US20030132230A1

US20030132230A1 - Articulated tab opener for container

Info

Publication number: US20030132230A1
Application number: US10/330,476
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruce Gitelman; Robert Dickie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: ROYAL BAY CAPITAL Inc; SPARK TAB Inc
Priority date: 2001-03-12
Filing date: 2002-12-30
Publication date: 2003-07-17
Also published as: AU2003202329A1; WO2004058581A1

Abstract

A pull tab opener for a container having a push-in closure is articulated at a crease line behind the rivet connecting the tab to the container top surface. At least one protrusion extends upwardly from the base of the tab so that, when the rear lever portion is articulated about the crease line, to an amount at least in the range of 110° to 160°, and interference between the at least one protrusion and a cooperating face portion occurs, and the push-in closure is opened. There may also be cooperating protrusions. Another embodiment provides an undercut notch at each end of the crease line in the tubular peripheral edge of the pull tab opener.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-in-Part Application of application Ser. No. 09/802,882 filed Mar. 12, 2001, now allowed.[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to containers and tab openers therefor. In particular, this invention relates to pull tab openers for containers such as aluminum beverage cans and the like, which have a tab lever whereby lifting the tab lever forces a push-in closure in the top surface of the container inwardly, and thereby opens the container for access to the interior thereof. The present invention provides an articulated pull tab opener for containers such as beverage cans and the like. Moreover, the present invention provides for tab openers for beverage cans wherein the tail portion of the articulated pull tab opener articulates sufficiently far that the frangible closure element may be easily pushed downwardly into the interior of the beverage container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers having pull tab openers are generally aluminum beverage cans, but they may be other containers including some beverage cans that are made of metals or plastics, and containers that are supplied for other purposes such as dispensing various fluids in automobiles into the appropriate reservoir therefor.

However, the preponderant use of containers having pull tab openers is in the aluminum beverage can industry, particularly for such beverages as soft drinks and beer.

Indeed, an article by Hosford and Duncan entitled The Aluminum Beverage Can, published at pages 48 through 53 of Scientific American for September, 1994, discusses that the United States production of beer and soft drink containers, even at that time, was in the range of 300 million aluminum beverage cans per day, for an output of 100 billion beverage cans per year. Each one of the those beverage cans has a pull tab opener; and each one of those pull tab openers is attached to the top surface or lid of the beverage can by a rivet which is formed integrally with the lid. At the side of the rivet opposite the outer end of the pull tab is a scored opening which is a push-in closure. The closure seals the can, and withstands the pressure therein until such time as it is forced downwardly at its frangible perimeter—typically, in the range of about 300° defining the push-in closure.

Over the years, the aluminum beverage can has become a very highly engineered product. As at 1994, the weight of an average beverage can had been reduced to about 0.48 oz. Great effort has been directed to reducing the mass of the can by thinning its walls, such that in 1994 it was estimated that a reduction of the mass of an average aluminum beverage can by even 1% would save approximately 20 million dollars per year (in 1994 dollars) in aluminum.

Through all of this time, however, there has been very little effort to improve the opening pull tab design. Typically, the pull tab is secured against the top surface or lid of the beverage can in an orientation which is essentially flat against and parallel to the top surface. The push-in closure is opened by lifting the outer end of the tab and pulling upwards so as to pivot the tab about the rivet. This tends to deform the lid of the surface of the can somewhat, but because of the dimensions involved, that deformation is not permanent except where the push-in closure has been broken away at its frangible outline and has been pushed or levered downwardly into the interior of the can so as to depend at an angle downwardly from the lid of the can.

This has meant that, typically, as many as 100 billion fingernails are at risk every year of being broken, while attempting to start the leverage action of the pull tab upwardly from its rest position against the top surface or lid of the beverage can. However, such circumstances continue to run almost unabated since the first aluminum beverage cans came into the market in 1958.

The present invention seeks to overcome that difficulty, by providing an articulated pull tab opener design by which individuals who have long fingernails, or weak fingers, or delicate hands, can still effect opening of the beverage can without difficulty and without risk to their fingernails or the tips of their fingers.

