US3877604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Easy open ecology end
Assignee: Dayton Reliable Tool and Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1973-11-08
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-11-08
Abstract
Abstract An easy open end for containers includes a removable panel forming an opening in the container end wall and being defined by a score line. The container is opened, i.e. the score line ruptured, by applying a downward force on the panel to cause a rupture of the score line. Where the score line is continuous, the severed panel drops into the container, and where discontinuous the panel may be folded back to the underside of the end wall. Rupture of the score line is achieved by a rotatable force applying tab device which cooperates with the end wall and the panel to exert a downward force in response to rotational movement of the force applying tab. The rotating force applying tab is secured to a generally annular fold provided in the end wall and encircling the panel. The underside of the tab includes spaced cam fingers so cooperating with spaced cam surfaces formed in the panel that in one position of the tab the cam fingers are positioned out of engagement with the cam surfaces, but as the tab is rotated, the cam fingers engage the cam surfaces to apply a downward force resulting in rupture of the score line. Various forms of the invention are illustrated and described.
Inventors
- 👤 Omar L Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:08
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D17/00; B65D17/28; B65D17/401; B65D17/4012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A container having an easy opening end comprising: means forming a container, cover means secured to said container and forming an end wall thereof, panel means in said cover and forming an opening upon removal thereof, said panel means being defined by weakening means formed in said cover whereby application of force to said panel means effects removal thereof from said cover by urging said panel downwardly, and rotatable force applying means mounted on said cover and supported thereby and cooperating with said cover and said panel for applying a downward force to said panel in response to rotation of said force applying means whereby at least a portion of weakening means is ruptured by rotation of said force applying means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A container having an easy opening end comprising: means forming a container, cover means secured to said container and forming an end wall thereof, panel means in said cover and forming an opening upon removal thereof, said panel means being defined by weakening means formed in said cover whereby application of force to said panel means effects removal thereof from said cover by urging said panel downwardly, and rotatable force applying means mounted on said cover and supported thereby and cooperating with said cover and said panel for applying a downward force to said panel in response to rotation of said force applying means whereby at least a portion of weakening means is ruptured by rotation of said force applying means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rotatable force applying means includes tab means cooperatively associated with said end wall and said panel, and said panel being generally circular in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A container as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tab means includes means forming cam fingers, said panel including means forming cam surfaces, and said cam fingers cooperating with cam surfaces in response to rotation of said tab to apply downward pressure on said panel to effect rupture of at least a portion of said weakening means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A container as set forth in claim 3 wherein said weakening means is a continuous score line, and said panel being completely severed from said end wall in response to rotation of said tab means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A container as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tab means includes means forming a depending skirt on one end thereof, said depending skirt being operative to prevent the user from inserting a finger under the free end of the tab for lifting the same.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A container as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tab means includes means defining an opening, and said opening being in alignment with said panel such that upon opening of said container the opening in said end wall communicates with the opening in said tab.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said panel is disposed vertically above said end wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A container as set forth in claim 7 wherein said panel is joined to said end wall by means forming an integral fold portion, and said fold portion including a shoulder facing radially outwardly of said weakening line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A container as set forth in claim 8 wherein said force applying means includes means forming a tab, and said tab being attached to said integral fold means by engaging said shoulder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A container as set forth in claim 9 wherein said tab includes a depending lip, said fold portion including means forming a groove between said end wall and said shoulder, and said lip engaging said shoulder and including a peripheral portion received in said groove thereby preventing vertical movement of said tab during rotation thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A container as set forth in claim 10 wherein said tab includes an inner peripheral lip, and said line of weakening being a score line located radially outwardly of said lip and radially inwardly of said shoulder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
A container as set forth in claim 11 wherein said panel includes means forming cam surfaces, said tab including means forming cam fingers, and said cam fingers cooperating with said cam surfaces to apply pressure to said panel in response to rotation of said tab to effect rupture of at least a portion of said score line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said panel is disposed vertically below said end wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A container as set forth in claim 13 wherein said end panel is joined to said end wall by means forming an integral fold portion, and said fold portion including a shoulder facing raDially inwardly of said weakening line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A container as set forth in claim 14 wherein said force applying means includes means forming a tab, said tab being rotatably associated with said fold means, and said tab including lip means disposed radially inwardly of said weakening line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
161 words
An easy opening end for a container wherein said end is attachable to a container to form a closure therefor comprising: means forming an end wall, panel means in said end wall and capable of forming an opening therein, said panel means being defined by a score line formed in said end wall whereby application of downward force to said panel means effects rupture of at least a portion of said score line to form an opening in said end wall by forcing said panel downward towards said container, mechanical means cooperating with said end wall and said panel means and rotatably movable to apply a force during such rotation on said panel to effect rupture of at least a portion of said score line, and protective means cooperating with said end wall and said panel means and including means overlying said score line to prevent contact between the user''s skin and the edge formed by rupture of said score line.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
161 words
An easy opening end for a container wherein said end is attachable to a container to form a closure therefor comprising: means forming an end wall, panel means in said end wall and capable of forming an opening therein, said panel means being defined by a score line formed in said end wall whereby application of downward force to said panel means effects rupture of at least a portion of said score line to form an opening in said end wall by forcing said panel downward towards said container, mechanical means cooperating with said end wall and said panel means and rotatably movable to apply a force during such rotation on said panel to effect rupture of at least a portion of said score line, and protective means cooperating with said end wall and said panel means and including means overlying said score line to prevent contact between the user''s skin and the edge formed by rupture of said score line.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 16 wherein said score line is continuous.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 16 wherein said score line is discontinuous.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 16 wherein said mechanical means includes cam finger means and cam surface means, means forming a tab mounted on said end wall for rotational movement, and one of said cam finger means and cam surface means being associated with said tab means and the other with said panel means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 19 wherein said cam surface means are located on said panel means and disposed adjacent to and radially inwardly of said score line.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
67 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 19 wherein said cam finger means initially are disposed out of engagement with said cam surface means, and rotation of said tab means being operative to bring said cam fingers into engagement with said cam surface means to apply a downward force on said panel means to effect rupture of at least a portion of said score line.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 21 wherein said panel is vertically below said end wall.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 21 wherein said panel is vertically above said end wall.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 19 wherein said cam surfaces are configured to include a leading edge and a trailing edge, the trailing edge defining that position at which maximum force is applied to said panel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
117 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 16 wherein said panel means is located vertically above said end wall, integral fold means interconnecting said panel to said end wall, said fold means including a radially outwardly extending shoulder, said score line being positioned radially inwardly of said score line, said mechanical means including a tab mounted for rotation with respect to said panel, said tab including cam finger means and said panel including cam surface means, and said cam fingers being movable in response to rotation of said tab to engage said cam surface means to apply a downward force on said panel to effect rupture of at least a portion of said score line.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
184 words
An easy opening end for a container wherein said end is attachable to a container to form a closure therefor comprising: means forming an end wall, panel means in said end wall and capable of forming an opening therein, said panel means being defined by a score line formed in said end wall whereby application of force to said panel means effects rupture of at least a portion of said score line whereby an opening in said end wall can be formed by forcing said panel inwardly of said container, MEANS connected to said end wall and manually movable to apply a downward force on said panel to effect rupture of at least a portion of said score line, said means including means overlying said score line to prevent contact between the user''s skin and the edge formed by rupture of said score line, and said means connected to said end wall including a plurality of spaced force applying fingers extending downwardly and operative to apply a downward force on said panel in response to manual movement of said manually operative force applying means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
184 words
An easy opening end for a container wherein said end is attachable to a container to form a closure therefor comprising: means forming an end wall, panel means in said end wall and capable of forming an opening therein, said panel means being defined by a score line formed in said end wall whereby application of force to said panel means effects rupture of at least a portion of said score line whereby an opening in said end wall can be formed by forcing said panel inwardly of said container, MEANS connected to said end wall and manually movable to apply a downward force on said panel to effect rupture of at least a portion of said score line, said means including means overlying said score line to prevent contact between the user''s skin and the edge formed by rupture of said score line, and said means connected to said end wall including a plurality of spaced force applying fingers extending downwardly and operative to apply a downward force on said panel in response to manual movement of said manually operative force applying means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 26 wherein said score line is discontinuous.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
190 words
An easy opening end for a container wherein said end is attachable to a container to form a closure therefor comprising: means forming an end wall, panel means in said end wall and capable of forming an opening therein, said panel means being defined by a score line in said end wall whereby application of a downward force to said panel means effects rupture of at least a portion of said score line whereby an opening in said end wall can be formed by forcing said panel inwardly of said container, means affixed to said end wall in overlying relation with said panel and manually movable to apply a downward force on said panel to effect rupture of at least a portion of said score line, said last named means including a generally circular wall which extends in a generally vertical direction, said wall terminating in a lip positioned above said panel, and said score line being radially outwardly of said wall such that upon rupture of said score line said wall functions to prevent contact between the user''s skin and the edge formed by rupture of said score line.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
190 words
An easy opening end for a container wherein said end is attachable to a container to form a closure therefor comprising: means forming an end wall, panel means in said end wall and capable of forming an opening therein, said panel means being defined by a score line in said end wall whereby application of a downward force to said panel means effects rupture of at least a portion of said score line whereby an opening in said end wall can be formed by forcing said panel inwardly of said container, means affixed to said end wall in overlying relation with said panel and manually movable to apply a downward force on said panel to effect rupture of at least a portion of said score line, said last named means including a generally circular wall which extends in a generally vertical direction, said wall terminating in a lip positioned above said panel, and said score line being radially outwardly of said wall such that upon rupture of said score line said wall functions to prevent contact between the user''s skin and the edge formed by rupture of said score line.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 28 wherein said score line is discontinuous to form a hinged panel where said score line is ruptured thereby permitting manual folding of the hinged panel into the interior of said container.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 28 wherein said panel is disposed vertically below said end wall.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
43 words
An easy opening end as set forth in claim 30 wherein said end wall includes means forming a shoulder vertically above said panel, and said wall including an upper portion adjacent to said end wall and extending radially outwardly of said circular wall.
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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |