US3929252A - Child-resistant closure for metal container - Google Patents

Child-resistant closure for metal container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3929252A
US3929252A US499620A US49962074A US3929252A US 3929252 A US3929252 A US 3929252A US 499620 A US499620 A US 499620A US 49962074 A US49962074 A US 49962074A US 3929252 A US3929252 A US 3929252A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
pull ring
central panel
panel portion
end closure
opening tab
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
US499620A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Croce Leonard Thomas La
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.)
Rexam Beverage Can Co
Original Assignee
American Can Co
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 American Can Co filed Critical American Can Co
Priority to US499620A priority Critical patent/US3929252A/en
Priority to AU81451/75A priority patent/AU491133B2/en
Priority to CA229,280A priority patent/CA1036521A/en
Priority to JP1975084800U priority patent/JPS5526268Y2/ja
Priority to IT51008/75A priority patent/IT1041281B/it
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3929252A publication Critical patent/US3929252A/en
Assigned to AMERICAN CAN PACKAGING INC. reassignment AMERICAN CAN PACKAGING INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: AMERICAN CAN COMPANY, A NJ CORP.
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
    • B65D17/4012—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 partially by means of a tearing tab

Definitions

  • a metallic end closure having a central panel portion, a displaceable portion defined by a score line included in the central panel portion, an opening tab attached to the displaceable portion proximate the periphery of the central panel portion, the pull ring or handle being radially inward from the point of attachment of the opening tab to the displaceable portion, means on said central panel portion for releasably holding said opening tab substantially flat against said central panel portion and an underlying arcuate channel which permits the handle of the opening tab to nest within the central panel portion thereby resisting opening by hand and providing a child-resistant safety feature in such closures.
  • CHILD-RESISTANT CLOSURE FOR METAL CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Easy-open containers opened by means of a lifting force exerted on an opening tab secured to the removable portion of the container end are well known in the art.
  • the most common form of such containers are the beer and beverage cans in which the removable portion defines a comparatively small opening through which the contents are dispensed.
  • the score line is formed to permit substantially complete removal of the central panel.
  • This form of the container is generally termed full-open and is suitable for use in the packaging of solid-like or chunk-like products such as processed foods, peanuts, etc.
  • the score line defines a removable portion that is comparatively larger than the small openings for dispensing beer and beverages but is substantially less than in the fullopen ends.
  • This larger partial-open end is designed for liquids, particularly liquids such as automotive products such as antifreeze or other gaS-line additives.
  • Containers of these types have enjoyed considerable success in the marketplace, particularly because of the easy accessability to their contents.
  • this easy-opening feature in many cases ceases to be an advantage and becomes a disadvantage which limits commercial acceptance as consumer safety considerations become increasingly significant.
  • This invention is directed to closures, of the partialopen type for container for potentially dangerous products such as automotive products, designed to provide a child-resistant feature which is sufficiently difficult to open so that it cannot be normally opened by the average comparatively young child but can be opened without significant difficulty by the average person having reasoning ability after insertion of a small prying tool.
  • the handle portion thereof is adapted for ease of grasping by the user such as by insertion through the ring of a users finger and the means holding the tab against the central panel portion are designed to permit the pull ring to be disengaged from the holding means with relative ease.
  • a child-resistant opening feature in an end closure having a central panel portion, a displaceable portion defined by a score included in the central panel portion, and an opening tab attached to the displaceable portion proximate the periphery of the central panel portion wherein the pull ring or handle of the opening tab is radially inward from the point of attachment of the opening tab to the displaceable portion, by the improvement which comprises a pull ring having an angularly raised end; an arcuate channel in the central panel portion underlying the pull ring of the opening tab and means for releasably engaging the pull ring to thereby hold it substantially nested in said arcuate channel, the angularly raised end defining a space between the central panel portion that is insufficient to permit ready grasping by hand.
  • the improvement comprises an arcuate channel in the central panel portion underlying the pull ring of the opening tab.
  • the pull ring portion having flattened indentations and an angularly raised end, is nested in the arcuate channel and held therein by bosses or hold-down posts on the central panel, disposed on the inside of the pull ring and engaging the flattened indentations therein.
  • the result is an opening tab held substantially flat against the central panel portion with a pull ring portion that is nested with the central panel portion, the angularly raised end defining a space between the central panel that is sufficient to permit insertion of a small prying tool but insufficient to be easily grasped or lifted by the users fingers.
  • FIG. I is a top plan view of a container end closure of this invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a container end closure of this invention.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the end of FIG. 1 taken along line 33.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the end of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the end of FIG. 1 taken along line 55 of FIG. 3.
  • end closure 10 for an easy opening container of the partial-open type.
  • End closure 10 may be circular and constructed of steel, aluminum, tin plate or other suitable rupturable material.
  • end closure 10 is formed with a generally planar central panel portion 12 which merges at its periphery with annular countersink wall 14.
  • the upper end portion of wall 14 merges with outwardly extending curled flange 16 which may be interfolded with the end flange of a container body (not shown) to form an end seam (not shown).
  • central panel 12 includes a displaceable portion 18, which is defined by and included within score line 20. Displaceable portion 18 becomes displaced from central panel 12 when score 20 is completely ruptured.
