Lubrication applicator for can processing machine

A machine arrangement with a lubricating mechanism, comprising:

• an article infeed mechanism with a lubricating track, the article infeed mechanism configured to supply articles to be processed to machines in the machine arrangement, wherein the lubricating track includes:
• inner and outer guide members configured such that an open end of each of the articles in the lubricating track are positioned between the inner and outer guide members;
• and
• a lubrication path on the outer guide member extending for at least a portion of a length of the lubricating track, and
• a starwheel with at least one pocket to hold one of the articles and at least one air passage to provide air flow to the at least one pocket to rotate the one of the articles in the at least one pocket, the starwheel being coupled to or adjacent the lubricating track such that the one of the articles located in the at least one pocket of the starwheel receives the lubrication from the lubricating track,
• wherein the articles contact lubricant in the lubrication path when rolling through the track within the at least one pocket and on the outer guide member without contacting a wick.

A method of lubricating an article in a machine arrangement, comprising:

• providing a lubricating track;
• applying a lubricant to a lubrication path on the lubricating track from a lubricant chamber or passage,
• holding at least one article in the at least one pocket of a starwheel, the starwheel comprising at least one air passage;
• and
• rotating the at least one article within the at least one pocket and on an outer guide member along the lubricating track or within a lubrication mechanism and the at least one pocket of the starwheel so that the lubricant transfers to an open end of each of the at least one article as the at least one article contacts the lubrication path on the lubricating track, wherein the rotating includes providing an air flow through the at least one air passage of the starwheel to the at least one pocket to rotate the article in the at least one pocket.