An Improved Method of Closing and Soldering Metallic Boxes, and Machines therefor.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 17th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 31st Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by OTTO ASCHE, of 7, Rue des Deux Gares, Paris
France, Engineer.]
An Improved Method of Closing and Soldering Metallic Boxes, and
Machines therefor.
I, ERNEST DE PASS, of 78, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Fellow of the
Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:
--
This invention relates to an improved method of closing and soldering metallic
boxes, and machines therefor.
According to this invention, the edges of the box body, after having been
previously strongly tinned or soldered, are moulded to any suitable shape, and. the
lid or top, or the bottom, which has been dished throughout its circumference, is
placed upon the box body, the inner surface of the dished portion of the lid or top,
or of the bottom, having been tinned or soldered before being placed upon the box
body.
Then, by means of a suitable machine the "setting in" of the edges of the top,
or the bottom, and the edges of the box body, effected.
The setting in is then creased or folded by means of a hot plunger, worked
automatically by a machine forming part of the present invention.
The heat given out by the heated plunger when it comes upon the lid or top, or
upon the bottom, is sufficient to melt the solder which has been previously placed
upon the edges of the body, and the soldering is thereby effected simultaneously
with the completion of the creasing or folding.
When the bottom has thus been applied, and the box is filled with edible or
other substances, it is necessary to provide a small hole in the lid or top so that
when this lid is soldered to the box body, the air or the steam generated during
the soldering operation, may escape. This hole is afterwards closed by a drop of
solder applied by hand.
.
The machine which I employ when round boxes are to be operated upon, may
consist of a reciprocating plunger heated by any suitable means, as by gas, and
beneath the said plunger is situated a hinged collar socket or receptacle which is
open at top and provided with an adjustable bottom upon which the box to be
soldered is placed. This hinged collar or receptacle is provided with handles, by
means of which it is closed when the box to be soldered is in place within it, and
is furnished with a suitable fastening for retaining it closed. A spring may be
provided for causing the hinged collar or receptacle to automatically open after the
completion of the soldering operation.
A rotary table having a series of hinged collars or receptacles, and adapted to
rotate beneath the reciprocating heated plunger, may be employed, so that as the
rotary table revolves, the boxes to be soldered will be successively brought under
the reciprocating plunger. The work can thus be more rapidly performed and the
heat better utilized.
When boxes other than round are to be soldered, I employ a modified construction
of machine in which four clamps, shaped to the form of the box,. are caused to
advance and perform the "setting in" operation and to retain the box in position
while the plunger descends and performs the creasing or folding and soldering
operations simultaneously, and in the same manner as that already indicated with
reference to the machine for round boxes.
Motion may be imparted to the clamps by means of inclines formed on the lower

page_text: part of a ring or circular rail which is actuated by means of a pinion driven from
any suitable moving part of the machine, said inclines acting upon studs standing
out from the clamps.
The herein before mentioned hole for the escape of air or steam may be punched
by hand or be effected automatically by the closing of the hinged collar or
receptacle which is provided, on its interior, with a steel point operating when the
hinged collar or receptacle is closed.
Dated this 19th day of February 1809
ERNEST De PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 6, Victoria Street, Nottingham.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Closing and Soldering Metallic Boxes, and
Machines therefor.
I, ERNEST DE PASS, of 78, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Fellow of the
Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had
to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say:
This invention relates to an improved method of closing and soldering metallic
boxes, and machinery therefor.
For the purpose of this invention, the rims or edges of the box body, after
having been previously strongly tinned, or soldered, are moulded or formed to any
suitable shape, and the lid or top, or the bottom, which has been dished throughout
its circumference, is placed upon the box body; the inner surface of the dished
portion of the said lid or top, or of the bottom, having been also tinned or soldered
before being placed upon the box body.
Then, by means of a suitable machine, the setting-in of the rims or edges of the
top, or the bottom, and the rims or edges of the box body, is effected. The setting-in
is then creased or folded by means of a heated plunger, worked automatically by
a machine forming the essential part of the present invention.
The heat given out by the heated plunger, when it comes upon the lid or top, or
upon the bottom, is sufficient to melt the solder which has been previously applied
to the rims or edges of the body, and the soldering is thereby effected simultaneously
with the completion of the creasing or folding.
When the bottom has thus been applied, and the box is filled with edible, or
other, substances, it is necessary to provide a small hole in the lid or top, so that
when this lid is soldered to the box body, the vapour generated during the soldering
operation may escape. This hole is afterwards closed by a drop of solder, applied
by hand.
The machine which I employ when round boxes are to be operated upon, may
consist of a reciprocating plunger, heated by any suitable means, as by gas, and
beneath which plunger is situated a hinged collar, socket, or receptacle which is
open at top and provided with an adjustable bottom upon which the box to be
soldered is placed. This hinged collar or receptacle is provided with handles, by
means of which it is closed when the box to be soldered is in place within it, and
is furnished with a suitable fastening for retaining it closed. A spring may be
provided for causing the hinged collar or receptacle to automatically open after
the completion of the soldering operation.
A rotary table having a series of hinged collars or receptacles, and adapted to
rotate beneath the reciprocating heated plunger, may be employed, so that, as the
rotary table 'revolves, the boxes to be soldered will be successively brought under

page_text: the reciprocating plunger. The work can thus be more rapidly performed and the
heat better utilized.
When boxes other than round are to be soldered, a modified construction of
machine is employed, in which four clamps, shaped to the form of the box, are
caused to advance and perform the setting-in operation, and to retain the box in
position while the heated plunger descends and performs the creasing or folding
and soldering operations simultaneously and in the same manner as that already
indicated with reference to the machine for round boxes.
Motion may be imparted to the clamps by means of inclines formed on the
lower part of a ring or circular rail which is actuated by means of a pinion
driven from any suitable moving part of the machine, said inclines acting upon
studs standing out from the clamps.
The hereinbefore mentioned hole for the escape of air or steam, may be punched
by hand, or be effected automatically by the closing of the hinged collar or
receptacle which is provided on its interior with a steel point operating when the
hinged collar or receptacle closed.
And in order that this invention may be readily understood and carried into
effect, I will proceed to describe the same fully with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which--
Figs. 1 to 5 show an arrangement of machine for round or oval boxes, the
folding of the bottoms or covers of which has been previously effected on an
ordinary setting-in machine.
Figs. 6 to 10 show an arrangement of this machine for effecting, at a single
operation, the setting-in of the bottom or cover, the completion of the setting-in,
and the soldering of the rims or edges.
Figs. 11 to 14 show an arrangement of machine for successively setting-in and
soldering round boxes, and is entirely automatic in its operation.
In all these arrangements the heated plunger has a double duty to perform : (1) it
completes the folding or setting-in by crushing it down; (2) it imparts to the
rims or edges to be soldered the heat necessary to melt the solder previously
placed upon the rims or edges of the body, and thereby effects the soldering.
Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the frame 1 carries, near its upper
part, a shaft 2 on which are mounted a fly wheel 3 and cam 4, this latter actuating,
during its rotation, the slide block 6; a roller 5 situated at the top of this slide
block, preventing any injurious friction. The shape of this cam produces a
rapid fall and rise of the slide block 6, which carries the heated plunger 9, the
concentric portion of the cam compelling the heated plunger (after it has been
caused to descend) to remain pressed down upon the rim or edge to be soldered,
during the balf revolution of the cam. It thus remains, for a certain length of
time, determined by the speed of rotation of the shaft, in immediate contact with
the rim or edge to be soldered, to which it imparts sufficient of its heat to re-melt
the solder.
The box or receptacle to be soldered is held, during this operation, in a hinged
collar 12. This collar has an internal disc plate 14 which receives the body and
holds it, at the necessary height, so that the collar can grasp it in the throat or
groove (see Fig. 5, sketch a). The set screw 15 serves to regulate the position of
the disc plate 14.
The handles 13 are used to close the collar 12, a suitable latch or catch keeping
it closed; the opening of the collar is effected automatically by a spring, directly
the heated plunger commences to rise.
At this moment the solder, melted by the heated plunger, is not yet solidified,
otherwise it would become attached to the collar and wonld cause difficulty in
removing the soldered receptacles therefrom.
A sheet iron jacket is fitted to the interior of the collar, and holds the soldered.
box in place so that it cannot follow the collar either to the right or to the left.
The rising of the heated plunger is effected by the counterweight and its lever 8,
or by other equivalent means, the guides 7 ensuring regular working.
'

page_text: The plunger 9 is heated by a gas ring 11, with forced draught, or by a spirit
heating apparatus. The movable part of the plunger is held loosely by the
stem 10, and between this plunger and its counterpart, which is fixed to the slide
block 6, there is an insulator which prevents too great a loss of heat.
The working is as follows:-
The receptacle to be soldered is placed upon the disc plate 14 and the collar 12
closed; the heated plunger is then allowed to descend, and in its descent crushes
the rim or edge prepared either according to Fig. 5 (sketches a and b) or according
to any other form.
The heated plunger remains upon this crushed rim or edge for the requisite time,
and then rises; at this moment the collar springs open, and the box is withdrawn,
so that a fresh one can be put in.
Figs. 3 and 4 show a rotary or revolving table 20, with which this machine may
be furnished, and adapted to carry a series of collars. The column 17 carries, upon
a shoulder, the table 20, the periphery of which bears upon the bracket 19
(furnished, or not, with friction rollers) on the column 18." This arrangement
allows of a more rapid working, and a better utilization of the heat.
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show another arrangement of this machine, specially designed
for the simultaneous setting in and soldering of boxes presenting forms other than
circular. The corresponding parts bear the same numbers of reference as in the
preceding arrangement, and fulfil the same functions.
The peculiarity of this construction consists in a special mechanism which first
sets in the rim or edge of the box, this setting-in being crushed and soldered
immediately after its formation. The cam and lever mechanism 24, 25, 26, 27
and 28 cause a pinion 29 to revolve which actuates a circular rail 30 having four
inclines 31 which latter, by bearing against studs 32 and 32¹, cause the four
clamps 23, which effect the setting-in of the rim or edge of the bottom, or cover,
according to Fig. 10 (sketches a and b), to advance or retire along the grooves or
guides 22. They also hold the rim or edge to be soldered during the pressure of
the heated plunger, which completes the setting-in, as shown in Fig. 10, sketch c.
After the shaped or moulded and tinned or soldered body, provided with its
bottom, has been placed upon the disc plate 14, the machine is started, and the
cam causes the heated plunger to descend upon the receptacle to be set-in and
soldered. The concentric portion of the cam 4 is shaped according to two radii,
the first portion A, B, of which produces but slight pressure upon the bottom to
be set in, so as to prevent the latter from rising and escaping during the automatic
advance of the clamps 23 which embrace the rim or edge of the bottom according
to sketch, Fig. 10.
The advance of these clamps is effected while the portion A, B, of the cam 4 is
working against the friction roller 5. The second concentric portion of this cam
produces the crushing or squeezing of the setting-in by the heated plunger according
to sketch c, Fig. 10. The pressure and heat of the plunger 9 thus causing the
soldering of the finished setting-in.
While the plunger is rising again the four clamps unlock or open automatically,
so that the soldered receptacle may be easily removed.
The operation is the same for empty boxes as for filled ones, except that for the
latter a small hole is provided for the escape of vapour, as before mentioned. The
piercing of this hole may be effected by hand, or by means of an ordinary punch,
and either automatically by the machine itself, or by means of a projecting steel
point carried on the interior of the collar 12, or on the clamps 23, the said point
piercing the metal when the collar, or clamps, come together to grip the box.
In any case it is essential that this hole should be made under the rim or edge in
the body to be soldered, so that the vapour formed in the interior of the receptacle
by the action of the heated plunger, during the soldering of filled boxes, may
escape. This hole is afterwards closed by a drop of solder. This last detail is
very important as it would be almost impossible to obtain, without this precaution,
an air tight soldering, the vapour always opening a way through the molten tin or

page_text: solder. This passage would exist after solidification and would allow free access to
the air.
As will be seen in Fig. 14, a strip f, of any suitable section, may be inserted in
the setting-in of the box, and by being strongly tinned serves to introduce into the
setting-in the necessary amount of solder. If an end of this strip be allowed to
project beyond the setting-in, it may serve as a means for the ready opening by
attaching an opening-key to the projecting portion. It is easy to tear off the said
strip from its bed by turning round this key; it tears away the tin and thus opens
the box. The soldering of this strip with the body and cover is effected in the
same way as the soldering of the bottom without the strip, the heated plunger in
descending upon the setting-in to be soldered, which contains the strip, compresses
the different parts thereof together and melts the tin or solder which covers the
strip, one face of which is soldered to the edge of the moulding or fluting, and
the other to the cover.
The arrangement shown in Figs. 11 to 13 represents a machine for successively
setting-in and soldering round boxes, its movements being entirely automatic. For
greater clearness I will first briefly state the working of this machine.
The boxes to be set in and soldered are placed by the workman onto supports or
box holders carried by a revolving table which brings them first under a disc-plate
of the setting-in mechanism which descends upon the box, and, while it grips it, a
setting-in wheel revolves around the box, and in this manner sets in the bottom or
the cover, and, at the same time, moistens the rim or edge to be soldered, either
with acidulated water, or with grease, which aids the soldering operation.
The box thus set in is conducted, by the revolving table, under the heated
plunger. A pair of clamps (or divided collar) embraces the box automatically so
as to hold it while the heated plunger descends and completes the setting-in, and
while it communicates sufficient heat to the rims or edges to re-melt the solder,
previously applied thereto, either by a previous tinning or soldering of the rims or
edges, or by the introduction of a tinned or soldered strip or wire, or by a strip of
solder placed in the setting-in to be soldered.
The box, having been soldered, is finally stopped and pushed onto an incline
along which it slides into a receptacle.
The general parts of the machine are the following :—
The framework 1 is supported upon a base 2 by a strong stem 3, and, at is part 4,
by a broad flange or foot. The upper part of the stem 3 serves as a pivot upon
which the table 5 revolves. This table is provided with eight discs or boxholders
upon which the boxes to be set-in and soldered are placed, but this number way be
varied at will. The revolving table receives its movement from the vertical shaft 6
by means of bevil pinions 7, 71, one of which is fixed on the main shaft 8 which
receives its movement from the toothed wheels 9, 9', and the driving pulley 10
which is keyed to the driving shaft carrying the loose pulley 10'
The vertical shaft 6, which causes the table carrying the box-holders to revolve,
passes through the stem 3 and carries, at its lower extremity, a toothed wheel 11,
which transmits motion through the wheel 11¹ to a vertical shaft 12. This shaft
carries a disc 12¹ provided with a friction roller which, as said disc rotates, enters
corresponding notches in the notched plate 13. This notched plate being keyed
fast on the lower part of the revolving table 5, causes this latter to follow the
movements which are transmitted to it intermittently by the disc 12' carrying the
friction roller.
The general parts being thus explained, I will describe the working ;
1st, of the so-called setting-in mechanism, and
2nd, of the apparatus for completing the setting-in and soldering.
1. The main shaft 8 carries a bevil wheel 14 which gears with a bevil pinion 15,
and thus causes the hollow shaft 16 to revolve; this shaft carrying at its lower part
the setting-in mechanism which consists of suitable levers, a setting-in wheel-holder,
and a setting-in wheel 17, 171, 17¹¹
Within the hollow shaft 16 is a rod 18 which does not revolve, but partakes of a

page_text: rising and falling movement which it receives through the double lever 19, cam 20,
and rod 21, according as this cam influences it. This rod 18 carries, at its lower
extremity, a disc 22 which, by the operation of the cam, effects pressure upon the
cover or bottom during the setting-in operation, and it is provided at that part
which traverses the setting-in mechanism with a block or pièce which causes the
holder of the setting-in wheel to move away or to approach the receptacle according
as the setting-in operation requires it.
It will thus be seen that the box to be set-in remains stationary during the
setting-in operation, while the setting-in wheel revolves around it; but, if preferred,
the box may be caused to revolve, and the setting-in wheel be provided with a
fixed holder. The setting-in wheel 17" is constantly moistened, during its
rotation, by a greasy sponge, it thus moistens the parts sufficiently to ensure a
regular soldering at the same time as it sets-in the bottom or cover on the body.
2. The box, having thus been set-in, is carried mechanically by the intermittently
revolving table 5 under the heated plunger 23 which is heated by a gas ring 24, or
by other means.
The parts for effecting the soldering are the following:
The cam 20, on the main shaft 8, causes, by means of the lever mechanism and
rods 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, the divided collar 31, 31¹, to open to receive a box
to be soldered and to allow the soldered one to go out, and also to close upon the
fresh box so as to grip and hold it during the soldering operation. These move-
ments are controlled by the rotation of the main shaft, which likewise produces the
rising and falling of the heated plunger 23.
As soon as the box is gripped in the divided collar 31, 31¹, the eccentric portion
of the cam 32 causes the slide block 33, which carries the heated plunger, to descend,
and to exert a sufficient pressure on the rim or edge to be soldered to complete or
crush down the setting-in and to bring about the soldering by communicating heat
thereto. The concentric portion of the cam 32 keeps the plunger, for a certain
time, upon the rim or edge to be soldered; it is therefore possible, by causing the
machine to revolve more or less quickly, to vary the time of contact.
The
concentric portion of the cam 32 having been fully developed upon the friction
roller 34, the slide block rises together with the heated plunger under the influence
of the counterweight 35 and lever 36. At the same time the divided collar 31, 31',
opens and the revolving table takes the soldered box from the divided collar and
brings a fresh one in its place, and so on. The finished boxes come against a stop
or projection 37 which conducts them onto the incline 38, whence they are removed,
or along which they are allowed to slide into suitable receptacles.
In hand machines, the function of the cam may be replaced by an arrangement
with pressure screw, or by a system of levers, and the circular rail 30 (Figs. 6, 7
and 8) may be moved by hand.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The method or process of mechanically soldering metallic boxes for containing
preserved and other provisions, consisting in first providing the rims or edges of
the box body with a layer of tin, or solder, then setting-in the bottoms or the tops
with the bodies so that they confine the rims or edges of the box body, and then
causing a heated plunger to descend upon the joint to be soldered, said heated
plunger effecting simultaneously the crushing of the setting-in and the melting of
the solder which has been previously interposed, either by an excess of tin or solder
applied to the rims or edges, or by a tinned or soldered strip or wire, substantially
as set forth.
2. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the machine for
effecting only the soldering of metallic boxes, substantially as described and shown
with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the annexed drawings.
3. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the machine for

page_text: simultaneously effecting the soldering and setting-in operations, substantially as
described and shown with reference to Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the annexed drawings.
4. The special arrangement of mechanism for automatically setting-in the bottoms,
or covers, of the box, and adapted for use with the machine above indicated, said
mechanism consisting of a toothed ring or circular rail provided with oblique slides
for bringing forward and withdrawing the clamps which serve the double purpose
of effecting the setting-in of the soldered rims or edges, and holding them during
the pressure of the heated plunger, substantially as described and shown with
reference to Figs. 8, 9 and 10 of the annexed drawings.
5. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the machine for setting-
in and soldering metallic boxes, consisting essentially of an intermittently revolving
table for automatically bringing up the boxes to be soldered; of means for setting-in
the bottoms, or covers; and of mechanism for causing a heated plunger to descend
vertically upon the box to be soldered while it is held in a divided collar arranged
to open and close automatically, substantially as described and shown with
reference to Figs. 11, 12 and 13.
6. The manner of introducing the solder into the setting-in of the lid of the
box, consisting in interposing, in the joint, a strongly tinned or soldered metallic
strip or wire and which strip or wire also serves as a means for the ready
opening of the box, substantially as described.
Dated this 17th day of November 1892.