Can Having an Easy Opening Panel, an Easy Opening Panel, and Panel Therefor

Abstract

A can having an easy opening panel includes a tab connected via a rivet structure to the panel. The tab comprises a tab rear part for gripping and actuation, and a tab front part for opening the can upon tab actuation. The panel includes at least beneath the tab front part a panel structure deformable upon can internal pressure.

The invention claimed is 
     
         1 . A can comprising:
 a panel; and   a tab connected via a rivet structure to the panel, the tab comprising a tab rear part for gripping and actuation and a tab front part for opening the can upon tab actuation such that tilting of the tab results in opening of the can along a score line formed in the panel,   wherein the panel comprises, at least beneath the tab front part, a deformable, compressed panel structure deformable upon can internal overpressure,   wherein the deformable, compressed panel structure comprises a compressed structure that compensates for stress elongation upon increased can internal pressure, and   wherein deformation of the deformable, compressed panel structure by stress elongation of the deformable, compressed panel structure beneath the tab front part forms or increases a finger access gap between the tab rear part and the panel, and does not result in an interference of an opening of the can by a consumer actuating the tab.   
     
     
         2 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein the deformable, compressed panel structure has a form of one of an inward dimple, an outward dimple, a wavy form, and a slanted form. 
     
     
         3 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein the deformable, compressed panel structure has a form of a bead partly circumventing or encircling the rivet structure. 
     
     
         4 . The can according to  claim 3 , wherein the bead extends inwardly or outwardly. 
     
     
         5 . The can according to  claim 3 , wherein the bead circumferentially extends over one of 270°, 180°, and 120°. 
     
     
         6 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein the deformable, compressed panel structure limits upon can internal overpressure the tab lift of the tab rear part to less than 4 mm above a can rim. 
     
     
         7 . The can according to  claim 6 , wherein limitation of the tab lift occurs at a can internal overpressure of 0.6-3.0 bar. 
     
     
         8 . The can according to  claim 6 , wherein limitation of the tab lift occurs at a can internal pressure of 1.0-2.8 bar. 
     
     
         9 . The can according to  claim 6 , wherein limitation of the tab lift occurs at a can internal pressure of 1.5-2.5 bar. 
     
     
         10 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein the can has a can diameter of 32-120 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein upon partial relief of the can internal pressure the deformable, compressed panel structure reforms such that the tab rear part resides beneath the can rim. 
     
     
         12 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein formation or increase of the finger access gap results from a negative pressure difference between an outside and content of the can. 
     
     
         13 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein formation or increase of the finger access gap results from a mechanical impact on the deformable, compressed panel structure. 
     
     
         14 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein the deformable, compressed panel structure limits upon can internal pressure the tab lift of the tab rear part to less than 3.5 mm above a can rim. 
     
     
         15 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein the deformable, compressed panel structure limits upon can internal pressure the tab lift of the tab rear part to less than 3.0 mm above a can rim. 
     
     
         16 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein the can has a can diameter of 45-102 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein the can has a can diameter of 45-96 mm. 
     
     
         18 . A panel comprising:
 a tab connected via a rivet structure to the panel, the tab comprising a tab rear part for gripping and actuation and a tab front part for opening the can upon tab actuation such that tilting of the tab results in opening of the can along a score line formed in the panel, wherein the panel comprises, at least beneath the tab front part, a deformable, compressed panel structure deformable upon can internal overpressure, wherein the deformable, compressed panel structure comprises a compressed structure that compensates for stress elongation upon increased can internal pressure, and wherein deformation of the deformable, compressed panel structure by stress elongation of the deformable, compressed panel structure beneath the tab front part forms or increases a finger access gap between the tab rear part and the panel, and does not result in an interference of an opening of the can by a consumer actuating the tab.