COMBINATION CUP AND CAN BODYMAKER

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed and claimed concept relates to can bodymakers and, more specifically, to combination can bodymakers that form both cups, from which can bodies are formed, as well as can bodies from such cups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, an aluminum can begins as a disk of aluminum, also known as a “blank,” that is punched from a sheet or coil of aluminum. That is, the sheet is fed into a press where a “blank” disk is cut from the sheet by an outer slide/ram motion. An inner slide/ram then pushes the “blank” through a draw process to create a cup. The cup has a bottom and a depending sidewall. The cup is then fed into a bodymaker which further performs a redraw and ironing operation that forms the cup into a can body. That is, the bodymaker includes a punch disposed on an elongated, reciprocating ram assembly. The cup is positioned in front of the punch which then moves the cup through a die pack wherein the radius of the cup is reduced and the depending sidewall is elongated and thinned.

More specifically, the cup is disposed at the mouth of a die pack having multiple dies defining passages. The cup is held in place by a redraw sleeve, which is part of a redraw assembly. As the punch/ram engages the cup, the cup is moved through a passage in a redraw die. The cup is then moved through a number of ironing dies. That is, the ironing dies are disposed behind, and axially aligned with, the redraw die. At the end of the die pack opposite the ram is a domer. The domer is a die structured to form a concave dome in the bottom of the cup/can body.

Generally, and as shown in FIG. 1, a bodymaker 1 includes a drive assembly or operating arrangement 2 and a forming assembly 3. The operating arrangement 2 includes a motor (not shown) that is operatively coupled to a rotating crank 4 having a flywheel (not numbered) coupled thereto of considerable mass for storing kinetic energy for metal forming such that the motor does not have to supply variable energy. The crank 4 is further coupled to a pivoting swing arm 5 by a first connecting rod 6A. The swing arm 5 is coupled, via a second connecting rod 6B, to a ram assembly 7. That is, the forming assembly 3 includes the ram assembly 7, a die pack 8 and a domer 9. The ram assembly 7 includes a carriage 7A and an elongated ram (or ram body) 7B and, in some embodiments, a punch 7C disposed at the distal end of the ram body 7B from the second connecting rod 6B. The die pack 8 includes a number of ironing dies (not numbered) which define a forming passage (not numbered). The ram body 7B/punch 7C is structured to, and does, reciprocate through the die pack 8. That is, the ram body 7B/punch 7C moves between a first position, wherein the ram body 7B/punch 7C is withdrawn from the die pack 8 (i.e., shifted to the right in FIG. 1), and a second position, wherein the ram body 7B/punch 7C extends through the die pack 8 to a position adjacent the domer 9 (i.e., shifted to the left in FIG. 1). As is known, a cup feeder, not numbered, positions a cup (formed in another device) at the mouth, or upstream end, of the die pack 8 when the ram body 7B is in the first position. Thus, as the ram body 7B moves toward the second position, the ram body 7B/punch 7C moves the cup through the die pack 8 where it is formed into a can body.

Such single-action arrangement (i.e., forming forces are present in only a single direction) results in high linear inertial loads that must be compensated for by support bearings, the machine frame and the machine foundation. Also, these high inertial loads place an upper limit on the speed of the body maker. Hence, there is a need for improved arrangements for bodymakers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs, and others, are met by aspects of the disclosed concept. As one of such aspects of the disclosed concept, a bodymaker is provided. The bodymaker comprises: a cup forming assembly structured to form a plurality of cups from a material strip; a transfer arrangement structured to transfer the plurality of cups from the cup forming assembly; a body forming assembly structured to receive the plurality of cups from the transfer arrangement and to form each cup into an elongated can body; and an operating arrangement operably coupled to both of the cup forming assembly and the body forming assembly, the operating arrangement providing a reciprocating first stroke in a first direction along a drive axis and a second stroke in a second direction, opposite the first direction, along the drive axis, wherein the first stroke of the operating arrangement causes the cup forming assembly to form a cup of the plurality of cups, and wherein the second stroke of the operating arrangement causes the body forming assembly to form a cup received from the cup forming assembly via the transfer arrangement into an elongated can body.

The bodymaker may further comprise a frame, wherein the cup forming assembly comprises: a ram assembly including: a number of carriage guides fixedly coupled to the frame; a carriage operatively coupled to the operating arrangement and slidably engaged with the number of carriage guides so as to be slidable along the drive axis; an elongated ram body extending along the drive axis in the first direction from a first end coupled to the carriage to an opposite second end; and a cup punch positioned on the second end of the ram body; and a cup die fixedly coupled to the frame, the cup die defining a cup forming passage positioned about the drive axis, wherein the cup punch and the cup die are structured to interact in a manner such that each cup of the plurality of cups is formed from a respective portion of the material strip when: the cup punch engages the respective portion of the material strip, presses the respective portion through the cup forming passage of the cup die, and separates the respective portion from a remainder of the material strip while moving in the first direction along the drive axis. The cup forming assembly may further comprise a scrap conveyor structured to convey scrap material from the bodymaker resulting from the forming of the plurality of cups.

The bodymaker may further comprise a frame, wherein the body forming assembly comprises: a toolpack fixedly coupled to the frame, the toolpack comprising a number of ironing dies which define a forming passage positioned about the drive axis, the forming passage extending from a first end positioned proximal the operating arrangement to an opposite second end positioned distal the operating arrangement; a ram assembly including: a number of carriage guides fixedly coupled to the frame; a carriage operatively coupled to the operating arrangement and slidably engaged with the number of carriage guides so as to be slidable along the drive axis; an elongated ram body extending along the drive axis in the second direction from a first end coupled to the carriage to an opposite second end; and a body punch positioned on the second end of the ram body, the body punch being structured to be reciprocated through the toolpack by the operating arrangement; and a cup feeder structured to receive each cup of the plurality of cups from the transfer arrangement and to place each cup at the first end of the forming passage, wherein the elongated can body is formed from each cup as the body punch moves each cup through the forming passage in the second direction along the drive axis. The body forming assembly may further comprise a domer tool fixedly coupled to the frame so as to be engaged by an end of the elongated can body on the body punch after passing through the toolpack in the second direction, wherein the domer tool is structured to form a dome in the end of the elongated can body. The body forming assembly may further comprise a discharge can elevator structured to receive the elongated can body from the body punch and convey the elongated can body away from the toolpack.

The bodymaker may further comprise a frame, wherein the operating arrangement comprises: a swing arm pivotably coupled to the frame; and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to, and structured to drive, the swing arm via a first connecting rod, wherein the swing arm is operatively coupled to the cup forming assembly via a second connecting rod, and wherein the swing arm is operatively coupled to the body forming assembly via a third connecting rod. The drive mechanism may comprise a rotating crank operatively coupled to a drive motor, and the rotating crank may be coupled to the swing arm via the first connecting rod.

The transfer arrangement may comprise a cup conveyor structured to move the plurality of cups from the cup forming assembly to the body forming assembly.

