US3927794A

US3927794A - Container and cap with depressible section for drinking access

Info

Publication number: US3927794A
Application number: US507974A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank H Erdman
Original assignee: Tropicana Products Inc
Current assignee: Tropicana Products Inc
Priority date: 1974-09-20
Filing date: 1974-09-20
Publication date: 1975-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-23
Also published as: CA1017690A

Abstract

A cap for a molded plastic container has a generally U-shaped groove of diminished cross section in its cover portion that defines a tab that is depressible to provide drinking access. The tab is provided with a raised block to facilitate the tearing free of the tab along the groove upon application of pressure to the block. The depressible tab remains hinged to the cap, and the leading edge of the block locks beneath the surface of a portion of the cap adjacent the access opening. The elevation of the block relative to the surface of the tab is such that when the tab is depressed and the block is locked, all of the tab and a substantial portion of the block are positioned below the remaining cap surface to establish an opening at that surface for pouring or drinking purposes.

Description

United States Patent [191 Erdman CONTAINER AND CAP WITH DEPRESSIBLE SECTION FOR DRINKING ACCESS [75] Inventor: Frank H. Erdman, Holmes Beach,

Fla.

[73] Assignee: Tropicana Products, Inc.,

Bradenton, Fla.

22 Filed: Sept. 20, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 507,974

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Sherlock et a1 222/541 Chagoyen 220/268 51 Dec. 23, 1975 Primary Examiner-Ge0rge T. Hall Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane, Swecker & Mathis [5 7 ABSTRACT A cap for a molded plastic container has a generally U-shaped groove of diminished cross section in its cover portion that defines a tab that is depressible to provide drinking access. The tab is provided with a raised block to facilitate the tearing free of the tab along the groove upon application of pressure to the block. The depressible tab remains hinged to the cap, and the leading edge of the block locks beneath the surface of a portion of the cap adjacent the access opening. The elevation of the block relative to the surface of the tab is such that when the tab is depressed and the block is locked, all of the tab and a substantial portion of the block are positioned below the remain ing cap surface to establish an opening at that surface for pouring or drinking purposes.

22 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures U.S. Patsnt Dec.23, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,927,794

HQ. 3 In 121 US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 2 of 2 CONTAINER AND CAP WITH DEPRESSIBLE SECTION FOR DRINKING ACCESS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to caps for containers. More particularly the invention relates to a cap for a container wherein drinking or pouring access to the contents is provided by a depressible, permanently attached tab while the cap remains in place.

In the past, avariety of container tops have been provided with pull tabs connected to rings or the like to permit access to the container for drinking or pouring. Although such arrangements may be acceptable in certain circumstances such as in the case of metal containers with metal tops, they may not be entirely acceptable in other instances.

As an example, molded'plastic tops are not particularly amenable to the provision of pull tabs connected to rings or the like.

Acceptable plastic container tops having tear-off pull tabs also have been provided in the past. However, these are ordinarily intended to cause complete removal of the cap. See, for example, commonly assigned, copending application of Anthony T. Rossi, Ser. No. 361,632, filed May 18, 1973 for Cap Design with Permanently Attached Tear Strip.

Caps such as disclosed in the copending application are particularly suitable for use with containers in which frozen fruit juice concentrates are stored, especially with containers in the 4, 6, 12, and 32 ounce size range, as now in popular use. Ordinarily the jiggling that occurs during cap removal does not cause spilling inasmuch as the contents of the container have a semisolid consistency. However, when caps such as are disclosed in the above-mentioned copending application are used on containers whose contents are relatively thin liquids, such as natural strength fruit or vegetables juices, soft drinks, and the like, it may sometimes be difficult to remove the cap without some occasional spilling or splashing of the contents.

The present invention provides a cap through which drinking or pouring access can be established by means of a depressible tab which produces a suitable opening in the cap while minimizing the likelihood of spilling or splashing. Such a depressible tab is produced by gently pushing down on a weakened portion at the top of the cap which is defined by a groove of diminished cross section. Means are provided for maintaining the tab in a depressed position so that it will not interfere with pouring the contents or with drinking them directly from the container.

Although container tops having push-in sections for enabling removal of the contents are known, they are not particularly suitable for storing and dispensing liquid substancesThus, in the case of the familiar small can commonly used for spices and the like, a push-in tab is provided to break the factory seal anda slidable cover is used for closing or sifting purposes. Despite the fact that such dispensing containers are in common use and have been in use for many years, users often face the frustrating experience of unintended partial or even complete, reclosure of the opening caused by the pres sure of the contents of the can behind the flap pro duced by pushing in the section of the top. Although survival of the use of such containers may be partially due to the fact that one may not desire excessive, uncontrolled sifting of such substances as spices and other 2 seasonings in the first instance, access opening such as just mentioned, would be entirely unsuitable for pouring or drinking liquids.

Other caps for bottles and jars have been proposed in the past which were provided with weakened sections that could be pushed in with finger pressure. One such jar cap is disclosed in the Foss et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,410,436, issued Nov. 12, 1968. This patent discloses a cap having a vent means in its cover which can be opened by finger pressure for the purpose of releasing gas or vapor pressure within the container. However, the flap produced by depression of the weakened section automatically springs back and reseals itself after the internal pressure in the container has been relieved and the finger pressure on the flap is released. Drinking or pouring through such a cap would be impossible unless finger pressure were constantly maintained.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION AND SUMMARY OF PREFERRED FORMS It is a general object of the present invention to provide a container having a novel cap with drinking or pouring access to the contents of the container being provided by a depressible tab while the cap itself remains in place.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide a novel cap for a container holding a liquid substance with which the possibility of splashing or spilling while opening the cap for access to the contents of the container is minimized.

A more, particular object is to provide a novel cap which is scalable to a container and through which drinking and pouring access to the contents of the container are provided by a depressible tab formed from a section of the cover portion of the cap.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a novel cap, made of molded plastic, in which the depressible tab is produced by light finger pressure transmitted to an area of diminished and, therefore, weaker cross section, whereby an opening is produced in the cover portion of the cap with minimal shaking of the container.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide such a cap wherein the tab, when depressed below the cover portion of the cap, is positively retained in such position to maintain the resulting drinking or pouring access open.

Preferred embodiments of the invention intended to accomplish at least some of the foregoing objects include a container with a nonremovable cap, the cover portion of which has molded into it a groove of such shape that it defines a generally radially extending tab contiguous with the cover in the vicinity of the central portion of the latter. Finger pressure on the tab causes it to rupture along the line of the groove, which is so located that the free end of the tab is proximate the periphery of the cover portion. The ruptured tab then protrudes below the surface of the cover to produce an access through which the liquid contents of the container can be poured or drunk. Means are provided to form of a skirt-like portion. This seating portion fits over and embraces the sidewall portion of the container adjacent its upper edge. Because access to the contents of the container will be achieved through an opening in the cover portion of the cap, the latter need not be removable and may be of such dimensions as to fit snugly over the top of the container. Alternatively or additionally, for greater security of the contents of the container during storage or shipment the cap can be cemented or otherwise sealed to the container in any known manner.

The central flat portion U molded into its surface a groove of diminished cross section which has a configuration to define a hinged tab when the portion of the cap bounded by the groove is severed. The groove may be generally U-shaped with the closed, or trough, end of the U-shaped groove being proximate the periphery of the central flat portion of the cap. The legs of the u extend generally radially away from the periphery a distance sufficient to provide an opening of dimensions adequate to provide drinking or pouring access to the contents of the container.

It should be understood that the expression, generally U-shaped groove, is intended to embrace any shape of groove that includes side portions merging in a generally trough like manner.

To facilitate applying pressure to the tab to rupture the groove a raised block, integral with the tab, is provided on the upper surface of the tab adjacent the trough end or base of the groove. The block has a lateral dimension less than that of the tab. Downward pressure on the block initially concentrates force at the base of the groove causing the tab to separate first at that point. Continued pressure causes the remainder of the tab to sever along the groove, leaving a hinged tab.

The block is disposed in a generally radial direction and is dimensioned such that the leading edge of the block serves as a means for retaining the tab in a depressed position by locking along the underside of the cap cover, thereby providing an unobstructed drinking or pouring opening.

A second, downwardly extending block can be molded integral with the under surface of the central flat portion adjacent the convex aspect of the closed, or trough, end of the groove. The two blocks are aligned axially and are of such dimensions that their opposing leading edges engage to maintain the tab depressed to provide a larger opening than that produced when only one block is present.

The upper block may be trapezoidal in shape so that, when the tab is depressed, the trailing edge of the block does not protrude above the surface of the rim established by the seating section of the cap in order not to interfere with drinking.

Alternatively, the entire tab may be located in an area recessed below the remainder of the cover section of the cap so that the periphery of the cap may be taken into the mouthwithout interference from the recessed block.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with a portion broken away, of a container covered by a preferred embodiment of a cap in accordance with the present invention in which the base of the block is in the plane of the entire recessed surface of the cap,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cap shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational cross section of the cap of FIG. 1, taken on line 33 of FIG. 2, showing the cap prior to rupture of the top for access to the contents of the container;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing the cap in the open condition;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a cap in accordance with the present invention in which the block is recessed in a depression below the remaining recessed surface of the cap;

FIG. 6 is an elevational cross section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 taken on line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 showing the cap in the open condition;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of still another embodiment of a cap in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an elevational cross section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 taken on line 99 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 9 showing the cap in the open condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, there is seen a container, designated generally by the reference character 1, having a bottom wall portion 2 and a sidewall portion 3 extending axially upward from bottom wall portion 2. The axially extending portion 3 terminates at an open upper end to define the upper container edge 4.

Closing the container there is a cap, designated generally as 10, having a cover section 11 and an axially extending skirt section 13 for embracing the upper periphery of the container. When cap 10 is in place, skirt section 13 embraces the upper periphery of the container and cover section 11 extends across the upper edge 4 of the container.

In a preferred form as more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, cap 10 is provided with a central flat portion 11 and a first edge portion 12 which extends axially upward from the periphery of the central flat portion for engaging the periphery of an inner sidewall portion of the open end of container 1. First edge portion 12 thereby forms a recessed top of central, flat cover portion 11. A second edge portion, which constitutes the already mentioned skirt section 13, extends axially downward so that skirt section 13 embraces'the outer sidewall portion of the open end of the container.

Edge portions

12 and 13 are joined at their upper edges to form an outer ridge l4 and a generally U-shaped seating recess 15 for intimate reception of the upper edge 4 of the open end of the container.

Cap 10 can be secured to container 1 by any means known in the art. Thus, the cap can be cemented in place or fused to the top of the container. Alternatively or additionally the cap may be interlocked with the container through the provision of a suitable projection and groove.

In general, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, drinking or pouring access can be gained to the contents of the container by providing a depressible tab in the recessed cover section 11 of the cap and means to hold the tab in a depressed position to maintain the resulting opening in that recessed section 11. The tab is formed by molding a line of weakened cross section in the cover section of the cap. Pressure applied to the cap and transmitted to the zone of weakened cross section causes the cover to rupture along that line, thereby forming a depressible tab.

More particularly, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a tab 21 defined by a generally U-shaped groove 16 is molded in the central flat portion 11, the groove including a line 17 of diminished and, therefore, more weakened cross section than the area contiguous with the groove. The closed, or trough, end 18 of the U-shaped groove in the recessed cover 11 is proximate at the periphery of the central flat portion 11, i.e., is located adjacent the raised ridge or rim 14. The legs of the groove, designated generally as 19 and 20, extend away from the periphery a distance sufficient to form an opening of adequate dimensions to provide access to the contents of the container when the tab 21 is depressed. The configuration of the U-shaped groove 16 is not critical as long as the ultimate opening is of sufficient size to permit comfortable drinking or pouring. Thus,

legs

19 and 20 can extend away from the trough end 18 in a direction generally parallel to one another, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it is equally within the scope of the present invention to mold the groove so that

legs

19 and 20 extend back in a generally radial direction to converge at some distant point (see FIGS. and 8) if continued indefinitely, or legs 19 and may diverge (not shown). In any event, referring again to FIG. 2,

legs

19 and 20 extend back to a hypothetical hinge line AA about which tab 21 pivots when depressed, as shown in FIG. 4.

In order to facilitate gentle depression of the tab to minimize splashing while at the same time avoiding contamination of the contents by immersion of the fingers, a raised block 22 is molded integral with tab 21 adjacent the closed, or trough, end of U-shaped groove 16. Applying gentle pressure to the top of block 22 causes the weakened section 17 of cover portion 11 to tear along groove 16 until the tear reaches the end of the groove at line AA. Thus, an opening is obtained in cover 11 through which a sipping straw may be inserted or through which one may drink the contents by direct application of ridge 14 to the mouth.

In order to insure that the access opening is maintained, means are provided for maintaining the tab and block in a depressed position. This is accomplished in accordance with the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, by dimensioning the elongate block 22 such that the leading edge 23 thereof is a sufficient height above the flat surface of the tab so that when the tab is downwardly pivoted by a sufficient distance, that edge 23 engages the under surface 24 of the cap adjacent the edge 25 of the opening produced by depressing tab 21. As will be appreciated, during depression of the cap, an upper portion of the front face of the illustrated block 22 will flex the cover of the cap adjacent the opening because of interference, and ultimately the upper leading edge 23 of the block will snap into a position beneath the cover where it is essentially locked against upward raising. To avoid protrusion of block 22 above or close to the raised cap rim 14 where it might interfere with drinking, the block can be shaped to present a trapezoidal profile as illustrated in FIGS. 14. In this manner, the major part of block 22 will also remain substantially out of the way beneath the depressed flat cover portion 11 and thereby also beneath the plane of the opening in the cap.

If it is desired that the block remain completely below the surface of the recessed cover portion 11, the block 22 may be provided with a triangular or other similar profile or with a steeper incline to the top of its trapezoidal profile. In any event, it is desirable, as earlier noted, that the trailing portion of the elongate block 22 be maintained below the upper rim of the covered container and, in the main, also below the surface of the recessed cover.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the portion of the upper flat surface immediately encompassing the U-shaped tab is again recessed below the remainder of the recessed upper flat surface. Thus, referring to FIGS. 5-7, there will be seen a modified cap 30 having an upper recessed flat portion 31; an axially, upwardly extending wall portion 32 along the periphery of the upper fiat portion 31 for engaging the inner surface of the open upper end of a container sidewall; and an axially, downwardly extending skirt portion 33 for embracing the upper periphery of the outer surface of the container sidewall. As in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the two axially extending portions are connected across the top to produce a ridge or rim 34, below which the flat portion 31 forms a recessed cap top, and a seating trough 35 for the upper rim of the open end of a container. However, in the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, upper flat surface 31 is formed with a second depression 36, the bottom of which constitutes a further recessed flat surface 37 parallel to, but below, surface 31. The depression 36 is shown in FIG. 5 as being generally elongated in a radial direction and as having a curved end 38 proximate the axially extending wall portion 32. It will be realized, however, that neither the shape nor the area of the depression is critical beyond making it possible ultimately to provide an opening in cap 30 suitable for drinking or pouring purposes.

Referring to FIG. 5, a generally U-shaped groove 39 is provided in flat recessed surface 37, the groove being of such dimensions that it is entirely encompassed by the area of surface 37 thereby falling completely within the depression 36. The curved or closed end of the U-configuration is adjacent curved end 38 of the depression 36, while the

legs

40 and 41 extend back from the periphery of the cap to an imaginary line B-B still within the area of the depression.

As in the case of the first embodiment previously described, an elongate raised block 42 is molded integral with depressed surface 37 and is disposed adjacent the curved end 43 of groove 39. The portion of flat surface 37 included between end 43 and line B-B constitutes depressible tab 44, as seen in FIG. 7. Leading edge 45 of block 42 is a sufficient height above surface 37 or tab 44 so that, when tab 42 is depressed to produce an access opening in the cap, leading edge 45 will extend beneath under surface 46 and be engaged by the edge 47 of the access opening.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7 and just described is particularly advantageous when it is desired to stack the covered containers. Thus, by making trough 36 deep enough, the upper leading edge of block 42 can still be a sufficient height above the surface of tab 44 to engage edge 47 of the access opening while being entirely recessed below flat surface 31 so as not to interfere with the stacking of covered containers.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by FIGS. 8-10. In accordance with this em 7 bodiment, a larger access opening is provided without unduly enlarging the depressible tab.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there will be seen a cap 50 having a central flat portion 51 and a first edge portion 52, extending axially upwardly from the periphery of the central flat portion, for engaging an inner sidewall portion of the open end of a container. As will be evident from FIG. 9, upwardly extending edge portion 52 forms a recessed top of central flat portion 51. A second edge portion 53 extends downwardly to form a skirt for embracing an outer sidewall portion of the open end of a container. The two

edge portions

52 and 53 are joined across their tops to form a circumferential ridge or rim 54 and a seating recess 55 for the top edge of the open end of a container.

Central flat portion 52 is provided with depressible tab 56, defined by a generally U-shaped groove 57 of diminished cross section and capable of being torn along the line of the groove upon the application of pressure. The closed, or trough, end of the U-shaped groove is proximate the periphery of the central flat portion 51, while

legs

58 and 59 extend generally radially back a distance sufficient to form an opening in the central flat portion of adequate dimensions to provide access to the contents of the container when tab 56 is depressed.

Legs

58 and 59 extend back to an imaginary line CC which becomes a hinge line about which the tab 56 pivots upon being depressed.

To facilitate depressing tab 56, a first elongate block 60 integral with the upper surface of the tab is located adjacent the concave aspect of U-shaped groove 57. A second block 61, integral with and defined by a projection of the under surface of central flat portion 51, is located adjacent the convex aspect of groove 57. Both blocks are aligned radially and fall in a common plane perpendicular to flat surface 51. As can be seen from FIG. 9, blocks 60 and 61 are contiguous and are connected by the material of reduced cross section at the closed, or trough, end of groove 57. In order to provide for stacking of covered containers, block 60 should not extend above the top of ridge 54, as seen in FIG. 9. The raised block 60 can be molded to present a trapezoidal profile, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and the interlocking thereof with the second block 61 insures complete depression of the raised block when the opening is provided.

When the pressure is applied to the top of block 60, the material of reduced cross section along the line of groove 57 tears and forms tab 56. The upper leading edge 62 of block 60 is a sufficient distance above the surface of tab 56 to engage the opposing lower leading edge 63 of block 61 (see FIG. to keep tab 56 depressed and provide uninterrupted access to the contents of the container. During depression, some flexing of the blocks or tab might occur.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a molded plastic container has been provided in a manner which enables drinking and pouring access to a container while minimizing the possibility of splashing or spilling while providing such access. Of particular significance is the use of a raised block in association with a depressible tab to both transmit and orient the severing force for rupture of the tab as well as to maintain the access opening by holding the tab in a depressed condition, with the block below the upper cap and container rim.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred forms thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additions,

modifications, substitutions and deletions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A container comprising:

a. a bottom wall portion, and a sidewall portion extending from said bottom wall portion and terminating at an open upper end defining an upper container edge; and

b. a cap covering said open upper end, said cap including:

a cover section comprising:

i. a central portion,

ii. an edge portion extending downwardly from the periphery of said central portion for embracing the sidewall portion of the container adjacent the upper container edge,

iii. a depressible tab on said central portion defined by a generally U-shaped groove of diminished cross section and operable to form an opening of adequate dimensions to provide access to the contents of said container when the tab is depressed,

iv. a raised block integral with said depressible tab adjacent said U-shaped groove, and

v. frictional block engagement means disposed on the underside of said cover section for engaging said block and retaining said block and tab in a depressed position.

2. A container as in claim 1 wherein the block engaging means comprises the under surface of said central portion of said cover section adjacent the edge of the U-shaped opening in the central portion of the cover section produced by depression of the tab.

3. A container as in claim 2 wherein the leading edge of the end of the raised block is proximate the curved end of the tab and engages the under surface of the edge of the U-shaped opening when the tab is depressed.

4. A container as in claim 1 wherein the block engaging means comprises a second block integral with the under surface of the central portion and extending downwardly from a point proximate the edge of the U-shaped opening in the central portion of the cover section produced by depression of the tab.

5. A container as in claim 4 wherein the leading edge of the raised block is proximate the curved end of the tab and engages the leading edge of the second block proximate the edge of the U-shaped opening when the tab is depressed.

6. A container as in claim 1 wherein the central portion of the cover section of the cap is recessed below the upper container edge.

7. A container as in claim 6 wherein the zone of the central portion of the cover section of the cap immediately encompassing the U-shaped groove is recessed below the remainder of said recessed upper surface.

8. A cap for a container comprising:

a. a skirt section for embracing the upper periphery of the container; and

b. a cover section that extends across the upper end of the container when said skirt section embraces the upper periphery thereof, said cover section including:

i. a portion of weakened cross section defining a depressible tab for establishing access to the container through said cover section, and

9 ii. holding means, including engagement means disposed on the undersideof said cover section, operable to frictionally retain said tab in a depressed position establishing said access.

9. A cap for sealing a container and for gaining access to the contents of said container without removal of said cap comprising:

a. a central portion;

b. an edge portion extending downwardly from the periphery of said central portion forming a skirt for embracing a sidewall portion of an open end of a container;

. a depressible tab on said central portion defined by a generally U-shaped groove of diminished cross section capable of being torn along the line of said groove upon the application of pressure, the closed, or trough, end of said U-shaped groove being proximate the periphery of said central portion and the legs thereof extending generally radially a distance sufficient to form an opening in said central portion of adequate dimensions to provide access to the contents of said container when the tab is depressed;

d. a raised block integral with and on the upper surface of said depressible tab adjacent the closed, or trough, end of said U-shaped groove; and

e. frictional block engagement means disposed on the underside of said central portion of said cover section for engaging said block and retaining said block and tab in a depressed position.

10. A cap as in claim 9 wherein the block engaging means comprises the under surface of said central portion of said cover section adjacent the curved edge of the U-shaped opening in the central portion of the cover section produced by depression of the tab.

11. A cap as in claim 9 wherein the block engaging means comprises a second block integral with the under surface of the central portion and extending downwardly from a point proximate the convex aspect of the U-shaped groove.

12. A cap for sealing a container comprising:

a. a central portion;

b. a first edge portion extending axially upwardly from the periphery of said central portion for engaging an inner sidewall portion of an open end of a container, said first edge portion forming a recessed top of said central portion;

. a second edge portion extending downwardly and forming a skirt for embracing an outer sidewall portion of an open end of a container, said first and second edge portions being joined to form a seating recess for the upper edge of the open end of said container;

d. a depressible tab on said central portion defined by a generally U-shaped groove of diminished cross section capable of being torn along the line of said groove upon the application of pressure, the closed, or trough, end of said U-shaped groove being proximate the periphery of said central portion and the legs thereof extending generally radially a distance sufficient to form an opening in said central portion of adequate dimensions to provide access to the contents of said container when the tab is depressed;

e. a first block integral with the upper surface of said tab adjacent the curved end of said U-shaped groove for striking said depressible tab; and

. block engagement means disposed on the underside of said central portion for engaging said first block and retaining said tab in a depressed position, said block engagement means comprising a second block integral with the under surface of said central portion adjacent the curved end of said U-shaped groove, said blocks being aligned radially.

13. A cap as in claim 12 wherein the leading edge of the first block engages the opposing leading edge of the second block to maintain the tab depressed and provide uninterrupted access to the contents of said container.

14. A cap as in claim 12 wherein the two blocks are contiguous and are connected by the material of reduced cross section at the closed, or trough, end of the U-shaped groove.

15. A cap according to claim 8 wherein said holding means comprises a raised block on said depressible tab and the under surface of said cover section engageable with said block when said tab is depressed.

16. A cap according to claim 8 wherein said holding means comprises a raised block on said depressible tab and a second block integral with the under surface of said cover section and engageable with said block when said tab is depressed.

17. A cap according to claim 12 wherein said first block is of insufficient height to extend above the first edge portion forming said recessed top.

18. A cap according to claim 12 wherein the zone of the central portion immediately encompassing the U- shaped groove is recessed below theremainder of said recessed top of the central portion.

19. A cap for a container comprising:

a skirt section for embracing the upper periphery of the container;

a cover section that extends across the upper end of the container when said skirt section embraces the upper periphery thereof;

a depressible area of said cover section, defined by an elongated groove of weakened cross section describing an open linear figure on said cover section, for establishing access to the container through said cover section;

a raised block attached to said depressible area of said cover section; and

block engagement means, disposed below the outer face of the cover section adjacent the opening defined by depression of said depressible area, for contacting said raised block and maintaining said established access.

20. A cap according to claim 19 wherein said depressible area of said groove describes a generally U- shaped area constituting a depressible generally U- shaped tab and wherein said raised block presents a face that is generally perpendicular to the curved end of the groove.

21. A cap according to claim 20 wherein said block engagement means comprises the under surface of said cover section engageable with said block.

22. A cap according to claim 20 wherein said block engagement means comprises a second block depending from the under surface of said cover section and engageable with said raised block.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a. a bottom wall portion, and a sidewall portion extending from said bottom wall portion and terminating at an open upper end defining an upper container edge; and b. a cap covering said open upper end, said cap including: a cover section comprising: i. a central portion, ii. an edge portion extending downwardly from the periphery of said central portion for embracing the sidewall portion of the container adjacent the upper container edge, iii. a depressible tab on said central portion defined by a generally U-shaped groove of diminished cross section and operable to form an opening of adequate dimensions to provide access to the contents of said container when the tab is depressed, iv. a raised block integral with said depressible tab adjacent said U-shaped groove, and v. frictional block engagement means disposed on the underside of said cover section for engaging said block and retaining said block and tab in a depressed position.

8. A cap for a container comprising: a. a skirt section for embracing the upper periphery of the container; and b. a cover section that extends across the upper end of the container when said skirt section embraces the upper periphery thereof, said cover section including: i. a portion of weakened cross section defining a depressible tab for establishing access to the container through said cover section, and ii. holding means, including engagement means disposed on the underside of said cover section, operable to frictionally retain said tab in a depressed position establishing said access.

9. A cap for sealing a container and for gaining access to the contents of said container without removal of said cap comprising: a. a central portion; b. an edge portion extending downwardly from the periphery of said central portion forming a skirt for embracing a sidewall portion of an open end of a container; c. a depressible tab on said central portion defined by a generally U-shaped groove of diminished cross section capable of being torn along the line of said groove upon the application of pressure, the closed, or trough, end of said U-shaped groove being proximate the periphery of said central portion and the legs thereof extending generally radially a distance sufficient to form an opening in said central portion of adequate dimensions to provide access to the contents of said container when the tab is depressed; d. a raised block integral with and on the upper surface of said depressible tab adjacent the closed, or trough, end of said U-shaped groove; and e. frictional block engagement means disposed on the underside of said central portion of said cover section for engaging said block and retaining said block and tab in a depressed position.

12. A cap for sealing a container comprising: a. a central portion; b. a first edge portion extending axially upwardly from the periphery of said central portion for engaging an inner sidewall portion of an open end of a container, said first edge portion forming a recessed top of said central portion; c. a second edge portion extending downwardly and forming a skirt for embracing an outer sidewall portion of an open end of a container, said first and second edge portions being joined to form a seating recess for the upper edge of the open end of said container; d. a depressible tab on said central portion defined by a generally U-shaped groove of diminished cross section capable of being torn along the line of said groove upon the application of pressure, the closed, or trough, end of said U-shaped groove being proximate the periphery of said central portion and the legs thereof extending generally radially a distance sufficient to form an opening in said central portion of adequate dimensions to provide access to the contents of said container when the tab is depressed; e. a first block integral with the upper surface of said tab adjacent the curved end of said U-shaped groove for striking said depressible tab; and f. block engagement means disposed on the underside of said central portion for engaging said first block and retaining said tab in a depressed position, said block engagement means comprising a second block integral with the under surface of said central portion adjacent the curved end of said U-shaped groove, said blocks being aligned radially.

18. A cap according to claim 12 wherein the zone of the central portion immediately encompassing the U-shaped groove is recessed below the remainder of said recessed top of the central portion.

19. A cap for a container comprising: a skirt section for embracing the upper periphery of the container; a cover section that extends across the upper end of the container when said skirt section embraces the upper periphery thereof; a depressible area of said cover section, defined by an elongated groove of weakened cross section describing an open linear figure on said cover section, for establishing access to the container through said cover section; a raised block attached to said depressible area of said cover section; and block engagement means, disposed below the outer face of the cover section adjacent the opening defined by depression of said depressible area, for contacting said raised block and maintaining said established access.

20. A cap according to claim 19 wherein said depressible area of said groove describes a generally U-shaped area constituting a depressible generally U-shaped tab and wherein said raised block presents a face that is generally perpendicular to the curved end of the groove.