Vented Beverage Can End With Optimized Score-Button Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved reliability and functionality of vent openings in beverage can ends, particularly in commercial quantities, to ensure low failure rates and effective pressure release or enhancement of pouring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The beverage can end features a specific structural relationship between a vent score and a button on the vent panel, including a peripheral curl, wall structure, center panel, main score, tab, and vent hinge, where the vent score is strategically positioned relative to the button to facilitate reliable rupture and enhanced venting, with dimensions and configurations optimized for efficient opening and pressure release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vent score is positioned far from the button sidewall, then the structure is easier to manufacture and assemble, but the downward force from the tab heel cannot reliably rupture the score
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the distance parameter D3 between the vent score and button sidewall to be within -0.010 to 0.020 inches. This specific parameter range ensures that the downward force from the tab heel reliably transmits to rupture the score while maintaining manufacturability. The optimized parameter resolves the contradiction by finding the precise sweet spot where both reliability and manufacturing feasibility intersect.
2Reliability
If the vent score is positioned close to or overlapping the button sidewall, then the vent opening is more reliable, but the score may not rupture properly due to insufficient space for force transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter optimization by defining distance D3 as between -0.010 and 0.020 inches from the button sidewall. This precise parameter control ensures that the tab heel can effectively transmit downward force to rupture the score while maintaining sufficient operational ease. The parameter range balances the competing requirements of reliable rupture and ease of tab actuation.
3Reliability
If the vent score is positioned at the optimal distance from the button sidewall, then the vent opening is most reliable, but the manufacturing tolerance requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by establishing a manufacturing-friendly parameter range of D3 = -0.010 to 0.020 inches. This range provides sufficient tolerance for commercial manufacturing while ensuring reliable vent opening. The optimized parameter range allows standard manufacturing processes to produce consistent results without requiring excessively tight tolerances, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
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 solution provides improved reliability and functionality of vent openings, ensuring low failure rates and effective pressure release, while enhancing the pouring process by optimizing the structural dimensions and relationships between the vent score, button, and hinge, thus addressing the need for improved venting in commercial quantities.
Implementation Method 1
downward force transmitted from the tab heel to the button ruptures the score
Implementation Method 2
The vent hinge is located approximately between opposing ends of the vent score... the score rupture propagates about the vent tear panel in two directions to the vent hinge
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A beverage can end has a vent (40) that includes a button (50). The vent is actuated by downward force of a pull tab (70) that is transmitted to the vent score (42) through the button. The center panel (18) includes beads.