Can end and method for fixing the same to a can body

Abstract

A can end includes a peripheral cover hook a chuck wall dependent from the interior of the cover hook, an outwardly concave annular reinforcing bead extending radially inwards from the chuck wall, and a central panel supported by an inner portion of the reinforcing bead, characterized in that, the chuck wall is inclined to an axis perpendicular to the exterior of the central panel at an angle between 20° and 60°, and the concave cross-sectional radius of the reinforcing bead is less than 0.75 mm.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to an end wall for a container and more particularly but not exclusively to an end wall of a can body and a method for fixing the end wall to the can body by means of a double seam.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,102 (KRASKA) describes can ends comprising a peripheral cover hook, a chuck wall dependent from the interior of the cover hook, an outwardly concave annular reinforcing bead extending radially inwards from the chuck wall and a central panel joined to an inner wall of the reinforcing bead by an annular outwardly convex bead. This can end is said to contain an internal pressure of 90 psi by virtue of the inclination or slope of the chuck wall, bead outer wall and bead inner wall to a line perpendicular to the centre panel. The chuck wall slope D° is between 14° and 16°, the outer wall slope E is less than 4° and the inner wall slope C° is between 10 and 16° leading into the outwardly convex bead. We have discovered that improvements in metal usage can be made by increasing the slope of the chuck wall and limiting the width of the anti peaking bead.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,843 (KRASKA) describes an alternative design of can end in which the countersink has inner and outer flat walls, and a bottom radius which is less than three times the metal thickness. The can end has a chuck wall extending at an angle of approximately 24° to the vertical. Conversely, our European Patent application EP0340955A describes a can end in which the chuck wall extends at an angle of between 12° and 20° to the vertical.

[0005] Our European Patent No. 0153115 describes a method of making a can end suitable for closing a can body containing a beverage such as beer or soft drinks. This can end comprises a peripheral flange or cover hook, a chuck wall dependant from the interior of the cover hook, an outwardly concave reinforcing bead extending radially inwards from the chuck wall from a thickened junction of the chuck wall with the bead, and a central panel supported by an inner portion of the reinforcing bead. Such can ends are usually formed from a prelacquered aluminum alloy such as an aluminum magnesium manganese alloy such as alloy 5182.

[0006] Our International Patent Application published no. WO93/17864 describes a can end suitable for a beverage can and formed from a laminate of aluminum/manganese alloy coated with a film of semi crystalline thermoplastic polyester. This polyester/aluminum alloy laminate permitted manufacture of a can end with a narrow, and therefore strong reinforcing bead in the cheaper aluminum manganese alloy.

[0007] These known can ends are held during double seaming by an annular flange of chuck, the flange being of a width and height to enter the anti-peaking bead. There is a risk of scuffing if this narrow annulus slips. Furthermore a narrow annular flange of the chuck is susceptible to damage.

[0008] Continuing development of a can end using less metal, whilst still permitting stacking of a filled can upon the end of another, this invention provides a can end comprising a peripheral cover hook, a chuck wall dependant from the interior of the chuck wall, an outwardly concave annular reinforcing bead extending radially inwards from the chuck wall, and a central panel supported by an inner portion of the reinforcing bead, characterized in that, the chuck wall is inclined to an axis perpendicular to the exterior of the central panel at an angle between 30° and 60°, and the concave bead narrower than 1.5 mm (0.060″). Preferably, the angle of the chuck wall to the perpendicular is between 40° and 45°.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the can end an outer wall of the reinforcing bead is inclined to a line perpendicular to the central panel at an angle between −15° to +15° and the height of the outer wall is up to 2.5 mm.

[0010] In one embodiment the reinforcing bead has an inner portion parallel to an outer portion joined by said concave radius.

[0011] The ratio of the diameter of the central panel to the diameter of the peripheral curl is preferably 80% or less.

