Method and apparatus for forming a metallic container
First Claim
1. A method of forming a metallic container comprising:
- providing a pre-formed body portion;
providing a pre-formed lid portion;
supporting the pre-formed body portion on a support assemblyplacing the lid portion onto the body portion into an initial engagement with one another with a sonitrode that is movable with respect to the support assembly, and applying a first downward force to keep portions of the lid portion and the body portion held in contact with one another;
reciprocally rotating the lid portion with respect to the body portion with the sonitrode at a first frequency for a predetermined amount of time,increasing the downward force to a second downward force, larger than the first downward force, and increasing the rate of reciprocal rotation of the sonitrode to a second frequency, larger than the first frequency, after the predetermined amount of time has passed; and
holding the sonitrode in the engaged position, at the second downward force, and maintaining the reciprocal rotation of the sonitrode, at the second frequency for a second predetermined amount of time, thereby generating frictional heat between the lid portion and the body portion such that a friction weld is formed therebetween.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of forming a metallic container includes the steps of providing body and lid portions, placing the body and lid portions together, keeping portions of the body and lid portions in contact with one another, and reciprocally rotating the lid portion with respect to the body portion, thereby generating frictional heat and forming a friction weld therebetween. An apparatus for attaching the lid and body portions of a metallic container includes a base to support the body, a support assembly to support a flange of the body, and a sonitrode for contacting a flange of the lid, wherein the flanges of the lid and body are held together between the support assembly and the sonitrode. A motor reciprocally rotates the sonitrode relative to the support assembly, thereby moving the flanges relative one another to generate frictional heat and create a friction weld therebetween.
36 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of forming a metallic container comprising:
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providing a pre-formed body portion; providing a pre-formed lid portion; supporting the pre-formed body portion on a support assembly placing the lid portion onto the body portion into an initial engagement with one another with a sonitrode that is movable with respect to the support assembly, and applying a first downward force to keep portions of the lid portion and the body portion held in contact with one another; reciprocally rotating the lid portion with respect to the body portion with the sonitrode at a first frequency for a predetermined amount of time, increasing the downward force to a second downward force, larger than the first downward force, and increasing the rate of reciprocal rotation of the sonitrode to a second frequency, larger than the first frequency, after the predetermined amount of time has passed; and holding the sonitrode in the engaged position, at the second downward force, and maintaining the reciprocal rotation of the sonitrode, at the second frequency for a second predetermined amount of time, thereby generating frictional heat between the lid portion and the body portion such that a friction weld is formed therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification