Abrégé

An ink fountain for transferring ink to a roller of an ink station assembly of a can decorator. The ink fountain comprises a removable ink reservoir having an opening through which to transfer ink to an outer surface of the roller when the ink reservoir is installed into the ink fountain. The ink reservoir comprises a barrier operable to selectively open or close the opening when the ink reservoir is installed into the ink fountain.

Classes IPC  ?

• B41F 17/22 - Appareils ou machines à imprimer de type particulier ou pour emploi particulier, non prévus ailleurs pour l'impression d'objets ou de matériaux filiformes ou allongés, ou d'articles de surfaces cylindriques d'objets de longueur déterminée d'objets de section uniforme, p. ex. de crayons, règles, résistances électriques par contact de roulement
• B41F 31/04 - Conduits, réservoirs, dispositifs d'alimentation ou de réglage du débit avec des lames d'encriers ou des dispositifs analogues de réglage du débit
• B41F 31/20 - Dispositifs d'enlèvement ou de récupération d'encre
• B41F 35/04 - Systèmes ou dispositifs de nettoyage des rouleaux d'encrage

Abrégé

A force detecting collar for use with a bodymaker for forming metal can bodies using an ironing process. The collar is configured to locate around a nose portion of a ram of the bodymaker, between a circumferentially extending shoulder of the ram and an end face of a punch sleeve, the collar comprising one or more load cells fixed to the collar and configured to generate electrical signals indicative of forces applied to the collar, between said shoulder of the ram and said end face of the punch sleeve, during operation of the ram.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21D 22/28 - Emboutissage d'objets cylindriques, en utilisant des matrices successives
• B21D 51/26 - Fabrication d'objets creux caractérisés par l'usage de l'objet de boîtes de conserve ou bidonsFermeture des boîtes de conserve ou des bidons de façon définitive
• G01L 5/00 - Appareils ou procédés pour la mesure des forces, du travail, de la puissance mécanique ou du couple, spécialement adaptés à des fins spécifiques
• G01L 1/22 - Mesure des forces ou des contraintes, en général en mesurant les variations de la résistance ohmique des matériaux solides ou des fluides conducteurs de l'électricitéMesure des forces ou des contraintes, en général en faisant usage des cellules électrocinétiques, c.-à-d. des cellules contenant un liquide, dans lesquelles un potentiel électrique est produit ou modifié par l'application d'une contrainte en utilisant des jauges de contrainte à résistance

Abrégé

A screw cap for a container. The cap comprises an inner member having an annular sidewall with an internal screw thread for screwing the cap onto a threaded opening of a container; and an outer member having a skirt enclosing the sidewall of the inner member, the outer member being coupled to the inner member to prevent displacement of the outer member relative to the inner member parallel to an axis defined by the screw thread. The cap has a first configuration in which the outer member is rotatable with respect to the inner member to prevent the cap from being unscrewed and a second configuration in which the skirt engages with the sidewall of the inner member so that the cap can be unscrewed by rotating the outer member.

Classes IPC  ?

• B65D 50/04 - Fermetures avec des moyens pour empêcher leur ouverture ou leur enlèvement non autorisés avec ou sans moyens indicateurs, p. ex. fermetures à l'épreuve des enfants pouvant être ouvertes ou enlevées par une combinaison de plusieurs opérations exigeant la combinaison de plusieurs opérations simultanées, p. ex. appuyer et tourner, soulever et tourner, immobiliser une partie et en tourner une autre

Abrégé

This disclosure relates to a full aperture can end. The can end comprises a centre panel having a rivet, a tab staked by the rivet, a main score extending around a peripheral region of the centre panel, the main score defining a removable panel, and a venting score disposed on the removable panel. The venting score includes a pair of lateral portions that do not extend radially beyond a lateral axis, which extends through a centre of the rivet, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis that extends through a centre of the rivet and a centre of the centre panel.

Classes IPC  ?

• B65D 17/28 - Réceptacles rigides ou semi-rigides spécialement conçus pour être ouverts par coupage ou perçage, ou en perçant ou en déchirant des éléments ou des parties frangibles le long de lignes ou à partir de points de moindre résistance

Abrégé

A tab-less metal can end for seaming onto a metal can body. The can end comprises a substantially circular and planar panel, a chuck wall extending around the periphery of the panel and defining a curl, and a discontinuous score formed in said panel and following a circular path substantially concentric with said chuck wall, the score defining a hinge between first and second ends of the score.

Classes IPC  ?

• B65D 17/32 - Réceptacles rigides ou semi-rigides spécialement conçus pour être ouverts par coupage ou perçage, ou en perçant ou en déchirant des éléments ou des parties frangibles le long de lignes ou à partir de points de moindre résistance avec des éléments ou des parties non détachables
• B05B 11/10 - Dispositions de pompage pour transférer le contenu du récipient vers une chambre de pompage par un effet d'aspiration et forcer le contenu à sortir par la buse de distribution
• B65D 17/28 - Réceptacles rigides ou semi-rigides spécialement conçus pour être ouverts par coupage ou perçage, ou en perçant ou en déchirant des éléments ou des parties frangibles le long de lignes ou à partir de points de moindre résistance
• B05B 11/00 - Appareillages monoblocs tenus à la main dans lesquels l'écoulement du contenu est produit par la force musculaire de l'opérateur au moment de l'utilisation

Abrégé

A can bodymaker for producing can bodies from cups. The can bodymaker comprises a ram configured to reciprocate along an axis, a punch mounted on the ram; a tool pack comprising a cradle and a plurality of tools located in the cradle for drawing and ironing a cup mounted on the punch during a forward stroke of the ram. The can bodymaker further comprises a bolster plate fixed to the can bodymaker, an adapter plate fixed to the bolster plate and a stripper assembly fixed to the adapter plate for removing a can body from the punch during a return stroke of the ram and clamping mechanism for biasing the tools against a front face of the adapter plate. The can bodymaker further comprises one or more load cells located in or on the adapter plate and configured to generate an output signal or signals indicative of an axial force exerted on the tools by the cup passing therethrough.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21D 22/28 - Emboutissage d'objets cylindriques, en utilisant des matrices successives
• B21D 51/26 - Fabrication d'objets creux caractérisés par l'usage de l'objet de boîtes de conserve ou bidonsFermeture des boîtes de conserve ou des bidons de façon définitive
• G01B 7/30 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques électriques ou magnétiques pour mesurer des angles ou des cônesDispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques électriques ou magnétiques pour tester l'alignement des axes
• G01N 27/9013 - Dispositions de balayage

Abrégé

A method of detecting defects or deterioration in the sidewalls of can bodies during production of the can bodies within a can bodymaker. Each can body is formed by pushing a cup, mounted on a punch of a reciprocating ram, through one or more dies contained within a tool pack of the bodymaker. The method comprises: obtaining output signals from one or more eddy current sensors arranged around the ram axis outside of the tool pack and adjacent to an exit end of the tool pack; processing the output signals to detect passage of open ends of can body sidewalls past the sensor(s) and thereby determine measures of the heights or thicknesses of can body sidewalls; and analysing the determined measures to identify can body sidewall defects or deterioration.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21D 22/28 - Emboutissage d'objets cylindriques, en utilisant des matrices successives
• B21D 51/26 - Fabrication d'objets creux caractérisés par l'usage de l'objet de boîtes de conserve ou bidonsFermeture des boîtes de conserve ou des bidons de façon définitive
• G01B 7/06 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques électriques ou magnétiques pour mesurer la longueur, la largeur ou l'épaisseur pour mesurer l'épaisseur
• G01N 21/90 - Recherche de la présence de criques, de défauts ou de souillures dans un récipient ou dans son contenu
• G01N 27/90 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi de moyens électriques, électrochimiques ou magnétiques en recherchant des variables magnétiques pour rechercher la présence des criques en utilisant les courants de Foucault
• G01N 27/9013 - Dispositions de balayage

Abrégé

A can comprises a metal can body and a metal lid. The can body has an edge defining a top opening into the body, and an inwardly directed bead (22) extending around the body adjacent to the top opening. The bead defines an upwardly facing sealing surface (25) and an inwardly facing surface (26). The lid has a centre panel (30), a wall (32) surrounding the centre panel, and an outwardly directed curl (34) at the top of the wall. The curl defines a peripherally extending channel (35) having an opening therein, and sealing compound (36) is located within the channel and projects through the opening. The can body and the lid are dimensioned to allow the lid to be press- fitted into the can body, so that an outwardly facing surface of the wall opposes the inwardly facing sealing surface of the bead, whilst the sealing compound is in sealing engagement with the upwardly facing sealing surface of the bead.

Classes IPC  ?

• B65D 43/02 - Couvercles ou chapeaux amovibles
• B65D 79/00 - Genres ou types de paquets ou parties constitutives, non prévus ailleurs

Abrégé

Container (1) comprising a substantially tubular metal container body (2) having a top opening defined by an outwardly curled edge, and a bottom opening. The container further comprises a peelable lid (9) bonded to an upper surface of said curled edge to close said top opening in an airtight manner, the outermost edge of the peelable lid not extending beyond an outermost extent of said curled edge, and a metal closure (4) comprising a generally planar centre panel (8) and a downwardly extending sidewall (7) depending from a peripheral region of the centre panel and terminating with an inwardly or outwardly directed fold (12), and a plurality of features (5) pressed into the sidewall at respective circumferentially spaced locations between said peripheral region and the fold, wherein the radial inward extent of the features is greater than that of the fold. The closure and the container body have relative dimensions to allow the features to pass over said curled edge during closure and to be retained beneath the curled edge to resist removal of the closure.

Classes IPC  ?

• B65D 43/02 - Couvercles ou chapeaux amovibles
• B65D 51/18 - Aménagements des fermetures avec couvercles extérieurs de protection analogues à des capuchons ou de plusieurs fermetures conjuguées

Abrégé

A metal easy open can end adapted for closing a metal can body is proposed. The can end has a score (27) defining a removable panel (26) and a tab (23), located at an edge region of the panel, for applying a force to the panel to allow the panel to be removed in a tear direction. The panel (26) has at least one embossed and/or debossed rib (25 a-c) extending substantially in said tear direction from a location or locations proximal to said tab to a location or locations proximal to an end of the panel opposite to said edge region. The rib(s) have a depth or height of at least 0.6 mm relative to surrounding panel regions along at least a part of the rib extent.

Classes IPC  ?

• B65D 17/28 - Réceptacles rigides ou semi-rigides spécialement conçus pour être ouverts par coupage ou perçage, ou en perçant ou en déchirant des éléments ou des parties frangibles le long de lignes ou à partir de points de moindre résistance

Abrégé

A container comprising a container body having a neck, the neck having inner and outer surfaces and a rim extending between tops of the inner and outer surfaces, and the rim defining a circular opening. The closure has a centre panel, the closure defining an annular channel. An annular gasket is disposed in the annular channel and the annular channel receives said rim of said neck such that the annular gasket forms a seal between said rim and said closure. When the container body is closed by the closure, the difference between an inside radius of the annular channel at a channel depth of 0.2mm and an inside radius of said rim is less than substantially 0.9mm.

Classes IPC  ?

• B65D 41/04 - Capuchons ou couvercles en forme de capuchons filetés ou similaires, fixés par rotation
• B65D 53/02 - Colliers ou bagues

Abrégé

A method of marking indicia on tab stock used to provide tabs for use with can ends. The method comprises providing the tab stock to a tab press comprising a punch and a die. The punch comprises a set of raised features and the die comprises a respective set of recessed features such that the features cooperate to deboss said indicia on regions of the tab stock within tab forming areas that face outwardly when the tabs are attached to a tab end. The features are such that, when the press is fully closed, the spacing between at least part of each of the raised features and at least part of each of the respective recessed features is less than the thickness of the tab stock in said regions within tab forming areas.

Classes IPC  ?

