Flexible tab, tooling for the manufacture of the flexible tab and method of manufacturing the flexible tab

Abstract

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.

1 . Tooling for the manufacture of a flexible tab to be affixed to a can end, the tab comprising:
 a nose portion located at a front end of the tab;   a lift portion located at a back end of the tab having an outer surface at a preselected height, the nose portion having curled or hemmed edges and the tab having a preselected length;   an axis that passes along the length of the tab;   a plurality of slots provided in the tab between the nose portion and the lift portion on opposing sides of the tab, the plurality of slots combining to form a first fulcrum that extends generally transverse to the axis, the first fulcrum allowing the lift portion to pivot in relation to the nose portion;   a rivet receiving portion located rearwardly of the nose portion with a rivet hole, the rivet receiving portion being integrally attached to the nose portion;   an additional slot having opposed ends located adjacent to the rivet hole surrounding a portion of an outer periphery of the rivet receiving portion, the ends of the slot defining a second fulcrum, the second fulcrum allowing the tab to pivot about the second fulcrum;   a paneled or beaded area located in front of the outer surface of the lift portion at a height lower than the outer surface and adjacent to the plurality of slots,   wherein the paneled or beaded area has a first edge adjacent to the outer surface of the lift portion and in front of the outer surface of the lift portion, the first edge extending in a direction generally transverse to the axis, the first edge having opposite ends,   wherein the opposite ends of the first edge have a second edge or a third edge attached to one of the opposite ends,   wherein the second edge and the third edge are located in opposed relationship to each other with the second and third edges terminating at a juncture with the additional slot,   wherein the second and third edges at the juncture with the additional slot are integrally connected to each other through a fourth edge,   wherein the paneled or beaded area includes a number of extensions each extending toward the nose portion of the tab between the additional slot and a corresponding one of the slots on the opposing sides of the tab,   wherein each of the extensions includes a substantially straight edge which defines a substantially straight segment of the additional slot.   
   
   
       2 . The tooling of claim  11 , further comprising an axis that extends upwardly from the plurality of slots which forms an angle θ of 80° to 100° with the axis that passes along the length of the tab. 
   
   
       3 . The tooling of claim  11 , wherein the lift portion bends upwardly about first fulcrum by an angle of about less than 45° which angle is defined by the angle formed between a line extending through the lift portion and the axis that passes along the length of the tab. 
   
   
       4 . The tooling of claim  11 , wherein the lift portion bends upwardly about first fulcrum by an angle of about less than 30° which angle is defined by the angle formed between a line extending through the lift portion and the axis that passes along the length of the tab. 
   
   
       5 . The tooling of claim  11 , further comprising a slot punch and a slot die, the slot die having a hole that accommodates sharpened edges located on a lower surface of the slot punch and the slot die having sharpened edges located about an upper surface of the slot die adjacent to an outer periphery of the hole wherein the slot punch and the slot die are structured to form one of the plurality of slots. 
   
   
       6 . The tooling of claim  11 , further comprising tooling having a projection that has a shape which is complementary to the shape of the paneled or beaded area. 
   
   
       7 . The tooling of claim  11 , further comprising tooling having a recess that has a shape which is complementary to the shape of the paneled or beaded area. 
   
   
       8 . A method of manufacturing a flexible tab to be affixed to a can end, the method comprising:
 lancing, piercing or cutting a plurality of slots in material in a direction generally transverse to an axis that passes along a length of the material with the plurality of slots being in opposed relation to each other; and   paneling or beading the material in front of an outer surface having a preselected height of a lift portion located at a back end of the tab at a height lower than the outer surface and adjacent to the plurality of slots, the paneled or beaded area having a first edge adjacent to the outer surface of the lift portion and in front of the outer surface of the lift portion, the first edge extending in a direction generally transverse to the axis, the first edge having opposite ends,   wherein the opposite ends of the first edge have a second edge or a third edge attached to one of the opposite ends,   wherein the second edge and the third edge are located in opposed relationship to each other with the second and third edges terminating at a juncture with an additional slot,   wherein the second and third edges at the juncture with the additional slot are integrally connected to each other through a fourth edge,   wherein the paneled or beaded area includes a number of extensions each extending toward a nose portion located at a front end of the tab between the additional slot and a corresponding one of the slots on the opposing sides of the tab,   wherein each of the extensions includes a substantially straight edge which defines a substantially straight segment of the additional slot.   
   
   
       9 . The method of claim  18 , further comprising piercing, lancing or cutting the material to form the rivet hole. 
   
   
       10 . The method of claim  18 , further comprising piercing, lancing or cutting the material to form the additional slot.