Patent ID: 6089072
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
A method of forming a can end, comprising the steps of:a) forming a metal blank having a periphery and a center panel;b) forming an annular bead in said metal blank, said annular bead defined by radially displaced and circumferentially extending inner and outer walls joined by an arcuate section, said inner and outer walls defining a width of said bead therebetween, said annular bead having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said exterior and interior surfaces defining therebetween a thickness of said metal forming said bead, said bead outer wall having a length and inclined at an angle;c) clamping a portion of said metal blank disposed between said periphery and said annular bead using a ring, said ring having an inner wall inclined at an angle approximately equal to said bead outer wall angle, said ring inner wall disposed adjacent substantially the entirety of said length of said bead outer wall so as to restrain deflection of said bead outerwall in the radially outward direction; andd) reducing said width of said annular bead by drawing a tool across at least a portion of said exterior surface of said bead without drawing said interior surface of said bead around a tool surface, thereby free drawing said bead, said free drawing of said bead being performed while simultaneously maintaining said clamping of said portion of said metal blank by said ring and while simultaneously maintaining said ring inner wall adjacent said bead outer wall so as to restrain radially outward deflection of said bead outer wall over the entirely of said length of said bead outer wall during said free drawing of said bead.