Improvements in or relating to the Manufacture of Cans, Canisters, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Feb., 1898-Accepted, 18th Feb., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Manufacture of Cans, Canisters,
and the like.
A communication from THE CANISTER MACHINE COMPANY LIMITED, of East Side,
Cross Street, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, Manufacturers.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 machinery for making rectangular shaped packing
cans, composed of a body portion of fibrous material, a metallic head and bottom
fastened thereon, and a metallic seaming strip which extends along the flat side
of the can and unites the edges of the sheet of fibrous material composing the
body.
In the process of manufacture a body blank is used consisting of a sheet of
fibrous material having the seaming strip secured thereto along one edge by a
pair of gripping flanges, a second pair of flanges on said strip being open and in
position to receive the other or free edge of the body blank when said blank is
pressed or molded about the horn or forming mandrel.
This action of molding causes the free edge of the body blank to fall into posi-
tion between the open flanges of the seaming strip and these flanges are then sub-
jected to pressure to unite the two edges of the blank, by means of a hammer.
The complete body is now removed from the horn, the metallic bottom is put
on the body blank and crimped thereon and the can is then filled after which the
head is put on and crimped so as to be firmly connected thereto.
In the molding process the former or horn is heated and by this is secured a
permanent and accurate set of the body blank to the rectangular shape of the
horn and the body is stiffened by this process. It has been found that with the
aid of heat a more perfect can is produced and one that is more rigid and is free
from cracks or breaks at the corners whereas should the blank be rolled, bent or
smoothed while cold the rigidity of the body would be decreased, the flat sided
appearance of the can would not be maintained after the body was removed from
the horn, and the corners of the can body would be stretched, cracked or broken.
In connection with this heated horn of rectangular shape is used a series of ang-
ular folders one operating at each corner of the horn and at an angle of 45° to
the planes of the sides of said horn. These angular folders operate in succession
and mold the body blank about the horn.
The packing cans, which the machine is designed to make, are largely used
for the purpose of receiving food products, many of which are in granular or
powdered form, loosely placed in the can, intermixed with more or less air, and
thus unavoidably, with some moisture. Many articles of the class specified, are,
in course of time, to some extent damaged by this moisture; and the machine,
which is particularly adapted to be used in packing establishments where the

page_text: can is at once used, and in which the can is filled before the head is put on, is
adapted to cause the can body to take up the moisture.
In the mechanism for crimping the metallic heads of the cans to the body is
used a determined spring pressure for forcing the crimping wheels against the
flange of the head and this pressure, being slight at first, is gradually increased
up to the point determined upon which is sufficient to firmly unite the flange of
the metallic head with the body. This feature of applying a predetermined yet
yielding pressure in the action of uniting the metallic head with the fibre body
is of great importance in the formation of fibre cans as by it the metal of the head
is compressed into the fibre body just enough to insure a perfect union of the
parts and the work is insured against damage, as the pressure being applied
yieldingly will prevent any irregularities in the material from producing an im-
perfect article.
For the formation of the rectangular can my correspondents employ a pair of
crimping rollers on an oscillating support both of which rollers operate on the
flange of the head simultaneously. The predetermined spring pressure is applied
to these rollers to force them against the can head, and being thus spring pressed'
and on an oscillating support they work perfectly on a can of rectangular shape,
maintaining a uniform and steady contact therewith both along the sides and at
the corners and they have no tendency to jump from the can at the corners as.
each roller of the pair in connection with the spring pressure controls the action
of the other roller in passing around the corner.
In connection with the crimping rollers and the rotary chucks for holding the
cans of rectangular or like cross sectional shape means are provided for compen-
sating for the angular shape of the cans which will insure a uniform action of
the crimping rollers on the heads notwithstanding the fact that the crimping
rollers will be moved rapidly back and forth radially of the can by the rotation
of the rectangular shaped can as it revolves and this compensating means is in-
tended to prevent this reciprocating movement of the crimping rollers from
affecting the means by which the pressure is applied to the rollers so as to keep
the same uniform whether the crimping rollers are operating on the sides or
corners of the cans.
In connection with the rotary chucks for holding the fibre cans means are en-
ployed for applying a predetermined but yielding pressure to prevent damage
to the can said chucks being opened by positively acting mechanism.
The heated horn is set vertically forming a chimney for the heating means and
this insures an even distribution of the heat on all sides.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rectangular fibre can.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section through the can.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the method of folding the sides
of the can.
Figure 5 is an edge view of the body blank, with the seaming strip attached,
before folding.
Figure 6 is a central vertical section through the machine from front to rear.
Figure 7 is a side view of the machine with parts in section.
Figure 8 is a rear view of the machine.
Figure 8 is a detail of the upper chuck.
Figure 9 is a plan view with parts in section.
Figures 9 and 9" are views of details.
Figure 10 is a plan view of a section on line 10-10 of Figure 7.
Figures 11 and 11 are detail views of clutch devices.
Figure 12 is a detail view of a cam.
Figure 13 is a plan view of a section on line 13-13 of Figure 8.
Figure 14 is a detail of one of the angular folders and its lever.
Figure 15 is a plan view of an angular folder.

page_text: Figures 16 and 17 are detail views relating to the can holding chucks and the
means for rotating the same.
Figures 18 and 19 are detail views along the principal shafts of the machine.
Figure 20 is a view of the horn or mandrel and the press frame.
Figure 21 is a plan view of the horn, the hammer, and the press block.
Figure 22 is a front view of a modified machine adapted only for heading the
cans.
Figures 23 and 24 are detail views of the crimping rollers.
Figure 25 is a side view of the heading machine.
Figures 25 and 25" are detail views of the crimping roller and upper chuck.
Figure 26 shows the change parts of the machine by which the machine is
adapted for making different sizes of cans.
A
Figure 27 is a plan view of the tray used for holding these change parts.
The horn 1 about which the fibre body blank Fig. 5 is folded is supported by
a king bolt 2 extending above the table and up from a bearing 3 in the press
frame 4. The horn is hollow and being set vertically forms a chimney for the
heating device 5 and the horn is thus equally heated on all its sides.
plate 6 partially closes the upper end of the horn to retain the heat. The body
blank, Figure 5, is placed against the front of the former with its edges resting
in the adjustable guides 7 at each side of the horn. The central part of the blank
is held against the horn by the spring pressed clamp 6 carried by the presser 9.
The folders 1, 2, 3, 4¹ are of angular form to fit the corners of the rectangular
horn and they operate diagonally of the horn or at about an angle of 45° to the
planes of the faces of the horn. They mold the body blank about the heated
horn by successive actions, the folders 1 and 21 operating first to turn the ends
of the blank across the sides of the horn rearwardly and then the folders 31 and
4', in succession, turn these ends of the blank towards the rear face of the horn,
so that the free edge 4 of the blank will fall into the space between the open
flanges 10, 11, of the seaming strip 12 attached to the other edge 3 of the blank
and these parts will then be in position to be flattened down by the seaming ham-
mer to complete the seam. This action of folding will be clear from Figure 4
which shows the two last sections of the blank just before they reach the rear
side of the horn.
The angular folder 31 is slightly cut away at 3ª so that when fully up to its
work and molding the corner of the blank it will allow the section 3 of the
blank to stand out at a slight angle to the rear face of the horn, so that the free
inclined flange 11 of the seaming strip will stand more nearly at a right angle
to the face of the horn and will be out of the path of the edge 41 of the free
section 4 of the blank, when this is folded towards the horn. This free edge will
strike the flange 10 of the seaming strip and when the parts reach the horn the
edge 4 of section 4" will be fully up in the corner formed by the inclined
flanges 11 and the flange 10 of the seaming strip. This makes a close joint and
Trovides the maximum gripping surface on the fibre body for the inclined
flange 11 to engage when this is flattened down. This flattening down of the in-
clined flange and the final compression of the seaming strip is done by a ham-
mer 13, carried in a holder 14, having an eccentric strap 15, engaging an eccen-
tric 16, formed with the vertical sleeve 17, Figures 6 and 21, carried by the
vertical shaft 18.
After the folding action this hammer is advanced and it first folds down the
inclined flange 11 of the seaming strip and then by a quick blow compresses the
whole seam.
The hammer has a roller 19 moving in a groove in the table and this forms a
pivot which together with the eccentric, which oscillates the rear of the holder
will give a lateral wiping effect to the hammer as it advances under the action
of the eccentric and this wiping effect will insure the proper folding down of the
inclined flange of the seaming strip and the proper final compressed condition of
the seam.

page_text: A presser bar 21 at the front of the horn sustains the blow of the hammer and
it is arranged in an upturned standard 22 of the press frame 4. Figures 6 and 20
and is operated against the horn, at the same time that the hammer delivers its
blow, and thus aids in resisting the same. The horn has a cross web 23 in line
with the hammer and presser and this strengthens the horn in the direction of
the pressure of both the hammer and the presser.
The presser bar has a roller 24 at its lower end engaging the table and a re-
movable block 25 is arranged in a groove in the table with a pin 26 engaging a
hole in the presser, so that when the presser is advanced this block will bear on
the horn and sustain the lower part against the blow of the hammer, the presser
having an upper point of contact at 26¹ to sustain the blow at the upper part of
the horn.
The action of the angular folders operating opposite the corners of the horn
and at angles of 45° to the body blank is that of molding said blank to the rec-
tangular or other shape having corners and there is no stretching or smoothing
action of the folders on the blank and consequently the fibre of the board is not
broken, cracked or stretched nor is the label injured. The heated former in con-
junction with the angular folders will give a permanent set to the corners of the
body blank which would not be the case were heat not used or were means used
other than the angular folders which simply press the blank at the corners. This
heated horn generates steam from any latent moisture in the fibre board and this
aids in the molding action and for securing the permanent set the dwell of the
angular folders is long enough to insure the complete drying out of the fibre of
the body under the action of the heat from the horn.
This drying action of the fibre body adapts it to receive the goods it is to con-
tain as soon as the body is formed and the bottom is placed in position on the
body.
This drying of the fibrous body is highly essential where products such as
chocolate, baking powder, coffee or tea are to be packed therein as the fibre body
will take up any moisture which may be precipitated from said products and
thus damage on this account will be avoided.
The guides 7 which support the body blank in front of the horn comprise the
posts which have vertical grooves on their inner faces Figures 9 and 9* to receive
the edges of the body blank and the rests 27 which are adjustable vertically on
the posts and upon which the blanks are supported. By adjusting these the body
blanks may be brought opposite the center of the horn, the presser and hammer,
thus centralizing the pressure and the blow in relation to the body blank and
horn and equalizing the strain on the hammer and securing contact of the ham-
mer throughout the seam.
Figure 3 shows the form of seam after the hammer has completed it.
The angular folders as shown in the diagram Figure 9" operate along lines Z—Z
parallel to but slightly offset from the diagonals of a square shaped horn 30, 31,
32, 33, so that the movement of the angular folders will be along a mean line
between the lines of movement necessary for a square can and for an oblong
can 34, 35, 36, 37.
This adapts the folding mechanism to different shapes of cans as by changing
the horn and the angular folders the means by which the angular folders are
moved need not be disturbed. The means for operating the angular folders con-
sist of the levers 35 carrying pivotally the shoes 36' to which the angular folders
are attached Figures 9. 14, and 15, said lever being pivoted in cars 37 on the
frame and having rollers on their lower inner ends, which ends extend below
the wings 38 of a wedge block 39 movable vertically on guide rods 40, 41, which
extend from the base of the machine up to the press frame 4 as indicated by
Figures 6, 7, 10 and 13.
The wings are of different heights as shown in Figure 6 while the lower ends
of the folding levers are in the same horizontal plane so that as the wedge block
moves down the folders will be moved towards the horn in succession, first the

page_text: folders 1 and 21 and then the folder 3¹ and finally the folder 4¹ the latter placing
the free end of the body blank in the open flanges of the seaming strip and
making the lap ready for the seaming hammer.
The wedge block is moved vertically by a crank 42 pivoted to a block 43
adapted to slide in a grooved cross head 44 on the wedge block, the crank being
on a shaft 45 operated through the gear 46 thereon and a pinion 47 on the main
driving shaft 48.
The wings of the wedge block have short raised portions 49 for giving the
final movement to the folding levers and the dwell of the levers and angular
folders is long enough to insure a permanent set of the molded corners of the
body blank in connection with the heated former.
The folding levers are returned to normal position when the wedge block rises
by springs 50 Figure 6.
Evener links Figs. 7 and 14 are pivoted to the shoes 36¹ and to the ears 37,
in front of the pivots of the folding levers 35, and they serve to even the move-
ment and keep the face of the angular folder exactly parallel with the corner
of the horn. Adjusting set screws 72, Figure 14, serve to fix the position of the
angular folders relative to the shoes.
The sleeve 17 which carries the hammer operating eccentric is rotated inter-
mittingly to give the seaming blow through a clutch, one member 51 of which,
Figure 6, is on a sleeve 52, pinned to the vertical shaft 18, and having a bevelled
gear 54 meshing with a similar gear 53 pinned on the main driving shaft 48
so that the vertical shaft 18 and the clutch member 51 rotate constantly. The
other member of the clutch on the sleeve 17 carries a pin 55 adapted to engage
a hole 56 in the clutch member 51. Figure 6 shows the clutch pin as raised out
of the hole by a crescent, Figures 6 and 10, having an incline 57 to engage the
head of the pin. The sleeve 17 and hammer are now at rest but when the cres-
cent is withdrawn the clutch pin drops aided by the spring 56¹ and the hammer
is advanced to give a quick blow, is then returned, and is brought to rest by the
release of the clutch pin from the clutch member 51. The crescent is moved
into the path of the head of the clutch pin by an arm 58 carrying it, Figures 7,
8 and 10, a vertical rock shaft 59 carrying the arm and a second arm 60 on the
rock shaft which has an adjusting screw engaging a roller arm 61 pivoted loosely
on a shaft 62, Figures 6, 7, 8 and 13 and operated by its roller bearing on the
cam surface 611 of the gear wheel 46. The crescent is thrown out of action by
the spring 63, Figure 10 when the pressure of the cam 61 is relieved.
sleeve 17 bears in bosses 4ª on the press frame 4.
The
The presser 21 is operated against the horn by a wedge slide 63, Figures 6 and
20, which is moved vertically, in a recess of the front standard 22 of the press
frame, by a rod 64 connected to an arm 65 on a rock shaft 66 which shaft has
also an arm 67, Figures 6, 10 and 13 operated from a cam surface 671 on the
inner side of the flange of the gear wheel 46, the shape of said cam being indi-
cated in dotted lines Figure 6. This wedge slide operates against a wedge
plate 68, which bears against a filling piece 69 between it and the back of the
presser, Fig. 20. The presser is adjustable by screw 70 fixed thereto, and
threaded through a sleeve 71 connected with the wedge plate 68, said sleeve being
turned by a hand wheel 70¹. A spring 711 tends to force the sleeve outward and
this keeps the wedge plate pressed against the wedge slide in all positions thereof.
The wedge slide is slotted to receive the sleeve and the filling piece is bifurcated
to be dropped down over the screw.
It will be seen that the thrust of the hammer and of the presser is sustained
by the press frame, Figures 6 and 20, and this is of U shape having the massive
standards at front and rear connected by the horizontal portion 4°.
The fibre body when completed is stripped from the horn by a stripper plate 73,
Figures 6, 9 and 26 which is raised by two rods 74 extending up from arms on
a grooved cross head 75, movable vertically on a guide rod 76, Figures 6 and 13,
and operated by a crank 77 having a block sliding in the cross head, said crank

page_text: being operated through a shaft 78, a gear wheel 79 thereon and a second gear 80
on the shaft 81, Figures 8, 10, 11, and 13. This shaft is operated intermittingly
through a clutch comprising a gear wheel 82 loose on the main shaft and having
a collar 83 fixed thereto carrying a clutch pin 841, Figures 10 and 11 to engage
a hole in the collar 84 fixed on the main shaft. The clutch pin is spring pressed,
like the clutch pin 55 before described, and it is retracted by a crescent 84
which has an incline Fig. 11 up which the head of the pin will ride when the
crescent is in the path of the head of the clutch pin.
The crescent is on a lever 85 loosely pivoted on the shaft 81 and having a
lateral arm with a roller 86 engaging a cam surface 85¹ on the gear wheel 46.
An adjustable brake 87, Figures 8 and 11, is applied to the collar of the clutch
to prevent excess of movement of the parts of the stripper mechanism.
After the body is formed the operator places a metallic bottom on said body
and then places the can minus the top, bottom side uppermost between upper
and lower chucks 89, 90. The lower chucks have at this time been lowered, for
the ready introduction of the can, by a lever 91 Figures 6, 7, 8, 10 and 18 loosely
pivoted on the main shaft with its forward an in the path of a supplemental
wing 93 on the wedge block, before mentioned, and with its rear arm engaging
a cross piece 95 secured to the rods 96 which connect with a cross bar 97, in
which the shafts of the lower chucks are journaled.
Sleeves 98 are secured adjustably to the chuck shafts by a screw 99, and
springs 100 held in barrels 101 supported by the frame 102 press upwardly
against the sleeves and tend to move the chuck shaft with the lower chucks up-
wardly to grip the cans between the same and upper chucks. The sleeves and
chuck shafts pass through bearings 104 on the frame, Fig. 7. The spring exerts
a predetermined pressure and the fibre can body will be securely held but will
not be strained or damaged in any way. By loosening the said screw the chuck
with its shaft may be moved up or down in relation to the sleeve to suit different
sizes of caus but in all adjustments of the cans the spring pressure which holds
the lower chuck against the can will be the same.
The upper chucks are rotated through gears 105, 106, on their shafts which are
driven from the intermediate gear 107, Figs. 8 and 17 and this gear 107 is driven
from a pinion 108 through the gear 109. The shaft of the intermediate gear 17
extends downwardly, Figure 8, and has the gear 110 meshing with gears 111,
112 Figs. 8 and 16 connected with the lower chucks.
The crimping of the metallic bottom and head onto the fibre body is done
in connection with the upper chuck, the lower chuck serving to hold the can
against the upper chuck. The upper chuck is formed with an under cut shoul-
der 113 and the upturned rim of the bottom or head rests against this shoulder,
the inner side of said rim bearing against the face 114 of the chuck as in Fig. 8.
Crimping rollers 115 and 116 are journaled in a block 117 which is swiveled
in a carriage 118 moving in ways 119 fixed to the frame of the machine.
The crimping rollers are designed to act simultaneously upon the flange 120
of the bottom or head to force the same firmly into contact with the fibre can
body as is shown in Figs. 25, 25" and for this purpose the rollers have an inclined
crimping surface 121 ending in an edge 122 opposite the lower edge of the
metallic flange 120.
The shoulder 113 forms a confining bearing for the upper edge of the rim of
the bottom or head and when the crimping roller is brought to bear upon the
flange 120 the said flange will be forced inwardly and crimped into firm con-
nection with the fibre body and the original form of the upper edge of the rim
will be preserved as the confining shoulder 113 together with the bearing
face 114 will form confining walls for the rims and will prevent any distortion
or any irregularities occuring from any force or pressure of the roller, and the
only result of the crimping roller will be to crimp the flange inwardly into the
fibre body. The forward movement of the roller for the crimping action is given
by a spring 123 bearing at its upper end against a lug or projection 124 on the

page_text: frame and at its lower end against the sleeve 125 which is adjustable on the
screw rod 126 by a hand wheel and nut 127. The upper end of the rod connects
with the bell crank lever 128, Fig. 6, and this is connected to a slide bar 129
carrying an adjustable block 130 to which a lever 131 is pivoted, Figs. 8 and 9,
the ends of said lever engaging bars 132 which are carried by the carriages of
the crimping rollers and are arranged to slide therein, springs 133 being inter-
posed between the carriages and disks 134 on the said slide bars.
In action, when the spring 123 is allowed to exert its force it depresses the
rod 126 and through the bell crank 128 moves the slide bar 129 rearwardly to-
gether with the lever 131 thus drawing upon the bar 132 and through the
springs 133 forcing the crimping rollers carriages to the rear to
press the rollers against the flanges of the head or bottom as the
case may be. The spring 123 it will be noticed is the primary means
used in pressing the crimping rollers to their work and the force of this spring
being accurately determined the pressure exerted by the crimping rollers is just
sufficient to press the metal flange into the fibre body.
In operating upon the body blank of fibrous material it is essential that the
crimping pressure exerted upon the metallic flange be accurately determined in
order to prevent cutting of the fibre and to secure uniformity of work and it is
also essential that this primary predetermined pressure be of a yielding nature
so that any irregularities in the material operated upon will not result in damage
to the finished article. This predetermined and yielding pressure is secured by
means of the spring 123.
In order to relieve the pressure positively acting mechanical means are em-
ployed for withdrawing the force of the said spring consisting of an arm 135 on
the sleeve 136 loose on the shaft 62, said sleeve having an arm 137, the roller of
which is acted upon by a cam surface 1371 carried by the gear wheel 46. After
the crimping action has been performed this mechanical means will raise the
rod 126, take off the pressure of the spring 123 and the crimping rollers will then
be free from pressure though they may with their surfaces 138 bear lightly upon
the upper face 114 of the chuck under the pressure of the spring 133.
The rollers, have an inwardly inclined lower face 139 which will permit the
ready insertion and guidance of the can to the shoulders 113 and 114 of the
chuck, and when the can is inserted the spring 133 will yield to allow the crimp-
ing rollers and their carriage to retract slightly. When the crimping roller is
being set up to its work the spring pressure is applied gradually. The force of
the spring 123 is gradually exerted and applied through the lighter spring 133
and after this spring 133 has been compressed a pin 140 on the slide bar 132 con-
tacts with the bar 141 of the crimping roller carriage and then the full force of
the spring 123 is exerted upon the carriage to force the crimping rollers to their
work. This gradual application of the spring pressure is important as it pre-
vents any damage to the material which might occur should the crimping rollers
be forced suddenly and with the full pressure against the head.
After the pres-
sure has been applied and the crimping wheels set against the work the chucks
are set in rotation through the described gearing from the clutch 142, Fig. 6,
which comprises a clutch member 143 fixed to the shaft 18, before described,
and having an opening to receive a pin 145 in the other clutch member when
said pin is released from the wedge or crescent 146. Through this clutch the
shaft 147 is driven and this shaft carries the gear 108. The crescent 146 is con-
trolled by an arm 148 connected thereto and fixed on a rock shaft 149 which is
operated through an arm 150, a rod 151 and arm 152, the shaft 62, Figs. 6 and 19,
the arm 153 on said shaft and a cam surface 1531 carried by the gear wheel 46.
The upper and lower chucks through the gearing described rotate in unison and
the lower chucks consists simply of plates 90, Fig. 26, which are secured to the
lower gear wheels and are adapted to permit the can body, the bottom, or the
head to fit over them.

page_text: The chucks are open to receive the cans at the same time that the folding
mechanism is open to receive and operate upon the body blank.
The crimping rollers are arranged in pairs in the oscillating blocks and by
this arrangement and the fact that they are under pressure they act perfectly in
connection with a square, oblong, or like shaped can having corners, as in turn-
ing the corners the movement of one roller will control that of the other and
insure a uniform contact of the rollers upon the flange of the head. In passing
the corners the blocks carrying the pairs of crimping rollers simply rock upon
their pivots and there is no tendency of the rollers to jump from the corners of
the can. Both rollers act simultaneously upon the head and a double crimping
effect is thus secured for each revolution of the chuck and this insures rapid pro-
duction of the work with a comparative slow rate of rotation of the chucks.
In crimping the heads of square or like cans the crimping rollers must neces-
sarily move back and forth as they work upon the flat sides and corners of the
cans and this movement should be compensated for and prevented from affecting
the pressure applying means so that said means may be constant and uniformi
in its action and that all parts of the can head will be crimped uniformly whether
at the corners or at the sides. This compensating means is interposed between
From
the pressure applying spring and the carriage of the crimping rollers.
Fig. 9 it will be seen that the chucks are so set that the one at the right as
viewed from the back of the machine has its flat side opposite the crimping rollers
while that at the left has its corner opposite its crimping rollers, one chuck
being thus th of a revolution turned in relation to the other. This arrange-
ment together with the lever 131 pivoted midway of its length and connected at
its ends as described with the crimping roller carriages constitutes in this form of
machine the compensating arrangement and as the pressure for forcing the crimp-
ing rollers to their work is exerted through the slide bar 129 and the pivot of the
lever 131 it will be seen that the pressure at the rollers on both cans will be
uniform as when one end of the lever retracts for the passage of the corner of
one can by the crimping roller the other end of the lever will be moved for
wardly so that the rollers at that end will be forced with an equal pressure
against the flat side of the other can while the pivot of the lever 131 and the
slide bar 129 will not be affected at all and no back pressure will be imparted
to the pressure spring. It will be seen from this that the two cans arranged
18th turn from each other together with the oscillating lever 131 constitute a
compensating means to prevent the reciprocating movement of the crimping
roller from affecting the pressure applying device. The pivot block of the
lever 131 is adjustable in the slot of the slide bar 129.
The main shaft has a clutch 154 controlled by a crescent 155 on a lever 156
which is controlled from a hand lever 157, Fig. 9 pivoted to a bracket 158, a rod
159 extending down from the lever 157 and connecting with the lever 156.
It will be understood that the operator first puts the bottom on the can body
and places the can in the chuck with the bottom side up and after the can is
filled and the head put on it is placed in the other chuck at the rear of the
machine and while this head is being crimped the bottom is being crimped on a
fresh can in the first chuck and at the same time a can body is being formed in
the folding mechanism so that each can goes through the several steps of forma
tion of the body, crimping of the bottom in one chuck and crimping of the head
in the other chuck after the contents have been put in the can.
Figure 26 represents the change parts of the machine and these are the only
parts which need to be removed and replaced in order to change the machine
from one size can to another, and these parts comprise the horn with its top plate
the hammer, the filling piece which is inserted back of the presser, the four angu-
lar folders, the stripper and the upper and lower chuck disks. At a, Fig. 20 is
shown a piece of tin which will act as a gauge for setting the rests upon which
the body blanks are supported in front of the horn and at y, Fig. 26, is shown

page_text: a block by which the position of the lower chuck may be determined by insert-
ing the block between the chuck and the table. These parts constituting the
guage devices by which the rests for the body blanks and chuck may be set to
operate with the group of change parts shown in this figure (Figure 26).
In Figures 22 and 25 is shown a modified form of machine for crimping the
heads and bottoms of the cans. This machine embodies all the essential prin-
ciples of the crimping mechanism heretofore described including the oscillating
pair of crimping rollers and means for applying the predetermined pressure to
set the rollers against the cans and the compensating means for preventing the
reciprocation of the crimping rollers from affecting the pressure applying device.
In this modified form of machine the compensating mechanism comprises a
cam 155 on the shaft of the upper chuck disk, said cam operating through a
slide 156 upon the compensating lever 131 which is pivoted to an oscillating
bar 1291 pivotally supported at 157 on the frame. The lower end of the lever 1311
has a roller bearing upon the slide 132 of the crimping roller carriage before
described. The spring 123 acts in a manner similar to that before described to
force the crimping rollers with a predetermined pressure against the can head
and this spring operates through the rod 126, bell crank 1281 and the link 158
to draw inwardly the oscillating bar 1291 and the compensating lever 1311. The
cam 155 is so shaped and set relatively to the rectangular or like form of chuck
disk that when the crimping rollers are acting upon the corners of the can and
are forced back at the greatest distance from the center of the can the slide 156
with its roller will be permitted by the shape of the cam to move inwards to-
wards the center thereof and compensate for the backward movement of the
crimping rollers, the compensating lever 1311 simply turning on its pivot without
changing the position of said pivot relatively to the connections leading to the
pressure applying spring 123 so that the pressure of this spring will not be
altered and the crimping roller will not exert any more pressure at the corner
of the can head than it does along the sides. As the chuck in rotating brings the
flat side of the can head opposite the crimping roller the cam 155 will cause said
roller to move inwardly while the pressure of the spring 123 will remain the
same. The upper and lower chuck disks are geared together as shown in
Figure 25 to move in unison. The clutch 1421 for controlling this gearing is
controlled in turn by the sliding piece 1461 which is operated by a cam 153" on a
gear wheel 46¹. The pressure of the spring 123 is withdrawn to release the
crimping rollers from their work by a lever 135 connected to the rod 126 and
having an arm 13711 operated by a cam surface 137111, on the gear wheel 461.
The lower chuck is depressed against the pressure of its spring, Fig. 25, by the
lever operated by a cam surface on the gear wheel 461 and this chuck is adjust-
able to suit different sizes of cans by the set screw passing through a collar and
engaging the spindle 159 which is connected with the socket 160 which holds
the shaft of the lower chuck disk. The sleeve or spindle is prevented from ro-
tating by pins 161 projecting from the sleeve 160 into the slots 162 of the spring
barrel 163.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
1 The machine for making fibre can bodies and applying a top and bottom
head thereto substantially as described in the foregoing specification and illus-
trated in the drawings.
2 In the manufacture of rectangular shaped packing cans from fibrous board,
the use of a hollow rectangular shaped horn set vertically as a chimney with
heating means below the same, the series of angular folders arranged about the
horn and opposite the corners thereof to operate substantially diagonally of the
horn at angles of about 45° to the surface of the fibrous body blank, the presser

page_text: and hammer operating on opposite sides of the horn and between the angular
folders, said folders acting to mold the blank at the corners of the horn and
moving in succession to mold one corner after another, the seam being completed
by the hammer which operates upon the edges of the blank while the corners
thereof are being molded and set, substantially as described.
