Beverage can end score tooling

Abstract

A system for forming a score in a material includes an aluminum can and a tool. The aluminum can includes a can end, and an interior of the can end includes a coating. The tool includes a tool holder and a scoring knife. The scoring knife includes a proximal end configured to form the score in the can end. The proximal end has a width configured to minimize feathering of the coating when the score is punctured.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for forming a score in a material comprising:
 an aluminum can comprising a can end, wherein an interior of the can end comprises a coating; and   a scoring knife comprising a proximal end configured to form the score in the can end, the proximal end having a width configured to minimize feathering of the coating when the score is punctured.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coating is a laminate coating. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the proximal end is between approximately 0.0005 inches and approximately 0.0020 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the width of the proximal end is between approximately 0.0005 inches and approximately 0.0015 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the width of the proximal end is between approximately 0.0005 inches and approximately 0.00125 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the width of the proximal end is between approximately 0.0005 inches and approximately 0.00075 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scoring knife comprises sides that, when viewed in cross-section, are separated from one another by approximately 50 degrees to approximately 75 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the sides are separated from another by approximately 60 degrees to approximately 70 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the sides are separated from another by approximately 65 degrees to approximately 70 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end is configured such that a mean size of any coating depressions formed in the coating is less than approximately 0.0004 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mean size of any coating depressions is less than approximately 0.0003 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mean size of any coating depressions is less than approximately 0.0002 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mean size of any coating depressions is less than approximately 0.0001 inches. 
     
     
         14 . A tool for scoring an end of an aluminum can, the tool comprising:
 a tool holder; and   a scoring knife comprising a proximal end, the proximal end having a width configured form a score in the aluminum can and to minimize feathering of a coating of the aluminum can when the score is punctured.   
     
     
         15 . The tool of  claim 14 , wherein the width of the proximal end is between approximately 0.0005 inches and approximately 0.0020 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The tool of  claim 15 , wherein the width of the proximal end is between approximately 0.0005 inches and approximately 0.0015 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The tool of  claim 15 , wherein the width of the proximal end is between approximately 0.0005 inches and approximately 0.00125 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The tool of  claim 15 , wherein the width of the proximal end is between approximately 0.0005 inches and approximately 0.00075 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The tool of  claim 14 , wherein the scoring knife comprises sides that, when viewed in cross-section, are separated from one another by approximately 50 degrees to approximately 75 degrees. 
     
     
         20 . The tool of  claim 19 , wherein the sides are separated from another by approximately 60 degrees to approximately 70 degrees.