U.S. patent number 3,836,038 [Application Number 05/293,115] was granted by the patent office on 1974-09-17 for easy-open wall.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Reynolds Metals Company. Invention is credited to Daniel F. Cudzik.
United States Patent |
3,836,038 |
Cudzik |
September 17, 1974 |
EASY-OPEN WALL
Abstract
An easy-open wall is provided for a container and comprises an
approximately U-shaped score line in such wall with the score line
having a bight and a pair of extensions extending from the bight
and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of the wall
therebetween. The score line defines a panel which is completely
severable from the wall along the bight and along parts of the
extensions adjoining the bight while remaining attached at the wall
portion to define an opening in the wall. A non-detachable tab is
attached substantially flatly against the wall and the tab has a
forward portion which overlies part of the panel and has a rear
portion. The rear portion is easily grasped and lifted to urge the
forward portion against the panel to thereby sever such panel and
move it within the container with the wall portion holding the
panel securely to the wall.
Inventors: |
Cudzik; Daniel F. (Richmond,
VA) |
Assignee: |
Reynolds Metals Company
(Richmond, VA)
|
Family
ID: |
23127726 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/293,115 |
Filed: |
September 28, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/269; D9/438;
220/270 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
17/28 (20180101); B65D 17/404 (20180101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
17/00 (20060101); B65d 017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;220/54,48 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hall; George T.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately
U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight
which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of
extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends
having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line
defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along
said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight
while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening
in said wall, and a tab attached substantially flatly against said
wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said
panel and having a rear portion, said forward portion of said tab
also overlies a central part of one of said pair of extensions of
said score line while its terminal outer edge assures engagement
and initial severing of said panel along the other of said pair of
extensions at a location substantially directly opposite from said
central part of said one extension, said rear portion being easily
grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel
to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with
said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall.
2. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said ends of
said extensions are spaced apart a distance which is no greater
than said particular distance.
3. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said tab is
adapted to be easily returned to its original position flatly
against said wall and thus enables unobstructed pouring of the
contents of said container through said opening.
4. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said wall has
a planar portion and a recess in said planar portion, said recess
enabling said tab to be nested therewithin so that an outermost
surface thereof is arranged substantially coplanar with said planar
portion of said wall.
5. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising
a rivet attaching said tab to said wall at a location between said
forward and rear portions, said rivet serving as a pivot allowing
pivoting movement of said tab thereabout.
6. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 5 in which said rivet is
defined as an integral part of said wall at a location spaced from
and near the center of one of said pair of extensions of said score
line to thereby enable substantially said entire forward portion of
said tab to overlie the center portion of said panel.
7. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 3 and further comprising
means for fastening said tab against said wall once it is returned
to said original position.
8. An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately
U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight
which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of
extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends
having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line
defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along
said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight
while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening
in said wall, and a tab attached substantially flatly against said
wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said
panel and having a rear portion, said rear portion being easily
grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel
to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with
said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said
U-shaped score line having the central portions of its extensions
arranged in roughly parallel relation and said tab having a
reference axis arranged substantially perpendicular to said central
portions.
9. An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately
U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight
which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of
extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends
having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line
defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along
said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight
while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening
in said wall, a tab attached substantially flatly against said
wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said
panel and having a rear portion, said forward portion of said tab
also overlies a central part of one of said pair of extensions of
said score line while its terminal outer edge is arranged
substantially in vertical alignment over the other of said pair of
extensions at a location substantially directly opposite from said
central part of said one extension, said rear portion being easily
grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel
to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with
said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said
tab being adapted to be easily returned to its original position
flatly against said wall and thus enabling unobstructed pouring of
the contents of said container through said opening, and means for
fastening said tab against said wall once it is returned to said
original position.
10. An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately
U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight
which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of
extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends
having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line
defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along
said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight
while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening
in said wall, and a tab attached substantially flatly against said
wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said
panel and having a rear portion, said rear portion being easily
grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel
to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with
said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said
U-shaped score line having a roughly teardrop shape which has an
enlarged portion defined by said bight and adjoining portions of
said pair of extensions and said ends of said extensions being
spaced apart a distance which is substantially less than said
particular distance.
11. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 10 in which said score
line extends into said wall a greater amount along said enlarged
portion than along the remaining portions thereof and said panel is
easily completely severed while remaining attached at said wall
portion.
12. An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately
U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight
which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of
extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends
having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line
defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along
said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight
while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening
in said wall, a tab attached substantially flatly against said
wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said
panel and having a rear portion, said rear portion being easily
grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel
to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with
said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said
tab being adapted to be easily returned to its original position
flatly against said wall and thus enabling unobstructed pouring of
the contents of said container through said opening, and means for
fastening said tab against said wall once it is returned to said
original position, said fastening means comprising a member in said
wall having an upper portion which has a particular maximum planar
area and said tab having a cooperating aperture therein which is
smaller in area than said particular area enabling said tab to be
urged against said upper portion with surface portions thereof
defining said aperture wedged against said upper portion.
13. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 12 in which said member
is defined as an integral part of said wall and is a cylindrical
hollow member having a wall thickness which is the same thickness
as said wall and said aperture has a substantially circular
outline.
14. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 12 and further
comprising a plurality of radial slits provided in said tab about
the periphery of said circular aperture with each pair of
associated slits defining a resilient holding member therebetween,
said holding members being adapted to engage said upper portion and
fasten said tab flatly against said wall portion.
15. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 and further
comprising at least one strengthening rib provided in said panel to
assure easy severing thereof upon engagement by said forward
portion of said tab.
16. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 and further
comprising a plurality of arcuate strengthening ribs arranged in
approximately parallel relation and extending across said
panel.
17. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 16 in which said
arcuate strengthening ribs are defined as an integral part of said
wall as raised projections each having a corresponding depression
in the inside surface of said panel, said ribs extending roughly
transverse said pair of extensions of said score line.
18. As easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said tab has
means enabling easy grasping of said rear portion.
19. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said tab has
peripheral stiffening means extending about the major portion of
its periphery and having a part of said rear portion which is free
of said stiffening means, said part of said rear portion defining
an enlarged vertical space between said part of said rear portion
and the wall therebeneath to enable easy grasping of said rear
portion.
20. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 19 and further
comprising an extension extending from said part of said rear
portion to enable easier grasping of said rear portion.
21. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said tab has
a roughly semicircular slit defining an attachment area
therewithin, said attachment area being attached to said wall
adjacent one of said pair of extensions of said score line.
22. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 21 in which said tab
has a pair of enlarged cutouts adjoining the opposed ends of said
semicircular slit, said cutouts defining an imaginary bend line for
said tab upon lifting said rear portion.
23. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 22 in which said
cutouts are substantially circular cutouts.
24. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 22 in which said
forward portion of said tab has an arcuate configuration which is
particularly adapted to engage said panel at a location immediately
adjacent the extension of said score line arranged remote from the
rear portion of said tab.
25. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 made of aluminous
material wherein said U-shaped score line has a teardrop shape and
said bight has a particular amount of residual material arranged
therebeneath with each of said extensions having residual material
which increases in thickness in direct proportion to the distance
from said bight.
26. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said forward
portion has a semicircular configuration.
27. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said forward
portion has a wedge-shaped configuration.
28. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 3 and further
comprising means attaching said tab to said wall at a location
between said forward and rear portions and means for fastening said
tab against said wall once it is returned to said original
position.
29. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 28 having a circular
configuration and wherein said attaching and fastening means are
arranged on an axis which overlies a diametral line of said
circular wall.
30. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 3 wherein said tab has
an integral tubular reinforcing flange provided as an integral part
thereof between its forward and rear portions and further
comprising attaching means extending through said tubular flange
and attaching said tab to said wall.
31. An easy-open end wall for a liquid container comprising, an
approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line
having a bight which has a maximum distance thereacross and a pair
of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced
ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line
defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along
said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight
while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening
in said wall, and a tab attached substantially flatly against said
wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said
panel and having a rear portion, said forward portion of said tab
also overlies a central part of one of said pair of extensions of
said score line while its terminal outer edge assures engagement
and initial severing of said panel along the other of said pair of
extensions at a location substantially directly opposite from said
central part of said one extension, said rear portion being easily
grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel
to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with
said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said
tab being easily returned to its original position flatly against
said wall to enable the liquid in said container to be poured
through said opening unobstructed by said panel.
32. An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 made of aluminous
material wherein said U-shaped score line has a teardrop shape and
said bight has a particular amount of residual material arranged
therebeneath with each of said extensions having residual material
therebeneath which is greater in thickness at locations remote from
said bight.
33. An easy-open end wall for a beverage container comprising, an
approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line
having a bight which has a maximum distance thereacross and a pair
of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced
ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said ends being
spaced apart a distance which is less than said maximum distance,
said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from
said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions
adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion
to define an opening in said wall, and a non-detachable tab
attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a
forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear
portion, said forward portion of said tab also overlies a central
part of one of said pair of extensions of said score line while its
terminal outer edge assures engagement and initial severing of said
panel along the other of said pair of extensions at a location
substantially directly opposite from said central part of said one
extension, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to
urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said
panel and move it within said container with said wall portion
holding said panel securely to said wall, said tab being easily
returned to its original position flatly against said wall to
enable unobstructed drinking of the beverage in said container
through said opening.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are numerous containers such as beverage cans, for example,
in current use wherein each has a comparatively small tear strip
provided in an end wall thereof and each has a pull device attached
to the tear strip to enable severing of the tear strip and removal
thereof from the end wall to provide an opening in such end wall.
These completely severed tear strips have sharp edges and are
difficult to handle safely. In addition, the severed tear strips
with their attached tabs are often carelessly discarded and pose
not only a serious litter problem but particularly in recreational
areas such as playgrounds, beaches, and the like, where people are
likely to walk barefoot the sharp edges on these tear strips often
cause serious cuts.
SUMMARY
This invention provides an improved easy-open wall which is
particularly adapted to be used as an end wall for a beverage
container and comprises an approximately U-ahaped score line in the
wall with the score line having a bight and a pair of extensions
extending from the bight and terminating in spaced ends having a
portion of the wall therebetween. The score line defines a panel
which is completely severable from the wall along the bight and
along parts of the extensions adjoining the bight while remaining
attached to the wall portion to define an opening in the wall. A
non-detachable tab is provided and attached substantially flatly
against the wall with the tab having a forward portion which
overlies part of the panel and a rear portion. The rear portion is
easily grasped and lifted to urge the forward portion in a pivoted
manner against the panel to thereby sever the panel and move it in
the container with the wall portion holding the panel securely to
the wall.
Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention will become
apparent as the following description of the exemplary embodiments
thereof presented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings show present preferred embodiments of
this invention, in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary container with the
central portion thereof broken away and illustrating an easy-open
wall of this invention provided as a top wall of such
container;
FIG. 2 is a view looking perpendicularly toward the top wall of the
container of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken essentially on
the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 3A is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view
illustrating the detailed construction of the pull tab comprising
the top wall of FIG. 2 in the area adjoining a rivet used to attach
such tab to the top wall;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the central portion of the top
wall of FIG. 2 drawn to an enlarged scale;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating the pull tab comprising the
top wall of the container of FIG. 1 partially lifted to commence
severing the severable panel provided in such top wall;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken essentially on
the line 6--6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the tab of FIG. 5
raised to a substantially vertical position;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken essentially on
the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrating the tab
returned to its original position flatly against the top wall and
fastened in position by fastening means comprising such top
wall;
FIG. 9A is a fragmentary view of the central portion of the top
wall particularly illustrating the tab fastening means;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken essentially on
the line 10--10 of FIG. 9 and showing the panel pushed within the
container while being held thereto at one end portion thereof;
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating another exemplary
embodiment of a top wall which may be used interchangeably with the
top wall of FIG. 2 on the container of FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a modified form of tab; and
FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the tab of FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is now made to FIG. 1 of the drawings, which illustrates
one exemplary embodiment of a container which is designated
generally by the reference numeral 20 and which utilizes an
easy-open wall in the form of a top wall 21 which is made in
accordance with the teachings of this invention. The remainder of
container 20 may be of any suitable conventional construction and
includes a bottom wall 22 adjoined by a substantially right
circular cylindrical side wall 23, and the bottom wall 22 and side
wall 23 may be provided as a single piece construction or may be
made of a plurality of pieces in accordance with known
manufacturing techniques.
The top wall 21 may be fastened to the top portion of the side wall
23 using any suitable technique and in this example the top portion
of the side wall 23 is necked inwardly to produce a smaller
diameter tubular portion at the top of wall 23 and thereby enable
top wall 21 to be fastened in position by a simple mechanical
swaging technique to produce a top annular bead on the container as
illustrated at 24 in FIG. 3, with such bead being within the
circumferential outline of the cylindrical side wall 23.
The wall 21 has a planar portion 25 and a recess 26 provided in
such planar portion and the purpose of such recess will be
described in detail subsequently. The wall 21 also has an
approximately U-shaped score line provided therein which is
designated generally by the reference numeral 30 and the score line
has a bight 31 and a pair of extension legs or extensions 32
extending from such bight and terminating in spaced ends 33 having
a portion 34 of the wall 21 remaining therebetween. The score line
30 defines a panel 35 which is completely severable from the wall
along the bight 31 and along the extensions 32 adjoining such bight
while remaining attached to the wall portion 34 to define an
opening 0 in the wall 21 and thus enable the contents of the
container 20 to be poured therethrough regardless of whether such
contents are in solid pellet form such as popcorn or liquid form
such as a carbonated beverage; however, for simplicity the
description which follows will be directed to a top wall
particularly adapted for use on a beverage can.
The wall 21 has a tab 36 which is attached thereto in a
non-detachable manner and as will be described in more detail
subsequently and the tab has a forward portion 37 which overlies a
part of the panel 35 and a rear portion 38 which is arranged remote
from such panel. The rear portion 38 of the tab 36 is easily
grasped and lifted to urge the forward portion downwardly in a
pivoted manner against the panel 35 to thereby sever the panel and
move it within the container with the wall portion 34 holding the
panel 35 securely to the wall.
The opening 0 defined by severing the panel 35 has all of the
essential easy pouring characteristics of a similar opening defined
in a top wall of a conventional can by completely severing and
discarding a similar tear-out panel, yet the panel 35 and tab 36
remain attached to the wall 21. Further, if desired the tab 36 may
be returned to its original position substantially flatly against
the wall 21 due to its construction and arrangement and in the
event it is desired to hold such tab substantially in its original
position fastening means is provided for fastening such tab in
position and in a manner to be described subsequently and such
fastening means is designated generally by the reference numeral
40.
The major portion of the top wall 21 including planar portion 25,
tab 36, etc., is recessed beneath the top annular edge 41 of
container 20 so that the tab 36 is in a protected position. In
addition, the tab 36 is nested within the recess 26 so that its top
surface 42 is parallel to and approximately coplanar with the
planar portion 25, see FIG. 3.
The tab 36 is attached to the wall 21 by a rivet 43 at a location
between the forward portion 37 and rear portion 38 of such tab and
the rivet serves as a pivot allowing pivoting movement of the tab
thereabout. The rivet 43 is defined as an integral part of such
wall at a location closely spaced from and near the center of one
of the pair of extensions 32 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 3A) and is
located so that substantially the entire forward portion 37 of the
tab overlies the center portion of the panel 35. The rivet 43 is in
the form of a substantially cylindrical hollow member with an
inverted cup-like shape and a wall thickness which is substantially
equal to the thickness of the remainder of wall 21. Nevertheless,
it will be appreciated that tab 36 may be attached in position by
other suitable means such as additional attaching means.
The tab 36 is subjected to substantial tearing forces in the area
44 thereof adjacent the rivet 43, see FIG. 3A. To counteract any
tendency for the tab to tear at this location an integral
reinforcing flange 45 of tubular configuration is defined in the
tab and such flange has a top annular surface 46 against which the
head portion of rivet 43 is riveted to firmly attach the tab 36 in
position. The tubular reinforcing flange 45 also defines an
improved pivot connection for the tab 36.
Having described the major portions of the easy-open top wall 21,
the description will now proceed with a brief presentation of the
manner in which the wall 21 may be easily opened and the contents
thereof, such as a beverage or the like, poured therefrom in the
usual manner yet with the severable panel 35 and pull tab 36
remaining attached to the wall 21. In particular, it will be seen
that it is a simple matter to insert an object such as a fingernail
or the like beneath the terminal edge of the rear portion 38 of tab
36 as illustrated at 47 in FIGS. 2 and 3 whereupon such tab may be
pivoted about the rivet 43 to sever the panel 35.
Initial pivoting movement of the tab 36 from planar portion 25
through an angular increment illustrated in FIG. 6 provides an
initial severing of the panel 35 to define a narrow elongated
opening 48 in the top wall 21 as shown in FIG. 5. Further pivoting
movement of the tab 36 to a substantially vertical position as
illustrated at 49 in FIG. 8, results in practically the entire
panel 35 being severed to define the opening 0. In general, only
the wall portion 34 holds the panel 35 securely attached to the top
wall 21 and portion 34 is more than adequate for this purpose,
however, occasionally the panel 35 may also remain attached to wall
21 along a terminal portion of the extension 32 closely adjacent
the rivet 43 as illustrated at 50. The opening 0 thus defined is
such that a beverage may be poured from the lower elarged end
thereof in an unobstructed manner because the panel 35 is attached
to the opposite end of the opening 0.
The tab 36 may be left in the substantially vertical position
illustrated in FIG. 8; however, for applications where container 20
contains a beverage and it is desired to drink directly through
opening 0 the tab 36 may be readily returned to its original
position flatly against the wall 21 and, if desired, held in
position by the fastening means 40 as shown in FIG. 9.
The tab 36 is shown in a substantially vertical position in FIG. 8
of the drawings; however, it will be appreciated that such tab may
be moved through an angle substantially greater than 90.degree., if
desired, to assure that the opening 0 is essentially as shown in
FIGS. 7, 9 and 10 and unobstructed by the panel 35 to enable smooth
free pouring or drinking therethrough.
The fastening means 40 will be described making particular
reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 9A of the drawings and such fastening
means comprises a member 51 which is defined as an integral part of
the wall 21 and member 51 is in the form of a cylindrical hollow
member having a wall thickness which is substantially the same
thickness as the top wall 21. The member 51 of this example has a
head portion 52 which has particular maximum planar area 53 within
its peripheral outline. The fastening means 40 also comprises a
cooperating aperture 54 provided in the tab 36 and the cooperating
circular aperture 54 has an area which is slightly smaller than the
above-mentioned area 53 thereby enabling the tab 36 to be urged
against the upper portion so that peripheral surface portions 55
thereof defining aperture 54 are wedged against the upper portion
of the member 51 to fasten the tab flatly aagainst the top wall
21.
The tab 36 also has a plurality of radial slits 56 provided therein
which adjoin or intersect the circular aperture 54 and each pair of
associated slits defines a yieldable resilient holding member 57
therebetween. As the tab 36 is pushed against member 51 the members
57 deflect slightly upwardly and the surface portions 55 engage the
outside cylindrical surface of member 51 thereby locking the tab 36
in position preventing its upward pivoting movement. The members 57
of this example also snap beneath head portion 52 of member 51;
however, in some applications where such head portion is not
employed the members 57 are fully effective in locking the tab 36
flatly in position.
As seen particularly in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the bight 31 of the
score line 30 has a maximum distance indicated at 59 thereacross
and it will be seen that the ends 33 of the extensions 32
comprising the score line 30 are spaced apart a distance which is
no greater than the maximum distance 59. In this example, the
approximately U-shaped score line 30 has a roughly teardrop shape
which has an enlarged portion defined by the bight 31 and adjoining
portions of the pair of extensions 32 and the ends 33 of the
extensions are spaced apart a distance which is substantially less
than the maximum distance 59.
To facilitate the severing of the panel 35 the score line 30
extends into the wall 21 a greater amount along the enlarged
portion of the teardrop shape mentioned above than along the
remaining portions thereof to thereby enable such panel to be
easily completely severed while remaining attached substantially
only at the wall portion 34. Stating this concept in another
manner, the score line 30 has the least amount of residual material
at the central arcuate portion 60 of its teardrop shape and more
residual material beneath the extensions 32. Preferably the
residual material beneath extensions 32 increases in thickness at
locations remote from the bight and in one application the residual
material beneath each extension 32 increases in thickness in
approximately direct proportion to the distance from the bight.
As best seen in FIG. 4, the tab 36 has a roughly semicircular slit
61 defining an attachment area 62 therewithin and the attachment
area 62 is attached to the wall 21 adjacent one of the pair of
extensions 32 employing the integral rivet 43. In particular, an
opening 63 (see FIG. 8) is provided in the attachment area 62 and
such opening surrounds the lower portion of the rivet 43 whereupon
the upper portion of such rivet is riveted thereover to define a
head in the conventional manner and thereby attach the tab 36 in
position. The tab 36 also has a pair of enlarged circular cutouts
64 adjoining the opposite ends of the semicircular slit 61 and the
cutouts 64 define the end points of an imaginary substantially
straight bend line for the tab upon lifting the rear portion 38
thereof in the manner previously described.
To assure that the panel 35 is moved within the container 20 in a
most efficient manner the panel has a plurality of arcuate
strengthening ribs 65 provided therein, see FIG. 5, for example,
and such ribs are arranged in approximately parallel relation and
extend across the narrow dimension of the elongated teardrop shaped
panel. The strengthening ribs 65 are defined as an integral part of
the wall 21 as raised projections each having a corresponding
depression in the inside surface of the panel and it will be
appreciated that the ribs extend roughly transverse the pair of
extensions 32 of the score line 20.
To improve the rigidity of the tab 36 and enable lifting thereof in
the manner illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8 without deflection thereof,
the tab 36 has a peripheral stiffening means 66 extending about the
major portion of its periphery and has part 67 which was previously
indicated at 47 in FIGS. 2 and 3 which is free of such stiffening
means and part 67 is in the form of a single thickness portion of
tab 36. The stiffening means 66 of this example is in the form of a
partial bead or an integral flange-like portion.
The tab 36 of this example has its forward portion 37 provided with
an arcuate configuration which is semicircular and which is
particularly adapted to engage the panel 35 at a location
immediately adjacent the extension 32 of the score line 30 which is
arranged remote from the rear portion 38 of the tab 36. The
terminal circular edge of the semicircular forward portion is
arranged substantially in aligned relation immediately above the
above-mentioned extension 32. This arrangement enables maximum
pressure to be exerted against the panel 35 adjacent the score line
and enables initial severing of the previously described
comparatively wide slit-like opening 48 in the manner illustrated
in FIG. 5 and merely by lifting upwardly on the rear portion
38.
Another exemplary embodiment of an easy-open wall of this invention
is illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings. The wall illustrated in
FIG. 11 is very similar to the top wall 21; therefore, such wall
will be designated generally by the reference numeral 21A and parts
of wall 21A which are similar to corresponding parts of the wall 21
will be designated by the same reference numeral as in the wall 21,
also followed by the letter designation A and not described again.
Only those component parts which are different from corresponding
parts of the wall 21 will be designated by a new reference numeral,
also followed by the letter designation A and described in
detail.
The wall 21A differs from the wall 21 primarily in the construction
of its tab 36A. In particular, instead of having a tab with a
forward portion which has a substantially semicircular
configuration, a forward portion 70A is provided which has a
substantially arrowhead-shaped or wedge-shaped configuration which
has an apex 71A and such apex is arranged in substantially vertical
alignment above the extension 32A of score line 30A which is
arranged remote from a rear portion 72A of the tab 36A. The top
wall 21A may be used substantially interchangeably with the wall 21
of the container 20 and it will be appreciated that the panel 35A
and tab 36A remain attached to the wall 21A in a similar manner as
previously described in connection with the panel and tab of wall
21.
In this example the tab 36A has its attaching means or rivet 43A
and fastening means, which includes member 51A, arranged on a
central reference axis which is arranged on a diametral line of the
basically circular wall 21A; however, it will be appreciated that
such reference axis for tab 36A and a similar axis for tab 36 may
be spaced from the center of its associated wall, if desired.
Another exemplary embodiment of a tab is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13
of the drawings and designated by the reference numeral 36M. With
minor modification of its associated wall, the tab 36M may be used
interchangeably with either the tab 36 or the tab 36A. The tab has
peripheral stiffening means 74M extending about the major portion
of its periphery and has a part 75M of its rear portion which is
free of stiffening means. The stiffening means in this example is
in a form of a roughly L-shaped flange 74M and the part 75M has an
extension 76M extending therefrom which enables easier grasping of
its rear portion 38M.
While present exemplary embodiments of this invention, and methods
of practicing the same, have been illustrated and described, it
will be recognized that this invention may be otherwise variously
embodied and practiced within the scope of the following
claims.
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