METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING TABS FOR EASY-OPEN CAN END

摘要

A method and an apparatus are provided for manufacturing a tab (1) for use with an easy-open can end, which tab is free from any exposed protrusion or cut edge thereon that would otherwise contact a finger or a lip of the user, without an increase in the number of manufacturing steps. A tab (1), attached to a carrier strip by a joint, is formed in a tab forming process, and the tab is severed from the strip in a joint severing process wherein the joint is cut off close to the tab nose (10) to separate the tab from the strip. The tab with a protrusion (19) which has a cut edge, remaining on the tab nose (10), is lowered while being held against horizontal movement. The protrusion is brought into engagement with a curling surface (48) of an arm (28) which is supported to swing in a downward passage through which the tab descends. When the tab is lowered in the downward passage, the arm is swung to cause the curling surface to press against the tab and curl the protrusion onto the tab.