WO2020018808A1

WO2020018808A1 - Mouth guard opening device for beverage cans

Info

Publication number: WO2020018808A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/042428
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Smith
Original assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
Priority date: 2018-07-19
Filing date: 2019-07-18
Publication date: 2020-01-23

Abstract

A cap (10) for beverage can (110) includes a lever (60) for actuating the beverage can tab (140) and protects a consumer's mouth from the edge of the pour opening (170). The cap is applied to the beverage can by inclining the cap such that a heel (144) or distal end of the lever is at the leading edge, thereby enabling a ledge (70) of the lever to slip into the gap between the tab heel (144) and center panel (136) of the can.

Description

MOUTH GUARD OPENING DEVICE FOR BEVERAGE CANS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.

62/700,377 filed July 19, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention relates to beverage can packaging, and more particularly to a device and method to enhance opening of a beverage can pour opening and shield the beverage can pour opening.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Aluminum beverage cans are in widespread use around the world. As many millions on consumers know, a conventional beverage can includes a can end having a pour opening that is defined by a score and a tab that is affixed to the can end by a rivet. The tab is actuated by lifting the heel of the tab, which rotates the tab about a hinge, deforms the panel area around the rivet, and drives the nose of the tab down against a tear panel. Eventually, the score ruptures near the tab and the score rupture propagates about the tear panel until the tear panel deflects at the hinge. The consumer then pushes the tab back to its rest position, which is roughly parallel to the plane of the end center panel, to prepare the can for dispensing.

[0004] It is known that some populations, such as children and the elderly, have difficulty lifting the heel of conventional beverage can tabs, and that the edge of the pour opening can be sharp. In many cases, the difficulty in opening a beverage can has been exacerbated by smaller center panel diameters because of the industry trend toward smaller end sizes.

[0005] Some attempts to alleviate can opening difficulty include that shown in United States Patent Number 3,460,411, which discloses an L-shaped, ring-pull opening tool that is configured to act as a lever. Other reusable opening tools are known.

[0006] United States Patent Number 5,125,525 discloses a protective cap for a beverage can that snaps over the can end and has a lip guard that extends beyond the outer diameter of the can body. The cap has a hinged cover over a grate to prevent insects and other objects from entering into the pour opening. United States Patent Number 4,938,379 discloses a one-piece cover that nests on the can and extends beyond the outside diameter of the can. The cover has a mesh opening to prevent bees and the like from entering the can opening.

SUMMARY

[0007] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the beverage can and cap combination disclosed in the present application.

[0008] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a beverage can and cap combination. The beverage can includes a can body and a can end attached to the can body by a seam. The can end includes a center panel, a tear panel defined by a score in the center panel, and a tab attached to the center panel. The cap includes a body and a lever attached to the cap body by a hinge. The body has an inboard, peripheral bead and drinking aperture extending through the body. The lever includes a ledge extending from an underside of the body. The can and cap are coupled together such that the cap bead is snap fit on the seam of the can, the lever is axially aligned with the tab, and the cap lever ledge is located beneath the tab heel. The cap is configured such that lifting a distal end of the lever to pivot the lever about the cap hinge actuates the tab to rupture the score to form a pour opening in the center panel.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of opening the beverage can combination comprising the steps of: lifting the distal end of the lever to rotate the lever about the hinge such that the lever ledge lifts the heel of the tab to rotate the tab about the rivet to drive the nose of the tab against the tear panel to form the pour opening; and after forming the pour opening in the lifting step, pushing the distal end of the lever to rotate the lever about the hinge and to rotate the tab about the move the lever and tab toward the original position.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a cap for fitting onto a beverage can.

The cap comprises a body having a peripheral skirt and a deck; a drinking aperture formed in the deck; a snap bead formed on an inboard surface of the skirt and adapted for engaging a seam of a beverage can; a lever connected to the deck by a hinge and capable of pivoting about the hinge relative to the deck; and a ledge protruding from an underside of the lever and adapted for being inserted into a gap between a beverage end tab and a beverage end center panel. [0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of applying a cap to a beverage can. The method comprises: inclining a circular cap by an angle A relative to a transverse plane of the beverage can; moving the inclined cap vertically downwardly relative to a beverage can until a gap beneath a tab of the can is exposed to a ledge of the cap lever; and rotating the cap by an angle A opposite to the inclining direction until a skirt of the cap extends over a seam of the beverage can, thereby moving the ledge into the gap beneath the tab.

[0012] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description section. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not constrained to limitations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG 1 is a cross sectional view of a beverage can of a type on which a cap may be

attached;

[0014] FIG 2 is a perspective view of a cap illustrating aspects of the present invention;

[0015] FIG 3 is a top view of the cap of FIG 2;

[0016] FIG 4 is a bottom view of the cap of FIG 2;

[0017] FIG 5 is a cross sectional view of the can of FIG 1 and the cap of FIG 2 during a stage of assembly of the cap onto the can, where the cap has not yet contacted the can;

[0018] FIG 6 is a cross sectional view of the can and cap assembly process subsequent to the stage of FIG 5;

[0019] FIG 7 is a partial cross sectional view of the cap and beverage can combination, showing the cap assembled to the can; and

[0020] FIG 8 is a cross sectional view of the combination can and cap illustrating the lever of the cap actuated to open the can.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] A combination package 8 includes a beverage can 110 and cap 10. Referring to FIG 1, beverage can 110 includes a cylindrical can body 120 that includes a conventional domed base (not shown). A neck 122 extends upwardly from body 120. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the can body 120 is a drawn and ironed beverage can having a diameter of approximately 58mm. The structure and function of the cap disclosed herein is not intended to be limited to any can type or can or end diameter or other dimensions. Rather, the cap may be employed with any beverage can body and end suitable for direct drinking by a consumer.

[0022] A beverage can end 130 is affixed to can body 120 at a seam 160. In the embodiment shown in the figures, seam 160 is a conventional double seam, also referred to as a mini seam, as understood in the field. End 130 in the embodiment of the figures is a conventional, lightweight beverage can end, such as the kind marketed by Crown Cork & Seal Company (such as SUPEREND or ISE) or Ball Corporation (SUCH AS CDL), or a non-lightweight end (such as B64).

[0023] End 130 includes (as an example) a chuck wall 132 that extends downwardly from the seam to a countersink bead 134, which extends to a center panel 136. As illustrated in the figures, center panel 136 is slightly convex (as viewed from outside the can) at least in part as a result of internal pressure within the can. In this regard, beverage can 110, especially end 130, is of the type rated for 85 psi internal pressure. Center panel 136 may also be planar (not shown in the figures). The present invention is not limited to any end type or configuration unless expressly stated in the claims.

[0024] Center panel 136 includes a rivet 138, which preferably is at the geometric center of panel 136. A tear panel 150 is formed in front of rivet 138 and defined by a score 152, having ends that form a hinge about which tear panel 150 pivots relative to the remainder of center panel 136 to form a pour opening 170 (FIG 7).

[0025] A tab 140 includes a nose 142 for contacting tear panel 150 and an opposing heel 144 that a user contacts to actuate the tab 140. Tab 140 includes a rivet island 146, which is secured to center panel 136 by rivet 138. Tab heel 144 at a rear or distal end of tab 140 is spaced apart from center panel 136 to form a gap 154 therebetween, which gap may be increased from the end’s unseamed configuration due to upward deflection of the end 130 upon pressurization within can 110.

[0026] Cap 10 preferably is a single-piece structure formed by an injection molded thermoplastic approved for food use, such as a polypropylene homopolymer/copolymer having a melt flow index suitable for forming a living hinge (described below) of sufficient strength for commercial use. The present invention is not limited to any particular material unless set out in the claims. Rather, the material may be chosen according to particular parameters of the application. For description purposes, cap 10 can be described as including a base 20 that is fixed relative to can 110 and a lever that is moveable relative to base 20. Base 20 includes a skirt 22 and a deck 40.

[0027] Skirt 22 extends downwardly from a periphery of deck 40 and preferably is circular and continuous (that is, extends 360 degrees around can 110 in an unbroken ring). Skirt 22 has an outboard surface 24 that defines an outer diameter of cap 10 and an inboard surface 26. A bead 28, also referred to as a snap bead, extends inwardly from inboard surface 26.

[0028] Deck 40 includes a topside surface 42 and an underside surface 44. A drinking aperture 46 extends through deck 40 and aligns with a front portion of tear panel 150 to promote dispensing or drinking. The portion of deck 40 about drinking aperture 46 forms a bp contact surface 48, which a consumer’s bps engage during drinking. Curved ribs 50, which structure is broadly referred to as an upstand, protrude upwardly to define the highest points on cap 10. Deck 40 has a cutout in which lever 60 is located.

[0029] Lever 60, in the embodiment shown in the figures, is generally trapezoidal structure and approximately parallel to can end 130 before actuation, and is attached to deck 40 by a hinge 62. Hinge 62 defines a hinge axis HA, and a lever axis LA is perpendicular to hinge axis HA and bisects lever 60. An undercut, such as cutout 64, may provide a space for tab 140 to move into as lever 60 and tab 140 are rotated about axis HA and TA, respectively, when opening the can. In this regard, cutout 64 provides clearance such that tab 140 does not contact deck 40, which contact might interfere with the rotation of lever 60 and/or tab 140 about their axes. Further, cutout 64 may allow hinge 62 to operate. In this regard, cutout 64 separates lever 60 and deck 40, which would render lever 60 incapable of rotating about axis HA. Accordingly, cutout 64 is aligned with tab 140. Hinge 62 may be a living hinge (that is, a strip of relatively thin plastic that facilitates bending) or other structure. Hinge 62 as shown in the figures is interrupted by cutout 64 and thus formed as left and right hinge structures. A ledge 70 extends approximately horizontally from underside 44 and is forward facing (that is, extends toward the drinking aperture 46). A window 66 (that is, an opening) through lever 60 exposes the ledge 70 to visual inspection. A pair of tab guide walls 74 extend downwardly from underside 44 and bracket tab 140. As explained more fully below, tab guide walls 74 align cap 10 to tab 140 or assure correct orientation during assembly. Reinforcing ribs 78 stiffen the lever structure 60. Lever 60 defines a finger contact surface 80 on its distal or rear end. And lever 60 includes a raised surface 84 that aids assembly clearance and also aligns the caps 10 during stacking.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in the figures, cap 10 is a unitary structure. The present

invention is not limited to a unitary structure, but rather encompasses a cap formed by two or more components. For example, the cap may be formed from two components such that the lever is a separate component from the base. In this regard, referring to FIG 3, line HA may represent a break or separation line between the discrete components.

The lever may be attached to the based by a pair or opposing pins, shown schematically and in relief in FIG 3 by reference number 90, that protrude from the sides of the lever and he on the axis of rotation. The pins 90 could be clipped into a groove on the underside of the base of the cap.

[0031] Moreover, lever 60 optionally may be affixed to deck 40 by tamper evident, frangible bridges, which are schematically indicated in FIG 4 by reference number 92, which provide an indication of tamper evidence for the actuation of lever 60.

[0032] Referring to figures 5 through 7 to describe the process of assembling cap 10 to can 110 for form combination 8, cap 10 is tilted at an angle A relative to a plane defined by the longitudinal cross section of can 110, which is parallel to a plane defined by the uppermost ring defined at the top of seam 160 (that is, a horizontal plane). Cap 10 is tilted or rotated about an axis parallel to hinge axis HA, which has the effect of lowering ledge 70. Angle A in the embodiment shown is preferably 10 to 15 degrees, and the inventors surmise that angle A may be 5 to 20 degrees may be employed.

[0033] Titled cap 10 is translated downwardly, as illustrated in FIG 5 to FIG 6, until the leading surface of cap 10 contacts can 110. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, ledge 70 is the first portion of cap 10 to engage can 110 within the seam 160, while skirt 22 is positioned outboard of seam 160. Ledge 70 contacts or is near center panel 36 and aligned with gap 154. Raised surface 84 at the rear or distal end of lever 60 provides clearance between seam 160 and cap 10 to enable the ledge 70 to drop below tab heel 144 without interference. Without raised surface 84, the seam 160 might interfere with cap 10 and in this regard inhibit assembly of cap 10 onto can 110.

[0034] Then, cap 10 is rotated by angle A in the opposite direction of the tilting (that is

clockwise in the orientation of the figures) and, if needed, translated forward such that the front portion of skirt 22 extends over seam 160 and ledge 70 is positioned underneath tab heel 144. To promote automated assembly in some embodiments, cap 10 undergoes no rotation about a vertical centerline or other sideways displacement of ledge 70 relative to tab 140 during assembly, as tab guide walls 74 engage tab 140, as explained above. In other words, lever body axis A preferably remains parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tab during the assembly process.

[0035] FIG 7 illustrates the combination 8 is in its assembled form with bead 28 engaging seam 160 in a snap fit relationship. Bead 28 may be located on a lower edge or lip 162 of seam 160. Ledge 70 is beneath heel 144 of the tab 140 (that is, in gap 154 and in position to lift heel 144. Hinge axis HA in the embodiment shown in the figures is directly inline (that is, approximately co-linear) with the axis of rotation of the tab TA to promote smooth actuation. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the axes TA and HA are vertically aligned within a tolerance of approximately 0.009 inches (0.23mm). Other tolerances are contemplated, depending on the particular design and manufacturing parameters. The phrase“inline” used herein when referring to alignment of the axes, encompasses manufacturing and assembly tolerances and functionally insignificant dimensional misalignment (that is, an angular and/or offset variation that does not inhibit the smooth functioning of the device) from perfect co-linear alignment.

[0036] Outboard surface 24 of the skirt 22 is vertical in cross section, or a right circular cylinder, in the embodiment shown in the figures. Preferably, the radial thickness of skirt 22, not including the bead, is no more than approximately 0.060 inches (l.5mm). The radial thickness may be chosen such that the outside diameter of cap 10 (that is, at outboard surface 24) is no greater than the outside diameter of beverage can 110, which configuration promotes ease of handling and packaging. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0037] It is understood that normal actuation of a conventional beverage can tab deforms the area of the center panel around rivet 138, and the axis of rotation of the tab TA will be understood in the context of center panel and rivet deformation. In the embodiment of the figures, ledge 70 holds tab 140 and lever 60 together, and bead 28 engages can 110 to affix cap 10 onto can 110, such that during actuation of the device, movement of axis TA of tab 140 (if any) is translated to movement of axis HA of cap 10, and in this regard axis TA and axis HA tend to stay in alignment during actuation. The present invention is not limited to this translation of movement of the axes unless expressly stated in the claims.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG 8, a consumer may engage lever 60 by contacting finger contact surface 80 with a finger and lifting the distal end of lever 60 to rotate lever 60 about hinge axis HA. Ledge 70 due to its position underneath tab heel 144 lifts tab 140 to rotate tab 140 about rivet 138, which forces tab nose 142 against tear panel 150 until score 152 ruptures to formed pour opening 170. Alignment of hinge axis HA and tab axis TA promotes the opening process. A consumer may then return lever 60 to or near its original position, and then drink from drinking aperture 46 with improved safety, as the potentially sharp edge about pour opening 170 is covered by deck 40, and opening 170 is spaced apart from lip contact surface 48. In the embodiment shown, for a conventional 58 mm, 350 ml beverage can, the opening force is achieved of no more than 15 N (3.4 lbf) measured at the tip of lever 60.

[0039] The present invention has been described by employing the structure and function of a particular embodiment. The present invention is not intended to be limited to any structure of function described herein, nor to the solution to any problems or drawbacks of the prior art, unless stated in the claims. Some statements in the specification state that some structure or function described is not intended to be limiting, and these statements are merely examples and are not an exhaustive list. Rather, people familiar with beverage can technology will understand that variations may be employed and that the claims are intended be read to be given their broadest scope.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A beverage can and cap combination comprising:

a beverage can including:

a can body; and

a can end attached to the can body by a seam; the can end including a center panel, a tear panel defined by a score in the center panel, and a tab attached to the center panel; and

a cap including:

a cap body having an inboard, peripheral bead and drinking aperture extending through the cap body; and

a lever attached to the cap body by a hinge, the lever including a ledge extending from an underside of the cap body;

the can and cap coupled together such that the cap bead is snap fit on the seam of the can, the lever is axially aligned with the tab, and the cap lever ledge is located beneath a heel of the tab;

whereby the cap is configured such that lifting a distal end of the lever to pivot the lever about the cap hinge actuates the tab to rupture the score to form a pour opening in the center panel.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the cap body is unitary and is configured such that the tear panel is spaced apart from an upper surface of the cap body, thereby protecting the mouth of a user from edges of the pour opening.

3. The combination of any preceding claim wherein the cap body covers at least a front portion of the score.

4. The combination of any preceding claim wherein the heel of the tab is spaced apart from the center panel to form a gap therebetween.

5. The combination of any preceding claim wherein the cap hinge is located such that the axis of rotation of the lever is approximately co-linear with the axis of rotation of the tab.

6. The combination of any preceding claim wherein the outer diameter of the cap is not greater than the outside diameter of the can body.

7. The combination of any preceding claim wherein the cap body includes at least one upstand that transmits vertical load through the body to the can without substantial loading being transmitted through the lever.

8. The combination of any preceding claim wherein the lever includes tab guide walls

extending downwardly from an underside of the lever, the tab guide walls extending on opposing sides of the tab for alignment of the cap relative to the tab.

9. A method of opening the beverage can combination of any preceding claim, comprising the steps of:

lifting the distal end of the lever to rotate the lever about the hinge such that the lever ledge lifts the heel of the tab to rotate the tab about a rivet to drive the nose of the tab against the tear panel to form the pour opening; and

after forming the pour opening in the lifting step, pushing the distal end of the lever to rotate the lever about the hinge and to rotate the tab about the rivet to move the lever and the tab toward their respective original positions.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein a force applied to the lever during the lifting step is no more than 15 N.

11. A cap for fitting onto a beverage can, the cap comprising:

a body having a peripheral skirt and a deck;

a drinking aperture formed in the deck;

a snap bead formed on an inboard surface of the skirt and adapted for engaging a seam of the beverage can;

a lever connected to the deck by a hinge and capable of pivoting about the hinge relative to the deck; and

a ledge protruding from an underside of the lever and adapted for being inserted into a gap between a beverage end tab and a beverage end center panel.

12. The cap of claim 11 wherein an upper surface of the deck about the drinking aperture forms a lip contact surface adapted for engaging the lips of a consumer.

13. The cap of any one of claims 11 and 12 wherein a radial dimension of the skirt being less than 0.060 inches.

14. The cap of any one of claims 11-13 whereby wherein the cap includes at least one upstand that extends to a vertical extent above the lever such that the upstand is adapted for transmitting vertical load through the body without substantial vertical load being transmitted through the lever.

15. The cap of any one of claims 11-14 whereby the cap is configured such that lifting a distal end of the lever to pivot the lever about the cap hinge actuates the tab to rupture the score to form a pour opening in the center panel.

16. The cap of any one of claims 11-15 whereby the cap has an undercut that is configured to at least partly receive a tab of a beverage can.

17. The cap of any one of claims 11-16 wherein the hinge bisects the center of the cap.

18. A method of applying a cap to a beverage can, comprising the steps of:

inclining a circular cap by an angle A relative to a transverse plane of the beverage can; moving the inclined cap vertically downwardly relative to a beverage can until a gap beneath a tab of the can is exposed to a ledge of a cap lever; and

rotating the cap by an angle A opposite to the inclining direction until a skirt of the cap extends over a seam of the beverage can, thereby moving the ledge into the gap beneath the tab.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the angle A in the reclining step is 5 to 20 degrees.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the angle A in the reclining step is 10 to 15.

21. The method of any one of claims 18-20 wherein a raised region on the lever provides

clearance between the cap and the seam during the moving step.

22. The method of any one of claims 18-21 wherein rotating step includes snapping a bead on an inboard portion of the skirt over the beverage can seam.

23. The method of any one of claims 18-22 wherein the rotating step includes the step of tab guide walls guiding the cap into position by bracketing opposing sides of the tab.

24. The method of any one of claims 18-23 wherein the cap is applied to the can without rotating the cap in the transverse plane.