The bodymaker may further comprise a frame, wherein: the cup forming assembly comprises: a first ram assembly including: a number of carriage guides fixedly coupled to the frame; a first carriage operatively coupled to the operating arrangement and slidably engaged with the number of carriage guides so as to be slidable along the drive axis; an elongated first ram body extending along the drive axis in the first direction from a first end coupled to the first carriage to an opposite second end; and a cup punch positioned on the second end of the first ram body; a cup die fixedly coupled to the frame, wherein the cup punch and the cup die are structured to interact in a manner such that a cup of the plurality of cups is formed from a portion of the material strip when the cup punch engages the portion of the material strip, presses the portion into the cup die, and separates the portion from a remainder of the material strip while moving in the first direction along the drive axis; and the body forming assembly comprises: a toolpack fixedly coupled to the frame, the toolpack comprising a number of ironing dies which define a forming passage positioned about the drive axis, the forming passage extending from a first end positioned proximal the operating arrangement to an opposite second end positioned distal the operating arrangement; a second ram assembly including: a second carriage operatively coupled to the operating arrangement and slidably engaged with the number of carriage guides so as to be slidable along the drive axis; an elongated second ram body extending along the drive axis in the second direction from a first end coupled to the second carriage to an opposite second end; and a body punch positioned on the second end of the second ram body, the body punch being structured to be reciprocated through the toolpack by the operating arrangement; and a cup feeder structured to receive each cup of the plurality of cups from the transfer arrangement and to place each cup at a first end of the toolpack, wherein the elongated can body is formed from each cup as the body punch moves each cup through the forming passage in the second direction along the drive axis.

As another aspect of the disclosed concept, an operating arrangement for a bodymaker is provided. The operating arrangement comprises: a swing arm structured to be pivotably coupled to a frame of the bodymaker so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis in a reciprocating manner by a drive mechanism operatively coupled thereto; a first connecting rod coupled to the swing arm and structured to be operatively coupled to a ram body of a cup forming assembly; and a second connecting rod coupled to the swing arm and structured to be operatively coupled to a ram body of a body forming assembly, wherein when the swing arm is driven in the reciprocating manner the ram body of the cup forming assembly and the ram body of the body forming assembly are each driven in a reciprocating manner along a common drive axis.

The operating arrangement may further comprise the drive mechanism operatively coupled to the swing arm, wherein the drive mechanism is structured to pivot the swing arm about the pivot axis in the reciprocating manner. The operating arrangement may further comprise: a number of carriage guides, each structured to be rigidly coupled to the frame of the bodymaker; a first carriage slidably engaged with the number of carriage guides; and a second carriage slidably engaged with the number of carriage guides, wherein the first carriage is coupled to the first connecting rod and structured to be coupled to the ram body of the cup forming assembly, and wherein the second carriage is coupled to the second connecting rod and structured to be coupled to the ram body of the body forming assembly.

As yet a further aspect of the disclosed concept, a method of forming an elongated can body from a material strip in a bodymaker is provided. The method comprises: receiving the material strip at a cup forming assembly of the can bodymaker; forming a cup from a portion of the material strip with the cup forming assembly; transferring the cup from the cup forming assembly to a body forming assembly with a transfer arrangement; and forming the elongated can body with the body forming assembly. Forming the cup from the portion of the material strip with the cup forming assembly may comprise actuating a ram assembly of the cup forming assembly in a first direction along a drive axis; and forming the elongated can body from the cup with the body forming assembly comprises actuating a ram assembly of the body forming assembly in a second direction along the drive axis.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the disclosed concept, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economics of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosed concept.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a prior art bodymaker;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a bodymaker in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 3 is a partially schematic view of a bodymaker in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept shown with portions removed to show internal details and shown with a portion of an operating arrangement and associated components positioned in an initial positioning;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 3 as indicated therein;

FIG. 5 is another partially schematic view of the bodymaker of FIG. 3 shown with portions removed to show internal details and shown with the portion of the operating arrangement and associated components positioned in another positioning;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 5 as indicated therein;

FIG. 7 is another partially schematic view of the bodymaker of FIGS. 3 and 5 shown with portions removed to show internal details and shown with the portion of the operating arrangement and associated components positioned in another positioning;

FIG. 8 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 7 as indicated therein;

FIG. 9 is another partially schematic view of the bodymaker of FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 shown with portions removed to show internal details and shown with the portion of the operating arrangement and associated components positioned in another positioning;

FIG. 10 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 9 as indicated therein;

FIG. 11 is another partially schematic view of the bodymaker of FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 9 shown with portions removed to show internal details and shown with the portion of the operating arrangement and associated components positioned in another positioning;

FIG. 12 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 11 as indicated therein;

