Abstract: The invention relates to a crimping head that comprises at least one crimping roller for crimping the lid of a food can. The roller is guided along a path that surrounds the can by means of a support piece that includes a hub rotatable about the axis of the crimp head, together with a head carrying a stub axle on which both a cylindrical wheel running on a cam surface and a bulging wheel running on a counter-cam surface are mounted about a common axis, the counter-cam surface being inclined at a small angle. The position of the stub axle together with the wheels is adjustable along the axis so as to take up any slack in guidance.

Abstract: The device includes a compression stand on which a food can is placed and which is driven with vertical translation motion by a telescopic rod under the control of a cam-follower roller engaged in a cam track. During the upstroke of the rod, its two component elements are hydraulically locked together by the presence of oil in an intermediate chamber that is closed. At the top end of the stroke, the oil can escape through a passage, thereby releasing a spring which determines the force with which the can is pressed against the stationary mandrel while the lid is actually being crimped thereon.