Improvements in Machines for Hermetically Closing the Circular Seams of Sheet-metal Cans and like Vessels.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 11th Feb., 1899
Improvements in Machines for Hermetically Closing the Circular
Seams of Sheet-metal Cans and like Vessels.
We, CONRAD FIELD MENDHAM, of 42, South Norwood Hill, South Norwood,
in the County of London, Engineer, ERNEST FEATHERSTONE GRIFFIN, of West-
leigh, Woodside Park, North Finchley, in the County of Middlesex, Factory
Manager, and WALTER EDWARD HIGGS, of 27, Crowndale Road, Camden Town,
in the County of London, 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:-
This invention relates to an improved machine for hermetically closing the
circular seams of sheet-metal cans or like vessels by rolling, compressing or squeez-
ing together the interengaging flanges or folded parts forming such seams, so as to
bring the touching surfaces thereof into very intimate contact.
The improved machine is chiefly intended for use in the manufacture of cans,
drums or similar sheet-metal receptacles for containing explosive or inflammable
materials, in the closing whereof the use of a hot soldering iron would be a source
of danger. The said machine is, however, also useful for closing the seams of
cans and other vessels for containing food or other articles of a perishable nature.
One feature of the said invention consists in the combination of a die-ring and
a roller or disc within the same, one of which is capable of a limited lateral move-
ment relatively to the other, with suitable means for rotating the said roller and
for moving the same laterally relatively to the die-ring so as to cause it to assume
an eccentric position relatively thereto and thus squeeze the seam between these
two parts equally all around.
Another feature of the said invention is the employment, in combination with
the die-ring and a roller therein, of a releasing device for disengaging the tool from
the can or like vessel when the joint has been completed.
The said invention also comprises other improvements hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings we have shown how our said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in vertical central section, of one form of our
improved machine, showing the parts in the relative positions which they occupy
before the can or other vessel is pressed upward against the tool.
Figure 2 shows a portion of Figure 1 drawn to an enlarged scale, the parts
being shown in their operative position.
Figure 3 is a plan, partly in horizontal section on the line a, a, Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly in vertical central section, showing another
form or modification of our improved machine.
Figure 5 is a plan, partly in horizontal section on the line a¹, ¹, Figure 4, and
Figure 6 is a section on the line y, y, Figure 5 drawn to an enlarged scale.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings."
A is a standard supporting a bearing B! through which passes a sleeve B longi-
tudinally movable through a short distance therein but restrained from rotation
by means of a key or feather B². A collar C is provided for limiting the motion

page_text: of the said sleeve B in a downward direction and is normally held by a yielding
spring C¹ against the end of the said bearing B¹. A rotatable spindle D, extending
through and working freely in the said sleeve B, is mounted in a suitable bear-
ing D in the standard A, and is provided with a pulley D2 or other convenient
means for driving it, and with a thrust-collar Do, both firmly secured to or forming
part of the spindle. Being held thus, this spindle can only have a rotary motion.
On the lower end of the central spindle D is mounted a bush E which is rotatable
in a ring and is made with a tapered keyway. E¹ to receive a tapered key or
feather D³ on the said spindle D forming an operative connection between these
two parts. The hole through the said bush is enlarged on the side opposite to the
keyway so as to permit the spindle to take up a position eccentric to the bush, as
shown in Figures 2 and 3, a flat spring D* keeping the parts, concentric while not
in operation.
The said ring F is held in place at the lower end of the sleeve B by a shell H
screwed upon a flange on the lower end of the said sleeve and secured thereon by
a set-screw H¹. An external screw-thread formed upon the said shell H receives
another ring K which carries the die-ring L and which is provided with a handle K¹
for rotating it and thereby raising the said die-ring to release the can or vessel
as hereinafter mentioned. A roller G is mounted upon a short spindle G which
fits within a socket-bearing G2 in the lower end of the central spindle D. This
roller is free to rotate independently, being held loosely between the ring F and
a shoulder on the shell H.
An adjustable set-screw M is provided on an extension of the standard A for
limiting the upward motion of the sleeve B and its adjuncts; and a vertically
movable table N is provided for supporting the work and pressing the same upward
against the tool.
For securing the top or bottom to the sides of a cylindrical can or other vessel,
the said can or the like, with the seam folded in any suitable manner, is placed upon
the said table N, which is then raised and pressed upward so as to bring the seam
to be closed within the die-ring L and force the upper end of the work against the
extension H2 of the shell H, which is thus lifted together with the sleeve B and its
adjuncts, the socket-bearing G2 in the spindle D being made sufficiently long to
permit the roller G to be lifted with the sleeve B relatively to the said spindle,
which latter is prevented from rising by means of the thrust-collar 15 pressing
against the under side of the bearing D¹. The lifting of the sleeve B causes the
bush E with its taper keyway E¹ to slide over the taper feather D³, whereby the
spindle D is only moved laterally and carries the roller G to a position eccentric
to the die-ring L, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The roller G is then caused to
rotate with the central spindle D so that the said roller is pressed successively
against all points around the circumference of the seam and squeezes the material
between it and the die-ring L. The roller G, being free to rotate independently
of the other parts, will acquire a rolling motion and pass over the work without
sliding upon or injuring the surface thereof. This operation expands the layers
of the material successively so that the outermost one fits closely within the die-
ring L and the contiguous surfaces in the seam are forced very tightly against 4
one another, and remain so on account of the rolling and expanding force being
applied only from the inner side of the seam. The handle K is then turned to
move the die-ring L upward upon the extension H2 of the shell H and thus release
the work. The die-ring L is then restored to its original position relatively to the
shell H, the adjustable guard-ring K2, which is secured in any desired position by 5
means of a set-screw K³, limiting the downward motion of the ring K and die-
ring L by coming in contact with the lower flange of the sleeve B.
When it is desired to more effectually ensure tightness of the joint, by pressing
the metal outward so as to form an external bead just below the joint, we form a
suitable circumferential projection or rib on the roller G.
In the form or modification of our improved machine shown in Figures 4, 5
and 6, a cage P is rotatably mounted in the ring F and is divided into separate
5

page_text: compartments each containing a roller G, which rollers are, in this case, made of
comparatively small diameter. A cone-faced thimble R sliding on the central
spindle D is pressed downwards upon the upper ends of the rollers by a spring R¹
in such a manner as to force the lower ends of the rollers inward away from the
die-ring L. The said rollers, of which there may be any convenient number, are
preferably made cone-shaped and are arranged to be pressed outward by a cone-
faced collar S fixed upon and rotating with the central spindle D.
The work is thrust upward into the machine as above described, lifting the
rollers G so that they are forced laterally by the tapered surface of the collar S,
which has no vertical motion, and are thus pressed against the work and roll around
upon it carrying with them the said cage P. The object of this cage is to keep
the rollers equidistant and separate from each other. The other parts operate in
the manner above described.
A suitable outline may be given to the die-ring faces and the rollers to obtain
a beaded or corrugated closed seam according to requirements, in which case the
die-ring is made up in parts or sections.
It is evident that the construction of our improved machine can be somewhat
further modified without departing from the nature of our said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
First. A machine for the purpose above specified, comprising a die-ring and a
roller or disc within the same, one of which is adapted to be moved laterally into
an eccentric position relatively to the other and to be rotated relatively thereto,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. The combination, with a die-ring, of a single roller arranged within
the said die-ring, means for rotating the said roller relatively to the die-ring and
means for holding it in an eccentric position relatively thereto while it is rotating,
substantially as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Third. A machine for the purpose above specified, wherein a die-ring is attached
to a vertically movable sleeve surrounding a rotary spindle, the lower end of which
engages with the spindle of an independently rotatable roller, and is provided
with means for moving-it laterally to bring the said roller into an eccentric position
relatively to the said die-ring, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. The combination of a die-ring attached to a vertically movable sleeve,
a rotary spindle extending through and capable of lateral movement in the said
sleeve and having a taper key or feather and a socket at its lower end, a roller
within the die-ring having a spindle fitting loosely in the said socket, and a rotary
bush held in a ring at the lower end of the said sleeve and having a taper keyway
to receive the said taper key or feather, substantially as, and for the purposes,
above specified.
Fifth. The combination, with the die-ring and one or more rollers within the
same, of suitable means for moving the said die-ring longitudinally relatively to
the said roller or rollers to release the work, substantially as described.
Sixth. The improved machine constructed substantially as described with refer-
ence to Figures 1, 2 and 3 or to Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings
and operating as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Noted this 7th dow of January 1899
C. F. MENDHAM,
E. F. GRIFFIN.
W. E. HIGGS.