US3773209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Full or partial opening easy-open container end closure
Assignee: Primerica Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-30
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1991-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A full or partial opening easy-open container end closure having indented into its central panel a large substantially peripheral score pattern encompassing a smaller score pattern. A rivet secures an opening tab to the panel section defined by the smaller score pattern in a manner that allows the tab to be manipulated to initially rupture a portion of either score pattern and to effect a partial or full opening in the end. At least one of the initial rupturings is not effectable by the tab nose directly rupturing a portion of one of the first or second score lines when the tab handle is lifted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of a portion of one of the score lines, but is effectable adjacent the rivet means when the tab nose is forced downwardly onto a portion of the removable second panel section when the tab handle is lifted upwardly away from the central panel.
Inventors
- 👤 A Schane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:41
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D17/00; B65D17/28; B65D17/401; B65D17/4012; B65D17/4011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
An easy-open container end closure comprising: a substantially flat central panel; a first score line in said central panel defining a removable first panel section; a second score line in said central panel positioned wholly within said first score line and defining a removable second panel section; a substantially rigid opening tab having a rivet hole therein, a nose at one end and a handle at the other end thereof; and rivet means integral with said second panel section extending through said tab rivet hole and securing said tab to said second panel section, said rivet means and said tab being adapted and said rivet means being positioned such tha said tab can be circumferentially rotated about said rivet and said tab can be manipulated to effect initial rupture of either of said first or second score lines and to effect removal of either of said first or second panel sections, at least one of said initial rupturings not being effectable by said tab nose directly rupturing a portion of one of said score lines when said tab handle is lifted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of said portion of said score lines, but being effectable adjacent said rivet means when said tab nose is forced downwardly onto a portion of said removable second panel section when said tab handle is lifted upwardly away from said central panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
An easy-open container end closure comprising: a substantially flat central panel; a first score line in said central panel defining a removable first panel section; a second score line in said central panel positioned wholly within said first score line and defining a removable second panel section; a substantially rigid opening tab having a rivet hole therein, a nose at one end and a handle at the other end thereof; and rivet means integral with said second panel section extending through said tab rivet hole and securing said tab to said second panel section, said rivet means and said tab being adapted and said rivet means being positioned such tha said tab can be circumferentially rotated about said rivet and said tab can be manipulated to effect initial rupture of either of said first or second score lines and to effect removal of either of said first or second panel sections, at least one of said initial rupturings not being effectable by said tab nose directly rupturing a portion of one of said score lines when said tab handle is lifted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of said portion of said score lines, but being effectable adjacent said rivet means when said tab nose is forced downwardly onto a portion of said removable second panel section when said tab handle is lifted upwardly away from said central panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The easy-open container end closure of claim 1 wherein one of said initial rupturings is effectable by said tab nose directly rupturing a portion of one of said first or second score lines and the other of said rupturings is effectable by said tab nose being forced downwardly onto a portion of said removable second panel section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
201 words
The easy-open container end closure of claim 1 wherein both of said initial rupturings are effectable by said tab nose being forced downwardly onto a portion of either of the respective removable panel sections and, wherein a pair of score linEs defining a tear strip runs from adjacent said rivet means in said second panel section to said substantially peripheral first score line, one line of said pair intersecting as portion of said second score line and adjoining said first score line, the other line of said pair having a shorter radius of curvature, and running substantially equidistantly from and alongside said adjoined substantially peripheral first score line and terminating in said removable first panel section, said intersecting lines, at least from adjacent the rivet to the intersecting points, having less residual end closure material therein than other portions of said other score lines, the configuration of said pair of score lines being such that said tear strip remains integral with and is removed with said removable first panel section when said tab handle is lifted and pivoted adjacent its rivet and said tab is manipulated to effect a complete tearing of said pair of score lines defining said tear strip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3335899A
Cited
US3701454A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |