American Can Company

Ball Corporation

Other

United States Can Company

Edward F Kubacki

Vance B Gold

John M Masciale

Harold C Lemke

John Czarnota

Harold J Jessogne

Thomas Krewenka

James R Monroe

Edward C Jacobs

Frederick G Kudert

Walter J Sieverin

Bengt S Backe

William D Timmins

John Czamota

George Alan Schmidt

Tan K Dao

A can shaping process in which container preforms (F) are mounted on a table () which is rotated so a preform is moved from an initial loading station (P) to a molding station (P). A molding unit () includes a two-part mold () split vertically in half, with inner surfaces () of the respective mold halves shaped to produce a desired container profile. Once the preform is in place, a pressurization unit () is lowered into place from above the mold onto an open, upper end of the preform. The mold is then closed and pressurized air is introduced into the preform. The air pressure forces the sidewall of the preform outwardly against the inner surface of the mold to conform the shape of the container to a desired profile. After the shaping operation is complete, the pressurized air is withdrawn from the container, the mold halves are moved apart from each other, opening the mold. The pressurization unit is then removed and the table is rotated to an off-loading station (P) where the shaped container is removed from the table and conveyed to the next operating location. As the table moves the contoured container to the off-loading station, another container preform is loaded into the mold.

Process and apparatus for manufacturing shaped containers

A molding unit () for use in a can shaping process. Container preforms (F) are mounted on a table () which is rotated so a blank is moved from an initial loading station (P) to a molding station (P). The molding unit includes a two-part mold () split vertically in half, and an inner surface () of each mold half is shaped to produce a desired can profile. Once the preform is in place, a pressurization unit () is lowered into place from above the mold onto an open, upper end of the preform. The mold is then closed and pressurized air is introduced into the preform and forces the sidewall of the preform outwardly against the inner surface of the mold to conform the preform into a desired container profile. The height of the preform tries to contract as its sidewall expands, but a force imparted to the preform by the pressurization unit controls the direction of any contraction so to prevent distortion of the container. After the shaping operation is complete, the pressurized air is withdrawn from the container, the mold is opened, and the pressurization unit is removed. The table is rotated to an off-loading station (P) where the shaped container is removed from the table and conveyed to the next operating location. As the table moves the contoured container to the off-loading station, another container preform is loaded into the mold.

Mold construction for a process and apparatus for manufacturing shaped containers

A method for shaping an aerosol container () to a desired body contour. A container body () is formed into a cylindrical shape and installed into a mold () whose inner surface defines the desired body contour. A bladder () is fitted onto a tool () insertable into an open end (M) of the container body. Once the tool is inserted, the bladder is inflated with a hydraulic fluid. Pressurizing the bladder forces the bladder against a sidewall of the body forcing the body outwardly and deforming it against the inside of the mold. After the container body is shaped, the bladder is de-pressurized and the tool withdrawn leaving the container with a defined body contour. The hydraulic fluid with which the bladder is pressurized is, at all times, contained within the bladder and does not contact the container sidewall so no subsequent drying of the container is required after the shaping process is complete.

Dry hydraulic can shaping

A large size aerosol container (') dispensing a fluent material. A generally cylindrical can body (&#x2032;) is fabricated from a steel sheet and has a relatively thin sidewall thickness of between 0.004 inches and 0.010 inches depending upon the weight of the steel sheet from which the container is made. The can body has beads () formed at regular intervals substantially its length. The beading adds structural strength to the container so the container is not damaged by handling during manufacture of the container, will not collapse during vacuum filling, and cannot be crushed by hand before the container is filled. The container can withstand a vacuum of at least 23 inches of Mercury without collapsing. A valve assembly (&#x2032;) includes a spray valve () for dispensing the fluent material stored in the container. The container is filled with the fluent material and a propellant stored in the container under pressure.

Beaded thin wall large aerosol container

A non-barrier type aerosol container ( ) dispensing a fluent material. A generally cylindrical can body ( ) has a relatively thin sidewall thickness of between 0.004 inches and 0.010 inches depending upon the type of metal from which the container is made. The can body has beads ( ) formed at regular intervals substantially its length. The beading adds structural strength to the container so the container is not readily deformed when un-pressurized. The aerosol container also can withstand a vacuum of at least 23 inches of Mercury without collapsing. A valve assembly ( ) includes a spray valve ( ) for dispensing the fluent material stored in the container. The container is filled with the fluent material and a propellant stored in the container under pressure.

Beaded thin wall aerosol container

Apparatus for marking continuously moving objects, wherein the marking device is caused to move during the marking process. The marking device may comprise a die guided to enable its movement with the object to a determined displacement, or, alternatively, the die may be externally controlled to move, through a given displacement, at the speed of the object.

Apparatus for marking moving articles

In a marking system for stamping materials such as aluminum strip, a pulse of determined energy is supplied to a solenoid, to impart a determined kinetic energy to a die. The die is guided to dissipate substantially all of this kinetic energy in the deformation of the material being stamped. The pulse of energy applied to the solenoid may be controlled by a programmable computer, programmed to control the duration of time that a current is applied to the solenoid. The computer may control a plurality of such solenoids, controlling the times and relative numbers of operation of each of the solenoids.

Method for stamping indicia on materials

Apparatus for stamping indicia on materials

A signal emitted from a transducer responsive to the relative power applied during a welding process is enhanced electronically and mathematically to be of use in controlling welder operating parameters and/or in rejecting defective welds. Electronically the signal refined to minimize unnecessary noise in the signal and mathematically the signal is modified and analyzed against a standard. In a high speed welding operation automatic means are necessary to assure weld quality and control welder operation since the rapidity with which the welding takes place is too fast for manual readjustment.

Closed loop control of continuous seam resistance heated forge welding

To measure the relative power during a welding process, a position sensitive transducer is attached to a welding electrode to submit a signal in response to electrode motion. An accelerometer, carried on an axle of an electrode roll for a Soudronics pulse type resistance welder, will emit a signal indicative of the quality of the weld. The accelerometer measures the forging taking place during welding by means of its position sensitivity and the amount of forging has been found to be a function of the characteristics of the weld.

Monitoring weld quality via forging assembly dynamics

Work pieces, particularly thin-walled shells of can dimension, are transferred from a magazine at a supply station to another station by a reciprocal shuttle having a pocket for receiving the shells in ready position at the supply station; at the other station, a reciprocal loader transfers the shell laterally from the shuttle to a work station where the work product is produced. The shuttle incorporates a second pocket to receive the work product and includes a surface for gating the supply magazine as an incident to shuttle travel. By locating the path of the shuttle above the path of the loader, it is possible to coordinate shuttle and loader movement for maximum utilization of time. Shells fed to the magazine are constantly aligned inside the magazine to assure effective bottom feed from the magazine to the shuttle.

Shuttle transfer mechanism

Elongated closed bottom shells (cans) are produced in the preferred manner by a double-acting punch body arranged on a horizontal axis and reciprocated between opposed die stations at a substantially constant velocity by a hydraulic force alternately applied to opposite sides of a ram on the punch body; blanks (of cup form) are fed to the die stations at times when the punch body dwells at the end of a stroke. Preferably the applied force is such that punch body attains peak (maximum) velocity before the punch encounters a cup centered at the die station; cup feed, cup positioning, punch body travel and formation of a shell of correct length are monitored (sensed) and in the event a programmed condition of machine function or production criterion is sensed as not satisfied, the machine is stopped. During the return stroke of the punch body, after a shell is formed at one station, fluid under pressure is applied by a unique porting arrangement to a separable part of the punch, which thereby serves as a stripper to hold the completed shell stationary at the die station while the remainder of the punch body is retracted from the shell; concurrently, air under pressure is ported in a unique fashion to break any vacuum inside of the shell. After the shell is stripped, the stripper is retracted at an accelerated rate to re-couple with the punch body as it moves toward the other die station. The main cylinder is so supported that thermal effects will not disturb the alignment of the punch body relative to the dies.

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Marengo, IL, United States of America

Edward F Kubacki