Punch surface texturing for use in the manufacturing of metallic containers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9566630-B2
Application number	US-201615199499-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 30, 2016
Priority date	Jul 1, 2015
Publication date	Feb 14, 2017
Grant date	Feb 14, 2017

Abstract

A punch sleeve utilized in forming metallic containers, including food and beverage containers, is provided. The punch sleeve comprises two or more different surface textures. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the punch sleeve comprises three regions and each region has a different surface texture. Additionally, a method of texturing two or more different surface textures on an exterior surface of a punch sleeve used in a metallic container manufacturing process is provided. An apparatus for providing two or more surface textures on a punch sleeve used in a metal container manufacturing process is also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A punch used in a manufacturing process to form metal containers, comprising:
a nose positioned on one end of the punch;
a trailing edge positioned opposite the nose on a second end of the punch;
a cylindrical portion positioned between the nose and the trailing edge; and
an outer surface comprising:
a first region positioned proximate to the nose and having a first length and a first surface finish;
a second region positioned proximate to the trailing edge and having a second length and a second surface finish, wherein the second surface finish is different than the first surface finish; and
a third region positioned proximate to at least one of the first region and the second region and having a third length and a third surface finish, wherein the third surface finish is different than the second surface finish.

2. The punch according the claim 1 , wherein the first surface finish comprises a first crosshatch pattern, and wherein the second surface finish comprises a second crosshatch pattern.

3. The punch according the claim 2 , wherein the second crosshatch pattern is a 10-60 micron level crosshatch pattern and the first crosshatch pattern is a coarser crosshatch pattern than the second crosshatch pattern.

4. The punch according the claim 2 , wherein the third surface finish is polished between an R a 2 and an R a 8 finish.

5. The punch according the claim 1 , wherein the first region extends from a first point on the punch proximate the nose to a second point on the punch, and wherein the first length is between about 15 percent and about 35 percent of a total length of the punch.

6. The punch according the claim 5 , wherein the third region extends from the second point on the punch to a third point on the punch, and wherein the third length is between about 15 percent and about 35 percent of the total length of the punch.

7. The punch according the claim 6 , wherein the second region extends from the third point on the punch to a fourth point on the punch, and wherein the second length is between about 15 percent and about 35 percent of the total length of the punch.

8. The punch of claim 1 , wherein the first length of the first region is between about 1.0 inches and about 2.0 inches, the second length of the second region is between about 1.0 inches and about 2.5 inches, and the third length of the third region is between about 1.0 inches and about 2.0 inches.

9. The punch of claim 1 , further comprising a fourth region positioned between the first region and the third region and having a fourth length and a fourth surface finish.

10. A method of texturing an exterior surface of a punch sleeve used in a metallic container manufacturing process, comprising:
providing the punch sleeve, comprising:
a nose positioned on one end of the punch sleeve;
a trailing edge positioned opposite the nose on a second end;
a cylindrical portion positioned between the nose and the trailing edge; and
an outer surface comprising:
a first region proximate the nose;
a second region positioned proximate to the trailing edge; and
a third region positioned between the first region and the second region;

applying a first textured pattern to at least one of the first region, the second region, and the third region using a first etching tool with a first micron finish;
applying a second textured pattern to at least one of the first region, the second region, and the third region using a second etching tool with a second micron finish, wherein the second textured pattern is applied to a different region than the first textured pattern; and
polishing at least one of the first region, the second region, and the third region.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
using a force between about 10 pounds and about 20 pounds when applying the first textured pattern; and
wherein the first textured pattern is a crosshatch pattern.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising positioning the crosshatch pattern at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the punch sleeve.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first textured pattern and the second textured pattern is applied by rotating the punch sleeve at a first speed while simultaneously contacting an exterior surface of the punch sleeve with at least one of the first etching tool and the second etching tool, and wherein the at least one of the first etching tool and the second etching tool moves along a longitudinal axis of the punch sleeve at a second speed while simultaneously contacting the exterior surface of the punch sleeve.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first region has a first length between about 1.0 inches and about 2.0 inches, the second region has a second length between about 1.0 inches and about 2.5 inches, and the third region has a third length between about 1.0 inches and about 2.0 inches.

15. An apparatus for providing surface texturing on a punch sleeve used in a metal container manufacturing process, comprising:
a connection mechanism positioned proximate to a first end of the machine, the connection mechanism configured to interconnect to one end of the punch sleeve, and wherein the connection mechanism rotates the punch sleeve around a longitudinal axis of the punch sleeve;
an arm positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the punch sleeve; and
an etching tool for applying a first surface texture to a first region of an outer surface of the punch sleeve, said etching tool moveably interconnected to the arm such that the etching tool can be selectively positioned along the longitudinal axis of the punch sleeve.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a means to apply a force on the etching tool in a direction toward the punch sleeve.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the connection mechanism rotates the punch sleeve while the etching tool simultaneously moves along the longitudinal axis of the punch sleeve.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a second etching tool for applying a second surface texture to a second region of the outer surface of the punch sleeve.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a programmable logic system which operably communicates with the machine to control the positioning of the etching tool with respect to the punch sleeve.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the etching tool comprises a diamond impregnated tab with a micron finish.

Assignees

• Ball Corp

Inventors

• Sines James A

Classifications

• B21D37/20

  Making tools by operations not covered by a single other subclass · CPC title

• B21B17/02

  with mandrel, {i.e. the mandrel rod contacts the rolled tube over the rod length}(B21B17/08 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B21D51/26

  cans or tins; Closing same in a permanent manner (making outlet arrangements B21D51/38; welding or soldering B23K) · CPC title

• B21D22/28 Primary

  of cylindrical articles using consecutive dies · CPC title

• B21D22/30

  to finish articles formed by deep-drawing · CPC title