US3362570A

US3362570A - Container with breakable end closure

Info

Publication number: US3362570A
Application number: US391521A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph A Geiger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-08-24
Filing date: 1964-08-24
Publication date: 1968-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1985-01-09

Description

Jan. 9, 1968 J. A. GEIGER CONTAINER WITH BREAKABLE END CLOSURE Filed Aug. 24, 1964 INVENTOR United States Patent 3,362,570 CONTAINER WITH BREAKABLE END CLOSURE Joseph A. Geiger, Woifurt, Vorarlberg, Austria (3030 Platten Drive, Fairfax, Va. 22030) Filed Aug. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 391,521 3 Claims. (Cl. 220-48) The present invention relates to containers with easyopening features and more particularly to containers with metallic end closures prepared for easy breaking and removal. The invention has particular merit when embodied in hermetically sealed cans for solids and liquids which are subject to internal pressures.

A great deal of effort has been expended in recent years to develop containers with new and better opening features. The present developmental trend in the rigid container industry is to eliminate previously required special opening tools through the provision of scoring lines or other appropriate local weakening in the container wall, so that a section of the wall can be torn off with the fingers by an average person. Of the various designs now available, all of them have either one or more of the following disadvantages: (a) a relatively hard pull is required to initiate tearing, resulting in a danger of injury to the pulling fingers; (b) the torn container section with multiple cutting edges represents a hazard in handling and disposal; (c) carelessly discarded tear sections, besides representing a nuisance, create a hazard to inadvertent persons, particularly children; (d) inadequate resistance under internal container pressure; (e) inadequate safety against tampering in places of display; (f) inadequacy for mass production due to high cost.

For mostcontainers' it is necessary to withstand considerable strain, not only during the processes of handling, shipping, storage, etc., but particularly as a result of internal pressures. The latter may be temporary as in inpackage pasteurization, in-package cooking, or permanent, as a result of carbonation or other gas pressures. The provision of an easy-opening feature in such a container, therefore, calls for the inherently difficult combination of easy breakability of the container wall with structural strength and leak-tightness.

Easy-opening features on containers generally offer two advantages: (a) the reduction of time required to open a container and (b) the elimination of the need for a specialized bulky opener tool. The second advantage is becoming increasingly important in view of the rising consumption of rigid-container-packaged goods in places where no can opener is at hand. However, while no can opener may be readily available, in an overwhelming majority of situations, some simple tool would be available, such as, a piece of cutlery, a screwdriver, a fiat piece of metal, a door key, etc. With such a tool put to use under the mechanical advantage of leverage, by taking advantage of its length and rigidity, the average person would be able to deform or break even highly resistant metallic closures,

It is therefore one of the objects of this invention to provide an inexpensive, pressure-resistant container with an easy-breakable end closure, requiring no special opening tools.

It is another object of this invention to provide a container with an end closure of the type mentioned above with a section of the end closure breakable and removable, and with the removed section presenting a minimum of handling hazards.

A further object of this invention is to provide a container with an end closure of the type mentioned above, where a variety of readily available rigid objects can be used to create a mechanical advantage and break the closure open.

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A still further object of this invention is to provide a container with an end closure of the type mentioned above, which, while having easy-opening features, may be opened with a conventional can opener at the discretion of the user.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as it is better understood from the following description which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses several preferred ern bodiments thereof.

In accordance with the above objects, and as a feature of this invention, there is provided a rigid container with a metallic end closure of which a section is removable after breaking the wall at a line of weakening under a force applied to the removable section with a simple independent rigid object under mechanical advantage.

Accordingly also, as another feature of this invention, provision is made for a rigid container with a metallic end closure as outlined above, where the end closure is shaped in such a way as to receive in forcible engagement a simple independent rigid object, thereby creating a mechanical advantage for forces applied to this rigid object.

Accordingly, also, as still a further feature of this invention, provision is made for a rigid container with a metallic end closure as outlined above, particularly for use with containers having a closure-securing seam of the conventional double-seam type, and which can be opened by means of a conventional can opener or by means of the built-in easy-opening features.

The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combination of parts will now be more specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular containers embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container in the process of being opened, and embodying the invention;

FIGURES 2 and 3 are fragmentary sectional views taken across the top seam of the container of FIG. 1, and illustrating two successive steps in the opening procedure;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the figures enumerated above, FIGURE 1 illustrates a particular embodiment of the invention represented by a container comprising a tubular body 20 with a top end closure 21 secured to the body 20 by means of a continuous double seam 22. Body 20 may be of any conventional construction and is here shown in a cylindrical configuration with a side seam 23 extending from end to end of the container, representing the typical construction of tin plate cans. Obviously, body 20 may be fabricated by various methods such as impact extrusion, deep drawing, continuous welding, etc., or it may be made of a variety of materials, aluminum or tin plate among the metals, plastic, fibre and fibre-foil composites among the non-metals, for example.

It will be appreciated that the cylindrical shape of the container, while being a preferred configuration, does not represent an inherent limitation of the invention. Other shapes of annular contour may be chosen to embody the same invention. The Word annular, as used in this context, should consequently not only imply circular but also such circle-related contours as oval, obrotund, oblong or square with rounded corners, and similar shapes con1- patible with the geometry of the tubular body 20.

A removable closure section 24 is illustrated in the process of being broken away from the remaining closure rim 25. A rigid object 26, generally referred to as lever hereinafter, and representing for example, the handle of a fork or spoon, is shown engaged in groove 27 of closure section 24 and, while being pivoted along arrow 28, severs closure section 24 along a line of weakening 29 until the opening 30* is completely exposed.

A more detailed illustration of the essential features of the same embodiment is given in FIGURES 2 and 3, representing fragmentary sectional views of the container taken across end seam 23. End closure 21 comprises an annular recess 31 at a close distance from chuck wall 32.

Wall portions

33 and 34, forming the sides of recess 31, are approximately parallel and continuous in annular extension. Annular discontinuity of recess 31 would clearly not alter the relevant features of the embodiment here disclosed. Near the lower end of chuck wall 32 is impressed a line of weakening 29 which defines the interior contour of closure section 24. A short annular discontinuity of line of weakening 29 would provide a bending hinge holding the broken closure section 24 in an attached and pivoting relationship to the container, but this feature is optional. Recess 31 is so shaped that the lever 26 can be engaged between

wall portions

33 and 34 and when pivoted and pushed in the direction of arrow 35 makes forcible contact with the upper part of chuck wall 32 at point 36 of its exterior side and with wall portion 36 of closure section 24 on its extreme interior edge 37. A force applied in this direction will result in a mechanical advantage and will exert a leverage pushing and lifting force to wall portion 33 at 37, severing the closure 21 at the adjacent line of weakening 29.

Opening of the closure 21 being thus initiated, it could be continued by advancing lever 26 along recess 31, repeating the pivoting action just described, until the wall of closure 21 is severed along the entire length of line of weakening 29. This is a time-consuming process and can be advantageously replaced by the method illustrated in FIGURE 3. Here, the same container section is shown after initiation of severance on line of weakening 29. Recess 31 is so shaped that, under opposite pivotal movement, lever 26 makes forcible contact with the upper part of wall portion 33 at point 38 of its interior side and with wall portion 34 at its extreme exterior edge 39. This second movement results again in a mechanical advantage, permitting forcible lifting of closure section 24 by a force applied at lever 26 in the direction of arrow 40. In view of the fact that continuation of severance along a line of weakening, after being started, requires only a fraction of the effort required for initiation, this second move ment permits easy and complete removal of closure section 24 in one single pull, as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The material most suitable for the end closure of this embodiment is aluminum alloy, which can readily be scored to provide the line of weakening and also breaks easily at said line. For applications where the container has to withstand higher than normal internal pressures, or where the use of aluminum is undesirable for other reasons, conventional tin plate may be used advantageously. In this case the scoring tools have to be of higher precision and endurance.

FIGURE 4 represents an embodiment essentially equivalent to the one illustrated in FIG. 2. Container body 90, end closure 91 and double seam 92 have the same configuration as is commonly given to tin plate cans. End closure 91, in addition to line of weakening 93 is provided with a hook 94, permanently attached to the exterior shoulder 95 of closure bead 96 by a spot Weld 97. Hook 94 has a recess 98, similar to recess 31 of FIG. 2, with an upper face 99 and a lower face 100 equivalent to

wall portions

33 and 34 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Lever 101 is pivoted to and fro in the same manner as suggested in the disclosure of the FIG. 1 embodiment, thereby breaking line of weakening 93 and removing closure section 1&2 from the container.

From inspection of the various figures, it will become obvious that all the embodiments shown, by featuring the conventional double seam and chuck wall construction, offer as alternate opening possibility the use of a conventional can opener, thereby enhancing the usefulness of the invention. The line of weakening of the embodiments being located just adjacent their respective chuck wall, an additional advantage is provided, inasmuch as the cutting line of a conventional can opener approximately coincides with the line of weakening, thereby reducing the resistance to cutting. A conventional double seam, as referred to above, is one with an overall thickness of inch or less and an exterior width of approximately A; inch.

In the foregoing the invention has been described with reference to specific illustrative embodiments. It will be understood, however, that certain variations and modifications, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those shown for illustration, may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The foregoing specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense.

I claim:

1. A container comprising a body and at least one sheet metal end closure secured to it by a permanent seam, a weakening line in the wall of said end closure defining the contour of a predetermined removable closure section from a non-removable closure section and where (a) the non-removable closure section comprises as a stiffening means a substantially vertical wall portion with its bottom edge located at the weakening line, its upper edge being adapted to serve as a fulcrum for an independent rigid member,

(b) the removable closure section comprises as a part of its structure an elongated groove having substantially parallel side walls located opposite said vertical wall portion with the outer wall of the groove extending upwardly toward said weakening line in substantially parallel alignment with said vertical wall portion and laterally offset only sufficiently for the weakening line,

(c) said groove is adapted to receive one end portion of said independent rigid member for forcible engagement with the groove side wall which is more distant from the weakening line When the free end of the member is pivoted over said fulcrum, the points of forcible engagement with said fulcrum and said side wall being located opposite one another at approximately equal distance from the weakening line,

(d) said groove is also adapted to receive the end portion of said rigid member for forcible engage- 55 ment with both of its side walls when the free end of the member is pivoted in a direction away from said fulcrum edge,

said container thus providing an end closure which is adapted for being quickly opened by means of a simple rigid member which, upon being operated as described under (c) above, produces leverage-augmented local forces at the underlying weakening line with consequent local rupturing of the Wall at the weakening line, and

which, upon then being operated as described under (d) above, causes the partially severed removable wall section to be further severed along the weakening line for the creation of an opening.

2. A container as set forth in claim 1, where (f) the permanent seam securing the end closure to the 0 body is a so-called double seam, such as is commonly used for seaming metal containers, comprising a vertical chuck wall as part of the seam structure and adapted for the use with a conventional can opener,

(g) the weakening line is located adjacent to the bottom edge of said chuck wall, coinciding approximately with the line where a conventional can opener would cut the end closure wall.

3. A container comprising a body and at least one sheet metal end closure secured to it by a permanent seam, a weakening line in the wall of said end closure defining the contour of a predetermined removable closure section from a non-removable closure section and where (a) the non-removable closure section comprises as a stiffening means a substantially vertical wall portion with its bottom edge located at the weakening line, its upper edge being adapted to serve as a fulcrum for an independent rigid member,

(b) the removable closure section comprises as a part of its structure a U-shaped member located opposite said vertical wall portion and having one leg of the U- profile permanently attached to the removable closure section and so oriented that its free end extends toward the weakening line,

(-c) said U-shaped member is adapted to receive an end portion of said independent rigid member for forcible engagement with the leg which is more distant from the weakening line when the free end of the member is pivoted over said fulcrum,

(d) said U-shaped member is also adapted to receive the end portion of said rigid member for forcible engagement with both of its legs when the free end of the member is pivoted away from said fulcrum edge,

said container thus providing an end closure which is adapted for being quickly opened by means of a simple rigid member which, upon being operated as described under (0) above, produces leverage-augmented local forces at the underlying weakening line with consequent local rupturing of the wall at the weakening line, and which, upon then being operated as described under (d) above, causes the partially severed removable wall section to be further severed along the weakening line for the creation of an opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,851,617 3/1932 Buschman 22027 2,017,460 10/1935 Hothersall 22048 2,029,329 2/ 1936 Ljungstrom et al 22048 2,119,533 6/1938 Fink 220--48 2,176,898 10/1939 Fried 22027 2,210,225 8/ 1940 Walensky 220-48 2,312,358 3/1943 Punte 22027 2,383,274 8/ 1945 Punte 22048 2,405,667 8/1946 Ottesen 22048 2,601,937 7/1952 Ottesen 22048 FOREIGN PATENTS 472,481 3/ 1951 Canada. 392,590 5/1933 Great Britain.

DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner.

JAMES R. GARRETT, Examiner.

Claims

1. A CONTAINER COMPRISING A BODY AND AT LEAST ONE SHEET METAL END CLOSURE SECURED TO IT BY A PERMANENT SEAM, A WEAKENING LINE IN THE WALL OF SAID END CLOSURE DEFINING THE CONTOUR OF A PREDETERMINED REMOVABLE CLOSURE SECTION FROM A NON-REMOVABLE CLOSURE SECTION AND WHERE (A) THE NON-REMOVABLE CLOSURE SECTION COMPRISES AS A STIFFENING MEANS A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL WALL PORTION WITH ITS BOTTOM EDGE LOCATED AT THE WEAKENING LINE, ITS UPPER EDGE BEING ADAPTED TO SERVE AS A FULCRUM FOR AN INDEPENDENT RIGID MEMBER, (B) THE REMOVABLE CLOSURE SECTION COMPRISES AS A PART OF ITS STRUCTURE AN ELONGATED GROOVE HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL SIDE WALLS LOCATED OPPOSITE SAID VERTICAL WALL PORTION WITH THE OUTER WALL OF THE GROOVE EXTENDING UPWARDLY TOWARD SAID WEAKENING LINE IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID VERTICAL WALL PORTION AND LATERALLY OFFSET ONLY SUFFICIENT FOR THE WEAKENING LINE, (C) SAID GROOVE IS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE ONE END PORTION OF SAID INDEPENDENT RIGID MEMBER FOR FORCIBLE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GROOVE SIDE WALL WHICH IS MORE DISTANT FROM THE WEAKENING LINE WHEN THE FREE END OF THE MEMBER IS PIVOTED OVER SAID FULCRUM, THE POINTS OF FORCIBLE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FULCRUM AND SAID SIDE WALL BEING LOCATED OPPOSITE ONE ANOTHER AT APPROXIMATELY EQUAL DISTANCE FROM THE WEAKENING LINE, (D) SAID GROOVE IS ALSO ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE END PORTION OF SAID RIGID MEMBER FOR FORCIBLE ENGAGEMENT WITH BOTH OF ITS SIDE WALLS WHEN THE FREE END OF THE MEMBER IS PIVOTED IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID FULCRUM EDGE, SAID CONTAINER THUS PROVIDING AN END CLOSURE WHICH IS ADAPTED FOR BEING QUICKLY OPENED BY MEANS OF A SIMPLE RIGID MEMBER WHICH, UPON BEING OPERATED AS DESCRIBED UNDER (C) ABOVE, PRODUCES LEVERAGE-AUGMENTED LOCAL FORCES AT THE UNDERLYING WEAKENING LINE WITH CONSEQUENT LOCAL RUPTURING OF THE WALL AT THE WEAKENING LINE, AND WHICH UPON THEN BEING OPERATED AS DESCRIBED UNDER (D) ABOVE, CAUSES THE PARTIALLY SERVED REMOVABLE WALL SECTION TO BE FURTHER SERVERED ALONG THE WEAKENING LINE FOR THE CREATION OF AN OPENING.