CA1045063A - Rivet panel (bellow) for easy-o end rivet structure - Google Patents
Rivet panel (bellow) for easy-o end rivet structureInfo
- Publication number
- CA1045063A CA1045063A CA233,656A CA233656A CA1045063A CA 1045063 A CA1045063 A CA 1045063A CA 233656 A CA233656 A CA 233656A CA 1045063 A CA1045063 A CA 1045063A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pull tab
- end panel
- tab
- mounting arrangement
- score line
- 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.)
- Expired
Links
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
- B65D17/4011—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 completely by means of a tearing tab
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved pull tab mounting arrangement provides an movable fulcrum to facilitate opening a self-opening can.
An expandable pleat is formed in the end panel at the base of the tab-attaching rivet and the tab is mounted with its nose portion in spaced relation above and radially inward of the opening score line. As the finger ring portion of the tab is lifted, the pleat unfolds, allowing both the rivet and the tab to travel upwardly and outwardly to bring the tab nose into contact with the score line. This displacement moves the fulcrum point of the tab toward the nose portion and away from the finger ring portion, thereby providing increased leverage and reducing the effort required to fracture the score line. In addition, the stress placed on the tab and the end panel during opening is reduced, thereby permitting the use of thinner gauge metal for these members. Further, spacing of the nose portion and the score line reduces the probability that mishandling of the container will result in an unintentional fracture of the score.
An improved pull tab mounting arrangement provides an movable fulcrum to facilitate opening a self-opening can.
An expandable pleat is formed in the end panel at the base of the tab-attaching rivet and the tab is mounted with its nose portion in spaced relation above and radially inward of the opening score line. As the finger ring portion of the tab is lifted, the pleat unfolds, allowing both the rivet and the tab to travel upwardly and outwardly to bring the tab nose into contact with the score line. This displacement moves the fulcrum point of the tab toward the nose portion and away from the finger ring portion, thereby providing increased leverage and reducing the effort required to fracture the score line. In addition, the stress placed on the tab and the end panel during opening is reduced, thereby permitting the use of thinner gauge metal for these members. Further, spacing of the nose portion and the score line reduces the probability that mishandling of the container will result in an unintentional fracture of the score.
Description
~045~)63 This invention relates to a container having a portion of its wall weakened to serve as a tear strip and having a tab attached to the tear strip to serve as a lever for initiating the severing operation.
In general, the invention is directed to two problems which have come to the fore with widespread acceptance of this type of container. One problem is to make it easier to lift the tab to initiate severance of the tear strip. The second problem is to prevent the unintentional fracturing of the opening score line which may occur as the result of mishandling of the container.
It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an improved pull tab mounting arrangement which will facilitate the opening of a self-opening container. This is accomplished by increasing the leverage afforded by the pull tab. More specifically, the tab is mounted such that lifting of the tab causes the fulcrum point to be displaced toward the nose portion and away from the finger ring portion, thereby providing the user an increase in mechanical advantage.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved pull tab mounting arrangement which will reduce the probability that mishandling of the container will result in unintentional fracturing of the opening score line. This is accomplished by mounting the tab such that its nose portion is maintained in spaced relation with the score line, thereby preventing minor displacements of the tab from resulting in a score line fracture.
It is another object of this invention to provide 5~6~
an improved pull tab mounting arrangement which will permit the use of thinner gauge metal in the fabrication of the pull tab and end panel. This is accomplished by mounting the pull tab so as to reduce the stress placed on these memhers during opening. Specifically, the stress on the end panel in the region immediately adjacent to the rivet is reduced by the use of an expandable bellow which allows controlled distortion of the metal in this area.
According to the present invention, there is pro-vided an improved pull tab mounting arrangement for a self-opening end closure for a can or similar container. The end closure comprises an end panel, attachment means formed in said end panel, a pull tab attached by said attachment means to said end panel, and a score line formed in said ~
end panel and defining an opening flap therein. The improve- ~;
ment comprises unfoldable means for shiftably mounting said attachment means in said end panel for relieving stresses on said pull tab and said end panel during lifting move-ments of said tab for opening of said container.
In drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an end closure with the improved tab mounting arrangement, illustrating the unopened condition.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 1, illustrating the partially opened condition.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional end closure.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3, illustrating distortion due to opening stresses.
In keeping with the present invention, there is provided an easy-open end closure comprising a m0tal end ... . . . .
~ 04SC~63 panel 1, a rivet 2 integrally formed in said end panel and a metal pull tab 3 fixedly attached to said end panel 1 by said rivet 2. A score line 4 is formed in the end panel 1 and defines an opening flap 5 therein.
In the standard easy-open closure (Figure 3), which lacks a pleat 6, opening is accomplished by vertically displacing the tab 3, thereby pivoting said tab 3 about said rivet 1 and imposing a downward force on the tab nose portion 3a, said force resulting in the breaking of said end panel 1 along said score line 4 beneath said nose portion 3a.
Continued upward displacement of said tab 3 results in controlled tearing of said end panel 1 along said score line 4, the opening flap 5 defined by said score 4 being bent down and away from said end panel 1, thereby establishing an opening in said end panel 1.
The fulcrum point 7 of the conventional easy-open closure is located on the interface between the tab 3 and the rivet head 2a at the point furthest between the tab 3 and the 3a. As the tab finger ring portion 3b is lifted, an upward force is impressed on the rivet 2 and the end panel 1 in the area immediately adjacent to the fulcrum point 7. This stressing of the end panel 1 and the rivet 2 necessitates the use of a thickness of metal with sufficient strength and rigidity to resist deformation or tearing during opening of the container. Further, this configuration minimizes the length of the lever arm and maximizes the length of the load arm and, consequently, places the maximum stress on the tab 3.
This necessitates the use of a thickness of metal for the tab 3 which will resist bending during opening of the container. The inefficient lever arrangement also results '~
., ~04S~3 in the requirement o~ considerable ef-fort to lift the tab 3 su~ficiently far to effect fracture of the score line 4. ~ -In the improved tab mounting arrangement of the present invention (Figure 1) an expandable pleat 6 is formed in the end panel 1 concentric with and immediately adjacent to the rivet 2. The pleat 6 comprises two substantially .
parallel, concentric sidewalls 6a depending from the end panel 1 and a connecting U-shaped bight portion 6b. The tab nose portion 3a is held in spaced relation above and radially inward of the score line 4, rather than in close contact with - ;
the score line as in the standard end closure. -As the finger ring portion 3b is lifted, the pleat 6 unfolds everting outwardly with the unfolded sidewalls 6a projecting above the plane of the end panel 1 and causing -displacement of the fulcrum point 7 radially outwardly upwardly toward the score line 4 (Figure 2), thereby bringing the nose portion 3a into close contact with the score line 4. After the pleat 6 has unfolded, the end closure is opened ;
in the conventional manner as described hereinabove. How- ;
ever, the fulcrum displacement has resulted in an increase in the length of the load arm which in turn results in a decrease in the stress loading on the tab 3 during opening of the container. Further, the effort required to open the container has been reduced.
The expansion of the pleat 6 also serves to relieve the stresses on the rivet 2 and the end panel 1 by allowing controlled distortion thereof. These stress reductions allow the fabrication of the tab 3 and the end panel 1 from a thinner gauge metal.
, "
104S~)63 The improved pull tab mounting arrangement also serves to reduce the probability that mishandling of the container will result in an unintentional fracture of the score line 4. In the conventional pull tab mounting arrangement (Figure 3), the nose portion 3a rests in close contact with the score line 4, such that an accidental impact against the nose portion 3a may well result in an unintended fracture of the score 4. In the improved pull tab mounting (Figure 1), the nose portion 3a is held in spaced relation above and radially inward of the score line 4, such that an accidental impact against the nose portion 3a will result in the nose portion 3a being forced ~.
downward into contact with the end panel 1, leaving the score 4 unaffected. Further, such an accidental displacement of the tab 3 will not interfere with the subsequent opening of the container.
-5- ~.
In general, the invention is directed to two problems which have come to the fore with widespread acceptance of this type of container. One problem is to make it easier to lift the tab to initiate severance of the tear strip. The second problem is to prevent the unintentional fracturing of the opening score line which may occur as the result of mishandling of the container.
It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an improved pull tab mounting arrangement which will facilitate the opening of a self-opening container. This is accomplished by increasing the leverage afforded by the pull tab. More specifically, the tab is mounted such that lifting of the tab causes the fulcrum point to be displaced toward the nose portion and away from the finger ring portion, thereby providing the user an increase in mechanical advantage.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved pull tab mounting arrangement which will reduce the probability that mishandling of the container will result in unintentional fracturing of the opening score line. This is accomplished by mounting the tab such that its nose portion is maintained in spaced relation with the score line, thereby preventing minor displacements of the tab from resulting in a score line fracture.
It is another object of this invention to provide 5~6~
an improved pull tab mounting arrangement which will permit the use of thinner gauge metal in the fabrication of the pull tab and end panel. This is accomplished by mounting the pull tab so as to reduce the stress placed on these memhers during opening. Specifically, the stress on the end panel in the region immediately adjacent to the rivet is reduced by the use of an expandable bellow which allows controlled distortion of the metal in this area.
According to the present invention, there is pro-vided an improved pull tab mounting arrangement for a self-opening end closure for a can or similar container. The end closure comprises an end panel, attachment means formed in said end panel, a pull tab attached by said attachment means to said end panel, and a score line formed in said ~
end panel and defining an opening flap therein. The improve- ~;
ment comprises unfoldable means for shiftably mounting said attachment means in said end panel for relieving stresses on said pull tab and said end panel during lifting move-ments of said tab for opening of said container.
In drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an end closure with the improved tab mounting arrangement, illustrating the unopened condition.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 1, illustrating the partially opened condition.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional end closure.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3, illustrating distortion due to opening stresses.
In keeping with the present invention, there is provided an easy-open end closure comprising a m0tal end ... . . . .
~ 04SC~63 panel 1, a rivet 2 integrally formed in said end panel and a metal pull tab 3 fixedly attached to said end panel 1 by said rivet 2. A score line 4 is formed in the end panel 1 and defines an opening flap 5 therein.
In the standard easy-open closure (Figure 3), which lacks a pleat 6, opening is accomplished by vertically displacing the tab 3, thereby pivoting said tab 3 about said rivet 1 and imposing a downward force on the tab nose portion 3a, said force resulting in the breaking of said end panel 1 along said score line 4 beneath said nose portion 3a.
Continued upward displacement of said tab 3 results in controlled tearing of said end panel 1 along said score line 4, the opening flap 5 defined by said score 4 being bent down and away from said end panel 1, thereby establishing an opening in said end panel 1.
The fulcrum point 7 of the conventional easy-open closure is located on the interface between the tab 3 and the rivet head 2a at the point furthest between the tab 3 and the 3a. As the tab finger ring portion 3b is lifted, an upward force is impressed on the rivet 2 and the end panel 1 in the area immediately adjacent to the fulcrum point 7. This stressing of the end panel 1 and the rivet 2 necessitates the use of a thickness of metal with sufficient strength and rigidity to resist deformation or tearing during opening of the container. Further, this configuration minimizes the length of the lever arm and maximizes the length of the load arm and, consequently, places the maximum stress on the tab 3.
This necessitates the use of a thickness of metal for the tab 3 which will resist bending during opening of the container. The inefficient lever arrangement also results '~
., ~04S~3 in the requirement o~ considerable ef-fort to lift the tab 3 su~ficiently far to effect fracture of the score line 4. ~ -In the improved tab mounting arrangement of the present invention (Figure 1) an expandable pleat 6 is formed in the end panel 1 concentric with and immediately adjacent to the rivet 2. The pleat 6 comprises two substantially .
parallel, concentric sidewalls 6a depending from the end panel 1 and a connecting U-shaped bight portion 6b. The tab nose portion 3a is held in spaced relation above and radially inward of the score line 4, rather than in close contact with - ;
the score line as in the standard end closure. -As the finger ring portion 3b is lifted, the pleat 6 unfolds everting outwardly with the unfolded sidewalls 6a projecting above the plane of the end panel 1 and causing -displacement of the fulcrum point 7 radially outwardly upwardly toward the score line 4 (Figure 2), thereby bringing the nose portion 3a into close contact with the score line 4. After the pleat 6 has unfolded, the end closure is opened ;
in the conventional manner as described hereinabove. How- ;
ever, the fulcrum displacement has resulted in an increase in the length of the load arm which in turn results in a decrease in the stress loading on the tab 3 during opening of the container. Further, the effort required to open the container has been reduced.
The expansion of the pleat 6 also serves to relieve the stresses on the rivet 2 and the end panel 1 by allowing controlled distortion thereof. These stress reductions allow the fabrication of the tab 3 and the end panel 1 from a thinner gauge metal.
, "
104S~)63 The improved pull tab mounting arrangement also serves to reduce the probability that mishandling of the container will result in an unintentional fracture of the score line 4. In the conventional pull tab mounting arrangement (Figure 3), the nose portion 3a rests in close contact with the score line 4, such that an accidental impact against the nose portion 3a may well result in an unintended fracture of the score 4. In the improved pull tab mounting (Figure 1), the nose portion 3a is held in spaced relation above and radially inward of the score line 4, such that an accidental impact against the nose portion 3a will result in the nose portion 3a being forced ~.
downward into contact with the end panel 1, leaving the score 4 unaffected. Further, such an accidental displacement of the tab 3 will not interfere with the subsequent opening of the container.
-5- ~.
Claims (11)
1. An improved pull tab mounting arrangement for a self-opening end closure for a can or similar container, said end closure comprising an end panel, attachment means formed in said end panel, a pull tab attached by said attachment means to said end panel, and a score line formed in said end panel and defining an opening flap therein, the improvement comprising unfoldable means comprising a pleat closely surrounding said attachment means for shiftably mounting said attachment means in said end panel for relieving stresses on said pull tab and said end panel during lifting movements of said tab for opening of said container.
2. The improved pull tab mounting arrangement as described in claim 1, wherein said unfoldable mounting means unfolds upon commencement of said opening of said container, thereby displacing the fulcrum point of said pull tab for enhancing the leverage thereof.
3. The improved pull tab mounting arrangement as described in claim 2, wherein said fulcrum displacing means comprises an expandable pleat formed in said attachment means.
4. The improved pull tab mounting arrangement as described in claim 3, wherein said attachment means comprises a tiltable rivet structure.
5. The improved pull tab mounting arrangement as described in claim 2, wherein said stress relieving means comprises expansion means formed in said attachment means.
6. The improved pull tab mounting arrangement as described in claim 5, wherein said expansion means expands upon stressing thereby relieving stress loading of said end panel and said tab.
7. The improved pull tab mounting arrangement as described in claim 4, wherein said expansion means comprises a single U-shaped pleat formed in said end panel.
8. The improved pull tab mounting arrangement as described in claim 7, wherein said pleat is concentric with and immediately adjacent to said rivet.
9. The improved pull tab mounting arrangement as described in claim 8, wherein said pull tab has a nose portion for fracturing said score line and said nose portion in pre-opening position is held in spaced relation above and radially inward of said score line.
10. The improved pull tab mounting arrangement as described in claim 9, wherein said pleat comprises two con-centric circular sidewalls depending from said end panel and a substantially U-shaped bight portion connecting said sidewalls, such that folding of that portion of said pleat nearest said score line effects simultaneous unfolding of that portion of said pleat most remote from said score line, consequent to opening said container, results in displacing said pull tab relative to said end panel.
11. The improved pull tab mounting arrangement as described in claim 10, wherein said unfolded portion of said pleat everts such that at least one sidewall of said portion projects outwardly of the plane of said end panel and said displacement of said tab brings said nose portion into contact with said score line.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US548321A US3915334A (en) | 1975-02-10 | 1975-02-10 | Rivet panel (bellow) for easy-o end unit rivet structure |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1045063A true CA1045063A (en) | 1978-12-26 |
Family
ID=24188336
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA233,656A Expired CA1045063A (en) | 1975-02-10 | 1975-08-18 | Rivet panel (bellow) for easy-o end rivet structure |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3915334A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1045063A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2555759C2 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1541872A (en) |
| HK (1) | HK19080A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1062437B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007056844A1 (en) * | 2005-11-15 | 2007-05-24 | Sparktab Inc. | Container end closure with pull tab |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5873541A (en) * | 1981-10-19 | 1983-05-02 | 東洋製罐株式会社 | Easily unsealed heat seal cover |
| JPS60157616U (en) * | 1984-03-29 | 1985-10-21 | 東洋製罐株式会社 | Easy-to-open lid |
| DK173974B1 (en) * | 1996-09-26 | 2002-03-18 | Glud & Marstrand As | Box with lid, which is fitted with a lifting ring |
| EP2166086A3 (en) * | 2005-12-01 | 2010-10-20 | CropDesign N.V. | Plants having improved growth characteristics and methods for making the same |
| EP2160332B1 (en) * | 2007-06-22 | 2015-11-04 | Stolle Machinery Company, LLC | Can end and method of making same |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3480175A (en) * | 1967-03-17 | 1969-11-25 | Continental Can Co | Single pull ring tab |
| US3432068A (en) * | 1967-03-28 | 1969-03-11 | Ermal C Fraze | Easy open can end |
| US4182460A (en) * | 1967-07-27 | 1980-01-08 | Continental Can Company, Inc. | Lever action tab system for easy opening ends |
| CH467700A (en) * | 1968-01-22 | 1969-01-31 | Alusuisse | Tear-off device for container lid |
| US3441171A (en) * | 1968-03-11 | 1969-04-29 | Continental Can Co | Easy-opening container panel structure |
| FR2074598A1 (en) * | 1970-01-08 | 1971-10-08 | Cebal Gp | |
| BE757233A (en) * | 1970-04-07 | 1971-03-16 | Reichert Werner | PLUG FOR CONTAINER LID WITH OPENING DEVICE |
-
1975
- 1975-02-10 US US548321A patent/US3915334A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1975-08-18 CA CA233,656A patent/CA1045063A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-12-11 DE DE2555759A patent/DE2555759C2/en not_active Expired
-
1976
- 1976-02-10 GB GB765088A patent/GB1541872A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-02-10 IT IT20026/76A patent/IT1062437B/en active
-
1980
- 1980-04-10 HK HK190/80A patent/HK19080A/en unknown
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007056844A1 (en) * | 2005-11-15 | 2007-05-24 | Sparktab Inc. | Container end closure with pull tab |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US3915334A (en) | 1975-10-28 |
| HK19080A (en) | 1980-04-18 |
| GB1541872A (en) | 1979-03-14 |
| IT1062437B (en) | 1984-10-10 |
| DE2555759A1 (en) | 1976-08-19 |
| DE2555759C2 (en) | 1983-11-10 |
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