Abstract: A can end and can body are seamed to each other using a seaming roller, seaming chuck and a laser fusing the peripheral portion of the can end to the can body. Laser seaming allows less metal to be used in the can end and can body. The can end and can body seam is further reinforced in order to ensure that the can is capable of withstanding internal pressures. The reinforcing techniques include crimping the seam with one or more crimping rollers, reforming the seam so as to incline the seam towards a central axis extending through the center of the can end and can body, and using multiple laser welds spaced apart from each other in the vicinity of the seam.

Abstract: A container has a selectively openable panel defined at least in part by a frangible score groove in a surface of the container. The frangible score groove is selectively fracturable by a lifting action administered by a user to a secured to the container. The tab has a nose portion separated from a lift end by a central webbing. The central webbing has a hinge region and a rivet island. The rivet island is at least partially surrounded by a first void region. The central webbing also has a grab portion at the lift end of the tab. The grab portion has an enclosed region defining a billboard surface. The billboard surface has a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side. A bead created by displacing the material of the central webbing is located on the billboard surface. A pigment-carrying layer covers at least a portion of the billboard surface. A tactile indicium is located on the billboard surface.

Abstract: A cap for sealing a container having a lug-type closure assembly is described. The cap has a top panel and a circumferential side wall panel. The top panel is positioned about a longitudinal axis and extends radially outwardly therefrom. The circumferential side wall panel is integral with an outer peripheral edge of the top panel and has first second, and third segments. The first segment extends downwardly. The second segment extends radially outwardly at a first angle to the first segment. The third segment extends downwardly from the second segment at a second angle to the second segment.

Abstract: A beverage can end is described. The beverage can end has a curl defining a perimeter of the can end, a chuckwall extending downwardly and radially inwardly from the curl, and a transition wall joining the chuckwall to an outer peripheral edge of a center panel. The transition wall is formed in compression such that a portion of the transition wall exhibits a compressed segment having a thickness which is 1% to 20% thicker than a thickness of the center panel.

Abstract: In a method of forming a beverage can end wherein a beverage can end shell has a curl defining a perimeter of the can end, a chuckwall extending downwardly and radially inwardly from the curl, a generally U-shaped countersink joining the chuckwall to an outer peripheral edge of a center panel, a method of forming an arcuate chuckwall in the beverage can end shell is described. The method of forming the arcuate chuckwall comprises the steps of providing a partially formed can end, providing an upper tooling having an annular, generally arcuate segment, and providing a lower tooling having a circumferential, generally arcuate, outwardly convex segment in at least partial alignment with the annular, generally arcuate segment of the upper tooling. The annular, generally arcuate segment of the upper tooling and the circumferential, generally arcuate, outwardly convex segment of the lower tooling are brought into engagement with a public side and a product side of the partially formed can end, respectively.

Abstract: A can end for a container has a metallic main portion and a polymeric separable cap. The metallic main portion is positioned about a longitudinal axis and has a curl defining a radially outer perimeter of the can end. A center panel is joined to the curl. A dispensing aperture is in the center panel, and a plurality of projections extend radially inwardly into the dispensing aperture. The polymeric separable cap is in the dispensing aperture and has a plurality of angled channels. The channels have an entry portion opposite a terminal end and a vent region therebetween.

Abstract: A can end member has a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, and a transition wall. The center panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a peripheral edge. The center panel also has a step portion located radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis. The step portion has an annular convex portion joined to an annular concave portion and displaces at least a portion of the center panel vertically in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuck wall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuck wall with the peripheral edge of the center panel. The transition wall comprises a folded portion. The folded portion has a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg. The first leg is directly connected to the chuck wall and joined to the second leg by a concave annular portion.

Abstract: A single action press for forming a shell used to make a can end includes a first tool and an opposed second tool. The first tool includes a die center insert that performs a forming operation on disc cut from a sheet of end material. The first tool is configured and arranged wherein force is supplied to the die center insert during the downstroke and force is removed from the die center insert at the bottom of the downstroke and at the start of the upstroke, to thereby enable the die center insert to disengage from the shell. One specific embodiment uses a die center piston and compressed air to apply force to the die center insert. Another embodiment uses a cam and cam follower arrangement to remove axial forces at the bottom of the downstroke and either springs or gas pressure to apply force to the die center insert during the downstroke.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for the direct conversion of lipidic biomass fuelstock to combustible fuels. In particular, the invention provides a process for the direct conversion of animal fats to transportations fuels suitable as replacement for petroleum-derived transportation fuels. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of hydrolyzing a lipidic biomass to form free fatty acids, catalytically deoxygenating the free fatty acids to form n-alkanes, and reforming at least a portion of the n-alkanes into a mixture of compounds in the correct chain length, conformations, and ratio to be useful transportation fuels. Particularly, the product prepared according to the invention comprises mixtures of hydrocarbon compounds selected from the group consisting of n-alkanes, isoalkanes, aromatics, cycloalkanes, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A can end for a two-piece beverage can is described. The can end has a center panel positioned about a vertical center axis. The center panel has a means for opening the can end located on a public side. A circumferential strengthening member is located about the center panel. A wall extends upwardly from the circumferential strengthening member. A curl is joined to an upper end of the wall. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A reinforcing bead is located on the wall between an uppermost portion of the wall and a lowermost portion of the wall.

Abstract: A can end for a two-piece beverage can is described. The can end has a center panel positioned about a vertical center axis. The center panel has a means for opening the can end located on a public side. A reinforcing bead surrounds the center panel. The reinforcing bead has an inner curved portion having a radius of curvature located radially inwardly from an outer curved portion having a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the outer curved portion is greater than the radius of curvature of the inner curved portion.

Abstract: A single action press for forming a shell used to make a can end includes a first tool and an opposed second tool. The first tool includes a die center insert that performs a forming operation on disc cut from a sheet of end material. The first tool is configured and arranged wherein force is supplied to the die center insert during the downstroke and force is removed from the die center insert at the bottom of the downstroke and at the start of the upstroke, to thereby enable the die center insert to disengage from the shell. One specific embodiment uses a die center piston and compressed air to apply force to the die center insert. Another embodiment uses a cam and cam follower arrangement to remove axial forces at the bottom of the downstroke and either springs or gas pressure to apply force to the die center insert during the downstroke.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the clean and convenient combustion of high viscosity liquid fuels, such as glycerol, as well as an apparatus useful for carrying such processes. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a process for glycerol combustion comprising providing a combustion apparatus with a glycerol combustion chamber that facilitates reflective heating, pre-heating the glycerol combustion chamber, atomizing the reduced viscosity glycerol, and combining the atomized glycerol with air in the glycerol combustion chamber to thereby completely combust the glycerol. In one embodiment, such as when using a pressure-atomizing nozzle, the inventive method may further comprise treating the glycerol to reduce the glycerol viscosity.

Abstract: An end for a beverage can is described. The end has a product side, an opposing public side, a center panel, an annular countersink, a circumferential wall, and a curl. The center panel has a means for opening the end. The annular countersink extends circumferentially about the center panel. The circumferential wall extends upwardly from the countersink and has an angled portion extending radially inwardly toward the center panel. The curl is located radially outward relative to the center panel and defines an outer perimeter of the end.

Abstract: A can end for a beverage container is described. The can end has a public and an opposing product side. A center panel extends radially outwardly from a central longitudinal axis. The center panel has a means for opening the center panel and a symbol conveying information to a user on the public side. The symbol is at least partially surrounded by a spacing member in the center panel. The spacing member is dimensioned and located to provide a relative height differential between the spacing member and the symbol. A reinforcing wall is located about a peripheral edge of the center panel. A circumferential wall extends upwardly from the reinforcing wall. A curl is joined to the circumferential wall defining an outer perimeter of the can end.

Abstract: A single action press for forming a shell used to make a can end includes a first tool and an opposed second tool. The first tool includes a die center insert that performs a forming operation on disc cut from a sheet of end material. The first tool is configured and arranged wherein force is supplied to the die center insert during the downstroke and force is removed from the die center insert at the bottom of the downstroke and at the start of the upstroke, to thereby enable the die center insert to disengage from the shell. One specific embodiment uses a die center piston and compressed air to apply force to the die center insert. Another embodiment uses a cam and cam follower arrangement to remove axial forces at the bottom of the downstroke and either springs or gas pressure to apply force to the die center insert during the downstroke.

Abstract: Seaming apparatus and method for seaming ends to cans are described. The seaming apparatus includes a seaming chuck received by the can end. The chuck includes an anvil portion and a peripheral upper anvil wall. The upper anvil wall is inclined at an angle ? of greater than or equal to 6 degrees. The seaming apparatus also includes a seaming roll having a seaming surface for engaging the peripheral curl of the can end in a seaming operation to compress the peripheral curl against the peripheral flange and the peripheral upper anvil wall of the seaming chuck. The seaming surface of the seaming roll is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis by an angle ?. The value of ? is selected to be greater than about 4 degrees, and more preferably from between about 8 and about 14 degrees. Additionally, the value of ? bears a close approximate relationship to the value of ?, and in particular the value of angle ?=?±up to about 4 degrees.

Abstract: Ends for cans are made in a single press, eliminating the need for separate shell and conversion presses, balancers, track work, and other equipment, as compared to existing can end manufacturing systems, while reducing floor space and capital investment requirements for installation of a new can end line. A sheet of end material or stock is introduced into the press and fed to a series of work stations. The sheet is maintained in a substantially continuous and void free state as the work stations perform forming operations on the sheet of material to form one or more ends therein. After the forming operation is complete, the end is ejected from the press. The maintenance of the sheet of material in a substantially continuous and void free state permits precise movement of the sheet through the press, and registration of the sheet relative to the tooling in the press.

Abstract: Seaming apparatus and method for seaming ends to cans are described. The seaming apparatus includes a seaming chuck received by the can end. The chuck includes an anvil portion and a peripheral upper anvil wall. The upper anvil wall is inclined at an angle &agr; of greater than or equal to 6 degrees. The seaming apparatus also includes a seaming roll having a seaming surface for engaging the peripheral curl of the can end in a seaming operation to compress the peripheral curl against the peripheral flange and the peripheral upper anvil wall of the seaming chuck. The seaming surface of the seaming roll is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis by an angle &bgr;. The value of &bgr; is selected to be greater than about 4 degrees, and more preferably from between about 8 and about 14 degrees. Additionally, the value of &bgr; bears a close approximate relationship to the value of &agr;, and in particular the value of angle &bgr;=&agr;±up to about 4 degrees.