When is a metal can more than "just a can?" When it's Silgan Containers' new metal food can Dot Top™ that offers easy-opening and reclosable convenience in a metal package.

Silgan Containers Corporation, the largest food can supplier in North America, received The Canmaker magazine's highest honor, "Can of the Year 2004" for its latest packaging innovation, Dot Top™.

Silgan's consumer-friendly Dot Top™ packaging is especially convenient for children and an aging population. To open a Dot Top™ can, the consumer peels back a small plastic dimple (Dot) in the center of the lid (Top). The vacuum that holds the lid in place is released, and the consumer is able to easily lift the lid off the container. If contents remain unused, the consumer simply snaps the lid back on and stores it for later use.

In addition to providing store shelf visual differentiation, Dot Top™ also accommodates multiple applications in the processed food industry. It can be used for a variety of products that are hot-filled, closed with mechanical vacuum, or retorted with overriding pressure.

Organized by The Canmaker, the "Can of the Year" awards consist of 10 categories in which winners are selected by an international panel of expert judges. Dot Top™ earned first place in the "Food - Three Piece Cans" category. The overall "Can of the Year" title was selected by attendees of Cannex in Denver, Colorado, who voted for their favorite can. Dot Top™ was chosen over nearly 100 other can entries.

"This award recognizes our commitment to delivering convenient, metal packaging solutions to the marketplace as exemplified by Silgan's family of consumer preferred EZO (easy open) ends," remarked Thomas Snyder, Vice-President Sales and Marketing of Silgan Containers.