Gripping Means Attached To Or Integral With Member Or Portion (e.g., Pull Tab) Patents (Class 220/269)
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Patent number: 6772900Abstract: 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 chuck wall 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: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can CompanyInventors: Timothy Turner, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Randy G. Forrest
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Publication number: 20040140309Abstract: An end closure for a container providing a tab with increased resistance to rotation upon a rivet is disclosed. The end closure has a central panel wall having a product side, a public side, a rivet, and a displaceable tear panel in the central panel wall at least substantially defined by a frangible score and a non-frangible hinge segment. A tab is attached to the public side of the central panel wall by the rivet. At least a nose portion of the tab extends over a portion of the tear panel. A lift end of the tab is opposite the tab nose. The tab has a central webbing between the nose and the lift end. The central webbing has an anti-rotation member in communication with the public side of the central panel wall. The anti-rotation member provides a spring force against the central panel wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventor: Michel Thibaut
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Patent number: 6761280Abstract: A sheet metal end shell for conversion into easy opening beer and beverage ends with reduced metal usage while maintaining commercially acceptable buckle resistance. The end shell has an upper chuckwall portion that is disposed at an angle of about 20-35 degrees to vertical, a countersink bead having a width of about 0.020-0.040 inch, and further preferably having a countersink depth of less than about 0.250 inch and a panel depth less than about 0.070 inch.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Harry R. Zonker, Gary L. Myers, Robert E. Dick, Darl G. Boysel, John S. Ward
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Patent number: 6761281Abstract: An ecology end member for a beverage container has a central panel wall with a product side, a public side, and an outer peripheral edge. A non-detachable tab is secured to the public side of the central panel wall by a rivet. A displaceable tear panel is located in the central panel wall adjacent the rivet. The tear panel is defined by a frangible score and a non-frangible hinge segment. The frangible score has a tear panel geometry with an outer periphery defied by a curvilinear score length. The tear panel geometry is asymmetrically skewed having a large radius of score curvature in a first outer quadrant of the tear panel to provide low resistance to opening the tear panel at the large radius. The tear panel has a radially outermost segment of the score located in a different quadrant of the tear panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can CompanyInventor: William H. Hartman
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Publication number: 20040129704Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventor: C. Brady Battmer
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Patent number: 6755315Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage can with a press-in closure (2) whereby a lid area is surrounded by a separating line (3) which can be pressed down into a partial area by means of an actuation tab (4) of a grip lug (7) that is fixed to the lid (5) by means of a riveted joint (6), and forming a hole (8) in the interior of the can for pouring out said beverage. According to the invention, the hole (8) can be covered with a perforated external lid (9) which is also attached to the lid (5) by means of a riveted joint (6). When the grip lug (7) is actuated, the actuation tab (4) of the grip bracket (7) gets inserted into the perforated external cover (9) by means of a groove (10). The invention prevents insects such as wasps or the like from penetrating into the beverage can.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Inventor: Sebastian Frederic Mueller
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Publication number: 20040112898Abstract: 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 said tearable tongue and aimed at tearing said tearable tongue and at opening the can, characterised in that said 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 said tearable tongue (22) outwardly of said can, and a second tongue (31), attached to said tearable tongue (22), intended to start tearing of said tearable tongue (22) inwardly of the can.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventor: Graziella Fiorentini
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Publication number: 20040099664Abstract: An ecology end member for a beverage container has a central panel wall with a product side, a public side, and an outer peripheral edge. A non-detachable tab is secured to the public side of the central panel wall by a rivet. A displaceable tear panel is located in the central panel wall adjacent the rivet. The tear panel is defined by a frangible score and a non-frangible hinge segment. The frangible score has a tear panel geometry with an outer periphery defined by a curvilinear score length. The tear panel geometry is asymmetrically skewed having a large radius of score curvature in a first outer quadrant of the tear panel to provide low resistance to opening the tear panel at the large radius. The tear panel has a radially outermost segment of the score located in a different quadrant of the tear panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventor: William H. Hartman
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Publication number: 20040094550Abstract: A container 2 having a ring pull 12 with an opening 20, the ring pull 12 being moveable over an outlet 6 of the container 2, the opening 20 being sized to prevent the ingress of specific foreign objects into the outlet 6 whilst enabling the contents of the container 2 to be poured out.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventor: Virginia Poole
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Patent number: 6726048Abstract: Closure construction for blow molded drums having an upstanding internally threaded neck. A closure plug with sealing gasket is screwed into the neck to provide a liquid tight seal. A plastic tamper evident overseal completely covers the plug and neck and is manually snapped in place so as to interlockingly engage the plug making both the plug wrench engaging structure and the overseal interlocking structure inaccessible without destruction of the overseal. A tear strip opening means is provided for authorized access.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: American Flange & Mfg. Co., IncInventors: Davis B. Dwinell, Cornelis R. Van De Klippe
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Patent number: 6715629Abstract: An end member for a container. The end member has a central panel wall with a public side and an opposing product side. The public side includes a means for opening a frangible panel segment. The member also has a score groove and a coin segment. The score groove is located on the public side of the end member and defines an outer perimeter of the frangible panel segment and separates the frangible panel segment from a non-frangible portion of the public side. The coin segment is adjacent the score groove and places a compressive stress on a portion of the end member located between the coin segment and the score groove wherein an upper plane and a lower plane are formed and separated by the score groove. The lower plane comprises a portion of the frangible panel segment adjacent the score groove.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can CompanyInventors: William H. Hartman, Timothy L. Turner
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Publication number: 20040056032Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventor: Joseph S. Vaughan
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Publication number: 20040040963Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2002Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventors: Richard Arcati, John Jakubowski
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Publication number: 20040040964Abstract: The present invention pertains to a can top (1) for crimping onto a can body that, in its top surface (12), comprises a tongue (2) for forming a pouring opening along a slit line (3). This [can top] is characterized in that it has, on its side pointing toward the interior of the can, a separate space (8) provided for accommodating solid, liquid or gaseous substances, which [space] is formed by at least one flexible, but essentially non-expandable, essentially gas-tight and liquid-tight wall (4, 4′, 4″) and extends over a portion of the top surface (12) so that its lateral edge (10) crosses the slit line (3) at at least one point (11) in such a manner that, when opening the can, the portion of the tongue (2) moving toward the interior exerts a force on the wall (4), by means of which an opening is made for the space (8). The separate space may be used, e.g., for accommodating food supplements and/or liquid or gaseous aromatics.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventor: Bernd Ullmann
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Patent number: 6648169Abstract: A beverage can having an indentation on the top portion to accommodate the nose of the consumer and an indentation on the wall portion to accommodate the lip of the consumer, thus minimizing spillage.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1994Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Inventor: Kenneth L. Berger
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Patent number: 6644518Abstract: A tear-off opening device for drink cans by means of a tab (1) with grip device (2) for tearing, comprising, underneath the tab (1), a shaped lamina (4), secured underneath the lid (6) for a segment (41) which partially surrounds the edge of the opening (3), whilst at least a remaining segment (42) stays free, the lamina (4) having a conformation that is able to vary from a first stable configuration in which, with the can closed, it is drawn up underneath the tab (1), to successive and transitory configurations that take place during the extraction of the lamina (4) through the opening (3) and to a final stable configuration in which, with the extraction completed, the lamina (4) constitutes a stable spout (8) with related opening (9) whose free edges belong to the free segment (42) of the lamina (4).Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Inventor: Vincenzo Cavallo
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Publication number: 20030189045Abstract: The present invention relates to a can opening device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2002Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventor: Bo-Yeoun Hwang
