US2944498A

US2944498A - Can body maker interchangeable for long and short strokes

Info

Publication number: US2944498A
Application number: US427244A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roland E Renard
Original assignee: National Can Corp
Current assignee: National Can Corp
Priority date: 1954-05-03
Filing date: 1954-05-03
Publication date: 1960-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 1977-07-12

Description

July 12, 1960 R. E. RENARD CAN BODY MAKER INTERCHANGEABLE FOR LONG AND sHoR'r STROKES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 3. 1954 k SRRR b SEW v zotfiw n NQQQ km July 12, 1960 R. E. RENARD 2,944,498

CAN BODY MAKER INTERCHANGEABLE FOR LONG AND SHORT STROKES 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 3. 1954 INVENTOR. ROLAND E. REA/4RD 4 4 ATTORNEY 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 3. 1954 Q E amt km July 12, 1960 R. E. RENARD CAN BODY MAKER INTERCHANGEABLE FOR LONG AND SHORT STROKES 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 3. 1954 July 12, 1960 R. E. RENARD 2,944,498

CAN BODY MAKER INTERCHANGEABLE FOR LONG AND SHORT STROKES Filed May 5. 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet s x N M w L y m a M M E .x N w E N WWW Wm m R m mm 1'' IHHH: m ii) N E W NQ W A July 12, 1960 R. E. RENARD CAN BODY MAKER INTERCHANGEABLEFOR LONG AND SHORT STROKE'S 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 3. 1954 0 MM [M Y m N #7 V E R m 0 T E T D A N m. 0 Y B QN NR w 1 %w u w 4% N NE m 8 K July 12, 1960 R. E. RENARD CAN BODY MAKER INTERCHANGEABLE FOR LONG AND SHORT STROKES 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May 3, 1954 INVENTOR.

ROLAND E-RENARD BY by M1 w 93w ms Sr x ATTORNEY U9 d St t s Patent f Filed May3, 19s4',ser.No.'42'7,244

'19 Claims. .(Cl. 113-111 v f T his invention relates to a new and improved can; body-maker. Y

' A modern can body-maker is a machine having a series oi longitudinally spaced work and idle stations and feed mechanism to advance body blanks from station to station. Body blanks are fed into alaterally ofiset' hopper, atthefront of the machine, withdrawn fro m the hopper one at a time, and'advanced transversely to they center of the machine. Upon reaching the center of the machine, the blanks are then fed longitudinally from, station to-station. vThepr-ir 1cipal station s ,of the machinecomprise the following; v I 1. 1 Cross feed station. 1 at which the blanks are fed from thei'hopper transversely to the center of the machine.

. Idle station 2 to provide-room forthe adjacent ;-,,work station.

. common can making practice, relatively tall cans having a maximum height of inches and relatively short cans by unduly increasing the having a maximum height of 4 inches are sometimes pro-' duced on the same machine, but this practice is unde' s'irable in that the speed of the machinefor short cans' is unnecessarily limited. On the other hand, in other;

instances two diiferent machines are.employed,-one for cansof approximately 4' inches and another for cans of. approximately 5 inch heights. This practice is amassing ble in that the versatility of the machine is limited,.the re required capital investment of the manufacturer.

7 One, of the most important features of the presentinventionis-the fact that the same machine may be. used" with a minimum amount of changeaover, for two'dif:

ferent lengths of strokeof the feed .bars. By changing; the throw -oi thecrank which drives the feed bars andmaking certain other adjustments which'are hereinafterv described, the same machine may be converted from long stroke .(eg. 5 /2 inches) to short stroke (e.g., 4 /2 inches) Oneof the most important means of accomplishingthe stroke change-over is a reduction in the overall length length of stroke of the feed bars resides in the fact that Notching'station 3 at which the corners of one lohgi-f tudinal edge of the blank are notched toeliminateun-i necessary overlapping when the blank is formed. in a cylinder and the other longitudinaledge is slit adjacent" the corners to facilitate subsequent bending of the fedges.z

'Idle station 4 similar to station 2. Edging station 5 at which the longitudinal edges of 'the" blank are bent backwardlyin hooks. In theinstant machine the edging operation is performed at a single'station, whereas in other body-makers the edging is many times performed at two stations. T'

Idle station 6 similar tostations 2-and 4. Forming station 7 where the blank is formed into a cylinder, the hooked longitudinal edges being interlocked and the seam secured by hammering.

No detailed description of the forming station or of the soldering mechanism which is behind the forming station, is set forth herein since these portions of the machine form no part of the present invention, and the-construction of conventional forming stations and soldering machine were employed.

the speed :of production of .cans of shorter heightyis con-;

siderably increased over the speed of-production of'taller:

cans: One of the reasons thatspecial machines are em'-1 ployed for short cans is the fact that-because. of their shorter stroke and lighter weight of reciprocating parts, they can be: driven at higher speed. In the present machine, substahtially the same saving in weight and length of stroke is achieved on the shorter stroke as if a separate Accordingly, the present invention provides a machine which may be operated on taller cans at one speed and on shortercans at a higher speed; The changeoveris accomplished with a minimum of labor'and'time and a minimum of necessary change parts. 1i

One of the features of the machine hereinafter-- described is the fact that the cross feed station 1 which moves the can blanks from the vertical stack of blanks" to the center of the machine is mounted on a separate sub-frame which is movable to two positions depending mechanisms is well understood by those skilled in the can-making art. w 1 a r The advance of the can-body'blankfro'm station to station longitudinally of the machine is accomplished by a pair of feed bars which reciprocate longitudinally on opposite sides of the'centerf Thefeed bars carryflopv v changeover from'long to, short stroke the right-hand is permanently fixed. Nevertheless, in cornmerciabcan I making it is desirable, because of thecost of the bodyinaker, theamount of floor space which itocclipies in a factory, and for various other reasons, to changeover a given machine, to work on body 'blalnksof difierent'len'gths so as to manufacture cans of "ditferent'heightsY Thus, in j on the length of stroke. The drive of the mechanism mounted in the cross-feed sub-frame is self-contained and driven -from the remainder of the machine through a chain. When the crossfeed is moved from'the long stroke position to the short stroke position, the onlyimportant change in the cross-feed drive is substitution of a longer chain. f Still another feature of the invention is the mounting of the station- 3 notching machnism on a separate frame insert which, in side elevation, resembles an L. ."fIo

and the left-hand notching station frame inserts.a re.ii1-' terchang'ed so that the horizontal legs of. the L 'pr ojlect in diflerent directions forthe difierent lengths of "stroke; In the long stroke position the horizontal leg of theIL of .the insert projects rearwardlyfji.e. toward the e er Patented July 2, 1950 A further feature of the invention resides in the construction of the parts of the edger station. In many conventional body-makers, edging of the blank is accomplished, at two different stations. In such body makers the 'first edging operation involves a vertical movemerit of 'anedging steel which bends the marginal edge oflthe' blank at approximately a. right angle to the blank. Atf't he second edging station of such prior constructed body makers, the edge of the blank is bent backward s obthat'itv assumes an acute angle with respect to the blank. The employment of atwo-stage edger increases the :number and complexity of the working parts and, more. importantly, increases the'necessary length and wei'ght'of the feed bars, 'a'principal limitation on'the maximum speed ofthe' machine;

In some prior constructed body-makers, edging is performed' at a single station bymeans of a complex mechanical'm'ovement which moves an edging steel first vertic'a-llyand-"theninwardly relative to the blank. Such single *station edging mechanisms have required use-of reciprocating parts and complex, slow-speed-movements which have limited the maximum'speed of operation of edging-and the capacity of the machine. The present invention-employs a single'e'd'ging station but employs at the single station two edging steels'which operate insequence; one bending the edge of the blank approximately at rightangles-and the other bendingthe edge back at an-acute-angle with respect to the blank. The two steels are driven by eccentrics at a higher. rateof speed than if a earn 1 shaft were employed.

Other objects-ofthe present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to vthelaccompanying drawings in which similar charactersof reference represent corresponding parts in each of thev several views.

. In the drawings:

Fig. .1' is a side. elevation, partially :broken awayin section, .ofthe body-maker inv long stroke. position.

Fig.2 is 'a view similar:to Fig. 1 with thebody-maker in short stroke position.

Fig. -3 vis a top plan of the right-hand side .of the machine in long stroke position.

I Fig. 4 isa top plan of the right-hand side of the. machine in short stroke position partially .broken away. in section as indicated by the line-44 of Fig. 2.

Fig.5 is1a transverse verticalsection through the crossfeed mechanism takensubstantially along the 1ine -5.-5 of .F-ig. l.

F;ig. -16-i5 a transverse vertical section through the notcher mechanism taken substantially along the line 6-6 (if-Fig.1.

Fig.7- isa transverse vertical section through the clamp mechanism of'the edger station takenv substantially along the.line'7-.7 of Fig. l.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section through the first edger steel mechanism taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9. is a transverse verticalsection through the secondedger steel mechanism. taken. substantially along the line 9-9 of Fig. 1. v Fig; 1G is a longitudinal vertical section .through the machine in long stroke position.

. Fig. 11 is a horizontal section of the feed mechanism taken substantially. alongthe line.-11--11 of Fig. 10.

Fig-12 is a fragmentary sideelevation of the long 'stroke feed bar and presser .bar elements.

