# Patent

## Title
Compound dip process for metal cans

## Abstract

Sealant is applied onto or into a folded-seam closure of a metal can. Instead of introducing sealant into the U-shaped lid flange and drying, the compound or sealant is applied to the flange base. The base of the metal can is dipped into a current of fluid sealant or at least brought into contact with it at the surface. This substantially improves the precision of dosing and the exact amount of applied sealant.

## Background
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/686,718, filed Oct. 10, 2000 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,517), which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/849,948, filed Aug. 20, 1997 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,494).


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The technical field of the invention is a process for an application of sealant (so-called “compound”) to a body hook of a body of a metal can.
2. Prior Art
Prior art realizes sealings on metal packings such that a sealant, which is usually provided on the basis of a rubber preparation or a synthetic caoutchouc, is dispersed in water or organic solvents (SBC or WBC) and introduced into the end hook of a can end or into the fold edge of a can base with a spraying gun. Subsequently, the water or the solvent (mixture) has to be evaporated and the dried seal has to be stored at least 24 hours before closing the can end and the can body. In the prior art process, the quantity of sealant used is subject to a statistical variation, the effectively introduced or applied sealant depending to a considerable degree on the viscosity, which in turn depends on the temperature. Consequently, the temperature determines the quantity of sealant introduced, namely the circumferential distribution of sealant as well as the thickness of the sealant introduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to improve the processes for introduction or application of sealant previously used, particularly with regard to their precision and reproducibility. The objective is to make the quantity of sealant applied or introduced independent on external influences to such a degree that it may be positioned more precisely to permit on a long-term basis the saving of considerable quantities of sealant.
Said object is achieved by applying a sealant to the body hook of a can body, and not to a can end, said application being effected before flanging the seam, which particularly is a double seam.
By realizing the inventive idea, a frequent control of the sealant is not required, the can body itself being dipped from above into the sealant or contacting it to such a degree that only the required portion of the body hook is wetted with said sealant. Compared to prior art, the inventive process permits a better positioning and therefore, a more precise application and consequently a more economizing dosing of the sealant. Thus a considerable quantity of sealant is saved over a fairly long time. Due to the invention, defects in the rubber-coating of can ends are a thing of the past.
To fluidize the raw sealant, it is softened (fluidized), usually by an extruder or compounder. The compound may then be transferred on a gravure roller which may be supplied by a sheet die, however, said sheet die itself also being able to provide the fluidal compound without using a deep-draw roller1, said compound presenting a certain minimum dipping depth; said minimum depth may be controlled.
1 German term “Tiefziehwalze” (=deep-draw roller) must obviously read correctly “Tiefdruckwalze” (=gravure roller). 
Also, time, speed and dipping depth of the dipping movement of the body hook may be controlled.
The application of compound on the seam portion of the can body (body hook) is improved with regard to uniformity by rotating said can body in the indicated direction a, (alpha) around its own axis at least when it contacts or is dipped into the sealant. For this purpose, a magnetic drive (for soft metal2 cans) may be provided.
2 German term “Weichblechdosen” (=soft metal cans) is an obvious typing error. The correct term is “Weiβblechdosen” (=tin plate cans). 
By combining a dipping movement in vertically downward direction and a rotatory movement around the axis, a high degree of uniformity of sealant on the body hook is achieved, simultaneously permitting a precise positioning and dosing and thus savings of largest possible quantities of sealant to achieve smallest necessary quantities of sealant on the body hook.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
In the following, the invention is described more in detail on the basis of embodiments.
FIG. 1 illustrates a closed double seam being provided on the upper edge of a metal packing. D designates the double seam, reference numeral 1 designates the body of the metal can and reference numeral 2 designates the can end.
FIG. 2 shows the dipping movement in downward direction of a schematically illustrated can body 1 into a fluidal sealant 10 being continuously replenished in y direction (“stream of sealant”).
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the edge portion of a seam portion 1a of a can body, onto which a defined, precisely dosed quantity 10a of a sealant has been applied according to the process of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show embodiments of usual seam geometries on metal cans.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
If a can is in closed condition, an end hook 2a, 2b is seamed together with a body hook 1a to provide an air-tight double seam D. A sealant C is provided on the upper portion of the seam portion, between the seam portion 1a of the can body and the outer seam portion 2b of the can end portion 2a, 2b, and, possibly, a further sealant F is provided on the lower portion of said seam.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the application of at least one of said sealants C and F.
FIG. 2 illustrates the principle, according to which a can body 1, being shown schematically, is dipped into a fluidal sealant 10 (“raw sealant”). Said can body 1 is moved downward v in direction of the can axis 100 until the body hook 1a contacts said fluidal compound 10. Said movement v may as well be continued a bit further downward, so that the lower (reverse) surface of said body hook 1a is also dipped.
The dipping depth may exceed the thickness d of the metal sheet so that said compound 10 also reaches the reverse side (upper side) of said body hook 1a, thus providing a sealing portion F when the can is closed.
FIG. 2 is an exaggerated illustration showing a (frustoconical) inclination of said body hook 1a, said inclination being substantially horizontal with an only slight inclination, such as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
In FIG. 2, the downward movement is designated by a velocity v which is changed depending on the position of said can body 1 and the interspace between said can body 1 and said compound 10. The smaller the interspace between said body 1 and said fluid 10, the lower the velocity of said downward movement.
During said downward movement or immediately when contacting or being dipped into said fluidal compound 10, said body 1 may rotate around the can axis 100, thus improving the uniformity of application of said compound.
A movement y of said fluid 10 is schematically illustrated, representing a slight movement of said fluid or at least a continuous replacement of fluid in a quantity corresponding to the quantity of sealant being applied to said body hooks 1a which are dipped into or brought in contact with said sealant. Said fluidal compound 10 may be produced by an extruder, its temperature may be controlled to maintain its viscosity on a substantially constant level.
FIG. 3 illustrates a sealant 10a being positioned on said body hook 1a in an exactly dosed quantity. Said Figure only shows an edge portion 1a of said can body 1 being illustrated in upright position with its base downwards. If, after dipping and removing said body, said compound 10 still presents a certain mobility or viscosity, said compound 10a is still able to slightly move in radially inward direction on the can end seam 1a after quickly reversing said can 1.
Said movement in radially inward and downward direction depends on the ambient temperature and the inclination of said body hook 1a with regard to the horizontal plane.
If the body hook 1a is dipped somewhat more deeply into said fluid 10, a bilateral coating 10b with compound is provided around the outer edge 1b of said body hook 1a, thus forming a lower sealing portion F when seaming. Said compound portions C and F according to FIG. 1 are indicated in FIG. 3.
Said process of application may equally be used in the can end and base seam of three-piece cans (see FIG. 4). Its use is also possible with drawn and ironed (i.e. stretched) can bodies, either with their upper portion necked-in or not (see FIG. 5). A necked-in portion is in part shown in phantom in FIG. 1. This portion 1′′ is the upper portion of the can body, which at the inside thereof has a usual coating on the sheet, from which the can body was manufactured. This coating as a surface layer is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 only shows the outer/upper part of the can body having a lid applied to it, but not yet being seamed. FIGS. 4 and 5 are prior art.

## Claims

1. A process for application of a seal between an end hook and a body hook of a double seam between a metal lid and a one-piece metal can body, wherein:
a coating is applied to said body hook before attaching said metal lid, said coating being applied to said body hook by bringing said body hook into contact with a fluid coating; 
positioning the fluidal coating on at least an inner portion of said body hook, said body hook having said inner portion between a wall of said one-piece metal can body and an outer edge portion, and said inner portion forming a main part of said body hook with an angle of above 90° and lower than 180° with respect to the wall of said one-piece metal can body, providing a frustoconically inclined body hook; and 
rotating said one piece metal can body during said application of said coating and after said application allowing said fluidal coating to dry at said body hook; 
wherein the coating provided on the body hook is thicker than a coating provided inside the can body on the wall of said one-piece metal can body.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a radial position and a distribution of the applied coating is modified by quickly reversing said metal can body after contacting said coating and wherein said modification is directed radially inward along the frustoconically inclined body hook.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the contacting is from above into said fluid coating.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein said metal body is a stretched one piece body having a drawn-in neck at an upper portion.

5. A process for preparation of a seal between an end hook and a body hook of a seam between a metal end and a one piece metal body of a two piece metal can, wherein a coating is applied, before attaching said metal end onto said one piece metal body, at said body hook, and forming the seam with said end hook and said body hook to close the metal can, wherein said coating is applied to said body hook in a thickness greater than an inner coating of said one piece metal can body.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein the one piece can body is a drawn and ironed metal body having a necked-in upper portion below the body hook.

7. The process of claim 5, wherein said one piece can body is a stretched can body with a necked in upper portion below the body hook.

8. A one piece metal can body having a body hook for preparation of a seal between an end hook and said body hook, said seal being between a metal end having said end hook and the one piece metal can body for closing a metal can, wherein a coating is applied onto said one piece metal can body at said body hook and attached with said metal end, for forming a seam with said metal end hook and said body hook to close the metal can, wherein said coating is applied to said body hook of said body in a thickness greater than an inner coating provided on an inner surface of said one piece metal can body.

9. The can body of claim 8, wherein the one piece metal can body is a stretched body having a necked-in upper portion below the body hook.

10. The can body of claim 8, wherein said one piece metal can body is a stretched can body having a drawn-in upper portion.