Metal deforming – Tool and/or tool holder – Having unitary tool-face
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-25
2001-07-31
Jones, David (Department: 3725)
Metal deforming
Tool and/or tool holder
Having unitary tool-face
C072S481300, C072S481900, C083S698610, C413S015000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266992
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a modular tooling system for use in conversion presses. More particularly, the invention provides a method for the use of modular tooling and the repair and refurbishment thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to manufacture various types of easy open style ends for use in the packaging of beer and beverages in cans. Such easy open ends typically include a tab, which is secured to an end panel by means of an integral rivet formed in the panel. A score line is formed in the end in order to define a tear-away panel portion which is ruptured and separated from the panel when the tap is lifted. The design and operation of such easy open can ends are fully described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,749,257; 5,755,134; and 5,738,237, which are assigned to the assignee of the instant invention, and the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In the manufacture of such easy open can ends for use in the beer and beverage industry, an end shall is conveyed through a conversion press having a set of lane tooling. The lane tooling typically defines between six to eight discrete stations at which various metal working operations are performed on the end shell. The metal working operations include the formation of an integral rivet in the end shell to which a tab is eventually attached and the scoring of the end shell panel to define that portion of the panel which is ruptured and torn away from the panel during the opening operation. The lane tooling comprises upper and lower tooling members mounted in the conversion press for reciprocal movement toward and away from each other. Such conversion presses are well know and are taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,760,729 and 5,119,924, which are assigned to the assignee of the instant invention, and the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
A conversion press is capable of operating at speeds of 600 strokes per minute and is typically operated around the clock to maximize the output of easy open ends. This level of use results in wear to the lane tooling, particularly the score tool, and the need for its periodic maintenance and replacement. It is the current practice to utilize tool steel for the manufacture of, for example, the score tool of the lane tooling. While a generally acceptable working life is achieved with tool steel, this material is expensive and difficult to work with. It is not uncommon to experience a thirty percent scrap rate in the manufacture of score tooling.
It is an object of this invention to provide a modular tooling system for use in the lane tooling of a conversion press.
It is another object of this invention to provide a modular tooling system which simplifies the manufacturer and assembly of tooling members, particularly tooling members subject to excessive wear.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method for the replacement of wear tooling that reduces the cost of the tooling and the time necessary for the manufacture and assembly of replacement tooling.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a modular tooling system which permits the simplified system of refurbishing wear tooling and ensuring the precise alignment of the working face of a complex tooling element.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a modular tooling system that is particularly well suited for use in combination with a conversion press. The tooling system comprises an upper base member adapted to be removably mounting into the conversion press, a tooling holder, a tooling insert and means for retaining the tooling insert within the tooling holder. The tooling holder has a first face adapted for attachment to the upper base member, and a second face opposite thereto. The tooling holder defines a chamber therein extending from the first face to the second face. The chamber includes a shoulder portion. The tooling insert is adapted to be removably mounted in the tool holder. The insert has a first end, a second end, and a shoulder portion adapted to cooperate with the tooling holder shoulder portion. Retaining means, such as bushings and spacers secure the insert within the tooling holder. Both the tooling holder chamber and the tooling insert are of a predetermined cross section which are adapted to correspond with each other and define a keyed relationship.
The tooling insert may be removed for refurbishing and then reassembled into the tooling holder for placement in the conversion press. The retaining means comprise at one set of spacers of a first dimension and at least a second set of spacers of a second, different dimension. As the tooling insert is refinished to restore the metal working features to it, any loss in the overall length of the insert is compensated for by the spacers.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1785495 (1930-12-01), Richard
patent: 2377191 (1945-05-01), Teachout
patent: 4170890 (1979-10-01), Kojima
patent: 4760729 (1988-08-01), Kaminski
patent: 5119924 (1992-06-01), Kaminski
patent: 5317894 (1994-06-01), Southard
patent: 5738237 (1998-04-01), McEldowney
patent: 5749257 (1998-05-01), McEldowney
patent: 5755134 (1998-05-01), McEldowney
Butcher Gregory H.
Williams Greg S.
Alcoa Inc.
Jones David
Trempus Thomas R.
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