Apparatus and Method for Flanging a Neck of a Container

Abstract

A flanging apparatus is provided that includes a flanging tool that provides a force to an open end of a container to create an outwardly extending flange or other geometry on the open end of the container. The outwardly extending flange is adapted to receive a container end closure after the container is filled with a liquid or foodstuff. In addition, alternative embodiments of the present invention also include an air conduit for introducing pressurized air into the container to increase rigidity during the flanging operation and substantially prevent buckling of the container.

1 . A container flanging apparatus adapted for forming a flange on a neck of a metallic beverage container, comprising: 
 a shaft assembly comprising a first shaft interconnected to a second shaft, wherein said second shaft is positioned a predetermined angle relative to said first shaft such that rotation of said first shaft about an axis thereof will cause a free end of said second shaft to follow a generally circular path;    a bearing assembly comprising an inner race and an outer race that are operable engaged by a plurality of bearings, said inner race interconnected to said second shaft;    a flanging tool having an inner diameter that is interconnected to said outer race, said flanging tool also comprising an end with a rounded profile with a protruding outer lip that is adapted to engage the neck of the container to form a flange thereon; and    wherein rotation of said first flange forces said flanging tool to rock thereby applying deforming pressure to less than the entire perimeter of the neck of the container at one time.    
   
   
       2 . The container flanging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first shaft is rotatably supported in a housing that includes a conduit that supplies compressed fluid to the metallic container being formed thereby providing increased rigidity to the container.  
   
   
       3 . The container flanging apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid is compressed air introduced at a pressure of between about 1.0 and 50.0 psi.  
   
   
       4 . The container flanging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined angle is between about 0 to 10 degrees.  
   
   
       5 . The container flanging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first shaft and said second shaft are press fit together.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus adapted for forming a flange on a neck of container, comprising: 
 a first shaft with a longitudinal axis;    a second shaft operably engaged to said first shaft, wherein said second shaft is positioned a predetermined angle relative to said first shaft,    a flanging tool operably interconnected to said second shaft, said flanging tool comprising an end with a protruding outer lip that is adapted to engage the neck of the container to form a flange thereon; and    wherein rotation of said first flange forces said flanging tool to oscillate thereby applying deforming pressure sequentially along the neck of the container.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said first shaft is rotatably supported in a housing that includes a conduit that supplies compressed fluid to the container being deformed, thereby providing increased rigidity to the container.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid is compressed air.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said predetermined angle is between about 0 to 10 degrees.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said first shaft and said second shaft are press fit together.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said second shaft is interconnected to the flanging tool with at least one ball bearing assembly comprising an inner race interconnected to said second shaft, an outer race interconnected to an inner diameter of said flanging tool, and a plurality of ball bearings positioned between said inner race and said outer race.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said flanging tool includes a rounded profile positioned adjacent to said outer lip that is adapted for insertion into the container.  
   
   
       13 . A container flanging tool for forming an open end of a container comprising: 
 a rotating member;    a means for forming operably interconnected to said rotating member that is adapted to engage the open end of the container to form a flange thereon, wherein rotation of said rotating member causes said means for forming to oscillate thereby applying deforming pressure sequentially along the open end of the container; and    a fluid supply means in communication with said means for forming that directs pressurized fluid into the container being formed.    
   
   
       14 . The container flanging tool of  claim 13  wherein said rotating member is operably supported in a housing that includes said fluid supply means.  
   
   
       15 . The container flanging tool of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid is compressed air provided at a pressure of between about 1.0 and 50.0 psi.  
   
   
       16 . The container flanging tool of  claim 13 , wherein said rotating member comprises a first shaft interconnected to a second shaft at a predetermined angle.  
   
   
       17 . The container flanging tool of  claim 16 , wherein said predetermined angle is between about 0 to 10 degrees.  
   
   
       18 . The container flanging tool of  claim 13 , wherein said rotating means is interconnected to said means for forming with at least one ball bearing assembly.  
   
   
       19 . The container flanging tool of  claim 13 , wherein said means for forming includes a rounded profile positioned adjacent to an outer lip that is adapted to engage the open end.  
   
   
       20 . A method for forming a flange on a metallic container, comprising: 
 providing a metallic container comprised of an open end;    positioning a flanging tool in operable engagement with said open end of the container;    introducing a predetermined volume of a gas into the metallic container thereby increasing the internal pressure of the container; and    applying a force with said flanging tool to the neck of said container, wherein the container neck is deformed to a predetermined shape.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the gas is at least one of a compressed air, carbon dioxide, or an inert gas.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein applying a force with said flanging tool comprises asserting an oscillating pressure onto the neck of the container.