Improvements in Machines for Soldering the End Seams of Sheet Metal Cans.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd July, 1894-Accepted, 3rd Oct., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad from EDWIN NORTON, of Maywood, and OLIVER
W. NORTON, of Chicago, both in the County of Cook, State of Illinois,
United States of America, Manufacturers.]
Improvements in Machines for Soldering the End Seams of
Sheet Metal Cans.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 machines for soldering the end seams of square or
polygonal cans.
In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this Specification,
Fig. is a side elevation of a machine embodying this invention, said view
showing however only a portion of the entire length of the machine, at one end;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;
Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section taken through the solder bath, on one side,
and the acid bath on the opposite side;
Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of one link of the can carrier and the can holder
therein;
Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views
of the can holders and the tracks for the same;
Figs. 9 and 10 are vertical sectional views taken on line 9-9 and 10-10 of
Fig. 7;
Fig. 11 is a detail side elevation of the ejector device for discharging the can
from the holder after it has been soldered:
Figs. 12 and 13 are detail views of the tripping mechanism for operating the
ejector;
Fig. 14 is a detail section of the track on line 14-14 of Fig. 3, the same
showing in part the trip mechanism for operating the ejector;
Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view of the worm gear mechanism for driving the
can carrier chain, the same having a spring or yielding motion to compensate for
the irregular strain upon the carrier by reason of the rising and falling movement
of the can holder and by reason of the rolling of the flat sided or polygonal can
holder along its track.
變
In general arrangement the machine comprises two flux baths C and two solder
baths D and rotary wiping brushes T, an endless link chain can carrier B in the
open links of which are mounted a series of swinging rings or plates F in each of
which is a revolving can holder G; the machine being provided with suitable
stationary tracks or guide ways a a a' for the link chain carrier B, and guide
ways as as a for the pivoted or swinging rings or plates F and guide ways F* for
the revolving can holders G. The machine is designed for soldering the end seams
of square or rectangular cans, and the soldering is done by rolling the cans in an
inclined position first through the flux bath and solder bath and suitable brushes
and then, the can holder ring F being suitable turned on its pivots by hand to

page_text: bring the opposite end of the can into position for soldering, the can is rolled by the
continued movement of the carrier B through the flux hath solder bath and the
brushes, thus soldering the opposite end of the can.
The open links of the endless link chain can carrier B stand upright and travel
around upon a pair of horizontally revolving sprocket or polygon wheels B¹
secured on a vertical shaft B2 one at each end of the machine. This endless link
chain carrier B is guided by upper and lower tracks or grooved ways a u, a* a one
directly above the other, the said track a exten ling entirely around the machine,
excepting at the outer half of the circumference of each of the wheels B', where
the chain B is of course guided or held in position by said wheels Figures 1 and 2
upon which it travels and from which it receives motion.
On the stationary frame of the machine there is arranged outside the lower
track a of the chain carrier B flux baths or tanks C and solder baths or tauks D;
see Figure 4; the solder tanks succeeding the flux tank so that the can to be
soldered will be first presented to a flux tank and then to a solder tank and thus be
first fluxed and then soldered. As the flux tank precedes the solder tank, the flux
tank on one side of the machine will be located directly opposite the solder
tank D on the opposite side of the machine, as will be clearly apparent from
Figure of the drawing, which is a vertical cross section of the machine.
Succeeding the solder bath on each side of the machine and in line with the acid
and solder baths are located revolving brushes T* T* Figure 3 adapted to engage
the freshly soldered seam and wipe therefrom the surplus solder.
The solder tank and the flux tank are both fixed stationary on the frame of the
machine and have no motion of any kind imparted to them. Motion is communi-
cated to the endless link chain can carrier B by means of the polygon wheels B' on
which the chain travels. The vertical shafts B2 of the polygon wheels B' have
motion communicated to them from the main driving shaft M by means of a
worm M engaging a worm gear M2 on the shaft B2. The necessary revolving
movement is communicated to the revolving can holder G in each link of the
chain carrier B by means of a stationary notched track a² Figure 8 fixed on the
frame of the machine, which engages pins or projections on each of the can
holder rings G. The frame rings or plates F are pivoted to the vertical bars of
the link chain carrier B near their middle, and are swung or turned on their pivots
as hereinafter mentioned so as to present the can in the proper inclined position
first to the flux bath then to the solder bath, then to the wiping brushes T". The
plates are then turned through half a revolution on their pivots by hand so as to
present the opposite end of the can first to the second flux bath then to the second
solder bath and then to the second wiping brushes.
The link chain carrier B is hinged or pivoted together at b see Fig. 1. The
shaft B2 of each of the polygonal wheels is journaled in a suitable box or
bearing B on the frame of the machine. The pivot pins or shafts by which the
links B B of the chain are hinged together are furnished with friction rollers
which fit in suitable guides grooves or tracks aa on the frame of the machine
which serve to guide the chain carrier and keep it in position.
The polygonal wheels B' are likewise furnished with notches or sockets Figs. 1
and 2 to receive or engage these anti-friction rollers. The link chain carrier B
is supported by and travels around upon a track a¹ upon the frame of the machine.
The carrier is furnished with a series of wheels which roll upon the track a',
each link of the chain having preferably one of these wheels.
The acid or flux bath C Fig. 4 has a heating chamber surrounding it upon all
sides except the top, the same being furnished with a steam coil or other heating
device (by means of which the acid or flux may be kept hot. The inner wall C³
of this heating chamber is also provided with a flue or gas chamber C₁ for heating
the same and directing the heat and Hame of the gas burner C up against the can
so as to heat the seam of the can.
The solder bath D Fig. 4, 5 and 6 has a furnace or heating chamber Di
surrounding it.

page_text: F is the swiveling or pivotal ring of the revolving can holder G and in which said
can holder revolves. The swiveling ring F has pivot pins which fit in slots f
Figs. 4 and 6 formed in the links B of the carrier so that this swiveling ring F
may have the necessary up and down reciprocating movement to permit the polygonal
can to roll along the guides ee Fig. 4 of the acid bath and d d of the solder bath.
The revolving can holders G, one in each link of the carrier, is furnished with a
socket Figs. 5 and 6 conforming in shape or outline to the cross section of the
can which is to be placed therein. This socket is preferably formel of plates g¹
one for each side of the can.
The revolving can holder G is furnished with a number of anti-friction rollers g²
having flanges so that the same may freely revolve in the guide way F* of the
pivotal ring F. The revolving can holder ring G is furnished with pins or pro-
jections Figs. 7 and 8 which engage a notched track or rack a on the frame of
the machine, which thus causes the can holder ring G and the can therein to have
a rolling movement.
The swiveling ring F is furnished with wheels or rollers f, preferably two at
each end, which ride upon a curved or warel track a³ Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 on the
frame of the machine so as to communicate the requisite up and down or recipro-
cating movement to the holder G and the can therein to correspond to the up and
down movement of the axis of the can as the flat sided can turns upon its corners
in rolling along. The wheels or rollers are provided at each end of the pivotal
ring or plate F as the ring or plate turns end for end to present the opposite end
of the cau to the second flux and solder baths after the first end of the can has been
soldered by the first set of flux and solder baths in the machine.
To cause the can holder and the can therein to be properly raised into the bath
and out of the same, the track upon which the reciprocating and pivotal ring
plate F travels is provided at the entrance and exit ends of the bath with a straight
portion a, Figures 5 and 8, upon which the last one of the two wheels / may rude,
the two wheels being offset or set out of line with each other so that only the last
wheel will engage this duplicate raised portion of the track.
And to
The machine which is shewn in the drawing is specially designed for soldering
the end seams of large square cans commonly known as " petroleum cans."
keep the pivotal rings or plates F straight and in proper position in the slotted
links B of the chain carrier and to prevent any tendency of the same to bind due
to their weight or dragging strain, each link B is provided with brackets or arms
which are adapted to engage the upper pair of wheels on the rings or plates F,
and thus serve to hold the same in proper position and thereby cause said rings or
plates to move up and down in the slotted link B freely. The pivoted rings or
plates F are swiveled or turned on their pivots and guided or held at the requisite
inclination as they travel along by means of a track or guide a on the frame of the
machine. A further guide or track a engaging the upper end of the pivotal plates
or rings F serves to keep the wheels 2 in proper contact with their track a³. This
guide is connected yieldingly by springs a' see Fig. 6 with the supporting
brackets A' attached to the fraine of the machine.
As the cans travel along the flux and solder baths C D they are guided and
supported by the guides c c and d d of said baths so that the seam is properly
presented to the surface of the flux and solder in the baths or vessels CD. The
cans are further guided by a yielding guide H which presses against the upper end,
of the cans.
This guide or bar II is given the requisite spring or yielding a ve
ment by means of a pivoted supporting arm H' held in position by a spring H.
Between the solder and flux baths and before and after the same, as well as along the
same, the lower ends of the cans in the holders G fit against a guide K Fig. 6
which serves to hold them in position.
By reason of the yielding movement of the guide II the can is permitted to have
the requisite rising and falling movement necessary to have it roll or turn on its
corners without causing it to bind between this guide H and the lower guide.

page_text: The notched track or rack is furnished with a spring or elastic section a
which serves to give the holder G a slight tilt to ensure the pins g engaging the
first notch of this notched track. This is clearly illustrated in Figure 7. The
track is likewise furnished with another yielding section as at its beginning to
prevent any concussion or blow when the pins come in contact with the track. At
the point where the track a³, upon which the rings F ride, is provided with the
duplicate raised portion a', this notched track a is furnished with a raised curved
portional to compensate for the tilted position the can is given by reason of this
straight or raised portion a' of the track a³. This will be clearly understood by
reference to Figures 5 and 8.
As the cans to be soldered are square cans it is obvious that as they are rolled
or turned from their flat side onto the corner and from the corner to the flat side,
the axis of each can and of its holder ring G must necessarily rise and fall as the
cans are conveyed and simultaneously rolled along their tracks to bring the end
seam of the can in contact with the acid in the acid bath and the sclder in the
solder bath. To permit of this necessary up and down or rising and falling
movement of the axis of the holder ring G the horizontal pivots of the plates F,
in which the ring G is mounted and in which it revolves, are made to fit in
slots Fig. 6 in the vertical bars of the endless link chain carrier B. The
plate F thus has a slight up and down movement in addition to its forward
movement with the carrier chain B, this up and down movement is communicated
to the plate F by the turning of the holder ring G on its axis caused by the
successive engagement of the four pins g' on said ring G with the notched
track. The holder ring G has a simple revolving movement in the plate F,
but of course moves up and down with the plate and also forward with the
plate. The plate F in addition to its forward movement with the carrier chain B
and its up and down movement before mentioned has also a pivotal or swinging
movement on its pivots, this pivotal movement being for the purpose of
presenting the can at the proper inclination to the acid bath and to the solder
bath, and to permit the can after one end has been soldered to be turned end
for end to bring the other end downward or in position for soldering.
endless link chain carrier B runs around horizontal pulleys or polygon wheels
at the opposite ends of the machine so that the open links of the chain stand
in vertical planes. An acid or flux bath succeeded by a solder bath is arranged
just inside the line or path of the chain carrier B so that as the square can is
rolled in an inclined position along its track by the holder G and plate Fin
the link of the carrier B, the end seam of the can will come first in contact
with the acid or flux and then in contact with the solder and thus be soldered.
And a like acid or flux bath succeeded by a solder bath is similarly arranged for
soldering the other end of the can. As the plate F carrying the holder G is
adapted to turn or swing on its pivots in the open link of the chain carrier B it is
obvious that by giving it a half turn on its pivots the can may be turned end for
end to bring its opposite end into position for soldering. The notched track u² is
arranged in position to engage the pins gf of the revolving holder G and cause the
holder to revolve on its axis as it is carried forward in the plate F by the
carrier B.
The
M is the main driving shaft of the machine and from which motion is communi-
cated to the vertical shafts B2 of the polygonal wheels B by means of the
worm M which meshes with a worm gear Mon said shaft B. In order to drive
the carrier B without any jerky motion or strain which would naturally result from
the rolling of the polygonal cans and their holders along the tracks, the worm M
is splined to the shaft M, the spline and groove being indicated at m and m', so
that this worm may have a sliding movement on said shaft, and the shaft is further
provided with a spring M to back up or hold in position yieldingly said worm.
The spring abuts against a stop fixed to the shaft and which is provided
with an adjusting unt whereby the tension of the hacking spring uny be

page_text: on the
regulated as desired. By means of this yielding or spring held worm
driving shaft combined with the can carrier and its polygonal or flat sided can
holders, the cans are enabled to be rolled through the hath of flux and solder
steadily and smoothly without any jerking or jarring motions which would tend to
destroy or injure the machine, and which at the same time would prevent the proper
soldering of the cans. To properly solder the cans by a rolling movement through
the solder bath, it is very desirable that the cans should not be subjected to
jarring movements tending to disturb the solder in the seams before it becom is
properly set.
N is the ejector by which the soldered cans are pushed en lwise out of the
socket of the holder G. This ejector has a reciprocating movement in suitable
guides N on the frame of the machine, the same being actuated by a eranka and
connecting link or pitman n'. The crank n is on a shaft and motion is
cominunicated to this shaft at suitable intervals by a clutch ³n, one part of
which clutch revolves with the band wheel. The movable part of the clutch is
operated at intervals by a lever T having a projection t which is engaged by the
carrier chain B or its friction roller b' and which is connected to the clutch arm ⟫*
by the connecting rod t¹.
In order to cause the machine to run smoothly and easily, the weight of the can
holders G and their pivotal rings or plates F and of the cans in the holders is
counteracted in part by means of counterbalance springs R attached at one end to
the links B of the carrier chain and at their opposite ends to the pivots of the rings
or plates of the can holder.
Opposite the ejector N the machine is provided with a discharge chute or
device S to receive the can as it is discharged from the holder of the can carrier.
The chute S is attached to the frame of the machine. By means of this chute
combined with the ejector the cans are automatically delivered from the machine.
The ejector makes a quick stroke and thus serves to push the cans out of the
holder while the can carrier moves continuously along.
The spring held sliding worm on the driving shaft combined with the can carrier
and its angular or flat sided can holders enables the regulating of the tension of
the spring to accomplish the important result in the practical operation of soldering
these flat sided cans of giving a momentary pause of each straight seam or side
of the can in the solder or flux bath, thus increasing the length of time it is in
contact with the solder or acid. In soldering angular or Hat sided cans by
rolling them through a bath, but for this pause or somewhat intermittent revolving
movement given to the can, the entire length of each seam of the can would be
raised out of contact with the molten solder at almost the instant it touched the
same and much too quick to enable the solder to properly sweat through or
penetrate the folds of the seam.
By means of this sliding spring held worm on the driving shaft, in connection
with the carrier and its can holders, the operator is enabled, at will, to give an
intermittent motion to the carrier or a continuous motion thereto by simply
regulating the tension of the spring m It will also be readily un lerstood by
those skilled in the art that by means of this spring held worm the driving
shaft this pause in the rolling movement of the can holders is enabled to be
produced while the flat side or seam is down without diminishing the speed or
capacity of the machine from what it would be if the carrier moved steadily and
continuously because the spring by its subsequent expansion gives a quicker
movement to the carrier and to the rolling of the can holder at the time the strain
or force required is less, that is to say while the holder is turning downwards on its
corners or while the can holder ring or plate F is moving on the descending side
of the curves of the track a³.
To enable the cans to be readily and quickly inserted in the sockets of the
holders G and removed therefrom and at the same time to cause the cans to be
securely held in the holders the sockets of the hollers are provided with flat
springs which press against the sides of the can.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by
my foreign correspon tents, I declare that what I claim is :-
Ist. In a machine for soldering angular or flat sided cans the combination with
a solder bath of a can carrier furnished with a series of revolving up and down
bodily reciprocating can holders mounted on said carrier for rolling the cans along
said bath and a driving shaft for communicating motion to sail carrier furnishe
with a sliding worm, and means for holding it yieldingly in position so that the
yielding or sliding movement of the worm on its shaft may compensate for the
irregular strain upon the carrier, substantially as specified.
2nd. The combination in a soldering machine of a link chain can carrier furnished
with a series of can holders, polygonal wheels for driving said carrier and a driving
shaft furnished with a worm splined thereto and a spring for hobling said worm
yieldingly in position, the shaft of said polygonal wheel being geared or connected
to said worm and driven thereby, substantially as specified.
3rd. The combination in a soldering machine of a link chain can carrier
furnished with a series of can holders, polygonal wheels for driving said carrier
and a driving shaft furnished with a worm splined thereto and a spring for holling
said worm yieldingly in position the shaft of said polygonal wheels being geare
or connected to said worm and driven thereby, said driving shaft having fixed
thereon a stop provided with an adjustable nut for said spring to abut against,
substantially as specified.
4th. In a soldering machine the combination of the solder bath with an endless
link chain carrier B furnished with a series of can holders and provided with
a series of supporting wheels 3 journaled on said carrier B upon which said carrier
travels and a track a' for said carrier wheels to run upon, substantially as
specified.
5th. In a machine for soldering angular or flat sided cans, the combination with
a solder bath of an endless link chain carrier B having a series of revolving pivotal
up and down reciprocating can holders mounted on said carrier for rolling the cans
along said bath, and a track al for said carrier, the links of said carrier being
furnished with a series of upright wheels for supporting said carrier on said
track, substantially as specified.
6th. The combination in a soldering machine of a link chain carrier B, horizontal
polygonal wheels B' for driving said carrier, the track a upon which said carrier
travels and upright supporting wheels on said carrier adapted to roll upon said
track, substantially as specified.
7th. In a machine for soldering angular or flat sided cans, the combination of a
solder bath with a can carrier having a series of revolving pivotal up and down
reciprocating can holders mounted on said carrier for rolling the cans through said
bath and a curved or waved track a³ engaging said can holders for giving them
their up and down bodily reciprocating movement, said track a³ having a
supplemental straight portion af for raising the can into and out the solder bath,
substantially as specified.
8th. In a machine for soldering angular or flat sided cans, the combination of a
solder bath with a can carrier having a series of revolving pivotal up and down
reciprocating can holders mounted on said carrier for rolling the cans through said
bath and a curved or waved track a³ engaging said can holders for giving them
their up
and down bodily reciprocating movement, said track a³ having a
supplemental straight portion at for raising the can into and out the solder bath,
said can holders having an up and down reciprocating ring or plate F furnished
with wheels or rullers adapted to engage said track, said wheels or rollers
being set cut of hue with each other so that one of said rollers may follow the
curve of said track a while the other follows the straight portion thereof,
substantially as specified.
2
9th. In a soldering machine the combination with a solder lath of a can carrier

page_text: furnished with a series of revolving can holders and a spring pressure guide or
bar II for engaging the upper end of the can to adapt the can to revolve under
the pressure bar. substantially as specified.
1th. In a soldering machine the combination with the solder bath of a can
carrier furnished with a series of revolving pivotal up and down reciprocatin
can holders of a spring pressure guide or bar H engaging the upper end of the can
and holding it in position while it is roll. d along by the carrier, substantially as
specified.
11th. In a machine for soldering angular or flat sided cans, the combination with
a solder bath of a can carrier having a series of up and down reciprocating
can holders furnished with counterbalance springs, and means for imparting an mp
and down reciprocating movement to said can holders, substantially as specified.
12th. The combination with a solder bath of a can carrier furnished with a
revolving up and down reciprocating can holder of a counterbalance spring for said
holder, means for imparting a rolling or revolving movement to said can holder, and
means for imparting an up and down reciprocating movement to said can holder,
substantially as specified.
