Method and apparatus for reforming can bottom to provide improved strength

A method of reforming a bottom of a drawn and ironed beverage container, said container having a longitudinal axis;

• a generally cylindrical side wall parallel with said longitudinal axis;
• the bottom having 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 said drawn and ironed beverage container;
• providing a reforming roller;
• and
• moving said reforming roller radially into engagement with said substantially longitudinal wall of said beverage container, said reforming roller rotating along said longitudinal wall and circumferentially about an arcuate path, wherein said reforming roller affects the angle of said substantially longitudinal wall.

An apparatus for reforming a bottom of a drawn and ironed beverage container, said container having a longitudinal axis;

• a side wall parallel with said longitudinal axis;
• the bottom having 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 a lower end 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;
• and
• a movable actuator to move said roller in opposition to said radial inward supporting means and into engagement with and circumferentially about said annular, substantially longitudinal wall to reform said substantially longitudinal wall.

A method for reforming a bottom of a drawn and ironed beverage container, said container having a longitudinal axis;

• a side wall parallel with said longitudinal axis;
• the bottom having 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 said drawn and ironed beverage container;
• radially inwardly supporting a lower end of said container;
• providing a roller;
• moving said roller 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;
• and
• circumferentially moving said roller in opposition to said radial inward supporting means and in engagement with said annular, substantially longitudinal wall to reform said substantially longitudinal wall.