Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Feb., 1897-Accepted, 12th June, 1897
1, ROPERT DENISTON HUME, of Gold Beach, in the County of Curry, State of
Oregon, United States of America, Gentleman, 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 :—
My invention relates to the manufacture of sheet metal cans, and to a machine for
making such cans from a flat sheet of metal by a series of successive automatic
operations, in one connected mechanism. These operations include the cutting of
body-blanks (by which I mean flat strips of the proper size to form the can bodies)
from larger sheets of metal, forming the edges of such blanks into hooks, bending
the blank into tubular form, and causing the edges to interlock, compressing the
interlocked edges to form the side seam, soldering the side seam, forming flanged can
heads from flat pieces of metal, delivering such heads to the heading portion of the
machine, placing both beads upon the can body, compressing or crimping the flanges
of the can heads upon the body and finally delivering the headed can. The only hand
labor required in connection with the operation is to maintain the supply of metal.
sheets for body-blanks and head-blanks.
The machine is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, containing
32 separate figures, as follows:-
Figs. 1 and 2, on different sheets, are, when taken together, a side elevation of the
whole machine ;
Figs. 3 and 4, on the same sheet, are when taken together in the same manner, a.
plan view of the whole machine;
Fig. 5, is an enlarged side elevation of the side seam closer ;
Fig. 6, is a cross-section of the same on line of Fig. 5 ;
Fig. 7, is a cross-section on line 2-2 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 8, is a cross-section on line 2-2 of Fig. 3, showing the soldering apparatus ;
Fig. 9, is a side elevation of the heading end of the machine, from the side opposite
that shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 10, is an elevation from the same side as Fig. 9, showing the driving
mechanism.;
Fig. 11, is an elevation of the machine at the discharge end ;
Fig. 12, is a rear elevation of the heading mechanism, the frame of the machine
being on cross-section on line 3-3, Fig. 2;
Figs. 13, 14, and 15, are detail views of the rollers for bending the edges of the
body-blanks into hooks;
Fig. 16, is a front elevation, partly broken away of the can-head crimping
apparatus ;
Fig. 17, is a side elevation of the same, partly broken away į
Fig. 18, is a plan view of the tapering part of the can-body former, showing the
flexible swiveled carrier-rods for moving the body along the horn ;
Fig. 19, is a side elevation of the same;
'
Fig. 20, is a cross-section of the same on line 4-4 of Fig. 8;
Figs. 21 and 22, show partly and wholly formed can bodies in end views;
Fig. 28, is a side elevation showing the solder pump;
Fig. 24, is a front elevation of head forming apparatus ;

page_text: Fig. 26, is a longitudinal section of the same;
Fig. 27, is an end elevation of the can-head former with the elevator and chutes for
conveying the can-beads to the can-hender ;..
Fig. 28, is a side elevation of the said elevator;
Fig. 29, is a top plan of the same;
1
Fig. 30, is a side elevation of the heading-chamber, partly, broken away to show a
longitudinal section of its rear end at which the can bodies enter;
Fig. 81, is a rear elevation of said- chamber ;;
Fig. 32, is an elevation of the stop-ring and the latches which prevent the can-body
from being withdrawn backward from said chamber.
"
'
A represents a frame or table which extends the whole length of the machine, as
represented by Figs. 1 and 2, taken together. B is a driving shaft having tight and
loose pulleys 1 and 2, and a fly-wheel B. From this shaft. is geared down by
gears 3 and 4, the shaft B. Upon one end of the shaft B is a crank 5 which,
through a connecting rod 6, gives a reciprocating motion to the side bar C, from
which the various mechanisms directly receive their motion. The side bar slides in
guides 7, placed at intervals along the machine.
Referring first to Figs. 1 and 3, the first operation performed by the machine, is
the automatic cutting and delivery of sheet metal blanks, each of proper size to form
a can-body. These blanks are cut from large sheets of the right width to form the
complete circumference of the can-body, but of a length to allow several smaller blanks
to be cut from it. Upon the main frame is secured a sheet holder A', having an open
bottom ns shown, and provided with a die A. Below this holder is an oscillating
cutter-head As, pivoted upon a pin 8, and having a tail piece 9. The tail piece is
connected by.a link 10, to the side-bar C, and the cutter head A', carrying a cutter
blade 11, is thereby caused to oscillate beneath the sheet holder. Near the center of
oscillation of the cutter-head, is a ledge or projection 12, extending transversely
across it, and which forms a support for each sheet as it drops through the open
bottom of the holder: Part of the sheet is then in the holder and part protruding
below it, and resting upon the projection 12. The protruding part is of the exact
size of the can-body. When the cutter-head is at the limit of its motion in the
direction opposite to that shown in Fig. 1, and is about to make its forward or cutting
stroke, the sheet to be cut is supported vertically, in front of the cutter-head.and
upon the projection 12. Hence the forward- stroke, shears off the body blank at the
line of the die A, and, the stroke being continued, the sovered blank is carried
forward, and is left in a horizontal position ready to be carried on through the machine.
This position of the cutter-head is the one shown in Fig. 1, and it will be noticed that
the cutter-head is now closing the open end of the sheet holder and. preventing the.
reinainder of the sheet from dropping downward, until the cutter-head has returned.to
its first position and opened the sheet holder again This return motion of the cutter-
head is caused partly by the spring 13, and partly by the stroke of the side, bar
through its slot connection' with the link 10. Other connections may.however be used
to give motion to the cutter-head from the side bar, if preferred. A. yielding stop 14,
is placed in the path of the tail piece 9, and may be either of spring or pneumatic
character, and which prevents any jar when the tail piece reaches the limit of its
downward movement.
The severed blank, carried down and forward by the cutter, is delivered in a
horizontal position upon two carriers C, C, which have hooked ends and reciprocate
in guides below the covering plate 15. These carriers together derive a reciprocating
motion in their guides directly from the side bar (, to which they are connected by a
cross-head 16. At their forward stroke their looked ends carry the flat blank forward
and beneath the plate 17 (Fig. 3) below which are arranged the rollers 18, which
form the opposite side edges of the blanks into hooks as shown in Figs. 13, 14, and 15.
These hooks are afterwards engaged while the can-body is being formed into tubular
shape, and they are shown so engaged in Fig. 22...
The flat blanks with their oppositely hooked edges are formed into tubular. Can-
bodies, by, being carried forward upon the former or "horn" D and between it and

page_text: the curved outer sheath C (see Fig. 20) which is separated from it by a narrow space.
The forming part of the horn is of tapering shape (Fig. 18) and changes gradually
as it tapers into cylindrical form and round cross-section upon which the round can-
body fits and is moved forward. The sheath conforms to.the tapering shape of the
horn and thus forces the moving can body to assume the tubular shape, as it is carried
between the sheath and horn. As the forming process causes the edges of the blank
to approach each other, the hooks upon such edges gradually engage and interlock
until, on emerging from the passage between the sheath and horn, the can-body
presents the appearance shown in Fig. 22, being of round tubular form and having
loosely interlocked hooked edges.. The carriers O work in dove-tail grooves in the
tapering part of the horn, as shown in Figs. 18, 19, and 20; and, as such carriers
must have a free movement in such grooves, where they conform to the tapering
shape of the horn, they are composed of a number of separate sections or blocks 19
swiveled together by means of rods 20, journaled loosely in their ends. Each section
is provided with a recess in which is hinged a latch 21, held outward by a spring;
but capable of yielding into the recess. Hence, each latch pushes a can-body blank
forward at each stroke of the side-bar, and, on the return stroke is depressed under
the succeeding can-body, then springs out behind it, and then carries it ahead. Each
Intch therefore, carries a can-body, the length of a stroke of the side-har, and then
returns for another can-body. It may be mentioned here that the cylindrical portion
of the horn or former is prolonged as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to the heading
mechanism, and that the can-bodies never leave the horn until they pass into the
header; but, remain on the horn, being moved forward at each forward stroke of the
side-bar, until they reach said header successively. While being moved along
the tubular horn, they are subjected to certain operations, which are the compression
of the hooked edges or side-seams and the soldering of said side-seams.
The carriers C terminate near the end of the tapering part of the horn, and the
subsequent progress of the can-bodies is produced by two carrier-bars C³, C³ one on
each side of the horn as shown in Fig. 4. These carriers have teeth or projections 22
which project toward the horn, and each of which falls behind the edge of a can-body
and pushes it forward. Instead of having yielding latches 1 prefer to give the entire
bar a slight lateral movement at each end of its stroke. The means for doing this
are clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The carriers slide in guides 28, on the main
frame, and are connected at intervals by cross-heads 24, which cross-heads are also
secured to the side-bar C, as shown at 25, (see Fig. 7). The connection between the
carriers C and the cross-heads 24 is made by means of pins 26 which are secured to
the cross-heads and project down into diagonal slots 27, in the carriers. Hence on
the forward stroke (to the right as the drawings appear) the carriers are pressed
inwardly toward the horn on each side in engagement with the rear edges of the can-
bodies while on the opposite stroke, the pin and slot move the carriers a little away
from the horn so that each tooth moves backward freely to seize its next can-body.
Of course a whole series of can-bodies will be upon the horn at the same time,
After the
being moved gradually step by step toward the heading mechanism.
tubular can-body is formed with the edges loosely interlocked, it is carried along
upon and surrounding the horn, into the side-seam compressing mechanism E,
shown in Figs. 1, 5, and 6, the latter figures being enlarged in order to show the
details clearly.
Upon a transverse shaft 28, is a cam 29 which receives a rocking motion from
the side-bar C. The shaft 28 is recessed so as to operate a cam 80 mounted within
a vertically moving block 31, sliding in guides 82 in the main frame. This block
operates the seam closing dies 88, and 34. The can-body upon the horn has its
loosely hooked edges compressed by the upward movement of the block 31, and
The solid thrust plate 35,
the edges are secured tightly together by the dics.
above the horn, receives the entire pressure, thus entirely relieving the hollow horn
from upward strain. The upper die 33 is held within a frame 36, set in a slot in
the top of the horn. The lower die 34 is secured within the block 31. Two
blocks 37 and 38 are pressed by springs 39 and 40, against the respective
=

page_text: compressing dies, and ensure the accurate placing of the side-seam of the can between
the two dies. The side-seaming or compression takes place of course, at the back-
stroke of the side-bar, when all the can-body carriers are returning to seize new
can-bodies.
After the side-seam has been closed, the next step in the operation is the soldering
of the side-seam, both inside and outside. The can-body is first carried over the
vertically adjustable acid bath F, by which acid is applied to both sides of the seam.
A roller F is revolved in the acid by contact with each moving cau-body and
hence continually affords a fresh supply of acid. It preferably has an absorbent:
periphery of sponge which applies the acid directly to the outside of the seam.
The inside sponge is carried by a pivoted arm F', which projects down through
the horn, and, between the passage of any two can-bodies, receives acid from the
roller F and is pushed up into the horn by each passing can, remaining in contact
with the inner side-seam until that can has passed.
Before describing the soldering operation, I refer to the means for heating the
solder-bath and soldering-irons. The gas pipe G, which supplies gas to burners near
the solder tank, extends through the hollow horn, and is used as a connecting rod, for
operating part of the heading mechanism, as will be hereafter described. Since it is
longitudinally movable, its rear end (Fig. 1) is connected by a flexible tube G¹ to the.
supply pipe G³, which extends to any convenient gas reservoir. It is connected to
the side-bar by a cross-head G* (dotted lines in Fig. 1) and hence reciprocates, while
at the same time it carries gas to the burners. For a portion of its extent it is
composed of two parallel branches G, G, (Figs. 3 and 8) which extend through the
horn and are provided with burner orifices which direct jots of flame against the inside
soldering irons H. The solder bath H is shown in Fig. 1, and its details are exhibited
in Figs. 8 and 23. It consists of a tank placed beneath the horn and made adjustable
vertically by screws 41. A box 42 receives small pieces of solder from the automatio
solder cutting and delivering attachment hereafter described. From this box a
passage 48 leads to the central longitudinal compartment of the tank, above which is
the outside soldering iron H³, the latter being a bar, having a narrow open longi-
tudinal slot 44. The tank is heated by gas pipes G, G, G, supplied with gas from
a pipe Gº, leading to the gas reservoir. The solder, melted by the heat, rises in the
central compartment and slot 44, and is applied to the inside and outside of the seam
of the can, passing along the horn, by the soldering bars H1, H2, a part of the
solder finding its way through the seam by capillary action. The excess of solder
overflows above and around the bar H' and flows through passages 45 and 46 into &
side compartment of the tank H, (see Fig. 23). This compartment 47, is placed
between two similar compartments 48 and 19, from which passages 50 and 51 extend
back to the main compartment of tank H. The compartment 47 is provided with a
plunger 52, which alternately rises and falls, and which in falling, forces the melted
solder to overflow from compartment 47, into compartments 48 and 49, and thence
back into the main part of the tank. Hence there is a constant circulation and
reserve supply of melted solder in the heated tank.
The plunger 52 is loosely pivoted on the edge of the solder bath, as shown at 53,
and is provided with a weight 54. An inclined frame 55, mounted on a reciprocating
rod T and driven by a cam T upon the shaft B, as hereinafter described in con-
nection with the can heading mechanism. This frame raises the plunger 52 at one
stroke of the rod, while the weight 54 lowers it on the opposite stroke, as clearly
indicated in Fig. 23.
The same
The solder cutting, and delivering device is clearly shown in Fig. 1, and is mounted
upon a standard I above the main frame and horn. The solder is supposed to be
ribbon or wire carried by a reel (not shown) and which is fed downward, through a
guide 56 and between ordinary feed rollers mounted on shafts 57, 57.
shafts carry intermeshing pinions 58, 58. Secured to the shaft 57 is a slotted
crank 59, which is pivoted to a projection on the side-bar C. A pawl 60 on the crank 59
transmits a step by step motion to the shafts, gearing and feed rollers, so that the
solder wire is fed downward intermittingly at alternate strokes. A slide 61 has a

page_text: roller stud 62 which is struck at each forward oscillation by the crank 59; and such
slide carries a knife 63, which ents off. a small piece of solder, which falls into the
chute 1', and thence into the solder bath. A spring 64 retracts the slide and knife
after each cutting stroke. After leaving the solder bath the excess of solder is
removed from the seams within and without by flexible wipers J and K, made of
asbestos or other suitable material. The inuer wipers J project down through a slot
in the horn (see Fig. 2), while the outer wipers K project up near them from below.
Each cun-body passes between the two sets of yielding wipers, which come in contact
with both sides of the seam.
In order to cool the seam, the can next passes over a roller L, revolving in a water
bath M. The can body is now ready to enter the heading chamber N, where it
receives its heads. These heads are formed by machines which constitute part of the
whole organization, and such machines are provided with means for transferring the
heads to the heading chamber. They will be hereinafter describe.l; but at present, it
is assumed that such heads are supplied to the can-head chutes 0, 0 which deliver
them directly to the heading chamber (see Fig. 2).
The can-bo lies, side-seamed and soldered, are carried into the healing chamber by
a movable hollow extension or ram D₁ of the horn, operated by the reciprocating
gas-pipe G, before described, which is secured to its extreme end (see Fig. 17). The
extension is movable telescopically upon guides 65 projecting fro.n the horn, and has
a stroke substantially equal to the length of a can-body. It is provided with a number
of latches 66, which catch the rear edge of the can-bodies, when the carriers have
pushed them upon the extension, and prevent any backward movement.
The ram D enters the hollow heading chamber N from the rear, and its stroke
carries it through the chamber to the forward end. The construction of the
heading chamber is illustrated in Figs. 30, 31, and 32. The can-body is carried
into the chamber N until its rear edge passes the spring latches 67 held in
recesses in the internally beveled stop-ring or swaging-disk N', which latches
prevent the return stroke of the ram from withdrawing the can-body.
Passages 68, 69 lead from the can-head feeding chutes 0, 0, through which two
flanged can-heads are delivered into the chamber N, in line with the cau-body.
The can-head in the passage 68, is held between the ring N' and a stop plate or
ring N³. Held within this ring N2 and connected to it by guide pins having
springs 70, are four independent sections N³, which when pressed inwardly by said
springs, also form complote sectional ring having a slightly beveled internal
periphery. A thin washer N* acts as a guide for all the sections, while an outside
clamping ring N forms the end of the header. Bolts No pass through this clamping-
ring, and secure it and the washer, stop ring N and swaging-ring N' together and
to the main body of the heading chamber, as shown in Figure 30. The can-head is
held accurately in position between the ring N¹ and the sections N³, and as the latter
yield freely when pressed outwardly, the ram carrying the can-body can enter. The
withdrawal of the ram, enables the springs 70 to act, forcing the sections inwardly
and together, as shown in Figure 31, the can-head remaining in proper position
opposite the end of the can-body. The next entering stroke of the ram drives the
rear can-head upon the can-body, and also drives the can-boly into the other head.
The slightly flaring rims or flanges of the can-heads, are swaged down upon the
can-body by the beveled rings N₁, so that they are temporarily fixed upon the can,
previously to being firmly crossed or crimped thereon, after they leave the heading
chamber. The stroke of the ram which places the can-bodios in the chamber also
operates a simple device for regulating the falling of the can-heads into the healing
chamber. A rock-shaft 71 is journaled between the can-head chutes O, O and has at
each end two curved fingers 72, 78, which bear upon the lower one of the series of
can heads in each chute. A lever 74 is secured to the rock-shaft and its free end 75
extends down and projects through a slot 76 into the heading chamber. The entering
ram strikes the end 75 and hence operates the rock-shaft and both sets of fingers,
permitting the lowest of the can-heads to enter the chamber. A spring 77 returns
the fingers to the position in which they stop the succeeding can-head. Thus, a single

page_text: can-head is permitted to enter the header from each chute simultaneously at each
stroke of the ram. As the extension D' moves to the end of the heading chamber,
while putting a can-body in position for being headed, it must push the preceding can
with its heads in place, out of the chamber. Such cau is driven into one of the
chambers P' of the revolving head-crimper where both bead flanges are subjected to 5
a crimping action which creases and, compresses them firmly upon the can-body.
The crimping mechanism is carried by a shell or cylinder Pinale in two sections
bolted together by bolts 78 and secured to the end of the main frame as shown in
Fig. 17. A hollow journal P is mounted on a shaft Ps which extends through the
shell P. Upon this journal are secured two disks or rings P+, P, forming a skeleton
frame provided with holes, placed so as to register, and in which are set the
can-holders P¹. These holders are hollow tubes, each provided with a cyliü.ler
central gear 79, which engages with a toothed ring 80 secured centrally to the inside
of the cylinder P. Six of these can-bolders are shown in the drawing. The
rings P, P are caused to revolve within the cylinder P, carrying the can-holders.
and the can contained therein, around in the direction of the arrows in
Figs. 11 and 12. At the same time each can-holder derives an independent rotation
by the engagement of its gear 79 with the toothed ring 80. This combined revolution
and rotation causes every part of the can-head flanges to be crimped or creased by
the stationary circular crimping blades R which are bolted to the cylinder P, and bear
upon the rims of the can-heads projecting from the ends of the bolders P, as fully
shown in Fig. 17. The travel of the rings P, P, is derived from the side-bar C and
is hence intermittent, each forward stroke of the side-bar moving the can-holders so
as to bring them successively into line with the beading chamber. The connections
between the side-bar C and the rings, are best shown in Figs. 2, 12 and 16. Near
the front end of the side-bar is a pin or roller 81, which engages with a cam
groove 82 in a lever 83. This lever is pivoted to the main frame at 84 and its
forward end is pivoted to a pin 85 on a vertically sliding rod 86, for which
guides 87 are provided in the main frame. The horizontal movement of the side
bar, transmitted through the lever 83 produces the vertical motion of the rod 86
The rod 86 has a pin 88 (dotted lines in Fig. 12) which is connected to an arm 89
⚫pivoted upon the shaft P³ Secured to the arin 89 is a spring pawl 90 which engages
with notches 91 in the edge of the ring P and moves the ring at the downward
oscillation of the arm. The notches are formed into double inclines so that'the
spring holding pawls 92, 98, keep the can-holders perfectly stationary while the can
is being pushed into one of them. The pawl 90 has a projection 94 which, at the
upward stroke releases the pawl 92, so that at the next downward stroke the
rings P, P, and the can-holders are moved one step.
