System and method for forming a metal beverage container using blow molding
AssigneeThe Coca-Cola Company
InventorsJohn Adams, Rajesh Gopalaswamy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method of manufacturing a metal vessel may include providing a preform being formed of a work hardened metal. The preform may have an open portion, a closed end portion, and body portion. A multiple segment mold may be closed around the preform. The preform may be blow molded by causing a step-like change in pressure within the preform to cause the preform to take a shape defined by the mold. The molded preform may be removed from the mold.
Claims27
A method of manufacturing a metal vessel, said method comprising:
- providing a preform being formed of a work hardened metal, the preform having an open portion, a closed end portion, and body portion;
- preheating the body portion of the preform in a manner that limits heat being applied to the open portion and closed end portion of the preform;
- inserting the preheated preform into a mold that includes multiple segments;
- closing the multiple segment mold around the preform;
- blow molding the preform to cause a step-like change in pressure within the preform from a minimum pressure to a maximum pressure to occur in less than about 0.2 seconds to cause the preform to take a shape defined by the mold;
- and
- removing the molded preform from the mold.
A system for manufacturing a metal vessel, said system comprising:
- a mold including multiple segments, and being configured to receive a preform when in an open position, the preform being formed of a work hardened metal, and having an open portion, a closed end portion, and a body portion;
- a heating device for use in preheating the preform, said heating device being configured to heat the body portion of the preform in a manner that limits heat being applied to the open portion and closed end portion of the preform;
- a controller;
- and
- a blowing device configured to be controlled by said controller, said controller being configured to drive the blowing device so that said blowing device causes a step-like pressure change within the preform when said mold is in a closed position from a minimum pressure to a maximum pressure in less than about 0.2 seconds to cause the preform to take a shape defined by the mold.
A method of manufacturing a metal vessel, said method comprising:
- providing a preform being formed of a work hardened metal, the preform having an open portion, a body portion, and a closed end portion with the following parameters, where D is maximum width, R is effective radius of curvature, and d is bottom flat portion maximum width:
- D≦2R+d (eq. 1)
- d/D≧0.3 (eq. 2)
- H/D≧3 (eq. 3);
- closing a multiple segment mold around the preform;
- blow molding the preform to cause a change in pressure within the preform to cause the preform to take a shape defined by the mold;
- and
- removing the molded preform from the mold.
A system for manufacturing a metal vessel, said system comprising:
- a mold including multiple segments, and being configured to receive a preform when in an open position, the preform being formed of a work hardened metal, and having an open portion, a closed end portion, and a body portion;
- a controller;
- and
- a blowing device configured to be controlled by said controller, said controller being configured to drive the blowing device so that said blowing device causes a step-like pressure change within the preform when said mold is in a closed position from a minimum pressure to a maximum pressure in less than about 0.2 seconds to cause the preform to take a shape defined by the mold, wherein said controller, in driving said blowing device, is configured to drive said blowing device to increase the pressure within the preform to above approximately 40 bar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.