Vessel forming station

US8448487B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE COCA-COLA COMPANY · US

Inventors

• John E. Adams · Alpharetta, US
• Katherine W. Allen · Newnan, US
• Scott C. Biondich · Delmont, US
• Ruth Karina Espinel · Norcross, US
• Alejandro J. Santamaria · Export, US
• Gopalaswamy Rajesh · Alpharetta, US
• H. Brock Kolls · Alpharetta, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 12, 2009
• Grant date: May 28, 2013
• Expiry date: Mar 31, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B21D51/2692
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention is a vessel forming station comprising a plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of operation wheels are configured in opposing facing pairs, a plurality of linear drives are interconnected with the plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of linear drives push opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operations to a closed position causing opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels to engage the vessel and perform operations on the vessel, the linear drives pull the plurality of operation wheels to an open position allowing the vessel to be indexed to other operation positions, and a conveyor system positioned between opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operation wheels engages the vessel and indexes the vessel through the plurality of operations.