Coors Brewing Company

Adolph Coors Company

Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.

Novelis, Inc.

Stolle Machinery Company, LLC

Omnitech International, Inc.

Harold Cook, Jr

Roger A Hahn

Bruce A Moen

Michael Atkinson

Phillip W Gold

Christopher J Olson

Peter Kubisa

Larry Patchen

Randy Worwag

Chris Reynolds

Kevin Michael Gillest

Jan L Dorfman

Jeffrey Edward Geho

Andrew D Le

William Kennedy

Apparatus and method for forming (e.g. die necking) open ends of open-ended metal container bodies. An exemplary embodiment provides a number of movable holders for container bodies that move the container bodies along a path extending through the apparatus. A motor advances the holders and container bodies along the path in steps with pauses between each step. Each step advances one or more container bodies (and preferably two or more). One or more groups of work stations positioned adjacent to the path provides tool sets for carrying out a forming operation on one (and preferably two or more) container bodies simultaneously. Individual container bodies, or more preferably groups of two or more, are subjected to one or more forming operations during passage along the path (preferably the periphery of one or more star wheels).

Forming of metal container bodies

Disclosed is a device and method for forming a curl in a closable container. A process of forming a pre-curl is used, which is followed by a second separate step of forming the completed curl. The two-step process provides for higher tolerances with respect to the shape of the curl that allows the curl to be used as a sealing surface for a recloseable metal bottle. A three-step process provides for even greater tolerances and reduces longitudinal forces by completing the curl using lateral forces.

Formation of a curl in a unitary closable container

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming metal containers. The method involves introducing a knockout element () into the container body through the open end, providing a forming die shaped to reduce the diameter of the sidewall of the container body () when the open end of the container body () is forced therein to produce a neck portion of reduced diameter on the container body, driving the open end of the container body into the forming die (), retracting the knockout element through the neck portion as the neck portion is formed, and removing the container body () from the forming die () and knockout element (). In the invention, the driving of the open end of the container body into the forming die and/or the movements of the knockout element are carried out under computer numerical control, preferably employing linear motor drives, thereby enabling the driving or movement to be optimized for the container body and the neck portion formed thereon.

Linear drive metal forming machine

The disclosed invention describes a container end that can be easily opened and does not rely on a conventional metal tab, riveted onto the end, thereby avoiding the problems and the cost associated with such a tab. The invention utilizes a traditional container end shell with a separate and distinct piece that is formed independently and is inserted into a countersink which is placed on the outer surface of the container end shell. The removal of this separate piece exerts a force or causes a change in the properties of the container wall in the countersink area, initiating and proliferating a discontinuity in the container wall, thereby creating an opening in the container. This change in the properties of the container wall can be mechanical, chemical, thermal or any other modality, which has the ability to influence the integrity of the container wall.

Easy-open container end

A can body maker apparatus including a stationary support frame; a housing having forming and ironing dies located therein mounted on the support frame; an elongated ram; a reciprocating ram drive; and a redraw assembly which includes a redraw sleeve for supporting a can body preform thereon; a redraw carriage for supporting and axially displacing the redraw sleeve relative the ram; a redraw electromagnetic coil fixedly positioned relative the stationary support frame; and a permanent magnet fixedly mounted with respect to the redraw carriage in displace relationship with the coil along the coil axis for co-acting with the electromagnetic field produced by the coil for controllably reciprocatingly displacing the redraw carriage. Also, apparatus is provided for applying a force on the redraw sleeve while the redraw sleeve is in contact with the can body preform so that the redraw sleeve applies a pressure on the can body preform and control apparatus for controlling the amount of force applied on the redraw sleeve.

Can body maker with magnetic ram bearing and redraw actuator

A container end member having a peripheral wall portion and an integral central wall portion is provided and which has at least one severable tab portion integral with the central wall portion and having a hinge portion having spaced apart ends and wherein a recessed portion is formed between the central end wall portion and the severable tab portion and has an axial thickness less than the axial thickness of the remaining portions of the central end wall portion and the severable tab portion and at least one severable score line groove having a main body portion and integral end portions defining the spaced apart ends of the hinge portion is formed in the recessed portion and at least a portion of the at least one score line groove extends in a transverse direction in the recessed portion. Also, apparatus is provided for controlling the amount of force applied to a container end member during the formation of a score line groove therein.

Container end member

A can body maker apparatus including a stationary support frame; a housing having forming and ironing dies located therein mounted on the support frame; an elongated ram; a reciprocating ram drive; and a redraw assembly which includes a redraw sleeve for supporting a can body preform thereon; a redraw carriage for supporting and axially displacing the redraw sleeve relative the ram; a redraw electromagnetic coil fixedly positioned relative the stationary support frame; and a permanent magnet fixedly mounted with respect to the redraw carriage in displaceable relationship with the coil along the coil axis for coacting with the electromagnetic field produced by the coil for controllably reciprocatingly displacing the redraw carriage.

A can body maker apparatus of the type having an axially reciprocal ram member and an axially reciprocal redraw carriage comprising a ram position sensing assembly for sensing the position of the ram member and for generating a ram position signal in response thereto; an electromagnetic bearing assembly for frictionlessly radially supporting and aligning one end of the ram member with a predetermined ram displacement path; an electromagnetic redraw carriage actuator for applying magnetic force to the redraw carriage for reciprocating the redraw carriage; and a control assembly for selectively energizing and deenergizing electromagnets in the electromagnetic bearing assembly and the electromagnetic redraw assembly in response to the ram position signal, also, an electromagnetic doming apparatus is provided for shaping the bottom portion of the can body.

Can body maker with magnetic ram bearing and domer

A can body maker apparatus of the type having an axially reciprocal ram member and an axially reciprocal redraw carriage comprising a ram position sensing assembly for sensing the position of the ram member and for generating a ram position signal in response thereto; an electromagnetic bearing assembly for frictionlessly radially supporting and aligning one end of the ram member with a predetermined ram displacement path; an electromagnetic redraw carriage actuator for applying magnetic force to the redraw carriage for reciprocating the redraw carriage; and a control assembly for selectively energizing and deenergizing electromagnets in the electromagnetic bearing assembly and the electromagnetic redraw assembly in response to the ram position signal.

A container end member is provided and has a first severable tab portion which is defined by a score line groove and has an integral hinge portion for permanently securing it to the container end member and a force applying tab portion permanently pivotally mounted on the container end member and used to apply a force on the first severable tab portion to form a pour opening in the container end member and a second severable tab portion having an integral hinge portion for permanently securing it to the container end member and having a raised surface projecting outwardly from the container end member so that a force may be applied thereto to sever the second severable tab portion and form a vent opening in the container end member.

A liquor bottle capping assembly comprising a perforated member fixedly attachable to the liquor bottle in covering relationship with a threaded opening in the liquor bottle for preventing flame propagation into the liquor bottle.

Liquor bottle capping assembly

A liquor bottle capping assembly comprising a perforated member fixedly attachable to the liquor bottle in covering relationship with a threaded opening in the liquor bottle for preventing flame propagation into the liquor bottle; a penetration discouraging device operatively associated with the perforated member for discouraging and providing evidence of penetration of the perforated member as by a hypodermic needle; a sheet fixedly attached to the penetration discouraging device and tearably removably attached to the perforated member for sealing the bottle opening and for providing evidence of tampering with the capping assembly; a cap threadably attachable and detachable on the threaded opening for providing a removable and reattachable closure for the liquor bottle opening.

Growing community of inventors

Evergreen, CO, United States of America

Harold Cook, Jr