Improvements in Soldering Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897.
[Communicated from abroad by WILLIAM BEEDE PAGE, Manufacturer, and
BERNARD HAUSHE R, Engineer, both of Dixon, Illinois, United States of
America.]
Improvements in Soldering Machines.
I, DAVID YOUNG, Patent Agent, of the firm of 1). Young & Co., of 11 and 12
Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., 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 statemnt:-
My invention has for its object the production of a soldering-machine adapted
perhaps more particularly for soldering in place the caps in the ends of cans,
although obviously it might be employed for soldering at any point where the
principle which I employ is applicable.
Heretofore the chief difficulty with the capping machines (the term applied to
machines adapted to solder the caps in the ends of cans) has been that they
scorched the contents of the can, the latter being necessarily placed in the can
before the cap is placed in position. In working with some classes of goods, this
liability of scorching is not so material, but where the cans are filled with con-
densed milk or similar substances, where my machine has heretofore been
employed, the utmost care must be taken in this respect. My particular aim,
therefore, is to produce a machine where a minimum amount of heat is applied to
the seam. Essentially the invention consists in the provision of a pointed.or
substantially pointed soldering-iron, which by suitable mechanism is brought to
the seam to be soldered and the parts moved one with respect to the other, so that
the iron is carried over the seam and the solder melted therein. There are other
features and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.
In the drawings
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the machine with some of the parts removed.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of a portion showing the operating cams and their
connections.
Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure is a detailed section of the shaft for revolving the soldering-irons..
Figure 5 is a plan view of the carrying table.
Figures 6 and are enlarged details showing the relation of the soldering-iron
to the seam.
Figure 8 is a detail of the soldering-iron and accompanying mechanism.
Figure 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a section on the line 10-10 of Figure 8.
A represents a suitable main standard or frame on which the operative parts
are supported. B is the main drive-shaft with a drive-pulley B₁ engaged thereto
by any suitable clutch, B2, with a handle B' for throwing the pulley into and out
of engagement with the shaft. C is a revolving table for carrying the cans. This
table is revolved intermittently by what is well known as the Geneva movement
(shown in Figures 3 and 5), as follows:-a bevel gear D² on the shaft B meshes
527

page_text: with the gear 13 on the vertical shaft D. On the upper end of the latter is a
circular dise D with a circular recess in its periphery and a pin D' in the
recess. On the shaft 18 of the table C is a disc D having in its periphery
alternately arranged slots 10 and rounded recesses 1". The disc D³ is continuously
revolving, until the pin engages in the slot 110 when the disc. D⁹ will be
revolved carrying with it the table C.until the pin rides out of the slot. This
intermittent motion of the table C gives the operator an opportunity to remove
from the table the sealed cans and place therein the cans with the caps thereon
to be scaled Carried by the table is a series of posts D12 and pivoted in each
post is an arm E. Adjacent to each post D2 is a post d having the upper end
slotted to receive the arm. Adjacent to each post 12 is a socket 1 carrying a
loose pin in D, the lower end adapted to rest and slide on a stationary cam track A'
on the frame, while the upper end is underneath the arm, with the latter resting
thereon. Thus as the table C is revolved and the pins D raised and lowered by
the cam A', the arms will be tilted. The outer end of each arm is shaped with
a recess e¹ on its under side adapted to fit over the can, and with a pin in said
recess adapted to bear on the can cap and hold the latter in place. In the table C
arranged near the periphery, are several sets of revolving discs F, there being as
many discs to each set as there are soldering irons. At this point I will explain
that in this application I have shown and described a construction wherein six
cans, may be simultaneously soldered. Thus the table C when it moves carries
six finished cans away from the soldering mechanism and carries six more to it.
The revolving discs above referred to have their surfaces preferably provided
adjacent to the periphery with a strip of rubber F. On the shaft F2 of each disc,
is a sprocket wheel F3, the sprocket wheels of each set being connected together
by a sprocket chain C. The shaft of the dise at the end of each set is provided
with a friction wheel F
Fare two band wheels mounted on shafts
extending from the frame, with a band passing around them. The band
wreel is driven by a chain 18 passing around a sprocket wheel on the
counter shaft F10, the latter having a pinion that meshes with a gear F on the
shaft D. Thus as each set of discs carrying cans reaches the front of the
imachine the friction wheel coming into contact with the belt F each disc in
that set is revolved thus revolving the cans.
.
On the front of the machine is a shaft G, continuously revolved by the band G¹
connected with an overhead pulley. On this shaft is a rocking frame H carrying
the soldering irons. I will describe one of these in detail as shown in Figure 8.
