Patent Publication Number: US-10315242-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for simultaneously forming a contoured shoulder and neck portion in a closed end of a metallic container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/064,115 filed Oct. 15, 2014, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the manufacturing of metallic container bodies. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and an apparatus for forming a contoured shoulder on a closed end portion of a metallic container. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Metallic containers offer distributors and consumers many benefits. The metallic body of a container provides optimal protection properties for products. For example, the metallic body prevents CO 2  migration and UV radiation which may damage personal care, pharmaceutical, and food products and other UV-sensitive formulations, negatively influencing the effectiveness of ingredients, as well as the fragrance, flavor, appearance, or color of the product. Metallic containers also offer an impermeable barrier to light, water vapor, oils and fats, oxygen, and micro-organisms and keep the contents of the container fresh and protected from external influences, thereby guaranteeing a long shelf-life. 
     Additionally, the increased durability of metallic containers compared to glass and plastic containers reduces the number of containers damaged during processing and shipping, resulting in further savings. Metallic containers are also lighter than glass containers resulting in energy savings during shipment. Further, metallic containers, such as aerosol containers, have significant durability and are difficult to deform or burst and thus are highly valuable for holding products under pressure. Finally, recycling metallic containers is easier than recycling glass and plastic containers because labels and other indicia are printed directly onto the metallic body while glass and plastic containers typically have labels that must be separated during the recycling process. 
     Methods of manufacturing metallic aerosol containers are known in the container industry and may include a process where a metallic cup is formed in a draw and wall ironing (DWI) process. The manufacture of the metallic cup in a DWI process requires a number of separate processing steps. The manufacture of the metallic container body typically starts by forming a cup from a metallic stock material which is typically shipped and stored in large coils. The coil of metallic material is fed into a blank-and-draw press which cuts a generally circular blank of a predetermined diameter from the coil and draws the blank into a smaller diameter cylinder one or more times to produce a formed cup. As appreciated by one skilled in the art, numerous varieties of blank, draw, and redraw steps may be performed to initially form a cylindrical shaped cup. 
     Alternatively, the metallic container body may be formed at least partially by an impact extrusion process. Impact extrusion is a process utilized to make metallic containers and other articles with unique shapes from metallic slugs. The slugs are typically made from a softened metal slug comprised of steel, magnesium, copper, aluminum, tin, and lead and other alloys. The metallic container body is formed inside a confining die from a cold slug which is contacted by a punch. The force from the punch deforms the metal slug around an outer diameter of the punch and the inner diameter of the confining die to make a formed cup. 
     The formed cup from the blank-and-draw press or the impact extrusion press is transferred to a second press where it is redrawn and ironed. An open end of the formed cup is then trimmed to a predetermined height forming a trimmed metallic container body. A shoulder and a neck portion with a reduced diameter are then formed in the closed end portion of the metallic container body in a number of successive operations. 
     Prior art methods of forming a shoulder and a neck portion on a metallic container body are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,337,182 to Calleson et al. (“Calleson”) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,244 to Arangelovich et al. (“Arangelovich”) which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Calleson and Arangelovich utilize tools and methods for forming a shoulder and neck on the closed end of a container that are slow and utilize tools with linear, flat faces. Both patents also teach the use of a punch that contacts an interior portion of the closed end to form an opening therein before the formation of the shoulder and the neck are completed. Further, both Calleson and Arangelovich form a shoulder that is straight and does not provide an aesthetically pleasing, rounded shoulder. 
     Other methods of forming a shoulder and neck portion on a closed end of a metallic container body are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,499,329 and 6,857,304 which are assigned to Daiwa Can Company and which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The shoulder of the metallic container is formed in a sequential process with forming steps sequentially using tools with linear, flat end portions. The shoulder is extended and smoothed between a pair of forming tools after the final neck diameter is formed to remove the wrinkling of the shoulder portion, while extending the overall length of the neck portion. The presses used in the methods described in these patents are generally difficult to service and calibrate due to the inaccessibility of the dozens of tooling stations and other components and excessive material wrinkling may occur during shoulder forming. 
     Accordingly, there is an unmet need for a high speed method and apparatus of forming a contoured shoulder and neck portion on a metallic container such as a two-piece aerosol container with an improved appearance, efficiency, and cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides novel methods and apparatus for forming a contoured shoulder and neck portion on metallic container bodies, such as aerosol container bodies, in a cost effective, reliable manner. In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for simultaneously forming a smooth contoured shoulder and neck portion without requiring a subsequent smoothing to eliminate irregularities in the shoulder portion of the metallic container body. In another aspect, after the neck portion has a final diameter, a selected portion of the contoured shoulder is reformed to change a radius between a lower end of the neck portion and an upper portion of the contoured shoulder. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus is operable to perform metal drawing and forming on a closed end of a metallic container body at a rate of greater than 200 metallic container bodies per minute. In a more preferred embodiment, the apparatus is operable to perform metal drawing and forming on the closed end of more than 600 metallic container bodies per minute. It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an apparatus with tooling and components that are accessible, easier to service, adjust, and calibrate compared to known drawing presses. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes four rotary drawing presses. In another embodiment, each of the four rotary drawing presses includes a rotating turret with 10 cam-actuated rams. Each of the four rotary drawing presses includes a different set of tooling operably interconnected to each of the rams and to the turret. 
     It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a method for simultaneously forming a contoured shoulder and neck portion on a closed end of a metallic container body having a first shape. The method generally comprises, but is not limited to: (1) providing a draw die having an arcuate face portion adapted to be positioned proximate to an exterior closed end portion of the metallic container body; (2) providing a draw ring adapted to be positioned within an interior of the metallic container body and having an arcuate shaped face positioned in opposing relationship to the arcuate face of the draw die; (3) providing a second draw die having an arcuate face portion adapted to be positioned proximate to an exterior of a portion of a shoulder portion of the metallic container body; (4) providing a punch adapted to be positioned within the innermost portion of the metallic container body; (5) performing at least one forming operation with the punch, the draw die, and the draw ring on the closed end of the metallic container body to progressively form an arcuate shaped shoulder portion and a neck portion with a reduced diameter on the closed end of the metallic container body; and (6) performing a final forming operation to change a radius between the arcuate shaped shoulder portion and the neck portion of the metallic container body. In one embodiment, during the final forming operation, a pilot supports an interior surface of the neck portion while a clamping ring and the second draw die work in an opposing relationship to pinch the radius between the arcuate shoulder portion and the neck portion. The pilot does not contact an interior surface of the closed end of the metallic container body. The method may further comprise removing a portion of the neck portion to form an opening adapted to receive an end closure or dispensing apparatus. 
     In one embodiment, the method may further comprise providing one or more additional draw dies, draw rings, and punches. Additional forming operations may be performed by a complimentary movement between the one or more additional draw dies, additional draw rings, and additional punches to shape the geometry of the arcuate shaped shoulder portion and reduce a first diameter of the neck portion to a final diameter. The final diameter of the neck portion is smaller than the first diameter. 
     In another embodiment, the additional forming operations comprise a second forming operation and a third forming operation. The second forming operation is performed by a second draw die, a second draw ring, and a second punch to reduce the first diameter of the neck portion to a second diameter. The third forming operation is performed by a third draw die, a third draw ring, and a third punch to reduce the second diameter of the neck portion to the final diameter. Optionally, an exterior clamping ring and an interior clamping ring may be used during the third forming operation. 
     In one embodiment, a selected portion of the shoulder portion is reshaped during the final forming operation. The selected portion of the shoulder portion that is reshaped during the final forming operation is closer to the neck portion than to a sidewall portion of the metallic container body. In another embodiment, the arcuate face portion of the second draw die used in the final forming operation has a maximum internal diameter that is less than the maximum exterior diameter of the shoulder portion of the metallic container body. 
     In another embodiment, the reduced diameter of the neck portion is not altered during the final forming operation. Optionally, a height of the neck portion remains substantially constant during the final forming operation. In one embodiment, the height of the neck portion does not increase. In another embodiment, the height decreases. In still another embodiment, the height of the neck decreases by up to about 0.02 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the neck height decreases by up to about 0.01 inches. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a novel method of simultaneously forming a contoured shoulder and a reduced diameter neck on a closed end portion of a metallic container is provided. More specifically, the method generally comprises: (1) providing a metallic container comprising an open end, a closed end portion, and a sidewall portion extending therebetween; (2) providing a punch positioned to apply a force on an interior surface of the centermost portion of the closed end portion; (3) providing a draw ring positioned adjacent to the punch and having an arcuate shaped leading end; (4) providing a draw die positioned on an exterior surface of the closed end portion and having an arcuate shaped draw die face and an upper recess with a predetermined diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the closed end of the metallic container; (5) engaging the interior and exterior surfaces of the sidewall portion and the closed end portion of the metallic container with the draw ring and the draw die to provide a clamping force to simultaneously form a reduced diameter neck portion on the closed end portion and change the shape of a shoulder of the metallic container; (6) repeating, at least one more time, the engaging with the draw ring and the draw die to modify the shoulder of the metallic container while simultaneously reducing the diameter of the closed end portion at least one more time until the neck portion has a final external diameter; and (7) reducing a radius interconnecting the neck portion and the shoulder of the metallic container with a second draw die and a clamping ring to reshape a transition between the neck portion and the shoulder portion of the metallic container. 
     In one embodiment, the method further comprises utilizing a draw die with a different arcuate shaped draw die face and upper recess and a different draw ring to modify the shoulder of the metallic container while simultaneously reducing the diameter of the closed end portion. Optionally, in another embodiment, the method further comprises removing a portion of the neck portion to form an opening adapted to receive an end closure or dispensing apparatus or an end closure. 
     In another embodiment, reducing the radius may further comprise engaging a predetermined portion of the exterior surface of the shoulder portion with a draw die face of the second draw die. An interior surface of the shoulder may be engaged with a face of the clamping ring and an interior vertical surface of the neck portion is engaged by a pilot. In one embodiment, an axial end of the pilot does not contact the interior upper surface of the closed neck portion. 
     In one embodiment, reducing the radius between the neck portion and the shoulder portion does not change the height of the neck portion. In another embodiment, the height of the neck portion does not increase as the radius between the neck portion and the shoulder portion is changed. In another embodiment, the neck height may decrease by up to about 0.02 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the neck height decreases by up to about 0.01 inches. In another embodiment, while reducing the radius between the neck portion and the shoulder portion, the interior upper surface of the closed neck portion of the metallic container does not contact any tools positioned within an interior of the metallic container. 
     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a set of tools for shaping a metallic container body with a closed end and a shoulder portion by working the closed end to simultaneously form a contoured, arcuate shoulder portion and a neck portion with a reduced diameter. The tools generally include, but are not limited to: (1) a draw die having an inner face with an arcuate shape adapted to be brought into abutment against an outer surface of the shoulder portion; (2) a draw ring having an outer face with an arcuate shape adapted to be brought into abutment against an inner surface of the shoulder portion, the draw ring outer face and the draw die inner face having opposing shapes to provide a compressive force on the shoulder portion; (3) a form punch for contacting and applying a force to an inner face of the closed end at a portion closer to a center of the closed end than the shoulder portion, the form punch having a predetermined diameter to form the neck portion in the closed end of the metallic container body; (4) a pilot for supporting an inner vertical surface of the neck portion after the neck portion has been shaped a final time to a predetermined diameter; and (5) a clamping ring positioned axially adjacent to the pilot and having an outer face with an arcuate shape adapted to be brought into abutment against the inner surface of the shoulder portion. The clamping ring is adapted to support the shoulder portion when a portion of the shoulder portion is pinched between the draw die inner face and the clamping ring outer face to change a radius of curvature between the shoulder portion and the neck portion. 
     In one embodiment, the tools further comprise an exterior clamping ring having an inner face with an arcuate shape adapted to be brought into abutment against the outer surface of the shoulder portion. The exterior clamping ring is positioned radially outward of the draw die. In another embodiment, the tools further comprise an interior clamping ring having an outer face with an arcuate shape adapted to be brought into abutment against an inner surface of the shoulder portion. The interior clamping ring is positioned radially outward of the draw ring and the form punch. The exterior and interior clamping rings are adapted to support the shoulder portion as the draw die, draw ring, and form punch change the diameter of the neck portion the final time to the predetermined diameter. 
     In another embodiment, a leading end portion of the inner face of the draw die has a shape that is not identical to a shape of the outer face of the shoulder portion. A leading end portion of the outer face of the draw ring has a shape that is not identical to a shape of the inner face of the shoulder portion. 
     In still another embodiment, the clamping ring and the draw die modify an intersection of the neck portion and the shoulder portion without changing the predetermined diameter of the neck portion. In this manner, the radius of curvature between the shoulder portion and the neck portion is reduced and the height of the neck is maintained substantially unchanged. In one embodiment, the neck height does not increase. In another embodiment, the neck height decreases by up to about 0.02 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the neck height decreases by up to about 0.01 inches. In one embodiment, when the intersection of the neck portion and the shoulder portion is modified, an axial end portion of the pilot does not come into contact with an inner upper surface of the closed end of the metallic container body. In another embodiment, the draw die that pinches the shoulder portion with the clamping ring comprises a second draw die with an arcuate inner face portion that has a maximum internal diameter that is less than the maximum external diameter of the shoulder portion of the metallic container body. 
     Optionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, the set of tools further comprises first, second, third, and fourth sets of tool. The first set of tools comprises a first draw die, a first draw ring, and a first form punch. The second set of tools comprises a second draw die, a second draw ring, and a second form punch. The third set of tools comprises a third draw die, an upper or exterior clamping ring, a third draw ring, a third form punch, and a lower or interior clamping ring. The fourth set of tools comprises a fourth draw die, a pilot, and a second lower or interior clamping ring. 
     In one embodiment, after forming the neck portion on the metallic container with the first set of tools, the metallic container has a height of between about 4 inches and about 11 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the metallic container has a height of between about 6.3 inches and about 6.7 inches or between about 7.8 inches and about 8.2 inches. In yet another embodiment, when the closed end portion has the final external diameter, the metallic container has a height of between about 4 inches and about 12 inches. In another embodiment, the height of the metallic container is between about 7.206 inches and about 7.406 inches or between about 8.768 inches and about 8.968 inches. 
     The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible using, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. 
     Although generally referred to herein as “aerosol containers,” “metallic aerosol container bodies,” and/or “metallic containers,” it should be appreciated that the method and apparatus of embodiments of the current invention may be used to form any variety of containers or other articles of manufacture of any size or shape and for any type of product. Further, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the method and apparatus of embodiments of the current invention may be used to form aerosol container bodies of any material, including aluminum, tin, steel, and combinations thereof. 
     The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or,” as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. 
     Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” 
     The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. 
     The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein. 
     It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the Summary of the Invention, Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, Abstract, and Claims themselves. 
     The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements or components. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the Summary of the Invention given above and the Detailed Description of the drawings given below serve to explain the principles of these embodiments. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Additionally, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention which depicts a system for simultaneously forming a contoured shoulder and a neck portion on a closed endwall of a metallic container body; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a first drawing press according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a front elevation view of the first drawing press of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a side elevation view of the first drawing press of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional view of the first drawing press of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2E  is a perspective view of the first drawing press of  FIG. 2A  forming a contoured shoulder and neck portion on a metallic container body; 
         FIG. 2F  is a front elevation view of the first drawing press of  FIG. 2A  forming a contoured shoulder and neck portion on a metallic container body; 
         FIG. 2G  is a side elevation view of the first drawing press of  FIG. 2A  forming a contoured shoulder and neck portion on a metallic container body; 
         FIG. 2H  is a cross-sectional view of the first drawing press of  FIG. 2A  forming a contoured shoulder and neck portion on a metallic container body; 
         FIG. 3A  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a first position of operation of tooling of the first drawing press as a first forming stroke begins according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a detailed cross-sectional front elevation view of a portion of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a second position of operation of tooling of the first drawing press as the first forming stroke is completed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a metallic container body after the first forming stroke of the first drawing press is completed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a first position of operation of tooling of the second drawing press as a second forming stroke begins according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a detailed cross-sectional front elevation view of a portion of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a second position of operation of tooling of the second drawing press as the second forming stroke is completed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a metallic container body after the second forming stroke of the second drawing press is completed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a first position of operation of tooling of the third drawing press as a third forming stroke begins according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a detailed cross-sectional front elevation view of a portion of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a second position of operation of tooling of the third drawing press as the third forming stroke is in progress according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a metallic container body as the third forming stroke of the third drawing press is in progress according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a third position of operation of tooling of the third drawing press as the third forming stroke is completed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9B  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a metallic container body after the third forming stroke of the third drawing press is completed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10A  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a first position of operation of tooling of the fourth drawing press as a fourth forming stroke begins according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10B  is a detailed cross-sectional front elevation view of a portion of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a second position of operation of tooling of the fourth drawing press as the fourth forming stroke is completed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11B  is a detailed cross-sectional front elevation view of a portion of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11C  is a longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation view of a metallic container body after the fourth forming stroke of the fourth drawing press is completed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  shows partial cross-sectional front elevation views of the metallic container body of  FIGS. 4B and 6B , in phantom lines, after the first and second forming strokes are completed and superimposed over a partial cross-sectional front elevation view of the metallic container body of  FIG. 9B , in solid lines, after the third forming stroke is completed, illustrating changes in the shape of the shoulder portion and the diameter of the neck portion as the second and third forming strokes are performed; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional front elevation view of the metallic container body of  FIG. 9B , illustrated after the third forming stroke is completed in a phantom lines, superimposed over a partial cross-sectional front elevation view of the metallic container body of  FIG. 11C , illustrated after the fourth forming stroke is completed in solid lines, and illustrating a reduction of the radius between the neck portion and shoulder portion as the diameter of the neck portion remains substantially constant; and 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  are longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation views illustrating tooling forming an opening on a metallic container body according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Similar components and/or features may have the same reference number. Components of the same type may be distinguished by a letter following the reference number. If only the reference number is used, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same reference number. 
     To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Number 
                 Component 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 2 
                 Forming apparatus 
               
               
                 4 
                 First drawing press 
               
               
                 6 
                 Second drawing press 
               
               
                 8 
                 Third drawing press 
               
               
                 10 
                 Fourth drawing press 
               
               
                 12 
                 Metallic container body 
               
               
                 13 
                 Neck portion 
               
               
                 14 
                 Closed endwall 
               
               
                 15 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 16 
                 Container sidewall 
               
               
                 17 
                 Neck height 
               
               
                 18 
                 Open end 
               
               
                 19 
                 Hollow interior 
               
               
                 20 
                 Container body after first drawing press 
               
               
                 24 
                 Container body after second drawing press 
               
               
                 28 
                 Container body after third drawing press 
               
               
                 30 
                 First radius between neck and shoulder 
               
               
                 32 
                 Container body after fourth drawing press 
               
               
                 34 
                 Second radius between neck and shoulder 
               
               
                 36 
                 Rotating turret 
               
               
                 38 
                 Rams 
               
               
                 39 
                 Cam follower 
               
               
                 40 
                 Axis 
               
               
                 41 
                 Stationary portion 
               
               
                 42 
                 Groove 
               
               
                 44 
                 Upper tooling assembly 
               
               
                 46 
                 Lower tooling assembly 
               
               
                 48 
                 First draw die 
               
               
                 49 
                 Draw die recess 
               
               
                 50 
                 First draw ring 
               
               
                 51 
                 Diameter of recess 
               
               
                 52 
                 First form punch 
               
               
                 54 
                 Face portion of the first draw ring 
               
               
                 56 
                 Leading end portion of the first draw ring 
               
               
                 58 
                 Leading end portion of the first draw die 
               
               
                 59 
                 Draw die face portion 
               
               
                 60 
                 Second draw die 
               
               
                 61 
                 Draw die recess 
               
               
                 62 
                 Second draw ring 
               
               
                 63 
                 Diameter of die recess 
               
               
                 64 
                 Second form punch 
               
               
                 66 
                 Face portion of the second draw die 
               
               
                 68 
                 Face portion of the second draw ring 
               
               
                 69 
                 Draw die recess 
               
               
                 70 
                 Third draw die 
               
               
                 71  
                 Face portion of third draw die 
               
               
                 72 
                 Upper clamping ring 
               
               
                 73 
                 Diameter of die recess 
               
               
                 74  
                 Third draw ring 
               
               
                 75  
                 Face portion of third draw ring 
               
               
                 76 
                 Third form punch 
               
               
                 78  
                 Lower clamping ring 
               
               
                 79  
                 Face portion of upper clamping ring 
               
               
                 80  
                 Face portion of lower clamping ring 
               
               
                 81  
                 Face portion of fourth draw die 
               
               
                 82 
                 Fourth draw die 
               
               
                 83  
                 Recess of fourth draw die 
               
               
                 84 
                 Pilot 
               
               
                 85  
                 Pilot end portion 
               
               
                 86  
                 Second clamping ring 
               
               
                 87  
                 Inner surface portion of container endwall 
               
               
                 88 
                 Face portion of second clamping ring 
               
               
                 91 
                 First portion of draw die face 
               
               
                 92  
                 Second portion of draw die face 
               
               
                 93 
                 First portion clamping ring 
               
               
                 94 
                 Second portion of clamping ring 
               
               
                 96 
                 Trimming punch 
               
               
                 98 
                 Trimming die 
               
               
                 100 
                 Metallic container body 
               
               
                 102 
                 Top opening 
               
               
                 104 
                 Bottom opening 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the Applicant&#39;s intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely related to the present invention, a preferred embodiment that illustrates the best mode now contemplated for putting the invention into practice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary embodiment is described in detail without attempting to describe all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiments described herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the arts, may be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a forming apparatus  2  for simultaneously forming a contoured shoulder and a neck portion in a closed dome portion of a metallic container body  12  is illustrated. The forming apparatus  2  generally includes a first drawing press  4 , a second drawing press  6 , a third drawing press  8 , and a fourth drawing press  10 . In one embodiment, the forming apparatus  2  is adapted to form a contoured shoulder and a neck portion for a two-piece aerosol container having a diameter of approximately 2 11/16 inches (commonly known as a “211” container) and a height of approximately 6 4/16 inches (a “604” height) or approximately 7 13/16 inches (a “713” height). However, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the forming apparatus  2  can be adapted to form a contoured shoulder and a neck portion on metallic containers of any size and for any type of product. In one embodiment, the forming apparatus  2  is operable to simultaneously form a contoured shoulder and a neck portion on more than about 200 metallic container bodies per minute and, more preferably, more than about 600 metallic container bodies per minute. The first drawing press  4  receives the metallic container body  12  which has been formed in advance in a previous cupper operation. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first drawing press  4  receives the metallic container body  12  formed in a draw and ironing process. However, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the container body received by the first drawing press  4  may be formed by any method. 
     The metallic container body  12  generally includes a closed endwall  14 , a shoulder  15 A with a first shape, a sidewall portion  16  that has been trimmed to a predetermined height, an open end  18 , and a hollow interior  19 . In one embodiment, the metallic container body  12  has an inside diameter of between about 2.0 inches and about 5 inches. In another embodiment, the metallic container body  12  has an inside diameter of between about 2.540 inches and about 2.628 inches. In still another embodiment, the inside diameter is between about 2.560 inches and about 2.608 inches. In one embodiment, the metallic container body  12  has a height of between about 4 inches and about 12 inches. In one embodiment, the metallic container body  12  has a height of between about 6.439 inches and about 6.539 inches. In another embodiment, the height is between about 6.464 inches and about 6.514 inches. In still another embodiment, the metallic container body  12  has a height of between about 8.006 inches and about 8.106 inches. In another embodiment, the height is between about 8.031 inches and about 8.081 inches. 
     Optionally, the first drawing press  4  may receive the metallic container body  12  from a balancer (not illustrated). The balancer maintains the proper speed and flow of metallic container bodies through the forming apparatus  2 . The balancer, in one embodiment, is a mechanical sponge that controls the flow of metallic container bodies  12  between previous formation stages and the first drawing press  4 . Thus, the balancer maintains the proper speed and flow of the metallic container bodies to ensure a consistent, non-interrupted flow of metallic container bodies  12  into the first drawing press  4 . The balancer accumulates metallic container bodies from the formation stage prior to the first drawing press  4  to ensure the forming apparatus  2  is supplied with metallic container bodies if upstream equipment goes offline, for example, for maintenance, during unscheduled stops, or when new coils of sheet metal are loaded in the uncoiler (not illustrated). 
     Each drawing press  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  may include a rotating turret with rams and tooling adapted to successively form a contoured shoulder  15  and neck portion  13  on the metallic container body  12 . The rotating turret, rams, and tooling of the presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  are described in more detail below. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rams and tooling of the presses are cam actuated. 
     When the metallic container body  20  leaves the first drawing press  4 , the shoulder  15 B has a second shape and the neck portion  13 A has a first diameter. The metallic container body  20  is then received by the second drawing press  6  where a shoulder  15 C with a third shape is formed and a neck portion  13 B with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter is simultaneously formed. The third drawing press  8  then optionally receives the metallic container body  24  and forms a shoulder  15 D with a fourth shape and again reduces the diameter of the neck portion to form a neck portion  13 C with a third diameter that is less than the second diameter. The tooling of the first, second, and third drawing presses  4 ,  6 ,  8  includes draw dies and draw rings with face shapes that are different than the face shape of the shoulder portion of the metallic container to be formed. The draw dies and draw rings used in the first, second, and third drawing presses  4 ,  6 ,  8  function to change the shape of the shoulder portion of the metallic container to conform to the shapes of the respective draw die and draw ring. In one embodiment, the draw dies of the first and second drawing presses  4 ,  6  have concave faces that have a generally arcuate shape. In another embodiment of the present invention, the draw die faces of the first and second drawing presses  4 ,  6  have a maximum internal diameter that is greater than the exterior diameter of the container body. In still another embodiment, the draw die of the third drawing press  8  has a maximum internal diameter that is not greater than the maximum external diameter of the neck portion of the container body received from the second drawing press  6 . 
     In one embodiment, each of the first, second, and third presses  4 ,  6 ,  8  include a punch that remains substantially stationary during forming operations performed by the presses. In another embodiment, the punch of the third press  8  remains substantially stationary during a forming operation performed by the third press. In yet another embodiment, the punch of the third drawing press has an outer circumferential edge that is not rounded and is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal side of the punch. 
     In one embodiment, during at least a portion of each of the first, second, and third forming operations, substantially all of the interior surface portions of the closed endwall, neck portion, and shoulder of the container body are in contact with a combination of one or more tools of the respective first, second, and third presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 . Optionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the tooling of the second and third drawing presses  6 ,  8  is adapted to reduce the diameter of the neck portion of the container body without substantially changing the height of the neck portion. Thus, the height of the neck portion formed by the first press  4  does not change in subsequent forming operations. In still another embodiment, the neck height is altered during an operation performed by one of the presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 . More specifically, in one embodiment, the height of the neck portion is reduced by at least one of the presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 . 
     Finally, the fourth drawing press  10  may optionally receive the metallic container body  28 . The metallic container body  32  leaves the fourth drawing press  10  with a shoulder  15 E with a fifth shape. The fourth drawing press  10  does not change the third diameter of the neck portion  13 C. In one embodiment, during a fourth forming operation performed by the fourth press  10 , only a selected portion of the shoulder of the container body is reformed. Thus, the shoulder is not reformed in its entirety. In another embodiment, the selected portion of the shoulder that is reformed is a radially innermost portion proximate to the neck. In still another embodiment, the selected portion of the shoulder that is reformed comprises less than one-half of the length of the shoulder. 
     In one embodiment, the maximum internal diameter of a concave face portion of a draw die of the fourth press  10  is less than the maximum external diameter of the shoulder portion and less than a maximum external diameter of a convex face portion of a clamping ring of the fourth press  10 . In one embodiment, the clamping ring of the fourth press  10  is adapted to contact substantially all of the interior surface portion of the shoulder. Further, in another embodiment, cross-sectional profiles of the concave face of the draw die and the convex face of the clamping ring are not substantially straight and have shapes that are different than the shape of the shoulder before the forming operation performed by the fourth press  10  begins. In one embodiment, the draw die face and the clamping ring face have a cross-sectional profile that includes a first portion and a second portion with a different slope. In another embodiment, the draw die face and the clamping ring face have an arcuate shape. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the fourth press  10  includes a pilot positioned at a radially innermost position within the container body. During the fourth forming operation, the pilot does not push an interior surface portion of the closed endwall of the container body. In still another embodiment, the pilot does not contact the interior surface portion of the closed endwall. Optionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the tooling of the fourth drawing press  10  is adapted to reshape a portion of the shoulder portion of the container body without increasing the height or the diameter of the neck portion. However, in another embodiment, one or more of the height and the diameter of the neck portion change during the fourth operation performed by the fourth press  10 . For example, the neck portion may be shortened by up to approximately 0.02 inches during the fourth forming operations. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the order of the drawing presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  may be altered and/or repositioned in a variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment, one or more of the drawing presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  are eliminated. Further, it will be recognized that order of the drawing presses, and the number of the drawing presses used, may be selected to form a metallic container body with a shoulder and neck portion having any predetermined shape, height, and diameter. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, two or three drawing presses may be used. In another embodiment, five or six drawing presses may be used. 
     In addition, the fourth drawing press  10  may be adapted to receive a metallic container body from either the first or second drawing presses  4 ,  6 . Said another way, the number of forming operations may be reduced if the external diameter of the neck portion of the finished container is larger than the third diameter of neck portion  13 C. Thus, it is possible to omit one or more of the forming operations of drawing presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 , and  10 . 
     In one embodiment, the first drawing press  4  has a clamp force of approximately 3,750 lbf and a draw force of approximately 3,900 lbf. In another embodiment, the second drawing press  6  has a clamp force of approximately 3,000 lbf and a draw force of approximately 3,450 lbf. In yet another embodiment, the third drawing press  8  has a clamp force of approximately 1,950 lbf and a draw force of approximately 2,175 lbf. In still another embodiment, a clamp force of the fourth drawing press  10  is approximately 1,000 lbf and a draw force is approximately 1,000 lbf. It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the clamp forces and draw forces of drawing presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  may be increased or decreased and still comport with the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2D , the first drawing press  4  of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that each of the drawing presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  have generally similar features but that each of presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  have different tooling, or tooling with different shapes and dimensions, to simultaneously form the shoulder  15  and neck portion  13  on the metallic container body. 
     In one embodiment, each drawing press  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  includes a rotating turret  36 . Rams  38  are operably interconnected to, and substantially evenly spaced around, the turret  36 . Each ram  38  is aligned substantially parallel to a center axis  40  of the turret  36 . The rams  38  each include a cam follower  39 , illustrated in  FIGS. 2C-2D , actuated by a groove  42  formed in a stationary column  41  of the press  4 . In one embodiment, the groove  42  has a generally arcuate shape formed radially around the stationary column  41  of the press. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, any number of rams  38  can be interconnected to the turrets  36  of the drawing presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 . In one embodiment, each drawing press  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  has between four and sixteen rams  38 . In a more preferred embodiment, each drawing press  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  has ten rams interconnected to the turrets  36 . One of skill in the art will appreciate that the drawing presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  do not have to have a rotating turret. For example, in one embodiment, each drawing press includes one or more sets of tools operably aligned to form a contoured shoulder and a neck portion on a metallic container body in a number of operations without a rotating turret. 
     Tooling used to form the contoured shoulder and neck portion, described in more detail below, is interconnected to each of the rams  38  in an upper tooling assembly  44  and to opposing surfaces of the turret  36  at a lower tooling assembly  46 . The lower assembly  46  is positioned below and substantially coaxially aligned with each ram  38 . Each of the presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  include sets of forming tooling adapted to perform a forming operation of a single type. As will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, tooling assemblies  44 ,  46  can have any predetermined orientation and the arrangement of assemblies  44 ,  46  may be altered and still comport with the scope and spirit of the present invention. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the tooling of the lower tooling assembly  46  may also be adapted to move as the turret  36  rotates. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the tooling of the lower tooling assembly  46  of presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  is operable to move axially as each press performs a forming operation. In another embodiment, the lower tooling assembly  46  of presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  includes a cam follower  39  associated with a cam  42  adapted to move selected tooling of the lower tooling assemblies  46 . In still another embodiment, at least some of the tooling of the lower tooling assembly  46  of each press is biased axially toward the upper tooling assembly  44 . During a forming operation, the biased tooling of the lower assembly  46  may move axially in response to a force originating from the tooling of the upper assembly  44 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2E-2H , container bodies are reformed as the first drawing press  4  performs a first forming operation. The container bodies are illustrated in a position between the tooling of the assemblies  44 ,  46  for clarity. In operation, the trimmed metallic container body  12  (illustrated in  FIG. 2E ) is loaded into the first drawing press  4  by any method known to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the metallic container body  12  is held in a generally vertical orientation that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal center axis  40  of the turret  36  with the open end  18  facing downwardly. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the metallic container body  12  may have any desired orientation in the drawing presses. For example, in one embodiment, the metallic container bodies may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  40  of the press. The turret  36  rotates continuously without the need for indexing. In one embodiment, the turret  36  rotates at approximately sixty rotations per minute (60 rpm). The turret  36  may rotate in either direction. In one embodiment, the turret  36  rotates clockwise as viewed from above. As the turret  36  rotates, each of the rams  38  and the interconnected tooling separately moves through a motion path of a forward and return stroke with each full rotation of the turret  36 . In one embodiment, the stroke is between about 11.5 inches and about 12.5 inches while the stroke has a working load rated at 4,000 lbf or more. 
     The stroke of the rams  38  forces the tooling into the hollow interior  19  of the metallic container body  12 . The tooling forms and/or draws the closed endwall  14  of the metallic container body  12  to form the shoulder  15  and the neck portion  13 . The rams  38  then retract as the turret  36  continues to rotate and the formed and drawn metallic container body  20  is discharged from the first drawing press  4 . The metallic container body  20  is subsequently received and formed serially by one or more of the second drawing press  6 , the third drawing press  8 , and the fourth drawing press  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3B , longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation views of a first position of operation of the tooling  44 ,  46  of the first drawing press  4  are illustrated as a first forming stroke begins according to one embodiment of the present invention. The upper tooling assembly  44  of the first drawing press  4  generally comprises a first draw die  48 . The first draw die  48  includes a recess  49  and a concave face portion  59 . The face portion  59  is adapted to contact an exterior surface of the container body  12 . The recess  49  has a generally cylindrical shape with substantially linear walls having an interior diameter  51 . The lower tooling assembly  46  generally comprises a first draw ring  50  and a first form punch  52 . The first draw ring  50  has a generally cylindrical shape with a face portion  54 . The die  48 , draw ring  50 , and form punch  52  are arranged substantially coaxially. 
     The metallic container body  12  is positioned on the first draw ring  50  and the first form punch  52 . A face portion  54  of the first draw ring  50  contacts an interior surface of the closed endwall  14  of the metallic container body  12 . Cross-sectional profiles of the face portion  54  of the first draw ring  50  and the face portion  59  of the first draw die  48  have a curved or generally arcuate shape. A leading end portion  56  of the first draw ring  50  has a shape that is not identical to the curved face shape of an inner surface of the shoulder  15 A of the metallic container body  12 . A leading end portion  58  of the first draw die  48  has a shape that is not identical to the curved face shape of an outer surface of the shoulder  15 A of the metallic container body  12 . 
     As the face portion  54  of the first draw ring  50  and face portion  59  of the first draw die  48  converge toward each other, a clamping force is applied to the shoulder  15 A of the container. This force works to shape the shoulder to create a larger radius while simultaneously forming a chimney or a neck portion  13 A in the upper portion of the metallic container body  14  as shown in  FIG. 4B . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4A , a second position of operation of the tooling  44 ,  46  of the first drawing press  4  is illustrated as the first forming stroke is completed according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the first draw die  48  is moved toward the container body. The face portion  59  of the first draw die  48  contacts and applies a force to the outer face of the closed endwall  14  of the metallic container body  12 . The first form punch  52  holds the metallic container body  12  in place while the first draw die  48  and first draw ring  50  compress the closed endwall  14  and simultaneously form a shoulder  15 B with a second shape and a neck portion  13 A with a first diameter on the metallic container body  20 , illustrated in  FIG. 4B . The first diameter of the neck portion  13 A is substantially equal to the interior diameter  51  of the draw die recess  49 . The neck portion  13 A has a predetermined height  17 . 
     In one embodiment, the maximum interior diameter of the draw die face portion  59  is greater than the exterior diameter of the container sidewall portion  16 . In another embodiment, the first form punch  52  remains substantially stationary during the first forming operation. In yet another embodiment, the first draw ring  50  moves axially during at least a portion of the first forming operation. In still another embodiment, during at least one portion of the first forming operation, substantially all of the interior surface portions of the closed endwall  14 , neck portion  13 , and shoulder  15  of the container  20  are in contact with a combination of the first draw ring  50  and the first form punch  52 . 
     In one embodiment, when the metallic container body leaves the first drawing press  4 , the metallic container body  20  has a height of between about 4 inches and about 11 inches. In another embodiment, the height is between about 6.8 inches and about 7.0 inches. In still another embodiment, the height of the metallic container body  20  is between about 8.36 inches and about 8.56 inches. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5B , longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation views of a first position of operation of the tooling  44 ,  46  of the second drawing press  6  are illustrated as a second forming stroke begins according to one embodiment of the present invention. The upper tooling assembly  44  of the second drawing press  6  generally comprises a second draw die  60 . The second draw die  60  includes a recess  61  and a concave face portion  66 . The face portion  66  is adapted to contact an exterior surface of the container body  20 . The recess  61  has a generally cylindrical shape with substantially linear walls having an interior diameter  63  that is less than diameter  51 . The lower tooling assembly  46  generally comprises a second draw ring  62  and a second form punch  64 . The die  60 , draw ring  62 , and form punch  64  are arranged substantially coaxially. The face portion  66  of the second draw die  60  and a face portion  68  of the second draw ring  62  do not have tapered shapes. In one embodiment, face portions  66 ,  68  have curved or generally “arcuate” shapes. The face portion  66  of the leading end portion of the second draw die  60  has a shape that is not identical to the curved shape of the outer face of the shoulder portion  15 B of the metallic container  20 . The face portion  68  of the leading end portion of the second draw ring  62  has a shape that is not identical to the curved shape of the inner face of the shoulder portion  15 B of the metallic container  20 . 
     The metallic container body  20  is received from the first drawing press  4  and positioned on the second draw ring  62  of the second drawing press  6 . The second draw die  60  is positioned over the closed endwall  14  of the metallic container body  20  and moved into contact with the exterior surface of the metallic container body. The opposing face portions  66 ,  68  of the second draw die  60  and the second draw ring  62  come together on opposite surfaces of the shoulder  15 B of the metallic container body  20 . The second form punch  64  holds the metallic container body  20  in place while the second draw die  60  and second draw ring  62  press the shoulder  15 B of the metallic container body  20  into the form of the curved faces  66 ,  68  of the second draw die  60  and second draw ring  62 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6A , a second position of operation of the tooling  44 ,  46  of the second drawing press  6  is illustrated as the second forming stroke is completed according to one embodiment of the present invention. The opposing faces portions  66 ,  68  of the second draw die  60  and the second draw ring  62  have contacted and applied force to opposite surfaces of the shoulder  15 B in order to form a shoulder  15 C with a third shape and simultaneously form a neck portion  13 B with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . The second diameter of the neck portion  13 B is substantially equal to the interior diameter  63  of the draw die recess  61 . The neck portion  13 B has a height  17 . In one embodiment, the height of neck portion  13 B is substantially the same as the height  17  of the neck portion  13 A of the metallic container body  20  after the first operation. In another embodiment, neck portion  13 B has a height that is greater than the height of neck portion  13 A. In still another embodiment, neck portion  13 B has a height that is less than the height of neck portion  13 A. 
     In one embodiment, the maximum interior diameter of the draw die face portion  66  is greater than the exterior diameter of the container sidewall portion  16 . In another embodiment, the second form punch  64  remains substantially stationary during the second forming operation. In yet another embodiment, the second draw ring  62  moves axially during at least a portion of the second forming operation. In still another embodiment, during at least one portion of the second forming operation, substantially all of the interior surface portions of the closed endwall  14 , neck portion  13 , and shoulder  15  of the container  24  are in contact with a combination of the second draw ring  62  and the second form punch  64 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the tooling of the second drawing press  6  is adapted to reduce the diameter  63  of the neck portion  13  of the container body without increasing the height  17  of the neck portion. 
     In one embodiment, when the metallic container body  24  leaves the second drawing press  6 , the metallic container body  24  has a height of between about 5 inches and about 11 inches. In another embodiment, the height of the metallic container body  24  is between about 7.11 inches and about 7.31 inches. In still another embodiment, the height of the metallic container body  24  is between about 8.67 inches and about 8.87 inches. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A-7B , longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation views of a first position of operation of the tooling  44 ,  46  of the third drawing press  8  are illustrated as a third forming stroke begins according to one embodiment of the present invention. The upper tooling assembly  44  of the third drawing press  8  generally comprises a third draw die  70  positioned radially inwardly of an upper clamping ring  72 . The third draw die  70  includes a recess  69  with a generally cylindrical shape with substantially linear walls having an interior diameter  73  that is less than diameter  63 . The upper clamping ring  72  has a concave face portion  79  with a generally arcuate cross-section. The lower tooling assembly  46  generally comprises a third form punch  76 , a third draw ring  74 , and a lower clamping ring  78  arranged from a radially inward position to a radially outward position, respectively. The lower clamping ring  78  has a convex face portion  80  with a generally arcuate cross-section. The third draw die  70 , upper clamping ring  72 , third draw ring  74 , third form punch  76 , and the lower clamping ring  78  are arranged substantially coaxially. 
     The metallic container body  24  is received from the second drawing press  6  and positioned on the third draw ring  74  and the lower clamping ring  78  of the third drawing press  8 . The third draw die  70  and the upper clamping ring  72  are positioned over the closed endwall  14  and the shoulder  15 C, respectively. The face portion  71  of the leading end portion of the third draw die  70  has a shape that is not identical to the curved shape of the outer face of the shoulder portion  15 C of the metallic container  24 . The face portion  75  of the leading end portion of the third draw ring  74  has a shape that is not identical to the curved shape of the inner face of the neck portion  13 B of the metallic container  24 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the face portion  75  of the third draw ring  74  has an arcuate shape with a radius that is substantially the same as an arcuate radius of the face portion  80  of the lower clamping ring  78 . Accordingly, the exterior faces  75 ,  78  are substantially tangent and describe a continuous surface at the end of the third forming stroke as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . In another embodiment, the face portions  75 ,  78  have a generally linear, or frustum, cross-sectional profile, although other profiles are contemplated. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 9A , the third draw die  70  and the upper clamping ring  72  move into contact with the exterior surface portion of the metallic container body  24 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the third draw die  70  and upper clamping ring  72  move downwardly. The third draw die  70  and the third draw ring  74  clamp down on opposing surfaces of the shoulder  15 C of the metallic container body  24 . While the third form punch  76  remains substantially stationary, the third draw die  70 , third draw ring  74 , and the upper and lower clamping rings  72 ,  78  move axially, thus forming a neck portion  13 C on the metallic container body  24  while substantially simultaneously extending the shoulder portion  15 D. The shoulder  15 D is lengthened, or extended, simultaneously as the neck portion  13 C is made diametrically smaller. Thus, the shoulder  15 D is not extended after the neck portion  13 C is made diametrically smaller. The neck portion  13 C of body  28 , illustrated in  FIGS. 8B and 9B , has a third diameter  73  that is less than the second diameter  63  of neck portion  13 B of the body  24  received from the second drawing press  6 . The diameter  73  of the neck portion  13 C is substantially equal to the interior diameter  73  of the recess  69  of the third draw die  70 . In one embodiment, the third draw die  70  forces the reduction in the diameter of the body  28  while the third draw ring  74  rides against the inside surface of the body to prevent or reduce wrinkling. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the clamping rings  72 ,  78  generally clamp a portion of the metallic container body adjacent to the neck portion that will be worked to a smaller diameter. Accordingly, the clamping rings  72 ,  78  help keep the material of the container body in tension in the radial/longitudinal directions. The tension provided by the clamping rings avoids or reduces wrinkling during the drawing operation performed by the third draw die  70  and the third draw ring  74 . 
     The third drawing press  8  of the present invention does not use a die and pusher to reform or pinch the shoulder portion  15  in its entirety. Rather, the third draw die  70  and third draw ring  74  of the third drawing press  8  work to form the neck portion  13 B of the metallic container body  24 . At substantially the same time, the upper clamping ring  72  and the lower clamping ring  78  work to form the rest of the shoulder portion  15 D of the metallic container body  24 . At no point do the upper clamping ring  72  and the lower clamping ring  78  extend to reform a previously-formed face portion of the shoulder  15  to form or reform the neck portion  13  of the metallic container body. 
     In one embodiment, the maximum interior diameter of the face portion  79  of the upper clamping ring  72  is greater than the exterior diameter of the container sidewall portion  16 . In another embodiment, the face portion  71  of the third draw die  70  has a maximum internal diameter that is not greater than the maximum external diameter  63  of the neck portion  13 B of the container  24  after the second forming operation is completed. In another embodiment, the third form punch  76  remains substantially stationary during the third forming operation. In yet another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 7B , the third form punch  76  has an outer circumferential edge that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal side of the punch. 
     In one embodiment, the third draw die  70 , upper clamping ring  72 , third draw ring  74 , and the lower clamping ring  78  move axially during at least a portion of the third forming operation. In another embodiment, during at least one portion of the third forming operation, substantially all of the interior surface portions of the closed endwall  14 , neck portion  13 , and shoulder  15  of the container are in contact with a combination of the third form punch  76 , the third draw ring  74 , and the lower clamping ring  78 . In still another embodiment of the present invention, the tooling  44 ,  46  of the third drawing press  8  is adapted to reduce the diameter of the neck portion of the container body during the third forming operation without increasing the height  17  of the neck portion  13 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9B , the container body  28  has a predetermined radius  30  between the neck portion  13 C and the shoulder portion  15 D after the third forming operation. In one embodiment, the radius of curvature  30  is between about 0.13 inches and about 0.19 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the radius of curvature  30  is between about 0.06 and about 0.15 inches. The metallic container body  28  has a height of between about 5 inches and about 11 inches. In another embodiment, the height of the metallic container body  28  is between about 8.77 inches and about 8.97 inches. In still another embodiment, the height of the metallic container body  28  is between about 8.77 inches and about 8.97 inches. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10A-10B , longitudinal cross-sectional front elevation views of a first position of operation of the tooling  44 ,  46  of the fourth drawing press  10  are illustrated as a fourth forming stroke begins according to one embodiment of the present invention. The upper tooling assembly  44  of the fourth drawing press  10  generally comprises a fourth draw die  82 . The fourth draw die  82  includes a concave face portion  81  and a recess  83 . The face portion  81  has a cross-sectional shape that is not linear. The recess  83  has a generally cylindrical shape with substantially linear walls. The interior diameter  73  of the recess  83  is substantially equal to the interior diameter  73  of the recess  69  of the third draw die  70 . Accordingly, the fourth draw die  82  is adapted to reform the shoulder portion  15  of the metallic container without changing the diameter of the neck portion  13 . The lower tooling assembly  46  generally comprises a form post or pilot  84  and a second clamping ring  86 . The pilot  84  is similar to a form punch but, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the pilot does not contact the interior surface  87  of the container endwall  14 . The second clamping ring  86  has a convex face portion  88  with a cross-sectional shape that is not linear. The fourth draw die  82 , pilot  84 , and second clamping ring  86  are arranged substantially coaxially. 
