US3802050A

US3802050A - Apparatus and method for the manufacture of dry cell batteries

Info

Publication number: US3802050A
Application number: US00259155A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Verhoest
Original assignee: EMAT CO Inc
Current assignee: EMAT CO Inc
Priority date: 1972-06-02
Filing date: 1972-06-02
Publication date: 1974-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-09

Abstract

This invention pertains to the apparatus and method for the manufacture of dry cells and in particular those generally known as ''''leak-proof.'''' In the preferred embodiment the dry cell is provided with an outer case of metal which is provided to protect the internal structure of the battery. This case and the internal assembly in this invention is collated and assembled by apparatus and method enabling dry cells of this type to be completed at a rate of such as twenty a second.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Verhoest A Apr. 9, 1974 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF DRY CELL BATTERIES [75] Inventor: George G. Verhoest, Wayne, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Emat Co., Inc., Fairlawn, NJ.

[22] Filed: June 2, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 259,155

[52] US. Cl 29/204, 29/511, 29/592 [51] Int. CL... H0lm 35/18, B23p 11/00, l-lOls 4/00 [58] Field of Search 29/204, 204 D, 204 R, 511,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,069,754 12/1962 Wahlin 29004 D 12/1965 Simonton 29/511 4/1967 Oswald 29/204 D Primary Examiner Thomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ralph Roberts [57] ABSTRACT This invention pertains to the apparatus and method for the manufacture of dry cells and in particular those generally known as leak-proof." 1n the preferred embodiment the dry cell is provided with an outer case of metal which is provided to protect the internal structure of the battery. This case and the internal assembly in this invention is collated and assembled by apparatus and method enabling dry cells of this type to be completed at a rate of such as twenty a second. 0

18 Claims, 41 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 9 1974 SHEEI 1 BF 8 E 90 2 20 r 20 3 5 mm qm mm IF. 3 mm mm 0 0 20 on o QN ON 2 90 m: 90 3 20 NN ON ON ON\ IMN PATENTEHAPR 9 m4 sumanrs IIO r FI.G.3M"

FIG.3 K

FIG. 3 P

FIG. 3-0

EATENTED APR 9 5974 SHEU 4 BF 8 PATENTEDAPR 9:914 3302.050 saw sem PATENTEU APR 9 i974 SHEET 6 0F 8 PATENTEDAPR 9|974 I 3.802050 SHEEIIUFS APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF DRY CELL BATTERIES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention With respect to the classification of art as established in the United States Patent Office this invention pertains to the general class of Batteries and more particularly to the subclass identified as assembling process.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the automatic or semiautomatic manufacture of batteries most of the published art including U.S. and foreign patents has been directed toward the manufactureof lead storage batteries commonly known as having a wet cell structure. In the present manufacture of dry cells, insofar as is known, the assembly apparatus and technique presently used is more or less automated. Because of the greatly expanded use of dry cells and the cost of making them it becomes very desirable, if not essential, that an improvement in themanufacture of the dry cell be achieved so as to shorten the manufacturing time as well as reduce the cost of equipment and labor as well as increase the quantity and quality control of the product. Several United States Patents directed toward the automatic manufacture of dry cells are known. Among these are U.S. Pat. No. 3,069,754 to Wahlin which issued on Dec. 25, 1962. A patent for the method for producing closures in battery containers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,221,403 as issued to Simonton on Dec. 7, 1965. A U.S. Pat. No. 3,316,127 to Oswald as issued on Aug. 25, 1967 describes a method and apparatus for the manufacture of dry cells in which is claimed improvements on prior described apparatus. In these patents and other known apparatus the apparatus and method for the manufacture of dry cells has not produced the now desired speed or quality control required to satisfy present needs. The present invention discloses improvements and novel methods and apparatus for the high-speed assembly of so-called leak-proof dry cells.

In the present invention the improved method of manufacture and apparatus for assembling dry cells includes high-speed assembly of the cardboard tube assembly and high-speed collating and assembly of the inner battery into the cardboard tube assembly and then into the protective outer shell. In this improved method andapparatus the components going into these dry cells and particularly the casing and inner assembled members of the dry cell are grasped and positively controlled during all steps of the operationso that the high-speed assembly results in a completely assembled dry cell delivered such as every twentieth of a second.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention may be summarized at least in part with reference to its objects.

It is an object of this invention to provide, and it does provide, a method and apparatus for the high-speed forming of components as used in the production of dry cells and in the collating and assembling of said components into a dry cell.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, and it does provide, a method and apparatus for the spinning assembly of a cardboard sleeve to a sheetmetal disc bottom 'member asused in drycell construction.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, and it does provide, a method and apparatus wherein a continuous motion apparatus is provided to feed and assemble an inner battery assembly within a cardboard sleeve and with these assembled, to assemble this unit to an outer metal or plastic protective sleeve as used in dry cells.

Although dry cell batteries have been known for many years the automatic assembly of such cells has not developed in a manner to keep pace with the demand and consumption. Automatic assembly procedures usually have progressed only to subassembly components and the speed is not very rapid. In the present invention certain steps of manufacture are indicated which are performed with known conventional equipment. In certain other operations such as the invention uses apparatus and methods which are considered new and novel. There is additionally'disclosed a continuous operation for feeding the inner battery assembly to and into a simultaneously fed and positioned cardboard tube assembly. The completion of this assembly is followed in the same apparatus with inserting this assembly into an outer metal protective cover. From this station this subassembly component is fed to a seal support washer inserting station from which this assembly is nowfed to a pitch applying station where the top of the battery is sealed by fluid material which is thermoplastic. This pitch is applied to the area above the zinc can and the seal support washer and seals the cardboard tube and the carbon rod to prevent unwanted leakage. This assembly is then fed to the top metal cap applying station after which the top of the battery is closed as by crimping or spinning. If desired, an additional cardboard washer may be inserted on top of the pitch before the top metal cap is inserted and crimped in place.

In addition to the above summary the following disclosure is detailed to insure adequacy and aid in understanding of the invention. This disclosure, however, is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how it may later be disguised by variations in form or additions or further improvements. For this reason there has been chosen a specific embodiment of the dry cell and the apparatus and method as adopted for making a conventionally constructed leak-proof" dry cell. This specific embodiment has been chosen for the purposes of illustration and description as shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A through FIG. I? are diagrammatic representations of the assembly for forming the components of a dry cell battery and showing the several stations where is produced the various components and the simultaneous or subsequent assembling required to make a dry cell andas depicted:

FIG. lA representsa drawn shell;

FIG. 1B represents a shell with a liner being added;

FIG. 1C represents a shell assembly completed;

FIG. 1D represents the shell of FIG. 1C with mix being added;

FIG. 1E represents the assembly of FIG. 1D with a rod being inserted;

FIG. 1F represents a cardboard shell positioned with bottom cup;

FIG. 1G represents the assembly of the bottom cup to the cardboard shell;

FIG. lI-I represents the assembly of FIG. 1E into the assembly of FIG. 1G;

FIG. ll represents a drawn metal outer shell;

FIG. 11 represents placing assembly FIG. lI-I into shell of FIG. ll;

FIG. 1K represents placing top washer into the shell of FIG. lJ;

FIG. 1L represents the assembly of FIG. 1K to which is added another washer;

FIG. 1M represents the assembly of FIG. 1L to which a sealant is being added;

FIG. IN represents the assembly of FIG. IM to which another washer is being added;

FIG. 1P represents the completed battery;

FIG. 2A, FIG. 28, FIG. 2E, FIG. 2G, FIG. 2H, FIG. 21 and FIG. 20 are diagrammatic representations showing the arrangement and sequence of steps wherein various mechanisms are utilized to produce a dry cell assembly up to the point of adding the sealant and the final assembly of the apparatus and as depicted:

FIG. 2A represents the arrangement of apparatus for forming and transporting the can;

FIG. 28 represents components for the assembly into an inner shell;

FIG. 2D represents the step of adding the mix;

FIG. 2E represents the step of adding the carbon rod;

FIG. 2G represents the step of adding a bottom to the cardboard tube;

FIG. 2H represents the step ofcurling the bottom to the cardboard tube;

FIG. 2.] represents the apparatus and step of transferring battery components;

FIG. 20 represents the feeding of the cardboard tube to a turret head;

FIG. 3K, FIG. 3M, FIG. 3-0, and FIG. 3P are diagrammatic representations showing the inserting of certain tamping and closing discs, sealing material and the closing of the top of the dry cell and as depicted:

FIG. 3K represents the step of punching out a cardboard disc;

FIG. 3M represents apparatus for adding sealing pitch simultaneously to several assemblies;

FIG. 3-0 represents the feeding of a sheet metal cover to the assembly;

FIG. 3? represents the curling die configuration for sealing the top of the battery;

FIG. 4 represents a side view, partly diagrammatic and showing apparatus for receiving a cardboard tube from a discharge conveyor and for mounting this tube on a support pin of a turret head;

FIG. 5 represents a face or front view, partly diagrammatic and showing three stages of assembling and forming the cardboard tube assembly;

FIG. 6 represents a partly diagrammatic sectional view showing the feeding of a strip stock to and between cutting and forming dies;

FIG. 7 represents a partly diagrammatic side view of the press mechanism for cutting and forming the sheet metal end blank;

FIG. 8 represents a sectional view showing in enlarged view the dies for forming the bottom end member with the dies in an open condition;

FIG. 9 represents the sectional view of the dies of FIG. 8 but in a closed condition and with the end member formed therein;

FIG. 10 represents a sectional view, partly diagrammatic and showing the spinning die as used to turn the cardboard tube and seal the end metal member into an assembled condition;

FIG. 11 represents an enlarged view of the end of the cardboard tube provided by the seal spinning apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 represents'a side view, partly diagrammatic, of the transfer apparatus and assembly apparatus for the battery subassembly;

FIG. 13 represents a partly diagrammatic plan view looking downwardly on the apparatus of FIG. 12, the view taken on the line l3-l3 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 represents an enlarged fragmentary sectional side view of the assembly showing the receiving, transfer and assembly turrets of the mechanism of FIG. 12, the view taken on the line 14-14 thereof and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 15 represents a layout of the box cam as provided on the fixed cam supports of the apparatus of FIGS. 12 and 13, and

FIG. 16 represents a diagrammatic sectional side view similar to the view of FIG. 9 and showing a top die as used to cut and form the sheet metal top member of the container.

In the following description and in the claims various details will be identified by specific names for convenience. These names, however, are intended to be generic in their application. Corresponding reference characters refer to like members throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The drawings accompanying, and forming part of, this specification disclose certain details of construction for the purpose of explanation of the broader aspects of the invention, but it should be understood that structural details may be modified in various respects without departure from the concept and principles of the invention and that the invention may be incorpo rated in other structural forms than shown.

General Assembly of Dry Cell as in FIG. 1

Referring now in particular to FIG. 1 there is depicted a diagrammatic representation of the several stages of forming and assembling the components which make up a complete dry cell. ALthough several operations usually are simultaneously performed the several operations are shown in sequence. The first and essential or basic component is a seamless drawn shell or can 20 of zinc or zinc alloy drawn to the desired size and configuration of the dry cell. This shell is advanced from station FIG. 1A to station FIG. 13 where a bottom paper washer or cup 22 and a cylindrical paper liner 23 is positioned centrally above the shell or cam 20. At station FIG. 1C the cup and

liner

22 and 23 are mounted in the zinc shell 20. At station FIG. ID a mix 24 of determined quantity is fed into thelined can of FIG. 1E. This mix is damp or wet and usually contains a portion of carbon black or other conductive material.

This assembly of can and mix is identified as 25. At station FIG. 1E a carbon rod 26 is inserted into the mix 24. This assembly is identified as 27.

The subassembly 27 is now an electrolytic cell or battery. The paper cup 22 and liner 23 in a conventional manner permit the fluid component of mix 24 to contact zinc shell 20 and carbon rod 26 while preventing contact of the bottom of rod 26 with the bottom of the shell or cup 20.

At station FIG. 1F a cardboard tube 29 is assembled to a formed metal bottom plate 30 which conventionally is of steel with an antirust coating usually provided thereon. At station FIG. [G the bottom plate 30 is pushed into the bottom of the cardboard tube 29 and assembled to each other as by a spinning operation to be hereinafter more fully described. This assembly is identified as 32. As station FIG. lI-I the internal battery subassembly 27 is lowered into the cardboard tube and bottom assembly 32 which is positioned in way of the inserting path of this internal subassembly. After the inner battery assembly 27 is pushed into the cardboard tube assembly 32 and is firmly seated therein this assembly becomes a general assembly 33. This general battery assembly is then moved to a position above station FIG. lI-I from where it is placed within and firmly seated in a steel outer shell 34. This outer shell is cut from tubing or from strip stock and is rolled into a shell, which shell provides the protective covering for the battery and prevents undue damage to the battery from normal handling and use. This formed shell is shown in Station FIG. ll.

The battery as assembled at FIG. 1] and identified as 36, for all intents and purposes, is now complete except for covering and closing the top. Assembly 36 is now advanced from station FIG. 1] to station FIG. 1K where a top cardboard washer 37 is punched from strip stock and is inserted into the top of the battery to tightly surround the carbon rod 26 and tightly engage the interior wall of the zinc can 20. Washer 37 isadvanced by mechanism, not shown, and as it is seated in the container acts as a tamping washer to insure that the mix is tightly packed and retained. The tamped mix 24 and carbon rod 26 are retained by this washer. The inserting of the tamping washer 37 into the can 20 in some installations is done immediately after inserting of the carbon rod 26 into the mix 24. That is to say that after station FIG. IF the next operation is station FIG. 1K before the assembly FIG. I]. This is merely a matter of choice. At station FIG. 1L another cardboard washer 38 is punched from stock and inserted into the top of the zinc can 20. This washer 38 is spaced one-sixteenth to three-sixteenths of an inch from and above tamping washer 37. This washer 38 provides the upper wall of an expansion chamber and acts as a seal to retain the melted outer sealant to be applied to the battery at the next station. The assembly with this washer is identified as 39. From station FIG. 1L the assembly 39 is transported to station FIG. 1M where a thermoplastic sealer such as pitch, waxsplastic or the like 40 is fed from a supply hopper 41 to cover the cardboard disc 38 and the top of the battery with a sealer of determined thickness of material. This sealer prevents the evaporation or any decomposition of the mix from flowing out the top of the battery. The sealing material 40 may be delivered at temperatures in excess of four hundred degrees farenheit when. certain asphalt derivatives are used, or at lesser temperatures where other materials including asphalts are used. This assembly 42 is now moved to station FIG. 1N where an outer cardboard cover disc 43 is applied to cover the top of the sealant. This assemblyis now moved to station FIG. 10 whereat a top metal cap usually of steel and having a rustproof covering thereon is pressed into place. This top cover is identified as number 44 and after being placed in position this assembly 45 is moved to station FIG. 1P wherein a spinning operation or curling operation is performedto close the top of the battery to complete the assembly of the battery. If desired cover disc 43 and station N may be eliminated. A

Assembly as in FIG. 2

In FIG. 2 is a more or-less diagrammatic representa- 7 tion of the apparatus used in the assembly procedure of FIG. 1 and showing certain pertinent stages of assem' bly. The steps represented in FIG. 2 correspond to the steps in FIG. 1. At station FIG. 2A upper and lower dies 50 and 51 conventionally blank and form the zinc shell or can 20 which is delivered to flow down a conveyor or chute 53 to a conveyor 54 where it is carried in spaced relationship to station B whereat the cup member 22 and liner 23 are fed into and positioned in can 20. At station FIG. 2D from a hopper 56 and through a spout 58 is fed the mix 24 into the can 20. As assembly 25 this unit is then fed to station FIG. 2E where carbon rod 26 is inserted and positioned in the mix 24.

At station FIG. 20 which is prior to station FIG. 20 a turret head 60 carries a plurality of equally spaced pins 62, one of which is shown as extending to the right of the head 60. The previously cut cardboard tubes 29 are fed through a chute 64 and in way of a pusher 66 and onto a support or retaining member 67 which positions the gravity fed cardboard tubes 26 so that they may be pushed by pusher 66 from the receiving position on support 67 and onto a positioned pin 62. While still on pin 62 the tube 29 is moved with turret 60 to an indexed position whereat the cardboard sleeve is brought in way of a steel bottom end 30 which end is punched from a strip of steel stock 69 having a rust resisting treatment on its flat surface. Dies 70 and 71 provide the means by which the steel bottom 30 is blanked and drawn and after forming and separation is delivered down chute 72 to a receiving stop 73 wherefrom it is moved by pusher 74 into the end of the cardboard tube 26. Turret 60 is then rotated to another position indicated as position 3 and station FIG. 2H whereat a curling die 76, to be described in greater detail herein after, is advanced into operative condition and is rotated by a motor 78. This motor is carried on a reciprocated carriage79 so as to be moved into a determined position for curling the end of the cardboard tube to and into the rim portion of the bottom end 30. After this assembling by curling process has been completed the die is withdrawn from working engagement and the assembly 33 is discharged from its pin 62 and down a delivery chute 81 for delivery to a conveyor 83 for transport to and into apparatus combining the assembly of the station FIG. 1H and FIG. 1.] of F IG. 1.

Apparatus for performing the next assembly steps as seen in FIG. 2] includes a first indexing wheel or turret 85 having a plurality of receiving pockets 87 provided therein. Each pocket is disposed to receive at a lower level a cardboard tube assembly 32 and bring it in way of an inner battery assembly 27 which is delivered by means of conveyor 90 to the same pocket 87 at an upper level of the assembly turret 85. Cam actuated apparatus, to be hereinafter more fully described, is adapted to push the battery assembly 27 into cardboard tube assembly 32 to achieve the desired assembled condition. This assembly 33 is delivered to transfer turrent 92 where it is delivered to assembly turret 94 where it is brought to and into a receiving pocket 95 and over the open top of outer steel tube 34 which is delivered by conveyor 96 to the assembly turret 94. By means of cam actuated apparatus, to be more fully described hereinafter, the now assembled battery except for the top closing and sealing referred to in FIG. 1K through FIG. 1P is delivered as product 36 on conveyor 100 to further and final assembly operations.

Assembly Apparatus as Seen in FIG. 3

Referring now to FIG. 3 it is to be noted that the assembled battery components identified as assembly 36 are fed to and by means of orienting conveyor 100 to station FIG. 3K whereat a top cardboard tamping disc 37 is punched by dies 102 and 103 from strip stock 104. This disc is fed through chute 104 to the top of assembly 36. Disc 37 is pushed into the top of cardboard tube 28 to tamp and push the mix into a tight confinement with no voids in the wet mix. This assembled battery component is next fed to the station depicted as FIG. 1L where from another strip of stock another cardboard disc 38 is punched, delivered to and inserted into the cardboard tube. This product is carried by orienting conveyor 100 to station FIG. 3M where pitch applying mechanism includes a tank 110 which contains a heated and fluid sealing material 40. Some asphalt materials are heated to more than four hundred degrees farenheit. This tank 110 preferably has a multiplicity of spouts 41 having selective dispensing means adapted to deliver a determined amount of heated pitch or like sealing means into the top of each container 39. The container, with a determined amount of pitch or like sealing means, is carried in way of apparatus for dispensing and inserting sealer retaining disc 43. This station is identified as FIG. 1N and the product as 42. From station FIG. 1N the battery subassembly 42 is fed to station FIG. 3-0 whereat a metal top cover 44 from strip stock 118 is cut and formed between and by dies 120 and 121 and is delivered by chute 122 to assembly apparatus whereat the top cover 44 is positioned to and into the top of the cardboard tube. This assembly 45 is then advanced to station FIG. 3? whereby means of a pressing die 130 the battery is finish assembled.

As noted in the discussion of FIG. 1 the use of cardboard washer 43 at station N" is merely a matter of preference as certain sealing materials 40 may not require or demand an extra cardboard member. The metal end 44 covers this end of the battery and only those expert in the manufacture of dry cell batteries will know whether the washer is included in the final product.

The punching and forming of the

discs

37, 38 and 43 at stations depicted as FIGS. 1K, 1L and 1M may be made at remote stations and collated or otherwise stacked for delivery and insertion into each succeeding cardboard tube. The assembly line and the construction details of the battery will define the resulting equipment. Whether one or more conveyors are used to transport the components choice.

Tube Assembly Station of FIGS. 4 and 5 Referring now in particular to FIGS. 4 and 5 it is to be noted that the assembly turret 60 is carried by a spindle 61 which spindle is intermittently rotated at a determined speed and degree byapparatus not shown. With the intermittent rotation of turret 60 a sequence is established where one of a series of like pins 62 is brought in way of a cardboard tube 29 which is delivered downwardly through a chute 64 to be stopped and then supported upon a support or retainer 67. As particularly seen in FIG. 5 a pin 62 is positioned precisely in alignment with the supported tube when it lays on the support 67 after which pusher 66, as seen in FIG. 4, pushes the tube 29 leftwardly to and onto the pin 62. The pusher then is moved rightwardly to its tube receiving position which permits the next above tube 29 to be dropped into the receiving nest provided in support 67. Index turret 60 is then advanced one position which is considered an idle station while another tube 29 is pushed onto the next or succeeding pin 62. The intermittent movement is continued and the turret plate 60 is rotated one more station to bring the cardboard tube to the sheet metal bottom plate inserting station.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 5 and 6 it is to be noted that at this particular station and as carried on pin 62 the cardboard tube 29 protrudes slightly from the end of the carrying pin. Fed down a chute 72 is the steel bottom plate or end 30 which is engaged and positioned by means of a stop member 73. This bottom end is positioned so that as a pusher 74 is moved leftwardly the end 30 is inserted within the bottom end of the tube 29. The steel bottom end 30 terminates its inward movement when the member engages the distal or right end of the pin 62. After insertion ofthe steel bottom end is-completed the turret member 60 is advanced one station as the plunger pusher 74 is withdrawn. At this next stop the cardboard tube and inserted bottom piece are considered to be at an idler station as no work is performed.

Forming of the End Plate as Seen In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 is merely a matter of Referring next to the apparatus and method of form- I multaneously with the movement of this eccentric, a'

cam 138 also carried by shaft 132 is rotated in the clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 7. This cam 138 engages and pushes the mechanism carrying die member rightwardly to engage a strip of metal 69 which preferably is coated or plated sheet steel. With this same rotation of shaft 132 the mounted eccentric 134 is drawing arm links 136 leftwardly causing bolster head 142 to move leftwardly to bring die 71 into a closing condition to not only blank or cut the strip of metal 69 to cause a disc to be blanked, but at the same time to form with the die 70 the bottom member 30. After the blanking and drawing to the form depicted in FIG. 9

the dies are opened with die 70 being moved back wardly by means of springs, not shown, and die 71 being moved rightwardly by means of the eccentric 134 which causes arm 136 to move rightwardly and carrying header 142 with it. No stripper or ejector pins are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, however, they are conventionally provided and are accommodated in the construction of the dies shown. As the dies are opened the now formed bottom plate 30 is discharged into a chute 72 to be fed in way of the cardboard tube 29 at position 2 at the station depicted in FIG. 2G. After the metal end plate 30 is pushed into the cardboard tube 29 the turret plate 60 is indexed and caused to be rotated one further station which is an idle station after which it is brought to an end closing station of the bottom plate 28 and cardboard tube 26.

Description of the Spinning Embodiment of FIG. 10

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and there is shown a closing station which occurs at a stop in the intermittent advancement or actuation of the rotation of turret plate 60. A spinning die 76, when the pin 62 is brought to a fixed or stop condition, is advanced and rotated by motor 78 at a determined speed as for example 3,000 r.p.m. This spinning die engages the end of the cardboard and the flange portion of the steel end plate 30 to turn and fold the members as seen in FIG. 11. After the spinning operation is completed the now assembled unit 33 is intermittently advanced on pin 62 to the next station which is an idle station. With the advance to the next station this assembly 33 is ejected from pin 62 and as seen in FIG. 2 *H" is fed to and through chute 81 where delivery is to an infeed conveyor 83 as also depicted in FIG. 2.

Intermediate Assembly of the Battery as Seen in FIGS. 12 13 and 14 Referring now to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 there is shown apparatus for the collation and semi-completion of the assembly of the battery. A combined assembly apparatus is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 2J. A plan view showing the orientation of particular details is shown in FIG. 13. The assembly 27 which includes the carbon rod 26, zinc shell or can and mix 24 and maybe tamping washer 37 is carried on conveyor 90 to and into a continuously rotating receiving turret 85 which is turning clockwise asseen inFlG. 13. The receiving turret member 85 is depicted as having formed in its periphery twenty receiving pockets 87. This multiplicity of pockets may be any desired number depending on the size of battery, size of turret and speed of'rotation. As seen in FIG. 13 each pocket has an entering lead slope 150 permitting progressive entry into the pocket. Aligned to feed the battery assembly 27 into these pockets is the discharge end of conveyor 90 which carries these semiassembled cells 27 and conveyor 83 which carries the assembled outer cardboard shell 32. The conveying

systems

90 and 83 include continuously advancing belt members which urge the transported

components

27 and 32 toward and into a lead slope 150 and finally into a receiving pocket 87 as an empty pocket is brought in way of a component.

As this is a high-speed assembly there is no intermittent motion with turret 85, transfer turret 92 and assembly turret 94 being rotated at a constant rate. Carried on the upper end of a fixed pedestal member which is inside of a spindle 152 is a fixed cam member 154 having a circular box cam track 156 attached thereto. The receiving turret is carried by and is rotated with spindle 152 by motor means, now shown. A can inserting assembly means includes a roller 158 which is carried on and by a head member which is attached to the upper end of a guide rod 162 and a pusher rod 164. These rods are arranged in a parallel and vertical manner and are slidably mounted in a bracket 166 attached to and rotated with turret member 85. The upper cam 154 is fixed as is the attached box cam track 156. As turret 85 makes a complete revolution the roller 158 as controlled by cam track 156 causes one reciprocation of the plunger pin 164 to occur. As seen in FIG. 12 the plunger pin 164 is depicted as near its upward travel which is completed as the roller 160 reaches the upper extent of the cam track 156 which occurs just at or after passing the infeeding conveyor 90. For each receivinggroove 87 there is a can inserting assembly having both the guide rod 162 and the pusher rod 164 mounted to and carried by a bracket 166 mounted on the rotating turret member 85. As depicted in FIG. 13 there are twenty of these equally spaced and arranged assemblies used with the turret 85. This number may be made more or less depending on the size and the rate of production of batteries to be produced.

In operation the cardboard tube assemblies 32 are fed into the lower extent of the receiving grooves 87 and are supported in a fixed condition upon a lower plate portion 169. In the meantime, the semicompleted cell 27 is fed by conveyor 90 to an upper extent of the receiving groove 87 at a position just above the previously received cardboard tube assembly 32. The grooves 87 are contoured so that both members to be assembled are in alignment. Each cardboard tube assembly 32 is retained in its receiving groove as it is rotated with the turret 85 by a guard ring 170 which is mounted adjacent the turret and retains the tube assembly 32 as it is brought in way of the upper received cell assembly 27. This cell assembly is also retained by a guard ring 171 carried adjacent the upper extent of groove 87 while permitting this subassembly 27 to drop into a partially received condition in the cardboard shell assembly 32. For the purpose of showing the turret details the members 169, l70and 171 are shown removed from the front of the apparatus and are shown as in section or at about the center of the apparatus. As the turret 85continues to be rotated clockwise, the plunger pin 164 associated with this particular groove 87 is pushed downwardly by means of the cam track 156 and the engaged and retained roller 158 which is moved in a prescribed manner. Plunger pin 164 engages the top of the carbon rod 26 to push the member 27 into a seated condition in thecardboard tube assembly 32 to form a general assembly 33.

Referring in particular to FIG. 13 it is to be noted that when assembly 33 reaches the counterclockwise rotating transfer turret member 92 it engages guide 172 and is displaced from the receiving bracket 87 and is guided into a pocket 174 from whence it is brought in way of a pocket 176 formed in turret member 94. The rotating transfer turret 92 is moved in synchronism with turret member 94 so that a deflector and retaining ring or member 180 will engage the assembly 33 to direct and guide said assembly from pocket 174 and into a pocket 176 in clockwise rotating turret 94. Carried on a continuously moving belt or conveyor 96 is the steel shell 34 which is urged into a nested condition in the lower portion of pocket 176 which is immediately below the assembly receiving portion 33 of pocket 176. As the turret member 94 is rotated the steel outer shell 34 and the battery assembly 33 is brought into coincidence in a pocket 176 permitting the battery assembly 33 to drop into the steel shell 34. A pusher rod 164 is carried by header 160 which also has a roller 158 engaging a cam track 156 in the same manner as is used with the pusher assembly for the turret 85. A fixed cam support 184 similar to cam support 154 carries a track 156 disposed to move support 160 and pusher rod 164 in a downward direction to cause the battery assembly 33 to be urged into a seated condition in the steel shell 34. After this assembly is accomplished as component 36 it is discharged by means of conveyor 100 to the final sealing operation. A support plate 186 carries the assembly 33 from conveyor 96 to conveyor 100. In FIG. 12, the ring 180 and plate 186 are shown in section and removed from the front of the apparatus.

This sealing operation includes the steps shown in FIG. 1, and are steps shown in FIG. 1K; FIG. 1L; FIG. 1M; FIG. 1N; FIG. 1-0 and FIG. 1P, above described. The step depicted in FIG. 1K may or may not be made after the step shown in FIG. 1E and the step shown in FIG. 1N may be omitted. The outer protective shell 34 may be metal, plastic or coated cardboard as desired in the final product.

Description of FIG. 14

Referring next in particular to FIG. 14 there is shown in enlarged scale a fragmentary section of turret 85, transfer turret 92 and'assembly turret 94. As depicted turret 85 has upper and lower

circular plate members

200 and 202 spaced therebetween are

ring members

204 and 206.

Spacers

208, 209 and 210 are secured to these members to provide and maintain the desired spacing of

members

200, 202, 204 and 206. The receiving pockets 87 in

members

200 and 204 are sized to receive and retain battery assembly 27. The receiving pockets 87 in

members

206 and 202 are sized to receive the cardboard tube assembly 33. A fixed drum 212 carries upper cam member 154a and lower cam member 154 to provide the box cam 154 and the cam groove or track 156 established between these attached and spaced portions.

The transfer turret 92, as depicted, is carried by shaft 220 rotatably carried in a bearing 222 carried by and in table or base 224. A lower disc 226 acts as a support member for the battery assembly 33 and said assembly is transferred from turret 85 to assembly turret 94. Intermediate disc 228 and upper disc 230 are attached to and are carried by shoulder portions on shaft 220 as it is rotated. Pockets 174 are formed in

discs

228 and 230 and are sized so as to receive, engage and retain battery assembly 33.

Assembly turret 94 is fragmentarily seen at the right side of this FIG. 14. Cam 184 has upper member 184a and lower member 184b which are like cam members 154a and b except in their orientation. Cam track 156 provides a guide path for the pusher roller 158. Cam portions 184a and l84b are attached to fixed drum 240 which is at a lower height than drum 212. The turret 94 includes upper and lower

circular plate members

242 and 244. Intermediate ring members 246 and 248 are carried and retained between

members

242 and 244 by means of

spacers

251, 252 and 253. In

members

242 and 246 the receiving pockets 176 are formed and sized to receive and retain the battery component 33 from transfer turret 92. In members 248 and 244 the receiving pockets 176 are aligned with those above and are sized to receive and retain the outer shell 34 and discharge assembly 36 on conveyor 100.

This view of the assembly apparatus as particularly shown in FIG. 14 indicates the preferred manner of forming the three moving turrets so that the transporting pockets will intersect and overlap. As shown the

members

202, 206 and 204 are sized and spaced to pass above plate 226 and between

members

228 and 230. These members in turn pass above ring member 248 and between ring 246 and top plate 242. The pocket 87 is brought into coincidence with pocket 174 at a point which intersects a theoretical line connecting the axis of the shafts of turret and turret 92. In a like manner pocket 174 is brought into coincidence with pocket 176 at a point which intersects a theoretical line connecting the axis of the shafts of turret 92 and turret 94.

Cam of FIG. 15

Referring next to FIG. 15 there is depicted a roll out view of the cam track 156. In practice this track provides the same function in both

cam

154 and 184. The orientation of the cam and the necessity of having the pusher at the maximum height at lesat at the time of insertion of the upper component into the turret is the important factor to be considered. At the time of discharge of the assembly from the turret the pin 164 must have gone to the low limit and be lifted from engagement with the assembly being made.

Assuming that A is a low point on the cam track a determinded rise such as about three inches will be achieved as the roller moves up the track to point B? From point B to point C the roller is at its maximum height and then at point C begins to move downwardly to point D which is at the low level and from D to A the roller remains or dwells at a low point.

Referring to FIG. 13 it is contemplated that point A on turret 85 will be fifty to sixty degrees before termination of guide 170 which occurs at the transfer to intermediate turret 92. Point B which is the maximum height on this turret is midway between the inlet points of conveyors and 83. Point C is where the track begins to carry roller 158 and plunger 164 downwardly to insert the battery assembly 27 into the cardboard tube assembly 32. Point C begins just past or to the left of inlet conveyor 90 and the insertion is complete at point D which is about ninety degrees before the transfer point from turret 85 to transfer turret 92.

The track 156 in cam 184 is disposed to cooperate with assembly turret 94 as follows. Point A is a short distance to the right of outlet conveyor 100. Point B which corresponds to the maximum rise is just before transfer turret 92 reaches turret 94. Point C which corresponds to the beginning of the downward push or fall of the pin 164 occurs a short distance to the right of or subsequent to the insertion of the outer shell 34 from conveyor 96. Point D occurs about thirty degrees before or to the right of the outlet conveyor 100.

The rise and fall of the cam track 156, of course, is of such an extent as to provide the desired insertion stroke and the necessary safety clearance to avoid engagement of pin 164 with the components as carried by the corresponding turret. The positioning and the corresponding contour of the cam track is dependent upon the placement of the infeeding and delivery conveyors. The above description hence is only illustrative of the embodiment shown.

Top Cover of FIG. 16

Referring finally to FIG. 16, there is depicted a die such as seen in FIG. 9 but with the center portion 275 of the die contoured to receive and engage the top of the carbon rod 26 at the final assembly of the battery. To form this top cover 44 dies 277 and 278 are actuated by the mechanism of FIG. 7.

It is to be noted that protectivesleeve 34 may be omitted and that cardboard sleeve 29 may be made of plastic, fiber, treated cardboard or other insulating material in which case the transfer turret 92 and assembly turret 94 are not used. Such a dry cell battery assembly is provided when desired by the customer. The continuous motion assembly turret 85 would then have conveyor 100 disposed to receive the assembled component 33 as it reaches the indicated transfer point.

It is to be further noted that transfer turret 92 may be omitted and the

turrets

85 and 94 be directly intermeshed. This, of course, requires one turret to turn clockwise and one counterclockwise and the support of the components during transfer becomes a little complicated, but it can be achieved. However, for high speed operation the embodiment of FIG. 13 is preferred.

Terms such as left, right," up, down, bottom, top, front, back, in," out, clockwise. counterclockwise" and the like are applicable to the embodiment shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely for the purposes'of description and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the dry cell assembly apparatus may be constructed or used.

While a particular embodiment of the assembly apparatus and method of assembly have been shown and described it is to be understood the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims and protection is sought to the broadest extent the prior art allows.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for automatically assembling the components of a dry cell type battery, said apparatus including: (a) means for supplying and assembling a battery subassembly including a zinc case, a porous liner within said case, a determined supply of mix placed within said liner, a carbon rod inserted into said mix and a tamping disc installed on top of said mix and adapted to retain this mix within said liner and around said rod; (b) a supply of outer insulated sleeve assemblies, each assembly including a bottom metal member and a tubular, sleeve with the sleeve portion being a sliding fit with the outside of said zinc case; (c) a first rotating turret having a multiplicity of receiving pockets formed in the outer periphery of the turret, said pockets sized to receive and retain the outer insulated sleeve assembly at a determined lower level and the battery subassembly at an upper level; (d) conveying means for receiving, transporting and delivering a supply of outer sleeve assemblies for single file insertion to and into the receiving pockets of the turret; (e) conveying means for receiving, transporting and delivering a supply of battery subassemblies for single file insertion to and into the receiving pockets of the turret, said means including means to insure that said subassemblies are released to enter an open top of a lower outer insulated sleeve assembly subsequent to the delivery of said sleeve assemblies into the pocket of the turret; (f) a plunger associated with each receiving pocket, said plunger adapted to engage the top of the subassembly and to pushthe subassembly into the outer insulated sleeve assembly, and (g) means to move the plunger, during the rotation of the turret, said movement providing for raising the plunger to a position above the subassembly at and during the receiving of a subassembly into a pocket after which this plunger is moved toward the subassembly and continues until such move ment is of an extent sufficient to fully insert the subassembly into the outer sleeve assembly to provide a semi-complete battery after which the plunger is raised as and during the discharge of the semi-complete battery from the turret.

2. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 1 in which the battery is provided with a protective outer shell, said shell slidably receiving and retaining the semi-complete battery, the assembly apparatus combined with the first rotating turret to provide: a transfer turret rotating in timed relationship with the first turret and having a multiplicity of receiving pockets shaped and positioned to receive the semicomplete battery and to transfer saidbattery to an assembly turret where a multiplicity of receiving pockets receives the semi-complete battery and in which there is provided a conveying means for receiving, transporting and delivering a supply of protective outer shells to and into the receiving turret and at a level which is below the receiving level of the semi-complete battery; a plunger associated. with each receiving pocket of the assembly turret, said plunger adapted to engage the top of the semi-complete battery and to push this semicomplete battery into a protective outer shell which has been fed to and is in the receiving pocket at a position immediately below and aligned with the semi-complete battery, and means to move the plunger during the rotation of the assembly turret, said movement providing for raising the plunger to a position above the semicomplete battery at and during the receiving of said semi-complete battery into a pocket and to then move the plunger toward the semi-complete battery and to continue such movement to an extent sufficient to fully insert the semi-complete battery into the protective outer shell to provide a battery complete except for sealing andclosing and to then raise the plunger as and during the discharge of the battery member from the assembly turret.

3. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell battery asin claim 2 in which the means to move each plunger is a fixedcam carried above the rotating turret and the plunger is actuated by a cam roller engaging said cam, each roller being carried by a support means attached to the upper end of the plunger.

4. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell battery as in claim 1 in which the turret is continuously rotated. I

5. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 1 in which the outer insulated sleeve assembly is made from a cardboard tube: and ametal bottom member.

6. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 5 in which the cardboard tube assembly is made by apparatus which includes: an indexed moving head member having a multiplicity of support pins carried thereby; a delivery chute disposed to deliver in a single file array a cardboard tube brought into a stopped and supported alignment with a support pin; pusher means for moving said tube onto a support pin so that a portion of the outer end of the tube is open and extending from the pin; means for moving the head member so that the pin and supported tube are brought in way of a metal end member delivered in a single file array to a stopped and supported alignment with the open outer end of the cardboard tube and with a pusher means for inserting said end member into the end of the tube; means for moving the head member so that the pin with the supported tube and inserted end is brought in way of an edge seaming means for turning the end of the tube and the outer edge of the end member into a retaining assembly, and means for ejecting and delivering said cardboard tube assembly to the conveyor means for delivering the outer insulated sleeve assemblies to the turret.

7. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 6 in which the indexed moving head member is a disc rotatably carried on a spindle driven by indexing mechanism.

8. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 6 in which the edge seaming means is a spinning die driven by a motor, said die being selectively moved into spinning assembly condition as the support pin is maintained for a determined time at an at rest condition.

9. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 6 in which the metal end member is cut and formed from an advanced strip of metal by a pair of mating compound dies carried by and moved by a double acting press.

10. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 1 in which the battery subassembly is fed to apparatus wherein a sealant supporting washer made from an insulating material such as cardboard is mounted in the top of the zinc case to provide a determined space between the tamping disc and the sealant washer after which a sealant is fed to the top of the battery after which at least a top metal end plate is mounted and swaged to the outer insulated sleeve, said top metal end plate engaging the top of the carbon rod so as to conduct current therefrom and provide one of the two battery conductive contacts,

11. A method for automatically assembling the components of a dry cell type battery, said method including the steps of: (a) supplying and assembling a battery subassembly which includes a zinc case, a fluid conductive liner within said case, a determined supply of wet mix placed within said liner, a carbon rod inserted into said mix and a tamping disc installed on top of said mix so as to retain this mix within the liner and around said rod; (b) providing a supply of outer sleeve assemblies including a tubular member attached to a bottom metal member, said tubular member being a sliding fit with the outside of said zinc case; (c) conveying said supply of outer sleeve assemblies so as to provide a single file delivery of one sleeve assembly to one ofa multiplicity of receiving pockets in a rotatable turret, said delivery being to a lower level in said pocket; (d) conveying said supply of battery subassemblies so as to provide a single file of a subassembly delivery to one of the multiplicity of receiving pockets in the rotatable turret, said delivery of the subassemblies being at a level above the sleeve assemblies delivery and subsequent thereto; (e) reciprocably moving a plunger associated with each receiving pocket, said plunger during its downward movement adapted to engage the top of the subassembly and to push the subassembly into the lower outer sleeve assembly to provide a semi-complete battery and during upward movement to permit discharge of the semi-complete battery from the turret, and (f) discharging the semi-complete battery from a pocket in the turret.

12. A method for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 11 which includes the rotation of the turret at a continuous speed.

13. A method for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 11 in which theassembling of the battery components further includes a transfer turret and a third assembling turret meshed and rotating in concert and at substantially the same peripheral speed, this assembly including the further steps of: transferring the semicomplete battery assembly to a receiving pocket in a turning second step transfer turret; transferring this semi-complete battery assembly to a receiving pocket in a turning third step assembly turret, said transfer occurring at a determined level; conveying a series of outer protective shells and delivering same in a single file array to a receiving pocket in the turning third step assembly turret, said transfer occurring at a level lower than and subsequent to the delivery of the semicomplete battery, and reciprocably moving a plunger associated with each receiving pocket of the third step turret, said plunger during its downward movement adapted to engage the top of the semi-complete battery and to push said battery into a lower outer protective shell to provide a battery assembly during upward movement to permit discharge of this battery assembly from the turret, and discharging the battery assembly from a pocket in the third step assembly turret.

14. A method for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 11 in which the outer insulated assembly includes a cardboard tube attached at one end to a metal bottom disc, the steps of assembling said insulated outer assembly including: rotating in an indexed manner a head member having a multiplicity of support pins mounted thereon; delivering in a single file array a supply of cardboard tubes and stopping and positioning one of said tubes in alignment with a support pin; pushing this positioned tube onto said pin and then advancing the turret to bring said tube to a subsequent assembly station; delivering in a single file array a supply of sheet metal end members and stopping and positioning one ofsaid members in alignment with the open end of the tube as carried on the pin; pushing this end member into the end of the tube and then advancing the turret to bring this assembly to a subsequent assembly station where the tube and end are retained on a retaining pin in a fixed alignment; advancing and rotating a spinning die to fold and seal by spinning the cardboard tube to the metal end member, and advancing this assembly to a discharge station and removing this outer insulated assembly from its supporting retaining pin.

15. A method for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 14 in which the metal end member used in the cardboard tube assembly is formed and delivered to the assembly operation by the following steps: advancing a strip of electrically conductive material such as metal to and between a pair of mated compound dies, advancing said dies toward each other in a determined sequence and to a determined limit by a double acting press to cut and then form said end member and delivering said formed end member to the assembly station by ejecting the member from the die and transporting the end member in a single file array to and through a delivery chute.

16. A method for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim in which the battery subassembly is finished as an assembly by the following steps: transporting said subassembly to a further station whereat there is performed the step of forming and inserting a sealant supporting washer into the open end of the zinc case; advancing this assembly and positioning said assembly in way of a sealant discharge spout and discharging a determind determined of sealant into the top ofthe battery assembly; moving this battery assembly to cover applying station where there is performed the step of inserting a top electrically conductive member after to a final station and closing said end of the battery by 18 swaging, spinning and the like.

17. A method for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 16 in which the final assembly of the battery includes the step of forming and] inserting a sealantcovering insulating washer into the top of the battery after the step of depositing of the sealant and prior to the step of inserting the top cover member.

18. A method for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 16 in which the step of inserting the top electrically conductive member includes the steps of: advancing a strip of electrically conductive material to and between a pair of mated compound dies, advancing said dies toward each other in a determined sequence and to a determined limit by a double acting press to cut and then form said top member and delivering said formed top member to the assembly station by ejecting the member from the die and transporting the top member in a single file array to and through a delivery chute.

Claims

1. Apparatus for automatically assembling the components of a dry cell type battery, said apparatus including: (a) means for supplying and assembling a battery subassembly including a zinc case, a porous liner within said case, a determined supply of mix placed within said liner, a carbon rod inserted into said mix and a tamping disc installed on top of said mix and adapted to retain this mix within said liner and around said rod; (b) a supply of outer insulated sleeve assemblies, each assembly including a bottom metal member and a tubulaR sleeve with the sleeve portion being a sliding fit with the outside of said zinc case; (c) a first rotating turret having a multiplicity of receiving pockets formed in the outer periphery of the turret, said pockets sized to receive and retain the outer insulated sleeve assembly at a determined lower level and the battery subassembly at an upper level; (d) conveying means for receiving, transporting and delivering a supply of outer sleeve assemblies for single file insertion to and into the receiving pockets of the turret; (e) conveying means for receiving, transporting and delivering a supply of battery subassemblies for single file insertion to and into the receiving pockets of the turret, said means including means to insure that said subassemblies are released to enter an open top of a lower outer insulated sleeve assembly subsequent to the delivery of said sleeve assemblies into the pocket of the turret; (f) a plunger associated with each receiving pocket, said plunger adapted to engage the top of the subassembly and to push the subassembly into the outer insulated sleeve assembly, and (g) means to move the plunger during the rotation of the turret, said movement providing for raising the plunger to a position above the subassembly at and during the receiving of a subassembly into a pocket after which this plunger is moved toward the subassembly and continues until such movement is of an extent sufficient to fully insert the subassembly into the outer sleeve assembly to provide a semi-complete battery after which the plunger is raised as and during the discharge of the semi-complete battery from the turret.

2. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 1 in which the battery is provided with a protective outer shell, said shell slidably receiving and retaining the semi-complete battery, the assembly apparatus combined with the first rotating turret to provide: a transfer turret rotating in timed relationship with the first turret and having a multiplicity of receiving pockets shaped and positioned to receive the semi-complete battery and to transfer said battery to an assembly turret where a multiplicity of receiving pockets receives the semi-complete battery and in which there is provided a conveying means for receiving, transporting and delivering a supply of protective outer shells to and into the receiving turret and at a level which is below the receiving level of the semi-complete battery; a plunger associated with each receiving pocket of the assembly turret, said plunger adapted to engage the top of the semi-complete battery and to push this semi-complete battery into a protective outer shell which has been fed to and is in the receiving pocket at a position immediately below and aligned with the semi-complete battery, and means to move the plunger during the rotation of the assembly turret, said movement providing for raising the plunger to a position above the semi-complete battery at and during the receiving of said semi-complete battery into a pocket and to then move the plunger toward the semi-complete battery and to continue such movement to an extent sufficient to fully insert the semi-complete battery into the protective outer shell to provide a battery complete except for sealing and closing and to then raise the plunger as and during the discharge of the battery member from the assembly turret.

3. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell battery as in claim 2 in which the means to move each plunger is a fixed cam carried above the rotating turret and the plunger is actuated by a cam roller engaging said cam, each roller being carried by a support means attached to the upper end of the plunger.

4. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell battery as in claim 1 in which the turret is continuously rotated.

5. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 1 in which the outer insulated sleeve assembly is made from a cardboard tube and a metal bottom member.

8. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 6 in which the edge seaming means is a spinning die driven by a motor, said die being selectively moved into spinning assembly condition as the support pin is maintained for a determined time at an ''''at rest'''' condition.

10. Apparatus for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 1 in which the battery subassembly is fed to apparatus wherein a sealant supporting washer made from an insulating material such as cardboard is mounted in the top of the zinc case to provide a determined space between the tamping disc and the sealant washer after which a sealant is fed to the top of the battery after which at least a top metal end plate is mounted and swaged to the outer insulated sleeve, said top metal end plate engaging the top of the carbon rod so as to conduct current therefrom and provide one of the two battery conductive contacts.

11. A method for automatically assembling the components of a dry cell type battery, said method including the steps of: (a) supplying and assembling a battery subassembly which includes a zinc case, a fluid conductive liner within said case, a determined supply of wet mix placed within said liner, a carbon rod inserted into said mix and a tamping disc installed on top of said mix so as to retain this mix within the liner and around said rod; (b) providing a supply of outer sleeve assemblies including a tubular member attached to a bottom metal member, said tubular member being a sliding fit with the outside of said zinc case; (c) conveying said supply of outer sleeve assemblies so as to provide a single file delivery of one sleeve assembly to one of a multiplicity of receiving pockets in a rotatable turret, said delivery being to a lower level in said pocket; (d) conveying said supply of battery subassemblies so as to provide a single file of a subassembly delivery to one of the multiplicity of receiving pockets in the rotatable turret, said delivery of the subassemblies being at a level above the sleeve assemblies delivery and subsequent thereto; (e) reciprocably moving a plunger associated with each receiving pocket, said plunger during its downward movement adapted to engage the top of the subassembly and to push the subassembly into the lower outer sleeve assembly to provide a semi-complete battery and during upward movement to permit discharge of the semi-complete battery from the turret, and (f) discharging the semi-cOmplete battery from a pocket in the turret.

13. A method for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 11 in which the assembling of the battery components further includes a transfer turret and a third assembling turret meshed and rotating in concert and at substantially the same peripheral speed, this assembly including the further steps of: transferring the semi-complete battery assembly to a receiving pocket in a turning second step transfer turret; transferring this semi-complete battery assembly to a receiving pocket in a turning third step assembly turret, said transfer occurring at a determined level; conveying a series of outer protective shells and delivering same in a single file array to a receiving pocket in the turning third step assembly turret, said transfer occurring at a level lower than and subsequent to the delivery of the semi-complete battery, and reciprocably moving a plunger associated with each receiving pocket of the third step turret, said plunger during its downward movement adapted to engage the top of the semi-complete battery and to push said battery into a lower outer protective shell to provide a battery assembly during upward movement to permit discharge of this battery assembly from the turret, and discharging the battery assembly from a pocket in the third step assembly turret.

14. A method for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 11 in which the outer insulated assembly includes a cardboard tube attached at one end to a metal bottom disc, the steps of assembling said insulated outer assembly including: rotating in an indexed manner a head member having a multiplicity of support pins mounted thereon; delivering in a single file array a supply of cardboard tubes and stopping and positioning one of said tubes in alignment with a support pin; pushing this positioned tube onto said pin and then advancing the turret to bring said tube to a subsequent assembly station; delivering in a single file array a supply of sheet metal end members and stopping and positioning one of said members in alignment with the open end of the tube as carried on the pin; pushing this end member into the end of the tube and then advancing the turret to bring this assembly to a subsequent assembly station where the tube and end are retained on a retaining pin in a fixed alignment; advancing and rotating a spinning die to fold and seal by spinning the cardboard tube to the metal end member, and advancing this assembly to a discharge station and removing this outer insulated assembly from its supporting retaining pin.

16. A method for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 15 in which the battery subassembly is finished as an assembly by the following steps: transporting said subassembly to a further station whereat there is performed the step of forming and inserting a sealant supporting washer into the open end of the zinc case; advancing this assembly and positioning said assembly in way of a sealant discharge spout and discharging a determind determined of sealant into the top of the battery assembly; moving this battery assembly to cover applying station where there is performed the step of inserting a top electrically conductive member after whicH the battery is finished by transporting the battery to a final station and closing said end of the battery by swaging, spinning and the like.

17. A method for automatically assembling a dry cell as in claim 16 in which the final assembly of the battery includes the step of forming and inserting a sealant-covering insulating washer into the top of the battery after the step of depositing of the sealant and prior to the step of inserting the top cover member.