US2860572A

US2860572A - Can stamping machine

Info

Publication number: US2860572A
Application number: US358815A
Authority: US
Inventors: James J Prohaska
Original assignee: Swift and Co Inc
Current assignee: JBS USA LLC
Priority date: 1953-06-01
Filing date: 1953-06-01
Publication date: 1958-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 1975-11-18

Description

' Nov. 18, 1958 J. J. 'PR'oHAsK cm STAMPING MACHINE Filed June 1, 195:

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 JAMES J PROHASKA IN V EN TOR A TTOR/VE Y Nov. 18, 1958 J. J. PROHA-SKA 2,850,572

CAN STAMPING MACHINE Filed June 1, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 JAMES J. PRO/IA SKA IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY Nov. 18, 1958 J. J. PROHASKA 2,360,572

, i cm STAMPING MACHINE Filed June 1,1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 JAM IE5 JZ PRO/ AS164 INVEN TOR.

A 7' TORNE Y United States Patent CAN STAMPING MACHINE James J. Prohaska, La Grange, Ill., assignor to Swift & Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 1, 1953, Serial No. 358,815

6 Claims. (Cl. 101-41) This invention in general relates to a means for stamping a symbol or legend on a container. More specifically this invention provides a machine having a mandrel for holding a hollow container and associated stamping members for applying an indicia to the container held on the mandrel.

One specific use for this machine is the printing of a legend of the contents to be enclosed in the container. It has generally been the practice to purchase lithographed cans with, among the other printed matter and designs of the particular container, the ingredients to be placed in the container printed thereon. This ingredient phrase, particularly in the food industry, is subject to variation as market conditions change, and the practice of purchasing the cans with the phrase already lithographed on them necessitates carrying large and varied inventories which may prove useless should an ingredient change be necessary.

The disclosed invention provides a machine for stamping this variable phrase on lithographed containers having a portion left blank for such legend.

Obviously, the disclosed stamping machine could be used for stamping other types of legends or symbols on a container. The machine may even be used for printing all of the markings on a blank container when such markings are not too complicated in color, design, etc., to be handled by the machine or a sequence of printings by the machine.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a machine for stamping any desired mark on a container which is positioned on the machine in the desired relationship to the stamping members.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a mandrel for holding the container in proper relationship to the stamping member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mandrel interconnected with the stamp-operating mechanism so that the mandrel is expanded to rigidly support the container by the operation of the stamp-operating mechanism.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a novel mounting of the stamping members on the operating mechanism to control the stamping pressure of said stamping members on the container.

Additional objects not set forth herein will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description:

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side view of a stamping machine, con structed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention, with portions broken away for greater clarity of the structure.

Fig. 2 is a partially-sectioned view of the machine members per se taken on line 44 of Fig. l. i t

Fig. 5 is a side view of a modification of the machine shown in Figs. l4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a container for which the disclosed machine was constructed and illustrates the portions of the container on which the printed matter is placed.

Generally the present invention comprises a stamping machine having an expansible mandrel for rigidly holding a hollow container having at least one open end. Selfinking stamping members are mounted adjacent to the mandrel, and the printing slugs of said members are moved into contact with a container on the mandrel by a mechanical linkage operated by a foot treadle. The mandrel has a recess in one jaw in which is mounted a spring-supported plate which may be adjusted to compensate for minor variations in can size.

In a preferred embodiment the actuating linkages of the self-linking stamping members are resilientlymounted on the mechanical linkage to control the pressure exerted by the printing slug on the container by taking up any excess pressure due to overtravel of the printing slug. Also, the mandrel has means associated with the mechanical linkage for expanding said mandrel at the same time the printing slug is actuated into contact with the container by said mechanical linkage. The mandrel may also be expanded by a cam member actuated by the operator by means of a crank as shown in a second embodiment. Also, if desired, the actuating linkage of the self-inking stamping members may be rigidly attached to the mechanical linkage where there is little variance in the size of the containers and hence little danger of overtravel and excess pressure by the printing slugs.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the stamping machine comprises a base member or plate 10 having open, four-

sided brackets

11 and 12 secured to one side thereof and a pair of angle bracket 13 extending from the other side thereof. The base plate 10 may be rigidly mounted on any suitable support and is provided with slots 14 and an aperture 15 through which extend the linkage hereinafter described. The

brackets

11 and 12 are held on the base plate 10 by screws 16 threaded'in the base plate and extending through slots 17 in said brackets. The slots 17 permit the brackets and printing members mounted on said brackets to be moved for adjustment of the point at which the stamping member contacts the container.

Angle members 18 are secured to the inner surface of the side portions of the

brackets

11 and 12. Transverse channel members 19 extend between opposite angle members 18 and are fastened to said angle members.

The linkage for actuating the stamping members of this machine comprises a rod 20 connectedat one end to a conventional foot treadle (not shown) and pivotallyconnected at 21 to linkage arm 22 which extends through the lower slot 14. The linkage arm 22 is in turn pivotally mounted on a shaft 23 mounted on the bracket 11.

Pivotally-connected to the linkage arm :22 at a point between the

pivots

21 and 23 is a turnbuckle 26 comprising

socket members

25 and 27 threadedly connected to an intermediate rod for a purpose hereinafter described. The turnbuckle is in turn pivotally-connected at 28 to linkage arm 29. The linkage arm 29 is rotatably-mounted at an intermediate point on a shaft 30 mounted between the brackets 13. Arm 29 is also pivotally-connected at 31 to a turnbuckle 33 comprising

socket members

32 and 34 threaded to an intermediate rod like the first-mentioned turnbuckle. The length of this turnbuckle is likewise adjustable for reasons later described. This turnbuckle is in turn pivotally connected at 35 to linkage arm 36 which extends through the upper slot 14. The linkage arm 36 is rotatably-mounted at an intermediate point on shaft 37, which is mounted'on the bracket 12.

The

linkage arms

22 and 36 are bifurcated at one end, thus providing arms 22 and 36', respectively, on each side of the stamping members. The bifurcated arms 22' and 36 are slotted at their ends at 38. Rods 39 extend through said slots to provide a sliding connection and are attached to the pressure plates 40, which have central apertures 40' through which extend the stamping members later described.

A spring (not shown) is conveniently attached to the foot treadle to urge the rod 20 upwardly and hence the stamping members away from the mandrel. However, the spring may be attached to the linkage at any point between the treadle and stamping members to urge said stamping members outwardly.

Each of the pressure brackets 41 of a self-inking stamping member is mounted on a pressure plate 49 by two spacer pins 42 attached to said pressure bracket. The spacer pins 42 are loosely mounted in apertures in the perssure plate. Heads 43 of the pins are of larger diameter than said apertures and abut the surface of the pres sure plate. Springs 44 are mounted around the spacer pins 42 and urge the head 43 of the pins 42 into contact with pressure plates 40. The loosely mounted pins 42 and springs 44 provide a resilient mounting of the actuating mechanism of the printing members for a purpose later described.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4, the self-inking stamping member, in addition to the pressure bracket 41, comprises a rod 45 slidably mounted in a slot 41' in each of the arms of the pressure bracket 41. Pivot members 46 at each end of the stamping member are attached to the rod 45. Secured to and extending between said pivot members is a base member 47 having a channel member 48 secured thereon in which is mounted a rubber printing slug 49. Side members 50 at each end of the self-inking stamping member are connected by a transverse channel member 51 in which is mounted an inking pad 52. A fixed rod 53 extends between the side members 50 and is also positioned in the slot of the pivot member 46. The side members 50 have therein an arcuate slot 54 through which extends the rod 45 so that the pressure communicated through the linkage to the pressure bracket 41 will cause the rod 45 to travel down the arcuate slot 54 and pivot the rubber slug into printing position on the container. R-ods 57 are secured to the pressure bracket 41 and travel in guide slots 58 in the side members 50. The handle 55 is of no special use in the instant machine, but it has been found desirable to retain it since one end of the spring in the commercially available stamps is mounted in the handle, and the tubular housing 56 for the spring slides into such handle when the pressure bracket 41 is pushed downwardly to pivot the stamping mechanism. The spring urges the stamping mechanism to the position shown in Fig. 4 by urging the pressure bracket 41 away from the channel member 51 when the pressure on the bracket 41 is released.

The self-inking stamping members are mounted in the

brackets

11 and 12 by attachment of the transverse channel 51 of the stamping member to the channels 19 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. V

The self-inking stamp herein shown is one of several commercially available types. The structure of the stamp per se forms no part of the present invention. Other types of stamps, including dies for pressing the indicia into the metal, may be employed if desired. A spring mounting of said other types similar to the mounting of the pressure brackets 41 may be expedient for controlling the pressure exerted on the container.

The container is held adjacent the printing members by a mandrel positioned therebetween. The mandrel, illustrated in Figs. 1 through 3, has a lower jaw 60 fixed to the base plate 10. An upper jaw 61 is hinged to the lower jaw at 62 by means of hinge plates 63 secured to the upper jaw. The upper jaw 61 is provided with a recess 64 in which is mounted a pressure plate 65. Four screws 66 limit the outward extension of said pressure plate 65. Springs 68 are mounted in recesses 69 around each screw and urge the pressure plate 65 outwardly against the countersunk screw heads. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the screws 66 with springs 68 are offset on opposite sides of the center of the pressure plate to provide a better over-all support of the pressure plate. Additional screws with springs 68 thereabout may be employed if desired. The lower jaw has recesses 75 on opposite sides thereof which serve as bearing surfaces for plates 76 mounted on opposite sides of the upper jaw. These plates assist in keeping the upper and lower jaws aligned.

A plate 70 is attached to pressure plate 65 and has thereon a cam follower 71. Pivotally-mounted on the shaft 30 is a plate 72 having cam surface 73. The plate 72 is secured to the linkage 29 by means of a screw 74 so that when the linkage for the stamping device is actuated, the cam plate 72 will rotate on the shaft 30 and cause the cam surface 73 through the cam follower 71 to raise the upper jaw and hold the container securely thereon.

As shown in Fig. 2, the printing members are oifset to print the desired legend on opposite sides and near the edges of the container as illustrated by the zones 132 in Fig. 6. The position of these stamping devices obviously may be varied according to the position on the container at which the printed matter is desired to be placed. Also, while the disclosed invention shows two opposed stamping members, it is not intended that the invention be limited to this particular arrangement. It is contemplated that the present invention may be used having only one stamp or with the stamping members mounted in a dilferent relationship to each other. Further, the

brackets

11 and 12 with printing members mounted therein are shown in Fig. 2 at an angle to the perpendicular axis of the mandrel in order to print on the angular surface of the container shown mounted on the mandrel. The angular mounting of the brackets and printing devices may obviously be varied according to the surface of the container where it is desired to stamp a container of different configuration.

The exterior surface of the mandrel and the pressure plate may be shaped to conform to the surface of any other containers, e. g., a cylindrical container, if it is desired to print on such containers.

In operation of the machine shown in Figs. 1-4, the operator places a container over the

mandrel jaws

60 and 61 until it abuts the base plate 10. He then depresses the foot treadle which causes the pressure brackets 41 of the printing members, through the linkages described, to pivot the printing slugs 49 into contact with the opposite sides of the container surface. At the same time the plate 72 with cam surface 73 pivots about the axis 30, thus raising upper jaw 61 with pressure plate 65 into holding contact with the inner surface of the can. Upon releasing the foot treadle the spring attached to the foot treadle causes the linkage to move the printing members away from the container and at the same time the mandrel is contracted by the rotation of the raised portion of the cam surface 73 away from the follower 71.

If the

mandrel jaws

60 and 61 do not tightly grip the can when the foot treadle is depressed or if they grip the can too tightly, the situation may be corrected by changing the position of pressure plate 65 with respect to the upper jaw 61. To increase the extent to which the mandrel opens the screws 66 are run in compressing springs 68. If the mandrel is already opening too far, this may be decreased by running the screws 66 outwardly allowing springs 68 to expand. Usually with any given run of cans no adjustment will be necessary after an initial adjustment. However, when a new run of cans is received at a later date it may be necessary to make an initial readjustment.

The printing members are placed in prearranged position in relation to the base plate 10 when constructing the machine so that the printing on the container will be placed in the desired position when the can is inserted on the mandrel abutting the base plate 10. The printing members are mounted in the

brackets

11 and 12 on channels 19 in prearranged position so that the printing slug 49 will protrude beyond the side members 50 and into contact with the container. The spring-mounting 44 of the pressure bracket 41 will absorb any excess pres sure of the slug on the container should the protrusion of said slug be more than that for which provision has been made by the spacing of the printing members from the mandrel.

The

turnbuckles

26 and 33 may be shortened or lengthened to adjust the travel of the

linkage arms

22 and 36. Also, the

turnbuckles

26 and 33 may be used to change the relative position between the cam follower 71 and cam surface 73 if it is found that the upper jaw is not in tight contact with the inner surface of the container when the printing slug first contacts it. For example, by shortening the

turnbuckles

26 and 33, the cam surface 73 can be positioned closer to the follower 71. In such case, the mandrel will be expanded more quickly when the linkage of the printing devices is actuated.

In the modification of the stamping machine shown in Fig. 5 a gusset plate 81 is secured to the base plate 80. The gusset plate 81 has a supporting plate 82 secured thereon. Secured on the other side of the base plate 80 is a journal plate 83 having journal 84 therein. The base plate 80 and gusset plate 81 have aligned openings 85 which are in turn aligned with the journal 84.

A lower jaw 90 of the mandrel is rigidly secured to the supporting plate 82. A movable upper jaw 91 is hinged at 96 to the fixed lower jaw 90. Shaft 92 is journaled at one end at 84 and at the other end in a journal bearing 93 attached to the supporting plate 82. A curvilinear cam 94 is fixed eccentrically to the shaft 92 and contacts a bearing surface 96 of a pressure plate 97. A crank 95 is secured to the outer end of the shaft 92 for rotating the shaft and cam. The pressure plate 97 is spring-mounted in the same manner as the pressure plate 65.

The

brackets

101 and 102 are U-shaped with the base portion 103 attached in any suitable manner to the base plate 80, which is mounted on any suitable support (not shown). The self-inking printing members generally designated 104 are the same as the printing member shown in Fig. 4 and have not been shown in detail in Fig. 5 since their structure has been described previously.

Brackets

101 and 102 have narrow, inwardly-directed lips 105 spaced far enough apart to permit the printing slug to pass therebetween. Transverse angle members 106 are secured to the lips and extend therebetween. The side members 50 of the self-inking printing members are rigidly mounted in the

brackets

101 and 102 by screws 107 which extend through apertures 108 in the angle members 106 and are threaded in the side members 50.

The mechanism for operating the stamping members comprises a rod 110 attached to a conventional foot treadle (not shown) with a spring (not shown) similar to that described with reference to the modification of Figs. l-4. The rod 110 is pivotally-mounted on shaft 111, on which is also pivotally-mounted

linkage arms

112 and 113. The linkage arm 112 is pivotally-connected at 114 to linkage arm 115, the latter linkage arm being rotatablymounted on shaft 116. The shaft 116 is mounted within the bracket 101 by a bracket member 117 secured to the base plate 80 by bolt 118.

Linkage arm 113 is rotatably mounted on shaft 120 which is in turn mounted on bracket 121 secured to the base plate 80. Linkage arm 113 is pivotally-connected at 122 to linkage arm 123, which is pivotally-connected at 124 to linkage arm 125 rotatably-mounted on shaft 126. The shaft 126 is mounted within the bracket102 on a bracket similar to the bracket 117. The

linkage arms

115 and 125 have bifurcated portions 115' and 125',

6 similar to the

arms

22 and 36 shown in Figs. 1-3. The bifurcated portions 115' and 125' are slotted at 127 to provide a sliding connection with rods 128 connected to U-shaped pressure plates 130.

The U-shaped pressure plates 130 have a central opening 131 in the base portion through which the handle of the stamping device extends. Said pressure plates are rigidly secured to the pressure bracket 41 of a self-inking stamping device. The legs of the U-shaped plates 130 are spaced apart sufficiently so that they pass on either side of the member 51 of the stamping device.

In operating the machine of Fig. 5, the operator inserts a container into abutting contact with the base plate 80 over the mandrel in its collapsed position. By rotating the shaft 92 by means of the crank 95, the cam 94 causes the upper jaw to expand against the inner surface of the container. The mandrel is held in the expanded position by the friction between cam 94 and bearing surface 96 of the pressure plate 97. Then the operator depresses the foot treadle which causes the printing slugs to swing inwardly against the surface of the containerthrough the linkage above-described. Upon releasing the pressure on the foot treadle, the bifurcated arms and swing outwardly and release the pressure on the pressure bracket 41. The printing slugs 49 then pivot to the position shown in Fig. 4. Then the operator rotates the cam 94 by the crank 95, causing the mandrel to. collapse for withdrawal of the container.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a container stamping machine, the combination which comprises: expansible means for holding a container, said expansible means comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, one of said jaws being movable toward and away from the other; means to cause relative movement of said jaws; stamping means adjacent to but normally spaced from said expansible means; means actuated when said jaws are moved to move said stamping means toward and away from said expansible means; at least a portion of the surface of the movable jaw comprising a resiliently supported plate held on said jaw by adjustable means; said means to cause relative movement of said jaws being operatively connected to said plate whereby the expansion of said mandrel may be adjusted.

2. In a container stamping machine, the combination which comprises: expansible means for holding a container; said expansible means comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, means for mounting said second jaw on said first jaw to adapt said second jaw for relative movement with respect to said first jaw; at least a portion of the surface of one of said jaws comprising resilientlysupported plate connected to said jaw by adjustable means; means operatively connected to said plate to cause relative movement of said jaws; stamping means adjacent to but spaced from said expansible means; and means operated when said jaws are expan'ded to move said stamping means toward and away from said expansible means to apply indicia to a container held by said mandrel.

3. A stamping machine comprising: a base member; a mandrel having one jaw fixed to said base member; a second jaw hinged at one end to said first jaw, said second jaw having a recess in the outer surface; a pressure plate mounted in said recess; resilient means supporting said pressure plate; adjustable means extending through said pressure plate and threaded in the recessed jaw; means to expand said mandrel operatively connected to said pressure plate; stamping mean's adjacent to but normally spaced from said mandrel; and means mounted on said base plate in cooperation with said means to expand said mandrel and operable when said mandrel is expanded to move said stamping means toward and away from said mandrel to apply an indica to the outer surface of a hollow container held on said mandrel.

4. An expansible mandrel for use in a stamping machine which comprises: a first jaw; a second jaw; means for mounting said second jaw to adapt said second jaw for movement relative to said first jaw; means for causing relative movement of said jaws; at least a portion of the outer surface of one of said jaws having a recess therein; a pressure plate resiliently supported in said recess; adjustable means limiting the outward movement of said pressure plate; and means for causing relative movement of said jaws being operatively connected to said pressure plate whereby the expansion ofsaid mandrel may be adjusted.

5. A mandrel adapted for use in a stamping machine comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw hinged at one end to said first jaw; at least a portion of the outer surface of one of said jaws having a recess therein; a pressure plate resiliently supported in said recess; adjustable means limiting the outward movement of said pressure plate; and means for causing relative movement of said jaws bein'g operatively connected to said pressure plate whereby the expansion of said mandrel may be adjusted.

6. In a stamping machine, the combination which comprises: an expansible mandrel comprising at least two jaws; said jaws being, connected by a hinge at one end thereof, one of said jaws having a recess with an adjustable resiliently mounted plate therein whereby the expansion of said mandrel may be adjusted; a cam member mounted between said jaws and contacting said plate for causing relative movement of said jaws; means to actuate said cam member; stamping means adjacent to but normally spaced from said man'drel; and means to move saidstamping means toward and away from said mandrel to apply an indicia to the outer surface of a container held on said expansiblemandrel.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 584,669 Buttler June 15, 1897 680,687 Blood Aug. 20, 1901 1,025,019 Price Apr. 30, 1912 2,015,086 Paynter et al Sept. 24, 1935 2,335,213 Lawrence Nov. 23, 1943 2,446,798 Vergobbi Aug. 10, 1948 2,505,065 Rank Apr. 25, 1950 2,685,829 Taber Aug. 10, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 395,845 Great Britain July 27, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,860,572 November 18, 1958 James J. Prohaska It is hereby certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 37, for bracket read brackets column 3, line 19, for perssure" read pressure column '7, line 2, for "indica" read indicia line 12, after "and" insert said Signed and sealed this 7th day of April 1959.,

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents