Abstract: A system for performing sequential operations on a can body, such as necking the open end of the can body, in which two or more machines, such as die necking machines are, are coupled by a transfer module. The transfer module comprises a multi-pocket wheel that receives can bodies from a multi-pocket discharge wheel of the first necking machine and discharges them to a multi-pocket input wheel of the second die necking machine. The drive motor of one of the necking machines is eliminated, while the drive motor on the other machine is enlarged. A gear on the transfer module couples the gear trains on the first and second necking machines into a common gear train. Thus, the transfer module gear train transfers power from the necking machine having the enlarged drive motor to the necking machine for which the drive motor was eliminated. This enables a single drive motor to entire drive train for both machines.

Abstract: A bottom forming station for forming a metal can having a sidewall and base portion is provided. The bottom forming station comprises a punch sleeve. The punch sleeve comprises a body having a sidewall that defines a bore for securely receiving a punch nose. The punch sleeve sidewall has a first section that corresponds to the shape of at least a portion of a beverage can base. The punch sleeve sidewall has a second section that corresponds to at least a portion of a beverage can sidewall profile. The second surface is integrally coupled with the first surface. The punch sleeve sidewall has a third section that is adapted to communicate with a punch nose and form a slip line that has a junction area in a non-active area. The third section is integrally coupled with the first and second sections. A bottom forming station also comprises a punch nose. The punch nose includes a body having a sidewall. The sidewall has a first section that corresponds to the shape of at least a portion of a beverage can base.

Abstract: A system for performing sequential operations on a can body, such as necking the open end of the can body, in which two or more machines, such as die necking machines are, are coupled by a transfer module. The transfer module comprises a multi-pocket wheel that receives can bodies from a multi-pocket discharge wheel of the first necking machine and discharges them to a multi-pocket input wheel of the second die necking machine. The drive motor of one of the necking machines is eliminated, while the drive motor on the other machine is enlarged. A gear on the transfer module couples the gear trains on the first and second necking machines into a common gear train. Thus, the transfer module gear train transfers power from the necking machine having the enlarged drive motor to the necking machine for which the drive motor was eliminated. This enables a single drive motor to entire drive train for both machines.

Abstract: A system for performing sequential operations on a can body, such as necking the open end of the can body, in which two or more machines, such as die necking machines are, are coupled by a transfer module. The transfer module comprises a multi-pocket wheel that receives can bodies from a multi-pocket discharge wheel of the first necking machine and discharges them to a multi-pocket input wheel of the second die necking machine. The drive motor of one of the necking machines is eliminated, while the drive motor on the other machine is enlarged. A gear on the transfer module couples the gear trains on the first and second necking machines into a common gear train. Thus, the transfer module gear train transfers power from the necking machine having the enlarged drive motor to the necking machine for which the drive motor was eliminated. This enables a single drive motor to entire drive train for both machines.

Abstract: A container necking tool, and corresponding method, for necking an aluminum beverage can is disclosed that includes a punch sleeve that is longitudinally fixed in relation to a necking die. The sleeve and die form a gap therebetween, into which a pusher assembly pushes the container to produce the neck on a necking contour surface. The necking tool also includes a punch body that has a longitudinal air passage therethrough. A plenum is formed between the punch body and sleeve to angularly distribute compressed air around the sleeve. Compressed air pressurizes the container during necking stage, and is diverted to the gap while the can is disengaged from the necking tool to keep the gap clean of debris.

Abstract: A system for performing sequential operations on a can body, such as necking the open end of the can body, in which two or more machines, such as die necking machines are, are coupled by a transfer module. The transfer module comprises a multi-pocket wheel that receives can bodies from a multi-pocket discharge wheel of the first necking machine and discharges them to a multi-pocket input wheel of the second die necking machine. The drive motor of one of the necking machines is eliminated, while the drive motor on the other machine is enlarged. A gear on the transfer module couples the gear trains on the first and second necking machines into a common gear train. Thus, the transfer module gear train transfers power from the necking machine having the enlarged drive motor to the necking machine for which the drive motor was eliminated. This enables a single drive motor to entire drive train for both machines.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity conforming a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body. Axial compression is preferably applied to the can body blank in order to reduce internal stresses during molding of the container.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity that is shaped generally like the can body blank, the mold wall having a pattern formed therein that corresponds to a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity conforming a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body. Axial compression is preferably applied to the can body blank in order to reduce internal stresses during molding of the container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving the concentricity and reducing the flange width variation of a die-necked container body are disclosed. A piloted pad is inserted into the dome at the bottom of the can, either as part of the flanging operation or as part of a die necking operation, or both. The insertion of the pilot and pad orients the can body relative to the necker or flanger so that the open end of the can remains concentric with the main body diameter as forming operations progress. Preferably, when used as part of a die necker, the pusher pad connected to the pilot is spring loaded. By spring-loading the pusher pad, accidental engagement between the raised section that extends into the dome is prohibited, and each can is more readily ejected and transferred.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity that is shaped generally like the can body blank, the mold wall having a pattern formed therein that corresponds to a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body.

Abstract: An improved system and process of necking an upper end of a metallic container that will reduce the incidence of defects such as wrinkles and puckers during the necking process includes steps of performing a first stage operation to reduce a radius of said upper end by a first distance, and incrementally further reducing the radius of the upper end by performing a plurality of subsequent reduction operations on the upper end. Advantageously, step (b) is performed so that the amount of radius reduction that is applied by earlier of the subsequent reduction operations is less than the amount of radius reduction that is applied by later of the subsequent reduction operations. As a result, increases of wall thickness that occur during the subsequent reduction operations will be utilized to permit greater radial reduction in the later steps, and will ease the amount of radial reduction in the earlier steps, reducing the potential for defects such as puckering and wrinkling.

Abstract: A closure for a container having a lever-openable plug wherein the lever is attached to other parts of the closure by a frangible member which must be broken to permit actuation of the lever to open the plug, thus indicating to a subsequent observer that either the closure had been open or an attempt had been made to do so. The attachment of said frangible member comprising a post on the plug extending into a socket on the frangible member and interlocked therewith.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a machine for receiving can bodies and automatically outwardly expanding the same to a decorative predetermined contour. The machine includes special transfer means for positioning can bodies on and removing can bodies from supports moving in a convex arcuate path, the transfer device including a turret member mounted for rotation about a fixed axis, a plurality of article carriers pivotally carried by the turret member for movement therewith in a generally circular path, and control means for controlling the contour of a portion of the generally circular path to be coincident with a portion of the arcuate path.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an ultraviolet curing oven particularly adapted for drying one piece bodies of two piece cans, the oven including a housing through which passes a conveyor carrying a plurality of brushes for supporting the can bodies thereon and means for rotating the brushes to thereby rotate the can bodies past ultraviolet lamps to dry or cure the can bodies which had earlier been base coated.The brushes are rotated through the use of a stationary chain meshing with a sprocket carried by each brush.The ultraviolet lamps are disposed in pairs generally but not perfectly parallel to the direction of can body travel through the oven, and means are provided for rotating the ultraviolet lamps both toward and away from the can bodies so that particularly in the latter case the can bodies and/or brushes will not be burned or scorched should stoppage of the conveyor occur for any reason.