Easy open closure

Abstract

A metal closure for seaming onto the end of a container, the closure comprising a centre panel defined by a circumferential score, a tab fixed to the panel by a rivet formed in the panel, and two spaced apart, elongate raised beads formed in the panel. The tab has a heel portion radially inside of the rivet and a nose portion radially outside of the rivet and adjacent to a radially inner edge of the score, such that lifting of the heel portion forces the nose portion into contact with a region of the panel adjacent to the radially inner edge of the circumferential score, thereby causing the closure to fracture partially along the score. The beads extend with a circumferential component of direction, and each has an end terminating under the tab radially between the rivet and the score about which the tab may pivot.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.