With Additional Metal-deforming Patents (Class 72/348)
  • Patent number: 5775159
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing of an undercut deep-drawn workpiece from a sheet material including deforming a sheet material into a pot-shaped piece having a circular cross-section with a diameter, which decreases in a course of deformation, while retaining a flat circumferential rim flange, increasing a depth of the pot-shaped piece with formation of an outwardly cambered bottom substantially simultaneously with decreasing the diameter of the pot-shaped piece, forming, one after another, two opposite flat surface side walls on the pot-shaped piece, with bringing them into divergent, relative to each other, angular positions, while synchronously flattening the bottom of the pot-shaped piece, and forming two further opposite parallel flat surface side walls to obtain a substantially rectangular cross-section of the pot-shaped piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Ed. Scharwachter GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Schroter, Peter Bach
  • Patent number: 5768932
    Abstract: A forming apparatus uses counteracting, hydraulically coupled pistons to form a dome structure in the bottom panel of the container, such as a beverage can. A pressure ring is on one piston, and a doming die is on the other piston. The pistons are received in a piston housing that also provides a primary fluid reservoir so that, when one piston moves in one direction to displace fluid, the displaced fluid moves the other piston in the opposite direction. The pistons are coaxial and one is received in the other. Return springs are provided to bias the pistons into a desired orientation. A secondary reservoir may be provided to receive overflow fluid. Here, a first one-way valve sets a threshold so that fluid will flow into the secondary reservoir when the pressure in the primary reservoir exceeds the threshold. A second one-way valve permits fluid to return to the primary reservoir when the return springs move the pistons to a starting orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Roger A. Hahn
  • Patent number: 5761949
    Abstract: A method for forming a deep-drawn, one-piece, double-walled, cylindrical ring having tabs extending inwardly from the inner wall. The inner wall is formed and pierced to form the tabs. The outer wall is subsequently formed, or completed, to cover the tabs extending from the inner wall. In a preferred embodiment, the tab is formed with a bend by working the inner wall both outwardly and inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Trans-Matic Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ronald M. Dalessandro, Lawrence F. Lorenz, Sr., Michael H. Carr
  • Patent number: 5746080
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity that is shaped generally like the can body blank, the mold wall having a pattern formed therein that corresponds to a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Hartman, Zeev W. Shore, James J. Tang, Anton A. Aschberger, Michael R. Gogola, William O. Irvine, Ralph J. Trnka, Richard O. Wahler, Robert A. Winkless
  • Patent number: 5737958
    Abstract: A method of die-necking the open end of a can body to form a reduced diameter neck having a smooth profile comprising forming a reduced neck at the open end of the cylindrical sidewall of the can body by engaging the open end of the sidewall with a die having a multi-radius forming profile, with each successive radius from the entrance to the exit of the die being smaller than the previous radius and with the angle through which each successive radius extends being equal to or smaller than the angle of the previous radius. Then at subsequent die-forming stations, forming progressively smaller reduced diameter necks by a series of dies, all of which preferably have the same multi-radiused forming surface profile which virtually eliminates the undesirable formation of pleats in the final neck configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Sergio R. Sainz, Donald R. Haulsee, Roger H. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 5735163
    Abstract: A method of effecting press working on a blank, in which a local portion of the blank is strengthened prior to the press working, so as to achieve increased mechanical strength, due to structural transformation of the material of the blank, or by an embossing operation. The local portion is selected so that the blank exhibits improved formability and suffers from reduced fractures during the press working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihito Sato, Shinichiro Nakamura, Takashi Hosoe
  • Patent number: 5732587
    Abstract: A metallic workpiece has a to-be-ironed section to be shaped by means of a punch member. The to-be-ironed section is ironed by moving the punch member in a first direction with a side face of the punch member pressed against the surface of the to-be-ironed section and then moving the punch member in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The to-be-ironed section has a front end situated on the front side with respect to the moving direction of the punch member when the punch member moves in the second direction. Before the workpiece is ironed, a gentle slope for preventing burrs, continuous with the front end of the to-be-ironed section, and a bevel portion are formed on the workpiece. A tilt angle between the gentle slope and a line extending along the surface of the to-be-ironed section is at about 30.degree.. The angle of the bevel portion is at 45.degree. or thereabout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Heian Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Maeda, Kunihiko Araki
