The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 26, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 31, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
Assignee:
Rexam Beverage Can Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B21D 4/104 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B21D 4/104 ;
Abstract
An apparatus for reducing the diameter of an open end of a container is claimed. The apparatus comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis. A die is supported in the housing about the longitudinal axis. A radially expandable pilot member is also supported in the housing. The radially expandable pilot member is selectively moveable between a contracted position and an expanded position relative to the longitudinal axis. The radially expandable pilot member comprises a plurality of forming members. A method which utilizes the apparatus is also claimed.