Easy open closure

Abstract

A metal closure for seaming onto the end of a container, the closure comprising a centre panel defined by a circumferential score, a tab fixed to the panel by a rivet formed in the panel, and two spaced apart, elongate raised beads formed in the panel. The tab has a heel portion radially inside of the rivet and a nose portion radially outside of the rivet and adjacent to a radially inner edge of the score, such that lifting of the heel portion forces the nose portion into contact with a region of the panel adjacent to the radially inner edge of the circumferential score, thereby causing the closure to fracture partially along the score. The beads extend with a circumferential component of direction, and each has an end terminating under the tab radially between the rivet and the score about which the tab may pivot.

1 . A metal closure for seaming onto the end of a container, the closure comprising:
 a centre panel defined by a circumferential score;   a tab fixed to the panel by a rivet formed in the panel, the tab having a heel portion radially inside of the rivet and a nose portion radially outside of the rivet and adjacent to a radially inner edge of the score, such that lifting of the heel portion forces the nose portion into contact with a region of the panel adjacent to the radially inner edge of the circumferential score, thereby causing the closure to fracture partially along the score; and   two spaced apart, elongate raised beads formed in the panel, extending with a circumferential component of direction, and each having an end terminating under the tab radially between the rivet and the score to allow the tab to pivot about the two raised beads.   
     
     
         2 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the two raised beads are substantially parallel to the circumferential score. 
     
     
         3 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein each said end of the two raised beads terminating under the tab terminates at an angular distance of between 5 degrees and 15 degrees from a line A-A defined between the geometric centre of the rivet and the geometric centre of the centre panel. 
     
     
         4 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the two raised beads has an angular extent of between 25 degrees and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The closure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a circumferentially extending strengthening bead in the panel, adjacent to and substantially parallel to the circumferential score. 
     
     
         6 . The closure according to  claim 5 , wherein the regions between the circumferential strengthening bead and the two raised beads slope substantially continuously with respect to the plane of the centre panel. 
     
     
         7 . The closure according to  claim 5 , wherein each said end of the two raised beads terminates in a region radially between the rivet and the circumferential strengthening bead. 
     
     
         8 . The closure according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more terracing features formed in the centre panel. 
     
     
         9 . The closure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a circumferential countersink and chuck wall radially outside of the score. 
     
     
         10 . A container comprising a container body and a metal closure according to  claim 1  seamed onto the container body. 
     
     
         11 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein each said end of the two raised beads terminating under the tab terminates at an angular distance of between 7 degrees and 13 degrees from a line A-A defined between the geometric centre of the rivet and the geometric centre of the centre panel. 
     
     
         12 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the two raised beads has an angular extent of between 15 degrees and 25 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the two raised beads has an angular extent of between 5 degrees and 15 degrees.