A guide rail device mountable to a container sealing line for guiding moving containers. The guide rail device includes a base mountable to the container sealing line, and a guide rail assembly having a first guide surface adapted to guide containers along a portion of the can sealing line. The guide rail assembly includes a first member, and a second member, wherein the first and second members are adjustably attached to one another. The guide rail assembly is securable to the base after the base is mounted to the container sealing line such that the guide rail assembly and base are self-aligning with respect to one another.

A can end includes a center panel, an annular portion disposed about the center panel, a chuck wall disposed about the annular portion, a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall, the annular portion including an annular ridge and an annular countersink, the annular countersink disposed adjacent and about the annular ridge. The annular countersink and the annular ridge are structured to resist deformation from external or reverse pressure.

A can end includes a center panel, an annular portion disposed about the center panel, a chuck wall disposed about the annular portion, a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall, the annular portion including an annular ridge and an annular countersink, the annular countersink disposed adjacent and about the annular ridge. The annular countersink and the annular ridge are structured to resist deformation from external or reverse pressure.

A container configured to be stacked adjacent to a second container is provided. The container includes a sidewall having a first end, an end wall having a peripheral edge, a seam coupling the peripheral edge of the end wall to the first end of the sidewall, and an alignment feature coupled to the seam. The alignment feature includes an inner surface. The alignment feature is positioned relative to the seam such that, when the container is stacked adjacent to the second container, the inner surface of the alignment feature contacts an outer surface of a seam of the second container, the contact resisting lateral movement of the container relative to the second container.

A container configured to be stacked adjacent to a second container is provided. The container includes a sidewall having a first end, an end wall having a peripheral edge, a seam coupling the peripheral edge of the end wall to the first end of the sidewall, and an alignment feature coupled to the seam. The alignment feature includes an inner surface. The alignment feature is positioned relative to the seam such that, when the container is stacked adjacent to the second container, the inner surface of the alignment feature contacts an outer surface of a seam of the second container, the contact resisting lateral movement of the container relative to the second container.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a can container includes: covering a can body with a can lid including a disk-shaped panel portion in which a score line is formed on an outer peripheral edge side, a flange portion seamed to the can body, a ring-shaped groove portion provided between the panel portion and the flange portion and protruding downward, and a tab that is provided in the panel portion, breaks the score line, and allows the panel portion to open along the score line; pressing an upper surface portion of the panel portion located on an outer side of the score line in a radial direction and above the score line with a knockout pad; and seaming the can lid pressed by the knockout pad and the can body.

A can seaming apparatus comprising a frame, a can handling assembly and a can seaming assembly. The frame has a bottom end and a top end, an upper mounting plate and a lower mounting member. The can handling assembly has an upper chuck and a lower chuck, the upper and lower chucks configured to releasably retain a can and top therebetween. The can seaming assembly includes a roller frame with a first and second roller, wherein the first and second rollers are directable into contact with the can and top while being retained by the upper and lower chucks. The upper chuck is fixed to an axle that extends through the upper mounting plate, and is rotatably coupled to the upper mounting plate. The axle extends beyond the upper mounting plate and structurally configured to be free from obstruction sufficient to allow a for the operable attachment of a chuck of a power tool. A combination can seaming apparatus and power tool is likewise disclosed, as are methods of operation.

A can seaming apparatus comprising a frame, a can handling assembly and a can seaming assembly. The frame has a bottom end and a top end, an upper mounting plate and a lower mounting member. The can handling assembly has an upper chuck and a lower chuck, the upper and lower chucks configured to releasably retain a can and top therebetween. The can seaming assembly includes a roller frame with a first and second roller, wherein the first and second rollers are directable into contact with the can and top while being retained by the upper and lower chucks. The upper chuck is fixed to an axle that extends through the upper mounting plate, and is rotatably coupled to the upper mounting plate. The axle extends beyond the upper mounting plate and structurally configured to be free from obstruction sufficient to allow a for the operable attachment of a chuck of a power tool. A combination can seaming apparatus and power tool is likewise disclosed, as are methods of operation.

A method is provided wherein a metallic container is filled with a consumer identified beverage, seamed to a metallic end closure, distributed, and sold to the consumer. Thus, a consumer has influence and control over volume, qualities, and size of the beverage along with specific characteristics regarding the size and shape of the metallic container.

A method is provided wherein a metallic container is filled with a consumer identified beverage, seamed to a metallic end closure, distributed, and sold to the consumer. Thus, a consumer has influence and control over volume, qualities, and size of the beverage along with specific characteristics regarding the size and shape of the metallic container.