United States Patent (19)
`Brown
`
`(54) EASY-OPEN ECOLOGY END
`(75) Inventor: Omar L. Brown, Dayton, Ohio
`(73) Assignee: Ermal C. Fraze, Dayton, Ohio
`22 Filed:
`July 1, 1976
`(21) Appl. No.: 701,976
`(52) U.S. C. ............................................... 220/269
`(5ll Int. Cl.' ......................................... B65D 41/32
`58 Field of Search ........................... 220/268-273,
`220/277
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`3,843,011 10/1974 Perry ............................. 220/269 X
`3,967,752 7/1976 Cudzik .............................. 220/269
`3,977.561
`8/1976 Strove et al. ...................... 220/269
`Primary Examiner-George T. Hall
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm--George F. Smyth
`57)
`ABSTRACT
`An improved easy-opening end structure includes a
`retained tab and a captured, retained panel, the latter
`defined by a scoreline and forming a pour opening
`upon fracture of the scoreline. The tab is fixed to the
`end wall, other than to the panel, and includes an open
`ing end positioned over the panel and a lifting end
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`4,024,981
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`spaced from the panel. The panel is connected by a
`retaining strip to the end wall, the retaining strip being
`formed between scoreline segments which are laterally
`located relative to the rivet. The rivet is surrounded by
`a rivet well of reduced thickness of material, a portion
`of the scoreline passing through the rivet well, while a
`coined formation defining a transition zone extends
`laterally of the rivet and overlies the portion of the
`scoreline located laterally of the rivet. The panel in
`cludes a depression formed therein forward of the re
`taining strip and located between the ends of a bead
`which is formed in the panel. The end wall also includes
`a bead which terminates in coined end sections, the end
`wall bead surrounding a portion of the scoreline and
`the coined sections being spaced on each side of the
`rivet. The tab operates to effect opening of the end
`structure by fracturing the portion of the scoreline
`forward of the rivet and thereafter bearing against the
`panel to effect progressive rupture of the scoreline by
`essentially a class 1 lever action, and to push the panel
`downwardly and laterally through the formed opening.
`The panel is joined to the end wall by the retaining strip
`and subsequent to rupture of the panel, the tab may be
`pushed back against the end wall and retained thereon.
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`26 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures
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`EASY-OPEN ECOLOGY END
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`stations generally used in the formation of the end wall
`without the need to add additional stations. If, for ex
`ample, an end is designed which requires more than
`five separate operations in a five station machine, there
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`are practical problems in bringing such an end into
`commerce because of the need to replace or to rebuild
`This invention relates to an easy-opening container
`substantially the presently existing equipment in order
`end wall, and more specifically to an improved easy
`opening end wall having a retained tab member opera
`to add one or more stations. Thus, any structure of an
`end wall which can be considered an acology end from
`tive to form an opening in the end wall by rupture of a
`the standpoint of having some form of retained tab or
`tear opening, the ruptured tear portion or panel being
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`tear strip or both and which can be made on currently
`retained by a retaining strip, the end structure having
`existing machines with modified tooling at each of the
`bead formations on the end wall and panel and a defor
`currently existing stations has definite advantages.
`mation in the panel to assist in progressive rupture of
`Moreover, it is fairly recognized at present that stan
`the scoreline.
`dards have been established with respect to the length
`This application describes an easy-opening end struc
`and diameter of the component parts and the gauge of
`ture which is an improvement over the end structures
`materials used in the packaging industry, particularly
`described and claimed in U.S. Application Ser. No.
`the soft drink and beverage industry. Thus, in the de
`608,044, filed on Aug. 27, 1975, and U.S. Application
`sign of a container end wall intended to form an easy
`Ser. No. 670,084, filed Oct. 15, 1975, and assigned to
`opening end wall for use in the beer and beverage in
`the same assignee.
`dustry, it is desirable to maintain the dimensions of any
`The ready acceptance of easy-opening containers has
`new structure fairly within the dimensions currently in
`resulted in extended use of this type container for a
`use in those respective industries.
`substantial number of canned products, especially bev
`One of the difficulties which arises in the provision of
`erages, such as beer, soft drinks, and the like. This type
`an end having substantial improvements from the
`of container, in the form of a can, is characterized by a
`25
`standpoint of ecology is the mode of opening of the end
`lever or tab permanently joined to a tear strip, the latter
`being separable from the can top to provide a pouring
`wall. For example, the user has been accustomed to
`lifting the end of the tab in order to effect rupture of
`spout. In the form heretofore used, the tab or top is
`the tear strip. Thus, with certain types of end wall struc
`ruptured along a continuous scoreline and the pull tab
`tures presently being marketed and which include push
`and tear strip are removed as a unit and normally dis
`button panels, some user confusion has existed because
`carded.
