Method and apparatus for reforming a container

An apparatus for outwardly expanding a sidewall of a generally cylindrically shaped portion of an electrically responsive, metallic body, comprising:

• means for retaining at least a first portion of the metallic body,
• a coil of electrically conductive material able to provide electromagnetic force when energized,
• means for disposing the coil inside the retained metallic body with the outer diameter of the coil adjacent the inside surface of the portion of the sidewall to be expanded,
• means for energizing the coil to create an electromagnetic force sufficient to expand at least a portion of the sidewall of the metallic body outwardly of the original generally cylindrical shape in an unrestricted area, and
• means for introducing a fluid between the coil and the inside surfaces of the metallic body during expansion of the sidewall to maintain at least positive gauge pressure throughout expansion of the sidewall.

A generally cylindrical metallic can body having at least a portion of a sidewall expanded outwardly by the process of:

• retaining at least a first portion of the metallic can body,
• disposing a coil of electrically conductive material inside the metallic can body with the outer diameter of the coil adjacent inside surfaces of a portion of the sidewall to be expanded,
• energizing the coil to create an electromagnetic force sufficient to expand at least a portion of the sidewall of the metallic can body outwardly of the original generally cylindrical shape in an unrestricted area, and
• introducing a fluid between the coil and the inside surface of the metallic can body during expansion of the sidewall to maintain at least positive gauge pressure throughout expansion of the sidewall.