US2320684A - Stapling machine - Google Patents

Description

R. H. VAN SAUN ET AL ST'APLING MACHINE 7 Filed June 15, 1940 June 1, 1943.

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R. H. VAN SAUN ET AL STAPLING MACHINE Filed June 15, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 1, 1943.

R. H. VAN SAUN ETAL STAPLING MACHINE Filed June 15, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 olo' j 2 7% /Z z w w Z w wz 0 w JUN U v 3 June R. H. VAN SAUN ETAL STAPLING MACHINE Filed June 15, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 fizz/6221 0; .E ffyd z 5010 ms sa Q MK June 1, 1943. R; H. VAN SAUN ETAL STAPLING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 fizvzz ar Eff Filed June 15, 1940 F527; jaun/ J1me 1943- R. H. VAN SAUN ETAL STAPLING MACHINE Filed June 15, 1940 7 sheets sheet 7 the body portion of securedto circular closure discs,

, the body Patented June 1, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

Q A s'rrirtifi frficmnn I A I 7 Raymond H. Container Van Saun, Chicago, Ill., assignor to H Corporation of America, Chicago,

The present invention relates to stap chines and, more particularly, to a form of stapling machine capable of securing a flat disc 010- sure element in both top and bottom of a tubular container.

One object of the present invention is to combine stapling mechanism with a tiltable, rotary support for a tubular container to enable the container to be placed on the support while in one position and then brought to operative relation with the stapling mechanism in which latter position thecontainer can be rotated to bring successive portions of the closure element of the 7 container into staple receiving position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient'form of clamping device for rotary supports adapted to retain a tubular container in proper relation to a stapling mechanism.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide an improved stapling mechanism including a rotary support adapted to retain a tubular con tainer in proper stapling position, the rotary support being controlled to rotate" with a step-bystep movement in synchronism with the operation of the stapling mechanism, the rotary'support being further adapted to be tilted to enable the container to be moved into and out of operative position with respect to 'the stapling mechanism.

Another object of theinvention is to provide container supporting means to retain a container in proper relation to stapling mechanism, the supporting means being adjustable for accommodating varying sizes of drums, both as to height and diameter.

Another object of-the invention is to provide a stapling mechanism, including a rotary table for supporting containers in proper stapling position,

in which the table is power driven and is pro vided with means for automatically stopping the rotation of the table after the proper number of staples has been inserted.

Another object of th invention is to provide a stapling mechanism'for containers in the form view,

'ing a container as it In the drawings:

chine constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrating the machine supportpp ars'in to have a flat closure element or closure disc stapled in one end thereof;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary ,vert'ical sectional view, taken substantially alongline 2-2 of Fig. 1, illustrating details of the rotary supporting table for the container;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2, illustrating constructional details of the rotary table;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail view, taken along line H of Fig. 3, illustrating the container clamping elements;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail view, taken on line 5-5 of 4, illustrating the pin and cam slot arrangementfor the container clamping elements;

Fig. 6 is a taken along device for properly positioning a container on 4 ing the position of various controllingparts when the supporting table is in container stapling po sition;

' Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, illustrating the position of various control parts when the supporting table is in tilted position;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Figs. 8 and 9, illustrating the control parts as they appear upon engagement of the clutch elements to initiate actuof cylindrical drums having extending tabs on the drums adapted to be there being means provided in conjunction with the stapling mechanism for automatically folding the tabs on of the drum into engagement with the closure disc'just prior to the insertion of staples. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. Q g

ation of the staple driving mechanism and rotation of the supporting table;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view, illustrating the indicating means for determining the position of the container with respect to the staple driving mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, illustrating a different position of the container with respect to the staple driving mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a view showing various separated parts of one form of container upon which the stapling machine of the present inventionv is adapted to operate:

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a container posisertion of one closure disc;

position ready illustrat- Fig. is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 14, illustrating the container positioned in the same device after the closure disc at the opposite end of the container has been inserted in a preliminary manner; and

Fig. 16 is a somewhat schematic view illustrating the position and arrangement of the parts of the stapling machine and rotary table when a container, having its top closure disc previously inserted, is ready to have the bottom closure disc stapled in place.

The present invention, as herein disclosed, is embodied in a stapling machine having a staple driving head mounted in a horizontal arm projecting from an upright frame, the lower part or base of the frame, including container supporting elements, arranged to present a container to be stapled in proper position with respect to the blank arranged to overlap the closure element and receive staples driven through both the tabs and the closure.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the frame of the stapling machine, indicated as a whole at I, preferably comprises a horizontal base portion 2, an upright portion 3 and a horizontally extending arm 4. The arm 4 carries a staple driving head 5. A container supporting table, indicated as a whole at 6, is carried on a suitable supporting device 1 mounted on the base portion 2. A staple clinching element or post indicated at 8 is suitably mounted on the supporting device 1, preferably independently of the container supporting table.

The container to be stapled, indicated at 9, preferably comprises a tubular body blank III of sheet material such as fibre board, a closure II of similar sheet material is arranged to be secured in proper relation to the body portion II) by means of tabs I2, I2 which, when folded over flat against the closure, are stapled thereto.

As illustrated in Figs. 13, 15 and 16, the closure II is preferably a bottom closure and a closure indicated at I3 is employed as a top closure, this closure having an opening I4 therein to accommodate the staple clinching post 8 as will be presently more fully described. The closure I3 is preferably secured to the body member III by stapling the closure to foldable tabs I5, I5 similar to tabs I2, I2.

