Abstract: A seal and method of forming a seal for a resealable container includes a removable cap that is selectively received over a pour opening formed in a can body. A seal is adhered to the end wall of the cap and includes a continuous, first axial region extending outwardly from the inner surface of the cap. The seal first region is dimensioned for engagement with the opening in the container and sealing the container along an inner diameter thereof. Reduced on-torque/off-torque are required since the seal is formed on the inner diameter, and a down force is substantially reduced to assemble the cap to the container.

Abstract: A can or container reformed from an existing open ended can adds additional volume and integral thread portions to form a reclosable can. An existing can is inverted, drawn to increase the volume, an end wall pierced and reformed into an outwardly curled lip, thread portions formed along a perimeter portion of the can body adjacent a first end, and a new end seamed to the original open, second end of the can. A cap with thread lugs cooperates with the thread portions on the external perimeter of the reformed can to originally and subsequently reseal the can once the can has been opened.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a reclosable metal can includes a flexible bladder that receives pressure from at least one end. The bladder is received in movable dies that selectively open and close about the bladder, and more particularly about a metal body received between the bladder and die. The die preferably includes thread or lug profile cavities for forming circumferentially spaced thread lugs in the can body.

Abstract: A seal and method of forming a seal for a reclosable container includes a removable cap that is selectively received over a pour opening formed in a can body. The method includes applying a plastisol to an interior surface of the cap, curing the plastisol at an elevated temperature in the cap, and cold-forming the cap containing the cured plastisol therein. In another arrangement, an EVA seal material is extruded into the cap and the seal is subsequently cold-formed in the cap.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a reclosable metal can includes a flexible bladder that receives pressure from at least one end. The bladder is received in movable dies that selectively open and close about the bladder, and more particularly about a metal body received between the bladder and die. The die preferably includes thread or lug profile cavities for forming circumferentially spaced thread lugs in the can body.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for performing the method, is provided for the purpose of forming and inserting seal pieces into a container cap of a type which comprises an integral cup-like member having a top panel, a skirt depending from the top panel, and a plurality of cap lugs formed in the rim and extending partially inward from the rim. A supply strip of flexible seal material is directed into proximity to the inserting stations and precisely cut seal pieces from the strip are inserted into the caps.

Abstract: A resealable can end is provided including a neck (10) and a cooperating cap member (12) which can be sealed onto and removed from the neck, and is capable of containing product under pressure or vacuum if desired. This end may be added, by convention seaming methods, such as roll seaming or by appropriate adhesive, to a container body, or may be formed integrally with container bodies. The venting feature of the end will achieve a controlled release of differential internal-to-ambient pressure upon initial opening of the cap, and may also provide resealed containment of partial contents retained in the container, although the contents will no longer be under pressure or vacuum, as the case may be. The end may be applied to, or incorporated in, containers made of various material, such as aluminum, coated steel, or selected plastics.

Abstract: Thread lug forming systems form thread lugs (36) on container necks or necked end domes. A continuously rotating cam system (100) has multiple sets of thread lug forming tools (135) which are driven to recirculate about stationary cams (130). The cams actuate inner and outer forming tools (150, 152) of the tool sets as they progress around the cams to form the thread lugs. A second system uses generally the same tool sets in a multiple-station reciprocating press (203), and the container bodies are indexed through the tool stations (252) in which the thread lugs are formed.

Abstract: An improved cap, and apparatus and a method for making such cap, including tooling for the first station are provided. The improved cap has a central button feature in its top panel that can move slightly upward or downward with respect to the remainder of the cap. When a container is filled, liquid Nitrogen is added just before the cap is applied. The liquid Nitrogen turns into gas and creates pressure in the container, causing the button to rise. When a consumer opens the cap, the gas is released and the button returns to its normal (down) position, or if pressure is accidentally lost the button returns to its normal (down) position. Thus indicating loss of pressurization and possible resulting spoilage, or will indicate that the container has been open, and may contain only partial product.

Abstract: Transfer apparatus and method are provided from first (15A, 16A) to second (15B, 16B) stations of tooling in a cap (11) making press. This cap is biased against the first upper tools by a first airstream (50) introduced under the cap and moves upward with the first station punch (45). As the punch approaches its top location, a transfer airstream (52) begins while the first airstream is still on, and moves the cap out through a transfer chute (18) to the second station. The cap departs the chute and passes detents (67) on a pair of closed retention fingers (60) which define an extension of the transfer path from the chute into the open second station tools. A vacuum (85) applied to a port in the second station punch then holds the cup against the rising upper tools. When the punch clears the closing fingers and approaches its top location, an ejection airstream (87) commences to propel the finished cup via a discharge chute (19).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming container ends includes tooling which forms dome members for can ends, which dome members include an open neck thereon. Thread lugs are formed as integral spaced apart shaped protrusions from the neck exterior. A system is also disclosed for forming quantities of a specific form of dome members, capable of later attachment to container bodies. A thin metal strip is fed through an array of progressive tooling to form blanks, from which such specific form of dome members are formed. The blanks are produced in the metal strip and connected thereto by multiple carrying strips which allow sufficient mobility of the blanks with respect to the strip to achieve precise alignment with the tooling at different stations in the progression. At the final station, completed dome members are separated from the remaining metal skeleton and moved rapidly out of the system, and the skeleton may be chopped up for recycling.

Abstract: A palletizing mechanism (PP, WB, HB1-1, HB-2) supplies a pallet and a length of wrapping paper for receiving successive rows of bags until a full pallet load is prepared. The palletizing apparatus can be mated to the bagger apparatus, and operated synchronously therewith under the management of a common programmable controller. The palletizer apparatus receives each stick of can ends in a predetermined orientation, and maintains the orientation vis-a-vis all sticks in a pallet load. The sticks are placed sequentially into a row of predetermined number of sticks, then that row is loaded onto the top of a layer of wrapping, the first row being supported on a suitable empty pallet, then the wrap is passed over the last placed row. This operation proceeds with the wrap supply following a to-and-fromotion until the desired number of rows is automatically built up on a pallet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming container ends includes tooling which forms dome members for can ends, which dome members include an open neck thereon. Thread lugs are formed as integral spaced apart shaped protrusions from the neck exterior. A system is also disclosed for forming quantities of a specific form of dome members, capable of later attachment to container bodies. A thin metal strip is fed through an array of progressive tooling to form blanks, from which such specific form of dome members are formed. The blanks are produced in the metal strip and connected thereto by multiple carrying strips which allow sufficient mobility of the blanks with respect to the strip to achieve precise alignment with the tooling at different stations in the progression. At the final station, completed dome members are separated from the remaining metal skeleton and moved rapidly out of the system, and the skeleton may be chopped up for recycling.

Abstract: The transfer conveyor system utilizes at least one endless conveyor belt of reinforced flexible rubber-like material with cogs or teeth on its underside and with a series of nests fitted into holes in the belt. Nests for carrying can end shells are attached at their opposite edges to the belt. The belt is supported by and routed around an idler drum, located outside the press frame posts and by a toothed drive drum located within the press frame adjacent the opposite frame posts. Progressive conversion tooling for making shells into completed easy-open can ends is located between the posts above and below upper and lower tooling sets. The drive drum is provided with circumferential teeth for a positive drive to the belt. Attachments of nests to the belt are located on transverse center lines which permit the flat nests to travel around the end turns of the belts.

Abstract: An improved can end bagging system comprises four subassemblies: (1) the end gathering and stick assembly apparatus, (2) the bag feeding, opening, and loading apparatus which places a predetermined number of stacked can ends into an open end bag, (3) the vertical positioner apparatus for moving the bagged sticks into a folding device, and (4) the bag folding, closing and transfer apparatus. The loading mechanism includes a servo controlled pusher which is driven with controlled acceleration and deceleration to avoid tipping of the ends making up a stick, to avoid bursting of the bags during filling, and to assure complete and uniform filling of each bag. Sponginess which results primarily from variations in compression of the rims of the ends pressing against each other in the gathering and counting process is avoided.

Abstract: A resealable can end is provided including a neck member and hat member which can be sealed onto and removed from the neck member of the end, and is capable of containing product under pressure if desired. This end can be added, as by a conventional seam, to a metal container body to obtain resealing containment of partial contents retained in the container, and to provide an improved mouth construction (or pour opening) for better pouring and for comfortable direct drinking from the container. Also disclosed are improved methods of and apparatus for making such a resealable hat and-neck type-of container end.

Abstract: A resealable can end is provided including a neck member and hat member which can be sealed onto and removed from the neck member of the end, and is capable of containing product under pressure if desired. This end can be added, as by a conventional seam, to a metal container body to obtain resealing containment of partial contents retained in the container, and to provide an improved mouth construction (or pour opening) for better pouring and for comfortable direct drinking from the container. Also disclosed are improved methods of and apparatus for making such a resealable hat and neck type of container end.

Abstract: A tab for use with an easy-open can end, which is made free from any protrusion with a cut edge thereon that would otherwise contact a finger or a lip of the user without a increasing the number of manufacturing steps to complete the tab. A tab having a body, a nose end with a tip, an opposite grip end, and an island formed within the tab body and attached to the nose end along a hinge, the island including a rivet hole for receiving a rivet on a can end panel to attach the tab to the end panel. The tab body is joined to a carrier strip, from which the tabs are made, by a joint formed in a tab making process. In a tab severing process, the joint is cut off to sever the tab from the strip, leaving a protrusion on the tab with a cut edge. The tip of the nose has a gap into which the protrusion can be bent or curled, to guard the cut edge, as the tab is moved to attach the island to the end panel with a rivet.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for manufacturing a tab for use with an easy-open can end, which tab is free from any exposed protrusion or cut edge thereon that would otherwise contact a finger or a lip of the user, without an increase in the number of manufacturing steps. A tab, attached to a carrier strip by a joint, is formed in a tab forming process, and the tab is severed from the strip in a joint severing process wherein the joint is cut off close to the tab nose to separate the tab from the strip. The tab with a protrusion which has a cut edge, remaining on the tab nose, is lowered while being held against horizontal movement. The protrusion is brought into engagement with a curling surface of an arm which is supported to swing in a downward passage through which the tab descends. When the tab is lowered in the downward passage, the arm is swung to cause the curling surface to press against the tab and curl the protrusion onto the tab.