Abstract: A process, mechanical and electrical system and data structures, allow high speed sorting of pallets of HFI cans using a depalletizer, a sequence of narrowing transfer conveyors and a single filer making the cans into a single file. Simultaneously, data containers begin a process of compiling complete data on the pallet, the individual cans, can counts good and bad, the inspection events and potentially a marking process. Cans are inspected individually by three or more cameras in three positions, sequentially inspecting the interior, exterior sides, and exterior bottom, and if an individual can fails any one of three tests, the can is individually directed to a can reject chute. A can may be undetectably marked to indicate it has passed the inspection process. By use of comprehensive data flows and inputs, comprehensive data reports may be generated for the can maker but more importantly for the can buyer/user.

Abstract: An internal coating spray machine for cans or containers having spray gun(s) with nozzle(s) which may be automatically cleaned. Each spray gun has a clamp bracket which carries an actuator carrying a cleaning brush. When the actuator is actuated, it carries the brush from a first location (out of the way) to a second location in which the brush moves across the nozzle, cleaning it. The IC machine HMI (human-machine interface) may have a manually actuated control, for example, a button or soft button, which pauses can spraying and carries out a cleaning cycle. It may also use the low infeed sensor of the IC spray machine to detect when cans will be momentarily delayed coming in, and automatically clean during that small hiatus. A timer automatically initiates a cleaning cycle if one has not otherwise happened in a given time Xt.

Abstract: Industrial production facilities (such as can making factories) may tag with radio frequency near proximity devices their tooling (knockouts, dies, punches, etc) so that the tooling may be instantly located on any particular machine or location in the facility, by known critical characteristics of the tooling, particularly diameter. This is possible because each machine will also have a reader for the tags, and other areas such as inventory shelves, inspection stations, doors, loading docks, shipping departments and even vendors may also have the reading devices. Passive RFID tags and readers may be used for this purpose. The invention may be open to other businesses so inventory may be located across manufacturing systems and/or businesses.

Abstract: An improved device for adjusting spray guns in an IC spray machine. Adjustments may be done using electro-mechanical or pneumatic actuators, and may rotate the nozzles toward an evacuation hood for cleaning, etc. Two actuators are used per spray gun, one mechanically engaged to a slide which moves the gun in translation (traversing in the X dimension), one which is mechanically engaged to a bracket which in turn is mechanically engaged to the gun mount, so the gun may be either moved or rotated. In addition, a Z-axis beam allows control in depth by an additional actuator/motor.

Abstract: A quick, practical and economical method, machine and system for re-basecoating cans which have necks, flanges but also have basecoat and or decoration defects. The cans may pass by a corona /plasma treatment which removes lubricant. A main starwheel will carry the cans to a can body coating application device (such as a high durometer resilient roller), then to a can neck coating application device (similar but shaped for the neck/flange of the can). The main starwheel will carry the cans through an induction tunnel in which cans have an electrical current induced, thereby curing the cans before the cans are removed by an outfeed device and placed onto an outfeed conveyor. Hold down chucks hold the cans from the top (in addition to vacuum chucks holding the cans from the bottom) and cover the top of the cans so that the new coating material does not enter.

Abstract: Industrial production facilities (such as can making factories) may tag with radio frequency near proximity devices their tooling (knockouts, dies, punches, etc) so that the tooling may be instantly located on any particular machine or location in the facility, by known critical characteristics of the tooling, particularly diameter. This is possible because each machine will also have a reader for the tags, and other areas such as inventory shelves, inspection stations, doors, loading docks, shipping departments and even vendors may also have the reading devices. Passive RFID tags and readers may be used for this purpose. The invention may be open to other businesses so inventory may be located across manufacturing systems and/or businesses.

Abstract: An improved device for adjusting spray guns in an IC spray machine. Adjustments may be done using electro-mechanical or pneumatic actuators, and may rotate the nozzles toward an evacuation hood for cleaning, etc. Two actuators are used per spray gun, one mechanically engaged to a slide which moves the gun in translation (traversing in the X dimension), one which is mechanically engaged to a bracket which in turn is mechanically engaged to the gun mount, so the gun may be either moved or rotated. In addition, a Z-axis beam allows control in depth by an additional actuator/motor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for forming a curl in a closable container. A process of forming a pre-curl is used, which is followed by a second separate step of forming the completed curl. The two-step process provides for higher tolerances with respect to the shape of the curl that allows the curl to be used as a sealing surface for a recloseable metal bottle. A three-step process provides for even greater tolerances and reduces longitudinal forces by completing the curl using lateral forces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for forming a curl in a closable container. A process of forming a pre-curl is used, which is followed by a second separate step of forming the completed curl. The two-step process provides for higher tolerances with respect to the shape of the curl that allows the curl to be used as a sealing surface for a recloseable metal bottle. A three-step process provides for even greater tolerances and reduces longitudinal forces by completing the curl using lateral forces. Also, a die curler is disclosed that has an eccentric motion that forms a curl in a single progressive curling process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for forming a curl in a closable container. A process of forming a pre-curl is used, which is followed by a second separate step of forming the completed curl. The two-step process provides for higher tolerances with respect to the shape of the curl that allows the curl to be used as a sealing surface for a recloseable metal bottle. A three-step process provides for even greater tolerances and reduces longitudinal forces by completing the curl using lateral forces. Also, a die curler is disclosed that has an eccentric motion that forms a curl in a single progressive curling process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for forming a curl in a closable container. A process of forming a pre-curl is used, which is followed by a second separate step of forming the completed curl. The two-step process provides for higher tolerances with respect to the shape of the curl that allows the curl to be used as a sealing surface for a recloseable metal bottle. A three-step process provides for even greater tolerances and reduces longitudinal forces by completing the curl using lateral forces.

Abstract: A non-contact spray lubrication device is provided that applies a thin layer of lubrication to a sheet of metal emanating from a coil. The amount of lubrication is important for metal forming and thus the speed of which the coil is being placed near nozzles of the non-contact spray lubricator is monitored by a plurality of proximity sensors that dictate the amount of spray being dispensed out of a nozzle and/or the speed of the coil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for automatically removing inverted container ends (24) from a longitudinally moving stick (20) of nestable container ends (22) is provided. Inverted ends (24) are ejected from the stick (20) through an outlet as a path direction of the stick (20) changes. The change in path direction can be due to a protrusion (36) extending into the path or a curve (14) in a stick guide assembly (34). The apparatus (10) reduces the likelihood of that inverted ends (24) will enter processing machinery and reduces processing line down time.