Vented Metallic Container End Closure

Abstract

A metallic container end closure is provided that generally comprises a dispensing opening and a vent opening. The vent opening improves pourability through the dispensing opening and provides an alternative option for consuming the contents of the container. The end closure may include features to ease opening of the vent opening, such as stiffeners and/or vent form features. Additionally, the end closure may include various safety features, such as a safety fold. In some configurations, the container end closure does not include a pull tab for opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vented beverage container comprising:
 a container body with a lower end and an upper end defined by a neck; and   a metallic end closure integrally interconnected to the neck, the end closure comprising a peripheral curl adapted for interconnection to the neck of a container, a central panel positioned inwardly from the peripheral curl, a primary score positioned within the central panel and defining a dispensing opening, and a secondary score positioned within the central panel which defines a vent feature;   wherein a termination of the secondary score is directed towards the peripheral curl to form a hinge point; and   said vent feature comprises a recessed portion projecting downwardly toward a product side of the container and forming a ramp adapted to engage an opening tool.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said ramp has an upper end which terminates at substantially the same elevation as said central panel. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary score is surrounded by a raised bead. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said vent feature has a surface area no greater than about 25% of the surface area of said dispensing opening. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said ramp is oriented downwardly at an angle of at least about 2 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said vent feature projects downwardly toward a product side of the end closure by at least about 0.004 inches. 
     
     
         7 . A method for opening a beverage container with a secondary vent opening, comprising:
 providing a container body with a lower end with a support surface and a neck on an upper end;   providing a metallic end closure with a peripheral curl interconnected to the neck of said container, a chuck wall, a countersink and a central panel;   providing a dispensing opening in said central panel with a first area defined by a primary score;   providing a vent opening with a second area no greater than 25% of said first area and defined by a secondary score, said dispensing opening positioned proximate to an outer edge of said central panel and opposite said primary score;   providing a pull tab interconnected to said central panel which comprises a lift ring and a nose, said nose positioned over at least a portion of said dispensing opening;   pulling said lift ring to drive said nose into said dispensing opening to shear said primary score and create the dispensing opening;   positioning an opening tool over said vent opening and engaging a downwardly extending ramp provided with said vent opening and at least partially within said secondary score;   applying an opening force with said opening tool to sever said secondary score and open said vent opening, wherein air is allowed to ingress into said vent opening while product is being dispensed from said dispensing opening.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said ramp is oriented inwardly and downwardly at an angle of at least about 2 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said vent opening is substantially surrounded by a reinforcing bead. 
     
     
         10 . A vented metallic end closure adapted for interconnection to a neck of a container body, comprising:
 a peripheral curl;   a chuck wall extending downwardly from the peripheral curl;   a countersink interconnected to a lower end of the chuck wall; and   a central panel interconnected to the countersink, the central panel having a primary score defining a dispensing opening;   a rivet adapted to secure a pull tab above the central panel;   a secondary score defining a vent opening with a vent panel, wherein a secondary score termination is directed towards the peripheral curl to form a hinge point, and at least a portion of said vent panel is inclined downwardly toward a product side of said central panel to define a ramp extending below said secondary score, wherein said ramp is adapted for receiving one or more objects for opening the secondary score.   
     
     
         11 . The metallic end closure of  claim 10 , wherein said ramp is inclined at an angle of between about 2 degrees and 10 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The metallic end closure of  claim 10 , wherein said ramp has an upper end positioned in substantially the same horizontal plane as said central panel. 
     
     
         13 . The metallic end closure of  claim 10 , wherein the secondary score comprises at least one of a triangular shape, an arcuate shape and a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         14 . The metallic end closure of  claim 10 , wherein the secondary score comprises a shape configured to accommodate a straw. 
     
     
         15 . The metallic end closure of  claim 10 , wherein the vent opening comprises a safety fold to substantially eliminate exposure of a fractured score edge to a consumer's fingers. 
     
     
         16 . The metallic end closure of  claim 10 , wherein the vent opening has a surface area no greater than about 25% of the dispensing opening. 
     
     
         17 . The metallic end closure of  claim 16 , wherein the vent opening is approximately 5% by area of the dispensing opening. 
     
     
         18 . The metallic end closure of  claim 10 , wherein the vent opening is configured to be the secondary mode of failure relative to the dispensing opening. 
     
     
         19 . The metallic end closure of  claim 10 , further comprising a pull tab interconnected to said rivet to facilitate opening of said dispensing opening. 
     
     
         20 . The metallic end closure of  claim 10 , wherein said vent panel is laterally offset from a midline of the end closure, said midline extending through said rivet and said dispensing opening.