Can end with incising and method for producing same

Abstract

A can end for a beverage container is described. The can end has a public and an opposing product side. A center panel extends radially outwardly from a central longitudinal axis. The center panel has a means for opening the center panel and a symbol conveying information to a user on the public side. The symbol is at least partially surrounded by a spacing member in the center panel. The spacing member is dimensioned and located to provide a relative height differential between the spacing member and the symbol. A reinforcing wall is located about a peripheral edge of the center panel. A circumferential wall extends upwardly from the reinforcing wall. A curl is joined to the circumferential wall defining an outer perimeter of the can end.

1 . A can end for a beverage container, the can end having a public side and an opposing product side, the can end comprising:
 a center panel extending radially outwardly from a central longitudinal axis, the center panel having a means for opening the center panel, a symbol conveying information to a user on the public side, and a spacing member is adapted to provide a relative height differential between adjacent portions of the center panel and the symbol;   a reinforcing wall located about a peripheral edge of the center panel;   a circumferential wall extending upwardly from the reinforcing wall; and   a curl joined to the circumferential wall defining an outer perimeter of the can end.   
   
   
       2 . The can end of  claim 1  wherein the spacing member is a deboss panel in the center panel, the symbol at least partially surrounded by the deboss in the center panel. 
   
   
       3 . The can end of  claim 2  wherein the symbol is located between the means for opening the center panel and a peripheral edge of the center panel. 
   
   
       4 . The can end of  claim 2  wherein the symbol is created by displacing a portion of the center panel. 
   
   
       5 . The can end of  claim 4  wherein the symbol is incised into the public side of the center panel. 
   
   
       6 . The can end of  claim 4  wherein the information conveyed to the user is related to recycling. 
   
   
       7 . The can end of  claim 4  wherein the symbol is located adjacent the peripheral edge of the center panel. 
   
   
       8 . The can end of  claim 4  further comprising a plurality of aligned symbols located adjacent the peripheral edge of the center panel, each of the plurality of symbols at least partially surrounded a deboss in the center panel. 
   
   
       9 . The can end of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of aligned symbols follows an arc-shaped pattern. 
   
   
       10 . The can end of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of aligned symbols follows the shape of the peripheral edge of the center panel. 
   
   
       11 . The can end of  claim 8  wherein each of the plurality of incised symbols is at least partially surrounded by a corresponding discreet deboss in the center panel. 
   
   
       12 . The can end of  claim 2  wherein the means for opening the center panel is located within a second deboss panel recessed on the center panel. 
   
   
       13 . The can end of  claim 1  wherein the spacing member is an upwardly extending bead in the center panel, the bead located adjacent the symbol wherein a height of the bead is greater than a height of the symbol. 
   
   
       14 . The can end of  claim 13  wherein the symbol is located between the means for opening the center panel and a peripheral edge of the center panel. 
   
   
       15 . The can end of  claim 13  wherein the symbol is created by displacing a portion of the center panel. 
   
   
       16 . The can end of  claim 15  wherein the symbol is incised into the public side of the center panel. 
   
   
       17 . The can end of  claim 15  wherein the information conveyed to the user is related to recycling. 
   
   
       18 . The can end of  claim 15  wherein the symbol is located adjacent the peripheral edge of the center panel. 
   
   
       19 . The can end of  claim 15  further comprising a plurality of aligned symbols located adjacent the peripheral edge of the center panel. 
   
   
       20 . The can end of  claim 19  wherein the plurality of aligned symbols follows an arc-shaped pattern. 
   
   
       21 . The can end of  claim 19  wherein the plurality of aligned symbols follows the shape of the peripheral edge of the center panel. 
   
   
       22 . The can end of  claim 13  wherein the means for opening the center panel is located within a second deboss panel recessed on the center panel. 
   
   
       23 . A can end for a beverage container, the can end having a public side and an opposing product side, the can end comprising:
 a center panel extending radially outwardly from a central longitudinal axis, the center panel having a means for opening the center panel and a symbol for conveying information to a user on the public side, the symbol including a first character created by displacing a portion of the public side of the center panel, the first character at least partially surrounded by a recess in the center panel;   a reinforcing wall located about a peripheral edge of the center panel;   a circumferential wall extending upwardly from the reinforcing wall; and   a curl joined to the circumferential wall defining an outer perimeter of the can end.   
   
   
       24 . The can end of  claim 23  wherein the first character is located between the means for opening the center panel and a peripheral edge of the center panel. 
   
   
       25 . The can end of  claim 23  wherein the recess fully surrounds an outer perimeter of the first character. 
   
   
       26 . The can end of  claim 23  wherein the symbol further comprises a second character at least partially surrounded by a second discreet recess in the center panel. 
   
   
       27 . The can end of  claim 23  wherein the first character comprises an incising. 
   
   
       28 . The can end of  claim 27  wherein the recess is located on one side of the incising. 
   
   
       29 . The can end of  claim 27  wherein the recess is located on opposite sides of the incising. 
   
   
       30 . The can end of  claim 29  wherein portions of the center panel adjacent to the recess are not recessed. 
   
   
       31 . A can end for a beverage container, the can end having a public side and an opposing product side, a center panel extending radially outwardly from a central longitudinal axis, a reinforcing wall located about a peripheral edge of the center panel, a circumferential wall extending upwardly from the reinforcing wall; and a curl joined to the circumferential wall defining an outer perimeter of the can end, the can end attachable to the beverage container by seaming the curl to an open end of the beverage container during a seaming operation wherein a seamer knockout separates a seaming chuck from the public side of the can end to complete the seaming operation by engaging the public side of the center panel with a force, the can end comprising:
 an incising forming at least one symbol for conveying information to a user on the public side of the center panel, the incising created by displacing a portion of the center panel;   a spacing member on the center panel dimensioned and located to be engaged by a seamer knockout during a seaming operation, the spacing member providing a gap between the incising and the seamer knockout during the seaming operation.