Abstract: A device for stiffening portions of sheets of flexible material including a reciprocable and rotatable nozzle disposed upon an extruder, the nozzle having a generally V-shaped nose section and a pair of wings disposed therebehind.

Abstract: A more versatile and improved mechanism is provided for internally maintaining can side seams uniformly aligned, for instance as they advance from a forming horn for registration with a molten solder jet or equivalent applicator. In a preferred form an elongated cage-type horn extension comprises circumferentially spaced rods or tubes arranged to progressively deflect successive can bodies thereon radially outwardly from circular to ellipsoidal cross-section. The extension incorporates interchangeable slot formations selectively to accurately guide and accommodate different seam widths. The rods or tubes, when worn from use, may be rotated about their axes to present fresh, unworn surfaces engageable with the can interiors on their side seams. The invention insures uniformity of the soldered side-seam joints and avoids interference with lithography on the can bodies.

Abstract: A drive chain cooperative with a guide for successively advancing can bodies (or the like) coaxially is pivotally fitted with longitudinally spaced driving lugs adapted to grip the respective trailing ends of the bodies and thus prevent their unwanted shifting about their longitudinal axes. Each lug, in addition to its projection for gripping the trailing end, has a flat portion, slidably engageable with the guide to insure non-deviation of side seam body joints from alignment with a solder applicator. A sprocket beyond the guide and the applicator, and with which the chain is in mesh, has circumferentially spaced protrusions which pivotally actuate the lugs to release the can bodies for further processing.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying solder to the inside openings of successively fed can body side seams comprises a heated stub horn extension housing a reservoir for molten solder, a solder applicator for directing solder downwardly from the reservoir to the seams, a valve for controlling solder flow from the applicator, and an automatic mechanism operable when no cans are present thus to be soldered for rapidly resupplying the reservoir with solder from a main supply pot. Can body feeding is automatically restarted when a desired solder level in the reservoir is attained.

Abstract: An improved machine and method for stiffening a selected portion of a sheet-like member generally flattens that portion, next deposits on a chill plate matrix an adhesive hot melt deposit of mostly uniform thickness except for a margin of added thickness for slower hardening, and then causes the matrix with impact to press all of the adhesive, while the added thickness margin is still softer than the uniform adhesive thickness, against the flattened portion of the member, thus transferring the adhesive to that portion, the added thickness margin being exuded laterally and hence taperingly reduced to provide diminishing stiffness toward an edge merging with the member.The machine and method have particular advantage in stiffening a toe portion of a shoe upper, rendering the instep margin of the vamp or a toe piece free of irregularity, and assuring ultimate comfort for wearing in an assembled shoe.

Abstract: In a side-seam soldering machine wherein successive can bodies are fed and their side-seams progressively soldered by an applicator means, a solder deflecting member (which would otherwise interfere with an internal pre-stripe or coating) is mounted for cooperation with the can feeding means to insure that the member does not adversely affect the pre-stripe or coating, but does prevent solder from being introduced between successive can bodies and deposited therein.