US3682349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Easy-opening stopper for metal cans and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-07-06
•
Granted: 1972-08-08
•
Expires: 1990-07-06
Abstract
Abstract An easy-opening cover for cans wherein the cover is made with an opening hermetically sealed by a stopper formed of a plastic material and molded in situ and retained in position of use by a movable lip extending downwardly from the underside of the stopper at a position located beneath the edge of the can about the opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Cospen
- 👤 Bernard Baumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:59
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D39/00; B65D39/16; B65D39/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
In a container having a cover with an opening, a removable stopper for hermetically sealing the opening formed of a stiff plastic material molded in situ and dimensioned to span the opening and extend a short distance beyond the opening with the stopper having a central body portion and an outer reinforcing portion, a top side facing outwardly of the container and a bottom side facing inside the container, a recessed portion extending inwardly from the outer edge of the stopper in which the edge of the cover about the opening is received in sealing relation, a movable lip extending downwardly from the bottom side of the stopper underlying the edge of the cover for articulation about the edge of the cover in response to an upwardly directed force, a fixed lip extending from the bottom side and spaced laterally inwardly from the movable lip members to define a groove between the movable lip and the fixed lip into which the movable lip is displaced about the edge of the opening in response to a force applied for removal of the stopper, and a tab extending from the outer reinforced portion of the stopper above the recessed portion for application of force to remove the stopper.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a container having a cover with an opening, a removable stopper for hermetically sealing the opening formed of a stiff plastic material molded in situ and dimensioned to span the opening and extend a short distance beyond the opening with the stopper having a central body portion and an outer reinforcing portion, a top side facing outwardly of the container and a bottom side facing inside the container, a recessed portion extending inwardly from the outer edge of the stopper in which the edge of the cover about the opening is received in sealing relation, a movable lip extending downwardly from the bottom side of the stopper underlying the edge of the cover for articulation about the edge of the cover in response to an upwardly directed force, a fixed lip extending from the bottom side and spaced laterally inwardly from the movable lip members to define a groove between the movable lip and the fixed lip into which the movable lip is displaced about the edge of the opening in response to a force applied for removal of the stopper, and a tab extending from the outer reinforced portion of the stopper above the recessed portion for application of force to remove the stopper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A stopper as claimed in claim 1 which is integrally molded of a polypropylene plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A stopper as claimed in claim 1 in which the movable lip rests on the inner surface of the cover along the edge of the opening and extends in a general direction substantially perpendicular to the surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stopper as claimed in claim 1 in which the groove varies in depth and/or in width.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A stopper as claimed in claim 1 in which the fixed lip comprises a central reinforcement section of greater thickness.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A stopper as claimed in claim 4 in which the groove varies in depth from a maximum depth adjacent the tab to a minimum depth opposite the tab.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A stopper as claimed in claim 1 which includes one or more notches in the top side and/or the bottom side of the stopper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A stopper as claimed in claim 7 in which the notches are in both the top side and bottom side surfaces of the stopper with the notches arranged one over the other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A stopper as claimed in claim 7 in which the notches in the top side are staggered with respect to the notches in the bottom side.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A stopper as claimed in claim 1 which includes reinforcing ribs extending upwardly from the top side of the stopper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cover as claimed in claim 1 which includes a second opening and a stopper as claimed in claim 1 for said second opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cover as claimed in claim 11 which includes a bridging strip joining the stoppers and a grip tab joined to the edge of the second stopper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2848130A
Cited
US3021976A
Cited
US3107838A
Cited
US3106311A
Cited
US3133666A
Cited
US3428212A
Cited
US3473692A
Cited
US3437227A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |