US3126798A - Method and apparatus for scoring containers - Google Patents

Description

March 3 1964 E. B. FAIRCHILD METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCORING CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1961 Edwin Bradley Fairciwild Attorneys March 31, 1964 E. B. FAIRCHILD 3,126,798

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCORING CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 29, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Edwin Bradley Fairchild "WM MM Attorneys March 31, 1964 E. B. FAlRCHlLD 3,126,798

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCORING CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 29, 1961 INVENTOR. Edwin Bradley Fairchild MW MLMW Attorneys United States Patent Office 3,126,798 Patented Mar. 31, 1964 3,126,798 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCORING CONTAINERS Edwin Bradley Fairchild, 910 Espinosa Drive, Woodside, Calif. Filed Aug. 29, 1961, Ser. No. 134,636 9 Claims. (Cl. 93-551) This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for scoring containers. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for forming one or more peripherally continuous indentations or scored grooves in the cylindrical wall of a deformable container, and to an apparatus for effecting such method.

Still more particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for enhancing the resilience of a fibrous container by improving its ability to absorb distorsional stresses. As a result, the container may be repeatedly squeezed, during product dispensing, for example, or may otherwise be deformed, intentionally or accidentally, without damaging the same.

The method and apparatus of this invention have particular utility in scoring the cylindrical wall of low cost paperboard or like fibrous containers of the type disclosed in Buchan Patent No. 2,609,126, dated September 2, 1952. However, the invention has utility in providing peripheral indentations in containers of various types formed from various materials in which it is desired to improve resilience characteristics.

The method and apparatus of this invention furthermore have particular utility in forming one or more peripheral indentations in a container wall at the same time an end closure disc or cap is applied to an end of the container. However, while it is preferred, due to practical considerations, to simultaneously score and cap a given container, the scoring and capping operations may be effected independently of each other if so desired. In this regard, in the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the container scoring operation is carried out simultaneously with container capping and after one end of the container already has been capped.

The scoring operation may be performed on either filled or empty containers. In this regard, if a cap is applied through which product may subsequently be inserted, container filling may take place after capping and scoring.

It should be understood that this invention does not relate to the scoring of paperboard or other fibrous blanks prior to the formation of such blanks into the desired container shape. Rather, this invention relates to the scoring of a preformed container body capped or uncapped. In this regard, the type of container body does not affect the scoring operation and the same may be carried out effectively on either spirally wound or convolute container bodies of paperboard or like materials.

Objects of the present invention include the provision of an inexpensive and expeditious method for scoring cylindrical containers; the provision of apparatus for forming one or more scored indentations in a container; the provision of a method and apparatus for simultaneously capping and scoring a cylindrical container; the provision of means in a scoring apparatus or in a combined capping and scoring apparatus adjustably mounting a scoring member so that an indentation of a predetermined selected depth may be made in a container wall; the provision of a scoring member provided with a patricular scoring bead for effecting a well defined stress absorbing indentation or band; and the provision of a method and apparatus for scoring a fibrous container by forming a peripheral indentation therein by loosening and stretching the fibers of the container wall primarily in a limited peripheral portion of the container.

These and other objects will become apparent from studying the following disclosure in which reference is directed to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a generally schematic view of the subject apparatus incorporated into a manually controlled container capping and scoring machine;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the subject apparatus incorporated into a fully automatic high speed container capping and scoring machine;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the container capping and scoring mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the mechanism taken in the plane of line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the scoring mechanism in the plane of line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the mounting member for adjustably mounting the scoring member of the mechanism;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are side elevational views of the caping and scoring mechanism illustrating the same simultaneously capping and applying one, and more than one, respectively, peripheral indentations in a container wall.

At the outset it should be understood that manually controlled machines and fully automatic machines are well known in the container art for capping opposite ends of a container by seaming or crimping preformed metal or plastic closure discs into engagement with the container wall at such opposite ends. Accordingly, the apparatus aspect of this invention is embodied in a simple low cost attachment which may be incorporated into manual or automatic capping machines so that container scoring may be rapidly and expeditiously carried out simultaneously with container capping if so desired. However, if desired, the scoring mechanism disclosed herein may be employed independently of the container capping operation as mentioned previously.

Before describing the alternate apparatus constructions illustrated in the drawings, the scoring method embodied in this invention will be briefly described. As noted previously, such method embodies the scoring of a preformed container body, as opposed to the scoring of a blank which subsequently is formed into a body. Accordingly, the invention relates to the scoring of a cylindrical container which has a right circular cylindrical, deformable Wall.

In its broader aspects, the method involves rotating a container and a scoring member relative to each other so that during such rotation a peripheral or circumferential indentation is formed in the container wall. Somewhat more particularly, the method involves rotating a container about its longitudinal axis and, while the container is thus rotating, contacting a predetermined limited portion or" the container wall with a scoring member so that, as the container rotates through at least one revolution of 360", a peripherally continuous stress absorbing indentation is provided in the wall.

Because the invention is to be employed primarily for scoring fibrous paperboard containers, such indentation results from a loosening or stretching of the fibers, primarily in the immediate area of the peripheral indentation, so that a well defined stress relief band is provided which is capable of absorbing deformation stresses imparted to the container when the same is squeezed or otherwise deformed.

More particularly, the scoring method involves mounting a container to be scored with its vertical axis upright, rotating such container about its vertical axis, and, while such container is rotating, bringing a scoring member, preferably in the form of a rotatable wheel having a scoring bead thereon, into engagement with a predetermined portion of the container wall. If desired, the container may be simultaneously capped by bringing a crimping roller into engagement with an end closure disc maintained on the container end. Preferably during the scoring and/or capping operation, axial pressure is applied to the container wall to maintain the wall rigid and under compression so that the scored indentation may effectively be impressed in the wall.

While it has been found more practical in carrying out the broader aspects of this method to rotate the container about its longitudinal axis over the scoring member, it should be understood that the method may be effectively employed by rotating the scoring member about the container periphery while maintaining the container against rotation. That is, the scoring member may be rotated in planetary fashion about the container as a less desirable alternative.

The importance of providing paperboard containers with peripheral indentations results in otherwise unyielding and generally non-resilient containers being transformed into resilient fiber containers the walls of which may be repeatedly distorted without damage. That is, as is well known, fibrous un-scored containers of the type commonly employed for packaging cleansing powders, liquid detergents, food products such as grated cheese and the like are not distortable without damage. As a result, inward pressure against one or opposite portions on the wall of such a conventional container results in denting of the wall and rupturing of the wall fibers so that random jagged shear lines result which permanently destroy the cans cylindrical form and remove any or all of its natural resiliency. That is, as a conventional fibrous container is distorted by inward pressure applied intentionally or accidentally to its wall, the elastic limit of the fibrous material is readily overcome so that wall rupture frequently results, particularly if distortion is repeated.

The subject invention, however, relates to the scoring of such a fibrous container so that the natural resiliency of the fibrous material is enhanced so that the container may withstand repeated distortion without damage. By providing well defined cylindrical indentations or stress relief bands in the container wall, the forces of intentional or accidental distortion applied to the container wall may be dissipated and absorbed so that container rupture or permanent jagged deformation may be precluded. This results in the provision of a resilient fiber container which may be repeatedly squeezed to permit more ready and complete dispensing of the product packaged therein, whether such product be an aerosol spray or dust, or a liquid or particulate product.

Additionally, because a peripherally scored container is able to absorb without damage distortional forces applied to the wall thereof, such a container is able to resist damage frequently encountered during shipment and handling. As a result, substantial savings in container unit cost may be made because less expensive material may be employed from which the scored containers are produced. That is, with conventional fibrous containers not employing peripheral indentations, a rigid and sturdy wall material is required to resist damage during shipment, handling and use. However, because a scored container can absorb distorting forces, a thinner, less rigid, and therefore less expensive, fibrous material may be employed. By employing a thinner and less rigid material of relatively light weight, substantial savings are obtained not only in container unit cost, but also in shipping costs for a quantity of such containers.

Referring now to FIG. 1, reference is directed to a manually operable machine embodying the subject scoring and capping mechanism therein. Such machine is shown generally schematically and includes a rotatable container supporting table l on which a container C is manually positioned. In the embodiment illustrated, it is seen that an end closure cap or disc 2 has already been crimped on the bottom end of the container. A similar disc 2 desirably is crimped to the upper end of the conany convenient manner.

tainer by the machine as the container Wall is scored. In this regard, however, it should be understood that the upper disc also may be applied subsequent to container scoring if so desired, although as a practical matter it is preferred that such disc be applied simultaneously with scoring. 7

Table 1 is rotatably driven by a clutch assembly 3 of any suitable construction which, in turn, is actuated by an electric motor 4 or other suitable power source.

During the scoring operation, it is preferred that axial pressure be applied to the container, and for this purpose a rotatable chuck 6 is engaged with the top end closure disc 2. If the scoring operation is carried out separately from the capping operation, the lower face of the chuck may be formed large enough to engage directly the upper end of the container body. Similarly, if the upper disc 2 is provided with an attached plastic or other type closure, the lower face of the chuck may be contoured to accommodate such a closure.

A shaft 7 projects upwardly from the chuck and is provided on its upper end with a bearing spool 8 which is rotatably received between the spaced arms of a fork 9 extending from a chuck actuating arm 11 pivotally mounted above the table in any suitable manner. A foot or hand treadle 12 is operatively connected with the chuck actuating arm 11 as seen schematically in FIG. 1. A conventional push-pull rod may be used for this purpose.

Upon depressing treadle l2, chuck 7 will be moved downwardly in response to pivotal movement of arm 11 to bring the chuck into engagement with the disc 2' on a container manually placed on table 1. In this manner, axial pressure is applied to the container and the disc 2' is securely positioned on the container during the capping and scoring operation.

Preferably electrical means are provided for correlating rotation of the container and movement of the chuck. In this regard, the chuck actuating arm is provided with a pin 13 at its end which is engageable, when treadle 12 is depressed, with the actuating pin 14 of a switch 36 electrically connected with the motor 4 and the clutch 3. Upon depressing treadle 12 to lower the chuck, the switch 16 is actuated to close the circuit to the motor and the clutch assembly so that rotation of the table 1 is automatically effected when the container is compressed by the chuck.

In the embodiment illustrated it is table 1 that is mechanically driven. It should be understood, however, that an alternative arrangement may be employed in which the chuck 6 may be driven to effect container rotation, in which case the table 1 need be only freely rotatable.

For simultaneously effecting crimping of the top end closure disc 2' and scoring of the container wall, a single head assembly mechanism 21 is provided. Such mechanism is movably mounted on a supporting brace 22 of a suitable frame structure positioned above the table l in With the manually operable apparatus disclosed, mechanism 21 includes a movable handle 23 pivotally mounted for rotation in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions on brace 22 on a supporting shaft 24, as seen in FlGS. 1 and 3.

A generally Y-shaped bifurcated arm structure 26 is provided on the inner end of handle 23 from which depend a pair of spaced spindles 27 and 28 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Each of the spindles preferably is non-rotatably secured in engagement with the arm structure 26 by means 7 of set screws 29 and 31 extending through spaced bosses provided on the top of the arm structure. Spindle 28 is provided on its lower end with an enlarged shoulder 32,

upon which a disc crimping roller 33 is rotatably mounted. Any suitable means may be employed for maintaining the roller 33 on the spindle in engagement with shoulder 32, such as a split ring or the like (not shown).

The purpose of roller 33 is to effect crimping of the peripheral edge or flange portion of closure disc 2 downwardly into engagement with the wall of the container in the well known manner. When the handle is in the solid line position of FIGS. 1 and 3, i.e., rotated counter-clockwise, a peripheral groove 34 on roller 33 is engaged with the outer peripheral edge portion of the disc. As a result, upon rotation of the container on table 1 with the disc securely held thereon for rotation therewith, the disc is crimped downwardly into engagement with the wall.

Preferably, two progressive crimping operations are employed to insure a secure interengagement between the end closure disc and the container body. Accordingly, a similar crimping roller 36 having a crimping groove 37 in its periphery is rotatably mounted on spindle 27 and held in engagement by any suitable means with the enlarged shoulder 38 provided thereon. As a result, upon rotation of handle 23 in a clockwise direction to the dotted line position of FIGS. 1 and 3, roller 36 may be brought into engagement with disc 2' tocomplete the capping operation.