3-Means for giving the angular folders their successive actions, consisting
of the levers and the wedge block having the wings at different heights together
with means for operating the hammer, consisting of the eccentric at the rear and
the roller near the front of the hammer guided in a groove of the table, and the
presser with operating means and the shaped press frame for supporting the
hammer, presser and horn.
4 The presser carrying the spring clamp to hold the blank against the horn
with means for operating the presser consisting of the wedge slide having con-
nections leading to the cam surface on the gear wheel 46, said wheel being on
a crank shaft through which the wedge block is operated to move the levers
carrying the angular folders, the seaming hammer being operated by an eccen-
tric controlled by a clutch which in turn is controlled by a cam surface on the
gear wheel 46.
5-As a means for crimping the heads of rectangular or like shape cans, a pair
of crimping wheels acting simultaneously upon the head and carried by the
swiveled block, means for pressing the block with the crimping wheels towards
the head so that in passing the corners of the can head one crimping roller will
control the position of its companion roller to prevent the same from jumping
from the can head, the swiveled support rocking upon its pivot to allow this
action.
G-In connection with the pair of crimping wheels of the previous claim
carried by an oscillating support, the means for applying a predetermined yet
yielding pressure to the crimping rollers consisting of a spring or weight of pre-
determined force connected with the support of the rollers and the positively
operating means for relieving the pressure at the rollers.
7-As a means for applying a pressure to the swiveled crimping rollers grad-
ually and yieldingly, the spring 123 connected with the carrier of the crimping
rollers through a loose connection such as the slide 132 and a spring 133, said
connection having a stop such as 140 whereby the full force of the spring 123
will be rendered active after the lighter spring has been compressed.
S-In connection with the crimping rollers to operate upon can heads of rec-
tangular or like shape and with means for applying a pressure to the crimping
rollers, compensating means to prevent the reciprocating movement of the rollers
in passing around the corners from affecting the pressure applying means, said
compensating means comprising a lever or other device connected with the crimp-
ing rollers and also with the pressure applying means, the said lever being
controlled by a cam, or when two cans are being crimped simultaneously the said
lever may be controlled, for the compensating action, by the head of the other
can.
9 In connection with the crimping rollers with the yielding means for set.
ting the same against the can head and with the compensating means controlled
by a cam, a can head or the like, to keep the pressure uniform at the corners
and sides of the can head, a chuck for holding the can comprising the upper
chuck disk having the under cut shoulder and a lower chuck disk with means for
pressing the chuck discs towards each other with a predetermined yet yielding.
pressure to prevent strain on the fibre can body and means for positively open-
ing the chucks.
10 In combination, the horn, the folders, the levers carrying the same, the
reciprocating wedge block, the crank and crank shaft for moving the wedge
block, the gear wheel 46 on the crank shaft, the presser operating against one
face of the horn, means for operating the same controlled by a cam on the gear
wheel, a hammer, a sleeve having an eccentric for operating the same, a con-

page_text: stantly rotating shaft extending through the sleeve, a main shaft having gear
connections with the gear wheel 46 and with the constantly operating vertical
shaft a clutch between the eccentric sleeve and the vertical shaft, connections
controlling said clutch and operated by a cam on the gear wheel, the stripper,
means for operating the same controlled by a clutch between the same and the
main shaft, means for controlling the clutch operated by the cam on the gear
wheel, the chucks for holding the can for the crimping action, the gears for
rotating the chucks, a clutch between the same and the constantly operated
shaft, means for controlling the clutch operated from a cam of the gear wheel,
a spring for setting the crimping wheels to their work with means for relieving
the spring pressure controlled by a cam on the gear wheel, and connections for
retracting one of the chuck disks, said connections being operated by the wedge
block, substantially as described.
11-In a machine for making fibre can bodies and for applying the heads
thereto, a horn set vertically as a chimney to a heating device with angular
folders operating at the corners of the horn and a pair of chucks arranged to
hold a pair of cans in vertical position with crimping means acting simulta-
neously on the two cans so that the folding of a can body goes on simultaneously
with the crimping of the bottom of one can and with the head of a filled can.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1898
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.