US3727787A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pop-top can re-sealer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-22
•
Granted: 1973-04-17
•
Expires: 1992-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A sealer for opened cans, particularly but not necessarily limited to beverage cans, of the pull tab opener type, characterized by its re-usability and economical manufacture. The elongated wedge shaped opening in the end cap of the can is tightly closed, a pivoted handle controlling a vertical spanner bar passing through a flat plate having a compressible sealing element on its underside and the handle has a cam with overcenter action to control a crosspiece inserted through the opening and turned crosswise by the handle.
Inventors
- 👤 G Gregory
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:02
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D45/00; B65D45/02; B65D51/00; B65D51/007; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A re-usable resealer for placement on the opened top end cap of a pull tab beverage can, to close an elongated opening, said resealer comprising: a pressure plate having a central aperture and a somewhat deformable sealing element on the underside thereof; a spanner bar extending vertically through said aperture and element and engaging said sealing having a crosspiece of a length greater than the width dimension of said opening mounted on the lower end of the spanner bar; a handle operatively mounted on the upper end of said spanner bar to twist said spanner bar and thus to turn said crosspiece transversely of said opening, after insertion of the crosspiece; said handle further having means to depress said plate toward said crosspiece so as to press said element into sealing position on the end cap of the can.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A re-usable resealer for placement on the opened top end cap of a pull tab beverage can, to close an elongated opening, said resealer comprising: a pressure plate having a central aperture and a somewhat deformable sealing element on the underside thereof; a spanner bar extending vertically through said aperture and element and engaging said sealing having a crosspiece of a length greater than the width dimension of said opening mounted on the lower end of the spanner bar; a handle operatively mounted on the upper end of said spanner bar to twist said spanner bar and thus to turn said crosspiece transversely of said opening, after insertion of the crosspiece; said handle further having means to depress said plate toward said crosspiece so as to press said element into sealing position on the end cap of the can.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A resealer according to claim 1 wherein said means to depress comprises interacting cam means on said handle and spanner bar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A resealer according to claim 1 wherein said handle is pivotally mounted on said spanner bar and said means to depress is a cam on said handle engaging said plate, said cam having a flat thereon releasibly locking the handle in depressed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A resealer according to claim 1 wherein said spanner bar has an enlargement on the end thereof remote from said crossbar, and said handle has a slotted box-like enclosure for snug reception of said enlargement, whereby the handle can be slid onto the enlargement to facilitate initial assembly of the resealer, the sides of said box-like enclosure engaging said pressure plate to depress the same when the handle is depressed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A resealer according to claim 1 wherein said plate has a depending peripheral skirt flange and said sealing element is a pad fitted inside said skirt flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A resealer according to claim 1 wherein said spanner bar, crossbar and handle are rotatable so said handle can be depressed radially outwardly of the can top for maximum accessibility or depressed radially inwardly of the can top for minimal space conservation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |