Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
=~
8~
The present application is a Continuation-in-Part of
U. S. Patent Application Serial No. 749,622 filed December 13,
1976, which is a Continuation-in-Part of Patent Application
Serial No. 738,078 filed November 2, 1976.
This invention relates to containers.
More particularly, this invention relates to improve-
ments in container closure means o~ the type where an aperture
is provided in a container wall for dispensing a commodity from
a container body through the aperture.
There are many different versions of container closure
means with integral opening devices for permitting access to the
contents of a container. Typical of such arrangements known in
the prior art are those represented by U. S. Patents 3,420,398
of January 7, 1969 and 3,908,856. ~
The opening means in a container wall which are most
popular for usage in commercial packaging are those which may be
removed from the container, such as tear-off or tear-out clos-
ures. However, resistance to the use of this type of throw-away
closure or opening means is increasing due to pollution require-
ments and moreover, because most users separate the opening/
closure member completely from the container. If such closure
members are made of metal, or even various types of plastic mate-
rial, they pose a hazard to other pàrties due to the possibility
of cutting or the like.
The above patents disclose opening or closure means
for a container which are adapted to be retained integrally with
the container after the container has been opened. However,
they are relatively complicated in terms of the components re-
quired and the number of steps involved in manufacturing closure
members of that nature.
- There is thus a demand today for closure members which
are of a relatively simple construction, which remain integral
with the container with which the~ are associated after the
closure members are opened to provide access to the con-
tents of the container and which, further, decrease
- 2
8a~
the chances of Pilfering or ~ampering with the contents of a
container. Such closure members find application for various
types of containers in different arts suc~ as ~or liguids,
and particularly beverages, or other types o products such
as granular products.
With this inventio~, applicant has developed an
improved closure device for containers of the type which is
capable of being retained as an integral component of the
container, and which is of a relatively simple and economical
nature and which at the same time, will tend to reduce the
tampering or pilfering with the contents of a container.
: More particularly, in one aspect of the invention,
there is provided a container closure device comprising a
closure member having a pair of opposed wall sections one
of which is adapted to constitute an exterior wall section for
said closure member and the other of which is adapted to
constitute an inter.ior wall section for the closure member,
; said closure member having a first aperture therein adaptedto permit dispensing of a commodity from a container on which
the closure member may be rnounted, a second aperture in said
closure member located in a spaced-apart operative relation-
ship to said first-mentioned aperture, an outer closure tab
adapted to surround and close said first-mentioned aperture
on the exterior surface of said closure member, said outer
closure tab including a finger-engaging portion and a mounting
portion, an inner closure tab adapted to be located in juxta-
position with the interior wall of said Closure member, said
inner closure tab having a body portion adapted to surround in
closing relationship said first-mentioned aperture of said
closure member, means for mounting said outer closure tab and
said inner closure tab in spaced-apart fixed relationship to
-- 3 --
)698~
each other through said second aperture of said closure member
for movement about a fi~ed axis, whereb~ said outer and inner
closure tabs ma~ be rotated a~out said fixed axis for bringing
said closure tabs into and out of closing relationship with
~S said first-mentioned aperture of said closure member.
The present inven~ion also provides an improvement in
a closure device for a container. In this embodiment, and
more specifically, in a closure device for a con~ainer in which
the closure member has a pair of opposed wall sections one of
which is adapted to constitute an exterior wall section for
said closure member and the other of which is adapted to con-
stitu~e an interior wall section for the closure member, and
with the closure member having a dispensing aperture therein
adapted to permit dispensing of a commodity from a container on
which the closure member may be mounted, there is provided the
improvement wherein the closure member has an outer closure tab
adapted to surround and close said closure member, said outer
closure tab including a finger-engaging portion and a mounting
portion, an inner closure tab adapted to be located in juxta~
position with the interior wall of said closure member, said
inner closure tab having a body portion adapted to surround in
closing relationship said first-mentioned aperture of said
closure member and means for mounting said outer closure tab
and said inner closure tab in spaced-apart fixed relationship
to each other for movement about a fixed axis, whereby said
outer and inner closure tabs may be rotated about said fixed
axis for bringing said closure tabs into and out of closing
relationship with said dispensing aperture o~ said closure
member.
8~0
In a prefer~ed embodiment of the present inVention~
the closure dev~ce outlined aboYe ~a~ be used ~n conjunction
with a sealing member located on the interior wall section
of the closure member for providin~ a totally seal-proof
device. In still further embodiments, the closure member
includes an exterior surface which includes a recessed
portion and within the recessed portion, a raised land
portion therein containing the first and second-mentioned
apertures. Still further, a further embodiment of the
present-invention is where the interior wall section of the
closure member includes a seating area for the interior
closure tab surrounding the first and second-mentioned
apertures and additionally, preferably includes a further
planar surface located at a higher plane of the interior
wall section.
The closure member of the present invention may
be utilized in containers as either an end closure section
for a container of the type which is used for beverages or
frozen juices or the like; or alternately, the end closure
member may be incorporated directly into one wall of a
container such as a side wall of, e.g., box containers or
the like. The particular configuration of the closure
member is not critical and as such, the opposed wall
sections of the closure member may form the wall sections
of the container and thus be integral with the same;
alternately, the closure member may constitute a separate
entity which is incorporated into the wall sections of the
container.
~LIOtii91~4V
In the closure member ~f the present invention,
the dispensin~ aperture for a commodit~ to be dispensed from
a container may be any suitable aperture sized or dimensioned
for the purpose intended. Thus, the aper~ure will vary de-
pending on wheth~r the product is granular, liquid or the like.
Typical configurations include slots, elongated apertures or
tear-shaped 1l openings.
In accordance with this invention, the dispensing
aperture is sealed or closed by means of a pair of spaced-
part cooperating closure tabs, one of which is located exterior-
ly of the closure wall and the other of which is located
interiorly thereof. These cooperating tabs are adapted to
be mounted in a fixed relationship relative to each other, and
in registry with each other so that when both the outer and
inner closure tabs are in registry, both function to close or
seal the dispensing opening of the closure wall. Likewise,
when one tab is rotated, the other tab is likewise rotated
so as to permit a comrnodity to be dispensed from a container
body. To this end, the outer and inner closure tabs are
preferably dimensioned so as to each seal or close the dis-
pensing aperture but in some cases, either one, but not both,
of the tabs may be slightly smaller than the opening if this
is so desired for any specialized packaging. In the preferred
embodiment, the tabs surround and project slightly beyond
the dispensing opening so as to provide a positive closure.
In order to proviae the spaced-apart relationship
between the outer and inner closure tabs, and for permitting
these tabs to rotate about a ~ixed axis, there is provided
means extending between the exterior and interior surfaces of
the closure wall for fixedly securing each of the closure tabs
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9~ 0
to each other in a fixed relationship. For this purpose,
suitable pivot means may be provided which extend through a
further aperture in ~the closure wall and which pivot means
are fixedly secured to each of the inner and outer closure
tabs. In this manner, the inner and outer ta~s ma~ be
rotated about a fixed axiS into and out of closing engagement
with the dispensing opening. A particularly preferred form
of this embodiment includes a second aperture in the closure
wall spaced apart from the first dispensing aperture but
located relative thexeto to define an operative relationship
with the first-mentioned aperture. An inflexible or rigid
ligament, post or the like, may be provided connected to the
respective tabs to secure the same together in a rigid
manner. In various embodiments, the ligament ox post may
form an integral part of either of the inner or outer tabs
and may be secured by means of adhesive, heat sealing or
welding depending on the type of material employed, to the
other of the tabs. Still further, another embodiment includes
the arrangement where one of the tabs is provided with a
fixed projection extending therefrom of a length sufficient
for the purposes intended which may be fixedly secured by
adhesive or the like to the other tab or alternatively, the
last-mentioned tab may be provided with an aperture therein
which "keys" the ligament or projection from the other member.
`` 25 In this configuration, the projection extending from one
member will have a configuration other than a circular configura-
tion with a corresponding aperture sized to receive the
projection in the opposed member 50 that both may be rotated
about a fixed axis upon rot~tion of one of the members.
~o~9~
The outer closure tab preferably includes a
finger-engagin~ portion Which portion is adapted to surround
the dispensing aperture and which is connected to a further
portion which mounts or connects the outer tab to the inner
closure tabn Between the two portions, there ma~ be provided
a score line or other line to permit the finger-engaging
portion to be lifted about an axis of the body to initiate
the opening action of the closure member, as described
hereinafter. The score line must not he deep enough to
permit separation of the finger-engaging portion from the
balance of the outer closure tab and thus, the score line
is not of a type which will permit separation of the finger-
engaging tab from the balance of the body. In fact, depending
on the type of material from which the outer closure tab is
made, no score line need be provided in the case of various
plastic materials where the materials permit the finger-
engaging portion to be flexibly moved relative to the balance
of the body of the tab.
In the embodiment described above wherein the
exterior wall section of the closure member includes a
raised land portion in which the dispensing aperture is
located, the outer closure tab is preferably mounted in
juxtaposition to the raised land portion to provide clearance
of the outer tab relative to the balance of the exterior
wall section. Thus, this raised land portion is pr~ferably
` at least as high as, or higher than, the surrounding planar
wall sections of the exterior wall~ It will be appreciated,
however, that if the closure member of the present invention
is mounted as a portion of a c~lindrical wall, this need not
be the case since the curvature of the container wall will
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~06984(:1
provide the necess~r~ clearance for movement of the outer
closure tab. In those cases whére a raised land portion is
provided for mounting the outer closure tab, a simple
expedient merely involves the embossing of the wall in the
5 area desi~ed outwardl~ of the surrounding planar wall or
in other cases, and particularl~ in the case of molded closure
walls, additional material may be employed to provide the
raised land portion.
~ith respect to the inner closure tab, a
particularly preferred embodiment is where the inner wall
; section includes a seat for the inner wall tab. To this
end, the inner wall surface may-include a raised land portion
surrounding the dispensing aperture of the closure member and
defining therebetween a seat dimensioned to receive the inner
; 15 closure tab. Conversely, the inner waIl section may be
provided with a recess likewise dimensioned in lieu of a
raised land portion. By providing a seat in which the
. .
inner closure tab is adapted to fit, a "locking" engagement
may be obtained for the cooperating inner and outer closure
tabs. The inner closure tab is preferably made of a somewhat
~lexible material to permit at least that por~ion of the
` closure tab in registry with the dispensing aperture to be
depressed from closing engagement with the dispensing
aperture, as described hereinafter in greater detail. Still
further, when employing the embodiment wherein a seating
arrangement for the inner tab is provided, theré may also be
provided a raised land portion adjacent the seat and in the
direction in which the closure tabs are adapted to rotate
so as to provide a bearing surface against which the inner
tab may rotate. This, however, i~ not essential and suitable
devices may be provided without this feature.
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~98~0
In a preferred el~odiment~ the inner closure tab in-
cludes a pressure relie~ aperture adapted to be sealed by an
aperture sealing member, The pressure relief aperture ma~ be
located proximate the outer extremity o~ the inner tab such that
when the inner tab is depressed, the pressure relief aperture i5
opened to relieve pressure in a pressurized container. The
aperture sealing member may have a raised portion with a flange
extending thereabout adapted to seat on the underside of the
inner tab, the raised portion extending above the plane of the
inner closure tab. The aperture sealing member is hinged to the
inner closure tab by suitable means as will be discussed in
greater detail hereinafter.
In a further embodiment of the above, the pressure
relief aperture is located within the inner closure tab proxi-
mate to the point at which the inner tab is pi~oted. Operating
in conjunction with the pressure relief aperture is an opening
member formed integrally with the outer tab as will be discussed
in greater detail hereinafter.
Depending on the t~pe o~ container with which the clos-
ure device of the present invention is adapted to be used in
conjunction, a suitable sealing member may be provided to surround
and totall~ enclose the lower closure member, including the aper-
ture closing member. Thus, in the case of commodities under
pressure, or for contamination prevention, a thin rupturable
2~ sealing member may be secured to the interior wall of the closure
member. This rupturable member ma~ be made o~ any suitable
material such as plastic, regenerated cellophane or other like
substances.
The closure member of the present invention can be
made of any suitable material again depending on the type of
container which it is adapted to be applied to or incorporated
into. Thus, for example, various types of metals are currently
used in various arts and such substances include aluminum, tin,
steel, or the like. In recent times, however, more popular
container substances are plastic based and thus, the variou5
coMponents of the present inven~ion can be made of
~9~
suitable plastic materials, the choice of which will be within
the skill of those skilled in this art. The closure member,
if made of metal or plastic, may be molded as a one-piece
entity with -the outer closure tab an~ the connecting means
between the two tabs being molded as an integral unit. In
other cases, it may be desirable to form a portion of the
closure device from one material, e.g. metal and u$ilize
plastic material for other components.
The closure device of the present invention, for
use in containers, operates on the principle-of permitting a -
user to grasp the finger-engaging portion of the outer-closure
tab and thus, lift the same to expose the dispensing opening
for the container. Thereafter, the user may depress the inner
closure member and at the same time, if a rupturable membrane
is employed, to rupture the sarne and thus permit access to the
contents of the container. In the embodiment wherein a
pressure relief aperture and aperture closing member is employed,
when the user depresses the inner closure member, it will break
the rupturable membrane releasing pressure within the container
and allowing the inner closure tab to be more easily depressed.
To permit the conten~s to be discharged from the container, the
outer closure tab may thus be rotated (with the inner tab)
about the fixed axis and upon rotation, the complete dispensing
opening will be exposed. I re-closure is desired, depending
on multiple use containers, the closure members may be rotated
back into closing position and depending on the type of material
employed, if the closure rnembers are rnade o~ a material which
returns ko its original state, the dispensing opening rnay be
re-closed. When a rupturable mernbrane is employed, and if the
latter is mounted in a "taut" manner, upon rota-tion of the
inner tab, the membrane will be ruptured or torn away by the
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134~)
rotational movement of the tab.
The closure mer~er of the present invention provides
a very simple closure member for containers and which requires
very few parts or very few special construction features
compared to prior art proposals. Subsequent to opening, the
closure member remains an integral part o~ the container to
which the closure member is attached and thus, is not separately
discarded to cause a potential hazard. Still further, the
closure member proviaes an improvea tamper-proof closure mem~er
for containers in that ~he possibility of loss due to pilferiny
" from a container is reduced~ If any pilfering occurs from the
conta~ner, there will be visual evidence of the sarne, particu-
larly in the case where a rupturable membrane is employed and
where the membrane is ruptured by the downward depression of
the inner closure tab, and/or the aperture closing member.
` Thus, it is possible to visually inspect containers to
ensure that they have not been tampered with prior to use or
sale of the containers. The closure member of the present
invention finds wide application in various arts and it may be
;- 20 used as a closure member for beverages, for packaging commo-
dities such as soaps or the like.
Having thus generally described the invention, ref-
erence will now be made to the accompanying drawings illus-
trating preferred embodiments and in which:
FIGURE l is a perspective view of-a container ert~odying
the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded vieW o~ a closure mc-mber
embodying the present invention;
FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the closure mernber;
` 30 FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the closure member of
Figure 3 showing the inner tab;
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~D6i98~0
FIGURE S is a section taken along the line 5-5
of Figure 4;
FIGURE 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6
of Figure 3;
FIGURE 7 is a section taken along the line 7-7
of Figure 3;
FIGURE 8 illustrates the outer closure tab in top
and bottom plan views;
FIGURES 9A and 9B show the closure member in a top
plan view in a closed position and a vertical
side elevation in section of the closure mernber
when it is in the position as indicated in
Fi~ure 9A;
FIGURES lOA and lOB illustrate, in top plan view and
in a side sectional view, the position of the
outer closure tab in the first step of gaining
access to a container on which the closure
rnember is located;
.
FIGURE ll illustrates the next step in the sequence
of.openin~.a closure member in which, following
the liftin~ of the outer tab, the inner tab is
downwardly pushed to rupture a seal;
FIGURES 12A and I2B~illustrate the last step in the
sequence in which the outer and inner closure
tabs are rotated or pivoted about the pivot point;
FIGVRE 13 is an exploded side sectional view--of a -
further embodirnent of a closure means suitable
for use with pressuri.zed contai.ners;
FIGURE 14 is a top plan view of the inner closure
mernber of Figure 13;
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43
FIGURE 15 is an exploded side sectional view o~
a urther embodiment of a closure mean.s for
use with pressurized containers;
FIGURE 16 is a top plan view o~ the inner closure
tab illustrated in Fi~ure 15;
FIGURE 17 is a top plan view of a further embodi~
ment of the present invention wherein the
pressure relief aperture is proximate the
pivot point of the inner tab;
FIGURE 18 is a bottom view thereof;
FIGU~E 19 is a side elevational view thereof
showing the various components in a dis-
assembled condition;
FIGURE 20 is a cross-sectional view along the
lines 20-20 of Eiyure 17; and
FIGURE 21 is a cross-sectional view similar to
; Figure 20 showing the opening of the cover.
FIGURE 22 is a is a perspective view of the dis-
assembled components of a furthér embodiment~
of a closure means;
; FIGURE 23 is a cross-sectional view of the com-
; ponents-of Figure 22;
FIGURE 24 is a cross-sectional view of the com-
ponents of Figure 22 in an assembled condition;
FI~URE 25 is a cross-sectional view illustrating
the operation of the embodiment of Figures 22
through 24;
FIGURE 26 is a bottom view of the assembled components
of Figure 24,
:~ 30 FIGURE 27 is a top.. plan view of the assembled cover
of Figure 24;
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~06~8~0
FIGURE 28 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the
various components in a dis-assembled condition
of a further embodiment of a can cover;
FIG~R~ 29 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the
operation of the embodiment of Figure 28; and
FIGURE 30 is a deta~led sectional vie~ o~ a portion
o~ the can cover of Ti~ure 29.
Referring now in ~xeater deta~l to the drawings,
Figure 1 illustrates a t~pical container with which the closure
member o~ the present invention is adapted to be used in con-
junction, which contatner is indicated generall~ by reference
numeral 10. The container per se may be any suitable type
used in various arts and there is no criticality in the type of
container per se. In the embodiment illustrated/ the closure
member of the present invention is shown as being located on one
end of the container; however, as explained herein, the closure
member may be located in any suitable wall and need not forrn
the end closure of a container. For most purposes, such as for
containers retaining liquids, thecontainer will be of a gener-
ally cylindrical nature and the closure mer~er may be advanta-
geously incorporated into one end of the container as shown in
Fi~ure 1. As such~ the drawings illustrate the closure mer~er
in the for~ of an end closure for such a container and will be
described as such - it will be understood that the invention is
: not restr~cted to the partlcular Or specific embodiments-shown.
Referring to ~igure -2, the major cornponents of the
device of the present invention are illustrated and comprise an
outer gripping tab indicated generally by reference numeral 12;
a closure member 14 and an inner closlng tab 16.
The closure mem~er 14 includes a pair of opposed wall
surfaces, one of which is adapted -to be located exteriorly of a
conta~ner embodying the closure device and the other which is
adapted to be located interiorly of the closure device.
- 15 -
~0698~)
Such sur~aces are itldicated ~ re~erence numerals 14A and 14B
in general. The closure memBer, since it is in the ~orm of an
end closure for a container, includes a lip portion 18 forming
a generall~ U-shaped member adapted to suitably engage side
walls 20 of a conta;ner in the U-shaped channel.
The ma~or portion of the sur~ace 14A comprises a
generall~ planar surface; however, the sur~ace 14A includes a
recessed portion therein indicated generally by reference
numeral 20, and which in itself, forms a generally planar
surface spaced from the surface 14A by, e.g. 1/16th to 3/16th of
an inch. In the area of the recessed surface 20, there is
provided a raised land portion indicated generally by reference
numeral 22 w~ich advantageously is of a generally planar
configuration and has a level substantially the same as that of
surface 14A. The land portion 22 is provided with an aperture
24 extending between the surfaces 14A and 14B and is adapted to
permit a commodity to be discharged from the container 10.
The aperture 24 may be suitably dimensioned for the-type of
commodity and as such, the size and configuration may varyO
On the interior surface 14B o~ the closure member,
there is provided a recess therein which recess is indicated
by reference numeral 26. In the embodiment shown, the recess
corresponds generally in depth to the raised land portion 22
inasmuch as it is the obverse of the land 22; however, it will
be understood that the recess may be separately formed in the
closure member 14 if thicker materials are employed. Recess
26 is generally coextensive with the land portion 22 and thus
the apexture 24 is located ln the recess 26. Located within
~ the recess 26, and correspondingly, within the raised land
;~ 30 portion 22, i8 a ~urther aperture 28, the purpose of which
~ill ~e explalned hereinafter.
- 16 -
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The outex closure tab, illustrated in ~xeater
detail in Figure 8, comprises a body portion 30 suitably
dimensioned to cover the aperture 24 on the exterior surface
14A of the closure member. The body portion 30 preferably
extends and surrounds the aperture 24 to overlie the same
and surround the aperture 24. The body portion 30 includes
an end portion 30A and separating the two, there is provided
a score line 32 in the top surface of the tab 12 to provide
a line of demarcation about which the tab 12 ~ay be flexed.
The line 32 can comprise a score line or the like but the
material is only scored to a depth suf~icient to permit the
li~ting of the body portion 30 upwardly from the surface 14A
of the closure member without severing or breaking from the
portion 30A. Thus, the score line 32 does not extend
through the tab 12. ~urther, the body portion 30 may be
suitably contoured to any desired shape and for example a
projection 33 may be provided for Eacilitating gripping of
the body portion 30 during the opening of the closure tab.
Cooperating with the outer closure tab 12 is the
` 20 inner c~osure tab 16. The inner closure tab 16 includes a
body portion 36 which is adapted to surround the aperture
24 in a sealing or closing manner. To this end, a preferred
configuration is where the inner tab 16 seats on the recess
26 adjacent the aperture 24 and is in face-to-face relation-
ship ~ith the inner surface o~ the land 22. The tab 16
includes a further portion indicated generally by reference
numeral 38 which includes therein an aperture 40 adapted to
be placed in registry with the aperture 28 o~ the closure
member 14, explained hereinafter in greater detail.
-~ 3Q To permit rotation of the outer tab and the inner
- 17 -
. ~,
8~
tab together, the two are ~oined in fi~ed relationship and to
this end, a ligament or other like member, indicated by
reference numeral 42, is provided to join the two together.
In the embodiment illustrated, lig~nent 42 has a generally
rectangular shape and is fixedly secured to the outer tab 12
and is integral therewith. The aperture 40 of the tab 16
is of a like rectangular shape dimensioned to receive the
ligament 42 and the latter "keys" the same so that the outer
and inner tabs 12 and 16 rotate simultaneously about a ~ixed
axis. In this respect, the inner tab 16 may be fixedly
secured to the ligament 42 by suitable means - e.g. adhesive,
heat sealing (in the case of plastics or the like), etc.
Late in the rotation of the inner tab 16, the sides
of the recess 26 may be tapered as illustrated-in Figures 6
- and 7 and in a like manner, the lateral edges ofthe inner
tab may be bevelled to facilitate its rotation out of the
recess.
In the embodiment illustrated, there is also provided
a thin rupturable membrane 46 which completely-seals-the area -
of the inner closure wall containing the closure device of
this invention. This membrane 46 may be adhesively or other-
wise secured to the inner wall 14b of the closure member and
as explained hereinafter, will rupture upon depressing the
inner closure member 16.
The operation of the closure member of the present
invention is shown in Figures 9A to 12A and initially, refer-
ence will be made to Figures 9A and 9B illustrating the form
of the closure invention as it would be located in a container
in a"closed" condition. Thus, as illustrated, the rupturable
membrane is located about the closure member to completely
seal the closure member with the inner closure tab being
- 18 -
~,.
8~0
located in the recess and the outer closure member in a closing
relationship to the dispensing aperture 24. In the initial
step ~f opening the dispensing aperture, the gripping portion
30 of the tab 12 is pulled upwardly (Figure lOB) about the score
line 32. In this manner, ~he aperture 2~ is e~posed. Subse-
quently, the inner tab 16 is depressed through a user's finger
or by projecting a suitable article through the aperture 24, as
illustrated in Fiyure llBt whereby the membrane 46 is either
torn away from the interior wall of the closure mer~er or is
ru tured, depending on the type of material and how the mer~brane
is secured ~o the inner wall. Thereafter, by gripping portion 30,
as illustrated in Figure 12, the tab is rotated about a fixed
axis whereby the inner tab 16 is likewise rotatea to e g. 90
degrees to permit complete access to the container contents
lS through the aperture 24.
Turning to the embodiments of Figures 13 and 14, the
closure means comprises a closure member 114, a top gripping
tab 110 having a stud 112 formed integrally therewith, and a
bottom closure tab 118. Closure member 114 ;ncludes an aper-
ture 116 adapted to receive stud 112 as described in the pre-
vious embodiment.
Bottom closure tab 118 includes an aperture 120
adapted to receive stud 112; aperture 120 may be fo~ned by
punching the same leaving a rim 122 thereabout.
In this embodiment of the invention, a pressure relief
aperture 124 is provided which is in registry with dispensing
aperture 117. Secured to one end of bottom closure tab 118
is a pressure relie~ aperture closing rnernber 128 which includes
a raised portion 130 having a ~lange 132 thereabout. ~Sember
128 is connected to tab 118 by portion 126.
The closure means of F;yures 13 and 14 operates
,, ~
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~ 8~0
substantiall~ the same AS those ~rey~ousl~ illustratedi when
bottom tab 118 is depressed, the initial depression opens
aperture 124 to relieve any pressure in the container thus
facilitating the further aepression of tab 118. In this
respect, there may be provided a sealing membrane 134 around
~lange 132 where it seats on the underside of tab 118. Sealing
membrane 134 may, in reality, be the same membrane as is pro-
vided about tab 126. It will be noted that aperture closing
member 128 has a raised portion 130 as aforementioned; to
10 - receive-this raised portion, -there may be--provided~~a-cavity 136
in top gripping member 110.
Turning to Figures 15 and 16, an embodiment similar
to that o~ Figures 13 and 14 is shown. However, it will be
noted that a bottom closure-tab 218 has a raised land portion
219 surrounding pressure relief aperture 224. Furthermore,
interposed between aperture sealing member 228 and aperture 224
is a gasket 238. A rupturable membrane may again be provided
on the underside of tab 218 as previously discussed.
; The closure means of Figures 15 and 16 will function
similar to those aforedescribed and thus includes a gripping
top closure tab 210 having a stud 212 integral therewith
adapted to be received in apertures 216 of cover member 214 and
220 of bottom closure tab 218. A cavity 236 is likewise
provided in top mernber 210.
Referring to Figures 17 to 21, the drawinys illustrate
a closure mernber according to the present invention wherein a
further embodiment of a pressuxe rel;.ef aperture is provided.
Thus, there is provided a closure member 314 having a peripheral
rim 318 adapted to engage the side walls o~ a contai.ner. With-
in closure mernber 314 is an aperture 324 to permit a cornmodity
~, .. ~ .
such as a beverage to be discharged from the container~
` An outer closure tab 312 is provided, the outer
closure tab having one or more score llnes 332 scored to a
depth sufficient to permit a flexing of outer tab 312; it will
be noted that scorelines 332 do not extend across the entire
width of tab 312,but rather there is provided an intermediate
portion where they do not extend thus providing a minor tab
portion generally designated by re~erence numeral 305.
