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.

Abstract: A winder assembly is provided for rotating a component of a can necking machine to a desired angular position suitable for performing maintenance on the component. The winder assembly includes a shaft coupled to a motor of that drives the components of the can necking machine during operation. A handle can be removably connected to the shaft, such that rotation of the handle in a rotational direction correspondingly causes the shaft to rotate. The shaft causes the motor to rotate, which drives a gear train that rotates the components of the necking machine that are coupled to the gear train.

Abstract: A peelable lid structure, particularly for use in the closing of food cans, has a tab which is folded over the center panel and secured in the folded position for processing of can contents and/or handling operations. As the tab is secured, an inexpensive laminate structure which requires little or no aluminum content can be used. Methods of forming the peelable lid structure include exposing a layer of heat sealable material and/or an adhesive layer so that the tab (3) can be folded over and adhered to this layer, for example, by heat sealing.

Abstract: A method of operating a blanching system includes steps of automatically sampling a blanching solution and mixing the sampled blanching solution with a reagent that is formulated to change at least one property according to a concentration of a metal ion in the blanching solution. This property is automatically sensed with an automated sensor and a controller is used to automatically control a concentration of metal ions in the blanching solution in response to a signal that is received from said automated sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the quality of a double seam used in can manufacture, or can filling, to seam a can end (2) onto a can body (1). The apparatus uses a device (41) for measuring the strain/force applied by the lifter cam (10) so as to provide information such as first operation seam quality, gross seam defects and machine condition.

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 of forming a container having enhanced openability is disclosed. The method includes providing a can body, and providing a can end having an approximately planar panel, a pull tab affixed to the panel, and a moveable portion disposed beneath a handle of the tab, the moveable portion being in a first position extending upwardly toward the handle. The method also includes filling a comestible product into the can body at an elevated temperature, seaming the can end to the can body, and moving the moveable portion from the first position to a second position extending downwardly away from the handle, such that a gap is formed or enlarged between the moveable portion and the handle, enhancing accessibility to a user's finger. The moving being in response to internal negative pressure caused by cooling of the product within the can body.

Abstract: An aerosol dispensing container 1 comprising a container body 20, 30, 40 and a collapsible bag 50 therein. The bag 50 separates a pressurised chamber defined between the container body 20, 30, 40 and the bag 50 from a product chamber defined inside the bag 50. A valve 5 is mounted in a valve cup 70 supported by the body 20, 30, 40 and the valve arrangement allows fluid communication between the valve 5 and the product chamber inside the bag 50. An extrinsic support means 54, 55 is carried by the bag 50 and is adapted to ensure flow of product to the valve 5 by preventing radial collapse of the bag 50, whilst allowing axial collapse of the bag 50 as the product is dispensed.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining two fixed bases having a plurality of can necking stages, is provided. The apparatus minimizes space, and reduces the diameter of a can neck as it transfers a can body from a first fixed base to a second fixed base.

Abstract: A metal container or component part of a metal container (e.g. a can end or sidewall of a can body) has an aperture defined by a cut edge about the periphery of the aperture, with a cover element sealed to the outward-facing surface of the can end so as to extend over and cover the aperture. A film of lacquer is directly applied (without the presence of an intermediate primer layer) to the inward-facing of the container/component part so as to coat the entirety of the cut edge and all or part of the inward-facing surfaces of both the can end and that part of the cover element located radially inward of the cut edge, thereby inhibiting corrosion of the cut edge. The invention is particularly suitable for can ends. The invention also relates to a method of making a can end to the invention.

Abstract: A first aspect of the present invention relates to a diaphragm (2) for sealing an access opening (5) of a container body (6), the diaphragm being semi-rigid and formed with a shaped cavity (10). The present invention is particularly (but not exclusively) suitable for use with metal cans for packaging foodstuffs. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a reinforcing support (14) for locating over the diaphragm when used to seal an access opening of a container body. A third aspect of the present invention relates to a spoon (26) suitable for use with a container comprising the diaphragm.

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 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 of making an easy open end for a container includes steps of providing a can end blank having an end panel and forming the can end blank in a series of forming operations that are performed with specialized and unique tooling. The can end is preferably shaped during the forming operations so that a major portion of the end panel is curved. Specifically, the curvature is preferably such that a top surface of the major portion is generally concave and a bottom surface of the major portion is generally convex. The end panel is also preferably shaped and constructed so that the curved major portion will invert in shape upon the application of a sufficient predetermined pressure differential between the top and bottom surfaces. A method of testing a fill level of a sealed container is performed in reliance on this “cricketing” or “oil canning” effect.

Abstract: A bodymaker ram attachment has a screwed locator (60), which is fastened to a slide block (70) of the bodymaker and can be aligned to the machine. A new ram with an internal thread and location diameter is screwed onto the locator. A clamp ring (65) tightens a locking element (80) so as to fix the ram (50) to the locator (60) when screws (68), which fasten the clamp ring to the locator, are tightened. The advantage of this new attachment is that the ram can be removed quickly by loosening the clamp ring and locking element then unscrewing the ram from the locator. The ram can then be removed and replaced by sliding through the front of the machine without the need for further disassembly.

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 dispensing container assembly (10) includes a container having a top end (14) at which a valve member is located, a bottom end and a circumferentially extending sidewall that is positioned between the top end and the bottom end. An actuator assembly (34) is advantageously provided for permitting actuation of the valve member by a user without requiring the user's hand or finger to be positioned immediately adjacent to the valve member and the top end of the container. The actuator assembly (34) may include a flexible elongated band (40) that is spaced outwardly from a portion of the sidewall of the container (12). The valve member is actuated by squeezing the container (12) and the flexible elongated band (40), which mechanically transmits force via the band (40) to the valve member.

Abstract: A closure (1) having a shell (10) and a polymer insert (20). The polymer material of the insert (20) is selected to be sufficiently soft to provide an adequate sealing surface (21) and yet sufficiently stiff to define legs (22), which clip behind the internal curl (11) of the closure shell (10).

Abstract: A container assembly includes a container that has an externally threaded finish portion as well as retention structure for preventing upward movement of a tamper evident band. The container assembly further includes a closure having a body portion of a base and an internally threaded downwardly depending sidewall portion that is sized and shaped to screw onto the finish portion of the container. The closure further includes a tamper evident band that is frangibly connected to the sidewall portion and that includes a main band portion and a J-hook retention member. The J-hook retention member includes a plurality of pleated retaining flaps, each of which has upper portion for engaging the retention structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a container body that utilizes frictional forces rather than the engagement of gears to rotate the container body is provided. Such an apparatus may include a stationary housing and a turret rotating on a shaft proximate to the housing. The turret may have a plurality of pockets and a roller assembly disposed within each pocket. Each roller assembly may have a body portion and a drive roller portion. Each body portion may have a contact portion for contacting a container body received in a respective pocket. Each drive roller may be in contact with the housing such that as the turret rotates, friction between the drive rollers and the housing causes each roller assembly to rotate.