrown into this position, the reciprocating
carriage continues its inward travel, for a short distance-during the movement of
which, the rolls move or travel beneath the inclined portion g of the cam
plates g', g², and force the inner end of the swinging frame firmly down; which
causes the male die T to bear firmly upon edge of the sheet resting upon the
female die U, which forms the pockets 5 (Figure 21) within which the hook or
flange p fits when the can body is formed. The moment the rolls have traveled
beyond the inner end of the inclined portion g of the cam plates g¹, g², they travel
or ride upon the lower inclined portion or shoulder g³, which causes the rolls to
rise and lift the inner end of the swinging frame; so as to lift the male die from
engagement with the female die. The continued inward movement of the recipro-
cating carriage carries the rolls S beneath the inclined cam bracket g secured to
the cam plate; which forces the crank arms S' downward, the movement of
which imparts an opposite oscillation to the shafts to that given by the rolls S³
moving beneath the cam plates T at the forward end of the machine, and serves
to raise the presser bar or plate P³, through the toggle levers 72, l; so as to
release the sheet of metal held thereby. As the presser bar or plate is raised to
release the sheet of metal, the reciprocating carriage will have traveled inward such
a distance as to place the inner end of the sheet of metal between the slitting rolls
of the machine; by means of which rolls the sheet of metal is carried toward the
discharge end of the machine, and while passing through the rolls is cut or slit
into proper body blanks. During the outward travel or movement of the recipro
cating carriage, or toward the feed end of the machine to receive another sheet of
metal, the operation of the several parts is the reverse to that just described.
Near the rear or discharge end of the machine, I bolt or otherwise secure to
the sides of the main frame the upwardly projecting side pieces or plates 7;
between which plates 1 locate the slitting rolls 8, 9,- -one above the other.
Between the rolls, the inner end of the cut sheet of metal is received upon the
full inward movement of the reciprocating carriage, as before described. As
these rolls are rotated or carried around, the sheet of metal is drawn from the
said reciprocating carriage and conveyed between the rolls to the forming
rolls 10, 11, located a short distance behind the slitting rolls. The rolls 8, 9, are
provided with a series of circular cutting knives or clars 12, 13; which circular
cutting knives, as the sheet of metal passes between the said rolls, slit or cut the
metal plate longitudinally, so as to cut the sheet of metal into a number of can

page_text: ;
body blanks 1', 1, 1, 1, Figure 20. The upper slitting roll 8 is provided with
the longitudinal groove 14, which receives the hook or flange p of the sheet of
inetal; so as to prevent the same being mashed down while the sheet is passing
through the rolls and the said roll is also provided with the longitudinal groove 15,
which registers with the longitudinal groove 16 of the roll 9 as the rolls are
rotated. These two grooves receive the pocket end 5 of the can body blanks as
they pass through the rolls. In view of the fact that the sheet of metal is slightly
wider than is required to give, say four blanks, there will be a small waste of the
sheet at each side. These waste strips as the sheet of metal is passed through
the rolls 8, 9, are prevented from clogging in the machine by the stripper plates 17,
secured to the inner face of each plate 7. These stripper plates embrace the
circular cutting knife 18 of the roll 8 (Figure 17), and deflect the waste strips
and cause the same to fall through the frame of the machine to the floor.
The
cut body blanks as passed from between the slitting rolls are placed between the
forming rolls 10, 11, by the guide plate 19 secured between the plates 7. As
the can body blanks enter between these rolls, the hook or flange p fits within
longitudinal groove 20 of the roll 11.
The roll 11 is also provided with a series of circular beads or lips 21,-which,
as the can body blanks are conveyed through the rolls, press the sides of each
can body blank into the circular grooves 22 of the roll 10, so as to form the side
grooves 22 (Figures 22 and 23) in the body blanks; which grooves receive and
hold the ends of the can while the body blank is being formed or rolled into a
can body. The pocket end 5 of the body blanks fits within the longitudinal
grooves 23, 24, cut within the rolls 10 and 11.
The cut can body blanks as delivered from between the forming rolls 10 and 11
strike the guide roll 25 and are thrown or curled upward over the roll 26 located
above the guide roll 25. These rolls are journaled in bearing boxes 27, 28, secured
to the discharge end of the main frame of the machine.
The travel of the sheet of metal 29 through the slitting and forming rolls is
indicated by arrow, Figure 14.
Slitting rolls 8 and 9 are journaled in bearing boxes 30, 31, secured in the side
plates the bearing boxes 30 being adjustable,-in order to raise and lower the
upper slitting roll by means of the adjusting screws 32, Figures 14 and 15.
