Patents Assigned to Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
  • Mechanism and design for addressing ram droop
    Patent number: 10814376
    Abstract: A can bodymaker ram assembly is provided. The ram assembly includes an elongated, generally hollow ram body and a tension assembly. The ram body includes a proximal end, a medial portion, and a distal end. The tension assembly includes an elongated support member. The tension assembly support member includes a proximal end and a distal end. The tension assembly support member is substantially disposed within the ram body with the tension assembly support member proximal end coupled to the ram body proximal end, and the tension assembly support member distal end coupled to one of the ram body medial portion or the ram body distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, Kenneth E. Carper, Russell Bauer
  • Redraw sleeve
    Patent number: 10807141
    Abstract: A redraw sleeve is provided. The redraw sleeve includes a body with a second end, wherein the second end includes a shaped contour. The shaped contour, as defined herein, substantially prevents wrinkles and/or tears, as well as other forming problems, when forming thin metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: James Alan Sines, Christopher Michael Harmon
  • Ram assembly with removable punch mounting assembly
    Patent number: 10792725
    Abstract: A ram 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Kelley Andrew Crush, Nicholas Schultz, Luke Wayne Jacobson
  • Mandrel for printing necked cans
    Patent number: 10780714
    Abstract: A mandrel wherein a portion of the mandrel body outer surface is conical; i.e., flared outwardly, is provided. In this configuration, the necked can is drawn against the conical portion of the mandrel body outer surface while a generally cylindrical portion of the mandrel body extends into the can. Further, the space between the cylindrical portion of the mandrel body and the can is pressurized so as to resist deformations in the can during the decorating process. In an exemplary embodiment, the mandrel includes an elongated mandrel body with an outer surface, a proximal, first end, a proximal medial portion, a distal medial portion, and a distal, second end and having an axis of rotation. The mandrel body outer surface includes an elongated conical portion; the mandrel body outer surface conical portion is disposed adjacently about the mandrel body first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Joseph Vella
  • SHELL WITH EXPANDABLE BUBBLE AND TOOLING THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20200282445
    Abstract: A shell 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis C. Stammen, Mark Mitchell, Christopher Macke
  • Eccentric second connecting rod subassembly
    Patent number: 10744550
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Kenneth Scholey, Karl S. Fleischer, Alan W. Cleveland
  • CONVERSION PRESS END RETAINING BAR ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20200254505
    Abstract: A retainer assembly includes a retaining member assembly and a motion assembly. The retaining member assembly is structured to selectively retain at least one shell in a transfer belt assembly belt recess. The retaining member assembly includes a retaining member. The motion assembly is structured to move the retaining member between a first position, wherein the retaining member is spaced from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt, and, a second position, wherein the retaining member is disposed a retaining distance from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Todd Albright, Robert Joseph Will, Dennis Comelius Stammen
  • Unitary forward mounting body for a unitary forward mounting assembly
    Patent number: 10730093
    Abstract: A unitary forward mounting assembly for a bodymaker includes a unitary forward mounting body with a cradle portion, a first support arm portion and a second support arm portion. The cradle portion has a forward side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side. The first support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion right side. The second support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion left side. Because the cradle portion, the first support arm portion and the second support arm portion are part of a unitary body, the unitary forward mounting assembly solves the problems stated above. That is, because the support arms are not mated to the cradle, there is no need for machined coupling surfaces; nor is there a need for aligning the support arms on the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Kenneth Scholey, Karl S. Fleischer, Alan W. Cleveland
  • TOOL PACK CLAMP COVER
    Publication number: 20200238358
    Abstract: A die pack mounting for a bodymaker includes a die pack mounting bed and a die pack mounting door assembly. The die pack mounting door assembly is movably coupled to the die pack mounting bed. The die pack mounting door assembly is movable between an open, first position, wherein the die pack mounting door assembly is structured to support a die pack in a maintenance configuration, and, a closed, second position, wherein the die pack mounting door assembly fixes the die pack in a selected position. Further, the die pack mounting door assembly does not include any coolant fluid fittings. That is, the die pack mounting door assembly defines internal passages for coolant and the coolant is supplied via similar passages in the die pack mounting bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Kenneth Scholey, Karl S. Fleischer, Alan W. Cleveland
  • TRANSFER BELT ASSEMBLY FOR A SIX-OUT CONVERSION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200222966
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Greg Scott Williams, Robert Joseph Will, Michael Richard Soliday
  • Tooling assembly, blanking tool therefor and associated method
    Patent number: 10710140
    Abstract: A blanking tool is provided for cutting blanks from a sheet of material. The sheet of material includes a product area where the blanks are located, and a web area, which is the area between the blanks. The blanking tool includes a shear having first and second opposing sides, an outer diameter, and an inner diameter. A plurality of contact surfaces are disposed on the second side of the shear. The contact surfaces engage only the web of the material. A tooling assembly is also disclosed, which includes first and second tooling coupled to first and second opposing portions, respectively, of a press and being structured to cooperate to engage the sheet of material therebetween. The blanking tool is coupled to the first tooling, and the shear of the blanking tool cooperates with a portion of the second tooling to cut the blanks from the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jared A. Lewis
  • SUPPORT ARM - TOOL CRADLE MODULE
    Publication number: 20200215596
    Abstract: A unitary forward mounting assembly for a bodymaker includes a unitary forward mounting body with a cradle portion, a first support arm portion and a second support arm portion. The cradle portion has a forward side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side. The first support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion right side. The second support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion left side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Kenneth SCHOLEY, Karl S. Fleischer, Alan W. Cleveland
  • Container, and selectively formed shell, and tooling and associated method for providing same
    Patent number: 10695818
    Abstract: A shell, a container employing the shell, and tooling and associated methods for forming the shell are provided. The shell includes a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, an annular countersink between the center panel and the circumferential chuck wall, and a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall. The material of at least one predetermined portion of the shell is selectively stretched relative to at least one other portion of the shell, thereby providing a corresponding thinned portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: James A. McClung, Aaron E. Carstens, Gregory H. Butcher, Paul L. Ripple
  • Digital printing machine and method
    Patent number: 10696064
    Abstract: A decorator assembly is provided. The decorator assembly includes a number of independent ink stations. Each independent ink station is disposed adjacent to the path of travel of the mandrels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony J. Vella
  • Tool pack clamp cover
    Patent number: 10661324
    Abstract: A die pack mounting for a bodymaker includes a die pack mounting bed and a die pack mounting door assembly. The die pack mounting door assembly is movably coupled to the die pack mounting bed. The die pack mounting door assembly is movable between an open, first position, wherein the die pack mounting door assembly is structured to support a die pack in a maintenance configuration, and, a closed, second position, wherein the die pack mounting door assembly fixes the die pack in a selected position. Further, the die pack mounting door assembly does not include any coolant fluid fittings. That is, the die pack mounting door assembly defines internal passages for coolant and the coolant is supplied via similar passages in the die pack mounting bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Kenneth Scholey, Karl S. Fleischer, Alan W. Cleveland
  • DAMPENING ASSEMBLY FOR CAN BODYMAKER RAM
    Publication number: 20200156136
    Abstract: A can bodymaker includes a housing assembly, a drive mechanism, a ram assembly, a domer assembly, and a ram body dampening assembly. The ram assembly includes an elongated ram body. The drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the ram assembly so that the drive mechanism imparts a reciprocating motion to the ram body. The ram body dampening assembly is disposed adjacent the ram body path of travel. The ram body dampening assembly includes a housing and a dampening member. The dampening member is disposed immediately adjacent the ram body path of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, lan Kenneth Scholey, Daniel A. Jansen
  • CONTAINER, AND SELECTIVELY FORMED CUP, TOOLING AND ASSOCAITED METHOD FOR PROVIDING SAME
    Publication number: 20200147665
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron E. Carstens, James A. McClung, Patrick K. McCarty, Gregory H. Butcher
  • SCORE DIE, SCORE DIE FORMING SYSTEM, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD
    Publication number: 20200130220
    Abstract: A score die including a body with a generally planar first surface. The first surface includes a score blade. The score blade has a number of cutting portions, and, each cutting portion has a substantially uniform cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventor: JONATHAN D. LEDFORD
  • Support arm—tool cradle module
    Patent number: 10625324
    Abstract: A unitary forward mounting assembly for a bodymaker includes a unitary forward mounting body with a cradle portion, a first support arm portion and a second support arm portion. The cradle portion has a forward side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side. The first support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion right side. The second support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion left side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Kenneth Scholey, Karl S. Fleischer, Alan W. Cleveland
  • Push button closure
    Patent number: D899924
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis C. Stammen, Patrick K. McCarty