Receptacles – Closures – With closure opening arrangements for means
Patent
1996-11-12
1998-06-23
Shoap, Allan N.
Receptacles
Closures
With closure opening arrangements for means
220277, 220265, 220266, 220268, B65D 1752
Patent
active
057692599
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to closures for containers, such as cans for food products including pet foods, and more particularly to closures of the full-open end type in which substantially all of the end panel is removed when the closure is opened.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most full-open ends currently in use include an end panel which is scored or weakened along a line extending adjacent the rim of the end, which is seamed to the can body. Examples of typical full-open end closures of the above types may be found in the patent literature, and it will be noted that closures of this type usually require a retained ring-pull/lever mechanism by means of which the initial rupturing of the score line is achieved. Such opening devices are often difficult to manipulate, requiring considerable force to be applied to cause the initial rupturing of the score line. Additionally, the retained lever mechanism must be separately formed and must be attached to the end penal by some form of rivet.
In our International Patent Applications Nos. PCT/AU92/00337 published 18 Feb. 1993 as WO 93/02932 and PCT/AU92/00338 published 21 Jan. 1993 as WO 93/01096, we describe a full-open end construction in which a central end panel is sealingly received between a pair of folds in a rim portion thereby avoiding the disadvantages of a full-open end which must be severed along a score line. Also described is a push-in closure construction shaped to receive an opening implement such as a spoon to enable the central panel to be opened either along a score line or by removal of the panel edge from between the pair of folds. This arrangement has the advantage over other constructions which are opened by implements such as spoons in that a central locating abutment is provided to prevent withdrawal of the spoon from the closure during the opening operation.
To facilitate opening by means of a spoon the push-in closure must be of sufficient size to accept a spoon of at least dessert spoon size since otherwise the necessary leverage and strength characteristics will not be present. One of the consequences of a push-in closure of these dimensions is that containers which must be subjected to sterilization or other processing, such as those containing food products including pet foods, are subjected to increases in external and internal pressure which may result in the container end losing its structural integrity in the region of the push-in closure. For example, in the case of pet foods the cooking/sterilization process subjects the can and the end to an external pressure of about 170 kPa and to an increased internal pressure of about 250 to 270 kPa.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION AND OBJECT
It is the object of the present invention to provide an end panel for a full-open end closure for a container in which a modified push-in closure construction enables the use of an opening implement having one or more relatively narrow pointed elements.
The invention provides an end panel for a full-open end closure for a container, comprising a rim portion, a removable central panel portion connected to the rim portion for detachment by means of an opening implement, said central panel portion having at least one push-in closure member dimensioned to receive a small narrow portion of an opening implement, said push-in closure member comprising a tab portion severable from the central panel to create an opening dimensioned to receive said narrow portion without materially affecting the structural integrity of the end panel under high pressure conditions, means hermetically sealing the tab portion to the central panel portion, said tab portion being displaceable by said narrow portion of said opening implement to create an opening not substantially larger than said narrow portion of said opening implement to thereby allow firm engagement between said opening implement and said central panel and enable detachment of said central panel portion from said rim portion
By forming one or more push-in closures of small dimensions in the central
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Dalli Alan George
Peck James Douglas
Revill Peter Lewis
Salm Dietmar
Hylton Robin A.
Shoap Allan N.
The Broken Hill Proprietary Co Ltd
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