US3653536A - Easy opening device for a rectangular container end - Google Patents

Easy opening device for a rectangular container end Download PDF

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Publication number
US3653536A
US3653536A US68318A US3653536DA US3653536A US 3653536 A US3653536 A US 3653536A US 68318 A US68318 A US 68318A US 3653536D A US3653536D A US 3653536DA US 3653536 A US3653536 A US 3653536A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tab
section
removable portion
corner
embossed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US68318A
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English (en)
Inventor
Howard Dale Schrecker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alcoa Corp
Original Assignee
Aluminum Company of America
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aluminum Company of America filed Critical Aluminum Company of America
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3653536A publication Critical patent/US3653536A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
    • B65D17/28—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness
    • B65D17/401—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall
    • B65D17/4011—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall for opening completely by means of a tearing tab

Definitions

  • I ABSTRACT An easy opening rectangular container wall which has a line of weakness around its periphery defining a removable portion in the container wall and which has a tab attached to the removable portion in one corner, as by means of an integral rivet, and a downward embossment in the removable portion including a wing section spread outwardly from adjacent the attachment and a narrow tail section joined to the wing section.
  • Containers having walls made of deformable material have been provided with large removable portions of the full pullout panel type which are defined by lines of weakness around the outer periphery thereof and having tabs affixed to the removable portions for rupture of the lines of weakness as shown, for example, in US. Pat. Nos. 3,430,802 and 3,478,918. Removal of such full pull-out panel portions is typically effected by lifting the tab to initiate rupture of the line of weakness adjacent the attachment of the tab to the removable panel portion and then pulling the tab to rupture the remainder of the line of weakness around the removable portion.
  • This invention provides an easy opening device for a rectangular container wall having a score around the periphery of the container wall defining a rectangular removable portion and a tab attached to the removable portion in one corner thereof, and further having a downward embossment in the removable panel portion which includes a wing section which diverges outwardly from the attachment of the tab to the removable panel portion and a narrower tail section joined to the wing section and extending approximately to a line bisecting the nearest adjacent corner of the removable portion.
  • an object of the invention is to provide means for facilitating the opening of an easy opening device in 'a rectangular container end.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a downward embossment in a removable portion of a rectangular container panel which facilitates rupture of the score line around the corner of the panel adjacent the corner in which the tab is attached to the panel.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a container provided with an easy opening device in its end wall in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the container taken along line II-II ofFIG. l;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating opening of the container of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the form of a rectangularly shaped container 10 having an end wall or panel thereof made of metal, preferably aluminum or aluminum alloy of a relatively thin gauge in the range of 0.007 inch to 0.012 inch.
  • the end wall has a peripheral flange 12 which may be secured to side wall 14 of container 10 by conventional means such as double seaming.
  • a rectangularly shaped full pull-out panel portion 16 defined by a score line 18 or other line of weakness is provided in the container wall for gaining access the contents of the container.
  • Score line 18 is formed closely adjacent peripheral flange 12 so that a major portion of the end wall can be removed to facilitate access to, and removal of, the contents of the container.
  • An anti-fracture score line 20 which is shallower, or has a thicker residual, than score 18 may also be provided in the end wall inwardly of and adjacent to score line 18 as shown.
  • the side wall 14 of the container has a shoulder 22 around the periphery of the container underlying score line 18 to shield the edge of the score after the removal of the panel portion. This shielding of the ruptured edge of the score helps to reduce or eliminate accidental injury to the user which could otherwise result from contact of the user's hand with the sharp score edge.
  • a pull tab 24 is disposed over the full pull-out panel portion 16 and affixed to the panel near its edge by conventional means such as an integral rivet 26.
  • the starting end of the removable portion 16 is located in a corner thereof to facilitate opening of the container.
  • To initiate opening of removable portion 16 there need only be initial rupture of a short length of the score line 18 at such corner, and severance of the score line can be progressive thereafter. Since only a short are of the score line is ruptured when the tab is lifted, the force which is required to initiate this rupture is relatively small. For example, this initial rupture force or pop force" for an end wall made of 0.009 inch aluminum alloy will average approximately three pounds for a container wall as shown in the FIGS.
  • Tab 24 has a nose end 28 overlying the removable panel portion 16 adjacent score line 18 and a handle end 30 in the shape of a ring disposed inwardly of score line 18 and overlying panel portion 16.
  • Tab 24 is preferably formed of sheet metal such as aluminum or an alloy thereof and has a curled bead around the ring and along the sides of the tab.
  • the nose end 28 of tab 24 may be recessed around the attachment portion to provide a wall which is substantially flush with the panel portion 16 of container 10, and the tab may include reinforcement ribs 32 adjacent such recessed area.
  • the nose 28 of the tab 24 may also be provided with upwardly turned lips along the edge thereof to reinforce the nose and provide a concentration of force at its end.
  • removable panel portion 16 has a downward embossment therein comprised of an wing section 34 which spreads or diverges outward in the panel from the attachment rivet 26, and an embossed tail section 36 which is narrower than the wing section and joined to that section.
  • the tail section 36 extends along a line bisecting the tabattachment corner of the panel portion 16 approximately to a line bisecting the corner of the container wall closest to the corner in which the attachment rivet is located.
  • the sections 34 and 36 have substantially fiat bottom walls, and the opposite sides of the wing section 34 extend along the cornerforming end and side of the removable portion 16.
  • embossed sections 34 and 36 form a substantially rigid zone in the removable portion which resists flexing and bending of the removable portion both parallel and transverse to the direction in which the tab is pulled.
  • the downwardly embossed tail section also facilitates insertion of a finger under the tab so that the tab can be easily gripped for lifting it to initiate opening.
  • the embossed beads in the removable panels have been designed to reinforce the panels in one direction only to prevent upward bowing or doming of the section transverse to the direction of tearing while permitting the panel to curl.
  • the ends included no provision for reinforcing the panel parallel to the direction of tearing so that the panel would be substantially rigid and would not curl. It has been discovered that by preventing curling as well as doming of the removable panel, rupture of the score can be made even easier, particularly in rectangular con tainers.
  • the rigid zone should extend approximately to a line bisecting the corner of the panel nearest to the attachment of the tab to the removable panel so that rupture of the score around such nearest adjacent corner can be easily effected.
  • the removable panel should preferably flex as rupture of the score proceeds around such adjacent corner to facilitate a change of direction in the pulling force. if the rigid zone extended much beyond the line bisecting that corner, the flexing which permits this change of direction of pulling force would be difficult. On the other hand, if the rigid zone ended too far short of the bisecting line, the removable panel would start to flex too soon which would make it difficult to rupture the score into the adjacent corner. With an end closure as shown, the rigid zone acts as a lever which fulcrums at the adjacent corner to aid in rupture of the score around such corner.
  • the two different widths and depths of embossment as shown in Figs. also facilitate rupture of the score. More reinforcement is required closer to the attachment of the tab, and the deeper and wider embossed section is provided in this area. Less reinforcement is required further from the rivet attachment, and the narrower tail section permits the desirable flexure of the removable panel in the area of the adjacent corner.
  • the wing embossment 34 is depressed approximately 0.0017 inch and the tail embodiment is depressed approximately 0.008 inch, although shallower embossments can be used.
  • the wing section should be at least 0.0015 inch deep and the tail section at least 0.006 inch deep to provide adequate reinforcing strength for the intended purpose.
  • tab 24 is lifted to depress the removable panel between score 18 and rivet 26 into the container and thereby rupture the score around the short are of the corner of the container.
  • the tab is then pulled to rupture the score along the removable panel outward from the initial point of rupture. Since the panel is substantially rigid, the residual metal in the score is put into almost perfect shear which means the metal ruptures with a minimum of force.
  • the removable panel domes and curls very little, if any, during this rupture of the score 18. If the panel were permitted to bow, the score is put in tension rather than shear. This makes it difficult to rupture the score and may result in pulling the end seam from the container wall.
  • an easy opening device 15 provided for a rectangular container wall in which a major portion of the wall can be removed very easily. While a specific embodiment of the invention has been selected and illustrated, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made in the device which has been described. For example various tab structures can be employed which would not affect the invention.
  • a downward embossment in the removable portion including an embossed wing section spread outwardly from adjacent the attachment of the tab to the removable portion, and an embossed tail section narrower than the wing section, the tail section being joined to the wing section and extending approximately to a line bisecting the nearest adjacent corner of the removable portion.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers Opened By Tearing Frangible Portions (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
US68318A 1970-08-31 1970-08-31 Easy opening device for a rectangular container end Expired - Lifetime US3653536A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US6831870A 1970-08-31 1970-08-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3653536A true US3653536A (en) 1972-04-04

Family

ID=22081791

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US68318A Expired - Lifetime US3653536A (en) 1970-08-31 1970-08-31 Easy opening device for a rectangular container end

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3653536A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5345750B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BR (1) BR7105664D0 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2103632B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1296509A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NO (1) NO128265B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3712503A (en) * 1971-11-03 1973-01-23 Nat Can Corp Full open end closure
US3752353A (en) * 1972-01-24 1973-08-14 Campbell Soup Co Can end
US4593834A (en) * 1984-08-17 1986-06-10 Schmalbach-Lubeca Ag Opening means for oblong cans
US4690297A (en) * 1985-10-02 1987-09-01 Schmalbach-Lubeca Ag Opening means for oblong cans
US20060039780A1 (en) * 2004-08-20 2006-02-23 Butcher Gregory H Non-circular can end with corner-mounted tab and tooling and a conversion press for providing same

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2954290B1 (fr) * 2009-12-17 2012-03-23 Impress Group Bv Couvercle metallique monobloc avec ligne d'amorce de rupture en forme de parallelogramme

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3441171A (en) * 1968-03-11 1969-04-29 Continental Can Co Easy-opening container panel structure
US3478918A (en) * 1968-08-14 1969-11-18 American Can Co Full open end closure
US3591037A (en) * 1969-02-24 1971-07-06 Aluminum Co Of America Container with removable panel portion

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3441171A (en) * 1968-03-11 1969-04-29 Continental Can Co Easy-opening container panel structure
US3478918A (en) * 1968-08-14 1969-11-18 American Can Co Full open end closure
US3591037A (en) * 1969-02-24 1971-07-06 Aluminum Co Of America Container with removable panel portion

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3712503A (en) * 1971-11-03 1973-01-23 Nat Can Corp Full open end closure
US3752353A (en) * 1972-01-24 1973-08-14 Campbell Soup Co Can end
US4593834A (en) * 1984-08-17 1986-06-10 Schmalbach-Lubeca Ag Opening means for oblong cans
US4690297A (en) * 1985-10-02 1987-09-01 Schmalbach-Lubeca Ag Opening means for oblong cans
US20060039780A1 (en) * 2004-08-20 2006-02-23 Butcher Gregory H Non-circular can end with corner-mounted tab and tooling and a conversion press for providing same
US7270246B2 (en) * 2004-08-20 2007-09-18 Stolle Machinery Company, Llc Non-circular can end with corner-mounted tab and tooling and a conversion press for providing same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2103632A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-04-14
JPS5345750B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1978-12-08
BR7105664D0 (pt) 1973-05-24
FR2103632B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-03-15
GB1296509A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-11-15
NO128265B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-10-22

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