A plunger S (Fig. 17) is caused to enter the can holder from its forward end, and
to close its rear end at the time when the extension D¹ commences to push a can into.
one of the can-holders P₁; but said plunger commences to retreat as the can enters
the holder P¹, so that the can with its loose heads is held between the extension and
said plunger, until it is in correct position in the can holder. The plunger has a stem
which has a limited movement in a sleeve 95 and is surrounded by a coil spring 96
which tends to press the plunger towards the crimper, but can yield slightly if
necessary as in case of a slight expansion of the extension D', or if a can should chance
to be trifle over its exact proper length. The plunger is operated by a sliding
movement of the shaft Ps, the front end of which is provided with a rack 97. A
pinion 98 gears this rack to a rack 99, on the sleeve 95 (see Fig. 17). Hence a
forward motion of the shaft P, will cause the plunger to enter a can-holder, while
a backward motion will withdraw it from the can-holder to the position shown
in Fig. 17. To understand the manner of operating this shaft P³, reference must
be made to Figs. 4, 9, and 10, the two latter showing an elevation of part of the
machine from the opposite sides of Figs. 1 and 2. Upon the shaft B' is a cam T,
having a groove 100. T is a slide having a pin 101 which engages with the cam
groove. T is a rod which extends along the machine and is secured to the slide T
T is another slide near the heading end of the machine and connected by a

page_text: ever T to the rod T. The slide T is connected by a cross-head T to the shaft P**
which operates the plunger as before described.
It will be observed in Fig. 11 that the cylinder P is cut out circularly at 102
so that each can as it arrives opposite such cut out part can be pushed out of its.
can holder into the chate 103 and discharged, completely headed and crimped. The
cans are discharged successively as they arrive opposite this opening by a plunger U
connected by a shaft U¹ to the slide T, as shown in Figs. 9 and 12.
This machine is provided with presses and dies for forming both cin-heads and
heads
with devices for conveying ch
automatically to the can-header.
Figs. 24, 25, and 26, show different views of the dies for forming the heals, while
Fig. 27 shows the position of the die-presses relatively to the header, and also
shows the devices for transferring the hea is, detail views of which are shown in
Figs. 28 and 29.
Two presses are used for making the separate can-heads, which are similar in
construction. Chutes or passages permit the flat sheets of tin to be fed into the
presses, from each of which several can-heads are cut and pressed. Each press
contains a male die V₁ and a female die V. The male die is connected in the usual
way to a sliding cross-head V³, driven by a rotary shaft and crank in the manner.
common in die presses and operated by a belt upon a driving pulley V*. The male-
die is recessed to provide a circular cutting edge 104, adjacent to which, inside the
recess is the flanging surface 105, adapted to act in connection with a similar surface
in the female die V. Within the recess is an independent circular plate 106 upon
which bear springs 107 which tend to force it constantly toward the female die. The
plate 106 is secured to a guide rod which passes through the male die. The female
die V is stationary in the press and its back or resistance plate is represented at 108.
The die is a steel block secured within a recess in a plate 109. A circular recess is.
formed in the female die into which the cutting edge of the male die enters; and
this recess is shaped so as to co-operate with the flanging surface of the male die in
forming the rim or flange upon the can-head. A face plate 110 is secured to the
plate 109, and has a circular corner or cutting edge 111; and a vertical passage 112
is left between plates 109 and 110, through which the pressed can-heads are
discharged into a chute 118. This chute communicates with the elevator and chutes.
which transfer the can-heads to the can-header before described.
When the male die is retracted, a sheet of tin large enough to make several can-
heads is fed into the chute V and is permitted to drop between the two dies until it
rests upon a stop 114, secured to a rock shaft 115. The next stroke of the die outs
out a flat circular piece of tin and pushes it into the female die until it strikes
against a circular ring 116, secured to pins 117. These pins pass through holes in
the back plate and hear upon a spring buffer plate 118; behind which is a rubber or
coil spring 119. This ring 116, in connection with the yielding plate 106, holds the
blank in place before and while the flanging is being done, so that the flange may be
perfectly accurate. The ring 116 yields as the male die advances and the head-blank
is pushed between the flanging surfaces of the two dies. When the male die
recedes, the plate 106 which has been driven back into its recess, now loosens the
can-head from the male die, while the ring 116, returning to normal position loosens.
it from the female die, so that it can fall through the passage 112, into the chute 113.
