Full aperture beverage end

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017190462-A9
Application number	US-201514598886-A
Country	US
Kind code	A9
Filing date	Jan 16, 2015
Priority date	Sep 4, 2009
Publication date	Jul 6, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A full aperture beverage end has a center panel, a countersink surrounding the centre panel, a main score arranged in proximity to the countersink to define a removable aperture panel and a vent score. The beverage end is adapted for use with products that are pressurized to over 30 psi (200 kPa) when opened, and during opening the vent score is adapted to sever first, controlling the pressure differential between the external surface and internal surface of the centre panel, thereby allowing the main score to tear in a controlled and reliable manner.

First claim

What is claimed:

1 . A full aperture beverage end comprising a center panel, a countersink surrounding the centre panel, a main score arranged in proximity to the countersink to define a removable aperture panel, and a vent score, whereby the end is adapted for use with products that are pressurized to over 30 psi (200 kPa) and such that during opening the vent score is adapted to sever first, controlling the pressure differential between the external surface and internal surface of the centre panel, thereby allowing the main score to tear in a controlled and reliable manner.

2 . A full aperture beverage end according to claim 1 adapted for use with products held under pressure of between 30 and 90 psi (200 and 600 kPa).

3 . A full aperture beverage end according to claim 1 , wherein the beverage end further includes a tab having a nose and a handle, which is lifted by a user to initiate sequential rupture of the vent score and then the main score.

4 . A full aperture beverage end according to claim 3 , wherein the tab is solid and has no hinge.

5 . A full aperture beverage end according to claim 3 , wherein the tab is positioned so that the tab nose is within the main score or proximate to the main score upon initial actuation of the tab.

6 . A full aperture beverage end according to claim 1 , wherein the main score has an asymmetric score profile.

7 . A full aperture beverage end according to claim 6 , wherein the asymmetric score profile is designed to ensure that the score land portion remains with the aperture panel after the aperture panel is detached.

8 . A full aperture beverage end according to claim 1 , wherein the center panel further includes a second, anti-fracture score positioned radially inside the main score.

9 . A full aperture beverage end according to claim 1 , wherein the height from the base of the countersink to the end panel is greater than 1.5 mm.

10 . A full aperture beverage end of claim 1 wherein main score is positioned to within 0.020 inches (0.5 mm) radially of the panel fillet so as to maximise cut edge safety.

11 . A full aperture beverage can having rated for internal pressure of over 30 psi (200 kPa), the beverage can comprising:
a can body; an end, seamed onto the can body, including a center panel, a countersink surrounding the center panel, a tab attached to the center panel by a rivet; a main score that defines a removable aperture panel, a vent score formed in the aperture panel, the main score having an outer wall proximate a lip of the end, an inner wall proximate the aperture panel, and a land at the base of the main score, the land having a thickness that is smaller proximate the main score outer wall than the land thickness proximate the main score inner wall, whereby the land remains affixed to the aperture panel after detachment of the aperture panel.

12 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein the can is rated for internal pressure of at least 70 psi.

13 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein the can is rated for internal pressure of at least 85 psi.

14 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein the can is rated for internal pressure of at least 90 psi.

15 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein the centerline of the main score is located between 0.000 inches and 0.020 inches from a center of a transition radius between the countersink and the center panel.

16 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein the centerline of the main score is located between 0.000 inches and 0.010 inches from a center of a transition radius between the countersink and the center panel.

17 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein the centerline of the main score is located between 0.000 inches and 0.006 inches from a center of a transition radius between the countersink and the center panel.

18 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein the centerline of the main score is located between 0.000 inches and 0.004 inches from a center of a transition radius between the countersink and the center panel.

19 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein the centerline of the main score is located between 0.000 inches and 0.002 inches from a center of a transition radius between the countersink and the center panel.

20 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein a nose of the tab in its rest state is radially inwardly spaced apart from an inner edge of the main score by between approximately 0.000 inches and 0.008 inches, measured horizontally.

21 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein a nose of the tab in its rest state is radially inwardly spaced apart from an inner edge of the main score by between approximately 0.000 inches and 0.005 inches, measured horizontally.

22 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein a nose of the tab in a partially actuated state, in which the tab nose contacts the center panel, is approximately between the centerline of the main score and 0.005 inches radially inboard from an inner edge of the main score.

23 . The full aperture beverage can of claim 11 wherein a nose of the tab in a partially actuated state, in which the tab nose contacts the center panel, is within 0.002 inches of an inner edge of the main score.

24 . A method of opening a full aperture beverage can having rated for internal pressure of over 30 psi (200 kPa), the method comprising the steps of:
providing a can having a can body and an end, seamed onto the can body, including a center panel, a countersink surrounding the center panel, a tab attached to the center panel by a rivet; a main score that defines a removable aperture panel, a vent score formed in the aperture panel, the main score having an outer wall proximate a lip of the end, an inner wall proximate the aperture panel, and a land at the base of the main score, the land having a thickness that is smaller proximate the main score outer wall than the land thickness proximate the main score inner wall, whereby the land remains affixed to the aperture panel after detachment of the aperture panel; raising a heel of a tab to pivot the tab relative to the rivet to rupture the vent score; after the raising step, continuing to raise the heel of the tab to rupture the main score and propagate the score rupture around the center panel to completely detach the aperture panel, thereby providing a full aperture from which a user a drink.

Assignees

• Crown Packaging Technology Inc

Inventors

• Ramsey Christopher Paul
• Chant Garry Richard
• Lockley Andrew Robert
• Fields Brian
• Watson Martin John
• Hyde Eleanor Rachel Ann

Classifications

• B65D17/165 Primary

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B65D2517/0013

  pull-out tear panel, e.g. by means of a tear-tab · CPC title

• B65D1/12

  Cans, casks, barrels, or drums · CPC title

• B65D17/404 Primary

  Details of the lines of weakness · CPC title

• B65D17/4011

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