US3800583A

US3800583A - Cup transfer apparatus and system for drawing and ironing

Info

Publication number: US3800583A
Application number: US00278031A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Miller
Original assignee: National Can Corp
Current assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Co
Priority date: 1972-08-04
Filing date: 1972-08-04
Publication date: 1974-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-02
Also published as: CA986788A

Abstract

A system for drawing and ironing can bodies, particularly steel can bodies, characterized by a single stroke press having an equal number of drawing and re-draw stations in combination with a novel means to transfer cups from drawing to re-drawing stations, and a separate ironing press having separate stations to correspond to each re-drawing station. The apparatus for transferring cups across a sheet metal web from blank-draw stations to re-draw stations beyond the edge of the web includes movably mounted first members adjacent the re-draw stations and the surface over which the web passes, extension members connected to the movable first members, gripping members connected to the extension members adjacent the stations, means to move the first members and thus the gripping members across the web and over the edge thereof, and means to actuate the gripping members to grip cups at blank-draw stations and release them at redraw stations.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Miller a v m 3,800,583 1 1 Apr. 2, 1974 1 1 CUP TRANSFER APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR DRAWING AND IRONING 1 Stanley J. Miller, Crystal Lake, 111.

[73] Assignee: National Can Corporation, Chicago,

22 Filedz Aug.4, 1972 211' Appl. No; 278,031

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 72/349, 72/361, 72/405, 72/422, 1'13/113 [51] Int. Cl B21d 43/06 [58] Field of Search 72/361, 405, 422, 426,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,725,300 Pierson 1,497,001 6/1924 Rotherham 113/113 3,003,447 10/196] Gavazzi 113/113 3,057,312 10/1962 Hatch .1 113/113 2,012,423 8/1935 Ferris 72/423 3,011,464 12/1961 Danly. et al. 113/113 1,953,757 4/1934 1 Hessenbruch 113/113 3,610,018 10/1971 Swanson et a]. 113/120 H Primary ExaminerRichard J. Herbst I571 ABSTRACT A system for drawing and ironing can bodies, particularly steel can bodies, characterized by a single stroke press having an equal number of drawing and re-draw stations in combination with a novel means to transfer cups from drawing to rc-drawing stations, and a separate ironing press having separate stations to correspond to each re-drawing station. The apparatus-for transferring cups across a sheet metal web from blankdraw stations to re-draw stations beyond the edge of the web includes movably mounted first members adjacent the re-draw stations and the surface over which I the web passes, extension members connected to the movable first members, gripping members connected to the extension members adjacent the stations, means to move the first members and thus the gripping members across theweb and over the edge thereof, and means to actuate the gripping members to grip cups at blank-draw stations and release them at redraw stations.

29 Claims, z Drawing Figures FIG. I

SUPPLY OF STEEL WE B SINGLE STROKE PRESS BLANK-DRAW cuP TRANSFER REDRAW IRONING PRESS PAIENTEBAPR 21924 SHEU 5 0F 8 FIGS BLANK a DRAW IDL . REDRAW FIG. 6

IDLE

PATENTED 2W v 3,800,583

' sum 7 or 8 m or.

W%/////////4i l FIG. l-l

PATENTED APR 2 I974 SHEET 8 BF 8 the cup.

CUP TRANSFER APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR DRAWING AND IRONING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the formation of can bodies, of the type having integral bottoms, from sheet metal by cutting normally circular blanks from a sheet metal web and drawing the blanks into shallow cups, redrawing the shallow cups to form deeper cups having a smaller diameter, and ironing the walls to form container bodies. Such bodies are thereafter filled with product and an enclosure is sealed to the open end thereof as by double seaming to provide a finished package such as is used for beer and beverage containment. Such containers are known as two piece cans in the trade. In particular, this invention relates to a cup transfer apparatus which facilitates a system for the formation of can bodies, as will be set forth herein.

This invention has special application to the manufacture of drawn and ironed container bodies made of steel. The apparatus of this invention makes possible an efficiently operatingdrawing and ironing system for steel containers which is relatively problem-free and which entails a relatively low capital expense per unit of production. This invention also makes possible effective piece control as will be explained herein, to minimize complications and trace any defects during operation,

At this point it should be noted that while the primary application of the cup transfer apparatus of this invention is in the manufacture of can bodies, the invention has application in the production of a wide variety of other tubular bodies formed by a drawing and redrawing process. Because of the primary application, the terms can body or container body will often be used in this specification.

-Many tubular pieces having bottoms which are integral with and of the same material as the sides thereof can be formed from aweb of sheet material by drawing and redrawing processes. My invention has application to many of such processes.

As used'herein, the term blank, refers to the cutting of a generally flat circular metal piece from a metal web, normally of aluminum, steel or tin-plated steel sheeting.

The term drawing refers to the operation whereby the peripheral area of a circular flat metal blank is turned upwardly and simultaneously smoothed by means of a drawing punch and die set to form a cup having a generally wrinkle-free sidewall which has a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the original blank. The term redrawing refers to the operation whereby a drawn cup is operated upon by another punch and die combination of smaller diameter than the first set to turn up more of the end material into the sidewall, thereby elongating the sidewall and substantially reducing the diameter of the cup. As in drawing, redrawing does not substantially change the thickness of the sidewall from the thickness of the origi-' nal blank. Two drawing operations, a draw and a redraw, are generally required in the manufacture of bodies for two piece containers.

Ironing refers to the operation whereby the sidewall of a drawn cup is elongated by reducing its thickness with no appreciable reduction in the diameter of Ironing is generally accomplished by placing the cup on a closely fitted punch or mandrel and forcing the cup on the mandrel through one or more ironing or reducing dies having diameters slightly less than the outer diameter of the cup. The ironing action forces back the excess metal which extends beyond the diameters of each progressively smaller ironing die, and produces a longer, thinner sidewall.

The ironing operation is generally much more exacting and sensitive than the drawing and redrawing operations. Drawing and redrawing, however, entail a rapid and shocking dislocation of a considerably greater volume of metal. These differences will be referred to further herein.

Two-piece aluminum containers, with drawn and ironed bodies, have been widely used for several years, particularly in the beer and beverage field. In the production of drawn and ironed aluminum container bodies, it has been a common practice to blank and draw cups from aluminum sheet material on one press, and then both redraw and iron on a second press using a single stroke of one ram.

The combining of redrawing and ironing operations has shown itself to be quite satisfactory for the production of container bodies of aluminum, which is by nature a relatively soft and mechanically workable metal.

The shock of the redrawing operation did not unacceptably upset the delicate adjustments required for accurate ironing, even though redrawing and ironing on one ram required that a redrawing die and one or more ironing rings be axially aligned side by side. Further, since aluminum is relatively soft, massive supporting structure for redrawing dies was not required.

However, with steel, which is much harder and much less workable than aluminum, significant problems arise if a similar combination of redrawing and ironing is attempted. Because of its relative hardness, ironing steel is a much more delicate operation than ironing softer aluminum. Further, since thinner container walls are structurally possible with steel, and thus desirable in order to reduce material cost per container, tolerances must be considerably smaller with steel. in addition, the redrawing of steel is a more jarring operation than the redrawing of softer aluminum. More massive supporting structure is required. Because of the above considerations, redrawing and ironing of steel cannot easily and efficiently co-exist in such a combination. The increased shocking or jarring of redrawing steel are too much for the increased delicacy of'ironing steel. Severely increased downtime for adjustment and/or uneven quality of container bodies would result, either of which are intolerable in the high competitive metal container industry. Further, the

more massive support required for redrawing steel tends to make access to critical parts more difficult.

A significant related problem is the increased tendency for cracking of container bodies, particularly ram speed and the hardness of steel promote the cracking of bottoms and even cause what is known as complete tearoffs whereby the bottom is completely severed from the sidewalls.

To summarize, the separate problems of redrawing and ironing are compounded when the two operations are combined for steel as they have commonly been combined for aluminum. Therefore, it is desirable to separate these operations. Thus, there would appear to be need for three presses, one to blank and draw, another to redraw, and a third to iron. This would cause a significantly increased capital expenditure over the common two-press system for aluminum.

Attempts to eliminate a third press, and thus minimize capital outlays, have led to the combining of the redraw operation with the blank and draw operation. One attempt in this direction involves the axial alignment of the drawing and redrawing dies vertically for use with a telescoping combination of punches. Although this avoids the aforementioned problems arising from the incompatibility of redrawing with ironing, it gives rise to other significant problems. In particular, the massive supporting structure and the complex punch and die configurations which are necessitated, render individual dies and other critical parts fairly inaccessible. Such inaccessibility increases downtime.

I have invented a system for drawing and ironing container bodies which overcomes all of these problems. An important aspect of my invention is the unique cup transfer apparatus disclosed which makes possible the commerical use of a single press for both drawing and redrawing. The transfer apparatus, preferred embodiments of which are described below, operates to transfer cups which have been blanked and drawn from a sheet metal web at blank-draw'stations, across the web to redraw stations located just beyond the edge of the web, releasing the cups in proper orientation above the redraw dies to receive the redraw punches. The press has a punch for each station and drawing and redrawing occur simultaneously, but on different punches which are side by side, and not axially aligned or telescoping. Since the punches are not independently operating, but are affixed to a common punch carrier, I have designated the press as a single stroke press.

Significant problems arise in providing apparatus for transfer of cups across a metal web in a multiple station press of this type. Such a press presents a mechanically crowded environment which is not accommodating to additional apparatus at or near the operative area. This is particularly true for the type of apparatus required for cup transfer. Since relatively fragile metal shells, such as can bodies, are being produced, minor inaccuracies in, for example, gripping'a once drawn shell or placement of the shell after transfer to a redrawing station could result in destruction of the shell and jamming of the press. Thus the cup transfer apparatus must function with precision and must be built accordingly,

.even though in the aforementioned mechanically crowded environment. The cup transfer system has preferred application to v a press having a multiplicty of both blank-draw stations OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of my invention to provide a drawing and ironing system for steel containers which eliminates the aforementioned problems.

A specific object of my invention is to provide a drawing and ironing system which minimizes downtime during normal operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a drawing and ironing system for steel container bodies in which the ironing operation is not subject to the jarring of adjacent and combined redrawing.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a drawing and ironing system for containers which drastically reduces the likelihood of tearouts or cracked container bottoms.

A further object of my invention is to provide a drawing and ironing system for steel containers which provides all of the aforementioned advantages without entailing the expense associated with three separate presses.

Another object of my invention is to provide a system for drawing and ironing steel container bodies with a high degree of reliability and steady quality.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a system for drawing and ironing container bodies which will provide all of the above advantages and still allow a higher degree of accessibility to critical parts.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cup transfer system achieving the above, objectives in a drawing and ironing system for steel container bodies.

Yet a further object of my invention is to provide a cup transfer apparatus for use on a press to transfer cups from a multiplicity of drawing stations to corresponding redrawing stations.

A further object of my invention is to provide a transfer apparatus of the type described which can be used in a press configuration providing maximum utilization of a metal web.

These and other important objects will become apparent from the following descriptions and from the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments, and which form a part of the specification. In the figures, like reference numerals designate like parts with like function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a schematic drawing illustrating the order and groupings of functions of my system for drawing and ironing steel can bodies.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a single stroke press having the cup transfer apparatus with certain functional elements generally illustrated in phantom lines, thereby showing their approximate 10- cations with respect to the press. Material supply and cups at various stages of production are also in phantom lines.

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation of the device of FIG. 2, but including some details of the cup transfer apparatus. A portion of the apparatus, later referred to as right first member 37, is removed for clarity.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged partial sectional view of the left portion of the device of FIG. 2 as indicated by Section 4A-4A in FIG. 2, but including details of the cup transfer apparatus omitted from FIG. 2.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged partial sectional view as in FIG. 4A, but of the right portion as indicated by Section 4B4B in FIG. 2. Reference Line I-I in FIG. 4A

joins reference Line II-II of FIG. 48 to form ite FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view as indicated by Section 5-5 in FIG. 4A. 7

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view as indicated by Section 6-6 in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view as indicated by Section 7-7 in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 8 is left side sectional view as'indicated by Section 8-8 in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view as indicated by Section 9-9 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view as indicated by Section 10 10 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a view of a used metal web illustrating the approximate web usage on a four-out single stroke press incorporating the cup transfer apparatus of my invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now in detail to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 2, an elevational view of a single stroke press incorporating the cup transfer apparatus of my invention is shown. A sheet steel web 22, indicated in phantom lines, passes over rollers 24, and over a surface 26, located above the bed 27, of press 20. Over surface 26, and riding on four posts 28, is'an overhead compospunch carrier portion 30 of press 20. Affixed to punch I carrier 30 are blank-draw punch .combinations 32, which may be of a type well known in the art. Punch combinations 32 arein aposition above surface 26' on which web 22 is resting/Punches 32 cooperate in known manner with blank-draw dies not shown which are mounted on bed 27 in a position normally flush with surface 26. Each punch 32 and its related die forms a blank-draw station.

Also affixed to punch carrier 30, are redraw punches 34 located beyond the edges of web 22 which are indi-' cated by the phantom lines 58 and 60. Redraw punches 34 may cooperate in known manner with redraw dies not shown which may be mounted on bed 27 as'the blank-draw dies are mounted. Each punch 34 and its related die forms a redraw station.

The locations of punches 32 in this embodiment are clearly illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. It will be noted that they are located to provide maximum possible web usage, as is shown in FIG. 11. Blank-draw and redraw stations will be further described later. I

Various parts of the cup transfer apparatus are illustrated in FIG. 2 by phantom lines generally showing their locations in the press environment. These include: left first member 36, and right first member 37, which are movably mounted on base 38 of press 20, extension members 40 attached to left first member 36 or right first member 37,'and extending across web 22 adjacent to blank-draw Stations and redraw stations, transfer actuating means 42 to reciprocally move first members 36 and extension members 40 to effect transfer of cups 44,. also indicated in phantom lines, and actuating means 46 to effect the gripping and release of cups 44 before and after transfer, respectively. Transfer means 42 and actuating means 46, are both shown as remote from the operational area above and adjacent to surface 26. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the major portions of such means are located remote from the operational area. FIGS. 3 through 10,

to which attention is now invited, set forth the details of the elements of the cup transfer apparatus.

Drive means 48, shown in FIG. 3, imparts motion to a flywheel mounted on shaft 50 and obscured by guard v 52. The flywheel provides thedriving force by known means forpunch carrier which has a useful downward movement and a return upward movement. Well known pneumatic and hydraulic means are incorporated in press 20' to further control the movement of overhead punch carrier 30, and to provide give in the supports for the blank-draw dies and redraw dies. No further discussion and explanation is deemed necessary in regard to the operation of known parts andknown functions of press 20. However, it is here noted that the novel cup transfer apparatus of this invention is also driven by means of mechanical linkage to shaft 50 as will be referred to further herein. Such is not required, however, to be within the scope of this invention, but it is preferred as one way of insuring proper coordination of the movements of the cup transfer apparatus withthe previously known functions of press 20.

FIGS. 4A and 4B, which form a composite sectional view of press 20 just above surface 26 and above various parts of the cup transfer apparatus, best illustrate certain of the elements of the transfer apparatus. Attached to base 38 of press 20 are shaft supports 54. Transfer support shafts 56 are mounted to shaft supports 54 which are aligned in a direction transverse to the direction of web feed as indicated in the figures. Left first member 36 and right first member 37 are movably mounted on transfer support shafts 56 on the left and right sides of press 20 respectively, as indicated in FIGS. 4A and 4B respectively. The first members are beyond right edge 58 and left edge 60 respectively, of web 22. The edges are indicated by phantom lines.

Attached to

first members

36 or 37, are

finger bars

62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 and 76, which extend across web 22. The finger bars form the extension members which were designated by numeral 40 in FIG. 2. The finger bars extend adjacent to blank-

draw stations

78, 80, 82 and 84 and redraw

stations

86, 88, 90 and .92.

