Abstract: What is described is a method of applying optically readable code marks (14) to the surface of bottles (10) of plastics material or glass by producing depressions in the surface by means of a laser (12) in such a manner that the bottom of each code mark (14) is constructed in the form of a diffusely scattering reflector. A sensor (16) constructed from optical fibres with emitting optical fibres disposed centrally and receiving optical fibres arranged radially is used for the automatic reading of the code marks. The sensor forms an angle of less than 90.degree. with the surface of the bottle so that light is only reflected into the sensor at places on the surface where there are code marks (14). The code marks (14) are easy to apply and can be read reliably.

Abstract: What is described is a circuit for measuring the effective voltage drop at the welding position (30) between the welding electrodes (14,16) of a resistance seam welding machine. A first measuring loop (40) for measuring a first loop voltage is secured to the lower welding arm (28) close to the lower welding electrode (16) and is in communication with the upper welding electrode (14) through a sliding contact (44). The second measuring loop (60) is taken close to the welding electrodes (14,16) through the head portion of the Z-rail (12). The conductor turns (42,62) of both measuring loops, which lead to an evaluation circuit (48), are twisted together. Thus the stray effects picked up in the two measuring loops are the same. The difference between the two loop voltages formed in the evaluation circuit (48) is the effective voltage drop which is further processed in the usual manner to monitor the quality of the welding seam produced.

Abstract: A plurality of spokes (24) project at certain angular distances apart away from a hub (22) which can be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation (A). Disposed at one end of each of the spokes (24) is an entrainer (26), each of which is adapted to entrain one article (10) at a time. The radial distance of the entrainer (26) from the hub (22) can be varied periodically by a guide (28) during the rotation of the hub. In the course of this, the distances of the entrainer (26) apart from one another vary accordingly.

Abstract: On a turret (30) which can be driven in rotation about a central axis (A), a plurality of expanding mandrels (42) are arranged all around the central axis (A). They are each essentially composed of a supporting member (44) which is secured to the turret (30) and defines an expanding-mandrel axis (B), a plurality of segmental bars (52) which are arranged all round the expanding-mandrel axis (B) and are guided on the supporting member (44) for radial adjustment, and a wedge (70) which is displaceable along the expanding-mandrel axis (B) to spread the segmental bars (52) apart. The wedges (70) are displaceable in succession, by a common actuating member, during one revolution of the turret (30). The actuating member is a central cam member (18) on which each of the wedges (70) is supported at least during a portion of each revolution of the turret (30) corresponding to the distance between two adjacent expanding mandrels (52).

Abstract: A rupturable can member (10) of sheet metal has a pair of scorings (16) which define a tearing strip (18) laterally. Welded onto the tearing strip (18) is a tongue (20) which has a thickened portion (24) at its welded-on end (22). This thickened portion is formed by a margin folded back towards the other free end (26) of the tongue (20).

Abstract: An alignment tool, such as a Z-bar or a crossover Z-bar, for use in a welding device for seam welding cylindrical can bodies, has the improvement that the guide grooves for the Z-bar are formed in inserts mounted in the body so that at least the material of the body can be non-conductive and non-magnetic and the insert can be non-magnetic to prevent or lessen the chances of sparking in the welding machine. In one embodiment, the inlet end is provided with an inlet body formed of an impact resistant, wear-resistant material, such as a tungsten carbide, while the inserts in which the guide grooves are formed is formed of a ceramic material that is both non-magnetic and non-conductive.

Abstract: Circular cylindrical bodies (2) are formed from rectangular sheet-metal blanks by rounding and longitudinal seam welding. These are widened oval-conically over their whole length in a first expanding operation and then relaxed again. Then the bodies (2) are widened in a second expanding operation so that they acquire their polygon-like, particularly rectangle-like, cross-sectional shape over their whole length. As a result, the bodies are stressed at their marginal regions at the ends in such a manner that these marginal regions do not become undulatory and can therefore be satisfactorily joined with a can cover or bottom.

Abstract: What is described is an electrode wire (20) which, in contrast to conventional electrode wire (10), is provided with flanges (30,31) formed on it to support it on the circumference of a roller electrode (12) at both sides of a guide groove (22,22'). The electrode wire (20) is broader than its contrast area on the work being welded and has a considerably broader contact area on the work being welded than the conventional electrode wire. As a result, metal sheets (for example lead-coated metal sheets of fuel tanks) are pressed together alongside the weld nugget as a result of which gaping apart of the sheets alongside the weld nugget and lateral tearing of the weld nugget are prevented. The profile of the electrode wire (20) projecting beyond the guide groove (22,22') is very thin and cannot be deformed laterally under transverse forces even if the electrode wire becomes soft during the welding.

Abstract: A mechanical drive, especially a stepping drive which can be driven by a drive shaft (14) for the conversion of a rotary drive movement to an output rotary movement which follows a given law of movement and can be taken from an output shaft (16), is provided with a spring-biased safety coupling (22; 26; 28) which disengages upon overload. The spring (30) biasing the safety coupling is supported on a biasing element which is mounted in the drive casing (12) for movement by a given amount in the direction of an increase or reduction of the spring bias, and which is part of the output of a cam drive whose cam is coupled co-rotationally with the drive shaft or output shaft (14 and 16, respectively).

Abstract: An intermittent or stepping drive has a first rotatable member (20), which is driven by a driving shaft (12), in engaging relationship with a second rotatable member (30) from which a driven shaft (22) is driven whereby a continuous rotation of the first rotatable member (20) is converted into an intermittent rotation of the second rotatable member (30). One of the two rotatable members (20,30) is connected to the associated shaft (12,22) by a clutch (40) which is associated with a retaining member (50) that exerts thereon a retaining force (E) acting in an engagement sense. One of the shafts (12,22) is associated with a control device (60) which controls the retaining force (E) depending upon the angular position of rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: Can bodies (1) rounded around an arm (16) are taken over by endless conveying tracks (30;50). These are each guided over guide devices (32;52) and a drive wheel (33;53) and each comprise a run parallel to the arm (16) in order to convey the can bodies (1) along the arm (16) in the direction of a welding station (70). The guide devices (32;52) are mounted on track carriers (26;46) and form, together with these and the associated conveying track (30;50), units adapted to the length of the can bodies and interchangeable as a whole. These units are each secured to a sliding carriage (22;42) which is adjustable at least substantially radially to the arm (16).

Abstract: A frame-like roller carrier (40) which defines a sizing plane (C) normal to the longitudinal axis (A) of the can bodies is arranged in relation to awelding device (24) in such a manner that the sizing plane (C) coincides at least approximately with a welding plane (B) defined by the welding device. A plurality of sizing rollers (41) are mounted on the roller carrier (40), each for rotation about a roller axis (E) lying in the sizing plane (C). The sizing rollers (41) form a rigid ring of rollers through which the can bodies (1) can be moved. The roller carrier is divided into two half-frames (40), each of which carries a plurality of sizing rollers (41). The two half-frames (40) are adjustably supported on a common bridge (31). At least one of the half-frames (40) is connected to the bridge (31) by an adjusting drive (37) for the adjustment of the sizing rollers (41) carried by it.

Abstract: Locking arrangements (40,44) are respectively connected, for joint rotation, to a driving and a driven hub (10,16) which are mounted for rotation in relation to one another. The two locking arrangements (40,44) can be coupled to one another by at least one detent member (42) which, in an engaged position, produces an axial disengaging force (B) depending on the transmitted torque. A loading device is provided to produce an engaging force (C) which can be overcome by the disengaging force (B) if a certain torque is exceeded. This stressing device comprises a cylinder compartment (36) to which a fluid under pressure can be supplied from an inlet (56) so long as the detent member (42) is engaged. The detent member (42) is connected to a distributing slide valve (32) for joint axial displacement, which distributing slide valve separates the cylinder compartment (36) from the inlet (56) and connects it to a relief passage (76) if the detent member (42) is at least partially disengaged.

