High speed necking configuration

Abstract

A horizontal can necking machine assembly includes a plural of main turrets and a plural of transfer starwheels. Each main turret includes a main turret shaft, a main gear mounted on the main turret shaft, a pusher assembly, and a die capable of necking a can body upon actuation of the turret shaft. Each transfer starwheel includes a transfer shaft and a transfer gear mounted on the transfer shaft. The main gears are engaged with the transfer gears such that lines through the main gear center and the centers of opposing transfer gears form an included angle of less than 170 degrees, thereby increasing the angular range available for necking the can body. The main turrets and transfer starwheels may operate to neck and move at least 2800 cans per minute, and each pusher assembly may have a stroke length relative to the die that is at least 1.5 inches.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A horizontal beverage can necking machine assembly for forming necked beverage can bodies suitable for forming a seam with a beverage can end, the assembly comprising multiple horizontal necking stages adapted for necking at least  3000  beverage can bodies per minute;
 each one of the main turrets including a substantially horizontal main turret shaft, a main turret starwheel having plural main pockets adapted for carrying can bodies, and a main gear adapted to drive the main turret shaft;, each one of the main pockets having a necking assembly including a necking die; wherein each one of the main turrets is configured to supply compressed air into the can body upon contact of the can body with the necking assembly; 
 each one of the transfer turrets including a substantially horizontal transfer turret shaft, a transfer turret starwheel having plural starwheel pockets adapted for carrying can bodies, and a transfer gear adapted to drive the transfer shaft; 
 the main turrets and the transfer turrets being arranged such that the main turret gears and transfer turret gears form a sawtooth configuration; each one of the main gears formed of a composite material comprising a plastic and each one of the transfer gears formed of a composite material comprising a plastic such that main gears and transfer gears are configured to operate without being disposed in an oil-tight chamber; 
 wherein the sawtooth configuration of the main turrets and the transfer turrets provides a greater necking operative zone compared with a necking operative zone of in-line turret necking machines.