Patent Abstract:
The disclosed and claimed compresses gas system provides for the use of a rotary valve assembly in association with a cupper. A compressed gas system that utilizes a rotary valve assembly uses less gas than a constant flow compressed gas system and is quieter than a compressed gas system that uses valves. The rotary valve is a disk-like body having an opening therethrough. The rotary valve body is disposed within a housing assembly wherein gas may only flow through the housing when the rotary valve body is properly aligned with a space on one side of the rotary valve body.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The disclosed and claimed concept relates to forming a cup-shaped body and, more specifically, to providing a rotary valve for use in a cup ejection system. 
     2. Background Information 
     It is known in the container-forming art to form two-piece containers, e.g. cans, in which the walls and bottom of the container are a one-piece cup-shaped body, and the top, or end closure, is a separate piece. After the container is filled, the two pieces are joined and sealed, thereby completing the container. The cup-shaped body typically begins as a flat material, typically metal, either in sheet or coil form. Blanks, i.e. disks, are cut from the sheet stock and then drawn into a cup. That is, by moving the disk through a series of dies while disposed over a ram or punch, the disk is shaped into a cup having a bottom and a depending sidewall. The ram may have a concave end. The device structured to form the cup is identified as a “cupper”. In some cuppers, after the ram and dies separate, the formed cup remains disposed over the ram until ejected therefrom, typically by a jet of air. The cup may be drawn through additional dies to reach a selected length and wall thickness. Cuppers are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,343,173, 5,628,224, and 6,014,883. 
     Cuppers may employ an operating mechanism having a single drive shaft coupled to multiple rams, for example, it is known to have multiple rams move essentially simultaneously. Thus, one cycle of the operating mechanism produces multiple cups. It is further known to slightly stagger the impact of the rams on the sheet material and/or dies, by positioning of the rams, sheet material and/or dies at slightly different elevations. At the end of the forming cycle, the cups may remain on the end of the rams. The cups may be removed therefrom by a jet of air, or other fluid, that is passed through the ram and into the space between the cup and the concave end of the ram, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,173. 
     Compressed air, or another fluid, is supplied either continuously or intermittently to the ram via a compressed gas system. Each configuration of such compressed gas system has problems. For example, if the system is structured to provide a continuous supply of compressed gas, much of the gas is wasted. That is, during the drawing of the cup and during most of the time the ram is being retracted, the cup is not free to move from the end of the ram. Thus, gas supplied to the ram during such operations is wasted. Further, the gas must be vented and such venting may be vey noisy. Alternatively, the flow of gas may be controlled by one or more valves that open only when a cup is to be ejected. Given that cuppers produce thousands of cups per hour, such valves must also open and close thousands of times an hour leading to wear and tear as well as the need to replace the valves. Further, the opening and closing of the valves requires a control system or a mechanical linkage structured to time the operation of the valve to the position of the ram. Electronic control systems are expensive and mechanical systems are subject to wear and tear. 
     There is, therefore, a need for a compressed gas system for a cupper that uses less gas and is less noisy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed and claimed compressed gas system provides for the use of a rotary valve assembly. A compressed gas system that utilizes a rotary valve assembly uses less gas than a constant flow compressed gas system and is quieter than a compressed gas system that uses valves. The rotary valve is a disk-like body having an opening therethrough. The rotary valve body is disposed within a housing assembly wherein gas may only flow through the housing when the rotary valve body is properly aligned with a space on one side of the rotary valve body. 
    
    
     
       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 partial cross-sectional view of a cupper. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a pressurized gas system  20  with one embodiment of the rotary valve assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of one embodiment of a rotary valve. 
         FIG. 4A  is a front view of another embodiment of a rotary valve.  FIG. 4B  is a front view of another embodiment of a rotary valve. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are front views of another embodiment of a rotary valve. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are front views of another embodiment of cooperative rotary valve bodies.  FIG. 6C  shows the combination of the cooperative rotary valve bodies shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B .  FIGS. 6D and 6E  are front views of another embodiment of cooperative rotary valve bodies.  FIG. 6F  shows the combination of the cooperative rotary valve bodies shown in  FIGS. 6D and 6E . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a pressurized gas system  20  with another embodiment of the rotary valve assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a pressurized gas system  20  with another embodiment of the rotary valve assembly. 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view of the rotary valve assembly in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of an alternate rotary valve. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Generally, and as shown partially in  FIG. 1 , a cupper  10  includes at least one movable, elongated ram  12  and a corresponding die  14 . The ram  12  has a concave distal end  16  and an axial ram ejection conduit  18  that is in fluid communication with the ram distal end  16 . An operating mechanism (not shown) moves the ram  12  axially toward, and into, the die  14 . A work piece (not shown), which may be a circular blank or a sheet of metal from which a circular blank is cut, is disposed between the ram  12  and the die  14 . As the ram  12  moves into the die  14 , the work piece is formed into a cup  2 . As the ram  12  withdraws from the die  14 , the cup  2  remains disposed over the end of the ram  12 . The ram  12  is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, a pressurized gas system  20 . The pressurized gas system  20  is structured to deliver a volume of gas to the ram distal end  16  via the axial ram ejection conduit  18 . When the volume of gas is introduced at the ram distal end  16 , the cup  2  will be ejected from the ram  12 . 
     Further, it is known to operate a plurality of rams  12  with a single operating mechanism. For example, a single operating mechanism may operate multiple rams  12  at substantially the same time. It is noted that the discussion below identifies four rams  12  as an example; the disclosed concept is not limited to a specific number of rams  12 . As such, multiple cups  2  will be ejected at substantially the same time. Accordingly, the pressurized gas system  20  is structured to deliver a sufficient volume of gas so as to eject a plurality of cups  2  at substantially the same time. It is noted that the plurality of rams  12  may form the cups  2  in a staggered manner. That is, the cups are formed at slightly different times so as to reduce impact forces on the operating mechanism. In such a system, the cups  2  may be ejected from the ram  12  at substantially the same time, or, the cups  2  may be ejected from the ram  12  in a staggered fashion, i.e. the cups  2  are ejected at slightly different times. For example, the cupper  10  that forms cups  2  in a staggered manner may be structured to eject all the cups  2  at a specific, single time during the cycle of the operating mechanism, or, the cups may be ejected when the ram  12  is at a certain distance from the die  14 . In the former example, the cups  2  will be ejected at substantially the same time and, in the latter example, the cups  2  are ejected at slightly different times. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 7 and 8 , the pressurized gas system  20  includes a source of pressurized gas  22  (shown schematically), a surge tank  24 , an optional controlled valve  26 , a control unit  28 , a motor  30 , at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  and a rotary valve assembly  40 . The source of pressurized gas  22  is, in one embodiment, a compressor, but any known source for pressurized gas may be used. The surge tank  24  is structured to contain a quantity of gas at a pressure between about 10 psi and 70 psi, and in one exemplary embodiment about 18 psi. The surge tank  24  includes an inlet  34  and an outlet  36 . The source of pressurized gas  22  and the surge tank  24  are coupled and in fluid communication via the surge tank inlet  34 . As is known, a plurality of conduits and valves (none shown), such as but not limited to relief valves, are used to couple the source of pressurized gas  22  and the surge tank  24 . 
     A tank conduit  38  is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, surge tank outlet  36  as well as rotary valve assembly housing assembly at least one inlet passage  48  (described below). Controlled valve  26  may be disposed anywhere on tank conduit  38 . The controlled valve  26  is structured to be selectively configured. That is, the controlled valve  26  may be in a first closed configuration, a second fully open configuration, or any number of partially open configurations therebetween. The controlled valve  26  may be controlled mechanically but, in a preferred embodiment, the controlled valve  26  is structured to be selectively configured electronically. Accordingly, control unit  28  is structured to provide an electronic valve configuration command, i.e., the control unit  28  is coupled to, and in electronic communication with, the controlled valve  26 . The controlled valve  26  is structured to place itself in a selected configuration in response to the electronic valve configuration command. That is, the control unit  28  is structured to configure the controlled valve  26 . 
     The motor  30  includes at least one drive shaft  31  having a distal end  33 . The motor  30  is structured to rotate the drive shaft  31  at a selected speed. In one embodiment, the drive shaft  31  rotates at between about 25 rpm and 425 rpm and in one exemplary embodiment between about 100 to 250 rpm. The speed of the motor  30  may be adjusted while in use. Thus, the motor  30  is structured to adjust it speed in response to an electronic motor command. Further, the control unit  28  is structured to provide an electronic motor command. Further, the motor may be started and stopped in selected orientations. For example, if operation of the cupper  10  is stopped, the motor  30  may be stopped with the rotary valve assembly  40  in a closed configuration, discussed below. Alternatively, if desired, the rotary valve assembly  40  may be stopped in an open configuration whereby fluid passes through the rotary valve assembly  40 . The control unit  28  is coupled to, and in electronic communication with, the motor  30 . Thus, the control unit  28  is structured to control the speed of the motor  30 . 
     The control unit  28  may also include one or more sensors  29  (one shown) schematically) such as, but not limited to, a pressure sensor disposed on tank conduit  38  or at least one downstream pressure conduit  32 . The sensors  29  are in electronic communication with the control unit  28  and provide data thereto. The control unit  28  may also include a processor, memory, and programming (none shown) structured to automatically adjust the configuration of the controlled valve  26  and the speed of motor  30  in response to the sensor  29  data. 
     Rotary valve assembly  40  includes a housing assembly  42  and a rotary valve  44 . The rotary valve assembly housing assembly  42  defines an enclosed space  46  and has at least one inlet passage  48 , at least one outlet passage  50 , and a drive shaft passage  52 . Each of the inlet passage(s)  48 , outlet passage(s)  50 , and drive shaft passage  52  are in fluid communication with said enclosed space  46 . The rotary valve  44  is disposed in the enclosed space  46  and effectively divides the enclosed space  46  into an upstream enclosed space  54  and a downstream enclosed space  56 . As described below, the rotary valve  44  includes a rotary valve assembly  70  (discussed below) with at least one opening  71 . The rotary valve at least one opening  71  is structured to allow selective passage of a gas from the upstream enclosed space  54  to the downstream enclosed space  56 . That is, the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  is only in fluid communication with both the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56  intermittently. To accomplish this, the rotary valve at least one opening  71  is intermittently in fluid communication with at least one aligned portion  58  of the upstream enclosed space  54  and at least one aligned portion  59  the downstream enclosed space  56 . As used herein, the at least one “aligned portion  58 ” of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56  means the portion of the enclosed space  46  wherein an upstream enclosed space  54  and a downstream enclosed space  56  exist on each side of the rotary valve  44  in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary valve  44 . That is, to prevent constant fluid communication with through the rotary valve  44 , the enclosed space  46  includes a substantially sealed portion  60  wherein the rotary valve assembly housing assembly  42  is very close, and may abut, at least one side of the rotary valve body assembly  70 . As there is no space between the rotary valve  44  and the rotary valve assembly housing assembly  42  in the substantially sealed portion  60 , there is no enclosed space  54 ,  56  to be an “aligned portion  58 ” of the upstream enclosed space  54  or the downstream enclosed space  56 . 
     In the enclosed space substantially sealed portion  60  the nearness of the rotary valve assembly housing assembly  42  to the rotary valve body assembly  70  substantially prevents fluid from passing through the rotary valve at least one opening  71 . A discussion of various embodiments of the rotary valve assembly housing assembly  42  with different embodiments of the enclosed space  46  follow the discussion of the rotary valve  44 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the rotary valve  44  includes a substantially disk shaped body assembly  70  having at least one axial opening  71  therethrough. As used herein, “disk shaped” may include an axially elongated disk or cylinder. Further, as used therein, “axial opening” means the opening  71  extends parallel to the axis of the disk shaped body assembly  70  and does not mean that the opening is disposed on the axis of the disk shaped body assembly  70 . In one embodiment, the rotary valve body assembly  70  is a substantially circular, planar body  72  having an opening  71  therethrough. The rotary valve body assembly opening  71  may be any shape, but is, as shown, preferable arcuate. Further, as shown, the rotary valve body assembly opening  71  extends over an arc of about 180 degrees; it is understood that the rotary valve body assembly opening  71  may extend over a longer or shorter arc as needed. 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 4A , the rotary valve body assembly  70  is, again, a substantially circular, planar body  72  having a plurality of openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D therethrough. Each rotary valve body assembly opening  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D is disposed at a different radial distance from the center of the rotary valve body assembly body  72 . The center-point of the rotary valve body assembly openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D, i.e. not the mathematical “center” of the arcs which is the center of the rotary valve body assembly body  72 , may be disposed substantially on a single radius, i.e. along a single radial line r, as shown in  FIG. 4A . In an alternate embodiment, shown in  FIG. 4B , the rotary valve body assembly openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D may be staggered. That is, the center-point of each rotary valve body assembly openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D is disposed on a different radial line R A , R B , R C , R D . It is noted that  FIGS. 4A and 4B  each disclose four rotary valve body assembly openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D and such a rotary valve body assembly  70  could be used with a cupper having four rams  12 . It is again noted, however, that the disclosed concept is not limited to a cupper  10  having a specific number of rams  12 . It is understood that if the cupper  10  has a different number of rams  12  the rotary valve body assembly  70 , or multiple rotary valve body assemblies  70 , will have a corresponding number of rotary valve body assembly openings  71 . 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  the rotary valve body assembly  70  includes two substantially circular, planar bodies  74 ,  76  that are, preferably, about the same size and may be placed in alignment as indicated in  FIG. 5A . Each rotary valve body assembly planar body  74 ,  76  has at least one axial opening  75 ,  77 , respectively, therethrough. Each rotary valve body assembly first and second planar body at least one axial opening  75 ,  77  is disposed at a similar radius so as to at least partially overlap when the when the rotary valve body assembly first and second planar bodies  74 ,  76  are disposed on a common axis and the rotary valve body assembly first and second planar body at least one axial opening  75 ,  77  are at least partially aligned, as shown in  FIG. 5B . Preferably, the rotary valve body assembly first and second planar bodies  74 ,  76  are disposed on drive shaft distal end  33 . In this configuration, the rotary valve body assembly first planar body at least one axial opening  75  may move relative to said rotary valve body assembly second planar body at least one axial opening  77  between a first position, wherein the rotary valve body assembly first and second planar body at least one axial openings  75 ,  77  are substantially aligned, and a second position wherein the rotary valve body assembly first and second planar body at least one axial openings  75 ,  77  are partially aligned. 
     Further, the two rotary valve body assembly bodies  74 ,  76  substantially abut each other. That is, the two rotary valve body assembly bodies  74 ,  76  contact each other over one axial face so that there is, essentially, no gap therebetween. A localized gap may exist if the abutting axial faces of the two rotary valve body assembly bodies  74 ,  76  are not perfectly smooth, but such a gap does not form a path for fluid communication from one side of the rotary valve body assembly  70  to the other. The rotary valve body assembly openings  75 ,  77  are, preferably, arcuate and extend over an arc of about 180 degrees. In this configuration, the two rotary valve body assembly bodies  74 ,  76  may be rotated relative to each other so as to adjust the size of the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71 . That is, if the two rotary valve body assembly bodies  74 ,  76  are positioned so that the rotary valve body assembly openings  75 ,  77  are substantially aligned, the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  will extend over an arc of about 180 degrees. If, the two rotary valve body assembly bodies  74 ,  76  are positioned so that the rotary valve body assembly openings  75 ,  77  are 50% aligned, as shown, the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  will extend over an arc of about 90 degrees. Thus by selectively positioning the two rotary valve body assembly bodies  74 ,  76  relative to each other, the size of the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  may be adjusted. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , and as with the embodiment wherein the rotary valve body assembly  70  includes a single circular, planar body  72 , the rotary valve body assembly  70  having two substantially circular, planar bodies  74 ,  76  may also include a plurality of rotary valve body assembly openings  75 A,  77 A,  75 B,  77 B,  75 C,  77 C,  75 D,  77 D, respectively. The rotary valve body assembly openings  75 A,  77 A,  75 B,  77 B,  75 C,  77 C,  75 D,  77 D on each of the two rotary valve body assembly bodies  74 ,  76  are each disposed at a different radial distance from the center of the associated rotary valve body assembly body  74 ,  76 . The rotary valve body assembly openings  75 A,  77 A,  75 B,  77 B,  75 C,  75 D,  77 D on different rotary valve body assembly bodies  74 ,  76 , however, are at substantially the same radial distance from the center of the associated rotary valve body assembly body  74 ,  76 . That is, for example, rotary valve body assembly openings  75 A,  77 A are each at substantially the same radial distance from the center of the associated rotary valve body assembly body  74 ,  76 . In this configuration, each pair of the rotary valve body assembly openings at substantially the same radial distance, e.g. rotary valve body assembly openings  75 A,  77 A, may be aligned to create a rotary valve axial opening  71 A, as shown in  FIG. 6B . Further, the rotary valve body assembly openings  75 A,  77 A,  75 B,  77 B,  75 C,  77 C,  75 D,  77 D are, preferably, arcuate so that the size of the rotary valve axial openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D may be adjusted as described below. 
     Also, as with the embodiment wherein the rotary valve body assembly  70  includes a single circular, planar body  72 , the rotary valve body assembly openings  75 A,  77 A,  75 B,  77 B,  75 C,  77 C,  75 D,  77 D may be positioned on the rotary valve body assembly body  74 ,  76  so that the center-point of the resulting rotary valve axial openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D may be disposed substantially on a single radius, i.e. along a single radial line, or, may be staggered, i.e. disposed along different radial lines. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 6D-6F , the rotary valve body assembly openings  75 A,  77 A,  75 B  77 B,  75 C,  77 C,  75 D,  77 D may be staggered. In this configuration, when rotary valve body assembly body  74 ,  76  are joined in the center-point of each rotary valve body assembly openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D is disposed on a different radial line R A , R B , R C , R D . It is noted that  FIGS. 6A-6F  each disclose four rotary valve body assembly openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D and such a rotary valve body assembly  70  could be used with a cupper having four rams  12 . It is again noted, however, that the disclosed concept is not limited to a cupper  10  having a specific number of rams  12 . It is understood that if the cupper  10  has a different number of rams  12 , the rotary valve body assembly  70 , or multiple rotary valve body assemblies  70 , will have a corresponding number of rotary valve body assembly openings  71 . 
     It is further noted that the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  may be shaped so as to produce a specific pressure profile through the rotary valve assembly  40 . For example, an arcuate rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  may have a narrow radial width at the beginning of the arcuate rotary valve at least one axial opening  71 , and a wider radial width at the end of the arcuate rotary valve at least one axial opening  71 . That is, the at least one axial opening  71  may be shaped as an arcuate “teardrop.” Other shapes for the at least one axial opening  71  may be used as well. As used herein, “shaped” axial opening  71  is an axial opening  71  wherein the opposing edges of the opening are not substantially parallel. 
     The rotary valve  44 , i.e. the rotary valve body assembly  70 , is coupled to the drive shaft distal end  33 . It is noted that a single motor  30  may be used to drive more than one rotary valve  44 . For example, a single drive shaft  31  may be coupled to more than one rotary valve assembly  40 . In such a configuration, the “drive shaft distal end  33 ” shall mean any part of the drive shaft  31  that is spaced from the motor  30 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the motor  30  may include more than one drive shaft  31 ,  31 ′, each of which is coupled to a rotary valve assembly  40 . 
     The at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  has an inlet  25  and an outlet  27  is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the rotary valve assembly housing assembly at least one outlet passage  50 . The at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  is also coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the axial ram ejection conduit  18 . In a cupper  10  with a single ram  12 , the at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  may be a single downstream pressure conduit  32 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , in a cupper with a plurality of rams  12 , the at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  may include, and be in fluid communication with, a manifold  90  having a manifold inlet  91  and a plurality of manifold outlet conduits  92  each coupled to, and in fluid communication with, one of the rams  12  in the plurality of rams  12 . Alternatively, in a cupper  10  with a plurality of rams  12 , the at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  may include a plurality of downstream pressure conduits  32 A,  32 B,  32 C,  32 D each coupled to, and in fluid communication with, one of the rams  12  in the plurality of rams  12 . It is noted that, for this example, it is assumed that there are four rams  12  in the plurality of rams  12 . If there are more than four rams  12 , there is a downstream pressure conduit  32 N for each ram  12 . Further, the pressurized gas system  20  may be structured to operate with more than one plurality of rams  12 . That is, the cupper  10  may have a first plurality of rams  12  operating on a first cycle and a second plurality of rams  12  operating on second cycle. In this configuration, the at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  may include two downstream pressure conduits  32 X,  32 Y each coupled to a manifold  90 X,  90 Y, as shown in  FIG. 7 , each having a plurality of manifold conduits  92  each coupled to, and in fluid communication with, one of the rams  12  in both plurality of rams  12 . Further, the at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  may include an individual conduit  32 N coupled to, and in fluid communication with, each ram  12  in both plurality of rams  12 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 7 , if the motor  30  includes more than one drive shaft  31 ,  31 ′, as discussed above, each drive shaft  31 ,  31 ′, is coupled to a rotary valve assembly  40 ,  40 ′, each of which is in fluid communication with one or more manifolds  90 X,  90 Y,  90 ′,  90 Y′. It is noted that the rotary valve  44  in each rotary valve assembly  40 ,  40 ′ may be radially offset relative to each other. That is, the rotary valve assemblies  40 ,  40 ′ may be structured to be open at different times. 
     Generally, when assembled, the drive shaft distal end  33  extends through the rotary valve assembly housing assembly drive shaft passage  52 . The rotary valve  44 , i.e. the rotary valve body assembly  70 , is coupled to the drive shaft distal end  33  within the rotary valve assembly housing assembly enclosed space  46 , thereby dividing the rotary valve assembly housing assembly enclosed space  46  into the upstream enclosed space  54  and a downstream enclosed space  56  described above. A discussion of the “aligned portion” of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56  may be more easily understood by providing examples. Accordingly, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the rotary valve assembly housing assembly at least one inlet passage  48  and at least one outlet passage  50  are each a single passage  48 A,  50 A, respectively. Further, the rotary valve assembly housing assembly inlet passage  48 A and outlet passage  50 A are coextensive with the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56 , respectively. Further, the rotary valve assembly housing assembly inlet passage  48 A and outlet passage  50 A are substantially aligned. Thus, the rotary valve assembly housing assembly inlet passage  48 A and outlet passage  50 A are the at least one “aligned portion” of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56 . Other than the portions of the rotary valve assembly housing assembly  42  that accommodate the drive shaft distal end  33 , the remaining portions of the rotary valve assembly housing assembly enclosed space  46  are disposed very close, and may abut, both sides of the rotary valve body assembly  70 . That is, other than the space defined by the rotary valve assembly housing assembly inlet passage  48 A and outlet passage  50 A, the rotary valve assembly housing assembly enclosed space  46  is a substantially sealed portion  60 . Thus, the rotation of the rotary valve body selectively provides fluid communication between aligned portions of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56  via the rotary valve body assembly at least one opening  71  when the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  is in fluid communication with the at least one aligned portion  58  of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56 . 
     This embodiment operates as follows. Pressurized gas from the surge tank  24  is communicated via the tank conduit  38  to the rotary valve assembly housing assembly at least one inlet passage  48 . When the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  is disposed within the rotary valve assembly housing assembly substantially sealed portion  60 , there is no passage for fluid communication through the rotary valve assembly  40 . In this configuration the rotary valve assembly  40  is “closed.” As the drive shaft  31  rotates, the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  is brought into alignment with the rotary valve assembly housing assembly inlet passage  48 A and outlet passage  50 A, i.e. into alignment with the aligned portions of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56 . In the configuration the rotary valve assembly  40  is “open.” That is, when the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  is brought into alignment with the rotary valve assembly housing assembly inlet passage  48 A and outlet passage  50 A gas may pass through the rotary valve assembly  40 . Thus, the gas is communicated to the at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  and then to the axial ram ejection conduit  18  whereby a cup  2  is ejected from the ram  12 . As the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  is moved out of alignment with the rotary valve assembly housing assembly inlet passage  48 A and outlet passage  50 A, gas does not pass through the rotary valve assembly  40 . During this time, the ram  12  is actuated to form another cup. 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8 , rotary valve assembly housing assembly  42  includes a space  100  on one side of the rotary valve  44 . For this example, it will be assumed that the rotary valve assembly housing assembly space  100  is disposed on the upstream side of the rotary valve body assembly  70 . That is, in this embodiment, the rotary valve assembly housing assembly  42  may be spaced from the upstream side of the rotary valve body assembly  70 . Rotary valve assembly housing assembly at least one inlet passage  48  is in fluid communication with the rotary valve assembly housing assembly space  100 . Thus, the upstream enclosed space  54  extends over the entire upstream side of the rotary valve  44  and is coextensive with space  100 . Similar to the embodiment described above, the rotary valve assembly housing assembly  42  on the downstream side of the rotary valve body assembly  70  includes an outlet passage  50 A and a portion disposed very close to, and which may abut, the downstream side of the rotary valve body assembly  70 . i.e. the substantially sealed portion  60 . Thus, the portion of the upstream enclosed space  54  on the opposite side of the rotary valve body assembly  70  from the outlet passage  50 A is the at least one aligned portion  58  of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56 . 
     This embodiment operates as follows. Pressurized gas from the surge tank  24  is communicated via the tank conduit  38  to the rotary valve assembly housing assembly at least one inlet passage  48  and into the rotary valve assembly housing assembly space  100 . When the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  is disposed within the rotary valve assembly housing assembly substantially sealed portion  60 , there is no passage for fluid communication through the rotary valve assembly  40 . As the drive shaft  31  rotates, the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  is brought into alignment with the rotary valve assembly housing assembly outlet passage  50 A, i.e. into alignment with the aligned portion  58  of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56 . When the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  is brought into alignment with the rotary valve assembly housing assembly outlet passage  50 A gas may pass through the rotary valve assembly  40 . Thus, the gas is communicated to the at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  and then to the axial ram ejection conduit  18  whereby a cup  2  is ejected from the ram  12 . As the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  is moved out of alignment with the rotary valve assembly housing assembly outlet passage  50 A, gas does not pass through the rotary valve assembly  40 . During this time, the ram  12  is actuated to form another cup. 
     It is noted that the configuration described above may be reversed, i.e. the rotary valve assembly housing assembly space  100  may be disposed on the downstream side of the rotary valve body assembly  70 . 
     Cupper  10  may include multiple rams  12  acting in cooperation, i.e. utilizing one drive mechanism. Either embodiment described above may be configured to operate with a manifold  90 , also described above. In an exemplary embodiment having four rams, the at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  may include a manifold  90  having four outlet conduits  94 , wherein each manifold outlet conduit  94  is in fluid communication with one of the four rams  12 . Thus, rather than ejecting a single cup  2  from a single ram  12 , four cups  2  are ejected from four rams  12  simultaneously. It is understood that in an embodiment having more than four rams  12 , the manifold  90  has more than four outlet conduits  94 , i.e. one outlet conduit  94  for each ram. Alternatively, there may be more than one manifold  90  as shown in  FIG. 7  and discussed above. 
     The embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8 , is also structured to eject four cups  2  from four rams  12 , but without using a manifold  90 . In this embodiment, the housing assembly at least one outlet passage  50  includes four housing assembly outlet passages  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D. Each housing assembly outlet passage  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D is coupled to and in fluid communication with one of the four rams  12 . That is, there are also four downstream pressure conduits  32 A,  32 B,  32 C,  32 D, each coupled to extending between each housing assembly outlet passage  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D and one of the four rams  12 . Moreover, each housing assembly outlet passage  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D is separate from each other. There may also be housing assembly four inlet passages  48  (not shown), but as shown, there is one housing assembly four inlet passages  48  and a space  100  on one side of the upstream side of the rotary valve  44 . In this configuration, there are four aligned portions  58 A,  58 B,  58 C,  58 D of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the four aligned portions  59 A,  59 B,  59 C,  59 D downstream enclosed space  56 . Further, there are four each of the rotary valve body assembly at least one axial openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D. Each of the four rotary valve body assembly axial openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D is structured to provide fluid communication between the upstream enclosed space  54  and one of the four housing assembly outlet passage  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D. Although axial openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D are shown in the figures as having a similar width, the axial openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D would typically be thinner near the perimeter of rotary valve body assembly  70  and thicker near the center of rotary valve body assembly  70 . By selecting the thickness of the axial openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D, the volume of fluid passing through each axial opening  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D may be balanced. 
     In this configuration, pressurized gas from the surge tank  24  is communicated via the tank conduit  38  to the rotary valve assembly housing assembly at least one inlet passage  48  and into rotary valve assembly housing assembly space  100 . When each rotary valve at least one axial opening  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D is disposed within the rotary valve assembly housing assembly substantially sealed portion  60 , there is no passage for fluid communication through the rotary valve assembly  40 . As the drive shaft  31  rotates, each rotary valve at least one axial opening  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D is brought into alignment with one rotary valve assembly housing assembly outlet passage  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D, i.e. into alignment with the aligned portion  58  of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56 . When the rotary valve at least one axial opening  71  is brought into alignment with the rotary valve assembly housing assembly outlet passage  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D, gas may pass through the rotary valve assembly  40 . Thus, the gas is communicated to the each downstream pressure conduits  32 A,  32 B,  32 C,  32 D and then to one of the four the axial ram ejection conduits  18  whereby a cup  2  is ejected from each ram  12 . As the rotary valve axial openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D are moved out of alignment with the rotary valve assembly housing assembly outlet passages  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D, gas does not pass through the rotary valve assembly  40 . 
     Further, this embodiment may be structured to allow for the ejection of the cups to be staggered. That is, the four rotary valve axial openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D may be disposed in a staggered configuration, i.e. disposed along different radial lines, as described above. In this configuration, and assuming the rotary valve assembly housing assembly outlet passages  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D are disposed along a single radial line, each rotary valve axial opening  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D enters the four aligned portions  58 A,  58 B,  58 C,  58 D of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56  at a slightly different time, thus providing for the gas to pass through the rotary valve  44  at slightly different times. This, in turn, causes the ejection of the cups  2  to be slightly staggered. Alternatively, the four rotary valve axial openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D may be disposed along the same radial line and the rotary valve assembly housing assembly outlet passages  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D may be disposed along different radial lines. This means that the four aligned portions  58 A,  58 B,  58 C,  58 D of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56  are staggered and that the four rotary valve axial openings  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D will enter the four aligned portions  58 A,  58 B,  58 C,  58 D of the upstream enclosed space  54  and the downstream enclosed space  56  at slightly different times. The end result is the same; the gas passes through the rotary valve  44  at slightly different time and this, in turn, causes the ejection of the cups  2  to be slightly staggered. 
     In the examples above, it was assumed that there were four rams  12  operating on the cupper  10 . There may, however, be any number of rams  12  on the cupper  10 . Thus, in an embodiment without a manifold  90  as part of the at least one downstream pressure conduit  32 , there is at least one downstream pressure conduit  32  per ram  12 . That is, in such an embodiment the number of relevant components correspond to the number of rams  12  on the cupper  10 . Thus, the housing assembly at least one outlet passage  50  includes a plurality of housing assembly outlet passages  50 , the number of housing assembly outlet passages  50  correspond to the number of downstream pressure conduits  32 . Further, each housing assembly outlet passage  50  is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, one of the downstream pressure conduits  32 . Further, the rotary valve body assembly at least one axial opening  71  includes a plurality of axial openings  71 , the number of axial openings also corresponding to the number of downstream pressure conduits  32 . Thus, each rotary valve body assembly axial opening  71  is structured to provide selective fluid communication between the upstream enclosed space  56  and one of the housing assembly outlet passages  50 . 
     While specific eriibodimeihs 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 invention which is to be given the full breadth or the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1