US2727481A - Can end seamer - Google Patents

Description

E. LAXO CAN END SEAMER Dec. 20, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 23, 1950 1N VEN TOR. 4X0

,47' 7' OPA/ Y Dec. 20, 1955 E. I Axo k2,727,481

CAN END SEAMER Filed lay 23, 1950 5 Sheets-Shet 2 BY 7M/5 770i E. LAX@ CAN END BEAMER De- 20, w55

5 sheetslms,et 5

Filed may 27J 195g fw a De@ 2%, 1955 LAX@ ZZD-JE CAN END SEMER Filed May 25, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ec. 20, E955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 21, 195o United States Patent O This invention relates to a double seamer can ends to can bodies.

Double seamers are employed to join can ends and can bodies. Heretofore, two different and non-interchangeable types of machine have been employed for forming for joining double seams on round cans and square or rectangular cans. These machines are so radically different in construction and operation that it has not been possible to adapt one type machine for both operations.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a double seamer which is capable, by interchange of a relatively few elements, of performing double seaming operations on both round cans and rectangular cans.

In double seamers heretofore employed, a great number of moving parts have been required. Thus, in double seamers intended for use with round cans, considerable gearing is required to time the various elements of the machine, such as the can lifters, the chucks, and the seaming rollers. Double seamers intended for use with rectangular cans are even more complex and involve the employment of reciprocating parts.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a double seamer which, besides being capable of operation with either rectangular or round cans, has a greatly simplified construction.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a double seamer which is capable of operation at high speeds and with low maintenance costs.

It s a further object of the invention to provide a double seamer for use with rectangular cans, which is capable of high speed, low cost operation.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims.

Certain forms of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and are described hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a staggered, sectional view taken along the line 1 1 of Figure 2, showing seaming bars for use with rectangular cans.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, vertical mid-section through the machine of Figure 1 showing a seaming chuck and can lifter.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view as seen along the line 3 3 of Figure 2, and it shows the lifter cam and one of the lifter rollers.

Figure 4 is a View, similar to that of Figure l, of the same machine modified to operate on round cans.

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 but moditied as in Figure 4 to operate on round cans.

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 6 6 of Figure l showing one of the seaming bars operating upon a can body and can end to form a double seam, and also showing the means for adjusting the seaming bars.

Figure 7 is a section taken along the lines 7 7 of Figure 2 showing the means for yieldably mounting the seaming chucks.

Figure 8 is a section taken along the line 8 8 of Figure 2 showing the means employed for adjusting the seaming chucks for cans of different height.

Figure 9 is a section taken along the line 9 9 of Figure 2, showing in top plan, the ring gear and pinion drive for the seaming chucks.

Figures 10 and 1l are fragmentary sectional views through a can body and can end showing the double seam as it appears at the end of the rst and second operations, respectively.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 thereof, a double seamer is shown and is referred to generally as 10. It comprises a frame 11 including upright posts 12, and a central, upright drive shaft 13. The drive shaft 13 carries and rotates a lower spider 14 which is keyed to the drive shaft at 15 and which serves to carry can lifters 16, and it also carries and rotates an upper spider 17 which carries seaming chucks 18. The upper spider 17 is adjustable along the length of the shaft 13, to accommodate cans of different height, by means which will now be described.

Referring to Figures 2 and 8, the spider 17 has a hub which is slidable along the shaft 13 and also along a gear rack 26 which is received in a groove formed along the shaft 13. The gear rack 26 is clamped in place by means of cap screws 27. The upper end of the hub 25 is formed with an annular groove 28 to receive a split clamping collar 29, the two halves of which are clamped together by means of cap screws S). A boss 31 on the collar 29 is formed with a passage 32 to receive a shaft 33 and pinion 34. The pinion 34 meshes with the gear rack 26. Clamping collars 35 are provided to retain the shaft 33 in proper position. It will be apparent that, as the shaft 33 is rotated in one direction or the other, the spider 17, and with it the seaming chucks 18, will be moved up or down to accommodate cans of different height. When it is desired. to make an adjustment, the cap screws 30 are loosened and the shaft 33 is turned to the left or to the right until proper adjustment has been made. Then the cap screws 30 are again tightened, thus firmly clamping the spider in adjusted position on the drive shaft 13.

As shown in Figure 1, rectangular can bodies 36 and corresponding rectangular can ends 37 are fed to the double seamer, at a point indicated as A, by a can body chute 38 and a can end feed mechanism 39, respectively. The can body chute 38 may be of conventional design, and may feed the can bodies to the double seamer by gravity or by positive means. The can end feed 39 may also be of conventional design. It is rotated by a shaft 40, which will be driven in timed relation to the drive shaft 13 of the double seamer, and is formed with the radial pocket 41 to receive the can ends. Each can end is deposited on a can body as the two reach the point A. The first seaming operation (see Fig. l0) is commenced and is effected by a first operation seaming bar indicated by the numeral 42. The second seaming operation (see Fig. 11) is then commenced and is eifected by a second operation seaming bar 43. When each can body and its end reach the point indicated as B in Fig. l, each can end will have been joined to its can body by means of a double seam such as shown in Fig. l1. The cans are discharged at B, a conventional dellector bar 44 being shown which operates to dellect the cans onto an exit conveyer 45.

Referring again to Figure 2, as each can body and can end is delivered to the point A of the double seamer, the can body is deposited on a lifter 16. As shown in Figure 1, eight chucks 18 and eight lifters 16 are provided, although a greater or lesser number may be provided according to specilic needs and desires. Each lifter comprises a pad which is yeldably mounted in the manner described in detail hereinafter, and also a shaft 51 which is slidably and rotatably carried in a bushing 52 within a collar 53. Each collar 53 is formed at the outer end of an arm 54 of the spider 14. The lower end of the shaft 51 is provided with a cam follower roller 55 which is rotatably Vmounted on a stub-shaft 56 which is rotatably carried by the lower end of the shaft 51 and is clamped in position ,by means of a nut 57. The roller rides on a circular cam 58 which is clamped to the frame 11 by means of a clamping ring 59 and cap screws 60. A shoe 61 carried by a stub-shaft 56 bears against the cam 58 and serves asa guide for the lifter.

As shown in Figure 3, the cam 58 has a high-dwell 62, a low-dwell 63 and a rise 64. lt also has a corresponding recede (not shown). The rise `64 is located in registry with the entry point fA, so that each lifter 16 is elevated just after a can end or can body are kdeposited thereon, thereby firmly clamping the can end and body between the lifter andthe corresponding chuck. The

' recede is located at station B, lso as to release the can body and end when the seaming operations have been completed.

The lifter pad 50 is clamped to a lhub or collar 7S by means ofY cap screws 71. Ball bearings 72 are provided to take up thrust loads and roller bearings 73 are provided to take up radial loads. Expansion springs 74 operate to urge the lifter pad 50 upwardly. 1t will therefore be apparent that each lifter pad will yield slightly under pressure, thus allowing it to adjust itself to slight differences in the height of can bodies and the thickd ness of can ends. A screw 74a and cap 74b serve to retain the lifter pad assembly in position.

Each seaming chuck 18 is carried by 'a'collar or yoke 75 at the outer end of an arm 76 of the spider 17. Each chuck comprises a tubular spindle 77 to the lower end of which is threaded a cap, or the chuck proper, designated as 78. The cap 78, as `shown in Figure 2, has a rectangular end 79 to fit the rectangular can ends 37. When a can and can end have been deposited at A, and the lifter pad 50 has been elevated by the cam 5S, the can and can end are firmly clamped between the lifter pad 50 and the cap 73.

