Can end and method of manufacturing a can end

Abstract

A can end comprises a metallic end surface in which an opening is formed that is closed by a closure piece of the metallic end surface, wherein the closure piece is separated from the surrounding end surface by a microgap extending at least sectionally along the margin of the end surface. A first end region of the closure piece is connected to the surrounding end surface via a pivot bearing. The can end further comprises a tear-open member that engages at a second end region of the closure piece, said second region being opposite the pivot bearing. The microgap is interrupted between the first end region and the second end region by at least one holding web via which the closure piece and the surrounding end surface are connected to one another in a bonded manner.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A can end, comprising a metallic end surface in which an opening is formed that is bounded by a closed margin of the end surface and that is closed by a closure piece of the metallic end surface, wherein the closure piece is separated from a surrounding end surface by a microgap extending at least sectionally along the closed margin of the end surface, wherein a first end region of the closure piece is connected to the surrounding end surface via a pivot bearing; and
 a tear-open member that engages at a second end region of the closure piece, said second end region being opposite the pivot bearing, so that a pivoting of the closure piece out of a plane defined by the opening is made possible by pulling at the tear-open member, wherein   the microgap is interrupted between the first end region and the second end region by at least one holding web via which the closure piece and the surrounding end surface are connected to one another in a bonded manner.   
     
     
         22 . The can end in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the at least one holding web has a width from 0.5 mm to 6 mm. 
     
     
         23 . The can end in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the at least one holding web has a notch. 
     
     
         24 . The can end in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the microgap is interrupted between the first end region and the second end region by a web arrangement comprising at least two holding webs via which the closure piece and the surrounding end surface are connected to one another in a bonded manner. 
     
     
         25 . The can end in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the web arrangement comprises holding webs arranged at both sides of the second end region. 
     
     
         26 . The can end in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein the web arrangement comprises at least one pair of holding webs arranged disposed opposite one another with respect to a central region of the closure piece. 
     
     
         27 . The can end in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the web arrangement comprises at least four and at most eight holding webs arranged distributed along the closed margin of the end surface. 
     
     
         28 . The can end in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the holding webs of the web arrangement are of identical design. 
     
     
         29 . The can end in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the microgap is a punched gap and the at least one holding web is formed by a punched recess. 
     
     
         30 . The can end in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the microgap has a maximum width of 0.01 mm. 
     
     
         31 . The can end in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein a coating composed of a plastic material is applied to a flat side of the metallic end surface in a manner covering the microgap. 
     
     
         32 . The can end in accordance with  claim 31 , wherein the coating is applied to an inner side of the metallic end surface. 
     
     
         33 . The can end in accordance with  claim 31 , wherein the coating is applied over a full area to the flat side of the metallic end surface. 
     
     
         34 . The can end in accordance with  claim 31 , wherein the coating has a weakening that is arranged at a distance from the microgap. 
     
     
         35 . The can end in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the tear-open member is a gripping, pulling and/or lever element, in particular composed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         36 . The can end in accordance with  claim 35 , wherein the tear-open member is composed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         37 . The can end in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein a sealing frame composed of a plastic material and surrounding the opening is connected to the surrounding end surface and a closure unit composed of a plastic material and supporting the closure piece is pivotably attached to the surrounding end surface, with the sealing frame and the closure unit being releasably connectable in a fluid-tight manner to one another via sealing and latching ribs and associated reception grooves. 
     
     
         38 . A method of manufacturing a can end, wherein an at least regionally flat metal element is provided, and wherein
 a closure piece is punched out of the metal element and is reinserted into an opening formed by the punching process, and wherein
 the punching out is performed using a punching die that has a cutting edge having at least one recess. 
   
     
     
         39 . A can end, comprising a metallic end surface in which an opening is formed that is bounded by a closed margin of the end surface and that is closed by a closure piece of the metallic end surface, wherein the closure piece is separated from a surrounding end surface by a microgap extending at least sectionally along the closed margin of the end surface, wherein
 an arrangement of venting notches is formed in the metallic end surface and is in connection with the microgap.   
     
     
         40 . The can end in accordance with  claim 39 , wherein the arrangement of venting notches is formed in an inner side of the metallic end surface. 
     
     
         41 . The can end in accordance with  claim 40 , wherein a coating composed of a plastic material is applied to the inner side of the metallic end surface in a manner covering the microgap and at least partly covering the arrangement of venting notches. 
     
     
         42 . The can end in accordance with  claim 39 , wherein the venting notches define a radial pattern and/or wherein each of the venting notches extends at least from the microgap up to a marginal region of the metallic end surface.