US 12,221,247 B2
Can end
Charles H. Carson, Westminster, CO (US)
Assigned to BALL COPORATION, Westminster, CO (US)
Appl. No. 18/010,687
Filed by Ball Corporation, Broomfield, CO (US)
PCT Filed Jun. 16, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/037636
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 15, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/257709, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 23, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/039,711, filed on Jun. 16, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0227205 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. B65D 17/28 (2006.01); B65D 51/00 (2006.01); B65D 51/22 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 17/4014 (2018.01) [B65D 51/007 (2013.01); B65D 51/222 (2013.01); B65D 2517/0014 (2013.01); B65D 2517/0044 (2013.01); B65D 2517/0061 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A can end (10) for enclosing a container body comprising:
a curl (14) extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis (50);
a circumferential wall (15) extending downwardly from a radially inner portion of the curl (14);
a circumferential strengthening member (16) joined to lower segment of the circumferential wall (15)
a center panel (12) about which the circumferential strengthening member (16) extends having a public side (32) opposite a product side (34), the center panel (12) comprising;
a peripheral edge defining a radially outer perimeter of the center panel (12);
a tear panel (22) spaced radially inwardly from the peripheral edge, the tear panel (22) defined by a frangible score (24) in the public side (32) and non-frangible hinge segment located between terminal ends of the frangible score (24); and
a rivet (38);
a tab (28) is attached to the center panel (12) by the rivet (38), wherein the tab (28) is configured to rotate about the rivet (38), the tab (28) comprising:
a lift end (40) opposite a nose portion (42) overlaying the tear panel (22) in a frangible score (24) breaking position;
a rivet island (39) having a rivet aperture through which the rivet (38) passes to attach the tab (28) to the center panel (12);
a void region partially surrounding the rivet island (39) having a first leg (39a) extending along a first side of the rivet island (39) and a second leg (39b) extending along a second side of the rivet island (39); and
a tab hinge extending between respective terminal ends of the first and second legs (39a,39b) of the void region;
a cover (60) is attached to the tab (28) and is rotational therewith,
wherein the frangible score (24) is breakable to form a pour opening (27) in the center panel (12), and the cover (60) is rotatable to overlay the pour opening (27) and effectively reclose the pour opening (27) in a reclosed condition of the can end (10),
the center panel (12) comprises a bead near the rivet (38) and opposite the tear panel (22) in relation to the rivet (38), wherein the bead is located beneath the rivet island (39) of the tab (28) when the can end (10) is in the reclosed condition,
wherein the bead near the rivet (38) is an up-bead and engages one of the rivet island (39) or the cover (60) when the can end (10) is in the reclosed condition,
wherein a downward deflection of a portion of the cover (60) located over the pour opening (27) caused by an engagement of the one of the rivet island (39) or the cover (60) with the up-bead effectively recloses the pour opening (27) when the tab (28) is rotated to place the can end (10) in the reclosed condition.