US20120248113A1

US20120248113A1 - Resealable Hinged Tab Opener For A Can

Info

Publication number: US20120248113A1
Application number: US13/078,102
Authority: US
Inventors: Marjan Majcen; Beverly Burke-Majcen; Robert Vreznik
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-01
Filing date: 2011-04-01
Publication date: 2012-10-04
Also published as: WO2012134508A3; WO2012134508A2

Abstract

A resealable pop-top type opener for a can having a curvilinear tab handle extending to divergent arms having a post fixed therebetween. A tab hinge is mounted to the tab plate with the hinge knuckle encompassing the hinge post so that the curvilinear tab handle can be pivoted from a substantially horizontal direction to a vertical direction whereupon the tab arms are used to manipulate the tab to either an open position or if open to a closed position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to pop-top cans and, more specifically, to a pop-top opener for a can having a curvilinear tab handle extending to divergent arms having a post fixed therebetween. Further provided is a tab hinge fixed to the tab plate having the hinge post mounted within the hinge knuckle. To open, the tab handle is raised causing the tab arms to break the tab plate from the can plate whereupon the tab handle is rotated moving the tab arms into the opening and rotating the tab handle until the tab arms are positioned under the can top. The tab handle is returned to its seated position thereby holding the tab plate in the open position. To close the tap plate, the tab handle is raised and rotated thereby moving the arms from under the can top and rotating the tab until the tab arms are positioned on the can top exterior wherethen the tab handle is returned to its seated position thereby holding the tab plate securely against the can opening therein sealing the can.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other opening devices designed for cans. While these opening devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they where designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
It is thus desirable to provide an opener having a curvilinear tab handle spaced partially from the can top providing leverage for opening said can.
It is further desirable to provide a tab having tab arms that can be used to keep the tab plate in an open or closed position.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a hinged opener for a sealed beverage can selectively providing access thereto.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinged opener for a sealed beverage container comprising a displaceable opener frame terminating in a pair of divergent arms.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hinged opener for a sealed beverage container further comprising a post extending between said divergent arms.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hinged cover further comprised of the hinge portion having a knuckled portion encompassing the tab post portion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinged cover wherein said hinge portion extends to a flange having an aperture therein for mounting said hinge portion to the can opening portion.
Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a resealable pop-top type opener for a can having a curvilinear tab handle extending to divergent arms having a post fixed therebetween. A tab hinge is mounted to the tab plate with the hinge knuckle encompassing the hinge post so that the curvilinear tab handle can be pivoted from a substantially horizontal direction to a vertical direction whereupon the tab arms are used to manipulate the tab to either an open position or if open to a closed position.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the resealable hinged tab opener for a can.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an assembled view of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Resealable Pop-Top Style Tab Opener for Containers of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.

- 10 Resealable Pop-Top Style Tab Opener for Containers of the present invention
- 12 can
- 14 curvilinear tab handle
- 16 arm
- 18 user
- 20 tab plate
- 22 hinge member
- 24 rivet
- 26 top of 12
- 28 tab member
- 30 horizontal post
- 32 egress aperture
- 34 knuckle of 22
- 36 can plate

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims.
FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the resealable hinged tab opener 10 for a can 12. The present invention provides a resealable pop-top type opener 10 for a can 12 having a curvilinear tab handle 14 extending to divergent arms 16 with a post fixed therebetween. Further provided is a hinge fastened to the tab plate 20 with the hinge knuckle encompassing the tab handle post. To open, the tab handle 14 is raised by the user 18 then rotated using the arms to wedge the tab plate open providing access to the container contents. To close, the tab is rotated until the arms are positioned on opposing exterior sides of the opening where the tab is returned to its seated position sealing the tab plate 20 to the can opening.
FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of the present invention. The present invention is a resealable pop-top type opener 10 for a can 12 having a tab handle 14 with a hinge 22 pivotally connected to a resealable tab plate 20 with a rivet 24. The tab plate 20 is malleable and scored into the can top 26. The hinged tab plate 20 is opened by lifting the handle 14 and turning so that the tab arms 16 are inserted into the can 12 then rotated moving the tab plate 20 to an open position, to reseal the can 12, the tab 28 is rotated until the tab arms 16 are positioned on the can top exterior and the tab is pushed to its seated position sealing the can 12 closed.
FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of the present invention. Shown is the resealable pop-top type opener 10 for cans 12 having the handle 14 in a partially lifted position pivoting on the hinge 22 with the tab plate 20 in a sealed position and the arms 16 resting on the can top 26.
FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of the present invention. Shown is the resealable pop-top type opener 10 for cans 12 having a handle 14 with a hinge 22 illustrated in a partially lifted position with tab plate 20 in a semi open position. The tab arms 16 provide a vertical pivot point as they sit on the can top 26.
FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of the present invention. Shown are the steps used to open and close the can 12 using the provided resealable pop-top tab 10. The tab handle 14 is lifted and rotated so that tab arms 16 can be manipulated and inserted within the can 12 and pressed up against the underside of the can top 26 portion, then pressed down thereby presenting a downward bias deforming the front of the tab plate 20 and opening the can 12. To reseal the can 12 the process is reversed and once the arms 16 are returned to the top compression of the handle 14 draws the front of the tab plate 20 back into the closed position.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown is an exploded view of the resealable pop-top can opener 10 having all components removed from can top 26 portion. Shown is the tab member 28 with the handle 14, horizontal post 30, arms 16, hinge 22 with knuckle 34, can top 26 and egress aperture 32, tab plate 20, can plate 36, rivet 24 and can 12.
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown is an exploded view of the pop-top can opener 10 of the present invention with tab plate 20 assembled and all other components removed from can top 26 portion.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown is an exploded view of the pop-top can opener 10 with the knuckle 34 of the hinge 22 attached to the horizontal post 30 of the handle 14.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown is an exploded view of the resealable pop-top can opener 10 with tab 28, handle 14, hinge 22 and tab plate 20 assembled to can top 26.
FIG. 10 is an assembled view of the present invention. Shown is an assembled view of the resealable pop-top type can opener 10 with the can top 26 and all the related components fully assembled on the can 12.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

