Resealable Hinged Tab Opener For A Can

Abstract

A resealable pop-top type opener for a can having a curvilinear tab handle extending to divergent arms having a post fixed therebetween. A tab hinge is mounted to the tab plate with the hinge knuckle encompassing the hinge post so that the curvilinear tab handle can be pivoted from a substantially horizontal direction to a vertical direction whereupon the tab arms are used to manipulate the tab to either an open position or if open to a closed position.

1 . A resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can comprising:
 a) a can having a top portion;   b) a malleable tab plate scored into said top portion of said can; and   c) a tab member pivotally and rotatively secured to said tab plate for separating a portion of said tab plate from said top portion of said can and resealing said tab plate thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to  claim 1 , wherein said tab member comprises:
 a) an arcuate handle having a proximal end secured to said tab plate a distal end for manipulating said tab member;   b) means for pivotally securing said handle to said tab plate;   c) means for rotatively securing said handle to said tab plate;   d) a pair of divergent arms projecting vertically downward from said proximal end of said handle; and   e) a horizontal post extending between said divergent arms.   
     
     
         3 . The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for pivotally securing said handle to said tab plate is a hinge having a knuckle associated with said horizontal post to enable the vertical movement of said handle. 
     
     
         4 . The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for rotatively securing said handle to said tab plate is a rivet passing through said tab plate and said hinge to enable the rotative movement of said tab member and it's affiliated components. 
     
     
         5 . The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to  claim 2 , wherein said horizontal post extends beyond the parameters of the width of said tab plate. 
     
     
         6 . The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to  claim 5 , wherein said divergent arms project from said horizontal post at an acute angle to maintain contact with the top portion of said tab plate at all times. 
     
     
         7 . The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to  claim 6 , wherein lifting said distal end of said handle results in said divergent arms applying a downward bias to the front upper portion of said tab plate thereby compromising the scored seal therein and deforming it to provide an aperture to access the contents therein. 
     
     
         8 . The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to  claim 7 , wherein the rotation of said handle perpendicularly enables the user to introduce said horizontal post and said divergent arms through said aperture into the interior of the can thereby further urging said front portion of said tab plate downward. 
     
     
         9 . The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to  claim 8 , wherein rotating said handle back to its original, seated position with said horizontal post positioned against the underside of said can top maintains said tab plate in the open condition. 
     
     
         10 . The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to  claim 9 , wherein lifting and rotating said handle enables the user to raise said horizontal post and said divergent arms above said aperture with the hinge attached to said horizontal post and said tab plate drawing said tab plate upwards thus closing said aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The resealable pop-top mechanism for accessing and storing the contents of a can according to  claim 10 , wherein rotation of said handle and lowering it to its original seated position effectively completes the resealing process to retain the remaining contents therein. 
     
     
         12 . A resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can comprising:
 a) a can with a top portion;   b) a malleable tab plate scored into said top portion of said can;   c) a tab member having a proximal end and a distal end disposed on said top portion of said can;   d) a curvilinear handle extending between said proximal end and said distal end of said tab member;   e) a horizontal post disposed on said proximal end of said tab member;   f) a pair of divergent arms projecting downward from opposing ends of said horizontal post;   g) a hinge having a knuckle encircling said horizontal post; and   h) a rivet rotatively connecting said hinge to said tab plate.   
     
     
         13 . The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in  claim 12 , wherein the opposing ends of said horizontal post extend beyond the width of said tab plate. 
     
     
         14 . The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in  claim 13 , wherein said divergent arms project from their respective ends of said horizontal posts at an acute angle to maintain contact with the top portion of said tab plate. 
     
     
         15 . The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in  claim 14 , wherein vertically lifting said handle results in the hinge and divergent arms compromising the scored seal at the front portion of said tab plate thereby lowering it to reveal an egress aperture therein. 
     
     
         16 . The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in  claim 15 , wherein rotation of said tab and affiliated hinge around said rivet further lowers said front portion of said tab plate increasing the access of said aperture as said horizontal post is positioned against the underside of said can top. 
     
     
         17 . The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in  claim 16 , wherein returning said handle to its original seated position with said horizontal post residing within said can and said divergent arms retaining said front portion of said tab plate downward in the open position to access the contents contained therein. 
     
     
         18 . The resealable pop-top style tab mechanism for a can recited in  claim 17 , wherein reversing the process withdraws said horizontal post and said divergent arms from the interior of said can and said hinge pulls the front portion of said tab plate upwards to effectively reseal said aperture. 
     
     
         19 . A method for utilizing a resealable pop-top style mechanism to provide access to the contents of a can and reseal the opening to preserve the remaining contents contained therein comprising the steps:
 a) providing a can with a top portion having a malleable tab plate scored therein, a tab mechanism having a curvilinear handle, a horizontal post disposed at one end of said handle and extending beyond the width of said tab plate, a hinge disposed on said horizontal post, a rivet rotatively connecting said hinge to said tab plate and a pair of divergent arms projecting downward at acute angles from the ends of said horizontal post;   b) lifting said handle vertically to provide a downward bias to the front portion of said tab plate thereby compromising said scored seal and having said front portion descend below said top of said can;   c) rotating said handle to enable said horizontal post to enter the interior of said can while said divergent arms further lower said front portion of said tab plate;   d) returning said handle to its original seated position with said horizontal post residing against the underside of said can top and said divergent arms on the top of said front portion of said tab plate thereby retaining it in the open position;   e) reversing the process to release said horizontal post and said divergent arms from the interior of said can; and   f) returning said handle to its original seated position wherein said hinge draws said tab plate to an equilateral plane with said can top thereby effectively resealing said aperture.