Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a necked container are disclosed wherein a sheet material is formed into a generally cylindrical tubular member and the adjacent longitudinally extending edges of the sheet are butt welded. The welded tubular member is progressively necked-in over a dome-shaped surface of a single mandrel provided within the welded tubular member. The free end of the necked end portion of the tubular member is trimmed and curled to form a necked container body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a necked container are disclosed wherein a sheet material is formed into a generally cylindrical tubular member and the adjacent longitudinally extending edges of the sheet are butt welded. The welded tubular member is progressively necked-in over a dome-shaped surface of a single mandrel provided within the welded tubular member. The free end of the necked end portion of the tubular member is trimmed and curled to form a necked container body.

Abstract: An easy-open structure for containers and a method of forming the same are disclosed. The easy-open structure comprises a sheet material container wall panel having a scoreline formed therein outlining a movable wall portion to be moved out of conforming contour with the remainder of the sheet material wall panel, and an elongated tab opener for moving the movable wall portion out of conforming contour with the remainder of the wall panel. The tab opener is welded to the movable wall portion with a high energy density welding process wherein the energy density is at least on the order of 10.sup.6 watts/inch.sup.2. Preferably the welding is accomplished by laser welding.

Abstract: An improved easy-opening container wall and method of forming the same are disclosed. The easy-open container wall comprises a line of weakness in the container wall defining a tear portion at least partially removable from the container wall, a tab having a line of weakness severing nose end, a lifting end, and a hingedly mounted attaching panel located intermediate the ends for permitting hinged movement of a majority of the tab relative to the attaching panel along a hinge line to bring the nose end into forceable engagement with the container wall to rupture the line of weakness and bend a segment of the tear portion inwardly upon lifting the lifting end of the tab, and the tab is attached to the tear portion at locations on both sides of the hinge line to maintain alignment of the tab on the container wall and to provide improved resistance to pulling or tearing the tab material from the container wall at its attachment to the container wall before the container wall can be opened.