Conversion press for can ends

Abstract

A quick-change cartridge assembly for a conversion press includes a down-stacker assembly having at least one can shell feeder for supplying can shells during use of the conversion press incorporating the quick-change cartridge assembly, one or more forming stations, a tab staking station, and a transfer belt. The transfer belt defines at least one active forming lane for transporting can shells from at least one can shell feeder to one or more forming stations and tab staking stations during use of the conversion press incorporating the quick-change cartridge assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conversion press including a cartridge assembly for forming a can end, and a method for replacing the cartridge assembly in the conversion press.

Background Art

[0002] Metal containers (e.g., cans) for holding products such as food and beverages typically have a can end that can be easily opened, and a pull tab is attached (e.g., riveted, but not limited thereto) to a tear strip or a separable panel on the can end. The separable panel is defined by a score line on the outer surface (e.g., the public side) of the can end. The pull tab is configured to be lifted and / or pulled to sever the score line, deflect and / or remove the separable panel, thereby creating an opening for supplying the contents of the can.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to an embodiment, a conversion press for forming a tabbed can end is provided. The press includes a frame, a ram movably coupled to the frame, and at least one cartridge assembly removably coupled to the bolster of the frame and the ram. Each cartridge assembly includes one or more forming stations, a tab stake station, and a transfer belt for receiving a can shell. The transfer belt defines at least one active forming lane for transporting the can shell to the one or more forming stations and the tab stake station. The can shell is formed into a tabbed can end as the can shell is transported along the at least one active forming lane.

[0004] At least one cartridge assembly may include an upper mounting plate removably coupled to the ram and / or a lower mounting plate removably coupled to the frame bolster. The down stacker assembly and transfer belt may be coupled to the lower mounting plate.

[0005] At least one cartridge assembly may include any one or more of the following: an optical tester assembly for checking the molded tabbed can end for defects; a drive drum detachably coupled to the drive shaft of a conversion press for driving a transfer belt; or a scrap chopper device for cutting the remaining portion of the tab feed material into scrap material. The conversion press may further include a scrap chute device for discharging the scrap material from the scrap chopper device.

[0006] The conversion press may further comprise a tab forming and feeding device configured to sequentially form tabs onto a tab supply material and to supply the tab supply material having the formed tabs to a tab staking station, where the tabs are separated from the rest of the tab supply material and bonded to a can shell.

[0007] At least one cartridge assembly may comprise two cartridge assemblies. The first cartridge assembly may comprise the same number of active molding lanes as the second cartridge assembly, or a different number of active molding lanes. The first cartridge assembly may form a first can end having a first tab, and the second cartridge assembly may form a second can end having a second tab, and the first can end may have the same size and shape as the second can end, or at least one of a different size and shape.

[0008] One or more molding stations may include one or more of the following: a primary bubble station, a secondary bubble station, a score and button station, a panel and button restrike station, or a tab wiping station.

[0009] At least one cartridge assembly may include an upper mounting plate removably coupled to a ram using mechanical fasteners or a first magnetic fastener assembly, and a lower mounting plate removably coupled to a frame bolster using mechanical fasteners or a second magnetic fastener assembly.

[0010] The number of can shell supply devices in each cartridge assembly may correspond to the number of active molding lanes in the corresponding cartridge assembly.

[0011] At least one cartridge assembly may have a lower mounting plate, and two or more of the following are coupled to the lower mounting plate: a down stacker assembly, one or more forming stations, a tab staking station, or a transfer belt.

[0012] At least one cartridge assembly may include a lower mounting plate, to which a down-stacker assembly, one or more forming stations, a tab staking station, and a transfer belt are coupled. At least one cartridge assembly may further include an optical tester assembly for checking the formed tabbed can ends for defects, and a drive drum detachably coupled to the drive shaft of a conversion press for driving the transfer belt, to which the optical tester assembly and the drive drum are coupled to the lower mounting plate.

[0013] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for replacing a cartridge assembly in a conversion press comprising a frame and a ram movably coupled to the frame. The method includes removing a first cartridge assembly from the conversion press and installing a second cartridge assembly in place of the first cartridge assembly within the conversion press. The first cartridge assembly comprises a first upper mounting plate, a first lower mounting plate, one or more first forming stations, a first tab staking station, and a first transport belt. The first transport belt receives can shells and defines at least one first active forming lane for transporting the can shells to one or more first forming stations and a first tab staking station. The can shells are formed into tabbed can ends as the can shells are transported along at least one first active forming lane. The second cartridge assembly comprises a second upper mounting plate, a second lower mounting plate, one or more second forming stations, a second tab staking station, and a second transport belt. A second transport belt receives can shells and defines at least one second active molding lane for transporting the can shells to one or more second molding stations and second tab staking stations. The can shells are molded into tabbed can ends as they are transported along at least one second active molding lane. Removing the first cartridge assembly from the conversion press includes removing the first upper mounting plate from the ram and removing the first lower mounting plate from the frame bolster. Installing the second cartridge assembly in the conversion press includes removably coupling the second upper mounting plate to the ram and removably coupling the second lower mounting plate to the frame bolster.

[0014] A first down-stacker assembly and a first transfer belt may be coupled to a first lower mounting plate, and a second down-stacker assembly and a second transfer belt may be coupled to a second lower mounting plate.

[0015] A first cartridge assembly may further comprise a first optical tester assembly coupled to a first lower mounting plate, and a second cartridge assembly may further comprise a second optical tester assembly coupled to a second lower mounting plate, with the first and second optical tester assemblies checking for defects in the tabbed can ends formed by the respective first and second cartridge assemblies.

[0016] The first cartridge assembly may further comprise a first scrap chopper device, and the second cartridge assembly may further comprise a second scrap chopper device, the first and second scrap chopper devices being for cutting the remaining portion of the tab feed material into scrap material.

[0017] The first cartridge assembly may include the same number of active molding lanes as the second cartridge assembly, or it may include a different number of active molding lanes than the second cartridge assembly.

[0018] A first cartridge assembly may form a first can end having a first tab, and a second cartridge assembly may form a second can end having a second tab, wherein the first can end has at least one of the same size and shape as the second can end, or a different size or shape from the second can end.

[0019] The method may further include removing a first tab forming feeder from a conversion press, the first tab forming feeder configured to sequentially form first tabs onto a first tab feeder and to supply the first tab feeder having the formed first tabs to a first tab staking station, where the first tabs are separated from the rest of the first tab feeder and coupled to can shells being transported on a first transport belt of a first cartridge assembly. The method may also include installing a second tab forming feeder inside a conversion press, the second tab forming feeder configured to sequentially form second tabs onto a second tab feeder and to supply the second tab feeder having the formed second tabs to a second tab staking station, where the second tabs are separated from the rest of the second tab feeder and to coupled to can shells being transported on a second transport belt of a second cartridge assembly. The second tab forming feeder may include at least one of the following: a different output volume of formed tabs than that of the first tab forming feeder, or tooling for forming tabs that differ from those formed by the first tab forming feeder in size or shape, or at least one of the other.

[0020] Each of the one or more first and second molding stations may include one or more of the following: a primary bubble station, a secondary bubble station, a score and button station, a panel and button restrike station, or a tab wiping station.

[0021] The first and second upper mounting plates may be removably attached to the ram, respectively, using mechanical fasteners or magnetic fastener assemblies, and the first and second lower mounting plates may be removably attached to the bolster of the frame, respectively, using mechanical fasteners or magnetic fastener assemblies.

[0022] The number of can shell supply devices in each cartridge assembly may correspond to the number of active molding lanes in the corresponding cartridge assembly.

[0023] Placing the second cartridge assembly within the conversion press may further include positioning the second cartridge assembly in the desired position using a positioning guide pin assembly fixed to the frame, prior to removably coupling the second upper mounting plate to the ram and the second lower mounting plate to the bolster. When the second upper mounting plate is removably coupled to the ram with the second cartridge assembly in the desired position, and the second lower mounting plate is removably coupled to the bolster with the second cartridge assembly in the desired position, the second upper and lower mounting plates are appropriately positioned so that one or more second forming stations and second tab staking stations can form can shells supplied by at least one second can shell feeding device into tabbed can ends.

[0024] The first cartridge assembly may further comprise a scrap chopper device coupled to a first lower mounting plate, and the second cartridge assembly may further comprise a second scrap chopper device coupled to a second lower mounting plate, with the first and second scrap chopper devices provided for cutting the remaining portion of the tab feed material into scrap material.

[0025] The method may further include removing a scrap chute device from the frame before removing a first lower mounting plate from the frame bolster, wherein the scrap chute device is provided for discharging scrap material from a first scrap chopper device, and then removably connecting the scrap chute device to the frame after removably connecting a second lower mounting plate to the frame bolster, wherein the scrap chute device is provided for discharging scrap material from a second scrap chopper device.

[0026] The method may further include removing a first drive drum of a first cartridge assembly from a drive shaft fixed to a frame, the drive shaft being configured to drive the first drive drum to rotate a first transfer belt. The method may further include removably coupling a second drive drum of a second cartridge assembly to the drive shaft, the drive shaft being configured to drive the second drive drum to rotate a second transfer belt. The first drive drum may be coupled to a first lower mounting plate, and the second drive drum may be coupled to a second lower mounting plate.

[0027] The method may further include extending the ram to a bottom dead center position such that a first upper mounting plate rests on a first lower mounting plate before removing the first upper mounting plate from the ram.

[0028] According to an embodiment, a quick-change cartridge assembly for a conversion press is provided. The quick-change cartridge assembly includes one or more forming stations, a tab stake station, and a transfer belt. The transfer belt defines at least one active forming lane for transporting can shells to one or more forming stations and a tab stake station during use of a conversion press incorporating the quick-change cartridge assembly.

[0029] The quick-change cartridge assembly may further include an upper mounting plate configured to be removably coupled to a ram of the conversion press and / or a lower mounting plate configured to be removably coupled to a bolster of a frame of the conversion press. A downstacker assembly and a transfer belt may be coupled to the lower mounting plate.

[0030] A quick-change cartridge assembly may comprise one (or more) of the following: an optical tester assembly for checking for defects in the tabbed can ends formed by the quick-change cartridge assembly; a drive drum configured to be detachably coupled to the drive shaft of a conversion press to drive a transfer belt; or a scrap chopper device configured to cut the remaining portion of the tab feed material into scrap material.

[0031] One or more molding stations may include one or more of the following: a primary bubble station, a secondary bubble station, a score and button station, a panel and button restrike station, or a tab wiping station.

[0032] The quick-change cartridge assembly may further comprise a lower mounting plate to which two or more down-stacker assemblies, one or more forming stations, tab-stake stations, or transfer belts may be coupled.

[0033] The quick-change cartridge assembly may further comprise a lower mounting plate, to which the down-stacker assembly, one or more forming stations, a tab staking station, and a transfer belt are coupled.

[0034] The quick-change cartridge assembly may further include an optical tester assembly for checking for defects in the tabbed can end formed by the quick-change cartridge assembly, and a drive drum configured to be removably coupled to the drive shaft of a conversion press for driving a transfer belt. The optical tester assembly and the drive drum may be coupled to a lower mounting plate.

[0035] According to one embodiment, a conversion press is provided for forming tabbed can ends and comprises a frame, a ram movably coupled to the frame, a cartridge assembly detachably coupled to the bolster and ram of the frame, and a positioning guide device coupled to the frame and ram, wherein the cartridge assembly is positioned within the frame by alignment with the positioning guide device.

[0036] A cartridge assembly may comprise one or more molding stations, a tab staking station, and a transport belt for transporting can shells to one or more molding stations and tab staking stations.

[0037] The cartridge assembly may further comprise a downstacker assembly having at least one can shell feeding device for supplying can shells.

[0038] The positioning guide device may comprise an alignment block coupled to a frame and a locator block coupled to the alignment block. The locator block may have through holes for receiving alignment pins, which are further received in corresponding openings provided within the cartridge assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1A] This is a perspective view of a conversion press according to an embodiment. [Figure 1B] This is a perspective view of a conversion press according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional side view of a conversion press according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional top view of a conversion press according to an embodiment. [Figure 4A] This is a perspective view of a cartridge assembly for a conversion press according to an embodiment. [Figure 4B]This is a perspective view of a cartridge assembly for a conversion press according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figures 4A and 4B show perspective views of the cartridge assembly with the top mounting plate removed. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional top view of a conversion press configuration according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional top view of a conversion press configuration according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional top view of a conversion press configuration according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional top view of a conversion press configuration according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional top view of a conversion press configuration according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional top view of a conversion press configuration according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional top view of a conversion press configuration according to an embodiment. [Figure 13A] This is a perspective view of a drive shaft and a drive drum according to an embodiment. [Figure 13B] This is a perspective view of a drive shaft and a plurality of drive drums according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] An embodiment shows a cartridge assembly removably coupled to a conversion press using mechanical fasteners. [Figure 15] An embodiment shows a cartridge assembly removably coupled to a conversion press using a magnetic fastener assembly. [Figure 16] The image shows two cartridge assemblies detachably coupled to a conversion press using a magnetic fastener assembly, according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] The image shows a press with the first cartridge assembly removed and a second cartridge assembly detachably coupled to the press, according to an embodiment. [Figure 18]The image shows a press with the first cartridge assembly removed and a second cartridge assembly detachably coupled to the press, according to an embodiment. [Figure 18A] The image shows a press with the first cartridge assembly removed and a second cartridge assembly detachably coupled to the press, according to an embodiment. [Figure 18B] The image shows a press with the first cartridge assembly removed and a second cartridge assembly detachably coupled to the press, according to an embodiment. [Figure 19] The image shows a press with the first cartridge assembly removed and a second cartridge assembly detachably coupled to the press, according to an embodiment. [Figure 20] The image shows a press with the first cartridge assembly removed and a second cartridge assembly detachably coupled to the press, according to an embodiment. [Figure 21] The image shows a press with the first cartridge assembly removed and a second cartridge assembly detachably coupled to the press, according to an embodiment. [Figure 22] The image shows a press with the first cartridge assembly removed and a second cartridge assembly detachably coupled to the press, according to an embodiment. [Figure 23] The steps for replacing a cartridge assembly in a conversion press according to an embodiment are shown. [Figure 24] The steps for replacing a cartridge assembly in a conversion press according to an embodiment are shown. [Figure 25] The steps for replacing a cartridge assembly in a conversion press according to an embodiment are shown. [Figure 26] The steps for replacing a cartridge assembly in a conversion press according to an embodiment are shown. [Figure 27]The steps for replacing a cartridge assembly in a conversion press according to an embodiment are shown. [Figure 28] The steps for replacing a cartridge assembly in a conversion press according to an embodiment are shown. [Figure 29] The steps for replacing a cartridge assembly in a conversion press according to an embodiment are shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] For illustrative purposes, the embodiments disclosed herein are described as being applicable to the can end of a food or beverage can, but it should be noted that they may also be applied to containers for other products.

[0041] It will be understood that certain elements shown in the figures of this specification and described herein are merely illustrative embodiments and are provided as non-limiting examples for illustrative purposes only. Accordingly, any specific dimensions, orientations, and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts.

[0042] For example, the terms used herein to indicate direction, such as clockwise, counterclockwise, left, right, top, bottom, up, down, and their derivatives, relate to the orientation of elements shown in the drawings and do not limit the claims unless expressly stated in the claims.

[0043] As used herein, the terms “can” and “container” are used substantially interchangeably to refer to any known or suitable container configured to enclose a substance, such as a liquid, food, or any other suitable substance. As used herein, the term “can end” refers to a lid or closure configured to be coupled to a can in order to seal the can. As used herein, a “multi-output” conversion press is a conversion press in which there are two or more lanes of shells that are coupled to tabs during a cycle.

[0044] As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “joined” means that the parts are joined or operate together directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, insofar as a link occurs. As used herein, “directly joined” means that two elements are in direct contact with each other. As used herein, “fixedly joined” or “fixed” means that two components are joined so that they can move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. As used herein, “movably joined” means that two components are joined so that they can move relative to each other. As used herein, “removably joined” means that two components are joined so that they can be separated from each other without causing structural damage to either component.

[0045] As used herein, the term “integrated” means that the component is made as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are made separately and then joined together as a unit is not an “integrated” component or body.

[0046] As used herein, "[verb] configured to" means that the identified element or assembly has a structure that is shaped, sized, positioned, and / or combined to perform the identified verb.

[0047] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​listed. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the listed value and the functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm".

[0048] Referring next to the drawings, Figures 1A, 1B, and 2 show a conversion press 10 (hereinafter, "press 10") configured to interchangeably and detachably receive one or more quick-change cartridge assemblies according to an embodiment. According to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the press 10 may detachably receive a single quick-change cartridge 12 as shown in Figure 1A, or either a first and second quick-change cartridge 12A, 12B as shown in Figure 1B. The number of quick-change cartridges detachably received in the press 10 may vary depending on the desired output, e.g., quantity and type, of the tabbed can end formed by the press 10, as will be described in detail herein.

[0049] The press 10 includes a stationary frame 20 that defines the main structural components of the press 10. The frame 20 includes a number of legs 22 for supporting the press 10 on a support surface such as a floor or tabletop. The frame 20 further defines a working support or bolster 86 that does not move relative to the rest of the frame 20 or the support surface on which the frame 20 is placed (see Figures 14 and 15).

[0050] The press 10 further comprises a ram 40 movably coupled to the frame 20 between a first position, also called the disengaged position or top dead center position, and a second position, also called the engaged position or bottom dead center position. The press 10 further comprises a conventional ram drive assembly 42 mounted on the frame 20 that drives the movement of the ram 40 between the first and second positions. The ram drive assembly 42 is schematically shown in Figures 1A, 1B, and 2, and its components are conventional and will not be described in detail herein.

[0051] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the press 10 further comprises a tab die, hereafter also called a tab forming feeder 60, hereafter referred to as the "tab device 60", which is detachably coupled to the frame 20 via a number of mechanical fasteners, such as bolts. The tab device 60 receives tab feed material 62, such as a continuous coil of aluminum or steel, from a conventional tab feed material source 64 schematically shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the tab device 60 is configured to sequentially form tabs 66 within the tab feed material 62 and to supply the tab feed material 62 having the formed tabs 66 to a cartridge(s) of tab staking stations, as will be described below. The components of the tab device 60 are conventional and will not be described in detail herein.

[0052] The specific configuration of the tab device 60 used in press 10 depends on the type of tabbed can end being formed by the quick-change cartridge(s) currently installed in press 10. Further details regarding the selection of the tab device 60 for press 10 are described in more detail herein.

[0053] Next, an exemplary quick-change cartridge assembly 80 for use in the press 10 according to the embodiment will be described. Referring to Figures 4A, 4B, and 5, the illustrated quick-change cartridge assembly 80 (hereinafter, "cartridge assembly 80") is removably coupled to the press 10 in the configuration shown in Figure 1A, i.e., the single-cartridge configuration of the press 10. The cartridge assembly 80 includes a lower mounting plate 82 and an upper mounting plate 84. The lower mounting plate 82 is removably coupled to the bolster 86 of the frame 20 via mechanical fasteners such as bolts 88A (see Figures 14 and 18A) or via a magnetic fastener assembly 90 (see Figures 15 and 16). The upper mounting plate 84 is removably coupled to the ram 40 via mechanical fasteners such as bolts 88B (see Figures 14 and 18A) or via the magnetic fastener assembly 90. In embodiments including a magnetic fastener assembly 90, the lower and upper mounting plates 82, 84 may be formed from a magnetic material, or the plates 82, 84 may be coupled to magnetic plates or other mounting members formed from a magnetic material, and a controller 92 may be provided to control the operation of a power supply to energize the first and second pairs of the lower and upper magnetic plates 94A, 94B of the magnetic fastener assembly 90, which are fixedly coupled to a bolster 86 and a ram 40, respectively. The controller 92 can be used to turn the power to the magnetic plates 94A, 94B on and off to selectively hold the lower and upper mounting plates 82, 84 in place or to remove the lower and upper mounting plates 82, 84.

[0054] The cartridge assembly 80 further comprises a transfer belt 100 coupled to a lower mounting plate 82 and defining one or more active molding lanes, these active molding lanes along the longitudinal axis L of the cartridge assembly 80. AIt extends parallel to the . In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 4A, 4B, and 5, the transfer belt 100 defines first and second active molding lanes 102A, 102B, but the transfer belt 100 can also define more active molding lanes, such as three active molding lanes. Each active molding lane 102A, 102B receives can shells 104A, 104B (see Figure 3) from the respective can shell feeders 106A, 106B of the down stacker assembly 108, which is part of the cartridge assembly 80 and coupled to the lower mounting plate 82. The down stacker assembly 108 includes a servo motor 110 that controls the supply of can shells 104A, 104B from the can shell feeders 106A, 106B to the transfer belt 100 in a conventional manner. According to the embodiment, the number of can shell feeders in the cartridge assembly 80 may correspond to the number of active molding lanes in the cartridge assembly 80.

[0055] The transfer belt 100 transports the can shells 104A and 104B received from the can shell supply devices 106A and 106B from the first end 101A of the transfer belt 100 to the second end 101B of the transfer belt 100 downstream of the first end 101A, during which time the can shells 104A and 104B are formed into can ends having tabs 110A and 110B (see Figure 3). The transfer belt 100 also has one or more inactive lanes I L That is, a lane may be defined in which the can shell is not received and the tabbed can end is not formed. Figures 6, 8, 9, and 12 show the inactive lane I. L This shows a transfer belt 100 including the [unclear].

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer belt 100, including an endless belt, comprises a first end 101A extending around a tail drum 120 coupled to a lower mounting plate 82, and a second end 101B extending around a drive drum 122 further coupled to the lower mounting plate 82. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the drive drum 122 is detachably coupled to a drive shaft 124 of the press 10 (see Figure 3, also Figures 13A and 13B) for driving the transfer belt 100. The drive drum 122 may be detachably coupled to the drive shaft 124 using any preferred coupling structure. The crankshaft of the press 10 drives rollers 300 mounted on the frame 20, which drive an endless timing belt 310, thereby driving a gearbox 320 mounted on the frame 20. The gearbox 320 is coupled to and drives the drive shaft 124 (see Figures 13A and 13B).

[0057] As is most clearly shown in Figure 5, the cartridge assembly 80 includes lower and upper tooling members coupled to lower and upper mounting plates 82, 84, respectively (the upper mounting plate 84 is removed in Figure 5 for clarity). Each pair of lower and upper tooling members may define a forming station or a tab staking station. Thus, the tooling members constitute a plurality of forming stations and tab staking stations for forming tabbed can ends. An exemplary forming station shown in Figure 5 includes a primary bubble station 140, a secondary bubble station 142, a score and button station 144, a panel and button restrike station 146, and a tab wipe station 148. A tab staking station 150 is located between the panel and button restrike station 146 and the tab wipe station 148. The number of sets of forming / tab staking stations may correspond to the number of active forming lanes in the cartridge assembly 80; for example, in Figure 5, the cartridge assembly 80 includes two active forming lanes and two sets of forming and tab staking stations.

[0058] The role of each of these stations in forming the can shell into a tabbed can end is briefly described below. Primary bubble station 140 and secondary bubble station 142 are provided for forming bubbles within the can shell. Score and button station 144 is provided for converting bubbles into rivet buttons and for scoring, i.e., partially cutting or otherwise thinning the metal within the can shell, thereby defining the contour of the shape of the removable tab as the cut or thinned metal within the can shell. Panel and button restrike station 146 is provided for further defining the rivet button shape. Tab stake station 150 is provided for separating the tab 66 from the rest of the tab feed material 62 and joining the tab 66 to the can shell by crimping or flattening the rivet button on the can shell to the rivet, thereby joining the tab 66 to the can shell. Tab wipe station 148 is provided for wipe the tab to remove any sharp surfaces on the tab that occur during the tab separation process, for example, in tab stake station 150.

[0059] The cartridge assembly 80 further comprises a scrap chopper device 160, which is coupled to a lower mounting plate 82 and the longitudinal axis L of the cartridge assembly 80. A It is positioned downstream adjacent to the tab staking station 150, perpendicular to the frame. The scrap chopper device 160 is provided to cut the remaining portion of the tab supply material, i.e., the portion of the tab supply material 62 that has not been formed into tabs 66 by the tab device 60 and subsequently applied to can shells by the tab staking station 150, into scrap material. The scrap chute device 162 is coupled to the frame 20 and is positioned adjacent to the scrap chopper device 160 to discharge the scrap material from the scrap chopper device 160, for example into a recycling container.

[0060] Downstream from the molding station, the cartridge assembly 80 further comprises an optical tester assembly 180 further coupled to a lower mounting plate 82. The optical tester assembly 180 includes one or more optical tester units that check for defects in the molded tabbed can end; that is, if light passes through the can end, the can end may be considered defective. The number of optical tester units may correspond to the number of active molding lanes in the cartridge assembly 80; for example, in Figure 5, the cartridge assembly 80 includes two active molding lanes and two optical tester units 182A and 182B.

[0061] All components of the cartridge assembly 80, including the transfer belt 100, down stacker assembly 108, drive drum 122, scrap chopper device 160, optical tester assembly 180, and tooling members forming the forming stations of the press 10 described above (primary bubble station 140, secondary bubble station 142, score and button station 144, panel and button restrike station 146, tab wiping station 148, and tab stake station 150), can be directly coupled to either the lower and / or upper mounting plates 82, 84. For example, the transfer belt 100, down stacker assembly 108, drive drum 122, scrap chopper device 160, optical tester assembly 180, and the lower tooling members of the forming and tab stake stations can all be coupled to the lower mounting plate 82, and the upper tooling members of the forming and tab stake stations can be coupled to the upper mounting plate 84. The cartridge assembly may also comprise tooling members that form the forming and tab staking stations of the press 10, a drive drum 122, and one or more of the down stacker assembly 108, scrap chopper device 160, and / or optical tester assembly 180. That is, one or more of the down stacker assembly 108, scrap chopper device 160, and / or optical tester assembly 180 may be coupled to the frame rather than to the lower mounting plate 82 of the cartridge assembly 80.

[0062] Since the cartridge assembly 80 is receptively and removablely received within the press 10, all cartridge assembly components attached to the upper and lower mounting plates 84, 82 can be conveniently removed from the press 10 all at once when removing the cartridge assembly 80, i.e., without the need to remove each of the cartridge assembly components individually. Then, one or more other cartridge assemblies can be inserted and joined into the press 10 without the need to individually attach each of the components of one or more new cartridge assemblies to the press 10. This allows for easy access to the initially installed cartridge assembly and one or more replacement cartridge assemblies, as well as their respective components. Furthermore, it enables a more time- and labor-efficient process for modifying the press 10 to change the output amount or type of output of the tabbed can end formed by the press 10.

[0063] Press 10 can interchangeably and removablely receive several different types of cartridge assemblies to form several different types and quantities of tabbed can ends. Several exemplary cartridge assembly configurations that can be interchangeably and removablely received within press 10 are shown in Figures 6 to 12, and it should be noted that other cartridge assembly configurations are possible but are not specifically shown herein for the sake of brevity.

[0064] Figure 6 shows a single output configuration, namely, one tabbed can end 110A is output per cycle by the press 10 according to this embodiment. The press 10 includes a single cartridge assembly 80, and the transfer belt 100 of the single cartridge assembly 80 has a single active forming lane 102A and an inactive lane 1 LThe following is defined. The cartridge assembly 80 according to this embodiment includes a single active molding lane 102A, and therefore the cartridge assembly 80 according to this embodiment includes a single can shell feeder 106A, a single set of molding / tab staking stations, and a single optical tester unit 182A.

[0065] Figure 7 shows a two-output configuration, namely, two tabbed can ends 110A and 110B are output per cycle by the press 10 according to this embodiment. The press 10 includes a single cartridge assembly 80, and the transport belt 100 of the single cartridge assembly 80 defines two active forming lanes 102A and 102B. Different types of tabbed can ends 110A and 110B are formed in the active forming lanes 102A and 102B according to this embodiment. Specifically, the first tabbed can end 110A is formed in the first active forming lane 102A, and the second tabbed can end 110B is formed in the second active forming lane 102B. The first can end according to this embodiment has a different size and shape from the second can end, although it is understood that the first can end formed in a cartridge may have the same size and / or shape as the second can end formed in the same cartridge.

[0066] The cartridge assembly 80 according to this embodiment includes two active molding lanes 102A and 102B, and therefore also includes two can shell feeders 106A and 106B, two sets of molding / tab staking stations, and two optical tester units 182A and 182B. A tab device 60, a scrap chopper device 160, and a scrap chute device 162 serve both active molding lanes 102A and 102B according to this embodiment.

[0067] Figure 8 shows a two-output configuration, namely, two tabbed can ends 110A, 110B are output per cycle by the press 10 according to this embodiment. The press 10 includes two cartridge assemblies 80A, 80B, and the transfer belts 100A, 100B of both cartridge assemblies 80A, 80B each define a single active forming lane 102A, 102B. Although tabbed can ends 110A, 110B of the same type are formed by the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A, 80B according to this embodiment, it should be noted that different types of tabbed can ends may be formed by the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A, 80B, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 12.

[0068] Each cartridge assembly 80A, 80B according to this embodiment includes a single active molding lane 102A, 102B, and therefore each cartridge assembly 80A, 80B according to this embodiment includes a single can shell feeder 106A, 106B, a single set of molding / tab staking stations, and a single optical tester unit 182A, 182B. The tab device 60, scrap chopper device 160, and scrap chute device 162 serve the active molding lanes 102A, 102B of both cartridge assemblies 80A, 80B according to this embodiment. Note that the tab device 60 and scrap chute device 162 may be mounted directly to the frame 20, while the scrap chopper device 160 may be mounted to the second cartridge assembly 80B. The scrap chopper device does not have to be provided on the first cartridge assembly 80A.

[0069] Figure 9 shows a three-output configuration, namely, three tabbed can ends 110A, 110B, and 110C are output per cycle by the press 10 according to this embodiment. The press 10 includes two cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B. The transfer belt 100A of the first cartridge assembly 80A defines two active forming lanes 102A and 102B, and the transfer belt 100B of the second cartridge assembly 80B defines a single active forming lane 102C and an inactive lane I L The same type of tabbed can ends 110A, 110B, and 110C are formed by the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B according to this embodiment, but it should be noted that different types of tabbed can ends may be formed by the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B.

[0070] The first cartridge assembly 80A according to this embodiment includes two active molding lanes 102A and 102B, and therefore includes two can shell feeders 106A and 106B, two sets of molding / tab staking stations, and two optical tester units 182A and 182B. The second cartridge assembly 80B according to this embodiment includes a single active molding lane 102C, and therefore includes a single can shell feeder 106C, a single set of molding / tab staking stations, and a single optical tester unit 182C. The tab device 60, scrap chopper device 160, and scrap chute device 162 service the active molding lanes 102A, 102B, and 102C of the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B according to this embodiment. The tab device 60 and the scrap chute device 162 may be mounted directly to the frame 20, while the scrap chopper device 160 may be mounted to the second cartridge assembly 80B. The scrap chopper device does not have to be provided on the first cartridge assembly 80A.

[0071] Figure 10 shows a four-output configuration, namely four tabbed can ends 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D are output per cycle by the press 10 according to this embodiment. The press 10 includes two cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B. The transfer belt 100A of the first cartridge assembly 80A defines two active forming lanes 102A and 102B, and the transfer belt 100B of the second cartridge assembly 80B defines two active forming lanes 102C and 102D. Although tabbed can ends 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D of the same type are formed by the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B according to this embodiment, it should be noted that different types of tabbed can ends may be formed by the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B.

[0072] The first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B according to this embodiment include two active molding lanes 102A, 102B, 102C, and 102D. Therefore, each of the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B according to this embodiment includes two can shell feeding devices 106A, 106B, 106C, and 106D, two sets of molding / tab staking stations, and two optical tester units 182A, 182B, 182C, and 182D. A tab device 60, a scrap chopper device 160, and a scrap chute device 162 serve the active molding lanes 102A, 102B, 102C, and 102D of the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B according to this embodiment. The tab device 60 and the scrap chute device 162 may be mounted directly to the frame 20, while the scrap chopper device 160 may be mounted to the second cartridge assembly 80B. The scrap chopper device does not have to be provided on the first cartridge assembly 80A.

[0073] Figure 11 shows a 6-output configuration, namely, six tabbed can ends 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, and 110F are output per cycle by the press 10 according to this embodiment. The press 10 includes two cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B. The transfer belt 100A of the first cartridge assembly 80A defines three active forming lanes 102A, 102B, and 102C, and the transfer belt 100B of the second cartridge assembly 80B defines three active forming lanes 102D, 102E, and 102F. While the same type of tabbed can ends 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, and 110F are formed by the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B according to this embodiment, it should be noted that different types of tabbed can ends may be formed by the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B.

[0074] The first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B according to this embodiment include three active molding lanes 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D, 102E, and 102F. Therefore, each of the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B according to this embodiment includes three can shell feeding devices 106A, 106B, 106C, 106D, 106E, and 106F, three sets of molding / tab staking stations, and three optical tester units 182A, 182B, 182C, 182D, 182E, and 182F. A tab device 60, a scrap chopper device 160, and a scrap chute device 162 serve the active molding lanes 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D, 102E, and 102F of the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B according to this embodiment. The tab device 60 and the scrap chute device 162 may be mounted directly to the frame 20, while the scrap chopper device 160 may be mounted to the second cartridge assembly 80B. The scrap chopper device does not have to be provided on the first cartridge assembly 80A.

[0075] Figure 12 shows an embodiment similar to the embodiment in Figure 8, except that different types of tabbed can ends are formed by the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B. Specifically, the first tabbed can end 110A is formed in a single active molding lane 102A of the first cartridge assembly 80A, and the second tabbed can end 110B is formed in a single active molding lane 102B of the second cartridge assembly 80B, wherein the first can end according to this embodiment has a different size and shape from the second can end.

[0076] In single-cartridge assembly configurations of press 10, such as those shown in Figures 6 and 7, the single cartridge assembly may be positioned centrally within the cartridge assembly receiving opening 10A of the frame 20, i.e., centrally within the bolster 86. In dual-cartridge assembly configurations of press 10, such as those shown in Figures 8 to 12, the cartridge assemblies may be positioned offset from the central position toward the left and right sides, respectively, of the cartridge assembly receiving opening 10A of the frame 20. These positionings of the cartridge assemblies are intended to concentrate and balance forces, thereby reducing or avoiding the problem of overturning moment of press 10.

[0077] The positioning guide pin assembly 230 (also referred to herein as the positioning guide device) is directly coupled to the bolster 86 and ram 40 of the press frame 20 via fasteners such as bolts, and does not necessarily form part of the cartridge assembly 80 (see Figures 18 and 21). The guide pin assembly 230 comprises lower and upper shoe / blocks 232, 234 (also referred to herein as alignment blocks), the lower block 232 being fixed to the bolster 86 via bolts 232A (see Figure 4B), and the upper block 234 being fixed to the ram 40 via bolts (not shown), with first and second pins 236, 238 fixedly mounted to the upper shoe 234, these pins 236, 238 extending from the upper shoe 234 toward and within the lower shoe 232, and bushings / cylindrical bearings 236A, 238A fixedly mounted to the lower shoe 232, the bushings / cylindrical bearings 236A, 238A receiving the first and second pins 236, 238 such that the pins 236, 238 move toward the bushings 236A, 238A as the upper shoe 234 moves toward the lower shoe 232 (see also Figure 18A).

[0078] Lower and upper stop blocks 400 and 402 can be fixedly attached to lower and upper mounting plates 82 and 84. One or more pairs of lower and upper stop blocks 400 and 402 may be provided, for example, four or more pairs of lower and upper stop blocks 400 and 402 may be used. For example, pairs of stop blocks 400 and 402 may be spaced apart from each other, such as on both sides of the forming and tab staking station of the press 10. Each upper stop block 402 engages with the corresponding lower stop block 400 immediately after the upper tooling member contacts the corresponding lower tooling member of the forming and tab staking station of the press 10.

[0079] The first and second upper locator blocks 242, 244 can be attached to the upper shoe 234, and the first and second lower locator blocks 246, 248 can be attached to the lower shoe 232 (see Figures 18A, 19, and 21). Each of the first and second upper and lower locator blocks 242, 244, 246, 248 is provided with corresponding through holes 242A, 244A, 246A, 248A that can receive corresponding locator pins (described later) while the cartridge assembly 80 is installed in the press 10, as described later. When the first and second stop blocks 400 and 402 are engaged with each other, a first minimum spacing is defined between the outer surfaces of the first upper block 242 and the first lower block 246, substantially aligned with each other in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal lengths of the pins 236 and 238 (see Figure 18A), and a second minimum spacing S2 is defined between the outer surfaces of the second upper block 244 and the second lower block 248, substantially aligned with each other in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal lengths of the pins 236 and 238. The first and second minimum spacings are substantially equal to each other and, when the first and second stop blocks 400 and 402 are engaged, are slightly smaller than the spacing between the upper surface of the lower mounting plate 82 and the lower surface of the upper mounting plate 84.

[0080] Referring to Figures 17 to 22, an exemplary process for removing the cartridge assembly 80 from the press 10 and then installing the replacement cartridge assembly 80 in the press 10 is described. The cartridge assembly 80 may be disengaged and removed from the press 10 as follows: First, the ram 40 may be lowered so that the first and second stop blocks 400 and 402 engage with each other (see Figure 18A). A spacer block 404 may also be provided between the first and second stop blocks 400 and 402 (see Figure 18B). Thus, the ram 40 is lowered until the first and second stop blocks 400 and 402 engage with or clamp the spacer block 404. The bolts connecting the upper mounting plate 84 to the ram 40 are then removed. The ram 40 may then be raised. The bolts connecting the lower mounting plate 82 to the bolster 86 may be removed before or after the ram 40 is raised. The drive drum 122 can be detached from the drive shaft 124, and then the cartridge assembly 80 can be removed from the bolster 86, that is, the lower and upper mounting plates 82 and 84, and all components coupled to them, can be removed from the press 10 at the same time (see Figures 18 and 19).

[0081] If the tab device 60 needs to be replaced, for example, if the type of tab applied to the can shell is changed after the replacement cartridge assembly 80 has been installed, the tab device 60 is removed from the press 10 by uncoupling it from the frame 20 (see Figure 20). The replacement tab device 60 is then installed in the press 10 by coupling the tab device 60 to the frame 20 (see Figure 21). Note that the tab device 60 used with the initially installed cartridge assembly 80 may also be used with the replacement cartridge assembly 80 if, for example, the type of tab applied to the can shell is not changed after the replacement cartridge assembly 80 has been installed, in which case this step may be skipped. Note also that in additional circumstances, the tab device 60 may need to be replaced when switching between specific output configurations, such as when moving from a 2-output configuration to a 3-output configuration.

[0082] The cartridge assembly 80 can be mounted on the press 10 as follows: Each of the first and second upper and lower locator blocks 242, 244, 246, and 248 can be removed from their corresponding upper and lower alignment blocks 234, 232 before inserting the cartridge assembly 80 into the press 10. The ram 40 can be raised to its uppermost or top dead center position (see Figure 21). The cartridge assembly 80 is then inserted into or moved into the press 10 so that the lower mounting plate 82 is positioned on the bolster 86. When the cartridge assembly 80 is moved into the press 10, the first and second stop blocks 400 and 402 can engage with each other, or, if a spacer block 404 is used, the spacer block 404 can be clamped between the first and second stop blocks 400 and 402. Once the cartridge assembly 80 is moved into the press 10, the first and second upper and lower locator blocks 242, 244, 246, and 248 can be attached to their corresponding upper and lower alignment blocks 234, 232 via fasteners such as bolts and / or dowels.

[0083] Next, the cartridge assembly 80 is positioned such that the upper and lower mounting plates 84 and 82 are positioned adjacent to the inner edges 234B and 232B (see Figure 21) of the upper and lower shoes (alignment blocks) 234 and 232 of the positioning guide pin assembly 230. Subsequently, the first and second locator pins 252, 254 are inserted into holes 246A, 248A in the first and second lower locator blocks 246, 248, and these locator pins 252, 254 also extend into locator holes 82A, 82B in the lower mounting plate 82 when the lower mounting plate 82 is aligned with the bolster 86 and positioning guide pin assembly 230 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the upper and lower shoes 234, 232, i.e., in a direction parallel to the workflow direction of the can shell as the can shell moves through the cartridge assembly 80, and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the upper and lower shoes 234, 232 (see Figures 3 and 18A). After the lower mounting plate 82 is aligned, the lower mounting plate 82 can be securely fastened to the bolster 86 via bolts 88A (see Figure 18A). Next, the third and fourth locator pins 256 and 258 are then inserted into the holes 242A and 244A in the first and second upper locator blocks 242 and 244, and further, the upper mounting plate 84 extends into the locator holes 84A and 84B in the upper mounting plate 84 when the upper mounting plate 84 is aligned with respect to the positioning guide pin assembly 230 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the upper and lower shoes 234 and 232, and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the upper and lower shoes 234 and 232. It should be noted that the first and second locator pins 252 and 254 can also be used to align the upper mounting plate by removing the first and second locator pins 252 and 254 from the first and second lower locator blocks 246 and 248, and then inserting the first and second locator pins 252 and 254 into the holes 242A and 244A in the first and second upper locator blocks 242 and 244, and into the locator holes 84A and 84B in the upper mounting plate 84.After aligning the upper mounting plate 84, the ram 40 is lowered to engage with the upper mounting plate 84 so that the upper mounting plate 84 can be attached to the ram 40 via bolts 88B (see Figures 18A and 22). It is also conceivable that the lower and upper mounting plates 82, 84 can be aligned in the press 10 without using the lower and upper locator blocks, for example, by using pins that extend into horizontal bores formed in the side edges of the lower and upper shoes 232, 234 and into corresponding bores formed in the side edges of the lower and upper mounting plates 82, 84.

[0084] When the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B are mounted to the press 10, the first and second positioning guide pin assemblies 230A and 230B may not form part of the cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B, but may be directly coupled to the bolster 86 and ram 40 of the press frame 20 via fasteners such as bolts (see Figure 19). Alignment of each of the first and second cartridge assemblies 80A and 80B using the first and second positioning guide pin assemblies 230A and 230B is performed in the same manner as the alignment of the cartridge assembly 80 using the positioning guide pin assembly 230 described above. The positioning guide pin assembly 230A may be the same as the positioning guide pin assembly 230 shown in Figures 18A and 18B, but the positioning guide pin assembly 230 is defined by moving it laterally toward the outer edge of the press 10 using fasteners such as bolts.

[0085] If the upper and lower mounting plates 84, 82 include magnetic plates, the ram 40 can be lowered onto the upper mounting plate 84 after the upper and lower mounting plates 84, 82 have been aligned. The controller 92 can then activate the power supply to energize the first and second magnetic plate pairs 94A, 94B, thereby magnetically and firmly fixing the lower and upper mounting plates 82, 84 in place on the bolster 86 and the ram 40.

[0086] Next, an exemplary method 500 for replacing a cartridge assembly in a conversion press having a frame and a ram movably coupled to the frame will be described with reference to Figure 23. Method 500 will be described with reference to the exemplary conversion press 10 described above, where the conversion press 10 includes an exemplary first cartridge assembly 80 provided within the press 10 in a single cartridge assembly configuration. The first cartridge assembly 80 may be mounted within the press 10, for example, via a bolt or magnetic fastener assembly as described herein. The steps described for Method 500 do not need to be performed in a particular order unless otherwise specified.

[0087] The first cartridge assembly 80 includes the following components: a first upper mounting plate 84; a first lower mounting plate 82; a first downstacker assembly 108 having at least one first can shell feeder 106A for supplying can shells 104A; one or more first forming stations as described herein; a first tab staking station 150; and a first transfer belt 100A for receiving can shells 104A from at least one first can shell feeder 106A. The first transfer belt 100A defines at least one first active forming lane 102A for transporting can shells 104A to one or more first forming stations and the first tab staking station 150, in at least one first active forming lane 102A, where the can shells 104A are formed into tabbed can ends 110A as they are transported along the at least one first active forming lane 102A.

[0088] In step 502, the first cartridge assembly 80 is removed from the press 10 by removing the first upper mounting plate 84 of the first cartridge assembly 80 from the ram 40 of the press 10 and by removing the first lower mounting plate 82 of the first cartridge assembly 80 from the frame 20 of the press 10. According to the embodiment, the first lower mounting plate 82 can be removed from the bolster 86 of the frame 20.

[0089] In step 504, a second cartridge assembly 80 is installed in the press 10 in place of the removed first cartridge assembly 80. The second cartridge assembly 80 includes the following components: a second upper mounting plate 84; a second lower mounting plate 82; a second downstacker assembly 108 having at least one second can shell feeder 106A for supplying can shells 104A; one or more second forming stations as described herein; a second tab staking station 150; and a second transfer belt 100A for receiving can shells 104A from at least one second can shell feeder 106A. The second transfer belt 100A defines at least one second active molding lane 102A for transporting can shells 104A to one or more second molding stations and second tab staking stations 150, in at least one second active molding lane 102A, the can shells 104A are formed into tabbed can ends 110A as they are transported along the at least one second active molding lane 102A.

[0090] The second cartridge assembly 80 is installed in the press 10 by removably coupling the second lower mounting plate 82 to the frame 20 of the press 10, for example, the bolster 86, and by removably coupling the second upper mounting plate 84 of the second cartridge assembly 80 to the ram 40. The second cartridge assembly 80 may be removably coupled in the press 10, for example, via bolt or magnetic fastener assemblies as described herein.

[0091] According to the embodiment, before removing the first upper mounting plate 84 from the ram 40, the ram 40 may be extended in step 506 of Figure 24 to a position such that one or more spacer blocks 404 are positioned between corresponding pairs of lower and upper stop blocks 400, 402, with one or more lower stop blocks 400 coupled to the lower mounting plate 82 and one or more upper stop blocks 402 coupled to the upper mounting plate 84. This step 506 allows the first lower and upper mounting plates 82, 84 to be removed from the press 10 simultaneously as a single unit in step 502.

[0092] The scrap chute device 162 may need to be removed from the frame 20 in step 508 of Figure 25. This step 508 may be performed before the first lower mounting plate 82 is removed from the frame 20 in step 502, and may be required if the scrap chute device 162 otherwise prevents the removal of the first lower mounting plate 82 from the frame 20. If the scrap chute device 162 is removed from the frame 20 in step 508 of Figure 25, the scrap chute device 162 may be returned to the frame 20 and reattached in step 510 of Figure 26 after the second lower mounting plate 82 has been reattached to the frame 20.

[0093] As shown in Figure 27, before the second upper mounting plate 84 is removably coupled to the ram 40 and the second lower mounting plate 82 is removably coupled to the bolster 86, a positioning guide pin assembly 230 fixed to the frame 20 may be optionally used in step 512 to position the second cartridge assembly 80 in a desired position.

[0094] Removing the first cartridge assembly 80 from the press 10 may further include removing the first drive drum 122 of the first cartridge assembly 80 from the press drive shaft 124 in step 514, as shown in Figure 28. Then, installing the second cartridge assembly 80 on the press 10 may include removably coupling the second drive drum 122 of the second cartridge assembly 80 to the press drive shaft 124 in step 516.

[0095] As described above, in certain situations, such as when the second cartridge assembly 80 is configured to form a different tabbed can end than the first cartridge assembly 80, it may be necessary to replace the tab device 60. In such situations, the first tab device 60 is removed from the frame 20 in step 518 of Figure 29, and the second tab device 60 is installed in the press 10 by removably coupling it to the frame 20 in step 520. The second device 60 may include at least one of the following: a different output of formed tabs than the first tab device 60, or tooling for forming tabs that are different in size or shape from the tabs formed by the first device 60.

[0096] Any document cited herein, including any cross-references or related patents or applications, and any patent applications or patents for which this application claims priority or interest, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. No citation of any document constitutes prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, nor does it, alone or in combination with any other reference, teach, suggest or disclose any such invention. Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term herein conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in any document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term herein shall prevail.

[0097] Clause A. Frame and, A ram that is movably coupled to the frame, The frame comprises at least one cartridge assembly detachably coupled to the bolster and ram, and each cartridge assembly is A downstacker assembly comprising at least one can shell feeding device for supplying can shells, One or more molding stations, Tab Stake Station and, The system comprises a transfer belt that receives can shells from at least one can shell supply device, the transfer belt defining at least one active molding lane for transporting can shells to one or more molding stations and tab staking stations, and in at least one active molding lane, the can shells are molded into tabbed can ends as they are transported along the at least one active molding lane. A conversion press for forming tabbed can ends.

[0098] B. The conversion press described in Clause A, wherein at least one cartridge assembly includes an upper mounting plate that is removably coupled to the ram.

[0099] C. A conversion press according to Clause A or B, comprising at least one cartridge assembly including a lower mounting plate that is removably coupled to the bolster of the frame.

[0100] D. The conversion press described in clause C, wherein the down stacker assembly and transfer belt are coupled to the lower mounting plate.

[0101] E. A conversion press as described in any preceding clause, further comprising at least one cartridge assembly for checking for defects in the molded tabbed can end.

[0102] F. A conversion press as described in any preceding clause, further comprising at least one cartridge assembly, the drive drum being detachably coupled to the drive shaft of the conversion press for driving a transfer belt.

[0103] G. A conversion press according to any preceding clause, further comprising a tab forming and feeding apparatus configured to sequentially form tabs onto a tab feeding material and to supply the tab feeding material having the formed tabs to a tab staking station, wherein in the tab staking station, the tabs are separated from the rest of the tab feeding material and bonded to a can shell.

[0104] H. The conversion press according to clause G, wherein at least one cartridge assembly further comprises a scrap chopper device for cutting the remaining portion of the tab feed material into scrap material.

[0105] I. A conversion press as described in Clause H, further comprising a scrap chute device for discharging scrap material from a scrap chopper device.

[0106] J. At least one cartridge assembly includes two cartridge assemblies, as described in any preceding clause of the conversion press.

[0107] K. The conversion press described in clause J, wherein the first cartridge assembly includes the same number of active molding lanes as the second cartridge assembly.

[0108] L. The conversion press described in clause J, wherein the first cartridge assembly includes a different number of active molding lanes than the second cartridge assembly.

[0109] M. A conversion press according to any one of clauses J to L, wherein a first cartridge assembly forms a first can end having a first tab, and a second cartridge assembly forms a second can end having a second tab, and the first can end has the same size and shape as the second can end.

[0110] N. A conversion press according to any one of clauses J to L, wherein a first cartridge assembly forms a first can end having a first tab, and a second cartridge assembly forms a second can end having a second tab, and the first can end has at least one of a different size or shape from the second can end.

[0111] O. A conversion press as described in any preceding clause, wherein one or more molding stations comprise one or more of the following: a primary bubble station, a secondary bubble station, a score and button station, a panel and button restrike station, or a tab wipe station.

[0112] P. At least one cartridge assembly, An upper mounting plate removably attached to the ram using mechanical fasteners, A lower mounting plate that is removably attached to the frame bolster using mechanical fasteners, A conversion press as described in any preceding clause, comprising:

[0113] Q. At least one cartridge assembly, An upper mounting plate removably coupled to the ram using a first magnetic fastening assembly, A lower mounting plate, which is removably coupled to the frame bolster using a second magnetic fastening assembly, A conversion press comprising any of clauses A to O.

[0114] R. A conversion press as described in any preceding clause, wherein the number of can shell feeding devices in each cartridge assembly corresponds to the number of active molding lanes in the corresponding cartridge assembly.

[0115] S. A conversion press as described in any preceding clause, wherein at least one cartridge assembly comprises a lower mounting plate, and two or more of the following are coupled to the lower mounting plate: a down stacker assembly, one or more forming stations, a tab staking station, or a transfer belt.

[0116] T. A conversion press as described in any preceding clause, wherein at least one cartridge assembly comprises a lower mounting plate, and a down stacker assembly, one or more forming stations, a tab staking station, and a transfer belt are coupled to the lower mounting plate.

[0117] U. At least one cartridge assembly, An optical tester assembly for checking molded tabbed can ends for defects, A drive drum, detachably coupled to the drive shaft of the conversion press to drive the transfer belt, Furthermore, The optical tester assembly and drive drum are coupled to the lower mounting plate. The conversion press described in clause T.

[0118] A method for replacing a cartridge assembly in a conversion press comprising a V-frame and a ram movably coupled to the frame, wherein the method is Removing the first cartridge assembly from the conversion press, wherein the first cartridge assembly is First upper mounting plate, First lower mounting plate, A first downstacker assembly comprising at least one first can shell feeding device for supplying can shells, One or more first molding stations, The first tab stake station, and A first transfer belt that receives can shells from at least one first can shell supply device, the first transfer belt defines at least one first active molding lane for transporting can shells to one or more first molding stations and first tab staking stations, the first transfer belt comprising, in at least one first active molding lane, the can shells being formed into tabbed can ends as they are transported along the at least one first active molding lane, Removing the first cartridge assembly from the conversion press is possible. Remove the first upper mounting plate from the ram, and This includes removing the first lower mounting plate from the frame. To remove, The method involves installing a second cartridge assembly in the conversion press in place of the first cartridge assembly, wherein the second cartridge assembly is Second upper mounting plate, Second lower mounting plate, A second downstacker assembly comprising at least one second can shell feeding device for supplying can shells, One or more second molding stations, The second tab stake station, and A second transfer belt that receives can shells from at least one second can shell supply device, the second transfer belt defines at least one second active forming lane for transporting can shells to one or more second forming stations and second tab staking stations, the second transfer belt comprising, in at least one second active forming lane, the can shells being formed into tabbed can ends as they are transported along the at least one second active forming lane, The second cartridge assembly is installed inside the conversion press. The second upper mounting plate is removably connected to the ram, and This includes removably connecting a second lower mounting plate to the frame, To install, Methods that include...

[0119] W. The method according to clause V, wherein a first down stacker assembly and a first transfer belt are coupled to a first lower mounting plate, and a second down stacker assembly and a second transfer belt are coupled to a second lower mounting plate.

[0120] X. The method according to clause V or W, wherein a first cartridge assembly further comprises a first optical tester assembly coupled to a first lower mounting plate, and a second cartridge assembly further comprises a second optical tester assembly coupled to a second lower mounting plate, and the first and second optical tester assemblies check for defects in the tabbed can ends formed by the respective first and second cartridge assemblies.

[0121] Y. The method according to any one of clauses V to X, wherein the first cartridge assembly further comprises a first scrap chopper device, and the second cartridge assembly further comprises a second scrap chopper device, and the first and second scrap chopper devices are for cutting the remaining portion of the tab feed material into scrap material.

[0122] Z. The method according to any one of the clauses V to Y, wherein the first cartridge assembly includes the same number of active molding lanes as the second cartridge assembly.

[0123] AA. The method according to any one of clauses V to Y, wherein the first cartridge assembly includes a different number of active molding lanes than the second cartridge assembly.

[0124] AB. The method according to any one of clauses V to AA, wherein a first cartridge assembly forms a first can end having a first tab, and a second cartridge assembly forms a second can end having a second tab, and the first can end has the same size and shape as the second can end.

[0125] AC. The method according to any one of clauses V to AA, wherein a first cartridge assembly forms a first can end having a first tab, and a second cartridge assembly forms a second can end having a second tab, and the first can end has at least one of a different size or shape from the second can end.

[0126] AD. Removal of the first tab forming feeder from the conversion press, wherein the first tab forming feeder is configured to sequentially form first tabs on a first tab feed material and to supply the first tab feed material having the formed first tabs to a first tab staking station, where the first tabs are separated from the rest of the first tab feed material and coupled to can shells being transported on a first transport belt of the first cartridge assembly. The present invention relates to the installation of a second tab forming and feeding device within a conversion press, wherein the second tab forming and feeding device is configured to sequentially form second tabs onto a second tab feeding material and to supply the second tab feeding material having the formed second tabs to a second tab staking station, where the second tabs are separated from the rest of the second tab feeding material and coupled to can shells being transported on a second transport belt of a second cartridge assembly. It further includes, The second tab forming feeder includes at least one of the following: a different output volume of formed tabs from that of the first tab forming feeder, or tooling for forming tabs that differ from those formed by the first tab forming feeder in size or shape, at least one of the following: The method described in any of the clauses AA to AC.

[0127] AE. The method according to any of the clauses V to AD, wherein one or more first and second molding stations each comprise one or more of the following: a primary bubble station, a secondary bubble station, a score and button station, a panel and button restrike station, or a tab wiping station.

[0128] AF. The method according to any one of clauses V to AE, wherein the first and second upper mounting plates are removably coupled to the ram, respectively, using mechanical fasteners, and the first and second lower mounting plates are removably coupled to the bolster of the frame, respectively, using mechanical fasteners.

[0129] AG. The method according to any of clauses V to AE, wherein the first and second upper mounting plates are removably coupled to the ram, respectively, using magnetic fastener assemblies, and the first and second lower mounting plates are removably coupled to the bolster of the frame, respectively, using magnetic fastener assemblies.

[0130] AH. The method according to any one of the clauses V to AG, wherein the number of can shell feeders in each cartridge assembly corresponds to the number of active molding lanes in the corresponding cartridge assembly.

[0131] AI. The second cartridge assembly is installed inside the conversion press. The process further includes positioning the second cartridge assembly in the desired position using a positioning guide pin assembly fixed to the frame, before removably coupling the second upper mounting plate to the ram and the second lower mounting plate to the bolster. The second upper and lower mounting plates are positioned appropriately so that one or more second forming stations and second tab staking stations can form can shells supplied by at least one second can shell feeding device into tabbed can ends, when the second upper mounting plate is removably coupled to the ram with the second cartridge assembly in the desired position, and the second lower mounting plate is removably coupled to the bolster with the second cartridge assembly in the desired position. The method described in any of clauses V to AH.

[0132] AJ. The method according to any one of clauses V to AI, wherein the first cartridge assembly further comprises a scrap chopper device coupled to a first lower mounting plate, and the second cartridge assembly further comprises a second scrap chopper device coupled to a second lower mounting plate, and the first and second scrap chopper devices are provided for cutting the remaining portion of the tab feed material into scrap material.

[0133] AK. Before removing the first lower mounting plate from the frame, remove the scrap chute device from the frame, the scrap chute device being provided for discharging scrap material from the first scrap chopper device, The scrap chute device is to be removably attached to the frame after the second lower mounting plate has been removably attached, and the scrap chute device is to be removably attached to the frame, and is provided for discharging scrap material from the second scrap chopper device. The method described in Clause AJ, further including the method described in Clause AJ.

[0134] The method according to any one of clauses V to AK, further comprising removing the first drive drum of the first cartridge assembly from a drive shaft fixed to the frame, wherein the drive shaft is configured to drive the first drive drum to rotate the first transport belt.

[0135] The method according to clause AL, further comprising: AM. Removably coupling a second drive drum of a second cartridge assembly to a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is configured to drive the second drive drum to rotate a second transport belt.

[0136] AN. The method according to clause AM, wherein a first drive drum is coupled to a first lower mounting plate, and a second drive drum is coupled to a second lower mounting plate.

[0137] The method according to any of clauses V to AN, further comprising extending the ram to a position such that one or more spacer blocks are positioned between corresponding pairs of lower and upper stop blocks before removing the first upper mounting plate from the ram, wherein one or more lower stop blocks are coupled to the lower mounting plate and one or more upper stop blocks are coupled to the upper mounting plate.

[0138] A quick-change cartridge assembly for AP conversion presses, A down stacker assembly comprising at least one can shell feeder for supplying can shells during use of a conversion press incorporating a quick-change cartridge assembly, One or more molding stations, Tab Stake Station and, A transfer belt that defines at least one active molding lane for transporting can shells from at least one can shell feeding device to one or more molding stations and tab staking stations during use of a conversion press incorporating a quick-change cartridge assembly, A quick-change cartridge assembly equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

[0139] AQ. A quick-change cartridge assembly as described in Clause AP, further comprising an upper mounting plate configured to be removably coupled to the ram of a conversion press.

[0140] A quick-change cartridge assembly as described in Clause AP or Clause AQ, further comprising a lower mounting plate configured to be removably coupled to the bolster of the frame of the conversion press.

[0141] AS. A quick-change cartridge assembly as described in Clause AR, wherein the down-stacker assembly and transfer belt are coupled to a lower mounting plate.

[0142] A quick-change cartridge assembly as described in any of clauses AP to AS, further comprising an optical tester assembly for checking for defects in the tabbed can end formed by the quick-change cartridge assembly.

[0143] AU. A quick-change cartridge assembly as described in any of clauses AP to AT, further comprising a drive drum configured to be removably coupled to the drive shaft of a conversion press for driving a transfer belt.

[0144] A quick-change cartridge assembly as described in any of clauses AP to AU, further comprising a scrap chopper device configured to cut the remaining portion of the AV. tab supply material into scrap material.

[0145] AW. A quick-change cartridge assembly as described in any of clauses AP to AV, comprising one or more molding stations, one or more of the following: primary bubble stations, secondary bubble stations, score and button stations, panel and button restrike stations, or tab wiping stations.

[0146] AX. A quick-change cartridge assembly as described in any of clauses AP to AW, further comprising a lower mounting plate, wherein two or more of the following are coupled to the lower mounting plate: a down-stacker assembly, one or more forming stations, a tab-stake station, or a transfer belt.

[0147] AY. A quick-change cartridge assembly as described in any of clauses AP to AX, further comprising a lower mounting plate, wherein the down-stacker assembly, one or more forming stations, a tab staking station, and a transfer belt are coupled to the lower mounting plate.

[0148] An optical tester assembly for checking for defects in the tabbed can end formed by the AZ quick-change cartridge assembly, The system further comprises a drive drum configured to be removably coupled to the drive shaft of a conversion press for driving a transfer belt, The optical tester assembly and drive drum are coupled to the lower mounting plate. The quick-change cartridge assembly described in clause AY.

[0149] BA. Frame and, A ram that is movably coupled to the frame, A cartridge assembly that is removably coupled to the frame and ram, A positioning guide device coupled to a frame and a ram is provided, wherein the cartridge assembly is positioned within the frame by alignment with the positioning guide device. A conversion press for forming tabbed can ends.

[0150] BB. Cartridge assembly, One or more molding stations, Tab Stake Station and, A transport belt for transporting can shells to one or more molding stations and tab staking stations, A conversion press as described in clause BA, which includes the following:

[0151] BC. A conversion press according to clause BB, further comprising a down stacker assembly having at least one can shell feeding device for supplying can shells.

[0152] BD. A conversion press according to any one of clauses BA to BD, wherein the positioning guide device comprises an alignment block coupled to a frame and a locator block coupled to the alignment block.

[0153] The conversion press described in Clause BD, wherein the locator block is provided with through holes for receiving alignment pins, and the alignment pins are further received in corresponding openings provided within the cartridge assembly.

[0154] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made within the scope of these embodiments. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications be covered in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Frame and, A ram movably coupled to the frame, The system comprises at least one cartridge assembly, which is removably coupled to the bolster and ram of the frame, and each cartridge assembly is One or more molding stations, Tab Stake Station and, A transfer belt for receiving can shells, wherein the transfer belt defines at least one active molding lane for transporting the can shells to one or more molding stations and the tab staking station, and the can shells are formed into tabbed can ends as they are transported along the at least one active molding lane. A conversion press for forming tabbed can ends.

2. Each cartridge assembly further comprises a down stacker assembly having at least one can shell supply device for supplying can shells, The transfer belt receives the can shells from the at least one can shell supply device. The conversion press according to claim 1.

3. The conversion press according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one cartridge assembly includes an upper mounting plate removably coupled to the ram and a lower mounting plate removably coupled to the bolster of the frame.

4. The conversion press according to claim 3, wherein the transfer belt is connected to the lower mounting plate.

5. The conversion press according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a tab forming and feeding device configured to sequentially form tabs on a tab feeding material and to supply the tab feeding material having the formed tabs to a tab staking station, wherein at the tab staking station, the tabs are separated from the rest of the tab feeding material and bonded to the can shell.

6. The conversion press according to claim 5, wherein the at least one cartridge assembly further comprises a scrap chopper device for cutting the remaining portion of the tab feed material into scrap material, and the conversion press further comprises a scrap chute device for discharging the scrap material from the scrap chopper device.

7. The conversion press according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one cartridge assembly comprises two cartridge assemblies.

8. The conversion press according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the one or more molding stations comprises one or more of the following: a primary bubble station, a secondary bubble station, a score and button station, a panel and button restrike station, or a tab wiping station.

9. The at least one cartridge assembly is An upper mounting plate removably coupled to the ram using mechanical fasteners or a first magnetic fastener assembly, A lower mounting plate removably coupled to the bolster of the frame using mechanical fasteners or a second magnetic fastener assembly, A conversion press according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. The conversion press according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cartridge assembly comprises a lower mounting plate, and the one or more molding stations, the tab staking station, and the transfer belt are coupled to the lower mounting plate.

11. The at least one cartridge assembly is An optical tester assembly for checking whether the molded tabbed can end is free of defects, or A drive drum, detachably coupled to the drive shaft of the conversion press, to drive the transfer belt. The further comprising at least one of the following, At least one of the optical tester assembly or the drive drum is coupled to the lower mounting plate of the at least one cartridge assembly. A conversion press according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method for replacing a cartridge assembly in a conversion press comprising a frame and a ram movably coupled to the frame, wherein the method is The process includes the step of removing the first cartridge assembly from the conversion press, wherein the first cartridge assembly is First upper mounting plate, First lower mounting plate, One or more first molding stations, The first tab stake station, and The system comprises a first transport belt for receiving can shells, the first transport belt defining at least one first active molding lane for transporting the can shells to one or more first molding stations and the first tab staking station, and the can shells being formed into tabbed can ends as they are transported along the at least one first active molding lane. The step of removing the first cartridge assembly from the conversion press is The steps of removing the first upper mounting plate from the ram, This includes the step of removing the first lower mounting plate from the bolster of the frame, The above method further, The process includes the step of installing a second cartridge assembly in the conversion press in place of the first cartridge assembly, wherein the second cartridge assembly is Second upper mounting plate, Second lower mounting plate, One or more second molding stations, The second tab stake station, and The system comprises a second transport belt for receiving can shells, the second transport belt defining at least one second active molding lane for transporting the can shells to one or more second molding stations and the second tab staking station, and the can shells are formed into tabbed can ends as they are transported along the at least one second active molding lane. The step of installing the second cartridge assembly into the conversion press is, The steps of removably connecting the second upper mounting plate to the ram, and The process includes the step of removably connecting the second lower mounting plate to the bolster of the frame, method.

13. The first cartridge assembly further comprises a first down stacker assembly having at least one first can shell supply device for supplying can shells, the first transport belt receiving the can shells from the at least one first can shell supply device, The second cartridge assembly further comprises a second downstacker assembly having at least one second can shell supply device for supplying can shells, and the second transport belt receives the can shells from the at least one second can shell supply device. The method according to claim 12.

14. The process further includes removing the first tab forming feeder from the conversion press, wherein the first tab forming feeder is configured to sequentially form first tabs onto a first tab feeder and to supply the first tab feeder having the formed first tabs to the first tab staking station, where the first tabs are separated from the rest of the first tab feeder and coupled to the can shell being transported on the first transport belt of the first cartridge assembly. The process further includes the step of installing a second tab forming and feeding device within the conversion press, wherein the second tab forming and feeding device is configured to sequentially form second tabs onto a second tab supply material and to supply the second tab supply material having the formed second tabs to the second tab staking station, where the second tabs are separated from the rest of the second tab supply material and coupled to the can shell being transported on the second transport belt of the second cartridge assembly. The second tab forming feeder includes at least one of the following: a different output volume of formed tabs from that of the first tab forming feeder, or tooling for forming tabs that differ from those formed by the first tab forming feeder in size or shape, at least one of the following: The method according to claim 12 or 13.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first and second upper mounting plates are removably coupled to the ram, respectively, using mechanical fasteners or magnetic fastener assemblies, and the first and second lower mounting plates are removably coupled to the bolster of the frame, respectively, using mechanical fasteners or magnetic fastener assemblies.

16. The step of installing the second cartridge assembly into the conversion press is, Prior to the steps of removably coupling the second upper mounting plate to the ram and removably coupling the second lower mounting plate to the bolster, the process further includes positioning the second cartridge assembly in a desired position using a positioning guide pin assembly fixed to the frame, With the second cartridge assembly in the desired position, the second upper mounting plate is removably coupled to the ram and the second lower mounting plate is removably coupled to the bolster, and the second upper and lower mounting plates are appropriately positioned so that the one or more second forming stations and the second tab staking stations can form can shells supplied by the at least one second can shell feeding device into tabbed can ends. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15.

17. A step of removing the first drive drum of the first cartridge assembly from a drive shaft fixed to the frame, wherein the drive shaft is configured to drive the first drive drum to rotate the first transport belt; A step of removably coupling the second drive drum of the second cartridge assembly to the drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is configured to drive the second drive drum to rotate the second transport belt, It further includes, The first drive drum is coupled to the first lower mounting plate, and the second drive drum is coupled to the second lower mounting plate. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, further comprising the step of extending the ram to a position such that one or more spacer blocks are positioned between corresponding pairs of lower and upper stop blocks, before the step of removing the first upper mounting plate from the ram, wherein one or more of the lower stop blocks are coupled to the first lower mounting plate, and one or more of the upper stop blocks are coupled to the first upper mounting plate.

19. A quick-change cartridge assembly for a conversion press, One or more molding stations, Tab Stake Station and, A transfer belt that defines at least one active molding lane for transporting can shells to one or more molding stations and the tab staking station during use of the conversion press incorporating the quick-change cartridge assembly, A quick-change cartridge assembly equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

20. The down stacker assembly further comprises at least one can shell feeding device for supplying can shells during use of a conversion press incorporating the quick-change cartridge assembly, The transfer belt receives the can shells from the at least one can shell supply device. The quick-change cartridge assembly according to claim 19.

21. Frame and, A ram movably coupled to the frame, A cartridge assembly detachably coupled to the bolster and ram of the frame, The system comprises a positioning guide device coupled to the frame and the ram, wherein the cartridge assembly is positioned within the frame by alignment with the positioning guide device. A conversion press for forming tabbed can ends.

22. The aforementioned cartridge assembly One or more molding stations, Tab Stake Station and, A transfer belt for transporting can shells to one or more molding stations and the tab staking station, A conversion press according to claim 21, comprising:

23. The conversion press according to claim 22, wherein the cartridge assembly further comprises a down stacker assembly having at least one can shell supply device for supplying can shells.

24. The conversion press according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the positioning guide device comprises an alignment block coupled to the frame and a locator block coupled to the alignment block.

25. The conversion press according to claim 24, wherein the locator block is provided with through holes for receiving alignment pins, and the alignment pins are further received in corresponding openings provided within the cartridge assembly.

26. A method for concentrating and balancing force in a conversion press comprising a frame and a ram movably coupled to the frame, wherein the conversion press is configured to removably receive a single cartridge assembly or first and second cartridge assemblies, and the method When the conversion press removably receives a single cartridge assembly, the step includes positioning the single cartridge assembly in the center of the cartridge assembly receiving opening of the frame, When the conversion press removably receives the first and second cartridge assemblies, The steps include positioning the first cartridge assembly offset from the central position toward the left side of the cartridge assembly receiving opening, The steps include positioning the second cartridge assembly offset from the central position toward the right side of the cartridge assembly receiving opening, Methods that include...

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein each cartridge assembly comprises an upper mounting plate that can be removably coupled to the ram and a lower mounting plate that can be removably coupled to the bolster of the frame.

28. Each cartridge assembly One or more molding stations, Tab Stake Station and, The system further comprises a transfer belt for receiving can shells, wherein the transfer belt defines at least one active molding lane for transporting the can shells to one or more molding stations and the tab staking station, and the can shells are formed into tabbed can ends as they are transported along the at least one active molding lane. The one or more molding stations, the tab staking station, and the transfer belt are directly connected to at least one of the upper or lower mounting plates. The method according to claim 27.

29. The conversion further includes a step of converting the conversion press from a single-cartridge assembly configuration to a dual-cartridge assembly configuration, or from a dual-cartridge assembly configuration to a single-cartridge assembly configuration, wherein the conversion step is If the conversion press is in a single cartridge assembly configuration, the process includes the steps of removing the single cartridge assembly from the conversion press and removably coupling the first and second cartridge assemblies to the conversion press, wherein the first cartridge assembly is removably coupled to the conversion press offset to the left from the central position of the cartridge assembly receiving opening, and the second cartridge assembly is removably coupled to the conversion press offset to the right from the central position of the cartridge assembly receiving opening, or If the conversion press is in a dual cartridge assembly configuration, the process includes the steps of removing the first and second cartridge assemblies from the conversion press, and removably coupling a single cartridge assembly to the conversion press, wherein the single cartridge assembly is removably coupled to the conversion press at the central position within the cartridge assembly receiving opening. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28.

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