US3245372A

US3245372A - Method and apparatus for double seaming

Info

Publication number: US3245372A
Application number: US327603A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bofinger Karl; Lehmann Karl Friedrick
Original assignee: American Can Co
Current assignee: Primerica Inc
Priority date: 1963-12-03
Filing date: 1963-12-03
Publication date: 1966-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 1983-04-12

Description

April 12, 1966 K. Bor-'INER ETAL I 3,245,372

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DOUBLE SEAMING Filed DeC. 5, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet l April 1'2, 1966 K. BOFINGER vr-:TAL :245,372v

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DOUBLE SEAMING Filed Dec. s, 1965 7 sheets-sheet :a

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DOUBLE SEAMING Filed Dec. 5, 1963 '7 Sheets-Sheen'l 4 April 12, 1966 K. Bor-'INGER ETAL 3,245,372

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DOUBLE SEAMING Filed Dec. 3, 1965 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 12, 1966 K. BoFlNGl-:R ETAL 3,245,372

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DOUBLE SEAMING Filed Dec. I5, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS @4H 3a/w65? Agp@ feg/60,9%( f4/MAW JMW@ M A 7 T/QA/[V United States Patent O 3,245,372 METHOD AND APPARATUS FR DOUBLE SEAMING Karl Bofinger and Karl Friedrick Lehmann, Barrington,

lli., assignors to American Can Company, New York,

NSY., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Dec. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 327,603 18 Claims. (Cl. 113-26) This invention relates to can closing equipment and more particularly it relates to a method and apparatus for forming a double seam joint between can ends and can bodies.

In the field of can closing by seaming a can end to a can body, the term double seaming is used to denote a two-step closing operation in which a first step forms a partial seam by bending the end skirt and the body fiange into engagement, and a second step forms the finished seam by flattening the partial seam into a tightly formed end seam.

Generally, it is the practice in the canning industry to fill the cans at a filling machine and to introduce the filled cans into the double seaming apparatus. To prevent spillage of the fiuid contents of the filled cans, it is preferable Vto feed the filled cans linearly, i.e., in a straight line, into the seaming apparatus and to then register an end with each can prior to the seaming operations. In the double seamer, a plurality of rotatable support pads are equally radially spaced from a vertical shaft which defines the central axis of the machine. As each filled can and its associatedend enters the double seamer, they are placed upon a spring loaded driving support pad and clamped down by a driving chuck. As the double seamer operates, all of the clamped cans and ends are revolved yabout the central axis of the machine, and simultaneously each can and end is rotated or spun about its own axis by the driving chuck. As used herein, the term revolution connotes rotary movement of a can about the central vertical axis of the double seamer and the term rotation connotes rotary movement of a can about its own vertical axis.

During revolution, two seaming -devices come into contact whith each can to effect the first and second seaming operations. Each seaming device engages the can end skirt and the can body Vfiange and the rotation of the can and end while in engagement with Ithe seaming device causes the seam to be effected. When both the first and the second seaming operations are completed, the can end has been joined to the can body by a double seam, and the closed can is subsequently discharged from the double seamer. The seaming device can be of ltwo general types; either the stationary type known as a seaming rail and typified by U.S. Patent No. 1,104,751, issued to F. Wegner, or the rotary type known as a seaming roller and typified by U.S. Patent No. 1,398,018, issued to H. G. Hill.

In the past, most double seamers have employed seaming rollers to perform each of the two seaming operations. In order to move such seaming rollers into engagement with the cans to be seamed, it has been necessary to utilize complicated camming arrangements, as illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 1,183,654 issued to L. C. Krummel, or pivotally mounted rollers with operating fingers, as illustrated in U. S. Patent No. 1,474,176 issued to H. T. Small. While such seaming rollers form excellent double seams, the apparatus needed to operate the seaming rollers often unduly complicates the double seamer machine and impedes the high speed operation of the machine. Accordingly, in recent years, designers of double seamers have turned to the useof seaming rails to replace the complicated seaming rollers. Recent patents such as U.S.- Patent No. 2,727,481, issued to E.

Patented Apr. 12, 1966 ice LaXo and U.S. Patent No. 2,975,740, issued to C. J. Smith et al., illustrate and describe the use of two seaming rails, one for performing each seaming operation.

While there can be no question that the use of seamlng rails in lieu of seaming rollers provides a far simpler construction of the double seamer machine, it has been found that the double seems produced by a twin rail double seamer are not folded tightly enough and are far more susceptible to failure. In the first place, it is necessary for each can to rotate ,about its own axis at least once plus some small amount of overlap during engagement with each of the seaming devices, and since modern double seamers perform both seaming operations within one revolution of the double seamer machine or 360, the angle subtended by each seaming rail must necessarily be somewhat less than one half a revolution or 180. Since all seaming must take place along a rail extending over an arc of less than 180, the number of times a can may rotate about its own axis is necessarily limited, but yet must be at least one complete rotation plus an overlap. The previously mentioned Smith et al. Patent 2,975,740, for example, discloses that 1/2 can rotations take place while in engagement with each seaming rail. In actual practice, it has been found that the double seam produced by such a minimal number of rotations is not folded tightly enough and is susceptible to leakage. Furthermore, and far more serious a problem, rail type seamers cause the metal at the end seam to be cold wo-rked. Since the seaming rail is stationary and the can rotates with respect to it, the metal at the seam area of the can is caused to flow ahead of the seaming operation. Actually this fiow takes the form of metal at the end seam being folded overV upon itself in a microscopic fashion and although such folding is hardly visible to the naked eye, it still structurally weakens the metal of the end seam. Moreover, when such folding occurs during engagement with the first seaming rail, subsequent engagement with the second seaming rail tends to aggravate and yaccentuate the problem by increasing the folding.