1. A resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can comprising:

a) a can having a top portion;

b) a malleable tab plate scored into said top portion of said can; and

c) a tab member pivotally and rotatively secured to said tab plate for separating a portion of said tab plate from said top portion of said can and resealing said tab plate thereto.

2. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 1, wherein said tab member comprises:

a) an arcuate handle having a proximal end secured to said tab plate a distal end for manipulating said tab member;

b) means for pivotally securing said handle to said tab plate;

c) means for rotatively securing said handle to said tab plate;

d) a pair of divergent arms projecting vertically downward from said proximal end of said handle; and

e) a horizontal post extending between said divergent arms.

3. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 2, wherein said means for pivotally securing said handle to said tab plate is a hinge having a knuckle associated with said horizontal post to enable the vertical movement of said handle.

4. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 2, wherein said means for rotatively securing said handle to said tab plate is a rivet passing through said tab plate and said hinge to enable the rotative movement of said tab member and it's affiliated components.

5. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 2, wherein said horizontal post extends beyond the parameters of the width of said tab plate.

6. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 5, wherein said divergent arms project from said horizontal post at an acute angle to maintain contact with the top portion of said tab plate at all times.

7. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 6, wherein lifting said distal end of said handle results in said divergent arms applying a downward bias to the front upper portion of said tab plate thereby compromising the scored seal therein and deforming it to provide an aperture to access the contents therein.

8. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 7, wherein the rotation of said handle perpendicularly enables the user to introduce said horizontal post and said divergent arms through said aperture into the interior of the can thereby further urging said front portion of said tab plate downward.

9. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 8, wherein rotating said handle back to its original, seated position with said horizontal post positioned against the underside of said can top maintains said tab plate in the open condition.

10. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 9, wherein lifting and rotating said handle enables the user to raise said horizontal post and said divergent arms above said aperture with the hinge attached to said horizontal post and said tab plate drawing said tab plate upwards thus closing said aperture.

11. The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to claim 10, wherein rotation of said handle and lowering it to its original seated position effectively completes the resealing process to retain the remaining contents therein.

12. A resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can comprising:

a) a can with a top portion;

b) a malleable tab plate scored into said top portion of said can;

c) a tab member having a proximal end and a distal end disposed on said top portion of said can;

d) a curvilinear handle extending between said proximal end and said distal end of said tab member;

e) a horizontal post disposed on said proximal end of said tab member;

f) a pair of divergent arms projecting downward from opposing ends of said horizontal post;

g) a hinge having a knuckle encircling said horizontal post; and

h) a rivet rotatively connecting said hinge to said tab plate.

13. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in claim 12, wherein the opposing ends of said horizontal post extend beyond the width of said tab plate.

14. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in claim 13, wherein said divergent arms project from their respective ends of said horizontal posts at an acute angle to maintain contact with the top portion of said tab plate.

15. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in claim 14, wherein vertically lifting said handle results in the hinge and divergent arms compromising the scored seal at the front portion of said tab plate thereby lowering it to reveal an egress aperture therein.

16. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in claim 15, wherein rotation of said tab and affiliated hinge around said rivet further lowers said front portion of said tab plate increasing the access of said aperture as said horizontal post is positioned against the underside of said can top.

17. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in claim 16, wherein returning said handle to its original seated position with said horizontal post residing within said can and said divergent arms retaining said front portion of said tab plate downward in the open position to access the contents contained therein.

18. The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in claim 17, wherein reversing the process withdraws said horizontal post and said divergent arms from the interior of said can and said hinge pulls the front portion of said tab plate upwards to effectively reseal said aperture.

19. A method for utilizing a resealable pop-top style mechanism to provide access to the contents of a can and reseal the opening to preserve the remaining contents contained therein comprising the steps:

a) providing a can with a top portion having a malleable tab plate scored therein, a tab mechanism having a curvilinear handle, a horizontal post disposed at one end of said handle and extending beyond the width of said tab plate, a hinge disposed on said horizontal post, a rivet rotatively connecting said hinge to said tab plate and a pair of divergent arms projecting downward at acute angles from the ends of said horizontal post;

b) lifting said handle vertically to provide a downward bias to the front portion of said tab plate thereby compromising said scored seal and having said front portion descend below said top of said can;

c) rotating said handle to enable said horizontal post to enter the interior of said can while said divergent arms further lower said front portion of said tab plate;

d) returning said handle to its original seated position with said horizontal post residing against the underside of said can top and said divergent arms on the top of said front portion of said tab plate thereby retaining it in the open position;

e) reversing the process to release said horizontal post and said divergent arms from the interior of said can; and

f) returning said handle to its original seated position wherein said hinge draws said tab plate to an equilateral plane with said can top thereby effectively resealing said aperture.