WO2022170343A1

WO2022170343A1 - Metal container end with coined periphery edge and related methods

Info

Publication number: WO2022170343A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/070519
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Musson Campbell; Sebastijan JURENDIC
Original assignee: Novelis, Inc.
Priority date: 2021-02-05
Filing date: 2022-02-04
Publication date: 2022-08-11
Also published as: EP4288346A1; CA3210654A1; CN117203132A; JP2024509705A; KR20230144559A

Abstract

A metal container end (102) for a metal container (100) includes a center section (116) and a periphery section (118) extending along a periphery of the center section. The periphery section includes an edge (122) of the periphery section, and the edge (122) includes a contacting portion (126) and a non-contacting portion (130). The contacting portion (126) of the edge (122) extends at a non-zero angle (132) relative to the non-contacting portion (130) of the edge (122).

Description

METAL CONTAINER END WITH COINED PERIPHERY EDGE AND RELATED

METHODS

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/199,964, filed on February 5, 2021 and entitled METAL CONTAINER END WITH COINED PERIPHERY EDGE AND RELATED METHODS, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This application relates to metal containers, and, more specifically, to metal container ends that can be joined with container bodies to form the metal containers. Also disclosed are methods of making the metal containers.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Metal containers, such as those intended to hold food or beverages (e.g., aluminum beverage cans), generally include a container body having an opening defined in one end, and a closure (referred to as a “container end” or a “can end”) designed to close the opening of the container body. The container body and the can end are typically joined at their peripheries (e.g., by being crimped or rolled together) to form a liquid-tight and gas-tight joint. While some container ends are flat circular discs, container ends are more commonly provided with raised and contoured or curled peripheral edges that facilitate the joining process.

[0004] Coatings or lacquers may be provided on the container ends (as well as the container bodies) for decorative and/or other purposes as desired. For example, container ends may be colored to be various colors (e.g., blue, red, green, etc.) with various lacquers. During the container end-making process, the lacquer may become cut, chipped, or otherwise damaged. Such damage impairs the appearance of the can end because the aluminum substrate becomes very visible (sometimes between 5-50% of the circumference), and a consumer may conclude that the container and/or content of the container are of inferior quality. This potential for lacquer layer abrasion currently inhibits some brand owners from using more colored ends for their products. Such damage also generates lacquer dust throughout the end-making process, which may damage equipment and/or present a health risk. For example, dust generated by abrasion between the shell press and packing of ends in paper sleeves for transportation (mainly in the trackways transporting the shells to the balancers and then to the conversion presses), have to be collected to prevent air pollution and workplace contamination with micro-particles. The dust generated may also remain attached to the beverage side of the end and compromise the cleanliness of the beverage itself.

SUMMARY

[0005] The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

[0006] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a metal container end includes a center section and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section. The periphery section includes an edge, and the edge includes a contacting portion and a non-contacting portion. The contacting portion extends at a non-zero angle relative to the non-contacting portion.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a metal container end includes a center section, a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section, an outer surface, and an inner surface. A distance from the outer surface to the inner surface is a thickness of the metal container end. The periphery section includes an edge extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, and the edge includes a contacting portion and a non-contacting portion. The contacting portion of the edge extends from the outer surface towards the inner surface and at a non-zero angle relative to the non-contacting portion.

[0008] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a metal container end includes a center section and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section. The periphery section has a section thickness and includes an edge. The edge includes a contacting portion and a non-contacting portion, and the contacting portion of the edge includes at least 50% of the section thickness at the edge extends at an angle that is from greater than about 0° and less than about 90° relative to the non-contacting portion.

[0009] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a metal container end includes a center section and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section. The periphery section includes a curl between the center section and an edge of the periphery section, and a contacting portion of the edge extends at a non-zero angle relative to a vertical axis prior to formation of the curl.

[0010] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a metal container end includes a center section, a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section, an outer surface, and an inner surface. A distance from the outer surface to the inner surface is a thickness of the metal container end. The periphery section includes an edge extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, and also includes a curl between the edge and the center section. A contacting portion of the edge extends from the outer surface towards the inner surface and at a non-zero angle relative to a vertical axis prior to formation of the curl.

[0011] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a metal container end includes a center section and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section. The periphery section has a section thickness and includes a curl between the center section and an edge of the periphery section. A contacting portion of the edge including at least 50% of the section thickness at the edge extends at an angle that is from greater than about 0° and less than about 90° relative to a vertical axis prior to formation of the curl.

[0012] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of forming a metal container end includes blanking a material to form the metal container end such that the metal container end includes a center section and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section. The method includes coining an edge of the periphery section and forming a contacting portion of the edge that extends at a non-zero angle relative to a vertical axis. The method also includes shaping the metal container end such that the periphery section includes a curl between the center section and the edge.

[0013] Various implementations described in the present disclosure can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a metal container having a container body and a container end according to aspects of the current disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the container end during an end-making process.

[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a periphery section of the container end of FIG. 2 prior to formation of a curl in the periphery section.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the periphery section of the container end of FIG. 2 after formation of the curl.

[0019] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of two periphery sections of FIG. 4 when two container ends are stacked.

[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates a stack of container ends during the end-making process.

[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates a stack of container ends according to aspects of the current disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “back,” among others, are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing.

[0023] Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure relate to metal container ends and systems and methods for making metal container ends. The metal container ends may be various metal substrates including, but not limited to, aluminum, aluminum alloys, steel, steel-based materials, magnesium, magnesium-based materials, copper, copper-based materials, any other suitable metal, or a combination of materials. Metal container ends of the present disclosure may generally be joined with container bodies to form various types of metal containers including, but not limited to, beverage cans, food cans, aerosol cans, chemical storage cans, or containers and cans for other products.

[0024] The metal container ends described herein each generally include a center section and a periphery section that extends along a periphery of the center section. The periphery section includes an edge, and when shaped, the periphery section also includes a curl between the edge and the center section. The edge of the periphery section includes a contacting portion that extends at a non-zero angle relative to a vertical axis of the metal container end prior to formation of the curl. The contacting portion of the edge increases the amount or surface area of the edge of the periphery section that contacts an adjacent metal container end during the end-making process. This increased contact may better distribute forces that are transferred to the adjacent metal container end and/or may minimize or reduce damage to the adjacent metal container end. The metal container ends described herein may be particularly suited for minimizing or reducing damage to a lacquer or coating on the adjacent metal container end during the end-making process. By minimizing or reducing damage (e.g., lacquer abrasion), the amount of dust generated during the end-making process due to damage may be minimized or reduced, thereby minimizing or reducing potential damage to equipment and/or health risks to operators.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a metal container 100 having a container end 102 and a container body 104. The container end 102 may be joined to the container body 104 through various suitable techniques including, but not limited to, crimping, rolling, or other suitable techniques as desired. Lacquers and/or coatings may be provided on the container end 102 as well as the container body 104 as desired. In some non-limiting examples, the container end 102 includes a lacquer that colors the container end 102 such that the container end 102 has a desired color appearance (e.g., green, red, blue, yellow, etc.).

[0026] In the example of FIG. 1, the metal container 100 is a beverage can and optionally includes a score 106, an integral tab 108, and a pop-tab 110 on a center section 116 of the container end 102. The metal container end 102 includes an outer surface 112. Depending on the desired end product, the metal container end 102 may optionally include a peripheral channel 120 provided in the center section 116 proximate to a periphery section 118. While the metal container 100 is illustrated as a beverage container, in other examples, the metal container 100 may be other types of metal cans and/or other metal containers such as food cans, aerosol cans, chemical storage cans, or containers and cans for other products as desired. It will be appreciated that depending on the particular type of metal container 100, additional features may be defined on or with the container end 102 as desired.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates the container end 102 before it is joined with the container body 104. The container end 102 includes the outer surface 112, an inner surface 114, the center section 116, and the periphery section 118. The periphery section 118 extends along a periphery of the center section 116 and includes an edge 122 that extends from the outer surface 112 to the inner surface 114. A curl 124 may be defined between the edge 122 and the center section 116, and the curl 124 may be rounded (i.e., have a non-zero curvature). A distance 129 (see FIG. 3) from the outer surface 112 to the inner surface 114 is a thickness of the container end 102. As mentioned, the container end 102 may include a lacquer and/or coating. In some cases, the lacquer and/or the coating may be provided on the inner surface 114 and/or the outer surface 112 as desired. In some cases, the outer surface 112 includes a color lacquer such that the container end 102 has a colored appearance.

