U.S. patent application number 11/109066 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for removable-panel metal end with cut protection.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sonoco Development, Inc.. Invention is credited to Frank LePera.
Application Number | 20060237459 11/109066 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36228788 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060237459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LePera; Frank |
October 26, 2006 |
Removable-panel metal end with cut protection
Abstract
A removable-panel metal end for a container having cut
protection. The metal end includes a top wall having a fold region
and a panel. The panel is removable from the rest of the top wall
and is delinated by a score. The fold region and score are
configured such that in one area the score is outward and beneath
the fold region in order to provide protection against any burrs
created in the smile area by the removal of the panel and outside
that one area the score is either equal to or inward of the fold
region in order to prevent interference from the fold region during
the panel's removal.
Inventors: |
LePera; Frank; (Canton,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
Sonoco Development, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36228788 |
Appl. No.: |
11/109066 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 17/4011
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/269 |
International
Class: |
B65D 17/34 20060101
B65D017/34 |
Claims
1. A removable-panel metal end for a container, comprising: a top
wall having a center and an outer periphery, a score formed in the
top wall extending about the center and spaced radially inwardly
from the outer periphery so as to delineate a panel in the top wall
that is severable from an outer peripheral portion of the top wall;
an integral rivet formed in the panel, and an opening tab attached
to the rivet, the opening tab having a nose positioned adjacent an
upper surface of the panel proximate the score, such that pivoting
of the opening tab about the rivet causes the nose to bear
downwardly on the panel to initiate severing of the score adjacent
the nose; and a fold region formed in the outer peripheral portion
of the top wall, the fold region comprising a bottom layer that
extends radially outwardly from the score to an outer fold, a
middle layer that extends radially inwardly from the outer fold to
an inner fold, and an upper layer that extends radially outwardly
from the inner fold such that the inner fold generally overlies the
score; wherein the score adjacent the tab nose lies radially
outwardly of the inner fold such that the inner fold forms a
cut-protection feature, and wherein at other locations remote from
the tab nose the score does not lie radially outwardly of the inner
fold to the same extent.
2. The removable-panel metal end of claim 1, wherein the inner fold
is circular and at a substantially constant radius from the center,
and wherein the score has a non-circular path.
3. The removable-panel metal end of claim 2, wherein the score for
an angular sector adjacent the tab nose has a non-circular-arc
shape.
4. The removable-panel metal end of claim 3, wherein the score
outside said angular sector has a circular-arc shape.
5. A removable-panel metal end for a container, comprising: a top
wall having a panel wherein the panel is severable from the top
wall along a score delineating the panel from the top wall; an
integral rivet formed in the panel, and an opening tab attached to
the rivet, the opening tab having a nose positioned adjacent an
upper surface of the panel proximate the score, such that pivoting
of the opening tab about the rivet causes the nose to bear
downwardly on the panel to initiate severing of the score adjacent
the nose; and a fold region formed generally along the score, the
fold region comprising a bottom layer that extends from the score
away from the panel to an outer fold, a middle layer that extends
from the outer fold toward the panel to an inner fold, and an upper
layer that extends from the inner fold away from the panel such
that the inner fold generally overlies the score; wherein the inner
fold adjacent the tab nose generally extends past the score and
overlies part of the panel by a first distance such that the inner
fold forms a cut-protection feature, and wherein at other locations
remote from the tab nose the inner fold extends up to the score or
beyond the score by a second distance, the second distance is less
than the first distance.
6. A container having a removable-panel metal end with cut
protection, said container comprising: a tubular side wall having a
top flange and defining a top opening; and a metal end attached to
the top flange of the side wall to close the top opening, wherein
the metal end comprises, a top wall having a center and an outer
periphery, a score formed in the top wall extending about the
center and spaced radially inwardly from the outer periphery so as
to delineate a panel in the top wall that is severable from an
outer peripheral portion of the top wall, an integral rivet formed
in the panel, and an opening tab attached to the rivet, the opening
tab having a nose positioned adjacent an upper surface of the panel
proximate the score, such that pivoting of the opening tab about
the rivet causes the nose to bear downwardly on the panel to
initiate severing of the score adjacent the nose, and a fold region
formed in the outer peripheral portion of the top wall, the fold
region comprising a bottom layer that extends radially outwardly
from the score to an outer fold, a middle layer that extends
radially inwardly from the outer fold to an inner fold, and an
upper layer that extends radially outwardly from the inner fold
such that the inner fold generally overlies the score, wherein the
score adjacent the tab nose lies radially outwardly of the inner
fold such that the inner fold forms a cut-protection feature, and
wherein at other locations remote from the tab nose the score does
not lie radially outwardly of the inner fold to the same extent.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a type of metal end
attachable to a container and having a removable panel for access
to the interior of the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Removable-panel metal ends, also known as full aperture
closures, full panel pull-out (FPPO) ends, and convenience ends,
are used for a variety of containers with numerous products.
Removable-panel metal ends are typically attached to containers by
double-seaming a curled outer edge of the end to a flange on the
container. These ends include a removable panel to allow access to
the interior of the containers. The panel is removed by severing a
score, also known as a score line, that extends around the
perimeter of the panel. Severing the score is accomplished by
lifting up on a tab attached to the panel, causing the nose of the
tab to bear down against the panel and initiate the breaking of the
score. After this initial break occurs, the tab is then pulled
upwardly and backwardly to sever the rest of the score and thereby
remove the panel from the rest of the end.
[0003] The tearing of the metal along the score tends to create a
sharp burr that remains on the rim of the metal end. Along the
score near the tab nose (termed the "smile area") this burr tends
to be angled downwardly because the panel is pushed downwardly to
create the initial break. In contrast, outside the smile area, the
burr is angled upwardly because the panel is pulled upwardly to
sever the metal in this region. The downwardly angled burr
represents the greater cut hazard when a consumer places a hand or
finger into the container (e.g., to scoop out powdered contents)
and then pulls the hand or finger back upwardly against the
rim.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention addresses the above needs and achieves
other advantages, by providing a removable-panel metal end for a
container having cut protection. The metal end has a score defining
a removable panel, and a tab is affixed to the panel. The end
includes a fold region for cut protection and rigidity. A portion
of the score adjacent to the tab nose lies radially outwardly of
the fold region such that the fold region provides a cut-protection
feature, and at other locations remote from the tab nose the score
does not lie radially outwardly of the fold region to the same
extent such that the panel may be removed without interference from
the fold region.
[0005] In one embodiment of the invention, the removable-panel
metal end comprises a top wall having a center and an outer
periphery. A score is formed in the top wall extending about the
center and spaced radially inwardly from the outer periphery so as
to delineate a panel in the top wall. The panel is severable from
an outer peripheral portion of the top wall. An opening tab is
attached to an integral rivet that is formed in the panel. The
opening tab has a nose portion positioned adjacent to an upper
surface of the panel proximate the score, such that pivoting of the
opening tab about the rivet causes the nose to bear downwardly on
the panel to initiate severing of the score adjacent the nose.
[0006] The metal end further comprises a fold region formed in the
outer peripheral portion of the top wall. The fold region has a
bottom layer that extends radially outwardly from the score to an
outer fold, a middle layer that extends radially inwardly from the
outer fold to an inner fold, and an upper layer that extends
radially outwardly from the inner fold. The fold region is
configured such that the inner fold generally overlies the score.
More specifically, the score path adjacent the tab nose lies
radially outwardly of the inner fold such that the inner fold forms
a cut-protection feature. The inner fold can be circular and have a
substantially constant radius from the end's center, while the
score path is non-circular. For example, the score path for an
angular sector adjacent to the tab nose may have a non-circular-arc
shape, and outside the angular sector the score path can have a
circular-shape. Also, the top wall may further comprise a curl edge
extending about the center for engaging the sidewall of the
container.
[0007] The metal end of the present invention has several
advantages. The configuration of the score path and fold region
provides cut protection in the smile area without interfering with
the removal of the panel. With the score configured to be further
outward than the inner fold adjacent to the nose of the opening
tab, contact with any downwardly-angled burr created along the
fractured score in the smile area during removal of the panel is
minimized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0008] Having thus described the invention in general terms,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are
not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a removable-panel metal end of
the present invention, in which a dashed line is used to identify
the area where the score is radially outward of the inner fold;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates the path line of the score in one
embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIGS. 3a and 3b are fragmentary sectional views taken
generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIGS. 4a and 4b are enlarged fragmentary sectional views of
the 4a and 4b callouts of FIGS. 3a and 3b respectively;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial section of the metal end with
the opening tab lifted upward; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the container in
FIG. 5 with the panel being removed by simultaneously pulling the
opening tab up, backwards and away from the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed,
this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0016] The present invention generally includes a metal end 10 for
closing the opening of a container 15. In one embodiment, the metal
end 10 has a top wall 11 including a center 12, an outer peripheral
portion 17, a score 14, a panel 16, and a fold region 22.
[0017] The score 14 is formed in the top wall 11 and extends about
the center 12 and is spaced radially inwardly from the outer
peripheral portion 17. The path of the score 14 delineates the
panel 16 that is severable from the outer peripheral portion 17 of
the top wall 11. An integral rivet 18 is formed in the panel 16. An
opening tab 19 is attached to the integral rivet 18. The opening
tab 19 provides a means of severing the panel 16 and removing it
from the top wall 11. More specifically, the opening tab 19 has a
nose 20 and an opposite end 21 on the other side of the rivet 18
from the nose 20. The opposite end 21 is also known as a tab heel.
The nose 20 is positioned adjacent to an upper surface of the panel
16 proximate the score 14. By pivoting the opening tab 19 about the
rivet 18, i.e., lifting up on the opposite end 21, the nose 20
bears downwardly on the panel 16, initiating the severing of the
score 14 adjacent the nose 20, as shown in FIG. 5. After the
initial severing, the opposite end 19 is lifted upwards and away
from the container 15, severing the entire length of the
circumferential score 14 and removing the panel 16 from the outer
peripheral portion 17 of the top wall 11 as illustrated in FIG.
6.
[0018] With particular reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the fold
region 22, formed in the outer peripheral portion 17 of the top
wall 11, has a bottom layer 23 that extends radially outwardly from
the score 14 to an outer fold 26, a middle layer 24 that extends
radially inwardly from the outer fold 26 to an inner fold 27, and
an upper layer 25 that extends radially outwardly from the inner
fold 27. The fold region 22 is configured such that the inner fold
27 generally overlies the score 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the score's
14 path adjacent to the nose 20 (R1) lies more radially outward
than the score's 14 path at locations remote from the nose 20
(R2).
[0019] The spatial relationship between the inner fold 27 and the
score 14 in the present invention is advantageous because it
provides for cut protection while not interfering with the removal
of the panel 16. Specifically, as shown with R1 in FIG. 1, near the
nose 20 the score 14 is further outward from the center 12 than is
the inner fold 27, such that the inner fold 27 provides a cut
protection feature that prevents or at least reduces the likelihood
of contact with the downwardly-angled burr that is created along
the score 14 in the smile area 30 when the nose 20 bears downward
on the panel 16 to initiate the severing. However, the downward
oriented burr is only a hazard in the smile area 30. Outside the
smile area 30, any hazard from a burr along the score 14 would be
from an upwardly-angled burr created when the panel 16 is pulled up
and away from the outer peripheral portion 17 of the top wall 11.
Moreover, if the inner fold 27 were closer to the center 12 than
the score 14 throughout then the inner fold 27 would interfere with
the removal of the panel 16 from the rest of the top wall 11.
Therefore, away from nose 20, at R2, the score 14 is typically the
same distance or closer to the center 12 than the inner fold 27,
allowing for the removal of the panel 16 without interference from
the inner fold 27.
[0020] The advantageous spatial relationship between the inner fold
27 and the score 14 can be accomplished in several manners. As
illustrated, the inner fold 27 may extend along a circular path
centered at the center 12. Similarly, the score 14 away from the
tab nose 20 may extend about a circular path, c, centered at the
center 12, with a radius less than or equal to the radius formed by
the inner fold 27. In the area, a, adjacent to the nose 20, the
score 14 may extend in a non-circular path, for example an
elliptical path, at a distance farther from the center 12 than the
inner fold 27. (See FIG. 2 for examples.)
[0021] The extent of the score portion adjacent to the nose 20 that
lies at an increased radius R1 may vary. For example, the portion
may occupy from about 45 degrees to about 180 degrees of arc about
the center 12.
[0022] In the figures, the panel 16 is illustrated as being
concentric with and similar to the general shape of the top wall
11. However, it should be noted that the panel 16 may have a
different shape than that of the top wall 11 and/or may be
off-centered with respect to the center of the top wall 11.
[0023] In another embodiment, the invention includes a container 15
having a side wall 28. A bottom end closes a bottom opening defined
by the side wall 28. The side wall 28 also defines a top opening
and has a top flange 29. The metal end 10 engages the top flange 29
of the side wall 28 and closes the top opening.
[0024] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to
which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is
not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms
are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *