US1966380A - Can body forming machine - Google Patents

Description

July 10, 1934. M. 1.. DODGE ET AL CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1932 11 Sheets Sheet 1 July 10, 1934. M. L; DODGE ET AL 1, 0

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1932 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 K INVENTORS NERMA/ 1.. 00065 P401. E P514250! ATTORNEY5 July 10, 1934. M. L. DODGE El AL CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Shet 5 Filed Nov. 28, l932 ATTORN EY July 10, 1934. M, L. DODGE ET AL CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1932 f0 77 7/ m5 5/ I 52 75 75 L M /02 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 A llllllllllllllll"IIIIIIIIIII igliliq'i BY, 50% %o.% Tm

ATTORNEYS y 1934- Q I M. 1.. DODGE ET AL 1,966,380

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE a ATTORNEYS y 1934- M. 1.. DODGE ET AL CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 28, 1932 M 5 M a V 5 m g m m A g P n k OM M ililliliiii 1:1 H m N: v. 5 x 1 E N.

Q Q 1 h a, fi- 3 3 m E Q k Wm WM a 15 1 23%: E. if nnil .ii I. {I}! lllllllllllll I \Q\ llnw E Q\ N%\ l y 10, 1934- M. L. DGDGE ET AL CAN BODY FORMING. MACHINE Filed Nov.

1 Q Q NQ Cs Q .Y wfi SQ 5 M3 4 NE pi fil w N I g g J Q J J 5 N ME \11 6Q 00 l u .5 m0 K n fl I i- 1 g 2 L .3 B .1 a 7 m -limw I- 3 1 N3 Q Q [Y i iv h f .M .& Q Mp \Q m\ a wk g g .3 E N m w II Ii 1. i .lii ||I1 ATTORNEYS July 10, 1934.

M. L. DODGE ET AL 1 1,966,380

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1952 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 $3 ($3 CE CED INVENTORS NffiTO/Y L. DODGE PHUL E PEHESO/V g 6% 517% v ATTORNEYS July 10, 193 M. L. DODGE ET AL CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1952 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 ATT RNEYS July 10, 1934. M, L D DGE ET AL 1,966,380

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1932 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 Q j hmmun! I INVENTORS ERTO/V L. 00065 40L 5. P4RJON ATTORNEYS July 10, 1934. ML. DODGE ET AL CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1932 ll Sheets-Sheet ll INVENTO NERTO/V L Y- W ATTORNEYS Patented July 10, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE York Application November 28, 1932, Serial No. 644,732

39 Claims.

This invention relates to can body forming machines and more particularly to a machine whereby can bodies, formed fiat, may be rounded out into cylindrical form, or to whatever open form they are to assume in use.

Explanatory to the invention, it will here be stated that it is present day practice of some can manufacturers to form tin can bodies in the flat, or to flatten them after formation as a means of reducing the space otherwise required by them for shipment, or storage. Then, after they have been shipped while flat to their point of use, they are there opened out into'body form, and the ends applied thereto. An application for patent filed by Nelson Troyer and Merton L. Dodge on March 18, 1932 under Serial No. 599,821, discloses one kind of machine for the formation of flat can bodies. The present machine is designed for the opening out and shaping of these,.or similarly formed can bodies to cylindrical form so that the ends may be applied c thereto. 1

It is the principal object of the present invention-to provide a can body forming machine for the above purpose that is fully automatic; operable at high speed to open the flat formed bodies to cylindrical form, and to operate thereon for the removal therefrom of side creases, which are resultant to their being formed fiat, without scratching or otherwise marring their internal or external surfaces.

More specifically stated, it is the object of this invention to provide a machine in which there is a cylindrical forming horn, tapered at one end to facilitate the applying of the flat can bodies thereonto and in which machine there are certain feed devices operable to deliver the fiat formed can bodies, in succession, from a supply hopper onto the horn along the tapered end,

with other device synchronized with the first devices for advancing the bodies along the horn so that they will be opened out and permanently shaped to body form. 1

It is also an object of the invention to provide cooperating bumpers, synchronized in their action with the can advancing mechanism, to operate against the cans in succession while disposed on the cylindrical portion of the horn, thereby to iron out the creases in the opposite sides thereof which are incident to their flat formation, and thereby to finally shape the bodies.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a feed mechanism which operates to apply inward pressure against the opposite side edges of the fiat'formed bodies as they are advanced onto the horn, thereby to cause them to be opened out by this inward pressure and thus relieved of internal frictional contact with the horn that otherwise would result if the opening was the result'of their advancement onto the horn along its tapered portion.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a floating forming horn along which the cans are delivered. Also, inthe provision of a floating support for the paired bumpers, that are operable against the bodies from opposite sides in ironing out the side creases, in order to compensate for any possible misalinement of parts and to effect an equalization of the bumping forces applied against the body from opposite sides of the horn.

It is also an object to provide easy and quick withdrawal of the upper horn supports to permit ready removal of the horn.

Still another object of the invention resides in ,the provision of novel horn expandingmeans about which the can bodies are successively positioned for the crease eliminating operation, and for final shaping; I

Other objects of the invention reside in the details of construction of the forming horn, and in its supporting means. Also, in the mechanism whereby the supporting means are actuated in synchronism with the feed devices, away from supporting contact with the horn for travel of the can bodies therealong without releasing the horn.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the various details of construction, in the combination of parts and in their mode of opera- -tion, as will hereinafter be described.

In accomplishing these and other objects, we have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a plan, or top view, of a can body forming machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 isa sectional view of the machine, as viewed on the vertical plane of line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2 illustrating the can body storage hopper, the can feed screws and the feed screw driving mechanism.

Fig. 3a is-an enlarged fragmental detail of the feedmechanism.

Fig. 4 is a cross'section of the machine taken substantially on the line 44 in Fig. l, particularly illustrating the actuating means for an upper and lower horn support.

Fig. 4a is an enlarged plan view of a removable mounting bushing for one of the horn supporting push rods.

Fig. 4b is a section on line 4b4b in Fig. 4a.

Fig. 5 is a cross section of the machine at the bumping station, taken substantially on the line 55 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view substantially in the horizontal plane of line 66 in Fig. 2, illustrating the cam shaft drive gearing, the feed slide crank shaft, and the bumper actuating eccentrics.

Fig. '7 is a top view, partly in section, of the forming horn.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the horn, in its longitudinal vertical plane.

Figs. 9 and 10 are cross sectional views of the horn, taken respectively on the lines 9-9 and 10-10 in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional detail of the wing expander mechanism of the forming horn.

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section of that part of the horn mounting the wings and wing ex'- pander mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a cross section, taken on the line 13-13 in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a part of the feed mechanism, particularly illustrating the reciprocating feed slides for intermittently advancing the can bodies along the forming horn.

Fig. 15 is a cross section on line 1515 in Fig. 16.

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section, as on line 16l6 in Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a vertical cross section on line 17-17 in Fig. 14.

Fig. 18 is a detail showing the paired rolls arranged for guiding the cans onto the tapered pilot of the forming horn.

Fig. 19 is a side view of the guilding rolls and their mountings.

Fig. 20 is a view showing the can body as it is originally shaped for storage.

Fig. 20a is a similar view of the can body partially opened by the tapered end of the man drel onto which the can body is forced.

Fig. 20b is a perspective view showing a can body as fully opened by the mandrel preparatory to the bumping of the sharply curved edge portions thereof.

Fig. 200 is a perspective view showing the can body as bumped and fully rounded into cylindrical form.

Fig. 21 is a plan view of one of the bumper units.

Fig. 22 is a vertical cross section of the unit, as seen on line 22-22 in Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 24 is a view in perspective diagrammatically showing the driving system.

Briefly described, the machine 'in a preferred construction comprises a cast main frame structure designed for mounting the various operating devices and their driving gear. At one end of this frame is a hopper for containing a stack of flat formed can bodies and adjacent the opposite sides of the hopper, at its lower end, are feed screws, revolving in unison to deliver the flat formed bodies, one at a time, into a guideway along which they are advanced by conveyer chains onto the tapered end of a shaping or forming horn. This horn is supported horizontally, and extends lengthwise of the machine and as the cans are delivered in succession thereonto, they are taken up by paired feed chains that operate along opposite sides of the horn and which are equipped with feed lugs which engage with the cans to advance them onto the horn while pressure is applied inwardly against opposite side edges of the cans by these feed chains to effect the spreading or opening out of the bodies. Reciprocating feed slides take up the bodies as they are successively delivered thereto by the paired chains and operate to advance them, by intermittent movements, onto and then from a portion of the horn which is expanded after a can is located thereon, to draw the body wall taut. Bumpers arranged at opposite sides of the horn are then actuated against the body wall while it is drawn taut to press out the edge creases, resulting from their flat formation, thereby leaving the body in'its final form. Other feed chains, operating in timing with the feed slides, then take up and advance the finished bodies along the horn and deliver them from the machine.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- 1 designates the main frame structure of the machine completely housing the internal mechanism and including a substantially flat top wall, or bed, 2 upon which various parts of the machine are mounted. At one end of the bed, a base casing 3 for the hopper mechanism is securely mounted; this being a sort of open rectangular frame, flanged as seen at 3a in Fig. 2, to receive bolts 4 therethrough for attaching it to the bed.

Mounted upon the base casting 3 are similarly formed, paired castings 55 adjustable from and toward each other in a keyway 6 transversely of the base 3 and equipped with base flanges 5a through which attaching bolts '1 are projected; the head portions 1a being slidably retained within transverse key slots 8 in the top -wall of base 3 to permit of lateral adjustment of these parts to accommodate can bodies of different widths.

Fixed upon each of the castings 55 are complemental, upright frames 9-9 arranged so that 115 all together they provide a hopper within which a supply stack of flat formed can bodies 10 may be contained'to feed downwardly, by gravity, as the bodies are delivered successively from the lower end of the hopper into the machine. These frames 9-9' are adjustable from and toward each other on these supports to accommodate cans of different lengths or heights, and since the bearings or supports 55 are adjustable from and toward each other, this provides for accommodating flat cans of difierent widths.

Integral with the castings 55 are bearing portions 11-11' extended downwardly within the casting 3. Rotatably mounted in these bearings are short, vertically disposed shafts 12-12'. 130 At their upper ends the shafts 12-12' are equipped, respectively, with feed screws 13-13 and at their lower ends, bevel gears 14-14 are secured thereon in mesh with driving gears 1515' keyed on a shaft 16 that extends transversely of the machine and is revoluble within bearings 17 and 18 provided therefor in the main frame structure, as seen in Fig. 3. Shaft 16 is equipped at one end with a driving gear 20 driven from the main drive shaft of the machine, as will presently be fully described.

The feed screws 13-13 are right and left hand screws respectively, and are disposed adjacent the base of the hopper at opposite sides thereof to be rotatably driven in unison and in opposite directions by their mounting shafts 12-12' through the gearing described. The flat can bodies 10, when placed in the hopper are axially lengthwise of the machine and have their rounded opposite side edges 10a--10a disposed in 150 position to be engaged by the feed screws. The pitch of each screw is such as to receive but one can at a time between its threads. Thus, for each rotation of the feed screws, one can body will be delivered downwardly from the hopper.

The can bodies are delivered in succession from the hopper into a guideway leading forwardly to the receiving end of the forming horn. The guideway is formed by two spaced angle bars 21- 21' that are bolted to the casting 5-5 and which have vertical flanges 21a serving as supports on which the cans are moved to the horn;

A- pair of parallel sprocket chain conveyer belts 2222' operate lengthwise of the guideway as seen in Figures 1 and 2 and are supported in their travel-by the angle bars, as seen in Fig. 3a.

The belts 22 22, at their receiving ends, extend about supporting sprocket wheels 23-23 revoluble on spindle bolts 24-24 fixed in brackets 2525 attached to the castings 5 and 5'. At their delivery ends, they extend about sprocket wheels 26-26 keyed on a driven cross shaft 27 revolubly mounted across the main frame, transversely beneath the receiving end of the forming horn, as seen in Fig. 2. The shaft 27 is supported in bearings 27a attached to box 3 and is driven through the medium. of a chain belt 28 operating abouta sprocket wheel 29 keyed on one end of shaft 27 and about a sprocket wheel 30 fixed on a driven cross shaft 31 supported transversely and within suitable bearings 31a provided therefor in themain frame, as seen 'in Fig. 4.

As the can bodies are successively delivered by the feed screws '13-13' into the guideway leading to the forming horn, they are taken up and advanced by the belts 22-22; these being equipped at definitely spaced intervals with paired lugs 22:; for'engaging the ends of the bodies to push them onto the receiving end of the horn.

To drive the machine, we provide it with a main driveshaft 32. This extends substantially the length of the machine along one side of the main frame and is revolubly mounted in suitable bearings, as at 33, and is driven through the medium of a belt pulley wheel 34 on one end thereof. At the other end of this main shaft, as observed best in Fig. 24, is a bevel gear 35 in driving mesh with the gear 20 on the feed screw drive shaft 16. Also, there is a bevel gear 36 keyed on the main shaft in driving mesh with a bevel gear 37 fixed on the cross shaft 31 from which the feed chains are driven. Thus, by reason of the cross shafts both being connected with the main drive shaft, the feed screws 1313' and conveyer chain belts may without difliculty be synchronously operated.

The forming horn is horizontally disposed and extends longitudinally of the machine in direct alinement with the guideway from the hopper so as to receive the cans delivered by the conveyer belts 2222' directly thereonto. The horn issecured in place at'each end through the mediacy of an upper and a lower series of reciprocable push rods, as will later be described in detail. At its receiving end the horn is symmetrical- ,ly tapered for reception of the fiat cans thereonto as illustrated by Figures 8, 9 and 10. The receiving end is also widened, as seen in Fig. 7, substantially to the width of the flat can body and the transverse edge 40a at thehorn end, resultant to the tapering and flattening, is angularly inclined relative to the axial line of the horn, and at its forward terminus this edge portion projects forwardly in a point 41 serving as an entering pilot for guiding the flat can bodies onto the horn.

This pilot enters the ends of the cans, as delivered thereto, closely within the edge 10a-and thereby makes possible the easy advancement of the cans onto the horn even though the end edges of the walls of the cans might be bent irregularly or even flattened tightly together.

To aid in the guiding of the cans onto the pilot or point 41, a pair of guide rollers 4242', as seen in Figs. 1, 18 and 19, are supported from the casting 5 by a bracket 43 to receive the side edge portion of the can bodies between. them, and since these rolls, respectively, are disposed directly above and below the pilot 41 they operate to guide the can onto the pilot as they are advanced thereto by the feed chains.

It will be observed, by reference to Fig. 1, that the bracket 43 is attached by bolt 44 to the casting or bearing 5', then by reference to Fig. 19 it is observed that the rolls 42-42 are mounted respectively at the inner ends of paired levers 45 and 46, pivotally attached by bolts 47-47 to the bracket. A coiled spring 48 is mounted between the outer ends of these levers to urge them apart, thereby to yieldingly urge the rollers toward each other and against upper and lower sides of the pilot. Thus, when a can isadvanced between the rolls, they open apart to receive it and accurately guide it onto the pilot. 4

At the time the cans are delivered'onto the receiving end of the horn, they are substantially in the flattened form seen at 10 in Fig. 20. Then, as they are farther advanced onto the horn along the tapered portion they are opened out and at one time assume the form 10b. After they have been advanced about the main body of the horn they are in the form as seen at 100. In this latter form it is observed that the body still retains to some extent the opposite side creases, 10a, which are incident to its fiat formation, and it is for the purpose of eliminating these creases and permanently forming the body that the expanding wings and bumpers, presently described, are employed. Incident to the body being stretched out' by the expanding wings, and the side creases thereof eliminated, it will assume the final shape illustrated at 10f.

Before describing the means for advancing the can bodies along the horn,'we will describe the horn supporting means. It is to be understood that for the passage of the bodies along the horn it must be possible to withdraw the horn supports for the successive passing of cans, yet the horn must at all times be held perfectly secure at both ends.

The means here employed for supporting'the horn is best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, wherein it is observed that at each end of the horn is a series of upper and a series of lower push rods 50, all arranged at spaced intervals in the vertical axial plane of thehorn with their ends in supporting contact with the horn. The present construction uses six upper and six lower push rods at each end of the horn. Each rod has the end portion thereof, which contacts the horn,.tapered as at 51, to seat within a correspondingly tapered socket 52 in the horn, thus to hold the horn against longitudinal as well as lateral movement.

It will here be mentioned that, forpurpose of ready repair, it is preferred that these sockets 'be formed in hardened plates 53 removably attached to the horn within recesses provided therefor, as seen in Fig. 8.

The push rods of the two upper series are mounted at their upper ends in the ends of horizontal arms 55 laterally extending from the upper ends of slides 56. The slides of the two series are contained respectively in supporting guide frames 5'7--5'7' fixed upon the bed 2 at one side of and adjacent the opposite ends of the horn with the lower end of each slide projecting down into the body of the machine, as seen in Fig. 4.

Each of the push rods 50 of the two lower series likewise is adiustably fixed in the upper end of a vertically reciprocable slide 60, and the several slides are mounted in guideways provided therefor in the guide frames 57-57 to extend downwardly therefrom into the body frame of the machine. The lower ends of slides 56 and 60 for corresponding upper and lower push rods are connected by links 62 and 62, respectively, with the opposite ends of rocker levers 63 which are mounted for independent movement upon supporting shafts 65; these latter shafts being mounted in bearings 65' extended downwardly from the lower ends of the slide frames 57-57, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4.

Each of the rocker levers 63, at one end, has a coiled spring 6'7 acting upwardly thereagainst to rock it in one direction, and at its other end mounts a cam roller 68. The cam rollers for the two sets of supports are acted on by cams 69 on cam shafts 70-70 to move them counter tothe pressure of the springs. The springs, as seen in Fig. 4, are mounted on guide rods '71 which seat pivotally at their upper ends against the rockers and are slidable at their lower ends in guides 72 in the main frame.

The cam shafts '70 and '70 for actuating the push rods at the opposite ends of the horn, are arranged in alinement and are supported revolubly in bearings '73 provided therefor in the main frame, as seen in Figs. 2 and 6. Also, these shafts are equipped respectively with driving gears 74-'74 meshing with driving gears 75-'75 on a revolubly mounted shaft '76 that extends lengthwise of the machine, and is supported in bearings '77 cast in the main frame. The shaft '76 is driven from the main shaft 32 by means of a gear '78 keyed thereon in mesh with a gear '79 keyed in the main drive shaft as seen in Figs. 6 and 24.

In the formation of the cams 69 on the cam shafts '70-'70, they are progressively advanced relative to each other so that they will, in proper sequence, actuate their corresponding rocker levers 63 against the pressure of springs 67 to move the upper and lower push rods into supporting contact with the horn; it being so arranged that at least one set of upper and lower push rods will be in holding contact with each end of the horn at all times. By reference to Fig. 2, in which the spacing of can bodies 10 during travel along the hornis indicated in dotted lines, it will be observed that two sets of push rods 50 are in supporting contact with the horn at each end, and it is to be understood that, by reason of the action 'of the cams 69 against the rocker levers, the rods of each series will in succession be withdrawn from or actuated into supporting contact with the horn as is required for the passage of the can bodies therealong and without at any time leaving the horn unsupported.

As a matter of safety in the event of a jam occurring on the born, the upper push rod supports of each series are yieldably retained in their mountings. By reference to'Figs. 4, 4a and 4b, it will be observed that each push rod 50 is adjustably threaded at its upper end into a bushing 85. The bushings are slidably fitted in bores provided therefor in the supporting arms of their respective slides, and leaf springs 86 have ends fixed by bolts 86a to the arms, with their opposite ends bearing downwardly against the bushings thereby to yieldably urge the push rods downwardly. In the event of a jam of bodies on the horn, the springs will yield and no damage will be done by reason of the rods being actuated toward the horn.

For the purpose of easy and quick removal of the horn from the machine, for repair or replacement, the bushings are made removable from their supports. As observed in Figs. 4a and 4b, the bushing has an enlarged head a. for limiting its downward travel. This head has a laterally opening slot 85b into which the end of the leaf spring extends. At one side, the lower portion of the head is cut away, along the dotted line 87 in Fig. 4a. Thus by rotating the head to bring this cut away portion beneath the end of the leaf spring, the bushing may be released and pulled upwardly, thus to entirely remove it and the push rod mounted therein, from the arm. Normally the bushing is held against rotation by reason of a radial rib 87a on the lower face of the groove seating in a notch 86b in the end of the spring. A short pin 88 is fixed in each head, as a handle for turning and withdrawing the bushing.

To aid in guiding the push rods and to add rigidity to the horn support, the upper push rods are extended at their lower ends slidably through guides 89 closely overlying the horn, and the lower push rods likewise operate through guides 89 closely underlying the horn; the guides 89 and 89' being fixedly attached to the guide frames 57-57 as seen in Fig. 4'.

As the can bodies are forwarded successively and in definite spacing, from the hopper onto the receiving end of the forming horn by the lugs 22a of feed chains 22--22, they are, after being pushed onto the horn end, engaged and moved along the tapered portion of the horn onto the cylindrical portion by a pair of feed chain belts 90-90 operating along opposite sides of the horn from its receiving end to slightly beyond the start of the cylindrical portion. As observed in Fig. 1, the horn tapers inwardly along opposite side edges from the receiving end to the cylindrical portion and the feed chain belts 9090' are supported for travel closely along these inwardly inclined edges by passing about driving sprocket wheels 91-91 at the forward ends of their run and about belt supporting sprocket wheels 9292 at the receiving end of the horn. The return run of the belt 90' is held clear of the upper push rod slides at one side of the horn by supporting sprocket wheels 93' and 94. At the other side of the horn, belt 90 passes about supporting sprockets 93 and .94. The sprocket wheels 92-92 and 94- 94' are mounted by supporting brackets 95 fixed to the bed 2 at opposite sides of the horn. The driven sprocket wheels 91-91 are each fixed on the upper ends of a driving shaft 96 revoluble in a support 96a fixed to the bed as disclosed in Fig. 4, and the sprocket wheels 93 are mounted by spindle bolts 9'7 on lateral extensions 98 at the upper ends of the supports To drive the feed chains 9090 in unison and in synchronism with the feed chains 2222, the

shafts 96--96 are driven from the cross shaft 31 by means of bevel gears 9999 fixed on the shaft j the can bodies at opposite sides of the horn as they are received thereonto, and to carry the bodies forwardly and finally to push them onto the cylindrical portion for farther advancement under the action of reciprocating slides, presently described.

The inner runs of the feed chains 90-90, as seen in Fig. 1, travel along the side surfaces of the horn 'uponguide or presser rails 103-103 fixed parallel with the sides of the horn. These bars in their functional capacity are supports for the chains and prevent their being outwardly displaced from the horn. Thus, as the fiat cans are delivered onto the horn, the chains 90-90 not only push them forwardly but also exert inward pressure against their opposite side edges. This compressing pressure operates to open the bodies so that there is practically no frictional contact between the inner surfaces of the bodies and the horn. In fact the opening of the cans is mainly by reason of the pressureof the converging feed chains and not by reason of the cross sectional shape of the horn although it is desirable that the horn conform in shape to the desired final shape of the can but that it shall be sufliciently smaller in diameter that no undesirable frictional contact between the body and horn will result.

After the can bodies have been advanced onto the cylindrical portion of the forming horn, by the feed chains 90-90 they are taken up and advanced intermittently by the action of a pair of reciprocating feed slides 105-105' slidable in guides 106-106 supported at opposite sides of the horn parallel therewith as illustrated in Fig.

14. These slides operate in unison and in timingv with the delivery of cans by the feed chains and they are equipped with two sets of inwardly yieldable feed fingers 107-107 and 108-108.

forward reciprocal action of the slides they will engage a can body advanced thereto by the chains 90-90 and will advance the body along the horn to the bumping and expanding station. 0n the next forward reciprocal action; the advanced can will be taken up by the second set of fingers aand delivered from the expander station to a farther advanced position for delivery to the end of the horn. On each retractive movement of the feed slides, the feed fingers yield outwardly in passing over .the on coming can bodies and then spring inwardly after passing to the rear ends of the cans. The fingers as shown have ends pivotally mounted in the slides and their opposite end urged outwardly by springs 109 bearing against the fingers, as seen in Fig. 14.

The feed slide supports 106-106 have ends fixedly attached to the bearings 96a and. their forward ends fixed to similar bearings 110 for- 5Q wardly thereof, later mentioned. Both of which bearings are secured upon the bed 2.

The means for reciprocating the feed slides 105-105' comprises a crank shaft 112 rotatably mounted at the forward end of the body frame in bearings 113. A connecting rod 114 joins the crank 112' of the crank shaft with an oscillating lever 115 that is pivotally supported at its lower end on a cross shaft 116 fixed in the main frame. At its upper end the lever-has a link 11'7 connecting it pivotally with lugs 118 on a plate 119 which rigidly connects the feed slides beneath the horn. The crank shaft is rotated by a bevel gear 120 keyed thereon meshing with a gear 121 keyed ondrivenshaft 76. By reason of the use of gears of proper proportion,

The first set of fingers is so located that on each the crank shaft causes the feed slides to reciprocate in timing with the action of the feed chains and cam shafts.

Mounted'within the horn, at the station to which the reciprocating feed slides 105-105' first advance the can bodies, are the expander wings 125-125, as seen in Figs. 8, 12 and 13. These wings are disposed diametrically of the horn at upper and lower sides. Normally they are retracted to positions flush with the surface of the horn for the easy advancement of the cans thereover. After a can is advanced to the expander station, the wings are actuated outwardly thereby to increase the effective circumference of the horn, and to draw the walls of the body sufficiently taut to eliminate the creases at the sides thereof. While in this taut condition bumpers are actuated against the walls to permanently iron out the creases to retain the body in final form.

In a preferred construction each expander wing consists of a wall segment slightly longer than the can body and extending circumferen-.

tially of the horn through approximately one hundred thirty degrees, as seen in Fig. 13. Each wing has two parallel grooves 126 lengthwise thereof in its inner face which are slidably fitted to ribs 127 formed on the body of the horn within recesses provided therein for containing the wings. Each wing is attached at its opposite ends by shoulder screws 130 to a base plate 131, I

These are fitted flatly against the face of the horn beneath the wing and between the ribs. Each base plate is yieldably held drawn inwardly flush with the outer surface of the horn by the pressure of a spring 132 that is coiled about a shoulder screw 133 mounted in the body of the.

horn to extend outwardly through a hole 134 centrally of the plate 131. Thus, the spring, retained by the head-133' of the screw 133, bears inwardly against the plate 131 and operates to yieldably retain the wing in retracted position.

To provide for a limited amount of yield in the wings, a slight clearance is provided between its ends and the plate, as seen at 135 in Fig. 12, and coiled springs 136 seated in sockets 137 in the inner faces of the wings normally hold the wings out to the limit permitted by the shoul der screws 130, but under strain the springs 136 will yield;

The wings are expanded in synchronism with action of the feed slides and this expanding operation takes place immediately following the 10- eating of a can at the expander station, and during retraction of the feed slides. The horn expanding means consists of a slide 140 slidably fitted in an axial bore 141 in the horn. This slide is provided at top and bottom with longitudinal grooves 142 containing rollers 143 which are retained within openings 144 in the top and bottom walls of the horn and bear against the base surfaces of the grooves and against the base plates 131 of the wings. For the greater part of their ths, the base surfaces of the grooves are fiat and parallel with the axis of the slide but toward their ends have outwardly inclined cam surfaces 145 so arranged that when the slide is actuated forwardly to one limit, the rollers in simultaneously passing up these inclined surfaces, will be moved outwardly, thereby to act against the base plates of the wings to move the wings out accordingly to expand and stretch the can body. A coiled spring 146 contained in the bore of the horn acts against the slide to retain it yleldingly in retracted position and the slide of the bumper slides 148-148, presently described, which operate from and toward opposite sides of the horn. As seen in Figs. 7 and 11 there is a transverse passage 150 through the horn in which tumblers 151 are pivotally contained. Each tumbler hasa mounting pivot 152, also a head 153 adjacent its respective end of the transverse passage, .and an extension 154 overlying the end of the slide. Adjustably mounted in the bumper slides 148-148 at opposite sides of the horn are pins 160-160 so arranged that as the slides move toward the horn, these pins engage the heads of the tumblers to rock them inwardly, thereby causing the inward extensions thereof to engage and shift the slide bar forwardly in such manner as to expand the wings. slides move outwardly, the wings retract in accordance with the retraction of the pins 160-160. The bumping of the can body is done while the body walls are under tension by reason of expanding operation, and the bumping is effected by the following means.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 5, it will be observed that located at opposite sides of the horn, at the expander station, I are slide mounting bases 162-162. These are in alinement transversely of the machine and are rigidly tied together by connecting rods 163 and 164. These bases. are held rigid relative to each other but are slidable on the top of the main frame to permit of a limited amount of shifting in a direction transversely of the horn. To secure them functionally in place on the bed plate, guides 165 are fastened by bolts 166 to the bed plate at opposite sides of the bases and these have inwardly directed flanges 167 overlying outwardly extended flanges on the bases, thus to permit of the slidable movement of the bases without upward displacement.

Formed in the upper faces of the bases 162 and 162 are guideways 170-170 and slidable therein are the bumper slides 148-148, held in place by plates 171 fixed by bolts 171a to the bases along the opposite edges of the guideways to slightly overlie the slides. These slides 148-148 are pivotallyconnected respectively by toggle links 172-172 which in turn are pivotally attached to blocks 173-173 located in the outer ends of the guideways. The connection provides that by breaking the toggle links upwardly, the bumper slides will be moved outward- 1y from the horn.

As will be seen in Fig. 5, the toggles are pivotally connected by bolts 175 at their centers, with connecting links 176-176 which, at their lower ends are mounted about eccentrics 177-177 which rotate in unison and in synchronism with action of the feed devices.

As seen in Fig. 6, the eccentric, 177 is fixed o the rotatably driven shaft 78, while the eccentric 177 is fixed on a shaft 180 that is disposed at the opposite side of the machine parallel with shaft 76 in bearings 181-181 in the main frame. This latter shaft is driven in synchronism with the shaft 76 through the medium of a gear 182 keyed thereon in mesh ,with the gear wheel 74, which in turn is driven by gear on shaft 76.

InFig. 5, the bumper slides 148-148 are shown extended, while in Fig. 22, they are shown in retracted position. Mounted on the forward face of each bumper slide is a bumper bar 183. These bars are arranged so that on inward action of the slides, they will engage against the can body When .the

walls to iron out the side creases 100. Each bar has its face shaped to conform to the surface of the horn directly under the body crease, and the bars are pivotally supported at their ends from their corresponding slides, as at 184 in Fig. 22, in order that they may adjust themselves to the can wall when actuated thereagainst. The form of the bars and manner in which they are mounted is illustrated in Fig. 22 which also shows the cross sectional shape of the horn at the expander station.

In order to provide for an accurate adjustment of the effective length of the toggles, it is provided that one or more shims, as at 185 in Figs. 21 and 22, may be inserted between the blocks 173 and outer ends of the guideways and that the blocks may then be secured thereagainst by bolts 186 extended through the outer end walls of the guideways and threaded into the blocks.

' It will be understood that with the bases 162-162 slidably mounted, the entire assembly will automatically adjust itself to accomodate any irregularity of the can bodies or lateral movement of the horn, and will thereby equalize the impacts delivered by, the bumpers against the horn from opposite sides so as to avoid damage that otherwise might result should the blows be unbalanced.

After the bumping operation has been finished, the cans are then carried from the horn and delivered from the machine into a chute 187 as seen in Fig. 23. The conveyer means comprises a pair of conveyer chain belts 188-188. These are supported at their delivery ends by sprocket wheels 189-189 and at their receiving ends about sprocket wheels 190-190 to operate closely along the opposite sides of the horn, as seen in Fig. 1. Lugs-191 are fastened to the chains at proper intervals for engaging and advancing the cans along and finally from the end of the horn. The chains are driven in unison, and also in synchronism with the delivery of cans thereto by the reciprocating feed bars, by the rotation of the sprocket wheels 189-189 which are mounted at the upper ends of vertical supporting and driving .shafts 192-192 revoluble in supporting bearings 110-110 attached to the bed plate 2, and previously referred to as the supports for the forward ends of the feed slide guides 106. At their lower ends the shafts 192-192 are equipped with'bevel gears 194-194 meshing with driving bevel gears 195-195 on a cross shaft 196 revoluble in bearings 197 in the main frame and driven by a bevel gear 198 keyed thereon in mesh with a driving gear 199 on the main shaft 32.

The sprocket wheels 190-190' are mounted, as seen in Fig. 1, by spindle bolts 190a and 19% which are fixed in supports 1900 and 190d located at opposite sides of the horn. The outer runs of these two feed chains 188-188 are carried at their delivery ends about sprocket wheels 189a and 18% mounted on the supports 110 and 110, and at their receiving ends by sprockets 190a and 190i rotatably mounted by the supports 1900 and 190d.

The conveyer chains are held closely adjacent and against outward displacement from the opposite sides of the horn by guide bars 188a. and 18% which have ends fixed to the supporting brackets 190c-190d and to the bearings 110- 110'. Also the horn is longitudinally cut away as at 400 in Figs. 2 and 4 for travel therein of the chain lugs 191.

It will be mentioned here that by this cutting away of the horn for reception of the feed lugs of chains -90' and 188-188 as well as for the feed fingers. on the reciprocating feed bars, permits the horn to be lifted free of the machine without displacing these parts.

When the formed cans are delivered from the forming horn, they are received within a guideway 200 and are conveyed therealong from the machine by conveyer chains 201-201 operating lengthwise of the guideway. As seen in Fig. 2, these chains extend about sprocket wheels 202-202 located at the receiving end of the guideway on a cross shaft 203. The under runs of the belts extend rearwardly from wheels 202-202 and over and back around sprocket wheels 204-204 on a cross shaft 205 then forwardly about sprockets 206-206 on a cross shaft 207. The lower runs of the belts then ,extend rearwardly about sprocket wheels 208-208 on a cross shaft 209, as seen in Figs. 2 and 24.

Cross shaft 207 is driven by a sprocket chain belt 210 operating about sprocket wheels 211 and 212 on the shafts 196 and 207, respectively, and thus the conveyer chain belts are operated in timing with the'can delivering means.

In Fig. 23 it is shown that the machine is thrown into or out of operation by a hand lever 215 pivotally supported as at 216 by a bracket 217 attached to the frame at the receiving end of the machine. The lower endof the hand lever is connected by a rod ,218 to the lower end of a lever 219 at the opposite end of the machine. This latter lever has a central, pivotal support, at 220 and a connection at its upper end with a clutch shifting collar 223 operable to throw the belt pulley into and from gear with the main shaft 32.

Assuming the machine to be so constructed, it operates as follows:

Flat formed cans 10 are stacked in the hopper and will be fed by the feed screws 13-13 and chains 22-22 in succession onto the horn 40. The chains 90-90 then-advance them along the tapered portion of the horn and by an in'- ward application of pressure thereagainst, cause the cans to be opened out without any damaging frictional contact with the horn. The chains 90-90' then deliver the bodies onto the cylindrical portion of the horn where they are taken up and advanced, by intermittent movements, by slides 105-105 to the expander station.

While at rest at the expander station, the wings 125-125 are actuated outwardly to stretch the body, then the bumper slides 148-148 are actuated inwardly against the opposite side thereof to iron out the side creases 10a, and placing the body in its final form. The bodies are then delivered along the horn by the reciprocating feed slides 105-105' to the conveyer chains 188-188 and are deposited by them in the conveyer guideway 200to be delivered therefrom by the chain belts 201-201 into the chute 187. v

During the delivery of the cans along the horn, all parts of the machine operate in synchronism to cause the cans to be advanced in proper tim-' ing and spacing, and the push rods 50 actuated in proper timing for passage of the cans along the horn without at any time leaving the horn unsupported.

In the construction it is to be observed that all parts required to be so, are adjustably attached to the bed 2 so as to permit of their 'being moved outwardly or inwardly as is required to accommodate cans of different size. Thus, it is only necessary to make a proper adjustment and to apply a horn of proper size to make the machine applicable for cans of various sizes.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is- 1. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn, means whereby can bodies of flat,

cross-sectional form may be fed onto the horn at one end, moved progressively along the horn and delivered from the opposite end thereof, said horn being shaped so as to expand said flat can bodies into substantially cylindrical form as they are moved along the same. i

2. In a machine for shaping can bodies, a forming horn, means whereby can bodies of flat, crosssectional form may be fed onto the horn at one end, moved progressively therealong and delivered from the opposite end of the horn, said horn being shaped so as to expand said flat can bodies into substantially cylindrical form as they are moved along the same and supports for the horn retractable therefrom to permit the passage of the bodies.

3. In a machine for shaping can bodies, a forming horn, supports engaging the horn at spaced intervals lengthwise thereof, means for feeding can bodies of flat, cross-sectional form onto the horn at one end and for advancing them progressively along the horn, and from its opposite end thereby expanding the bodies to open form and 1 means synchronized with the action of the body feeding and advancing means for retracting the supports from supporting contact with the horn as required for passage of the bodies therealong.

4. In a machine for shaping can bodies, a form- 1 ing horn, a series of upper and lower supports engaging the horn at opposite ends at spaced intervals lengthwise thereof, means for feeding can bodies of flat, cross-sectional form onto the horn at one end and for advancing them progressively 1 along and fromthe horn at its opposite end thereby to expand the bodies to open form and means synchronized with the movement of the bodies along the horn for successively actuating the supports from supporting contact with the horn as required for passage of the bodies therealong.

5. A device as in claim 4 wherein the first and last horn supports of each series are spaced apart a distance greater than the length of the bodies to permit of constant support of each end of the 1 horn without interruption of travel of the bodies.

6. In a machine for shaping can bodies, an elongated horn, provided at opposite ends in opposite faces with a' series of sockets spaced at intervals lengthwise of thehorn, push rods arranged 1 above and below the horn with ends seated in said sockets for supporting the horn, means for feeding cans of flat, cross-sectional form onto the horn atone end and for advancing them progressively therealong and from its opposite end thereby to 1 expand the bodies to an open form, and means operating in synchronism with the body feeding means whereby said push rods are momentarily retracted from the horn as required for uninterrupted travel of the bodies therealong. 1

7. In a machine for shaping can bodies, an elongated horn formed at opposite ends in opposite faces with a series of sockets spaced apart in the lengthwise direction of the horn, rod guides at opposite sides of the horn, push rods slidable 1 in said guides and having ends seated in said sockets for supporting the horn, means for feeding can bodies of fiat, cross-sectional form onto the horn at one end and for progressively advancing them therealong and from the horn at its 0p- 1 posite end, thereby to expand the bodies to open form, rocker arms operatively connected with said push rods, a cam shaft rotating in synchronism with the feed mechanism and cams on the shaft operatively engaging the rocker arms to actuate the push rods from supporting contact with the horn as required for uninterrupted travel of the can bodies.

8. In a machine for shaping can bodies, an elongated horn, means for feeding can bodies of fiat, cross-sectional form onto the horn at one end and for advancing them progressively along the horn and from its opposite end thereby to expand the bodies to open form, rod guides arranged above and below the horn, a series of push rods mounted in the lower guides to engage the horn at intervals spaced lengthwise thereof, a series of rods in the upper guides in alinement with rods of the lower series, a reciprocally movable slide operatively connected with each of the rods, a series of rocker arms, centrally pivoted and operatively connected at opposite ends with the slides of corresponding upper and lower push rods, a cam shaft revolving in synchronism with the can body feeding means and cams on the shaft for actuating the rocker arms to successively withdraw corresponding upper and lower push rods from the horn for uninterrupted travel of the bodies along the horn.

9. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn, means for feeding can bodies of flat, cross-sectional form onto the horn and for moving them progressively therealong and from its opposite end, expandable means associated with the horn and over which the bodies are passed and means for expanding said means while each body is located thereon to open the body to cylindrical form.

10. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn having a tapered end, means for feeding cans of flat, cross-sectional form onto the horn at its tapered end, body expanding means incorporated in the horn, means for conveying the can bodies delivered onto the horn by intermittent movements onto and from the said expanding means and mechanism operating in synchronism with the conveying means for actuating the body expanding means while the bodies are at rest thereon.

11. In a machine of the character described, an elongated forming horn having a tapered end, means for feeding can bodies of flat cross sectional form successively onto the horn at its tapered end, body expanding wings incorporated in the horn for passage of the can bodies thereover, means for progressively conveying the bodies received onto the horn by intermittent movements onto and from the expanding wings, and means synchronized with the conveying means for actuating the wings to stretch the bodies to open form.

12. In a can body forming machine, a forming horn, body expanding means incorporated in the horn, means for conveying can bodies of fiat cross sectional form onto the horn at one end and for advancing them progressively along the horn onto and from the expanding means, mechanism synchronized with the body conveying means for actuating the expanding means while the bodies are located thereon to expand their side walls to open form and crease removing bumpers operable in synchronism with the expanding means against the side edges of the bodies while thus expanded. v

13. In a machine of the character described, a

forming horn, means for feeding can bodies of fiat, cross sectional form successively onto the horn, body expanding means incorporated in the horn, means for progressively conveying the can bodies along the horn onto and from the expanding means, means synchronized with the action of the conveying means for actuating the expanding means while each can body is located thereon to expand the side walls of the body to cylindrical form, and means for bumping the side edges of the body to cylindrical form while it is thus expanded.

14. In a machine of the character desc ibed, an elongated horn of cylidrical form tapered at one end, means for feeding can bodies of flat, crosssectional form successively onto the horn at its tapered end, a pair of body expanding wings applied within the horn at opposite sides and over which the bodies may pass, yieldable means for retracting the wings, body conveying means operating in synchronism with the body feeding means for advancing the bodies along the horn by intermittent movements onto and from the expanding wing, a pair of bumpers operable against opposite side edges of the bodies to shape them to cylindrical form and means operable coincident with action of the bumpers to actuate the wings to expand and stretch the side walls of the body to cylindrical form.

15; In a machine of the character described, a horn, body expanding wings applied within opposite sides of the horn, means for successively advancing can bodies of fiat, cross-sectional form onto and along the horn and onto and from the expanding wings with opposite side walls of the cans overlying the opposite wings, means for actuating the wings outwardly to stretch and shape the side walls while located thereon to the shape of the wings, and bumpers operable against opposite side edges of the bodies while stretched to shape them to the underlying surfaces of the horn.

16. In a machine of the character described an elongated horn, a pair of can body expanding wings fitted within upper and lower surfaces of the horn across which opposite side walls of the bodies may be moved, means for feeding can bodies of flat, cross sectional form onto the horn at one end and for advancing them progressively therealong by intermittent movements onto and from the expander wings, a pair of crease removing bumpers located at opposite sides of the horn and operable together in opposed relation against opposite side edges of the bodies while positioned on the expander wings and means actuated by the bumpers during their bumping action to expand the wings to stretch the side walls of the body to the shape of the wings.

17. In a machine of the character described, an elongated horn tapered to a flat edge at one end, a pair of body expanding wings fitted within the upper and lower faces of the horn, yieldable means normally retaining the wings retracted flush with the horn surface for passage of can bodies thereover, means for feeding can bodies of' fiat, crosssectional form successively onto the horn at its tapered end, reciprocating means for intermittently advancing the bodies along the horn onto and from the expander wings, a pair of bumpers located at opposite sides of the horn, means for actuating the bumpers in synchronism with the reciprocating means to bump the side edges of the bodies into cylindrical form, means movable within the horn for actuating the wings outwardly to expand the side walls of the can bodies to cylindrical form, coincident with the functional movement of the bumpers.

18. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn, means for successively feeding cans of flat, cross-sectional form onto the horn, a pair of body expanding wings fitted in the horn at opposite sides, yieldable meansfor retracting the wings for passage of the can bodies thereover, a bar reciprocally movable in the horn between the wings having cam surfaces thereon, bearing members interposed between the said cam surfaces and the ,wings and whereby movement of the bar against pressure of the spring causes an expanding action of the wings, a spring yieldingly retaining the said bar at one limit of travel, tumblers pivoted in the horn and engaging the bar for actuatingitto its opposite limit of travel for expanding the wings, .means for advancing the can bodies along the horn by intermittent movements onto and from the expander wings, a pair of bumpers at opposite sides of the horn operable inwardly against the side edges of the bodiesto shape them to the underlying surfaces of the horn, and pins' mounted by the bumpers and engageable, as the latter. move inwardly, with the said tumblers to movethe can bar to expand the wings and thereby to expand theopposite side walls of the body to the form of the wings and to maintain tension thereon during the bumping operation, j

19. In a machine of the. character described, an elongated forming horn and means for delivering can bodies of substantially flat, cross-sectional form onto the horn at one end and'for moving them progressively therealong for -expanding their side walls to substantially cylindrical form and delivering them from the horn at its other end; said horn being tapered and flattened at its receiving end to a thin edge for easy passage of an open end of a flattened body thereover and said edge having a width substantially equal to that of the flattened body.

20. In a machine of the character described, an elongated forming horn and means for delivering cans of substantially flat, cross sectional form onto the horn at one end and for moving them progressively therealong for expanding them to open form and delivering them from the horn at its other end;' said horn being of cylindrical form and of a diameter to substantially flt ,the expanded bodies and tapered at its receiving end to a thin edge substantially the width of the flattened bodies, and inclined with respect to the axial direction of the horn to first enter the can end just within that side edge thereof.

21.'A device as in claim 20 wherein the thin edge of the horn at its tapered end is provided at its forward end with an extended finger serving as a pilot adapted to enter the can bodies as presented thereto closely within a side edge thereof.

22. In a machine of the character described, an elongated horn tapered at its receiving end to a thing edge, means for feeding can bodies of flat, cross sectional form endwise onto the horn over the thin edge and for moving them progressively along the horn and off the other end thereof, and guide rollers disposed in spaced relation adjacent the said edge ofthe horn and between which the can bodies are delivered and guided thereby onto the horn.

23. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn, means for feeding can bodies of flattened, cross sectional form onto the horn at one end and for moving them progressively theretween them.

along to expand them to the form ofthehom and for delivering them from the opposite end of the horn; said horn having upper and lower faces thereof at its receiving end flattened and brought together in'a thin edge of a width substantially equal to that of the flattened bodies and inclined relative to the end edges of the bodies as delivered thereto andprovided at its forward end with a pilot finger adapted to enter the bodies adjacent that side edge thereof, and guide rollers mounted above and below the point of the pilot and by which the bodies are guided thereonto for easy passage onto the horn.

24. A device as in claim 23 wherein said guide rollers have movable supports with yieldable means bearing thereagainst for retaining the rollers in close relation but permitting them to yield outwardly for passage of the can bodies be-.

25. In a machine of the character described, an elongated horn, means for feeding can bodies of flattened, cross sectional form onto the horn at one end and for moving them progressively therealong to open them out to the cross sectional form'of the horn and for delivering them from the horn at its other end; the body portion of the horn being of cylindrical form and terminating at its receiving end in a thin flat edge portion substantially the width of the flat bodies when presented thereto and having its opposite side surfaces gradually diverging from said edge 7 and merging evenly into the cylindrical body portion of the horn to maintain a circumference at all points along the tapered portion equal to that of the cylindrical body portion.

26. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn tapered at one end to receive can bodies of flat, cross sectional form thereonto, and means for feeding cans in succession onto and progressively along the horn, and whereby pressure is gradually applied inwardly against opposite side edges of the bodies as delivered along thev receiving end to cause. the bodies to open out to the form of the horn without material frictional contact with the horn.

2'7. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn gradually tapered at its receiving end to a thin edge, means for delivering can bodies of flat, cross sectional form onta 'the tapered end of the horn and means operating along opposite sides of the horn for advancing the cans therealong and whereby inward pressure is applied to the bodies at opposite sides as they are advanced thereby to open them out to the cylindrical form of the horn.

28. In a machine of the character described, an elongated horn, means for feeding can bodies of flattened; cross sectional form ontothe horn at one end and for moving them progressively therealong to open them out to the cross sectional form of the horn; said horn being of cylindrical form and terminating at its receiving end' in a thin fiat edge portion substantially the width of the flat bodies when presented thereto and having its opposite side surfaces gradually diverging from said edge and merging evenly into the cylindrical body portion of the horn and with opposite side edges extending from the opposite ends of the flat edge, converging in straight lines into the 145 cylindrical body of the horn, and means operating along opposite side edges of the horn at its receiving end to advance the can bodies there-' along and for applying inward pressure against the edges of the bodies as they are advanced.

Images