System and apparatus for forming containers

Abstract

A system for forming unitary containers from flat metal stock includes a unique arrangement of both previously known and newly discovered apparatus, including means for blanking and cupping the flat metal stock into individual cups; means for drawing and redrawing the cups and bottom profiling them in one machine; and additional means for trimming, flanging, and beading the containers thus drawn. The system and method include, among other things, the utilization of apparatus which permits drawing, redrawing, and bottom profiling to take place in one press. This is accomplished by carrying draw, redraw, and bottom profile tooling in a single press and by inserting the cups in the press for the draw operation and then removing them and reinserting them for the redraw and bottom profile operations. The apparatus which makes it possible to perform the method in this fashion includes draw tooling; a first accumulator/divider table for feeding cups into the press and into the draw tooling; redraw and bottom profiling tooling; further apparatus for transferring the drawn cups from the press to a second accumulator/divider table and back into the press for the redraw and bottom profile operations. A further unique feature of the present system and apparatus is the disposition of the draw and redraw tooling within the press in alternating, balanced condition so that, in cooperation with the second accumulator/divider table, the press is at all times provided with a balanced load.