U.S. patent application number 14/755558 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-13 for pull tab venting system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jeffrey Baker. Invention is credited to Jeffrey Baker.
Application Number | 20160297578 14/755558 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57112461 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160297578 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baker; Jeffrey |
October 13, 2016 |
PULL TAB VENTING SYSTEM
Abstract
A pull tab venting system utilizes a pull tab located on the top
panel of a can. The pull tab has a fin-like protrusion on its
underside. After the pull tab is used to open the can, it is
rotated over a vent closure element scored into the top panel. The
vent closure element covers a vent opening. The pull tab is then
pressed downward, causing the protrusion to puncture the vent
closure element through the vent, allowing it to open. The pull tab
is then rotated back and returned to its normal position over the
top panel of the can.
Inventors: |
Baker; Jeffrey; (Mullica
Hill, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Baker; Jeffrey |
Mullica Hill |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57112461 |
Appl. No.: |
14/755558 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62143882 |
Apr 7, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 17/4012 20180101;
B65D 2517/0094 20130101; B65D 2517/0014 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/32 20060101
B65D047/32; B65D 47/36 20060101 B65D047/36; B65D 17/00 20060101
B65D017/00 |
Claims
1. A can pull tab liquid venting system comprising: a can having a
top panel comprising an outer section, a central inner section, a
frangible push-in liquid enclosure element, and a separate
frangible vent closure element covering a vent opening through the
outer section of the top panel, the vent closure element consisting
solely of a portion of the top plate; a pull tab located on said
top panel, said pull tab having a downwardly extending protrusion
at one end; pull tab connection means for securing the pull tab to
the top panel of the can and for allowing rotational and pivotable
movement of the pull tab in relation to the top panel, whereby the
pull tab is rotatable from a first position in which the protrusion
is located over the central inner section of the top panel and
laterally of the vent closure element, and the entire vent closure
element is located within the same transverse plane as and as a
continuation of the top panel, to a second position in which the
protrusion is located over the vent closure element and is
pivotable to compel the pull tab downward, forcing the protrusion
to puncture and force the vent closure element downward to expose
the vent opening; and a recess inset within the inner section of
the top panel in which the protrusion is located when the pull tab
is in the first position.
2. The system as in claim 1 wherein the connection means comprises
a rivet.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. A can pull tab liquid venting system comprising: a can having a
top panel comprising an outer section, a central inner section, a
frangible push-in liquid enclosure element, and a separate
frangible vent closure element covering a vent opening through the
outer section of the top panel, the vent closure element consisting
solely of a portion of the top plate; a recess inset within the
inner section of the top panel; a pull tab located on said top
panel, said pull tab having a protrusion at one end; pull tab
connection means for securing the pull tab to the top panel of the
can and for allowing rotational and pivotable movement of the pull
tab in relation to the top panel, whereby said pull tab is moveable
from a first position in which the protrusion is located within the
recess, over the central inner section of the top panel and
laterally of the vent closure element, and the entire vent closure
element is located within the same transverse plane as and as a
continuation of the top panel, to a second position in which the
pull tab is pivoted to compel the liquid closure element downward,
to a third position in which the pull tab is rotatable to locate
the protrusion over the vent closure element, and to a fourth
position in which the pull tab is pivoted downward to compel the
protrusion to puncture and force the vent closure element downward
to expose the vent opening.
6. The system as in claim 5 wherein the connection means is a
rivet.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser.
No. 62/143,882, filed on Apr. 7, 2015.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Liquid which is stored with and designed to be poured from a
closed container, such as a soda or beer can, flows out of that
container faster when a vent type opening is located at the top of
the container. Such a vent opening allows air into the container,
which thus assists in compelling the fluid out of the container at
a greater rate of flow.
[0003] There are currently various containers, and more
specifically cans with pull tabs, which have different type of
vents. However, none of these prior cans have a ready and simple
means of actually opening a closed vent, when it is desired to pour
liquid from the can, so as to allow the smooth and efficient flow
of the liquid. There are also no prior systems which accomplish
this result by using only existing, and no additional, can/pull tab
components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a
pull tab venting system which results in an easy, effective, and
simple means of opening the vent of a pull tab type can.
[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
pull tab venting system which is easily and economically
manufactured into existing liquid cans, since no pull can
components, other than those currently in use, are needed.
[0006] These and other objects are accomplished by the present
invention, a pull tab venting system which utilizes a pull tab
located on the top panel of a can. The pull tab has a fin-like
protrusion on its underside. After the pull tab is used to open the
can, it is rotated over a vent closure element scored into the top
panel. The vent closure element covers a vent opening. The pull tab
is then pressed downward, causing the protrusion to puncture the
vent closure element through the vent, allowing it to open. The
pull tab is then rotated back and returned to its normal position
over the top panel of the can.
[0007] The novel features which are considered as characteristic of
the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims.
The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction
and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof,
are best understood upon review of the following detailed
description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a can utilizing the pull tab
venting system of the present invention, in the closed
position.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pull tab of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top view of a can utilizing the pull tab venting
system of the present invention, in the closed position.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top view of a can utilizing the pull tab venting
system of the present invention, showing the pull tab in its
position rotated over the can's vent opening.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken from FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Can 1 comprises top panel 2 having frangible, push-in liquid
enclosure 4 covering top opening 3 extending through the top panel,
and separate frangible, vent closure element 6 which covers vent
opening 8 extending through the top panel. Both liquid enclosure 4
and vent closure element 6 are formed by opening defining score
lines which circumscribe the liquid enclosure and vent closure
element, as is known in the art.
[0014] Pull tab 10 is located on top panel 2. Pull tab 10 comprises
pull tab handle 12, forward end 13, and fin-like protrusion 14
extending down from near one end of the pull tab. Connection means
in the form of rivet 16 secures pull tab 10 to top panel 2. This
connection means allows for rotational and pivotal movement of pull
tab 10 in relation to top panel 2.
[0015] FIG. 1 shows can 1 in its closed position, with pull tab
located on and substantially parallel to top panel 2. In this
position, pull tab protrusion 14 is located within recess 18, which
is inset within top panel 2. The operation of the pull tab liquid
venting system is as follows.
[0016] From the position shown in FIG. 1, pull tab handle 12 of
pull tab 10 is pulled upward about rivet 16, which pivots its
forward end 13 downward to a second position. As is known in the
art, this pivoting action punctures and then compels liquid
enclosure 4 down. Top opening 3 is created to expose liquid 20
within can 1.
[0017] Pull tab 10 is next rotated to a third position, over top
panel 2, so as to locate pull tab protrusion 14 over vent closure
element 6. Pull tab handle 12 of pull tab 10 is then pushed and
pivoted downward D to a fourth position, in which pull tab
protrusion 14 is compelled down, thus puncturing vent closure
element 6. This results in vent closure element 6 being bent down
to exposure vent opening 8. See FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0018] Once vent opening 8 is exposed, pull tab 10 can be rotated
away from the vent opening. This allows vent opening 8 to be
exposed to the atmosphere, thereby assisting in the smooth flow of
liquid 20 from top opening 3, when it is desired to pour the liquid
from can 1.
[0019] It is contemplated that the system of the present invention
can readily and economically be manufactured, since no pull can
components, other than ones currently in use, are required. Pull
tab 10 only requires the addition of fin-like protrusion 14. Vent
closure element 6 can be fabricated by adding vent score lines on
existing top panels, such as top panel 2; and inset recess 18 can
be formed within the top panels.
[0020] Certain novel features and components of this invention are
disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at
least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood
that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the
exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that
various modifications and changes may be made without departing
from the spirit of the invention.
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