ARRANGEMENTS AND METHODS FOR NECKING A CAN BODY

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed concept relates generally to arrangements for necking can bodies and, more particularly to arrangements for necking can bodies which require less pressurized air than conventional arrangements. The disclosed concept further relates to necker machines including such arrangements and to methods of necking can bodies employing such arrangements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Can bodies are, typically, formed in a bodymaker. That is, a bodymaker forms blanks such as, but not limited to, disks or cups into an elongated can body. A can body includes a base and a depending sidewall. The sidewall is open at the end opposite the base. The bodymaker, typically, includes a ram/punch that moves the blanks through a number of dies to form the can body. The can body is ejected from the ram/punch for further processing such as, but not limited to, trimming, washing, printing, flanging, inspecting, and placed on pallets which are shipped to the filler. At the filler, the cans are taken off of the pallets, filled, ends placed on them and then the filled cans are repackaged in six packs and/or twelve pack cases, etc.

Some can bodies are further formed in a necker machine. Necker machines are structured to reduce the cross-sectional area of a portion of a can body sidewall, i.e., at the open end of the sidewall. That is, prior to coupling a can end to the can body, the diameter/radius of the can body sidewall open end is reduced relative to the diameter/radius of other portions of the can body sidewall. The necker machine includes a number of processing and/or forming stations disposed in series. That is, the processing and/or forming stations are disposed adjacent to each other and a transfer assembly moves a can body between adjacent processing and/or forming stations with a can body being necked a further amount at each subsequent station.

As aluminum can material thicknesses have decreased over time to reduce material costs, the support needed to produce a good quality can and meet specifications has become increasingly difficult. Today, the can is pressurized with air to provide enough support on the top wall of the can during the necking process. Such pressurization requires energy which can be costly, particularly as the world trends toward energy efficiencies. There is thus room for improvement in arrangements for necking can bodies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the disclosed concept significantly reduce the amount of compressed air needed to carry out necking operations on a can body. As one aspect of the disclosed concept, an arrangement for necking a can body is provided. The arrangement comprises: a necking die having a cylindrical inner surface and an inwardly tapered surface positioned about a longitudinal axis, the cylindrical inner surface extending from an outer opening of the die to the inwardly tapered surface, and the inwardly tapered surface extending from the cylindrical inner surface to an inner central opening, one or both of the cylindrical inner surface and/or the inwardly tapered surface being structured to sealingly engage an open first end of a can body; and a projecting member sealingly engaged with the necking die and extending from the inner central opening outward from the outer opening along the longitudinal axis of the necking die, the projecting member being sized and configured to extend a predetermined distance into an interior volume of a can body sealingly engaged with the one or both of the cylindrical inner surface and/or the inwardly tapered surface of the necking die.

The projecting member may comprise a cylindrical body. The projecting member may comprise a distal end having a dished portion defined therein.

The projecting member may be sized to occupy at least fifty percent of the interior volume of a can body sealingly engaged with the one or both of the cylindrical inner surface and/or the inwardly tapered surface of the necking die.

The projecting member may be sized to occupy at least sixty percent of the interior volume of a can body sealingly engaged with the one or both of the cylindrical inner surface and/or the inwardly tapered surface of the necking die.

The projecting member may be sized to occupy at least sixty-four percent of the interior volume of a can body sealingly engaged with the one or both of the cylindrical inner surface and/or the inwardly tapered surface of the necking die.

The necking die may comprise a passage extending from the inner central opening away from the outer opening, wherein projecting member is at least partially disposed within the passage, and wherein the projecting member is movable among: an extended positioning wherein the projecting member extends from the outer opening; and a retracted positioning wherein the projecting member is retracted into the passage so as to not extend beyond the inner central opening of the necking die. The arrangement may further comprise an actuating arrangement operatively coupled to the projecting member, the actuating arrangement being structured to move the projecting member among the extended positioning and the retracted positioning. The projecting member may comprise a cylindrical body. The projecting member may comprise a distal end having a dished portion defined therein.

The arrangement may further comprise a seal element positioned between the projecting member and the passage, wherein the seal element is sealingly engaged with both of the projecting member and the passage.

The projecting member may comprise an air passage defined therethrough, the air passage being structured to convey a supply of pressurized gas into a can body sealingly engaged with the one or both of the cylindrical inner surface and/or the inwardly tapered surface being of an open first end of the can body.

