Abstract: A method of forming a carrier ring on a metal article having an open end and a sidewall extending therefrom. The method includes contacting an inner surface of the sidewall with an inner roller to form a protrusion and contacting an outer surface of the sidewall with an outer roller to form a first groove positioned below the protrusion. The protrusion forms a gap therein. The method further includes contacting a portion of the outer sidewall with at least one second outer roller to form a second groove below the protrusion. The method further includes contacting a portion of the outer sidewall with at least one third outer roller to flatten the protrusion, such that the gap is substantially reduced or eliminated. The flattened protrusion forms the carrier ring.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling the rotation of turrets with servo motors within a machine line used in the shaping of articles. Error conditions can be detected using the servo motors for resolving issues with the machine line. Control of the turrets by the servo motors allows for each turret to be rotated relative to the other turrets independently for resolving the issues. Absolute encoders are used to return the servo motors and their respective turrets back to being aligned with a virtual axis for synchronous rotation of the turrets within the machine line, despite the turrets not being mechanically coupled together by a series of gears.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling the rotation of turrets with servo motors within a machine line used in the shaping of articles. Error conditions can be detected using the servo motors for resolving issues with the machine line. Control of the turrets by the servo motors allows for each turret to be rotated relative to the other turrets independently for resolving the issues. Absolute encoders are used to return the servo motors and their respective turrets back to being aligned with a virtual axis for synchronous rotation of the turrets within the machine line, despite the turrets not being mechanically coupled together by a series of gears.

Abstract: A symmetric, modular base for a can processing system. The base includes a leg portion comprising a plurality of openings adapted for receiving at least one of a transfer star wheel and a turret mechanism configured to perform a working operation on an article. The base further includes a first foot portion extending from a first side of the leg portion. The base further includes a second foot portion extending from the second side of the leg portion. The base further includes a plurality of openings in the first foot portion and the second foot portion, the plurality of openings of the first and second foot portion providing access to an interior portion of the base. The base is generally symmetric about a center line drawn vertically through a midpoint of the leg portion of the base between the first foot portion and the second foot portion to allow for mounting of components on either a first side or a second side of the base.

Abstract: A method of forming a carrier ring on a metal article having an open end and a sidewall extending therefrom. The method includes contacting an inner surface of the sidewall with an inner roller to form a protrusion and contacting an outer surface of the sidewall with an outer roller to form a first groove positioned below the protrusion. The protrusion forms a gap therein. The method further includes contacting a portion of the outer sidewall with at least one second outer roller to form a second groove below the protrusion. The method further includes contacting a portion of the outer sidewall with at least one third outer roller to flatten the protrusion, such that the gap is substantially reduced or eliminated. The flattened protrusion forms the carrier ring.

Abstract: A method of forming a carrier ring on a metal article having an open end and a sidewall extending therefrom. The method includes contacting an inner surface of the sidewall with an inner roller to form a protrusion and contacting an outer surface of the sidewall with an outer roller to form a first groove positioned below the protrusion. The protrusion forms a gap therein. The method further includes contacting a portion of the outer sidewall with at least one second outer roller to form a second groove below the protrusion. The method further includes contacting a portion of the outer sidewall with at least one third outer roller to flatten the protrusion, such that the gap is substantially reduced or eliminated. The flattened protrusion forms the carrier ring.

Abstract: A symmetric, modular base for a can processing system. The base includes a leg portion comprising a plurality of openings adapted for receiving at least one of a transfer star wheel and a turret mechanism configured to perform a working operation on an article. The base further includes a first foot portion extending from a first side of the leg portion. The base further includes a second foot portion extending from the second side of the leg portion. The base further includes a plurality of openings in the first foot portion and the second foot portion, the plurality of openings of the first and second foot portion providing access to an interior portion of the base. The base is generally symmetric about a center line drawn vertically through a midpoint of the leg portion of the base between the first foot portion and the second foot portion to allow for mounting of components on either a first side or a second side of the base.

Abstract: A trimmer device includes an inner mounting block having a first central aperture for receiving a turret shaft. The inner mounting block has an inner bore. The device includes an outer mounting block having a second central aperture for receiving the turret shaft. The outer mounting block has at least one outer bore. The device includes an inner trimmer spindle positioned through the inner bore. A first end of the inner trimmer spindle includes a pilot having an inner spindle blade. The device further includes an outer trimmer spindle positioned through the outer bore. The outer trimmer spindle includes an outer spindle blade positioned at a first end. At least one of the inner mounting block or the outer mounting block is rotatable about the turret shaft to adjust for a diameter of an article such that the article is positioned between the inner and outer spindle blades for trimming.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling the rotation of turrets with servo motors within a machine line used in the shaping of articles. Error conditions can be detected using the servo motors for resolving issues with the machine line. Control of the turrets by the servo motors allows for each turret to be rotated relative to the other turrets independently for resolving the issues. Absolute encoders are used to return the servo motors and their respective turrets back to being aligned with a virtual axis for synchronous rotation of the turrets within the machine line, despite the turrets not being mechanically coupled together by a series of gears.

Abstract: A trimmer device includes an inner mounting block having a first central aperture for receiving a turret shaft. The inner mounting block has an inner bore. The device includes an outer mounting block having a second central aperture for receiving the turret shaft. The outer mounting block has at least one outer bore. The device includes an inner trimmer spindle positioned through the inner bore. A first end of the inner trimmer spindle includes a pilot having an inner spindle blade. The device further includes an outer trimmer spindle positioned through the outer bore. The outer trimmer spindle includes an outer spindle blade positioned at a first end. At least one of the inner mounting block or the outer mounting block is rotatable about the turret shaft to adjust for a diameter of an article such that the article is positioned between the inner and outer spindle blades for trimming.

Abstract: A symmetric, modular base for a can processing system. The base includes a leg portion comprising a plurality of openings adapted for receiving at least one of a transfer star wheel and a turret mechanism configured to perform a working operation on an article. The base further includes a first foot portion extending from a first side of the leg portion. The base further includes a second foot portion extending from the second side of the leg portion. The base further includes a plurality of openings in the first foot portion and the second foot portion, the plurality of openings of the first and second foot portion providing access to an interior portion of the base. The base is generally symmetric about a center line drawn vertically through a midpoint of the leg portion of the base between the first foot portion and the second foot portion to allow for mounting of components on either a first side or a second side of the base.

Abstract: A trimmer device includes an inner mounting block having a first central aperture for receiving a turret shaft. The inner mounting block has an inner bore. The device includes an outer mounting block having a second central aperture for receiving the turret shaft. The outer mounting block has at least one outer bore. The device includes an inner trimmer spindle positioned through the inner bore. A first end of the inner trimmer spindle includes a pilot having an inner spindle blade. The device further includes an outer trimmer spindle positioned through the outer bore. The outer trimmer spindle includes an outer spindle blade positioned at a first end. At least one of the inner mounting block or the outer mounting block is rotatable about the turret shaft to adjust for a diameter of an article such that the article is positioned between the inner and outer spindle blades for trimming.

Abstract: A trimmer device includes an inner mounting block having a first central aperture for receiving a turret shaft. The inner mounting block has an inner bore. The device includes an outer mounting block having a second central aperture for receiving the turret shaft. The outer mounting block has at least one outer bore. The device includes an inner trimmer spindle positioned through the inner bore. A first end of the inner trimmer spindle includes a pilot having an inner spindle blade. The device further includes an outer trimmer spindle positioned through the outer bore. The outer trimmer spindle includes an outer spindle blade positioned at a first end. At least one of the inner mounting block or the outer mounting block is rotatable about the turret shaft to adjust for a diameter of an article such that the article is positioned between the inner and outer spindle blades for trimming.

Abstract: A trivia game is played by first posing a trivia question having a numerical correct answer to all players. Each player records a numerical answer to the question. A number of rounds of wagering are conducted in which each player is allowed to wager whether that player's answer is the closest to the correct answer. An award is then made from the amounts wagered to the player remaining after the final round of wagering having the closest answer to the correct answer.

Abstract: A machine arrangement includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line. This machine line incorporates apparatus which is associated with and/or comprises part of the machines for: at least one of moving, holding, manipulating and shaping cans as they pass from a can infeed to a can discharge of the machine line and move along a path having a predetermined configuration. This apparatus minimizes operations necessary for changing from a set up suitable for modifying a can having a first set of dimensions to a set up suitable for a can having a second set of dimensions.

Abstract: A machine arrangement includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line. This machine line incorporates apparatus which is associated with and/or comprises part of the machines for: at least one of moving, holding, manipulating and shaping cans as they pass from a can infeed to a can discharge of the machine line and move along a path having a predetermined configuration. This apparatus minimizes operations necessary for changing from a set up suitable for modifying a can having a first set of dimensions to a set up suitable for a can having a second set of dimensions.

Abstract: A machine arrangement includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line. This machine line incorporates apparatus which is associated with and/or comprises part of the machines for: at least one of moving, holding, manipulating and shaping cans as they pass from a can infeed to a can discharge of the machine line and move along a path having a predetermined configuration. This apparatus minimizes operations necessary for changing from a set up suitable for modifying a can having a first set of dimensions to a set up suitable for a can having a second set of dimensions.

Abstract: A machine arrangement includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line. This machine line incorporates apparatus which is associated with and/or comprises part of the machines for: at least one of moving, holding, manipulating and shaping cans as they pass from a can infeed to a can discharge of the machine line and move along a path having a predetermined configuration. This apparatus minimizes operations necessary for changing from a set up suitable for modifying a can having a first set of dimensions to a set up suitable for a can having a second set of dimensions.