JP2017007673A - Tab opener - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tab opener, further excellent in portability and economical efficiency, and also having the required function.SOLUTION: A tab opener 7 comprises a substantially planar member 8 for sliding into the reverse surface side of a pull tab fastened to a can top board of a beverage can and a gripping member 9 connected to the substantially planar member 8. A projection-shaped member 4 loosely fitted to a pull tab hole from the reverse surface side of the pull tab, is formed on a surface of the substantially planar member 8. Both left-right sides of the substantially planar member 8 are also provided with sidewall members 5a and 5b for preventing lateral displacement of the substantially planar member 8 when sliding into the reverse surface side of the pull tab. The tip of the substantially planar member 8 is also provided with a notch part 6 substantially coinciding with a shape of a fastening part of the pull tab.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a tab opener. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tab opener intended to open a pull tab such as a beverage can.

  Pull tabs are used to open beverage cans such as juice and beer. About this pull tab, a can can be opened and can be drunk by hooking a nail and pulling.

There were some problems with this pull tab.
In other words, for elderly people with weak power, there is a problem that even if the pull tab is pulled by hooking a nail, the pull tab cannot be pulled completely, and as a result, the beverage can cannot be opened satisfactorily.
In addition, in the case of a woman with long nails or wearing nails, the act of hooking and pulling nails in the first place caused the nails to peel off or the nails to peel off.

  Therefore, conventionally, in view of such a problem, an instrument for mechanically opening a pull tab has been proposed and developed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-233992 A

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique relating to a heart key-shaped full pull tab opener. Such a technique is superior in that it is accompanied by a heart-shaped handle and can open the pull tab even when relatively weak. However, since it is a relatively large instrument, portability and economy are not necessarily sufficient.

  As seen in the prior art, although the technology related to tab openers is scattered, the present situation is that tab openers and their use are not generally spreading. There are various reasons for this, but the inventor felt that there was a problem with portability and economy, and that a tab opener with the necessary functions was necessary after clearing these problems.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to develop a tab opener that is more portable and economical and that has the necessary functions.

As a result of earnest research, the inventor noticed that the pull tab has a hole (pull tab hole) for hooking the claw, and while sliding the substantially flat member on the back side of the pull tab fixed to the can lid plate. The invention of a tab opener that can stably fix the pull tab and open the pull tab by loosely fitting the protruding member into the pull tab hole has been completed.
Such a tab opener can be easily manufactured using an inexpensive material such as paper or plastic member having relatively high strength, and is excellent in portability because it is as small as a fingertip.

The tab opener according to the present invention has the following configuration.
A first configuration of the present invention includes a substantially planar member for sliding on a back surface side of a pull tab fixed to a can lid plate, and a gripping member connected to the substantially planar member. The tab opener is characterized in that a projecting member loosely fitted into the pull tab hole from the back surface side of the pull tab is formed on the surface of the planar member.

The second configuration of the present invention is the tab opener according to the first configuration, further comprising side wall members for preventing lateral displacement on the left and right sides of the substantially planar member.
A third configuration of the present invention is the first or second configuration, further comprising a notch portion that substantially matches the shape of the fastening portion of the pull tab at the tip of the substantially planar member. It is a tab opener as described.
The fourth configuration of the present invention is the tab according to any one of the first to third configurations, wherein the protruding member has a structure in which the height gradually increases from the front end toward the rear end. Opener.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tab opener that is superior in portability and economical efficiency and has necessary functions as compared with the prior art.

The perspective view which shows an example of a structure of the tab opener in one embodiment of this invention The perspective view which shows the use condition of the tab opener in one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of the protrusion-shaped member which is a structural member of the tab opener in one embodiment of this invention ((a) is a front view, (b) is a sectional side view) The perspective view which shows the other example (structure which curved the substantially planar member and the holding member) of the structure of the tab opener in one embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the further another example (structure which does not provide a notch part) of the structure of the tab opener in one embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the further another example (structure which does not provide a side wall member) of the structure of the tab opener in one embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the further another example (structure which does not provide a notch part and a side wall member) of the structure of the tab opener in one embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the further another example (structure provided with two or more protrusion-shaped members) of the structure of the tab opener in one embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the other example of the protruding member which is a structural member of the tab opener in one embodiment of this invention ((a) is a front view, (b) is a sectional side view)

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to preferred embodiments. However, the following embodiment is merely an example embodying the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[Overview of tab opener]
The tab opener of the present invention includes a substantially planar member having a protruding member and a gripping member as essential components.
About the member which comprises these tab openers, when the holding member is lifted, a certain stress for opening the pull tab is applied to open the pull tab. Therefore, it is necessary to use a material having a certain rigidity and a formable material for the constituent member. However, the material is not particularly limited as long as it has these performances, and various materials can be used.
As a material constituting the tab opener, it is preferable to use plastic. According to this preferable configuration, the tab opener can be easily formed and manufactured at low cost, and the economic efficiency of the tab opener of the present invention can be improved.

The substantially planar member includes a protruding member described later, and functions as a member for sliding on the back side of the pull tab fixed to the can lid plate. The substantially planar member is not particularly limited as long as it has these functions, and various configurations can be adopted.
The substantially planar member is typically a slightly curved member having a thickness of about 1 to 2 mm, a width of about 2 cm, and a depth of about 2.5 cm, as shown in the prototype of FIG. That's fine.

It is preferable that the substantially planar member further includes side wall members on the left and right sides thereof. According to this preferred configuration, it is possible to prevent a lateral displacement when the substantially planar member is slid into the back surface side of the pull tab fixed to the can lid plate, so that when the gripping member is lifted, The pull tab can be opened, and the functionality of the tab opener of the present invention can be improved.
The side wall member only needs to have a certain width and height to prevent the substantially planar member from shifting laterally. For example, as shown in the prototype of FIG. A member having a height of about 5 cm and a height of about 3 mm may be used.

The plane-like member preferably further includes a notch at the tip. According to this preferred configuration, the shape of the tip of the plane-like member can be made to substantially match the fastening portion of the can lid plate and the pull tab, so that it is substantially on the back side of the pull tab secured to the can lid plate. The planar member can be slid to improve the stability when a protruding member to be described later is loosely fitted into the pull tab hole from the back side of the pull tab as described later.
Normally, the fastening part of the can lid plate and the pull tab is shaped like a circle, so the shape of the notch is, for example, approximately semicircular as shown in the prototype of FIG. That's fine.

The gripping member is connected to the substantially planar member and functions as a part for gripping the tab opener. The gripping member is not particularly limited as long as it has this gripping function, and various configurations can be employed.
The gripping member is typically a slightly curved member having a width of about 1.5 cm and a length of about 3.0 cm, as shown in the prototype in FIG. And it is sufficient.

The protruding member is formed on the surface of the substantially planar member, and has a play in the pull tab hole from the back surface side of the pull tab when the substantially planar member is slid on the back surface side of the pull tab fixed to the can lid plate. It has a function of fitting (free fitting) in the state. The projecting member is not particularly limited as long as it has this function, and may have various configurations.
The protruding member preferably has a structure in which the height is gradually increased from the front end toward the rear end. According to this preferable configuration, when the substantially planar member is slid on the back surface side of the pull tab fixed to the can lid plate, the protruding member can be smoothly fitted into the pull tab hole from the back surface side of the pull tab. When the projecting member is fitted into the pull tab hole, a snap sound is generated and it becomes an indication of the fitting, so that the functionality of the tab opener of the present invention can be improved. it can.
Typically, the protruding member may have a wedge shape of about several millimeters as shown in the prototype of FIG. The projecting member shown in this prototype has a substantially triangular pyramid shape, and gradually increases in height from the front end to the rear end, and the rear end surface is substantially the same as the substantially planar member. It is vertical (vertical surface). That is, when the substantially planar member is slid into the back side of the pull tab fixed to the can lid plate, the pull tab gradually rises through the protruding member, and the rear end surface (vertical surface) of the protruding member is the pull tab hole. When going to the rear edge, the pull tab hits the substantially planar member and makes a sound.

[Embodiment]
The structure of the tab opener according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a tab opener according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the tab opener, and FIG. 3 is a constituent member of the tab opener. It is a figure ((a) is a front view and (b) is a sectional side view) showing an example of a protruding member.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tab opener 1 according to the present embodiment includes a planar member 2 for sliding on the back side of the pull tab 30 b fixed to the can lid plate 30 a of the beverage can 30, A flat plate-like gripping member 3 connected to the plate-like member 2. Here, on the surface of the planar member 2, a protruding member 4 is formed which is loosely fitted into the pull tab hole 30c from the back side of the pull tab 30b.
According to the configuration of the tab opener 1 of the present embodiment, the gripping member 3 is picked with the thumb and forefinger, and the planar member 2 is slid onto the back side of the pull tab 30b fixed to the can lid plate 30a (FIG. 2). After the projecting member 4 is loosely fitted into the pull tab hole 30c, the holding member 3 is lifted (see arrow B in FIG. 2), and a certain stress is applied to open the pull tab 30b. , The pull tab 30b can be opened.

On the left and right sides of the planar member 2 are further provided side wall members 5a and 5b for preventing lateral displacement of the planar member 2 when the planar member 2 is slid to the back side of the pull tab 30b fixed to the can lid plate 30a. ing.
According to such a configuration, when the holding member 3 is lifted as described above, the pull tab 30b can be reliably opened, and the functionality of the tab opener 1 can be improved.

At the tip of the planar member 2, a notch 6 that substantially matches the shape of the fastening portion 30d of the pull tab 30b is further provided.
According to such a configuration, the planar member 2 is slid into the back surface side of the pull tab 30b fixed to the can lid plate 30a, and the protruding member 4 is loosely fitted into the pull tab hole 30c from the back surface side of the pull tab 30b. Stability can be improved.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the protruding member 4 has a substantially triangular pyramid shape, and gradually increases in height from the front end to the rear end, and the rear end surface is flat. It is perpendicular to the shaped member 2 (vertical surface).
According to such a configuration, when the planar member 2 is slid into the back surface side of the pull tab 30b fixed to the can lid plate 30a as described above, the pull tab hole 30c is smoothly inserted from the back surface side of the pull tab 30b. The protruding member 4 can be fitted. In this case, when the pull tab 30b gradually rises through the protruding member 4, and the rear end surface (vertical surface) of the protruding member 4 goes to the rear end edge of the pull tab hole 30c, the pull tab 30b becomes a flat member. 2 hits a click. And this sound serves as a standard that the projection-like member 4 is fitted in the pull tab hole 30c, and the functionality of the tab opener 1 is improved.

In the present embodiment, the tab opener 1 including the planar member 2 and the flat gripping member 3 connected to the planar member 2 has been described as an example. However, the tab of the present invention has been described. The opener is not necessarily limited to such a configuration.
For example, like the tab opener 7 shown in FIG. 4, the member 8 and the gripping member 9 for sliding on the back side of the pull tab may be slightly curved with the center line as the center. According to such a configuration, a good fit is obtained when the gripping member 9 is picked with the thumb and index finger.

In the present embodiment, the tab opener 1 provided with the notch 6 at the tip of the planar member 2 has been described as an example. However, the tab opener of the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. It is not a thing.
For example, like the tab opener 10 shown in FIG. 5, the leading edge of the planar member 2 may be formed in a straight line. The tab opener of the present invention comprises a substantially planar member for sliding on the back side of the pull tab fixed to the can lid plate, and a gripping member connected to the substantially planar member, and the substantially planar shape. If a protruding member that is loosely fitted into the pull tab hole from the back surface side of the pull tab is formed on the surface of the member, the intended purpose can be achieved.

In the present embodiment, the tab opener 1 provided with the side wall members 5a and 5b on the left and right sides of the planar member 2 has been described as an example. However, the tab opener of the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. Is not to be done.
For example, the structure which does not provide a side wall member in the both right and left sides of the planar member 2 like the tab opener 11 shown in FIG. The tab opener of the present invention comprises a substantially planar member for sliding on the back side of the pull tab fixed to the can lid plate, and a gripping member connected to the substantially planar member, and the substantially planar shape. If a protruding member that is loosely fitted into the pull tab hole from the back surface side of the pull tab is formed on the surface of the member, the intended purpose can be achieved.

Further, in the present embodiment, a tab opener 1 having side wall members 5a and 5b on both the left and right sides of the planar member 2 and a notch 6 at the tip of the planar member 2 will be described as an example. However, the tab opener of the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a configuration.
For example, like the tab opener 12 shown in FIG. 7, the side wall member is not provided on both the left and right sides of the planar member 2, and the leading edge of the planar member 2 is formed in a straight line. There may be. The tab opener of the present invention comprises a substantially planar member for sliding on the back side of the pull tab fixed to the can lid plate, and a gripping member connected to the substantially planar member, and the substantially planar shape. If a protruding member that is loosely fitted into the pull tab hole from the back surface side of the pull tab is formed on the surface of the member, the intended purpose can be achieved.

In the present embodiment, the tab opener 1 in which only one protruding member 4 is formed on the surface of the planar member 2 has been described as an example. However, the tab opener of the present invention is not necessarily configured as described above. It is not limited to.
For example, a plurality of protruding members 4a and 4b may be formed on the surface of the planar member 2 as in the tab opener 13 shown in FIG. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the lateral displacement of the planar member 2 even without the side wall member.

In the present embodiment, the tab opener 1 provided with the protruding member 4 having a substantially triangular pyramid shape has been described as an example. However, the tab opener of the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. It is not something.
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a projecting member 14 having a shape obtained by cutting a semi-spheroid along the short axis may be provided. Also in this projecting member 14, the height gradually increases from the front end to the rear end, and the rear end surface is perpendicular to the planar member 2 (vertical surface). Accordingly, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the protruding member 4 having a substantially triangular pyramid shape shown in FIGS.

1,7,10,11 Tab opener 2,8 Planar member (substantially planar member)
3,9 Holding member 4,4a, 4b, 14 Protruding member 5a, 5b Side wall member 6 Notch part 30 Beverage can 30a Can lid plate 30b Pull tab 30c Pull tab hole 30d Fastening part

Claims (4)

A substantially planar member for sliding on the back side of the pull tab secured to the can lid plate, and a gripping member connected to the substantially planar member,
A tab opener characterized in that a protrusion-like member loosely fitted into a pull tab hole from the back side of the pull tab is formed on the surface of the substantially planar member.   2. The tab opener according to claim 1, further comprising side wall members for preventing lateral displacement on both left and right sides of the substantially planar member.   3. The tab opener according to claim 1, further comprising a notch that substantially matches the shape of the fastening portion of the pull tab at the tip of the substantially planar member. The tab opener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protruding member has a structure in which a height is gradually increased from a front end toward a rear end.