Small opening beverage can end adapted for receiving a straw

Abstract

A beverage can end is provided herein which has a small opening preferably centrally disposed which is adapted for receiving a straw. Preferably, the small opening end is opened with a conventional pull tab, but which establishes a vent area positioned adjacent the small opening end which provides sufficient venting during use of the straw. It is further preferred that the pull tab be slightly elevated with rounded corners to provide a smooth, easily accessible pulling surface for the user of the beverage can.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A metallic, small opening beverage can end adapted for receiving a straw, comprising: 
 a circular end wall;    a central panel integrally interconnected to said end wall;    a pull tab hingedly interconnected to an upper surface of said central panel;    a rupturable score line positioned on said central panel and defining a substantially circular opening having a diameter no greater than about 0.4375 inches which is adapted for receiving a straw; and    a vent opening positioned adjacent said substantially circular opening to provide venting in said small opening beverage can end during use.    
     
     
         2 . The small opening beverage can end of  claim 1 , wherein said tab is substantially non-detachable.  
     
     
         3 . The small opening beverage can end of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing bead positioned proximate to a hinge line interconnecting said tab to said upper surface of said central panel to further inhibit detachment of said tab from said central panel;  
     
     
         4 . The small opening beverage can end of  claim 1 , wherein said vent opening provides at least about 0.0004 inches of venting area when said substantially circular opening is occupied by the straw.  
     
     
         5 . The small opening beverage can end of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one embossing bead positioned proximate to a termination point of said score line to further inhibit detachment of said tab from said upper surface of said central panel.  
     
     
         6 . The small opening beverage can end of  claim 1 , wherein said tab is further interconnected to said upper surface of said central panel within said rupturable score line with a rivet.  
     
     
         7 . The small opening beverage can end of  claim 1 , wherein said substantially circular opening is created in said central panel by pulling said pull ring in one direction only.  
     
     
         8 . The small opening beverage can end of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage can end is substantially spill-proof when said substantially circular opening is occupied by the straw.  
     
     
         9 . The small opening beverage can end of  claim 1 , wherein said central panel is oriented at a substantially right angle to a vertical orientation of a beverage can body.  
     
     
         10 . The small opening beverage can end of  claim 1 , wherein said pull ring has a lip elevated at least about 0.030 inches from said upper surface of said central panel to facilitate grasping.  
     
     
         11 . The small opening beverage can end of  claim 1 , wherein said pull tab comprises a pull ring on one end and a nose on an opposite end, said nose hingedly interconnected to said upper surface of said central panel.  
     
     
         12 . The small opening beverage can end of  claim 1 , wherein said rupturable score line is positioned proximate to a central region of said central panel.  
     
     
         13 . The small opening beverage can of  claim 1 , further comprising a raised reinforcing bead which substantially encircles said small opening to shroud a leading edge of said substantially circular opening.  
     
     
         14 . A metallic beverage can end with a small opening adapted for receiving a straw, comprising: 
 a circular end wall;    a central panel integrally interconnected to said end wall;    a score line positioned on said central panel which defines said small opening, said score line having a surface area no greater than about 0.1503 inches;    a substantially non-detachable tab having a pull ring on one end and a nose on an opposite end, said nose hingedly interconnected to an upper surface of said central panel, wherein when a force is applied to said pull ring said centrally disposed small opening is created in said central panel;    a rivet further interconnecting said nose to said upper surface of said central panel within said score line; and    a vent opening further defined by said score line which is positioned adjacent said centrally disposed small opening to provide adequate ventilation in said can end when said centrally disposed small opening is occupied by the straw.    
     
     
         15 . The beverage can end of  claim 14 , wherein said vent opening has a minimal cross-sectional area of at least about 0.0004 inches.  
     
     
         16 . The beverage can end of  claim 14 , further comprising a reinforcing bead positioned adjacent at least a portion of said score line.  
     
     
         17 . The beverage can end of  claim 14 , wherein said score line extends beyond a hinge line of said nose and said upper surface of said central panel to further inhibit said tab from becoming inadvertently detached from said central panel.  
     
     
         18 . The beverage can end of  claim 14 , wherein said tab pull ring has a smooth upper surface and a smooth lower surface which are substantially void of sharp edges.  
     
     
         19 . The beverage can end of  claim 14 , further comprising a raised reinforcing bead which substantially shrouds said centrally disposed small opening.  
     
     
         20 . A metallic beverage can end with a small opening for receiving a drinking straw, the combination comprising: 
 a circular end wall adapted for interconnection to a beverage can body;    a central panel integrally interconnected to said circular end wall;    a substantially centrally disposed circular opening defined by a score line, said opening having a first diameter no greater than about 0.4375 inches;    a tab having a pull ring on a first end and a nose on a second end, said nose pivotally interconnected to an upper surface of said central panel at a first location and non-detachably interconnected to said upper surface of central panel with a rivet; and    said drinking straw having an exterior diameter with at least a portion which is substantially equivalent to said first diameter of said centrally disposed circular opening, wherein when said drinking straw is inserted into said centrally disposed opening said drinking straw is restricted from being removed therefrom;    a vent opening positioned proximate to said small opening and said drinking straw for allowing ventilation into said can while a beverage is being extracted through said straw.    
     
     
         21 . The metallic beverage can end and drinking straw combination of  claim 20 , further comprising a reinforcing bead positioned proximate to a termination point of said score line to further inhibit detachment of said tab.  
     
     
         22 . The metallic beverage can end and straw combination of  claim 20 , further comprising extending a score termination point beyond a hinge line where said nose is pivotally interconnected to said upper surface of said central panel to inhibit detachment of said tab.  
     
     
         23 . The metallic beverage can end and straw combination of  claim 20 , wherein said vent opening has a cross-sectional area of at least about 0.0004 inches.  
     
     
         24 . The metallic beverage can end and straw combination of  claim 20 , wherein said straw has a corrugated mid-section which facilitates bending.