Abstract: A method of canning and processing a particulate edible product, the method comprising: providing a metal can body with one open end; filling the metal can body through said open end with the particulate edible product and a volume of liquid, the volume of liquid comprising no more than 30% of the internal volume of the metal can; fixing a lid to the metal can body to close the open end; and using an induction heating process to heat the liquid in the can and thereby process the product.

Abstract: A process for closing a metal can body, suitable for containing an edible product, with a can lid, to provide a metal can suitable for heating in a retort. The process comprises: placing a metal lid over and in contact with an open end of a metal can body; applying an inwardly directed mechanical force to the lid such that at least a central portion of the lid is deformed into the interior space of the metal can body; and seaming the lid to the can body to form an airtight seal between the lid and the can body.

Abstract: A method of canning and processing a particulate edible product, the method comprising: providing a metal can body with one open end; filling the metal can body through said open end with the particulate edible product and a volume of liquid, the volume of liquid comprising no more than 30% of the internal volume of the metal can; fixing a lid to the metal can body to close the open end; and using an induction heating process to heat the liquid in the can and thereby process the product.

Abstract: A closure for a food can including a foil end panel bonded to an intermediate ring which is fixed to the can body. The foil panel comprises a diaphragm having a centre panel which included at least one concentric bead. The profile of this beaded panel is selected so that its downward position is no greater than the lowest point of the intermediate ring. The provision of the bead(s) reduces pressure differences experienced by the diaphragm, particularly during processing of the can contents, due to the volume increase available from the beads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a closure in which the closure includes a peelable panel with integral tab folded over the panel. The apparatus includes upper and lower reform tools, the upper reform tool having a tab relief feature and local scallops at each end of the tab relief. When reform tools move together for reforming, the tab relief feature is positioned over the tab fold and the scallops at the ends of the fold. As a result crushing and fracture of the tab during reforming is avoided.

Abstract: A double walled container comprising an inner container having a sidewall (52) and a base (54) connected thereto, and an outer container (1) having a sidewall (2) and a base (4) connected thereto and arranged to accommodate the inner container, whilst defining a gap therebetween. The sidewall (2) of the outer container has a securement region, which is formed to have a smaller diameter compared with the diameter of the sidewall (52) of the inner container. The inner container may take the form of a filled beverage can (90), which is sealed by an end (70) seamed thereto and is subsequently inserted into a larger outer can during the final stage of production.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a closure in which the closure includes a peelable panel with integral tab folded over the panel. The apparatus includes upper and lower reform tools, the upper reform tool having a tab relief feature and local scallops at each end of the tab relief. When reform tools move together for reforming, the tab relief feature is positioned over the tab fold and the scallops at the ends of the fold. As a result crushing and fracture of the tab during reforming is avoided.

Abstract: Reform rollers for use in internal or external base reforming of can bodies have a textured surface which control the depth of the dome of the can base and provide greater process stability than is achieved with known smooth rollers. One example of textured surface finish provided by spark erosion has been shown to have much greater consistency of dome reversal pressure, dome growth and dome depth.

Abstract: A self-cooling can comprising an evaporator unit within the can and an absorber unit provided outside the container body. A beverage within the can is cooled by means of vapor which passes from the evaporator to the absorber when these are connected so as to provide a vapor path between the two. The path for water vapor, for example, to pass from the evaporator to the absorber is formed by rupturing a pane between the evaporator and the absorber when the can and part or all of the absorber are rotated relative to each other.

Abstract: A self-cooling can (10) which is suitable for cooling 300 ml of beverage by 30° F. in a maximum of 3 minutes comprises an internal evaporator (30) and an absorber unit (20) which is fixed typically to the base of the can. Cooling is initiated by providing a vapour path from the evaporator (30) to a desiccant region of the absorber unit (20). Heat is removed from the vapour and/or any heat due to the reaction with the desiccant (24) by heat sink material (26) around the desiccant region (22).

Abstract: A metal container has a bottom wall and a side wall provided with a low relief pattern of shallow grooves or creases to define outwardly convex panels. The grooves or creases have a depth between 0.3 and 3% of the radius of the side wall which has thickness between 3 and 30% of the radius of the grooves.

Abstract: A metal container has a bottom wall and side wall provided with a low relief pattern of shallow grooves or creases to define outwardly convex panels. The grooves or creases have a depth between 0.3 and 3% of the radius of the side wall which has a thickness between 3 and 30% of the radius of grooves. A method and apparatus are described in which the pattern of grooves and panels is formed progressively by a pinch pressure imposed by a mandrel inside the container body and an arcuate rail provided with teeth to define grooves. Preferably, the pinch pressure sets the cross-sectional shape of the groove pulling the panels to shape by elastic deformation.