Abstract: A tear-off lid with a curled edge of the removal opening is formed such that before the edge is curled, a plastics layer provided as a band of low thickness and preferably only 0.1 mm thickness is applied to the collar of the lid ring. In this way, a good seal of the cut edge of the tear-off lid is produced economically and with the possibility for production at a high rate.

Abstract: In a method according to the invention for the manufacture of tear notches (22) in can lids (11), the can lid (11) is subjected in the press tool (10) to a laser engraving during which the desired tear notch (22) is generated. The laser ablation process occurs preferably, with the press tool (10) closed, within a time period of less than 30 ms. During this time, the focal spot (27) of the laser beam (26) is moved over the whole desired contour of the tear notch (22) so that an uninterrupted groove-like cavity is formed. With the use of laser engraving in the press tool, the mechanical wear of the press tool and of the press molds can be minimized and in this way the tool operating life can be increased. In particular, the manufacture of can lids with consistently high quality is ensured.

Abstract: A barrel cam turns with a shaft mounted on bearings in a cam box. Four linear bearings mounted on the outside of the box receive hollow slider tubes which are clamped to legs of an H-shaped frame which holds roller cam followers. Bearings and followers are lubricated with pressure fittings, and the cam box is drained. Parallel transfer bars connected to the frame support a feeder plate with spring loaded fingers and divider bars with inward facing forward and downward sloped channels to remove lowermost articles from stacks and to feed the articles forward. The transfer bars have pockets which receive inserts with recesses for holding edges of articles. Some of the inserts have openings for receiving horizontally oriented spring loaded retainers with inward and upward sloping article engaging faces. This application is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 005,268, filed 1-22-79, now abandoned.