Can end with strengthening bead configuration

Abstract

A can end that is attached to a metal can body with a bottom end forming a cavity that may be filled with food, liquid, etc. The can end is made of metal with a bead configuration located in the outer circumference of the can end that increases its resistance to deformation when subjected to high pressure cooking environments and assists in preventing the can end from separating along the frangible score.

1 . A metal food can end configured to be coupled to a metal can body via a seam, the can end comprising:
 a curl section defining the outer circumference of the can end, the curl section terminating in a free edge, the curl section configured to be crimped with an end of the metal can body to form the seam;   a crown section extending radially inward from the curl section;   a wall section extending downward from the crown section;   a counter-sink section extending from the wall section, the counter-sink section including an outer portion extending downward from the wall section and an inner portion extending upward and radially inward away from the outer portion of the counter-sink section;   a score track section extending radially inward from the inner portion of the counter-sink section;   a frangible score formed in the material of the score track section, the score allowing for separation of the portion of the can end located inside the score from the portion of the can end located outside of the score;   an outer downward bead extending from the score track section, the outer downward bead having an outer portion extending downward and radially inward from the score track section and an inner portion extending upward and radially inward from the outer portion of the outer downward bead;   a first connecting section extending radially inward from the inner portion of the outer downward bead;   an inner downward bead extending from the first connecting section, the inner downward bead having an outer portion extending downward and radially inward from the first connecting section and an inner portion extending upward and radially inward from the outer portion of the inner downward bead;   a center panel located within the inner downward bead; and   a tab moveable to break the score allowing the portion of the can end located inside the score to separate from the portion of the can end located outside of the score.   
     
     
         2 . The metal can of  claim 1 , further comprising a second connecting section extending downward and radially inward from the inner portion of the inner downward bead to join to the outer edge of the center panel. 
     
     
         3 . The metal can end of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a first curved transition section providing the transition from the score track section to the outer portion of the outer downward bead; 
 a second curved transition section providing the transition between the outer portion and the inner portion of the outer downward bead; 
 a third curved transition section providing the transition between the inner portion of the outer downward bead and the first connecting section; 
 a fourth curved transition section providing the transition between the first connecting section and the outer portion of the inner downward bead; 
 a fifth curved transition section providing the transition between the outer portion and the inner portion of the inner downward bead; 
 a sixth curved transition section providing the transition between the inner portion of the inner downward bead and the second connecting section; 
 a seventh curved transition section providing the transition between the second connecting section and the center panel; 
 wherein the radius of curvature of the lower surface of the first transition section is between about 0.025 and 0.015 inches; 
 wherein the radius of curvature of the upper surface of the second transition section is between about 0.020 and 0.010 inches; 
 wherein the radius of curvature of the lower surface of the third transition section is between about 0.025 and 0.015 inches; 
 wherein the radius of curvature of the lower surface of the fourth transition section is between about 0.029 and 0.019 inches; 
 wherein the radius of curvature of the upper surface of the fifth transition section is between about 0.029 and 0.019 inches; 
 wherein the radius of curvature of the lower surface of the sixth transition section is between about 0.029 and 0.019 inches; and 
 wherein the radius of curvature of the upper surface of the seventh transition section is between about 0.029 and 0.019 inches. 
 
     
     
         4 . The metal can end of  claim 1 , wherein a radial distance from the center point of the can end to the innermost edge of the inner downward bead is greater than half of the radius of the can end. 
     
     
         5 . The metal can end of  claim 4 , wherein a diameter of the outermost edge of the center panel is between about 1.795 inches and 1.785 inches, wherein a diameter of the inner downward bead measured between opposing radial center points of the inner downward bead is between about 2.095 and 2.085 inches, and wherein a diameter of the outer downward bead measured between opposing radial center points of the outer downward bead is between about 2.445 and 2.435 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The metal can end of  claim 1 , wherein the score track section is substantially horizontal defining a substantially horizontal plane, wherein a radial center point of the inner downward bead is located between about 0.027 and 0.017 inches below the horizontal plane of the score track, and wherein a radial center point of the outer downward bead is located between about 0.01 and 0.004 inches below the horizontal plane of the score track. 
     
     
         7 . The metal can end of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is located at the 12 o'clock position on the can end, wherein the score track section is substantially horizontal defining a substantially horizontal plane, wherein at the 6 o'clock position a radial center point of the outer downward bead is located between about 0.01 and 0.004 inches below the horizontal plane of the score track, and wherein at the 12 o'clock position a radial center point of the outer downward bead is located between about 0.016 and 0.010 inches below the horizontal plane of the score track. 
     
     
         8 . The metal can end of  claim 1 , further comprising a depression located within the center panel, wherein the tab comprises a gripping portion located above the depression, wherein the depression acts as a finger well facilitating user access to the gripping portion of the tab. 
     
     
         9 . The metal can end of  claim 1 , wherein the outer downward bead is a continuous bead that is concentric with the outer circumference of the can end, and further wherein the inner downward bead is a non-continuous bead having a first end and a second end, the ends positioned on opposing lateral sides of the tab. 
     
     
         10 . The metal can end of  claim 9 , wherein the inner downward bead is concentric with the outer downward bead for at least 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees of the can end. 
     
     
         11 . The metal can end of  claim 1 , wherein the inner downward bead and the outer downward bead are configured to strengthen the can end to resist deformation that may occur when the pressure of the contents of the can exceeds 20 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         12 . The metal can end of  claim 11 , wherein the can end is formed of double reduced steel with a thickness less than 75 gauge. 
     
     
         13 . The metal can end of  claim 12 , wherein the vertical distance between the uppermost surface of the crown section and the lower most surface of the counter-sink section is less than 0.220 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The metal can end of  claim 11 , wherein the can end is formed of double reduced steel with a thickness less than or equal to 68 gauge. 
     
     
         15 . The metal can end of  claim 14 , wherein the vertical distance between the uppermost surface of the crown section and the lower most surface of the counter-sink section is less than or equal to 0.190 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The metal can end of  claim 1  coupled to the metal can body via the seam. 
     
     
         17 . The metal can end of  claim 1  coupled to one end of the metal can body via the seam, wherein a second can end is coupled to the other end of the metal can body via a second seam, wherein food is located within a cavity defined by the can body and the can ends. 
     
     
         18 . A metal, food can, can end comprising:
 a center panel wherein the center point of the can end is located within the center panel;   a bead panel located radially outside of the center panel, the bead panel comprising;
 an inner upward bead defining a first local maximum; 
 an inner downward bead defining a first local minimum, the first local minimum located radially outside of the first local maximum; 
 a central upward bead defining a second local maximum, the second local maximum located radially outside of the first local minimum; 
 an outer downward bead defining a second local minimum, the second local minimum located radially outside of the second local maximum; and 
 an outer upward bead defining a third local maximum, the third local maximum located radially outside of the second local minimum; 
   a counter-sink section located radially outside of the bead panel and extending from the outer edge of the outer upward bead of the bead panel;   a wall extending upward from the outer edge of the counter-sink section; and   a curved section extending radially outward from the upper edge of the wall, wherein the curved section is configured to be crimped with an upper end of a metal can body to form the seam.   
     
     
         19 . The metal can end of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a frangible score formed in the material of the outer upward bead; and   a tab configured to pivot to break the score allowing the portion of the can end located within the score to separate from the portion of the can end located outside of the score.   
     
     
         20 . The metal can end of  claim 19 , further comprising a depression located within the center panel, wherein the tab comprises a gripping portion located above the depression, wherein the depression acts as a finger well facilitating user access to the gripping portion of the tab. 
     
     
         21 . The metal can end of  claim 18 , wherein a radial distance from the center point of the can end to the innermost edge of the inner upward bead is greater than half of the radius of the can end. 
     
     
         22 . The metal can end of  claim 21 , wherein a diameter of the outermost edge of the center panel is between about 1.795 inches and 1.785 inches, wherein a diameter of the inner downward bead measured between opposing first local minima is between about 2.095 and 2.085 inches, and wherein a diameter of the outer downward bead measured between opposing second local minima of the outer downward bead is between about 2.445 and 2.435 inches. 
     
     
         23 . The metal can end of  claim 22 , wherein a diameter of the outer upward bead measured between opposing third local maxima is between about 2.647 and 2.637 inches. 
     
     
         24 . The metal can end of  claim 18 :
 wherein first local minimum is vertically below the third local maximum;   wherein a vertical distance between the first local minimum and third local maximum is between about 0.027 and 0.017 inches;   wherein the second local minimum is vertically below the third local maximum;   wherein a vertical distance between the second local minimum and the third local maximum is between about 0.010 and 0.004 inches;   wherein the first local maximum is vertically below the third local maximum;   wherein a vertical distance between the first local maximum and the third local maximum is between about 0.012 and 0.001 inches;   wherein the second local maximum is between 0.000 and 0.014 inches vertically below the third local maximum or between 0.000 and 0.006 inches vertically above the third local maximum.   
     
     
         25 . The metal can end of  claim 18 , further comprising a tab located at the 12 o'clock position on the can end, wherein at the 6 o'clock position, a vertical distance between the second local minimum and the third local maximum is between about 0.01 and 0.004 inches, and wherein at the 12 o'clock position, a vertical distance between the second local minimum and the third local maximum is between about 0.016 and 0.010. 
     
     
         26 . The metal can end of  claim 18 :
 wherein the inner downward bead comprises a first curved section defining the first local minimum;   wherein the outer downward bead comprises a second curved section defining the second local minimum;   wherein the radius of curvature of the upper surface of first curved section is between about 0.029 and 0.019 inches; and   wherein the radius of curvature of the upper surface of second curved section is between about 0.020 and 0.010 inches.   
     
     
         27 . The metal can end of  claim 18 , further comprising a tab, wherein the outer downward bead is a continuous bead that is concentric with the outer circumference of the can end, and further wherein the inner downward bead is a non-continuous bead having a first end and a second end, the ends positioned on opposing lateral sides of the tab. 
     
     
         28 . The metal can end of  claim 27 , wherein the inner downward bead is concentric with the outer downward bead for at least 180 and less than 360 degrees of the can end. 
     
     
         29 . The metal can end of  claim 28 , wherein the inner downward bead and the outer downward bead are configured to strengthen the can end to resist deformation that may occur when the pressure of the contents of the container exceeds 20 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         30 . The metal can end of  claim 29 , wherein the can end is formed of double reduced steel with a thickness less than 75 gauge. 
     
     
         31 . The metal can end of  claim 30 , wherein a vertical distance between the uppermost surface of the crown section and the lower most surface of the counter-sink section is less than 0.220 inches. 
     
     
         32 . The metal can end of  claim 29 , wherein the can end is formed of double reduced steel with a thickness less than or equal to 68 gauge. 
     
     
         33 . The metal can end of  claim 32 , wherein a vertical distance between the uppermost surface of the crown section and the lower most surface of the counter-sink section is less than or equal to 0.190 inches. 
     
     
         34 . The metal can end of  claim 18  coupled to the metal can body via the seam. 
     
     
         35 . The metal can end of  claim 18  coupled to one end of the metal can body via the seam, wherein a second can end is coupled to the other end of the metal can body via a second seam, wherein food is located within a cavity defined by the can body and the can ends.