Abstract: A rotatable forming apparatus and a method for modifying a shape of a container. The rotatable forming apparatus includes a frame and a forming turret assembly. The forming turret assembly connects to the frame and includes a drive shaft, a fixed turret portion, a turret starwheel, an axially moveable turret portion and forming ram assemblies. The forming ram assemblies extend around and connect to the axially movable turret portion. Each of the forming ram assemblies includes cam followers, a forming die, a knockout tooling device and a drive cylinder. The cam followers are configured to follow a cam as the cam rotates. The forming die is operatively connected to the cam followers such that the forming die moves in the vertical direction while following the cam. The drive cylinder causes axial movement of the knockout tooling device and is configured to operate independently of the forming die.

Abstract: A rotatable forming apparatus and a method for modifying a shape of a container. The rotatable forming apparatus includes a frame and a forming turret assembly. The forming turret assembly includes a drive shaft, a fixed turret portion, a turret starwheel, an axially moveable turret portion and forming ram assemblies. The forming ram assemblies extend around and connect to the axially movable turret portion. Each of the forming ram assemblies includes cam followers, a forming die, a knockout tooling device and a drive cylinder. The cam followers are configured to follow the cam as the forming ram assemblies rotate around the stationary cam. The forming die is operatively connected to the cam followers such that the forming die moves in the vertical direction while following the cam. The drive cylinder causes axial movement of the knockout tooling device and is configured to operate independently of the forming die.

Abstract: A machine arrangement that operates on a plurality of articles includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner to form a machine arrangement. Each machine includes a modular base, a transfer star wheel, and a turret mechanism configured to perform a working operation on an article. The turret mechanism includes a turret star wheel. A central axis of the transfer star wheel is approximately 45 degrees below horizontal relative to a central axis of the turret star wheel. The turret mechanism includes a cantilevered portion overhanging a portion of the base.

Abstract: A rotatable forming apparatus and a method for modifying a shape of a container. The rotatable forming apparatus includes a frame and a forming turret assembly. The forming turret assembly includes a drive shaft, a fixed turret portion, a turret starwheel, an axially moveable turret portion and forming ram assemblies. The forming ram assemblies extend around and connect to the axially movable turret portion. Each of the forming ram assemblies includes cam followers, a forming die, a knockout tooling device and a drive cylinder. The cam followers are configured to follow the cam as the forming ram assemblies rotate around the stationary cam. The forming die is operatively connected to the cam followers such that the forming die moves in the vertical direction while following the cam. The drive cylinder causes axial movement of the knockout tooling device and is configured to operate independently of the forming die.

Abstract: A machine arrangement that operates on a plurality of articles includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner to form a machine arrangement. Each machine includes a modular base, a transfer star wheel, and a turret mechanism configured to perform a working operation on an article. The turret mechanism includes a turret star wheel. A central axis of the transfer star wheel is approximately 45 degrees below horizontal relative to a central axis of the turret star wheel. The turret mechanism includes a cantilevered portion overhanging a portion of the base.

Abstract: A machine arrangement that operates on a plurality of articles includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner to form a machine arrangement. Each machine includes a modular base, a transfer star wheel, and a turret mechanism configured to perform a working operation on an article. The turret mechanism includes a turret star wheel. A central axis of the transfer star wheel is approximately 45 degrees below horizontal relative to a central axis of the turret star wheel. The turret mechanism includes a cantilevered portion overhanging a portion of the base.

Abstract: A machine arrangement that operates on a plurality of articles includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner to form a machine arrangement. Each machine includes a modular base, a transfer star wheel, and a turret mechanism configured to perform a working operation on an article. The turret mechanism includes a turret star wheel. A central axis of the transfer star wheel is approximately 45 degrees below horizontal relative to a central axis of the turret star wheel. The turret mechanism includes a cantilevered portion overhanging a portion of the base.

Abstract: A flange forming process uses first and second stages. The first stage produces a partially formed flange on an article. The second stage forces the partially formed flange into a die so a stepped surface of a knockout punch that is disposed in the die, produces a predetermined can height such as the FFCH (Factory Finished Can Height) while the retaining die limits the outside diameter of the flange.

Abstract: A flange forming process uses first and second stages. The first stage produces a partially formed flange on an article. The second stage forces the partially formed flange into a die so that the stepped surface of a knockout punch that is disposed in the die, produces a predetermined can height such as the FFCH (Factory Finished Can Height) while the retaining die limits the outside diameter of the flange.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is shown for reforming the bottom of a container. The container is supported during processing by a container holder. A number of tooling rams each have a reforming roller supported by a pivot roller shaft that is in turn connectedly pinned to one end of a pivot arm. The opposite end of the pivot arm is connectedly pinned to an eccentric lug on a pivot base that is connected to a tooling drive shaft. The reforming roller is restrained axially by roller guide disks mounted to the tooling rams and is driven by the pivot arm such that the reforming roller travels along a circular orbital path of varying diameter in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the pivot roller shaft and having a center of curvature position coextensive with the container axis. The tooling drive shaft is supported rotatably in and moved axially with a tooling ram that moves axially toward or away from the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is shown for reforming the bottom of a container. The container is supported during processing by a container holder. A number of tooling rams each have a reforming roller supported by a pivot roller shaft that is in turn connectedly pinned to one end of a pivot arm. The opposite end of the pivot arm is connectedly pinned to an eccentric lug on a pivot base that is connected to a tooling drive shaft. The reforming roller is restrained axially by roller guide disks mounted to the tooling rams and is driven by the pivot arm such that the reforming roller travels along a circular orbital path of varying diameter in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the pivot roller shaft and having a center of curvature position coextensive with the container axis. The tooling drive shaft is supported rotatably in and moved axially with a tooling ram that moves axially toward or away from the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing reshaping operations on a can, with the apparatus being modular in construction. The modular construction allows for the easy add-on of additional processing stations for performing additional reshaping operations to the cans. Each module is readily connected to an adjacent module in such spaced relationship that cans are transferred directly from can support pockets that hold the cans during processing on one module to can support pockets that hold the cans during processing on the adjacent module, without the need for any conveyors or track work to transfer the cans. The modules are cast with internal chambers that form vacuum chambers, gear chambers, and/or pressurized air passageways. The internal chambers of one module can be interconnected with corresponding internal chambers in adjacent modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting a disk of material from a continuously advancing strip of material, forming the disk into a cup, and inserting the cup into the end of a tube. The apparatus comprises a first rotating member having a plurality of workstations positioned around its periphery, a second rotating member into which tubes without cups are loaded and from which tubes containing cups are unloaded, and a set of stationary cams which control the operation of the workstations. The strip of material passes around a section of the periphery of the first member, advances at the same rate as the circumferential velocity of the first member, and comes into relative stationary contact with a number of the workstations. The rotation of the first member relative to the stationary cams provides motion to a cutting mandrel, a forming mandrel, a cutting and forming die, and an insertion mandrel associated with each workstation to perform the tasks of cutting, forming, and inserting.