Apart from the provision of a minor tab portion 305,
outer tab 312 is formed in a manner substantially identical to
the previous described embodiments and thus includes a stud or
ligament 342 of a rectangular configuratio,n forming a portion
of outer tab 312.
Inner tab 336 is similar to previously described
embodiments and includes an aperture 320 adapted to receive
stud 342. Also included in inner tab 336 is a pressure relief
aperture proximate aperture 320, the pressure relie~ aperture
.::. Being sealed by a pressure relie~ aperture closing member 328.
A sealing membrane 350 is provided on the underside of inner
tab 336 covering pressure relief aperture cl.osing member 328
and sealing the same to inner tab member 336. ~ further
rupturable membrane 352 is provided about inner tab 336 as in
previously described embodiments.
In operation ,as illustrated in Figure 21, a lifting
25~ or.flexing of outer tab-.312 about score lines.332 will cause
minor tab portion 305, which is in registry with pressure relief
aperture sealing member 328, ~o depress member 328 as shown in
Figure 21. This relieves the pressure within the container
and then permits the depression of lnner tab member 336 with a
minimum o~ ~orce. Otherwise~ the closure means operates
1~69~0
substantially as pre~ousl~ descr~bed. Pxeferably, the minor
tab portion 305 is sl;~htly raised such that when the outer
tab 312 is flexed slightly upwardly, the minor tab portion 305
does not immediately contact pressure relief aperture sealing
member 328. A substantial ~lexing movement is required to
open member 328 such that when outer tab 312 is only flexed
to a minor degree, minor tab 305 may still "clear" member 314.
The embodiment o~ Figures 22 to 27 is similar to
embodiments previously described and thus reference herein
will only b,e made to substantial differences therein. As
w~ll be seen from the drawings, member 414 has a first dis~
pensing aperture 424 therein and a second aperture generally
indicated by reference numeral 428.
Inner closure tab 436 includes a pxessure-relief
aperture 425 therein andin the-illustrated embodiment~ includes
- a plurality of apertures 427 in a raised land portion 429,
which apertures 427 are adapted to receive mating pins or lugs
:~ in outer tab 412 in a manner substantially similar to that
previously described. Inner closure tab 436 also includes a
pressure relief aperture sealing member 431. Preferably,
member 431 has a sharp or pointed portion 433 which is adapted
to break or initiate tearing of sealing member 452 upon opening
of the container.
Referring to Figure 25, it will be seen that upon a
lifting of finger~ensaging portion of upper tab 412, a minor
tab portion 405, which is in registry withpressure relief aper-
ture sealing mer~er 431, will depress the same. The edge or
pointed portion 433 thereof will initiate a breaking or tearing
action on sealing member 452 and relieve -the pressure wîthin
the container.
In Figures 28 through 30, an embodiment similar to
~ 22 -
i984~)
that illustrated in Fi~ures 22 through 27 is shown. However,
in this embodiment, no pressure relie~ aperture sealing member
is employed. Rather, the aperture 525 is covered with a
sealing member 552 which is of a suf~icient strength to with-
stand an~ pressure within the container to be sealed. In
th~s respect, sealing member 552 may comprise a plastisol mem-
ber or alternately, may be a piece of suitable tape. To ini-
tiate the opening of the container, minor ta~ portion 505 of
outer tab 514 may include a sharp or pointed edge 509 to cause
an initial tearing or breaking of the sealing member 552.
It will be understood that various modifications may
be maae to the above-described embodiments without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, it
will be understood that conventional modifications may be made
to the cover member such as, for example, the rolling over of
all sharp and protruding edges to form rounded corners thereby
minimizing any danger to the user. For example, where an
aperture is formed in the cover member, it is known in the art
to round the corner thereat.
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