Beverage container end closure with easy opening features for a pull tab

Abstract

An end closure for food and beverage containers is provided. The end closure comprises a central panel portion having a recessed fingerwell for facilitating access to and manipulation of a pull tab. The fingerwell may further comprise features such as rounded edges for reducing risks of laceration and increasing accessibility.

Description

[0001]The present application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 525,574, filed Aug. 19, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to beverage container end closures. More specifically, the present invention relates to beverage container end closures with pull tabs and easy opening features including a deep fingerwell positioned proximate to the pull tab.BACKGROUND[0003]Food and beverage containers with pull tabs or stay-on-tabs (“SOTs”) are generally known. Various SOTs and related features are disclosed in, by way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,926,675 to Rieck et al., the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Known devices, however, generally position a distal or “tail” end of a pull tab in close proximity to the panel of the end closure to allow stacking of the end closures prior to and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to improved end closures for pressurized containers. The technical effect of the invention is the provision of an end closure with a deep fingerwell that allows for easy access to the pull tab and increased normal force, thereby making the device easier for users to open and reducing stress on the rivet. The improved end closure also allows for stacking of multiple containers and provides increased buckle resistance.

Problems solved by technology

Many users of conventional devices, such as SOTs for pressurized containers, have difficulty performing various opening functions.

Opening of containers may be frustrated by, for example, difficulty in accessing the underside of a tab, pressure being applied to sensitive areas of one's fingertip, and breakage of fingernails.

A significant cause of such frustrations lies in the fact that many known end closures comprise a tab which rests flush against the end panel, particularly when container contents are under pressure.

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