Can opening device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a can opening device. According to the present invention, there is provided a can opening device for a can, which is formed on a top surface of a cylindrical can with contents contained therein, comprising: first and second opening portions 122, 124 disposed to be opposite to each other at both sides of the top surface 110 of the can and defined by incision lines 122a, 124a; an opening member 140 including an arcuate grip 142 formed at a relatively outward portion of the top surface 110, an arcuate reinforcement portion 144 formed integrally with the grip at a relatively inward portion of the top surface, and pressing portions 146, 148, formed to extend toward the opening portions 122, 124 from both ends where the reinforcement portion and grip are connected to each other, for pressing down and opening the opening portions, respectively; and a pair of lever fulcrums Hn, Hm, installed at the pressing portions rearward of the centers of the both ends where the reinforcement portion and grip are connected to each other, for fixedly connecting the opening portions to the top surface, respectively. Further, the first opening portion 122 through which the contents flow out upon opening thereof is relatively larger than the second opening portion 124, the pressing portion 146 is installed to be at a position inward of the center of the top surface from the center of the first opening portion 122, and the first opening portion 122 is positioned so that the center thereof is located at a position inward from that of a radius line of the top surface 110 passing through the center of the first opening portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a can opening device, and more particularly, to an opening device for a beverage can, which is constructed such that beverage contained within the can may flow out more easily.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an opening portion of a conventional can. As shown in the figure, contents such as beverage or beer to be drunk are generally contained within a can body 10, and a can opening device is generally attached to a top surface 12 or bottom surface of the can body. An opening member 20 attached to the top surface 12 through a lever fulcrum 24 is used to open a predetermined portion of the top surface of the can body 10. Further, the opening member 20 comprises a grip 22 extending to one side with respect to the lever fulcrum 24, and a pressing portion 26 extending to the opposite side with respect to the lever fulcrum 24.

[0005] An opening portion 29 defined by an incision line 28 grooved with a predetermined depth is formed on a portion of the top surface 12 below the pressing portion 26.

[0006] Here, when a user pulls up the grip 22 of the opening member 20, the pressing portion 26 of the opening member 20 opposite to the grip 22 is moved downward around the lever fulcrum 24. When the pressing portion 26 is moved downward, a downward force is applied to the opening portion 29, and the opening portion 29 is then substantially separated from the top surface 12 along the incision line 28 for defining the opening portion 29. With this action, the opening portion 29 is substantially opened so that the beverage of the can body 10 may flow out.

[0007] A portion of the opening portion 29 defined by the incision line 28 is still attached to the top surface 12 of the can body. Thus, it is also known in the art that when the can is opened as the opening portion 29 is moved downward by the pressing portion 26, the portion of the opening portion 29 is constructed to be attached to the top surface 12 of the can.

[0008] However, there are the following problems in the prior art. That is, when the beverage flows out from the interior of the can body 10, exterior air should be introduced to the interior of the can body 10 to the contrary so that the beverage can smoothly flow out. However, in the constitution of the can according to the prior art, since only one opening portion 29 is formed, there is a disadvantage in that the contents cannot smoothly flow out in a process of introduction of the exterior air and simultaneous outflow of the beverage. Accordingly, in an initial stage until a predetermined amount of beverage substantially flows out from the can (i.e., until the exterior air is introduced through an upper part of a hole corresponding to the opening portion while the beverage flows out through a lower part of the hole by tilting the can at a predetermined angle), it is very difficult to drain the beverage.

[0009] Further, in the conventional constitution as described above, since the entire grip 22 of the opening member 20 is generally very small in size, it is inconvenient to pull up the grip 22. For example, since the grip 22 is small in size, it is difficult for a thick-fingered user to grasp the grip 22 and to pull up the grip with force larger than that required for opening the can. Of course, it is very difficult for children, the old and the weak, and women to grasp and pull up the grip 22.

[0010] In order to overcome these disadvantages, a can opening device shown in FIG. 2 has been proposed in Korean Utility Model Laid-Open No. 98-55776 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. (Sho)55-69029. This can opening device will be described in brief with reference to FIG. 2.

[0011] As shown in the figure, the conventional can opening device comprises a pair of opening portions 32, 34 formed on a top surface of a can. The opening portions 32, 34 are defined by incision lines where the top surface of the can is processed to be relatively thin in thickness when they are manufactured by a metallic pattern. Such opening portions 32, 34 are composed of a first opening portion 32 through which contents of the can are able to substantially flow out to the outside upon opening thereof, and a second opening portion 34 through which exterior air is able to be introduced into the can upon opening thereof.

[0012] The can opening device includes a grip 30 which a user can catch with his/her finger(s), and a pair of pressing portions 36a, 36b formed at both ends of the grip for pressing and opening the opening portions 32, 34, respectively. Here, when the user pulls up the grip 30, the pressing portions 36a, 36b press the opening portions 32, 34 downward around lever fulcrums Ha, Hb, respectively. The opening portions 32, 34 are then separated downward from the top surface of the can so that the contents may flow out.

[0013] According to the can opening device constructed as such, the contents may more easily flow out to the outside by forming substantially two opening portions. Further, in a case where the opening portions are formed into a pair, they are particularly useful for a can in which there are contained contents, such as bubbly carbonated beverage or frothy beer. However, in the case where the pair of opening portions 36a, 36b are formed on the top surface of the can as shown in FIG. 2, some matters should be essentially considered.

[0014] First, in the case where the two opening portions are formed on the top surface of the can, the strength of the grip 30 should be considered. That is, since the two opening portions 32, 34 should be opened by only one grip 30 unlike a case where one opening portion is pressed and opened. The strength of the grip 30 and pressing portions 36a, 36b must be sufficiently considered. However, considering that the grip is generally formed of the same material as the can, it is not easy to strengthen the grip so sufficiently that the two opening portions can be simultaneously opened.

[0015] Second, the can has the two opening portions, i.e. a first opening portion through which the contents flow out to the outside upon opening thereof, and a second opening portion through which the exterior air introduces into the can upon opening thereof. Thus, the second opening portion 34 should have an appropriate size. That is, if the second opening portion is too large, the contents may be likely to simultaneously flow out through the two opening portions. On the other hand, if the second opening portion is too small, it is difficult to open the second opening portion 34 with the pressing portion 36b when the grip 30 is pulled up.

[0016] Third, a size of the grip 30 mounted on the top surface of the can for opening the opening portions 32, 34 should be considered. That is, if the grip 30 is too large in size, the grip comes into contact with the user's lips. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in that the user feels unpleasant when drinking the contents.

[0017] Consequently, since the conventional can, opening device shown in FIG. 2 does not fully meet the above considerations, there are disadvantages in that it is difficult to practically apply the can opening device to the can and the can opening device is inconvenient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention is contemplated to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a can opening device constructed such that contents of a can may flow out very smoothly to the outside.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a can opening device constructed such that a pair of opening portions can be correctly opened and contents of a can may flow out very smoothly to the outside through only one opening portion even though the two opening portions are opened.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a can opening device constructed such that the can opening device attached to a top surface of a can does not come into contact with lips of a user unless the user feels unpleasant when drinking contents of a can.

[0021] According to the present invention for achieving the above objects, there is provided a can opening device for a can, which is formed on a top surface of a cylindrical can with contents contained therein, comprising: first and second opening portions disposed to be opposite to each other at both sides of the top surface of the can and defined by incision lines; an opening member including an arcuate grip formed at a relatively outward portion of the top surface, an arcuate reinforcement portion formed integrally with the grip at a relatively inward portion of the top surface, and pressing portions, formed to extend toward the opening portions from both ends where the reinforcement portion and grip are connected to each other, for pressing down and opening the opening portions, respectively; and a pair of lever fulcrums, installed at the pressing portions rearward of the centers of the both ends where the reinforcement portion and grip are connected to each other, for fixedly connecting the opening portions to the top surface, respectively. Further, the first opening portion, through which the contents flow out upon opening thereof, is relatively larger than the second opening portion, the pressing portion is installed to be at a position inward of the center of the top surface from the center of the first opening portion, and the first opening portion is positioned so that the center thereof is located at a position inward from that of a radius line of the top surface passing through the center of the first opening portion.

[0022] The first opening portion is a portion through which the contents flow out upon opening thereof The second opening portion is a portion through which the exterior air is introduced into the can upon opening thereof, while the contents are flowing out. According to the present invention, it is preferable that the second opening portion be formed to have a diameter of 5 to 12 mm.

[0023] Additionally, it is preferable that a recess for the grip is formed under the grip to be depressed below the level of the top surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a can to which a conventional can opening device is applied;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a can to which another conventional can opening device is applied;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a can to which a can opening device according to the present invention is applied; and

[0028] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the can to which the can opening device of the present invention is applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a can to which a can opening device according to the present invention is applied, in a state where a pair of opening portions has been opened; and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the can to which the can opening device of the present invention is applied.

[0031] As shown in the figures, the can opening device of the present invention includes the pair of opening portions 122, 124 formed on a top surface 110 of a can 100. The opening portions 122, 124 include a first opening portion 122 through which contents of the can flow out upon opening thereof, and a second opening portion 124 through which exterior air is introduced into the can upon opening thereof while the contents of the can flows out through the first opening portion 122. As shown in the figures, the first opening portion 122 is formed to be relatively larger than the second opening portion 124. Further, the first and second opening portions 122, 124 are formed at symmetrical positions of the top surface of the can, which is substantially circular. That is, it can be seen that the centers of the pair of opening portions 122, 124 are placed on a diameter of the circular top surface 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the centers of the opening portions 122, 124 are positioned almost on the axis of ordinates denoted as a reference numeral Cp.

[0032] The first and second opening portions 122, 124 are defined by incision lines 122a, 124a formed on the top surface 110 of the can. However, the incision lines 122a, 124a are not formed throughout circular perimeter portions of the opening portions. That is, the incision lines are formed except the perimeter portions below pressing portions 146, 148. This configuration allows some portions of the opening portions 122, 124 to be attached to the top surface 110 of the can when the opening portions 122, 124 are separated and opened from the top surface 110 of the can.

[0033] The first and second opening portions 122, 124 are approximately circular. In a case where the opening portions 122, 124 are formed to be circular, there is convenience in that the opening portions can be opened with a minimum force when they are pressed down by the pressing portions 146, 148, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to the circular opening portions 122, 124, and the opening portions 122, 124 may be modified in various shapes which are currently applied thereto.

[0034] The second opening portion 124 is a portion through which the exterior air is introduced upon opening thereof while the contents of the can flow out through the second opening portion 124 which has been opened. The second opening portion 124 should not be too large, so that the contents cannot flow out through the second opening portion 124 while the contents of the can flow out through the first opening portion 122. On the contrary, if the second opening portion 124 is formed too small, the second opening portion 124 may not be easily opened even through it is pressed down by the pressing portion 148.

[0035] Accordingly, the present inventor has found from several experiments on standard beer cans that the following results are most preferable. As for the standard beer cans, there is a possibility that the second opening portion 124 is not easily opened by the pressing portion 148 if it is formed to be 4 mm or less in diameter, whereas the contents flow out through the second opening portion 124 if it is formed to be above 12 mm in diameter.

[0036] That is, in the case where the diameter of the second opening portion 124 is greater than 12 mm, it was found that if the can is suddenly tilted, even a small quantity of contents may flow out through the second opening portion 124 simultaneously when contents such as beer flow out through the first opening portion 122.

[0037] As for the standard beer cans, therefore, it is preferred that the second opening portion be formed to have a diameter within a range of 5 to 12 mm in order to easily open the second opening portion and to prevent the contents from flowing out therethrough. Additionally, considering that the larger the second opening portion 124 is the more the exterior air is introduced, it could be confirmed from the experiments that the diameter of the second opening portion is most preferable to be 6 to 9 mm.

[0038] As for the first opening portion 122 through which the contents of the can flow out upon opening thereof, the diameter thereof can be freely modified or changed within a range of about 20 to 30 mm.

[0039] As for the first opening portion 122, the following conditions should be considered. The first opening portion 122 is a portion which comes into contact with lips of a user. When the lips come into contact with an opening member 140 including the pressing portion 146 of the first opening portion 122, the user may feel unpleasant or spill the beverage on his/her face, when drinking the contents. Accordingly, the following conditions should be met so that the user's lips cannot come into contact with the opening member 140.

[0040] First, the pressing portion 146 for pressing down and opening the first opening portion 122 should be preferably positioned in an inward half portion of the first opening portion 122 (in a direction toward the second opening portion 124). Accordingly, as shown in the figures, the pressing portion 146 is designed to be positioned in the inward half portion (a portion inward from the middle) of the first opening portion 122. Thus, by positioning the pressing portion 146 in the inward half portion of the first opening portion 122, the opening member 140 can be prevented from coming into contact with the user's lips upon drinking of the beverage.

[0041] As will be also described below, the opening member 140 including the pressing portion 146 is formed to take the shape of an arc. Since the pressing portion 146 positioned below the opening member is substantially inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the top surface from the inward half portion to an outward half portion of the first opening portion, the pressing portion 146 can be prevented to the utmost from coming into contact with the user's lips.

[0042] In addition, the center of the first opening portion 122 itself is formed at a position more inward than the center of a radius line SC of the top surface 110 of the can passing through the center of the first opening portion. That is, the first opening portion 122 itself should be positioned as upward as possible so that the first opening portion 122 is spaced apart from a lower end 110a of the top surface of the can in an upward direction when the user's lips come into contact with the first opening portion 122.

[0043] Thus, by designing the opening member 140 in such a manner that the pressing portion 146 of the first opening portion 122 is positioned in the inward half portion of the first opening portion 122 and the center of the first opening portion 122 itself is simultaneously positioned more inward than the center of the radius line SC, it can be seen that the opening member 140 can be prevented to the utmost from coming into contact with the user's lips upon drinking of the contents of the can.

[0044] Next, the opening member 140 for opening the pair of opening portions 122, 124 will be described in detail.

[0045] As described above, the opening member 140 should be designed so as to meet a first condition that it should not come into contact with the user's lips when the user drinks, and a second condition that it has enough strength to simultaneously transmit an opening force, which is applied to the opening member when the user pulls up the grip 142 to open the pair of opening portions 122, 124 at once, to the pair of opening portion 122, 124. The design for meeting the first condition has been already described above. Now, the essential condition of strength of the opening portion 140 will be described.

[0046] As shown in the figures, the opening portion 140 includes the grip 142 for pulling up the opening portions with the user's finger(s), a reinforcement portion 144 formed at the interior of the grip 142, and the pair of pressing portions 146, 148 formed on the both ends of the grip 142 and reinforcement portion 144. In order to reduce the costs of materials, a hole is formed between the grip 142 and the reinforcement portion 144.

[0047] The grip 142 and the reinforcement portion 144 are formed to take the shape of an arc and integrally formed with each other, as shown in the figures. On the both ends at which the grip 142 and reinforcement portion 144 join each other, there are formed the pressing portions 146, 148 for pressing down the opening portions 122, 124. The pressing portions 146, 148 operate to simultaneously press down and open one pair of the opening portions 122, 124 below the grip 142 by pulling up the single grip 142. At positions slightly rearward of the pressing portions 146, 148, there are formed lever fulcrums Hn, Hm, which simultaneously catches the opening member 140 and the top surface 110 of the can. The lever fulcrums perform a function of a lever upon opening of the can.

[0048] It can be seen that the opening device 140 of the present invention generally takes the shape of an arc, and includes the grip 142 for pulling up the opening portions with the user's finger(s), and the reinforcement portion 144 formed integrally with the grip and positioned near the center of the top surface 110. The grip 142 and the reinforcement portion 144 are constructed to have sufficient bearing strength by thickening and curling up them.

[0049] According to the present invention constructed as such, when the grip 142 is pulled up, the grip 142 and the reinforcement portion 144 are simultaneously pulled up around the lever fulcrums Hn, Hm. Then, the pressing portions 146, 148 positioned at the both ends of the grip 142 and reinforcement portion 144 press down the opening portions 122, 124, respectively. Accordingly, the opening portions 122, 124 defined by the incision lines 122a, 124a start to be separated from the top surface 110 from the incision lines that are closest to portions pressed by the pressing portions 146, 148. When the grip 142 is completely pulled up, the opening portions 122, 124 are connected with the top surface 110 at only portions thereof on which the incision lines are not formed, and the other portions thereof are completely separated from the top surface 110. Thus, the contents of the can are able to flow out to the outside.

[0050] By integrally forming the grip 124 and the reinforcement portion 144 in the shape of an arc, a force from the grip 124 can be most effectively transmitted to the opening portions 122, 124. That is, since a load is not concentrated on any portions in the grip 124 and reinforcement portion 144 which have been formed to take the shape of an arc, respectively, the pressing portions 146, 148 can accurately press down the opening portions 122, 124 without any breakage or damage due to torsional moment and stress concentration.

[0051] In view of strength, it is preferred that the pressing portions 146, 148 be formed at the both ends of the grip 142 and reinforcement portion 144. For example, in a case where the opening portions 122, 124 are pressed down and opened only by the grip 124 and without forming the reinforcement portion 144, neck portions between the grip 142 and the pressing portions 146, 148 may be deformed. Therefore, according to the present invention, the grip 142 and the reinforcement portion 144 are formed integrally with each other to take the shape of an arc, and the pressing portions 146, 148 are then formed thereon, as shown in the figures.

[0052] In addition, the lever fulcrums Hn, Hm are installed slightly rearward of the pressing portions 146, 148. The lever fulcrums allow the pressing portions 146, 148 to stably press down the opening portions 122, 124 upon upper movement of the grip 142, since they are substantially positioned near the center of the both ends of the grip 142 and reinforcement portion 144.

[0053] On the top surface 110 of the can facing the grip 142, a recess 150 is formed to be depressed below the level of the top surface 110. This recess 150 is a concave portion formed in the top surface 110 so that the user can easily pull up the grip 142 when the user grasps the grip 142 with his/her finger(s).

[0054] Comparing the grip 142 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with the conventional grip shown in FIG. 1, it can be seen that the grip 142 of the present invention is formed to be larger than the conventional grip. Accordingly, when opening the can on which the can opening device of the present invention is mounted, the user can easily pull up the grip 142 of the present invention with one or two fingers.

[0055] According to the present invention, on the top surface 110 of the can, there is formed another recess 160 for accommodating the opening member 140 including the pair of opening portions 122, 124. This recess 160 is effectively used to load another can on the top surface of the can. In general, as for a beverage or beer can, a body part with a top surface thereof opened and a top surface part with the top surface are separately provided. Since the opening member 140 is installed to protrude from the top surface 110 on the top surface part, a volume of several cans stacked one above another may become large. Therefore, since there is provided the recess 160 for accommodating the opening member 140, more cans may be stacked on the respective top surface parts one above another within the same volume.

[0056] According to the present invention constructed as such, the following advantages are expected:

[0057] First, the can opening device of the present invention comprises the first opening portion 122 through which the contents flow out upon opening thereof, and the second opening portion 124 through which the exterior air is introduced into the can upon opening thereof while the contents flow out through the first opening portion. Therefore, since the contents flow out through the first opening portion 122 while the exterior air is introduced into the can through the second opening portion 124, the contents can very smoothly flow out from the can. In this regard, the present invention is deemed to be very useful when the user drinks beer or carbonated beverage.

[0058] Second, the opening member 140 for opening one pair of the opening portions 122, 124 includes the arcuate grip and reinforcement portions. Therefore, since the opening force of the user can be smoothly transmitted to the opening portions 122, 124, there is expected convenience in that one pair of the opening portions can be easiest opened. Additionally, since the opening portions 122, 124 can be caught with two fingers of the user, they can be more conveniently opened.

[0059] Third, through an optimal design for the second opening portion, the contents will not flow out through the second opening portion and simultaneously the optimum opening easiness is provided. Additionally, through an optimal design for the opening member 140, there is expected convenience in that the user can drink the contents without feeling unpleasant on his/her lips when drinking the contents of the can.

[0060] As described above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to present the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although the present invention is described through the embodiment applied to the can opening device for use in the beer can, it is not limited to the embodiment. For example, the present invention may be applied to a can opening device for use in a beverage can for containing predetermined particles or fragments such as orange or grape particles.

[0061] Furthermore, the invention should be construed only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A can opening device for a can, which is formed on a top surface of a cylindrical can with contents contained therein, comprising:

first and second opening portions (122, 124) disposed to be opposite to each other at both sides of the top surface (110) of the can and defined by incision lines (122a, 124a);

an opening member (140) including an arcuate grip (142) formed at a relatively outward portion of the top surface (110), an arcuate reinforcement portion (144) formed integrally with the grip at a relatively inward portion of the top surface, and pressing portions (146, 148), formed to extend toward the opening portions (122, 124) from both ends where the reinforcement portion and grip are connected to each other, for pressing down and opening the opening portions, respectively; and

a pair of lever fulcrums (Hn, Hm), installed at the pressing portions rearward of the centers of the both ends where the reinforcement portion and grip are connected to each other, for fixedly connecting the opening portions to the top surface, respectively;

wherein the first opening portion (122) through which the contents flow out upon opening thereof is relatively larger than the second opening portion (124), the pressing portion (146) is installed to be at a position inward of the center of the top surface from the center of the first opening portion (122), and the first opening portion (122) is positioned so that the center thereof is located at a position inward from that of a radius line of the top surface (110) passing through the center of the first opening portion.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second opening portion (124) has a diameter of 5 to 12 mm.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a recess (150) for the grip is formed under the grip to be depressed below the level of the top surface 110.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the opening member takes the shape of a hollow arc.