Patent ID: 6059137
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: B65D,Y10S

Abstract:
A selectively reclosable ring-pull opener (20) for use with a can (22) of the type having a top wall (26), a base wall (25), and a cylindrical side wall (24) joining said top and base walls (26), (25) together in sealed relation, with a score line (36) in said top wall (26) defining a movable region of material (38) movable between a first closed position, whereat said movable region of material (38) is integral with said top wall (26) in sealing relation therewith, and an open position whereat said movable region of material (38) is displaced from said first closed position, so as to create and opening in said top wall (40), said movable region of material being bounded by a non-movable region of material (42), said ring-pull opener (20) characterized by:a unitary main body (27) comprising:a manually grippable ring portion (28) extending above said top wall (26) in acutely angled relation to said top wall (26) to define a first operative plane relative to said top wall (26);a closure portion (32) underlying said manually grippable ring portion (28) and extending above said top wall (26) in substantially parallel overlying relation to said top wall (26) to define a second operative plane substantially parallel to said top wall (26), said closure portion (32) having a peripheral flange portion (34) and a downwardly depending skirt portion (37) of substantially the same plan outline and size as said opening (40), said closure portion (32) being solid at least within the area bounded by the skirt portion (37);a tab portion (46) extending downwardly from said ring portion (28) to contact, in overlying relation, an upper surface of said closure portion (48); and,a connecting nose portion (54) extending in folded connecting relation from a peripheral edge of said ring portion (56) to an underlying peripheral edge of said closure portion (58);a mounting means adapted to be (44) affixed to the top wall (26) and operatively passing through said tab portion (46) and said upper surface of said closure portion (48) to movably mount said main body (27) on the top wall (26) of the can for upwardly directed, hinging movement of said manually grippable ring portion (28) from said first operative plane toward the vertical, for coincident downward movement of said connecting nose portion (54) into opening urging contact with said movable region of material (38), thereby to cause movement of said movable region (38) from said first closed position to said open position, for rotatable movement of said main body (27) in said second operative plane from a first position whereat said skirt portion (37) is removed from overlying the perimeter of said opening (40), and a second position whereat said skirt portion (37) is in overlying registered relation with said opening (40), and for downwardly directed, hinged movement of said closure portion (32) below said second operative plane;said peripheral flange portion (34) being shaped and dimensioned to overlie the perimeter of said opening (40) in overlapping contacting relation to said non-movable region (42) of material when said movable region (38) of material has been moved to said open position as aforesaid, said main body (27) has been rotatably moved to said second position, and said closure portion (32) has been hingingly moved as aforesaid below said second operative plane to a fully inserted position;at which fully inserted position said closure portion (32) substantially occludes said opening (40);wherein the outer surface of said downwardly extending skirt portion (37) is provided with one or more laterally outwardly extending nibs (66), such that, when said skirt portion (37) is, in said fully inserted position, within the opening (40), said nibs (66) underlie the top wall (26) and resist removal of the skirt portion (37) from within the opening (40) by way of yielding frictional contact with said top wall (37) upon such removal; andwherein a bead (74) of sealing material is provided at the area of the junction between said skirt portion (37) and the peripheral flange portion (34), to enhance said sealing between said peripheral flange portion (34), said skirt portion (37) and said opening (40).