The spindle 77 is carried in ball bearings 8i), the outer races of which are carried in a sleeve 81. A tiange 32 at the lower end of the spindle 77, annular shoulders 83 within the sleeve 81 and nuts 84 threaded on the spindle 77 near the upper end thereof, serve to clamp the spindle in the sleeve 81.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 7, each chuck 18 is urged radially and outwardly for the purpose of holding the can body and can end firmly against the seaming bars, by means which 'will now be described. The sleeve 81 is formed with ears or lugs 85 each of `which is formed with a pair of 'holes S6 (only one of which is shown in Figure 7) to slidably receive socket head cap screws 87. An expansion spring S8 is mounted on each of the screws 87 and is compressed between one of the lugs S5 and a self-locking nut 89, thereby serving to urge the chuck radially and outwardly. lt will, therefore, be seen that each chuck will automatically adjust itself to round cans of diierent diameters, and to the variable distance between the chuck axis and points on the periphery of' rectangular cans. Also, each chuck will: at all times hold its can body and can end firmly against the seaming bars.

It will also be seen that the self-locking nuts 89 are located so close to ribs 90 formed on the spider arms 76, that they cannot turn and cannot, therefore, loosen due to vibration of the machine. Access to the chuck is provided by means ofl a detachable cover member 91 which is clamped in lplace by'means of cap screws 92.

Inasmuch as the cans exhibit a tendency to adhere to the seaming chucks 18 when the first and second seaming operations have been accomplished, a cam knock-out mechanism is provided and is illustratedy in Fig. 2. This mechanism includes a knock-out rod 99 which' is slidable in an axial passage 100 extending through the spindle '77.

The rod 99 is threaded at its upper end to receive a threaded knob 101 and, also, a cap 102. An expansion spring 103 is compressed between a shoulder 104 formed in the spindle 77 and the cap 102. The expansion spring 103 will normally hold the knock-out rod 99 in an elevated position, but when the spindle reaches the position B shown on Figure l, the knob 101 will strike a cam (not shown) to cause the rod 99 to move downwardly and thereby knock the can free from the chuck.

In forming double seams on rectangular cans, it is desirable to provide a positive means for rotating the seaming chucks 18. To this end a mechanism is provided which will now be described in detai. Referring to Figures 2 and A9, a pinion 105 is fitted over each spindle 77 above the spider arm 76 and yis welded to or made integral with a hub extension 166. A hub 107 is provided which is keyed at 108 to the spindle 77. A clamping ring 109-andcap screws `110 serve to clamp the several parts to the spindle.

Each pinion meshes with a ring gear 111 which is xed Vto the frame of the machine. As the drive shaft 13, and with it the spider 17 and chucks 18 rotate, lit will beapparent that each pinionV 105 will roll on the stationary ring gear 111 and will, therefore cause-each chuck 18 to rotate about its own axis while it -is rotated about the axis of the drive shaft 13. The pinion -gears 105 and ring gear 111 are selected to provide a minimum degree of slippage of the cans on the seaming bars. The ring gear 111 is mounted on the frame of the machine by means of split collars 112, which are clamped by means of cap screws 113 to the posts 12, kand cap screws 114.

The chucks 18 cooperate with the stationary seaming bars 42 and 43. The chucks, through the medium of springs 88 (see Figure 7) serve to hold the can ends and can bodies yieldably but firmly in contact with the seaming bars, which receive the angedends of the can bodies and the projecting edges ofthe can ends and perform the actual seaming operation.

Referring now to Figures 2 andA 6, each seaming bar 42 and 43 is formed with a seaming groove 120. The seaming groove of thev first operation seaming bar 42 differs from that of the second operation bar '43. However, the grooveof each bar is uniform along its length. Each bar is biased or warped, by means which will now be described, to accomplish the intended seaming operation. Essentially, the seaming grooves of the bars 42 and 43 are the same as the seaming grooves formed in the seaming rollers of conventional double sea-mers. How-- ever, as will be apparent, the operative seaming elements of my machine, that is to say the bars 42 and 43, are stationary, whereas the seaming rollers of conventional dou-l ble .seamers are moving parts. Of course', the `machine of my invention could be constructed. sozthat the Vseaming bars 42 and 43 would move. Preferably, :however, they are stationary elements, and the chucks` are caused to move.

