Reclosable self-opening can end

Selectably reclosable easy-opening apparatus for a container, comprising:

• a container wall;
• a selectably openable panel defined in said wall at least in part by a selectably separable region of predetermined weakness formed in the container wall;
• an opening and reclosure member pivotably attached to said wall and having a hinge connection permitting selectable movement of said member on a first path substantially normal to the container wall, said pivotabe attachment allowing the opening member to undergo movement on said second path substantially parallel to the container wall;
• said opening member having a finger portion overlying at least a portion of said openable panel in position to apply force downwardly against the openable panel in response to movement of the opening member about said hinge connection along said first path, thereby separating said separable region and displacing said panel downwardly relative to said wall, so that an opening is formed in said wall by separation and displacement of said panel;
• said opening member having a lift portion with an apeture formed therin;
• a separate reclosure member being inserted and fastened within said aperture of said lift portion;
• said lift portion and said separately attached reclosure member confronting the container wall at a location displaced from said openable panel while said finger portion overlies at least a portion of said openable panel;
• and
• said sepaarately attached reclosure member being located on the opening member in relation to said pivotable attachment so as to be selectably registable with said opening by pivoting said opening member on said second path after said opeining is formed;
• so that the container may be opened by hinging the opening member on said first path, and thereafter may be reclosed by pivoting said lift portion with said inserted and fastened separate reclosure member on said second path and urging said reclosure member into removable engagement with the container wall adjacent said opening therein.