Abstract: An annular groove of a can end with a reduced radius is disclosed. In one embodiment, this is by a method and apparatus which reworks the can end to increase the strength of the can end by reducing the radius of the annular groove of the can end. This method includes the step of reworking the annular groove of the can end to reduce a magnitude of the annular groove from a first radius to a second radius by exerting an inwardly-directed force on at least part of the annular groove and relative to the annular groove and collapsing at least part of the annular groove inwardly relative to the annular groove.

Abstract: A can end counting system which receives a stick of converted can ends, separates and counts the can ends, restacks and conveys a pre-determined number of can ends comprising an output stick to an end line packaging station. At least two counter-rotating screws, each having a separator knife positioned at the entrance end thereof, are provided with a continuous spiral groove cut into the periphery and coact with each other to separate the can ends, one by one, from an input stick and increasingly separate the can ends as they are carried toward the exit end of the device. A sensing device senses each of the can ends as they are carried toward the exit end of the device and sends a signal to a processing device which stores the total number of can ends included in a current output stick and controls a cut-off knife which separates and conveys the output stick toward an end line packaging station when a pre-determined number of can ends is attained.