Abstract:
Lash Back Lid is an apparatus disposed inside a container to enable the container to reclose and reopen after the container was initially opened. 
     The present invention is best suited to function with containers having a lid with a tab and a collapsible dispensing port cover. 
     The apparatus communicates with the container tab and dispensing port cover whereby a person can re-close and re-open a container dispensing port, through physical interference of the container tab.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a apparatus for containers having a tab and a collapsible part of their lids or dispensing hole cover that will collapse when the tab is lifted. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Containers presently on the market having a tab and a collapsible lid part will remain open after initial opening, consequently causing beverages in the container to loose its carbonated contents if not used up in a short time. Also, beverages may be spilled causing damages to documents or garments. Discarded opened containers often cause mosquitoes&#39; infestations and bad smelling odors from accumulated water. 
         [0005]    Thereafter; inventors created several types of closures to re-seal containers after they were opened. U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,859 B1 to Richard Joseph Leon filed Jan. 21, 2003 application Ser. No. 10/348,412 date of patent May 10, 2005 discloses a complex closure which can be pressed and locked on a beverage cup lid. However these closures do not prevent carbonated contents from escaping a container. U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,666 B1 to J. L. Clark, Inc, filed Jan. 21, 2001 application Ser. No. 09/886,800 date of application Jun. 1, 2004 discloses a closure with a flip section of the lid including a sealing ring sized to engage the inner periphery of the dispensing hole to provide a seal to preserve organic or other perishable items; however this invention is not effective on beverage containers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,112 B1 to Farmarte, LLC filed Jan. 1, 2000 application Ser. No. 09/585689 date of patent, Jul. 16, 202 discloses a spill resistant lid having sealable bead and a first cylindrical wall and a second cylindrical wall such closure apply sealing pressure to the inside container wall, and is not cost effective for containers such as beer and soda cans. U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,825 B2 to Lawerence Gerald Klosterman and Thomas D R filed Jun. 28, 2004 application Ser. No. 10/878,736 date of patent Aug. 15, 2006 discloses a tab extending sleeve for a flip-top beverage, snack and pet food container; this invention is not practical for use on most beverage containers, it can interfere with normal drinking of beverage by being on the outer surface of the lid. 
         [0006]    The present invention is not intended to change the way in which a container with a tab and collapsible lid part is opened, nor does it change the external features; the invention allows a person to lift a tab that causes a part of the container&#39;s lid to collapse no different to opening a container not having the invention. However, the invention makes it possible to close the container after its initial opening by simply lifting the tab a second time (or turning version may be used). Lifting the tab a third time will re-open the container. Lifting the tab a fourth time will close the container, and a fifth lift will open the container and so forth. Other versions of the present invention, enables a person to rotate a container tab or a knob in order to re-close and re-open the container, dispensing port. 
         [0007]    Thereafter, inventors created several types of closures to re-seal containers after they were opened. U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,859 B1 to Richard Joseph Leon filed Jan. 21, 2003 application Ser. No. 10/348,412 date of patent May 10, 2005 discloses a complex closure which can be pressed and locked on a beverage cup lid. However these closures do not prevent carbonated contents from escaping a container. U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,666 B1 to J. L. Clark, Inc, filed Jan. 21, 2001 application Ser. No. 09/886,800 date of application Jun. 1, 2004 discloses a closure with a flip section of the lid including a sealing ring sized to engage the inner periphery of the dispensing hole to provide a seal to preserve organic or other perishable items; however this invention is not effective on beverage containers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,112 B1 to Farmarte, LLC filed Jan. 1, 2000 application Ser. No. 09/585689 date of patent, Jul. 16, 202 discloses a spill resistant lid having sealable bead and a first cylindrical wall and a second cylindrical wall such closure apply sealing pressure to the inside container wall, and is not cost effective for containers such as beer and soda cans. U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,825 B2 to Lawerence Gerald Klosterman and Thomas D R filed Jun. 28, 2004 application Ser. No. 10/878,736 date of patent Aug. 15, 2006 discloses a tab extending sleeve for a flip-top beverage, snack and pet food container; this invention is not practical for use on most beverage containers, it can interfere with normal drinking of beverage by being on the outer surface of the lid. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The invention is geared for container, having a tab and a collapsible part o their lids or dispensing hole cover, such as soda and beer cans. The invention&#39;s added functions to containers will provide a person the option to open and close a container as many times as they see fit, thereby preventing spills and outside contamination from entering a container. Also, having the option to re-close and re-open a container if its contents are not being used all at once, preserving such contents for later use. Beers and sodas will go flat if opened and allowed to sit for a while for using them. The invention will allow a person to close a beverage container after initial opening and they will enjoy the beverage at a later time, while it still tastes like it was newly opened. 
         [0009]    The objective of the invention is to provide a container such as a beer and soda cans with the option to open and close as many times as needed. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The invention is a new and improved apparatus to close and open soda cans and other suitable containers, after their initial opening, and can be adapted or be used on most beverage cans in use today. 
         [0011]    The present invention makes it possible to re-close soda cans after their dispensing port has been opened. The current soda can dispensing holes remain open after their collapsible part is pushed away from the lid by a tab. The invention will cause the collapsible part o the lid to return to its original position, thereby re-closing the dispensing port and preventing contamination or spills of the contents. 
         [0012]    The present invention also includes a elongated assembly attached to the lid dispensing port cover underside, and to the rivet post holding the container tab in place. The rivet post affix to the tab will turn together with the tab causing the attached elongated assembly to rotate with the turning of the tab, causing the attached collapsible part of dispensing hole cover to move away from or towards its originally closed position, enabling re-closing of container having a tab and a collapsible lid part of their lid. 
         [0013]    The apparatus disposed on the inner side of a container&#39;s lid with part hanging or suspended downward, enabling movements of the various element included. 
         [0014]    A linkage fastened to the tab located on the outer side of the container lid, passes through a hole in the lid and is linked to a corrugated resilient distorted strip element linking an outer sleeve to the linkage. 
         [0015]    The invention having several versions, one of which does not container a housing, instead a distorted metal o plastic strip is attached to the tab rivet post and extends onto the lid dispensing port cover. The apparatus being a elongated assembly, linking a container tab to rotable and slidable elements, for transferring external physical interference of the container tab or fron a outward projection of the elongated assembly disposed at the top outside surface of the container lid dispensing port cover, Enabling re-closing and re-opening of the container dispensing port. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 CONTAINER 
                 12 
               
               
                 LID 
                 13 
               
               
                 DISPENSING PORT COVER 
                 14 
               
               
                 TAB 
                 11 
               
               
                 TAB POST 
                 11A 
               
               
                 DISPENSING PORT 
                 13A 
               
               
                 VERTICAL LINKAGE 
                 16 
               
               
                 OUTWARD END 
                 18 
               
               
                 INWARD END 
                 18C 
               
               
                 INWARD END HORIZONTAL PIN 
                 17 
               
               
                 OUTWARD END KNOB 
                 19 
               
               
                 DRIVEN BAR 
                 20 
               
               
                 DRIVEN BAR BACK ELONGATED HOLE 
                 21 
               
               
                 DRIVEN BAR FRONT END THROUGH HOLE 
                 22 
               
               
                 ROTARY DRIVEN BAR 
                 24 
               
               
                 ROTARY DRIVEN BAR FRONT ELONGATED HOLE 
                 25 
               
               
                 ROTARY DRIVEN BAR BACK THROUGH 
                 26 
               
               
                 HORIZONATLLY SLIDABLE BAR 
                 28 
               
               
                 VERTICAL PROJECTION 
                 29 
               
               
                 HORIZONTAL PROJECTION 
                 30 
               
               
                 VERTICALLY SLIDABLE CONVERTER BAR 
                 32 
               
               
                 CONVERTER BAR ELONGATED DISTORTED TOP END 
                 35 
               
               
                 CONVERTER BAR ELONGATED STRAIGHT 
                 34 
               
               
                 BOTTOM END 
               
               
                 CONVERTER BAR HOIZONTALLY ALIGNED 
                 33 
               
               
                 PROJECTION 
               
               
                 CORRUGATED RESILLIENT STRIP 
                 36 
               
               
                 STRIP BACK END CORRUGATED PORTION 
                 38 
               
               
                 STRIP FRONT END CORRUGATED PORTION 
                 37 
               
               
                 STRIP ELONGATED DISTORTED FRONT END 
                 37A 
               
               
                 HORIZONTAL DRIVEN GEAR 
                 40 
               
               
                 THROUGH HOLE 
                 41 
               
               
                 TEETH 
                 42 
               
               
                 TRANSMITTER GEAR 
                 44 
               
               
                 THROUGH HOLE 
                 45 
               
               
                 TEETH 
                 46 
               
               
                 SPIRALING GROOVED SLEEVE 
                 48 
               
               
                 SPIRALING GROOVE 
                 49 
               
               
                 VERTICALLY DRIVING COG CRANK 
                 52 
               
               
                 COG CRANK BACK ELONGATED 
                 54 
               
               
                 COG CRANK SLIPPING CIG 
                 53 
               
               
                 SLIPPING COG 
                 57 
               
               
                 ROTABLE CROSS THREAD WHEEL 
                 60 
               
               
                 THREAD GROOVE 
                 61 
               
               
                 ROTABLE CROSS THREAD WHEEL BACK 
                 62A 
               
               
                 SUPPORT SHAFT 
               
               
                 ROTABLE CROSS THREAD WHEEL FRONT 
                 62 
               
               
                 SUPPORT SHAFT 
               
               
                 COIL SPRING 
                 64 
               
               
                 WHIPPING SHAFT 
                 68 
               
               
                 STRAIGHT BACK END 
                 69 
               
               
                 DISTORTED FRONT END 
                 70 
               
               
                 VERTICALLY DRIVEN ROTARY THREAD TRACKER 
                 72 
               
               
                 TRACKER INWARD PROJECTIONS 
                 72A/72B 
               
               
                 TRACKER ELONGATED HOLE 
                 73 
               
               
                 SLIDABLE CROSS THREAD WHEEL 
                 76 
               
               
                 THREAD GROOVE 
                 79 
               
               
                 SLIDABLE CROSS THREAD WHEEL BACK 
                 78 
               
               
                 END SLIDABLE SHAFT 
               
               
                 SLIDABLE CROSS THREAD WHEEL FRONT END 
                 77 
               
               
                 SLIDABLE SHAFT 
               
               
                 FRONT END SLIDABLE SHAFT HORIZONTAL 
                 77A 
               
               
                 PROJECTION 
               
               
                 SQUARE HOLE BACK SUPPORT COLUMN 
                 92 
               
               
                 COLUMN SQUARE THROUGH HOLE 
                 92 
               
               
                 WHIPPING SHAFT INSIDE SUPPORT COLUMN 
                 88 
               
               
                 WHIPPING SHAFT INSIDE SUPPORT COLUMN 
                 88A 
               
               
                 THROUGH HOLE 
               
               
                 ONVERTER BAR 
                 32 
               
               
                 CORRUGATED RESILIENT STRIP 
                 36 
               
               
                 HORIZONTAL DRIVING GEAR 
                 40 
               
               
                 TRANSMITTER GEAR 
                 44 
               
               
                 SPIRALING GROOVED SLEEVE 
                 48 
               
               
                 VERTICALLY DRIVEN COG CRANK 
                 52 
               
               
                 COG WHEEL 
                 56 
               
               
                 CROSS THREAD WHEEL 
                 60 
               
               
                 COIL SPRING 
                 64 
               
               
                 WHIPPING SHAFT 
                 68 
               
               
                 VERTICALLY DRIVEN ROTARY THREAD TRACKER S 
                 72 
               
               
                 SLIDABLE CROSS THREAD WHEEL 
                 76 
               
               
                 SQUARED HOLE BACK SUPPORT COLUMMN 
                 92 
               
               
                 FRONT SUPPORT COLUMN 
                 84 
               
               
                 FRONT SHAFT SUPPORT COLUMN AND HOUSING 
                 88 
               
               
                 10H WHICH ILLUSTRATE SIDES 
               
               
                 A, AA, B, BB, C, CC, D, DD, E, EE, F AND FF 
               
               
                 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    FIG. is a perspective view of one version of the present invention visible inside the container through a broken off section, having a broken off portion 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a similar view as  FIG. 1  of the present invention showing a second version having a broken off portion 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a container showing a third version of the present invention through a broken off section, and showing the container closed having the invention inside 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a similar view of the present invention as in  FIG. 3  and including the invention hidden inside the container showing a knob 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a similar view as in  FIG. 1  showing a forth version of the present invention having a broken off portion to show the internal make-up 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a fifth version of the present invention inside a container through a broken off section, and having a broken off portion for clarity of inside make-up 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a sixth version of the present invention inside a container visible through a broken off section, having a broken off portion showing the internal make-up 
           [0023]      FIG. 7A  is a elevated view of the various elements not assembled as in  FIG. 7   
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a eight version of the present invention in a container visible through a broken off section, having a broken off portion for clarity of the internal make-up 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows and embodiment EM 1  including a linkage means  16  with a outward end  18  attached to tab  11  and having a horizontal projection at it&#39;s elongated inward end linking  17  linking a vertical driven bar  20  slot  21 , and bar  20  connect onto wiper shaft  68  rotable end portion  69  which is being supported and keep in a rotable position by two through holes in the left and right sides walls of the apparatus, the wiper shaft  68  is showing having a deformed elongated end  70  for attachability to the dispensing port cover  14  underside 
         [0026]    Additional embodiment are shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8   
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows the second version of the present invention including linkage means  16  outward end affixed to tab  11  post  11 A underside and linkage  16  inward end is secured in a hole through horizontal swing bar  24  and bar  24  communicate with horizontally slidable drive bar  28  that is in communication with vertical driven bar  20  which is in communication with whiper shaft  68 , whiper shaft  68  distorted end  70  attachable to the dispensing port cover  14 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  in which drawing a shows third version of the present invention disposed on the underside of the container  12  lid  13  in a upside down position showing container with a broken off section for clarity. The corrugated resilient buckling strip  36  shows a elongated curved portion attached to the underside of dispensing port cover  14  and corrugated sections  37  and  38  on opposite sides of the connecting linkage  16 . The back support column  80  and front column  84  allows for resilient buckling strip  36  to be in an elevated position relative to the underside of lid  1 . The linkage means  16  and corrugated resilient buckling strip  36  react front tab  11  being push and pull, causing a flipping or lashing reaction from corrugated resilient buckling strip  36  elongated curved portion, re-closing and re-opening container  12  dispensing port by pushing or pulling dispensing port cover  14 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3A  shows the same version as in FIG.  FIG. 3A  shows the container  12  in a upright and closed position showing tab  11  connected to post  11 A, so that lifting tab  11 , will pull post  11 A upward, causing the attached linkage  16 to pull the corrugated resilient buckling strip  36  upward, pulling away dispensing port cover  14  opening the dispensing port. By pushing tab  11  downward will push post  11 A downward causing linkage  16  to push the corrugated resilient buckling strip  36  downward to cause a upward movement of the attached dispensing port cover  14  closing the dispensing port.  FIG. 4  in which drawing  10   c  is a similar version as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  drawing shows a upside down container  12  with a broken off section, showing the present invention place in a different position to allow for a knob  19  illustrated in drawing of  FIG. 4A  to be positioned at the top outside surface of lid  13  in close proximity of tab  11 . The knob  19  can re-close and re-open the container  12  dispensing port from knob  19  being pulled or pushed to cause the corrugated resilient buckling strip  36  to push dispensing port or to pull dispensing port cover  14  away from the dispensing port thereby re-closing or re-opening the container  12  dispensing port  14 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4A  shows a container in a upright and closed position with a knob  19  projecting upward off a container top, the knob  19  is in communication with the apparatus illustrated in drawing  10   c  of  FIG. 4  whereby a human hand can pull and can push knob  19  to cause the apparatus hidden to reclose and re-open the container. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  shows a forth version of the present invention in a similar view as  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The container  12  tab  11  keep in place with post  11 A; and post  11 A attached to linkage  16  outward end. Linkage  16  inward end having mounted there on a horizontal driving gear  40  with teeth  42 . The horizontal driving gear rotates clockwise and anti-clockwise to slide horizontal sliding bar  28 F to and fro, by way of horizontal driving gear  40  teeth  42  communicating with horizontally slidable bar  28  slots  29 . The horizontally slidable bar  28 F shows a horizontally projection  21  connecting a driven bar  20  and horizontally slidable bar  28 F. Driven bar  20  attached onto whiper shaft  68 . Whiper shaft  68  is kept in place by two holes on opposite sides in the apparatus side walls. The horizontally slidable bar  28 , are kept in a slildable position by back support column  80 A-slot  80 B and front support column  84 A slot  84 B. Turning tab  11  will cause post  11 A to turn linkage  16  and linkage  16  will rotate horizontally driving gear  40  which will cause horizontally slidable bar  28 F to slide to and fro pushing and pulling driven bar  20  will turn whiper shaft  68  clockwise and anti-clockwise causing whiper shaft  68  distorted end portion  7 -\ 0  to push or pull the attached dispensing port cover  14  thereby re-closing and re-opening the container  12  dispensing port from turning tab  11 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  shows a fifth version of the present invention having a broken off section for clarity. The container  12  tab  11  keep in place by post  11 A, post  11 A is attached to linkage  16  outward end. Linkage  16  inward end accommodate and keep in place spiraling grooved sleeve  48 . Spiraling grooved sleeve  48  includes a spiraling groove  49 . The spiraling grooved  49  cooperate with a horizontally projecting pin  50  projecting from a vertically slidable converter bar  32 . Converter bar  32  includes a hole  33  from which pin  50  project, a bottom end  34  and a top  35  which is attachable to the dispensing port  13 A cover  14  underside. The embodiment includes a top hole  16  E and a bottom hole  16 F, for keeping the spiraling grooved sleeve  48  affix onto linkage  16  in a functionable position. The embodiment also includes a top slot  32  E and a bottom slot  32 F for keeping the vertically slidable converter bar  32  in a slidable position. The container  12  having a tab  11  that when turned, will rotate spiraling grooved sleeve  48  causing pin  50  to be pulled up or down vertically carrying along the attached bar  32  in a upward or downward direction thereby pushing or pulling the container  12  dispensing port cover  14  towards or away from the container  12  dispensing port, re-closing or re-opening the dispensing port. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  shows a six version of the present invention, visible through broken off section for clarity. The container  12  shows the tab  11  being kept in place by post  11  A and having linkage  16  outward end attached to tab  11 . Coil spring  64  is positioned between the embodiment inside top surface E  1  and linkage  16  inward end. Linkage  16  inward end includes a horizontal projection  17  for keeping in place a vertical dive cog crank  52  that cooperate with a cog wheel  56  illustrated