Patent ID: 7942256

Claim:
An apparatus for handling metal containers ( 4 ) through a multi-stage process, the apparatus comprising at least one rotatable process turret ( 2 ) having a plurality of pockets ( 3 ), each pocket ( 3 ) adapted to support a metal container ( 4 ), the pockets ( 3 ) are divided into groups (A, B, C), each group of pockets ( 3 A, 3 B, 3 C) having associated tooling ( 5 A, 5 B, 5 C) for carrying out a process on the metal containers while supported in the group of pockets, ands re-phase means ( 6 ) to transfer the metal container ( 4 ) from one group of pockets ( 3 A, 3 B, 3 C) to the next, the rotatable process turret, the tooling, and the pockets being connected about one common rotatable axis.