US 9,016,504 B2Granted

Can end, double action tab therefor, tooling assembly, and associated method

AssigneeStolle Machinery Company, LLC

InventorsJames A. McClung, Aaron E. Carstens, Dennis C. Stammen, Gregory H. Butcher

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A tab is provided for a can end. The can end includes an end panel and a scoreline defining a tear panel in the end panel for providing an opening in the can end. The tab includes a body having first and second opposing ends, a nose portion located at or about the first end, a lift portion located at or about the second end, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a rivet hole. A first rivet extends outwardly from the end panel and fastens the rivet receiving portion of the tab to the can end. A second rivet extends outwardly from the end panel to cooperate with a portion of the body proximate the lift portion.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A tab for a can end, the can end comprising an end panel, a first rivet, a second rivet, and a scoreline defining a tear panel in the end panel for providing an opening in the can end, the tab comprising:

a body including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a top surface disposed in a first plane;
a nose portion located at or about the first end of the tab;
a lift portion located at or about the second end of the tab, the lift portion being structured to pivot about the second rivet;
a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion, the rivet receiving portion including a rivet hole;
a recessed panel located proximate the lift portion and being disposed in a second plane parallel to the first plane, the recessed panel including a rivet aperture, the second rivet being structured to extend through the rivet aperture and be fastened to the recessed panel;
and
a middle portion separating the recessed panel from the rivet receiving portion;
wherein the first rivet is structured to extend outwardly from the end panel and fasten the rivet receiving portion of the tab to the can end;
wherein the second rivet is structured to extend outwardly from the end panel;
wherein when the lift portion is lifted, the second plane of said recessed panel remains parallel to the first plane of the top surface of the body;
wherein the recessed panel extends from proximate the second end toward the rivet receiving portion;
wherein the second rivet is structured to be disposed in the recessed panel;
wherein the middle portion comprises a top portion, a first downwardly extending portion, and a second downwardly extending portion;
wherein the top portion is generally coplanar with the top surface of the tab body;
wherein the first downwardly extending portion extends from the top portion to the recessed panel;
and
wherein the second downwardly extending portion extends from the top portion toward the rivet receiving portion.

14 more elements

A combination of a tab with a can end affixed to the tab, the can end being selected from the group consisting of beer can ends, beverage can ends and food can ends, the can end comprising an end panel, a first rivet, a second rivet, and a scoreline defining a tear panel in the end panel for providing an opening in the can end, the tab comprising:

a body including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a top surface disposed in a first plane;
a nose portion located at or about the first end of the tab;
a lift portion located at or about the second end of the tab, the lift portion being structured to pivot about the second rivet;
a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion, the rivet receiving portion including a rivet hole;
a recessed panel located proximate the lift portion and being disposed in a second plane parallel to the first plane, the recessed panel including a rivet aperture, the second rivet being structured to extend through the rivet aperture and be fastened to the recessed panel;
and
a middle portion separating the recessed panel from the rivet receiving portion;
wherein the first rivet is structured to extend outwardly from the end panel and fasten the rivet receiving portion of the tab to the can end;
wherein the second rivet is structured to extend outwardly from the end panel;
wherein when the lift portion is lifted, the second plane of said recessed panel remains parallel to the first plane of the top surface of the body;
wherein the recessed panel extends from proximate the second end toward the rivet receiving portion;
wherein the second rivet is structured to be disposed in the recessed panel;
wherein the middle portion comprises a top portion, a first downwardly extending portion, and a second downwardly extending portion;
wherein the top portion is generally coplanar with the top surface of the tab body;
wherein the first downwardly extending portion extends from the top portion to the recessed panel;
and
wherein the second downwardly extending portion extends from the top portion toward the rivet receiving portion.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/554,438Filed 20 Jul 2012 · us provisional application
Priority: 11 Aug 2011
Published: US 2013/0037543 A114 Feb 2013
Granted: 28 Apr 2015
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B21D 51/383
Making inlet or outlet arrangements of cans, tins, baths, bottles, or other vessels; Making can ends; Making closures: scoring lines, tear strips…
B65D 17/4012
Characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall: for opening partially by means of a tearing tab
B65D 2517/0014
Action for opening container: pivot tab and push-down tear panel
B65D 2517/0062
U-shaped: and provided with an additional U-shaped peripheral channel