Reliable opening can end for reclosing can

Abstract

A can end for a metal beverage can, the can end including a cap top, arranged in connection to a pull tab configured to remove the cap top from the can end along a pre-defined groove, to thereby create a drinking or pouring aperture; and a shut-off valve, configured to seal the drinking or pouring aperture after drinking or pouring. The cap top is configured to remain located, after the removal, on top of the shut-off valve; and the pre-defined groove includes a stop for arresting, in a pre-defined location of the pre-defined groove, propagation of a tear along the pre-defined groove during the removal, where the stop includes an abrupt change of direction or an endpoint of the pre-defined groove. The can may be configured for containing a carbonated drink.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A can end for a metal beverage can, said can end comprising:
 a cap top, arranged in connection to a pull tab configured to remove said cap top from said can end along a pre-defined groove, to thereby create a drinking or pouring aperture; and   a shut-off valve, configured to seal the drinking or pouring aperture after drinking or pouring;   wherein said cap top is configured to remain located, after said removal, on top of said shut-off valve;   and wherein said pre-defined groove comprises means for arresting, in a pre-defined location of said pre-defined groove, propagation of a tear along said pre-defined groove during said removal;   wherein said means for arresting said propagation of said tear comprises an abrupt change of direction of said pre-defined groove or an endpoint of said pre-defined groove.   
     
     
         17 . The can end according to  claim 16 , further comprising means for initiating said tear in an initiation location, and wherein said can end is configured to propagate said tear in a first sense of rotation along said pre-defined groove from said initiation location to said pre-defined location and to propagate said tear in a second sense of rotation along said pre-defined groove from said initiation location, so as to remove said cap top from said can end, and wherein said second sense of rotation is opposite to said first sense of rotation. 
     
     
         18 . The can end according to  claim 17  wherein said wherein said first sense of rotation is a clockwise sense of rotation and said second sense of rotation is a counter-clockwise sense of rotation, or wherein said first sense of rotation is a counter-clockwise sense of rotation and said second sense of rotation is a clockwise sense of rotation. 
     
     
         19 . The can end according to  claim 16  further comprising means for preventing propagation of said tear outside of said pre-defined groove. 
     
     
         20 . The can end according to  claim 19  wherein said means for preventing propagation of said tear outside of said pre-defined groove comprise an elevation difference. 
     
     
         21 . The can end according to  claim 19  wherein said means for preventing propagation of said tear outside of said pre-defined groove comprise an additional groove. 
     
     
         22 . The can end according to  claim 16  wherein said cap top comprises a second groove for decreasing an opening force during said removal of said cap top. 
     
     
         23 . The can end according to  claim 16  further comprising a center point and a fixing device for attaching said pull tab to said can end, wherein said fixing device has a center and wherein said center of said fixing device is at a nonzero distance from said center point of said can end. 
     
     
         24 . The can end according to  claim 16  wherein said metal beverage can is configured for containing a carbonated drink. 
     
     
         25 . A metal beverage can comprising a can body and a can end according to  claim 16 . 
     
     
         26 . The metal beverage can according to  claim 25 , configured for containing a carbonated drink. 
     
     
         27 . A method for producing the can according to  claim 25 , the method comprising the steps of:
 producing a can end;   producing the can body;   attaching the can end to the can body.   
     
     
         28 . A method for opening a reclosing metal beverage can, said can comprising a can body and a can end, the method comprising the steps of:
 actuating a pull tab of said can end, thereby initiating a tear in a pre-defined groove of said can end, wherein said pre-defined groove delimits a cap top;   arresting in a pre-defined location, at an abrupt change of direction or an endpoint of said pre-defined groove, said tear propagating in a first sense of rotation along said pre-defined groove;   after said arresting said tear propagation, further actuating said pull tab, thereby propagating said tear in a second sense of rotation along said pre-defined groove, wherein said second sense of rotation is opposite to said first sense of rotation;   still further actuating said pull tab, thereby still further propagating said tear in said second sense of rotation along said pre-defined groove, thereby removing said cap top from said can end and thus creating a drinking or pouring aperture;   opening, by said actuating said pull tab, a shut-off valve that is configured to close and seal said drinking or pouring aperture after drinking or pouring;   wherein said removed cap top remains located on top of said shut-off valve.   
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28  wherein said first sense of rotation is a clockwise sense of rotation and said second sense of rotation is a counter-clockwise sense of rotation, or wherein said first sense of rotation is a counter-clockwise sense of rotation and said second sense of rotation is a clockwise sense of rotation. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 28  further comprising initiating and propagating a second tear along a second groove of said cap top, by said actuating said pull tab.