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Publication number: 20030189046Abstract: This drinks can is made up of a hollowed out sheet body (1) that has a vertical sheet forming a dividing wall (2), its entire periphery fixed to the base (12) to the side wall (11) and to the lid (13) of the drinks can; said vertical wall divides the internal space of the can into two separate compartments (21 and 22) which contain two separate drinks; the lid (13) has some separate easy opening means (21a and 22a) in the areas corresponding to each one of the separate compartments (21, 22) to enable their separate opening and corresponding valves (21b and 22b) that only allow the drink contained in one compartment (21 and 22) to exit when the can is tilted towards the corresponding side of said compartment (21 and 22).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventor: David Gustavo Quispe Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20030132230Abstract: A pull tab opener for a container having a push-in closure is articulated at a crease line behind the rivet connecting the tab to the container top surface. At least one protrusion extends upwardly from the base of the tab so that, when the rear lever portion is articulated about the crease line, to an amount at least in the range of 110° to 160°, and interference between the at least one protrusion and a cooperating face portion occurs, and the push-in closure is opened. There may also be cooperating protrusions. Another embodiment provides an undercut notch at each end of the crease line in the tubular peripheral edge of the pull tab opener.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: Bruce Gitelman, Robert G. Dickie
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Publication number: 20030121920Abstract: A sheet metal end shell for conversion into easy opening beer and beverage ends with reduced metal usage while maintaining commercially acceptable buckle resistance. The end shell has an upper chuckwall portion that is disposed at an angle of about 20-35 degrees to vertical, a countersink bead having a width of about 0.020-0.040 inch, and further preferably having a countersink depth of less than about 0.250 inch and a panel depth less than about 0.070 inch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2001Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Harry R. Zonker, Gary L. Myers, Robert E. Dick, Darl G. Boysel, John S. Ward
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Publication number: 20030111469Abstract: An end member for a container. The end member has a central panel wall with a public side and an opposing product side. The public side includes a means for opening a frangible panel segment. The member also has a score groove and a coin segment. The score groove is located on the public side of the end member and defines an outer perimeter of the frangible panel segment and separates the frangible panel segment from a non-frangible portion of the public side. The coin segment is adjacent the score groove and places a compressive stress on a portion of the end member located between the coin segment and the score groove wherein an upper plane and a lower plane are formed and separated by the score groove. The lower plane comprises a portion of the frangible panel segment adjacent the score groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: William H. Hartman, Timothy L. Turner
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Patent number: 6575325Abstract: A pull tab opener for a container having a push-in or fully severable closure is articulated at a crease line behind the rivet connecting the tab to the container top surface. At least a pair of protrusions extends upwardly from the base of the tab so that, when the rear lever portion is pivoted about the crease line, the opposed front faces of the protrusions contact each other, and the elastic memory of the tab is overcome so that the tab is articulated into a bent condition. The tab may then be re-grasped for easy opening of the container, without having to initiate opening leverage of the tab using the fingernail.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Inventors: Robert G. Dickie, Bruce Gitelman
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Publication number: 20030098306Abstract: A can has a main body, an upper casing disposed on a top portion of the main body, a retained cap disposed on the upper casing, a connection ring disposed on the retained cap, and a pull ring connected to the connection ring. A rivet button fastens the connection ring and the retained cap together.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2001Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventor: Teng-Jui Cho
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Publication number: 20030080132Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Randy G. Forrest, Timothy Turner
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Publication number: 20030075544Abstract: A method for strengthening an end member for a container comprises the steps of providing an end member shell and reforming the end member shell. The finished the end member has a central panel wall with a product side and a public side. The public side has a means for opening a frangible panel segment. The end member shell has a central panel extending radially outwardly from a central axis, a panel radius along a peripheral edge of the central panel, a countersink integral with the panel radius, a chuckwall extending upwardly from the countersink having a bend with a radius of curvature and angled axially outwardly, and a seaming curl defining the outer perimeter of the end member shell and integral with the chuckwall. The chuckwall of the end member shell is reformed to decrease the radius of curvature of the bend.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2001Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventors: Timothy Turner, Randy G. Forrest, Rajesh Gopalaswamy
