H.j. Heinz Company

Peter M Douglas

William Huber

Terry Cooper

Walter Lum

A safe container end closure includes an annular central lid portion, an annular peripheral lid portion, and a score line joining the annular central lid portion to the annular peripheral lid portion to permit removal of the central lid portion from the peripheral lid portion. A opening tab is secured to the central lid portion for pivoting movement relative to the central lid portion, with the opening tab having a nose positioned adjacent the score line so that upon pivoting of the opening tab the nose of the opening tab causes a portion of the score line to sever. The closure is formed so that upon removal of the central lid portion, at least the sharp edge on the removed central lid portion is rendered safe. The central lid portion thus includes an outwardly opening intermediate fold and an inwardly opening bottom fold, with the bottom fold extending radially outwardly beyond the score line so that when the central lid portion is separated from the peripheral lid portion at the score line the severed edge on the central lid portion is positioned radially inwardly of the radially outermost portion of the bottom fold. In addition, The score line is in the form of a V-shaped groove having a rounded nose that provides a variety of advantages. The closure also includes a nose spread below the score line defining the extent to which the severed edge of the central lid portion can move. The nose spread in the area of the nose of the opening tab is greater than at other areas along the circumferential extent of the central lid portion.

Safe container end closure and method for fabricating a safe container end closure

The can end closure member includes a removable central panel for opening the can, and a stepped panel portion allowing the can to be opened by means of a conventional can opener. The stepped panel portion has an angled configuration which recesses the scoreline of the central panel and protects the scoreline from shocks during shipping and handling. The stepped panel portion also includes a ledge portion which serves as a seat for stacking another can on the stepped panel portion without bearing upon the scoreline or the central panel.

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Bloomsburg, PA, United States of America

Peter M Douglas