US3843011A

US3843011A - Container with attached closure

Info

Publication number: US3843011A
Application number: US00231124A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Perry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-03-02
Filing date: 1972-03-02
Publication date: 1974-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-22

Abstract

An improved method for forming the self opening closure used for containers of liquid materials, especially those used for carbonated beverages, and arranged for consumption direct from the container. One means comprises a segment formed from the material of the container top and arranged to be pushed opened inwardly and with means to anchor it to the top after opening. Sealing means are adhesives, or alternatively a thin, breakable membrane. Option-leverage means are provided to assist in breaking the adhesive. Another closure means is a gasketed plug, also arranged for inward opening and with anchorage to the top. A further means is a slide gate opening device with membrane sealing underneath. Still another means is a segment outlined by a score line and with leverage means for initiating breaking of the score line and with completion of the opening by pushing the segment into the container, also with top attaching means. Still another variation is a segment with part score line and part through cut, with sealing means for the latter. The primary objective of these closures is to eliminate the litter of the presently used tear-out tab.

Description

United States Patent [191 Perry [451 Oct. 22, 1974 1 CONTAINER WITH ATTACHED CLOSURE Walter Merton Perry, 76 Locust Hill Rd., Darien, Conn. 06820 [22] Filed: Mar. 2, 1972 [21] Appl. No; 231,124

[76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-George T. Hall [57] ABSTRACT An improved method for forming the self opening closure used for containers of liquid materials, especially those used for carbonated beverages, and arranged for consumption direct from the container. One means comprises a segment formed from the material of the container top and arranged to be pushed opened inwardly and with means to anchor it to the top after opening. Sealing means are adhesives, or alternatively a thin, breakable membrane. Option-leverage means are provided to assist in breaking the adhesive. Another closure means is a gasketed plug, also'arranged for inward opening and with anchorage to the top. A further means is a slide gate opening device with membrane sealing underneath. Still another means is a segment outlined by a score line and with leverage means for initiating breaking of the score line and with completion of the opening by pushing the segment into the container, also with top attaching means. Still another variation is a segment with part score line and part through out, with sealing means for the latter. The primary objective of these closures is to eliminate the litter of the presently used tear-out tab.

13 Claims, 28 Drawing Figures CONTAINER WITH ATTACHED CLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to easy opening means which is provided on the end of a can or similar container, by which the can can be opened without resorting to a separate tool or device which is not part of the can assembly. It is concerned particularly to containers for liquids which are normally consumed directly from the can, and which may be under internal pressure before opening.

2. Description of Prior Art The opening means generally used heretofore results in a separate piece being completely removed from the can end, and which is then discarded. In the most common form, the can end is made of aluminum, and an openable segment is defined in the end by score lines, made by cutting the metal part way through in the outline of the removeable segment. A leverage ring shaped tab is attached to the inner end of the segment by an integral rivet. when the tab is raised and pulled, the high leverage breaks the score line at the small rivet end, and once broken, the remainder of the segment is torn out. There are four principle disadvantages to this device. One is the sharpness of the opening left in the can because of the torn metal, another is the damage to theenvironmentwhen the piece is discarded, another is the danger to bare feet from the sharp tab piece if on the ground, and a fourth is the cost of the extra metal for the lifting tab.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary objective of the invention to provide an easy opening means for a container in which the closure element remains attached to the container so it will not be discarded separately. Another primary objective the invention is to provide an opening method which is easy to operate and does not require much force. A further objective of the invention is to provide rounded edges in the opening to prevent cutting the finger when opening the container or the lips when drinking from the can.

A further objective of the invention is to form the plug for the opening from the metal of the container end itself, in order to save material, and to provide firm attachment of the segment to the container after opening. Another objective of the invention is to fold the closure element down into the can and to keep it attached to the can end so it does not drop down into the contents of the can.

A further objective of the invention is to provide adhesively secured sealing means for the closure to give positive assurance against leakage under pressure, and with very little force required to open.

Another objective of the invention is to provide means to protect against accidental opening during shipping and before use. A further objective is to provide leverage means to assist the opening operation for certain types of closure. One leverage means also has the further advantage that it is unnecessary to push the closure down into the can with the finger, with danger of it getting stuck in the opening.

