Interlocked Pull Tab and Secondary Lever for Beverage Can Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage cans with single dispensing apertures often lead to gurgling due to pressure imbalance, and two-opening systems require multiple movements to open both dispensing and vent apertures, which can be inconvenient and prone to accidental vent opening.
Innovation Solution
A can design featuring a pull tab coupled to a first rivet and a secondary lever coupled to a second rivet, where the secondary lever is interlocked with the pull tab to open both dispensing and vent apertures in a single movement by lifting the actuating end of the pull tab, allowing the secondary lever to trigger the opening of the vent aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single dispensing aperture is provided in the can, then the structure is simple, but gurgling occurs due to pressure imbalance inside and outside the can
Solution Approach 1:
The can top is segmented into two functional apertures: a primary dispensing aperture for liquid flow and a secondary vent aperture for pressure equalization. This segmentation resolves the pressure imbalance issue by separating the dispensing function from the venting function, allowing smooth beverage flow without gurgling.
2Reliability
If two separate opening mechanisms are provided for dispensing and vent apertures, then pressure control is improved, but multiple movements are required to open both apertures
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate opening mechanisms are merged into a single integrated pull tab system. The pull tab is positioned and configured to simultaneously engage both the dispensing aperture and vent aperture, allowing both to open in a single lifting motion. This merging maintains pressure control reliability while dramatically improving opening convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull tab serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the user's single lifting action and the dual aperture opening requirement. By positioning the pull tab to engage both apertures simultaneously, it translates one simple movement into the coordinated opening of both dispensing and vent apertures.
3Ease of operation
If the vent aperture is aligned with the pull tab for easy opening, then opening is simplified, but accidental vent opening may occur when pressure is applied to the tab
Solution Approach 1:
The can top features asymmetric aperture positioning where the dispensing aperture and vent aperture are located at different positions relative to the pull tab. The vent aperture is offset from direct alignment with the pull tab's pressing direction, while the dispensing aperture remains accessible. This asymmetric arrangement allows the pull tab to open both apertures simultaneously through its lifting motion without creating a direct pressing path that could cause accidental vent opening.
Data Source
Figure 1~3(b)
Figure 4(a)~5(b)
AI summary
The present invention concerns a can for containing a liquid comprising a top end, said top end comprising: (a) A dispense area (3A) defined on said top end by a first score line (31A), (b) A pull tab (2A) coupled to the top end by a first rivet (4A), said pull tab (2A) being suitable for puncturing the dispense area (3A) to open a dispense aperture (13A) upon lifting an actuating end (22A) of said pull tab away from the top end, (c) A vent area (3B) defined on said top end by a second score line (31B), (d) A secondary lever (2B) coupled to the top end by a second rivet (4B), said secondary lever (2B) comprising a puncturing end (21B) suitable for puncturing the vent area (3B) to open a vent aperture (13B) upon lifting an opposite, actuating end (22B) of said secondary lever away from the top end, Characterized in that, the secondary lever (3B) and pull tab (3A) are interlocked such that the lifting of the actuating end (22A) of the pull tab triggers the lifting of the actuating end (22B) of the secondary lever (2B) thus yielding the opening of both dispensing and vent apertures (13A, 13B) in a single move.