Fig.' 13 is a; perspective of. the notcher frame insert.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the operations performed on-the blank ateach station.

i ramemembe'rs and principal drives (Figs. 4, -12

.blies, many of which are conventional in the can making art. Accordingly, many of the parts of the machine have been eliminated or described only very briefly. The

mainframe 21 of the machine, only the upper part of which is shown in the accompanying drawings, supports the sub-frames and mechanism. Extending centrally longitudinal of the main frame is a drive housing 24 on which rests main table .22 which extends transversely. The side tables 23 fit on top of the sides of the main In the center of the machine extending longitudinally thereof above the elevation of main table is a.center table side table 23 supports a longitudinal, horizontal side. shaft 27. Side tables 23 have vertical side rails 28 which-extend rearwardly behind the notchingstation to'thefonir ing station'and are located inwardly'and aboveshaft27. The notching frame insert 29, hereinafter described in greater detail, fits-in front ofand is associated with and constitutes an extension of the side table 23, the side rails 31 and 28* of the notcher and edger being complementary.

In front of the notcher ins'ert'29 is the cross-feed table 32 on across-feed sub-frame 33, which inthe present body-maker'is movable-from a long-stroke position-to -a short stroke position depending upon the height of-thecanbeingmanufactured. The cross-feed frame -33 and mechanism'are likewise described in considerable detail.

Inserts 34 and 36-011 either side of the machine 'fill in the space between the cross-feed sub-frame 33 and notcher insert 29 and sidetable 23, respectively; these inserts being change'parts for the long stroke position.

The inner surfaces of the vertical railsof the cross-feed tablev 32, notcher insert 29, side tables 23, and inserts 3'4 and 36 are formed with coplanar laterally offset horizontal tracks comprising a continuous, horizontal feed table 39 along which the edges-of the'blank move as it is advancedfromstation to station.

:The-cross-feed mechanism is driven by means of'a cross feedshaft 41.which:extends transversely of the machine, is journalled in bearings 42 in sub-frame 3.3 and is driven by chain 43 and sprockets 44 and 46 from cross shaft- 47. Cross. shaft 47 also drives side shafts 27' by means ofimeshing bevel gears 48. and;49 oneither-sideof the machine and, by means of helical gears 51. and 5.2, cross. shaft 47 isdriven by vertical feed bar crank shaft 53.

The feedbars 56 are driven from the feed barcrank shaft 53. Atthe upperend of the crank shaft'53 is a crank cheek 57 having an eccentric crank pin 58. For differentfstrokes of the machine, cheek 57 is interchanged for pins of different eccentricity. Crank pin 58 is connected to the front end of connecting rod- 59 which extends rearwardly 'of'themachine and is connected by means of wrist pin 61 to cross head 62 which reciprocates longitudinally horizontally of the machine in ways 63 formed in the inner vertical edges of a central longitudinal groove in main table, 22. Cross head 62 carries transverse-cross head drive bar 64 which fits in fitting 66 on top of cross head 62. Oneither side ofthe machine-is a longitudinally horizontally reciprocating feed bar 56, the lower edge whereof at approximately midway of its length is formed with a notch 67 to receive the upper edge-of the cross head drive bar' 64. The outer edges 'Off the feed bars 56 fit into longitudinally, horizontailly :extending ways 68 formed as grooves-in the inner vertical faces .of-therails, of 1 the. cross-feed table 31,;notche'r frame-insert 29, side tables. 23..and::inserts 345and 36 and are heldthereinby retaining plates :69 which; areconnectedto thevariousrails 'by screws 71.

Each; feedi barcarries aplurality of e,quidistant:.feed fingers K72. corresponding... in number to zfthe .rnunrber 10f 5 stations of themachine. Each finger is pivotallycon nected to the feed bar 5 6 by means of horizontal rivet 73 and is biased upwardly by means of a helical spring 74 .rearwardly of the rivet 73. The upper edge 76 of the feed fingers, when spring 74 is expanded, projects upin the position shown in Fig. 11 and engages the trailing edge of the body blank and moves it rearwardly to the next station onithe feed stroke. As the feed bars 56 retract, the feed fingers are depressed by reasonof the leading edgeof the blank contracting the slanting upper cam surface 77. of the feed fingers springs 74 b e ing compressed. The distance between feed fingers 72 is equal to the distance between stations ofthe machineand thusasthe strokeof-the body-maker is changedfrom a long stfokejto a short stroke, the-length of the feed bars 5 6 and 'the'fwdist'ance between feed .fingers 72; .is. corr: spondingly changed. Ashas been stated, the weightjpf the reciprocating .feed'bars 56 is oneofthe limitations uponjthe speed: of the machine andhence shortening of the bars onthe short stroke isvhighly desirablea :TPress'ure bar spine 30 hasv a plurality of laterally pro: jectingears S'I-which arev connected to longitudinally extending skid supports; 82. Below supports 82 are short,-

horigontal, longitudinal pressurebar skids 83 at stations 2.,to' 6, each1presserabar skid being a short longitudinal,

horizontal foot having-vertical pins 84= biased downward by spring 86 from :supports 82 so as to create, a .drag restraininganytendency of 'themoving blank to slide byjnertia beyond its proper station.

. 'lojprevent retraction'of the 'blanksvas the a-feed bars retract, stationary dogs 87 are mounted 'on the center bar 78-=behind idle station for both .its long stroke and short stroke position to engage vthe center-ofthe trailinggedge .ofgthe blank and prevent; its retraction. 8 7 are biased downwardly; by springs 88, and during the feed movement of the feed bars the blanksmoving from station 1 to station 2 contact the lower slanted cam surfaces 89 of the dogs and pivot them upwardly. around pivot 91 so as to permit movement of the blanks. The foregoing described mechanism generally sets forth the various .portions' of the machine which are common to. all or several of the stations. The'individual stations arenow hereinafter described in such detailas is necessary to enable one skilled in the can-making .art to understand the operation thereof, it being understood that by reason of the fact that many of the mechanisms and; stations are conventional, detailed description thereof has-been eliminated. I

Station ]cross feed station (Figs. 35)

' Cross feed station 1 mechanism is driven by cross feed shaft 41 which is in turn driven from cross shaft 47- by-spro'ckets 44 and 46 and chain 43; Shaft 41 on its inner end carries a crank cheek 96 bearing a crank pin 97 which is connected to the lower end of connecting rod '98, the'opposite end of'which is connected by wrist pin'99 tosucker cup s1ide 101-'whicl1 reciprocates vertically in ways in a housing 102 connected to the cross feed sub-frame 34. The upper end of the suckercup slide 101 carries a fitting 103 which in turn bears on its top face'a pair of sucker cups 104. The fitting 103 and housing 102 are cored out to provide a passageway 105 which is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) so that-at the upper stroke of the sucker cups 104 a' vacuum is drawn thereon and at the lower part of the stroke the vacuumis broken. 1 Above the feed 'table is a stack-106' of blanks (1) held in stack guardsl07 which carry spring biased detents 108' engaging .theedge ofthe lowermost. blanks to prevent subsequent blanks fromfollowing the bottom-most blank as -it is withdrawn-.5 At-the upper endof their stroke, the vacuum cups 104,-

engagethe bottom surface of the lowermost blank and draw a vacuum thereupon; As; the shaft 41 revolves and the cups are lowered, the lowermost ,blank is fieired and escapes' from the detents 1 08 and is withdrawn to the level of the cross feed table 32 whereupon the vacuum isbrokem? r .1:

Shaft'41 also drives verticalfeeddrive shaft lll'by means of mating bevel gears 1l2 and 113, shaft 111 5 being suitably journalled in the cross feed sub-frame in bearings. 114. 'Feed crank;cheek 116 on the upper end of verticalcross-feed drive shaft 111 carries a crank pin 1'17 which is connected by link 118 to feed cross head 119; which [slides horizontally transversely of the machinein-ways .12 1 formedin the, cross feed table 32 Aftertheblank is deposit'edon the feed table 32, cross fw time .1. wh ch snn st d to cr d rsss head 119 picks up the blank and moves it inwardlytranse versely; of v the ,machine. a .Side guides 7124- maintain the byltransfer; plate 126 betwemiltop plate 127 and bottom plate 128 attached to the underside of pressure, bar spine 30, and to top of center. table ,26, respectively, oppo sitestaticn'l.

Idle station 2" c c, No wor-k isperformed upontheblank 20 at any of

theiidle stations

2, 4 or 6. ,At station 2 the feedbars. 56- as they reciprocate, advanceftheblank 20(2); which has i been fed transversely on the cross feed to a, position in front of;'the rearmost. feed .fingers 72(1),iforwa'rdly one station by pushing the trailing edge of the blank. -At idle -stationi2, the presser skids 83 engage .the. top surface. of the blanlc biasin'g the. lower surface against thefeed table 39 and bringit to. a stop; Dog 87v engages the trailing edge of the blank to prevent its retraction. Asthe'feed ba'r retracts theleading edge of the blank engages the slanted cam surface 77 of the feed fingers 72(2) causing the feed finger .to be depressed against'the action ofspring74.

Essentially the same structure is located at

stations

4 and 6.

Notching station (Figs. 6, 13)

Station 3 notches the corners of one longitudinal edge of theblank 20(3) and slits the other longitudinal edge inwardly of the corners in a manner well understood in the .canrmaking art. For such purpose a die block v131 is mounted on the notcher frame-insert 29 below the feed table 39 and -a die 132 complementary in shape to the die block is mounted above the level of the feed table 39. The die 132 is caused to reciprocate vertically and by co-action with the die block 131 performs the notcher operations. The construction of the die and die block is complicated but well understood in this art and since no,novelty resides in the exact construction thereof a detailed description is not set forth in this specification. m'Ihe notcher frame insert 29 is, as has been indicated, of a generally L-shape in side elevation, the horizontal entension133of the L prOViding a spacer which is im-I portant in changing over the machine from the short stroke:to the.long-stroke. In the long stroke position I shownin-fig 1,;the.notcherframe insert 29 is positioned extension- 1 33 directed rearwardly toward the edger station StHcrebyQIocating the notcher station 3. farther from the edger. to accommodate the longer stroke of movement Inthisiposition, the screws 7 134, which attach theframe insert to the main ,table en-I holes :136 Inthe short stroke position, the left hand and right hand notcher frame inserts 29 are reversed whereupon the extension 133 is directed forwardly of the machine and the frame insert is heldto the main pla in proper: alignment. It [will be understood Ithat Theframe insert 29-contains a hove-tail slidewaya138 extending vertically and in the slideway fits slid'e l39 te which 3 is fas'tehed are holder --1=35 Y by nieans of s sews 140. Dies 162 are'fastened iu holder 135-by screw so that the -die is reciprocated =as the slide 139' reciprocat'es iii-way 1-38. '-Reciprocationof the-slide is accomplished -by-means of eccentric *142 on sideshaft 27, the eccentric being engaged by eccentric strap 1'43 and cap 144 which- "are connected to connecting 'rod 146; the upper endofwhich isattached';toslide '139-by wrist pin 147 which passes through-aligned apertures in the'c'onnecting Tod 146- and ho'sses "148'extendingoutwardly on the's1ide139; V V i "This, l blank 2'0(-3)'- is moved to the -notcher' station, centered by'tIieEinner-edgeof stationary block 14'5 whieh is" an upwardiextcnsion of die block holder" 0 to which die 'block'1'31' isifastenediand: comesto rest byreasonof the resistance of skids 83, die132'moves' vertically newnward ly' notchin'g 1 the edges of the 'blank in proper -p osition, the scrap pieces drag-pine falling down through passageways149. The die132 then'tnoves upwardlyafid the .blank is. fed from, the notcher'statio'n' to idle station 4by feed'fingersi72 (3) in the samemanneras previously indicated with respect to the feed of the blank froin the cross-feed trans'ferto idle station12. l

It Will"be"understoodthat on the short stroke of'the machine the eccentricl142.ist located on side shafflTto the right (Fig. 2)

The change-overfrom: the short stroke to::the along stroke by reversal of' the. left- :and right-hand notcher frame inserts 29 isfacilitated*hy? the-.:cons'tructionz of; the sub frame. The! center line l'ofithe slide on thealong stroke is indicated by reference :numer-al 315.1 and--.jithe'v center line of' thevslideron'shortstroke isindicateditby reference num'eralslSZ. Lines 151 and 215.2 aresequi di'stantfrom, but on'oppositesides'of, center line 153 of the insert. Center'line $153 is constantTorboth positions of the insert.

"It will :be understood "thattherdies 1132 and: die block's 131 'are interchanged" for corresponding.-elementscreditferent lengths 'ofiblanks' sothatflhenotches will rbe located in proper position.

After the blank (5')-=has-.heenmoved by feed fingers fatally-mounted on pivot-shaft159 journalled in ibosses 161 onside table 2-3. A vertically movable adjustment screw 162 threadedinto-longitudina1 corinecting'portion 163 of yoke'158 contacts'the upperend of'camiro'd 164, the lower endfof which is provided witlra cam fol lower roller 1 66 which engages; cam 1-67 "on side'shaft 27. Cam rod l 64-ha's-an enlarged guide '168'which is received within a bore 'in-bracket 169 which is :att'ached to isi'detable 2-3. Spring 171 is interposed *betweenfthe guide 1 68 and a cap 172 threaded into bracket 1169 to keep follower-166dn contact with earn "167. .Timingrot cam 1'6'7is such that duringthecycle' when theiblankds feeding from station toj station the clamp bar 1561s raisedin the position infFig. 7 "Ofiflifi accompany ing' drawings. When the -blankhas come 1to'rest, feam rod 1646s lifted which causesthe yoke 158' to ro'ckiabout pivot shaft 1'59 untilthe -clarnp assumes ,the f'position shown iii-Figs. 8 and 9,fwhereupon it clampsthebiafik between clamp'bar 156 and ifeed'table'39.

' -At the edger station areffirstoperation *and j second operation edger steels 'I'IS and174, "respectively, extending dongi tudinally. "There i'sa setof steelsoneach-side of' 'the-naachi ne. "Thefirst operation-'steel 173- is-heid-in a'--reeker-arm 176 which is pivoted on pivot shaft "i159 and the-end of: the rocker '"arnr' oppositefirst'steel 173 is provided -with a 'boss 177 through which fits wrist pin 178- which= alsopasses through t-he bifurcated "end 179 er afitting lsl'on the upper end of connecting "rod 182. The -lower end of the connecting rod 182isforme'd with an eccentr-ic strap 183 and cap *184-which engagei't he eccentric -1 86'on-'side shaft '27. As side shaft 27 'revolves, rocker arm 176 rocks around the pivot'ssh'aft 159 causing -a cycle of movement of i the first "operation'steel as' hereinafter described.

Second-operation steel 1-74 is likewise "engaged "by second rocker arm 187 which is pivot'al'ly mounted on pivot shaft 159, the opposite'end of "which is formed with=-abess188 through whichfits wrist pin 189 which also passesthrough "the bifurcated upper end 1 91 cf second connecting rod 192, the lower end of which provided==with aneccentricstrap 1-93an'd cap 194 which pass around second eccentric 196 on side shaft 27. .As

' side shaft 27 revolves,'second steel 1 74 :is'rock'ed through a cycle-of operations" hereinafter described in detail-. First operation steel 173 :comprises threeparts; uppermost curved flank 201 which hasn'ts 'centerof curvatureon the axisof pivotshaft 159, a transverse shoulder 202"an'd a lower flank 203. During-"the 'feed cycle of the rnachine the first steel is approximately in the position shown in Fig. 7 whereby the upper flank201 is -at the level of the feed table 39 so thattheouter edge of the blank "20( 5 cont acts theflank'and-is thus cen teredi'elativeto the machine. *After'the clam-p 'bar IP56 has clamped theblank-againstthe -side table asshown inF-ig. -8, the cycle'of the 'first-steel brings the shoulder 202 upward so that: it engages the bottom -"surface if the edge of the blank 20(5) and bends itupwardly against the outer edge oftheclamp bar 156. One feature of the present ma'chine isthat the axis of the-right=hand pivot shaft 159, as'shown in the accompanyingFi'gsf-7 to 9, islocated above the-feedtable 39. H'ence pivotal movement of the shoulder 202 produces -a 'gl-ancing,"up ward, inwardmovement rather than -a straigh't vertical movement and the bending ofthe blank 20-(5) is less likely-to cause rupture'than in ordinary edger mechanisrns.

Afterthe' first steel-173 has risen to the position shown in Fig. 8:itbeginsto retract until it reaches the position shown in Fig. 9 at the bottom of its cycle-and is out 'o'f the Way to permit the second operation steel 174 to come into operative position.

Thelower edge 204 of second operation: steel 17.4. has a;slanted surface which is. complementary to the. surface 157 of clamp bar ,156,;-the angle being the desired ultimate angle of the bent-backedge of the blank 20(5) rel-ativetothe main body of the blank. The second operation steel moves v174 down to the vposition-shownin Fig. '9 andbends the'edge of blank 20(5) back against the clamp bar.156 to the position shown.

After the sequence of operation shown in Fig. 8 has been completed, the second operation steel 174 moves upward until it eventually reaches the position-shown in Fig. 7 and. the clamp 1S6 moves upward to theposition shown in Fig. 7. Upon release of the blank 20(5).from between-the clampsbar and feed table, the blank isxfree to'move longitudinally of the machine to idle station-6.

The-steels.'17;3 and 174 shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, areon the: right-hand side. of the machine as viewed-from thefront. On the right hand'side, the-edgetzof the blank is bent upwardly and'inwardly. Onthe left-hand side of the machine, however, "the edge of the blank is bent downwardly and inwardly. Accordingly, on the 1 lefthand sideof "the machine (not shown) the pivot'shaft- 1 59 is below the level of the feed table '39; firstand'second' operation'steels 173- and'174 are inverted from: the position"-'shown'in Figs. "7 m9 andtheedgeofthefed Fig. 1.

'95 7 table 39 is formed wedge-shaped resembling thejlower edge 157 of the clamp bar 156. The construction of the left-hand side of the edger station will be apparent to one skilled in the can-making art from a consideration of the description and illustration of the right-hand side of the machine which hasbeen set forth.

Change-over from long stroke to short stroke With the exception of Figs. 2 and 4, the accompanying drawings are shown with the machine in long stroke position. In such position the feed fingers 72 are spaced apart a distance equal to the long stroke (e.g. /2 inches between centers) and the throw of crank 57, is, accordingly, one-half that distance The cross feed table 32 and cross feed sub-frame 33 are to' the leftas viewed in In order to drive shaft .41, the shorter chain 43 is employed to connect sprocket 44 to sprocket 46. The notcher insert blocks 29 are so positioned that the horizontal extension 133 is directed rea'rwardly ofthe machine. f q j i In order to change over the machine'to the shorter stroke, shorter feed bars 56 are substituted, the distance between the feed fingers 72 equaling the shorter stroke (e.g. 4 /2 inches). A shorter throw crank 57 is substitutedto accommodate the shorter strokeof the feed bars. Cross feed sub-frame 33 is moved to the right. A longer chain 43 is employed to connect sprocket'44 to sprocket 46. e e

Thenotcher frame inserts 29 are reversed from the right-hand to the left-hand side of the machine. and viceversa, so that the extensions 133 are directed forwardly of the machine. Eccentric 142 is moved'to the right so as to line up with connecting rod 146.

' It will further be understood that the notcher die 132 and die block 131 are interchanged for shorter ,dies and blocks by reason of the shorter blanks accommodated and that the edger steels 173 and 174 and clamp bars1-56 are likewise interchanged for shorter corresponding members to accommodate shorter blanks. Shorter pressure bar skids 83 ane likewiseemployed. I

Change-over for different diameter cans The width of the bank 20 depends upon'the diameter (3) on' one side and forms corresponding slits on the I edge onthe other side; The slides 139 move upward in time for the next fee'd cycle whereupon fingers 72(3)- move the blank 20(4) to idle station 4. v On the next feed cycle, feed fingers 72(4) moveithe blank to the edger station 5. At theedgerstation, the blank120 (5) is centered by flanks 201 of first operation steel 73. Clamp 156 then is depressed by rotation of the side shaft 27 which causes cam167 to raise cam follower 166, rocking yoke 158 about pivot shaft 159. First edger steel173 on the right-hand side'moves upward. causing shoulder 202 to engage the undersurface of the edged the blank. 20(5) and move it upwardly and inwardly at a glancing. angle which is occasioned bythe'fact that the axis of pivot shaft 159 is above thelevel of feed table 39. On the left-hand side'of the machine the axis of pivot shaft;;-159jis' below the feed table so thatthe first operationsteel (which is inverted with respectto the right-hand of the can to be formed. Change over'for diameter changes in the present machine does not differ materially from change-overs in conventional body-makers and the details thereof are notdescribed herein.

Operation The operation of the machine is essentially the same whether the long stroke or short stroke is employed. Blanks 20 are deposited in thestack 106'above the cross feed table 32. As the shaft 47' is driven by'an electric motor (not shown) crank 96 revolves which causes vertical reciprocation of the suction cups 104. With each cycle of the machine the lowermost blank 20(1) is drawn out ofthe stack to the level of the cross feed table. In timed relationship to the withdrawal of the blank, upon rotation of crank 118, cross feed finger 122 drives the blank inwardly onto the center of the machine between plates 1'27'and128 at the level of the feed t b 9 a At the time the blan-k is fed between

plates

127 and 128 the feed bar s 56 are in retracted position'by' reason of the position of crank 57/ As "crank 57 revolves, the feedbars are rnoved' rea rwardly, 'fe'ed fingers 72(1) en'- ga'ginglthe..trailiiig"nd"of the blank 20(1) and pushing it rear'wardtoidle station2. At idle station 2 the bl-ank 20(2) is b'rought'torest by the drag created by skids 83 and the dog 87" enga es the trailifi edge of the blank adapter/ants its'retraeaonr On the next stroke of the machine, the feed fingers 72(2) move the blank to notcher station 3. The rotation of shaft 47 likewise drives side shaft 27 and this in turn rotates eccentric 142 and causes notcher slide 139 to reciprocate. Downward movement of the slide and die 132 side -offthe machine) moves downwardly and inwardly in a glancing stroke. On the right-hand side,-.theyfirst breaker steel 173.then retracts as the second operation edger steel 174 moves downwardly and the lower beveled edge 204 of the second steel engages the blank and bends it inwardly in cooperation with the slanted surface 157 of the clamp bar 156 untilithe proper angle is attained'. On the left-hand side of the machine the second edger steel moves upwardly on its working stroke rather than downwardly.:.At the end of the cycle thesecond steels 174 retract and the clamp 156 moves upwardly permitting feed fingers 72,(5) to move the blank 20(6) rearwardly on thenextfeed; strokelof the machine,- I 1 1w;

Feedj fingers,92(5) move the blank 20(6) to'idle sta: tion 6.

. 1; .On the next stroke of-the machine, feed fingers move the blank rearward to the forming station 7 which is {not describedflhere in detail. The cylinder 20(7) thus formed is then soldered by soldering mechanism (also not shown). I r

7 What is claimed is: q I 1. In avariable stroke can body-maker machine. for manufacturingcan bodies from fiat blanks:

a main frame; 7 ,1 I a. plurality of' work stations spaced longitudinally .on said frame; comprising a transfer station, a notcher station, an edger station and a forming station, .the lo cation of a plurality-of said stations being changeable iforja long stroke position and a short stroke position; i reciprocatory feed means for advancing blanks from station to station intermittently;

. and feed drive means for said feed means; 7

said feed means and feed'drive means being interchangeable for long "stroke and short stroke;

7 said transfer station comprising a transfer sub-frame;

-said transfer'sub-frame being movable longitudinally of said main framefrom a long stroke to a short stroke position; v --transmission means for driving said transfer station adjustable for different positions of said transfer subam 1 i .1 said notcher station' comprising a notcher sub-frame on each side of themachine, a slide reciprocable oneach said notchersubframe, a die on each said slide, a cooperating die. block on. eachsaid notcher sub-frame, and notcher drivemeans for reciprocating said slides; said notches sub-framerb eing movable on said maini frame from a long stroke to a short stroke position. I i i .12. .A machine according to claim 1 in-which are provided side shafts on either side of the machine journalled in said; side frames, saidnotcherdrivej means and edger station means being driven from said side shafts, said feeddrive means, transfer station means and side shafts being driven synchronously.

3. A machine according to claim 2 in which said side carried on said-side shafts for actuating said notcherdrive means both in long-stroke and short stroke position.

4-.-A machine according to claim 1 in which said notcher-sub frames are L-shaped in elevation, the horizontal extensions of said notcher sub-frames extending in the same direction, said notcher sub-frames being inter'changeahle from one sideof the machine to the other so that in long-stroke position said extensions extend in one direction and in short stroke position said extensions extend in the oppositedirection.

'5. A machine according to claim 1 in which are provided idler stations between at least some work stations.

6. .A'machineaccording to claim 1 in which said feed means:compiiseslongitudinal.feed bars, a plurality of equally spaced feed fingers pivotally mounted on said bars t'o engage-the trailing edge-of a blank and means mounting saidbars for reciprocation.

7. A machine according to claim 6 in which the distance between fingers is equal to the distance between stations and saidfeed bars are interchangeable for long stroke and short strokepositions of said work stations.

8. A variable stroke can body-maker machine for manufacturing can bodies from flat blanks comprising:

-a main frame;

transfer means mounted on said main frame for transferring' blanks one at'a tirneinto the machine;

notcher means'mounted on said main frame for notching the edges of a blank;

' edgerrneans mounted on-said main frame for edging a'blank;

and'means for advancing a blank a uniform distance at a time to a plurality of stations, including stations at which said transfer means, notcher means and edger means are located;

said feed means, transfer means, notcher means-and edger means being" driven synchronously;

said feed means being interchangeable for a long stroke and a short stroke;

said transfer means being movable on said main frame from a long stroke position to a short stroke position, said notcher means being movable on said main frame from a corresponding long stroke position to a corresponding short stroke position. '9..A machine according to claim 8 in which said notcher means comprises a notcher frame insert on each side of-the machine, each having a longitudinal extension projecting in one direction in long stroke position and in the opposite direction in short stroke position.

10. A machine according to claim 8 in which said notcher means comprises notcher frame inserts, one on each side of the machine, said inserts being interchangeable for different lengths of stroke.

11. A machine according to claim 8 in which said notcher means comprises notcher frame inserts, one on each side of the machine, said inserts being interchangeable on opposite sides of the machine for different lengths of stroke.

12. A machine according to claim 8 in which said transfer means, notchermeans and edger means for long stroke position are spaced apart multiples of said long stroke and for short stroke position are spaced apart multiples of said short stroke and in which said notcher means comprises a notcher frame insert having a horizontal extension in one direction and having a reciprocating slide and a diemounted on said slide, the center line of said slide and die being offset to one side of the center line of said insert.

13. A machine according to claim 12 in which'the center line of said insert is the same for long and short stroke positions and in which the center line of said'slide 12 and-die is spaced forwardly-fromthe center line of said insertin' long stroke position and spaced rearwardly an equal distance from said-center line of said insert in short stroke position.

1'4. Anotching mechanism'for a can bodymaker machine adjustabie for a long stroke position and a short stroke position, comprising a main frame, a pair of notcher subframes on transversely opposite sides of said mainframe movable on said main frame from a long stroke position to a short stroke position by interchange of said subframes to opposite sides of said main frame, means securing said subframes on said main frame in each of said positions, a slide on each said subframe reciprocable on said subframe, a die on each said slide, apair of die'blocks on said subframe cooperable with said dies, drive means for reciprocating said slides, said subframes being Lshaped in elevation, the horizontal extensions of said subfrarnes extending in the same longitudinal directiomsaid subframes being interchangeable from one side of the machine to the other so that in long stroke position said extensions extend in one direction and in short stroke position said extensions extend in the opposite direction.

15. A mechanism according to claim 14, in which in long stroke position said horizontal extensions extend toward the discharge end of the mechanism and in short stroke position said horizontal extensions extend away from the discharge end of the mechanism.

16. A mechanism according to claim 14, in which the longitudinal center line of said slide is offset longitudinally to one side of the longitudinal center line of said subframe.

17. A mechanism according to claim 16, in which the longitudinal center line of said mechanism is the same for long and short stroke positions and in which the longitudinal center line of said slide is spaced toward the discharge end ofsaid mechanism from the longitudinal center line of said mechanism in long stroke position and is spaced from said longitudinal center line of said mechanism an equal distance away from said discharge end in short stroke position.

18. A notching'mechanism fora can bodymaker adjustable for a long stroke position and a short stroke position, comprising a notcher frame having an extended length movable between a long stroke and a short stroke position and having a longitudinal frame center line, a slide reciprocable on said notcher frame and having a longitudinal slide center line, said slide center line being displaced longitudinally from said frame center line, and cooperating notcher die means on said. slide and frame.

19. A mechanism according to claim 18, in which said slide center line is spaced relative to said frame center line toward the discharge end of said mechanism in long stroke position and away from the discharge end of said mechanism in short stroke position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Laxo Nov. 23, 1954