Patent ID: 7234907
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
1. A system for forming and attaching lift-tabs to can ends to form easy opening lift-tab can ends, wherein each of said can ends includes a rivet to which a lift-tab may be attached, said system comprising: a frame; a means for forming a lift-tab, said means for forming a lift-tab being mounted on the frame and adapted to form at least one lane of lift-tabs in a strip of metal stock material; a drive roller supported on the frame and adapted to move the strip of metal stock material through the means for forming a lift-tab; a means for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end, said means for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end being mounted on the frame and adapted to attach a lift-tab onto a can end to form an easy opening lift-tab can end, and wherein the means for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end includes a conversion press mounted on the frame, said conversion press having a locating means for placing the strip of metal stock material into the conversion press with the lift-tab being placed into working relationship with a can end so that the conversion press may detach the lift-tab from the strip and attach the lift-tab onto the can end to form an easy opening lift-tab can end; a conveyor means for conveying the at least one lane of formed lift-tabs from the means for forming a lift-tab to the means for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end; a power source for providing power to operate either or both of the means for forming a lift-tab and the means for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end, and wherein the power source includes a means for forming a lift-tab power source for providing power to operate the means for forming a lift-tab and the conversion press; and a crank shaft operatively connected to the power source, said crank shaft being adapted to transmit power for operating either or both of the means for forming a lift-tab and the means for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end, and wherein the crank shaft includes a means for forming a lift-tab crank shaft that is operatively connected to the means for forming a lift-tab power source and adapted to transmit power for operating the means for forming a lift-tab and a conversion press crank shaft that is adapted to transmit power for operating the conversion press; and wherein, the means for forming a lift-tab crank shaft and the conversion press crank shaft are connected to each other by a drive belt.