US3894651A

US3894651A - Non-removable opener

Info

Publication number: US3894651A
Application number: US407480A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles N Hannon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-01-18
Filing date: 1973-10-18
Publication date: 1975-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-15

Abstract

A metal can cover having a non-detachable flap with an attached opener. A scored line forming an almost closed curve weakens an area of a metal can cover to form a flap that can be hinged about a portion of metal between the ends of the line. The opener is a substantially rigid structure attached securely to the flap and has a pressure end of relatively restricted size to place high pressure in a limited area of the flap in a region of the scored line remote from the hinged area. At the opposite end of the opener from the pressure end is a handle end. The opener may be attached to the flap by integral folded portions, or a tongue of the material of the opener may extend from the pressure end toward the handle end to be attached to a central region of the flap by an integral rivet. A second rivet may be used to attach the opener to the flap at a point between the first rivet and the pressure end to assure that the flap will break free over the length of the scored line so that both the flap and the opener can be folded into the can. In any case, the arm remains relatively close to the flap as the latter pivots inwardly and does not interfere with drinking or pouring liquid from the can.

Description

United States Patent 1 Harmon July 15, 1975 i NON-REMOVABLE OPENER Charles N. Hannon, 27 Sargent Rd, Scarsdale, NY. l0583 221 Filed: Oct. 18,1973

[2!] Appl, No.: 407,480

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 324.577, Jan I8.

1973, abandoned.

[76] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerGeorge T Hall Almrney. Agent, or Firm-Donald P. Gillette. Esq.

[57] ABSTRACT A metal can cover having a non-detachable flap with an attached opener. A scored line forming an almost closed curve weakens an area of a metal can cover to form a flap that can be hinged about a portion of metal between the ends of the line. The opener is a substantially rigid structure attached securely to the flap and has a pressure end of relatively restricted size to place high pressure in a limited area of the flap in a region of the scored line remote from the hinged area. At the opposite end of the opener from the pressure end is a handle end. The opener may be attached to the flap by integral folded portions, or a tongue of the material of the opener may extend from the pressure end toward the handle end to be attached to a central region of the flap by an integral rivet. A second rivet may be used to attach the opener to the flap at a point between the first rivet and the pressure end to assure that the flap will break free over the length of the scored line so that both the flap and the opener can be folded into the can. In any case, the arm remains relatively close to the flap as the latter pivots inwardly and does not interfere with drinking or pouring liquid from the can.

38 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures NON-REMOVABLE OPENER This is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 324,577, filed Jan. 18, 1973, now abancloned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field Of The Invention This invention relates to the field of metal can covers with attached opening devices. In particular, it relates to the type of metal can cover that is scored to weaken a flap area that can be broken open relatively easily by means of an attached opener but remains attached to the rest of the cover.

2 The Prior Art In recent years there has been a tremendous growth in the use of metal can covers that have a handle, or tab, attached by an integral rivet to a removable section that is completely circumscribed by a closed scoring line. Such cans are opened by pulling up on the tab and tearing the removable section completely away.

Unfortunately, a great many people simply drop the tab and removable section wherever they happen to be, and the resultant accumulation of these small, shiny bits of metal on the ground is not only unsightly but has become such a nuisance that governmental bodies have begun to take note. lf dropped in the water they are a menace to fish. Increasing pressure is being brought to bear on legislative bodies to have such cans declared illegal, and there is, at the present time, a great amount of effort to invent a can that can be opened as easily as present-day cans and yet have a flap that can be bent down but cannot too easily be removed. It is, of course, possible to throw away the entire can instead of placing it in a suitable disposal receptacle, but this is more Ohvious littering, and people seem to be more likely to refrain from doing that.

One of the problems in the design ofa cover for a can from which people may drink directly is to construct the opening arrangement in such a way that the user is not likely to get cut. Another problem is to avoid having the person who opens the can stick his finger through the opening and into the contents within the can. Still another problem is to make it possible to open the can rather easily but not so easily that it can happen accidently. For example, the opening device must not cause the can to be even partially opened if it is struck by the edge of another can. And the necessary scoring of the can must not cause any leaks.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an opening arrangement for opening a metal can cover by means of a flap that remains hinged to the remainder of the cover.

A further object is to minimize the force required to open the can.

Other objects will become apparent from the following specification together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention a relatively rigid opener is attached to a flap area of a metal can cover. The flap is defined by a scored line that forms an almost-closed loop. The metal between the ends of the scored line forms a hinge about which the flap eventually pivots after forward and somewhat upward pressure has been exerted on the opener.

The opener has a pressure end and a handle end and is attached to the cover by integrally formed means drawn from the metal in the flap area. The pressure end is constricted or tapered to a point or at least to an area of small dimensions so that, when forward and somewhat upward pressure is ecerted on the handle, pivoting the opener about the attachment means, the constricted end breaks the scored line that defines the flap, and forces the flap downwardly by concentrating pressure on or near an edge of the flap area in a central portion of the scoring line, i.e., the portion farthest from the hinge area. Once an initial break has occurred at the scored line as a result of pressure of the constricted end on that immediate area of the flap, the remainder of the scored line can be torn somewhat more easily if continued forward pressure is applied to the handle.

The flap may be made stiff enough by forming it so that it does not lie in a single plane and by means of a stiffening rib, or ribs, if necessary. The means that holds the opener in place on the flap is so placed that the entire flap folds substantially as a unit rather than curling sharply under when forward and upward pressure is applied to the handle. However, it is undesirable to have the flap pop free, sharply. This pressure can be continued until the whole flap, together with the handle, pivots about the remaining integral metal hinge and folds into the can out of the way. Once the flap has started to tear free, the continued pressure should be more forward than upward and, at the end, may even be downward, into the can.

The opener must be rigid enough not to fold up as a result of the pressure applied to it in opening the flap, and yet it must have enough flexibility so that it can be raised sufficiently to allow the person using it to get a finger far enough under it to apply full force without any difficulty and to cause the pressure end to make the initial indentation in the scored line. One way of doing this is by forming the opener with a tongue of metal that extends in the direction opposite that of the pressure end. The sides of this tongue are separated from the metal that forms the handle itself, in this case, a U- shaped structure surrounding the tongue. Rivet means, including at least one integral rivet near the pressure end, hold this type of opener in place on the flap. Preferably, a second rivet that passes through the outer end of the tongue is also used. The tongue serves in part as a spring, and may be separately formed as such to allow a certain limited, movement of the handle and yet return the handle to close parallel relationship with the flap when the latter is folded into the can. The rivet through the tongue may be looser than the rivet near the pressure end and it may also be larger. The flap may be further strengthened by providing one or more ribs' in it. The strengthening may be controlled by the size, shape and number of ribs, as well as by the width, thick ness, and inherent rigidity of the material out of which the opener is made.

A further means that has been found extremely useful in allowing the arm to have the initial flexibility to produce the initial breach in the scored line yet provide the arm with the necessary final rigidity to prevent it from bending. This further means is the provision of one or more straps formed integrally from the material of which the arm is formed and having a configuration that suits the aforementioned requirements.

As an alternative to attaching the opener by one or more rivets, projections may be drawn from the flap BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspectiveyiew ofa metal can with opening means constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lid of the can of FIG. 1 in its opened position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the can in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view similar to FIG. 3 but an earlier stage of manufacture and before the opener has been attached.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the metal can cover of FIG. 3 along the line 55'.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the metal can cover of FIG. 3 along the line 6-6.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view ofa metal can cover showing a modified opener constructed in accor dance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the opener of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an opener suitable for use in the embodiment in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top view of a still different embodiment of the invention.

FIG. II shows a fragmentary top view of another embodiment of the invention. I

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a fragment of the lid in FIG. ll.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 shows an intermediate stage of manufacture of an opener for use in the embodiment of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows a later stage in the manufacture of the opener in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view of still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of an opener with a pair of reforcing straps.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view of the opener in FIG. 18.