To clarify the description of this preferred embodiment, the various stations of press 20 will be further designated. Stations 78 and 80 form a pair of blankdraw stations, and

stations

86 and 88 form a corresponding pair of redraw stations. Together

stations

86, 78, 80 and 88 form a set A of stations, each having a common centerline. Blank-draw station 78 and its corresponding redraw station 86 form a left subset A of stations, while

stations

80 and 88 form a right subset A Likewise,

stations

90, 82, 84 and 92, on another common centerline, form a set B of stations, stations and 82 forming left subset B and

stations

84 and 92 forming right subset B The cup transfer apparatus of this invention simultaneously transfers cups just blanked and drawn at the blank-draw station of each of the subsets to the corresponding redraw stations within the same subsets. Thus, cups are transferred from left blank-draw stations 78 and 82 to left redraw

stations

86 and 90 respectively, and from right blank-

draw stations

80 and 84 to right redraw

stations

88 and 92 respectively.

Looking only at one set of stations, namely

stations

86, 78, 80 and 88, finger bars 64 and 66 comprise a first first member 37 and extend therefrom across said web to and through left first member 36. Finger bars 62 and 68 comprise a second pair which are attached to left first member 36 and extend therefrom across said web to and through right first member 37. The first pair of finger bars, 64 and 66, have gripping

members

94, 96, V

98 and 100 attached thereto adjacent subset A of stations. Gripping member 94 comprises two pieces having arcuate edges aligned on either side of blank-draw station 80. Likewise, gripping member 100 comprises two pieces having arcuate edges aligned on either side of redraw station 88. Gripping

members

96 and 98 each have two pieces presenting arcuate edges on either side of two idle positions spaced between

stations

80 and 88 and dividing the distance between

stations

80 and 88 into three equal distances along a common center line of the stations of subset A Right first member 37 is actuated by means which will be shown hereinafter to move toward the right from the position shown in FIG. 4A, equal to the distance between, for example, gripping

members

94 and 96.

The second pair of finger bars, 62 and 68, have gripping

members

102, 104 and 106 attached thereto adjacent subset A, of stations. Gripping member 102 comprises two pieces having arcuate edges aligned on either side of blank-draw station 78. Likewise, gripping member 106 comprises two pieces having arcuate edges aligned on either side of redraw station 86. Gripping member 104 has two pieces presenting arcuate edges on either side of an idle position spaced equally between stations 78 and 86. Although there are two idle positions associated with subset A there is only one associated with subset A This accommodates the positioning of blank-draw stations 78 and 80 to effect complete usage of web 22.

Gripping

members

108, 110, 112, and 114 and

gripping members

116, 118, and 120 are similarly situated and connected for Set B of stations as is readily apparent from FIGS. 4A and 4B. However, the alignment is reversed to accommodate positioning of blank-

draw stations

82 and 84 for the reason already indicated, namely to effect complete web usage.

The attachment of gripping members to finger bars is accomplished by means of pairs of mounting blocks such as mounting blocks 122 and 123 which are attached to finger bar 76, and mounting blocks 124 and 125 which are attached to finger bar 70. Gripper support pieces 178 are attached to pairs of mounting blocks, such as 122 and 123, 124 and 125, and the others not numbered. The arcuate edged pieces are affixed along gripper support pieces as shown in FIGS 4A and 4B in positions adjacent blank-draw, redraw and idle stations. Mounting blocks are accommodated with suitable slide bushings not shown, to allow the finger bars therethrough which are not attached thereto to slide freely.

FIGS. 4A and 48 indicate attachment of such blocks to finger bars by the presence of connectors such as those indicated ny numeral 126 on mounting block 122. The, absence of connectors indicates that the finger bar slides through the block. Similar connectors 126 attaching finger bars to left and right

first members

36 and 37 are also provided. FIG. 9 also shows slide bushings 128 to accommodate sliding of finger bars through left first member 36. The finger bars which are attached to left first member 36 slide through right first member 37 and vice versa. Stationary supports 180, as

shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, are mounted to base 38 in position to provide additional support for the finger bars which pass therethrough. Supports 180 are also provided with slide bushings.

First members

36 and 37 undergo a reciprocating movement in a direction generally transverse of the direction of web feed.

First members

36 and 37 move simultaneously transversely away from web 22 and return simultaneously to their original positions. Just prior to the outward movement of

first members

36 and 37, the gripping-members are actuated to grip cups. Just after the outward movement, the gripping members are actuated to release cups. The actuation of gripping members of this embodiment will be further described later. However, it is noted that in this embodiment the movement ofa cup from a blank-draw station to its corresponding redraw station involves one or two intermediate stops after which

first members

36 and 37 return to their original positions and present a new gripping member to each cup to continue the outward transfer.

Following the path ofa cup blanked and drawn at station 80, immediately after drawing it is gripped by the two arcuate portions of gripping member 94. Thereafter, right first member 37 and-gripping member 94 moveto the right, as shown in FIG. 4B, by a distance equal to the distance between station and idle station 128. Gripping member 94 releases the cup at idle station 128 and returns, by movement of right first member 37, to a position adjacent station 80. Gripping member 96 then grips the cup and by outward movement of right first member 37 transfers the cup to idle station 130. After inward motion of right first member 37, gripping member 98 grips the cup and transfers it to station 88, where it is released in position for receiving the redrawing punch. As shown in the illustration of this preferred embodiment, after redrawing, gripping member grips the cup and moves it further outwardly onto a take-away chute 132 (FIG. 2), which leads to further means to convey redrawn cups to an ironing station downstream.

During continuous operation, each gripping member carries a cup every cycle of operation. Further, the blank-draw and redraw stations are functioning between each transfer motion. A continuous supply of cups moves outwardly from press 20 into all four takeaway chutes 132. Each chute is supplied by cups from a particular subset of stations and, preferably, each chute supplies a particular ironing station downstream. This brings about piece control throughout the process which enables any defect in a finished container body to be traced back through its ironing, redraw and blank-draw stations. Scrambling of cups between the metal working action of various punches compounds the problems of adjustment of dies and punches. The preferred embodiment just described avoids such problems by punch to punch to punch control drawing to redrawing to ironing.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8 and 9 to describe the preferred means to move

first members

36 and 37. In FIG. 8, left first member 36 is partially shown, the uppermost portion, to which the finger bars are attached, being excluded. Transfer support shafts 56, upon which left first member rides, and shaft supports 54 are shown near the base of left first member 36. As shown in FIG. 8, left first member 36 has cam follower means 134 attached thereto by connectors 135, upon which followers 134 may turn. Cam followers 134 are actuated by barrel cam 138 as will be hereafter explained, to move left first member from left to right as indicated in FIG. 8. The left-most position, which is indicated by phantom lines of cam followers 134, corresponds to the position of left first member which is most remote from the edge of web 22.

Transfer drive shaft 136 which is driven by means not shown from the flywheel of press 20 extends across press 20, beneath bed 27 and surface 26. Barrel cam 138 is mounted'on and affixed to transfer drive shaft 136 in a position generally below left first member 36.

Cam follower means 134 is engaged with barrel cam 138 to effect the reciprocating motion of left first member 36 upon the rotation of transfer drive shaft 136. Barrel cam 138 is designed to coordinate the transfer and return motions of left first member 36 with the other operations of the apparatus. It will-be readily appreciated that adjustments may be made to effect the timing of movements and the speed thereof.

A mirror imaged barrel cam, not shown, is mounted on shaft 136 beneath right first member 37 to actuate the movement thereof in the manner just described. Bearing means, connectors and other wellknown devices as are indicated in figures, are used in construction of the means to move the

first members

36 and 37.

FIG. 9-gives a different view of left first member 36. FIGS. 4A, 4B, 8, 9 and 10 clearly illustrate the preferred means for actuating the gripping members to grip cups just prior to transfer and release cups after the transfer motion. Transfer base 140 forms the main portion of left first member 36 and the portion upon which its other parts are mounted. Transfer base 140 rides on transfer support shafts 56 as previously indicated. First and second gripping motion bars 142 and 144 are axially movably mounted to slide in transfer base 140, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 9. Gripping motion bars 142 and 144 are generally parallel to the direction of web f ed through press 20.

For each set of stations, namely A and B as previously designated, first and second finger bar supports 146 and 148 are attached to first and second gripping motion bars 142 and 144, respectively. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, connectors 150 indicate the attach-' ment of finger bar supports to gripping motion bars. The absence of connectors 150 indicates that the gripping motion bar and finger bar support slide with respect to each other. Suitable slide bushings, not shown, are employed where appropriate.

As best visualized by reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B and FIG. 5 shows a blank and draw station with the gripping member in the release positions. Phantom lines illustrate the gripping position. The same holds for FIG. 6, which shows an idle station while FIG. 7 shows a redraw station. FIG. 9 also illustrates the gripping position in phantom lines. I

The gripping members are designed to conform to the shape and size of the cup to be gripped at a particular station. Referring to FIG. 6, illustrating an idle station, holding bar 182, which are also shown in FIG. 2, 1

serve to maintain a cup in position at an idle station while overhead punch carrier 30 operates the punches. After such operation, holding bars 182 are raised on carrier 30 toallow further transfer of cups.

The preferred actuation of the gripping motion will now be explained. Referring specifically to FIGS. 8 and 10, a face cam 152 is mounted on drive shaft 136. In the preferred embodiment,'the face cam is attached to barrel, cam 138. The face cam 152 actuates cam follower means l54 to which rack 156 is linked by known means shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. Rack 156 is actuated to move reciprocally in a vertical direction upon the rotation of transfer drive shaft 136. Rack 156 is engaged with pinion 158 which through suitable linkage 160 imparts oscillatory rotation to oscillating shaft 162. Oscillating shaft 162 extends across press through both

first members

36 and 37, which are arranged to slide with respect thereto.

9, there are four pairs of finger bar supports, each having a first finger bar support 146 and a second finger bar support 148. Two pairs form a part of each first member. Both finger bar supports within a pair move simultaneously away from and then back toward the common center line of the set of stations running therebetween. The reciprocating motion of first and second finger bar supports 146 and 148 imparts a radial reciprocating motion to the finger bars which are supported therein as indicated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 9. As will readily be appreciated, it is this motion which effects the gripping and release of cups. As will be set forth later, this motion is timed to occur between the transfer movements earlier discussed.

FIGS. 57 illustrate the gripping movements of the finger bars and the gripping members attached thereto.

Within both

first members

36 and 37, yoke links 164 are eccentrically attached to eccentric mount 166 by pins 168 as shown in FIG. 9. The other end of each of the yoke links 164 is connected by pins 170 to bar

clamps

172 and 174. Bar clamp 172 is attached to first gripping motion bar 142 and bar clamp 174 is attached to second gripping motion bar 144. At one extreme position of the oscillation of shaft 162, yoke links 164 are extended thereby imparting opposite axial motion to gripping motion bars 142 and 144 and effecting the release of cups by the gripping members. At the other extreme position of the oscillation of shaft 162 yoke links are withdrawn thereby reversing the opposite axial motion of gripping motion bars 142 and 144 and effecting the gripping of cups by the gripping members. It will readily be appreciated that by adjusting the face cam 52 the timing and speed of the gripping and releasing motions of the gripping members may be controlled.

