US3301431A

US3301431A - Pull tab assembly

Info

Publication number: US3301431A
Application number: US398502A
Authority: US
Inventors: Blase C Rau; John C Jasper
Original assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Current assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Priority date: 1964-09-23
Filing date: 1964-09-23
Publication date: 1967-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 1984-01-31
Also published as: CH435006A; AT255321B; FR1434825A; DE1482533A1

Description

B. C. RAU ETAL PULL TAB ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 23, 1964 Jan. 31, 1967 INVENTORS BLASE C. Rau 6^. JOHN C.JL\%PER BY y V. l. /mmw ML/a/ VLMIFFTORNXS United States Patent O 3,301,431 PULL TAB ASSEMBLY Blase C. Ran,

assignors to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 398,502

. 7 Claims. (Cl. 220-54) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in pull tabs of the type which are particularly adapted for securernent to tear strips in the opening of containers, and more particularly relates to a novel pull tab which is securable to a tear strip of a container wherein a relatively great force must be exerted through the pull tab to the tear strip to effect the rupture of a container panel. Y

It has been found that from to 14 pounds force is required on the extreme end of a conventional pull tab in order to effect the rupture of a can end of the conventional type now in use. Since the pull tab must be retained closely adjacent the can end to prevent interference with the operation of can closing machinery, it is initially difficult to place ones finger beneath the projecting end of the pull tab. Exerting the force required onV the pull tab also becomes extremely difiicult. In fact, many people cannot open the present type of easy opening can end.

In view of the foregoing, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a novel combination ring and` pull tab assembly which utilizes a conventional type of pull tab but provides means for applying the necessary force to the extreme end thereof whereby the difficulties in opening cans of the easy opening tear strip type are eliminated.

In accordance with this invention, it is proposed to provide a conventional pull tab at the end thereof remote from its point of attachment yto an opening strip with a pull ring whereby the necessary force may be easily exerted on the pull tab. It is proposed to modify an existing pull tab to receive the pullkring, but, if desired, the pull ring and pull tabmay be of an integral construction.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a novel connection between a plastic pull ring and a metal pull rigidlyl secured to the pull tab and having sufficient re-` siliency whereby it may be swung from the plane of the pull tab with a minimum of effort so that it may be firmly j gripped for the purpose of applying a lifting force to the pull tab.

Chicago, and .lohn C. Jasper, Hinsdale, Ill.,

Patented Jan. 31, 1967 ICS With the above, and other objects in View that will hereinafter appear, the nature ofthe invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing:

" specifically shows the construction of the can end and the associated pull tab assembly, the pull tab assembly being illustrated in the` progress of 'being utilized toopen the can by phantom lines.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along the li'ne4-4 of FIGURE 3 and shows more specifically the construction of the pull tab assembly.

FIGURES is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 and shows a modified form of pull tab assembly.

FIGURE 6.is an enlarged fragmentary` vertical sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 and shows the specific connection between the pull ring and the'pull tab.-

FIGURE 7 is an enlargedfragmentary vertical sectab is interlocked with the pull ring.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through a pull'tab assembly wherein the pull ring is in the form of a metal ring which is secured to the pull tab only at the trailing end of the pull tab.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 a can of the easyv opening type, the can being generally referred to by the numeral 10. The can 10l is formed of a conventional can body 11 which may have the lower end( thereof closed in a conventional manner. The upper end of the can body 11 is closed by means of an easy opening can end 12 which is secured to the can body 11 by means of a conventional double seam 13.

The can end 12 includes a recessed end panel 14 which has a removable tear'strip 15 defined therein by means of a score line 16. The tear strip 15 is provided with an ,integral rivet 17J through which a pull tab 18 is sef cured to the tear strip 15 for the purpose of facilitating Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel pull tab assembly which includes a metal pull ring, a metal pull ring being secured to the pull tab at the end thereof remote from its point of securement to an opening strip, and the connection between the metal pull ring and the metal pull tab being of the hinged type wherethe removal of the tear strip 15 by rupturing the end panel 14 along the score line 16.

It is to be understood that the tear strip 15v may be of any desired configuration and the outline of the tear strip in no way is a part of this invention. `It is also to be understood that the rivet connection between the tear strip 15 and the' pull tab 18 is of a conventional type which is not a part of this invention.

The -pull tab 18 is of a generally conventional type .'configuration, but with modifications.y It is to be noted thatthe pull tab 18, asis best shown in FIGURE 5 is of a winged channel cross section and includes a central shaped portion 20, the pull tab 18 is provided with a pair of outwardly directed wing anges 22. The wing fianges 22 terminate at their outer edges in reversely turned edge portions 23.

It is also to be noted that the channel 20 is of an increased Width at the leading end of the pull tab 18 so as to provide clearance for the head of the rivet 17. Also, it is to be noted that the end of the pull tab 15 remote from the rivet 17 includes an end reversely turned edge portion 24. The channel 20, coupled with the reversely turned

edge portions

23 and 24, stiffen the pull tab 18 to the extent that the pull tab 18, which is preferably formed of sheet metal, may be considered to be a rigid pull tab.

In accordance with this invention, it is proposed to provide the pull tab 18 with a pull ring whichmay be readily swung from a position closely adjacent the end panel 12 to an upstanding position where it may be readily gripped. In the simplest form of the invention, a wire metal pull ring 25 is provided. The reversely turned edge portion 24 is shaped to grip an intermediate portion of the metal pull ring 25 and firmly secure the metal pull ring 25 to the pull tab 18. It is to be understood that the frictional connection between the reversely turned edge portion 24 and the pull ring 25 is sufficient to normally hold the pull ring 25 closely adjacent the surface of the end panel 12 while permitting the pull ring 25 to be readily rotated to an upstanding position where it may be readily gripped.

Referring now to FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of pull tab assembly wherein the pull tab 18 has secured thereto a plastic pull ring, generally referred to by the numeral 26. The plastic pull ring 26 is substantially circular in outline except for a short fiat peripheral edge portion 27. If so desired, the pull ring 26 may be substantially circular in cross section throughout its entire circumference and be connected to the metal pull tab by a looped formation thereof corresponding to the tab formation 24 shown in FIGURE 1. The friction of the tab formation on the plastic ring 26 prevents the ring from being lifted inadvertently.

It will be readily apparent that the pull ring 26 is securely connected to the pull tab 18 so that the necessary lifting force may be applied to the pull tab 18 through the pull ring 26. Attention is now directed to FIGURES 3 and which clearly show the pull ring 26 as being disposed closely adjacent to the end panel 12. As is clearly shown in FIGURE 4, the pull ring 26 is of a sufficient size to completely encircle the pull tab 18. Thus, the pull ring 26 may lie closely adjacent the end panel 12 and yet is available to be readily lifted -to a position whereby it may be easily gripped by ones finger, as is shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 3. Although the pull tab 18 may have a rigid connection with the pull ring 26, when the pull ring 26 is formed of a material, such as a suitable plastic, it can be flexed with sufficient ease so that the lifting thereof may be readily accomplished. Once the pull ring 26 has been lifted, one or more fingers may be passed through the loop thereof for exerting the necessary force on the pull tab 18 -through the pull ring 26. The combination pull ring 26 and pull tab 18 thus forms a pull tab assembly that permits the application of a much greater force for opening the can than could otherwise be applied.

In FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, there is illustrated a slightly modified form of a pull tab assembly wherein the pull tab 18 has secured thereto a modified form of pull ring which is referred to by the numeral 31. The pull ring 31 differs from the pull ring 26 in that it has a fiat rear portion 32 and a generally horseshoe shaped forward portion 33 which are continuous. The flat rear portion 32 has a forwardly extending connecting strap 34 which is bifurcated to define a pair of spaced apart legs 35 which are positioned on opposite sides of the depending rib 21.

The legs 30 are clamped against the underside of the pull tab 18 by the reversely turned side edge portions 23 in the manner shown in FIGURE 6. However, because of the difference in outline of the pull ring 31, the reversely turned edge portion 24 does not extend about the edge of the pull ring 31, but extends through an elongated slot 36 formed in the straight rear portion 32 of the pull ring 31, as is clearly shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.

It will be readily apparent that the combination pull tab 18 and pull ring 31 will function in the same manner as that described above with respect to the pull tab assembly formed of the pull tab 18 and the pull ring 26. Also, it will be readily apparent that the pull ring 31 will be disposed closely adjacent the end panel 12 in an outof-the-way position.

Although it has not `been specifically illustrated in the drawing, it will be apparent that the pull ring may be integrally formed with the pull tab and the integral pull tab assembly thus formed may be formed of either metal or a suitable flexible material such as plastic. In either event, it will be readily apparent that the connection between the pull tab and the pull ring will be sufficiently flexible to permit the pull ring to be easily lifted to the necessary position whereby it may be engaged by ones fingers to exert the necessary pull on the pull tab.

The advantages of the pull tab assemblies of this invention over a simple pull tab are believed to be obvious. It is quite apparent that the pull tab assemblies have all of the advantages of the pull tab per se including compact storage thereof within the recessed can end. Also, it will be readily apparent that any possibility of cutting ones fingers by slippage relative to the pull tabs is eliminated. Furthermore, the combination ring and tab enables a firmer. grip and greater purchase to be applied for exerting the necessary force on the pull tab with a minimum of effort.

Although only preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically illustrated and described here, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made therein within the spirit and scope of the invention, as denedin the appended claims.

What is claimed as new:

1. A pull tab assembly comprising a pull tab adapted to be secured at one end to a tear strip and a flexible pull ring connected to said pull tab at the opposite end thereof, said pull ring being formed of plastic and said pull tab having at least one edge portion rigidly clampingly securing said pull ring to said pull tab.

2. A pull tab assembly comprising a pull tab adapted to be secured at one end to a tear strip and a exible pull ring connected to said pull tab at the opposite end thereof, said pull tab having reversely turned edge portions along said opposite end and opposite edges thereof, and said pull ring having a connecting strap extending generally coextensive with said pull tab and being rigidly clamped to said pull tab by said reversely turned edge portions.

3. A pull tab assembly comprising a pull tab adapted to be secured at one end to a tear strip and a pull ring connected to said pull tab at the opposite end thereof, said pull tab having reversely turned edge portions along said opposite end and opposite edges thereof, and said pull ring having a connecting strap clamped to said pull tab by said reversely turned edge portions, said pull tab having a longitudinally extending rib seated in said connecting strap and resisting pivoting of said pull tab relative to said connecting strap.

4. A pull tab assembly comprising a pull tab adapted to be secured at one end to a tear strip and a pull ring connected to said pull tab at the opposite end thereof, said pull tab having reversely turned edge portions along said opposite end and opposite edges thereof, and said pull ring having a connecting strap clamped to said pull tab by said reversely turned edge portions, said pull tab having 3, longitudinally extending rib, and said connecting 5 strap being bifurcated to extend on opposite sides of said rib.

5. The pull tab assembly of claim 2 wherein said reversely turned edge portion along said opposite end extends through a slot in said pull ring.

6. The pull tab assembly of claim 4 wherein said reversely turned edge portion is along said opposite end and extends around an outer peripheral edge of said pull ring.

7. An easy opening can end having a recessed end panel, a removable tear strip in said end panel, a pull tab having one end permanently secured to said tear strip as an extension thereof, and a exible plastic pull ring having a portion thereof ixedly connected to the opposite end of said pull tab for facilitating the placing of a pulling force on said pull tab, said pull ring encircling said pull tab and lying close to said end panel.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/ 1932 Ericsson 220-48 6/'1937 Ljungstrom 220-48 9/ 1937 Hildebrandt 220-48 3/ 1938 Speidel 220-54 4/ 1963 Walsh 220-54 11/ 1965 Simpson et al. 220--54 FOREIGN PATENTS 10/ 1956 France.

15 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner.