US935504A - Can-filling machine. - Google Patents

Description

F. J. HEYBAGH. GAN FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN.23, 1905.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909. 6 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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I'. J. HEYBACH.

GAN FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. z3, 1905.

985,504'. Patented sept. 2s, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

c "Oo F. J. HEYBACH.

GAN FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23, 1905. 935 ,504, Patented Sept: 28, '1909.

' P. J. HBYBACH.

GAN FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23, 1905.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

fyi/MZ.

P. -J. HEYBAGH.

GAN FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23, 1905.

935,504. L Patented sep1:.28,19o9. s SHEETS-SHEET s,

i [gli I'. J. HEYBACH.

GAN FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2s, 1905.

935,504. Patented Sept. 28, 1909.

G SHEETS-SHEET 6.

UNITED STTS PATENT OFFICE.

EREDRICK J'. HEYBACH, OIE'y SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE AMERICAN AUTOMATIC MACHINERY COMPANY, OF SAVAN- NAI-I, GEORGIA, A CORPORATION OF GEORGIA.

CAN-FILLING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

lle il known that l, Fiuionieir J. Hnvnacn, a citiyien of the United States, residing at Savannah. in the county of Chatham and State of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Can-Filling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements in can filling machines, and it has for its object primarily to provide an efficient machine of this class which is capable of i'eeeiviiig cans or other appropriate receptacles proiniscuously into a hopper or other suitable supply device from which latter they are discharged upon a can-feeding or transferring means which serves to convey the empty cans automatically to and to position them before a suitable filling mechanism after which they are filled and tops are automatically applied to the filled cans and the latter are then removed from the filling position, devices being provided whereby all of `the cansivill be so handled that they Will be properly presented to the filling machine, the various operations of the machine in the Vpresent instance being automatic.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this-specification, I have illustrated the invention as applied to a machine organized for lling and topping or capping cans, and I will, in the following description, set forth the organization thus illustrated in detail, but it should be understood that I do not limit myself to the disclosure thus made, for material variations maybe made Within the scope of my claims succeeding said description.

By the machine involving my invention, I can supply With rapidity empty cans to a filling mechanism, 'where the cans receive their proper charges, following which they have tops or covers applied thereto, and these operations I am enabled to perform in a thorough and effective manner, and Wholly automatically and Without i aste of the inaterial. y

Referring to said drawings:A Figure l is a side elevation of the principal portion of the machine, the only parts omitted being the hopper for containing the emptycans and a part ofthe primary feeding means. Fig. 2 is an opposite side View of the same portion of the machine. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the parts represented in Figs. l and 2. Fig.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 2S, 1969. Application filed January 23, 1905.

Serial No. 242,376.

-l is a sectional elevation of that part of the machine represented in the preceding views. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the empty can hopper, and a partof the primary feeding means. Fig. 6 is a topplan View of the parts represented iii Fig. 5. F ig. 7 is a View in cross-section showing stops for arresting the motion of the empty cans vnear the delivery end of the primary feeding means. Fig. 8 is a top plan View of a part of a can transferring drum and certain guiding devices associated therewith. Fig. Q is a sectional elevation of the parts represented in the preceding view, a top clamp and certain adj unctive means. Fig. l0 is a view of a .can positioning device'.

Like characters refer to like parts in all the figures.

The framework for supporting the different parts of the machine may be of any suitable character. rThe one illustrated is denoted in a general Way by 2. At or 4near one end of the machine, (see .for example Figs. 5 and 6,) is a hopper 3 for containing the empty cans which have had bottoms previously applied thereto. The hopper is interior-ly divided into four divisions by several partitions, each designated by 4, and which taper toward their top, as clearly indicated in Fig. 6, to present Wedge-like structures in order. not to interfere With the proper gravitation of the empty can bodies toward the-outlets of the hopper, which outlets extend between the partitions andA between the outermost ones ,and the side Walls of the hopper. From the several outlets, spouts, as 5, lead, to respectively transfer the cans from the hopper to primary feeding means, as 6, which latter' conducts the cans to secondary feeding means for subsequent lling, as will hereinafter more particularly appear. The empty .cans are placed into the hopper 3 and gravitate toward the spouts 5, and to prevent the cans from choking or clogging in the lower poition of the hopper or at the entrance of the respective spouts 5, I provide, in connection with the hopper an agitating device, the one illustrated being denoted in a general Way by 7, `and consist-ing of.a rotary shaft suitably supported upon the hopper and having a number of arms thereon, which Work through Slots in the outer' Wall of the hopper and spouts respectively, in order to v tion of the hopper.

trated as provided with several of these immaterial point.

keep the empty cans loosened up sufficiently to prevent their crowding in the lower portion of the hopper, and so that the cans can yenter one by one or individually, the several spouts extending from the bottom por- The hopper is illusspouts, four being shown, but this -is an by 8, and connecting pulleys on the agitator shaft and -main shaft 9 respectively. (See Figs. 2, 3 and L1). The main shaft in turn may be operated'in any desirable way, for example, by means of the pulley 10 (see Fig. 3), connected byI belting, not illustrated, with some suitable form of motor.

The primary feeding means .6, to which reference has been made may be of any suitable character, and is represented as being in the nature of a force feeding device, that is, a device for positively moving the cans, and as Abeing made up of several feed belts arranged -side by side and extendingi longitudinally of the machine, the upper runs of the several belts being shown as horiaontally disposed and constituting the ef` fective portions thereof. 'The empty cans are presented by the primary feeding means to secondary feeding means, denoted in a general way by 11, and also shown as a number of endless belts extending longitudinally of the machine. The

-of the belts forming the primary feeding means 6, and the driving mechanism is so arranged that the secondary feeding means will be operated at a` more rapid rate than the primary feeding means. This operating :means may be of any suitable character. It

is represented as belting, (see Fig. 3), a crossed belt 12 being shown as connecting a pulley on the main shaft 9 andl a pulley on the rear vsha-ft of the secondary feeding means, while a belt 13L connects the pulley i and a pulley on the rear shaft of the prion the said rear shaft of the secondary means To prevent lateral motion of the cans mount above the upper runs of the belts composing the primary and secondary feeding 4means parallel walls, each denoted by 13,

It will be understood see for example Figs. 5 and G, the distance between each pair of cooperating walls slightly exceeding the diameter of the cans. Fach can', as will be understood, is advanced through the machine by a feed belt constituting a part of either the primary or secondary feeding means, and between a pair of parallel longitudinally extending walls, the` cansfalling/from the belts of the primary feeding means onto the belts of the secondary feeding means.

To prevent the cans crowding each other on the secondary feeding means, as while on said secondary feeding means, the cans are operated upon so as their open sides all point in the same direction, I momentarily arrest the feed of the cans on the primary feeding means 6, and for this purpose show a plurality of automatically operable stops, each designated by 14,'and represented as levers, somewhat angular in form, pivotally supported upon a cross-beam 15 of thev framing; see for example Figs. t and 7. The

`lowerarms of the levers, which constitute the operative or stop portions thereof, normally extend across the parallel walls 13 lof the primary feeding means (3, at which time their upper arms rest against suitable stops, as 16, on said beam 1.5. In Fig. 7 the upper arms of the stop levers are shown as being out of contact with the stops vor pins 16, having been drawn away from such position by their actuating means, which I will now set forth.

Suitably supported for longitudinal sliding motion above the cross-beam 15 is a bar 17, about one end of which is a coiled spring 1S, 'bearing against a collar on said sliding bar and also against the framing, a suitable step collar, as19, on the bar preventing undue mot-ionof the said sliding rod 17 when the same reaches its initial position. On the rod are a number of pins, as 20, one for each stop lever 14. Normally, as will be evident, the effective portions of the levers 14 are in the path of the cans onthe primary feeding means, so that when the first can in each row strikes a lever, it and the ones behind it will be arrested in their progress toward the secondary feeding means. When, however, the levers are operated to release the cans, they will be positively fed by the primary feeding means to the secondary feeding means 11, and between the parallel walls 13, forming ajpart of the same. It will be apparent that when the rod 17 is drawn to the right in Fig. 7', the pins 20 will be carrod move away from the levers 14, they also 139 .25, fixed to said main shaft.

can return automatically to their original positions W'ith their upper arms against the stops 16, the lower arms of the levers being weighted to secure suchautomatic action.

On the framing of themachine, above the main shaft 9 is a shaft 21, carrying a pulley 22 at one end; (see Fig. 2, for example) of large diameter, connected by a crossed belt, as 23, with a pulley 24, of small diameter, on the main shaft 9. The said pulley 24 runs loose on the said mai-n shaft, but may be coupled thereto atthe will of an attendant, through the medium of a clutch member, as A lever 26, (see said Figs. 2 and 3) serves to disconnect the pulley from the member 25 in opposition to a spring` Said lever is connected by a rod 27 with a han'd lever 28, both levers 2G and 28 being fulcrumed ,upon the machine frame. Upon the operation of the hand lever 28, the pulley 24 can,l through the intervention of the intermediate parts, be moved laterally and disengaged from the clutch member 25 to stop the shaft. 'Vhen the lever 2G is freed, the spring 24 will throw the pulley into enga-gement with the clutch member. y

Rigidly fixed to the shaft 21 is an arm 29, to which is connected for adjustment longitudinally of said arm, a pin 8() (see Fig. 2 for example) which pin is adapted to engage the outer portion of a lever 31 fulcrumed upon the framework of the machine, and which lever 3l, in returning, is adapted to operate the lever 32 of angular form, pivoted at its angle inthe vicinity of What is shown in Fig. 7 as the right endof the rod or bar 17. The lever 8l engages o ne branch of the lever 32, while the other branch ofthe latter is connected by a loose joint, say a pin and elongated slot one, with the sliding rod or bar 17. l/Vhen the pulley 24 is clutched to the main shaft v9, the pulley^22, and hence the arm 29, will be operated, and the part-s will 'be so organized and timed that at the correct moment the actuating pin 30 for the lever 3l will strike the same and rock said lever 3l so that the latter can rock the lever 32 'to draw the rod 17 to the right in Fig. l, and effect the operation of the stop levers le and the cans formerly held back thereby, in order that when said cans are released,'they .will be fed by the primary feeding means 6 onto the 'secondary feeding means 1l. 1*7l/'hen the pin 30 passes free of the lever 31, the other parts will be released so that the spring 18 can return the rod 17 to its original position and so that the levers 1e may automatically return to their original positions, as previously set forth.

As Will be understood from what l have hereinbefore stated,'the cans placed in the hopper 3 have bottoms applied thereto, but are not topped, for the reason that the charges of material are supplied through the open upper sides, and it is essential that the open parts of the cans should be properly positioned when presented to the filling mechanism, and I will set forth the means illustrated for securing the advantage in question A cross-bar, as 33', see for exam-- pple Figs. 4 and l0, extends across the machme above the entering end of the seconding that between said belts, and are located .respectively over the latter, as clearly indi cated in said F ig. l0. The pendent flexible members, the upper ends of which, as Will be understood, are rigidly connected with the cross-bar 33, so hang that the rolls 35, connected with and forming a part of the saine, are presented in the path of the cans, so that l shouldthe open side of a can be to the front, the anti-friction roll 85 will enter said can, and as the feed belt advances forward, they pendent member Bet will canse the can to swing, in order`that its bottom Will be caused to face toward the front of the machine, considering that part-of the latter to the right in Fig. 2 as the front. In other words, each can which is presented with its open side toward the fronteft-he machine'to a pendent member 34, is given a complete half turn by-said pendent member. Should the bottom of the can strike an anti-friction roller, the'pendent member will besimp1y lifted as the said can is moved forward by' the feeding means, thereby permitting the free feed of the can. Afterthe cans pass the respective turning devices, all their bottoms Will face in one direction, or toward the front of the machine. By reason of the fact 'that Vthe anti-friction rolls 35 are employed, there will be no retardation in .the turning motion of the cans. lt should "nder-4 stood that the cans approach the pendent members in indiscriminate order, some of them with their mouths pointing in one direction, while the bottoms point in the opposite direction, but after they pass the turning devices ,they are all properly positioned for presentation subsequently to the filling mechanism.

The cans are advanced by the secondary feeding means 11 `onto a table or shelf see Fig. 4 for example, the upper side ofy which is in the same horizontal plane as the `upper runs of the belts composing said secondary feeding means. The table or shelf 36 is ivided into pockets by vertical walls 36.

valined longitudinally with the walls 18 of the secondary feeding means, and while be tween thewalls 36', the foremost can in each "y passing through the slots in the table 36.A

pocket abuts againsta stop, as 37, preventing it.` from being crowded into the space between two of the strips 38 ofthe drum 39, should the latter be turning. I have setforth that it is not'essential that I should.

employy a plurality of spouts 5. In like manner it is not necessary that I should employ a plurality of belts for the two feeding means.

There areffour strips 35 'secured tothe periphery of the. drum 39, they being equidistantly separated and serving as seats for the cans, the bottoms of the cans resting upon said strips or seats. Extending perpendicularly from the strips are lingers 40, which may be conveniently made from stiff wire and varranged in coperating pairs, each pair of fingers being adapted to bring a can to a vertical position. In the arrangement shown it will be apparent that each strip -38 is provided with eight fingers, although, as

will be understood from rthe foregoing, this is not absolutely necessary. The table` or shelf 36, which forms a temporary support for the cans, and onto which they are fed by the secondary feeding means, is slotted depthwise andentirely through the same for the passage of the fingers 40. The vdrum 39, vas will hereinafter appear, is-givena quarter of a turn on each step. In Fig.- 4, two of the fingers 40 are represented asoccupying a horizontalposition and under a can, the fingers, as they'were brought to such position,

Upon the movement of the drum through a quarter of a circle, the two fingers which are under the can, will lift the latter to a vertical position, such position being assumed when the drum has completed said quarter turn, the lingers naturally occupy a simi-` lar disposition, and during this motion the can will drop upon the strip 38 which cooperates with the two lingers ustlalluded to. When the can is in a vertical position, it will be ready to receive a measured charge of material, which may be any desired substance. When the foremost can in Fig. 4 is lifted, during the motion just set forth, above the can immediately behind it, the latter can be pushed forward by the cans behind it until it strikes against the stop 37, and when the quarter turn is completed, the-lowest fingers 40 in said Fig. 4 will have reached a ,position under and in contact with what is shown in said figure as the second can. Each can, as itis moved from its horizontal to. its

vertical or charge-receiving position, passes ,between guide devices,.as 41, arranged in parallel planes, and fastened at their inner ends to a beam or board42 extending across the machine, and which prevent lateral motion of `the can, so that the latter will be moved with certainty toward its change-re-V ceiving position. It will be understood that there will be in the organization illustrated,

simultaneously, four cans, in position to reuceive charges, and to prevent forward displacement of the cans, they strike, when in their charge receiving positions, the crossbarof a bail 43 pivotally supported by the framework of the machine, and which is subsequently moved out of its can holding position, so that the cans can be projected down the inclined receiving -feed boards 44 and between guide wires, as 45, associated therewith, to be disposed of in any suitable way.

f The step-by-step fed drum, and the associated parts which I have just described, are clearly illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. By reason of the fact that the guide devices 41 are'free at their forward ends, they are laterally resilient, so that the can, when filled and topped, 'can be positively and automatically given a movement longitudinally of a strip 38, in order to positively separate the top of said can from the topping mechanism or from a clamp forming a part ofthe same, as will hereinafter more particularly appear.

The drum 39 is rigidly fastened to a shaft v46, see for example Figs. 2 and 4, the shaft rigidly carrying at one end a four-toothed ratchet wheel 47, withwhich a pawl 4S, pivotally carried by the arm 49, coperates. The upper end of the said arm- 4S, constituting a convenient pawl carrier, is loosely associated with the shaft 46, while the lower rod 50, the opposite end ofl said rod being some 'of likewise connected with what might be con- -sidered the lower arm of the anglelever 51, the upper arm of said angle-lever having a balance-weight 51c adjustable thereon, and

by the employment of which the lever, when in its original position, has no tendency in itself to move in either direction. The low'er arm of the said-lever 51 has thereon two cam portions 51a and 51b adapted to be successively engaged by thepins 52 and 30, the latter, as will be remembered, serving also to operate the lever 31. ,When a can strikes the stop 37, a pair of pins 40 will be under and against the can, so that when the pin 52, on the rotation of the pulley 22, rides against vthefaceof the cam portion 51.a of the lever 51, the lower arm of said lever will be swung to the right in said Fig. 2, thereby moving the rod 50 and arm 49 in-corresponding directions, so that the pawl, 48 can fall behind one of the teeth of. the ratchet wheel 47.

-When the pin 52 has passed out of contact with the cam portion 51, the' pin 30wil ride against and along the effective face f the camportion 51b so as to impart an opposite motion to the lower arm of the lever 51,

thereby returning saidlever to itsor-iginal will be. clearly seen upon spending movement to the drum 39, so as to elevate the two pms under the can from the horlzontal to the vertical, during which mo- .tion they carry the empty can supported trated for securing the result just mentioned will now be set forth, and assure the positioning of the drum accurately'to receive acan or cans.

Fulcrumed on the framework of the machine is a lever 54, see for example Fig. 9, which is normally disposed in the path of the strips 38., so that should the drum be given but a portion of a quarter of a turn),v

one of the strips, or what is, for the time being, the outermost one, will strike against the lower end of the lever 54, as the drum rises, in order to horizontally aline the inner and outer strips 38 and bring the pins on the inner strip directly under and in contact with the cans on the platform 36. The lever 54 is normally held in its working relation by a coiled spring, as 55, connected with the lever and also with the frame. An actuator for throwing the drum controlling or positioning lever 54 into its ineifectiveposition is shown at 5G as consisting itself of a lever, the lower or effective arm of which is arranged to engage a pin 54a on the coperating lever 54. In Fig. 9,-the lever 54 is shown in its inoperative position, or that into which it has been moved by the actuating lever 5G. As will be understood, the lever 54, when in its operative position, stands approximately vertically, its pin 54a resting at this time against the actuating lever 56, the upper end of which, it will be seen, is somewhat bent, and is disposed in the path of and adapted to be struck by a top transferring device, so that the lever 56 can be operated to operate in turn the lever 54 to move the latter free of the strip 38 which it engages, so that the drum can be operated one step to move 'the tilled cans away from the charge-receiving positions, and a series of empty cans to their charge-receiving positions. Before the drum is operated to secure the results set forth, the bail 43 will be also operated to carry it away from against a row of filled and topped cans 'The topping mechanism will be generally described hereafter.

The bail 43 is movably mounted, it. having horit/.ontally disposed journal portions, as an inspection of Fig. 3, sustained for rocking motion by bearings on the framework, one of the journal portions being extended outward beyond the side of the framework, and having rigidly attached thereto a crank-arm ('10, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. To this crank-arm is pivoted one end of a rod 61, the other end of the.rod being connected by an adjustable `ioint with the crank-arm (32, fastened to the shaft (i3 extending across thc machine. The adjustable joint between the crank-arm (32 and rod (3l may be of any desirable character. For example, it may be in the nature of a pin and elongated slot, the-elongated slot in the present case being formed in the arm 62, while the rod or link Gl carries the cooperating pin, which is in the form of a set-screw or equivalent. part. The bail 43 is shown as being in its operative position in Figs. 4 and 9, for example. When the bail is swung up above the tops of the cans, the latter are freed, so far'as the bail confcerned. vWhen the arm (32 is swung over ,toward the right from the position it occupies in F ig. 2, the link 6l will be drawn down, which operation occurs subsequent to the filling and topping of a can or series of cans. It will therefore be apparent that when the link 6l is drawn downward, coi'- responding motion will be applied to the Varm 60 to elevate the bail 43 to release the 'can or series of cans which it held. Upon the return swing of thearm 62, or as the latter moves from the left-toward the right in said F ig. 2, the bail will be returned to its initial position, through an upward thrust imparted to the link 6l by the arm 62, where it will again be positioned to maintain the cans-being filled against outward displacement.

The drum 39,'- in addition to the step-bystep rotary motion, is bodily movable, it being arranged in the present case foinup and down movement, and the reason for this will hereinafter appear. The shaft 46 which carries said drum l39 is supported by suitably guided bearings or blocks, G4, to which are pivoted the upper ends of the pitmen or links G5, the opposite ends of said pitmen or links being-likewise respectively jointed to the crank-arms G6 on the shaft 63, see for example Fig. 4. It will be understood that the bearings or blocks 64 have a vertical movement. Therefore, as the crank arms 6G swing upon the turning of the shaft (S3, the drum 39,' through the intermediate connections, may be either raised or lowered, in accordance with the direction of motion of the said crank-arms (3,6.

Carried by the framework of the machine at a point above the transverse shaft G3, is another transverse shaft 67, (see for example Fifrs. 2 and 4,) the ends of which project beyond the framework.' To one of the. said ends is attached the crank-arm 68'; see Fig. 2, to which is pivoted the upper end of a rod 6i), the lower end of said rod being connected y by a slip or sliding joint with thei arm 62.

'lhis slip oi' sliding joint may be of any suitable character. It is represented as being of the pin and slot form, the slot being formed in the link or rod 69 and the pin being carried upon the crank-armbt?, and by such joint thc rod 69 may have lost or relative motion with respect to the crank-arm.

J ointed to the lower branch of the angle' G2. Vhen therefore the lower branch of the tn I angle lever 51 is moved to the right iii Fig. 2 under the action of the pin 52, in the manner hreiiibefore described, the rod 'TO will be swung in a corresponding direction, moving sin'iultaneously with the rod 50, which latter is being operated to carry the pawl48 into its operative position in order to effect the turning of the diuin As the rod l,70

moves toward the right, the link G1 is drawn down and pulls the craiik-arm in a like direction in order to swing the bail 43 upward and release a row of cans. After the cans are released by the bail, the rod 50 will be drawn to thev left inv the manner hereinbefore described, in order to eHect the turning ofthe drum 39 to carry a series of lled and topped cans away from the positions they occupy ywhen .filled and to bring a second series of cans vup to the filling station. As the -rod 50 movestothe left, or is returned to its initial position, the same motion is followed with respect to the rod 70, but owing to the joint described between said rod 70.`

and crank-arm 62, the vlatter will not be returned to' its original positionby the rod.

It will be remembered that the upper end of the rod 69 is connected to the crankarm 68, which is rigidly fastened to the shaft (37, whichshaft is givena partial turn simulta- -neously with the advancing movement of thelever 51, the shaft, as it moves, swinging the crank-arm 68 toward the right, and subsequently returning it to its initial position.l

The mann'er of driving the shaft 67 will be hereinafter described. It might be stated at this point that the shaft 67 carries the top-transferring member, constituting a part of the top-applying means hereinafter more particularly described.k As the crank-arm 68 swings over toward the right, on the advancing partial rotation of the shaft 67, see Fig; 2, the rod 69 is thrust downward, such' motion occurring simultaneouslyl with the movement of the rod 70 towaid the right in said figure. Owing to the oint however between the lower end of the rod 69 and the crank-arin 62, the said rod, on its downward thrust, does not perform any work. :After the tops have been applied to a series of cans,

the shaft I67 is given its return'invement,

thereby, through the crank-arm 68, ,eleva'ti777 Aas occupying in Fig. 2, in order, through the intermediate described parts, to ret-urn the bail 43 to its can holding or operative' position. During the time the rods 50 and 70 were drawn to the left in Fig. 2, the bail 43,

as will be understood, was in its ineffective position, so thaty when the rod 50 was returned to its original position, the drinn 39, as will be evident, could be readily operated through the intervening parts in order to effect the discharge of several filled cansl onto the respective receiving boards 44, and the bringing of a series of empty cans into position to receive charges of material.

During the swing of the crank-arm G2, the 'cranlvarms .GG move of course in unison therewith, so that the links will be first drawn down and subsequently elevated. As the said 'links are lowered, the drum 39 will be correspondingly lowered, so as to secure a longitudinal 4movement of the fingers 40, and the opposite will take place upon the upward thrust of the links (S5 as the several crank-arms G2 and 6(3- return from their shifted to their original positions. be understood that the links 65 are drawn down during the time a series of cans is being fed from the table 36 to upright positions or in positions to receive charges of material, and naturally while filled cans are being moved away toward the feed boards 44. In each ofthe strips 38, upon which the cans are seated, is formed a series of openings or apertures 71, located respectively in 1t vwill a plane intermediate the coper ting fingers 40 and above which the cans, w ien in their charge receiving positions, are situated, and

these apertures or openings 71 are adapted l to receive can dislodging devices, as 72, represented as pins or projections, extending atan angle upward and inward from the upper ends of the inclined receiving boards 44. When the drum therefore rotates, to carry a series of filled cans away .from the-positions `they occupy when receiving their charges,

these dislodging devices or pins 72 enter coi responding apertures 71, in order to lift the cans free of the strip 38-upon lwhich they are seated, so as to assure the movement of the cans toward and onto the cooperating feed boards 44 and between the guide members 45 associated with the feed -boards ,As the lled lcans areinoved away, as just set forth, the dium 39, as will be remembered, has a downward movement, so that the-ingers 40, against which `the cans rest, while effective for .moving the cans toward the feed-boards, will not press the same down against said feed-boards, as in lio ease they did, the cans might be mashed, but on the contrary, the said lingers are given a longitudinal movement and sweep along the cans, so that the latter will not be injured, but at the same time will be moved onto the said feed-boards.

The can filling' mechanism is represented as including in its organization a supply hopper, as 723, to receive powdered or other suitable material, said hopper having a se ries of outlets 74 extended downward from its bottoni. Located under the bottom of the hopper is a slide 75, which is suitably guided for horizontal movement and which, when in its retracted position or that it is represented as occupying in Fig. 4, covers the ontlets 74. It will beunderstood that there are in the present ase four outlets, such number corresponding with the number of the cans that are simultaneously filled. From the inner portion of the slide 75 a series of spouts 76 depend, these being of tubular construction and corresponding in number with the outlets 74. The tubular spouts, as shown clearly in4 Fig. 4, are of telescopic construction, whereby their capacity may be readily regulated to cpnform to that of the cans being filled. The upper sides of the spouts are open, while the same applies to the lower ends thereof, only that said lower ends are adapted to be closed by valves or flaps, as 77, hingedlyconnected to the spouts in any desirable way. The valves 77 work respectively in tunnels, as 78, rigidly associated with and depending from the respective spouts 76, the tunnels serving to properly guide the granular or powdered substance into cans placed thereunder, and' Which is received from the spouts.

Connected with the framework in any desii-'able manner are arm's'79, (see for example Fig. 4,) one for each valve, and the inner ends of these arms areadapted to en gage against the bottoms of the valves 77, by virtue of which, when the slide is in its outer position, the valves willV be held closed. When in said outer position, and when the several valves are closed, the upperl 'open' sides' of the several spouts 7G-will register with the outlets 74 or' the supply or feed hopper 73, so that the powdered or granular substance within through the outlets into the several spouts and fill the latter. inward, it will, when it reaches ay cert-ain `poi-nt, cover the outlets 74 so as to out o the further gravitation of the powdered or granular material, and during such period of operation, the valves` 7.7 will open by their weight, assisted by the pressure of the inaterial against the same, and when they ree-.eh a certain inclination, or the proper charge supplying position for the cans, the material. een pass from the spouts and from the valves inte empty' cans, the tunnels the hopper can gravitate As the slide 75 is moved course guiding the material into said Cans and preventing scattering thereof.

it will he remembered that the shaft 2ll ample Fig. l.) connected by some suitable form ot' adjust-.i ble oint with oml end ot' the rod l. rthel joint named may be that of the familiar slot and pin form. The opposite end ot said rod is united by means ot a slip joint with the crank-arm 82 connected with one end of the shaft 67, the opposite end of which, it will be remembered, cari'iesthe crank-arm (3S. The shaft t37 carries another crank-arm S3 connected with one end of the rod S4, the opposite end of said rod heing connected with the crank-arm 85. it should be stated at this point that the connection be `tween the inner end of the rod S4 and the crank-arm )3 is an adjustable one, while the connection between the outer end of said rod and the crank-arm is a combined adjustable and slip or slide one.d so that the rod 84 can have relative or lost motion with respect to the crank-arm 85. The crank-arm S5 is connected rigidly with a rock-shaft 86, which in turn rigidly carries a second crank-arm 87, to the lower end of which alinh SS is pivoted, the lower end of said link being L likewise jointed to the underside oit' the slide 75, see for example Figs. l. 2 and 4. In Fig. l for example the slide 75 is shown as being at its inner position in order to cause the de.

livery to a series of cans of charges of material, the sha-ft 21 at this time rotating` in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. l, The crank-arnr'S() ot' course moves through a full circle. As it commences to move Afrom the position in which it. shown in said Fig. l, it draws the rod Si to the right, tlierehy,

through the intermediate parts, thrusting 'the rod 84 to the lett, and when the rod 84 has moved a certain distance. the crank-arm 85 is swung outward, so as, through the' intermediate parts, to move the slide 75routwai'd, .during which motion, as will be. remembered. the spouts 7G are carried in position to receive charges of material. During the time that the rod 84 is being moved to the left in Fig. l, can tops are being moved' toward the filled cans. In other words, the spouts are bodily carried from over the cans, so that the tops can be freely applied thereto without hindrance from the spoiits. While the crank-arm 80' has a rotary movement, the rod 81 has a. reeiproeatory motion, it having been pointed out that as said rod 8l was drawn to the right in Fig. ll the slide 75, through. the intermediate connections, was pulied back to its original position. As the rod 8l is moved toward the right, it will not, during the tirst stage of its motion, impart any movement to thecranit arm 82, owing to .the described connection between these two parts, for the cans, as will be understood, are

j being topped during' this particular period.

-scribed connection between these two parts.

lVhen however the top transferring device is well out of the way, a series of empty cans in the meantime having been moved into their charge-receiving positions, the slide, through the crank-arm 85, shaft 86, crankarm S7 and link S8 is moved inward. The top-.transferring device is carried rigidly upon theshaft 67, and when in position to receive tops, the slide will be in its inner position. Vhen however the top-transferring device is operatedk to transfer the tops and apply the same to the filled cans, the slide- 75 will be moved outward and at a certain point'in the return motion of the said toptransferring device, or that set forth hereinbefore, the slide 75 will be moved inward.

Within the supply hopper 73 is an agitator 89, of some suitable form, the shaft of which is suitably supported by the side walls of the hopper, and is provided at one of its ends,

or that which projects outside of the hopper, with a pulley or band-wheel 90 connected by a b'elt 91, shown as crossed, to a pulley 93, on the shaft 94;; sce for example Fig. 1. The shaft 94 is represented as belted by a belt as 95, to the main shaft 9, which, it will be remembered, is continuously operative, or is operative as long as the machine is in action. The agitator 89is not however continuously operative, but is periodically thrown into 'action, and I will now set'forth the means for securing this result.

The pulley 9 3 runs loose on the supporting shaft 94 and cooperates with a fixed clutch member of some suitable kind, the pulley 93 v 97,1carried on the intermittently operable the machine.

being normally held out of engagement with the clutch member by' the lever 96 fulcrumed upon. a suitable bracket upon thevframing of One. end of the lever 96 engagesthe said pulley 93, while the opposite end of said lever is engaged by a cam, as

shaft 67, see for example Fig. 3, in such a way that the lever acts againstfthe pulley to ,normally hold the same out of engagement with the coperating clutch member. Vv'hen however the let .o'tfor releasing portion of the cani 97 comes opposite the forward end of the lever 96, the lat-terand hence the pul- ,ley 93 will be released, so that the pulley can be moved into .engagement with the coits free gravitation into the several spouts 76. l

The cam 97 will be operated in order to effect the release of the lever 96 as the top-transferring device hereinafter described, 1s

Vmoved from its top-receiving to its topapplying position. On the return motion of the cam. the effective part thereof will so operate the lever 96 that the pulley 93 will be returned to its original position to throw the agitator 89 out of action.

Rigidly fastened to the rock shaft 67 are arms 100, (see for example Figs. 8 and 4) joined at thelr upper ends by a cross-head,

as 101, said members constituting part of the top-transferring mechanism. The top-transferring mechanism is arranged to transfer.

four tops applied thereto, and the cross-head 101 carries four clamps of suitable construction which grip a corresponding number of tops. The cross-head 101 has longitudinally thereof and along its opposite sides, parallel walls, each denoted by 102, between which the jaws 103 and 104 of the respective clamps l are fitted, the jaws 103 being stationary with respect to the supporting cross-head 101, while the jaws 104 havev a sliding motion longitudinally of saidcross-head and toward and from the respective coperating jaws. When said crosshead is in' its normal position, as illiistrated-in Fig. 3,. the jaws should be open in order` that a top can be entered therebetween. The jaws are subsequently closed by ,the movement of the shdlng jaws 104:v in unisinin orderto clamp or grlp the tops.

' The sliding jaws -are suitably connected with the rod 107 which is-adapted for longi;

tudinal motion with respect to and on ltlgie said cross-head in order to simultaneously close or openthe several jaws 104. Upon one end of the rod 107 isa latch 108, shown as a spring latch, the free portion 0f which plays in an aperture in the perpendicular portion of an angle plate 109 attached to the cross-head v101 on the face thereof opposite that with which the several jaws are associated. The shouldered portion of the latch is adapted to engage the keeper 110` pivotally mounted upon said angle plate 109. The long branch or arm of the keeper 110 constitutes the effective portion thereof and is normally maintained in position to cooperate with the latch 10S to hold the several jaws 104 closed by a suitable spring, not.

she-wn, pressing thereagainst. lt will be evident that when the said long branch or arm of the pivotally mounted keeper110 is moved to what shown as downward it will be carried free of the latch 103, in order to release the latter and consequently the several 'jaws 104. It might be well to state at this point that such operation of the pivoted keeper is secured by the short arm thereof striking against the fixture 112 on the framing of the machine when the cross-head reaches its shifted position, as indicated .in

Fig. 0. When this position is reached, the said keeper will be positively disengaged from the latch, The lixture or bracket ,112 supports the levers 54 and 50, the functions of which have hereinbefore been set forth.

In one of the parallel walls-102, or what lis shown as the upper one in Eig.v 3, for e'X- ample, are formed suitable apertures, the width. of which equals or, if necessary, slightly exceeds the diameters of the can tops. These openings are intended for the passage of said tops toward and into the jaws 103 and 10-1 when the latter are open or when the jaws 10a are separated from their cooperating jaws. The-jaws 103 and 104 areI suitably shaped toppresent seats for the can tops, when the jaws are closed, and they are also suitably shaped for the reception of the upper portions of the cans, whereby the cans may properly enter the space in which the tops are supported, the cross-head 101 to secure such result having al downward inotion in the present case,.relatively to the cans which, for the time being, are stationary, andv of course lled.

As previously setl forth, the cross-head 101 normally/ occupies the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and it, for example, the apertures therein for the caps at this time being opposite/certain inclined 'feed or supply boards 118, down which-the tops gravitate, said tops bei-ng positively moved onto the feed boards, as will hereinafter appear. 'The tops, When-they /leave the feed boards, enter thereceiving apertures in the cross-head and then pass into the jaws 103 and 101, these jaws at this time being separated or open.'

The means for operating the rod 107, whereby the jaws 104 can be operated with respect to the companion jaws 103 will be hereinafter more particularly described.

.I will provide' a pair of parallel Aguide strips, as 119, to cooperate with each feed board 118, to prevent lat'eral motion of the tops supplied Vto said feed boardsby an ejecting device cooperative with the transversely disposed belt 120,. (see Figs. 1v to.

4 inclusive for example). The transverse feed belt 1,20 is horizontally disposed, has a step by step motion imparted thereto and has, on its outer face, a number of equidistantly. disposed cross strips 121, and against which the tops to be appliedtothe cans are engaged, while supported ,upon the upper.

`cessively engage thel lever 134.

run of said belt. The belt travels around the pulleys 122 and 123, the latter being of less diameter than thel former, so that the entering'end of' the belt is given an upward pitch., The shaft 124 of the pulley 122 and the shaft for the pulley 123`may besupported in any desirable way. (lne portion of' the belt extendsconsiderably outwartl'be.-

yond the side members ofthefianewtnk(if Vdenoted in a `general way by 12T, (see for example Fig. 2) with the stub shaft 12S represented as belted by a belt 1201.0 the counter-shaft 21'. loperative with the pulley 122 is/a clutch member 130 splined to the shaft 1.24, (see said Fig. 2).v and slidable thereon. The shifting device for the clutch member 130 is illustrated as a lever 131, (see for example Fig. 3) suitably fulcrumed upon the framing of the machine, and connected with a spring 132, the purpose of which is to normally actuate the. lever in such a way that the clutch member 130 will be held in working relation with the said pulley 122 in order to drive the belt 120. 1t will be understoodthat when the belt operates,the upper run thereof moves toward the bottom of Fig. 3. The belt, as will be also understood, is intermittently stopped so that a series of can tops, carried thereby, can be ejected toward the top `transferring means. An actuator for the clutch 'shifting lever 131 is shown at 133, and as consisting of a shaft having a crank-portion 135 at its lower end to engage against said lever, while the upper end of said actuating member 133 is also cranked, the crank portions being iattened and the lever 134- being fitted {iatwise against such flattened port-ions. The two parts 131 and 133 are pivotally united, as clearly shown in Fig, 2, whereby the lever 13% can have, in' addition to lateral motion, an up and down motion. The tail of the lever 131 rests upon a lever 1353 fulcrumed on the framework and connected by a link 136 with a lever 137 normally resting' against a stop on the framework of the machine.

Upon the outer surface of the belt or can top carrier 120 are located a number of tappets 138, equidistantly disposed, ,and separated in the present case a distance equaling that between four of the cross-pieces 121. The tappets 138 are adapted to sucassumed Ithat the clutch member `'130 and pulley 122 are coupled or engaged and that lt will be y operated the shaft 124 is in motion, and that can `tops are upon the upperrun of the belt 130, the

and when the Acarrier engages the lever 134,. the latter will be moved downwardly in Fig.'

3, whereby the actuating member 133 will be in such direction as to act against the lever 131 to move the clutch member 130 out of engagement with said pulley 122, the

operation being concluded when four of thev can tops register with the feed boards 118. lVllen the -clutcli member is disengaged from the pulley, the belt willv be stopped, and while stopped, the four can tops are ejected from the belt and onto said feed boards, and I will noir set .forth the means shown for securing this result.

. Upon suitable supports or brackets near the topmost part of the framing, is supported a shaft 140, to which are rigidly attached knock-off devices or ejectors for the can tops, consisting of arms 141 having curved can top engaging opter ends. To the'said shaft. 140 is attached a crank-arm 142, to

lwhich is pivotally connected one end of a rod 143, the other end of the rod' being likewise jointed to? a lever 144 mounted on the To the lever 144 between its' fulcrinn 'and the point at which the rod 143t is 'attached thereto is connected one end kof a.

framework.

coiled spring 145, shown for example in Fig. 4, the other end of said spring being connecti boards 118.

ed with the framework. Normally ofcourse the ejectors or knock-oil' devices 141 are out.

ofthe path ofthe moving belt, and they` are maintained in this relation by the power of the spring 145. The actuator for the. lever 144, is shown at146, and as consisting of a pin or projection on the pulley 147 on the main shaft 21, and around which the belt 129. "passes warding belt 120 is At about the time the can top. forautomatically stopped, in the manner liereinbefore described, the actuator or'pin 146 will strike the free end of the lever 144 and will thrustthe same and hence the rod 143 upward, -whereby the knock-off devices or ejectors 141, of which, as will be understood, there are four, will strike four tops on thesaid belt and will sweep the same therefrom and onto thefeedlVhen the pin 146 passes free of the lever 144, the latter, and hence the ejectors or knock-oit devices will be returned to their original positions'by. the force. of the spring 145.

The shaft 140-carries means for throwing the belt 12() into action, and I will now set forth the means illustrated for securing this Oresult. One end of'the shaft 140, or that illustrated in the foreground in Fig. 2, is connected to anarni 147, of which the pawl 148, pivotally mounted thereon, forms a part, the pawl being of thegravity type and 13S on the moving belt strikes the .lever 134, the latterwill be moved laterally resting normally against a suitable stop on the body of the arm. 'Vhen the ectors 141 are swung downwardto dislodge the four tops from the belt, in the manner described,

the arm 14T will swing therewith, or to. what is shown in Fig. 2 as downward, the pawl, during the downward stroke of the arm engaging the lever 135, but' not operating the same, although the pawl, on such engagement, is swung about its axis, so that tliearm can pass bythe said lever 135 to permit the pawl to engage under the same, which operation is concluded at the time the can tops are removedfrom the belt. lVhen therefore :the arm 147 is swung upward to its original position, which result, as will be apparent, is `accomplished through the intervention of thespring 145, the pawl 14S, which, during .'lieupstroke is immovable downwardly, enjiages and then elevates the lever 135, which n turn elevates the lever 134, so as to carry the latter above a tappet 138 which it en- 1haft'133, and hence the shifting lever 131 -will be also released, so that the spring 132 'of said lever 131 can so operate on thelatter as to cause the clutch member 130 to again engage the pulley 122 to start the belt^-120.

' The belt will be again stopped when a tap- ,net 138 strikes the lever 134, when the operation set forth with be repeated. To prevent. erowding'of the can tops at the delivery end of the feed-boards 118, and to prevent the -imultaneous supply of two tops to the topt'ransferring mechanism hereinafter by only one top at a time can leave a, feedboard, and illustrated for securing this result.

Extending across the machine and below the feed-boards, is a horizontally slidable liar'150, shown best in Fig. 3. This bar carries thereon four cooperating pairs of feed controlling lingers, each designated by 151,

f gaged. lVhen the lever 134 is lifted free of disposed actuating member or described, I provlde controlling means where- I'will now set forth the means in the length theredf. The working portions of the fingers, when extending across the feed-boards are slightly above the upper surface thereof, or a distance sufficient to prevent the gravitation ofthe tops therealong. It will be understood therefore that each pair of lingers comprises an upper and a lower effective portion, which are alternately extended across the feed-boards. lu l? ig. 3, the upper portions of the fingers are extended across the ieed-boards. slide 150, near one end thereoit, is connected aV linl; 152, the opposite end of the linlr being connected with an angular' lever 153, fulcrumed on the framing of the machine and adapted to be engaged by the crosshead 101. To the sliding bar 150, near the opposite end thereof, is connected a spring 154, also connected withY the framing of the machine.. j

The cross-he-ad 101 is represented in Fig. 3 in its normal posit-ion, or that it occupies for the supply to the can top clamps thereon, of can tops, the upper effective portions` of the several fingers 151 extending across the feed-boards 118, 4while the lower effective portions of' the cooperating lingers are drawn back, so that the can tops located bclow the upper effective portions are free to travel 'into the clamps mentioned. lVhen however the cross-head 101'moves in the manner hereinbefor-e described, to transfer and apply tops to filled cans, the-said crosshead will pass clear of the lever. 153 and release the saine, and consequently the slide 150, whereby the spring 154, which was stretched, can pull the' transversely sliding vbar 150 in such direction as 'to carry the upper eective pottions of the fingers 150 from across the feed-boards 119 and to move thc lower etective portion-s of the copcratlng fingers across said feed-boards, whereby the latter will arrest the progressof the 'tops and prevent their falling Vfrom the lower ends of the feed-boards, as it will be understood that at this time the crosshead 101 is out of. its normal position. When however the crosshead reaches its initial position, it strikes the lever 153 and imparts a return movement to the sliding bar 150 to carry the lower elective portionsofthe fingers 151 out of engagement with thel lowermost tops on the feed-boards and to carry the upper effective portions et the cooperating lingers between the first and second tops in each group of tops. llhen the' lowermost tops are released, they pass moved simult-aneonisly toward and fronr their companion cooperating jaws, in a direction corresponding with that in which the said'rod 107 is lmoved. Upon the rod 10T, at or nearnwhat might be considered the outer end thereof, and on the opposite sides of the same, are `pins 155' andv 156, as illustrated: inEigs. 3, and L1. The cam ortion of a lever 1.57 cooperates with the pin 155,

while thecam portion of a lever 1518 co-v To the It will be reinem-- operates with the' pin 15G; see Fig. 3. The two cam levers 15T and 158 are fulcrumed upon the training for movement about vertical axes. rlhe inner ends of two rods, designated by 150 and 160 respectively, (sec Fig. 1l for example) are jointed together, and are connected to the outer branch ot' the cam lever 15T at their joint, the latter being of such character that it will permit up and down motion of the rod 160 `with relation to the companion rod 159. This joint may be a loose one. The outer end o1 the rod 100 is connected to one end of the oscillatory lever 101, mounted on .he framework of the machine, and which is adapted to be moved alternately in oppozite directions by an actuator represented as a pin 102 on the rod S1 which, as will be remembered, has 'a back and `forth motion on the revolution oi" the crank-arm S0. The outer end ot the rod 159 is connected with the out/er 'branch ot the cam lc'ver 158; see. tor example F ig. 3.

lli/hen the cross-,head 101 swings back from its shifted to its original position, after the application of several tops to a corresponding number of cans', the jaws 10i 'ofr the top clamps will .be sepa-rated trom the cempa-nion jaws. lfhen thevsaid Vnormal position is reached, the pin 155 will engage the l`am portion of the lever 157; scc l? ig. 3. It

will be assumed that a number of can tops have been supplied to the clamps, made up of the jaws 103 and 104. .Vhen this is donc, 'he pin 102 will strike the lever 161, and, rocking the sa-id lever, will cause-the latter to thrust the rods 160 and 159 to the left in Fig.. 1. As the rods move in such directions the operative portion otthe cam lever 157 will ride against the .pin 155, so as to impart a longitudinal movement to the rod 107, so .that the .jaws 104 can be moved toward the companion jaws 103 to clamp the tops herebetween. When the` motion ot the rodh 10? just alluded to is completedgfathe latch 108 associated therewith will snap over the vieldingly mounted keeper 110, so as to maintain the .several jaws positively locked closed. Vhen the jaws are locked closed, the shaft 67' will be caused to rock in the manner hereinbetore described, so as to cause the cross-head 101 to swing in -the'manner hereinbetore described, to conduct the clamped tops to a series of cans which, at this time are filled, the slide 75 ot course being retracted, and with its associated parts being out of the path of the cross-head- The cross-head is carried, over above and then dow-n onto theafilled cans, so that the upper portions of said cans can enter not only the mouths of the clamps, but can enter the tops supported by the jaws, the cross-head being given a sufficient swing to assure this result. men the cross-head practically reaches its shifted position, thekecper 110 is operated in `the manner hereinbefore described, to release the spring latch 108 and consequently the rod 107 and jaws 10.4, whereby the latter can be separated from the companion jaws 103 to release the tops then applied to thecans. The result just set forth, it will be understood, is accomplislied bydrawing the released rod 107 in the proper direction. When the crossliead was swung over, the pin 156 was carried against the effective portion of the cani 158, the latter at this time being stationary, and the pin 162 being to the right -of-the lever 161. 'When however the rod 81 is moved from the left toward the right in Fig. 1, the pin v16S?l will strike the lower branch of the lever 161 after the tops 'have been applied, so that through said lever, the rods` 160 and 159 are drawn to the left, the rod 159 serving to directly actuate the lever 158 in such manner that it will operate against the pin 156 then directly against the same, so that the rod 107 will be drawn in the proper direction. During such movement of the rod, the jaws 104 Willbe ,moved away from t-he companion jaws'103. The jaws 104, it will be understood, remain open during the return movement of the crosshead, and also in such relation until the pin 155 is operated by the effective portion of the cain 157, this taking place after a series of can tops is supplied to Athe respective clamps on the cross-head 101.

Connected with the several movable jaws 104 are can moving devices, which may be conveniently made of wire in bail form and `w`hich ai'e designated by 165. These hails are shown as connected with the movable jaws 104, for example, by means of screws, ano1 they are so positioned when the jaws are closechas not 'to interfere with the application of the tops tov the filled cans.

When however the jaws 104 are separated.

from the companion jaws 103, the bails 165 are naturally moved therewith, so that the free portions of the hails can engage lthelfilled cans near their tops and movethem sidewise, so that the tops on the cans are carried free of the fixed jaws 103. At 'this point the drum 39 will be operated to carry the filled and topped cans away from the filling and top ing station.

Itwill be un ei'stood that when the' crosshead 101 reaches its shifted position, or that it occupies during the top applying period, it strikes the upper end of the curved portion of the angle-lever 56 and operatestlie latter, so that said lever 56 can operate the stop lever 54lin such manner as to throw thel path of the strips 38 on the vrotative .drinn 39.

latter out: of the The operation of the machine is certain, rapid and wholly automatic, and the several acts in the filling and topping of the inacliine occur in proper order. In referring vthe fingersv 40 longitudinally' .compound motion of the termittently movable belt 120, for I have hereinbefore pointed out that these results may be and are advantageously accomplished by hand.

In operation, empty can bodies with bottoms previously united.therewith, are supplied to the hopper 3, and, in the manner hereinbefore described, travel toward they primary feeding means 6, which conveys the can bodies, or, as they might beproperly termed, cans, to the secondary feedingmeans 11. The movementA of the cans from the primary to the secondary feeding `means is controlled by the means hereinbefore described. The cans, while under the action .of the secondary feedino means, are turned,

if necessary, to have their mouths all face in vthe same direction, or, in the present case,

empty cans are placed upon a strip 38 of the i drum 39, following which'the drum is given a quartenofa turn, as herenbefore described,

to bring the empty cans to their charge-recelving osition. The drum, as will be apparent, as, in addition to the turning motion, a movement bodily, for the purpose `hereinbefore described. -When the cans reach the filling position, the charges of material .tubular spouts 76, which, at this time, are in their advancedpositions, and the valves 77 of which are open, as indicated in Fig. 4. When the cans are filled, the said spouts are returned to their primary or charge-,ie-

,ceiving :positions by the movement of the Islide 75 in ,the manner hereinbefore` described, du`ring which movement the severaly valves 74 are closed in unison, by their engagement with the several arms 79. After laway from the drum`39. At a certain point, l

:will be supplied to a row of the same by the the cans are filled and the spouts 76 moved away from over the same, the cross-head 101 carrying a series of four `tops, is swung over to simultaneously apply said tops to the filled cans, the tops .being initially clamped and then released in the manner `liereinbefore described. When the cans are tbpped, the drum 39 is given aturnfthrough a quarter of a circle, and during this motion the dislodging fingers 72 enter the apertures under the filledcans so as to positively separate said cans from the strip 38 uponwhich they resa-and during this time, the drum is given a downward niet-ion, so as to carry of the cans, in order not to press the same against the feedboards 44 onto which said cans are delivered by the action ofthe fingers y72, aided by the driiinf' I have deseribed'in a brief Way the operation that occurs in illiii and topping the cans, and l deem-this brief description to be only necessary, for in describinov the structure of the machine illustrated,

mechanism with a description of the operation thereof.

In applying a title .to the' apparatus in the relates.

In like manner I wish it distinctly understood that I use a number of vterms hereinz before in their generic senses. For example, where I employthe term tops, I do not wish to confine myself to the application simply of tops to cans, for the parts'sol termed may be the bottoms of the cans. In f other words the term tops is employed to embrace not only tops, so-called, but bottoms as well.

ters Patent is :v

l. In a machine of the class described,v a;

hopper having a plurality of spouts, an agitator for the cans in the hopper, having arms, the hopper and spouts being slotted' to receive said arms as they revolve, and the spouts serving to convey cans from the hopper, feeding means to receive the cans from the means located substantially at the delivery end of the feeding means for engaging the foremost cans. Y

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of feeding means, can filling means, and a plurality of flexibly suspended members located over the feeding means and having ai tiEfriction rollers at their free ends to enter the mouths of the cans on the feeding means to bodily turn `the cans to cause the mouths thereof to all face in the saine di-4 p rection before they reach the `can feeding 3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of al hopper for containing empty cans, feeding means for receiving the cans from the hopper, guide walls between which the cans travel while on the feeding means, a suitably fulcrumed lever located 'at the delivery end of the feeding means and adapted l.to-engage the foremost can, a spring-actuated rod having a pin for engaging the lever, and means for automatically operating the rod in opposition to the spring, to cause the pin on therod to move the lever into a can releasing position;

li. In a machine of :the class described, the combination of a hopper for containing cans and having a plurality of spouts fortlie passage of the cans, feeding means for `receiving the cans froin'the spouts and composed of a Ibhave accompanied the description-of each subv spouts, and automatically. ,operable= plurality of belts arranged side by side, and guide Walls above the workinghpo'rtions of the respective belts, between which the cans travel while on the-belts, levers arranged substantially at the delivery ends of the belts and across the space between the respective walls, said levers constituting stops Yfor the cans, a spring-actuated rod having pins to .engage the respective levers, and means for .actuating the rod in opposition to its spring to cause the pins on the rod' to engage the levers and move the latter into cali-releasing positions. A

5. In a machine o-f theclass described, a can feeding belt, 4a drum lhaving a can seat provided with fingers extending therefrom, .afstationary platform between the belt and idrum, slotted for the `passage of the lingers, :the beltfbeing adapted' to feed a can onto the platform, and the fingers, on the motion of rthe drum, being adapted to pass through the slotted portion of the platform and to move t the can therefrom as the drum turns to' a Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toisecure by Let-i substantially upright position, means for lturning 4the drum -to secure the function -set forth and 'for causing Athe can to be subse- .quent-ly'moved away from the charge-receivcan feeding belt, a drum having a. can seat provided with can engaging fingers extending therefrom, a stationary platform between the lbelt and drum, slotted for the passage of the fingers, mechanism for turning the drinn to cause the fingers to engage the can, separate it from the. platform, and bring it Ato a charge receiving position, and means for supplying the can with a charge of material.

.7. In a machine Vof the class described, a can Lfeeding belt, a drum having a vseat for a can, and fingers extending therefrom, a stationary platform onto which a can is fed from the belt, located between the latter and the drum, and slotted foi the passage of said fingers, means :for operating the drum to cause theo fingers toelevate the can to a substantially upright position, means for supplying the canwvith a charge of material when in such upright position, and an automatically operable device for engaging the can, opposite the fingers, to hold it from outward displacement.

8. In a machine of the class described, can feeding means, a drum having can seats, onto which a lurality of cans are received from the can feeding means, mechanism for imparting to the drinn a step-by-step motion, 'to'first carry the cans from the feeding means to a charge receiving position, and subsequently moving the cans away from the charge receiving position, means for simultaneously filling 'the several cansA when in their charge receiving position,y means for holding the cans from displacement While being filled, and mechanism for automatically operating said last mentioned means after the cans are filled, to thereby carry the same free of the cans.

9. In a machine of the class described,r can feeding means, a drum having can-seats,-

onto which a plurality of cans are received from the can feeding means, mechanism for imparting to the drum a step-by-step motion, to first carry the cans from the feeding means to a charge receiving position, and subsequently moving the cans' away from the charge receiving position, means-for simultaneously filling the several cans when in their charge receiving position, means for holding the cans from, displacement while being filled, mechanism for automatically operatingsaid last mentioned means after the cans are filled, to thereby carry the same free of the cans, and fingers supportedindependently of the drum, the seats beingv apertured toreceive the lingers as the drum rotates, to cause the positlve separation of the filled cans from the drum;

10. In amachine of the class described, can feeding means, a drum having strips equidstantly disposed on. the periphery the can feeding means and the drum, and'- thereof and provided with fingers arranged 1n pairs 'and extendmg perpendicularly therefrom, a stationary platform between slotted for the passage of the fingers, the latter serving to engage a series of cans, and, as the drum turns, to carry the same from the platform to a substantially upright position, means for' supplying Ithe cans with charges of material while in such upright position, and mechanism for imparting a step-by-step motion to the drum a distance equaling that between the strips.

1l. In va machine of the class described, can feeding means, a drum having strips equidistantly disposed on the periphery thereof and provided witlfV fingers arranged in pairs and extending perpendicularly therefrom, a stationary platform betweenA the can feeding means and the drum, and slotted for the passage `of the lingers, the latter serving toengage a series of cans, and, as the drum turns, to carry the same from the platform to a substantially upright position, means for supplying the cans with charges of material while in such upright position, mechanism for imparting a stepby-step motion to the drum a distance equaling that between the strips, and an automatically operable stop device arranged to engage the cans opposite the lingers, when said cans are in their upright positionsand to subsequently release the same.

12. I n a machine of the class described, can feeding means, a drum having strips equidistantly disposed on 'the periphery thereof and provided with fingers arranged in pairs and extending .perpendicularly tlierefrom,a stationary platform between the can feeding means and the drum, and

slotted for the passage of the fingers, the

latter serving to engage a series of cans, and, as the drum turns, to carry the 'same from the platform to a substantially `upright position, meansl for supplying the cans with charges of material while in such upright position, mechanism for imparting a stepby-step motion to the drum a distance equaling that between the strips, an automatically operable stop device arranged to engage the .cans opposite the fingers, when said cans are in pairs and extending perpendicularly,

therefrom, a stationary platform between the can feeding means and the drum, and

slotted for the passage of the fingers, the vlatter serving to engage a series of cans,

and, as the um turns. toV carry the same from the platform to a substantially upright position, means for supplying the cans with charges of material while in such upright position, mechanism for imparting a stepby-step motion to the drum a distance equaling that between the strips, an automatically operable stop device arranged to engage the cans opposite the fingers, when said cans are in their upright positions, and to subsequently release the same, receivmgmeans for the cans, and ngers associated with the receiving means, the stri-ps being apertured tol receive the fingers as the drum is moved to carry thecans away from the charge receiving positions, and means for impartmg' a downward 'movement to the drum.while the lingers are entered in said apertures.

14. In a machine of the class described, can-feeding means, and a member supported above the can-feeding means and adapted to' enter the mouths of the cans to reverse their position while upon the said can-feeding means. 1

15. In a machine of the class described, can-feeding means, a flexible member supported abovethe can-feeding means and hav'- lng a projection to enter the open ends of the

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