Forming rolls 10 and 11 are journaled in bearing boxes 33, 34, secured in the side
picces or plates 7, and the bearing boxes of roll 11, like slitting roll 8, are
adjustable, by means of the adjusting screws 35.
To the projecting end of the rolls 10, 11, 9, and 8, I secure, respectively, the
gears 36, 37, 38, 39-the former two of which intermesh with one another. The
gear 36 which drives gear 37-receives its motion from gear wheel D³, through
the medium of pinion 40; while the gear 38-which intermeshes with and imparts
motion to gear 39-derives its motion from gear 36, throngh the medium of
pinion 41, Figure 1.
At the discharge or inner end of the machine, I secure to the side pieces of the
main frame the guides 43, 44, (Figure 29), through which work the rols 45, 46.
From these rods forwardly project the arms 48, 49; which arms are connected by
the cross plate 47. The arms 48, 49, project forward such a distance as to cause
the cross plate 47 to stand above the roll 11, Figure 26. As the can body blanks
are forced from between the forming rolls they are guided by the guide roll 25,
over the roll 26; the curvature or curl of the metal causes the body blanks when
finally discharged through the machine, to lie over the cross plate 47, Figure 26.
Lower end of the rods 45, 46, 1 connect to the inner end of the levers 50, 51,
respectively; the outer end of each lever being fulcrumed to the side pieces of
the main frame by pins 52, 53. From the fulcrumed lever 50 upwardly extends
the rod 54; to the upper end of which rod 1 secure the roll 55,-which roll is
engaged by the cam 56, secured to the cross shaft C during the rotation of the
shaft C. As the said cam engages with the roll 55 the rod 54 is drawn or forced
upward, the movement of which rod causes the outer end of the fulcrumed lever

page_text: to be elevated; which lifts the rods 45, 46, and raises the cross plate or bar 47
secured to the arms 48, 49. As this cross plate or bar is moved vertically the cut
and formed can body blanks curled thereover are raised from off the forming and
guide rolls and placed within the hereinafter described extracting jaws.
In order to maintain the rod 54 in a true vertical position, I secure the same to
one of the side pieces A' (Figure 29) by the stud 56', which plays within the
elongated slot 57 cut in said rod 54.
From one side of the main frame of the machine, at its delivery end, is bolted
the laterally-projecting bracket 58; to which bracket is cast or secured the vertical
standard 59. To the opposite side of the main frame is bolted the vertical
standard 60, which standard is coextensive in height with the standard 59.
These standards are connected by the cross plates 61, 62, located a short distance
apart, so as to leave a space between which the upper end of the clamping jaws
hereinafter described work.
The cross plates 61, 62, are provided with the channel flange 63 and to the
upper face of the said flange of each cross plate is secured the guide plate 64,
which forms the guide groove within which works or slides the clamping jaw for
the can body blanks.
A short distance above the cross plate or rod 47, I locate the extracting or
clamping jaws, each jaw consisting of the sections 65, 66; the jaw section 66 being
provided with the male section 67 of a hinged joint. These jaw sections of the
clamp jaws swing upon what I term the plunger rod 68', which rod passes through
the male and female section (Figures 26, 27, and 29) and to the inner end of which
plunger rod 68 is secured the nut 69, which holds the rod in place. The outer end
of the rod is provided with the enlarged shoulder or head 70. This head and the
nut 69 is formed with projecting shoulders 71, which slide within the channel or
guide groove of the cross plates 61, 62. Each section of the clamping jaw is
provided with an upwardly-projecting arm 73, 74, (Figures 26 and 27); which
arms are held apart by the spring 75.
The outer end of the plunger rod is connected to the upper end of the vertical
red 76 by the connecting rod 77, Figure 29. Lower end of the vertical rod is
fulcrumed to the foot or base of the standard 59.
This fulcrumed or vertical rod is connected to the lower end of the fulcrumed
lever 78 by connecting rod 79. The upper end of the lever 78 is provided with an
outwardly projecting pin or stud, 80, upon which is fitted the roll 81. This roll
fits within the eccentric groove 82 cut in the face of the cam 83 attached to the
projecting end of the shaft C. As this cam is rotated, through the medium of the
shaft C, the roll 81 works within the eccentric groove 82 and throws the upper end
of the fulcrumed lever 78 in and out. The lower end of the said lever being
connected to the lever 76, it is obvious that as the lower end of the lever 78 is
thrown in and out the movement thereof is imparted to the lever 76 so as to move
the plunger rod 68' back and forth.
