Invention of pull-tab cans

In 1959, the recyclable aluminum can was introduced to the market in a 7 oz. size by the Adolph Coors Company. Ermal “Ernie” Cleon Fraze was born on a farm near Muncie in Indiana in 1913 and later moved to Ohio. During the 1940s, Fraze embarked on a career as a machine tool operator. Using a loan from his wife Martha, Fraze founded the Dayton Reliable Tool Company (DRT), his own machine tool business in Dayton in 1949.

While at a picnic in 1959, Fraze had forgotten his “Church-Key” to open beverage cans, which forcing him to use his car bumper to open cans of drink. Fraze thought there had to be a better way to open cans, so he developed a landmark method of attaching a tab to the can which later known as the “Pull-Top” in 1962.

This system could be opened by pulling the removable tab to access the drink. Surprisingly, Fraze did not receive a patent for his pull-top until 1967 and, eventually over 75% of US beer producers adopted Fraze's can by 1965.

His rivals, John S. Bozek and John Henchert of the Continental Can Co., William E. Taylor of the American Can Co., and Daniel Cudzik of Reynolds Aluminum Co. later improved Fraze’s patents and were became his strongest competitors in opening means and designs.

In 1977, Fraze imporved his original invention by patenting the first push-in and fold-back tab, known as the “Pop-Top”. Among the reason because of the increase of litter and potential for injury. This particular tab remained on the can, and it is still the principle design used on canned beverages today. Pull tabs revolutionized the way beverage cans and food containers were opened and their contents removed.
Invention of pull-tab cans

Concept of pull-tab can

Typical carbonated soft drink cans are made of two pieces, one making up the sides and bottom, and the lid on top. Lids are commonly made of a different alloy than the aluminum sides and base because the flat shape provides less resistance to pressure than the concave bottom and rounded sides.

The first beverage cans were opened via puncture with a “church key” can opener.

In 1959, Ermal Fraze devised a can-opening method that would come to dominate the canned drink market. His invention was the "pull-tab". His first version used a lever that pierced a hole in the can. Unfortunately, this design produced a sharp opening, sometimes injuring the drinkers. Later he created the familiar pull-tab version, which had a ring attached at the rivet for pulling, and which would come off completely to be tossed aside.

His idea was patented by the United States government in 1963. Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Pittsburgh was the first company utilize Fraze’s design.

A pull-tab consists of a metal ring which, along with a wedge-shaped portion of the can top, is completely separated from the can when pulled to create an opening.

A variety of styles of pull-tabs evolved over the next 20 years or so, many of which pulled off completely and caused a great deal of environmental pollution. The version of the pop tab known today began to appear on beverage cans around 1980.
Concept of pull-tab can