Abstract: A can end is provided, which includes a center panel having a radius, a tab fastened to the center panel, and a scoreline defining a tear panel in the end panel. The tab is operable to sever the scoreline and open the tear panel to provide an opening in the can end. The tear panel includes an enlarged portion extending outwardly toward the center panel radius, thereby enlarging the opening. The enlarged portion forms an easy pour spout.

Abstract: A conversion system wherein a crankshaft drives the motion of the tooling assemblies within a number of lanes is provided. The crankshaft is structured to move the tooling assemblies associated with less than the total number of lanes. That is, for example, a four lane conversion press could include two crankshafts each actuating the tooling assemblies of two lanes. In an exemplary embodiment, each lane has a single associated crankshaft. The conversion system includes a multiple press drive assembly with a clutch/brake assembly and a flywheel assembly. The clutch/brake assembly is structured to suspend operation of the press units while the flywheel assembly stores energy in a flywheel. When operation of the press units is restarted, energy from the flywheel aids the motor in bringing the press units to an operating speed.

Abstract: A shell, a container employing the shell, and tooling and associated methods for forming the shell are provided. The shell includes a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, an annular countersink between the center panel and the circumferential chuck wall, and a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall. The material of at least one predetermined portion of the shell is selectively stretched relative to at least one other portion of the shell, thereby providing a corresponding thinned portion. The tooling includes a pressure concentrating forming surface.

Abstract: A rotating tab is provided. The tab includes a body having a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, a nose portion located at or about the first end of the tab, a lift portion located at or about the second end of the tab, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a rivet hole. A rivet extends through the rivet hole and is staked to fasten the rivet receiving portion of the tab to a can end. The body of the tab is structured to be rotated about the rivet to align a portion of the tab with a secondary scoreline in the can end. A portion of the tab is structured to be depressed to sever the secondary scoreline to vent the can end.

Abstract: A tab is provided for a can end. The can end includes an end panel and a scoreline defining a tear panel in the end panel for providing an opening in the can end. The tab includes a body having first and second opposing ends, a nose portion located at or about the first end, a lift portion located at or about the second end, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a rivet hole. A first rivet extends outwardly from the end panel and fastens the rivet receiving portion of the tab to the can end. A second rivet extends outwardly from the end panel to cooperate with a portion of the body proximate the lift portion.

Abstract: A vacuum system for a press system is provided. The press system includes a die assembly, a supply assembly, and a transfer assembly. The vacuum system includes an airflow generator and a duct assembly. The duct assembly includes a primary duct that includes a coupling segment coupled to and in fluid communication with the airflow generator. The duct assembly further includes a plurality of branch assemblies, each including a first portion extending from and being in fluid communication with the primary duct, and a second portion structured to be in fluid communication with a corresponding portion of said press system. The vacuum system further includes a number of baffle assemblies for controlling the airflow, each baffle assembly being disposed on one of the branch assemblies.

Abstract: A tab is provided for a can end. The can end includes an end panel and a scoreline defining a tear panel in the end panel for providing an opening in the can end. The tab includes a body having first and second opposing ends, a nose portion located at or about the first end, a lift portion located at or about the second end, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a rivet hole. A first rivet extends outwardly from the end panel and fastens the rivet receiving portion of the tab to the can end. A second rivet extends outwardly from the end panel to cooperate with a portion of the body proximate the lift portion.

Abstract: A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly for a can bodymaker is provided. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly is separate from the ram body. The outboard bearing assembly includes a carriage assembly and a number of elongated journals. The carriage assembly includes a ram coupling, a crank coupling, and body defining a number of journal passages. The ram body is coupled to a ram coupling. The crank coupling is structured to be coupled to a crank arm. Each journal extends through a carriage assembly body journal passage. In this configuration, the ram body may form a can body in a traditional manner, but fluid bearing assembly fluid is not applied to the ram body. Instead the fluid bearing assembly fluid is applied to the journals.

Abstract: A can bodymaker ram assembly is provided. The ram assembly includes an elongated, generally hollow ram body and a tension assembly. The ram body includes a proximal end, a medial portion, and a distal end. The tension assembly includes an elongated support member. The tension assembly support member includes a proximal end and a distal end. The tension assembly support member is substantially disposed within the ram body with the tension assembly support member proximal end coupled to the ram body proximal end, and the tension assembly support member distal end coupled to one of the ram body medial portion or the ram body distal end.

Abstract: A rotating tab is provided. The tab includes a body having a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, a nose portion located at or about the first end of the tab, a lift portion located at or about the second end of the tab, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a rivet hole. A rivet extends through the rivet hole and is staked to fasten the rivet receiving portion of the tab to a can end. The body of the tab is structured to be rotated about the rivet to align a portion of the tab with a secondary scoreline in the can end. A portion of the tab is structured to be depressed to sever the secondary scoreline to vent the can end.

Abstract: A rotating tab is provided. The tab includes a body having a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, a nose portion located at or about the first end of the tab, a lift portion located at or about the second end of the tab, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a rivet hole. A rivet extends through the rivet hole and is staked to fasten the rivet receiving portion of the tab to a can end. The body of the tab is structured to be rotated about the rivet to align a portion of the tab with a secondary scoreline in the can end. A portion of the tab is structured to be depressed to sever the secondary scoreline to vent the can end.

Abstract: A linear liner machine includes a base. A plurality of fluid dispensing apparatus such as, for example, sealant guns, are fixed in a stationary position in a linear configuration on the base. A conveying assembly such as, for example, a conveyor belt, conveys container closures to the sealant guns. A manipulation mechanism such as, for example, a number of motors and at least one wheel member, manipulate (e.g., rotate or spin) each of the container closures with respect to a corresponding one of the sealant guns as it dispenses a sealant to line the container closures. Accordingly, the liner comprises a plurality of independent lining stations, wherein operation of a number of said independent lining stations can be stopped while the remaining independent lining stations continue to operate to line the container closures. An associated method of lining container closures is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum port assembly is provided for a press system including a die assembly and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly includes a conveyor belt, a vacuum manifold coupled to the die assembly, and an airflow generator. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of holes for receiving and moving shells in a plane with respect to the die assembly. The vacuum port assembly includes at least one port member including inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end has a mounting portion for removably coupling the port member to the vacuum manifold. The outlet end is in fluid communication with the airflow generator, thereby establishing fluid communication between the airflow generator and the vacuum manifold. The inlet end extends outwardly from the vacuum manifold generally perpendicular with respect to the plane of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conversion press wherein a crankshaft drives the motion of the tooling assemblies within a number of lanes is provided. The crankshaft is structured to move the tooling assemblies associated with less than the total number of lanes. That is, for example, a four lane conversion press could include two crankshafts each actuating the tooling assemblies of two lanes. In an exemplary embodiment, each lane has a single associated crankshaft.

Abstract: A conversion press wherein a crankshaft drives the motion of the tooling assemblies within a number of lanes is provided. The crankshaft is structured to move the tooling assemblies associated with less than the total number of lanes. That is, for example, a four lane conversion press could include two crankshafts each actuating the tooling assemblies of two lanes. In an exemplary embodiment, each lane has a single associated crankshaft.

Abstract: A linear liner machine includes a base. A plurality of fluid dispensing apparatus such as, for example, sealant guns, are fixed in a stationary position in a linear configuration on the base. A conveying assembly such as, for example, a conveyor belt, conveys container closures to the sealant guns. A manipulation mechanism such as, for example, a number of motors and at least one wheel member, manipulate (e.g., rotate or spin) each of the container closures with respect to a corresponding one of the sealant guns as it dispenses a sealant to line the container closures. Accordingly, the liner comprises a plurality of independent lining stations, wherein operation of a number of said independent lining stations can be stopped while the remaining independent lining stations continue to operate to line the container closures. An associated method of lining container closures is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotating tab is provided. The tab includes a body having a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, a nose portion located at or about the first end of the tab, a lift portion located at or about the second end of the tab, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a rivet hole. A rivet extends through the rivet hole and is staked to fasten the rivet receiving portion of the tab to a can end. The body of the tab is structured to be rotated about the rivet to align a portion of the tab with a secondary scoreline in the can end. A portion of the tab is structured to be depressed to sever the secondary scoreline to vent the can end.

Abstract: A can end is provided, which includes a center panel having a radius, a tab fastened to the center panel, and a scoreline defining a tear panel in the end panel. The tab is operable to sever the scoreline and open the tear panel to provide an opening in the can end. The tear panel includes an enlarged portion extending outwardly toward the center panel radius, thereby enlarging the opening. The enlarged portion forms an easy pour spout.

Abstract: A shell, a container employing the shell, and tooling and associated methods for forming the shell are provided. The shell includes a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, an annular countersink between the center panel and the circumferential chuck wall, and a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall. The material of at least one predetermined portion of the shell is selectively stretched relative to at least one other portion of the shell, thereby providing a corresponding thinned portion.