Duplicate actuating means may be mounted generally beneath right first member 37 to assist in actuation of the gripping members. Other well-known mechanical means may be used to effect the gripping and releasing motion.

The arcuate-edged gripping members may be of metal, but are preferably of rubber orsynthetic mate- 'rial. Various other configurations of gripping members tails described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. A system for drawing tubular bodies of the type having an integral bottom comprising a press having a base, a surface over which a sheet metal web is fed in a first direction, at least one blank-drawn station for cutting blanks from said web and forming cups therefrom, and an equal number of redraw stations, said redraw stations being located beyond an edge of said web and adjacent said blank-drawn stations, respectively, and means for transferring blanked and drawn cups away from said web from each blank-draw station to a corresponding redraw station comprising: a first member movably mounted on said base adjacent said surface and said redrawing stations in a direction therefrom generally transverse of said first direction; at least one extension member attached to said first member and extending to said blank-draw stations and said redraw stations and having gripping members attached thereto adjacent said stations above said metal web; first means to reciprocally move said first member, said extension members and said gripping members, said gripping members movable between said blankingdrawing stations and said redrawing stations; and second means actuating said gripping members to grip said cups at said blanking-drawing stations and release said cups at said redrawing stations.

2. A system for drawing tubular bodies of the type having an integral bottom comprising a press of a type having a base, a surface over which a sheet metal web is fed in a first direction with said web defining right and left edge lines, at least one pair of blank-draw stations for cutting blanks of said web and forming cups therefrom, said blank-draw stations in each pair consisting of right and left blank-draw stations each centered on a line generally transverse of said first direction, a pair of redraw stations corresponding to each pair of blank-draw stations and consisting of right and left redraw stations beyond said right and left edge lines, respectively, each centered on the common centerline of the corresponding pair of blank-draw stations, corresponding pairs of blank-draw stations and redraw stations comprising a set of stations, the right blank-draw station and redraw station of each set forming a right subset and the remaining two stations of each set forming a left subset, said means for transferring blanked and drawn cups away from said web from each blank-draw station to a corresponding redraw station comprising: right and left first members movably mounted on said base beyond said right and left edge lines, respectively, said right and left first members being adjacent said right and left redraw stations, respectively, in directions therefrom generally transverse of said first direction; for each set of stations, extension members attached to said right and left first members and extending therefrom to said right and left subset of stations, respectively, and having gripping members attached thereto adjacent said stations above said metal web; first means to reciprocally move said first members, and thus said gripping members, generally transversely of said first direction, each gripping member movable between said blank-draw station and said redraw station of its adjacent subset of stations; and second means actuating said gripping members to grip said cups at said blank-draw stations and release said cups at said redraw stations.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein for each set of stations, said extension members comprise first and second extension members, said first and second extension members attached to said right and left first members respectively and extending across said web and beyond said left and right first members respectively, said first extension member having gripping'members at tached thereto adjacent one of said subsets of said set and said second extension member having gripping members attached thereto adjacent the other of said subsets.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein there are a multiplicity of gripping members for each subset of stations, each of said gripping members effecting transfer of a cup along a part of the distance from the blankdraw station of each of said'subsets to its corresponding redraw station.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said gripping members comprise arcuate pieces conforming generally to the shape of the cups transferred.

6. The improvement of claim 2 wherein for each set of stations, said extension members comprise first and second pairs of finger bars, said first and second pairs of finger bars attached to said right and left first members respectively and extending across said web to and beyond said left and right first members respectively, said first pair of finger, bars having gripping members attached thereto adjacent one of said subsets of said set and said second pair of finger bars having gripping members attached thereto adjacent the other of said subsets.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first mem- I bers comprise a transfer base, first and second gripping motion bars axially movably mounted on said transfer base and generally parallel to said first direction, for each set of stations first and second finger bar supports connected to said first and second gripping motion bars respectively, said first pair of finger bars being attached to said finger bar supports of said right first member, and said second pair of finger bars being attached to said finger bar supports of said left first member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second means to actuate said gripping members actuates said first and second gripping motion bars to reciprocally move said bars, in opposite directions.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said second means comprises a main shaft, a cam mounted thereon, cam follower means, a rack connected to said cam follower, a pinion engaged with said rack, a shaft which is oscillated by the action of said rack and pinion, and means linking said oscillating shaft with said first and second gripping motion bars.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first means to reciprocally move said first members comprises a drive shaft, a pair of cams mounted thereon and cam follower means attached to said first means and actuated by the rotation of said cams.

11. in a single stroke press device of a type having a base, a surface over which a sheet steel web is fed in a first direction with said web defining right and left edge lines, at least one pair of blank-draw stations for cutting blanks of said web and forming cups therefrom, said blank-draw stations in each pair consisting of right and left blank-draw stations each centered on a line generally transverse of said first direction, for each said pair a pair of redraw stations consisting of right and left redraw stations beyond said right and left edge lines respectively, each centered on the common centerline of the corresponding pair of blank-draw stations, corresponding pair of blank-draw stations and redraw stations comprising a set of stations, the right blank-draw station and redraw station of each set forming a right subset and the remaining two stations of each set forming a left subset, the improvement of a device for transferring cups from said blank-draw stations to the corresponding redraw stations comprising:

right and left first members movably mounted on said base beyond said right and left edge lines respectively, said right and left first members being adjacent said right and left redraw stations respectively in directions therefrom generally transverse of said first direction;

for each set of stations, extension members attached to said right and left first members and extending therefrom to said right and left subset of stations respectively and having gripping members attached thereto adjacent said stations above said metal web;

first means to reciprocally move said first members,

and thus said gripping members, generally transversely of said first direction, each gripping member moving between said blank-draw station and said redraw station of its adjacent subset of stations; and

second means actuating said gripping members to grip said cups at said blank-draw stations and release said cups at said redraw stations.

12. The improvement of claim 11 wherein for each set of stations said extension members comprise first and second extension members, said first and second extension members attached to said right and left first members respectively and extending across the said web and beyond said left and right first members respectively, said first extension member having gripping members attached thereto adjacent one of said subsets of said set and said second extension member having gripping members attached thereto adjacent the other of said subsets.

13. The improvement of claim 11 wherein for each set of stations said extension members comprise first and second pairs of finger bars, said first and second pairs attached to said right and left first members respectively and extending across said web to and beyond said left and right first members respectively, said first pair of finger bars having gripping members attached thereto adjacent one of said subsets of said set and said second pair of finger bars having gripping members attached thereto adjacent the other of said subsets.

14. The improvement of claim 13 wherein said first members comprise a transfer base, first and second gripping motion bars axially movably mounted on said transfer base and generally parallel to said first direction, for each set of stations first and second finger bar supports connected to said first and second gripping motion bars respectively, said first pair of finger bars being attached to said finger bar supports of said right first member, and said second pair of finger bars being attached to said finger bar supports of said left first member.

15. The improvement of claim 14 wherein said second means to actuate said gripping members actuates said first and second gripping motion bars to reciprocally move said bars, in opposite directions;

16. The improvement of claim 15 wherein said second means comprises a main shaft, a cam mounted thereon, cam follower means, a rack connected to said cam follower, a pinion engaged with said rack, a shaft which is oscillated by the action of said rack and pinion, and means linking said oscillating shaft with said first and second gripping motion bars.

17. The improvement of claim 16 wherein said gripping members comprise arcuate pieces conforming generally to the shape of the cups transferred.

18. The improvement of claim 17 wherein said first means to reciprocally move said first members comprises a drive shaft, a pair of cams mounted thereon and cam follower means attached to said first means and actuated by the rotation of said cams.

19. The improvement of claim 11 wherein there are a multiplicity of gripping members for each subset of stations, each of said gripping members effecting transfer of a cup along a part of the distance from the blankdraw station of each said subset to its corresponding redraw station. g

20. The improvement of claim 11 wherein said extension members attached to said right and left first members are extending slidably through said left and right first members respectively.

21. The improvement of claim 11 wherein said gripping members comprise arcuatepieces conforming generally to the shape of the cups transferred.

22. The method of transferring articles from a pair of first work stations to a pair of second work stations, said four work stations defining a set of work stations which are positioned on the same centerline, comprising:

feeding a web of material from which said articles are formed to said work stations transversely of said centerline, said first work stations positioned en- .tirely within the extent of said web and said second work stations positioned entirely out of the extent of said web;

forming an intermediate article at each of said first work stations;

moving spaced separate sets of gripping elements sequentially from an initial non-gripping position relatively toward each other to an article engaging second position to grip said articles; thereafter moving said articles, in opposite directions, from said first work stations along the centerline of said work stations away from said first work stations toward said second work stations;

thereafter moving each set of gripper elements relatively away from each other to a secondary nongripping position; and

finally returning said elements from said secondary non-gripping position along said centerline to said initial non-gripping position.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said steps are cyclically repeated while advancing said web of mate rial.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the movement of each of said gripper elements transcribes a parallelogram pattern each complete cycle, each of said parallelogram patterns spanning a single lateral edge of said web.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein a plurality of sets of work stations are provided, each set being aligned along a common centerline transverse to the longitudinal centerline of said web and wherein each set of said first and second work stations are spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction parallel to said web and wherein said articles are moved along the centerline of each respective work station set.

26. The method of forming steel cup-shaped container bodies open at one end and having integral bottom and side walls comprising:

cyclically feeding a web of sheet metal to the bed of single stroke cupping press having a plurality of pairs of blank-draw stations and an equal number of pairs of redraw stations, said redraw stations being located beyond an edge of said web and adjacent said blank-draw stations, each pair of blankdraw stations operative with a pair of redraw stations thus forming a cupping set, the blank-draw and redraw stations of each such cupping set being centered on a common centerline, said centerline being transversely disposed to the longitudinal feed direction of said web; cutting a blank from said web at each blank-draw station and drawing said blank into a cup, with each stroke of said press; gripping each said cup intermediate each said stroke of the press and moving parallel to the centerline of its cupping set from an initial position within the lateral extent of said web to a redraw station adjacent thereto and removed from the lateral extent of said web;

redrawing each such cup with each stroke of said press; and

thereafter gripping said redrawn cups intermediate each said press stroke and removing said redrawn cups from said press.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said redrawn cupsare subsequently wall-ironed and wherein the feed from each such redraw station is fed to a separate wallironer.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein there are two cupping sets and four blank-draw and redraw stations, each of said blank-draw stations laterally offset with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction of said web.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein there are two sets of work stations and wherein each of said first work stations is laterally offset with respect to the other first work stations to obtain maximum efficient web usage.

Claims

1. A system for drawing tubular bodies of the type having an integral bottom comprising a press having a base, a surface over which a sheet metal web is fed in a first direction, at least one blank-drawn station for cutting blanks from said web and forming cups therefrom, and an equal number of redraw stations, said redraw stations being located beyond an edge of said web and adjacent said blank-drawn stations, respectively, and means for transferring blanked and drawn cups away from said web from each blank-draw station to a corresponding redraw station comprising: a first member movably mounted on said base adjacent said surface and said redrawing stations in a direction therefrom generally transverse of said first direction; at least one extension member attached to said first member and extending to said blank-draw stations and said redraw stations and having gripping members attached thereto adjacent said stations above said metal web; first means to reciprocally move said first member, said extension members and said gripping members, said gripping members movable between said blanking-drawing stations and said redrawing stations; and second means actuating said gripping members to grip said cups at said blanking-drawing stations and release said cups at said redrawing stations.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein for each set of stations, said extension members comprise first and second extension members, said first and second extension members attached to said right and left first members respectively and extending across said web and beyond said left and right first members respectively, said first extension member having gripping members attached thereto adjacent one of said subsets of said set and said second extension member having gripping members attached thereto adjacent the other of said subsets.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein there are a multiplicity of gripping members for each subset of stations, each of said gripping members effecting transfer of a cup along a part of the distance from the blank-draw station of each of said subsets to its corresponding redraw station.

6. The improvement of claim 2 wherein for each set of stations, said extension members comprise first and second pairs of finger bars, said first and second pairs of finger bars attacHed to said right and left first members respectively and extending across said web to and beyond said left and right first members respectively, said first pair of finger bars having gripping members attached thereto adjacent one of said subsets of said set and said second pair of finger bars having gripping members attached thereto adjacent the other of said subsets.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first members comprise a transfer base, first and second gripping motion bars axially movably mounted on said transfer base and generally parallel to said first direction, for each set of stations first and second finger bar supports connected to said first and second gripping motion bars respectively, said first pair of finger bars being attached to said finger bar supports of said right first member, and said second pair of finger bars being attached to said finger bar supports of said left first member.

11. In a single stroke press device of a type having a base, a surface over which a sheet steel web is fed in a first direction with said web defining right and left edge lines, at least one pair of blank-draw stations for cutting blanks of said web and forming cups therefrom, said blank-draw stations in each pair consisting of right and left blank-draw stations each centered on a line generally transverse of said first direction, for each said pair a pair of redraw stations consisting of right and left redraw stations beyond said right and left edge lines respectively, each centered on the common centerline of the corresponding pair of blank-draw stations, corresponding pair of blank-draw stations and redraw stations comprising a set of stations, the right blank-draw station and redraw station of each set forming a right subset and the remaining two stations of each set forming a left subset, the improvement of a device for transferring cups from said blank-draw stations to the corresponding redraw stations comprising: right and left first members movably mounted on said base beyond said right and left edge lines respectively, said right and left first members being adjacent said right and left redraw stations respectively in directions therefrom generally transverse of said first direction; for each set of stations, extension members attached to said right and left first members and extending therefrom to said right and left subset of stations respectively and having gripping members attached thereto adjacent said stations above said metal web; first means to reciprocally move said first members, and thus said gripping members, generally transversely of said first direction, each gripping member moving between said blank-draw station and said redraw station of its adjacent subset of stations; and second means actuating said gripping members to grip said cups at said blank-draw stations and release said cups at said redraw stations.

15. The improvement of claim 14 wherein said second means to actuate said gripping members actuates said first and second gripping motion bars to reciprocally move said bars, in opposite directions.

19. The improvement of claim 11 wherein there are a multiplicity of gripping members for each subset of stations, each of said gripping members effecting transfer of a cup along a part of the distance from the blank-draw station of each said subset to its corresponding redraw station.

21. The improvement of claim 11 wherein said gripping members comprise arcuate pieces conforming generally to the shape of the cups transferred.

22. The method of transferring articles from a pair of first work stations to a pair of second work stations, said four work stations defining a set of work stations which are positioned on the same centerline, comprising: feeding a web of material from which said articles are formed to said work stations transversely of said centerline, said first work stations positioned entirely within the extent of said web and said second work stations positioned entirely out of the extent of said web; forming an intermediate article at each of said first work stations; moving spaced separate sets of gripping elements sequentially from an initial non-gripping position relatively toward each other to an article engaging second position to grip said articles; thereafter moving said articles, in opposite directions, from said first work stations along the centerline of said work stations away from said first work stations toward said second work stations; thereafter moving each set of gripper elements relatively away from each other to a secondary non-gripping position; and finally returning said eleMents from said secondary non-gripping position along said centerline to said initial non-gripping position.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said steps are cyclically repeated while advancing said web of material.

26. The method of forming steel cup-shaped container bodies open at one end and having integral bottom and side walls comprising: cyclically feeding a web of sheet metal to the bed of single stroke cupping press having a plurality of pairs of blank-draw stations and an equal number of pairs of redraw stations, said redraw stations being located beyond an edge of said web and adjacent said blank-draw stations, each pair of blank-draw stations operative with a pair of redraw stations thus forming a cupping set, the blank-draw and redraw stations of each such cupping set being centered on a common centerline, said centerline being transversely disposed to the longitudinal feed direction of said web; cutting a blank from said web at each blank-draw station and drawing said blank into a cup, with each stroke of said press; gripping each said cup intermediate each said stroke of the press and moving parallel to the centerline of its cupping set from an initial position within the lateral extent of said web to a redraw station adjacent thereto and removed from the lateral extent of said web; redrawing each such cup with each stroke of said press; and thereafter gripping said redrawn cups intermediate each said press stroke and removing said redrawn cups from said press.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said redrawn cups are subsequently wall-ironed and wherein the feed from each such redraw station is fed to a separate wall-ironer.