US3674172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Easy-opening containers
Assignee: STROBE CARL J
•
Filing: 1971-11-02
•
Granted: 1972-07-04
•
Expires: 1991-11-02
Abstract
Abstract Improvements in easy-opening containers of the type frequently referred to as ''''pop-top'''' containers used for beverages and other substances. The portion of the easy-opening container which is removed upon opening of the container, and which typically includes a tab of material torn or otherwise removed from the container and a pull ring attached to the tab and having a finger pull therein, is provided with container engagement structure which enables the ring to be secured to the container with the torn-out tab inserted through the opening in the opened container. The finger pull in the ring partially or completely surrounds the opening in the container, thus shielding the sides of the container opening from possible damage to the lips or tongue of a person drinking from the container and also providing a convenient, non-littering technique for disposal of the tornout portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A Wells
- 👤 Carl J Strobe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:41
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D17/00; B65D17/28; B65D17/401; B65D17/4012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A container comprising: container body means including a surface; tab means adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of said surface to present an opening through said portion of said surface; means operatively associated with said tab means for applying force to said tab means for accomplishing removal of said tab means from said closure relationship; and retaining means operatively associated with said force applying means to retain said removed tab means and said force applying means associated therewith on said container body means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A container comprising: container body means including a surface; tab means adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of said surface to present an opening through said portion of said surface; means operatively associated with said tab means for applying force to said tab means for accomplishing removal of said tab means from said closure relationship; and retaining means operatively associated with said force applying means to retain said removed tab means and said force applying means associated therewith on said container body means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The container as in claim 1, wherein: said retaining means is operative to retain said force applying means in fixed predetermined relation on said surface relative to said opening therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The container as in claim 2, wherein: said retaining means is disposed on said force applying means to retain said force applying means in fixed predetermined relation on said surface with said removed tab means disposed through said opening and substantially received within said container body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The container as in claim 3, wherein: said force applying means comprises ring means having an opening therein; said ring means being connected with said tab means; and said retaining means being disposed on said ring means to establish retaining engagement between said container body means and said ring means when said ring means is positioned on said surface with said ring means opening in substantial alignment with said surface opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The container as in claim 4, wherein: said retaining means comprises means extending from said ring means for retaining relation with said surface when said ring means is positioned proximate said surface with said ring means opening substantially disposed on said surface opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The containeR as in claim 5, wherein: said retaining means extends from said ring means to enter said surface opening for retaining engagement with at least a portion of the surface surrounding said surface opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The container as in claim 6, wherein: said retaining means comprises at least one member extending from a ring portion defining said ring opening to a location spaced apart from the plane defined by said ring means for retaining engagement with at least a portion of the surface surrounding said surface opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The container as in claim 6, wherein: said retaining means comprises at least one member extending from an outside edge of said ring member to a location spaced apart from the plane defined by said ring means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The container as in claim 4, further comprising: chime means extending beyond said surface in surrounding relation therewith; said retaining means comprises means for engagement with said chime means when said ring means is positioned proximate said surface with said ring means opening substantially disposed on said surface opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The container as in claim 4, wherein: said tab means and said opening in said ring means have substantially the same size and shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
111 words
A container of the type comprising: a container body portion and a normally closed end portion; tab means removed from normal closure relationship with said end portion to present an opening through said end portion into said container body portion; ring means attached to said tab means, said ring means having an opening therein; said tab means extending through said end portion opening to be disposed within said container body portion; said ring means being in predetermined position on said end portion with said ring means opening in substantial alignment with said end portion opening; and means on said ring means operative to retain said ring means in said predetermined position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
A container of the type comprising: a container body portion and a normally closed end portion; tab means removed from normal closure relationship with said end portion to present an opening through said end portion into said container body portion; ring means attached to said tab means, said ring means having an opening therein; said tab means extending through said end portion opening to be disposed within said container body portion; said ring means being in predetermined position on said end portion with said ring means opening in substantial alignment with said end portion opening; and means on said ring means operative to retain said ring means in said predetermined position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The container as in claim 11, wherein: said last-mentioned means extends from said ring means into retaining engagement with at least a portion of said end portion surrounding said end portion opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a container of the type including a surface, a tab adapted for removal from closure relation with a defined portion of such surface to present an opening into the container, and a ring member attached to said tab, the improvement comprising: means on said ring member to retainingly engage said ring member in alignment with said opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a container of the type including a surface, a tab adapted for removal from closure relation with a defined portion of such surface to present an opening into the container, and a ring member attached to said tab, the improvement comprising: means on said ring member to retainingly engage said ring member in alignment with said opening.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
84 words
A ring member for use in conjunction with a container of the type including a surface, a tear tab adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of such surface to present an opening of said container, the ring member having a closed peripheral portion defining an opening in the ring member, comprising: means on said ring member disposed for retaining engagement with said container to retain said ring member on said surface with said ring opening in alignment with said container opening.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
84 words
A ring member for use in conjunction with a container of the type including a surface, a tear tab adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of such surface to present an opening of said container, the ring member having a closed peripheral portion defining an opening in the ring member, comprising: means on said ring member disposed for retaining engagement with said container to retain said ring member on said surface with said ring opening in alignment with said container opening.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as in claim 14, wherein: said means on said ring member comprises means extending from said peripheral portion for engagement with at least a portion of the periphery of said container opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as in claim 15, wherein: said engagement means extends from said peripheral portion to be received within said container opening in engagement with at least a portion of said periphery of the container opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3281024A
Cited
US3473692A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |