Container end closure

Claim 2

An improved end closure for a container subjected to internal pressure of the type having a central panel portion, a removable portion defined by a score line included in said central panel portion, and an opening tab including a pull ring attached to said removable portion for removal thereof by the user, the point of attachment of said opening tab to said removable portion being proximate the periphery of said central panel portion with the pull ring of said opening tab radially inward from the point of attachment, wherein the improvement comprises means on said cEntral panel portion releasably engaging the pull ring of said opening tab to thereby hold said opening tab substantially flat against said central panel portion when said central panel portion bulges outwardly due to the internal pressure of the container.

Claim 3

The improved end closure as defined in claim 17 wherein the means for releasably engaging the pull ring of said opening tab comprises at least one protuberance on said central panel portion adjacent the pull ring of said opening tab, said protuberance having an upper portion which partially overlapps said pull ring when said pull ring is pressed onto said central panel portion thereby releasably holding said opening tab substantially flat against said central panel portion when said central panel portion bulges outwardly due to the internal pressure of the container.

Claim 4

The improved end closure as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for releasably engaging the pull ring of said opening tab comprises a first protuberance on said central panel portion adjacent the pull ring of said opening tab and a second protuberance on said central panel portion adjacent the pull ring of said opening tab, said first and second protuberances having upper portions which partially overlap said pull ring when said pull ring is pressed onto said central panel portion thereby releasably holding said opening tab substantially flat against said central panel portion when said central panel portion bulges outwardly due to the internal pressure of the container.

Claim 5

The improved end closure as defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second protuberances are so positioned on said central panel portion as to be within the pull ring of said opening tab.

Claim 6

The improved end closure as defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second protuberances are raised dimples on said central panel portion which protrude above the plane defined by said central panel portion.

Claim 7

The improved end closure as defined in claim 5 wherein said raised dimples are hemispherical in shape having the sides adjacent said pull ring substantially flat.

Claim 8

The improved end closure as defined in claim 6 wherein the portions of said pull ring adjacent the flat sides of said raised dimples are substantially flat having arcuate projections extending toward said dimples whereby point contact is made between said projections and the flat sides of said dimples when said pull ring is pressed onto said central panel portion.

Claim 9

The improved end closure as defined in claim 6 wherein said hemispherically shaped raised dimples are angularly flattened thereby extending the upper portions of the flat sides of the dimples partially over said pull ring.

Claim 10

The improved end closure as defined in claim 1 wherein said end clousre is metallic.

Claim 11

The improved end closure as defined in claim 1 wherein said end closure is plastic.

Claim 12

An end closure for a container subjected to internal pressure which comprises a central panel portion, a removable portion defined by a score line included in said central panel portion, an opening tab attached to said removable portion, the point of attachment of said opening tab to said removable portion being proximate to the periphery of said central panel portion, the pull ring of said opening tab being radially inward from the point of attachment of said opening tab to said removable portion, a first hemispherically shaped dimple on said central panel portion within the pull ring of said opening tab, and a second hemispherically shaped dimple on said central panel portion within the pull ring of said opening tab, the sides of said first and second dimples adjacent the inner edge of the pull ring being substantially flat and having upper portions extending slightly over said pull ring when said pull ring is pressed onto said central panel portion to thereby releasably engage the pull ring of said opening tab and releasably hold said opening tab substantially flat against said central panel portion when said central Panel portion bulges outwardly due to the internal pressure of the container.

Claim 13

An end closure for a container subjected to internal pressure which comprises a central panel portion, a removable portion defined by a score line included in said central panel portion, an opening tab attached to said removable portion, the point of attachment of said opening tab to said removable portion being proximate to the periphery of said central panel portion, the pull ring of said opening tab being radially inward from the point of attachment of said opening tab to said removable portion, a first hemispherically shaped dimple on said central panel portion within the pull ring of said opening tab, and a second hemispherically shaped dimple on said central panel portion within the pull ring of said opening tab, the sides of said first and second dimples adjacent the inner edge of the pull ring being substantially flat and having upper portions extending slightly over said pull ring when said pull ring is pressed onto said central panel portion to thereby releasably engage the pull ring of said opening tab and releasably hold said opening tab substantially flat against said central panel portion when said central Panel portion bulges outwardly due to the internal pressure of the container.

Claim 14

The end closure as defined in claim 11 wherein said removable portion defined by said score line is substantially co-extensive with said central panel portion.

Claim 15

The end closure as defined in claim 11 wherein said pull ring further comprises substantially flat portions adjacent the flat sides of said dimples and arcuate projections extending toward said dimples from said flat portions whereby point contact is made between said projections and the flat sides of said dimples.

Claim 16

The end closure as defined in claim 11 wherein said end closure is metallic.

Claim 17

The end closure as defined in claim 11 wherein said end closure is plastic.