• B43K 5/00 - Stylographes à plumes, c.-à-d. porte-plumes avec réservoirs d'encre incorporés dans les parties tenues par la main
• B65D 17/28 - Réceptacles rigides ou semi-rigides spécialement conçus pour être ouverts par coupage ou perçage, ou en perçant ou en déchirant des éléments ou des parties frangibles le long de lignes ou à partir de points de moindre résistance

Abrégé

Apparatus for controlling a welding station used for welding seams extending along cylindrical can bodies, the welding station comprising a pair of welding rolls and a calibration unit for causing a desired cylinder overlap during welding. The calibration unit is adjustable along at least three different adjustment axes. The apparatus comprises: a weld monitor configured to monitor welded seams and provide an electrical signal indicative of weld thickness at a series of predetermined points along the seam length; a controller configured to receive said electrical signal and to be responsive to the signal to generate one or more control electrical signals; and a plurality of adjustment mechanisms for coupling to the calibration unit, or forming part of the calibration unit. The adjustment mechanisms are configured to receive the control electrical signal(s) and to be responsive thereto to adjust the calibration unit relative to one or more of said three adjustment axes, to provide the desired cylinder overlap and/or a desired weld quality.

Classes IPC  ?

• B23K 37/053 - Alignement des pièces cylindriquesDispositifs de serrage à cet effet
• B23K 31/12 - Procédés relevant de la présente sous-classe, spécialement adaptés à des objets ou des buts particuliers, mais non couverts par un seul des groupes principaux relatifs à la recherche des propriétés, p. ex. de soudabilité, des matériaux
• B23K 101/12 - Récipients

Abrégé

A metal closure (201) for seaming onto the end of a container, the closure (201) comprising a centre panel (202) defined by a circumferential score (102, 203), a tab (106, 205) fixed to the panel (202) by a rivet (105, 206) formed in the panel (202), and two spaced apart, elongate raised beads (208) formed in the panel (202). The tab (106, 205) has a heel portion radially inside of the rivet (105, 206) and a nose portion (108, 207) radially outside of the rivet (105, 206) and adjacent to a radially inner edge of the score (102, 203), such that lifting of the heel portion forces the nose portion (108, 207) into contact with a region of the panel (202) adjacent to the radially inner edge of the circumferential score (102, 203), thereby causing the closure (201) to fracture partially along the score (102, 203). The beads extend with a circumferential component of direction, and each has an end terminating under the tab (106, 205) radially between the rivet (105, 206) and the score (102, 203).

Classes IPC  ?

• B65D 17/28 - Réceptacles rigides ou semi-rigides spécialement conçus pour être ouverts par coupage ou perçage, ou en perçant ou en déchirant des éléments ou des parties frangibles le long de lignes ou à partir de points de moindre résistance

Abrégé

An apparatus (100) for forming a base profile on a metal container carried on a punch moving along an axis. The apparatus comprises a die (105) for forming the base profile on the container and a resilient support for holding the die (105) in a resting position substantially along said axis whilst allowing the die (105) to be deflectable perpendicular to said axis and providing a restoring force to return the die (105) to the resting position.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21D 22/28 - Emboutissage d'objets cylindriques, en utilisant des matrices successives
• B21D 22/30 - Emboutissage pour finir des objets déjà formés par emboutissage
• B21D 51/26 - Fabrication d'objets creux caractérisés par l'usage de l'objet de boîtes de conserve ou bidonsFermeture des boîtes de conserve ou des bidons de façon définitive

Abrégé

A method of decorating a metal can body and comprising printing a fine pattern onto the can body using a non-varnishable ink, and applying a varnish over the printed fine pattern while the printed non-varnishable ink remains wet. The pattern is configured to give rise to a textured pattern in the varnish once the varnish has dried.

Classes IPC  ?

• B41F 17/22 - Appareils ou machines à imprimer de type particulier ou pour emploi particulier, non prévus ailleurs pour l'impression d'objets ou de matériaux filiformes ou allongés, ou d'articles de surfaces cylindriques d'objets de longueur déterminée d'objets de section uniforme, p. ex. de crayons, règles, résistances électriques par contact de roulement
• B41F 23/00 - Dispositifs pour traiter la surface des feuilles, bandes ou autres objets en relation avec l'impression
• B41F 23/08 - Dispositifs de finition des surfaces imprimées, p. ex. glaçage de ces surfaces
• B41F 19/00 - Appareils ou machines pour effectuer des opérations d'impression en combinaison avec d'autres opérations
• B41M 1/40 - Impression sur des objets de forme particulière

Abrégé

A stripper assembly for a can bodymaker (1) is configured to remove a can body from a punch (7) mounted on a ram (4) of the can bodymaker (1). The stripper assembly comprises a stripper housing (13) defining an internal bore through which the punch (7) passes and a radial offset monitor (10). The radial offset monitor (10) comprises one or more eddy current sensors (11) located within the stripper housing (13) or attached thereto. The radial offset monitor (10) is configured to detect misalignment of a ram (4) and/or a punch (7), or a can body held on the punch (7), within the bore. A method of detecting axial misalignment of a ram (4) and/or a punch (7) of a can bodymaker (1), or of a can body held on the punch (7) is also described. The method comprises providing a stripper housing (13) defining an internal bore through which the punch (7) passes; obtaining electrical output signals from one or more eddy current sensors (11) within the housing (13) or attached thereto, and processing the signal(s) to detect any axial misalignment.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21D 22/28 - Emboutissage d'objets cylindriques, en utilisant des matrices successives
• B21D 45/06 - Dispositifs d'arrachage

Abrégé

A can bodymaker comprising a ram (2) and a redraw sleeve assembly (3) for holding a cup or other preform article against a redraw die. The redraw sleeve assembly (3) comprises: a redraw sleeve (7); a redraw carriage (8) to which the redraw sleeve (7) is removably coupled, the redraw carriage (8) being driven in a reciprocating motion along an axis; and a redraw sleeve alignment mechanism (103). The redraw sleeve alignment mechanism (103) comprises: a redraw sleeve module (101) having one or more bearings (13) defining a passage through which the redraw sleeve (7) moves and a bearing adjustment mechanism to facilitate radial alignment of the redraw sleeve module (101) with the redraw die. The coupling between the redraw carriage (8) and the redraw sleeve (7) permits variable radial offset, relative to said axis, between the two components.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21D 22/28 - Emboutissage d'objets cylindriques, en utilisant des matrices successives

Abrégé

A can decorator having a blanket wheel (7) and a plurality inking stations (8). Each of one or more of the inking stations comprises a rotatable shaft (19) geared to the blanket wheel, a print cylinder (21) mounted on the shaft for rotation with the shaft during printing operations, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angular position (25) of the print cylinder on the rotatable shaft during set-up and for fixing the angular position for printing operations. There is further provided a rotary encoder (22, 23) for determining the angular position of the print cylinder relative to the rotatable shaft during set-up and for providing an electrical signal indicative of the angular position to an operator interface device.

Classes IPC  ?

• B41F 33/02 - Aménagements des dispositifs indicateurs, p. ex. des compteurs
• B41F 17/22 - Appareils ou machines à imprimer de type particulier ou pour emploi particulier, non prévus ailleurs pour l'impression d'objets ou de matériaux filiformes ou allongés, ou d'articles de surfaces cylindriques d'objets de longueur déterminée d'objets de section uniforme, p. ex. de crayons, règles, résistances électriques par contact de roulement
• G01D 5/20 - Moyens mécaniques pour le transfert de la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensibleMoyens pour convertir la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensible en une autre variable, lorsque la forme ou la nature de l'organe sensible n'imposent pas un moyen de conversion déterminéTransducteurs non spécialement adaptés à une variable particulière utilisant des moyens électriques ou magnétiques influençant la valeur d'un courant ou d'une tension en faisant varier l'inductance, p. ex. une armature mobile

Abrégé

A closure for a container comprises an end panel, a sidewall depending from the end panel and having an inwardly directed curl, and a sealing compound (205) extending down the inner surface of the sidewall. A plurality of ribs (204) are formed in the sealing compound, spaced apart around the circumference of the sidewall, each rib extending down the sidewall and projecting radially inwardly.

Classes IPC  ?

• B65D 1/02 - Bouteilles ou réceptacles similaires, à cols ou à ouvertures rétrécies analogues, conçus pour verser le contenu
• B65D 43/02 - Couvercles ou chapeaux amovibles
• B65D 51/16 - Fermetures non prévues ailleurs avec moyens pour laisser partir l'air ou le gaz
• B65D 41/17 - Capuchons à enclenchement mis en place par enfoncement et retirés par dévissage
• B65D 53/02 - Colliers ou bagues
• B65D 41/04 - Capuchons ou couvercles en forme de capuchons filetés ou similaires, fixés par rotation

Abrégé

A can bodymaker comprising (201) a plurality of components that require relative alignment to one another. The can bodymaker (201) comprises a toolpack module (207) which includes a toolpack frame and components including one or more dies (501) supported by the toolpack frame. The die (501) are alignable with respect to the toolpack frame when the toolpack module is not attached to the bodymaker (201). The can bodymaker (201) further comprises a fixing that allows removable fixing of the toolpack module to the can bodymaker (201).

Classes IPC  ?

• B21D 22/28 - Emboutissage d'objets cylindriques, en utilisant des matrices successives
• B21D 51/26 - Fabrication d'objets creux caractérisés par l'usage de l'objet de boîtes de conserve ou bidonsFermeture des boîtes de conserve ou des bidons de façon définitive

Abrégé

A can bodymaker (101) comprising: a ram (102); a drive mechanism; a yoke (103) coupling the ram (102) to the drive mechanism in order to drive the ram (102) with a linear, reciprocating motion; a yoke slide (104) fixed relative to the can bodymaker (101), the yoke (103) being confined by the yoke slide (104) to move in a linear direction; and an alignment mechanism (211) for aligning a yoke-coupled end of the ram (102) with respect to the yoke (103) within a plane perpendicular to said linear direction.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21D 22/28 - Emboutissage d'objets cylindriques, en utilisant des matrices successives

Abrégé

A draw die (30) for use in a cup-making press comprises a body defining an internal circular draw throat (32), a substantially flat clamping face (31) perpendicular to the circular draw throat (32), and a transition surface (39) between the clamping face (31) and the circular draw throat (32). The transition surface (39) has a curved axial cross-section which varies around the circular draw throat (32) to define a draw radius. Methods of manufacturing the draw die (30) and a method of manufacturing a metal cup using the draw die (30) are also described.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21D 22/20 - Emboutissage
• B21D 51/26 - Fabrication d'objets creux caractérisés par l'usage de l'objet de boîtes de conserve ou bidonsFermeture des boîtes de conserve ou des bidons de façon définitive

Abrégé

A method of reducing a thickness and increasing a height of a cylindrical wall of a metal cup to form a can body comprises positioning a wall-ironing punch (40) inside the cup, moving an annular wall-ironing die (24) axially over the closed end of the cup towards the open end of the cup, but not beyond the open end of the cup, in order to iron the cylindrical wall from the closed end up to a position axially spaced from the open end and moving the wall-ironing die (24) back in an opposite direction to remove the can body from the die (24). Methods of altering a diameter of one or more regions of a can body are also disclosed.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21D 22/28 - Emboutissage d'objets cylindriques, en utilisant des matrices successives
• B21D 22/30 - Emboutissage pour finir des objets déjà formés par emboutissage
• B21D 51/26 - Fabrication d'objets creux caractérisés par l'usage de l'objet de boîtes de conserve ou bidonsFermeture des boîtes de conserve ou des bidons de façon définitive

Abrégé

A metal end for seaming onto a metal container body. The end comprises an outer curl, a centre panel within the outer curl, and a tab having a longitudinal axis (A). The end further comprises a rivet securing the tab to the centre panel, and a score in the centre panel having two spaced apart ends which define a hinge therebetween, the hinge lying on one side of said longitudinal axis (A), such that operation of the tab fractures the score and causes the region of the centre panel within the score to pivot about the hinge and provide an aperture in the centre panel. The score extends into a region of the centre panel that is behind a centre line (B) running through the centre of the rivet and perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (A), and on the other side of the longitudinal axis (A) from the hinge.

Classes IPC  ?

• B65D 17/00 - Réceptacles rigides ou semi-rigides spécialement conçus pour être ouverts par coupage ou perçage, ou en perçant ou en déchirant des éléments ou des parties frangibles