Pull-tab and method for producing the pull-tab

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of pull-tabs that are used in the packaging industry for application to lids. The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a pull-tab 1 that is producible at reduced costs while having a sufficient mechanical strength for its purpose. A pull-tab achieving this is configured to be attached to a lid of a container. The pull-tab has a grip portion 10 and a front portion 20 , and the pull-tab is formed from a portion of a sheet of metals, the sheet having a thickness. The grip portion has a hole 11 . The hole is at least partially surrounded by a gripping edge 12 of the grip portion. The grip portion is adjacent to the front portion 20 of the pull-tab along a length axis L thereof. The front portion of the pull-tab is mechanically reinforced by a reinforcing layer 25 , made from the sheet of metal.

1 . A pull-tab configured ( 21 ) to be attached to a lid of a container, the pull-tab comprising:
 a grip portion ( 10 ) and a front portion ( 20 ) formed from a portion of a sheet of metal having a first thickness (dl) the grip portion ( 10 ) comprising a hole ( 11 ) configured to allow a finger to pass there through, the hole being at least partially surrounded by a gripping edge ( 12 ;  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ) of the grip portion ( 10 ), the grip portion being adjacent to the front portion ( 20 ) of the pull-tab ( 1 ) along a length axis (L) thereof;   wherein the front portion ( 20 ) of the pull-tab comprises a sheet metal layer ( 24 ) that is mechanically reinforced by a reinforcing layer ( 25 ;  25   a ,  25   b ,  25   c ,  25   d ,  25   e ).   
     
     
         2 . The pull-tab according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing layer ( 25 ) has a second thickness (d 2 ). 
     
     
         3 . The pull-tab according to  claim 2 , wherein the second thickness (d 2 ) is at least substantially equal to the first thickness (dl). 
     
     
         4 . The pull-tab according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing layer ( 25 ) is formed from the sheet of metal that is used to manufacture the pull-tab ( 1 ;  10 ,  20 ). 
     
     
         5 . The pull-tab according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing layer ( 25 ) is made from a scrap portion of the portion of the sheet of metal. 
     
     
         6 . The pull-tab according to  claim 5 , wherein the scrap portion was removed or punched out at least partially to form the hole ( 11 ) in the grip portion 
     
     
         7 . The pull-tab according to  claim 1 , wherein the pull-tab comprises a folding line ( 26 ) that extends between the grip portion ( 10 ) and the front portion ( 20 ) in a transversal direction (Q), the folding line ( 26 ) configured to act as a hinge for bending or folding a partially punched out sheet metal portion from the grip portion ( 10 ) to the front portion ( 20 ), thereby forming the hole ( 11 ) in the grip portion ( 10 ) and mechanically reinforcing the front portion ( 20 ). 
     
     
         8 . The pull-tab according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the sheet (dl) is less than 0.26 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The pull-tab according to  claim 1 , wherein the pull-tab ( 1 ) further comprises carriers ( 23   a ,  23   b ) arranged at the front portion ( 20 ) and extending in a direction that is sideward to a transversal direction (Q) thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The pull-tab according to  claim 9 , wherein the pull-tab further comprises a front end ( 27 ), wherein the carriers ( 23   a ,  23   b ) are spaced apart (d 23 ) from the front end ( 27 ). 
     
     
         11 . The pull-tab according to  claim 10 , wherein the spacing is less than 20 mm in a longitudinal direction (L). 
     
     
         12 . The pull-tab according to  claim 1 , further comprising a means for attaching ( 21 ) the pull tab to the lid that is provided through at least the sheet metal layer ( 24 ) and the reinforcing layer ( 25 ). 
     
     
         13 . The pull-tab according to  claim 12 , wherein the means for attaching ( 21 ) the pull-tab to the lid comprises an attaching hole ( 21 ) that is provided through the sheet metal layer ( 24 ) and the reinforcing layer ( 25 ). 
     
     
         14 . The pull-tab according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing layer ( 25 ) has a three dimensional outline ( 25   a ,  25   b ) that closely resembles a 3D shape of the sheet metal layer ( 24 ) being in the front portion prior to supplementing the sheet metal layer with the reinforcing layer ( 25 ). 
     
     
         15 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The pull-tab according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the sheet (dl) is less than 0.23 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The pull-tab according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the sheet (dl) is less than 0.20 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The pull-tab according to  claim 10 , wherein the spacing is less than 15 mm. 
     
     
         21 . The pull-tab according to  claim 10 , wherein the spacing is less than 10 mm. 
     
     
         22 . The pull-tab according to  claim 10 , wherein the spacing is less than 7 mm.