Pull tab on tear strip on plastic cover

Abstract

Apparatus and related methods for a container lid include a pull structure affixed to one end of a tearstrip and positioned in an outer flange of the lid, the pull structure having a portion shaped to receive and engage a manipulator such as at least one finger of a user's hand, to assist the user to initiate tearing of the tearstrip from the lid. The shaped portion of the pull structure is configured to eliminate the need to grip the tearstrip between opposing digits of the user's hand.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tearstrip assembly in combination with a lid, including a pull ring molded at one end of said tearstrip, said lid having a downwardly-depending skirt integrally molded at its periphery, said pull ring initially positioned within said skirt.  
     
     
         2 . A container lid having a tearstrip, said tearstrip being injection molded as an integral part of said lid prior to removal of said tearstrip from the remainder of said lid, said tearstrip including a pull structure affixed to one end and positioned in an outer flange of said lid, said pull structure having a portion shaped to receive at least one finger of a user's hand to assist the user to initiate tearing of said tearstrip from said lid, said removal of said tearstrip permitting opening of said lid from its associated container, said shaped portion configured to eliminate the need to grip said tearstrip between opposing digits on the user's hand in order to initiate said tearing.  
     
     
         3 . The lid of  claim 2  or  claim 9 , in which said shaped portion of said pull structure is not oval.  
     
     
         4 . The lid of  claim 2  or  claim 9 , in which said shaped portion of said pull structure is generally C-shaped.  
     
     
         5 . The lid of  claim 4 , in which said generally C-shaped pull structure portion constitutes an uncompleted loop, in which said uncompleted portion of said loop is directed generally downwardly.  
     
     
         6 . The lid of  claim 2  or  claim 9 , including frangible connections between said pull structure and adjacent portions of said lid, said frangible connections providing tamper-evidencing and helping to hold said pull structure in general alignment with said adjacent portions of said lid prior to tearing said tearstrip.  
     
     
         7 . The lid of  claim 2  or  claim 9 , in which said tearstrip is positioned within said lid such that removal of said entire tearstrip leaves a remaining portion of said lid that is capable of covering the corresponding opening in the associated container.  
     
     
         8 . A method of closing and opening a container, including the steps of: 
 providing a container lid having a tearstrip, said tearstrip being injection molded as part of said lid prior to removal of said tearstrip from the remainder of said lid, said tearstrip including a pull structure affixed to one end and positioned in an outer flange of said lid, said pull structure having a portion shaped to receive at least one finger of a user's hand to assist the user to initiate tearing of said tearstrip from said lid, said removal of said tearstrip permitting opening of said lid from its associated container, said shaped portion configured to eliminate the need to grip said tearstrip between opposing digits on the user's hand;    assembling said lid on said container;    engaging at least one finger with said shaped portion of said pull structure;    pulling with said at least one finger to tear said tearstrip from said lid; and    removing said lid from said container.    
     
     
         9 . A container lid having a tearstrip, said tearstrip being injection molded as an integral part of said lid prior to removal of said tearstrip from the remainder of said lid, said tearstrip including a pull structure affixed to one end and positioned in an outer flange of said lid, said pull structure having a manipulator-engaging portion to assist in tearing of said tearstrip from said lid, said removal of said tearstrip permitting opening of said lid from its associated container, said manipulator-engaging portion including a return portion angled by more than 90 degrees with respect to a lengthwise axis of said tearstrip so that said return portion provides an effective hook for engaging a manipulator.  
     
     
         10 . A method of closing and opening a container, including the steps of: 
 providing a container lid having a tearstrip, said tearstrip being injection molded as part of said lid prior to removal of said tearstrip from the remainder of said lid, said tearstrip including a pull structure affixed to one end and positioned in an outer flange of said lid, said pull structure having a portion shaped to at least partially wrap around a manipulator and provide selective engagement with said manipulator to assist in tearing of said tearstrip from said lid, said removal of said tearstrip permitting opening of said lid from its associated container;    assembling said lid on said container;    engaging at manipulator with said shaped portion of said pull structure;    pulling with said manipulator to tear said tearstrip from said lid; and    removing said lid from said container.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , in which said manipulator-engaging portion includes a return portion angled by more than 90 degrees with respect to a lengthwise axis of said tearstrip so that said return portion provides an effective hook for engaging a manipulator.