A pop can opening device and pop can

Abstract

The application relates to a pull-tab opening device of a pull-tab can, which comprises a can cover, a pull-tab formed by a score line on the can cover, a pull ring arranged at the front end of the pull-tab, and a connecting structure arranged between the rear end of the pull-tab and the can cover for connecting the pull-tab and the can cover after the pull-tab and the can cover are disconnected at the position of the score line. The pull-tab opening device of the pull-tab can with the connecting structure can keep the pull-tab connected with the can cover, so that the pull-tab is convenient to recycle.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the following application: the application date is June 12, 2019, the application number is 201910508167.1, and the invention name is A can opening device and a can. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a can opening device, in particular to a can opening device with a connecting structure, and also relates to a can with the can opening device. Background Art

[0003] Since its invention by Mikola Kondakow and James Wong in 1951, the can has become widely popular due to its simple and practical design. The key part of the can is the opening mechanism on the can lid.

[0004] After a long history of development, the can opening devices currently available on the market can be mainly divided into two types: external flip-up type and internal embedded pull ring.

[0005] Cans with a flip-open design primarily rely on pulling the tab outward, which passes through a notched tab attached to the lid. This allows the tab to be separated from the can. However, the edge of the tab is sharp and can easily cut fingers or clothing. Furthermore, detached tabs are easily discarded on the roadside, inevitably causing some environmental pollution.

[0006] The cans with an embedded structure design are mainly opened by flipping the pull ring with your fingers, and the other end of the pull ring presses down on the notched pull tab on the can lid, so that the pull tab is embedded in the can body. In this case, the pull tab remains on the can body, which can avoid the problems of the external flip-up type. However, the embedded opening device requires the entire pull tab to enter the can body, so bacteria and dust on the surface of the pull tab can easily be brought into the drink, which poses certain health and safety problems. In summary, the existing can opening devices mainly have the following problems: (1) the waste of resources and environmental problems caused by abandoned pull tabs; (2) the health and hygiene problems that may be caused by the pull tab entering the can body; (3) the sharp edge of the pull tab can easily cause accidental injury. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a can opening device that can solve the above technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a can opening device with a connecting structure, through which the pull tab is kept connected to the can lid, so that the pull tab can be recycled.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem is: a can opening device, comprising a can lid and a pull tab surrounded by a notch on the can lid, a pull ring being installed at the front end of the pull tab, and a connecting structure being installed between the rear end of the pull tab and the can lid for maintaining the connection between the pull tab and the can lid after being disconnected at the notch position;

[0009] A reinforcement component is fixed to the rear end of the pull tab, and the connection structure includes rotating shafts symmetrically arranged on both sides of the reinforcement component, and a support seat arranged on the can cover and for inserting the ends of each rotating shaft, and the support seat is provided with a hinge hole for inserting the ends of each rotating shaft;

[0010] A limiting structure for limiting the rotation of the rotating shaft is also provided, the limiting structure comprising a limiting block provided in the hinge hole and protruding toward the rotating shaft, and a limiting groove provided on the circumference of the rotating shaft and for the limiting block to enter to form a limiting fit;

[0011] When the shaft rotates, the surface of the limit block contacts the peripheral side of the shaft. When the upper limit groove on the shaft rotates to the position of the limit block, the limit block enters the limit groove and limits the rotation of the shaft.

[0012] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: a connecting structure is provided between the rear end of the pull tab and the can lid, allowing the pull tab to remain connected to the can lid after being disconnected at the notch. Even after the pull tab is completely disconnected along the notch, the pull tab remains connected to the can lid via the connecting structure. This prevents the pull tab from being discarded and facilitates its recycling, thereby reducing resource waste and environmental pollution. A limiting structure is provided to restrict the free rotation of the rotating shaft. This limiting structure is provided because, after the pull tab is completely disconnected from the notch, the pull tab can rotate freely around the support seat. This can easily fall back and block the can lid opening when the can is tilted to pour a beverage. Therefore, the limiting structure is provided to restrict the free rotation of the rotating shaft. The limiting structure of this solution is provided between the rotating shaft and the hinge hole. When the rotating shaft rotates, the surface of the limiting block contacts the peripheral surface of the rotating shaft, but does not affect the normal rotation of the rotating shaft. When the rotating shaft limiting groove rotates to face the limiting block, the limiting block enters the limiting groove and restricts the normal rotation of the rotating shaft. Therefore, the limiting structure of this solution limits the free rotation of the rotating shaft through the cooperation of the limiting block and the limiting groove, which can avoid the problem of the pull tab falling back and blocking the opening of the can lid when the can is tilted to pour the beverage, and ensures that the pull tab is restricted by the limiting structure during rotation and can be maintained in a fixed position to avoid interfering with drinking the beverage.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, a limiting structure is provided to limit the free rotation of the rotating shaft. The reason for providing the limiting structure has been explained above and will not be repeated here. The limiting structure of this solution is provided between the rotating shaft and the hinge hole. When the rotating shaft rotates, the surface of the limiting block collides with the peripheral surface of the rotating shaft, but does not affect the normal rotation of the rotating shaft; and when the rotating shaft limiting groove rotates to face the limiting block, the limiting block enters the limiting groove and limits the normal rotation of the rotating shaft. Therefore, the limiting structure of this solution limits the free rotation of the rotating shaft through the cooperation of the limiting block and the limiting groove, which can avoid the problem of the pull tab falling back to block the opening of the can lid when the can is tilted to pour the beverage, and ensures that the pull tab is restricted by the limiting structure during rotation and can remain in a fixed position to avoid interfering with drinking the beverage.

[0014] It is further configured that: the rotating shaft is at a certain distance from the front end edge and the rear end edge of the reinforcing component, and the distance from the rotating shaft to the rear end edge of the pull tab is less than 2 mm.

[0015] The pivot is positioned a certain distance from the front and rear edges of the reinforcement component, meaning it is not located at the front and rear edges. This is because the reinforcement component on the pull tab and the pivot form a lever structure, with the pivot acting as the fulcrum for the reinforcement component's rotation, allowing the reinforcement component to rotate about the pivot. When the pull tab at the rear end of the opening is opened, an external force acts on the front end of the reinforcement component, causing it to move upward (i.e., outward from the can lid). Due to the lever structure, the reinforcement component rotates about the pivot, causing the rear end of the reinforcement component to simultaneously move downward (i.e., inward from the can lid). Therefore, if the pivot is located at the front edge of the reinforcement component, external forces cannot act on the front end of the reinforcement component to cause it to move upward. If the pivot is located at the rear edge of the reinforcement component, the pull tab may not be completely disconnected from the notch. Furthermore, the pivot is positioned less than 2 mm from the rear edge of the pull tab to minimize the distance between the pivot and the rear edge of the pull tab, thereby reducing the portion of the pull tab that enters the can interior and preventing bacteria and dust from the pull tab from entering the can interior.

[0016] It is further configured as follows: the reinforcing component is in a cross shape, and is composed of a transverse rod and a longitudinal rod perpendicular to the transverse rod, wherein the transverse rod is located on the connecting line between the front end and the rear end of the pull tab, and the reinforcing component is fixed to the pull tab by rivets, and the rotating shaft is located at the end of the longitudinal rod.

[0017] With the above-described technical solution, the reinforcement member is arranged in a cross shape, with longitudinal rods extending outward along both sides of the transverse rods, and the pivots are located at the ends of the longitudinal rods to enhance the stability of the reinforcement member. Furthermore, the reinforcement member is secured to the pull tab via rivets, a method well known in the art and readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0018] The present invention also provides an easy-pull can, comprising a can body and the easy-pull can opening device of the present invention.

[0019] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: the can includes the aforementioned can opening device, wherein a connecting structure is installed between the rear end of the pull tab and the can lid of the can opening device, which is used to ensure that the pull tab remains connected to the can lid after being disconnected at the notch. Therefore, when the pull tab is completely disconnected along the notch, the pull tab remains connected to the can lid through the connecting structure, thereby facilitating the pull tab's recovery and preventing environmental pollution. Furthermore, the distance between the rotating shaft and the rear end edge of the pull tab reduces the amount of space that enters the can interior, thereby preventing bacteria and dust on the pull tab from entering the can interior. Therefore, the can of the present invention maintains the pull tab and can lid connected at all times through the connecting structure, facilitating the pull tab's recovery, reducing resource waste and environmental pollution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a plan view of a can opening device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of part A in FIG;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of a pull tab according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the can opening device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the limiting portion is located on one side of the protrusion;

[0025] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of part B in FIG;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the can opening device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the limiting portion is located on the other side of the protrusion;

[0027] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged view of part C in ;

[0028] Figure 9 A partial cross-sectional diagram of a can opening device according to embodiment 2 of the present invention

[0029] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of a pull tab according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Can opening device 1, pull tab 11, pull ring 12, installation position 121, connecting structure 13, reinforcement component 131, transverse rod 131A, longitudinal rod 131B, rotating shaft 132, support seat 133, limiting part 134, guide slope 135, torsion plate 136, limiting block 137, limiting groove 138, hinge hole 139, limiting protrusion 14, can lid 15, opening 16, can body 2, notch 3, rivet 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the can opening device 1 described herein comprises a can lid 15 and a pull tab 11 surrounded by a notch 3 on the can lid 15, wherein the front end of the pull tab 11 is the end close to the installation position 121 of the pull ring 12 ( Figure 2 The rear end of the pull tab 11 refers to the end away from the installation position 121 of the pull ring 12 ( Figure 2 (The left end of the pull tab in the figure). Thus, when the pull tab 11 is torn, the pull tab 11 first breaks away from the notch at the mounting position 121, and then gradually breaks away from the front end to the rear end. Similarly, the front and rear ends of the reinforcing member 131 are defined in the same way as the pull tab 11: the end of the reinforcing member 131 closest to the mounting position 121 of the pull ring 12 is the front end, and the other end opposite the front end is the rear end.

[0033] Example 1, as Figure 1-8 As shown, a can includes a can body 2 and a can opener 1. The can opener 1 includes a lid 15 and a pull tab 11 surrounded by notches 3 on the lid 15. A pull ring 12 is mounted to the front end of the pull tab 11 via a riveted component. The pull ring 12 is mounted at a position 121 located at the front end of the pull tab 11 and closely attached to the edge of the pull tab 11. The riveted component may be a rivet. Furthermore, the pull ring 12 is mounted as close to the edge of the pull tab 11 as possible to minimize its entry into the interior of the can body, thereby minimizing the risk of bacteria and dust on the pull tab 11 from entering the can body.

[0034] A reinforcement member 131 is fixedly mounted at the rear end of the pull tab 11 and secured to the pull tab 11 via rivets 5. The reinforcement member 131 is cross-shaped and comprises a transverse rod 131A and longitudinal rods 131B perpendicular to the transverse rod 131A. The transverse rod 131A is located on the line connecting the front and rear ends of the pull tab 11, while the longitudinal rods 131B extend outward along both sides of the transverse rod 131A to enhance the stability of the reinforcement member 131.

[0035] A connecting structure 13 is installed between the rear end of the pull tab 11 and the can cover 15, which is used to keep the pull tab 11 and the can cover 15 connected after they are disconnected at the score 3 position. Through this connecting structure 13, the pull tab 11 remains connected to the can cover 15 after it is completely disconnected at the score position, so as to facilitate the recycling of the pull tab 11, thereby reducing resource waste and environmental pollution.

[0036] The connecting structure 13 includes a rotating shaft 132 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the reinforcing component 131, and a support seat 133 arranged on the can cover 15 and for the end of the rotating shaft 132 to be inserted. One end of the rotating shaft 132 is inserted into the end of the longitudinal rod 131B of the reinforcing component 131 and rotates with the longitudinal rod 131B; a hinge hole 139 is provided on the support seat 133, and the other end of the rotating shaft 132 is inserted into the hinge hole 139, and the rotating shaft 132 is rotatably connected to the hinge hole 139, so that the pull tab 11 remains connected to the can cover 15 after being completely disconnected along the score, and can rotate freely relative to the support seat 133.

[0037] To prevent the pull tab 11 from falling back and blocking the lid opening 16 when the can is tilted to pour a beverage, the can opening device 1 is further provided with a limiting structure for limiting the rotation of the rotating shaft 132. The limiting structure includes a limiting portion 134 fixed to the side of the reinforcing member 131 and rotating with the rotating shaft 132, and a limiting protrusion 14 provided on the can lid 15 and used to limit the free rotation of the limiting portion 134. As the limiting portion 134 rotates with the rotating shaft 132, the limiting protrusion 14 interferes with the limiting portion 134, thereby blocking the rotation of the limiting portion 134. However, due to the ductility of the can lid 15 (usually made of aluminum), the can lid 15 may sag or deflect downward under the action of an external force, that is, the limiting protrusion 14 moves downward, causing the limiting protrusion 14 to deflect away from the limiting portion 134. The blocking effect of the limiting protrusion 14 is released, and the limiting portion 134 rotates over the limiting protrusion 14. In order to save more effort when removing the blocking effect of the limiting protrusion 14, a guide bevel 135 is provided on the surface of the limiting portion 134 that is used to limit the rotation of the limiting protrusion 14. The guide bevel 135 is in the shape of a circular arc. When the limiting portion 134 rotates over the limiting protrusion 14, the limiting protrusion 14 slides along the circular arc surface, thereby making it easier for the limiting portion 134 to overcome the restriction imposed by the limiting protrusion 14. The guide bevel 135 can also be an ordinary bevel. In some cases, a guide bevel 135 can also be provided on the surface of the limiting protrusion 14 that is used to limit the rotation of the limiting portion. For example, the surface of the limiting protrusion 14 can be semicircular. When the limiting portion 134 rotates over the limiting protrusion 14, the limiting portion 134 rotates along the semicircular surface, thereby making the process of the limiting portion 134 crossing the limiting protrusion 14 more effortless.

[0038] To reduce the amount of pull tab 11 that enters the can, the distance between the shaft 132 and the rear edge of the pull tab 11 is 2 mm, minimizing the risk of bacteria and dust on the pull tab 11 entering the can. In some embodiments, the distance between the shaft 132 and the rear edge of the pull tab 11 is 1 mm.

[0039] During use, the front edge of the pull tab 11 is first disconnected at the notch position by the pull ring 12, and the disconnection is gradually carried out from the front end to the rear end of the pull tab 11. Since the reinforcing member 131 on the pull tab 11 cooperates with the rotating shaft to form a lever structure, wherein the rotating shaft 132 serves as the fulcrum for the rotation of the reinforcing member 131, and the reinforcing member 131 rotates around the rotating shaft 132, during the process of disconnecting the rear end of the pull tab 11 from the notch 3, an external force acts on the front end of the reinforcing member 131 to move it upward. Due to the existence of the lever structure, the reinforcing member 131 rotates around the rotating shaft 132, causing the rear end of the reinforcing member 131 to move downward at the same time, thereby opening the connection between the pull tab 11 and the can lid 15. After the pull-tab 11 is completely disconnected at the notch 3, the pull-tab 11 can rotate freely around the support seat 133. With the help of external force, the limiting portion 134 of the pull-tab 11 contacts the limiting protrusion 14, and the limiting protrusion 14 is forced to deflect in the direction away from the limiting portion 134, thereby allowing the limiting portion 134 to overcome the restriction of the limiting protrusion 14 and continue to rotate beyond the limiting protrusion 14. In the absence of external force, the limiting protrusion 14 blocks the reverse rotation of the limiting portion 134, thereby preventing the pull-tab 11 from rotating in the opposite direction. This prevents the pull-tab 11 from falling back and blocking the opening 16 when the can is tilted to pour the beverage, affecting normal drinking. In summary, the can opening device is very convenient and reasonable to use, and it is easy to recycle the pull-tab 11, reducing resource waste and environmental pollution.

[0040] Example 2, as Figure 9 As shown, the main difference from the first embodiment lies in the limiting structure, which includes a limiting block 137 disposed in the hinge hole 139 and protruding toward the rotating shaft 132, and a limiting groove 138 disposed on the circumference of the rotating shaft 132 and for the limiting block 137 to enter to form a limiting fit. When the rotating shaft 132 rotates, the limiting block 137 contacts the circumference of the rotating shaft 132, but this contact does not affect the normal rotation of the rotating shaft 132; and when the upper limit groove 138 on the rotating shaft 132 rotates to the position of the limiting block 137, the limiting block 137 is automatically engaged in the limiting groove 138, so that the limiting groove 138 and the limiting block 137 form a limiting fit, thereby limiting the normal rotation of the rotating shaft 132. The limiting structure in this embodiment solves the problem of the pull tab 11 rotating arbitrarily after being separated from the can lid 15 by the mutual cooperation between the limiting block 137 and the limiting groove 138, ensuring that the pull tab 11 is restricted by the limiting structure during rotation and can be maintained in a fixed position to avoid interfering with drinking.

[0041] Example 3, as Figure 10 As shown, the main difference from Example 1 lies in the connection structure 13, which includes torsion plates 136 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the pull reinforcement member 131, and a support base 133 provided on the can lid 15 to secure each torsion plate 136. The torsion plates 136 are flexible aluminum plates. As the pull tab 11 rotates, the torsion plates 136 themselves twist to cooperate with the opening 16, while simultaneously maintaining the connection between the pull tab 11 and the can lid 15. In addition, since the torsion plates 136 cannot automatically return to their original shape without the application of external force, the position of the pull tab 11 connected to the torsion plates 136 is correspondingly fixed. Therefore, when the can is tilted to pour the beverage, the pull tab 11 remains connected to the can lid 15 and will not freely fall and block the opening 16.

Claims

1. A can opening device, comprising a can lid and a pull tab surrounded by notches on the can lid, wherein a pull ring is installed at the front end of the pull tab, characterized in that: A connecting structure is installed between the rear end of the pull tab and the can lid, which is used to keep the pull tab and the can lid connected after being disconnected at the notch position; A reinforcement component is fixed to the rear end of the pull tab, and the connection structure includes rotating shafts symmetrically arranged on both sides of the reinforcement component, and a support seat arranged on the can cover and for inserting the ends of each rotating shaft, and the support seat is provided with a hinge hole for inserting the ends of each rotating shaft; A limiting structure for limiting the rotation of the rotating shaft is also provided, the limiting structure comprising a limiting block provided in the hinge hole and protruding toward the rotating shaft, and a limiting groove provided on the circumference of the rotating shaft and for the limiting block to enter to form a limiting fit; When the shaft rotates, the surface of the limit block contacts the peripheral side of the shaft. When the upper limit groove on the shaft rotates to the position of the limit block, the limit block enters the limit groove and limits the rotation of the shaft.

2. The can opening device according to claim 1, wherein: The rotating shaft is at a certain distance from the front end edge and the rear end edge of the reinforcing component, and the distance from the rotating shaft to the rear end edge of the pull tab is less than 2 mm.

3. A can opening device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that: The reinforcing component is cross-shaped and consists of a transverse rod and a longitudinal rod perpendicular to the transverse rod, wherein the transverse rod is located on the connecting line between the front end and the rear end of the pull tab, and the reinforcing component is fixed to the pull tab by rivets, and the rotating shaft is located at the end of the longitudinal rod.

4. A can, comprising a can body, characterized in that: The can further comprises a can opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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