Abstract: A method of improving the corrosion properties of an aluminum alloy product containing solid solution alloying elements includes the step of rapidly quenching the alloy product after it has been heated or hot deformed so as to maintain the alloying elements in solid solution to avoid microsegregation of the solid solution alloying elements and minimize preferential sites for corrosion onset.

Abstract: An easy open construction for a can end wherein a tear panel principally defined by a rupturable score line in a central panel of a wall is opened by operating a tab having one end adapted to press against the tear panel at a position spaced from the score line and overlying only a small portion of the opening left by the tear panel in its open position. The other end of the tab constitutes a finger gripping portion which is manually liftable to open the tear panel and may be returnable directly to its original position next to the wall. The tab and tear panel remain secured to the wall after the tear panel has been moved to its open position. The central panel is defined by a coined area and a downwardly recessed area located immediately radially inwardly adjacent the coined area. The finger gripping portion elevation relative to the top of the end seaming panel is relocated away from the seam as a result of this downward recessed area.

Abstract: A method of die-necking the open end of a can body to form a reduced diameter neck having a smooth profile comprising forming a reduced neck at the open end of the cylindrical sidewall of the can body by engaging the open end of the sidewall with a die having a multi-radius forming profile, with each successive radius from the entrance to the exit of the die being smaller than the previous radius and with the angle through which each successive radius extends being equal to or smaller than the angle of the previous radius. Then at subsequent die-forming stations, forming progressively smaller reduced diameter necks by a series of dies, all of which preferably have the same multi-radiused forming surface profile which virtually eliminates the undesirable formation of pleats in the final neck configuration.

Abstract: A closure arrangement for a polymeric bag with first and second opposing films comprises first and second opposing base strips, a first peelable strip of a first color, and a second peelable strip of a second color. An outer surface of the first base strip is attached to an inner surface of the first film. An outer surface of the second base strip is attached to an inner surface of the second film. The first peelable strip is attached to the inner surface of the first base strip, and the second peelable strip is attached to the inner surface of the second base strip. The first and second peelable strips are disposed between the first and second base strips. The second peelable strip is generally parallel to and opposes the first peelable strip. The second color of the second peelable strip is lighter than the first color of the first peelable strip.

Abstract: A generally cubical cardboard container is provided for containing and storing a length of sheet-like material which may be drawn via an elongate slot in a top face of the container and over an uppermost edge portion of a front face of the container. A safe cutting element, preferably formed of a substrate bearing small sharp-edged particles, is adhered to the uppermost edge portion of the front face. A waterproof coating is provided to coat the sharp-edged particles, and protects them from any ambient moisture and/or grease and also ensures against removal of any particles during use. The user simply draws out a desired length of the sheet-like material through the slit and over the uppermost edge of the front face, and then applies a downward force to press the material to the sharp edges of the coated particles to initiate and continue a tear across the width of the material.

Abstract: A temperature profile is determined of a metal sample for the metal to be converted to establish a temperature range indicative of a partially solid and partially liquid state of the metal. With this temperature profile, a metal preform is heated at a controlled rate from a temperature below the temperature range to a temperature within the range defined by the temperature profile to achieve a select percent by volume of liquid in the metal. This controlled heating to a desired temperature, which may be at a uniform rate, followed by holding at the desired temperature, thermally converts a dendritic structure of the material into a globular structure. The thermally converted metal preform is then recovered for subsequent use such as shaping into a desired article.

Abstract: A free-machining alloy is disclosed containing bismuth, tin and indium. The free-machining constituents act as low melting point compounds for machining and are specially adapted for use in aluminum alloys such as AA6000 series and AA 2000 series alloys. The bismuth, tin and indium are effective replacements for the lead and bismuth addition used previously to improve machinability.

Abstract: A method of making an aluminum foil product from an aluminum-silicon-iron aluminum alloy comprises casting the alloy into a slab, preferably by twin roll casting, cold rolling the alloy to an intermediate gauge and reroll annealing the intermediate gauge material. The reroll annealed material is then cold rolled to a final foil gauge followed by a final recrystallizing annealing. The aluminum alloy has a controlled amount of silicon and iron such that the silicon is equal to or greater than the iron amount and the reroll anneal temperature is 800.degree. F. (427.degree. C.) or less. The combination of the controlled amounts of silicon and iron and the lower reroll anneal temperature results in an improved foil product in terms of finer grain size and higher elongation which is also less costly to produce.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making aluminum alloy sheet product with improved paintbake response during automotive paintbake cycles, resistance to natural aging and better formability includes rapidly heating the aluminum alloy sheet product between a solution heat treating/quenching operation and a sheet coiling operation. Performing the rapid heating at this stage in the sheet manufacture minimizes the adverse effect of early natural aging (dwell time) on the paintbake response of these types of aluminum sheet alloy products. According to the invention, this dwell time is minimized by the application of a rapid heating step immediately following quenching from the solution heat treatment. After the aluminum sheet product has been rapidly heated, it is immediately coiled and cools under ambient conditions in coil form, this ambient cooling providing a pre-aging treatment which contributes to the improved performance of the sheet product in paintbake response, improved formability and natural aging resistance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the thickness of an organic coating on a metal surface are disclosed. The surface of the metal is illuminated with ultraviolet light and the intensity of the reflected ultraviolet light is measured to determine the coating thickness.

Abstract: The system provides a lubricating fluid between a wall which defines a cavity and a member which passes through the cavity. The system includes a passageway for supplying lubricating fluid to the cavity at a velocity and a fluid outlet for introducing the fluid from the passageway to the cavity such that a centrifugal force, corresponding to the velocity of the fluid supplied from the passageway, acts on the fluid flowing from the fluid outlet to cause the fluid to have a laminar flow over the cavity wall.

Abstract: An easy-open, stay-on-tab can end has a circular end wall with a large, substantially oval tear panel defined by a score line and a hinge. A rivet adjacent the tear panel connects a tab to the end wall. The width of the tear panel, as measured perpendicular to the diameter of the end wall, is substantially greater than its length. The opening formed by lifting the rear of the tab and displacing the tear panel downwardly about its hinge provides improved pourability and drinkability of the liquid contents of the can. The area of the tear panel is at least 0.50 in.sup.2. The tear panel extends substantially to the center of the end wall and may include an upwardly projecting, closed, predominantly oval bead having a portion generally following the outline of the bight of the score line. The front end of the tab extends over the bead and cooperates with it during opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming cylindrical cans wherein each can is orbited about a central turret axis while being rotated about its longitudinal can axis is disclosed. The cans are successively mounted with vacuum onto a support mandrel located on a support shaft within each of plural cartridge assemblies mounted at circumferentially spaced intervals on a turret disk. The can is firmly secured to the mandrel by vacuum so that the open end portion of the can body projects between an outside circular cutting knife and an inside trimming edge disposed within the open end. As the cartridge orbits about the turret axis on the shaft axis, the inside trimming edge is radially displaced by camming action into contact with the open end portion of the can body and the outside cutting edge to generate cutting forces for trimming the portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming cylindrical cans wherein each can is orbited about a central turret axis while being rotated about its longitudinal can axis is disclosed. The cans are successively mounted with vacuum onto a support mandrel located on a support shaft within each of plural cartridge assemblies mounted at circumferentially spaced intervals on a turret disk. The can is firmly secured to the mandrel by vacuum so that the open end portion of the can body projects between an outside circular cutting knife and an inside trimming edge disposed within the open end. As the cartridge orbits about the turret axis while rotating on the shaft axis, the inside trimming edge is radially displaced by camming action into contact with the open end portion of the can body and the outside cutting edge to generate cutting forces for trimming the portion.

Abstract: Coating compositions comprising aluminum pigment, neoprene latex asphalt emulsion, at least one surfactant for reducing reaction of the aluminum pigment with water and with the neoprene latex, at least one organic solvent, and water. The compositions are formed by providing an aluminum pigment mixture comprising aluminum pigment, the surfactant and the organic solvent, providing an aqueous neoprene latex asphalt emulsion and mixing the pigment mixture and the aqueous neoprene latex asphalt emulsion to form the coating composition. The compositions are suitable for coating a variety of surfaces, particularly roof structures and the like.

Abstract: A can is formed including a body having a bottom wall with an electromagnetically formed contoured sidewall extending therefrom and a necked end. The open end of the sidewall is first pre-necking to form a reduced diameter section. Thereupon, the sidewall is electromagnetically formed to form an outwardly expanding contoured sidewall. The can is then subjected to a necking process proximate the reduced diameter section to achieve a further reduced diameter conical necked end. The necking process may be performed by radially inwardly advancing an external forming member into contact with the sidewall against counterpressure provided by a pair of relatively axially displaceable inner members disposed within the can interior. Alternatively, the necking process may be spin flow necking.

Abstract: A flanging head assembly having a cluster of freely rotatable spin flanging rollers includes a stop ring against which the flange hits during the final flange forming stages to limit the flange to a specific diameter. To prevent the flange from entering the crack formed between the rotating roller and the stationary stop ring, there is provided a step spacing the stop ring surface from the roller forming surface. In a preferred embodiment, the step is axially forwardly spaced from the trailing end of the flange forming surfaces and intersects a conical surface extending radially inwardly beneath the flange forming surface. This conical surface contacts unsupported flange portions between the flanging rollers to limit the degree of elastic sagging of these portions. The intersection between this conical surface with the step also supports the sagging flange portions without inducing permanent flange deformation.

Abstract: A light-weight, corrosion-resistant, readily installed bridge deck is formed of modular deck panels spliced to each other on site. Each of the deck panels is shop-fabricated by longitudinally welding flanges of adjacently placed multi-void extruded aluminum alloy structural elements. Transfer splices of longitudinally adjacent elongate elements are made by providing shear elements connecting individual elongate structural elements of each deck panel end-to-end prior to longitudinal welding of adjacent elongate elements, with the end joints between the elongate elements being arrayed in a staggered manner. A safety rail system is mounted to run alongside and above outer edges of the finished bridge deck mounted to a system of support girders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously cladding cast material includes simultaneously roll bonding a cladding liner stock to a material exiting a continuous casting apparatus. At the same time the liner stock is roll bonded to the cast material, the clad cast material is hot worked to form a clad product. A spray shield is positioned near the interface where the liner stock contacts the as cast material to prevent any impurities such as rolling lubricants from contaminating the bonding interface between the liner stock and the surface of the as cast material.

Abstract: Tailored aluminum blanks, such as structural automotive components, are formed by gas tungsten arc welding a plurality of aluminum or aluminum-alloy sections. Preferably, a backup plate having a shallow longitudinal groove or a plurality of longitudinal grooves and a beveled electrode are employed. A preferred embodiment comprises the use of a multi-torch assembly for initial cleaning and subsequent smoothing of the resulting weld.