U.S. patent application number 13/078102 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-04 for resealable hinged tab opener for a can.
Invention is credited to Beverly Burke-Majcen, Marjan Majcen, Robert Vreznik.
Application Number | 20120248113 13/078102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46925885 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120248113 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Majcen; Marjan ; et
al. |
October 4, 2012 |
Resealable Hinged Tab Opener For A Can
Abstract
A resealable pop-top type opener for a can having a curvilinear
tab handle extending to divergent arms having a post fixed
therebetween. A tab hinge is mounted to the tab plate with the
hinge knuckle encompassing the hinge post so that the curvilinear
tab handle can be pivoted from a substantially horizontal direction
to a vertical direction whereupon the tab arms are used to
manipulate the tab to either an open position or if open to a
closed position.
Inventors: |
Majcen; Marjan; (South
Orange, NJ) ; Burke-Majcen; Beverly; (South Orange,
NJ) ; Vreznik; Robert; (South Orange, NJ) |
Family ID: |
46925885 |
Appl. No.: |
13/078102 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/269 ;
53/492 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 17/506 20130101;
B65D 47/0866 20130101; B65D 2517/0011 20130101; B65D 2517/0014
20130101; B65D 17/4014 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/269 ;
53/492 |
International
Class: |
B65D 17/34 20060101
B65D017/34; B65B 43/00 20060101 B65B043/00 |
Claims
1. A resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the
contents of a can comprising: a) a can having a top portion; b) a
malleable tab plate scored into said top portion of said can; and
c) a tab member pivotally and rotatively secured to said tab plate
for separating a portion of said tab plate from said top portion of
said can and resealing said tab plate thereto.
2. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the
contents of a can according to claim 1, wherein said tab member
comprises: a) an arcuate handle having a proximal end secured to
said tab plate a distal end for manipulating said tab member; b)
means for pivotally securing said handle to said tab plate; c)
means for rotatively securing said handle to said tab plate; d) a
pair of divergent arms projecting vertically downward from said
proximal end of said handle; and e) a horizontal post extending
between said divergent arms.
3. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the
contents of a can according to claim 2, wherein said means for
pivotally securing said handle to said tab plate is a hinge having
a knuckle associated with said horizontal post to enable the
vertical movement of said handle.
4. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the
contents of a can according to claim 2, wherein said means for
rotatively securing said handle to said tab plate is a rivet
passing through said tab plate and said hinge to enable the
rotative movement of said tab member and it's affiliated
components.
5. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the
contents of a can according to claim 2, wherein said horizontal
post extends beyond the parameters of the width of said tab
plate.
6. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the
contents of a can according to claim 5, wherein said divergent arms
project from said horizontal post at an acute angle to maintain
contact with the top portion of said tab plate at all times.
7. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the
contents of a can according to claim 6, wherein lifting said distal
end of said handle results in said divergent arms applying a
downward bias to the front upper portion of said tab plate thereby
compromising the scored seal therein and deforming it to provide an
aperture to access the contents therein.
8. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the
contents of a can according to claim 7, wherein the rotation of
said handle perpendicularly enables the user to introduce said
horizontal post and said divergent arms through said aperture into
the interior of the can thereby further urging said front portion
of said tab plate downward.
9. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the
contents of a can according to claim 8, wherein rotating said
handle back to its original, seated position with said horizontal
post positioned against the underside of said can top maintains
said tab plate in the open condition.
10. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the
contents of a can according to claim 9, wherein lifting and
rotating said handle enables the user to raise said horizontal post
and said divergent arms above said aperture with the hinge attached
to said horizontal post and said tab plate drawing said tab plate
upwards thus closing said aperture.
11. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the
contents of a can according to claim 10, wherein rotation of said
handle and lowering it to its original seated position effectively
completes the resealing process to retain the remaining contents
therein.
12. A resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can comprising:
a) a can with a top portion; b) a malleable tab plate scored into
said top portion of said can; c) a tab member having a proximal end
and a distal end disposed on said top portion of said can; d) a
curvilinear handle extending between said proximal end and said
distal end of said tab member; e) a horizontal post disposed on
said proximal end of said tab member; f) a pair of divergent arms
projecting downward from opposing ends of said horizontal post; g)
a hinge having a knuckle encircling said horizontal post; and h) a
rivet rotatively connecting said hinge to said tab plate.
13. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in
claim 12, wherein the opposing ends of said horizontal post extend
beyond the width of said tab plate.
14. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in
claim 13, wherein said divergent arms project from their respective
ends of said horizontal posts at an acute angle to maintain contact
with the top portion of said tab plate.
15. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in
claim 14, wherein vertically lifting said handle results in the
hinge and divergent arms compromising the scored seal at the front
portion of said tab plate thereby lowering it to reveal an egress
aperture therein.
16. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in
claim 15, wherein rotation of said tab and affiliated hinge around
said rivet further lowers said front portion of said tab plate
increasing the access of said aperture as said horizontal post is
positioned against the underside of said can top.
17. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in
claim 16, wherein returning said handle to its original seated
position with said horizontal post residing within said can and
said divergent arms retaining said front portion of said tab plate
downward in the open position to access the contents contained
therein.
18. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in
claim 17, wherein reversing the process withdraws said horizontal
post and said divergent arms from the interior of said can and said
hinge pulls the front portion of said tab plate upwards to
effectively reseal said aperture.
19. A method for utilizing a resealable pop-top style mechanism to
provide access to the contents of a can and reseal the opening to
preserve the remaining contents contained therein comprising the
steps: a) providing a can with a top portion having a malleable tab
plate scored therein, a tab mechanism having a curvilinear handle,
a horizontal post disposed at one end of said handle and extending
beyond the width of said tab plate, a hinge disposed on said
horizontal post, a rivet rotatively connecting said hinge to said
tab plate and a pair of divergent arms projecting downward at acute
angles from the ends of said horizontal post; b) lifting said
handle vertically to provide a downward bias to the front portion
of said tab plate thereby compromising said scored seal and having
said front portion descend below said top of said can; c) rotating
said handle to enable said horizontal post to enter the interior of
said can while said divergent arms further lower said front portion
of said tab plate; d) returning said handle to its original seated
position with said horizontal post residing against the underside
of said can top and said divergent arms on the top of said front
portion of said tab plate thereby retaining it in the open
position; e) reversing the process to release said horizontal post
and said divergent arms from the interior of said can; and f)
returning said handle to its original seated position wherein said
hinge draws said tab plate to an equilateral plane with said can
top thereby effectively resealing said aperture.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to pop-top cans and,
more specifically, to a pop-top opener for a can having a
curvilinear tab handle extending to divergent arms having a post
fixed therebetween. Further provided is a tab hinge fixed to the
tab plate having the hinge post mounted within the hinge knuckle.
To open, the tab handle is raised causing the tab arms to break the
tab plate from the can plate whereupon the tab handle is rotated
moving the tab arms into the opening and rotating the tab handle
until the tab arms are positioned under the can top. The tab handle
is returned to its seated position thereby holding the tab plate in
the open position. To close the tap plate, the tab handle is raised
and rotated thereby moving the arms from under the can top and
rotating the tab until the tab arms are positioned on the can top
exterior wherethen the tab handle is returned to its seated
position thereby holding the tab plate securely against the can
opening therein sealing the can.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] There are other opening devices designed for cans. While
these opening devices may be suitable for the purposes for which
they where designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes
of the present invention as heretofore described.
[0005] It is thus desirable to provide an opener having a
curvilinear tab handle spaced partially from the can top providing
leverage for opening said can.
[0006] It is further desirable to provide a tab having tab arms
that can be used to keep the tab plate in an open or closed
position.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0007] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a
hinged opener for a sealed beverage can selectively providing
access thereto.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
hinged opener for a sealed beverage container comprising a
displaceable opener frame terminating in a pair of divergent
arms.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
hinged opener for a sealed beverage container further comprising a
post extending between said divergent arms.
[0010] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a hinged cover further comprised of the hinge portion
having a knuckled portion encompassing the tab post portion.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
hinged cover wherein said hinge portion extends to a flange having
an aperture therein for mounting said hinge portion to the can
opening portion.
[0012] Additional objects of the present invention will appear as
the description proceeds.
[0013] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the
prior art by providing a resealable pop-top type opener for a can
having a curvilinear tab handle extending to divergent arms having
a post fixed therebetween. A tab hinge is mounted to the tab plate
with the hinge knuckle encompassing the hinge post so that the
curvilinear tab handle can be pivoted from a substantially
horizontal direction to a vertical direction whereupon the tab arms
are used to manipulate the tab to either an open position or if
open to a closed position.
[0014] The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear
from the description to follow. In the description reference is
made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and
in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in
which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be
described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art
to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other
embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention. In the
accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same
or similar parts throughout the several views.
[0015] The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be
taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention
is best defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0016] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it
will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying drawing in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the resealable hinged tab
opener for a can.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 10 is an assembled view of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS
[0027] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, the figures illustrate the Resealable Pop-Top Style Tab
Opener for Containers of the present invention. With regard to the
reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout
the various drawing figures. [0028] 10 Resealable Pop-Top Style Tab
Opener for Containers of the present invention [0029] 12 can [0030]
14 curvilinear tab handle [0031] 16 arm [0032] 18 user [0033] 20
tab plate [0034] 22 hinge member [0035] 24 rivet [0036] 26 top of
12 [0037] 28 tab member [0038] 30 horizontal post [0039] 32 egress
aperture [0040] 34 knuckle of 22 [0041] 36 can plate
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0042] The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment
of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This
discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the
invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in
the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For
definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is
directed to appended claims.
[0043] FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the resealable hinged tab
opener 10 for a can 12. The present invention provides a resealable
pop-top type opener 10 for a can 12 having a curvilinear tab handle
14 extending to divergent arms 16 with a post fixed therebetween.
Further provided is a hinge fastened to the tab plate 20 with the
hinge knuckle encompassing the tab handle post. To open, the tab
handle 14 is raised by the user 18 then rotated using the arms to
wedge the tab plate open providing access to the container
contents. To close, the tab is rotated until the arms are
positioned on opposing exterior sides of the opening where the tab
is returned to its seated position sealing the tab plate 20 to the
can opening.
[0044] FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of the present invention. The
present invention is a resealable pop-top type opener 10 for a can
12 having a tab handle 14 with a hinge 22 pivotally connected to a
resealable tab plate 20 with a rivet 24. The tab plate 20 is
malleable and scored into the can top 26. The hinged tab plate 20
is opened by lifting the handle 14 and turning so that the tab arms
16 are inserted into the can 12 then rotated moving the tab plate
20 to an open position, to reseal the can 12, the tab 28 is rotated
until the tab arms 16 are positioned on the can top exterior and
the tab is pushed to its seated position sealing the can 12
closed.
[0045] FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of the present invention.
Shown is the resealable pop-top type opener 10 for cans 12 having
the handle 14 in a partially lifted position pivoting on the hinge
22 with the tab plate 20 in a sealed position and the arms 16
resting on the can top 26.
[0046] FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of the present invention.
Shown is the resealable pop-top type opener 10 for cans 12 having a
handle 14 with a hinge 22 illustrated in a partially lifted
position with tab plate 20 in a semi open position. The tab arms 16
provide a vertical pivot point as they sit on the can top 26.
[0047] FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of the present invention.
Shown are the steps used to open and close the can 12 using the
provided resealable pop-top tab 10. The tab handle 14 is lifted and
rotated so that tab arms 16 can be manipulated and inserted within
the can 12 and pressed up against the underside of the can top 26
portion, then pressed down thereby presenting a downward bias
deforming the front of the tab plate 20 and opening the can 12. To
reseal the can 12 the process is reversed and once the arms 16 are
returned to the top compression of the handle 14 draws the front of
the tab plate 20 back into the closed position.
[0048] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown
is an exploded view of the resealable pop-top can opener 10 having
all components removed from can top 26 portion. Shown is the tab
member 28 with the handle 14, horizontal post 30, arms 16, hinge 22
with knuckle 34, can top 26 and egress aperture 32, tab plate 20,
can plate 36, rivet 24 and can 12.
[0049] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown
is an exploded view of the pop-top can opener 10 of the present
invention with tab plate 20 assembled and all other components
removed from can top 26 portion.
[0050] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown
is an exploded view of the pop-top can opener 10 with the knuckle
34 of the hinge 22 attached to the horizontal post 30 of the handle
14.
[0051] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown
is an exploded view of the resealable pop-top can opener 10 with
tab 28, handle 14, hinge 22 and tab plate 20 assembled to can top
26.
[0052] FIG. 10 is an assembled view of the present invention. Shown
is an assembled view of the resealable pop-top type can opener 10
with the can top 26 and all the related components fully assembled
on the can 12.
[0053] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together may also find a useful application
in other types of methods differing from the type described
above.
[0054] While certain novel features of this invention have been
shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it
is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will
be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions
and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and
in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
[0055] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or
specific aspects of this invention.
* * * * *