Resealable Can End With Stay-On Tab Metallic Curl Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reclosable beverage can ends, particularly those with stay-on-tab (SOT) ecology, lack universal appeal and are not commercially accepted due to their material variations and complexity, failing to provide a lightweight and effective sealing mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A reclosable beverage can end design featuring a circumferential curl, a circumferential wall, a center panel with a metallic tab, and a pour opening sealed by a curl or a peelable closure member, utilizing thermoset polymers and surface energy modifiers for a hermetic seal, and a rotatable tab for reclosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a displaceable polymeric insert is used to provide pressure resistant seal, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex polymeric insert component entirely, replacing it with a simple metallic tab structure that achieves sealing through a different mechanism - using a curl formed in the metallic material itself rather than a separate polymeric sealing element
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sealing mechanism from relying on polymeric material displacement to utilizing metallic material deformation through curl formation, fundamentally altering the physical parameter of how the seal is achieved
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple materials are combined to achieve reclosability, then functional versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function and the reclosing function into a single metallic tab structure, eliminating the need for separate polymeric components while achieving both sealing and reclosability through the metallic material's properties
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic tab is designed to perform multiple functions - sealing the pour opening, providing reclosability through rotation, and maintaining structural integrity - all within a single component made from one material type
3Ease of operation
If a stay-on tab design is implemented, then ease of reclosure is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic tab structure is designed to be self-sealing through its own deformation characteristics, where the curl formation and breaking inherently provide the sealing and reclosing mechanism without requiring additional components or complex assembly processes
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 provides a lightweight, universally appealing, and effective sealing mechanism that maintains a hermetic seal, allowing easy reclosure and resistance to tampering, even under pressure, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
An epoxy and/or a surface energy modifier may be located between the tab and the center panel to form a seal therebetween over the pour opening
Implementation Method 2
An epoxy and/or a surface energy modifier may be located between the tab and the center panel to form a seal therebetween
Implementation Method 3
The epoxy may be a thermally cured epoxy. The epoxy may be cured by induction heating
Implementation Method 4
The epoxy may be cured by induction heating
Implementation Method 5
The epoxy may be cured by UV light
Data Source
AI summary
A reclosable beverage can end (10) has a circumferential curl (14) centered about a center longitudinal axis (50). A circumferential wall (15) extends downwardly from the curl (14) and inwardly towards the longitudinal axis (50). A center panel (12) is produced from a metallic material and centered about the longitudinal axis (50). The center panel (12) has a public side (34) and an opposing product side (35). A tab (26) is mounted to the public side (34) of the center panel (12). A pour opening (20) is formed by an aperture in the center panel (12) and sealed by the tab (26). The pour opening (20) is at least partially defined by a pour opening curl (22) of the metallic material of the center panel (12).