     In operation, the metallic container body  28  is removed from the third draw press  8 , received by the fourth drawing press  10 , and positioned on the second clamping ring  86  and the pilot  84 . The face portion  81  of the fourth draw die  82  is positioned proximate to the closed endwall  14  of the metallic container body  28 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11A-11B , the fourth draw die  82  and the second clamping ring  86  clamp on opposing surface portions of the metallic container body  28 . The fourth draw die  82  and second clamping ring  86  alter the angle  34  between the neck portion  13 C and the shoulder portion  15 E compared to the angle  30  between the neck portion  13 C and the shoulder portion  15 D of the container body  28  received from the third drawing press, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10B . The pilot  84  guides and locates the neck portion  13 C, serving as a backstop for the operation performed by the fourth draw die  82 . The radius  30  of curvature between the neck portion  13 C and the shoulder portion  15 D of the metallic container body  28  is decreased. In one embodiment, the angle is made less obtuse and more acute. At no point is the shoulder portion  15 D pushed and/or extended. The pilot  84  is operable to hold the sidewalls of the neck portion  13 C of the metallic container body  28 . In one embodiment, an end portion  85  of the pilot  84  does not come into contact with the inner surface portion  87  of the closed endwall  14  of the metallic container body  28 . Consequently, the pilot  84  does not forcibly push the neck portion  13 C. In another embodiment, the pilot  84  does not do any drawing work to the metallic container body. Thus, the fourth drawing press  10  functions to change the angle  34  where the neck portion  13 C and shoulder  15 E of the metallic container body  28  connect. The fourth drawing press  10  does not use a die and pusher to reform or pinch the shoulder portion  15 E in its entirety and does not push or extend the shoulder  15 E. In one embodiment, the pilot end portion  85  comprises a substantially planar surface orientated in a plane generally perpendicular to the body of the pilot  84 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, during the fourth forming operation performed by the fourth press  10 , only a selected portion of the shoulder  15  of the container body is reformed. Thus, the shoulder is not reformed in its entirety. In another embodiment, the selected portion of the shoulder  15  that is reformed is a radially innermost portion proximate to the neck portion  13 . In still another embodiment, the selected portion of the shoulder  15  that is reformed comprises less than one-half of the length of the shoulder. Optionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the tooling  44 ,  46  of the fourth drawing press  10  is adapted to reshape a portion of the shoulder portion  15  of the container body without increasing the height  17  or changing the diameter  73  of the neck portion  13 . In still another embodiment of the present invention, substantially all of the interior surface portion of the shoulder portion  15  of the container body is in contact with the second clamping ring  86  during at least a portion of the fourth forming operation. In one embodiment, the neck height may optionally decrease by up to approximately 0.02 inches. In another embodiment, the neck height decreases by up to approximately 0.01 inches during the fourth forming operation. 
     In one embodiment, the maximum internal diameter of a concave face portion  81  of the fourth draw die  82  is less than the maximum external diameter of the shoulder portion  15 . Said another way, a cross sectional length of the draw die face portion  81  is less than a cross-sectional length of the shoulder portion. In one embodiment, the length of the draw die face portion  81  is at least about ten percent less than the length of the shoulder portion  15 . In another embodiment, the draw die face portion  81  has a maximum internal diameter that is less than the maximum external diameter of the face portion  88  of the second clamping ring  86 . 
     In yet another embodiment, the second clamping ring  86  is adapted to contact substantially all of the interior surface portion of the container shoulder  15 . Further, in another embodiment, cross-sectional profiles of the concave face portion  81  of the fourth draw die and the convex face portion  88  of the second clamping ring have shapes that are different than the shape of the shoulder  15 D of the container  28  after the third forming operation is completed, as illustrated in  FIG. 10B . In one embodiment, the draw die face portion  81  has a cross-sectional profile that includes a first portion  91  and a second portion  92  with a different slope. In another embodiment, the clamping ring face portion  88  has a first portion  93  and a second portion  94  that are substantially aligned with portions  91 ,  92 , respectively. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11C , after the fourth drawing press  10  completes the fourth drawing operation, the metallic container body  32  has a predetermined radius  34  of curvature between the neck portion  13 C and the shoulder portion  15 E. The radius  34  is less than the radius  30  of container body  28 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the radius of curvature  34  is between about 0.015 inches and about 0.06 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the radius of curvature  34  is between about 0.02 inches and about 0.04 inches. 
     In one embodiment, when the metallic container body  32  leaves the fourth drawing press  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11C , the metallic container body has a height of between about 5 inches and about 11 inches. In another embodiment, the height of the metallic container body  32  is between about 8.768 inches and about 8.968 inches after the fourth operation. In still another embodiment, the height of the metallic container body  32  is between about 8.768 inches and about 8.968 inches after the fourth operation. Although various dimensions have been provided to describe the height and diameter of the metallic container bodies  12 ,  20 ,  24 ,  28 , and  32 , it is expressly contemplated that diameter and height of the metallic container bodies may be varied and still comport with the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , partial views of the metallic container after the first, second, and third forming operations are completed are superimposed. More specifically, container bodies  20 ,  24  after the first and second forming operations performed by the first and second presses  4 ,  6  are shown in broken lines superimposed over a container body  28  after the third forming operation performed by the third press  8 . The diameter  51 ,  63 ,  73  of the neck portion  13  decreases as the shoulder portion  15  is reshaped. The neck height  17  remains substantially constant during the forming operations performed by forming presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 . However, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the tools of presses  4 ,  6 ,  8  may be adapted to alter the neck height  17  during one or more of the first, second, and third forming operations. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the neck height increases in at least one forming operation performed by one of the presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 . In another embodiment, the neck height decreases in at least one forming operation performed by one of the presses  4 ,  6 ,  8 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a partial view of a container body  28  after the third forming operation is completed by the third press  8  is superimposed in broken lines over a container body  32  after the fourth press  10  completes the fourth forming operation. As previously described, the fourth press  10  is adapted to reform only a predetermined portion of the shoulder  15 E.  FIG. 13  also illustrates the change in the radius  30  of container body  28  compared to radius  34  of container body  32  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the radius  34  is less than radius  30 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the neck height  17  and neck diameter  73  remain substantially unchanged during the fourth forming operation performed by the fourth press  10 . In another embodiment, the fourth press  10  is operable to alter one or more of the neck height  17  and diameter  73 . In still another embodiment, the neck height does not increase during the fourth forming operation. In another embodiment, the neck height may optionally decrease by up to about 0.02 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the neck height decreases by up to about 0.01 inches. 
     After the contoured shoulder  15 E is formed, a number of subsequent operations transform the metallic container body  32  into a finished container. In one embodiment of the present invention, the subsequent operations may include one or more of dome trimming, die curling, and die necking to transform the metallic container body  32  into a two-piece container. As generally illustrated in  FIGS. 14A, 14B , a top portion of the neck portion  13 C is trimmed off by a punch  96  and die  98  forming a metallic container body  100  with a small top opening  102  and a larger bottom opening  104 . The top opening is subsequently die-curled to receive an aerosol end closure dispenser. The bottom opening of the metallic container body is die-necked to a predetermined size. A closure with a dome is then double-seamed onto the bottom opening. The double-seamed dome portion on the bottom of the metallic container has a diameter no greater than the diameter of the sidewall of the metallic container to retain shelf space and increase packing density for shipping. By forming a contoured shoulder  15 E on the closed endwall  14  of the metallic container body that becomes the top dispensing portion, the diameter of the aerosol end closure dispenser required to seal the top opening of the metallic container body is reduced, significantly decreasing the amount of material used in the aerosol end closure dispenser. The aerosol container may be inspected and air tested for quality of metal forming, hermetic integrity, and decoration quality. The aerosol container bodies are then stacked, palletized, and stored until needed. Subsequently, the aerosol container bodies are filled with a product and an aerosol end closure is seamed on to the top opening. 
     The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments described and shown in the figures were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.