The Continental Group, Inc.

Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation

Continental Can Company, Inc.

Crown, Cork & Seal Company, Inc.

Robert A Winkless

Ralph J Trnka

Anton A Aschberger

Michael R Gogola

William O Irvine

Richard O Wahler

James J Tang

Zeev W Shore

Mark W Hartman

David A Harvey

Robert D Payne

Rafael J Hernandez

Joseph J Merle

Richard Mark Golding

David Harvey

Stanley L Stamets

Edmund M Kulesa

Stanley L Mazurek

Carl A Pesce

Punch assembly for forming a base in a metal beverage can

A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity conforming a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body. Axial compression is preferably applied to the can body blank in order to reduce internal stresses during molding of the container. A second embodiment includes steps of radially deforming the can body blank in selected areas by selected amounts to achieve an intermediate can body that is radially modified, but is still symmetrical about its axis; and superimposing a preselected pattern of mechanical deformations that have an axial component onto the intermediate can body. Related apparatus and processes are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for making decorative shaped metal cans

A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity that is shaped generally like the can body blank, the mold wall having a pattern formed therein that corresponds to a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body. A second embodiment includes steps of radially deforming the can body blank in selected areas by selected amounts to achieve an intermediate can body that is radially modified, but is still symmetrical about its axis; and superimposing a preselected pattern of mechanical deformations that have an axial component onto the intermediate can body. Related systems and processes are also disclosed.

This relates to a conventional type metal container end having a modified end hook configuration for the purpose of eliminating undesired wrinkles within a conventional type of double seam between a metal container end and a container body. Most particularly, a customary straight section between an end curl and a cut edge of the metal container end is eliminated so that the end curl terminates at the cut edge. Additionally, the end curl is reinforced so as to stiffen the end curl by providing a reinforcement generally in the area of the normal juncture between a seaming panel and the end curl. In a preferred embodiment the reinforcement is arched primarily upwardly.

End shape modification to reduce end hook wrinkling

This relates to the modification of an existing type of closure which employs a fulcrum post about which a part of the closure functioning as a lever pivots while bearing on an axially facing surface of the fulcrum post so as to weaken the fulcrum post in a manner wherein, when a pry tool is used and bears against the fulcrum post in a radial direction, the fulcrum post will separate into bendable tabs both to hinder the prying operation and to give indication of tampering efforts.

Closure break-away tabs

This relates to a powder applicator for applying a coating stripe in powder form to inside seams of can bodies. The powder applicator is particularly adapted to be utilized in conjunction with welding apparatus for welding the side seams of can bodies and wherein the diameters of the can bodies are too small to permit the provision of the customary excess powder return duct. The powder applicator is located at the 12:00 o'clock position and thus the excess powder will not merely fall out of the applicator. Accordingly, there is provided a channel defined by a porous block having air or gas circulated therethrough and wherein the terminal end of the channel is closed by a deflector block which will deflect any excess powder out of the applicator into an overlying hood which is primarily intended to take away powder overspray which normally occurs between adjacent, but spaced, can bodies.

Inside powder striping apparatus

A powder applicator for applying powder to form a side stripe to the interior of can bodies along side seams thereof. The powder applicator includes a device for providing a layering effect on the gas entrained powder so that although the powder is normally carried by the gaseous stream it is directed into an orifice of a nozzle as a dense stream with the carrier gas forming a separate layer. In addition, the applicator forms a seal with the interior of the can body to define a limited sealed area within which the powder may pass. This sealed area contains corona charging pins which are arranged in a longitudinal line so that a maximum charging of the powder may be effected. Also, a diffused gas is directed into the sealed area to prevent the powder from clinging to the side walls of the sealed area and the charging pins.

Electrostatic air/powder stripe applicator

This relates to the mounting of brushes in a rotary electrical joint in a manner wherein the frictional force applied to a brush by a rotary member is restrained so as to eliminate prior tilting of the brush in a manner wherein excessive wear occurred adjacent the leading edge of the brush. Most particularly, the brush is so restrained wherein any tendency thereof to pivot will occur generally about an axis disposed adjacent the leading edge so that there is a uniform force application of the brush against the rotary member and thus a uniform wearing of the brush.

Brush mounting for rotary electrical joint

Growing community of inventors

Oak Lawn, IL, United States of America

Robert A Winkless