A container structure is provided for detachable coupling of containers. The detachable coupling structure of a first container includes a top portion with an upstanding perimeter having radial protrusions extending from a surface of the upstanding perimeter, and a container bottom portion having a complementary structure to engage the radial protrusions of the top portion of a second container for the purpose of detachably coupling two or more containers end to end. In one embodiment, two containers placed end to end with their respective structures aligned to be engaged are rotated in opposite directions to fully engage the protrusions of one container with the complementary structure of the other. A rim around the top portion of a container in a second embodiment has a larger diameter than the top portion. The rim may be pushed through a flexible opening into a recess in the bottom of another container.

A can end for a two-piece beverage container has a curl positioned about a longitudinal axis which defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A circumferential wall angles downwardly and radially inwardly relative to a radially inner portion of the curl. A strengthening member extends radially inwardly relative to the circumferential wall. A center panel extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis towards the strengthening member and has a diameter greater than 87.7% of an overall diameter of the can end. A frangible score and a hinge portion define an openable tear panel in the center panel. A stay-on tab is attached to the center panel and has a nose portion overlying the tear panel opposite a lift end of the tab.

A resealable container lid assembly including a cap rotationally assembled to a lid. The cap rotates between storage, opening, removal and resealing positions. Operation between the cap and the lid employs any suitable mechanical interface, such as cam tracks and cam followers. The lid includes a tear panel defined by a score line. Features of the cap are used to impinge upon the lid to fracture the score line and open the tear panel. Once opened, the cap can reseal the container. The seal can be provided between a bottom surface of the cap and the top surface of the lid, a feature of the sidewalls of the cap and the lid, or any other sealing interface. The cap can include a tamper indicator. The cap can be replaced with any of a variety of specialized caps and/or accessories designed for different functions.

A beverage can end has a vent (40) that includes a button (50). The vent is actuated by downward force of a pull tab (70) that is transmitted to the vent score (42) through the button. The center panel (18) includes beads.

A tab is provided to facilitate opening of a can end. The tab has a nose portion located at a first end of the tab and a lift portion located at a second end of the tab opposite the nose portion. A rivet receiving portion is located proximate to the nose portion, and includes a rivet hole. A flange extends rearwardly from the lift portion of the tab to define a gap. The gap provides increased space between the underside of the flange and the exterior of the container end, thereby facilitating opening of the container end.

An improved container for use in holding oxygen sensitive contents is provided. The container comprises a body having an open end sealed with a metal closure. The metal closure includes a metal structural layer, a polymeric interior coating layer and an oxygen scavenger layer interposed between the metal structural layer and the polymeric interior coating layer.

An environmentally friendly can for containing a product includes a sealed container that contains the product and includes a polyester resin and a release mechanism to open the container and access the product. The polyester resin may be a furan resin selected from poly(ethylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PEF), poly(butylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PBF), poly(trim ethylene furan dicarboxylate) (PTF), poly(propylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF), and poly(neopentyl 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PNF); and/or a biodegradable polyester resin such as polyglycolic acid (PGA). The can may further include a generally cylindrical shell molded to have a sealed bottom and a straight wall that includes the resin; and a cap to seal the shell, the cap having the release mechanism and a rim that includes the resin; wherein the rim of the cap is bonded to the wall of the shell to releasably seal the product inside the can.

A container assembly that may be used as a can or a cup includes a container that may contain a beverage. A lid is removably coupled to the container and a retainer is removably coupled to the lid. The retainer engages the container such that the lid is retained on the container. The retainer is selectively removed from the lid such that the lid is removable from the container.

A can end for a two-piece beverage container has a curl positioned about a longitudinal axis which defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A circumferential wall angles downwardly and radially inwardly relative to a radially inner portion of the curl. A strengthening member extends radially inwardly relative to the circumferential wall. A center panel extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis towards the strengthening member and has a diameter greater than 87.7% of an overall diameter of the can end. A frangible score and a hinge portion define an openable tear panel in the center panel. A stay-on tab is attached to the center panel and has a nose portion overlying the tear panel opposite a lift end of the tab.

An ecology stay-on tab beverage can end has a first axis extending though a rivet. A tear panel is defined by a frangible score and a non-frangible hinge that joins a first end of the frangible score with a second end of the frangible score. The first axis forms a line of asymmetry of the tear panel. A second axis intersects the first axis at a right angle. An intersection of the first axis with the second axis defines a center point of a clock-like reference having a 12 o'clock position at the first point and a 6 o'clock position at the second point. A first radius of curvature of the frangible score between a 5 o'clock position and a 7 o'clock position is at least 3.6 times larger than a second radius of curvature between a 7 o'clock position and a 9 o'clock position.