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US 11,813,657 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.
Claims17
An apparatus to seal a metallic container with a metallic end closure, comprising:
- a first tool to receive the metallic container, the metallic container comprising a closed bottom end, a container sidewall extending upwardly from the closed bottom end, and a container curl extending from an upper end of the container 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 approximately parallel to the container sidewall;
- and
- a joining tool configured to apply 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 is configured to form a thread by bending portions of the inner and outer panel walls of the metallic end closure and the container sidewall outwardly or inwardly such that the metallic end closure is releasably connected to the metallic container, wherein the joining tool comprises:
- an inner tool with an outer face having a convex shape that is approximately congruent to a concave segment of the inner panel wall of the metallic end closure;
- and
- an outer tool with an inner face having a concave shape that is approximately congruent to a convex segment of the outer panel wall of the metallic end closure.
4 more elements
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 includes a closed bottom end, a container sidewall extending upwardly from the closed bottom end, and a container curl extending from an upper end of the container 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 approximately 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, and wherein the metallic end closure is releasably connected to the metallic container, wherein the applying the compressive force comprises:
- moving an inner tool of the joining tool outwardly against the inner panel wall, the inner tool having an outer face with a convex shape that is approximately congruent to a concave segment of the inner panel wall of the metallic end closure, wherein a protrusion projects outwardly from the outer face;
- and
- moving an outer tool of the joining tool inwardly against the outer panel wall, the outer tool having an inner face with a concave shape that is approximately congruent to a convex segment of the outer panel wall of the metallic end closure, wherein a recess extends inwardly from the inner face and is adapted to interlock with the protrusion of the inner tool.
3 more elements
An apparatus to seal a metallic container with a metallic end closure, comprising:
- a first tool to receive the metallic container, the metallic container including a closed bottom end, a container sidewall extending upwardly from the closed bottom end, and a container curl extending from an upper end of the container 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 approximately parallel to the container sidewall;
- and
- a joining tool to apply a compressive force to the metallic container and the metallic end closure to seal the metallic end closure to the metallic container, the joining tool being configured to form a thread by bending a portion of the inner and outer panel walls of the metallic end closure and the container sidewall to releasably connect the metallic end closure to the metallic container, wherein the joining tool is adapted to compress the container sidewall between the inner and outer panel walls of the metallic end closure to form the thread, wherein the joining tool comprises:
- an inner tool with an outer face having a convex shape that is approximately congruent to a concave segment of the inner panel wall of the metallic end closure;
- and
- an outer tool with an inner face having a concave shape that is approximately congruent to a convex segment of the outer panel wall of the metallic end closure.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.