FIG. 13 is another partially schematic view of the bodymaker of FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 shown with portions removed to show internal details and shown with the portion of the operating arrangement and associated components positioned in another positioning;

FIG. 14 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 13 as indicated therein;

FIG. 15 is another partially schematic view of the bodymaker of FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 shown with portions removed to show internal details and shown with the portion of the operating arrangement and associated components positioned in another positioning;

FIG. 16 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 15 as indicated therein; and

FIG. 17 is a general overview of a method in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept for forming an elongated can body from a material strip in a bodymaker such as shown in FIGS. 2-16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be appreciated that the specific elements and embodiments illustrated in the figures herein and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept, which are provided as non-limiting examples solely for the purpose of illustration. Therefore, specific dimensions, orientations, assembly, number of components used, embodiment configurations and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting on the scope of the disclosed concept.

Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, clockwise, counterclockwise, left, right, top, bottom, upwards, downwards and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.

As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, “structured to [verb]” means that the identified element or assembly has a structure that is shaped, sized, disposed, coupled and/or configured to perform the identified verb. For example, a member that is “structured to move” is movably coupled to another element and includes elements that cause the member to move or the member is otherwise configured to move in response to other elements or assemblies. As such, as used herein, “structured to [verb]” recites structure and not function. Further, as used herein, “structured to [verb]” means that the identified element or assembly is intended to, and is designed to, perform the identified verb. Thus, an element that is merely capable of performing the identified verb but which is not intended to, and is not designed to, perform the identified verb is not “structured to [verb].”

As employed herein, the term “can” refers to any known or suitable container, which is structured to contain a substance (e.g., without limitation, liquid; food; any other suitable substance), and expressly includes, but is not limited to, beverage cans, such as beer and soda cans, as well as cans used for food.

As used herein, “coupled” means a link between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs. An object resting on another object held in place only by gravity is not “coupled” to the lower object unless the upper object is otherwise maintained substantially in place. That is, for example, a book on a table is not coupled thereto, but a book glued to a table is coupled thereto.

As used herein, “operatively coupled” means that a number of elements or assemblies, each of which is movable between a first position and a second position, or a first configuration and a second configuration, are coupled so that as the first element moves from one position/configuration to the other, the second element moves between positions/configurations as well. It is noted that a first element may be “operatively coupled” to another without the opposite being true.

As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are coupled in direct contact with each other.

As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. The fixed components may, or may not, be directly coupled.

As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body.

As used herein, “associated” means that the identified components are related to each other, contact each other, and/or interact with each other. For example, an automobile has four tires and four hubs, each hub is “associated” with a specific tire.

As used herein, “engage,” when used in reference to gears or other components having teeth, means that the teeth of the gears interface with each other and the rotation of one gear causes the other gear to rotate as well.

As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).

Discussions of example embodiments provided herein are generally focused on novel aspects of such arrangements. Particular details of components may not be provided where embodiments of such components which may be readily employed are known and readily recognized as being suitable by those of ordinary skill in the art.

A schematic view of the general components of a bodymaker 10 in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept is shown in FIG. 2. Bodymaker 10 includes a cup forming assembly 20 that is structured to produce a plurality of cups 22 (as well as related scrap material 23) from a material strip 24; a transfer arrangement 30 that is structured to transfer each cup 22 of the plurality of cups 22 from cup forming assembly 20; a body forming assembly 40 that is structured to receive the plurality of cups 22 from transfer arrangement 30 and to form each cup 22 into an elongated can body 42; and an operating arrangement 50 which is operably coupled to both cup forming assembly 20 and body forming assembly 40. Operating arrangement 50 is structured to provide a reciprocating first stroke in a first direction D1 along a drive axis 52 and a second stroke in a second direction D2, opposite first direction D1, along drive axis 52. Cup forming assembly 20 is arranged such that the first stroke of operating arrangement 50 causes cup forming assembly 20 to produce a cup 22 of the plurality of cups 22. Meanwhile, body forming assembly 40 is arranged such that the second stroke of operating arrangement 50 causes body forming assembly 40 to form a cup 22 received from cup forming assembly 20 via transfer arrangement 30 into an elongated can body 54.

A further detailed example of components of a bodymaker 10 and operation thereof in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept will now be discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 3-16 which show partially schematic views of bodymaker 10 and portions thereof positioned in various positionings showing manufacture of a can body 54 from material strip 24 in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. It is to be appreciated that such views have selected portions of bodymaker 10 removed in order to show details of other elements of bodymaker 10. In such example embodiment, bodymaker 10 includes a frame 11 which is shown generally as an independent member, however it is to be appreciated that frame 11 may be formed from one or more components that are coupled together (via any suitable arrangement(s)) to form frame 11 as an independent member or as an integrated portion of separate components of bodymaker 10.

In such example embodiment, cup forming assembly 20 includes a ram assembly 60 including: a number of carriage guides 62 fixedly coupled to frame 11 and a carriage 64 operatively coupled to operating arrangement 50 and slidably engaged with the number of carriage guides 62 so as to be slidable in a reciprocating manner along drive axis 52. In such example, only a single carriage guide 62 of an opposing pair of carriage guides 62 is shown so as to show details of carriage 64 and other elements. It is to be appreciated that one or both of the quantity and/design of the carriage member 64 and or carriage guide(s) 62 may be varied without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. Ram assembly 60 further includes an elongated ram body 66 extending along drive axis 52 in the first direction D1 from a first end (not numbered) coupled to carriage 64 to an opposite second end (not numbered), a cup punch 68 positioned on the second end of ram body 66, and a cup die 70 (only a portion of which is shown) fixedly coupled to frame 11. Cup die 70 defines a cylindrical cup forming passage 72 positioned about drive axis 52. In operation, cup punch 68 and cup die 70 are structured to interact in a manner such that each cup 22 of the plurality of cups 22 is formed from a respective portion 25 (half of which is shown in the sectioned portion of FIG. 4) of material strip 24 when: 1) cup punch 68 engages the respective portion 25 of the material strip 24, presses the respective portion 25 through the cup forming passage 72 of the cup die 70, and separates the respective portion 25 of material strip 24 from a remainder of material strip 24 while moving in the first direction D1 along drive axis 52. As shown in the illustrated example, cup forming assembly 20 may further include a scrap conveyor 74 that is structured to convey scrap material 76 resulting from the forming of the plurality of cups 22 from bodymaker 10.

As previously discussed, cups 22 produced by cup forming assembly 20 are transferred from cup forming assembly 20 to body forming assembly 40 via transfer arrangement 30, which in the example shown is a cup conveyor 78. Cup conveyor 78 extends from a first end 78A to an opposite second end 78B. First end 78A of cup conveyor 78 is positioned adjacent cup die 70 so as to receive each cup 22 as ram body 66, and thus cup punch 68, retracts through forming passage 72 in the second direction D2, discharging the newly formed cup 22 from cup punch 68 via any suitable means. As discussed further below, second end 78B of cup conveyor 78 is positioned adjacent body forming assembly 40.

In such example embodiment, body forming assembly 40 includes a toolpack 80 fixedly coupled to frame 11. Toolpack 80 includes a number of ironing dies 82 which define a forming passage 84 positioned about drive axis 52. Forming passage 84 extends from a first end 84A positioned proximal operating arrangement 50 to an opposite second end 84B positioned distal operating arrangement 50. Body forming assembly 40 further includes a ram assembly 90 including: a number of carriage guides 92 fixedly coupled to the frame (such carriage guide(s) 92 may be separate from, or integral with, carriage guide(s) 62 previously discussed); a carriage 94 operatively coupled to operating arrangement 50 and slidably engaged with the number of carriage guides 92 so as to be slidable along drive axis 52; an elongated ram body 96 extending along drive axis 52 in the second direction D2 from a first end (not numbered) that is coupled to carriage 94 to an opposite second end (not numbered); and a body punch 98 that is positioned on the second end of ram body 96. Body punch 98 is structured to be reciprocated through toolpack 80 by operating arrangement 50. A cup feeder 100 is provided as an element of body forming assembly 40 and is structured to receive each cup 22 of the plurality of cups 22 from transfer arrangement 30 (i.e., from second end 78B of cup conveyor 78 in the illustrated example) and to place each cup 22 at first end 84A of forming passage 84 of toolpack 80. An elongated can body 54 is formed from each cup 22 as body punch 98 moves each cup 22 through forming passage 84 of toolpack 80 in second direction D2 along drive axis 52. Body forming assembly 40 may further include a domer tool 102 fixedly coupled to frame 11 so as to be engaged by an end 54B of an elongated can body 54 positioned on body punch 98 after passing through toolpack 80 in second direction D2. Such domer tool 102 being structured to form a dome (not numbered) in the end 54B of elongated can body 54. Body forming assembly 40 may further include a discharge can elevator 104 that is structured to receive each elongated can body 54 from the body punch 98 as body punch 98 is retraced back through toolpack 80 and to convey each elongated can body away from toolpack 80, typically to a further can conveyance arrangement (not shown).

In such example embodiment, operating arrangement 50 includes: a swing arm 110 pivotably coupled to frame 11 so as to pivot about a pivot axis 112. A drive mechanism 114 (e.g., shown schematically in FIG. 3) is operatively coupled to, and structured to drive, swing arm 110 via a first connecting rod 116. In such arrangement swing arm 110 is operatively coupled to cup forming assembly 20 via a second connecting rod 118 (which is coupled to carriage 64 of cup forming assembly 20), and to body forming assembly 40 via a third connecting rod 120 (which is coupled to carriage 94 of body forming assembly 40). In an example embodiment, drive mechanism 114 includes a rotating crank operatively coupled to a drive motor, similar to the arrangement shown and previously discussed in regard to FIG. 1, wherein the rotating crank is coupled to the swing arm 110 via first connecting rod 116.

A general overview of a method 200, in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept, for forming an elongated can body from a material strip in a bodymaker 10 such as previously described is shown in FIG. 17. Method 200 begins by receiving the material strip 24 at the cup forming assembly 20 of the can bodymaker, as shown at 202. Next, method 200 continues by forming a cup 22 from a portion 25 of the material strip 24 with the cup forming assembly 20, such as shown at 204. As previously discussed, forming the cup 22 from the portion 25 of the material strip 24 with the cup forming assembly 20 may be carried out by actuating the ram assembly 60 of the cup forming assembly 20 in the first direction D1 along the drive axis 52. After the cup 22 has been formed at 204, the method 200 continues at 206 by transferring the cup 22 from the cup forming assembly 20 to a body forming assembly 40 with a transfer arrangement 30, such as, for example, without limitation, cup conveyor 78. Method 200 generally concludes by forming the elongated can body 54 with the body forming assembly 40, as shown at 208. Forming the elongated can body 54 from the cup 22 may be carried out by actuating the ram assembly 90 of the body forming assembly 40 in a second direction D2 along the drive axis 52. In addition to merely forming the elongated can body 54, the process of forming the can body 54 carried out by the body forming assembly 40 may further include forming a dome in an end 54B of the elongated can body 54.

From the foregoing it is to be appreciated the embodiments of the disclosed concept improve upon prior arrangements by using strokes in both directions along a common drive axis in carrying out forming operations (i.e., cup and can body forming) thus reducing forces on bearings and other components of the assembly present in prior solutions. Such arrangements allow for higher operating speeds as well as reduced overall footprint on a manufacturing floor by combining the cup and bodymaking into a single unit utilizing a common drive arrangement.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” or “including” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In any device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.