To the cross plates 61, 62, 1 bolt or otherwise secure the plates 84, 85, the inner
edge or face of each plate being inclined, and the plates are set a short distance
apart so as to provide an inclined passageway within which the upwardly projecting
arms 73, 74 of the clamping jaw sections travel as the plunger rod is moved back
and forth. As the plunger rod is carried or moved outward the upwardly projecting
arms 73, 74 engage with the inner inclined face of the plates 84, 85, and are
gradually moved inward or together, causing the sections 65, 66, of the clamping
jaws to move apart or open so as to release the can body held therebetween.
The plates 84, 85, are located directly above the cau body receiving trough or
runway, 86, in order that the can body when released or discharged from the
clamping jaws may fall into the said receiving trough or runway. This trough or
runway conveys the can body blank to the can-making machine, which may be
located at any convenient place. The can body blank when discharged from the
machine is in condition to be immediately conveyed to the can-making or the can-
body-seaming machine.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
°
1. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the cutting knives
for cutting and trimming the ends of the sheet of metal, mechanism for receiving
the sheet of metal and placing same in line with the cutting knives, the longitudinally
reciprocating carriage which receives the sheet of metal from the feed mechanism,
devices for receiving the cut sheet of metal from the carriage and operating the
cutting knives with the movement of the said carriage, and devices for trimming
the sides of the sheet of metal and slitting same into can body blanks.
2. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the reciprocating
feed mechanism for the sheet of metal, the cutting knives, the longitudinally-
reciprocating carriage which receives the sheet of metal from the feed mechanism,
devices for operating the cutting knives with the movement of the carriage so as
to trim the ends of the sheet, the slitting rolls which receive the sheet of metal
after the ends have been cut, and trims the sides and slits the sheet of metal into
proper can body blanks, and the forming rolls which receive and form the can body
blanks.
3. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the reciprocating
carriage, the cutting knives operated to cut the sheet of metal by the movement of
such carriage, the reciprocating feed bed which receives the sheet of metal and
places the same in line with the cutting knives, and the device for slitting the sheet
of metal into can body blanks.
4. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the feed mechanism
for the sheet metal, the mechanism for cutting the ends of the sheet, devices for
forming a pocket at one end of the cut sheet of metal and a hook or flange at the
opposite end which fits within the pocket when the can body is formed, and
mechanism for slitting the cut sheet of metal into can body blanks.
5. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the open
reciprocating carriage, the reciprocating feed mechanism for the sheets of metal,
the cutting knives secured to the forward end of the reciprocating carriage, the
fixed curved cutting knife secured within the reciprocating carriage, a swinging
device carrying a cutting kuife secured to and working within the open portion of
the reciprocating carriage which receives and holds the sheet of metal while the
ends are being trimmed by the cutting knives, mechanism for throwing the swinging
frame over during the movement of the reciprocating carriage, devices for forming
a hook or flange at one end of the sheet of metal and a pocket at the opposite end
of the sheet of metal during its movement through the machine, the slitting rolls
for cutting the sheet of metal in a series of body blanks and the forming rolls which
receive the body blanks from the slitting rolls.
6. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the reciprocating
carriage, the feed mechanism for supplying sheets of metal to the machine, the
cutting knives located at the forward end of the reciprocating carriage, the swinging
-sheet-carrying frame secured to and carried by the reciprocating carriage, the
cutting knife secured to the inner end of the swinging sheet-carrying frame, the
fixed cutting knife secured within the reciprocating carriage with which the cutting
knife of the swinging sheet-carrying frame registers as swung over, and devices for
receiving the sheet of metal after the ends have been cut and slitting the same into
can body blanks.
7. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the reciprocating
carriage, the cutting knives, the feed mechanism for supplying sheets of metal to
the machine, the swinging sheet-carrying frame secured to the reciprocating carriage,
devices for throwing the swinging frame over during the movement of the
reciprocating carriage, and mechanism for slitting the cut sheet of metal into can
body blanks.
8. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the feed mechanism,

page_text: the reciprocating carriage which receives the sheet of metal from the feed
mechanism, a pair of cutting knives secured to the forward end of the reciprocating
carriage, devices for operating said knives with the movement of the carriage, the
presser bar secured to and carried by the carriage for holding the sheet of metal
while being cut, devices for raising and lowering the presser bar during the
movement of the reciprocating carriage, the fixed cutting knife secured to
the said carriage, the swinging sheet-carrying frame and devices for throwing
the swinging sheet-carrying frame over during the movement of the reciprocating.
carriage.
9. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the reciprocating
carriage provided with knives for cutting the ends of the sheet of metal during the
reciprocal movement thereof, of the rolls for receiving the cut sheet of metal and
slitting the same into can body blanks.
