Can end

Abstract

A can end comprises a center panel having a diameter, a geometric center lying on a transverse axis of symmetry of the center panel, and a score line defining a periphery of a tear panel, a lift tab having a nose portion and a lift portion opposite the nose portion, the nose portion configured to contact the tear panel as the lift portion is lifted so as to rupture the score line and swing the tear panel out of a plane of the center panel, thereby defining a tear panel aperture for accessing the contents of a can to which the can end is attached, and a rivet attaching the lift tab to the center panel and permitting the nose portion and lift portion to pivot out of the plane of the center panel. The rivet is located on a first side of the transverse axis of symmetry, and the tear panel is located substantially on a second side of the transverse axis of symmetry opposite the first side.

1 . A can end comprising:
 a center panel having a diameter, a geometric center lying on a transverse axis of symmetry of said center panel, and a score line defining a periphery of a tear panel, a lift tab having a nose portion and a lift portion opposite said nose portion, said nose portion configured to contact said tear panel as said lift portion is lifted so as to rupture said score line and swing said tear panel out of a plane of said center panel, thereby defining a tear panel aperture for accessing the contents of a can to which said can end is attached, and   a rivet attaching said lift tab to said center panel and permitting said nose portion and lift portion to pivot out of the plane of said center panel,   wherein:   said rivet is located on a first side of said transverse axis of symmetry, and said tear panel is located substantially on a second side of said transverse axis of symmetry opposite said first side, and said lift tab is positioned within the diameter of said central panel with said nose portion overlying said tear panel.   
     
     
         2 . The can end of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said center panel has an area no greater than a center panel of a 202 can end, and said tear panel aperture has an area greater than about 0.5 square inches.   
     
     
         3 . The can end of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said tear panel aperture has a width dimension and a height dimension perpendicular to said width dimension, and   a ratio of said width dimension to said height dimension defines an aspect ratio of said tear panel aperture and ranges from about 1.11 to about 1.60.   
     
     
         4 . The can end of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said tear panel aperture has an area ranging from about 0.54 square inches to about 0.77 square inches.   
     
     
         5 . The can end of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said tear panel aperture has a width dimension and a height dimension perpendicular to said width dimension,   a ratio of said width dimension to said height dimension defines an aspect ratio of said tear panel aperture and ranges from about 1.11 to about 1.60, and   said tear panel aperture has an area greater than about 0.5 square inches.   
     
     
         6 . The can end of  claim 5 , wherein:
 said tear panel aperture has an area ranging from about 0.54 square inches to about 0.77 square inches.   
     
     
         7 . The can end of  claim 1 , wherein configuring said tear panel to extend to said first side of said transverse axis of symmetry provides for improved venting of the can during pouring the contents from the can thus improving the flow rate of the contents from the can. 
     
     
         8 . The can end of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said center panel has an area no greater than a center panel of a 202 can end, and said tear panel aperture has an area of 0.5 square inches or larger.   
     
     
         9 . A can end comprising:
 a center panel having a plane, a diameter, a geometric center lying on a transverse axis of symmetry of said center panel, and a score line defining a periphery of a tear panel, a lift tab being generally co-planar with said plane of said center panel and situated within the diameter of said center panel, the lift tab having a nose portion and a lift portion opposite said nose portion, said nose portion configured to contact said tear panel as said lift portion is lifted away from said plane of said center panel while still situated within the diameter of said center panel so as to rupture said score line and swing said tear panel out of a plane of said center panel, thereby defining a tear panel aperture for accessing the contents of a can to which said can end is attached, and   a rivet attaching said lift tab to said center panel and permitting said nose portion and lift portion to pivot out of the plane of said center panel,   wherein:   said rivet is located on a first side of said transverse axis of symmetry, and said tear panel is located substantially on a second side of said transverse axis of symmetry opposite said first side.