Abstract: A conversion press (20) which is readily reconfigurable to process shells of different sizes includes an endless belt (68) having a single lane of apertures (86) formed therein for transporting shells (S) along a progression of end-forming tooling (60, 62) comprising seven stations (58a-g) along an end path (59) through the press. A tab-forming tooling path (100) extends from a tab stock feeder (104) to a tab-staking station (58f) adjacent the discharge end of the press, the tab-forming path oriented at an oblique angle to the end path. The tab-forming tools (94, 96) are mounted on tab bases (112, 110) which are slidably adjustable on stationary and reciprocating press members (34, 44) along the tab path toward and away from the tab-staking station.

Abstract: The invention, relating to an easy-open metal container end, places a portion of the metal of the tear panel (12), in the region where a score stop otherwise would be located, under compression by forming a short coined depression or bead (40) in the tear panel, preferably in the public side, close to the score line (15) at least at the end of the vent region (35) opposite from the inner hook (16), which is located at the radially inward end of the tear panel score line. During initial opening or venting action, as the rivet (25) is lifted by initial tab motion, separation proceeds along the score line, beneath the nose (28) of the tab (27). The metal adjacent and in this coined depression tends to move partially underneath the metal on the opposite side of the score line from the coined vent bead. This action provides sufficient disruption or retarding of the score line separation or rupture, during venting, to confine such separation to the vent region until internal pressure is vented.

Abstract: An endless metal belt (26) for transporting shells (S) through a press (10) which converts the shells into can ends includes a plurality of shell-carrying apertures (32) and a plurality of drive holes (34). The belt is mounted about a pair of spaced-apart cylindrical drums (22,24), at least one of which is rotatably driven. The drive holes are engaged by drive pins (46) extending outwardly from the drive drum (22). Rotation of the drive drum causes the pins to engage the drive holes and advance the belt with the drum. Each drive hole has a hub (58) which is shaped to conform generally to a tapered and contoured edge (48) of a drive pin. At least a portion of the hub protrudes out of the planar surface (56) of the belt, and the pin edge and the lower surface (62) of the hub are mutually shaped to define rolling contact therebetween with no contact between the pin edge and the inner edge (54) of the drive hole.

Abstract: The invention, relating to an easy-open metal container end, places a portion of the metal of the tear panel (12), in the region where a score stop otherwise would be located, under compression by forming a short coined depression or bead (40) in the tear panel, preferably in the public side, close to the score line (15) at least at the end of the vent region (35) opposite from the inner hook (16), which is located at the radially inward end of the tear panel score line. During initial opening or venting action, as the rivet (25) is lifted by initial tab motion, separation proceeds along the score line, beneath the nose (28) of the tab (27). The metal adjacent and in this coined depression tends to move partially underneath the metal on the opposite side of the score line from the coined vent bead. This action provides sufficient disruption or retarding of the score line separation or rupture, during venting, to confine such separation to the vent region until internal pressure is vented.

Abstract: The invention, relating to an easy-open metal container end, places a portion of the metal of the tear panel, in the region where a score stop otherwise would be located, under compression by forming a short coined depression or bead in the tear panel, preferably in the public side, close to the score line at least at the end of the vent region opposite from the inner hook, which is located at the radially inward end of the tear panel score line. During initial opening or venting action, as the rivet is lifted by initial tab motion, separation proceeds along the score line, beneath the nose of the tab. The metal adjacent and in this coined depression tends to move partially underneath the metal on the opposite side of the score line from the coined vent bead. This action provides sufficient disruption or retarding of the score line separation or rupture, during venting, to confine such separation to the vent region until internal pressure is vented.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and drive structure are disclosed for use with a conversion press in which an upper level of an endless metallic conveyor belt, preferably of stainless steel, is positioned between upper and lower tooling in the press. The conveyor belt is formed by seam welding together the ends of a length of thin flexible metal, and includes a plurality of transversely and longitudinally spaced shell-receiving carrier apertures. The edges of the conveyor belt at the ends of the weld seam are relieved with an elongated notch shape having corners formed on a radius to eliminate from the belt stress concentrations which may occur during the welding process.

Abstract: A control for a press and system for making can ends includes a programmable controller (PLC) which incorporates unique control software interconnecting the PLC and the press mechanisms. The PLC and its software in turn interfaces with a programmable interface device, such as a commercially available Smart Screen interface (SSI) which includes a keyboard and color monitor for operator input/output. The interface includes its own software which interfaces with the PLC software, the keyboard, the monitor, and a programmable CAD package which allows a designer to create and store various interactive and/or passive displays as unique software files related to conditions and operations of the can end making press system coupled to the PLC. A unique set of such programmed displays is disclosed, certain of which are directly interactive with parts and/or transducers fitted to the press and its related tooling.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and drive structure are disclosed for use with a conversion press in which an upper level of an endless conveyor belt is positioned between upper and lower tooling in the press. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of transversely and longitudinally spaced shell-receiving carrier apertures. The shell-receiving apertures are arranged in longitudinally oriented offset lanes lengthwise of the belt for receiving and conveying shells between the tooling of the press. The conveyor belt is driven in stepped fashion by a drive drum having a plurality of circumferentially spaced outwardly extending pins and the conveyor belt is provided with pin receiving holes for engagement by the drive pins. The pin receiving holes are arranged in lanes parallel to the lanes of carrier apertures, either outside of or between those lanes, and the drive holes are spaced from each other a distance at least twice the longitudinal spacing between adjacent carrier apertures.

Abstract: An improved integral rivet button and resulting rivet, and a process and tooling for forming such button, utilizes successive coining steps on material surrounding the base of an initial bubble formed on a can end, causing flow of material along the wall of the button toward its center. The successive coining at progressively lesser radii affords adequate metal in the bubble region to assure ultimate formation of an accurate button, assures a strong boundary region about the base of the button, and assures the rivet head is sufficiently large to prevent tear out of the tab at its juncture with the rivet. The initial coined boundary is located close to the juncture of the initial bubble wall with the remainder of the shell, where curvature of the initial bubble wall is concave in the direction of the bubble top and toward the ultimate public side of the end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making and transferring shells for cans within a ram press. The shells are formed in a two-step operation in which shell preforms are formed at a first station within the press and then transferred to second station where they are formed into completed shells. The first station includes first and second rows of tooling sets with the tooling sets of the first row being located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the second row. Similarly, the second station includes third and fourth rows of tooling sets in which the tooling set of the third row are located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the fourth row, and the tooling sets of the third and fourth rows are located for receiving the shell preforms from the tooling sets of the second and first rows, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making and transferring shells for cans within a ram press. The shells are formed in a two-step operation in which shell preforms are formed at a first station within the press and then transferred to second station where they are formed into completed shells. The first station includes first and second rows of tooling sets with the tooling sets of the first row being located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the second row. Similarly, the second station includes third and fourth rows of tooling sets in which the tooling set of the third row are located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the fourth row, and the tooling sets of the third and fourth rows are located for receiving the shell preforms from the tooling sets of the second and first rows, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making and transferring shells for cans within a ram press. The shells are formed in a two-step operation in which shell preforms are formed at a first station within the press and then transferred to second station where they are formed into completed shells. The first station includes first and second rows of tooling sets with the tooling sets of the first row being located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the second row. Similarly, the second station includes third and fourth rows of tooling sets in which the tooling set of the third row are located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the fourth row, and the tooling sets of the third and fourth rows are located for receiving the shell preforms from the tooling sets of the second and first rows, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a relatively flat object from a work station along a transfer path includes an upper tooling within the work station for locating the object in a ready position by causing an upper surface of the object to adhere to the tooling. The object is thus unsupported along its lower surface. A manifold forming at least one orifice is located adjacent to and directed toward the ready position, and is connected to a source of pressurized gas. A valve initiates and discontinues flow of pressurized gas through the orifice. A control system controls the valve to direct a stream of pressurized gas through the orifice as or before an object is located in the ready position, thereby causing the transfer of the object in free flight from the work station.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel shell such as used in the manufacture of can ends, and to a method and tools for making such a shell. A non-circular blank having rounded corners is cut from thin metal. The blank is oblong in a direction transverse to the grain of the metal. A first set of tools separates the blanks and forms a substantially flat central panel and an upward-extending chuck wall about the edge of the panel to produce a partially formed shell. The junction area between the panel and the chuck wall has a relatively large radius of curvature at this time. A second set of tools forms in the blank a lip extending outward from the upper end of the chuck wall and generally parallel to the panel; then the panel and the chuck wall are separately gripped, followed by relative movement between the panel and the chuck wall while wrapping the junction area around a forming punch to form a panel wall in the junction area extending upward from the inner part of the chuck wall.

Abstract: An upstacking device is shown for use with generally flat metal can ends. The device is used with an endless conveyor such as a transport belt having openings therein, with each opening receiving a shell for locating the shell on the belt. The belt is intermittently advanced. The upstacking device includes a drive input coupled to a main drive for producing reciprocating rotational motion. A drive shaft is rotationally mounted to the frame. A stacking arm is fixedly connected to the drive shaft so that reciprocating rotation of the shaft produces rising and falling motion of the distal end of the arm. Stack pistons are pivotally connected to the stacking arm and have can end engaging surfaces. The drive shaft, stacking arm and pistons are positioned such that (a) whenever the stacking arm is in a lowered position, the shell-engaging surfaces are positioned below the belt, and (b) the pistons are aligned with the openings for movement therethrough.

Abstract: A press for converting ends for cans and the like is provided with a conveyor extending sideways through the press to carry shells for processing into can ends along an end converting path. Upper and lower conversion tooling is located along the end converting path at the top and bottom of the conveyor, defining a plurality of stations on opposite sides of the center of the tooling for working progressively on shells moved by the conveyor along the end converting path. First and second tab tooling, auxiliary to the main tooling means, is located on opposite sides of the conveyor extending transversely thereof and defining a tab forming path which bridges the end converting path. Opening tabs are formed from a strip of metal stock fed through the tab tooling and the strip with completed tabs is guided in a loop from the tab tooling back to a staking and attachment station on the end converting path for removal from the strip and attachment to the shells.