Patent Publication Number: US-2019177050-A1

Title: Beverage can ends having a gas charging port

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/596,137 filed Dec. 8, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to packaging beverages, and more particularly to metal beverage cans capable of being charged with an activating gas. 
     Metal cans for packaging beverages are usually a two-piece containers formed of a can body, which is drawn and wall ironed from a 3000 series aluminum alloy, and an end, which is formed from a 5000 series alloy and seamed onto the beverage can body. A conventional end is shown in  FIG. 5  (Prior Art). As well over 200 billion aluminum beverage can ends are produced worldwide each year, end technology has developed such that modern ends are lightweight and made from the thinnest gauge feasible. 
     The vast majority of beverage can ends are “easy-open” ends that have a tab riveted to a center panel of the end and a score that ruptures in response to actuation of the tab. Actuating the tab irreversibly forms a pour opening in the end. 
     Alternatively, some ends include a closure that seals a pour opening to form a recloseable end. For example, Xolutions markets a resealable beverage can end that is conceptually disclosed in United States Patent Publication Number 2014/0332548. As illustrated in FIG. 2 of the 548 patent application, which is reproduced as  FIG. 1  in this specification, a panel  101  includes a pour opening  103 . A closure element  120  is on the underside of panel  101  and includes sealing means  121  that seals the underside of the panel to prevent leakage of the liquid through opening  103 . The closure element  120  includes a pressure equalization opening or vent  122  that is a through-hole through the closure element  120 . An actuation element  110  on the upper side of panel  101  includes a fixation element  110   a  that is connected to a sliding element  110   b  by a hinge  111 . In its rest position, a pin  112  of the fixation element  110   a  is located in vent  122 . 
     To actuate the closure for the first time, a user lifts the heel of fixation element  110   a  about a hinge between elements  110   a  and  110   b  to open vent  122  by removing pin  112  from opening  122 . A user then pulls element  110   a  rearward to move sliding element  110   b  from pour opening  103  and to push closure element  120  away from pour opening  103 . To reclose the closure, the user reverses the direction of sliding to return element  120  to its position under pour opening  103 , typically by grasping the free end of fixation element  110   a . The user then pushes down on the free end of element  110   a  to pivot it about its hinge until pin  112  is inserted into opening  122 , thereby resealing the container by plugging vent  122 . 
     Another example of a recloseable end is disclosed in United States Patent Publication Number US2008/0053997, which lists its assignee as Bound2B. FIG. 1a of the 997 Publication, which is reproduced in this specification as  FIG. 11  (Prior Art), illustrates a device  1  includes a sealing element  2  and that rotates relative to an operating element  3 . Sealing element  2  is on the inboard side of the end (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). A screw thread connection (not shown in the figures) enables sealing element  2  to move down relative to operating element  3  in response to a user rotating projection or tab  8 . The rotation of sealing element  2  moves sealing projection  7  out of engagement with pour opening  6  to enable liquid flow from the can during pouring. Reversing the rotation of tab  8  retracts sealing element  2 , which re-engages sealing projection  7  with opening  6  to reclose the closure device  1 . 
     Operating element  3  includes a vent  11 , which is a through-hole from the top surface of element  3  to enable communication with the headspace of the container. A rod  12  extends from underneath operating element  3  functionally from sealing element  2  and into and through vent  11 . Rod  11  is both a stopper or plug of vent  11  and an indicator of whether the device is sealed. 
     Some prior art beverage cans include a charging port in the base. For example, a coffee and cream beverage, marketed by La Colombe Coffee, includes a grommet in its base to receive a charge of gas. Aerosol cans are typically charged through a grommet in the bottom, which typically is a thick-walled end that is seamed onto a cylindrical can body wall. Conventional grommets, such as a Universal Grommet as supplied by Ultramotive, are flexible, elastomeric structures that use conventional gas or liquid injection equipment, as understood by persons familiar with conventional charging technology. 
     SUMMARY 
     A recloseable beverage can end that promotes charging of an activating gas into a beverage can includes a metal beverage can end shell and a recloseable seal. The end shell has a peripheral curl and a center panel that has a pour opening therein. The recloseable closure has (i) a contact surface adapted for engagement and actuation by a user&#39;s finger and (ii) a seal. A filling port of the closure can receive the activing gas to charge the can end. Actuation of the closure via the contact surface by a user breaks the seal to create a closure open-position during which beverage is capable of flowing through the pour opening. 
     Preferably, the seal includes an upper sealing surface and a lower sealing surface. The upper sealing surface is opposite the lower sealing surface and forms a seal about the pour opening in the closed position. The filling port may be a through hole in the closure and the closure may include a pin that seals the through hole while the closure is in a closed-position. 
     In some embodiments, the pin is spaced apart from the through hole when the closure is in the open position such that the filling port is a vent aperture that vents internal pressure upon actuation of the closure from a fully closed position. And/or the filling port is a through hole in the center panel, and the filling port is covered by the closure, which in comes cases can provide tamper evidence. In any case, a fitting may be located in the filling port. Preferably, the activating gas is nitrous oxide. 
     According to another aspect, a beverage can end includes a beverage can shell, a pour opening and actuations means, a filling port, and a gas charging fitting. The beverage can end shell includes a peripheral curl and a center panel, and the center panel includes an aperture in the center panel. The can end shell is formed of a 5000 series aluminum alloy having a thickness of between 0.007 inches and 0.011 inches, or between 0.007 inches and 0.009 inches. 
     The actuation means for opening the pour opening preferable is either a conventional easy open end (of the kind that has a score and tab) or recloseable mechanism. The as charging fitting is located in the filling port and is adapted for receiving a gas charging apparatus to inject gas therethrough and then form a seal. Preferably, the pour activation means includes a score in the center panel and a tab attached to the center panel by a rivet, and the filling port is an aperture through the rivet. Alternatively, the filling port can be an aperture in the center panel at a position that is spaced apart from the rivet. The filling port can be a through hole in the closure and wherein the closure includes a pin that seals the through hole while the closure is in a closed position. The pin may be spaced apart from the through hole when the closure is in the open position such that the filling port is a vent aperture that vents internal pressure upon actuation of the closure from a fully closed position. The pin and/or through hole after initial opening can be configured to indicate tamper evidence. 
     A method for charging a beverage can with an activating gas begins with a metal beverage container package that includes a can body, a can end seamed on to the can body, and a recloseable closure engaged with the can end. The method includes charging an activating gas into an interior of the beverage can through a filling port formed in the can end. Preferably, the can end includes a recloseable closure and the filling port is in the recloseable closure, and the charging step includes inserting a charging apparatus in the filling port, removing the charging apparatus from the filling port after the inserting step, and sealing the filling port after the removing step. 
     The filling port may be in can end center panel, and the charging step may include inserting a charging apparatus in the filling port and removing the charging apparatus from the filling port after the inserting step, and then sealing the filling port after the removing step. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  (Prior Art) is schematic cross sectional view of a prior art recloseable beverage can end; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective image of a recloseable beverage can end in its vented configuration, illustrating an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is another top perspective image of the recloseable beverage can end of  FIG. 2 , showing the closure in a re-closed position; 
         FIG. 4  is schematic cross sectional view of the recloseable beverage can end of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  (Prior Art) is a top view of a conventional end, illustrating a conventional tab and rivet; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an end having a charging fitting located at the rivet, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the end of  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an end of  FIG. 5  before insertion of the charging fitting into the aperture at the rivet; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a cross section of the rivet portion of the end of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of a cross section of a second embodiment of the rivet portion of the end of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 11  (Prior Art) is a perspective view of a conventional closure; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a recloseable beverage closure, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged, cross sectional, schematic view of a portion of the closure of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A first embodiment is directed to a recloseable beverage can end having a gas filling feature and capabilities. Referring to  FIGS. 2 through 4  to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, a can end  10   a  having features according to the present invention includes a panel  11   a , which has a pour opening  13   a , and a closure  12   a . A closure element  20   a  of closure  12   a  is on the underside of panel  11   a  and includes sealing means  21   a  that seals the underside of the panel to prevent leakage of the liquid through opening  13   a . The closure element  20   a  includes a combination vent and charging port  22   a  (also referred to as an aperture) that is a through-hole through the closure element  20   a . A gas charging fitting  50   a  is housed within port  22   a . An actuation element  28   a  on the upper side of panel  11   a  includes a fixation element  30   a  and a sliding element  32   a , which is connected to a fixation element  30   a  by a hinge  34   a . In its rest position, a pin  38   a  that protrudes from an underside of fixation element  30   a  is located in port  22   a .  FIGS. 2 and 3  also show taper-evidence devices in their torn positions. 
