Beverage can lid with easy opening features

Abstract

A beverage can lid with an easy opening feature comprises a scored lid, having a pull tab affixed to the lid by a rivet and an initial contact point on the lid which is pushed downward as the score line breaks at the puncture point adjacent the rivet. In the invention, the contact point is positioned in close proximity to the rivet to minimize the required lifting force, which is in proportion to the distance between the initial contact point and the rivet. Further, the puncture point is positioned close to the initial contact point so that the lifting force is also reduced. In one embodiment, the scoring radius at the puncture point is quite sharp so that the force required to break the seal at the puncture point is reduced. Also the gap between the puncture point and the end of the scored line is minimized to facilitate opening the lid. Furthermore, the pivot line is moved closer to the contact point to reduce the lifting force. Additional savings result from minimizing the width and length of the pull-tab and using thinner gauge metal than customarily used in the prior art.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid comprising: 
 an outer rim mounted to the cylindrical container;    a center platform having a score line positioned thereon and a puncture point wherein an initial break in the score line occurs during opening;    a groove extending circumferentially between the rim and the center platform;    a pull tab having an integral contact point for engaging and opening the lid at the puncture point along the score line said pull tab extending fully about the score line; and    a rivet positioned on one side of the score line and mounting the pull tab to the center platform wherein the puncture point is positioned in close proximity to the rivet on the score line and the contact point is spaced from the puncture point on the other side of the score line to minimize the lifting force on the pull tab required to open the lid along the score line.    
     
     
         2 . A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
 the score line comprises an abrupt radius at the puncture point to minimize the lifting force required to open the lid.  
 
     
     
         3 . A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
 the score line extends a short distance from the initial break point to a first end point.  
 
     
     
         4 . A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
 the pull-tab includes a narrow length and width to provide the lesser lifting force required to puncture the score line.  
 
     
     
         5 . A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
 the lid comprises a thin gauge metal due to the reduced lifting force required to open the lid.  
 
     
     
         6 . A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
 the puncture point is positioned in close proximity to the contact point to minimize the lifting force.  
 
     
     
         7 . A cylindrical beverage container having an easy open lid in accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
 the pull tab includes a pivot line about which said pull tab pivots during opening, said pivot line being positioned in close proximity to the contact point.