Opening tab for easy open container

Claim 2

An opening tab for removing the removable panel from the wall of an easy open container, said removable panel having a leading portion located substantially in the center of said wall, said opening tab comprising: an attachment portion secured to the leading portion of said removable panel; a fulcrum portion integrally connected to said attachment portion at a juncture, said fulcrum portion having a fulcrum surface for bearing against the wall of said container spacially distant from the leading portion of said removable panel; a lifting handle overlying said removable panel integrally connected to said fulcrum portion and forming a longitudinally rigid lever therewith extending from said fulcrum surface; and reinforcing means formed in said fulcrum portion extending into and interrupting the juncture between said fulcrum and attachment portions thereby to prevent the formation of a sharp angle of bend at said juncture betwEen said fulcrum and attachment portions during the fulcruming operation.

Claim 3

The opening tab as defined in claim 1 wherein the juncture between said fulcrum and attachment portions includes a vincular segment integrally interconnecting said fulcrum and attachment portions.

Claim 4

The opening tab as defined in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing means extends substantially across said fulcrum portion thereby to reinforce said fulcrum portion during the fulcruming operation.

Claim 5

The opening tab as defined in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing means comprises a raised bead formed in said fulcrum portion and having a portion extending into and interrupting the juncture between said fulcrum and attachment portions.

Claim 6

The opening tab as defined in claim 4 wherein said raised bead has an arcuate shaped cross sectional configuration.

Claim 7

The opening tab as defined in claim 1 wherein said attachment portion is disposed lower than said fulcrum portion.

Claim 8

The opening tab as defined in claim 1 wherein said opening tab is formed from a relatively soft and malleable metallic material.

Claim 9

The opening tab as defined in claim 7 wherein said relatively soft and malleable metallic material is aluminum.

Claim 10

The opening tab as defined in claim 1 wherein said lifting handle includes a pull ring.

Claim 11

An opening tab formed of aluminum for removing the removable panel from the wall of an easy open container, said removable panel having a leading portion located substantially in the center of said wall, said opening tab comprising: a fulcrum portion having a fulcrum surface for bearing against the wall of said container spacially distant from the leading portion of said removable panel; an attachment portion secured to the leading portion of said removable panel and disposed lower than said fulcrum portion; a vincular segment integrally interconnecting said attachment and fulcrum portions at a juncture therebetween and sloping downwardly from said fulcrum portion to said attachment portion; a pull ring overlying said removable panel integrally connected to said fulcrum portion and forming a longitudinally rigid lever therewith extending from said fulcrum surface; and reinforcing means in the form of a raised bead formed in and substantially across said fulcrum portion, said raised bead having a portion extending into said vincular segment at the juncture between said attachment and fulcrum portions thereby to reinforce said fulcrum portions and to prevent the formation of a sharp angle of bend in said vincular segment during the fulcruming operation.

Claim 12

An opening tab formed of aluminum for removing the removable panel from the wall of an easy open container, said removable panel having a leading portion located substantially in the center of said wall, said opening tab comprising: a fulcrum portion having a fulcrum surface for bearing against the wall of said container spacially distant from the leading portion of said removable panel; an attachment portion secured to the leading portion of said removable panel and disposed lower than said fulcrum portion; a vincular segment integrally interconnecting said attachment and fulcrum portions at a juncture therebetween and sloping downwardly from said fulcrum portion to said attachment portion; a pull ring overlying said removable panel integrally connected to said fulcrum portion and forming a longitudinally rigid lever therewith extending from said fulcrum surface; and reinforcing means in the form of a raised bead formed in and substantially across said fulcrum portion, said raised bead having a portion extending into said vincular segment at the juncture between said attachment and fulcrum portions thereby to reinforce said fulcrum portions and to prevent the formation of a sharp angle of bend in said vincular segment during the fulcruming operation.