     Gas charging fitting  50   a  is shown in the figures as a grommet having a sleeve and upper and lower flanges. The gas charging fitting may also be an o-ring or like structure, and may be resilient such that it is forms a seal around pin  38   a  when pin  38   a  is inserted into port  22   a . Fitting  50   a  is sized to receive a charging apparatus such that an activating gas, such as nitrous oxide for charging into beverage containing milk or cream, can be charged through the closure and into the can before sealing the can. The term “activating gas” is used to refer to a gas that interacts with the liquid beverage product for improving its taste, texture, or like property. In the preferred embodiment, the activating gas is a nitrous oxide used as an agent for interacting with the cream or milk (or like fatty constituent) of a coffee beverage. The present invention is not limited, of course, to nitrous oxide as the activating gas, but encompasses other gases, including gases later developed, for improving the product. 
     In operation, a charge of gas can be inserted through aperture  22   a  by inserting a charging apparatus (preferably conventional, not shown in the figures) into fitting  50   a  of aperture  22   a  while pin  38   a  is spaced apart from aperture  22   a . After charging and removal of the charging apparatus, the panel  11   a  may be actuated in the conventional way to close the pour opening and insert pin  38   a  into port  22   a.    
     Port  22   a  preferably is sealed by pin  38   a  by insertion of pin  38   a  into fitting  50   a  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). Port  22   a  preferably is also sealed by an external surface of the changing apparatus, again by insertion into fitting  50   a , and in this way port  22   a  can be a combined charging port and vent. Thus, it is not necessary for fitting  50   a  to be self-sealing, as will be understood by persons familiar with grommet technology for charging aerosol cans. The present invention is not limited to fittings that do not seal (that is, do not automatically form a seal upon removal of a charging apparatus), but rather the present invention encompasses self-sealing and non-self-sealing fittings unless expressly stated otherwise in the claims. 
     A user actuates the closure  12   a  for the first time after the can has already been filled with a beverage. A user lifts the heel of fixation element  32   a  about hinge  36   a  to vent the can by removing pin  38   a  from port  22   a , and thereby enabling gas to escape from the pressurized interior of the can to the ambient atmosphere. A user then pulls element  32   a  rearward to move sliding element  34   a  from pour opening  13   a  and to move closure element  20   a  away from pour opening  13   a . To reclose the closure  12   a , the user reverses the direction of sliding to return element  20   a  to its position under pour opening  13   a , typically by graphing the free end of fixation element  32   a . The user then pushes down on the free end of element  32   a  to pivot it about its hinge until pin  38   a  is inserted into opening port  22   a , thereby resealing the container by plugging the vent. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a conventional, easy-open (non-resealable) beverage can end that includes a sidewall and curl, a center panel, a tab that is attached to the center panel by a rivet, and a score for a pour opening upon actuation of the tab. Each of the components of the conventional beverage can end of  FIG. 5  is well known in the art. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an improved easy-open beverage can end  210 , illustrating aspects of the invention, including a sidewall  212 , an annular structure  214 , a center panel  216 , a tab  218 , a score  220 , a rivet system  230 , and a grommet  260 . Tab  218  includes a body  222  and a rivet island  224 . Sidewall  212 , the annular structure  214 , and tab body  222  preferably are conventional. 
     Rivet system  230  includes an aperture  232  and a rivet  240 . As shown in schematically in  FIG. 9 , rivet  240  includes a rivet wall  242  that extends upwardly from center panel  216  and a rivet flange  244  at or near its uppermost extent. Rivet wall  242  extends through a hole in tab rivet island  224  to affix the tab  218  to the can end shell center panel  216 . The process of forming rivet  240  can be consistent with conventional rivet processes for aluminum beverage cans, and after formation of a conventional rivet, aperture  232  preferably is formed through the body of the rivet by a piercing operation from the underside (that is, the side of end that is internal to the can when after the can body is joined to the can end) center of the rivet. Accordingly, a portion of metal cut edge formed from the piercing operation is directed upwardly and outwardly (as the end is oriented during use and as shown in  FIG. 9 .) 
