Apparatus or Machinery for Closing and Securing Metal Tubes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by HERMANN PLATZ, of 10, Friedenstrasse,
Karlsruhe, Germany, and SAMUEL LEENDERT HUIZER, of 180, Riouwstraat,
s' Gravenhage, Holland, Engineers.]
Apparatus or Machinery for Closing and Securing Metal Tubes.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL of No. 28 Southampton Buildings in the County
of London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a construction of apparatus or machinery for closing
metal tubes of soft metal such as tin, that are filled with a liquid or pasty
substance.
The operations carried out by such apparatus either singly or in combination
consist essentially in the following
By means of suitable stamps or dies the upper part of a metal tube, when about
half filled with liquid, is first pressed flat, and in such flattened part transverse
grooves are formed by pressing, so that it can be readily folded together at such
grooves. The layers of metal thus folded together are lastly secured together by
an eyelet or by other suitable rivetting appliance.
This method of closure, which is described in an application for Patent of even
date herewith not only effects a perfectly tight closure, but also affords the greatest
possible security against improper opening, as any such attempt would leave clearly
visible marks.
On the accompanying drawings
Figures 1. 2 and 3 shew a machine in which the entire process, namely, the
feeding in of the tubes, the closing, and the rivetting, is effected automatically.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section.
Figure 2 is a plan, and Figure 3 a cross section on line I-II, Figure 2.
Figures 4 to 13 shew, detached, the ten pairs of stamps of the said machine, some
of these being shewn in section. Between each pair of dies is shewn the tube
having the operation which the dies effect performed thereon, so that the entire
process in all its stages is shewn by these figures.
Figure 14 shews one of the eyelet rivets employed for securing the tube.
Figures 15, 16 and 17 shew the arrangement for supplying and riveting the
eyelets.
Figures 18 to 21 shew different views of a link of the transporting chain.
Figures 22 to 25 shew the arrangement for conveying the tubes to the transport
chain, Figure 22 shewing an elevation, Figure 23, a side view and Figures 24
and 25 plans with two positions of the operative parts.
Figures 26 to 29 shew a modified construction of machine for closing the tube,
worked by the foot, with only a single pair of dies;
Figure 26 shews an elevation of the entire machine, while Figures 27 to 29 shew
enlarged longitudinal and cross sections and plan of the upper part only.
Figures 30 and 31 shew two views of a machine for riveting the closed tubes.
The machine shewn at Figures 1, 2 and 3 effects quite automatically the closing
of the tubes in the manner shewn at Figures 4 to 13.
These figures shew the ten pairs of dies between which the tubes are successively
brought, in order to be subjected step by step to the closing process.

page_text: Only the heads of the dies are shewn in the Figures 4 to 13, in each case in the
open position, after having performed the operation shewn on the tube situated
between them.
The dies 1, 1, Figure 4, effect the flattening together of the empty upper part of
the tube and at the same time both marking it with a private mark by means of
separate dies 11 which mark is situated inside when the tube is folded over, and
pressing transverse grooves.t' into the flattened part by means of the ribs 12 on the
one die and grooves 13, on the other die. These dies are also advantageously
combined with a cutter for trimming the upper edge of the tube simultaneously, with
the flattening. In order to prevent the lower filled part of the tube from being
damaged during the pressing, the dies are fornied at the lower. part with
bollows 20, 20, which are also provided, in all the following dies. The transverse
grooves t¹ have for their object to facilitate and render uniform the folding over of
the flattened part of the tubes.
The tube prepared as at Figure 4 then passes between the second pair of dies 2, 2,
Figure 5. These dies do not effect any pressure but only bend over the topmost
portion, of the tube, the bent projection 14 of the one die being made to press
against such part and to, bend it over the top surface 15 of the other part.
The part thus bent into a horizontal position, is then bent farther downwards
by the next dies 3, 3, Figure 6, by means of the inclined projection 16, in
combination with the support 17. Lastly the part 2 is pressed tightly against the
part 3 by the dies 4, 4 Figure 7.
In a similar manner the following dies 5, 5, Figure 8, 6, 6, Figure 9, and 7, 7,
Figure 10, effect the bending over the parts 12, 3, and the pressing them flat against
the part t
The tube is thus securely, closed and in order to effectually prevent the opening
of the same, the folded parts are now rivetted together. For this purpose au
eyelet rivet u, Figure 14, is employed; the tube is first brought between the dies 8, 8,
Figure 11, which pierce a hole therein, this being effected by a punch 21 on the one
die, situated opposite a hole 22 in the other die. The punch is advantageously
provided with a spring abutment 24, so that during the perforation of the tube by
the punch the former is held with spring pressure by the abutment 24 the spring 23
being more or less compressed, and thus any separation of the folded parts of the
tube from each other during the perforation is prevented. The abutment only
releases the tube again when the punch has been almost entirely withdrawn from the
perforation, so that in this case also no opening of the folds can occur.
The insertion and riveting over of the eyelet is effected by the dies 9, 9,
Figure 12, one, of which has the fixed punch 25 with the pressing flange 26, while
the other has a spring pin 27 which is pressed forward. by a spring 29. On the
front end of the pin 27 is placed, by a device presently to be described, one of the
eyelets u.
When the dies 9, 9, advance towards each other, the pin 27 first
introduces the eyelet into the previously prepared hole in the tube. The pressing
punch 25, 26, then bears against the pin 27, forcing it back against the spring 29,
and then entering. the interior of the eyelet u, effects the turning over and rivetting
of its edge by means of the flange 26, the flange u¹ of the eyelet being at the same
time made to bear.tight against the other face of the tube. The face of the right
hand die has a recess 28 for the flange u¹ to fit into so that the tube may bear close
against the face of this, die during the rivetting.
.
The last dies 10, 10, Figure. 13, only have the, object to impress any desired
marks, or directions upon the flat part of the tube. .
The above, described dies are arranged in 2 slides B, C, in the machine
at Figures 1, 2 and 3, in which these slides are guided horizontally.
The slides are, alternately moved towards and from each other; so that all the
dies effect their operations simultaneously. They are actuated from the driving
shaft A mounted in bearings G₁, G, on the framing G by means of eccentrics a, a,
and a², a², and the eccentric rods a¹, a', and a³, a³, the eccentrics of the two slides
being arranged in opposite positions.

page_text: All the other parts of the machine are also actuated from the smart A WDICH
receives its motion through a spur wheel A³.
The tubes to be closed are all made to pass 'consecutively between the dies, this
being effected by the endless travelling chain D, Figure 1, which passes round the
chain wheels E₁ and F¹ on the shafts E and F. The chain links are closed at top
and carry the tube holders into which are inserted the tubes.
The dies are all situated at exactly the same distances apart and the chain links
have the same pitch so that the tube holders are also situated at the same distance
apart from centre line to centre line as the dies..
In consequence hereof, if a tube holder with its tube is situated in the correct
-position between a pair of dies, all the other tubes will be situated in correct
positions between the other dies, and consequently all the dies can perform their
operations simultaneously.
For the regular working of the machine it is necessary that the chain with the
tubes shall, after each operation i.e., at each revolution of the driving shaft A. and
resulting to and fro motion of the dies, be advanced such a distance that all the
tubes shall be moved from the dies which have operated upon them to the next
following dies. It is also necessary that at the side of the machine from which the
chain advances towards the dies, a fresh tube shall be introduced into a holder at
each successive step, this being effected either by the machine as hereinafter
described or by hand. Lastly, the finished tubes, as they issue from between the last
pair of dies, are removed either automatically by the machine or by hand.
The step by step motion of the chain is effected by means of the worm A2 on the
shaft A, which gears with a wheel F fixed on the shaft F. The screw thread only
extends partly round the worm A, so that during each rotation of the shaft A there
takes place alternately a partial rotation of shaft F and a corresponding advance of
the chain, and a period of rest. Such partial rotation of F is made to correspond
exactly with distance which the chain requires to travel for carrying the tubes from
the one pair of dies to the next. For preventing any accidental motion of the
chain, a cam A' is provided on shaft A, gearing with a space wheel E2 on the
shaft E, the cam A¹ is at right angles to the space wheel E2, and its tooth takes
into a space of E2 after the completion of each advance of the chain, thus holding
the shaft E with its chain wheel stationary during the time that the worm A2 is out
of gear with the worm wheel F2, i.e. while the dies are performing their operations
on the tubes.
The apparatus for automatically supplying the tubes to the holders of the endless
chain is shewn detached at Figures 22 to 25 while its general arrangement is shewn
at Figures 1 to 3. The tubes are placed in the channel p this being effected either
by hand, or the channel might be in connection with a special machine (not, forming
part of the present invention) in which the filling of the tubes is effected, so that
the filled tubes are automatically conveyed from this machine to the closing
machine.
The channel p is situated over the point where the tubes have to be introduced
into the tube holders of the chain, and is bent downward.
Its opening is generally closed by a tongue o¹; so that a tube can only pass when
this tongue moves away. Below the opening is a vertical channel pl, Figure 22.
This is divided in the middle being constituted by two flaps. L L of which each
one has at the contiguous parts L2 one semi-cylindrical half of the channel p', as
seen at Figures 23, 24.
The flaps L are pivotted at L1 and are ordinarily held by springs 12 in the closed
position shewn at Figure 24, being connected with such springs by means of the
rods 11 and plate l.
The channel p¹ extends to immediately over the opening of the passing tube
holder d'e. These embrace the lower end of the tube and in order that the upper
part of the tube can issue from the channel p' when the chain D moves forward in
the direction of the arrow, the two flaps must be moved apart.
For this purpose.
the parts L are formed at bottom with an enlargement L' into which the tube

page_text: holder takes. On the forward motion, the latter pushes the two flaps open so that
the tube can freely issue.
The two positions, respectively, at the moment of the entrance of the tube into
the holder, and the subsequent opening of the flaps are shewn at Figures 24 and 25.
Immediately after the tube holder has passed through the flaps L, these close again
under the action of the spring so that another tube can be delivered into the next
tube holder..
In order that with this arrangement the tubes may be prevented from issuing
from the channel p before the proper time, the opening thereof is, as before stated,
ordinarily closed by a tongue o. At the moment when a tube is to descend to the
tube holder, the tongue is withdrawn. This motion is also effected by means of
the tube holder as shewn at Figures 22 to 25. The tongue o is fixed on a lever o
which is pivotted at o³ to the table so as to turn horizontally; by means of the
spring o³ it is usually held in the position shewn at Figure 25.
The lever o is also connected by a pivotted link n with an elbow lever mm'
which is pivotted at m². From the end of this lever an arm m³, Figure 23, passes
downwards and carries a horizontal extension m that lies in the path of the tube
holders. When one of the latter arrives in the position in which a tube can be
delivered into it, it presses the part m² back as at Figure 24, thereby causing elbow
lever mm² to move so as to withdraw lever o and consequently remove tongue o¹
from the channel, so that on the arrival of a tube this can fall into the holder d', e
after which, channel p' is made to open as described, so as to let the tube holder
and tube issue, and on such advance, the tube holder releases the tongue mechanism
again so that the spring o³ can again cause the tongue to close the channel.
Immediately afterwards the flaps I close again.
The tube holders may consist of simple sockets fixed on each link of the
chain but it is preferable to construct the chain links and tube holder in the
manner shewn at Figures 18 to 21. The tube holder d'e' is formed of two parts,
the one part being fixed to the chain link d, while the other e¹ is fixed to a sliding
piece e which is pressed outward by a spring f. The slide e projects with a part 2
on one side beyond the link. When the links are situated in line with each other
in the horizontal position, the one link presses the projection e² of the slide e of
the next link inwards, and thus closes the two parts of the tube holder d'e'.
the chain passes round the wheels, the projections e2, Figure 1, are released by the
contiguous links, so that the spring can push the slide e back and thus move the
parts del apart.
When
The feed apparatus delivers the tubes into the tube holders at the point where
the chain links after leaving the wheel E¹ are passing into the horizontal position,
and consequently while the tube holder is still open as at Figures and 22.
Immediately afterwards the tube holder is closed by the advance of the chain and
the tube is then held securely in the holder during the entire passage through the
dies, the inner diameter of the holder being made to correspond exactly with the
outer diameter of the tube.
The pair of dies 9, 9, by means of which the tube is rivetted is supplied with
the eyelet rivets by means of an apparatus shown detached at Figures 15 and 16,
the general arrangement being shewn at Figures 1 to 3.
The
The eyelets are contained in a receptacle Q to which a continual shaking motion
is imparted for this purpose it rests upon a rod y pivotted at its lower end q' to
the framing and receiving a continuous to and fro motion from shaft A by a shaking
device A, Figures 1 and 2. In consequence of such motion the eyelets slide
through holes in the bottom of the receptacle into inclined chanuels / which lead
into the common channel down which they descend to the device 25, 27.
channels are so formed as to guide the flange of the eyelets while the neck thereof
is situated in the slot of the channels, as shewn at Figures 16 and 17 which shew,
respectively a cross section and a front view of the lower part of the chanuel.
The lower end of the channel is open and the lowest eyelet is held back by a
spring, Figure 17.

page_text: The lower end of the feed channel ¹ is also provided with a slide h' that is
moved up and down in the framing. This is effected by means of a two armed
lever k pivotted at the one arm of which carries the slide h2, while the other
arm, which is held down by the spring k³, has a roller bearing upon the
cam A'.
The delivery of the lowest eyelet is effected as follows:- -While the die 9
advances with the pin 27, the channel h¹ is in the lowest position, so that the pin
can pass through the lowest eyelet. When this is done, the slide h² rises with the.
channel and the pin 27 retains the bottom eyelet so that, in pressing back the
spring it is drawn out of the channel. The spring immediately springs back
and prevents the next following eyelet from falling out. When the eyelet has
been seized in this manner by the piu 27 the insertion and rivetting thereof is
effected as previously described. When, after the rivetting has been effected, the
dies recede again, the slide moves downwards with the channel in order to bring
the next eyelet in the path of the pin 27.
For removing the rivetted tubes from the holders the arrangement shewn at
Figure 1 can be used. While the holder is passing with its link on to the wheel,
the flattened part of the tube passes into a slot g until the tube arrives over a
channel g' extending downwards, whereupon it can fall freely downwards, as the
tube holders d', el are opened as the chain turns downwards, as above described.
At M may be provided an electrical contact or other suitable device, for
actuating a counter on the passage of the finished tubes, for the purpose of
controlling the number of tubes completed by the machine.
The manner of carrying the dies in the slides B and C can be variously
arranged.
It is of advantage to provide the stems of all the dies with adjusting screw nuts
or equivalent devices for accurately adjusting them in position, as shewn at
Figure 3. Part of the slide is here shewn in section in order to shew the arrange-
ment of the dies.
The dies might also be arranged with spring action; in Figure 3 all those dies
are thus formed that do not require to exert material pressure. The dies must also
be so arranged or guided that they cannot turn on their axis during operation. In
Figure 2 this is effected by pins e screwed into the slides, which take into slots 32,
Figures 4 to 13; on the stems of the dies.
It will be evident that the dies can be modified as to their construction and
action. Thus the work of the first pair of dies might be carried out by two or
more pairs; or the number of dies could be reduced, and, for example, the last
three pairs of dies together with the rivetting device might be dispensed with,
the rivetting and stamping being in that case effected in a separate machine
such as is shewn in side and front elevation at Figures 30 and 31. In this
machine a slide S, actuated from the driving shaft Y by means of an eccentric Y¹
and rod Y2 carries three dies corresponding to three fixed counter dies on the table.
The first pair of dies serves for perforating the closed tube, the second, y, for
rivetting the eyelet and the third for impressing the marks &c. the tubes being
shifted from the one pair of dies to the other by hand. The dies are put in action
by the depression of a treadle U connected by a rod V with a clutch W on the
driving shaft.
The operations of the different stages can also be carried out by machines
worked by hand or foot. Thus Figures 26 to 29 shew a treadle machine for
flattening the upper part of the tube and forming the grooves thereon. With
this machine the tube t is placed in a tube holder H' situated in the middle of the
frame; on each side of the tube holder are arranged the die slides J and K.
These are moved towards each other, after the introduction of the tube, by
means of the treadle T, the rods ZZZ being made to actuate elbow levers X
pivotted at X and engaged with the slides at X².
The dies s are arranged with spring action on the slides, and are adjustable by

page_text: means of screw nuts as shewn; the pressure exerted by them can consequently
never exceed that corresponding to the tension of the springs sl.
The left hand die s, Figure 28, is provided with a blocks which is guided in a
slot J of the slide, so that it cannot turn. The right hand die is prevented from
turning by the cutter v fixed to the slide K.
The dies are provided with transverse ribs 12 and corresponding grooves 13 for
forming the grooves t¹ and at s they are rounded off, in order to produce a gradual
transformation of the round lower part of the tube into the flat upper part.
By means of clamps w¹ letter dies or dies with marks w are fixed on the pressing
dies, for marking the tubes for effecting a control as to the time of closing or
the like.
On the depression of the treadle the slides are made to approach each other so as
first to flatten the tubes, and then to trim the upper edge by means of the cutter r.
On then releasing the treadle, a spring Z³ effects the backward motion of all the
parts, so that the tube can be removed from the holder H¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. A machine for closing tubes wherein a series of pairs of dies are made to act
consecutively upon a tube so as first to flatten the same and form the grooves
thereon, then to fold it together and lastly to rivet the folded parts, the tube being
for this purpose carried by an endless chain with tube holders with a step by step
motion, or by other suitable means consecutively between the several pairs of dies,
substantially as described.
2. In a machine for closing tubes such as is herein described, arranging the
several pairs of dies at the same distances apart from centre to centre as the distance
apart of the several tube holders on the chain, so that all the dies are made to operate
simultaneously upon a tube situated between each pair, the endless chain carrying
the tubes being made to travel at each step a distance equal to that between the
dies and tube holders, and then to remain at rest while the dies operate, which
action is produced by a segment worm and worm wheel A2 F2 and an intermittently
acting locking device A' E2, or by other suitable means, substantially as described.
3. In a machine for closing tubes such as is herein described arranging the
several pairs of dies on two opposite slides situated one on each side of the endless
travelling chain with the tube holders, and having a motion to and from each other
at right angles to that of the chain imparted thereto by eccentrics or equivalent
means, the dies being made either adjustable or not upon the slides either with or
without spring action substantially as described.
4. In combination with a machine for closing metal tubes such as is herein
referred to, a tube feed apparatus consisting of an upper feed channel closed at its
lower end by a tongue o¹ and leading in to a lower channel formed by two hinged
spring flaps L the said tongue and flaps being so arranged that a tube holder on the
travelling chain in arriving in position at the lower end of the lower tube channel
first acts upon levers connected with the tongue so as to withdraw this and allow a
tube to descend into the tube holder, and then forces the flaps forming the lower
tube channel open, so that the tube holder can pass on together with the tube, the
tongue and flaps being afterwards brought back to their original positions by springs,
substantially as described.
5. In a machine for closing metal tubes such as is herein referred to, constructing
the links of the chain with the tube holders in such manner that the tube holder is
formed in two halves, one of which is fixed to the link while the other is moveable
and is forced away from the fixed half to a certain extent by a spring for facilitating
the introduction and removal of the tubes, when the links are passing round the
chain wheels, but when the chain links lie in the same horizontal plane the one link
in pressing against a projection on the sliding half of the tube holder of the

page_text: contiguous link causes it to close against the other half, and thus to hold the tube
securely while it is operated upon by the dies, substantially as described.
6. In a machine for closing metal tubes such as is herein referred to, the use of
apparatus for supplying eyelet rivets to the rivetting dies consisting of a shoot or
channel in which the rivets pass down to the dies; but from which they are
prevented from issuing by a spring tongue, the channel having a slight up and down
motion imparted to it by a slide actuated by an eccentric, so that when the lowest
eyelet iu the channel is seized by the pin of the rivetting die passing through it in
advancing, the channel in being raised up, causes the said eyelet to be drawn out
past the spring tongue, which closes again so as to prevent a second eyelet from
issuing substantially as described.
7. In a machine for closing metal tubes such as herein referred to, the use of
rivetting dies wherein the one die carries a spring pin which in advancing passes
through the bottom eyelet in a supply channel and passes the same through a hole
in the folded part of the tube to be rivetted, whereupon a rivetting punch upon the
second die, pushes back the said pin and, in entering the eyelet, rivets the elge
thereof over the tube by the pressure of a collar on the punch, substantially as
described.
8. In a machine for closing tubes such as is herein referred to, effecting the
removal of the closed tubes from the holders of the endless chain, by causing the
folded part of the tube to pass into and along the slot of a fixed guide as the chain
link passes on to the chain wheel, until the tube is freed from the descending tube
holder, and arrives over a channel into which it falls, substantially as described
with reference to Figures 26 to 29 of the drawings.
9. A machine for flattening tubes in the manner herein referred to consisting of
two slides J. K. having spring dies s s which are moved towards each other by
means of a treadle and connecting rods Z Z Z' and levers X X substantially as
described.
10. In combination with the flattening machine referred to in the 9th claim the
use of a cutter combined with one of the slides which cutter is caused to trim the
edge of the flattened part of the tube when the corresponding spring die has been
forced backward by the pressure substantially as described.
11. An apparatus for rivetting and stamping tubes after these have been closed
consisting of three pairs of dies of which the upper die of each pair is carried by a
reciprocating slide, the one pair of dies a serving to perforate the tube, the next
one, y, to rivet the same, and the third one for impressing marks thereon
substantially as described with reference to Figures 30 and 31 of the drawings.
Dated this 19th day of January 1895.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.