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: 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 tubular metal can body having one end for attachment of a removable overcap, the can body having an inwardly projecting flange (1) formed therein by folding the can wall (2) circumferentially, part-way along its length, the flange providing a convex upper surface (8) to which a peelable lid (12) can be sealed.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a metal can body is described in which two or more stretching operations are used so as to reduce the thickness of the central part of a cup base, prior to drawing the cup sidewall and forming a can body. By using two or more stretching operations, it has been found possible to control the thickness of the base without significantly reducing pressure performance of the finished can. Alternative embodiments of apparatus comprising tooling for carrying out this method are also described.

Abstract: A container lid includes a conventional main or pour opening and a vent opening spaced from the main opening. A vent score defines the shape of the vent opening, and a vent panel covers the vent opening. The vent panel has a raised convex shape. The lower surface of the tab handle includes a protruding portion, seen as a concave shaped element when viewed from above the container lid. The protruding portion of the tab handle can be aligned with the vent panel so application of a downward force on the tab handle transfers force to the vent panel and breaks the vent score. The shapes of the vent panel and concave element of the tab handle can be adjusted for selective and controlled force transfer to create the vent opening.

Abstract: A can for packaging food, comprising a metal can body and a diaphragm lid (16) formed of lidding material which comprises a multilayer structure with at least an aluminum layer of from 6 to 90 microns thickness and a bond layer for fixing the lid (16) directly to the can body. One method for forming the can forms the lidding material by using an outwardly extending curl (20) at one end of the metal can body as the draw die. Lidding material which is carried by the body maker punch is drawn around the curl of the can body draw die so as to form the lidding material into a cup shape.

Abstract: A can lid of a can provided with an easily openable opening means is disclosed wherein the can lid is equipped with a can lid which is fastened by winding tightly on the can main body and the top end opening of the can main body, a score section installed around the territory of the prearranged opening area and a tab for severing the score section. In the can lid, there is formed a protrusion protruding upward from the can lid in front of the can opening during manufacturing of the can lid, in which it is a collapsing protrusion where the protrusion elastically deforms into the can main body by depressing motion of the user and thereby enables forming of a concave section for easy insertion of the user's finger.

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 removable lid (1) for use with a food-storage container (10), the lid (1) having a user-actuable vacuum-release button (12) and comprising at a first level A, a raised surface (20) for contact with a user's finger, at a second level B, lower than the first level A, a curved score line (5) adjacent to said raised surface (20), and at a third level C, being intermediate between said first and second levels, respectively A and B, a surface (22) adjacent to said curved score line (5) on the other side from said raised surface (20).

Abstract: A system and method for laser marking can end, including a can end center panel and/or pull tab. The decorated can end and/or tabs may have a machine readable image.

Abstract: A container lid includes a conventional main or pour opening and a vent opening spaced from the main opening. A vent score defines the shape of the vent opening, and a vent panel covers the vent opening. The vent panel has a raised convex shape. The lower surface of the tab handle includes a protruding portion, seen as a concave shaped element when viewed from above the container lid. The protruding portion of the tab handle can be aligned with the vent panel so application of a downward force on the tab handle transfers force to the vent panel and breaks the vent score. The shapes of the vent panel and concave element of the tab handle can be adjusted for selective and controlled force transfer to create the vent opening.

Abstract: An inline product feeder for a packaging line and related methods are disclosed. In one example, an inline product feeder includes a product input line configured to receive a contiguous supply of products and configured to guide the products in continuous motion along a path of travel. The inline product feeder also includes a packaging line configured to receive separated groups of the products from the product input line. The inline feeder further includes a feeder unit configured to separate groups of products from the contiguous supply of products in the product input line and move the group of products into the packaging line, each of the separated groups of products including a predetermined number of products from the product input line.

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.

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: The apparatus comprises holder (20) with a seating face on which a container such as a cupshaped article (1) stands. Air is supplied through channels and air pressure is balanced so as to hold the article (1) against the face. The profile of the apparatus guides a base feature, or “stand” of the article (1) into the holder (20) and onto the seating face (23), and contacts the article (1) radially outside the seating face (23). The apparatus also has a concentric outer sleeve (25) to provide the additional radial contact and resist lateral movement of the article (1) while maintaining concentricity.

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.