Abstract: A can container made of soft material such as aluminum having a wall thickness of less than 0.2 mm is used for low acid foods or drinks having pH of more than 5.0. A controlled quantity of liquified nitrogen is introduced into the can filled with the low acid foods or drinks and then the can is hermetically sealed off by double-seaming. The liquid nitrogen is soon gasified in the sealed can to increase internal pressure of the can to a level sufficient to prevent the can from being deformed. Then the can is subjected to retort sterilization treatment at a predetermined high steam temperature for a predetermined period of time for sterilization of any possible bacilli and bacteria in the low acid foods or drinks in the can. Prior to retort sterilization treatment, a thermal sensitive paint is applied to the can, which will change color when exposed to a steam of a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period.

Abstract: A modular system for producing triple-necked open ended containers includes three substantially identical necking modules each having the same frame and identical rotatable turrets which have a plurality of identical necking stations around the periphery. Each necking station includes an annular necking die and a platform and punch which are cam-operated to move towards and away from each other and are maintained in engagement with the cams by pressurized fluid. Each necking station also has a container pressurizing means in the form of an annular chamber which acts as a holding chamber prior to transmitting the pressurized fluid into the container.

Abstract: A container inspection apparatus for inspecting coating integrity includes an electrical control system that produces an output signal representative of the reflectivity of an inner surface of the container which is fed to a microprocessor and is compared with lower and upper limit references. If the output signal is outside the limit references, an ejector mechanism located in a path for moving containers is activated to remove the defective container from the path. The ejector mechanism includes flipper rods pivoted at one end and located in an inclined portion of the path so that the defective containers are removed by gravity feed.

Abstract: A drawn and ironed container having a reduced neck around an upper open end has a bottom profile which exhibits excellent strength characteristics and nests with an end double-seamed to the open end of the container. The bottom profile includes a center spherical dome surrounded by a U-shaped annular portion defining a lower support surface for the container. A joining segment is integral with the container side wall and the U-shaped annular portion includes a first annular arcuate portion having an exterior radius and a second annular arcuate portion having an interior radius.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic can lid 1, for use with a container of the lever ring type, has a periphery 20 which contacts an annular portion of the can wall 15, so as to center the lid 1 accurately relative to the can body. A recess 25 may be provided to enable a lever to be used to pry the lid 1 off the container. The recess 25 desirably includes a membrane 27 which is pierced when a lever is first used to open the container, so that rupture of the membrane 27 makes evident any unauthorized opening of the container. The lid 1 may also include one or more fins which form a seal in conjunction with an annular part 14 of the lever ring 16 of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for reforming an end wall of a container shell including a punch reciprocable along a path on a frame and a domer assembly at the end of the path. The domer assembly includes a domer pad and an annular forming element with biasing means between the pad, the annular forming element and the base. The biasing means for the annular forming element includes an annular chamber divided into spaced segments that each have a piston reciprocated therein and a pressurized fluid source connected thereto, while the domer pad is supported on a post that extends through a tubular column forming part of the base and has an enlarged pad at the opposite end which also is in communication with the pressurized fluid source to produce an end wall configuration that has a large outer annular arcuate portion merging with an annular flat support portion that has an upwardly-extending flat annular portion surrounding a central upward dome.

Abstract: A computer based system for controlling the operation of a ware reject mechanism for an independent section glassware forming machine.

Abstract: Pressurization of containers with liquid nitrogen to impart container strength and content protection is effected by injecting a small quantity of liquid nitrogen before sealing the container by the methods and apparatus including a gas pressure system wherein liquid nitrogen is maintained by control means at a constant pressure with nitrogen gas being separated from liquid nitrogen before dispensing and a recirculating pump pressure system wherein liquid nitrogen from a second of two supplies is pumped through a conduit to a dispensing gun and surplus liquid and gas is returned to the supply.

Abstract: A container embossing apparatus includes a container-supporting embossing mandrel that has circumferentially-spaced, axially-extending ribs on the periphery that are engageable with a resilient forming mandrel or member so that crease lines are formed on the container during the embossing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the high-speed production of seamless metal container bodies is disclosed utilizing a reciprocating ram which forces a relatively shallow metal cup through a die assembly to iron the sidewall of said cup to form an elongated ironed container body, the ram is supported and critically-aligned by at least two stationary guide means along its length and a slide blank means rigidly secured to its rearward end, the slide block means having opposed hydrostatic pressure pads to provide constant critical alignment of the rear end of the ram and prevent misalignment of the ram relative to the die assembly to avoid producing container bodies of overly-inconsistent length.

Abstract: A cup feeding mechanism for a bodymaker includes a guide chute defining a vertical path with a stop located at the lower end of the path defining a transfer area. The stop has a specifically configured area for receiving each cup and defining a fixed position for the cup in the transfer area. A drive member is reciprocated transversely of the path and picks up cups from the transfer area and positively drives them into alignment with a ram that extends perpendicular to the axis of the path so that the cups are maintained in accurate alignment with the ram prior to being transferred through the bodymaker.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the high speed production of seamless metal container bodies is disclosed utilizing a reciprocating ram which forces a relatively shallow metal cup through a die assembly to iron the sidewall of said cup to form an elongated ironed container body, the ram is supported and critically aligned by at least two stationary points and also at its rearward end by a slideable ram block assembly to which the ram is rigidly secured, the critical alignment of the rear end of the ram prevents misalignment of the ram relative to the die assembly to avoid producing container bodies of overly inconsistent length.

Abstract: A modular system for producing triple-necked open ended containers includes three substantially identical necking modules each having the same frame and identical rotatable turrets which have a plurality of identical necking stations around the periphery. Each necking station includes an annular necking die and a platform and punch which are cam-operated to move towards and away from each other and are maintained in engagement with the cams by pressurized fluid. Each necking station also has a container pressurizing means in the form of an annular chamber which acts as a holding chamber prior to transmitting the pressurized fluid into the container.

Abstract: A container for vacuum packaging of products includes an outer container and an inner liner which conforms generally to the configuration of the outer container and is secured to the upper open end thereof while the remainder of the container and liner are unattached. A vent is provided between the atmosphere and the space between the container and liner so that the liner can expand and collapse as differential pressures are applied to the product sealed in the liner by a plastic film secured open end thereof.

Abstract: A container for vacuum packaging of products includes an outer container and an inner liner which conforms generally to the configuration of the outer container and is secured to the upper open end thereof while the remainder of the container and liner are unattached. A vent is provided between the atmosphere and the space between the container and liner so that the liner can expand and collapse as differential pressures are applied to the product sealed in the liner by a plastic film secured open end thereof.

Abstract: A container end formed from metal having an approximate thickness of 0.0120 inches which is capable of withstanding at least 90 psi buckle pressure and at least 60 psi rock pressure is disclosed herein. A container end panel includes a peripheral curl surrounding a substantially flat center panel with a countersink therebetween. The countersink has inner and outer substantially flat walls that are interconnected by an arcuate portion that has a radius of approximately 0.030 inches and the inner wall is connected to the periphery of the center panel through an arcuate portion that has a radius of approximately 0.025 inches. The outer flat wall has a length which is greater than the length of the inner flat wall and the outer flat wall defines an angle of less than five degrees with respect to a plane that extends perpendicular through the center flat panel. The inner flat wall has a length to locate the lower edge of the countersink about 0.

Abstract: A precoated stock material for use in forming a drawn and ironed container and a method of forming such container is disclosed herein. The stock material initially has a layer of lubricant applied to one or both surfaces of the metal base with the lubricant consisting essentially of a fatty acid ester of a mono or polyhydric alcohol and having a distribution of less than 3 mg./in..sup.2. The method contemplates applying the layer of lubricant to a metal stock, such as aluminum, black plate or tinplate, cutting a disc from the metal stock, and transforming the disc into a drawn and ironed container without additional lubricant being applied to the tooling.

Abstract: A drawing and ironing assembly including a punch movable along a path having a plurality of spaced ironing die assemblies with the last of the ironing die assemblies having twin spaced lands, the diameter of the second twin land is slightly greater than the diameter of the first land to produce a very small amount of ironing.