HRP20000106A2 - Decorative and symbolically shaped pull tab container opening devices and methods of making the same - Google Patents

Description

This application is a partial supplement to the Applicant's corresponding Application in S.A.D. Serial No. 08/917,516 filed Aug. 26, 1997, entitled "Symbolic Pull Device for Opening Packaging."

Field of invention

The invention relates to decorative substrates and, more precisely, to devices for opening packaging, decorated packaging and methods of making them.

Description of the respective technology

LOUSE. Patents 4,465,204 and 4,530,631 disclose traditional package opener pull tabs commonly used on package tops and the method of making these tabs. LOUSE. Patent Des. 289,017 shows the construction of a traditional draw plate.

LOUSE. Patent 3,958,354 discloses placement of an advertising piece in the finger hole of a traditional pull tab. LOUSE. Patent 5,191,695 discloses a method of placing such an advertising piece in the finger hole of the pull plate.

LOUSE. Patent 4,322,016 discloses the placement of a touch-sensitive label on the underside of a pull pad for advertising purposes.

LOUSE. Patent 4,363,179 discloses placement of advertising material on the top of the can under the pull plate.

LOUSE. Patent 5,416,951 discloses a pull plate to which a decorative detail is attached to a sliding fastener such as a slide.

Summary of the invention

The food and beverage industry does not use push-pull packaging opening devices for packaging promotion, brand identification, brand marketing or notification purposes. Most pull tab designs have the sole function of allowing the user to open the can, See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Patents 4,485,204, 4,530,631 and Des. 289,017. Pull openers are used to advertise packages by inserting advertising pieces into the finger hole of the pull tab (see U.S. Patents 3,958,354 and 5,191,695), applying pressure sensitive labels to the pull tab (see U.S. Patent 4,322,016), and placing advertising material on top of the package below the pull tab. (see U.S. Patent 4,368,179). However, all of these advertising concepts retain the traditional pull tab shape as shown in the U.S. Patent 4,465,204 in order to keep the weight of the tile as low as possible. None of the previous methods consider the use of the upper part of the pull plate itself as an advertising or decorative place, or a place for informing the user. None of the previous methods consider the use of the lower part of the pull plate itself as a decorative place or a place to inform the user,

Therefore, in one aspect of the invention, a pull plate of a device for opening packaging is envisaged, which would contain informational, advertising or decorative materials. In another aspect of the invention, a pull plate of the device for opening packaging is provided, which has a symbolic shape for advertising or decorative purposes. In this respect, the ways of making pullable tiles according to the invention are foreseen.

In accordance with the present invention, a pull plate of a packaging opening device is provided, which has a new shape for use on the packaging side. Earlier pull plates consist of an open plate construction, where the opening and the annular part where the finger enters are attached to the packaging at the attachment point on the plate. The tile is made of a piece of sheet metal that has holes drilled to form two rings and has edges tucked under the tile. The former method of construction is intended to reduce the weight of the tile as much as possible and increase its strength as much as possible.

In one embodiment, the traction plates of the subject invention have a traction portion attached to the aperture portion with an attachment point between the aperture portion and the traction portion. According to the present invention, reducing the weight of the tile to a minimum has no significant importance. Therefore, the tile can be a continuous solid plate. Also, the tile does not require its edges to be bent for strength. The tile also does not require its edges to be beveled to avoid sharp metal edges, as the tile can be made of other materials. In other words, the tile of the subject invention can have folded or non-folded edges. Therefore, a tile can be a really flat part of a flat surface. In one embodiment, the flat surfaces of the tile are actually parallel to each other along the entire length of the tile.

The plates of the subject invention may be made of any material capable of functioning as a pull plate on the package, including aluminum, steel, plastic, or any natural, synthetic, mixed, or other suitable material. The selection of appropriate materials does not exceed the skill of common knowledge in this profession. The tiles may also have at least one finger hole. The construction of suitable draw plates according to the present invention does not exceed the skill of ordinary skill in the art.

