US3355058A

US3355058A - Push-in can lid

Info

Publication number: US3355058A
Application number: US512583A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles T Asbury
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-12-06
Filing date: 1965-12-06
Publication date: 1967-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 1984-11-28

Description

Nov. 28, 1967 C. T. ASBURY 3,355,058

PUSH-IN CAN LID Filed Dec. 6, 1965 INVENTOR. CHARLES 7. HSBURY United States Patent 3,355,058 PUSH-IN CAN LII) (Iharles T. Asbury, 717 Isle of Palms, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33301 Filed Dec. 6, 196$,Ser. No. 512,583 11 Claims. (Cl. 220-48) This invention relates to can lids of the tear open type and is particularly concerned with a can lid of this nature in which a tab region is scored in the lid and is adapted for being pushed in to open the container of which the lid forms a part.

Can lids of the push in type areillustrated in my earlier applications Serial No. 301,566, Patent No. 3,246,- 791, filed August 12, 1963, and Serial No. 394,895, Patent No. 3,227,304, filed September 8, 1964, and entitled: Can-0pening Arrangement (both applications) and both said applications now being allowed.

In the earlier applications referred to there are shown arrangements in which a tab region is outlined by a score mark in the lid and the tab region is also raised upwardly from the lid so that pressure can be applied thereto and tear the tab loose from the lid whereby it will press inwardly of the lid and form an opening through which access can be gained to the contents of the container of which the lid forms a part.

The present application is particularly concerned with improvements in a tear open can lid of this nature.

More particularly, the present invention is concerned with improvements relative to the formation of the tab and the formation of the score line about the tab and to certain features in connection with the tab and the lid region surrounding the tab to prevent injury to the finger or to prevent nail polish on the nails of the fingers from becoming marred.

The present invention also relates to improvements in connection with the score line and which score line is so formed that it will rupture relatively easily at the tip end of the tab so that the commencing of the tearing of the tab from therlid can be accomplished by the application of a relatively small amount of pressure to the tab.

With the usual type so-called easy opening or tear open lid, a region is scored in the lid which is to be torn therefrom and a key is connected to this region by a relatively complicated arrangement in which a blister is raised on the lid and the key is dropped over the'blister and then the blister is flattened out on top of the key. This is not only expensive and relatively complex but the result of opening such. a can is that there is a tab and key torn out which must be disposed of. The separation of the tab and key from the lid is objectionable in that such loose tabs become a nuisance and can be caught in drains and disposal units and thrown on the ground where they can be stepped on. The present invention therefore has a further object the provision of an easy opening can in which there is no tab and key to be disposed of but, instead, the tab remains premanently with the can at all times.

With the type of tear open cans in which the tab is pulled outwardly? not only is there the problem of disposing of the torn out tab but there is also a rough burr formed about the opening which can be hazardous if a finger is rubbed over the opening. With this in mind it is a still further object of the present invention to provide a tear open can in which not only does the tab stay with the can, but the usual burr formed around the Opening is also eliminated and, instead, the periphery of the opening is actually rolled in so as substantially to prevent the presenting of any rough edges in any position that can be reached with the finger.

The features and advantages of the present invention 3,355,058 Patented Nov. 28, 1967 will become more apparent upon reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of a container showing a part of a lid thereof; and showing a push in tab according to the present invention formed in the lid;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view looking down on top of the tab of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 but drawn at somewhat enlarged scale showing the tab pushed inwardly of the lid;

FIGURE 4 is a view like FIGURE 1 but shows a modification;

FIGURE 5 is a view looking up from beneath the lid showing a detail in connection with the formation of the score mark about the tab;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view indicated by line VI-VI on FIGURE 2 and drawn at somewhat increased scale;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view indicated by line VII-- VII on FIGURE 2 and also drawn at somewhat increased scale;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified arrangement according to the present invention and particularly concerned with the formation of the score line about the push-in tab; and

FIGURE 9 is a view like FIGURE 8 but showing the tab partly pushed in illustrating how the lid about the periphery of the opening is rolled inwardly to eliminate the objectional burrs about the opening.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, in FIGURE 1 reference numeral 10 represents a container such as a beverage can and 12 indicates the lid which is sealed on the upper end of the container according to any well known and conventional practice.

The lid, adjacent the periphery thereof is formed with at least one upwardly projecting tab 14. This tab is longer than is wide and has its greatest length extending substantially radially of the lid. The tab is surrounded by a scored region 16 which passes along the sides of the tab and around the outer end thereof. The scored region may extend inwardly at the back of the tab as indicated at 18 to form a hinge region but it will be understood that the scored region, may stop in a region substantially aligned with the back end 20 of the tab and satisfactory results will be obtained. The rear end of the score mark defines a hinge region when the tab turns inwardly and this region can be defined by stopping the score line at the back end of the tab although the hinge region can be more sharply defined by turning the score mark inwardly at the back of the tab as at 18.

The tab is adapted for being pushed inwardly of the lid by the application of pressure thereto, as by the thumb, and when pushed inwardly will appear about as shown in FIGURE 3. It has been found that this opening is adequate for emptying a beverage can of, say 12 ounces, in relatively short time, say from 6 to 9 seconds, which is adequate. In size the tab is about 3 to wide and its back or hinge end and is on the order from /2 to 4:" long in the radial direction measuring from the back end to the point end thereof and tapers somewhat inwardly towards the front as shown in FIGURE 2 and has a substantially rounded front end.

The particular tab shown is smaller than is illustrated in the aforementioned earlier applications but it has been found that the smaller tab shown in the present application is of merit because it prevents the thumb or finger from slipping into the periphery of the aperture from which the tab is pushed and thereby eliminates any possibility of the finger being cut or scratched on the edge of the lid around the aperture. In addition, the smaller tab is somewhat easier to form and, as mentioned forms an opening of adequate size in the lid.

It will be observed in the drawings that the tab is rather sharply crowned and that it has a substantially fiat top surface. This also is of merit because the flat top surface presents an ideal region for the application of pressure without discomfort to the finger while the relatively steep sides and back and front walls form an ideal arrangement for transmitting pressing forces downwardly to the scored region about the tab. There is very little tendency, with the formation of the tab according to the present invention, for the tab to bend or for it to expand laterally due to the pressure applied thereto and make it difficult for the tab to tear loose. Rather, the application of pressure to the tab will break it loose at the front end and tearing will proceed along the sides of the tab back to the hinge at the back edge while simultaneously the tab is pushed inwardly to its FIGURE 3 position.

It will also be apparent that the steep back end of the tab is of such a nature that the tab can be pushed into the lid so as to extend downwardly into the container substantially at right angles to the lid thus providing for the maximum elfectiveness of the opening provided when the tab is pushed into the lid. The pushing of the tab completely into the lid so that it extends substantially at right angles thereto into the container is of particular merit when carbonated beverage is contained within the container because the unobstructed opening will permit the beverage to flow from the container with a minimum amount of agitation and thereby the beverage when poured from the container can be caused to retain the proper degree of carbonation therein after it has been poured into a glass or the like.

As will be seen in FIGURES 6 and 7, the tab 14 is surrounded by a region 22 Within which region there is a score mark 24. The region 22 is formed by areas on the forming dies in which the lid is formed and may be somewhat depressed or somewhat raised on somewhat curvilinear. Within this region, as mentioned, the score mark 24 is formed and which score mark is impressed in the region either from the top or the bottom so as to form a thinned out tear line around the tab.

The thickness of the lid at the bottom of the groove and which is that portion of the lid to be torn when the tab is pushed in, is held very closely to a certain thickness so that the can of which the lid forms a part will hold as much pressure as is necessary while at the same time the tearing is uniform and each and every tab requires about the same amount of force to break it loose when pressure is applied thereto. It is preferable for the score mark to be formed from the underside of the lid, as shown in FIG- URES 6 and 7 because this will eliminate the possibility of the score mark picking up dirt and the like. As mentioned however the score line can be formed from the top of the lid and the tab will still tear out quite easily.

A particular feature of the present invention is to be found in the formation of the score mark at the front end of the tab. This will be seen in FIGURES 2, 3 and where it will be seen that the score mark terminates in a relatively sharp point 26. This point projects outwardly from the front end of the lid and forms a region where, upon the application of pressure to the tab, stresses will be concentrated so that tearing of the tab from the lid can be initiated relatively easily. The condition is such that concentration of stress comes about because of the pressure applied to the tab but the capability of the lid for holding pressures within the container on which the lid is mounted is not decreased. I have found, however, that the formation of the point, as shown, increases the ease with which tearing of the tab from the lid can commence and, of course, once tearing is commenced it will progress relatively easily as the tab is pressed downwardly into the container.

FIGURE 4 shows a modification which is the same as those previously described except there is a rounded upstanding protective rib 28 formed in the lid and upstanding around the back or inner end and extending along the sides of the tab.

FIGURE 4 also shows somewhat schematically how a thumb resting on the tab will be so located that even when the tab is pushed inwardly, the nail of the thumb will not encounter any upstanding portion. The rib 28 protects the nail against striking any part of the lid and, therefore, no damage to the nail polish in case the can is being opened by a woman having polished nails. The rib 28 will form a sort of a fulcrum point about which the thumb can be tilted while at the same time holding the thumb elevated from the can. The periphery of the opening around the tab, as mentioned before, is such that the thumb will not go down into the aperture and thus the nail or polish thereon will not be damaged for this reason either.

It will be seen that the tab is lower in heighth than the rim 32 of the can and is thus protected from being accidently knocked into opened position by handling of the can.

It will be observed that the score mark is disposed in a region 30 which is somewhat compacted or coined in the lid forming dies. This region may be fiat or somewhat curved, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 and the provision thereof insures uniform thickness of material at the bottom of the score line for uniform tearing out resistance.

The coined or compacted region terminates in a rounded part 34 at the front or outer end of the tab in which the point 26 of the score line is disposed.

FIGURES 8 and 9 show a particularly advantageous arrangement of the present invention in which I have discovered, through test and experimentation, has considerable advantage. The usual score line around the tear out tab of a tear open lid is quite narrow and is made with a relatively sharp element on the forming dies. I have found that not only can the life of the die be considerably increased and the cost made less expensive but also the tearing out of the tab can be made easier if the score line is made in the form of a wide angle V-shaped groove. As shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, the score line is from .018 inch upwardly in width at the surface of the lid into which the score line is formed. Usually, the lid stock is about .015 inch thick and the thickness remaining from the bottom or apex of the groove to the other side of the lid is on the order of about .005 inch.

By forming the score line quite wide as illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9, particularly 8, because of the point end of the score line in the curved depression at the front end of the tab, I find it easier to initiate tearing of the tab from the lid and to cause the tearing to proceed until the tab is bent into the lid. The wide angle groove also has a tendency to cause the periphery of the opening to roll inwardly as illustrated in FIGURE 9 thereby to eliminate burrs from about the periphery of the opening.

I have found that the rolling inwardly of the lid about the periphery of the opening can be considerably enhanced by the provision of an auxiliary, preferably, somewhat rounded groove extending about the score line on the opposite side thereof from the tab. This additional groove or recess somewhat relieves stresses in the lid and also permits the material of the lid adjacent the periphery of the opening to bend more easily and thereby forms the rolled-in edge illustrated in FIGURE 9.

In FIGURES 8 and 9, the lid is indicated at 50 and the tab is indicated at 52. The wide angle score line according to the present invention is indicated at 54 and the aforementioned relief groove is indicated at 56.

As will be seen in FIGURE 9, when the tab 52 is pressed downwardly, the periphery of the opening, indicated generally at 58, rolls downwardly toward the inside of the lid and thereby eliminates the burr which is characteristic of tear open lids. It will be evident that the rolling in of the lid about the periphery opening forms a safety feature of merit which further protects the finger of the person opening the can against possible cutting during the opening of the container. in the case of all of the modifications illustrated and referred to it will be understood that the score line could be placed either on top of the lid or on the bottom of the lid about the tab but the preference is to place the score line on the bottom of the lid in order to eliminate a region that could piclr up soil. The top of the lid can easily be cleaned by wiping it off where the score line is on the bottom of the lid.

In the modifications of FIGURES 8 and 9 it is of further advantage to place the score line and the relief groove 56 on the bottom of the lid because this will enhance the elimination of the burr and the rolling in of the lid about the periphery of the opening. When the lid tends to bend downwardly about the periphery of the opening the material in the lower part of the lid is placed in compression and the provision of the relief 56 thus permit the rolling to be more pronounced than would otherwise occur.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to difierent usages and conditions; and accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a tear open can lid; a tab embossed in said lid and forming a raised region in the lid near the periphery thereof longer in the radial direction of the lid than in the circumferential direction thereof, said tab being rounded at its radially outer end and fiat at its radially inner end and somewhat curved along its sides, and a score line extending along the sides and around the outer end of the tab to permit the tab to tear free from the lid when pressed downwardly, said score line leading to a point at the outer end of the tab.

2. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which the lid is formed with a rounded recess therein at the radially outward end of the tab, and said point of said score line being disposed in said rounded recess.

3. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which the region along the sides and around the outer end of the tab is coined 0r compacted during the forming of the tab in the lid and the score line is disposed in said compacted region, said compacted region including a rounded portion at the outer end of the tab in which said point end of the score line is disposed.

4. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which the score line extends inwardly at the inner end of the tab from each side thereof toward but terminating short of the center of the tab to define a hinge region about d which the tab turns when the tab is pressed inwardly of the lid.

5. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which the top of the tab is substantially flat and the side areas of the tab are steeply inclined to the plane of the lid.

6. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which the top of the tab is substantially flat and the side areas of the tab are steeply inclined to the plane of the lid, said lid having an upwardly formed rounded rib therein extending across behind the inner end of said tab and at least partway along the sides thereof toward the outer end of the tab.

7. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which said score line is formed in the bottom of the lid.

8. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which said tab is from about /2" to As" long radially of the lid and about A" to its" wide circumferentially of the lid.

9. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which said score line comprises a relatively wide angle groove having a relatively sharp apex at the bottom, said groove at the open side being on the order of about .018" wide and said groove in depth being about .010.

10. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which said lid has a thickness of about .015" and said score line is relatively wide angled and at its open side has a width of about .018" and terminates in a relatively sharp apex at the bottom and is about .010 deep and an additional relief groove closely adjacent said score line on the opposite side of said score line from said tab of a smaller size than said score line and substantially coextensive with said score line.

11. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which said score line is on the bottom of the lid and is relatively wide angled and a groove is provided on the under side of the lid extending about the score line on the side thereof opposite said tab whereby upon pressing the said tab inwardly of the lid said groove forms a relief region which will permit the lid about the periphery of the score line to roll inwardly whereby to eliminate a burr about the periphery of the said opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,261,117 11/1941 Jack 220-27 3,227,304 1/1966 Asbury 220 -48 3,246,791 4/ 1966 Asbury 220-27 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. G. HALL, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A TEAR OPEN CAN LID; A TAB EMBOSSED IN SAID LID AND FORMING A RAISED REGION IN THE LID NEAR THE PERIPHERY THEREOF LONGER IN THE RADIAL DIRECTION OF THE LID THAN IN THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL DIRECTION THEREOF, SAID TAB BEING ROUNDED AT ITS RADIALLY OUTER END AND FLAT AT ITS RADIALLY INNER END AND SOMEWHAT CURVED ALONG ITS SIDES, AND A SCORE LINE EXTENDING ALONG THE SIDES AND AROUND THE OUTER END OF THE TAB TO PERMIT THE TAB TO TEAR FREE FROM THE LID WHEN PRESSED DOWNWARDLY, SAID SCORE LINE LEADING TO A POINT AT THE OUTER END OF THE TAB.