An aluminium beverage end that is both resealable and self-closing if the can is tipped over has been developed by Metsave AG.

The Liechstenstein-based company is currently producing prototypes of the ‘close&go’ end to illustrate the concept, and plans to license the product to end-making facilities globally.

As well as being water-tight, the end is air-tight, withstanding 6.2 bar pressure, said chief executive and inventor of the end Christian Schandl. It is also compatible with existing canning systems, and is made from aluminium other than a small amount of sealing compound.

“The end is opened when the consumer breaks a tamper-evident seal, by rotating an aluminium tab that sits on top of an aluminium base,” said Schandl. “Once the tab has been set to the open position, the whole aluminium mechanism is pushed back into the can, leaving a 30mm-wide drinking aperture. To reseal the can, the metal tab is rotated back to the starting position, bringing the base back into profile.

“During many meetings with potential customers from all over the world, certain standards were crucial for them. They asked us to make sure that all of the following points were covered: that the end is compatible with the B64 and CDL models; that the close&go technology is suitable for 202-, 206-, and 209-diameter ends; that no tooling changes are required in the filling system; that the filling speed is not compromised and remains consistent; that the ends are stackable; that the cans fitted with the ends remain stackable; that the ends are suitable pasteurisation and can withstand 85 deg C for 15 minutes; that the ends can easily survive a fall from over one metre; that the quality seal is present and cannot be bypassed; and that it is easy to use, and the opening device can be operated in either direction.

“We are very proud to announce that all specifications have been met.”

Schandl explained the history of the end: “I had already worked with bottling companies for a long time, and developed earlier versions of resealable ends. But those ends had a higher plastic content compared to close&go.

“The first close&go version was made from plastic too and the metal version was supposed to follow a couple of years later. But when we showed it to one of our big potential customers, they liked the concept very much but mentioned that it would be perfect for them if it was made from aluminium, for recycling reasons.

“After that meeting I sat together with my partners and we reconsidered our original plan, and decided then to start right away with the aluminium version. We practically had to start from scratch because there is a huge difference between the plastic and the metal version, even though the principal concept stayed the same. This did cost a lot of time and money but we managed to create it in under 12 months.”

Metsave has partnered with a production company to help the development process, added Schandl: “We found a long-established Hong Kong-based production company that immediately understood the potential of our product. They have been working with another Liechtenstein company successfully for many years and were highly recommended to us. After the first few meetings we found that both of us wanted to go in the same direction and had the same goals.

“Our agreement is that they take care of the test end production, and later of the mass production preparation and licensing concept. Our side is taking care of administration, patents, marketing and sales. We are currently looking for one additional partner on our side to come in and support us with experience and connections in the can industry.”

Metsave is currently in the process of working with its partner to adjust the prototype to make it suitable for mass production, which will involve adjustments to the tooling process and many tests, said Schandl. Once that is completed, the company will be able to produce a sufficient number of test ends to supply to potential customers, and from there, Schandl expects to be ready for market within three to six months.

Schandl anticipates that up to one billion ends could be produced in the first year, depending on whether production is undertaken by his company, or if licensees take on production of the end.