US2772808A - Hand-openable top for cans - Google Patents

Description

L. FRIED HAND-OPENABLE TOP FOR CANS.

Dec. 4, 1956 Filed Oct. 51, 1952 IN VENTOR ATTORNEKS' 7 2,772,808 HAND-OPENABLE. ron ron CANS M his Fried,Philadelphia, Pa. p I Application October 31, lssa serial No. 318,130

' 10 Claims. .ig zo 4s .v a I The present invention relates to improvements in can tops adapted tobe applied by conventional canning machinery and more particularly relates to an improved can top which i-shand-openable and does not require the use of can openers of the various well-known types.

In cans of the prior art, it is usually necessary that a separate can opener be utilized for opening the can top. An objection to the use of separate can openers is that one must be available when it is desired to open a can. Furthermore, when using separate can openers, they must be either made so durable as tobe able to open a large number of cans and, therefore, be expensive or they may be constructed inexpensively requiring frequent replacement. Can openers have heretofore been incorporated on cans, such as for example, the key-type of opener, but this type is notoriously diflicult to manipulate and there is always the chance that the key will become lost prior to use. I Q

Reference is made to my copending application, Serial No. 318,129 filed October 31, 1952,;for a disclosure of one fo-rm of can top which obviates the difliculties encountered in prior art arrangements. In the form shown in that application, the opening in the can top is effected by first removing a center portion of the plate of the can top, the subsequent forming of theremoved center portion into a cutting instrument, and finally, the cutting of the sealing plastic sheet by that cutting instrument.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved can top which will overcome the difficulties encountered in prior can tops and yet which will provide an effective sealing closure for cans.

Another object of the present invention is to provide "an improved can top which will require the use of no can openers or other separate can opening device such as a key or the like and yet which will be of extreme simplicity and not require a complex procedure for effecting the opening.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro- "vide an improved can top arrangement wherein by the simple" expedient of pivoting a portion of the can top relative to the remainder thereof, an opening is formed inthe frangible sealingmeans which constitutes'part of "the cover, thereby obviating the requirement for forming a cutting instrument to fracture the sealing mean-s.

A further object of the present invention is to provide can contents and wherein the cost of the can top is not materially greater than that of conventional can tops.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow.

A preferred form in which-I have contemplated applying my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: l

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a can to which one of my improved can tops has been applied;

nitecl States Patent 2,772,808 Patented Dec. 4, 1956 Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the several component elements of my improved can top; 7

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. l and showing the dotted line position of. the component elements prior to and subsequent to effecting the opening in thetop; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the cutting of the plastic sheet by the portion of the plate that has been pivoted about its joinders.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals designate likeparts throughout, and havmaterialfo-r cans are contemplated.

The substantially flat and circular plate 12 is essentially of conventional can top construction in that it is comprised of the usual depressed portion 20, the relatively raised annular portion 22 adjacent thereto, the annular arcuated rib portion 24, the annular flat portion 26, which is substantially coplanar with the annular portion 22, and finally the peripheral flange portion 28. As

will be understood, the flange portion 28 cooperates with' the flange 30 at the upper end of the conventional can C "to form the usual sealing seam at 32, as shown best in an improved can top which has incorporated therein ,means for simply effecting an opening for access to the Fig. 3. The seam shown is formed by the conventional canningmachinery and my improved can top can be fed by the usual equipment without requiring any changes.

approximately the diameter 39. Slit 36 is comprised of the two slit portions 44 and 46 which diverge from a point 48 on the annular portion 22 of the cover to approximately the diameter 39. The ends of the slits 40 and 42 terminate in juxtaposition to the ends of the slits 44 and 46, respectively, at the diameter 39, so as to provide narrow joinders at 50 and 52 which connect the substantially triangular can top portion 54, which is otherwise substantially separate,,with the encircling or surrounding can top portion.

