US619681A

US619681A - Can-soldering machine

Info

Publication number: US619681A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1899-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 1916-02-14

Description

No. 6l9,68l. Patented Feb. l4, I899. E. F. DORSEY.

CAN SOLDEBING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 10, 1898.\

6. Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

mz- Nonms PETERS 00.. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINUTUN, u. c.

No. 6|9,68I. Patented Feb. 14, I899.

' E. F. DURSEY.

CAN SOLDERING MACHINE.

(Applicatiun filed June 10, 1898.\ v (No Model.) 6 Sheet s.$heet 2.

W ghzewesx Z ZZQ 17101;

THE Nonms PErzRs 00., Pucroumuu WASHINGTON. n. cy

Patented Feb. 14, I899;

E. r. nunsev. CAN SOLDEBING MAGHINE.

(Application filed June -10, 1898 6 She etsSheet 3.

(No Model.)

MM T l 1..

No. 6I9,68l. Patented Feb. l4, I899.

E. F. DORSEY.

CAN SOLDEBING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 10, 1898.\ (No. Model.) 6 Sheets Sheet 4.

F f 55 W Ii l 527 73 I afiw I "92 F zf/ 07 22 195 THE norms wrrzns co. FKOYO-LITNO-, WASHINGTON. a. c.

N0. 6|9,68 Pate nted Feb; l4, I899.

E. F. DORSEY.

CAN SOLDERING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 10, 1898. I (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

No. s|9,sa|. v Patehted Feb. |4',1s99. E. F. nonssv.

CAN SOLDEBING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 10, 1898.! (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 8 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER F. DORSEY, OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.

CAN-SOLDERING MACH INE.

SFEGIFIGATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,681, dated February 14, 1899. Application filed June 10, 1898. Serial No. 683,076. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER F. DORSEY, of Kansas City, -Wyandotte county, Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Soldering Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic can-soldering machines; and my object is to produce a machine of this character embodying a can-receivin g box and instrumentalities for soldering the can therein while under a vacuum, this function taking place with great rapidity considering the nature of the work in hand.

With this general object in view the invention consists in certain novel and peculiar features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which-- Figure 1 represents a top plan view, with certain parts omitted, of a can-soldering machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same, partly broken away. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine with certain duplicate parts omitted. Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line IV IV of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side view of one of the can-receiving boxes and the mechanism for feeding and cutting and depositing the solder at the proper point on the can and the soldering-iron for fusing the same and hermetically sealing the can. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a plate closing an opening in one end of the box. Fig. '7 is a vertical section of said box, taken on the line VII VII of Fig. 5. Fig. Sis a sectional View of the box to illustrate clearly the solder-cutting mechanism. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of one of the combined air and vacuum valves. Fig. 10 is a top plan View of the same. Fig. 11 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. '12 is a horizontal section of the same. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the cam-carrying bar for .successively actuating the solder cutting,

feeding, and fusing mechanism. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the ca-n-receivin g boxes to illustrate-more clearly the construction of the spring for opening the door and the relation between said spring and the box and door.

In the said drawings, 1 designates the base of the machine. It is of conical form and hollow and externally is provided by preference with three sockets 2, in which are suitably erected the posts or standards 3.

4 designates a triangular tie-frame which is mounted upon and connects the upper ends of the standards 3.

5 designates a vertical shaft, which is journaled in the frame 4 and in the neck portion of the hollow base 1, and said shaft for a suitable distance from its lower end is provided with a vertical passage 6, registering with a vertical passage 7, which opens into the interior of the hollow base, and vertically below said passage the base is provided with an opening 8 to receive the pipe (not shown) adapted for connection with a suction-pump or its equivalent for creating a vacuum in said base. The connection between the shaft 5 and the base portion, in which it has a bearing at its lower end, is made air-tight by the employment of a stuffing-box 9.

1O designates a pair of bearing-standards mounted upon the tie-frame 4, and 11 a short shaft journaled therein and provided at its inner end with a gear-pinion 12, meshing with a gear-wheel 13, mounted upon the shaft 5.

14 designates a large gear-wheel on the opposite end of the shaft 11 and meshing with a gear-pinion 15 upon a parallel shaft 16, also journaled in bearing-standards 17, projecting from said frame, and said shaft is provided at its outer end with fast and loose pulleys 18 19.

20 designates a disk, of marble or other material which is a non-conductor of electricity, mounted rigidly upon the upper end of the shaft 5, and said disk is provided with two concentric contact-rings 21 22.

23 designates a standard projecting upwardly from the frame 4, and 24 an arm thereof, upon which is mounted a sleeve 25, of hard rubber or other insulting material, and mounted upon said sleeve are a pair of clamps 26, provided with contact-

brushes

27 and 27 which respectively engage the contact-

rings

21 and 22 and are in electrical connection with wires 28 28, forming part of an electric circuit.

29 designates a circular table, which is secured upon the shaft 5 at a suitable distance above the base 1, and in order to make the joint between said table and shaft perfect the stuiiing-boxes 30 31 at opposite sides of the table are employed. At a point preferably to below the table, as shown, its hub is provided with radial passages 32,in numbereorresponding to the boxes employed, as hereinbefore specified, and said passages communicate or register with the radial passages or holes 33, :5 opening into the upper end of the passage or channel 6 of the shaft, (see Fig. 4,) and 34 designates radially-extending pipes which .are carried by said tubular hub and register with said passages. The table is provided, 20 preferably at equal distances apart, in this instance with six apertures 35, and secured vertically upon said table and over said apertures are a corresponding number of boxes 36, said boxes being of suitable form and proportion to each receive a can A, having a perforation in the center of its upper end or head in the customary manner. The box is also provided below said can with the passage 37, which registers with the aperture 35 below, in order that the extraction of the air from the hollow base will synchronously create a vacuum in the boxes, which are described in the singular, as they are all precisely of the same construction.

The box is provided with an upwardly-projecting and communicating neck portion 38, having in one side an opening 39 to give access to its interior for any purpose and closed ordinarily by the removable plate 40, a packing-strip 41, of rubber or equivalent material, being disposed between the box and the plate in order that a perfectly air-tight joint may be made. The lower end of the plate 40 fits upon the box and is held in place at this end by means of the plate 42, secured to the box. The upper end of the plate is provided with one or more notches 43, through which project threaded pins 44, carried by the box for engagement by the nuts 45, whereby the plate is clamped firmly and reliably in position.

46 designates a cover-plate bolted upon the upper end of the box and provided with a cylindrical hub portion 47, in which is journaled the vertical sleeve 48, said sleeve overlapping the upper end of the hub 47 to prevent any downward slippage. The bearingsleeve projects downward some distance into the neck 38 of the box and is provided a suitable distance from its lower end with the verti- 60 cal slots 49 and carries atits extreme lowerend the collar or nut 50. The joint between the hub and the sleeve, which I shall hereinafter term the oscillatory sleeve, is made air-tight by means of the stuffing-box 51, and said sleeve at its enlarged or upper end is provided with the outwardly and inwardly projecting pins 52 and 53 for a purpose which will be pres ently explained.

54 designates a stuffin g-box,which is mounted in the upper end of said sleeve in order to provide a perfectly air-tight joint between the latter and the sliding shaft, consisting of two sections, the upper section 55 and the lower section 55. The former is provided with a feather 56, mounted in the inverted- U-shaped bracket or frame 57, bolted upon the top plate or cover 46 in order that it may move vertically but not rotatably. The latter partakes of the vertical movement of the former and also of the rotatable or oscillatory movement of the sleeve 48, and in order to obtain this oscillatory movement it is provided with a pin 58, which projects through the vertical slots 49 of the sleeve, and consequently compels the lower section of the shaft to oscillate with each oscillation of said sleeve. Each depression or downward movement of the shaft is accompanied by a like movement on the part of the lower section, because it normally rests upon the latter, and in order to ree'levate said shaft when the overcoming pressure is removed a spiral expansion-spring 59, encircling the lower portion of the sleeve 48, bears at its lower end against the collar or nut 50 of said sleeve and at its upper end against the washer 60 at the under side of the pin 58. The lower section of the shaft is provided with a soldering-iron or copper 61 of a well-known type, provided with the soldering-point 62, said copper being electrically connected by means of the insulated cable-wires 62 63, extending through the hole 64 in the back of the box (so that air cannot enter or leave the box at this point) into the passage 5, drilled in the upper end of the shaft 5. The cables then extend upward through said passage and are electrically connected to the contact-

rings

22 and 21, respectively. In order that the copper may be depressed at the proper time, the non-oscillatory section of the shaft is surmounted by a bifurcated nut 65, wherein is journaled an antifriction-roller 66, the latter being adapted to roll with a minimum of friction across the face of a cam, to be hereinafterdescribed, which depresses the copper to operative position.

The neck 38 of the box is provided with an opening opposite the opening 39, closed by means of a plate 67, and screwed into said plate at a proper point is a tubular guideplug 68 for the thread of solder B, the inner end of said plug being vertically above the flaring mouth of the passage 69 of the rockframe 70, provided with a curved tubular arm 70, having its lower or discharge end normally vertically over and registering with the can-hole to be closed. Said rock-frame is journaled in the plate 67, as shown at 71, and is provided with an arm 72, arranged ICS externally of'the box, and said arm is pivotally connected to the lower end of the reciprocatory rod 73, provided with a bifur-' cated nut 74 at its upper end and an antifriction-roller 7 5,j ournaled therein. Said rod extends through a guide-lug 76, projecting from plate 67, and also through a plate 77, and secured upon the shaft between the lug and the plate is a collar 7 7 a and a spiral expansion-spring 78, the latter bearing at its opposite ends against the plate and the collar, so as to hold the latter normally up against the under side of lug 76. The nut 79 upon said rod, above the lug 76, is adapted to limit the downward movement of said rod, and consequently the movement of the guide-tube 7 0, which in its normal position, as shown at Fig. 7, receives and deposits the solder over the hole in the can and then by the depression of rod 73, by means of a cam to be hereinafter described, swings laterally out of the path of descent of the copper, which then descends and, fusing the solder, hermetically closes the hole in the top of the can.

80 designates a bracket projecting horizontally from the lower end of the plate 67, and 81 a U-shaped bracket carried thereby and adapted to be adjusted vertically by a setscrew 82, said bracket 81 having journaled therein the lower feed-roller 83, which is peripherally grooved in order that the thread B of solder may be guided properly into'the plug 68, hereinbefore described. A companion roller 83, which engages the upper side of the solder thread, is provided at one side with or carries a ratchet-wheel 84, and said wheels are journaled upon the shaft 85, journaled in turn in brackets 86, secured to the plate 67. Said wheels are operated with a step-by-step motion in order that a piece of solder of the same length may be cut from the thread 13, as

will be hereinafter explained, this step-bystep movement being accomplished by the following mechanism:

87 designates an arm mounted upon shaft 85, and 88 a sliding dog mounted in said arm and pressed continually against the ratchetwheel 84 by means of the spring 89, as shown clearly in Fig. 7. Said shaft is provided at one end with an inwardly-projecting arm 90, the inner end of which is pivoted to the lower end of the bifurcated rod 91, said rod being guided through the lug 92 of plate 67 and also through the bracket 93, projecting from said plate below said lug. Said rod is provided with a collar 94, which is normally held up against the lug 92 by the pressure of the spiral spring 95, encircling said rod and bearing at its lower end against the bracket 93. Said rod is adapted to be periodically depressed in a manner to be presently explained and is provided with a nut 96 above lug 92 to limit its downward movement, and at its upper end it is provided with a horizontal arm 97.

Extending vertically through the boss 46 of the top plate 46 of the boxand also through the stuffing-box 98, carried thereby, and a guide-lug 99, projecting laterally from the bracket or frame 57, is a reciprocatory rod 100, and mounted upon said rod just below the lug 99 is one or more adjusting-nuts 101, which are held with a yielding pressure against the under side of said lug by means of a spring 102, spirally encircling the rod and bearing at its lower end against said stuffing-box. The upper end of the rod is provided with a bifurcated nut 103, carrying an antifriction-roller 104, said roller being held normally in the same horizontal plane as the

rollers

66 and 75; but said rollers travel in different concentric paths for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

' 105 designates a plate which projects inwardly of the box from-plate 67. 106 designates a sliding plate mounted therein and adapted to reciprocate vertically, said plate being held in position by a cap-plate, 107, screwed or otherwise secured to plate 105. The sliding plate is armed at its lower end with a knife 108, which plays back and forth across the inner end of plug 68 and is adapted to sever with each depression a piece of solder from the thread B, and said piece of solder falls into the flaring mouth in the opening 69 and is conveyed bythe tube to the hole in the top of the can, as hereinafter explained.

109 designates a lever, which is fulcrumed at one end upon the boss 110, projecting inwardly from the side of the box, and is ,pivotally connected at its opposite end to the lower end of rod 100'and at its middle to the upper end of the sliding plate 106. (See Fig. 8.) By this arrangement it is obvious that the descent of rod 100 simultaneously causes the operation of the knife and the severance of a piece of solder and throws dogcarrying arm 87 back to its initial position, with the dog 88 in engagement with ratchetwheel 84. The relevation of the rod by its spring-102 restores the knife to its initial or elevated position andfeeds the solder forward one step by the operation of the arm 87.

The thread B, of solder, runs from a reel or spool 111, which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 112,mounted in the upper end of the standard 113, bolted or otherwise secured to the table 29, and owing to the fact that the length of the shaft 112 exceeds the width of the reel the latter is caused to automatically slide from side to side as it unwinds in order that the solder may extend as'nearly as possible without bending from the reel to the feed-rollers 83 83, the latterbeing guided at an intermediate point between the antifriction-rollers 114, j ournaled upon pins 115, projecting from an arm 116 of standard 113.

To cause the operation of the solder feeding and cutting mechanism, the mechanism for swinging the guide-tube to operative position, and the mechanism for fusing the solder deposited over the hole of the can in the order named, I provide the following construction: 117 designatesa cross-bar secured a horizontal rib 119, having depending

cams

120, 121, and 122 arranged in the same concentric paths as the

rollers

104, 75, and 66, respectively, and depending from the rear end (with respect to the direction of rotation) of the cam 112 is an arm 123,Which is adapted by contact with the rod or pin 53 to oscillate the sleeve 48 shortly after the same has been oscillated in the opposite direction by the preceding contact of pin 52 with the arm 124, projecting inwardly from one of the standards 3, upon which the bar 117 is mounted. Preliminary to the operation just described, however, the l1inge-door 125, forming practically the entire front side of the main portion of the box, is closed by the frictional engagement of the spring-arm 127 with the antifriction roller 129 of sleeve 128, clamped or otherwise secured upon the same standard 3 that carries the arm 124, said door being adapted to form an air-tight joint with the box, the arm 127 being of the yielding type in order that the doors 125 may be tightly closed as they pass the roller 129 in rapid succession. The roller 129 occupies a relatively immovable position inthe path of said spring-arms and is successively engaged by said arms 127. This engagement causes the doors to swing to their closed positions, and at the moment each door is closed its respective box reaches its point of travel nearest said roller, and the latter in consequence applies its greatest pressure upon the springarn1,and therefore effects a perfect closure of the box. Each door is normally held open by a spring 126, which is bent to approximately U form at its middle and at the opposite sides of the same into a series of coils or convolutions, through which extends the hinge-rod 36, carried by lugs 36 projecting from the box. The door 125 is provided with ears or lugs 125, pivoted upon said rod, and with a pair of loops 125 through which project the ends of the spring. The hinge-coils or convolutions of said spring are numbered 126 and the ends or arms projecting through loops 125 are numbered 126, and owing to the tendency of said ends or arms to spring or move outward while the middle of the spring presses firmly against the box the door 125 is swung open at the instant the vacuum in the box is destroyed, as hereinbefore explained.

Mounted upon the base 1, a suitable distance below the table 29, is a circular plate 130, provided at its upper side with a segmental track 131, which is struck from the same axis as the segmental cam 122, and consequently is vertically below the apertures 35 in the table 29, as shown clearly in Fig. 2, said track tapering to a point, preferably at each end, and having its front end (with respect to the direction of rotation, as indicated in Fig. 2) in the same radial plane as the door-closin g roller 129 in order that a vacuum may be created or established in the box at the instant its door is closed. The relative for what I term the air-valve 149.

positions of these parts are illustrated in Fig. 2. The instrumentality for making possible the creation of a vacuum in the box at this time is in the form of a combined vacuum and air valve and is constructed as follows: 132 designates a tubular casing,which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the under side of the table 29 under an opening 35 and is provided in its upper end with a chamber 133, partitioned horizontally by the perforated plate or diaphragm 134,and formed below the same with a valve-seat 135. Be low said valve-seat it is provided with a tubular arm 136,within which is secured the outer end of one of the radial pipes 34, (see Fig. 4,) and mounted at the lower end of said casing is a stuffing-box 137.

138 designates a vertical rod or stem extending up through the stuffing-box and casing and provided with a valve 139 at its upper end and with an antifriction-roller 140 at its lower end, the latter being adapted to ride upon the track 131 in a manner hereinafter explained. Said roller is mounted in a bifurcated nut 141 upon said rod, and above said nut and upon said rod is an adjustable collar or nut 142, which is adapted to tension the spring 143, spirally encircling said rod and hearing at its opposite ends against collar-142 and stuifing-box 137, and consequently holding the valve 139 down upon its seat with a yielding pressure, except at such time as the roller 140 is riding upon the track 131. The rod is confined to a vertical movement only by means of a pin 144, projecting into the vertical groove 145 of the casing. The rod or stem is provided with a central passage 146, communicating at its lower end with a hole 147, below the stuffing-box, and flared at its upper end, so as to provide the seat 148 Said valve is provided with a depending skeleton stem 150, which fits slidingly in the passage 146 of the vacuum-valve stem, so as to not interfere with the free passage of air therethrough when the valve is unseated, as shown in Fig. 11. Said valve is also provided with a stem 151, which projects upward through the perforated guide-plate 134. The tendency of a spiral spring 152, encircling the rod and bearing at its opposite ends against plate 134 and valve 149, is to hold the valve upon its seat; but this tendency is defeated by the employment of one or more nuts 153 upon said stem at the upper side of the plate 134, said nut or nuts being adjusted so as to hold the valve a slight distance above its seat at such time as the vacuum -valve is seated. The elevation of the vacuum-valve by the track causes the valve 149 to be seated, the spring 152 holding the same in such perfect contact with the vacuum-valve that it is impossible for air to enter the casing through the passage 146. It is obvious in case the relative adjustment of the parts is not perfeet that the spring 152 will permit valve 149 to be raised slightly by the elevation of the vacuum-valve and will return it to its original position, as shown in Fig. 11, when the vacuum-valve is returned to its seat by spring 143.

The machine as shown embodies six canreceiving boxes. Consequently six cans are soldered with each revolution of the table 29, making a total capacity of about fifteen thousand cans a day, a boy sitting at the table successively taking the soldered cans out of the boxes with one hand and placing new cans therein with the other very rapidly. Immediately after each box has received an unsoldercd can its door is closed by contact of the spring-arm 127 with the roller 129, (see Fig. 2,) and the instant the door is completely closed by the pressure of'said roller upon said yielding arm the roller 140 of the combined air and vacuum valve registering wit-h said box rides upon the track 131 and synchronously lifts the valve 139 from its seat and seats valve 149 upon its seat 148,in order that the entrance of air into the box by way of the aperture 147 and passage 146 of the valvestem 138 may be cut off and avacuum created in the box, and consequently in the can, the

' air being drawn out through pipe 34, shaftpassage 6, and the hollow base of the machine, as hereinbefore explained. Immediately after this vacuum is created the rotating'table carries the box beyond roller 129, but the door does not open, owing to the atmospheric pressure on the outside. The roller 104 now comes in contact with and is depressed by the cam 120, this action causing the solder thread B to advance one step and the knife 108 to descend and cut a piece ofi the end of said thread, said piece dropping down into the flared passage of frame and descending through its guide-tube 70 to a position upon the can A and over the hole therein. An instant after the solder is deposited over the hole in the can the roller engages and is depressed by the cam 121, and the tube 70, by the pivotal action of frame 70, is swung laterally from beneath the tip of the copper or soldering-iron, the lower end of said tube 70 being provided at one side with a notch 70*, in order that the tube may operate as described without disturbing the piece of solder deposited upon the can. (See Fig. 7.) While the tube 7 0 is still held from beneath the copper, the latter is forced downward by reason of the engagement of the roller 66 with the cam 122 and the contact of the electrically-heated copper with the piece of solder fuses the latter and hermetically seals the hole in the can, in order that it will be absolutely impossible for air to enter the latter that the contents may be in perfect condition when the can is opened irrespective of the length of time intervening between the sealing and opening operations. The length of the cam 122 is sufficient to insure the thorough and complete fusion of the solder with the can. At the moment the roller 66 is about to clear or pass beyond the rear end of cam 122 and permit spring 59 to reelevate the copper the pin 53, projecting inwardly from the upper end of sleeve 48, strikes the depending arm 123 (see Fig. 13) and is given about a quarter-turn, this twist being given to the copper in imitation of the twist naturally given by the hand to a soldering-iron preliminary to lifting it from the solder in order that its disconnection may be clean and positivethat is to say, in order that the copper may be lifted without withdrawing particles ofsolder with it, thus rendering the work unreliable. Immediately after the solderingiron is given the twist referred to and rises, the roller 75 clears the end of the long cam 121 and permits spring 78 to swing tube 70 back to its original position and ready to deposit the next piece of soldier at a point vertically below the copper. The rotation of the 'table during these operations continues and the vacuum is maintained after the soldering operation is completed for about a half-revolution, when it is destroyed by the valveroller 140 clearing the rear end of track 131 and permitting the spring 143 to throw the vacuum-valve back to its original position (see Fig. 11) and permit air to enter the box by way of hole 147, passage 146, chamber 133, and aperture 35 in the table. The instant the vacuum is destroyed the spring 126 throws the door 125 open, and a moment after the box arrives opposite the boy, who removes the can with one hand and replaces it with a new one and immediately thereafter its door is again closed and at the same instant the outwardly-projecting pin of sleeve 48 strikes arm 124 of standard 3 and twists the copper back to its original position. This is done in order that the former twisting operation shall be counteracted and the wires 62 63 straightened back to their original position, as will be understood. All succeeding operations are repetitions of the one described. As the boy places a can in each box with each revolution of the table, it is obvious that the number of cans sealed in each revolution is equal to the number of boxes with which the table is provided.

From the above description itwill be apparent that Ihave produced an automatic can-soldering machine which embodies the features of advantage enumerated in the statement of invention, and it is to be understood,of course,that I reserve the right to make such changes in the detail construction, form, proportion, or organization as do not involve a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a can-soldering machine,a moving box to receive the can to be sealed, a copper arranged with relation to the can-hole to be closed, means for depositing a piece of solder on and over the hole in the can after the latter is placed in the box, and means for forcing the copper against the piece of solder as the box attains a predetermined relative position, substantially as described.

2. In a can-soldering machine,a moving box to receive the can to be sealed, means to create a vacuum therein, a copper arranged within said box with relation to the can-hole to be closed, means for depositing a piece of copper on and over the hole in the can after the latter is placed on the box, and means for forcing the copper against the piece of solder as the box attains a predetermined relative position, substantially as described.

3. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a box havinga vacuum-chamber, in which is located the can to be soldered, a copper vertically above the can-hole to be closed and provided with a stem, and a cam adapted to engage said stem and force the copper downward against the piece of solder upon and over the hole of said can, substantially as described.

4. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a vacuum-box in which the can to be soldered is located, a copper vertically above the hole in the top of said can which is twisted alternately in opposite directions, a cam to cause the engagement of the copper with a piece of solder over the hole of and upon said can, and means to break the connection between the copper and the solder at the instant the former is performing one of its twisting operations, substantially as described.

5. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a vacuum-box in which the can to be soldered is located, a sectional shaft extending vertically down into the box, and provided at its lower end with a copper, a slotted sleeve monnted'upon the adjacent ends of said shaft, and turned or twisted alternately in opposite directions, a pin projecting from the lower section of the shaft into the slotted portion of said sleeve, a cam for periodically engaging the upper section of the shaft and thereby depressing the copper into engagement with a piece of solder upon and over the hole of the can, and a spring for relevating said shaft and said copper, substantially as described.

6. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a vacuum-box in which the can to be soldered is located, a sectional shaft extending vertically down into the box, and provided at its lower end with a copper, the upper section of the shaft being non-rotatable and provided at its upper end with a roller, a slotted sleeve mounted upon the adjacent end of said shaft, and turned or twisted alternately in opposite directions, a pin projecting from the lower section of the shaft into the slotted port-ion of said sleeve, a cam for periodically engaging the shaft-roller and thereby depressing the copper into en gagement with a piece of solder upon and over the hole of the can, and a spring for relevating said shaft and said copper, substantially as described.

7. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a vacuum-box, in which the can to be soldered is located, a vertically-slotted sleeve journaled in the upper part of the box and provided with inwardly and outwardly projecting pins, a sectional shaft having its meeting ends mou nt-ed in said sleeve; the lower section being provided with a pin engaging the slotted portion of said sleeve, and the upper section with a roller, and adapted to slide but not rotate in said box, arms for alternate engagement with the pins of said sleeve to rock it in opposite directions, a cam to depress the shaft-roller and thereby force the copper into engagement with a piece of solder upon and over a hole in the can, and a spring to reelevate said copper at the termination of one of the twisting orturning operations of said sleeve, substantially as described.

8. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a shaft, a table mounted thereon, a vacuum-box mounted upon the table and containing the can to be soldered, an electrically-heated copper mounted in said box and arranged vertically over the hole in said can, an insulating-plate upon said shaft, contact-rings mounted thereon, electric conductors connecting the same with the said copper, brushes engaging said contactrings, and circuit-wires leading therefrom, means to alternately turn or twist said copper in opposite directions, means to force said copper into engagement with a piece of solder upon and over a hole in said can, and means to relevate said copper as it is performing one of its twisting operations, sub stantially as described.

9. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a suitable frame, a vertical shaft .suitably driven, a table mounted upon said shaft, and a stationary cam, in combination with a vacuum-box upon said table, in which the can to be soldered is located, a reciprocatory copper therein vertically over the can-hole to be soldered, and having the upper end of its stem or shaft adapted for engagement with and depression by said cam, and means to reelevate said copper, substantially as described.

10. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a vacuum-box in which the can to be soldered is located, a copper which is adapted periodically to descend and fuse a piece of solder to the can over the hole in the same, a valve-casing in communication with said box, and a spring to unseat the valve of said casing and thereby cause the vacuum to be destroyed, substantially as described.

11. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a box in which the can to be soldered is located, provided with a door held closed by a vacuum created in the box, and with a copper periodically adjusted to e11- gage and fuse a piece of solder upon and over the hole in said can, a valve-casing communicating with the interior of said box, and a spring to unseat the valve of said casing and permit the door of the box to be opened, substantially as described.

12. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a box in which the can to be soldered is located, provided with a door, which is adapted to be closed at about the same instant that a vacuum is created in the box, and a spring to reopen the door at the moment the vacuum is destroyed, substantially as described.

13. An automatic can-soldering machine, comprising a suitable frame provided with an arm, a rotating table thereon, a box mounted thereon, in which the can to be soldered is located, provided with a door to be closed through the instrumentality of said arm at the moment a vacuum is created in the box, and means to throw open the door of said box at the instant the vacuum is broken, substantially as described.

14. In an automatic can-soldering machine, a vacuum-box in which the can to be soldered is located, a valve-casing, a valve in said casing unseated during the existence of the vacuum in said box, and provided with a passage in communication with the outside air, a second valve seated upon the first and closing its passage during the existence of the vacuum, and means to seat the first-named and unseat the last-named valve in order to destroy the vacuum, substantially as de scribed.

15. In an automatic can-soldering machine, a vacuum-box in which the can to be soldered is located, provided with a door held closed by the vacuum, a valve-casing in communication therewith, a valve therein which is unseated during the existence of the vacuum, and is provided with a passage communicating with the outside air, a second valve seated upon the first and closing the passage during the existence of the vacuum, and means to seat the first-named and unseat the lastnamed valve in order to destroy the vacuum, substantially as described.

16. In an automatic can-solderin g machine, a vacuum-box in which the can to be soldered is located, a valve-casing in communication therewith, a valve in said casing unseated during the existence of the vacuum and in communication with air,a second valve seated upon the first-named valve during the existence of the vacuum and cutting off the entrance of air through its passage, andaspring holding the first-named valve yieldingly upon its seat, substantially as described.

17. In an automatic can-soldering machine, avacu'um-box in which the can to be soldered is located, a valve-casing in communication therewith, a valve in said casing unseated during the existence of the vacuum and in communication with air,a second valve seated upon the first-named valve during the existence of the vacuum and cutting off the entrance of air through its passage, a spring holding the last-named valve yieldingly upon its seat, and a spring to seat the first-named valve and thereby unseat the last-named valve and destroy the vacuum, substantially as described.

18. In an automatic cansoldering machine, a rotating table, a stationary track below the same having its front end beveled, a vacuumbox upon said table, in which the can to be soldered is located, a valve-casing in communication with said box and carriedby said table, a valve therein, provided with a rollercarrying stem, which rides upwardly upon and is unseated by the track at the instant the vacuum is created in the box; said valve and its seat being provided withapassage in communication with air, asecond valve suitably guided and provided with a spring which 4 holds it yieldingly against the first-named valve to cut off the entrance of air to the box, and a spring for seating the first-named and thereby unseating thelast-named valve at the instant the roller of said stem leaves said track, substantially as described.

19. In a can-soldering machine, a moving box adapted to receive the can to be sealed,

a tube having a dischargeopening, and adapted to deposit a piece of solder onand over the hole in the can to be closed, a copper, and means to move said tube out of the way of the copper and the latter down upon the piece of solder deposited upon the can by said tube, substantially as described.

20. In a can-soldering machine, a rotatabletable provided with an opening, a can-receiving box upon said table and communicating with said opening, a copper vertically above solder deposited upon and over the canhole to be sealed, a valve-casing secured to the under side of the table and communicating with the opening of the latter, a valve in said casing, a second valve adapted to close an opening in the first-named valve, means to simultaneously unseat the first-named valve and seat the last-named valve to permit a vacuum to be established in the box, means to force the copper against solder upon and over the can-hole during the existence of the vacuum, and means to destroy the vacuum by reseating the first-named valve, substantially as described.

21. In a can-soldering machine, a table provided with an opening, a can-receiving box upon thetable and in communication with said opening, a copper mounted in said box, a valve-casing communicating with said opening and secured to said table, a'valve therein unseated during the existence of a vacuum in said box, a second valve seated upon the first and closing communication with the atmosphere, means for forcing the copper against solder upon and over the' can-hole to be sealed, and means for destroying the vacuum after the soldering operation is finished, by seating the first-named valve and unseating the last-named valve, substantially as described.

22. In a can-soldering machine, a box in which the can to be soldered is located, a tube projecting therein, a thread of solder project-' ing through said tube, feed-Wheels frictionally engaging the same, a reciprocatory knife at the inner end of said tube, means to operate said feed-Wheels and said knife, and a guide-tube to receive the severed piece of solder and deposit it upon the can and over the hole therein, substantially as described.

23. In acan-soldering machine, a box in which the can to be soldered is located, a tube projecting therein, a thread of solder projecting through said tube, feed-wheels frictionally engaging the same, a reciprocatory knife at the inner end of said tube, means to operate said feed-Wheels and said knife, a guidetube to receive the severed piece of solder and d epositit upon the can and over the hole therein, means to swing said guide-tube to one side, a copper, and means to force the same into engagement with the piece of solder, substantially as described.

24. In an automatic can-solderin g machine, a box in which the can to be soldered is located, a rocking frame to receive the piece of solder and a tube to guide it upon the can and over the hole to be closed, a copper vertically above the hole in the can to be closed, and means to rock said frame and swing said arm to one side, means to force the copper into engagement With said piece of solder, means to reelevate the copper, and means to swing the tube back to its original position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ELMER F. DORSEY. Witnesses:

M. R. REMLEY, F. S. THRASHER.