Can end for user-friendly reclosing can

Abstract

A can end ( 2 ) is described for a metal beverage can, the can end comprising a cap top ( 3 ), arranged in connection to a pull tab ( 4 ) configured to remove the cap top from the can end to thereby create a drinking or pouring aperture; a shut-off valve ( 6 ), configured to close the drinking or pouring aperture after drinking or pouring; an elastic resilient element ( 10 ) for operating the shut-off valve ( 6 ); fixing means ( 50 ) for attaching the pull tab to the can end; holding means ( 21 ) for holding the shut-off valve ( 6 ) in an opened position for the drinking or pouring; wherein the cap top ( 3 ) is configured to remain located, after the removal, on top of the shut-off valve ( 6 ); and wherein the holding means ( 21 ) is configured to release the shut-off valve ( 6 ), when in the opened position, by exertion of a force by a user of the can, in a direction of the interior of the can, on the fixing means ( 50 ), so as to close the drinking or pouring aperture. Further, a can including such a can end and a method for opening such a can are described, as well as a method for producing such a can.

1 . 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 to thereby create a drinking or pouring aperture;   a shut-off valve, configured to close the drinking or pouring aperture after drinking or pouring;   an elastic resilient element for operating said shut-off valve;   fixing means for attaching said pull tab to said can end;   holding means for holding said shut-off valve in an opened position for said drinking or pouring;   wherein said cap top is configured to remain located, after said removal, on top of said shut-off valve;   wherein said holding means is configured to release said shut-off valve, when in said opened position, by exertion of a force by a user of the can, in a direction of the interior of the can, on said fixing means, so as to close said drinking or pouring aperture,   wherein the elastic resilient element is directly attached to said can end.   
     
     
         2 . The can according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal beverage can is configured for containing a carbonated drink, and wherein said shut-off valve comprises a first plate-like element, said first plate-like element having a first cut through it and having a first portion adjacent to said first cut, said first cut being configured to form a seal in said shut-off valve in the absence of a force, in a direction of the interior of the can, on said first portion of said first plate-like element, and being configured to form an opening in said shut-off valve, for relieving gas pressure originating from said carbonated drink, upon exertion of a force, in said direction of the interior of the can, on said first portion. 
     
     
         3 . The can end according to  claim 2  wherein said elastic resilient element comprises a second plate-like element, said second plate-like element having a second cut through it and having a second portion adjacent to said second cut, said second cut being configured to form an opening in said elastic resilient element, for said relieving said gas pressure originating from said carbonated drink, upon exertion of said force, in said direction of the interior of the can, on said second portion of said second plate-like element. 
     
     
         4 . The can end according to  claim 3  comprising means for restraining a movement, in a direction away from the interior of the can, of said first portion of said first plate-like element of said shut-off valve and of said second portion of said second plate-like element of said elastic resilient element. 
     
     
         5 . The can end according to  claim 1 , further comprising an engaging means and wherein said holding means is configured to engage with said engaging means in said opened position and to disengage from said engaging means upon said exertion of said force. 
     
     
         6 . The can end according to  claim 5  wherein said holding means has a location and wherein said location is such that said exertion of said force causes a deformation of said can end at said location, to disengage said holding means from said engaging means. 
     
     
         7 . The can end according to  claim 5  wherein said elastic resilient element comprises said engaging means. 
     
     
         8 . The can end according to  claim 1  further comprising a supporting element for increasing a resilience of said elastic resilient element. 
     
     
         9 . The can end according to  claim 1  wherein said cap top comprises means for weakening a rigidity of said cap top at a location where said pull tab touches said cap top upon opening of said can. 
     
     
         10 . The can end according to  claim 1  further comprising an intermediate element for shielding said can end circumferentially from the interior of said can. 
     
     
         11 . The can end according to  claim 1  wherein said can end has a first side and a second side opposite to said first side, wherein said second side is adapted for receiving a first side of an identical can end for forming a stack of can ends. 
     
     
         12 . A metal beverage can comprising a can body and a can end according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising the steps of:
 producing a can end comprising a cap top with a pull tab connected with fixing means; a shut-off valve with holding means for holding said shut-off valve in an opened position for said drinking or pouring and configured to release the shut-off valve, when in said opened position, by exertion of a force by a user of the can, in a direction of the interior of the can, on said fixing means, so as to close said drinking or pouring aperture; and an elastic resilient element directly attached to the can for operating said shut-off valve; wherein said cap top is configured to remain located, after said removal, on top of said shut-off valve;   producing a can body; and   attaching the can end to the can body.   
     
     
         14 . A method for opening and reclosing a 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, thus removing a cap top of said can end, thereby creating a drinking or pouring aperture;   resiliently opening, by said actuating said pull tab, a shut-off valve configured to close and seal said drinking or pouring aperture after drinking or pouring;   holding said shut-off valve in an opened position for said drinking or pouring; wherein in the method further comprises exerting a force by a user of the can, in a direction of the interior of the can, on a fixing means for attaching said pull tab to said can end, so as to close said drinking or pouring aperture, and   wherein the can end comprises an elastic resilient element for operating said shut-off valve, the elastic resilient element being directly attached to said can end.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the metal beverage can is configured for containing a carbonated drink, the method further comprising the steps of:
 exerting a force, by said actuating said pull tab, on a portion of a plate-like element of said shut-off valve, wherein said portion is adjacent to a cut through said plate-like element;   thereby forming an opening in said shut-off valve for relieving gas pressure originating from said carbonated drink.