[0028] FIGs. 3 and 4 illustrate the periphery section 118 of the container end 102 in greater detail. FIG. 3 illustrates the periphery section 118 prior to a shaping process that forms the curl 124, and FIG. 4 illustrates the periphery section 118 after the curl 124 has been formed. As illustrated in FIGs. 3 and 4, the edge 122 includes a contacting portion 126 that extends a distance 128 from the outer surface 112 towards the inner surface 114. In some examples, the distance 128 is at least about 30% the distance 129. In certain cases, the distance 128 may be from about 30% to about 100% of the distance 129, such as at least 50% the distance 129, such as from about 80% to about 100% the distance 129. In various examples, the distance 128 may be approximately the same as the distance 129, although in other examples the distance 128 may be less than the distance 129 (i.e., less than 100% the distance 129). When the distance 128 is less than the distance 129, the edge 122 also includes a non-contacting portion 130 between the contacting portion 126 and the inner surface 114. As illustrated in FIGs. 3 and 4, the non-contacting portion 130 may extend at a non-zero angle relative to the contacting portion 126.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, in various examples, prior to the formation of the curl 124, the contacting portion 126 extends at a non-zero angle 132 relative to an axis 134 defined by the non-contacting portion 130. In examples where the non-contacting portion 130 is omitted, the contacting portion 126 may extend at any angle relative to the inner surface 114 and/or the outer surface 112, including but not limited to a square angle or a non-square angle. In some examples, prior to formation of the curl 124, the axis 134 may be substantially vertical, although it need not be in other examples. In some examples, the non-zero angle 132 is from greater than about 0° to about 90°. In certain examples, the non-zero angle 132 may be from about 5° to about 30°, such as about 5°, about 6°, about 7°, about 8°, about 9°, about 10°, about 11°, about 12°, about 13°, about 14°, about 15°, about 16°, about 17°, about 18°, about 19°, about 20°, about 21°, about 22°, about 23°, about 24°, about 25°, about 26°, about 27°, about 28°, about 29°, and/or about 30°. In other examples, the non-zero angle 132 may be less than about 5° or greater than about 30°. In some non-limiting examples, the non-zero angle may be from about 22° to about 42°, such as about 22°, about 23°, about 24°, about 25°, about 26°, about 27°, about 28°, about 29°, about 30°, about 31°, about 32°, about 33°, about 34°, about 35°, about 36°, about 37°, about 38°, about 39°, about 40°, about 41°, and/or about 42°. The angle 132 and the distance 128 are controlled such that during endprocessing (e.g., when the container ends 102 may contact other container ends 102), the contacting portion 126 is configured to contact the periphery section 118 of an adjacent container end 102. In various examples, when the non-contacting portion 130 is included, prior to the formation of the curl 124, the non-contacting portion 130 may extend at an angle that is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 134.

[0030] While the contacting portion 126 is illustrated as a linear or planar, it will be appreciated that in other examples, the contacting portion 126 may have various suitable shapes or profiles as desired. As one non-limiting example, the contacting portion 126 may have a curved or arcuate-shaped profile that optionally may match the shape or profile of the curl of a neighboring container end. [0031] FIG. 4 illustrates the periphery section 118 after the formation of the curl 124. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the contacting portion 126 still extends at the non-zero angle relative to the non-contacting portion 130 after the curl 124 is formed (i.e., the contacting portion 126 is not parallel and/or coplanar with the non-contacting portion 130).

[0032] FIGs. 5 and 6 illustrate container ends 102 stacked during an end-making process. As illustrated in FIGs. 5 and 6, the contacting portion 126 of one container end 102 may selectively contact the periphery section 118 of an adjacent container end 102. The selective contact between the contacting portion 126 and the periphery section 118 may increase the contact between adjacent container ends and better distribute forces acting on the container ends 102 during processing, thereby reducing or minimizing potential damage (e.g., lacquer abrasion) caused by contact between the edge 122 and the periphery section 118.

[0033] A method of forming the container end 102 may include blanking a material to form the metal container end such that the container end 102 includes the center section 116 and the periphery section 118 extending along a periphery of the center section 116. The method includes coining (e.g., stamping) the edge 122 of the periphery section 118 and forming the contacting portion 126 of the edge 122 that extends at a non-zero angle relative to the axis 134. In some non-limiting examples, coining the edge 122 may include placing the container end 102 on a support, and forcing a die or press (that has the desired profile of the edge 122) to engage the container end 102 and form the edge 122. In various examples, the coining of the edge 122 may take place before the container ends 102 are stacked for transportation through the usual trackways because any trackway requires substantial forces to move the nested container end 102. The forces to move the nested container ends 102 may depend on the materials used for the trackways (i.e. surface friction), the height of any vertical trackways, any offset/mismatch between individual segments of the trackway, and the radii of the trackway whenever there is a change in direction of the trackway. In some examples, the higher the pushing force is the higher the degree if lacquer abrasion will normally be. Coining of the edge 122 may optionally be done during the shell-forming operation in the die tooling, at the entry/exit side of the rotary curlers, and/or within the curler itself. In some cases, the sharp edge on the container end can be removed during or after blanking by coining, milling, laser-treatment or any other mechanical or ablative technology.

[0034] In some examples, the edge 122 is coined prior to shaping the container end 102 such that the periphery section 118 includes the curl 124 between the center section 116 and the edge 122. In other examples, the edge 122 is coined after shaping the container end 102 such that the periphery section includes the curl 124. Other suitable techniques and tools may be utilized to form the edge 122 as desired, and the edge 122 need not be formed via coining. In certain embodiments, modifications to the container end 102 may be achieved by adjusting the tooling. In one non-limiting example, a can end shell forming tooling may be modified such that an incoming sheet of material is bent downwards prior to a blanking operation at an angle corresponding to a desired inclination angle of the edge 122. Such an process may include steps including but not limited to clamping a sheet of the material at a blank and draw die such that the material at the edge of the can end is bent downward; creating the inclined edge by separating the material using a cut edge; and forming the end by drawing the material using the blank and draw die, un-bending the material, and straightening the material. In such non-limiting examples, after the material has gone through the entire forming operation, the edge 122 of the can end is now inclined at an angle relative to a line perpendicular to the outer surface of the can end.

[0035] The method may optionally include stacking a plurality of container ends 102 such that each contacting portion 126 of the periphery section 118 contacts another container end 102.

[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a stack of container ends 702 according to various embodiments. In the example of FIG. 7, the entire edge 122 is the contacting portion 126, and the contacting portion 126 is substantially perpendicular to the adjacent portions of the inner surface 114 and the outer surface 112. Compared to the container ends 102 where the edge 122 has a center axis 736, the periphery section 118 has a different shape such that the edge 122 of the container edge 702 has a center axis 738 that is offset from the center axis 736 by an offset angle 740. In various cases, the offset angle is from about 22° to about 42°, such as about 22°, about 23°, about 24°, about 25°, about 26°, about 27°, about 28°, about 29°, about 30°, about 31°, about 32°, about 33°, about 34°, about 35°, about 36°, about 37°, about 38°, about 39°, about 40°, about 41°, and/or about 42°. In various examples, changing the shape of the periphery section 118 by the offset angle 740 may increase the percentage or amount of the contacting portion 126 that contacts the adjacent container end 702. In various aspects, the offset angle 740 provides a predetermined increase in the diameter or distance between the edge 122 across a the container end 702 In such cases, the diameter between the edges 122 is increased compared to conventional container ends. In other words, referring to FIG. 2, the offset angle 740 provides a predetermined increase in the diameter or distance between the edge 122 on the left side of the figure and the edge 122 on the right side of the figure. In some non-limiting examples cases, the angle 740 increases the diameter by from about 0.14 mm to about 0.20 mm. In one non-limiting example, the angle 740 increases the diameter by about 0.16 mm.

[0037] A collection of exemplary embodiments, including at least some explicitly enumerated as “Examples” providing additional description of a variety of example types in accordance with the concepts described herein are provided below. These examples are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the invention is not limited to these example examples but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.

[0038] Example 1. A metal container end comprising: a center section; and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section, wherein the periphery section comprises an edge, wherein the edge comprises a contacting portion and a non-contacting portion, and wherein the contacting portion extends at a non-zero angle relative to the noncontacting portion.

[0039] Example 2. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the periphery section comprises a section thickness, and wherein the contacting portion comprises at least 50% of the section thickness at the edge.

[0040] Example 3. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the contacting portion comprises less than 100% of the section thickness at the edge.

[0041] Example 4. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the non-zero angle is from about 5° to about 30°.

[0042] Example 5. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the metal container end comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the edge extends from the outer surface to the inner surface, and wherein the contacting portion of the edge extends from the outer surface towards the inner surface.

[0043] Example 6. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the non-contacting portion is between the inner surface and the contacting portion. [0044] Example 7. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the periphery section further comprises a curl between the center section and the edge.

[0045] Example 8. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the contacting portion extends at a non-zero angle relative to the non-contacting portion prior to formation of the curl.

[0046] Example 9. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the metal container end comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0047] Example 10. A beverage can comprising: a can body; and the metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples as a beverage can end joined to the can body.

[0048] Example 11. A metal container end comprising: a center section; a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section; an outer surface; and an inner surface, wherein a distance from the outer surface to the inner surface is a thickness of the metal container end, wherein the periphery section comprises an edge extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the edge comprises a contacting portion and a noncontacting portion, and wherein the contacting portion of the edge extends from the outer surface towards the inner surface and at a non-zero angle relative to the non-contacting portion.

[0049] Example 12. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the contacting portion of the edge comprises at least 50% of the thickness at the edge.

[0050] Example 13. The metal container of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the non-zero angle is from about 5° to about 30°.

[0051] Example 14. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the metal container end comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0052] Example 15. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the periphery section further comprises a curl between the edge and the center section. [0053] Example 16. A beverage can comprising: a can body; and the metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples as a beverage can end joined to the can body, wherein the center section comprises at least one of a tab or a score line.

[0054] Example 17. A metal container end comprising: a center section; and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section, wherein the periphery section has a section thickness and comprises an edge, wherein the edge comprises a contacting portion and a non-contacting portion, and wherein the contacting portion of the edge comprising at least 50% of the section thickness at the edge extends at an angle that is from greater than about 0° and less than about 90° relative to the non-contacting portion.

[0055] Example 18. The metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the angle is from about 5° to about 30°.

[0056] Example 19. A beverage can comprising: a can body; and the metal container end of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples as a beverage can end joined to the can body, wherein the metal container end comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0057] Example 20. A method of forming a metal container end, the method comprising: blanking a material to form the metal container end such that the metal container end comprises a center section and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section; coining an edge of the periphery section and forming a contacting portion of the edge that extends at a non-zero angle relative to a non-contacting portion of the edge; and shaping the metal container end such that the periphery section comprises a curl between the center section and the edge.

[0058] Example 21. The method of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein shaping the metal container end comprises shaping the metal container end such that curl has a non-zero curvature.

[0059] Example 22. The method of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, further comprising stacking the metal container end on another metal container end such that the contacting portion of the periphery section contacts the another metal container end. [0060] Example 23. The method of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the contacting portion of the edge comprises at least 50% of a thickness of the metal container end at the edge, and wherein the non-zero angle is from about 5° to about 30°.

[0061] Example 24. The method of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the metal container end comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and wherein the metal container end is a beverage can end.

[0062] Example 25. A method of forming a beverage can comprising: forming the beverage can end according to the method of any preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples; and joining the beverage can end to a can body.

[0063] Example 26. A metal container end comprising: a center section; and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section, wherein the periphery section comprises a curl between the center section and an edge of the periphery section, and wherein a contacting portion of the edge extends at a non-zero angle relative to a vertical axis prior to formation of the curl.

[0064] Example 27. A metal container end comprising: a center section; and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section, wherein the periphery section has a section thickness and comprises a curl between the center section and an edge of the periphery section, and wherein a contacting portion of the edge comprising at least 50% of the section thickness at the edge extends at an angle that is from greater than about 0° and less than about 90° relative to a vertical axis prior to formation of the curl.

[0065] The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention, nor the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS That which is claimed:

1. A metal container end comprising: a center section; and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section, wherein the periphery section comprises an edge, wherein the edge comprises a contacting portion and a non-contacting portion, and wherein the contacting portion extends at a non-zero angle relative to the noncontacting portion.

2. The metal container end of claim 1, wherein the periphery section comprises a section thickness, and wherein the contacting portion comprises at least 50% of the section thickness at the edge and less than 100% of the section thickness at the edge.

3. The metal container end of claim 1, wherein the non-zero angle is from about 5° to about 30°.

4. The metal container end of claim 1, wherein the metal container end comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the edge extends from the outer surface to the inner surface, and wherein the contacting portion of the edge extends from the outer surface towards the inner surface.

5. The metal container end of claim 4, wherein the non-contacting is between the inner surface and the contacting portion.

6. The metal container end of claim 1, wherein the periphery section further comprises a curl between the center section and the edge.

7. The metal container end of claim 1, wherein the metal container end comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

8. A beverage can comprising: a can body; and the metal container end of claim 1 as a beverage can end joined to the can body. A metal container end comprising: a center section; a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section; an outer surface; and an inner surface, wherein a distance from the outer surface to the inner surface is a thickness of the metal container end, wherein the periphery section comprises an edge extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the edge comprises a contacting portion and a non-contacting portion, and wherein the contacting portion of the edge extends from the outer surface towards the inner surface and at a non-zero angle relative to the non-contacting portion. The metal container end of claim 9, wherein the contacting portion of the edge comprises at least 50% of the thickness at the edge. The metal container of claim 9, wherein the non-zero angle is from about 5° to about 30°. The metal container end of claim 9, wherein the periphery section further comprises a curl between the edge and the center section. A beverage can comprising: a can body; and the metal container end of claim 9 as a beverage can end joined to the can body, wherein the center section comprises at least one of a tab or a score line. The metal container end of claim 9, wherein the periphery section has a section thickness, wherein the contacting portion of the edge comprising at least 50% of the 16 section thickness at the edge, and wherein the non-zero angle is from greater than O' and less than 90° relative to the non-contacting portion. A method of forming a metal container end, the method comprising: blanking a material to form the metal container end such that the metal container end comprises a center section and a periphery section extending along a periphery of the center section; coining an edge of the periphery section and forming a contacting portion of the edge that extends at a non-zero angle relative to a non-contacting portion of the edge; and shaping the metal container end such that the periphery section comprises a curl between the center section and the edge. The method of claim 15, wherein shaping the metal container end comprises shaping the metal container end such that curl has a non-zero curvature. The method of claim 15, wherein the metal container end is a first metal container end, and wherein the method further comprises stacking the first metal container end on a second metal container end such that the contacting portion of the periphery section contacts the second metal container end. The method of claim 15, wherein the contacting portion of the edge comprises at least 50% of a thickness of the metal container end at the edge, and wherein the non-zero angle is from about 5° to about 30°. The method of claim 15, wherein the metal container end comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and wherein the metal container end is a beverage can end. A method of forming a beverage can comprising: forming the beverage can end according to the method of claim 19; and joining the beverage can end to a can body.