A further objective of the invention is to provide means by which the closure can be cut from the can top, and then enlarged so when positioned on the under side of the opening, it will not push up through when the contents is under pressure. Also alternate means are shown for reducing the size of the opening instead.

Still another objective of the invention is to provide sealing means on the underside of the can top, comprising an easily broken metal foil patch with adhesive attachment to the top and airtight sealing.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a plug with resilient gasket to fit the opening in the can top, and which is placed in position from below so it can withstand internal pressure. It also has attachment means to the can top.

Another objective of the invention is to construct the closure so it can be opened as a slide with sealing means underneath, and with the slide closure remaining on the outside of the container, and attached to it after opening.

Another objective of the invention is to define the openable segment partly by score lines and partly by a through cut, which makes it easy to start the opening, and with adhesive line or foil patch sealing of the through cut areas.

Another objective of the invention is to provide leverage means to start opening a segment defined by an interrupted score line, and with thelev erage arm and the segment both remaining attached to the container top after opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description given in the specificationand by reference to the following drawings:

shown in cross-section which is made in accordance with this invention, and which is shown inthe opened position, with the closure remaining attached.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a container showing one type of closure arrangement in the closed position, and which is in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 3 is a view of the FIG. 2 type of closure, but viewed from the under side of the can top.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section showing the method of cutting the closure tab from the can top for the type of closure shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section showing the second step in forming the ribs for the FIG. 2 closure to make the opening smaller than the tab closure piece.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section showing an alternative method, in which the tab is made wider than the opening in the can top.,

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of a can top in which the closure tab is widened in several places by pressing.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a can top incorporating an alternative method of constructing a button type closure, with a plug and gasket arrangement.

FIG. 11 is a cross-section taken along line 1111 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-section showing still another configuration of the opening in the can and the tab for a FIG. 2 type of closure.

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a container with a closure FIG. 13 is a cross-section showing the FIG. 12 configuration assembled in the can top.

FIG. 14 is a view of a pressure sealing patch used to cover the under side of the closure area to prevent leakage.

FIG. 15 is a cross-section taken along line 1515 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a can end showing still another closure means in keeping with the invention, and with closure sealed by adhesive.

FIG. 17 is a cross-section taken along line 1717 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a can end showing leverage means to assist in opening the closure.

FIG. 19 is a cross-section taken along line l9--19 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a can end in which mechanical means are provided to assist in pressing down the closure button.

FIG. 21 is a view of a can end with a removable adhesive patch over the top of the closure to prevent premature opening and to give protection from contamination.

FIG. 22 is a view of a can top end showing a locking device for the openable segment to prevent premature opening.

FIG. 23 is a cross-section taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22, showing further details of construction.

FIG. 24 is a view of a can end showing another form of opening device in accordance with the invention, and which comprises a sliding gate arrangement.

FIG. 25 is a cross-section taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 24, showing how the gate is mounted and sealed against leakage.

FIG. 26is a cross-section taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 24, and gives further details on the gate arrangement.

FIG. 27 is a view of a can top end and shows another variation in accordance with the invention, and one in which the segment outline is partly score line and partly cut through the top material.

FIG. 28 is a view of a can top with a segment defined by a score line, and with leverage means to start fracture of the score line, and push button means to complete the opening operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a typical can or container with an opening device in accordance with my invention and shown in its opened position. The container wall 20 is fastened to the top 21 by rolled joint 22. The openable segment 23 is shown bent down and still attached to the can top by uncut part 26. The raised boss on the tab assists in pushing the segment down to open, cutting the aluminum foil sealing patch 24, which is held and sealed to the can top by circle of adhesive 28. The tab has a sharp edge 27 to move easily start cutting the foil, leaving strip 24a of the foil on the can top. Raised rib 25 served to support one edge of the tab against internal pressure in the can.

