Re-closable container lid

Abstract

A container top for a container includes a stay-on tab mechanism pivotally and rotatably attached by a rivet. The stay-on tab mechanism includes a tab section integrally connected with and folded over a cover section, wherein the rivet acts as a fulcrum for the tab section such that when a first end of the tab section is lifted by a user, an opposite second end engages and at least partially severs a displaceable portion of the container top. The cover section and the tab section can be rotated around the rivet between a position where the cover section covers the displaceable portion and another position where the cover section does not cover the displaceable portion such that the user can selectably close and reopen the container after the displaceable portion has been severed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container top for a container, comprising:
 a top plate including a displaceable portion defined by a scoring line, said displaceable portion being at least partially severable from the remainder of the top plate along the scoring line to open the container and to enable contents of the container to flow out of the container;   a rivet;   a stay-on tab mechanism pivotally and rotatably attached by the rivet to the top plate, said stay-on tab mechanism comprising a tab section integrally connected with and folded over a cover section, wherein the rivet acts as a fulcrum for the tab section such that when a first end of the tab section is lifted by a user, an opposite second end engages and at least partially severs the displaceable portion of the top plate to open the container, and wherein the cover section is configured to cover the displaceable portion of the top plate, and the cover section and tab section can be rotated around the rivet between a position where the cover section covers the displaceable portion and another position where the cover section does not cover the displaceable portion such that the user can selectably close and reopen the container after the displaceable portion of the top plate has been at least partially severed.   
     
     
         2 . The container top of  claim 1 , wherein the tab section is folded over the cover section at a fold line forming the second end of the tab section. 
     
     
         3 . The container top of  claim 1 , wherein the stay-on tab mechanism comprises a single piece of stamped sheet metal. 
     
     
         4 . The container top of  claim 1 , wherein the cover section has a shape similar to and larger than the displaceable portion of the top plate. 
     
     
         5 . The container top of  claim 1 , wherein the container top is configured to cover a beverage can body. 
     
     
         6 . The container top of  claim 1 , wherein the user can selectably move the cover section over and away from the displaceable portion by pushing the first end of the tab section around the rivet. 
     
     
         7 . The container top of  claim 1 , wherein the rivet extends through the tab section and the cover section of the stay-on tab mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The container top of  claim 1 , wherein the cover section includes a sealing material on at least a portion of a lower surface thereof to substantially seal the container when the cover section covers the displaceable portion. 
     
     
         9 . The container top of  claim 1 , wherein the rivet is located at the center of the top plate. 
     
     
         10 . The container top of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a food can. 
     
     
         11 . A container, comprising:
 a hollow container body;   a top plate covering the container body, said top plate including a displaceable portion defined by a scoring line, said displaceable portion being at least partially severable from the remainder of the top plate along the scoring line to open the container to enable contents of the container to flow out of the container;   a rivet;   a stay-on tab mechanism pivotally and rotatably attached by the rivet to the top plate, said stay-on tab mechanism comprising a tab section integrally connected with and folded over a cover section, wherein the rivet acts as a fulcrum for the tab section such that when a first end of the tab section is lifted by a user, an opposite second end engages and at least partially severs the displaceable portion of the top plate to open the container, and wherein the cover section is configured to cover the displaceable portion of the top plate, and the cover section and tab section can be rotated around the rivet between a position where the cover section covers the displaceable portion and another position where the cover section does not cover the displaceable portion such that the user can selectably close and reopen the container after the displaceable portion of the top plate has been at least partially severed.   
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the tab section is folded over the cover section at a fold line forming the second end of the tab section. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the stay-on tab mechanism comprises a single piece of stamped sheet metal. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the cover section has a shape corresponding to and larger than the displaceable portion of the top plate. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the container is a beverage can. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the user can selectably move the cover section over and away from the displaceable portion by pushing the first end of the tab section around the rivet. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the rivet extends through the tab section and the cover section of the stay-on tab mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the rivet extends through the tab section but not the cover section of the stay-on tab mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cover section includes a sealing material on at least a portion of a lower surface thereof to substantially seal the container when the cover section covers the displaceable portion. 
     
     
         20 . A container top for a food container, comprising:
 a top plate including a displaceable portion defined by a scoring line, said displaceable portion being at least partially severable from the remainder of the top plate along the scoring line to open the container and to enable contents of the container to flow out of the container;   a fastener;   a tab mechanism pivotally and rotatably attached by the fastener to the top plate, said tab mechanism comprising a tab section integrally connected with and folded over a cover section, wherein the fastener acts as a fulcrum for the tab section such that when a first end of the tab section is lifted by a user, an opposite second end engages and at least partially severs the displaceable portion of the top plate to open the container, and wherein the cover section is configured to cover the displaceable portion of the top plate, and the cover section and tab section can be rotated around the fastener between a position where the cover section covers the displaceable portion and another position where the cover section does not cover the displaceable portion such that the user can selectably close and reopen the container after the displaceable portion of the top plate has been at least partially severed.