`The convenience of easy-opening cans has created
`the structure of the end wall does not include the tab.
`While the structure just described is intended to be
`problems because of the unfortunate and indiscrimi
`opened by pushing down on the scored button to rup
`nate disposal of the severed portion of the can top. For
`ture the same, some users are confused by the absence
`example, beach and picnic areas have an accumulation
`of any tab or lever.
`of litter in the form of tabs and tear strips which have
`Another aspect in the provision of an easy-opening
`been removed from easy-opening cans. These dis
`end structure which has ecological advantages is the
`carded tabs and tear strips are quite difficult to clean
`variety of products present in the container with which
`up because they are small and thus pass through the
`the end wall is to be used. By way of example, it is
`tines of a rake. Being made normally of aluminum, they
`known that the internal pressure in the container may
`cannot be collected by magnetic means. Nonetheless,
`vary depending upon the type of product within the
`this type of can is widely used and it is definitely advan
`container as well as the processing during packaging.
`tageous to provide a solution to the problem of littering
`For example, some beverages are packaged under con
`while still providing to the public the convenience of
`siderable pressure, in some cases as much as 50 to 80
`the easy-opening cans.
`45
`psi while other products are packaged at a somewhat
`The numerous advantages incident to the use of easy
`lesser pressure. The packaged completed container
`opening cans has given rise to an industry which has
`must then be capable of withstanding substantial pres
`developed to the point where standard procedures and
`sures as might be generated if the container is exposed
`equipment are now in widespread use. For example,
`to direct sunlight which tends to increase the internal
`many of the machines now used to form the end wall of
`50
`pressure within the container. For example in some
`a container include five stations in which various oper
`operations, the can is sealed and pasteurized resulting
`ations are performed to provide an end unit for a con
`in the generation of internal pressure within the can.
`tainer. By way of example, the first station usually
`Thus, it is definitely advantageous to be able to pro
`forms the “bubble,' transformed into a button or rivet
`vide a container end structure which has wide applica
`in the second station, followed by scoring in the third
`bility insofar as the various conditions involved in pack
`station. In the fourth station any embossing of logo or
`aging the product within the container. Thus, the usual
`other information in the container end is carried out,
`procedure is to attempt to provide a container end wall
`and in the fifth station the tab is attached, i.e. staked to
`capable of withstanding the most rigorous conditions
`the end unit by the rivet.
`required by the industy such that a single design of end
`Those in the industry are aware of the need to pro
`60
`may be used over a wide variety of products. Moreover,
`vide convenience containers of the easy-opening type
`there is the added requirement that the end structure
`which overcome the problems of indiscriminate dis
`be capable of manufacture at the usual high rates cur
`posal of tabs and tear strips from an ecological stand
`rently employed by the container industry with the
`point. The provision of a solution to this problem, is
`quipment presently used, subject to the change of tool
`somewhat complicated by the fact that whatever end is
`65
`ing necessary to adapt the presently existing multiple
`designed, it is desired that the end be one capable of
`station machines in order to produce any new and
`being made on machines presently in use and which
`improved end.
`can be modified by changes of tooling in each of the
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`In summary, there are constraints within which the
`opening action is downward and, if the container is
`industry operates both from the standpoint of the stan
`under pressure, there is a tendency for the internal
`dards which have been adopted, the cost of changeover
`pressure of the container to act in opposition to the
`and the desire to provide an end structure which is
`opening action.
`satisfactory from the standpoint of reducing the litter
`One of the structures being considered from the ecol
`which has accumulated by virtue of separable tabs and
`ogy point of view uses a lanced tab, for example as
`tear strips.
`shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,406,867 of Oct. 22, 1968,
`affixed by a rivet to and end wall. The forward nose of
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
`the tab overlies a circular raised bead located in the
`One approach in solving the ecology problems has
`general central area of a scored section which forms
`been to provide a container end structure with a re
`the pour opening. The scoreline is non-circular in
`tained tab and tear strip, as for example in U.S. Pat. No.
`shape, includes a hinge, and the tab is affixed in the
`3,757,989 of Sept. 11, 1973. In that structure, the tab
`center of the end structure, generally along the center
`is attached to the tear strip and the tear strip is retained
`line of the end with the pour opening adjacent to the
`on the end structure subsequent to rupture of the
`chuck wall and in line with the tab. The panel is pivoted
`scoreline.
`sharply around the hinge formed between the ends of a
`Another approach is described in U.S. Pat. No.
`principal scoreline in the form of a combined antifrac
`3,795,342 of Mar. 5, 1974, in which the tab is retained
`ture scoreline joined to the principal scoreline by loops
`with the end structure and folded in a stowing location
`which are spaced to form a hinge therebetween.
`subsequent to rupture of the tear strip.
`United States Applications Ser. No. 608,044 and
`There is still another approach to the problem as
`670,084, above identified, represent another approach
`described in U.S. Pat. No 3,446,389, of May 27, 1969,
`to the problem and the end structure therein described
`in which a tab is attached to the end wall of the con
`with a hinged panel are a substantial improvement over
`tainer such that the nose thereof overlies a rupturable
`prior devices for the reason therein described. The
`panel. Upon lifting of the free end of the tab, the score
`present invention represents an improved end structure
`line is ruptured, by a shear type force, so as to form two
`over those described in the above-applications.
`panel sections which are forced downwardly into the
`End structures are known which include a hinge
`container and out of the way. The tab is then pushed
`whose location is fixed by the scoreline which forms the
`back against the end wall.
`pour panel. Normally the scoreline is interrupted, in
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,826,401 of July 30, 1974, shows an
`30
`the sense that there is an unscored area between spaced
`opening member in the form of a lever which is opera
`ends of the principal scoreline, the hinge being in that
`tive to rupture a scoreline laterally disposed with re
`portion of the end structure through which the princi
`spect to the rivet, the lever being permanently attached
`pal scoreline would extend if it were continuous. The
`to the end wall.
`space between the ends of the principal scoreline forms
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,853,242, of Dec. 10, 1974, describes
`the axis of a hinge so that the panel folds about the
`a lever member affixed to the end wall in which the
`hinge line which is generally an unscored area between
`lever member includes a panel piercing portion and a
`the ends of the principal scoreline.
`finger grasping portion. The lever is rotatable in a plane
`With a hinge the location of panel is fixed, i.e. it folds
`normal to the panel to rupture a weakening line.
`sharply around an unscored area which is basically an
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,597 of Apr. 30, 1974, describes
`unscored segment of the principal scoreline. Thus the
`an end structure for a container including an opening
`panel is adjacent to the opening and unless folded back
`member which is movable from a non-use position into
`to the underside of the end, it can be reached by the
`alignment with a scored section.
`user. Moreover, such a hinge represents a sharp end of
`Push button panel type container end walls are
`perhaps 90 or more. If the hinge line is oriented paral
`known in which the removable panel is manually
`lel to the grain axis of the material forming the end
`pushed into the container, see for example U.S. Pat.
`wall, the normally small hinge, adjacent to the ends of
`No. 3,886,881 of June 3, 1975.
`the principal scoreline tends to crack, especially if the
`In the main, however, most easy-open containers
`panel can be reached by the user. The result is that the
`includes an end structure which is the tear strip severed
`panel may be freed from the end to fall into the con
`by manipulation of the tab to form a pour opening. In
`tainer. This represents a potential problem since the
`this type of container, shown for example in U.S. Pat.
`free panel may pass through the pour opening and
`No. 3,723,744 of Sept. 20, 1966, the tab acts as a class
`possibly may be swallowed if the contents are con
`2 lever in its opening action, the rivet being in the tear
`sumed directly from the container.
`out panel while the portion of the scoreline initially
`Where the hinge is small, folded sharply and close to
`ruptured is between the lifting end of the tab and the
`the opening, all of these factors contribute to a poten
`rivet.
`tially dangerous situation.
`Also known in the art are end structures in which the
`The pending applications as well as the lanced tab,
`tab operates as a class 1 lever, i.e. the rivet is between
`hinged structure described are representative of those
`the lifting end and the scoreline and the nose of the tab
`hinge type structures. The present invention represents
`operates to rupture the scoreline, as for example in
`an improvement over these structures.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,446,389 supra.
`A class 2 lever tab effects rupture basically by a liting
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`action, definitely an advantage where the packaged
`goods are under pressure since the opening action does
`The end structure of the present invention differs
`not oppose the internal container pressure. In the prior
`from the prior art and the structures above described in
`that the panel is secured to the end wall by a retaining
`art class 2 lever tabs, the front end of the tab bears
`against the end wall other than in the pour opening
`strip, and the end wall includes beaded formations and
`coined areas while the panel includes deformations
`defined by the scoreline. In a class 1 lever type tab, the
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`portion in the rivet well. The stress is a shear type of
`therein to facilitate opening and progressive rupture of
`stress resulting from a combined class 2 and class 1
`the scoreline by an improved tab structure.
`lever action of the tab during the initial pop phase of an
`The improved end structure of this invention in
`opening sequence. Where the container is under pres
`cludes an end wall having a scoreline which defines an
`sure, the pressure cooperates with the class 2 lever
`opening panel. Attached to the end wall by a rivet or
`action of the tab to initiate the pop by a lifting action on
`suitable means, and in a location other than on the
`panel but on the center line of the end wall, is a longitu
`the rivet.
`dinally rigid tab whose opening end overlies the panel
`Subsequent to the pop, the tab acts as a class 1 lever
`and whose lifting end is spaced away from the panel.
`to rupture the scoreline progressively in a counter
`Thus, the tab remains fixed to the end wall and is not
`clockwise direction, i.e. from the rivet in a counter
`separable upon rupture of the opening.
`clockwise direction along the scoreline towards the
`The scoreline includes a portion located between the
`retaining strip. This progressive type of scoreline rup
`rivet and the opening end of the tab, the latter overly
`ture has the advantage of a smooth opening action.
`ing the panel. The tab is in the form of a substantially
`Subsequent to rupture, the tab may be raised further
`longitudinally rigid lever which is operative upon lifting
`to fold the panel beneath the end wall while the tab
`one end thereof to initiate rupture of the portion of the
`may then be pushed flat against the end wall, out of the
`scoreline between the opening end and the rivet, the
`user's way. The panel is retained by the retaining strip
`initial pop, so called, by a shearing action. Further
`located in spaced relation to the principal scoreline and
`lifting of the tab will effect progressive rupture of the
`adjacent to the rivet.
`soreline. Thereafter, the tab may be raised further to
`The deformation cooperates with the opening end of
`force the panel laterally and downwardly. The principal
`the tab, which is formed with a blunt front end in chor
`scoreline terminates in spaced scorelines which form
`dal relation to the scoreline, and with the laterally posi
`legs located laterally of the rivet so that a retaining strip
`tioned retaining strip to assure proper progressive rup
`is formed to one side of the rivet which retains the pour
`ture of the scoreline.
`panel to the end wall.
`25
`The initial pop is achieved by raising the lifting end of
`Unlike a hinge, the retaining strip of this invention
`the tab so that the opening end bears against the panel
`does not result in a sharp bend of metal but rather in a
`while raising the rivet to place the portion of the score
`rolling arc-like bend as the retaining strip is formed
`line in front of the rivet in shear. This is achieved by
`during an opening sequence. Rather than forming a
`that half of the opening end of the tab furthest removed
`sharp bend, a progressive roll is formed during opening,
`from the deformation so that the portion of the score
`with the panel being retained by the strip and extending
`line in the rivet well is popped and fracture starts to
`downwardly beneath the end wall and spaced axially
`progress away from the rivet well in a counterclockwise
`from the principal scoreline so that the panel is folded
`direction. Thereafter the middle portion of the tab,
`downwardly and spaced away from the scoreline. In
`principally that area beneath the finger, bears down
`fact there is no axis around which a sharp fold occurs
`35
`wardly on that portion of the panel adjacent to the
`but rather a progressive rolling permits movement of
`junction of the depression and the panel to effect rup
`the panel into the container. The result is avoidance of
`a sharp bend which tends to promote cracking along
`ture of the scoreline all the way out to an area approxi
`the axis of the hinge which holds the panel to the end
`mately forward of the rivet. At the same time, the panel
`starts to tilt downwardly while a portion of the score leg
`wall.
`40
`In a preferred form of this invention, the pour panel
`forming the retaining strip is fractured.
`includes a deformation forward and to one side of the
`In that relative position, the portion of the opening
`rivet and the scoreline and located beneath the opening
`end of the tab overlying the depression is in contact
`end of the tab. Surrounding the rivet is a rivet well
`with the depression, the tab end being at an angle of
`formed during the rivet forming sequence, the score
`about 40° to 50 with respect to the end wall. As the tab
`line being located so that a portion thereof is in the
`end is raised about 90, the remainder of the pour
`rivet well forward of the rivet and constitutes that por
`opening is formed by progressive rupture of the score
`tion of the scoreline which is initially popped.
`line and the second score leg starts to rupture to initiate
`While the end structure of this invention may take
`formation of the retaining strip. Further movement of
`various forms, an improved tab structure is used which
`50
`the tab, from the 90° to the 180° position completes
`is retained with the end wall, and includes a relatively
`formation of the retaining strip, by progressively rolling
`rigid body member having a lifting end and an opening
`back the strip as the second leg is ruptured resulting in
`end with a flap member between the lifting and opening
`orientation of the panel in a generally vertical position
`end. The flap member receives an attaching member,
`but spaced away from the principal scoreline. The tab
`preferably in the form of a rivet, and retains the tab on
`55
`may then be pushed back against the end wall and is
`the end wall subsequent to completion of severance of
`retained there while the panel is held by the separately
`the scoreline by the opening end which preferably in
`formed retaining strip.
`cludes a blunt nose formed of multiple folds and a
`It will be apparent from the following detailed de
`center finger.
`scription that a much improved retained tab and tear
`The tab itself is of sheet material such as tin plate or
`60
`strip end structure is disclosed, and the further features
`aluminum sheet, preferably of a zero temper alloy, and
`and advantages thereof may be best understood by
`the finger at the opening end includes a forward por
`reference to the following description taken in con
`tion and a rearward finger portion positioned slightly
`nection with the accompanying drawings.
`below the forward portion.
`In an opening sequence, a portion of the opening end
`65
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`of the tab contacts the panel to apply a downward
`FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the end structure of
`pressure on the panel while the flap lifts upwardly on
`the present invention;
`the rivet thus stressing the portion of the scoreline
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`formed during the rivet forming operation. The score
`FIG. 2 is a view in perspective similar to FIG. 1, with
`line 17 is generally circular in shape, as shown, and
`the tab removed, showing the end structure of this
`includes a portion 40 forward of the rivet and located
`invention;
`in the rivet well. Cooperating with the scoreline 17 are
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in persepctive of a portio
`two separate score legs 41 and 42, each separate from
`of the end structure as shown in FIG. 2, illustrating the 5
`button stage;
`the scoreline 17 and functioning to form a retaining
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged view, in perspective and partly
`strip 44. The legs are formed by scoring the metal and
`each of the scores is of progressively increasing residual
`in section, of the end structure as shown in FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in perspective of the un
`from about points 41a and 42a to the respective ends of
`the score. In other words, from point 41a and point 42a
`derside of the tab in accordance with this invention;
`10
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to that of FIG. 5,
`to the ends of the score legs, the depth of the score
`with portions thereof broken away;
`progressively becomes less. The portion 44 of the end
`FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in perspective of the upper
`wall between the adjacent scores. 41 and 42 forms a
`retaining strip to retain the panel 15 on the end wall
`side of the tab in accordance with this invention;
`subsequent to rupture of the scoreline 17. It is for this
`FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view, with the tab 15
`dotted in, showing the relative position of the parts
`reason that the ends of the scores have a tapering score
`during the initial pop phase of an opening sequence of
`profile which gradually decreases towards the terminal
`the end structure of this invention;
`end of each of the legs. As illustrated, score 41 is
`FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, illustrating the
`curved around the outer periphery of the rivet well 38
`relative position of the parts during progressive rupture 20
`while the ends of the scores 41 and 42 are positioned
`laterally of the rivet and extend rearwardly towards the
`of the scoreline, in accordance with this invention;
`finger well so that the retaining strip 44 is located ap
`FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, illustrating the
`relative position of the parts with the tab raised approx
`proximately laterally of the rivet.
`imately to the vertical position, in an opening sequence
`Located laterally of the rivet and on a side thereof
`opposite the retaining strip 44 is a coined transition
`in accordance with the present invention; and
`25
`FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, with the tab in
`zone 45 which communicates with the rivet well and
`full lines, showing the relative position of the tab at the
`overlies a portion of the scoreline adjacent to the por
`completion of an opening sequence and before it is
`tion of the scoreline 40 located in the rivet well. As
`folded back on the end wall, in accordance with this
`shown in FIG. 4, the cross-sectional dimension of the
`material of the end wall gradually increases from 0.009
`invention.
`inches at the rivet well to approximately 0.013 inches
`in the area outside of the coined transition zone. The
`purpose of coining in this area is to protect that portion
`of the scoreline adjacent the rivet well and to avoid a
`sharp change in cross-sectional dimensions of the end
`structure which may present score integrity problems.
`It has been found that by use of coined transition zone,
`the premature and inadvertant fracture of the scoreline
`is substantially eliminated.
`The pour panel 15 includes a raised rib 47 formed
`therein and extending approximately 245 around the
`panel and in spaced relationship to the scoreline 17.
`The rib terminates in free ends 48 and 49 which are
`spaced from each other and oriented so as to face
`toward the rivet well 38, as illustrated. Located in the
`center of the rib 47 in the panel 15 is a raised panel 50,
`the center line of which is approximately on the center
`line of the rivet. The raised bead 47 and the raised
`panel 50 are used principally to take up excess metal
`formed during the scoreline forming operation.
`Located adjacent to the end 49 of the rib 47 is a
`generally triangular or kidney shaped depression indi
`cated at 55, the depression being generally in line with
`the retaining strip 44 and located laterally of the rivet.
`This triangular depression, oriented with the long leg
`facing away from the rivet, cooperates with the tab in
`an opening sequence as will be described hereinafter.
`The rib 47 and the raised panel 50 also operate to
`stiffen the pour panel, an advantage during the opening
`sequence.
`Cooperating with the scoreline 17 and formed in the
`end wall 12 is an end wall bead 60 which surrounds a
`substantial portion of the scoreline and which termi
`nates in coined legs 61 and 62, each leg being spaced
`on one side of the rivet and extending rearwardly be
`yond the rivet, as illustrated. The contour of the end
`wall bead 60 in the vicinity of leg 62 follows generally
`the contour of the scoreline in the area laterally of the
`
`DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`Referring to the drawings which illustrate a preferred
`form of the invention, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a container
`end structure 10 formed of sheet material, such as 35
`aluminum alloy and the like. The end structure in
`cludes a central wall or panel portion 12 having a pour
`panel 15 therein, the pour panel being at least partially
`circumscribed by a scoreline 17 which is ruptured to
`40
`form a pour opening in the end structure.
`The end wall 12 of the container includes a chuck
`wall 18 which terminates in a flange 19 which is verti
`cally above the central panel 12 while a groove 20 is at
`the base of the chuck wall, the groove being positioned
`vertically below the center panel 12. The end structure 45
`10 may be attached to a container in the usual manner
`through seaming the flange 19.
`As illustrated, the pour panel 15 is adjacent to and
`close to the chuck wall 18 and located generally on the
`center line of the central wall 12. If desired, the pour 50
`panel may be offset as described in Ser. No. 608,044.
`As illustrated in FIG. 1, the easy-opening end struc
`ture 10 includes tab 25 affixed to the central wall 12, as
`opposed to the panel 15, by an integral rivet 27, as
`shown. the tab includes a longitudinally rigid body 55
`member generally designated 28, and a lifting end 29
`and an opening end 30. The central wall also includes
`a finger well 35 positioned therein essentially below the
`lifting end 29 of the tab 25. In this way, the user may
`conveniently insert a finger underneath the lifting end 60
`of the tab during an opening sequence to be described
`below.
`Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the noraml cross
`sectional thickness of the sheet material of the end wall
`is approximately 0.013 inches, and in the area sur- 65
`rounding the rivet, shown in button form 37, there is a
`rivet well 38 whose cross-section is approximately
`0.009, the rivet well representing a coined section
`
`30
`
`EX-1014 PGR2024-00035
`
`

`

`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`4,024,981
`10
`9
`place. In the fourth station, the scoreline and score legs
`rivet and follows the contour of score legs 42 and 42a.
`are placed in the end while at the fifth station, the tab
`As illustrated in FIG. 4, the coined bead legs include an
`is assembled and staked in place on the end structure.
`upper surface 63 which is of reduced cross-sectional
`Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the opening
`material as compared to the portion of the bead ex
`end 30 of the tab is basically in a chordal relation with
`tending downwardly and forming the side walls of each
`respect to the scoreline 17 with the corners 93 and 94
`of the panel bead legs 61 and 62. The coined legs 61
`of the forward end of the tab oriented essentially be
`and 62 are located on each side of the rivet and rivet
`tween the ends 48 and 49 of the pour panel bead 47
`well and operate to protect the area forward of and to
`and rearwardly of the raised panel 50. Also, the corner
`the rear of the rivet when a container is under pressure,
`94 of the opening end of the tab essentially overlies the
`the coined area operating to relieve the tension and
`depression 55 which is located forward of the retaining
`stress created as a result of internal pressure within the
`strip 44. Thus, the finger 85, of the tab is basically in
`container.
`Referring no