Abstract: An apparatus for handling articles (4) through a multi-stage process, the apparatus comprising at least one rotatable process turret (2) having a number of pockets (3), wherein each pocket (3) is adapted to support an article (4). The pockets (3) are arranged in groups and each group of pockets (3A, 3B, 3C) has associated tooling (5A, 5B, 5C), which carries out one stage of the process. The articles (4) are initially fed into one group of pockets (3A) only. A re-phase means (6) is provided to transfer the article (4) from one group of pockets (3A, 3B) to another (3B, 3C).

Abstract: An opening device of plastics material, which is suitable for closing and re-closing of a metal can end, for example. The opening device has two distinct parts: a base plate and a tab, which are joined together by an integral rivet. The opening device is used to close an aperture in the metal panel of a can end by fitting the base plate to the underside of the panel and connecting this to the tab on the top of the panel. A sliding action by pulling or retaining the tab actuates movement of the base plate for opening and reclosing of the closure panel.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a two-part article from a cup (1) formed from a single sheet metal blank. The method includes forming a “V”-shaped groove (15) by pressing and rolling an anvil (25) on one side of the cup sidewall (3), against one or more cutting rings (21) on the opposite side of the sidewall. Generally, this stage is followed by a second stage, which cuts the cup (1) into a separate ring (11) and shallower cup (10). This second stage enables profiled edges (17, 18) such as slight bends or flares to be formed which are beneficial when flanging or curling of the edges is subsequently required.

Abstract: A two-part closure (1) which has a disc (2) and a skirt (3). In one example, the skirt wall is smooth between upper and lower rims so that the disc is moveable between the rim features. Typically in a metal skirt or ring, the upper rim feature is a curl (11) and the lower rim feature is a curled edge (12) with equi-spaced lugs (13) on the skirt wall.

Abstract: A chuck-knockout assembly for seaming a can end onto a can body to form a seamed container is disclosed. The chuck-knockout assembly may include an upper chuck body and a lower chuck body. The upper chuck body may include a first drive surface and may be rotatably coupled to a seaming machine frame. The lower chuck body may include a second drive surface and may be longitudinally moveable relative to the upper chuck body. The second drive surface may be configured to engage a periphery of the can end during seaming and disengagement of the container.

Abstract: A crown cap that may use less steel than a conventional crown cap is disclosed. A crown cap comprises a shell formed of an increased hardness, including a peripheral skirt, a round panel integrally formed with the skirt, the panel including one to three radially symmetric grooves formed therein, each groove spaced apart from a contact portion of the panel that is adapted for contacting the rim of a bottle upon application of the crown cap onto the bottle, and a liner located on the underside of the panel. The radially symmetric grooves may be circular.

Abstract: A method of an administrator recording a sale and a retiring of a recycling credit certificate for a recycled material may include the steps of a computing device at the administrator: receiving from a seller a request to generate the recycling credit certificate, transferring the certificate from an account registered by the seller to an account registered by the buyer, receiving from the buyer a request to retire the recycling credit certificate, and recording the certificate as retired. The certificate may include unique information identifying environmental attributes that are unbundled from a corresponding amount of a recycled material. The request to retire the certificate may include an amount of standard manufactured material used in an amount of product bearing a retail product claim for the environmental attributes that were unbundled from the corresponding amount of the recycled material tangibly owned by the seller.

Abstract: A press-on, twist-off container assembly of the type that is used, for example, and baby food containers includes a container that has, as conventional, a finish portion with at least one external thread and a closure that is mounted on the container. The closure is of the press-on, twist-off type and includes a panel portion and a skirt portion that together define a generally cylindrical interior recess. As is conventional, a deformable gasket is mounted within the interior recess that has a thread engaging portion that is deformed so as to at least partially conform to the external threads of said finish portion of said container. The thread engaging portion advantageously has a plurality of inwardly extending raised flutes that are circumferentially spaced irregularly about the thread engaging portion. At least some of the flutes are in contact with at least one of the external threads at respective points of contact, and each external thread has a total distance spanned by such points of contact.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring compressed air between machine elements uses a rotary manifold (110) in which an orifice restrictor (140) is provided between the air supply (115), between each piston (125) and shoe (130). The orifice restrictors (140) meter volumetric flow rate during loading and/or unloading cans from the apparatus, thereby optimised compressed air consumption.

Abstract: A can end combination, a resealable beverage can, and a method of sealing a beverage can are disclosed. The can end combination may include a metal can end and a resealable closure coupled to the can end. The can end may include a center panel having an aperture formed therethrough. The closure may include a base plate and a top plate coupled to the base plate. The closure may have a sealed position in which the base plate contacts the center panel about the aperture to form at least one of a bore seal and a face seal. The closure may also have an intermediate position in which the base plate is proximate the aperture but the closure is devoid of the bore seal and the face seal. The closure may also have a fully open position in which the aperture is exposed to enable pouring liquid through the aperture.

Abstract: A can bodymaker and a method of forming different sizes of drawn and wall ironed cans from the same bodymaker, in which the bodymaker includes a ram (4), a crank (22), first and second connecting rods (21, 23) and a swing lever (20) connecting the crankshaft (22) to the ram (4). Different locking positions (X, Z) are provided on the swing lever so that the first (primary) connecting rod is connected to alternative positions on the swing lever. The primary connecting rod (21) then rotates about an axis between the selected locking position and position (Y) of pivot pin 30 on the swing lever (20). The primary connecting rod drives the swing lever to rotate by a corresponding degree, and thereby converts the swing lever rotation into axial movement of the ram (4) so as to move the ram by a specific stroke length. By altering the locking pin (25) position and therefore the pivot point for the primary connecting rod, the stroke of the ram is changed.

Abstract: Methods for producing a can end having a moveable portion disposed beneath a tab are disclosed. In one embodiment, a can end having a center panel may be formed. A moveable portion may be formed in the center panel. The moveable portion may be in a downward position after it is formed. The can end may then be restrained such that a portion of the center panel that is adjacent to the moveable portion is unrestrained. While the can end is restrained, the moveable portion may be moved into an upward position.

Abstract: A reclosable metal container in the style of a bottle-shaped can has a conventional can body of steel or aluminum to which a metal neck component is seamed. A sleeve of plastics fits over the neck component and a detent inside the sleeve clips it onto the seam. The upper edge of the sleeve is fixed in place by a curl on the upper edge of the neck component. By using a separate neck component and hiding the seam under a sleeve, conventional sizes and material gauges can be used for the can body. Thicker material may be used for the neck component in order to withstand necking forces. Threads for closing the container may be provided either on the sleeve or, in an embodiment where the sleeve is simply used to cover the seam, on a cylindrical part of the neck component itself.

Abstract: A beverage can cap member is configured so that its exterior surface extending radially inwardly from the rim or rim forming portion is substantially flat or continuous, or has a slight curve from a position adjacent from the rim or rim forming portion. The cap member may have a countersink which is filled with a filler material including a curable adhesive, an insert of a natural or synthetic material or the like. The filler material increases the structural strength of the cap member to an extent that it can be made of a relatively thinner material and still complies with the minimum peaking pressure of the industrial standard.

Abstract: An assembly for can manufacture includes a toolpack having coolant dies (3,4,5,6) adjacent and either side of ironing dies (1,2) so that coolant may be circulated around cavities in the coolant dies so as to cool the ironing die inserts (12). Generally, the toolpack is used in conjunction with a ram (20), coolant tube assembly (30) and ram guidance assembly (60) which together ensure that the ram is cooled along its entire length, up to and including the punch nose (21).

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.

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.