U.S. patent number RE30,349 [Application Number 05/010,660] was granted by the patent office on 1980-07-29 for easy-opening container wall with coreline vent.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ermal C. Fraze. Invention is credited to Francis M. Silver.
United States Patent |
RE30,349 |
Silver |
July 29, 1980 |
Easy-opening container wall with coreline vent
Abstract
This disclosure describes an easy-opening container wall having
a wall segment at least partially removable therefrom. A tab is
secured to the container wall for initiating severance of the wall
segment from the container wall. A rupturable scoreline is formed
in the container wall adjacent the tab and rupturable in response
to movement of the tab to initiate severance of the wall segment
from the container wall.
Inventors: |
Silver; Francis M. (Dayton,
OH) |
Assignee: |
Fraze; Ermal C. (Dayton,
OH)
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Family
ID: |
21746786 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/010,660 |
Filed: |
January 2, 1970 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
632630 |
Apr 21, 1967 |
03404801 |
Oct 8, 1968 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/271 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
17/4011 (20180101); B65D 2205/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D 041/32 () |
Field of
Search: |
;220/265-273,276
;222/541 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hall; George T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Smyth, Pavitt, Siegemund, Jones
& Martella
Claims
I claim:
1. In an easy-opening container wall, the combination of:
a scoreline in the container wall defining a rupturable web in the
container wall, said rupturable web defining a wall segment at
least partially removable from the container wall;
a tab for initiating removal of said wall segment, said tab having
a .Iadd.longitudinally .Iaddend.handle portion and a rupturing
portion;
interconnecting means for attaching said tab intermediate said
portions thereof to the container wall with the rupturing portion
lying closely adjacent said rupturable web and being engageable
with said wall segment whereby movement of said handle portion of
said .Iadd.longitudinally .Iaddend.tab away from the container wall
forces said rupturing portion toward the container wall .Iadd.while
said tab remains longitudinally rigid.Iaddend.; .[.and.].
rupturable scoreline means in the container wall adjacent said
interconnecting means rupturable in response to movement of the
handle portion of the tab away from the container wall .Iadd.while
said tab remains longitudinally rigid .Iaddend.to form an aperture
in the container wall to facilitate continued movement of said
handle portion away from the container wall .Iadd.while said tab
remains longitudinally rigid .Iaddend.whereby such continued
movement of the handle portion causes said rupturing portion to
initiate severance of said wall segment from the container wall
along said rupturable web.[...]..Iadd.; and
said longitudinally rigid tab remaining longitudinally rigid during
rupture of both said scoreline and said rupturable scoreline means
and during movement of the handle portion away from the container
wall whereby the rupturing portion of said rigid tab bears
downwardly on said container wall while lifting on said
interconnecting means as said handle portion of said rigid tab is
moved away from said container wall. .Iaddend.
2. A tab as defined in claim 1 wherein said interconnecting means
is positioned between said rupturable web and at least a portion of
said rupturable scoreline means prior to said movement of said
handle portion of said tab away from the container wall.
3. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said rupturable
scoreline means terminates in end portions and barrier dimple means
are provided adjacent said end portions of said rupturable
scoreline means to resist tearing of the material of the container
wall beyond said rupturable scoreline means.
4. In an easy-opening container wall, the combination of:
a scoreline in the container wall defining a rupturable web in the
container wall, said rupturable web defining a wall segment at
least partially removable from the container wall;
a longitudinally rigid tab for initiating removal of the wall
segment from the container wall, said tab having a lifting portion
and a rupturing portion;
interconnecting means for attaching said tab intermediate said
portions thereof to said wall segment with the rupturing portion
lying closely adjacent said rupturable web whereby movement of said
lifting portion of said tab away from the container wall forces
said rupturing portion toward the container wall; and
a line of weakness in said wall segment, said line of weakness
having end portions spaced from said first rupturable web, said
interconnecting means lying between at least a portion of said line
of weakness and said rupturable web whereby movement of said handle
portion of said tab away from the container wall stresses and
ruptures the container wall along said line of weakness to provide
an aperture in said wall segment to facilitate continued movement
of said handle portion of said tab, such continued movement of the
handle portion causing said rupturing portion to initiate severance
of said wall segment from the container wall along said rupturable
web.
5. A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said line of
weakness is generally trough-shaped and opens toward said rupturing
portion of said tab.
6. A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said end portions of
said line of weakness are turned away from said rupturing portion
of said tab. .[.7. A combination as defined in claim 4 including a
barrier dimple in the wall segment closely adjacent one of said end
portions of the line of weakness with said barrier dimple being
crimped over toward said one end
portion..]. 8. A combination as defined in claim 4 including an
elongated barrier dimple with the longitudinal axis of said barrier
dimple lying closely adjacent and being generally transverse to one
of said end
portions of said line of weakness. 9. In an easy-opening container
wall of sheet metal, the combination of:
a scoreline in the container wall defining a panel at least
partially removable therefrom;
a line of weakness adjacent one end of the panel and partially
enclosing a region of the panel, said line of weakness terminating
short of said scoreline;
a .Iadd.longitudinally rigid .Iaddend.tab having a lifting end and
a rupturing end; and
a hollow rivet integral with said region of the panel and partially
surrounded by said line of weakness, said rivet lying intermediate
said line of weakness and said scoreline, said rivet attaching said
tab to the panel intermediate said ends thereof with the rupturing
end of the tab closely adjacent said one end of the panel whereby
movement of said handle end of said tab away from the container
wall .Iadd.causes the rupturing end of said tab to bear downwardly
against said container wall while said tab remains longitudinally
rigid and .Iaddend.lifts said region of the panel .Iadd.by the
rupturing end bearing downwardly as the lifting end of said
longitudinally rigid tab is lifted thus raising said longitudinally
rigid tab intermediate the ends thereof .Iaddend.to cause said tab
to rupture said line of weakness as a rear opening tab to form an
opening in the panel and causes said rupturing portion to push said
one end of said panel downwardly to initiate removal of the panel
from the container wall
in front opening fashion. 10. In a method of limiting tearing of
sheet material beyond an end of a rupturable scoreline formed in
the sheet material, the steps of:
forming a barrier dimple in the sheet material closely adjacent the
end of the rupturable scoreline; and
crimping said dimple toward said end of said rupturable scoreline
to substantially prevent tearing of the sheet material beyond said
end of the
rupturable scoreline. 11. A method as defined in claim 10 wherein
said barrier dimple is elongated with the longitudinal axis thereof
being generally transverse to a portion of the rupturable scoreline
adjacent
said end of the rupturable scoreline. 12. A method as defined in
claim 10 wherein the sheet material defines an easy-opening sheet
metal can end having a hollow rivet integral therewith and the
rupturable scoreline is
formed at least partially around said hollow rivet. 13. In an
easy-opening container wall of sheet material, the combination
of:
a scoreline defining a rupturable web in the container wall, said
rupturable web defining a wall segment at least partially removable
from the container wall;
a longitudinally rigid tab for initiating removal of the wall
segment from the container wall, said tab having a handle
portion;
interconnecting means for attaching said tab to the container wall
closely adjacent said rupturable web in position to rupture the
container wall along the scoreline in response to moving of the
handle portion away from the container wall; and
a line of weakness in the container wall, said interconnecting
means lying between at least a portion of said line of weakness and
said scoreline, said container wall being rupturable along the line
of weakness in response to movement of the handle portion away from
the container wall to form an aperture in the container whereby
continued movement of the handle portion away from the container
wall is facilitated and causes rupture of the container wall along
said scoreline. .Iadd. 14. An end closure for a container, said end
closure having a removable area defined by a score line adjacent to
the periphery thereof, a rivet formed in said removable area, a
longitudinally rigid pull tab secured intermediate the ends thereof
to said removable area by said rivet and an ancillary score in said
removable area, said ancillary score having a central portion
adjacent to one side of said rivet, the ends of said ancillary
score extending towards said peripheral score so that said
longitudinally rigid pull tab may be manipulated by lifting one end
thereof to cause the other end to bear downwardly on the end
closure while the portion of the rigid tab intermediate the ends of
said rigid tab lifts on said rivet to rupture said ancillary score
and stress the metal between said scores to initiate rupture of
said peripheral score. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 15. The end closure defined
in claim 14 wherein said central portion of said ancillary score
encircles said rivet for a portion of the circumference of said
rivet. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. The end closure defined in claim 14
wherein said ends of said ancillary score are separated from said
peripheral score by an inclined wall which slopes outwardly from
said ancillary score. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. A container component,
said component having a primary score defining a removable section
in said component, a longitudinally rigid opening tab, means
connecting said opening tab to said removable section, and an
ancillary score in said removable section adjacent said connecting
means whereby when one end of said longitudinally rigid opening tab
is pulled upwardly the other end of said tab adjacent said primary
score and forward of said connecting means bears downwardly to lift
upon said connecting means through the action of said rigid tab and
to stress said connecting means relative to said removable section,
said ancillary score will rupture to permit said connecting means
to move out of the plane of said removable section to facilitate
the application of rupturing pressure against said primary score.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 18. A container end closure, said end closure
having a primary peripheral score defining a removable section, a
longitudinally rigid opening tab, a rivet connecting said opening
tab to said removable section, said longitudinally rigid tab
including means on one side of said rivet for applying pressure to
said removable section immediately inwardly of said primary score
to initiate rupture of said primary score, handle means on said
opening tab disposed on the opposite side of said rivet, and an
ancillary score disposed closely adjacent said rivet on said
opposite side thereof, said ancillary score being rupturable
through the action of said longitudinally rigid tab when said
handle means is lifted to cause said means on one side of said
rivet to bear down on said end closure forward of said rivet as
said handle end of said tab is lifted to stress said rivet relative
to said removable section, whereby said rivet is enabled to move
out of the plane of said removable section to permit said pressure
applying means to be moved by further manipulation of said handle
means to effect initial rupture of said primary score.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 19. Container easy-open structure comprising a
container wall, an outer scoreline of diminished material thickness
located on the container wall defining a removable portion of such
wall, an inner scoreline of diminished material thickness located
within the removable portion of the container wall, the scorelines
defining a tear segment in the container wall located between the
scorelines, a longitudinally rigid opening member including a
forward end and an intermediate portion, and securing means for
securing the opening member through said intermediate portion to
the tear segment, the opening member including a handle end in
spaced relationship from the securing means, the inner scoreline
having a starter section at the tear segment adjacent the securing
means at a position to be ruptured with movement of the handle end
of the opening member in a direction away from the container wall,
the outer scoreline having a starter section at the tear segment
adjacent the securing means at a position to be ruptured with
movement of the handle end of the opening member in a direction
away from the container wall, the rupture of one of the starter
sections being by Class 1 lever action of said longitudinally rigid
opening member and the rupture of the other starter section being
by Class 2 lever action of said longitudinally rigid opening
member, the starter sections of the scorelines being located on
opposite sides of the securing means so that the securing means is
completely within the tear segment. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 20. The
structure of claim 19 in which the tear segment extends between the
scorelines around a peripheral segment of the removable portion of
the wall. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. The structure of claim 19 in which
the starter section of the inner scoreline adjacent the securing
means includes a pointed configuration. .Iaddend..Iadd. 22. The
structure of claim 21 in which the pointed configuration of the
inner scoreline starter section projects in a direction away from
the securing means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. The structure of claim 19
in which the tear segment has opposite ends and a midsection, and
the opening member is secured to the midsection of the tear strip.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 24. Container easy-open structure comprising a
container wall, an outer scoreline of diminished material thickness
defining a removable portion of the container wall, an inner
scoreline of diminished material thickness located within the
removable portion of the container wall, the scorelines defining a
tear segment extending between the scorelines around a peripheral
segment of the removable portion of the wall, a longitudinally
rigid opening member, and securing means for securing the opening
member to the tear segment, the opening member having a handle end
non-bendable during use and a remaining end non-bendable during use
located on opposite sides of the securing means, the inner
scoreline having a starter section located in close proximity to
the securing means at a position to be ruptured by Class 2 lever
action with movement of the handle end of the longitudinally rigid
opening member in a direction away from the wall, the outer
scoreline having a starter section, the starter sections of the
inner and outer scorelines being located on opposite sides of the
securing means, the remaining end of the opening member including
rupturing means for rupturing by Class 1 lever action the starter
section of the outer scoreline with movement of the non-bendable
handle end of the longitudinally rigid opening member in a
direction away from the wall. .Iaddend..Iadd. 25. The structure of
claim 24 in which the tear segment has opposite ends and a
midsection and the opening member is secured to the midsection of
the tear segment. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 26. The structure of claim 24 in
which the removable portion of the wall includes profiling means
for increasing the strength of the removable portions.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 27. The structure of claim 24 in which the
rupturing means at the remaining end of the opening member is
aligned with and contiguous the starter section of the outer
scoreline. .Iaddend..Iadd. 28. The structure of claim 27 in which
the scorelines are formed on an exterior surface of the container
wall. .Iaddend..Iadd. 29. The structure of claim 24 in which at
least a major portion of the starter section of the inner scoreline
underlies the opening member, with the starter section of the inner
scoreline being positioned to be ruptured upon movement of the
handle end of the opening member away from the container wall and
the starter section of the outer scoreline being positioned to be
ruptured subsequent to rupture of the inner scoreline.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 30. The structure of claim 29 in which the starter
sections of the scorelines are positioned to be ruptured in rapid
sequence. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 31. The structure of claim 29 in which
the starter section of the inner scoreline includes a pointed
configuration underlying the opening member and projecting in a
direction away from the securing means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 32. The
structure of claim 24 in which the removable portion of the
container wall constitutes a major portion of a wall of the
container. .Iaddend..Iadd. 33. The structure of claim 32 in which
the container wall is an end wall. .Iaddend..Iadd. 34. The
structure of claim 24 including restraining means for restraining
rotational movement of the opening member about the securing walls
in a direction generally parallel to the container wall.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 35. The structure of claim 24 in which movement of
the rupturing means is in a direction toward the container wall
with movement of the handle end of the opening member in a
direction away from the wall. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 36. The structure of
claim 24 in which the securing means comprises a unitary rivet, the
rivet being formed from material of the container wall.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 37. The structure of claim 24 in which the
container wall comprises sheet metal. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 38. In an
assembly including a panel having a removable portion, and a pull
tab secured to said panel and restricted substantially against
hinging relative to an adjacent portion of said panel; the
improvement residing in a line of weakening formed in said panel
removable portion immediately adjacent the connection between said
pull tab and said panel for effecting the initial rupture of said
panel upon the application of a panel rupturing force to said pull
tab and the formation of hinge means in said panel with said hinge
means including said connection and facilitating the hinging of
said pull tab for effecting the further and separate rupture of
said panel remote from said connection and the removal of said
panel portion, and said pull tab being a longitudinally member
which is not non-bendable during an opening sequence.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 39. The assembly of claim 38 wherein said removable
panel portion is defined by a second line of weakening formed
separate and apart from the first-mentioned line of weakening.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 40. The assembly of claim 38 wherein said line of
weakening underlies said pull tab and additionally functions to
form a vent opening upon the initial rupture of said panel.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 41. The assembly of claim 38 wherein said line of
weakening is generally U-shaped. .Iaddend..Iadd. 42. The assembly
of claim 38 wherein said line of weakening is generally U-shaped
and opens toward said connection. .Iaddend..Iadd. 43. The assembly
of claim 38 wherein said line of weakening is generally U-shaped
and has diverging end portions for preventing the accidental
separate tearing out of said hinge means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 44. In a
container end including an end panel defined by an upstanding chuck
wall, a weakening line formed in said end panel and defining a
removable panel portion, said weakening line including a starting
portion disposed closedly adjacent said chuck wall, a pull tab
having a nose for engaging said panel along said weakening line
starting portion for effecting the rupture of said panel in the
removal of said panel portion, and securing means securing said
pull tab to said panel; the improvement comprising said securing
means rigidly securing said pull tab to said panel portion and
including hinge forming means in said removable panel portion for
facilitating the hinging of said pull tab relative to said end
panel to rupture said end panel along said weakening line starting
portion, and said pull tab being a longitudinally rigid lever which
is non-bendable during an opening sequence. .Iaddend..Iadd. 45. The
container end of claim 44 wherein said hinge forming means includes
a generally U-shaped weakening line opening towards said weakening
line starting portion. .Iaddend..Iadd. 46. The container end of
claim 44 wherein said hinge forming means includes a generally
U-shaped weakening line opening towards said weakening line
starting portion and having terminal ends directed away from said
weakening line starting portion for preventing the accidental
tearing out of a narrow portion only of said removable panel
portion between said weakening lines. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 47. The
container end of claim 44 wherein said line of weakening includes a
generally U-shaped central portion and diverging adjacent portions.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 48. The assembly of claim 38 wherein said removable
panel portion is defined by a second line of weakening formed
separate and apart from the first-mentioned line of weakening, and
said lines of weakening define an intermediate strap-like hinge
strip. .Iaddend..Iadd. 49. The assembly of claim 48 wherein said
pull tab is secured only to said hinge strip. .Iaddend..Iadd. 50. A
container end including an end panel, a continuous primary
weakening line in said end panel defining a removable panel
portion, a secondary weakening line in said removable panel portion
separate and apart from said primary weakening line, a nose
positioned adjacent said primary weakening line for effecting
rupture of said primary weakening line, and a pull tab secured to
said removable panel portion adjacent to said secondary weakening
line and in alignment with said nose, and said nose and said pull
tab forming a longitudinally rigid lever in which the nose is
non-bendable relative to the pull tab for first stressing said
removable panel portion to effect rupture thereof along said
secondary weakening line and then effecting the movement of said
nose to stress said end panel along said primary weakening line to
rupture said end panel therealong. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 51. The
container end of claim 50 wherein said pull tab is permanently
connected to said nose. .Iaddend..Iadd. 52. The container end of
claim 50 wherein said nose is displaced from the connection between
said pull tab and said removable panel portion. .Iaddend..Iadd. 53.
The container end of claim 50 wherein said nose is a part of said
pull tab. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 54. In a container, the combination
of:
a container wall of sheet material;
a first line of weakness in said container wall defining a tear
strip manually removable therefrom;
a second line of weakness in said container wall adjacent said
first line of weakness and defining a hinge, said hinge being
spaced from said first line of weakness by a portion of said tear
strip;
a longitudinally rigid lever type tab lying at least partially
within the area of said tear strip, said tab having a handle end
and a force applying end which is non-bendable in use relative to
said handle end with the force applying end lying at a preselected
location closely adjacent said first line of weakness; and
means integral with said tear strip for securing said tab to said
tear strip, movement of said handle end of said tab urging said
force applying end firmly against said container wall to cause
hinged movement of said portion of said container wall about said
hinge to initiate severance of the tear strip along said first line
of weakness. .Iaddend..Iadd. 55. A combination as defined in claim
55 wherein said hinge lies within said tear strip and said tab
extends across said hinge. .Iaddend..Iadd. 56. A combination as
defined in claim 55 wherein said tear strip extends over a major
portion of said container wall. .Iaddend..Iadd. 57. A combination
as defined in claim 55 wherein said hinge lies intermediate said
last mentioned means and said first line of weakness and said
preselected location is on said tear strip. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An easy-opening container wall of the full panel pull-out type has
a panel removable from the container wall and a tab secured to the
panel to effect the removal thereof. Often, the removable panel
covers a very large portion of the container wall. This type of
easy-opening container wall usually employs a front opening tab,
i.e., a tab of the type in which the forward end or nose engages
the container wall adjacent an edge of the removable panel to
initiate severance of the panel from the container wall.
More particularly, easy-opening container walls of this type
typically include a rupturable scoreline in the container wall
defining the removable panel, a tab having a handle portion and a
rupturing portion, and a rivet integral with the panel for securing
the tab to the removable panel. The rupturing portion of the tab is
at the forward or nose end of the tab and lies closely adjacent the
rupturable scoreline.
In operation of this device, the handle portion of the tab is moved
away from the removable panel to force the rupturing portion of the
tab against the rupturable scoreline or against the removable panel
closely adjacent the scoreline. As the tab is secured to the
removable panel by the rivet, such upward movement of the handle
portion thereof tends to flex the removable panel adjacent the
rivet. As the upward movement of the handle portion continues, it
eventually becomes necessary for a section or paddle of the panel
to bend about a bend line to allow for full upward movement of the
handle portion of the tab. With a longitudinally rigid tab the bend
line forms intermediate the rivet and the center of the container
wall. A problem arises in this connection in that it is relatively
hard to bend such a large section of the panel about the bend line.
Furthermore, large paddles are generally undesirable in that they
disturb the product within the container.
In an attempt to make easy-opening container walls of this type
more easily opened, it has been suggested to form a lance in the
tab. The tab is then riveted to the container wall through the
lanced portion thereof. This lancing of the tab provides the tab
with a built-in bend line and reduces paddle size; however, it does
not obviate the need for forming a bend line fully across the
section of the removable panel. Furthermore, the lancing of the tab
further complicates the tab construction and makes the tab subject
to failure from tearing and otherwise.
It is often necessary or desirable to form a vent opening in an
easy-opening container wall before the initial severance of the
panel from the container wall. Such vents may be desirable where
the product within the container is under pressure or vacuum and it
is desirable to release or admit pressure prior to beginning
removal of the panel.
Heretofore, such vent openings have been formed only with rear
opening tabs, i.e., those tabs that are secured to a tear strip
intermediate the ends of the tab and such intermediate portion of
the tab lifts the leading edge of the tear strip to initiate
severance thereof. One such device includes a complicated hinged
tab arrangement secured to a tear strip in a container wall by a
first rivet. The tab is further secured to the container wall by a
vent rivet which is spaced from the first rivet and lies outside of
the tear strip. When the tab is manipulated to open the container,
the vent rivet is removed by a shearing action before the tab is
operative to remove the tear strip from the container wall. This
arrangement is fraught with disadvantages among which are the
complexity of the tab, the need for a second rivet, and the
additional force required to remove the vent rivet by a shearing
action. Furthermore, this prior art device would not be suited for
use with a front opening tab.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an easy-opening container wall
having a vent opening therein which is particularly adapted for use
with a front opening tab and can conveniently be used in full panel
pullouts. Furthermore, the present invention facilitates initial
severance of the removable panel from the container wall and more
particularly, the vent opening itself makes initial severance of
the panel from the container wall easier. The invention eliminates
the need for lancing of the tab and, therefore, simplifies tab
construction and eliminates the danger of tab failure that is ever
present with lanced tabs.
The concepts of the present invention are particularly applicable
to an easy-opening container wall of the type having a rupturable
scoreline defining a wall segment or panel in the container wall at
least partially removable therefrom and a tab having a handle
portion and a rupture portion. The tab is secured to the wall
segment intermediate the handle portion and rupturing portion by a
rivet or other suitable interconnecting means.
With an easy-opening container wall of the type described above,
the present invention teaches providing a rupturable vent scoreline
in the wall segment closely adjacent the rivet, with the rivet
lying between the rupturing portion of the tab and a least a
portion of the rupturable vent scoreline. This vent scoreline
accomplishes two very important functions. First, when the handle
portion of the tab is moved away from the wall segment, the portion
of the wall segment immediately surrounding the rivet is flexed
upwardly to rupture the vent scoreline. This provides a relatively
small vent opening or aperture in the wall segment through which
gases within the container may escape. The vent opening is formed
prior to the time that the rupturing portion of the tab ruptures
the rupturable scoreline to initiate severance of the wall segment
from the container wall.
A second very important function of the vent scoreline is to
facilitate continued movement of the handle portion of the tab away
from the wall segment to initiate severance of he wall segment.
Rupturing o the vent scoreline renders the adjacent portion of the
panel more flexible so that the panel generally offers considerably
less resistance to upward movement of the tab. In addition, as the
handle portion of the tab is raised further, a bend line in the
form of two bend line segments forms in the wall segment. The bend
line segments extend generally laterally from the ends of the vent
scoreline, respectively, toward the rupturable scoreline. Thus,
with the present invention, the rupturable vent scoreline
effectively shortens the length of the bend line that must be
formed in the wall segment as no bend line is formed intermediate
the ends of the vent scoreline. This further facilitates upward
movement of the tab. Finally, the location of the fulcrum about
which the tab pivots can be moved closer to the rupturing portion
of the tab by appropriately shaping the vent scoreline to increase
the mechanical advantage and further facilitate ease of
opening.
An important feature of the present invention is that the tab can
be entirely longitudinally rigid and there is no need for lancing
of the tab. With the present invention, the longitudinally rigid
tab acts first as a rear opening tab to rupture the vent scoreline
and secondly as a front opening tab to initiate severance of the
panel from the container wall. During the second phase of tab
movement, the vent scoreline is operative to cause the bend line
segments in the container wall to function as an easily operable
hinge to facilitate continued swinging action of the tab.
Accordingly, it may be desirable to embody the present invention in
an easy-opening container wall merely to facilitate manipulation of
the tab even though there is no need for equalizing inside and
outside of the container.
Various shapes of vent scoreline may be used. For example, a
generally trough-shaped scoreline which may be either generally
U-shaped or V-shaped can be very satisfactorily used. In this
instance, the trough preferably opens toward the rupturing portion
of the tab.
Use of the rupturable vent scoreline introduces the possibility
that once the metal of the wall segment begins tearing along the
vent scoreline, it will continue tearing beyond the ends of the
vent scoreline. To obviate this potential problem, it is preferred
to utilize barrier dimples closely adjacent the end portions of the
vent scoreline. Preferably, such barrier dimples are elongated and
the longitudinal axis of such dimples lies generally perpendicular
to the adjacent length of the vent scoreline.
One feature of the present invention is to positively preclude
tearing of the metal of the wall segment beyond the end of the vent
scoreline by utilizing an elongated barrier dimple which is crimped
toward an end portion of the vent scoreline. The crimp in the
barrier dimple makes is virtually impossible for the metal thereof
to be torn during any reasonable usage of the container wall. The
elongation of the barrier dimples makes it very difficult or
impossible for the metal of the wall segment to tear laterally
around the dimple.
Another feature of the present invention is to turn or curve the
end portions of the vent scoreline away from the rupturing portion
of the tab. This reduces the tendency of the metal of the wall
segment to continue tearing beyond the end portions of the vent
scoreline.
The present invention also teaches varying the shape and length of
the vent scoreline to control the location of the bend line in the
removable panel. Further, by appropriately locating the barrier
dimples, the barrier dimples will not lie along the bend line and
therefore will not offer any resistance to bending about the bend
line.
The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further features and advantages thereof, may best be
understood by reference to the following description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an easy-opening container wall
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line
2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the easy-open container wall of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line
4--4 of FIG. 3 and illustrating one of the barrier dimples.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line
5--5 of FIG. 3 and illustrating the barrier dimple.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2
after the tab has been raised slightly to rupture the vent
scoreline.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 6
showing how continued manipulation of the tab effects removal of
the wall segment from the container wall.
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a container wall embodying a second
form of vent scoreline.
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a container wall embodying a third
form of vent scoreline.
FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a container wall embodying a
fourth form of vent scoreline.
FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of a container wall embodying a fifth
form of vent scoreline.
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 4
illustrating a modified form of barrier dimple.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof,
reference numeral 11 designates an easy-opening container wall or
can end constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention. The container wall 11 is formed of sheet metal and has a
circular rupturable scoreline 13 therein which defines a wall
segment or removable panel 15. The panel 15 is removable from the
container wall 11 by tearing of a rupturable web 17 (FIG. 2) which
is defined by the rupturable scoreline 13. The panel 15 can be
removed from the container wall 11 by a front opening tab 19 having
a handle portion 21 and a rupturing portion 23. The tab 19 is
attached to the panel 15 by a hollow rivet 25 formed integrally
with the panel 15. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rivet 25 lies
intermediate the handle portion 21 and the rupturing portion 23 and
the rupturing portion 23 lies along or closely adjacent the
scoreline 13.
With reference to FIG. 2, the can end 11 has a peripheral flange 27
for attaching the container wall 11 to a container 28 (FIGS. 6 and
7). The panel 15 is formed with an inwardly dished section 29
beneath the handle portion 21.
The tab 19 is a longitudinally rigid member which is stiffened by
an outer bead 31 extending a substantial distance around the
periphery of the tab and an inner bead 33 which defines a finger
opening or ring 35. The tab also has a lower wall 37 having an
aperture 39 therein. The lower wall 37 is integrally connected to
the remaining portion of the tab 19 by an upwardly extending
sloping wall 41. As shown in FIG. 2, the rivet 25 projects through
the aperture 39 to clamp the tab 19 firmly against the panel 15.
The tab 19 forms a longitudinally rigid lever and has no lance in
the lower wall 37 thereof. The rupturing portion 23 of the tab is
in the form of a depending flange and preferably lies above the
rupturable web 17 as shown in FIG. 2.
With reference to FIG. 3, a rupturable vent scoreline 43 of a
shallow V configuration is formed in the panel 15. The vent
scoreline 43 opens toward the rupturing portion 23 of the tab 19
and partially surrounds the rivet 25, with the rivet 25 lying
intermediate the rupturing portion of the tab and the vent
scoreline. The rivet 25 lies at least partially within a region of
the panel 15 which is partially enclosed by the vent scoreline 43.
The vent scoreline 43 is scored downwardly to leave a residual vent
web 45 (FIG. 4) of only approximately .003 inch. Typically, the
vent web 45 will be at least slightly thinner than the rupturable
web 17. The vent scoreline 43 illustrated in FIG. 3 is symmetrical
about a radially extending line drawn through the center of the
container wall 11 and through the apex of the V-shaped
scoreline.
The vent scoreline has two end portions 47 and 49. Elongated
identical barrier dimples 51 and 53 are formed closely adjacent the
end portions 47 and 49, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the
longitudinal axis of each of the barrier dimples 51 and 53 is
generally perpendicular to the adjacent leg of the V-shaped vent
scoreline 43.
The details of the barrier dimple 51 can best be seen by reference
to FIGS. 4 and 5. The barrier dimples 51 and 53 are preferably
formed downwardly so as not to interfere with the tab 19 which lies
thereover. The dimples 51 and 53 should be elongated so as to make
it difficult for the metal of the can end 11 to tear around the
dimple. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the dimple 51 is
longer (FIG. 5) than it is wide (FIG. 4) and is located very
closely adjacent the outer end portion 47 of the vent scoreline
43.
The operation of the present invention can best be understood by
reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The user first grasps the handle
portion 21 of the tab 19 and lifts it upwardly away from the panel
15. Such upward movement of the handle portion 21 flexes the panel
15 adjacent the rivet 25 and applies an upward force through the
lower wall 37 to the edge of the rivet 25 adjacent the handle
portion 21. Simultaneously, the rupturing portion 23 of the tab 19
is urged downwardly toward the web 17 surrounding the panel 15. As
such upward movement of the handle portion 21 continues, the panel
15 will deflect somewhat and when sufficient force is applied to
the vent scoreline 43, the vent web 45 will rupture to form a vent
opening or aperture 55 (FIG. 6). The vent opening 55 which is
formed before the web 17 ruptures, allows for the escape of gases
within the container and makes the panel 15 adjacent the rivet 25
more flexible to facilitate continued upward movement of the handle
portion 21.
To allow for further upward movement of the handle portion 21, it
is necessary that the panel 15 bend to allow a panel section 57
(FIGS. 3 and 7) to bend inwardly into the interior of the
container. It has been found that the panel section 57 tends to
bend about aligned bend line segments 59 and 61 (FIG. 3) and that
the tab pivots about such bend line segments. As shown in FIG. 3,
the bend line segments 59 and 61 extend generally laterally from
the end portions 47 and 49, respectively, of the vent scoreline 43.
Thus, the location of the end portions 47 and 49 generally control
the location of the bend line segments 59 and 61 and the leverage
obtainable from a tab of given length. In the embodiment
illustrated, the bend line segments 59 and 61 may extend around or
through the barrier dimples 51 and 53. The bend line segments 59
and 61 combined form a bend line about which the panel section 57
pivots inwardly as shown in FIG. 7. It will be appreciated that
without the vent scoreline 43 and the rupturing thereof, the bend
line formed in the panel 15 would necessarily have to extend
completely across such panel intermediate the rivet 27 and the
handle portion 21. However, because of the rupture of the vent
scoreline 43, it is only necessary to bend the metal along the two
relatively short bend line segments 59 and 61. This materially
facilitates continued upward movement of the handle portion 21.
The rupturing portion 23 of the tab 19 forcibly engages and
ruptures the web 17 to form an opening 63 (FIG. 7) in the can end
11. As a result of the pivoting of the tab 19 and the panel section
57 about the bend line segments 59 and 61, the web 17 will rupture
along its length generally between the ends of the bend line
segments 59 and 61. To effect enlargement of the opening 63, it is
necessary for the user to exert an upward and outward pull along
the tab 19 as shown in phantom in FIG. 7. This will cause further
rupture of the web 17 and ultimately complete removal of the panel
15 from the container 28.
The barrier dimples 51 and 53 prevent tearing of the metal of the
panel 15 during raising of the tab 19. If the dimples 51 and 53
were not provided, the metal of the panel 15 would tend to tear
beyond the end portions 47 and 49 of the vent scoreline 43. Such
tearing might occur, for example, generally along tear lines 64
(FIG. 3).
FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the device. The
embodiment of FIG. 8 is identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7
except the shape of the vent scoreline and the position of the
barrier dimples have been changed. Thus, FIG. 8 shows a container
wall 65 having a rupturable scoreline 67 defining a removable panel
69. A tab 71 having a handle portion 73 and a rupturing portion 75
is secured to the panel 69 by a rivet 77. In all of the respects
mentioned above, the structure of FIG. 8 is identical to the
structure of FIGS. 1-7.
A generally V-shaped vent scoreline 79 is formed in the panel 69.
The vent scoreline 79 extends generally toward the rupturing
portion 75 of the tab 71 and terminates in end portions 81 and 83.
If a straight line were drawn between the end portions 81 and 83,
it would lie intermediate the rivet 77 and the rupturing portion
75. Bend line segments 85 and 86 which are generally aligned extend
laterally outwardly of the end portions 81 and 83,
respectively.
Elongated barrier dimples 87 and 89 are formed closely adjacent the
end portions 81 and 83, respectively, of the vent scoreline 79. The
longitudinal axis of the elongated barrier dimples 87 and 89 are
generally transverse to the end portions 81 and 83 but are not
perpendicular thereto. The longitudinal axes of the barrier dimples
87 and 89 are generally parallel to the bend line segments 85 and
86.
The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 is the same as the
operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. It should be noted,
however, that end portions 81 and 83 of the vent scoreline 79
terminate closer to the rupturable scoreline 67 than do the end
portions 47 and 49 of the vent scoreline 43. Thus, in the
embodiment of FIG. 8 the bend line segments 85 and 86 are shorter
than the corresponding bend line segments in the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-7 and greater leverage is obtainable with the tab 71.
Furthermore, the dimples are oriented so as not to lie along the
bend line segments 85 and 86 and, therefore, the dimples cannot
interfere with the formation of the bend line segments.
Accordingly, the embodiment of FIG. 8 will be somewhat easier to
open than the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7.
FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the invention. The embodiment of
FIG. 9 is very similar to the embodiments described above except
that the former teaches the use of a vent scoreline 101 having end
portions 103 and 105 which curve away from the associated barrier
dimples 107 and 109. The curving of the end portions 103 and 105
tends to further reduce the likelihood of tearing of the metal of
the can end.
More specifically, FIG. 9 shows a container wall 111 having a
rupturable scoreline 113 defining a removable panel or wall segment
115. A tab 17 is secured to the wall segment 115 by a rivet 119.
The vent scoreline 101 is formed in the panel 115 and opens toward
a rupturing portion 121 of the tab 117.
The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 9 is the same as the
operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. The elongated barrier
dimples 107 and 109 are located as described above in connection
with the embodiment of FIG. 8 so as to lie on one side of bend line
segments 123 and 124. The primary advantage of the embodiment of
FIG. 9 is that the turning or curving of the end portions 103 and
105 away from the rupturing portion 121 of the tab 117 further
reduces the tendency of the metal of the panel 115 to tear. This is
so because the curved end portions 103 and 105 inherently offer
more resistance to tearing of the sheet metal than does the
straight line end portions shown in FIGS. 1 and 8.
FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. More
particularly, FIG. 10 shows an alternate shape of vent scoreline
and an alternate manner of turning of the end portions of the vent
scoreline away from the rupturing portion of the tab.
FIG. 10 shows a container wall 125 having a circular rupturable
scoreline 127 defining a removable panel 129. A tab 131 having a
handle portion 132 and a rupturing portion 133 is secured to the
panel 129 by a rivet 135.
A vent scoreline 137 is formed in the panel 129. The vent scoreline
has an intermediate section 139 in the form of a straight line
which lies closely adjacent the rivet 135 intermediate the rivet
and the handle portion 132 of the tab 131. The vent scoreline 137
has end portions 141 and 143 which are turned away from the
rupturing portion 133 of the tab 131. Barrier dimples 145 and 147
are formed closely adjacent the end portions 141 and 143,
respectively, with the longitudinal axes of the barrier dimples
being generally perpendicular to the adjacent end portion. The
barrier dimples 145 and 147 prevent tearing of the metal of the
panel 129 beyond the end portions 141 and 143.
In the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 10, bend line segments
149 and 151 will form in the can end as shown in FIG. 10 upon
raising of the handle portion 132 of the tab 131. Generally, the
bend line segments 149 and 151 and the intermediate section 139
will form a generally straight line. A vent opening will be formed
by the rupture of the vent scoreline 137 and the panel 129 is
removed as described above.
FIG. 11 shows another form of vent scoreline. FIG. 11 illustrates a
container wall or can end 153 having a circular rupturable
scoreline 155 therein defining a circular removable panel 157. A
tab 159 is secured to the panel 157 by a rivet 161 and is oriented
with respect to the container wall 153 in the same manner as
described above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. A
vent scoreline 163 is formed part way around the rivet 161 as
shown. The vent scoreline 163 is shaped similarly to the vent
scoreline 101 shown in FIG. 9. The vent scoreline 163 has a curved
portion 165 adjacent the rivet and tangent portions 167 extending
outwardly therefrom toward the periphery of the panel 157. Each of
the tangent portions 167 terminates in a curved end portion 169
which redirects the vent scoreline 163 back toward the central
region of the panel 157. This substantially reduces the tendency of
the panel 157 to continue tearing beyond the end portions of the
vent scoreline upon rupture of the vent scoreline by the tab
159.
Manipulation of the tab 159 causes the panel 157 to bend about
bendline segments 171 and 173 to define a paddle 175. The bendline
segments 171 and 173 are generally aligned and extend generally
tangent to the curved end portions 169. The tangent portions 167
should extend toward the periphery of the panel 157 a sufficient
distance so that the paddle 157 will not be unduly large and yet be
sufficiently large to provide from the rupture of a sufficiently
long arcuate segment of the scoreline 155 in response to pivotal
movement of the tab 159. The radius of the curved end portions 169
should be sufficiently large to avoid tearing of the panel 157
beyond the vent scoreline 163 upon manipulation of the tab 159 to
initiate severance of the panel 157. No barrier dimples are
provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 although barrier
dimples would be utilized, if desired.
Another feature of the present invention is to form an improved
barrier dimple. Such improved barrier dimple is useful in
preventing tearing of the sheet metal beyond the ends of a
scoreline in sheet material.
More particularly, with reference to FIG. 12, reference numeral 177
designates a section of sheet metal. A rupturable scoreline 179
defines a rupturable web 181 in the sheet metal. The rupturable web
181 has an end portion 183 beyond which it is desired to prevent
tearing of the sheet metal. To prevent such tearing, an elongated
barrier dimple 185 is formed integrally in the sheet metal. The
section through the barrier dimple 185 shown in FIG. 12 is taken
generally transverse the longitudinal axis of the barrier dimple
185. The barrier dimple 185 is crimped over toward the end portion
183. Thus, a tip 187 of the barrier dimple 185 engages an
undersurface 191 of the section of sheet metal 177. It has been
found that this crimping of the barrier dimple toward the end
portion of the rupturable web 181 substantially increases the
ability of the barrier dimple to resist tearing of the sheet metal
beyond the end portion 183.
It will be apparent that the barrier dimple 185 has utility in
various areas of the sheet metal art where it is desired to prevent
tearing of the sheet metal. One such use is described above in
connection with the various embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-11.
The barrier dimple can be formed easily by merely forming a barrier
dimple of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 with a cooperating punch
and die set (not shown) and then crimping of the metal laterally
with any convenient tooling, such as a punch having a sloping
working surface.
Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described, it will be apparent that one having ordinary skill in
the art could make numerous modifications, substitutions and
changes without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
* * * * *