GB2227475A

GB2227475A - Opening device for containers

Info

Publication number: GB2227475A
Application number: GB9001651A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fernando Sanz Salvador
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-01-25
Filing date: 1990-01-24
Publication date: 1990-08-01
Also published as: CA2008483A1; IT1238319B; GB9001651D0; ES1009482Y; PT92942A; IT9019098A1; IT9019098A0; FR2642044A1; MA21738A1; DE4001804A1; ES1009482U

Description

1 1 1 OPENING DEVICE POR CONTAINERS This invention refers to a device for

opening containers, such as tin cans, of the type which are commonly called "easy-to-open", and whose lids have a weakening so that true opening is performed by "tearing" by means of a simple manual traction, and not by means of cutting with an auxiliary tool, that is, with a can opener.

As is known, one of the most recent solutions for opening tin cans consists of providing the lid of theSaid cans with a weakened line which is perimetrical and close to the edge of the lid, fixing a coplanal ring close to the edge, to the actual lid's central sector, which is the largest part of the said lid and can be removed. The actual movement of swinging the ring towards a perpendicular position, in order to grip it manually, provokes an initial cut in the said lid along its weakened line, in such a way that subsequent manual traction on the said ring, by introducing a finger in the same, provokes the progressive tearing of the lid with respect to the body of the can.

This solution, which at first sight is extraordinarily quick and simple, in practice presents two important problems: on one hand it requires significant physical effort because the tearing of the lid occurs simultaneously at two considerably 2 distant points which are permanently maintained by a creased line on that lid, which is considerably long and varies along its length, which demands significant mechanical effort, and on the other hand, the can has a small space of manual suction, handling of the grip is complicated and this leads to a high risk of cutting by the actual edge of the lid on removal.

According to the present invention there is a provided a device for opening containers comprising two. lines of weakening, formed in the container lid, closely spaced to define a tearable strip extending round almost the entire periphery of the container lid, and a manually operable ring attached to one end of the said strip whereby at least part of the strip can be torn from the lid.

The device for opening tin cans as proposed by the invention, completely and satisfactorily solves the different aspects of this problem, enabling really easy opening, because minimal effort is needed and the risk of accident by cutting practically disappears due to the small amount of force that opening requires, and better conditions for gripping the can manually.

Therefore, and more specifically, the device envisaged takes the classical idea of weakening the can lid, and focuses its characteristics in the presence of two weakened lines, very close together, which run around the periphery of the lid, situated with a maximum closeness to the edge, defining a narrow tearable strip. At one of the ends of both of these there is the classical ring of manual action. This enables the said strip to be torn well by direct traction on the said ring, by turning the same, as the tearable strip rolls progressively around the arm of the ring to which it is fixed.

3 In any case, given the narrowness of the said tearable strip, and appropriately weakened lines, the force which is needed to tear the same is minimal. In addition, during this manoeuvre, it is not the whole of the lid that is subjected to strain on opening, but only the said narrow marginal strip, which yields under minimal effort. The main central sector of the lid maintains its initial position, coplanally with the top of the can. The can is consequently definitively opened when the strip is removed. This is specifically achieved by depressing the said main central sector of the lid on the marginal zone of the same which provides the joining link or neck with the body. This manoeuvre does not need an appreciable force either, nor does it imply the slightest risk.

To complement this description and with the object of enabling a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied by one page of diagrams. This forms an integral part of the description, is of an illustrative and not limitative character and represents the following:

Figure 1.- This shows a perspective view of a tin can which has the opening device which forms the object of this 1 4 invention. The device is shown in situ at an intermediary stage of opening. The two possibilities of action on the corresponding tearable strip are shown.

Figure 2.- This shows a top view of the same can as in the foregoing figure, in a closed position.

Figure 3.- Lastly, this shows a cross-section of the lid of the can as represented in the foregoing figures, with the said opening device in situ.

By looking at these Figures it can be seen how the envisaged opening device is applied to tin cans 1 which may be shaped as in the figures, i. e., with an oval sole, but they could also equally have a circular, square or rectangular sole, with round vertices. The said device is fixed on the lid or upper base 2. There is a pair of weakened lines 3 which are very close together and are also very close to the edge of the lid 2, as can be seen particularly in Figures 2 and 3. The weakened lines can be made in exclusively the exterior side of the lid 2, or in both its exterior side and its interior side, as shown in figure 3. In any case, the lines form a narrow tearable strip 4 between them, which runs around the majority of the perimeter of the lid 2 from an initial point 6 to an end point 5 where the said strip 4 is attached, by means of a rivet 7 or by any other conventional means, to a ring 8 which is 1 G manually operable.

In accordance with this structuring, in order to perform the opening of the can, the said ring 8 is pulled, as shown in Figure 1, or alternatively, a turn is made in accordance with that shown in 8 of the said figure. Consequently, with minimal effort, the tearable strip 4 comes away from the rest of the lid 2, forming a narrow perimetrical window which extends round the majority of the perimeter of the lid 2, with the exception of a short stretch 10. The main central sector can be depressed, after removing the tearable strip 4, thereby opening the can.

As was said before, and can be seen clearly in Figure 1, the envisaged opening device enables the tearable strip 4 to be removed either by simple traction on the ring 8, or by turning the said ring. This turning of the ring progressively rolls the strip 4 around the arm 11 of the ring in which case the effort needed is even less than with simple traction.

As was also said before, the can may have the classic oval shape as in the drawings, a cylindrical, prismatical, rectangular, or any other shape, without this having any effect at all on the opening device on which the object of this invention is focused.

6 The materials, form, shape and position of the elements are susceptible to variation, provided that this does not alter the fundamental nature of the invention.

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Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for opening containers comprising two lines of weakening formed in the container lid closely spaced to define a tearable strip extending round almost the entire periphery of the container lid, and a manually operable ring attached to one end of said strip whereby at least part of the strip can be torn from the lid.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the strip can be torn by direct pulling of the ring.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the strip can be torn by turning the ring to roll progressively the strip around the ring arm.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lines of weakening are substantially parallel.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim whenin the lines of weakening are formed solely in the exterior surface of the container lid.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lid portion between the ends of the lines of weakening can be pressed to facilitate opening of the container lid.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ring is attached to the strip end by a rivet.

8. A device for opening containers substantially as herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings.

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