Abstract: A transfer belt assembly includes a plurality of transfer belts. The transfer belt assembly is structured to move any of an increased number of shells, a very increased number of shells, or an extremely increased number of shells through said conversion press.

Abstract: A redraw assembly for a can bodymaker includes a frame and a hold down piston moveably coupled to the frame so as to be slidable with respect thereto. The hold down piston is structured to have a blank holder coupled thereto for engaging and securing a cup adjacent an opening of a die pack. The redraw assembly further includes a cam disk engaged with the hold down piston and moveably coupled to the frame so as to be readily rotatable about a rotation axis and a motor having an output shaft coupled to the cam disk. The motor is structured to selectively rotate the cam disk about the rotation axis. The hold down piston is movable among a first positioning and a second positioning dependent on the positioning of the cam disk.

Abstract: A sensing arrangement for use in a can bodymaker includes a plurality of sensors positioned around, and spaced a radial distance from, a sensing axis. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors is structured to determine a number of characteristics of a can body positioned on a punch of the can bodymaker as the punch passes along the sensing axis during normal operation of the bodymaker producing can bodies.

Abstract: A can end including a central panel with an expandable bubble disposed thereon is provided. The use of an expandable bubble allows for an expandable rivet button and thereafter an expandable rivet that has an enhanced overlap of a tab body. Such an expandable rivet allows for the use of a metal sheet with a thinner base thickness.

Abstract: A printing plate pressure adjustment system for a can decorator including a printing plate cylinder assembly having a printing plate cylinder drive shaft, and a blanket wheel. The system, includes an actuator, a control system structured to control operation of the actuator to adjust a pressure, between the printing plate cylinder assembly and the blanket wheel, an eccentric bushing disposed around the printing plate cylinder drive shaft, wherein rotation of the eccentric bushing causes the printing plate cylinder to move toward or away from the blanket wheel, and a drive mechanism coupled between the actuator and the eccentric bushing, wherein operation of the actuator causes the drive mechanism to rotate the eccentric bushing.

Abstract: A container closure includes a generally planar body having a product side and a customer side. The container closure body defines a limited container opening and an actuation location. Further, the container body includes a force concentrating construction disposed adjacent the limited container opening.

Abstract: A container, such as a beverage or food can is provided, which includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom portion extending between the first and second sidewalls. The material of the bottom portion is stretched relative to the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form a thinned preselected profile, such as a dome. The material of the container at or about the dome has a substantially uniform thickness. The container is formed from a blank of material, which has a base gauge prior to being formed. After being formed, the blank of material of the container at or about the dome has a thickness less than the base gauge. Tooling having a clamp bead, or a progressive clamp bead, for selectively forming a blank of material into a container, as well as an associated method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A quick-change die assembly for a necker machine includes an outer die mounting, an outer die, an outer die quick-release coupling, an inner die mounting, an inner die assembly, and an inner die quick-release coupling. The outer die is coupled to the outer die mounting by the outer die quick-release coupling. The inner die assembly is coupled to the inner die mounting by the inner die quick-release coupling.

Abstract: A cam follower assembly for a can bodymaker includes a slider structured to be coupled to the proximal end of a ram body of the can bodymaker; and a plurality of cam follower members rotatably coupled to the slider. The cam follower members are structured to be operatively coupled to a cam of a ram drive assembly.

Abstract: A can end including a central panel with an expandable bubble disposed thereon is provided. The use of an expandable bubble allows for an expandable rivet button and thereafter an expandable rivet that has an enhanced overlap of a tab body. Such an expandable rivet allows for the use of a metal sheet with a thinner base thickness.

Abstract: A printing plate pressure adjustment system for a can decorator including a printing plate cylinder assembly having a printing plate cylinder drive shaft, and a blanket wheel. The system includes an actuator, a control system structured to control operation of the actuator to adjust a pressure between the printing plate cylinder assembly and the blanket wheel, an eccentric bushing disposed around the printing plate cylinder drive shaft, wherein rotation of the eccentric bushing causes the printing plate cylinder to move toward or away from the blanket wheel, and a drive mechanism coupled between the actuator and the eccentric bushing, wherein operation of the actuator causes the drive mechanism to rotate the eccentric bushing.

Abstract: An assembly includes an elongated ram body and a punch mounting assembly. The ram body has a reduced length. The punch mounting assembly includes an elongated body having a complementary length. The punch mounting assembly is coupled to the ram body. The assembled punch mounting assembly and ram body have an operational length.

Abstract: A cam follower assembly for a can bodymaker includes a slider structured to be coupled to the proximal end of a ram body of the can bodymaker; and a plurality of cam follower members rotatably coupled to the slider. The cam follower members are structured to be operatively coupled to a cam of a ram drive assembly.

Abstract: An ink replenishment system for a can decorator having a plurality of ink fountains corresponding to a plurality of ink station assemblies includes a robotic arm structured to pick up ink from a selected one of a plurality of ink container and to place the picked up ink into a selected one of the plurality of ink fountains, and a controller structured to control operations of the robotic arm.

Abstract: A connection rod coupling assembly includes a settable shape mounting second component having a lateral, primary axis and a bearing assembly including a bearing assembly body. The bearing assembly body includes a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a center axis. The bearing assembly body is coupled to the settable shape mounting second component in a non-aligned configuration. That is, the bearing assembly body center axis is offset from the settable shape mounting second component primary axis. Thus, the position of the bearing assembly body center axis is adjustable by repositioning the settable shape mounting second component relative to a settable shape mounting first component on a swing lever. The adjustment of the bearing assembly body, in turn, adjusts the range of the ram assembly and the ram assembly body.

Abstract: A domer station having a domer assembly, a housing assembly, and a stacked piston assembly is provided. The domer assembly is movably disposed within a domer body passage located in the housing assembly and structured to move between a forward, first position and a retracted, second position. The stacked piston assembly includes a plurality of pistons, preferably three pistons, disposed in series and a pressure supply. The pistons are disposed behind the domer in pressure chambers. The pistons have a constant pressure applied thereto and are biased towards the domer. The pistons are, however, each restrained by a stop and do not contact, or operatively engage, the domer when the domer is in the domer first position.