Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.

Katherine Roselaar

Christopher Paul Ramsey

Grahame Hughes

Elliann Amy Edwards

Blanca Pascual Oliver

A metal easy open can end adapted for closing a metal can body is proposed. The can end has a score () defining a removable panel () and a tab (), located at an edge region of the panel, for applying a force to the panel to allow the panel to be removed in a tear direction. The panel () has at least one embossed and/or debossed rib (-) extending substantially in said tear direction from a location or locations proximal to said tab to a location or locations proximal to an end of the panel opposite to said edge region. The rib(s) have a depth or height of at least 0.6 mm relative to surrounding panel regions along at least a part of the rib extent.

Easy open end with increased panel stiffness

Apparatus for decorating a can body. The apparatus comprises a can body conveying mechanism () for conveying can bodies () to a printing zone (), a blanket wheel () comprising a plurality of blanket segments () and, affixed to each blanket segment, a blanket () having a printing surface, the blanket wheel being configured to bring blanket printing surfaces into contact with can bodies within said printing zone, and a plurality of ink stations () each comprising a printing plate () configured to contact the printing surfaces of passing blankets in order to impart an ink image to the printing surfaces, such that a composite ink image is formed on each blanket printing surface and is printed onto a can body upon contact of the blanket printing surface and the can body within the printing zone. The apparatus is configured such that at least one of the blankets has a surface height variation across its printing surface representing a secondary image to be transferred to can bodies with which the blanket comes into contact. A drive mechanism () is provided for causing the printing plates to rotate and a drive mechanism controller for varying the rotational speed of the printing plates to synchronize the positions of the printing plates with blankets onto which ink images are to be transferred.

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Berkshire, United Kingdom

Katherine Roselaar