It will be seen from .an inspection of Figure 1 that the seaming bars 42 and 43 have al wavy .or undulating contour on their inner edges 121. The edge 121 of eachV bar includes high points or segments 122, vlow points or segments 123, and transition points or inections 124 between the low and thev high segments. As each chuck 18 rotates a can body and can end, the' high segments 122 will be in rolling contactwith the long Vdat sides of the can and the low segments 123 will be in rolling contact with the short sides 126 of the can. TheV inection points 124 wiil be in rolling `contactwithV thev corners 127 of the can, and will serve; to guide the can around its corners. The can body and can end are-'meanwhile positively rotated by means of thechuck 18, the pinion 105 and the ring gear 111.

The unit pattern of the guide edge 120 for oblong can such as shown aft 37, will' be two high lsegments 122 each constituting an arc generated to be `inrollingl contact with a long side 125 of the can; two low segments' 123 each constituting an arc generated to be in rollingcontact with a short side 126 of the can; and two inflection points 124 each having the same radius as a can corner 127. It will be apparent, of course, that the pattern of the guide edge 120 will be generated diterently for cans of different shape and size. Thus, a simple pattern (four high segments and four inection points) will be employed for square cans. It will also be apparent that the principle of my seaming bar is equally applicable to cans of other shapes, e. g., hexagonal and elliptical shapes.

lt will also be apparent that each can body and can end will be turned several times, specifically, about four and a half times, during its travel along each of the seaming bars. The number of turns may be varied, of course. Thus, a shorter bar having fewer turns may be employed. However, it is preferred to perform the seaming operations gradually, and to this end relatively long bars are employed and the cans are turned several times. A better product results.

To effectively accomplish the seaming operations, and instead of tapering the seaming grooves 120, each seaming bar is warped or biased so that its leading or front end 135 is located at a greater distance from the axis of main drive shaft 13 than its trailing or rear end 136. This biasing is accomplished by means which will now be described.

Referring to Figure 6, it will be seen that each seaming bar is carried in a groove 137 formed in a circular mounting ring 138. The mounting ring 138 is clamped to posts 12 (see Figures 1 and 2) by means of split collars 139 and cap screws 140 and 141. As shown in Figure 2, each seaming bar is formed at intervals with clearance holes 142 to receive cap screws 143. The holes 142 arev of substantially greater diameter than the cap screws 143, so that the seaming bar can be adjusted inwardly and outwardly in the groove 137. When appropriate adjustment has been made the seaming bar is clamped tightly in adjusted position by tightening the cap screws 143.

Referring more particularly to Figure 6, radial adjustment means 144 is provided for accomplishing a precise adjustment and warping of the seaming bars. (As shown in Figure l, there are several of the radial adjustment means 144 for each of the seaming bars 42 and 43.) The mounting ring 138 is formed with a radial clearance hole 145 for each adjustment means 144. Each hole 145 receives a tubular cap screw 150, the inner end of which is intended to bear against a seaming bar. Another cap screw 151 extends through the axial passage 152 formed in the screw 150 and the cap screw 151 is threaded into the seaming bar at 153. A nut 154 is threaded onto the cap screw 150 within the groove 137, and a lock nut 155 is threaded onto the cap screw 150 on the exterior of the mounting ring 138.

Adjustment of each seaming bar is accomplished in the following manner: Assuming that it is desired to move a portion of the seaming bar 42 inwardly of the machine, the lock nut 155 of the corresponding adjustment means 144 will be loosened and the tubular cap screw 150 will be turned in clockwise direction. This will force the seaming bar inwardly. When suitable adjustment has been made, the lock nut 155 will be tightened. If it is desired to move a portion of the seaming bar 42 outwardly, lock nut 155 and screw v151 will be loosened. The cap screw 150 will then be turned in a counterclockwise direction to retract it from the seaming bar. The cap screw 151 will be tightened and as it is tightened, it will draw the seaming bar outwardly. When appropriate adjustment has been made, the lock nut 155 will b e tightened. It will be seen that the clearance hole 145 is of greater diameter than the cap screw 150. Accordingly, the radial adjustment means 144 will automatically align itself so that it will always be perpendicular to the seaming bar.

By appropriate manipulation of the various radial adjustment means 144, each of theseamingbars 42 vand 43. 754

' axis of shaft 13 will 6 can be quickly, easily and accurately adjusted. Thus, each bar will be given a gradual taper toward the center of the machine, i. e., the distance from the bar to the gradually decrease from the leading end to the trailing end 136 of the bar.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, which are similar to Figures l and 2, respectively, and in which similar parts are similarly numbered, these views show the same machine as that of Figures 1 and 2, but with certain modifications to adapt it to operating on roundcans. Round can bodies are shown in Figure 4 at 36a and round can ends are shown at 37a. A seaming chuck 18a is shown in Figure 5. This chuck is identical to the seaming chuck 18 of Figure 2 except that the cap or the chuck proper, indicated as 78a, has a round end portion 79a to conform to the shape and diameter of a round can end. Also, it is not necessary in this embodiment of the invention to positively rotate the chucks 18a; the round can bodies and ends will rotate freely by frictional engagement with the seaming bars. Therefore, as will be apparent from an inspection of Figure 5, the pinion and its associated parts, and the ring gear 111 are removed. The rst and second operation seaming bars 42a and 43a, respectively, are similar to seaming bars 42 and 43, respectively, of Figures l and 2. rThus, each of them includes a seaming groove 120:1 and each bar is mounted for radial adjustment by the same means 144 shown in Figures l and 2. However, as will be apparent from an inspection of Figure 4, each of the seaming bars 42a and 43a has an inner edge 121:1 which constitutes an arc of a circle; i. e., it does not have a wavy, undulating shape.

It will thus be apparent that a double seamer has been provided having numerous advantages. The machine as a whole is very simple in its construction and operation. The number of moving parts is much less than in conventional double seamers for operating on round cans. This simplification and reduction of moving parts is even greater in comparison with conventional double seamers for operating on rectangular cans.

A further, and very important advantage of the invention is that the same machine may be employed for both round cans and rectangular cans; it is necessary to interchange only a very few parts and to make a few adjustments. Thus, it is necessary only to substitute a different chuck and diiferent seaming bars, and to add or remove the ring gear-pinion gear assembly. i

A further, very important advantage of the machine is that it is capable of operation at high speeds.

Among the other and more specific advantageous features of the invention may be mentioned the following: The seaming operation is accomplished by stationary members, namely, the seaming bars, and the chucks are urged resiliently and radially outwardly to maintain the cans in contact with the seaming bars. This constitutes a departure from previous designs in which the seaming element itself has been a moving part. Simplification of manufacture and operation result. Thus, conventional double seamers, both for round cans and rectangular cans, employ seaming rollers. Operation of these seaming rollers requires a large amount of gearing and cams. This, of course, adds to the initial cost and also to maintenance costs of the machine. By way of contrast, the stationary seaming bars of my invention require very little gearing and no cams. Initial cost and maintenance cost are, therefore, considerably less.

Moreover, conventional double seamers' for rectangular cans employ cams of such a character that operation is necessarily slow. This is reliected in the cost of the cans. In fact, the differential in cost of round and rectangular cans is due in great measure to this slow speed of operation. By way of contrast, my machine is capable of high speed operation with rectangular cans.

Yet another advantage of the invention resides-in the adjustability of the chucks whereby their angular relavtionship to the seaming bars can be adjusted. Refermamar 7 ring to Figures 1, it will: be seen that: the li'rs't" portieriY of they seaming bar 42" (i. ei, the first operation seaming bar) is a long segmentIZZ corresponding to'a long side 125` of afcan endf. Accordingly, each chuck' should be adjusted to present oneend' 0E astraight side 125` to thel seaming bar 42 at the commencement of the seaming operation. Such adjustmcntvcanfbe made very easily. Referring toFigure` 2, it will be seen that, on loosening capY screws'110, the spindle 77 of each chuck can be rotated-freely, and therefore adjusted, and' caribe clamped' in adjusted position by tightening the cap screws lle.

Ifn theY appended claims, where the phrase continuous seaming bar or single, continuous seaming bar is Ven.- ployed, it is to be understood that a seaming bar constructed in two sections or segments is includedV where the sections or segmentslie on the same linel or are.

I claim:

l. A double seamer comprising astationary frame, rotaryY chuck' means for receiving superimposed can bodies and ends at a receivingr station and for rotating the same through an arcuate path from said receiving station to a discharge station, a stationary seaming member carried. by the frame and hav-ing seaming means cooperable. with said chuck means. and disposed along said arcuate path,. and radial adjustment means for` said seaming member for biasingl the same toward the chuck axis, said' adjustment means comprising a plurality of adjustment. units spaced about said seaming member, each said unit comprising a first tubular screw threaded to the 0 frame and bearing against the seaming member, a second screw extending` through said first screw and threaded to the seaming member'and `means for locking said first. screw inadjusted position.

2v A double seamer comprising a stationary frame, rotary chuck means for receivingY superimposed can bodiesl and can endsV at a receiving station and for rotating the lsamel through anv arcuate path from said receiving station toa discharge station, a stationary seaming member in the form of an arcuate bar carried by the frame and having an arcuate groove formed along one edge thereof cooperable with said chuck means to receive a can body and can edge. and' to form a seam, and radial adjustment means for said seaming member for biasing the same toward the chuck axis, said adjustment means comprising aY plurality of adjustment units spaced about said seaming member, each said unit comprising a iirst tubular screw threaded' to the. frame and bearing against the seaming member, a second screw extending through said lirst. screw and threaded to the seaming member and means for locking said first screw in adjusted position.

3.. A double seamer comprising a stationary frame including a mounting ring having a groove formed therein along its .innerV edge, rotary chuck means mounted for rotation. coaxially of and within said ring', said chuck means being` operable to receiveI superimposed can bodies and.- ends at. al receiving station, to cause each body and end to traverse an arc adjacent said ring and to deliver each can' body and endl to a discharge station, a seaming bar received within said groove for rolling Contact with said can bodies and ends to. form a double seam therein, and radialV adjustment means for warping the bar to bias it gradually toward the chuck, said adjustment means comprising a plurality' of adjustment units' spaced about the periphery of said seaming bar, each said unit comprising a iirst, tubular screw extending transversely through said mounting ring and' into said groove and bearing against. the outer edge of said seaming bar, a nut threaded to said first screw and located non-rotatably within said groove, a lock nut threaded to said first screw ou the exterior of said mounting ring, and4 a second screw extending through said rst screwA and'in threaded engagement' with said seaming bar. I

4. A double seamer for rectangular cans, comprising a frame, rotaryl chuck means rotatable about a central axisI and including a plurality of chucks each operable to therewith and fixed to. eachy chuck.

seaming bar, radial, Vself-aligning adjustment means fory gradually warping thev seaming bar towardv said central axis, and means forA positively rotating said chucks including a stationary ring gear andl a pinion meshing 5.. Amachine foriseaming can ends to can bodies which comprises a first seamingl bar having aseamingV groove for performing the rst seaming operation, andy a second seaming bar having a seaming groove for performing the second seaming operation, said bars being arranged concentrically of a central? axis and lying along arcs of a single circle having` its center on said axis; said machine also comprising at least onel chuck forvr clamping a can body and can end in superimposed relation, means mounting' said chuck for rotation about said central axis and A for movement toward and from I said yseaming grooves,

and means yieldably urging said chuck toward saidl grooves to hold said can body and superimposed can end in operative relationfto said grooves but tov allow movement away from said grooves in response to an extra. thickness of metal.

6. A machine for seaming can ends to can bodies which comprises a stationary frame, a single, arcuate seaming bar having an arcuate seaming groove on the inner surface thereof for performing the seaming operation, means rigidly securing said seaming bar to said frame, a plurality of chuck means, each clamping a can body and a can end in assembled relationship, said chuck means being positioned within said arc of said seaming bar'adjacent said seaming groove, means rotatably supporting the chucks and' moving the sameY in an arcuate path along said seaming groove with all cany assemblies in substantially uninterrupted engagement with said arcuate seaming groove throughout the seaming operation, said,k

chuck supporting means including means resiliently urging each of said chucks and their can assemblies outwardly toward said seaming groove continuously throughout' the seaming operation.

7. A machine'for seaming can ends to can bodies comprising a seaming bar having a rst seaming groove for performing a' first seaming operation anda second seaming groovefor performing a second seaming operation, said. seaming grooves lying along' arcs of a'single circle, a rotary chuck for clamping a can body' andv a can end in superimposed relation, meansl mounting said chuck for rotation about the center' of said circle and for movement toward and from said seaming grooves, and means yieldably urging said chuck toward said seaming grooves to hold the can body and superimposed can end in engagement with said seaming grooves but to allow movement away from said seaming grooves in response to extra thickness of metal in the seam` beingV formed.

S. A ring-type endseamer, comprising a frame, a generally circularl seaming ring fixed to the frame, and a plurality of rotary chuck means, each clamping a can body and can end together, and means for moving and rotating the same in contact with said seaming ring, said ring having a seaming edge for continuous contact with the assembled can bodies and ends, said seaming edge lying generally along a circular arc but having a undulating contour consistingofa plurality of repetitive units, each unit corresponding to the complete periphery of a non-circular can body and end and said seaming edge having a first operation section and a second operationV section corresponding to thel rst and second operations forming a double end seam.

9. A seaming machine for forming an end seam on can bodies and can ends of nou-circular shape, said machine comprising a txed arcuate seaming bar having an undulating repetitive pattern consisting of a plurality of units, each corresponding to the periphery of a non-circular can body and can end assembly, a plurality of rotary chuck means, each clamping a can body and can end together and mounted for rotating the same through an arcuate path in contact with said seaming bar, said chuck means being rotatable about their own axes to permit rolling of the can body and end on said seaming bar, and adjustment means for angular adjusting of said chuck means relative to the seaming bar to register the contour of the non-circular can body and end with the pattern of the seaming bar.

10. A can end seamer comprising a frame, a seaming bar having a generally arcuate seaming edge stationanly fixed to said frame, a plurality of chuck means, each of said chuck means rotatably supporting and clamping a non-circular can body and can end in superposed relationship, means for moving said chuck means in an arcuate path along and in contact with said seaming edge, said seaming edge having an undulating contour consisting of a plurality of repetitive units each of which corresponds to the complete, non-circular periphery of each super-posed can body and can end assembly.

11. A can end seamer comprising a stationary frame; a seaming bar fixed to said frame and having a seaming edge, said seaming edge having an undulating, repetitive pattern consisting of a plurality of units each of which corresponds to the complete periphery of a can body and can end assembly of non-circular shape; and a plurality of rotary chuck means each clamping a non-circular can body and can end assembly together and means for moving such chuck and can assemblies along and in rolling Contact with said seaming edge.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 542,441 Gould July 9, 1895 586,661 Holden July 20, 1897 836,735 Brenzinger Nov. 27, 1906 1,104,751 Wegner July 21, 1914 1,143,976 Kruse June 22, 1915 1,278,941 Kruse Sept. 17, 1918 1,306,648 Warme June 10, 1919 1,313,998 Kruse Aug. 26, 1919 1,436,761 Gray Nov. 28, 1922 2,460,296 Kinney Feb. 1, 1949

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