Abstract: A container bodymaker gearbox (20, 130) drives rams (60, 66) linearly by use of a hypocycloid drive that controls operation of a rotating and orbiting output shaft (40) by synchronizing the rotating and orbiting motion such that a tracking point at a predetermined radius from the shaft 40 tracks a straight line. A coaxial sleeve (124) is spaced around shaft (40) and carries an annular crank hub (140) on bearings (142). The crank hub (140) is eccentrically mounted on the sleeve (124) with the hub centerpoint positioned to track the straight line tracking point. A rotary ring (166) mounted around the periphery of the crank hub (140) supports diametrically opposed connections (176) to rams (60, 66). The ring (166) and rams (60, 66) translate on the straight-line path determined by the centerpoint, with the hub (140) rotating as required within the ring (166) to cancel rotary motion of hub (14) from the translational motion of the ring (166).

Abstract: The drive housing (26) of a bodymaker (20) carries a major ring (32) in stationary position and a planetary ring carrier (36, 46) for rotation on the central axis of the major ring. The planetary ring carrier (36, 46) carries a minor planetary ring (34) in internal engagement with the major ring (32) for rotation on its own axis in rolling orbit against the inside circumference of the major ring (32). A crank (54) is connected to rotate with the planetary ring and provides a journal (56) positioned at the circumference of the planetary ring (34) for drivingly engaging a ram (60). The diameter of the planetary ring (34) is one-half the diameter of the major ring (32), establishing a straight-line path of movement for the journal (56) along an axis (X-X) parallel to a selected diameter of the major ring (32). A frame (22, 72) supports ram (60) in suitable position with respect to drive housing (26) for straight-line reciprocation on the axis (X-X) parallel to the selected diameter.

Abstract: A container bodymaker gearbox (20, 130) drives rams (60, 66) linearly by use of a hypocycloid drive that controls operation of a rotating and orbiting output shaft (40) by synchronizing the rotating and orbiting motion such that a tracking point at a predetermined radius from the shaft 40 tracks a straight line. A coaxial sleeve (124) is spaced around shaft (40) and carries an annular crank hub (140) on bearings (142). The crank hub (140) is eccentrically mounted on the sleeve (124) with the hub centerpoint positioned to track the straight line tracking point. A rotary ring (166) mounted around the periphery of the crank hub (140) supports diametrically opposed connections (176) to rams (60, 66). The ring (166) and rams (60, 66) translate on the straight-line path determined by the centerpoint, with the hub (140) rotating as required within the ring (166) to cancel rotary motion of hub (14) from the translational motion of the ring (166).

Abstract: The drive housing (26) of a bodymaker (20) carries a major ring (32) in stationary position and a planetary ring carrier (36, 46) for rotation on the central axis of the major ring. The planetary ring carrier (36, 46) carries a minor planetary ring (34) in internal engagement with the major ring (32) for rotation on its own axis in rolling orbit against the inside circumference of the major ring (32). A crank (54) is connected to rotate with the planetary ring and provides a journal (56) positioned at the circumference of the planetary ring (34) for drivingly engaging a ram (60). The diameter of the planetary ring (34) is one-half the diameter of the major ring (32), establishing a straight-line path of movement for the journal (56) along an axis (X-X) parallel to a selected diameter of the major ring (32). A frame (22, 72) supports ram (60) in suitable position with respect to drive housing (26) for straight-line reciprocation on the axis (X-X) parallel to the selected diameter.

Abstract: A central turret rotates continuously on a central axis and carries a plurality of planetary turrets that rotate on their own axes. An index drive intermittently moves each planetary turret through a cycle consisting of both a period of rotation through a fraction of a revolution on the planetary turret axis and a period of dwell at an indexed position. The planetary turrets each carry a plurality of tool heads, and during successive periods of dwell, a successive one of the tool heads is presented to a workstation. A workpiece carrier supports a workpiece in proximity to the workstation. Rams operatively engage the workpiece and tool head as the successive tool heads dwell at the workstation. In this way, a workpiece is processed by a plurality of tool heads during a single revolution around the central axis.

Abstract: A free-standing cleaner (10) for conveyor belts (60) constitutes a tank (12) for holding fluid and having a removeable pad (22) attached across its bottom surface (14). Nozzles (20) in the bottom surface deliver the cleaning fluid to the pad (22). One longitudinal end (18) of the tank depends from the majority of the bottom surface (14) and hooks over the upstream end of the conveyor for anchoring the tank (12) against movement with the conveyor belt (60). Tandem tanks may be joined to the downstream end of the first tank for applying multiple cleaning fluids to the belt (60).

Abstract: A generally dome-shaped end closure for a receptacle, such as, the bottom end wall of a beverage container is roll-formed in a closely coordinated sequence of steps wherein the receptacle is fixed in position so that the external surface of the end wall to be formed is disposed in facing relation to a yieldable support, and rotatable bearing surfaces are simultaneously advanced into engagement with the end wall while being continuously rotated about a common axis whereby to form one or more annular ribs in the end wall while forcing the end wall to assume a generally convex or dome-shaped configuration as it is expanded outwardly against the yieldable support.

Abstract: A continuous rotary machine for roll flanging the ends of cylindrical container bodies transports the container bodies in a star wheel while applying a roll flanging tool head to the end portion of the container body in two stages. In the first stage, the tool head forms a small flange that acts as a stress ring to maintain the cylindrical body in circular configuration at the open end, and the stress ring is ironed. In the second stage, the tool head advances by a greater distance to form a larger portion of the flange, and this flange is ironed. Both ends of a cylindrical container body may be simultaneously flanged by this method, in which case the opposite flanging heads rotate in opposite directions at substantially the same speed. The rotary apparatus provides a spindle/ram assembly on a turret for supporting and moving the flanging heads. A cam operates the axially movable ram portion and is located radially outside the ram for greater accuracy in the cam profile.

Abstract: A generally dome-shaped end closure for a receptacle, such as, the bottom end wall of a beverage container is roll-formed in a closely coordinated sequence of steps wherein the receptacle is fixed in position so that the external surface of the end wall to be formed is disposed in facing relation to a yieldable support, and rotatable bearing surfaces are simultaneously advanced into engagement with the end wall while being continuously rotated about a common axis whereby to form one or more annular ribs in the end wall while forcing the end wall to assume a generally convex or dome-shaped configuration as it is expanded outwardly against the yieldable support.

Abstract: A generally dome-shaped end closure for a receptacle, such as, the bottom end wall of a beverage container is roll-formed in a closely coordinated sequence of steps wherein the receptacle is fixed in position so that the external surface of the end wall to be formed is disposed in facing relation to a yieldable support, and rotatable bearing surfaces are simultaneously advanced into engagement with the end wall while being continuously rotated about a common axis whereby to form one or more annular ribs in the end wall while forcing the end wall to assume a generally convex or dome-shaped configuration as it is expanded outwardly against the yieldable support.

Abstract: A container body is simultaneously necked-in and flanged at the marginal edge adjacent to an open end by a tool assembly having first and second freewheeling rollers supporting the inside of the body while a die ring moves eccentrically between the rollers. An encapsulating annular nest ring circumferentially surrounds the open end of the body on the second roller to provide metal control, and the first roller innermost in the body is tapered at its end adjacent the second roller to define, in cooperation with a circumferential container body holder ring on the outside body surface, a volume for receiving metal reverse-flowing from the necked-in portion to prevent the metal from bulging. Compressive forming forces are minimized by the use of springs biasing the two rollers together that are characterized by spring force that increases with increased spring compression at less than a linear rate.

Abstract: A game racket has a metal frame, elastomeric yoke, and preformed handle. The frame cross-section employs opposite tubular elements joined by a central web, with the tubular walls facing oppositely from the web being formed in an arch having a common radius at the midpoint of the web. The yoke employs torque box construction and has an integral metal arch anchoring the yoke to the racket frame, and the yoke has laterally extending lips that engage the surfaces of the frame to damp vibration from the racket face. The handle employs a sleeve overlapping divergent portions of the metal frame and a central plug that fits between the divergent frame portions to hold them in spaced relationship, or alternatively the handle employs front and rear caps having an intermediate foamed plastic or elastomer body.

Abstract: A generally dome-shaped end closure for a receptacle, such as, the bottom end wall of a beverage container is roll-formed in a closely coordinated sequence of steps wherein the receptacle is fixed in position so that the external surface of the end wall to be formed is disposed in facing relation to a yieldable support, and rotatable bearing surfaces are simultaneously advanced into engagement with the end wall while being continuously rotated about a common axis whereby to form one or more annular ribs in the end wall while forcing the end wall to assume a generally convex or dome-shaped configuration as it is expanded outwardly against the yieldable support.