Patent ID: 7669448

Claim:
An apparatus for forming a thin wall sheet comprising first and second edge portions thereof into a shell with a predetermined body configuration and a lockseam in which the first and second edge portions are folded over each other, the apparatus comprising: a mandrel extending between leading and trailing ends thereof, the mandrel being shaped to at least partially form the sheet into the predetermined body configuration; a means for at least partially wrapping the sheet around the mandrel into the predetermined body configuration such that a leading side of the sheet is positioned adjacent to the leading end of the mandrel, a trailing side of the sheet is positioned adjacent to the trailing end of the mandrel, and the first and second edge portions are positioned proximal to each other adjacent to an uppermost top side of the mandrel; a plurality of gathering bars for engaging the sheet to configure the first and second edge portions according to a predetermined design, a plurality of forming bars for forming the first and second edge portions into respective preselected shapes extending above the top side of the mandrel; a plurality of lockseaming rollers for folding the first and second edge portions over each other to form the lockseam; and a center bar having first and second engagement surfaces adapted to cooperate with the forming bars to form the first and second edge portions respectively into said preselected shapes adapted for engagement by the lockseaming rollers to form the lockseam.