Atomized particle lubrication of cup-shaped can bodies

Method for atomized liquid lubrication of cup-shaped sheet metal can bodies while continuously moving along a can body fabrication line comprising, in combination, the steps of

• providing an atomizing chamber reservoir means holding lubricant in liquid form,
• supplying gas at a pressure above atmospheric to such atomizing chamber,
• atomizing such liquid lubricant into particles capable of being moved pneumatically by such gas which is provided at a pressure above atmospheric to such atomizing chamber,
• providing a lubricant deposition chamber located vertically above such atomizing chamber,
• such deposition chamber being defined by wall means including a generally horizontally-oriented bottom wall for such deposition chamber confronting such atomizing chamber,
• interconnecting such deposition chamber and such atomizing chamber for gas flow purposes including apertures in such deposition chamber wall means communicating with such atomizing chamber means,
• pneumatically transporting such atomized particles into such deposition chamber with gas supplied to such atomizing chamber,
• supplying cup-shaped can bodies having a closed end wall and a side wall extending longitudinally therefrom symmetrically with a can body central longitudinal axis to define an open end longitudinally opposite to such closed end wall,
• providing a horizontally-oriented travel path for continuous movement of such can bodies through such lubricant application chamber by supporting and stabilizing individual can bodies with endless belt means of curvilinear cross-sectional configuration,
• controlling continuous movement of such can bodies into, through and out of such lubricant application chamber with such can bodies being oriented in spaced relationship to each other during such passage with their central longitudinal axes being parallel to each other and with their open ends facing vertically downwardly, and
• directing movement of such gas-borne lubricant particles into the lubricant deposition chamber from a plurality of locations in relation to such can body travel path for flow impingement deposition of gas-borne particles on such can bodies during passage through such chamber including
• directing atomized particles vertically upwardly through apertures in such bottom wall means of the deposition chamber communicating with such atomizing chamber into interior portions of such can bodies from such apertures in such bottom wall means located vertically below the travel path for such can bodies.