FIG. 2 shows an end view of can 30 with top 31, raised

ribs

33 and 34 on the top alongside and overlapping the tab, raised boss 36 on the tab, tab 32 which is punched cut from the top 31, except for connecting strip 35, and sealing patch 37 underneath where it is fastened and'sealed to theunderside of top 31 by adhesive ring 38. FIG. 3 is a view of the underside of the cover showing patch 37, adhesive ring 38, tab 32 and supplementary adhesive area 39. Patch 37 may preferably be of aluminum foil, and the adhesive may be of the hot melt type. By adhesively attaching the patch to the tab at 39, the patch is cut away more cleanly when the tab is depressed to open. The patch of aluminum foil is air tight to prevent leakage, and since the tab can not move up under internal pressure, it serves to support the foil also against rupture from internal pressure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along line 44 of FIG. 2, and shows overlapping raised ribs 33a and 34a, and tab 32a with boss 36a. The aluminum foil patch 37a is held by adhesive ring 38a.-FIG. 5 shows a cross-section taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2, with the tab in the closed position, and with can wall 30b, can top 31b, tab 32b with boss 36b, rib 33b, and patch 37b held by adhesive line 38b. The can is opened by pushing down on the boss 36b of the tab 32b, the sharpened protruding edge 27b of the tab cutting the aluminum foil with very little effort.

As shown in FIG. 4, the tab is wider than the opening in the top to resist inner pressure in the can from raising the tab or straining tha aluminum foil. Since the tab is cut from the can top, and would be slightly smaller than the opening, sequential pressing operation is required as shown in FIG. 6, 7 and 8, to either reduce the width of the opening, or increase the width of the tab.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section through a rib and the adjoining edge of the tab, similar to FIG. 4, and shows the method of forming. An upper die cutting blade 40 has cut rib 340 from tab 320 at 42, and opposing die member 41 supports the piece while it is being cut. This section can be taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2. The tab boss is 360. A second press operation is shown in FIG. 7 and is taken also along line 4-4 of FIG. 2. A press die 44, with opposing die 45, lowers and spreads the previously formed narrow rib to width 34d, so the right edge of the rib moves over to overlap the tab at 43, The tab boss is 36d. An alternative way to make the width of the tab greater than the opening in the top is shown in FIG. 8. In this case the boss on the tab is initially formed higher than required and the crown lowered to 362 in a second pressing operation, spreading the tab 32e width to overlap the opening in cover 31e at 46. These views show the operation for one edge, and the other edge of the tab is formed the same, simultaneously. The can top is made of relatively soft aluminum, and the formation of ribs by pressing does not significantly reduce the strength of the top, even though the thickness of the metal is reduced to a small degree. Actually the ribs increase the rigidity of the top.

FIG. 9 show another way to cut the tab from the top of the can, and to enlarge its area so when positioned under the can top it resists internal pressure. A tab is cut from cover 55, and has three

extensions

51, 52 and 53 around its periphery, which are formed by impact in a press, spreading the metal in the tab outwardly to form the projections, as shown. The tab remains attached to 55 at 54.

FIG. 10 show a plan view of a can top with an alterna tive method of constucting a plug closure in keeping with this invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-section taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, a round opening 61a with curved edges is press formed in the top a of the can.

A plug 63a. is made of aluminum and a circular gasket 62a is adhesively attached to the plug. The gasket may be of polyvinylchloride. The plug is sized to fit snugly in thehole with the gasket forming the seal. Pressure from inside the can increases the sealing effect. The plug should be formed to give resilience to compression, and it should have an extending tab 64a which is adhesively secured to the under side of the can top by adhesive 65a. When the plug is pushed in to dispense the can contents, it swings down and is held from dropping by the tab extension. The plug 630 can also be plastic.

FIG. shows this design in plan view. The can top 60 has opening 61 filled by plug 63 and sealed by gasket 62. Extension 64 is held to the under side of the can top by adhesive 65.

FIG. 12 shows a variation in forming the tab used in the design shown in FIG. 2. The can top 70 has two raised ribs 71 and 74 which have'been spread inwardly to reduce the width of the opening sotab 75, which was cut from the metal of the top can not move up through under pressure. In this variation the legs of the ribs are raised upward so the bottom of the tab and the bottom of the can end are level in line. 73 is a boss to facilitate pushing thetab down.

