Container Making Patents (Class 72/379.4)
  • Patent number: 7240531
    Abstract: A press for forming a container with a bottom profile is provided. The press may have a profile pad that is secured within a base of the press or is secured to a die core riser that is axially movable up and down. The press may have one or more biasing members that accommodate expansion in certain tooling components during operation of the press. The press may have a tool pack of tool components located within a part of the fixed base wherein the tool pack is removable from a top surface of the base. The press may have a punch and a profile pad with an annular projection or an annular shoulder wherein the projection and the shoulder clamp material between the projection and the shoulder and allow the material to roll up a preselected height into the container to form the bottom profile of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Turnbull, Barry Lippert
  • Patent number: 7219522
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel aluminum tube of an oval cross section that has a wider range of applications and added values. A disk-shaped metal slug (21) is impact-extruded with the use of a die (14) and a punch (13) each having an optimally designed structure to form a metal tube (T) integrally including a mouth, a shoulder and a body of an oval cross section. A hem portion of the oval body of the tube (T) thus formed and hardened by the impact extrusion is once deformed into a circular shape, and then trimmed off by a turning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Taisai Kako Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Maeda, Sigetomi Miyoshi, Takahiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7201031
    Abstract: A flange forming process uses first and second stages. The first stage produces a partially formed flange on an article. The second stage forces the partially formed flange into a die so a stepped surface of a knockout punch that is disposed in the die, produces a predetermined can height such as the FFCH (Factory Finished Can Height) while the retaining die limits the outside diameter of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Belvac Production Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Shuey, Mihail Dinu, Terry Babbitt, Joseph G. Schill
  • Patent number: 7191632
    Abstract: In forming a can body by processing a cup-shaped in-process material with a punch and a die, the die is not heated when the forming process is not carried out, and the die is heated when the forming process is carried out. Therefore, the temperature of the die is adjusted in accordance with the temperature rise of the punch result from the forming process, a clearance between the punch and the die can be maintained, misalignment of the punch and the die can be prevented, and slip and elongation becomes preferable. Therefore, nonuniformity in the wall thickness, breakage of the can body, and breakage of a flange can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Daiwa Can Company
    Inventors: Minoru Kanehara, Shigeru Noto
  • Patent number: 7185525
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming an end closure for a surrounding sidewall of a container, such as an aluminum can. The method includes forming a central body panel oriented transversely to the central axis of the can and forming an outer surrounding margin portion joined to the sidewall such that the margin portion has a support section oriented longitudinally relative to the sidewall. A portion of the margin is corrugated to provide a rib structure having longitudinally extending first rib components located on the support section. This method can be accomplished during the ironing and doming of a can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: Elmer D. Werth, Roger A. Hahn
  • Patent number: 7174762
    Abstract: A can end member has a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, and a transition wall. The center panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a peripheral edge. The center panel also has a step portion located radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis. The step portion has an annular convex portion joined to an annular concave portion and displaces at least a portion of the center panel vertically in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuck wall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuck wall with the peripheral edge of the center panel. The transition wall has a folded portion extending outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy Turner, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Randall G. Forrest
  • Patent number: 7171840
    Abstract: A metal container with thread capable of preventing such a defect that the strength of a lower end of a mouth part and an upper end of a shoulder part of a container main body is non-resistant to a pressing force in radial and axial directions, and a part of the container may be collapsed or buckled during a capping operation where content is filled into the container and cap is fitted to the container automatically by a machine, characterized in that at least one or more inwardly curving smooth annular recessed parts (4) and at least one or more outwardly curving smooth annular projected parts (5) are formed in an area ranging from the lower end (2a) of the mouth part (2) of the container main body to around the upper end (3a) of a tapered shoulder part increasing gradually in radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Takeuchi Press Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kanou, Masanori Tanaka, Takayoshi Sawada
  • Patent number: 7165926
    Abstract: Method for shaping a sheet metal lid, preferably for a beverage can, which includes a panel, an openable area defined in the panel by a score line, and a mounting place for a tab for breaking into the openable area. At least one projection in the panel is shaped twice, such that a pre-form of the projection is shaped out of the panel of the sheet metal lid, in which the pre-form is located near an attaching portion of the tab, but at a distance from a the mounting place, and at least a front edge of the pre-form of at least one projection is re-formed, so that no score line is provided in the panel during shaping or re-forming. Further, to obtain better blocking of an outer edge portion of the attaching portion, an outer edge portion is associated with the re-formed front edge. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventors: Hajo Rieck, Martin Gray, Richard Chalk
  • Patent number: 7143623
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a shell with a central panel connected to a chuckwall with a z-fold located between the central panel and the chuckwall is provided. The apparatus and method of the invention is characterized by forming the z-fold in a downstroke of the press and supporting the z-fold in an upstroke of the press. The apparatus and method take place in a triple action die contained within a shell press. The apparatus and method can also be employed in a single action press or a double action press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Dean Turnbull, Donna Rebecca Stefansic
  • Patent number: 7140223
    Abstract: Aerosol cans, more particularly, aluminum aerosol cans made from disks of aluminum coil feedstock, are provided. A method for necking aerosol cans of a series 3000 aluminum alloy is also provided. The method prevents the cans from sticking in the necking dies and produces a can with a uniquely shaped profile. The aluminum aerosol cans that are produced have the attributes of strength and quality, while being produced at a cost that is competitive with steel aerosol cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Exal Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Chupak
  • Patent number: 7124613
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a can end having an annular ridge and a central panel and a can body with a can bottom is provided that exhibits reduced wrinkling in the material used to form the can end and can body. The method of the invention uses a two step doming process wherein material is first drawn or stretched and then held by a punch core ring and then further drawn, stretched or domed and then held by a punch core. The apparatus and method of the invention also include a lower piston located above an upper pressure sleeve and radially outward from a punch core ring wherein the lower piston has a bore and the lower piston, punch core ring and upper pressure sleeve define a gap to which pressurized gas may be supplied through the bore to selectively axially actuate the punch core ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventor: James A. McClung
  • Patent number: 7107810
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a rolled reinforcing rib in an end shell of a container body in a single stroke and at a single station of a single or double action press prior to removal of the shell from the press. A blank disc is cut from sheet material by a punch core advanced by an outer ram. A chuckwall is then formed between a central panel and an outer flange. The central panel is clamped against a die core and a portion of the chuckwall is clamped against a die core ring. An unclamped portion of the chuckwall is located in a void formed between the punch core and die core ring and is rolled into the reinforcing rib upon continued advancement of inner and outer pressure sleeve while maintaining a tight clamping engagement of the central panel and outer flange of the blank disc. Simultaneous removal of the clamping force applied by the punch core and inner and outer pressure sleeves retain the rib in its rolled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventor: James A. McClung
  • Patent number: 7108469
    Abstract: A can end (1) having a chuck wall (3) which is inclined at an angle of between 30° and 60°. The chuck wall (3) is provided with an image (9) such as a logo, pattern, printed or etched image, typically for promotional purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard Anthony Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7036348
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a rolled reinforcing rib in an end shell of a container body in a single stroke and at a single station of a double action press prior to removal of the shell from the press. A blank disc is cut from sheet material by a punch core advanced by an outer ram. A chuckwall is then formed between a central panel and an outer flange. The central panel is clamped against a die core and a portion of the chuckwall is clamped against a die core ring. An unclamped portion of the chuckwall is located in a void formed between the punch core and die core ring and is rolled into the reinforcing rib upon continued advancement of inner and outer pressure sleeve while maintaining a tight clamping engagement of the central panel and outer flange of the blank disc. Simultaneous removal of the clamping force applied by the punch core and inner and outer pressure sleeves retain the rib in its rolled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventor: James A. McClung
  • Patent number: 7024912
    Abstract: A thin walled body such as a container is gripped at a holding station and tooling is engaged to deform the wall of the body at a predetermined zone. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by means of co-ordinated movement of the tooling (typically by means of rotation about a tooling axis) prior to engagement with the wall zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Envases (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Santiago Garcia Campo, Juan Salz Goiria
  • Patent number: 7024900
    Abstract: Beading of containers such as two and three piece can bodies by rolling the can body between tools, typically a roll/roll or a roll/rail of a rotary turret system. During beading, a load is applied along the central axis of the can body, whereby axial and panel performance of the beaded can is improved. This load is applied for example by the use of miniature air bags which are fixed to the turret.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Philip John Knight, Alain Presset
  • Patent number: 7003999
    Abstract: A thin walled body such as a container (1) is gripped at a holding station and tooling (10) is engaged to deform the wall of the body at a predetermined zone. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling (10) by means of coordinated movement of the tooling (10) (typically by means of rotation about a tooling axis) prior to engagement with the wall zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Envases (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Santiago Garcia Campo, Juan Saiz Goiria
  • Patent number: 7004000
    Abstract: A thin walled body such as a container is gripped at a holding station and tooling is engaged to deform the wall of the body at a predetermined zone. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by means of co-ordinated movement of the tooling (typically by means of rotation about a tooling axis) prior to engagement with the wall zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Envases (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Santiago Garcia Campo, Juan Salz Goiria
  • Patent number: 7000445
    Abstract: A system for forming a cup used in forming an elongated container including a draw-redraw station including a movable platen carrying a punch shell; a punch core riser, a punch core mounted on the punch core riser; and a first, fluidly actuated pressure sleeve; and a fixed base carrying a pressure pad; a die core ring; and a die core; the punch shell being movable toward the die core ring to wipe the blank over the die core ring to form an inverted cup; the punch core being movable toward the die core to reverse draw the inverted cup and form the cup; and the die core ring engaging the material against the punch core during the reverse draw to control metal thickness; and a cooling assembly including a chiller, a coolant passage formed in the punch core and fluidly connected to the chiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Hepner, Barry Lippert
  • Patent number: 6968724
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making can lid shells in die presses, with the addition of a forming ring within the die set. The forming ring is placed between the draw pad and die center, and is used to apply a force on the material during the shell lid forming process. Use of this apparatus reduces the amount of force that must be applied on the draw pad to hold the material between the die core ring and the draw pad during the forming process. By lessening the force needed to hold the material during the forming process, the probability of wrinkling or cracking of the material during the forming process is greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Metal Container Corporation
    Inventor: Martin M. Hubball
  • Patent number: 6959577
    Abstract: A reforming assembly for simultaneously reforming and reprofiling a bottom portion of a metallic container is provided. The reforming assembly generally includes a roller block having a pair of reform rollers and two pairs of outside reprofile rollers. A biasing means is operably interconnected to the reform rollers, such that the reform rollers extend to contact the inner surface of the bottom portion of the container when contacted by the bottom portion of the container. The outside reprofile rollers engage with an outer surface of the bottom portion of the container. The container reforming assembly is rotated, while maintaining the container body in a static non-rotating position, to create an internal can profile on the inner surface by the pair of reform rollers, and an external can profile on the outer surface by the outside reprofile rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Reed Jentzsch
  • Patent number: 6945085
    Abstract: Lightweight metal containers are formed from high-strength metal alloys by impact extrusion of a cup-shaped container having a substantially larger diameter than the finished container, drawing and wall ironing the extruded container to reduce its diameter and wall thickness while increasing the height of the container to the appropriate diameter, wall thickness and height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: CCL Container (Hermitage) Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Goda
  • Patent number: 6915553
    Abstract: Seaming apparatus and method for seaming ends to cans are described. The seaming apparatus includes a seaming chuck received by the can end. The chuck includes an anvil portion and a peripheral upper anvil wall. The upper anvil wall is inclined at an angle ? of greater than or equal to 6 degrees. The seaming apparatus also includes a seaming roll having a seaming surface for engaging the peripheral curl of the can end in a seaming operation to compress the peripheral curl against the peripheral flange and the peripheral upper anvil wall of the seaming chuck. The seaming surface of the seaming roll is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis by an angle ?. The value of ? is selected to be greater than about 4 degrees, and more preferably from between about 8 and about 14 degrees. Additionally, the value of ? bears a close approximate relationship to the value of ?, and in particular the value of angle ?=?±up to about 4 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy L. Turner, Randall G. Forrest, Michael R. Gogola
  • Patent number: 6907653
    Abstract: An aluminum container is comprised of a base portion, a substantially vertical wall portion extending upwardly from the base portion, a transition portion extending from the wall portion, and a neck portion extending from the transition portion. The neck portion is tapered and has an upper end having a wall thickness that is preferably less than the thickness of the wall of the remainder of the neck portion. The upper end of the neck portion may also be chamfered. The aluminum container of the present invention may be combined with a threaded sleeve to form a receptacle. The sleeve has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface has threads thereon and the inner surface has a taper complementary to the taper of the neck portion so as to form a friction fit with the neck portion. The sleeve may also have a notch formed in the periphery of its upper outside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Exal Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Chupak
  • Patent number: 6857304
    Abstract: A bottle-shaped can manufacturing method for forming a shoulder portion having a slope and a diametrically small cylindrical neck portion integrally by further working a bottom side of a bottomed cylindrical can which is formed thinner at its trunk wall than at its bottom wall by drawing a metallic sheet having a thickness of 0.1 to 0.4 mm and by executing at least one thinning working of a bending/extending working and an ironing working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Daiwa Can Company
    Inventor: Yasushi Enoki
  • Patent number: 6846337
    Abstract: An anode can capable of preventing leakage of liquid, method of fabricating the same, and battery using the anode can and method of fabricating the same is provided. An anode can is formed of a material formed of a stack of layers including an aluminum alloy and stainless steel layers formed on the aluminum alloy layer and it includes a flat, center portion and a peripheral side wall contiguous to and surrounding the flat center portion. The aluminum alloy layer located at the peripheral side wall is thinner than the aluminum alloy layer located at the flat center portion. At an edge of the peripheral side wall, the aluminum alloy and stainless steel layers have their respective end surfaces aligned substantially in a single straight line in a plane substantially perpendicular to an outer peripheral surface of the peripheral side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Ishizaki Press Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Morio Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 6837089
    Abstract: A reforming assembly for simultaneously reforming and reprofiling a bottom portion of a metallic container is provided. The reforming assembly generally includes a roller block having a pair of reform rollers and two pairs of outside reprofile rollers. A biasing means is operably interconnected to the reform rollers, such that the reform rollers extend to contact the inner surface of the bottom portion of the container when contacted by the bottom portion of the container. The outside reprofile rollers engage with an outer surface of the bottom portion of the container. The container reforming assembly is rotated, while maintaining the container body in a static non-rotating position, to create an internal can profile on the inner surface by the pair of reform rollers, and an external can profile on the outer surface by the outside reprofile rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: K. Reed Jentzsch
  • Patent number: 6837093
    Abstract: A method for making an easy-opening can end comprising providing an upper die and a lower die, at least one of the upper die and the lower die having a curved surface with a radius of 0.1 to 1 mm at the tip portion thereof, the other die having a flat surface at the tip portion thereof; and press-forming an end panel by using the upper die and the lower die to form a score on the upper surface or the lower surface of the end panel so that the end panel has a thickness of 0.025 to 0.08 mm at the thinnest portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Yamasaki, Masayoshi Kurihara, Masahisa Fujikake, Yoshinori Yomura, Reiko Sugihara, Yutaka Mihara
  • Patent number: 6830419
    Abstract: A dome of a domed aerosol can end is initially formed and then a crown of the can end is formed so that material flow within a workpiece from which the can end is formed is controlled to substantially eliminate wrinkling problems associated with the use of sheet material which is thinner than conventionally used, for example double reduced steel. The peripheral portion of the workpiece is initially clamped between a blank punch and a draw pad, and also between a knockout and a crown ring. An outer first portion of the dome is then formed by an outer redraw sleeve and a dome form die. An inner second portion of the dome is next formed by a dome punch and the dome form die. There may be limited contact of the dome punch with the workpiece during formation of the first portion of the dome and the workpiece may also be clamped between the outer redraw sleeve and the dome form die during formation of the second dome portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Alfons Haar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Turner, Carl W. Hoying
  • Patent number: 6802197
