Quick change for transfer starwheel

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine system and method as set out in the preamble to claims 1 and 14. Such a machine and method are disclosed, for example in US-A-4671093.

[0002] These provisions generally refer to a number of machines or machine parts forming part of a machine line, or more specifically to a device forming a machine part / machine parts and enabling a quick line switch between the first setting in which the product with the first is produced / modified size, or at least one other setting in which a product of a different size is manufactured / modified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0003] An embodiment includes machines used to form the neck in containers, including cans and bottles for beer and other beverages, enabling necking at high speed, precision and reliability. The author of the present invention noticed the disadvantage of switching from a one-size container production series to a different size container series, such as a 5-inch can series production series for another 6-inch can series production, in which case the standby time is usually significant and / or the number of steps and tools required to perform the switching operation is significant, etc. For example, replacement may require turning off a significant number of items and replacing them with new items, and / or re-matching existing items to accommodate the new length of the necked can.

[0004] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a machine system according to claim 1.

[0005] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method according to claim 1. 14.

[0006] It is understood that both the following general description and the following detailed description are exemplary only and serve to clarify and not limit the invention claimed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying embodiments shown in the drawings briefly described below.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a machine line according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a part of the machine line according to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an isometric cross-section through part of the machinery line shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an exploded drawing of the part shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 4, except that the star wheel assembly is moved inward relative to its position shown in Fig. 5.

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Fig. 7 is a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 4, except that the star wheel assembly is moved inward with respect to its position shown in Fig. 5 and a spacer was added to the system.

Fig. 8 is a close-up view of some of the parts shown in Fig. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0008] In a first embodiment, referring to Fig. 1, a line of machines 10 is shown, adapted to perform the stages of necking, flange bending or other processing of containers and / or containers that are not ready (henceforth the term container refers to both containers and not ready containers), such as for example, but not to limit the invention, cans or bottles, these steps being carried out as the containers pass through a series of rotary necking stations arranged in serpentine. As can be seen, the containers 1000 enter the machine line 10 through the can feeder 30 and then, after passing through the feeder conveyor star wheel, are "captured" by the first conveyor star wheel 140. In some embodiments, the conveyor star wheel 140 has 20 pockets that can handle cans , which is greater than the number of pockets in the feeder's conveyor star wheel. The containers 1000, which in the first star wheel conveyor 140 are held still by a pneumatic pressure difference, or "suction", rotate around the star wheel rotation axis 206 (see Fig. 3, details below) in such a way that the containers are moved around at least part of the conveyor star wheel 140. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the containers 1000 are fed from the part constituting the first conveyor star wheel 140 to the first rotary machine 142 and go to the first stage of necking on the machine line 10.

[0009] It should be mentioned that in some embodiments, the necking machines 10 are constructed from a series of modules 110. An example of such a module 110 is shown in Fig. 2. The use of modules 110 allows the assembly / re-assembly of machines 10 to provide the required number of stages of necking and addition / removal as needed of additional stages such as bending the collar and / or re-forming or shaping the base, which is performed after the main necking operations.

[0010] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the containers are moved from the first star wheel conveyor 140 part to the first rotary machine 142 to the second star wheel conveyor 144 (which in some embodiments has the same number of pockets as the star wheel part 140) to the second rotary machine 146, to the part constituting the third conveyor star wheel 148, to the third rotary machine 150, to the part constituting the fourth conveyor star wheel 152, to the fourth rotary machine tool 154, to the part constituting the fifth conveyor star wheel 156, to the fifth rotary machine tool 158, to the part constituting the sixth conveyor star wheel 160 and so on for so many parts constituting the conveyor star wheels and / or rotary machine tools, how many of them are in machine line 10, and then to output 40. Modules 110 can be installed in line 10 to handle rotary heads 140, 144, 148, 152 and 156 respectively.

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[0011] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an isometric view of an exemplary vacuum conveyor head assembly 152 and Fig. 4 is an exploded drawing of a vacuum conveyor head assembly 152. The features of the present embodiment will be described below.

[0012] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the vacuum conveyor head assembly 152 includes a star wheel assembly 200 (see, e.g., Figures 2 and 4) that is adapted to hold or release (i.e., hold and release as per command) one or more containers and / or containers not ready by the vacuum created in the openings 202. More specifically - when the container is placed in close proximity to the openings 202 (e.g. the cylindrical container may lie in the "cradle" 255, in which the corresponding opening 202 adjoins the cylindrical surface of the container) the suction acting on the container through the opening 202 "holds" the can in the corresponding cradle 255, allowing the star wheel assembly 200 to rotate the container around the axis of rotation 206 of the head assembly 152 / rotation axis 206 of the star wheel assembly 200 while the container is held by the head assembly 152. In some embodiments, the head assembly 152 is adapted to hold a plurality of containers in respective cradles 255 by means of suction operating through respective openings 202.

[0013] The head assembly 152 includes a shaft assembly 300 on which a star wheel assembly 200 is mounted (Fig. 4). The star wheel assembly 200 is attached to the shaft assembly 300 in a manner that allows uncoupling. That is, when the head assembly 152 is configured for necking or other operations, the star wheel assembly 200 is attached to the shaft assembly 300 such that one rotation of the shaft assembly 300 causes the corresponding rotation of the star wheel assembly 200 and the star wheel assembly 200 it does not move along the roller assembly 300 inward and / or outward. However, when the star wheel assembly 200 is disengaged (released) with the roller assembly 300, the star wheel assembly 200 can be rotated relative to the roller assembly 300, while the roller assembly 300 supports the star wheel assembly 200 in the direction of gravity. After decoupling with the shaft assembly 300, the star wheel assembly 200 may slide or otherwise move in the direction of axis 206 (inward or outward) relative to the shaft assembly 300. The star wheel assembly 200 is configured to slide along the roller assembly 300 (after disengagement with the roller assembly 300) to match the position of the star wheel assembly 200 and to accommodate containers of various lengths 1000.

[0014] The head assembly 152 shown in the figures includes a vacuum assembly 400 that causes suction through the openings 202 discussed above. This vacuum assembly 400 includes a vacuum housing 410, a vacuum tube 420 and vacuum tubes 430. Vacuum channels 430 connect the vacuum housing 410 to the vacuum tube 420 in such a way that the vacuum contained in the vacuum housing 410 is "transported" through the vacuum tubes 430 to the vacuum tube 420 and then to the holes 202, where it forms a suction through the holes 202. Valve assembly 400 is configured to be in communication with the star wheel assembly 200 in various axial positions.

[0015] In an embodiment, when the star wheel assembly 200 is attached / coupled / coupled to the shaft assembly 300, the head assembly 152 is adapted to rotate the shaft assembly 300 to rotate the star wheel assembly 200 relative to

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This means that in the embodiment shown the star wheel assembly 200 and the roller assembly 300 rotate relative to the vacuum assembly 400. It is noted that in other embodiments, some parts of the vacuum assembly 400 can rotate together with star wheel assembly 200 and / or roller assembly 300. Only as an example and not as a limitation, the tubing 420 and / or vacuum tubules 430 can rotate with the star wheel assembly 200 and / or roller assembly 300 while providing an interface between the vacuum channels 430 and the vacuum housing 410 analogous to the interface between the tubing vacuum 420 and star wheel assembly 200. In some embodiments, the vacuum housing 410, vacuum tube 420 and vacuum channels 430 can rotate with a star wheel assembly 200 and / or roller assembly 300 while providing a contact surface between the vacuum housing 410 and the inner parts of the module 110, analogous to the contact surface between the vacuum line 420 and star wheel assembly 200, although in some embodiments, an independent vacuum source can be mounted to the vacuum housing 410, making analogous contact surfaces unnecessary with the inner parts of the module 110.

[0016] As can be seen in Figs. 5 and 6, in some embodiments, the head assembly 152 is adapted to allow star wheel assembly 200, vacuum tube 420, and vacuum tubes to move when the star wheel assembly 200 and roller assembly 300 are disengaged. 430) down the shaft assembly 300 and in the longitudinal direction of the shaft assembly 300 (e.g. towards the axis of rotation 206), towards and away from the vacuum housing 410, while the star wheel assembly 200 is enclosed between the vacuum assembly 400 and the outer end of the head assembly 152. The outer end of the head assembly 152 includes a star wheel retaining flange 310 mounted at the end of the roller assembly 300 on the opposite side of the vacuum assembly 400, which flange serves as the ultimate stop for the movement of the star wheel assembly 200 toward the inner end of the head assembly 152. (It should be noted that the star wheel assembly 200 is disengaged from the shaft assembly 300 even though the star wheel retaining flange 310 prevents the star wheel assembly 200 from being removed from the roller assembly 300. In some embodiments, any design can be used in which the star wheel assembly 200 can be fitted to the shaft assembly 300 and then attached to the shaft assembly 300.) In the embodiment shown in the figures, the vacuum housing 410 stops the star wheel assembly 200 toward the inner end head assembly 152, and springs 700 slow the star wheel assembly 200 toward the inner end of head assembly 152. In some embodiments, the springs 700 are arranged to provide the star wheel assembly 200 with a soft separating pad from the vacuum assembly 400 and / or to provide a repelling force of the star wheel assembly 200 to the vacuum assembly 400.

[0017] Only by way of example and not as a limitation, movement and limitation of the movement of the star wheel assembly 200 along the shaft assembly can one be characterized by describing - relative to the axis of rotation of the head assembly 206 - movement of the star wheel assembly to many places and correspondingly a large distance from the reference element on the vacuum assembly and / or roller assembly (e.g., any relatively stationary element that can be used as a reference point) and respectively

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Within the range of motion of the star wheel assembly 200. These distances can be limited on the one hand by a distance equal to the first distance between the reference element and the limit wheel movement of the star wheel assembly towards the outer head assembly, and on the other hand by the distance equal to the second distance between the reference element and the limit wheel movement of the star wheel assembly 200 towards the inside of the assembly head 152, all these distances being measured on the rotation axis 206 of the head assembly 152.

[0018] In some embodiments, the head assembly 152 is adapted to allow star wheel assembly 200 and vacuum tube 420 to move the roller assembly 300 along the roller assembly 300 in the longitudinal direction / direction of rotation 206 when the star wheel assembly 200 disconnects with the shaft assembly 300. , at different distances towards and from the vacuum housing 410 along the roller assembly 300. The high end of the distance range is defined by the first limit of movement of the star wheel assembly 200 along the roller assembly 300 relatively close to the outer end of the head assembly / relatively close to the end of the support of the star wheel assembly in the direction of gravity. The low end of the distance range is defined by the second limit of movement of the star wheel assembly 200 along the roller assembly 300 when the star wheel assembly 200 is moved toward the inner end of the head assembly 152.

[0019] In some embodiments, a first limit of movement of the star wheel assembly 200 along the roller assembly 300 is established by a star wheel retaining flange 310. In some embodiments, a second limit of movement of the star wheel assembly 200 along the shaft assembly relatively toward the inner end of the head assembly is established by vacuum assembly 400. Only as an example and not as a limitation, with reference to Figs. 3, 5 and 6, etc. the vacuum housing 410 has a flange 455 and the face of the vacuum tube 420 facing the vacuum housing 410 can contact the flange 455 (or with an intermediate "bumper" etc. installed between the flange 455 and the tube 420), thereby preventing further movement in internal directions. In other embodiments, the vacuum assembly 400 defines a second limit on the movement of the star wheel assembly 200 causing the springs 700 to achieve maximum compression (e.g. are compressed completely) or otherwise compressed to such an extent that further movement of the star wheel assembly 200 inward is not possible.

[0020] In some embodiments, the locating flange 310 used to define the first limit of movement is bolted or otherwise attached to the shaft assembly 300 by screws 312. Only as an example and not as a limitation, the star wheel assembly 200 shown in the figures includes a hole 220 through which the shaft forming part of the shaft assembly 300 passes. The diameter of the inside of the hole 220, measured in the first plane normal to the longitudinal direction of the shaft assembly 300 / rotation axis of the head assembly 152 / star wheel assembly 200, is smaller than the outer diameter of the retaining flange 310 measured on a second plane parallel to the first plane, the retaining flange 310 is coaxial with the 206 axis of rotation. This diameter difference is significant enough to maintain the position of the star wheel assembly 200 on the roller assembly 300. That is, in some embodiments, it prevents the star wheel assembly 200 from moving outwardly of the roller assembly 300 beyond the point where the roller assembly 300 no longer supports. star wheel assembly 200

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EP 2 401 216 B1 in the direction of gravity, thereby preventing the star wheel assembly 200 from falling off the shaft assembly 300.

[0021] In some embodiments, an intermediate device is arranged between the retaining flange 310 and the star wheel assembly 200. In some embodiments, this intermediate device may be a resilient material operating in a manner analogous to spring 700 between flange 455 and conduit 420 belonging to vacuum assembly 400. Only by way of example and not as a limitation, it is possible to wrap the spiral spring tightly around the roller assembly 300, between the retainer flange 310 and the star wheel assembly 200, so that one end of the helical spring acts on the retainer 310.

[0022] In an embodiment, the aforementioned first limit of movement of the star wheel assembly 200 along the roller assembly 300, or relatively close to the outer end of the head assembly 152, is determined by the head assembly 152 at the end of the support in the direction of gravity for the star wheel assembly 200. The aforementioned second limit of movement, in this and / or another embodiment, is the limit for the movement of the star wheel along the roller assembly 300 relatively close to the inner end of the head assembly 152. This second limit may be defined by the vacuum assembly and / or may be determined by other elements.

[0023] With reference to the figures, a star wheel mounting hub 260 is located at the outer end of the head assembly 152. The star wheel mounting hub 260 is adapted to be attached to the roller assembly 300 and the star wheel assembly 200. The star wheel hub 260 is part of the star wheel alignment that is adapted to align the star wheel hub 260 with the shaft assembly 300 and align the star wheel hub 260 with the star wheel assembly 200 to align the star wheel assembly 200 relative to the roller assembly 300 in such a way that the star wheel assembly 200 can be attached to the shaft assembly 300 at a precisely defined angle.

[0024] In an embodiment using the exemplary star wheel alignment system, the locating flange 310 forms a "bearing" to which other elements in the alignment system are connected. In other words, the retaining flange 310 is rotated about the shaft assembly 300 to align the system. In this regard, the alignment system includes a star wheel locating flange 310 provided with a locating pin 311 that fits into a hole in the star wheel mounting hub 260 (not shown). This locating pin 311 causes each rotation of the star wheel hub 260 to be transferred to the locating flange 310. The star wheel assembly 200 includes locating pins 204 that match the respective holes in the star wheel mounting hub 260, thereby forcing any rotation of the mounting hub star wheel 260 per star wheel assembly 200 and vice versa. It follows that any rotation of the star wheel assembly 200 will result in a suitable rotation of the locating flange 310. The locating pins 204 are configured to maintain the radial position of the star wheel assembly 200 along with the adjacent machine assembly when the spacer 500 is removed or replaced by the spacer different size. The radial arrangement ensures that the cradles 255 of the star wheel assembly 200 are synchronized with the cradles of the adjacent machine tool assembly. Collar

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The retainer 310 is centered on the alignment cylinder 370 of the roller assembly 300, thereby providing a suitable bearing surface for the retaining flange 310.

[0025] The retaining flange 310 includes slots 324 through which the screws 600 securing the retaining flange 310 to the shaft assembly 300 pass. In the embodiment, the slots 324 allow the retaining flange 310 to rotate relative to the alignment cylinder 370 forming part of the shaft assembly 300 by a distance corresponding to the radial distance of the slots 324, with loose screws 600 (i.e. when the screws do not exert a significant clamping force that would clamp the retaining flange 310 on the shaft assembly 300, thereby preventing rotation of the retaining flange relative to the shaft assembly 300). When the screws 600 rest on the ends of the slots 324, the retaining flange 310 can no longer rotate. This rotation, limited by slots 324, allows for an approximate synchronization of the shaft assembly 300 with the adjacent machine assembly. Only as an example and not as a limitation, in the alignment, the retaining flange 310 can, thanks to the slots 324, make a limited rotation in a clockwise and / or counterclockwise direction, e.g. in the range of 0 to 18 degrees relative to the shaft assembly 300, so that precise alignment of the star wheel 200 assembly with the adjacent machine assembly can be achieved (as will be described below), after which the screws 600 are tightened to exert sufficient clamping force on the locating flange 310 and thus prevent the retaining flange 310 from rotating about the alignment cylinder 370, and since the star wheel assembly 200 is connected to the locating flange 310 by means of the star wheel mounting hub 260, the star wheel assembly 200 cannot also rotate around the alignment cylinder 370. In this way, the locating flange 310 prevents the star wheel assembly 200 from moving outwardly, when there is no spacer 500. In this way, the star wheel assembly 200 is rotatably aligned with the shaft assembly 300.

[0026] In an embodiment, the mounting hub 260 is configured with a mounting ring 265 which has a face facing the star wheel assembly 200 and adheres to the star wheel assembly 200. In the embodiment, the mounting ring 265 includes a hole in which the locating pins are inserted. 204 star wheel assembly 200. In some embodiments, the mounting hub 260 prevents, via the mounting ring 265, the star wheel assembly 200 from moving to the first boundary, establishing a third movement limit, and is dimensioned / designed to accurately position the star wheel assembly 200 at the location / locations along the assembly roller 300 as detailed herein. In some embodiments, as seen in Fig. 5, star wheel assembly 200 is located directly opposite mounting ring 265 forming part of mounting hub 260, thereby positioning star wheel assembly 200 at a third limit of movement. This means that the mounting hub 260 is used to determine the position of the star wheel assembly 200 along the length of the shaft assembly 300. In this regard, screws 380 are used that pass through the mounting hub 260 and enter the star wheel assembly 200, as seen in Fig. 5. Bolts 380 have a non-threaded section between the head and the thread, and the male thread of the bolt 380 fits into the female thread in the star wheel assembly 200. After tightening the screws, the star wheel assembly 200 is clamped with the mounting hub 260 and thus prevents the star wheel assembly from moving in the direction

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EP 2 401 216 B1 internal and external. However, in some embodiments, the hub 260 is configured such that the retainer flange 310 fixes the position of the star wheel assembly 200 in an outward and inward direction after the screws 380 are tightened by pulling the star wheel assembly 200 toward the retainer 310.

[0027] Some embodiments include configurations in which the head assembly 152 is adapted to be equipped with a first prefabricated spacer 500 when the star wheel assembly 200 is pivotally disconnected from the shaft assembly 300. The spacer 500 is configured to adjust the position of the star wheel assembly 200 along the roller assembly 300 so that the star wheel assembly 200 can be adapted to containers of varying lengths 1000. In an embodiment, the spacer 500 is a ring-shaped member, as seen in Figs. 4 and 7, and is dimensioned / designed to accurately position the star wheel assembly 200 along the roller assembly 300, as described in detail herein. When the prefabricated spacer 500 is attached to the head assembly 152, the prefabricated spacer 500 can prevent the star wheel assembly 200 from moving toward the clamping ring 265 forming part of the clamping hub 260 and thereby moving to the third border. That is, in some embodiments, with the spacer 500, the star wheel assembly 200 receives a new third boundary of movement between the old third boundary and the second boundary that is deeper inside than the old third boundary. When the star wheel assembly 200 is placed on the new third movement limit (discussed in more detail below), the position of the star wheel assembly 200 along the roller assembly 300 will take the form that the star wheel assembly 200 is positioned in the "inward" / "less outward" position than if it is on the old third traffic border. This can be done, for example, when the shorter / smaller container and / or the unfinished container is being necked in a necking machine. In an embodiment using the spacer 500, the washer is adapted to be applied to the retaining flange 310 and to contact the star wheel assembly 200 without removing the retaining flange 310 from the head assembly.

[0028] Only by way of example and not as a limitation, it is possible to integrate the spacer 500 into the alignment system as follows. As mentioned above, the star wheel assembly 200 includes locating pins 204. In the embodiment as shown below, the retainer 310 fits into the respective holes in the spacer 500, and the spacer 500 includes retaining pins 510 that match the holes in the retaining hub 260 (which would otherwise fit retaining pins 204 forming part of a star wheel assembly 200). In this way, by means of a spacer 500, the clamping hub 260 is pivotally connected to the star wheel assembly 200.

[0029] When a spacer 500 is used, longer screws 380 can be used to allow the threads of the screws 380 to pass through both the mounting hub 260 and the spacer washer 500. With the introduction of the spacer washer 500 between the star wheel assembly 200 and the hub 260, after tightening bolts 380 star wheel assembly 200 remains

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EP 2 401 216 B1 compressed with the spacer 500, which in turn is compressed with the hub 260 and thus when the hub 260 is compressed with the locating flange 310, which in turn is compressed with the shaft assembly 300 - the star wheel assembly is immobilized in the internal direction and external.

[0030] It is noted at this point that the star wheel assembly 200 may be attached or otherwise attached along the roller assembly 300, regardless of whether the spacer washer 500 is located on the head assembly 152. That is, in some embodiments, when the first prefabricated spacer 500 is attached to the head assembly 152, the head assembly 152 is adapted to stop the motion of the star wheel assembly 200 away from the first limit of movement when the star wheel assembly 200 becomes connected to the head assembly 152. In the same embodiment, when the first prefabricated spacer 500 is removed from the head assembly 152, the head assembly 152 is adapted to stop the movement of the star wheel assembly 200 away from the first boundary of movement when the star wheel assembly 200 is connected to the assembly head 152. In some embodiments, when the first prefabricated spacer 500 is attached to the head assembly 152, when the star wheel assembly 200 is between the third movement limit of the star wheel assembly 200 and the second movement limit of the star wheel assembly 200, and when the head assembly 152 is not attached no spacers etc. - placed coaxially with the first prefabricated spacer 500 and between the retaining flange 310 and the vacuum assembly 400 - then the first prefabricated spacer 500 is used in connection with the hub 260 to prevent the star wheel assembly 200 from moving from the first limit of movement.

[0031] Embodiments using a spacer may be that a plurality of prefabricated spacers 500 with different predetermined thicknesses are available and used, thus enabling the determination of a new third border as needed at different distances from the old third border. In some embodiments, multiple spacers can be used simultaneously to create a stack of washers to define a new first boundary as desired, while in other embodiments, multiple washers are available, but they are used individually to determine separate new third boundaries as needed.

[0032] As noted above, the conveyor heads 152 can be positioned adjacent to the machine tool assemblies, such as the machine tool assembly including the first machine head 142, which allows the containers transferred from the conveyor head 152 to be necked. In particular, in an embodiment, the adjacent machine assembly is adapted to hold or release one or more containers and / or an unfinished container and to rotate one or more containers and / or unfinished containers around the axis of rotation of the adjacent machine assembly when the one or more containers and / or unfinished containers are held by the machine tool assembly. This adjacent machine assembly may then transfer one or more container and / or non-finished container to the adjacent conveyor head assembly. In an embodiment, the shaft assembly 300 forming part of the head assembly 152 includes a wheel alignment system

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The star wheel assembly 200 is adapted to allow rotational alignment of the star wheel assembly 200 relative to the roller assembly 300 such that the star wheel assembly 200 can be attached to the shaft assembly 300 only when the star wheel assembly 200 remains synchronized with the adjacent a machine tool assembly to allow containers to be moved from the cradles (pockets) of the conveyor head 152 to the cradles (pockets) of the machine head 142, etc. In an embodiment, the star wheel alignment system is adapted to rotate the star wheel assembly 200 relative to the roller assembly 300 in such a way that the star wheel assembly 200 can be attached to the roller assembly 300 at a predetermined number of precisely defined angles. For example, the predetermined number of specific angles can range from 0 to 18 degrees.

[0033] In an embodiment, the star wheel mounting hub 260 is part of the alignment system as described in detail above. The star wheel hub 260 is adapted to be attached to the shaft assembly 300 via a retaining flange 310 and star wheel assembly 200. The star wheel alignment system is adapted to align the star wheel hub 260 with the shaft assembly 300 and align the star wheel hub 260 with the star wheel assembly 200 to rotate the star wheel assembly 200 relative to the shaft assembly 300 such that the assembly The star wheel 200 could be attached to the shaft assembly 300 via a retaining flange 310 in a range of mutually precisely defined angles. More specifically, the slots 342 (Fig. 4) in the retaining flange 310, through which the bolts 600 securing the hub 260 (attached to the retaining flange 310) to the shaft assembly 300 pass, allow the mounting hub 260 to rotate slightly to the shaft assembly 300 - slot 324 extend along the screws 600 - thus ensuring that the star wheel assembly 200 is arranged in a precisely defined range of angles.

[0034] In some embodiments, the alignment of the star wheel assembly is adapted to align the star wheel assembly 200 with respect to the shaft assembly 300 such that the star wheel assembly 200 can be attached to the shaft assembly 300 only when the star wheel assembly 200 remains synchronized. by approaching with the adjacent machine tool assembly so that the operator can easily adjust the star wheel by hand, to more closely synchronize them with the adjacent machine assembly to allow containers to move from the cradles of the star wheel assembly 200 to the cradles of the adjacent machine assembly and to allow containers in the adjacent machine assembly to move from that machine assembly to the adjacent star wheel assembly 200. In this regard, in some embodiments, "synchronization through approach" corresponds to a synchronization in which the operator, in order to achieve more accurate synchronization with the adjacent machine assembly, only needs to rotate the star wheel assembly 200 around the roller assembly 300 by about 1 cradle 255 of the star wheel assembly 200 either clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from the outside towards the inside. For example, an 18 degree fit equals 1 cradle 255 (because 360 ​​degrees divided by 20 cradles 255 that are part of star wheel assembly 200 is 18 degrees). Alternatively, the star wheel assembly 200 can be rotated around the roller assembly 300 by about 3 cradles 220, or any other

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EP 2 401 216 B1 ₁ an appropriate number of cradles, such as, for example, 2 cradles, ¾ cradles, ½ cradles, / 4 cradles, 1/10 cradle.

[0035] In some embodiments, in order to achieve more accurate synchronization, the operator uses a "hollow insert", analogous to a can or bottle or other container that can be transported through the system, which is importantly dimensioned to achieve more accurate synchronization. In this embodiment, the user may place a hollow insert between the adjacent machine assembly and in the cradle 255 of the star wheel assembly 200 to ensure that the star wheel assembly 200 is more accurately synchronized with the adjacent machine assembly. When the user is satisfied with the synchronization accuracy achieved, he can tighten the screws 600 to lock the accurately synchronized star wheel assembly 200 on the shaft assembly 300, thereby achieving a state of more accurate synchronization.

[0036] The following scenario will describe an example scenario for preparing a line of machines 10 for container sewing according to an embodiment.

[0037] In the exemplary scenario in which the sequence of actions may be the same or different than the one presented below, the operator approaches the machine line 10 driven by the need to adjust the position of the star wheel assembly 200 in the direction according to axis 206 of the conveyor head assembly 152 to process the new batch containers of Lcurrent length. In this example scenario, the star wheel assembly 200 is located relative to the shaft assembly 300 in the position shown in Fig. 5, as machine line 10 previously processed a batch of Lprevious containers, Lprevious was longer than Lcurrent, hub 260 thus forms the third limit of star wheel 200 movement discussed above. The operator loosens and / or removes the appropriate bolts to allow the star wheel assembly 200 along the roller assembly 300 in a direction coaxial to 206 from the outer end of the roller assembly toward the vacuum assembly 400 (or more precisely, toward the housing of the 455 vacuum assembly) , to the place shown in Fig. 6 to make room for the spacer 500. The operator disconnects the star wheel hub 260 from the head assembly 152 and places the spacer 500 on the shaft assembly 300 by moving the washer 500 over the retaining flange 310, the retaining flange 310 preventing the star wheel assembly 200 from accidentally falling off the shaft assembly 300. The operator re-assembles the fixing hub 260 by aligning the locating pins of the star wheel assembly 200 with the holes in the spacers 500 and aligning the locating pins 500 with the holes in the hub mounting the star wheel 260 and finally aligns the locating pin 311 of the locating flange 310 with the hole in the mounting hub 260. The operator moves the star wheel assembly 200 toward the outer end of the head to remove the gap between the spacer washer 500 and the mounting hub 260, the washer 500 creating a new third limit of movement in the outward direction. (See Fig. 7.) Corresponding screws are tightened to remove the spacer 500 with the hub 260. If any alignment is required, the operator uses the container in the form of an empty insert and rotates the star wheel assembly 200, spacer washer 500, mounting hub 260 and locating flange 310 around the bearing surface (alignment cylinder) 370 forming part of the roller assembly 300 so that place a blank insert between the cradle 255 of the star wheel assembly 200 and the adjacent machine tool. When the operator

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EP 2 401 216 B1 is satisfied with the synchronization state of the star wheel assembly 200, tightens the respective screws and then passes as required to the next star wheel assembly 200 to fit it.

[0038] Having the description of the present invention, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the fact that there are other embodiments and modifications in the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, any modifications to the present invention that are feasible by one skilled in the art and within the scope and spirit of the present invention are included as further embodiments of the present invention.

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EP 2 401 216 B1