US3853242A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Easy open end
Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Co
•
Filing: 1973-01-24
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A container end panel is formed with a lever member having a first panel piercing portion and a second finger grasping portion and a central portion by which the member is connected to the end. The member is further rotatable in a plane normal to the panel about its connection means with the end panel from a first position whereby one end of the member overlies a weakened line opening to a second position wherein said one member end is forced through the panel to expose the opening formed by the weakened line The member is also rotatable about its ocnnection means with the end panel in a plane parallel to said panel.
Inventors
- 👤 A Zundel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:16
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D17/00; B65D17/28; B65D17/401; B65D17/4012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
An easy open end for containers and the like comprising, an end panel having a substantially planar top surface, an opening through said planar surface, said opening defined by a weakened line portion in said end panel, a lever member having first and second end portions and an elongated central portion connecting said ends, said first end overlying said weakened line portion, said second end distal therefrom, said lever member rotatable about the axis of its central connecting portion from an initial first end position overlying said weakened line portion to a second position through said opening and beneath said end panel planar top surface, and permanent connecting means for positioning said lever member in relation to said end panel, said connecting means holding said lever member elongated central portion in fixed relation to said end panel, said connecting means being positioned to have said first and second end portions extend generally parallel to said planar surface in a stored position after said weakened line has been severed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
An easy open end for containers and the like comprising, an end panel having a substantially planar top surface, an opening through said planar surface, said opening defined by a weakened line portion in said end panel, a lever member having first and second end portions and an elongated central portion connecting said ends, said first end overlying said weakened line portion, said second end distal therefrom, said lever member rotatable about the axis of its central connecting portion from an initial first end position overlying said weakened line portion to a second position through said opening and beneath said end panel planar top surface, and permanent connecting means for positioning said lever member in relation to said end panel, said connecting means holding said lever member elongated central portion in fixed relation to said end panel, said connecting means being positioned to have said first and second end portions extend generally parallel to said planar surface in a stored position after said weakened line has been severed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The easy open end defined in claim 1 wherein said lever member central portion is held in contact with said end panel in said first, second and stored positions of said lever member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The easy open end defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second ends of said lever member extend outwardly and to opposite sides of a plane passing through the major extent of said lever member central connecting portion and disposed generally normal to said planar end panel surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The easy open end defined in claim 3 wherein said lever member is rotatable around said connecting means in the plane parallel to that of said end panel planar surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The easy open end defined in claim 3 wherein said first end is disposed outwardly from the center of said end panel proximate peripheral portions thereof and said second end is disposed distal therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The easy open end defined in claim 5 wherein said lever member is formed of bent wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The easy open end defined in claim 6 wherein said connecting means comprises a plate member having a forward opening for receipt of said central connecting portion and a rearward opening, portions of said end panel disposed through and overlying said rearward opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The easy open end defined in claim 6 wherein said member first end is an L-shaped extension of said wire and said member second end comprises a finger gripping portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The easy open end construction defined in claim 8 wherein said wire is rotatable about said connecting means from an initial said position wherein said first end overlies said opening to a second position wherein both said first and second ends are removed therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The easy open end construction defined in claim 1 wherein said weakened line is discontinuous whereby the end panel portion downwardly deflected to define a dispensing opening therethrough remains hingedly connected thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The easy open end conStruction defined in claim 10 wherein an upstanding end panel ridge is formed at one end of said opening at the terminal portion thereof and wherein such ridge positions said first end of said lever over the weakened line portion proximate said one end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The easy open end defined in claim 1, in which said permanent connecting means includes means accommodating rotational displacement of said lever member along said planar top surface from said first position to said stored position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3215305A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |