Abstract: A system for reconfigurating generally cylindrical, open-top containers that are formed from deformable metal utilizes a press to force bottom portions of upwardly opening, substantially cylindrical containers into a die to carry out drawing operations that alter bottom and side wall portions of the containers to elongate the containers and to provide the containers with tapered, fluted side portions that enable the reconfigured containers to be nested for empty shipment and storage in a minimum of space. As a part of the container reconfiguration process, each container is provided with a plurality of vertically extending "flutes" that extend along the side walls of the reconfigured containers, and with at least one ring-like formation that serves to enhance container strength, container stability and/or container handling characteristics.

Abstract: A system for reconfiguring generally cylindrical, open-top containers that are formed from deformable metal utilizes a press to force bottom portions of a container into a die to carry out a drawing operation that alters bottom and side wall portions of the containers to elongate the containers and to provide the containers with tapered, fluted side portions that enable the reconfigured containers to be nested for empty shipment and storage in a minimum of space. As containers are reconfigured, the decrease that results in fluid-carrying capacity as side wall portions are fluted and folded inwardly is compensated for, at least in large part, by elongating the containers as by folding peripheral portions of their bottom walls upwardly to serve as extensions of their side walls.