This invention relates to can ends of the type which include an openable non-removable panel defined by a score line and an non-removable tab attached to the end for acting on the openable panel to cause it to pivot to provide an opening through which the contents may be poured or drunk.
European Patent 1135300 describes such a can end and seeks to provide a non-removable openable panel, which it describes as a “tear panel” of non-circular form. It defines certain characteristics of this panel and in particular the aspect ratio (major axis:minor axis). It states that this aspect ratio must be between 1.3 and 1.7 and describes any can end having a ratio of above 1.7 as being unacceptable due to flow rate characteristics. The suggestion of the specification is that an aspect ratio of about 1.5 with a reduced opening area of less than 323 mm2 is preferred. The flow characteristics would be expected to be even more problematic for cans with end panels of relatively small diameter i.e. <47 mm.
From one aspect the present invention consists of a can end having an end panel with a diameter less than 47 mm, an openable non-removable panel defined by a score line in the end panel and a non-removable tab attached to the end for acting on the openable panel to cause it to pivot out of the plane of the end panel to provide an opening, the opening being generally oblate with its minor axis passing through the tab characterised in that the ratio of the dimension of the opening on its major axis to the dimension of the opening on its minor axis is greater than 1.7 and the opening area is greater than 350 mm2 and the opening is generally symmetrical about the minor axis.
The Applicants have discovered that, contrary to the teaching of EP1135300, by increasing both the ratio and the opening area one can provide an opening which not only provides suitable flow characteristics, it is particularly desirable to soft drinks, where the user often wants to quench their thirst rather quickly. Particularly surprisingly these are suitable for smaller diameter cans i.e. those with an end panel <47 mm.
The Applicants have further determined that, when, as in most cases, the score line does not extend the whole way around the opening, and thus defines a hinge in the end panel, the hinge width needs to be rather wider than usual in order to resist the increased forces at the hinge arising from the length of the major axis, whilst not being so large that it will resist the tearing of the openable panel at the score line. Specifically they have determined that a hinge width of between 6.5 mm and 7.6 mm in width is appropriate.
The Applicants have also determined the operations of such an openable panel is particularly efficacious, if the various portions of the panel are formed of parts of notional circles. It is particularly desirable for the portion of the score line that passes through the minor axis and is spaced from the tab forms part of a notional circle having a diameter of between 20 mm and 30 mm. This means that the centre of the circle is positioned some distance on the other side of the tab from the openable panel.
Similarly the portions of the score lines that pass through the major axis may form parts of respective notional circles and these preferably have diameters of between 7.6 mm and 7.75 mm.
Although the invention has been defined above it is to be understood it includes any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to drawings, in which:
In
Turning to
In the
It is believed that the preferred range for the diameter for the three and nine o'clock regions is between 7.6 mm and 7.75 mm, whilst for the six o'clock region the preferred range is between 20 mm and 30 mm.
The width of the hinge 17 should preferably be between 6.5 mm and 7.6 mm.
The lines that are broken in the informal drawing are in reality smooth curves or straight lines.
For the purposes of this specification the minor axis runs between the twelve o'clock and six o'clock positions whilst the major axis runs between the three o'clock and nine o'clock positions.
The area of opening formed when the score panel 15 is opened is 381.5 mm2 for the illustrated embodiment and preferably should be in the range 350 mm2-400 mm2.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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08001985 | Feb 2008 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/GB2009/000251 | 1/30/2009 | WO | 00 | 11/23/2010 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2009/095672 | 8/6/2009 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
D218961 | Kennedy | Oct 1970 | S |
D243833 | Markert | Mar 1977 | S |
4084721 | Perry | Apr 1978 | A |
4465204 | Kaminski et al. | Aug 1984 | A |
D387666 | Wise | Dec 1997 | S |
D387987 | Neiner | Dec 1997 | S |
5711448 | Clarke, III | Jan 1998 | A |
5715964 | Turner et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5875911 | McEldowney | Mar 1999 | A |
D411107 | Turner et al. | Jun 1999 | S |
5964366 | Hurst et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
6024239 | Turner et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6234336 | Neiner | May 2001 | B1 |
D448666 | Fields | Oct 2001 | S |
6330954 | Turner et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
20040099664 | Hartman | May 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2553835 | Jun 1976 | DE |
8915716 | Mar 1991 | DE |
0432659 | Jun 1991 | EP |
9637414 | Nov 1996 | WO |
9729960 | Aug 1997 | WO |
9729960 | Aug 1997 | WO |
9730902 | Aug 1997 | WO |
0034137 | Jun 2000 | WO |
Entry |
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Rexam Beverage Can Europe Limited, International Search Report from PCT/GB2009/000251 mailed Apr. 15, 2009 from the European Patent Office, acting as International Searching Authority. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20110272406 A1 | Nov 2011 | US |