US2018113A

US2018113A - Can vacuumizing and seaming machine

Info

Publication number: US2018113A
Application number: US641382A
Authority: US
Inventors: George A Bardet; George V Bardet
Original assignee: MJB Co
Current assignee: MJB Co
Priority date: 1932-11-05
Filing date: 1932-11-05
Publication date: 1935-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 1952-10-22

Description

Filed Nov. 5, 1932 9 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Oct; 22, 1935. G. A. BARDET 'fr AL CAN VACUUMIZING AND SEAMNGl MACHINE 9 Sheets-Shet v2 Filed NOV. 5, 1932` G. A. BARDx-:T ET AL 2,018,113 vCf'N VACUUMIZINGlAND SEAMING MACHINE oct. 22, 1935.

Filed Nov. 5, 1952 9 sheets-sheet 5 v INVENToR s f? ATTORNEY 5` G. A. BARDET ET AL CAN VACUMI'ZING AND SEAMING MACHINE i Oct. 22 1935.

Filed Nov. 5, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 al f 1 Kif oct 22, 1935- G. A. BARDET 1=:r AL

GAN v'ACuUMIzING ANDKSEAMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Oct. 22, 1935- G.. A'. BARDET Er M v 2,018,113

CAN VACUUMIZING` AND SEAMING MACHINE Filed Nqv. 5. 1952 9 sheets-.sheet 8 INVENTOR 5 G50/ecm 14.542057* ATTORNEYS" Oct. 22, 1935, G. A. BARDl-:T ET AL CAN VACUUMIZING' AND SEAMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5. 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 AITRN EYS Patented ct. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAN VACUUMIZING AND SEAMING MACHINE Application November 5, 1932, Serial No. 641,382

10 Claims. (Cl. 113-24) This invention relates to can vacuumizing and seamng machines. More particularly .it relates to machines of that character having a relatively small vacuumizingchamber adapted to receive one can at a time and containing a single spindle double seamer, and into which chamber cans, with covers loosely placed thereon, may be moved by means which automatically closes the chamber as it supports the can during vacuumizing and seaming; vacuum being applied from a source of supply through the medium of a rotary control valve synchronized in its opening and closing action with the timed operations of the can support and seamer mechanism'.

'I'he principal objects of the present invention are- First, to provide' a relatively inexpensive ma-l chine of the above character, adapted either to fully automatic or semi-automatic operation, and

whereby cans, with ends unclinched and loosely applied thereto may be quickly and uniformly vacuumized and sealed by double seaming the covers or ends thereto.

Second, to provide a machine in which the '25 vacuumizing chamber is only of such volume asz chamber, thereby to insure a quick and uniform vacuumization of all cans.

Fourth, to provide means for automaticallydesignating cans that are not fully or properly vacuumized at the en'd of the seaming operation thereon. 1

- Fifth, to providea novel form of rotary valve for controlling the application of vacuumk to the vacuumizing chamber and whereby the application of vacuum to the can may be made gradually topreclude possible drawing out ofcontents therefrom incident to the extraction of air.

Sixth, to provide a support whereby the cans vare lifted into the vacuumizing chamber and positioned for seaming and which accommodates itself to slight 'variations in height of cans, and to .variations incident to depression or 'wear on the chamber sealing gasket.

Seventh, to provide a double seamer head of y novel construction including both iirst and secvmechanism in a plane through the axial line ond operation seaming rolls readily adjustable to cans of dilerent diameters.

Other objects of the invention reside in the Various details of construction, in the combination of parts and in their mode of operation as 5 will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above and other objects of the invention, We have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying 10 drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a can vacuumizing and sealing machine embodied'by the present invention. v

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same; the'support- 15 ing pedestal and gear housing being shown in vertical section for the purpose of better illustration. v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section, on a horizontal plane, taken substantially on the line 3--3 in 20 Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the design of the three cams employed in the double seamer, and showing them as keyed on the cam shaft in their operating relationship. 25

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, vertical section through the driving gears and cams associated with the seamer, as seen on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an outside elevation of the rotary v alve mechanism which controls the application 30 of vacuum to the vacuumizing chamber.

Fig. 7 isv a similar view of the valve with the rotary member farther advanced.- Fig. 7a discloses an alternative.

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail of a circuit closer 35 used in the circuit'of the signaling means for designating improperly vacuumized cans.

Fig.l 9 is a sectional view -of theseamer head thereof. n 40 Fig. 10 is an enlarged, sectional detail of the signaling means l'for indicating absence of proper Vacuum within a sealed can.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional detail of the can elevating and lowering post and its actuating lever.

Fig. l2 is a horizontal section on the line |2-I2 in Fig. 11. v

Fig. 13 is a cross section of thev double seamer 50 head taken in the vertical plane of the line I 3-I3 in Fig. 14. y

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken on line |4-I4 in Fig. 13 illustrating'arrangement of the slides of the head. 65

Fig. 14a isa detaill illustrating means for atlujusting a seaming ro 4 Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the double seamer cams and parts actuated thereby.

Fig. 16 is a timing diagram for the seamer cams, valve and testing circuit switch.

Fig. 1'7 is aview illustrating a can feed device for a fully automatic machine. Fig. 18 ls a detail of the same.

Fig. 19 is a view diagrammatically illustrating, in side elevation, an alternative automatic can feed mechanism as applied to the machine.

Fig.-20 is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 21 is a plan View of the feed levers.

Briefly described, the present device is a stationary,l single spindle machine adapted to the double seaming of cans, one at a time, after they have been placed manually or automatically in position upon a support and elevated thereby into a vacuumizing chamber. The chamber employed is open at the base to receivethe cans as lifted thereinto by the support and it encloses a single head double seamer equippedwith rst and second operation rolls. A feature of this construction is` that the vacuumizing chamber is only as large as is required to contain the can and double seamer head so that the volume to be vacuumized and the time for vacuumization is reduced to a minimum. Cans placed manually, or automatically, upon the support are lifted thereby into the vacuumizing chamber and retained in proper position for seaming. At the same time the entrance to the chamber is sealed by a platen associated with the support so that vacuum may be drawn therein. As soon as the chamber is closed,

the vacuumization period begins and it continues substantially through thedouble seaming operation, which is somewhat delayed after the chamber is closed in order to permit complete vacuumization of the can before sealing takesplace; the application and release of vacuum being under control of a rotary valve which is properly timed with the action of the seamer and cansupport.

Prior to the feeding of a can into the vacuum-` izing chamber, a 'cover is loosely placed thereon. Then, when the can is lifted into the chamber,

` the cover is caused to abut against a stationary 'nsA pad associated withy and coaxlal'of the seamer head. This pad retains the coveragainst displacement fmm the can during vacuumization prior to seaming. After the can has been vacuumized, the double seamer operates to seam the cover to the can then the support and platen are lowered to remove the can from the chamthe parts in position for the nextl ber and place can.

The double seamer isa single head machine with two rst and two second operation seamlng rolls mounted on individual slides radially adjustable in the head and each operatively connected to an adjustable sleeve coaxial of the head and which, by acam controlled movement rin one direction, will cause the rst operation rolls to engage the can an'ge, then,v by movement in an opposite direction, will cause the second operation rolls to finish the seaming operation.

' The testing of each can takes place immediately following the seaming operation and in this test, the absence of inward deflection of the upper end wall of the can will bring aboutthe energization of the-signal which designates that the can is improperly vacuumized.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- VThe vacuumizing chamber',l in its entirety, is

designated by reference numeral' I and it is rigidly supported by a bracket 2 vthat is fixed to and extends forwardly from the upper end portion of a pedestal or frame 3. yThis pedestal hasa base flange 3a through which bolts or the like may be extended if needed to anchor the machine firmly to a foundation, The pedestal lalso forms a sort of housing or enclosure within which an electric motor 4 is xed for driving the-machine, as presently will be described.

The double seamer mechanism 5 is contained within and is functionally supported by the chamber and the gearing whereby the seamer head is driven, andthe several cams whereby its various operatingparts are synchronized in their movements', are'enclosed within a housing 6 that is fixed upon the upper end of the pedestal, or which may be formed as a part thereof. i

The vacuu'mizing chamber, 'as seen best in Fig. 9, comprises upper and lower sections Ia and Ib, respectively, joined tightly together by bolts 'I extended through flanges-'la formed about these parts. These two sections-form a circular enclosure or chamber within which the head portion of the double seamer mechanism is revolubly 2 5 contained. The lowersection Ib of the chamber has a cylindrical, downwardly 'extending portion )Ic of reduced diameter coaxial of the chamber I ings III and. I I, respectively, thatare fitted in the bearing portion 9, and it extends somewhat beyondthe lupper end vof the bearing and has a gear wheel I2 xed thereon for rotating the head,

`Aas will presently be described. A cap 9a is applied about the spindle and is attached to the upper end portion of the bearing 9 and this cap contains a packed gland 9b whereby leakage into the chamber past the spindle is prevented.

Fixed to the pedestal or frame 3, below the bracket 2, is a guide bearing bracket I3 and with#` in this is contained a vertically sliding post 'I4.

The post I4 is of tubular form and is slidably is disposed in'coaxial alinexnent with the vacuumizing chamber and seamer head. Slidably keyed in the tubular post and extending beyond the upper and lower ends thereof, is a shaft I6 which,

at its upper end, mounts a horizontal pad I6 on 5.5.1

which a can as designated at II is centered for movement into the vacuumizing chamber incident to an upward adjustment of the post.

Slidably tted on the upper end of the shaft II about the pad vnils a platen la and this lsl arranged to flt tightly against a sealing gasket I9 set within a groove 20 formed in the lower end of the chamber extension Ic, thus to close and seal the chamber during the vacuumizing and Vsealing period. The upper fase of the platen ls 06.

recessed to receive the pad I6 therein and when the post I 4 'is in lowered position, as seen in Fig. 1, the top surfaces of the pad and the platen will be even. With the post I4 fully lowered, a can may be centered on the pad, then' whenl the v70-f Y mechanism shifts the post upwardly, the can will be lifted directly into the vacuumizingchamber and the platen I8 will engage tightly against the sealing gasket, as seen in Fig. 11, to seal the chamber while the pad I8 supports the can I n 75.;

keyed as at I4a in the guide bearing and also 50i spring 32 attached to the 'lever at 21 and to the,

Vto

proper position to be acted on by the seaming rolls.

For the purpose of centering the can on the pad three pins 2l are fixed therein at distances from the center of the pad corresponding to the radius of the lower end of the can. rJL'hen when the can is placed against these pins, it will be accurately centered relative to the pad and axially alined with the seamer head and the vacuumizing chamber. The cylindrical extension .Ic of the vacuumizing chamber as observed in Fig. 9 is just slightly larger than the can cover so that when the can is inserted therein, there will be a minimum amount of space to be vacuumized.

The raising and lowering of the post I4 is effected byv means of a lever 22 that is pivotally supported at one end upon a cross shaft 23 mounted transversely within the lower end portion of the frame 3 and at its outer end has a sliding, pivoted connection as at 24 with a collar 25 that is clamped about the lower end of the post. A link 26 is pivotally connected at its lower end to the lever 22 at 21 and at its upper end has a pivoted connection at 28 with a lever 29 that is actuated in synchronism with the seamer mechanism, as lwill presently be described, to lower and raise the post I4. Also there is a coiled upper end of the pedestal by bolt 33 for pulling upwardly on the lever to yieldingly resist its downward movement. v

The pad associated with the double seamer against which the cans are lifted when moved into the vacuumizing chamber by the upward movement of the post I4, is designated at 35 in Figs. 9 and 10. This is a stationary abutment as will presently be understood, 4and in order that the cans when lifted within the chamberwill bepressed tightly against this pad and thus properly positioned for seaming regardless of any slight variation in the heights of different cans, the

shaft I5 is yieldingly supported in the post through the medium of a coiled spring 36 which surrounds the shaftl and bears at its opposite ends, respectively, against -a shoulder 31 in the upper end of the post and against a nut 3i?y threaded on the shaft, as seen in Fig. 11. A nut 39 threaded onto the lower end of the shaft I5 limits its upward adjustment relative to the post by engagement with the lower end of the post. Also, to compensate for any variation in the extent of the sealing gasket I9 and to insure tight and effective sealing of theehamber regardlessA of the final position of the pad or post I5 when the can is lifted thereby into'the chamber, the platen I0 is slidably mounted on the shaft to engage against the hub oi?l the pad and it is yieldingly supported'against downward movement by a coiled spring 4I) surrounding the shaft and bearing against the lower end of the platen andA lplaten to engage the gasket before the post reaches its iin-a1 upward travel, thefspring 46 will be compressed after the platen'engages the gasket to hold the latter firmly against the sealing`gasket and will not-.require any ladditional adjustment to compensate for attening out or wearing away the gasket. This feature is important for the reason that if the pad and platen were integral, iiattening of the gasket would prevent tight sealing of the chamber, or if the gasket projected too far, this would prevent the pad lifting the can to proper position against pad 35. 5

While the machine is in operation, the head of the double seamer is rotated continuously through the medium of the gear wheell I2 fixed on the spindle 8. This gear I2, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, is driven by a larger gear wheel 45 lfixed on a 10 vertical shaft 46 revolubly supported in bearings 41-41 in the housing 6. A pinion 48 is fixed to the upper endv of shaft 46 and this meshes with a larger gear wheel 50 fixed on the lower end of .the drive shaft'5l of a speed reduction mechanism l5 contained within a gear housing 52 fixed upon the top wall of the housing 6. This speed reduction mechanism includes a worm gear 53 xed on the shaft 5I and a driving gear 54 therefor fixed on a horizontal shaft 55 mounted by bearings 20 56--56 and extending from the housing at one end and equipped on that end with a belt pulley 51. A belt 58, as seen in Fig. 2, operates about the pulley 51 and about a pulley 59 on the drive shaft 60 of the motor 4. 25

For purpose of safety in operation, gear wheel 45 is driven from shaft 46 through the mediacy )of a collar or hub 46 that is keyed or otherwise fastened to the shaft, and a shear pin 45 that extends through the hub flange and into the 30 'a jam should occur, the driving gear 62 is free on the shaft 63 but is operatively attached thereto through the medium of a shear pin 62a that extends through the flange of a hub 62h keyed to 45 the shaft and into the gear. In the event of excessive strain', the pin will shear oif to automatically disrupt the driving connection.

The seamer head 5 is hollow and of circular form and substantially fills the enlarged upper 50y bell of the chamber I, as seen in Fig. 13. The lower end of the hollow head is closed by a base piece comprising horizontally spaced plates 65 and 65v secured together and to the head by a plurality of boltsI 61 that extend upwardly there- 55 through-and are threaded into openings 68 in an inwardly formed peripheral fiange 69 about the lower end of the head.

The plate 65 is formed on its underside with flanges 16 in such relationship as to provide two 60 pairs of guideways between the plate's 65-65; the guideways being radial of the head and those Aof the same pair being alined with each other dia.- metrically of the head and at right angles to the guideways ofthe other pair, as seen in Fig. 14. 65 Slidably fitted in one pair of guideways' are roll mounting slides 1 I1 I and slidably fitted in the other are

slides

12 and 12. The slides 1I-1I respectively, mount the rst operation seaming rolls 13-13 and the other slides likewise mount 70 the second operation rolls 14.-14. 'I'hese seaming rolls are located at the undersides and at the outer ends of their mounting slides, as seen in Fig. 13, and each roll is freely revoluble on a supporting stud 15 mounted eccentrically within a 75 bushing 16 which is rotatably tted in a bore 11 through its mounting slide parallel with the axis of the seamer head. 'I'he stud is formed with a lower'end enlargement 15a on which the seaming 3g roll is mounted and this enlargement provides a shoulder 18 that seats against the lower end of the bushing. In the arrangement of Fig. 13 the bushing has a lower end wrench head 16a adapted .i to receive a wrench for turning the bushing to make any slight inward or outward adjustment Y of the roll, and this head rests against a bearing b oss 19 integralv with the slide and extending downwardly therefrom. At their upper ends the studs have nuts 88 threaded thereonto against 15 the upper faces of the slides to retain the adjustment of the roll that is made 'by rotative adjustment ofthe bushings.

The base plate 66 of the head is slotted radially as at 8|, for passage of the slide bosses 19 and to permit the radial adjustment of the slides for actuating the rolls inwardly and outwardly rela.- tive to the can flange. i

In an alternative'construction, as seen in Fig.

, Alila the bushing 16 may be toothed as at 83 1.o iit Mthe threads of an adjusting screw 84 rotatably mounted in the downwardly directed boss of the slide. This screw is accessible from the under face of the head and may be rotated to effect a turning adjustment of the bushing.

80 Disposed coaxially of the seamer head and its .spindle and extending upwardly from the latter is a shaft 85 that is fixed rigidly at its upper end in a bracket 86 that is bolted to the housing 6. At its lower end this shaft mounts the pad 85l against which the cans are lifted for seaming, as previously stated. Surrounding the shaft 85 and slidable thereon is a sleeve 81 which, at its lower end, mounts. a chuck 88 adapted to be moved down-into the countersink ofthe can cover tov '4o back up the seaming rolls for the seaming operation. This sleeve is actuated upwardly and downwardly to move the chuck against and from the cover by means of a lever 99 pivotally mounted between its ends on a pivot shaft 9|.

At its outer end it has a pivoted connection, as at 92, with a collar 93 fixed-on thev sleeve, and at its inner end, it has a cam roller 94 adapted to follow within a cam groove 95 in acam wheel 96 fixed on the shaft 63; the cam groove, as seen in Fig. 4,

5o extending through an arc of approximately two -hundred five degrees of the same radius, then -merging into an arcuate portion 95a of greater radius.v When the cam roller moves into this portion of greater radius, the lever 90 will be 554 actuatedv to shift the sleeve 81 downwardly,

thereby to seat the chuck 88 within the countersink of the can cover to back up the seaming rolls during the seam forming operation. "I'When the l cam follower passes into that portion of the 6`0` groove of lesser radius, the lever is actuated to lift the chuck from the can cover.

Rotatably tted about the sleeve81 and-shift-r able vertically thereon, is'a sleeve 98 which has a block 89 fixed to the lower end thereof within the fgseamer lhead. 'Preferably this block wouldV be mounted through themediacy of ball bearings, as

indicatedA at |06, in Fig. 13 to rotate on sleeve 81.

Pivotally attached by pivot pins III I-I 8 I to ears N12-|02 extending downwardly from the head 70f 88 at opposite sides are links M-'IM which at their outer ends are'pivotally attached by pins I85I05' respectively to ears IUS-|06 extend- `i`, .'i ngr11 pwardly through slots I81-I91 in plate 65.

