Redesigned Pull Tab Systems

Abstract

Improved pull tab systems may include an upper apex curve system (A) with lateral and downward legs (AB) and (AC) with lower curve systems (B) and (C) with the lower curved systems or lower ends sometimes raised above the surface (S) of the can top. Lower legs (AB) and (AC) may be angled in the range of 10 to 35 degrees. The distance between the upper apex (A) and line (BC) may be in the range of 1 to 6 mm. The upper apex curve system (A) and/or lower curve systems (B) and (C) may include curvilinear and/or compound curvilinear corners. The improved pull tab systems enable easier finger or tool access for lifting a tab so as to open a container.

Claims

1. A tab system used upon containers to keep a container closed and used to open a container, the tab system comprising; a) a proximal section comprising a tab section having a curved apex (A) with the apex having a first leg ending at first curved section (B) and the apex having a second leg ending at a second curved section (C).

2. The tab system of claim 1 wherein the first and second curved sections (line BC) are disposed over a top surface (S) of the container.

3. The tab system of claim 2 wherein the first and second curved sections (line BC) are disposed over the top surface (S) of the container at a distance in the range of 1 to 15 mm.

4. The tab system of claim 3 wherein a line (line BC) between the first and second curved sections is disposed at a distance from the curved apex in the range of 1 to 15 mm.

5. The tab system of claim 4 wherein the angle of the curved apex (A) is in the range of 15 to 50 degrees from the first curved section and the second curved section.

6. The tab system of claim 5 wherein the angle at the first curved section with respect to the second curved section and apex is in the range of 15 to 50 degrees.

7. The tab system of claim 6 wherein the curved apex comprises a compound curvilinear curve.

8. The tab system of claim 7 wherein the first and second curved sections each comprise a compound curvilinear curve.

9. The tab system of claim 8 wherein the first and second curved sections define an inverse V void.

10. The tab system of claim 9 wherein the proximal section is attached to a medial section, with the medial section attached to the container.

11. The tab system of claim 10 with the medial section attached to a distal section, with the distal section disposed over the container in an area where the container compromises a scored section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of disclosed embodiments executed in a 12 oz SPAM can

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of further features and disclosed embodiments executed in a 12 oz SPAM can

[0018] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of disclosed embodiments executed in a 10.5 oz soup can

[0019] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of disclosed embodiments executed in a 10.5 oz

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of disclosed embodiments executed in a 3 oz pet food can

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of disclosed embodiments executed in a 12 oz soda can

REFERENCE NUMERALS OR LETTERS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0022] A apex or center location of a disclosed tab [0023] B a point of inflection between the lateral arch or angle of a flat portion of the tab and start of a raised or angled portion with the angled portion leading to the apex or point A. [0024] C a point of inflection between the arch or angle of a flat portion of the tab and start of a raised or angled portion with the angled portion leading to the apex or point A. [0025] H the height of points B and C to the can surface [0026] H1 [0027] Line AB the line or space between apex point A and lower lateral point B [0028] Line AC the line or space between apex point A and lower lateral point C [0029] Line BC the line between lateral points B and C, with the line sometimes raised above the top of the can [0030] H the height of line BC if any, from the top of the can surface S [0031] H1 the between line is the distance between line BC and A [0032] 200 a curvilinear and/or compound curvilinear corner or curve section at or near points or areas B or C [0033] 300 a curvilinear and/or compound curvilinear corner or curve section at or near point or area A

[0034] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the associated drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and their equivalents. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

[0036] Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

[0037] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of including, but not limited to. Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words herein, above, below, and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a can having a disclosed tab system is shown. The apex point or point A is raised above the lower planer sections of the tab. Point A may comprise a fixed or straight angle or curvilinear and/or compound curvilinear corner or curve section. Points B and C or may comprise a beveled or more gradual curve as shown in FIG. 1. or may comprise a curvilinear and/or compound curvilinear corner or curve section as shown in the other figures. Line BC represents a line between points or areas B and C. The top surface of the can may be labeled S and may be disposed at some distance, known as H which may be measured as the height between line BC and the surface S of the can. The distance H provides an advantage of extra finger space to place under point A in order to open the can by use of the tab. The height of BC over the surface S of the can, allows for extra finger space with undue modifications to existing tabs or existing tab manufacturing tools.

[0039] In the disclosed embodiments H or height may be in the range zero to 15 mm.

[0040] Further advantages over the prior art are found in the distance or height H1 between the apex or point A and the BC line which may be in the range of 1 to 15 mm. Thus, the disclosed embodiments overcome shortfalls in the art by proving extra finger space by virtue of the cumulative distances of H and H1.

[0041] The angle at lines ACB and ABC at appoints C and B respectively may be in the range of 15 to 50 degrees. The angle at A in BAC may be in the range of 15 to 50 degrees.

[0042] The angles at points or areas A, B or C may be cambered, varied or curvilinear and/or compound curvilinear.

[0043] FIG. 2 is an expanded view of FIG. 1. The cambered angles at A, B and C can be seen. The flattened area at point A comports to a typical finger width.

[0044] FIG. 3 presents an embodiment with greater angles.

[0045] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3 with the angle points labeled.

[0046] FIG. 5 presents another embodiment having more sweeping curves with point B labeled 200 and point A labeled 300 to denote the compound curvilinear shapes of each point. In FIG. 5, area 200 or B also defines an inverse V void that is useful in efficiently creating the desired curvature shown.

[0047] FIG. 6 presents another embedment having a higher height H from the top of the can.

[0048] Disclosed embodiments may be secured to a can by use of a rivet at a medial section of the tab system. The tab system may further comprise a distal end disposed over a scored section of the can, with the scored section separating from the can when the proximal section of the tab is raised. Sections A, B and C may be considered to be on the proximal section of the disclosed tab systems.

[0049] The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.

[0050] All the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

[0051] These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims, should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above detailed description explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses the disclosed embodiments and all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.

[0052] While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms.