Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a convenience-feature, sheet metal end closure structure (133) for a container body (153) having a non-cylindrical side wall. A new scoring tool (94) configuration enables a peripheral scoreline (102) defining a separable convenience-feature panel (112) to be located contiguous to the closure chuck wall (100) which interfits about its entire periphery with the open end of the side wall of such a container. Separation of such panel leaves substantially no obstruction to removal of solid-pack container. The separable panel (112) is formed with a multiple-layer fold (127) of sheet metal which is nested against the interior periphery of such panel, so as to shield torn residual metal remaining with the panel after severance along such peripheral scoreline.

Abstract: New tooling technology for deep drawing one-piece can bodies from flat-rolled sheet metal can stock (58) which is precoated on both surfaces with an organic coating and draw lubricant. A draw die curved-surface cavity (122) entrance is formed using a radius of curvature (132) with a practical maximum of about five times nominal sheet metal thickness gage; and, preferably is formed about multiple radii of curvature (R.sub.L, R.sub.S, R.sub.L) to increase surface area (140) without increasing projection on the clamping plane. Die cavity wall (156) is tapered about 1.degree. to provide increasing cross section with increasing penetration of draw punch (160). Redraw die (90) has a sleeve-like configuration in a cross sectional plane which includes its central longitudinal axis (70); such configuration enables increase in production rate by enabling coaxial relative movement of such die into work product registry (98, 99) which position cups for redraw.

Abstract: New technology for deep drawing can bodies for use in the manufacture of two-piece cans for food and beverage products from precoated flat-rolled sheet metal can stock in which damage to can stock precoated on both surfaces with an organic coating is avoided and draw-forming of the side wall is controlled to decrease metal requirements. A draw die cavity entrance (47, 74) is selected to provide at least a major portion of its curvilinear surface having a radius of curvature of about five times nominal sheet metal thickness gage, or less, e.g. a maximum radius of curvature of 0.04 inch is used for the more commonly used can stock materials.

Abstract: Draw processing flat-rolled sheet metal substrate preselectively precoated on each surface with organic coating and draw lubricant into one-piece can bodies ready for assembly into sanitary packs free of any requirement for washing, organic coating or repair of organic coating after fabrication and before such direct usage. Selective organic precoating includes embodying a blooming compound which is made available as draw lubricant responsive to heat and/or pressure of draw forming; also, surface application of a draw lubricant after curing of the organic coating. Combined lubricant on each surface is verified before start of fabricating. Draw-forming of tensile strength sheet metal is controlled over side wall height by clamping solely between planar clamping surfaces and by interruption of draw to establish a flange at the open end of cup-shaped work product.

Abstract: Composite-coated flat-rolled steel, product, method of manufacture and method of fabrication in which single or double-reduced low-carbon steel, after surface preparation, is flash-coated with tin (about 0.05 #/bb) which is alloyed with the base metal. Dichromate treatment passivates the tin-iron alloy surfaces depositing a chrome oxide layer prior to application of an organic coating (about 3 to 15 mg/in.sup.2 to each surface). Enhanced coating adhesion of the organic coating enables draw-processing of the double-reduced steel base metal substrate into unitary can bodies without damage to coating or substrate.

Abstract: A convenience-feature full-open end closure structure (27) with a shock-absorbing bead (45) located between a peripheral scoreline (34) which defines the end wall disc (31) to be removed from a recessed end wall panel (49). An arch-shaped back scoreline means with central vent portion (36) and legs (37, 38) is located within the removable disc (31) and co-acts with a longitudinally rigid (non-lanced) opener (30) which is made integral by a rivet (32) formed from sheet metal of disc (31). A multi-layer sheet metal fold (40) shields the raw edge of ruptured residual peripheral scoreline metal which remains with disc (31); and a multi-layer sheet metal fold (42) shields residual raw-edge metal remaining with container (94). The back scoreline central portion (36) is contiguous to and radially inward of rivet (32) and the pair of legs (37, 38) extend with a radially-directed component on opposite sides of the rivet toward the adjacent portion of the peripheral chime seam (92).

Abstract: New technology for deep drawing can bodies for use in the manufacture of two-piece cans for food and beverage products from precoated flat-rolled sheet metal can stock in which damage to can stock precoated on both surfaces with an organic coating is avoided and draw-forming of the side wall is controlled to decrease metal requirements. A draw die cavity entrance (47, 74) is selected to provide at least a major portion of its curvilinear surface having a radius of curvature of about five times nominal sheet metal thickness gage, or less, e.g. a maximum radius of curvature of 0.04 inch is used for the more commonly used can stock materials.

Abstract: An automatic transplanter utilizes relatively simple mechanical structure to so securely engage the root-bound plug of a seedling that the plug and seedling may be rapidly (a) lifted out of its small germination compartment, (b) horizontally transported to correct vertical register with its newly assigned soil-filled and dibbled larger compartment, and (c) accurately positioned in and discharged into the dibbled cavity. An illustrative relatively short two-second cycle is described wherein plural seedlings are thus concurrently transplanted, for each such cycle, from individual small compartments on a first periodically advanced conveyor of a two-dimensional array of germinated seedlings to correct individual larger compartments on a second conveyor that is also periodically advanced, but at a recurrence rate and incremental advance which differ from that of the first conveyor.

Abstract: A rigid sheet metal substrate can body (50) and end closure (92) provides dependable tamper-evident and abuse-resistant packaging for shipment and long shelf-life storage without freezing; and, in addition, provides for direct heating in the can body after opening, including microwave heating, for serving and/or eating directly from such disposable container. The can body is shaped by draw processing with diminishing cross sectional areas in proceeding height-wise from open end (61) to closed bottom wall (56).

Abstract: Composite-coated flat-rolled steel can stock processing and product for fabrication of sheet metal cans, in particular for three-piece, welded or cemented side seam cans. Single or double-reduced, low carbon, flat-rolled steel of a gage in the range of about 55 to 110 pounds per base box is flash coated with tin (0.05 #/bb), which is alloyed with the steel base metal; at least 0.20 #/bb of tin is added to one surface only, flow brightened and water quenched; chemical treatment chrome oxide coating of about 100 to 750 milligrams per square foot is added to both surfaces and an organic coating of 2.5 to 15 milligrams per square inch is added to the surface which is free of flow-brightened tin for disposition internally of a can fabricated from such coated can stock. The equivalent of quarter-pound and higher coating weight tinplate protection is provided while decreasing tin requirements and maintaining three-piece can fabrication properties not available with coating metal substitutes for tin.

Abstract: A full-open, disc-removal, end wall structure (25) with improved easy-open lever action and edge-protection features is disclosed along with methods of fabricating and opening. A back-scoreline (38, 52) is ruptured, by Class 2 lever action, upon lifting of a rigid (non-lanced) tap opener (28, 51, 63) as the working end (32) of the tab opener ruptures a portion of peripheral scoreline (33); continued movement of the tab opener in the direction (46) into contact with chime seam (47) provides for continued lever-action rupture of the peripheral scoreline by Class 1 lever action about the chime seam as a fulcrum. Multi-folds of sheet metal provide rounded edge metal (73, 78) shilding for residual scoreline metal; pre-folding of the metal is carried out while leaving access for scoring tooling (86, 88) to enable scoring on a single thickness of sheet metal; and so as to avoid premature damage to the residual scoreline metal upon final orientation.

Abstract: Cup lubricating process and apparatus in which cup-shaped can bodies are controllably conveyed in spaced relationship to each other through a lubrication application chamber. Lubricant is atomized to particle sizes permitting them to be gas borne and introduced into such chamber from a plurality of locations about the travel path for can bodies. Provision is made for augmented external surface deposition by electrically charging at least a portion of the gas-borne lubricant particles and electrically grounding can bodies individually during passage through such lubricant application chamber. Endless loop conveyor means are provided with adjustable features enabling a travel path to be adapted to differing dimension can bodies.

Abstract: Cup lubricating process and apparatus in which cup-shaped can bodies are controllably conveyed in spaced relationship to each other through a lubrication application chamber. Lubricant is atomized to particle sizes permitting them to be gas borne and introduced into such chamber from a plurality of locations about the travel path for can bodies. Apertures in the bottom wall of such chamber direct lubricant particles directly into the open ends of such can bodies for flow impingement deposition on internal surfaces thereof. Provision is made for augmenting surface deposition by electrically charging at least a portion of the gas-borne lubricant particles in such chamber and electrically grounding can bodies individually during passage through such chamber. Endless loop conveyor means are provided with adjustable features enabling a travel path to be adapted to differing dimension can bodies.

Abstract: Composite-coated flat-rolled steel can stock processing and product for fabrication of drawn one-piece cup-shaped work product or can end walls. Single or double-reduced flat-rolled steel, after cleaning, is chemically treated to apply a chrome oxide coating of about three hundred (300) to five hundred (500) micrograms per square foot to each substrate surface followed by utilization of a dual-organic coating system with application and curing of an organic primer to each chemically-treated surface of the substrate followed by application and curing of an added organic coating on at least one such substrate surface; such composite-coating process resulting in an exterior surface of a drawn can body or end wall having at least about two and one-half (2.5) to about five (5) milligrams of organic coating per square inch and an interior can surface with organic coating weight of at least about seven and one-half (7.5) to ten (10) milligrams per square inch.

Abstract: A full-open, disc-removal, convenience-feature end wall closure with raw edge metal protection and improved easy-open features includes a peripherally-located scoreline defining the disc to be removed, a back scoreline located within the disc and a longitudinally rigid (non-lanced) opener made integral with the disc by a rivet. A multi-layer fold of sheet metal contiguous to the peripheral scoreline shields residual scoreline metal which remains with the disc.