Abstract:
A flip-up pop-tab in which a partially detachable portion of a lid of a can is separated from the can and hinged away from the opening created in the lid is described.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/510,714, filed Jul. 22, 2011. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to cans, and more particularly, to pop-top cans having a panel that lifts upward away from the associated can. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Pop-top cans are popular containers for a variety of food products and beverages. The vast majority of canned beverages such as, for example, soft drinks, beer, juices, and the like, are opened via a top-pop opening in the top of the can. Pop-top cans can also be used to hold a variety of other products, such as car products, lawn care products, and the like. 
     Typical pop-top cans include a tab riveted to atop of a cylindrical can, most often near the center of the top. As the tab is pulled upward on one end, the opposing end is directed downward towards a scored region of the top of the can. When enough force is exerted by the tab against the scored region, the scored region begins to separate from the rest of the top of the can, thereby creating an opening through which contained beverages may be consumed. 
     Although there has been great commercial success, there are significant drawbacks to the current pop-top can. The tabs on most pop-top cans are substantially flat against the top of the can. Lifting the tab upward and away from the top of the can be an arduous task for individuals with arthritis, longer fingernails, thick or larger fingers, and the like. Furthermore, because the above-described scored region is directed downward, into the can, the region can potentially come into direct contact with the contained beverage or foodstuff. This can be unsanitary and unhealthy. 
     Thus, what is a desired is a pop-top can that can safely be opened by lifting a region of the top of the can in an upward direction. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments include a pop-top including a lid having a panel outlined via a score line, a puncturing means connected to the lid and adjacent to the partially detachable portion, and an opening means attached to the partially detachable portion. The opening means can include a lever arm and a panel cover connecting around a rivet opening. 
     In various embodiments, a can is opened by lifting the lever arm of the opening means near perpendicular, relative to the lid and detaching the panel of the lid. Then, the lever arm is lifted to fold forward towards the lid. Stress relief around the panel cover allows the panel cover to remain substantially in a plane with the lid, even though the panel partially separates from the lid. The panel is lifted to be adjacent to the panel cover away from the lid. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top-view illustration of a lid in a fully-sealed position having a panel in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view illustration of an opening means in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional diagram of a lid in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of a lid without the opening means in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a score line in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     In reference to the drawings, similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout all the drawings. The following is a list of the reference characters and associated element:
           10  lid     20  panel     30  score line     31  first score line end     32  second score line end     40  rivet     50  opening means     52  lever arm     53  panel cover     54  rivet opening     55  arm     56  opening     57  elongated parallel side     58  curved end       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a top-view illustration of a lid  10  in a fully-sealed position having a panel in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 1 , an opening means  50  is attached to lid  10  via a rivet  40 . The opening means includes a lever arm  52  and a panel cover  53 . While  FIG. 1  illustrates the use of a rivet to attach the opening means  50  to the lid  10 , the opening means can be attached to the lid using adhesives or the like as an alternative to the rivet. The opening means is able to rotate around the rivet if needed, although the opening means in  FIG. 1  is shown oriented such that the panel cover  53  is adjacent to (and covers) a panel  20  of the lid. The rivet may be located anywhere on the lid, and need not be centralized on the lid relative to the edges of the lid  10 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an opening means in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lever arm  52  and panel cover  53  are joined substantially around a rivet opening  54 . The opening means  50  may be manufactured from plastic, metal, ceramic, or a combination thereof. Other materials can be used, depending on the specific embodiment. 
     The lever arm  52  may be of any shape such that an individual&#39;s finger, individual&#39;s fingernail, or other edged tool may pry and separate a bottom side of the lever arm from being substantially adjacent to the lid. 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the lever arm has two elongated parallel sides  57  connected at one end to the panel cover of the opening means, and connected at the opposing end by a curved end  58 . In some embodiments, curved end  58  has a semi-circular shape. It is the curved end that is preferably used to pry and separate a bottom side of the lever arm  52  from the adjacent lid. In some embodiments, the lever arm  52  is substantially planar and includes one or more openings  56 . 
     The openings  56  are configured to relieve stress from the lever arm  52  as it is utilized to open the lid, as well as to reduce stress near the rivet opening. In particular, the openings  56  can reduce the forces applied to the center of the opening means  50  and can prevent the opening means from being detached from the lid. 
     The panel cover  53  of the opening means can be any shape, provided it substantially corresponds to and/or mirrors the shape of the score line of the panel. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the panel cover of the opening means is semi-circular in shape and shaped to substantially mimic a majority of the overall shape of the panel of the lid. In various embodiments, the panel cover is sized to be just slightly larger than the overall shape of the panel. In some embodiments, the panel cover is substantially planar and includes one or more openings. 
     In various embodiments, the panel cover of the opening means is substantially circular in shape, such that the overall shape forms a semi-circular shape greater than 180 degrees. The panel cover includes one or more arms  55  that extend in a direction parallel to the elongated parallel sides  57  of the lever arm. Each arm  55  of the panel cover is separated from the adjacent elongated side of the lever arm by a bend relief portion. In various embodiments, the panel cover has two arms  55 , one being adjacent and parallel to each elongated parallel side  57  of the panel cover. The arms  55  are configured such that they apply pressure to the lid rather than the panel of the lid when the opening means is engaged. In other words, the alms are positioned to apply force to the lid outside the score line, where the portion inside the score line constitutes the panel. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional diagram of lid  10  in  FIG. 2  along line A-A in accordance with one or more embodiments. For simplicity, openings  56  are not shown. Panel  20  is defined by or bound by score line  30 . Opening means  50  is attached to the lid via a rivet  40  driven through the panel  20 . The arms  55  of the opening means apply pressure at or near the arrows labeled B, on the outside of the score line relative to the panel. In order to balance forces, forces at or near the arrows labeled C cause the panel  20  to begin to break away from the lid  10  along score line  30 . 
     In various embodiments, an outer edge of the panel cover of the opening means can be a rolled edge such that the actual end of the material is folded under the panel cover and is adjacent to the top side of the adjacent lid. In such embodiments, as the opening means opens the panel, the panel can engage the rolled edge such that a sharp edge of the panel is covered or enveloped by the rolled edge of the panel cover. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a lid without the opening means in accordance with one or more embodiments. In  FIG. 4 , lid  10  is illustrated as having a panel  20  outlined by a score line  30 . The score line  30  may be of any desired shape. For example, in some embodiments, the score line is curved and substantially circular, oblong, oval, or tear-drop in shape with a narrower portion of the panel  20 , if present, close to a center of the lid  10 . 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of an example embodiment of score line  30 . As illustrated in the figures, the score line  30  has a first score line end  31  and a second score line end  32 . The first score line end is substantially adjacent to a rivet  40  of the lid. In some embodiments, the first score line end has a semi-circular shape. Between the first score line end and the second score line end, the score line may curve around a portion of the rivet  40 , then be directed towards an edge of the lid before circling around the rivet at a distance greater than at least twice the diameter of the rivet. The score line preferably does not form a substantially complete circle around the rivet, and thereby forms a boundary of the panel  20  of the lid. 
     When the panel is in a closed position, that is, the score line has not been broken and the lid is intact, the lever arm and the panel cover are adjacent to, substantially covering, and/or substantially contiguous to the panel. To operate the opening means, the lever arm is moved upward away from the lid to a position substantially perpendicular, relative to the lid, effective to press at least one of the one or more arms towards the lid. The one or more arms press on the lid outside the score line while the panel cover pulls the panel inside the score line, causing the score line to unseal the panel from the lid revealing a slight opening. In various embodiments, the slight opening is revealed along the narrow portion of the panel near the rivet. 
     The lever arm is pushed back towards its original position adjacent to the lid, pulling the panel cover and panel up and away from the plane of the lid and causing the score line to continue to unseal or break. As the score line unseals, an edge of the panel can rest adjacent to or situate within the rolled edge of the panel cover of the opening means. 
     Once the score line is substantially unsealed, the panel may be lifted upward relative to the lid in a direction toward the lever arm and hinged away from the opening created in the lid and exposing an internal face of the panel (e.g., a face that was internal to the can). The contents of the can may then be accessed through the opening. 
     In various embodiments, the panel can be embossed or printed with advertising or promotional information. For example, an advertisement, game code, trivia, or other content can be imprinted or marked on the internal face of the panel. When the can is opened and the internal face of the panel is exposed, the promotional content is visible to a consumer. 
     While various embodiments have been described, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.