Ecology tab, can end, tooling and method

Abstract

A reduced length ecology tab is provided for a can end. The can end includes an end panel and a rivet affixing the tab to the end panel. The tab includes a body having first and second opposing ends, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end. A nose portion is disposed at or about the first end, and a lift portion is disposed at or about the second end. The length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tab for a can end, the tab comprising:
 a body including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end;   a nose portion disposed at or about the first end; and   a lift portion disposed at or about the second end,   wherein the length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch.   
     
     
         2 . The tab of  claim 1  wherein the length is between 0.810 inch and 0.950 inch. 
     
     
         3 . The tab of  claim 2  wherein the length is about 0.860 inch. 
     
     
         4 . The tab of  claim 1  wherein the body of the tab further includes a width; and wherein the width is about 0.616 inch. 
     
     
         5 . The tab of  claim 1  wherein the tab has an aspect ratio of between 1.5:1 to 1.30:1. 
     
     
         6 . The tab of  claim 5  wherein the tab has an aspect ratio of 1.396:1. 
     
     
         7 . The tab of  claim 1  wherein the nose portion includes a rivet receiving portion; wherein the body further includes an intermediate portion disposed approximately half way between the nose portion and the lift portion to define a first segment of the tab body and a second segment of the tab body; wherein the first segment extends from the intermediate portion to the first end; and wherein the second segment extends from the intermediate portion to the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The tab of  claim 1  wherein the lift portion includes a finger hole; and wherein the finger hole comprises a symmetrical oblong opening having two opposing parallel segments extending laterally across the width of the lift portion. 
     
     
         9 . A can end comprising:
 an end panel;   a rivet; and   a tab affixed to the end panel by the rivet,   
       wherein the tab comprises:
 a body including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end; 
 a nose portion disposed at or about the first end; and 
 a lift portion disposed at or about the second end, 
 wherein the length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch. 
 
     
     
         10 . The can end of  claim 9  wherein the length of the tab is between 0.810 inch and 0.950 inch. 
     
     
         11 . The can end of  claim 9  wherein the tab has an aspect ratio of between 1.5:1 to 1.30:1. 
     
     
         12 . The can end of  claim 9  wherein the lift portion of the tab includes a finger hole; and wherein the finger hole comprises a symmetrical oblong opening having two opposing parallel segments extending laterally across the width of the lift portion. 
     
     
         13 . The can end of  claim 9  wherein the end panel comprises a score line defining a tear panel, a first arc-shaped bead, and a second arc-shaped bead; and wherein the first arc-shaped bead and the second arc-shaped bead are disposed beneath the tab. 
     
     
         14 . The can end of  claim 14  wherein the first arc-shaped bead is disposed opposite the second arc-shaped bead; wherein the end panel further comprises a first locating bead and a second locating bead; wherein the first locating bead is disposed adjacent the first arc-shaped bead; and wherein the second locating bead is disposed adjacent the second arc-shaped bead. 
     
     
         15 . The can end of  claim 9  wherein the end panel further comprises a first linear bead and a second linear bead; and wherein the tab body is disposed between the first linear bead and the second linear bead. 
     
     
         16 . The can end of  9  wherein the end panel further comprises a diameter and an outer perimeter; wherein the second end of the tab is disposed a distance from the outer perimeter of the end panel in order to provide finger access to the lift portion of the tab; and wherein the distance is between 0.325 inch and 0.500 inch. 
     
     
         17 . The can end of  claim 9  wherein the end panel further comprises a finger well; and wherein the second end of the tab body is disposed adjacent to the finger well to provide access to lift portion of the tab. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a can end including a reduced length tab, the method comprising:
 providing a conversion press including at least one tab die and at least one lane die,   forming a plurality of can ends from shells fed through the at least one lane die,   forming a plurality of tabs from tab stock fed through the at least one tab die, and   riveting the tabs to the can ends,   wherein the step of forming the tabs comprises forming each tab to have a body including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end, wherein the length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 providing the at least one tab die with a tab die progression length,   providing a first lane die having a first transfer belt, a first centerline, and a first lane die progression length,   providing a second lane die having a second transfer belt, a second centerline, and a second lane die progression length that is the same as the first lane die progression length, and   modifying the conversion press to change from a first configuration in which tabs are formed to have a first length to a second configuration in which tabs are formed to have a second length that is shorter than the first length,   wherein the step of modifying the conversion press comprises changing the tab die progression length while maintaining substantially the same measurement between the first centerline of the first transfer belt and the second centerline of the second transfer belt, and maintaining substantially the same first lane die progression length and second lane die progression length.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising providing the at least one tab die with a tab die progression length of about 0.9857 inch.