FIG. 13 is a cross-section which shows the FIG. 12 configuration completed. Can end 76 has rib 78 which prevents the tab from moving up by overlappingits long edge. 80 is an aluminum foil patch under the openable area. It is sealed by hot melt

adhesive ring

81 and 82. The tab 79 is flushwith the can top, and it has boss 77. The aluminum foil is also adhesively attached to the under side of the tab at 83 to insure the right hand edge of the tab shearing the aluminum foil when it is pushed down, and preventing the foil from stretching and slipping rather than cutting through at the outer end of the tab to leave the opening clear of foil. 1

FIG. 14 shows an aluminum foil patch 84, which has been pressed to raise two ribs 05and 86. FIG. is a cross-section taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14, and shows disc 84a with raised

ribs

85a and 86a. When the patch is applied to the under side of a can top, the ribs are aligned with the side edges of the opening. They provide slack in the foil, so when the-tab is pushed down to open the can, there is no resistance along the side edges, and only at the end. This reduces the amount of pressure required to push the tab down and break the foil.

FIG. 16 is a view of a can top 90 illustrating another form of the invention. A partial hole 91 with rounded edges is punched in the top. The cut extends almost all the way around the circumference, but a narrow section 92 is left uncut to serve as a support when the plug 97 is pushed down to open the container. In a secondary press operation the edges of the central cut-out are expanded outward by impact at three points, 93, 94, and 95. This enlargement of the plug provides engagement with the circular wall of the opening to prevent the plug from moving upward under pressure built up in the can. FIG. 17 is a cross-section taken along line 1717 of FIG. 16, and shows can top 900, circular cutout 97a with raised center, and overlap 94a to hold the plug from upward movement. The plug is sealed around its outer edge by adhesive at 96a in FIG. 17, and 96 in FIG. 16. The adhesive may be of the hot melt type, and formulated for limited strength so the button can be pushed down easily with the finger to open the 6 can. It is held in the hinged-down position by connection 92 after opening.

Meansfor reducing the strength. of adhesives are well known inthe art. A hot melt adhesivecanbe reduced in strength by gassing to give it afoamed composition. The weakened adhesive may be used all the way around the periphery ofthe segment,or it may be confined to an area where initial openingpressure is to be applied. If plastisol adhesives are used, foamed plastisol may be used in the initial opening area, and Normandy US. Pat. No. 3,002,641 fully describes how to prepare and apply such adhesives.

When a plug is sealed in an opening in a-container top by an adhesive, it is found that the preferred and easiest opening procedure is to concentrate pressure at one point in the periphery. Once the break starts at this focal point, the rest of the glue line shears off very easily. FIG. 18 is a plan view of can top 101, which has a punched rounded edge hole 102 arranged for an opening for the container for pouring out the contents or drinking direct form the can. FIG. 19 'isa crosssectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 18, and shows araised plug 106a, with outer skirt 103a which is larger than theopening in the top 101a, and the plug has an extension 105a which is adhesively secured to the under side of the top. The joint between the plug and the topis sealed by adhesive along line 104a. FIG. 18 shows these respective parts at 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106,and also shows a ring pull member 107, which is fastened to top 101 by integral rivet 108, and has an extension 109 arranged to press downward with high leverage when the ring is raised. It presses at one point on the plug periphery and starts the break in the adhesive line holding the plug. In FIG. 19 these parts are 107a, 108a, and 109a.

FIG. 20 shows can top 130. with plug 135, which has a lower skirt larger than the circular opening in the top, and sealed against leakage by adhesive 138. There is a raised point 136 on the top of the plug. An opening bar 131 is provided to make opening easier. It has finger operating extension 132, and is mounted to swivel on integral rivet 133, which is drawn from the cover mate rial external of the opening. Bar 131 has extension 134 to exert pressure against the can top to obtain leverage to press against the plug without tilting the rivet. When arm 131 is moved in the direction of the arrow, shoulder 137 presses first against the crown of the plug, starting to break the adhesive line at this point. Further movement of the bar brings the under side of 131 up against crown 136, and this pushes the plug down into the can, where it hangs tilted and held by an adhesively anchored extension, not shown, but similar to that shown in FIG. 18 at 105.

FIG. 21 shows a patch 124 of paper or foil held by pressure sensitive adhesive to the top surface over an opening arrangement such as the one shown in FIG. 2. It serves two purposes, one to keep the area clean where the lips contact it, and the other to prevent pressure from above encountered during shipping and handling from pushing the tab down prematurely.

FIG. 22 illustrates a tab safety locking means. It shows can top l40.with openable tab 141, ribs 144, and swivel locking arm 143 mounted on integral rivet 145 which is drawn from the metal of the tab. FIG. 23 is a cross-section taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22. It shows arm 143a on rivet 145a, can top a, tab 141a, and the shoulder of the top at 146a, where the locking arm engages the shoulder so the tab can not be pushed down inadvertantly. To open the can, the locking arm is first rotated 180, and then the tab pushed down. The tab may be sealed by a patch underneath as previously described.

Another method of opening a pressure container, and in which the opening member stays adhered to the can, is shown in FIG. 24, viewed from the top. A can top 150 has a metallic slide member 152, arranged to slide in frame 151. To open the can the slide isdrawn over in the direction of the arrow by pulling on ring 154 far enough to expose a pouring or drinking rectangular opening. In this position the slide stays fastened to the can top. At the same time it can be closed again, but not pressure sealed. By making 151 an inserted piece, thecan top may be of steel, and 151 of aluminum. Alternatively, the can top may be aluminum, and with the slide guides formed directly in the can top material.

Further details are shown in FIG. 25, which is a crosssection taken along line 2525 in FIG. 24, and FIG. 26, a cross-section along line 2626 of FIG. 24. An aluminum frame 151 is fitted in a rectangular opening in the can top. Referring to FIG. 25, frame 151a has a lower groove 163a around four sides and is sealed to top 150a by adhesive 162a. This frame is formed with an upper groove 164a which extends around three sides, but not on the short side at the can center. The metal slide 152a slides in this groove, and has ring end 1540. Referring to FIG. 24, the slide has two turned down legs at 157 and 158 which serve to break aluminum foil patch 156 as the slide starts to move.

FIG. 26 is a section taken along line 2626 of FIG. 24. It shows legs 157b and 158b, and the aluminum foil patch is at 156b, held to top by adhesive line 15% around its periphery. There may also be a metal point formed at 161a, FIG. 25 protruding from frame 151a on the under side to help start a break in the aluminum with light pulling pressure on ring 154a. The foil is also adhered to 152a at 160a, so as the slide moves out it carries the inner piece of foil with it, and

legs

157 and 158 shear the thin foil along the sides of the opening. A weak adhesive is placed at 155a, FIG. 25 to prevent the possibility of anything from the outside getting under the slide, and if desired a light wax coating can be placed along the top outside edges of the slide to keep out any foreign substances.

Still another means to construct the push down segmental arrangement is shown in FIG. 27, which is a plan view of the can top 170. Two score lines 171 and 179 are cut in the metal of the can top. Connecting directly to the ends of the score lines is cut 172, which extends through the thickness of the top. The cut is across the end of the segment and part way up the sides, up to point 173 of score line 171. A boss 175 is formed in the segment and serves a a point on which to exert a pushing pressure with the finger to open the segment. A small bump is formed initially at 180 in the segment, and it is then flattened out after the end cut is made, and with the end of the segment slightly depressed, causing the metal of the segment to extend out at 178. Extension 178 is now just below the metal at the edge of the can top, and it serves to resist internal pressure from pushing the segment up. There can be several extensions similar to 178, or a rib can be pressed in to overlap as in FIG. 7. The open cut 172 is sealed on the under side by an aluminum foil patch 176 adhesively attached to the under side of the top, or alternatively the cut 172 can be sealed by adhesive, preferably on the under side.

This segment is opened by pushing on the boss 175, breaking the foil, and then shearing the metal of the top along the two score lines.After the segment is pushed down, unscored area 177 holds it in its inclined position within the can. By providing a through cut as a starter, it takes much less pressure to shear along a score line. For instance, once the shear is started in this way, it takes only 4 to 5 pounds pressure to push a segment down and shear the two score lines. In the can opening means in common use heretofore, where the score is continuous around the periphery of the segment, it takes 20 to 25 pounds pressure to start a break in the score line, even at the very small are where the integral rivet and pressure point is usually located near the center of the can.

Another design in keeping with the invention is shown in FIG. 28. A container top has an openable segment 202 defined by a score line 196 which extends around the periphery of the segment except at point 197, where a narrow band of metal remains intact when the closure is opened to support the segment tilted down within the container. A raisable leverage ring arm 191 is secured to the can top by integral rivet 192, which is formed just outside the segment at the score line, and which continues to hold the arm 191 after the segment is opened. It is folded back flat to facilitate drinking from the can.

The score line is brought very close to the rivet, preferably around it, and

legs

194 and 195 of the ring arm press with high leverage against the end of the segment when the ring is raised, causing the score line to break, and the end of the segment to move down. Once fracture occurs, the reminder of the segment is pushed down easily by pressing on boss 201.

Ribs

198, 191 and 200 reinforce the rivet and ribs 203 protect the sharp edge at the segment opening. I

The top surface score near the rivet may be supplemented with a score line on the under side of the top to make opening easier, as described in my Pat. No. 3,41 1,661.

In the claims, the term segment means a removable or partially removable area of any shape, and it may be located in the top or wall of the container. The term score line refers to a weakened line formed by thinning the material. The term container top applies to the openable wall even though the container may be stored with this side in some other position.

The top may be of aluminum, steel, or plastic.

In some of the method of claims the plane surface of the container top is subjected to a press forming operation to give a desired surface contour. In usual machine shop practise this may be accomplished in two steps rather than one. The first step is to press form a bulge, or mound, over the affected area. This press operation serves to generate extra material for the next step, and such extra material comes from reducing the thickness uniformly over the area of the mound. In this way very little thickness reduction results. In the second pressing operation the desired off-set contour around the periphery is formed, and a push button bulge can also be formed at the same time in the segment to facilitate pushing the segment down with the finger when opening. It is understood that in the method claims, where a forming operation is called for, it can comprise a plurality of steps as described above, or may be done in a single step.

it will be apparent that while I have shown and described the invention in several preferred forms, changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as sought to be defined in the following claims.

What I claim is:

l. An improved container top made of ductile metal material and having an easy opening means therein, in which said means comprises a downwardly hingeable integral segment cut from said top to form an opening, and with said segment positioned just below said container top to bridge said opening, and with said opening smaller than said segment, and with frangible sealing means between said segment and said top to resist internal pressure in said container and make said container top airtight, and in which said segment remains attached to said container top by an uncut section of the periphery of said segment after said segment has been pushed in to open said container.

the improvement comprising, a swing locking arm rotatably mounted on an integral rivet formed from the material of said segment, and with said arm arranged to rotate so one end extends into locking position with said container top to prevent downward movement of said segment, and such that said arm can be rotated away from contact with said container top when said segment is to be pushed inwardly to open said container.

2. An improved container top as defined in claim 1 in which the material of said segment and said top is aluminum.

3. An improved container top made of sheet material and having an easy openable area which is bridged by a downwardly hingeable integral segment, in which said segment member is cut from the material of the top and with the through cut extending almostaround the periphery of the opening area but leaving an un-cut section of the periphery to provide-hingeable attachment of said segment to said top to serve to support said segment when it is deflected down to open the container, in which upper surfaces of said segment around its outer margin are positioned just below under surfaces of the walls defining said opening, and in which walls bordering the edge of said opening in said top extend inwardly into overlapping position relative to marginal edges of said segment to serve to block said segment from upward movement through said opening, as by internal pressure within the container, an in which frangible sealing means is provided to seal between the main body of said container top and said segment to render said opening in said container top airtight.

the improvement comprising, a pivoted locking means mounted on an integral rivet formed from the material of said segment, and said locking means positioned to lock said segment to said container top bordering said opening against downward movement of said segment, and to prevent inadvertent opening of said segment, and such that said locking means can be rotated away from contact with said container top when said segment is to be pushed inwardly to open said container.

4. An improved container top having an easy openable area which is bridged by a downwardly hingeable integral segment, in which both said top and said segment are formed of plastic, in which said segment is integrally hingeably attached to said top along part of the periphery of said opening, in which said segment is p0- sitioned directly below said opening and in which said opening is smaller than said segment to block said segment from moving upward through said opening, as by internal pressure within the container, and in which frangible sealing means is provided to seal between said container top and said segment to render the opening area in said top airtight.

the improvement comprising, a pivoted locking means mounted on pivot shaft means on said segment, and said locking means positioned to lock v said segment to said container top bordering said opening against downward movement of said segment and to prevent inadvertent opening of said segment, and such that said locking means can be rotated away from contact with said container top when said segment is to be pushed inwardly to open said container.

5. An improved container top made of sheet material and having an easy openable area which is bridged by a downwardly hingeable integral segment, in which said segment member is cut from the material of the top and with the through cut extending almost around the periphery of the opening area but leaving an un-cut section of the periphery to provide hingeable attachment of said segment to said top to serve to support said segment when it is deflected down to open the container, in which upper surfaces of said segment around its outer margin are positioned just below under surfaces of the walls defining said opening, and in which walls bordering the edge of said opening in said top extend inwardly into overlapping position relative to marginal edges of said segment to serve to block said segment from upward movement through said opening, as by in ternal pressure within the container, and in which frangible sealing means is provided to seal between the main body of said container top and said segment to render said opening in said container top airtight,

the improvement comprising,

a. a manually operated lever arm means which is hingeably supported .on a fulcrum rivet means formed integrally from the material of said top and positioned near the border of saidopening,

b. said lever arm means having an arm extending from said fulcrum rivet means and adapted to be manually actuated to initiate opening of said segment by raising said arm away from the general plane of said top, and

c. said lever arm means having a pressure member extending beyond said fulcrum rivet means, and which is arranged to exert high concentrated downward pressure at a point near the periphery of said segment when said lever arm means is raised to initiate rupture of said frangible sealing means, and to initiate opening of said segment.

6. An improved container top as defined in claim 5 in which the material of said segment and said top is aluminum.

7. An improved container top as defined in claim 5 in which said frangible sealing means is an adhesive.

8. An improved container top as defined in claim 5 in which said frangible sealing means is a thin membrane adhesively secured to the underside of said container top to make the opening airtight.

9. An improved container top made of sheet material and having an easy openable area which is bridged by a downwardly hingeable integral segment, in which said segment member is cut from the material of the top and with the through cut extending almost around the periphery of the opening area but leaving an un-cut section of the periphery to provide hingeable attachment of said segment to said top to serve to support said segment when it is deflected down to open the container, in which upper surfaces of said segment around its outer margin are positioned just below under surfaces of the walls defining said opening, and in which walls bordering the edge of said opening in said top extend inwardly into overlapping position relative to marginal edges of said segment to serve to block said segment from upward movement through said opening, as by internal pressure within the container, and in which frangible sealing means is provided to seal between the main body of said container top and said segment to render said opening in said container top airtight.

the improvement comprising,

a. a manually operated lever arm means which is pivotly supported on a fulcrum rivet formed integrally from the material of said top and which is positioned near the border of said opening,

b. said lever arm means having an arm extending from said fulcrum rivet and adapted to be manually actuated by turning through an arc in a plane which is substantially parallel to the plane of said top to initiate opening of said segment, and

c. said lever arm member having a shorter pressure member attached to said arm and positioned to exert a concentrated downward pressure at a point near the periphery of said segment when said lever arm is actuated to initiate rupture of said frangible sealing means, and thereby to initiate opening of said segment.

10. An improved container top as defined in claim 9 in which further contact point means is provided be tween said lever arm and said segment to push said segment further down after the initial rupture of said frangible sealing means has taken place.

11. An improved container top as defined in claim 9 in which said lever arm means is positioned to bridge said opening just above said segment in its unopened position to guard against inadvertent opening of said segment.

12.'An improved container top as defined in claim 1 in which said frangible sealing means is an adhesive.

13. An improved container top as defined in claim 1 in which said frangible sealing means is a thin membrane which is adhesively secured to the underside of said container top to make the opening airtight.

Claims

1. An improved container top made of ductile metal material and having an easy opening means therein, in which said means comprises a downwardly hingeable integral segment cut from said top to form an opening, and with said segment positioned just below said container top to bridge said opening, and with said opening smaller than said segment, and with frangible sealing means between said segment and said top to resist internal pressure in said container and make said container top airtight, and in which said segment remains attached to said container top by an uncut section of the periphery of said segment after said segment has been pushed in to open said container. the improvement comprising, a swing locking arm rotatably mounted on an integral rivet formed from the material of said segment, and with said arm arranged to rotate so one end extends into locking position with said container top to prevent downward movement of said segment, and such that said arm can be rotated away from contact with said container top when said segment is to be pushed inwardly to open said container.

