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 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 includes a severable panel, a peripheral scoreline, an opening mechanism such as a pull tab, a rivet coupling the pull tab to the severable panel, and a rivet base scoreline in the public side of the severable panel. The rivet base scoreline includes an arcuate head portion, first and second arm portions extending from the arcuate head portion, and first and second ends. The base of the rivet has a radius of curvature forming an intersection between the stem of the rivet and the public side of the severable panel. The arcuate head portion of the rivet base scoreline is contiguous with the radius of curvature.

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 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 domer station having a domer assembly, a housing assembly, and a stacked piston assembly is provided. The domer assembly is movably disposed within a domer body passage located in the housing assembly and structured to move between a forward, first position and a retracted, second position. The stacked piston assembly includes a plurality of pistons, preferably three pistons, disposed in series and a pressure supply. The pistons are disposed behind the domer in pressure chambers. The pistons have a constant pressure applied thereto and are biased towards the domer. The pistons are, however, each restrained by a stop and do not contact, or operatively engage, the domer when the domer is in the domer first position.

Abstract: The disclosed and claimed compresses gas system provides for the use of a rotary valve assembly in association with a cupper. A compressed gas system that utilizes a rotary valve assembly uses less gas than a constant flow compressed gas system and is quieter than a compressed gas system that uses valves. The rotary valve is a disk-like body having an opening therethrough. The rotary valve body is disposed within a housing assembly wherein gas may only flow through the housing when the rotary valve body is properly aligned with a space on one side of the rotary valve body.

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 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.

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 can end includes a severable panel, a peripheral scoreline, an opening mechanism such as a pull tab, a rivet coupling the pull tab to the severable panel, and a rivet base scoreline in the public side of the severable panel. The rivet base scoreline includes an arcuate head portion, first and second arm portions extending from the arcuate head portion, and first and second ends. The base of the rivet has a radius of curvature forming an intersection between the stem of the rivet and the public side of the severable panel. The arcuate head portion of the rivet base scoreline is contiguous with the radius of curvature.

Abstract: A can end is provided, which includes a severable panel, a peripheral scoreline defining the periphery of the severable panel, an opening mechanism such as a pull tab, a rivet coupling the pull tab to the severable panel, and a rivet base scoreline in the public side of the severable panel within about 0.025 inch or less of the stem of the rivet. The rivet base scoreline includes an arcuate head portion, first and second arm portions extending from the arcuate head portion, and first and second ends. The base of the rivet has a radius of curvature forming an intersection between the stem of the rivet and the public side of the severable panel. The arcuate head portion of the rivet base scoreline is contiguous with the radius of curvature. The pull tab includes a nose portion having a number of apertures aligned with corresponding portions of the rivet base scoreline disposed thereunder.

Abstract: A non-circular can end for a container having walls which form an opening includes a corner-mounted pull tab opener secured to a severable panel portion by an integral rivet. The corner-mounted opener facilitates easy opening of the can end. A pair of generally parallel bead recesses on either side of the integral rivet stiffen the severable panel portion in order to facilitate bending of the panel aft of the rivet to easily open the can end. The severable panel optionally further includes a mustache-shaped scoreline to reduce the amount of force required to lift the opener. Tooling and a conversion press for converting shells into the non-circular can ends are also disclosed.

Abstract: A can end is provided, which includes a severable panel, a peripheral scoreline defining the periphery of the severable panel, an opening mechanism such as a pull tab, a rivet coupling the pull tab to the severable panel, and a rivet base scoreline in the public side of the severable panel within about 0.025 inch or less of the stem of the rivet. The rivet base scoreline includes an arcuate head portion, first and second arm portions extending from the arcuate head portion, and first and second ends. The base of the rivet has a radius of curvature forming an intersection between the stem of the rivet and the public side of the severable panel. The arcuate head portion of the rivet base scoreline is contiguous with the radius of curvature. The pull tab includes a nose portion having a number of apertures aligned with corresponding portions of the rivet base scoreline disposed thereunder.

Abstract: A non-circular can end for a container having walls which form an opening includes a corner-mounted pull tab opener secured to a severable panel portion by an integral rivet. The corner-mounted opener facilitates easy opening of the can end. A pair of generally parallel bead recesses on either side of the integral rivet stiffen the severable panel portion in order to facilitate bending of the panel aft of the rivet to easily open the can end. The severable panel optionally further includes a mustache-shaped scoreline to reduce the amount of force required to lift the opener. Tooling and a conversion press for converting shells into the non-circular can ends are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular tooling system for use in combination with a conversion press has an upper base member adapted to be removably mounting into the conversion press, a tooling holder, a tooling insert and means for retaining the tooling insert within the tooling holder. The tooling holder is adapted for attachment to the upper base member. The tooling holder defines a chamber therein extending therethrough. The chamber includes a shoulder portion. The tooling insert is adapted to be removably mounted in the tool holder. The insert has a first end, a second end, and a shoulder portion adapted to cooperate with the tooling holder shoulder portion. Bushings and spacers secure the insert within the tooling holder. Both the tooling holder chamber and the tooling insert are of a predetermined cross section which are adapted to correspond with each other and define a keyed relationship.

Abstract: A die tool monitor and analysis system identifies tooling changes and maintains tooling in an optimal position, thus maintaining the quality of the manufactured product within a desired tolerance band. A die tool force monitor and analysis system identifies changes in the operational conditions within a press. These identified changes are indicative of tooling changes and in conjunction with a thermal control system, facilitate the thermally induced expansion and contraction of a tooling support structure. The expansion and contraction of the supporting structure displaces the tooling member relative to its counterpart tooling member.