Can end

Abstract

A can end ( 2 ) for a drinks can ( 1 ). The can end ( 2 ) is provided with a tab ( 5 ) attached to the can end ( 2 ) with a rivet ( 6 ). The tab ( 5 ) is initially flush against the can end ( 2 ), causing rotation to be restricted by friction between the tab ( 5 ) and the can end ( 2 ). However, once the drinks can ( 1 ) has been opened, the tab ( 5 ) is raised from the can end ( 2 ) and is easily rotatable about the rivet ( 5 ) to form a rotatable pointer. Additionally, the can end ( 2 ) includes two raised portions ( 13 ) disposed on either side of the tab ( 5 ), each raised portion ( 13 ) being arranged to limit the degree of rotation of the tab ( 5 ) about the rivet ( 6 )

1 . A can end for a drinks can , the can end having a tab attached to the can end by a rivet,
 wherein the tab has a first configuration in which the tab is flush against a top surface of the can end, such that rotation of the tab is restricted by friction between the tab and the top surface of the can end, and   wherein the tab has a second configuration after the drinks can has been opened, in which the tab is raised from the top surface of the can end such that the tab is easily rotatable about the rivet to form a rotatable pointer,   characterised in that   the can end includes two raised portions disposed on the top surface of the can end on either side of the tab, wherein each raised portion is arranged to limit a degree of rotation of the tab about the rivet.   
     
     
         2 . The can end according to  claim 1 , wherein the tab further comprises a marker located at a handle end of the tab, the marker being formed by any of a hole, a depression or a raised area in the handle end. 
     
     
         3 . The can end according to  claim 2 , further comprising two raised portions disposed on the can end either side of the tab, wherein a rotation of the tab causes an interaction between the marker and one of the raised portions at a predetermined angle of rotation of the tab about the rivet to provide an indication of a limit of rotation of the tab. 
     
     
         4 . The can end according to  claim 2 , comprising further raised portions disposed on the can end, wherein a rotation of the tab causes an interaction between the marker and one of the raised portions at a predetermined angle of rotation of the tab about the rivet to provide an indication of an incremental degree of rotation of the tab. 
     
     
         5 . The can end according to  claim 1 , wherein the tab comprises a marker located at a handle end of the tab, the marker being formed by any of printing and laser etching. 
     
     
         6 . The can end according to  claim 1 , wherein the tab comprises a strengthened area at a location around the rivet. 
     
     
         7 . A method of making a can end for a drinks can, the method comprising:
 positioning a can end with a tab attached to the can end by a rivet, wherein once the drinks can has been opened, the tab is rotatable about the rivet to form a rotatable pointer, wherein   the can end has two raised portions on the can end either side of the tab, wherein each raised portion is arranged to limit a degree of rotation of the tab about the rivet.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising providing the tab with a marker located at a handle end of the tab, the marker being formed by any of a hole, a depression, or a raised area in the handle end. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising providing a plurality of raised portions on the can end, the plurality of raised portions being arranged to interact with the marker during a rotation of the tab in order to provide any of a tactile indication of a limit of rotation and an incremental degree of rotation of the tab. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising providing a marker located at a handle end of the tab by any of printing or laser etching. 
     
     
         11 . A container comprising a can end as claimed in  claim 1 , the can end fastened to close an access opening of a container body.