Abstract: A can end has a public side and an opposing product side. A circumferential curl is located about a center axis and defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A circumferential wall extends downwardly from the curl. A circumferential, generally U-shaped countersink extends radially inwardly from the circumferential wall relative to the center axis and upwardly. A center panel extends radially inwardly from the countersink relative to the center axis and has a displaceable tear panel defined by frangible score and a hinge segment on the public side and a tab fixed to the public side which has a nose portion overlying a portion of the displaceable tear panel. A circumferential panel joins the countersink with the center panel and has a first panel radius joined to a second panel radius by a short wall extending upwardly and inwardly. The circumferential panel has a bead formed therein.

Abstract: A metallic beverage container body inspection apparatus processes a plurality of metallic beverage container bodies along an index path. An indexer sequentially transfers metallic beverage container bodies from the manufacturing queue through the apparatus while maintaining an orientation of the container bodies. A dwell position is located on the index path wherein the indexer delivers metallic beverage container bodies to the dwell position. An inspection position is vertically aligned with and horizontally offset from the dwell position. An image recorder is aimed the inspection position and captures a plurality of images about a circumference of each metallic beverage containers.

Abstract: A can end for a two-piece beverage container has a curl positioned about a longitudinal axis which defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A circumferential wall angles downwardly and radially inwardly relative to a radially inner portion of the curl. A strengthening member extends radially inwardly relative to the circumferential wall. A center panel extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis towards the strengthening member and has a diameter greater than 87.7% of an overall diameter of the can end. A frangible score and a hinge portion define an openable tear panel in the center panel. A stay-on tab is attached to the center panel and has a nose portion overlying the tear panel opposite a lift end of the tab.

Abstract: A method of cleaning can bodies having a continuous sidewall closed at one end by an integral bottom portion opposite an open end is described. A can body transporter is populated a plurality of can bodies. The transporter transfers can bodies through a can body washer apparatus from an entry end to a delivery end. A plurality of spray bars are located between the entry end and the delivery end and delivers a washing solution to the plurality of can bodies. A substantially constant can body population density is maintained on the can body transporter by controlling a speed of the can body transporter relative to a rate of production of can bodies produced by an upstream can body making apparatus. A time duration of an exposure of the plurality of can bodies to the solution is controlled by regulating delivery of the solution.

Abstract: A decorated tab for a beverage container has a lift end, a nose end, and central webbing. An enclosed portion of the central webbing has a coating. A symbol is located on the enclosed region which is created by selective removal of the coating by a laser ablation. The symbol has a boundary profile defining a perimeter of the symbol generated by a continuous, uninterrupted vectorized laser dot pattern defining regions of ablated coating. The symbol has an interior portion generated by a plurality of pulsed rasterized laser dots defining further regions of ablated coating.

Abstract: A lug-type resealable beverage container is described. The lug-type resealable beverage container has a metallic containment vessel, an annular sleeve, and a metallic cap. The metallic containment vessel has a containment area for receiving a liquid. The containment vessel has a closed end separated from an open end by a tubular sidewall. The annular sleeve is joined about the containment vessel adjacent the open end and has first and second lug members extending radially outwardly. The metallic cap has first and second lug members for cooperative engagement with the first and second lug members on the sleeve. Cooperative engagement between the first and second mating lugs and the first and second lug members encloses the liquid within the containment vessel.

Abstract: An ecology stay-on tab beverage can end has a first axis extending though a rivet. A tear panel is defined by a frangible score and a non-frangible hinge that joins a first end of the frangible score with a second end of the frangible score. The first axis forms a line of asymmetry of the tear panel. A second axis intersects the first axis at a right angle. An intersection of the first axis with the second axis defines a center point of a clock-like reference having a 12 o'clock position at the first point and a 6 o'clock position at the second point. A first radius of curvature of the frangible score between a 5 o'clock position and a 7 o'clock position is at least 3.6 times larger than a second radius of curvature between a 7 o'clock position and a 9 o'clock position.

Abstract: An ecology stay-on tab beverage can end has a center panel having a public side and an opposing product side. The center panel has a displaceable tear panel defined by a frangible score groove and a non-frangible hinge portion of the center panel located between a first end and a second end of the frangible score which retains the displaceable tear panel to the center panel subsequent to opening. The displaceable tear panel has a symbol thereon. The symbol conveys information to a user and is formed by a relief feature on the tear panel. The symbol and the relief feature are spaced at least 0.050 inches radially inwardly of the frangible score groove such that no portion of the symbol and the relief feature are closer than 0.050 inches to the frangible score.

Abstract: An ecology stay-on tab beverage can end has a first curvilinear segment of frangible score severable to form a vent region and a pressure equalization port. A second curvilinear segment of frangible score has opposing terminal ends separated by a hinge segment of the center panel. The second curvilinear segment of frangible score is severable to form a pour opening. A lifting of a lift end of a tab actuates an opening sequence in which the first curvilinear segment of frangible score is severed causing the vent region and the pressure equalization port to form before the pour opening is completely formed.

Abstract: A can end has a public side and an opposing product side. A circumferential curl is located about a center axis and defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A circumferential wall extends downwardly from the curl. A circumferential, generally U-shaped countersink extends radially inwardly from the circumferential wall relative to the center axis and upwardly. A center panel extends radially inwardly from the countersink relative to the center axis and has a displaceable tear panel defined by frangible score and a hinge segment on the public side and a tab fixed to the public side which has a nose portion overlying a portion of the displaceable tear panel. A circumferential panel joins the countersink with the center panel and has a first panel radius joined to a second panel radius by a short wall extending upwardly and inwardly. The circumferential panel has a bead formed therein.

Abstract: A can end for a two-piece beverage container has a curl positioned about a longitudinal axis which defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A circumferential wall angles downwardly and radially inwardly relative to a radially inner portion of the curl. A strengthening member extends radially inwardly relative to the circumferential wall. A center panel extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis towards the strengthening member and has a diameter greater than 87.7% of an overall diameter of the can end. A frangible score and a hinge portion define an openable tear panel in the center panel. A stay-on tab is attached to the center panel and has a nose portion overlying the tear panel opposite a lift end of the tab.

Abstract: A can end for a two-piece beverage can is described. The can end has a center panel positioned about a vertical center axis. The center panel has a means for opening the can end located on a public side. A circumferential strengthening member is located about the center panel. A wall extends upwardly from the circumferential strengthening member. A curl is joined to an upper end of the wall. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A reinforcing bead is located on the wall between an uppermost portion of the wall and a lowermost portion of the wall.

Abstract: A double action press for forming a beverage can lid has a longitudinal axis, an inner tooling, and an outer tooling. The inner tooling is positioned about the longitudinal axis and has a downwardly extending stem. The stem has an upper segment having a free end and a separate lower segment having a proximal end. The proximal end is in communication with, but is not joined to, the lower free end of the upper segment. An opposing distal end is joined to a punch core. The outer tooling is positioned about the longitudinal axis and has a passageway through which a portion of the stem passes, a chamber in which the proximal end of the lower segment of the stem resides and traverses upwardly and downwardly therein, a biasing means within the chamber for biasing the lower segment of the stem in an upward position, and a circumferential tooling assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a container body from a metal blank has a ram, a blank holder, an annular die, a die holder, an insert and a plurality of ironing rings. The ram is centered about a longitudinal axis. The blank holder has an aperture through which the ram passes. The annular die is substantially axially aligned with the ram and adapted to allow the ram to pass therethrough. The die holder has a recessed portion adapted for receiving the annular die therein. The recessed portion has an annular, arcuate concave surface. The insert is located within the recess between the annular, arcuate concave surface and the annular die. The insert has a surface for supporting the annular die thereon opposite an annular, arcuate, convex surface in operative engagement with the annular, arcuate concave surface and swivelable thereon. The ironing rings are substantially axially aligned with the ram.

Abstract: A decorated tab for a beverage container has a lift end, a nose end, and central webbing. An enclosed portion of the central webbing has a coating. A symbol is located on the enclosed region which is created by selective removal of the coating by a laser ablation. The symbol has a boundary profile defining a perimeter of the symbol generated by a continuous, uninterrupted vectorized laser dot pattern defining regions of ablated coating. The symbol has an interior portion generated by a plurality of pulsed rasterized laser dots defining further regions of ablated coating.