K is a cylinder supported from the frame H, and revolving in the bearings k. On
sáid cylinder is a worm gear that meshes with a worm on the shaft G. Mis
the soldering iron, having a handle m and a soldering point m'. It is necessary
that this soldering point should ride into the groove around the cap, and to enable
the point to adjust itself to any discrepancy in the position of the can, I make
the iron somewhat smaller in diameter than the cylinder so that the soldering
point may have some play, and I hold the point down to its work by the yoke M¹
working in the bearing Me, the yoke being held down by the lever M³ and
spring M. To insure the revolution of the iron with the cylinder K, I provide
on the shank M5 of the iron, a pin m² which enters a slot in the cylinder. It
will be seen that any one or more of the irons ean at any time be removed without
interfering with the operation of the others.
I will now describe the solder feed. N (Figure 1) is a tilting bar or rack pivoted
in the main frame A, carrying tubes N₁ there being one for each soldering-iron.
These tubes are preferably wrapped with asbestos or other heat non-conductor to
prevent the solder from melting before it reaches the iron. The wire of solder N°
is fed from a rack N down through the tube N. The tubes when tilted down
terminate adjacent to the point where the soldering-iron rests on the seam, and as
the solder is forced out of the tube, it comes in contact with the hot iron,
is melted and runs on to the seam of the can. The mechanism for feeding the

page_text: solder is as follows:-a shaft O is provided adjacent to the upper end of each
tube N with a gear O having a certain width of its periphery serrated as at n.
Meshing with the gear 0', is another gear O² also having a serrated face. The
wire passes between the two serrated faces and the revolution of the gears forces
the solder down. The shaft O and gears are revolved by a cam P on the main
shaft. A rod P¹ held in any upright position by suitable bearings p, has on its
lower end a roller which bears on the cam P. The upper end of the rod P
is pivoted to an arm P2 on the shaft 13. Another arm P on the shaft P³ is
connected by the rod P with the arm P on the shaft O. The arm P is connected
with the shaft. O by any suitable clutch so that the rocking of the arm in one
direction will revolve the shaft but when it is tilted in the opposite direction the
shaft is unmoved since any form of clutch may be used, no specific form is shown
and no specific form is claimed. Thus the shaft O is given an intermittent motion
to feed the solder. I will now describe the mechanism for giving the tubes a
tilting motion to carry the lower ends towards or away from the soldering irons.
Q is a cam on the main shaft; Q' a vertically movable rod suitably journalled
in the frame; Q a shaft; Q an iron thereon pivoted to the rod; Q another arm
on the shaft; Q a rod connecting the arm Q with an arm Q on the bar or rack N.
A similar set of mechanism consisting of a rod R', arm R³, shaft R³, arm R,
rod R and arm R connects the cam R with the rocking frame H, to tilt the
latter, and carry the soldering irons to and from their work.
The operation is as follows:-The operator places on their several discs on the
table C, six cans.
The revolution of the table carries the cans to the front of the
machine where as above explained the cans are revolved. Simultaneously with
the arrival of the cans under their respective soldering-irons, the irons and
soldering carrying tubes are tilted down by the cams Q, R until the iron rests in
the groove around the cap and the solder wire projecting from the lower end of
its tube close to the iron. The cam P now operates the solder feeding mechanism
and enough solder is forced against the iron and melted, to effect the sealing of
the joint As above explained the can is revolving so that the solder is spread on
the entire seam. Somewhat over complete revolution of the can is necessary to
effect this, and then the feed of the solder stops and the cam Q through its
accompanying mechanism, tilts the ends of the tubes away. Somewhat more than
an additional revolution is then given the can with the iron still in the seam,
to effectively melt and seal solder in place. The cam R. then tilts the iron away
from the cans. By this time the pin 17 on the disc D has revolved so that it
engages in a slot in the disc 1º, and revolves said disc carrying with it the
table and the six cans operated upon. This same movement carries six new cans
under the irons and the same operation is repeated. In order that the pin e
which holds the cap in place may always rest in the centre of the cap and at the
same time be clear of the soldering-iron, it is necessary to give the outer ends of
the arm E a peculiar shape depending on the relative position of each when in
front of the machine, as shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6.
To heat the soldering-irons, I provide a pipe S to which is led a suitable blast
of combined air and gas, and tubes S₁ (flexible at one point to permit the frame to
rock) extending down to a point adjacent to the coppered soldering end of the
soldering-iron.
It is obvious that a machine can be constructed to operate simultaneously
on a greater or less number than six. Also that many of the details of construction
can be altered or omitted at will, without departing from the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is: -
1. In a soldering-machine, the combination of a substantially pointed
soldering-iron, mechanism for moving the iron and seam relatively and

page_text: simultaneously to bring the iron into contact with the entire seam, and mechanism
for simultaneously feeding a continuous wire of solder directly to the point where
the iron engages the seam, substantially as described.
2. In a soldering-machine, the combination of a soldering-iron adapted to
engage the seam to be soldered at substantially a single point, means for revolving
the can to bring the iron into contact with the entire seam, and means for feeding
a continuous wire of solder directly to the point where the iron engages the seam,
substantially as described.
3. In a soldering-machine, the combination of a soldering-iron adapted to
revolve on its own axis and adapted to engage the seam to be soldered at
substantially a single point and means for revolving the can to bring the iron into
contact with the entire seam, substantially as described.
4. In a soldering-machine, the combination of a revolving soldering-iron
adapted to engage the seam to be soldered at substantially a single point,
mechanism for carrying the iron to and from the seam, mechanism for revolving
the can, and mechanism for feeding a continuous wire of solder directly to the
point where the iron engages the seam, substantially as described.
5. In a soldering-machine, the combination of a series of substantially pointed
soldering-irons, mechanism for simultaneously tilting said irons to and from the
can seam, and mechanism for moving simultaneously a series of cans to bring one
can under each soldering-iron, substantially as described.
6. In a soldering-machine, the combination of a series of substantially pointed
soldering irons and means for revolving each iron on its own axis, each iron held
to the can at an angle to the surface to be soldered, mechanism for revolving each
can to bring the iron into contact with its entire seam, and mechanism for
simultaneously moving the entire series of cans to and from their location under
the soldering-irons, substantially as described.
7. In a soldering-machine, the combination of a substantially pointed soldering-
iron revoluble on its own axis and held to the can at an angle to the surface to
be soldered, mechanism for tilting the said iron to and from the can seam,
mechanism for carrying a solder-wire to and from the soldering-iron, and means
for moving the can to bring the iron into contact with the entire seam,
substantially as described.
.
8. In a soldering-machine, the combination of the following mechanisms, to
wit, means for carrying the can to the soldering-mechanism, means for revolving
the can to be soldered, means for holding the cap in place until soldered, means
for bringing the soldering-iron to the seam to be soldered, means for revolving the
can on its own axis, means for bringing the solder-wire into contact with the
soldering iron, means for feeding the solder, means for carrying the solder-wire
away from the iron, means for carrying the iron away from the seam, and means
for carrying the can away from the soldering-mechanism, substantially as
described.
9. In a soldering-machine, the combination of an intermittently revolving
table carrying one or more revolving dises adapted to revolve the cans, means for
periodically revolving the discs in one direction independent of the movement
of the table and soldering-mechanism above said discs, substantially as described.
10. In a soldering-machine, the combination of an intermittently revolving
table provided with a series of revolving discs adapted to revolve the can, means
for revolving each of said discs simultaneously in one direction but periodically
and independent of the movement of the table, and soldering-mechanism above
said discs, substantially as described.
11. In a soldering-machine, a soldering-iron, a revolving cylinder in which
said iron is removably placed, and means for engaging the two together to cause
the irons to revolve with the cylinder, substantially as described.
12. In a soldering-machine, a soldering-iron, a revolving cylinder of larger
diameter than the iron in which the latter loosely fits, and means for engaging the
iron and cylinder together to revolve the iron, substantially as described.

page_text: 13. In a soldering-machine, a soldering-iron, a revolving cylinder of larger
diameter than the iron, in which the latter loosely fits, pressure mechanism for
holding the point of the iron down to its work, and means for engaging the iron
and cylinder together to revolve the iron, substantially as described.
14. In a soldering-machine, a soldering-iron, a revolving cylinder of larger
diameter than the iron in which the latter loosely fits, spring pressure mechanism
for holding the point of the iron down to its work, and means for engaging the iron
and cylinder together to revolve the iron, substantially as described.
15. In a soldering-machine, a revolving worm-shaft, a revolving cylinder
having a worm-gear meshing with the worm-shaft, a soldering-iron loosely
fitting in said cylinder, a pin on the iron engaged in a recess in the cylinder, a
yoke bearing on the lower end of the iron, and a spring-impelled lever bearing on
the yoke, substantially as described.
16. In a soldering-machine, a series of tilting cap-holding arms each having a
recess on its outer end for engaging the upper end of the can and a pin to bear on
and hold the cap, substantially as described.
17. In a soldering-machine, a series of can-revolving discs connected together in
sets and mounted on an intermittently-revolving table, and means for revolving
cach set of discs while the table is at rest, substantially as described.
18. In a soldering-machine, a series of can-revolving discs mounted on an
intermittently-revolving table and connected together in sets, and a continuously-
revolving mechanism which successively engages and revolves each set of discs,
substantially as described.
19. In a soldering-machine, a series of can-revolving discs mounted on an
intermittently-revolving table and connected together in sets, and a continuously-
revolving belt adapted to engage the spindle of at least one disc of each set when
the latter is brought into contact with it by the movement of the table and thereby
revolve the entire set, substantially as described.
20. In a soldering-machine, a revolving worm-shaft, a cylinder having a worm-
gear meshing with the worm-shaft, and a soldering-iron in said cylinder, and
means for engaging the cylinder and iron together so that a revolution of the
worm-shaft revolves the iron on its own axis, substantially as described.
Dated mis tarn
AT
D. YOUNG & CO.,
11 and 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.