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US 8,196,767 B2Granted
Small diameter can end with large opening
AssigneeCrown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
InventorBrian Fields
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A can end having a small diameter center panel and an opening of particular aspect ratio to improve the pourability and drinkability characteristics of the opening, compared to can ends having conventional openings.
Claims7
An easy open can end having improved flow characteristics, said end comprising:
- a circular center panel with a rupturable score line therein, the score line defining the periphery of a non-removable tear panel,
- a non-detachable tab having a nose portion and a rear portion;
- and
- a connection between the tab and the center panel which acts as a pivot about which the tab can be rotated out of the plane of the center panel, such that in use, the rear portion of the tab is lifted to cause the nose portion of the tab to press down on the tear panel, thereby rupturing the score line and swinging the tear panel out of the plane of the center panel to create an opening, the opening having a major axis and a minor axis, the minor axis located on a diameter of the center panel and the major axis located perpendicular to said diameter, wherein the diameter of the center panel is less than 1.835 inches (46.6 mm) and the opening has an area of less than 0.5 square inches (323 mm2) and an aspect ratio (major axis:minor axis) of between 1.3 and 1.7.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.