As another aspect of the disclosed concept, a method of necking a can body is provided. The method comprises: moving a first end of the can body toward, and into engagement with, a necking die to seal an internal volume of the can body with the necking die; increasing the air pressure in the internal volume by moving a projecting member into the internal volume; and necking the can body by moving the can body further toward and into the necking die.

The method may further comprise increasing the air pressure in the internal volume by providing a flow of pressurized gas to the internal volume prior to necking the can body. Providing the flow of pressurized gas to the internal volume prior to necking the can body may comprise providing the flow of pressurized gas via an air passage defined in the projecting member positioned in the internal volume.

The method may further comprise: withdrawing the projecting member from the internal volume after necking the can body; and moving the can body away from the necking die.

The method may further comprise: securing a base of the can body opposite to the first end to a push pad of a pusher arrangement using a vacuum force; and using the pusher arrangement to carry out the moving of the first end of the can body toward, and into engagement with, the necking die.

As yet a further aspect of the disclosed concept, a method of necking a can body is provided. The method comprises: moving a first end of the can body toward, and into engagement with, a necking die to seal an internal volume of the can body with the necking die; increasing the air pressure in the internal volume by providing a flow of pressurized gas to the internal volume via an air passage defined in a projecting member positioned in the internal volume; and necking the can body by moving the can body further toward and into the necking die.

Moving the first end of the can body toward, and into engagement with, the necking die may further comprise moving the can body about the projecting member such that the projecting member extends into the internal volume of the can member.

The method may further comprise: securing a base of the can body opposite to the first end to a push pad of a pusher arrangement using a vacuum force; and using the pusher arrangement to carry out the moving of the first end of the can body toward, and into engagement with, the necking die.

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 for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

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 perspective view of a necker machine in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the necker machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a can body;

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic perspective view of a processing station of the necker machine of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an arrangement of the processing station of FIG. 4 for necking a can body showing a can body prior to engagement with a necking die;

FIG. 6 is another sectional view similar to that of FIG. 5 showing the can body sealingly engaged with the necking die prior to being necked by the die;

FIG. 7 is a further sectional view similar to those of FIGS. 5 and 6 showing a volume filler positioned in the can body prior to the can body being necked;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIGS. 5-7, of an arrangement for necking a can body in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept for use in a processing station such as shown in FIG. 4 showing a can body prior to engagement with a necking die; and

FIG. 9 is another sectional view similar to that of FIG. 8 showing the can body sealingly engaged with the necking die prior to being necked by the die.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be appreciated that the specific elements 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. Accordingly, 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, “associated” means that the elements are part of the same assembly and/or operate together, or, act upon/with each other in some manner. For example, an automobile has four tires and four hub caps. While all the elements are coupled as part of the automobile, it is understood that each hubcap is “associated” with a specific tire.

As used herein, a “fastener” is a separate component structured to couple two or more elements. Thus, for example, a bolt is a “fastener” but a tongue-and-groove coupling is not a “fastener.” That is, the tongue-and-groove elements are part of the elements being coupled and are not a separate component.

As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs. As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in 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. As used herein, “adjustably fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant general orientation or position relative to each other while being able to move in a limited range or about a single axis. For example, a doorknob is “adjustably fixed” to a door in that the doorknob is rotatable, but generally the doorknob remains in a single position relative to the door. Further, a cartridge (nib and ink reservoir) in a retractable pen is “adjustably fixed” relative to the housing in that the cartridge moves between a retracted and extended position, but generally maintains its orientation relative to the housing. Accordingly, when two elements are coupled, all portions of those elements are coupled. Further, 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, the phrase “removably coupled” or “temporarily coupled” means that one component is coupled with another component in an essentially temporary manner. That is, the two components are coupled in such a way that the joining or separation of the components is easy and would not damage the components. For example, two components secured to each other with a limited number of readily accessible fasteners, i.e., fasteners that are not difficult to access, are “removably coupled” whereas two components that are welded together or joined by difficult to access fasteners are not “removably coupled.”

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, the statement that two or more parts or components “engage” one another means that the elements exert a force or bias against one another either directly or through one or more intermediate elements or components. Further, as used herein with regard to moving parts, a moving part may “engage” another element during the motion from one position to another and/or may “engage” another element once in the described position. Thus, it is understood that the statements, “when element A moves to element A first position, element A engages element B,” and “when element A is in element A first position, element A engages element B” are equivalent statements and mean that element A either engages element B while moving to element A first position and/or element A either engages element B while in element A first position.

As used herein, “sealingly engage” means to engage another object in a manner such that a seal of sufficient extent for a particular intended application is achieved. Such engagement may be direct or indirect.

As used herein, “operatively engage” means “engage and move.” That is, “operatively engage” when used in relation to a first component that is structured to move a movable or rotatable second component means that the first component applies a force sufficient to cause the second component to move. For example, a screwdriver may be placed into contact with a screw. When no force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver is merely “temporarily coupled” to the screw. If an axial force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver is pressed against the screw and “engages” the screw. However, when a rotational force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver “operatively engages” the screw and causes the screw to rotate. Further, with electronic components, “operatively engage” means that one component controls another component by a control signal or current.

As used herein, “correspond” indicates that two structural components are sized and shaped to be similar to each other and may be coupled with a minimum amount of friction. Thus, an opening which “corresponds” to a member is sized slightly larger than the member so that the member may pass through the opening with a minimum amount of friction. This definition is modified if the two components are to fit “snugly” together. In that situation, the difference between the size of the components is even smaller whereby the amount of friction increases. If the element defining the opening and/or the component inserted into the opening is/are made from a deformable or compressible material, the opening may even be slightly smaller than the component being inserted into the opening. With regard to surfaces, shapes, and lines, two, or more, “corresponding” surfaces, shapes, or lines have generally the same size, shape, and contours.

As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component that 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, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality). That is, for example, the phrase “a number of elements” means one element or a plurality of elements. It is specifically noted that the term “a ‘number’ of [X]” includes a single [X].

As employed herein, the terms “can” and “container” are used substantially interchangeably to refer 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 beverage cans, as well as food cans.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a necker machine 10 in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept is structured to reduce the diameter of a portion of a can body 1. Necker machine 10 is of similar construction and operates in a similar manner as necker machines described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 11,370,015 and 11,565,303 (each commonly assigned to the same assignee as the present application) except for further details of particular aspects thereof such as provided below. Accordingly, only a general overview of major components of necker machine 10 and the general operation thereof is provided herein.

As used herein, to “neck” means to reduce the diameter/radius of a portion of a can body 1. That is a can body 1, such as shown (for example, without limitation) in FIG. 3, includes a base 2 with an upwardly-depending sidewall 3. The base 2 and sidewall 3 define a generally enclosed space, also referred to herein as the internal volume 4. In the embodiment discussed below, the can body 1 is a generally circular and/or an elongated cylinder. It is understood that this is only one exemplary shape and that the can body 1 can have other shapes. The can body 1 has a longitudinal axis 5. The sidewall 3 has a first end 6 and a second end 7. The base 2 is at the second end 7 and the first end 6 is open. The first end 6 initially has substantially the same radius/diameter as the sidewall 3, however following forming operations in the necker machine 10, the radius/diameter of the first end 6 is smaller than the other portions of the radius/diameter at the sidewall 3.

The necker machine 10 includes an infeed assembly 11, a plurality of processing/forming stations 20, a transfer assembly 30, and a drive assembly (not numbered). Hereinafter, processing/forming stations 20 are identified by the term “processing stations 20” and refer to generic processing stations 20. As is known, the processing stations 20 are disposed adjacent to each other and in series. That is, the can bodies 1 being processed by the necker machine 10 each move from an upstream location through a series of processing stations 20 in the same sequence. The can bodies 1 follow a path, hereinafter, the “work path 9” (FIG. 2). That is, the necker machine 10 defines the work path 9 wherein can bodies 1 move from an “upstream” location to a “downstream” location; as used herein, “upstream” generally means closer to the infeed assembly 11 and “downstream” means closer to an exit assembly 12. With regard to elements that define the work path 9, each of those elements have an “upstream” end and a “downstream end” wherein the can bodies move from the “upstream” end to the “downstream end.” Thus, as used herein, the nature/identification of an element, assembly, sub-assembly, etc. as an “upstream” or “downstream” element or assembly, or, being in an “upstream” or “downstream” location, is inherent. Further, as used herein, the nature/identification of an element, assembly, sub-assembly, etc. as an “upstream” or “downstream” element or assembly, or, being in an “upstream” or “downstream” location, is a relative term.

Each processing station 20 has a similar width W (FIG. 2) and the can body 1 is processed and/or formed (or partially formed), i.e., “necked”, as the can body 1 moves generally across the width. Generally, the processing/forming occurs in/at a turret 22. That is, the term “turret 22” identifies a generic turret. Each processing station 20 includes a non-vacuum starwheel 24 having a plurality of pockets 26. As used herein, a “non-vacuum starwheel” means a starwheel that does not include, or is not associated with, a vacuum assembly that is structured to apply a vacuum to the starwheel pockets 26. Further, each processing station 20 typically includes one turret 22 and one non-vacuum starwheel 24.

The transfer assembly 30 is structured to move the can bodies 1 between adjacent processing stations 20. The transfer assembly 30 includes a plurality of vacuum starwheels 32. As used herein, a “vacuum starwheel” means a starwheel assembly that includes, or is associated with, a vacuum assembly that is structured to apply a vacuum to the starwheel pockets 34. Further, the term “vacuum starwheel 32” identifies a generic vacuum starwheel 32. A vacuum starwheel 32 includes a disk-like body (FIG. 2) or a disk-like body assembly, and a plurality of pockets 34 disposed on the radial surface of the disk-like body 33. When used in association with generally cylindrical can bodies 1, the pockets 34 are generally semi-cylindrical. A vacuum assembly (not numbered), selectively applies suction to the pockets 34 and is structured to selectively couple a can body 1 to a pocket 34. It is understood, and as used herein, that “to apply a vacuum to a pocket 34” means that a vacuum (or suction) is applied to a starwheel pocket via at least one suitable passage. As such, components of the transfer assembly 30 such as, but not limited to, the vacuum starwheels 32 are also identified as parts of the processing stations 20. Conversely, the non-vacuum starwheel 24 of the processing stations 20 also move the can bodies 1 between processing stations 20 so the non-vacuum starwheels 24 are also identified as part of the transfer assembly 30.

It is noted that the plurality of processing stations 20 are structured to neck different types of can bodies 1 and/or to neck can bodies in different configurations. Thus, each processing station 20 of the plurality is structured to be added and removed from the necker machine 10 depending upon the need. To accomplish this, the necker machine 10 includes a frame assembly 36 to which the plurality of processing stations 20 are removably coupled. Alternatively, the frame assembly 36 includes elements incorporated into each of the plurality of processing station 20 so that the plurality of processing stations 20 are structured to be temporarily coupled to each other. The frame assembly 36 has an upstream end 38 and a downstream end 40. Further, the frame assembly 36 includes elongated members, panel members (neither numbered), or a combination of both. As is known, panel members coupled to each other, or coupled to elongated members, form a housing. Accordingly, as used herein, a housing is also identified as a “frame assembly 36.”

Generally, each processing station 20 is structured to partially form (i.e., neck) the can body 1 so as to reduce the cross-sectional area of the can body first end 6 a predetermined amount. The processing stations 20 include some elements that are unique to a single processing station 20, such as, but not limited to, a specific die size. Other elements of the processing stations 20 are common to all, or most, of the processing stations 20. The following discussion is related to the common elements and, as such, the discussion is directed to a single generic processing (forming) station 20′ of the processing stations 20. It is understood, however, that any processing station 20 can include the elements discussed below.

Referring generally now to the isolated view of the representative processing station 20′ of FIG. 4 (in addition to FIG. 3), during necking operations, a can body 1 is received in a pocket 34 of the vacuum starwheel 32 of the processing station 20′ generally at a receiving point, such as generally indicated at 50. Depending on the positioning of the processing station, the can body 1 received at 50 may be received from an infeed assembly 11 or from a non-vacuum starwheel 24 of an adjacent processing station 20. The can body 1 moves with pocket 34 as the vacuum starwheel 32 rotates in a direction as shown by the arrow 52, until the can body 1 reaches a transfer point, such as generally indicated at 54, wherein the can body 1 transfers from a pocket 34 of the vacuum starwheel 32 to a pocket 26 of the non-vacuum starwheel 24 of the turret 22. The can body 1 then moves with the non-vacuum starwheel 24 as it rotates with the turret 22 in a direction as shown by the arrow 56 about a rotation axis 57, until the can body 1 reaches another transfer point, such as generally shown at 58, wherein the (now partially necked) can body 1 is transferred to the vacuum starwheel 32 of an adjacent downstream processing station 20. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that transfer points 50 and 58 correspond among each processing station 20 of the necker machine 10.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 4, and additionally FIGS. 5-7, while moving about the rotation axis 57 on the turret 22 and positioned in a pocket 26 of the starwheel 24, the first end 6 of the sidewall 3 of each can body 1 is engaged with a corresponding necking die 60 by a pusher arrangement 70 having a push pad 72 which is structured to engage the base 2 of the can body 1 and translate (i.e., push) the can body 1 parallel to the rotation axis 57, such as shown by the arrow P in FIG. 5. The can body 1 is held to the push pad 72 via a vacuum force provided from a suitable vacuum source (not shown) via a vacuum port (or ports) 74 (FIGS. 5-7) defined in the push pad 72 so as to remain firmly secured to the push pad 72 while moving toward, or away from, the corresponding necking die 60 until the can body 1 is transferred to an adjacent processing station 20 (or other appropriate arrangement). While only one necking die 60 and one complete pusher arrangement 70 are shown on turret 22 in FIG. 4, it is to be appreciated that a plurality of such elements disposed about the turret 22 are utilized in example embodiments of the disclosed concept (e.g., without limitation, the arrangement of FIG. 4 would employ twelve necking dies 60 and twelve corresponding pusher arrangements 70).

Having thus provided a general overview of the operation of a processing station 20 of a necker machine 10, particular details of an arrangement 80 for necking a can body 1 in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept will now be described in conjunction with FIGS. 5-7. The arrangement 80 includes the necking die 60 of conventional design. Accordingly, the necking die has a cylindrical inner surface 82 and an inwardly tapered surface 84 positioned about a longitudinal axis 86. The cylindrical inner surface 82 extends from an outer opening 88 of the die 60 to the inwardly tapered surface. The inwardly tapered surface 84 extends from the cylindrical inner surface 82 to an inner central opening 90. One or both of the cylindrical inner surface 82 and/or the inwardly tapered surface 84 is structured to sealingly engage the open first end 6 of a can body 1 when a can body 1 mounted on a push pad 72 of a pusher arrangement 72 is engaged with one or both of the surfaces 82 and/or 84 by the pusher arrangement 72. The arrangement 80 further includes a projecting member 92 sealingly engaged with the necking die 60. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7, the projecting member 92 comprises a cylindrical body having a dished portion 93 defined in a distal end thereof, however, it is to be appreciated that the projecting member 92 may vary from such specific shape(s) without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. It is also to be appreciated that in such example the projecting member 92 is formed as a multi-piece element including a knockout member 91 of generally conventional design, however the projecting member may be formed as a single unitary body or other suitable arrangement without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. The necking die 60 includes a passage 94 extending from the inner central opening 90 away from the outer opening 88 with the projecting member 92 at least partially disposed therein. In such example embodiment, the projecting member 92 is sealingly engaged with the passage 94 via a seal arrangement 95 (e.g., O-ring or other suitable arrangement(s)) and is movable among: a retracted positioning (such as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) wherein the projecting member 92 is retracted into the passage 94 so as to not extend beyond the inner central opening 90 of the necking die 60, and an extended positioning (such as shown in FIG. 7) wherein the projecting member 92 extends outward from the outer opening 88 of the necking die 60. In an example embodiment of the disclosed concept the projecting member 92 has been sized so as to occupy at least 50% of the internal volume 4 of a can body 1 engaged with the necking die 60 when the projecting member 92 is disposed in the extended positioning. In another example embodiment, the projecting member 92 has been sized so as to occupy at least 60% of the internal volume 4 of a can body 1 engaged with the necking die 60 when the projecting member 92 is disposed in the extended positioning. In yet a further example embodiment, the projecting member 92 has been sized so as to occupy at least 64% of the internal volume 4 of a can body 1 engaged with the necking die 60 when the projecting member 92 is disposed in the extended positioning.

In order to provide for selective movement of the projecting member 92, the purpose of which is discussed below, the arrangement 80 further includes an actuating arrangement 96 (e.g., a fixed cam and cam follower engaged therewith) operatively coupled to the projecting member 92, the actuating arrangement 96 being structured to move the projecting member 92 along the longitudinal axis 86 of the necking die 60 among the extended positioning and the retracted positioning. As discussed further below, such movement of the projecting member 92 is dependent on an angular positioning of the arrangement 80 about the rotation axis 57 of the turret 22.

Having thus described the general components and layout of the example arrangement 80, operation of the arrangement 80 in necking a can body 1 will now be briefly discussed in regard to FIGS. 5-7 which generally show the process of loading, sealing, and pressurizing a can body 1. Beginning with FIG. 5, the can body 1 is held by its base 2 on the push pad 72 by a vacuum provided via vacuum port 74 after being transferred to turret 22 and has not yet entered the necking die 60. During such time, the projecting member 92 is in the retracted positioning such as discussed above and ready for the can body 1 to be sealed against the necking die 60. In such positioning, the projecting member 92 is sealed to the necking die 60 by the seal arrangement 95. Moving onto FIG. 6, the can body 1 has been pushed by the push pad 72 and pusher arrangement 70 along the axis 86, in a direction such as shown by the arrow P (FIG. 5) so that the first end 6 engages the necking die 60, thus sealing the internal volume 4 of the can body 1. Moving now to FIG. 7, the projecting member 92 has been moved along the axis 86 into the internal volume 4 by the actuating arrangement 96, in the direction such as shown by arrow A (FIG. 6) from the retracted positioning to the extended positioning. Such movement of the projecting member 92 into the sealed internal volume 4 displaces the corresponding volume of the projecting member 92 and thus pressurizes the remaining internal volume 4 of the can body 1. Now that the internal volume 4 has been pressurized the standard necking process of further pressing the first end 6 of the can body 1 against the necking die 60 is then performed. After the necking has been completed the can body 1, is then retracted from the necking die 60 via the push pad 72 of the pusher arrangement 70 and the projecting member 92 can also be retracted to the retracted positioning such that the can body 1 can be transferred to the next module in the necking machine 10 and a new can body 1 loaded from the preceding module for the process to be repeated. During such operation the movement of the projecting member 92 is carried out by the actuating arrangement 96 dependent on the angular positioning of the arrangement 80 about the rotational axis 57 of the turret 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, another example embodiment of an arrangement 80′ for necking a can body 1 in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept will now be described. Arrangement 80′ is of generally the same construction as the arrangement 80 of FIGS. 5-7 except the projecting member 92′ is provided with at least one air passage 94 defined therethrough that is structured to convey a supply of pressurized gas from a suitable source (not shown) into the interior volume 4 of a can body 1 having a first end 6 sealingly engaged with one or both of the cylindrical inner surface 82 or the inwardly tapered surface 84. In such embodiment, the projection member 92′ may be fixed in the extended position previously discussed or moveable along the longitudinal axis 86 via an actuating arrangement 96.

In use in necking a can body 1, a can body 1 held (such as previously discussed) on a push pad 72 of a pusher arrangement 70 by the base 2 of the can body 1 would first be positioned near the projection member 92', such as shown in FIG. 8. Next, the can body 1 is pushed by the pusher arrangement 70 into the necking die 60. After the first end 6 of the can body 1 is engaged with one or both of the cylindrical inner surface 82 and/or the inwardly tapered surface 84 of the necking die 60 the internal volume 4 of the can body 1 is pressurized by external air provided via the air passage 94 and a standard necking process is then performed. After the necking process has been completed, the can body 1 is then retracted from the necking die 60 and clear of the projecting member 92′ by the pusher arrangement 70 and the can body 1 can then be transferred to the next module in the necking machine 10 and a new can body 1 loaded from the preceding module for the process to be repeated. In order to minimize movement/translation of can bodies 1 toward/from the necking die 60 and projecting member 92′ of FIGS. 8 and 9, the projecting member 92′ may be retracted, wholly, or partially, into necking die 60 as previously discussed as the can body 1 is withdrawn from the necking die 60 after necking. In such example, the projecting member 92′ is moved back to the extended positioning prior to, or generally simultaneously with engagement of a subsequent can body 1 with the necking die 60.

The arrangement of FIGS. 8 and 9 may also be employed in carrying out a further method of necking a can body 1 which is generally a combination of the two previously described methods. More particularly, the method described in conjunction with the arrangement 80 of FIGS. 5-7 is carried out up to the point where the necking operation is about to be carried out in order to provide a first amount of pressurization to the internal can volume 4. However, before the actual physical necking of the can body 1 is carried out, the internal volume 4 is further pressurized by external air provided via the air passage 94. Such provision of the external air may occur after, or during, movement of the projecting member 92′ to the extended positioning as either approach can be used to reach a desired pressure within the internal volume 4 that requires less pressurized gas than conventional arrangements. Once the internal volume 4 has been pressurized, a standard necking process is then performed. After the necking process has been completed, the can body 1 is then retracted from the necking die 60 by the pusher arrangement 70 and the projecting member 92′ is moved to the retracted positioning and the can body 1 can then be transferred to the next module in the necking machine 10 and a new can body 1 loaded from the preceding module for the process to be repeated.

From the foregoing examples it is thus to be appreciated that the disclosed concept provides for less compressed air to be used in a necker machine. Historically the necker is a primary consumer of compressed air in a can plant while compressed air is one of the most expensive operational costs in a can plant. Embodiments of the disclosed concept can significantly reduce the operational costs to customers, while reducing the can plants carbon emissions.

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 a 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. In any device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.