Spindle 27 is provided with a depending extension 39 on the reduced lower end 46 of which means for scoring the container is rotatably, and preferably adjustably, mounted. Such scoring means, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises a circular scoring wheel 41. Because, depending upon the size and material of a particular container to be scored, it frequently is desired to provide scoring indentations of varied depths, scoring wheel 41 preferably is adjustably mounted on the scoring spindle. For this purpose, the mounting member 42 illustrated in FIG. 6 is employed. Mounting member 42 provides means for eceentrically positioning the scoring wheel relative to the axis of spindle 27 for adjustment relative to the wall of a container to be scored carried on the rotatable table 1.

As seen in FIG. 6, mounting member 42 is provided with an off-center longitudinal through bore 43 in which the reduced lower end 40 of spindle 27 is received. Preferably the spindle lower end is provided with a peripheral groove 46 (see FIG. 5) adapted to receive the inner end of a set screw 47 employed to maintain the member in a pre-selected position on the spindle reduced lower end 40.

The mounting member also has an off-center threaded stub shaft 48 depending therefrom on which the scoring wheel 41 is to be rotatably positioned. As seen in FIG. 4, the scoring wheel is retained on the stub shaft 48 by means of a conventional nut 49. Preferably bearings or other type spacers 51 are interposed between the scoring wheel and the mounting member and nut 49, so that wheel 41 is freely rotatable on stub shaft 48.

As seen in FIG. 5, mounting member 42 also is provided with a transverse bore 52 in which an adjusting tool 53 is slidably receivable. It should be understood that, upon loosening set screw 47, and by employing tool 53, mounting member 42 may be rotated about the axis.

of spindle 27. Because of the eccentric relationship of the scoring wheel mounting shaft 48 relative to the axis of spindle 27, the scoring wheel may be brought increasingly or decreasingly into engagement with the peripheral wall of the container centered on table 1. When the suitable adjustment is obtained, set screw 47 is tightened down to preclude rotation of the mounting member relative to the spindle. Thereafter, uniform depth indentations of predetermined extent may be formed in each of a series of containers successively located on table 1.

Rotation of handle 23 will be limited by engagement of roller 36 with disc 2 so that engagement of the scoring wheel with a container wall may be uniformly effected in all containers of a series. If desired, a stop may be provided on the head for more positively limiting movement of the handle in either direction.

When single indentations are provided in a container wall, such indentation preferably is located centrally between the opposite container ends. Accordingly, spindisc with the container.

desired.

6 dle 27 is designed and dimensioned so that wheel 41 will be located centrally of the container as seen in FIG. 7.

It should be understood that the scoring apparatus and method also may be employed for providing more than one peripheral indentation in a given container at the same time. To effect plural scoring, a plurality of scoring wheels 41 may be spacedly mounted on spindle 27 as seen in FIG. 8. That is, a slightly modified mounting member 42' is provided with an off-center elongated threaded shaft 48' and a spacer 56 of the desired length is interposed between a pair of scoring wheels 41' so that a pair of parallel peripheral indentations are simultaneously applied in the container wall as shown. The wheels and spacer are maintained on shaft 48' by nut 49.

Obviously, more than two scoring wheels could be simultaneously employed with spindle 27 without depart ing from the scope of this invention.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, an important feature of this invention resides in the particular construction of the scoring wheel employed. Under certain conditions the scoring wheel may be provided with a rounded scoring periphery or a sharp knife-like peripheral edge. However, it has been found preferable to employ a peripheral scoring edge construction of the type shown in the drawings. That is, the scoring wheel is provided with a substantially sharp peripheral bead 57 which is defined by two relatively sharp generally parallel peripheral edges 5?. This construction results in the scoring bead being defined by a narrow substantially cylindrical surface. As a result of using such a bead, a well defined scored indentation is provided, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The extent of the cylindrical surface of bead 57, i.e., the distance between edges 58, will be determined primarily by the type of material being scored, with the spacing being greater for materials having short fibers, such as reused pulp chipboard, and less for materials having tough pliable and longer fibers, such as kraft. The object in any case is to provide a definite stress relief band of a determinable extent, as opposed to a sharp line depression.

In this regard, scoring of a fibrous container, as mentioned previously, is effected by the loosening or stretching of the fibers of the container wall in a limited well defined area on either side of the predetermined portion of the container wall engaged by a scoring wheel. The scoring operation is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 with the depression of the wall in the manner effected by the scoring wheel being shown in somewhat exaggerated fashion for clarity. The resulting peripheral indentations 61 provided, however, are relatively shallow and narrow and, in many cases, depending upon the container size, are barely visible. In this regard, it should be understood that scoring may be applied to a container even after a descriptive label has been applied thereto, in that there is no rupturing of the container wall but merely a loosening of the fibers in limited predetermined container wall areas.

With the manual machine illustrated in FIG. 1, it should be understood that after initial crimping of the top end closure disc 2' by the first roller 33 that subsequent engagement of the crimped disc with the other roller 36 efifects complete and secure engagement of the At the same time as the final crimping operation is effected, container wall scoring is effected by the scoring wheel or wheels in the manner described. The second roller and the scoring wheel or wheels are brought into engagement with the container merely by pivoting the handle 23 to the dotted line position seen in FIGS. 1 and 3.

While it is preferred to simultaneously cap and score a container asabove described, capping and scoring may be separately rather than simultaneously effected, if so In such case the crimping roller need not be removed from the spindle on which the scoring Wheel is mounted in that the crimping roller will not in any way interfere with a separate scoring operation which is to be performed after the capping operation.

As mentioned previously, the subject invention is equally well employable with fully automatic multi-head capping machines. In such machines, a series of containers to be filled and capped are carried in continuous fashion through the machine. As a series of containers having one end already capped pass through such an automatic machine, the product is filled in the containers at a filling station; thereafter the containers are carried past a cap feeding station at which a top closure disc is positioned on each container. Subsequently, each container of the series is positioned on a supporting table ll, each of which is rotatable about its own axis and is also movable in planetary fashion about the axis of the end closing portion of the machine. As each container is carried through the machine, the top end closure disc maintained thereon is crimped into en agement with the container wall in the well known can seaming fashion by a capping head. Two or more crimping rollers are employed in conjunction with each container supporting table and travel with the table through the machine to effect container capping. A machine of this type which is exemplary is American Can Companys Canco 400 type closing machine. The scoring mechanism and method of this invention may readily be employed with an automatic capping machine of that or similar types.

Such an automatic machine incorporating this invention is shown schematically in FIG. 2. The container path is indicated by the arrows shown. Following filling, each container is provided with a top end closure disc 2' and is then positioned on a rotatable planetary table 11. A pair of crimping rollers 33 and 36 of the type described previously are provided in conjunction with each table 1 so that as each container is rotated by the table 1 or the hold down chuck 6 engaged with disc 2 the peripheral edge of the disc 2 is crimped over into engagement with the container body. The crimping rollers 33 and 36 form part of a capping head and are alternately engaged with the closure disc in the well known manner.

In line with this invention, roller 36 has in conjunction therewith scoring mechanism comprising a modified spindle including an elongated portion 39 on which is rotatably mounted one or more scoring wheels 41. As a result, as each container is capped, a peripheral indentation 61 is formed therein in the manner described previously with respect to the manual machine of FIG. 1.

While the automatic multi-head machine shown schematically in FIG. 2 is described as having the product filled in each container prior to the attachment of the top closure disc 2; thereto, it should be understood that the filling sequence may be diiferently carried out if desired.

The similarity between the manual machine of FIG. 1 and the automatic machine of FIG. 2 resides in the fact that a combined capping and scoring head mechanism is provided in which a crimping roller and a scoring wheel are operatively interconnected for movement in unison into and out of engagement with a container so that the container may be simultaneously capped and peripherally scored if such a simultaneous operation is desired.

Obviously, the material employed for the walls of the containers to be scored may be varied to meet a particular need. This invention is applicable irrespective of the type of fibrous or other deformable material chosen. By way of example, such material may include conventional chipboard or paperboard; chipboard laminated with kraft paper; conventional chipboard or paperboard laminated with a suitable plastic, such as polyethylene, to enhance the moisture barrier characteristics of the resulting container; and the like.

Following filling, capping and scoring of a given container, it should be understood that the same may be repeatedly deformed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the container so that the product may be squeezed therefrom until the same is completely used. However, as noted previously, the squeezable characteristics of such a container are not the only advantages obtained by employing this invention in that fibrous scored containers are also resistant to unintentional distortion due to their increased resilience. As a result, the containers are capable of withstanding, absorbing and overcoming stresses applied to the walls thereof during shipment and handling so that less expensive and lighter weight wall materials may be employed. Distortion stresses will be absorbed by the loosened fibers produced in the areas defined by the peripheral indentations 61 provided in the container wall.

The number of peripheral indentations employed will be determined to a large extent by several factors, such as the diameter and length of the container, the rigidity or relative resilience of the material employed for the container walls, the wall thickness and the like. Generally, if plural indentations are provided their individual depth is normally less than the depth of a single indentation in a wall because their stress absorbing functions and capabilities are cumulative. The depth of a given indentation will be determined by various factors, including those enumerated above.

Having thus made a complete disclosure of a novel method and embodiments of an apparatus for scoring a container to enhance its resilience, reference is directed to the appended claims for a determination of the scope to be afforded thereto.

I claim:

1. A method of simultaneously capping and peripherally scoring a hollow preformed paperboard container in termediate opposite ends thereof to impart resilience thereto, said container being defined by a thin fibrous Wall of right circular cylindrical configuration, comprising positioning a closure disc in engagement with an end of said container, supporting said container on its other end and only externally thereof for rotation, rotating said container about its longitudinal axis while maintaining said container hollow and free of supporting devices therein, pressing said disc against said container end so that axial pressure is applied to said container as the same is rotating to preclude separation of said disc from said container and to place said container wall under compression, as said container is rotating with the interior thereof hollow deforming said disc into crimped engagement with said container wall while simultaneously applying inward pressure to a predetermined peripheral portion of said wall spaced from and intermediate said opposite container ends and only externally of said wall, and continuing rotation of said con tainer through at least one revolution whereby said disc is crimped securely to said container end and said container wall is deformed inwardly and a peripherally continuous indentation is provided in said wall intermediate said opposite ends.

2. A method of simultaneously capping and peripherally scoring a hollow preformed fibrous container intermediate opposite ends thereof to impart resilience thereto, said container being defined by a cylindrical wall, comprising providing a container having an end closure disc engaged with an end thereof, supporting said container on its other end and only externally thereof, providing a spindle on which a roller wheel and a scoring member are rotatably mounted in longitudinally spaced relationship, bringing said roller wheel into engagement with a peripheral portion of said closure disc while simultaneously bringing said scoring member into deforming engagement with a predetermined portion of said container wall intermediate said opposite container ends, and rotating said container and said wheel and said member relative to each other while maintaining said container hollow and free of supporting devices therein,

whereby said disc is crimped into engagement with said container end by said Wheel and a peripheral indentation is provided in said wall by said member.

3. The method of claim 2, which includes providing a spindle having a roller Wheel and a plurality of longitudinally spaced scoring members rotatably mounted thereon, whereby a plurality of spaced peripheral indentations are simultaneously provided in said container wall as said container is capped.

4. Apparatus for simultaneously capping a cylindrical preformed hollow container and scoring the wall thereof at a predetermined location between and spaced from opposite ends of said container, comprising means for supporting said container only externally thereof for rotation about its longitudinal axis without requiring insertion of a supporting device into said container during scoring, eans for maintaining a cap disc in engagement with an end of said container during rotation thereof, a crimping roller engageable with said disc for crimping the periphery thereof into engagement with said container end, a scoring wheel spaced from said roller longitudinally of said container and engageable with a predetermined exterior portion of said container wall for providing a peripheral indentation in said wall, and means operatively interconnecting said roller and said scoring wheel for movement in unison whereby said roller may be engaged with said disc while said scoring wheel is simultaneously engaged with said container wall at said predetermined location.

