Can Opening Device with Flexible Pull Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can opening mechanisms require significant finger dexterity and effort, particularly for individuals with delicate or long nails, as they need to use their fingernails to grip flush tabs, leading to potential nail damage and the need for external tools.
Innovation Solution
A container opening device featuring an actuator tab with a flexible pull member that facilitates pivoting between positions, allowing easier access to the can's contents without requiring excessive finger strength or external tools, constructed from a planar sheet of pliable metallic material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a flush tab is used in the first position, then the closure structure is compact and simple, but significant finger dexterity and effort are required to grip and displace the tab
Solution Approach 1:
The pull member acts as an intermediary element between the user's finger and the actuator tab. It provides a larger gripping surface area that extends beyond the flush tab, making it easier to grasp and displacement the tab without requiring fingernails or excessive finger dexterity. The pull member transfers the user's pulling force to the tab while reducing the operational difficulty.
2Device complexity
If the tab lies flat adjacent the zone in the first position, then the closure is compact, but external tools such as keys or dedicated openers are needed for those with delicate or long nails
Solution Approach 1:
The pull member serves as a mediator that enables users with delicate or long nails to operate the closure without external tools. By providing an extended gripping surface that protrudes from the flush tab, it allows users to grasp and pull the tab directly, making the closure accessible to a broader range of users while maintaining the compact closure arrangement.
3Ease of operation
If the tab is displaced from the first position to the second position, then access to the container interior is provided, but the tab must be pivoted back to the first position to avoid obstructing the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator tab is designed to automatically return to the first position after being displaced to the second position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually pivot the tab back, simplifying the operation sequence while providing easy access to the container interior. The tab's automatic return prevents obstruction of the opening without requiring additional user actions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides a convenient and nail-friendly method to open cans, reducing the risk of nail damage and eliminating the need for external openers by leveraging mechanical advantage for effortless tab displacement.
Implementation Method 1
displace the same from the first position to a second position in a second plane transverse to the first plane. For example, in a pivot fashion about the fulcrum thereby causing an opposite end of the tab to urge against the zone urging the same to shear from its weakened periphery due to the force applied thereto from the end of the tab
Implementation Method 2
The pull member may be flexibly or pliably displaceable between a first position in which the pull member is substantially parallel to the actuator tab, and a second position in which the pull member is substantially transverse to the actuator tab
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates generally to containers, particularly to cans (14), for example, for beverages, to a container opening device (9), a container (14), a closure arrangement (12) for a container (14), and a blank for a container opening device (9). The container (14) is typically sealable and has closure (16) attachable thereto to seal the container (14), wherein the closure (16) has a peripherally weakened zone (20), or a partly peripherally weakened zone (20). The container opening device (9) comprises an actuator tab (22) operatively attachable to the closure (16) adjacent the zone (20) such that actuation of the actuator tab (22) between first and second positions causes shearing or detachment of the zone (20) from its weakened periphery thereby to provide an opening to an interior of the container (14), in use; and a pull member (10) attached or attachable to the actuator tab (22) to facilitate actuation of the tab (22) between the first and second positions. It will be understood that the container (14) and closure arrangement (12) comprise the device.