Can end

Abstract

A pressurised can ( 1 ) having a body ( 2 ) with an open end, through which a product ( 5 ) is inserted into the can, and a cover ( 3 ) arranged to cover and seal the open end of the body ( 2 ). The can is filled to a predetermined height such that the cover ( 3 ) is spaced from the product surface ( 55 ) to leave a headspace ( 7 ). The can ( 1 ) is adapted to minimise the volume of the headspace ( 7 ), whilst maximising the height (h) of the headspace ( 7 ) at the point at which the can ( 1 ) is first opened.

1 . A pressurised can ( 1 ) comprising a sealed vessel ( 2 ,  3 ) having an access region ( 6 ) at which the sealed vessel ( 2 ,  3 ) is first opened, and a product ( 5 ) defining a product surface ( 55 ) adjacent to a headspace ( 7 ), the product ( 5 ) confined within the sealed vessel ( 2 , 3 ) with the headspace  7  arranged in fluid communication with the access region ( 6 ), 
 characterised in that    the sealed vessel ( 2 , 3 ) is adapted to minimise the volume of the headspace ( 7 ), whilst maximising the height (h, h′) of the headspace above the product surface ( 55 ) at the access region ( 6 ).    
     
     
         2 . The pressurised can ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealed vessel ( 2 ,  3 ) has at least one attraction feature ( 11 ), which extends into the headspace ( 7 ) to a point approaching or in contact with the product surface ( 55 ), wherein the attraction feature ( 11 ) lies outside the access region ( 6 ).  
     
     
         3 . The pressurised can ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein an inwardly concave portion of the sealed vessel ( 2 ,  3 ) provides the attraction feature ( 11 ).  
     
     
         4 . The pressurised can ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein the attraction feature ( 11 ) is defined by a series of progressively deepening beads, which are arranged to follow the form of a dome extending towards the inside of the sealed vessel ( 2 ,  3 ).  
     
     
         5 . The pressurised can ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealed vessel ( 2 ,  3 ) comprises a body ( 2 ) having an opening for inserting the product ( 5 ) and a cover ( 3 ) arranged to cover and seal the opening after the product ( 5 ) is inserted.  
     
     
         6 . The pressurised can ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein the body ( 2 ) and cover ( 3 ) are connected together by a screw thread arrangement ( 42 ,  43 ) and the screw thread arrangement ( 42 ,  43 ) is adapted to allow the cover ( 3 ) to be lifted relative to the body ( 2 ) before the can ( 1 ) is allowed to vent to atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         7 . A can body ( 2 ) and a cover ( 3 ) connectable together by a screw thread arrangement ( 42 ,  43 ), wherein the screw thread arrangement ( 42 ,  43 ) is adapted to lift the cover ( 3 ) relative to the body ( 3 ) by a pre-defined distance during unscrewing of the cover ( 3 ) from the body ( 2 ).  
     
     
         8 . The can body ( 2 ) and cover ( 3 ) according to  claim 7 , wherein the periphery of the body ( 2 ) and cover ( 3 ) are arranged to provide a clearance section at the end of the lifting movement of the cover ( 3 ) relative to the body ( 2 ).  
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacture of a pressurised can ( 1 ) comprising the steps of 
 taking a body ( 2 ) having an opening,    filling the body ( 2 ) with a product ( 5 ) through the opening, to define a product surface ( 55 )    taking a cover ( 3 ) adapted to seal the body ( 2 ), whilst defining a headspace ( 7 ) above the product surface ( 55 )    pressuring the headspace ( 7 ) and sealing the opening of the body ( 2 ) with the cover ( 3 ),    wherein the sealed body ( 2 ) and cover ( 3 ) is designed to maximise the height of the headspace ( 7 ) at the point of first opening the cover ( 3 ).    
     
     
         10 . The pressurised can ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the sealed vessel ( 2 ,  3 ) comprises a body ( 2 ) having an opening for inserting the product ( 5 ) and a cover ( 3 ) arranged to cover and seal the opening after the product ( 5 ) is inserted.  
     
     
         11 . The pressurised can ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein the sealed vessel ( 2 ,  3 ) comprises a body ( 2 ) having an opening for inserting the product ( 5 ) and a cover ( 3 ) arranged to cover and seal the opening after the product ( 5 ) is inserted.  
     
     
         12 . The pressurised can ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the sealed vessel ( 2 ,  3 ) comprises a body ( 2 ) having an opening for inserting the product ( 5 ) and a cover ( 3 ) arranged to cover and seal the opening after the product ( 5 ) is inserted.