U.S. patent application number 10/515783 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-10 for strip for opening and closing tins and other containers.
Invention is credited to Eva Pastor Serra.
Application Number | 20060175332 10/515783 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33155452 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060175332 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Serra; Eva Pastor |
August 10, 2006 |
Strip for opening and closing tins and other containers
Abstract
A wire opener (1) for opening and closing of cans and other
recipients, comprising a wire or band element (5) as an integral
part of the cover (3) defined by a larger outer circumferential
line of weakness (6) and another smaller circumferential line of
weakness (7), with at least one suitably widened area (12) for
placing the riveting, surrounding a tab (8) on said cover of the
can or other recipient from one end of the shaft (9) of the base to
the other end, with at least one rivet (10) joining the pull ring
(2) at its projecting side (11), which serves as a lever for acting
on a reinforcement point (14) of the cover (3) at the time of the
manual pulling of the wire or band element (5) with said ring, to
the part of the cover (3) containing the wire or band element
(5).
Inventors: |
Serra; Eva Pastor;
(Pedreguer, ES) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSTROLENK FABER GERB & SOFFEN
1180 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
100368403
US
|
Family ID: |
33155452 |
Appl. No.: |
10/515783 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 1, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/ES04/00097 |
371 Date: |
January 31, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/269 ;
220/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2517/0034 20130101;
B65D 17/4012 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/269 ;
220/906 |
International
Class: |
B65D 17/34 20060101
B65D017/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 8, 2003 |
ES |
P2003 00829 |
Claims
1. A wire opener (1) for opening and closing of cans and other
recipients, of those which, by means of the manual pulling of a
pull ring (2) joined to the covers of said recipients, uncover a
part of the surface of the cover (3) of the can or other recipient,
such as a hole (4), for allowing access to the contents thereof and
subsequent closing as a possibility of protection for the case of
storing the remaining contents, characterized in that it comprises
a wire or band element (5) as an integral part of the cover (3)
defined by a larger outer circumferential line of weakness (6) and
another smaller inner circumferential line of weakness (7),
surrounding a tab (8) on said cover of the can or other recipient
from one end of the shaft (9) of the base thereof to the other end,
with at least one rivet (10) joining the pull ring (2), at its
projecting side (11), which serves as a lever, to the part of the
cover (3) containing the wire or band element (5).
2. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the wire or band element (5), as an integral part of the cover (3)
defined by a larger line of weakness (6) and another smaller line
of weakness (7), comprises at least one suitably widened area (12)
for placing the riveting.
3. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the larger line of weakness (6) and smaller line of weakness (7)
have points (13) where they join together at their ends.
4. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the larger line of weakness (6) and smaller line of weakness (7) do
not have points where they join together at their ends.
5. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the tab (8) comprises a shaft (9) at its base about which the
movement for opening and closing the hole (4) is carried out.
6. A wire opener (1) according to 5 claim 1, characterized in that
the pull ring (2) comprises a projecting side (11) projecting into
the riveting area and opposite to the ring (2), which serves as a
lever at the time of the manual pulling of the system.
7. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the lever of the projecting side (11) acts on a reinforcement point
(14) on the cover (3) at the time of the manual pulling of the wire
or band element (5) with the pull ring (2).
8. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the rivet (10) is located on the side opposite to the base (15) of
the tab (8) in the center of the wire or band element (5) in
circumference.
9. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the rivets (10) are located on both sides of the shaft (9) at the
base (15) of the tab (8) at the ends of the wire or band element
(5) in circumference.
10. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the joining of the pull ring (2) to the portion of the cover (3)
containing the wire or band element (5) is carried out with
conventional riveting.
11. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the pull ring (2) comprises guides with rims (16) on the inner side
thereof with suitable dimensions for receiving the tab (8) with its
free sides and the covering of the band not covered by the latter
once the wire or band element (5) has been pulled.
12. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the part constituting the pull ring (2) can have any suitable shape
which serves for the purpose thereof.
13. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the part constituting the wire or band element (5) can have any
suitable shape depending on the shape of the tab (8), which serves
for the purpose thereof.
14. A wire opener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the parts constituting the system can be of any suitable material
of sufficient rigidity, preferably of tin plate or plastic.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention refers to a wire opener for opening
and closing of cans and other recipients, of those which can be
used to uncover one part of the surface of the cover of a can or
other recipient, such as a hole, by means of the manual pulling of
a pull ring joined to the covers of these recipients to allow
access to the contents thereof and the subsequent closing as a
possibility of protection for the case of storing the remaining
contents.
[0002] Examples of such canned products to uncover and to store are
the well-known condensed milk, olives and rice, or soft drinks in
aluminum cans in the field dedicated to the presentation for food
consumption, but also combustion motor oil or cooling liquid for
said motors, etc.
[0003] Specifically, the wire opener object of the invention can be
used to uncover canned contents and to store the remains thereof
due to its progressive consumption, as long as the contents is
liquid up to a certain point of viscosity, or solid with the
proviso that, due to its granular structure, it is suitable for
pouring.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Until now, only those openers are known which are used by
means of manual pulling with a device joined to the cover of a can
or other recipient, such as a ring or the like, to uncover part or
all of the surface thereof, the element known as the small plate or
tab covering the pouring hole being useless in this operation,
which hole is defined by a line of weakness, by the permanent
joining of the ring or the like to the device through a rivet, or
in that it is introduced inside the can or other recipient under
the surface of the cover without the possibility of being recovered
for subsequent closing of the uncovered hole. However, there is no
opener device providing a solution for the possibility of covering
the pouring hole and storing the remaining unconsumed contents of
the recipient after using the device for the manual pulling of the
small plate or tab using the latter, and itself, remaining as part
of the cover and moving about a shaft.
[0005] The need therefore exists for a wire opener for opening and
closing of cans and other recipients, especially for cans
containing liquid or solid food products, but also for recipients
with any other contents which are usually presented as a product in
cans or other recipients on the market, which provides the
advantages of having a small size, applying inexpensive materials,
being versatile to use and practical to handle, which allows the
uncovering and closing for storing product remains without needing
to resort to devices different from those incorporated in the can
or other recipient, and which uses the small plate or tab and
itself as a closing element. This is precisely the point where the
present invention intervenes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The wire opener developed by this invention comprises a wire
or band element as an integral part of the cover of a can or other
recipient, being defined by a larger outer circumferential line of
weakness and another smaller inner circumferential line of weakness
surrounding a tab on said cover from one end of the shaft of the
base thereof to the other end, with at least one rivet joining the
pull ring on the side thereof used as a lever to the part of the
cover containing the wire or band element.
[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the wire or band
element as an integral part of the cover defined by a larger line
of weakness and another smaller line of weakness comprises at least
one suitably widened area for placing the riveting.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the larger and
smaller lines of weakness have points where they join together at
their ends.
[0009] According to an additional aspect of the invention, the
larger and smaller lines of weakness do not have points where they
join together at their ends.
[0010] According to another additional aspect of the invention, the
tab comprises a shaft at its base about which the movement for the
opening and closing of the hole is carried out.
[0011] According to a further aspect of the invention, the pull
ring comprises one side projecting into the riveting area and
opposite to the ring which is used as a lever at the time of the
manual pulling of the system.
[0012] According to another further aspect of the invention, the
lever acts on a reinforcement point on the cover at the time of the
manual pulling of the wire or band element with the pull ring.
[0013] According to an additional aspect of the invention, the
rivet is located on the side opposite to the base of the tab in the
center of the circumferential wire or band element.
[0014] According to another additional aspect of the invention, the
rivets are located on both sides of the shaft in the base of the
tab at the ends of the circumferential wire or band element.
[0015] According to a further aspect of the invention, the joining
of the pull ring to the part of the cover containing the wire or
band element is carried out with conventional riveting.
[0016] According to another further aspect of the invention, the
pull ring comprises guides with rims on the inner side thereof with
dimensions suitable for receiving the tab with its free sides and
the covering of the band not covered by the latter once the wire or
band element is pulled.
[0017] According to an additional aspect of the invention, the part
constituting the pull ring can have any suitable shape which serves
for the purpose thereof.
[0018] According to another additional aspect of the invention, the
part constituting the wire or band element can have any suitable
shape depending on the shape of the tab, which serves for the
purpose thereof.
[0019] According to a further aspect of the invention, the parts
constituting the system can be of any suitable material with
sufficient rigidity, preferably of tin plate or of plastic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The previous and other features and advantages of the
invention will become more clearly evident from the following
detailed description in relation to the attached schematic
drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a can cover with the pull ring
joined thereto through two rivets located at the base of the tab,
on the ends of the wire or band element.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of the cover of FIG.
1.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a cover of a can with the pull
ring and the wire or band element removed, the small plate or tab
with the shaft for the opening and closing movement at its base and
the reinforcement point for the pull ring lever.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a pull ring with the wire or
band element, two side rivets and guides with rims on the inner
side thereof.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view of the pull ring of FIG.
4.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a cover of a can with the pull
ring and the wire or band element covering the small plate or tab
with its guides with rims on the inner side thereof.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a side elevation view of a cover of a can with
the pull ring and the wire or band element covering the small plate
or tab with its guides with rims on the inner side thereof and with
the pouring hole uncovered.
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a cover of a can with the pull
ring and wire or band element lifted up, the small plate or tab
with the shaft for the opening and closing movement at its base and
the reinforcement point for the pull ring lever.
[0029] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a pull ring with the wire or
band element, a central rivet and guides with rims on the inner
side thereof.
[0030] FIG. 10 shows a side elevation view of the pull ring of FIG.
9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] In order to simplify the explanation, the following
description will be made in relation to the use of the wire opener
object of the invention for uncovering and storing cans of
food.
[0032] However, this should not be interpreted as a limitation of
the invention, but rather as an illustration thereof by way of
example since, as mentioned before, the present container can have
many other applications.
[0033] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it
can be seen that the wire opener object of the invention comprises
a wire or band element (5) as an integral part of the cover (3),
being defined by a larger outer circumferential line of weakness
(6) and another smaller inner circumferential line of weakness (7)
surrounding a tab (8) on said cover of the can or other recipient
from one end of the shaft (9) of the base (15) thereof to the other
end, with two rivets (10) joining the pull ring (2) at its
projecting side (11), which is used as a lever, to the part of the
cover (3) containing the wire or band element (5).
[0034] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the tab (8), with the shaft (9) at
base (15) thereof, remains on the cover of the can (3), the
reinforcement point (14) as well as a slit of the hole (4) being
visible, with its two suitably widened areas (12) for placing the
riveting being uncovered by the manual pulling of the pull ring (2)
with the wire or band element (5).
[0035] To use said wire opener, proceed to the manual pulling by
introducing a finger into the pull ring (2) and pulling thereon by
means of a decisive upwards movement.
[0036] The part constituting the wire opener device shown in FIGS.
4 and 5, with its pull ring (2), its projecting side (11) and its
guides with rims (16) on the inner side thereof joined to the cover
(3) by means of two rivets (10), remains loose together with the
wire or band element (5) joined to the rivets (10) until the time
of the pulling.
[0037] Once the separation is carried out by means of pulling, the
tab (8) is then introduced with its free sides in the guides with
their rims (16) of the wire opener device, as shown in FIG. 6, the
joining between the pull ring (2) and the tab (8) acting as an
element to cover and uncover the hole (4) with opening and closing
movements about the shaft (9) at the base (15) of the tab (8), as
can be seen in FIG. 7.
[0038] FIGS. 8 to 10 show a second embodiment of the wire opener
object of the invention, in which a single rivet is used.
[0039] As can be seen in FIG. 8, the tab (8) with the shaft (9) at
its base (15) remains on the cover of the can (3), both the
reinforcement point (14) as well as a slit of the hole (4) being
visible, with its suitably single widened area (12) for placing the
riveting, uncovered by the manual pulling of the pull ring (2) with
the wire or band element (5).
[0040] To use said wire opener, first proceed, as in the previous
embodiment, to the manual pulling by introducing a finger into the
pull ring (2) and pulling thereon by means of a decisive upwards
movement.
[0041] The part constituting the wire opener device shown in FIGS.
9 and 10, with its pull ring (2), its projecting side (11) and its
guides with rims (16) on the inner side thereof joined to the cover
(3) by means of a single rivet (10) until the time of pulling,
remains loose together with the wire or band element (5) joined to
the rivet (10).
[0042] Once the separation is has been carried out by means of
pulling, the tab (8) is then introduced with its free sides in the
guides with their rims (16) of the wire opener device in a manner
identical to that shown in FIG. 6, the joining between the pull
ring (2) and the tab (8) also serving in this embodiment as an
element for covering and uncovering the hole (4) with an opening
and closing movement about the shaft (9) at the base (15) of the
tab (8), as in FIG. 7.
[0043] Evidently, the use of the wire opener object of the
invention for tasks other than opening and closing cans of food,
would be developed in the same manner described above, i.e. once
the manual pulling has been carried out by means of a decisive
upwards movement, the rest of the product is then stored, the
joining between the pull ring (2) and the tab (8) serving as an
element for covering and uncovering the hole (4).
[0044] The invention has thus created a wire opener providing
several advantages, among which the following can be pointed
out:
[0045] Simple structure and, as a result, easy to use.
[0046] Practical use due to application universality and
versatility.
[0047] Use of inexpensive materials, such as tin plate and
plastics.
[0048] Aesthetic presentation form, since while waiting to be used
for the first time as well as being used subsequently for storing
the remaining unconsumed contents, the wire opener provides an
appearance of completeness.
[0049] The previous description has been focused on the essential
features of the invention. However, it is understood that the
opener described could be object of modifications in the shape and
structure thereof without distancing itself from the invention.
Therefore, the intention is that the scope of the latter is limited
only by the contents of the attached claims.
* * * * *