Apparatus and Method for Forming a Cup with a Reformed Bottom

摘要

An apparatus and method of forming a metallic cup that is subsequently reformed into a container body is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods used to form a metallic cup with a reformed bottom having an inwardly oriented projection. The inwardly oriented projection reduces a height of the metallic cup but utilizes the same amount of metallic stock material as a taller cup with substantially the same diameter that does not have an inward projection. The inwardly oriented projection thus allows the use of a conventional bodymaker and other can manufacturing tools to convert the cup into a container body of a preferred size and shape.

主权项

1. A method of forming a metallic cup having a sidewall and a reformed bottom, comprising:
providing a sheet of stock metal material; shearing the sheet of stock metal material with a tool to form a substantially circular blank with a predetermined size; drawing the blank into a cup with a first diameter by pushing a peripheral edge of the blank downward with a first tool while supporting a center portion of the blank with a second tool, the cup including a closed endwall; reforming the cup by applying pressure to a portion of the closed endwall of the cup to form an inwardly oriented protrusion, and wherein the interior volume of the cup is reduced; and ejecting the metallic cup.