Abstract: A necking apparatus for producing a smooth, inwardly tapered necked-in portion on a cylindrical container includes a plurality of necking modules and a turret which is rotatably mounted in each module about an axis of rotation. Each turret includes an upper turret frame which is mounted on the axis of rotation and which can be moved axially relative to the turret and a lower turret frame. A plurality of necking dies are mounted on the upper turret frame, and a plurality of container supports are axially aligned with the necking dies and are mounted on the lower turret frame for axial movement. Each necking die includes a necking portion for engaging and necking a side wall of a container as the aligned container support moves a container toward the necking die. The positions of the necking dies are adjusted by spacers so that the necking portion of each die does not engage the tapered necked-in portion of the container as the container support is moved toward the die.

Abstract: A die necking method and apparatus for producing a smooth tapered wall between the container side wall and a reduced diameter neck includes a plurality of rotatable necking turrets that each have a plurality of identical necking substations each having a necking die. The necking dies in the respective turrets have an internal configuration to produce a necked-in portion on the container which has a first arcuate segment integral with the container side wall and a second arcuate segment integral with the reduced diameter neck. The necking substations also have a floating form control element that engages the inner surface of the container to control the portion of the container to be necked. The necked-in portion is reformed in each succeeding turret by dies to produce a smooth tapered wall between the arcuate segments.

Abstract: A die necking method and apparatus for producing a smooth tapered wall between the container side wall and a reduced diameter neck includes a plurality of rotatable necking turrets that each have a plurality of identical necking substations each having a necking die. The necking dies in the respective turrets have an internal configuration to produce a necked-in portion on the container which has a first arcuate segment integral with the container side wall and a second arcuate segment integral with the reduced diameter neck. The necking substations also have a floating form control element that engages the inner surface of the container to control the portion of the container to be necked. The necked-in portion is reformed in each succeeding turret by dies to produce a smooth tapered wall between the arcuate segments.