Vented Metallic Container End Closure Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container end closures with large openings for enhanced flow and pourability often suffer from issues like bursting, buckling, leakage, and opening failures, particularly when contents are pressurized, and struggle to provide smooth pour characteristics while being difficult to manufacture in smaller container ends.
Innovation Solution
A metallic container end closure with a plurality of strategically positioned and sized openings, including a dispensing opening and one or more vent openings, featuring a stiffening structure and vent form feature to enhance pourability and reduce the risk of rupture, along with a safety fold to prevent injury and improve opening mechanics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large opening is provided in the container end closure to enhance flow and pourability, then the pour rate is improved, but the container becomes prone to bursting, buckling, leakage, and opening failures under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single large opening into multiple smaller openings (typically three openings arranged in a triangular pattern). This segmentation maintains the total open area for adequate pour rate while distributing the structural stress across multiple smaller holes, preventing the bursting and buckling issues associated with large single openings.
2Productivity
If a large opening is provided in the container end closure, then the flow rate is enhanced, but the container becomes difficult to manufacture in smaller container ends
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented multi-opening design allows each individual opening to be smaller and easier to form in smaller container ends, while the collective arrangement maintains adequate flow rate. The standardized triangular arrangement of three openings provides a manufacturable solution that scales well across different container sizes.
3Ease of operation
If the score residual thickness is reduced to enable opening with finger pressure, then the ease of operation is improved, but the score becomes prone to premature severing causing leaks or failures during stacking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different score residual thicknesses at different locations: a first score residual thickness at the periphery and a second, greater score residual thickness at the center. This local quality variation allows the periphery to be easier to open while the center maintains stacking integrity and prevents premature severing during storage and transport.
4Reliability
If a stiffening structure is added to prevent score rupture propagation, then the container integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening structure is formed as a raised bead or ridge that is integrally formed with the container end closure during the forming process. This integral structure provides the necessary stiffness to prevent score rupture propagation while maintaining a relatively simple overall design and avoiding the need for separate components.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A metallic container end closure is provided that generally comprises a dispensing opening and a vent opening. The vent opening improves pourability through the dispensing opening and provides an alternative option for consuming the contents of the container. The end closure may include features to ease opening of the vent opening, such as stiffeners and/or vent form features. Additionally, the end closure may include various safety features, such as a safety fold. In some configurations, the container end closure does not include a pull tab for opening.