According to the present invention, the tiles of the subject invention may be riveted or otherwise attached to the upper surface of the packaging at the attachment point on the tile. The plate acts like a lever with a fulcrum at the attachment point, so that by lifting the catch part, the part with the opening is pushed down on the upper surface of the packaging and the break strip on it opens. The opening portion may be shaped in a manner known in the art to effectively open the tear strip.

According to one aspect of this invention, a decorative tile is provided. The term "decorative plate" is used with the intention of indicating a pullable plate on which there are informational, advertising or decorative materials that are an integral part of it. Informational, advertising or decorative materials are intended to contain, but are not limited to, any word, number, name, symbol, color, design or image; and the term "decorating tiles" will refer to such materials in the following text. The decorative plate according to the subject invention can have at least one finger hole connected to it; however, in a preferred embodiment, the decorative tile is envisioned to have a closed tile construction. The construction of the closed tile provides additional space for placing tile decorations.

Accordingly, one intent of the invention is to enable a decorative tile to have a closed tile construction and to have tile decorations therein. In one embodiment, the decorative tile is contemplated to have decorations embossed, indented, etched, or printed thereon. In another embodiment, it is provided that the decorative tile has decorations that are placed or adhered to it. Placing or gluing of tile decorations can be done by any technological process including, but not limited to, inks, paints, silk screen printing, adhesive tapes or glues. In another embodiment, it is envisaged that the decorative tile has an anodized surface, on which an organic or other coating is applied. In yet another embodiment, it is envisaged that the decorative tile has several layers that can be mechanically or chemically manipulated, so that decorations of different colors or shades are obtained on the tile.

Different coatings can be used. Suitable coatings include those conventionally used in the field of beverage packaging. Alcoa supplies products with appropriate coatings supplied by Dexter, Valspar, BASF and others. The type of coating is not limited to epoxy, vinyl or anodized coatings. It could be preferred to apply a coating that contrasts with the color of the substrate, which can be aluminum, other materials or another layer of coating. In addition, multiple layers of contrast coatings can be applied so that selective stripping of the layers can reveal a multi-color image.

The intention of the invention relates to the provision of a decorative tile having a coating on which the decorations of the tile are performed by a laser or some other optical device. In one embodiment, a decorative tile is provided that has an uncoated surface, an anodized surface, or a coated surface, or several layers of such surfaces, which are then processed by at least one optical device to create truly permanent tile decorations thereon. In another embodiment, a decorative tile is envisioned that has a surface coated with an organic coating treated with at least one optical device that creates truly permanent tile decorations on it. In an even different version, a decorative tile is provided that has several coatings that can be processed by at least one optical device that creates truly permanent decorations on it in one or more colors or shades.

The intention of the invention refers to the provision of a decorative tile that would consist of one or more materials on which (or in which) decorations could be created using at least one optical device.

According to another aspect of this invention, a symbolic plate is provided. The term "symbolic plate" should mean a pull-type package opener that has a symbolic shape, which allows it to function simultaneously as a package opener and as an advertising or decorative piece. Symbolic shape means that the draw tile is shaped in such a way that it can be recognized as a picture, trademark, icon, letter or other symbolic mark. As examples, we cite a pullable tile in the form of a corporate logo, trademark, letter, Christmas tree, sports helmet, fruit, etc. Thus, the tile can be used to advertise products, enable prize competitions, and serve as a souvenir for the customer. For the performance of the symbolic shape, the draw tile has a different shape than the previously described tiles.

In order to highlight the symbolic shape, any of the methods described in connection with decorative tiles can be used to decorate the symbolic tile. Thus, in one form of this invention, a decorated symbolic plate is provided. For example, a picture can be added to the symbolic tile. The image can be placed on the tile by any technological process, including printing, embossing, indentation, screen printing, laser etching or any other means. Any type of image can be placed on the symbol plate, including photographs, trademarks, holograms, barcodes or any other suitable image. The tile can simply be made of pigmented, colored material to achieve a specific image. Alternatively, the tile may be made of bare tile material and subsequently decorated by printing, painting or other suitable means. In addition, a sticker can be attached to the plate.

Decorative and symbolic tiles according to the present invention can also be made of two separable parts. In such a construction, the plate has a weakened part or perforation between the gripping part and the part with the opening. After the rubber tile has opened the break strip, the gripping part is removed from the tile as a token or souvenir. The weakened part or perforation can be beveled and thus enable the application of a relatively greater force to the plate in the direction of opening without separating the two parts, or enable the application of less force to the plate in the opposite direction, which will separate the two parts.

According to another aspect of this invention, it is envisaged that the mold area of the conversion press is modified in such a way that the printing and forming stages of making the draw plate result in a draw plate in accordance with the subject invention according to the above description. The tile can be made of wider or narrower material that is used in traditional manufacturing methods. Further formation of the engagement portion may bulge or otherwise shape the engagement portion and also cut a finger hole therein. The opening area can be made in a conventional manner known in the art. Riveting or attaching the tiles to the package lid can be done in any of the ways well known in the art.

The present invention also relates to the methods of making decorative tiles according to the above description. Tiles can be made using a conversion press and stamped and shaped in a modified tile forming area of the subject invention. Tile decorations can be placed on a monolithic tile anvil, on a shaped tile belt, or on tiles as they exit the conversion press. Mechanical or laser recognition systems can be used to ensure accurate and even application of decorations. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one laser is provided for each decoration on the tiles. The laser can be positioned at any point or location to etch the wafer material prior to initial entry into the conversion press, to etch the shaped wafer strip as it exits the mold from the forming and crimping conversion press, or to etch the wafers after conversion and exiting the conversion press .

Brief description of the drawing

Drawing 1 is a perspective view of the packaging, which has a pull device for opening the packaging according to the subject invention.

Drawing 2 is a top view of the packaging from Drawing 1.

Figures 3A-3D are cross-sections along line III-III of Figure 2. These drawings show the stages of use of the pull tab to open the package.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3A and shows an embodiment in which a label is provided on the pull plate.

Figure 5 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the pull plate is attached to the package, wherein almost the entire top of the package can be removed along with the pull plate.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3A, showing an alternative embodiment in which the draw plate is made in two parts so that the parts can be separated from each other.

Drawing 7 is a top view of the design of the device for making draw plates according to the subject invention.

Drawing 8 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the device for making draw plates according to the present invention.

Drawing 9 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of a device for making draw plates according to the present invention.

Figure 10 shows a top view of the top of the can according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 shows a bottle cap with a laser etched decoration according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 shows a multilayer structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A detailed description of the preferred performance

An example of the pull plate of the package opening device according to the present invention is generally designated by the number 40. In the first preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 1-2 and 3A-D, the pull plate 40 is attached to the packaging 10. The pull plate 40 consists of a part with the opening 41 and the gripping part 43. The packaging has an upper surface 20. On the upper surface there is a break strip 30 marked with a break line 31 and a joint of the break line 32.

The tension plate 40 is connected to the upper surface 20 of the packaging by means of a rivet 50 at the fastening point 42 so that the part with the opening 41 of the tension plate 40 is connected in an articulated manner to the break band 30. According to the representations in Drawings 3A-D, the tension plate 40 acts as a lever with a support on at the attachment point 42 to open the tear strip 30. When the user lifts the catch part 43, the opening part 41 exerts a downward force on the tear strip 30 causing the tear strip 30 to separate from the top surface 20 of the packaging along the tear line 31. The tear line joint 32 holds the tear strip 30 with the packaging 20 and prevents it from falling into the packaging. After pulling the pull plate 40 to open the top surface 20 of the packaging, the pull plate 40 can be bent back to its original position, as shown in Drawing 3D.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-2 and 3A-D, the pull plate 40 has a symbolic shape to decorate the packaging. The drawings show a draw plate in the symbolic shape of a pineapple. In order to highlight the symbolic shape, the tile may have a raised decoration such as a pineapple texture and/or may have pineapple colors printed on it. However, alternative tile designs can be envisioned, including, but not limited to, corporate logos, trademarks, letters, icons, etc. Alternative tile decorations placed on the tile can also be envisioned.

To facilitate achieving the symbolic shape of the tile, the tile may be a continuous solid plate. There is no need for openings on the plate. In the embodiment shown, the tile is actually a flat to flat surface with top portion 45 and bottom portion 46 completely parallel to each other. In other words, the tile is made of a flat strip of material that has exactly the same thickness over its entire surface. However, the symbolic form can also be achieved in an embodiment where the draw plate is not a continuous solid plate, but has openings; it is not a parallel member and it is not a completely flat surface. It is preferred that the plate be shaped so that it is recognizable as a picture, trademark, icon, letter or some other symbolic form.

Figure 4 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the pull plate 40 is decorated with a sticker in the form of a sticker to emphasize the symbolic shape of the pull plate for advertising purposes. The sticker can be placed on any part of the draw plate. The thrust plate 40 has the same shape as described in connection with Figures 1-2 and 3A-3D.

Figure 5 shows a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the traction plate 40' has the same elements and symbolic shape as the traction plate 40 described above, and is attached to the upper surface 20' by means of a rivet 50'. However, in this embodiment, the break strip 30' covers almost the entire upper surface 20'. The break line 31' extends along the entire round edge of the upper surface 20' without interruption. With this construction, the user lifts the gripping part 43', whereby the part of the pulling plate with the opening 41' begins to tear the breaking strip 30' along the length of the breaking line 31'. The user then pulls the pull tab 40' toward the other side of the package to completely remove the pull tab 40' and the tear strip 30' from the package. In this embodiment, the pull plate 40' has the same symbolic form as the pull plate 40 described in connection with Figures 1-4.

Figure 6 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the pull plate 40" is made in two pieces, so that the engagement portion 43" can be separated from the opening portion 41". The pull plate 40" is made with a weakened portion 44 such as a scored line or perforation. The weakened portion extends at an angle between the grateful portion 43" and the aperture portion 41" so that the user can lift the engagement portion 43" and press the aperture portion 41" against the break strip 30" without separating the engagement portion 43" from the aperture portion 41 ". After opening the break strip 30", the engaging part 41" can be removed from the opening part 43" by pressing in the direction of the weakened part 44. The pull plate 40" has the same symbolic shape as the pull plate 40 according to the above description in connection with Drawings 1-4 The two-piece construction further enhances the promotional or decorative function of the pull plate, allowing the user to keep the plate as a souvenir or sign.

The device for making draw plates according to this invention is shown in Drawings 7-9. In a first embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the device consists of a modified conversion press 70. Typical conversion presses for the production of former draw plates are commercially offered by companies such as Burderer or Minister. press 70. The conveyor for packaging ends 71 has an entrance 72 for receiving the ends of packaging without tiles and an outlet 73 through which the ends of packaging with tiles exit. The conveyor 71 transports the ends of the packaging through the inlet 72, through the press 70, to the outlet 73, where the ends of the packaging with tiles can be picked up.

As shown in Figure 7, the press 70 also includes a tile material inlet 74 and a shaped tile strip outlet 76. Between the tile material inlet 74 and the shaped tile strip outlet 76, and intersecting with the conveyor 71, is a die area 75. As is generally known in the art, the die area 75 consists of a plurality of cutting and stamping dies (not shown) for making and shaping the materials passing through it into the desired appearance. The die area 75 can process the package ends as they pass through the die area 75 via the conveyor 71. According to the present invention, the tile material 90 can enter the press 70 through the tile material inlet 74. As shown in Figure 7, the strip of tile material 90 enters through the entrance 74 and then goes to the die area 75, where it is cut and shaped into tiles. The shaped wafer strip 91 may then exit the press 70 through the shaped wafer strip outlet 76.

In a preferred embodiment, die area 75 consists of a plurality of interchangeable dies for cutting and stamping. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, interchangeable dies allow one press to be used to produce a plurality of differently shaped symbolic and decorative tiles from many different materials. For example, by removing or blocking the hole-cutting die, the die can be adjusted to produce a plate without a finger hole. Furthermore, the die area can be adjusted to cut the pineapple-shaped tiles shown in Figures 1-2 and 3A-D. Also, the die area can be adjusted to make tiles with a raised pineapple texture on them. In addition, the die area can be adjusted so that the engaging portion of the pineapple is notched so that it can be separated from the opening portion. Therefore, in view of these statements, those skilled in the art will fully appreciate the numerous other modifications in the field of dies for making symbolic and decorative tiles.

The patterned strip 91 upon exiting the press 70 through the patterned strip outlet 76 may re-enter the press 70 through the patterned strip inlet 77. The patterned strip 91 is then transported to the rivet area 78 which lies adjacent to the conveyor 71 In the rivet area 78, the shaped plates are removed from the strip 91 and riveted to the ends of the packaging which enter the rivet area 78 via the conveyor 71. The strip waste with the shaped plates 92 then exits the rivet area 78 and, finally, from the press 70 through the outlet for waste from the tiles 79. The package ends exit the rivet area 78, carrying the attached tiles, by means of a conveyor 71. The conveyor finally ejects the package ends with tiles from the press 70 at the exit of the conveyor 73, where the package ends can be picked up. Wafer strip waste 92 exiting the wafer waste outlet 79 may also be collected and used for other purposes, such as recycling into new wafer material 90 .

The plate material 90, according to the present invention, can be any material that can be used as a pull plate device for opening the package. Examples of materials include aluminum, steel, plastic or any natural, synthetic, mixed or other suitable material. Similarly, combinations of materials can also be used as layers or otherwise. According to. one skilled in the art will understand that adaptation to different materials will require appropriate manipulation of the modified press 70. In a preferred embodiment, the plate material 90 is aluminum. As shown in Drawing 7, aluminum strips for tiles can be of any suitable width and any desired length. Generally, existing presses accept tile material 1.9 or 2.9 inches wide and .009-.010 inches thick. According to the present invention, the thickness of the material can be increased, depending on the required strength and the material used. A preferred embodiment envisions an aluminum strip about 1-3 inches wide and about .0125 inches thick.

According to the present invention, colored tile material 90 can be used if colored decoration is desired. For coloring, pigmentation may be applied during the formation of the tile material 90 or, alternatively, the tile material 90 may be coated with a colored material. Similarly, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, other colored and coated materials, such as plastics, may be used.

To further emphasize the decorative or symbolic impression of the tiles, a tile decoration area 100 may be used. Alternatively, the wafer decoration area 100 may be located outside of the press 70, although it may still be in line or composition with the press 70. Embossing or other decoration may also be performed in the die area 75.

In the preferred embodiment of Figure 7, the tile decorating area 100 is located in a space where the tile material 90 can be decorated prior to entering the tile material inlet 74. The tile decorating area 100 may be an integral part of a transport mechanism that conveys the tile material 90 into the inlet. material for tiles 74; or alternatively, the tile decorating area 100 may be located at a processing location for the tile material 90 that is not even located in the area where the press 70 is located. In other words, the tile material 90 may be decorated and then brought to the location where it is located press 70.

10

Drawing 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the device for the production of draw plates in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Figure 7, like numbers refer to like elements; however, in this embodiment, the tile decorating area 100 is located outside of the press 70 but in line with the tile material 90, such that the patterned tile strip 91 exits under the press 70 at the tile strip exit 76 and then passes through the tile decorating area 100 before of re-entering the press 70.

Although it is contemplated that the tile decoration area 100 can perform all decoration functions within the scope of this invention regardless of where it is located, placing the tile decoration area 100 in line and being able to receive the strip of shaped tiles 91 is the preferred method. First, the tiles are already formed in the strip, which can increase the speed and efficiency of the machine, using mechanical orientation or computer recognition, or some other means, to achieve exactly the same decorations on each tile. Second, the tile decoration area 100 may be used in connection with an actuator (not shown) that may allow a higher speed of operation of the die area 75 than can be adjusted by the tile decoration area 100 .

Drawing 9 shows another alternative embodiment of the device for making tiles according to the present invention. Referring to Figures 71 and 8, like numbers indicate like elements; however, the tile decorating area 100 in Figure 9 is located in an area that receives the ends of the tile packaging exiting the conveyor 71 to the exit of the conveyor 73. In the specific embodiment shown in Figure 9, the tile decorating area 100 is generally cylindrical in shape. Within the tile decoration area 100 is a cylindrical track 101 for receiving a plurality of ends of the tile packaging. The tile decoration area 100 also has an inner section 102 surrounded by a cylindrical track 101.

In this embodiment, the ends of the tile packaging exit the conveyor 71 to the exit of the conveyor 73 and pass onto the cylindrical track 101 of the tile decorating area 100. The track 101 can be rotated in either direction, so that the ends of the packaging can be rotated towards or through one or more station. With this arrangement, different decorations can be placed on the tiles or ends of the packaging at different stations. The tile decorating machines may be arranged in the inner section 102 of the tile decorating area 100 and/or located on the outer perimeter of the track 101. This embodiment may be preferred, or in combination with the previous embodiments, if decorations are to be placed not only on the tiles but also on ends of the packaging.

The tile decoration area 100 of the subject invention may be configured in any manner suitable for placing decorations on the tile material, shaped tile strip, or tile before or after attachment to the package. The exact arrangement and construction of the tile decoration area will vary according to the decoration methods that will be applied and the materials that will be decorated. In the tile decoration area, there can be a device for bulging, indenting, inscribing or etching tile decorations, or for any combination thereof. Similarly, in the tile decoration area alone, or in combination with the above, there may be a device for printing, screen printing, dyeing, labeling, gluing, or otherwise placing or creating decorations on the tiles or tile material. The tile decoration area can use mechanical orientation or computerized recognition systems to enable the production of exactly the same tile decorations on the finished product. It is also within the scope of this invention to utilize a large number of tile decoration areas, for example the combination of Figures 7-9.

A preferred device for use in the field of tile decoration is an optical device, preferably a laser, capable of producing a fully permanent tile decoration on a tile or tile material. For example, when making decorative or decorative-symbolic plates for aluminum packaging, anodized aluminum or aluminum coated with an organic layer can be used. It is preferred to use aluminum that has an organic coating on at least one side. If a multi-colored tile is desired, several coatings can be applied. The anodized or coated aluminum is then treated with a laser that burns or etches a predetermined tile decoration onto the tile or tile material so that the aluminum is visible through the coated or anodized layer. The laser can also be adjusted to produce texture. If multiple layers are applied, the laser can be adjusted so that part of the top layer is etched to the desired depth (a depth where the second layer or bare aluminum is visible is preferred) and the second layer is also etched to the desired depth, exposing the layer or bare aluminum, etc. ... Accordingly, any person skilled in the art will appreciate the many modifications to coating and laser settings that can be made to achieve faster production, clarity of tile decoration, depth of etching, and desired pattern colors. The lasers now preferred are high-energy lasers or lasers with precision marking capabilities, such as the 200 W NDYAQ (neoderic yttrium aluminum garnet) laser or the CO2 laser. The CO2 laser can have a power of 600 W.

In view of the foregoing, a person skilled in the art can appreciate how the decorative-symbolic tiles shown in Figures 1-2 and 3A-D can be made for aluminum packaging. For example, the aluminum plate material 90 may be such that it has a green first coat and a brown top coat. The layers may be applied to a first tile decoration area 100 adjacent to the inlet of the tile material 74 or, alternatively, to an area not adjacent to the modified press 70. The tile material 90 may be transported to a modified conversion press where the tile material 90 enters to the die area 75, where a series of cutting and stamping dies convert the tile material 90 into a patterned tile strip 91 containing pineapple-shaped tiles, possibly having a raised pineapple peel texture. The shaped tile belt 91 may then exit under the conversion press 70 and enter a second tile decorating area 100 where mechanical orienting or computerized recognition devices are used to accurately position the shaped tiles to receive exactly the same decorations. A laser, or series of lasers, then burn or cut a portion of the top layer below which a green layer appears in the area next to the opening, corresponding to the pineapple leaves. A laser, or lasers, also simultaneously or one after another fire or cut a portion of both layers to reveal the aluminum underneath, creating a pineapple pattern. The laser, or lasers, or alternatively the thickness of the coating can be adjusted before this procedure, so that the process itself also gives the texture of a pineapple. The shaped tile belt 91 then re-enters a modified press 70, where the tiles are riveted to the package ends in a riveting area 75. The tile package ends then exit the press for further processing in another tile decorating area 100 or can be picked up and connect to the body of the packaging.

According to a further feature, the tile material may be etched or marked, by laser or other off-line means, prior to the forming process. The tiles can be etched or otherwise marked outside the line and after being attached to the top of the can. This invention also contemplates laser etching of coated or anodized can tops, other can parts, aluminum or metal bottle closures, plastic bottle closures or other beverage packaging parts.

Figure 10 shows the can top 120. Forming of the can top 120 and draw plates can be done in a conversion press. During the molding of the upper part of the can, various bubbles and deformations known as "coins" can be added to the upper part of the can in order to increase its strength. The top of the can in Drawing 10 shows anti-bend coins 121. The top of the can also has a plate opening groove 122 and a plate edge 123. The plate 124 is riveted, or fastened, to a head 125 on the top of the can by a conversion press punch. . Also shown is an additional coin 126. There may be other deformations 127 to increase the strength of the outlined plate 128 which allows access to the contents of the packaging. The thrust plate has a gripping part 129 which can be raised and thus pressed against the part with the opening on the outlined plate. There is also a convenient slit 131 on the plate that facilitates its action like a lever, with the head 125 acting as a fulcrum at the connection point. The engaging part is a convenient closed plate and bears the decoration 132 shown as the "VALUE MARK" logo.

In one preferred embodiment, the wafer is made of a material that is thicker than .01 inch, preferably .0125 inch. The tile material is coated with an organic coating material, and the decoration is made using a laser etching process. The top of the can itself can also be protected with an organic coating and a decoration 133 can be placed on the top of the can. The decoration 133 is shown as a "BRAND EQUITY" logo. The preferred method of making ornaments is the application of a laser, which removes part of one or more layers to obtain ornaments.

Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. A packaging cap, such as a bottle cap 140, may also carry a decoration 141 on it. Again, the decoration is successfully created by applying a laser that removes one or more layers of coating. The decoration on Drawing 7 is shown as the "BRAND DECOR" logo.

Drawing 12 shows the technique of application of decorations according to this invention. There is a substrate 150. According to one suitable embodiment, the substrate can be an aluminum plate or some other material to be decorated or marked. According to one suitable embodiment, this material is part of the beverage or food packaging, such as the top, lid, body or bottom of the packaging. However, any other material can be marked. According to the above statement, the base can be made of any suitable material and can be part of the upper part of the can, bottle cap, lid of the packaging or any other part of the packaging itself.

The substrate can be coated with one or more layers in contrasting colors. Drawing 12 shows four layers of coating, which can be any corresponding color or conveniently a cyan layer 151, a magenta layer 152, a yellow layer 153 and a black layer 154. When the substrate is aluminum, removing all four layers, as in area 155, reveals the natural aluminum color. Area 156 shows the removal of the three layers and the detection of the cyan color. Area 157 shows the removal of the two layers and the detection of the magenta color. Area 158 shows stripping of one layer and revealing the yellow color. In the example shown, all areas where no layers have been removed will remain black. In this way, practically any color can be obtained.

It is to be understood that many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention. The attached patent claims express the scope of the invention.

Claims (21)

1. The method of making a device for opening packaging, indicated by the fact that it has the following steps: - providing a place to place a tile that has a substantially permanent layer of coating applied to at least its upper side; - decorating the said tile with decorations for tiles strictly limited by laser removal of the said coating layer; - forming the specified tile into at least one pullable tile; wherein said plate can be attached to the end of the packaging; 2. The method according to patent claim 1, characterized in that the decorating phase is performed before the specified shaping phase. 3. The method according to patent claim 1, characterized in that the decorating phase takes place after the mentioned shaping phase. 4. The method according to patent claim 1, characterized by the fact that it further includes the phase of attaching the said pulling plate to the said end of the packaging, whereby the said attachment phase takes place before the said decoration phase. 5. The method according to patent claim 1, characterized in that the plate consists of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, mixed material, natural material and synthetic material. 6. The method according to patent claim 1, characterized in that said material has several layers of substantially permanent coatings at least on the upper side. 7. Method according to patent claim 1 or 6, characterized in that said coating material is one of the organic materials. 8. The method according to patent claim 6, characterized in that the decorating phase involves bringing the said coated tile into contact with a laser in order to remove at least one part of the upper layer of the coating in order to reveal the bottom layer of the coating, and also part of the bottom layer of the coating in order to reveal the uncoated surface of the said draw plates. 9. The method according to patent claim 1, characterized in that the forming phase involves bringing the said plate into contact with a conversion press. 10. The method according to patent claim 1, characterized in that the shaping phase involves shaping the specified tile into a pullable tile of a symbolic shape. 11. The method according to patent claim 1, characterized in that said pull plate is in the form of a plate with a closed end. 12. The method according to patent claim 1, characterized in that the decorating stage further includes bulging, indenting, writing or etching tile decorations on said tile. 13. Device for opening packaging, characterized by the fact that it consists of: - traction plate which is a substantially flat part of a flat surface with an attachment point for attachment to the packaging with a closed gripping part oriented to one side of the said attachment point, and the front part oriented to the opposite side of the said attachment point; - a substantially permanent layer of coating applied to the said traction plate; - thumbnails placed on the said pull plate, where the said thumbnail is made by precisely limited laser removal of the said coating layer to reveal the uncoated surface of the said pull plate. 14. The device for opening packaging according to patent claim 13, characterized in that it further consists of laser-etched coating layers applied to the specified pulling plate. 15. Device for opening packaging according to patent claim 13, characterized in that said pulling plate between the gripping part and the front part has a weakened part so that the gripping part can be separated from the front part. 16. Device for opening packaging, characterized by the fact that it consists of: - pull plates, which means a substantially flat part of a flat surface that has a symbolic shape and an attachment point for attaching to the specified packaging, - of a substantially permanent layer of coating applied to the said traction plate, - thumbnails placed on the said pull plate, where the said thumbnail is made by precisely limited laser removal of the said coating layer to reveal the uncoated surface of the said pull plate. 17. Device for opening packaging according to patent claim 16, characterized in that it has a weakened part further between the gripping part and the front part so that the gripping part can be separated from the front part. 18. Packaging, indicated by the fact that it consists of: - the upper part of the packaging; - tearing strips on the upper part of the packaging for opening the upper part; - a pull plate which is a substantially flat part of a flat surface and has a fastening point attached to the upper part of the packaging, and said pull plate is hingedly connected to the tear strip so that by pulling the pull plate, the tear strip opens; - thumbnails placed on the said pull plate, wherein the said thumbnail is made by precisely limited laser removal of the said coating layer in order to reveal the uncoated surface of the said pull plate. 19. Packaging according to patent claim 18, indicated by the fact that said pull plate has a symbolic shape. 20. Packaging according to patent claim 19, characterized in that it has a weakened part between the gripping part and the front part so that the gripping part can be separated from the front part. 21. Packaging according to patent claim 20, indicated by the fact that the said tear tape covers almost the entire upper part of the packaging and is defined by a continuous, uninterrupted tear line that forms a closed geometric shape on the upper part of the packaging so that the entire tear tape can be removed from the upper part of the packaging since the pulling plate separates the tear tape from the upper part of the packaging to open the packaging.