Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus for measuring the forces applied to a pull tab during the formation of an opening in a container lid having an upper and lower surface with a pull tab hingedly secured on the upper surface and a score line in the container lid defining an opening and wherein one container lid at a time is fed into a holder having an opening therein so that a substantial portion of the upper surface of the container lid and all of the pull tab are exposed. A rotatable pull tab positioning head having a generally planar surface in which a recess in the shape of pull tab is formed is moved into resilient contact with the pull tab and is rotated relative to the container lid until the pull tab moves into the recess and thereafter the container lid and pull tab rotate with the positioning head to position the pull tab at a predetermined location. A load cell assembly having a pivotal hook member is moved into position with the hook member between the upper surface of the container lid and the pull tab. The container lid is rotated about the axis of the hinge connection of the pull tab and the hook member is held at a fixed position. As the container lid rotates, the hook member applies resistant forces on the pull tab until the opening is formed in the container lid which resistant forces are measured by the load cell assembly. The opened container lid is then discharged from the holder.

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First Claim