Set up tool for can seamer machines

Apparatus comprising:

• a set up tool for a can seamer machine, including
• a generally cylindrical can plug, wherein the can plug extends along an axis and includes
• a plug base, wherein the plug base is configured to engage a lower chuck of the machine in axially centered supported relation,
• a generally cylindrical plug reference surface, wherein the plug reference surface
• is uniformly axially disposed from the plug base an axial distance that corresponds to a semicircular turret pocket surface that bounds an interior area of a turret pocket of a turret of the machine,
• has a uniform diameter about at least half of a circumference thereof, wherein the diameter has a corresponding relationship to an outside can diameter of cans that have lids engaged therewith through operation of the machine,
• an axially extending plug bore, wherein the plug bore includes an axially centered plug bore opening at an axial end of the can plug opposed of the plug base,
• a seaming chuck gage, wherein the seaming chuck gage includes
• an axially extending stem, and
• a head,
• wherein the stem extends in the plug bore opening and is axially movable in the plug bore,
• wherein the head is in axially centered operatively supported connection with the stem,
• wherein the head includes
• an annular axially centered head wall, wherein the head wall includes an outer annular axially tapered head wall surface, wherein the outer annular axially tapered head wall surface
• is axially and radially disposed outwardly from stem,
• is smaller in diameter with increased axial distance away from the can plug,
• is configured in the operative position of the head to engage in axially centered relation, an annular vertically extending chuck surface of a seaming chuck of the machine,
• wherein the head wall further includes an annular inner head wall surface, wherein the inner head wall surface annularly bounds an axially centered head recess,
• wherein the head recess
• extends axially inward in the head from a head recess opening,
• has an inside head recess diameter greater than a knockout pad diameter of a knockout pad that extends in centered relation of the seaming chuck of the machine,
• extends axially from the head recess opening to a head recess floor,
• wherein the head recess floor is axially disposed away from the knockout pad when the outer annular axially tapered head wall surface is engaged with the seaming chuck and the knockout pad is disposed in a downward operational position,
• a spring, wherein the spring
• is in operative connection with the can plug and the stem,
• is operative to axially bias the head into engagement with the seaming chuck and the plug base into engagement with the lower chuck,
• whereby the tool is enabled to be positioned at a makeup rotational position of the turret of the machine, at which position during operation of the machine a can lid is positioned in engaged axially centered overlying relation of a can body opening, and whereby a desired distance between the plug reference surface and the entire semicircular turret pocket surface can be set without removal from the machine of any of the seaming chuck, the knockout pad or a seaming lever.