3. An improved container top made of sheet material and having an easy openable area which is bridged by a downwardly hingeable integral segment, in which said segment member is cut from the material of the top and with the through cut extending almost around the periphery of the opening area but leaving an un-cut section of the periphery to provide hingeable attachment of said segment to said top to serve to support said segment when it is deflected down to open the container, in which upper surfaces of said segment around its outer margin are positioned just below under surfaces of the walls defining said opening, and in which walls bordering the edge of said opening in said top extend inwardly into overlapping position relative to marginal edges of said segment to serve to block said segment from upward movement through said opening, as by internal pressure within the container, an in which frangible sealing means is provided to seal between the main body of said container top and said segment to render said opening in said container top airtight. the improvement comprising, a pivoted locking means mounted on an integral rivet formed from the material of said segment, and said locking means positioned to lock said segment to said container top bordering said opening against downward movement of said segment, and to prevent inadvertent opening of said segment, and such that said locking means can be Rotated away from contact with said container top when said segment is to be pushed inwardly to open said container.

4. An improved container top having an easy openable area which is bridged by a downwardly hingeable integral segment, in which both said top and said segment are formed of plastic, in which said segment is integrally hingeably attached to said top along part of the periphery of said opening, in which said segment is positioned directly below said opening and in which said opening is smaller than said segment to block said segment from moving upward through said opening, as by internal pressure within the container, and in which frangible sealing means is provided to seal between said container top and said segment to render the opening area in said top airtight, the improvement comprising, a pivoted locking means mounted on pivot shaft means on said segment, and said locking means positioned to lock said segment to said container top bordering said opening against downward movement of said segment, and to prevent inadvertent opening of said segment, and such that said locking means can be rotated away from contact with said container top when said segment is to be pushed inwardly to open said container.

5. An improved container top made of sheet material and having an easy openable area which is bridged by a downwardly hingeable integral segment, in which said segment member is cut from the material of the top and with the through cut extending almost around the periphery of the opening area but leaving an un-cut section of the periphery to provide hingeable attachment of said segment to said top to serve to support said segment when it is deflected down to open the container, in which upper surfaces of said segment around its outer margin are positioned just below under surfaces of the walls defining said opening, and in which walls bordering the edge of said opening in said top extend inwardly into overlapping position relative to marginal edges of said segment to serve to block said segment from upward movement through said opening, as by internal pressure within the container, and in which frangible sealing means is provided to seal between the main body of said container top and said segment to render said opening in said container top airtight, the improvement comprising, a. a manually operated lever arm means which is hingeably supported on a fulcrum rivet means formed integrally from the material of said top and positioned near the border of said opening, b. said lever arm means having an arm extending from said fulcrum rivet means and adapted to be manually actuated to initiate opening of said segment by raising said arm away from the general plane of said top, and c. said lever arm means having a pressure member extending beyond said fulcrum rivet means, and which is arranged to exert high concentrated downward pressure at a point near the periphery of said segment when said lever arm means is raised to initiate rupture of said frangible sealing means, and to initiate opening of said segment.

9. An improved container top made of sheet material and having an easy openable area which is bridged by a downwardly hingeable integral segment, in which said segment member is cut from the material of the top and with the through cut extending almost around the periphery of the opening area but leaving an un-cut section of the periphery to provide hingeable attachment of said segment to said top to serve to support said segment when it is deflected down to open the container, in which upper surfaces of said segment Around its outer margin are positioned just below under surfaces of the walls defining said opening, and in which walls bordering the edge of said opening in said top extend inwardly into overlapping position relative to marginal edges of said segment to serve to block said segment from upward movement through said opening, as by internal pressure within the container, and in which frangible sealing means is provided to seal between the main body of said container top and said segment to render said opening in said container top airtight. the improvement comprising, a. a manually operated lever arm means which is pivotly supported on a fulcrum rivet formed integrally from the material of said top and which is positioned near the border of said opening, b. said lever arm means having an arm extending from said fulcrum rivet and adapted to be manually actuated by turning through an arc in a plane which is substantially parallel to the plane of said top to initiate opening of said segment, and c. said lever arm member having a shorter pressure member attached to said arm and positioned to exert a concentrated downward pressure at a point near the periphery of said segment when said lever arm is actuated to initiate rupture of said frangible sealing means, and thereby to initiate opening of said segment.

10. An improved container top as defined in claim 9 in which further contact point means is provided between said lever arm and said segment to push said segment further down after the initial rupture of said frangible sealing means has taken place.

12. An improved container top as defined in claim 1 in which said frangible sealing means is an adhesive.