Abstract: A stay-on opening tab has a nose portion extending from one side of an attaching rivet and a lifting lever extending from the opposite side of the rivet. The lifting end of the tab is contoured in a simple or compound curve at the lifting end, creating a concave fingertip entry gap at the lifting end. The concavity may be a simple U-shape or it may be additionally arched. The tab may be longitudinally arched for substantially its entire longitudinal dimension, thereby also providing shape strengthening for improved beam strength. Where the nose is arched, the tab operates with smoothly guided pivotal action.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an end closure for a surrounding sidewall of a container, such as an aluminum can. The method includes forming a central body panel oriented transversely to the central axis of the can and forming an outer surrounding margin portion joined to the sidewall such that the margin portion has a support section oriented longitudinally relative to the sidewall. A portion of the margin is corrugated to provide a rib structure having longitudinally extending first rib components located on the support section. This method can be accomplished during the ironing and doming of a can.

Abstract: A double closure selectively aligns or non-aligns openings in a container such as a dispensing container. An inner lid provides an inner dispensing opening in an inner closure panel. A seal wall depends from the inner closure panel and fits within the open end of a container in a sealing relationship. An outer lid provides an outer dispensing opening in an outer closure panel. A peripheral wall depends from the outer closure panel, fits over the top of the inner closure panel and fits around the outside face of the container body. Engaging devices between the two lids and between the outer lid and the container body maintain the necessary spacing for the lids to seal against each other when the outer lid is twisted to selectively bring the outer dispensing opening out of alignment with the inner dispensing opening.

Abstract: An end closure for a container, such as a beverage or food can, includes a transverse central body panel and a surrounding outer margin joined to the longitudinal side wall of the container body. The margin portion has a support section, and a plurality of spaced rib structures are located on the margin and have portions that extend longitudinally along the support section to reinforce the margin. The end closure can be a lid or an integrally formed bottom for a can body. The margin can have a U-shaped profile with the rib structures located on either the inner or outer wall portion thereof. The rib structures may be flutes defining tear-dropped shaped depressions. The invention contemplates a can body with the end closure forming the bottom thereof. A method is described for forming such end closures and containers.

Abstract: An end closure for a container, such as a beverage or food can, includes a transverse central body panel and a surrounding outer margin joined to the longitudinal side wall of the container body. The margin portion has a support section, and a plurality of spaced rib structures are located on the margin and have portions that extend longitudinally along the support section to reinforce the margin. The end closure can be a lid or an integrally formed bottom for a can body. The margin can have a U-shaped profile with the rib structures located on either the inner or outer wall portion thereof. The rib structures may be flutes defining tear-dropped shaped depressions. The invention contemplates a can body with the end closure forming the bottom thereof. A method is described for forming such end closures and containers.

Abstract: A container end is provided with a suitable stock thickness for necessary strength and pressure resistance over its selected areas of its central portion while employing a substantially thinner peripheral wall. A method of forming thins the peripheral wall by drawing and ironing in a single workstation using compound die that also shears the blank from sheet stock. Optionally, multi-layers or laminates form the central portion of a lid, with a reduced number of layers forming the peripheral wall. Alternatively, the peripheral wall is thinned by ironing, spinning, or roll forming after the blank is formed into a shell. A forming apparatus clamps a planar peripheral wall of a blank with a clamping element that includes a thining tool. The apparatus oppositely offsets the center of the blank from the peripheral wall to draw the peripheral wall over the thinning tool on the clamping element.

Abstract: A die (104) for forming a blank (14) into a container body (26) having an open end provides an annular undulated shaping surface (106) of substantially uniform radius. The container body (26) is formed by moving the blank through the shaping die (104), with the result that the undulations (106) laterally redistribute metal in the sidewall of the container body, as well as iron the sidewall during the forming process. The die enables the use of a blank (14) of noncircular geometric shape, such as a hexagon, by redistributing metal from the points of the hexagon to the area of the flats in order to produce an end product without excessive earing.

Abstract: A multi-unit package formed from a one-piece wrapper folded around two groups of products. Each side of the package has cuts or perforations that partially separate the package into two sub-packages; each end of the package has at least one tear-strip aligned with the cuts or perforations; and the top of the package has a handle which allows the package to be carried. The wrapper can be folded so that the two sub-packages are separated by a center divider, having a perforated top. The two sub-packages may also be held together by an adhesive which allows the sub-packages to be separated. Once separated, a handle, hidden before separation, is available for carrying the second sub-package. Another multi-unit package has two sub-packages arranged side by side and connected by perforations in end flaps.

Abstract: A container body is produced from a blank, by first forming the blank from sheet stock in hexagonal shape, thereby eliminating scrap from the blanking process. A die ring is configured to laterally redistribute material from the point areas of the hexagon into intermediate areas during the draw-and-iron can forming process, usefully incorporating this material instead of trimming it.

Abstract: A multi-unit package formed from a one-piece wrapper folded around two groups of products. Each side of the package has cuts or perforations that partially separate the package into two sub-packages; each end of the package has at least one tear-strip aligned with the cuts or perforations; and the top of the package has a handle which allows the package to be carried. The wrapper can be folded so that the two sub-packages are separated by a center divider, having a perforated top. The two sub-packages may also be held together by an adhesive which allows the sub-packages to be separated. Once separated, a handle, hidden before separation, is available for carrying the second sub-package. Another multi-unit package has two sub-packages arranged side by side and conected by perforations in end flaps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a package formed from a one-piece wrapper, typically made of carrier board, that is folded around twenty-four cans or bottles including a top and bottom of the package having cuts or perforations that partially separate the package into two twelve-packs; each side of the package having at least one tear-strip aligned with the cuts or perforations that will complete the separation into two twelve-packs; and the top of the package having a second pair of tear-strips which will allow the two twelve-packs to be separated into four six-packs. The wrapper can be folded in such a manner that the two six-packs of each of the two twelve-packs is separated by a center divider in the wrapper. This divider has a perforated top end which is aligned with the tear-strips. The two sides of the divider are held together by an adhesive which allows the six-packs to be separated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a package formed from a one-piece wrapper, typically made of carrier board, that is folded around twenty-four cans or bottles including a top and bottom of the package having cuts or perforations that partially separate the package into two twelve-packs; each side of the package having at least one tear-strip aligned with the cuts or perforations that will complete the separation into two twelve-packs; and the top of the package having a second pair of tear-strips which will allow the two twelve-packs to be separated into four six-packs. The wrapper can be folded in such a manner that the two six-packs of each of the two twelve-packs is separated by a center divider in the wrapper. This divider has a perforated top end which is aligned with the tear-strips. The two sides of the divider are held together by an adhesive which allows the six-packs to be separated.