ECOLOGY TAB, CAN END, TOOLING AND METHOD
A reduced length ecology tab is provided for a can end. The can end includes an end panel and a rivet affixing the tab to the end panel. The tab includes a body having first and second opposing ends, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end. A nose portion is disposed at or about the first end, and a lift portion is disposed at or about the second end. The length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch.
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This application is a traditional application of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/022,608, filed May 11, 2020 entitled, ECOLOGY TAB, CAN END, TOOLING AND METHOD, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND FieldThe disclosed concept relates generally to containers and more particularly, to ecology tabs and can ends for containers, such as beer and beverage cans. The disclosed concept also relates to tooling and associated methods for the manufacture of ecology tabs and can ends.
Background InformationMetallic containers (e.g., cans) for holding products such as, for example, liquids, beverages, or food products, are typically provided with an easy open can end on which an opening mechanism, such as a pull tab, is attached (e.g., without limitation, riveted) to a tear strip or severable panel. Typically, the tear strip is defined by a scoreline in the exterior surface (e.g., public side) of the can end. The pull tab, commonly referred to simply as the “tab,” is structured to be lifted, pulled, and/or rotated to sever the scoreline and deflect the tear strip, thereby creating an opening for dispensing the contents of the can.
When the can end is made, it originates as a can end shell, which is formed from a sheet metal product (e.g., without limitation, sheet aluminum; sheet steel). The shell is then conveyed to a conversion press, which has a number of successive tool stations. As the shell advances from one tool station to the next, conversion operations such as, for example and without limitation, rivet forming, paneling, scoring, embossing, tab forming, tab securing and tab staking, are performed until the shell is fully converted into the desired can end and is discharged from the press. Typically, tooling for each tool station of the conversion press includes an upper tool member, which is structured to be advanced towards a lower tool member upon actuation of a press ram. The upper and/or lower tool members cooperate to perform a number of the aforementioned conversion operations. Upon completion of a given operation, the press ram retracts the upper tool member and the partially converted shell or tab is moved to the next successive tool station, or the tooling is changed within the same station, to perform the next conversion operation.
In the canmaking industry, there is an ongoing desire to reduce the amount of metal required to be used in the manufacture of the container and components thereof (e.g., can end; tab; can body). In addition to reducing cost, minimizing the amount of metal required has an ecological impact that is good for the environment. Prior proposals for addressing these issues suffer from various disadvantages. Among them, are complexity of design of the tab and/or can end, and strength and operating mechanics considerations of the tab and/or can end. Consequently, some known designs, which have attempted to achieve metal savings, are too costly and/or impractical to produce, or fail to achieve the desired result. Many known designs also require substantial modification or complete redesign of the tab, the can end, or both, which undesirably necessitates completely new tooling and forming methods.
There is, therefore, room for improvement in tabs and can ends for containers, such as beer and beverage cans, and in associated tooling and methods.
A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
For purposes of illustration, embodiments of the disclosed concept will be described as applied to tabs and can ends for beverage/beer cans, although it will become apparent that they could also be employed to other contains such as, for example and without limitation, cans for liquids other than beer and beverages, and food cans.
It will be appreciated that the specific elements illustrated in the figures herein and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept, which are provided as non-limiting examples solely for the purpose of illustration. Therefore, specific dimensions, orientations and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting on the scope of the disclosed concept.
Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, left, right, front, back, top, bottom, upper, lower and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.
As employed herein, the terms “can” and “container” are used substantially interchangeably to refer to any known or suitable container, which is structured to contain a substance (e.g., without limitation, liquid; food; any other suitable substance), and expressly includes, but is not limited to, food cans, as well as beverage cans, such as beer and soda cans.
As employed herein, the term “can end” refers to the lid or closure that is structured to be coupled to a can, in order to seal the can.
As employed herein, the term “can end shell” is used substantially interchangeably with the term “can end.” The “can end shell” or simply the “shell” is the member that is acted upon (e.g., without limitation, formed) and is converted by the disclosed tooling to provide the desired can end.
As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “coupled” together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one or more intermediate parts.
As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).
The tab 2 in the non-limiting example shown and described herein is a reduced length ecology tab for use on an easy open beer/beverage can end 200 (see, e.g., without limitation,
The aspect ratio (i.e., length divided by width) of the tab 2 is also unique. That is, the aspect ratio is preferably between 1.5:1 to 1.30:1 and, more preferably, is about 1.396:1. By comparison, the aspect ratio of the conventional tab 102 of
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed concept, the tab 2 was strategically designed around a progression length 702, which would allow relatively easy retrofit into an existing machine 700 (e.g., without limitation, a 1.1500 inch tab progression Tetrad machine (partially shown in simplified form in
Referring to
A significant advantage of the disclosed reduced length ecology tab 2 is metal-savings. That is, there is a significant reduction in the amount of metal (e.g., without limitation, aluminum) required per tab 2. This results in significant tab cost savings over time. Another advantage of the disclosed reduced length ecology tab 2 is the enhanced finger access that is gained on smaller diameter can ends 200 (
Accordingly, among other distinct features and benefits, the reduced length (e.g., without limitation, 0.9857 inch) ecology tab 2 has the following distinctive features:
1. Same nose portion 10 (e.g., segment 60 in
2. Smaller finger hole 18 (
3. Reduced overall length 50;
4. Substantially similar tab thickness as previous standard tabs; and/or
5. Improved metal efficiency and economy (e.g., less metal).
It will be appreciated that a reduced length ecology tab 2 in accordance with alternative embodiments (not shown) of the disclosed concept could have different measurements and features (not shown), as well as a different size, shape or geometry (not shown), without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. For example and without limitation, the tab 2 could be made from material (e.g., without limitation, aluminum) having a reduced gauge (i.e., thinner). Additionally, or alternatively, by way of example and without limitation, the reduced length concept could be employed with a tab that has a solid lift portion (i.e., no finger thru hole), commonly known as a “promotional” or “promo” tab.
As best shown in the section view of
Referring to
In the example shown and described herein, the can end 200 has several additional distinctive features. As best shown in
Many of the foregoing features can also be seen from the product side (e.g., interior or inside) of the can end 200, 200′, as shown for example in
As noted above, another unique feature and advantage of the disclosed concept is enhanced finger access to facilitate easier access for the finger of a user to lift the tab 2 and thereby open the associated container or can (not shown). More specifically, as best shown with reference to
As shown, it will be appreciated, that the reduced tab length 50 also allows for the overall size (e.g., diameter 204 (
As previously discussed,
Similarly,
It will be appreciated that features of the disclosed concept can be employed independently, without certain other aspects for features, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed concept, whereas in other embodiments all of the aforementioned features can be employed in combination. It will further be appreciated with reference to for example and without limitation,
Accordingly, the disclosed concept provides a reduce length tab 2, providing a number of advantages, and further provides for an improved can end 200, 200′, tooling 500, 700 and associated methods, which individually and collectively achieve significant metal savings and ecological benefit.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof
Claims
1. A tab for a can end, the tab comprising:
- a body including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end;
- a nose portion disposed at or about the first end; and
- a lift portion disposed at or about the second end,
- wherein the length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch.
2. The tab of claim 1 wherein the length is between 0.810 inch and 0.950 inch.
3. The tab of claim 2 wherein the length is about 0.860 inch.
4. The tab of claim 1 wherein the body of the tab further includes a width; and wherein the width is about 0.616 inch.
5. The tab of claim 1 wherein the tab has an aspect ratio of between 1.5:1 to 1.30:1.
6. The tab of claim 5 wherein the tab has an aspect ratio of 1.396:1.
7. The tab of claim 1 wherein the nose portion includes a rivet receiving portion; wherein the body further includes an intermediate portion disposed approximately half way between the nose portion and the lift portion to define a first segment of the tab body and a second segment of the tab body; wherein the first segment extends from the intermediate portion to the first end; and wherein the second segment extends from the intermediate portion to the second end.
8. The tab of claim 1 wherein the lift portion includes a finger hole; and wherein the finger hole comprises a symmetrical oblong opening having two opposing parallel segments extending laterally across the width of the lift portion.
9. A can end comprising: wherein the tab comprises:
- an end panel;
- a rivet; and
- a tab affixed to the end panel by the rivet,
- a body including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end;
- a nose portion disposed at or about the first end; and
- a lift portion disposed at or about the second end,
- wherein the length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch.
10. The can end of claim 9 wherein the length of the tab is between 0.810 inch and 0.950 inch.
11. The can end of claim 9 wherein the tab has an aspect ratio of between 1.5:1 to 1.30:1.
12. The can end of claim 9 wherein the lift portion of the tab includes a finger hole; and wherein the finger hole comprises a symmetrical oblong opening having two opposing parallel segments extending laterally across the width of the lift portion.
13. The can end of claim 9 wherein the end panel comprises a score line defining a tear panel, a first arc-shaped bead, and a second arc-shaped bead; and wherein the first arc-shaped bead and the second arc-shaped bead are disposed beneath the tab.
14. The can end of claim 14 wherein the first arc-shaped bead is disposed opposite the second arc-shaped bead; wherein the end panel further comprises a first locating bead and a second locating bead; wherein the first locating bead is disposed adjacent the first arc-shaped bead; and wherein the second locating bead is disposed adjacent the second arc-shaped bead.
15. The can end of claim 9 wherein the end panel further comprises a first linear bead and a second linear bead; and wherein the tab body is disposed between the first linear bead and the second linear bead.
16. The can end of 9 wherein the end panel further comprises a diameter and an outer perimeter; wherein the second end of the tab is disposed a distance from the outer perimeter of the end panel in order to provide finger access to the lift portion of the tab; and wherein the distance is between 0.325 inch and 0.500 inch.
17. The can end of claim 9 wherein the end panel further comprises a finger well; and wherein the second end of the tab body is disposed adjacent to the finger well to provide access to lift portion of the tab.
18. A method of forming a can end including a reduced length tab, the method comprising:
- providing a conversion press including at least one tab die and at least one lane die,
- forming a plurality of can ends from shells fed through the at least one lane die,
- forming a plurality of tabs from tab stock fed through the at least one tab die, and
- riveting the tabs to the can ends,
- wherein the step of forming the tabs comprises forming each tab to have a body including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end, wherein the length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
- providing the at least one tab die with a tab die progression length,
- providing a first lane die having a first transfer belt, a first centerline, and a first lane die progression length,
- providing a second lane die having a second transfer belt, a second centerline, and a second lane die progression length that is the same as the first lane die progression length, and
- modifying the conversion press to change from a first configuration in which tabs are formed to have a first length to a second configuration in which tabs are formed to have a second length that is shorter than the first length,
- wherein the step of modifying the conversion press comprises changing the tab die progression length while maintaining substantially the same measurement between the first centerline of the first transfer belt and the second centerline of the second transfer belt, and maintaining substantially the same first lane die progression length and second lane die progression length.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing the at least one tab die with a tab die progression length of about 0.9857 inch.
Type: Application
Filed: May 11, 2021
Publication Date: Nov 11, 2021
Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC (Centennial, CO)
Inventors: Dennis Cornelius Stammen (Brookville, OH), Robert Joseph Will (Maria Stein, OH), Christopher Lawrence Macke (Sidney, OH), Patrick Kevin McCarty (Dayton, OH), Robert Herbert Brussell (New Bremen, OH), Greg Scott Williams (Wapakoneta, OH), Steven Todd Albright (Covington, OH)
Application Number: 17/316,755