Reliable opening can end for reclosing can
AssigneeE.V.D.S. Bvba
InventorErwin VANDERSTRAETEN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A can end for a metal beverage can, the can end including a cap top, arranged in connection to a pull tab configured to remove the cap top from the can end along a pre-defined groove, to thereby create a drinking or pouring aperture; and a shut-off valve, configured to seal the drinking or pouring aperture after drinking or pouring. The cap top is configured to remain located, after the removal, on top of the shut-off valve; and the pre-defined groove includes a stop for arresting, in a pre-defined location of the pre-defined groove, propagation of a tear along the pre-defined groove during the removal, where the stop includes an abrupt change of direction or an endpoint of the pre-defined groove. The can may be configured for containing a carbonated drink.
Claims16
1-15. (canceled)
A can end for a metal beverage can, said can end comprising:
- a cap top, arranged in connection to a pull tab configured to remove said cap top from said can end along a pre-defined groove, to thereby create a drinking or pouring aperture;
- and
- a shut-off valve, configured to seal the drinking or pouring aperture after drinking or pouring;
- wherein said cap top is configured to remain located, after said removal, on top of said shut-off valve;
- and wherein said pre-defined groove comprises means for arresting, in a pre-defined location of said pre-defined groove, propagation of a tear along said pre-defined groove during said removal;
- wherein said means for arresting said propagation of said tear comprises an abrupt change of direction of said pre-defined groove or an endpoint of said pre-defined groove.
A method for opening a reclosing metal beverage can, said can comprising a can body and a can end, the method comprising the steps of:
- actuating a pull tab of said can end, thereby initiating a tear in a pre-defined groove of said can end, wherein said pre-defined groove delimits a cap top;
- arresting in a pre-defined location, at an abrupt change of direction or an endpoint of said pre-defined groove, said tear propagating in a first sense of rotation along said pre-defined groove;
- after said arresting said tear propagation, further actuating said pull tab, thereby propagating said tear in a second sense of rotation along said pre-defined groove, wherein said second sense of rotation is opposite to said first sense of rotation;
- still further actuating said pull tab, thereby still further propagating said tear in said second sense of rotation along said pre-defined groove, thereby removing said cap top from said can end and thus creating a drinking or pouring aperture;
- opening, by said actuating said pull tab, a shut-off valve that is configured to close and seal said drinking or pouring aperture after drinking or pouring;
- wherein said removed cap top remains located on top of said shut-off valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.