Metallic Cup Inward Projection Reduces Height
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current manufacturing methods for forming metallic cups require larger blanks to produce taller or wider container bodies, leading to increased cup height and reduced efficiency in the bodymaker process, necessitating longer tooling and potentially requiring new equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that form a cup with a reformed closed endwall featuring an inwardly oriented projection, using a die center punch and reform punch to reduce the cup's height while maintaining the same diameter, allowing for the formation of larger container bodies without increasing tooling costs or reducing bodymaker efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If larger blanks are used to produce taller or wider container bodies, then the container body size is increased, but the cup height increases and bodymaker efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a new dimensional feature - an inwardly directed projection extending from the closed endwall into the cup interior. This projection redistributes the blank material within the cup geometry, allowing the cup to contain sufficient material volume for large container bodies while maintaining a compact overall height that fits within existing bodymaker tooling stroke limitations.
2Volume of moving object
If larger blanks are used to produce taller or wider container bodies, then the container body size is increased, but longer tooling and potentially new equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
By adding the inwardly directed projection dimension, the invention enables the use of standard-sized blanks to produce large container bodies without requiring extended tooling or new equipment. The projection effectively increases the material availability within the cup while maintaining compatibility with existing bodymaker tooling stroke and size constraints.
3Volume of moving object
If the cup height is increased to accommodate larger container bodies, then the container body size is increased, but the bodymaker must use a longer punch stroke reducing speed and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The inwardly directed projection creates additional material volume within the existing cup height, eliminating the need to increase cup height to accommodate larger container bodies. This maintains the punch stroke within optimal ranges for high-speed bodymaker operation, preventing speed and efficiency reductions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the formation of metallic cups with reduced height and internal volume, facilitating the production of larger container bodies using existing bodymaker tools, enhancing efficiency and reducing tooling costs by maintaining the same diameter and allowing for faster processing.
Implementation Method 1
reforming the cup by applying pressure to a portion of the closed endwall of the cup to form an inwardly oriented protrusion
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of forming a metallic cup that is subsequently reformed into a container body. More specifically, an apparatus and methods used to form a metallic cup with a reformed bottom having an inwardly oriented projection are disclosed. 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.