Self-closing beverage can

A beverage can comprising a bottom and a top of thin metal terminating in a rim, secured to said bottom;

• said top being weakened along a generally U-shaped line to define a flap and a pour-opening when said top is ruptured along said U-shaped line, said flap having a fixed end and a moving end and said pour opening defined adjacent one portion of said rim and the fixed end being spaced away from that one portion of said rim so that the flap, when formed, may pivot or bend inward into the can to provide the free flow pour opening;
• said can top being so constructed that said flap when formed and when pushed so as to bend or pivot inward is biased to spring upward and does return upward when released after being depressed to approximately the location of said top;
• and
• means providing a lip-pushing projection above said flap for contacting the lip of a user who raises the can to his or her mouth which contact may push said moving end of said flap, when formed, inward to open the pour opening for free pouring from the can.

A beverage can top for a can having a bottom comprising:

• a thin metal wall for forming the top, which wall has a top side and bottom side and peripheral rim area for securing to the bottom of the can to form a closed container;
• a weakened rupture line formed in said wall in a generally U-shape to define a flap area, which area, when said metal wall is ruptured along said U-shaped line, forms a flap;
• an opening member secured to said metal wall at the top side thereof atop said flap area, said member being coupled to the flap when formed such that a slight force pressing downward on the opening member pivots the formed flap downward to provide an opening;
• said opening member further including means defining a stop for preventing said opening member from being easily pressed and moved entirely through said opening;
• and
• spring bias means provided for spring biasing upward said flap and opening member when depressed, such bias being such as to restore the flap to approximately the level of the rupture line in said wall and substantially close said opening when downward force on the opening member is removed.