US2010816A

US2010816A - Apparatus for reforming can bodies

Info

Publication number: US2010816A
Application number: US628701A
Authority: US
Inventors: James A Gray
Original assignee: American Can Co
Current assignee: Primerica Inc
Priority date: 1932-08-13
Filing date: 1932-08-13
Publication date: 1935-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 1952-08-13

Description

Aug. 13, 1935. GRAY 2,010,816 I APPARATUS FOR REFORMING CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 13, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORW Aug. 13, 1935.

Filed Aug. l5, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 13, 1935- J. A. GRAY I APPARATUS FOR REFORMING CAN BODIES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 13, 1932 ATTORNEY Aug. 13, 1935.

APPARATUS FOR REFORMING CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 15, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 v Q. /6 A, BY

V A Z/ O ATTORNE J. A. GRAY 2,010,816 A Aug. 13, 1935 JLA. GRAY 2,010,816

APPARATUS FOR REFORMING CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 13, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR ATTORNE stage.

Patented Aug. 13, 1935 PATENT OFFlCB APPARATUS Jam nrrsoaiinno CAN BODIES Jjamcs A. Gray,;San Francisco, Califi assignor to American CanfCompany, New York N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application August 13, 193,2,Seria1No- 628,701

.The present invention relates toan apparatus for reforming can bodies from a preliminary flat shape into a cylindrical or other final form such as'is universally found in the tin can of com' 'merce. a In the manufacture of tin cans itis oftendesirable that economy of packing and shipping be provided for and this may be done by shipping the can bodies while Such flattened bodies are adapted to .be i

in a preliminaryfiat or flattened first reformed or rounded into the final body shape and are then supplied with an endor bottom to produce the desired can. The apparatus of the present invention isfor efliciently and rapidly effecting this reforming stage in the cans manufacture. Thepresent invention concerns itself entirely with the conversion of the flattened. or flat can bodies into cylindrical or'other .desiredshape and this without regard to the 'manufacture or provision of; the bodies in flattened condition. The principal object of the is the provision of an apparatus for rapidlyyreforming can bodies in substantially continuous successive steps by feeding the bodies from element to element. through a reforming matrix which is of substantially flattened oval shape in vision of a prebending'orhowing station in an ap-( paratus designedtofeed flat can bodies from a magazine andintoandthrough a reforming ma- .gtrixgthe prebending-operation bowingparts of the canbody as an incidental stepto'thereforming action or" the matrixreforming elements. A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for-reforming fiat can mbodies wherein a series of reforming rollers is utilized in a manner providing a tapered matrix through which the can bodies are passed, the

sizaposition and'movement oi the re forming rollers drawing the bodies successively through each reforming unit, the passing of the bodies into each unit being at a different speed of travel from lineal travel of the engaging roller surfaces, this eature insuring "the proper separaiio of can bodies throughout the-reforming igoperation,

An import it ohjcctjio'tfthe invention the provisiono nprovedfeeding. devices, in an apparatus of the character described, forseparating a fiat body from a stack of can bodies gin a magazine and for moving it intoa prepresent invention ing station; and

' in stack. formation within a magazine.

'19 Claims. (cuss-e2) bending or bowing station where it is accurately centered and then subjected to a preliminary bendingoperation prior to being brought into position for its travel through the reforming matrix.

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 accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment'thereof;

Referring 'tothe drawings: r

Figure l is a plan View partiallybroken away of a preferred'form of apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View taken substantially along the line 2-45 inFig. 1; i

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantiallyialong the line 3--3. in Fig. 1 and illustrating the mechanism at the prebending or bowing station;

Fig. 4 isan enlarged transverse sectional View taken substantially alongthe broken line 4-4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged'transver'se sectional View taken substantiallylalong the broken line 5-5 in.Fig.1; 1' I I Fig. 6isan enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially 'along the broken line 6-45 in Fig. 1; I

Fig. "I, 8 and19uare transverse sectional details taken substantially alongthe broken line 1--'| in Fig. 6, the three views illustrating different positions of apart of themechanism at the prebend- Figs. .10, .ll and 12 are fragmentary schematic. detailspshowne generally in elevation, and illustrating the flattened can body in its relation to partsof the prebending mechanism as assumed respectively in the steps of operation shown in .Figs. .7, 8 and 9.

"The apparatus illustrated in the drawings dis-f closes a preferred embodiment of the invention in which flat or'fiattened can bodies are stored A'recip-Q rocating feeding device operating transversely of the magazine shears the lowermost body from the bottom of thestack and moves it into a station for a prebending operation.

The flat or flattenedcan body handled in'this way has relatively fiat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts. Spring pressed dogs are used'with the reciprocating feeding device and'these engage one of the rounded connecting curved-parts of the can body as an incident to removal from the stack. Using the curved part in this manner insures positive en whether the fiat parts of the body are close together as when collapsed or whether the body is more open.

At the prebending station the forward sharply curved part of the body, opposite to that engaged by the feeding dogs, is engaged by oscillating fingers which are cam controlled to shift back to recheck the can body and bring it into proper alignment. A pair of spaced slide members is located at this station, one member of the pair being adjacent each open end of the aligned can body.

Each slide is cam operated and carries an anvil and a pair of centering spears and both spears and anvils are pointed at their inner ends. As the slide members move toward each other the two centering spears on each side enter into the opposed sharply curved connecting body parts. In the innermost position of the slides the two opposed anvils are fully inserted within the open ends of the can body.

Each slide carries an upper andv lower die member spaced respectively above and beneath an associated anvil. The die members are also cam operated and when moved close upon the engaged open ends of the can body, squeeze it against the anvils and outwardly bow the edges 'of the fiat parts of the body. This effects a prebending of the body. Upon the next reciproeation of the feeding devices spring held dogs surfaces adapted to form a concave matrix to engage the outside surface of the flattened can body.

The can body with its slightly bowed open sides is moved at right angles to its former travel to introduce it into the matrix formed by the reforming rollers by engagement with a lug carried by a conveyor chain. The upper run of this chain moves in a horizontal plane, the chain passing over vertically disposed sprockets. The upper run moves in between bottom flanges of each pair of spaced reforming rollers.

The can body upon being engaged by the lugof the conveyor chain is first carried through a series of spaced guiding rollers. These rollers engage outside of the sharply curved parts of the body and guide the'body along a straight line path of travel into the first pair of reforming rollers.

. The concave walls of the first pair of reforming rollers present an entrance opening or mouth for the reforming matrix which is substantially oval in shape. The opposed side walls of the rollers are slightly closer together than the engaging walls of theguiding rollers and a partial bending of the can body results. In other words, the body is altered in cross section from the flattened oval shape into a more roundedshape as it passes through the rollers.

These rollers are rotated at a uniform speed which is slightly greater than the conveyor chain speed and this'increased speed causes the rollers to pick up and move the can body so that it momentarily leaves the engaged lug of the conveyor chain. As soon as the can body has passed through the first pair of reforming rollers it pauses in its travel.

When the chain lug catches up it pushes the can body into the next set of rollers which again draw the body forward further bending or reforming it. In like manner the body is fed to each pair of rollers which successively engage and further reform it. The concave walls of the last pair of rollers present a true circular pass and the can body upon emerging from them is in its final cylindrical form.

The principal parts of the apparatus are carried in and on a frame or casing 2! (Figs. 1 and 2) which is supported by legs 22. The reforming roller section of the machine, which covers an area over half the entire extent, is supported upon a casing cover 23 which rests upon the casing 2|. The casing is also provided with a table section 24 which extends in a horizontal plane below the plane of the cover 23.

The table at its inner end (Fig. 3) supports a flange 25 of the casing cover 23. The magazine for the flattened can bodies and the prebending can body devices are both carried on the table section 2%. A magazine frame 3! is provided for directly supporting these parts and is formed with a horizontal table top section.

