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: 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.

Abstract: Mechanism for soldering seams, especially the side seams of moving "tin" can bodies, comprises means for guiding each seam along a path, an applicator rotatable counter to the direction of can seam travel and having one portion immersed in molten solder and another solder wettable portion not so immersed, the other portion including a solder applying rim in substantially tangential relation to a locality of the seam joint in the path, and means for maintaining an atmosphere of inert gas about the non-immersed applicator portion and the mentioned locality to avoid oxidation of the solder as applied at the joint and also while carried thereto by the applicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically soldering components to a printed-circuit board in accordance with the "drag bath" process wherein the board is moved through a lowered section with its undersurface in contact with a solder bath and withdrawn therefrom perpendicularly by lift means.

Abstract: The machine comprises an endless guiding path for mobile supports equally spaced by a distance smaller than the length of the smallest heat exchanger to be brazed. The supports have protruding portions cooperating with the bottom on the same side of the end plates of the heat exchangers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding together two members such as relatively thick metallic plates. The plates are positioned vertically in the same plane and are spaced apart by a gap which is equal to the desired width of the seam or joint. A moving current of molten metal is caused to flow horizontally through the gap, starting at the bottom of the gap, until the plates are heated to a welding temperature, and then the flow is ceased to allow for weld solidification. For welding plates when the length of the weld is greater than the depth of the molten metal stream, the plates are moved downwardly simultaneously while continuing the flow of molten metal through the gap. The plates are moved at a rate which will allow for solidification of the weld metal until the gap is filled.