Method and apparatus of forming a deboss in a closed end of a metallic cup

Abstract

An apparatus and method for forming a deboss in a closed end-wall of a metallic cup is provided. The deboss apparatus generally includes a rotatable turret with tooling assemblies. The tooling assemblies are configured to receive a metallic cup formed by upstream equipment. The metallic cup formed by the upstream equipment has a closed end-wall that is generally planar. As the turret rotates, the tooling assemblies are configured to form a deboss in the closed end-wall of the metallic cup. In one embodiment, the deboss projects inwardly into an interior of the metallic cup. The metallic cup with a deboss is subsequently stripped from the tooling assembly for further processing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A forming apparatus for shaping a closed end-wall portion of a metallic cup, comprising:
 a turret operable to rotate at a predetermined rate; and   a plurality of tooling assemblies associated with the turret, each of the tooling assemblies comprising:
 a pressure pad to receive the metallic cup, the pressure pad operably engaged to the turret; 
 a forming tool associated with the pressure pad and having a geometric profile selected to form a deboss with a predetermined shape in the closed end-wall portion of the metallic cup; 
 a ram with a stroke oriented substantially perpendicular to the turret; and 
 an interior sleeve interconnected to the ram, the interior sleeve having an exterior diameter no greater than an interior diameter of the metallic cup, wherein, when the turret rotates, the ram moves in a forward stroke such that the interior sleeve applies a force to the metallic cup and the forming tool forms the deboss with the predetermined shape in the closed end-wall portion of the metallic cup. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing means to bias the pressure pad in relation to the turret. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the biasing means biases the pressure pad away from the turret. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the biasing means comprises at least one spring. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ram is operably engaged to an upper portion of the turret of the forming apparatus, the upper turret portion spaced from the pressure pad. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ram includes a cam follower which engages a cam of the forming apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the cam is formed on a shaft of the forming apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the forming tool includes an end that is generally planar, and wherein the end of the forming tool does not extend beyond a plane defined by an upper surface of the turret. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure pad includes an annular end to support a portion of the closed end-wall of the metallic cup, the annular end being generally planar. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the annular end of the pressure pad does not extend beyond a plane defined by an upper surface of the turret. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein, when the metallic cup is positioned in the tooling assembly, the annular end of the pressure pad is positioned approximately even with the plane define by the turret upper surface. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the forming tool is interconnected to the turret such that the forming tool is substantially stationary during the stroke of the ram. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the interior sleeve includes a chamber with an interior diameter that is greater than an interior diameter of a cavity of the pressure pad. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an infeed mechanism that positions the metallic cup in the pressure pad of one of the tooling assemblies; and   an outfeed mechanism that receives the metallic cup from the pressure pad after the forming apparatus forms the deboss in the metallic cup.   
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a deboss in a closed end-wall portion of a metallic cup, comprising:
 receiving the metallic cup in an infeed mechanism associated with a forming apparatus;   feeding the metallic cup to a turret of the forming apparatus, the turret rotatable around a central axis and including a plurality of tooling stations, each of the tooling stations comprising:
 a pressure pad operably associated with the turret and including an annular surface to support the metallic cup; 
 a ram operably engaged by an upper turret spaced from the turret, the ram having a stroke oriented substantially parallel to the central axis an interior sleeve interconnected to the ram, the interior sleeve having an exterior diameter no greater than an interior diameter of the metallic cup; and 
 a forming tool associated with the pressure pad, the forming tool having a geometric profile selected to form the deboss with a predetermined shape in the closed end-wall portion of the metallic cup; and 
   rotating the turret at a predetermined rate, wherein, when the ram moves in a forward stroke, the interior sleeve applies a force to the metallic cup and presses the closed end-wall against the forming tool to form the deboss with the predetermined shape in the closed end-wall portion of the metallic cup.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pressure pad is biased to the turret by a spring. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the forming apparatus includes a cam which is engaged by a cam follower of the ram. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising biasing the annular surface of the pressure pad to a position substantially level with a surface of the turret before the metallic cup is fed to the turret. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the forming tool extends into a chamber of the interior sleeve, the chamber having an interior diameter that is greater than an interior diameter of a cavity of the pressure pad. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the deboss includes a closed end with an interior surface that is not supported when the metallic cup presses against the protrusion of the forming tool.