Gripping Means Attached To Or Integral With Member Or Portion (e.g., Pull Tab) Patents (Class 220/269)
  • Publication number: 20090206083
    Abstract: A container closing device suitable for cans of drink, having an opening tab provided in a container wall, and an opening element suitable for pressing in the opening tab and a fixing device, whereby the opening tab can be detachably fixed to the container wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Horst Heigl
  • Patent number: 7556168
    Abstract: A can end member has a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, and a transition wall. The center panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a peripheral edge. The center panel also has a step portion located radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis. The step portion has an annular convex portion joined to an annular concave portion and displaces at least a portion of the center panel vertically in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuck wall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuck wall with the peripheral edge of the center panel. The transition wall comprises a folded portion. The folded portion has a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg. The first leg is directly connected to the chuck wall and joined to the second leg by a concave annular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy L. Turner, Randall G. Forrest, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Michael R. Gogola
  • Patent number: 7516866
    Abstract: A device that removably couples with the tab of a beverage container to assist in opening the container and then rotates to close the opening, thus preventing things such as insects and debris from contaminating the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventors: Tammy Jo Brook, Tamara Monosoff
  • Publication number: 20090090716
    Abstract: The present invention is a flip-up pop-tab in which a partially detachable portion of a lid of a can is separated from the can and hinged away from the opening created in the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Gilbert P. Stengel, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090090715
    Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage container having a tab with a permeable membrane to prevent tampering with the liquid contents of the container. The container includes a side wall, an upper rim having an inwardly directed retaining element, and a top wall extending radially inward from the rim. The top wall has a pivotable panel defined by a rupturable seam that provides a drink opening when the seam is ruptured. The tab is coupled to the top wall by a rivet and includes a body portion that supports the permeable membrane. In a closed position, the tab is oriented such that the permeable membrane is roughly 180 degrees from the panel and the yet to be formed drink opening. An operator rotates the tab 180 degrees to arrive at a use position, wherein the permeable membrane overlies the drink opening to prevent tampering. An external segment of the body portion is engaged by the retaining element to maintain the use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Joel Goldberg
  • Patent number: 7513383
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an opening device for a can, which is constructed such that the contents of the can flow out and exterior air is simultaneously introduced into the can. The opening device of the present invention comprises first and second opening portions 122 and 124 through which the contents flow out and the exterior air is introduced into the can upon opening thereof, respectively, and which are disposed to be opposite to each other at both sides of the top surface 110 of the can and defined by incision lines 122a and 124a so that a part of each of the opening portions is attached to the top surface; and a tab 140 mounted on the top surface of the can by means of a first rivet stub Ra installed outside of the first opening portion and a second rivet stub Rb installed within the second opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Bo-Yeoun Hwang
  • Publication number: 20090084789
    Abstract: To enable any one to open a pull-top type can easily by a pullout motion of a pull tab without damaging a fingertip or a nail, a can opening structure is constituted by a pressed portion (13), in which a lid piece is formed in a lid member (11) by a discontinuous approximately loop-shaped notch (12), and a pull tab (20) fixed to the lid member (11), the pull tab (20) is provided with a pressing portion (21) and a finger catch portion (22) and fixed to the lid member (11) by a pin (23) forming a supporting point, a guide portion having a surface inclined downward from the pin (23) toward the pressing portion (21) side is formed in the pressed portion (21), and the finger catch portion (22) is lifted up by bringing the pressing portion (21) into contact with the guide surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Comfort
    Inventor: Kozo Higashimoto
  • Patent number: 7506779
    Abstract: A metallic container end closure is provided which includes a channel or groove in a predetermined location in at least one of an inner panel wall, outer panel wall, or chuckwall, and which is formed by a shaping tool. An apparatus and method for spin-forming the end closure with the improved geometry is also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Reed Jentzsch, Howard Chasteen, Mark A. Jacober
  • Publication number: 20090071960
    Abstract: In the invention, to solve the problem of easily opening a package to be opened by peeling a lid member off from a container, the package 1 includes a container 2 having an open upper portion, and a lid member 10 covering the upper portion for closing. A flange portion 5 formed to the upper portion of the container 2 and the periphery of the lid member 10 are given easy-peeling therebetween for the lid member 10 to be peeled off from the container 2 for opening. The lid member 10 is formed with a tab 11 projecting laterally outward of the periphery closely bonded to the flange portion 5. The tab 11 has a back surface provided with a finger-hold portion 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Kenji Nagata, Toru Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7500577
    Abstract: Re-closable lid, in particular for a drinks can, with a cutout portion (13a), which is provided in the lid plate (11) and is bounded by a predetermined breaking line (12), and also an opener tab (14), which is pivoted mounted on the lid plate (11) for breaking open the predetermined breaking line. The fastening tongue (16) of the opener tab (14) has a freely twistable portion (16a) and, on the underside of the gripping portion (18) of the opener tab (14), there is formed a flat closure attachment (31), which fits into the opening (13b) produced by breaking open the predetermined breaking line (12) and is formed for re-closing the opening (13b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: IMV Innovation Marketing und Vertriebs GmbH
    Inventor: André Wichelhaus
  • Publication number: 20090026201
    Abstract: A resealable pop-top beverage container is disclosed and claimed wherein a lift-tab is attached to the upper surface of the top of the container in a conventional manner such that when a finger-end of the lift-tab is raised, a swivel-end of the lift-tab forces a sealing plate to shear its connection to the edge of an access hole, thereby opening the access hole. The lift-tab of the invention includes a coating of a resilient material on at least its ventral side. When the lift-tab is rotated about a rotatable connector, the resilient material can juxtapose against the access hole thereby forming a reversible seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Richard Hall, Nicholas Taylor
  • Publication number: 20080272121
    Abstract: The invention relates to a package and a blank comprising a front panel (10), a back panel (12) and two side panels (14, 16) forming a tubular container body extending in a longitudinal direction (L) from a bottom to a top, a first top panel (30) formed by an extension of the front panel (10) in the longitudinal direction (L) and being folded to essentially form the top of the package, a first set of two flaps (40, 60) each formed by an extension of respective side panel (14, 16) in the longitudinal direction (L), and a second set of two flaps (45, 65) extending in mutual opposing transverse directions (T1, T2) which are transverse to the longitudinal direction (L), each flap (45, being formed by an extension of the first top panel (30) on a respective side edge of the first top panel (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Antje Rosentreler
  • Publication number: 20080272120
    Abstract: A rupture type openable beverage container lid in the form of a beverage can lid (10) comprises an opening tab (12) mounted to a centrally positioned rivet (14) and a shield (16) lying against the inside surface (18) of the wall (20) of the lid (10). The tab (12) is also mounted to be swivelled about the rivet (14). The shield (16) is secured to the tab (12) via a shaft (38) passing snugly though a bore along the rivet (14). The shaft (38) is secured against release of gas at its inner end (38.4). The tab (12) and the shield (16) lie in alignment with one another with the shield (16) being swivellable in conjunction with the tab (12) to close off an opening formed in the lid (10) as conventionally formed by way of a rupture type action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Petrus Jacobus Pieterse Delport, Jacobus Marthinus Barnard
  • Publication number: 20080197132
    Abstract: An easy open can lid comprises an outer multilayered portion folded into three layers and enclosing the panel portion from outside of the score line, and an inner multilayered portion folded into three layers and enclosing the panel portion from inside of the score line. A leading edge of an outer protection portion as a folding portion between the first and second outer layers is flush with or situated outside of the score line, and a leading edge of an inner protection portion as a folding portion between the second and third inner layers is flush with or situated inside of the score line. An opening width of an inner interspace between the first and second inner layers is wider than that of an outer interspace between the second and third outer layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: DAIEWA CAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Wataru Hasegawa, Yoshihiko Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 7407061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container with a closing device. Said container comprises a base, a lid (C) and a vertical partition joining the base and the lid, a tongue element comprising a grip end (4) and an opposite bearing end (8), said tongue element (4,8) comprising a lug (3), being integral with the lid (C) by means of a plug (2) fixed to the lid (c). The tongue can be rotationally displaced around the longitudinal axis XX of the plug (2) and can be inclined at a certain angle ? in relation to the plane of the lid, an opening zone (1) being defined by a precut (10) in said lid (C) and being able to be opened using the tongue, whereby the bearing end thereof (8) exerts a force from the outside to the inside of the container on said area (1) defined by the precut (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventors: Abdel Nasser Fares, Mourad Boutebakh
  • Publication number: 20080173646
    Abstract: This invention is an improvement of pull-tab for pull-top cans used for beverages, beer and food for a long period of storage. The pull-tab's terminal area will let the finger enter the tab to open the can. The tab will be improved from planed shape touch on lid to an inclined angle facing upward. The up angle area may be planed or bending curved up allowing finger to enter the space supplied. Then the operator can quickly lift the pull-tab to open the can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Yu-Ming Wang
  • Publication number: 20080110888
    Abstract: A can end for a beverage container is described. The can end has a public and an opposing product side. A center panel extends radially outwardly from a central longitudinal axis. The center panel has a means for opening the center panel and a symbol conveying information to a user on the public side. The symbol is at least partially surrounded by a spacing member in the center panel. The spacing member is dimensioned and located to provide a relative height differential between the spacing member and the symbol. A reinforcing wall is located about a peripheral edge of the center panel. A circumferential wall extends upwardly from the reinforcing wall. A curl is joined to the circumferential wall defining an outer perimeter of the can end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy L. Turner, Randall G. Forrest
  • Patent number: 7370774
    Abstract: A can end having a countersink bead, an inclined chuck wall and a strong seam, resists distortion from its circular profile when subjected to thermal processing or when packaging carbonated beverages. This high hoop strength affects the manner in which the can end ultimately fails when placed under extreme abuse conditions, even if buckle pressure performance is within industry specified standards. The can end of the invention has control features introduced which control the failure mode whilst maintaining specified buckle pressure performance. In one embodiment, the control feature comprises expansion of the countersink bead to act as a trigger for local peaking, together with a groove in the chuck wall which prevents the peaking force from being concentrated at a single point which could result in leaking by the production of a pin hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies
    Inventors: Martin John Watson, Brian Fields, Andrew Robert Lockley
  • Publication number: 20080105192
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a pop-top can having a pull-tab activated opening member is comprised of a label, an adhesive backing and identifying indicia. The label is sized and shaped such that it has two generally circular sections joined by a neck. The circular sections fit the contour of the free end of the pull-tab. The neck and the circular sections are shaped to allow the label to become affixed to the pull-tab by the mating of the adhesive surfaces of each circular section to each other through an opening in the pull-tab. The identifying indicia, which may be a colored surface or typographical characters, distinguish one apparatus from another. A pop-top can is identified by affixing an apparatus to the pull-tab of the can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Keith E. Larson
  • Publication number: 20080099480
    Abstract: A beverage container includes a can body having a side wall, a neck portion of reduced diameter, a closure lid and an anchor structure on the closure lid. The anchor structure is offset with respect to the center of the lid. A pull tab has a mounting hole which fits onto the anchor structure. One end of the pull tab has a grip handle, and the other end has a puncturing nose. The pull tab is turnable on the anchor structure, and thus also turnable with respect to the closure lid. The pull tab is of a length whereby it normally just fits between the opposite locations of a peripheral groove on the closure lid. The pull tab can be manually turned from a first position overlying the closure lid, to a second position wherein it overhangs one part of the peripheral groove. The construction thus provides an extended handle length to permit the user to more easily grasp and raise the pull tab, and open the container, for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Charles Chang
  • Publication number: 20080078764
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a tab used to open food can ends and beer/beverage can ends. The tab has a nose portion located at a front end of the tab and a lift portion located at a back end of the tab. The tab also has a rivet receiving portion located proximate to the nose portion with a rivet hole. The rivet receiving portion is coupled to the nose portion. The rivet hole has a non-round perimeter with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion. The first diameter portion has a plurality of first arcuate segments and the second diameter portion has a plurality of notches. The second diameter portion is greater in length than the first diameter portion. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20080067171
    Abstract: An improved convenience closure that is adapted for sealing an end of a can includes an end panel having a peripheral score, a rivet formation, a mustache score and a flex line score defined therein. The mustache score may include a central portion that is positioned radially inwardly on the end panel relative to the rivet formation. The central portion is preferably curved, with a concave side of the curvature facing the rivet formation. The mustache score also may include first and second preferably symmetrical end portions, each of which is continuous with the central portion. Most of the total length of each of the end portions may be curved away from a nearest portion of the peripheral score, with a convex side of curvature facing the nearest portion of the peripheral score. Tooling for making the convenience closure and a method of making such a convenience disclosure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventor: Paul R. Heinicke
  • Patent number: 7344041
    Abstract: A container assembly for packaging nonliquid material includes a can body that may be filled with nonliquid material and an end panel that is secured to the can body, preferably by seaming. A score line that is formed in the end panel defines a first removable portion and a second nonremovable portion. Structure such as a tab is provided for initiating separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion at a first location along the score line that defines an axis of symmetry about which separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion during opening will progress substantially symmetrically. The score line is shaped so that the second nonremovable portion defines a spoon leveling shelf that is shaped and sized to permit a consumer to level a spoonful of nonliquid material. Moreover, at least one exposed edge of the spoon leveling shelf is afforded cut protection by a safety fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Crown, Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20080006630
    Abstract: A sanitary cover is provided for a beverage can of the type having a top defined by a ridge with an outwardly extending lip. The cover includes a body portion with an edge and a wall extending downwardly from the edge of the body portion. The wall has a channel with an inwardly directed opening. The cover is adapted to mount on a can with the body portion proximate the can top and the wall received around the can ridge with the can lip received within the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Frank Domenick Messina
  • Publication number: 20070284374
    Abstract: A container can be easily opened, particularly to a container opened under more hygienic and pollution free condition. Easy open end can be improved by forming a tear strip on its surface, the tear strip is circumvent by a score line; the tear strip is riveted with a tab by a rivet; further the tear strip is divided into a front and a rear tear strips, a folded line between the front and rear strips can be applied to bend downward the rear tear strip close to the front tear strip; a folded line between the rear tear strip and the lid can be applied to bend the rear tear strip close to the lid; and the front tear strip is riveted adjacent to a nose of the tab by rivet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: Kou-An Chen
  • Publication number: 20070278230
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a tab used to open beer/beverage can ends and food can ends. The tab has one or more arcuate strips that are provided on a surface of the tab proximate to a peripheral surface of the tab where the one or more arcuate strips have been formed further into a preselected portion of curled or hemmed portions of the tab. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20070257037
    Abstract: A beverage can sealing machine engineered to reseal the drinking hole of a beverage can with means of stopping the leakage of liquid and emission of carbon gas. The device has a main inflexible body 10 with a bonded flexible plate 12 lining its bottom surface with means of conforming to the top surface of a can. The inflexible body 10 has two bores through its top surface. A modified metallic rod 2 is bent in a “U” form to accommodate these bores with its end portion accommodating the bore 24 near the main body's rear and its' threaded portion going through the bore 24 near the front of the main body 10 then descending below the bottom surface of the flexible plate 12 to be connected to a pivotal beam, which is configured to engage the ceiling of a beverage can. Between the pivotal beam and flexible plate 12 is a sealing system aiding in the sealing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventor: Rashad Na'im Scarborough
  • Patent number: 7225944
    Abstract: A container assembly for packaging nonliquid material includes a can body that may be filled with nonliquid material and an end panel that is secured to the can body, preferably by seaming. A score line that is formed in the end panel defines a first removable portion and a second nonremovable portion. Structure such as a tab is provided for initiating separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion at a first location along the score line that defines an axis of symmetry about which separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion during opening will progress substantially symmetrically. The score line is shaped so that the second nonremovable portion defines a spoon leveling shelf that is shaped and sized to permit a consumer to level a spoonful of nonliquid material. Moreover, at least one exposed edge of the spoon leveling shelf is afforded cut protection by a safety fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Can
    Patent number: 7198168
    Abstract: A can (1) having a spout that can, after opening, be securely resealed and can be opened and closed with an easy operation. The can (1) has a spout (3) that is opened by lifting and pulling a pull-ring (6) fixed on a top wall (2) of a can body (1a) with a rivet (5) to bend a sealing tongue portion (4) toward the inside of the can. Inside the top wall (2) and away from the spout (3), an internal sealing member (7) having a fan shape with its pivot mounted to the rivet and a size capable of sealing the spout (3) is disposed so as to be fixed to the rivet (5). After opening the spout (3), by rotating the pull-ring (6) around the rivet (5), the internal sealing member (7) is also rotated at the same time. As an interlocking mechanism therefor, the rivet (5) is rotatably supported by the top wall (2), and a base end of the pull-ring (6) and the pivot of the internal sealing member (7) are fixed to the rivet (5), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Jyunzi Mizuma
  • Patent number: 7191931
    Abstract: An opening arrangement includes a bottom piece disposed to be positioned on a packaging material and to define a pouring opening; a lid disposed, in a closed state, to seal the pouring opening; and a tamper evidence intended to be broken the first time the opening arrangement is opened and which is connected to a pull tab connected to the lid and to a fastening surface disposed to be connected to the packaging material. The fastening surface is disposed to extend over a fold line along which the packaging material is intended to be folded for forming a package. A package and a method of providing a package with an opening arrangement are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Niels Damkjaer
  • Patent number: 7168586
    Abstract: A can lid of a can provided with an easily openable opening means is disclosed wherein the can lid is equipped with a can lid which is fastened by winding tightly on the can main body and the top end opening of the can main body, a score section installed around the territory of the prearranged opening area and a tab for severing the score section. In the can lid, there is formed a protrusion protruding upward from the can lid in front of the can opening during manufacturing of the can lid, in which it is a collapsing protrusion where the protrusion elastically deforms into the can main body by depressing motion of the user and thereby enables forming of a concave section for easy insertion of the user's finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeong-Wook Jeon
