Beverage Can Actuation Tab for Contamination-Free Panel Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage can designs with single actuation tabs fail to ensure the vent and pouring panels are fully detached from the can without bending inward, risking contamination and inefficient beverage flow.

Innovation Solution

A single-piece actuation tab with a grip portion and two distinct end portions, one for the vent panel and one for the pouring panel, allows for ergonomic handling and complete detachment of both panels from the can's end wall using a single operation, ensuring vent and pouring openings are formed without the panels being pressed into the can.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pouring panel is pressed to the interior of the can to form the pouring opening, then the pouring opening is formed, but the panel remains in contact with the beverage transmitting pathogenic microorganisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepouring opening formationVSAvoidpathogenic microorganism contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pouring panel is completely detached and removed from the can structure, extracted from the system entirely rather than being pressed inward. The tab pulls the pouring panel outward through the breakable contour, separating it completely from contact with the beverage, thus eliminating the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms while maintaining the pouring function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the single actuation tab is used to detach both vent and pouring panels, then the operation is simplified, but the panels may bend inward instead of fully detaching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle operation openingVSAvoidcomplete panel detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The actuation tab is segmented into distinct functional portions: a first end portion attached to the vent panel for detaching it, and a second end portion attached to the pouring panel for detaching it. This segmentation allows each panel to be reliably detached in sequence through a single continuous operation, preventing bending inward by providing dedicated attachment points for each panel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vent panel is detached first as a preliminary action before the pouring panel is detached. This sequence ensures that the vent opening is formed first, allowing air to enter the can, and then the pouring panel is detached to form the pouring opening, ensuring complete and reliable detachment of both panels without bending

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10968009B2Constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can

Publication Date: 2021.04.06 FERNANDES JOAO MARQUES

AI summary

An apparatus is disclosed and includes a can, which has an end wall incorporating a vent panel and a pouring panel, both panels presenting a contour defined by a rupture line. The apparatus includes an actuation tab with an extracting end portion affixed to the vent panel. The actuation tab includes a punching end portion affixed to the pouring panel and a lower end tooth to be pressed against a spot region of the rupture line of the pouring panel. The actuation tab includes a grip portion affixed to the extracting end portion and is designed to be manually and upwardly actuated for detaching the vent panel from the end wall. The grip portion is designed to punch and rupture the spot region of the rupture line of the pouring panel and, subsequently, detaching the latter from the end wall.