ADJUSTABLE AXIAL HEAD FLANGER ASSEMBLY

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The disclosed concept relates generally to can manufacturing and, more particularly, to arrangements used in the flanging outward of the end portion of can bodies such as used in the food and beverage industries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

The open end of can bodies such as used in the food and beverage industries is commonly reduced in diameter and flanged. The flange facilitates attaching a closure to the end of the can body and the reduction in diameter allows using a smaller closure thereby saving material. Furthermore, reducing the diameter does not substantially decrease the volume of the can.

In a production line situation, can bodies are commonly reduced in diameter by being forced into a tapered necking die. The end of the can body is then flanged outward by a plurality of flanging rollers mounted on a flanging head. There are currently two standard flanger head types in use for the beverage can necking machine, axial and radial. In an axial head flanger arrangement, the rollers are mounted with the axis of rotation thereof parallel to the longitudinal axis of the can body being flanged. In contrast, in a radial head flanger arrangement, the rollers are mounted with the axis of rotation thereof perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the can body being flanged. In either arrangement, the flanging head itself is rotatably mounted with an axis of rotation aligned with the longitudinal axis of the can body.

Typically, radial head flangers are used in flanging can bodies with 202 inside neck diameters (2.100 in-2.200 in) and axial head flangers are used in flanging can bodies with the smaller 200 neck size with an inside diameter approximately 2.000 in (1.900 in-2.100). The use of different flanger types for can bodies with different neck sizes requires expensive amounts of change parts and inventory on hand for the beverage can manufacturer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

Embodiments of the disclosed concept reduce the quantity and cost of change parts and inventory needed for flanging machines. Such benefits, as well as others, are provided as one aspect of the disclosed concept wherein a flanger head for use in forming a flange on an end of a can body is provided. The flanger head comprises: a main housing structured to be rotated about a central rotational axis; and a plurality of roller packs positioned in the main housing, each roller pack having a flanging roller, each flanging roller centered and rotatable about a flanging axis oriented parallel to the rotational axis, wherein the plurality of flanging rollers are circumferentially spaced about the rotational axis, and wherein the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof are adjustable between: a first positioning wherein the plurality of flanging rollers are each spaced a first distance from the rotational axis, and a second positioning wherein the plurality of flanging rollers are each spaced a second distance from the rotational axis different than the first distance.

Each roller pack may comprise a shaft suspended by a number of bearings, and the flanging roller of each roller pack may be coupled to the shaft thereof. The number of bearings may comprise a plurality of bearings.

The main housing may comprise a plurality of stacked plates comprising: a top plate having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slotted through holes defined therein, each slotted through hole extending between a first end positioned closer to the rotational axis and an opposite second end positioned further from the rotational axis and disposed at a first angle with respect to a radial reference line extending from the rotational axis; and a lower plate having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slotted through holes defined therein, each slotted through hole extending between a first end positioned closer to the rotational axis and an opposite second end positioned further from the rotational axis and disposed at a second angle with respect to a radial reference line extending from the rotational axis, an upper portion of each roller pack of the plurality of roller packs is slidably disposed within a respective slotted through hole of the plurality of slotted through holes of the top plate, a lower portion of each roller pack of the plurality of roller packs is slidably disposed within a respective slotted through hole of the plurality of slotted through holes of the lower plate, and the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof are moveable between the first positioning and the second positioning responsive to a predetermined rotational movement of the top plate with respect to the lower plate. The rotational positioning of the top plate and the lower plate may be selectively fixable in: a first positioning wherein the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof are in the first positioning thereof; and a second positioning wherein the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof are in the second positioning thereof. The rotational positioning of the top plate and the lower plate may be selectively fixable via a pin member engaged with both a first aperture defined in the top plate and a second aperture defined in the second plate. The lower plate may comprise a mid-plate, the plurality of stacked plates may comprise a base plate having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slotted through holes defined therein, each slotted through hole of the base plate extending between a first end positioned closer to the rotational axis and an opposite second end positioned further from the rotational axis and disposed at the first angle with respect to a radial reference line extending from the rotational axis, and a base portion below the lower portion of each roller pack of the plurality of roller packs may be slidably disposed within a respective slotted through hole of the plurality of slotted through holes of the base plate. The rotational positioning of the top plate and the mid-plate may be selectively fixable in: a first positioning wherein the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof are in the first positioning thereof; and a second positioning wherein the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof are in the second positioning thereof.

The flanger head may further comprise a plurality of shim members, the main body may comprise a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slotted through holes defined therein, each slotted through hole extending between a first end positioned closer to the rotational axis and an opposite second end positioned further from the rotational axis, each roller pack of the plurality of roller packs may be disposed within a respective slotted through hole of the plurality of slotted through holes along with a respective shim member of the plurality of shims, wherein in the first positioning each roller pack is positioned adjacent the first end of each respective slotted through hole and spaced from the second end by the respective shim, and wherein in the second positioning each roller pack is positioned adjacent the second end of each respective slotted through hole and spaced from the first end by the respective shim. Each slotted through hole of the plurality of slotted through holes extends radially outward from the rotational axis.

As another aspect of the disclosed concept, an arrangement for forming a flange on an end of a can body is provided. The arrangement comprises: a flanger head comprising: a main housing structured to be rotated about a central rotational axis; and a plurality of roller packs positioned in the main housing, each roller pack having a flanging roller, each flanging roller centered and rotatable about a flanging axis oriented parallel to the rotational axis, an arrangement coupled to the main housing and structured to rotate the main housing about the rotational axis; and an arrangement structured to engage the end of the can body with the flanging rollers of the plurality of roller packs while the flanging rollers are being rotated, wherein the plurality of flanging rollers are circumferentially spaced about the rotational axis, and wherein the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof are adjustable between: a first positioning wherein the plurality of flanging rollers are each spaced a first distance from the rotational axis, and a second positioning wherein the plurality of flanging rollers are each spaced a second distance from the rotational axis different than the first distance.

Each roller pack may comprise a shaft suspended by a number of bearings, and the flanging roller of each roller pack may be coupled to the shaft thereof. The number of bearings may comprise a plurality of bearings.

The main housing may comprise a plurality of stacked plates comprising: a top plate having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slotted through holes defined therein, each slotted through hole extending between a first end positioned closer to the rotational axis and an opposite second end positioned further from the rotational axis and disposed at a first angle with respect to a radial reference line extending from the rotational axis; and a lower plate having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slotted through holes defined therein, each slotted through hole extending between a first end positioned closer to the rotational axis and an opposite second end positioned further from the rotational axis and disposed at a second angle with respect to a radial reference line extending from the rotational axis, an upper portion of each roller pack of the plurality of roller packs may be slidably disposed within a respective slotted through hole of the plurality of slotted through holes of the top plate, a lower portion of each roller pack of the plurality of roller packs may be slidably disposed within a respective slotted through hole of the plurality of slotted through holes of the lower plate, and the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof may be moveable between the first positioning and the second positioning responsive to a predetermined rotational movement of the top plate with respect to the lower plate. The rotational positioning of the top plate and the lower plate may be selectively fixable in: a first positioning wherein the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof are in the first positioning thereof; and a second positioning wherein the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof are in the second positioning thereof. The rotational positioning of the top plate and the lower plate may be selectively fixable via a pin member engaged with both a first aperture defined in the top plate and a second aperture defined in the lower plate.

The lower plate may comprise a mid-plate, the plurality of stacked plates may comprise a base plate having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slotted through holes defined therein, each slotted through hole of the base plate may extend between a first end positioned closer to the rotational axis and an opposite second end positioned further from the rotational axis and disposed at the first angle with respect to a radial reference line extending from the rotational axis, and a base portion below the lower portion of each roller pack of the plurality of roller packs may be slidably disposed within a respective slotted through hole of the plurality of slotted through holes of the base plate. The rotational positioning of the top plate and the mid-plate may be selectively fixable in: a first positioning wherein the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof are in the first positioning thereof; and a second positioning wherein the plurality of roller packs and thus the flanging rollers thereof are in the second positioning thereof.

The may further comprise a plurality of shim members, the main body may comprise a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slotted through holes defined therein, each slotted through hole extending between a first end positioned closer to the rotational axis and an opposite second end positioned further from the rotational axis, each roller pack of the plurality of roller packs may be disposed within a respective slotted through hole of the plurality of slotted through holes along with a respective shim member of the plurality of shims, in the first positioning each roller pack may be positioned adjacent the first end of each respective slotted through hole and spaced from the second end by the respective shim, and in the second positioning each roller pack may be positioned adjacent the second end of each respective slotted through hole and spaced from the first end by the respective shim. Each slotted through hole of the plurality of slotted through holes may extend radially outward from the rotational 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 economies 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 disclosed concept 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 perspective view of a flanger head in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the flanger head of FIG. 1 shown with a portion of a can body (shown schematically) engaged with portions of the flanger head;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the flanger head of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, shown as part of an arrangement for forming a flange on an end of a can body in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the flanger head of FIGS. 1-3 showing the top plate, roller packs and flanging rollers thereof positioned in a first positioning;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the flanger head of FIGS. 1-3 showing the top plate, roller packs and flanging rollers thereof positioned in a second positioning;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the flanger head of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a top plate of the flanger head of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a mid-plate of the flanger head of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a base plate of the flanger head of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main housing of a flanger head in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a flanger head in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept shown with a roller pack and shim thereof shown exploded from the main housing of FIG. 10 and the remaining roller packs and shims shown in a first positioning in the main housing;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the flanger head of FIG. 11 shown with all of the roller packs and shims shown in a first positioning in the main housing of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the flanger head of FIGS. 11 and 12 shown with a roller pack and shim thereof shown exploded from the main housing of FIG. 10 and the remainder of the roller packs and shims shown in a second positioning in the main housing of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 14 is a top view of the flanger head of FIGS. 11-13 shown with all of the roller packs and shims shown in a second positioning in the main housing.

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 used 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 used 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.

Embodiments of the disclosed concept provide adjustable flanger heads and arrangements utilizing such flanger heads to form flanges on the open ends of can bodies. Views of a flanger head 10 for use in forming such a flange on a can body 1 in accordance with one example embodiment of the disclosed concept are shown in FIGS. 1-3. Flanger head 10 includes a main housing 12 that is structured to be rotated about a central rotational axis 14 thereof via an arrangement 100 (shown schematically in FIG. 3) coupled to the main housing 12 (e.g., via a central mounting stem 15 or other suitable arrangement). Flanger head 10 further includes a plurality of roller packs 16 positioned in main housing 12. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, flanger head 10 includes five roller packs 16, however, it is to be appreciated that the quantity of roller packs 16 (and related structures such as discussed below) may be varied without varying from the scope of disclosed concept. Each roller pack 16 includes a flanging roller 18 (e.g., such as known in the art) positioned on, and coupled to, a shaft 20 that is suspended by a number of bearings 22 such that the shaft 20 and thus the flanging roller 18 coupled thereto is rotatable about a flanging axis 24 of the respective roller pack 16. In such example, a plurality of bearings 22, and more particularly as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3, two bearings 22 are employed, however, it is to be appreciated that the quantity of bearing(s) 22 employed may be varied without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. In such example, each flanging axis 24 is oriented parallel to rotational axis 14, however, it is to be appreciated that each flanging axis 24 may be oriented at another angle or angles without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. Referring to FIG. 3, during flanging operations, flanger head 10, and more particularly flanging rollers 18 thereof, being rotated about rotation axis 14 by arrangement 100 form a flanged end on the can body 1 that is engaged with the flanging rollers 18 by another arrangement 102 (shown schematically) in a manner similar to conventional arrangements known in the art.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 2, the plurality of roller packs 16, and thus the flanging rollers 18 thereof, are circumferentially spaced about the rotational axis 14. In such example, the flanging rollers 18 (e.g., the centers thereof/flanging axis 24) are each spaced a radial distance R1 from rotational axis 14, and circumferentially spaced equal distances C1 from neighboring flanging rollers 18 about rotational axis 14. As previously mentioned, flanger head 10 is structured such that roller packs 16, and thus the flanging rollers 18 thereof, are adjustable with respect to the rotational axis 14 such that flanger head 10 may be employed in flanging can bodies 1 of different diameters. In such example, the roller packs 16, and thus the flanging rollers 18 thereof, are adjustable among: a first positioning, such as shown in FIG. 4, wherein the plurality of flanging rollers 18 are each spaced the first radial distance R1 from the rotational axis 14 of the flanger head 10 (as well as the first circumferential distance C1); and a second positioning, such as shown in FIG. 5, wherein the plurality of flanging rollers 18 are each spaced a second radial distance R2 from the rotational axis 14 that is different than the first radial distance R1 (as well as a different second circumferential distance C2). In such examples, the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 would be used on can bodies having a larger neck diameter than those employed with the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, as the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 would produce a larger outer flange F than the arrangement shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, in addition to the previous figures, particular details of such example embodiment of flanger head 10 and adjustment of the roller packs 16/flanging rollers 18 thereof will now be discussed. In such example, main housing 12 includes a plurality of stacked plates coupled together via a fixing bolt 26 and a biasing member 28 as discussed further below. In such example embodiment the stacked plates include: a top plate 30, a lower or mid-plate 40, and a base plate 50. Top plate 30 is formed from a rigid material or materials (e.g., without limitation, a metal alloy or other suitable material(s) and includes a central aperture 32 defined therein centered about the rotational axis 14, and a plurality (five are shown, without limitation, in such example) of circumferentially-spaced slotted through holes 34 defined therein. As shown in the top view of FIG. 7, each slotted through hole 34 extends between a first end 34A positioned closer to the rotational axis 14 and an opposite second end 34B positioned further from the rotational axis 14 and disposed with a centerline 34C thereof at a first angle θ with respect to a radial reference line RL extending from the rotational axis 14. As used herein, the phrase “a slotted through hole disposed at an angle” is to be interpreted as meaning “a slotted through hole disposed with a centerline at said angle”. In such example embodiment, each slotted through hole 34 is aligned with a respective radial reference line RL (only one is shown in FIG. 7), and thus each slotted through hole 34 is disposed at a first angle θ of 0 degrees, however, it is to be appreciated that each slotted through hole 34 may be positioned at a different first angle θ without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept.

