Abstract: Apparatus is provided for trimming the open end of a seamless cup-shaped metal can body. The apparatus includes a plurality of spindle units receiving and supporting can bodies to be trimmed for movement along an arcuate path. The spindle units cooperate to axially position the can bodies relative to a fixed cutting blade positioned along the path and past which the can bodies are moved. During movement of the spindle units along the path and between input and output stations of the apparatus, can bodies supported thereby are rotated about the corresponding spindle axis. As each can body moves past the fixed cutting blade it is rotated one complete revolution to sever an annular scrap ring from the open end thereof. Thereafter, the trimmed can and scrap ring are displaced from the spindle unit and discharged from the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved arrangement is provided for relatively reciprocating the ram and blank holder components of a horizontal can blank forming machine. The machine includes a reciprocable slide carrying the ram, and a reciprocable blank holder frame on which the blank holder is mounted. The slide and blank holder frame are driven by a common crankshaft through corresponding crank arms angularly related circumferentially of the crankshaft axis to impart the desired motion characteristics to the slide and blank holder frame upon rotation of the crankshaft. The blank holder frame includes a vertical plate member defining the driven end of the blank holder frame, and horizontal rods interconnect the vertical plate with a frame plate at the opposite end of the blank holder frame and on which the blank holder is mounted. The axes of the crankshaft, blank holder, blank holder frame rods and ram are coplanar with one another and with the axes between the crank arms and the blank holder frame and slide.

Abstract: A rotary program switch is disclosed including a housing supporting a commutator for rotation. The commutator includes a plurality of axially spaced contact tracks, and a corresponding plurality of brush elements are supported in the housing for engagement with the tracks in response to rotation of the commutator. Certain of the brushes are mounted on a rotatable gear for selectively positioning the brushes relative to the housing from outside the housing, and the latter brushes are adjustably mounted on the gear. Others of the brushes are carried by a support arm reversibly mountable within the housing to selectively position the brushes in generally diametrically opposed locations in the housing. The support arm, in either position, is adjustable relative to the housing. The several adjustments enable performance of a desired switching program in response to rotation of the commutator in opposite directions relative to the housing.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for stripping a cup-shaped metal can blank from the end of a reciprocable ram of a can ironing press. The device includes a plurality of stripper members circumferentially spaced apart about an axis aligned with the ram axis. Each of the stripper members is supported for pivotal movement about a corresponding axis transverse to the ram axis and is individually captured against axial, circumferential and radial displacement relative to the ram axis. Each stripper member includes a nose portion adapted to engage behind a can blank on the ram to strip the blank therefrom, and the nose is biased radially inwardly of the ram by a corresponding adjustable spring mechanism.