Abstract:
A seal and method of forming a seal for a resealable container includes a removable cap that is selectively received over a pour opening formed in a can body. A seal is adhered to the end wall of the cap and includes a continuous, first axial region extending outwardly from the inner surface of the cap. The seal first region is dimensioned for engagement with the opening in the container and sealing the container along an inner diameter thereof. Reduced on-torque/off-torque are required since the seal is formed on the inner diameter, and a down force is substantially reduced to assemble the cap to the container.
Abstract:
An apparatus for forming a reclosable metal can includes a flexible bladder that receives pressure from at least one end. The bladder is received in movable dies that selectively open and close about the bladder, and more particularly about a metal body received between the bladder and die. The die preferably includes thread or lug profile cavities for forming circumferentially spaced thread lugs in the can body.
Abstract:
A can or container reformed from an existing open ended can adds additional volume and integral thread portions to form a recloseable can. An existing can is inverted, drawn to increase the volume, an end wall pierced and reformed into an outwardly curled lip, thread portions formed along a perimeter portion of the can body adjacent a first end, and a new end seamed to the original open, second end of the can. A cap with thread lugs cooperates with the thread portions on the external perimeter of the reformed can to originally and subsequently reseal the can once the can has been opened.
Abstract:
A method, and apparatus for performing the method, is provided for the purpose of forming and inserting seal pieces into a container cap of a type which comprises an integral cup-like member having a top panel, a skirt depending from the top panel, and a plurality of cap lugs formed in the rim and extending partially inward from the rim. A quantity of such caps is supplied onto a surface, preferably with the caps inverted resting on their top panels. The caps are gathered into a plurality of rows and forwarded to screw conveyor mechanisms for advancing the caps to seal inserting stations located substantially coplanar with said assembly surface. The screw conveyor mechanism includes a table with at least two slots therein and conveyor screws extending beneath and along the slots and carrying caps along the table to a discharge location where the caps are temporarily located. A supply strip of flexible seal material is directed into proximity to the inserting stations and precisely cut seal pieces from the strip are inserted into the caps.
Abstract:
A dome forming system (50) includes multi-lane progressive tooling which forms can ends from a metal strip (M). The strip is fed through an array of progressive tooling. Blanks (60), from which the domes are formed, are produced in the strip and connected thereto by multiple carrying strips (62). These carrying strips (62) allow sufficient mobility of the blanks (60) with respect to the strip to achieve precise alignment with the tooling sets at different stations in the progression. At the final station (IX), the completed domes are separated from the skeleton and moved rapidly out of the system, and the skeleton may be chopped up for recycling.
Abstract:
A resealable can end (10) having a neck member (11) and hat member (12) which can be sealed onto and removed from the neck member (11) is capable of containing a product under pressure. This end can (10) be attached to a metal container body by a conventional seam (20). The end provides resealing containment of the contents of the container and an improved mouth for better pour opening and direct drinking. The method of making and the apparatus for making the can end is disclosed.
Abstract:
An apparatus, and associated process, expands a wall of an associated nnetal container. The apparatus includes a holder for retaining at least a portion of the metal container. A first tool has a first surface mounted for movement relative to the holder for selective advancement toward and dimensioned to engage at least a portion of the associated metal container. The first tool includes a seal so that fluid received in the associated metal container is pressurized and used to apply an expanding force to the associated metal container as the first tool advances therein. A bubble is formed in the bottom wall, and in a second station, the combination of fluid pressure and metal forming surfaces make the final configuration of the bottom wall.
Abstract:
An improved can end bagging system comprises four subassemblies: (1) the end gathering and stick assembly apparatus, (2) the bag feeding, opening, and loading apparatus which places a predetermined number of stacked can ends into an open end bag, (3) the vertical positioner apparatus for moving the bagged sticks into a folding device, and (4) the bag folding, closing and transfer apparatus. The loading mechanism includes a servo controlled pusher which is driven with controlled acceleration and deceleration to avoid tipping of the ends making up a stick, to avoid bursting of the bags during filling, and to assure complete and uniform filling of each bag. Sponginess which results primarily from variations in compression of the rims of the ends pressing against each other in the gathering and counting process is avoided. Once the closed stick is sealed, it is prepared for transfer into a gathering mechanism in a palletizer, maintaining a predetermined orientation of the bag, while a desired number of bags are assembled for making up horizontal rows on a pallet.
Abstract:
A crown cap is provided for a container. The crown cap includes an end wall and a sidewall extending outwardly in a first direction from the end wall. A circumferentially continuous curl is rolled inwardly adjacent a terminal end of the sidewall spaced from the end wall. Facets are formed in the sidewall, preferably over only a portion of the total height of the sidewall at circumferentially spaced locations and are separated from one another by crimps. The crimps press against the curl to urge the curl against an underside of an associated bottle lip at circumferentially spaced locations. The crimps deform the curl and increase an axial height of the curl in the regions of the crimps, while no increase in the axial height of the curl occurs between the crimps.
Abstract:
A seal and method of forming a seal for a reclosable container includes a removable cap that is selectively received over a pour opening formed in a can body. The method includes applying a plastisol to an interior surface of the cap, curing the plastisol at an elevated temperature in the cap, and cold-forming the cap containing the cured plastisol therein. In another arrangement, an EVA seal material is extruded into the cap and the seal is subsequently cold-formed in the cap.