Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making and transferring shells for cans within a ram press. The shells are formed in a two-step operation in which shell preforms are formed at a first station within the press and then transferred to second station where they are formed into completed shells. The first station includes first and second rows of tooling sets with the tooling sets of the first row being located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the second row. Similarly, the second station includes third and fourth rows of tooling sets in which the tooling set of the third row are located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the fourth row, and the tooling sets of the third and fourth rows are located for receiving the shell preforms from the tooling sets of the second and first rows, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making and transferring shells for cans within a ram press. The shells are formed in a two-step operation in which shell preforms are formed at a first station within the press and then transferred to second station where they are formed into completed shells. The first station includes first and second rows of tooling sets with the tooling sets of the first row being located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the second row. Similarly, the second station includes third and fourth rows of tooling sets in which the tooling set of the third row are located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the fourth row, and the tooling sets of the third and fourth rows are located for receiving the shell preforms from the tooling sets of the second and first rows, respectively.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel shell such as used in the manufacture of can ends, and to a method and tools for making such a shell. A non-circular blank having rounded corners is cut from thin metal. The blank is oblong in a direction transverse to the grain of the metal. A first set of tools separates the blanks and forms a substantially flat central panel and an upward-extending chuck wall about the edge of the panel to produce a partially formed shell. The junction area between said panel and said chuck wall has a relatively large radius of curvature at this time. A second set of tools forms in the blank a lip extending outward from the upper end of the chuck wall and generally parallel to said panel; then the panel and the chuck wall are separately gripped, followed by relative movement between the panel and the chuck wall while wrapping the junction area around a forming punch to form a panel wall in said junction area extending upward from the inner part of said chuck wall.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel shell such as used in the manufacture of can ends, and to a method and tools for making such a shell. A non-circular blank having rounded corners is cut from thin metal. The blank is oblong in a direction transverse to the grain of the metal. A first set of tools separates the blanks and forms a substantially flat central panel and an upward-extending chuck wall about the edge of the panel to produce a partially formed shell. The junction area between said panel and said chuck wall has a relatively large radius of curvature at this time. A second set of tools forms in the blank a lip extending outward from the upper end of the chuck wall and generally parallel to said panel; then the panel and the chuck wall are separately gripped, followed by relative movement between the panel and the chuck wall while wrapping the junction area around a forming punch to form a panel wall in said junction area extending upward from the inner part of said chuck wall.

Abstract: A press for converting ends for cans and the like is provided with a conveyor extending sideways through the press to carry shells for processing into can ends along an end converting path. Upper and lower conversion tooling is located along the end converting path at the top and bottom of the conveyor, defining a plurality of stations on opposite sides of the center of the tooling for working progressively on shells moved by the conveyor along the end converting path. First and second tab tooling, auxiliary to the main tooling means, is located on opposite sides of the conveyor extending transversely thereof and defining a tab forming path which bridges the end converting path. Opening tabs are formed from a strip of metal stock fed through the tab tooling and the strip with completed tabs is guided in a loop from the tab tooling back to a staking and attachment station on the end converting path for removal from the strip and attachment to the shells.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel shell such as used in the manufacture of can ends, and to a method and tools for making such a shell. A non-circular blank having rounded corners is cut from thin metal. The blank is oblong in a direction transverse to the grain of the metal. A first set of tools separates the blanks and forms a substantially flat central panel and an upward-extending chuck wall about the edge of the panel to produce a partially formed shell. The junction area between said panel and said chuck wall has a relatively large radius of curvature at this time. A second set of tools forms in the blank a lip extending outward from the upper end of the chuck wall and generally parallel to said panel; then the panel and the chuck wall are separately gripped, followed by relative movement between the panel and the chuck wall while wrapping the junction area around a forming punch to form a panel wall in said junction area extending upward from the inner part of said chuck wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a relatively flat object from a first station to a second station includes a support for the object at the first station, a substantially closed housing, and a piston disposed therein for sliding movement from a normal position to an activated position. An actuator extends through the housing and is integrally formed with the piston for sliding movement thereby. Compressed air is selectively directed into the housing for movement of the piston to the activated position, whereby the actuator strikes a blow edgewise of the object for propelling it toward the second station along a predetermined path. A pair of fingers disposed at the second station define therebetween a portion of the path along which an incoming object enters the second station. Each finger includes a path wall having an end surface extending generally inwardly from the finger for blocking the object path for halting object movement.

Abstract: A press for converting ends for cans and the like is provided with a conveyor extending sideways through the press to carry shells for processing into can ends along an end converting path. Upper and lower conversion tooling is located along the end converting path at the top and bottom of the conveyor, defining a plurality of stations on opposite sides of the center of the tooling for working progressively on shells moved by the conveyor along the end converting path. First and second tab tooling, auxiliary to the main tooling means, is located on opposite sides of the conveyor extending transversely thereof and defining a tab forming path which bridges the end converting path. Opening tabs are formed from a strip of metal stock fed through the tab tooling and the strip with completed tabs is guided in a loop from the tab tooling back to a staking and attachment station on the end converting path for removal from the strip and attachment to the shells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming shells for use as can ends is disclosed. A sheet of thin metal is supplied to a first station within a ram press, at which a generally circular blank is separated from the sheet and partially formed into the shell. The partially formed shell is transferred from the first station along a predetermined path to a second station within the same press by striking a blow edgewise of the shell and thereby directing it edgewise to the second station. The shell is captured and located at the second station, whereupon the shell is further formed to make the completed shell.

Abstract: The connecting arms or connection elements of a metalworking press, such as a metal forming or stamping press, are provided with flat electrical resistance heating pads attached directly to the web section of the connections for applying heat to the connections for preheating the connections to a desired temperature, prior to press start up, to stabilize the dimensions thereof.

Abstract: An end structure for an easy opening container includes a rivet formed in a pour panel defined by a non-continuous scoreline. Upon rupture of the scoreline by a tab, which is affixed to the panel by the rivet, both the tab and pour panel are retained on the end wall. The scoreline may include a region of minimal residual in the region which is initially popped and regions of increased residual along the length of the scoreline in the direction of the fracture. The scoreline forward and adjacent to the rivet is of a configuration which includes changes of direction rather than being a smooth continuous curve and cooperates with the stepped scoreline to reduce blow-off. Also provided is a coined region radially outward of the rivet and the panel radius to create slack such that when the container is pressurized, the lifting end of the tab is forced downwardly.

Abstract: A tab for easy opening ends including a lifting end and an opening end and spaced side legs is improved by the use of finger means extending from the opening end towards the lifting end, the finger means including flanges which stiffen the finger. The lifting end is formed of a smooth unbroken curl of sheet material.

Abstract: When the improved tab is lifted by its lifting end, its opening end ruptures a scored line defining a panel, and this opens the container. The tab is retained to the container by a flap extending from the opening end toward the lifting end and including an affixing portion which is riveted to the container. After the container has been opened, the lifting end of the tab is depressed toward the end of the container. In prior art tabs, flexing of the flap occurred at a first bending region adjacent the affixing portion during both the lifting and depressing motions. In contrast, in the present invention the flap is shaped to provide a second bending region adjacent the opening end, in addition to the first bending region adjacent the affixing portion. When the lifting end is lifted, the improved tab flexes in the first bending region, and when the lifting end is depressed, the improved tab flexes in the second bending region. In this manner the flexing is shared between the first and the second bending regions.

Abstract: A method of scoring an enameled metal sheet to form a line of weakness in the sheet while minimizing disruption of the enameled coating. The enameled surface is placed in contact with an anvil having a flat surface portion. The flat surface portion extends a relatively short distance in a transverse direction on either side of the desired line of score with angled surface portions of the anvil extending downwardly from the flat surface portion to create void spaces between the angled surface portions and the metal sheet. A scoring tool is then brought into forcible contact with the metal sheet along the desired line of score. The scoring tool includes a scoring edge which contacts the metal sheet with the scoring tool having inclined side surfaces which are angled outwardly away from the scoring edge. The inclined side surfaces displace metal within the metal sheet is a downward direction away from the line of score.

Abstract: An improved easy-opening end structure for use with a container includes a retained tab and a captured panel which is also retained. The end structure includes a scoreline of an improved pinched score variety, defining a pour opening formed by fracture of the scoreline to release the panel formed by the scoreline. Preferably, the panel is retained on the end. The tab is affixed to the end, other than to the panel and includes an opening end positioned over the panel, but not secured thereto, and a lifting end spaced from the panel which is preferably downwardly dished and generally circular in shape.

Abstract: An improved easy-opening end structure includes a retained tab and a captured, retained panel, the latter defined by a scoreline and forming a pour opening upon fracture of the scoreline. The tab is fixed to the end wall, other than to the panel, and includes an opening end positioned over the panel and a lifting end spaced from the panel. The panel is connected by a retaining strip to the end wall, the retaining strip being formed between scoreline segments which are laterally located relative to the rivet. The rivet is surrounded by a rivet well of reduced thickness of material, a portion of the scoreline passing through the rivet well, while a coined formation defining a transition zone extends laterally of the rivet and overlies the portion of the scoreline located laterally of the rivet. The panel includes a depression formed therein forward of the retaining strip and located between the ends of a bead which is formed in the panel.

Abstract: When the improved tab is lifted by its lifting end, its opening end ruptures a scored line defining a panel, and this opens the container. The tab is retained to the container by a flap extending from the opening end toward the lifting end and including an affixing portion which is riveted to the container. After the container has been opened, the lifting end of the tab is depressed toward the end of the container. In prior art tabs, flexing of the flap occurred at a first bending region adjacent the affixing portion during both the lifting and depressing motions. In contrast, in the present invention the flap is shaped to provide a second bending region adjacent the openind end, in addition to the first bending region adjacent the affixing portion. When the lifting end is lifted, the improved tab flexes in the first bending region, and when the lifting end is depressed, the improved tab flexes in the second bending region. In this manner the flexing is shared between the first and the second bending regions.

Abstract: A press for converting ends for cans and the like is provided with a conveyor extending sideways through the press to carry shells for processing into can ends along an end converting path. Upper and lower conversion tooling is located along the end converting path at the top and bottom of the conveyor, defining a plurality of stations on opposite sides of the center of the tooling for working progressively on shells moved by the conveyor along the end converting path. First and second tab tooling, auxiliary to the main tooling means, is located on opposite sides of the conveyor extending transversely thereof and defining a tab forming path which bridges the end converting path. Opening tabs are formed from a strip of metal stock fed through the tab tooling and the strip with completed tabs is guided in a loop from the tab tooling back to a staking and attachment station on the end converting path for removal from the strip and attachment to the shells.