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US20020108954A1 - Pop-top can with easy-to-lift pull tab - Google Patents

Pop-top can with easy-to-lift pull tab Download PDF

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Publication number
US20020108954A1
US20020108954A1 US09/760,335 US76033501A US2002108954A1 US 20020108954 A1 US20020108954 A1 US 20020108954A1 US 76033501 A US76033501 A US 76033501A US 2002108954 A1 US2002108954 A1 US 2002108954A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tab
ramp
pop
easy
lift
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/760,335
Inventor
Frederick Cho
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US09/760,335 priority Critical patent/US20020108954A1/en
Publication of US20020108954A1 publication Critical patent/US20020108954A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
    • B65D17/28—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness
    • B65D17/401—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall
    • B65D17/4012—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall for opening partially by means of a tearing tab
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/001—Action for opening container
    • B65D2517/0014—Action for opening container pivot tab and push-down tear panel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/0058—Other details of container end panel
    • B65D2517/0059—General cross-sectional shape of container end panel
    • B65D2517/0061—U-shaped
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/0058—Other details of container end panel
    • B65D2517/0068—Ribs or projections in container end panel
    • B65D2517/0073—Ribs or projections in container end panel located under tab hand grip to facilitate initial lifting of the tab

Definitions

  • Pop-top cans are popular containers for beverages such as soft drink, beer, etc. To open such a can, one pulls up one end of a tab, that causes the other end to press down and “pop” the can open.
  • pop-top cans that are easy to open without tools.
  • the present invention provides such a can, the tab is pivoted to allow rotation about the can top, it is normally laid flat against the can top for safety in transportation and storage.
  • a ramp is provided to force the tab away from the can top. When the tab is pushed up the ramp, it becomes easy to slip in a finger to lift the tab and open the can without having to pry with one's fingernails.
  • FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a pop-top can with easy-to-lift pull tab which is one preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the can of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 shows a view of the ramp in the can of FIG. 1 across a cut along the arc AB
  • FIG. 4 shows a view of the ramp in the can of FIG. 1 across a cut along the line PQ
  • FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the can of FIG. 1 after the tab has been pushed up the ramp.
  • FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the can of FIG. 3.
  • One preferred embodiment of the invention provides a pop-top can with easy-to-lift tab.
  • the can has a can top with a score line and a tab having two ends. The first of such ends being the puncturing end, this end presses down to puncture the can when the tab is pulled. The second end is the lifting end. The can is opened by lifting and pulling the lifting end. The tab is pivoted to allow rotation.
  • the can also has a ramp on the can top. When the tab is pushed to a position over the ramp, the ramp forces the lifting end of the tab to a lifted position, away from the can top thereby making the tab easy to lift.
  • FIG. 1 shows the top 10 of a pop-top can 11 which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the can top 10 is presecured along a score line 12 along which the can opens.
  • Attached to the can top 10 by means of a pivot 13 is a tab 14 .
  • the tab 14 can be made to rotate around the pivot by pushing it with a thumb (or finger). However, the pivot 13 also provides sufficient friction to prevent unintentional rotation of the tab 14 .
  • the can top 10 has a ramp 15 .
  • the center portion 16 of the ramp 15 is raised by approximately 2.5 mm above the rest of the can top, and the elevation is gradually reduced to zero at the ends 17 and 18 .
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the gradual change of elevation along the ramp 15 by showing a sectional view of the can top across a cut along the arc AB (shown in FIG. 1).
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the can top across a cut along the line PQ (shown in FIG. 1), it illustrates the elevation of the ramp at its highest point near the center 16 .
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the straight line defined by the arrows marked “2” in FIG. 1.
  • the tab 14 is first turned clockwise approximately ninety degrees to a position shown in FIG. 5.
  • One end of the tab 14 is the puncturing end 19 ;
  • FIG. 5 shows this end 19 positioned over the area 20 defined by the score line 12 .
  • the other end of the tab 14 is the lifting end 21 ;
  • FIG. 5 shows this end 21 positioned over the ramp 15 .
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the can 11 taken along the line defined by the arrows marked “6” in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 6 shows the tab 14 in a lifted position.
  • the lifting end 21 of the tab 14 is raised above (and away from) the can top 10 thus providing ample room under the lifting end 21 for a user to insert a finger to lift the tab 14 .
  • the lifting end 21 should be raised as much as possible for easy opening of the can; however, there are practical limits to how high the lifting end can be lifted, for example, a ramp that is too high may cause the can top to be weakened; and if the ramp 15 is made too steep, then it would be difficult to push the tab 14 up the ramp.
  • the ramp should have an elevation of at least one and one half millimeter to be effective. Preferably the highest point of the ramp would have an elevation from two to five millimeters.
  • the can 11 is ready to be opened by pulling the tab 14 as one would open an ordinary pop-top can.
  • Pop-top cans with easy-to-lift tab are inexpensive to manufacture. It would most likely be constructed out of aluminum just like most ordinary pop-top cans, and the method of construction would also be very similar to that used for ordinary pop-top cans.
  • the ramp would be stamped onto the can top together with other details that need to be stamped on.
  • the present invention offers pop-top cans with a significant improvement on being easy to open.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers Opened By Tearing Frangible Portions (AREA)

Abstract

A pop-top can with easy-to-lift tab having a can top with a score line and a tab having two ends. The first of such ends being the puncturing end, this end presses down to puncture the can when the tab is pulled. The second end is the lifting end. The can is opened by lifting and pulling the lifting end. The tab is pivoted to allow rotation. The can also has a ramp on the can top. When the tab is pushed to a position over the ramp, the ramp forces the lifting end of the tab to a lifted position, away from the can top thereby making the tab easy to lift.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Pop-top cans are popular containers for beverages such as soft drink, beer, etc. To open such a can, one pulls up one end of a tab, that causes the other end to press down and “pop” the can open. [0001]
  • The tabs on pop-top cans are usually laid flat against the top of the can to minimize the chance of getting snagged. If the tab gets snagged and moved unintentionally (as it could happen during transportation) the can might develop a leak. But a tab that is flat against the can top is difficult to lift unless one has strong fingernails of exactly the right length. The problem is, most people do not have the right fingernails, some people have fingernails that are too short and others have fingernails that are too long. Some of the long fingernails are even highly decorated, or artistically curved to the extend that they are easily damaged while trying to open a pop-top can. [0002]
  • One could open a pop-top can with the help of tools such as can-openers, screw-drivers, knives, spoons, coins, and keys. But tools are not always available. It is therefore highly desirable to have pop-top cans that are easy to open without tools. The present invention provides such a can, the tab is pivoted to allow rotation about the can top, it is normally laid flat against the can top for safety in transportation and storage. A ramp is provided to force the tab away from the can top. When the tab is pushed up the ramp, it becomes easy to slip in a finger to lift the tab and open the can without having to pry with one's fingernails. [0003]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a pop-top can with easy-to-lift pull tab which is one preferred embodiment of the invention. [0004]
  • FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the can of FIG. 1. [0005]
  • FIG. 3 shows a view of the ramp in the can of FIG. 1 across a cut along the arc AB [0006]
  • FIG. 4 shows a view of the ramp in the can of FIG. 1 across a cut along the line PQ [0007]
  • FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the can of FIG. 1 after the tab has been pushed up the ramp. [0008]
  • FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the can of FIG. 3.[0009]
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • One preferred embodiment of the invention provides a pop-top can with easy-to-lift tab. The can has a can top with a score line and a tab having two ends. The first of such ends being the puncturing end, this end presses down to puncture the can when the tab is pulled. The second end is the lifting end. The can is opened by lifting and pulling the lifting end. The tab is pivoted to allow rotation. The can also has a ramp on the can top. When the tab is pushed to a position over the ramp, the ramp forces the lifting end of the tab to a lifted position, away from the can top thereby making the tab easy to lift. [0010]
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • FIG. 1 shows the top [0011] 10 of a pop-top can 11 which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The can top 10 is presecured along a score line 12 along which the can opens. Attached to the can top 10 by means of a pivot 13 is a tab 14. The tab 14 can be made to rotate around the pivot by pushing it with a thumb (or finger). However, the pivot 13 also provides sufficient friction to prevent unintentional rotation of the tab 14.
  • The can [0012] top 10 has a ramp 15. The center portion 16 of the ramp 15 is raised by approximately 2.5 mm above the rest of the can top, and the elevation is gradually reduced to zero at the ends 17 and 18. FIG. 3 illustrates the gradual change of elevation along the ramp 15 by showing a sectional view of the can top across a cut along the arc AB (shown in FIG. 1). FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the can top across a cut along the line PQ (shown in FIG. 1), it illustrates the elevation of the ramp at its highest point near the center 16. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the straight line defined by the arrows marked “2” in FIG. 1.
  • To open the [0013] can 11 of FIG. 1, the tab 14 is first turned clockwise approximately ninety degrees to a position shown in FIG. 5. One end of the tab 14 is the puncturing end 19; FIG. 5 shows this end 19 positioned over the area 20 defined by the score line 12. The other end of the tab 14 is the lifting end 21; FIG. 5 shows this end 21 positioned over the ramp 15.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the [0014] can 11 taken along the line defined by the arrows marked “6” in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 shows the tab 14 in a lifted position. The lifting end 21 of the tab 14 is raised above (and away from) the can top 10 thus providing ample room under the lifting end 21 for a user to insert a finger to lift the tab 14. Ideally, the lifting end 21 should be raised as much as possible for easy opening of the can; however, there are practical limits to how high the lifting end can be lifted, for example, a ramp that is too high may cause the can top to be weakened; and if the ramp 15 is made too steep, then it would be difficult to push the tab 14 up the ramp. The ramp should have an elevation of at least one and one half millimeter to be effective. Preferably the highest point of the ramp would have an elevation from two to five millimeters.
  • Once the lifting [0015] end 21 of the tab 14 has been lifted, the can 11 is ready to be opened by pulling the tab 14 as one would open an ordinary pop-top can.
  • Pop-top cans with easy-to-lift tab according to the present invention are inexpensive to manufacture. It would most likely be constructed out of aluminum just like most ordinary pop-top cans, and the method of construction would also be very similar to that used for ordinary pop-top cans. The addition features—the ramp and a different initial position of the tab—do not require additional steps in construction. The ramp would be stamped onto the can top together with other details that need to be stamped on. For hardly any increase in cost, the present invention offers pop-top cans with a significant improvement on being easy to open. [0016]
  • While there have been described above the principles of this invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention. [0017]

Claims (4)

I claim:
1. A pop-top can with easy-to-lift tab comprising
a can top with a score line;
a tab having two ends, the first of such ends being the puncturing end, this end presses down to puncture the can when the tab is pulled; the second end is the lifting end; the can is opened by lifting and pulling the lifting end;
said tab is pivoted to allow rotation;
a ramp on the can top to force the lifting end of the tab to a lifted position, away from the can top when the tab is pushed to a position over the ramp thereby making the tab easy to lift.
2. A pop-top can with easy-to-lift tab according to claim 1 wherein said ramp is located at an approximate position opposite to the score line on the can top.
3. A pop-top can with easy-to-lift tab according to claim 1 wherein the highest point of said ramp is elevated for at least one and one half millimeters from the surrounding areas on the top of the can.
4. A pop-top can with easy-to-lift tab according to claim 1 wherein the highest point of said ramp is elevated for at least two millimeters from the surrounding areas on the top of the can.
US09/760,335 2001-01-16 2001-01-16 Pop-top can with easy-to-lift pull tab Abandoned US20020108954A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/760,335 US20020108954A1 (en) 2001-01-16 2001-01-16 Pop-top can with easy-to-lift pull tab

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/760,335 US20020108954A1 (en) 2001-01-16 2001-01-16 Pop-top can with easy-to-lift pull tab

Publications (1)

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US20020108954A1 true US20020108954A1 (en) 2002-08-15

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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080149516A1 (en) * 2005-11-29 2008-06-26 Jennie Bruzzese Gift packages
WO2014149484A1 (en) 2013-03-15 2014-09-25 Ball Corporation Easy access opening tab for a container end closure
US10661952B2 (en) * 2018-08-06 2020-05-26 Snstech, Llc End closure with venting
US20200407109A1 (en) * 2019-06-28 2020-12-31 Florence M. Vinger Reclosable can ends
US11247810B2 (en) * 2016-05-24 2022-02-15 Ball Beverage Packaging Europe Limited Lid for an aluminum beverage can
US11447290B2 (en) * 2016-05-31 2022-09-20 Ball Beverage Packaging Europe Limited Lid for an aluminum beverage can

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080149516A1 (en) * 2005-11-29 2008-06-26 Jennie Bruzzese Gift packages
WO2014149484A1 (en) 2013-03-15 2014-09-25 Ball Corporation Easy access opening tab for a container end closure
US9033174B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-05-19 Ball Corporation Easy access opening tab for a container end closure
EP2969818A4 (en) * 2013-03-15 2016-11-30 Ball Corp Easy access opening tab for a container end closure
RU2630572C2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2017-09-11 Бол Корпорейшн Light-opening tongue for container end cover
US11247810B2 (en) * 2016-05-24 2022-02-15 Ball Beverage Packaging Europe Limited Lid for an aluminum beverage can
US11447290B2 (en) * 2016-05-31 2022-09-20 Ball Beverage Packaging Europe Limited Lid for an aluminum beverage can
US10661952B2 (en) * 2018-08-06 2020-05-26 Snstech, Llc End closure with venting
US20200407109A1 (en) * 2019-06-28 2020-12-31 Florence M. Vinger Reclosable can ends
US11661233B2 (en) * 2019-06-28 2023-05-30 Florence M Vinger Reclosable can ends

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STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

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