Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing a contoured design confirguration in the wall of an open ended container workpiece employs plural molds on a rotating turret an which a plurality of molds are provided with each mold having an inwardly facing wall having the desired configuration. The workpiece is delivered from a pneumatic conveyor and vacuum star wheel into an open mold which then closes and the interior of the workpiece is pressurized with air. A rotary wand moves into the workpiece and discharges high velocity rotating liquid jets against the inner wall surface of the workpiece to forcefully move the wall outwardly into conforming contact with the inner wall surface of the mold to effect permanent reshaping of the workpiece into the desired configuration. Spent workfluid is continuously removed from the workpiece while the high velocity liquid jets are impinging on the inner surface of the workpiece so that static pressure does not build up in the workpiece nor play any substantial part in the reshaping operation which is effected solely by the impact force of the high velocity jets. Upon completion of the shaping of the wall, the finished container is removed from the mold and conveyed by a vacuum starwheel to a pneumatic removal corner.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a division of U.S. Ser. No. 08/917,330 filed Aug. 25, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,939 which is a continuation-in-part of earlier U.S. Ser. No. 08/582,866 filed on Jan. 4, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,317. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A variety of devices and methods for forming metal containers of aluminum and other metals have evolved over the years due to the continuous need for higher speed, metal use reduction and improved product appearance needs. In recent years there has been an increased emphasis on the provision of aluminum beverage containers having contoured “shaped” non-cylindrical sidewalls employing flutes, ribs, diamond, waffle or other patterns heretofore not obtainable with then known procedures. A substantial variety of approaches to the forming and shaping of metal containers and the like have evolved; however such prior art has not resulted in any high speed commercially satisfactory or acceptable devices capable of making metal beverage or the like containers with contoured sidewalls of the foregoing type. 
     Tominaga et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,422 discloses a jet molding device using the impinging impact force of a waterjet deflected by a member  21  against the workpiece  9  to configure the workpiece to the contour of the cavity  11  of mold  12  in which the workpiece is positioned. 
     Inoue U.S. Pat. No. 3,566,647 discloses a system for deforming a workpiece  10  by the action of a high pressure jet projected from an amiable barrel  11 A. A Pump  15 B creates kinetic energy which is increased by an electrode  12  from which a spark discharge flows to the wall of tube  11  to provide a shock wave. The action of the shock wave and pressure jet supposedly provide a synergistic effect giving more energy than one would anticipate from the sum of the two items. 
     Burney U.S. Pat. No. 3,485,073 discloses an internal peening apparatus having a lance element  11  moved up and down and rotated while ejecting shot against the internal surface of a workpiece to harden the surface. 
     Koether U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,041,355 and 2,032,020 disclose outwardly expanding a piston wall by bombarding solid peening material forcibly thrown against the interior surface of the piston wall. The peening material is withdrawn through the conduits  31  and  32  and the pipe  25  may be moved longitudinally and rotated about its axis. 
     Johnson U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,371 discloses a method of pre-stressing the working surfaces of cylinders by shot peening followed by autofrettaging. The shot peening is effected by a rotating and reciprocating wand. 
     Faulkener et al. U.K. Patent Application Publication G.B. 2,224,965 a can reshaping apparatus employing compressed air fed through openings  56  in a mandrel  52  so that air pressure causes the can to expand to conform to the interior surface of a mold which can be opened and closed as shown. 
     Shimakata et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,102) discloses a method and apparatus for molding a container-like workpiece by the use of water pressure in a workpiece positioned internally of a separable upper mold half  30  and a lower mold half  19 . 
     Coe (U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,466) discloses the use of hydraulic water jets provided through openings  8   a  in a hollow non-rotating “needle”  5  for deforming a workpiece outwardly for shaping by die means  10 , 11  which can be opened and closed. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is in the field of apparatus and methods for forming aluminum or other metal beverage containers having contoured side walls and is specifically directed to the field of apparatus and methods employing high velocity liquidjets providing impact force, with minimal reliance on static pressure, for forcing the container wall into conformity with the inner wall of a mold to permanently deform and shape the container wall. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention uses the impact of high velocity fluid jets impacting the interior wall of a workpiece to force the wall outwardly into conformity with the contour of a surrounding mold in which the workpiece is positioned. More specifically, nozzles providing fluid jets are axially spaced on a rotary wand positioned internally of a can positioned upside-down in a surrounding mold. The mold is formed of two hinged components which are opened to initially received the workpiece and for removal of the finished can. The wand and jets are concurrently axially moved up and down and the wand rotated about its axis inside the workpiece so that the impact of the workfluid from the jets distorts the workpiece wall outwardly to conform with the internal surface of the closed mold. The workpiece is first prestressed with air pressure on its interior and the forced outwardly by the fluid jets to conform in the interior surface of the mold. A significant aspect of the invention is the fact that the spent working fluid is continually purged from the container by the air pressure in the workpiece by a drain line while the jets are simultaneously operating; thus, static pressure does not build up in the can. Multiple identical workstations each employing the foregoing structures are mounted for rotation on radial tables supported for rotation on a vertical support column to provide a continuous process in which workpieces are fed into the apparatus and finished containers are removed from the apparatus by infeed and outfeed vacuum starwheels to effect a high speed continuous operation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the base and workfluid reservoir portions of the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively vertical elevations, partially in section, of the lowermost and uppermost components of the preferred embodiments for practice of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 1C illustrates the relationship between FIG.  1 A and FIG. 1B; 
     FIG. 2 is a section view taken along lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a section taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the base assembly looking downwardly from above the main drive gear cover; 
     FIG. 4A is an elevation of an elevation of an inverted workpiece; 
     FIG. 4B is an elevation of an typical inverted container produced by the invention from use of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 4C is a plan view of the infeed and outfeed starwheels; 
     FIG. 4D is a section taken along the centers of the infeed and outfeed starwheels; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lower base component without any attachments; 
     FIG. 5A is a front elevation of the lower base component of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 6 is a left side elevation of the lower base component of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a right side elevation of the lower base component of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of the wand hydraulic control valve and its support table and the lowermost rotary support table on which it is mounted; 
     FIG. 9 is a section view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevation of the lowermost component of the main support column of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the lowermost component of the main support column of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a front elevation of the uppermost components of the main support column; 
     FIG. 13 is a section view taken along line  13 — 13  of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a bisecting sectional view illustrating the structure immediately above that shown in FIG. 9 including the juncture of the uppermost lowermost components of the support column; 
     FIG. 15 is a section view taken along line  15 — 15  of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is a section view taken along line  16 — 16  of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 17 is a section view taken along line  17 — 17  of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 18 is a section view taken along line  18 — 18  of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 19 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of illustrating the overload release mounting of the mold control cam; 
     FIG. 20 is an enlarged plan view illustrating drive linkage means for rotating the rotary brush housing about the slip ring assembly; 
     FIG. 21 is a front elevation view of the rotary brush housing drive of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 22 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the three control cams of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 23 is a bisecting sectional view of the rotary mold support table and support and control means thereon; 
     FIG. 23A is a sectional view similar to FIG. 23 but additionally including mold details and wand control means support details; 
     FIG. 23B is a top plan view of FIG. 23A; 
     FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the middle rotary mold support table shown in section in FIG. 23; 
     FIG. 25 is a top plan view of a wand and the lower end portion of the workstation components immediately beneath the mold means; 
     FIG. 26 is a front elevation of the wand assembly of FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 27 is a section view taken along line  27 — 27  of FIG. 26; 
     FIG. 28 is a section view taken along line  28 — 28  of FIG. 26; 
     FIG. 29 is a section view taken along line  29 — 29  of FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 30 is a view taken along line  30 — 30  of FIG. 26; 
     FIG. 31 is a view taken along line  31 — 31  of FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 31A is a view similar to FIG. 31 but additionally illustrating details of the workfluid handling components of the invention; 
     FIG. 32 is a section view along line  32 — 32  of FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 33 is a section view along line  33 — 33  of FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 34 is a top plan view of several mold members and the cam control means for such mold members; 
     FIG. 35 is a bisecting sectional view taken through FIG. 34; 
     FIG. 36 is a horizontal section view of a mold shown in its closed condition; 
     FIG. 37 is a sectional view of the mold travel control means; 
     FIG. 38 is a top plan view of the rotary mold support table; 
     FIG. 39 is a section view taken along line  39 — 39  of FIG. 38; 
     FIG. 40 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of FIG. 39; 
     FIG. 41 is a bottom plan view of the rotary wand valve control table; 
     FIG. 42 is a section taken along line  42 — 42  of FIG. 41; 
     FIG. 43 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 43A is a front elevation partially in section of upper brace components of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 43B is a transverse section view taken through the slip ring housing; 
     FIG. 43C is a bisecting vertical sectional view of the upper end of the slip ring housing; 
     FIG. 44 is a bisecting sectional view of a high pressure workfluid rotary coupling employed for providing workfluid to the rotating wand; 
     FIG. 45 is a lower plan view of the high pressure workfluid rotary coupling of FIG. 44; 
     FIG. 46 is a vertical elevation, partially in section, of the upper internal component of the rotary coupling of FIG. 44; 
     FIG. 47 is a top plan view of the upper internal component of the rotary coupling of FIG. 46; 
     FIG. 48 is a bottom plan view of the upper internal component of the rotary coupling of FIG. 46; 
     FIG. 49 is a bisecting sectional view of the lower internal component of the rotary coupling of FIG. 44; 
     FIG. 50 is a top plan view of the lower internal component of the rotary coupling of FIG. 49; 
     FIG. 51 is a bisecting sectional view of the upper and lower seals in the rotary coupling of FIG. 44; 
     FIG. 52 is a top plan view of the pneumatic infeed and outfeed conveyors and the associated infeed and outfeed vacuum starwheels of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 53 is an end elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 52; 
     FIG. 54 is a flow chart illustrating the relationship of the controlled elements and the control means of the preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 55 is a timing chart illustrating a complete cycle of operation of a workstation in the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The primary components of the preferred embodiment of the invention are best illustrated from top to bottom in FIGS. 1A and 1B and include generally designated support and power components  2 , high pressure water control valve components  3 , workfluid jet wand support and control means  4 , work station mold and control means  5 , vacuum and air control valving  6 , workpiece handling means  7 , electrical control means  8  and water, air and vacuum input components  9 . 
     The supporting structure includes a cast iron base  10  and an associated bottom tie plate  12  rigidly connected thereto as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3. Base  10  is stabilized and leveled by a plurality of adjustable leveler devices  11  provided on its periphery. A main support column  11 C shown standing alone in FIG. 10 has a lower column component  16  supported by an annular base plate  14  which is attached to base  10  by machine screws. Additionally, cylindrical standards  13  (FIGS. 4 and 1A) extend upwardly from base  10  and support a rigid support plate  15  on which an infeed vacuum starwheel  13 A and outfeed vacuum starwheel  13 B are mounted as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D. Infeed vacuum starwheel  13 A feed workpieces WP (FIG. 4A) into the apparatus and outfeed vacuum starwheel  13 B removes finished containers FC (FIG. 4B) from the apparatus for delivery to a removal conveyor (not shown). 
     The lower portion of column  11 C comprises a large diameter cylindrical component  16  is above which a conical surface  16 A and a smaller cylindrical portion  16 B are provided as shown in FIG. 3. A planar radial surface  16 C supports a rotary bearing  17  as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Cylindrical surface  16 D engages the interior of bearing  17 . The cylindrical portion  16 D′ of the lower component  16  immediately above surface  16 D is of slightly less diameter than the diameter of surface  16 D. The upper portion of component  16  has an axial opening threaded at  19 . Upper end surface  16 E is engaged by downwardly facing radial surface  24  of a middle column component  20  best illustrated in FIG.  12 . 
     The middle column component  20 , has a threaded lower end portion  22  which is threaded in internal threads in bore  19  of the upper portion  16 C of lower column component  16 . Middle column component  20  also includes a central threaded portion  26 , an enlarged diameter component  21  and an upper end surface  23  which is unitarily connected to an upper column component  27  by welding. 
     Upper column component  27  has an axial high pressure workfluid bore  29  extending downwardly from the upper end of upper column component  27  to an internal core member  28  (FIG.  13 ). Axially extending diametrically opposed slots  30  extend through column component  27  into core member  28  and communicate with workfluid bore  29  at their upper ends as shown in FIG.  13 . The upper end of the component  27  is provided with external threads  34  as shown in FIG.  12 . 
     All of the aforementioned support column components  16 ,  20 ,  27  etc. are fixedly positioned and provide support for multiple rotary components mounted for rotation on the column about the vertical axis of the column. 
     More specifically, a thrust bearing  36  is supported on annular base plate  14  and is co-axial with respect to the lower end portion of the column  16  as shown in FIG.  3 . Thrust bearing  36  provides support for a lower cylindrical rotary support sleeve  38  which is mounted for rotation coaxially with respect to the column components  16 ,  20  and  27 . 
     An annular rotary flange  40  is welded to the lower end of lower rotary support sleeve  38  and in turn provides support for a main drive gear  42  which is connected to annular rotary flange  40  by machine crews  44  (FIG.  3 ). Main gear  42  is covered by a main drive gear cover formed of two connected sections  43 A and  43 B as shown in FIG. 4, is meshes with intermediate gear  48  which is driven by a pinion gear  50 . Pinion gear  50  is driven by a lower output shaft  54  of a step-down transmission  56  receiving input drive from a motor  58 . Step-down transmission  56  also includes an upper output drive  60  which drives position signal generating means  61  indicative of the position of the main gear  42  for timing of other operations that must be synchronized with the precise rotary position of the main drive gear  42  and the equipment rotated by main drive gear  42 . 
     It should also be noted that intermediate gear  48  is drivingly connected to outfeed drive means  52 B shown in FIG.  3 . Outfeed drive means  52 B operates to drive a vacuum outfeed starwheel  13 B. Similarly, an infeed drive means  52 A for an infeed vacuum starwheel  13 A is drivingly connected to main gear  42  in exactly the same manner as outfeed drive means  52 B, through an intermediate infeed drive gear  48 ′ identical to gear  48 , and which meshes with main gear  42  in the same manner as gear  48 . 
     A second vertical rotary support sleeve  62  is connected by machine screws  64 S to the upper end of the lower rotary support column  38  with which it is axially aligned as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3. Additionally, a horizontal wand control valve support table  64  is also connected to the upper end of the lower tubular support column  38  as shown in detail in FIGS. 1A and 9. Valve support table  64  includes a hub  63  and a plurality of L-shaped radially extending flanges  65  as best shown in FIGS. 9,  41  and  42 . Control valve blocks  66  are mounted on support table  64  with each valve block including an electrically controlled high pressure workfluid supply solenoid valve  68  which receives high pressure workfluid from the downstream end of a high pressure workfluid supply line  248  connected at its upstream end to a high pressure rotary union  246  (FIG.  14 ). High pressure workfluid supply solenoid valve  68  when opened supplies high pressure workfluid to wand means  160  (FIG. 23) by means of a high pressure rotary coupling  219 . 
     An electrically controlled workfluid return solenoid valve  70  is also mounted in each control valve block  66  and is connected to a workfluid drain line  170  (FIG. 31) for opening at the completion of a can wall forming cycle to effect discharge of excess workfluid from the interior of the can and mold support into an exhaust tube  73  shown in FIG.  31 A. The inlet of workfluid return solenoid valve  70  is connected to drain line  170  by an offset line  74  connected to the radial outlet of a T-fitting  75  which is connected to the lower end of drain line  170 . 
     A lower drain line  76  extends from T-fitting  75  to the inlet of a mechanical pressure relief check valve  71  which communicates with the interior of the workpiece WP in the mold through drain line  76 , fitting  75 , line  170  and an interior drain chamber  168  (FIGS. 23 and 31) and opens in response to pressure in the workpiece exceeding a predetermined value. Such opening of check valve  71  permits the air pressure in the workpiece to forcefully discharge spent workfluid from a workpiece being shaped by the apparatus. The spent workfluid is discharged into a fixedly positioned annular workfluid reservoir  80  by exhaust line  72  as shown in FIGS. 1A and 31A. In the preferred embodiment, a relief pressure of 40 psi for opening pressure relief check valve  71  has been found to provide optimum results. Fixedly positioned workfluid reservoir  80  is located above gear cover  43 A,  43 B and has an outer wall  82  and an inner wall  84  which surrounds the lower end portion of the column component  16  and the surrounding tubular support column  38  as best shown in FIG.  1 A and FIG.  3 . 
     A centrifugal water return pump  86  driven by electric motor  90  has an inlet connected by conduit  88  to the workfluid reservoir  80  for removing spent workfluid from reservoir  80  and pumping it through a filter  308  to a storage tank  330  as shown in FIG.  8 . Workfluid in tank  330  is cooled to approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit by circulation through a heat exchanger  334  effected by operation of circulation pump  332  in circulation pump line  331 . High pressure pump  336  is controlled by a manually adjustable relief valve  335  and a pressure transducer  333  connected to control circuitry in a power distribution and control enclosure  344  as shown in FIG.  54 . The workfluid is removed from tank  330  by high pressure pump  336  by operation of high pressure pump motor  337  and pumped into a high pressure delivery line  338  which is connected at its downstream end to water supply axial bore  29  in the support column as shown in FIGS. 1B and 43. Workfluid in bore  29  is subsequently delivered to plural workstations in a manner to be discussed below. 
