GB2428668A

GB2428668A - Method for forming and printing on a can end for a drinks can

Info

Publication number: GB2428668A
Application number: GB0609568A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ann Bonner
Original assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Ball Beverage Packaging Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2005-07-13
Filing date: 2005-07-13
Publication date: 2007-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-13
Also published as: GB2428668B; GB0609568D0

Abstract

A method of forming a can end, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a shell from a sheet of end material, the shell comprising a flat centre panel and a peripheral edge; and (b) applying a printing to the shell, wherein the printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the centre panel, the printing comprising an illustration of head and facial features of a character. Step (c) may be included to attach a tab to the shell, wherein the tab is attached to the shell such that the printing on the shell is aligned with the tab in a predetermined manner such that the jab forms a part of the character. The steps (a), (b), and (c) may be performed in that order. Step (b) may include introducing the sheet of end material into a press and operating on the sheet of end material in the press so as to form can end features, and may include blanking a can end from the sheet of end material.

Description

CHARACTER (E.G., CARTOON) ENDS FOR CANS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the hivention

This invention relates generally to the subject of containers, for example cans for containing food and beverage products. More particularly, the invention relates to cans and can ends in which the can end contains printing over a substantial area extent of the center panel which forms an image a character, such as for example a historical figure, sports figure, or cartoon character.

Description of Related Art

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional prior art beverage can 10. The can is formed from a one-piece drawn and ironed cup. The cup walls are stretched in a can body making station to form the side wall 12 of the can. A neck 14 is formed on the upper portion of the can by a set of necking stations, such as described in the patent to Caleffi et al., U. S. No. 4,774,839 or Tung et al., U.S. No. 5,755,130. After the neck 14 is formed on the upper portion 16 of the can 10, the can is sent to a flanging station where a flange is formed around the upper peripheral edge of the can. The flange is seamed to the peripheral edge of a can end 18 after the can is filled, in accordance with well-known techniques.

Referring to Figure 2, the can end 18 includes a generally flat center panel 19, integrally connected to a circumferential countersink which is surrounded by a peripheral flange or curl. The center panel includes score lines which defines a panel, which when opened, allows the contents of the can to be removed.

The scored portion 20 cooperates with a manually manipulable tab 22 so as to enable the user to either remove, for example, most of the center panel, such as in a full panel easy open end that is used for cans containing cat food, snacks or other foods, or to remove or open the pour panel of a beverage can.

On a typical beverage can, such as shown in Figure 2, the score 20 defines a pour panel 21 which, after opening, remains attached to the center panel by a hinge (not shown).

The pour panel is opened by the tab 22. Tab 22 is secured to the center panel 19 by a rivet 32.

The user inserts a finger underneath the tab 22 and lifts the tab up, causing the nvet 32 to pull up, which initiates the pop or initial fracture of the score line 20. Further lifting of the tab 22 further propagates the severing of the score to complete the opening of the can. At that point the user may pour the contents out of the can or drink from the can.

Prior art references describing ornamental, promotional, or other similar features for beverage containers include the patents to Goodwin, U.S. No. 4,203,240; Januchowski, U.S. No. 1,257,710; Park, U.S. Patent Des. 365, 021; and Rheingold, U.S. No. 1,878,541. U.S. Patent No. 4,557,505 to Schaefer Ct al. describes a stress-.opacifying tamper indicating tape that is applied to the openings of containers, in which a visible message is displayed in the tape indicative of whether the seal has been opened or tampered with. Minder, U.S. Patent 3,822,496 shows a can with a detachable display plate or button that is affixed to a pull-ring of a can. Additionally, beverage cans have been previously sold in the United States with alpha-numeric characters formed on the tab with ink-jet printing. Published PCT application PCT/GBOO/00463, publication no. WO 00/47487 published August 17, 2000 discloses methods and apparatus for printing on tabs and various features for promotional containers and container ends.

Spanish Industrial Models 144347 and 144348 show several embodiments of an end design in which beer mugs, footballs, stars, and other objects are mold stamped onto a can end to form "eyes" of a face, wherein the nose and mouth are formed by the tab and score opening features on the can end, respectively. Other references of interest directed to fanciful lids include Sloot, U.S. Patent 6,659,833 and Dotson, US Design Patent 379,065 and Merino, US.

Design Patent 284,563.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, a can is described having a can body compnsing a side wall and a base and defining an interior region for containing a product. The can includes an end having a center panel. A pnnting is applied over a substantial area exteni of the center panel, the printing compnsmg an illustration of head and facial features of a character. The character may include the face and head of a real person, or, alternatively, may depict a fictional character, historical figure, or a cartoon character.

In preferred embodiments, the end may further comprise a scored portion in the center panel for definmg an opening in the end and a manually manipulable tab secured to the end.

The tab forms the nose of the character.

This first aspect is directed to the combination of the can end and the can body. In another aspect, the invention relates to the can end alone. In this second aspect, an end for a can body is provided wherein the end includes a center panel and a peripheral edge. A pnnting is applied over a substantial area extent of the center panel, the printing illustrating head and facial features of a character. In preferred embodiments of these first and second aspects, the printing covers substantially the entire surface of the center panel of the end.

In another aspect, a method is provided for forming a can end. The method comprises the steps of: a) fonriing a shell from a sheet of end material, the shell comprising a flat center panel and a penpheral edge; and b) applying a printing to the shell, wherein the printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the center panel, the printing comprising an illustration of head and facial features of a character. In a typical embodiment, after the printing is applied, the shell is sent to a shell conversion press for completion of the opening features in the shell.

In still another aspect, the printing of the end can occur at the beginning of the end manufacturing process. In this aspect, a method is provided for forming a can end, comprising the steps of: a) applying a printing to a sheet of end material (e.g., coil stock), wherein the printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the sheet of end material in the area where a center panel of a can end is to be formed in the sheet of end material, the printing comprising an illustration of head and facial features of a character; b) introducing the sheet of end material into a press and operating on the sheet of end material in the press so as to form can end features in the sheet of end material, including the center panel; and c) blanking a can end from the sheet of end material.

These and other aspects of the invention will he more completely appreciated from the following descnpti on of presently prefen-ed embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodnnents of the invention are described below in conjunction with the drawmgs, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the various views, and in which: Figure 1 is an illustration showing the construction of a prior art, conventional beverage can.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the end of the can of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a can end with printing over substantially the entire surface of the end forming an illustration of a character.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of an end with printing over substantially the entire surface of the end forming an illustration of a character.

Figure 5 a plan view of a third embodiment of an end with printing over substantially the entire surface of the end forming an illustration of a character.

Figure 6 a plan view of a fourth embodiment of an end with printing over substantially the entire surface of the end forming an illustration of a character.

DETAILED DESCRIPTiON OF TFIE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figures 3-6 are plan views of several examples of an inventive end 1 8 for a can. The end 18 is adapted to he affixed to a can body, wh]ch may take a variety of forms. For example, the end 18 could he adapted to be seamed onto a one piece drawn and ironed can body. Such can body can be used to contain food or other comestibles such as snacks, or may contain beverages such as beer, carbonated beverages, water, sparkling water, nectars and Juices. The examples of Figures 3-6 depict ends 18 for attachment to can bodies in which the can bodies have a side wall and a base and deflne an interior region for containing a product, wherein the product is a beverage.

The end 18 includes a center panel 1 9 and a peripheral curl area 40, the extreme periphery of which is seamed to a flange on the can body, as is conventional.

