Non-detachable easy open flap and tab assembly

Abstract

A container end panel having a non-detachable flap portion partially severable from the panel to provide an opening. The flap portion is recessed below the remainder of the panel and is broken away by a fitment which fits into the recess. The fitment is adapted to be pushed inwardly and after rupturing the score between the panel and the flap functions to swing the flap inwardly about a hinge formed by an unscored portion of metal connecting the flap to the panel. The fitment is pressed into the opening and snaps within the opening and provides a guard shielding the users finger from the ragged metal at the tear edge about the opening. The invention is primarily directed to a formation of the inner edge of the ring to facilitate rupturing the score and thereafter swinging the panel inwardly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many attempts have been recently made to provide an ecologically acceptable container opener wherein the parts are not separable from the container. Recent interest is dominated by the push-in types in which the end panel of the container is partially scored and the resulting flap is adapted to be pressed into the container. One of the principal problems has been in either reducing the force required to rupture the score or in providing a leverage mechanism which is unobtrusive and will not interfere with drinking directly from the can. At the same time, the structure must be economically feasible. Furthermore, there is objection by users to pushing their fingers into the contents of the can.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a novel non-detachable push-in easy opening closure for the end panel of a can and which precludes the necessity for the user inserting his finger into the can.

A specific object is to provide such closure formed by partially severing a portion from the can end to leave the portion attached thereto by a hinge, the portion being engaged peripherally by a tubular opener which is adapted to be pushed inwardly by the user pressing thereagainst.

Another object is to provide an edge on the opener bearing against the closure portion with a plurality of lancing points arranged to initially concentrate the opening force in a limited area to minimize the rupturing force and then functioning to progressively rupture the score and to bend the closure portion into the can away from the opening.

Another object is to provide a novel opener of the type described in which the inner edge of the opener is provided with four equally spaced lance points, two of which are deeper then the intervening two and so arranged to assist in rupturing the score in strategic areas to minimize the push-in pressure required to open the can.

A further feature of the invention is to devise a novel easy opening closure which incorporates a punch type tubular opener which is provided with a cam cutting edge.

A further object is to provide a novel opener as defined which is tethered to the container.

The invention also comprehends the use of the tubular opener in close fitting association, with the edge of the opening and which has a multi-point cutting edge so that it serves a dual function, not only rupturing the score, but also as a means for swinging the closure flap into the container.

Another object is to provide a novel ring-type opener in which the lower edge of the ring is contoured to provide a plurality of lancing points and intervening cam areas for engagement with the flap therebeneath to swing it away from the opening in response to inward movement of the ring.

These and other objects and advantages inherent in and encompassed by the invention will become more readily apparent from the specifications and the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container taken from its top end incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top end view of the structure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on line 3--3 of FIG. 2 showing the closed position of the parts; FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the opener;

FIG. 5 is a view comparable to FIG. 3 showing the closure partially open, and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the parts in open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiment is herein shown in association with a metal can generally designated 2 comprising a body side wall 3, and end panel 4 having a chuck wall 5 joined to the body by a chime 6. The end panel 4 is formed in an area between the center and the chuck wall with an annular rim 8 which has a peripheral fruto-conical side wall 9 adjoining at its upper edge a preferably flat web 11 which is formed on its upper side with an antirupture V-score 12. The web 11 adjoins a downwardly coned inner wall 13' which at its base is formed with the crush score 14, said score 14 partially encircling an annular downwardly dished flap 13. The uncrushed area provides a hinge portion 15 which connects the flap with the end panel wherein the flap is torn away from the panel and pushed into the container as hereinafter described.

The flap 13 is opened by a tab 17 which has an anchor lug 18 at one end and a ring 20 at its other end. The Z-shaped anchor strap 18 is preferably fastened at its distal end portion 22 to a rivet 23 formed in the center of the end panel. The portion 22 is connected to one end of a diagonal upwardly sloping web portion 24 which is in turn connected to one end of a horizontal portion 25 the other end of which is integral with a peripheral edge of an annular horizontally disposed flange 26 of the ring portion of the tab. The flange 26 is slightly diametrically larger than the uppermost diameter of the depression or cavity 28 (FIG. 2) as defined by the inner web 13 of the rim and has a center opening 29 which is coaxial with a bore 30 of a cylindrical ring or tube 32 which is integral with the flange and depends therefrom and in normal position has its lower edge portion nested within the widest upper portion of the cacity 28 defined by the web 13 of the rim.

The ring 32 is spaced with its lower-edge slightly above the score 14 and is dimensioned to fit thereinto. The lower edge is scalloped and has four equally spaced lances or points comprising front and rear points 34, 35 and lateral points 36, 36. The ring is of equal depth at the hinge and at point 34 and the points 36, 36 are of slightly less depth. Point 34 is adapted upon pressure being applied to the upper end 38 of the tab at an area diametrically opposite to the hinge to rupture the score 14; further pressure causing the flap to be depressed whereupon the cam portions 39, 39 of the lower edge contact the upper edge 41 of the score and progressively tear the flap away from the panel until the points 36, 36 are reached whereupon points 36 pierce the score and further depression of the opener engages cam edges 40, 40 with the adjacent portions to the score depressing it until point 35 is reached. Point 35 does not break through since the hinge area has no score but merely bends the hinge down. The ring is pushed in until the bottom edge 44 of the upper flange rests upon the upper edge 45 of the top web 11 of the rim 8. As the ring portion is being moved inwardly, the anchor strap 18 is bent or deformed, but not broken. As best seen in FIG. 3 the tubular portion fits tightly in the pour opening 42 and the portion 32 of the opener serves as a pour spout.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In an easy opening container having an end panel with a score defining a flap adapted to be torn away from the panel to provide an opening, said flap being offset from the panel in a recess formed therein,

an opener comprising a tubular element adapted to fit into the recess and superposed with respect to said flap and in axial alignment therewith and having a plurality of spaced diametrically opposed lance points in alignment with said score for rupturing the score in areas thereadjacent, an anchor strap on the element in radial alignment with one of said lance points and including means for hingedly connecting said element to said panel, said one lance point serving as a fulcrum for said element upon application of digital force against said element over another point diametrically opposed to said one point, said another point being aligned with said one point and said anchor strap so that upon application of said force said strap will be loaded in tension and said one point in compression thereby effecting a canting action of the element, both of said points being of equal depth.

2. The invention according to claim 1 and said points being uniformly spaced from each other, and said one and another of said points constituting a pair of points and being of greater depth than the other points and said pair of points being located diametrically opposite each other.

3. The invention according to claim 1 and said score being interrupted and said panel thereat providing a hinge section connecting the flap to the panel, and said one of said points overlying the unscored hinge section and another of said points being diametrically spaced therefrom and overlying said score, said unscored hinge section resisting puncture by said one point and causing said element to cant while progressively rupturing the score toward the hinge section.

4. The invention according to claim 3 and said one and other point being of greater depth than the intervening points whereby upon said opener being pushed against the score said score is first broken at a point diametrically opposite to said hinge section and is caused to progress therefrom to said hinge section attendant to the score being sequentially ruptured by said intervening points.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said tubular element is dimensioned to fit tightly with said opening.

6. The invention according to claim 5 and cam areas on said tubular element located between the intervening points and said one and other points.

7. The invention according to claim 6 and said cam areas being concave in cross-section.

8. The invention according to claim 7 and said tubular element being essentially cylindrical and said intervening points comprising a pair located diametrically opposite each other.