Resealable pop top lid

Abstract

A pop top lid encloses a cylindrical fluid container. The pop top lid includes an end shell having an off-center scored line defining a tear panel; and a stay-on tab assembly riveted through a central portion to the end shell for rotation. An aperture point is attached to a central portion and rotatably positioned proximate to an inner edge of the scored line. A shearing edge is attached to the central portion and radially extending behind the aperture point. An actuator portion is attached to the central portion opposite to the aperture point, is liftable as a first-degree lever to form an aperture at the scored line with the aperture point, and is rotatable to insert the shearing edge into the aperture shearing the scored line to remove the tear panel from the end shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pop top lid for enclosing a top opening in a cylindrical fluid container, the pop top lid comprising:
 an end shell having an off-center scored line defining a tear panel;   a stay-on tab assembly; and   a rivet that attaches the stay-on tab assembly to the end shell for rotation, the stay-on tab assembly comprising:
 a central portion having a pivot hole that receives the rivet; 
 an aperture point attached to the central portion and rotatably positionable proximate to an inner edge of the scored line; 
 a shearing edge attached to the central portion and radially extending behind the aperture point in a first direction of rotation about the pivot hole; and 
 an actuator portion attached to the central portion opposite to the aperture point, liftable as a first-degree lever to form an aperture at the scored line with the aperture point, and rotatable in the first direction of rotation to insert the shearing edge into the aperture shearing the scored line to remove the tear panel from the end shell. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pop top lid of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bottom plate comprising the aperture point and the shearing edge;   a top cover comprising the actuator portion and an extending portion that is position over top of a portion of the score line to direct a sheared portion of the tear panel downward; and   a tear panel capturing slot between the bottom plate and the top cover positioned to receive the sheared portion of the tear panel as directed by the extending portion of the top cover.   
     
     
         3 . The pop top lid of  claim 2 , further comprising a capturing pocket downwardly formed within the bottom plate within the tear panel capturing slot, the capturing pocket sized to correspond to receive the tear panel, wherein an undersurface of the tear panel capturing slot comprises a reseal mating surface that is rotationally positionable by the top cover to reseal a panel opening formed in the end shell with removal of the tear panel. 
     
     
         4 . The pop top lid of  claim 1 , further comprising an annular recess formed partially around the rivet hole in the central portion of top cover to define a pivot tab that is attached to the aperture point, the annular recess reducing force required to lift the actuator portion away from the end shell to allow finger actuation. 
     
     
         5 . The pop top lid of  claim 1 , further comprising a flipped up edge of the actuator portion to facilitate finger actuation of the stay-on tab assembly.