US3732804A - Flattening metal cans - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for flattening thin metal cans is disclosed wherein the can is first creased or notched to incline the can ends with respect to the can axis and each can end is then folded about an axis adjacent the juncture of the respective can end and the can side into a generally flat configuration.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Muller 1 1 May 15, 1973 541 FLATTENING METAL CANS 2,638,957 5 1953 Danielson .100 1310. 2 2,737,995 3/1956 Jennings ..100/DIG. 2 [76] fi 'li a ggi BOX 2,958,273 11/1960 Morrow 2100 0102 2 3,106,888 10/1963 Chapleau.... ..100/D1G. 2 22 Filed: Jam 6 1971 3,374,730 3/1968 Cain ..lOO/DIG. 2

[2]] Appl. No.: 104,266 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,394,107 2/1965 France ..lOO/DIG. 2 [52] U.S. Cl ..l00/42,100/D[G.2,100/137,

100/215, 100/218, 100/232, 100/233, Primary ExaminerBilly J. Wilhite 100/244, 100/295 Att0rney-Tumer Moller,Jr. [51] Int. Cl. ..B30b 7/04 [58] Field of Search ..lO0/DlG. 2, 137, [57] ABSTRACT loo/42 52 1 A method and apparatus for flattening thin metal cans is disclosed wherein the can is first creased 0r notched R f Ct to incline the can ends with respect to the can axis and 1 e erences e each can end is then folded about an axis adjacent the UNITED STATES PATENTS juncture of the respective can end and the can side I into a generally flat configuration. 1,376,798 5/1921 Courtney ..100/DIG. 2

8 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures Pmmnumsms v 3,732,804

sum 2 BF 5 INVENTOR BYNUM W. MOLLER BY Walk ATTORNEY PATENIED m 1 5 I973 SHEET 3 OF 6 INVENTOR BYNUM w. MO-LLER ATTORNEY PATENTEDMY15|975 1732.804

saw u or 5 IMPACT MEANS FHG. i3

IMPACT IMPACT IMPACT INVENTOR BYNUM W. MOLLER BY WWW ATTOR PATENTED W1 5 I975 sums HF mwm INVENTOR BYNUM W. MOLLER ATTORNEY PATENTED w I 5 IBM 3; 732,804

sum a 0? 5 INVENTOR BYNUM W. MOLLER ATTORNEY FLATTENING METAL CANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It hardly needs stating that the collection and disposal of metal containers, for example beer and soft drink cans, has become a matter of acute concern. This particular aspect of the litter problem may further be divided into the problem of collecting and disposing of so-called tin cans and the collection and disposal of aluminum cans. Since the metal values in used aluminum cans is significant, several programs have been instituted to collect used aluminum cans and treat the collected cans for reuse, as by melting the cans to form ingots and then extruding or rolling the ingots to form other useful articles.

One of the limitations inherent inthe collection and disposal of used aluminum cans is the transportation costs involved in shipping the cans to a central facility for treatment. In one collection program, it is estimated that transportation costs limit the collection effort to within 50 miles of the treatment facility. It will accordingly be apparent that the effect of these programs will necessarily be limited.

Since empty aluminum cans have a high ratio of bulk to weight, transportation costs are governed by the volume of such containers rather than the weight thereof. As an example, a 55 gallon drum was filled with conventional cans by randomly throwing the cans therein. Three hundred twenty cans were required to fill the drum which calculates to be 44 cans per cubic foot. In contrast, by flattening the cans in accordance with one manually operated version of this invention, can counts in the range of 180 per cubic foot are typically obtained. The flattened cans accordingly comprise aboutt 24 percent of the volume of the unflattened cans. The

power operated versions of the invention should, of course, provide somewhat greater can counts. It will accordingly be apparent that the transportation costs of collection programs may be substantially reduced by flattening the cans before movement to the treating facility.

There are, of course, many diverse types of can flattening devices known in the prior art. One'approach has been to pierce the ends of the can to destroy the mechanical strength thereof and then press the cylindrical side wall flat. Such devices are shown in US. Pat Nos. 2,l78,46l; 2,622,316 and 2,905,079. Such an approach is practicable with respect to so-called tin cans but has not operated satisfactorily on aluminum cans. This approach has proved unsatisfactory with aluminum cans since the sides are thin and flexible and tend to collapse before piercing of the ends is accomplished.

Other disclosures more pertinent to this invention are found in US. Pat Nos. 2,603,270 and 3,095,806. The devices disclosed in these references crease the can longitudinally during the flattening operation by forcibly applying a relatively thin member to the edge of the can.' This approach requires the expenditure of substantial effort since both can ends are simultaneously creased andsince the can ends are remarkably strong in the plane thereof. In contrast, this invention comprises forming a transverse notch in the can side wall, which is of relatively low strength. The creasing or notching of the can side wall angularly disposes the can ends with respect to the can axis. This step is followed, in the practice of this invention, by folding the can ends about parallel axes intersecting the end walls and side walls at opposite ends of the can.

The most pertinent prior art known is the time honored method used by beer drinkers to exhibit their strength. This approach is to squeeze the can side in the middle thereof which creases both sides of the can and deforms the can ends into shallow V'-shaped configurations facing along the can axis in opposite directions away from the can. The can ends and a significant portion of the can side wall are then folded about a common axis in the center of the can so that the can assumes a generally V-shaped configuration. This approach is not suitable for present purposes since the can, as so collapsed, retains a its original volume.

Also of interest is the disclosure in US Pat. No. 2,773,536 wherein a can flattening apparatus is provided with a slot therein for passing the flattened can into a suitable receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a convenient and simple method for flattening thin metal cans.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method for flattening metal cans by creasing or notching the side wall and folding the can ends about parallel axes adjacent the juncture of each can end and the can side wall.

In summary, the method of this invention comprises creasing the side wall of a cylindrical metal can to provide an open notch transverse to the can axis on at least one side thereof to incline the can ends to the can axis; and deformably folding each can end about an axis adjacent the juncture of the side wall and the respective can end to increase the inclination between the can end and the can axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the sequence of operations in the practice of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, taken substantially along line 2-2 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, illustrating a can about to be flattened;

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the sequence of operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIGS. 7-9 are a series of partially sectioned top views of another embodiment of this invention illustrating the sequence of operation thereof;

FIGS. 10-12 comprise a series of side views of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9 illustrating, in side view, the sequence of operation thereof;

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate, in sectioned side views, the sequence of operation of another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 13-15 taken substantially along line 16-16 of FIG. 14 as viewed in the direction shown by the arrows;

FIGS. 17-20 comprise a series of cross sections significant proportion of views of a preferred embodiment of this invention illustrating the sequence of operation thereof;

FIG. 21 is a partial rear view of the embodiment of FIGS. 17-20;

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a can being creased in accordance with an alternate mode of practicing this invention;

FIGS. 23 and 24 comprise sectional views of another embodiment of this invention for folding the can ends after creasing has been accomplished in accordance with FIG. 22; and

FIGS. 25 and 26 comprise sectional views of another embodiment of this invention for folding the can ends after creasing has been accomplished in accordance with FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 7 Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown in block diagram a convenient breakdown or analysis of the operation of this invention. As will be seen, the first step in the operation of the invention is to crease the side wall of a typical metal can and begin the folding of the end walls followed by folding the end walls of the can to juxtapose the collapsed side wall.

Referring to FIGS. 2-6, there is illustrated acan flattener 10 comprising one embodiment of the apparatus of this invention. Thecan flattener 10 comprises as major components aframe 12 arranged to receive acan 14, means 16 for creasing thecan 14 and means 18 for folding and flattening thecan 14.

Thecan 14 is illustrated as a conventional beer or soft drink can comprising acylindrical side wall 20 defining acan axis 22 and a pair of ends or endwalls 24, 26 perpendicular to thecan axis 22 and facing in opposite directions.

FIG. 3 illustrates the beginning of the sequence of operation of thecan flattener 10. In FIG. 4, the creasing means 16 has been actuated to crease or form anotch 28 in one side of thewall 20. It will be seen that the ends 24, 26 of thecan 14 are thereby inclined to thecan axis 22. It will be apparent that the can ends 24, 26 have been respectively folded about anaxis 30, 32 passing through the juncture of theend walls 24, 26 and theside wall 20. Concurrently with the formation of thenotch 28, the side of thewall 20 opposite therefrom is flattened against the folding and flattening means 18 causing an expansion of the lateral dimension of thecan 14. For example, in aconventional can 2 /5 inches in diameter, the transverse dimension thereof increases to about 4 inches during the creasing step.

FIG. 5 illustrates the next event in the sequence of operation where the creasing means 16 has been retracted from thenotch 28. Actuation of the folding and flattening means 18 causes theends 24, 26 to be further respectively folded about theaxes 30, 32 to increase the angle of inclination between the can ends 24, 26 and thecan axis 22. FIG. 6 illustrates the termination of movement of the folding and flattening means 18 and shows that the ends 24, 26 have closed thenotch 28 and have come to reside in a common plane generally parallel to theside wall 20 which has now been flattened. It will also be seen that the ends 24, 26 now face in the same direction generally perpendicularly away from thecan axis 22.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a detailed view of the can flattener I0 is illustrated. Theframe 12 comprises a stationary plate ormember 34 having aboss 35 projecting from one side thereof. A pair ofpassages 36 extend through theplate 34 andboss 35 and communicates with anenlarged recess 38 which is at least as wide as thecan 14 as may be seen in FIG. 2. As will be more fully apparent hereinafter, thestationary plate 34 comprises the base to which the moving members of thecan flattener 10 are ultimately connected and also functions as a stationary platen in the folding and flattening means 18. To mount thecan flattener 10 in a vertical attitude, theplate 34 may be provided withsuitable ears 40.

Theframe 12 also comprises ashallow tray 42 secured to theframe 12 and comprising abottom wall 44 for supporting thecan 14, a pair ofside walls 46, 48 substantially wider than thecan 14 to allow thecan 14 to grow in the lateral direction which occurs initially in the creasing operation, and afront wall 49. Thebottom wall 44 provides aslot 50 adjacent thestationary plate 34 to allow thecan 14 to fall therethrough upon completion of the flattening operation.

The creasing means 16 comprises amovable platen 52 which is at least substantially as wide as thecan 14 and which is preferably substantially wider, as shown in FIG. 2. As exemplary, in a conventional can of 2 inches diameter, the movable platen preferably measures about 4 inches in the direction transverse to thecan axis 22. Theplaten 52 has a vertical dimension substantially less than the vertical dimension of thecan 14. As exemplary, when flattening a conventional can, theplaten 52 is preferably slightly less than about half the height of the can. Best results have been obtained with a 2 inches vertical dimension and 2 :41 inches appears to be the upper limit for optimum results. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferred dimensions of theplaten 52 vary with the size and length-to-width ratio of the cans being flattened.

Theplaten 52 has convergingfaces 54, 56 which serve to ease the creasing of thecan 14 and which also provide a function in the folding and flattening operation to be discussed hereinafter. The intersection of thefaces 54, 56 conveniently lies in a plane substantially midway along the height of thecan 14 perpendicular to theaxis 22.

, The creasing means 16 also comprises means 58 for applying a force to themovable platen 52 for advancing the same toward asecond platen 60, which comprises. part of'the folding and flattening means 18 and acts as the stationary platen of the creasing means 16. Theforce applying means 58 comprises a pair of spacedrods 62 connected to themovable platen 52 and extending outwardly through thepassages 36. Ahandle 64 is connected to therods 62 by the provision of a suitablepivotal connection 66. An intermediate portion of thehandle 64 is connected by a suitablepivotal connection 68 to a pair oflinks 70 pivotally mounted by asuitable pin 72 to anear 74 connected to theframe member 34.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, rotation of thehandle 64 in the direction shown by the arrow advances therods 62 substantially linearly through thepassage 36 until thepivot connection 66 engages theboss 35. The length of travel afforded by theforce applying means 58 is sufficient to move that segment of thecan side wall 20 engaged by the platen 52 a substantial distance toward the opposite side of thecan 14. It is preferred that theplaten 52 move at least as far as thecan axis 22 and preferably to a location closely adjacent the second platen as may be seen best in FIG. 4.

The folding and flattening means 18 comprises several elements previously discussed, specifically theframe member 34 and theplaten 52 which together comprise a stationary platen and thesecond platen 60 which comprises the movable platen. Themovable platen 60 is mounted for reciprocating movement by a pair ofupper guide rods 76 and a pair oflower guide rods 78. Theupper guide rods 76 are secured to theframe member 34 and provide anenlarged head 80 on the end thereof. A pair ofbosses 82 are integrally provided by theplaten 60 and slidably receive therods 76. Theguide rods 78 comprise a threaded section adjacent anenlarged head 84 on one end thereof and are threadably received by thefront wall 49 of thetray 42. A pair ofbosses 86 are provided on the lower section of theplaten 60 and slidably receive theguide rods 78. Thebosses 82, 86 provide greater bearing surface on therods 76, 78 and accordingly lend greater vertical stability to theplaten 60 during reciprocation toward theplaten 34.

As seen in FIG. 3, thelower guide rods 78 extend toward theplane member 34 no farther than theslot 50 since the central part of thecan 14 expands laterally during creasing to occupy substantially the entire distance between theside walls 46, 48 of thetray 42. By shortening theguide rods 78, the flattened can 14 has free access for exit through theslot 50.

The folding and flattening means 18 also comprises a force applying means 88 comprising ahandle 90 mounted by apivot connection 92 to anear 94 affixed to themovable platen 60. Thehandle 90 is connected to a pair oflinks 96 by apivot connection 98. Each of thelinks 96 is pivotally connected between ancar 100, carried by theframe member 34, and theboss 35 by a suitable fastener 102. It will be seen that rotation of thehandle 90 in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 3 acts to advance themovable platen 60 toward the stationary platen comprised of theframe member 34 and theplaten 52.

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen advancement of theplaten 60 causes the leftmost edges of the can ends 24, 26 to engage thestationary frame member 34. Further advance of theplaten 60 creates a moment in the can ends 24, 26 to fold the same about therespective axis 30, 32. Although some incidental tearing of the side wall may occur, the flattening of thecan 14 is not dependent thereon. Similarly, some deformation of the can ends 24, 26 may occur depending on the constructional details of the can being flattened.

