Container Making Patents (Class 72/379.4)
  • Patent number: 8161787
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a tab used to open food can ends and beer/beverage can ends. The tab has a nose portion located at a front end of the tab and a lift portion located at a back end of the tab. The tab also has a rivet receiving portion located proximate to the nose portion with a rivet hole. The rivet receiving portion is coupled to the nose portion. The rivet hole has a non-round perimeter with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion. The first diameter portion has a plurality of first arcuate segments and the second diameter portion has a plurality of notches. The second diameter portion is greater in length than the first diameter portion. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8151616
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an enclosure of a sheet material and to an enclosure of a sheet material, which is manufactured of a sheet blank, of which the sides and the base of the enclosure have been folded, and the seams have been joined together. At least one corner to be folded of the enclosure is cut open from a part of the range in the sheet blank so that the unopened section corresponds to the smallest dimension to be folded in the product series of enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ensto Finland Oy
    Inventor: Ari Isomäki
  • Publication number: 20120069498
    Abstract: A metal housing includes a bottom shell and a reinforcement frame. The reinforcement frame is interference fitted with the bottom shell. The display screen is fixed on the reinforcement frame. The bottom shell includes a bottom plate and four side plates extended from a periphery of the bottom plate. A thickness of the bottom shell is below 1.2 mm. The reinforcement frame resists the four side plates of the bottom shell. The reinforcement frame includes four reinforcement walls integrally formed with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU TAI HUA INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: ZI-MING TANG, FA-GUANG SHI
  • Patent number: 8132439
    Abstract: An effective thread number in the thread section which is disposed on the mouth section of the bottle is formed to be 2.2. That is, the thread section is formed such that the thread section 13 should serve effectively in the mouth section such that an interval between a start position and an end position should be 2.0 to 2.5. In the bottle can member 11 which has such a thread section, an outer diameter of the thread section which is formed on the mouth section is 28 to 38 mm. Also, the thickness of the mouth section is 0.25 to 0.4 mm. The thread section which has the effective thread number 2.0 to 2.5 is formed by eight-thread per inch pitch. By doing this, it is possible to put the cap desirably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Can Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hanafusa, Ryoichi Ito, Masahiro Hosoi, Naoki Tasaka
  • Patent number: 8122747
    Abstract: A tooling assembly for scoring a can end is provided. First and second opposing tool members cooperate to create a depression in the can end, and to form a scoreline within the depression. A conversion press for converting a can end shell into a can end, and a method for scoring a can end are also provided. The method includes engaging a first side of the can end with a score knife, supporting at least a portion of a second side of the can end with a score anvil, depressing the can end into a cavity of the score anvil to form the depression, and forming the scoreline within the depression. The depression and scoreline are formed substantially simultaneous within the same tool station of the conversion press. A sealant, which is applied to the scoreline, forms a pool within the depression, thereby completely covering the scoreline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig A. McEldowney, Mark R. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20120042708
    Abstract: A machine may include a plurality of stations, e.g., for performing progressive die-necking of open-ended container bodies. A conveyer may be provided to index the open-ended container bodies in a linear manner through the machine from station to station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Evan D. Watkins, Michael Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8117881
    Abstract: A press-molding device (80) press molds a bottom portion of a work piece (9) having a closed-end shape between an, inner die (521) inserted into the work piece (9) and an outer die (551) disposed on an outside of the work piece (9). A chuck position switching mechanism (501) grips the work piece (9) so that the work piece (9) can move in an axial direction. An inner die moving mechanism (522) inserts the inner die (521) into the inside end of the work piece (9). A stopper mechanism (531) supports the inner die (521) in a processing position by restricting movement of the inner die (521). An outer die moving mechanism (552) press-molds the bottom portion of the work piece (9) between the outer die (551) and the inner die (521), thereby press-molding the workpiece (9) smoothly without damaging an inner peripheral surface of the workpiece (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Mishima, Hirofumi Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8118197
