Abstract: A full aperture beverage end has a center panel, a countersink surrounding the centre panel, a main score arranged in proximity to the countersink to define a removable aperture panel and a vent score. The beverage end is adapted for use with products that are pressurized to over 30 psi (200 kPa) when opened, and during opening the vent score is adapted to sever first, controlling the pressure differential between the external surface and internal surface of the centre panel, thereby allowing the main score to tear in a controlled and reliable manner.

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 can end having a small diameter centre panel and an opening of particular aspect ratio to improve the pourability and drinkability characteristics of the opening, compared to can ends having conventional openings.

Abstract: A can end having a countersink bead, an inclined chuck wall and a strong seam, resists distortion from its circular profile when subjected to thermal processing or when packaging carbonated beverages. This high hoop strength affects the manner in which the can end ultimately fails when placed under extreme abuse conditions, even if buckle pressure performance is within industry specified standards. The can end of the invention has control features introduced which control the failure mode whilst maintaining specified buckle pressure performance. In one embodiment, the can end has a two part wall and a control feature that comprises expansion of the countersink bead to act as a trigger for local peaking, together with a groove in the chuck wall which prevents the peaking force from being concentrated at a single point which could result in leaking by the production of a pin hole.

Abstract: An easy open can end has an improved structure for facilitating the opening operation of the tear panel, a method of further forming a can end to have the improved structure, and tooling for accomplishing the method. The further formation of the can end is particularly useful in easy-open can ends having enlarged tear panels.

Abstract: A can end having a countersink bead, an inclined chuck wall and a strong seam, resists distortion from its circular profile when subjected to thermal processing or when packaging carbonated beverages. This high hoop strength affects the manner in which the can end ultimately fails when placed under extreme abuse conditions, even if buckle pressure performance is within industry specified standards. The can end of the invention has control features introduced which control the failure mode while maintaining specified buckle pressure performance. In one embodiment, the can end has a two part wall and a control feature that comprises expansion of the countersink bead to act as a trigger for local peaking, together with a groove in the chuck wall which prevents the peaking force from being concentrated at a single point which could result in leaking by the production of a pin hole.

Abstract: A can end having a countersink bead, an inclined chuck wall and a strong seam, resists distortion from its circular profile when subjected to thermal processing or when packaging carbonated beverages. This high hoop strength affects the manner in which the can end ultimately fails when placed under extreme abuse conditions, even if buckle pressure performance is within industry specified standards. The can end of the invention has control features introduced which control the failure mode whilst maintaining specified buckle pressure performance. In one embodiment, the control feature comprises expansion of the countersink bead to act as a trigger for local peaking, together with a groove in the chuck wall which prevents the peaking force from being concentrated at a single point which could result in leaking by the production of a pin hole.

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a first inflatable section having an interior open to an airflow from a blower, and a second inflatable section attached to the first inflatable section and having an interior that is substantially closed from the airflow such that if the airflow is stopped the second inflatable section will not deflate as fast as the first inflatable section and will support the first inflatable section.

Abstract: A can end having a countersink bead, an inclined chuck wall and a strong seam, resists distortion from its circular profile when subjected to thermal processing or when packaging carbonated beverages. This high hoop strength affects the manner in which the can end ultimately fails when placed under extreme abuse conditions, even if buckle pressure performance is within industry specified standards. The can end of the invention has control features introduced which control the failure mode whilst maintaining specified buckle pressure performance. In one embodiment, the control feature comprises expansion of the countersink bead to act as a trigger for local peaking, together with a groove in the chuck wall which prevents the peaking force from being concentrated at a single point which could result in leaking by the production of a pin hole.

Abstract: An inflatable bouncer includes an inflatable bottom section, an inflatable inner column coupled to a center of the bottom section, and a plurality of inflatable columns around a periphery of the bottom section. An uninflated roof extends between the inner column and the outer columns.

Abstract: A can end having a countersink bead, an inclined chuck wall and a strong seam, resists distortion from its circular profile when subjected to thermal processing or when packaging carbonated beverages. This high hoop strength affects the manner in which the can end ultimately fails when placed under extreme abuse conditions, even if buckle pressure performance is within industry specified standards. The can end of the invention has control features introduced which control the failure mode whilst maintaining specified buckle pressure performance. In one embodiment, the can end has a two part wall and a control feature that comprises expansion of the countersink bead to act as a trigger for local peaking, together with a groove in the chuck wall which prevents the peaking force from being concentrated at a single point which could result in leaking by the production of a pin hole.

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a first inflatable section having an interior open to an airflow from a blower, and a second inflatable section attached to the first inflatable section and having an interior that is substantially closed from the airflow such that if the airflow is stopped the second inflatable section will not deflate as fast as the first inflatable section and will support the first inflatable section.

Abstract: An inflatable bouncer includes an inflatable bottom section, an inflatable inner column coupled to a center of the bottom section, and a plurality of inflatable columns around a periphery of the bottom section. An uninflated roof extends between the inner column and the outer columns.

Abstract: An inflatable includes an inflatable portion having an inlet couplable to a blower to blow air into an interior of the inflatable portion and an open weave section coupled to the inflatable portion and defining a wall or a window of the inflatable. An outer surface of the open weave section includes an image printed directly on the outer surface. In one option the image is a photo-quality digitally printed image having a resolution of at least 14 dpi.

Abstract: A can end having a countersink bead, an inclined chuck wall and a strong seam, resists distortion from its circular profile when subjected to thermal processing or when packaging carbonated beverages. This high hoop strength affects the manner in which the can end ultimately fails when placed under extreme abuse conditions, even if buckle pressure performance is within industry specified standards. The can end of the invention has control features introduced which control the failure mode whilst maintaining specified buckle pressure performance. In one embodiment, the control feature comprises expansion of the countersink bead to act as a trigger for local peaking, together with a groove in the chuck wall which prevents the peaking force from being concentrated at a single point which could result in leaking by the production of a pin hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seaming a can end to a can body and a can made thereby. The can end has a side wall forming an angle in the range of about 12° to 15°. A seaming chuck is inserted into the can end adjacent its side wall. The seaming chuck has upper and lower walls. The upper wall is essentially cylindrical or slightly negatively tapered. The lower wall is disposed at an angle very close to that of the can end side wall so that the upper and lower chuck side walls form an obtuse angle in the range of about 162° to 168°. A can seamed using such a chuck will have a segmented, kinked side wall comprising upper and lower substantially straight sections intersecting at a circumferentially extending crease and forming an obtuse angle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a narrow, tightly radiused annular anti-peaking bead in a can end in a multi-station conversion press. In a first forming station, a metal blank is first drawn into a cup shaped blank having a side panel and then reformed by reversing the action of the drawing tooling so as to fold the side panel into an initial, relatively broad annular bead. The initially beaded can end is then transferred to a second forming station where its periphery is pre-curled and the annular bead is reworked so as to reduce its width and radii of curvature. The reworking of the bead is performed by free drawing a tool over the inner wall of the bead without drawing or bending the interior surface of the bead around a tool so as to avoid cracking or excessive thinning of the metal. The seaming panel of the can end is firmly clamped during the reworking to maintain control over the location of the bead.