Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a vessel forming station comprising a plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of operation wheels are configured in opposing facing pairs, a plurality of linear drives are interconnected with the plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of linear drives push opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operations to a closed position causing opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels to engage the vessel and perform operations on the vessel, the linear drives pull the plurality of operation wheels to an open position allowing the vessel to be indexed to other operation positions, and a conveyor system positioned between opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operation wheels engages the vessel and indexes the vessel through the plurality of operations.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method of configuring a production line to mass customize shaped vessels, the method comprising receiving a plurality of consumer or event data, configuring a plurality of vessel forming stations based in part on received plurality of consumer or event data, and shaping a plurality of vessels by indexing the plurality of vessels through the plurality of vessel forming stations. Other embodiments include shaping by contouring length of each of the plurality of vessels, selecting a decoration style to be applied to the plurality of vessels based in part on received plurality of consumer or event data, and configuring a top-forming station based in part on received plurality of consumer or event data.

Abstract: An all-metal beverage can with a pour spout is disclosed. The can includes a can body for containing a beverage and a closure member. The closure contains a metal pour spout and a cap covering the pour spout. The pour spout and cap are in a recessed condition within the can body prior to opening the can, allowing the can to be shipped and stacked in the normal fashion. The closure further comprises a first layer forming the pour spout, a second layer forming the cap, and a scored area formed in the second layer. The cap separates from the closure by the user grasping the cap and breaking of the scored area (e.g., by twisting) and then removing the cap from the pour spout. When the container is opened, the pour spout is extendable from the can body to facilitate pouring of the beverage. In one possible embodiment, the pour spout is threaded. The cap threads onto the pour spout, enabling a resealing of the can.

Abstract: A can end and can body are seamed to each other using a seaming roller, seaming chuck and a laser fusing the peripheral portion of the can end to the can body. Laser seaming allows less metal to be used in the can end and can body. The can end and can body seam is further reinforced in order to ensure that the can is capable of withstanding internal pressures. The reinforcing techniques include crimping the seam with one or more crimping rollers, reforming the seam so as to incline the seam towards a central axis extending through the center of the can end and can body, and using multiple laser welds spaced apart from each other in the vicinity of the seam.