Full aperture beverage can end

Abstract

The present invention concerns a full aperture beverage end ( 14 ) having a centre panel ( 30 ), a countersink ( 22 ) surrounding the centre panel ( 30 ), a main score ( 50 ) arranged in proximity to the countersink ( 22 ) to define a removeable aperture panel ( 54 ) and a vent score ( 46 ). The beverage end ( 14 ) is adapted for use with products that are pressurised to over 30 psi (207 kPa) when opened, and during opening the vent score ( 46 ) is adapted to sever first, controlling the pressure differential between the external surface and internal surface of the centre panel ( 30 ), thereby allowing the main score ( 50 ) to tear in a controlled and reliable manner.

1 . A full aperture beverage end comprising:
 a centre panel,   a countersink surrounding the center panel,   a main score arranged in proximity to the countersink to define a removeable aperture panel and a vent score, characterised in that   wherein the beverage end is adapted for use with products that are pressurized to over 30 psi (200 kPa) when opened and is configuration such that during opening the vent score is adapted to sever first, controlling the pressure differential between the external surface and internal surface of the center panel, thereby allowing the main score to tear in a controlled and reliable manner.   
     
     
         2 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 1 , adapted for use with products held under pressure of at least 70 psi (483 kPa). 
     
     
         3 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 1 , adapted for use with products held under pressure of at least 85 psi (586 kPa). 
     
     
         4 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 1 , adapted for use with products held under pressure of at least 90 psi (621 kPa). 
     
     
         5 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 1 , wherein the beverage end includes a tab having a nose and a handle, which is adapted for being lifted by a user to initiate sequential rupture of the vent score and then the main score. 
     
     
         6 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 5 , wherein the tab is solid and has no hinge. 
     
     
         7 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 5 , wherein the tab is positioned so that the tab nose is within the main score or proximate the main score upon initial actuation of the tab. 
     
     
         8 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 1 , wherein the centerline of the main score is located between 0.000 and 0.508 mm (0.020 inches) from the center of a transition radius between the countersink and the center panel. 
     
     
         9 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 1 , wherein the nose of the tab in its rest state, is spaced radially inwardly from the inner edge of the main score by between 0.000 and 0.203 mm (0.008 inches), measured horizontally. 
     
     
         10 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 1 , wherein the main score has an asymmetric score profile. 
     
     
         11 . A full aperture beverage end according to claim , wherein the main score has an outer wall proximate a lip and an inner wall proximate the aperture panel, the inner and outer walls are separated by a land and the score residual thickness (Ta) of the land adjacent to the outer wall is less than the score residual thickness (Tb) of the land adjacent to the inner wall, whereby upon detachment of the aperture panel from the center panel of the end, the land remains attached to the aperture panel. 
     
     
         12 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 11 , wherein the center panel further includes a second, anti-fracture score positioned radially inside the main score. 
     
     
         13 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 11 , wherein the height from the base of the countersink to the center panel is greater than 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         14 . A full aperture beverage end according to  claim 13 , wherein after opening, the aperture is positioned to within 0.5 mm radially of the panel fillet, to maximize cut edge safety. 
     
     
         15 . A sealed container comprising a container body with a product contained therein and a full aperture beverage end connected thereto by a seam the beverage end including:
 a centre panel,   a countersink surrounding the center panel,   a main score arranged in proximity to the countersink to define a removeable aperture panel and a vent score,   wherein the beverage end is adapted for use with products that are pressurized to over 30 psi (200 kPa) when opened and is configuration such that during opening the vent score is adapted to sever first, controlling the pressure differential between the external surface and internal surface of the center panel, thereby allowing the main score to tear in a controlled and reliable manner.   
     
     
         16 . A sealed container according to  claim 15 , adapted for use with products held under pressure of at least 70 psi (483 kPa). 
     
     
         17 . A sealed container according to  claim 15 , adapted for use with products held under pressure of at least 85 psi (586 kPa). 
     
     
         18 . A sealed container according to  claim 15 , adapted for use with products held under pressure of at least 90 psi (621 kPa). 
     
     
         19 . A sealed container according to  claim 15 , wherein the beverage end includes a tab having a nose and a handle, which is adapted for being lifted by a user to initiate sequential rupture of the vent score and then the main score. 
     
     
         20 . A sealed container according to  claim 19 , wherein the tab is solid and has no hinge. 
     
     
         21 . A sealed container according to  claim 19 , wherein the tab is positioned so that the tab nose is within the main score or proximate the main score upon initial actuation of the tab. 
     
     
         22 . A sealed container according to  claim 15 , wherein the centerline of the main score is located between 0.000 and 0.508 mm (0.020 inches) from the center of a transition radius between the countersink and the center panel. 
     
     
         23 . A sealed container according to  claim 15 , wherein the nose of the tab in its rest state, is spaced radially inwardly from the inner edge of the main score by between 0.000 and 0.203 mm (0.008 inches), measured horizontally. 
     
     
         24 . A sealed container according to  claim 15 , wherein the main score has an asymmetric score profile. 
     
     
         25 . A sealed container according to  claim 24 , wherein the main score has an outer wall proximate a lip and an inner wall proximate the aperture panel, the inner and outer walls are separated by a land and the score residual thickness (Ta) of the land adjacent to the outer wall is less than the score residual thickness (Tb) of the land adjacent to the inner wall, whereby upon detachment of the aperture panel from the center panel of the end, the land remains attached to the aperture panel. 
     
     
         26 . A sealed container according to  claim 25 , wherein the center panel further includes a second, anti-fracture score positioned radially inside the main score. 
     
     
         27 . A sealed container according to  claim 25 , wherein the height from the base of the countersink to the center panel is greater than 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         28 . A sealed container according to  claim 27 , wherein after opening, the aperture is positioned to within 0.5 mm radially of the panel fillet, to maximize cut edge safety.