Tapered cup and method of forming the same

Abstract

A metal cup and method of forming the same is provided. Metal cups of the present disclosure comprise a plurality of thin, straight-walled sections and a tapered profile. A domed portion is provided in the bottom of the cup. The cup may comprise a disposable cup, a reusable cup, or a recyclable cup.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a metal container, the method comprising:
 providing a coil of material from which a cup is to be formed;   cutting a blank from the coil of material;   forming a cup from the blank of material;   performing a redraw operation on the cup;   providing the cup to a bodymaker;   performing at least one of a doming operation and a finishing step subsequent to providing the cup to the bodymaker;   expanding at least a portion of the diameter of the cup; and   performing at least one of a doming operation and a decorating step subsequent to expanding the cup to form the container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cup is formed by a blank and draw operation. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cup is expanding by one or more dies. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing at least one of a curl and an edge treatment at an open end of the cup. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one of a curl and an edge treatment comprises a forming a curl subsequent to the expanding step. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the finishing step comprises at least one of washing, decorating, coating, rinsing, and inspecting the cup. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , and wherein the method comprises at least two finishing operations. 
     
     
         8 . A method of forming a metal container, the method comprising:
 providing a coil of material from which a cup is to be formed;   cutting a blank from the coil of material;   forming a cup from the blank of material;   performing a redraw operation on the cup;   providing the cup to a bodymaker;   performing at least one of a doming operation and a finishing step subsequent to providing the cup to the bodymaker;   expanding at least a portion of the diameter of the cup; and   forming a curl at an open end of the cup, wherein the curl comprises an inward curl wherein a distal end of the curl is provided proximal an interior portion of the container.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inward curl comprises a tuck portion comprising a substantially linear portion at a distal end of the curl. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inward curl comprises a curl height and the curl height is between approximately 0.050 inches and 0.200 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inward curl comprises a curl width and the width is between approximately 0.050 inches and 0.20 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inward curl is formed using a screw-type roller. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cup is expanded using one or more dies. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a finishing step is performed prior to forming the inward curl and wherein the finishing step comprises at least one of washing, decorating, coating, rinsing, and inspecting the cup. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the material comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a metal container, the method comprising:
 providing a coil of material from which a cup is to be formed;   cutting a blank from the coil of material;   forming a cup from the blank of material;   performing a redraw operation on the cup;   providing the cup to a bodymaker;   performing at least one of a doming operation and a finishing step subsequent to providing the cup to the bodymaker;   expanding at least a portion of the diameter of the cup; and   forming a curl at an open end of the cup and wherein the curl comprises an inward curl.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cup is formed by a blank and draw operation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cup is expanded by one or more dies. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising performing an edge treatment at an open end of the cup. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the edge treatment comprises forming the curl subsequent to the expanding step.