Methods for necking-in sheet metal can bodies

In the manufacture of a sheet metal container, a multi-stage die-forming method for necking-in the open end of a can body to provide flanging metal free of wrinkles, comprising the steps of

• providing an open-ended can body having a sidewall of substantially cylindrical configuration about a longitudinally extended central axis,
• the sidewall defining an open end having a peripheral edge,
• die-forming a strengthening member in the sheet metal contiguous to the open-end with a first set of dies including an outer strengthening-member die cooperating with an inner pilot die by turning such peripheral edge inwardly with such outer strengthening-member die toward the central axis of the can body about a radius of curvature of a dimension in the range of about ten to fifteen times the thickness of the sheet metal being die formed, the peripheral edge being turned inwardly about the full circumference of such peripheral edge and then turning such peripheral edge with the inner pilot die toward such open end to extend in a direction parallel to the central axis, such extension of sheet metal in the direction parallel to the central axis having a longitudinal dimension of less than .0625 inch, and then
• die-forming such open end with strengthening member to form a reduced diameter neck with a second set of dies including an outer necking-in die and an inner pilot-type die by contacting the can body sidewall at a location adjacent to but spaced longitudinally from the strengthening member with the outer necking-in die to form a curvilinear configuration transition zone between the original can body and the reduced diameter neck and to form wrinkle-free flanging metal, such transition zone being formed about a radius of curvature which is greater than fifteen times the thickness gage of the sheet metal being die formed,
• such necked-in flanging metal having a longitudinal dimension which is a plurality of times greater than the corresponding longitudinal dimension of the initially formed strengthening member.