This invention relates to a can end (1) providing improved tab access for a consumer. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a container incorporating such a can end (1). The can end (1) includes a moveable portion (30) located beneath all or part of the handle (20b) of the can end, wi
This invention relates to a can end (1) providing improved tab access for a consumer. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a container incorporating such a can end (1). The can end (1) includes a moveable portion (30) located beneath all or part of the handle (20b) of the can end, with the moveable portion deformable from an ‘up’ position (30a) to a ‘down’ position (30b) to provide increased tab access for a consumer. The can end (1) is provided with one or more downwardly inclined annular steps (31), which has been found to greatly increase the force required to deform the panel from the ‘down’ to the ‘up’ position, therefore resulting in a far greater likelihood of the consumer receiving a container (40) incorporating the can end (1) with the moveable portion (30) in the ‘down’ position (30b), thereby facilitating tab access.
대표청구항▼
1. An easy open can end suitable for attachment to a container body, comprising: a central panel having a score line;a tab attached to the can end, the tab having a nose portion and a handle portion;an openable panel portion on the central panel defined by the score line;the openable panel portion c
1. An easy open can end suitable for attachment to a container body, comprising: a central panel having a score line;a tab attached to the can end, the tab having a nose portion and a handle portion;an openable panel portion on the central panel defined by the score line;the openable panel portion comprising a bistable section and a downwardly inclined annular step, the bistable section disposed radially inward from the downwardly inclined annular step, the bistable section extending under all or part of the handle portion of the tab, the bistable section being deformable between:an up position: in which at least a portion the bistable section is convex when viewed from above the can end; anda down position: in which at least a portion of the invertible bistable section is concave when viewed from above the can end such that a first gap between the tab and the bistable section is defined so as to enable finger access to the tab. 2. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular step includes a series of two or more discontinuous step portions each separated by a second gap, the step portions together comprising the annular step. 3. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 2, the discontinuous step portions are: i. radially dispersed from each other, and/orii. circumferentially dispersed from each other. 4. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular step is formed such that when the bistable section is in the down position, the step has a portion that, in cross section along a diameter of the can end, is flat and inclined downwardly at between 8° to 17° to the horizontal. 5. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 4, wherein the annular step is formed with an axial depth (d) of between 0.007 inches to 0.013 inches at a given location on the step. 6. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular step is formed at a location on or between the periphery (Rp) of the bistable section and a distance of up to 50% inwardly of the radial location of the periphery of the bistable section. 7. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular step is circular or elliptical in plan view. 8. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular step is provided as a spirally-formed annular step when viewed from above the can end. 9. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a second annular step, each annular step provided as a spirally-formed annular step, the spirally-formed steps being wound in contra-directional relationship to each other. 10. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a second annular step, each annular step provided as a spirally-formed annular step, the spirally-formed steps being wound in contra-directional relationship to each other. 11. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular step is circular or elliptical in plan view. 12. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular step is provided as a spirally-formed annular step when viewed from above the can end. 13. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second annular step, and at least one of the steps is formed as a series of two or more discontinuous step portions each separated by a second gap. 14. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 13, wherein the discontinuous step portions are: i. radially dispersed from each other, and/orii. circumferentially dispersed from each other. 15. An easy open can end as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular step resists unintended movement from the down position to the up position. 16. The easy open can end of claim 1 wherein the bistable section is stable in at least the down position when the score line is ruptured. 17. A container comprising a can body and a can end attached to the can body, the can end including: a central panel formed with a score line;a tab attached to the can end, the tab having a nose portion and a handle portion;an openable panel portion on the central panel defined by the score line;the openable panel portion comprising a bistable section and a downwardly inclined annular step, the bistable section extending under all or part of the handle portion of the tab, the bistable section being deformable between:an up position: in which at least a portion the bistable section is convex when viewed from above the can end; anda down position: in which at least a portion of the bistable section is concave when viewed from above the can end, such that the first gap is formed between the tab and the bistable section so as to enable finger to the tab. 18. A container as claimed in claim 17, wherein the annular step is formed as a series of two or more discontinuous step portions each separated by a second gap. 19. A container as claimed in claim 18, wherein the discontinuous step portions are: i. radially dispersed from each other, and/orii. circumferentially dispersed from each other. 20. A container as claimed in claim 17, wherein the annular step is formed such that when the bistable section is in the down position, the step has a flat portion that, in cross section along a diameter of the can end, is flat and inclined downwardly at between 8° to 17° to the horizontal. 21. A container as claimed in claim 20, wherein the annular step is formed with an axial depth (d) of between 0.007 inches to 0.013 inches at a given location on the step. 22. A container as claimed in claim 17, wherein the annular step is formed at a location on or between the periphery (Rp) of the bistable section and a distance of up to 50% inwardly of the radial location of the periphery of the bistable section. 23. A container as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a second annular step, at least one of the annular steps formed as a series of two or more discontinuous step portions each separated by a second gap. 24. A container as claimed in claim 23, wherein the discontinuous step portions are: i. radially dispersed from each other, and/orii. circumferentially dispersed from each other. 25. A container as claimed in claim 17, wherein the annular step resists unintended movement from the down position to the up position. 26. The container of claim 17 wherein the bistable section is stable in at least the down position when the score line is ruptured.
Taube William L. (Murrietta CA) Roberts David A. (Wokingham GB2), Method of forming a one-piece can body having an end reinforcing radius and/or stacking bead.
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