A retainer assembly includes a retaining member assembly and a motion assembly. The retaining member assembly is structured to selectively retain at least one shell in a transfer belt assembly belt recess. The retaining member assembly includes a retaining member. The motion assembly is structured to move the retaining member between a first position, wherein the retaining member is spaced from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt, and, a second position, wherein the retaining member is disposed a retaining distance from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt.

An alignment assembly for a press assembly is provided. The alignment assembly includes a number of alignment elements. The alignment elements include a number of moving alignment elements. The moving alignment elements are coupled to an upper tooling assembly that moves between a first and second position. As the upper tooling assembly moves, the moving alignment elements move between a first position and a second position corresponding to the upper tooling assembly first position and a second position. The moving alignment elements are structured to move the shell from the initial alignment position to an intermediate alignment position. Thus, as the upper tooling assembly moves from the first position to the second position, the moving alignment elements contact a shell and move the shell from an initial alignment position to an intermediate alignment position.

A retainer assembly includes a retaining member assembly and a motion assembly. The retaining member assembly is structured to selectively retain at least one shell in a transfer belt assembly belt recess. The retaining member assembly includes a retaining member. The motion assembly is structured to move the retaining member between a first position, wherein the retaining member is spaced from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt, and, a second position, wherein the retaining member is disposed a retaining distance from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt.

Ring pull crowns require equipment and related methods for manufacturing. A method of manufacturing a ring pull crown includes forming a plurality of crown bodies from a first source material and forming a plurality of pull ring and tab assemblies from a second source material. In addition, such a method may include forming a plurality of ring pull crowns by combining each crown body of the plurality of crown bodies with a corresponding pull ring and tab assembly from the plurality of pull ring and tab assemblies. Also, such method may also include forming a circumferential skirt that descends below a top of each ring pull crown and removing the plurality of ring pull crowns from the first source material.

An upstream-side guidance part 400 is provided with plural upstream-side guidance members 410 guiding disc-shaped members 300. A downstream-side guidance part 500 is provided with plural downstream-side guidance members 510 guiding the disc-shaped members 300. The positions of the upstream-side guidance members 410 in the circumferential direction of the disc-shaped member 300 are different from the positions of the downstream-side guidance members 510 in the circumferential direction of the disc-shaped member 300, and at least one of the upstream-side guidance part 400 and the downstream-side guidance part 500 is able to move forward and backward with respect to the other.

A retainer assembly includes a retaining member assembly and a motion assembly. The retaining member assembly is structured to selectively retain at least one shell in a transfer belt assembly belt recess. The retaining member assembly includes a retaining member. The motion assembly is structured to move the retaining member between a first position, wherein the retaining member is spaced from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt, and, a second position, wherein the retaining member is disposed a retaining distance from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt.

An assembly for feeding objects downstream into an automated machine includes a track, a tamping location on the track, a stop disposed at the tamping location, and a forward path through the track. A spring proximate to the tamping location moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position of the spring, the spring cooperates with the stop to interrupt the forward path. In the second position of the spring, the spring cooperates with the stop to open the forward path to allow objects to move downstream in the track.

A retainer assembly includes a retaining member assembly and a motion assembly. The retaining member assembly is structured to selectively retain at least one shell in a transfer belt assembly belt recess. The retaining member assembly includes a retaining member. The motion assembly is structured to move the retaining member between a first position, wherein the retaining member is spaced from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt, and, a second position, wherein the retaining member is disposed a retaining distance from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt.

An alignment assembly for a press assembly is provided. The alignment assembly includes a number of alignment elements. The alignment elements include a number of moving alignment elements. The moving alignment elements are coupled to an upper tooling assembly that moves between a first and second position. As the upper tooling assembly moves, the moving alignment elements move between a first position and a second position corresponding to the upper tooling assembly first position and a second position. The moving alignment elements are structured to move the shell from the initial alignment position to an intermediate alignment position. Thus, as the upper tooling assembly moves from the first position to the second position, the moving alignment elements contact a shell and move the shell from an initial alignment position to an intermediate alignment position.

An alignment assembly for a press assembly is provided. The alignment assembly includes a number of alignment elements. The alignment elements include a number of moving alignment elements. The moving alignment elements are coupled to an upper tooling assembly that moves between a first and second position. As the upper tooling assembly moves, the moving alignment elements move between a first position and a second position corresponding to the upper tooling assembly first position and a second position. The moving alignment elements are structured to move the shell from the initial alignment position to an intermediate alignment position. Thus, as the upper tooling assembly moves from the first position to the second position, the moving alignment elements contact a shell and move the shell from an initial alignment position to an intermediate alignment position.