Patent ID: 6240760
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
A necking system for successively reducing the diameter of the end of a can in a plurality of discrete steps, comprising:a) a first necking machine, said first necking machine comprising (i) a first input feed wheel for receiving a can having an end having a diameter, (ii) first necking means for reducing said diameter of said can end so as to produce a partially necked can, (iii) a first discharge wheel for discharging said partially necked can, and (iv) a first gear train, said first gear train comprising a first gear, said first discharge wheel driven by said first gear;b) a second necking machine, said second necking machine comprising (i) a second input feed wheel for receiving said partially necked can, (ii) second necking means for further reducing said diameter of said partially necked can end so as to produce a further necked can, (iii) a second discharge wheel for discharging said further necked can, and (iv) a second gear train, said second gear train comprising a second gear, said second input feed wheel driven by said second gear; andc) a transfer module coupling said first and second necking machines, said transfer module comprising (i) a transfer wheel located to receive said partially necked can from said first discharge wheel of said first necking machine and to deliver said partially necked can to said second input feed wheel of said second necking machine, and (ii) a third gear, said transfer wheel driven by said third gear, said third gear driving one of said first and second gears and driven by the other one of said first and second gears.