Patent US3799390A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3799390A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Easy open end closure
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
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Filing: 1971-12-21
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1991-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An easy open end closure is provided with a roughly circular full-size tear-out panel which is easily severed by initially severing a chordal portion having a comparatively large area and which extends over an arcuate length of at least 45* whereupon the remainder of the panel is severed with ease.
Inventors
- 👤 D Cudzik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:29
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D17/00; B65D17/28; B65D17/401; B65D17/4011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
276 words
An end closure for a container comprising, a wall having a peripheral edge, a peripheral score line in said wall arranged closely adjacent said peripheral edge and defining a tear-out panel, an opening tab attached to said wall at a fixed position adjacent said peripheral edge, said tab having a central longitudinal axis which extends toward the center of said panel, and a continuous transverse score line in said wall arranged roughly perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and between said fixed position and said peripheral score line, said continuous transverse score line passing across said central longitudinal axis and having opposite ends arranged closely adjacent said peripheral score line and serving as a continuous bend line about which a comparatively large area chordal portion of the tear-out panel is initially severed and bent upon pivoting said tab about said fixed position, said fixed position remaining substantially stationary during the initial severing of said chordal portion, said initially severed chordal portion being the first portion of said wall which is severed upon pivoting said tab and resulting in the severance of said tear-out panel along a substantial portion of its peripheral score line so that upon applying a pulling force against said tab in a direction away from said tear-out panel a comparatively large component of said force is effective in providing efficient severing of the remainder of said tear-out panel along said peripheral score line, said transverse score line comprising a roughly bell-shaped score line having an apex arranged between said fixed position and said peripheral score line and having opposed end portions arranged substantially along a common chord which extends perpendicular to said central axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
276 words
An end closure for a container comprising, a wall having a peripheral edge, a peripheral score line in said wall arranged closely adjacent said peripheral edge and defining a tear-out panel, an opening tab attached to said wall at a fixed position adjacent said peripheral edge, said tab having a central longitudinal axis which extends toward the center of said panel, and a continuous transverse score line in said wall arranged roughly perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and between said fixed position and said peripheral score line, said continuous transverse score line passing across said central longitudinal axis and having opposite ends arranged closely adjacent said peripheral score line and serving as a continuous bend line about which a comparatively large area chordal portion of the tear-out panel is initially severed and bent upon pivoting said tab about said fixed position, said fixed position remaining substantially stationary during the initial severing of said chordal portion, said initially severed chordal portion being the first portion of said wall which is severed upon pivoting said tab and resulting in the severance of said tear-out panel along a substantial portion of its peripheral score line so that upon applying a pulling force against said tab in a direction away from said tear-out panel a comparatively large component of said force is effective in providing efficient severing of the remainder of said tear-out panel along said peripheral score line, said transverse score line comprising a roughly bell-shaped score line having an apex arranged between said fixed position and said peripheral score line and having opposed end portions arranged substantially along a common chord which extends perpendicular to said central axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 1 in which said peripheral edge comprises a circular edge and said peripheral score line comprises a substantially circular score line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a flange adjoining said peripheral edge, said flange being adapted to fasten said end closure to said container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 1 in which said tab is fixed to said wall at said fixed position by a rivet extending through a portion of said tab.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 4 in which said rivet comprises a cylindrical hollow rivet defined in said wall as an integral part thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 1 in which said common chord extends through the center of said rivet and said opposed end portions are arranged in a symmetrical manner on opposite sides of said central axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 1 in which said common chord is arranged between the center of said rivet and the center of said panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 1 in which said peripheral score line comprises a substantially circular score line, said severance of said tear-out panel along a substantial portion of its peripheral score line results in severing along said score line over an arcuate length of at least 45*, said arcuate length being defined by the angle between two radii extending from the center of said panel and closely adjacent to said opposite ends of said transverse score line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 8 in which said arcuate length ranges roughly between 45* and 100*.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 1 in which said tab is fixed to said wall at said fixed position by a rivet which serves as a fixed pivot about which the forward portion of said tab is pivoted, said forward portion having a knife-like forward end adjoining said peripheral score line which provides a sharp indentation in a portion of said panel adjoining said peripheral score line and enables easier initial severing of said chordal portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 10 in which said forward portion comprises a single thickness of material, and said knife-like forward end is defined by shaping said single thickness in the form of a V with the apex thereof adjoining said peripheral score line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
101 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 1 in which said tab comprises, a planar attaching portion, a single thickness wedge-shaped forward portion adjoining said attaching portion, and a channel-like structure extending from opposite sides of said wedge-shaped portion and surrounding said attaching portion in spaced relation therefrom, said attaching portion having a central opening therethrough, and said end closure further comprises a rivet extending through said central opening and fixing said attaching portion and tab at said fixed position, said rivet serving as a substantially stationary pivot about which said wedge-shaped portion is pivoted to provide said initial severing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 12 in which said single thickness wedge-shaped portion has a knife-like forward end which provides a sharp indentation in said panel adjoining said peripheral score line and enables easier starting of the severing action which results in initial severing of said chordal portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 12 in which said roughly bell-shaped transverse score line has a central arcuate portion which serves as a smooth bend line about which the edge of said wedge-shaped portion adjoining said attaching portion is bent in a smooth manner substantially free of stress concentration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
An end closure as set forth in claim 12 in which said tab is made of a single thickness of material and said forward portion and attaching portion flow smoothly together along a pair of opposed arcs each having a generous radius which prevents the forming of stress concentrations.
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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |