Beverage can ends suitable for small diameters

Abstract

A beverage can end and container have a removable panel that is actuated by a tab. The tab is smaller than conventional full aperture ends but enables opening because of the lower pull force required smaller ends or scores formed in less malleable allows that conventional food can ends. A stay-on-tab is also provided.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A beverage can end having a small diameter and a stay-on-tab, the end comprising:
 a peripheral curl, a wall structure extending from the curl, and a center panel extending inwardly relative to the wall structure; the peripheral curl capable of being seamed together with a beverage can flange to produce a seam that defines an end size of no more than 200;   a discontinuous score formed in the center panel that defines a tear panel, the tear panel being openable to form an opening of at least 0.35 square inches;   a rivet that is offset from a center of the center panel; and   a pull tab coupled to the center panel by the rivet, the pull tab having a nose configured to rupture the score upon actuation of the pull tab and a heel opposite the nose; the pull tab heel being spaced apart from the seam by at least 0.3 inches to enhance finger access.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage can end of  claim 1  wherein the opening has an aspect ratio that is at least 1.75 and no more than 3.5. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage can end of  claim 1  wherein the opening has an aspect ratio that is at least 2.0 and no more than 3.0. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage can end of  claim 1  wherein the opening has an aspect ratio that is at least 2.5 and no more than 2.75. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage can end of  claim 1  wherein the end is formed of a 3000 series aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage can end of  claim 1  wherein the end size is no more than 114. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage can end of  claim 1  wherein the end size is no more than 112. 
     
     
         8 . The beverage can end of  claim 1  wherein the end size is no more than 110. 
     
     
         9 . A full aperture beverage can end comprising:
 a peripheral curl, a wall structure extending from the curl, and a center panel extending inwardly relative to the wall structure;   a score formed in the center panel that defines a removable panel;   a rivet that is offset from a center of the center panel; and   a pull tab coupled to the removable panel by the rivet, the pull tab having a nose located proximate the rivet and configured to rupture the score, the pull tab including a finger opening having a length of less than 0.5 inches and configured to restrict complete insertion of an average adult finger and permit insertion of an average adult fingertip.   
     
     
         10 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the finger opening has a height of at least 0.2 inches and a width of between 0.4 and 1.0 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the finger opening has a height of between 0.2 and 0.4 inches and a width of between 0.4 and 0.8 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The full aperture beverage can full aperture end of  claim 9  wherein the tab has a length from a distal end of the nose to a distal end of a heel of the tab that is no more than 1.15 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the tab has a length from a distal end of the nose to a distal end of a heel of the tab that is no more than 1.05 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the tab has a length from a distal end of the nose to a distal end of a heel of the tab that is no more than 1.00 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the finger opening has an area that is no more than 0.25 square inches. 
     
     
         16 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the finger opening has an area that is no more than 0.20 square inches. 
     
     
         17 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the finger opening has an area that is no more than 0.15 square inches. 
     
     
         18 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the center panel has an end size of no more than a 200 size. 
     
     
         19 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the center panel has an end size of no more than a 114 size. 
     
     
         20 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the center panel has an end size of no more than a 110 size. 
     
     
         21 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the center panel has an end size of no more than a 108 size. 
     
     
         22 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the center panel has a diameter of no more than 1.7 inches. 
     
     
         23 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the center panel has a diameter of no more than 1.6 inches. 
     
     
         24 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the center panel has a diameter of no more than 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         25 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the center panel has a diameter of no more than 1.25 inches. 
     
     
         26 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the center panel has a diameter of no more than 1.0 inches. 
     
     
         27 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein a characteristic dimension of the removable panel is no more than approximately 1.65 inches. 
     
     
         28 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein a characteristic dimension of the removable panel is no more than approximately 1.55 inches. 
     
     
         29 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein a characteristic dimension of the removable panel is no more than approximately 1.45 inches. 
     
     
         30 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein a characteristic dimension of the removable panel is no more than approximately 1.20 inches. 
     
     
         31 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein a characteristic dimension of the removable panel is no more than approximately 1.00 inches. 
     
     
         32 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein an area defined by the removable panel is greater than 60 percent of an area defined by the center panel. 
     
     
         33 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein an area defined by the removable panel is greater than 75 percent of an area defined by the center panel. 
     
     
         34 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein an area defined by the removable panel is greater than 85 percent of an area defined by the center panel. 
     
     
         35 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the score is continuous. 
     
     
         36 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the end is formed of aluminum. 
     
     
         37 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the end is formed from one of a 3000 series aluminum alloy and a 5000 series aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         38 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 9  wherein the end is formed from a 3000 series aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         39 . A full aperture beverage can end comprising:
 a peripheral curl, a wall extending from the curl, and a center panel extending inwardly relative to the wall;   a score formed in the center panel that defines a removable panel;   a rivet that is offset from a center of the center panel; and   a pull tab coupled to the removable panel by the rivet, the pull tab having a nose that is located proximate the rivet and configured to rupture the score, a heel that is opposite the nose, an aperture defined by a body located between the heel and the nose, and a lift surface that is spaced apart from the heel, wherein the lift surface is adapted for contact by a user to lift the tab from its rest position to a position in which the tab aperture is accessible for lifting.   
     
     
         40 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 39  wherein a clearance distance between the tab heel and the end wall is less than 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         41 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 39  wherein a clearance distance between the tab heel and the end wall is less than 0.4 inches. 
     
     
         42 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 39  wherein a clearance distance between the tab heel and the end wall is less than 0.3 inches. 
     
     
         43 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 39  wherein the lift surface is formed by a rearward projection from the body proximate the rivet. 
     
     
         44 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 43  wherein the aperture has a curvature that is interrupted by the projection. 
     
     
         45 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 39  wherein the lift surface is formed by at least one outwardly lateral projection from the tab body. 
     
     
         46 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 39  wherein the center panel has an end size of no more than a 200 size. 
     
     
         47 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 39  wherein the heel of the tab is configured to be spaced apart from the center panel when the can end is seamed to a pressurized can to enable actuation of the tab. 
     
     
         48 . The full aperture beverage can end of  claim 47  wherein the center panel includes a recess beneath or near the heel to enhance finger access thereto.