Abstract: An apparatus for forming a base profile on a metal container carried on a punch moving along an axis. The apparatus comprises a die for forming the base profile on the container and a resilient support for holding the die in a resting position substantially along said axis whilst allowing the die to be deflectable perpendicular to said axis and providing a restoring force to return the die to the resting position.

Abstract: An over-varnish unit and mandrel pre-spin system for a can decorator, especially for beverage can bodies, can have a mandrel pre-spin belt that is outside of the over-varnish unit housing. The position of the can infeed on the mandrel wheel and the print point is controlled.

Abstract: A method of marking indicia on tab stock used to provide tabs for use with can ends. The method comprises providing the tab stock to a tab press comprising a punch and a die. The punch comprises a set of raised features and the die comprises a respective set of recessed features such that the features cooperate to deboss said indicia on regions of the tab stock within tab forming areas that face outwardly when the tabs are attached to a tab end. The features are such that, when the press is fully closed, the spacing between at least part of each of the raised features and at least part of each of the respective recessed features is less than the thickness of the tab stock in said regions within tab forming areas.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a base profile on a metal container carried on a punch moving along an axis. The apparatus comprises a die for forming the base profile on the container and a resilient support for holding the die in a resting position substantially along said axis whilst allowing the die to be deflectable perpendicular to said axis and providing a restoring force to return the die to the resting position.

Abstract: A closure assembly comprising a two-part closure having a metal panel or disc (2) and a ring (3), and a container such as a glass jar (20). The ring (3) is substantially cylindrical with an axially upwardly extending sidewall and has a radially inwardly extending lower edge. The jar (20) terminates in a radially outwardly extending beaded rim (16) and the disc (2) has a curled circumference (8) such that this curl (8) co-operates with the beaded rim (16) of the container to provide a primary seal. In one example, in a metal ring (3), the lower edge is curled with equally spaced lugs (13) on the skirt wall. In a plastic ring, the upper rim feature may be omitted.

Abstract: A print registration system for a beverage can decorator includes an axial registration system and a circumferential registration system. Each registration system is independent and includes a slider that is translated by a motorized lead screw. Axial movement of the axial registration slider is transmitted to axial adjustment of the plate cylinder by a mechanical connection between the axial registration slider and the plate cylinder shaft. Translation of the circumferential registration slider is transmitted to a helical gear mounted to the plate cylinder shaft such that the plate cylinder shaft is rotated by the movement of the circumferential registration slider upon engagement of the helical driven gear with a stationary drive gear.

Abstract: A can comprises a can body (10) and a lid (4). The can body is manufactured using only a single homogeneous piece of material and has an edge that defines a top opening into the can. The can body also has an inwardly directed bead (23), which extends around the body, is adjacent to the can body edge, and defines an inwardly facing sealing surface (24) of substantially constant transverse cross-sectional dimension along an axial extent. The lid defines an outwardly directed sealing surface which abuts the inwardly facing sealing surface presented by the inwardly directed bead in order to seal the lid to the can body. An alternative can body has an inwardly directed pinched or collapsed bead which defines an upwardly facing sealing surface (34) for engagement with a downwardly facing sealing surface of a can lid. The alternative can body additionally has an inwardly directed bead (35) between the can body edge and the pinched or collapsed bead.

Abstract: A method of reducing a thickness and increasing a height of a cylindrical wall of a metal cup to form a can body comprises positioning a wall-ironing punch (40) inside the cup, moving an annular wall-ironing die (24) axially over the closed end of the cup towards the open end of the cup, but not beyond the open end of the cup, in order to iron the cylindrical wall from the closed end up to a position axially spaced from the open end and moving the wall-ironing die (24) back in an opposite direction to remove the can body from the die (24). Methods of altering a diameter of one or more regions of a can body are also disclosed.

Abstract: A can bodymaker comprising a ram and a redraw sleeve assembly for holding a cup or other preform article against a redraw die. The redraw sleeve assembly comprises: a redraw sleeve; a redraw carriage to which the redraw sleeve is removably coupled, the redraw carriage being driven in a reciprocating motion along an axis; and a redraw sleeve alignment mechanism. The redraw sleeve alignment mechanism comprises: a redraw sleeve module having one or more bearings defining a passage through which the redraw sleeve moves and a bearing adjustment mechanism to facilitate radial alignment of the redraw sleeve module with the redraw die. The coupling between the redraw carriage and the redraw sleeve permits variable radial offset, relative to said axis, between the two components.

