Easy-open wall

Claim 2

An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, and a tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said forward portion of said tab also overlies a central part of one of said pair of extensions of said score line while its terminal outer edge assures engagement and initial severing of said panel along the other of said pair of extensions at a location substantially directly opposite from said central part of said one extension, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall.

Claim 3

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said ends of said extensions are spaced apart a distance which is no greater than said particular distance.

Claim 4

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said tab is adapted to be easily returned to its original position flatly against said wall and thus enables unobstructed pouring of the contents of said container through said opening.

Claim 5

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said wall has a planar portion and a recess in said planar portion, said recess enabling said tab to be nested therewithin so that an outermost surface thereof is arranged substantially coplanar with said planar portion of said wall.

Claim 6

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a rivet attaching said tab to said wall at a location between said forward and rear portions, said rivet serving as a pivot allowing pivoting movement of said tab thereabout.

Claim 7

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 5 in which said rivet is defined as an integral part of said wall at a location spaced from and near the center of one of said pair of extensions of said score line to thereby enable substantially said entire forwarD portion of said tab to overlie the center portion of said panel.

Claim 8

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 3 and further comprising means for fastening said tab against said wall once it is returned to said original position.

Claim 9

An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, and a tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said U-shaped score line having the central portions of its extensions arranged in roughly parallel relation and said tab having a reference axis arranged substantially perpendicular to said central portions.

Claim 10

An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, and a tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said U-shaped score line having the central portions of its extensions arranged in roughly parallel relation and said tab having a reference axis arranged substantially perpendicular to said central portions.

Claim 11

An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, a tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said forward portion of said tab also overlies a central part of one of said pair of extensions of said score line while its terminal outer edge is arranged substantially in vertical alignment over the other of said pair of extensions at a location substantially directly opposite from said central part of said one extension, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said tab being adapted to be easily returned to its original position flatly against said wall and thus enabling unobstructed pouring of the contents of said container through said opening, and means for fastening said tab against said wall once it is returned to said original position.

Claim 12

An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, a tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said forward portion of said tab also overlies a central part of one of said pair of extensions of said score line while its terminal outer edge is arranged substantially in vertical alignment over the other of said pair of extensions at a location substantially directly opposite from said central part of said one extension, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said tab being adapted to be easily returned to its original position flatly against said wall and thus enabling unobstructed pouring of the contents of said container through said opening, and means for fastening said tab against said wall once it is returned to said original position.

Claim 13

An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, and a tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said U-shaped score line having a roughly teardrop shape which has an enlarged portion defined by said bight and adjoining portions of said pair of extensions and said ends of said extensions being spaced apart a distance which is substantially less than said paRticular distance.

Claim 14

An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, and a tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said U-shaped score line having a roughly teardrop shape which has an enlarged portion defined by said bight and adjoining portions of said pair of extensions and said ends of said extensions being spaced apart a distance which is substantially less than said paRticular distance.

Claim 15

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 10 in which said score line extends into said wall a greater amount along said enlarged portion than along the remaining portions thereof and said panel is easily completely severed while remaining attached at said wall portion.

Claim 16

An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, a tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said tab being adapted to be easily returned to its original position flatly against said wall and thus enabling unobstructed pouring of the contents of said container through said opening, and means for fastening said tab against said wall once it is returned to said original position, said fastening means comprising a member in said wall having an upper portion which has a particular maximum planar area and said tab having a cooperating aperture therein which is smaller in area than said particular area enabling said tab to be urged against said upper portion with surface portions thereof defining said aperture wedged against said upper portion.

Claim 17

An easy-open wall for a container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight which has a particular distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, a tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said tab being adapted to be easily returned to its original position flatly against said wall and thus enabling unobstructed pouring of the contents of said container through said opening, and means for fastening said tab against said wall once it is returned to said original position, said fastening means comprising a member in said wall having an upper portion which has a particular maximum planar area and said tab having a cooperating aperture therein which is smaller in area than said particular area enabling said tab to be urged against said upper portion with surface portions thereof defining said aperture wedged against said upper portion.

Claim 18

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 12 in which said member is defined as an integral part of said wall and is a cylindrical hollow member having a wall thickness which is the same thickness as said wall and said aperture has a substantially circular outline.

Claim 19

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 12 and further comprising a plurality of radial slits provided in said tab about the periphery of said circular aperture with each pair of associated slits defining a resilient holding member therebetween, said holding members being adapted to engage said upper portion and fasten said tab flatly against said wall portion.

Claim 20

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising at least one strengthening rib provided in said panel to assure easy severing thereof upon engagement by said forward portion of said tab.

Claim 21

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of arcuate strengthening ribs arranged in approximately parallel relation and extending across said panel.

