Abstract: An apparatus and method is shown for reforming the bottom of a container. A number of tooling rams each have a reforming roller supported by a roller mounting block that allows the reforming roller to travel along a circular orbital path of varying diameter in a plane perpendicular to the roller mounting block axis and having a center of curvature position coextensive with the container axis. Guide cams that slide along cam surfaces formed in slots in the roller mounting block are supported on a cam mounting block. The cam mounting block is supported on a tooling drive shaft that rotates the cam mounting block about its axis coextensive with the container axis while the tooling drive shaft is supported rotatably in and moved axially with a tooling ram that moves axially toward or away from the container. Axial and rotational movement of the cam mounting block is converted to radial and rotational movement of the reforming roller through the interaction of the guide cams with the roller mounting block.

Abstract: An offset blanket print/coat assembly for printing or coating rotating containers has a novel inker blade adjustment means which adjusts the fountain blade relative to the fountain roll both inwardly and outwardly, and holds the blade edge in various desired positions along is entire length by the adjustment of individual adjustment threaded shafts positioned along the blade length. Each shaft has spaced apart threaded sections, one of which is more coarsely threaded than the other. One threaded section threadably engages a threaded mounting block mounted to the ink reservoir, while the other threaded section threadably engages a threaded adjusting eye slidably received in a sliding block mounted to the ink reservoir. The adjusting eye is coupled to the blade by a pivotable linkage.

Abstract: An offset blanket print/coat assembly for printing or coating rotating containers has a blanket wheel supporting a plurality of blanket assemblies by means of radial frame plates and an air cylinder operable for retracting the blankets inwardly on the blanket wheel. The blanket assemblies move in both a radial direction and an axial direction in moving from a printing position to a stop-print position in response to the detection of the absence of a container of a mandrel approaching the printing position. Novel inker blade adjustment means adjusts the fountain blade relative to the fountain roll both inwardly and outwardly relative to the fountain roll and holds the blade edge in various desired positions along its entire length by the adjustment of individual adjustment members positioned along the blade length.

Abstract: A can end trimmer has a main rotary support shaft with a radial turret plate. A plurality of self-contained cutter unit cartridge assemblies have radial head flanges directly connectable to one side of the turret plate with driven members in each cutter unit cartridge automatically engaging control members mounted on the turret plate for effecting movement of a transversely shiftable cutter knife into engagement with an axially fixed cutter knife for effecting rotation of both knives to trim the end from a can held in a vacuum chuck. A shim between the cutter unit cartridge and the turret plate cants the axes of the knife members with respect to the can by a very small amount normally less than 2.0 degrees to effect a smooth burr-free cut of the can end. Stripper pin means surrounds the can being cut which in turn surrounds the axially fixed knife with a reciprocating stripper plate on the pins being easily removed during replacement of the cutter cartridge unit.

Abstract: A can end trimmer has a main rotary support shaft with a radial turret plate. A plurality of self-contained cutter unit cartridge assemblies have radial head flanges directly connectable to one side of the turret plate with driven members in each cutter unit cartridge automatically engaging control members mounted on the turret plate for effecting movement of a transversely shiftable cutter knife into engagement with an axially fixed cutter knife for effecting rotation of both knives to trim the end from a can held in a vacuum chuck. A shim between the cutter unit cartridge and the turret plate cants the axes of the knife members with respect to the can by a very small amount normally less than 2.0 degrees to effect a smooth burr-free cut of the can end. Stripper pin means surrounds the can being cut which in turn surrounds the axially fixed knife with a reciprocating stripper plate on the pins being easily removed during replacement of the cutter cartridge unit.