     Grommet  260  as shown in the figures has a flange  262 , a neck  264 , and a crown  266  such that grommet  260  extends through aperture  232 . In this regard, flange  262  is on the underside of the end  210  and crown  266  is on the exterior side of end  210 . Grommet  260  may be employed for inserting a gas or a liquid through a filling aperture in the grommet  260 , which filling aperture (not shown in the figures) may be sealed after inserting the gas or liquid the aperture. Alternatively, a grommet as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,362, entitled “Sealing Grommet” (and generally known in the industry as a Scheindel Universal Grommet) or the valve disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,979, entitled “Propellant Filling and Sealing Valve,” assigned to American Can Company (the “979 Patent” may be employed. If a Universal Grommet is employed, the flange preferably is oriented on the exterior of the can end and the crown is located on the internal side of the can end. If a valve like that of the 979 Patent is employed, the flange (that is, the “sealing portion” identified in the 979 Patent by reference numeral 18) is inside the can end and the crown (that is, the collar identified in the 979 Patent by reference numeral 24) is on the exterior of the can end. Thus, at least in the case in which conventional grommets or valves are employed, the can may be charged with gas or liquid by using conventional gassing methods and equipment. 
     Alternatively, a gas charging fitting  250  may be employed, as illustrated schematically in  FIG. 10 . The fitting may be an o-ring, tubular sleeve, solid plug (configured for piercing by an injection apparatus or probe), or like structure that is capable of receiving a gas or liquid injection apparatus or nozzle, such as a charging apparatus such that a gas, such as nitrous oxide for charging into beverage containing milk or cream, can be charged through the closure and into the can before sealing the can. After filling and removal of the gas charging apparatus from fitting  250 , fitting  250  can be closed by thermally deforming it by applying heat, can be closed by filling with a filler or plug. 
     Fitting  250  as illustrated in the figures is located within the vertical sidewall  242  of the rivet. A fitting, such as indicated by reference numeral  250 ′ in dashed lines in  FIG. 6 , in any of its embodiments may alternatively be located through a portion of the panel  216 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12  to illustrate another embodiment that illustrates aspects of the present invention, an end includes a resealable closure  310 , which includes a sealing element  302  that rotates relative to an operating element  303 . Sealing element  302  is on the inboard side of the end (not shown in  FIG. 6 ). A screw thread connection (conventional, not shown in the figures) enables sealing element  302  to move down relative to operating element  303  in response to a user rotating projection or a tab  308 . The rotation of sealing element  302  moves a sealing projection  307  out of engagement with a pour opening  306  to enable liquid flow from the can during pouring. Reversing the rotation of tab  308  retracts sealing element  302 , which re-engages sealing projection  307  with opening  306  to re-close the closure device  310 . 
     Operating element  303  includes a vent system  51 , which includes an aperture or through-hole  311  and a gas charging fitting  50   a . Aperture  311  extends through the top surface of element  303  to enable gas communication between the headspace of the container and the ambient atmosphere. In the closed position, a rod  312  extends from underneath operating element  303  from sealing element  302  and into and through aperture  311 . Rod  312  is both a stopper or plug of the vent aperture  311  and an indicator of whether the device is sealed. 
     Gas charging fitting  50   b  may have the structure as described above with respect to fitting  50   a  and/or fitting  250 . In general, fittings  50   a ,  50   b , and/or  250  may without limitation be an o-ring, tubular sleeve, solid plug (configured for piercing by an injection apparatus or probe), or like structure that is capable of receiving a gas or liquid injection apparatus or nozzle, such as a charging apparatus, such that a gas, such as nitrous oxide for charging into beverage containing milk or cream, can be charged through the closure and into the can before sealing the can. The particular dimensions and configuration of the fitting may be chosen according to the particular parameters of the application, such as the material chosen, aperture diameter, metal or plastic thickness, internal can pressure, and the like. After filling and removal of the gas charging apparatus from the fitting  50   a ,  50   b , and or  250 , the fitting can be closed by thermally deforming it by applying heat, can be closed by filling with a filler or plug and/or by applying an adhesive. 
     The present invention has been described employing embodiments of ends, closures, and fittings in specific configurations. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but that it is intended that present invention be given its fully scope as set out in the claims.