Systems and methods for making decorative shaped metal cans

An apparatus for manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers, comprising:

• means for making a can body blank;
• means for partially annealing the whole of the can body blank at a temperature that is within the range of about 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232.degree. C.) to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260.degree. C.), thereby giving the partially annealed can body blank increased ductility;
• mold means comprising a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity conforming to a desired final shape of the can body;
• positioning means for positioning said can body blank within said mold cavity;
• and
• fluid supply means for supplying a pressurized fluid into said mold cavity so that said can body blank is forced by pressure against said mold wall, causing said can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body.

A method of forming a metallic can body blank into a can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers, comprising steps of:

• (a) washing the can body blank:
• (b) simultaneously drying and partially annealing the whole of the can body blank at a temperature that is within the range of about 450.degree. F. to about 500.degree. F., thereby giving the dried and partially annealed can body blank increased ductility;
• (c) positioning said dried and partially annealed can body blank within a mold cavity, said mold cavity having a wall conforming to at least a portion of a desired final shape of the can body;
• and
• (d) supplying a pressurized fluid into said can body blank so that said can body blank is forced by pressure against said mold wall, causing said can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body.

An apparatus for forming a washed metallic can body blank into a dry can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers, comprising:

• (a) a dryer station for simultaneously drying and partially annealing the whole of the washed can body blank at a temperature that is within the range of about 450.degree. F. to about 500.degree. F., thereby giving the dried and partially annealed can body blank increased ductility;
• (b) a mold having at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity conforming to at least a portion of a desired final shape of the can body;
• and
• (c) a conduit for directing a pressurized fluid into said dried and partially annealed can body blank so that said can body blank is forced by pressure against said mold wall, thereby causing said can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body.