Rexam Beverage Can Company

American National Can Company

Ardagh Metal Beverage USA Inc.

Other

Randall G Forrest

Timothy L Turner

Michael R Gogola

Rajesh Gopalaswamy

Carlton Young

Jonathan P Meyer

Dennis Dettmer

Derek Siegal

Rex Villasin

Ronald D Parrella

Michael P Miles

Donald M Thurman

Don Thurman

V Steven Jackson

Derek J Siegal

A can end has a public side and an opposing product side. A circumferential curl is located about a center axis and defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A circumferential wall extends downwardly from the curl. A circumferential, generally U-shaped countersink extends radially inwardly from the circumferential wall relative to the center axis and upwardly. A center panel extends radially inwardly from the countersink relative to the center axis and has a displaceable tear panel defined by frangible score and a hinge segment on the public side and a tab fixed to the public side which has a nose portion overlying a portion of the displaceable tear panel. A circumferential panel joins the countersink with the center panel and has a first panel radius joined to a second panel radius by a short wall extending upwardly and inwardly. The circumferential panel has a bead formed therein.

Can end

Tabs having cleats and related methods are disclosed. An example tab includes a lift end and a nose opposite the lift end, where the nose is to at least partially extend over a pour panel of the can end. A central webbing is interposed between the lift end and the nose. The central webbing defines a hinge line about which the tab is to pivot away from a center panel of the can end when the tab is coupled to the can end. A first cleat is formed on the nose. The first cleat is offset relative to a first side of the center axis of the tab such that a longitudinal axis of the first cleat intersects the center axis at a first angle.

Tabs and related methods

A can end for a two-piece beverage container has a curl positioned about a longitudinal axis which defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A circumferential wall angles downwardly and radially inwardly relative to a radially inner portion of the curl. A strengthening member extends radially inwardly relative to the circumferential wall. A center panel extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis towards the strengthening member and has a diameter greater than 87.7% of an overall diameter of the can end. A frangible score and a hinge portion define an openable tear panel in the center panel. A stay-on tab is attached to the center panel and has a nose portion overlying the tear panel opposite a lift end of the tab.

Can end produced from downgauged blank

An ecology stay-on tab beverage can end has a first axis extending though a rivet. A tear panel is defined by a frangible score and a non-frangible hinge that joins a first end of the frangible score with a second end of the frangible score. The first axis forms a line of asymmetry of the tear panel. A second axis intersects the first axis at a right angle. An intersection of the first axis with the second axis defines a center point of a clock-like reference having a 12 o'clock position at the first point and a 6 o'clock position at the second point. A first radius of curvature of the frangible score between a 5 o'clock position and a 7 o'clock position is at least 3.6 times larger than a second radius of curvature between a 7 o'clock position and a 9 o'clock position.

Beverage can end frangible score geometry

An ecology stay-on tab beverage can end has a first curvilinear segment of frangible score severable to form a vent region and a pressure equalization port. A second curvilinear segment of frangible score has opposing terminal ends separated by a hinge segment of the center panel. The second curvilinear segment of frangible score is severable to form a pour opening. A lifting of a lift end of a tab actuates an opening sequence in which the first curvilinear segment of frangible score is severed causing the vent region and the pressure equalization port to form before the pour opening is completely formed.

Ecology can end with pressure equalization port

A can end for a two-piece beverage can is described. The can end has a center panel positioned about a vertical center axis. The center panel has a means for opening the can end located on a public side. A circumferential strengthening member is located about the center panel. A wall extends upwardly from the circumferential strengthening member. A curl is joined to an upper end of the wall. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A reinforcing bead is located on the wall between an uppermost portion of the wall and a lowermost portion of the wall.

Can end with reinforcing bead

A can end for a beverage container has a center panel with a stay-on tab opening system. A tear panel is defined by a first frangible score and a non-frangible hinge segment. A tab is attached to the center panel by a rivet. The tab has a void region partially surrounding a rivet island. A first circle has a first center point located at a center of the rivet and a first radius equal to a distance from the center of the rivet to a radially outermost point of the void region on a first axis running through the nose and lift ends of the tab and a center of the rivet. A second circle has a coincident center and a second radius less than 2.5 times first radius. A second frangible score is spaced completely radially outwardly from the rivet island and between the first and second circles.

Beverage can end with vent port

An end for a beverage can is described. The end has a product side, an opposing public side, a center panel, an annular countersink, a circumferential wall, and a curl. The center panel has a means for opening the end. The annular countersink extends circumferentially about the center panel. The circumferential wall extends upwardly from the countersink and has an angled portion extending radially inwardly toward the center panel. The curl is located radially outward relative to the center panel and defines an outer perimeter of the end.

Can end with negatively angled wall

A can end for a beverage container has a circumferential curl positioned about a longitudinal axis, a wall extending downwardly from the curl, a strengthening member joined to the wall, and a center panel joined to the strengthening member and extending radially inwardly relative to longitudinal axis. A rivet is located at a center position of the center panel. A frangible score has terminal ends located on a common side of the rivet. The terminal ends are separated by a non-frangible hinge segment. A displaceable tear panel is defined by the frangible score and the non-frangible hinge segment. A non-detachable tab has a nose and a lift end. The nose overlies a portion of the displaceable tear panel. A deboss groove is located on the public side of the center panel and extends downwardly in a direction towards the product side. The deboss groove is located adjacent the score line.

Growing community of inventors

Park Ridge, IL, United States of America

Randall G Forrest