Patent ID: 6351980
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
An apparatus for forming a base profile on a container end of a container adapted to be mounted on a punch during a forming operation comprising:a die (5) including a central portion having a forming face profiled complementary to a desired base profile of a container end; an adjustable hold down (10) in exterior telescopic relationship to said die (5) for clamping a container against a punch during movement of the punch in a predetermined forming direction to form a container end to a desired base profile; fluidic biasing means (35) in exterior surrounding relationship to said central die portion for biasing said adjustable hold down (10) into clamping engagement with a container carried by the punch; means (20, 65) in exterior substantially concentric opposing relationship to said die (5) for biasing the die (5) against the container end in a direction opposing the predetermined forming direction of the punch; and said die biasing means (20, 65) being a continuous annular member made of resilient material which creates a uniformed biasing force during movement of a punch in its predetermined forming direction toward the end of its stroke.