Patent US4094435A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4094435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pull tab beverage can opener
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-10-21
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Granted: 1978-06-13
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Expires: 1997-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A beverage can opener which comprises--in combination with the top of a metallic beverage can--a hinged-end tear strip defined on said top by scoring thereof, a hinged-end tear flap defined on said top by scoring thereof, the tear strip and tear flap being spaced diametrically on the can top, an initially separate finger-engageable, ring-form pull tab connected to the tear strip exteriorly of and initially flush with the can top, and an initially separate tension strap connected between the tear strip and the tear flap internally of the can and initially flush with the underside of the can top; sequential manual lifting of and pulling motion on the pull tab severing said tear strip, except at one end providing a hinge, from the can top whereby a vent is formed in said can top; such motion--at the same time and as a transmitted force imposed by the tension strap on the tear flap--severing said tear flap, except at one end providing a hinge, from the can top and bending such tear flap into the can, thus producing a drinking and pouring opening in the can top without any metallic projection therefrom at or adjacent such opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Clyde Kennedy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:13
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D17/00; B65D17/28; B65D17/401; B65D17/4012; B65D2517/00; B65D2517/0001; B65D2517/0091; B65D2517/0094
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A beverage can opener comprising--in combination with the top of a metallic beverage can--a hinged-end tear strip defined on said top by scoring thereof, a hinged-end tear flap defined on said top by scoring thereof, the tear strip and tear flap being spaced but alined on the can top, a finger-engageable pull tab connected to the tear strip exteriorly of the can top, and a tension strap connected between the tear strip and the tear flap internally of the can; pulling motion on the pull tab severing said tear strip, except at one end providing a hinge, from the can top whereby a vent is formed in said can top, and such motion--at the same time and as a transmitted force imposed by the tension strap on the tear flap--severing said tear flap, except at one end providing a hinge, from the can top and bending such tear flap into the can, thus producing a drinking and pouring opening in the can top.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A beverage can opener comprising--in combination with the top of a metallic beverage can--a hinged-end tear strip defined on said top by scoring thereof, a hinged-end tear flap defined on said top by scoring thereof, the tear strip and tear flap being spaced but alined on the can top, a finger-engageable pull tab connected to the tear strip exteriorly of the can top, and a tension strap connected between the tear strip and the tear flap internally of the can; pulling motion on the pull tab severing said tear strip, except at one end providing a hinge, from the can top whereby a vent is formed in said can top, and such motion--at the same time and as a transmitted force imposed by the tension strap on the tear flap--severing said tear flap, except at one end providing a hinge, from the can top and bending such tear flap into the can, thus producing a drinking and pouring opening in the can top.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A beverage can opener, as in claim 1, in which the pull tab is connected to the tear strip exteriorly of and initially flush with the can top, and the tension strap is connected between the tear strip and the tear flap internally of the can and initially flush with the underside of the can top.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A beverage can opener, as in claim 1, in which the tear strip and the tear flap each include inner and outer ends; the tension strap being connected at one end to the inner end of the tear strip, and connected at the other end to the outer end of the tear flap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A beverage can opener, as in claim 3, in which the connection between the tension strap and the tear strip includes a rivet; such rivet also providing the connection between the pull tab and said tear strip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A beverage can opener, as in claim 1, in which the tear strip and the tear flap are spaced diametrically on the can top and each includes an inner and an outer end; the outer end of the tear strip being its hinged end, and the inner end of the tear flap being its hinged end; the tension strap spanning, and being connected, between the inner end of the tear strip and the outer end of the tear flap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A beverage can opener, as in claim 5, in which the pull tab is connected to said inner end of the tear strip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A beverage can opener, as in claim 5, including rivets which connect the tension strap at its ends to the tear strip and the tear flap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A beverage can opener, as in claim 7, in which the rivet which connects the tension strap to the tear strip also connects the latter to the pull tab.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A beverage can opener, as in claim l in which the pull tab is of ring-form and disposed initially flush with the can top in overlying relation to the tear strip; the pull tab including a neck, said neck being connected to one end of the tear strip exteriorly of said can top, and a related end of the tension strap being connected to said one end of the tear strip internally of the can.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A beverage can opener, as in claim 1, in which the tear strip and tear flap are spaced diametrically on the can top, and the pull tab being connected to the end of the tear strip adjacent the tear flap, and the other end of the tear strip being its hinged end.
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) | 1981-06-12 | 1981-12-12 | 1982-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-12 | 1985-12-12 | 1986-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-12 | 1989-12-12 | 1990-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |