Patent · US Expired

Method of and apparatus for manufacturing tabs for easy-open can end

US5741105A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
6References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 31, 1997
Grant dateApr 21, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 31, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB21D51/383
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and an apparatus are provided for manufacturing a tab 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, 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 to separate the tab from the strip. The tab with a protrusion which has a cut edge, remaining on the tab nose, is lowered while being held against horizontal movement. The protrusion is brought into engagement with a curling surface of an arm 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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.