It must be kept in mind, however, that it is not possible to provide a pull tab which is such as to have a raised end that is present at the time that the pull tab is affixed to the lid of the beverage can. One particular reason for that is that the pull tab is rivetted to the lid of the beverage can prior to the top of the can being seamed to the body of the can in the region around the perimeter around the top of the can. Any pull tab which extends upwardly from the top surface of the can would get in the way of the seaming equipment. Of course, even with thousands of plants scattered about the country, it will be understood that each can must be filled and sealed in a minimum of time, and the provision of additional filling and seaming machines to accommodate a raised pull tab is not an option.

Further, an elevated pull tab may preclude stacking, it may get snagged by other cans during handling, and there is a risk that the score which defines the frangible edge of the push enclosure might get broken so as to cause leakage, lose pressure in the can, and so on.

The pull tabs which are provided for aluminum beverage cans are, themselves, highly engineered components. Typically, they are made with a progressive stamping dye from a thin coil of aluminum, and must stay in the punched metal strip until they are rivetted to the top of the can. Moreover, during leverage process to open the can by breaking the frangible seal and levering downwardly the push-in closure, the pull tabs must have considerable beam strength. Accordingly, pull tabs are typically formed with tubular cross-section perimeter, so that the high stress of opening the can will be withstood while, at the same time, permitting the use of thin coiled aluminum from which the pull tabs are manufactured.

Briefly, the present invention provides an articulated structure whereby the outer end of the pull tab—the end which is remote from the frangible push-in closure—can be articulated upward by being lifted to the extent that the elastic memory of the material of the pull tab is overcome, so that the outer end of the pull tab assumes a new rest position which is angled upwardly from the remaining portion of the tab in the region of the rivet. This arrangement is made possible by providing a crease line across the tab in a region behind the rivet, remote from the frangible push-in closure. At that point, the thickness of the tab is the thickness of the material from which it was made—or thinner, as described hereafter—so that it may be easily bent with a minimum of effort.

However, the present invention provides two alternative versions of tab openers for beverage containers, the first of which employs an undercut formed in the peripheral edge of the tail portion of the tab opener by way of a pair of opposed notches at each end of a crease line; and the second of which provides for a tab opener which articulates sufficiently far that the frangible push-in closure element is more easily pushed downwardly into the interior of the beverage container than heretofore.

In either event, the other end of the lift tab opener may be easily tilted or bent upwardly so as to permit the end or side of a finger to be placed underneath the tab, with the thumb being placed on the upper side, so as to provide an appropriate levering action to break the frangible seal and to lever the frangible push-the enclosure downwardly, in the well-known manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Apart from the Scientific American article referred to above, several patents are known which teach various kinds of can openers which employ a levering lift tab construction.

HARVEY et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,434 issued Jan. 31, 1967 teaches a can opener for a can. However, the opener is connected to the lid of the can in two different places, at two different rivets. One end of the opener forms a first lever which may be lifted from its end above a recess so that it will hinge upwardly around a hinge area and, at the same time, relieve or lift a first rivet away from the lid of the can so as to reveal a vent opening. Continued lifting of the opener causes the pre-scored area at the other end of the opener to break and hinge downwardly about a second rivet. The edges of the tab, except at the hinge area, are stiffened with a rib construction.

HASEGAWA U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,993 issued Jul. 7, 1981 teaches a non-detachable tab of the sort which is generally well known. A slight depression is provided underneath the end of the tab, but its purpose is to preclude a pair of projections which are provided on the tab from arcuate sideways motion. In other words, the purpose of the depression and the pair of projections is to inhibit rotation of the tab about the rivet by which it is fixed to the lid of the container. The tab is provided with an opening through which part of the forefinger can protrude, but the finger hole is small enough that the finger cannot come all the way through, and thereby pull the tab away from the can, and breakage of the fingernail is said to be precluded.

LUNDGREN U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,053 issued Sep. 28, 1993 teaches an operating lever or tab for opening a beverage container, where the lever is rotated about the rivet and the end of the lever is elevated by being forced to run up a ramp being formed in the lid of the beverage container. However, this structure requires that the ramp be formed in the container lid, and the ramp may be in the way when a seaming operation occurs to close the can after it has been filled with its beverage. Moreover, use of the operating lever is not intuitive.

A similar arrangement in many ways is taught in LUNDGREN U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,971, issued Feb. 22, 2000. Once again, a ramp is built into the surface of the lid of the container, and once again the operating lever is rotated in most embodiments that are disclosed. The Lundgren lever operated opener requires a finger opening at its distal end. It provides a flexed portion of the tubular side arms of the operating lever and, in at least one embodiment, the material of the tubular portions of the side arms is formed downwardly to become a pair of flat surfaces on either side of the controlled flex portion. A control notch is provided also in the controlled flex portion, however, to promote flexing.

A top lid for a beverage can having an integrated sanitary cover is taught in CHO U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,861 issued Aug. 6, 2002. This top lid has an opener with a reinforcing rib for improved stiffness. The tab has a resilient dome which, when pushed, elastically reacts to raise the sanitary cover, with which the opener is integrally formed, and to then lever up the tab to open the can.

Another application by CHO et al, is a PCT application published Apr. 26, 2001 under number WO 01/28875. That document teaches a can lid structure which is first pushed down and then lifted up to break the seal in the lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container and pull tab opener therefor. The container has a top surface having a frangible push-in closure which is partially severable from the top surface. The pull tab opener is secured to the top surface near the frangible push-enclosure.

The pull tab opener comprises a nose portion and a tail portion. At least a portion of the nose portion overlies at least a portion of the frangible push-in closure.

The pull tab opener is secured to the top surface at a position on the pull tab opener which is between the nose portion and the tail portion.

The tail portion is articulable, and has a front lever portion which lies in the same plane and is an extension of the nose portion. The rear lift portion is articulably joined to the front lever portion at a crease line.

The tail portion comprises a base portion which has a peripheral edge that is formed so is to have a tubular configuration which extends above the base portion.

A pair of notches is formed in the tubular peripheral edge, and each notch extends upwardly from above the crease line at each end thereof, in a direction away from the nose portion.

The height of the tubular peripheral edge at the bottom of each respective notch in the region of the crease line, and in the direction away from the nose portion, is reduced with respect to the remainder of the tubular peripheral edge.

Each notch has an undercut notch defining face which extends upwardly from the reduced height portion of the tubular peripheral edge in a direction away from the nose portion, and which overlies the reduced height portion of the tubular peripheral edge and is spaced upwardly therefrom.

The angle of each undercut notch defining face is in the range of from 10° to 40° with respect to the reduced height portion of the tubular peripheral edge.

Typically, the angle between each undercut notch defining face and the respective reduce height portion of the tubular peripheral edge is in the range of 10° to 35°.

A further embodiment of the present invention provides that the articulable tail portion comprises a base portion from which at least one protrusion is outstanding therefrom at at least one side of the crease line.

The at least one protrusion has a front face which is subtended and extend separately away from the crease line, and is rectangular in shape.

A cooperating face portion is in the base portion on the side of the crease line opposed to the least one protrusion, and is adapted to contact the front face of the least one protrusion when the tail portion is articulated about the crease line.

The contact between the front face of the least one protrusion and the cooperating face is effected when the rear lift portion has been articulated about the crease line by an amount in the range of 100° to 170°.

There may be at least one protrusion at each side of the crease line, and cooperating face is therefore a front face of and at least second protrusion which is opposed to and facing the at least first protrusion.

Indeed, they may be a pair of protrusions which are formed at each side of the crease line.

If so, then typically the angles at which each front face extends outwardly away from the crease line at each side thereof are equal.

On the other hand, a single protrusion may be formed only at one side of the crease line.

In any event, the angle of articulation at which contact between the front face of the least one protrusion and the cooperating face is effected may be in the range of 110° to 150°.

Also, the perimeter of the pull tab opener is typically formed so as to have a tubular configuration which may extend above or below the base portion, except in the region at each end of the crease line.

The elastic memory of the material of the pull tab opener, in the region of the crease line, may be such that when the rear lift lever portion is pivoted about the crease line so as to bring the first face of the least one protrusion and the cooperating face into contact one with the other, elastic memory is overcome and the rear lift lever portion is articulated to a new rest position relative to the front lever portion.

In any embodiment of the present invention, the pull tab opener may be secured to the top surface by a rivet placed near the frangible push-in closure.

If so, then typically the rivet is positioned between the nose portion and detailed portion.

Also, in any embodiment of the present invention, the material of the base portion may be stamped in the region of the crease line so as to have a reduced thickness.

Other features of the embodiment of the invention wherein the entire lid is fully severable away from the container are as discussed above

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which: [0048]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical aluminum beverage can having a pull tab opener in place on the top surface thereof; [0049]
FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of a particular embodiment of a pull tab which embodies certain features of the present invention; [0050]
FIG. 3 is a side cross-section showing the pull tab of FIG. 2 in place on the top surface of a container; [0051]
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the pull tab in an articulated condition; [0052]
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, but showing the articulated pull tab in a further position where the push-in closure of the container has been opened; [0053]
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but of an embodiment which is particularly in keeping with present invention; [0054]
FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a beverage can having a tab opener similar to that shown in FIG. 6; [0055]
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing the tab opener in a new articulated rest position; [0056]
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing the tab opener having been further articulated so as to open a frangible push-in closure on the beverage can; [0057]
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing a further embodiment of the tab opener of the present invention; [0058]
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but of the embodiment of FIG. 10; [0059]
FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but of the embodiment of FIG. 10; [0060]
FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but of a further embodiment of the present invention; [0061]
FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but of the embodiment of FIG. 13; and [0062]
FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but of the embodiment of FIG. 13.[0063]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following discussion. [0064]
A first general embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. Particulars of the pull tab, which illustrate an essential part of the present invention, are shown in FIG. 2. However, it must be noted that FIGS. 1 through 5 replicate teachings of the parent invention, but are employed herein for purposes of ease of understanding the principles of the present invention. [0065]
Typically, a [0066] container 12 may be such as an aluminum beverage can of the sort shown in FIG. 1. It comprises a generally cylindrical major body portion 14, a neck portion 16, a rim 18, a top surface 20 having a frangible push-in closure 22 formed therein, and a pull tab 24. As is well know, the rim 18 is seamed to the container 12 in the upper region of the neck portion 16, after the container 12 has been filled with whatever beverage or other liquid is to be placed therein.
Also, as is well, known, the frangible push in [0067] closure 22 is such that it is partially severable from the top surface 20, so that when the pull tab opener 24 is operated the frangible push-in closure 22 will be levered downwardly into the interior of the container 12.
The [0068] pull tab opener 24 is secured to the top surface 20 of the container 12 by a rivet 26, which is placed near the frangible push-in closure. Typically, the rivet 26 is substantially centrally located, but not necessarily, on the top surface 20.
The [0069] pull tab opener 24 comprises a nose portion 30, and a tail portion 32. As can be readily seen in each of the figures except FIG. 2, at least a portion of the nose portion 30 of the pull tab opener 24 overlies at least a portion of the frangible push-in closure 22.
It is also evident that the [0070] rivet 26 is positioned between the nose portion 30 and the tail portion 32 of the pull tab opener 24.
As will be described hereafter, the [0071] tail portion 32 of the pull tab opener 24 is articulable. It comprises a front lever portion 40 and a rear lift lever portion 42. The front lever portion 40 lies in the same plane, and is an extension of, the nose portion 30 of the lift tab opener 24. The rear lift lever portion 42 is articulably joined to the front lever portion 40 at a crease line 46.
The tail portion comprises a [0072] base portion 48, and at least one pair of protrusions 50 which are upstanding therefrom. Typically, there are four protrusions 50, arranged as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; but it will be evident that only a single pair of protrusions which may be more centrally located on the base portion 48 may also be provided.
In any event, at least one of each pair of [0073] protrusions 50 is located at each side of the crease line 46.
Each of the [0074] protrusions 50 has a front face 52 (see FIG. 2), which is subtended by and extends upwardly from the crease line 46. Each of the front faces 52 is rectangular in shape; and it will be seen particularly from FIGS. 1 and 2, and it is clearly shown in each of the remaining FIGS. 3 through 9, that the front faces 52 of opposed pairs of protrusions 50 are opposed to each other.
Each of the [0075] protrusions 50 has a sloped rear surface 54, which extends downwardly from the top edge of the respective front face 52 towards the base portion 48, in a direction away from the crease line 46. This arrangement is clearly shown in each of the Figures.
Typically, the angle which is formed between the opposed pair of front faces [0076] 52 of each opposed pair of protrusions 50, is in the range of from 10° to 50°.
Typically, the perimeter of the [0077] pull tab opener 24 is formed so as to have a tubular configuration as shown at 60 in FIGS. 2 and 6, for example. However, as will be evident from each of the figures of drawings, the tubular configuration at the perimeter of the pull tab opener 24 extends above or below the base portion 48 except in the region at each end of the crease line 46.
It will now be seen that operation of the pull tab opener of the present invention is easily effected in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, for example. However, to greater understand the operation, it should be noted that the elastic memory of the material of the [0078] pull tab opener 24, at least in the region of the crease line 46, is such that when the rear lever portion 42 has been pivoted about the crease line 46 so as to bring the opposed front faces 52 of protrusions 50 into contact one with the other, the elastic memory is overcome. Thus, the rear lift lever portion 42 is articulated to a new rest position relative to the front lever portion. This is clearly indicated by examination of FIGS. 3 and 4. Continued lifting action against the underside of the rear lift lever portion 42 will bring the front lever portion 40 and the nose portion 30 of the pull tab opener 24 into play, causing the frangible push-in closure 22 to break at its periphery and to extend downwardly into the interior of the container 12, as shown in FIG. 5.
As remarked previously, it is evident that the resistance against bending by the material of the [0079] pull tab opener 24 in the region of the crease line 46 is relatively low, so that little effort is required to lift the rear end of the rear lift lever portion 42 away from the top surface 20, from the position as shown in FIG. 3. It is simply a matter of hooking the fingernail underneath the end of the rear lift lever portion 42, and lifting gently upwardly until the position shown in FIG. 4 is attained. At that time, as noted, the elastic memory of the material will have been overcome, so that the rear lift lever portion has been articulated to a new rest position, relative to the front lever portion 40.
Then, it is simply a matter of effectively pinching the rear [0080] lift lever portion 42 of the pull tab opener 24 between the thumb and finger on the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the rear lift lever portion 42, and continuing on with the opening procedure to break and turn down the frangible push-in closure 22.
The presence of a finger hole through which at least a portion of the finger might extend or protrude is elective, at least in part depending on the nature of the beverage contained in the [0081] container 12. For example, a small finger opening might be placed in the region of the base portion 48 of the rear lift lever portion 42 on pull tab openers 24 that are placed onto containers in which juices or soft drinks that are to be consumed by young people are to be packaged. Such people might have slightly weaker hands, and require a bit more purchase on the tab. On the other hand, pull tab closures in keeping with the present invention which are intended to be placed on beverage containers for beer, which will be consumed in any event by an adult, do not necessarily require a finger opening.
Gripping of the [0082] pull tab opener 24 may also be facilitated by the provision of ridges, holes, dimples, and the like, which may be stamped into the base portion 48 of the rear lift lever portion 42.
Moreover, a particular embodiment of the present invention contemplates that the material of the [0083] base portion 48 of the lift tab pull tab opener of the present invention may be stamped in the region of the crease line 46. This causes a more reduced thickness, so that the material at that point may in fact be thinner than the stock material from which the pull tab opener 24 has been manufactured. This, in turn, may decrease the resistance against bending even further, making the pull tab opener more supple in the region of the crease line 46.
Still further, it should be pointed out that because of the suppleness of the material of the [0084] pull tab 24 in the region of the crease line 46, whether or not the crease line has been stamped as discussed immediately above, there is much less risk to the finger nail of the user in the instances where the nail is inserted beneath the outer end of the pull tab 24.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 through 9. The principal difference between embodiment of FIGS. 6 through 9 and of the embodiment particularly taught in FIGS. 2 through 5, is that the front faces [0085] 52 of each of the protrusions 50 slope at a much more shallow angle with respect to the base portion 48 than previously. Thus, as can be understood from FIGS. 7 through 9, the amount of articulation of the tail portion 32 about the crease line 46 is over center; and typically is in the range of 100° to 170°.
A more usual range for articulation is typically 120° to 140°. [0086]
In any event, it will be seen from a study of FIGS. 7 through 9 that once the [0087] tail portion 32 has been articulated to a position such as that shown in FIG. 8, and it is then pushed downwardly in the direction shown by arrow 90, then the frangible push-in closure 22 is forced downwardly into the interior of the container 12, thereby permitting access to the beverage which is contained therein.
It will, of course, be understood that there may be four protrusions such as are shown in FIG. 6; but it will also be understood that they may be only one protrusion and each side of the [0088] crease line 46.
Indeed, as is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 12, it is possible for the pull tab of the present invention to be formed with a [0089] single protrusion 50, or a pair of protrusions, at only one side of the crease line 46. Here, it will be also clearly understood that the angle of the front face 52 of the protrusion or protrusions 50 will be such that, in any event, the amount of articulation of the tail portion 32 about the crease line 46 will be in the range of 100° to 170°. Typically, as before, the more usual range for articulation is in the range of 120° to 140°.
In the event that there is but a [0090] single protrusion 50, or pair of protrusions 50, at one side only of the crease line 46, then it will be understood that there is a cooperating face portion which is formed or is a part of the base portion 48 in the region of the other protrusion or protrusions 50, as seen in FIG. 6; and that the cooperating face portion is in the base portion 47 on the side of the crease line 46 which is opposed to the at least one protrusion 50, and is adapted to contact the front face 52 of that at least one protrusion 50 when detailed portion 32 is articulated about the crease line 46.
Of course, it is also understood that the elastic material of the pull tab opener of the embodiments which are particularly shown in FIGS. 6 through 12, may be such that when the rear [0091] lift lever portion 32 is pivoted about the crease line 46 so as to bring the face 52 of the least one protrusion 50 into contact with the cooperating face or the opposed face 52, then the elastic memory is overcome, and the rear lift lever portion 32 is articulated to a new rest position relative to the front lever portion 30 as shown particularly in FIGS. 8 and 9, and in FIGS. 11 and 12.
Turning out to FIGS. 13 through 15, a further embodiment of a pull tab in keeping with the present invention is shown. Here, the principal features of the [0092] pull tab 100 are similar to those which are described above, except that the peripheral edge 60 has a tubular configuration entirely around the perimeter of the pull tab 100. However, the tubular peripheral edge is formed so as to have a pair of notches 102 which extend upwardly from above the crease line 46 at each end thereof, in a direction away from the nose portion 30. This is shown particularly in FIG. 13.
However, it will also be seen that the height of the tubular [0093] peripheral edge 60 at the bottom of each respective notch 102, in the region of the crease line 46 and in the direction away from the nose portion 30, is reduced with respect to the remainder of the tubular peripheral edge.
Thus, each [0094] notch 102 has an undercut notch defining face 104, which extends upwardly away from the reduced height portion 106 of the tubular peripheral edge 60, in a direction away from the nose portion 30. It will also be seen that the undercut notch defining faces 104 overlie the respective reduce height portion 106 of the tubular peripheral edge 60, and are spaced upwardly therefrom.
The angle of each of the undercut notch defining faces [0095] 104 is in the range of from 10° to 40° with respect to the reduced height portion 106 of the tubular peripheral edge 60.
Typically, the angle between each undercut [0096] notch defining phase 104 and the respective reduce height portion 106 of the tubular peripheral edge 60 is in the range of 10° to 35°.
It can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 15 that the action of the [0097] pull tab 100 is similar to that which is shown in FIGS. 7 through 12. Thus, it will be seen that the reduced height portion 106 of the tubular peripheral edge 60 will contact and interfere with the undercut notch defining faces 104, and thereby cause the frangible push-in closure 22 to move downwardly into the interior of the container 12, in the same manner as described above.
It should also be noted that pull tab openers as described herein may be used with lids for cans, such as food cans and the like, where the lid is entirely removed from the can. The principal of operation is much the same; first, a levering action is made against the material of the lid at the nose portion so as to break the seal, but then the lid is removed by pulling the tab so as to remove the lid. [0098]
There has been described a beverage container which has a particular pull tab opener affixed to the lid of the container, with the configuration of the pull tab opener being such that it may be articulated into a position from whence an easy levering action of the nose portion of the pull tab closer against the frangible push-in closure in the top surface of the container may be effected. However, when manufactured and placed on the lid of the container, the positioning, size, and height of the pull tab opener of the present invention emulates those which are presently found in the market. This assures their easy adaptation to currently used filling and seaming machines of the sort found particularly in the beverage industries of all kinds. [0099]
Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. [0100]
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. [0101]

