Abstract: A cam follower assembly includes a housing. The cam follower assembly includes a first cam follower and a second cam follower to contact a cam surface. The cam follower assembly includes a first holding element coupled to the first cam follower, and a second holding element coupled to the second cam follower. The second holding element is assembled with the first holding element and received in an opening of the housing, where the first holding device moves relative to the second holding device. An adjusting element of compressible material determines the relative movement between the first holding device and the second holding device. The first cam follower moves relative to the second cam follower according to the relative movement between the first holding element and the second holding element. The first cam follower and the second cam follower maintain contact with the cam surface according to their relative movement.

Abstract: A cam follower assembly includes a housing. The cam follower assembly includes a first cam follower and a second cam follower to contact a cam surface. The cam follower assembly includes a first holding element coupled to the first cam follower, and a second holding element coupled to the second cam follower. The second holding element is assembled with the first holding element and received in an opening of the housing, where the first holding device moves relative to the second holding device. An adjusting element of compressible material determines the relative movement between the first holding device and the second holding device. The first cam follower moves relative to the second cam follower according to the relative movement between the first holding element and the second holding element. The first cam follower and the second cam follower maintain contact with the cam surface according to their relative movement.

Abstract: A link for connecting an upstream and a downstream multi-turret processing machines, a method for linking an upstream and a downstream multi-processing machines, and a multi-turret processing, the link comprising: a base; a bridge disposed on the base and forming a cross-piece for a T to the base to allow connection on one end of the cross-piece to a base of an upstream multi-turret processing machine and to allow connection at the opposite end of the cross-piece to a base of a downstream multi-turret processing machine, the bridge having a center aperture, an upstream aperture on an upstream side of the center aperture, and a downstream aperture on a downstream side of the center aperture opposite to the upstream side, the three apertures for holding a last existing upstream turret on the upstream multi-turret processing machine in the upstream aperture, for holding a link processing turret in the center aperture, and for holding a first existing downstream turret in the downstream multi-turret processing ma

Abstract: The present invention includes a cutter assembly and a method of using a cutter assembly. The cutter assembly comprises a fixed knife support shaft with a top end and a bottom end, a fixed knife mounted adjacent the top of the fixed knife support shaft, a moving knife support shaft with a top end and a bottom end and a moving knife mounted adjacent the top of the fixed knife support shaft, wherein the moving knife has a non-cutting position and a cutting position and the moving knife support is adapted to be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the moving knife support shaft to put the moving knife into the cutting position.

Abstract: A link for connecting an upstream and a downstream multi-turret processing machines, a method for linking an upstream and a downstream multi-processing machines, and a multi-turret processing, the link comprising: a base; a bridge disposed on the base and forming a cross-piece for a T to the base to allow connection on one end of the cross-piece to a base of an upstream multi-turret processing machine and to allow connection at the opposite end of the cross-piece to a base of a downstream multi-turret processing machine, the bridge having a center aperture, an upstream aperture on an upstream side of the center aperture, and a downstream aperture on a downstream side of the center aperture opposite to the upstream side, the three apertures for holding a last existing upstream turret on the upstream multi-turret processing machine in the upstream aperture, for holding a link processing turret in the center aperture, and for holding a first existing downstream turret in the downstream multi-turret processing ma

Abstract: The invention includes an air manifold comprising at least one port adapted for receiving high pressure air from a compressor, at least one port adapted for receiving low pressure air from a compressor, at least one port adapted for bleeding high pressure air from a container, at least one port adapted for reusing high pressure bleed air. The port for reusing high pressure air receiving high pressure air from the port adapted for bleeding high pressure air. The air manifold also includes at least one port adapted for bleeding low pressure air from a container and at least one port adapted for reusing low pressure bleed air. The port for reusing low pressure air receiving low pressure air from the port adapted for bleeding low pressure air. The present invention also includes an air distribution system and a necking machine which include the manifold as well as a method of necking a can.

Abstract: The invention includes an air manifold comprising at least one port adapted for receiving high pressure air from a compressor, at least one port adapted for receiving low pressure air from a compressor, at least one port adapted for bleeding high pressure air from a container, at least one port adapted for reusing high pressure bleed air. The port for reusing high pressure air receiving high pressure air from the port adapted for bleeding high pressure air. The air manifold also includes at least one port adapted for bleeding low pressure air from a container and at least one port adapted for reusing low pressure bleed air. The port for reusing low pressure air receiving low pressure air from the port adapted for bleeding low pressure air. The present invention also includes an air distribution system and a necking machine which include the manifold as well as a method of necking a can.

Abstract: The present invention includes a cutter assembly and a method of using a cutter assembly. The cutter assembly comprises a fixed knife support shaft with a top end and a bottom end, a fixed knife mounted adjacent the top of the fixed knife support shaft, a moving knife support shaft with a top end and a bottom end and a moving knife mounted adjacent the top of the fixed knife support shaft, wherein the moving knife has a non-cutting position and a cutting position and the moving knife support is adapted to be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the moving knife support shaft to put the moving knife into the cutting position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a feed mechanism for feeding containers. The feed mechanism includes an infeed starwheel and a main turret starwheel, wherein the pitch line of the infeed starwheel and the pitch line of the main turret starwheel are non-interfacing. The present invention also provides a feed mechanism for feeding containers which includes an infeed starwheel, a main turret starwheel and a feed chute with at least one hump for dissipating the head pressure of the incoming can stack. The present invention also provides a method of feeding cans to a unit operation in a can making process. The method includes the steps of providing a feed chute adapted for gravity feeding the unit operation, the feed chute having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the feed chute has at least one hump proximal to the bottom end and disposing a plurality of cans in the feed chute, thereby forming a stack of cans in the feed chute.

Abstract: An apparatus for reshaping a container includes a number of reprofiler rollers supported by a mounting block that allows the rollers to travel along a circular path lying in a plane perpendicular to an axis along which the mounting block can be driven by a tooling ram. The mounting block and reprofiler rollers are rotated about the axis by a tooling drive shaft that is supported within the tooling ram. Removable spacers are provided between the reprofiler rollers and the mounting block and between the tooling drive shaft and the mounting block in order to provide a way of adjusting the radial and axial positions respectively of the rollers.

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.