Patent ID: 6311580
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: B67B

Abstract:
A flip top can opener for opening a can having a lid including a scored closure adapted to be displaced from but not removed from said lid and having a lift tab secured to the lid, said lift tab having a predetermined thickness and secured to a top surface of said can by a rivet and including a ring at one end and a flat surface portion at the opposing end, comprising:a lever body formed as a unitary elongated body;a lift tab securing portion formed at one end of said elongated body, said lift tab securing portion having a tab engaging element and a force application member having a coplanar relationship and extending in generally opposing directions, said tab engaging element defined by an arcuate indentation terminating at either end by a pair of coplanar spaced protruding tips, said protruding tips spaced by a distance of at least several times the width of said lift tab, and including a central region for securing the lift tab ring;said force application member spaced from said central region of said tab engaging element and having a single protruding tip for applying force to said flat surface portion of said lift tab;a handle portion formed at an opposing end of said elongated body;wherein said lift tab securing portion is generally flat and oriented in a vertical plane when force is applied to said lift tab, said force being applied in a direction parallel to said vertical plane and serving to cause displacement of said scored closure from said lid.