Referring now to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the can I4 is flattened by folding the ends 24, 26 into a common plane generally parallel to the flattenedside wall 20. It will be noted that the convergingedges 54, 56 of theplaten 52 act as an anvil to apply increased forces to the inner edges of the can ends 24, 26.

There is disposed beneath the slot 50 areceptacle 104, such as a box, a plastic bag or the like. After thecan 14 has been flattened as shown in FIG. 6, the operator releases the force applying means 88 whereupon thecan 14 falls by gravity into thereceptacle 104. Upward movement of theforce applying means 88 retracts the movable platen to the position shown in FIG. 3 in order to receive an unflattened can.

A model in accordance with FIGS. 2-6 has been constructed in which thehandle 64 provides a 4:l mechanical advantage and thehandle 90 provides a 10:] mechanical advantage. The mechanical advantage of thehandles 64, may obviously be increased merely by lengthening the free ends thereof. The effort expended in flattening aluminum cans was rather moderate and the effort expended on tinplate cans was somewhat greater. The conventional 2% inches diameter by 4 78 inches tall cans were deformed into a flat configuration approximately 4 /3 inches long, 4 inches wide and about inches thick.

Referring to FIGS. 7-12 there is schematically illustrated a can flattener comprising another embodiment of this invention. FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a top view of thecan flattener 110 in various stages of operation and correspond respectively to the side views shown in FIGS. 10-12. Thecan flattener 110 comprises as major components aframe 112 adapted to receive aconventional can 114 therein and means 116 for creasing thecan 114 transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof and for folding and flattening thecan 114.

The can 1 14 comprises acylindrical side wall 118 defining a can axis 120 and a pair of ends or endwalls 122, 124 facing in opposite directions along the can axis 120.

Theframe 112 comprises a stationary plate ormember 126 acting as a base for the moving parts of the can flattener 1 10 and also comprising a stationary platen of the creasing, folding and flattening means 1 16. Theframe 112 also comprises a platform orbase 128 on which the can 1 14 is disposed during flattening thereof. As shown best in FIG. 12, thebase 128 provides aslot 130 to pass the flattened can into a convenient receptacle.

The means 116 comprises a .foldable platen 132 which may be manipulated to present a relatively narrow creasing surface as shown in FIG. 7 and alternatively to present a relatively wide flattening surface as shown in FIG. 8. Theplaten 132 is mounted by suitable means (not shown) for reciprocating movement toward and away from thestationary plate 126 and is illustrated as comprisingplaten segments 134, 136 hinged aboutvertical axes 138, 139. Theplaten 132 is supported by ayoke 140 acting through theaxes 138, 139. Suitable means are provided (not shown) to automatically move theplaten segments 134,, 136 between the positions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. For example, a suitable indexing mechanism may be provided which operates during the retraction of the creasing means 116 from the position shown in FIG. 7 to expand theplaten 132 into the position shown in FIG. 8. Similarly, the indexing mechanism may operate upon withdrawal of the flattening means 116 from the position shown in F IG.'

9 to collapse theplaten 132.

The creasing, folding and flattening means 1 l6 preferably includes means 142 for applying a force to themovable platen 132. The force applying means 142 conveniently includes ahandle 144 connected by apivot connection 146 to the end of theyoke 140. Alink 150 is connected at one end by apivot connection 152 to thehandle 144 and by apivot connection 154 to anear 156 on theframe member 126.

The operation of thecan flattener 110 should now be apparent. A can 114 is placed on theplatform 128 with the can axis 120 being generally horizontal. The creasing means 1 16 is advanced by the force applying means 142 with theplaten 132 in the collapsed or creasing position shown in FIG. 7. Anotch 158 transverse to the can axis 120 is accordingly formed in much the same manner as the creasing means 16 forms thenotch 28.

It will be noted that the can ends 122, 124 are folded aboutaxes 160, 162 to converge in the same general direction as the opening provided by thenotch 158. Retraction of the creasing means 116 causes theplaten 132 to expand to the position shown in FIG. 8.

Manipulation of the force applying means 14 2 again advances theplaten 132 so that the inner edges of theends 122, 124 engage theplaten segments 134, 136 to fold theends 122, 124 further inwardly thereby increasing the angle of convergence thereof and closing thenotch 158. The resultant flattened can is illustrated in FIG. 9 with the can ends 122, 124 lying generally coplanar and parallel to theside wall 118 which has now been flattened. It will be seen that the can ends 122, 124 face in generally the same direction substantially perpendicular to the can axis 120. The release of forces on thehandle 144 allows thecan 114 to pass through theslot 130 into a suitable receptacle for ultimate disposal. v

The can flatteners 10, 110 have been illustrated as hand operated devices. This invention is equally susceptible of use with power devices as illustrated in FIGS. 13-16. Referring to FIGS. 1315, there is illustrated in sectioned side views a rudimentary can flattener 170 comprising another embodiment of this invention. Thecan flattener 170 comprises as major components aframe 172 for receiving a can 174 thereon, means 176 for creasing thecan 174 and means 178 for folding and flattening thecan 174.

The can 174 comprises acylindrical side wall 180 defining acan axis 182 with a pair of can ends 1, 186 perpendicular to thecan axis 182 and facing in opposite directions.

Theframe 172 comprises a vertical stationary plate ormember 188, a pair ofstationary side walls 189, a horizontal base orplatform 190 providing anexit slot 192 and afront wall 193. The creasing means 176 comprises acreaser bar 194 having a depth slightly less than the can diameter and a length somewhat larger than the maximum lateral dimension of thecan 174 as shown in FIG. 14. Thecreaser bar 194 is positioned by any suitable means to engage the center part of thecan 174 upon advance thereof toward the creasing means 176. This positioning may conveniently be accomplished by the provision of a pair ofpegs 196 extending from theframe member 188. As shown best in FIG. 16, thecreaser bar 194 has an enlarged section for engagement with thecan 174 and a rearward section of reduced width to facilitate withdrawal of thecreaser bar 194 from the position shown in FIG. 16. 'The creasing means 176 also includes asuitable handle 198 so that thecreaser bar 194 may be manually removed after the creasing operation is completed.

The creasing means 176 also comprises amovable platen 200 for forcibly advancing thecan 174 into engagement with thecreaser bar 194. Themovable platen 200 is connected to any suitable force applying'means, for example a powered impact hammer orhydraulic cylinder 202 by asuitable rod 204. The creasing means 176 also comprises anabutment 206 extending inwardly from each of theframe side walls 189 tosupport thecan 174 in the position shown in FIG. 13. As will be appreciated, theaxis 182 of thecan 174 is generally horizontal and theabutments 206 support thecan 174 away from the base 190 to prevent the expanding can side 180 from contacting thebase 190. If thecan 174 were supported by the base 190 during the creasing operation, the expanding side wall tends to drag on the base and deform improperly.

As may be seen by a comparison of FIGS. 13, 14 and 16, advancement of theplaten 200 toward thecreaser bar 194 forms anotch 208 in thecan 174 while theabutments 206 pass through a pair ofsuitable slots 210 in themovable platen 200. Thenotch 208 is formed in much the same manner as the cans are notched by the previously described embodiments of the invention such that the can ends 184, 186 are folded into converging relation. The folding and flattening means 178 is comprised of elements previously mentioned, specifically thevertical plate 188, themovable platen 200, therod 204 and the impact means 202. Thevertical plate 188 acts as a stationary platen. Before operation of the folding and flattening means 178, thecreaser bar 194 is removed from adjacent thevertical plate 188, as by grasping thehandle 198 and pulling thereon transversely of the direction of movement of theplaten 200. Further advancement of theplaten 200 causes the can ends 184, 186 to abut thestationary platen 188 to fold the can ends 184, 1186 thereby increasing the angle of convergence therebetween and closing thenotch 208 as may be seen best in FIG. 15. After theplaten 200 advances to the position shown in FIG. 15, retraction thereof allows thecan 174 to pass through theslot 192 into a suitable container for disposal.

Referring to FIGS. 17-21, there is illustrated a can flattener 220 comprising an improved, simplified and preferred embodiment of this invention. Thecan flattener 220 comprises as major components aframe 222 providing a creasingstation 224 and a flatteningstation 226, means 228 for creasing and flattening the cans presented at the creasing and flatteningstations 224,

226 respectively and means 230 for feeding the cans to the creasing and flatteningstations 224, 226. The cans pass sequentially through theflattener 220 and are denominated ascans 232, 234, 236, 238 to distinguish therebetween during the sequence of operation.

FIGS. 17-20 disclose a complete sequence of operation. FIG. 17 illustrates the beginning of the can flattening operation where no can is present at the flatteningstation 226 while thecan 232 is located at the creasingstation 224. Advancement of the creasing and flattening means 228 causes thecan 232 to be creased or notched in much the same manner that the cans are notched by the previously discussed embodiments. FIG. 18 discloses a successive stage of operation where the creasing and flattening means 228 has been retracted whereupon the can 232 passes to the flatteningstation 226 while thecan 234 is presented at the creasingstation 224. FIG. 19 illustrates the advancement of the creasing and flattening means 228 to substantially simultaneously crease thecan 234 at the creasingstation 224 and flatten thecan 232 at the flatteningstation 226. HO. 20 illustrates the retraction of the creasing and flattening means 228 whereupon the flattened can 232 is discharged from thecan flattener 220, thecan 234 is moved to the flatteningstation 226 and thecan 236 is presented at the creasingstation 224. It will be apparent that the association of elements shown in FIG. 17 occurs only during the startup of thecan flattener 220 while the sequence of operation illustrated in FIGS. 18-211 occurs successively during the continued operation of thecan flattener 220.

Theframe 222 comprises a stationary plate ormember 240 which may be secured to any stationary support as by the provision ofears 242, Theframe 222 also comprises aplatform 246 for supporting a can at the flatteningstation 226, afront wall 248 providing an abutment for the creasing and flattening means 228 and a pair ofside walls 250, 252 which act to constrain the cans laterally in theflattener 220 and to constrain movement of the creasing and flattening means 228. Theframe 222 is desirably positioned so that the path of can movement therethrough is inclined about 30 to the vertical for purposes more fully explained hereinafter.

The creasing and flattening means 228 comprises abifurcated creaser bar 254 arranged in a plane common with amovable platen 256. As shown best in FIG. 21,

thecreaser bar 254 comprises a pair of upstanding spaced apartcylindrical pins 258 defining therebetween aslot 260. The leading edge of thepins 258 is offset, away from the stationary frame member when compared to the leading edge of themovable platen 256 for purposes more fully apparent hereinafter. Theplaten 256 is connected by aforce transmitting element 262 tomeans 264 for applying force thereto. Although the force applying means 264 may comprise a suitable lever-linkage arrangement for manual operation, a power operator such as an impact tool is highly desirable.

The can feeding means 230 may comprise a suitable orienting andfeeding mechanism 266 to deliver the cans into theframe 222. The feeding means 230 preferably comprises guide means including a first pair ofguide elements 266, 268 for delivering the cans into theflattener 220 between theside walls 250, 252 as may be seen in FIG. 21. The guide means further includessecond guide elements 270, 272 which cooperate with theguide elements 266, 268 to constrain the cans for movement into theframe 222 in single file to present a single can at the creasingstation 224 with the can ends spaced on opposite sides of the creaser pins 258 as may be seen best in FIG. 21.

An important part of the feeding means 230 comprises aretainer 274 for holding a can at the creasingstation 224 as may be seen in FIGS. l7, l8 and 20. Theretainer 274 comprises athin strap 276 having ahook 278 on the end thereof extending into the path of can movement. As shown best in FIG. 21, thestrap 276 is positioned to pass through theslot 260 upon advancement of the creasing means 254 into the creasingstation 224. Thehook 278 extends inwardly past theguide elements 270, 272 to prevent passage of the undeformed cans toward the flatteningstation 226. Itwill accordingly be apparent that the cans moving into theflattener 220 are held by theretainer 274 at the creasingstation 224.

As in the previous embodiments, theframe 222 includes aslot 279 at the juncture of theplatform 246 and thevertical member 240 to allow cans to pass therethrough into a convenient receptacle as shown in FIGS. l7-20.

When thecan flattener 220 is initially started, thecans 232, 234, 236 are sequentially guided by theelements 266, 268, 270, 272 so that thecan 232 is held at the creasingstation 224 by thehook 278. Operation of the force applying means 264 advances the creasing means 254 such that the creaser pins 258 pass theretainer 274 and notch or crease thecan 232 in much the same manner as cans are creased by the previously discussed embodiments. The forward travel of the creaser pins 258 arrested by engagement of theplaten 256 with the frame member The creaser pins 258 accordingly have a forward limit of travel indicated by a dot dash line in FIG. 17. Since thehook 278 engages thecan 232 only at the center thereof (see FIG. 21), retraction of the creasing and flattening means 228 allows thecan 232 to pass out of the feeding means 230 to the flatteningstation 226 as shown in FIG. 18. Tilting of theframe 222 allows thecan 232 to slide freely down the wall afforded thereby without tipping the can over onto theplatform 246. It will be apparent that if thecan 232 should tip over onto theplatform 246, the final flattening operation will not occur as designed since the can ends will not be folded further to close the notch formed by the creaser pins 258.

As will be appreciated at this point, the formation of a notch in thecan 234 causes the can ends to incline with respect to the can axis and causes the edges thereof adjacent the notch to move toward each other. This may be seen, for example, in the FIGS. 4, 7 and 16. This peculiarity allows theretainer 274 to be constructed, in the alternative, by positioning a lug to extend from theside walls 250, 252 to engage the lower right edge of the ends of thecan 234 as viewed in FIG. 18.

Actuation of the force applying means 264 advances the creasing and flattening means 228 to the position shown in FIG. 19. It will be apparent that thecan 232 is flattened by theplaten 256 while thecan 234 is creased or notched by the creaser pins 258. Flattening of thecan 232 is accomplishedby folding the can ends to increase the angle of convergence thereof and close the notch formed by the creasing means 254 in the preceding step of operation. Rearward movement of the creasing and flattening means 228 to the position illustrated in FIG. 20 allows thecan 232 to exit through theslot 279 while thecan 234 passes under thehook 278 to the flatteningstation 226. The can 236 is then presented to the creasingstation 224 and held therein by theretainer 274. It will be apparent that forward and backward movement of the creasing and flattening means 228 will eject flattened cans from theframe 222 and accept undeformed cans at the creasingstation 224 for as long as the supply of undeformed cans lasts.

The previously discussed embodiments of the invention have formed a notch in one side of the can and then folded the can ends to close the notch. This invention is also susceptible of deforming opposite sides of the cylindrical can wall and then folding the can ends to reside in substantially a common plane with the flattened side wall. In this regard, reference is made to FIGS. 22-24 which schematically illustrate such a technique. Afamiliar can 290 comprises acylindrical side wall 292 defining acan axis 294 with a pair of can ends 296, 258 closing theside wall 292 and residing in parallel planes perpendicular to thecan axis 294.

Av can flattener 3410 has, as the now familiar major components, aframe 302, means 304 for creasing thecan side wall 292 and means 306for folding and flattening thecan 290. The elements of thecan flattener 300 may be of any desired configuration to accomplish creasing on opposite sides of thecan 290 and folding of the can ends 296, 28. One exemplary arrangement is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 where theframe 302 comprises a trough-like structure havingside walls 308, 310

and abottom wall 312 having aslot 314 therein to discharge the flattened can 290 from theflattener 300.

The creasing means 304 may comprisecreaser bars 316, 318 on opposite sides of thecan 290 and extend ing throughsuitable apertures 320, 322 in theside walls 308, 310. It will be noted that the creaser bars 316, 318 are positioned to provide anotch 324, 326 in thecan 292 adjacent theends 296, 298 and thereby fold the can ends 296, 298 aboutaxes 328, 330 at the juncture of theends 296, 298 and theside wall 292.

As shown in FIG. 23, the creaser bars 316, 318 are retracted through theslots 320, 322 to allow advancement of the folding and flattening means 306. The folding and flattening means 306 is illustrated as comprising a pair of relativelymovable platens 332, 334 each of which is pivotally mounted on a force applying rod I 336, 338. Application of forced in the direction shown by the arrows in FIG. 23 causes theplatens 332, 334 to engage therespective end walls 296, 298 and further fold theend walls 296, 298 about theaxes 328, 330. In contrast to the operation provided by the previous embodiments, theend walls 296, 298 are not convergent but are instead substantially parallel in planes angularly intersecting thecan axis 294.

Theplatens 332, 334 are provided withsuitable slots 340, 342 to accommodate rotation of theplatens 332, 334 and as may be seen in FIG. 24. It will be apparent from FIG. 24 that the advancement of theplatens 332, 334 toward each other causes folding of the can ends 296, 298 into more or less parallel planes parallel to thecan axis 294 so that the can ends 296, 298 face generally perpendicularly therefrom in opposite directions. Retraction of theplatens 332, 334 releases thecan 290 for passage through theslot 314 into a suitable disposal receptacle.

It will be immediately apparent that other suitable arrangements may be provided for creasing the can sides and then folding the can ends to achieve a folded configuration similar to that illustrated by thecan 290 in FIG. 24. One such arrangement is shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 where a can 340 is shown in the process of being flattened by acan flattener 342. The can flattener- 342 comprises a frame 344, means 346 for creasing thecan 340 and means 348 for folding and flattening thecan 340. As will be apparent by a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 25, thecan flattener 342 is an adaptation of the can flattener to crease thecan 340 on both sides thereof.

The can 340 comprises a cylindrical side wall 350 defining acan axis 352 and a pair ofend walls 354, 356 which reside in parallel planes perpendicular to thecan axis 352 when thecan 340 is undeformed.

The frame 344 comprises a stationary plate ormember 358 and aplatform 360 for supporting thecan 340 during the creasing and flattening operations. A pair ofabutments 362, 364 provide one limit of movement of the folding and flattening means 348 for purposes which will become more fully apparent hereinafter. Aslot 366 is provided in theplatform 360 for passing the flattened can 340 out of the frame 344 as will be apparent from FIG. 26.

The creasing means 346 is a hybrid of the creasing mechanisms shown in FIGS. 3 and 23 and comprises a pair of creaser bars 368, 370 on opposite sides of the side wall 350 adjacent theend walls 354, 356 respectively. Thecreaser bar 368 is mounted in a recess provided by thestationary plate 358 and is connected to aforce applying rod 374. Thecreaser bar 370 is mounted in a recess provided in aplaten 376 and has aforce applying rod 378 connected thereto. It will be apparent that the application of force to therods 374, 378 causes the creaser bars 368, 370 to engage the can side wall 350 and form notches380, 382 therein. The formation of thenotches 380, 382 causes the can ends 354, 356 to become inclined with respect to thecan axis 352. It will be seen that theplaten 376 is supported by theabutments 362, 364 and acts as an anvil with respect to thecreaser bar 368. The creaser bars 368, 370 are then retracted in preparation for the next step of operation.

The folding and flattening means 348 comprises theplaten 376 which is mounted by a suitable means (not shown) for reciprocating movement from the position shown in FIG. 5 toward theframe member 358 which constitutes a stationary platen. A suitable force applying member (not shown) is provided to forcibly advance theplaten 376 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 26. As theplaten 376 advances toward theframe member 358, theends 354, 356 of thecan 340 are further folded about theaxes 384, 386 and come to reside in substantially the configuration shown in FIG. 26. Relaxation of the force applied to theplaten 376 allows the flattened can 340 to pass through theslot 366 out of the frame 344.

It will now be seen that there is provided an improved method and apparatus for flattening metal cans.

I claim as my invention:

1. The method of flattening a metal can having a generally cylindrical side wall defining a can axis and ends generally perpendicular to the can axis, the method comprising the steps of providing a continuous flat support along the full length of one side of the side wall to prevent any creasing therein;

advancing a creasing element into engagement with the opposite side of the side wall at the midpoint between the can ends for creasing the can wall without severing thereof toprovide a notch transverse to the can axis on only one side thereof while maintaining the can ends in essentially undeformed condition and to incline the can ends to the can axis;

retracting the creasing element from engagement with the opposite side of the side wall before severing thereof; and then advancing a flattening element into engagement with the can ends for deformably folding each can end about an axis adjacent the juncture of the side wall and the respective can end to force the can ends into generally coplaner relation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the creasing and folding steps include collapsing the side wall into a generally flat configuration.

3. The method ofclaim 2 wherein the folding step comprises juxtaposing the ends to the side wall.

4. The method of claim I wherein the folding step comprises folding each can end about an axis residing in the side wall adjacent the juncture thereof with the respective can end.

5. The method of claim I wherein the folding step comprises maintaining the can ends in essentially undeformed condition.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the metal can is more than twice as tall as it is wide and the notch in the side wall defines first and second segments projecting from immediately adjacent the can ends generally perpendicular to the can axis and a third segment generally parallel to the can axis and spaced between the can axis and the other side of the can and wherein the folding step comprises folding the side wall comprising the perpendicular segments in the same direction as the can ends adjacent thereto.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the metal can is cylindrical and has a can end diameter of about 55 percent of the axial dimension of the can and the notch provided in the side wall is in excess of about 75 percent of the can end diameter.

8. The method of flattening a metal can having a generally cylindrical side wall defining a can axis and ends generally perpendicular to the can axis, the method comprising the steps of deforming opposite sides of the can adjacent opposite ends thereof to provide notches at diametrically opposed edges of the can while maintaining the can ends in essentially undeformed condition and to incline the can ends to the can axis; and then deformably folding each can end in the same direction about an axis adjacent the juncture of the side wall and the respective can end toward the notch adjacent thereto to increase the inclination of the can ends and the can axis.

Claims (8)

1. The method of flattening a metal can having a generally cylindrical side wall defining a can axis and ends generally perpendicular to the can axis, the method comprising the steps of providing a continuous flat support along the full length of one side of the side wall to prevent any creasing therein; advancing a creasing element into engagement with the opposite side of the side wall at the midpoint between the can ends for creasing the can wall without severing thereof to provide a notch transverse to the can axis on only one side thereof while maintaining the can ends in essentially undeformed condition and to incline the can ends to the can axis; retracting the creasing element from engagement with the opposite side of the side wall before severing thereof; and then advancing a flattening element into engagement with the can ends for deformably folding each can end about an axis adjacent the juncture of the side wall and the respective can end to force the can ends into generally coplaner relation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the creasing and folding steps include collapsing the side wall into a generally flat configuration.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the folding step comprises juxtaposing the ends to the side wall.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the folding step comprises folding each can end about an axis residing in the side wall adjacent the juncture thereof with the respective can end.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the folding step comprises maintaining the can ends in essentially undeformed condition.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the metal can is more than twice as tall as it is wide and the notch in the side wall defines first and second segments projecting from immediately adjacent the can ends generally perpendicular to the can axis and a third segment generally parallel to the can axis and spaced between the can axis and the other side of the can and wherein the folding step comprises folding the side wall comprising the perpendicular segments in the same direction as the can ends adjacent thereto.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the metal can is cylindrical and has a can end diameter of about 55 percent of the axial dimension of the can and the notch provided in the side wall is in excess of about 75 percent of the can end diameter.

8. The method of flattening a metal can having a generally cylindrical side wall defining a can axis and ends generally perpendicular to the can axis, the method comprising the steps of deforming opposite sides of the can adjacent opposite ends thereof to provide notches at diametrically opposed edges of the can while maintaining the can ends in essentially undeformed condition and to incline the can ends to the can axis; and then deformably folding each can end in the same direction about an axis adjacent the juncture of the side wall and the respective can end toward the notch adjacent thereto to increase the inclination of the can ends and the can axis.

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