Back to results
US 11,446,730 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for sealing a metallic container with a metallic end closure
AssigneeBall Corporation
InventorJohn R. Ross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes a tool operable to releasably join a metallic end closure to a metallic container. In one embodiment, the tool is configured to form a thread in the closure and the container. The tool may optionally crimp the closure to the container. Once sealed, the container can be opened by rotating the closure in an opening direction. The closure can subsequently re-close the container by rotating the closure in a closing direction.
Claims19
An apparatus to seal a metallic container with a metallic end closure, comprising:
- a first tool to receive the metallic container filled with a product, the metallic container including a closed bottom end, a sidewall extending upwardly from the closed bottom end, and a container curl extending from an upper end of the sidewall to define an opening, wherein the metallic end closure is positioned in the opening of the metallic container and includes a central panel, an inner panel wall extending upwardly from the central panel, a countersink extending outwardly from the inner panel wall and forming an uppermost portion of the metallic end closure, and an outer panel wall extending downwardly from the countersink, the outer panel wall being oriented substantially parallel to the container sidewall;
- and
- a joining tool that applies a compressive force to the metallic container and the metallic end closure to seal the metallic end closure to the metallic container, wherein the joining tool forms a thread by bending a portion of the inner and outer panel walls of the metallic end closure and the container sidewall outwardly or inwardly, wherein the metallic end closure is releasably connected to the metallic container, wherein the thread extends downwardly from an upper portion of the outer panel wall, and wherein the metallic end closure includes a peripheral curl releasably interconnected to a lowermost portion of the outer panel wall by a score or a perforation.
A method of sealing a metallic container with a selectively removable metallic end closure, comprising:
- positioning the metallic end closure in an opening of the metallic container, wherein the metallic container is at least partially filled with a product and includes a closed bottom end, a sidewall extending upwardly from the closed bottom end, and a container curl extending from an upper end of the sidewall to define the opening, and wherein the metallic end closure has a central panel, an inner panel wall extending upwardly from the central panel, a countersink at an upper end of the inner panel wall and extending outwardly from the inner panel wall, and an outer panel wall extending downwardly from the countersink, wherein the outer panel wall is oriented substantially parallel to the container sidewall;
- and
- applying a compressive force to the metallic container and the metallic end closure with a joining tool to seal the metallic end closure to the metallic container, wherein the joining tool bends the inner and outer panel walls of the metallic end closure and the container sidewall to form a thread, wherein the metallic end closure is releasably connected to the metallic container, wherein the thread extends downwardly from the countersink of the metallic end closure and ends above a lowermost portion of the outer panel wall, and wherein the metallic end closure includes a peripheral curl releasably interconnected to the lowermost portion of the outer panel wall by a score or a perforation.
A metallic container sealed with a selectively removable metallic end closure, comprising:
- a container body with a closed bottom end, a sidewall extending upwardly from the closed bottom end, and a container curl extending from an upper end of the sidewall to define an opening;
- and
- a metallic end closure sealed in the container opening and including a central panel, an inner panel wall extending upwardly from the central panel, a countersink extending outwardly from the inner panel wall, and an outer panel wall extending downwardly from the countersink, wherein the inner and outer panel walls are bent away from or closer to a longitudinal axis of the metallic container to form a thread, wherein the thread extends through the container curl, wherein the thread extends downwardly from the countersink of the metallic end closure and ends above a lowermost portion of the outer panel wall, and wherein the metallic end closure includes a peripheral curl releasably interconnected to the lowermost portion of the outer panel wall by a score or a perforation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.