Abstract: A resealable can end is provided including a neck (10) and a cooperating cap member (12) which can be sealed onto and removed from the neck, and is capable of containing product under pressure or vacuum if desired. This end may be added, by convention seaming methods, such as roll seaming or by appropriate adhesive, to a container body, or may be formed integrally with container bodies. The venting feature of the end will achieve a controlled release of differential internal-to-ambient pressure upon initial opening of the cap, and may also provide resealed containment of partial contents retained in the container, although the contents will no longer be under pressure or vacuum, as the case may be. The end may be applied to, or incorporated in, containers made of various material, such as aluminum, coated steel, or selected plastics.

Abstract: Thread lug forming systems form thread lugs (36) on container necks or necked end domes. A continuously rotating cam system (100) has multiple sets of thread lug forming tools (135) which are driven to recirculate about stationary cams (130). The cams actuate inner and outer forming tools (150, 152) of the tool sets as they progress around the cams to form the thread lugs. A second system uses generally the same tool sets in a multiple-station reciprocating press (203), and the container bodies are indexed through the tool stations (252) in which the thread lugs are formed.

Abstract: An improved cap, and apparatus and a method for making such cap, including tooling for the first station are provided. The improved cap has a central button feature in its top panel that can move slightly upward or downward with respect to the remainder of the cap. When a container is filled, liquid Nitrogen is added just before the cap is applied. The liquid Nitrogen turns into gas and creates pressure in the container, causing the button to rise. When a consumer opens the cap, the gas is released and the button returns to its normal (down) position, or if pressure is accidentally lost the button returns to its normal (down) position. Thus indicating loss of pressurization and possible resulting spoilage, or will indicate that the container has been open, and may contain only partial product.

Abstract: Transfer apparatus and method are provided from first (15A, 16A) to second (15B, 16B) stations of tooling in a cap (11) making press. This cap is biased against the first upper tools by a first airstream (50) introduced under the cap and moves upward with the first station punch (45). As the punch approaches its top location, a transfer airstream (52) begins while the first airstream is still on, and moves the cap out through a transfer chute (18) to the second station. The cap departs the chute and passes detents (67) on a pair of closed retention fingers (60) which define an extension of the transfer path from the chute into the open second station tools. A vacuum (85) applied to a port in the second station punch then holds the cup against the rising upper tools. When the punch clears the closing fingers and approaches its top location, an ejection airstream (87) commences to propel the finished cup via a discharge chute (19).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming container ends includes tooling which forms dome members for can ends, which dome members include an open neck thereon. Thread lugs are formed as integral spaced apart shaped protrusions from the neck exterior. A system is also disclosed for forming quantities of a specific form of dome members, capable of later attachment to container bodies. A thin metal strip is fed through an array of progressive tooling to form blanks, from which such specific form of dome members are formed. The blanks are produced in the metal strip and connected thereto by multiple carrying strips which allow sufficient mobility of the blanks with respect to the strip to achieve precise alignment with the tooling at different stations in the progression. At the final station, completed dome members are separated from the remaining metal skeleton and moved rapidly out of the system, and the skeleton may be chopped up for recycling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming container ends includes tooling which forms dome members for can ends, which dome members include an open neck thereon. Thread lugs are formed as integral spaced apart shaped protrusions from the neck exterior. A system is also disclosed for forming quantities of a specific form of dome members, capable of later attachment to container bodies. A thin metal strip is fed through an array of progressive tooling to form blanks, from which such specific form of dome members are formed. The blanks are produced in the metal strip and connected thereto by multiple carrying strips which allow sufficient mobility of the blanks with respect to the strip to achieve precise alignment with the tooling at different stations in the progression. At the final station, completed dome members are separated from the remaining metal skeleton and moved rapidly out of the system, and the skeleton may be chopped up for recycling.