US2270300A

US2270300A - Machine for assembling spouts to containers

Info

Publication number: US2270300A
Application number: US267481A
Authority: US
Inventors: John M Hothersall
Original assignee: American Can Co
Current assignee: Primerica Inc
Priority date: 1939-04-12
Filing date: 1939-04-12
Publication date: 1942-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 1959-01-20

Description

Jan. 20, 1942.

J. M. HQTHERSALL MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING SPOUTS TO CONTAINERS Filed April 12, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet l mam k @QQQQQQ INVENTO Jan. 20, 1942. HQTHERSALL 2,270,300

MACHINE FOR. ASSEMBLING SPOUTS TO CONTAINERS Filed April 12, 1939 s Sheets-Sheet 2 llul lli ll M ATTORNEY Jan. 20, 1942. J. M. HOTHERSALL 2,270,300

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING SPQUTS TO CONTAINERS Filed April 12, 1959 e she'etsL-sheet 3 ATTORNE 5 Jan. 20, 1942. J HQTHERSALL 2,270,300

MACHINE FOR'ASSEMBLING SPOUTS TO CONTAINERS Filed April 12, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet. 5 v

- A ATTQRNEY6 v Evening Jan. 1942- J. M. HOTHERSALL I 2,270,300

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING SPOU'I'S TO CONTAINERS Filed April 12, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jiz'gr 6- 1 ATTO Patented Jan. 20, 1942 MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING SPOUTS '10 CONTAINERS John M. Hothersall, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 12, 1939, Serial No. 267,481 01. 29-33) 11 Claims.

The present invention relates to machines for securing preformed spouts to a wall of a container or can and has particular reference to an assembling machine in which preformed spouts are secured in place in a cup-necked can nozzle by a squeezing operationthat reforms parts of both spout and container neck, such a spout and neck preferably being of the type disclosed in my issued Patent No. 2,167,654, granted August 1, 1939, for Method of securing soft metal spouts to containers.

An object of the invention is the provision of an assembling ,machine which includes automatically operating devices for securely squeezing the spout and can parts in a joint forming operation while the spout and can are held in proper alignment and in fully seated position.

A further object is the provision in a machine of this character ofautomatic testing mechanism by means of which the absence of a can and spout or the improper association of the same is detected to the end that other devices function to stop the machine until the deficiency is supplied.

Numerous other objects and advantages of th 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 to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, parts being broken away to show more clearly certain of the operating mechanism; I

Fig. 2 is a sectional View partially in front elevation taken substantially along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal yertical section taken substantially along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1, and showing certain of the spout and can holding, squeezing and. assembling operating parts;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken in the same plane and showing a part of the mechanism disclosed in Fig. 3, certain of the operatin parts being in a different position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 in Fig. 1 and illustrating the cap applying device;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the testing device as viewed along the broken line 6--8 in Fig. 1; y

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of the apparatus with parts broken away and drawn to a smaller scale; and

- Fig. 8 is. a fragmentary section taken on the line 8-8 in Fig. 2 and showing certain details of the driving mechanism;

The apparatus'disclosed in the drawings as a preferred embodiment of the present invention is adapted to receive filled containers or cans in processional order. The type of canshown and described herein is designated by'the letter a and is preferably formed with a nozzle extension 11 which .is adapted to seat a soft metal spout 0. The top of the spout c is formed to be closed by a threaded cap d. Each can a with its supported spout c loosely resting in the nozzle b on which is loosely placed the cap d, is admitted one by one into a pocket of anintermittently movable, horizontally disposed turret and while in the turret is positioned at various operating stations and is subjected to several operations which result in finally securing the can, spout and cap in liquid-tight relations thereby scaling in the can contents which maybe oil or other liquid, following which the completely assembled filled can is automatically discharged from the turret.

As best illustrated in Fig; l the cans a coming into the machine are carried in processional order on a feedin belt conveyor A. The row of cans is intermittently arrested in its travel with the conveyor A by an escapement B which admits each can singly to an initial position beneath a testing device C (see also Fig. 2). The

' testing device C operates upon two adjacent cans a so that each can is tested twice, with a can in front and upon being moved into a second testing position, with the can following. Moving the can after its first test and before its second places it into a pocket of the intermittently movable horizontally disposed turret.

After the second test, partial rotation of the turret carries the can a and its parts into a spout centering station D (Figs. 1 and 2). With the spout c and its cap d fully aligned or centered with the axis of the can, at the next step movement ofthe turret the can parts are introduced into a joint forming station E (Figs. 3 and '4). Here the neck or nozzle part b of the can is squeezed over the lower part of the spout c at the same time reforming the engaged portion of the spout thus producing a tight connection between the can and the spout. This constitutes the first joint.

The next step rotation of the turret introduces 7 the can with its now attached spout into a cap securing station F (Fig. '5). Here the cap at is rotated into threaded position on the top or upper end of the spout. This provides a second joint.

The fifth and sixth stations of the turret are idle stations and no operation takes place upon the can, spout or can. At the next following step rotation of the turret, however, this being at the seventh station, the closed can is sub- Jected to an ejecting or discharging operation which places each can onto a discharge table H a it leaves the turret. Table H receives the completely assembled and sealed cans in a row, from which they may be removed. as desired.

The general form of mechanism of the present invention may be likened to a conventional type of press consisting of frame, crank shaft, slide and crosshead and in which the turret constitutes a part of the can feed. This press frame is indicated generally by the numeral H and the operating parts of the machine are driven by any suitable prime mover such as a motor l2 (Fig. '7) which effects rotation of a fly wheel l3, through the medium of a belt l4 associated with a crank shaft.

In general there are two main shafts from which the several devices and mechanisms more directly derive their power. This includes an upper horizontal main drive or crank shaft l5 which carries the fly wheel l3 and a lower horizontal drive shaft l6. The upper crank shaft I5 is joumaled in bearings 2| formed in the top of uprights 23 of the press frame H and the shaft is held in place by bearing caps 25. This is a usual press construction.

The fly wheel I3 preferably carries parts of a conventional slip clutch connection which connects or disconnects the fly wheel with and from the drive shaft l5. This is a well known feature in press manufacture and it is thought need not be specifically detailed. At the other side of the machine the shaft |5 carries a sprocket 21 which is used for power connection with the lower shaft l6.

Shaft H5 is journaled in bearings 28 (Fig. 2) formed in a table extension 3| of the frame The shaft l6 extends beyond its hearings on both sides. On the end of the shaft to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, is mounted a sprocket 32. A chain 33 which takes over both sprockets 21 and 32 (see also Fig. 7) provides a chain drive between the upper and lower shafts.

An intermediate horizontal shaft 34 journaled in a single bearing 35 formed in the frame I I also derives its driving power through the chain 33. For this purpose the end of the shaft 34 which extends 0n the outside of the bearing 35 carries a sprocket 36 which engages with the chain 33.v Thus it will be observed that the chain 33 provides for synchronous rotation of the three shafts I5, I6 and 34.

In addition to the usual form of clutch for the fly wheel l3 already mentioned, there is also provided a hand brake for the shaft |5. Such a brake is also a usual part of a press and in this description will be only briefly mentioned. It is designated broadly by the numeral 31, in Fig. '7 and operates in the usual manner, that is, the brake is applied to the crank shaft when the clutch of the flywheel is disengaged. The brake releases from the shaft when the clutch connects the fly wheel with the crank, shaft.

The throwing in of the clutch is effected by a trip or foot treadle 38 (Fig. '7) pivoted at 39 to the frame H. The treadle is connected by. means of a rod 4| with atreadle arm 42 and a second rod 43 connects the treadle arm with an arm 44 secured to a rock shaft 45. Shaft 45 is journaled in suitable bearings formed in the frame of the machine and also carries a lever arm 46 having connection with a link rod 41.

One end of the rod 41 is pivotally connected at 48 to a clutch control, generally indicated by the numeral 49. Such a clutch control operates with the clutch of the fly wheel l3 in the well known manner and further detail of this feature is thought unnecessary. It will be understood that depression of the foot treadle 38 connects the crank shaft |5 with the rotating fly wheel l3 and at the same time the brake 31 is released. Release of the foot treadle has the opposite efiect on clutch and brake.

Provision is made for holding the brake in released position during the normal operation of the machine regardless of the foot actuation of the foot treadle. A lever 52 is provided which may be a forward extension of the treadle arm 42, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7. The treadle arm with its extension is preferably pivotally mounted on a short horizontal shaft 53 so that when the treadle 38 is depressed and the arm 42 is lowered, the extension 52 is raised. The forward end of the extension 52 is notched as indicated at 54 (see also Fig. 8) and this end at the time the foot treadle is depressed, is raised to permit engagement with a release catch device by means of which the brake and the clutch are maintained in proper operating position for a full cycle independent of actuation of the foot treadle 38.

The release catch comprises an arm 56 which is mounted on a rock shaft 51 journaled in a bearing 58 formed in a bracket extending up from the table extension 3|. The shaft 5'! also carries an arm 59 which extends down through the table extension. A spring 60 is connected with the arm, one end of the spring being secured to the table extension. This spring normally holds the rock shaft 51 in the position shown in Fig. 8 so that its arm 56 is engaged in the notch 54 of the extension 52. This holds the treadle parts in the position shown in Fig. 7, which is the operating position for the machine.

Provision is made for manually stopping the machine when desired by drawing back the arm 56 of the catch device and disengaging it from the notch 54 of the arm extension 52. A safety stop rod 6| (Fig. 8) is horizontally disposed below the table extension 3| and is mounted to slide in a front bearing 62 and a rear bearing 63, each bearing being an integral part of the table extension. Rod 6| carries a collar 64 and a spring 65 is interposed between the bearing 63 and this collar.

This normally holds the rod out or to the right as viewed in Fig. 8 and in this position a button head 66 on the front end of the rod is spaced away from the front of the machine and is in a convenient position to be pushed in by the operator of the machine. A second collar 6'! secured to the inner end of the rod 6| provides a stop for this outer position of the safetyrod. The inner end of the rod 6| provides an abutment for the lower end of the arm 59 which is at all times held against the end of the rod by the spring 60.

