Patent EA-002228-B1 (EA)
Title: Decorative and symbolically shaped pull tab container opening devices and methods of making the same
IPC: B65D/
Filed: 1998-08-26
Abstract: 1. A method of making a container opening device comprising the steps of: providing a portion of tab stock having a substantially permanent coating layer disposed on at least a top side thereof; decorating said tab stock with tab decorations by localized laser removal of said coating layer; forming said tab stock into at least one pull tab; whereby said pull tab is capable of being attached to a container end. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said decorating step is performed prior to said forming step. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said decorating step is performed after said forming step. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of attaching said pull tab to said container end, wherein said attaching step is performed prior to said decorating step. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said tab stock comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, composite material, natural material, and synthetic material. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said material has a plurality of layers of substantially permanent coatings on at least the top side. 7. The method of claim 1 or 6, wherein said coating material is an organic materials. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the decorating step comprises contacting said coated, tab stock with a laser to remove at least a portion of a top coating layer to reveal a bottom coating layer and also a portion of the bottom coating layer to reveal the uncoated surface of said pull tab. 9, The method of claim 1, wherein the forming step comprises contacting said tab stock with a conversion press. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming step comprises forming said tab stock into a pull tab with a symbolic shape. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said pull tab is in the shape of a closed-end tab. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the decorating step further comprises embossing, debossing, inscribing or etching tab decorations on said tab stock. 13. A container opening device comprising; a pull tab exhibiting a substantially planar member having an attachment point for attachment to a container with a closed grab portion oriented to one side of said attachment point and a nose portion oriented on an opposite side of said attachment point; a substantially permanent coating layer disposed on said pull tab; an image located on said pull tab, wherein said image is created by localized laser removal of said coating layer to expose an uncoated surface of said pull tab. 14. A container opening device according to claim 13, further comprising two or more laser etched coating layers disposed on said pull tab. 15. A container opening device according to claim 13, said pull tab further comprising a weakened portion between the grab portion and the nose portion so that the grab portion is separable from the nose portion. l6. A container opening device comprising: a pull tab comprising a substantially planar member defining a symbolic shape and having an attachment point for attachment to said container, a substantially permanent coating layer disposed on said pull tab; an image located on said pull tab, wherein said image is created by localized laser removal of said coating layer to expose an uncoated surface of said pull tab. 17. A container opening device according to claim 16, further comprising a weakened portion on the pull tab between the grab portion and the nose portion so that the grab portion is separable from the nose portion. 18. A container comprising: a container top; a tear strip in the container top for opening the container top; a pull tab comprising a substantially planar member having an attachment point attached to the container top, said pull tab articulated against the tear strip so that the pull tab is actuatable to pen the tear strip; a substantially permanent coating layer disposed on said pull tab; an image located on said pull tab, wherein said image is created by localized laser removal of said coating layer to expose an uncoated surface of said pull tab. 19. A container according to claim 18, wherein said pull tab further comprises a symbolic shape. 20. A container according to claim 19, further comprising a weakened portion on the pull tab between the grab portion and the nose portion so that the grab portion is separable from the nose portion. 21. A container according to claim 20, wherein said tear strip encompasses nearly the entire container top and is defined by a continuous, uninterrupted tear line in the container top forming a closed geometric shape so that the entire tear strip is removable from the container top after the pull tab separates the tear strip from the container top to open the container.