Assembling Pull Tab (e.g., Ring) To Tear Tab Patents (Class 413/14)
  • Patent number: 11666962
    Abstract: Equipment and related methods for manufacturing ring pull crowns are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a ring pull crown may include forming a plurality of crown bodies from a first source material, and forming a plurality of pull ring and tab assemblies from a second source material. In addition, such a method may include forming a plurality of ring pull crowns by combining each crown body of the plurality of crown bodies with a corresponding pull ring and tab assembly from the plurality of pull ring and tab assemblies. Also, such method may also include forming a circumferential skirt that descends below a top of each ring pull crown, and removing the plurality of ring pull crowns from the first source material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: WORLD BOTTLING CAP, LLC
    Inventor: Abe Frishman
  • Patent number: 11059091
    Abstract: A can end including a central panel with an expandable bubble disposed thereon is provided. The use of an expandable bubble allows for an expandable rivet button and thereafter an expandable rivet that has an enhanced overlap of a tab body. Such an expandable rivet allows for the use of a metal sheet with a thinner base thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Cornelius Stammen, Mark Mitchell, Christopher Macke
  • Patent number: 10857586
    Abstract: Ring pull crowns require equipment and related methods for manufacturing. A method of manufacturing a ring pull crown includes forming a plurality of crown bodies from a first source material and forming a plurality of pull ring and tab assemblies from a second source material. In addition, such a method may include forming a plurality of ring pull crowns by combining each crown body of the plurality of crown bodies with a corresponding pull ring and tab assembly from the plurality of pull ring and tab assemblies. Also, such method may also include forming a circumferential skirt that descends below a top of each ring pull crown and removing the plurality of ring pull crowns from the first source material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: World Bottling Cap, LLC
    Inventor: Abe Frishman
  • Patent number: 10537933
    Abstract: A container closure includes a generally planar body having a product side and a customer side. The body includes a container opening. The container opening includes a shifted material line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Emmanuel Carstens, Patrick Kevin McCarty, Justin Michael Rigby
  • Patent number: 10421111
    Abstract: A system and method of performing an operation on a continuous sheet of stock material is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method used to perform an operation on a continuous sheet of stock material in a high speed manufacturing system. The continuous sheet of stock material can subsequently be received by a second system that performs a different operation on the continuous sheet of stock material. In one embodiment, the second system forms the continuous sheet of stock material into tabs for container end closures. The system can include an infeed accumulation device and an outfeed accumulation device. The infeed and outfeed accumulation devices enable the system to operate at a variable rate and out of phase with a high speed, coil fed manufacturing system to which the system may be removably integrated. The system can determine if the operation has been performed in at a predetermined location of a portion of the continuous sheet of stock material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: BALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason E. Gorsuch, Kenneth D. Anderson, Alex V. Crisman, Thomas J. Stokes, Bradley Roy Begeman
  • Patent number: 10173254
    Abstract: A molding apparatus that molds a metal pipe with a flange is disclosed. The molding apparatus includes a first mold and a second mold that are paired with each other, a slide that moves at least one of the first mold and the second mold, a drive unit that generates a driving force for moving the slid, a holding section that holds a metal pipe material between the first mold and the second mold, a gas supply section that supplies gas into the metal pipe material held by the holding section, and a control unit that controls the drive unit, the holding section, and the gas supply section. The first mold and the second mold are provided with a first cavity portion that molds a pipe portion of the metal pipe, and a second cavity portion that molds a flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norieda Ueno, Masayuki Ishizuka, Masayuki Saika, Takashi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 9308712
    Abstract: In case of manufacturing tear-off lids (28) out of lid rings (20?) with a tear-off foil (25) sealed on them and with a tear-off tab (29) the tear-off tab is fixed in a folded back position onto the tear-off foil of the lid by an adhesive patch (30). For this, the adhesive patch is applied onto the foil section in such a way that individual adhesive patches are separated out of an adhesive tape with a carrier tape and an adhesive material arranged thereon by a separating means. Such an adhesive patch is arranged on the foil section of each lid in a position where the folded back tear-off tab comes to lie. By this, a fixing of the tear-off tab can be reached in an economical and secure manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Soudronic AG
    Inventors: Andreas Lanz, Oliver Schulthess, Peter Taina
  • Publication number: 20150144636
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a can, and provides an enclosure structure for cans with advantages of simple enclosure, low cost, safe and hygienic assurance and opening easiness, as well as a process for machining such an enclosure structure. The present invention solves technical problems in the prior art that pull-outward tabs are easy to break and hard to open while fold-inward tabs have poor safety and hygienic assurance. The enclosure structure of the present invention comprises a top cover of a can, an opening being provided on the top cover. An annular closed boss is provided on an outer edge of the opening; an enclosure covering plate is provided on the annular closed boss; a plastic film is provided on an upper end surface, corresponding to the enclosure covering plate, of the annular closed boss; and the enclosure covering plate is connected in a sealed manner to an upper port of the annular closed boss via the plastic film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Yuhou Zong, Haiping Zhou
  • Patent number: 9033175
    Abstract: An end closure for food and beverage containers provides controlled opening characteristics to prevent the unintentional missiling of a tear panel. The end closure comprises a score line that defines a portion of the tear panel, and the end closure may comprise one or more anti-missile features that inhibit the propagation of a fracture down a score line, which reduces the likelihood that a tear panel will inadvertently detach from the end closure and injure the user or another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis K. Frank
  • Publication number: 20150069062
    Abstract: A can end includes a severable panel, a peripheral scoreline, an opening mechanism such as a pull tab, a rivet coupling the pull tab to the severable panel, and a rivet base scoreline in the public side of the severable panel. The rivet base scoreline includes an arcuate head portion, first and second arm portions extending from the arcuate head portion, and first and second ends. The base of the rivet has a radius of curvature forming an intersection between the stem of the rivet and the public side of the severable panel. The arcuate head portion of the rivet base scoreline is contiguous with the radius of curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY
    Inventors: GREGORY H. BUTCHER, GREG S. WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20140263334
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container end closure that generally comprises a pour opening and a secondary vent opening which improves venting during emptying of contents from the container. In particular, the present invention relates to an end closure for a container having scores defining a secondary vent opening which may optionally be opened. The secondary vent opening has a significantly larger area then vents of prior art designs and thereby improves pour rate and smoothness of pour. After the pour opening is opened using a pull tab interconnected to the end closure, a consumer may selectively open the secondary vent opening by pulling back on the tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony J. Scott
  • Patent number: 8807374
    Abstract: A metal closure is described, in the form of a foil lid (1) bonded to a metal annular component (such as a container body or separate intermediate ring). The foil lid (1) and annular component are made of dissimilar metals, with the closure adapted to prevent bimetallic corrosion at the interface between the dissimilar metals of the foil lid and the annular component. The closure is adapted such that the lid comprises a peripheral wall which is upstanding from the annular component such that a gap is maintained between the annular component and an exposed metal peripheral edge of the lid. Further aspects of the invention include: i. a method for making such a metal closure; and ii. an apparatus for making such a metal closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas James Caunter, Ian Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20140193223
    Abstract: A method of making a can end, which includes a recessed panel defined by an upwardly extending chuck wall, a peripheral scoreline disposed in a public side of the panel proximate to the base of the chuck wall, a tab fastened to the panel by a rivet, includes the step of employing tooling to form a pressure resistance bead extends around the panel inboard of the peripheral scoretine and outboard of the rivet. The tooling forms a saw tooth panel formation proximate to the pressure resistance bead inboard of the pressure resistance bead. Among other benefits, the pressure resistance bead and saw tooth panel formation created by the tooling and method combine to resist wrinkling or other undesired deformation of the can end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: DENNIS C. STAMMEN
  • Publication number: 20140084003
    Abstract: A system and method for laser marking can end, including a can end center panel and/or pull tab. The decorated can end and/or tabs may have a machine readable image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: CROWN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Ramsey, Laura Jane Vaughan
  • Patent number: 8576414
    Abstract: A bookbinding processing apparatus capable of setting values for each item of post-processing functions on printed sheets and a control method thereof display, on a display unit, an operation screen for inputting setting values for each item of post-processing functions, and an setting value for each item is input using the operation screen. When inputting a setting value for a first item, giving the instruction to display an recommended setting value for the first item and items thereafter causes a display unit to display a list of recommended setting values for the first item input on the operation screen and for the other items, recommended setting values selected on the list are displayed, and setting values for items previously input on that setting screen can be validated and printing is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuka Masuyama
  • Publication number: 20130243549
    Abstract: Methods for producing a can end having a moveable portion disposed beneath a tab are disclosed. In one embodiment, a can end having a center panel may be formed. A moveable portion may be formed in the center panel. The moveable portion may be in a downward position after it is formed. The can end may then be restrained such that a portion of the center panel that is adjacent to the moveable portion is unrestrained. While the can end is restrained, the moveable portion may be moved into an upward position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Crown Packaging Technology, INc.
    Inventors: ALEJANDRO SAUCEDO, WILLIAM A. KIRK, HENRY S. CHORZEMPA, DANNY L. FUNDOM
  • Patent number: 8534485
    Abstract: A lid (2) for a can (1) has a general shape defining a main plane (9) and a depression (10) arranged in the lid. The bottom wall of the depression is tilted relative to the main plane of the lid, and to a method for orientating lids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Impress Group B.V.
    Inventor: Hein Willem Leendert Van Jaarsveld
  • Publication number: 20120125933
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lid (2) for a can (1), the lid having a general shape defining a main plane (9) and a depression (10) arranged in the lid, the bottom wall of the depression is tilted relative to the main plane of the lid, and to a method for orientating lids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: IMPRESS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Hein Willem Leendert Van Jaarsveld
  • Publication number: 20120118891
    Abstract: A can end includes a severable panel, a peripheral scoreline, an opening mechanism such as a pull tab, a rivet coupling the pull tab to the severable panel, and a rivet base scoreline in the public side of the severable panel. The rivet base scoreline includes an arcuate head portion, first and second arm portions extending from the arcuate head portion, and first and second ends. The base of the rivet has a radius of curvature forming an intersection between the stem of the rivet and the public side of the severable panel. The arcuate head portion of the rivet base scoreline is contiguous with the radius of curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Greg S. Williams
  • Patent number: 8146768
    Abstract: A container has a selectively openable panel defined at least in part by a frangible score groove in a surface of the container. The frangible score groove is selectively fracturable by a lifting action administered by a user to a secured to the container. The tab has a nose portion separated from a lift end by a central webbing. The central webbing has a hinge region and a rivet island. The rivet island is at least partially surrounded by a first void region. The central webbing also has a grab portion at the lift end of the tab. The grab portion has an enclosed region defining a billboard surface. The billboard surface has a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side. A bead created by displacing the material of the central webbing is located on the billboard surface. A pigment-carrying layer covers at least a portion of the billboard surface. A tactile indicium is located on the billboard surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Randall G. Forrest, Timothy L. Turner
  • Patent number: 8127588
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a finger-engaging portion in a stay-on-tab of a lid of a container includes a support, a fixture mounted to the support for movement between a first position and a second position in opposition to stay-on-tab of the lid of the container, and an abutment mounted to the fixture for movement between an open position and a closed position in opposition to the fixture and the stay-on tab in the second position of the fixture to bend the stay-on-tab between the fixture and the abutment to form in the stay-on-tab a finger-engaging portion that is upturned relative to the lid of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Harold W. Halpin, Katherine E. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20110084051
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a visible symbol or other indicium on a tab portion of a beverage container. The method comprises the steps of advancing a tab stock material through a series of tab-forming stations. The tab portion is at least partially formed from the tab stock at each of the tab-forming stations. The advancement of the tab stock is dwelled or halted while the tab is formed. The tab stock is accelerated from dwell to resume advancement of the tab stock material between the stations. A selected portion of the tab is irradiated with light energy to form the visible indicium. The apparatus comprises a plurality of tab-forming stations, each tab-forming station at least partially forming the tab from a tab stock. A conveyor or track mechanism is configured to advance the tab stock from one tab-forming station to another. An etching apparatus is associated with the conveyor and tab-forming stations to selectively etch the symbol on the tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Jim Reed, John Urbanowicz, Chris Neiner, Tim DiMenna, Keith Oravetz, Gary Stowers, Louis Lackey
  • Patent number: 7909196
    Abstract: A can end for a container has a curl defining an outer perimeter of the can end. A chuckwall extends downwardly from the curl. A means for increasing the strength of the can end is integral with the chuckwall, and a center panel is integral with the means for increasing the strength of the can end. The center panel has a product side, a public side, a rivet, and a displaceable tear panel. A non-detachable tab is staked to the central panel wall by the rivet. First and second void regions of the tab are separated by a narrow strip of the central webbing. A portion of the narrow strip extends downwardly and approaches the public side of the central panel wherein a height of the lift end of the tab above the public side of the central panel is maintained at a predetermined height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy Turner, Randall G. Forrest
  • Publication number: 20100183406
    Abstract: During the manufacturing of tear-open lids out of lid rings with a tear-open foil sealed on it, the tear-open foil having a tear-open tab, the tear-open tab is fixed by means of an adhesive surface which is applied onto the tape before stamping out the tear-open foil out of a band of this material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Soudronic AG
    Inventors: Peter Gysi, Marcel Oberholzer
  • Publication number: 20100166528
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a flexible tab used to open beer/beverage can ends and food can ends. The tab has a plurality of slots provided in about a middle part of the tab between a nose portion and a lift portion on opposing sides of the tab. The slots combine to form a fulcrum that extends generally transverse to an axis that passes along a length of the tab. The fulcrum allows the lift portion to pivot upwards and downwards in relation to the nose portion. The tab also has a paneled or beaded area adjacent to the slots at about the middle part of the tab. Tooling for the manufacture of the flexible tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the flexible tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Carl McEldowney, Craig McEldowney
  • Publication number: 20100124475
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a tab used to open food can ends and beer/beverage can ends. The tab has a nose portion located at a front end of the tab and a lift portion located at a back end of the tab. The tab also has a rivet receiving portion located proximate to the nose portion with a rivet hole. The rivet receiving portion is coupled to the nose portion. The rivet hole has a non-round perimeter with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion. The first diameter portion has a plurality of first arcuate segments and the second diameter portion has a plurality of notches. The second diameter portion is greater in length than the first diameter portion. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7677404
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a tab used to open food can ends and beer/beverage can ends. The tab has a nose portion located at a front end of the tab and a lift portion located at a back end of the tab. The tab also has a rivet receiving portion located proximate to the nose portion with a rivet hole. The rivet receiving portion is coupled to the nose portion. The rivet hole has a non-round perimeter with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion. The first diameter portion has a plurality of first arcuate segments and the second diameter portion has a plurality of notches. The second diameter portion is greater in length than the first diameter portion. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20100059517
    Abstract: A gas pressure-resistant metal pop-top cover comprised of two parts, a lid (1) and a pull-ring, the pull-ring being riveted to the lid (1), there being a concave countersink that begins at the circumferential edge of the lid (1) and extends toward its center, and at the center of the concave countersink there being a round convex platform (2), wherein the angle of inclination A of the countersink is 15-60°, and the arc-shaped segments B1 and B2 of the bottom part of the convex platform and the corner portion of the rise segment C rotate around the center of the lid (1) and are subjected to cold hardening treatment through forging and pressing. Through a new design, the conflict between material-saving and maintaining pressure resistance in a pop-top cover has been solved, with the result that greater resistance to high pressure is provided as the notch diameter and thickness of materials in the pop-top cover are decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: SUZHOU SLAC PRECISION EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Shu An
  • Publication number: 20100028104
    Abstract: An improved convenience closure that is adapted for sealing an end of a can includes an end panel having a peripheral score, a rivet formation, a mustache score and a flex line score defined therein. The mustache score may include a central portion that is positioned radially inwardly on the end panel relative to the rivet formation. The central portion is preferably curved, with a concave side of the curvature facing the rivet formation. The mustache score also may include first and second preferably symmetrical end portions, each of which is continuous with the central portion. Most of the total length of each of the end portions may be curved away from a nearest portion of the peripheral score, with a convex side of curvature facing the nearest portion of the peripheral score. Tooling for making the convenience closure and a method of making such a convenience disclosure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: CROWN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Paul R. Heinicke
  • Patent number: 7344347
    Abstract: A system for forming and attaching lift-tabs to can ends to form easy opening lift-tab can ends comprises a first frame, a second frame and a tab press for forming a lift-tab. The system also includes a drive roller adapted to move the strip of metal stock material through the tab press. The system further includes a conversion press for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end, a conveyor, a power source, and a crank shaft operatively connected to the power source. The crank shaft is adapted to transmit power for operating either or both of the tab press and the conversion press. The first frame and the second frame are connected by a bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Donald Artrip
  • Patent number: 7237998
    Abstract: A system for forming and attaching lift-tabs to can ends to form easy opening lift-tab can ends comprises a frame and a tab press for forming a lift-tab. The system also includes a drive roller adapted to move the strip of metal stock material through the tab press. The system further includes a conversion press for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end. The system also includes a conveyor, a power source, and a crank shaft operatively connected to the power source. The crank shaft is adapted to transmit power for operating either or both of the tab press and the conversion press. The tab press is adapted to operate independent of the conversion press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Donald Artrip
  • Patent number: 7237999
    Abstract: A system for forming and attaching lift-tabs to can ends to form easy opening lift-tab can ends comprises a first frame, a second frame and a tab press for forming a lift-tab. The system also includes a drive roller adapted to move the strip of metal stock material through the tab press. The system further includes a conversion press for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end, a conveyor, a power source, and a crank shaft operatively connected to the power source. The crank shaft is adapted to transmit power for operating either or both of the tab press and the conversion press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Donald Artrip
  • Patent number: 7234907
    Abstract: A system for forming and attaching lift-tabs to can ends to form easy opening lift-tab can ends comprises a frame and a tab press for forming a lift-tab. The system also includes a drive roller adapted to move the strip of metal stock material through the tab press. The system further includes a conversion press for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end, a conveyor, a power source including a tab press power source, and a crank shaft operatively connected to the tab press power source. The crank shaft is adapted to transmit power for operating either or both of the tab press and the conversion press. The tab press crank shaft and the conversion press crank shaft are connected to each other by a drive belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Donald Artrip
  • Patent number: 7150597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a design tab end using a pilot hole of a tab coil. The method includes punching a pilot hole on a tab coil in the same pitch as that of tab forming pitch of a conversion press prior to design printing, washing and drying the tab coil, inputting the tab coil into a printer according to the pitch of the pilot hole, detecting the pilot hole of the tab coil inputted into the printer, printing the design on the tab coil using a print roll which is controlled by the color controller, pulling and winding the design-printed tab coil according to the pitch of the pilot hole, loading the design tab coil on an uncoiler of a conversion press, tab forming the design tab and attaching the design tab onto a shell supplied into the conversion press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: 3C Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Do Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7063492
    Abstract: A system for forming and attaching lift-tabs to can ends to form easy opening lift-tab can ends comprises a frame and a means for forming a lift-tab. The means for forming a lift-tab is mounted on the frame and adapted to form at least one lane of lift-tabs in a strip of metal stock material. The system also includes a drive roller supported on the frame and adapted to move the strip of metal stock material through the means for forming a lift-tab. The system further includes a means for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end. The means for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end is mounted on the frame and adapted to attach a lift-tab onto a can end to form an easy opening lift-tab can end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Donald Jason Artrip
  • Patent number: 6817819
    Abstract: The disclosed invention describes a container end that can be easily opened and does not rely on a conventional metal tab, riveted onto the end, thereby avoiding the problems and the cost associated with such a tab. The invention utilizes a traditional container end shell with a separate and distinct piece that is formed independently and is inserted into a countersink which is placed on the outer surface of the container end shell. The removal of this separate piece exerts a force or causes a change in the properties of the container wall in the countersink area, initiating and proliferating a discontinuity in the container wall, thereby creating an opening in the container. This change in the properties of the container wall can be mechanical, chemical, thermal or any other modality, which has the ability to influence the integrity of the container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Omnitech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Olson, Harold Cook, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6808351
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing opening tabs for containers comprises providing sheet material, from which tabs are to be formed, with locating apertures. The sheet material is located within a printing machine and printed information is applied to the sheet material at predetermined locations. The pre-printed sheet material is then located on a forming machine and opening tabs are formed in the location of the pre-printed information and applied to can opening ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Bernard Brown, Steve Thompson
  • Patent number: 6802683
    Abstract: Ends for cans are made in a single press, eliminating the need for separate shell and conversion presses, balancers, track work, and other equipment, as compared to existing can end manufacturing systems, while reducing floor space and capital investment requirements for installation of a new can end line. A sheet of end material or stock is introduced into the press and fed to a series of work stations. The sheet is maintained in a substantially continuous and void free state as the work stations perform forming operations on the sheet of material to form one or more ends therein. After the forming operation is complete, the end is ejected from the press. The maintenance of the sheet of material in a substantially continuous and void free state permits precise movement of the sheet through the press, and registration of the sheet relative to the tooling in the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Co.
    Inventors: Timothy L. Turner, Randall G. Forrest, Carlton Young
  • Publication number: 20040099665
    Abstract: An easy-opening can end and tools for making the same in which the can end is intended for cans of food products or other non-pourable products in which the can end has an improved pull tab attached to a relatively large removable panel portion and in which the tab has a bending fulcrum behind the rivet to facilitate severance of the score around the removable panel. The tab has a C-shaped slot in it around the side of the rivet toward the center of the can end to permit limited bending of the tab along the fulcrum line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Carl F. McEldowney, Mark R. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6688832
    Abstract: A method of making an easy-open end for a container includes steps of forming first and second grooves in a panel of a can end blank, the grooves extending below the level of the panel to form inner and outer beads and forming a central bead in the panel between the first and second grooves so that the central bead extends above the panel. A score is then formed along the central bead by simultaneously forming the score and compressing the central bead, so that the depth of the score and the thickness of the central bead are both positively controlled. The inner and outer beads are then forced toward each other and then toward the panel, and the central bead is forced toward the panel. A pull-tab is then fixed to the end. This process permits the score residual to be controlled to a greater tolerance than the conventional processes, and is also more material efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Edgar Zysset
  • Patent number: 6685417
    Abstract: An easy open safety end having a central portion and a rim portion separated by a score line. A tab applies a force to the end adjacent the score line so as to shear the score line at opening. A circumferentially extending fold is formed in either the central portion or the rim portion, or both, to protect the user from being cut by the sharp edge the results upon shearing the score line. A first circumferential portion of the fold is tight, whereas a second portion, which is preferably proximate the tab is loose. The fold is displaced below a portion of the end adjacent the score line by a circumferentially extending gap. In the tight portion of the fold, the width of the gap is less than the thickness of the end, and preferably less than one half the thickness, whereas in the loose portion of the fold, the width of the gap is greater than the thickness of the end, and is preferably at least twice the thickness of the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 6682286
    Abstract: A system and process is disclosed for use in forming lift-tab can ends. A press is employed to form lift tabs in a strip of stock material. The strip of material with the lift tabs formed therein is passed through a conversion press where the tabs are removed from the strip and attached to a can end. The tab press which forms the lift tabs in the stock material is capable of receiving strips of stock material having varying widths. If the strip of the stock material is of such width that more than one lane of tabs is formed in the material, then tooling may be provided, either in the press or as a separate device, such that the strip of stock material having tabs formed therein may be separated in such a manner that a plurality of strips may be formed, each having a lane of lift tabs therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Donald Jason Artrip
  • Publication number: 20030053890
    Abstract: Ends for cans are made in a single press, eliminating the need for separate shell and conversion presses, balancers, track work, and other equipment, as compared to existing can end manufacturing systems, while reducing floor space and capital investment requirements for installation of a new can end line. A sheet of end material or stock is introduced into the press and fed to a series of work stations. The sheet is maintained in a substantially continuous and void free state as the work stations perform forming operations on the sheet of material to form one or more ends therein. After the forming operation is complete, the end is ejected from the press. The maintenance of the sheet of material in a substantially continuous and void free state permits precise movement of the sheet through the press, and registration of the sheet relative to the tooling in the press.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy L. Turner, Randall G. Forrest, Carlton Young
  • Patent number: 6533518
    Abstract: Ends for cans are made in a single press, eliminating the need for separate shell and conversion presses, balancers, track work, and other equipment, as compared to existing can end manufacturing systems, while reducing floor space and capital investment requirements for installation of a new can end line. A sheet of end material or stock is introduced into the press and fed to a series of work stations. The sheet is maintained in a substantially continuous and void free state as the work stations perform forming operations on the sheet of material to form one or more ends therein. After the forming operation is complete, the end is ejected from the press. The maintenance of the sheet of material in a substantially continuous and void free state permits precise movement of the sheet through the press, and registration of the sheet relative to the tooling in the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy L. Turner, Randall G. Forrest, Carlton Young
  • Patent number: 6524048
    Abstract: A can lid of the fully-open type has a disk-shaped panel, a score notched endlessly in a surface of the panel along an outer circumferential edge of the panel, for forming an opening in the panel, and a tab fixed to the panel by a rivet. The tab is attached in a direction substantially perpendicular to an initial tear-off line of the score. The surface of the panel which is concealed from view by the tab is printed with a circular mark representing a rolling direction in which the material of the panel has been rolled. The score is defined such that the rolling direction extends substantially at a right angle to the initial tear-off line of the score. The panel has an auxiliary score defined in the surface thereof near the rivet and positioned across the rivet from the initial tear-off line substantially parallel to the initial tear-off line and separate therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Showa Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Tsukada, Masashi Takamatsu, Takeshi Sugimura, Akihiro Hamada
  • Patent number: 6428261
    Abstract: A method of making a safety easy-open end for a container includes forming a safety fold that includes an intermediate panel that overlies an end panel of a can end blank and is connected to the end panel by a first bead, a top panel that overlies the intermediate panel and that is connected to the intermediate panel by a second, safety bead, and a transition region connecting the top panel to the double-seam area of the end. Advantageously, the top panel and the intermediate panel are both angled radially outwardly and upwardly with respect to the end panel, which increases the resistance of the safety easy-open end against pressure-induced failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Edgar H. Zysset
  • Patent number: 6386814
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cover mountable to a beverage container and mounting method and apparatus thereof. The container cover detachably mountable to an upper surface of a beverage container comprises a body which is formed to have substantially a disc-shaped configuration. The body is partly cut away from an edge toward a center thereof thereby to define a beverage discharging opening which has a predetermined width and a predetermined contour. The beverage discharging opening is capable of being selectively communicated with a discharging hole of the beverage container as the body is rotated. An inner end of the beverage discharging opening is delimited by a rotation guiding part which has a predetermined curvature to guide rotation of the body. The body has a straw insertion hole which is defined therein at a predetermined location to have a predetermined diameter in a manner such that a straw can be inserted therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Kangsan Technologies, LTD
    Inventor: Jong Hoon Song
  • Patent number: 6341709
    Abstract: A full aperture easy open end having a central panel, a circumferential score and a tab riveted to the central panel so that its nose is positioned above the score. When the end is first opened, the score is broken along an arc having a specific chord length. The end is of metal having a grain which is aligned to a tangent at one end of the chord. In a preferred embodiment, this “grain tangent” is also at minimum score residual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Alastair Wilson
  • Patent number: 6022179
    Abstract: A press assembly for forming and attaching lift-tabs to can ends to form lift-tab can ends. A tab press is mounted on a frame for forming at least one lane of lift-tabs in a strip of metal stock material wherein the strip of metal stock material with the formed lift-tabs loosely attached thereto exits the tab press and is passed through either a half-twist or a half-loop to an inverted condition thereby inverting the tabs within the strip. The strip of metal stock material is further conveyed into a conversion press wherein the lift-tabs are detached from the strip and attached to the can ends. Another method of inverting and thereafter transporting the lift-tabs into the conversion press is to pass a non-inverted strip of metal stock material containing the lift-tabs into a tab punching station where the lane of lift-tabs is punched from the strip of metal stock material into a stacked lane of formed lift-tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Donald Artrip
  • Patent number: 5918499
    Abstract: A process of forming a rivet from a sheet of metal, typically double reduced steel, by producing a blister surrounded by an annular configuration in a first operation or first stage. A second operation or second stage forms the blister into a boss by flattening the annular corrugation between a die and a support so as to push metal back toward the center of the blister. Finally, the boss is converted into an upstanding hollow rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: CarnaudMetalbox (Holdings) Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Langlasse, Jean Mevel, Jean-Francois Devaud