When the button head 66 of the rod 6| is pressed in by the operator and the rod is slid to the left (Fig. 8 it rocks the

arms

59, 56 and also the rock shaft 51 in a clockwise direction. This moves the arm 56 out of engagement with the arm extension 52 and the foot treadle being no longer held thereupon moves up into a non operated position. This lifting of the foot treadle 38 and the rods 4|, 43 and corresponding movementof parts connected therewith is effected by expansion of a spring- 68 which'is a part of the clutch control mechanism 43. When not blocked by the release catch device just described this spring 68 besides holding the foot treadle in unoperated position also holds the brake 31 in braking position on the crank shaft.

Considering now the machine parts more in detail, the conveyor A comprises an endless belt 16 (Fig. 2) which takes over and is driven by a pulley 11 carried on ahorizontal drive shaft 18 (see also Fig. 3). This shaft is journaled in bearings 19, extending down from the table extension and forming a part of the frame of the machine.

The upper run of the belt 16 constitutes the of the cans. I

The can coming into the final testing position also enters into a pocket H of a horizontal turret III (Figs... 1,2 and 3).

. first be considered since it is effective in determining theexact position of the two cans being It is also slid over the table when moved from place to place being held in the turret pocket by a circular guide rail H2 supported by brackets mounted on the table.

over a feed table 80 of the table extension 3|;

Guide rails 8| mounted on suitable brackets 82 secured to the feed table, keep the cans a ina straight line of travel, the t'wo foremost cans in the line being in testing position and still on the belt as will be further explained.

The pulley I1 is rotated with its shaft 18 through suitable connection with the intermediate shaft 34. For this purpose the shaft I8 (Fig.

,3) at one end carries a bevel gear 83 which meshes with a corresponding gear 84 keyed to the shaft 34.

As a can of the row ofcans a approaching testing position passes the escapement mechanism B the next following can is engaged and the row of cans pauses, the belt sliding beneath but not advancing the cans. I

The escapement'comprises a bell crank lever 9| having a long finger 92 (Fig. 1) and a short finger 93, the bell crank lever being mounted for rockingmovement on a vertical pin 94. This pin is carried in a bracket 35 mounted on the table extension 3|.

The short arm 93 is connected by a link 96 with a horizontally disposed lever arm 91 which is secured to a vertical rock shaft 98 carried in a bracket 99 extending laterally from the table extension. A spring I00 is. interposed between the arm 9'! and a pin on the table extension and to the end of the shaft I8 opposite to the gear 83.

Cam- III3 is formed with a raised portion I04 which during one revolution of the shaft 34 engages and pushes out the roller I02 so as to rock The turret is mounted on a vertical shaft H3, the-shaft at its upper end being reduced in diameter as best shown in Fig. 3 where it is keyed to, the hub of the turret. A locknut I I4 isthreaded on the upper end of the shaft H3 and this securely holds'the turret against the shoulder of the shaft. The shaft at its lower end extends through a bearing H5 formed as an integral, downwardly extending part of the table,extension 3|. Below this bearing the shaft carries the driven part of a Geneva mechanisim the driving part being primarily effective through prope connection with the lower drive shaft I6.

This disc carries a series of tapered rollers H'I which are mounted on the lower ends ofpins H8. The pins are threadedly secured in fixed position in the Geneva disc. These pins are held in place by locknuts and are equally spaced the arm IIII and its shaft 98. This moves the short arm 92 of the bell crank lever out of the path oftravel of the cans and permits the row of cans to move forward one can space.

When a can a is first released by the bell crank lever escapement device and moves forward with the belt I6, it comes to rest in the first testing position. Atthe end of the first testing opera- I tion this can moves forward into the second or final testing station and the-next following can is then in the first testing position. After the machine is once started it will be observed that there are always two cans in position for testing,

around the periphery of the Geneva disc in a well known manner.

The drive shaft I6 carries a mutilatedbarrel cam or Geneva drive I I9 which is formed with an interrupted groove I2I adapted to engage one of the tapered rollers H1 and to shift 1 the roller so that the Geneva disc H6 and the shaft H3,

as well as the turret III, are caused to be held I for a rest period or are moved in a step rotation in order to advance the turret pockets I I0 so that the cans contained therein will be properly presented for the various operations of the machine.

Brief reference has already been made to the usual press construction used in the apparatus shown in the drawings. The crank shaft I5 actuates thev usual form of crosshead, designated by the numeral I22 (Figs; 2 and 7), which is operated from the crank shaft through the medium of a pitman I23. The crosshead I22 slidesup and down in suitable guideways formed in the frame uprights 23 and carries operating parts associated with the various stations. Slide gibs I24 screwed to the uprights 23 retain the crosshead in sliding condition.

Much of the mechanism C used for testing the two cans at the end of the conveyor belt 16 is carried by and moves up and down-with the crosshead I22. Some of the parts are yieldingly The testing device C is mounted on a bracket extension I25 which may be an integral part of the crosshead I22. This bracket extension is enlarged into a vertically extending boss I26 which provided there is no interruption in the feedin This turret will A Geneva disc H6 (Figs. 2 and 3) is keyed to and is bolted on the lower end of the shaft H3.

provides a slide seat for and which encloses a cylindrical block I21. A vertically disposed rod I28 extends into the vblock and is clamped at its upper end by a clamp nut.

Rod I28 also extends down through an opening I29 in the bottom of boss I26 and an enlarged lower head I30 of the rod is pivotally connected at I3I to the free end of a lever I32. The lever I32 is loosely mounted on the release catch rock shaft 51 and when moved far enough, as when can or can parts deficiency is detected in either or both of the two testing stations, it shifts the release catch arm 56.

A short projection I33 extends up from the lever I32 adjacent its mounting on the shaft 51 and when the lever I32 makes its full movement, this projection strikes against a setscrew I34 threaded in a short lever arm I35 fixed on the rock shaft and moves the lever arm and shaft thus throwing out the release catch arm 56 and stopping the machine. This moving of the lever I32 for either a short stroke, which will not engage the parts I33, I34, or for its full stroke when it stops the machine, will now be considered.

At the top and front, the cylindrical block I21 is formed with a bracket I36 (Figs. 2 and 6) which projects forward through aslot I31 cut in the boss I26. This bracket provides a connection with testing elements which are brought down with each lowering of the crosshead I22 to strike against the two spout caps of the cans in the initial and in the final testing positions at the forward end of the belt 18. Obviously if there is no can with its spout and cap in the proper testing position there will be no engagement of the testing elements.

A cam detecting strike block MI is pivotally mounted at I42 on the lower end of a vertically disposed bar I43 which at its upper end is secured in fixed position on the bracket I36. The lower end of the strike block is grooved as a. I44 and it is this lower surface which is engaged by the cap d of a can a at either of the two testing positions.

When two cans a with spouts c and caps d are in the proper positions for testing and when the crosshead I22 descends, the strike block I moves down and engages the two caps as shown in Figs. 2 and 6. The two cans in this instance stop further descent of the strike block and the parts I43, I36, I21, I28 and lever I32 come to rest. This constitutes the short stroke of the lever previously referred to and is not sufficient to disconnect the release catch arm 56 from the lever 52.

This however, is not the full movement of the crosshead I22 and therefore the bracket extension I25 continues its downward travel, the boss I26 moving down over the now stationary cylindrical block I21. A spring I46 is mounted on the rod I28 being confined between the rod head I38 and the bottom of the boss and this spring is compressed during this continuance of the downward travel of the boss.

The two cans a with their spouts and caps, being the same height, the strike block I4I remains in a horizontal position (Fig. 2) for that testing cycle. If however only one can spout and cap is present in either the first or second testing positions, such a can part is engaged as before but with the further downward movement of the crosshead, the strike block shifts on its pivotal mounting I42. The engaged side being blocked by the can, remains uppermost as the strike block moves into an inclined position.

Since the rod I28 moves down its full distance at such a time, the lever I32 is moved for its full stroke and this throws out the.release catch arm 56 through the parts I33, I34, I35 and by reason of the rocking of the shaft 51. Obviously the same long strok will be brought about and the release catch arm 56 will move if both testing positions are devoid of cans for here again there is nothing to stop the downward movement of the strike block I4I. Thus it will be seen that the machine stops if two cans are not properly positioned.

Provision is made for preventing this disengagement of the treadle lever 52 from the catch arm through actuation of the lever I32 except in proper time with the descent of the crosshead I22. The same mechanism also provides for raising of the lever, after it has been depressed, independently of the raising of the crosshead. This will now be considered.

The lever I32 (Fig. 6) carries a cam roller I 48 and the table 3I is cut away at I49 directly beneath the roller. Into this opening the upper part of a cam I50 extends. Cam I50 is keyed to the shaft 34 and when the roller I48 is moved down into the opening with rocking of the arm I32 it engages the periphery of the cam.

The cam is flattened at I5I and it is only when this fiat section is presented at the top during the rotation of the cam, as shown in Fig. 6, that the lever arm can make its full stroke. At any other time the cam acts as a barrier and prevents sufiicient movement of the lever to disconnect the parts 56, 51. In addition to this timing function, the cam also acts to again restore the lever I32 and its connected parts and to bring it into raised position as rotation of the cam passes the fiat section beyond the cam roller.

It will be recalled that the can at the final testing station is also in a pocket III) of the turret I I I. At the next step rotation of the turret, this tested can is moved into the spout centering station D. The centering of the spout on the central axis of the can is efiected by a simple sleeve device carried on the crosshead I22 and best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. d

' The crosshead I22 carries a bracket I53, which is on the same side as the bracket extension I25, and a vertically disposed centering rod I54 is mounted on the bracket. At its lower end, the rod is hollow, there being a central bore I55 having a fiared mouth I56 at the bottom. The can when at rest at station D is directly in axial alignment with the rod I54 and as the latter moves down with the lowering of the crosshead, the cap it enters the flared mouth of the bore and the tapered walls of the latter center both cap and spout c on the can.

A pressure pin I51 is slidably disposed in the bore I55 and is backed up by a spring I58 confined within the bore above the pin. A stop key I59 extends transversely of the centering rod I54 and across the edge of the bore and the pressure pin is flattened at I6I along the adjacent side so that this pin can move in a restricted range but cannot be pushed out by the spring. As the centering rod first comes down over the can spout and cap the lower end of the pressure pin strikes against and presses down on the cap holding it securely in aligned position. The pressure pin also acts to disengage the cap from head I22 and therefore moves up and down with it. Part is carried on the press frame If at the base of the uprights 23. This is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The crosshead I22 carries a cam wedge I65 which is formed at its upper end into a stem I66.. This stem is clamped securely in place on the crosshead by a bearing clamp I61. The

crosshead also carries a rear cam plate I68 and a front cam plate I69 and these parts cooperating with the cam wedge I65 provide the controlled movement for the joint forming elements.

The joint forming devices comprise a rear squeezer jaw I1I (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) and a front squeezer jaw I12. Each jaw is formed with a pair of side arms I13, those of the rear jaw extending forward while the front jaw arms project to the back and overlap the other arms where they are alongside each other (Fig. 4). This provides for pivotal mounting of the laws on a pair of axially aligned but spaced apart pivot pins-I14, one being on each side. I

The pivot pins I14 are mounted in side walls I15 of a bracket I18 which is bolted to the frame II at the baseof the frame upright 23. This mounting holds the jaws in the same horizontal plane but allows for their pivotal movement on the pins I14. Such a pivotal movement, brought about when the crosshead descends, gives a squeezing action which is effective on the nozzle b of the can a at station E and also effective on the base of the spout c where it is enclosed in the nozzle. This will be further explained.

The squeezer jaws I1I, I12 at their lower inner ends are hollowed out in die pockets I11, each having a cylindrical inner wall. Each jaw also extends up above its side arms I13 in spaced lugs I18. Each pair of lugs at their upper ends are tied together by a pin I19 which provides a shaft for a cam roller I8I.

The cam roller I8I for the rear jaw IN is disposed in a cam track I82 formed by stepped and inclined parallel cam surfaces formed by the rear face of the came wedge I65 and the front face of the cam plate I68. In the same Part of the way the front jaw roller I8I is disposed in a cam track I83 formed by stepped and inclined parallel cam surfaces of the. front face of the cam wedge I65 and the rear face of the cam plate I69.

The two c'am tracks I82, I83 are symmetrical as to the vertical axis of the cam wedge so that as the crosshead I22 moves up and down and slides the cam track surfaces alongside of the rollers I8I, the two jaws I1I, I12 are moved in down, the can cap d and spout 0 enter this bore I85, the camwedge moving down until its lower rim strikes the nozzle b. At the same time the squeezer jaws III, I12 move in as their rollers I 8| are separated by riding on the inclined sections of the cam tracks I82, I83.

Fig. 3 shows the fully closed position of the squeezer jaws, the closed jaws completely confining the can nozzle parts. When closed the cylindrical walls of the die pockets I11 strike against the reduced cylindrical wall of the lower end I84 of the cam wedge andthe ends of the jaws below these pockets (designated by the numeral I86) slip in under the recessed part of the can nozzle and provide an anvil against which the nozzle b of the cana is forced vertically by the descending cam wedge. The lower rim of the cam wedge section I84 squeezes the spout and nozzle parts together in a vertical thrust.

The coming together of the jaws I1I, I12, squeezes the nozzle and confined spout base laterally so that the soft metal spout is reformed and the nozzle is bent in and closely pressed against the spout as it too is reshaped. This produces a tightly sealed joint and completes the assembly of can and spout.

At the next step movement of the turret III, the can a and its tightly joined spout a on which the cap d is still loosely resting, are brought into the cap securing station F. Here the can is di-" side opposite to the bracket extension I25. This bracket extends down'in aposition below and alongside of the cam wedge I where it is enlarged in a boss I92.in which the cap securing device is carried.

The cap (I is rotated in the proper direction to tightly screw it down on its threaded connection with the spout 0 while the can a is at rest at the station F. As the crosshead descends a spring held friction cup I95 is brought down over the cap, this cup'having a conical hollow seat I96 at its lower end, the walls of which frictionally engage over the cap as best shown in Fig. 5.

The cup I95 is located inside of a securing head I91, the lower end of the cup extending through an opening in the bottom of the head. This head is a mere sleeve which is threaded at its upper end over a screw plug I98 carried on the lower end of a vertically disposed ratchet shaft I99 which in "turn extends up through the boss and out together as they rock on the pivot pins The crosshead is up and in the position of Fig. 4 when the can a is brought to rest in station E. At that time the rollers I8I are closest together and the lower ends of the jaws I1I,

I12 are at their widest separation.

