US3596792A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tearaway closure for beverage containers and the like
Assignee: Denver Plastics Inc
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Filing: 1969-05-05
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1989-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A tearaway flexible closure for openings in beverage containers such as beer kegs includes a top portion, pull tab projecting from the top portion and a flange portion depending from the top portion. The flange portion is closed throughout its circumferential extent and snugly embraces surfaces of the container associated with the opening and has a weakened section at the juncture of the tab and top portions and a pair of intermediate inwardly extending projections on each side of the weakened section to facilitate a tearaway action along shear lines across the top portion and one side of the flange portion. Depending ribs on the top portion extensions engage an outer surface surrounding the opening in a contamination-preventing sealing engagement therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry O Wilcox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:38
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/06; B65D55/08; B65D55/0863; B65D41/00; B65D41/32; B65D41/46; B65D41/48; B65D2401/00; B65D2401/15; B65D2401/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A flexible closure for an opening in a container comprising a top portion, a pull tab formed integral with said top portion, and a depending annular flange portion with a container-engaging surface closed throughout its circumferential extent and formed integral with one side of said top portion and adapted for torsional flexure with respect thereto, said top portion and flange portion having a pair of indented shear lines forming a continuation of the tab sides, said shear lines being adapted to be easily torn upon application of a pulling force to the tab to break along the shear lines thereby resulting in removal of the closure from the opening, said flange portion having a weakened section in the upper portion of the flange at the juncture between the tab and said upper portion, said weakened section being defined by a reduced thickness in the flange portion to facilitate severance of the pull tab from the flange portion and a oppositely of the top portion to snugly embrace a portion of a peripheral surface disposed within the opening of a container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A flexible closure for an opening in a container comprising a top portion, a pull tab formed integral with said top portion, and a depending annular flange portion with a container-engaging surface closed throughout its circumferential extent and formed integral with one side of said top portion and adapted for torsional flexure with respect thereto, said top portion and flange portion having a pair of indented shear lines forming a continuation of the tab sides, said shear lines being adapted to be easily torn upon application of a pulling force to the tab to break along the shear lines thereby resulting in removal of the closure from the opening, said flange portion having a weakened section in the upper portion of the flange at the juncture between the tab and said upper portion, said weakened section being defined by a reduced thickness in the flange portion to facilitate severance of the pull tab from the flange portion and a oppositely of the top portion to snugly embrace a portion of a peripheral surface disposed within the opening of a container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A flexible closure as defined in claim 1 wherein said flange portion has a pair of intermediate projections disposed between the top portion and the terminal bulge on each side of the weakened section in proximity to said juncture to further embrace and grip the peripheral surface of the container within the opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flexible closure as defined in claim 2 wherein said intermediate projections extend inwardly from the flange beyond the terminal bulge and have generally knifelike edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A flexible closure as defined in claim 1 wherein said weakened section at the juncture between the top portion and tab is reduced in thickness to approximately one-third of that of the adjacent flange wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A flexible closure as defined in claim 4 wherein said weakened section is tapered and characterized by being thinnest at said juncture and progressively increasing in thickness from the juncture at the tab toward the opposite lower end of the flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
157 words
A flexible closure for an opening in a container comprising a top portion, a pull tab formed integral with and projecting outwardly from said top portion, and a depending annular flange portion formed integral with one side of said top portion, said flange portion providing a circumferentially continuous container-engaging surface coextensive with the container opening, said top portion having a pair of indented shear lines forming a continuation of the pull tab sides, said shear lines being adapted to be easily torn upon application of a tearing force to the pull tab to break along the shear lines, said flange portion having a weakened area in the upper portion of the flange at the juncture between the tab and said upper portion, said weakened area being defined by a reduced thickness in the flange portion to facilitate severance of the pull tab from the flange portion and the tearing of the top portion between said shear lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
A flexible closure for an opening in a container comprising a top portion, a pull tab formed integral with and projecting outwardly from said top portion, and a depending annular flange portion formed integral with one side of said top portion, said flange portion providing a circumferentially continuous container-engaging surface coextensive with the container opening, said top portion having a pair of indented shear lines forming a continuation of the pull tab sides, said shear lines being adapted to be easily torn upon application of a tearing force to the pull tab to break along the shear lines, said flange portion having a weakened area in the upper portion of the flange at the juncture between the tab and said upper portion, said weakened area being defined by a reduced thickness in the flange portion to facilitate severance of the pull tab from the flange portion and the tearing of the top portion between said shear lines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3362563A
Cited
US3357592A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |