Patent ID: 7310983

Claim:
A machine arrangement comprising: a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line, wherein the machines each comprise first and second turrets; apparatus means associated with and/or comprising part of the machines for: at least one of moving, holding, manipulating and shaping cans as they pass from a can infeed to a can discharge of the machine line and move along a path having a predetermined configuration, and for: minimizing operations necessary for changing from a set up suitable for modifying a can having a first set of dimensions to a set up suitable for a can having a second set of dimensions, wherein the apparatus means comprises: means for moving one of the first and second turrets with respect to the other whereby a distance between the turrets is adjustable with respect to a length of a can which is to be processed; and a turret starwheel arrangement which supports cans in predetermined operative positions with respect to the first and second turrets and which comprises first and second separate segments which are respectively supported on the first and second turrets so that, as the distance between the first and second turrets is adjusted with respect to the length of a can to be processed, the distance between the first and second segments is simultaneously changed.