GB1583682A

GB1583682A - Easily-opened end closure for a container

Info

Publication number: GB1583682A
Application number: GB19572/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Continental Group Inc
Current assignee: Continental Group Inc
Priority date: 1976-05-10
Filing date: 1977-05-10
Publication date: 1981-01-28
Also published as: FR2351017A1; FR2351017B1; GR63664B; JPS534684A; AU2490977A; BR7703002A; AU512257B2; NL7705185A

Description

(54) EASILY-OPENED END CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER (71) We, THE CONTINENTAL GROUP INC., a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, United States of America, of 633 Third Avenue, New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be peformed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to easily opened end closures for containers.

In an effort to overcome the problems of litter, easy-open end closures have been developed wherein that part of the end closure which has been displaced to open the container remains attached to the remainder of the closure subsequent to opening. This is generally accomplished by providing an unscored area in the periphery of that portion of the end closure which is displaced to open the container. The unscored area serves as a hinge connecting the openable portion (or flap) of the end closure with the remaining part of the end closure.

Upon opening, the flap is pushed into the interior of the container.

Unfortunately. end closures of the kind jut described have a disadvantage in that opening thereof causes an angular displacement of the pull tab relative to the flap, resulting in protrusion of the tab through the flap opening and obstruction of the opening. Pouring and drinking directly from the container are thus hampered.

Furthermore. the tab of the conventional non-detachable end closure can sometimes be torn from the flap by accident or through repeated manipulation thereof by young children.

Various end closures have been developed employing multiple attachment means to secure the tab to the flap. for example. United States Patent No.

3,894,651. Closures of this kind are frequently difficult or impossible to open by women or small children who are unable to initially lift the tab.

According to the invention there is provided an easily-opened end closure for a container including an end panel having a score line formed therein defining an inwardly-openable flap which remains integrally attached to the remainder of the end panel after rupture of the score line by means of an unscored portion of the end panel lying between the end portions of the score line which unscored portion acts as a hinge connecting the said flap to the remainder of the end panel, the said flap including rigidifying means which prevent the flap itself from bending during opening of the end closure, a substantially rigid pull tab dimensioned so that it will pass completely through the opening formed in the end panel when the score line has been fully ruptured, the pull tab including a nose portion spaced from a grasping portion by an intermediate portion, and, extending rearwardly from the nose portion an integral flap-like portion by means of which the tab is attached to the end panel, the nose portion of the tab having means for rupturing the score line when, in use, the grasping portion of the pull tab is pulled away from the end panel in order to open the end closure, the intermediate portion of the tab including linkage means linking this portion of the tab with either the flap on the end panel or the flap-like portion on the pull tab, the linkage means acting to limit, during opening of the end closure, the angular displacement of the pull tab relative to the inwardly-openable flap, and being dimensioned and arranged so that once the pull tab has reached its maximum angular displacement relative to the inwardly openable flap, further pulling of the pull tab causes further rupture of the score line and pivoting of the flap about the said unscored region inwardly of the container.

Reference is herein made to United States Patent No. 4,008,825 issued February 22, 1977.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the pull tab of the closure of Figure 1 prior to assembly to the end panel; Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-section view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure 1, illustrating the end closure in the unopened condition; Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-section view similar to Figure 3, illustrating the end closure in a partially opened condition; Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to Figure 4, illustrating the end closure in the fully opened condition;; Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating yet another embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating still another embodiment of the invention Figure 9 is a top plan view of a blank for a pull tab for yet another embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a top plan view of a pull tab produced from the blank illustrated in Figure 9 and attached to a container end panel; Figure 11 is a fragmentary cross-section view taken substantially along line 11-11 of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the end closure of Figure 11 in a partially opened condition;; Figure 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 12 illustrating the closure in a fully opened condition: Figure 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings. the easv-open end closure comprises an end panel 1 having an integrally formed rivet 2 and a pull tab 3 fixedly attached to the end panel 1 by the rivet 2. A score line 4 is formed in the end panel 1 and partially encircles an opening flap 5 with the unscored portion 6 of the flap perimeter hingedly attaching the flap to the remainder of said end panel 1 subsequent to rupture of the score line 4. A weakening line 6a may be formed in the unscored portion 6 to facilitate hinging during opening.

As best shown in Figure 2. the pull tab 3 comprises a nose portion 3a. an intermediate portion 3b and a grasping or ring-pull portion 3c.

The nose portion 3a includes a rupturing member 7 for overlying the score line 4 when assembled on the end panel 1, and an integrally formed hingeable recessed rivet panel 8. The rivet panel 8 includes a recessed portion 9 having a sidewall 9b and a base 9a is formed in the panel 8. Located in the base 9a, is a hole 10 of a size to admit the shank of the rivet 2, but not the rivet head.

The intermediate portion 3b includes an integral bridge member 11 oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tab 3 and a strap 12 integrally joined to the bridge member 11 on the side thereof away from the nose portion 3a. A slot 13 is formed in the strap 12, elongated along the longitudinal axis of the tab 3 and being of a size to allow the base of the recess portion 9 to fit therein.

The grasping portion 3c comprises a substantially C-shaped handle member which combines with the intermediate portion 3b to define an aperture 14 through the tab 3. During the formation of the tab 3 from a single metal sheet, the strap 12 is formed of material normally occupying the grasping portion aperture.

A downwardly directed rigidifying curl 15 is formed along the periphery of the tab 3 and protects the user from possible injury resulting from contact with the sharp edges of the tab.

When the tab is connected to an end closure, the strap 12 is folded under the bridge member 11 and toward the nose portion 3a. The base of the recess portion 9 is placed within the slot 13 abutting the end of the slot which is remote from the nose portion 3o of the tab. The rivet 2 passes through the slot 12 and the hole 10.

To open the closure, the grasping portion 3c of the tab 3 is lifted away from the end panel 1, thereby impressing a panelward force of the rupturing member 7 of the nose portion 3a and resulting in rupture of the score line 4. Continued lifting of the grasping portion 3e rcsults in controllcd tearing of the end panel 1 along the score line 4.

During this operation. the flap 5 is forced into the interior of the container. hinging about a bend line joining the ends of the torn portion of the score line 4.

As the tab 3 is lifted, the included angle A between the tab 3 and the flap 5 increases, causing the strap 12 to move relative to the rivet 2 until the end of the slot 13 nearer the nose portion 3a abuts the edge portion 9. At this point, angular displacement of the tab 3 relative to the flap 5 ceases. The strap 12 is preferably of a length to permit an angle A of from 20" to 40". more preferablv of about 3() Since the flap 5 is rigidified. as by a bead 22, to ensure proper opening without bending, the centre of force application on the flap 5 then moves to a point F located between the rivet 2 and the bridge member 11. As a result, upon further movement of the grasping portion of the tab 3, the flap 5 is caused to pivot about the portion 6 of the end panel and to move inwardly of the can to the eventual position shown in Figure 5.

During this movement, the bulk of the tab 3 enters into the container, hinging about the unscored portion 6 of the flap perimeter.

The extent by which the grasping portion of the tab is displaced from the flap 5 is thus limited by the length of the slot 13. By limiting the slot length, once the can is opened, the grasping portion 3c of the tab 3 protrudes from the opened flap 5 into the resultant opening only to a limited extent, thereby facilitating pouring and drinking directly from the container.

Further, by such limited displacement of the tab 3, once the flap has been opened, repeated fatigue-inducing bending of the tab 3 is made more difficult. Also, displacement of the tab 3 in a direction other than that intended is inhibited. Thus, the probability of separation of the tab 3 from the end panel 1, e.g. by inadvertence or the acts of young children, is reduced.

The embodiment of Figure 6 differs from that above described in that the slot 13 in the strap 12 is omitted. An upwardly directed curl 16 is formed on the distal end of the strap 12 and a panelwardly directed curl 17 is formed on the distal end of the rivet panel 8. The two curls 16 and 17 are interlocked and crimped to join the strap 12 to the panel 8. A loop 18 in the folded strap 12 provides a measure of slack. The amount of slack in the strap 12 determines the amount of angular displacement of the tab 3.

In the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, the distal end of the strap 12 is fastened directly to the flap 4. Various attachment methods, including a second rivet 20, are contemplated for this purpose. As mentioned before, the amount of slack in the strap 12 determines the amount of angular displacement of the tab 2 relative to the flap 5. The point of attachment of the strap 12 to the flap 5 may be intermediate the bridge member 11 and the rivet 2 or, as best illustrated in Figure 8. beneath the grasping portion 3c of the tab 3. In the latter case. the necessary slack is provided by an unfoldable pleat 19 formed in the strap 12 transverse to the axis thereof.

In the embodiment of Figurs 9 to 13 the strap 12 is integrally attached to the rivet panel 8. and comprises a comparatively narrow body 12a having a comparatively wider bridge section 12h at the distal end thereof.

The bridge member 11 comprises a pair of bridge base segments 11a, transversely spaced relative to a longitudinal axis of the tab 3, to which is attached the bridge section 12b of the strap 12 as will be more fully described below.

As best seen in Figure 9, the pull tab 3 is formed from a blank wherein the strap body 12a extends between the bridge base segments 11a and the strap bridge section 12b lies within the confines of the grasping portion 3c. Thus, it can be seen that the strap 12 if formed in part by metal displaced to form the grasping portion of the pull tab, and in part by metal displaced to form the space between the base segments of the bridge member.

In the course of fabricating the finished pull tab 3, a transverse bead 22 is formed in the strap body 12, reducing the length thereof and drawing the strap bridge section 12b to a position underlying the bridge base segments 11a and bridging the gap therebetween.

The strap 12 is attached to the base segments 11a by panelwardly directed curls 11b, formed on the transverse edges of the base segments 1 lea, which crimp bridge section 12b in place. During opening of the closure, the bead 22 unfolds, thereby providing the necessary slack in the strap 12.

This pull tab configuration offers an advantage as compared to those herein previously described, in that a tabe having a shorter overall length may be produced and a saving in tab stock thereby effected.

The embodimet of Figure 14 differs from that first described above in that the slot 13 in the strap 12 is omitted. A loop 18 in the folded strap 12 provides a measure of slack.

Once again, the amount of slack in the strap 12 determines the amount of angular displacement of the tab 3.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An easily-opened end closure for a container including an end panel having a score line formed therein defining an inwardly-openable flap which remains integrally attached to the remainder of the end panel after rupture of the score line by means of an unscored portion of the end panel lying between the end portions of the score line which unscored portion acts as a hinge connecting the said flap to the remainder of the end panel. the said flap including rigidifying means which prevent the flap itself from bending during opening of the end closure. a substantially rigid pull tab dimensioned so that it will pass completely through the opening formed in the end panel when the score line has been fully ruptured, the pull tab including a nose portion spaced from a grasping portion by an intermediate portion and. extending rearwardly from the nose portion. an integ

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. bead 22, to ensure proper opening without bending, the centre of force application on the flap 5 then moves to a point F located between the rivet 2 and the bridge member 11. As a result, upon further movement of the grasping portion of the tab 3, the flap 5 is caused to pivot about the portion 6 of the end panel and to move inwardly of the can to the eventual position shown in Figure 5. During this movement, the bulk of the tab 3 enters into the container, hinging about the unscored portion 6 of the flap perimeter. The extent by which the grasping portion of the tab is displaced from the flap 5 is thus limited by the length of the slot 13. By limiting the slot length, once the can is opened, the grasping portion 3c of the tab 3 protrudes from the opened flap 5 into the resultant opening only to a limited extent, thereby facilitating pouring and drinking directly from the container. Further, by such limited displacement of the tab 3, once the flap has been opened, repeated fatigue-inducing bending of the tab 3 is made more difficult. Also, displacement of the tab 3 in a direction other than that intended is inhibited. Thus, the probability of separation of the tab 3 from the end panel 1, e.g. by inadvertence or the acts of young children, is reduced. The embodiment of Figure 6 differs from that above described in that the slot 13 in the strap 12 is omitted. An upwardly directed curl 16 is formed on the distal end of the strap 12 and a panelwardly directed curl 17 is formed on the distal end of the rivet panel 8. The two curls 16 and 17 are interlocked and crimped to join the strap 12 to the panel 8. A loop 18 in the folded strap 12 provides a measure of slack. The amount of slack in the strap 12 determines the amount of angular displacement of the tab 3. In the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, the distal end of the strap 12 is fastened directly to the flap 4. Various attachment methods, including a second rivet 20, are contemplated for this purpose. As mentioned before, the amount of slack in the strap 12 determines the amount of angular displacement of the tab 2 relative to the flap 5. The point of attachment of the strap 12 to the flap 5 may be intermediate the bridge member 11 and the rivet 2 or, as best illustrated in Figure 8. beneath the grasping portion 3c of the tab 3. In the latter case. the necessary slack is provided by an unfoldable pleat 19 formed in the strap 12 transverse to the axis thereof. In the embodiment of Figurs 9 to 13 the strap 12 is integrally attached to the rivet panel 8. and comprises a comparatively narrow body 12a having a comparatively wider bridge section 12h at the distal end thereof. The bridge member 11 comprises a pair of bridge base segments 11a, transversely spaced relative to a longitudinal axis of the tab 3, to which is attached the bridge section 12b of the strap 12 as will be more fully described below. As best seen in Figure 9, the pull tab 3 is formed from a blank wherein the strap body 12a extends between the bridge base segments 11a and the strap bridge section 12b lies within the confines of the grasping portion 3c. Thus, it can be seen that the strap 12 if formed in part by metal displaced to form the grasping portion of the pull tab, and in part by metal displaced to form the space between the base segments of the bridge member. In the course of fabricating the finished pull tab 3, a transverse bead 22 is formed in the strap body 12, reducing the length thereof and drawing the strap bridge section 12b to a position underlying the bridge base segments 11a and bridging the gap therebetween. The strap 12 is attached to the base segments 11a by panelwardly directed curls 11b, formed on the transverse edges of the base segments 1 lea, which crimp bridge section 12b in place. During opening of the closure, the bead 22 unfolds, thereby providing the necessary slack in the strap 12. This pull tab configuration offers an advantage as compared to those herein previously described, in that a tabe having a shorter overall length may be produced and a saving in tab stock thereby effected. The embodimet of Figure 14 differs from that first described above in that the slot 13 in the strap 12 is omitted. A loop 18 in the folded strap 12 provides a measure of slack. Once again, the amount of slack in the strap 12 determines the amount of angular displacement of the tab 3. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An easily-opened end closure for a container including an end panel having a score line formed therein defining an inwardly-openable flap which remains integrally attached to the remainder of the end panel after rupture of the score line by means of an unscored portion of the end panel lying between the end portions of the score line which unscored portion acts as a hinge connecting the said flap to the remainder of the end panel. the said flap including rigidifying means which prevent the flap itself from bending during opening of the end closure. a substantially rigid pull tab dimensioned so that it will pass completely through the opening formed in the end panel when the score line has been fully ruptured, the pull tab including a nose portion spaced from a grasping portion by an intermediate portion and. extending rearwardly from the nose portion. an integ

