U.S. patent number 3,868,919 [Application Number 05/422,292] was granted by the patent office on 1975-03-04 for method and apparatus for forming easy opening container walls.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aluminum Company of America. Invention is credited to Hans H. Diekhoff, Howard D. Schrecker.
United States Patent |
3,868,919 |
Schrecker , et al. |
March 4, 1975 |
Method and apparatus for forming easy opening container walls
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for forming a sheet metal
easy opening container wall in which an annular groove is formed
around the periphery of a depressed central portion of a blank, a
planar lip and an upstanding chuckwall are formed around the outer
edge of the groove in the blank, the groove is reformed by moving
portions of it radially outwardly to form a Z-wall connecting the
center portion of the blank to the lip, a score line is formed in
the lip to define a removable panel and the Z-wall is collapsed to
form an annular folded band adjacent the score line. The annular
folded band is designed to shield the raw score edge on the central
panel portion after separation of the panel from the can end.
Inventors: |
Schrecker; Howard D. (Hyde
Park, PA), Diekhoff; Hans H. (Greensburg, PA) |
Assignee: |
Aluminum Company of America
(Pittsburgh, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
23674220 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/422,292 |
Filed: |
December 6, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
413/13; 413/18;
413/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
17/4011 (20180101); B21D 51/383 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B21D
51/38 (20060101); B21d 051/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;113/1F,15A,15R,121A,121C ;220/48,54 ;72/348 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lanham; C. W.
Assistant Examiner: Keenan; M. J.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a method of forming a sheet metal easy opening container end
wall having an annular score line therein defining a removable
panel, an annular folded band in the removable panel adjacent the
score line to shield the raw score edge on the panel after removal
from the end wall, an upstanding chuckwall around the removable
panel and a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the
chuckwall for securement of the end wall to a container body, the
steps comprising:
drawing the center portion of a generally circular sheet metal
blank downwardly with respect to the peripheral edge portions of
the blank,
drawing an annular U-shaped groove in the blank around the
periphery of the center portion of the blank,
forming an annular lip and an upstanding chuckwall around the outer
edge of the groove,
depressing the center portion of the blank and the inner wall of
the groove to move portions of the groove radially outwardly to
form a Z-wall connecting the center portion of the blank to the lip
of the blank,
forming a score line in the lip around the blank and
collapsing the Z-wall to form an annular folded band adjacent the
score line.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1 in which the blank has a
plastic coating on the surface thereof which is to be the inside
surface of the can end.
3. A method as set forth in claim 1 in which the annular band is
formed closely adjacent the score line and has a smooth outer edge
which projects radially outward beyond the score line.
4. A method as set forth in claim 3 in which the score line is cut
in the outer surface of the lip around the complete circumference
of the can end to define a relative large panel which is completely
removable from the can end.
5. In a method for forming a sheet metal easy opening container end
wall having an annular score line therein defining a removable
panel, an annular folded band in the removable panel adjacent the
score line to shield the raw score edge on the panel after removal
from the end wall, an upstanding chuckwall around the removable
panel and a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the
chuckwall for securement of the end wall to a container body, the
steps comprising:
providing a first die set including a substantially planar first
surface perpendicular to the direction of die travel, an annular
groove around said planar surface, an annular rim surface around
the outer edge of the groove, an annular radially inwardly facing
wall surface around the outer edge of the rim surface substantially
perpendicular to said first surface and an annular shoulder around
the top of said wall surface, and a second opposing die set
including a punch having an annular projecting tongue mating with
said groove in said first die set, an annular forming ring around
said punch including a planar rim surface in opposed relation to
said rim surface of said first die set and annular radially
outwardly facing wall surface in parallel radially inwardly spaced
relation to said wall surface of said first die, and a clamping
ring around said forming ring in opposed relation to said shoulder
of said first die set;
drawing a generally circular blank of sheet of metal between said
first and second die sets to form an end shell by moving said punch
in said second die set against said first die set with the
peripheral edge portions of the blank frictionally restrained
between said shoulder and said clamping ring of said first and
second die sets respectively to draw the center portion of the
blank downwardly with respect to the peripheral edge portion
thereof and draw a groove in the blank around the center portion,
and thereafter moving the forming ring on said second die set
against the annular rim and wall surfaces on said first die set to
form a substantially planar lip and upstanding chuckwall around the
outer edge of the groove which is formed in the end shell;
reforming the end shell by providing support under the lip on the
shell and depressing the center portion of the shell within the
outline of the groove therein to move portions of the groove in the
shell radially outward and thereby form a Z-wall connecting the
center portion of the lip in the shell;
forming a score line in the lip to define a removable panel;
and
collapsing the Z-wall to form an annular folded band adjacent the
score line.
6. A method as set forth in claim 5 in which the annular groove in
the first die set has rounded corners leading into the die surfaces
on either side of the groove and the projecting tongue on the
second die set has a rounded nose to avoid damage to the blank or a
protective coating on the blank.
7. A method as set forth in claim 5 in which the punch in the
second die set includes springs for resiliently supporting it on
the punch holder.
8. In a method of forming a sheet metal easy opening container end
wall having an annular score line therein defining a removable
panel, an annular folded band in the container wall adjacent the
score line to shield the raw score edge after severance of the
removable panel from the end wall, an upstanding chuckwall around
the end wall and a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the
chuckwall for securement of the end wall to a container body, the
steps comprising:
drawing the center portion of a generally circular sheet metal
blank downwardly with respect to the peripheral edge portions of
the blank,
drawing an annular U-shaped groove in the blank around the
periphery of the center portion of the blank,
forming an annular lip and an upstanding chuckwall around the outer
edge of the groove,
depressing the center portion of the blank and the inner wall of
the groove to move portions of the groove radially outward and
collapsing the groove to form an annular folded band around the
center portion of the blank.
9. A method as set forth in claim 8 in which the blank has a
plastic coating on the surface thereof which is to be the inside
surface of the can end.
10. A method as set forth in claim 8 in which the annular band is
formed closely adjacent the score line and has a smooth outer edge
which projects radially outward beyond the score line.
11. A method as set forth in claim 10 in which the score line is
cut in the outer surface of the lip around the complete
circumference of the can end to define a relative large panel which
is completely removable from the can end.
12. In a method for forming a sheet metal easy opening container
end wall having an annular score line therein defining a removable
panel, an annular folded band in the removable panel adjacent the
score line to shield the raw score edge on the panel upon rupture
of the score line, an upstanding chuckwall around the removable
panel and a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the
chuckwall for securement of the end wall to a container body, the
steps comprising:
providing a first die set including a substantially planar first
surface perpendicular to the direction of die travel, an annular
groove around said planar surface, an annular rim surface around
the outer edge of the groove, an annular radially inwardly facing
wall surface around the outer edge of the rim surface substantially
perpendicular to said first surface and an annular shoulder around
the top of said wall surface, and a second opposing die set
including a punch having an annular projecting tongue mating with
said groove in said first die set, an annular forming ring around
said punch including a planar rim surface in opposed relation to
said rim surface of said first die set and annular radially
outwardly facing wall surface in parallel radially inwardly spaced
relation to said wall surface of said first die, and a clamping
ring around said forming ring in opposed relation to said shoulder
of said first die set;
drawing a generally circular blank of sheet of metal between said
first and second die sets to form an end shell by moving said punch
in said second die set against said first die set with the
peripheral edge portions of the blank frictionally restrained
between said shoulder and said clamping ring of said first and
second die sets respectively to draw the center portion of the
blank downwardly with respect to the peripheral edge portion
thereof and draw a groove in the blank around the center portion,
and thereafter moving the forming ring on said second die set
against the annular rim and wall surfaces on said first die set to
form a substantially planar lip and upstanding chuckwall around the
outer edge of the groove which is formed in the end shell;
forming a score line in the lip to define a removable panel in the
end shell;
depressing the center portion of the shell to move portions of the
groove radially outward; and
collapsing the groove to form an annular folded band around the
removable panel adjacent the score line.
13. A method as set forth in claim 12 in which the annular groove
in the first die set has rounded corners leading into the die
surfaces on either side of the groove and the projecting tongue on
the second die set has a rounded nose to avoid damage to the blank
or a protective coating on the blank.
14. A method as set forth in claim 12 in which the punch in the
second die set includes springs for resiliently supporting it on
the punch holder.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to containers and in particular to a method
and apparatus for forming an easy opening end for a container
having an annular folded band in the removable portion thereof to
shield a raw score edge upon removal of a portion of the can
end.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
It is known to provide an annular folded band of metal adjacent a
weakening line or score line in an easy opening container end to
shield the raw score edge after severance of a removable panel from
the container end as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,303,958,
3,434,623, 3,630,408 and 3,696,961 among others. In the absence of
such a folded band of metal or a plastic protective strip for
shielding the raw score edge, the consumer can be accidentally cut
by the raw score edge. It has been known to provide such an annular
folded band on either the removable or the non-removable portion of
a can end, or on both the removable and non-removable portions.
Methods and tools for forming annular folded bands for shielding of
a raw score edge are known as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,696,961. That patent discloses a method for forming the band on
the non-removable portion only of a can end. Methods and apparatus
are also known for forming an annular folded band of material in a
removable portion adjacent the score for shielding the score on
such removable portion. However, there has heretofore been no known
method for forming an annular folded band on a removable panel
portion adjacent the score line around such panel portion in which
a protective coating on the can end will not be damaged by forming
of such annular folded band.
Annular folded bands for shielding raw score edges are used mainly
on can ends in which a large central portion of the end is
removable for gaining access to the contents of a container. Ends
of this type are used on cans or containers for food products, and
such can ends must usually have protective coatings on their
interior surfaces in order to prevent corrosion and perforation of
the can ends by the food products. It is desirable to be able to
coat the sheet metal from which can ends are to be formed prior to
forming of the ends, and to avoid the need to repair the can ends
after they have been formed.
The prior art is lacking in a disclosure of a method and apparatus
for forming an easy opening container end wall from coated sheet
material wherein the coating on the sheet material will not be
damaged by the forming operations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a method and tools for forming a sheet
metal easy opening container end wall by drawing an annular groove
into a blank as the blank is being formed into an end shell,
forming a planar lip on the end shell between the annular groove
and an upstanding chuckwall around the end shell, forming a score
line in the lip around the end shell to define a removable panel
portion, reforming the groove by moving a portion of it radially
outward to form a Z-wall connecting the central portion of the end
shell with the lip, and collapsing the Z-wall to form an annular
folded band adjacent the score line in the removable panel portion.
A pull tab may then be secured to the removable panel portion to
complete the conversion of the sheet metal blank into an easy
opening container end wall.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a method and
apparatus for forming an easy opening can end having an annular
folded band in the removable portion thereof adjacent the score
line without damaging the coating on the sheet metal from which the
end is formed.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method and
apparatus for forming an easy opening container end for use on
containers of food products in which a relatively large portion of
the end is removed from the end for providing access to the
contents of the container, and in which the removable panel has an
annular folded band thereon for shielding the raw score edge after
removal of the panel.
A further object of this invention is to provide a method and
apparatus for forming an easy opening can end having an annular
folded band on the removable portion in which a minimum number of
operations and tools are required.
The above and additional objects and advantages of this invention
will be more fully understood and appreciated with reference to the
following description and the drawings attached hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an easy opening container wall which
has been formed in accordance with this invention.
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the container wall of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along line
3--3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along line
4--4 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through dies for cutting
a blank from a sheet of metal and forming the blank into an end
shell.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 with the end
shell partially formed.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 showing
completion of the end shell.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through a second set of
dies and end shell positioned therein preparatory to reforming of
the annular groove around the end shell.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing
completion of the reforming of the groove around the end shell.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through a third set of
dies preparatory to further reforming of the end shell.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10 showing
completion of forming of the end shell to produce an annular folded
band in the removable panel adjacent the score line.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
In order to facilitate understanding of the subject invention and
in the interest of clarity, the terms upper, upwardly, lower and
downwardly will be herein employed to delineate directions relative
to the plane of a can end wall as positioned as it would be when
secured on the top of a cylindrical container. The terms inner,
(radially) inwardly, outer and (radially) outwardly will be
employed to delineate directions toward and away from the center of
the can end or end wall.
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an easy opening container end 10 is
illustrated which has been formed in accordance with this
invention. The easy opening container end 10 is made of sheet
material, and preferably of aluminum or an alloy thereof, and has a
protective coating 11 of plastic material such as a polyolefin
approximately 3 mils thick adhesively bonded on its inside or
undersurface to prevent attack and corrosion of the metal by the
contents of the container. The plastic coating 11 has sufficient
extensibility to permit fabrication of an easy opening container
end in accordance with this invention and still retain coating
integrity. Food contents in containers are frequently chemically
acidic in character and can corrode metal container components
unless the components have their interior surfaces coated with such
a plastic material.
The easy opening container end 10 has a line of weakening in the
form of a score line 12 in it which defines a relatively large tear
panel 14 which can be removed from the container wall. An annular
lip 16 extends radially outwardly from the score line 12 around the
removable panel 14 and connects the removable panel with an
upstanding chuckwall 18 and a seaming flange 20 around the
periphery of the can end. Flange 20 can be double seamed on a
container body 22 as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The container body
22 illustrated in FIG. 3 preferably has an inwardly projecting
annular rib 24 on it which underlies lip 16 for shielding the raw
score edge on such lip after panel 14 has been removed from the
container.
A tab 26 is attached to panel 14 in any suitable manner such as by
an integral rivet 28. Tab 26 which has been selected for purposes
of illustration is constructed from a piece of sheet metal and
includes a tab body in the shape of a ring 30 and an attaching
portion 32 through which rivet 28 passes for attachment of the tab
to the removable panel 14. The tab has a downwardly projecting rib
34 for facilitating rupture of the score line 12 when the tab ring
30 is lifted in the conventional manner. Tab 26 further has a
downwardly convex hub 29 around the rivet aperture to hold the tab
in a parallel relation with respect to the plane of removable panel
14 as is best illustrated in FIG. 3.
Removable panel 14 has a downwardly embossed central portion 15 and
two upwardly embossed buttons 17 for facilitating gripping of ring
30. The removable panel 14 also preferably includes two downwardly
embossed ribs 19 extending radially along opposite sides of rivet
28 and a downwardly embossed quarter moon shaped bulge 21 adjacent
the rivet toward the center of the removable panel. The ribs 19 and
bulge 21 help to control bending of the removable panel 14 along a
choral line between the ribs and the bulge when tab 26 is lifted.
Controlling bending of panel 14 facilitates rupture of score line
12 and helps to prevent undesirable separation of the tab from the
removable panel.
In accordance with this invention, removable panel portion 14
includes an annular folded band 36 therearound adjacent score line
12 for shielding the raw edge of the panel after rupture of the
score line. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, folded band 36 includes
radially outwardly projecting smooth or dull edge surface 38 which
preferably projects outwardly beyond score line 12 in the container
end so that such dull surface will be contacted by the finger of a
user before the raw score edge, which could cut the finger of the
user, is contacted by the finger.
Folded band 36 includes upper and lower layers 40 and 42
respectively, an intermediate layer 44 and inner and outer reverse
bends 46 and 48 respectively which interconnect the upper, lower
and intermediate layers of the band. At all locations along the
score line 12 except for the region adjacent the rupturing rib 34
on the tab 26 (FIG. 3), the layers 42 and 44 are flattened against
the intermediate layer 44 as shown in FIG. 4. At the region of the
score line 12 adjacent the rupturing rib 34 on the tab, the
intermediate layer 44 is not bent into tight supporting engagement
with the upper layer 40. Instead, as shown in FIG. 3, the
intermediate layer 44 projects radially outwardly and axially
downwardly in extending from bend 46 to bend 48. With this
construction, the intermediate layer 44 is not backed up or
supported immediately radially inwardly of the score line 12. This
absence of support for the upper layer 40 beneath the rupturing rib
on the tab facilitates initiation of severance of the sheet
material at the point of initial rupture beneath the rupturing rib.
If the intermediate layer 44 were in tight engagement with the
upper layer 40, the support provided by such intermediate layer
would resist the inwardly directed force against the upper layer
applied by the rupturing rib on the tab.
This invention is directed to providing a method and apparatus for
forming an annular folded band on a removable panel in an easy
opening can end from a sheet of metal in such a manner that a
protective coating on the side of the sheet which is to be the
inside surface of the can end is not damaged during the forming
operation. FIGS. 5-7 illustrate opposing dies which are employed to
cut a blank 50 from a sheet of metal 52 and partially reform the
blank into an end shell which will eventually become an easy
opening can end. The lower dies include a die core insert 54 with a
planar top surface 56 and a rounded outer corner 57, an annular die
core ring 58 around insert 54, a draw ring 60 around the die ring
58 and an annular cutting die 62 around the draw ring 60. Die ring
58 includes an inner upwardly facing rim surface 64 and an inner
inwardly facing wall surface 66 which together form a groove 67
with the outer surface 68 of die core insert 54. The die ring 58
further includes a rounded corner 65, an intermediate upwardly
facing rim surface 70, an intermediate inwardly facing wall surface
72 and a curvilinear shoulder 74 which faces generally upwardly.
The bottom die members 54, 58 and 62 are all held in fixed position
for forming blank 50 against the upper punch members. Draw ring 60
is supported by springs or the like not shown so that it can move
downwardly when an upper die member is moved thereagainst.
The upper dies include a punch insert 76 having a downwardly
projecting annular tongue 78 thereon for mating with groove 67 in
the lower dies. The tongue 78 preferably has a rounded nose 80 on
it having a radius of curvature of approximately 0.030 inch. The
upper dies further include a punch ring 82, a knockout ring 84, a
punch cutting ring 86 and a stripper ring 88. Punch ring 82 has a
downwardly facing substantially planar surface 90 for mating with
inner rim surface 70 on the die core ring 58, a radially outwardly
facing wall surface 92 for mating with intermediate wall surface 72
on the die core ring and a curvilinear shoulder 94 for mating with
the inner portion of curvilinear shoulder 74 on the die core ring.
As mounted in a press, all of the upper dies are mounted on the top
die shoe or holder for vertical movement with such die holder.
Punch ring 82 and cutting ring 86 are solid with the die holder (no
springs), and punch insert 76, knockout 84 and stripper 88 are
spring loaded so that their downward travel can be arrested by the
resistance of the bottom dies.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the upper tools have just commenced their
downward travel, and the cutting edges on upper and lower cutting
rings 86 and 62 have cut a blank 50 from metal sheet 52. The
peripheral edge portion of blank 50 is engaged between the top
surface of draw ring 60 and cutting ring 86. Springs or the like,
not shown, support the draw ring against the downward travel of
cutting ring 86 whereby the peripheral edge portion of the blank
can be drawn inwardly from between the draw ring and cutting ring
during drawing of the blank to form an end shell.
FIG. 6 illustrates an intermediate stage in the drawing of the
blank into an end shell which is to be subsequently made into an
easy opening container end. During die travel to the position
illustrated in this figure, knockout 84 first bottomed against die
core insert 54 shortly after the end blank was cut from the sheet
of metal, followed by punch insert 76 bottoming against die core
insert 54. The springs between the upper die holder and the
knockout and punch insert are compressed as the die holder
continues its downward travel. The punch insert 76 has drawn the
center of the blank downwardly with respect to its peripheral edge
portions and the rounded nose 80 of the punch insert has drawn an
annular groove 96 in the blank into groove 67 provided by die core
insert 54 and die core 58. The rounded corners 57 and 65 on die
core insert 54 and die core 58 and curvilinear shoulder 74 on the
die core permit the metal from the blank to be drawn into such
annular groove 96 without tearing or otherwise damaging the blank
or the protective coating on the blank. Punch 82 has not completed
its downward travel to reform the portion of the blank outwardly of
groove 96, so the metal in the blank is not restrained by such
punch and can be drawn inwardly from the peripheral edges thereof
to form groove 96.
The peripheral edges of the blank are drawn from between the
surfaces of the upper and lower die members as the center of the
blank is drawn downwardly by punch insert 76 against die core
insert 54. The upper and lower die members 58, 60, 84 and 86 are so
designed that the peripheral edges of the blank will either be
pressed between a fixed die and a resiliently mounted die or drawn
from between two closely spaced surfaces as between die core 58 and
cutting ring 86 so that such peripheral edges are so confined that
they cannot wrinkle as they are being drawn inwardly. An outwardly
projecting curvilinear flange 98 is formed on the blank over die
core member 58.
FIG. 7 illustrates completion of the first stage of forming of a
blank into an end shell 101. As illustrated here, punch 82 has
completed its downward travel and has bottomed against die core 58
to form an annular lip 100 and an upstanding chuckwall 102 between
groove 96 and peripheral flange 98. The metal for forming such lip
and chuckwall is provided by drawing the peripheral edge portions
of the blank further inward from between the surfaces of the top
and bottom die members. Upon completion of forming the end shell,
the upper dies are withdrawn upwardly, and knockout 84 pushes or
knocks the end shell off the upper dies. As explained above,
knockout 84 is spring loaded, and the springs have been compressed
during the downward travel of the die holder. Consequently when the
die holder is withdrawn upwardly, the springs are axially expanded
which forces the knockout ring 84 downwardly with respect to punch
82 and punch cutting ring 86 to knock the end shell from the upper
dies.
The end shell 101 is next removed from the dies illustrated in
FIGS. 5-7 and positioned in another set of dies as illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9. These dies include a die insert 104, an anvil 106, a
combination punch and score indentor 108 and a spring-loaded
locating ring 110. As the upper dies are moved downwardly toward
the lower dies, the spring-loaded locating ring 110 first contacts
the end shell 101 to center it in the dies and hold it in position
for the combination punch and score indentor 108 to reform groove
96 in the end shell. As the upper die holder continues to move
downwardly, the springs in the locating ring 110 are compressed
permitting the combination punch and score indentor 108 to move
downwardly with respect to such locating ring. As the combination
punch and score indentor 108 completes its downward travel, the
central portion of the end shell is flattened against the bottom
die insert 104 which moves a portion of groove 96 radially
outwardly to form a Z-wall 111 (FIG. a) connecting the center
portion of the shell to annular lip 100 on the shell. At completion
of the downward travel of the combination punch and score indentor
108, scoring rib 112 on such tool indents or cuts a score line 114
in lip 100 against the support provided by anvil 106. The upper
dies are next withdrawn upwardly for removal of the end shell 101
from the dies.
The end shell 101 is next positioned in a third set of dies as
illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. These dies include a platten 114, a
spring-loaded pressure ring 116, a forming tool 118 and a locating
ring 120. As the upper tools are moved downwardly toward the lower
tools, the locating ring 120 first contacts the chuckwall 121 of
the end shell 101 to center the end shell in the die and hold it in
such position as illustrated in FIG. 10. When surface 122 on the
locating ring 120 has moved downwardly to contact the upper surface
of lip 100 on the end shell 101, the force of the locating ring
begins to compress the springs under the pressure ring 116 to move
such pressure ring downwardly with the forming tool and locating
ring. During this last portion of the tool movement, the central
depressed portion of the end shell is supported on platten 114 and
cannot move. Consequently, the force of forming tool 118 against
lip 100 on the end shell collapses Z-wall 111 to form an annular
folded band 124 as illustrated in FIG. 11. Such annular folded band
124 comprises three layers of metal as is described with respect to
the can end illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The upper dies are then
withdrawn upwardly for removal of the end shell 101 from the
dies.
Upon completion of forming of the annular folded band 124, the
desired embossments and an integral rivet are formed in the
removable panel in the end shell, a pull tab is positioned on the
end wall over the rivet and the rivet is headed or staked to secure
the pull tab to the removable panel. The finished can end is then
ready to be double seamed onto a filled container body in a
conventional manner.
It is seen that a method and apparatus have been illustrated and
described which may be used to form an annular folded band in a
removable panel on an easy opening container end in which a
protective coating on the sheet metal from which the end is formed
is not damaged during the forming operation. The sheet metal is not
stretched significantly, but instead is drawn and reformed into an
annular groove in the sheet metal whereafter the groove is reformed
and collapsed to form three folded layers of metal adjacent the
score line around the removable panel. Such annular folded band of
metal includes an outer smooth edge which substantially underlies
the score line for shielding the raw score edge after severance of
the score line.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that numerous variations can be made in the method and
apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention or of
the claims appended hereto. For example, upon forming the end shell
with a peripheral groove in it, the center portion of the end wall
within the outline of the groove can be depressed and the groove
collapsed in one operation using a single set of tools, rather than
in two sets of tools and two operations as is illustrated and
described. If this is done, the score line around the end wall is
preferably formed after forming of the end shell with the groove
therein and before depressing the center portion of the end wall
and collapsing of the groove. In another alternative method, the
score line can be cut in the end wall radially inwardly of the
annular band which will then shield the raw score edge on the
non-removable portion of the container wall. The can ends which are
formed in accordance with this invention may also be of various
shapes and designs, as may the tabs on the ends. For example, the
layers of metal in the annular folded band may be flattened against
one another adjacent the entire length of the score line instead of
being loosely folded beneath the nose of the tab as is illustrated
in FIG. 3. It has been found that with some can end and tab
configurations, flattening the layers of metal in the band beneath
the nose of the tab does not adversely affect the force required to
initiate rupture of the score line, and may even reduce the
magnitude of such force.
* * * * *