Tilted Rivet Can Lid for Easier Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-piece aluminum beverage cans with pull tabs face challenges in easy opening due to the alignment and accessibility of the pull tab, particularly in smaller central panel diameters, which complicates the rotation and lifting of the handle part, leading to difficulties in opening the tear panel.
Innovation Solution
The can lid features a tilted rivet and ramp-up beads on either side of the pull tab, allowing for easier rotation and alignment with the tear panel, along with a tab-positioning bead for tactile feedback, facilitating the opening of the can by providing an axis of rotation with an angle and offsetting the rivet from the central panel's center, thus improving finger access and ease of opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pull tab is affixed with a conventional centered rivet, then the structure is simple, but the handle part is difficult to access and rotate for opening
Solution Approach 1:
The rivet is positioned off-center on the central panel rather than at the center, creating an asymmetric arrangement that provides better finger access to the handle part and enables easier rotation for opening the tear panel
Solution Approach 2:
The rivet is tilted relative to the normal of the central panel, introducing a rotational dimension that facilitates the lifting and rotating motion of the handle part during the opening process
2Area of stationary object
If the central panel diameter is reduced for compactness, then the can lid is more compact, but the pull tab becomes harder to access and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The off-center rivet positioning compensates for the smaller central panel diameter by creating an asymmetric layout that optimizes finger access to the handle part within the reduced space
Solution Approach 2:
The tilted rivet and ramp-up beads are pre-configured to guide the opening motion, performing the lifting and rotating action in a predetermined path that works efficiently within the compact dimensions
3Ease of operation
If the rivet is tilted to facilitate handle part lifting, then the opening motion is easier, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rivet is tilted at a specific angle relative to the normal of the central panel, changing the geometric parameter to facilitate the lifting motion of the handle part during opening
Data Source
AI summary
A can lid (14) for an aluminum beverage can is disclosed and has a pull tab (38), a chuck wall (26) defining a plug diameter B, a countersink (28) and a central panel (30) having a panel radius (48). On the central panel, a score line (34) defining a tear panel (32) and a rivet (40) for connecting the pull-tab to the can lid are arranged. The lid has a lid plug diameter of between 45 to 49 mm, an outside diameter of between 52 to 55 mm, and a weight of less than 1.9 g. The central panel has a thickness of less than 0.19 mm. The rivet is arranged off-center on the central panel. The rivet is tilted, so that the rivet provides an axis of rotation of the pull tap that has an angle of between 2° and 4° with respect to an axis that is vertically orientated with respect to the central panel, and/or at least one ramp-up bead (56) is arranged on either side of pull tab or on both sides of the pull tab.