FIGS. 20-23 are plan views of alternative embodiments of openers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The can in FIG. 1 comprises a cylindrical body 11 and separately attached ends 12 and 13. The end 13 is a thin sheet metal cover constructed in accordance with the present invention, and it has a flap 14 defined by a scored line 15. The entire central area of the flap 14 is pressed out of the plane of the remainder of the cover 13 and in this embodiment is displaced toward" the interior of the can II. The metal of the cover 13 is weakened only where the scoring exists, and the unscored section between the

ends

16 and 17 of the line 15 retains enough strength to serve as a hinge for the flap 14. l

An opener is attached to the flap 14 by two rivets l9 and 21 formed integrally as part of the metal of the cover. The opener includes a handle end 22 and a tapcred pressure end 23 that terminates in a point or at least an area of small dimensions. The handle end 22 is generally U-shaped configuration and the ends of the U are attached to the pressure end. A tongue 24 formed of the material of which the opener 18 is formed extends from the pressure end into the open area of the handle end and the rivet 21 passes through this tongue. The other rivet 19 passes through a section at the pressure end between the tongue 24 and the tip of the pressure end. i

In order to open the can ll pressure is put on the underside of the handle 22 to, raise it. The tongue 24 allows some flexibility so that the pressure end 23 can be rocked downward and thus exert a high pressure per unit area on the flap immediately adjacent the central region of the scored line 15.. Due to the weakening effect of the scored line, the metal of the cover 13 breaks at the point where ,pressure is greatest. The initial movement .of the opener 18 should be as a lever pivoted about the fron rivet 19 to obtain the greatest moment arm with respect to pressure on the handle 22. However, once a break starts, less pressure is required on the handle 22 to continue tearing the metal along the line 15. Then it is possible and desirable for the center of rotation of the opener 18 to shift back from the front rivet 19 in the direction of the rear rivet 21. The pressure on the handle 22 changes from upward to forward, that is, toward the edge of the cover 13 beyond the pressure end 23 of the arm. As a result, the entire flap 14, together, with most of the opener 18, is able to pivot into the can, 11 about a pivot 27, as shown in FIG. 2, in response to continued forward pressure on the handle 22. The flap ,14 may be slightly curved or bent in being separated from the ,rest of the cover 13 in order for the scored line 15 to tear smoothly, but it must not curl under tightly or bend sharply at any intermediate point because that would leave the handle 22 sticking forward into the open area where it would be dangerous or at least an impediment to a user. The opener 18 must be sufficiently rigid to stay relatively close to the flap 14 after the latter has been pivoted inwardly, as shown.

FIG. 3 shows the cover 13 in greater detail. Almost completely surrounding the scored line 15 and the flap 14 is a raised ridge 26. It is desirable to strengthen the cover 13 outside of the flap l4, and the ridge 26 provides the extra rigidity. The cover could also be strengthened by pressing the ridge inwardly or by depressing the whole area around the flap 14, but the need to stack the covers 13 prior to use must be kept in mind, and the configuration shown permits good stacking. Further, the ste between the ridge 26 and the downwardly sloping wall just inside the perimeter of the flap 14 is at or near the original level of the cover I3 and serves as the location ofthe scored line 15.

The locations of the rivets l9 and 21 are shown more clearly in FIG. 4, which illustrates the cover 13 before the opener 18 has been attached to it. As may be seen, the scored line IS that describes the flap I4 is in the shape of a racetrack, which is complete except for a small section 27 between the ends Hand 17. This section will later be the hinge and is farthest from the central section of the scored line 17, which is the part closest to the perimeter of the cover 13. This places the hinge out of the way when the contents of the can are to be drunk or poured out after it has been opened. The flap 14 may be furtherstrengthened by

ribs

28 and 29 in the otherwise flat floor of the flap 14. These ribs may be parallel or not. In order to concentrate the strengthening effect toward the rear to prevent the flap from buckling just after it is opened, the ribs may be slanted toward each other at the ward the flap.

FIG. 5 shows the cover 13 in an enlarged crosssectional view. Some of the material displaced when the line 15 is scored forms a slight mound 31 at the periphery of the flap 14, and the tipe of the constricted end 23 is formed to have a beak 32 that strikes this mound when the handle 22 is raised. The metal is workhardened in forming the ridge 26 and in forming the sloping depression of the flap l4, and the distance between these two work-hardened locations must be great enough to allow the line 15 to be scored in relatively soft metal. Otherwise the metal tends to crack and leak due to formation of the line 15.

The opener 18 is curved or bent so that the beak is normally slightly removed from the flap until the handle is raised. In accordance with standard practice, the opener 18 may be made of relatively thin sheet metal, and in order to stiffen it, it may be ribbed or some of the edges rolled under. or both. This particularly is true in the region of the handle 22. The opener and flap may also be strengthened by making the rivet 21 larger than the rivet 19. In order to cause the flap 14 to pivot open more smoothly, line 15 may be scored more deeply at the central region than elsewhere. What is important is that the opener 18 have enough figidity to tear the metal at the cover 13 along the line 15 without folding the handle end 22 forward, yet the opener must be flexible enough to allow its handle end 22 to be levered up out of the depressed flap 14 by finger pressure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cover 13 showing the strengthening

ribs

28 and 29 and further showing that, except at the tip of the handle end 22, the opener 18 is substantially completely below the level of the top of the ridge 26.

FIG. 7 shows a can cover 13 with a different form of flap 34. The flap 34 is defined by the same scored line 15 as before (although a differently shaped curve may be used instead of the racetrack configuration.) An opener 33 is held in place not by integral rivets but by four integral projections 37-40 drawn from the material of the flap 34 and folded over on top of the opener.

The opener 33 has a handle end 42 and a pressure end 43. On the sides of the opener are two

flanges

44 and 46 that are held by the

projections

38 and 40. The opener 33 may be made as stiff as necessary, but the

flanges

44 and 46 may have the flexibility to provide a limited freedom of movement to allow the pressure end 43 to make the initial tear in the central region of the scored line 15.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view that shows the way the projections 37-40 are folded over to grip the opener.

FIG. 9 shows a slightly modified opener 47 that includes a pair of

tabs

48 and 49 that extend beyond the projections 37-40 in FIG. 7 and make it impossible for the opener to slip backward. The handle end 51 of the opener 47 is also made wide enough to keep the opener from slipping forward and into the can after the flap 34 in FIG. 7 has been pivoted inwardly. The edges of the opener 47 may be rolled to strengthen it, and

extra ribs

52 and 53 may also be added, if necessary.

FIG. 10 shows an opener 54 that has no flanges similar to the

flanges

44 and 46 of FIG. 9 but is simply formed with enough flexibility to allow its pressure end 56 to tear the scored line 15. The opener 54 is held in place by only two

projections

57 and 58 that are drawn integrally from the material of a modified flap 59. The opener has a solid handle end 61 in keeping with the operation of the opener. That is, the opener in any of the embodiments of this invention is intended to be raised and pushed forward toward the opening rather than pulled away from the opening. The handle end 61 is shown as having several stiffening ribs to prevent it from folding forward as it is raised. These ribs are shown as extending only over the handle end and not into the pressure end, but the preferred configuration of the handle and pressure ends may include one or more of the ribs extending into the pressure end.

FIG. 11 shows a further modification in which there is a narrow shelf 62 between the reinforcing ridge 26 and the flap 14. In contrast to the prior embodiments, in which the scored line 15 was right at the base of the ridge 26, the structure in FIG. 11 has a scored line 63 in the central region of the shelf 62. This is also shown in FIG. 12 and has the advantage of keeping the line 63 in an area that is not quite so much subjected to workhardening. For that reason, or others, it is easier to start the initial tear in the line 63 to start separating the flap 14 from the remainder of the lid. The rounded inner surface of the ridge 26 is desirable as a safe surface for the upper lip of anyone drinking from the can, as well as to strengthen the cover 13.

The scored line terminates in two rearwardly extending

sections

64 and 65. The metal in the region 67 between these sections is the hinge area for the flap 14, and by extending the sections 64 and rearwardly, the bend formed at the hinge area will be less sharp and there will be less danger of having the flap l4 snap off and fall into the can. Instead, the flap can bend inwardly in a controlled curl at the region 67.

FIG. 11 also shows an opener 68 having a constricted pressure end 69 and a handle end 71 is attached to the flap by two

rivets

72 and 73, the latter being larger to control the smoothness of opening the flap 14. The opener 68 may be provided with a V-shaped stiffening rib 74 to control the stiffness of the opener, if necessary, to improve, further, the smoothness of opening of the flap 14. The edges also may be rolled to stiffen the opener. The constricted end may be provided with a V-shaped indentation 76 to form a sharper point and to work-harden the pressure end 69 for making the initial incision more easily along the scored line 63.

In the embodiment in FIG. 13 an opener 77 is shown attached to the flap 14 by only one rivet 78. The opener has stiffening

ribs

79 and 81 and is shaped to fit snugly within the central depression in the flap 14 so that it will always be correctly angularly oriented for its pressure end 82 to apply concentrated pressure to the proper section of the flap to open it most easily even though the opener is attached by only a single rivet 78 or other attachment means of the type shown in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show steps in the manufacture of an opener 84 similar to the opener 77 in FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 14, separate sections of a strip of aluminum may be blanked off to form the opener, each section comprising a main portion 86 and a side flap 87 preferably less than half the length of the main portion. The side flap 87 can be followed over the main portion 86 or under it to stiffen the opener. As in the case of the opener 77, stiffening

ribs

88 and 89 are added and the edges may be rolled. The pressure end 91 is squared off and creased with a V-shaped crease 92 as shown in FIG. 15.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show alternative structures in which an opener 93 has a central opening 94 between its han dle end 96 and its pressure end 97. A rivet 98 through the opener 93 and through a short reinforcing strap 99 attaches the opener to the flap 14. In FIG. 16 the strap 99 is under the opener 93, while in FIG. 17 it is on top of the opener and passes through the hole 94. In either case it is also attached by a second rivet 101 to the flap 14 to help strengthen the flap. This may make the ribs shown in FIG. unnecessary. As in all of the embodiments, the stiffening of the flap 14 should be sufficient to keep the flap from bending sharply and to keep the handle end 96 close to the flap after the latter has been pivoted downwardly.

FIG. 18 shows a plan view and FIG. 19 a crosssectional view of another embodiment of an opener 102. The opener 102 is held in place on a flap 103 by means of a front rivet 104 and a rear rivet 106. A central part 107 of the opener 102 adjacent the rivet 104 is depressed below the rim 108, and the rear part of this depressed section 107 forms a tongue 109 through which the rear rivet 106 extends.

The sides of the tongue 109 are defined by two integral straps 111 and 112 formed from the same piece of metal as the opener 102. The outer edges of the straps 111 and 112 extend from a rear part of the handle end 113 of the opener 102 to a point adjacent the front rivet 104. The forward parts of these edges define the forward parts of the sides of the tongue 109. The inner edges of the straps 111 and 112 extend from the handle end 113 to a point at least forward of the rear part of the rivet 106, that is, the part of the rivet that faces the handle end 113, and these inner edges define the sides of the rearward-facing end of the tongue 109. In FIG. 18, the inner edges of the straps 111 and 112 are shown as extending as far forward as the rivet 104.

As shown particularly in FIG. 19, the strap 111, which is the only one of the two straps 111 and 112 visible in that figure, has its central portion displaced from a direct line between the rear end at which it merges with the handle end 113 and the forward end at which it merges with the tongue 109. As is also shown in FIG. 19, the flap 103 has a depressed section 110 which is deepest at the rear and slopes to a depth of zero just forward of the center of the flap.

The purpose of the straps 111 and 112 is to facilitate tearing open the flap 103 along the scored line 15. Initially when the handle end 113 is first raised slightly away from the rest position shown in FIG. 19, the opener has enough flexibility due to the fact that the central part 107 is attached to the rim 108 only at the front, and so it pivots about the forward rivet 104. This causes the pressure end 114 to start a tear in the forward end of the flap 103. The relative distances between the pressure end 114 and the front rivet 104 and between that rivet and the handle end 113 provide good leverage to make the initial incision into the cover 13 at the scored line at the front of the flap 103. Since the flap is flat in this area, it is not work-hardened and tears relatively easy. Furthermore, the fact that it is not work-hardened makes it possible to score the line 15 deeper in the forward area than farther back toward the hinge area 115, so that the initial tear can be made more easily.

As the forward end of the flap 103 starts down into the container 11, the opener 102 pivots about the forward rivet 104, and the flap 103 bends slightly but is prevented from bending excessively by its own reinforcing means such as ribs shown in FIG. 4, and especially by the reinforcement furnished by the straps 111 and 112. As the handle end 113 is forced forward, the straps are put under tension, thus keeping the handle end from folding forward and keeping it relatively close to the flap 103. At the same time, the center of rotation of the opener 102 is, in effect, shifted rearwardly. The straps 111 and 112 may be straight, but preferably they are bent, for example as shown by the strap 111 in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 19.

Instead of providing two entirely separate straps 111 and 112, FIG. 20 shows a modified version of an opener 116 in which a single strap 117 is connected between the rearward facing end of the tongue 118 and the central part of the handle end 119. The strap 117 may be made straight, but preferably it will be bent as much as or even more than the straps 111 and 112 in FIG. 18 to allow the initial freedom of motion of the handle end 119 to force the pressure end 121 to start the tear along the scored line 15.

A further modification is shown in FIG. 21 in which the forward end of a single strap 122 on an opener 123 is bifurcated so that it has two

forward portions

124 and 125 that join the tongue 109 in the same manner as the two separate straps 111 and 112 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 shows an opener 126 with a single, curved strap 127 that skirts the rear rivet 106 and merges with the central section of the tongue 128 between the front rivet 104 and the rear rivet 106.

Although reference has been made to a front and rear rivet in a number of embodiments, it is possible to replace these rivets by a single, elongated rivet 129, as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 23. This rivet is formed of the material of the flap 131 and extends through a tongue 132 of an opener 133 in the same manner as the two

rivets

104 and 106 in the embodiments in FIGS. 18-22. This embodiment has the same two straps 111 and 112 as the embodiment in FIG. 18, and the outer edges of the straps 111 and 112 in FIG. 23 extend farther forward than the rivet 129 and curve slightly inwardly to define the forward end of the tongue 132. The inner edges extend only a little farther forward than the rear part of the rivet 129.

What is claimed is: 1. A metal can cover comprising: A. a scored line forming an almost-closed curve in said cover near the perimeter thereof and defining a flap;

B. a substantially rigid opener comprising:

1. a pressure end; and 2. a handle end; and

C. means integral with said flap engaging and retaining said opener in an area of said opener removed from said pressure end, whereby upward pressure on said handle end causes said pressure end down to break said scored metal and pivot said flap into said can, said scored line extending on both sides of said opener for at least substantially the full length of said opener.

2. The metal can cover of claim 1 in which the section of the metal cover between the ends of said scored line forms a hinge for said flap, said hinge comprising a rear end of said flap and the distal portion of said flap comprising a front end.

3. The metal can cover of claim 2 in which said flap is deformed to strengthen it.

4. The metal can cover of claim 3 in which said flap is concavely deformed as viewed from the outer surface thereof,

5. The metal can cover of claim 3 in which a portion of said flap is depressed, said portion being closer to said hinge than to said pressure end.

6. The metal can cover of claim 5 in which said portion has a forward end juxtaposed to an intermediate region of said opener between said pressure end and said handle end and the depth of depression of said portion increases toward said hinge.

7. The metal can cover of claim 2 in which:

A. said handle end is generally U-shaped and is closer to said rear end of said flap than is said pressure end and comprises, in addition, a tongue of material extending from said pressure end into the open area of said handle end; and

B. said means engaging and retaining said opener comprises a rivet integral with said flap and extending through said tongue to hold said opener on said flapv 8. The metal can cover of claim 7, comprising, in addition, an integral strap having a rear end joined to the portion of said handle end farthest from said front end of said flap and a front end joined to said tongue.

9. The metal can cover of claim 8 in which said front end of said strap is joined to the proximal end of said tongue.

10. The metal can cover of claim 8 in which said front end of said strap is bifurcated and defines the sides of said tongue and is joined thereto forward of the portion of said rivet facing said rear end of said flap.

11. The metal can cover of claim 8 in which said strap is substantially straight.

12. The metal can cover of claim 8 in which said strap is bent.

13. The metal can cover of claim 7 comprising. in addition: a second rivet extending from said flap and through said opener between said first-named rivet and said pressure end.

14. The metal can cover of claim 13 comprising, in addition, an integral strap having a rear end joined to the portion of said handle end farthest from said front end of said flap and a front end curved around said first-named rivet and joined to said tongue between said rivets.

15. The metal can cover of claim 7 comprising, in addition, first and second integral straps substantially symmetrically spaced on opposite sides of said rivets and each having a rear end joined to a rear portion of said handle end and a front end extending alongside said tongue and joined thereto forward of the portion of said rivet facing said rear of said flap.

16. The metal can cover of claim 15 in which a cen tral portion of each of said straps is displaced from a straight line joining the front and rear ends thereof.

17. The metal can cover of claim 15 comprising, in addition. a second rivet extending through said opener between said first-named rivet and said pressure end, each of said straps having an outer edge that extends from said rear end of the respective strap to a point substantially alongside said second rivet and an inner edge that extends from said rear end of said respective strap to a point forward of the portion of said firstnamed rivet facing said rear of said flap.

18. The metal can cover of claim 7 in which said handle end is substantially rigid and said tongue of material has sufficient flexibility to allow said handle end to be raised enough to engage said pressure end with said flap.

19. The metal can cover of claim 7 in which said pressure end of said opener is formed so as to be slightly displaced from contact with said flap prior to raising of said handle end,

20. The metal can cover of claim 19 in which said pressure end has a V-shaped cross-section with the edge thereof facing said flap.

21. The metal can cover of claim 1 in which said opener comprises strengthening means extending from a region of said handle end to a region of said pressure end.

22, The metal can cover of claim 21 in which said strengthening means comprises ribs formed in the surface of said opener within the perimeter thereof.

23. The metal can cover of claim 21 in which said strengthening means comprises folded over edges of said opener.

24. The metal can cover of claim 23 in which the central portion of said opener around said rivet is displaced downwardly.

25. The metal can cover of claim 1 comprising integral rivet means extending longitudinally along said opener.

26. The metal can cover of claim 25 in which said rivet means comprises leaves integrally formed of the material of said flap adjacent said opener and folded over edge portions of said opener to exert pressure thereon over a perceptible length thereof.

27. The metal can cover of claim 26 in which said opener comprises a central region having a width sufficient to fit between said folded over means and extensions beyond said folded over means on each side thereof to prevent said opener from sliding out of engagement with said folded over means.

28. The metal can cover of claim 1 in which said means integral with said flap comprises a first rivet, said cover comprising, in addition:

A. a separate reinforcing strap of metal, said first rivet extending through said strap and said opener in the pressure end region of said opener; and

B. a second rivet extending through said strap at a location of said flap farther removed from said pressure end than said first rivet.

29. The metal can cover of claim 28 in which said strap is between said opener and said flap.

30. The metal can cover of claim 28 in which said opener has a central open area between said pressure end and said handle end, and said first rivet extends from said flap through said opener and one end of said strap in that order, and the other end of said strap extends through said open area and is engaged by said second rivet within said open area.

31. The metal can cover of claim 2, comprising, in addition, a rib at least partially surrounding said scored line to strengthen the portion of said cover surrounding Said flap.

32. The metal can cover of claim 31 in which said ribe is raised above the level of the adjacent area of said cover.

33. The metal can cover of claim 32 in which the central region of said flap is depressed below the level of the area of said cover adjacent and outside of said rib.

34. The metal can cover of claim 32in which said cover comprises a step area between said raised rib and said depressed region of said flap, and said scored line is in said step area.

35. The metal can cover of claim 34 in which said scored line is located immediately adjacent said rib.

36. The metal can cover of claim 34 in which said scored line is located in a substantially flat region of said step area spaced from said rib and the depressed region of said flap.

37. The metal can cover of claim 1 in which:

said pressure end to strengthen said opener.

Claims

1. A metal can cover comprising: A. a scored line forming an almost-closed curve in said cover near the perimeter thereof and defining a flap; B. a substantially rigid opener comprising: 1. a pressure end; and 2. a handle end; and C. means integral with said flap engaging and retaining said opener in an area of said opener removed from said pressure end, whereby upward pressure on said handle end causes said pressure end down to break said secored metal and pivot said flap into said can, said scored line extending on both sides of said opener for at least substantially the full length of said opener.

2. a handle end; and C. means integral with said flap engaging and retaining said opener in an area of said opener removed from said pressure end, whereby upward pressure on said handle end causes said pressure end down to break said secored metal and pivot said flap into said can, said scored line extending on both sides of said opener for at least substantially the full length of said opener.

4. The metal can cover of claim 3 in which said flap is concavely deformed as viewed from the outer surface thereof.

7. The metal can cover of claim 2 in which: A. said handle end is generally U-shaped and is closer to said rear end of said flap than is said pressure end and comprises, in addition, a tongue of material extending from said pressure end into the open area of said handle end; and B. said means engaging and retaining said opener comprises a rivet integral with said flap and extending through said tongue to hold said opener on said flap.

8. The metal can cover of claim 7, comprising, in addition, an integral strap having a rear end joined to the portion of said handle end farthest from said front end of said flap and a front end joined to said tongue.

12. The metal can cover of claim 8 in which said strap is bent.

13. The metal can cover of claim 7 comprising, in addition: a second rivet extending from said flap and through said opener between said first-named rivet and said pressure end.

16. The metal can cover of claim 15 in which a central portion of each of said straps is displaced from a straight line joining the front and rear ends thereof.

17. The metal can cover of claim 15 comprising, in addition, a second rivet extending through said opener between said first-named rivet and said pressure end, each of said straps having an Outer edge that extends from said rear end of the respective strap to a point substantially alongside said second rivet and an inner edge that extends from said rear end of said respective strap to a point forward of the portion of said first-named rivet facing said rear of said flap.

19. The metal can cover of claim 7 in which said pressure end of said opener is formed so as to be slightly displaced from contact with said flap prior to raising of said handle end.

22. The metal can cover of claim 21 in which said strengthening means comprises ribs formed in the surface of said opener within the perimeter thereof.

28. The metal can cover of claim 1 in which said means integral with said flap comprises a first rivet, said cover comprising, in addition: A. a separate reinforcing strap of metal, said first rivet extending through said strap and said opener in the pressure end region of said opener; and B. a second rivet extending through said strap at a location of said flap farther removed from said pressure end than said first rivet.

34. The metal can cover of claim 32 in which said cover comprises a step area between said raised rib and said depressed region of said flap, and said scored line is in said step area.

37. The metal can cover of claim 1 in which: A. said means engaging and retaining said opener comprises a first rivet passing through said opener adjacent the pressure end thereof; B. said opener comprises: a central open area between said ends and a tongue extending from said pressure end into said open area; and C. a second rivet passing through said tongue, said second rivet being of larger diameter than said first rivet.

38. The metal can cover of claim 1 in which said opener is a sheet metal having a flap extending from an edge region at the pressure end thereof and folded over said pressure end to strengthen said opener.