Flexible Tab With Transverse Fulcrum Slots for Can Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can opening tabs are rigid, making it difficult for users to gain leverage to open can ends, especially for those with long fingernails or weak fingers, and often break during use due to lack of reinforcement in flexible designs.
Innovation Solution
A flexible tab with a fulcrum mechanism, featuring slots and a paneled or beaded area, allowing the lift portion to pivot upward and downward without breaking, and a rivet receiving portion for secure attachment to the can end, enabling easy opening and resetting without breaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid tab is used, then the tab provides structural strength, but it creates difficulty for users to gain leverage to open the can end
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is designed with a flexible portion that allows dynamic movement during operation. The lift portion can be initially pivoted upward about the flexible portion without resistance from the can end, then subsequently pivoted about the rivet to sever the score line. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab is divided into distinct portions: a nose portion, a flexible portion, and a lift portion. This segmentation allows each part to serve its specific function - the flexible portion provides leverage advantage while the nose portion maintains structural integrity for securing to the can end.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible portion completely extends from one side to the other, then it enables leverage advantage, but it creates a full line of demarcation that causes the tab to break off during use
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible portion is localized rather than extending completely across the tab. By concentrating the flexible portion in a specific area between the nose and lift portions, the tab gains leverage advantage while avoiding a full line of demarcation that would cause breaking. The local flexibility is sufficient for the opening action without compromising overall structural integrity.
3Reliability
If hinge-like protrusions are added to reinforce the crease line, then the tab resists breaking during upward lift, but it increases manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex hinge-like protrusions, the invention achieves reinforcement by controlling the physical parameters of the flexible portion itself - its location, dimensions, and material properties. This approach provides the necessary resistance to breaking while maintaining simplicity in manufacturing, avoiding the need for additional forming equipment or complex multi-step processes.
4Reliability
If protrusions are added to the tab, then the crease line is reinforced, but it interferes with stacking cans vertically in storage
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement is achieved through localized modification of the flexible portion's properties rather than adding protruding elements. The flexible portion is configured with specific dimensions and material characteristics that provide necessary strength without creating external protrusions that would interfere with can stacking and storage.
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 flexible tab design facilitates easy opening of can ends with minimal resistance, suitable for users with dexterity issues, and prevents the lift portion from breaking off during use, improving user accessibility and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible tab to be affixed to a can end. The tab has a nose portion located at a front end of the tab and a lift portion located at a back end of the tab... The slots combine to form a first fulcrum that extends generally transverse to the axis with the fulcrum allowing the lift portion to pivot upwards and downwards in relation to the nose portion
Implementation Method 2
The slots combine to form a first fulcrum that extends generally transverse to the axis with the fulcrum allowing the lift portion to pivot upwards and downwards in relation to the nose portion... enables a user to gain leverage when opening a can end
Implementation Method 3
A rivet receiving portion is located rearwardly of the nose portion which has a rivet hole... for secure attachment to the can end
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a flexible tab used to open beer/beverage can ends and food can ends. The tab has a plurality of slots provided in about a middle part of the tab between a nose portion and a lift portion on opposing sides of the tab. The slots combine to form a fulcrum that extends generally transverse to an axis that passes along a length of the tab. The fulcrum allows the lift portion to pivot upwards and downwards in relation to the nose portion. The tab also has a paneled or beaded area adjacent to the slots at about the middle part of the tab. Tooling for the manufacture of the flexible tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the flexible tab is additionally provided as well.