Claims

We claim:

1. A container and pull tab opener therefor; where said container has a top surface having a frangible push-in closure therein which is partially severable from said top surface, and where said pull tab opener is secured to said top surface near said frangible push-in closure;

wherein said pull tab opener comprises a nose portion and a tail portion;

wherein at least a portion of said nose portion overlies at least a portion of said frangible push-in closure; and

wherein said pull tab opener is secured to said top surface at a position on said pull tab opener which is between said nose portion and said tail portion;

said tail portion being articulable, and having a front lever portion which lies in the same plane and is an extension of said nose portion, and a rear lift lever portion which is articulably joined to said front lever portion at a crease line;

said tail portion comprising a base portion having a peripheral edge that is formed to so as to have a tubular configuration which extends above said base portion;

a pair of notches being formed in said tubular peripheral edge, wherein each notch extends upwardly from above said crease line at each end thereof, in a direction away from said nose portion;

wherein the height of said tubular peripheral edge at the bottom of each respective notch in the region of said crease line, and in a direction away from said nose portion, is reduced with respect to the remainder of said tubular peripheral edge;

wherein each said notch has an undercut notch defining face which extends upwardly from said reduced height portion of said tubular peripheral edge in a direction away from said nose portion, and which overlies said reduced height portion of said tubular peripheral edge and is spaced upwardly therefrom; and

wherein the angle of each said undercut notch defining face is in the range of from 10° to 30° with respect to said reduced height portion of said tubular peripheral edge.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the angle between each said undercut notch defining face and the respective reduced height portion of said tubular peripheral edge is in the range of 15° to 25°.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said pull tab opener is secured to said top surface by a rivet placed near said frangible push-in closure; and

wherein said rivet is positioned between said nose position and said tail portion.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the material of said base portion is stamped in the region of said crease line so as have a reduced thickness.

5. A container and pull tab opener therefor; where said container has a top surface having a frangible push-in closure therein which is partially severable from said top surface, and where said pull tab opener is secured to said top surface near said frangible push-in closure;

wherein said pull tab opener comprises a nose portion and a tail portion;

said tail portion comprising a base portion having at least one protrusion upstanding therefrom at at least one side of said crease line;

said at least one protrusion having a front face which is subtended and extends upwardly away from said crease line, and being rectangular in shape; and

a cooperating face portion in said base portion on the side of said crease line opposed to said at least one protrusion, and adapted to contact said front face of said at least one protrusion when said tail portion is articulated about said crease line;

wherein said contact between said front face of said at least one protrusion and said cooperating face is effected when said rear lift lever portion has been articulated about said crease line by an amount in the range of 110° to 160°.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein there is at least one protrusion at each side of said crease line, and said cooperating face is a front face of a second protrusion opposed to and facing said first protrusion.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein there is a pair of protrusions formed at each side of said crease line.

8. The combination of claim 6, wherein the angles at which each front face extends upwardly away from said crease line at each side thereof are equal.

9. The combination of claim 5, wherein a single protrusion is formed only at one side of said crease line.

10. The combination of claim 5, wherein angle of articulation at which contact between said front face of said at least one protrusion and said cooperating face is effected in the range of 120° to 140°.

11. The combination of claim 5, wherein said pull tab opener is secured to said top surface by a rivet placed near said frangible push-in closure; and

12. The combination of claim 5, wherein the perimeter of said pull tab opener is formed so as to have a tubular configuration, which extends below said base portion except in the region at each end of said crease line.

13. The combination of claim 5, wherein the perimeter of said pull tab opener is formed so as to have a tubular configuration, which extends above said base portion except in the region at each end of said crease line.

14. The combination of claim 5, wherein the material of said base portion is stamped in the region of said crease line so as have a reduced thickness.

15. The combination of claim 5, wherein an elastic memory of the material of said pull tab opener, in the region of said crease line, is such that when said rear lift lever portion is pivoted about said crease line so as to bring said the first face of said at least one protrusion and said cooperating face into contact one with the other, said elastic memory is overcome and said rear lift lever portion is articulated to a new rest position relative to said front lever portion.