Abstract: A closure for a container. The closure comprises an end panel, a sidewall depending from the end panel and having an inwardly directed curl, and a sealing compound extending down the inner surface of the sidewall. A plurality of ribs are formed in the sealing compound, spaced apart around the circumference of the sidewall, each rib extending down the sidewall and projecting radially inwardly.

Abstract: A method for forming a Data Matrix Code or like two dimensional code on a beverage can tab uses a laser having a focal ratio of between 40 and 70 to produce spots having an average diameter of between 200 and 400 microns. The code is smaller than 6 mm by 6 mm, at least 12 modules by 12 modules, and smaller than 21 modules by 21 modules, thereby providing sufficient quantity of unique codes for use with commercial beverage can quantities. Preferably each module is formed by one laser spot. Alternatively, nine spots may be used to form a module.

Abstract: A can bodymaker, which includes a disc feed (1) for feeding a disc (5) directly to the bodymaker itself. A locator (9) positions the disc (5) centrally to a blankholder (12) and a draw pad (10) clamps the disc (5) against a draw die (11). The blankholder (12) then forms the disc into a cup (20) and clamps the cup against a redraw die (14) ready to be picked up by a punch and carried through dies for forming a can body.

Abstract: A can body loader assembly includes a turret starwheel having asymmetrical pockets and a vacuum belt that provides a precise pitch dimension between adjacent cans.

Abstract: A beverage can end has an arcuate panel wall and a chuck wall having a curved transition wall portion. Configuration of the seaming panel and panel wall is provided.

Abstract: A drawn and wall ironed beverage can body, method for forming same, and a sealed and filled can, include a through-hole or aperture in the base. A grommet for charging a propellant in can is located in the aperture. The aperture has a burr that is located on the inboard side of the rim of the aperture. A method of forming a valve in the drawn and ironed beverage can body includes positioning a first tool in an interior of the can body, contacting an exterior surface of the base with a second tool such that the first and second tools are aligned, forming the aperture in the base, and inserting the grommet into the aperture.

Abstract: A container can end includes a concave dome shape and may forgo a peripheral reinforcing bead around the center panel. The tab may also be curved. Tooling for forming the end and a corresponding method are provided.

Abstract: A system includes a rotating drive and a linear drive. An input driven gear may be coupled to the rotating drive while a sun gear is coupled to the shaft of the input driven gear. A first counterweight may support an idler gear and an output gear. The first counterweight is coupled to the driven gear and which rotates with the driven gear. The idler gear is coupled to the sun gear and an output gear. The idler gear may rotate the output gear when the idler gear is translated around the sun gear. A second counterweight is coupled to the output gear and which rotates with the output gear when the output gear is rotated by the idler gear. An end portion of the second counterweight coupled to the linear drive moves in substantially straight line as the second counterweight rotates while also being translated around the sun gear.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for charging an aerosol can with a compressed gas charge includes a base that is adapted for receiving a can that (i) houses a product and (ii) includes a means for injecting gas, such as a grommet or valve on the bottom of the container, and includes a compressed gas source, such as a pre-charged canister of compressed air, and air compressor, and/or an automatic or manual air pump. The can may be filled with at atmospheric pressure and then shipped while the can contains approximately atmospheric pressure. Upon receipt of the can, a user may charge the can with a compressed gas and repeat charging if needed after some of the product has been dispensed.

Abstract: A horizontal can necking machine assembly includes a plural of main turrets and a plural of transfer starwheels. Each main turret includes a main turret shaft, a main gear mounted on the main turret shaft, a pusher assembly, and a die capable of necking a can body upon actuation of the turret shaft. Each transfer starwheel includes a transfer shaft and a transfer gear mounted on the transfer shaft. The main gears are engaged with the transfer gears such that lines through the main gear center and the centers of opposing transfer gears form an included angle of less than 170 degrees, thereby increasing the angular range available for necking the can body. The main turrets and transfer starwheels may operate to neck and move at least 2800 cans per minute, and each pusher assembly may have a stroke length relative to the die that is at least 1.5 inches.