    Abstract: A process for shaping a high strength container, particularly an aerosol container and a container obtained through such process. Generally, aerosol containers made of aluminum or tin are obtained by conventional embedding processes from sheet disks and have cylindrical bodies with upper tapering finishing at a curl for fixing a valve cover and are closed by convex and profiled cross section bottoms, for forming a support region for upstanding the container. The bottom of such containers is obtained before tapering by means of a blow or front shock once the cylindrical body having planar circular base is shaped, this impact causing undesirable stresses on the body side wall and material accumulation at the annular region joining with this wall since the bottom thickness is not uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: María Eugenia Barrera
  • Patent number: 6769164
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for making cans from three pieces of a sheet metal, namely a bottom part, a body part and a closure, the method and apparatus enabling cost efficient production of cans in small batch sizes. The apparatus has means for forming a tubular can body from a blank of sheet material without internally supporting the tubular form. The apparatus further has means for subsequently forming the tubular can body into a cross sectional shape without the use of a dedicated press tool, means for beading, curling and flanging the can body and means for attaching the bottom part and the closure to the can body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Glud & Marstrand A/S
    Inventor: Esad Zubcevic
  • Patent number: 6748789
    Abstract: A method for strengthening an end member for a container comprises the steps of providing an end member shell and reforming the end member shell. The finished the end member has a central panel wall with a product side and a public side. The public side has a means for opening a frangible panel segment. The end member shell has a central panel extending radially outwardly from a central axis, a panel radius along a peripheral edge of the central panel, a countersink integral with the panel radius, a chuckwall extending upwardly from the countersink having a bend with a radius of curvature and angled axially outwardly, and a seaming curl defining the outer perimeter of the end member shell and integral with the chuckwall. The chuckwall of the end member shell is reformed to decrease the radius of curvature of the bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy Turner, Randy G. Forrest, Rajesh Gopalaswamy
  • Patent number: 6730433
    Abstract: A process is described for forming a can from extremely thin side wall material. The process includes the steps of reverse forming a portion of the can, and during the reverse forming process including a tapered side wall portion. Battery cans formed during the process are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Keith Edward Buckle, Mark Andrews, Thomas Takahura
  • Patent number: 6694791
    Abstract: A method of cold forming a capped cylinder with geometrically spaced torsional engagement radial projections on an exterior side of the capped cylinder is provided. The method includes the step of striking a generally flat blank to form a drawn part having a first capped portion and a second cylindrical portion adjacent an open end of the capped cylinder, placing the drawn part with the capped portion into a die with a cylindrical cavity portion having a first diameter with radial projections extending to a second diameter greater than said first diameter; inserting into the drawn part open end a mandrel, and rotating said mandrel with respect to the drawn part to plastically deform the drawn part cylindrical portion radially outward into the die cylindrical portion to cold form the radial projections on the exterior side of the second cylindrical portion of the capped cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hayes-Albion Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald M. Johnson, Leo C. Sholl
  • Publication number: 20040011113
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a metal can (11), which metal can (11) has a can body (111) with a narrowed can neck (112) and a decorative layer (10) which has been attached to the can body (111). In the first phase of process steps a metal can preform (110) with an undecorated can body (111) and tapered can neck (112) is produced and in a second phase of process steps which takes place later or immediately follows the first phase of the process steps, the metal can preform (110) is provided with a decorative layer (10) which consists preferably of shrinkable material and which has a decoration (100) and is finished. The invention relates furthermore to a device for carrying out this process, to metal cans (11) which can be produced using this process or metal can preforms (110) which can be further processed and to a decorative layer (10) for use in this process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Hagmann Jakob
  • Patent number: 6655764
    Abstract: A housing or decorative cover for a mobile communication device is constructed by impact extrusion of metal. The impact extrusion die and punch are designed to provide attachment ridges and slots for ease of assembling the cover to the device. To provide a final shape and finish the impact extruded metal cover is drawn through a drawing stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Limited
    Inventors: Juha Sormunen, Eero Maki-Tulokas, Tomi Kanninen, Pekka Hakanen
  • Publication number: 20030134191
    Abstract: A process is described for forming a can from extremely thin side wall material. The process includes the steps of reverse forming a portion of the can, and during the reverse forming process including a tapered side wall portion. Battery cans formed during the process are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Keith Edward Buckle, Mark Andrews, Thomas Takahura
  • Patent number: 6547503
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pressurized two-chambered container in the form of an aerosol can, in which a housing is provided with an opening that can be sealed tightly by a spray or aerosol valve. A product chamber and a propellant chamber are formed separately fluid-tight from each other by a flexible diaphragm in the housing. The product chamber can be charged with a product which can be release through said valve. The propellant chamber can be charged, on the other hand, with a compressed propellant. The product chamber communicates with the product-release opening. At least one end of a blank is left open to constitute subsequently the housing. The diaphragm is inserted into the blank through the open end, and the blank then is formed into the housing. An edge of the open end of the blank is reformed to narrow it into an integral mouthpiece that accommodates the product-release opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Lechner GmbH
    Inventors: Konrad Böhm, Peter Wunsch, Norbert Achten
  • Patent number: 6546773
    Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a can having a can body including a dome section and an annular projection. The dome section is formed on a bottom of the can and is recessed inwardly of the can body. The annular projection is formed around a peripheral edge of the dome section so as to project outwardly in a direction of an axis of the can. A plurality of inner recesses are formed on an inner wall of the annular projection. The apparatus includes: an apparatus main body; a mandrel disposed on the apparatus main body for supporting the can body; a can bottom processing unit disposed on the apparatus main body so as to be relatively movable in the direction of the can axis with respect to the can bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hanafusa, Masahiro Hosoi, Aki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6543268
    Abstract: A seamless candle can is formed in a blank and draw operation, and includes a complex bottom structure formed at the end of the drawing process. The bottom structure includes an annular base which occupies less than 30% of the area of the bottom surface, and a raised central platform for supporting a wick structure. The platform is raised at least 0.25 inch above the container bottom. A gently sloping surface joins the annular support ring to the central platform. The distance by which the platform is raised and the angle of the connecting surface are adapted to prevent overstretching of the material during the formation of the bottom, so as to prevent the formation of holes in the seamless can which would cause leaks. The central platform serves to support a wick sustainer at a location above the bottom of the can in order to reduce the possibility of flash-over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: J. L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventors: Chet Wright, Walter P. Pietruch, Richard L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6526799
    Abstract: A casing for cylindrical electrochemical cells, for example, alkaline cells or lithium cells. The casing is characterized by having a non-uniform wall thickness. The casing comprises a cylindrical body surface, an open end and an integrally formed closed bottom. A portion of the casing body forms the peripheral edge of the casing at the open end thereof. The casing body surface has a wall thickness which is less than the wall thickness of the casing bottom. The casing has a peripheral edge which has a wall thickness which is greater than the wall thickness of the body surface. The peripheral edge wall thickness is desirably about the same or greater than the wall thickness of the casing bottom. The casing is formed by subjecting a sheet of metal to a series of discrete punching steps. A partially formed cup is punched through a die cavity in each step thereby progressively drawing the cup to a progressively reduced diameter and increased length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Charles R. Ferraro, Sean A. Sargeant, Jay Lucas, Keith Buckle
  • Publication number: 20030000624
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for temporarily bonding reinforcing sheet metal pieces or other metal pieces to a sheet metal blank for forming at an elevated temperature such as is employed in superplastic forming of suitable aluminum, magnesium, stainless steel or titanium alloys or the like. The pieces are bonded to the blank in locations in which the piece will acquire a desired shape from co-formation with the blank. Suitable water suspendible sodium silicate compositions, such as water glass bond the piece to the blank during high temperature forming and permit removal after forming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Paul Edward Krajewski, Georg M. Barton
  • Publication number: 20020187391
    Abstract: An anode can for an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The anode can is no more than 0.0050 inch thick, and the can includes a copper layer and a stainless steel layer. The ratio of the copper layer thickness to the stainless steel layer thickness is at least 0.10:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Keith E. Buckle, Masaaki Ishio
  • Publication number: 20020187392
    Abstract: There is provided an anode can capable of preventing leakage of liquid, a method of fabricating the same, and a battery using the anode can and a method of fabricating the same. An anode can is formed of a material formed of a stack of layers including an aluminum alloy layer and a stainless steel layer formed on the aluminum alloy layer and it includes a flat, center portion and a peripheral side wall contiguous to and surrounding the flat center portion. The aluminum alloy layer located at the peripheral side wall is smaller in thickness than the aluminum alloy layer located at the flat center portion. At an edge of the peripheral side wall, the aluminum alloy layer and the stainless steel layer have their respective end surfaces aligned substantially in a single straight line in a plane substantially perpendicular to an outer peripheral surface of the peripheral side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Ishizaki Press Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Morio Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 6463776
    Abstract: The invention is a bottle-shaped can manufacturing method of shaping a neck portion, a shoulder portion and a body portion integrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Daiwa Can Company
    Inventors: Yasushi Enoki, Yukio Ogawa, Hirotomo Tamiya, Yoshinao Shima
  • Patent number: 6442988
    Abstract: A method of spin forming an open-ended container or other cylindrical metal workpiece by inserting a conically tapering mandrel coaxially therein and pressing the side wall of the workpiece against the inserted mandrel with plural symmetrically arranged forming discs while unidirectionally translating the workpiece, and independently translating the mandrel, relative to the forming discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Peter Hamstra, Stuart MacEwen
  • Patent number: 6442991
    Abstract: “CAN BODY STRETCHING AND MOLDING DEVICE” comprised by a hard and solid forming block (1) in steel or any other harder material, generally cylindrical which presents the biggest part of its height with a larger diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the can already stretched having on its upper part a conic section (3) topped by a short cylindrical section with smaller diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the can body to be stretched; said forming block (1) receives from below, where it seats, a flange forming tool at the lower part of the can body, said tool formed by a steel disk (5) having a circular groove (6) in fluting section, susceptible to be reached and taken by the lower end of the can body on its stretching and molding process; it is further provided a flange forming tool on the upper part of the can formed by a steel disk (10) provided on its lower face with a circular groove (11) of fluting section and having a small circular and salient section (12) which surround
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Metalgrafica Rojek LTDA.
    Inventor: Arnaldo Rojek
  • Patent number: 6435541
    Abstract: A containment structure for housing an inflatable air bag cushion and inflator. Extrusion processes are used to form the portion of the containment structure which houses the inflatable air bag cushion while non-extrusion processes are used to form the portion of the containment structure which houses the inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion. The portion of the containment structure which houses the inflatable air bag cushion is preferably formed from a lightweight, readily deformable material and will preferably be formed from extruded aluminum or plastic. The portion of the containment structure housing the inflator is preferably formed by a deep drawing or molding process so as to include an integral chamber sized for the acceptance and storage of the inflator therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David James Thomas, Mark Thomas Winters
  • Patent number: 6430984
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing cold formed shaped packaging having at least one recess made from a metal-plastic laminate 20. Examples of such shaped forms of packaging are the base parts of push-through packs or blister packs. The process is such that the laminate 20 is held between a retaining tool 5 and a die 1. The die 1 exhibits at least one opening 8 and a stamping tool 6 is driven into the die opening 8 causing the laminate to be shape-formed into the said packaging and, correspondingly, exhibiting one or more recesses. The die 1 and the retaining tool 5 exhibit facing edge regions 11,12, and within the edge region 11 the die 1 exhibits a shoulder region 13 that surrounds the die opening 8 or openings 8. The surface of the shoulder region 13 lies 0.01 to 10 mm lower than the surface of the edge region 11 of the die 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Alcan Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrik Zeiter, Heinz Oster
  • Patent number: 6389866
    Abstract: A mounting cup for an aerosol container having radially outward extending dimples on the body portion of the mounting cup and radially inward extending indents in the skirt portion of the mounting cup; both the dimples and the indents being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the mounting cup. In the preferred form of the mounting cup, three aligned dimples and indents are spaced equidistant about the circumference of the body portion and the skirt portion, respectively. Additionally, the method of this invention comprises forming a mounting cup having dimples and indents aligned with the longitudinal axis of the mounting cup, wherein the indents are formed in the last stage of a progressive die stamping operation through displacement of the metal of the mounting cup into a recess in the outer surface of the pilot tool during the formation of the skirt portion of the mounting cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Precision Valve Corporation
    Inventor: Charles S. Radtke