# US 10,246,229 B2 · Vented beverage can and can end > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,229 B2 - Document ID: US10246229B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/124,408 - Filed: 2015-03-10 - Published: 2017-04-20 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14 - Assignees: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc. - Applicants: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Brendan Keane; Brian Fields; Vivek Doshi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246229B2 ## CPC - B65D 47/32: with means for venting - B65D 1/12: Cans, casks, barrels, or drums - B65D 17/4012: {for opening partially by means of a tearing tab} - B65D 51/1672: {whereby venting occurs by manual actuation of the closure or other element} - B65D 51/1683: {by actuating a separate element in the container or closure} - B65D 2517/0014: pivot tab and push-down tear panel - B65D 2517/0062: and provided with an additional U-shaped peripheral channel - B65D 2517/0082: Coated or laminated metal - B65D 2517/0094: formed as a separate opening - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A beverage can end has a vent (40) that includes a button (50). The vent is actuated by downward force of a pull tab (70) that is transmitted to the vent score (42) through the button. The center panel (18) includes beads. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A beverage can end comprising: a peripheral curl capable of being joined to a can body by seaming; a wall structure radially inward from the curl; a center panel; a main score defining a main hinge and a main tear panel that is capable of opening upon rupture of the score to form a pour opening; a tab coupled to the center panel by a rivet, the tab having a nose capable of contacting a portion of the main tear panel for rupturing the main score, a body, and a heel formed opposite the nose, the heel being configured for grasping by a user; a raised main bead having a first end located proximate the heel side of the tab and extending around the main tear panel to a second end; a vent including: a vent score defining a vent tear panel and a vent hinge located approximately between opposing ends of the vent score; and an upwardly protruding button located on the vent tear panel; and a recessed vent bead located about the vent score, the main bead and the vent bead being continuous such that the main bead and the vent bead join at a transition in which the raised main bead yields to the recessed bead; whereby actuation of the tab by lifting the heel is capable of rupturing the main score and actuation of the tab by pressing down on the tab is capable of rupturing the vent score. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The beverage can end of claim 1 wherein the transition is located approximately opposite from main bead first end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The beverage can end of claim 1 wherein the vent button is located outboard of the tab while the tab is positioned to actuate the main score and the vent panel bead is located proximate a peripheral edge of the center panel distal from the rivet, whereby the vent is located to enhance venting. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The beverage can end of claim 1 wherein the vent score is located on the button or having a distance D3 or D13 from the button sidewall, measured at a point at which the vent score is closest to the button sidewall, of no more than 0.020 inches such that downward force transmitted from the tab heel to the button ruptures the vent score, whereby actuation of the tab by lifting the heel is capable of rupturing the main score and actuation of the tab by pressing down on the tab is capable of rupturing the vent score. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The beverage can end of claim 4 wherein the distance D3 or D13 is between 0.000 inches and 0.006 inches. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The beverage can end of claim 4 wherein the vent hinge is oriented such that the score rupture propagates about the vent tear panel in two directions to the vent hinge. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The beverage can end of claim 4 wherein the vent score is located between approximately 0.060 inches and approximately 0.105 inches from the centerline of the button. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The beverage can end of claim 4 wherein a radius of the curved transition is between approximately 0.005 inches and approximately 0.020 inches. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The beverage can end of claim 4 wherein a radius of the curved transition is between approximately 0.0075 inches and approximately 0.0115 inches. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The beverage can end of claim 4 wherein a radius of the curved transition is approximately 0.0095 inches. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The beverage can end of claim 4 wherein the button has a diameter of between approximately 0.10 inches and approximately 0.18 inches. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The beverage can end of claim 4 wherein the button has a diameter of between approximately 0.115 inches and approximately 0.15 inches. ### Claim 13 (depends on 4) The beverage can end of claim 4 wherein the button has a diameter of approximately 0.130 inches. ### Claim 14 (depends on 4) The beverage can end of claim 4 wherein the vent hinge is opposite the rivet. ### Claim 15 (depends on 4) The beverage can end of claim 4 wherein the tab has a contact element that is configured to contact the button and wherein the tab contact element is a downwardly protruding bead. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The beverage can end of claim 1 wherein the vent defines: a dimension X from a button center to lateral ends of the vent score along a vent centerline CL, a dimension Y from the button center to the vent hinge, and a dimension Z from the button center to a proximal point of the vent score that is the point on the vent score that is closest to the button, dimension X is greater than Z and less than 5Z and dimension Y is greater than 0.5Z and less than 3Z. ### Claim 17 A beverage can end comprising: a peripheral curl capable of being joined to a can body by seaming; a wall structure radially inward from the curl; a center panel; a main score defining a main hinge and a main tear panel that is capable of opening upon rupture of the score to form a pour opening; a tab coupled to the center panel by a rivet, the tab having a nose capable of contacting a portion of the main tear panel for rupturing the main score, a body, and a heel formed opposite the nose, the heel being configured for grasping by a user, the tab being elongate along a main centerline CL; a raised main bead having a first end located proximate the heel side of the tab and extending around the main tear panel to a second end, the main bead being asymmetric about the main centerline CL; a vent including: a vent score defining a vent tear panel and a vent hinge located approximately between opposing ends of the vent score; and an upwardly protruding button located on the vent tear panel; and a raised or recessed vent bead located about the vent score, the vent bead being spaced apart from the main bead; whereby actuation of the tab by lifting the heel is capable of rupturing the main score and actuation of the tab by pressing down on the tab is capable of rupturing the vent score. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The beverage can end of claim 17 wherein the vent button is located outboard of the tab while the tab is positioned to actuate the main score and the vent panel bead is located proximate a peripheral edge of the center panel distal from the rivet, whereby the vent is located to enhance venting. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The beverage can end of claim 17 wherein the vent score is located on the button or having a distance D3 or D13 from the button sidewall, measured at a point at which the vent score is closest to the button sidewall, of no more than 0.020 inches such that downward force transmitted from the tab heel to the button ruptures the vent score, whereby actuation of the tab by lifting the heel is capable of rupturing the main score and actuation of the tab by pressing down on the tab is capable of rupturing the vent score. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The beverage can end of claim 19 wherein the distance D3 or D13 is between 0.000 inches and 0.006 inches. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The beverage can end of claim 19 wherein the vent hinge is oriented such that the score rupture propagates about the vent tear panel in two directions to the vent hinge. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The beverage can end of claim 19 wherein the vent hinge is opposite the rivet. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The beverage can end of claim 19 wherein the tab has a contact element that is configured to contact the button and wherein the tab contact element is a downwardly protruding bead. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The beverage can end of claim 17 wherein the vent defines: a dimension X from a button center to lateral ends of the vent score along a vent centerline CL, a dimension Y from the button center to the vent hinge, and a dimension Z from the button center to a proximal point of the vent score that is the point on the vent score that is closest to the button, dimension X is greater than Z and less than 5Z and dimension Y is greater than 0.5Z and less than 3Z. ### Claim 25 A beverage can end comprising: a peripheral curl capable of being joined to a can body by seaming; a wall structure radially inward from the curl; a center panel; a main score defining a main hinge and a main tear panel that is capable of opening upon rupture of the score to form a pour opening; a tab coupled to the center panel by a rivet, the tab having a nose capable of contacting a portion of the main tear panel for rupturing the main score, a body, and a heel formed opposite the nose, the heel being configured for grasping by a user; a raised main bead having a first end located proximate the heel side of the tab and extending around the main tear panel to a second end; a vent including: a vent score defining a vent tear panel and a vent hinge located approximately between opposing ends of the vent score; and an upwardly protruding button located on the vent tear panel; and a raised or recessed vent bead that encircles the vent score and is spaced apart from the main bead; whereby actuation of the tab by lifting the heel is capable of rupturing the main score and actuation of the tab by pressing down on the tab is capable of rupturing the vent score. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The beverage can end of claim 25 wherein the vent button is located outboard of the tab while the tab is positioned to actuate the main score and the vent panel bead is located proximate a peripheral edge of the center panel distal from the rivet, whereby the vent is located to enhance venting. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The beverage can end of claim 25 wherein the vent score is located on the button or having a distance D3 or D13 from the button sidewall, measured at a point at which the vent score is closest to the button sidewall, of no more than 0.020 inches such that downward force transmitted from the tab heel to the button ruptures the vent score, whereby actuation of the tab by lifting the heel is capable of rupturing the main score and actuation of the tab by pressing down on the tab is capable of rupturing the vent score. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The beverage can end of claim 27 wherein the distance D3 or D13 is between 0.000 inches and 0.006 inches. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The beverage can end of claim 27 wherein the vent hinge is oriented such that the score rupture propagates about the vent tear panel in two directions to the vent hinge. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The beverage can end of claim 27 wherein the vent hinge is opposite the rivet. ### Claim 31 (depends on 27) The beverage can end of claim 27 wherein the tab has a contact element that is configured to contact the button and wherein the tab contact element is a downwardly protruding bead. ### Claim 32 (depends on 25) The beverage can end of claim 25 wherein the vent defines: a dimension X from a button center to lateral ends of the vent score along a vent centerline CL, a dimension Y from the button center to the vent hinge, and a dimension Z from the button center to a proximal point of the vent score that is the point on the vent score that is closest to the button, dimension X is greater than Z and less than 5Z and dimension Y is greater than 0.5Z and less than 3Z. ### Claim 33 (depends on 17) The beverage can end of claim 17 wherein the first end of the main bead is spaced apart from the second end of the main bead.