# US 8,783,495 B2 · Can end

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- Number: US 8,783,495 B2
- Document ID: US8783495B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/026,599
- Filed: 2011-02-14
- Published: 2012-08-16
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2011-02-14
- Assignees: Rexam Beverage Can Company
- Applicants: Randall G. Forrest
- Inventors: Randall G. Forrest
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783495B2

## CPC

- B65D 17/404: {Details of the lines of weakness}
- B65D 17/4012: {for opening partially by means of a tearing tab}
- B65D 2517/0014: pivot tab and push-down tear panel
- B65D 2517/0016: pivot tab, push-down and pull-out tear panel
- B65D 2517/0061: U-shaped
- B65D 2517/0062: and provided with an additional U-shaped peripheral channel
- B65D 2517/007: located within tear-out/push-in panel
- B65D 2517/0074: Local recess in container end panel
- 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 for a beverage container has a circumferential curl positioned about a longitudinal axis, a wall extending downwardly from the curl, a strengthening member joined to the wall, and a center panel joined to the strengthening member and extending radially inwardly relative to longitudinal axis. A rivet is located at a center position of the center panel. A frangible score has terminal ends located on a common side of the rivet. The terminal ends are separated by a non-frangible hinge segment. A displaceable tear panel is defined by the frangible score and the non-frangible hinge segment. A non-detachable tab has a nose and a lift end. The nose overlies a portion of the displaceable tear panel. A deboss groove is located on the public side of the center panel and extends downwardly in a direction towards the product side. The deboss groove is located adjacent the score line.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A can end for a container comprising:
a circumferential curl positioned about a longitudinal axis;
a wall extending downwardly from the curl;
a strengthening member joined to the wall; and
a center panel joined to the strengthening member and extending radially inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis, the center panel comprising:
a product side;
a public side;
a rivet;
a score line comprising a frangible score having terminal ends located on a common side of the rivet, the terminal ends separated by a non-frangible hinge segment;
a displaceable tear panel in the center panel at least substantially defined by the frangible score and the non-frangible hinge segment;
a non-detachable tab having a nose and a lift end wherein the nose overlays a portion of the displaceable tear panel; and
a deboss groove in the public side extending in a direction towards the product side and located adjacent the score line wherein the deboss groove is located radially inwardly from the score line and spaced no more than 3mm from the score line wherein the deboss groove follows a contour of the score line.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The can end of claim 1 wherein the deboss groove is non-circumferential.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The can end of claim 2 wherein the deboss groove is interrupted by a portion of the center panel located adjacent the non-frangible hinge segment.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The can end of claim 3 further comprising:
a down-panel in the displaceable tear panel wherein the deboss groove is located between the score line and the down panel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The can end of claim 4 wherein the displaceable tear panel has a surface area greater than 0.5 in2.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The can end of claim 5 wherein a distance between opposing sides of the deboss groove from a nine o'clock to a three o'clock position on the displaceable tear panel, using a clock-like orientation wherein a center of the clock-like orientation is defined by a central axis extending through the rivet which is perpendicular to a transverse axis extending through a widest segment of the displaceable tear panel and wherein a segment of the central axis defines a 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock distance, is greater than a distance between opposing edges of the non-detachable tab taken along a line transecting the rivet and parallel to the transverse axis.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The can end of claim 6 further comprising:
an anti-fracture score located radially inwardly of the frangible score.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The can end of claim 1 further comprising:
a down-panel in the displaceable tear panel wherein the deboss groove is located between the score line and the down panel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The can end of claim 8 wherein the displaceable tear panel has a surface area greater than 0.5 in2.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The can end of claim 9 wherein a distance between opposing sides of the deboss groove from a nine o'clock to a three o'clock position on the displaceable tear panel, using a clock-like orientation wherein a center of the clock-like orientation is defined by a central axis extending through the rivet which is perpendicular to a transverse axis extending through a widest segment of the displaceable tear panel and wherein a segment of the central axis defines a 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock distance, is greater than a distance between opposing edges of the non-detachable tab taken along a line transecting the rivet and parallel to the transverse axis.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The can end of claim 1 wherein the displaceable tear panel has a surface area greater than 0.5 in2.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The can end of claim 1 wherein a distance between opposing sides of the deboss groove from a nine o'clock to a three o'clock position on the displaceable tear panel, using a clock-like orientation wherein a center of the clock-like orientation is defined by a central axis extending through the rivet which is perpendicular to a transverse axis extending through a widest segment of the displaceable tear panel and wherein a segment of the central axis defines a 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock distance, is greater than a distance between opposing edges of the non-detachable tab taken along a line transecting the rivet and parallel to the transverse axis.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The can end of claim 12 wherein the displaceable tear panel has a surface area greater than 0.5 in2.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The can end of claim 1 wherein the deboss groove in the public side produces a corresponding convex groove relative to the product side.

### Claim 15

A can end for a container comprising:
a circumferential curl positioned about a longitudinal axis;
a wall extending downwardly from the curl;
a strengthening member joined to the wall; and
a center panel joined to the strengthening member and extending radially inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis, the center panel comprising:
a product side;
a public side;
a rivet;
a score line comprising a frangible score having terminal ends located on a common side of the rivet, the terminal ends separated by a non-frangible hinge segment;
a displaceable tear panel in the center panel at least substantially defined by the frangible score and the non-frangible hinge segment;
a non-detachable tab having a nose and a lift end wherein the nose overlays a portion of the displaceable tear panel; and
a groove in the tear panel located adjacent the score line and said groove generally following a contour of the score line and having terminal ends located on opposite sides of the non-frangible hinge segment.