US 12,485,470 B2
Can seamer having an automated sealing rollers
Dennis Grumm, Grand Rapids, MI (US); and Svend Sorensen, Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Assigned to Oktober, LLC, Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed by Oktober, LLC, Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed on May 30, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/679,380.
Application 18/679,380 is a continuation of application No. 17/985,836, filed on Nov. 12, 2022, granted, now 12,005,488.
Prior Publication US 2024/0307948 A1, Sep. 19, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B21D 51/32 (2006.01); B21D 51/26 (2006.01)
CPC B21D 51/32 (2013.01) [B21D 51/2661 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A can seamer comprising:
a frame;
a lower chuck rotatably coupled to the frame;
an upper chuck rotatably coupled to the frame, at least one of the upper chuck and the lower chuck movable relative to the other of the upper chuck and the lower chuck so as to releasably engage a can and a cap therebetween, the upper chuck coupled to an axle defining an axle axis of rotation of the upper chuck;
a first rotating shaft, rotatable relative to the frame and spaced apart from the upper chuck, with a first roller attached thereto;
a second rotating shaft, rotatable relative to the frame and spaced apart from the upper chuck, with a second roller attached thereto;
a cam rotatable about the axle axis of rotation, the cam having an outer surface;
a first roller follower assembly coupled to the first rotating shaft, and including a first roller follower adapted to follow the outer surface of the cam, the first roller follower biased against the outer surface of the cam;
a second roller follower assembly coupled to the second rotating shaft, and including a second roller follower adapted to follow the outer surface of the cam, the second roller follower biased against the outer surface of the cam;
a drive gear coupled to the axle and rotatable about an axis of rotation defined by the axle;
an idler axle that is spaced apart from the axle, and having a first idler gear that engages the drive gear, and a second idler gear, the first and second idler gears being coupled to the idler axle and rotatable about an axis of rotation defined by the idler axle;
a cam gear coupled to the cam and the cam gear engaging the second idler gear; and
a motor having an output shaft coupled to the axle.