Patent ID: 6434996
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
A bottom forming station assembly for forming a metal can bottom having a sidewall and a base portion, said bottom being formed in a single-stage process after drawing and ironing, said station assembly comprising:a punch sleeve comprising a body having: an inner sidewall that defines a bore for securely receiving a punch nose; an outer sidewall that corresponds to a shape of at least a portion of a beverage can base, the outer sidewall including a first portion and a second portion, the second portion corresponding to at least a portion of a can sidewall, the first portion being oblique to the second portion and extending radially inwardly therefrom such that an end of the first portion is coupled to the inner sidewall; and the punch nose comprising a body having: a first sidewall that corresponds to the shape of at least a portion of a beverage can base; and a a second sidewall integrally coupled with the first sidewall and extending rearwardly therefrom, said punch nose adapted to be mechanically coupled within the bore of the punch sleeve with the second sidewall of the punch nose proximate to the first portion of the outer sidewall of the punch sleeve sidewall; and a die assembly, disposed opposite the punch assembly, comprising a domed portion and an annular insert disposed around the domed portion, the insert being immoveable relative to the domed portion and sized to removably receive a portion of the punch nose therein; such that a slip line is formed at a forward-most junction between the punch sleeve and the punch nose in a non-active area, whereby said non-active area is not in contact with the can base metal stock during forming thereof, whereby said bottom forming station assembly is suitable for forming a metal can bottom dome in a one-stage process and whereby the die insert forms a portion of the can bottom by urging the can bottom portion against the punch outer sidewall first portion.