  • the length of score line 20 is defined by the inwardly curled terminal portions 21 so that upon rupture of the score, the displaceable portion is displaced only to this point effectively inhibiting tearing beyond this point thus defining the partial-open portion of the central panel which remains attached to the end closure.
  • Opening tab 22 is attached to the displaceable portion 18 proximate the periphery of central panel 12 by a suitable securing means such as rivet 24 which may be integral with and formed in displaceable portion 18.
  • Opening tab 22 includes a web portion 26, a handle portion or pull ring 28 attached to web portion 26 and a stress concentrating nose portion 30 formed in the web portion 26 and oppositely disposed from pull ring 28. Opening 32 is provided in web portion 26 for the purpose of accepting tab rivet 24 for the attachment of opening tab 22 to displaceable portion 18.
  • the outer edge portion of the displaceable protion may be provided with a moustache ancillary score 56 having a curved central portion 58 which passes immediately behind the rivet and extends outwardly from the curved portion and merges inwardly to curled terminal portions 60 and 62 respectively. In this manner the rivet, pull ring and moustache score 56 function to rupture the score line by mechanisms well known in the art, for example as described in US. Pat. No. 3,606,076 to Hanke issued Sept. 20, 1971.
  • Handle portion or pull ring 28 although shown in the drawings as being in the form of a ring may have any suitable shape or configuration desired, such as rectangular, triangular, etc. In such case, of course, the shape of the arcuate channel underlying the pull ring would be changed accordingly to accomplish the nesting relationship necessary for the successful practice of the invention.
  • the handle or pull ring 28 of this invention has an angularly raised end 34 provided to permit insertion of a small prying tool 35 as seen in FIG. 3.
  • Inwardly, angularly flattened portions, generally designated 36 and 38 of the pull ring 28 are provided having indentations, respectively designated 40 and 42 as most clearly seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.
  • An arcuate channel 44 as most clearly seen in FIGS.
  • bosses or hold-down posts 46 and 48 are so positioned that they lie within pull ring 28 adjacent either side of the inner edge of the raised end 34 of the pull ring and proximate to the flattened portions 36 and 38.
  • the sides ofthe posts adjacent indentations 40 and 42 are substantially flat with the upper portions extending into the flattened areas and engaging the indentations as best seen in FIG.
  • the posts 46 and 48 may be formed in the central panel by suitable dimple forming dies simultaneously with the formation of rivet 24 and flattened after assembly of tab 22 in the areas of 36 and 38.
  • the arcuate channel is preferably configured to coincide structurally with the configuration of the pull ring and is preferably formed after forming of the posts and before assembly of the tab 22.
  • the end closure of this invention has been found to be capable of withstanding abuse and is satisfactory for meeting F.D.A. Testing Procedures for Special Packaging as defined in Section 2(4) of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970, Sections 295.l0 and 295.3 as published in the Federal Register, Vol. 36, No. 225, Nov. 20, 1971, a result that is particularly significant since similar construcitons but without the arcuate channel and hold-down posts have not been found to be satisfactory.
  • the closures of this invention have successfully resisted the attempts of of the children tested to open the closure without demonstration as to the proper means for opening and resisted attempts by 99.5% of the children after demonstration of the opening technique. In the adult phase of the testing, the closure was successfully opened by 97% of those tested.
  • closures are particularly suitable for use on containers for potentially dangerous products such as gasline antifreeze, antirust, sealers and lubricants for automotive use, the child-resistant feature thereof being a significant development in the container industry.
  • an end closure for a container having a central panel portion, a displaceable portion defined by a score line included in said central panel portion, and an opening tab including a pull ring attached to the displaceable portion at a point proximate the periphery of the central panel portion with the pull ring of the opening tab radially inward from the point of attachment
  • the improvement which comprises an arcuate channel formed in the central panel portion underlying the pull ring of the opening tab, the channel being configured to coincide with the pull ring and substantially nesting the pull ring therein, and means for releasably engaging the pull ring to maintain and resist movement of the pull ring from said substantially nested position.
  • An improved end closure as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for releasably engaging the pull ring of the opening tab comprises posts on said central panel portion adjacent the inside of the pull ring.
  • a metallic end closure for a container having a central panel portion, a displaceable portion defined by a score line included in said central panel portion and an opening tab including a pull ring attached to the displaceable portion at a point proximate the periphery of the central panel portion with the pull ring of the opening tab radially inward from the point of attachment
  • the improvement which comprises a child-resistant opening mechanism comprising a pull ring, having flattened indentations and an angular raised end portion, substantially nested in an arcuate channel in the central panel portion underlying the pull ring and raised posts releasably engaging the indentations of said pull ring to maintain the pull ring in said nested position and to resist movement therefrom, the angular raised end of said pull ring defining a space between the central panel portion that is sufficient to permit insertion of a prying tool but is insufficient to readily permit lifting of the pull ring by hand.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers Opened By Tearing Frangible Portions (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
US499620A 1974-08-22 1974-08-22 Child-resistant closure for metal container Expired - Lifetime US3929252A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US499620A US3929252A (en) 1974-08-22 1974-08-22 Child-resistant closure for metal container
AU81451/75A AU491133B2 (en) 1974-08-22 1975-05-23 Child-resistant closure for metal container
CA229,280A CA1036521A (en) 1974-08-22 1975-06-13 Child-resistant closure for metal containers
JP1975084800U JPS5526268Y2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-08-22 1975-06-20
IT51008/75A IT1041281B (it) 1974-08-22 1975-08-20 Chiusura di sicurezza per contenitori metallici

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US499620A US3929252A (en) 1974-08-22 1974-08-22 Child-resistant closure for metal container

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3929252A true US3929252A (en) 1975-12-30

Family

ID=23986001

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US499620A Expired - Lifetime US3929252A (en) 1974-08-22 1974-08-22 Child-resistant closure for metal container

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3929252A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5526268Y2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA1036521A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IT (1) IT1041281B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4014455A (en) * 1976-06-21 1977-03-29 American Can Company Accurate flow control container means
US4096967A (en) * 1977-06-06 1978-06-27 The Stolle Corporation Ecological easy-open can end
US4130074A (en) * 1977-12-29 1978-12-19 Reynolds Metals Company Tab system
US4417668A (en) * 1981-09-03 1983-11-29 Stolle Research And Development Corporation Easy open can end with pull tab having retained tear strip with stress relief means
FR2648113A1 (fr) * 1989-06-09 1990-12-14 Akerlund & Rausing Ab Fermeture de recipient
EP0648680A1 (en) * 1993-10-13 1995-04-19 CarnaudMetalbox plc Easy-opening closure
USD382481S (en) * 1996-01-05 1997-08-19 Aluminum Company Of America Easy open container end
USD396635S (en) 1996-02-20 1998-08-04 Aluminum Company Of America Easy-open container end
USD397296S (en) 1996-12-20 1998-08-25 Aluminum Company Of America Easy open container end
USD402555S (en) 1996-12-20 1998-12-15 Aluminum Company Of America Easy-open container end
US5927535A (en) * 1998-02-26 1999-07-27 Top Seal Corporation Tablet dispensing closure for containers
US6050440A (en) * 1996-01-05 2000-04-18 Aluminum Company Of America Easy open container end, method of manufacture, and tooling
US20040195240A1 (en) * 2002-01-29 2004-10-07 Brandon Darrell Holmes Raised beverage can top with holding clip and spacer
US20060016815A1 (en) * 2003-11-03 2006-01-26 Hajo Rieck Anti rotation bead
US20070062950A1 (en) * 2003-01-13 2007-03-22 Ball Packaging Europe Gmbh Fixing the position of a pull-tab with an anti rotation bead formed from the panel
US20080067171A1 (en) * 2006-09-19 2008-03-20 Heinicke Paul R Easy open can end with high pressure venting
US20080067174A1 (en) * 2006-09-19 2008-03-20 Crown Packaging Technology Inc. Easy open can end with high pressure venting
US20080314906A1 (en) * 2007-06-22 2008-12-25 Butcher Gregory H Can end and method of making same
US20100126994A1 (en) * 2006-07-24 2010-05-27 Impress Group B.V. Tab for a closure and process for making such tab
US8646643B2 (en) 2012-06-13 2014-02-11 Rexam Beverage Can Company Reliable opening beverage can end

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5528391U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1978-08-16 1980-02-23
JPH0740755Y2 (ja) * 1987-08-28 1995-09-20 株式会社クボタ 歩行型作業機の変速装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3744667A (en) * 1972-05-08 1973-07-10 Fraze Ermal C Can end with retained tear strip
US3780902A (en) * 1972-04-17 1973-12-25 American Can Co Container end closure

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3780902A (en) * 1972-04-17 1973-12-25 American Can Co Container end closure
US3744667A (en) * 1972-05-08 1973-07-10 Fraze Ermal C Can end with retained tear strip

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4014455A (en) * 1976-06-21 1977-03-29 American Can Company Accurate flow control container means
US4096967A (en) * 1977-06-06 1978-06-27 The Stolle Corporation Ecological easy-open can end
US4130074A (en) * 1977-12-29 1978-12-19 Reynolds Metals Company Tab system
US4417668A (en) * 1981-09-03 1983-11-29 Stolle Research And Development Corporation Easy open can end with pull tab having retained tear strip with stress relief means
FR2648113A1 (fr) * 1989-06-09 1990-12-14 Akerlund & Rausing Ab Fermeture de recipient
EP0648680A1 (en) * 1993-10-13 1995-04-19 CarnaudMetalbox plc Easy-opening closure
USD382481S (en) * 1996-01-05 1997-08-19 Aluminum Company Of America Easy open container end
US6050440A (en) * 1996-01-05 2000-04-18 Aluminum Company Of America Easy open container end, method of manufacture, and tooling
USD396635S (en) 1996-02-20 1998-08-04 Aluminum Company Of America Easy-open container end
USD397296S (en) 1996-12-20 1998-08-25 Aluminum Company Of America Easy open container end
USD402555S (en) 1996-12-20 1998-12-15 Aluminum Company Of America Easy-open container end
US5927535A (en) * 1998-02-26 1999-07-27 Top Seal Corporation Tablet dispensing closure for containers
US20040195240A1 (en) * 2002-01-29 2004-10-07 Brandon Darrell Holmes Raised beverage can top with holding clip and spacer
US20070062950A1 (en) * 2003-01-13 2007-03-22 Ball Packaging Europe Gmbh Fixing the position of a pull-tab with an anti rotation bead formed from the panel
US7926675B2 (en) 2003-01-13 2011-04-19 Ball Packaging Europe Gmbh Fixing the position of a pull-tab with an anti rotation bead formed from the panel
US20060016815A1 (en) * 2003-11-03 2006-01-26 Hajo Rieck Anti rotation bead
US20100126994A1 (en) * 2006-07-24 2010-05-27 Impress Group B.V. Tab for a closure and process for making such tab
US9511411B2 (en) * 2006-07-24 2016-12-06 Impress Group B.V. Tab for a closure and process for making such tab
US20080067174A1 (en) * 2006-09-19 2008-03-20 Crown Packaging Technology Inc. Easy open can end with high pressure venting
US7721906B2 (en) * 2006-09-19 2010-05-25 Crown Packaging Technology, Inc. Easy open can end with high pressure venting
US7922025B2 (en) 2006-09-19 2011-04-12 Crown Packaging Company, L.P. Easy open can end with high pressure venting
US20080067171A1 (en) * 2006-09-19 2008-03-20 Heinicke Paul R Easy open can end with high pressure venting
US20080314906A1 (en) * 2007-06-22 2008-12-25 Butcher Gregory H Can end and method of making same
US8109405B2 (en) * 2007-06-22 2012-02-07 Stolle Machinery Company, Llc Can end and rivet base scoreline therefor
US20150069062A1 (en) * 2007-06-22 2015-03-12 Stolle Machinery Company Can end and method of making same
US8646643B2 (en) 2012-06-13 2014-02-11 Rexam Beverage Can Company Reliable opening beverage can end

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5127661U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-02-28
IT1041281B (it) 1980-01-10
AU8145175A (en) 1976-11-25
JPS5526268Y2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1980-06-24
CA1036521A (en) 1978-08-15

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: AMERICAN CAN PACKAGING INC., AMERICAN LANE, GREENW

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN CAN COMPANY, A NJ CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004835/0338

Effective date: 19861107

Owner name: AMERICAN CAN PACKAGING INC., CONNECTICUT

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN CAN COMPANY, A NJ CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004835/0338

Effective date: 19861107