The stapling head 5, as herein disclosed, may be of conventional form and is preferably of the type wherein a roll of flat wire is fed to a suitable cutting and forming device for bringing the wire to staple form just prior to its being driven into the parts to be'secured together. For the purpose of driving the mechanism in the head 5, a shaft I8 is suitably mounted in the horizontal arm 4. This shaft is driven by a pulley I9 mounted on a stub shaft provided wih a clutch element 2| enabling the shafts I8 and 20 to be connected or disconnected at will. The pulley I9 is suitably connected to a source of power (not shown) such the purpose of moving the element ,24 to cause clutch engagement, there is provided a bell crank lever having one end engageable with the element 24 and the other end connected with the upper end of a rod 26 which is connected at its lower end to a lever 21 pivoted at 28 on the base portion 2 of the'frame. The lever 21 is provided with a spring 28 urging it toward counterclockwise movement as viewed in Fig. 1. For the purpose of disengaging the clutch and controlling other parts of the stapling machine, a foot lever 32 is provided. This foot lever is connected through mechanism to be presently described to cause counterclockwise movement of the lever 21 which causes the clutch parts to be engaged through intervention of the mechanism above described.

The clutch 2| comprises separable parts 22 and 23, the part 23 being the driving and the part 22 being the driven part. When the element 24 is moved to the left, as illustrated in Fig. l, the parts 22 and 23 will be brought into engagement so as to cause the rotation of the shaft I8 with the shaft 20 and the mechanism of the stapling head 5 is so constructed as to cause the insertion of astalile for each revolution of the shaft I8. When the lever 21 is moved into clutch disengaging position the control element 24 will move toward the right, as shown in Fig. 1, causing disengagement of the clutch parts and cause stoppage of the part 22 fixed on the shaft I8 at a fixed point by] y, nism will be caused to operate through one or more exact cycles during the time between engagement and disengagement of the clutch elements and the staple inserting cycle will always start at exactly the same point.

A type of clutch suitable for this purpose is illustrated in the patents to Maynard No. 1,495,342, dated May 27, 1924, and No. 1,802,822, dated April 28, 1931.

The container supporting table 6 is supported upon the lower part of the staple clinching post 8 by construction presently to be described. The lowermost part of the post 8 is arranged to be clamped within the jaw portion 33 of an arm 34 forming part of the supporting device 1. The inner end of arm 34'is fixed to a rocker element 35 supported on a rod 36 having its ends mounted I in bearing elements 31 bolted to the base portion 2 of the stapling machine frame I. By reason of the mounting of the rocker element the supporting device 1 for the table 6 is arranged to be tilted so that the clinching post 8 can be moved from its full line position, indicated in Fig. 1 to the dotted line position shown in this figure.

For the purpose of limiting the swinging movement of the clinching post ancl supporting table in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, there is provided an adjustablestop element, which, in the present instance, is in the form of a machine screw 40 threaded into the extension H on the bearing element 31 and arranged to beheld in adjusted position by means of a lock nut 42. An extension on the rocker element 35 is arranged to contact the head of the machine screw 40 and when this extension has contacted the machine screw the rocker element 35. is limited from further movement in this direction.

The means for limiting the swinging of the rocker element toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, will now be described. An arm 45, see Figs.

' 2, 8, 9 and 10, is freely mounted at its upper end on the rod 36 and is provided with an end portion carrying a roller 46 mounted on a' pin 48a secured in the end of arm 45. The roller 49 is receivable into an open jaw portion formed by parts 41 and 49 on an arm 49. keyed on a rod 59, and having its ends supported in suitable bearings, not shown, formed in the base portion 2 of the stapling machine frame.

A set screw 52, threaded into an extension 53 on the rocker element 35, is arranged so that its inner end will bear on the arm 45. Adjustment of the set screw will change the relative arrangement of the arm 45 and rocker element 95 to different angular positions. Thus, the forward position of the clinching post 9, as illustrated in I broken lines in Fig. 1. may be suitably varied according to the desires of the operator.

When the supporting table and clinching post are in a forward, tilted position, as shown in Fig. 9, and as suggested by the broken lines as to the position of the post 9 in Fig. 1, these parts can be moved to their rearward or stapling position by downward pressure upon the foot lever 32. For this purpose, the end of foot lever 32 is preferably secured in a rocker a set screw 55, the rocker element being secured on the end of the rod 59 by means of a pin 59 passing through the rod and rocker element. Thus, when the endof the foot lever 32 is depressed, as it appears in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, it will cause the rod 59 to turn in a counterclockwise direction and causea consequent counterclockwise movement of the arm 49. As the arm 49 moves downward from the positionshown in Fig. 9, to that shown in .Fig. 10, the inner surface of the portion 49 on the arm 49 will I have, due to itsv configuration, a camming action on the roller 46 mounted in the lower end ofthe arm 45. This forces the arm 45 toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 10, and the pressure of the front edge of the arm against the set screw 52 causes the rocker element 35 to move in a clockwise diing movement a the supporting table s, there is provided a counterbalance means, indicated generally at 91, whichis arranged to urge .the table in a swinging movement to'the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. In the present instance there is provided a counterbalance arm 59 ivoted at 69 on the upright portion 9 of thestapling machine frame. A counterweight 19 is provided which may be supported in any one of several positions on the arm 99 by securing it, as by means of a bolt 1|, in a selected-one of several bolt openings 12', rocker element 1 by a link 13 having one end pivoted at 14' to the rocker element 1 and the other end pivoted at 15 to the arm 99 at a point above and somewhat spaced from the pivotal connection 59 of the arm 99 with the stapling ma- 'chine frame.

Means are provided for locking the foot lever 92 I table 9 will assume the position illustrated in Fig.

element 54 by means of rection until the extension 43 strikes the head of machine screw 49. See particularly Figs. 1, 8 and 10.

Means are preferably provided for locking the rocker element 35 when it has reached the end of its clockwise movement, as illustrated in Fig. 10. For this purpose, an arm 51 is mounted to rock freely on rod 59. This arm 51 has a detent portion 59 formed at its outer end which drops down into engagement with the pin 49a upon which the roller 49 is mounted in the lower end of arm 45. Downward swinging movement of arm 51 is limited by a projecting lug 59 on the arm 49 so that if the arm 49 is moving upward it will cause a release of the arm 51 from its engagement with the pin 49a.

Another effect produced by downward pressure' is to cause the extended I upon the foot lever 32 portion 99 of the arm 49 to contact the adjacent end of clutch control lever 21, thus causing --engagement of the clutch parts 22 and 29. The point at which locking of the lever 21 is initiated may be suitably varied by means of a set screw 9| and lock nut 92 provided in the extended portion 99 of the arm 49.

The lever 21 is prefarbly arranged so as to be automatically locked in its clutch actuating position. For this purpose a bell crank lever 94 is rockably mounted on the base frame and is formed with a latch portion 95 at its lower end adapted to engage beneath the tapered end 99 of the lever 21. The means for mounting and controlling the bell crank lever 94 will presently be described.

For the purpose of facilitating rearward swingof the rod 19. Thus,

1 and the clutch elements 22 and 23 will bean-engaged relation. For this purpose there is provided a rod 19 (see Fig. 2) movable endwise in guides 19, 19, carried by a frame element 99 suitably bolted to the bearing element 31 which supports the rod 39 for the rocker element. The rod 19 is provided with a collar 9| against which the end of a coil spring 92 is arranged to press, this spring having its other end abutted against the guide 19 so as to constantly urge the rod 19 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 2. I

For the purpose of providing for suitable engagement between the rod 19 and the foot lever 32 there is provided, in the present instance, an upstanding pin 93,on the foot lever 32 in such position that the pin engages a flattened surface portion 94 formed on the rod 19. Thus, as viewed in Fig. 2, when the flattened portion 94 of the rod 19 is hearing against the upper end of the pin 99, the foot lever 32' will be held against upward movement.

In order to release the foot lever for upward movement there is provideda foot pedal 99 pivoted at 91 on the frame 99 and having a bell crank portion 89.provided with a slotted end 99 engageable with a pin by depressing the pedal 99, the bell crank lever 99 will be caused tofswing toward the left. as viewed in Fig. 2 and will retract the rod 19 so that this rod will no longer bear on the pin 99.

Means are provided for bringing the foot lever to its uppermost position when it has been released by the mechanism just described. For this purpose a coil spr 'g 92 is provided having one end secured to a st tionary point on the stapling machine frame, this being, in the present instance, illustrated asa pin 99 positioned on the bearing 31, the other end of the spring being secured to the arm 49' within a suitable opening formed in a lug 94 provided on the arm.

The arrangement of the parts 49 and' 51 and lug 59 is such that, when the rod 19 is retracted.

the spring 92 will tend to lift the arm 49. carrying with it the arm 51 due to the position of the lug 59 and will raise the detent portion 59 of the arm 51 from its engagement with the pin 49::

thus freeing the arm 45 for movement in a direction. as viewed in Figs. 9,

12. The arm 99 is connected with the 99 projecting from the end 4 by the broken line position of the clinching post 8 in the same figure. Due to the arrangement of the counterbalance mechanism 67 the table will swing outward as the counterbalance tends to exert somewhat less than the necessary degree of leverage to hold it in rearward position.

It is also to be noted that when the table 6 has been brought to its forward or inclined position, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the roller 46 will have moved entirely into the jaw opening provided between parts 41 and 48 in the free end of arm 49,

and the detent member 51 will have its end rest ing upon pin 46a. Previous to the initial tilting of the table the detent 65 will have been removed from its engagement with the latch end 66 of the lever 21 by mechanism presently to be described.

The container supporting table and means for adjustment for different sizes of containers, for different diameters of containers, and for different height-s of containers, as well as means for causing rotation of table, will-now be described.

In the present instance the entire container supporting table is carried on the lower portion of The rotary part of the table which is directly supported on the hub element I comprises a lower ring IM and an upper ring I02 held together by machine screws I03, I03, there being, however, an annular space provided between the rings IOI and I02 arranged to receive a retaining ring I04 held to the hub element I00 by countersunk head screws I05, I05 which pass through the hub element I00 and through suitable openings I06 in the flanged collar element 99 and being secured to the element 99 by nuts on the end of the bolt I05. The'openings I06 which receive the bolts I05 are preferably elongated as illustrated in Fig. '7 for the purpose of moving the hub element I00 toward or from the upright frame element 3 of the stapling machine so as to adapt the table for containers of difierent crosssectional sizes or diameters.

The ring member I02 has an upwardly extending hub portion I08 around which an annular plate I09 is positioned for limited rotary or oscillating movement, the plate I09 resting on the ring member I02. On the upper surface of the hub element I08 and resting closely above the plate I09 is a base plate IIO upon the upper surface of which the container 9 is adapted to rest,

preferably arranged-in four groups, each group comprising an exterior and interior clamp element. For the purpose of controlling the position of the clamps the base plate H0 is formed with four pairs of slots; two pairs of which are indicated at H6, II6a and III, IIL-a, another slot being indicated at.II8 and another-at M9.

The slots are preferably arranged on each side of and parallel to a radial line passing through the center of the hub element I02 and through the central portion of the respective pairs of clamps H2 and H3.

As shown in Fig. 4 the clamp element I I2 preferably comprises an angle element of segmental shape on the lower flange of which is secured a pair of blocks I20, I fitted into the slots 6, Ba, III, I I'Ia, etc. For the purpose of retaining the block elements I20, I20 within the slots H6. 1., etc., the circular base plate II 0 is provided with machined-out portions indicated at I2I in Fig.5 into which the flange pieces I22, I22 on the block portions I20 are adapted to be received.

The inner clamp elements II3, I I3 are likewise in the form of angle elements of segmental shape. the lower flange of which is supplied with block elements I25, I25 having laterally extending flange pieces I28, I26 received within the machined-out portions I2I, I2I of the base plate I I0. See Figs. 4 and 5.

For the purpose of positively moving the clamp elements H2 and H3 toward and from each other, suitably shaped cam elements in the form of slots formed in the rotary plate I09 are provided. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the slots I28, I28

are provided to control the outer clamp elements H2 and the slots I29, I29 are provided for controlling the inner clamp elements I I3.

As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the clamping elements II2 are provided with suitably threaded openings for the reception of the threaded ends of machine screws I3I, I3I having their lower ends fitted with roller elements I32, I32 which are'retained on the ends of machine screws by means ofohead or flange portions I33, I33. The roller elements I32 are received in the cam slot I28 in the plate I09.

In like manner, the interior clamps II3 are provided with threaded openings to receive machine screws I35, I35 having rollers I36 at their will be forced in opposite directions.

ends and retained on the machine screws by means of head or flange elements I-3I. The rollers I36 are arranged to be received in the cam slots I29 on the plate I09. By particular reference to Fig. 3, it can be seen that when the plate I09 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction, the

roller on the clamps II2 will be forced toward the outside of plate I09 and the rollers on clamp II3 will be forced toward the central portion of plate I09. In other words, the two sets of clamps This counter-clockwise movement of the plate I09 will cause an opening of the clamps and reversely a clockwise movement of the plate I09 will cause the respective groups of clamps to approach each other to clamp the lower end of the body of the container 9 as illustrated in Fig. 2

Yielding lining elements I38 and I39 are provided respectively upon the clamps H2, H3 to efiect necessary gripping of the lower edges of the container walls and to compensate for any slight,

inaccuracy of the machining of the parts 01 plates I09 and H0 and the clamps H2 and H3.

It is to be noted that the cam slots I28 and I29 are so shaped at their ends as to be slightly eccentric to the axis of rotation of plate I I0 so that the final portion of movement of the plate I09 will tend to cause a more or less firm clamping effect upon the container 9 clamped therein. The cam slots I29, I29 are formed the same shape as the cam slots I28 at the end of slot corresponding to the clamping position so as to produce a relatively flrm clamping efiect upon'the inner clamps.

The outer ends of I09 there is provided a handle so that when resting on each of the slots I28 and I29 are likewise made I with the center of rotation of the plate IIO although this particular curvature as to the open position of the clamps is not entirely necessary.

For convenience in moving the clamping plate I42 bolted to the edge of the plate as seen in; Fi 3.

Due to the removability of the clamps H2, H3 from the plate IIO it is apparent that larger or smaller diameter clamps may be provided and used so as to accomodate larger or smaller diameters of containers.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 16 the inner clamps II3 are formed of such a height as to permit a container with the lower closure secured therein (in this case the final top closure) to be placed the upper edges of the clamps II3 the upwardly directed flanges I2, I2 of th 'container will be brought into proper position in respect to the stapling head. In this pcto 'be substantially concentric I ment with the cams. Adjacent the open end of sition of the container the outer clamps only will function to hold the container in fixed relation to the plate I III of the supporting table 6. In the event a diiferent size of tab I2 is employed it will. of course,be necessary to select. a different height of clamp H3.

While it is within the scope of this invention to rotate the table 6 by hand, it is preferable to provide means for rotating the table in a step-bystep manner and to coordinate the step-by-step rotation with the operation of the stapling head so that the table will rotate one step and then come to a stop upon which one staple will be inserted in a down-turned tab I2 or !5, as the case may be, after which the table will then be rotated one more step to bring another tab into stapling position and so on until all ofthe tabs have been stapled.

- For the purpose of providing step-by-step rotation of the table there is provided a series of suitably placed pins I43, I43 projecting downwardly from the under face of the ring element I0 I. The number of these pins I43 corresponds to the number of tabs I2 and I5 on the container to be staple. A rotary cam element I44 is provided for engagement with pins I43. This cam element is mounted on a shaft I45 supported in beari s I46, -I46 projecting from the hub element I 0 which is mounted on shaft 5 has a projecting part I41 having a jaw portion I49 in which a block I49 is mounted on a laterally extending pin for a slight rocking movement. An element I50 similar to the part I41 is connected to the block I49 by means of a pin which also provides for a slight rocking move- I ment. This element I50 is connected to a shaft I5I. It is to be noted that the parts I41, I40, I49 and I50 form a universal joint connecting the shafts I5I and I45. As shown in Fig. l, the shaft I5I is keyed I52 which, in tum, is connected through a suitable universal joint I53 to a short shaft I54 provided with a sprocket I55 over which a suitable chain I56 is arranged which will pass over a sprocket I51 of the same size on the driven shaft 29 connected with driven pulley I9. It will now be seen that, through the mechanism just described,'the cam I44 will be driven in coordination with the stapling mechanism.

The earn an is supplied with suitably shaped cam guide elements I58, I59 engaging one on each side of the pins I43, I43. The members I55, I59 terminate at each end in an open portion so that pins I43 will pass into and out of engagethe flanged collar 91. The

the cam I58, I59 the shape of the camsis spiral I so that it will rotate the table due to movement of the cams relative to the pins I43, I43 at the beginning and the end of engagement of these pins with the cam guides. Intermediate the open ends of cam guides as seen in Fig. 7 there is a dwell portion provided which tends to hold the rotating table stationary dwell portion is passing a given pin I43. The dwell provided by the dwell portion of the cam I56, I56 is just suflicient to enable the stapling mechanism to pass through the staple driving portion of the stapling cycle and, just after the stable has been driven in and clinched, the spiral portion of the cams will again cause movement of the table to bring a succeeding tab into a stapling position.

The .provision of the universal joints on the shafts I5I. I52 allow for inner and outer swinging movements of the container supporting table without requiring disconnection of thecam element from the table driving mechanism. This construction also accommodates the vertical adjustment of the supporting table.

For the purpose of properly positioning a 'container to staple the first closure in position there is provided on the table I III an upstanding wedgeshaped positioning or guiding member I59 which is arranged to fit within one of the notches between adjacent tabs IZ, I2. The positioning I member I59 is. provided with suitably downwardly projecting bolts arranged to be received within spaced slots I60, I60 in the baseplate IIII so that the member I59 may be disposed in different positions circumferentially of the plate to insure the positioning of the tabs I5, I5 in proper position with respect to the staple driving mechto telescope within a hollow shaft anism. In one position of the member I59 the staple may be arranged to be inserted centrally of the tabs I5, I5 and, in another position of the member I59 the staples may be arranged to be inserted so as to bridge over thespace between adjacent tabs I5, I 5.

As the member I59is adapted to function only when projecting tabs are present at the lower portion of the container, other means are prefer-- ably provided for indicating when the container is properly positioned after the top closure element I4 has been stapled in position and the container has been inverted preparatory to'stapling the bottom closure II in place as illustrated in' ing elongated apertures I04 through which securing bolt I55 are arranged to pass. The additional purpose of the plate I63 will presently be explained. Fig. 11 illustrates the position of the tabs I5, I5 when it is desired to insert staples so as to bridge the space between the tabs, and Fig. 12 Illustrates the position of the container in which staples will be inserted centrally of the tabs.

After the container 9 has been clamped in position on the rotary table, as above described, the table having first been moved from its forward to its rearward position. as illustrated in Fig. 1, the table is ready to be set in rotation, the stapling mechanism being at the same time actuated so that, as the table rotates with a stepi-by-stepmotion. a staple will be inserted at each stop in the during the time that the" table movement.

When the table has completed one revolution and a staple has been driven into each tab it is desirable to cause the mechanism to stop automatically. For this purpose a trip element I68 is secured at a suitable point on the under side of the table I89 (see Fig. 2). vThis trip element I88 is arranged to actuate automatic stop mechanism which will now be described.

An arm I69 (see Figs. 2 and 7) is provided with a clamping portion I19 .by which the arm may be secured in varying angular positions around the horizontal position of the table, the tabs immediately beneath the spirally curved portion I81 will be engaged and turned downwardly depending upon the positions of the tabs withrespect to the portion I81 (see Fig. l) The horizontal portion of the plate I86 indicated at I88 retains the tab in downfolded position over the closure disc II or I3, as the case may be. This horizontal the lower end of the clinching post '8. The outer I end of the arm I69 has suitable guide portions I'll and I12 thereon having suitable openings through which is received a slidable rod I18 having a roller I14 at its upper end arranged to contact the trip element I68. The rod I19 is preferably hollow and has a threaded portion at its lower end into which a threaded stem I15 is adapted to be received and held in fixed adjusted position by a lock nut I16. A trip lever I11 is rockably mounted at I18 on the upper end of the rocker element 85 and has its forward end connected with the threaded stem I15 by means of a block I19 carried on the end of the'lever I11 providin opening I8I for reception of the end of a link I82 which has its lower end connected through one arm of the bell crank lever 64 (see Figs. 1, 8 and herein indicated as a projecting portion of a pin The other endof the lever I11 is provided with a suitable Also connected at I8I to the lever I11 is a I84 upon which the bell crank lever 84 is mounted. The spring I89 is held under tension so that the forward end of the lever I11 will be urged to swingupwardly, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 8. Due to the provision of the mechanism just described, after the table has made one revolution, and the trip element I68 on'the underside of the table has moved into position where it will engage and depress the roller I14 on the rod I18, this rod will be forced downwardly at its forward end, causing upward movement of the link I82 and consequent swinging of the bell crank lever 64-to remove its detent end from the end of lever 21 and allowing this lever to move in a direction to dis-. engage the clutch parts 22 and 23. thus effecting instant stoppage of the driving means for the stapling mechanism and the rotary table. The control'elements are thus brought to an inoperative position so that manual intervention will be required to again set the rotary table and stapling mechanism into operation.

The tabs for attaching the closure elements to the body blank of the container are preferably moved from upright to downturned position just prior to bringing the tabs into operative position portion I88 is provided with a suitable opening large enough to admit the passage of staples into the tabs without interference with the stapling mechanism but not so large as to permit the tabs to become displaced.

The manner of attachment of the plate I63 to the frame of the stapling machine enables the horizontal portion of the extension I86 to be lowered or raised toward or away from the top of the container whereby the pressure under which the tabs are held against the closure discs of the container may be suitably varied. When it is desired to adjust the position of the horizontal plate portion I88 it is only necessary to loosen the bolts I65 then raise or lower the plate as permitted by the elongated apertures I64, then tighten the bolts against the plate.

When it is desired to adapt the table for different diameters of containers, this is done by removing the clamping elements H2, H3 and replacing them with similar clamping elements having a radius conforming to the radius of the containers which it is desired to staple. Assuming that it is desired to staple containers of larger radius than indicated in Fig. 1, it is apparent that the rotary axis of the table must be moved toa somewhat greater distance from a vertical line passing down through the stapling head. For this purpose the bolts I85 which connect the hub element IIIII to the flanged element 99 are loosened and the hub element is moved rearwardly or to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1. 'This is possible by reason of the fact that the bolts I05 are received in slots I86. See Figs. 2 and I.

Movement of the tablein the manner just described has the effect of displacing the trip element I68 with ,respect to the arm I69. which supports the trip mechanism for effecting a stoppageof the rotary table. It is thus necessary to loosen the clamping jaws I18 and turn the arm to a new angular position in which the roller I 14 will be contacted by the advancing bevel edge of the trip I68, as illustrated in Fig. 1. For this purpose, the rod I15 is formed of material which will permit a slight bending so that it will not be necessary to change the point of attachment (III with respect to the staple driving mechanism.

For this purpose the plate I83 carries a suitably shaped extension I88 having a spirally curved of the rod I15 to the lever I11 which, otherwise, can be done.

When it is desired to adjust the rotary table for different heights of containers, this may be done by raising or lowering the flanged element 99 along the staple clinching post 8. For this purpose, the set screw 98 is loosened and the flanged element moved up or down along the staple clinching post to the desired position after which the set-screw 98 is again tightened. The jaw portion I19 of the arm I69 is also preferably repositioned so that it will engage the lower portion of the flanged element 99 in which position it will serve as additional supporting means for the table.

To summarize the operation of the device, let it be assumed that the table 6 is In forward, tilted position as illustrated in Fig. 9 and as suggested by the broken line position of the stapling anvil post 8 in Fig. l. A container 9, with an apertured treadle 96 which withdraws 2,320,684 top closure disc I3 assembled therewith, in a.

preliminary manner as illustrated in Fig. 14, and with both sets of tabs I2 and I5 extending in alignment with the body blank of thecontainer,

is placed on the table in position so that the edges of the tabs I2, I2 will rest on the upper surface of the table. (See Fig. 2.) The clamping members H2 and 3 will then be actuated by moving the handle I42 in a clockwise direction, as illustrated in Fig. 3, to firmly clamp the end of the container on the table. The table is now ready to be moved to horizontal position. This is done by exerting downward pressure on the foot lever 92and continuing the movement until the lever is locked in its intermediate position' by means of the sliding rod 18. See Figs. 1, 2 and 8.

In placing th container on the table,care is exercised on the part of the operator to have the positioning member I59 properly positioned so that when this member is received in between two tabs at the lower end of the container, the tabs at the upper end will be properly positioned with respect to the staplingmechanism. When the container has been moved to the position indicated in Fig. 1, several tabs will be engaged by the plate portions I81 and I89 'so that one tab will be bent entirely over ready to be stapled and adjacent tabs will be folded over at varying angles depending upon their positions with respectto the curved plate portion WI.

The operator next will depress the foot lever to its lowermost position as illustrated in Fig. 10. This will cause the lever 21 to be swung to clutchactuating position wherein the driving mechanisms for rotating the table and for inserting the staples'will be actuated.

- The arrangement is such that a staple will be driven into the first tab while the cam mechanism which drives the table is moving through the dwell portion of its cycle and, as soon as the staple has been driven, the table will be moved forward one step to bring an adjacent tab into stapling position beneath the horizontal portion I98 of the part I8'I,-whe'reupon the tab is stapled and the alternate step by step movement of the table and the insertion of staples will continue until a staple has been driven into each tab,

.after which the driving mechanism will be disconnected by reason of the trip element I88 striking the roller I14 and causing the separation of the clutch parts as previously described.

