Adolph Coors Company

Coors Brewing Company

Conrad M Grims

Bert E Johansson

Bruce A Moen

Roger A Hahn

Jaroslav F Pardubicky

Lawrence B Eldridge

Apparatus and method for forming can bottoms

Can ironing die members for use in a tool pack assembly which is part of a can body making apparatus used in forming cups into can bodies and wherein each can ironing die member is mounted in a fixedly mounted holding member so that the can ironing die member can be moved in radial directions by the cup from an initial location to a new location if the longitudinal axes of the cup and the can ironing die member are not in alignment and retaining apparatus for retaining the can ironing die member at the new location until moved again by an out of alignment cup. Also, the can ironing die member can be rotated relative to the holding member.

Apparatus for aligning a tool member

A redraw apparatus is provided for a can body making apparatus wherein the redraw carriage of the redraw apparatus is mounted for substantially friction-free sliding reciprocating movement over a pair of spaced apart support posts which are fixedly mounted on the housing holding the can forming and ironing dies. Also, a counterbalancing system is provided for applying a force to counterbalance the weight of a portion of structures used to reciprocate the redraw carriage. Additionally, a raw assembly is provided for supporting a ram for movement through the redraw apparatus and the can forming and ironing dies wherein a pair of spaced apart elongated shafts are fixedly mounted and a ram carriage having the ram attached thereto is provided with liquid bearings using liquid coolant comprising water having solubles contained therein for mounting the ram carriage on the elongated shafts for substantially friction free movement thereover. A guide liquid bearing is also used to ensure proper alignment of the ram. Also disclosed in a reciprocating ram which is supported solely by a liquid bearing wherein the liquid bearing using liquid coolant comprising water having solubles contained therein has a sufficient length to ensure the proper alignment of the leading portion of the elongated ram as it engages a can blank in a redraw assembly and moves it through the forming and ironing dies to form an elongated can body.

Can body making apparatus

A redraw apparatus is provided for a can body making apparatus wherein the redraw carriage of the redraw apparatus is mounted for substantially friction-free sliding reciprocating movement over a pair of spaced apart support posts which are fixed mounted on the housing holding the can forming and ironing dies. Also, the counterbalancing system is provided for applying a force to counterbalance the weight of a portion of structures used to reciprocate the redraw carriage. Additionally, a ram assembly is provided for supporting a ram for movement through the redraw apparatus and the can forming and ironing dies wherein a pair of spaced apart elongated shafts are fixedly mounted and a ram carriage having the ram attached thereto is provided with liquid bearings using liquid coolant comprising water having solubles contained therein for mounting the ram carriage on the elongated shafts for substantially friction free movement thereover. A guide liquid bearing is also used to ensure proper alignment of the ram. Also disclosed is a reciprocating ram which is supported solely by a liquid bearing wherein the liquid bearing using liquid coolant comprising water having solubles contained therein has a sufficient length to ensure the proper alignment of the leading portion of the elongated ram as it engages a can blank in a redraw assembly and moves it through the forming and ironing dies to form an elongated can body.

Container body maker die

Can ironing die members for use in a tool pack assembly which is part of a can body making apparatus used in forming cups into can bodies and wherein each can ironing die member is mounted in a fixedly mounted holding means so that the can ironing die member can be moved by the cup from an initial location to a new location if the longitudinal axes of the cup and the can ironing die member are not in alignment and retaining apparatus for retaining the can ironing die member at the new location until moved again by an out of alignment cup.

A redraw apparatus is provided for a can body making apparatus wherein the redraw carriage of the redraw apparatus is mounted for substantially friction-free sliding reciprocating movement over a pair of spaced apart support posts which are fixedly mounted on the housing holding the can forming and ironing dies. Also, a counterbalancing system is provided for applying a force to counterbalance the weight of a portion of structures used to reciprocate the redraw carriage.

Redraw apparatus for a can body making apparatus

A can bottom forming assembly for forming the bottom wall of a can body. A bodymaker punch urges a can bottom wall first against an outer forming ring, then against a middle forming ring, and then against a domer die.

Apparatus for doming can bottoms

A doming assembly for doming the bottom wall of a can body. A bodymaker punch urges a can bottom wall first against a forming ring and then against a domer die. The forming ring forms an outer annular portion of a dome and the domer die forms a central portion of a dome in the can bottom wall. The sequential engagement of the can bottom wall by first the forming ring, then the domer die prevents flower dome formation and axial can body shortening.

Method and apparatus for doming can bottoms

An apparatus for measuring the volume of a mold cavity of the type having a plurality of small dimension air venting passages in communication with the mold cavity. The apparatus includes an extensible membrane enclosure which is inserted into the mold cavity and filled with liquid from a liquid-holding vessel connected to the extensible membrane enclosure. Measurement of liquid in the liquid-holding vessel with a calibrated scale assembly is made prior to and subsequent to filling of the extensible membrane enclosure for determining the volume of the mold cavity.

Mold cavity volume measuring apparatus

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

Conversion die with double end sensor

A deflectable pin assembly mountable on a conveyor chain for use in transporting open ended containers comprising a first elongate sleeve for supporting an open ended container thereon; a second elongate sleeve for mounting the deflectable pin assembly on a conveyor chain; connection apparatus for seating and pivotally connecting the first elongate sleeve and the second elongate sleeve; a biasing device for biasing the first sleeve in a predetermined position relative the second sleeve; the pin assembly having a biased position wherein the first sleeve is positioned in substantially coaxial relationship with the second sleeve, and having a plurality of deflected positions wherein the first sleeve is positioned in obtuse angular relationship relative the second sleeve.

Growing community of inventors

Golden, CO, United States of America

Conrad M Grims