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US 9,382,034 B2Granted
Strengthened food container and method
AssigneeSilgan Containers LLC
InventorsGerald J. Baker, Rowdy H. Holstine, Jianwen Hu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A metal food can including a metal sidewall is provided. The diameter of the sidewall varies at different axial positions along the sidewall. The can includes a can end coupled to an end of the metal sidewall, and a plurality of circumferential beads formed in the metal sidewall. The shape of each circumferential bead varies based upon the diameter of the section of the sidewall in which the beads are formed.
Claims20
A method of forming a beaded metal food can comprising:
- providing a cylindrical metal tube having an outer surface, an upper edge defining an upper opening and a lower edge defining a lower opening;
- forming a plurality of circumferential beads defining a bead panel in the cylindrical metal tube, wherein the bead panel comprises a continuous series of radially outwardly extending curved surfaces and radially inwardly extending curved surfaces positioned between each radially outwardly extending curved surface, each radially outwardly extending curved surface and each radially inwardly extending curved surface extending circumferentially around the metal tube, wherein the radially outwardly extending curved surfaces and the radially inwardly extending curved surface are defined in the outer surface of the metal tube;
- shaping the cylindrical metal tube to form a non-cylindrical metal sidewall, after forming the bead panel, the non-cylindrical sidewall comprising:
- a center section having a first diameter;
- an upper sidewall section located above the center section having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the upper sidewall section extending radially outward relative to the center section to provide the transition from the first diameter to the second diameter;
- and
- a lower sidewall section located below the center section having a third diameter greater than the first diameter, the lower sidewall section extending radially outward relative to the center section to provide the transition from the first diameter to the third diameter;
- and
- coupling a can end to at least one of the upper edge and the lower edge of the tube.
6 more elements
A method of forming a beaded metal food can comprising:
- providing a metal tube having an upper edge defining an upper opening, a lower edge defining a lower opening and a cylindrical portion located between the upper edge and the lower edge;
- forming a plurality of circumferential beads in the cylindrical portion of the metal tube, wherein each circumferential bead includes a radially inwardly extending curved surface positioned along an outer surface of the metal tube;
- shaping the beaded cylindrical portion of metal tube after formation of the plurality of circumferential beads to form a beaded non-cylindrical metal sidewall section, the non-cylindrical sidewall section comprising:
- a center section having a first diameter;
- an upper sidewall section located above the center section having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the upper sidewall section extending radially outward relative to the center section to provide the transition from the first diameter to the second diameter;
- and
- a lower sidewall section located below the center section having a third diameter greater than the first diameter, the lower sidewall section extending radially outward relative to the center section to provide the transition from the first diameter to the third diameter, wherein the non-cylindrical metal sidewall section includes the plurality of circumferential beads following shaping to form the non-cylindrical metal sidewall section;
- and
- coupling a can end to at least one of the upper opening and the lower opening of the tube.
6 more elements
A method of forming a beaded metal food can comprising:
- providing a metal tube having an outer surface, an upper edge defining an upper opening, a lower edge defining a lower opening and a cylindrical portion located between the upper edge and the lower edge;
- forming a bead panel in the cylindrical portion of the metal tube, wherein the bead panel comprises a continuous series of radially outward extending curved surfaces and radially inward extending curved surfaces positioned between each radially outward extending curved surface, each radially outward extending curved surface and each radially inward extending curved surface extending circumferentially around the cylindrical portion of the metal tube, wherein the radially outwardly extending curved surfaces and the radially inwardly extending curved surface are defined in the outer surface of the metal tube;
- shaping the cylindrical portion of the metal tube after formation of the bead panel to form a beaded non-cylindrical metal sidewall section, wherein the non-cylindrical sidewall extends concavely along at least a portion of the length of the non-cylindrical sidewall;
- forming a first flange adjacent the upper edge of the metal tube;
- forming a second flange adjacent the lower edge of the metal tube;
- and
- coupling a can end to at least one of the first flange and the second flange.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.