US3373541A - Apparatus and process for coiling sliver or the like in cans - Google Patents

Description

8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS WW a N /W,/MH/. w F/m 5 L arm a? w illi T. W. WILSON ETAL APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR COILING SLIVER OR THE LIKE IN CANS March 19, 1968 Filed May 19, 1965 March 1968 T. w. WILSON ETAL 3,3 ,5

APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR CO ILING SLIVER OR THE LIKE IN CANS Filed May 19, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ji a/mqs Elli/7450M Warae ffhmem/sfe Ma h 19, 968 T. w. WILSON ETAL 3,373,541

APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR COILING SLIVER OR THE LIKE. IN CANS Filed May 19, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS .7/7d/145 Vii I250 ATTORNEY5 March 19, 968 T. w. WILSON ETAL 3,373,541

APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR COILING SLIVER OR THE LIKE IN CANS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4' Filed May 19, 1965 Ink-.5 rrrr.

lNVENTOR-S 444.45 W W/z 60M March 19, 1968 T. w. WlLSON ETAL 3,373,541

APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR COILING SLIVER OR THE LIKE IN CANS Filed May 19, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet a March 19, 1968 T. w. WILSON ETAL 3,

APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR comma SLIVER OR THE LIKE IN CANS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 19, 1965 INVENTORE) 7270x145 B T/75450 Wave ZifHE/NEB San/05L EHJEE March 19,1968 T. w. WILSON ETAL 3,373,541

APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR COILING SLIVER OR THE LIKE IN CANS Filed May 19, 1965 V 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 24 52% m Ma INVENTORS o j .Z/ QAM6 #5426 fiameZ'l'me/maae J/QMuL-Z ZZZ/62:78.

ATTORNEY6 March 19, 1968 -r. w. WILSON ETAL 3,373,541

APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR COILING SLIVER OR THE'LIKE IN CANS Filed May 19, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 I INVENTORS mam iii i; .50 77021? fififie/wafz Senna ZEsfe ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,373,541 APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR COILING SLIVER GK THE LIKE IN CANS Thomas W. Wilson, Raeford, N.C., Victor T. Fahringer, Clarksville, Va., and Samuel F. Hiser, Raeford, N.C., assignors to Burlington Industries, Inc., Greensboro, N.C., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 19, 1965, Ser. No. 457,047 33 Claims. (Cl. 53-24) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus and a process for coiling sliver or the like into cans whereby the sliver is fed into the can against a back pressure and through and out of the can into a confined space, the sliver fed out of the can into the confined space then being compressed back into the can with closure ends being applied to both ends of the can. The sliver may be coiled in the can while wet.

The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for coiling sliver or the like into cans and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for coiling and compressing sliver in a can and closing the can for removal from the apparatus and subsequent textile treating processes therein or for storage.

The standard method of treating sliver, such as wool top, is to feed the sliver from the creels and drafting zones to and through an aperture in a rotating coiling head, the sliver being received in an orbiting can so that evenly symmetrical helical coils are uniformly disposed from the bottom to the top of the can. After the can has been filled as described above, the coiled sliver, which is supported on a false bottom in the can, is removed from the can by the insertion of an elongated rod through the center of the sliver package, the rod being attached to the false bottom. The false bottom with sliver package thereon is lifted from the can and transferred to a press where it is inserted. The press is then actuated and with the simultaneous application of steam, the sliver package is compressed into what is known in the art as a sliver ball. The sliver ball is wrapped with paper and loaded onto a carrier for transportation to a dye room or to a suitable place of storage. Each of the sliver balls made by the method just described takes up less space than what the sliver took up in the can and generally weighed in the order of 40 lbs.

The foregoing standard method of treating and packaging sliver generally used in the textile industry today has certain disadvantages which decreased the productivity and efliciency of the plant and processability of the sliver. For example, the removal of the sliver or top after it has been coiled in the can often caused felting or toughening of those portions of the sliver in contact with the edges of the can. This causes defects in the yarn made therefrom and reduced the productivity of the apparatus. Additionally, the sliver package as it is being removed from the can or during the time it is being transferred or loaded into the press disintegrated or fell apart to an extent where the further treatment of the package was impractical or time was lost in loading the package in the press. The application of steam during the pressing results in a reduction of the strength of the sliver and affected its subsequent processability, especially if the fiber of the sliver was wool or was a synthetic fiber affected by heat.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an improved process and apparatus in which sliver may be coiled into cans, the cans closed and then removed 3,3 73,541 Patented Mar. 19, 1968 from the apparatus for subsequent textile treating, such as dyeing or the like, thereby eliminating excess handling of the sliver.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved process and apparatus in which a sliver can caLn be packaged with more sliver than heretofore possi le.

Ancillary to the immediately preceding object, it is a further object to completely fill a sliver can with compressed sliver, thereby increasing the weight and amount of sliver packaged by coiling for the same size can.

Still another and important object of the present invention is to provide a system for coiling sliver into sliver treatment cans, the system providing a material reduction in the actual handling of the sliver as well as a material reduction in the amount of labor necessary to handle the sliver.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a process and an apparatus for coiling sliver into a can so as to obtain more weight of sliver in the can without the application of too much pressure in the compressing of the sliver.

Ancillary to the immediately preceding object, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a process and an apparatus for coiling sliver in a can wherein the sliver is dampened or wetted just as the sliver leaves the coiler head and enters the can, the amount of liquid applied to dampen or wet the sliver being such that it does not drip from the sliver and/ or the can during coiling or during removal of the can from the apparatus.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus in which sliver is coiled into a can with a substantially constant predetermined amount of back pressure being applied to the sliver,

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus in which sliver can be coiled into an elongated cylindrical sliver can, the apparatus being such that an empty can may be lowered vertically into position for filling in the apparatus, then filled with sliver and closed and then removed vertically out of the apparatus for transportation to another place of treatment or storage in the textile treating plant.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully from the following detailed specification, claims, and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 diagrammatically illustrates a section through a floor in a dye house or the like with the apparatus of the present invention installed therein;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation, and taken substantially on the line 22 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 1, the view illustrating the gear box with the drive therein for orbiting the orbit plate member of the apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 and further illustrating the drive for the orbit plate member;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the upper portion of the apparatus of the present invention, certain portions of the apparatus being omitted for the purpose of clarity;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the upper portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 5, the view showing the traversing plate member with the can loading aperture therein and the coiler head, the view further showing the drive for the coiler head and the calender rolls which was omitted from FIGURE FIGURE 7 is a schematic view of the drive for the coiler head and the calender rolls looking generally in the direction of the arrows 77 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the orbit plate member and the traversing plate member, the view being broken away and illustrating the sliver can positioned on the false can or sleeve member;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the gravity latches of the sliver can illustrated in FIG- URE 8 for holding the closure ends on the can when filled with coiled sliver;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the traversing plate member having a modified type coiler head with means thereon for wetting the sliver as it passes from the coiler head and is fed into the sliver can;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 10, the view being enlarged from that disclosed in FIGURE 10; and

FIGURE 12 is a diagrammatic view of a fluid pressure system for controlling the ram and the pressures applied as back pressure on sliver entering the container and then positive pressure for compressing sliver into the sliver can from the false can or sleeve member.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like characters or reference numerals represent like or similar parts, the apparatus and process of the present invention is intended for use in a substantially continuous textile line wherein fibers are carded and delivered in the form of sliver to drawing frames, combers, gill frames, and the like, the slivers then being coiled in sliver cans and then dyed. After dyeing, which may be any liquid treatment of the sliver, the sliver is then further treated by drying, additional drafting, leveling, the sliver being subsequently formed into roving and then formed into yarn. The apparatus and process of the present invention materially decreases the labor on the textile line as well as the actual physical handling of the sliver after coiling and up to the drafting zone prior to the leveling process as the sliver can be maintained coiled in the sliver can throughout the dyeing and drying. While the apparatus for coiling the strands of fiber as well as the method involved is primarily intended for use in coiling sliver after the initial drafting, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the apparatus and process may be used at any point in a textile line for making yarns from fibers where it is desired to either coil the sliver or the roving if, for example, it is desired to store a particular sliver or roving or further treat the same in the can.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 which discloses diagrammatically a section of a dye house or the like, a floor 10 for the dye house is shown, the floor being preferably the first floor of a building with a basement 12 or space therebeneath. While the dye house is shown with the floor above another room in the same, it will be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention may be utilized on a floor having a deep well or space therebeneath for reception of a portion of the apparatus. The floor 10 in the particular environment disclosed is provided with an enlarged hole or aperture 14 therethrough, the hole and the basement 12 for the purpose of description being understood to cover an arrangement where instead of providing an actual basement or room basement, there is provided adeep enlarged well.

On the floor 10 of the dye house, the usual carding and associated apparatus (not shown) is provided for making the sliver S, the sliver then being wound into supply packages 16. A creel 18 is provided for receiving a number of the supply packages 16. The sliver S, which may be wool top or the like, is fed from the supply packages 16 on creel 18 through a conventional roller drafting zone Z where the several sliver S are reduced in bulk and weight. From the drafting zone Z, the several sliver S are passed over a feed roll 20 and in between upper and lower calender rolls 22 and 24, respectively. The calender rolls 22 and 24 are on the coiling apparatus of the present invention which is generally designated by the numeral 26 and the sliver passes from the calender rolls 22 and 24 to and through a coiler head 28 (FIG- URES 5 and 6) where it is combined and coiled as sliver of a predetermined bulk and weight in a cylindrical sliver can C. The novel sliver can C and its bottom and top closure ends are disclosed in the co-pending application of Victor T. Fahringer entitled Textile Sliver Can, Ser. No. 456,931, filed May 19, 1965, and now US. Patent No. 3,279,639, issued Oct. 18, 1967.

A monorail 30 extending above the coiling apparatus 26 and above other apparatus in the textile line is provided with a traversing hoist member generally designated at 32. The hoist 32 is used for lowering empty sliver cans or containers C into position in the coiling apparatus 26 or for removing closed filled cans C and transporting them along the textile line to the next zone of operation, for example, to a carriage wherein a number of cans can be stored for transportation to and into a dye kettle where the coiled sliver is treated in the can. A more detailed description of the operation of the coiling apparatus 26 when inserting an empty can C or removing a filled closed can C therefrom will appear later in the specification.

As best shown in FIGURE 1, the coiling apparatus 26 of the present invention includes a mechanism generally designated at 34 for orbiting the can C and the rotating coiler head 28 referred to above. The mechanism 34 for orbiting the can in a horizontal plane about a fixed vertical axis without the can C rotating is positioned beneath the level of the floor 10 and, as shown, in the basement 12 whereas the coiler head 28 is supported on the upper portion of an open frame structure 36. The frame structure 36 is supported on floor 10 above the hole 14 in the floor. A detailed description of the orbiting mechanism 34 will follow immediately and then a detailed description of the frame structure with its individual components which cooperate with the orbiting mechanism will then follow.

Referring now specifically to FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 of the drawings, it will be noted that the orbiting mechanism 34 is suitably supported on a pair of transversely extending I- beams 37 and 38, the I- beams 37 and 38 being welded or bolted at their ends to the lower flanges of a pair of I-beams or joists 40 for floor 10. The orbiting mechanism 34 includes a stationary gear box 42 which supports the drive for an orbit plate member 44. In more detail, the gear box 42 includes a pair of housing members 46 which are identical in construction and which are respectively supported on the upper flanges of the I- beams 37 and 38. The housing members 46 have vertical side walls 48 closed by end walls 50 and a base wall 52. The upper portion of each housing 46 is opened as indicated at 54 in FIGURE 3 and the orbit plate member is supported above the same for orbiting movement relative thereto.

Each housing 46 has a pair of spaced upwardly extending studs 56 suitably supported in the base wall 52. The studs 56 each rotatably support a sleeve member 58 by means of suitable bearings 60, the sleeve members 58 being provided with a radially extending flange 62 at their upper ends. Carried on the flange 62 of each of the sleeve members 58 is a disc member 64, the disc member being supported thereon by means of studs 66 extending through the flanges 62. Each disc member 64 is provided with a circular milled out bore or groove 68 having an axis offset with respect to the vertical axis of rotation of the sleeve member 58 and its respective disc members 64. A collar or sleeve 70 fixedly carried in the bore 68 supports a bearing 72 and an upwardly extending stub shaft 74 rotatable with respect to the disc. In effect, the arrangement of the stub shaft 74, disc member 64, and sleeve member 58 provides an eccentric or crank arm for the orbit plate member 44.

One of the sleeve members 58 in each of the housing members 46 is provided with a worm gear 78 integral therewith, the worm gear 78 in one housing member 46 being oppositely disposed from the worm gear 78 in the other housing member 46. As shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, the worm gears 78 are on the lower eccentrics of each of the housing members 46. An elongated drive shaft 80 having spaced worms 82 thereon respectively meshes with the worm gears 78 of the housing members 46. The elongated shaft 80 is suitably supported at spaced points therealong in bearings 84 carried on the side walls 48 of the housing members 46. As shown in FIGURE 4, one end of the shaft 80 extends out of the housing member 46 on the left hand side thereof and is provided with a sprocket 86. An electric motor 88 suitably supported on a flange of and beneath the cross beam 37, as best shown in FIGURE 1, is provided with a drive sprocket 90 and an endless sprocket chain 92 passing about the drive sprockets 86 and 90 causes the shaft 80 to rotate when the motor is energized which in turn rotates the sleeve members 58 having the worm gears 78 thereon. The other sleeve members 58 carrying the disc members and their collars 70, 64 shown in the upper portion of FIGURE 4 function as idler eccentric units and also rotate when the orbit plate member 44 is moved in an orbit in a horizontal plane by the drive eccentric units. The orbit plate member 44 is securely supported on the reduced portions 75 of studs 74 by means of the nuts 94.

As best shown in FIGURES 3, 4, and 8, the upper surface of the orbit plate member 44 is provided with an enlarged circular milled out bore or groove 96 which is centrally disposed with respect to the vertical axis of the orbit plate member. The plate member 44 is so positioned with respect to the hole 14 that the bore 96 of the plate member is substantially axially aligned with and beneath the hole 14 when the plate member is not orbiting. An annular ring member 98 which is L-shaped in cross-section, is fixedly supported within the groove or bore 96 and is arranged to receive and support the lower end of an upwardly extending sleeve member or false can 100.

The false can 100 has a radially extending flange 102 at its upper end, the flange 102 being arranged to engage and support a lower flange 104 of similar diameter on the can C as will be explained in more detail later in the specification. In this respect, the inside diameters of the can C and the false can 100 are substantially equal and, thus, the false can 100 provides an extension of the sliver can C. Referring to FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the upper end of the sleeve member or false can 100 extends through the enlarged opening or hole 14 in the floor and terminates just above the surface of the same. Also, it will be noted that the hole 14 in the floor 10 is substantially larger than the exterior diameter of the sleeve member of false can 100 and this is necessary as the false can must be able to fully orbit in this space.

A center post 106 having a radially extending flange 108 at its lower end is bolted to the orbit plate member 44 by means of studs 110', the center post 106 extending axially upwardly through the sleeve member or false can 100 and out of the same. As will be explained later in the specification, the upper end of center post 106 terminates beneath the coiler head 28 at a position adjacent the top of the sliver can C when the sliver can C is positioned on the false can 100. The center post 106 functions as a guide for the ram and lower closure end of sliver can C as will be described later in the specification, the post also functioning as a means about which the sliver is uniformly or symmetrically helically coiled as shown in the common assignees prior United States Patents Nos. 2,598,738 and 2,745,146 issued respectively on June 3, 1952 and May 15, 1956 to Robert C. Wilkie.

Three fluid actuated cylinders 112 having pistons 113 therein (FIGURE 12) are fixedly supported from the bottom of orbit plate member 44 for movement with the orbit plate member when the same is orbiting in a horizontal plane. The cylinders 112 which are preferably hydraulically operated cylinders have piston rods 1 14 attached to their pistons 113, the piston rods 114 extending upwardly through suitable holes 115 in the orbit plate member 44. Each of the elongated cylinders 112 is equally spaced from the axis of the post 106 and from each other as the upper ends of the piston rods 114 must support a ram 116 for movement upwardly through the false can 100 and the sliver can C. Since the ram must reciprocate within the false can 100 and the sliver can C on the center post or pin 106, the ram is provided with a center hole 117 through which the post extends. The piston rods 114 when fully extended are of a length which will position the ram 116 adjacent the upper end of the can C as will be explained later in the specification.

The ram 116 is provided with circumferentially spaced downwardly facing annular bosses 118 that are of such a size to receive the upper ends of piston rods 114. The upper surface of the ram 116 is fixedly provided with an annular collar or sleeve ring 118 adjacent the periphery of the ram. The sleeve ring 118 provides a shield to prevent lateral expansion of a resilient pad 120 received therein when a load is applied thereto. The resilient pad 120, which is provided with a center aperture 122 for reception of the post 106, is tapered as indicated at T in FIGURE 8 of the drawing so that the bottom closure end E for the can C does not obstruct the sliding of a traversing plate member 124 as will be explained in more detail later in the specification. The upper surface of the resilient sponge pad 12-0 is covered with a carpet pad 126 and it is upon this carpet pad that the closure end E is direcfily supported as shown in FIGURE 8.

Since the elongated cylinders 112 are supported directly from the bottom of the orbit member plate 44 and consequently must move with the orbit plate member, the hydraulic lines 130 and 132 leading from the respective ends of the double acting cylinders 112 to the control panel unit 134 are flexible. A more detailed description of the hydraulic circuit for the cylinders 112 will be given later in the specification.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8, the frame structure 36 and the coier head 23 of the coi ing mechanism 26 will now be described. The open frame structure 36 is provided with vertical standards 136 at each of its four corners, the standards 136 being suitably braced by longitudinally extending side members 138 and laterally extending cross members not shown. Between the upper ends of the standards 136, there is provided a pair of longitudinally extending members 140 having oppositely disposed grooves or trackways 142 therein for slida'bly receiving the longitudinal edges of traversing plate member 124.

The traversing plate member 124 is provided on its lower surface with a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending block members 144 which are interiorly threaded along their entire length. The block members 144 are arranged to receive elongated screws 146 and 148 which are each suitably journalcd at one end in the stationary frame structure 36. Each of the elongated screws 146 and 148 have sprockets 150 and 152 on their ends which are journalled in the frame structure 36. An endless sprocket chain 154 is received about the sprockets 150 and 152 so that both screws are rotated simultaneously. The sprocket 152 is a double sprocket which also carries an endless sprocket chain 156 extending from about a drive sprocket of a reversible drive motor 158. The drive motor 158, which is preferably electric, is suitably supported on a bracket 159 carried on the frame structure 36. It will now be obvious that by energizing the motor 153 for rotation in one direction or the other, the screws 146 and 148 are rotated and cause the traversing plate member 124 to slide in a horizontal plane back and forth between the full line position and the phantom line position of FIG- URES and 6. Suitable limit switches can be provided on the frame structure for stopping the traversing plate member 124 at one position or the other position of extension.

Traversing plate member 124 is provided with the rotating coiler head 28 at one end thereof and with an enlarged aperture or hole 160 at the other end thereof, the aperture 160 having hand cut-outs 162 laterally spaced with respect to each other. The aperture or hole 160 is longitudinally aligned with the coiler head 28 and the traversing plate member 124 is moved from one position where the coiler head 28 is over and substantially aligned with the false can or sleeve member 100 to a second position where the enlarged aperture or hole 160 is over and substantially aligned with the false can 100 therebelow. The aperture 160 has a diameter substantially greater than the outside diameter of the can C in order that the can C as well as its closure ends may be vertically inserted and removed therethrough.

The coiler head 28 includes a ring gear 164 rotatable in an aperture 166 provided in traversing plate member 124. The ring gear 164 supports the usual coiler head plate 168, the head plate having a sliver hole 170 therethrough displaced radially outwardly of the axis of rotation of the coiler head.

Gear teeth 172 provided on the ring gear 164 mesh with a pinion gear 174 fixedly supported on a shaft 175 rotatably supported in the top of traversing plate member 124. Fixedly mounted immediately above the pinion gear 174 on the same shaft 175 is a bevel gear 176. A horizontally and transversely extending drive shaft 178 suitably rotatably supported in bearing blocks 180 carried on the upper surface of the traversing plate member 124, is provided with a bevel gear 182 meshing with the bevel gear 176. A sprocket gear 184 is carried on one of the outer ends of the drive shaft 178 and a gear box 186 also supported on the traversing plate member 124, is provided with idler sprockets 188 and 190. Rotatably supported at each end of the stationary frame structure 36 are sprockets 192 and 194 and an endless sprocket chain 196 passes about the sprockets 184, 188, 190, 192, and 194 as shown in FIGURE 7. The sprocket 194 is a double sprocket and it receives an endless drive sprocket chain 197 extending from a drive sprocket 198 of an electric drive motor 200. The electric motor 200, which is supported on a bracket carried by the frame structure 36, drives the drive shaft 178 so as to rotate the ring gear 164 of the coiler head 28 through the sprocket chains 197 and 196. The particular arrangement of the sprockets 184, 188, and 190 in the gear box 186 permits the traversing plate member 124- which carries the drive shaft 178 and the gear box to move without the drive being disconnected from the sprocket chain 196.

A pair of standards 202 and 204 are suitably supported on the upper surface of the traversing plate member 124 in transversely spaced relationship to each other on opposite sides of the coiler head. The standards 202 and 204 rotatably support the calender rolls 22 and 24 at their upper ends. The lower calender roll 24 is suitably journaled in the respective standards 202 and 204 and is provided at one end with a sprocket 206. A second sprocket 20-8 is supported adjacent the lower end of the standard 204 and an endless sprocket chain 210 extending about the sprockets 206, 208, and a sprocket 212 provided on the end of the drive shaft 178 causes the lower roll 24 to be positively driven. The upper roll 22 is provided with stub shafts at its ends which ride in vertical slots 214 in the respective standards 202 and 204 and thus the roll engages the sliver S by gravity and is rotated by movement of the sliver in contact with the lower positively driven calender roll 24. The endless sprocket chain 210 and the sprockets 206, 208, and 212 are covered by a dust guard and shield member 213 which is best shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

An arbor press member 214 is carried by the traversing plate member 124 adjacent the opening or hole therein. Arbor press 214 is arranged to pivot on a vertical pivot axis from the full line position shown in FIGURE 6 to the phantom line position over the hole 160 and is utilized, if desired, to apply pressure to the upper Closure end when the same is being inserted on the sliver can C.

Referring now specifically to FIGURES 8 and 9, the sliver can C is best disclosed. While the sliver can C is fully disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned co-pending application of Victor T. Fahringer, a brief description of the same is being given herein for better understanding of the same when used in the apparatus and process of the present invention. The sliver can C is provided with a perforated elongated cylindrical body 216 having an upper radially extending peripheral stiffening flange 2 18 and the aforementioned lower radially extending peripheral flange 104. Circumferentially spaced about the upper end of the sliver can C are a plurality of gravity actuated latches 220. The lower end of the sliver can C is also provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced gravity actuated latches 222. It will be noted by reference to FIGURE 8 that both the upper and lower ends of the sliver can C are identical in construction with respect to the latches 220 and 222 as well as with respect to the flange construction 104 and 218 so that the operators need not be concerned with which end of the can C is inserted into the apparatus. Suitable annular braces 224 and 226 may be provided about the exterior of the body 216 at desired positions therealong.

Each of the latches 220 or 224 is identically supported on the can body 216 by means of pairs of longitudinally extending lugs 228 having pivot pins 230 extending therethrough transverse of a radius and perpendicular of the axis of the can. The latches 220 or 222 are L-shaped in side elevation and include a first arm 232 for extending through an elongated longitudinal slot 234 in the side of the can body 216 and a second arm 236 which is transverse of and longer than the first arm, the second arm also heavier in weight than the first arm. The latches 220 and 222 will normally assume the position shown in FIGURE 8 because of the weighted arms 236 and, thus, make this type of sliver can particularly suitable for use with the process and apparatus of the present invention. While the sliver can C is preferably used with the present invention, other types of sliver cans may be used so long as they are open at both ends and adapted to receive closures for both ends.

In order that the latches 222 may be positioned so that their short arm 232 extends into the sliver can C for supporting the bottom closure end B, a plurality of hydraulically actuated cylinders 238 (FIGURE 8) are suitably supported on the frame structure 36 about the upper periphery of the false can or sleeve member 100. The cylinders 238 are provided with arms 240 on the ends of their piston rods 242, the arms being positioned to engage the elongated arms 236 of the lower latch members 222 so as to pivot them upwardly and inwardly about their pivots 230. A more detailed description of this operation will follow later in the specification.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 12, the hydraulic circuit in the control panel unit 134 for the double acting cylinders 112 will now be described. The conduits or lines 130 and 132 leading respectively to the upper and lower ends of cylinders 122 may be considered manifold lines. It will be noted that the line 180 is provided with branch lines 240, 242, and 244 leading to the upper ends of the respective cylinders 112 whereas the line v132 has branch lines 246, 248, and 250 leading to the lower ends of the respective cylinders 112. Consequently, when pressure is applied to one or the other of the lines 130 or 132 and pressure is released in the other of the lines 130 and 132, a simultaneous action occurs in all of the cylinders 112.

The lines 130 and 132 lead to the control panel unit 134 which has a plurality of operator controlled hydraulic directional control valves therein as well as operator controlled or adjusted needle valves therein. As will be explained in detail, the valves which are suitably arranged in the control panel unit 134 are operatively connected to the lines 130 and 132 as well as to a pressure line 252 and a hydraulic return line 254. The hydraulic pressure line 252 extends from the lower portion of hydraulic reservoir 256 having a suitable supply of hydraulic fluid and is provided with a pump 258 therein. The hydraulic return line 254 extends from the upper portion of the reservoir 256 to the control panel unit 134 so that it will now be understood that the system is a closed recirculating system.

Pressure line 252 and return line 254 are connected to a main directional control valve which is generally designated at 2613, the valve being also connected to the lines 130 and 132. The directional control valve 260 has three positions thereon which are identified as a coiling position 262, a fast drop position 264, and a pressing position 266. The valve 260' is shown in FIGURE 12 as positioned in the coiling position as the line 132 is open to the reservoir and to the line 130. When valve 260 is in this position and because of other valves to be described later, a predetermined back pressure is maintained beneath the pistons 113 whose fluid is dis-charged slowly therefrom. When the valve 260 is moved to the position 266, then the pressure line 252 is connected to the line 132 whereas the return line 254 is connected to the line 130 and pressure will be applied beneath the pistons 113 to extend the same upwardly. If the valve is moved to the position 264, then a fast drop occurs as the area beneath the pistons 113 is connected by the line 132 direct to the return line 254 whereas the area above the pistons 1 13 is connected directly to the pressure line 252 through the line 130.

It will be noted that line 132 intermediate its connection with the cylinders 112 and the valve 260, is provided with an adjustable needle valve 268 having a bypass line 270 about the inlet and outlet of the same with a one-way check valve 272 therein. The needle valve 268 may be adjusted to control the return flow through 132 but does not affect the pressure flow through the line 132 as it can bypass the needle valve through the oneway check valve 272.

A second by-pass line 274 is provided in the line 132, the by-pass line 274 passing completely around the bypass line 270. By-pass line 274 is provided with a solenoid actuated open-closed valve 276 and a second directional control valve 278 which may be referred to as an unloading valve. The unloading valve 278 is provided with three positions 280, 282, and 284, respectively, and it will be noted that two branch lines 285 and 288 lead from the valve 278 and are connected together at 290.

The branch line 286 is provided with a needle valve 292 having a by-pass line around the same, the line 294 having a one-way check valve 2% therein. While the rate of unloading the cylinders 112 can be controlled by the needle valve 268 and/or the needle valve 222, a maximum fast drop can be obtained by moving the valve 278 to the position 280 and opening the valve 276 so that the flow of hydraulic fluid from the cylinders will be completely unobstructed. Likewise, when it is desired to apply maximum pressure to the cylinders 112 beneath the pistons 113, the valve 260 can be moved to the position 26% with the valve 278 remaining in the position 266 so that full pressure can be applied while bypassing both the needle valves 268 and 292. Various other adjustments of the system may he made by suitably controlling the needle valves 268 and 288 as well as the directional control valves 26%) and 278 so as to give the operator of the coiling apparatus a maximum range in operation of the ram 116.

The operation of the coiling apparatus or mechanism 26 and the process involved will now be described in detail. The first step in the coiling operation is moving the traversing plate member 124 to a dotting position which is at the right of FIGURES 5 and 6. This is accomplished by energizing the motor 158 in a direction to rotate the screws 146 and 148 so as to advance the traversing plate member 124 until it reaches a position where the doifing role 161i is aligned over the false can or sleeve member 100. Then the operator raises the ram 116 by suitable actuation of the control panel unit 134 until the ram 116 is positioned at the upper end of the stroke of the pistons 113 of cylinders 112. Now, the lower closure end E is positioned on the sponge rubber pad carried by the ram 116. After this has been accomplished, an empty sliver can C is then attached to the hook of the hoist 32 and the hoist is moved along the monorail 30 until that can is positioned over the dofiing hole in the traversing plate member 124. The sliver can C is then lowered vertically down through the dofling hole 160 and over the can closure end E and ram 116 until its lower flange 104 abuts the upper complementary flange 102 of the false can 100. A sl-it clamp 300 having a clamping bolt 302 is placed around the periphery of the flanges 104 and 102 to clamp the same together. It will be noted from FIGURE 8 that the split clamp 300 is U-shaped in crosssection so as to receive the flanges 102 and 104 snugly therein. Any other suitable clamp means may be used to detachably fix the sliver can C to the false can 100.

With the sliver can C in position and with the cylinders 238 actuated to a position Where their piston rods are retracted so that the latches 222 assume the position shown in FIGURE 8, the coiling operation is then ready to begin as soon as the traversing plate member 124 is retracted to the full line position of FIGURES 5 and 6 so that the coiling head 28 is directly above the sliver can C. It will be recalled that the pad 120 is tapered as indicated at T in FIGURE 8 and this cocks the closure end B, which is supported by the ram 116 at the rams upper position, in such a manner that the closure end will not hang on the lower surface of the sliding traversing plate member 124. Of course, the operator could temporarily lower the ram with the closure end thereon prior to movement of plate member 124 so as to clear the same.

Once the coiler head 28 has been positioned over the sliver can C, sliver S is then fed through the sliver hole in the coiler head 28 and then the motor 200 is started so as to rotate the coiler head 28 and the calender rolls 22 and 24. Simultaneously with the starting of the motor 200, the motor 88 is also started so that the orbit plate member .-4 will orbit in a horizontal plane causing the can to orbit about a vertical axis without rotating as the coiler head rotates about a vertical aXis and feeds the sliver S into the sliver can C.

It will be understood that at the same time the motors 261) and 88 are started, the control panel unit 134 is set so that pressure beneath the pistons 113 in the cylinders is relieved at a controlled rate in order to apply a substantially constant back pressure to the sliver S as it is fed into the silver can.

Sliver S is continuously fed into the orbiting sliver can C by the rotating coiler head 28 as the ram 116 is gradually retracted until sliver completely fills the sliver can C. The operation is further continued with the ram gradually retracting down into the false can 100 and sliver further fills the false can 100 as well as the sliver can C. Once a predetermined amount of sliver has completely filled the sliver can C and at least a predetermined portion of the false can 100 with a predetermined substantially constant back pressure thereon, throughout the entire operation, the orbiting of the false can and sliver can is stopped as well as the rotating of the coiler head 23. The ram 116 may be then lowered a slight amount so as to relieve the back pressure of the sliver S in the sliver can C and the false can 10% against the lower surface of coiler plate 168 of the coiler head 28, and then the motor 158 is actuated to move the traversing pla.e member 124 to the dofiing position shown in phantom lines in FIG- URES and 6. The upper closure end E is then placed on top of the sliver in the upper end of the sliver can C and with a slight hand pressure or with pressure from the arbor press 214, the top E is pushed downwardly in the sliver can C until it assumes the phantom line position shown in FIGURE 8. The latches 228 on the upper end of the can pivot outwardly to permit the upper closure end E to pass by the same but once the upper closure end E passes by the latches 220, they fall back to the position shown in FIGURE 8 and the upward pressure of the sliver on the inner surface of the can closure end E forces the same outwardly against the arms 232 of the latches.

After the upper closure end E has been properly positioned on the sliver can E, then the control panel unit 134 is adjusted to apply a predetermined pressure beneath the pistons 113 in the cylinders 112 so as to cause the ram to compress the sliver from the false can liltl upwardly completely into the sliver can C. The previously positioned lower closure end E, which is carried on the ram 116, moves upwardly with the ram until it passes the lower latches 222. Since these latches normally will be out of the way of the lower closure end E, the cylinders 238 must be actuated to pivot these latches to a position where their arms 232 extend into the sliver can through the slots 234-. When this has been accomplished, the control panel unit 134 may then be actuated so that pressure is removed from beneath the pistons 113 and applied above the pistons to retract the ram 116 to its lowermost position. The pressure of the sliver S compressed in the sliver can C exerts an outward pressure on both the lower closure end E and the upper closure end E so that the peripheral flange of the lower closure end B tightly engages the arms 232 of the lower latches 222.

The piston rods 242 of the cylinders 238 may then be retracted and the clamp 39! removed from about the periphery of the flanges 102 and 104 of the false can 109 and a siiver can C respectively. The hoist 32 is then lowered down through the doifing hole 166 to engage the sliver can C and the sliver can is then elevated vertically out of the frame structure 36 and transferred along the monorail to the next zone for treatment of the sliver. As pointed out above, the filled sliver can C can be placed on a carriage and when the carriage has a number of filled sliver cans C thereon, it can be transferred to a suitable zone where the sliver can be liquid treated within the can.

Referring now to FIGURES 10 and 11, respectively, there is disclosed a modified form of coiler head 28' for use with the coiling mechanism 26 of the present invention. The coiler head 28 includes the usual ring gear 164' rotatably supported in the traversing plate member 44, the ring gears supporting the coiler head plate 168. Ring gear 164 is provided with gear teeth 172 on its peripher which are arranged to mesh with a pinion gear (not shown) rotatably supported on the traversing plate memer 124. Just as in the coiler head 23 previously described, the pinion gear meshing with the ring gear 164' carries above the same for rotation therewith a bevel gear 176'. The horizontal drive shaft 178' extending above and across the traversing plate member 124 is provided with a bevel gear 1e2 that meshes with the bevel gear 176 so as to impart rotary motion to the coiler head 28. The coiler head plate 163 is provided with a sliver hole 176' radially displaced from the axis of rotation of the coiler head.

Coiler head 28 is provided with means designated generally by the numeral 310 for wetting sliver S as the sliver is fed through the sliver hole 170 in the head plate 163. In more detail, the means 310 includes a cupshaped member 312 fixedly mounted in spaced relation above the head plate 168' on the axis of rotation of the coiler head 28'. The cup-shaped member 312 is supported by means of legs or braces 314 rigidly secured to the cup-shaped member 312 and to the head plate 168. The cup-shaped member 312 is provided with a sliver trumpet extending through the same, the trumpet being arranged to receive sliver passing from the calender rolls 22' and 24' and deliver the sliver to the sliver hole 170 as shown in broken lines. A pipe 318 having an inlet opening 32% to the interior of the cup-shaped member 312 extends through a hole 322 provided in the head plate 168', the pipe 318 terminating in an outlet or orifice 324 immediately below the surface of the head plate 168. It will be noted by reference to FIGURE 10, the outlet or orifice 32.4 for the pipe 318 is positioned on a circumference extending through the axis of the sliver hole 176' immediately behind the sliver hole. The purpose of so arranging the orifice is to provide for the wetting of just the portion of sliver entering the sliver can C rather than an indiscriminate wetting of sliver in the can. This location of the outlet or discharge orifice 324 ensures an even wetting of all of the sliver with sufiicient liquid to merely dampen the same without dripping of liquid from the sliver or from the sliver can.

The liquid L is supplied to the opened top cup-shaped member 312 by a stationary liquid supply pipe 326, which is suitably supported with its outlet 327 positioned above the cup-shaped member 312, the pipe extending from a suitable source of supply generally indicated at 328. A metering valve 330 is provided in the stationary liquid supply pipe 326 so that the amount of liquid discharged from the supply pipe into the cup-shaped member 312 can be controlled without overflowing of the cup-shaped member. The orifice or outlet 324 is of a fixed predetermined diameter so that the actual discharge of a predetermined amount of liquid into the sliver S is known.

By wetting the sliver S as it is being coiled into the sliver can C with a liquid such as water, and since the water can be at room temperature, it does not damage the strength or the subsequent pr-ocessability of the sliver yet it enables more sliver to be packaged in the sliver can than is ordinarily possible. In this respect, the utilization of the process and apparatus of the present invention in coiling dry sliver, such as wool top, into a sliver can of approximately 42 inches in length and 19 inches in diameter, it has been found that lbs. of sliver can be packaged. By previous processes and apparatus wherein sliver is coiled into the sliver can of the same size as that mentioned above and then is removed therefrom and pressed into a sliver ball, only 40 lbs. of sliver could be handled. The tremendous increase in productivity realized by the present invention both in handling dry or wet sliver results from the basic process wherein the sliver is coiled in an amount filling up a space greater than the space within the sliver can and then compressing the sliver back into the sliver can to completely and compactly fill the same.

It will be seen that by utilizing the process of coiling and the apparatus described above, that there is a considerable reduction in labor. In fact, it has been found that there is a 33% reduction in labor since the sliver does not have to be removed from the sliver can and compressed in a press, the ball of sliver being removed from the press and then wrapped in tissue paper for storage until further treatment is necessary. In the present invention the sliver can remain in the sliver can during subsequent treatment and also coupled with this in the reduction of labor is the important factor that more sliver can be coiled' in the sliver can of a particular volume and further there is less loss from damage to the sliver.

While the objects and advantages of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished by the apparatus and process disclosed herein, it will be understood that the specific apparatus and process disclosed are subject to some changes and modifications without departing from the principles and scope of the invention. Therefore, the terminology used throughout the specification-is for the purpose of description and not limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for coiling sliver into a cylindrical can: a cylindrical sleeve member having a substantially vertical axis, said sleeve member supporting the can on its upper end in axial alignment therewith; means for orbiting said sleeve member with the can supported thereon about a vertical axis; a vertically movable ram operatively carried by said orbiting means, said ram being movable back and forth through said sleeve member and the can supported thereabove; and a rotatable coiler head supported above the upper end of the can and having a hole therethrough radially displaced from its axis for feeding sliver into the can and into said sleeve member;

means to rotate said coiler head about its axis when the can and the sleeve member are orbiting whereby sliver is fed into the can and the sleeve member.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means to move said ram back and forth through said sleeve member and the can supported thereon, said means being operative to cause said ram to apply back pressure to sliver as it is fed into the can and into said sleeve member, said means also being operative to cause said ram to compress sliver into the can after sliver has been fed into the can and at least a portion of the sleeve member. 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means on said coiler head for applying a predetermined amount of liquid to the sliver as the sliver is fed into the can.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said liquid applying means includes a liquid pipe having an outlet carried by the coiler head just aft of the sliver hole in the coiler head.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said liquid applying means includes a cup-shaped member for receiving liquid, said cup-shaped member being supported by the coiler head abovethe same for rotation therewith,

a liquid tube extending from said cup-shaped member to said coiler head and having an outlet just aft of the sliver ,hole in said coiler head, and in which a sliver trumpet is supported concentrically of and extends through said cupshaped member.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 including a stationary liquidsupply pipe having an outlet for supplying liquid to said cup-shaped member while the same is rotating.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means to wet sliver as sliver is fed to the can.

8. The'apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a traversing plate member for supporting said coiler head,

can and then applying closure ends to the can while the can is supported in the apparatus, the combination comprising: an orbit plate supported in a horizontal plane; means for orbiting said orbit plate in the horizontal plane; at least one fluid pressure cylinder and piston means supported from and beneath said plate and having a piston rod extending upwardly through said plate; a ram carried on the upper end of said piston rod, said ram being adapted to receive and support one of the closure ends of the can; a sleeve member fixedly supported on the upper surface of said orbit plate, said sleeve member being concentric of said ram and adapted to receive and support the cylindrical can in axial alignment therewith; a rotatable coiler head having sliver hole therein radially displaced from the axis of the same; means to selectively support said coiler head in .a first position over said sleeve member and the can supported thereon and in a second position clear of said sleeve member whereby the can can be positioned on and removed from the sleeve member and closure end can be positioned on the ram; and means to rotate said coiler head when said coiler head is in said first position and when said orbit plate is orbiting the can.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which said support means for said coiler head includes a plate member supporting said coiler head, said plate member being movable transverse to the axis of said coiler head and having an aperture therein spaced from said coiler head and arranged to be substantially axially aligned with said sleeve member when said coiler head is in said second posi-tion, said aperture having a diameter sufiicient for insertion and removal of the can therethrough.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including calender rolls for delivering sliver to the sliver hole in said coiler head, said calender rolls being supported on said plate member above the coiler head and movable with said plate member.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 including clamping means for fixedly clamping the can to the upper end of said sleeve member.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 including an elongated post member fixedly supported on said orbit plate axially of said sleeve member, said post member extending upwardly through said ram and determining just short of the upper end of the can when the same is supported on said sleeve member, said post also extending through the closure end supported on said ram.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9including means to wet sliver as sliver is being coiled into the can.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which said means for wetting sliver is supported on and rotates with said coiler head, said means including a liquid outlet in said coiler head just aft of the sliver hole in the same.

'16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15in which said means further includes a cup-shaped member supported above said coiler head and rotatable therewith and a pipe extending from said cup-shaped member to said liquid outlet, a sliver trumpet supported axially of and extending through said cup-shaped member for feeding sliver to said sliver hole.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 including a stationary liquid supply pipe having an outlet end positioned over said cup-shaped member for delivering liquid to the same while the same is rotating with said coiler head.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 including means for actuating said cylinder and pistonmeans to first extend said piston rod and move said ram to a position adja- 15 ing sliver to a cylindrical can having an orbital motion, the improvement comprising liquid dispensing means carried by the coiler head for wetting the sliver after the sliver is delivered through the sliver hole in the coiler head and as the sliver is fed into the can.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 in which said means includes a'liquid pipe having an outlet positioned on said coiler head immediately aft of'the'sliver hole whereby only sliver passing through the sliver hole is wetted.

21. In an apparatus for coiling sliver into a cylindrical can having an orbital motion, the combination comprising: a coiler head rotatable above the orbiting can, said coiler head having a hole adjacent to its periphery for feeding sliver into the can while the coiler head is rotating; means carried by said rotating coiler head for wetting sliver immediately after it passes through the sliver hole, .said means including a cup-shaped member supported above said coiler head and coaxial with said coiler head for holding liquid, a pipe extending from said cup-shaped a member to said coiler head, said pipe extending through said coiler head immediately aft of the sliver hole and on substantially the same circumference; means to supply liquid to said cup shaped member while the same is rotating with said coiler head, and means for delivering sliver axially through said cup-shaped member to said sliver hole, said last-mentioned means including a sliver trumpet co-axial with said coiler head and extending through said cup-shaped member.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which said means to supply liquid to said cup-shaped member includes a pipe stationary with respect to the rotating coiler head, said pipe having an outlet positioned above said cup-shapedmember.

23. The method of filling a cylindrical can with sliver delivered from a rotating coiler head and then closing the filled cylindrical can comprising the steps of: positioning the cylindrical can with its axis vertical on the upper end of a false can; inserting a bottom closure end into the empty cylindrical can and initially positioning the same near the upper end of the cylindrical can; orbiting thecylindrical can and-the false can while sliver is being simultaneously delivered from the rotating coiler head into the cylindrical can against the bottom closure end; gradually moving the bottom closure end downwardly'in the cylindrical can while maintaining a substantially constant back pressure on sliver being received into the cylindrical can; continuing the downward movement of the bottom closure end into the false can when the cylindrical can is filled with sliver until a predetermined amount of sliver fills at least a portion of the false can; stopping the orbiting of the cylindrical can and the false can and the rotation of the coiler head; relieving the back pressure on the sliver in the cylindrical can and the false can and then applying an upper closure end to the upper end of the cylindrical can; then moving the bottom closure end upwardly and compressing sliver from the false can into the cylindrical can and then applying the bottom closure end to the lower end of the cylindrical can.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23 including the step of wetting the sliver as it is delivered by the coiler head.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24 in which the sliver is a wool top and in which the wetting is accomplished by using water.

26. The method as claimed in claim 23 including the step of applying a spray of water to the sliver immediately after it is delivered from, the coiler head sufiicient to just wet the same without dipping.

27. The method of filling a sliver can compactly with sliver fed through a rotating coiler head having an openingtherein eccentrically of its axis of rotation comprising the steps of delivering dry sliver to and through the opening in the rotating coiler head, immediately wetting the sliver without soaking the same as the sliver is passing from the opening in the coiler head into the sliver can; continuing the feeding of sliver into, through and out of the opposite end of the can, confining that portion of the sliver fed from the opposite end of the can; stopping the feeding of sliver and then-compressing the confined portion of the sliver back into the can; and applying closure ends to both ends of the can.

28. The method as claimed in claim 23 in which the sliver is a wool top and in which wetting is accomplished by using water.

29. The method as claimed in claim 27 including the step of maintaining a constant back pressure on the sliver being fed into the can.

30. In a system for coiling sliver into a cylindrical can and then applying closure ends to the can: a floor having a hole therethrough; an orbit plate member positioned in spaced relationship to and beneath the hole in said floor; means for supporting and orbiting-said plate member in a substantially horizontal plane; an elongated sleeve member fixedly supported on the upper surface of said orbit plate member and extending through the hole in said floor, said sleeve member being arranged to receive on its upper end the cylindrical can; a fluid pressure actuated cylinder and piston means carried by said orbit plate member beneath the same and including at least one piston rod extending through said orbit plate member; a ram on the end of said rod and positioned within said sleeve member; a frame structure supported on said floor above the hole therein; a traversing plate member carried by said frame structure and reciprocable in a horizontal plane, said traversing plate member having a rotating coiler head therein and an enlarged aperture therethrough spaced from said coiler head and of a diameter sufficient for insertion and removal vertically of the cylindrical can; said traversing plate member being arranged to move from a first position with said coiler head-over the-hole in said floor to a second position with said aperture over the hole in said floor; and means carried by said traversing plate member for feeding sliver to said coiler head.

31. The system ofclaim 30 in which the cylindrical can includes latches at each end thereof for respectively retaining the closure ends and including fluid pressure actuated means supported on said frame structure for actuating the latches at the lower end of said can.

32. The system of claim 30 including jack means carried by said traversing plate adjacent the aperture therein for applying pressure to the upper closure end when the same is being positioned on the cylindrical can.

33. The system of claim 30 including a center post supported on said orbit plate member and extending upward through the ram and sleeve member, said post terminating adjacent the lower surface of said traversing plate member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 898,841 9/1908 Dawson 53-116 2,355,071 8/1944- Hendrickson 19-459 2,660,763 12/ 1953 Robinson et al.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

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