Can End Venting Score Pivoting Aperture Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can ends do not effectively increase liquid flow rate while maintaining ease of opening and pressure performance, and new designs should not significantly increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
A metal can end with a score in the centre panel that pivots to create a larger aperture, featuring a rivet and a hinge, with the score extending behind a centre line perpendicular to the rivet, allowing for increased flow rate and reduced glugging without additional manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the aperture size is increased to increase flow rate, then the liquid flow rate increases, but the pressure performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is segmented into two functional zones: a central opening for liquid discharge and a peripheral venting region for air intake. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of flow rate (through larger total aperture area) and pressure performance (through controlled venting geometry that maintains pressure differential)
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the aperture have different geometric properties optimized for their specific functions. The central region has geometry optimized for liquid flow, while the peripheral venting region has geometry optimized for air intake and pressure regulation, allowing each zone to perform its function efficiently
2Ease of operation
If a dual aperture opening mechanism is added to facilitate smoother pouring, then the pouring smoothness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting function is merged with the main aperture structure rather than being a separate mechanism. The venting region is integrated into the aperture formation process, eliminating the need for separate opening steps or additional mechanical components while still providing dual-functionality for smooth pouring
3Productivity
If the aperture shape is modified to increase flow rate, then the flow rate increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture geometry is designed to be dynamically formed through the scoring and pivoting mechanism rather than requiring precise pre-forming. The score line creates a hinge that allows the aperture panel to pivot open, dynamically creating the final aperture shape and size during the opening action, which relaxes manufacturing precision requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves a 36% increase in flow rate with improved pouring smoothness and reduced glugging, while maintaining pressure performance and ease of opening, and allows for smaller can end diameters, reducing production costs and tooling complexity.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
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
Data Source
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AI summary
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.