Abstract: A reclosable metal container in the style of a bottle-shaped can has a conventional can body of steel or aluminum to which a metal neck component is seamed. A sleeve of plastics fits over the neck component and a detent inside the sleeve clips it onto the seam. The upper edge of the sleeve is fixed in place by a curl on the upper edge of the neck component. By using a separate neck component and hiding the seam under a sleeve, conventional sizes and material gauges can be used for the can body. Thicker material may be used for the neck component in order to withstand necking forces. Threads for closing the container may be provided either on the sleeve or, in an embodiment where the sleeve is simply used to cover the seam, on a cylindrical part of the neck component itself.

Abstract: An assembly for can manufacture includes a toolpack having coolant dies (3,4,5,6) adjacent and either side of ironing dies (1,2) so that coolant may be circulated around cavities in the coolant dies so as to cool the ironing die inserts (12). Generally, the toolpack is used in conjunction with a ram (20), coolant tube assembly (30) and ram guidance assembly (60) which together ensure that the ram is cooled along its entire length, up to and including the punch nose (21).

Abstract: Metal can blanks comprising a cylindrical side wall expanded by any known method so that the side wall of the resultant can includes a regular pattern (2) of individual pattern elements. In one example the pattern elements are diamond in outline and are formed over a central region of the can side wall by about 2.25% expansion. Further expanded margins (3, 4) are provided above and below this pattern. The pattern elements are arranged in rows and columns so that the pattern comprises at least two rows and at least two columns.

Abstract: A method of making a non-cylindrical shaped metal can that is provided with a stylized, irregular shape includes steps of forming a substantially cylindrical sidewall portion (12) that has a plurality of ribs integrated therein. These ribs provide additional strength to the sidewall portion. The cylindrical sidewall portion may then be shaped into a non-cylindrical, stylized shape. The ribs (26) are preferably positioned at portions of the shaped sidewall portion (12) that are anticipated to need increased strength in order to withstand deformation under pressure. The sidewall (12) is then assembled to at least one can end member (30) to form a completed shaped metal can (28). The ribs may either be arranged longitudinally, circumferentially, or both may be provided to form a grid structure.