Beverage can lid with easy opening features

Abstract

A beverage can lid with an easy opening feature comprises a scored lid, having a pull tab affixed to the lid by a rivet and an initial contact point on the lid which is pushed downward as the score line breaks at the puncture point adjacent the rivet. In the invention, the contact point is positioned in close proximity to the rivet to minimize the required lifting force, which is in proportion to the distance between the initial contact point and the rivet. Further, the puncture point is positioned close to the initial contact point so that the lifting force is also reduced. In one embodiment, the scoring radius at the puncture point is quite sharp so that the force required to break the seal at the puncture point is reduced. Also the gap between the puncture point and the end of the scored line is minimized to facilitate opening the lid. Furthermore, the pivot line is moved closer to the contact point to reduce the lifting force. Additional savings result from minimizing the width and length of the pull-tab and using thinner gauge metal than customarily used in the prior art.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a refiling of Ser. No. 09/312,837, filed May 17, 1999, now abandoned

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Research and development of the present invention and application have not been federally sponsored, and no rights are given under any Federal program.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] NOT APPLICABLE.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] This invention relates to beverage cans and particularly to beverage cans having an easy open lid.

[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR §§1.97-1.98

[0007] This invention relates to beverage cans for soft drinks, beer, juices and the like with an easy open lid involving a unique design. The lid includes a score line with a particular relationship with the puncture point and contact point. The required lifting force is reduced permitting a smaller pull-tab and a thinner gauge metal.

[0008] Patents which reflect the state of the prior art are as follows: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,262,815; 3,946,895; 4,114,778; 2,547,059; 4,407,425; 4,047,634; 3,300,081; 4,318,493; and, 5,415,313.

[0009] The foregoing prior art patents disclose various can lids and means for providing an opening to drink directly from a container or to pour a drink therefrom. The unique concepts proposed by applicant are nowhere seen or suggested in these particular references.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The lid comprises a predetermined scored surface and a pull-tab affixed to the lid by a rivet. When the tab is lifted, an initial contact point on the score line is pushed downwardly as the score line breaks at a puncture point adjacent the rivet. In contrast to the prior art, the contact point is positioned in close proximity to the rivet to minimize the required lifting force, which is in proportion to the distance between the initial contact point and the rivet. The required lifting force is also reduced by positioning the contact point near the puncture point relative to the prior art.

[0011] In an alternate embodiment, the scoring radius at the puncture point is quite sharp so that the force required to break the score line is reduced. In other words, the score line makes an abrupt turn at the initial point of contact and the puncture point, which are closely situated on opposite sides of the score line. This is not the case in the prior art.

[0012] The opening of the lid is also facilitated by minimizing the gap between the puncture point and the end of the scored line. Additional savings result from minimizing the width and length of the pull-tab in the foregoing designs and using thinner gauge metal on the lid in comparison to the prior art. Since less lifting force is required, the tab and the gauge of the metal may be modified.

[0013] Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a new and improved easy open lid.

[0014] Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved can lid wherein the initial tab contact point is positioned in close proximity to the rivet to minimize the lifting force required to open the lid.

[0015] A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved easy open can lid wherein the initial contact point is positioned near the puncture point to reduce the required lifting force.

[0016] A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved easy open can lid wherein the scoring radius turns sharply at the puncture point to minimize the force required to break the lid seal in comparison to the scoring radius in the prior art.

[0017] A more specific object of this invention is to provide a new and improved easy open can lid wherein the positioning of the rivet, puncture point, pivot line, the contact point and score line permit a cost savings with a narrow pull tab and thin gauge metal which is possible with the lesser lifting force required in comparison to the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other objects and advantages of the invention may be more clearly shown when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a top view of a can lid illustrating the prior art;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a top view of a novel can lid wherein the puncture point is close to the initial contact point;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view of a novel can lid illustrating a sharp or abrupt radius at the puncture point to facilitate opening the lid;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view of the novel can lid wherein the gap between the puncture point and the end of the score line is minimized to facilitate opening the lid;

[0023] FIG. 5 shows a top view of another version of an existing can lid;

[0024] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the new and improved can lid which facilitates opening with a lesser force than present designs; and,

[0025] FIG. 7 shows a top view of an easy open can lid wherein the pivot line has been moved in close proximity to the puncture point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Referring now to the drawings, the invention pertains to an easy opening lid 1 for beverage cans and the like. FIGS. 1 and 5 show an existing can lid design, the can lid 1 includes a groove 2 and center platform 3. The pull-tab area 4 includes a rivet center 5 and a double score line 6 which extends about the pull-tab area 4. The area 7 is indented to increase the lid structure strength. When the pull-tab 16 at the pull-tab end 17 is lifted, the initial contact point 9 is pushed downward and the score line 6 breaks at the puncture point 8 initially. Puncture point 8 is positioned immediately adjacent the rivet center 5. The pull-tab 16 is mounted with end 17 near the end area 14 to permit one to reach under the tab end 17 for opening purposes. The break will spread in both left and right directions and ends at points 10 and 11. At that time, area 12 will be bent inward towards the inside of the can while retaining the scored center 13 on the lid 1.

[0027] The problem with the prior art design is that it is difficult to create the initial puncture with the existing design. Considerable lifting force is required. This problem is compounded with the trend towards downsizing the lid diameter. Today, many customers complain about this problem since they either break a fingernail or must rely on other instruments in order to open the tab.

[0028] The force problem can be solved, first, by moving the initial contact point 9 closer to the rivet center 5. With all other conditions remaining the same, the force required to break the puncture point 8 is the same. However, when the distance between the initial contact point 9 and rivet center is reduced by half, the lifting force at pull tab end 19 (see FIG. 6) can be reduced by half to create the same amount of force to break the puncture point 8. This approach, however, requires a new pull-tab 18.

[0029] In an embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 2, the puncture point 8 is moved closer to the initial contact point 9. The only change required is in the scoring die. While the first approach requires a new pull-tab 18, moving the puncture point 8 closure to the initial contact point 9 requires less change. When the distance between the puncture point 8 and the contact point 9 is reduced, the lifting force at pull-tab end 17 is also reduced.

[0030] In a further embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the radius at the puncture point 8 is reduced to a sharper radius. The force required to break the puncture point 8 is less, hence, it will make opening easier.

[0031] The consumer also faces two hurdles in opening a can lid. First, they must break the puncture point 8. Secondly, they must force the break line to reach points 10 and 15. Once the lid 1 is punctured, the break line extends to the right and left of the puncture point 8 at equal distances until it reach points 10 and 15. At that time, the break line terminates at point 10 and will continue beyond point 15 to point 11. To reach from point 8 to points 10 and 15 requires a substantial lifting force at the end of pull-tab 18. Once the can lid 1 is punctured, the integrity of the product inside of the can cannot be protected. It is unnecessary to have a big gap between points 8 and 10. The shorter the gap, the easier the opening will be. FIG. 4 illustrates this point.

[0032] The invention as thus described has a number of unique advantages. When point 11 is moved closer to the rivet center 5, the width of the pull-tab 18 can be narrowed accordingly. Consequently, less material is required for the pull-tab. Secondly, when the lifting force at the end of pull-tab 18 is needed, thinner gauge material will be sufficient to support the puncture force and opening force. Both will offer significant cost savings for the pull-tab.

[0033] Referring back to the discussion above, contact point 9 can be moved towards the rivet center 5 by the following method: FIG. 5 shows an existing can lid. In the figure, pull-tab 16 has an end 17 and contact point 9. FIG. 6 shows the pull-tab 18. Contact point 9 is closer to the rivet center 5. The width of pull-tab 18 is narrower than the width of the pull-tab 16 in FIG. 5. This is due to the score line end 11 being closer to the rivet center 5 than is customary in existing designs.

[0034] A shorter pull-tab 18 also offers a cost savings opportunity. In pull-tab 18, the total length between points 19 and 9 can be shortened because less lifting force is required. A shorter pull-tab 18 will give more room between 19 and rim 1 for the finger to grab hold of the pull-tab end 19 and facilitate the opening.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, another option to lessen the force required to open the lid 1 is to move the pivot line 25 forward closer to the contact point 9 rather than maintaining the conventional spacing of the prior art. The pivot line 25 extends between points 22 and 23 and is the line about which the tab 18 pivots.

[0036] While the invention has been explained by a detailed description of certain specific embodiments, it is understood that various modifications and substitutions can be made in any of them within the scope of the appended claims, which are intended also to include equivalents of such embodiments.

Claims

1. A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid comprising:

an outer rim mounted to the cylindrical container;

a center platform having a score line positioned thereon and a puncture point wherein an initial break in the score line occurs during opening;

a groove extending circumferentially between the rim and the center platform;

a pull tab having an integral contact point for engaging and opening the lid at the puncture point along the score line said pull tab extending fully about the score line; and

a rivet positioned on one side of the score line and mounting the pull tab to the center platform wherein the puncture point is positioned in close proximity to the rivet on the score line and the contact point is spaced from the puncture point on the other side of the score line to minimize the lifting force on the pull tab required to open the lid along the score line.

2. A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the score line comprises an abrupt radius at the puncture point to minimize the lifting force required to open the lid.

3. A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the score line extends a short distance from the initial break point to a first end point.

4. A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the pull-tab includes a narrow length and width to provide the lesser lifting force required to puncture the score line.

5. A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the lid comprises a thin gauge metal due to the reduced lifting force required to open the lid.

6. A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the puncture point is positioned in close proximity to the contact point to minimize the lifting force.

7. A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the pull tab includes a pivot line about which said pull tab pivots during opening, said pivot line being positioned in close proximity to the contact point.