EP3856651B1

EP3856651B1 - Opening mechanism for food and/or drink containers

Info

Publication number: EP3856651B1
Application number: EP19790802.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Previato
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-26
Filing date: 2019-09-25
Publication date: 2023-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-25
Also published as: EP3856651C0; EP3856651A1; WO2020065555A1

Description

The present invention relates to an opening mechanism for food and/or drink containers, comprising an upper wall wherein an opening portion is defined by a weakening line and is connected to a pull tab for the pull-up opening of the container, the separation of the opening portion from the upper wall along the weakening line connecting the interior of the container with the outside through a hole corresponding to the separate opening portion.
The present invention is applied to containers for liquid or semi-solid food and drink of any type, such as beverage cans, sauce or preserved food canisters, or the like. The following disclosure, although aims at beverage cans, is therefore not intended to be limited only to this type of container.
Currently known cans provide an opening mechanism as described at the beginning. To open the can, a user raises the pull tab to pull-up separate the opening portion from the remaining upper wall part. In the most commonly used form of can, the tab is pivoted movable on the upper wall at a fulcrum point, so that when a user pulls the tab with his/her finger, this is raised in the gripping end and, rotating around the fulcrum point, at the same time it is lowered to the opposite end by connecting with and exerting pressure on the opening portion. The pressure causes the separation of the opening portion due to breakage along the weakening line and the penetration of the opening portion inside the can, bent on one side at an angle of about 90° with respect to the plane defined by the upper wall. The opening portion once bent inside the can is immersed in the liquid contained in the can. The presence of pollutants on the external surface of the opening surface thus contaminates the contents of the can.
There are two steps of the finger movement to open the cans with the current mechanism.
In the first step, the user hooks the pull tab initially parallel to the upper wall with his/her finger and pulls it until the automatic disappearance of the penetrating opening portion is complete, that is until the tab is in a substantially perpendicular position to the upper wall. In this position, the tab prevents the user from comfortably drinking directly from the can or from easily pouring the content into a glass. In addition, the liquid during the leaking process undergoes risks to contaminate itself with the tab and any pollutants present therein.
In the second step, the user presses on the tab in the direction opposite to the previous one to bring it back close to its original horizontal position, preventing the tab from obstructing the leakage of the liquid from the can.
Therefore, the currently known cans have the disadvantage of not being able to guarantee that the liquid is drunk or poured without being contaminated by external pollutants. On the contrary, any possible pollutants present on the external surface of the opening portion or on the tab, will come into contact with the liquid during the opening of the can or the pouring of the liquid.
Document GB 2 331 284 A describes a container including within it an auxiliary sealing device with a sealing member for sealing an opening after removal of a non-resealable closure device. The auxiliary sealing device has retaining means operable from outside the container after the non-resealable closure device has been opened, in order to retain the auxiliary sealing device in its sealing position. The container may be a drinks can, and the non-resealable closure device may be a ring pull with finger ring. The auxiliary sealing device is spring biased to automatically seal the can once the non-resealable ring pull has been removed. It is a leaf spring attached to a support that fully extends beneath the opening, on which is mounted an annular synthetic foam sealing member that seals the auxiliary sealing device to the top of the can, once opened. The retaining means is a stud, on the upper face of the auxiliary sealing device, slidable between two positions to allow the can user access to the contents of the can, or retain the auxiliary seal in its sealing position.
The present invention aims at overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks in relation to currently known cans with a metal container as described at the beginning, wherein the pull tab is further connected to the opening portion by one or more tie-rods. The tie-rods are arranged in such a way that a pulling of the tab away from the opening portion separates the opening portion along the weakening line and drags at least in part the opening portion to follow the tab.
The opening portion is therefore not immersed in the liquid contained in the can during the opening, but is extracted in the opposite direction to the liquid itself. This guarantees total and reliable food hygiene safety to the content of the can.
The opening of the can is carried out by pulling the tab by the user and the consequent separation by breaking the opening portion with respect to the rest of the upper wall. The tab continues its rotation around the fulcrum point, dragging with it the opening portion until the opening portion itself is completely overturned. Advantageously, the overturning is achieved by gripping the free end of the opening portion, which is made to rotate until it is pressed towards the upper wall in an overturned condition by substantially 180° relative to the fulcrum point.
In an executive example, the upper wall has a recess and an opening portion specularly placed, with respect to the fulcrum point.
According to an improvement, the recess is designed so that it completely houses the pull tab when the opening portion is in an overturned condition by substantially 180° relative to the fulcrum point.
According to a further improvement, the opening portion in an overturned condition occludes the recess, being provided retention means at the opening portion in overturned condition.
The tab in the total opening condition is then housed in the recess, and the opening portion acts as a cover for the access gap of the recess, preferably completely occluding it. The content of the can is thus protected from possible external contamination already present on the upper surface of the opening portion, as it is hygienically unprotected and unguaranteed.
In an embodiment, the opening portion has a hooking projection for a user's finger in the surface facing the interior of the container in a closed condition.
The hooking projection allows the necessary grip on the user's finger to be able to first pull and then easily push the opening portion into the recess compartment during the opening rotation.
According to an improvement, in the closing condition of the opening portion, the hooking projection is enclosed in a non-removable and watertight casing provided inside the container.
This makes it possible to eliminate the inconvenience which, by positioning the finger on the projection, the user can slightly wet or moisten his/her finger on the projection itself, which, before lifting the opening portion, was positioned inside the can and then in contact with the liquid contained therein. The watertight casing allows the pin to always remain dry, both before during and after opening.
In an executive example, at least one main tie-rod and one or more secondary tie-rods are provided, the main tie-rod being connected to the opening portion near the part of the furthest opening portion from the fulcrum point, and the tie-rods having lengths so that, during the rotation of the tab away from the opening portion, the main tie-rod exerts a pulling on the opening portion before the secondary tie-rods and following a slight bending of the opening portion 4 at the pull-up point of the main tie-rod, also the other tie-rods are pulled the same.
This guarantees that, during the opening step, the finger pressure strength on the tab does not require too high loads. In fact, all the finger strength initially acts only on the first section of the weakening line on which the main tie-rod acts. Once the first opening due to breakage along the weakening line has been obtained at the main tie-rod, the pressure strength is also divided with the secondary tie-rods which enter into direct pulling with the main tie-rod and at the same pressure strength, allowing tearing off the remaining parts of the weakening line. The rest of the opening portion is much more easily lifted in this way since it requires a decidedly smaller pull force.
In a variant embodiment, the main tie-rod is connected to the furthest part of the opening portion from the fulcrum point, i.e. the closest one to the peripheral edge of the upper wall, by means of a rigid element pivoted on the upper wall in a hinge point. The rigid element is connected at a first end to the main tie-rod and has a second end at the furthest part of the opening portion from the fulcrum point. In this way, during the rotation of the tab away from the opening portion, the main tie-rod exerts a pull on the first end of the rigid element and imparts a rotation to the rigid element around the hinge point. The second end therefore exerts a pressure on the opening portion so that the furthest part of the opening portion from the fulcrum point separates along the weakening line and is pushed into the container.
In a further executive example, the opening portion is provided with one or more ribs and/or one or more reinforcing elements arranged substantially along the opening direction.
In a further executive example, the opening portion and at least part of the upper wall surrounding the opening portion are covered with a removable film.
In this way the complete hygiene of the external areas adjacent to the hole is guaranteed, so that the possible contact of the outgoing liquid with these areas does not lead to contamination whatsoever.
In a further executive example, the upper wall is delimited peripherally by a raised edge and has two projecting ribs which connect the edges of the hole to the raised edge. Preferably the ribs are in contact with the closest edges of the hole to the fulcrum point.
The ribs act as a dam for the liquid leaking out of the hole, preventing it from uncontrollably spreading on the upper wall, which is not hygienized by the removable film, in particular along the entire raised edge. The ribs therefore identify a portion of the upper wall containing the liquid bounded by the ribs themselves, by the hole and by a raised edge portion, which contains the liquid leaking from the hole and not re-entered therein. This proves to be particularly advantageous in combination with the use of the removable film, which preferably initially covers the entire containment portion, guaranteeing its protection from external contamination.
In an embodiment there is a second removable film placed on an area of the outer side of the container, present under the hole and hermetically welded with the raised edge.
In an embodiment the container is a food canister, wherein the upper wall is replaced by the opening portion and the access gap, which opening portion has a semicircle design, and wherein the pull tab is shaped so to allow a grip not only with a finger but also with more fingers.
Object of the present invention is an opening mechanism for a can, which mechanism has at least in part the above described characteristics.
Object of the present invention is also an opening mechanism for a food canister, which mechanism has at least in part the described above characteristics.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following disclosure of some non-limiting executive examples illustrated in the attached drawings wherein:

fig. 1 shows an executive example of a can according to the present invention;
figs. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate successive opening steps viewed in section;
fig. 5 shows a detail view of the projection and of its watertight casing;
fig. 6 shows a top view of the can;
fig. 7 shows a side view of the can;
figs. 8 to 15 illustrate successive opening steps of a can;
figs. 16 to 26 illustrate successive removing steps of the second removable film;
fig. 27 shows a further executive example;
fig. 28 shows a detail view of the opening portion provided with reinforcing ribs;
fig. 29 shows an executive variant for food canisters;
figs. 30 to 37 illustrate successive opening steps of a food canister.

The figures illustrate an executive example of a liquid food metal container, consisting of a beverage can 1. As shown in figure 1, the can 1 comprises an upper wall 3 wherein there is an opening portion 4 defined by a weakening line 5. The opening portion 4 is connected to a pull tab 2 pivoted movable on the upper wall 3 in a fulcrum point 20 for the pull-up opening of the can 1. The separation of the opening portion 4 from the upper wall 3 along the weakening line 5 puts the interior of the container 1 in communication with the outside through a hole 50 corresponding to the separate opening portion 4. The fulcrum point 20 can be a single punching or a hinge element or any other system extending along a rotation axis.
The pull tab 2 is connected to the opening portion 4 by means of three tie-rods 21 arranged in such a way that a pull of the tab 2 away from the opening portion 4 separates the opening portion 4 along the weakening line 5 and drags the opening portion 4 to follow the tab 2.
The upper wall 3 has a recess 6 and the opening portion 4 specularly placed with respect to the fulcrum point 20, that is in the opposite part to the opening portion 4 with respect to the fulcrum point 20. The recess 6 constitutes an open container compartment, isolated from the content of can 1, already arranged during production. The recess 6 is preferably integral with the upper wall, being created by a shaping of the upper wall which forms a depression in the direction of the interior of the can 1.
The opening mechanism of the can 1 is based on two different steps of finger movement, as illustrated in figures 2 to 4.
Figure 2 illustrates the initial condition of figure 1, wherein the pull tab 2 is placed substantially parallel to the upper wall 3. The angle has been emphasized in the figures; a certain free initial angle is provided anyway during the first hook with the finger, to allow the grip with the finger by the user. The user begins to pull the tab 2, which, being pivoted to the upper surface 3 in the fulcrum point 20 begins to rotate in the opposite direction to the opening portion 4. As the tab 2 raises by rotating, the opening portion 4 first tears off along the weakening line 5 and then raises in turn, rotating in the same direction.
At the end of the first pull-up opening movement, performed by the user by lifting the tab 2 with the movement of the finger, the opening portion 4 is lifted to a substantially vertical position, for example, with an angle of about 110°/120° with respect to the upper wall 3, as shown in figure 3.
In this angular opening position beyond the vertical, the opening portion 4 faces the recess 6, making its lower surface visible to the user, initially facing the interior of the can 1 in the closed condition. In this way a hooking projection 7 is clearly visible and easy to reach for the user's finger, with a second movement of the finger. The hooking projection 7 can have any shape, preferably it consists of a small straight or slightly curved pin, positioned on the inner surface of the opening portion 4.
The user hooks the hooking projection 7 with his/her finger and pulls it, causing it to rotate towards the recess 6 of the opening portion 4. The opening portion 4 is then made to descend until first the tab 2 and then the opening portion 4 are inserted into the recess 6 entering from the access gap 60. The recess 6 is designed so that the pull tab 2 can be completely housed when the opening portion 4 is in an overturned condition by substantially 180° with respect to the fulcrum point 20, as illustrated in figure 4. The width of the access gap 60 of the recess 6 has a dimension such as to be slightly greater than that of the tab 2 and of the opening portion 4, in order to allow both elements to be inserted inside the recess 6 with a further movement of the finger since being the access gap 60 larger than the one of the two elements, the recess 6 can perfectly accommodate them both therein.
The opening portion 4 ends its angular excursion positioning itself in correspondence with the access gap 60 of the recess 6 occluding it, thus becoming a cover to close the recess 6.
Retention means in the opening portion 4 position in the overturned condition are provided. Such retention means may comprise for example a small snap joint mechanism 61, which can snap with a click, informing the user that the opening operation of the can 1 is completed. In this way, the user hooks the hooking projection 7 with his/her finger and pulls it, causing a rotating advancement towards the recess 6 of the opening portion 4 and the opening portion 4 is then made to descend until first the tab 2 and then the opening portion 4 are inserted inside the recess 6 entering from the access gap 60, and remain blocked by the snap joint mechanism 61.
As can be seen in figure 5, in the closed condition of the opening portion 4, the hooking projection 7 is enclosed in a non-removable, watertight casing 70 provided inside the can 1. This prevents the liquid inside the can 1 from wetting the hooking projection 7 when it is inside the can 1. In this way the user does not get wet or moist his/her finger when acting on the hooking projection in the step illustrated in figures 3 and 4.
The casing 70 is not removable and allows, until the hooking projection 7 is inside the can 1, it to be hermetically enclosed in an inaccessible chamber to the liquid contained in the can 1. The casing 70 is fixed inside the can 1 in any way, it is preferably supported by a support element 71 fixed on the lateral body of the container of the can 1 just below the upper wall 3 and/or fixed on the upper wall 3. With the opening movement of the opening portion 4, the hooking projection 7 enclosed within the casing 70 fixed on the lateral body of the can 1 and/or on the upper wall 3 by means of the support element 71, exits automatically from the same, as it is torn off together while lifting the opening portion 4.
These opening steps are illustrated in detail in the sequence of figures 8 to 13. Figures 14 and 15 illustrate how, once the can is opened, the content 11 can be easily poured into a container like a glass 12 by a user in order to be drunk.
As shown in figure 6, a main tie-rod 21' and preferably two secondary tie-rods 21" are provided. The main tie-rod 21' is connected to the opening portion 4 near the furthest part of the opening portion 4 from the fulcrum point 20 and to the tab 2 in a central position. It is possible to provide more than one main tie-rod 21'. The secondary tie rods 21" are connected side by side on opposite sides to the main tie-rod 21 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tab 2. As an alternative, it is possible to provide a single secondary tie-rod 21" or more than two secondary tie-rods 21", suitably sized and arranged.
The main tie-rod 21' has a supply of such length as to allow the tab 2 to be able to initially lift for a reduced angular excursion without any need of particular pull force. This allows the user to be able to insert under the tab 2 part of the fingertip without finding opposing forces to prevent it, thus easily hooking it sufficiently without the need for particular thrust forces. Once guaranteed a sufficient grip on the tab 2, this can then be pulled with force to be completely lifted. This rotating lifting of the tab 2 initially sets the main tie-rod 21 in direct pulling, which, being constrained to the raised end of the tab 2 in a central position and connected to the furthest part of the opening portion 4 from the fulcrum point 20, causes a first opening tear along the weakening line 5 near the furthest part of the opening portion 4 from the fulcrum point 20, wherein all the force exerted by the finger is concentrated. In this way, having the tie-rods different lengths, during the rotation of the tab 2 away from the opening portion 4, the main tie-rod 21' exerts a pull on the opening portion 4 before the secondary tie-rods, causing the first opening tear.
The secondary tie-rods 21" have a stock of different length compared to the main tie-rod 21'. In this way, once the first tear of limited extension has been obtained, the tab 2 proceeds with its rotation until the secondary tie rods 21", after a slight flection of the opening portion 4 at the tear point of the main tie-rod 21' they also enter in direct pull and both at the same time and together with the main tie-rod 21' carry out a tear advancement on opposite sides of the initial tear along the weakening line 5. The continuation of the rotation of the tab 2 therefore easily carries out the separation of the opening portion 4 from the upper wall 3 and with reduced pull force.
The above is arranged so that the force necessary for the first tear of the tab by the action of the finger on the tab 2 is reduced and divided between the first step wherein it is all concentrated only on the main tie-rod 21' and the second step wherein, once the hardness of the first pull of the main tie-rod 21' has been reduced, it also acts on the two secondary tie-rods 21". In addition, being the first thrust of the finger connected to the main tie-rod 21' only, all its pull force is concentrated on the single point of the opening portion 4 connected to the main tie-rod 21'; in this way the opening tear point receives a pull force three times greater than a first tear connected instead simultaneously to all three tie-rods 21, and then divided by three.
However, it is alternatively possible to provide a configuration wherein all the tie-rods 21 simultaneously exert a pull on the opening portion 4 or that no other secondary tie-rods are provided.
The upper wall 3 has two protruding ribs 9 connected to the edges of the hole 50 on one side and to the raised edge 10 which peripherally delimits the upper wall 3 on the other side.
The two ribs 9 serve to guarantee a total hygienic safety for the liquid content of the can 1 during the leakage. In fact, after an inclination of the can such as to make the content leak and the repositioning of the same in vertical position, part of the liquid in the leaking step re-enters the can, while some drops of the liquid can remain both in the small channel existing on the upper wall 3 in an adjacent position to the raised edge 10 and on part of the upper wall 3. Generally, these drops are mainly in the portion of the channel and/or on the portion of upper wall placed in front of the hole 50. However, it is possible that successive inclinations of the can cause the drops to migrate to other parts of the channel and other parts of the upper wall 3, which at any further inclination could also re-enter the content of the can, with a possible further contamination of the leaking liquid and inside the content of the can. Such contaminated drops can then migrate again and be drunk by the user directly from can 1 or after being poured into a glass or the like.
The two ribs 9 eliminate the possibility of liquid migration into areas outside the containment upper wall 3 portion 39 of the liquid that did not leak or re-enter, acting as small containment dams, intersecting both with the raised edge 10 and defining a raised edge portion 40.
The ribs therefore identify and enclose a containment upper wall portion 39 3 of the liquid, which containment portion 39 is delimited by the two ribs 9, by a portion of the hole 50 and by the raised edge 10 portion 40. The containment portion 39 retains in its interior part of the liquid which has leaked from the hole 50 or at most allows it to re-enter through the hole 50 inside the can 1.
The two ribs 9 can be positioned at different points of the edges of the hole 50.
Advantageously, the containment portion 39 is hygienically covered with a removable film 8. Following the tear of the removable film 8, the containment portion 39 is completely hygienized and therefore allows any drops that are still inside the containing portion 39 or re-entered in the can 1 through the hole 50 to remain uncontaminated.
The combination of ribs 9 and removable film 8 allows a certain and total hygienic safety to be achieved.
The removable film 8, whose edges are illustrated with the dotted line in figure 6, covers at least a part 41 between the opening portion 4 and the two projecting ribs 9 present at the sides of the opening portion 4 and is hermetically welded with the portion 40 of raised edge 10. The removable film 8 can have different extensions and designs, also with respect to what is illustrated in the figure, according to the need, and it can also cover a larger area than the upper wall 3 outside the containment portion 39.
The removable film 8 has a protective hygienic function since it serves to cover all the parts of the can 1 before use which can come into contact with the liquid while leaking or re-entering of the contents. In particular, in the currently known opening systems the liquid content of the can 1 during leakage can come into contact with the raised edge 10 which peripherally delimits the upper wall 3 and with the upper wall portion 3 interposed between the hole 50 and the raised edge 10. These external areas are areas exposed to any form of bacterial contamination: to prevent this serious and dangerous possibility of pollution during the liquid leakage or re-entering step from or into the can 1, these areas must be contained in a single hygienized area 39 covered before use.
The removable film 8 can be of any type, preferably of polymeric material for food, for example food nylon.
The removable film 8 is hygienically welded on one side to the two backs of the projecting ribs 9 and on the other to the part 41 of the opening portion 4 and is hermetically welded with the raised edge 10 portion 40. Upon opening, wherein the opening portion 4 raises in rotation, the opening portion 4 itself causes the tear and removal of the removable film 8. The removable film 8 remains applied to the opening portion 4 only in a raised condition and here it can be optionally manually removed by the user with two fingers or not removed and left on the opening portion 4 and then subsequently partially enclosed and blocked inside the recess 6. The dimensions of the removable film 8 are such as not to make it difficult to hook the projection 7 with the finger in the second opening movement of figures 3 and 4. Once the removable film 8 is automatically torn off while raising the opening portion 4, in fact, the removable film 8 still applied to the upper part of the opening portion 4 is not in the position of covering the projection 7, but rather at a distance from it such as to allow the finger to easily hook without any impediment caused by the free edges of the removable film 8.
Alternatively, the removable film 8 can be manually removed before opening the can 1.
In an alternative embodiment, the lifting of the opening portion 4 does not cause the total detachment of the removable film 8, but only lifts a tab of the removable film 8, which tab can be manually gripped to remove the remaining part of the removable film 8.
In a further embodiment illustrated in figure 7 there is the presence of a second removable film 42 optionally manually removable and positioned on an area 43 on a portion of the outer side of the container of the can 1, present under the hole 5 and hermetically welded with the raised edge 10. The second removable film 42 can be optionally removed if the user intends to drink the liquid with the mouth directly from the can, thus being able to enjoy a lip area that is also protected and hygienized once torn off.
Figures 16 to 26 illustrate consecutive removing steps of the second removable film 42. The second removable film 42 is provided at one end of a tab 13 initially bended back on itself. The tab 13 is gripped by the user and turned by a slight pull to be stretched. Once pulled, the tab 13 begins to separate the second removable film 42 from the wall of the can 1. When the second removable film 42 is almost totally separated, except for an inseparable portion which keeps it bound to the can 1, it can be overturned in a position away from the zone suitable for contact with the user's lips. The second removable film 42 is then rested on the can 1 in this overturned position and lies in this condition thanks to the application of the tab 13 on a corresponding label 14 placed on the can, preferably by means of adhesive or electrostatic force.
Figure 27 illustrates an executive variant, wherein the main tie-rod 21 is connected to the furthest part of the opening portion 4 from the fulcrum point 20 by means of a rigid element 23 pivoted on the upper wall 3 in a hinge point 24. The hinge point 24 of the rigid element 23 can be provided on the opening portion 4. The rigid element 23 can be of any shape, preferably it consists of a bar.
The rigid element 23 is connected at a first end 230 to the main tie-rod 21 and has a second end at the furthest part of the opening portion 4 from the fulcrum point 20. During the rotation of the tab 2 away from the opening portion 4, the main tie-rod 21 exerts a pull on the first end 230 of the rigid element 23 and imparts a rotation to the rigid element 23 around the hinge point 24. The second end 231 therefore exerts a pressure on the opening portion 4 so that the furthest part of the opening portion 4 from the fulcrum point 20 separates along the weakening line 5 and is pushed into the can 1 by 1 or 2 millimetres thus limiting the possibility of touching the content of the can 1.
The first separation tear of the opening portion 4 operated by the main tie-rod 21 therefore takes place inside the can 1, contrary to what happens in the cases described in the preceding figures. After the opening of the first tear, the two secondary tie-rods 21", simultaneously with each other, will tear and lift the rest of the opening portion 4, including the small part already torn in penetration, created specifically to start the first differently harder and more resistant tear and therefore to allow a subsequent total opening and lifting in the opposite direction of the remaining opening portion 4 to be torn, with the need of a much lower pull force.
To give greater pushing force to the second end 231 of the rigid element 23 through the pull of the main tie-rod 21 connected to the first end 230, the hinge point 24 must be positioned as close as possible to the second end 231. The hinge point 24 can be constituted by any mechanism, for example by a punching.
Figure 28 illustrates an optional executive example of opening portion 4, which, in addition to being defined on the weakening line 5, it is reinforced by a plurality of reinforcing or stiffening ribs 44, lanes or lines, arranged to prevent the portion of opening 4 from bending or curving while lifting. Such ribs 44, lanes or lines are therefore arranged to make the opening portion 4 much more rigid and inflexible in maintaining its original flat shape existing before lifting.
The ribs 44 can be formed for example during the mould of the opening portion 4, they are arranged substantially along the opening direction and can have an angled or rounded shape.
The ribs 44, lanes, or stiffening lines can be supported or replaced by one or more stiffening elements, for example constituted by stiffening bars placed on the opening portion 4 and arranged substantially along the opening direction.
Depending on the mechanical lifting setting and the stiffness of the chosen opening portion 4, the position of the tie-rod or tie-rods 21 can be located on the opening portion 4, in several different distances from the fulcrum point 20, in order to allow a lifting of the most homogeneous opening portion 4 without curving and/or bending thereof.
Figure 29 illustrates an executive variant preferably, but not only, indicated at the opening food canister wherein the basic opening principle is the same, but applied in different sizes and shapes. The upper wall 3 is not present and is replaced by a much wider opening portion 4 and an access gap 60 and a recess compartment 6 both much larger. A pull tab 2 much larger and differently shaped to allow a grip, not only with a finger but also with more fingers. The fulcrum points 20 are one or more, depending on the diameter of the canister. The hooking projection 7 can be larger depending on the diameter of the can. The projecting ribs 9 are not present. The upper wall 3 portion 39 is not present and is replaced by the much larger opening portion 4. The removable film 8 completely covers the opening portion 4 and is hermetically self-welded with the raised edge 10 portion 40. The portion 40 consists of the entire raised edge 10 adjacent to the opening portion 4. The second removable film 42 is not necessary, apart from the case in the presence of drinks or food products usually swallowed or drunk directly with the mouth resting on the edge of the outer side of the canister.
The opening steps are illustrated in detail in figures 30 to 35 and are as described in relation to figures 8 to 13. Once opened, the canister 1 can be grasped by a user and the contents 11 can be easily poured as shown in figures 36 and 37.

Claims

Opening mechanism for food and/or drink containers, comprising an upper wall (3) in which an opening portion (4) is defined by a weakening line (5) and is connected to a pull tab (2) pivoted movable on the upper wall (3) at a fulcrum point (20) for the pull-up opening of the container (1), the separation of the opening portion (4) from the upper wall (3) along the weakening line (5) connecting the interior of the container (1) with the outside through a hole (50) corresponding to the separate opening portion (4),
characterized in that
the pull tab (2) is connected to the opening portion (4) by one or more tie-rods (21) arranged in such a way that a pull of the tab (2) away from the opening portion (4) separates the opening portion (4) along the weakening line (5) and drags at least partly the opening portion (4) to follow the tab (2).
Mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the upper wall (3) has a recess (6) and an opening portion (4) specularly placed, with respect to the fulcrum point (20).
Mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the recess (6) is shaped so that it completely houses the pull tab (2) when the opening portion (4) is in an overturned condition by substantially 180° with respect to the fulcrum point (20).
Mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the opening portion (4) in an overturned condition presses the pull tab (2) and completely occludes the recess (6), being provided retention means (61) at the opening portion (4) in overturned condition.
Mechanism according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the opening portion (4) has a hooking projection (7) for a user's finger in the surface facing the interior of the container (1) in a closed condition.
Mechanism according to claim 5, wherein in the closed condition of the opening portion (4), the hooking projection (7) is enclosed in a watertight and non-removable casing (70) provided welded inside the container (1).
Mechanism according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least one main tie-rod (21') and one or more secondary tie-rods (21") are provided, the main tie-rod (21') being connected to the opening portion (4) in proximity of the furthest part of the opening portion (4) from the fulcrum point (20), and the tie-rods (21) having lengths such that, during the rotation of the tab (2) away from the opening portion (4), the main tie-rod (21') exerts pull on the opening portion (4) before the secondary tie-rods (21").
Mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the main tie-rod (21') is connected to the furthest part of the opening portion (4) from the fulcrum point (20) by means of a rigid element (23) pivoted on the upper wall (3) in a hinge point (24), which rigid element (23) is connected to a first end (230) to the main tie-rod (21') and has a second end (231) at the furthest part of the opening portion (4) from the fulcrum point (20), so that during the rotation of the tab (2) away from the opening portion (4), the main tie-rod (21') exerts a pull on the first end (230) of the rigid element (23) and imparts a rotation to the rigid element (23) around the hinge point (24), the second end (231) exerting a pressure on the opening portion (4) so that the furthest part of the opening portion (4) from the fulcrum point (20) separates along the weakening line (5) and is pushed into the container (1) for a few millimetres.
Mechanism according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the opening portion (4) is provided with one or more ribs and/or one or more reinforcing elements arranged substantially along the opening direction.
Mechanism according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the opening portion (4) and at least part of the upper wall (3) surrounding the opening portion (4) are covered by a removable film (8).
Mechanism according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the upper wall (3) is peripherally circumscribed by a raised edge (10) and has two projecting ribs (9) connected to the edges of the hole (50) and to the raised edge (10).
Mechanism according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein there is a second removable film (42) placed on an area (43) of the outer side of the container (1), present under the hole (5) and tightly welded with the raised edge (10).
Mechanism according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the container (1) is a food canister, wherein the opening portion (4) has a semicircle shape, and wherein the pull tab (2) is shaped so as to allow a grip not only with a finger but also with more fingers.
Opening mechanism for a can,
characterized in that
it presents the features according to one or more of claims 1 to 12.
Opening mechanism for a food canister,
characterized in that
it presents the features according to one or more of claims 1 to 13.