Resealable easy open end for containers

Abstract

An easy-open beverage container which can be selectably reclosed and reopened, after it has been opened. A unitary opening and reclosure structure attached to the end wall by a hinge connection permitting selectable movement of the unitary member on a first path normal to the end wall and on a second path parallel to the wall. The end wall having a selectively separable region of predetermined weakness forming an openable panel recessed a limited distance below the level of the wall. A portion of the openable panel retained to the wall by a hinge formed by a disruption in the separable region on predetermined weakness. The recessed region being surrounded by a platform and side wall located a limited distance from the openable panel.

1 . Selectably reclosable easy opening apparatus for a container, comprising:
 a container wall having a recessed region,   a selectably openable panel defined in said recessed region at least in part by a selectably separable region of predetermined weakness formed in the container wall; said openable panel being recessed to lie a limited distance below the surface of said container wall;   said recessed openable panel being immediately surrounded by a platform portion and a side wall; whereby said recessed selectably separable region of predetermined weakness forming said openable panel, said platform portion and said side wall all remaining contiguously connect to and surrounded by said container end wall; said openable panel being retained to said platform portion by a hinge portion of said selectably separable region of predetermined weakness;   a unitary opening member pivotably attached to said wall by a rivet formed in said container wall in vicinity to said recessed area; said unitary member having a hinge connection permitting selectable movement of said member on a first path substantially normal to said container wall; said pivotable attachment allowing the unitary opening and reclosure member to undergo movement on a second path substantially parallel to said container wall;   said opening and reclosure member having a finger portion extending a limited distance into said recessed portion of said wall and overlaying said openable panel in a position to apply force downwardly against the openable panel in response to movement of the opening and reclosure member about said hinge connection along said first path; thereby separating said separable region and displacing said openable panel downwardly relative to said recessed portion of said wall, so that an opening is formed in said wall by separation and downward displacement of said openable panel; said unitary opening and reclosure member having a reclosure portion formed therein and confronting the container wall at a location displaced from said openable panel while said finger portion overlies said recessed openable panel;   and, said reclosure portion being located on the opening and reclosure member in relation to said pivotable attachment so as to be selectably registerable with said opening on said second path after said opening is formed;   so that the container may be opened by hinging the opening member on said first path, and thereafter may be reclosed by pivoting the opening and reclosure member on said second path and urging said reclosure portion into removable engagement with said recessed opening therein.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means defining a structurally weakened pressure venting region on said panel within said region of predetermined weakness defining the panel; and a vent rupturing means on said finger portion of said opening and reclosure member aligned with said pressure venting region and, said finger portion of said opening and reclosure member having an extended arm means formed into the underside of said finger portion between said rivet rivet member and a nose portion of said opening and reclosure member for alignment and engagement with a select region of said recessed side wall portion surrounding said openable panel; thereby providing a movement resistant wedge to said finger portion as the nose portion engages the weakened venting region within said selectively separable region of predetermined weakness forming said openable panel in said recessed portion of said end wall; thus simultaneously applying pressure on the select portion of said region of predetermined weakness causing the region to flex thereby fracturing and releasing fluid pressure from within the container before applying more force to the selectably severable region of predetermined weakness forming the openable panel in said recessed portion of said container wall;   so that the container may be opened by hinging the opening and reclosure member on said first path, and thereafter may be reclosed by pivoting the opening and reclosure member on said second path and urging said reclosure portion into sealing engagement within the recessed region surrounding said opening in said wall.   
     
     
         3 . Selectably reclosable easy opening apparatus for a container, comprising: a container wall;
 a selectably openable panel defined in said wall at least in part by a selectably separate region of predetermined weakness formed within a selectable recessed portion in said wall;   an opening member attached to said wall by a rivet formed on the container wall, said rivet attachment allowing pivoting movement of the opening member on a path substantially parallel to the container wall;   said opening member having a first end portion which overlies at least a portion of the openable panel, having a second portion in spaced apart relation to said first end portion, and having rivet hinge means located between said first and second end portions and operative to move at least a portion of said first end portion into said recessed portion in said wall forming said opening and downwardly to engage the underlying openable panel as said second end portion is moved outwardly away from the container wall, so as to separate the selectably separable region and displace the openable panel away from the container wall and thereby forming an opening in the container wall;   a reclosure member located on said opening member in facing relation to the container wall and displaced from said openable panel while said first end portion of the opening member overlies the openable panel;   said reclosure member being disposed in predetermined relation to said rivet attachment so as to be aligned with said opening by pivoting said opening member on said path after said opening is formed;   so that the container may be opened by moving the first end portion into engagement with the openable panel, and thereafter may be reclosed by pivoting the openable member around the rivet to align the reclosure member with the opening; and   a pressure venting region on the container wall at a location contiguous to said selectably separable region of predetermined weakness defining said panel and positioned for engagement by the first end portion of the opening member as the second end portion is moved outwardly from the container wall to fracture the venting region and thereby release fluid pressure from within the container.   
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein:
 said reclosure portion of said unitary opening and reclosure member disposed on the container wall is operative to engage said recessed region in said end wall, and said openable panel portion formed therein, before and after said panel has been opened. 
 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus in  claim 1  wherein:
 said reclosure portion having a locking engagement means being operative to engage a cooperative engagement means on said side wall surrounding said recessed region of said end wall when the reclosure portion is pressed downwardly to reclose the opening; said reclosure portion of said unitary opening and reclosure member being coated with a flexible fluid tight material; a portion of said reclosure portion resting on said platform portion surrounding said recessed opening in said wall of the reclosed opening; said reclosure portion being released to reopen the opening when manually lifted upwardly by a handle lift means on said reclosure portion of said unitary opening and reclosure member; 
 said platform portion being coated with a flexible fluid tight material whereby said reclosure portion lying over said opening in said wall and said surrounding side wall forms a flexible fluid tight seal in the recessed portion of the end wall; whereby said reclosure portion when pressed downwardly into locking relationship with said side wall surrounding said opening in said wall is concurrently lying over said hinge portion of said openable panel, said panel, said opening and said platform in said recessed portion of said end wall. 
 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus in  claim 2  wherein:
 said unitary opening and reclosure member being operative to pivot said member along a first path parallel to said end wall whereby said reclosure portion is in engagement with said recessed region of said end wall sealing off said recessed region from any contamination of said openable panel area prior to said panel being opened; said opening and reclosure member thereafter being operative to pivot along a second path for opening said openable panel and on a third path pivoting said reclosure portion for realignment of said reclosure with said opening in said recessed region for resealing said opening after the panel is opened.