Apparatus and method for manufacturing metal containers
View Patent ↗An apparatus and method for transferring compressed air between machine elements uses a rotary manifold in which an orifice restrictor is provided between the air supply, between each piston and shoe. The orifice restrictors meter volumetric flow rate during loading and/or unloading cans from the apparatus, thereby optimised compressed air consumption.
1. A method of manufacturing metal containers, the method comprising the steps of:
controlling transfer of compressed air between machine elements of the metal container manufacturing process;
timing transfer of the compressed air according to events in the manufacturing process;
timing events in the container manufacture process requiring compressed air;
controlling volumetric air flow rate with one or more fixed orifice restrictors; and
creating a force at an interface between the machine elements, including a shoe and a disc, to create a seal between the shoe and the disc.
2. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising using a single air supply.
3. A method according to claim 1 , comprising transferring air from static machine elements across to rotating machine elements.
4. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising controlling vacuum between machine elements.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compressed air is supplied by more than one air supply, each of which is at the same pressure.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of controlling the flow rate is performed during loading and/or unloading a container from a process machine.
7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the machine elements include a static machine element and a rotating machine element.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the manufacturing process is a beverage can necking process.