Coated lift-tab for resealing pop-top containers

Abstract

A resealable pop-top beverage container is disclosed and claimed wherein a lift-tab is attached to the upper surface of the top of the container in a conventional manner such that when a finger-end of the lift-tab is raised, a swivel-end of the lift-tab forces a sealing plate to shear its connection to the edge of an access hole, thereby opening the access hole. The lift-tab of the invention includes a coating of a resilient material on at least its ventral side. When the lift-tab is rotated about a rotatable connector, the resilient material can juxtapose against the access hole thereby forming a reversible seal.

1 . An improved lift-tab of the type used in a pop-top beverage container, the lift-tab being attached to the upper surface of a top of the container, and the lift-tab having a finger-end, a swivel-end, and a ventral surface, the improvement comprising a pull-tab coat of resilient material deposited on or annealed to at least the ventral surface of the lift-tab, whereby said pull-tab coat can be used to reseal the container by juxtaposing the coated ventral surface against an access hole in the top of the container. 
   
   
       2 . The improved lift-tab of  claim 1  wherein the improvement further comprises a straw-orifice provided in said pull-tab coat, wherein said straw-orifice comprises frangible break-lines inscribed in said pull-tab coat. 
   
   
       3 . A resealable beverage container comprising:
 a. a top having an upper surface,   b. an access hole in said top for accessing the contents of said resealable beverage container, said access hole defined by an edge;   c. a swivel connector;   d. a sealing plate connected to a substantial portion of said edge by a frangible break-line when the container is closed;   e. a pull-tab, said pull-tab comprising a i) ventral surface, ii) a finger-end, and iii) a swivel-end opposite said finger-end; and,   f. a pull-tab coat comprising a resilient material deposited on or annealed to said ventral surface of said pull-tab, wherein said pull-tab coat is configured to seal said access hole when said pull-tab is juxtaposed against said access hole,   wherein said swivel connector connects said swivel-end of said pull tab to said upper surface of said top such that said pull-tab can be juxtaposed against said access hole for resealing said container.   
   
   
       4 . A method of producing a resealable pop-top beverage container wherein said beverage container comprises i) a top, ii) an access hole in the top, wherein the access hole is defined by an edge, iii) a sealing plate, wherein said sealing plate is connected to the edge of the access hole by means of a frangible, waterproof seal when the container is closed, and, iv) a pull-tab comprising a finger-end, a swivel-end, and a ventral surface, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) depositing on or annealing to the ventral surface of the pull-tab a pull-tab coat made of resilient material; and,   (b) attaching the pull-tab to the upper surface of the top by means of a rotatable connection between the pull-tab swivel-end and the top wherein the rotatable connection acts as a fulcrum, whereby raising the finger-end of the pull tab shears the connection between the sealing plate and the edge of the access hole and the access hole is opened as the sealing plate is forced into the lumen of the container, and wherein the pull-tab is rotatable about the rotation connection whereby the pull-tab coat on the ventral side of the pull-tab can be juxtaposed against the access hole for sealing the container.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the pull-tab coat is a resilient material. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the pull tab coat is vinyl. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the pull tab coat is a medical grade vinyl.