Itis therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the problems and difficulties encountered -in prior art double seamers.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method of double seaming a can end onto a can body.

Another object of this invention is to provide a double seaming method which `forms effective, tightly sealed end seams without folding over or otherwise adversely working the metal at the end seams.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved double seamer for seaming can ends `onto can bodies.

Another object of this invention -is to provide a high capacity, fully automatic` apparatus of simplified construction which will satisfactorily seam can ends onto can bodies without folding over or otherwise adversely working the metal at the end seams.

Another object of this invention is to provide a double seaming method and apparatus wherein a set of seaming rollers and their associated operating mechanisms can be eliminated during one seaming operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a double seaming method and apparatus wherein the foregoing objects can be carried out during a single revolution of the machine.

Another object of this invention -is to provide a double seamer which utilizes an improved forni-of seaming roller.'

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description which, taken in connection with the ac' companying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

The foregoing objects are lattained by providing a double seamer wherein the first seaming operation `is performed by a seaming rail and the second seaming Ioperation is performed by a seaming roller. Can bodies are automatically introduced into the double seamer and deposited upon support pads radially stationed around ,the central axis of the machine. Can ends 4are also automatically introduced into the machine when associated can bodies are present, and these ends are registered with the can bodies and held thereon by driving chucks located above the support pads. As the double seamer operates, it revolves the cans about its central axis and simultaneously, each driving chuck and support pad rotates a can and its associated end about its own axis. As the revolution and rotation are occurring, each can contacts a seaming rail designed to occupy less than one quadrant (i.e., less than 90 degrees of the 360 degrees 'which are traversed in one complete revolution of the double seamer). The contact between the seaming rail and the rotating can causes a partial seam to be eected. As each partially seamed ycan is revolved beyond the seaming rail, a cam-operated seaming roller pivots into engage- .ment with it, .and the contact between the seaming roller and the rotating can causes a finished seam to be effected. Subsequently, the double seamed can is ejected from .the machine. The entire foregoing operation, from introduction of an open ended can body to ejection of that can body with an end `double seamed thereto, takes place in `less than 360 degrees or one complete revolution of the double seamer.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of .a double seamer rin accord- -ance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is `a front elevational View of the double seamer illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a can before the double seaming operation occurs;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating a can undergoing the first seaming operation;

Y FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a can undergoing the second seaming operation;

' FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the can end feeding mechanism taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 1 and showing the mechanism in a feed position;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the can end feeding mechanism, similar to FIG. 9, but showing the mechanism in a no-feed position;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the can end feeding mechanism taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along `line 12-12 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a seaming roller in Vaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of the seaming roller of FIG. 13 mounted within its associ- ,ated bearings; and

FIG. 15 is an end view of a no can-no cover detector device taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 2.

As a preferred or exemplary form of the present invention, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a double seamer apparatus in accordance with the present invention and generally designated 30. The apparatus has a main frame and base assembly 32, a cover or upper assembly generally designated 34, a can feeding assembly generally designated 36, a cover feeding `assembly generally designated 38, and a can ejecting assembly generally designated 40. The apparatusis operated by a main driving motor (not shown) which operates main drive gears 42, 44 which in turn operate the double seamer shaft and

sleeve gearing

46, 48 as seen generally in FIG. l and in greater detail in FIG. 3.

An auxiliary gear drive unit 50, as illustrated generally in FIGS. 1 Vand 2, is used to drive a feed chain to introduce cans into the double seamer, as will be presently described. The gear drive 50 is driven by a gear 52 which in turn is driven by the transfer turret gear 54. The transfer turret gear 54 itself is operated by the gear 58 which also operates the ejection turret gear 60. The gear 54 also operates a cover feed turret gear 56.

In order to understand the present invention more fully, its general operation will now be described and its component parts will be described in greater detail hereinafter. As can be seen from FIGS. l, 2 and 4, a plurality of cans 62 are fed into the machine 30 by the can feeding assembly 36 which includes a chain feed 64 with projecting fingers 66 extending between each infeeding can 62 and toward an opposed guide rail 67. The chain feed 64 is operated by the gear drive 50, as previously described. As the fingers feed the cans 62 linearly into the machine, the cover feeding assembly 38 feeds can ends or closures 68 t-o mate with the cans. As shown in FIG. 4, the ends 68 are fed between guide rails 70 by a cover feed turret 72 with feeding pins 74 spaced about its periphery. An end 68 is engaged between each pair of feed pins 74 and is fed into a pocket 76 of a transfer turret 78 which continues carrying the end between the Vguide rails 70 and nally locates it over an infeeding can 62. The cover feed turret 72 and the transfer turret 78 are operated respectively by

gears

56 and 54.

As an infeeding can 62 and an infeeding end 68 come into superposed alignment, the can feeds into a pocket 80 on the periphery of a central turret 82 and simultaneously a chuck unit, to be described presently, is operated to drive the end into the can and to spin or rotate the can about its own axis while it synchronously revolves about the main shaft 86 0f the machine 30. As the central turret 82 revolves, the can is fed past a seaming rail 88 which engages the rotating and revolving can and end and performs the first seaming operation. A cam rail 90 is provided outside the seaming rail 88 in the direction of revolution, and both the seaming rail and cam rail are affixed to the upper assembly 34. Movable seaming rollers, as will be later described, are operated by the cam rail 90 to engage the revolving can and end to effect the second seaming operation and to thus produce a tightly double seamed can. Subsequently, the double seamed cans are fed into the can ejecting assembly 40 which includes an ejecting turret 92 with peripheral pockets 94. The ejecting assembly also includes an arcuate rail portion 96 with a terminal finger portion 98. The ejecting turret 92 is driven by the gear 60 in opposition to the direction of the central turret 82 with the result that, as the double seamed cans reach the finger portion 9S, they Vare transferred out of the pockets 80 of the central turret 82 and into the pockets 94 of the ejecting turret 92 which in turn moves the cans around the arcuate rail portion 96 and ejects them between guide rails 100.

The seaming roller assembly which performs the second kseaming operation is generally designated 102 and is illustrated in FIG. 13 wherein it can be seen that the assembly is comprised of a body portion and a shaft portion. The body portion includes three interconnected stepped

portions

104, 106 and 108 with

slots

110 and 112 being formed respectively within the stepped

portions

104 and 108. A roller 114, hereinafter denoted the lower roller, is rotatably mounted within the slot 110 at one end of the stepped portion 104. At the other end of the stepped portion 104, a seaming roller 116 can be rotatably mounted. The seaming roller is not illustrated in the assembly of FIG. 13, since it is not a fixed part thereof, but rather, it can be interchanged as desired since the size 'of the seaming roller employed may be varied to accommodate cans of varying diameter. A roller 118, hereinafter denoted the intermediate roller, is rotatably mounted centrally within the `slot 112. The stepped portion 106 is provided with a central aperture through which the shaft portion of assembly 102 extends. As can be seen in FIG. 13 and also in FIG. 14, the shaft portion includes a shaft 120, locked to the body portion by a locking bolt 122, and a sleeve 124 surrounding the shaft, said sleeve commencing slightly above the stepped portion 106 and terminating upward into a wing 126, which is shown turned 90 counterclockwise from its actual position, for ease of illustration. A roller 128, hereinafter denoted the upper roller, is rotatably mounted on the intermediate roller side of the wing 126. The axis of the upper roller 128 is normal to the axes lof the intermediate and lower rollers, 118 and 114, respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 3 for a more detailed description of the apparatus of the present invention, it will be seen the main drive 'shaft 86 of the machine is provided at its lower end with a driving gear 46 and is journaled at its upper end within a bearing chamber 130 formed in the upper assembly 34. A gear 132 is keyed to the shaft 86 near its medial portion and an identical gear 138 is keyed to the shaft near its upper portion; the purpose of these gears to be described shortly. Surrounding the shaft 86 at its lower end is a sleeve 134 to which the sleeve drive gear 48 is keyed. It will be noted that the shaft and sleeve drive gears 46 and 48 are operated respectively by the main drive gears 42 and 44 which are axed to a shaft 136 which is operatively connected to the main driving motor (not shown). It will also be noted that the shaft drive gear 46 is slightly smaller than the sleeve drive gear 48 so that, in operation, the shaft will rotate faster than the sleeve, thus ensuring that the driving chucks and support pads which are operated by the shaft will rotate more times than the central turret 82 which is operated by the sleeve, thereby eifectuating a more firm and more eiective double seam. A shaft to sleeve ratio of 1.25 :1 is preferable. However, the size of the

gears

46 and 48 can be varied to provide diiferent ratios and to accommodate different can sizes.

A drive gear 58 is keyed to the sleeve 134 adjacent the gear 48 and is surrounded by a bearing 140 extending from the machine frame 32. The drive gear 58 will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter in connection with the cover feeding assembly 38.

After the shaft 86 and sleeve 134 pass through an opening in the frame 32, the central turret 82 is keyed to the sleeve 134 for rotation therewith. The central turret 82 is manufactured as a two-part item, with a cavity 142 being formed between the upper part 82a` and the lower part 82]); the gear 132 being located within the cavity. When the infeeding cans 62 are received in the pockets 80 of the central turret 82, they are deposited upon support pads 144, one of which is located beneath each pocket 80. Each support pad 144 has a depending stern 146 which extends downward and partially into the cavity 142. A pad driving pinion 148 is attached to the lower end of each stem 146 and each of these pinions 148 mates with the gear 132. Each support pad 144 is spring biased upward by means of spring 150 acting against the pinion 148 or the stem 146, or both. A bias adjustment means 152 can be used to vary the amount of spring bias exerted on the support pads. In operation, rotation of the sleeve 134 causes the support pads 144 and their associated mechanism to revolve about the central axis of the machine, as defined by the vertical axis of the shaft 86. Simultaneously, rotation of the shaft 86 causes the gear 132 to drive the pinions 148 to spin or rotate each support pad 144 about its own axis, as defined by the vertical axis of the stem 146. The mating relation between the gear 132 and the pinions 148 can be seen in greater detail in FIG. 4.

Located above each pocket 80 of the central turret 82, as can be seen from FIG. 3, is a driving chuck 154 to which an upwardly extending stem 1156 is afxed. The stem 156 passes through a chuck bearing 158 and at the upper end of the stem, a chuck driving pinion 160 is attached. Each of the chuck driving pinions 160 mates with the gear 138. Each of the chuck Ibearings 158 is lkeyed at 162 to the central turret 82, as can be seen in FIG 3 and also in FIG. 5. It will be obvious that rotation of the gear 58 causes the pinions 160 to rotate or spin around their own axes and to thus rotate or drive the chucks 154.

However, it will be noted from FIG. 4 that the chucks 154 are reciprocable and are not in their lowered or can engaging position throughout the entire machine 30. Rather, the chucks v1154 lower at the point Where a can 62 enters a pocket 80 of the central turret 82. At this same point, the transfer turret 78 has located an end 68 over the can 612. Lowering of the chuck 1'54 drives the end 68 into the can 62 as may be seen in FIG. 6. When the can and end reach the ejecting assembly 40, the chuck 154 is raised. This selective reciprocation or raising and lowering of the chucks 154 is accomplished by a cam rail arrangement as shown in FIG. 3. This arrangement includes an upper cam rail 164 formed on a depending portion 166 from the top 168 of the upper assembly 34. An upper extension 170 of each of the Ibearings 158 is provided 'with a pair of

cam follower rollers

172 and 174 which respectively engage the upper and lower surfaces of the upper cam rail 164. When the upper cam rail 164 raises the upper extension 170 to the position shown in dashed lines on the left of FIG. 3, the chuck 154 israised out of engagement with the can and end in the turret pocket 80. FIG. 12 further illustrates the engagement of the cam follower rollers 172 `and 174 and the upper cam rail 164.

The seaming roller assemblies I102 are mounted with? in the machine 30 by means of bearings aixed tothe central turret 82. One such 'bearing 176 surrounds each seaming roller sleeve 124 .and another such bearing 1-78 surrounds the seaming roller shaft 120, as can be seen in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 14. It will be apparent from an examination of FIGS. 3 and 4 that the seaming roller assemblies 102 must be reciprocatbly mounted so that they may be raised for passage over the seaming railV 88 as the central turret 82 rotates. To permit such reciprocation, lthe seaming roller sleeve 12-4 and shaft 120 must be reciprocable respectively within the

bearings

176 and 178. To accomplish such reciprocation, a cammed groove 180 is provided beneath an annular shoulder 182 of the upper assembly 34. The upper roller :128 of the seaming roller assembly rides within the cammed groove 18) and the seaming roller wing 126 rides aiong the inner'face 184 of the cammed groove, as can be seen in IFIG'S. 3 and l2. The low position ofthe cammed groove -180 is shown at the left of FIG. 3 whereat it can be seen that the seaming roller 1.16 is engaging the double seam 186 of a can. The high position of the cammed groove is shown at the right of' FIG. 3 whereat it can be seen that the seaming roller 1116 is elevated above the seaming rail 88 which is engaging the can double seam 186.

Torcomplete the description of the components housed Within'the upper assembly 34, it can .be seen from FIG. 3 that the upper assembly has a depending skirt 188 which has mounted on' its lower end the seaming rail 88 and the cani rail 90. A portion of the cam rail 90 is spring biased at 190, as can Ibe seen on the left of FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4, and the purpose of this spring bias will Ibe described presently. Also, an intermediate cam rail 192 is provided depending from the cammed groove 180 and mating with `the intermediate roller -1-18 for operation of the seaming roller 116 in a manner as will be presently described.

With the foregoing components and -their explanation in mind, it will now be possible to explain the operation of the double seamer from the time a can entersA the i pocket 80 of the central turret 82 until it is ejected into a pocket 94 of the ejecting turret 92 with a double seam 1186 being formed thereon. As the can 62 enters the pocket 88 and an end 68 becomes aligned over it, the chuck 154 descends by virtue of the upper cam rail 164, to drive the end into the can, as shown in FIG. 6, and to lock the can and end between the chuck 154 and the support pad 144, as shown in FIG. 3. The main motor shaft 136 operates gearing 42, 44, 46, 48 to rotate the main machine shaft 86 and its surrounding sleeve 134. Since the central turret 82 is attached to the sleeve 134, it also rotates and thus causes the can and end to tbe revolved about the central axis of the machine. Simultaneously, the

gears

138 and 132, which are attached to the shaft 86, are rotating and respectively causing the pinions 160 and '148 to rotate, thus causing the can and end assembly to spin or rotate about its own axis. As was previously described, the shaft gear 46 is slightly smaller than the sleeve gear 48 thus causing the shaft 86 to rotate faster than the sleeve 134 and thereby creating a condition wherein the can and end assembly rotates faster than it revolves.

As the can and end is synchronously rotating and revolving, it is fed past the arcuate seaming rail 88 as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 7. As the can 62 and end 68 -move past the seaming rail, a partial double seam 186 is produced lby the pressure and relative movement bee tween the seam and the rail 88. As was described in the introduction, the length of the seaming rail 8S is kept to a minimum to avoid dow of the metal in the seam area and it is preferred that the length of the seaming rail be such that it occupies less than one quadrant (i.e., less than 90 degrees of the 360 degrees which are traversed in one complete revolutionof the double seamer 30). But while the rail length must be less than 9U degrees, its actual length is determined by the circumference of the cans 62.

When the can and end move beyond the seaming rail 88, a seaming roller assembly 102 is pivoted into position to effect the second seaming operation, as shown in LFIGS. 3, and 8. The seaming roller assembly -10-2 has been raised over the seaming rail 88 by means of the cammed groove 180, as previously described, and as the assembly passes ybeyond the seeming rail, the cammed groove 180 lowers the assembly and a raised portion 194 Y .on the cam rail 90 engages the lower roller 114 to pivot the seaming roller assembly 102 inward so the searning roller 1,16 engages the partially formed double seam 186. The pressure and the relative movement between the seaming roller 116 and the rotating and revolving can produces a tightly folded finished double seam 186,V as can be seen in FIG. 8. The rail 90 is spring biased at 190 to assure a tight engagement between the roller and the seam. The intermediate cam rail 192 extends only partially around the machine 30, as can be seen in FIG. 5, and when the intermediate roller 118 comes into engagement with the intermediate cam rail 192, the seaming roller assembly 102 is pivoted outward and out of engagement with the double seam. When the seaming roller has been pivoted out of engagement and has been raised, the dou-ble seamed can is transferred from the central turret 82 to the ejecting turret 92 and subsequently out of the machine.

Referring now to the details of the cover or end feeding assembly 38, FIG. 9 shows the cover feed turret drive gear 56 being operated by the gear 54, which in turn is driven by the cover feed drive gear 5.8 which is keyed to the machine sleeve 134 and thus driven by the sleeve gear 48. An internal gear 196 is affixed to the upper side of the gear 56 and is simultaneously rotatable therewith. A pinion 198 is driven by the internal gear 196 toV rotate a shaft 26u having another pinion 282 at its upper end. The pinion 202 drives an internal gear 2.16 on the underside of the cover feed turret 72 and also drives another pinion 208 which rotates a cover feeding separator device 210 by means of a shaft 212. The separator device has a knife blade 214 which separates the lowermost end 63 from a stack of ends resting in a slanted stack guide 216. Beneath the knife 'blade 214, a spiral slot 218 is provided for gradually feeding the separated lowermost end 68 downward onto the guide rails 70 wherein it is engaged by a pin 74 on the feeding turret 72 to thus start feeding into the machine 39. The spiral slot 218 and its function is described in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 2,750,913, issued to W. Pechy.

In order to assure proper functioning of the apparatus, it is necessary to interconnect the can feeding assembly 36 and the cover feeding assembly 38 so that if no can is present for one particular pocket, no cover will be fed to that pocket. This arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 9, l0, ll and 15, and is known as a no can-no cover detector device. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 15, a rail 220 is normally forced outward beneath the guide rail 67 by cans 62. This rail, however, is normally biased inward by means of tension springs 222 acting on a crank 224 at the end of the rail 220. A link 226 is connected to the rail 220 and a rod 228 is connected to the link 226. The rod 228 is connected through a bell crank 230 to a control rod 232 which controls the feed of the covers 68, as can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. A cam follower 234 is attached t0 the end of the control rod 232 and is adapted either to t within an annular groove 236 in the separator device 216 or to ride upon a cammed rail portion 238 at the outside edge of the groove 236. Due to the tension of the spring 222, the rail 220 is normally biased inward into the path of the infeeding cans 62. When a can 62 is present, it resists the bias of the rail 220, as shown in FIG. 15, and the link 226, rod 228, and crank 23) coact to move the control rod 232 to the position shown in FIG. 9 wherein the cam follower 234 on the end of the control rod rides upon the cammed rail portion 238. For simplicity of identification, this may be referred to as the can present position. When no can 62 is present, the rail 220 is free to move inward and consequently the link 226, rod 228, and crank 230 coact to move the control rod 232 to the position shown in FIG. 10 wherein the cam follower 234A on the end of the control rod rides within the annular groove 236. For simplicity lof identification, this may be referred to as the can absent position.y

A slide 240 surrounds the control rod 232 and is provided at its upper end with a pin 242 having a beveled area 243. When the control rod 232 is in the can present position of FIG. 9, the cam follower 234 rides upon the `cammed railed portion 238 and thus causes-the slide 240 to move upward at the high spot of the cammed rail. When the control 232 is in the can absent position of FIG. l0, the cam follower 234 rides within the groove 236 and the slide 249 is not raised. To permit the slide 249 to be raised by the cammed rail 238,`the control rod 232 is specially connected to the bell crank 230 in such a manner that the rod 232 is free to rise and lower, yet is also free to be moved in and out by the crank. This special connection can best be seen in FIG. 1l and it takes the form of a spool 244with a ycentral groove 24S mounted on the outer end of the control rod and a pair of pins 246 offset from a rod 243 aiixed to the bell crank 230. Thus, when the bell crank 230 rotates the rod 248, the pins 246 being located within the groove 245 tend to push upon the spool 244, thereby sliding the control rod 232 through, the slide 248. VJhen the cammed rail portion 238 acts upon the follower 234 to raise the slide 240 and control rod 232, the spool 244 can rise without moving either the pins 246 or the rod 248 and bell crank 234B connected to the pins.

As can be seen from FIG. l1, a pair of

scissor jaws

250 and 252 are mounted above the cover feeding separator device 219. The scissor jaw 250 has a rearwardly extending finger 254 and a forwardly extending linger 256;

similarly, the scissor jaw 252 has a rearwardly extending finger 258 and a forwardly extending finger 260. A pair of opposed spring-biased jaws 262 act on the rearwardly extending fingers to force them toward one another,fbut the slide pin 242 extends between the fingers to prevent them from closing completely. 'Ihe forwardly extending

iingers

256, 260 serve to mount respectively depending

elements

264, 266 which taper inward at their lower end to support the lowermost cover 68 beneath its edges. When no can 62 is present, the cover feeding device 38 assumes the can absent position shown in FIGS. 1() and 11 and the cam follower 234 enters the groove 236, thus preventing the slide 240 from rising. Accordingly, the pin 242 does not rise and the scissor jaws are not forced further open and therefore

thedepending elements

264, 266 stay in the position illustrated in FIG. 11 and no end 68 is released. If, however, a can 62 is present, the device assumes the can present position of FIG. 9 with the cam follower 236 riding upon the cammed rail portion 238. At the high spot of the cammed rail portion, the slide 240 and the attached pin 242 are raised upward and the beveled pin portion 243 causes the

rearwardly extending iiingers

254 and 258 to open or spread further apart. This Opening of the scissor jaws causes the depending

elements

264, 266 to move out from beneath the edges of the end 68 to thus allow the end to drop onto the guide rails 70 to be fed into the machine. The outward position of the depending

elements

264, 266 is shown in dashed lines in FIG. ll.

It should be understood that the double seamer of the present invention is adaptable for use with Icans of varying diameters and heights. As previously described, the seaming rollers 116 can be selectively changed to compensate for cans of various diameters. Also, the seaming rail 88 can be replaced to allow it to accommodate cans of varying diameter, or alternatively, the seaming rail 88 can be adjustably mounted to the upper assembly skirt 188 to allow it to be moved inward or outward in accordance with the can diameter. To allow the apparatus to accept cans of varying height, the entire upper assembly 34 is mounted on three spaced posts 270 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. These posts are screwfadjustable to enable the entire upper assembly to be raised and/or lowered to a height which will accommodate the height of the can being seamed.

The thickness or tightness of the double seam being produced may also -be adjusted. The spring '190 which biases the cam rail 90 is interposed between the cam rail and a screw adjustment means 272, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Since the spring 190 acts against the rail 90 to urge the -seaming roller 116 into engagement with the 'end seam, the harder the spring pushes, the tighter the end seam will be folded, and by varying the posit-ion of the screw A272, the push of the spring can accordingly be selectively varied. Additionally, it is within the scope of the present invention to form the lower step 104 of the seaming roller body portion as an articulated, rather than integral, piece. If the step 104 is articulated, that end which pivotally mounts the lower roller 114 can be moved relatively to that end which pivotally mounts the seaming roller 116 to thus vary the distance .between the lower roller 114 and the seaming roller 116. This variation in distance is another way in which the seam thickness in the second operation can be adjusted. The first operation seam thickness is controlled by adjusting the Vscrews which mount the seaming rail 88.

The terms end, cover, and closure are used interchangeably herein to describe the element 68 which is to lbe doubleseamed to a can 62.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant features will `be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, .construction and arrangement of parts and that changes may be made in the steps of the method described and in their order of accomplishment v10 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form `hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

' We claim:

1. In the manufacture of containers wherein a flanged closure and a flanged container are clamped together in partial assembly between a container support and a chuck in said closure so that their flanges are in close contact, and the thus partially assembled closure and .container are rotated on their comm-on axis while being moved in a predetermined path along which said closure is doubleseamed to said container, the process comprising the steps of:

pressing a seaming rail into engagement with said lflanges of the container and its closure, to produce a partial double seam therebetween, during slightly more than one rotation of the partially assembled container and closure about their common axis thereby preventing folding of the cold worked material; and

pressing a seaming roller into engagement with said partial double seam to produce a completed double seam between said rotating container and closure during the remainder of their progress along said predetermined path.

2. A method of double seaming a closure to a container, comprising feeding a flanged closure into partial assembly with the open end of a anged container on a support pad; pressing and retaining said closure and containerinto close partial assembly between said support pad and a chuck applied to said can end to hold the outwardly extending iianges of the container and closure in close contact;

rotating said partially assembled container and closure about their common axis while thus held between said pad and chuck;

revolving said rotating container around a fixed center through less than 360 degrees;

pressing a seaming rail into engagement with said anges of the container and closure to produce a partial double seam therebetween dur-ing less than 90 degrees of the initial portion of said circular path;

rolling said partial double seam into a completed double seam during the remainder of the movement of said rotating container and closure along said circular path; and

removing said container wit-h its closure completely double-seamed thereto, from said circular path.

3. A method of double searning a `closure to a container comprising the steps of:

feeding a anged closure into partial assembly with theV open end of a iianged container; clamping said closure and container into close partial assembly to hold the outwardly extending anges of the container and closure in close contact; rotating said partially assembled container and closure about their axis while thus clamped together; revolving said rotating container and closure in `a cir- -cular path around a fixed .center through less than 360; pressing a seaming rail into engagement with said i flanges of the container and closure to produce a partial double seam therebetween Vduring less than degrees of the initial portion of said circular path; rolling said partial double seam into a completed double seam during theremainder of the movement of said rota-ting container and `closure along said circular path; and removing said container with its closure completely double-seamed thereto, from said circular path. 4. In an apparatus for sealing a cover to a container along .la sealing area adjacent the juncture between said container and cover, the combination comprising:

means for temporarily clamping a cover onto a container; Y

means for rotating the clamped container and cover around their common axis;

means for revolving said rotating container and cover in a circular path through less than 360;

stationary sealing means adjacent about one quadrant of said circular path of said sealing area between said rotating container and cover for partially sealing said area;

movable sealing means revolvable with said rotating container and cover along a circular path adjacent said revolving and rotating sealing area of the coutainer and cover, and movable into engagement with the partially sealed sealing area to complete the sealing of said area during the remainder of -the progress of said container and body along their circular path.

5. The apparatus for sealing a cover to a container as set forth in claim 4, wherein said stationary seaming means intercepts the normal circular path of said movable seaming means, and said movable seaming means is ver- ;tically reciprocable from said normal path; and means are provided for vertically reciprocating said movable seaming means out of its normal path to avoid interference with said stationary seaming means and back to its -normal path to complete said sealing operation.

6. Apparatus for double seaming a cover to a container body comprising:

a rotatable turret member having at least one peripheral pocket therein;

means for introducing a flanged container body into said peripheral pocket;

means for feeding a flanged cover into superposed alignment `with said container body;

means rotatable with said turret and disposed adjacent said pocket for clamping said container body and said cover together into partial assembly within said pocket, with the opposing surfaces of said iianges in close contact:

means rotatable with said turret and disposed adjacent axis and thus causing said clamped body and cover to revolve in a circular path about the turret axis;

means associated with said turret rotating means for rotating said clamped body and cover about their common axis within said pocket while they simultaneously revolve about the turret axis;

stationary seaming means for engaging the flanges of said rotating and revolving clamped body and cover Vfor forming a partial double seam therebetween;

pivotable seaming means for engaging said partial double seam to form a completed double seam;

actuating means for selectively oscillating said pivotal seaming means into and out of seaming engagement with said tianges; and

ejection means for discharging the double seamed container and cover out or" said turret pocket.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the means for clamping said container body and cover together comprises a rotatable spring-biased support pad beneath said pocket for supporting said container body and a rotatable reciprocable driving chuck above said pocket for holding said cover in contact with said container body.

S. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said stationary seaming means is an arcuate seaming rail disposed alongside a portion of said circular path of the container body and cover at a height corresponding to that of the flanges of the clamped container body and cover.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim S wherein the portion of said circular path along which said rail extends is no greater than one quadrant.

means for selectively oscillating the pivotable seaming means includes at least one cam rail upon which said cam follower rides.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said seaming rail intercepts the normal path of said seaming roller assembly, and said assembly is also mounted for vertical reciprocation; and wherein means are provided for vertically reciprocating said assembly out of its normal path to avoid interception by said arcuate seaming rail, and back to its normal path after it has passed said rail.

12. In an apparatus for double seaming a can end to a can body, the combination comprising:

clamping means for temporarily holding a lianged can end and flanged can body together in partial assembly;

means for rotating said assembly about its axis and simultaneously moving said rotating assembly in a circular path;

a stationary arcuate seaming rail extending alongside said circular path for about one-quarter of its length, said rail having a groove therein adapted to engage and interfold the outwardly extending flanges of said can end and can body to form a partial double seam;

a pivotal seaming roller movable in a circular path adjacent to and together with said clamping means, said roller having a seaming groove therein adapted to engage the partial double seam and form it into a completed double seam;

means for moving said seaming roller along its circular path; and

actuating means for selectively pivoting said seaming roller into and out of its seaming engagement with said can end and body.

13. In a double seamer having a stationary seaming device for performing a first seaming operation and a movable seaming device for performing a second seaming operation, wherein the stationary seaming device intercepts the normal path of said movable seaming device, the combination comprising:

a body portion of said movable seaming device movable normally along an arcuate path, and around its vertical axis, and also vertically along its axis;

a seaming roll mounted on said body portion;

means for moving said body portion along said arcuate path;

means for moving said body portion around its vertical axis to move said seaming roll into its seccond seaming operation; and

means for moving said body portion vertically from its normal arcuate path before reaching said intercepting stationary seaming device to clear said del vice, and for returning said body portion to its normal path after it has passed said device.

14. A movable seaming device as defined in claim 13 but further characterized by said body portion being comprised of three interconnected stepped portions deiining a lower, an intermediate, and an upper step, with a cam roller being mounted on each of the lower and upper steps, and by the provision of cam means for engaging said rollers to move said body portion around its vertical axis.

15. A movable seaming device as defined in claim 14 wherein a wing portion extends upwardly from said intermediate step and a roller is rotatably mounted on said wing portion; and wherein said means for moving the body portion vertically includes a cam for engaging and effecting vertical movement of said roller.

16. In a single revolution double seaming machine which assembles a can end to a can body by forming a double seam created by interfolding the can end periplleral skirt with the can body peripheral flange during less than a single revolution of the machine, improved double seam forming means comprising:

a stationary arcuate seaming rail occupying less lthan one quarter of the distance travelled during a single revolution of the machine;

said seaming rail including a central inner groove adapted to engage and interfold the can end peripheral skirt and the can body peripheral iiange to form a partial double seam; and

a selectively pivotable seaming roller .adapted to be pivoted into and out of engagement with said partial double seam, said pivoting occurring in less than the remaining three-quarters of a single revolution;

said seaming roller including ai continuous central groove adapted to surround -said partial double seam and apply pressure to Hatten said partial double seam into a finished double seam.

17. Apparatus for securing ia can cover to 'a can body comprising:

body feeding means for introducing Ia can body linearly into said apparatus;

said body `feeding means including a chain drive with extending finger portions projecting outward between alternate can bodies to move said bodies along -a linear track;

a central shaft extending through said apparatus substantially normally to said linear track and dening the central axis of said apparatus;

=a main apparatus frame;

an upper assembly extending iabove said main apparatus frame;

said central shaft extending through said main apparatus frame and into said upper assembly;

a central sleeve surrounding said central shaft for a portion of its length;

a central turret aixed to said central sleeve and having a plurality of -spaced peripheral pockets;

fa support pad adjustably mounted within the base of each central turret pocket;

driving means atiixed to said central shaft and rotatable therewith for rotating said support pads;

said body feeding means being operable to feed :a can body into each central turret pocket fand onto the support pad beneath that pocket;

cover feeding means for selectively feeding a can cover from a source thereof to a position above each can body when said can body becomes deposited upon a support pad;

said -cover feeding means including a cover feeding turret which moves `a cover between guide rails and a transfer turret which removes the cover from the cover feeding turret and continues moving said cover lbetween the guide rails until it reaches a point of aligned superposition overa can body supported in a central turret pocket;

can body sensing means for sensing whether Va can body is being fed into a particular central turret.

pocket;

said can body sensing means being interconnected with said cover feeding means to assure that a cover will only be fed to a container pocket if a can body is being fed to that pocket;

a plurality of driving chucks rotatably and reciprocably mounted within said central turret, one of said chucks being located yabove each peripheral pocket;

cam mean attached to said upper assembly `and co-active with said driving chucks for selectively reciprocating them between a lower and an upper position;

each of said driving chucks forcing a can cover into engagement with the can body beneath it when said chuck moves to its lower position;

said driving chuck and said support pad acting 'as clamping means for clamping together a can body and cover;

additional driving means affixed to said central shaft and rotatable therewith for rotating said driving chucks;

shaft gearing means for rotating said central shaft;

sleeve gearing means for rotating said central sleeve;

said central shaft rotation causing said driving means and said additional driving means to rotate and to thus rotate the support pads and the driving chucks thereby causing each clamped can body and cover to rotate about its own axis within each turret pocket;

said central sleeve rotation causing said central turret to rotate about the central yaxis of the apparatus and thus causing each rotating clamped can body and cover to synchronously revolve about said central axis;

an arcuate stationary seaming rail aixed to said upper assembly and partially surrounding said central turret and extending into the peripheral pockets thereof at Ia height corresponding to the interface of the can bodies and can covers clamped within said pockets;

said seaming rail having a central groove therein which interfolds said can bodies and said can covers t0 form -a partial double seam;

a plurality of elevatable and pivotable seaming roller assemblies atlixed to said central turret with one of said assemblies bein-g adjacent each peripheral pocket;

each of said seaming roller assemblies having a rotatable seaming roller mounted thereon and adapted to engage a previously formed partial seam to convert it into 'a finished flattened end seam;

each of said seaming roller assemblies also including a lower, an intermedite, and van upper cam follower roller;

a lower cam rail aiiixed to said upper assembly and engageable with said lowercam 'follower rollers to selectively pivot each seaming roller assembly into a seam engaging position;

an upper cam rail affixed to said upper assembly and engageable with s-aid upper cam follower rollers to selectively elevate said seaming roller assemblies to lift them over said stationary seamin-g rail;

an intermediate cam rail afiixed to said upper cam rail and engageable with said .intermediate cam follower rollers to selectively pivot each seaming roller assembly out of said engaging position; and

ejecting means for removing a can body and its attached cover from its central turret pocket once ya finished double seam has been formed;

said ejecting means including a rotatable ejection turret having peripheral pockets therein and an arcuate rail member for transferring a seamed can and cover from a central turret pocket into an ejection turret pocket and subsequently out of said apparatus.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said shaft gearing means operates at ya greater speed than said sleeve gearing means thus causing said central shaft and its attachments to rotate faster than said central sleeve `and its attachments.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 858,785 7/ 1907 Black l 113-1 1,929,339 10/1933 Troyer et al 113-1 RICHARD I. HERBST, Primary Examiner. CHARLES w. LANHAM, Examiner.

R. D. GREFE, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CONTAINERS WHEREIN A FLANGED CLOSURE AND A FLANGED CONTAINER ARE CLAMPED TOGETHER IN PARTIAL ASSEMBLY BETWEEN A CONTAINER SUPPORT AND A CHUCK IN SAID CLOSURE SO THAT THEIR FLANGES ARE IN CLOSE CONTACT, AND THE THUS PARTIALLY ASSEMBLED CLOSURE AND CONTAINER ARE ROTATED ON THEIR COMMON AXIS WHILE BEING MOVED IN A PREDETERMINED PATH ALONG WHICH SAID CLOSURE IS DOUBLESEAMED TO SAID CONTAINER, THE PROCESS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: PRESSING A SEAMING RAIL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FLANGES OF THE CONTAINER AND ITS CLOSURE, TO PRODUCE A PARTIAL DOUBLE SEAM THEREBETWEEN, DURING SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE ROTATION OF THE PARTIALLY ASSEMBLED CONTAINER AND CLOSURE ABOUT THEIR COMMON AXIS THEREBY PRVENTING FOLDING OF THE COLD WORKED MATERIAL; AND PRESSING A SEAMING ROLLER INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PARTIAL DOUBLE SEAM TO PRODUCE A COMPLETED DOUBLE SEAM BETWEEN SAID ROTATING CONTAINER AND CLOSURE DURING THE REMAINDER OF THEIR PROGRESS ALONG SAID PREDETERMINED PATH.

4. IN AN APPARATUS FOR SEALING A COVER TO A CONTAINER ALONG A SEALING AREA ADJACENT THE JUNCTURE BETWEEN SAID CONTAINER AND COVER, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: MEANS FOR TEMPORARILY CLAMPING A COVER ONTO A CONTAINER; MEANS FOR ROTATING THE CLAMPED CONTAINER AND COVER AROUND THEIR COMMON AXIS; MEANS FOR REVOLVING SAID ROTATING CONTAINER AND COVER IN A CIRCULAR PATH THROUGH LESS THAN 360*; STATIONARY SEALING MEANS ADJACENT ABOUT ONE QUADRANT OF SAID CIRCULAR PATH OF SAID SEALING AREA BETWEEN SAID ROTATING CONTAINER AND COVER FOR PARTIALLY SEALING SAID AREA; MOVABLE SEALING MEANS REVOLVABLE WITH SAID ROTATING CONTAINER AND COVER ALONG A CIRCULAR PATH ADJACENT SAID REVOLVING AND ROTATING SEALING AREA OF THE CONTAINER AND COVER, AND MOVABLE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PARTIALLY SEALED SEALING AREA TO COMPLETE THE SEALING OF SAID AREA DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE PROGRESS OF SAID CONTAINER AND BODY ALONG THEIR CIRCULAR PATH.