Tab and can end employing the same

Abstract

A tab is provided to facilitate opening of a can end. The tab has a nose portion located at a first end of the tab and a lift portion located at a second end of the tab opposite the nose portion. A rivet receiving portion is located proximate to the nose portion, and includes a rivet hole. A flange extends rearwardly from the lift portion of the tab to define a gap. The gap provides increased space between the underside of the flange and the exterior of the container end, thereby facilitating opening of the container end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tab structured to be affixed to a can end, the tab comprising:
 a body comprising a bottom surface, a top surface disposed opposite the bottom surface, a first end, and a second end disposed opposite the first end;   a nose portion disposed at the first end;   a lift portion disposed at the second end, the lift portion including a portion having curled or hemmed edges; and   a flange disposed at a rearward edge of the lift portion, the flange being substantially devoid of any curl or hem,   wherein the curled or hemmed edges of the lift portion terminate at a pair of opposing end faces proximate the flange, and   wherein the opposing end faces are integrally connected to the flange and formed in a taper shape such that a spacing between the opposing end faces narrows toward the flange.   
     
     
         2 . The tab of  claim 1  wherein the body of the tab has an outer perimeter, the entire outer perimeter being curled except for the flange. 
     
     
         3 . The tab of  claim 2  wherein the flange consists of a single metallic layer disposed in a plane; and wherein a portion of the entire outer perimeter except for the flange comprises at least two metallic layers overlaying one another. 
     
     
         4 . The tab of  claim 3  wherein the flange has a first thickness; and wherein the portion of the entire outer perimeter except for the flange has a second thickness at least twice as large as the first thickness. 
     
     
         5 . The tab of  claim 1  wherein the flange comprises a single metal thickness. 
     
     
         6 . The tab of  claim 1  wherein the flange comprises a top surface; and wherein the top surface of the flange is generally coplanar with the top surface of the body of the tab. 
     
     
         7 . The tab of  claim 1  wherein the flange comprises a top surface; and wherein the top surface of the flange is not coplanar with the top surface of the body of the tab. 
     
     
         8 . The tab of  claim 1  wherein the lift portion of the tab includes a finger hole; wherein the flange has an arcuate edge; and wherein the arcuate edge of the flange is oriented concavely with respect to the finger hole. 
     
     
         9 . The tab of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises opposing first and second sides, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends of the body intermediate the opposing first and second sides, and a plurality of slots extending through corresponding portions of the opposing first and second sides of the body of the tab between the nose portion and the lift portion; wherein the plurality of slots combine to form a fulcrum in order to enable the lift portion of the tab to flex with respect to the nose portion of the tab. 
     
     
         10 . The tab of  claim 1  wherein the tab further comprises a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion; wherein the rivet receiving portion has a rivet hole; and wherein the tab further has a generally C-shaped relief aperture surrounding a portion of the rivet hole. 
     
     
         11 . A can end comprising:
 an end panel; and   a tab affixed to the end panel, the tab comprising:
 a body comprising a bottom surface, a top surface disposed opposite the bottom surface, a first end, and a second end disposed opposite the first end, 
 a nose portion disposed at the first end, 
 a lift portion disposed at the second end, the lift portion including a portion having curled or hemmed edges, and 
 a flange disposed at a rearward edge of the lift portion, the flange being substantially devoid of any curl or hem, 
   wherein the curled or hemmed edges of the lift portion terminate at a pair of opposing end faces proximate the flange, and   wherein the opposing end faces are integrally connected to the flange and formed in a taper shape such that a spacing between the opposing end faces narrows toward the flange.   
     
     
         12 . The can end of  claim 11  being selected from the group consisting of beer can ends, beverage can ends, and food can ends. 
     
     
         13 . The can end of  claim 11  wherein the body of the tab has an outer perimeter, the entire outer perimeter being curled except for the flange. 
     
     
         14 . The can end of  claim 13  wherein the flange consists of a single metallic layer disposed in a plane; and wherein a portion of the entire outer perimeter except for the flange comprises at least two metallic layers overlaying one another. 
     
     
         15 . The can end of  claim 14  wherein the flange has a first thickness; and wherein the portion of the entire outer perimeter except for the flange has a second thickness at least twice as large as the first thickness. 
     
     
         16 . The can end of  claim 11  wherein the flange comprises a single metal thickness. 
     
     
         17 . The can end of  claim 11  wherein the flange comprises a top surface; and
 wherein the top surface of the flange is generally coplanar with the top surface of the body of the tab. 
 
     
     
         18 . The can end of  claim 11  wherein the lift portion of the tab includes a finger hole; wherein the flange has an arcuate edge; and wherein the arcuate edge of the flange is oriented concavely with respect to the finger hole. 
     
     
         19 . The can end of  claim 11  wherein the body further comprises opposing first and second sides, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends of the body intermediate the opposing first and second sides, and a plurality of slots extending through corresponding portions of the opposing first and second sides of the body of the tab between the nose portion and the lift portion; wherein the plurality of slots combine to form a fulcrum in order to enable the lift portion of the tab to flex with respect to the nose portion of the tab. 
     
     
         20 . The can end of  claim 11  wherein the tab further comprises a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion; wherein the rivet receiving portion has a rivet hole; and wherein the tab further has a generally C-shaped relief aperture surrounding a portion of the rivet hole.