    Abstract: Metal discs, preferably circular, are cut to a precise diameter and drawn to a preform with a channel and skirt for an aerosol valve mounting cup. The preform then undergoes further forming operations at stations in a press system. “Bumping” is carried out on the skirt edge at a station, to eliminate non-burr trimming of the cup edge, save material and obtain a carefully controlled skirt height and a substantially even skirt edge with minimized earring. The resultant cup terminating skirt edge is characterized by reformed metal. A further coaxing or pinch-cut operation may be performed on the cup skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Precision Valve Corporation
    Inventor: Dean Duffield
  • Patent number: 8091402
    Abstract: In this bottle can manufacturing method, when a portion located at the skirt portion 7 is being molded, the portion extending in an opposite direction in which the male threaded portion 6 extends from a lower end 6a of the male threaded portion 6 over a range of at least approximately 180° along a circumferential direction of the skirt portion 7, the inner surfaces of molding pre-form portions of the first circumferential wall portion and the convexly curved surface portion from among the molding pre-form portions of the skirt portion 7 are pressed outward in the radial direction of the bottle can body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Can Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hanafusa, Ryoichi Ito, Masahiro Hosoi
  • Patent number: 8083122
    Abstract: Drum for a washer and a dryer including a cylindrical metal body part, reduced parts at opposite end parts of the body part, each having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the body part, and bent parts each having a folded edge of the reduced part, thereby providing a drum that can prevent occurrence of vibration and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soon Jo Lee, In Hee Han
  • Patent number: 8074483
    Abstract: We manufacture a two-piece can by the method using a laminated steel sheet as the base material, having the steps of: drawing a cylindrical blank for several times to form a can body in a shape of cylinder integrated with bottom; forming a tapered part extending outward from the can body in the radial direction thereof at the tip of the opening of the can body; applying diametral reduction to the tapered part to the diameter of the can body; and applying diametral reduction to the opening side of the can body to a diameter smaller than the diameter of the can body, while satisfying the formulae (1) and (2), 1.5?h/(R?R)??(1) d/R?0.25??(2) where h is the height from the can bottom to the tip of the opening, R is the circular blank positional radius, r is the radius of the can bottom, and d is the radius of the tip of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corrporation
    Inventors: Katsumi Kojima, Yuka Nishihara, Hiroshi Kubo, Yoshihiko Yasue, Yasuhide Oshima, Hiroki Iwasa
  • Patent number: 8069548
    Abstract: A vehicle taillight indicator which provides an easy way for a driver to check the taillights of his or her vehicle on a regular basis, from within the vehicle, is composed of an elongated V shaped housing with two V shaped end covers with attached mounting brackets and the edge opposite the V angle of each end cover curved to accommodate an elongated rectangular shaped convex reflector which is viewable in the side opposite the V shaped angle of the housing. The taillight indicator is fastened vertically to an object so that its convex reflector is observed in the rear view mirror or side view mirror of a vehicle. Each operating taillight of a vehicle is reflected as a vertical red line in the convex reflector. A vehicle with two operating taillights will reflect two parallel vertical red lines in the convex reflector of the taillight indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Howard Radgens
  • Patent number: 8057571
    Abstract: There is disclosed a cemented carbide tool containing tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, nickel and cobalt, molybdenum and chromium. The composition of the materials provides a good resistance to corrosion as well as high hardness and wear resistance. These properties are particularly interesting for the manufacture of tools for coldforming operations. Cold forming tools made with these materials have steady performance over a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventors: Emmanuel Pauty, Håkan Engström, Victor Rimbau, Gerard Vasco i Salas
  • Publication number: 20110252858
    Abstract: A method for forming at least one rib and a step shoulder bottom of a can body in a single drawing operation from a redrawn cup or preform which has a closed end with an inwardly tapering annular periphery that includes sufficient material to enable formation of the step shoulder bottom without having the at least one rib drawn into the step shoulder bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen B. Turner
  • Patent number: 8037734
    Abstract: An effective thread number in the thread section which is disposed on the mouth section of the bottle is formed to be 2.2. That is, the thread section is formed such that the thread section 13 should serve effectively in the mouth section such that an interval between a start position and an end position should be 2.0 to 2.5. In the bottle can member 11 which has such a thread section, an outer diameter of the thread section which is formed on the mouth section is 28 to 38 mm. Also, the thickness of the mouth section is 0.25 to 0.4 mm. The thread section which has the effective thread number 2.0 to 2.5 is formed by eight-thread per inch pitch. By doing this, it is possible to put the cap desirably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Can Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hanafusa, Ryoichi Ito, Masahiro Hosoi, Naoki Tasaka
  • Publication number: 20110220661
    Abstract: A pressure vessel for storing a fluid, the pressure vessel including an annular inner boss having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface forming a passage adapted to receive a utility device therein, wherein the inner boss includes a liner channel formed intermediate the inner surface and the outer surface, a vessel liner having a portion thereof disposed in the liner channel of the inner boss, and an outer boss secured to the outer surface of the inner boss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Ludger Strack
  • Patent number: 7975520
    Abstract: A tab is used to open beer/beverage can ends and food can ends. The tab has one or more arcuate strips that are provided on a surface of the tab proximate to a peripheral surface of the tab where the one or more arcuate strips have been formed further into a preselected portion of curled or hemmed portions of the tab. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7954354
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing containers including providing a container having a first diameter; expanding the diameter of the container to a second diameter with at least one expansion die is disclosed. Expansion dies can be used to expand the diameter of a container. Multiple expansion dies can be used to gradually expand the diameter of the container without significantly damaging the container. The container can then be formed to accept a closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Myers, Anthony J. Fedusa, Robert E. Dick
  • Patent number: 7950263
    Abstract: A can body manufacturing method has a barrel section of the can body held between first and second rotation bodies. The first body has at a first recess in its outer surface, and the second body has a second projection on its outer surface. The bodies are brought together so the barrel section is pressed radially inward by the second projection and fits into the first recess. When the holding of the barrel section by the rotation bodies is released, that portion of the barrel section corresponding to the first recess and the second projection is caused to restore elastically radially outward. As a result, the outer surface of that portion of the barrel corresponding to the projection and recess is caused to position more outside than the rest of the outer surface of the barrel section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Can Corporation
    Inventor: Takuro Shinguryo
  • Patent number: 7950259
    Abstract: A trimming turret including a first trimmer head including a first pilot. The turret is configured to receive a stress induced plastically deformed container having earing about a respective opening in the container, and at least one of (i) direct the container to the first trimmer head so that the pilot becomes located inside the opening, and (ii) direct the first trimmer head to the container so that the pilot becomes located inside the opening. The turret is configured to trim off the earing from the container with the first trimmer head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Belvac Production Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold James Marshall
  • Publication number: 20110101005
    Abstract: A double walled container is provided for insulating a beverage. An outer insulating shell or container is secured to the inner container that holds the beverage. A gap exists between the outer container and inner container and the air in the gap acts as an insulating barrier. The inner container is preferably a standard aluminum container. The outer container is preferably made from aluminum or a plastic polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: MILLERCOORS, LLC
    Inventor: JASON M. KELLY
  • Publication number: 20110084579
    Abstract: A housing includes a metal cover defining an opening and a patched member adhered to the cover to patch the opening. The patched member is formed by injecting resin into the opening of the cover in an injection mold for in-mold-decoration. A film is attached to an outer surface of the patched member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHUN-YUAN CHANG
  • Publication number: 20110023567
    Abstract: A thin walled body is deformed in a process in which the body is gripped securely in a holding station and, whilst gripped in the holding station, tooling engages to deform the peripheral wall of the body at a predetermined wall zone. The tooling is provided at a tooling station which is adjacent the holding station during deformation. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by rotation of the body about an axis prior to securing at the holding station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Santiago Garcia Campo, Juan Salz Goiria
  • Patent number: 7878040
    Abstract: A method of drawn and ironed processing of a resin coated metal sheet, in which in the drawn and ironed processing of resin coated metal sheet, there can be obtained a can body of satisfactorily small wall thickness and at an opening edge part of the can body, the coating resin is free from any defect; and a resin coating drawn and ironed processed can produced thereby. There is provided a method of drawn and ironed processing of a resin coated metal sheet, comprising performing drawn and ironed processing of a resin coated metal sheet composed of a metal sheet having at least one major surface thereof coated with an organic resin with the use of a punch and a die into a can body, characterized in that ironing is conducted with the use of a punch having a small-diameter portion at its rear end so that the ratio of ironing at an opening edge part of the can body after shaping falls within the range of 0 to 15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Toyo Kohan Co., Ltd., Toyo Seikan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Taya, Masahiro Kai, Junichi Tanabe, Etsuro Tutsumi, Norihito Saiki
  • Publication number: 20110011896
    Abstract: A one-piece, steel, aerosol can formed by a draw and iron process with varying wall thicknesses, including a main body of a first wall thickness, a cone area above of a greater second wall thickness and a curl area above of a third thickness smaller than the second thickness and adapted to fit a standard aerosol valve. A process for shaping the can with the respective wall thickness sections. The process includes necking the can near the top end. The bottom of the can may be supported to maintain a shape during necking. The can interior may be pressurized during necking to resist permanent deformation of the can during necking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: George B. Diamond, Ralph Helmrich
  • Publication number: 20110011147
    Abstract: A trimming turret including a first trimmer head including a first pilot. The turret is configured to receive a stress induced plastically deformed container having earing about a respective opening in the container, and at least one of (i) direct the container to the first trimmer head so that the pilot becomes located inside the opening, and (ii) direct the first trimmer head to the container so that the pilot becomes located inside the opening. The turret is configured to trim off the earing from the container with the first trimmer head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: HAROLD JAMES MARSHALL
  • Patent number: 7871230
    Abstract: The mold apparatus has a pair of upper and lower molds being used for forming a score on one side surface of an easy-opening can end fabricated by a laminated metal sheet. The upper mold has a convex part for forming the score, and the cross sectional shape of the convex part at the portion contacting the laminated metal sheet is composed of a curve having a change rate of inclination of 0.08 or smaller to the upper surface of the facing lower mold, or having the curve and a straight line. The formed score has a maximum width of 0.80 mm or smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kubo, Katsumi Kojima, Yasuhide Oshima, Yoshihiko Yasue, Hiroki Iwasa
  • Patent number: 7866196
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a circular metal tank, from an elongated sheet of metal. The upper and lower longitudinal edges of the metal sheet are bent to produce a first “L” bend and a second “chair” bend, respectively. The sheet of metal is moved in a helical trajectory such that the second bend comes into proximity above the first bend. The second bend and the first bend are welded together such that the wall of the cylindrical tank is formed. Welding of the bends serves to stress relieve or anneal the bent metal, thereby preventing cracks in the metal which may result in leaks and/or compromise the structural integrity of the tank. The first and second bends additionally cooperate to form a helical roller track on the outside of the tank. The tank is supported and rotated about its longitudinal axis on a plurality of rollers that engage the roller track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Tanks, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Vanderbeken
  • Publication number: 20110002811
    Abstract: The system contains a metal tray formed from a sheet of metal. A plurality of pockets is formed in the metal tray, wherein the plurality of pockets is formed from manipulating the sheet of metal. A cover is formed over the metal tray. Optionally, a base may be engaged with the cover, wherein the metal tray is formed to fit snugly between the cover and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Gary T. Dane, Jon D. Shoemaker
  • Publication number: 20100326164
    Abstract: An effective thread number in the thread section which is disposed on the mouth section of the bottle is formed to be 2.2. That is, the thread section is formed such that the thread section 13 should serve effectively in the mouth section such that an interval between a start position and an end position should be 2.0 to 2.5. In the bottle can member 11 which has such a thread section, an outer diameter of the thread section which is formed on the mouth section is 28 to 38 mm. Also, the thickness of the mouth section is 0.25 to 0.4 mm. The thread section which has the effective thread number 2.0 to 2.5 is formed by eight-thread per inch pitch. By doing this, it is possible to put the cap desirably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL CAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hanafusa, Ryoichi Ito, Masahiro Hosoi, Naoki Tasaka
  • Patent number: 7856860
    Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment is a device and method for flattening bottle caps from beverage containers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottle cap flattener includes a bottle cap positioner, a bottle cap holder, a bottle cap flattening tool, a motor and a positioning jig. The bottle cap positioner precisely locates a bottle cap so that the bottle cap flattening tool can interact with the bottle cap to flatten the bottle cap. The bottle cap positioner preferably includes a rotatable disk that is rotated by the motor. The bottle cap flattening tool applies pressure to a bottle cap through a tip to force the outer portion of the bottle cap into a flattened configuration along with the central portion of the bottle cap. The bottle cap holder applies force to a bottle cap located on the bottle cap positioner to hold the bottle cap in a precise relationship with the bottle cap positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Catherine A. Collison
  • Publication number: 20100310815
    Abstract: This invention refers to a process of plastic deformation for production of thin wall revolution shells from tubular billets. The process consists in end-forming a hollow circular section billet, which can be composed of a multi- layered assembly, by using sharp edge internal domed shaped molds (1) that are guided externally by a constraining sleeve (3). This mold-sleeve tool can be assembled in a press in order to generate the pressure forces necessary for the forming process. The plastic deformation can result in thin walled spheres or cylinders with domed ends. The resultant revolution shells have two opposite (polar) circular openings. Both the shell's length as the polar hole diameter is mainly determined by the billet's initial dimensions and mold (1) domed geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: OMNIDEA, LDA.
    Inventors: Luis Manuel Mendonca Alves, Paulo Antonio Firme Martins, Tiago Da Costal Duarte Pardal, Paulo Jorge Correira De Almeida, Nuno Miguel Pereira Dos Anjos Valverde
  • Patent number: 7841222
    Abstract: Thread lug forming systems form thread lugs (36) on container necks or necked end domes. A continuously rotating cam system (100) has multiple sets of thread lug forming tools (135) which are driven to recirculate about stationary cams (130). The cams actuate inner and outer forming tools (150, 152) of the tool sets as they progress around the cams to form the thread lugs. A second system uses generally the same tool sets in a multiple-station reciprocating press (203), and the container bodies are indexed through the tool stations (252) in which the thread lugs are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Dayton Systems Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. Cook, Dale R. Conley, Mark F. Broerman
  • Publication number: 20100288136
    Abstract: A baking article is provided that includes a substantially rectangular baking surface; a walled portion surrounding the baking surface, wherein the topmost region of the walled portion surrounding the baking surface is rolled downward and away from the baking surface to form a lip and define the outer edge of the tray; and a plurality of indentations formed in the walled portion surrounding the baking surface, wherein the plurality of indentations provides structural reinforcement to the baking tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: American Pan Company
    Inventor: Jason Tingley
  • Patent number: 7832249
    Abstract: A can assembly includes a can body, and a cap that is seamed to the can body, and a bag. The bag, which may be formed by a thermoforming process, includes a thickened portion as part of a peripheral flange that terminates in a bulb. A throat that receives the bulb is formed by necks on the body and cap such that the bulb is spaced apart from the seam. A constriction formed by the neck radially inboard from the bulb receives the thickened portion of the bag. The process for forming the can assembly includes forming the seam and thermoforming a billet into the bag. At least part of the flange is formed between matched portions of mold flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald C. Schumann, Joseph J. Domijan
  • Publication number: 20100281943
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for protecting control lines used with tool strings in a downhole environment. A control line protector assembly comprises a plurality of components formed into a unitary piece which includes a guard section having a first end section and a second end section, a slot on each of the first end section and the second end section, and a securing mechanism for coupling the guard section having the first end section and the second end section to the coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Iain Baxter
  • Patent number: 7818987
    Abstract: A trimming turret including a first trimmer head including a first pilot. The turret is configured to receive a stress induced plastically deformed container having earing about a respective opening in the container, and at least one of (i) direct the container to the first trimmer head so that the pilot becomes located inside the opening, and (ii) direct the first trimmer head to the container so that the pilot becomes located inside the opening. The turret is configured to trim off the earing from the container with the first trimmer head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Belvac Production Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold James Marshall
  • Publication number: 20100251798
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal vessel by way of stamping of vertical halves from a metal sheet, and in particular to a method comprising: stamping at least a first vessel half and a second vessel half from a metal sheet; adhering at least the first vessel half with the second vessel half forming a vessel, the vessel being a single piece article having an opening on one end for ingress and egress of a liquid or a gas and having a seam along two of the vessel vertical walls and along the bottom of the vessel where the first vessel half and the second vessel half make contact; and applying a top finish at the opening of the vessel allowing for a closure to be used to seal and selectively reseal the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: John E. Adams
  • Publication number: 20100242567
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and method for producing untrimmed container bodies from pre-cut metal blanks. The method involves cupping a metal blank by positioning the blank against an immovable draw punch comprising an annular body having an inner surface adapted to form a redraw die and an outer surface, and drawing a periphery of the blank over the outer surface of the draw punch with an encircling draw die to form a cup having an open end, a closed end and an interior. The cup is then inverted and redrawn by forcing a redraw punch into the closed end of the cup to draw the closed end through the redraw die until the cup is inverted to form an inverted cup with a closed end supported on the punch. The inverted cup while supported on the redraw punch is passed through one or more ironing rings to lengthen the inverted cup to form an untrimmed container body having a closed end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Dubravko Nardini, Sven Lindemann, Alois Bökers
  • Patent number: 7797978
    Abstract: A method of forming two-piece beverage can components is described. The method requires providing a plurality of pre-punched metallic disks. A disk feeder transfers at least one of the plurality of pre-punched metallic disks to a first process station in a plurality of processing stations. The first disk is deformed during a two-piece beverage can component manufacturing process is performed at the first station. The deformed disk is removed from the first station and transferred to each subsequent processing station in the plurality of processing stations. Further two-piece beverage can component manufacturing processes are performed in each subsequent processing station to produce a substantially finished two-piece beverage can component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: Rexam Beverage Can Company, Rexam Beverage Can Europe Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Sasso, Jr., Shaun Kelly
  • Patent number: 7784323
    Abstract: An improved convenience closure that is adapted for sealing an end of a can includes an end panel having a peripheral score, a rivet formation, a mustache score and a flex line score defined therein. The mustache score may include a central portion that is positioned radially inwardly on the end panel relative to the rivet formation. The central portion is preferably curved, with a concave side of the curvature facing the rivet formation. The mustache score also may include first and second preferably symmetrical end portions, each of which is continuous with the central portion. Most of the total length of each of the end portions may be curved away from a nearest portion of the peripheral score, with a convex side of curvature facing the nearest portion of the peripheral score. Tooling for making the convenience closure and a method of making such a convenience disclosure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Heinicke
  • Patent number: 7784319
    Abstract: Systems and methods are employed for monitoring and controlling a can necking process in a multi-stage can necking machine. Sensors are employed that communicate with local controllers. A local controller is used at each stage of the multi-stage can necking machine. The local controllers are used to perform fast processing of information from the sensors located in the stage associated with the local controller. A main controller is then used to determine drop rates. Predefined threshold rates may be used to compare with calculated drop rates. A multi-stage can necking machine may be controlled in part based on drop rates crossing threshold rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Crown, Packaging Technology, Inc
    Inventor: Benjamin Lee Saville
  • Patent number: 7784322
    Abstract: An improved convenience closure that is adapted for sealing an end of a can includes an end panel having a peripheral score, a rivet formation, a mustache score and a flex line score defined therein. The mustache score may include a central portion that is positioned radially inwardly on the end panel relative to the rivet formation. The central portion is preferably curved, with a concave side of the curvature facing the rivet formation. The mustache score also may include first and second preferably symmetrical end portions, each of which is continuous with the central portion. Most of the total length of each of the end portions may be curved away from a nearest portion of the peripheral score, with a convex side of curvature facing the nearest portion of the peripheral score. Tooling for making the convenience closure and a method of making such a convenience disclosure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Heinicke
  • Publication number: 20100199741