Referring generally now to FIGS. 6 and 8, lower or mid-plate 40 is positioned below top plate 30 and formed from a rigid material or materials (e.g., without limitation, a metal alloy or other suitable material(s)). Mid-plate 40 includes a central aperture 42 defined therein centered about the rotational axis 14, and a plurality, five are shown in such example, of circumferentially-spaced slotted through holes 44 defined therein. Each slotted through hole 44 extends between a first end 44A positioned closer to the rotational axis 14 and an opposite second end 44B positioned further from the rotational axis 14 and is disposed with a centerline 44C thereof at a second angle φ (different from first angle θ) with respect to a radial reference line RL extending from the rotational axis 14.

Referring generally now to FIGS. 6 and 9, base plate 50 is positioned below mid-plate 40 (i.e., such that mid-plate 40 is sandwiched between top plate 30 and base plate 50) and is also formed from a rigid material or materials (e.g., without limitation, a metal alloy or other suitable material(s)). Base plate 50 includes a central aperture 52 defined therein centered about the rotational axis 14, and a plurality, five are shown in such example, of circumferentially-spaced slotted through holes 54 defined therein. Each slotted through hole 54 extends between a first end 54A positioned closer to the rotational axis 14 and an opposite second end 54B positioned further from the rotational axis 14 and is disposed with a centerline 54C thereof at the first angle θ (i.e., the same as top plate 30) with respect to a radial reference line RL extending from the rotational axis 14.

As generally previously discussed, when assembled as main housing 12, the stack of plates 30, 40, 50 are coupled together via fixing bolt 26. In such arrangement, fixing bolt 26 includes a flanged portion 26A positioned at or about a first end and a threaded portion 26B extending from at or about an opposite second end. Fixing bolt 26 extends through the central apertures 32, 42, 52 of the plates 30, 40, 50 with the threaded portion 26B threadingly engaging central aperture 52 of base plate 50, while plates 30 and 40 are generally free to rotate about fixing bolt 26. Biasing member 28, which in such example is in the form of a spring, serves to bias top plate 30 and mid-plate 40 away from flanged portion 26A of fixing bolt 26 and toward base plate 50. To complete flanger head 10, roller packs 16 are positioned in corresponding through holes 34, 44, 54 of each of plates 30, 40, 50. More particularly, an upper portion of each roller pack 16 is slidably disposed within a respective slotted through hole 34 of top plate 30, a lower portion of each roller pack 16 is slidably disposed within a respective slotted through hole 44 of lower or mid-plate 40, and a base portion of each roller pack 16 below the lower portion of each roller pack 16 is slidably disposed within a respective slotted through hole of base plate 50. Such interaction of each roller pack 16 with the differently angled slotted through holes 34 and 44 of top and mid-plates 30 and 40 (as well as the slotted through holes 54 of base plated 50) results in the roller packs 16 being selectively moveable between the first and second positionings of FIGS. 4 and 5 responsive to a predetermined rotational movement of the top plate 30 with respect to the lower mid-plate 40 (the base plate 50 generally follows along due to being generally the same arrangement as top plate 30).

In order to lock or fix roller packs 16 (and thus flanging rollers 18 thereof) in a desired one of either of the first or second positionings, the rotational positioning of top plate 30 and lower, mid-plate 40 with respect to each other is selectively fixable via a fixation arrangement 60. In the example flanger head 10, fixation arrangement 60 includes a number of pin members 62 (two are shown), each positioned in and extending from an aperture (not numbered) defined in mid-plate 40 that are each selectively engageable with a corresponding first aperture 64A defined in top plate 30 corresponding to the first positioning and a second aperture 64B defined in top plate 30 corresponding to the second positioning. It is to be appreciated that such arrangement 60 provides for changing from one positioning to another to be accomplished simply by pulling top plate 30 away from mid-plate 40 (i.e., against spring 28) such that pin member(s) 62 disengage from first or second aperture(s) 64A or 64B, rotating top plate 30 with respect to mid-plate 40 so as to align pin member(s) 62 with the other of aperture(s) 64A or 64B, and then allowing top plate 30 to return to being held against mid-plate 40 with the pin member(s) 62 now disposed in the other of aperture(s) 64A or 64B, thus locking the relative positioning of top plate 30 and mid-plate 40, and thus the positioning of the roller packs 18 and thus the flanging rollers 18 thereof.

Although shown as straight elements, it is to be appreciated that each of slotted through holes 33, 44, 54 may instead be some other two dimensional contour (effectively a cam) so that more precise or generally more optimum motion control of roller packs 16 and thus flanging rollers 18 thereof may be obtained based on the rotational motion of the plates. It is also to be appreciated that the general geometry of the top plate 30 and base plate 50 (which are generally the same in the illustrated example) could be swapped with the geometry of mid-plate 40 (i.e., mid plate 40 having the geometry of plates 30 and 50 and plates 30 and 50 having the geometry of plate 40) while providing the same adjustability. It is also to be appreciated that although shown/described as being adjustable among two positions, arrangements in accordance with the disclosed concept can be readily employed in applications where any number of adjustable positionings are desired by providing further fixed rotational positionings between plates 30 and 40.

Another example of a flanger head 10′ in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept which offers similarly adjustable roller members 16, and thus flanging rollers 18, as flanger head 10 will now be discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 10-14. Like flanger head 10, flanger head 10′ includes a main housing 12′ that is structured to be rotated about a central rotational axis 14 thereof. Flanger head 10′ further includes a plurality of roller packs 16, of similar or the same construction as previously discussed, positioned in main housing 12′. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-14, flanger head 10′ includes five roller packs 16, however, it is to be appreciated that the quantity of roller packs 16 may be varied without varying from the scope of disclosed concept. Unlike main housing 12 of flanger head 10 that utilizes a stack of plates and varying slotted through holes thereof that interact with roller packs 16, main housing 12′ of flanger head 10′ utilizes, and thus includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced slots or slotted through holes 70 defined therein and curved shim members 72 that interact with roller members 16 to provide for adjustable positioning of each roller member 16 within a respective slotted through hole 70. More particularly, each slotted through hole 70 extends between a first end 70A positioned closer to the rotational axis 14 and an opposite second end 70B positioned further from the rotational axis 14. In the example shown in FIGS. 10-14, each slotted through hole 70 is oriented only radially, however, it is to be appreciated that the plurality of slotted through holes may be uniformly oriented at other angles with respect to respective radial reference lines without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. In such example arrangement a first positioning of the roller packs 16, similar to that previously discussed in regard to FIG. 4, is achieved by positioning each roller pack 16 adjacent the second end 70B of each respective slotted through hole 70 and spaced from the first end 70A by a respective shim 72, such as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Meanwhile, a second positioning of the roller packs 16, similar to that previously discussed in regard to FIG. 5, is achieved by positioning each roller pack 16 adjacent the first end 70A of each respective slotted through hole 70 and spaced from the second end 70B by a respective shim 72, such as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. It is to be appreciated that further positionings of roller packs 16 may be provided by utilizing shims of desired sizings adjacent both ends 70A and 70B of through holes 70.

From the foregoing examples it is thus to be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosed concept provide arrangements for flanging can bodies that provide for adjustability not available with conventional arrangements.

While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept 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.