After the upper closure disc l3 has been secured in place and the machine has come to a stop, as just described, the table 6 is released for rearward tilting movement by depressing the the rod I9 allowing foot lever 32 to be pulled upwardly by the spring 92, causing disengagement of the detent 51 from the arm 45 and releasing 8 to that indicated in Fig. 9. The container is then removed from the table after releasing the clamps and lifting it off of the clinching post 8.

. The next step is to insert the bottom closure disc II in preliminary position substantially in alignment with the bases of the tabs I2, I2 and next replace the container on the table by passing the top closure end, having the apertured closure I3 secured therein, down over the clinching post 8. In this position the lower end of, the container will not rest upon the surface of the table but will be supported on the upper edges of I the clamping member H3, H3 as previously dethe table so that it will swing from the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and to draw the clamp II2 inwardly to engage the exterior of the container. Before stapling is begun the operator will see that the tabs are proper- 1y aligned with the indicating arrow I62, see Figs. 11 and 12.

With the container clamped in proper position, it is then only necessary to move the-table to horizontal position, bringing the container into operative stapling position and then continue by actuating the clutch control elements by further downward movement on the foot lever 32, as previously described, which will cause the stapling of the final closure disc to be completed withthe operation stopping, as previously explained, after the final staple has been inserted. The container can then be removed by tiltin the table rearwardly, releasing the clamp, and lifting the container off of the clinching post 8.

The closure discs may be assembled with the containers in any suitable manner. One convenient arrangement for facilitating the insertion of the closure discs into the containers preparatory to stapling the attaching tabs to the discs is illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15. As illustrated in Fig. 14 there is provided a suitable base block I around which is disposed a collar element I9I having a straight portion I92 and a flared portion I93, the straight portion being separated from the edges of the base block a distance somewhat greater than the thickness of the material of the container. By the use of this construction the container, being in the form of. a collapsed cylindrical drum, as illustrated in Fig. 13, may be expanded and inserted within the collar element I9I until the tabs I5 come to rest against the shoulders of the base block. It is to be noted that the distance between the upper surface of the base block and the shoulders is equal to or slightly greater than the length of the tabs. After the container is in place it is preferred to first insert the top closure'disc I3. This is done by dropping the disc down through the open end of the container and pressing it with a tamping tool I94 having a handle portion I95 hingedly connected to an elongated head portion I96. when the disc is properly forced into place the tamping tool is removed and the container is-ready to have the top closure disc stapled in position.

After the top closure disc has been secured in place, the container is ready to receive the bottom-closure disc. This may conveniently be done by first inserting the disc in the open end of the container, then inserting the tabs I2, I2 into the channel between the base block and the collar I9 I. The tamping device I94 is then inserted through the opening in the top closure disc I9 and for this purpose the tamping head I96 is made narrow enough to pass through the aperture in this disc. After the-disc closure forming position as previously described.

If it is desired to provide a supplemental closure for the aperture in the closure disc I3, this may be accomplished by providing a disc I91 having tabs I98 receivable into slots I99 formed in the closure disc. See Fig. 13. i

It is apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides a stapling machine with ancillary apparatus enabling cylindrical drums to be set up from collapsed condition with closure discs in place and thereafter stapled in a durable and eillcient container. Containers so con- II- is in place, the tamping device is removed and the disc II will be stapled in structed are found to be quite advantageous in the packaging of raw materials, such as asphalt, rosin, waxes and similarproducts adapted to be packaged in a molten condition.

Due to the construction of the stapling machine and the control therefor, drums, such as described, may be quickly assembled and made ready for the reception of .merchandise to be packed therein with a minimum of time and eflort and without requiring operators who are particularly skilled. I

While the present'description sets forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, numerous changeslmay be made in the construction witharranged, when folded down, to overlap the flat closure element; said stapling mechanism comprising a rotary table adapted to support a tubular container, a staple driving mechanism, a staple clinching anvil, means for clamping the container to the rotary table, and means for rotating the table and the container clamped thereto in a step-by-step manner whereby rotation of the table will cause successive edge portions of the container and closure element to be presented to the stapling mechanism, and means operativev upon movement of the container to move the tabs on the tubular body from valigned position with the tubular body wall into flatwise engagement with the closure element to present successive portions thereof to the stapling mechanism.

2. A staplingmechanism adapted for use with tubular containers having overlapping closure foming parts closing the open ends of the container; said stapling mechanism comprising, in combination, a rotary table, means for securing a tubular container to said table, said table having an open portion at its axis of rotation, a base element vrotatably supporting the table, means for rotating said table and the supported container with reference to the base element, a staple driving head, a staple clinching anvil comprising a post supported on the base element and projecting upwardlythrough the open portion at the rotary axis of the table, said clinching anvil post having its upperportion ofiset to position the clinching anvil away from the center of the container and adjacent the outer portions thereof.

3. A stapling mechanism for tubular containers comprising a rotary, horizontal table, means for securing a tubular. container to the table, a base element rotatably supporting said table, the table ing the table driving means inoperative as the table support and clinching anvil post are moved to the inoperative position, in which the clinching anvil'is separated from the staple driving mechanism. I

4. A stapling machine for tubular containers having flat closure elements adapted to be secured to a tubular body blankprovided with tab parts extending from the-body, blank and arranged, when folded down, to overlap the flat closure element, the stapling mechanism comprising staple driving means, a staple clinching anvil, means for supporting a container in operative relation to the staple clinching anvil, means for rotating the container supporting means to bring successive portions of a container into operative relation with the staple driving mecha-- nisin and clinching anvil, means for moving the clinching anvil and container supporting means to a position in'which the container on the container supporting means will be maintained out of operatve relation'to the staple driving mechanism, and means for automatically rendering the container'rotating means inoperative as the clinching anvil and container supporting means are moved to such inoperative position.

5. A stapling mechanism for tubular containers having overlapping closure forming parts for closing the open ends of a container, said stapling mechanism comprising, in combination, astaple driving mechanism, a clinching anvil, means for supporting a container for rotation. to bring'successive portions thereof into operative relation with the staple driving mechanism and clinching anvil, means for rotating the container supporting means in step-by-step relation, means for driving staples when the container supporting means is stationary between periods of movement, and means for automatically disconnecting the operation of the container rotating means and actuation of the staple driving mechanism after the container has been rotated through a predetermined angular distance.

6. A stapling mechanism adapted to secure closure discs in the ends of cylindrical drums having attaching tabs at the open ends thereof, said mechanism comprising a rotary table for supporting a cylindrical drum for movement 4 about an axis concentric with its cylindrical having an open part adjacent its rotary axis, a

surface, means for rotating said table, means for clamping the drum to the table, a staple driving mechanism located in a position offset from the axis of rotation of a cylindrical drum on the drum supporting table,. a clinching anvil post extending centrally through the table and having a clinching anvil surface disposed in operative relation to the staple driving mechanism, said clinching anvil post being arranged to accommodate a cylindrical drum placed in encompassing relation to the post, the portion of the post remote" from its clinching anvil surface being offset from such surface so that the offset portion of the postwill be disposed substantially concentrically of the cylindrical surface of a drum to be stapled.

7. A stapling mechanism comprising, in combination, staple driving means, a rotary table for supporting a cylindrical container having flat closure discs adapted to be secured to the walls of the container by attaching flaps overlapping the closure disc, means for rotating said table, a clinching anvil post having an anvil surface disposed in operative position with. respect to the staple driving mechanism, means associated with the table for clamping a container thereon, the

' comprising staple ing anvil, a rotary ing the table clamping means comprising cooperative gripping shoes adapted to engage the container walls, whereby rotation of the table will present to the staple driving mechanism successive portions of the closure of a container clamped on the table.

8. A stapling mechanism tainers having fiat closure elements adapted to be secured to a cylindrical body blank provided with a plurality of tabs extending from the body blank and arranged, when folded down, to overlap the closure element, the stapling mechanism driving means, a staple clinchtable adapted to support the cylindrical container on an open end to present the other end in proper relation to the staple driving mechanism, means for securing the container to the table, driving means for rotatin step-by-step relation, means for so synchronizing the driving of staples that a staple is driven into a tab when the table is stationary between periods of movement, and

for cylindrical conmeans disposed on the table for engagement between two adjacent tabs on the lower end of the container for insuring proper positioning of the tabs with respect to the staple driving mechanism at the upped end of the container. 7

9. A stapling mechanism for tubular containers having overlapping closure-forming parts adapted to close an open end of each of said contwainers, said stapling mechanism comprising, in combination,

clinching anvil, means for gripping one of said a staple-driving mechanism, a-

containers and rotating the same in a step-b3- step manner to bring successive portions thereof into operative relation with said staple-driving mechanism and clinching anvil, means for so synchronizing said staple-driving mechanism and said container rotating means that staples are driven only when said container is stationary between periods of movement, means for retaining said staple-driving mechanism'and rotating means in operation while a plurality of staples are driven, and means for automatically rendering said retaining means inoperative'when said container has been rotated through apredetermined angle. Y

10. A mechanism for stapling tubular containers having flat closure elements adapted to be secured to a tubular body blank provided with tab parts extending from the body blank and arranged, when folded down, to overlap the flat closure element; said stapling mechanism comprising a rotary table adapted to support a tubular container, means for'clamping a container to said table to rotate therewith, a staple driving mechanism, a staple clinching anvil; means for rotating the table in a step-by-step manner to bring successive portions of the container into operative relation to the staple driving mechanism and the clinching anvil, and means for so synchronizing the table rotating means and said stapling mechanism that staples are drivenonly when the container is stationary between periods of movement.

RAYMOND H. VAN SATIN.-

- v CERTIFICATE OFYCORREG'JQION. Patent no. 2,520,6ah. June 1, 191.5.

I Y RAYMOND H. VAN smm.

Itis hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: In the heading to the drawings, Sheets]. to 7 inclusive, name ofinventor, for "R. H. VAN SAUN, EI' AL" read--R. H. VAN SA page 2, first column, line 65, for "wih" read -with--; page 5, first coluinn, line 14.6, for "staple" read "stapledand second column, line 15, for "stable" read --stap1e--; page a, first column, line n5, claim 2, for"'fotiing" .read --forming--; page 9, first column, line 27, claim 8', for "upped" read --upper--; line 50-51, claim 9, for "contwainers" read --'containers-; and that the said Letters Patent should be 'read with this.

correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the .Patent Office. I

Signed and sealed this 27th day 'or'Jul A. D. 1910,

, Henry Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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