Method and apparatus for forming a metallic container
First Claim
1. An apparatus for attaching a lid portion of a metallic container to a body portion of the container, the container body portion including a flange having an inner surface and an outer surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a base, and a support assembly movable relative to the base, the support assembly including a support surface for engaging the flange outer surface of the metallic container body portion, a sonotrode having a friction surface, the sonotrode being movable relative to the base between a retracted position, wherein the friction surface is spaced from the metallic container, and an engaged position, wherein the friction surface engages the lid portion, and a motor for vibrating the sonotrode relative to the support assembly when situated in the engaged position to move the lid portion relative to the body portion such that frictional heat generated from the vibrational motion welds together the lid portion and the flange of the metallic container body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of forming a metallic container by placing body and lid portions together, keeping parts of the body and lid portions in contact with one another, and vibrating the lid with respect to the body, thereby generating frictional heat to form a friction metallic weld therebetween. Apparatus for attaching the lid and body portions of the metallic container includes a body supporting base, an assembly to support a flange of the body, a sonotrode to contact a flange of the lid so that wherein the flanges of the lid and body are held together between the support assembly and the sonotrode. A motor vibrates the sonotrode relative to the support assembly to thereby move the flanges relative to one another generating sufficient frictional heat to create a friction metallic weld therebetween.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for attaching a lid portion of a metallic container to a body portion of the container, the container body portion including a flange having an inner surface and an outer surface, the apparatus comprising:
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a base, and a support assembly movable relative to the base, the support assembly including a support surface for engaging the flange outer surface of the metallic container body portion, a sonotrode having a friction surface, the sonotrode being movable relative to the base between a retracted position, wherein the friction surface is spaced from the metallic container, and an engaged position, wherein the friction surface engages the lid portion, and a motor for vibrating the sonotrode relative to the support assembly when situated in the engaged position to move the lid portion relative to the body portion such that frictional heat generated from the vibrational motion welds together the lid portion and the flange of the metallic container body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of forming a metallic container comprising:
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providing a pre-formed body portion;
providing a pre-formed lid portion;
placing the lid portion onto the body portion and applying a force to keep portions of the lid portion and the body portion held in contact with one another;
vibrating the lid portion with respect to the body portion to generate frictional heat between the lid portion and the body portion such that a friction weld is formed therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification