Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D51/00—Making hollow objects
  • B21D51/16—Making hollow objects characterised by the use of the objects
  • B21D51/38—Making inlet or outlet arrangements of cans, tins, baths, bottles, or other vessels; Making can ends; Making closures
  • B21D51/383—Making inlet or outlet arrangements of cans, tins, baths, bottles, or other vessels; Making can ends; Making closures scoring lines, tear strips or pulling tabs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
  • B65D17/28—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness
  • B65D17/401—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall
  • B65D17/4011—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall for opening completely by means of a tearing tab
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
  • B65D2517/0001—Details
  • B65D2517/0058—Other details of container end panel
  • B65D2517/0074—Local recess in container end panel
  • B65D2517/0079—Local recess in container end panel located beneath tab hand grip to facilitate initial lifting

Definitions

• This invention relates to full-open, disc-removal, convenience- eature, sheet metal end-closure structures, to methods for fabricating and opening such structures, and to safety prov-isions for obstructing access to raw edge metal remaining along a severed scoreline after opening such a closure structure.
• lever-assisted rupture was limited to only a minor portion of the peripheral scoreline during the initial rupturing proce ⁇ dure. ' Thereafter, pulling backwardly on the tab opener ring had to be relied on to continue severance of residual metal along the remaining major portion (about 90%) of the peripheral scoreline after such initial lever action rupture.
• the present invention provides for lever-action ease of opening during severance of the peripheral scoreline which defines a full-open disc for removal from the end closure.
• an elongated, longitudinally-rigid tab-opener structure increases available lever action.
• a solid 3 configuration handle end i.e. free of any finger opening, can be used and, is preferred in order to help discourage an attempt to pull backwardly on the handle end of the opener from a location which lies internally of a longi- tudinal projection of the container side wall.
• the present invention provides a new disc ⁇ removal procedure and means for establishing use of such new procedure with the elongated, longitudinally-rigid opener enabling lever-assistance for peripheral scoreline severance as the handle end of the opener is disposed at a location radially external of the periphery of the end closure.
• FIG. 1 is a plan view of the outer or "public" surface (in relation to a container.) of an end closure structure of the invention shown with integral opener in place for opening;
• FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the inner or "prod ⁇ uct" surface (in relation to a container) showing the positional interrelationship of back scoreline means with rivet means for securing such opener to the panel to be removed from such closure structure;
• FIG. 3 is a 'enlarged, outer-surface, plan partial view, without the opener in place for better viewing purposes, for decribing the back scoreline means, its placement and its contributions .
• FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional partial view of an end closure structure of ' the invention on a container with the integral opener in position prior to initiating scoreline rupture;
• FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional partial view of the end closure structure of FTG. 4 subsequent to initia ⁇ tion of rupture of the back scoreline and a portion of the peripheral scoreline for defining the starter segment of the removable panel;
• FIG. 6 is a schematic partial view, sequential to that of FIG. 5, showing completion of an initial rupture phase in which such starter segment is moved from its
• FIG. 7 is an outer-surface plan view after continua ⁇ tion of the arcuate movement of the tab opener to bring such opener into contact with chime seam in a position to continue severance of the peripheral scoreline, beyond that portion partially defining the starter segment, using the chime seam as the fulcrum enabling subsequent lever action in accordance with the invention
• FIG. 8 is an inner-sur ace plan view of the end wall structure at the opening stage of FIG. 7 with interconnec ⁇ tion between the tab opener starter segment and remainder of the end wall panel in accordance with the invention providing continued severance of the remainder of the peripheral scoreline by lever action using the chime seam as a fulcrum;
• FIG. ' 9 is a partial schematic view in cross-section of structure in accordance with the invention for describ ⁇ ing the Class I lever action which continues severance of the peripheral scoreline using the chime seam as a fulcrum;
• FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view, subse ⁇ quent to FIG. 9, for showing the "crow-bar" function of the longitudinally-rigid opener using Class I lever action about the chime seam as the fulcrum in which the severable panel moves in an axial direction externally away from the
• FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view for showing a preferred back scoreline con iguration which further increases the mechanical advantage available with teachings of the present invention and provides other advantages;
• FIG. 12 is an outer-surface plan view of the end closure structure of FIG. 11 showing the starter segment resulting from rupture of the back scoreline and a minor portion of the peripheral scoreline in an intermediate opening stage;
• FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a preferred specific embodiment of the end closure structure of the invention showing positioning of the opening instructions, as taught herein, to facilitate use of the new disc-removal proce- dure of the invention;
• FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the end closure structure of FIG. 13, taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13;
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view, at the initiation of the opening procedure, of the end closure structure of FIG. 13, mounted on a can body, showing the proper orientation for disc-removal brought by placement of the opening procedure instructions as taught herein;
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view, sequential to that of FIG. 15, showing more clearly rupture of the scoreline defined portions of the starter segment as the handle end
• TESHEET of the tab opener is moved through an arc of around 90° ;
• FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective partial view, sequential to that of FIG. 16, showing the location of the lever fulcrum contiguous to the longitudinal location of the rivet along the length of the opener as the rupture of the peripheral scoreline, beyond the initial phase, takes place by force applied to the opener from a location radially exterior of the periphery of the end closure;
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view, sequential to that of FIG. 17 showing continued "crow-bar” action disc removal as the arcuate movemen of the handle end of the integral opener continues beyond 180° externally of the periphery of the can causing the severable end wall panel to be moved in substantially its original planar form from the container;
• FIG. 19 is a perspective view sequential to that of FIG. 18, showing the final stage of disc removal by lift ⁇ ing on the opener, retained by the disc, from the con ⁇ tainer;
• FIGS. 20 through 25 are partial cross-sectional views, taken radially of the .end closure structure, for describing the sequential steps in accordance with the invention for coordinated formation of shielding for raw- edge scoreline metal by folding multi-layers of sheet metal, for scoring the sheet metal, for forming a unitary rivet button, for end wall panel profiling and embossing, and for riveting a tab opener to be integral with the removable disc, in which:
• FIG. 20 shows the results of shaping a cut blank to provide chime seam metal, a chuck wall and sheet metal portions extending in stepped fashion, radially-inwardly in relation to the end closure structure and in an axial direction in relation to a can body for receiving such end closure structure, toward an end wall panel which is recessed axially in relation to such chime seam metal toward the interior of such a container used with such end closure,
• FIG. 21 shows start of rivet button formation and an initial stage for subseguent folding of such sheet metal portions in a sequence subseguent to that of FIG. 20,
• FIG. 22, which is sequential to FIG. 21, shows formation of a smaller diameter rivet button, an inter ⁇ mediate stage in the folding of such sheet metal portions, and start of recessing of a centrally located panel portion
• FIG. 23, which is sequential to FIG. 22, shows peripheral and back scoreline formation, with such scorelines being formed immediately prior to final orientation of either of a pair of multi-layer folds of sheet metal contiguous to the peripheral scoreline on opposite surfaces of such end closure.
• FIG. 24, which is sequential to FIG. 23, represents
• SUBSTITUTESHEET the sequence for final rivet button shaping and final orientation of a multi-layer fold of sheet metal for shielding residual scoreline metal of the removable disc to be separated from the end closure structure and for embossing the end wall panel with instructions as shown in FIG. 13, and
• FIG. 25 shows the rivet button formed into a rivet securing a tab opener to the disc and final orientation of the multi-layer fold of sheet metal for shielding the residual scoreline metal of that portion of the end closure structure remaining with the container.
• the present invention provides procedure and struc ⁇ ture which make lever-action and mechanical advantage severance available substantially throughout, or through- out the major portion which is significant for ease of opening, of a peripheral scoreline defining a panel to be removed for full-opening of a container.
• Endwall closure structure 27, shown in plan view of its outer surface in FIG. 1, is formed with chime seam metal 28 around its outer periphery; a longitudinally- rigid tab opener 30 is secure to removable disc 31 by rivet 32.
• the working end 33 of elongated tab opener 30 is positioned in contiguous relationship to a portion of peripheral scoreline 34; the latter has a circular con- figuration in such plan view and defines removable disc 31.
• SUBSTITUTESHEET Back scoreline leg portions 35, 36 (FIGS. 1 and 2) • extend in transverse relationship to the diametric align ⁇ ment of the longitudinal axis of opener 30.
• Such legs 35, 36 define, at least in part, a chord across a minor portion of the circular peripheral scoreline 34 which helps to define a part of a starter segment which is first moved from its original disposition in the plane of the end wail panel.
• the elongated tab opener- 30 is non-lanced (no part moves relative -to another part) and is fabricated to have appropriate longitudinal strength characteris ics for the functions disclosed herein.
• sheet metal of a suitable gage is selected, and the tab opener is rein ⁇ forced longitudinally,, to enable it to act as a longitud- inally rigid, high-strength lever throughout severance of a full panel disc.
• the handle end of the tab opener is located over a centrally-located, profiling indentation 38 which is of circular configuration in plan view.
• profiling indentation 38 is of circular configuration in plan view.
• Such indented portion of the panel maintains disc 31 substantially planar and helps to provide finger access for initiating 11 arcuate movement of the handle end of the tab opener in a direction externally away from the container to initiate opening.
• the back scoreline configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1. is shown more completely in the bottom plan view of FIG. 2, in which the end closure structure is seen as it appears on the "inner" surface of the structure which will confront product held by a container, after assembly.
• the back scoreline legs 35, 36 stem from rivet-circumscribing center section 39 of the back scoreline means, in the direction of the adjacent periphery of the end wall closure 27.
• Center scoreline section 39 is disposed about the periphery of a portion of rivet 32 (FIG. 3). In the embodiment shown, it is formed from multiple radii so that a portion 40 protrudes relative to circumferential portions 41, 42 in a radially inward direction. A smaller radius (in relation to that of 41, 42) provides a semi- pointed con iguration which ruptures readily to vent the container upoft initial lifting of the handle end 37; such initial rupturing occurs while tab opener 30 is still in a position substantially overlaying scoreline section 39.
• Arc portions 41, 42 of scoreline section 39 lead to legs 35, 36. Back scoreline legs, such as 35, 36, are directed toward an adjacent portion of the peripheral scoreline 34 and define an effective -included-angle therebetween of 180°
• Such legs can be scored to provide for folding or severing a portion of the sheet metal to form a chord (better seen in later FIGS-. 7 and 8) for the subtended arc portion of the circular disc defined by scoreline 34.
• the effective included angle confronting the adjacent portion of peripheral scoreline 34 is selected to be no greater than 180°; and in other embodi ⁇ ments, described later herein, is preferably substantially less than 130°.
• Scored legs 35, 36 help to define starter- segment 45 (FIG. 3) which is a minor area of the circular panel 31. A portion of segment 45, between its chord and the chord's subtended arc is turned inwardly of the container by the opening procedures prior to full panel severance.
• the scored legs 35, 36 terminate before intersection with the peripheral scoreline; they are part of such chord which, in the embodiment shown, is positioned radially inwardly of center 44 of rivet 32.
• the resulting chord in this embodiment acts as an interim fulcrum for Class I lever action of opener 30 during rupture of a portion of the subtended arc of the peripheral scoreline.
• the segment 45 which is turned toward the interior of a container, is increased by location of legs 35, 36 to form a chord radially inwardly of rivet center 44, over that which would be provided if the chord were oriented to pass through the center of, or radially outwardly beyond the
• FIGS. 4- 6 Initial rupturing stages of the invention, using the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, are shown in sequence in FIGS. 4- 6.
• Arrow 46 indicates the arcuate direction of movement of the handle end of opener 30; this direction of arcuate movement of the handle end of an opener is utilized in the invention for lever action severance of peripheral scoreline throughout the opening procedure.
• the handle end is -* started on its aracuate movement by lifting (with a finger, other than the thumb, as shown later herein) in a direction toward the user as such handle end moves initially away' from the outer * surface of the end wall panel 31.
• peripheral chime metal 28 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed into chime seam 47 and that the upper surface of metal 28 constitutes the exposed (upper) surface of chime seam 47 as shown in the cross sectional views of FIGS. 4-6.
• end wall panel 31 is countersunk in relation to the axial disposition of such upper surface of chime seam 47; and that the centrally located profiling portion 38 is recessed axially from the remainder of end wall panel 31.
• the arcuate movement of the handle end of opener 30 is continued in the same direc- tion; the angular direction of the legs of the back scoreline means toward the adjacent peripheral scoreline helps to determine size of the starter segment.
• the scored legs 35, 36 contribute to defining starter segment 45.
• chord determined by the " direction of the scored lines of legs 35, 36 acts as the pivot (fulcrum) axis rather than the center 44 of rivet 32, and stops any radial direction translation of opener 30 so that working end 33 turns inwardly to rupture peripheral scoreline portion 48.
• Such arcuate movement of the handle end of the opener in the direction 46 continues through an arc in excess of 90 until that -surface of tab opener 30, which initially faced as shown in FIG. 1, is brought into contact with the surface of chime seam 47 (FIGS. 7-9).
• the working end 33 of opener 30 acts through a portion of segment 45 on the remainder of disc
• the contact between the elongated opener 30 and the chime seam 47 acts as a fulcrum for continued lever-action severance of the peripheral scoreline 34 (such continued lever-action taking place with the hand of the user being located radially exterior of the periphery of the chime seam and " conainer side wall); the continuing arcuate movement (arrow 46, FIG. 10) of the handle end of opener 30 causes Class I lever action output, at the working end ' 33 of opener 30 in the direction of arrow 50 of FIG. 10.
• the lever acts as a "crow-bar" about the chime (fulcrum) to move the panel 31 (also referred to herein as a disc) in an outward direction in relation to the container, completing lever-action severance of the remainder of the peripheral scoreline 34.
• the full disc 31 is moved upwardly from its countersunk position by such lever action, severing most, if not all, of the remainder of the scoreline 34 (FIG. 3) around disc 31 with the upper surface of chime seam 47 acting as the fulcrum for such continued lever action.
• the tab opener remains secured to the removable disc through segment 45 which remains joined
• the lever action which moves the working end 33 of opener 30 in the direction of arrow 50 severs peripheral scoreline toward that portion of the peripheral scoreline 34 which " is diametrically opposite to the initially ruptured portion.
• the force required for removal is diminishing so that the "crow-bar" action requirements are diminishing and, the end wall panel can be lifted from the closure struc ⁇ ture with any minor remaining peripheral scoreline being severed by such lifting.
• Such back scoreline means include a rivet-circumscribing central portion 52 and angled legs 53, 54 which define an effective included angle which is substantially less than 130 ° .
• legs 53, 54- have a curvilinear configuration initially extending transversely to a diameter of the panel and then in a generally radial direction toward adjacent peripheral scoreline 34.
• the effective included-angle between legs 53, 54 is a minor acute angle; such legs help to define a starter segment of significantly less area in relation to the disc to be removed than that of the embodiment of FIG. 3.
• Scoring for the legs terminates at points 55, 56 contiguous to shielding means (on the end wall panel) to be described in more detail later herein.
• Chord 57 shown in broken lines, ends contiguously to termination points 55, 56 at such shielding mens.
• the portion of the periphery scoreline which is ruptured during the initial rupturing procedure is the arc subtended by chord 57.
• Starter segment 58 (FIG. 12) is proportionally smaller than segment 45 of the earlier-described FIG. 3 407
• the rivet can be placed significantly closer to the working end.
• the effective length of the opener acting as work-input lever arm is increased during a portion of the initial rupturing procedure and, also, subsequently due to the increased length of the opener which is disposed radially outwardly of the chime seam for the container, which chime seam acts as the fulcrum for the latter lever action.
• the back scoreline means of FIG. 11 is scored for severing about central portion 52 and along the angled legs 53, 54.
• the angled legs turn toward the adjacent peripheral scoreline with a major directional component the same as the longitudinal axis of the elongated opener 51. That this configuration can be used without concern for completely ripping a minor area starter segment from the removable disc is due to the multi-layer sheet metal fold teachings, for shielding raw-edge residual scoreline metal, shown and described in relation to later figures.
• Such sheet metal shielding folds prevent starter segment 58 (Fig. 12) from being town completely from the remainder of the disc and enable maximizing the mechanical advantage available through this back scoreline configuration while maintaining the unitary connection, between segment 58 and the remainder of the end wall panel, to continue lever- action severance of the peripheral scoreline.
• the non-lanced '(longitudinally rigid) tab opener 51 partially shown in bottom plan view in FIG. 12 includes fold-over rounded-edge metal, such as 59, around its outer periphery except near its working end.
• fold-over rounded-edge metal such as 59
• Such longitudinal- ly-extending rounded edge metal increases the longitudinal strength of tab opener 51 for lever action purposes.
• Profiling of the tab opener such as 60 surrounding rivet 37 (FIG. 13) can also add to that longitudinal strength.
• a chisel point, such as 33 (FIG. 8) provided at the working end of an opener facilitates the initial puncture which starts rupture of the peripheral scoreline.
• FIG. 13 shows aspects not shown in FIGS. 11, 12, such as protrusions 61 and 62 which are convex in relation to the outer surface in FIG. 13.
• UBSTITUTESHEET Protrusions 61, 62 are used in alignment and stacking; and, are located along a line which is intermediate the center of the end wall panel and the center of the rivet ' , on opposite sides of a radial line between such centers, in order to serve most effectively for alignment and stacking.
• linearly-extended, outwardly-projecting profil ⁇ ing bar 65 is positioned at a location below the handle end of the tab opener 51 so as to position such opener horizontally when forming rivet 32; and, also, to help maintain desired access at the working end for opening.
• the direction of such profiling and alignment protrusion can be seen more clearly in the cross section view of FIG. 14.
• An important contribution of the invention involves the predetermined placement of opening instuc ' tions 66 (FIG. 13). Referring to FIGS. 15-19, which are used to describe the new disc-removal opening procedure of the invention, the placement and the orientation of such instructions diametrically opposite .
• the index or middle finger is used for initiating disc removal in the new opening method rather than attempting to force the thumb under the handle end of the tab opener as in prior disc removal methods.
• placement of the instructions 66 requires orienting of the end closure so that the index or middle finger is used in order to be able to read such instructions (unobstructed by the hand of the user).
• the thumb at such stage, is braced against the chime seam 47 and the container side wall.
• the handle end of tab opener 51 is lifted by the index and/or middle finger (FIG. 15) in a direction externally away from the container initially.
• the swing of the handle end (as shovm in FIG. 16) continues toward the user.
• the handle end of tab opener 51 is initially lifted away from the end wall panel and is swung in an arc by pulling such handle end toward the user until tab opener 51 contacts the chime seam; which contact is being initiated in FIG. 16 (slightly after about 90 of arcuate movement) and continues in the sequence shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.
• the tab opener 51 contacts the chime seam 47, at a location along the length of the opener which is about the same as the location of the rivet 32 along the length of the opener.
• SUBSTITUTE SHEET segment 58 remains unitary with the disc as the peripheral scoreline is severed by such lever action.
• the lever-action severance of the peripheral score- line provides smoother opening charac ⁇ teristics than was possible with any of the prior art full-panel opening techniques.
• the prior art there was an abrupt change of direction from the limited lever action, applied only during initial rupture phase, to the "pull backwardly" phase. Frequently the result was spillage of liquid or semi-liquid contents because of such abrupt change, in direction of applied force; and, also because of abrupt movements during such backward pulling.
• the opening procedure taught generally results rather naturally in placement of the container on a level surface during opening. Enabling lever-action severance of the peripheral scoreline substantially eliminates the likelihood of spillage during execution of the opening procedure.
• the end wall portion as defined by scoreline 34 can be lifted from the closure as shown in FIG. 19. This may occur as severing of the scoreline 34 is converging diametrically opposite to the location of the starter segment 58.
• FIGS. 20 through 25 are radial, cross-sectional, partial views for purposes of describing sequential stages in the formation of' the end closure structure including shielding means for the raw edge metal remaining after severing of the peripheral scoreline.
• FIG. 20 shows results of an early forming operation on a blank involving forming of the chime seam metal and countersinking the end wall panel in relation to chime metal 28.
• chuck wall 69 and a series of "steps and risers" lead to the countersunk portion.
• steps and risers are part of the sheet metal portions for forming a pair of multi-layer folds of sheet metal; one such fold for shielding residual raw edge metal remaining with the disc after tearing the peripherally located scoreline and, one for shielding residual raw edge metal on that portion of closure structure remaining with the container.
• step portion 71 ' leads to riser portion 72 through intermediate transition zone 73; step portion 74 is connected to riser portion 72 through curvilinear zone 75; step portion 74 leads to riser portion 76 through transition zone 77; and riser portion 76 leads to transition zone 78 formed with panel 31.
• the peripheral scoreline for the removable disc is to be disposed intermediate the pair of multi-layer folds which separately shield residual scoreline metal on the separated disc and on the container end structure.
• the procedure taught enables tooling access, beyond the multi ⁇ layer pre-fold on each surface of the end closure, to enable scoring of a single thickness of sheet metal; the latter is supported oppositely to the scoring tool on the remaining surface.
• the prefolding of the sheet metal layers provides for completing the folding action, around such circular periphery, with only slight movement of rounded transition zone metal being required' after scoring to thus avoid premature damage to residual scoreline 5 metal.
• peripheral scoring (34) will subsequently take place on such horizontally oriented metal portion 74 to be located radially intermediate the pair of multi-layer folds to facilitate opening and avoid obstruction during removal of disc 31.
• Multi-layer folding of the sheet metal, scoreline formation, rivet button and profiling formation, and riveting a tab opener to the disc are coordinated while optimizing the number of work strokes.
• the rivet button formation and riveting actions are carried out in sequence without interfering with the metal folding or scoring operations. Completing the final configurations for the projections 61 and 62, the support
• bar 65 and embossing 66 can be carried out simultaneously with formation of the rivet button and the profiling to
• metal portions 71 , 72 and compound curvature zone 73 will form a multi-layer fold for shielding the raw edge metal 5 remaining with the end closure structure on the container.
• Metal portion 74 will be the connector between the pair of multi-layer sheet metal folds; also, the peripheral score ⁇ line 34 which will define the removable panel 31, will be carried out on metal portion 74.
• Metal portion 76 is 0 joined to the horizontal intermediate portion 74 by compound curvature z'one 77; compound curvature transition zone 78 and a portion 82 (of the recessed panel adjacent to zone 78) complete the multi-layer fold for providing the shielding for the residual raw edge metal remaining j _5 with the severed disc 31.
• a smaller-diameter, greater-depth rivet button 83 is formed and the pre-folding of the metal portions 76, 82 about zone 78 is increased, as shown.
• multi-layer folds of 20 metal for shielding both the scoreline residual metal on the disc and that remaining with the end structure on the container are provided.
• Another method (not necessarily part of the prior art) for protecting the residual score ⁇ line metal remaining with the container by profiling of a 25 container side wall has certain disdadvantages in dimin ⁇ ishing container volume.
• FIG. 23 the folded relationship between sheet metal portions 71, 72 (about compound cuvature zone 73 for the container multi-layer folds) is increased, as shown, while leaving access for scoring tool 86 to form the peripheral scoreline in single-layer metal portion 74.
• a back scoreline means such as back scoreline 39 (or the back scoreline 52 of FIG. 11) is formed by tool 87, with the support for all scoring being provided by tooling 88.
• SUBSTITUTESHEET separate multi-layer folds to near-completion, access is provided for the scoring tool on the scoring surface of single layer metal portion 74 and, for back-up tooling on the remaining surface.
• Providing the prefolded angled relationship shown, enables a minor final orientation for the pair of multi-layer sheet metal folds contiguous to the centerline of the peripheral scoreline so that the - removal of the disc is not obstructed by the multi-layer metal fold remaining with the end closure structure.
• FIG. 24 shows completing the multi-layer folds for the disc and final shaping for rivet button 91; and, FIG.
• Back scoreline tool 87 (FIG. 23) is selected to establish desired back scoreline configuration (central portion and angled legs) for the desired embodiment; back scoreline scoring is carried out during the same work stroke as the peripheral scoring.
• the plurality of sheet metal layers for shielding the disc are oriented with the rounded-edge zone 78 being oriented in a radially outward
• SUBSTITUTESH ⁇ ET direction with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the centerline of the peripheral scoreline so as to be in shielding relationship to raw edge metal on the disc after severance by obstructing (i.e. restricting • direct) access to such raw edge material.
• a final minor shaping to form rivet button 91 prior to forming the rivet, takes place and folding of the sheet metal layers for the disc is completed from the prefolded stage shown in FIG. 23.
• the maximum diameter for the periphery of rounded metal transition-zone 78 i is established; that diameter is contiguous, in- plan view to a projection (onto a plane which is transversely perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the container) of the centerline of peripheral scoreline 34.
• Such shielding means for the raw edge metal remaining on the disc is located on the product side of the end wall panel.
• tab opener (30, 51) is placed over rivet button 91.
• Bar 65 helps to support the tab opener horizontally for the rivet forming step carried out between tooling 92, 94.
• the sheet metal layers comprising the fold remaining with the container can be moved slightly, as shown, so that compound curva ⁇ ture transition zone 73 periphery diameter approximates that of the centerline of scoreline 34.
• the periphery of zone 73 is contiguous to a projection of such centerline of scoreline 34, so as to at least partially shield' he raw-edge of metal which will remain with the container from direct access when the peripheral scoreline is severed.
• Metal portions 71, 72 can be folded slightly during this stage to provide such desired shielding by zone 73 without obstructing removal of end wall panel 31; i.e., zone 73 does not extend radially inwardly beyond the centerline of the peripheral scoreline 34.
• the position of such multi-layer fold limits radial-direction movement of opener 30 so that the arcuate movement of working end 33 is directed inwardly in relation to - the container toward the peripheral scoreline.
• the multi-layer sheet metal fold shielding means remaining with the removable disc is disposed on the inner surface of the end wall panel.
• the rounded-edge transi ⁇ tion zone (73, 78) of each multi-layer fold at least
• FIG. 21v (FIG. 21v) dia. 3.18" chuck wall 69 dia.
• FIG. 22 - - - .39 FIG. 25 -21" Rivet head (diameter) .25"
• the location of the rivet depends on the dimension values and location of the tab opener; typically t sharp-edge chisel point of the working end of the t opener- is located contiguous to the peripheral scoreli but in a manner that the rounded edge 73 shielding mea remaining with the container does not impede the arcuat movement, initial rupturing-action of the working end the opener.
• the spacing from the working end of the tab opener to the aperture for the rivet button then deter ⁇ mines the location for the rivet button.in the end wall panel; typically the center of the rivet would be 1.25", measuring radially, from the center of the end panel in the embodiment of FIG. 11.
• Typical thicknesses for flat rolled alluminum end closures would be .009" to .012" with residual metal thickness for scored severing lines of about .004" to .005".
• Tab openers of" the present invention are longitud ⁇ inally rigid. .They are not lanced or cut out in the vicinity of the rivet as.in that prior practice in which the handle end moved relative to a portion of the opener which was held stationary by the rivet.
• the longitudinal ⁇ ly rigid feature enables continuation of the lever action using .the chime metal as a fulcrum as described above.
• the tab opener is preferably free of a finger opening (as in FIG. 1) but can be provided with a ring-shaped opener (as in FIG. 12). Approximate dimensional values for the tab openers identified are set forth below:
• Tab Opener 30 sheet metal flat rolled steel nominal thickness .012" to .019" tyP e of coating tinplate, TFS or galvanized overall length 1.54"
• SHEET 33 maximum width 1.1" rivet opening - distance from working end .30"
• Tab Opener 51 sheet metal flat rolled steel nominal thickness .012" - .019" type of coating tinplate, TFS or galvanized overall length 1.36" maximum width .92" rivet opening -distance from working end .30"
• the thickness gage for the tab opener can vary with the length and reinforcing provided by edge rolling and metal profiling.
• the object when working with the starter segment 45 embodiment (FIG. 1) is to provide for from twelve (12) to fifteen (15) pounds of force to be applied to the handle end of the tab opener without permanent damage to the tab opener due to longitudinal bending or collapsing. With the smaller starter segment provided by the back scoreline means of FIG. 11, and resultant increased mechanical advantage, force requirements are decreased by about 60%.
• tab openers fabricated from aluminum would rely on flat rolled aluminum having a nominal thickness gage between .014" and .022".
• HEET limiting rupure of metal along the back scoreline legs the importance thereof is more readily visualized by a back scoreline on the configuration shown in FIG. 11 in which the legs 53, 54 take on a substantially radial direction which would be likely, under other circumstan ⁇ ces, to cause starter segment 58 to be ripped entirely from the end wall panel 31.
• the multi-layer sheet metal fold provided radially interior of peripheral scoreline 34 serves the important function (in addition to its later shielding function) during the opening procedure of limiting ripping of starter segment sheet metal along the back scoreline legs.
• Such multi-layer fold also serves as a hinge-like unitary connection with the removable end wall disc during the continued lever action of the tab opener about the chime seam as a fulcrum.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Containers Opened By Tearing Frangible Portions (AREA)
• Devices For Opening Bottles Or Cans (AREA)
• Cartons (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (2)

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Citations (7)

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• 1987
  • 1987-12-23 WO PCT/US1987/003418 patent/WO1988005407A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1987-12-23 EP EP19880900752 patent/EP0299013A4/en not_active Withdrawn
• 1988
  • 1988-01-08 NZ NZ223134A patent/NZ223134A/xx unknown
  • 1988-09-20 DK DK523488A patent/DK523488A/da not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1988-09-22 NO NO884196A patent/NO884196L/no unknown
  • 1988-09-22 FI FI884354A patent/FI884354A/fi not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1988-09-23 KR KR1019880701156A patent/KR890700523A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (7)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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