13th. The combination with a can carrier B having a series of revolving can
holders furnished with pins or projections and a notched track or rack for
engaging said pins and causing the can holders to revolve, said track being
furnished with a spring supported section a to cause the holder to tilt and ensure
its proper engagement with the notches of said track or rack, substantially as
specified.
14th. The combination with a can carrier B furnished with a series of revolving
can holders provided with pius or projections to engage the track, of a track
or rack a provided with a yielding or spring section at its end to cushion the
holder against the track as it meets or leaves the same, substantially as specified.
15th. In a soldering machine the combination with the can carrier furnished
with pivotal up and down reciprocating can holder rings or plates F and revolving
can holders G mounted in said rings or plates F and a track a³ to guide said rings
or plates F and a spring pressure guide or bar a for engaging the upper end of
said rings or plates to hold the same in position, substantially as specified.
16th. In a can soldering machine the combination with a carrier furnished with
a series of revolving pivotal up and down reciprocating can holders of an ejector
device mounted upon the frame of the machine for pushing the cans out of their
holders as the carrier brings the holders in turn opposite said ejector device,
substantially as specified.
17th. In a can soldering machine the combination with a carrier furnished with
a series of revolving pivotal up and down reciprocating can holders of an ejector
device for pushing the cans out of their holders as the carrier brings the holders
in turn opposite said ejector device, and a discharge chute or device for receiving
the cans as they are pushed out of the holders by the ejector, substantially as
specified.
18th. In a can soldering machine the combination with a carrier furnished with
a series of pivotal revolving up and down reciprocating can holders of an ejector
device for pushing the cans out of their holders, and mechanism for reciprocating
said ejector furnished with a clutch, and a lever for operating the ciutch projecting
in the path of the carrier and operated thereby, substantially as specified.
19th. The combination of link chain can carrier B, the links whereof have
slots, of pivotal up and dowu reciprocating rings or plates F and revolving can
holders G mounted in said rings or plates F, the links of the carrier being
provided with brackets or arms adapted to engage the upper ends of the rings or
plates and hold them in position, substantially as specified.
20th. The combination of link chain carrier B, the links whereof have slots f',
of pivotal up and down reciprocating rings or plates F, and revolving can
holders G mounted in said rings or plates F, the links of the carrier being provided
with brackets or arms & adapted to engage the upper ends of the rings or plates

page_text: aud hold them in position, said rings or plates F having wheels or rollers,
substantially as specified.
21st. The combination of a can carrier furnished with a series of can holders
having sockets to receive the cans, of a reciprocating ejector N mounted upon the
frame of the machine for pushing the cans out of said sockets in turn as they are
brought around opposite said ejector by the carrier, substantially as specified.
22nd. The combination of a can carrier furnished with a series of can holders
having sockets to receive the cans of a reciprocating ejector N mounted upon the
frame of the machine for pushing the cans out of said sockets in turn as they are
brought around opposite said ejector by the carrier, and a discharge chute S,
substantially as specified.
23rd. The combination of a can carrier furnished with a series of can holders
having pockets to receive the cans, of a reciprocating ejector N for pushing the
cans out of said sockets, a revolving crank for operating said ejector, a clutch and
a clutch operating lever projecting in the path of said carrier and operated
thereby, substantially as specified.
24th. In a can soldering machine the combination with a can carrier furnished
with a series of angular or flat sided rolling can holders, of a driving shaft for
communicating motion to said holders furnished with a yielding sliding worn to
cause the carrier to give a pause to the rolling can while its seam is in contact
with the solder, substantially as specified.
25th. In a can soldering machine the combination with a can carrier furnished
with a series of angular or flat sided rolling can holders of a driving shaft for
communicating motion to said holders furnished with a yielding sliding worm to
cause the carrier to give a pause to the rolling can while its seam is in contact
with the holder, and a backing spring for holding said worm yieldingly in position,
substantially as specified.
Dated this 3rd day of July 1801
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.