One piece container end member with an integral hinged opening tab portion

A container end member, for sealed association with a container body member to provide a sealed container, comprising:

• a generally annular one piece sheet of material having a central axis;
• an outer annular rim portion for sealed association with the container body member;
• a central end wall portion integrally connected to said rim portion and extending generally transversely relative to said central axis;
• and
• a severable and displaceable tab portion in said central end wall portion having:
• an integral hinge portion adjacent said outer annular rim portion;
• and
• severable score groove means, for separating said tab portion from said central wall portion by axially inwardly directed forces, extending from said hinge portion generally radially inwardly relative to said outer annular rim portion toward said central axis and being located in part closely adjacent said central axis and defining a radially elongated and circumferentially extending tab portion area axially inwardly displaceable relative to said central end wall portion by pivotal movement about said hinge portion to provide an opening for the container having a vent portion adjacent said central axis and a pouring portion adjacent said rim portion;
• and
• said score groove means having a pair of circumferentially spaced substantially straight portions extending generally radially between said hinge portion and said central axis, a curved end portion connecting said straight portions and being located generally radially inwardly in spaced opposite relationship to said hinge portion and extending closely adjacent said central axis;
• a pair of circumferential spaced curved end portions next adjacent said hinge portion and extending between said hinge portion and said straight portions;
• and said pair of circumferentially spaced end portions adjacent said hinge portion being circumferentially spaced a greater distance apart than the circumferential spacing between said

A container end member for sealed association with a container body member to provide a sealed container and comprising:

• a generally annular one piece sheet of material having a central axis;
• an outer annular rim portion for sealed association with the container body member;
• a central end wall portion integrally connected to said rim portion and extending generally transversely relative to said central axis;
• and
• a severable and displaceable tab portion in and integrally connected to said central end wall portion;
• said tab portion comprising:
• an integral hinge portion adjacent said outer annular rim portion and extending in generally circumferentially parallel closely spaced relationship to said rim portion between circumferentially spaced terminal portions of said integral hinge portion;
• score groove means on the periphery of said tab portion for defining a severable wall area of reduced thickness relative to the thickness of said central end wall portion integrally connecting said tab portion to said central wall portion and for severing said tab portion from said central end wall portion by axially inwardly directed forces applied adjacent said severable wall area;
• said score groove means extending continuously from and between said spaced terminal portions of said hinge portion and extending generally radially inwardly relative to said outer annular rim portion toward said central axis;
• said score groove means having a radially innermost portion located closely adjacent said central axis;
• said score groove means defining a radially elongated and circumferentially extending tab portion in and integrally connected to said central end wall portion;
• said tab portion having a radial length between said integral hinge portion and said central axis greater than any circumferential width of said tab portion;
• and
• said tab portion being severable from said central end wall portion along the entire length of said score groove means by axially inwardly applied forces and axially inwardly displaceable relative to said central end wall portion by pivotal movement about said hinge portion to provide an opening for the container having a vent portion adjacent said central axis and a

A container end member for sealing association with a container and comprising:

• a central wall portion with at least one partially severable and displaceable tab forming wall portion of smaller area than the central wall portion for providing access to the container;
• the tab forming wall portion being permanently connected to the end member by an integral hinge wall portion adjacent the outer rim of the end member, and the tab forming wall portion being defined by severable score groove means defining a severable wall portion for separating the tab forming wall portion from the end member by forces directed axially inwardly relative to the container and for defining a tab wall portion displaceable by pivotal movement about the hinge portion into the container;
• the score groove means and severable wall portion extending from opposite ends of said hinge portion generally transversely inwardly relative to the outer rim of the end member and having innermost portions located closely adjacent the central axis of the end member;
• the score groove means and severable wall portion defining an inwardly elongated tab wall portion area having a length greater than the width;
• and
• the tab wall portion being axially inwardly displaceable relative to the central wall portion by pivotal movement about said hinge wall portion to provide an opening for the container having a vent portion located adjacent the central axis of the end member and a pouring portion located