US3732804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flattening metal cans
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-01-06
•
Granted: 1973-05-15
•
Expires: 1991-01-06
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for flattening thin metal cans is disclosed wherein the can is first creased or notched to incline the can ends with respect to the can axis and each can end is then folded about an axis adjacent the juncture of the respective can end and the can side into a generally flat configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 B Moller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:21
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/32; B30B9/321; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S100/00; Y10S100/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
The method of flattening a metal can having a generally cylindrical side wall defining a can axis and ends generally perpendicular to the can axis, the method comprising the steps of providing a continuous flat support along the full length of one side of the side wall to prevent any creasing therein; advancing a creasing element into engagement with the opposite side of the side wall at the midpoint between the can ends for creasing the can wall without severing thereof to provide a notch transverse to the can axis on only one side thereof while maintaining the can ends in essentially undeformed condition and to incline the can ends to the can axis; retracting the creasing element from engagement with the opposite side of the side wall before severing thereof; and then advancing a flattening element into engagement with the can ends for deformably folding each can end about an axis adjacent the juncture of the side wall and the respective can end to force the can ends into generally coplaner relation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
The method of flattening a metal can having a generally cylindrical side wall defining a can axis and ends generally perpendicular to the can axis, the method comprising the steps of providing a continuous flat support along the full length of one side of the side wall to prevent any creasing therein; advancing a creasing element into engagement with the opposite side of the side wall at the midpoint between the can ends for creasing the can wall without severing thereof to provide a notch transverse to the can axis on only one side thereof while maintaining the can ends in essentially undeformed condition and to incline the can ends to the can axis; retracting the creasing element from engagement with the opposite side of the side wall before severing thereof; and then advancing a flattening element into engagement with the can ends for deformably folding each can end about an axis adjacent the juncture of the side wall and the respective can end to force the can ends into generally coplaner relation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the creasing and folding steps include collapsing the side wall into a generally flat configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the folding step comprises juxtaposing the ends to the side wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the folding step comprises folding each can end about an axis residing in the side wall adjacent the juncture thereof with the respective can end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the folding step comprises maintaining the can ends in essentially undeformed condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the metal can is more than twice as tall as it is wide and the notch in the side wall defines first and second segments projecting from immediately adjacent the can ends generally perpendicular to the can axis and a third segment generally parallel to the can axis and spaced between the can axis and the other side of the can and wherein the folding step comprises folding the side wall comprising the perpendicular segments in the same direction as the can ends adjacent thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the metal can is cylindrical and has a can end diameter of about 55 percent of the axial dimension of the can and the notch provided in the side wall is in excess of about 75 percent of the can end diameter.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
113 words
The method of flattening a metal can having a generally cylindrical side wall defining a can axis and ends generally perpendicular to the can axis, the method comprising the steps of deforming opposite sides of the can adjacent opposite ends thereof to provide notches at diametrically opposed edges of the can while maintaining the can ends in essentially undeformed condition and to incline the can ends to the can axis; and then deformably folding each can end in the same direction about an axis adjacent the juncture of the side wall and the respective can end toward the notch adjacent thereto to increase the inclination of the can ends and the can axis.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
113 words
The method of flattening a metal can having a generally cylindrical side wall defining a can axis and ends generally perpendicular to the can axis, the method comprising the steps of deforming opposite sides of the can adjacent opposite ends thereof to provide notches at diametrically opposed edges of the can while maintaining the can ends in essentially undeformed condition and to incline the can ends to the can axis; and then deformably folding each can end in the same direction about an axis adjacent the juncture of the side wall and the respective can end toward the notch adjacent thereto to increase the inclination of the can ends and the can axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |