Opening Mechanism for a Container

Abstract

An improved and safer opening mechanism for a pressurized container is provided that includes a synchronous relationship between a safety cap and a sealable plate, such that the safety cap covers the sealable plate when it is removed from the container.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A container comprising
 a vessel comprising a top edge defining an open top of the vessel; and   a removable lid couplable about the top edge of the vessel, the removable lid comprising:
 a safety cover configured to conceal the open top of the container, the safety cover comprising: (i) an overhang configured to receive the top edge of the vessel when the removable lid is coupled to the vessel; and (ii) an opening; 
 a sealable plate disposed below the safety cover and comprising a tab; and 
 an adhesive bonding the sealable plate to the safety cover; 
 wherein the tab is aligned through the opening of the safety cover, such that the tab is accessible from outside the safety cover. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein when the container is unopened, the sealable plate is joined to the vessel to preserve the pressure within the pressurized container and is separable via a pressing seam disposed about the perimeter of the sealable plate. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein when the pull tab is pulled with a force sufficient to separate the sealable plate from the vessel about the pressing seam, the overhang of the safety cover covers an exposed edge of the sealable plate. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the overhang is disposed about the entire perimeter of the cover, such that the overhang covers the entire exposed edge of the sealable plate when the sealable plate is removed from the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is located offset towards an outer edge of the top surface of the safety cover. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is affixed offset towards an outer edge of the top surface of the sealable plate. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the safety cap is made of at least one of a plastic or a rubber material. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is an epoxy resin. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is a key-hole shaped cut-out disposed within the cover. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sealable plate is composed of a metal. 
     
     
         11 . A removable lid system for a container, the container comprising a vessel further comprising a top edge defining an open top of the vessel, the removable lid system comprising:
 a safety cap comprising a cover and an overhang disposed about a perimeter of the safety cap, the overhang configured to couple to the top edge of the container;   an opening disposed within the cover of the safety cap; and   a sealable plate bonded below the cover and within the overhang of the safety cap, the sealable plate further comprising a tab member affixed to a top side of the sealable plate such that the tab is aligned through the opening of the safety cap and is accessible from above the safety cap;   wherein when the pressurized container is unopened, the sealable plate is joined the vessel to preserve the pressure within the container; and   wherein when the tab is pulled with sufficient force to separate the seal from the internal side wall of the vessel, the overhang of the safety cap covers an exposed edge of the sealable plate.   
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the opening is located proximate an outer edge of the top surface of the cover. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the tab is affixed proximate an outer edge of a top surface of the sealable plate. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the safety cap is made of at least one of a plastic or a rubber material. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive is an epoxy resin. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the opening is key-hole shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the sealable plate is composed of a metal. 
     
     
         18 . An opening mechanism for a pressurized container comprising:
 a safety cap comprising a cover further comprising an opening located proximate an outer edge of the cover and an overhang disposed about a perimeter of the safety cover and extending downwardly from the cover;   a sealable plate disposed below the safety cover and comprising a tab affixed proximate an outer edge of the top surface of the sealable plate; and   an adhesive bonding the sealable plate to the safety cover;   wherein the tab the tab is aligned through the opening of the safety cover, such that the tab is accessible from above the safety cover.   
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the adhesive is an epoxy resin. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the opening is key-hole shaped.