  • Patent number: 7165696
    Abstract: A stay-on-tab container closure suitable for use on beverage cans and the like, said closure including an center panel with an downwardly displaceable tear panel, which, in one aspect, has a smooth upper surface having no visually perceptible contour features, and which, in another aspect, has low-relief contour features on its upper surface. Closures according to the invention have reduced stresses across the score defining the tear panel, thereby reducing the likelihood of stress-induced fatigue cracking which can lead to score failure when the container closure is joined to a can body and the resulting can is internally pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Metal Container Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher G. Neiner
  • Patent number: 7165926
    Abstract: Method for shaping a sheet metal lid, preferably for a beverage can, which includes a panel, an openable area defined in the panel by a score line, and a mounting place for a tab for breaking into the openable area. At least one projection in the panel is shaped twice, such that a pre-form of the projection is shaped out of the panel of the sheet metal lid, in which the pre-form is located near an attaching portion of the tab, but at a distance from a the mounting place, and at least a front edge of the pre-form of at least one projection is re-formed, so that no score line is provided in the panel during shaping or re-forming. Further, to obtain better blocking of an outer edge portion of the attaching portion, an outer edge portion is associated with the re-formed front edge. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventors: Hajo Rieck, Martin Gray, Richard Chalk
  • Patent number: 7137524
    Abstract: A plastic, easy-opening, retortable container for hermetic sealing is provided, and a closure for such a container. The closure includes a plastic membrane having inner and outer portions defined by a groove therebetween. The groove defines a fail portion that can be torn to open the container. A grip portion is connected to the inner portion so that a user can grasp the grip portion and pull the inner portion from the container. The fail portion is strong enough to resist failure during retort but allows the user to easily remove the inner portion to thereby open the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Srinivas Nomula
  • Patent number: 7004345
    Abstract: A can end member has a central panel, a circumferential chuckwall, and a transition wall. The central panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a peripheral edge. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuckwall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuckwall with the peripheral edge of the central panel. The transition wall has a folded portion extending outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy Turner, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Randy G. Forrest
  • Patent number: 7000797
    Abstract: An end member for a container having a circumferential sidewall, the end member having a peripheral seaming edge adapted to be integrally connected to the sidewall, and having a central panel wall with a means for opening a frangible panel segment of the panel wall is claimed. The end member comprises a deboss panel recessed in the central panel. The deboss panel has first and second spaced apart end portions joined by first and second sidewalls. The first spaced apart end portion has an apex and first and second arcuate portions. A distance between the first and second arcuate portions is defined by a plurality of progressively increasing secant lengths located in spaced relation from the apex. A score groove is located within the deboss panel defining an outer perimeter of the frangible panel segment. The score groove has a first end and a second end joined to the first end by a curvilinear segment. The first end and the second end are separated by a generally linear hinge segment of the central panel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Randy G. Forrest, Timothy Turner
  • Patent number: 6981608
    Abstract: A beverage can with a bottom end, a top end, and a side wall extending therebetween. A first weakening score is formed in the top end, and a second weakening score is formed near the bottom end of the can. The beverage can has a first tab selectively displaceable between an initial position wherein the first tab is generally parallel to the can a displaced position wherein the first end pierces the can by causing the first weakening score to fail, thereby forming a first opening. A second tab with features similar to the first tab is positioned near the second weakening score. Specifically, the second tab is selectively displaceable between an initial position wherein the second tab is generally parallel to the can, and a displaced position wherein the first end pierces the can by causing the second weakening score to fail, thereby forming a second opening. Beverage may exit the can from either the first or second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: C. Brady Battmer
  • Patent number: 6926165
    Abstract: The combination of a container and a screw-type lid is improved by a tamper-evident feature comprising a locking tab on the exterior of the container having upwardly facing teeth and mating teeth on the lid, the teeth on the container and lid being arranged so as be slidable relative to one another while in mutual engagement when the lid is rotated in one direction and to lock to one another when the lid is urged to rotate in an opposite direction. The tab is tearable to terminate the locking action, thereby evidencing tampering. A catch member formed on the container is positioned to engage and cam one of several latch lugs formed on the lid, whereby to establish a locking action with that latch lug. The catch member prevents removal of the lid from the container until the engaged latch lug is pressed inwardly far enough for it to be released from the catch member, whereupon the lid may be unscrewed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Plastican, Inc.
    Inventor: Rino Conti
  • Patent number: 6908005
    Abstract: A can end made of sheet metal for containers which in a closed state has an increased inner pressure compared to an ambient pressure. The can end includes a substantially flat central panel, a portion in the central panel is smaller with respect to the panel, and is adapted to be broken out of the panel by tearing. The smaller portion is defined by a score line, and a tab that is adapted for gripping and serving for opening the smaller portion. The tab is mounted at the central panel. In a longitudinally limited section of the can end, following a starting portion of the score line, at least one of a metal structure and structure lines of the sheet metal below the score line have a substantially higher density compared to a metal structure of the sheet metal below at least adjacent score line sections for temporarily blocking the opening process, which is difficult to control, after initially breaking or tearing open the score line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Lutz Strube, Peter Hoeft
  • Patent number: 6902078
    Abstract: A can for carbonated and non-carbonated beverages provided with an opening system comprising a tearable tongue (22) defined by a tearing invitation score line in the outer surface of the upper wall of the can and with a tearing device associated to the tearable tongue and aimed at tearing the tearable tongue and at opening the can. The tearing device for the tearable tongue (22) is comprised of two tongues superimposed to one another, a first tongue (30) attached to the outer surface of the upper wall of the can, intended to tear the tearable tongue (22) outwardly of the can, and a second tongue (31), attached to the tearable tongue (22), intended to start tearing of the tearable tongue (22) inwardly of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Graziella Fiorentini
  • Patent number: 6889862
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved opening end closure which is adapted for interconnection to a beverage container to prevent premature rupturing and detachment of the tear panel from the center panel. More specifically, the present invention includes an improved cent bead, an enlarged score origination loop, and a pull tab with a cut-out portion with one leg longer than the other leg for selectively orienting the direction of force created on the tear panel away from the hinge portion of the tear panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph S Vaughan
  • Patent number: 6889861
    Abstract: A beverage can has a top provided with a slanted top portion and delimited by a rim which is formed with a dip forming a drinking-facilitating groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Arcati, John Jakubowski
  • Publication number: 20040238546
    Abstract: A can end having a countersink bead, an inclined chuck wall and a strong seam, resists distortion from its circular profile when subjected to thermal processing or when packaging carbonated beverages. This high hoop strength affects the manner in which the can end ultimately fails when placed under extreme abuse conditions, even if buckle pressure performance is within industry specified standards. The can end of the invention has control features introduced which control the failure mode whilst maintaining specified buckle pressure performance. In one embodiment, the control feature comprises expansion of the countersink bead to act as a trigger for local peaking, together with a groove in the chuck wall which prevents the peaking force from being concentrated at a single point which could result in leaking by the production of a pin hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Martin John Watson, Brian Fields, Andrew Robert Lockley
  • Publication number: 20040211786
    Abstract: An end member (130) for a container has a central panel (12) extending radially outwardly from a central axis. A first panel radius (114) is located along a peripheral edge of the central panel (12). A countersink (16) is integral with the first panel radius (114). A chuckwall (15) extends upwardly from the countersink (16) to a seaming curl (14) located at an outer perimeter of the end member (130). An approach point (134) is defined by a lower outer position of an axially stacked second end member (132). A bend (108) is located on the chuckwall (15). The bend (108) having an outwardly directed angle with a radius of curvature (RCW1) which adapted to position the chuckwall (15) radially outwardly of the approach point (134) and in spaced relationship thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy Turner, Randy G. Forrest, Rajesh Gopalaswamy
  • Publication number: 20040200838
    Abstract: An end member for a container. The end member has a central panel, a circumferential chuckwall, and a transition wall. The central panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a substantially planar peripheral edge. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuckwall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuckwall with the substantially planar peripheral edge of the central panel. The transition wall has a folded portion extending outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy Turner, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Randy G. Forrest
  • Publication number: 20040195240
    Abstract: An invention that raises the tops of beverage cans at an angle that makes the drinking process easier, cleaner, more practical and safer (as in the case of drinking a soft drink while driving an automobile) in which one end of the can top that contains the scored oval opening is raised above the rim top of the can in a slanting wedge or circular shape that slants down to the opposite side allowing the can to be raised to a higher degree angle where it does not come in contact with the nose of the person drinking and reduces the angle the head is tipped backward as the drink is being consumed. Also the new top is raised in just the right amount so that it will fit into the concave bottom of an existing can without making contact, thus allowing for the stacking of cans on top of cans in six pack units. For twelve pack or larger packs, the invention includes spacers that allow for stacking packages on top of packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Darrell Holmes Brandon
  • Publication number: 20040188439
    Abstract: A vacuum-closed cap provided with a device to open containers completely designed to allow the release of the inner pressure of the container (2) so that it can be opened later on, said cap (1) being fully removed therefrom and being comprised of a gripping ring (3), attached through its front tab (4) to a shoulder (5) on its surface (6), said shoulder (5) being provided with a slit (7) in the junction between same and the surface (6) of the cap (1), in such a way that, when the tab (3) is manually pressed vertically upward, it reveals an orifice (8) caused by the disruption of said slit (9), said cap (1) being provided with shoulders or claws (9) which, during the filling process, are coupled to the packing wire (2) or the lip (10) thereof, thus attaining a perfect coupling between both the container (2) and the cap (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Companhia Metalurgica Prada
    Inventor: Claudio Mauricio Girardi
  • Patent number: 6793087
    Abstract: Sealing device having an essentially flat opening area (14), an opening tab (18) formed in the opening area and an opening device (30) attached at a connection point (32) in the opening area. Moreover, through leverage action, the sealing device is arranged to press down the opening tab in the opening area so that it creates an opening therein. After the opening is created, opening device (30) is arranged so that it can be twisted parallel with opening area (14) around connection point (32) until it reaches a resealing position where it closes the opening with a covering surface. To make it possible, in a simple manner, to block opening device (30) at the resealing position, it is proposed that among other things opening device (30) be provided at its periphery with blocking devices including at least one tab (36, 40) formed so that opening device (30) alternately engages the upper and lower edge areas of opening (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Effektivator Foretagens Ledningsresurs
    Inventor: Leif Dyrèn
  • Patent number: 6779675
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cylindrical cartridge (1) made of moulded material for use in a grease dispenser, closed on one side with a cap and the other with a frangible lid (2), characterized in that the lid (2) shaped like a disc (4) enclosed with a skirt (5) extending thereabove, over a constant height h, is secured to the end of the cartridge by a tearaway film (6) linking it to the outer edge (5a) of the skirt (5) which comprises a cut (7) over its length extending on the disc to form a radial cutout (8) whereof the outer edges support two equal vertical flanks (9), arranged facing each other, secured to the sides of the cutout (7) edges and linked at their free edges by a tearaway film (10) providing the lid with tightness, a thread (11) emerging from the flanks (9) to form the pull-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Manufacture Bourguignonne de Plastiques
    Inventor: Pierre Cousseau
  • Publication number: 20040159662
    Abstract: The Split Can for Beverages is an advancement of the 12 ounce (oz.) beverage can having increased measurements throughout the entire can to satisfy primary improvements (additions) made to: (a) the top of the can and, (b) the interior center of the can. The Split Can for Beverages obtains on its top two smaller pull tabs positioned back to back (mirror images) as a thin piece (layer) of aluminum placed vertically in it's interior center forming a split. The Split Can for Beverages is a single aluminum can able to contain beverage products in a double embodiment having two sides (left and right) that are independent of each other functioning as two self-ruling usable single cans. In addition, because the Split Can for Beverages has two independent sides with their own set of opening mechanisms (pull tab, aluminum flap and opening) it maintains two different products comfortably, their brand names and designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Jermaine Marcell Johnson, Jerome Maurice Johnson