Beverage container end with multiple openings

Abstract

A beverage container has a tab member rotatably and pivotally mounted thereon. The tab member can be used to form two separate openings in the can top, and each opening can be used either independently or together. One opening is the main drink opening, and the other opening is designed to receive a straw. While the primary use for the second opening is to receive a straw, the second opening may also serve as a built in vent when the main drink opening is used.

The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive privilege and property right is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A beverage container having a top with a non-detachable fulcrum type lifting tab, having a pushing end and a lifting end, attached thereto, said lifting tab being adapted to form an opening in the container top for pouring-out access of the container contents; the container top comprising means for forming two separated openings therein, with formation of a first opening, providing for access to the container contents, and formation of a second opening, providing for insertion of a straw to consume contents of container. The second opening also provides air access to the interior of the container to facilitate pouring out of the container contents if needed; and wherein each of said openings is formed by a lifting of the lifting end of said tab; wherein said container top comprises a centrally located, integrally formed rivet member, said lifting tab being affixed to the container top by said rivet with the lifting end positioned on one side of the rivet and the pushing end positioned on the other side of the rivet and the lifting tab being swivelable about the rivet; the means for forming the two separated openings comprising two separate scored sections of the container top adjacent to and spaced from the rivet and extending therefrom, the swivelable tab held by the rivet is able to separately engage each of said scored sections with the pushing end thereof, so that lifting of the lifting end of the tab causes the pushing end of the tab to apply pressure to one of said two scored sections, causing said section to separate from the remainder of the container top, thereby forming the respective openings. 
     
     
         2 . The beverage container of  claim 1 , wherein the container top comprises an elongated inwardly dished section which passes through the center of the container top, with the rivet being located within said dished section and, wherein a portion of the dished section on one side of the rivet is scored in a direction away from the rivet to form a first of said scored section and wherein a second portion of the dished section, on the opposite side of the rivet, is scored in a direction away from the rivet, wherein a split, winged shaped, trap door style tear panel is located to accept a straw and is created by two curved score lines and one straight score line with enhanced leverage created by raised embossing to form the other of said scored sections. Once severed at score lines the wings of split tear panel remain hingedly attached to end wall at embossing lines. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage container of  claim 2 , wherein each of the scored sections respectively circumscribes a substantial portion of the dished section on the respective sides of the rivet whereby the respective openings comprise a substantial portion of the dished section. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage container of  claim 3 , wherein an area between the respective scored sections is of sufficient width to provides a support for the rivet and a support for the lift tab to effect formation of the straw access and air access opening after formation of the first opening for access to the container contents. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage container of  claim 4 , wherein the connection between the tab and the rivet is of sufficient strength to enable the lift tab to effect formation of the a straw insertion access opening after formation of the first opening for access to the container contents. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage container of  claim 5 , wherein the connection between the tab and the rivet is of sufficient strength to enable the lift tab to effect formation of the a straw insertion access opening independent of the formation of the first opening, which remains unopened, for access to the container contents.