10. In a machine for use in making caus, the combination with the feed mechanism.
for the sheet of metal, the reciprocating carriage for receiving the sheet of metal!
from the feed mechanism, the cutting knives secured to and carried by the
reciprocating carriage, the swinging frame secured to and carried by the said
carriage, the presser bar for holding the sheet of metal while being cut, devices.
for raising and lowering the presser bar, mechanism for throwing and swinging the
sheet-carrying frame over after the outer end of the sheet has been cut in order
that the inner end may be cut, and mechanism for receiving the cut sheet of metal'
and slitting the same into can body blanks.
11. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the reciprocating
carriage, the cutting knives secured to and carried thereby and actuated during the
movement of the carriage, the devices for forming a hook or flange at one of the
cut ends and a pocket at the opposite cut end adapted to receive the hook or flange,
mechanism for slitting the cut sheet of metal into can body blanks and the forming
rolls which receive the cut blanks from the slitting mechanism and forms the side:
groove therein and discharges the can body blanks from the machine.
12. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the reciprocating
carriage provided with cutting knives, the swinging sheet-carrying frame secured
to and carried thereby, devices for throwing the said swinging sheet-carrying frame
over during the movement of the reciprocating carriage, the presser bar for holding
the sheet of metal while being cut and mechanism for receiving the cut sheet of
metal and slitting the same into body blanks.
13. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the reciprocating
carriage provided with cutting knives, the swinging sheet-carrying frame for
receiving and holding the sheet of metal while being cut and devices for throwing.
the swinging frame over during the movement of the reciprocating carriage.
14. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the reciprocating
carriage which receives the sheet of metal, the cutting knives secured to and
carried thereby and devices for operating the cutting knives during the travel of
the reciprocating carriage.
15. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the reciprocating.
carriage, the cutting knives secured to and operated by the movement of the
carriage, devices for forming a hook or flange at the end of the sheet of metal
after being cut by the first set of cutting knives, the swinging sheet-carrying frame
for receiving the sheet of metal and holding the same while being cut, devices for
throwing the swinging sheet-carrying frame over after the outer end of the sheet of
metal has been cut, so as to cut the opposite end of the sheet as thrown over, the
dies for forming a groove or pocket in the last cut end of the sheet, after the sheet-
carrying frame has been thrown over, the sliding cross bead working with the
swinging sheet-carrying frame, devices for moving the cross-head in and out of the
swinging sheet-carrying frame as swung over, the rolls for receiving and slitting
the cut sheet of metal into can body blanks and the forming rolls which receive the
can body blanks from the slitting rolls and form side grooves in the blanks as.
passed therethrough.

page_text: 16. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the slitting rolls,
of the forming rolls which receive the can body blank and form side grooves
therein for holding the ends of the can while the body blank is rolled there-
around.
17. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination of mechanism for
receiving sheets of metal and cutting the ends thereof, devices for forming a hook
or flange at one end of the cut sheet and a pocket at the opposite end, mechanism
for slitting the cut sheet of metal into can bodies and devices for forming a side
groove in the cut body blanks.
18. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the reciprocating
feed bed for the sheet metal, of the longitudinally-reciprocating mechanism for
receiving the sheet of metal from the feed bed and cutting the end thereof, and
devices for slitting the cut sheet of metal and discharging the sheet from the
machine cut into a number of body blanks.
19. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the feed mechanism
for the sheet metal, the reciprocating carriage provided with cutting knives, the
swinging sheet-carrying frame, devices for throwing the swinging frame with the
movement of the carriage, the sliding cross-head working in and out of the swinging
sheet-carrying frame and devices for moving the cross-head in and out as the
swinging sheet-carrying frame is swung back and forth.
20. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the forming rolls,
the guide rolls and movable mechanism for receiving and automatically extracting
the formed body blank from the guide rolls and removing the same from the
machine.
21. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the extracting
jaws, the vertically movable lift plate for placing the can body blanks within the
extracting jaws, mechanism for moving the extracting jaws in and out and a device
for opening the extracting jaws as moved outward in order to permit the can body
blanks to move from within the said jaws.
22. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the extracting
mechanism for the body blanks, of the vertically movable lift plate, mechanism
for raising and lowering the same, the plunger rod located above the lift plate, the
hinged jaws secured upon the plunger rod which receives the body blanks from the
lift plate, mechanism for throwing the plunger rod in and out and a device for
opening the hinged jaws as the plunger rod is moved outward in order that the can
body blanks may drop therefrom.
23. In a machine for use in making cans, the combination with the mechanism
for cutting the ends of the sheet of metal as passed through the machine and
forming a hook or flange at one of the cut ends and a pocket at the opposite end
to receive the hook or flange and devices for slitting the cut sheet into can body
blanks.
Dated this 21st dor of A 100%