Easy opening container

Claim 2

In combination, a cylindrical container having a top with a substantially flat upper surface; means providing an eccentrically disposed weakened area in the upper surface; a recess disposed in the upper surface; an auxiliary lid rotatably fitted over the top of the container and adapted to rotate relative to the container, the lid having a substantially flat lower surface abutting against the upper surface of the top; a tongue projecting downwardly from the lower surface of the lid and extending into the said recess; and an opening disposed in the lid adjacent the tongue, whereby rotation of the lid causes the tongue to engage the weakened area and sever the weakened area from the container top as the tongue rotates with the lid, thereby forming a dispensing opening in the top of the container adapted to register with the opening in the lid to provide means for removing the contents of the container.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the recess, and therefore the tongue are located inside the weakened area of the container top.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lower surface of the lid is adapted to abut against the upper surface of the top around the dispensing opening therein when the lid opening is registered with the dispensing opening, so as to provide a fluid seal between the openings.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the weakened area defines a substantially circular section having approximately the same size as the dispensing opening in the lid, and a relatively narrow, arcuate section leading from said circular section and encompassing the said recess, whereby rotation of the auxiliary lid, and therefore the tongue, initially severs the narrow arcuate weakened section from the container top, thereby facilitating ease of severance of the said circular weakened section.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the substantially circular section of the weakened area includes means for substantially preventing detachment of the severed weakened area from the top of the container.

Claim 7

Apparatus according To claim 1 wherein the weakened area is created by at least one score line in the upper surface of the container top.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the weakened area is created by seriated indentations disposed in the upper surface of the container top.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tongue is closely spaced from the opening in the lid so that upon severance of the weakened area from the container top and registration of the opening in the lid with the opening in the container top the tongue cooperates with the opening in the container top to provide means for substantially preventing further rotation of the lid.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for preventing removal of the rotatable lid.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the means for preventing removal of the lid comprises a peripheral shoulder extending outwardly from the container top; a skirt flange extending downwardly from the outer periphery of the rotatable lid; and an inwardly projecting rim integral with the skirt flange adapted to abut against the bottom of the said shoulder to prevent removal of the rotatable lid from the container.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tongue has an elongated blunt leading edge positioned to engage the weakened area and apply a sufficient force to sever the weakened area from the container top as the lid rotates.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tongue has an elongated blunt leading edge, and the recess is an elongated area formed in the container top and having sufficient width to accommodate the blunt edge of the tongue, the recess extending from the tongue to the weakened area a sufficient distance to permit the tongue to move uninterrupted relative to the container top before engaging the weakened area.

Claim 14

In combination, a right cylindrical shaped container having a substantially planar enclosing top at one end containing a weakened area eccentrically disposed with respect to the container, the enclosing top having an area which is adjacent to and is recessed with respect to the weakened area; a substantially planar auxiliary lid rotatably mounted on the container over the enclosing top; a tongue carried by the lid and projecting into the recessed area; and an opening disposed through the lid and so positioned that it may be rotated with the lid into juxtaposition with the weakened area, the tongue being positioned so that rotation of the lid causes the tongue to engage the weakened area and force severance of the weakened area from the rest of the enclosing top, thereby forming a dispensing opening in the enclosing top which is registerable with the juxtaposed lid opening for dispensing the contents of the container, the lid and the top each having surface areas which are juxtaposed to each other to provide a fluid seal around substantially all of the lid opening and the dispensing opening when the lid opening and dispensing opening are registered with each other.

Claim 15

In combination, a right cylindrical shaped container having a substantially planar enclosing top at one end containing a weakened area eccentrically disposed with respect to the container, the enclosing top having an area which is adjacent to and is recessed with respect to the weakened area; a substantially planar auxiliary lid rotatably mounted on the container over the enclosing top; a tongue carried by the lid and projecting into the recessed area; and an opening disposed through the lid and so positioned that it may be rotated with the lid into juxtaposition with the weakened area, the tongue being positioned so that rotation of the lid causes the tongue to engage the weakened area and force severance of the weakened area from the rest of the enclosing top, thereby forming a dispensing opening in the enclosing top which is registerable with the juxtaposed lid opening for dispensing the contents of the container, the lid and the top each having surface areas which are juxtaposed to each other to provide a fluid seal around substantially all of the lid opening and the dispensing opening when the lid opening and dispensing opening are registered with each other.

Claim 16

The combination according to claim 13 in which the juxtaposed surface areas are substantially flat engaging surfaces.

Claim 17

The combination according to claim 13 comprising locking means for preventing the lid from separating from the container during severance of the weakened area.

Claim 18

The combination according to claim 15 in which the locking means connects the lid and the container together around the outer periphery of the lid and the top of the container.

Claim 19

In combination, a right cylindrical shaped container having a substantially planar enclosing top at one end containing a weakened area eccentrically disposed with respect to said container, the weakened area being defined by a substantially closed curve weakened line formed in the enclosing top, said enclosing top having an area which is adjacent to and is recessed with respect to said weakened area; a substantially planar auxiliary lid rotatably mounted on said container over said enclosing top; a tongue carried by the lid and projecting inTo said recessed area; and an opening disposed through said lid and so positioned that it may be rotated with the lid into juxtaposition with said weakened area, said tongue being positioned so that rotation of the lid causes the tongue to engage the weakened line and force severance of the weakened area from the rest of the enclosing top, thereby forming a dispensing opening in the enclosing top which is registerable with the juxtaposed lid opening for dispensing the contents of the container, the lid and the enclosing top having respective surface portions surrounding the lid opening and the weakened area, said surface portions being located with respect to each other such that they abut against one another when the lid opening is registered with the dispensing opening.

Claim 20

In combination, a right cylindrical shaped container having a substantially planar enclosing top at one end containing a weakened area eccentrically disposed with respect to said container, the weakened area being defined by a substantially closed curve weakened line formed in the enclosing top, said enclosing top having an area which is adjacent to and is recessed with respect to said weakened area; a substantially planar auxiliary lid rotatably mounted on said container over said enclosing top; a tongue carried by the lid and projecting inTo said recessed area; and an opening disposed through said lid and so positioned that it may be rotated with the lid into juxtaposition with said weakened area, said tongue being positioned so that rotation of the lid causes the tongue to engage the weakened line and force severance of the weakened area from the rest of the enclosing top, thereby forming a dispensing opening in the enclosing top which is registerable with the juxtaposed lid opening for dispensing the contents of the container, the lid and the enclosing top having respective surface portions surrounding the lid opening and the weakened area, said surface portions being located with respect to each other such that they abut against one another when the lid opening is registered with the dispensing opening.

Claim 21

The combination of claim 17 wherein said tongue engages said weakened area substantially normal to said weakened line causing said weakened area to be severed in opposite directions along said closed curve weakened line.

Claim 22

The combination of claim 18 wherein said surface portions provide a fluid seal around substantially all of said lid opening and said dispensing opening when the lid opening and dispensing opening are aligned with each other.

Claim 23

The combination of claim 19 wherein said juxtaposed surfaces are substantially flat engaging surfaces.

Claim 24

The combination of claim 18 wherein the opening in said lid is positioned in relation to said tongue so that rotation of the lid for severance of the weakened area simultaneously rotates the lid opening into register with the formed dispensing opening.

Claim 25

The combination of claim 18 wherein said tongue has a substantially blunt leading surface which engages said weakened area as said lid is rotated.

Claim 26

The combination of claim 18 wherein the recessed area is eccentric with respect to said container top and extends at least up to said weakened area.

Claim 27

The combination of claim 19 comprising locking means for preventing said lid from separating from said container during severance of the weakened area of said top.

Claim 28

The combination of claim 24 wherein said locking means connects said lid and said container together around the outer periphery of said lid and the top of said container.