Vented container end closure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10358257-B2
Application number	US-201715657374-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 24, 2017
Priority date	Jul 30, 2014
Publication date	Jul 23, 2019
Grant date	Jul 23, 2019

Abstract

A metallic container end closure is provided that generally comprises a dispensing opening and a vent opening. The vent opening improves pourability through the dispensing opening and provides an alternative option for consuming the contents of the container. The end closure may include features to ease opening of the vent opening, such as stiffeners and/or vent form features.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vented metallic end closure adapted for interconnection to a neck of a container body, comprising:
a peripheral curl;
a chuck wall extending downwardly from the peripheral curl;
a central panel positioned within the chuck wall;
a deboss provided on the central panel;
a tab interconnected to the central panel and rotatable about a rivet;
a primary score defining a dispensing opening;
a vent opening comprising a secondary score;
the tab comprising a nose end and a pull end, said pull end comprising an aperture, the aperture adapted to provide visual feedback of the vent opening;
wherein the pull end of the tab is adapted to contact the vent opening, and wherein the tab is adapted to transmit a force to the vent opening and sever the secondary score;
the secondary score comprising first and second linear portions, the first and second linear portions being substantially parallel, and first and second opposed arcuate portions;
the vent opening provided within a recessed portion of the deboss area and comprising a raised feature and a vent hinge; and
wherein the vent hinge is positioned such that the vent opening hinges in an opposite direction as the dispensing opening.

2. The vented metallic end closure of claim 1 , wherein the aperture in the tab is larger than the raised feature of the vent opening, and smaller than the vent opening.

3. The vented metallic end closure of claim 1 , wherein the raised feature comprises a convex feature positioned within the secondary score which extends toward a public side of the end closure.

4. The vented metallic end closure of claim 1 , wherein the vent opening is positioned within a secondary recess and the secondary recess is provided within the deboss.

5. The vented metallic end closure of claim 1 , wherein the pull end of the tab comprises a downwardly projecting portion for contacting the vent opening.

6. The vented metallic end closure of claim 1 , wherein a center point of the vent opening is radially offset from a center line of the end closure by at least approximately 15 degrees.

7. The vented metallic end closure of claim 1 , wherein a center point of the vent opening is provided at a lateral midpoint of the end closure.

8. The vented metallic end closure of claim 1 , wherein the secondary score and the vent hinge collectively comprise a flat oval shape.

9. A vented metallic end closure adapted for interconnection to a neck of a container body, comprising:
a peripheral curl;
a chuck wall extending downwardly from the peripheral curl;
a central panel positioned inwardly from the chuck wall;
a deboss provided on the central panel;
a tab interconnected to the central panel and rotatable about a rivet;
the deboss comprising a dispensing opening and a vent opening;
the dispensing opening comprising a primary score line and the vent opening comprising a secondary score line and a vent hinge;
the tab comprising a nose end and a pull end;
wherein the pull end of the tab is adapted to contact the vent opening, and wherein the tab is adapted to transmit a force to the vent opening and sever the secondary score;
the secondary score comprising an oval score line at least partially surrounding a vent panel;
an upstanding dome portion provided on the vent panel, the upstanding dome portion comprising a center that is spaced apart from the vent hinge.

10. The vented metallic end closure of claim 9 , wherein the secondary score line is provided beneath the tab at least when the container is in a first closed position.

11. The vented metallic end closure of claim 9 , wherein the upstanding dome portion comprises a convex feature positioned within the secondary score which extends outwardly from the public side of the end closure.

12. The vented metallic end closure of claim 9 , wherein a minimum distance between the upstanding dome portion and the secondary score line is at least approximately 0.010 inches and not more than approximately 0.180 inches.

13. The vented metallic end closure of claim 9 , wherein the pull end of the tab comprises a downwardly projecting portion for contacting the vent opening.

14. The vented metallic end closure of claim 9 , wherein a center point of the vent opening is radially offset from a center line of the end closure.

15. The vented metallic end closure of claim 9 , wherein a center point of the vent opening is provided at a lateral midpoint of the end closure.

16. The vented metallic end closure of claim 9 , wherein the secondary score line and vent hinge collectively comprise a flat oval shape.

17. A vented metallic end closure adapted for interconnection to a neck of a container body, comprising:
a peripheral curl;
a chuck wall extending downwardly from the peripheral curl;
a countersink interconnected to a lower end of the chuck wall;
a central panel interconnected to the countersink;
a deboss provided on the central panel;
a tab interconnected to the central panel and rotatable about a rivet;
a dispensing opening;
a vent opening;
an upstanding portion provided on the vent opening, the upstanding portion comprising a protrusion extending toward a public side of the end closure and comprising a perimeter on an upper surface of the vent opening;
the dispensing opening comprising a primary score line; and the vent opening comprising a secondary score line and a vent hinge;
a secondary recess extending at least partially around the vent opening;
the tab comprising a nose end and a pull end;
wherein the pull end of the tab is adapted to contact the upstanding portion of the vent opening, and wherein the tab is adapted to transmit a force to the upstanding portion of the vent opening and sever the secondary score;
the vent opening comprising a first dimension extending between the vent hinge and the secondary score line and a second dimension extending between opposing ends of the secondary score line, the second dimension being substantially perpendicular to the first dimension;
the first dimension comprising a distance of between approximately 0.150 and 0.170 inches; and
the second dimension comprising a distance of between approximately 0.290 and 0.360 inches.

18. The vented metallic end closure of claim 17 , wherein the vent opening is radially offset from a center line of the end closure.

19. The vented metallic end closure of claim 17 , wherein the secondary score line and vent hinge collectively comprise a flat oval shape.

20. The vented metallic end closure of claim 17 , further comprising an anti-fracture score at least partially surrounding the secondary score line.

Assignees

• Ball Corp

Inventors

• Chasteen Howard C
• Jacober Mark A

Classifications

• B65D2231/022

  for permitting the insertion of a tubular contents-removing device, e.g. a drinking straw · CPC title

• B65D17/4012 Primary

  for opening partially by means of a tearing tab · CPC title

• B65D2517/0094

  formed as a separate opening · CPC title