Improvements in the Manufacture of Sheet-Metal Cans."
Year: 1897

page_text: 66
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Sheet-Metal Cans."
I, ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS Assoc. M. Inst.C.E., M.I.Mech. E., of 70, Chancery
Lane, in the l'arish of St. Andrews Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Consult-
ing Engineer & Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
which has been communicated to me from abroad by Olin Stephen Fellows of
Middletown, Orange County, in the State of New York, U.S.A., Manufacturer, to
be as follows:-
:-
My invention relates to the manufacture of sheet metal cans in which the end
plates are soldered to cylindrical can bodies. In the ordinary process of manu-
facture the end plates are applied to the can bodies, and the exterior edges of the
can, thus assembled, are successively rolled over and in contact with baths of
molten solder, thereby introducing the solder between the flanges of the end
plates and the opposed edges of the can body. This method is simple and desirable
because the soldering operation is continuous and rapid, but it is wasteful of solder
since an excess thereof is taken up and carried away by the exterior surfaces of the
can, not only adding to the weight and cost of the can but also impairing its
symmetry.
The object of my invention is to save practically all the superfluous solder taken
up by the cans, and at the same time to render them more perfect and symmetrical
in external appearance; and the invention consists essentially in the use of means
for imparting to the cans, after they leave the soldering bath, and while the solder
is in a fluid state, a sufficient degree of centrifugal force to throw off the excess of
solder from the exterior surfaces of the cans, substantially as herein set forth.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1, is a plan embodying the essential features for carrying out my inven
tion,
Figure 2, is a sectional elevation upon plane of line 2, 2, Figure 1, and
Figure 3 is a transverse section upon plane of line 3, 3, Figure 1.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
It is obvious that the necessary degree of centrifugal force may be imparted
to the cans after they leave the soldering bath, by various mechanical expedients;
and that they may be thus treated individually and intermittently.
I prefer however to treat them continuously as they roll from the soldering bath,
and this I accomplish by passing them between a travelling surface and a support,
shown in the present instance as consisting of two endless belts A and B, speeded
to rotate the cams on their axes with sufficient centrifugal force to throw off the
excess of solder, one of the belts travelling faster than the other so that the cans
received at one end will be finally discharged at the other.
In ordinary practice the cans are transferred directly from one soldering bath,
in which one end of the cans is soldered; to another soldering bath in which the
other end is soldered, the incline of the cans being changed between the baths by
a gradual change in incline of the ways. I interpose one of my solder saving
70 71

page_text: devices between the soldering baths and place another to receive the cans from the
second bath, but they are practically the same in construction and operation, and
one description will answer for both.
r, are the supporting rails, which convey the cans from the soldering bath,
and rr, the supporting rails which convey the cans from my solder saving device.
99, are guard rails which preserve the alignment of the cans. The rails r, r, feed
the cans in between the belts A, B. These belts are supported by the
pulleys a, a, a³, and b, b1, b2 mounted upon the shafts d, d¹, d³ and e, e¹, e²
respectively. The upper series of shafts d, d¹, 2, are adjustable vertically in
their bearings, so that the space between the belts A, B, may be regulated
accurately to meet the requirements of the cans under treatment. The pulleys a¹
and bare idlers.
Power and speed are imparted by the power belt P, to the pulley P, on the
shaft d, upon which is also mounted the pulley t, by which the power is trans-
mitted through the belt T, to the pulley e, upon the shaft e². The pulley being
of greater diameter than the pulley t, it is obvious that the belt B, will travel at a
slower speed than that of the belt A. The belts travel in the direction indicated
by the arrows.
The dotted circles indicate the sheet metal cans.
The cans fed to the device by the rails r, are seized by and between the
belts A, B, which rotate them on their longitudinal axes with sufficient speed to
throw off by centrifugal force the superfluous solder in drops and particles which
are. subsequently collected and returned to the soldering bath. Owing to the
difference in speed of the belts A, B, the cans are finally discharged unto the
rails, r, their time of passage through the device being regulated by the relative
speeds imparted to said belts.
In order to economize space the belts A, B, are preferably arranged to travel
in opposite directions, as well as at different specs as shown in the drawings,
although it is obvious that a similar result may be attained by the use of belts
travelling in the same direction but at different speeds, provided the run is made of
sufficient length; or a single belt may be used in connection with a stationary way
or support.
I have found by practical test and experience that by my method of utilising
centrifugal force for the recovery of superfluous solder as set forth, I can effect a
material saving in the cost of soldering end caps to can bodies, and at the same
time produce cans of superior and more uniform appearance.
Where one belt moves at a greater speed than the other, as the upper belt in
the accompanying drawings, such fast or upper belt not only forwards the cans
through the apparatus, but also spaces them so that they pass through without
contact with each other. In other words the faster belt naturally grasps and for-
wards each can as fed to it in such a manner that it will be in advance and out
of contact with the next succeeding can and this relation of the cans is maintained
until they are discharged at the opposite end of the apparatus.
Dated this 27th day of July 1897
Improvements in the Manufacture of Sheet-Metal Cans."
I, ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS Assoc.M.Inst.C.E., M.I.Mech. E., of 70, Chancery
Lane, in the Parish of St. Andrews, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Consult-
ing Engineer & Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
which has been communicated to me from abroad by Olin Stephen Fellows of
Middletown, Orange County in the State of New York, U.S.A., Manufacturer, and

page_text: in what manner, the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to the manufacture of sheet metal cans in which the end
plates are soldered to cylindrical can bodies. In the ordinary process of manu-
facture the end plates are applied to the can bodies, and the exterior edges of the
can, thus assembled, are successively rolled over and in contact with baths of
molten solder, thereby introducing the solder between the flanges of the end
plates and the opposed edges of the can body. This method is simple and desirable
because the soldering operation is continuous and rapid, but it is wasteful of solder
since an excess thereof is taken up and carried away by the exterior surfaces of the
can, not only adding to the weight and cost of the can but also impairing its
symmetry.
The object of my invention is to save practically all the superfluous solder taken
up by the cans, and at the same time to render them more perfect and symmetrical
in external appearance; and the invention consists essentially in the use of means
for imparting to the cans, after they leave the soldering bath, and while the solder
is in a fluid state, a sufficient degree of centrifugal force to throw off the excess of
solder from the exterior surfaces of the cans, substantially as herein set forth.
Referring to the drawings accompanying this provisional specification:
Figure 1, is à plan embodying the essential features for carrying out my inven-
tion,
Figure 2, is a sectional elevation upon plane of line 2, 2, Figure 1, and
Figure 3 is a transverse section upon plane of line 3, 3, Figure 1.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
It is obvious that the necessary degree of centrifugal force may be imparted
to the cans after they leave the soldering bath, by various mechanical expedients;
and that they may be thus treated individually and intermittently.
I prefer however to treat them continuously as they roll from the soldering bath,
and this I accomplish by passing them between a travelling surface and a support,
shown in the present instance as consisting of two endless belts A and B, speeded
to rotate the cans on their axes with sufficient centrifugal force to throw off the
excess of solder, one of the belts travelling faster than the other so that the cans
received at one end will be finally discharged at the other.
In ordinary practice the cans are transferred directly from one soldering bath,
in which one end of the cans is soldered, to another soldering bath in which the
other end is soldered, the incline of the cans being changed between the baths by
a gradual change in incline of the ways. I interpose one of my solder saving
devices between the soldering baths and place another to receive the cans from the
second bath, but they are practically the same in construction and operation, and
one description will answer for both.
r,r, are the supporting rails, which convey the cans from the soldering bath,
and the supporting rails which convey the cans from my solder saving device.
99 are guard rails which preserve the alignment of the cans. The rails r, r, feed
the cans in between the belts A, B. These belts are
pulleys a, a, a³, and b, b1, b2, mounted upon the shafts d, d¹, d³, and e, e¹, e³,
supported by the
respectively. The upper series of shafts d d d are adjustable vertically in
their bearings, so that the space between the belts A, B, may be regulated
accurately to meet the requirements of the cans under treatment. The pulleys a¹
and are idlers.
Power and speed are imparted by the power belt P, to the pulley p, on the
shaft d, upon which is also mounted the pulley t, by which the power is trans-
mitted through the belt T, to the pulley e, upon the shaft e². The pulley being
of greater diameter than the pulley t, it is obvious that the belt B, will travel at a
slower speed than that of the belt A. The belts travel in the direction indicated
by the arrows. The dotted circles indicate the sheet metal cans.
The cans fed to the device by the rails r, are seized by and between the
belts A, B, which rotate them on their longitudinal axes with sufficient speed to

page_text: throw off by centrifugal force the superfluous solder in drops and particles which
are subsequently collected and returned to the soldering bath. Owing to the
difference in speed of the belts A, B, the cans are finally discharged unto the
rails their time of passage through the device being regulated by the relative
speeds imparted to said belts.
In order to economize space the belts A, B, are preferably arranged to travel
in opposite directions, as well as at different speeds as shown in the drawings,
although it is obvious that a similar result may be attained by the use of belts
travelling in the same direction but at different speeds, provided the run is made of
sufficient length, or a single belt may be used in connection with a stationary way
or support.
I have found by practical test and experience that by my method of utilising
centrifugal force for the recovery of a superfluous solder as set forth, I can effect a
material saving in the cost of soldering end caps to can bodies, and at the same
time produce cans of superior and more uniform appearance.
Where one belt moves at a greater speed than the other, as the upper belt in
the accompanying drawings, such fast or upper belt not only forwards the cans
through the apparatus, but also spaces them so that they pass through without
contact with each other. In other words the faster belt naturally grasps and for-
wards each can as fed to it in such manner that it will be in advance and out
of contact with the next succeeding can and this relation of the cans is maintained
until they are discharged at the opposite end of the apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
(1) In a solder saving device, the combination of an endless travelling surface
and the opposed can support arranged to receive the cans between them, and means
for producing a relative motion between said travelling surface and can support,
whereby a speed of rotation is imparted to the cans sufficient to throw off from said
cans, by centrifugal force any excess of melted solder substantially in the manner
described.
(2) In a solder saving device, the combination of two endless belts with opposed
surfaces arranged to receive the cans between them, said opposed surfaces travel-
ling in opposite directions and at different speeds so that the cans are spaced and
forwarded by the faster moving belt while the slower moving belt increases the
axial rotation of the cans, and means for producing a relative motion between said
opposed belt surfaces whereby a speed of rotation is imparted to the cans sufficient
to throw off from said cans, by centrifugal force, any excess of molted solder, sub-
stantially in the manner described.
(3) The method herein set forth of removing a superfluous solder from sheet
metal cans, consisting in imparting to the superfluous solder while in a liquid
state, by means of centrifugal force, an impetus sufficient to detach such super-
fluous solder from the cans, substantially in the manner and for the purpose
described.
(4) The method herein set forth of removing superfluous solder from sheet
metal cans without contact with the solder, consisting in throwing off the super-
fluous solder, while in a liquid state by centrifugal force, substantially in the
manner and for the purpose described.
Dated thia 24th day of Navambar 1907
BERT E. PHILLIPS Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I.Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C. Associate Agent.