Non Detachable Pull Top Can

Abstract

A rimmed can has a top with scoring and folding lines on it. A band is beneath the scored section and is attached to a pull ring. A pair of extruded frictional clamps are on the pull ring so that when the top is pulled, the tab-shaped ruptured section is folded back along the fold line and the clamps engage the rim. Thus the tab is secured to the can.

Description

The present invention relates to pull top cans, and more particularly, to cans having non-detachable pull tops.

Present pull top cans have a top section that either completely separates from the remainder of the can after opening, or is merely bent back along a fold line, and therefore can easily work lose from the can. This results in increased litter, and in tab shaped sections that can be used as "slugs" in devices such as parking meters. Because of this, some states have banned detachable pull top cans.

One solution to these problems is to use a non-pull top can, but this requires an external can opener, such as a "church key."

It is therefore an object of the present invention to have a non-detachable pull top can.

It is another object to have a can where the ruptured tab section cannot be used as a coin substitute.

It is still another object to have a can that does not require an external opening device.

In brief, these and other objects are achieved by having a rimmed container with a gripable means for rupturing a top section, and means on said gripable means for engaging the rim and securing the ruptured tab to the container.

Other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a closed can.

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along the line 2 -- 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an open can.

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along the line 4 -- 4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a can 10, which can be made of aluminum, having a rim 12, and a top 14. A rupturable score 16 is on top 14 with a wider portion nearest the rim 12 for easy dispensing. A fold 18 is provided to enable the tabular ruptured section 19 to be folded back. A band 20, which also has a fold coinciding with fold 18, extends from and is secured to, one side of rim 12. At slightly more than one half of the radius of top 14, band 20 is to be joined to tab 19 by rivot 22. A pull ring 24 is secured to top 14 and band 20 by rivot 22. Extruded clamps 26, 28 are on pull ring 24, which also has a finger receiving hole 30.

In operation, the user inserts his finger into hole 30 and first pulls ring 24 away from the side of the can and then up. This causes score 16 to rupture and tab 19 and band 20 to move away from top 14 by pivoting along their fold 18. Then a simple wrist or finger action causes clamps 26 and 28 to frictionally engage rim 12 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 so as to prevent tab 19 from working lost from can 10, and also to keep tab 19 from getting in the way of the mouth of the user. It will be seen that at all times the tab 19 and band 20 are attached to can 10.

While the present invention has been described with respect to only one embodiment, many others are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of it.

Claims

Having herein described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A container comprising a sidewall having a rim, a top section extending across said sidewall and having a scoring and a fold, a gripable means secured to said top section for rupturing said top section along said scoring and for folding the resultant ruptured section along said fold towards said rim, and means mounted on said gripable means for frictionally engaging said rim said fold extending parallel to a tangent to said rim at the point of engagement said engaging means comprising a pair of extruded projections for clamping to both sides of said rim, said projections extending parallel to said rim when said ruptured section is fully folded towards said rim whereby said ruptured section can be folded back and secured to said rim without twisting while remaining attached to said container.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gripable means comprises a band secured at one end to said rim and at another end to said top.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gripable means comprises a pull ring.

4. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said scoring has a greater dimension near said rim than further away, whereby dispensing is easier.

5. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein all of said recited elements comprise aluminum.

6. A container as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a rivot means for securing said band to said top section.

7. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said band comprises a fold coinciding with said top section fold.

8. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sidewall is circular in cross-section and said band is slightly longer than the radius of said sidewall.