    Abstract: The present invention provides a necking system including a plurality of necking dies each necking dies having an at least partially non-polished necking surface and a non-polished relief following the necking surface. The present invention further provides a method of necking a metal container including providing a metal blank; shaping the blank into a bottle stock; and necking the metal bottle stock, wherein necking includes at least one necking die having an at least partially non-polished necking surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Gary L. Myers, Anthony Fedusa, Robert E. Dick
  • Patent number: 7761971
    Abstract: An article of cookware is fabricated by a combination of a deep drawing a metal sheet or laminate to form a fluid retaining preform and then using an impact bonding process to attach a medallion to the outside bottom surface of preform. In another aspect, the impact bonding process alternatively provides a means to achieve a slightly concave exterior bottom surface, while maintaining a substantially flat and/or slightly concave interior bottom surface to minimize the use of cooking oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Meyer Intellectual Properties Limited
    Inventor: Stanley Kin Sui Cheng
  • Publication number: 20100154500
    Abstract: During the bending of sheet metal sections (1, 2) for forming can bodies by means of a bending machine, the sheet metal characteristics of the individual sheets are measured, e.g. the thickness and/or the strength of the sheets. The measured value is used to control the bending machine (4). This permits a substantially constant bending result to be achieved, even with varying sheet metal characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: SOUNDRONIC AG
    Inventor: Peter Schreiber
  • Publication number: 20100140276
    Abstract: The invention relates to a culinary item comprising a dished body defining a bottom and a lateral wall, and provided with an inner surface for receiving food and an outer surface for positioning next to the heat source, at least one of the surfaces of the lateral wall being covered by an anodising layer and the outer surface of the bottom being at least partially enamelled. The invention also relates to a method for producing one such item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SEB SA
    Inventors: Pascal Cuillery, Jean-François Brassett, Fabrice Parsent, Pierre-Jean Muller
  • Patent number: 7721578
    Abstract: A method for configuration of an outwardly curled portion formed on an opening portion of a metal can, in which both inner and outer faces of a metal sheet forming at least around the opening portion are covered with a resin film, in which the curled portion formed above an inclined face by curling an upper end of a trim end portion so as to confine it inside of the curled portion, as being squeezed in the can radius direction so as to contact a lower end thereof with the inclined face, and in which the metal sheet layers are folded in the can radius direction via the resin films except around both upper and lower ends of the curled portion. Accordingly, the trim end portion of in the curled portion can be prevented from getting rusty, and deterioration in the appearance of the curled portion can be avoided. Moreover, the strength of the curled portion is enhanced so that the resistance against the deformation is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Daiwa Can Company
    Inventors: Yasushi Enoki, Toshio Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20100095728
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a vessel forming station comprising a plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of operation wheels are configured in opposing facing pairs, a plurality of linear drives are interconnected with the plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of linear drives push opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operations to a closed position causing opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels to engage the vessel and perform operations on the vessel, the linear drives pull the plurality of operation wheels to an open position allowing the vessel to be indexed to other operation positions, and a conveyor system positioned between opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operation wheels engages the vessel and indexes the vessel through the plurality of operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: John E. Adams, Alejandro Jose Santamaria, Ruth Karina Espinel, Scott C. Biondich, Katherine W. Allen, Gopalaswamy Rajesh, H. Brock Kolls
  • Publication number: 20100095734
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method of performing non-shape forming operations during vessel shaping, the method comprising indexing a cylinder across a pathway of at least one of an operation wheel, the operation wheel further having a plurality of work zones, performing at the plurality of work zones a plurality of operations on the cylinder in a sequence of a first shaping plurality of operations followed by a non-shaping plurality of operations followed by a second shaping plurality of operations, and effectuating transformation of the cylinder into a shaped vessel. Other embodiment include applying decoration to the cylinder contoured surface during non-shaping operations, trimming the cylinder during non-shaping operations, and top-forming the cylinder during non-shaping operations, to name a few.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: John E. Adams, Scott C. Biondich, Alejandro Jose Santamaria, Ruth Karine Espinel, Katherine W. Allen, Gopalaswamy Rajesh, H. Brock Kolls