Of course it will be understood that both presses are simultaneously at work making
and discharging oan-heads. The stop 114 which supports the large sheet of tin is:
moved out of the space between the two dies by the back stroke of the male die,
so that the largo sheet can drop down still further in position to have another
can-head cut from it. This is accomplished by an arm 120, having a projection 121,
which catches over the edge 122 of the cross-head when the male die makes its
cutting stroke. This arin is pivoted to a lever 123, which is secured to the rock-
shaft 115, and has a spring 124. The male die thús pulls the arm lever and stop,
until a cam 125 releases the projection 121, and allows the spring 124 to pull the
stop into position under the upper edge of the round hole in the sheet from which
a can-head has just been cut. Hence the uncut surface of the large sheet is now:
.1.

page_text: in position between the dies. When all the heads have been cut from any sheet,
the moving of the stop 114 permits the scrap tin to fall outside.
The principal feature of this press is the discharge slot in the female dio, which
permits the can heads to be discharged very readily and edgewise, so that they are
in proper position for entry into the can-heading machine. The chutes 118 deliver
the pressed can-heads to endless elevators, which carry them upward and deliver
them to chutes by which they are transferred directly into the heading mechanism
as before described. Each elevator is composed of two vertical frames W, between
each pair of which is an endless belt 126, carried by pulleys 127. The chutes 113
from the presses deliver the can-heads into the guide passage formed by each pair
of frames, between which runs the belt provided with the projecting pins 128. The
can-beads, guided by the frames, are carried upwardly by the belts, until they are
discharged into the chutes 0, 0, which as before explained communicate with the
can-heading mechanism. These chutes are made as long as possible so as to ensure
a plentiful supply of can-heads above the can-heading mechanism. By using these
devices to carry the can-heads to the header every part of the machine is made
automatic; and in the whole operation of making the complete cans from the
sheets of metal from which the beads and bodies are cut and formed, no manual aid
is required, further than to ensure the requisite supply of sheet metal, to the body
blank cutter, and to the can-head presses.
Equare
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
.
1. In an automatic can-making machine, the combination with a can-body forming
born prolonged so as to form a guide for traveling can-bodies, of a movable extension
of said horn, a can-heading chamber in line with said extension, can-head feeding
devices connected to said chamber, and means for automatically regulating the feeding
of said can-heads to the heading chamber, substantially as herein set forth.
2. In an automatic can-making machine the combination of a can-body former, a
can-header which receives the can-bodies from said former, a can-head forming
mechanism, and automatic means for transferring the can-heads from their forming
mechanism to the can-header, substantially as herein set forth.
3. In a can-making machine, a can-hody former or horn prolonged to form a
guideway for tubular can-bodies, carriers for propelling such can-bodies along the
horn, a movable extension or continuation of the born, and a can-heading chamber in
line with said extension; the extension constituting both a carrier for placing the
can-bodies within the heading chamber and a ram for placing the heads upon said
can-bodies, substantially as described.
4. In a can-making machine, a can-body blank cutting attachment comprising an
open-bottomed bolder for metal sheets, an oscillating cutter having a support for said
sheets near its center of oscillation, and means for oscillating the cutter against the
protruding part of said sheet, whereby the protruding portion is cut off, and
carried by the same stroke to a horizontal position, and there left, substantially as
described.
5. In a can-making machine, and in combination, a can-body former or horn,
carriers for propelling tubular can-bodies along said horn, a holder for metal sheets
having an open bottom through which said sheets protrude, an oscillating cutter
having a support for the lower edge of said sheets, and means for oscillating said
cutter against the exposed part of said sheets, whereby the cutting stroke severs a
flat blank from said sheets and delivers said blanks to said carriers, substantially as
described.
6. In a can-making machine the combination with a hollow horn slotted at top
and bottom, of interior and exterior seam closing dies, a reciprocating side-bar
connected to the exterior die, and a thrust plate in proximity to the interior die,
whereby the side seam of the can-body is compressed by said dies, without strain
upon said horn, substantially as described.

page_text: 7. In a can-making machine the combination with the horn which supports the
tubular can-bodies, and with heating devices, of a solder tank having a main
compartment containing a soldering-iron, side compartments communicating with the
main compartment into which the solder passes by overflow from the main compartment
and an automatic plunger in one of the side compartments, for returning the solder to
the main compartiment whereby a circulation of solder is produced, substantially as
described.
8. A machine for making cans, consisting of a can-body forming mechanism,
can-head forming mechanism, can-heading mechanism, and connections between all of
said mechanisms, whereby can-bodies after being formed, are headed simultaneously at
both ends, substantially as described.
9. In an automatic can-making machine and in combination, a horn or former for
can-bodies, side seaming and soldering devices, a can-heading chamber in line with
such formor, and a crimper for crimping the can-head flanges upon the can-bodies, and
having a receiving opening in line with the heading chamber, substantially as
described.
10. In a can-making machine the combination with the hollow horn or former of
side-seam soldering devices, adjacent to said horn, oan-heading mechanism, a movable
extension of the horn forming a heading ram, and a combined gas supply pipo and
connecting rod for operating said extension, substantially as described.
11. In a can-making machine, a heading chamber adapted to contain a can-body
and two can-heads in line with said body, in combination with a ram adapted to enter
said chamber, and by a single stroke to head both ends of the can and drive it out of
the chamber, substantially as described.
12. In a can-making machine, a heading chamber having interior heading mechanism
and forming a support for two can-heads and for a can-body in combination with a
reciprocating ram adapted to enter said chamber and place a can-body in position for
heading, and by the same movement to force the preceding can-body and heads through
the heading mechanism and out of said chamber, substantially as described.
13. A device for crimping can-head flanges upon can-bodies, consisting of a series
of revolving and rotating can-holders, in combination with a circular crimping rim
adapted to bear upon the flanges of the can-heads in said holders, substantially as
described.
14. A device for orimping can-head flanges upon can-bodies, consisting of a series
of can-holding cylinders, means for revolving said cylinders step by step around a center
of revolution, means for independently rotating said cylinders, and fixed crimping rims
adapted to bear upon the flanges of the cau-heads, substantially as described.
15. In a can-making machine the combination with the heading chamber, of a ram
adapted to enter and place can-bodies within said chamber, can-head feeding devices
for supplying can-heads to said chamber, a movable plate or disk, adapted to close the
opposite end of said chamber, a driving shaft, and connections from the driving shaft
for operating said ram and said movable plate, substantially as described.
16. In a can-making machine, a body-forming horn, prolonged, and having at its
end a movable extension or ram, a heading chamber, a can-head feed, a rotary crimper
in line with the heading chamber, a movable plate, adapted to pass through the crimper
and close one end of the heading chamber, and means for operating said ram and said
plate, whereby said plate closes the heading chamber while the can-body is being
headed, and afterwards forms, in connection with the ram a movable clamp for the
headed can being pushed out of the heading chamber and into the crimper, substantially
as described.
17. In a can-making machine, the combination with the heading chamber and with
a can-head feed chute, of a pivoted lever having two arms adapted to alternately enter
the chute, an arm projecting from said lover into the heading chamber, and a movable
plunger or ram which is a combined can-body carrier and heading ram, substantially
as described.
18. In a can-making machine and in combination with can-body forming and
can-heading mechanisms, dies for forming can-heads from flat blanks, and a discharge
B

page_text: passage from said dies communicating with said heading mechanism, substantially as
described,
19. In a can-making machine, and in combination with can-body forming and
can-heading mechanisms, dies for forming can-heads from flat blanks, chutes for
supplying such can-heads to the heading mechanism and a passage from said dies
communicating with said chutes, substantially as described.
20. In can-making machinery a stationary die and a movable die for pressing
can-heads, a feeding passage for delivering metal sheets to said dies, and a discharge
passage for the pressed can-heads, both passages being arranged substantially at right
angles to the line of movement of the movable die, substantially as described.
21. In combination with the fixed female die, having a closed rear end, a pressing
recess, and a discharge passage, a male die having a recessed face, and a yielding plate
in said recess adapted to bear against the female. die while the male die is in the said
pressing recess, and to remain in contact with the female die, until the male die is
disengaged from said recess, substantially as described.
22. In combination with can-heading mechanism, die presses for forming can-hoads,
chutes for feeding such can-heads into the heading mechanism, cut offs in said chutes
for regulating the feed of such can-heads and endless carriers or elevators
for transferring the can-heads from the presses to said chutes, substantially as
-described.
Dated thie and day of February 1807
FELL & JAMES,
Agents for the Applicant.