Containers having distinctive tabs with laser etching and void forming a promotional image

Abstract

An end for a can, such as a can containing a beverage or other consumer product, includes a tab with a tab surface containing a promotional image formed therein. The promotional image may be a logo or other symbol. The promotional image is formed as a combination of a void stamped in the tab surface and laser etching of the tab surface, such as by burning off a colored finish applied to the tab surface in a predetermined pattern. The combination of the void and the laser etching results in a distinctive container end. The end may also include a colored panel which cooperates with the colored tab stock to result in a distinctive appearance to the container end.

1 . A can, comprising: 
 a can body comprising a side wall and a base and defining an interior region for containing a product;    an end for said can body having a scored portion for defining an opening in said end; and    a manually manipulable tab secured to said end and having a first end portion and a second end portion and first and second opposite sides, wherein said tab further comprises a tab surface extending across said tab between said first and second sides, said tab surface having a promotional or decorative image formed therein,    said promotional or decorative image formed as a combination of a void formed in the tab surface and adjacent laser etching of one or more features on said tab surface adjacent to said void.    
   
   
       2 . The can of  claim 1 , wherein a first color is applied to said tab surface and said laser etching removes color from said tab surface to reveal the base color of the tab material, the first color, revealed base color and void forming a distinctive tab appearance.  
   
   
       3 . The can of  claim 2 , wherein said end comprises a base material and a color applied to said base material, and wherein said color applied to said base material of said can end is different from the color applied to said tab surface, whereby said can end presents three colors to a viewer: said color applied to said can end, said color applied to said tab surface, and the color of the base tab material.  
   
   
       4 . The can of  claim 1 , wherein said can comprises a can for containing a human or animal food product.  
   
   
       5 . The can of  claim 1 , wherein said can comprises a metal beverage can.  
   
   
       6 . The can of  claim 1 , wherein said promotional image comprises a logo.  
   
   
       7 . The can of  claim 1 , wherein said promotional image comprises a promotional image associated with the manufacturer of the contents of said can.  
   
   
       8 . An end for a can body, comprising: 
 a scored portion for defining a frangible portion in said end; and    a manually manipulable tab secured to said end and having a first end portion and a second end portion and first and second opposite sides,    wherein said tab further comprises a tab surface extending across said tab between said first and second sides, said tab surface having a promotional image formed therein,    said promotion image formed as a combination of a void formed in the tab surface and adjacent laser etching of one ore more features adjacent to said void in said tab surface.    
   
   
       9 . The end of  claim 8 , wherein a first color is applied to said tab surface and said laser etching removes color from said tab surface to reveal the base color of the tab material, the first color, revealed base color and void forming a distinctive tab appearance.  
   
   
       10 . The end of  claim 9 , wherein said end comprises a base material and a color applied to said base material, and wherein said color applied to said base material of said can end is different from the color applied to said tab surface, whereby said can end presents three colors to a viewer: said color applied to said can end, said color applied to said tab surface, and the color of the base tab material.  
   
   
       11 . The end of  claim 8 , wherein said can comprises a can for containing a human or animal food product.  
   
   
       12 . The end of  claim 8 , wherein said can comprises a metal beverage can.  
   
   
       13 . The end of  claim 8 , wherein said promotional or decorative image comprises a logo.  
   
   
       14 . The end of  claim 8 , wherein said promotional or decorative image comprises a promotional image associated with the manufacturer of the contents of said can.  
   
   
       15 . The can of  claim 1 , further comprising a three-dimensional decorative feature in combination with said void said etched feature.  
   
   
       16 . The end of  claim 8 , further comprising a three-dimensional decorative feature in combination with said void said etched feature.