Subdeacon Joe Posted July 10 Posted July 10 (edited) I think we're all familiar with the trapezoidal tins of corned beef. The funky shape, the Peel-Strip aka Key-Wind Closure System are iconic. Also a brilliant bit of engineering. The scored narrow strip and the little key soldered or spot welded on eliminate the need for a separate tool to open the tin. Even little kids can open them. But the real brilliance is that the little strip of metal peeled off is just wide enough to allow the short bottom to be pressed back on as a friction fit lid if you don't use the entire contents of the can. It's simple, efficient, convenient, and darned good engineering. What caused me to expound on this? A couple of days ago I used about half a tin of corned beef to make corned beef hash for my wife and me. Without thinking about it I pressed the bottom back on to make the lid for the unused portion. Today I grabbed it out of the fridge to make a version of SOS for breakfast and was contemplating the genius of the design. Edited July 11 by Subdeacon Joe Changed Thread Title 2 3 Quote
Texas Lizard Posted July 10 Posted July 10 Reminds me when coffee came in sealed cans....Break the key off, fit the tab in the key and twist.. Texas Lizard 3 1 Quote
Subdeacon Joe Posted July 10 Author Posted July 10 2 minutes ago, Texas Lizard said: Reminds me when coffee came in sealed cans....Break the key off, fit the tab in the key and twist.. Texas Lizard Yep. Straight walls, but with a little care you can do the same, but the tapered can makes it easier and less likely to pop off. 1 1 Quote
El Sobrante Kid Posted July 10 Posted July 10 If that kind of thing gets your motor running, look into the engineering behind the ubiquitous soda can pop top. 2 Quote
Sedalia Dave Posted July 11 Posted July 11 (edited) The taper also allows them to stack really well. and the rectangular shape means they can be packed to a greater density than round cans. Edited July 11 by Sedalia Dave 1 Quote
Subdeacon Joe Posted July 11 Author Posted July 11 4 hours ago, El Sobrante Kid said: If that kind of thing gets your motor running, look into the engineering behind the ubiquitous soda can pop top. Yeah. The engineering and design of the little things is amazing. Like this little beauty: 1 1 Quote
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted July 11 Posted July 11 14 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said: Yeah. The engineering and design of the little things is amazing. Like this little beauty: Still have one on my car keys. Came all the way back from RVN 1 Quote
Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L Posted July 11 Posted July 11 16 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said: Yeah. The engineering and design of the little things is amazing. Like this little beauty: 1 hour ago, Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L said: Still have one on my car keys. Came all the way back from RVN Yep have one on one of my key rings. Was my Dad's "US G.G. Greene 1951" 2 2 Quote
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