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US3662914A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Can end with removable tab closure

Assignee: The Campbell's Co
•
Filing: 1970-10-26
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1990-10-26
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Abstract

Abstract A can end has a pouring aperture and a smaller venting aperture both of which are covered and sealed by an elongated removable tab having integral rivet portions corresponding to the size and configuration of the apertures in the can and positioned within the apertures. The integral rivet portions are riveted to compress a gasket between the tab and the top of the can but the formation of the rivet is incomplete so that the tab may be manually removed from the can end by pulling the rivet portions of the tab out of engagement with the apertures in the can end. A finger grip is provided on the tab remote from the pouring aperture, and the tab is constructed to bend along a line transverse to and between the rivet portions so that the rivet engaged within the vent aperture is withdrawn from the vent aperture before the other rivet portion is withdrawn from the pouring aperture. A portion of the can end at the side of each aperture closest to the finger grip is weakened by the score lines permitting the can to distend upon upward displacement of the finger grip to reduce the pulling force required to remove the integral rivets from the apertures.

Inventors

  • 👤 William J Slade

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 19:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D17/00; B65D17/50; B65D17/506; B65D2517/00; B65D2517/0001; B65D2517/001; B65D2517/0013; B65D2517/0091; B65D2517/0094

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 160 words
In a can end for a container, said can end having means defining a first aperture to permit pouring of contents from the container and a second aperture to permit venting of the contaIner during pouring, a removable elongated tab disposed on one side of said can end, said tab having first and second rivet portions engaging in respective ones of said apertures, each rivet portion having a rim engaging the other side of said can end around its associated aperture to removably secure said tab to said can end, grip means located on said tab a greater spaced distance from said first rivet portion than from said second rivet portion, and means providing at least one weakened zone transversely of said tab to permit bending of said tab between said rivets upon displacement of said grip means away from said can end, so that displacement of the grip means causes the second aperture to be uncovered before the first.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 160 words
In a can end for a container, said can end having means defining a first aperture to permit pouring of contents from the container and a second aperture to permit venting of the contaIner during pouring, a removable elongated tab disposed on one side of said can end, said tab having first and second rivet portions engaging in respective ones of said apertures, each rivet portion having a rim engaging the other side of said can end around its associated aperture to removably secure said tab to said can end, grip means located on said tab a greater spaced distance from said first rivet portion than from said second rivet portion, and means providing at least one weakened zone transversely of said tab to permit bending of said tab between said rivets upon displacement of said grip means away from said can end, so that displacement of the grip means causes the second aperture to be uncovered before the first.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 43 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tab has a surface surrounding said rivets and confronting said one side of the can end around said apertures, and including gasket means disposed between said tab surface and said one side of the can end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apertures are circular with said first aperture having a diameter larger than the diameter of said second aperture and said rivet portions engage snugly in their respective apertures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including means providing distensible zones in said can end adjacent a portion of each aperture located closest to said grip means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 34 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said distensible zone-producing means includes a series of score lines in said can end extending outwardly away from each aperture in said one side of said can end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said closure means and said tab are each of steel construction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tab has a peripheral flange projecting away from said can end and said means providing said weakened zone include abrupt shoulder portions formed on said flange.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2974824A Cited
US3281024A Cited
US3472416A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-05-16 1975-11-15 1976-05-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-05-16 1979-11-15 1980-05-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-05-16 1983-11-15 1984-05-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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