Patent US3779417A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3779417A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flex tab for a gated can lid
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-02-14
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1992-02-14
Abstract
Abstract The invention concerns a gated can lid having a tab therein defined by a score line, to be pushed into the can as the metal neck between the tab and the lid at the score line is severed. The tab is dished upwardly to a convex form which may be flexed, by pushing, to a downward concave form with the periphery of the tab hinging about the metal neck at the score line as the flexing occurs. A disruption, such as a crease, is formed across the score line at a selected point to cause a positive rupture of the metal neck at the score line as the tab is pushed from the convex to the convave position, such rupture initiating and facilitating the tearing away of the tab from the can lid as the tab is then pushed inwardly into the can.
Inventors
- 👤 G Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:39
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D17/00; B65D17/28; B65D17/401
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
In a can lid having a push-in tab integral with the lid and with the outline of the tab being defined by a score line cutting partway through the lid to leave a narrow, severable neck at a surface of the can lid, interconnecting the tab and the lid, the improvement wherein: said tab is a flexible dome convexing upwardly from the surface of the lid but adapted to be pushed downwardly to concave below the surface of the lid, whereby the flexing of the dome from the convex to the concave position produces a hinging action about the said severable neck to facilitate severance thereof and separation of the tab from the lid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a can lid having a push-in tab integral with the lid and with the outline of the tab being defined by a score line cutting partway through the lid to leave a narrow, severable neck at a surface of the can lid, interconnecting the tab and the lid, the improvement wherein: said tab is a flexible dome convexing upwardly from the surface of the lid but adapted to be pushed downwardly to concave below the surface of the lid, whereby the flexing of the dome from the convex to the concave position produces a hinging action about the said severable neck to facilitate severance thereof and separation of the tab from the lid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the organization defined in claim 1, wherein: corrugations are formed in the dome to facilitate flexing the same from a convex to a concave position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
In the organization defined in claim 1, including: an abrupt distortion in the alignment of the score line and the metal neck, whereby the aforesaid hinging action responsive to flexing of the tab effects a rupture of the neck at the point of disruption.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the organization defined in claim 3, wherein: the distortion in the alignment of the score line comprises a W-shaped irregularity in the score line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the organization defined in claim 3, wherein: the distortion in the alignment of the score line comprises a portion extending out of the plane of the lid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
In the organization defined in claim 1, including: a disruption of the lid surface at the score line forming a distortion in the alignment of the metal neck at the disruption point, whereby the aforesaid hinging action, responsive to flexing of the tab, effects a rupture of the neck at the point of disruption of the lid surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
In the organization defined in claim 6, wherein: said disruption is a crease traversing the score line and metal neck with a portion of the score line and metal neck out of the plane of the can lid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
In the organization defined in claim 7, wherein: the lid is raised out of its normal plane by the crease to form a raised dimple at the crease and to cause the metal neck to be prestressed at the disruption.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the organization defined in claim 6, wherein: the disruption is a double crease; and wherein the score line and metal is a W-shaped disruption at the double crease.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
In the organization defined in claim 1, wherein: an aperture is formed in the can lid by underfolding a rim about the said aperture; said tab is underneath the underfolded rim; and the score line is about the tab periphery at the underfolded rim.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
In the organization defined in claim 9, wherein: a crease-like disruption traverses the score line and dimples the underfolded rim.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
In the organization defined in claim 10, wherein: the dimple is raised out of the plane of the lid and at the pouring end thereof to form a spout-like member when the tab is pushed into the can and to cause the metal neck at the dimple to be prestressed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
In the organization defined in claim 10, wherein: the aperture is elongated with a pouring end at one end of the lid and a venting end at the opposite end of the lid; and wherein said crease-like disruption is at the pouring end of thE aperture and the score line terminates short of the venting end, whereby to form a hinging section integral with the can lid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a can lid having a push-in tab with the outline of the tab being defined by a line of weakened structure which will break responsive to flexing action, the improvement wherein: at least a portion of said tab is a flexible dome convexing upwardly from the surface of the tab but is adapted to be pushed downwardly to concave below the surface of the lid whereby the flexing of the dome from the convex to the concave position produces a hinging action about the aforesaid line of weakened structure to facilitate severance thereof and separation of the tab from the lid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a can lid having a push-in tab with the outline of the tab being defined by a line of weakened structure which will break responsive to flexing action, the improvement wherein: at least a portion of said tab is a flexible dome convexing upwardly from the surface of the tab but is adapted to be pushed downwardly to concave below the surface of the lid whereby the flexing of the dome from the convex to the concave position produces a hinging action about the aforesaid line of weakened structure to facilitate severance thereof and separation of the tab from the lid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The organization defined in claim 14, wherein the surface of the tab includes: lineal irregularities in the general direction of the tab outline whereby to facilitate flexing the dome portion of the same from the convex to a concave position.
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) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |