Improvements in Dies for Striking or Forming the Caps, Covers, Lids, or Top and Bottom of Boxes, Cases, Bottles, and other like Receptacles Made of Paper, Millboard, Strawboard, or other Analogous Material, or of Leather, and also in the Means for Uniformly Distributing Pressure round Dies generally.
Year: 1887

page_text: Improvements in Dies for Striking or Forming the Caps, Covers,
Lids, or Top and Bottom of Boxes, Cases, Bottles, and other like
Receptacles Made of Paper, Millboard, Strawboard, or other
Analogous Material, or of Leather, and also in the Means for
Uniformly Distributing Pressure round Dies generally.
I, WILLIAM HENRY ALLEN, of 41 Cambridge Place, Brooklyn, New York, United
States of America, Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to construct dies for forming the caps, covers, lids,
or top and bottom of boxes, cases, bottles and other like receptacles, made of paper,
millboard, strawboard, or other analogous material, or of leather, in such a way as
will enable them to be made from a single piece of material much more perfectly and
with a better finish than has hitherto been possible.
For this purpose 1 employ a fixed under die the upper part of which is of reduced
size and gradually tapers from its base upwards. Surrounding the tapering portion are
a set of segments or plates, the inner surface of each of which is correspondingly tapered,
while the outer surface is of the same contour as it is desired to give to the down-
wardly projecting part of the finished cover. Each segment is mounted on the end
of a rod which passes freely through the body of the lower or under die and rests
upon a spring supported plate tending to force the segments upwards, a nut or
abutment on the lower end of each rod limiting such upward movement by contact
with the under side of the under die.
The holes through which the above mentioned rods pass are bored at an angle to the
axis of the under die, such angle corresponding to the taper of the upper part of the
die, so that the movement of the segments upwards on the tapering portion thereof,
will cause same to move towards each other as they move up such tapering portion,
while on their descent such segments will be moved away from each other to a
corresponding extent.

page_text: The centre part of the segments is covered by a plate let into the upper surface of
the former so as to be flush therewith, and from the under side of such plate a rod
descends and works in a hole or guide slot in the centre of the tapering portion of the
under dię.
When in their extreme upward position the upper surface of the segments is in line
with a fixed ring, the opening in which is of the same size and shape as the piece of
millboard which will be required to form the cover.
Between the periphery of the segments and the inner surface of the fixed ring a
movable ring is arranged and is carried by rods also passing through holes in the die,
but which are parallel to the axis thereof, so that the movement of the ring will be
vertical. The lower ends of these vertical rods are connected to the spring supported
plate above referred to. The upper surface of the movable ring is made to slant
downwards from its inner to its outer edge, and when the ring is in its extreme
upward position its inner edge is flush with the upper surface of the segments and the
fixed ring, and its lower edge is slightly below same. The upward movement of the
inner movable ring is also limited by a stop or abutment.
.
The edge of the fixed ring is square and sharp so as to form a cutting surface.
The upper die may be actuated in any suitable manner (such as by means of a press)
in order to cause it to move vertically fowards and away from the under die.
It consists of a solid ring the outer edge of which is of such size and shape that
in its descent it will act in conjunction with the inner edge of the fixed ring above
referred to, so as to cut out a piece of corresponding form to the opening in such
latter ring, from the sheet of millboard or other material which is placed so as to rest
on the movable segments and fixed ring of the lower die. The under surface of the
solid ring is inclined to correspond with the inclined upper surface of the movable
ring of the lower die, so that such ring will in its descent force the outer edge of the
piece of millboard cut out as above described, to the inclined surface of the movable
ring. Above the solid ring the upper die is cut away to form radial openings all
round such ring at equal distances apart, and in these openings movable segments
are arranged and are forced outwards by means of springs secured to the part of the
die within the solid ring. In the space within the solid ring a plate is arranged so
that it will bear on the part of the millboard above the movable segments of the lower
die, such plate being forced downwards by springs, which enable it to yield as the
upper die descends.
The continued descent of the upper die will by pressing on the millboard cause it
to descend, the movable ring and segments of the under die yielding and moving
downwards against the action of the springs supporting the plate on which they rest.
This downward movement of the parts causes the segments to expand or move out-
wards, until such movement is arrested by their arriving at the end of the upper
reduced tapering portion of the under die, which is fixed. The movable ring will
however continue to descend and the edge of the upper die will then gradually bend
the portion of the millboard projecting beyond the segments down over the outer edge
thereof.
It is then necessary to force the part of the millboard which has been bent over
firmly against the periphery of the movable segments of the lower die, and for this
purpose when the upper die is in its lowest position, its movable segments arranged.
-in the recesses above the solid cutting ring are each brought opposite one of a series
of radial bars or levers, which at this moment are caused to move inwards, and
bearing on the movable segments move them inwards, thus forcing the part of the
inillboard which has been turned over firmly against the periphery of the movable
segments of the bottom die, and thus complete the cover or the lid. When the radial
bars are moved in the reverse direction, the movable segments in the solid ring of
the upper die are again forced outwards by their springs, away from the turned over
flange of the cover or lid, and the upper die then ascends.
The inner surface of the solid ring of the upper die is scored or provided with
vertical grooves to prevent the buckling or creasing of the outer surface of the flange
of the lid or cover.

page_text: By employing the compressing apparatus above described I am enabled if desired
to produce a lid or cover with one or more beads or embossings on the periphery of
the turned over flange thereof, for which purpose the periphery of the movable
segments of the lower die will be formed with a projection or projections and the
movable segments of the upper die with a corresponding recess or recesses, and as
the two are forced together the desired bead or beads or embossing will be formed on
the millboard between them.
As the upper die ascends the parts of the lower die return to their original position
carrying the finished cover with them, and as the movable segments of the lower die
in ascending move toward each other, it will be seen that when in the upward position
they will have moved clear of the inner surface of the turned down part of the cover,
so that the latter may readily. be removed, notwithstanding any beads or embossing
which may have been formed therein.
The operation can then be repeated by placing a fresh piece of millboard over the
segments and fixed ring of the lower die.
For the purpose of actuating the bars which act upon the movable segments of the
upper die, I prefer to employ eight of such segments and a corresponding number of
bars, which latter are connected together in pairs by means of toggle levers pivoted
at their centres, and their outer ends being connected respectively to one bar of such
pair, while their inner ends are connected to a central bar or rod, the end of which
is by a link connected to a pivotted lever. The pivotted levers of two of such pairs
of bars are also connected together, so that by acting on their connected ends the
four bars which they control are simultaneously forced inwards or outwards. The
other two pairs of bars are similarly connected and actuated; if desired the two sets of
two pairs each, may also be connected together by levers, and a single movement
thus be caused to effect the simultaneous action of all the bars, thereby ensuring a
practically uniform distribution of pressure to all of them, and consequently to the
movable segments upon which they act.
The means for uniformly distributing pressure all round the die, may be applied to
dies for other purposes than those above described, and they may also be employed in
connection with a solid under die instead of a die with movable segments as herein
described.
11007
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Dies for Striking or Forming the Caps, Covers,
Lids, or Top and Bottom of Boxes, Cases, Bottles, and other like
Receptacles Made of Paper, Millboard, Strawboard, or other
Analogous Material, or of Leather, and also in the Means for
Uniformly Distributing Pressure round Dies generally.
I, WILLIAM HENRY ALLEN, of 41 Cambridge Place, Brooklyn, New York, United
States of America, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to construct dies for forming the caps, covers, lids, or
top and bottom of boxes, cases, bottles and other like receptacles, made of paper, mill-
board, strawboard, or other analogous material, or of leather, in such a way as will
enable them to be made from a single piece of material much more perfectly and with
a better finish than has hitherto been possible.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a plan view of the male die and its attach-
ments with certain parts broken away.
Fig. 2 a vertical section of same on line A, B, the parts being shown in their lowest
position as when forced down by the female die.
Fig. 3 an elevation of the centre cone and its wings.
Fig. 4 a vertical section of the centre cone and the segments, showing the latter in
their highest position.
Fig. 5 an elevation of the female die.
Fig. 6 a sectional plan view of Fig. 5 taken in a line with the underside of the
movable segments or jaws and looking upwards.
Fig. 7 a vertical section of Fig. 5, and
Fig. 8 a plan view of the underside of Fig. 5.
In order to carry out my invention I employ a pair of composite dies, which I
distinguish as the male and female die, respectively. The male die has a cone-shaped
centre-piece A, secured to or forming part of a suitable base-plate or block B. Round
this cone-shaped centre are arranged a-number-of-segments (four or more.according
-to-circumstances) the inner surface of each of which is so shaped as to permit them to
slide up and down the cone A. Each segment is supported and guided by a rod C₁
which passes freely through the base-plate B and rests upon another plate D when the
parts are in their normal position, such plate D being connected to the base-plate B by
means of a rod E and strong spiral spring F, in such a way as to tend to force the
segments C up towards the small end of the cone A.
in relation to each other and to the cone A, that when the spring F is freely acting on
The segments C are so formed
the rods through plate D, the segments C will be forced up so that their upper
ends project beyond the end of the cone A as shown in Fig. 4 for a distance depending
upon the depth of the cap the machine is intended to form. The segments C then

page_text: form a circular figure of comparatively small diameter. When, on the other hand,
they are at the bottom or large end of the cone A as shown in Fig. 2, they are necessarily
forced by the cone itself into a larger diameter.
It will be readily understood that instead of making the periphery of the segments
in the form of arcs of circles, such periphery may be of any other form suitable to
produce other than circular caps, such for example as triangular, square, or polygonal
caps.
The cone A has stationary radial wings X corresponding in number to the segments C
and between which the latter work. These wings X are thinner at top than at the
base, as shown in Fig. 3, and they are of such length as to extend to the periphery of
the segments when they are in their lowest position.
The outer surface or periphery of the segments C is made of such form as is desired
for the article that is to be made by the machine, Fig. 4 showing the soginents formed
with a bead at their upper ends. The top or end of the male die, formed by the ends
of the segments C and the small end of the cone A, is covered by a plate or pad G
fastened on to a short rod H which plays freely in a hole.H' down the centre of the
cone A.
The male die is so fixed in a bed J that when the segments Care at their farthest
point beyond the end of the cone the plate or pad Gwhich covers them (and the
upper surface of which may be of any suitable form), is about on a level with or
slightly above the upper surface of a stationary steel plate K having a hole K' through
it. This hole K' is of the same size and shape as the disc of cardboard or other
material needs to be for forming the desired cap, or other article; and the upper
edge K2 of the metal round the hole K' is made sharp so as to serve as a cutting edge
for cutting the said, discs.
The female die a is in outline similar to the ordinary bell-shaped dies. Its diameter
at the lower end must be such as to enable it to pass through the hole K' in the steel
plate, K, and thus its outer edge a¹ serves as a cutting edge, in correspondence with
the cutting edge K of the steel plate K.
The interior of this die a is in the ordinary way fitted with a plate or pad b corre-
sponding to pad G over the segments C of the male die, such pad & being acted upon
by a spring e tending to force same downwards in order to exert an elastic pressure
upon the material between it and the pad G, until upon the descent of the female die
the pad is forced right up to the position it occupies in Fig. 7.
Through the sides of the female die a I make a number of openings, preferably
eight, and fit into them a number of segments or jaws c, the inner ends of which are
shaped so that they shall form a surface corresponding to that of the male die, which
may be plain or figured to correspond with the periphery of the segments C of the
male die, that is, if those segments are formed with a bead 1 form a sunken or recessed
head on the inner surface of the segments c of the female die to match it. The
segments or jaws c in the female die are fitted so as to play freely back and forth in
their respective openings in the side of the body of the die, the outer end of the part
which passes through the hole K in plate K being flush with the outer surface of
the die.
The contiguous segments c are preferably formed with overlapping portions y, as
shown in Fig. 6, in order that the material may not be squeezed in between the joints
when being acted upon.
The under surface of the female die is scored or grooved, such scorings or grooves a
extending a short distance up the interior surface of the die, and the under surface is
also preferably rounded or slanted off towards the interior, such rounding off and
grooving being preferably of the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and the grooves a
extending, or not, right to the cutting edge a' as desired. The grooves a³ 1 make of
only sufficient depth and also sufficiently close together as to prevent the "puckering"
or folding of the material, differing slightly with the nature of the material.
In the annular space round the male die, between it and the inside of the hole K'in
the steel plate K, I place a ring L of the kind ordinarily used in dies for striking up
sheet material:
t...

page_text: ".
Underneath the steel plate K, round the male die, in the same plane as the
segments of that die when they are at the large end of the cone A., I place a series
of short plates or pressers M, fitted into grooves in the bed plate J, in which they can
slide freely. The number of these plates M corresponds to the number of the
segments in the female die a, that is, preferably eight. The inner ends of these
plates M are at just such a distance from the male die as to allow the female die to
pass down between them.
The outer ends of each plate or presser M is connected to one end of a pivotted
lever N, the other end of which is connected to a slide or har O capable of moving in
suitable ways. The levers N of two adjacent plates M are connected to the same
slide 0, so as connect such plates M in pairs. Each slide O is connected to one end of
a pivotted lever P, the other end of which is connected to another slide Q, also capable
of moving in ways. Two of the levers Pare connected to the same slide Q, so that
the slides O are thus also connected in pairs, and the plates M. consequently in sets of
four, and by moving the slides Q in one direction or the other, the four plates M
which it controls will be moved inwards or outwards towards or away from the
centre.
The slides may be each actuated separately if desired, but I prefer to connect.
the slides themselves by any suitable arrangement, such as that shown in Fig. 1, so
that a single movement will actuate both of them in the direction to move the
plates M, which they control, either inwards or outwards, whereby such plates will be
all actuated simultaneously and by one simple movement, thus ensuring a practically
uniform distribution of pressure to all of them.
The means for uniformly distributing pressure all round a die, may be applied to
dies for other purposes than those above described, and they may also be employed in
connection with a solid under die instead of a die with movable segments as herein
described.
The dies are operated by means of a press. When they have been properly
attached to the press, a sheet of the material to be worked is placed on the upper
surface of the steel plate K. covering the hole K' in the same; the operating of the
press causes the cutting edge a' of the female die, in co-operation with the cutting
edge K² of the plate K, to punch out the required disc; the continued descent of
the die a causes the outer parts of this disc to be pinched between the ring L which
surrounds the male die and the grooved lower surface as of the female die a. By
this means an even distribution of the material is ensured thus preventing it from
puckering" up into folds as the female die descends. The tightness of the pinch on
the material is regulated by the strength of the spring F which acts upon the ring L,
and must be such as to allow the material to be gradually drawn from between the
latter and the grooved surface a of the female die a, as the die continues to
descend.
"
When the die has descended so far as to force the segments C of the male die
down to the large end of the cone A, as shown in Fig. 2, the segments or jaws e of
the female die a are in the same plane with. them, and consequently in a direct line
between them and the series of movable plates or pressers M connected with the
system of levers described; and the outer portion of the disc of material has been
forced down between the segments of the male die and the segments or jaws c of the
female die. The system of levers is then actuated, and the series of plates M being
-forced inwards, force the segments of the female die a in towards the segments C of
the male die, and thus the material is heavily pressed between their two surfaces, and
pressed into the form which has been given to those surfaces.
The operation having been carried thus far, the system of levers is operated in the
reverse direction, thus withdrawing the plates or pressers M away from the segments c
of the female die a, when the springs d will force such segments out again and
consequently away from the outer surface of the formed cap; the female die a then
begins to rise; the spring Facts on the segments C of the male die and causes them
to rise to the small end of the cone A, thereby withdrawing their surfaces away from
the inner side of the cap; the same spring also causes the surrounding ring L to

page_text: rise, and this ring is made of just the right size so that in rising it pushes the finished
article out of the machine before it." The machine is then ready for another
operation.
Instead of fitting the jaws or segments c into recesses in the female die, thus
causing them to move up and down with such die, the pressers may be made to serve
in place of such jaws or segments by playing through the openings in the die when
the same is in the proper position. Further any other suitable means may be
substituted for operating the pressers M or the jaws or segments c, than those above
described, it being only requisite that such parts should be forced inwards and then
withdrawn at the desired time.
It will be noticed that the periphery of the segments C of the malo die, as shown
in Figs. 2 and 4, are undercut, that is to say the lower end is less in diameter than
the upper end, and in Fig. 7 it will be seen that the acting surfaces cl of the segments
or jaws c of the female die are bevelled to correspond. The reason for this is that in
some kinds of materials however tightly they may be pressed in the operations above
described, the portion turned over will have a tendency to spring outwards as soon as
the pressure is removed, and it is therefore necessary when dealing with such
materials to allow for this. The extent of the bevel given to such surfaces will
depend upon the nature of the material to be acted upon.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I am
aware of the Specification of Comings Patent No. 4307 of 1887 and I lay no claim
to anything described and claimed therein, but what I claim is :-
1. The improved machine for shaping caps, covers, or other analogous articles,
substantially as described and shown.
2. A female die provided with movable jaws or segments, the contiguous edges of
which are made to overlap at their inner end, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
3. The arrangement of levers for the purpose of effecting a practically uniform
distribution of pressure all round a die, substantially as specified.
Dated this 28th day of June 1888.

page_text: Improvements in Dies for Striking or Forming the Caps, Covers,.
Lids, or Top and Bottom of Boxes, Cases, Bottles, and other like
Receptacles Made of Paper, Millboard, Strawboard, or other:
Analogous material, or of Leather, and also in the Means for
Distathating Duca
Hound Dies generally
Analogous material, or OI Leather, an
FR
Uniformly Distributing Pressure round Dies generally
I, WILLIAM HENRY ALLEN, of 41 Cambridge Place, Brooklyn, New York, United
States of America, Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
The object of my invention is to construct dies for forming the caps, covers, lids,
or top and bottom of boxes, cases, bottles and other like receptacles, made of paper,
millboard, strawboard, or other analogous material, or of leather, in such a way as
will enable them to be made from a single piece of material much more perfectly and
with a better finish than has hitherto been possible.
For this purpose I employ a fixed under die the upper part of which is of reduced
size and gradually tapers from its base upwards. Surrounding the tapering portion are
a set of segments or plates, the inner surface of each of which is correspondingly tapered,
while the outer surface is of the same contour as it is desired to give to the down-
wardly projecting part of the finished cover. Each segment is mounted on the end
of a rod which passes freely through the body of the lower or under die and rests
upon a spring supported plate tending to force the segments upwards, a nut or
abutment on the lower end of each rod limiting such upward movement by contact
with the under side of the under die.
The holes through which the above mentioned rods pass are bored at an angle to the
axis of the under die, such angle corresponding to the taper of the upper part of the
die, so that the movement of the segments upwards on the tapering portion thereof,
will cause same to move towards each other as they move up such tapering portion,
while on their descent such segments will be moved away from each other to a
corresponding extent.

page_text: The centre part of the segments is covered by a plate let into the upper surface of
the former so as to be flush therewith, and from the under side of such plate a rod
descends and works in a hole or guide slot in the centre of the tapering portion of the
under die.
When in their extreme upward position the upper surface of the segments is in line
with a fixed ring, the opening in which is of the same size and shape as the piece of
millboard which will be required to form the cover.
Between the periphery of the segments and the inner surface of the fixed ring a
movable ring is arranged and is carried by rods also passing through holes in the die,
but which are parallel to the axis thereof, so that the movement of the ring will be
vertical. The lower ends of these vertical rods are connected to the spring supported
plate above referred to. The upper surface of the movable ring is made to slant
downwards from its inner to its outer edge, and when the ring is in its extreme
upward position its inner edge is flush with the upper surface of the segments and the
fixed ring, and its lower edge is slightly below same. The upward movement of the
inner movable ring is also limited by a stop or abutment.
The edge of the fixed ring is square and sharp so as to form a cutting surface.
The upper die may be actuated in any suitable manner (such as by means of a press)
in order to cause it to move vertically towards and away from the under die.
It consists of a solid ring the outer edge of which is of such size and shape that
in its descent it will act in conjunction with the inner edge. of the fixed ring above
referred to, so as to cut out a piece of corresponding form to the opening in such
latter ring, from the sheet of millboard or other material which is placed so as to rest
on the movable segments and fixed ring of the lower die. The under surface of the
solid ring is inclined to correspond with the inclined upper surface of the movable
ring of the lower die, so that such ring will in its descent force the outer edge of the.
piece of millboard cut out as above described, to the inclined surface of the movable
ring. Above the solid ring the upper die is cut away to form radial openings all
round such ring at equal distances apart, and in these openings movable segments
are arranged and are forced outwards by means of springs secured to the part of the
die within the solid ring. In the space within the solid ring a plate is arranged so
that it will bear on the part of the millboard above the movable segments of the lower
die, such plate being forced downwards by springs, which enable it to yield as the
upper die descends.
The continued descent of the upper die will by pressing on the millboard cause it.
to descend, the movable ring and segments of the under die yielding and moving.
downwards against the action of the springs supporting the plate on which they rest.
This downward movement of the parts causes the segments to expand or move out-
wards, until such movement is arrested by their arriving at the end of the upper-
reduced tapering portion of the under die, which is fixed. The movable ring will-
however continue to descend and the edge of the upper die will then gradually bend
the portion of the millboard projecting beyond the segments down over the outer edge*
thereof.
It is then necessary to force the part of the millboard which has been bent over
firmly against the periphery of the movable segments of the lower die, and for this
purpose when the upper die is in its lowest position, its movable segments arranged
in the recesses above the solid cutting ring are each brought opposite one of a series
of radial bars or levers, which at this moment are caused to move inwards, and
bearing on the movable segments move them inwards, thus forcing the part of the
millboard which has been turned over firmly against the periphery of the movable 5
segments of the bottom die, and thus complete the cover or the lid. When the radial
bars are moved in the reverse direction, the movable segments in the solid ring of
the upper die are again forced outwards by their springs, away from the turned over
flange of the cover or lid, and the upper die then ascends.
The inner surface of the solid ring of the upper dio is scored or provided with
vertical grooves to prevent the buckling or creasing of the outer surface of the flange
of the lid or cover.

page_text: By employing the compressing apparatus above described I am enabled if desired
to produce a lid or cover with one or more beads or embossings on the periphery of
the turned over flange thereof, for which purpose the periphery of the movable
segments of the lower die will be formed with a projection or projections and the
movable segments of the upper die with a corresponding recess or recesses, and as
the two are forced together the desired bead or beads or embossing will be formed on
the millboard between them.
As the upper die ascends the parts of the lower die return to their original position
carrying the finished cover with them, and as the movable segments of the lower die
in ascending move toward each other, it will be seen that when in the upward position
they will have moved clear of the inner surface of the turned down part of the cover,
so that the latter may readily be removed, notwithstanding any beads or embossing
which may have been formed therein.
The operation can then be repeated by placing a fresh piece of millboard over the
segments and fixed ring of the lower dic.
For the purpose of actuating the bars which act upon the movable segments of the
upper die, I prefer to employ eight of such segments and a corresponding number of
bars, which latter are connected together in pairs by means of toggle levers pivoted
at their centres, and their outer ends being connected respectively to one bar of such
pair, while their inner ends are connected to a central bar or rod, the end of which
is by a link connected to a pivotted lever. The pivotted levers of two of such pairs
of bars are also connected together, so that by acting on their connected ends the
four bars which they control are simultaneously forced inwards or outwards. The
other two pairs of bars are similarly connected and actuated; if desired the two sets of
two pairs each, may also be connected together by levers, and a single movement
thus be caused to effect the simultaneous action of all the bars, thereby ensuring a
practically uniform distribution of pressure to all of them, and consequently to the
movable segments upon which they act.
The means for uniformly distributing pressure all round the die, may be applied to
dies for other purposes than those above described, and they may also be employed in
connection with a solid under die instead of a die with movable segments as herein
described.
בד
nul
£ Cantam 1007

page_text: Improvements in Dies for Striking or Forming the Caps, Covers,
Lids, or Top and Bottom of Boxes, Cases, Bottles, and other like
Receptacles Made of Paper, Millboard, Strawboard, or other
Analogous Material, or of Leather, and also in the Means for
Improvements in Dies for Striking or Forming the Caps, Covers,
Lids, or Top and Bottom of Boxes, Cases, Bottles, and other like
Receptacles Made of Paper, Millboard, Strawboard, or other
Analogous Material, or of Leather, and also in the Means for
Uniformly Distributing Pressure round Dies generally.
I, WILLIAM HENRY ALLEN, of 41 Cambridge Place, Brooklyn, New York, United
States of America, 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:
The object of my invention is to construct dies for forming the caps, covers, lids, or
top and bottom of boxes, cases, bottles and other like receptacles, made of paper, mill-
board, strawboard, or other analogous material, or of leather, in such a way as will
enable them to be made from a single piece of material much more perfectly and with
a better finish than has hitherto been possible.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a plan view of the male die and its attach-
ments with certain parts broken away.
Fig. 2 a vertical section of same on line A, B, the parts being shown in their lowest
position as when forced down by the fomale die.
Fig. 3 an elevation of the centre cone and its wings.
Fig. 4 a vertical section of the centre cone and the segments, showing the latter in
their highest position.
Fig. 5 an elevation of the female dic.
Fig. 6 a sectional plan view of Fig. 5 taken in a line with the underside of the
movable segments or jaws and looking upwards.
Fig. 7 a vertical section of Fig. 5, and
Fig. 8 a plan view of the underside of Fig. 5.
In order to carry out my invention I employ a pair of composite dies, which I
distinguish as the male and female die, respectively. The male die has a cone-shaped
centre-piece A, secured to or forming part of a suitable base-plate or block B. Round
this cone-shaped centre are arranged a number of segments ((four or more according
to circumstances) the inner surface of each of which is so-shaped as to permit them to
slide up and down the cone A. Each segment is supported and guided by a rod C
which passes freely through the base-plate B and rests upon another plate Ď when the
parts are in their normal position, such plate D being connected to the base-plate B by
means of a rod E and strong spiral spring F, in such a way as to tend to force the
segments up towards the small end of the cone A. The segments C are so formed
in relation to each other and to the cone A, that when the spring F is freely acting on
the rods C through plate D, the segments C will be forced up so that their upper
ends project beyond the end of the cone A as shown in Fig. 4 for a distance depending
upon the depth of the cap the machine is intended to form. The segments O then

page_text: form a circular gure of comparatively small diameter. When, on the other hand,
they are at the bottom or large end of the cone A as shown in Fig. 2, they are necessarily
forced by the cone itself into a larger diameter.
It will be readily understood that instead of making the periphery of the segments
in the form of arcs of circles, such periphery may be of any other form suitable to
produce other than circular caps, such for example as triangular, square, or polygonal
caps.
The cone A has stationary radial wings X corresponding in number to the segments C
and between which the latter work. These wings X are thinner at top than at the
base, as shown in Fig. 3, and they are of such length as to extend to the periphery of
the segments C when they are in their lowest position.
The outer surface or periphery of the segments C is made of such form as is desired
for the article that is to be inade by the machine, Fig. 4 showing the segments formed
with a bead at their upper ends. The top or end of the male die, formed by the ends
of the segments C and the small end of the cone A, is covered by a plate or pad G
fastened on to a short rod H which plays freely in a hole H' down the centre of the
cone A.
The male die is so fixed in a bed J that when the segments C are at their farthest
point beyond the end of the cone the plate or pad G which covers them (and the
upper surface of which may be of any suitable form), is about on a level with or
slightly above the upper surface of a stationary steel plate K having a hole K' through
it. This hole K' is of the same size and shape as the disc of cardboard or other
material needs to be for forming the desired cap, or other article; and the upper
edge K² of the metal round the hole K' is made sharp so as to serve as a cutting edge
for cutting the said discs.
The female die a is in outline similar to the ordinary bell-shaped dies. Its diameter
at the lower end must be such as to enable it to pass through the hole K' in the steel
plate, K, and thus its outer edge a¹ serves as a cutting edge, in correspondence with
the cutting edge K2 of the steel plate K.
The interior of this die a is in the ordinary way fitted with a plate or pad b corre-
sponding to pad G over the segments C of the male die, such pad & being acted upon
by a spring e tending to force same downwards in order to exert an elastic pressure
upon the material between it and the pad G, until upon the descent of the female die
the pad is forced right up to the position it occupies in Fig. 7.
Through the sides of the female die a I make a number of openings, preferably
eight, and fit into them a number of segments or jaws c, the inner ends of which are
shaped so that they shall form a surface corresponding to that of the male die, which
may be plain or figured to correspond with the periphery of the segments of the
male die, that is, if those segments are formed with a bead I form a sunken or recessed
bead on the inner surface of the segments c of the female die to match it. The
segments or jaws c in the female die are fitted so as to play freely back and forth in
their respective openings in the side of the body of the die, the outer end of the part
which passes through the hole K' in plate K being flush with the outer surface of
the die.
The contiguous segments c are preferably formed with overlapping portions y, as
shown in Fig. 6, in order that the material may not be squeezed in between the joints
when being acted upon.
The under surface of the female die is scored or grooved, such scorings or grooves a³
extending a short distance up the interior surface of the die, and the under surface is
also preferably rounded or slanted off towards the interior, such rounding off and
grooving being preferably of the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and the grooves a³
extending, or not, right to the cutting edge a¹ as desired. The grooves a³ I make of
only sufficient depth and also sufficiently close together as to prevent the "puckering'
or folding of the material, differing slightly with the nature of the material.
33
In the annular space round the male die, between it and the inside of the hole K' in
the steel plate K, I place a ring L of the kind ordinarily used in dies for striking up
sheet material.

page_text: Underneath the steel plate K, round the male die, in the same plane as the
segments C of that die when they are at the large end of the cone A, I place a series
of short plates or pressers M, fitted into grooves in the bed plate J, in which they can
slide freely. The number of these plates M corresponds to the number of the
segments c in the female die a, that is, preferably eight. The inner ends of these a
plates M are at just such a distance from the male die as to allow the female die to
pass down between them.
The outer ends of each plate or presser M is connected to one end of a pivotted
lever N, the other end of which is connected to a slide or bar capable of moving in
suitable ways. The levers N of two adjacent plates M are connected to the same
slide O, so as connect such plates M in pairs. Each slide O is connected to one end of
a pivotted lever P, the other end of which is connected to another slide Q, also capable
of moving in ways. Two of the levers P are connected to the same slide Q, so that
the slides O are thus also connected in pairs, and the plates M. consequently in sets of
four, and by moving the slides Q in one direction or the other, the four plates M
which it controls will be moved inwards or outwards towards or away from the
centre.
The slides may be each actuated separately if desired, but I prefer to connect
the slides themselves by any suitable arrangement, such as that shown in Fig. 1; so
that a single movement will actuate both of them in the direction to move the
plates M, which they control, either inwards or outwards, whereby such plates will be
all actuated simultaneously and by one simple movement, thus ensuring a practically
uniform distribution of pressure to all of them.
The means for uniformly distributing pressure all round a die, may be applied to
dies for other purposes than those above described, and they may also be employed in
connection with a solid under die instead of a die with movable segments as herein
described.
The dies are operated by means of a press. When they have been properly
attached to the press, a sheet of the material to be worked is placed on the upper
surface of the steel plate K, covering the hole K in the same; the operating of the
press causes the cutting edge a¹ of the female die, in co-operation with the cutting
edge K2 of the plate K, to punch out the required disc; the continued descent of
the die a causes the outer parts of this disc to be pinched between the ring L which
surrounds the male die and the grooved lower surface a³ of the female die a. By
this means an even distribution of the material is ensured thus preventing it from
puckering" up into folds as the female die descends. The tightness of the pinch on
the material is regulated by the strength of the spring F which acts upon the ring L,
and must be such as to allow the material to be gradually drawn from between the
latter and the grooved surface a³ of the female die a, as the die continues to
descend.
When the die has descended so far as to force the segments C of the male die
down to the large end of the cone A, as shown in Fig. 2, the segments or jaws c of
the female die a are in the same plane with them, and consequently in a direct line
between them and the series of movable plates or pressers M connected with the
system of levers described; and the outer portion of the disc of material has been
forced down between the segments of the male die and the segments or jaws c of the
female die. The system of levers is then actuated, and the series of plates M being
forced inwards, force the segments c of the female die a in towards the segments Cof
the male die, and thus the material is heavily pressed between their two surfaces, and
pressed into the form which has been given to those surfaces.
The operation having been carried thus far, the system of levers is operated in the
reverse direction, thus withdrawing the plates or pressers M away from the segments
of the female die a, when the springs d will force such segments out again and
consequently away from the outer surface of the formed cap; the female die a then
begins to rise; the spring Facts on the segments C of the male die and causes them
to rise to the small end of the cone A, thereby withdrawing their surfaces away from
the inner side of the cap; the same spring F also causes the surrounding ring L to

page_text: rise, and this ring is made of just the right size so that in rising it pushes the finished
article out of the machine before it. The machine is then ready for another
operation.
Instead of fitting the jaws or segments c into recesses in the female die, thus
causing them to move up and down with such die, the pressers may be made to serve
in place of such jaws or segments by playing through the openings in the die when
the same is in the proper position. Further any other suitable means may be
substituted for operating the pressers M or the jaws or segments c, than those above
described, it being only requisite that such parts should be forced inwards and then
withdrawn at the desired time.
It will be noticed that the periphery of the segments C of the male die, as shown
in Figs. 2 and 4, are undercut, that is to say the lower end is less in diameter than
the upper end, and in Fig. 7 it will be seen that the acting surfaces c¹ of the segments
or jaws c of the female die are bevelled to correspond. The reason for this is that in
some kinds of materials however tightly they may be pressed in the operations above
described, the portion turned over will have a tendency to spring outwards as soon as
the pressure is removed, and it is therefore necessary when dealing with such
materials to allow for this. The extent of the bevel given to such surfaces will
depend upon the nature of the material to be acted upon.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The improved machine for shaping caps, covers, or other analogous articles,
substantially as described and shown.
2. A female die provided with scorings or grooves on that part of its surface which
serves to turn down the edge of a blank for forming caps or other analogous articles,
substantially as specified.
3. A female die provided with openings substantially as specified, for jaws or
pressers to work through.
4. A female die provided with jaws or pressers fitted in recesses or openings
therein, substantially as specified, in combination with means for forcing said jaws or
pressers inwards.
5. A female die provided with movable jaws or segments, the contiguous edges of
which are made to overlap at their inner end, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
6. The arrangement of levers for the purpose of effecting a practically uniform
distribution of pressure all round a die, substantially as specified.
Dated this 28th day of June 1888.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.