Abstract: A method of manufacturing an easy-opened lid from sheet metal is disclosed, wherein an opening is stamped in the lid and the stamped out portion is utilized in manufacturing the lid, thus reducing loss of lid material.

Abstract: A conversion press (20) which is readily reconfigurable to process shells of different sizes includes an endless belt (68) having a single lane of apertures (86) formed therein for transporting shells (S) along a progression of end-forming tooling (60, 62) comprising seven stations (58a-g) along an end path (59) through the press. A tab-forming tooling path (100) extends from a tab stock feeder (104) to a tab-staking station (58f) adjacent the discharge end of the press, the tab-forming path oriented at an oblique angle to the end path. The tab-forming tools (94, 96) are mounted on tab bases (112, 110) which are slidably adjustable on stationary and reciprocating press members (34, 44) along the tab path toward and away from the tab-staking station.

Abstract: Scoreline, profiling and reinforcing features are provided for an easy-access sheet metal end closure (20) and an integral opener (44). An endwall panel (28) is formed so as to substantially eliminate flexing of the sheet metal during rupture of residual metal of scoreline means defining a U-shaped tear strip (30). Such tear strip is oriented with its arcuately-shaped closed end (32) contiguous to the periphery of such endwall panel -with scoreline legs (34, 35) directed toward a portion at its geometric center (26). The opener is fabricated with a chisel-point (92) at its working end (66) to initiate puncture of such arcuate-shaped scoreline by Class I lever action. Rupturing of the scoreline is followed by pivoting of the opener about a pair of fulcrum points, (82, 83) which contact the panel one each external to a, side of opening 62, with movement of the opening about such fulcrum points rupturing the scoreline legs by Class; II lever action.

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 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 a half twist to an inverted condition before entering a tab punching station. The tab punching station punches the formed tabs from the strip of metal stock material into a lane of formed tabs. A conveying moves the lane of formed tabs from the tab punching station to a conversion press wherein the conversion press attaches the lift-tabs to the can end.

Abstract: Scoreline, profiling and reinforcing features are provided for an easy-access sheet metal end closure (20) and an integral opener (44). An endwall panel (28) is formed so as to substantially eliminate flexing of the sheet metal during rupture of residual metal of scoreline means defining a U-shaped tear strip (30). Such tear strip is oriented with its arcuately-shaped closed end (32) contiguous to the periphery of such endwall panel with scoreline legs (34,35) directed toward a portion at its geometric center (26). The opener is fabricated with a chisel-point (92) at its working end (66) to initiate puncture of such arcuate-shaped scoreline by Class I lever action. Rupturing of the scoreline is followed by pivoting of the opener about a pair of fulcrum points (82,83) which contact the panel one each external to a side of opening 62, with movement of the opening about such fulcrum points rupturing the scoreline legs by Class II lever action.

Abstract: A pull tab type opening device is formed upon an insert metal strip mounted atop the can's lid. The opening device is affixed to and covers an opening in the can's lid by inter-locking rim portions on the strip and lid. Accordingly, the lid may be formed of a less expensive metal, such as steel, while the metal strip, occupying a small portion of the lid, is formed of the more expensive aluminum. Since the percentage of the dissimilar metal, aluminum, in a can is very small in comparison to steel, a used can may thereby be processed as a single metal, steel.

Abstract: A system and process for use when forming lift-tab can end assemblies wherein each can end assembly includes a lift tab having a smooth side, an opposite roughened side and a hole extending between the sides and a can end having a protruding shaft integrally formed in one face thereof utilizes a guide system for inverting a strip of metal stock through about 180.degree. as the strip is conveyed between one workstation at which lift tabs are pre-formed therein and another workstation at which the tabs are punched, so as to sever the tabs from, the strip. The punched tabs are thereafter collected in a stacked relationship and directed to a position adjacent still another workstation at which the tabs are attached, by way of the tab holes and the can end shafts, to the can ends. By inverting the strip of metal stock during the assembly-forming process, the tabs are inverted from a smooth-side-down condition to a smooth-side-up condition for attachment to the can end.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a convenience-feature, sheet metal end closure structure (133) for a container body (153) having a non-cylindrical side wall. A new scoring tool (94) configuration enables a peripheral scoreline (102) defining a separable convenience-feature panel (112) to be located contiguous to the closure chuck wall (100) which interfits about its entire periphery with the open end of the side wall of such a container. Separation of such panel leaves substantially no obstruction to removal of solid-pack container. The separable panel (112) is formed with a multiple-layer fold (127) of sheet metal which is nested against the interior periphery of such panel, so as to shield torn residual metal remaining with the panel after severance along such peripheral scoreline.

Abstract: End tooling for forming easy open can ends has cooperatively-engageable upper and lower tooling defining a plurality of stations. Each station has appropriate punches and dies for progressively converting shells indexed by conveyor into easy open can ends. The tooling is adapted to convert ends of multiple diameters. The punch caps and die caps at each station have cylindrical bodies sized to engage and align a turned edge of a shell. The caps also have one or more arcuate grooves in the end face thereof for receiving the turned edge of ends having a diameter smaller than that of the cap.

Abstract: A safe opening container lid having a bead side plate portion and a removable plate portion. The bead side plate portion has a first loop portion formed at the outer side of a tear line defining a removable plate portion, the loop portion being bent upwardly from the portion where the tear line is formed, the return portion of the loop portion that returns toward the tear line being spaced apart from the tear line forming portion, and the return portion being further bent outwardly at a position inward of the tear line. The removable plate portion has a second loop portion formed at the inner side of the tear line, the second loop portion being bent downwardly from the portion where the tear line is formed, the return portion of the second loop portion that returns toward the tear line being spaced apart from the tear line forming portion, and the return portion being further bent inwardly at a position outward of the tear line.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a closing structure (3), openable in a controlled manner of a can, in particular a metallic can (1), the method comprising press forming the sheet blank so as to form a bulging zone, forming from the bulging zone a small curved zone, and producing in the region of the curved zone a cut-away part so as to form an aperture (5) including a peripheral skirt (10c), enlarging a part of the peripheral skirt (10c) and fixing by seaming to the aperture (5) a removable closure member (4) by forming a seamed edge portion (10e) constituted by the peripheral skirt (10c).

Abstract: A pull tab for a metal container. The pull tab has a cover portion of a size at least as large as the container opening for covering said opening after rupturing of said score line.

Abstract: An end panel for an easy open end includes a pull tab fixed to the removable inside portion and a score line having two different defined depths, including a first severing depth passing under the nose of the pull tab and substantially all of the remaining areas except for an area rearward of the pull tab, where the score line extends to a second, shallower temporary retention depth in order to retain the rearward area with the outside portion as the inside portion moves outwardly away from the container during either inadvertent or intentional opening.

Abstract: A convenience-feature full-open end closure structure (27) with a shock-absorbing bead (45) located between a peripheral scoreline (34) which defines the end wall disc (31) to be removed from a recessed end wall panel (49). An arch-shaped back scoreline means with central vent portion (36) and legs (37, 38) is located within the removable disc (31) and co-acts with a longitudinally rigid (non-lanced) opener (30) which is made integral by a rivet (32) formed from sheet metal of disc (31). A multi-layer sheet metal fold (40) shields the raw edge of ruptured residual peripheral scoreline metal which remains with disc (31); and a multi-layer sheet metal fold (42) shields residual raw-edge metal remaining with container (94). The back scoreline central portion (36) is contiguous to and radially inward of rivet (32) and the pair of legs (37, 38) extend with a radially-directed component on opposite sides of the rivet toward the adjacent portion of the peripheral chime seam (92).

Abstract: A punch press has first and second sets of tooling mounted longitudinally of a press conveyor belt. The second set of tooling is located externally of the usual press columns. A second ram slidably mounted on the outside of the columns is driven by a connecting arm eccentrically mounted on a crankshaft extension. The second ram drives the upper tooling of the second tooling set in a reciprocating manner. The second ram can be operated out of phase with the main ram to reduce the total tonnage required of the press.

Abstract: A single action press having a bed 14, a ram 11 movable towards and away from the bed, a first progression of tool pairs 17a,17b arranged along the bed, a conveying mechanism 18 to transfer a component from each tool pair to the next, and a second progression of tool pairs arranged to extend from front to back of the press bed, is provided with a bridge 20 which supports the lower tools of the second progression at a level above the conveying mechanism.

Abstract: A press regulating device for detecting can end tab related defects including a plunger assembly for engaging a can end to be tested; a plunger deflection monitoring device; and a data processing device which receives a signal from the plunger deflection monitoring device and a press timing device and which processes these signals to determine whether or not the tested can end is defective and which sends a control signal to the press to terminate press operation upon detection of a defective can end.

Abstract: A rupturable can member (10) of sheet metal has a pair of scorings (16) which define a tearing strip (18) laterally. Welded onto the tearing strip (18) is a tongue (20) which has a thickened portion (24) at its welded-on end (22). This thickened portion is formed by a margin folded back towards the other free end (26) of the tongue (20).

Abstract: The primary object of the present invention is to provide an easy-open lid having an opening score defining a portion to be opened, an opening tab formed on the portion to be opened and a covering strip of a protecting resin formed to stride over the opening score beyond both the sides of the score, which is excellent in the rusting-preventing property of the score portion and the stain resistance of the covering resin strip, and a process for the preparation of this easy-open lid.In the easy-open lid of the present invention, an organic resin coating is formed on the outer surface of the lid, the covering resin strip is formed of a plastisol of a vinyl chloride resin containing at least one additive selected from the group consisting of anchoring fillers, tackifiers and amino resins, and the covering resin strip is peelably bonded to the organic resin coating.

Abstract: A full-open, disc-removal, end wall structure (25) with improved easy-open lever action and edge-protection features is disclosed along with methods of fabricating and opening. A back-scoreline (38, 52) is ruptured, by Class 2 lever action, upon lifting of a rigid (non-lanced) tap opener (28, 51, 63) as the working end (32) of the tab opener ruptures a portion of peripheral scoreline (33); continued movement of the tab opener in the direction (46) into contact with chime seam (47) provides for continued lever-action rupture of the peripheral scoreline by Class 1 lever action about the chime seam as a fulcrum. Multi-folds of sheet metal provide rounded edge metal (73, 78) shilding for residual scoreline metal; pre-folding of the metal is carried out while leaving access for scoring tooling (86, 88) to enable scoring on a single thickness of sheet metal; and so as to avoid premature damage to the residual scoreline metal upon final orientation.

Abstract: Pull tabs for easy open containers are fabricated so as to avoid the presence of burrs after severing the carrier lugs, by removing each tab from the carrier sheet by severing each lug and a portion of the tab next adjacent the lug extremity, so that the burrs are avoided. Each radius has a dimension along the periphery of the tab which is slightly greater than the width of the severed lug, and with each radius located along a portion of the periphery of the tab which remains uncurled during the fabrication process.

Abstract: A conversion press assembly for forming easy open beverage cans and a transfer belt conveyor therefor. The press assembly comprises a main press having tooling therein for forming the can ends and a can end transfer belt extends therethrough to carry can end blanks from a downstacker or other supply apparatus. Attached to the main press frame is an auxiliary, tab press having its own crankshaft but being driven off the same drive assembly as the main press. Strip stock is fed into the tab press wherein the tabs are formed, and the tabs, still in strip form, are then fed transversely into the main press for attachment to the can ends at a staking station. The transfer belt comprises a plurality of carriers mounted on a flexible belt wherein the carriers include flexible fingers for resiliently gripping the can ends.

Abstract: Disclosed are easy open containers using pull tabs having rivet holes with not less than eight, nor more than ten sides. A point between any two flats of the rivet hole is aligned with the pull tab nose. The disclosed rivet holes provide good locking characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping a metallic pull ring and simultaneously connecting it to a container closure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pre-shaped article former for shearing with a rotary shearing blade a rectangular metal blank from the end portion of a thin metal strip and simultaneously blending it to form an annular pre-shaped article having overlapped opposite ends, a closure feeder as well as a pre-shaped article feeder for continuously positioning a container closure and the pre-shaped article to a rotating support member in such a relation that the free end portion of a tear-off tab of the closure and a part of the pre-shaped article overlap each other and a pull ring shaper and connecter for curling the peripheral edge of the pre-shaped article in the radial direction to form it into a ring and simultaneously rolling the tear-off tab into said ring and connecting them to each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bottle cap provided with a ring-pull is disclosed, in which a band is cut from a metal strip by shears and is simultaneously curled up, by shear bow, to form a cylindrical band with overlapping ends, while a bottle cap portion with a tab is prepared separately from another metal sheet. Then, the cylindrical band is firmly connected to the tab of the cap by rolling the cylindrical band up from one edge, to form a toroid while rolling the tab up into the band.

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 container having an EOE with a tab affixed by welding is provided. In the EOE the top wall is made of surface treated steel sheet and the tab is made of stainless steel sheet or tin free steel sheet and the ultrasonic welding is used to fix the tab to the top wall. Through the invention monometallized containers can be supplied easily and cheaply.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bonded can of the key-opening type comprising a coated metal blank and a seam formed by lap-bonding outer and inner end edge portions of the coated metal blank to each other by a tape of a thermoplastic resin adhesive, wherein the adhesive is a polyamide type or polyester type adhesive, the inner end edge portion forming the seam of the bonded can is completely covered with the adhesive tape, the outer edge portion has a winding-starting tongue piece integrated therewith, a plurality of scores are formed on the outer surface of the coated metal blank from the base of the tongue piece along the entire circumference inclusive of the seam, the scores have a knife angle of 45.degree. to 120.degree. and a depth corresponding to 8 to 45% of the thickness of the metal blank, a coating of an epoxy resin having a thermal softening point of 65.degree. to 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A leakproof joint construction for a pair of members disposed in abutting relation and method and apparatus for making the same are provided, the leakproof joint construction having part of one of the members deformed into an adjacent part of the other of the members so that the parts of the members are disposed completely beyond the plane of the outer surface of the other member while respectively being integrally interconnected to the remainder of the members by tubular portions of the members. The parts are interlocked together by an outward staking of the part of the one member into the tubular portion of the other member by a compaction of the parts, the parts and the tubular portions of the members respectively defining like polygonal configurations.

Abstract: An easy open pull-tab container and related method comprises a generally planar end having a line of weakness defining a tear line so that a portion of the end is partially removable, the tear line lying in the plane of the end. A pull-tab is provided for severing the portion along the tear line, with first and second portions of the end wall on opposite sides of, and spaced from the line of weakness, extending underneath the area adjacent the line of weakness and to form blunt, protective shoulders at the line of weakness. The protective shoulders are formed via first and second concentric grooves in the end, the grooves extending below the level of the end to form inner and outer beads, the inner bead extending substantially below the outer bead. A central bead is formed in the end between the first and second concentric grooves, the central head extending above the level of the end.

Abstract: A plastics member (16) is sealingly secured to a sheet metal member (10) by creating in the sheet metal member (10) an opening which is defined by a free edge (14) of the sheet metal, forming-up a marginal region (12) of the sheet metal member (10) around the location of the opening, receiving the plastics member (16) in the opening, and re-forming the marginal region (12) so as to close the opening onto the plastics member (16) and cause the free edge (14) to bite into and seal around the plastics member (16).

Abstract: An easy-open structure for containers and a method of forming the same are disclosed. The easy-open structure comprises a sheet material container wall panel having a scoreline formed therein outlining a movable wall portion to be moved out of conforming contour with the remainder of the sheet material wall panel, and an elongated tab opener for moving the movable wall portion out of conforming contour with the remainder of the wall panel. The tab opener is welded to the movable wall portion with a high energy density welding process wherein the energy density is at least on the order of 10.sup.6 watts/inch.sup.2. Preferably the welding is accomplished by laser welding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making metallic-convenience closure for a cylindrical container by forming a panel with an endless severing line formed in the panel and defining a central removable portion and a peripheral fixed portion adapted for attaching a closure to the end of a container to close the end and attaching manually graspable pull-tab is attached to the removable portion of the panel, the pull-tab having a nose portion movable upon lifting of the tab into position adjacent the score line for severing the score line. The tab includes a first portion which is attached by a rivet to the removable portion of the panel, a second portion extending radially outwardly toward the score line, and a manual graspable portion integral with the second portion and extending radially inwardly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool for use in a high speed progressive die which includes a spring loaded retaining member and cooperating recess surface to first position and hold the progression carried partially formed piece part prior to a forming operation which severely works the metal tending to warp, distort and lock same within the tool.

Abstract: A substantially full opening steel can end for food product cans easily opened by an aluminum pull tab riveted to a removable panel portion defined by a score line in a recessed end wall of the can end located close to a seam between the can end and can body. The panel portion has a protective triple fold formation along its peripheral edge when removed, and the score line is located in the top layer of the triple fold formation beneath an overlying stepped tip of the pull tab which ruptures the score line during opening of the can. The score line preferably extends 300.degree., 150.degree. in each direction from the stepped pull tab tip, around the can end to retain the opened panel portion and pull tab on the can when opened.

Abstract: An improved tab opener and retained-tab easy-open structure and end closure assembly method are disclosed. The tab opener is fabricated from flat-rolled sheet metal to present a rounded edge periphery. In preparing an end closure for assembly on a can body, the tab opener is secured to the end closure such that the raw edge sheet metal of the rounded periphery is disposed outwardly in relation to the can body. The raw edge metal, scorelines, and other portions of the end closure needing repair can be repaired simultaneously after securing the tab opener to the end closure.

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.