Thus, ban'upward and then 'a downward shift- .l 76T iugof` the sleeve 81 from a neutral position, theyoi. the plate within the -head on' vertical studs IIIl-I I0' fixed in the plate diametrically oppo-v -5 site the center ofthe head, are bell cranks I I2 and |I2'. The bell crank II2 has arms II3a and I I3b at right angles to each other; the arm II3a overlying slide 1I whilev arm II3b overlies slide 12. A link III is connected pivotally at one end lo bya pin II5 to the arm I I8a and at its other/end is pivotally connected by pin I I6 with the slide 1 I 'Ihe arm II3b has a. longitudinal slot II1 slidably containing a block I I8 that is mounted on a pivot pin II9 fixed inthe slide 12. Likewise, the bell 15 crank II2 has one arm connected by a link Ill' with slide 1 I and its other arm connected through a blockl II8' and pin II9 with slide 12. By reason of this bell crank and link form of connection, a downward shifting of the sleeve 88 and zo block 99 will cause the slides 12-12' to be moved outwardly while the slides 1I-1I will be moved inwardly. Likewise, when block 88 is shifted upwardly, the slides 12-12' will be moved inwardly and the other slides 1I-1I' will be moved out- 25 wardly. Thus, the seaming rolls for the rst and second seam forming operations may alternately be brought into operation. By disposing the head in a neutral or intermediate position, all rolls will be held in a neutral position free ofthe 30 can flange. l l i l 'Ihe means provided for actuating the sleeve 98 upwardly and downwardly to adjust the position of the seaming rolls, comprises a lever |25" that is pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft |26. a5-

' within a cam groove; I3I, in a. cam wheel |32 o keyed onsshaft 63. .The cam groove I3I of cam |32 is concentric of the shaft -63 andis of uniform radius for approximately three hundred defgrees and while the, follower is in this portion,

the lever |25 holds the seaming'rolls -in neutral s position. Then just after the chuck has been actuated into the countersink of the can end by cam 96, the follower |38 passes into an inwardly directed portion I32a of the cam groove and this causes the block 99 to be shifted to bring the 50 first operation rolls inwardly against the can cover flange to thus perform the first seam forming operation. Immediately following this, the follower moves into an outwardly inclined portion I32b of the cam groove and this causes the slides 5 to be shifted to displace the irst'operation rolls and Vto bring the second operation rolls into opl eration to complete the formationof the seam.

The follower then moves along a portion -I82c of the groove back into the neutral position.

The movement of the chuck 88 and the action of the vseeming rolls ar synchronized by reason of both cam wheels 96 and I 32 being keyed on `the same shaft 63. Also, the action of the can lever 29, whereby the can support is actuated, is

formed on one end of a sleeve I|35 revoluble onV a shaft |38 fixed `transversely within the housing 6. On the sleeve is a lever arm |31 carrying a cam roller |38 atgits end adapted to follow within a cam groove |39 of the cam wheel |3615??` hundred fifteen degrees and while the cam fol-A lower is contained in this portion, the parts controlled by the cam retain the vacuum c hamberv closed. Then the follower passes into a portion |39a of smaller radius and the cam lever operates to lower the pad for withdrawing the seamed can and to place the pad I6 in position for receiving another can for seaming.

By reference to Fig. 4, the relationship of the cam wheels will `be noted, and it will be observed also, with reference to diagram of Fig. 16 that the cam |34 actuates the lever 22 to lift the can into the sealing chamber and to seal the latter an appreciable interval before the seaming operation takes place. Also, the relative location of the cams indicates that the chuck will be actuated into the can end just ahead of the seaming operation and brought outv coincident with finishing the operation.

The application of vacuum to the vacuumizing chamber is under control of a valve operating in synchronism with the seamer. This valve, as seen best in Figs. 1, 5, 6 and?, comprises a casing formed with a base flange |46 through which bolts are yextended to secure it to the side of the housing 6. 'Ihis casing is formed with a bore |41 through which the shaft 63 extends. Mounted on the shaft at the outside oi.' the housing is a valve disk |48 that ts snugly within a circular recess |49 in the outer face of the housing. A disk holding nut |50 is adjustably locked on the shaft at the outside of the disk by a set screw |5| therethrough and coiled springs |52 contained in sockets |53 in the nut press inwardly against the hub of the disk .to retainthe disk seated within the recess. This disk is caused to rotate with the nut by means of pins |54 that are fixed in the nut and which extend into slots |55 formed in the hub portion ofthe disk.

Entering the top of the valve casing |45 is a pipe |58 leading from a source of vacuum. This connects with a chamber |59 opening directly to the face of the recess |49 in which th'e disk is rotatably fitted. There is also a chamber |60 formed in the 'face of the recess at the same distance from the aids of the valve as the chamber |59, but at an interval of ninety degrees advanced therefrom and from this chamber a pipe |62 extends into the Vtop of the vacuumizing chamber I. y

Theinner face of the valve disk |48 iits revolubly against the base of the recess |49 in an air tight joint, and formed in the inner face ofthe disk is an arcuate slot |68, the forward end portion |68a of which is gradually tapered in width and depth to a point. This gro'ove is adapted to pass in registration with both chambers |59 and and it is of such length that as the disk rotates it will overlap both chambers while. the disk rotates through an interval of approximately y onehundred eighty degrees to provide a connection whereby vacuum will be applied from pipe |58 through pipe |62 to the chamber I. The

length of the slot |68 determines the period of vacuumization and in this instance this period begins practically coincident with the closing of the chamber by the platen I8 when a can is lifted into the chamber for seaming.

There is also a port |69 directly through the valve disk and this is so located that it will pass into registration with the chamber |60at the termination of each vacuum applying period, as

-seen in Fig. 7, thus to break the vacuum in chamber to make possible the easy lowering of the y chamber sealing platen.

Action of the vacuum applying valve may be properly synchronized with the action of the seamer and chamber sealing platen by properly 5 adjusting and then locking the valve driving nut |50 on the shaft 63, which in this instance, mounts the'various cams that time the operation of the seamer mechanism, and also the action of the chamber sealing platen and can positioning pad.

It will be mentioned here that the shaft 63 rotates but once for each complete vacuumizing and can seaming operation; therefore with the various cams which controlthe action of the platen, can lifting pad, chuck, seamer slides, and also the rotary member of the valve mounted on this shaft, it is possible to maintain them in azcurate timing.

In Fig. 7a we have illustrated the valve slot as 20 being square cut at both ends, and this is satisfactory when some heavy' products are being packed, but a special feature of this valve resides in the details of construction of the groove in the inner face of the disk, particularly with reference to the tapered forward end portion |68a as seen in Figs. 6 and 7. It is apparent that as the valve disk rotates, this restricted end portion |68a first comes into communication with the chamber' |60 fand initially makes a very slight 30 application of vacuum, the vacuum in the chamber thereby being gradually applied so that the undesirable drawing out of contents of a can by reason of too sudden an application of high vacuum is avoided.

A hand valve |10 is located in pipe |58 to shut oif the application of vacuum to the machine and a pressure gauge is located in pipe |62 to indicate the degree of vacuum in the chamber I.

For the purpose of indicating cans that are 40 not properly Vacuumized at the close of the seaming operation, we use an electrically actuated signal device, |15, such as a buzzer, bell or light, and connect this in an electric circuit, as seen in Figs. 1 and l0. The circuit includes a source 45 of electricity |16 one side of which is connected by a` wire |11 with one side of the signal |15, a wire |18 leading from the other side of the signal to a switch contact |19, a wire leading from a switch contact |8| to a binding post |82 of a 60 circuit closer, a Wire` |83 leading from the other side of the source of electricity to a binding post |84 of the circuit closer, a circuit closing element coaxially of and slidably within shaft 85 and 65' which at its lower4 end extends slightly .below the. face of the pad 35. When a can is in position to be seamed, this rod rests upon the can end, or'cover, as seen in Fig. 10. n

The can cover, or end |1a, is of a exible character and after vacuum has been drawn in the chamber I and the can has been sealed, the opening of the chamber to outside air will cause the end to be depressed as to the dotted line position of Fig. 10. Therefore, the length of the rod |9| has been accurately determined, so that when the can end is not depressed, the connector |81 will be held in a lifted position and will effect a circuit connection between finger |66'-|66, but if the can end wall is inwardly depressed by reason of drawing the vacuum in the can this permits the rod to drop downwardly a slight distance so that the connection is not made and a circuit will not be closed to the signal device |15 incident to the closing of the circuit between contacts |19 and |8I, which is timed to take place immediately following the breaking of vacuum in the chamberl by the valve mechanism, but before the can is lowered.

The cont-acts |19 and |8|, as seen in Figs. 5 and 8 are fixed Within an insulated ring |95 fixed about one end of shaft 63 on a supporting hub |96 that is bolted to the casing 6. A nut |91 is adjustably fixed on the extended end of shaft 63 and about this is fastened the contact member which is a segment of a metallic'ring and it is provided diametrically ofthe shaft with outwardly formed portions |65'-|65' adapted to simultaneously engage with the contacts |19 and |8| once for each rotation of the shaft 63 to close a circuit between them. With the signal device so constructed, and with the circuit closer |65 properly adjusted on the shaft 63 so as to close a circuit between the contacts |1| and |6| at the end of each seaming operation just after vacuum in the chamber has been broken but before the can is lowered, it is readily apparent that if a can is properly vacuumized the can cover will be depressed by the outside pressure and the connector |81 will drop away from the fingers IBB-|88 so that the signal circuit cannot be completed. However, if the can is not vacuumized, the cover will not be depressed and the connector will be supported thereby in contact with the fingers and the circuit will be completed through the signal to give a visible or audible indication of this fact.

While we havev illustrated and described the machine as being of a semi-automatic character, it is readily apparent that its action could be made fully automatic by use of a feed mechanism similar to or like that illustrated in-Fig. 17, wherein 2|0 designates a reciprocally actuated feed slide whereby cans are successive- -ly delivered from a feed chute 2|| onto the pad |6 when it is in lowered position and a rotary arm 2|2 driven byy a shaft 2|3 advances the seamed cans from the pad to a delivery chute 2|4. connecting it with a"crank 2|1 on the lower end of a drive shaft 2|6 connected by gearing 2| 9 to rotate with the shaft |53, while the ann 2|2 is rotated by a

sprocket chain belt

22,9 joperating aboutsprockets 22| and 222 on the shafts The feed slide is'actuated by a link 2|6 In Figs. 19, 20 and 21 we have shown in a diagrammatic manner' an alternative means for feeding cans to and from the pad vI8. In this arrangement a table 225 is attached -to the main frame with its horizontal top surface level with 5 the pad when it was lowered. This table mounts Vytwo rotatably movable shafts 226-221 at oppo-v site sides of the pad in

bearings

226, 229. At the upper end of shaft 226 is a can1 feed arm239. At the upper end of shaft` 229 is an arm 23|; these arms being so positioned that the first may, by rotative action of its shaft. operate to move a can placed on the table at the position 235, onto the pad. Likewise, the arm 23| may operate to remove the can from the pad 15 to the position 236.

These two shafts are actuated in synchronism with the samer mechanism by

cams

236 and 239 fixed, respectively, on the outer faces of the cam wheels |32 and |341.A The

cam

236, 20 actuates a lever l 240 which, through suitable levers and linkage as at 24| actuates the arm 230 while cam 239, through similar mechanism, actuates the lever arm 23|. This mechanism is` simply illustrative of one means for automatical- 25 ly feeding cans onto and from the pad.

It is to be understood also that fully automatic machines employing a plurality of units of the type Adescribed are anticipated. In this multiplev unit type of machine the individual 30 ber 1,874,854, in which the cans are automati- 35,'

cally fed to the vacuum chambers and also automatically removed.` It also is contemplated in such a machine to lemploy the master valve which is the subjectymatter of the above patent, for

controlling the application `of vacuum to the 40v various chambers instead of equipping each unit with an individual control valve.

With the machine constructed as herein illustrated its operation, briefly described, is as followsz- With the platen I8 and pad |6 in lowered position, a can |1 with cover |1a., loosely placed thereon, is centered on the pad. :Rotation ofshaft 63, through the cam |34link 26, lever 22 and post |4 causes the pad to-be lifted'to place 50,l the can 4inside the chamber land the platen to close the chamber. coincident with closing the chamber, the valve disk |48 moves into position to connect pipes' |58 and |62 for applying vacuum to the chamber. By reason of the 55- looseness of the cover on the can and by 'reason of' the chuck not yet beingseated in thev cover, the can wilkbc quickly vacuumized. Following theinitial vacuumizing period, the chuck is actuated down into the countersink of theft()- i cover and then'the first and second loperation rolls of the double seamer take effect in succession to seam the cover to the can. Then, the chuck is lifted and the platen andpad are loweredto remove the can, but just prior to lowering the 65' pa'df the valve operates to break the vacuum in the chamber and the testis made through the signal device toindlcatewhether or not the canV is .properly vacuumized.

An important feature of this invention is in 70..l

the setting of the pad 35 so that when a can is liftedagainst it, the pad merely acts as an abutmentwto hold the can end in place during e period, thus doing away with of the covers on the cans prior to 1li.

vacuumizing, .asq is ordinarily done. Also, it is to be noted that the chuck 88 is not seated in the cover until after a long period of vacuurnlzation, and thus the possibility of improper or insufficient vacuumization resultant to the chuck holding the cover seated too tightly, .is avoided.

Furthermore, the pad 35 retains the can against upward lifting with `the chuck when ,the latter is Awithdrawn and in this way the usual knock out pad is eliminated. It is intended also that the pad 35 shall be so located relative to the supporting pad I6 that it will depress `the cover slightly in the center when the can is in seaming position thereby to cause the cover flange to be deflected upwardly. This produces only a line contact betweenthe cover ange and can body flange instead of the usual ilat surface to surface contact, thus to make the vacuumization of the can easier and quicker.

This type of machine is relatively simple in construction, and relatively inexpensive. However, it is very desirable `for use as` it produces a very high and uniform vacuumization of cans.

To adapt itv to cans of different diameters it is only necessary to make proper adjustment of the seamer slides, change the lower section Ib of the chamber to one of proper size and to adjust the movement of post I 4 by use of parts of proper form.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letcomprising a vacuumizing chamber having a b ase opening, a revolving double seamer head in the chamber, a can isupport, means for locating a can, with cover loosely applied thereto, on the support for seaming and means for actuating the support to lift the can into the chamber for vacuumizing and seaming; said seamer head comprising a central, stationary abutment pad against which the can cover is pressed to retain it against displacement during vacuumization of the can, a chuck movable against the can cover to seat it after vacuumization of the can, .and seaming rolls operable against the cover iiange to seam it to the can body. I 2. In a. can vacuumizing and closing machin a vacuumizing chamber, and a valve for controlling' application of vacuum to said chamber comprising a housing having spaced pockets opening to a face of the housing and connected respectively with a source of vacuum and with the chamber and a rotary valve plate overlying that face and normally closing the pockets and having a slot therein adapted to overlap the pockets simultaneouslyduringa certain interval of rotation of the plate thereby to provide a connection between the source of vacuum and chamber; said slot being gradually retricted in size toward its forward end, thereby to provide for' a gradual enlargement of the connecting passage as the vacuum is applied. 1

3. In a can vacuumizing and seaming machine, a vacuumizing chamber, means for vac,- uumizing and sealing a can while dispose'd in the chamber, means for releasing the vacuum after sealing the can whereby external air pressure will cause inward deflection of a flexible wall of the can and a signal device rendered active or inactive by movement of said wall.

and sealing a can therein, means for admitting ported by said can wall and adapted to be moved 5 incident to said depression to render the signal inactive 5. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, a vacuumizing chamber, means in the chamber for vacuumizing and sealing a can, means for admitting atmospheric pressure to the chamber after the can has been searned, an electrically energized signal device, a circuit therefor, a control switch -in the circuit, and an actuating means therefor resting against a flexible wall of the 15 can and adapted to move therewith to open in'- cident to deection of the can end wall by reason of atmospheric pressure thereagainst.

6. In a machine of the character described,a vacuumizin'g chamber, aseamer in the chamber, 20 for sealing a can 'under vacuo therein, a valve operable to control the applicationof vacuum to the chamber for vaciiumizing the can prior to seaming, and'whereby the chamber is opened to atmospheric pressure after seaming, a rotatably 25 driven shaft synchronizing the valve and seamer -in their functional operations, an electrically energized signal device, a circuit therefor, a switch in the circuit rotating in synchronism withA the operations of seamer and valve for momentarily 80 closing the circuit once for eachvcycle of operation, and a circuit breaker having a support engaging a ilexible wall of the can and normally held in circuit closing position thereby but movl able to open the circuitv by reason of inward de- 85 ection of the wall incident to application of atmospheric pressure thereagainst.

7. In a can vacuumi'zing machine, said can having a flexible wall, an indicator, an actuating member for the indicator resting' against the 40 said wall of the can and adapted to be moved therewith between active and,E inactive positions incident to movement of the wall effected by vacuumizing the can.

8. In a can closing machine, a revolvable 45 seamer head, a pair of slides radially movable in the head, each mounting a seaming roll at its outer end for one seaming operation, another pair of slides mounted radiallyof the head and having seaming rolls at their outer ends for an- 50 other seaming operation, a member axially mov'- able in the head, toggle links connecting the member with the slides of the first pair whereby movement ofthe member upwardly and downwardly from a neutral position will eiect an inward and an outward adjustment'of the slides, and means interconnecting the slides of the iirst pair with those of the second pair, whereby the latter will be adjusted with the rst pair but in an opposite direction.

9. A device as in claim 8 wherein the paired slides are diametrical of the head and those of the first pair at a right angle to those of the second pair, and wherein bell crank levers are pivotally mounted in the head and connected at 35 their end with slides ofthe different pairs whereby an adjustment of those of one pair will eiet an opposite adjustment of those of the other pair. l

10. In a can seaming machine, a seamer head, means 'for supporting a can Aaxially thereof for seaming, a pad iixed centrally of the head against which the can end is supported, a seaming chuck movable into andfrom the can cover, a pair of slides radially movable in the head, each mountment of the slides, and means interconnecting the slides of the rst pair with those of the second pair, whereby the latter will be adjusted with the rst pair but in an opposite direction, and. means coaxial of the head for rotating the head, for actuating the chuck and for shitting the slide adjusting member.

' GEORGE A. BARDET. GEORGE V. BARDET.