Method for reducing corrosion in filled and seamed beverage cans

Abstract

A beverage can body ( 40 ) is filled with a liquid beverage. An end closure ( 10 ) is placed over an open end ( 36 ) of the beverage can body ( 40 ) filled with the beverage. A seaming chuck ( 44 ) is placed within a perimeter of the end closure ( 10 ). A seaming roller ( 48, 52 ) is brought into engagement with a curled outer perimeter of the end closure ( 10 ) against a force provided by the seaming chuck ( 44 ). The seaming roller ( 48, 52 ) is rotated about the seaming chuck ( 44 ) along the open end ( 36 ) of the beverage can body ( 40 ) with sufficient pressure to form a joining seam. The end closure ( 10 ) is rinsed in a solution ( 186 ) comprising a corrosion inhibitor subsequent to attaching the end closure ( 10 ) to the beverage can body ( 40 ).

1 . A method for reducing the likelihood of corrosion occurring on a beverage container wherein a metallic beverage can body has an end closure attached thereto comprising the steps of:
 filling a beverage can body with a liquid beverage; placing an end closure over an open end of the beverage can body filled with the beverage; and   attaching the end closure to the beverage can body;   rinsing the end closure in a solution comprising a corrosion inhibitor subsequent to attaching the end closure to the beverage can body.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 rinsing the beverage can body in the solution subsequent to attaching the end closure to the beverage can body. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 immersing the end closure in a bath of the solution subsequent to attaching the end closure to the beverage can body. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 immersing the beverage can body in a bath of the solution subsequent to attaching the end closure to the beverage can body. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solution:
 comprises deionized water; and/or 
 comprises 25 g/l to 150 g/l of the corrosion inhibitor; and/or 
 comprises 50 g/l to 100 g/l of an acrylic polymer; and/or 
 forms a water resistant layer; 
 or any combination thereof. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solution is delivered by a sprayer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solution reacts with a bare aluminum oxide layer on the end closure to produce an oxidation resistant layer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 pasteurizing the liquid beverage within the beverage can body wherein the rinsing step is carried out prior to the pasteurizing step. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 rinsing the end closure a second time with a solution comprising a corrosion inhibitor subsequent to the pasteurizing step. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 pasteurizing the liquid beverage within the beverage can body wherein the rinsing step is carried out subsequent to the pasteurizing step. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solution comprises an acrylic polymer for example a polyacrylate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 forming a water resistant layer on a frangible score on the end closure subsequent to attaching the end closure to the beverage can body. 
 
     
     
         13 . A method for reducing the likelihood of corrosion occurring on a beverage container wherein a metallic beverage can body has an end closure attached thereto using the steps of: filling a beverage can body with a liquid beverage; placing an end closure over an open end of the beverage can body filled with the beverage; and attaching the end closure to the beverage can body, comprising the step of:
 forming a water resistant layer on a frangible score on the end closure subsequent to attaching the end closure to the beverage can body.   
     
     
         14 . A beverage container comprising:
 a metallic beverage can body;   an end closure attached to the can body with a frangible score defined in the end closure to allow opening of the container;   optionally a liquid beverage within the can body; and   at least one of a corrosion inhibitor or a water resistant layer on the frangible score on the end closure, and wherein, when both are present, the corrosion inhibitor is held within the water resistant layer.   
     
     
         15 . The beverage container according to  claim 14  prepared by a method comprising the steps of:
 filling a beverage can body with a liquid beverage; 
 placing an end closure over an open end of the beverage can body filled with the beverage; and attaching the end closure to the beverage can body; and 
 rinsing the end closure in a solution comprising a corrosion inhibitor subsequent to attaching the end closure to the beverage can body.