Can shell, and associated tooling and method

Abstract

A can shell includes a center panel, an inclined panel wall extending at a downward angle from the center panel, an annular countersink formed around the inclined panel wall, the annular countersink including an inner countersink wall and an outer countersink wall, a chuck wall extending from the outer countersink wall, the chuck wall including a kick portion having a curved shape beginning at a point lower than a lowest point of the inclined panel wall, and a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A can shell comprising:
 a center panel;   an inclined panel wall extending at a downward angle from the center panel;   an annular countersink formed around the inclined panel wall, the annular countersink including an inner countersink wall and an outer countersink wall;   a chuck wall extending from the outer countersink wall, the chuck wall including a kick portion having a curved shape beginning at a point lower than a lowest point of the inclined panel wall; and   a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall.   
     
     
         2 . The can shell of  claim 1 , wherein the kick portion has a concave shape with respect to an exterior of the can shell. 
     
     
         3 . The can shell of  claim 1 , wherein the kick portion extends from the outer countersink wall to an inner wall of the curl. 
     
     
         4 . The can shell of  claim 1 , wherein the kick portion forms a portion of the chuck wall. 
     
     
         5 . The can shell of  claim 4 , wherein the chuck wall includes an upper chuck wall portion that extends from the kick portion to an inner wall of the curl, and wherein the kick portion extends from the outer countersink wall to the upper chuck wall portion. 
     
     
         6 . The can shell of  claim 4 , wherein the chuck wall includes a lower chuck wall portion that extends from the outer countersink wall to the kick portion, and wherein the kick portion extends from the lower chuck wall portion to an inner wall of the curl. 
     
     
         7 . The can shell of  claim 1 , wherein the kick portion forms an entirety of the chuck wall. 
     
     
         8 . The can shell of  claim 1 , wherein the center panel extends radially outward from a center of the can shell, and wherein the inclined panel wall extends downward from an outer end of the center panel to an inner end of the inner countersink wall. 
     
     
         9 . Tooling for forming a can shell, the tooling comprising:
 an upper tool assembly; and   a lower tool assembly,   said upper tool assembly and said lower tool assembly are structured to cooperate and to form a can shell, said can shell including a center panel, an inclined panel wall extending at a downward angle from the center panel, an annular countersink formed around the inclined panel wall, the annular countersink including an inner countersink wall and an outer countersink wall, a chuck wall extending from the outer countersink wall, the chuck wall including a kick portion having a curved shape beginning at a point lower than a lowest point of the inclined panel wall, and a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall.   
     
     
         10 . The tooling of  claim 9 , wherein the kick portion has a concave shape with respect to an exterior of the can shell. 
     
     
         11 . The tooling of  claim 9 , wherein the kick portion extends from the outer countersink wall to an inner wall of the curl. 
     
     
         12 . The tooling of  claim 9 , wherein the kick portion forms a portion of the chuck wall. 
     
     
         13 . The tooling of  claim 12 , wherein the chuck wall includes an upper chuck wall portion that extends from the kick portion to an inner wall of the curl, and wherein the kick portion extends from the outer countersink wall to the upper chuck wall portion. 
     
     
         14 . The tooling of  claim 12 , wherein the chuck wall includes a lower chuck wall portion that extends from the outer countersink wall to the kick portion, and wherein the kick portion extends from the lower chuck wall portion to an inner wall of the curl. 
     
     
         15 . The tooling of  claim 9 , wherein the kick portion forms an entirety of the chuck wall. 
     
     
         16 . The tooling of  claim 9 , wherein the center panel extends radially outward from a center of the can shell, and wherein the inclined panel wall extends downward from an outer end of the center panel to an inner end of the inner countersink wall. 
     
     
         17 . A method of forming a can shell, the method comprising:
 providing a blank;   providing a tooling with an upper tool assembly and a lower tool assembly;   introducing the blank between the upper tool assembly and the lower tool assembly;   forming the blank to include a center panel, an inclined panel wall extending at a downward angle from the center panel, an annular countersink formed around the inclined panel wall, the annular countersink including an inner countersink wall and an outer countersink wall, a chuck wall extending from the outer countersink wall, the chuck wall including a kick portion having a curved shape beginning at a point lower than a lowest point of the inclined panel wall, and a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the kick portion has a concave shape with respect to an exterior of the can shell. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the kick portion extends from the outer countersink wall to an inner wall of the curl. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the kick portion forms a portion of the chuck wall.