Claim 22

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 16 in which said arcuate strengthening ribs are defined as an integral part of said wall as raised projections each having a corresponding depression in the inside surface of said panel, said ribs extending roughly transverse said pair of extensions of said score line.

Claim 23

As easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said tab has means enabling easy grasping of said rear portion.

Claim 24

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said tab has peripheral stiffening means extending about the major portion of its periphery and having a part of said rear portion which is free of said stiffening means, said part of said rear portion defining an enlarged vertical space between said part of said rear portion and the wall therebeneath to enable easy grasping of said rear portion.

Claim 25

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 19 and further comprising an extension extending from said part of said rear portion to enable easier grasping of said rear portion.

Claim 26

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said tab has a roughly semicircular slit defining an attAchment area therewithin, said attachment area being attached to said wall adjacent one of said pair of extensions of said score line.

Claim 27

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 21 in which said tab has a pair of enlarged cutouts adjoining the opposed ends of said semicircular slit, said cutouts defining an imaginary bend line for said tab upon lifting said rear portion.

Claim 28

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 22 in which said cutouts are substantially circular cutouts.

Claim 29

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 22 in which said forward portion of said tab has an arcuate configuration which is particularly adapted to engage said panel at a location immediately adjacent the extension of said score line arranged remote from the rear portion of said tab.

Claim 30

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 made of aluminous material wherein said U-shaped score line has a teardrop shape and said bight has a particular amount of residual material arranged therebeneath with each of said extensions having residual material which increases in thickness in direct proportion to the distance from said bight.

Claim 31

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said forward portion has a semicircular configuration.

Claim 32

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 in which said forward portion has a wedge-shaped configuration.

Claim 33

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 3 and further comprising means attaching said tab to said wall at a location between said forward and rear portions and means for fastening said tab against said wall once it is returned to said original position.

Claim 34

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 28 having a circular configuration and wherein said attaching and fastening means are arranged on an axis which overlies a diametral line of said circular wall.

Claim 35

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 3 wherein said tab has an integral tubular reinforcing flange provided as an integral part thereof between its forward and rear portions and further comprising attaching means extending through said tubular flange and attaching said tab to said wall.

Claim 36

An easy-open end wall for a liquid container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight which has a maximum distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, and a tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said forward portion of said tab also overlies a central part of one of said pair of extensions of said score line while its terminal outer edge assures engagement and initial severing of said panel along the other of said pair of extensions at a location substantially directly opposite from said central part of said one extension, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said tab being easily returned to its original position flatly against said wall to enable the liquid in said container to be poured through said opening unobstructed by said panel.

Claim 37

An easy-open end wall for a liquid container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bight which has a maximum distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, and a tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said forward portion of said tab also overlies a central part of one of said pair of extensions of said score line while its terminal outer edge assures engagement and initial severing of said panel along the other of said pair of extensions at a location substantially directly opposite from said central part of said one extension, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said tab being easily returned to its original position flatly against said wall to enable the liquid in said container to be poured through said opening unobstructed by said panel.

Claim 38

An easy-open wall as set forth in claim 1 made of aluminous material wherein said U-shaped score line has a teardrop shape and said bight has a particular amount of residual material arranged therebeneath with each of said extensions having residual material therebeneath which is greater in thickness at locations remote from said bight.

Claim 39

An easy-open end wall for a beverage container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bIght which has a maximum distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said ends being spaced apart a distance which is less than said maximum distance, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, and a non-detachable tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said forward portion of said tab also overlies a central part of one of said pair of extensions of said score line while its terminal outer edge assures engagement and initial severing of said panel along the other of said pair of extensions at a location substantially directly opposite from said central part of said one extension, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said tab being easily returned to its original position flatly against said wall to enable unobstructed drinking of the beverage in said container through said opening.

Claim 40

An easy-open end wall for a beverage container comprising, an approximately U-shaped score line in said wall, said score line having a bIght which has a maximum distance thereacross and a pair of extensions extending from said bight and terminating in spaced ends having a portion of said wall therebetween, said ends being spaced apart a distance which is less than said maximum distance, said score line defining a panel which is completely severable from said wall along said bight and along parts of said extensions adjoining said bight while remaining attached at said wall portion to define an opening in said wall, and a non-detachable tab attached substantially flatly against said wall, said tab having a forward portion which overlies part of said panel and having a rear portion, said forward portion of said tab also overlies a central part of one of said pair of extensions of said score line while its terminal outer edge assures engagement and initial severing of said panel along the other of said pair of extensions at a location substantially directly opposite from said central part of said one extension, said rear portion being easily grasped and lifted to urge said forward portion against said panel to thereby sever said panel and move it within said container with said wall portion holding said panel securely to said wall, said tab being easily returned to its original position flatly against said wall to enable unobstructed drinking of the beverage in said container through said opening.