  • Patent number: 5727414
    Abstract: A seamless drawn and ironed container body having a side wall with portions of the side wall expanded radially outward from an initial cylindrical configuration and a method and apparatus for reshaping such containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: American National Can Company
    Inventors: Andy Halasz, Rolf Wirz, Rene Meneghin, Louis Trepied
  • Patent number: 5724848
    Abstract: An improved system and process of necking an upper end of a metallic container that will reduce the incidence of defects such as wrinkles and puckers during the necking process includes steps of performing a first stage operation to reduce a radius of said upper end by a first distance, and incrementally further reducing the radius of the upper end by performing a plurality of subsequent reduction operations on the upper end. Advantageously, step (b) is performed so that the amount of radius reduction that is applied by earlier of the subsequent reduction operations is less than the amount of radius reduction that is applied by later of the subsequent reduction operations. As a result, increases of wall thickness that occur during the subsequent reduction operations will be utilized to permit greater radial reduction in the later steps, and will ease the amount of radial reduction in the earlier steps, reducing the potential for defects such as puckering and wrinkling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Anton A. Aschberger
  • Patent number: 5722282
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cup-shaped article includes making the thickness of a cylinder portion of a cup-shaped configuration uniform, between a step of drawing a flat plate material portion into a cup-shaped configuration and a step of ironing the cup-shaped configuration into a final cup-shaped article. Increasing the thickness may be performed by coining or axial compression. The thickness increasing step may be replaced by a step, provided prior to the drawing step, of providing a plate material portion having a greater thickness at a radially inner portion than at a radially outer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouichi Mine, Akio Hotta
  • Patent number: 5718143
    Abstract: A container end, including a die and the method for making, for pressurized containers includes a circular center panel, an inner annular panel around the center panel, and an outer annular panel around the inner annular panel. The inner annular panel has a generally arcuate cross-section viewed in a plane extending radially from the centerpoint of the container lid. The inner annular panel comprises a plurality of first segments, spaced apart about the circumference of the inner annular panel, and a plurality of second segments, with at least one second segment being positioned between adjacent pairs of first segments. The radius of curvature of the arcuate cross section of each of the first segments is less than the radius of curvature of the arcuate cross section of each of the second segments, so that the radius of curvature of the inner annular panel varies along the circumferential length of the inner annular panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Metal Container Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest J. Clowes
  • Patent number: 5713235
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for necking an open end of a metal container in which annular grooves are provided on the inner surface of the necking dies to abate sticking of cans in the dies during the necking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Hans H. Diekhoff
  • Patent number: 5711178
    Abstract: A die for use in a stage of a multi-stage die-necking process of a metal body such as a beverage can, has a surface around a center-line. The die surface, seen in longitudinal section through the center-line, has a profile which includes in direct succession a feed-in zone, an intermediate zone and a neck zone. The intermediate zone has, as well as a contact part, a relatively steep part in which tangents to the die surface include an angle .alpha. to the center-line greater than .alpha..sub.n, where .alpha..sub.n is the neck angle between the necked part following die-necking and the center-line of the body. The presence of this non-contact steep part reduces the axial force needed in the die-necking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Hoogovens Staal BV
    Inventors: Auke Hogendoorn, Gerard M. Louwerse, Hans N. Schaaper
  • Patent number: 5685189
    Abstract: An annular groove of a can end with a reduced radius is disclosed. In one embodiment, this is by a method and apparatus which reworks the can end to increase the strength of the can end by reducing the radius of the annular groove of the can end. This method includes the step of reworking the annular groove of the can end to reduce a magnitude of the annular groove from a first radius to a second radius by exerting an inwardly-directed force on at least part of the annular groove and relative to the annular groove and collapsing at least part of the annular groove inwardly relative to the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Tuan A. Nguyen, Todd W. Farley
  • Patent number: 5682786
    Abstract: A forming apparatus for doming containers employs a pair of pistons, a pressure ring and doming die. One piston carries the pressure ring, and the other piston carries the doming die. The pistons are mechanically linked so that they move in a counteracting manner thus reducing the stroke distance necessary to dome the container. This further reduces the impact energy on the container. The mechanical linkage is preferably pairs of rack and pinion gears moving the pistons in opposite directions of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Roger A. Hahn
  • Patent number: 5678445
    Abstract: An improvement in necking apparatus for forming a necked end on a can body wherein during the necking operation pressurized air moves into the interior of a can body being necked through an open end portion of a conduit in a knock out ram which knock out ram is reciprocally mounted in the necking die and wherein valve means are provided to control the amount of pressurized air flowing out through the open end portion and to retain the pressurized air in the conduit after the necking operation has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventor: Robert H. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5664454
    Abstract: Device for manufacturing cold-formed shaped forms of packaging out of a metal-plastic laminate where the said device contains a die with at least one die opening, in the die opening a stamp which may be driven by the die, and a retaining tool as a clamping facility that holds the laminate securely between the die and the clamping facility. The die and the retaining tool feature a facing edge region and the die, within the edge region, a shoulder region that surrounds the die opening, and the surface of the shoulder region lies 0.01 to 10 mm lower than the surface of the edge region of the die. Parts or in particular the whole of the shoulder region may be covered with a surface layer of low friction characteristics. The metal-plastic laminate is held clamped between the edge of the die and the edge of the retaining tool, and the stamp draws and stretches the part of the laminate in the region of the shoulder over the shoulder into the die opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrik Zeiter, Heinz Oster, Monique Roulin
  • Patent number: 5658112
    Abstract: There is described a process for manufacturing a single-component cover (10) for filters for vehicles substantially comprising the steps of: providing a starting single-component slab (10); drawing the slab (10) in the central part (34) thereof; reducing the thickness of the external edge (30) of the slab (10), by a bending step followed by a drawing step and three further bending steps, and by trimming the external edge (30); finally forming the external edge (30); punching the slab (10) in the central part (40) thereof; turning the edge in the central drawn part (40) of the slab (10); threading this central hole (42); and seaming the external edge (30) of the slab (10) to a filter-containing cup (14). (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Tecnocar S.R.L.
    Inventors: Franco Borasio, Sergio Fassio
  • Patent number: 5647242
    Abstract: New technology for fabricating a one-piece cup-shaped can body is formed free of side wall ironing from can stock comprising flat-rolled sheet metal substrate precoated with protective organic coating and forming lubricant. A plurality of successive diameter-reduction operations are carried out a planar blank and cup-shaped work product during which side wall height is increased and side wall substrate is decreased in thickness to provide controlled uniformity in side wall substrate thickness over about 85% to about 95% of side wall height for such can body. The fabricating tooling provides for a preselected clearance between a punch peripheral wall and a die cavity internal wall in each of such plurality of diameter-reduction operations to achieve a desired decrease in side wall thickness as the precoated substrate is moved into a die cavity by relative movement of its respective punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Weirton Steel Corporation
    Inventor: William T. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5644943
    Abstract: A method for forming a stainless steel sink bowl having a top edge, a sidewall and a bottom surface interconnected by smooth corner surfaces from a single sheet is provided. The method comprises drawing a stainless steel blank between a first draw die and a first forming die to form a first drawn blank having an unfinished bowl with a length, width and depth which are less than the finished length and width and generating a deformation warmth in the blank at the corner surfaces in proximity to the rim as the first drawn blank is being formed to a temperature of approximately 70.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. The first drawn blank is immediately removed from the first draw die and the first forming die and transferred to a finish draw die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Franke Inc.
    Inventor: Melchior Lanz
  • Patent number: 5634366
    Abstract: A sheet of metal is blanked by an annular blank die to form a disk, and a peripheral portion of the disk is gripped between the blank die and an air pressurized lower sleeve. The peripheral portion is shifted downwardly relative to a center portion of the disk to start the forming of a center panel within the disk between an annular nose portion of an air pressurized die center and an air pressurized panel punch. The peripheral portion is also gripped between an air pressurized lower die core ring and an air pressurized upper sleeve which cooperate to form a crown and a depending lip. The center panel is shifted downwardly by the die center against the panel punch for forming a chuckwall against the die core ring and to start a countersink by wrapping the metal around the nose portion of the die center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Ralph P. Stodd
  • Patent number: 5623847
    Abstract: Deep drawing of a work can be made by securing a certain amount of feed of the work from the side of a cushion ring to a vertical wall surface of a stationary die. In this drawing method, for the drawing of the work, a die part interlocked to a movable die is engaged in a recess of the stationary die in a direction different from the direction of pushing. An edge of the work is displaced in unison with the cushion ring and the movable die clamping it in cooperation, and the die part starts to push the work immediately before the instant when the work located in the vicinity of the cushion ring is brought into contact with the edge of the recess of the stationary die. The resistance of contact between the work and the stationary die thus is not increased in the vicinity of the cushion ring when the die part pushes the work, and a certain amount of feed of the work from the side of the cushion ring can be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Uchiyama, Kenji Tamada, Takashi Kosaka, Hiroshi Hiyama
  • Patent number: 5624367
    Abstract: A bottom blank maker workstation for a cup making machine is disclosed. The cup making machine is of the type having a rotating turret and a plurality of mandrels arranged to interact with a plurality of workstations. The turret moves each mandrel in a stepwise fashion through the plurality of workstations where a bottom blank and a sidewall blank are formed and attached to one another to create a container. The workstation includes a reciprocable punch and draw that cooperate with an abutment surface and a series of protrusions to impress the lip of the bottom blank with a series of indentations. The indentations promote a better seal to the sidewall blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Paper Machinery Corporation
    Inventor: Mark J. Budziszewski
  • Patent number: 5605069
    Abstract: A metal drawn and ironed container body having a sidewall, an annular neck integrally formed with the sidewall and extending upwardly and inwardly from an upper end of the sidewall, and a bottom integrally formed with and diposed adjacent a lower end of the sidewall. The bottom includes an annular convex support, an annular transition wall interconnecting the lower end of the sidewall to the convex support, and a generally concave center panel extending upwardly and inwardly relative to the convex support. The transition wall includes a first convex annular portion extending generally downwardly and inwardly from the lower end of the sidewall, a first concave annular portion extending generally downwardly and inwardly from the first convex annular portion, a second convex annular portion extending downwardly and inwardly from the first concave annular portion, and a second concave annular portion extending downwardly and inwardly from the second convex annular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: K. Reed Jentzsch
  • Patent number: 5600991
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stretch controlled forming mechanism and method for preventing uncontrolled stretching, wrinkling, or splitting of welded blanks. Specifically, a stretch controlled forming mechanism is provided that, in accordance with the present invention, locks the welded blank between opposed die surfaces along the seams where the different gauge materials of the blank are welded together. Such locking prevents continued flow of material in the welded areas during the remainder of the formation process. Thus, with the jointed areas restricted from further material flow, the portion of the welded blank not previously formed can be formed between opposed dies, without damage to the welded seams or the lower gauge material of the welded blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Ogihara America Corporation
    Inventor: Werner Munzen
  • Patent number: 5598734
    Abstract: The present invention is a reformed container end and a method of forming the container end. The container end includes a center panel surrounded by a countersink having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a countersink bottom. The countersink bottom includes a first arcuate segment having a small radius and a second arcuate segment having a larger radius. The container end may also include a portion wherein the center panel is slightly expanded and the inner wall is further reformed to direct potential buckling away from the nose of a pour opening panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: American National Can Company
    Inventors: Randall G. Forrest, Timothy L. Turner, Donald M. Thurman
  • Patent number: 5588641
    Abstract: A gas spring apparatus includes first and second cylinders each closed at both ends by end walls, first and second pistons each capable of axial displacement being disposed inside a fluid-filled inner space of the cylinders, the first piston dividing the first cylinder into two sub-spaces, the second piston dividing the second cylinder into two cylindrical chamber, first and second piston rods each of, which is connected to the corresponding piston, being mounted in a sliding and sealing fashion in one end wall, and a plurality of valves selectively communicating among two sub-spaces and two cylindrical chambers to decrease pressure inside one of the sub-spaces so as to cause the first piston to be locked for a predetermined period of time, and to cause the first and second pistons to move upwards and back to an initial position of each of the first and second pistons after a predetermined delay. The valves are openable and closable which are controlled by a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Stromsholmens Mekaniska Verkstad AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Sand
  • Patent number: 5548885
    Abstract: A method of forming a stator for a stepping motor, including the steps of forming comb teeth by cutting a flat section of a plate having a cylindrical section around the flat section and bending the comb teeth up to a first angle. Next, the comb teeth are bent up to a second angle larger than the first angle and the thickness of the comb teeth is reduced so as to render uniform the thickness of all the comb teeth. Then, the cylindrical section is subjected to a drawing process at least one time. Finally, the comb teeth are bent up to a right angle. As a result, the occurrence of cambers in the comb teeth is eliminated and the comb teeth are not inclined in the peripheral direction. Also, the accuracy with which the comb teeth are bent to a right angle can be improved thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignees: Canon Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahisa Yamada
  • Patent number: 5526560
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stator of a stepping motor comprises the steps of carrying out a half-pierce and push-back process to a frame plate to make an area in which comb teeth are to be formed and an area to be blanked out readily separable, carrying out a blanking process to separate the blanked out area from the comb teeth, and bending the comb teeth to a predetermined angle and collapsing the comb teeth to make the thicknesses of the comb teeth uniform. The comb teeth are then bent at right angles to an outer periphery of the frame plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignees: Canon Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoku Tsuruya
  • Patent number: 5527143
    Abstract: A method of reforming a countersink (14) of a container end (10) from a shell (10') is disclosed. A shell (10') is provided having a center panel (12') including an initial panel height (A') and an initial panel diameter (D'). The shell further has an integral countersink (14') including an initial countersink depth (A'), an inner wall (30') and an outer wall (32') being joined by a curved countersink bottom (34'). The bottom has an initial bottom radius (R1). The panel (12') is joined to the inner wall (30') of the countersink by a curved shoulder (36') having an initial shoulder radius (R2'). The shell is reformed by decreasing the panel height, increasing the panel diameter and decreasing the countersink depth. The reformed shell (14") is further reform by increasing the panel height and further decreasing the countersink depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: American National Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy L. Turner, Dennis Dettmer, Randall G. Forrest
  • Patent number: 5522248
    Abstract: A method of forming a drawn metal cup for a container body which includes drawing a cup having a circular boss in its base wall, redrawing the cup and forming a pressure resistant profile in its base wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Hans H. Diekhoff, George L. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5502995
    Abstract: A sheet of metal is blanked by an annular blank die to form a disk, and a peripheral portion of the disk is gripped between the blank die and a lower pressure sleeve. The peripheral portion is shifted downwardly relative to a center portion of the disk to start the forming of a center panel within the disk between an annular nose portion of a die center and a high pressure panel punch having a small panel radius and a small clearance therebetween, preferably less than metal thickness. The peripheral portion is also gripped between a lower die core ring and an upper pressure sleeve which cooperate to form a crown and a depending lip. The center panel is shifted downwardly by the die center against the pressure of the panel punch for forming an inwardly bowed chuckwall against the die core ring and to start a countersink by wrapping the metal around the nose portion of the die center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Ralph P. Stodd
  • Patent number: 5483813
    Abstract: A process for converting sheet stock into a seamless outer shell for a toroidal shaped hybrid inflator for air bag inflation systems. In the process a seamless toroidal shaped shell is fabricated from sheet stock by a sequence of process steps comprising first drawing the sheet into a cup shaped blank, with curved transitions between the bottom wall and the sidewall, and then shaping the open end of the cup to the desired toroidal shape while simultaneously thickening the areas adjacent to the perimeter of the open end of the cup and finally removing the central portion of the bottom of the cup--thereby producing the desired shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall J. Clark, George C. Marjanski, Leland B. Kort
  • Patent number: 5410902
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a cage for constant velocity universal joints. The method involves a chipless forming operation. The method improves radial guidance of the balls by using larger window faces which are also produced in a chipless way. In a first step, starting from a circular plate metal blank, a dish with a rim is deep-drawn. At the same time, projections are formed which are circumferentially distributed along the inner and/or outer circumference of the dish in accordance with to be produced windows. The projections are directed inwardly and outwardly, respectively, away from the longitudinal axis. Also, starting from the dish opening, the projections extend over a distance which is greater than the width of the to be formed windows. In a second step, the base of the dish and the rim, either simultaneously or successively, are punched out while leaving parts to form the projections at the outer circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Jacob
  • Patent number: 5406823
    Abstract: Shipping container carrying cargoes requiring temperature control and/or ventilation require a main frame capable of housing a refrigeration unit. Hitherto, main frames have been constructed by welding the component parts together which is extremely time consuming. The present invention provides a method for producing a main frame in which a recessed portion for housing the refrigeration unit is deep drawn while a force is simultaneously applied to maintain a substantially constant thickness of the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Nam Lee Industries (PTE) Ltd.
    Inventors: Kin S. Yong, Fa S. Hsu
  • Patent number: 5394727
    Abstract: A method of forming a drawn metal cup for a container body which includes drawing a cup having a circular boss in its base wall, redrawing the cup and forming a pressure resistant profile in its base wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Hans H. Diekhoff, George L. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5381683
    Abstract: A method of forming a can end having a seaming panel 30, a chuck wall 32, and a central panel 17; the central panel being connected to the chuck wall by an outer anti-peaking bead 27 and the can end having one or more flexible beads 24,25 located concentrically within the outer bead, the method comprises the steps of:a) in a first stage, drawing a preliminary cup having a seaming panel, a chuck wall and a central panel, and forming the inner beads by pressing the central panel between upper and lower profiled tools 15,16; andb) in a second stage, clamping the seaming panel and the central panel and moving them towards one another to form the outer bead 27 by deformation of material from the chuck wall in an unconstrained rolling action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: CarnaudMetalBox plc
    Inventor: Gregory J. Cowling
  • Patent number: 5369972
    Abstract: An interstage casing made of sheet metal includes a cylindrical receptacle-like body having a casing end wall on an end thereof and an open end opposite to The end. The omen end has an axial end surface and a radially inner surface which serve as a member of a spigot joint to be joined to the next interstage casing. The cylindrical receptacle-like body also includes a cylindrical side wall, a cylindrical portion joined between the casing end wall and the cylindrical side wall and having an outside diameter slightly smaller than an inside diameter of the open end, and a flat portion joined to the recessed portion and serving as an end surface of the casing end wall. The flat portion is adapted to be engageable with the end surface of the open end of an adjacent interstage casing. The flat portion has an outside diameter slightly larger than an outside diameter of the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Ken-ichi Kajiwara, Sou Kuroiwa, Kikuichi Mori, Hideo Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5361619
    Abstract: To produce deep-drawn articles having various lengths by effecting forming and trimming without an increase in the production cast, a process comprises the steps of: a first step of press-forming a blank in the portions corresponding to both ends of a deep-drawn product having a desired length to form a semi-deep-drawn product in the form of a vessel having both ends deep-drawn to a vessel form and an unformed mid-length portion; and a second step of press-forming the unformed mid-length portion of the semi-deep-drawn product to complete a deep-drawn product in the form of a vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichirou Kojima, Terumi Nishida, Kunio Yamada
  • Patent number: 5356256
    Abstract: A method of reforming a countersink (14) of a container end (10) from a shell (10') is disclosed. A shell (10') is provided having a center panel (12') including an initial panel height (A') and an initial panel diameter (D'). The shell further has an integral countersink (14') including an initial countersink depth (A'), an inner wall (30') and an outer wall (32') being joined by a curved countersink bottom (34'). The bottom has an initial bottom radius (R1). The panel (12') is joined to the inner wall (30') of the countersink by a curved shoulder (36') having an initial shoulder radius (R2'). The shell is reformed by decreasing the panel height, increasing the panel diameter and decreasing the countersink depth. The reformed shell (14") is further reform by increasing the panel height and further decreasing the countersink depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventors: Timothy L. Turner, Dennis Dettmer, Randall G. Forrest
  • Patent number: 5347839
    Abstract: New tooling technology for deep drawing one-piece can bodies from flat-rolled sheet metal can stock (58) which is precoated on both surfaces with an organic coating and draw lubricant. A draw die curved-surface cavity (122) entrance is formed using a radius of curvature (132) with a practical maximum of about five times nominal sheet metal thickness gage; and, preferably is formed about multiple radii of curvature (R.sub.L, R.sub.S, R.sub.L) to increase surface area (140) without increasing projection on the clamping plane. Die cavity wall (156) is tapered about 1.degree. to provide increasing cross section with increasing penetration of draw punch (160). Redraw die (90) has a sleeve-like configuration in a cross-sectional plane which includes its central longitudinal axis (70); such configuration enables increase in production rate by enabling coaxial relative movement of such die into work product registry (98,99) which position cups for redraw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Weirton Steel Corporation
    Inventor: William T. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5343729
    Abstract: New technology for fabricating a one-piece cup-shaped can body having a protective organic coating as formed. Such can body is formed free of side wall ironing from can stock comprising flat-rolled sheet metal substrate precoated with protective organic coating and forming lubricant. A plurality of successive diameter-reduction operations are carried out on a planar blank and cup-shaped work product under tension during which side wall height is increased and side wall substrate is decreased in thickness to provide controlled uniformity in side wall substrate thickness over about 85% to about 95% of side wall height for such can body. The fabricating tooling provides for a preselected clearance between a punch peripheral wall and a die cavity internal wall in each of such plurality of diameter-reduction operations to achieve a desired decrease in side wall thickness as the precoated substrate is moved into a die cavity by relative movement of its respective punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Weirton Steel Corporation
    Inventor: William T. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5331836
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming can ends is disclosed wherein ends are blank from sheet material and formed in a die in which the completed end is formed and removed from the die at a vertical position below the blanking position. Formation and removal of the end beneath the cut line enables better control of the ends after forming, Vacuum is applied to the end underside to positively seat the end against lower die forming elements as the lower elements raise the end to the level of an ejection slot where pressurized air blows the air from between the dies. An automatic lubrication circuit for properly lubricating seal members forming pneumatic cushions for resiliently biasing the various die members is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: Daniel F. Cudzik
  • Patent number: 5322206
    Abstract: A method for producing a golf club head made of joined component pieces in which a mold black is split into separate first molds. Each of the first molds have a cavity patterned after one of the joined component pieces. In one embodiment, superplastic alloy plates are positioned within the first molds. The alloy plates are heated and pressurized fluid is simultaneously introduced into the cavities of the first mold for superplastic deformation of the plates. The alloy plates are then positioned within second molds and pressed to form the component pieces. The formed component pieces have shaped piece sections having small radii of curvature. The component pieces are joined to form the golf head. In another embodiment, one of the alloy plates is pressed by the second molds prior to being inserted within the first molds. The pressed alloy plate corresponds to one of the component pieces and has piece sections having a small radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Mutsumi Harada, Toshiharu Hoshi
  • Patent number: 5309749
    Abstract: A sheet of metal is blanked by an annular blank die to form a disk, and a peripheral portion of the disk is gripped between the blank die and a lower pressure sleeve. The peripheral portion is shifted downwardly relative to a center portion of the disk to start the forming of a center panel within the disk between an annular nose portion of a die center and a high pressure panel punch having a small panel radius and a small clearance therebetween. The peripheral portion is also gripped between a lower die core ring and an upper pressure sleeve which cooperate to form a crown and a depending lip. The center panel is shifted downwardly by the die center against the pressure of the panel punch for forming an inwardly bowed chuckwall against the die core ring and to start a countersink by wrapping the metal around the nose portion of the die center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Ralph P. Stodd
  • Patent number: 5301534
    Abstract: A multiple lane ironing and doming apparatus for ironing and doming cup-shaped blanks into can bodies by pushing them through ironing dies by reciprocations of punches. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of punches vertically held and retained at their upper ends for vertical reciprocations; at least one ironing die unit arranged below and coaxially with each of said punches for ironing cup-shaped blanks into ironed can bodies; one doming unit arranged below the ironing die for doming the bottoms of the ironed can bodies into a predetermined configuration; stripping means for stripping the ironed and domed can bodies from the punches; and conveying means for discharging the stripped can bodies from below the punches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignees: Daiwa Can Company, Shin Nippon Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimi Nishikawa, Keiji Murozuka, Takaji Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 5290374
    Abstract: A pin type retainer for roller bearings is stamped in one piece from flat metal stock. The flat metal is first drawn into a cup shape having a broad flange around an open first end and a closed second end. The closed end provides solid support and alignment while stamping pins from the broad flange. The pins are then final shaped by swaging or machining into cross sectional forms for a variety of applications. The second end is then opened to form a ring. The pin type retainer can be modified for use with a retaining ring or a seal against contaminants. The pin type retainer can be formed from a variety of materials, including steel. An embodiment using plastic resin is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: James R. Holtz, Stephen M. Mondak
  • Patent number: 5287718
    Abstract: A curl forming method for a can end which enables satisfactory curl formation in a thin can end without occurrence of wrinkles and without occurrence of scratches on internal surfaces of the can end and which can make a can end thinner. A punched can end is pressed and bended from an open end of annular flange and an opposite side by a primary forming die having an inner diameter larger than a final curl diameter by 0 to 2.0 mm to effect a primary forming, and then it is pressed and bended from the side of the flange open end by a secondary forming punch having a forming surface 14 having a final shape of a curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Toyo Saikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeaki Yamanashi
  • Patent number: 5287717
    Abstract: An improved tank configuration wherein a die is employed to stamp a formed member is disclosed. The formed member may be used as either the top or bottom head for a portable liquid container, and is constructed so that all welding is eliminated in the corner and outlet portions of the container. A trim machine is employed to remove uneven edges from the formed part. By the present invention, a stamped configuration is provided in which a draw formed tank bottom is formed so as to allow complete and full drainage of the tank bottom. The top and bottom heads are finish trimmed to exact dimensions so as to facilitate the assembly of these parts to the shell of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Custom Metalcraft, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald G. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 5272902
    Abstract: Doming apparatus for forming a domed bottom wall in a can body includes a pressurized nitrogen source which acts through a cylinder and piston arrangement to impose a predetermined amount of resistance to movement of a clamp ring and former die used in the doming procedure and wherein the nitrogen pressure source is a self-contained unit removably attached to the domer assembly and which can be serviced and replaced independently of the domer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Preferred Machining Corporation
    Inventor: Roger L. Kobak