Can ends for beverage containers and related methods

Abstract

Can ends for beverage containers and related methods are disclosed. An example can end includes a center panel, the center panel having a first area, and a pour panel formed on the center panel, the pour panel to define a pour opening having a second area, where a first area-to-second area ratio is approximately 0.22 inches.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A can end comprising:
 a center panel having a diameter of between approximately 1.88 and 1.92 inches;   a pour panel formed on the center panel defined by a score, the score having a score length and a score width, the score length and the score width defining a length-to-width ratio of between approximately 1.40 and 1.45, the pour panel to provide a pour opening for the center panel, the pour opening having a pour area of between approximately 0.64 and 0.67 square inches (in 2 ).   
     
     
         2 . The can end of  claim 1 , wherein the score length is between approximately 1.0 inch and 1.1 inches and the score width is between approximately 0.71 inches and 0.74 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The can end of  claim 1 , wherein a clearance distance between a deboss panel formed on the center panel and a peripheral edge of the center panel is between approximately 0.04 inches and 0.05 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The can end of  claim 1 , wherein the center panel defines a non-frangible hinge between a first end of the score and a second end of the score, the non-frangible hinge having a length of between approximately 0.2 inches and 0.3 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The can end of  claim 1 , wherein the center panel has an area of between approximately 2.80 square inches and 2.85 square inches and the pour opening has an area of between approximately 0.64 square inches and 0.67 square inches. 
     
     
         6 . The can end of  claim 1 , further including:
 a tab to pivot relative to the center panel to apply an opening force to rupture the score and displace the pour panel relative to the center panel to provide a pour opening, the tab including:   a lift end and a nose spaced from the lift end;   a first cleat formed on the nose, the first cleat being offset relative to a center axis of the tab, the first cleat to concentrate the opening force in a first direction that is non-parallel relative to the center axis when the tab is lifted relative to the center panel of the can end between an initial position and a first angular position; and   a second cleat formed on the nose, the second cleat being offset relative to the center axis of the tab, the second cleat to concentrate the opening force in a second direction that is non-parallel to the center axis when the tab is lifted relative to the center panel between the first angular position and a second angular position greater than the first angular position, the first direction being different than the second direction, wherein the first cleat is to concentrate the opening force to a first side of the center axis when the tab is lifted between the initial position and the first angular position.   
     
     
         7 . The can end of  claim 6 , wherein the first angular position is approximately between 40 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the center panel. 
     
     
         8 . The can end of  claim 7 , wherein the second cleat is to concentrate the opening force to a second side of the center axis when the tab is lifted between the first angular position and the second angular position, the first side being opposite the second side, wherein the second angular position is approximately between 60 degrees and 80 degrees relative to the center panel. 
     
     
         9 . A can end comprising:
 a center panel, the center panel having a first area; and   a pour panel formed on the center panel, the pour panel to define a pour opening having a second area, wherein a first area-to-second area ratio is approximately between 0.22 inches and 0.23 inches.   
     
     
         10 . The can end of  claim 9 , wherein the first area is approximately 2.84 square inches (in 2 ) and the second area is approximately 0.65 square inches (in 2 ). 
     
     
         11 . The can end of  claim 9 , wherein the pour panel has a score length of approximately 1.05 inches and a score width of approximately 0.735 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The can end of  claim 9 , further including a tab to move the pour panel from a sealed condition to a non-sealed condition. 
     
     
         13 . The can end of  claim 12 , wherein the tab includes:
 a lift end and a nose opposite the lift end, the nose to at least partially extend over a pour panel of the can end;   a central webbing interposed between the lift end and the nose, the central webbing defining a hinge line about which the tab is to pivot away from a center panel of the can end when the tab is coupled to the can end; and   a first cleat formed on the nose, the first cleat being offset relative to a first side of the center axis of the tab such that a longitudinal axis of the first cleat intersects the center axis at a first angle.   
     
     
         14 . The can end of  claim 13 , wherein the tab includes a first cleat. 
     
     
         15 . The can end of  claim 14 , wherein the first angle of the first cleat is approximately within plus or minus 5 degrees of the pivot angle. 
     
     
         16 . The can end of  claim 15 , further comprising a second cleat formed on the nose. 
     
     
         17 . The can end of  claim 16 , wherein the second cleat is formed on a second side of the center axis opposite the first side. 
     
     
         18 . The can end of  claim 17 , wherein the second cleat is offset relative to the first side of the center axis of the tab such that a second longitudinal axis of the second cleat intersects the center axis at a second angle. 
     
     
         19 . The can end of  claim 18 , wherein the second angle is substantially equal to the first angle. 
     
     
         20 . The can end of  claim 18 , wherein the second angle is approximately within plus or minus 4 degrees of the pivot angle.