The lower end of the cam wedge I65 as .at

. I84 (Figs. 3 and 4) is reduced to the diameter of the can nozzle b and a central bore I (Fig. 3) extends up vertically from the terminal end of the reduced cam wedge section. As the descending crosshead I22 carries the cam wedge The cup member frictionally engages over the can cap. d and as the. securinghead I91 turns under the influence of the ratchetit rotates the cap down on its threaded connection with the upper end of the spout. The cup however is not secured to the head sleeve but is frictionally held so that as long as the cap d turns freely on the threads of the spout, the cup will turnwith the zontal transverse bore 2ll6 extending in from one side of the cup member I95. This spring bears against the head and is mounted on the body of a sliding pin 291 also located in the spring bore. 1

The outer face of the head of the pin pressed against the inner wall of the sleeve head I91 and provides the desired friction. A thrust ball I 299 is disposed between the top surface of the cup member I95 and the lower end of the ratchet shaft I99 and creates an anti-frictional element for the top of the cup which may thus be pressed down forcibly without greatly affecting the friction exerted by the spring 205. It is the downward movement of the crosshead by reason of a standard ratchet construction that imparts rotation to the ratchet shaft I99 and to the securing head. This feature of operation and also details of the ratchet parts will now be further explained.

The ratchet shaft is formed with a helical groove 299 and a ratchet collar 2III surrounds the shaft and is formed with an internal thread section which projects into and operates within the groove 209 of the shaft. The collar is held against vertical movement relative to the boss I92 but is carried bodily up and down with the crosshead I 22. It is confined within a housing unit 2| I which is frictionally mounted within the boss I92.

The boss I92 is vertically apertured in a lower bore H2 and a larger upper counter-bore 2I3. This provides a seat for the ratchet unit and its housing unit 2| I. The housing unit comprises a bushing 2 I4 formed with a head 2I5. Its central opening designated by the numeral 2I5 provides a loose bearing for the ratchet shaft I99.

A sleeve 2 I I is mounted on the lower end of the bushing and is held in place by a pin 2I9. In assembling the housing unit within the boss I92. the unit is inserted from above and the head 2I5 of the bushing 2 I4 is seated against the shoulder formed at the junction of the twodiameters of the bores 2I2, 2I3. The lower ends of the sleeve and the bushing extend down in the smaller or lower bore to a position just beyond the bottom of the boss I92.

The bushing 2| 4 is counter-bored as at 2I9 to provide a pocket for the collar 2III and a locknut 229 is threaded into the lower end of the bushing and in its counter-bore. The enlarged head of this nut engages under and looks with the end of the sleeve 2 I1 when the nut is screwed down tight against the bottom of the bushing 2. There is sufficient distance between the head 2I5 of the bushing and the outer edge of the head of the locknut where it extends beyond the bushing and sleeve and under the boss I92,

to loosely confine the ratchet unit within the boss.

The ratchet collar 2 I II, within the pocket of the housing unit 2| I, is-free to turn in one direction only. The housing unit normally remains stationary within the boss I92 but can slip in its seat should undue strain be applied to cause its rotation. An abnormal locking of the ratchet unit may bring about such a condition. This housing unit, however, is frictionally held so that normally it will not rotate within its seat.

The boss I92 is formed with a hollow extension 222 in which is disposed the frictional elements to normally retain the housing in non-rotative position. These friction elements comprise a friction block 223 which carries a pin 224 having loose sliding fit within a plug 225 threaded in the end of the opening formed in the extension 222. The inner face of the friction block is curved to construction such as is found in ratchet screw drivers, ratchet drills, etc. This latch element prevents rotation of the collar 2I0 in one direction but permits it to rotate in the opposite direction. It is when the cross head I22 is being lowered and when the securing head I91 and its friction cup I95 is engaging the cap 11 of the can,

that the latch element prevents turning of the A collar.

Collar 2I0 is formed with spaced lugs or pro- 'jections 229 and it is these projections which function to stop rotation of the collar in the wrong direction. A leaf spring 229 is located in the slot 221 of the bushing 2I4 and bears against the inner wall of the sleeve 2I1. This spring is secured to a vertically disposed locking plate 239 which is also located within the slot 221, and which is off-center from the collar 2").

Under the pressure of the spring 229, this looking plate 239 acts as a barrier for lug 228 on the collar when the latter starts to move in the reverse direction as when the securing head first engages the cap d of the can. This engagement takes place during the descent of the cross head I22 and at such time the internal thread formed on the collar traverses the helical groove 209 of the ratchet shaft I99, the collar 2I9 being held against rotation by the latch. The ratchet shaft rotates as a result and with it the friction head I91. This screws on the cap.

When the crosshead I22 returns on its upward stroke the friction head I91 disengages the can cap d and thereupon the collar 2III is free to rotate in a reverse direction. The spring pressed locking plate 239 is then ineffective as the spring 229 yields with the passingof each lug 228 of the rotating collar. This revers rotation of the collar is the result of the ratchet shaft I99 moving down relative to the rising boss I92 and the walls of its helical groove 209 bear against and move along the internal thread of the collar.

The ratchet shaft I99 is so lowered while the crosshead is rising, under the action of a spring 235 which is seated on the top of the shaft. This spring and the upper end of the shaft are confined within a tubular housing 236 which is carried on the boss I92, the lower end of this housing seating within the upper or counter-bore 2; of the boss. A look screw 231 threaded in the side of the boss engages the lower inserted end of the housing and holds it tightly in place.

A headed pin 2 extends into the upper section of the spring and an adjusting screw 242 threaded in the upper end of housing 236 permits a desired adjustment for the compression of the spring. This screw may be held in adjusted position by a suitable lock nut 243.

It will be understood that when the crosshead is descending and as the ratchet unit'is moving down over the rotating but vertically held ratchet shaft I99, that the spring 235 is being compressed. This allows for a greater length of the shaft within the housing 236.

The next following two step movements of the turret III carry the fully assembled can, spout and cap through two idle stations. At such time no work is done on the can. The can is then brought to rest at the discharge station G and is ready to be ejected from the turret pocket.

A bell crank lever 25l (Figs. 1 and 3) is disposed to move in a horizontal plane over the table ,extension 3|. a long arm 25201 the bell crank extending in between an upper and lower section of the turret l l l. The bell crank lever is rocked on a vertically disposed stud 253 mounted on the table extension. It is yieldingly held down against the top of the table by a spring 254 which surrounds the stud above the bell crank. The spring is confined on top by a washer 255 held by a nut 256 threaded on the stud. This construction prevents undue swinging of the bell,

crank lever.

.The long arm 252 of the bell crank lever is formed at its outer end into a can engaging pad 258 and when the can comes to rest at station G this pad is just inside of the can, this being the position shown in Fig. 1. Accordingly when the bell crank is rocked on its pivotal mounting 253, the pad engages the inner edge of the can and sweeps it out of the turret pocket landing the can on the discharge table H.

The bell crank lever 25l is also formed with a short arm 26l and its timed rocking movement is effected by a suitable connection with a cam actuated discharge slide 262 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which is also used to engage a can a after it has been removed from the turret pocket and to align and advance the cans through the discharge table H. This connection between the bell crank lever arm and the slide is made through the medium of a link 263.

One end of the link 263 is pivotally mounted -on a pin 264 carried by the slide and its other end, which is slotted at 265, passes over a pin 266 held in the forked end of the short arm 26L The movement of the discharge slide 262 is in excess of that needed to rock the bell crank lever forits discharge stroke and this extra movement is taken up by the slotted end of the link 263 moving on its pin 266. This slack connection serves another purpose. It permits the forward end of the slide 262 to move back out of alignment with the turret pocket before the can is ejected onto,

the discharge table by actuation of the bell crank lever 25L The discharge slide 262 is cam actuated by spaced guide blocks 261 (Fig. 3) formed as integral parts of the table extension 3| between which the slide moves. Slide gibs 268 bolted on top of the blocks and overhanging the slide prevent upward dislocation.

The slide is cam actuated in the following manner. A depending lug 2" (Figs. 2 and 3) projects down from the under surface of the slide and extends through a slotted opening 212 out through the table extension 3|. The lug is pivotally connected at 213 to one end of an adjustable connecting rod 214. Rod 214 at its other end is pivotally connected to the upper end of a lever arm 215 (see also Fig. 8) which is keyed to one end of. a horizontal rock shaft 216.

This rock shaft is journaled in an elongated boss which may be an integral part of the table extension 3|. An arm 218 is also keyed to the rock shaft 216 at its other end. The free end of this arm carries a pin 219 on which rotates a cam roller 28L This cam roller operates in a cam groove 282 formed in the peripheral surface of a barrel cam 284 which is mounted upon and which is driven by the lower drive shaft l6.

Referring again to Fig. 1 which shows the slide 262 ready to be moved back, it will be observed that the completely assembled can a is in its can and pushes the can along the table H and in between a pair of spaced L-shaped guide rails 288 (Figs. 1 and 8) mounted on the table extension 3|. These rails keep the cans in processional order on the discharge table H and each discharged can coming into the row pushes the cans ,ahead on the forward stroke of the slide.

A single or a number of cans may be taken off from the end of the line as desired or the forward end of the row may extend on into another machine.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages 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 the parts without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely 'a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine for assembling soft metal spouts to cup-shaped neck portions of containers in leak-proof joints, the combination of means for progressively conveying the containers and spouts in loosely assembled relation to a plurality of spaced operating stations, means for successively advancing the containers and spouts while in such loosely assembled relation into said conveying means, and devices at one of said stations and cooperating with said conveying means for successively engaging and operating on said cupshaped neck portions of the containers and adjacent portions of the spouts seated therein and which enter into the joint, by simultaneously tainer, and joint forming devices cooperating with said advancing means for engaging and bending inwardly the wall of said positioned cupsh'aped neck portion and simultaneously compressing and reshaping the included base of said spout to provide a leak-proof joint.

3. In a machine for securing in a leak-proof joint a preformed spout to a container having an open cup-shaped nozzle portion, the combination of means for advancing said container and advancing means for engaging and bending in wardly the peripheral wall of said cup-shaped nozzle portion and simultaneously compressing and reshaping the engaged portion of the spout to provide a tight-fitting leak-proof joint.

4. In a machine for assembling spouts to containers in leak-proof joints, the combination of a turret member having peripheral pockets therecn and provided with means for intermittently rotating the same, means for successively feeding containers with loosely assembled spouts thereon into the pockets of said turret while the latter is s'afionary, means cooperating with and disposed adjacent said turret for aligning and centering the container and spout relative to one another in preparation for final assembly and while the turret is stationary, and means cooperating with and disposed adjacent said turret member for engaging said container and spout for squeezing and deforming the same into tight fitting interlocking engagement.

5. A machine for uniting in leak-proof joints preformed spouts to containers having open cupshaped neck portions, comprising in combination: a turret member having peripheral pockets thereon and provided with means for intermittently rotating the same, means for successively feeding said containers with the spouts loosely seated therein into pockets of said turret while the latter is stationary, means cooperating with and disposed adjacent said turret for aligning and centering the spout relative to said container in preparation for final assembly, means cooperating with and disposed adjacent said turret for engaging and squeezing the peripheral wall of said container cup neck and the base of said centered spout into tight-fitting interlocking engagement, and means disposed adjacent and cooperating with said turret for ejecting the spouted containers from the machine.

6. In a machine for securing a preformed spout to a nozzle container in a leak-proof joint, the combination of means for advancing the parts to be secured to a plurality of operating stations, means for feeding loosely assembled spouts and containers in processional order to said conveying means, an escapement device for admitting the containers with their spouts one at a time into said conveying means, a testing head cooperating with said conveying means for detecting an interruption in the continuous flow of containers and for stopping the machine at each interruption, and joint forming devices disposed at one of said stations for engaging and for bending inwardly a nozzle part of said container and for simultaneously compressing and reshaping the base parts of the spout within such nozzle part to form a tight fitting interlocked joint.

7. In'a machine for securing loosely assembled containers, spouts and caps in leak-tight sealed condition,'the combination of a carrier member, means for advancing said carrier member to a plurality ofoperating stations, means for feeding the loosely assembled container parts one assembly at a time to a detecting station adjacent said carrier member, means for aligning and centering the container parts while engaged by said carrier member at one of said stations, devices effective at a second operating station for engaging and bending inwardly a part of the container over the spout while held by said carrier member and for simultaneously compressing and reshaping the enclosed part of the spout to provide a tight fitting joint, and a cap applying member operative at another operating station for sealing a cap on the spout in a second tight fitting joint while said container is held by said carrier member, the said operations providing a spouted container fully sealed.

8. In a machine for securing loosely assembled containers, spouts and caps in leak-tight sealed condition, the combination of a carrier member, means for advancing said carrier member to a plurality of operating stations, means for progressively feeding the loosely assembled container parts to said carrier member, an escapement device for releasing one assembly at a time for their reception by said carrier member, a testing head cooperating with and disposed adjacent said carrier member for detecting an interruption of container feed to said carrier member and thereby operative to stop further feeding when such interruption occurs, means disposed at one of said stations for aligning the container parts, devices located at another of said stations for engaging and bending inwardly a part of the container over the spout while simultaneously compressing and reshaping the enclosed base of the spout to provide a leak-proof joint between container and spout, a cap applying member at another of said stations and cooperating with said carrier member for sealing the loosely applied cap on the spout in a threaded connection to provide a leak-proof joint between spout and cap, and. means located at a still further operating station for ejecting the sealed container from said carrier member.

9. In a machine for securing loosely assembled containers, spouts and screw caps in leak-tight sealed condition, the combination of means for successively advancing and presenting such container parts one assembly at a time to a series of spaced operating stations, means at one of said stations for aligning and centering the container parts to be secured while held by said advancing means, devices at another of said stations and including squeezing jaws for engaging and bending inwardly a part of the container over the base of the spout while held by said advancing means and for supporting the adjacent container part while simultaneously compressing and reshaping the enclosed base of the spout in a tight fitting joint, a cap applying member at another of said stations and including a ratchet instrumentality for engaging and rotating said screw cap on the spout in a second tight fitting joint while the container is held by said advancing means, whereby the loosely assembled container parts are converted into a spouted container fully sealed, and means at a still further station for ejecting the sealed container from said advancing means.

10. In a machine for securing loosely assembled relatively soft metal spouts to metal containers in sealed leak-proof joints, the combination of means for progressively feeding the assembled parts to. a rotatable turret, means for intermittently rotating said turret to successively advance the assembled parts to a plurality of operating stations, means at one station and cooperating with said turret and including a hollow member for moving down over a said spout for engaging and centering it with the vertical axis of its container, and means at another station and cooperating with said turret for engaging and bending inwardly a part of the container wh le supporting the part against collapse and while s multaneously compressing and reshaping the base of the spout included therein, said compressing action causing the soft metal of the spout to flow into tight fitting interlocking engagement with the rebent container wall forming a leak-proof joint and providing a container having a spout permanently sealed therein.

11. In a machine for securing loosely assembled containers and spouts in leakeproof tightly sealed, joints at-a plurality of spaced operating stations, the combination of a rotatable turret member having spaced pockets therein and provided with means for rotating the same, means for successively feeding the loosely assembled containers and spouts into said turret pockets in processional order, means at one operating station and cooperating with said turret for detecting thepresence of two adjacent containers and operative when one or both containers are absent to stop the machine operations, devices at another operating station and cooperating with said rotating turret for engaging and bend- '15 an interlocking leak-proof