5. Apparatus for simultaneously capping a cylindrical preformed hollow fibrous container and providing a peripherally continuous indentation in the cylindrical wall thereof at a predetermined location between and spaced from opposite ends of said container to impart resilience to said container without requiring insertion of a supporting device into said container during such scoring, comprising a rotatable table which defines means for supporting said container on an end thereof and only externally thereof, a rotatable hold down chuck engageable with a cap disc positioned on an end of said container for maintaining the disc on said container and said container on said table during rotation thereof, a spindle positioned adjacent said table, a disc crimping roller rotatably mounted on said spindle, a scoring wheel rotatably mounted on said spindle in spaced relationship relative to said roller, and means for moving said spindle and said container relative to each other whereby said roller and said scoring wheel may be simultaneously and respectively brought into deforming engagement with a peripheral portion of said disc and with a predetermined portion of the wall of said container at a location spaced from and intermediate the opposite ends thereof, said roller being adapted to crimp said disc into engagement lit with said container end while said wheel is simultaneously forming a peripherally continuous indentation in said container wall during rotation of said container through at least one revolution.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 which includes means adjustably mounting said scoring wheel on said spindle, whereby the depth or the indentation formed in said container Wall may selectively varied.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 in which a plurality of scoring wheels are rotatably and spacedly mounted on said spindle so that a plurality of spaced peripheral indentations may be provided simultaneously in said container wall as said container is being capped.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said scoring wheel is adjustably mounted on said spindle by a mounting member engaged with an end of said spindle, said mounting member including a shaft eccentrically arranged relative to the axis of said spindle on which said scoring wheel is rotatable, and means for maintaining said mounting member in a predetermined position of adjustment on said spindle.

9. A method of imparting resilience to a preformed hollow tubular fibrous container by scoring the wall thereof while simultaneously capping an end thereof, com prising supporting said container only externally thereof on one end thereof; positioning a closure disc over the other end of said container; maintaining said disc on said other container end while simultaneously applying holddown pressure to said container; rotating said container about its longitudinal axis while the same is supported on said one end while maintaining the interior thereof free of internal support; as said container is rotating crimping a marginal portion of said disc over said other container end while simultaneously forming a peripheral indentation in the wall thereof by simultaneously applying inward deforming pressure only to the exterior of said wall at a limited location spaced substantial distance inwardly from and intermediate the opposite ends of said container during such rotation; and continuing such rotation, marginal crimping, and simultaneous application of inward deforming pressure until said indentation is peripherally continuous and said disc is crimped to said container around its entire periphery.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,376,839 Wansker May 22, 194-5 2,602,383 Barbieri July 8, 1952 2,630,047 Rowlands Mar. 3, 1953 2,631,645 Friedman Mar. 17, 1953 2,671,490 Jansen Mar. 9, 1954

Claims (1)

1. A METHOD OF SIMULTANEOUSLY CAPPING AND PERIPHERALLY SCORING A HOLLOW PREFORMED PAPERBOARD CONTAINER INTERMEDIATE OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF TO IMPART RESILIENCE THERETO, SAID CONTAINER BEING DEFINED BY A THIN FIBROUS WALL OF RIGHT CIRCULAR CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION, COMPRISING POSITIONING A CLOSURE DISC IN ENGAGEMENT WITH AN END OF SAID CONTAINER, SUPPORTING SAID CONTAINER ON ITS OTHER END AND ONLY EXTERNALLY THEREOF FOR ROTATION, ROTATING SAID CONTAINER ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS WHILE MAINTAINING SAID CONTAINER HOLLOW AND FREE OF SUPPORTING DEVICES THEREIN, PRESSING SAID DISC AGAINST SAID CONTAINER END SO THAT AXIAL PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO SAID CONTAINER AS THE SAME IS ROTATING TO PRECLUDE SEPARATION OF SAID DISC FROM SAID CONTAINER AND TO PLACE SAID CONTAINER WALL UNDER COMPRESSION, AS SAID CONTAINER IS ROTATING WITH THE INTERIOR THEREOF HOLLOW DEFORMING SAID DISC INTO CRIMPED ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CONTAINER WALL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY APPLYING INWARD PRESSURE TO A PREDETERMINED PERIPHERAL PORTION OF SAID WALL SPACED FROM AND INTERMEDIATE SAID OPPOSITE CONTAINER ENDS AND ONLY EXTERNALLY OF SAID WALL, AND CONTINUING ROTATION OF SAID CONTAINER THROUGH AT LEAST ONE REVOLUTION WHEREBY SAID DISC IS CRIMPED SECURELY TO SAID CONTAINER END AND SAID CONTAINER WALL IS DEFORMED INWARDLY AND A PERIPHERALLY CONTINUOUS INDENTATION IS PROVIDED IN SAID WALL INTERMEDIATE SAID OPPOSITE ENDS.

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