     The upper end of the second level tubular support sleeve  62  supports a rotary mold support table  100  as best shown in FIG.  14 . Twelve workstations  102  are equidistantly positioned about the periphery of rotary mold support table  100  with three of the work stations  102 A,  102 B and  102 C being illustrated in FIG.  34 . Each work station  102  includes a circular wand receiving opening  101  and an access port  103  formed in table  100  as shown in FIG.  38 . Additionally, a reduced thickness peripheral portion  105  in (FIG. 35) table  100  defines the outer extent of the table and has an inward boundary defined by chordal stop surface  107  (FIGS.  38  and  39 ). A positioning plate  103  is provided on the upper surface of table  100  in each workstation. Plate  100  receives the lower ends of vertical standards  106 . A mold support plate  109  (FIG. 34) having side edges  111  and a wand access opening defined by surface  101  aligned with wand receiving opening  101  is mounted for limited radial sliding movement on the reduced thickness peripheral portion  105  between a retracted position shown in workstation  102 A and an extended outer position assumed when the mold is in closed condition as shown in workstations  102 B and  103 C of FIG.  34 . 
     Workstations  102 ′ in FIG. 24 are shown without mold support plates being positioned in such workstations on support table  100 . Mold support plates  109  are provided in workstation  102  of FIG. 24. A slide bearing housing  104  is mounted inwardly of plate  103  on table  100  in each workstation with two of the slide bearing housings  104  being shown in FIG.  14  and others being shown in FIG.  34 . 
     Two tubular vertical standards  106  extend upwardly from each standard receiving plate  103  of each workstation on table  100  and support an annular rotary support table  108  at their upper ends so that tables  100  and  108  rotate in unison. The inner extent of annular rotary table  108  is defined by a cylindrical surface  110  as best shown in FIGS. 14 and 18 and the outer periphery of support table  108  is defined by an outer cylindrical surface  111  also shown in FIG. 18. A circular aperture  113  is provided in each workstation in rotary support table  108  for permitting the passage of vacuum lines therethrough. 
     Each workstation includes a workpiece transfer mechanisms generally designated  112  positioned about the outer periphery of annular rotary table  108  with two of the transfer mechanisms  112  being shown in FIG.  14 . Each of the transfer mechanisms includes a suction head  116  in vertical alignment with a mold  134  when the mold is in its outermost position. The suction head has a vertical axis which orbits the support column in a circular path  366  shown in FIG.  52 . 
     A conventional air actuated conveyor  368 , FIGS. 52 and 53, of the type manufactured by Conveyor Systems Incorporated has an infeed portion  369  which feeds workpieces WP to infeed starwheel  13 A and an outfeed conveyor portion which receives finished containers FC from outfeed statwheel  13 B. The centerline axis of each workpiece WP being fed by the infeed portion  369  of the conveyor travels along linear infeed path  372  until it is engaged by one of the workpiece receiving pockets  364  of infeed starwheel  13 A. Each workpiece received in a pocket  364  of the infeed starwheel  13 A is held in position by vacuum openings in the receiving pocket  364  and has its centerline axis travel along circular path  370  up to transfer point  374  at which the circular path  366  of suction head  116  and path  370  overlie each other as shown in FIG.  52 . The vacuum in the infeed starwheel  13 A is disconnected from the workpiece when the workpiece arrives at transfer point  374  to permit one of the suction heads  116  to engage and retain the workpiece for rotation of the centerline of the workpiece along circular line  366  to an outfeed transfer point  375 . 
     Similarly, outfeed starwheel  13 B carries finished containers FC in container receiving peripheral pockets  373  along a circular path  376  from a transfer outfeed point  375  to the outfeed conveyor portion  378  which removes the finished containers along outfeed linear removal feedpath  380 . The conveyor has an upper workpiece guide  381  (FIG. 53) having a drive air plenum in which pressurized drive air is provided and a lower workpiece guide  382  having a drive air plenum  383 . Drive air in each plenum is directed through openings in the plenums to apply air jets to the workpieces in well known manner to feed the workpieces (and finished containers) from left to right as viewed in FIG.  3 . Upper guide rails  388  and  389  and lower guide rails  390  and  392  guide the workpieces and finished containers along the infeed and outfeed portions of the air conveyor  368 . However guide rails  389  and  392  terminate upstream of infeed vacuum starwheel  13 A and downstream of outfeed starwheel  13 B to provide an opening which permits removal and insertion of workpieces relative to the conveyor by means of the vacuum starwheels which extend into the interior of the conveyor as shown in FIGS. 52 and 53. 
     Suction head  116  engages a workpiece WP on the infeed vacuum starwheel  13 A and removes it from the starwheel following which the workpiece WP is lowered into the open mold by the transfer mechanism for shaping of the wall of the workpiece. Upon completion of the shaping, the finished container FC is lifted from the mold and positioned in the outfeed vacuum starwheel  13 B by suction head  116  for removal from the apparatus. 
     Each of the transfer mechanisms  112  comprises a support bracket  114  attached to the upper surface of table  108  and extending radially beyond the outer periphery  111  of the table as shown in FIGS. 14 and 18. The selectively operable vacuum suction head  116  is mounted on the lower end of a cylindrical slide rod  118  mounted for reciprocation in a slide bearing  120  supported by bracket  114 . A piston rod  124  of suction head positioning cylinder  122  is fixedly connected to bracket  114  and a bracket  126  connects slide rod  118  to piston rod  124  as shown in FIG.  14 . 
     It should be noted that the suction head positioning cylinder  122  on the left side of FIG. 14 is illustrated in an extended position in which the vacuum head  116  is elevated above the position of the vacuum head  116  on the right side of FIG.  14 . The lower position of the right vacuum head represents the position of the vacuum head when it is positioning a workpiece in mold means  134  provided in each workstation The elevated position of the vacuum head shown on the left side of FIG. 11 is the transit position for receiving and delivering workpieces to and from the vacuum infeed and outfeed starwheels. Transfer of workpieces WP and finished containers FC between the starwheels and mold  134  is effected with the suction head in the elevated position. 
     The portion of the support column extending above mold support table  100  provides support for fixedly positioned cams C 1 , C 2 , C 3  and C 4  illustrated in FIG.  14 . From top to bottom, these cams comprise a low pressure air control cam C 1  for controlling the operation of the suction head positioning cylinder  122 , a vacuum control cam C 2  for timed provision of vacuum to suction heads  116 , a purge control cam C 3  for providing and controlling high pressure air to the interior of workpieces in the mold, and a mold control cam C 4  for mechanically opening and closing mold members  134  provided in each workstation. 
     Twelve low pressure air valves V 1 (FIG. 14) are provided equidistantly from each other for rotation about the periphery of low pressure air control cam C 1  with each valve V 1  controlling one of the suction head positioning cylinders  122  of one of the infeed and outfeed mechanisms  112 . Each low pressure air valve V 1  has an internal valve spool operated by cam C 1  for movement between two positions in one of which positions low pressure air is provided to the lower or head end of the cylinder  122  so that cylinder  122  is extended as shown on the left side of FIG.  14 . Similarly, in the second position of the valve spool, each air valve V 1  vents the lower end of cylinder  122  and supplies low pressure air to the upper or rod end of cylinder  122  so that cylinder  122  is retracted at proper time in each cycle of operation to the position shown on the right side of FIG.  14 . 
     Similarly, the vacuum control cam C 2  controls twelve vacuum control valves V 2  each of which rotates about vacuum control cam C 2  and is respectively connected to one of the vacuum suction heads  116  by a vacuum line  117  for applying vacuum to or venting its associated suction head  116  at proper times in each cycle of operation. 
     Each purge control cam C 3  controls twelve high pressure air valves V 3  each of which orbits about purge control cam C 3  and provides pressurized air through a purge air line  171  to the interior of a workpiece WP in one of the work stations at appropriate times during each cycle of operation. 
     The main components of each mold are a stationary or fixed mold portion  136  and two pivotal mold portions  138  which are mounted for pivotal movement about fixed pivots  140  relative to the stationary mold portion  136  as shown in FIG.  34 . Pivots  140  and stationary mold portion  136  are mounted on a slide plate  127  having an outer planar surface  128  and an inner planar surface  129 . Slide plate  127  is supported on mold support plate  109  for limited radial movement between an outer mold closed position shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B in which outer planar surface engages an outer stop  125  and a retracted position mold open position shown in workstation  102 A in FIG.  34 . In the retracted position, inner planar surface  129  engages an outwardly facing surface of an inner stop  131  (FIG.  23 A). Such shifting of the mold to the retracted position permits the finished container FC to clear the fixed mold component when being lifted from the mold  134  by suction head  116 . 
     Mold control cam C 4  is engaged by a cam follower  130  mounted on one end of a mold control rod  132  mounted for reciprocation in slide bearing housing  104  as part of each work station  102  as shown in FIG. 34. A transverse drive plate  146  is mounted for limited sliding movement axially wit respect to and on the outer end of control rod  132  and is urged outwardly by spring means  144  toward an end stop  143  fixedly provided on the outer end of rod  132  as shown in FIG.  35 . Toggle links  141  are mounted on pivots  137  at each end of the pivot drive plate  146  and are connected to a respective pivotal mold portion  138  by pivot pins  150  mounted on extension arms  152  unitarily extending outwardly from a respective pivotal mold portions  138 . 
     Each mold member  134  is mounted so as to be opened and closed by the reciprocation of its associated mold control rod  132 . Mold  134  shown in workstation  102 A in FIG. 34 is in the open condition assumed for receiving an unfinished workpiece WP or for permitting removal of finished containers or cans FC whereas the other two mold members  134  in workstations  102 B and  102 C in FIG. 34 are in their closed condition in which a workpiece is positioned in the mold for reshaping of the wall of the workpiece. When the pivotal mold portions  138  are in their closed condition, they cooperate with the fixed mold portion  136  to define an inner surface  142  having a configuration identical to the desired containers or can configuration. 
     Coil compression spring  144  provided on mold control rod  132  operates to urge pivotal mold portions  138  toward the stationary mold constituent  136  so as to tend to position and maintain the mold in a closed condition. However, reciprocation of rod  132  away from the mold by operation of cam C 4  serves to open the movable mold portions  138  to assume the open condition shown in workstation  102 A in FIG.  34 . Side stop members  139  (FIG. 34) limit the extent of opening movement of the pivotal mold portions  138  in an obvious manner. Mold opening and closing movement is controlled by rod  151  mounted in housing  152  which is attached to table  100  as shown in FIGS. 35 and 37. Mold  134  must open before any sliding movement of the mold and must slide into position before any losing movement begins. Rod  151  is threaded into fitting ISIA which applies force to mold member  136  as shown in FIG. 37 by means of coil spring  153 .The rod head  154  of rod  151  provides a stop for initial assembly only. 
     Each work station  102  also includes an axially vertically movable and rotary wand  160  extending upwardly through wand access opening  101  in table  100  as shown in FIG. 23 into the interior of a mold  134  and a inverted workpiece WP positioned within the contoured mold surface  142  of each mold member. The purpose of each wand member is to provide high pressure workfluid jets from a lower radial nozzle  162  and an upper canted nozzle  164  oriented at approximately 30 degrees with respect to the axis of wand  160 . Wand  160  rotates about its own axis while being continuously moved vertically within the workpiece so that the jets impinge on the interior wall surface of the workpiece with substantial force thus urging the wall outwardly into conformity with the contour of interior mold surface  142 . 
     The upper end of wand  160  extends through a closed hollow housing  167  (FIGS.  31  and  33 ). The closed hollow housing  167  is mounted in a transverse support plate  173  supported on the upper ends of vertical pillar plates  174  which are fixedly connected at their lower ends to fixedly positioned support plate  176  as shown in FIG.  31 . Housing  167  has an internal drain chamber  168  opening upwardly to communicate with the interior of a floating annular plastic seal  169  having an upper portion dimensioned to be mateingly received within the downwardly facing open end of a workpiece WP as shown in FIG. 33. A seal bias spring  177  urges seal  169  upwardly against a stop  178  in tubular seal housing  179  which is fixedly attached to housing  167  so as to limit upward movement of the seal. Annular seal means  169  singularly engages the lower inner surface of workpiece WP to permit air from purge air line  171  to enter the workpiece at the beginning of a forming operation to expand the workpiece outwardly. The workfluid drain line  170  communicates with the open-topped drain chamber  168  for permitting discharge of spent workfluid from the interior of the workpiece when the pressure in the workpiece reaches a predetermined value following actuation of the jets in the wand. 
     Support for the wand  160  and the associated means for rotating the wand about its axis and for reciprocating it axially is provided by a vertically movable aluminum elevator plate  172  positioned beneath and supported by means extending downwardly from rotary mold support table  100 . More specifically, such support is provided by a U-shaped wand support bracket  145  (FIGS. 28 and 33) extending downwardly from the lower surface of table  100  and comprising a chordally oriented back plate  147  and two inner side plates  148  (FIG. 23B) which are connected to and support fixedly positioned support plate  176  (FIG.  33 ). Additionally, outer side plates  149  are attached to, and extend upwardly from, fixed position support plate  172 . 
     Elevator plate  172  is connected to and supported by fixedly positioned support plate  176  by a lead screw drive shaft  204  (FIG. 31) which is threaded in a threaded coupling  206  mounted on fixedly positioned support plate  176 . Lead screw  204  is selectively rotated in either direction by a servo motor  208  mounted on elevator plate  172  to raise or lower elevator plate  172  and wand  160 . Wand  160  is supported in tubular housing  191  which is connected at its lower end to elevator plate  172  by machine screws as shown in FIG.  33 . An upper bearing  188  and lower bearing  189  (FIG. 33) support wand  160  in tubular housing  191  for rotation relative to housing  191 . Rotation of wand  160  is effected by a servo drive motor  182  which is mounted on elevator plate  172  and rotates the wand by means of belt  184  and pulley  186  in a manner best shown in FIG.  33 . 
     An elevator lead screw drive servo motor  208  is drivingly connected to lead-screw drive shaft for rotating the lead screw drive shaft to effect vertical movement of elevator plate  172  to cause equivalent vertical movement of wand  160  which is supported by elevator plate  172 . The elevator lead screw drive motor  208  is a conventional motor such as a #R43GENA-R2-NS-NV-00 sold by Pacific Scientific; however other similar conventional motors could be employed. Additionally, an air cylinder  210  (FIGS. 23A and 29) is fixedly attached to elevator plate  172  and has a piston rod  212  positioned for vertical movement relative to elevator plate  172 . The upper end of piston rod  212  is fixedly connected to the fixedly positioned support plate  176  by an adjustable connector  214 . Stabilization rods  216  are fixedly connected by their lower ends to elevator plate  172  and extend upwardly through respective slide bearings  218 . Air cylinder  210  is operated to maintain a constant force on elevator plate  172  so that cylinder  210  in effect acts as a spring providing a constant force on elevator plate  172 . The weight of elevator plate  172  and attachments are thus transferred to fixed plate  176 . The force required by the lead screw drive is thus limited to the inertia generated by the moving components. This allows for maximum servo starting and starting speed ramps. 
     A proximity switch mounting bracket  93  is attached to elevator plate  172  for movement with the elevator plate adjacent a proximity switch trip bracket  94  having trip tab  95  overlying the face of switch mounting bracket  93 . An upper position sensor  97  and a lower position sensor  98  on bracket  93  provide position signals to the control when covered by trip tab  95  respectively indicative of elevator plate  172  being in its upper limit position of travel or its lower limit position of travel. 
     The upper end of wand  160  communicates with axial bore  166  which extends the length of wand  160  and delivers high pressure water from the high pressure rotary coupling  219  attached to its lower end of the wand to the nozzle members  162  and  164 . The upper portion of wand  160  extends through and is vertically movable in hollow housing  167  as best shown in FIG.  33 . 
     The lower end of wand  160  is connected to the high pressure rotary coupling  219  which has a housing  220  the details of which are shown in FIGS. 44 through 51. The housing  220  of the high pressure coupling  219  comprises a non-rotating lower end cap  222  and an upper housing component  226  fixedly connected to the non-rotating cap  222  by machine screws  228 . An axial passageway  224  extends the entire length of the high pressure rotary coupling. A rotary discharge component  230  is axially positioned within the upper housing component  226  and has a threaded portion  231  at its upper end which is threaded into the lower end of wand  160  for rotation coaxially with the wand. 
     A fine grade carbide seal  232  is brazed to the lower end of rotary component  230  and faces a lower carbide seal  234  brazed to the upper end of a pusher component  236 . A wave spring  238  urges pusher component  235  upwardly so as to urge upper rotary carbide seal  234  against fixedly positioned lower carbide seal  232 . The contacting surfaces of carbide seals  232  and  234  are finely polished to insure minimal leakage. The seal members  232  are formed of a fine grade carbide such as VC  101  sold by the Valenite Corporation with the carbide particles being of sub-micron size. It has been found that this rotary coupling is capable of operating at up to 8,000 rpm, three thousand pounds per square inch pressure and with a capacity of 16 gallons per minute flow through the unit 
     Workfluid is provided to the high pressure rotary coupling  219  by a high pressure rotary union  246  having and outer rotary sleeve  247  and being mounted on the support column as shown in FIG.  14 . High pressure rotary union  246  receives workfluid from the interior of the fixedly positioned upper column component  27  and delivers it through outer rotary sleeve  247  to high pressure outlet line  248  (FIG. 14) which is connected to an inlet port of valve block  66  as shown in FIG.  1 A. Valve block  66  directs the workfluid to the inlet of the electrically controlled high pressure workfluid supply solenoid valve  68 . Opening of valve  68  by an electrical signal permits the high pressure workfluid to flow from high pressure workfluid supply solenoid valve  68  into the fixedly positioned lower end cap  222  of high pressure rotary union  219  by means of a high pressure flexible connector hose  250  and lower coupling fittings  251  and upper coupling fitting  252  as best shown in FIG.  31 A. 
     Upper column component  27  has a flared coupling  266  threaded on to its external threaded surface  34  as shown in FIG. 43. A six-sided electrical component housing generally designated  268  having outer side walls  270  and inner side walls  272 , a bottom or floor wall  274  and a top wall in  276  as shown in FIGS. 43 and 1B surrounds the flared coupling  266 . A cover plug  278  is axially received in the upper end of flared coupling  266  and is retained therein by machine screws  280 . 
     Structural stability and rigidity for the support column  16  etc., is provided by a bracing system consisting of a cantilever brace  282  connected by machine screws or similar connectors to a main frame component  286  as shown in FIG. 43A. A transverse frame  288  is connected to the inner end of cantilever brace of  282  as best shown in FIG. 43 with parallel frame members  290  extending inwardly from transverse frame member  288 . The inner ends of parallel frames  290  are connected through one of the exterior walls  270  of the electrical housing  268  to the brackets  275  so as to stabilize the upper end of the support column. Additionally, electrical conduits  292  extend inwardly from the frame and are connected to the upper column assembly as shown in FIG.  43 . Lastly, vacuum lines  294  from a vacuum source are also connected in the upper column components as are a high pressure air source line  296  and a low pressure air source line  298 . 
     The downstream end of high pressure workfluid delivery line  338  is connected to the exterior of the cover plug  278  and is retained in position by a hose retainer  300  illustrated in FIG.  43 . The delivery line  338  consequently communicates with the axial bore  29  in the upper support column component  27  so that workfluid from pump  336  is delivered to bore  29  from which it is subsequently dispensed to the wands  160  of each workstation. 
     Workfluid provided in high pressure workfluid delivery line  338  is typically provided at 3000 pounds per square inch pressure and flows into bore  29  which extends downwardly from the upper end of upper component  27  of the column and communicates with the upper ends of opposed slots  30  which in turn communicate with the interior of the high pressure workfluid rotary union  246  from which the workfluid is dispensed via high pressure workfluid supply lines  248  to the various work fluid supply solenoid valves  68  of each workstation. 
     Rotary slip ring assembly  256  comprises a fixedly positioned stator  302  in which multiple fixedly positioned slip rings  304  are mounted. A cylindrical external rotor shell  306  is supported by bearings  308  for rotation about the axis of upper column component  27  which is also the axis of stator  302 . Wires  305  extend outwardly from contact supports  310  which support an electrical brush contact  309  aligned with and in continuous contact with one of the slip rings  304 , as shown in FIG.  43 C. Conductors  315  extend downwardly inside the stator and are connected to selected slip rings  304 ; the opposite ends of conductors  315  are connected to fixedly positioned control and power providing components in fixedly positioned power distribution and control enclosure  344  (FIG.  1 B). 
     Cylindrical external rotor shell  306  is driven to rotate in unison with tables  100 ,  108  and their associated equipment by means of a drive rod  311  connected on an inner end to a radial stud  312  attached to the cylindrical external rotor shell  306  and connected on its outer end by a drive pin  314  attached to a vertical drive block  316  as best shown in FIG.  43 . The lower end of vertical drive block  316  is connected to table  108  which is rotated by its driving connection from table  100 . 
     A cross-shaped spacer  303  is positioned internally of stator  302  as shown in FIG. 43B with upper column component  27  and vacuum lines  254  and low pressure air line  257  and high pressure air line  258  extending downwardly through the spacer as shown. The lower ends of vacuum lines  254  communicate through a gas tight rotary union  253  (FIG. 1B) with vacuum lines V each of which is connected to one of the vacuum control valves V 2  so that opening of each valve V 2  connects the vacuum source to the respective suction head  116  connected to that vacuum control valve. 
     Air rotary union  253  is rotated in unison with annular rotary support table  108  about support column upper component  27  by a drive rod  318  connected to air rotary union  253  by radial pin means  320  with the outer end of drive rod of  318  being connected to the vertical drive block  316  as best shown in FIG.  21 . Similarly, the high pressure workfluid rotary union  246  is rotated about the axis of the support column by a drive rod  322  connected to the rotary union on one end and having its other end connected to a radial pin  324  extending downwardly from the annular rotary table  108  as shown in FIGS. 20 and 22. 
     The main control means for operation of the inventive apparatus for practice of the inventive method is illustrated in FIG.  54  and includes a fixedly positioned power distribution and control enclosure in which a conventional master programmable logic controller  346  is mounted. Controller  346  is an Allen Bradley Model #PLC 5, part #1785 L20B; however, other conventional controllers could easily be employed. Input to the master programmable logic controller  346  is provided by a conventional programmable limit switch  348  which is a GEMCO MODEL #1988 QUIK SET II; however, other conventional equivalent limit switches could also be employed without any difficulty. Signal generating resolver means provides position indicating signals to limit switch  348  in the manner made evident by FIG.  54 . Additional control input is provided to master programmable logic controller  346  by a conventional operator&#39;s machine control console  345  employing touch screen technology. Motor starters are also provided in fixedly positioned enclosure  344  and are respectively connected to machine drive motor  58 , pump motor  90  and high pressure pump motor  337 . 
     The master programmable logic controller is also connected through stator  302 , slip rings  304 , brush contacts  309  and wires  305  to the movable components enclosed in rotating electrical enclosure  358  as well as valves  68  and  70  and motors  182  and  208  which rotate externally of enclosure. The control elements in rotating enclosure  358  include a conventional slaved programmable logic controller  350  which is an Allen Bradley MODEL #SLC 503 PART #1785 LCOB device. Other comparable devices could also be used with equal success. Additionally, a servo motor programmable drive  360  is provided in the rotating electrical enclosure  358  for controlling wand drive motor  182 . Programmable drive  360  can be a conventional item such as a Pacific Scientific Part #SC934TN-001-01; other equivalent conventional drives could also be used with satisfaction. Another servo motor programmable drive  362  is also provided in the rotating enclosure  358  for controlling elevator lead screw drive servo motor  208 . Drive  362  is a Pacific Scientific Part #SC952TN-504-01; however, other conventional servo motor programmable drives could be employed with equal success if desired. 
     A complete cycle of operation will now be discussed with respect to a single one of the workstations with it being understood that all of the workstations operate in precisely the same manner. Attention is initially invited to FIG. 55 which illustrates such a complete cycle of operation beginning at time T o.    
     It should be understood that at time T o  the machine is operating at desired speed by operation of the machine drive motor drive  58  and signal generating resolver  61  is providing continuous position signals to the programmable limit switch  348  and the master programmable logic controller  346  in the power distribution and control enclosure  344 . The master programmable logic controller  346  is consequently aware of the position of each workstation and provides appropriate control signals for actuating various components such as the on spindle drive motor  182 , the elevator lead screw drive motor  208  and the electrically operable solenoid valves  68  and  70 . 
     At time T o  the transfer cylinder  122  is in its up position so that the suction head  116  is in the elevated position of the suction head on the left side of FIG.  14 . Also, the vacuum control valve V 2  is in its closed position so that suction or vacuum is not being applied by vacuum line  117  to the suction head  116 . Workfluid return solenoid valve  70  is closed. Elevator plate  172  is in its down position and suction head  116  is in its up position. The spindle drive motor  182  is continuously operated and wand  160  is therefore being continuously rotated about its axis at all times during operation of the apparatus. High pressure workfluid supply solenoid valve  68  is in its closed condition so that high pressure workfluid is not being supplied to wand  160  and nozzle members  162  and  164 . Mold  134  is in the open position and air valve V 3  is in its closed condition so that pressurized air is not being supplied to purge air line  171 . A workpiece is being fed into a position in vertical alignment with the suction head  116  by the vacuum infeed starwheel  13 A. 
     At time T 1  the workpiece WP moves into alignment with the suction head  116  and vacuum control cam C 2  opens vacuum control valve V 2  to apply suction to suction head  116  through vacuum line  117  to instantly attract and hold the workpiece by its bottom wall which is facing the suction head since the workpiece is inverted. Also, low pressure air control cam C 1  actuates the low pressure air supply valve V 1  to cause the valve to supply air to low pressure air line  119  while venting low pressure air line  121  so that cylinder  122  begins to contract and move the suction head  116  downwardly so as to carry the workpiece downwardly into the open mold  134 . 
     At T 2  the contraction of cylinder  122  is completed so that the inverted workpiece is fully positioned in the mold and the floating annular plastic seal  169  snugly engages the inside of the workpiece neck as shown in FIG.  33 . and the mold control cam C 4  begins to move the movable mold component  138  from its open position toward its closed position. 
     At time T 3 , the movable pivotal mold portions  138  are in their closed position and the mold has been shifted outwardly radially approximately 0.31 inches into its position in which it is axially aligned with the axis of wand  160 . The suction head  116  urges the workpiece downwardly by the application of approximately  20  pounds column pressure to hold the workpiece in the position shown in FIG.  33 . 
     At T 4 , high pressure air valve V 3  is opened to supply purge air to line  171  to pressurize the interior of the workpiece to slightly distend the walls of the WP toward the wall of the mold. 
     At time T 5  the master programmable logic controller  346  which causes high pressure workfluid supply valve  68  to be opened by the slaved programmable logic controller  350  to provide high pressure workfluid to the nozzles  162  and  164 . The elevator lead screw drive motor  208  is simultaneously activated to initiate upward movement of elevator plate  172  and wand  160 . 
     At time T 6  shortly after activation of the workfluid jets, the pressure on the interior of the can and in drain chamber  168  and drain line  170  rapidly increases because of the effect of the air pressure in the workpiece and the injection of the workfluid in conjunction with the fact that work fluid return solenoid valve  70  and mechanical pressure relief valve  71  are closed. However, when the pressure in workpiece WP, drain chamber  168  and drain line  170  reaches approximately 40 pounds per square inch the pressure relief valve  71  opens to effect a controlled release of workfluid through drain  72 . Thus, the spent workfluid draining from the interior of the workpiece is forced outwardly from the workpiece by the air pressure in the workpiece WP so that the static pressure does not appreciably exceed or fall below the 40 psi triggering pressure for valve  71 . 
     At time T 7 , elevator plate  172  reaches its uppermost position which is detected by proximity switch upper position sensor  97 . The elevator lead screw drive servo motor  208  is then driven in a reverse direction so that elevator  172  and wand  116  start moving downwardly so that the high pressure workfluid jets again impinge upon the work area of the interior wall of the workpiece as they rotate about the axis of the wand while the wand is being axially moved to its down position. The wand is being rotated at a high speed such as up to 8000 revolutions per minute so that the wall work surface of the workpiece WP receives a total and complete impact coverage from the discharge from the nozzles. 
     At time T 8  the elevator plate and wand  116  reach their lower position which is detected by lower position sensor  98 . The reshaping of the workpiece wall is completed and the high pressure workfluid supply valve is closed to terminate the supply of workfluid to wand  116 . Also, workfluid return valve  70  is opened so that the pressurized air in the workpiece, which is now a finished container FC, quickly forces all spent workfluid from the finished container FC and drain chamber mold  168 . 
     At T 9  valve V 3  is closed and pressurized air in purge air line  171  is also terminated. 
     At time T 10 , the pivotal mold components begin to open. 
     At T 11 , the mold reaches its open position and transfer cylinder  122  begins to expand, so as to move suction head  116  upwardly along with the completed container. 
     At time T 12 , the completed container is brought into one of the container receiving peripheral pockets  373  on the outfeed vacuum starwheel  13 B and the suction to suction head  116  is terminated by closure of valve V 2  so that the finished container FC is released to outfeed vacuum starwheel which delivers the finished container to outfeed conveyer component  378  defining a removal feedpath. 
     The inventive apparatus is capable of varying a number of parameters in accordance with the nature of the can wall reshaping that is being done. For example, the rotational speed of the wand, the pressure of the workfluid supplied to the nozzle, the vertical lifting upward and downward movement of the wand and the number of reciprocations of the wand are all capable of variation as required by the particular work being done. It should also be understood that the directional terms such as upward, downward, vertical and the like are employed for establishing relative, not absolute, positions and relationships and should not necessarily be interpreted literally. 
     While numerous variations of the subject invention will undoubtably occur to those of skill in the art, it should be understood that the spirit and scope of the invention is to be limited solely by the appended claims.