The can top plate 12 is provided with a slot at 56 in the annular flat portion 26 radially outwardly of the point or vertex 48 of the triangular portion 54. The

" substantiallytriangular portion 54 is provided with an offset portion at '58, see Figs. 3 and 4, at the ends of which aligned slots 60 and'62 are provided, the axis of the slots being perpendicular to the diameter 39 "and sub- "stantially in line with the vertex 48. The portion 54 is alsoprovided with a struck-out portion 64 which forms a tongue 66 for a purpose to bedescribed hereinafter.

The frangible plasticdisc 14 is formed of thin sheet polyethylene because of its desirable properties. "However, any other material'which will effect a seal between the plate flange 28 and can top flange 30 at the seam 32 and which will also protect the food-in the can C over the requisite range of temperatures'may be employed. The diameter of the disc 14 shown is greater ly stilt metallic stock or other suitable material, the width thereof being approximately equal to the width of the.

9 a slots-60 and62. The strap has one end portion offset. at 68 so as to provide a finger engaging portion. The protective clip 18 is substantially of U-shaped form and includes a short leg 70 and a long leg 72 joined by-bightportionfld so-thatthe legs are in close parallel relationship. v

In assembly, the strap 16 is passed'through the slots 60 'and-62 beneath the ofiset 58 of the triangular portion and has the end 76 engaged beneath and against'thetongue '66,- the finger-engaging portion 6 8 lying over the rib 24. The protective'clip 18 isof bendable material so that the 'short leg 79 can be disposed through the slot 56 and beneath the plate '12 with its free end 71, underlying the point or apex 48 as seen best in Figure 3. The'long leg'is adaptedto overlie't-hetriangula'r portion 54 so that the two legs. r'eleas'ably retain the triangular portion from.

accidental displacement. The'plastic disc 14 is disposed on the undersurface of the can top and secured thereto,

7 especially at the flange Z8.

7 The can 'ltop can then be applied toi'a can filled with food or'beverage in the conventional fashion.

Whenit isdesiredto remove the contentsof the can, the user merely bends the long leg72 of the protective clip l8 to'th'e'dotted line position 72' of Fig. 3 and then completely removes the clip. Next the strap 16 is moved upwardly, by engaging the portion 68, to the dotted line positionlo'. The strap 16 and the substantially triangular portion 54 move together and pivot about an axis substantially coincident with the diameter 39, the joinders '50 and 52 twisting during the operation. The apex 48 of the triangular portion is thereby depressed, puncturing the plastic sheet and the continued pivoting action severs the'plastic sheet along the lines 78 and 80 as seen in Fig. 4. In this fashion a triangular opening in the can top is effected out through which the beverage can be dispensed. 'If desired, theltriang'ular portion 54 and strap16 can be completely removed 'byirocking the same back and forth 'un'til fracture occurs at the joinders 50 and 52.

It will be. realized that various mechanical modifications and substitutions can be madewhich fall within the scope ofmy invention as set forth in the appended claims.

'It will thus be seen that I have provided a can open- .ing arrangement wherein it is unnecessary to effect any cutting, of the metal fof thecan in view of the pro-cutting or pre-slitting as above described. Therefore, the possibility of slivers of metal, often occuring as a result of the operation of conventional can-openers,f alling into the food to become involved in human consumption, is entirely obviated. j

i What isclaimed is:

1. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially fiat plate of a shape similar to that of a'can towhich it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with both ends of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends of the other slit providing narrow joinders betweenthe slits lying in a diametrical'line of the plate, the major. portion of each slit being spaced from the corresponding portion .of the other slit so as. to define a can top portion substantially separate from an encircling portion and extending across said diametrical line and the'major part ofthe top portion between the slits, and means carried by said can top portion for effecting displacement of said can top portion and for effecting rotation of the same relative to the encircling portion on said diametrical line so as to provide an opening in said can top for access to the contents 'of'the can. 7' V 2. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially fiat plate of a shapesimilar to that of a can to which it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with both 7 ends of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends of the other slit providing narrow joindersbetween the slits lying in a diametrical line of the plate, the major portion of each slit being spaced from the" correspondingportion of the other slit so as to define acan top f portion attached only bysaid joinders to ,an. encircling ing in said can top for access to the contents of the 3'. A hand-openable can top according to claim 2 wherein said frangible sealing means. is-comprised of a sheet of plastic material adapted to sealingly bond that periphery of the can top'to the'open top of the can.

4. A hand-openableean'top comprising a substantially flat plate of a shape similar to that of. a can to which it is to be applied, a pairof slits in said plate with theends of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends of the other slit, the major portion of each slit being spaced from the corresponding portion of the other slit so as to define a can top portion substantially separate from an encircling portion, and means for efiectingdisplacement of said can top portion relative to the encircling portion so as to provide an opening in said can top for access to the contents of the can, said means including an elongated, relatively stiff, substantially flat strap, said can top portion having 'means for holding said strap thereto for movement together.

5. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially fiat plate of a shape similar to that of a can to which it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with the ends of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends of the other slit, the major portion of each slit being spaced from the corresponding portion of the other slit so as to define a can top portion substantially separate from an encircling portion, and means for effecting displacement of said can top portion relative to the encircling portion so as to provide an opening in said can top for access tothe contents of the can, said means including an elongated, relatively stiff, substantially fiat strap, saidcan top portion having means for holding said strap thereto for movement together, said last recited means including an offset formation having end slots through which said strap can extend.

6. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially flat plate of a shape similar to that of a can to which it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with the ends of one slit terminating adjacent the respect ends of the other slit, the major portion of each slit being spaced from the corresponding portion of the other slit so as to define a can top portion substantially separate from an encircling portion, first means for effecting displacement of said can top portion relative to the encircling portion so as toprovide an opening in said can top for access to the contents of the can, and second means for releasably retaining said can top portion in substantially co-planar relationship with the encircling portion.

7. A -handr-openable can top according to claim 6 wherein said second means is comprised. of a substantially U-shaped clip adapted to embrace upper and lower surfaces of-said can top portion and said encircling portion.

8. Ahand-openablecan top comprising a substantially flat plate of. a shape similar to that-of a can to which it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with both ends of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends of the other slit providing narrow joinders between adjacent slit ends, the major portion of eachslit being spaced from the corresponding portion of the other slit so as to define a'substa'ntially central can top portionstrbstantially separate from an encircling .portion, frangible sealing means on the underside of said plate for effectin a sealing closure for the top ope'ningof the-can when said can top is engaged thereon, and means carried by said can top portion for effecting displacement .and rotation of the entire said central can top portion on'an axis line passing throughsaid narrow joinders relative to the encircling portion so as to fracture the frangible sealing means and provide an opening in said can top for access to the contents of the can, said can top portion having a pointed end portion for effecting the fracture.

9. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially flat plate of a shape similar to that of a can to which it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with the ends of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends of the other slit, the major portion of each slit being spaced from the corresponding portion of the other slit so as to define a can top portion substantially separate from an encircling portion, frangible sealing means at the underside of said plate for effecting a sealing closure for the top opening of the can when said can top is engaged thereon, an elongated, relatively stiff, substantially flat strap affixed to said can top portion and extending from one end thereof substantially medially of one of the slits for effecting displacement of said can top portion relative to the encircling portion, and said can top portion having a pointed end portion remote from said strap adapted to fracture said frangible sealing means.

10. A hand-openable can top comprising -a substantially flat plate of a shape similar to that of a can to which it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with both ends of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends of the other slit providing narrow joinders between adjacent slit ends, the major portion of each slit being spaced from the corresponding portion of the other slit so as to define a substantially central can top portion substantially separate from an encircling portion, frangible sealing means on the underside of said plate for effecting a sealing closure for the top opening of the can when said can top is engaged thereon, and means carried by said can top portion for effecting displacement and rotation of the entire said central can top portion on an axis line passing through said narrow joinders relative to the encircling portion so as to fracture the frangible sealing means and provide an opening in said can top for access to the contents of the can, said can top portion having a portion for effecting the fracture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,082,760 Berni June 1, 1937 2,092,671 Hildebrandt Sept. 7, 1937 2,165,720 Norland July 11, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 113,152 Australia May 20, 1941

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