The magazine for the flattened can bodies (the bodies being designated by the numeral 35) comprises spaced vertically extending brackets 36 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) which are mounted upon and secured to the magazine frame 35 by bolts 31. This constitutes station A. The inner vertical faces of the magazine brackets as are vertically grooved at 38 to provide clearance for free vertical movement of the flattened can bodies while retaining them in the stack. The can bodies 35 are formed with fiat side parts 3! (Figs. 4 and which are joined by sharply curved connecting parts 52.

Two grooves 45 (Figs. 1 and 3) are formed in the flat table part of the magazine frame 3! to provide a working support for the can body feeding devices and these grooves extend transversely of and beneath the magazine. A pair of feed bars 46 (see also Figs. 4 and 5) are located in the grooves -35 and move back and forth to effect the removal of a single flattened can body 35 from the magazine and to effect a transfer of the body into the reforming station. The bars 35 at their rear ends are secured to a block ll which moves within a slot 33 cut in the magazine frame 3 I.

The feed bars 56 are moved back and forth by connection with a continuously rotating shaft 61, the block ll being pivotally connected at :39 to one end of a link 55 which is pivotally connected at 52 to the upper end of a lever 53. Lever 53 is mounted for oscillation on a shaft M which is carried by a bracket 55 bolted on the casing 2|.

The lever 53 is pivotally connected at 6! to a ball and socket joint unit 62 which is threadedly secured to one end of a connecting rod This rod carries a similar ball and socket joint unit 6 3 carried on a bolt 55 (Fig. l) which is secured to a disc 56 (see also Fig. 4) carried on one end of the horizontal shaft 87. The shaft 6'! extends at a slight angle to the center line of the casing 2i and is associated with the reforming matrix as will be more fully disclosed. Shaft Gl' is journalled in a bracket 68 mounted on the table 26 and in split bearings 69 formed in the casing 2! and the cover 23.

The shaft El carries a spiral gear ll (Fig. 1) which meshes with a similar gear located directly beneath and secured to a horizontal drive shaft l2 which extends cross wise of the casing 2i and is journaled in bearings '53 formed in its side walls. The shaft if is rotated in any suitable manner as by application of-power. to a drive pulley 14 carried on one end. I

- The eccentric mounting of the bolt 65 on the disc 66 effects a crank motion whichdmparts reciprocating moveinentto the 'rod63, the lever 53 and the feed bars '46.

Each bar 46 carries a'fii red feeding dog or finger block i5 (Figs. 1 and 4') which. is formed with a curved front end I6. When the feed bars 46 and fingers i5 are in'the rear position, thisbeing at the end of the back stroke of the feeding device (Fig 5) the forward edges are alongside and directly back of the lowermost. flattened can body 35 resting in the magazine. This lowermost body supports the rest ofthe stack of bodies and at such time rests directlyupon the upper surface of the table part of themagazine frame.

Upon forward movement of the feed bars 46 the forward edges 16 of the feeding dogs or blocks 15 engage behind the sharply curved part 42 of the lowermost body and. move it laterally ortoward the left (Fig. 5). The lower ends'of the'maga-- zine walls 38 extend downwardly a'distance sufficient to prevent similar movement of the other superimposed can bodiesresting in'the magazine. The remaining bodies in the stack are then supported upon the top surface of the blocks "l5 as illustrated in Fig. 4. I I

At the forward end of the stroke theblocks 15 position theseparated can body at the prebending station B. During this movement of a can body 3 5from"themagazine (station A) to the prebending station B it is guided ina straight line between side plates TI (Figs. 1 and 4) secured at I8to the magazine frame. A horizontal top guide bar 19 is mounted above the path of travel and finger 85 is provided with a notch 88 audit is the yoke and engages a cam roller 96 loosely .thispart of the finger that engages the forward takes place.

the yoke 93 and a supporting eye 99 carried in curved part 42 of the body when the checking to bring the fingers 85 fromthe idle position illustrated in Fig. 5 into the checking position illustrated in Fig. 4. e

Oscillation of the shaft 85 is e'fiected by a cam, gear and rack unit which coi'nprises a gear pinion 9! securedto the shaft 86 and located between the fingers 85. The teeth of this pinion are engaged'by rack teeth 2 'forined in theupper-end of a cam yoke 93. The lower'end of the yoke straddles a horizontal shaft 94.

A cam 95 is mounted on the shaft 94 adjacent mounted ona stud QIcarried by the yoke 93. A spring 98 interposed between the lower end of the table part 24 of the casing 21.

The shaft 94 is a companion to the shaft 61 and also extends in a horizontal plane andlengthwis'e of the casing but onthe opposite side of the center "line. This shaft is] also located at a slight angle to the center line and is iournaled'forrotation in end 21.

In this action the shaft 86 is moved tionary for the prebending operation.

The shaft 94, like its companion shaft'BL'receives rotation from the drive shaft I2 and for this purpose carries a spiral gear IE5 which meshes with a spiral gear I36 mounted on the shaft 12. The non-parallel position of the shafts allows for proper location of driving gears imparting rotation to the diiierent rollers of the reforming matrix. This will be more evident as the description proceeds.

The can body in its centered posit-ionlaterally between the feeding dogs and the fingers is longitudinally centered between a pair of holding and bending die units and is ready for the first of the operations at the prebending station.

The elementsfof the holding and bending die units are carried on a pair of spaced slides '5 iii (Figs. 3 and 6) which are located on. opposite sides of the open. ends of the can body. These slides have movement toward and away from the can body and slide within guideways i it formed in the magazine frame 3i.

The elements carried by the slides H0 include shaped bend to its edges. These parts will now be described in detail.

Each slide H8 is moved back and'forth under a cam control and for this purpose a boss H2 projects downwardly from the lower face of the slide and carries a stud I i3 on which a cam roller H4 is rotatably mounted. This roller. operates in a groove I I5 of a barrel earn 5 IE mounted upon and keyed to the shaft 94.

The slides Iii) move outwardly into open position as aflattened can bodyis brought into place and inwardly to effect the bending operation. The slides H0 are retained in the grooves II I by plates. IZI mounted upon the magazine frame 35 and projecting over and on top of the side edges ofthe slides. The magazine frame 3i is cut away.

at I22 to allow clearance for the sliding movement of the bosses H2.

An anvil. I25 (Figs. 3, 5, '7 and ll) is secured by bolts I25 on the front or inner end of each slide I 99, and isformed with a tapered or pointed Each slide I I El also carriesa pair of spaced can centering spears which project ahead of the pointed end I27 of each anvil. Each spear is formed with a pointed endlZQ. During the inward movement of the s ides sheep-ears pass I34 arranged in alignment with the members Tl and on the opposite side of the prebending sta-;

tion. The plates I33, i3 5 are suitabiy mounted upon stationary parts carried by the magazine frame table.

The centering spears B23 move into the rounded curved parts 42 of the fiat can body as it rests at the prebending station, the pair of on each slide H0 moving toward those on the other slide. The entering posit-ion is illustrated in Figs. '7 and 10. The centered position of the spears inopposite sides of the opsnends of flattened can body is illustrated in Figs- 8 and 11. I

Continued movement of the slides H5 brings the pointed ends Iii of the opposed anvils 525 into the open ends of the can body. and into the position illustrated in Figs. 9 and 12 This posi tion is assumed when the slides Iii) reach their innermost travel. The slides then remain stacarried on the lug M2.

The bending die members previously referred to comprise an upper die arm I35 (Figs. 1, 3 and 7) and a lower die arm I36, there being one upper and one lower arm on each slide III The upper arm I35 is pivoted on a pin I3? which is carried in a pair of spaced lugs I38 projecting upwardly from the slide. In a similar manner the lower arm I36 is pivoted on a pin MI carried in spaced lugs I G2 which are projected downwardly from the body of the slide. Each arm I35 carries a bending die I43 and a similar die Hi5 is'carried on the inner end of the arm I35.

The dies M3, M5 are in separated position (Figs. '7, 8 and 10) during the positioning of the can body upon the anvils I25 but are adapted to be moved by movement of the arms I35, I36. For this purpose arm I35 is formed with an extension I I8 which projects at right angles to the main body of the arm and extends over and behind the .slide III).

A spring M9 is interposed between this extension I48 of the arm and a connecting eyeItI This spring normally holds the forward end of the arm I35 in raised position and the die I 4-3 separated from and di- Ilfland limits the amount of the pivotal-move ment of the arm on its pin I37.

A springISE is interposed between the lower surface of the slide Iii! and the arm I35 and exerts a force which normally holds the arm in its lowered position with the die I45 separated from and directly beneath its associated anvil I25. A setscrew I56 carried in the arm I36 pro vides a stop by engaging the lower surface of the slide I It and limits the amount of pivotal movement of the arm on its pin MI Each cam II5 (Figs. 3 and 9) is formed with a lateral web I III which projects from its outer face and is slotted at I62 to provide clearance for a roller I63 pivotally mounted on a pin IG i carried in the web. At a point in each rotation of the cam IIS, the roller I53 is brought adjacent the extension I 'III of the arm I35 and engages a striking block I65 secured by a bolt I513 to the lower end of the extension and causes the arm I35 to reckon its pivot IS'I. I

A second web I 68 is formed on the inner face of each cam IIS and is directly opposite to the "the block I65 just described, the roller IN is vmoving adjacent the lower arm I36 and at such time engages the under surf-ace of the arm, causing it to move on its pivot I II against the action of the spring I55.

These simultaneous movements of the arms I35, I36 cause their respective bending dies I 33, M5 to engage the edges of the flat portions II of the can body as it rests upon the anvils I25 and to impress an outward bowed form in the can body. This position of the .dies and associated parts is illustrated in Fig. 12.

It will be observed that the upper face of each anvil IE5 is slightly curved as at H5 and that the lower face of the anvil is similarly curved as at I16. The body engaging surfaces of the dies M3 are also curved as at IT? and this curved surface cooperates with the surface I to effect the proper bowing of the can body. In a similar way the .upper engaging surface of the die M5 is curved .the forward end of each slot.

as at I18 to-correspond with the surface I'IB of the anvil, and these cooperating curved surfaces produce the bowed form of the can body, illustrated in Fig. 12.

The can body is now in condition for reforming the bowed shape of the body, holding its fiat walls II separated so that it will be more accurately and more evenly opened when passed through thereforming matrix. Upon separation of the dies and withdrawal of the anvils and centering spear members, the body is redeposited upon the table of the magazine frame 3i At this time the feed bars 56 are in their rear position and the centering fingers are in lowered position, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

Each feed bar IS is slotted at its forward end as at I85 and a spring held dog I86 is located in This dog is pivoted on a pin I37 and its rear end normally engages the fioor of the slot, being held in such position by a spring I88. In this position a forward curved end I89 is raised and is directly behind the rear curved edge 52 of the bowed can body.

On the next forward movement of the feed bars 6-3 which immediately follows, the dogs I85 engage the bowed body and move it to the left (into position C,-Fig. 5) and out of the prebending station B as the finger blocks Ibbring the next can body into position at this station.

During this movement the can body is guided' between the members I33, I3I (Fig. 1) and is held down by the top guide bar I9 which extends all gitudinally of the reforming matrix and along its line of center and assists in the proper fee-ding movement of the can bodies into each pair or set of rollers. This conveyor chain (designated by the numeral I9I, Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) operates over anidler sprocket I92 at the entrance end of the reforming matrix and a drive sprocket I93 at the discharge end. The upper or feeding run of the chain IQI passes over the frame cover 23 and directly below the reforming rollers and its lower or return run passes through and inside of the casing 2 I.

Spaced lugs I94 are carried on the chain I9I and as the can body is brought into position at station C it moves laterally of and between two adjacent lugs. These lugs are spaced apart a distance in excess of the can body height and the lug directly back of the can body at the time immediately engages behind one open edge and advances it toward the reforming matrix, this movement being at right angles to the can body path between stations A, B and C.

The sprocket I92 is mounted on a stud I95 which is supported in a bracket I 96 mounted upon and secured by bolts I 9? to the table section 24 of the casing 2|. The drive sprocket I93 is keyed to a horizontal shaft I98 which is journalled in a bearing I99 formed in a bracket 25H bolted to the side of the casing 2 I. The shaft I98 also carries a bevel gear 262 which meshes with a bevel pinion 203 carried on the end of the shaft 7 94.. This gear connectioncontinuously moves the chain I91 in its path of travel.

The casing 2! is formed with a raised rectan gular section 2 (Figs. 1 and2) whichprovides a support for three pairsof guiding. rollers 2l2 at a station D. These rollers are idly mounted 7 upon vertical studs 2 it carried bythe frame part 2| l.. The moving conveyor chain I91 carries the can body through these guiding rollers, the lug of the chain resting against the body edge. Confully bow the can bodies and bring their curved parts closer together before introduction into the reforming rollers. When this is done the guiding rollers 22! function as reforming-rollers.

The reforming, matrix extends from .a station illustrate five pairs or: sets of reforming rollers for the reforming matrix. All of theserollers are similarly mounted and each roller of apair or setis located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the matrix from its associated roller,

The first pair of reforming rollers, designated by the numeral 22! (see also Fig. 4) is located directly in front of the last pair of guide rollers Rollers 22! arejformed with concave surfaces 222 and the spaced, opposed surfaces of the rollers provide a substantially fiat ovaljopening or entrance for the reforming matrix. It is into this oval mouth that the bowed can body is moved by the conveyor chain 59!. s The three intermediate pairs of reforming rollers are designated by the numeral 223 and the final pair of rollers by the numeral 224. All of these rollers are also formed with concave surfaces 222. g Each pair of rollers beginning with those adjacentthe entrancerollers 22! and then taking adjacent sets in order, are mounted upon ver-.

tical axes which are spaced closer to each other. The axes of the final rollers 224 are the closest together. position of the shafts B1, 9 l'previously referred to and permits the. axes of the shafts passing] parallel with a vertical plane which takes in the axes of the reforming rollers. rollers 22! are shorter in height than anyof the other rollers and each pair progressively increases in body height toward the exit end of the matrix.

The space between the concave surfaces of each; set of rollers therefore provides a different cross;

section to the reforming matrix which, excepting the final rollers, is of oval shape with the vertical orshort axes increasing asthe horizontal or long axes decrease.

The concave surfaces of the final rollers224 present a true circle for the discharge end of the matrix.

As the can body movesthrough the reforming matrix it successively engagestheconcave surx faces of the pairs of spaced rollers and moves through the rollers with the outside bodywall surface engaged by the concave roller surfaces 222. The shape of the can body during this pas-,

sage through the matrix progressively changes; from the oval forminto the final cylindrical form.

This accounts/for the non-parallel.

The entrance at a speed of travel which produces alineal travel of the concave surfaces 222 in excessof the. lineal travel of the conveyor chain l9l. The result of thisdiflerence in travel speed. between roller and chain causes each opposed roller set upon engaging the outer surface of the can body to draw the body through the rollers at a speed which moves it way from the chain lug I94. l i

As soon as each set of rotating rollers has carried the can body therethrough the body comes to a momentary pausein its traveluntil the lug 94 on the chaincatches upwith the body. When this takes. place the can. body is again moved forward by the chain and its forward open end-is inserted into the next pair of reforming rollers.

Each reforming roller 22!, 223, 226 is mounted upon a vertical shaft 23l which is journalled in bearings 232 formed in the cover plate 23. Each shaft 23| carries a spiral gear 235 which meshes with a similar gear 236 located upon either the shaft 61 or the shaft 94.

These'spiral gear sets insure the proper rotation of. the rollers to per- 7 form-the reforming action just described.

- The upper flange of each reforming roller is of a diameter to cause it to practically touch the upper flange of the associated roller of the set. Its lower flange, however, isof smaller diameter and this leaves a space between the peripheries of the lower flanges of each roller set. The lugs [94 of the conveyorchain |9| pass'in between the rollers and through the clearance space between the lower flanges.

As the can body passes through each set of rollers and as it comes to the momentary pause described awaiting the lug I94 of the chain l9l, it is held against displacement by guide walls 24! formed in horizontal plates 242 bolted to and resting upon the frame cover 23.

Each body as it is brought into cylindrical form and is discharged from the final pair of rollers 224 moves upon a pair of supporting bars 26l and beneath a top guide bar 262. The top guide bar and one of the supporting bars are held in a bracket section 283 formed as an integral part of one of the guide plates 242; The other supporting bar 26! is held in a bracketfli lv carried by the other guide plate 242. The conveyorchain ,lQi moves the reformed can body along the bars,

25L 262 and from these bars the body may be removed in any suitable manner.

It is thought that'the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoingdescription, and it will be apparent that variouschangesmay be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention orsacrificing all' of its material advantagesg the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

Iclaim: V 1. In a machine for reforming caribodies provided with' relatively flat side parts joined by sharply curvedconnecting parts, the combination of' a. reforming matrix through which the" can bodies ,pass, the walls of said matrix forming a substantially flat oval entrance for receiving the flat can-bodiesand gradually merging intoa substantially circulardischarge opening, these mag trixwalls engaging both the sharply curved parts of thecan bodies and the flat side parts-and progressively bending the same into the desired cylindrical curvature, and conveying means for propelling said bodies through said matrix during thereforming operation. V V l v 2.; Ina machine" for reforming can bodies: pro-,

vided with relatively fiat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of means reforming said flat can bodies into. desired shape, a magazine for containingsaid fiat bodies in stack formation, and feeding means first engaging a sharply curved'connecting part of a said body for removing it from the stack and thereafterengaging an edge of said body to feed it to said reforming means, and means for en- ;gaging the rear edges of the can bodies and propelling them through said reforming means.

3. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flat side parts joined by sharply curved connectingparts, the combination .of concave means reforming said flat can bodies into desired shape, a magazine for containing said fiat bodies in stack formation, and means engaging a sharply curved connecting part of the lowermost can body in said magazine and removing for the reforming operation by said reforming means, and means for engaging the rear edges of the can bodies and propelling them through said reforming means.

4. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively fiat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of preliminarily acting reforming devices engaging within and without the flattened can body, and subsequently acting reforming devices engaging only the outer surface of the body.

5. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of preliminarily and subsequently acting reform- "ng devices, said preliminarily acting referraing devices comprising internally and externally acting pressure elements changing the curvature of said sharply curved connecting parts, and means for engaging the rear edges of the can bodies and propelling them through said reforming means.

6. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively fiat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of preliminarily and subsequently acting reforming devices, said preliminarily acting reforming devices comprising internally and externally acting pressure elements changing the curvature of said sharply curved connecting parts and giving a measured predetermined bow to said fiat parts of said body.

.7. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of a magazinefor holding the flat can bodies in stack formation, preliminary bending mechanism, including die members for impressing outward bows in the fiat sides of the said can bodies, a reforming matrix through 1 which the can bodies pass for the reforming operation, and feeding devices for removing single can bodies from said magazine for feeding them into said mechanism and for feeding the partially bowed can bodies to said reforming matrix.

8; In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of a magazine for holding the flat can bodies in stack formation, preliminary bending -mechanism adjacent said magazine and including bending die members for impressing outward bows in the fiat sides of the said can bodies, a reforming matrix through which the can bodies pass for the reforming operation, intermittent yfeeding devices'operating against the sharply curved can body parts for removing single can' bodies from said magazine and feeding them first to said mechanism and then to said reformingmatrix, and continuously moving conveying means operating against end edges of said can bodies for propelling them into said matrix.

9. In a machine forreforming can bodies pro-- vided with relatively flat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of a magazine for holding the flat can bodies in stack formation, preliminary bending mechanism, including bending die members for impressing outward bows in the fiat sides of the said can bodies, a reforming matrix through which the can bodies pass in the reforming operation, feeding devices operating against the sharply curved can body parts for removing single can bodies from said magazine and for feeding them into and through said mechanism and into alignment with the entrance end of said reforming matrix, and conveying means operating at right angles to the line of travel of the can bodies while moving with said feeding devices for propelling said can bodies into and through said matrix.

10. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of a reforming matrix embodying a plurality of pairs of associated elements through which the can bodies pass, the walls of successive matrix elements presenting progressive shapes from a. substantially flat o-val at the receiving end of said matrix to substantially a circle at the discharge end, these matrix walls progressively bending and reforming the can bodies into the desired cylindrical form, and means for passing said bodies successively through said matrix elements during the reforming operation the while keeping them separated.

11. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of a plurality of reforming rollers providing a reforming matrix through which the can bodies pass and by which flat can bodies are reformed into substantially cylindrical shape, actuating means for rotating said rollers at a uniform speed and means for conveying said can bodies through said reforming matrix, said means having a speed of movement which is less than the speed of rotation of said rollers.

12. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively fiat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of a plurality of pairs of reforming rollers providing a reforming matrix through which flat can bodies pass and by which they are reformed into substantially cylindrical shape, actuating means for rotating said rollers at a uniform speed, and means for conveying said can bodies through said reforming matrix by presenting them successively to each pair of rollers at a speed of movement which is less than the speed of rotation of said rollers.

13. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flat side parts joined by speed of travel less than the speed of rotation of said rollers for transferring the can bodies from one pair of reforming rollers into those next adjacent.

.5 71a. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flat side walls joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of a magazine for holding the flat can bodies in stack formation, preliminary bendingfmechm 10 nism, including bending die members for impressing outward bows in the flat sides of the said can bodies, a reforming matrix embodying a plurality of sets of reforming rollers through which the can bodies pass and by means of which 15 they are brought into cylindrical shape, feeding devices operating against the sharply curved can body parts for removing single can bodies from said magazine and for feeding them into and through said bending mechanism and into alignment with the said reforming rollers, and conveying means operating longitudinally of said reforming matrix and passing between each set of reforming rollers for transferring the can 25 reforming operation.

15. A machine for reforming can bodies prosharply curved connecting parts, the combination of a magazine for holding fiat can bodies in stack formation, bending mechanism located adjacent said magazine, and including spaced die vices operating against a sharply curve-d can body part for removing a single can body from said magazine and for feeding it into said mechanism between said anvils and in. alignmentwith the said die members, devices for centering said positioned can body on said anvils, actuating means for operating said die members which, in cooperation with said anvils, impress outward bows in the flat sides of the said can body, and a reforming matrix for receiving said bowed can bodies and for reforming them into the desired shape.

: 16. In a machine for reforming can bodies probodies between adjacent roller sets during the vided with relatively flat sidewalls joined by members and a pair of spaced anvils, feeding de vided with relatively flat side parts joined by' sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of preliminarily acting centering devices adapted to enter into a flat can body, and means intermediate said centering devices for bowing the fiat sides of said can body, said bowing means stretching the material of the body on said centering devices to increase the radius of curvature of said sharply curved connecting parts of said can body, an elongated concave matrix, and means 'for pushing the can through said matrix.

18. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flat side parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination of preliminarily acting centering devices adapted to enter into a flat can body, and means intermediate said centering devices for bowing the flat sides of said can body, said bowing means stretching the material of the body on said cen- V tering devices to increase the radius of curvature of said sharply curved connecting parts of said can body, and cooperating external die members.

19. In a machine for reforming canbodies, the combination'of a series of pairs of concave reforming rolls having their concaves opposite to each other and forming an elongated concave matrix, means for rotating said rolls, and a conveyer having means for pushing the can bodies from one pair to the next pair'of reforming rolls, said concave matrix varying from a flattened to substantially circular form, said conveyer having a speed of movement which is less than the speed of rotation of saidrolls. V

JAMES A. GRAY.