Method and apparatus for reforming can bottom to provide improved strength

An apparatus for the reforming of the bottom of a container, said container having a longitudinal axis;

• a side wall parallel with said longitudinal axis;
• an outer annular wall;
• a convex U-shaped portion;
• a preformed bottom wall including a center domed portion;
• and an annular, substantially longitudinal wall joining said domed portion and said convex U-shaped portion, said apparatus comprising:
• means for radially inwardly supporting said outer annular wall;
• a plurality of rollers, each of said rollers movable from a radially inward position where said each of rollers does not contact said annular, substantially longitudinal wall to a radially outward position where each of said rollers contact said annular, substantially longitudinal wall;
• a plurality of pivot plates, one associated with a respective one of said rollers, to which each of said rollers is secured;
• a plurality of pins, one associated with each of said pivot plates, about which each of said pivot plates pivots;
• and
• a movable actuator, said actuator being movable from a first, non-engaging position to a second position in which said actuator contacts a camming surface to move each of said pivot plates and said respective rollers into engagement with said annular, substantially longitudinal wall in substantial radial alignment with said radial inward supporting means.

An apparatus for the reforming of the bottom of a container, said container having a longitudinal axis;

• a side wall parallel with said longitudinal axis;
• an outer annular wall;
• a convex U-shaped portion;
• a preformed bottom wall including a center domed portion;
• and an annular, substantially longitudinal wall joining said domed portion and said convex U-shaped portion, said apparatus comprising:
• a roller being movable from a radially inward position where said roller does not contact said annular, substantially longitudinal wall to a radially outward position where said roller contacts said annular, substantially longitudinal wall, the perimeter of said rollers having a downwardly tapered configuration which, when placed against said substantially longitudinal wall, reforms said substantially longitudinal wall to achieve a negative angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said container;
• a pivot plate to which said roller is secured;
• a pin about which said pivot plate pivots;
• a jig, said jig supporting said container along a bottom peripheral profile portion substantially corresponding in shape to said outer annular wall of said container, said bottom peripheral profile portion of said jig being mated with said outer annular wall of said container;
• and
• an actuator being movable from a first, non-engaging position to a second position in which said actuator contacts a camming surface to move said pivot plate and said rollers into engagement with said annular, substantially longitudinal wall in substantially radial alignment with said mating of said jig and said outer annular wall.

An apparatus for the reforming of the bottom of a container, said container having a longitudinal axis;

• a generally cylindrical side wall parallel with said longitudinal axis;
• an outer annular wall;
• a convex U-shaped portion;
• a preformed bottom wall including a center domed portion;
• and an annular, substantially longitudinal wall joining said domed portion and said convex U-shaped portion, said apparatus comprising:
• a jig, said jig supporting said container along a bottom peripheral profile portion substantially corresponding in shape to said outer annular wall of said container, said bottom peripheral profile portion of said jig being mated with said outer annular wall of said container;
• a roller movable from a radially inward position where said roller does not contact said annular, substantially longitudinal wall to a radially outward position where said roller contacts said annular substantially longitudinal wall;
• a spring;
• a housing biased by said spring, said roller being secured to said housing;
• and
• an actuator being movable from a first, non-engaging position to a second position in which said actuator contacts said housing to move said housing and said roller into engagement with said annular, substantially longitudinal wall in substantial radial alignment with said jig.

A method of reforming the bottom of a container, said container having a longitudinal and a radial axis, a generally cylindrical side wall parallel with said longitudinal axis;

• an outer annular wall;
• a convex U-shaped portion;
• a preformed bottom wall including a center domed portion;
• and an annular, substantially longitudinal wall joining said domed portion and said convex U-shaped portion, said method comprising:
• providing radially inward support for said container;
• providing a reforming roller;
• and
• moving said reforming roller radially into engagement with said substantially longitudinal wall, said reforming roller rotating along said longitudinal wall and about an arcuate path in substantial radial alignment with said radial inward support;
• wherein said reforming roller affects the angle of said substantially longitudinal wall.

An apparatus for the reforming of a bottom of a container, said container having a longitudinal axis;

• a side wall parallel with said axis;
• an outer annular wall;
• a convex U-shaped portion;
• a preformed bottom wall including a center domed portion;
• and an annular, substantially longitudinal wall joining said domed portion and said convex U-shaped portion, said apparatus comprising:
• means for radially inwardly supporting said container;
• a roller means movable from a radially inward position where said roller does not contact said longitudinal wall to a radially outward position where said roller contacts said annular, substantially vertical wall;
• a pivot plates to which said roller is secured;
• a pin about which said pivot plate pivots;
• and
• means for moving said pivot plate about said pivot pin to engage said roller with said longitudinal wall in substantially radial alignment with said supporting means to affect the angle of said substantially longitudinal wall.