Abstract: During the rounding of sheet-metal blanks, problems have hitherto arisen in the rounding apparatus (2) because the leading edge of the rounded sheet-metal blanks struck against a stationary stop at the end (48) of a slit (24) between an inner shell (20) and an outer shell (22), so that the sheet-metal blank rebounded and did not have a defined starting position for further conveying. In order to overcome this problem, the stop is constructed in the form of a pivotally movable damping flap (50) on which there is formed a catch hook (54) which closes the slit (24) at its end (48). Compression springs (70) are disposed between the damping flap (50) and the inner shell (20). Under the impact of the sheet-metal blank, the catch hook (54) yields and urges the damping flat (50) about the pivot axis (52) pressing its front portion (50') into the slit (24) as a result of which the sheet-metal blank is temporarily clamped against the outer shell (22).

Abstract: An inspection machine for plastic bottles has a turn table rotatable about a vertical axis, and a plurality of inspection stations to receive the bottles to be inspected. Output signals from sensors are fed to evaluation electronics provided on the turntable itself. Each station has a plate on which a bottle can be rotated as a result of rotation of the turntable. During inspection each bottle executes an orbital movement about the vertical axis of the turntable and at the same time a rotation about the axis of bottle itself as a result of which each bottle is inspected more than once for perpendicularity of the bottom of the bottle and its neck as well. Volume and pressure tightness as well as height of the bottle and bottle color are also inspected.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding can bodies in a laser welding machine is described. The apparatus comprises a water-cooled holding-down shoe (22) with an integrated holding-down roller (24), gas supply (64) and suction extraction (68), the holding-down roller (24) being disposed in front of the theoretical point of intersection of the two edges of the body to be butt-welded and being adjustable in height, with the holding-down shoe (22), to the thickness of the sheet metal. Adjacent to the holding-down shoe (22) is a holding-up shoe (26) and adjacent to the holding-down roller (24) is a holding-up roller (28). Provided below the holding-up shoe (26) is a horizontally and vertically adjustable supporting roller (30) which supports the can bodies at their underside during the welding operation and during passage through the welding plane (10).

Abstract: A pair of catches (74) is mounted on a sliding carriage (20) which is movable forwards and back along a guide (18) between a rear and a front dead centre (C,F), the catches being pivotable backwards and forwards between a working position and a position of rest. In order to move the sliding carriage (20) along the guide (18), a crank drive is provided. This has a crank (30), which can be driven in rotation, and a connecting rod (40), which is connected by a crank pivot joint (36) to the crank (30) and by a connecting-rod pivot point (42) to the sliding carriage (20). A control mechanism allows the catches (74) to assume their working position near the rear dead centre (C) of the sliding carriage (20) for its forward movement and to assume their position of rest near the front dead centre (F) of the sliding carriage (20) for its backward movement.

Abstract: In order to hold the longitudinal edges (12, 14) of a can body (10) which are to be butt-welded together contiguous with one another on the way to a welding apparatus (52), the can body (10) is moved past a magnet (40) by means of which the longitudinal edges (12, 14) are magnetized with opposite polarity. The two poles (N.sub.S, S.sub.N) of the magnet (40) each have a supporting surface (42, 44) for a conveyor belt (36) which conveys can bodies (10) one behind the other from a guide member (22) to the welding apparatus (52).

Abstract: The copper wires employed for electrical resistance seam welding of tinned sheet metal with the help of wire electrodes until now had to be taken back to the smelter as old metal after a few applications. The additional operating costs associated with this were until now unavoidable for long seam resistance welding of tinned sheet metal since multiple uses or applications of the copper wire for resistance seam welding have proven to be impossible in spite of years of research. The problem of these additional operating costs can be solved such that new copper wires with a reduced diameter can be directly drawn from the copper wire employed as wire electrodes for resistance seam welding after their use in welding. These wires then, for example, can be used as signal conductors or as windings. The properties of these wires are totally in accord with copper wires that are directly drawn from new copper.

Abstract: A resistance seam welding machine is described, particularly for the longitudinal seam welding of can bodies, wherein, in the secondary loop (16), feed and return lines are constructed partially as a double line (18, 28) and in all the remaining portion (18a, 18b, 18c, 20, 24, 26) in the form of a substantially coaxial line. The voltage loss occurring in the secondary loop (16) between welding transformer (14) and welding position (8, 10) and the heat due to energy losses in the machine parts adjacent to the secondary loop are considerably reduced as a result of this construction of the feed return lines.