ral flap-like portion by means of which the tab is attached to the end panel, the nose portion of the tab having means for rupturing the score line when, in use, the grasping portion of the pull tab is pulled away from the end panel in order to open the end closure, the intermediate portion of the tab including linkage means linking this portion of the tab with either the flap on the end pnale or the flap-like portion on the pull tab, the linkage means acting to limit, during opening of the end closure, the angular displacement of the pull tab relative to the inwardly-openable flap, and being dimensioned and arranged so that once the pull tab has reached its maximum angular displacement relative to the inwardlyopenable flap, further pulling of the pull tab causes further rupture of the score line and pivoting of the flap about the said unscored region inwardly of the container.

2. An end closure according to Claim 1, wherein the linkage means comprises a bridge member oriented transversely of the longitudinal axis of the pull tab and a strap attached to the bridge member.

3. An end closure according to Claim 2, wherein the pull tab is formed from a single piece of sheet metal and has a grasping portion in the form of a loop, the said strap being formed at least partially from the metal sheet displaced to form the loopshaped grasping portion.

4. An end closure according to Claim 2 or Claim 3. wherein the strap is folded under the bridge member and toward the nose portion of the pull tab.

5. An end closure according to any one of the preceding claims. wherein the pull tab is attached to the said flap by means of a first rivet integrally formed in the said flap.

6. An end closure according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the strap is attached to the said flap by means of the first rivet.

7. An end closure according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the strap is attached to the said flap by means of a second rivet.

8. An end closure according to Claim 5 or Claim 6. wherein the strap is formed with a slot oriented along the longitudinal axis of the pull tab and the said first rivet passes through the slot.

9. An end closure according to Claim 8, wherein the said first rivet abuts the end of the slot further from the nose portion of the pull tab when the end closure is in the unopened condition and the said first rivet abuts the end of the slot proximate the nose portion when the end closure is in the opened position. the movement of the strap during opening of the end closure permitting a predetermined limited angular displacement of the tab away from the flap.

10. An end closure according to Claim 9 wherein said angular displacement is from 20O to 40".

11. An end closure according to Claim 10, wherein said angular displacement is substantially 30".

12. An end closure according to any one of Claims 2, 3 or 5, wherein prior to opening of the end closure the strap is not fully extended, the amount by which the strap can be extended during opening determining the angular displacement of the pull tab away from the flap once the end closure has been opened.

13. An end closure according Claim 12, wherein the strap is formed with at least one transverse bead to allow subsequent extension of the strap.

14. An end closure according to any one of Claims 1, 5, 12 and 13, wherein the strap is integrally attached to the flap-like portion of the pull tab.

15. An end closure according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, wherein the strap is formed with an upwardly directed curl on the distal end thereof and the flap-like portion of the pull tab is formed with a downwardly directed curl on the distal end thereof, said curls engaging to join the strap to the flap-like portion.

16. An end closure according to any one of Claims 2, 3, 5 and 12 to 14. wherein the bridge member comprises at least one pair of base segments, transversely spaced relative to a longitudinal axis of said pull tab and the strap is attached to said base segments, bridging the gap between said pair of segments.

17. An end closure according to Claim 16, wherein the pull tab is completely formed from a single piece of sheet metal and the strap is provided in part-by metal displaced to form the grasping portion of the pull tab and in part by metal displaced to form the space between the said segments of the bridge member.

18. An end closure for a can or similar container substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

19. A can or similar container incorporating an end closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.