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Patent number: 6536622Abstract: The invention concern the field of storage, transport, recovery and recycling of bottles or packs (2) made of plastic or other material. It provides the possibility of using the content of bottles or packs (2) at will, using the pouring spout (6) and the cap (3) mounted on the tops (1) which are screwed on, clipped on or fixed by other means, and on the standard seals (5) in any material, fixed on the top of bottles or packs before the tops or seals are definitively removed for stacking the bottles or packs (2). The inventive design aims at facilitating the stacking of bottles or packs to reduce storage space and for transport for refill in a reduced space, and, ultimately to facilitate collection for recycling or transformation into raw material. The inventive concept uses for transport supports (10) designed to receive the bases of the bottles or packs (2), the top of the stack receiving plates with the impression of the caps (3) to protect them during transportation of the filled bottles or packs (2).Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Inventor: Robert Planet
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Publication number: 20030042258Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2002Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: Timothy Turner, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Randy G. Forrest
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Publication number: 20030038134Abstract: A beverage can end is provided herein which has a small opening preferably centrally disposed which is adapted for receiving a straw. Preferably, the small opening end is opened with a conventional pull tab, but which establishes a vent area positioned adjacent the small opening end which provides sufficient venting during use of the straw. It is further preferred that the pull tab be slightly elevated with rounded corners to provide a smooth, easily accessible pulling surface for the user of the beverage can.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2001Publication date: February 27, 2003Inventors: Howard C. Chasteen, Gene Lee
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Publication number: 20030034346Abstract: 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 chuck wall 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: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Timothy Turner, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Randy G. Forrest
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Patent number: 6505753Abstract: A drink-thru lid for a drinking cup including an annular mounting portion for sealingly engaging the drinking cup, wherein the annular mounting portion includes a downwardly extending annular skirt. The lid further includes a tear-back section extending from the annular skirt to a hinge portion located in a medial portion of the lid. The tear-back section includes a raised protrusion extending outwardly from an upper surface of the lid. A recess is further formed in a medial portion of the lid on the opposite side of the hinge portion from the raised protrusion, wherein the tear-back section may be torn away from the lid on its sides and pivoted about the hinge portion until the raised protrusion is received within the recess for holding said pivotal flap open. The raised protrusion and the recess are shaped such that the raised protrusion is frictionally engaged by the end walls of the recess.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Fort James CorporationInventors: Michael Freek, Michael Thomas
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Publication number: 20030000952Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Applicant: Effektivator Foretagens LedningsresursInventor: Leif Dyren
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Publication number: 20020170913Abstract: An easy-opening can end comprises: an end panel; a score which is formed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the end panel; the score having a cross section of a curved surface; and a tab having a finger grasping portion. The tab is attached to the can end panel and is rotatable around tab-fastening device. The tab-fastening device is positioned offset.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2002Publication date: November 21, 2002Applicant: NKK CORPORATIONInventors: Yuji Yamasaki, Masayoshi Kurihara, Masahisa Fujikake, Yoshinori Yomura, Reiko Sugihara, Yutaka Mihara
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Publication number: 20020158071Abstract: The present invention discloses a beverage can end having an outwardly concave reinforcing bead with an upper lip which extends outwardly beyond a substantially vertical plane defined by a downwardly extending chuck wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2002Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Howard C. Chasteen, Mark A. Jacober
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Publication number: 20020139800Abstract: The present invention relates to a can opening device for allowing beverage or the like contained within a can to easily flow out. The can opening device of the present invention comprising a pair of opening portions defined by incision lines at positions spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval on a top surface of the can filled with contents; an opening member including a pair of pressing portions for pressing the pair of opening portions, respectively, and a grip integrally formed with the pressing portions so as to extend in a direction opposite to the pressing portions; and a pair of lever fulcrums which fix the opening member to the top surface and are disposed close to the pressing portions so that the pressing portions press down the opening portions to be spaced apart from the top surface when the grip is pulled up. It is most preferable that the pair of opening portions be formed at marginal positions symmetric to each other on the top surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Bo Yeoum Hwang, Mi Sun Cho, In Joo Hwang, In Wook Hwang, Su Jung Cho
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Patent number: 6454161Abstract: An opening device (2) attached at a hole (4) in a top wall portion (16) of a packaging container (12) and positioned adjacent a fold line (14) of the packaging container, including a base portion (8) connected to the top wall at the hole, and a lid portion (10) releasably connected to the base portion, in which the base portion has a portion (26) protruding from a main circumferential portion (24) towards the fold line (14), for providing increased stability of the container during storage and transport. A tamper evidence protrusion (11), also functioning as a pull tab for opening the lid portion, extends from the lid portion to be connected to an outer side (6b) of the top wall portion. A reduced thickness tearing edge (28) is provided between the base portion and the lid portion for facilitating opening, and a bistable hinge (9) releasably biases the lid portion to stably remain in an open position, for avoiding interference of the lid portion during product dispensing.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1999Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SAInventors: Antonio Rendina, Magne Karlsson, Tord Breivald
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Patent number: 6450359Abstract: The invention comprises a soda can lid which forms a seal with one's upper lip during thereby preventing spillage and eliminating residue. The raised platform area on the lid is connected to the pull-tab area with outwardly sloping walls designed to engage the lips. The platform area is slightly higher than the depth of a circular peripheral groove ranging up to slightly higher than the rim. The lid may also include seal portions extending upwardly from the platform on both sides of the depressed pull-tab area. The invention may be employed on lids either with or without a peripheral groove. Another feature of the invention is a pull-tab with an arch handle and special puncture tip for easier more comfortable use by consumers.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Inventors: Charles Chang, Lucy Chang
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Publication number: 20020125251Abstract: A pull tab opener for a container having a push-in or fully severable closure is articulated at a crease line behind the rivet connecting the tab to the container top surface. At least a pair of protrusions extends upwardly from the base of the tab so that, when the rear lever portion is pivoted about the crease line, the opposed front faces of the protrusions contact each other, and the elastic memory of the tab is overcome so that the tab is articulated into a bent condition. The tab may then be re-grasped for easy opening of the container, without having to initiate opening leverage of the tab using the fingernail.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Robert G. Dickie, Bruce Gitelman
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Publication number: 20020113069Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2000Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Randy G. Forrest, Timothy Turner
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Patent number: 6435368Abstract: An easy opening can end is provided whose can end panel is made of steel sheet having both sides coated with resin layers which each include at least one type of thermoplastic resin and which have elongation after break of 100% or more, tensile strength of 10 kg/mm2 or more, Young modulus of 100 kg/mm2 or more and a thickness in range of 10 to 100 &mgr;m. A score is formed on at least one of a front or a back side of the can end panel so as to be capable of breakage for opening the can end. The score has a bottom cross-section in a shape of an arc having a radius in a range of 0.10 to 1.0 mm, and a thinnest section of the score has a thickness t in a range of 0.025 to 0.080 mm. The easy opening can end has no problem of resin layer damage when the score is formed and has excellent can openability to such an extent that children and the aged may easily open the can end, so that the easy opening can end is most suitable for a can end of a beverage can and a food can.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: NKK CorporationInventors: Yoichiro Yamanaka, Reiko Sugihara, Masayoshi Kurihara, Masahisa Fujikake, Yoshinori Yomura, Yuji Yamasaki
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Publication number: 20020108954Abstract: A pop-top can with easy-to-lift tab having a can top with a score line and a tab having two ends. The first of such ends being the puncturing end, this end presses down to puncture the can when the tab is pulled. The second end is the lifting end. The can is opened by lifting and pulling the lifting end. The tab is pivoted to allow rotation. The can also has a ramp on the can top. When the tab is pushed to a position over the ramp, the ramp forces the lifting end of the tab to a lifted position, away from the can top thereby making the tab easy to lift.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2001Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventor: Frederick Yi-Tung Cho
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Publication number: 20020104842Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2002Publication date: August 8, 2002Applicant: Metal Container CorporationInventor: Christopher G. Neiner
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Patent number: 6427861Abstract: A top lid for beverage cans with an opener integrated sanitary cover is disclosed. The sanitary cover 8 is designed to cover the area around the opening piece 3a defined on the top lid 50 by a depressed seam 3c, thus protecting the lip contact portion of the top lid 50 from atmospheric impurities and keeping the can sanitary during storage of the can. The sanitary cover 8 also has a reinforced opener part 13 which presses down the opening piece 3a and breaks the piece 3a along the depressed seam 3c when the cover 8 is levered up. The opener part 13 has a reinforcing rib 13b improving the stiffness of the opener part 13, and so the opener part 13 reliably breaks the opening piece 3a without failure even though a high pressure acts on the interior surface of the opening piece 3a.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Bongjeong Cantech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sung-Ho Cho
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Patent number: 6427860Abstract: A can lid made of a metal sheet having a resin coating on at least one surface thereof and superior in can openability, having an outer peripheral flat portion and an inner peripheral flat portion straddling a score line further having an outer bead and inner bead at the sides of the outer peripheral flat portion and the inner peripheral flat portion opposite to the score line, and having a cross-section where the score line becomes gradually thinner from the thicknesses of the outer peripheral flat portion and the inner peripheral flat portion and a process for forming the same.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Nippon Steel CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Nishida, Hidekuni Murakami, Masayoshi Suehiro, Shoji Nosaka
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Patent number: 6425493Abstract: A beverage can cap member (16, 100) is configured so that its exterior surface (28) extending radially inwardly from the rim (18) or rim forming portion (140) is substantially flat or continuous, or has a slight curve from a position adjacent from the rim (18) or rim forming portion (140). The cap member (16, 100) may have a countersink (160) which is filled with a filler material including a curable adhesive, an insert (180) of a natural or synthetic material or the like. The filler material increases the structural strength of the cap member (16, 100) to an extent that it can be made of a relatively thinner material and still complies with the minimum peaking pressure of the industrial standard.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies CorporationInventor: James Lee Gardiner
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Publication number: 20020096520Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Charles Chang, Lucy Chang
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Publication number: 20020088804Abstract: A can cover with a stay-on tab, in which it is very easy to insert a finger between the stay-on tab 17 and the upper surface of the can cover. One end and another end of the stay-on tab are respectively inclined upward from the upper surface of the can cover so that there are distances 27, 29 between the one end of the stay-on tab and the upper surface of the can cover 15 and between another end 17b of the-stay-on tab 17 and the upper surface of the can cover 15. The distance 29 between another end 17b of the stay-on tab 17 and the upper surface of the can cover 15 is made larger when the one end 17a of the stay-on tab is pushed downward toward the upper surface of the can cover. The stay-on tab 17 moves like a seesaw.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2002Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: Yoshiharu OmuraInventor: Yoshiharu Omura
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Publication number: 20020088803Abstract: The invention relates to a tab for a container comprising a wall with a tear part for opening the container, said tab comprising:Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: Impress B.VInventor: Ad Emmerzaal
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Patent number: 6405889Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Metal Container CorporationInventor: Christopher G. Neiner
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Patent number: 6378718Abstract: A beverage can. In order to obtain distribution in hygienic conditions of fluid contained in the can a protection element is provided, which has a first and a second laminar portion which are superimposed and connected in a manner which is hermetically sealed but which is separable by being pivoted around a hinge. An upper surface of the first laminar portion of the protection element becomes a sterile support surface for an upper lip, and the lower surface of the second laminar portion of the protection element becomes a sterile support surface for a lower lip.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Maggi S.p.A.Inventors: Mario Maggi, Rosella Maggi
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Patent number: 6354453Abstract: A container end is provided so that upon opening, a generally triangular vent region is formed with an apex pointing rearwardly toward the head space to vent the container, e.g. during pouring. A container is provided that achieves a fast and smooth pour with a relatively small increase (relative to certain previous configurations) in the opening area and achieves a superior pour without increased bursting, buckling or opening failures associated with relatively larger openings.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Ball CorporationInventor: Howard Curtis Chasteen