Safety Edge Easy Opening Container

Abstract

An easy opening container of the full opening type having a score line defining a removable panel portion and in which a first folded panel is provided in the end panel and a second folded panel is provided in the container body. The first folded panel has a folded edge protecting the severed edge on the removable panel after separation. The second fold band provides a protective edge for the severed edge remaining on the container body.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to easy opening containers and more particularly to an improved easy opening container of the full opening type. Full opening easy opening containers are characterized by having an end panel formed with a peripheral score formed therein which defines a disc like removable panel portion. The severed edges of the score line along the edge of the separated removable panel portion and the edges of the ledge remaining attached to the container tend to be sharp and may be hazardous.

By the present invention, it is proposed to construct the easy opening container of the full opening type in such a manner that the cutting edges on the container and the removable panel portion are protected after separation of the removable panel portion thereby to minimize the cutting hazard.

This is accomplished generally by providing the end panel on the end closure with a fold band having a smooth folded edge facing outwardly and the container body with another fold band and having a smooth folded edge facing inwardly. The score line is located on the end panel so that upon separation of the removable panel portion, the severed edge on the latter is protected by the outwardly facing smooth folded edge and the severed edge on the container is protected by the smooth folded edge on the inwardly directed fold band on the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the container embodying the structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines 2--2 and showing in particularly the protective edge arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a container 10 comprising generally a container body 11 of generally cylindrical shape. Attached to one end of the container is an easy opening end closure 12 embodying the structure of the present invention. The other end of the container body 11 may be closed either by an integrally formed end or by a separately attached end closure (not shown).

The easy opening end closure 12 is attached to the container body as by means of a double seam 13. The end closure 12 includes a generally upstanding chuck wall 14 extending from a panel 16. The panel 16 is formed with an annular folded band 17 comprising an upper layer 18 and a lower layer 19. The layers 18 and 19 are formed by bending the panel back upon itself inwardly toward the center of the panel 16 and again outwardly toward the circumference of the body 11. It is to be particularly noted that the folded band provides a turned smooth folded edge 21 facing the chuck wall 14.

For a more complete description of the manner in which the annular folded band may be formed, reference is made to applicant's co-pending application Ser. No. 82,260, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,961.

The container body 11 is formed with a second fold panel 22. As shown, the second folded band 22 includes a pair of superimposed layers 23 and 24 in face to face engagement and joined by a turned smooth folded edge 25 which faces inwardly. The edges 21 and 25 of the fold panel on the body and the folded edge on the container body may be concentric in slightly overlapping relationship.

A peripheral score line 26 is provided in the panel 16 and defines a removable panel portion 27 and a ledge 28. The score line 26 is located on the panel 16 so that upon severing thereof and separation of the removable panel portion 27 from the panel 16, the folded edge 21 provides a protective edge for the cut or severed edge on the removable panel portion 27. The folded edge 25 at the same time also projects outwardly a sufficient distance beyond the cut edge along the ledge 28 to minimize contact with the severed edge. It is to be noted that the folded band 22 on the body 11 is located in closed proximity to the ledge 28 and tends to impart support thereto.

To separate the removable panel portion 27 along the score, a pull tab 29 is attached to the removable panel portion in the moreorless conventional manner. For a more detail description of the pull tab arrangement, reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,322,296 and 3,366,270, both assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Separation of the removable panel portion is accomplished in the same manner as described in the aforementioned application.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container assembly comprising a container body, an end panel on said container, a first closed folded band means on said body and having a folded edge facing inwardly, a second folded band means on said panel and having a folded edge facing outwardly, said first folded band means being in direct contact with and in supporting relation to said second band means and a score formed in said panel defining a removable panel portion, said score being located radially outwardly of the inwardly facing edge so that upon separation of said removable panel portion said inwardly facing edge provides a protective edge for the severed edge of the score remaining on said container and said outwardly facing score provides a protective edge for the severed edge of score remaining on the removable panel portion, said second folded band means providing an abutment for preventing collapse of the body during opening of said removable panel portion by loads imposed thereon by associated pull tab means.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first folded band is formed integrally on said container body.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said first folded band comprises a portion of the wall of the container body including two superimposed layers of said container wall.