Method for forming a reinforcing bead in a container end closure

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of using a variant for shaping a clearly visible geometric shape in the frontal closure of a container that is adapted to be connected to the neck of the container and which has better strength and resistance to bulging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Containers, and more specifically metal beverage containers, are typically produced by the mutual connection of the beverage can end of the beverage can to the container body. In some applications, the end closure may be mutually connected to both the upper side and the bottom side of the can body. However, much more often the end closure of the beverage can is interconnected with the upper end of the beverage can body, which is drawn and drawn from a flat plate of a thin blank, such as aluminum. Due to the potentially high internal pressures generated by carbonated beverages, both the beverage can body and the front end closure of the beverage can should generally withstand an internal pressure in excess of 620, 53 kPa (90 psi) without the occurrence of destructive and permanent deformations. In addition, depending on various environmental conditions, such as heat, overfill, high CO2 content and shocks, the internal pressure in a typical beverage can sometimes exceeds 689.48 kPa (100 psi). Thus, beverage can bodies and end closures must be durable to withstand high internal pressures, and in addition are made of extremely thin and durable materials such as aluminum to reduce the total cost of the manufacturing process and the weight of the finished product.

[0003] Accordingly, there is a substantial need for a strong end closure for a beverage container that can withstand the high internal pressure generated by carbonated beverages, and external forces applied during transport, and which is additionally made of durable, lightweight and extremely thin metal material with a geometric configuration that reduces material requirements. Previous attempts to ensure the front closure of the beverage container with uniform geometric configurations has been taken to ensure material savings and improve durability. One example of such a forehead closure is described in US Patent No. 6,065,634 filed by Crown Cork and Seal Technology Corporation, entitled "Can End and Method for Fixing the Same to a Can Body." In other inventions, known in the art, attempts have been made to improve the strength of the container's end caps and gain material costs by improving the geometry of the recessed area. Examples of these patents are US patents 5,685,189 and number 6,460,723 to Nguyen et al, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Another pending application, which discloses another improved geometry of the front closure, is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 10 / 340,535, which was filed January 10, 2003 and is further incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Finally, the present applicant has another, contemplated, claim for reforming and re-profiling the bottom of the container, which is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11/020,

[0004] EP 0 049 020 A1 discloses a method of varying the geometry of a metal end closure comprising a mandrel and a roller, which are used to shape the outer wall of the metal cladding of the front closure. Documents WO 02/068281 A1 and US 2002/0158071 A1 disclose other attempts to improve the end strength of a beverage can by providing the lower end of the clamping wall with a reinforced embossed recess.

[0005] The following disclosure describes an improved front container closure that is adapted to be connected to the container body and that has an improved cavity, clamping wall geometry and unit depth, which results in significant material cost savings, and can also withstand significant internal pressures.

[0006] In the previous methods and apparatuses used to increase the endurance of the container end closure, essentially traditional compression molding presses have been used that use a sequence of stamping operations in a piston press to create a specific geometry. Disadvantageously, with the use of low-thickness aluminum and other thin metal materials, there has been an increasing difficulty in shaping the preferred geometry without quality control issues due to the physical properties of the front closure and the difficulty of maintaining the desired shape. In addition, when the thin metal material is treated in a conventional molding press, the individual fragments of the front closure can be thinned both as a result of the stretching and bending operations commonly known as "deburring". When excessive thinning occurs, the overall strength and integrity of the front closure may be compromised. In addition, it is virtually impossible to shape individual geometries with the help of a typical pressing press. Thus, there is a great need in the industry for a new method and apparatus for shaping the advantageous shape of the front closure and which uses rollers and other mechanical stains that can shape the advantageous shape of the end closure without the need for conventional presses for the forming presses with the underlying related problems .

In addition, new geometries of the front closure are needed which have different shapes and provide increased strength and resistance to bulging when they are interconnected with containers under pressure. As previously mentioned, these geometries are not typically feasible using traditional techniques for the production of a frontal closure. Thus, there is a significant need for new head end geometries that have improved strength characteristics and that can be manufactured from thin wall metal materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Thus, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for forming one or more reinforced embossed pits or other geometric shapes on the front closure of a container. Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, one or more forming rollers is used to align a portion of an inner or outer wall portion of a clamping wall or a recess of the end closure to provide improved strength characteristics and potential material savings. As used herein, the term "spin-shaping" may also refer to "reforming" or "re-profiling" and may in principle be referred to as a process for changing the geometric profile of a frontal container closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009]

Fig. 1 is a front sectional view of one embodiment of the invention shown before reforming or spin-shaping;

Fig. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and showing the internal reforming, where the channel is located on the inner wall of the cover;

Fig. 2A is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the variant of the molding shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the outer wall of the covering is reformed;

Fig. 3A is a front cross-sectional view illustrating a variant of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the coating of a frontal closure that has been reformed on both the inner wall of the roofing and the outer wall of the roofing;

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing a reformed inner wall of the cover;

Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a reformed outer wall of the cover;

Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, where both the inner wall of the covering and the inner wall of the covering have been reformed;

Fig. 8 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the end closure of the container after reforming both the inner wall of the cover and the outer wall of the cover and additionally illustrating the reforming assembly; Fig. 9 is a front sectional view further illustrating the components of one embodiment of the moldforming tool before the channel is positioned within the inner wall of the closure front;

Fig. 10 a front cross-sectional view illustrating a front container closure facing a reforming tool and just before being reformed;

Fig. 10A is a front cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10A and after the reforming duct has been positioned on the inner wall of the cover;

Fig. 11 is a front perspective view of the front container closure positioned on top of the cog-shaping unit and illustrating the reprofiling rollers in operative contact with the outer wall of the front cover of the container closure; and

Fig. 12 is an alternative embodiment of the cog-shaping assembly of Fig. 11 and illustrating two internal reformer rolls and four re-profiling rolls.

[0010] For clarity, the following list of components, generally shown in the drawings, is included:

No. Components

Leading closure

Central ρο ^ Ανίε

A coastal covered hook

Clamping curtain with closure of rope

Internal cavity of the surface

Recess of the outer wall

Channel

Pajemnik

S / Yjka ρ <ιίοιηηί1 \ η

He fought the rąbkk wars

Ρηοηιΐβή pokiycia

Inner ρΐΌΐηίοηρΐ'χο1'οπηο \\ ηηίη lymie ^ n Breakthrough

Barking ρ ^ ί rigging

Separation crocodile teams

Roller hdok

Overflowing rolls

The guide surface of the roller-mill

The central hole of the rollerblock block

Fastening wal

Reprofile rolls

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0011] Referring now to Figures 1 to 11, various embodiments of the present invention are illustrated therein. More specifically, Fig. 1 illustrates a typical coating of a beverage container forehead closure depicted before the reforming or "spin-shaping" procedure has been carried out. More specifically, the front closure 2 generally comprises a peripheral covering hook 6, clamping wall 8, which extends from the peripheral covering hook 6 and which is mutually connected to the recess 10 at the lower end. The recess 10 is substantially composed of the inner wall 12 of the cover and the outer cover wall 14, wherein the inner wall 12 of the covering is mutually connected to the central covering 4. [0012] Referring now to Fig. 2, the end closure of Fig. 1 is shown after this. . how the operation of reforming the inner wall of the covering or spinning was carried out. More specifically, once the internal reforming tool has been positioned, channel 16 is formed on the inner wall of the cavity cover, thereby changing the geometric profile, and in this particular embodiment providing a channel radius of approximately 0.89 mm (0.035 inches). As will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art, the actual geometric configuration and / or size of the channel 16 is not critical to the present invention, but rather novelty in one embodiment regarding the method of shaping channel 16 with different geometries that can be obtained by using this method and which are unrealistic and impossible to carry out in a typical pressing press. Based on these novel methods and instruments used to shape these geometries, unique and novel geometries of the front closure can be formed that are not obtainable in conventional press presses. In one embodiment, it is provided that the channel on both the inner cover wall 12 or on the outer cover wall 14 may have a radius in the range of about 0.13 - 0.89 mm (0.005 - 0.035 inches). Referring now to Fig. 2A, a slight change in the geometry shown in Fig. 2 is provided, wherein the inner wall of the cover has a clearly visible shape located near the lowest portion of the well and which is completely different from the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. unique and innovative geometries of the front closure can be shaped, which are not possible to obtain in typical press presses. In one embodiment, it is provided that the channel on both the inner cover wall 12 or on the outer cover wall 14 may have a radius in the range of about 0.13 - 0.89 mm (0.005 - 0.035 inches). Referring now to Fig. 2A, a slight change in the geometry shown in Fig. 2 is provided, wherein the inner wall of the cover has a clearly visible shape located near the lowest portion of the well and which is completely different from the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. unique and innovative geometries of the front closure can be shaped, which are not possible to obtain in typical press presses. In one embodiment, it is provided that the channel on both the inner cover wall 12 or on the outer cover wall 14 may have a radius in the range of about 0.13 - 0.89 mm (0.005 - 0.035 inches). Referring now to Fig. 2A, a slight change in the geometry shown in Fig. 2 is provided, wherein the inner wall of the cover has a clearly visible shape located near the lowest portion of the well and which is completely different from the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. the inner wall 12 of the cover or the outer cover wall 14 may have a radius in the range of about 0.13 - 0.89 mm (0.005 - 0.035 inches). Referring now to Fig. 2A, a slight change in the geometry shown in Fig. 2 is provided, wherein the inner wall of the cover has a clearly visible shape located near the lowest portion of the well and which is completely different from the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. the inner wall 12 of the cover or the outer cover wall 14 may have a radius in the range of about 0.13 - 0.89 mm (0.005 - 0.035 inches). Referring now to Fig. 2A, a slight change in the geometry shown in Fig. 2 is provided, wherein the inner wall of the cover has a clearly visible shape located near the lowest portion of the well and which is completely different from the embodiment shown in Fig. 2.

[0013] Referring now to Figures 3 and 3A, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which channel 16 is located on the outer wall of the depression cover 10. Fig. 3A shows a variant of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, where the geometry is the different and channel 16 is not as clearly visible as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, and is located on the lower portion of the outer cover wall 16. As additionally shown in Fig. 3, depending on the depth of the channel 16, a sealing and reforming molding is formed, which can have a size in the range of about 1.78 - 0.127 mm (070 - 0.005 inch). Alternatively, the reforming gap 30 can be eliminated at the same time as forming a deep channel 16.

[0014] Referring now to Figure 4, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in which both the inner cover wall 12 and the outer wall 14 of the front cover of the closure 2 have been reformed to form channels 16 that are substantially opposite each other. Although in this embodiment the reforming slit 30 is provided, as mentioned above, the channel on the inner wall of the cover and / or on the outer wall of the cover may be deep enough to completely remove the slit 30, and where the inner wall of the cover and the outer wall of the sheath are in contact with together. And in both embodiments, the diameter between the channels 16 is smaller than the diameter between the lowest portion of the inner cover wall 12 and the outer cover wall 14.

[0015] Referring now to Figures 5-7, alternative embodiments are depicted in a perspective view. More specifically, Fig. 5 is an embodiment showing a head closure 2 having a channel 16 located on the inner wall of the cover, while Fig. 6 is a forward perspective view illustrating a channel 16 located on the outer wall of the recess 10. Alternatively, Fig. 7 is a forward perspective a view showing the channel 16 located on both the inner wall of the covering and the outer wall of the covering of the cavity 10.

[0016] Referring now to Fig. 8, a cross-sectional view is illustrated, which further illustrates one embodiment of the double-deformation or spin-forming assembly 32 used to shape the frontal closure 2 to the desired geometric profile. As provided herein, the terms "reforming" or "spin-shaping" may describe changing the geometric profile of the inner wall of the cover and / or the outer wall of the cover or both, or the term "re-profiling" may further be used to describe the same process. In the drawings shown in Fig. 8, the reforming rollers 36 are illustrated after engagement with the inner wall of the cavity cover,

[0017] Referring now to Fig. 9, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in which a roller block of reforming and re-profiling unit 32 is shown facing a frontal closure 2 and just prior to preparing a channel 16 on the inner wall of the cavity. As mentioned previously, depending on the geometric profile of the reforming rolls 36, the geometry and depth of the channel 16 can be of any size and dimension, depending on the use criteria of the front closure 2.

[0018] Referring now to Figs. 10 and 10A, cross-sections are depicted, which show an additional detail of the reprofiling rollers 36, just before being reformulated in Fig. 10 and after reforming in Fig. 10A. As shown, after setting the reforming roll 36 in contact with the inner wall of the lid end closure 2, a channel 16 is formed between the central cover 4 and the cavity 16. The front closure 2 is substantially stationary while the re-forming rollers 36 become obliterated, although alternatively re-molding rollers 36 may be held stationary while the head end 2 is rotated about an axis that is substantially parallel to the drive shaft of the reforming assembly or perpendicular to the drive shaft of the assembly.

[0019] Fig. 11 depicts one embodiment in front perspective view on which the roller block 34, guide surface 38 of the roller block and the re-profiling rollers 44 are opposed to the front closure 2 are shown. Although Fig. 11 illustrates two re-profiling blades rollers 44 interconnected with roller block 34, it can be understood by the skilled person that as little as one and as many as four or five reformer rolls and / or re-profiling or skewing rollers can be used to provide advantageous geometry in the leading closing the container.

[0020] Fig. 12 depicts an alternative embodiment of a calibrating armature device 32 and which is shown without a frontal closure coupled thereto. As generally shown, the spinner-shaping implement in this embodiment includes two reformer rollers 36 that are designed to move out and four re-profiling rollers 44 that are essentially designed to engage the outer wall of the closure front cover during a spin-shaping operation.