[0012] The can end may be made of a laminate of thermoplastic polymer film and a sheet aluminum alloy such as a laminate of a polyethylene terephthalate film on an aluminum-manganese alloy sheet or ferrous metal typically less than 0.010 (0.25 mm) thick for beverage packaging. A lining compound may be placed in the peripheral cover hook.

[0013] In a second aspect this invention provides a method of forming a double seam between a can body and a can end according to any preceding claim, said method comprising the steps of:—

[0014] placing the curl of the can end on a flange of a can body supported on a base plate, locating a chuck within the chuck wall of the can end to centre the can end on the can body flange, said chuck having a frustoconical drive surface of substantially equal slope to that of the chuck wall of the can end and a cylindrical surface portion extending away from the drive surface within the chuck wall, causing relative motion as between the assembly of can end and can body and a first operation seaming roll to form a first operation seam, and thereafter causing relative motion as between the first operation seam and a second operation roll to complete a double seam, during these seaming operations the chuck wall becoming bent to contact the cylindrical portion of the chuck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0015] Various embodiments will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:—

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sketch of known apparatus for forming a double seam;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectioned side view of a known chuck and can end before seaming;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of a fragment of a known double seam;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a sectioned side view of a can end according to this invention before edge curling;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a sectioned side view of the can end of FIG. 4 on a can body before forming of a double seam;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a like view of the can end and body during first operation seaming;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a like view of the can end and body during final second operation seaming to create a double seam;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section of a chuck detail; and

[0024] FIG. 9 is a side view of the cans stacked one on the other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In FIG. 1, apparatus for forming a double seam comprises a base plate 1, an upright 2 and a top plate 3.

[0026] A lifter 4 mounted in the base plate is movable towards and away from a chuck 5 mounted in the top plate. The top plate supports a first operation seaming roll 6 on an arm 7 for pivotable movement towards and away from the chuck. The top plate also supports a second operation seaming roll 8 on an arm 9 for movement towards and away from the chuck after relative motion as between the first operation roll and can end on the chuck creates a first operation seam.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1 the chuck 5 holds a can end 10 firmly on the flange 11 of a can body 12 against the support provided by the lifter plate 4. Each of the first operation roll 6 and second operation roll 7 are shown clear of chuck before the active seam forming profile of each roll is moved in turn to form the curl of the can end and body flange to a double seam as shown in FIG. 3.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows on an enlarged scale the chuck 5 and can end 10. The can end comprises a peripheral curl 13, a chuck wall 14 dependent from the interior of the curl, an outwardly concave anti-peaking bead 15 extending inwards from the chuck wall to support a central panel 16. Typically the chuck wall flares outwardly from the vertical at an angle C about 12° to 15°.

[0029] The chuck 5 comprises a body 17 having a threaded bore 18 permitting attachment to the rest of the apparatus (not shown). An annular bead 19 projects from the body 17 of the chuck to define with the end face of the body a cavity to receive the central panel 16 of the can end. The fit of panel 16 in annulus 19 may be slack between panel wall and chuck.

[0030] The exterior surface of the projecting bead 19 extends upwards towards the body at a divergent angle B of about 12° to the vertical to join the exterior of the chuck body 17 which tapers off an angle A° of about 4° to a vertical axis perpendicular to the central panel. The outer wall of the chuck 5 engages with the chuck wall at a low position marked “D” within the 12° shaped portion of the chuck bead 15.

[0031] As can ends are developed with narrower anti-peaking beads the chuck bead 19 becomes narrower and more likely to fracture. There is also a risk of scuffing of the can end at the drive position D which can leave unacceptable unsightly black marks after pasteurization.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a sectioned fragment of a typical double seam showing a desirable overlap of body hook 21 and end hook 20 between the can end 10 and can body 12.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a can end, according to the invention, comprising a peripheral cover hook 23, a chuck wall 24 extending axially and inwardly from the interior of the peripheral cover hook, an outwardly concave reinforcing or anti-peaking bead 25 extending radially inwards from the chuck wall, and a central panel 26 supported or an inner portion panel with 27. The panel wall is substantially upright allowing for any metal spring back after pressing. The chuck wall is inclined to an axis perpendicular to the exterior of the central panel at an angle C1 between 20° and 60°; preferably between 40° and 45°. Typically the cross sectional radius of the antipeaking bead is about 0.5 mm.

[0034] Preferably the anti-peaking bead 25 is parallel sided, however the outer wall may be inclined to a line perpendicular to the central panel at an angle between −15° to +15° and the height h4 of the outer wall may be up to 2.5 mm.

[0035] This can end is preferably made from a laminate of sheet metal and polymeric coating. Preferably the laminate comprises an aluminum magnesium alloy sheet such as 5182, or aluminum manganese alloy such as 3004 with a layer of polyester film on one side. A polypropylene film may be used on the “other side” if desired.

[0036] Typical dimensions of the example of the invention are:

d5	overall diameter (as stamped)	65.83 mm
d4	PC diameter of seaming panel radius	61.54 mm
d3	PC diameter of seaming panel/chuck wall radius	59.91 mm
r1	seaming panel/chuck wall radius	1.27 mm
r2	seaming panel radius	5.56 mm
r3	concave radius in antipeaking bead	<1.5 mm
d2	maximum diameter of antipeaking bead	50.00 mm
d1	minimum diameter of antipeaking bead	47.24 mm
h2	overall height of can end	6.86 mm
h1	height to top of antipeaking bead	5.02 mm
h3	panel depth	2.29 mm
h4	outer wall height	1.78 mm
c	chuck wall angle to vertical	43°

[0037] From these dimensions it can be calculated that the ratio of central panel diameter of 47.24 mm to overall diameter of can end 65.84 is about 0.72 to 1.

[0038] For economy the aluminum alloy is in the form of sheet metal less than 0.010″ (0.25 mm). A polyester film on the metal sheet is typically 0.0005″ (0.0125 mm).

[0039] Although this example shows an overall height h2 at 6.86 mm we have also found that useful can ends may be made with an overall height as little as 6.35 mm (0.25″).

[0040] FIG. 5 shows the peripheral flange 23 of can end 22 of FIG. 4 resting on the flange 11 of a can body 12 before formation of a double seam as discussed with reference to FIG. 1.

[0041] In FIG. 5 a modified chuck 30 comprises a chuck body 31 having a frustoconical drive surface 32 engaging with the chuck wall 24 of the can end 22.

[0042] The frustoconical drive surface is inclined outwardly and axially at an angle substantially equal to the angle of inclination C° of between 20° and 60°; in this particular example on chuck angle C of 43° is preferred. The drive surface 32 is a little shorter than the chuck wall 24 of the chuck body. The substantially cylindrical surface portion 33, rising above the drive surface 32, may be inclined at an angle between +4° and −4° to a longitudinal axis of the chuck. As in FIG. 2, this modified chuck 30 has a threaded aperture to permit attachment to the rest of the double seam forming apparatus (not shown).

[0043] In contrast to the chuck of FIG. 2 the modified chuck 30 is designed to drive initially on the relatively large chuck wall 32 without entering deeply into the anti-peaking bead 25. Further drive is obtained at the juncture of chuck wall 32 and cylindrical wall 33 as chuck wall of end 24 is deformed during 1st and 2nd operation seaming FIGS. 6 and 7. The chuck 30 shown in FIG. 5 has an annular bead of arcuate cross section but this bead is designed to enter the chuck wall without scratching or scuffing a coating on the can end; not to drive on the concave bead surface as shown in FIG. 2.

[0044] It will be understood that first operation seaming is formed using apparatus as described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows the modified can end and chuck during formation of a first operation seam shown at the left of FIG. 2 as formed by a first operation roll 34 adjacent the interfolded peripheral flange of the can end and flange 11 body 12.

[0046] During relative rotation as between the can end 22 and first operation roll 34 the edge between the chuck drive wall 32 and cylindrical wall 33 exerts a pinching force between chuck 30 and roll 34 to deform the chuck wall of the can end as shown.

[0047] After completion of the first operation seam the first operation roll is swung away from the first operation seam and a second operation roll 38 is swung inwards to bear upon the first operation seam supported by the chuck 30. Relative rotation as between the second operation roll 38 and first operation seam supported by a chuck wall 30 completes a double seam as shown in FIG. 7 and bring the upper portion 24 of the chuck wall 24 to lie tightly against the can body neck in a substantially upright attitude as the double seam is tightened by pinch pressure between the second operation roll 38 and chuck 30.

[0048] Can ends according to the invention were made from aluminum alloy 5182 and an aluminum alloy 3004/polymer laminate sold by CarnaudMetalbox under the trade mark ALULITE. Each can end was fixed by a double seam to a drawn and wall ironed (DWI) can body using various chuck angles and chuck wall angle as tabulated in Table 1 which records the pressure inside a can at which the can ends failed:—

	TABLE 1
		PRESSURE IN BAR (PSIG)
		TO FAILURE FOR VARIOUS
	CAN END DATA	SEAMING CHUCK ANGLES B°
		Minimum	CHUCK					10°/23°
	Material	Diameter	Wall				23° with	with D.
Sample	Thickness	D1	Angle				D. Seam	Seam
Code	mm	mm	“C”	23°	10°/23°	4°/23°	Ring	Ring
A	ALULITE	52.12	21.13°	5.534	5.734	5.311	6.015	5.875
	0.23	(2.052″)		(80.20)	(83.10)	(76.97)	(87.17)	(85.14)
B	5182	52.12	21.13°	5.599	5.575	5.381	5.935	5.895
	0.244	(2.052″)		(81.15)	(80.79)	(77.99)	(86.01)	(85.43)
C	5182	52.12	21.13°	6.004	5.910	5.800	6.224	6.385
	0.245	(2.052″)		(87.02)	(85.65)	(84.06)	(90.21)	(92.54)
D	ALULITE	51.92	21.13°	5.334	5.229	5.238	5.730	5.404
	0.23	(2.044″)		(77.31)	(75.78)	(75.91)	(83.04)	(78.32)
E	5182	51.92	21.13°	5.555	5.514	5.354	5.895	5.930
	0.224	(2.044″)		(80.50)	(79.92)	(77.60)	(85.43)	(85.94)
F	5182	51.92	23°	5.839	5.804	5.699	6.250	6.435
	0.245	(2.044″)		(84.63)	(84.12)	(82.59)	(90.58)	(93.26)
G	ALULITE	51.92	23°			5.123
	0.23	(2.044″)				(74.25)
H	5182	(51.92)	23°			5.474
	0.224	(2.044″)				(79.34)
I	5182	51.92	23°			5.698
	0.245	(2.044″)				(82.58)

[0049] All pressures on unaged shells in bar (psig). 5182 is analuminum-magnesium-manganese alloy lacquered. The “ALULITE” used is a laminate of aluminum alloy and polyester film.

[0050] The early results given in Table 1 showed that the can end shape was already useful for closing cans containing relatively low pressures. It was also observed that clamping of the double seam with the “D” seam ring resulted in improved pressure retention. Further tests were done using a chuck wall angle and chuck drive surface inclined at nearly 45°: Table 2 shows the improvement observed:—

TABLE 2
Sam-		Chuck Angles B°
ple	h2	h3	h4		43° with
Code	mm(inches)	mm(inches)	mm(inches)	43°	seam ring
J	6.86(0.270)	2.39(0.094)	2.29(0.09)	4.89(70.9)	6.15(89.1)
K	7.11(0.280)	2.64(0.104)	2.54(0.10)	4.83(70.0)	5.98(86.6)
L	7.37(0.290)	2.90(0.114)	2.79(0.11)	4.74(68.7)	6.44(93.3)

[0051] Table 2 is based on observations made on can ends made of aluminum coated with polymer film (ALULITE) to have a chuck wall length of 5.029 mm (0.198″) up the 43° slope.

[0052] It will be observed that the container pressures achieved for samples J, K, L, 4.89 bar (70.9 psig), 4.83 bar (70.0 psig) and 4.74 bar (68.7 psig) respectively were much enhanced by clamping the double seam.

[0053] In order to provide seam strength without use of a clamping ring, modified chucks were used in which the drive slope angle C° was about 43° and the cylindrical surface 33 was generally +4° and 4°. Results are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3
Results
			CHUCK
SAMPLE		LINING	ANGLES
CODE	MATERIAL	COMPOUND	DRIVE/WALL	PRESSURE
c	0.224 5182	with	43°	4.60 (66.7)
g	0.23 Alulite	with	43°/4°	5.45 (79.0)
h	0.224 5182	with	43°/4°	6.46 (93.6)
j	0.23 Alulite	without	43°/4°	5.91 (85.6)
k	0.244 5182	without	43°/4°	6.18 (89.6)
l	0.23 Alulite	without	43°/−4°	5.38 (77.9)
m	0.25 Alulite	without	43°/−4°	6.20 (89.8)
n	0.23 Alulite	without	43°/0°	6.11 (88.5)
o	0.25 Alulite	without	43°/0°	6.62 (95.9)
ALL PRESSURES IN BAR (PSIG)
ALL CODES
Reform Pad Dia. 47.24 mm (1.860″) (202 Dia).
6.86 mm (0.270″) unit Depth h2 2.39 mm (0.094″) Panel Depth

[0054] Table 3 shows Code “O” made from 0.25 mm Alulite to give 6.62 bar (95 psi) Pressure Test Result indicating a can end suitable for pressurized beverages. Further chucks with various land lengths (slope) were tried as shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4
CHUCK WALL ANGLE
	43°/0° 1.9 mm	LAND	43°/0° 1.27 MM LAND R.
	TRANSITION	SHARP	0.5 MM BLEND
VARIABLE	NO. D.SEAM	WITH D.SEAM	NO. D.SEAM	WITH D.SEAM
CODE	RING	RING	RING	RING
7	6.699 (97.08)	7.017 (101.7)	6.779 (98.24)	7.006 (101.54)
8	6.315 (91.52)	6.521 (94.5)	6.293 (91.2)	6.236 (90.37)
9	6.095 (88.33)	6.30 (91.3)	6.238 (90.4)	6.719 (97.38)
ALL PRESSURES IN BAR (PSIG) CODE
7 = 0.25 mm Alulite, 47.24 mm(1.860″)Reform Pad, 6.86 mm
(0.270″)h2 Depth, 2.38 mm(0.094″)Panel; h4 depth 2.29 mm(0.09″)
8 = 0.23 mm Alulite, 47.24 mm(1.860″)Reform Pad, 7.11 mm
(0.280″)h2 Depth, 2.64 mm(0.104″)Panel; h4 depth 2.54 mm(0.10″)
9 = 0.23 mm Alulite, 47.24 mm(1.860″)Reform Pad, 7.37 mm
(0.290″)h2 Depth, 2.90 mm(0.114″)Panel; h4 depth 2.79 mm(0.11″)

[0055] Table 4 shows results of further development to seaming chuck configuration to bring closer the pressure resistance of ring supported and unsupported double seams.

[0056] Table 4 identifies parameters for length of generally vertical cylindrical surface 33 on the seaming chuck 30, and also identifies a positional relationship between the chuck wall 24 the end and the finished double seam. It will be understood from FIG. 7 shows that the forces generated by thermal processing or carbonated products are directed towards and resisted by the strongest portions of the completed double seam.

[0057] Table 5 shows results obtained from a typical seam chuck designed to give double seam in accordance with parameters and relationships identified in Table 4. Typically:—As shown in FIG. 8 the chuck comprises a cylindrical land of length ‘1’ typically 1.9 mm (0.075″) and frustoconical drive surface 32 inclined at an angle Y°, typically 43°, to the cylindrical to which it is joined by a radius R typically 0.5 mm (0.020″). Angle “X” is typically 90°.

	TABLE 5
	DIMENSIONS mm	PRESSURE
CODE	GAUGE	h2	h3	bar	(psi)
20	.23 mm	7.37(.290″)	2.36(.093″)	6.383	(92.6)
21	.23 mm	7.37(.290″)	2.36(.093″)	6.402	(92.8)
			with compound
26	.23 mm	6.87(.2705″)	2.37(.0935″)	6.144	(89.88)
27	.23 mm	6.87(.2705″)	2.37(.0934″)	6.071	(88.0)
			with compound
28	.23 mm	7.37(.290″)	2.36(.093″)	6.414	(93.0)
29	.23 mm	7.37(.290″)	2.84(.112″)	6.725	(97.5)
30	.23 mm	6.86(.270″)	2.37(.0935″)	6.062	(87.9)
31	.23 mm	6.86(.270″)	2.37(.0935″)	6.013	(87.2)
34	.25 mm	7.37(.290″)	2.87(.113″)	7.787	(112.9)
36	.25 mm	7.32(.288″)	2.34(.092″)	7.293	(105.8)
37	.25 mm	7.32(.288″)	2.34(.092″)	7.402	(107.3)
			with compound
38	.25 mm	6.87(.2705″)	2.41(.095″)	7.077	(102.6)
516	.25 mm	6.35(.250″)	2.34(.092″)	6.937	(100.6)
			with compound
All variables made from Alulite, 10 Cans per variable.

[0058] The can ends may be economically made of thinner metal if pressure retention requirements permit because these can ends have a relatively small centre panel in a stiffer annulus.

[0059] FIG. 9 shows a can 12a, closed according to this invention, stacked upon a like can 12b shown sectioned so that stacking of the upper can on the lower can end is achieved by a stand bead 31a of the upper can fits inside the chuck wall 24 of the lower can end with the weight of the upper can resting on the double seam 34 of the lower can end.

[0060] The clearance between the bottom of the upper can body and lower can end may be used to accommodate ring pull features (not shown) in the can end or promotional matter such as an coiled straw or indicia.

[0061] Using the experimental data presented above, a computer program was set up to estimate the resistance to deformation available to our can ends when joined to containers containing pressurized beverage. The last two entries on the table relate to a known 206 diameter beverage can end and an estimate of what we think the KRASKA patent teaches.

TABLE 6
									PRE-
									DICT-
									ED	ACTUAL
			RATIO			RE-			CUT	THICK-
			OVER-		CHUCK	ENFOR-	INNER	OUTER	EDGE	NESS
END	OVER-	PANEL	ALL	CHUCK	WALL	CING	WALL	WALL	Ø	TO
SIZE	ALL	DIA	DIA	WALL	LENGTH	RAD	HEIGHT	HEIGHT	(*DE-	CON-
Bead	DIA	d1	PANEL	ANGLE	L	r3	h3	h4	NOTES	TAIN
OD:ID	mm	mm	DIA	C.°	mm	mm	mm	mm	ACTUAL)	PSI
206-204	64.39	49.49	1.3010	33.07°	4.22	0.52	2.34	1.78	75.230	0.255
	(2.535″)	(1.9485″)			(0.166″)	(0.0204″)	(0.092″)	(0.070″)	(2.9618″)
206-202	64.39	47.33	1.3604	42.69°	4.95	0.52	2.34	1.78	74.272	0.255
	(2.535″)	(1.8634″)			(0.195″)	(0.0204″)	(0.092″)	(0.070″)	(2.0241″)
206-200	64.39	45.07	1.4287	50.053°	5.82	0.52	2.34	1.78	73.713	0.255
	(2.535″)	(1.7744″)			(0.226″)	(0.0204″)	(0.092″)	(0.070″)	(2.9021″)
204-202	62.18	47.33	1.3137	29.78°	3.96	0.52	2.34	176	73.767	0.24
	(2.448″)	(1.8634″)			(0.156″)	(0.0204″)	(0.092″)	(0.070″)	(2.9042″)
204-200	62.18	45.07	1.3796	40.786°	4.70	0.52	2.34	1.78	72911	0.24
	(2.448″)	(1.7744″)			(0.185″)	(0.0204″)	(0.092″)	(0.070″)	(2.8705″)
202-200	71.98	45.07	1.597	30.266°	4.09	0.52	2.34	1.78	71.964	0.225
	(2.834″)	(1.7744″)			(0.161″)	(0.0204″)	(0.092″)	(0.070″)	(2.834″)
206 std	64.69	51.92	1.2461	15.488°	4.39	0.56	2.03	—	76.454	0.28
	(2.547″)	(2.044″)			(0.173″)	(0.022″)	(0.080″)		(3.010″)*
KRASKA	64.39	—	—	15°	2.54	0.01	1.65	2.29	78.000	0.292
estimate	(eg				(0.100″)	(0.032″)	(0.065″)	(0.090″)	(3.074″)	(0.0115″)
	2.535″)
All experiments modeled on a notional aluminum alloy of yield strength 310 mpa 0.25 mm thick. The standard was also 310 mpa BUT 0.275 mm thick.

Claims

1. A metal can end adapted to be joined to a can body, said can end comprising; a peripheral cover hook adapted to be seamed onto a can body; a chuck wall extending inwardly and downwardly from the cover hook; an outwardly concave annular reinforcing bead extending inwardly and downwardly from the chuck wall, the reinforcing bead having an outer wall, an interior angle between said outer wall and said chuck wall being not more than 165°; and a central panel supported by and extending inwardly from the reinforcing bead; wherein, prior to being joined to said can body: (i) the location at which said chuck wall extends from said peripheral cover hook defines a first point, (ii) the location at which said reinforcing bead extends from said chuck wall defines a second point, and (iii) a line extending between the first point and the second point has a length of from 3.96 to 5.82 mm.

2. The can end of claim 1, wherein the concave reinforcing bead is arcuate in cross-section and has a cross-sectional radius of less than 0.75 mm.

3. The can end of claim 2, wherein the concave reinforcing bead is approximately semi-circular in cross-section.

4. The can end of claim 1, wherein the outer wall of the reinforcing bead is inclined to a line perpendicular to the central panel of the can end at an angle between −15° and +15°.

5. The can end of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing bead has an inner wall that is parallel to the outer wall, said inner wall and said outer wall being joined by a concave radius.

6. The can end of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the diameter of the central panel to the diameter of the peripheral cover hook is 80% or less.

7. The can end of claim 1, wherein the can end is made of a sheet aluminum alloy or tinplate or electrochrome coated steel, and includes a laminate of thermoplastic polymer film.

8. The can end of claim 1, wherein the line extending between the first point and the second point is inclined to an axis perpendicular to an exterior of the center panel at an angle of between 30° and 60°.

9. The can end of claim 1, wherein the line extending between the first point and the second point is inclined to an axis perpendicular to an exterior of the center panel at an angle of between 40° and 60°.

10. The can end of claim 1, wherein the line extending between the first point and the second point is inclined to an axis perpendicular to an exterior of the center panel at an angle of between 40° and 45°.

11. The can end of claim 1, wherein the center panel is substantially planar and defines an axis perpendicular to the plane of the center panel, and wherein the line between said first and second points is inclined at an angle of between 30° and 60° to the axis perpendicular to said plane of the central panel.