Abstract: A container comprising a container body having a neck, the neck having inner and outer surfaces and a rim extending between tops of the inner and outer surfaces, and the rim defining a circular opening. The closure has a centre panel, the closure defining an annular channel. An annular gasket is disposed in the annular channel and the annular channel receives said rim of said neck such that the annular gasket forms a seal between said rim and said closure. When the container body is closed by the closure, the difference between an inside radius of the annular channel at a channel depth of 0.2 mm and an inside radius of said rim is less than substantially 0.9 mm.

Abstract: A can comprises a metal can body and a metal lid. The can body has an edge defining a top opening into the body, and an inwardly directed bead (22) extending around the body adjacent to the top opening. The bead defines an upwardly facing sealing surface (25) and an inwardly facing surface (26). The lid has a centre panel (30), a wall (32) surrounding the centre panel, and an outwardly directed curl (34) at the top of the wall. The curl defines a peripherally extending channel (35) having an opening therein, and sealing compound (36) is located within the channel and projects through the opening. The can body and the lid are dimensioned to allow the lid to be press-fitted into the can body, so that an outwardly facing surface of the wall opposes the inwardly facing sealing surface of the bead, whilst the sealing compound is in sealing engagement with the upwardly facing sealing surface of the bead.

Abstract: A method of canning and processing a particulate edible product, the method comprising: providing a metal can body with one open end; filling the metal can body through said open end with the particulate edible product and a volume of liquid, the volume of liquid comprising no more than 30% of the internal volume of the metal can; fixing a lid to the metal can body to close the open end; and using an induction heating process to heat the liquid in the can and thereby process the product.

Abstract: A metal easy open can end adapted for closing a metal can body is proposed. The can end has a score (27) defining a removable panel (26) and a tab (23), located at an edge region of the panel, for applying a force to the panel to allow the panel to be removed in a tear direction. The panel (26) has at least one embossed and/or debossed rib (25 a-c) extending substantially in said tear direction from a location or locations proximal to said tab to a location or locations proximal to an end of the panel opposite to said edge region. The rib(s) have a depth or height of at least 0.6 mm relative to surrounding panel regions along at least a part of the rib extent.

Abstract: A container comprising a container body having a neck, the neck having inner and outer surfaces and a rim extending between tops of the inner and outer surfaces, and the rim defining a circular opening. The closure has a centre panel, the closure defining an annular channel. An annular gasket is disposed in the annular channel and the annular channel receives said rim of said neck such that the annular gasket forms a seal between said rim and said closure. When the container body is closed by the closure, the difference between an inside radius of the annular channel at a channel depth of 0.2 mm and an inside radius of said rim is less than substantially 0.9 mm.

Abstract: A method for forming a Data Matrix Code or like two dimensional code on a beverage can tab uses a laser having a focal ratio of between 40 and 70 to produce spots having an average diameter of between 200 and 400 microns. The code is smaller than 6 mm by 6 mm, at least 12 modules by 12 modules, and smaller than 21 modules by 21 modules, thereby providing sufficient quantity of unique codes for use with commercial beverage can quantities. Preferably each module is formed by one laser spot. Alternatively, nine spots may be used to form a module.

Abstract: A closure for a container. The closure comprises an end panel, a sidewall depending from the end panel and having an inwardly directed curl, and a sealing compound extending down the inner surface of the sidewall. A plurality of ribs are formed in the sealing compound, spaced apart around the circumference of the sidewall, each rib extending down the sidewall and projecting radially inwardly.

Abstract: A method for forming a Data Matrix Code or like two dimensional code on a beverage can tab uses a laser having a focal ratio of between 40 and 70 to produce spots having an average diameter of between 200 and 400 microns. The code is smaller than 6 mm by 6 mm, at least 12 modules by 12 modules, and smaller than 21 modules by 21 modules, thereby providing sufficient quantity of unique codes for use with commercial beverage can quantities. Preferably each module is formed by one laser spot. Alternatively, nine spots may be used to form a module.

Abstract: A handle (200) includes a strap (202), a first boss component (204), and a second boss component (206). The strap has a first end (208) and an opposing second end (209). The first boss component is positioned at the first end of the strap and has a first ledge (218) that extends in a first ledge direction. The second boss component is positioned at the second end of the strap and has a second ledge that extends in a second ledge direction. The first boss component and the second boss component are configured to couple to a first can such that when the first can is nested within a second can the first ledge and the second ledge lie on top of an upper contact surface (106?) of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are substantially parallel to the upper contact surface.

Abstract: A container can end includes a concave dome shape and may forgo a peripheral reinforcing bead around the center panel. The tab may also be curved. Tooling for forming the end and a corresponding method are provided.

Abstract: A metal end for seaming onto a metal container body. The end comprises an outer curl, a centre panel within the outer curl, and a tab having a longitudinal axis (A). The end further comprises a rivet securing the tab to the centre panel, and a score in the centre panel having two spaced apart ends which define a hinge therebetween, the hinge lying on one side of said longitudinal axis (A), such that operation of the tab fractures the score and causes the region of the centre panel within the score to pivot about the hinge and provide an aperture in the centre panel. The score extends into a region of the centre panel that is behind a centre line (B) running through the centre of the rivet and perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (A), and on the other side of the longitudinal axis (A) from the hinge.

Abstract: An aerosol container includes a single piece or a two-piece mounting cup that is concave and, preferably, enables stacking and is lightweight.

Abstract: A self-dispensing container of carbonated product comprising a hollow body having a filling aperture, a carbonated product inserted into the hollow body via the filling aperture, leaving a headspace, and a lid adapted to seal the filling aperture after insertion of the carbonated product wherein, after sealing, the headspace fills with CO2 from the carbonated product to equalise the pressure within the container. The container further includes a valve having open and closed positions, wherein the valve communicates between a valve inlet on the inside of the container and a dispensing orifice on the outside of the container, and in use the container is orientated so that the valve inlet is submerged in the carbonated product and when the valve is in its open position, the CO2 in the headspace dispenses the carbonated product through the dispensing orifice.

Abstract: A re-closable container comprising a container body (12), a single piece metal closure and a layer of sealing compound provided on an underside of the closure. The container body and the closure have first cooperating features (14) to allow the closure to be twisted onto and off of the container body. The layer of sealing compound and a sealing surface (18) of the container body which comes into contact with the sealing compound have second cooperating features (40) which establish one or more venting passages upon rotation of the closure from a closed position. The second cooperating features comprise one or more protrusions or indents in the sealing surface and one or more corresponding indents or protrusions on the sealing compound that are radially aligned with the one or more protrusions or indents in the sealing surface when the closure is in a closed position.

Abstract: A method for forming a beverage can end (34a) having ink jet markings (50a) on its tab (36a) comprises a step of applying ink via an ink jet to a surface of tab stock, wherein the tab stock surface is unlubricated and substantially free of factory lubricant. The method further includes a step of lubricating the tab stock after the step of applying ink, a step of forming the tab stock into tabs, and a step of combining the tabs with an end shell to from the beverage can end.