Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic bagging of can ends which utilizes a common cam shaft to synchronize the operation of a series of cooperating features. A vacuum table with inclinable leaves, which is designed for vertical reciprocation, strips a bag from a magazine of randomly disposed bags, positions and opens the bag. A bag pick up and a bag horn assist in holding the mouth of the bag open for receipt of a stack of ends. The filled bag is automatically closed and discharged to a storage bin.

Abstract: An automatic system for accumulating, counting, stacking and bagging can ends. The system is designed to protect the end against damage by minimizing the handling of the end. An automatic dispenser counts and dispenses can ends to one of a pair of end stacks which are mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. The end stacks are indexed from a loading position to an unloading position where the filled stack is pivoted from a normally vertical attitude to a horizontal discharging attitude. Ends are discharged to an automatic bagging system for packaging and storage.

Abstract: A retained ring type lever tab for easy open containers. The tab is provided with two dog leg levers which join at the forward end to form a triangular nose. These levers which in cross section are made up of a pair of parallel flanges 0.050" in width connected by an outer curl of radius 0.030" are particularly effective in transferring the opening force to the displaceable panel in the end. The tab is characterized by a low weight and a high mechanical advantage.

Abstract: A can end conveying device for conveying ends from a first press to a second press. The conveyor has an input end and a divertor downstream therefrom. Ends are conveyed along a first track to a stacking station which feeds the ends through a first conduit in a block and then through a gate and onto the track for the second press. When the supply of ends from the first press terminates or falls below the demand of the second press, the gate is shifted and ends are fed by an operator onto a manual feeding track for the second press. When the supply of ends from the first press exceeds the demand of the second press, the divertor is activated by a sensor on the stack and diverts the ends from the first track to a second track leading to a manual bagging station. A novel gate structure is disclosed which facilitates jam free operation of the device.

Abstract: A low noise air nozzle system for fanning and separating stacked sheet to facilitate single sheet pick-up. The system employs nozzles which are provided with a diverging air ejection channel which terminates at the nozzle face in an orifice slit 0.025" wide.

Abstract: A non-detachable fracture resistant lever tab for easy open containers. The tab is provided with a tongue with a high degree of bendability, the tip of which is staked to the central panel wall by means of a rivet. Bendability of the tongue is enhanced through the use of cooperative transitional planes of graduated coining which urge the bend line to form in an area of maximum coining. A method for manufacture of the tab is disclosed.

Abstract: A non-detachable lever tab for easy open container ends with a tongue, the tip of which is staked to the central panel wall by means of an integral rivet. The lancing which forms the tongue terminates in a pair of nail piercings, which afford a high resistance to tear through. The tongue of the lever tab is coined to substantially increase its resistance to fracture under repeated bending.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for evaluating the continuity of the enamel lining of metallic containers. The apparatus has been developed for quality control inspection of containers and is designed to ensure that the entire interior surface of the container is evaluated by the test. The apparatus utilizes cooperating carbon electrodes of opposite polarity, an electrolyte solution, a grounded container, an enabling circuit and a meter to measure current flow through defects or discontinuities in the enamel lining. The carbon electrodes include a primary or measuring electrode, and a short secondary or liquid sensing electrode.Electrolyte solution is added until contact is established between the primary and the sensing electrodes thereby activating an enabling circuit which is used to control the meter display.