Patent US3894652A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3894652A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Easy-open can end construction
Assignee: Dayton Reliable Tool and Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1972-03-21
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Granted: 1975-07-15
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Expires: 1992-03-21
Abstract
Abstract An easy-open can end having a tear portion circumscribed by a line of weakness and a pull tab connected to the tear portion in which a rib projects from the surface of the tear portion. The rib includes an upstanding sidewall which is positioned in contiguous relation to the line of weakness. The shape of the sidewall and its position with respect to the line of weakness provide shielding of the line of weakness. As a result, when the tear portion is removed from the can end by severing along the line of weakness, the edge of the tear portion is shielded from user-contact by the sidewall. A process which involves the steps of forming a closed rib in a can end in which the rib provides an upstanding sidewall. A line of weakness is formed in the can end in contiguous relation to the sidewall and the sidewall is provided with a shape which shields the line of weakness. As a result, the edge of the tear portion is shielded from user-contact by the sidewall when the tear portion is removed from the can end by severing along the line of weakness.
Inventors
- 👤 Omar L Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:45
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D17/00; B65D17/28; B65D17/401; B65D17/4011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
In an easy-open can end having a tear portion circumscribed by a line of weakness and a pull tab connected to said tear portion, the improvement comprising: a rib projecting from the inside surface of said tear portion; said rib having an upstanding sidewall positioned in contiguous relation to said line of weakness; and the shape of said sidewall providing shielding of said line of weakness, whereby the edge of said tear portion is shielded by said sidewall when said tear portion is removed from said can end by severing along said line of weakness.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In an easy-open can end having a tear portion circumscribed by a line of weakness and a pull tab connected to said tear portion, the improvement comprising: a rib projecting from the inside surface of said tear portion; said rib having an upstanding sidewall positioned in contiguous relation to said line of weakness; and the shape of said sidewall providing shielding of said line of weakness, whereby the edge of said tear portion is shielded by said sidewall when said tear portion is removed from said can end by severing along said line of weakness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The easy-open can end of claim 1 wherein said rib has an inner and an outer sidewall, and said outer sidewall is positioned in contiguous relation to said line of weakness to shield said line of weakness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The easy-open can end of claim 2 wherein said outer sidewall slopes outwardly and intersects the plane of said tear portion closely adjacent to said line of weakness, and an extension of the surface of said sidewall approximately intersects said line of weakness, whereby the edge of said tear portion lies closely adjacent to an extension of said outer sidewall when said tear portion is removed from said can end by severing along said line of weakness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an easy-open can end having a tear portion circumscribed by a line of weakness and a pull tab connected to said tear portion, the improvement comprising: a rib projecting downwardly from the under surface of said tear portion; said rib having an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall; said outer sidewall positioned in contiguous relation to said line of weakness, and said outer sidewall having a shape which provides shielding of said line of weakness, whereby the edge of said tear portion is shielded by said outer sidewall when said tear portion is removed from said can end by severing along said line of weakness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an easy-open can end having a tear portion circumscribed by a line of weakness and a pull tab connected to said tear portion, the improvement comprising: a rib projecting downwardly from the under surface of said tear portion; said rib having an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall; said outer sidewall positioned in contiguous relation to said line of weakness, and said outer sidewall having a shape which provides shielding of said line of weakness, whereby the edge of said tear portion is shielded by said outer sidewall when said tear portion is removed from said can end by severing along said line of weakness.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
The easy-open can end of claim 4 wherein said line of weakness is a score line on the upper surface of said can end; said outer sidewall slopes outwardly and intersects the plane of said tear portion closely adjacent to said line of weakness, and the projection of the outer surface of said outer sidewall approximately intersects said score line, whereby the edge of said tear portion lies approximately on the projection of Said outer sidewall when said tear portion is removed from said can end by severing along said line of weakness.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an easy-open can end having a tear portion circumscribed by a line of weakness and a pull tab connected to said tear portion, the improvement comprising: a rib projecting from the inside surface of said tear portion; said rib having an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall; said outer sidewall sloped abruptly with respect to the plane of said tear portion and positioned in contiguous relation to said line of weakness, and said inner sidewall sloped gradually with respect to the plane of said tear portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an easy-open can end having a tear portion circumscribed by a line of weakness and a pull tab connected to said tear portion, the improvement comprising: a rib projecting from the inside surface of said tear portion; said rib having an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall; said outer sidewall sloped abruptly with respect to the plane of said tear portion and positioned in contiguous relation to said line of weakness, and said inner sidewall sloped gradually with respect to the plane of said tear portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The easy-open can end of claim 6 wherein said outer sidewall is approximately vertical with respect to the plane of said tear portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
147 words
Easy opening metal food products can construction including a metal can body, an end wall, double seam means connecting the end wall to the can body; the end wall having a recessed corner located below the seam means; an end-panel-defining continuous score line formed in the end wall close to the recessed corner; pull tab means secured to the end panel for tearing the end panel from the end wall; a protective rib formed downwardly in the end wall and extending continuously around the end wall immediately within and adjacent the score line; the rib presenting an upwardly open channel-shape having outer and inner side walls and a connecting web wall; and the rib having an upwardly convex curved wall connecting the score line with the outer rib side wall; whereby the panel when torn from the end wall about said score line presents a dull edge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
147 words
Easy opening metal food products can construction including a metal can body, an end wall, double seam means connecting the end wall to the can body; the end wall having a recessed corner located below the seam means; an end-panel-defining continuous score line formed in the end wall close to the recessed corner; pull tab means secured to the end panel for tearing the end panel from the end wall; a protective rib formed downwardly in the end wall and extending continuously around the end wall immediately within and adjacent the score line; the rib presenting an upwardly open channel-shape having outer and inner side walls and a connecting web wall; and the rib having an upwardly convex curved wall connecting the score line with the outer rib side wall; whereby the panel when torn from the end wall about said score line presents a dull edge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
144 words
A metal can end adapted to be seamed to a can body, the can end including an end wall having a seam flange and a recessed corner located below the seam flange, an end-panel-defining continuous score line formed in the end wall close to the recessed corner; pull tab means secured to the end panel for tearing the end panel from the end wall; a protective rib formed downwardly in the end wall and extending continuously around the end wall immediately within and adjacent the main score line; the rib presenting an upwardly open channel shape having outer and inner side walls and a connecting web wall; and the rib having an upwardly convex curved wall connecting the score line with the outer rib side wall; whereby the panel when torn from the end wall about said main score line presents a dull edge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
144 words
A metal can end adapted to be seamed to a can body, the can end including an end wall having a seam flange and a recessed corner located below the seam flange, an end-panel-defining continuous score line formed in the end wall close to the recessed corner; pull tab means secured to the end panel for tearing the end panel from the end wall; a protective rib formed downwardly in the end wall and extending continuously around the end wall immediately within and adjacent the main score line; the rib presenting an upwardly open channel shape having outer and inner side walls and a connecting web wall; and the rib having an upwardly convex curved wall connecting the score line with the outer rib side wall; whereby the panel when torn from the end wall about said main score line presents a dull edge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3809283A
Cited
US3819083A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |