Lightweight Beverage Can Geometry With Standard End Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current beverage cans are inefficient in terms of metal usage, as they maintain standard diameters that do not allow for optimal reduction in weight while maintaining sufficient strength and compatibility with industry machinery.

Innovation Solution

A beverage can design with a non-standard body diameter of 59mm and a stand diameter between 45.2mm and 46.2mm, optimized to reduce wall thickness and weight while ensuring compatibility with 200 standard end plates, allowing for reduced material usage and improved pressure resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If standard body diameter (66mm or 55mm) is used, then compatibility with industry machinery is maintained, but weight reduction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecan weightVSAvoidmachinery compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the body diameter parameter from standard values (66mm or 55mm) to a non-standard value of 59mm. This parameter change enables optimization of wall thickness and base stand diameter (45.2mm-46.2mm) to reduce metal usage and weight, while still maintaining compatibility with 200 standard end plates and conventional machinery through the standardized end plate interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Weight of moving object

If wall thickness is reduced to decrease weight, then material usage is optimized, but pressure resistance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecan weightVSAvoidpressure resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform wall thickness distribution through the optimized body diameter of 59mm. This allows different sections of the can to have appropriate thickness for their specific functional requirements, reducing overall material usage while maintaining sufficient pressure resistance where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes curvature effects by optimizing the base stand diameter to 45.2mm-46.2mm, which creates a domed base structure. This curved geometry provides superior pressure resistance compared to flat bases, allowing for reduced wall thickness elsewhere in the can body while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Weight of moving object

If base stand diameter is reduced to decrease weight, then material usage is optimized, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase weightVSAvoidbase strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies spheroidality by creating a domed base structure with optimized stand diameter of 45.2mm-46.2mm. The curved, domed geometry provides superior structural strength and pressure resistance compared to a flat base of the same diameter, allowing for reduced material usage while maintaining the ability to withstand internal pressure and top loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Weight of moving object

If non-standard body diameter is used, then weight is reduced, but manufacturing compatibility may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecan weightVSAvoidmanufacturing compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the can with a non-standard body diameter of 59mm for weight optimization, while simultaneously maintaining compatibility with 200 standard end plates. This allows the can to benefit from standardized end plate manufacturing and assembly processes, filling, and sealing machinery, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture despite the non-standard body dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4457156B1Beverage can
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 ANHEUSER BUSCH INBEV SA
  • EP4457156B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4457156B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A beverage can comprising a body (12) having a body diameter Db of between 58mm and 60mm, and a base (18) comprising a stand having a stand (20) diameter Ds of between 44mm and 48mm; and a method of manufacturing the same comprising forming the body (12) and forming the base (18).