Reclosable self-opening can end

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

• 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;
• a unitary 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 pivotable attachment allowing the unitary opening member to undergo movement on a second path substantially parallel to said container wall;
• said opening member having a finger portion overlying at least a portion of said operable panel in position to apply force downwardly against said 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 downward displacement of said panel;
• said unitary opening member having a reclosure portion 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;
• said reclosure portion having a deep recess region formed on the underside thereof;
• said deep recess region defining a premium message region disposed to conceal the premium message from view before said separable region is separated, the premium message region becoming exposed to view as said opening member is moved on said path to open said container wall;
• and
• said reclosure portion and said recessed region of said reclosure portion being located on said opening member in relation to said pivotal attachment so as to be selectably registrable with said opening by pivoting said opening member on said second path after said opening is formed;
• so that said container may be first opened by hinging the opening member on said first path, and thereby also exposing said premium message contained within said recessed portion of said underside of said reclosure portion, and thereafter may be reclosed by pivoting said opening member on said second path and urging said reclosure portion into removable engagement with the container wall adjacent said opening therein.