Beverage container end closure with easy opening features for a pull tab

Abstract

An end closure for food and beverage containers is provided. The end closure comprises a central panel portion having a recessed fingerwell for facilitating access to and manipulation of a pull tab. The fingerwell may further comprise features such as rounded edges for reducing risks of laceration and increasing accessibility.

1 . A container end closure with a peripheral curl adapted for interconnection to a neck of a container, comprising:
 a chuck wall interconnected to said peripheral curl and extending downwardly therefrom;   a countersink interconnected to a lower end of said chuck wall;   an inner panel wall interconnected to said countersink and extending upwardly therefrom;   a central panel interconnected to an upper end of said inner panel wall, wherein said central panel comprises a rivet for securing a pull tab, said pull tab comprising a forward end and a pull ring; and   said central panel comprising a fingerwell portion extending downwardly below a substantially horizontal plane defined by said central panel, wherein said fingerwell defines an area and at least a portion of said pull ring of said pull tab extends over at least a portion of said area to facilitate insertion of a user's finger and lifting of said pull tab.   
     
     
         2 . The container end closure of  claim 1 , wherein the fingerwell portion extends below a portion of the generally horizontal plane between approximately 0.035 inches and approximately 0.060 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The container end closure of  claim 1 , wherein the fingerwell portion comprises a substantially ovoid depression. 
     
     
         4 . The container end closure of  claim 1 , wherein the fingerwell portion extends downwardly below the generally horizontal plane at more than one angle on opposing sides. 
     
     
         5 . The container end closure of  claim 4 , wherein a first downwardly extending angle comprises an angle oriented from a substantially horizontal plane between about 20-25 degrees and a second downwardly extending angle comprises an angle oriented from a substantially horizontal between approximately 28 and 33 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The container end closure of  claim 4 , wherein a first downwardly extending angle comprises an angle from a substantially horizontal plane of approximately 23.0 degrees and a second downwardly extending angle comprises an angle from a substantially horizontal plane of approximately 30.5 degrees, and wherein said first downwardly extending angle is in opposing relationship to said second downwardly extending angle. 
     
     
         7 . The container end closure of  claim 1 , wherein a lowermost portion of said countersink extends below said central panel by an amount greater than said fingerwell extends below said central panel. 
     
     
         8 . A metallic end closure with a peripheral curl adapted for interconnection to a neck of a container, comprising:
 a chuck wall interconnected to a lower end of said peripheral curl and generally extending inwardly therefrom;   a countersink interconnected to a lower end of said chuck wall;   an inner panel wall interconnected to said countersink;   a central panel interconnected to an upper end of said inner panel wall;   said central panel comprising a debossed area positioned below said central panel, said debossed area further comprising a rivet for securing a pull tab, said pull tab comprising a forward end and a tail end; and   said debossed area comprising a fingerwell portion extending downwardly below a substantially horizontal plane defined by said debossed area, wherein said fingerwell defines a recessed area and at least a portion of said tail end of said pull tab extends over at least a portion of said recessed area to facilitate lifting of said pull tab with a user's fingers.   
     
     
         9 . The container end closure of  claim 8 , wherein said generally horizontal plane defined by said debossed area is positioned approximately 0.035 inches above a lowermost portion of said fingerwell and a generally horizontal plane of said central panel is disposed approximately 0.059 inches above said lowermost portion of said fingerwell. 
     
     
         10 . The container end closure of  claim 8 , wherein a lowermost portion of the fingerwell is separated from said debossed area by a first transition portion and separated from said central panel by a second transition portion, said first transition portion comprising an angle of between approximately 15 and 30 degrees, and said second transition portion comprising an angle of between approximately 25 and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The container end closure of  claim 10 , wherein said first transition portion comprises an angle of approximately 23.0 degrees, and said second transition portion comprises an angle of approximately 30.50 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . A metallic container end closure adapted for interconnection to a neck of a metal beverage container, the end closure comprising:
 a peripheral curl adapted for interconnection to the neck of the container;   a chuck wall interconnected to the peripheral curl and extending downwardly therefrom;   a countersink interconnected to a lower end of said chuck wall;   an inner panel wall interconnected to said countersink;   a central panel interconnected to an upper end of said inner panel wall;   said central panel comprising a debossed area with a substantially tear drop shape, said debossed area disposed at a lower height than the central panel and wherein said debossed area comprises a rivet for securing a pull tab with a forward end and a tail end, said forward end positioned over selective opening area defined by a score line; and;   said debossed area comprising a fingerwell portion extending below a substantially horizontal plane defined by said debossed area, wherein said fingerwell comprises a substantially planar lower portion and opposing side walls, said first opposing sidewall extending downwardly from said central panel and said second opposing sidewall extending downwardly from a portion of the debossed area, wherein said fingerwell portion has a perimeter edge with a substantially oval shape.   
     
     
         13 . The metallic end closure of  claim 12 , wherein the first opposing sidewall portion extends downwardly from the debossed portion at an angle between approximately 25 degrees and 45 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane and the second opposing sidewall extends downwardly from the central panel at an angle of between about 25 and 35 degrees with respect to a substantially horizontal plane. 
     
     
         14 . The metallic end closure of  claim 12 , wherein said beverage container holds a pressurized carbonated beverage. 
     
     
         15 . The metallic end closure of  claim 12 , wherein said forward end of said pull tab is positioned over an opening area defined by a score line.