Easy-open pull tab container lid

Abstract

Disclosed is a lid having a perimeter, a pre-scored line that defines a rupturable tear panel, and a pull tab rotatably and pivotally attached to the lid. The pull tab is rotatable between a closed position in which the entire length of the pull tab is contained within the perimeter of the lid, and an opening position in which the handle portion of the pull tab extends beyond the perimeter of the lid. In the opening position, the lid-piercing portion of the pull tab is juxtaposed with the pre-scored panel and is configured to pierce the rupturable tear panel when the handle portion of the pull tab is lifted.

1 . A container lid comprising:
 a lid having a perimeter, and further comprising a pre-scored line that defines a rupturable tear panel;   a pull tab rotatably and pivotally attached to the lid, wherein the pull tab comprises a length, a handle portion, and a lid-piecing portion;   wherein the pull tab is rotatable between:
 a closed position in which the entire length of the pull tab is contained within the perimeter of the lid, and 
 an opening position in which the handle portion of the pull tab extends beyond the perimeter of the lid and the lid-piercing portion of the pull tab is juxtaposed with the pre-scored panel and configured to pierce the rupturable tear panel when the handle portion of the pull tab is lifted. 
   
   
   
       2 . The container lid of  claim 1 , wherein the pull tab is substantially planar. 
   
   
       3 . The container lid of  claim 1 , wherein the pull tab comprises a shoulder that offsets the handle portion of the pull tab so that the handle portion of the pull tab does not contact the lid when the pull tab is in the closed position. 
   
   
       4 . The container lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid and the pull tab comprise aluminum. 
   
   
       5 . The container lid of any one of  claims 1  through  4 , wherein the lid is circular. 
   
   
       6 . The container lid of any one of  claims 1  through  4 , wherein the lid is non-circular. 
   
   
       7 . A container lid comprising:
 an aluminum lid having a perimeter, and further comprising a pre-scored line that defines a rupturable tear panel;   a substantially planar, aluminum pull tab rotatably and pivotally attached to the lid, wherein the pull tab comprises a length, a handle portion, and a lid-piecing portion;   wherein the pull tab is rotatable between:
 a closed position in which the entire length of the pull tab is contained within the perimeter of the lid, and 
 an opening position in which the handle portion of the pull tab extends beyond the perimeter of the lid and the lid-piercing portion of the pull tab is juxtaposed with the pre-scored panel and configured to pierce the rupturable tear panel when the handle portion of the pull tab is lifted. 
   
   
   
       8 . The container lid of  claim 7 , wherein the lid is circular. 
   
   
       9 . The container lid of  claim 7 , wherein the lid is non-circular. 
   
   
       10 . A container lid comprising:
 an aluminum lid having a perimeter, and further comprising a pre-scored line that defines a rupturable tear panel;   an aluminum pull tab rotatably and pivotally attached to the lid, wherein the pull tab comprises a length, a handle portion, and a lid-piecing portion;   wherein the pull tab is rotatable between:
 a closed position in which the entire length of the pull tab is contained within the perimeter of the lid, and 
 an opening position in which the handle portion of the pull tab extends beyond the perimeter of the lid and the lid-piercing portion of the pull tab is juxtaposed with the pre-scored panel and configured to pierce the rupturable tear panel when the handle portion of the pull tab is lifted; and 
   wherein the pull tab comprises a shoulder that offsets the handle portion of the pull tab so that the handle portion of the pull tab does not contact the lid when the pull tab is in the closed position.   
   
   
       11 . The container lid of  claim 10 , wherein the lid is circular. 
   
   
       12 . The container lid of  claim 10 , wherein the lid is non-circular. 
   
   
       13 . A container lid comprising:
 a circular, aluminum lid having a perimeter dimensioned and configured to engage a container, and further comprising a pre-scored line that defines a rupturable tear panel;   a substantially planar, aluminum pull tab rotatably and pivotally attached to the lid, wherein the pull tab comprises a length, a handle portion, and a lid-piecing portion;   wherein the pull tab is rotatable between:
 a closed position in which the entire length of the pull tab is contained within the perimeter of the lid, and 
 an opening position in which the handle portion of the pull tab extends beyond the perimeter of the lid and the lid-piercing portion of the pull tab is juxtaposed with the pre-scored panel and configured to pierce the rupturable tear panel when the handle portion of the pull tab is lifted. 
   
   
   
       14 . A container lid comprising:
 a circular, aluminum lid having a perimeter dimensioned and configured to engage a container, and further comprising a pre-scored line that defines a rupturable tear panel;   an aluminum pull tab rotatably and pivotally attached to the lid, wherein the pull tab comprises a length, a handle portion, and a lid-piecing portion;   wherein the pull tab is rotatable between:
 a closed position in which the entire length of the pull tab is contained within the perimeter of the lid, and 
 an opening position in which the handle portion of the pull tab extends beyond the perimeter of the lid and the lid-piercing portion of the pull tab is juxtaposed with the pre-scored panel and configured to pierce the rupturable tear panel when the handle portion of the pull tab is lifted; and 
   wherein the pull tab comprises a shoulder that offsets the handle portion of the pull tab so that the handle portion of the pull tab does not contact the lid when the pull tab is in the closed position.   
   
   
       15 . A container lid comprising:
 a lid having a perimeter, a maximum width, and further comprising a pre-scored line that defines a rupturable tear panel;   a pull tab rotatably and pivotally attached to the lid, wherein the pull tab comprises a length, a handle portion, and a lid-piercing portion;   wherein the pull tab is rotatable between:
 a closed position in which the entire length of the pull tab is contained within the perimeter of the lid, and the handle portion is juxtaposed with the pre-scored panel, and 
 an opening position in which the entire length of the pull tab is contained within the perimeter of the lid and the lid-piercing portion of the pull tab is juxtaposed with the pre-scored panel and configured to pierce the rupturable tear panel when the handle portion of the pull tab is lifted; and further wherein 
   a ratio of the length of the pull tab to the maximum width of the lid is greater than about 0.50.   
   
   
       16 . The container lid of  claim 15 , wherein the ratio of the length of the pull tab to the maximum width of the lid is greater than about 0.50. 
   
   
       17 . The container lid of  claim 15 , wherein the ratio of the length of the pull tab to the maximum width of the lid is greater than about 0.75. 
   
   
       18 . The container lid of  claim 15 , wherein the pull tab is substantially planar. 
   
   
       19 . The container lid of  claim 15 , wherein the pull tab comprises a shoulder that offsets the handle portion of the pull tab so that the handle portion of the pull tab does not contact the lid when the pull tab is in the closed position.