# US 12,759,755 B2 · Can end > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,759,755 B2 - Document ID: US12759755B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/547,423 - Filed: 2022-02-24 - Published: 2024-04-18 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-02-24 - Assignees: Ball Corporation - Applicants: Ball Corporation - Inventors: Charles H. Carson; Erik E. Gatewood; John Finn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759755B2 ## CPC - B65D 17/4014: {and provided with attached means for reclosing or resealing} - B65D 2517/0014: pivot tab and push-down tear panel - B65D 2517/0034: by means of the hand grip alone, e.g. rotating hand grip into opening - B65D 2517/0044: attached to the tear tab - B65D 2517/0062: and provided with an additional U-shaped peripheral channel - B65D 2517/0076: located beneath tab contact point - 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 can end (10) has a curl (14) extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis (50). A circumferential wall (15) extends downwardly. A strengthening member (16) is joined to lower segment of the circumferential wall (15). A center panel (12) extends radially inwardly from the circumferential strengthening member (16). A rivet (38) attaches a tab (28) to the center panel (12). A cover is attached to the tab (28) and is rotation therewith. A frangible score (24) in the center panel (12) is breakable to form a pour opening (27) in the center panel (12). The cover is rotatable to overlay the pour opening (27) and effectively reclose the pour opening (27) in a reclosed condition of the can end (10). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A can end for enclosing a container body comprising: a curl extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis; a circumferential wall extending downwardly from a radially inner portion of the curl; a circumferential strengthening member joined to a lower segment of the circumferential wall; and a center panel about which the circumferential strengthening member extends having a public side opposite a produce side, the center panel comprising: a peripheral edge defining a radially outer perimeter of the center panel; a tear panel spaced radially inwardly from the peripheral edge; and a rivet; a tab attached to the center panel by the rivet, the tab comprising: a lift end opposite a nose portion, the nose portion overlaying the tear panel in a frangible score breaking position; a tongue area having a rivet aperture through which the rivet passes to attach the tab to the center panel; a void region partially surrounding the tongue area having a first leg extending along a first side of the tongue area and a second leg extending along a second side of the tongue area; and a substantially leak-proof seal formed over at least one of the rivet, the tongue area, and void region, wherein the tab further comprises a sealer on an underside of the tab and in face-to-face relationship with the public side of the center panel, wherein the sealer is configured to withstand a leakage of a contents of a container to which the can end is attached by creating a barrier between the underside of the tab and the center panel, wherein the sealer is circumferential from a first point at the nose portion through a second point at the lift end and back to the first point at the nose portion of the tab, such that the sealer forms a closed loop. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The can end of claim 1 wherein the substantially leak-proof seal comprises a film and a fixing member between the film and a surface of the tab. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The can end of claim 2 wherein the film is produced from a metal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The can end of claim 3 wherein the metal is an aluminum alloy. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The can end of claim 2 wherein the fixing member is an adhesive. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The can end of claim 2 wherein the fixing member is an acrylic acid compound. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The can end of claim 1 wherein the tab further comprises a rivet well wherein the rivet, the tongue area, and the void region are recessed within the rivet well, wherein the rivet well has an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter of the rivet well is bounded by a portion of an upper side of the tab, the portion of the upper side of the tab that bounds the outer perimeter of the rivet well is positioned at a height along the longitudinal axis greater than a height of the outer perimeter of the rivet well when viewed from above in the frangible score breaking position, wherein the portion of the upper side of the tab that bounds the outer perimeter of the rivet well is circumferential and encircles the rivet well, wherein the seal is formed with the portion of the upper side of the tab which extends about the rivet well, wherein the substantially leak-proof seal is formed over the rivet well. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The can end of claim 7 wherein the substantially leak-proof seal is at least substantially liquid leak-proof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The can end of claim 1 wherein the tab comprises an enclosed grab portion between the lift end and the rivet attaching the tab to the center panel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The can end of claim 9 wherein the grab portion has a surface area greater than a surface area of the tear panel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The can end of claim 10 wherein the grab portion is rotational about the rivet to cover a pour opening created by fracturing a frangible score and deflecting the tear panel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The can end of claim 1 wherein the sealer is chosen from the group consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer and a silicon rubber. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The can end of claim 12 wherein the barrier is at least substantially liquid leak-proof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The can end of claim 12 wherein the barrier is at least substantially fluidly leak-proof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The can end of claim 1 wherein the tear panel is defined by a frangible score in the public side and non-frangible hinge segment located between terminal ends of the frangible score. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The can end of claim 15 wherein the tab is configured to rotate about the rivet, wherein a tab hinge extends between respective terminal ends of the first and second legs of the void region. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The can end of claim 16 further comprising a bead having a circumferential portion adjacent the peripheral edge of the center panel and a branch extending radially inwardly from the circumferential portion and adjacent the frangible score. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The can end of claim 17 wherein the circumferential portion has a depression adjacent the lift end of the tab in the frangible score breaking position. ### Claim 19 A can end for enclosing a container body comprising: a curl extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis; a circumferential wall extending downwardly from a radially inner portion of the curl; a circumferential strengthening member joined to a lower segment of the circumferential wall; and a center panel about which the circumferential strengthening member extends having a public side opposite a produce side, the center panel comprising: a peripheral edge defining a radially outer perimeter of the center panel; a tear panel spaced radially inwardly from the peripheral edge; and a rivet; a tab attached to the center panel by the rivet, the tab comprising: a lift end opposite a nose portion, the nose portion overlaying the tear panel in a frangible score breaking position; a tongue area having a rivet aperture through which the rivet passes to attach the tab to the center panel; a void region partially surrounding the tongue area having a first leg extending along a first side of the tongue area and a second leg extending along a second side of the tongue area; an enclosed grab portion located between the lift end and the void region, wherein the grab portion has a surface area greater than a surface area of the tear panel; a substantially leak-proof seal formed over at least one of the rivet, the tongue area, and void region; a circumferential sealer on an underside of the tab and in face-to-face relationship with the public side of the center panel, wherein the sealer is configured to withstand a leakage of a contents of a container to which the can end is attached by creating a barrier between the underside of the tab and the center panel, and wherein the sealer forms a closed loop.