Resealable beverage can end and methods relating to same

Abstract

A resealable and recloseable beverage can end closure includes a base plate beneath the center panel and a tab plate above the center panel. The closure is slidable relative to the center a panel to uncover the pour aperture and then to position the closure over the pour aperture to enable resealing.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A metal can end for a beverage can body, the can end comprising:
 a center panel surrounded by a seaming portion adapted to be joined to the periphery of the beverage can body by a double-seam, the center panel defining an aperture through which the contents of the beverage can body may be dispensed, a peripheral edge of the aperture finished by a curl and the aperture adapted to receive a separate closure capable of sliding relative to the center panel between a closed position, in which the aperture and the closure together form a seal, and an open position, in which the aperture is exposed.   
     
     
         2 . A metal can end according to  claim 1 , wherein the aperture curl stiffens the center panel and enhances the seal between the aperture and the separate closure, when the separate closure is in its closed position. 
     
     
         3 . A metal can end according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure is made of a plastics material. 
     
     
         4 . A metal can end according to  claim 1 , wherein the center panel defines an exterior surface that receives the separate closure, and an edge of the curl abuts the exterior surface of the center panel. 
     
     
         5 . A metal can end for a beverage can body, the can end comprising:
 a peripheral wall;   a countersink; and   a center panel, the center panel defining an aperture through which the contents of the beverage can body may be dispensed, the center panel including a curl disposed about the aperture, the center panel adapted to receive a separate closure configured to slide along the center panel between: i) a sealed position, in which the closure contacts the center panel about the aperture to form a seal, ii) an intermediate position, in which the closure is proximate the aperture but not sealed, and (iii) a fully open position, in which the aperture is exposed to enable pouring the contents of the beverage can body through the aperture.   
     
     
         6 . A metal can end according to  claim 5 , wherein the curl stiffens the center panel and enhances the seal between the aperture and the separate closure, when the separate closure is in its sealed position. 
     
     
         7 . A metal can end according to  claim 5 , wherein the closure is made of a plastics material. 
     
     
         8 . A metal can end according to  claim 5 , wherein the center panel defines an exterior surface that receives the separate closure, and an edge of the curl abuts the exterior surface of the center panel. 
     
     
         9 . A metal can end according to  claim 5 , wherein the distance between an edge of the center panel and the aperture is less than 4 mm. 
     
     
         10 . A metal can end according to  claim 9 , wherein the distance between the edge of the center panel and the aperture is less than 3 mm. 
     
     
         11 . A metal can end according to  claim 5 , wherein the can end is produced from polymer-coated metal. 
     
     
         12 . A method of manufacturing a metal can end for a beverage can body, the method comprising the steps of:
 pressing a metal can end from sheet metal, the metal can end having a center panel surrounded by a seaming portion, the seaming portion being adapted to be joined to a periphery of the beverage can body by a double-seam;   cutting an aperture through the center panel of the metal can end;   forming a depression around the aperture, at least part of which is formed to create a preliminary curl around the aperture; and   coining the preliminary curl to form a curl around the aperture.   
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a metal can end according to  claim 12 , wherein the interaction between a coining die and a coining punch controls the dimensions of the aperture curl and thereby the diameter of the aperture. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a metal can end according to  claim 12 , further including controlling the dimensions of the curl and thereby the diameter of the aperture using a coining die. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a metal can end according to  claim 12 , further including determining the diameter of the aperture using a single tool piece. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a metal can end according to  claim 13 , further including clamping the metal can end around the aperture. 
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a metal can end according to  claim 12 , further including controlling the curl dimensions required for sealing.