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 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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 
       [0007]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a hinged opener for a sealed beverage can selectively providing access thereto. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    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. 
         [0011]    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. 
         [0012]    Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
         [0013]    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. 
         [0014]    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. 
         [0015]    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 
         [0016]    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: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the resealable hinged tab opener for a can. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is an assembled view of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
       [0027]    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 
       [0042]    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. 
         [0043]      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. 
         [0044]      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. 
         [0045]      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 . 
         [0046]      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 . 
         [0047]      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. 
         [0048]      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 . 
         [0049]      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. 
         [0050]      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 . 
         [0051]      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 . 
         [0052]      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 . 
         [0053]    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. 
         [0054]    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. 
         [0055]    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.