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US 12,497,210 B2Granted
End cap with score line for controlled flap opening and method therefor
AssigneeRam Solutions, LLC
InventorsRicky Allen Mount, Ancil Louis Lackey, Richard L. Wise
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An end cap including an end cap body made of a relatively thin metal material. The end cap has a main score line formed in the end cap body and defining a flap area. The end cap further includes a tab coupled to the end cap body and having an end positioned adjacent to the flap area. The end cap has a control score line positioned adjacent to the main score line, where the control score line is curved or arcuate along at least part of its length, and has end portions that are parallel or substantially parallel.
Claims21
An end cap comprising:
- an end cap body made of a metal material;
- a main score line formed in the end cap body and defining a flap area, wherein the main score line forms a nearly closed loop defining a hinge area about which the flap area is hingeable when the main score line is torn along its length;
- an anti-fracture score line formed in the end cap body and oriented substantially parallel to the main score line;
- a tab coupled to the end cap body and having an end positioned adjacent to the flap area;
- and
- a control score line positioned adjacent to the main score line, wherein the control score line intersects the anti-fracture score line, wherein the control score line is curved or arcuate along at least part of its length, and has end portions that are parallel or substantially parallel.
3 more elements
An end cap comprising:
- an end cap body made of a metal material;
- a main score line formed in the end cap body and defining a flap area;
- a tab coupled to the end cap body and having an end positioned adjacent to the flap area;
- and
- a control score line positioned adjacent to the main score line, wherein the control score line is curved or arcuate along at least part of its length, and has end portions that are parallel or substantially parallel, wherein the control score line is positioned sufficiently close to the main score line such that the control score line provides a retarding effect upon tearing of the main score line.
2 more elements
An end cap comprising:
- an end cap body made of a piece of relatively flat and planar metal material;
- a main score line formed in the end cap body and defining a flap area;
- a tab coupled to the end cap body and having an end positioned adjacent to the flap area;
- and
- a control score line positioned adjacent to the main score line, wherein the control score line is positioned sufficiently close to the main score line such that the control score line provides a retarding effect upon tearing of the main score line, wherein the control score line is curved or arcuate along at least part of its length, wherein the control score line has a portion having a variable depth along the length of the control score line at at least one end thereof, and wherein the control score line has a portion not having a variable depth along a different portion of the length of the control score line.
2 more elements
A method for forming an end cap comprising:
- accessing an end cap body made of a metal material;
- forming a main score line in the end cap body thereby defining a flap area, wherein the main score line forms a nearly closed loop defining a hinge area about which the flap is hingeable when the main score line is torn along its length;
- forming a control score line adjacent to the main score line, wherein the control score line is positioned sufficiently close to the main score line such that the control score line provides a retarding effect upon tearing of the main score line, wherein the control score line is curved or arcuate along at least part of its length, and has end portions that are parallel or substantially parallel;
- and
- coupling a tab to the end cap body, the tab having an end positioned adjacent to the flap area.
2 more elements
An end cap comprising:
- an end cap body made of a metal material;
- a main score line formed in the end cap body and defining a flap area;
- an anti-fracture score line formed in the end cap body and oriented substantially parallel to the main score line;
- a tab coupled to the end cap body and having an end positioned adjacent to the flap area;
- and
- a control score line positioned adjacent to the main score line, wherein at least part of the control score line is positioned between the main score line and the anti-fracture score line, and wherein the control score line is curved or arcuate along at least part of its length, and has end portions that are parallel.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.