Patent US3552629A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3552629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and machine for forming lap welded aluminum can bodies
Assignee: EW Bliss Co Inc
•
Filing: 1969-07-07
•
Granted: 1971-01-05
•
Expires: 1989-07-07
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for forming lap welded can bodies by wrapping rectangular metal blanks about a cylindrical forming horn and welding the overlapped joint portions ultrasonically while the blank is clamped to the horn.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald H D Armbruster
- 👤 Roger J Nelsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:37
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K1/00; B23K1/14; B23K1/16; B23K20/00; B23K20/10; B23K2101/00; B23K2101/04; B23K2101/12; B23K2101/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus for forming a generally cylindrical can body from a metal blank having opposed edges and an intermediate portion between said edges, said intermediate portion defining two oppositely extending blank portions terminating in said edges, said apparatus comprising: a forming member having an outer generally cylindrical surface and a longitudinal axis; means for clamping said intermediate portion against said surface along a contact band generally parallel with said axis; a first movable member for wrapping the first of said blank portions around said forming member is a first circumferential direction; a second movable member for wrapping the other said blank portions around said surface in a second circumferential direction, said first circumferential direction being opposite to said second circumferential direction and said edges being spaced apart sufficiently to form an elongated overlapped joint when said blank portions are wrapped about said forming member; and ultrasonic welding means movable against said overlapped joint while said blank is on said forming member for welding at least portions of said overlapped joint; and, means for moving said welding means against said joint only when said blank is stationary and clamped to said forming member along said axial contact band.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus for forming a generally cylindrical can body from a metal blank having opposed edges and an intermediate portion between said edges, said intermediate portion defining two oppositely extending blank portions terminating in said edges, said apparatus comprising: a forming member having an outer generally cylindrical surface and a longitudinal axis; means for clamping said intermediate portion against said surface along a contact band generally parallel with said axis; a first movable member for wrapping the first of said blank portions around said forming member is a first circumferential direction; a second movable member for wrapping the other said blank portions around said surface in a second circumferential direction, said first circumferential direction being opposite to said second circumferential direction and said edges being spaced apart sufficiently to form an elongated overlapped joint when said blank portions are wrapped about said forming member; and ultrasonic welding means movable against said overlapped joint while said blank is on said forming member for welding at least portions of said overlapped joint; and, means for moving said welding means against said joint only when said blank is stationary and clamped to said forming member along said axial contact band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including drive means for moving said first and second movable members, said drive means including means for driving said first movable member to wrap the first of said blank portions about said forming member before said second movable member has wrapped the second on said blank portions about said forming member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said ultrasonic welding means includes a welding tip having a length substantially equal to the length of said overlapped joint and coterminous with said joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said ultrasonic welding means against said overlapped joint is operable while said first and second means are in engagement with said first and second blank portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said forming member includes means for moving said outer surface radially to thereby change the effective periphery of said surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said forming member includes means for moving said blank along said cylindrical surface after said overlapped joint has been welded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said forming member has first and second longitudinally spaced sections, and means for moving said first and second sections radially to change the effectivE periphery of said cylindrical surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second movable members are positioned to wrap said blank about said first section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 including means for moving said blank from said first section to said second section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said ultrasonic welding means includes a first ultrasonic welding means positioned adjacent said first section and a second ultrasonic welding means positioned adjacent said second section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said first ultrasonic welding means includes means for welding spaced points of said overlapped joint, and said second ultrasonic welding means includes means for welding said overlapped joint throughout its length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10 including means for clamping said blank at said second position, and vibration dampening means for engaging said blank at said second position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said first ultrasonic welding means includes means for welding spaced points of said overlapped joints, and said second ultrasonic welding means includes means for welding said overlapped joint throughout its length.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus for forming a generally cylindrical can body from a metal blank having opposed edge portions and an intermediate portion defining two oppositely extending blank portions terminating in said edge portions, said apparatus comprising: a forming member having an outer generally cylindrical surface and a longitudinal axis, said cylindrical surface comprised of a plurality of relatively movable portions; means for moving at least one of said movable portions radially of said longitudinally axis between a first position where the effective periphery of said generally cylindrical surface is enlarged, and a second position where the effective periphery of said generally cylindrical surface is contracted; means for wrapping said blank about said generally cylindrical surface while the effective periphery of said generally cylindrical surface is enlarged, said wrapping means including means for moving said edge portions into engagement along a line on said generally cylindrical surface generally parallel to said axis; ultrasonic welding means movable into engagement with said engaged edge portions for joining said engaged edge portions while said blank is wrapped about said generally cylindrical surface; and, clamp means for maintaining said blank clamped to said cylindrical surface while said welding means joins said edge portions.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus for forming a generally cylindrical can body from a metal blank having opposed edge portions and an intermediate portion defining two oppositely extending blank portions terminating in said edge portions, said apparatus comprising: a forming member having an outer generally cylindrical surface and a longitudinal axis, said cylindrical surface comprised of a plurality of relatively movable portions; means for moving at least one of said movable portions radially of said longitudinally axis between a first position where the effective periphery of said generally cylindrical surface is enlarged, and a second position where the effective periphery of said generally cylindrical surface is contracted; means for wrapping said blank about said generally cylindrical surface while the effective periphery of said generally cylindrical surface is enlarged, said wrapping means including means for moving said edge portions into engagement along a line on said generally cylindrical surface generally parallel to said axis; ultrasonic welding means movable into engagement with said engaged edge portions for joining said engaged edge portions while said blank is wrapped about said generally cylindrical surface; and, clamp means for maintaining said blank clamped to said cylindrical surface while said welding means joins said edge portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 14 including means for moving said blank along said generally cylindrical surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |