Abstract: A conveyor belt and drive structure are disclosed for use with a conversion press in which an upper level of an endless conveyor belt is positioned between upper and lower tooling in the press. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of transversely and longitudinally spaced shell-receiving carrier apertures. The shell-receiving apertures are arranged in longitudinally oriented offset lanes lengthwise of the belt for receiving and conveying shells between the tooling of the press. The conveyor belt is driven in stepped fashion by a drive drum having a plurality of circumferentially spaced outwardly extending pins and the conveyor belt is provided with pin receiving holes for engagement by the drive pins. The pin receiving holes are arranged in lanes parallel to the lanes of carrier apertures, either outside of or between those lanes, and the drive holes are spaced from each other a distance at least twice the longitudinal spacing between adjacent carrier apertures.

Abstract: A control assembly for use in controlling the operation of a can end press of the type having a plurality of operating stations for performing different work operations on a can end passing through the press, each operating station including a fixed station portion and a reciprocally movable station portion which engages a can end mounted on the fixed station portion, comprising: strain gauge operatively associated with at least one of the operating stations for detecting the strain experienced in a portion of the station during press operation and for providing a strain gauge signal indicative thereof; data processing assembly for receiving and processing the signal of the strain gauge for detecting a signal condition conforming to predetermined criteria associated with an abnormal operating state of the press and for providing a control signal responsive to the detected abnormal operating state.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a reinforced pressure resistant can end shell from sheet material comprises a cutting ring (11), a cutting punch shell (13) enterable into the ring (11) to blank out a disc of material therebetween, an annular draw ring (14) axially aligned with the cutting punch shell (13) to support a peripheral margin of the disc held against it by the cutting punch shell, a die center ring (15) arranged coaxially and slidably within the draw ring (14) and having an end face profiled to define a surface of a seaming panel of the can end shell, an ejector pressure ring (19) arranged coaxially and slidably within the punch shell and axially aligned with the die center ring so that when in use peripheral material of the blank is restrained between the die center ring and the ejector pressure ring, a draw punch center (16) arranged coaxially and slidably within the ejector pressure ring and reform pad (20) arranged coaxially and slidably within the die center ring to engage the central panel of the blank

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making and transferring shells for cans within a ram press. The shells are formed in a two-step operation in which shell preforms are formed at a first station within the press and then transferred to second station where they are formed into completed shells. The first station includes first and second rows of tooling sets with the tooling sets of the first row being located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the second row. Similarly, the second station includes third and fourth rows of tooling sets in which the tooling set of the third row are located in alternating transverse positions relative to the tooling sets of the fourth row, and the tooling sets of the third and fourth rows are located for receiving the shell preforms from the tooling sets of the second and first rows, respectively.

Abstract: An end shell for a container, as well as a method and an apparatus for making the same, is provided, comprising a central wall and an annular groove around and below the general plane of the central wall. The annular groove is defined inwardly by a panel wall integrally connected to the central wall and outwardly by a chuckwall which extends upwardly beyond the general plane of the central wall and outwardly therefrom to form an outwardly projecting peripheral flange. The panel wall is disposed at an angle of less than ninety degrees from the general plane of the central wall.

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 press for converting work pieces into finished parts has an elongated bolster mounted on a press bed. The bolster supports columns on which a ram is slidable. The bolster also supports the lower die shoe of the press tooling. A conveyor or transfer system mounted on the bolster carries work pieces into and out of the area of the tooling. The bolster is a unitary piece which integrates support of the die shoe, columns and conveyor to assure proper cooperation and alignment among them. A pivotable carrier mounts a feed mechanism for feeding a stock strip into the tooling. Power to the feed mechanism is supplied through a shaft which is coaxial with the hinge line of the carrier, so that the carrier can be swung away from the tooling for service access without requiring disconnection of the power supply. A traveling vacuum box on the lower die shoe supports the conveyor for vertical as well as longitudinal motion, and retains the work pieces on the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for reforming an end shell includes a stationary tooling assembly having a reform punch for engaging an interior surface of the central wall portion of the end shell. A reciprocating tooling assembly includes spring-loaded pressure pad complimentary to the reform punch for engagin the exterior surface of the central wall portion. A reform ring, mounted circumferentially about the pressure pad, includes an annular nose for fully engaging and supporting the exterior surface of the frustoconical wall portion of the end shell. At the bottom of the reforming stroke, the central wall portion is simultaneously supported by the reform punch and the pressure pad.

Abstract: A method of forming a container end piece from a sheet of material includes the steps of forming an inverted cup by wiping a peripheral edge of the material over a die core ring, inverting the cup by advancing a punch core into the material, thereby forming a flanged area, a central bottom area and a chuckwall interconnected thereto by a radiused portion. The radiused portion is initially formed by an annular nose on the punch core larger than the final radius. The punch core is then retracted and exerts force on the flanged area to shorten the chuckwall and reduce the radius by forcing the material in the chuckwall and radiused areas into the space between a die core and die core ring. A modified method includes supporting and aligning the radiused area with a contoured knockout sleeve between the die core and die core ring.

Abstract: A buckle resistant end for containers which is formed with an inwardly bowed countersink wall, a countersink groove defined by two unequal radii and a central panel wall stretched taut by accentuated doming.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention provides a coat of lacquer or varnish on a tear-off cover, which is formed from a thin ferromagnetic metal, has a circumferential supporting lip and is equipped with a tear-off opening made by scoring and/or punching in or out the cover surface. To provide the coat of lacquer or varnish the cover is moved through an electric coating tank, a washing tank and drying zone with the plane of the cover oriented substantially vertically while being supported exclusively on the surface of the inner wall of the supporting lip. The entire surface of the cover is completely covered by the lacquer or varnish coating except for a small portion on the inner wall of the supporting lip which is positioned inside the closed container in a folded seam and/or covered by a sealing material.

Abstract: A method of forming a container end piece includes blanking a work piece from a sheet of material and forming an inverted cup therefrom by wiping the peripheral edge of the blank over a die core ring. The inverted cup is then reversed by advancing a punch core and a punch core ring simultaneously to form a cup having a flange area, a central body area and a chuckwall area interconnecting the flange and the bottom. The punch core ring is then advanced ahead of the punch core to shorten the chuckwall area and reduce the radius between the chuckwall and the central bottom portion. The method also includes engaging the flange area of the reversed cup by a pressure sleeve which moves downwardly with the punch core ring during the final forming of the chuckwall.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel shell such as used in the manufacture of can ends, and to a method and tools for making such a shell. A non-circular blank having rounded corners is cut from thin metal. The blank is oblong in a direction transverse to the grain of the metal. A first set of tools separates the blanks and forms a substantially flat central panel and an upward-extending chuck wall about the edge of the panel to produce a partially formed shell. The junction area between said panel and said chuck wall has a relatively large radius of curvature at this time. A second set of tools forms in the blank a lip extending outward from the upper end of the chuck wall and generally parallel to said panel; then the panel and the chuck wall are separately gripped, followed by relative movement between the panel and the chuck wall while wrapping the junction area around a forming punch to form a panel wall in said junction area extending upward from the inner part of said chuck wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for deforming an existing external curl on a tubular side wall of a container to form a crushed curl through the use of a first die having an annular groove of generally semi-circular cross section which engages a peripheral inside and outside portion of the curl to prevent lateral spreading thereof, a second die includes a convex generally V-shaped annular surface which enters into the annular groove of the first die, an imaginary line diametrically intersecting the V-shaped convex surface is also generally coincident with an imaginary line diametrically intersecting the annular groove, and upon relative movement of the die such that the convex surface enters into the annular groove, a portion of the curl is crushed into a generally V-shaped configuration.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel shell such as used in the manufacture of can ends, and to a method and tools for making such a shell. A non-circular blank having rounded corners is cut from thin metal. The blank is oblong in a direction transverse to the grain of the metal. A first set of tools separates the blanks and forms a substantially flat central panel and an upward-extending chuck wall about the edge of the panel to produce a partially formed shell. The junction area between said panel and said chuck wall has a relatively large radius of curvature at this time. A second set of tools forms in the blank a lip extending outward from the upper end of the chuck wall and generally parallel to said panel; then the panel and the chuck wall are separately gripped, followed by relative movement between the panel and the chuck wall while wrapping the junction area around a forming punch to form a panel wall in said junction area extending upward from the inner part of said chuck wall.

Abstract: A die for forming flanged can ends is provided according to the invention. The die includes an upper punch section including a hard ring having inner and outer rounded lower corners and a punch cut edge having an upwardly extending curvilinear female profile in the lower inner portion thereof which forms an annular gap between the punch cut edge and the hard ring.A die section is disposed beneath the punch section comprising an inner die, a first upwardly biased draw ring mounted outwardly of the die and in inner contacting relationship with the punch cut edge. A second draw ring is mounted adjacent the inner die and in contacting relationship with the hard ring and a fixed wipe-up ring is located between the first and second draw rings. The upper portion of the wipe-up ring has a male profile matable with the female profile of the punch cut edge in the annular gap and has a downwardly curved inner portion which is matably engagable with the outer corner of said hard ring.

Abstract: A conversion die for completing can ends having a double can end sensor which senses the presence of a double can and generates a control signal in response thereto which terminates operation of the conversion die.

Abstract: A headpiece assembly for forming a rolled flange on the border of a collar associated with an annular lid. A sleevelike headpiece is axially slidably supported on a shaft and projects downwardly so as to surround and cooperate with a plurality of clamping levers. The clamping levers at the lower free ends have a clamping part which moves into a radially inward position wherein the clamping part is axially aligned below an annular flange-forming recess, the latter being formed on a pressure plate which is mounted on the lower end of the shaft for limited axial movement therebetween. The pressure plate and the lower free ends of the levers are disposed axially downwardly from the sleevelike headpiece. Downward movement of the headpiece cams the clamping levers radially inwardly to a position below the pressure plate, and causes the headpiece to engage the pressure plate and move it downwardly so as to effect formation of a rounded flange on the metal collar.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming or reforming the shell of a two-piece container includes forming a cup shaped member in an upside down condition, reverse drawing the shell to form an over length chuckwall loosely holding the shell while pulling the excess material from the chuckwall into the bottom panel of the shell. The apparatus comprises tooling incorporated into a double acting press and including a punch core carried by the inner ram and an opposed die core carried by the bottom platen, a first pressure member carried by the outer ram and a die core ring fluidly supported on the bottom platen opposed to the pressure member and a punch shell carried on the inner ram. A second fluid pressure sleeve means is carried on the bottom platen in opposed relationship to the punch shell and a knockout piston is also carried by the lower platen opposed to the punch core and encircling the die core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming end panels of uniform thickness for use with two-piece containers. The method includes the steps of engaging the stock under fluid pressure and blanking it; wiping the periphery of the stock against the blanking die to form a lip extending in a direction substantially normal to the planar surface of the blank. While still maintaining pressure on the blank, further steps involve drawing the blank to form an edge area that extends above the top planar surface of the blank and has a cross-sectional configuration resembling an inverted letter J, and finally completing forming of the end panel by reverse drawing the central body portion of the blank in an upward direction to set a chuckwall between the central body portion and the edge area. The apparatus includes tooling for a double action shell press which is capable of engaging and holding down the work piece under fluid pressure while performing the blanking and drawing operations.

Abstract: The invention herein relates to a method of and apparatus forming a reinforced pressure resistant can end by gripping a central panel of a metallic blank between an axially aligned reform pad and an indent ring, the reform pad being in internal concentric relationship to a draw punch and the indent ring being in internal concentric relationship to a lift ring, the draw punch being movable in a first direction to exert first forces against a peripheral edge portion of the blank in a first direction to form the peripheral edge portion out of the plane of the central panel and shape the blank into a generally flanged cup-shaped configuration defined by the central panel, a radius, a frusto-conical wall and an annular flange, and while the central panel is still gripped, second forces are exerted beyond the first forces and in a second direction opposite the first direction to form at least a part of the metal of the radius, in the absence of restraint or constraint, out of the plane of the central panel and to a

Abstract: The disclosure relates to method and tools for making shells used in the manufacture of can ends. A first set of tools makes blank pre-forms having a substantially flat central panel and an upward-extending chuckwall about the edge of the panel. The junction area between the panel and the chuckwall has a relatively large radius of curvature at this time. A second set of tools forms on the blanks a lip extending outward from the upper end of the chuckwall and generally parallel to said panel; then the panel and the chuckwall are separately gripped, followed by relative movement between the panel and the chuckwall while wrapping the junction area around a forming punch to form a panel wall in the junction area extending upward from the inner part of the chuckwall. Then the lip is formed into a curl edge section which ends in an inner curl diameter that is round and concentric with the chuckwall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming end panels or shells for two-piece cans includes incorporation of the tooling necessary to form the panel within a double acting press. The tooling includes a fluid actuated hold down sleeve, carried by the outer slide of the press, which is capable of being moved into holding engagement with the metal from which the panel is formed. The inner slide of the press carries a punch which is movable into forming engagement with the metal and the outer slide carries tooling which is capable of blanking the metal against a cut edge carried by the fixed lower platen of the press. The chuck wall of the end panel is then preliminarily formed by the action of the punch drawing the blank around the fixed radius of a die core member fixedly carried by the bottom press platen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming end panels or shells for two-piece cans includes incorporation of the tooling necessary to form the panel within a double acting press. The tooling includes a fluid actuated hold down sleeve, carried by the outer slide of the press, which is capable of being moved into holding engagement with the metal from which the panel is formed. The inner slide of the press carries a punch which is movable into forming engagement with the metal and the outer slide carries tooling which is capable of blanking the metal against a cut edge carried by the fixed lower platen of the press. The chuck wall of the end panel is then preliminarily formed by the action of the punch drawing the blank around the fixed radius of a die core member fixedly carried by the bottom press platen.

Abstract: A double action mechanical press, especially for performing a blanking operation and a forming operation on each cycle thereof, having a first slide and a second slide, wherein the slides have separate strokes. The slides are reciprocated by means of a crankshaft and connecting rod assembly comprising a single crankshaft and a plurality of connecting rods wherein the throws of the crankshaft can be differently dimensioned and angularly offset relative to each other so as to provide different stroke lengths for the slides and to cause one slide to lead the other. A guide bushing assembly is connected to one of the press slides, and a blanking punch is received in the guide bushing for reciprocating movement relative to the bushing along the same direction of reciprocating movement as the slides. A preloaded antifriction bearing is positioned between the punch and bushing assembly, and serves to maintain the proper clearance between the punch and the corresponding cutting edge on the lower die half.

Abstract: This relates to the forming of a flared neck terminating in an outwardly turned curl on a metal can end. The metal can end is formed with a terminal tubular portion which is cylindrical. Suitable punch and die tooling is provided for backing up the partially formed can end surrounding the tubular portion and forcing the same into cooperating relation with the curl insert, simultaneously to flare the tubular portion and to form on the end of the tubular portion an out-turned curl. The relationship of the tooling is such that the extent of the flared neck thus formed is accurately controlled. This abstract forms no part of the specification of this application and is not to be construed as limiting the claims of the application.

Abstract: An apparatus for threading a closure which includes a vertically movable nest for receiving a closure shell and a vertically movable threading tool which includes a cylindrical threading member having threads on the outside thereof which is receivable within the shell and is movable in an orbital path to produce threads on an inside curl that has been previously formed on the closure shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for threading a closure having cylindrical walls which includes securing the closure in a stationary nest, inserting a threading tool having indentions on the outside thereof into the interior of the closure, moving the closure into a ring having projecting threads on the inside thereof around the outside walls of said closure, moving the threading tool into contact with the interior portion of the closure upon which threads are to be formed, and moving the threading tool around the interior portion of the stationary closure in an orbital path to form threads in the closure without rotating the threading tool about the threading tool axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method whereby a preformed metal lid which is intended for a tin, e.g. a paint tin, and of which at least one peripheral portion is axially deepened, is formed with a radially outwardly inverted peripheral edge with respect to the lid axis. The object of this invention is to provide a method in which the outwardly inverted peripheral edge can be formed with very close dimensional tolerances. To this end the invention provides a method of the type referred to hereinbefore, which is characterized in that the lid is held in tightly fitting relationship in all directions in a multipart die at least by its deepened peripheral portion, except in the zone where the inverted peripheral edge is to be formed and at least at the inside of the base of said peripheral portion, and said base is pressed by art of the die acting as a punch against the part of the die situated opposite the inside of the base.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for making ends for metal or composite can bodies, which ends are first partially formed in a press to a cup-shaped configuration including a peripheral skirt and are then fed to a curling machine in which the skirt is contoured to facilitate application of the end to a can body. The press has a vertically reciprocable slide or slides which, together with an opposed portion of the press frame, support pairs of cooperable dies for blanking and partially forming can ends from sheet material fed horizontally into the press. Thereafter, the partially formed can ends are displaced into a horizontal plane vertically spaced from the sheet feed line, and a kicker member associated with each die set is operable in coordination with slide movement to impact against and propel the partially formed can end laterally and into a guide chute leading either to a curling machine or to an endless conveyor by which the partially formed can end is delivered to a curling machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed and can be used to fabricate a complete container end closure including an inwardly tipped cover hook located along the peripheral extremity. The apparatus and its use in performing the method are unique in that one tool does all the forming to produce the complete end closure. More particularly, the cover hook is preformed by a first tool operation and then finally formed by a subsequent step wherein the preformed end is reformed to a final configuration in a step which is completely independent of the first tool.