During manufacture of the end, a printing 42 is applied over a substantial area extent of the center panel 19. The printing may be in one ore more colors, lacquers, or other pigment. For example, the printing may take the form of blue printing for the face of the character, white for the eyes, black for the eyebrows, contrasting color for background, etc. As is shown in Figures 3-6, the printing comprises an illustration of head and facial features 44, 46, respectively, of a character 50. The character may, for example, comprise a real person or a historical figure. As another alternative, the character may comprise a fictional character, or a cartoon character such as Thomas the Tank Engine (Figure 3), a character from the film "Monsters, Inc." (Figure 4), a character from the film "The Lion King" (Figure 5), or Kermit the Frog (Figure 6). Other examples of cartoon characters could be Bugs Buimy, Tweety Bird, or any other cartoon character now known or later created. The characters could be animal cartoons (e.g., Kermit the Frog) or could be monsters, fanciful characters like Thomas the Tank Engine, or other characters. (Obviously, permission from the copyright holder may be needed where the character is copyrighted). Examples of characters that are historical persons whose image could be printed on the center panel include Abraham Lincoln, Buffalo Bill, Sacagawea, Einstein, Mozart, contemporary sports figures such as Michael Jordan, etc. In contradistinction with the Spanish Design registrations cited above, the printing includes other features of the head and face, including cheeks, chin, head, ear and/or other body features. For example, in Figure 3, the pnnting includes shaded features illustrating the cheek 52, chin 54 and lips 56, as well as the eyes 58 and eyebrows 59 of the character 50.

Also note that multiple colors may he used: a dark blue for inside waIl 60 of the penpheral curl, light blue for face area 52, 54, 56, etc., white for the whites olthe eyes 58, and black for the eyebrows 59 As shown in Figures 3-6, the printing of the character preferably covers substantially the entire surface of the center panel 19 of the can end 18. As shown in Figure 4, the printing may fonn an illustration of the body, head and face of the character.

Tn the example of Figures 3-6, the tab 22 forms the nose of the cartoon character. The tab may also be printed. For example, the tab 22 in Figure 3 is printed with a blue ink that matches the blue ink forming the face 46 of the cartoon character. Similarly, the tab 22 in Figure 5 is printed in a golden brown color that matches the color of the face and head of the lion character. The printing on the tab may include printing in a contrasting or other color also.

The can end further comprises a scored portion in the center pane] for defining an opening in the end. The score is present in the ends of Figures 3-6 but is not shown in black lines in order to more clearly illustrate the characters printed on the center panel 19.

In other possible embodiments, the center panel can include areas in which the at least one color pnnted on the center panel has been removed (e.g., with a laser) to reveal the base color of the material forming the center panel, e.g., silver for an aluminum end.

The can having the fanciful ends of this invention can contain any product, examples of which are cans containing a human or animal food product. In some embodiments, the can may comprise a metal (aluminum) beverage can and the can end is a conventional beverage can end as shown in Figures 3-6. For example, the tab 22 is secured to the end 1 8 by a rivet 32 or other suitable structure that allows the tab 22 to remain fixed to the end 1 8 when the tab is manipulated by the user to open the can.

Manufacturing Considerations The can ends shown in Figure 3-6 can be formed in a method comprising the steps of first forming a shell from a sheet of end material, the shell comprising a flat center panel and a peripheral edge. This shell process can be performed in a convention shell press known in the art. A "shell", as is known in the art, is a blank end which has a center panel and some pcnpheral pre-curl, hut typical]y no other opening features, e.g., tab or score line. In conventional practice, shells are blanked from a sheet of end material in one press and subsequently fed to a shell conversion press for completion of the opening features. See the patent of Turner et al, U.S Patent 6,533, 518, for a more detailed explanation.

After the shell is formed, the shells are fed to a station where a printmg is applied to the shell The printing can be in one or more colors as described previously. The pnnting is preferably applied over a substantial area extent of the center panel. The printing is an illustration of head and facial features of a character, as shown in Figures 3-6. Tn a typical embodiment, after the pnnting is applied to the shell, the shell is sent to a shell conversion press (a known machine) for completion of the opening features in the shell, e.g., forming score opening features and attachment of the tab 22.

To achieve proper alignment of the tab 22 and the printing of the character, the end 18 can be engraved with a registration or timing mark, which is used for orientation purposes.

This mark is used to align the end with printing apparatus in the printing station such that the printing is applied to the end in a particular orientation with respect to the end. Subsequently, the timing mark is used again to orient the end with respect to an apparatus in the shell press that attaches the tab 22 onto the end 18. In this respect, the use of timing marks for orientation of the end may be similar to the tecimique disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,893,286.

The techniques of the 286 patent could be adapted to the printing of ends and attachment of tabs to achieve the proper orientation as disclosed in Figure 3.

Thus, in one possible embodiment of this invention, a method is provided for forming a can end, comprising the steps of: a) forming a shell from a sheet of end material, the shell comprising a flat center panel and a peripheral edge; and b) applying a printing to the shell, wherein the printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the center panel 19, the printing comprising an illustration of head arid facial features of a cartoon character 50.

The shell is then fed to a conversion press where the opening features are formed in the shell and the tab attached to the shell. In a preferred embodiment, the tab 22 is attached to the shell such that the printing on the shell is aligned with the tab in a predetermined manner such that the tab forms a part of the character For example, as shown in Figures 3-6, the tab forms the "nose" of the character.

As another alternative, the end may he made usmg a process in which the printing is first applied to the sheet of end material, the shell (including center panel) are formed, and then the shell is blanked and sent to a conversion press to complete the opening features.

In still another alternative, the end can be formed in a process comprising the steps of: a) applying a printing to a sheet of end material, wherein the printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the sheet of end material in the area where a center panel of a can end is to be formed in the sheet of end material, the printing comprising an illustration of head and facial features of a character; h) introducing the sheet of end material into a press and operating on the sheet of end material in the press so as to form can end features in the sheet of end material, including the center panel; and then c) blanking a can end from the sheet of end material.

A press suitable for steps (b) and (c) is described in the above referenced Turner et al., U.S. Patent 6,533,518. The printing of step (a) can be performed using any known press for applying printing to a sheet of material (e.g., aluminum). The advantage of this latter technique is that the registration of the printing relative to the tab is easy to maintain, since the tab is attached to the end while the end is still contained in the sheet of end material, i.e., before blanking the end from the sheet.

Variation from the particular embodiments described above is contemplated and within the scope of the invention. This true scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, to be interpreted in light of the foregoing specification.

S

DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLEMENTARY EMBODIMENTS

1. A can, comprising: a can body comprising a side wall and a base and defining an interior region for containing a product; an end for said can body having a center panel; wherein a printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the center panel, the printing comprising an illustration of head and facial features of a character.

2. The can of supplementary embodiment 1, wherein the end further comprises a scored portion in the center panel for defining an opening in said end and a manually manipulable tab secured to said end, wherein the tab forms the nose of the character.

3. The can of embodiment 1, wherein the character comprises a cartoon character.

4. The can of embodiment 1, wherein the printing comprises at least one color.

5. The can of embodiment 4, wherein the center panel further comprises areas in which the at least one color has been removed to reveal the base color of the material forming the center panel.

6. The can of embodiment 4, wherein a color is applied to the tab and wherein the color applied to the tab is substantially the same as the color printing applied to the center panel.

7. The can of embodiment 4, wherein the printing comprises three or more colors.

8. The can of embodiment 1, wherein the printing includes chin, lip, and/or mouth features of the character.

9. The can of embodiment 1, wherein said can comprises a can for containing a human or animal food product.

10. The can of embodiment 1, wherein said can comprises a metal beverage can.

11. The can of embodiment 1, wherein the printing covers substantially the entire surface of the center panel of the can end.

12. The can of embodiment 1, wherein the printing comprises an illustration of the body, head and face of the character.

13. An end for a can body, comprising: a center panel and a peripheral edge, wherein a printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the center panel, the printing illustrating head and facial features of a character.

14. The end of supplementary embodiment 13, wherein the end further comprises a scored portion in the center panel for defining an opening in said end and a manually manipulable tab secured to said end; the tab forming the nose of the character.

15. The end of embodiment 13, wherein the character comprises a cartoon character.

16. The end of embodiment 13, wherein the printing comprises at least one color.

17. The end of embodiment 16, wherein the center panel further comprises areas in which the at least one color has been removed to reveal the base color of the material forming the center panel.

18. The end of embodiment 16, wherein a color is applied to the tab and wherein the color applied to the tab is substantially the same as the color printing applied to the center panel.

19. The end of embodiment 16, wherein the printing comprises three or more colors.

20. The end of embodiment 13, wherein the printing includes chin, lip, and/or mouth features of the character.

21. The end of embodiment 13, wherein the printing comprising the character covers substantially the entire surface of the center panel of the can end.

22. A method of forming a can end, comprising the steps of: a) forming a shell from a sheet of end material, the shell comprising a flat center panel and a peripheral edge; and b) applying a printing to the shell, wherein the printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the center panel, the printing comprising an illustration of head arid facial features of a character.

23. The method of supplementary embodiment 22, further comprising the step: c) attaching a tab to the shell, wherein the tab is attached to the shell such that the printing on the shell is aligned with the tab in a predetermined manner such that the tab forms a part of the character.

24. The method of embodiment 23, wherein steps a), b) and c) are performed in that order.

25. A method of forming a can end, comprising the steps of: a) applying a printing to a sheet of end material, wherein the printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the sheet of end material in the area where a center panel of a can end is to be formed in the sheet of end material, the printing comprising an illustration of head and facial features of a character; b) introducing the sheet of end material into a press and operating on the sheet of end material in the press so as to form can end features in the sheet of end material, including the center panel; and c) blanking a can end from the sheet of end material.

26. The method of supplementary embodiment 25, wherein step b) includes a step of attaching a tab to the sheet of end material.

27. The method of embodiment 25, further comprising the step of feeding the can end blanked in step c) into a machine and attaching a tab to the can end in a predetermined orientation with respect to the printing on the center panel of the can end.

28. The method of embodiment 25, wherein the character comprises a cartoon character.

A can is described having a can body comprising a side wall and a base and defining an interior region for containing a product. The can includes an end having a center panel. A printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the center panel, the printing comprising an illustration of head and facial features of a character. in preferred embodiments, the end may further comprise a scored portion in the center panel for defining an opening in the end and a manually manipulable tab secured to the end. The tab forms the nose of the character. The character may include the face and head of a real person, or, alternatively, may depict a fictional character or a cartoon character.

Claims

1. A method of fonning a can end, comprising the steps of: a) forming a shell from a sheet of end material, the shell comprising a flat center panel and a peripheral edge; and b) applying a printing to the shell, wherein the printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the center panel, the printing comprising an illustration of head and facial features of a character.

2. The method of Claim 1, further comprising the step: c) attaching a tab to the shell, wherein the tab is attached to the shell such that the printing on the shell is aligned with the tab in a predetermined manner such that the tab forms a part of the character.

3. The method of Claim 2, wherein steps a), b) and c) are performed in that order.

4. A method of forming a can end, comprising the steps of: a) applying a printing to a sheet of end material, wherein the printing is applied over a substantial area extent of the sheet of end material in the area where a center panel of a can end is to he formed in the sheet of end material, the printing comprising an illustration of head and facial features of a character; b) introducing the sheet of end material into a press and operating on the sheet of end material in the press so as to form can end features in the sheet of end material, including the center panel; and c) blanking a can end from the sheet of end material.

5. The method of Claim 4, wherein step b) includes a step of attaching a tab to the sheet of end material.

6. The method of Claim 4, further comprising the step of feeding the can end blanked in step c) into a machine and attaching a tab to the can end in a predetermined orientation with respect to the printing of the center panel of the can end.

7. The method of Claim 4, wherein the character comprises a cartoon character.

8. The method of Claim 5, wherein the tab attached in step b) is positioned relative to the printing applied to the sheet of end material in step a) such that the tab forms part of the character.