Abstract: A can or container reformed from an existing open ended can adds additional volume and integral thread portions to form a reclosable can. An existing can is inverted, drawn to increase the volume, an end wall pierced and reformed into an outwardly curled lip, thread portions formed along a perimeter portion of the can body adjacent a first end, and a new end seamed to the original open, second end of the can. A cap with thread lugs cooperates with the thread portions on the external perimeter of the reformed can to originally and subsequently reseal the can once the can has been opened.

Abstract: An apparatus, and associated process, expands a wall of an associated metal container. The apparatus includes a holder for retaining at least a portion of the metal container. A first tool has a first surface mounted for movement relative to the holder for selective advancement toward and dimensioned to engage at least a portion of the associated metal container. The first tool includes a seal so that fluid received in the associated metal container is pressurized and used to apply an expanding force to the associated metal container as the first tool advances therein. A bubble is formed in the bottom wall, and in a second station, the combination of fluid pressure and metal forming surfaces make the final configuration of the bottom wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a reclosable metal can includes a flexible bladder that receives pressure from at least one end. The bladder is received in movable dies that selectively open and close about the bladder, and more particularly about a metal body received between the bladder and die. The die preferably includes thread or lug profile cavities for forming circumferentially spaced thread lugs in the can body.

Abstract: A seal and method of forming a seal for a reclosable container includes a removable cap that is selectively received over a pour opening formed in a can body. The method includes applying a plastisol to an interior surface of the cap, curing the plastisol at an elevated temperature in the cap, and cold-forming the cap containing the cured plastisol therein. In another arrangement, an EVA seal material is extruded into the cap and the seal is subsequently cold-formed in the cap.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a reclosable metal can includes a flexible bladder that receives pressure from at least one end. The bladder is received in movable dies that selectively open and close about the bladder, and more particularly about a metal body received between the bladder and die. The die preferably includes thread or lug profile cavities for forming circumferentially spaced thread lugs in the can body.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for performing the method, is provided for the purpose of forming and inserting seal pieces into a container cap of a type which comprises an integral cup-like member having a top panel, a skirt depending from the top panel, and a plurality of cap lugs formed in the rim and extending partially inward from the rim. A supply strip of flexible seal material is directed into proximity to the inserting stations and precisely cut seal pieces from the strip are inserted into the caps.

Abstract: A can or container reformed from an existing open ended can adds additional volume and integral thread portions to form a recloseable can. An existing can is inverted, drawn to increase the volume, an end wall pierced and reformed into an outwardly curled lip, thread portions formed along a perimeter portion of the can body adjacent a first end, and a new end seamed to the original open, second end of the can. A cap with thread lugs cooperates with the thread portions on the external perimeter of the reformed can to originally and subsequently reseal the can once the can has been opened.

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: A method, and apparatus for performing the method, is provided for the purpose of forming and inserting seal pieces into a container cap of a type which comprises an integral cup-like member having a top panel, a skirt depending from the top panel, and a plurality of cap lugs formed in the rim and extending partially inward from the rim. A quantity of such caps is supplied onto a surface, preferably with the caps inverted resting on their top panels. The caps are gathered into a plurality of rows and forwarded to screw conveyor mechanisms for advancing the caps to seal inserting stations located substantially coplanar with said assembly surface. The screw conveyor mechanism includes a table with at least two slots therein and conveyor screws extending beneath and along the slots and carrying caps along the table to a discharge location where the caps are temporarily located.

Abstract: A palletizing mechanism (PP, WB, HB1-1, HB-2) supplies a pallet and a length of wrapping paper for receiving successive rows of bags until a full pallet load is prepared. The palletizing apparatus can be mated to the bagger apparatus, and operated synchronously therewith under the management of a common programmable controller. The palletizer apparatus receives each stick of can ends in a predetermined orientation, and maintains the orientation vis-a-vis all sticks in a pallet load. The sticks are placed sequentially into a row of predetermined number of sticks, then that row is loaded onto the top of a layer of wrapping, the first row being supported on a suitable empty pallet, then the wrap is passed over the last placed row. This operation proceeds with the wrap supply following a to-and-fromotion until the desired number of rows is automatically built up on a pallet.

Abstract: The transfer conveyor system utilizes at least one endless conveyor belt of reinforced flexible rubber-like material with cogs or teeth on its underside and with a series of nests fitted into holes in the belt. Nests for carrying can end shells are attached at their opposite edges to the belt. The belt is supported by and routed around an idler drum, located outside the press frame posts and by a toothed drive drum located within the press frame adjacent the opposite frame posts. Progressive conversion tooling for making shells into completed easy-open can ends is located between the posts above and below upper and lower tooling sets. The drive drum is provided with circumferential teeth for a positive drive to the belt. Attachments of nests to the belt are located on transverse center lines which permit the flat nests to travel around the end turns of the belts.

Abstract: An improved can end bagging system comprises four subassemblies: (1) the end gathering and stick assembly apparatus, (2) the bag feeding, opening, and loading apparatus which places a predetermined number of stacked can ends into an open end bag, (3) the vertical positioner apparatus for moving the bagged sticks into a folding device, and (4) the bag folding, closing and transfer apparatus. The loading mechanism includes a servo controlled pusher which is driven with controlled acceleration and deceleration to avoid tipping of the ends making up a stick, to avoid bursting of the bags during filling, and to assure complete and uniform filling of each bag. Sponginess which results primarily from variations in compression of the rims of the ends pressing against each other in the gathering and counting process is avoided.

Abstract: The transfer conveyor system utilizes at least one endless conveyor belt of reinforced flexible rubber-like material with cogs or teeth on its underside and with a series of nests fitted into holes in the belt. Nests for carrying can end shells are attached at their opposite edges to the belt. The belt is supported by and routed around an idler drum, located outside the press frame posts and by a toothed drive drum located within the press frame adjacent the opposite frame posts. Progressive conversion tooling for making shells into completed easy-open can ends is located between the posts above and below upper and lower tooling sets. The drive drum is provided with circumferential teeth for a positive drive to the belt. Attachments of nests to the belt are located on transverse center lines which permit the flat nests to travel around the end turns of the belts.

Abstract: The transfer nest for an endless conveyor belt of reinforced flexible rubber-like material, optionally with cogs or teeth on its underside, a series of such nests fitted into holes in the belt. The nests are attached to the belt solely at their opposite edges on lines extending transverse to the belt. The belt with attached nests, having end shells trapped therein, is moved stepwise through progressive conversion tooling for making shells into completed can ends. Shells are positively seated into the nests by moving the shells through a discontinuous entrance rim, preferably defined by the upper parts of a circular array of independent flexible stepped (preferably L-shaped) fingers which support the shells which are each trapped in a nest as the nests are transferred through the conversion tooling. Completed ends may be carried around the end of the conveyor upper flight, and the ends can be ejected from the nests.

Abstract: A resealable can end is provided including a neck member and hat member which can be sealed onto and removed from the neck member of the end, and is capable of containing product under pressure if desired. This end can be added, as by a conventional seam, to a metal container body to obtain resealing containment of partial contents retained in the container, and to provide an improved mouth construction (or pour opening) for better pouring and for comfortable direct drinking from the container. Also disclosed are improved methods of and apparatus for making such a resealable hat and-neck type-of container end.

Abstract: A resealable can end is provided including a neck member and hat member which can be sealed onto and removed from the neck member of the end, and is capable of containing product under pressure if desired. This end can be added, as by a conventional seam, to a metal container body to obtain resealing containment of partial contents retained in the container, and to provide an improved mouth construction (or pour opening) for better pouring and for comfortable direct drinking from the container. Also disclosed are improved methods of and apparatus for making such a resealable hat and neck type of container end.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for manufacturing a tab for use with an easy-open can end, which tab is free from any exposed protrusion or cut edge thereon that would otherwise contact a finger or a lip of the user, without an increase in the number of manufacturing steps. A tab, attached to a carrier strip by a joint, is formed in a tab forming process, and the tab is severed from the strip in a joint severing process wherein the joint is cut off close to the tab nose to separate the tab from the strip. The tab with a protrusion which has a cut edge, remaining on the tab nose, is lowered while being held against horizontal movement. The protrusion is brought into engagement with a curling surface of an arm which is supported to swing in a downward passage through which the tab descends. When the tab is lowered in the downward passage, the arm is swung to cause the curling surface to press against the tab and curl the protrusion onto the tab.

Abstract: A control for a press and system for making can ends includes a programmable controller (PLC) which incorporates unique control software interconnecting the PLC and the press mechanisms. The PLC and its software in turn interfaces with a programmable interface device, such as a commercially available Smart Screen interface (SSI) which includes a keyboard and color monitor for operator input/output. The interface includes its own software which interfaces with the PLC software, the keyboard, the monitor, and a programmable CAD package which allows a designer to create and store various interactive and/or passive displays as unique software files related to conditions and operations of the can end making press system coupled to the PLC. A unique set of such programmed displays is disclosed, certain of which are directly interactive with parts and/or transducers fitted to the press and its related tooling.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a relatively flat object from a work station along a transfer path includes an upper tooling within the work station for locating the object in a ready position by causing an upper surface of the object to adhere to the tooling. The object is thus unsupported along its lower surface. A manifold forming at least one orifice is located adjacent to and directed toward the ready position, and is connected to a source of pressurized gas. A valve initiates and discontinues flow of pressurized gas through the orifice. A control system controls the valve to direct a stream of pressurized gas through the orifice as or before an object is located in the ready position, thereby causing the transfer of the object in free flight from the work station.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a relatively flat object from a work station along a transfer path includes an upper tooling within the work station for locating the object in a ready position by causing an upper surface of the object to adhere to the tooling. The object is thus unsupported along its lower surface. A manifold forming an orifice is located adjacent to and directed toward the ready position, and is connected to a source of compressed gas. A valve initiates and discontinues flow of pressurized gas through the orifice. A control system controls the valve to direct a stream of pressurized gas through the orifice when an object is located in the ready position, thereby causing the transfer of the object in free flight from the work station.