CN1091724C - Pull-tab container opening mechanism and its manufacturing method and pull-tab container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container opening device, a container lid, or a decorative can top, or as an opening device, a flag-shaped pull tab (40) attached to a container top (20) or can lid, characterized by the dual function of opening the container and decorating the container for identification and promotional purposes. The pull tab (40) is operable to lever open the container by pressing against a tear strip (30) defined by a line of opening (31) in the container top (20) to separate the strip from the container top (20) to open the container (10). The pull tab (40) is decorated and shaped to provide decorative and promotional functions. The decorative and logo shapes used can be identified as pictures, trademarks, icons, logos and other symbolic logos. The decorative effect may be further enhanced by applying color, printing, embossing, and labeling to the tab (40), container top (20), and container (10). Such pull tabs (40) or decorations thereof may take the form and design of company logos, trademarks, icons, and the like. In another embodiment, the pull tab (40 ") has a frangible portion (44) so that a portion of the pull tab can be separated from the container as a marker and a memento.

Description

Pull-tab container opening mechanism and its manufacturing method and pull-tab container

This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant's co-pending US Patent Application No. 08/917,516, filed August 26, 1997, entitled "Label Pull Tab Container Opening Mechanism."

Background of the invention

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to decorated substrates, and more particularly to container opening mechanisms, decorated containers, and methods of manufacture.

2. Related technical description

U.S. Patent Nos. 4,465,204 and 4,530,631 disclose a traditional pull-tab container opening mechanism commonly used on a container top cover and a manufacturing method thereof. U.S. Design Patent No. 289,017 discloses a traditional pull-tab design.

US Patent 3,958,354 discloses placement of a promotional tab in the finger holes of a conventional pull tab. US Patent No. 5,191,695 discloses placing a promotional tab in the finger hole of a pull tab.

US Patent 4,322,016 discloses the placement of a pressure sensitive label under a pull tab for promotional purposes.

US Patent 4,363,179 discloses the placement of promotional material on can ends below the pull-tab.

US Patent 5,416,951 discloses a pull tab for attaching an ornament to a sliding fastener such as a zipper.

Summary of the invention

The food and beverage industry has not used pull-tab container openers for package reinforcement, brand identification, marketing and informational purposes. Most existing pull tabs are only designed for the function of enabling the user to open the can. See US Patent Nos. 4,465,204 and 4,530,631 and Design No. 289,017. Pull-tab container opening mechanisms have been used for promotional packaging by placing promotional material in the finger holes of the pull tab (see U.S. Patent Nos. 3,958,354 and 5,191,695); by placing a pressure-sensitive label under the pull tab (see U.S. Patent 4,322,016 number); placing promotional material on the top lid of the container below the pull tab (see US Patent No. 4,363,179). However, as described in US Patent No. 4,465,204, all of these methods of promotion maintain the traditional shape of the tab in order to minimize the weight of the tab. None of the prior art contemplated utilizing the top cover of the pull-tab itself as a promotional or decorative piece or to provide information to consumers, nor did any of the prior art contemplate using the bottom of the pull-tab itself as a decorative or Provide information to consumers.

Therefore, the present invention provides, on the one hand, a pull-tab container opening mechanism that integrates information, promotion and decoration materials, and on the other hand, provides a pull-tab container opening mechanism that adopts a logo shape for promotional and decorative purposes. In a related aspect, a method of making a tab according to the invention is provided.

According to the current invention, there is provided a novel shaped pull-tab container opening mechanism for the end of a container. The pull tab type container opening mechanism produced by the original technology is a kind of opening pull tab type design, which is composed of a head and a ring-shaped finger grasping part and is connected to the container top cover through a connection point on the pull tab. This pull tab is made of sheet metal. The metal sheet is punched to form 2 rings, and the ring edges are rolled under the pull tab. The purpose of this prior art design is to minimize tab weight while maximizing tab strength.

In one embodiment, the pull tab of the present invention includes a gripping portion, and the gripping portion is connected to the head through a connection point between the gripping portion and the head. According to the invention, it is not of great significance to reduce the weight of the tab. Therefore, the tab can be a continuous template. In addition, there is no need to roll the edge of the tab underneath for added strength. Since the tab can be made of other materials, there is no need to roll the sides of the tab under to avoid sharp metal edges. In other words, the pull-tab in the present invention may either have curls or no curls. Thus, the pull tab is a substantially flat member, or a flat sheet of material. In one embodiment, the planar surfaces of the tab are substantially parallel to each other throughout the entire extent of the tab.

The pull tab described in the present invention can be made of any material that has the function of a container pull tab, including: aluminum, steel, plastic or any natural, synthetic and composite materials and other suitable materials. Those of ordinary skill in the art are well within the ability to select suitable materials. The pull tab contains a finger hole. It is well within the ability of one of ordinary skill in the art to make suitable tabs in accordance with the present invention.

According to the present invention, the tab may be riveted or otherwise attached to the container top at attachment points on the tab. This pull tab acts as a lever with its fulcrum at the attachment point. Lifting its grip causes the head to push down on the container top, thereby opening the opening strip portion on the container top. Its head can be designed according to the technique currently known in the art so as to effectively open the tear strip.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a decorative pull tab is provided. The term "decorative pull tab" is intended to convey the meaning of a pull tab that functions as an informational, promotional or decorative material. Informational, promotional or decorative material means, but is not limited to, any word, number, symbol, name, colour, design or image; all such materials are hereinafter referred to as "tab decoration". According to the current invention the decorative tab should have a finger hole. However, in a preferred embodiment, a decorative tab with a closed design is introduced. Closed tab design provides additional room for tab decoration.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a decorative pull tab with a closed pull tab design and with a tab decoration. In one embodiment, a decorative pull tab is provided that has a tab decoration that is embossed, DEBOSSED, etched, or engraved. In another embodiment, a decorative pull tab is provided having a tab decoration glued or attached thereto. The gluing or attaching of the tab decoration can be carried out by any technical means. These techniques include, but are not limited to, the use of inks, paints, screen printing, adhesives or glues. In another embodiment, the decorative pull tab is provided, the surface of the pull tab is anodized, or organic coating or other coatings are used. The decorative tab can be decorated in any of the above ways, or the tab can also be decorated with embossed, DEBOSSED, etched, engraved, pasted or attached methods. In yet another embodiment, a multi-layered decorative tab is provided. Multiple layers of decoration are treated mechanically or chemically to give the tab decoration effect in various colors and shades on the tab.

Various coatings can be employed. Suitable coatings include those commonly used in the field of beverage containers. Alcoa can supply pull tab stock with suitable coatings from Dexter, Valspar, BASP and others. Coating methods are also not limited to epoxy, vinyl and anodized coatings. Perhaps it is best to use a coating that is distinctly different in color from the underlying material. The base material can be aluminum, other materials or additional coating layers. In addition, multiple layers of distinct colors from the coatings may be used to selectively remove some of the coatings to achieve a multi-color design effect.

A related object of the present invention is to provide a decorative tab having a coating and having a tab decoration produced by a laser or other optical device. In one embodiment, a decorative pull-tab is provided, the surface of which is uncoated, or anodized, or coated, or a multi-layer composite structure of the above-mentioned surfaces, the pull-tab The surface is also treated with an optical device and produces a fully permanent pull-tab finish. In another embodiment, the surface of the decorative tab is organically coated and treated with an optical device to produce a sufficiently durable decorative tab finish. In yet another embodiment, the decorative tab is multi-layered and treated with an optical device to produce a sufficiently permanent multi-colored and shaded tab decorative effect.

In a related aspect, the present invention provides a decorative tab comprising a material or materials which, when treated with an optical device, produce tab decoration on (or in) the tab.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a logo-shaped pull tab is provided. The term "logo-shaped pull tab" is intended to mean that the pull-tab container opener is in the shape of a logo so as to serve both the dual purpose of container opening mechanism and promotional or decorative. Iconic means that the tab shape is recognized as an image, trademark, icon, character, or other iconic item. For example, the pull tab can take the form of a company logo, trademark, characters, Christmas tree, football cap or fruit, among others. Thus, pull tabs can be used to promote products, promote comp competition and provide souvenirs to buyers. In order to achieve the logo-shaped effect, the pull-tab should adopt a different shape from the pull-tab produced by the prior art.

To enhance the effect of the logo, any of the methods discussed above in relation to decorative tabs can be used to decorate the logo tab. Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides a decorative logo-shaped pull tab. For example, an image can be added to a logo-shaped pull tab. The image can be added to the tab by printing, embossing, DEBOSSING, screen printing, laser etching or other suitable methods. Any form of image, including photographs, logos, holograms, barcodes, or other suitable images, can be added to the pull tab. In order to produce a special image, such logo-shaped tabs can simply be produced from dyed and colored raw materials. Alternatively, the logo-shaped pull tab can be made from a clear pull tab raw material, which can then be decorated by printing, dyeing, or other suitable methods. Additionally, an adhesive label can be attached to the pull tab.

According to the present invention, the decorative and symbolic pull tabs can also adopt a detachable two-section design. In such a design, a frangible or perforated portion is made between both the grip and the head of the tab. After the pull-tab has been pushed and opened the opening strip of the container top, the grip can be detached from the pull-tab as a token or souvenir. In order to allow a relatively high force applied to the pull tab in the opening direction without disengaging the grip and head portion, and a relatively small force applied to the pull tab in the opposite direction to separate the grip and head portion, this Vulnerable parts or parts with holes should be deflected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improved conversion stamping press area such that the stamping and forming process for producing tabs can produce tabs according to the invention as described above. Pull tabs can be made from wider or narrower stock than traditional production methods. Embossing or other methods may be used for the subsequent forming process of the gripping portion, and a finger hole may also be cut on the gripping portion. The head can be formed by conventional methods commonly used in the art. According to the current technology, any method commonly used can connect or rivet the pull tab to the container top cover.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a decorative tab as described above. The tabs can be produced using a conversion stamping machine and stamped in the improved tab molding zone described in this invention. Tab embellishment may be applied on a solid piece of tab stock or on a formed strip of tab stock or tab output from a converting punch. Mechanical or computer recognition systems can be used to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the pull tab finish. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a laser is used to etch the tab decoration on the tab. Lasers can be configured at any location or location to etch tab stock prior to its initial entry into the converting press, or to etch formed tab stock after it has been output from the converting press for forming and crimping. tape, or etch tabs after they have been molded and come out of a conversion punch.

A brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container with a pull-tab container opening mechanism according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the vessel shown in Figure 1.

3A-3D are cross-sectional views along line III-III of FIG. 2 . These figures show the steps involved in opening a container with a pull tab container opening mechanism.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3A, showing an embodiment with a label attached to the pull tab.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In such an embodiment, the pull tab is attached to the container, and substantially the entire container top together with the pull tab can be removed.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3A, showing an alternative embodiment in which the pull tab is in two sections, and the two sections are separable from each other when the container is opened.

Fig. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of a pull tab production device of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a pull tab manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of the pull tab production apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a top view of a can end of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a bottle cap with laser etching decoration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a multilayer structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

A typical pull tab container opening mechanism made in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at 40 in the drawings. In the first preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 3A-D, a pull tab 40 is attached to the container 10 . The pull tab 40 includes two parts, a head 41 and a grasping part 43 . The container includes a top cover 20 . The container top cover includes an opening strip 30 defined by an opening line 31 and an opening line discontinuity 32 .

A connection point 42 on the pull tab 40 is connected to the container top cover 20 through a rivet 50 such that the head 41 of the pull tab 40 rests against the opening strip 30 . As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D , pull tab 40 acts as a lever with its fulcrum at attachment point 42 to open tear strip 30 . When the user lifts the gripping portion 43 , the head 41 exerts a downward pressure on the opening strip 30 , so that the opening strip 30 is separated from the container top cover 20 along the opening line 31 . The tear line discontinuity 32 keeps the tear strip 30 attached to the container top 20 and prevents it from falling into the container. After the pull tab 40 is pulled to open the container top 20, the pull tab 40 can be bent back to its original position, as shown in FIG. 3D.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-2 and Figures 3A-D, the pull tab 40 takes the shape of a logo to decorate the container. The logo shape tab shown in these figures is in the shape of a pineapple fruit. To enhance the logo-shaped effect, the tab decoration such as pineapple texture can be embossed on the tab and/or the pineapple pattern can be printed on the tab. Additionally, one can imagine other alternative pull tab logo shapes including, but not limited to, company logos, logos, characters, icons, and the like. One can also imagine other tab decorations.

In order to facilitate the production of logo-shaped pull tabs, the pull tabs shall be a continuous die plate without the need to punch holes in the tabs. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed plate is a substantially flat member with upper and lower planes 45, 46 substantially parallel to each other. In other words, the pull-tab is made of flat material with a sufficiently uniform thickness everywhere. However, in one embodiment, a non-continuous formwork, eg, with holes, or a non-planar member and non-substantially flat material, can also achieve the logo shape. The tab is preferably formed into a shape that is recognizable as an image, trademark, logo, character or other identifying item.

Fig. 4 is the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, for the purpose of promotion, the logo-shaped effect of the pull tab is further enhanced by a pull tab decoration including an adhesive label 60 attached to the pull tab 40 . This label can be attached to any part of the pull tab. The pull tab 40 takes the same logo shape as discussed in FIGS. 1-2 and 3A-3D.

Fig. 5 is the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tab 40' has the same components and logo shape as the tab 40 described above and is attached to the container top 20' by rivets 50'. In such an embodiment, however, the tear strip 30' includes nearly the entire container top 20'. The opening line 31' extends uninterrupted along the entire circumference of the container top 20'. In this embodiment, lifting of the grip 43' of the tab by the user causes the head 41' of the tab to begin tearing the tear strip 30' along the opening line 31'. The user then pulls the tab 40' away from the container, thereby completely removing the tab 40' and tear strip 30' from the container. In this embodiment, pull tab 40' also takes the same logo shape as described above and shown in FIGS. 1-4.

Figure 6 shows the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the pull tab 40 "is designed with a two-stage structure, so that the grasping part 43 " can be separated from the head 41 ". A fragile part 44 " is made on the pull tab 40 ", such as a line engraved Scores or perforations. This vulnerable portion of the pull tab extends between the grip 43" and the head 41" at an angle so that when the user lifts the grip 43", it will pull the head 41" relative to the opening strip 30". Again, the grasping portion 43" is not separated from the head 41". After opening the opening strip 30", the grip 41" is separated from the head 43" by applying pressure in the direction of the fragile portion 44". The pull tab 40" also adopts the same logo shape as the pull tab 40 shown in FIGS. function.

Figures 7-9 illustrate typical production equipment for manufacturing the tabs of the present invention. In a first embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the production facility includes a modified conversion punch 70. As shown in FIG. Standard conversion punches for tab production using the original process can be purchased from companies such as Burder or Minister. The modified punch 70 includes a container top conveyor 71 for transporting the container tops through the punch 70 . The container cap conveyor 71 has an inlet 72 and an outlet 73 . The inlet 72 is used to receive the top cover of the container without the pull tab, and the outlet 73 is used to collect the top cover of the container with the pull tab installed. The conveyor 71 sends the container top cover from the inlet 72 to the outlet 73 through the punching machine 70, and the container top cover installed with the pull tab is collected at this outlet.

As shown in FIG. 7, the punch 70 also includes a tab stock inlet 74 and an outlet 76 for formed strips of tab material. A die forming zone 75 is interposed between the tab stock inlet 74 and the formed tab strip outlet 76 and traverses through the conveyor 71 . According to the usual process, the molding area 75 includes various equipment (not shown) such as cutting dies and stamping dies, and these dies will be formed into desired shapes by processing the materials here. The embossing section 75 may process the container tops as they pass on the conveyor 71 through the embossing section 75 . According to the present invention, the tab stock 90 enters the punch 70 through the tab stock inlet 74 . As shown in FIG. 7, a strip of pull tab stock 90 enters the press through inlet 74 and then enters a die forming zone 75 where it is cut and formed into a shaped pull tab. The formed tab strip 91 is then output from the punch 70 by the formed tab web exit 76 .

In a preferred embodiment, the stamping section 75 is formed of a plurality of alternate cutting dies and stamping dies. As is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, interchangeable dies allow a single punch to produce decorative tabs with different logo shapes and from many different materials. For example, configure the tooling to produce pull tabs without finger holes by removing or locking the eyelet cutting tooling. Further, the embossed area 75 may be arranged to cut a pineapple-shaped pull-tab as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 3A-D. The molding area can also be arranged so that the pull-tab is embossed with the texture of pineapple after molding. In addition, the molded area is arranged to engrave a pineapple-shaped grip for detachment from the head portion. Accordingly, the skilled artisan can, in light of the present specification, fully realize numerous other modifications to the embossed area to produce a variety of decorative and logo-shaped pull tabs.

The shaped tab strip 91 exits the punch 70 through the shaped tab exit 76 and can re-enter the punch 70 through the shaped tab entry 77 . The strip of shaped tab sheet material is conveyed into the riveting zone 78 adjacent to the conveyor 71 . In the riveting zone 78 , the shaped tab is riveted onto the top of the container which is fed into the riveting zone 78 by the conveyor 71 after it is detached from the strip of formed tab sheet material. The formed tab strip waste 92 then exits the riveting zone 78 and finally exits the press through the strip waste outlet 79 . When the container top leaves the riveting area 78, the pull tab has been riveted to it by the conveyor 71 . The conveyor finally sends out the punching machine from the outlet 73 of the container top cover riveted with the pull tab and collects the pull tab top cover here. After being sent out from the pull-tab waste outlet 79, the pull-tab strip waste can also be collected for other purposes, such as being recycled as a new pull-tab raw material 90 .

According to the present invention, the pull tab stock 90 may comprise any material that can be used to make a pull tab container opening mechanism. Typical materials include aluminum, steel, plastic, or any natural, synthetic and composite materials, or other suitable materials. Likewise, multiple materials may also be used in combination as a multi-layer structure or otherwise. Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art will also understand that it is necessary to operate the modified stamping machine in order to be able to adapt to various materials. In a preferred embodiment, tab stock 90 is comprised of aluminum. As shown in FIG. 7, the raw aluminum pull tab can be of any suitable width and any desired length. Generally, existing punching machines can accommodate tab stock that is 1.9 inches or 2.8 inches wide and 0.009-0.010 inches thick. According to the invention, the thickness of the tab stock can be increased, mainly depending on the strength required and the material used. A preferred embodiment contemplates the use of aluminum tab stock about 1-3 inches wide and about 0.125 inches thick.

If the pull tab needs to be colored, a colored pull tab stock 90 can be used in accordance with the present invention. In order to realize coloring, dyeing can be carried out when the raw material 90 of the pull sheet is processed, or colored materials can be coated on the raw material of the pull sheet. Likewise, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other colored or coated materials may be used, such as plastics.

In order to further enhance the decorative and marking effect of the pull tab, a pull tab decoration area 100 can be used. The pull-tab decoration area 100 may be an area in a modified stamping machine, such as embossed dots or screen printed dots. Alternatively, the tab decoration area 100 can be located outside the stamping machine, and it can still cooperate with the stamping machine 70 or be assembled with the stamping machine 70 . Embossing or other decorative finishing can also be performed in the embossing zone 75 .

In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7 , the tab decoration area 100 is located at the area where the tab stock 90 is decorated before entering the tab stock inlet 74 . The handle decoration area 100 can be assembled with a material feeding mechanism for feeding the handle raw material 90 into the handle raw material inlet 74 . Alternatively, the tab decoration area 100 may be located in the area where the tab stock 90 is processed, which may not even be located where the stamping machine 70 is located. In other words, the pull-tab raw material 90 can be decorated first, and then sent to the place where the punching machine 70 is installed.

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the production equipment for manufacturing the pull tab of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, reference numerals therein represent the same components as in FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. However, in this embodiment, the tab decoration area 100 is located outside of the punching machine but is cooperating with the tab stock 90 so that the formed tab web strip 91 emerges from the formed tab stock strip exit 76 After the punching machine 70 is output, it passes through the tab decoration area 100 before being input into the punching machine 70 again.

Although it is considered that no matter where the tab decoration area 100 is located, it can perform all decorative functions within the scope of the present invention, it is better to place the tab decoration area 100 in the stamping machine production process and receive the formed tab. The position of the sheet strip. First, the tabs have been formed on the tab raw material strips, so that the working speed and production capacity of the production equipment can be improved through mechanical positioning or computer recognition, or the tab decoration can be fully identical on each tab. Second, the tab decoration area 100 can be connected to a transmission (not shown) that allows the molding area 75 to operate at a faster pace than the tab decoration area 100 can accommodate.

Figure 9 shows another alternative embodiment for making the pull-tab opening mechanism of the present invention. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the same reference numerals used in Figure 9 denote the same components as shown in Figures 7 and 8, respectively. However, the tab decoration area 100 in FIG. 9 is located in the area that receives the tab-attached container tops exiting the conveyor 71 at the conveyor exit 73 . In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the tab decorative area 100 is generally cylindrical in shape. A cylindrical rail 101 disposed in the pull tab decoration area 100 can receive a plurality of container tops with pull tabs installed thereon. The tab decoration area 100 also has an inner area 102 surrounded by a cylindrical rail 101 .

In this embodiment, the tab-fitted container tops are received by cylindrical rails 101 in the tab-decorated area 100 after exiting the conveyor 71 at the conveyor exit 73 . The track can be rotated in either direction so that the container lid is rotated to (or through) a position or positions in the tab trim area. With such an arrangement, different tab decorations can be applied to the tab or container top at different locations. The pull-tab decoration device may be located within the inner region 102 and/or outside the cylindrical track 101 in the pull-tab decoration region 100 . Such an embodiment can preferably be considered, or combined with the preceding embodiments, if both the pull tab and the container top are to be decorated.

The tab decoration area 100 of the present invention may be positioned in any manner to provide tab decoration to a tab stock, a strip of formed tab material, or a tab attached to a container lid either after or before it is attached. The actual layout and design of the tab trim area will vary depending on the trim method used and the material being trimmed. The tab decoration area may include a device for embossing, DEBOSSING, engraving or etching the tab decoration, or a combination of decoration devices. Similarly, the pull tab decoration area may also include any one or any of the decoration devices suitable for printing, screen printing, painting, adhesion, pasting and other decorations or decorative effects on the pull tab or the raw material of the pull tab. A combination of multiple devices. The tab decoration area may utilize mechanical orientation or a computer controlled manual identification system to help ensure that the tab decoration is substantially identical on the final product. The use of multiple pull-tab decoration areas, such as the combination of several schemes in Figs. 7-9, also falls within the scope of the present invention.

Optical equipment is the preferred decoration equipment in the tab decoration area, especially the laser can produce a basic and permanent tab decoration effect on the tab or the raw material of the tab. For example, anodized aluminum or organically coated aluminum can be used in the manufacture of decorative or decorative-logo tabs for aluminum containers. Preferably, aluminum with an organic coating on one side is used. Materials with multiple coatings can also be used if a variety of colors is desired for the pull tab. The anodized or organically coated aluminum is then processed with a laser to ablate or etch the intended tab decoration into the tab and the raw tab so that the aluminum The material shows through the top coat or anodized layer. Lasers can also be programmed to produce textured patterns.

If multiple coatings are used, the laser can be set according to requirements, so that a part of the top coating is etched to the required depth (preferably this depth can expose the second coating or the bottom aluminum), and then the second coating can also be etched. The second coat is also etched to the desired depth, revealing the underlying coat or bottom aluminum. And so on, until the final requirement is reached. Thus, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications to coatings and laser settings can affect production speed, tab finish clarity, etch depth, and quality of desired graphic color, Currently available lasers are high power lasers or lasers with precision marking capabilities, such as 200 watt NDYAG lasers (Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnet lasers) and carbon dioxide ( _CO2 ) lasers. Carbon dioxide lasers can reach 600 watts of power.

Based on the foregoing, those skilled in the art will understand how the decorative and logo-shaped pull-tab opening mechanism of the aluminum packaging container shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 3A-D is manufactured. For example, an aluminum pull tab raw material 90 has a green first coat and a brown top coat. In the first handle decoration area 100 adjacent to the handle raw material inlet 74, or the area away from the modified stamping machine 70, the pull-tab coloring can be performed. The tab stock 90 is then fed into a modified punch press, whereupon the tab stock 90 enters the die forming section 75 of the press where a series of cutting dies and stamps (embossing, embossing, and embossing) ) The mold processes the pull-tab raw material into a pull-tab sheet strip 91 that is pineapple-shaped and has a molded pineapple texture. Then, the shaped tab sheet material strip 91 exits the punching machine 70 and enters the second tab decoration area 100, where mechanical orientation or computer-controlled manual identification equipment is used to ensure a substantially consistent tab decoration effect. Formed tabs are correctly positioned. A laser or series of lasers is then used to ablate or cut a portion of the uppermost coating showing the green layer near the head to match that of a pineapple leaf. The pineapple shape is created using one laser or multiple lasers simultaneously or sequentially to ablate or cut a portion of the double-sided coating revealing the underlying aluminum material. The thickness of the laser or the coating can be adjusted before the process to create the textured pattern of the pineapple. The strip of formed tab sheet material 91 then re-enters the modified press 70 where the tab is riveted to the container top in the tab riveting area 75 . The tabped container tops then leave the press for further processing in a separate tab decoration area 100, or they are collected and attached to the container body.

According to further characteristic requirements, the tab raw material can be pre-etched or pre-marked with a laser or other off-line methods before the forming process. The tabs can also be etched or marked off-line after being punched onto the can end. The invention also contemplates the use of lasers to etch coated or anodized can ends, other parts of cans, aluminum or other metal bottle caps, plastic bottle caps, or other parts of beverage packaging containers.

A can lid 120 is shown in FIG. 10 . The forming of the can end 120 and the tab can be accomplished with a conversion punch. In the can end forming process, in order to increase the strength of the can end, various expansion and deformation treatments called "embossing" are carried out on the can end. The can end in Figure 10 shows the anti-bending "embossing" 121 . The can lid also includes a top lid opening score 122 and a top lid rim 123 . The tab 124 is riveted or stamped to the button 125 of the can end by a re-punching action of a transfer press. Additional "embossing" 126 is also shown. In addition, other deformation treatments 127 are used to strengthen the score plate 128 so that the pull tab 124 also has a grip 129 for accessing items inside the can. Grab 129 exerts pressure on score plate 128 through head 130 when lifted. The advantage of placing the notch 131 on the pull tab is that it facilitates leverage, and at the connection point the stamped button 125 acts as a fulcrum for the lever. The advantage of the grip is that it is a closed pull tab and displays a decoration 132, which is the logo "VALUE MARK" in the illustration.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pull tab is made of pull tab stock thicker than 0.01 inches (preferably 0.0125 inches thick). The pull-tab raw material is coated with organic material and decorated with a laser etching process. The can ends themselves can also be overcoated with organic paint and have decorations 133 made thereon. Decoration 133 is displayed as a logo of "BRANDEQUITY". The method of decoration is preferably laser removal of a portion of one or more coatings to create the design.

Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Container tops, such as bottle caps 140, may also have decorations 141 formed thereon. In addition, its advantage is reflected in the application of laser to remove one or more layers of coating material to make decorations. The decoration in Figure 11 is displayed as the logo of "BRAND DECOR".

Figure 12 shows an illustration of an application process according to the present invention. A pull-tab base 150 is introduced. According to an excellent embodiment, the pull-tab base can be aluminum sheet or some other materials that can be decorated or marked. According to an advantageous embodiment, this material can also be a part of the food and drink container, such as the top, the lid, the container body or the bottom. However, any other material can also be marked. As stated above, the tab substrate may be formed from any suitable material and may form part of can ends, bottle caps, container tops and any other portion of a container apparatus.

The tab base can have one or more coatings of different colours. Figure 12 shows four colored coatings (which can be any suitable color): cyan coating 151 ; magenta coating 152 ; yellow coating 153 ; black coating 154 . When the tab substrate is aluminum, all four coatings are removed, such as area 155 showing the natural color of aluminum. Area 156 shows a blue-green color after removal of three coatings. Area 157 shows a purplish red color after removal of the two coatings. Area 158 shows a yellow color after removal of one coating. In this illustration, all areas remain black without removing any coating. In this way virtually any color can be generated.

Many modifications of the invention can be conceived without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (22)

1. the manufacture method of a container opener may further comprise the steps:

Provide a part of pulling-on piece former material, there is a basic lasting coating on the surface thereon;

By the locating laser device thereby described coating is removed with the pulling-on piece ornament and to decorate the former material of described pulling-on piece;

With the former material forming of pulling-on piece is a pulling-on piece;

Wherein said pulling-on piece can be attached on container cap.

2. the manufacture method of container opener according to claim 1, wherein said decoration step was carried out before described forming step.

3. the manufacture method of container opener according to claim 1, wherein said decoration step is carried out after described forming step.

4. the manufacture method of container opener according to claim 1 also comprises the step that described pulling-on piece is attached to described container cap, and wherein said attachment steps was carried out before described decoration step.

5. the manufacture method of container opener according to claim 1, the former material of wherein said pulling-on piece comprise and a kind ofly comprise the material of selecting the material of metal, plastics, composite material, natural material and synthetic material from one group.

6. the manufacture method of container opener according to claim 5, wherein said material surface thereon have many lasting substantially coatings.

7. according to the manufacture method of claim 1 or 6 described container openers, wherein said coating is a kind of organic material.

8. the manufacture method of container opener according to claim 6, thus thereby wherein said decoration step comprises with laser processes the former material of described cated pulling-on piece to remove a part of top coating and expose base coat and also to remove a part of base coat and expose the uncoated surface of described pulling-on piece.

9. the manufacture method of container opener according to claim 1, wherein said forming step comprise with the conversion punching machine processes the former material of described pulling-on piece.

10. the manufacture method of container opener according to claim 1, wherein said forming step comprise that with the former material forming of described pulling-on piece be a pulling-on piece with character shape.

11. the manufacture method of container opener according to claim 1, wherein said pulling-on piece are the pulling-on pieces of close mouth.

12. the manufacture method of container opener according to claim 1, wherein said decoration step also are included in the embossment, DEBOSSING, engraving or the etching pulling-on piece that carry out on the former material of above-mentioned pulling-on piece and decorate.

13. a container opener comprises:

One pulling-on piece is shown as an abundant smooth member, has one to be used for the point of connection that is connected with container, and the osed top crawl section of pulling-on piece is positioned at a side of described point of connection;

A kind of lasting substantially coating of on described pulling-on piece, settling;

Image on described pulling-on piece, wherein said image are to remove described coating by the locating laser device to obtain with the uncoated surface of exposing described pulling-on piece.

14. container opener according to claim 13 also comprises two or more laser ablation coatings that are placed on the described pulling-on piece.

15. container opener according to claim 13, wherein said fully smooth member is customized to sign shape.

16. a container opener, it is connected to the top of container, is connected to then on the container body that food or beverage are housed, and comprising:

One pulling-on piece is shown as one and has the abundant smooth member of character shape and have one to be used for the point of connection that is connected with described container,

On described pulling-on piece, be mounted with a lasting substantially coating;

Image on described pulling-on piece, wherein said image are to remove described coating by the locating laser device to obtain with the uncoated surface of exposing described pulling-on piece.

17. according to claim 13,15 or 16 described container openers, described pulling-on piece also be included between crawl section and the head frangible portion in case the crawl section can separate from the head.

18. a container comprises:

One container cap;

One tear strip is positioned at container cap with the openable container top cover;

One pulling-on piece comprises an abundant smooth member, has one to be used for the point of connection that is connected with described container, described pulling-on piece connect with respect to tear strip in case the pulling-on piece action to open tear strip.

Image on described pulling-on piece, wherein said image are to remove described coating by the locating laser device to obtain with the uncoated surface of exposing described pulling-on piece.

19. container according to claim 18, wherein said pulling-on piece also comprise a character shape.

20. container according to claim 19 also is included in crawl section on the pulling-on piece and the frangible portion between the head so that the crawl section can be separated from the head.

21. container according to claim 20, described tear strip has almost comprised the entire container top cover, and defined the geometric figure that has formed a closure by one on the container cap continuously uninterrupted aperture lines, thereby tear strip is separated with whole tear strip and container cap after opening container from the container cap separation at pulling-on piece.

22., also comprise the container body and food in container body or the beverage that are connected to described container top according to any one described container of claim 18-21.

Images