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Can end conversion systemRelated Patent Categories: Sheet Metal Container Making, Apparatus Applying Closure To Receptacle, Closure Or Receptacle Feed, Closure And Receptacle FeedCan end conversion system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070166131, Can end conversion system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is based upon Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/420,397 filed 22 Oct. 2002 and incorporates the entire disclosure of that application herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to systems for making unique container ends, particularly at full production rates, by moving container shells through progressive conversion tooling wherein the shells are scored, embossed if desired, formed with a pour opening, and then securing a foil-like tab sealed to the shell in position covering the pour opening. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention provides a continuous process and apparatus which converts the can end shells, applies foil-like tabs to the shells, and discharges the completed ends at commercially viable speed. Containers, principally metal cans, have been widely used for packaging liquid beverages, e.g. beer, carbonated drinks, juices, and the like, which are intended for human consumption. Many such containers comprise a can formed of a one-piece body and a fabricated integral easy-open end which is attached across the open end of a filled can body, as by a roll seal. Such ends have an integral pour opening defined by a score line which separates during opening of an attached tab. There are many existing forms of filling and sealing devices for filling and closing such cans with artificially or naturally carbonated beverages (e.g. the bear/beverage market), as well as other drinks or flowable foods and the like. [0004] There is also an objection, more prevalent in some countries, to the "attached pour panel" which in turn was the result of the ecological objections to its predecessor the "pull tab" (removable) end. The panel/tab items often were not properly disposed of. The integral pour opening panel which remains connected to the container end, is conventionally pushed into the container, often partly into contents (usually liquid) of the container. [0005] There also exist a number of food packaging systems which place a measured quantity of a food or drink in an open top container body onto which a foil-like cover is sealed to the top of the container body; see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,475 issued 2 Jul. 1998, and the prior art cited therein. Such covers can be formed economically by a simple stamping operation on a foil supplied from a roll thereof. [0006] It has been suggested to apply a foil-type cover (or foil-like tab) onto a formed pour opening in a can end shell, instead of forming an initially integral pour opening and attaching an operating tab with the well known integral rivet structure for severing and opening the pour panel. In such a container end the shell (in known sizes and shapes) can have a pour opening formed therein; preferably with a protective rim. The shell is also formed with a suitable peripheral flange for sealing to the open top of a can body. Then the end is completed by applying a sealing tab across the pour opening. The foil-type tab can be easily and properly thrown away. [0007] Such an end is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,312,368, (see FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, Prior Art) which discusses the potential advantages of such a container end, and also discloses an optional venting arrangement to relieve internal pressure from the container before the foil-like tab is removed from the pour opening. [0008] In addition, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,397,401 and 4,526,287 disclose foil tabs for container ends (see FIGS. 2A and 2B, Prior Art) wherein the rim of the pour opening is formed (e.g. tapered or projected) toward the outer or public side of the end. If the attached tab is deformed outward, the stress applied between the tab and the tapered lip of the pour opening is not a peeling force but a shear stress, and peeling away of the tab from the pour opening due to such internal pressure is effectively prevented. [0009] To the best of applicants' knowledge, at present the equipment available for continuous manufacture of such ends is relatively slow and produces the ends at low speed (e.g. three ends/cycle), and is simply not able to operate at speeds and in quantities desired for high volume production. Applicants have determined that such equipment should include the ability to accept end shells (which are usually made separately), form the pour opening in each shell, form and attach the foil-type tab over the pour opening, and seal the tab to the external (public) side of the resulting end, in one continuous operation. [0010] An important need of such equipment is the ability to hold the shells firmly as they are formed and sealed. Precise alignment of the tabs is important. In particular, there is an important need to prevent rotation of the shell during the forming and sealing processes so as not to interfere with alignment of the tabs over the pour opening. Another need is to provide a sealing apparatus and method which places the foil securely over the pour opening, applies the seal, reforms the perimeter of the pour opening with the tab in place, and allows the seal between the tab and the pour opening then to set before ends are ready to be discharged and gathered. A further need is to achieve the most efficient use of the foil material to minimize the amount of scrap. [0011] A conveying apparatus, including unique nests, which are features of a novel converting system for making easy-open can ends, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,853 issued 18 Jun. 2002 and its corresponding published Intl. Application No. PCT/US99/27978 filed 26 Nov. 1999 (both assigned to the assignee of this application). The present invention includes the incorporation of this conveying apparatus into a unique system for the manufacture of the above described foil-tab sealed ends. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] The preferred transfer conveyor system of the present invention utilizes a conveyor comprising at least one continuous belt (in some cases a plurality of such belts operating in parallel) of reinforced flexible material, with cogs or teeth on the belt underside. A series of unique and novel nests (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,853) are fitted into holes in the belt at regularly spaced intervals along the belt(s). The nests are attached at their opposite edges to the belt(s), which are positively driven and advance end shells in the nests intermittently through the end forming tooling and then through the foil-like tab forming/attaching and finishing equipment of the system. [0013] The belt(s) are supported by and routed around first and second drums located beyond the beginning and end of the combined end shell tooling (for pour opening formation) and the foil-like tab forming/attaching and finishing stations. In proximity to the ends of this conveying system are loading (down stacker) mechanisms and unloading (e.g., up stacker) devices. One or both of the drums are driven to move the belt(s) step-wise along an upper flight, such as to advance the nests in predetermined increments, and a lower or return flight. [0014] The progressive end conversion tooling for shaping the shells into container ends, with formed and finished pour openings, is located in the mouth or entrance of the press, and the belt(s) passes the nests and shells therein between the upper and lower conversion tooling sets. [0015] The tab forming and application tooling is preferably located beyond the conversion tooling but principally within the boundaries of the mouth of the same press. A supply web of foil material is fed step-wise across the conveyor(s) at the forming and application station. A blanking apparatus at each of the application locations acts to create and to separate (e.g. die cut) tabs from the foil and tack the tabs against the shells, covering the pour openings. The tabs are then heat sealed over the pour opening. The tab area around the pour opening rolled perimeter, with the foil-tab attached, may then be re-formed to provide a surface sloping slightly downward and away from the pour opening to enhance adhesion of the tabs to the shells in that region, using unique tooling disclosed hereafter. [0016] Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are views from the prior art of a foil-type tab applied to a container end shell. [0018] FIGS. 2A and 2B are views from the prior art illustrating details of a bonded interface between a foil-type tab and a shell surface about the pour opening. [0019] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views of another design of foil tab and of a related end shell with the tab applied and the covered pour opening indicated in dotted lines. Continue reading about Can end conversion system... Full patent description for Can end conversion system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Can end conversion system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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