Ball Corporation

Edward C Miller

Timothy J Miller

Michael L Atkinson

Randall S Worwag

David A Straw

Milton S Hager

John M Ury

C Ross Nichols

A portion or component of a metal container is provided with markings or indicia using laser light. High-speed laser steering is used to position laser light or laser light pulses across a lateral and longitudinal extent in a relatively short time period such as a time period selected so as to avoid slowing, stopping or otherwise interfering with other container or container component production processes. Preferably, tab stock for container-opening tabs can be provided with 6 to 9 or more visible characters within a time window of 50 to 100 milliseconds or less. Preferably, the size and resolution provided by the pulses are sufficient to permit legible, and preferably attractive, formation of any standard typewriter characters. In one embodiment, other logos, designs, textures, backgrounds and similar features can be provided. In addition to tab stock, container ends can be laser marked during a standard process when a container-opening tab is joined to a container end and/or during an off-line process after the container-opening tab is joined to the container end.

Laser light marking of a container portion

A portion or component of a metal container is provided with markings or indicia using laser light. High-speed laser steering is used to position laser light or laser light pulses across a lateral and longitudinal extent in a relatively short time period such as a time period selected so as to avoid slowing, stopping or otherwise interfering with other container or container component production processes. Preferably, tab stock for container-opening tabs can be provided with 6 to 9 or more visible characters within a time window of 50 to 100 milliseconds or less. Preferably, the size and resolution provided by the pulses are sufficient to permit legible, and preferably attractive, formation of any standard typewriter characters. In one embodiment, other logos, designs, textures, backgrounds and similar features can be provided.

Method and apparatus for marking containers using laser light

An apparatus is provided for extending and retracting a redraw sleeve of a container bodymaker and for electromagnetically holding the redraw sleeve in its extended position against a container blank. A linear motor is disposed between two bulkheads and is interconnected with the redraw sleeve through one or more actuating rods. An electromagnet assembly is disposed proximate to a redraw die and, when activated, holds the redraw sleeve against the container blank while a reciprocating ram forces the container blank through the redraw die. The linear motor and the electromagnet assembly are axially disposed relative to the redraw die and the bulkheads to provide adequate access to the nose of the ram, the redraw sleeve and other components.

Electromagnetic redraw actuator

Domer apparatus includes a housing having a cavity therein; an inner die being disposed in the cavity and being disposed around a longitudinal ram axis; an outer die being disposed in the cavity, being disposed around the longitudinal ram axis, and being disposed circumferentially around the inner die; second, third, and fourth springs being disposed in the cavity radially outward from the longitudinal ram axis, being circumferentially spaced-apart, and operatively engaging the inner die; and an air spring being disposed outwardly of the housing distal from the outer die, and providing a resilient force to the outer die along a plurality of paths that include a plurality of push rods, that are disposed radially outward of the longitudinal ram axis, and that extend longitudinally past the second, third, and fourth springs.

Apparatus and method for doming bottoms of containers

Can manufacture, particularly the formation of can necks, is improved by modification of necking tooling to stop the rearward travel of the interior of its two coaxial can-deforming members between which can bodies frequently become jammed. The addition of a stop means to the base of the tooling prevents the concurrent travel of the interior member with the outer member due to the frictional engagement of the can body between the two tooling members. With the interior member stationary, the outer member can be driven from the jammed can.

Method and apparatus for necking can bodies

An apparatus and method are disclosed for flanging thin-walled canbodies. Slippage in the circumferential direction between the canbody and flanging apparatus is severely reduced by mounting rollers in the flanging head on radial axis of rotation which are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the canbody. This roller orientation provides a number of other advantages including lowered incidence of defective flanges, reduced maintenance of the roller, reduced cost and complexity in roller and mounting means fabrication and a reduction in the strain and stress the canbody is subjected to. Critical to satisfactory commercial operation of the present invention is the provision of and the proper interaction between a transition and clearing surface and a frustoconical support surface on the rollers.

Spin-flanger for beverage containers

Can or similar article

Can body or similar article

A lightweight metallic container is disclosed and claimed having a side wall and an effective rigid bottom wall integral therewith. The side wall and bottom wall merge to define a first inclined face, the inclined face forming an angle of between about 35.degree. and 45.degree. with respect to the axis of said container, a tapered member is provided and is integrally formed at the juncture of the side wall and inclined face, the member having a taper angle in a given range and a given wall taper thickness, an annular surface integrally connected to the first inclined wall for supporting the container, a second inclined face integrally connected to the annular surface, and a curved panel integrally connected with the second inclined face. The curved panel is so formed that it has a radius of curvature greater than the diameter of the annular surface. The height of the second inclined face is less than half the height of the first inclined face. The metallic container as so defined has an improved bottom configuration that provides for substantial column strength as well as internal pressure stability. One important feature of the subject bottom configuration is the reduced amount of metal used to manufacture the container.

Lightweight metal container

A punch for mating engagement with a ram for use in forming D&I can bodies. The punch has a plurality of lands disposed about the internal periphery thereof which results in the punch having significantly more mass at or near the nose thereof than it does at the opposing end. A plurality of lands disposed on the ram mate with respective lands within the punch to support and maintain the punch in a workable posture. The improved punch and ram assembly result in increased strength in the punch near the nose and increased strength in the ram at the area most removed from the nose of the punch and yet in engagement with the punch.

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Broomfield, CO, United States of America

Edward C Miller