Abstract: An oven for heating can ends comprising a generally elongate heating chamber having walls which closely surround a conveyor for conveying the can ends through the chamber, a source of infra-red heat arranged in the upper region of said chamber and having a parabolic reflector by means of which radiant heat is directed downwardly onto a generally narrow band which corresponds in width to the width of the region of the can end to which sealant and/or repair lacquer has been applied, said conveyor being constructed from a plurality of interconnected slat-like elements having upturned edges the spacing between the upturned edges being selected so that the edges engage narrow portions of the curled edge of the can end whereby the can end is supported with the surface to which sealant or lining compound has been applied directed downwardly so that the heat source principally heats the upwardly directed surface of the can ends, a cooling chamber of similar dimensions to said heating chamber following said heating ch

Abstract: A can end manufacturing apparatus including an endless belt (1) having spaced apertures (12) for supporting the can ends (C) through the various stages of manufacture, said belt (1) being supported by spring-loaded travel rails (2, 3) arranged in guide slots (4) formed in longitudinally spaced supporting pillars (5) arranged on either side of a die station chamber (6) within which several die stations (7, 8, 9) and a sealant application station (10) are arranged. During each manufacturing operation, the transfer belt (1) is moved vertically so that each can end (C) is brought into engagement with the die stations (7, 8, 9) and the sealant application station (10). During this vertical movement, the atmosphere within the die station chamber (6) is alternatively compressed and rarefied.

Abstract: The specification discloses an article retention system for transfrer equipment, particularly transfer equipment for carrying can ends to a series of stations to produce an easy-opening end. The can ends are supported by an indexing belt and contact means in the form of spring steel strips and are arranged in overlying and contacting relationship with the can ends supported by the belt. A contacting force of between 200 to 500 grams is sufficient to retain the can ends in a predetermined orientation such that the ends are accurately presented to each station. In an alternative embodiment a fixed rail overlies the edges of the can ends and spring loaded rollers engage the indexing belt to force the can ends into engagement with the rails to maintain the orientation in a manner similar to the above.

Abstract: This specification discloses certain improvements in resealable pressure releasing closures of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,105,134 and 4,155,480 Debenham et al. In the several improvements disclosed in the specification, the resealing properties of the closure are improved by reducing the concentration of the flexure of the closure at the connection between the closure and the can end to thereby reduce the extent to which the material defining the connection permanently deforms during the opening operation. In one embodiment the pressure releasing closure or tab 20 has a connection 23 to the can end which is at substantially the same level as the adjacent portion of the closure by the provision of an area 26 immediately behind the connection which is downwardly depressed so as to be co-planar with the tab 20.

Abstract: This specification discloses improvements in push-in easy opening closures of the pressure releasing type which are designed to substantially reseal once a digitally applied push-in force causing them to open is released. In one form of the invention, the pressure releasing closure is formed partly within the confines of a pouring closure and partly outside the pouring closure whereby the pressure releasing closure is permanently opened when the pouring closure is opened. In another embodiment, the pressure releasing closure is connected to the can end adjacent its countersink whereby the opened closure defines a liquid draining hole when opened. The specification also discloses a can end having a closure formed so that the sheet metal at its hinge is relatively undisturbed. A method of forming such a closure is also disclosed.

Abstract: This specification disclosed a method of and apparatus for the application of sealant gasketing or protective material to a can end or to other container members in which a transfer head having a transfer face in the shape of the container member area to be covered by the sealant is covered with sealant and the container member brought into contact with at least the sealant on the transfer face to achieve transfer of the sealant to the container member. In one form the transfer head has a passage opening to the transfer face through which sealant is pumped to cover the transfer face. In another form the transfer head is arranged to be immersed in a tank of sealant to cover the transfer face with sealant.

Abstract: A push-in pressure releasing resealable closure for an aperture in a sheet metal container member is disclosed, wherein the closure is integral through a connection of metal to the remainder of the container member. The closure is designed so that it is depressible into the container by flexing about the connection when push-in force is applied to the closure, without exceeding the elastic limit of the connection, so that the closure is returned at least substantially to its original position to seal the can contents, upon removal of the push-in force from the closure.The closure is particularly suitable for use in containers for carbonated beverages, such as carbonated soft drinks and beer, so that the gas pressure within the container may be released without danger of substantial gushing or spurting, to permit a larger pouring opening in the container member to be opened.

Abstract: This specification disclosed a method of and apparatus for the application of sealant gasketing or protective material to a can end or to other container members in which a transfer head having a transfer face in the shape of the container member area to be covered by the sealant is covered with sealant and the container member brought into contact with at least the sealant on the transfer face to achieve transfer of the sealant to the container member. In one form the transfer head has a passage opening to the transfer face through which sealant is pumped to cover the transfer face. In another form the transfer head is arranged to be immersed in a tank of sealant to cover the transfer face with sealant.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method of forming an easy-opening closure of the type wherein there is overlap between the closure member and the surrounding container member comprising forming a bulge in the hinge area of the closure and subsequently flattening this bulge to achieve displacement of the closure member into overlapping relationship with the surrounding container member. The closure member must have a non-diverging configuration extending away from the hinge member, for example, triangular or semi-circular configurations.

Abstract: This specification discloses a can end having push-in closures, one closures being smaller than the other for venting and/or pressure releasing purposes. At least the smaller closure having a supplementary sealant connection about which the closure hinges when it is opened. The supplementary sealant connection acts to prevent the closure becoming detached from the can end in the event that the main hinge for the closure is broken. The supplementary connection is achieved either by extending the sealant to cover an adjacent surface of the closure in a direction away from the connection or by increasing the thickness of the sealant covered in the area of the main hinge.

Abstract: This specification discloses improvements in easy-opening closures of the push-in type in which the closure member at least partly overlaps with the aperture surround to define the easy-opening closure. The improvement comprises forming the free edge of the closure member and the aperture surround with interengaging portions which at least substantially inhibit the movement of the closure member relative to the aperture surround. In one preferred form of interengagement the closure member is formed with an upstanding lip and the aperture surround is downwardly turned about said lip. In another form both the aperture surround and the closure member are formed with interengaging lips. In another form the aperture surround is grooved and the lip on the closure member engages the groove. In the last form the aperture surround is formed with a lip which is stamped into the closure member to key the two parts together.

Abstract: This specification discloses an easy-opening closure for a can end which comprises an opening formed by partially severing a portion from the can end to leave the portion attached thereto by an integral neck, and a closure member formed from said severed portion and which is larger than said opening. The sheet metal adjacent the free edge of the opening is downwardly turned while the sheet metal adjacent the free edge of the closure member is upwardly turned, said free edges being in contact with or in close proximity to each other. A sealant is applied at least in the region of the free edges if required by the purpose for which the can end is to be used.

Abstract: This specification discloses an easy-opening closure for a can end which comprises an opening formed by partially severing a portion from the can end to leave the portion attached thereto by an integral neck, and a closure member formed from said severed portion and which is larger than said opening. The sheet metal adjacent the free edge of the opening is downwardly turned while the sheet metal adjacent the free edge of the closure member is upwardly turned, said free edges being in contact with or in close proximity to each other. A sealant is applied at least in the region of the free edges if required by the purpose for which the can end is to be used.