Definition of the word pull tab

The term "pull tab" refers to the perforated peelable cover used to seal the top of beverage cans. This term first originated in the early 1960s, when the two-piece pull-tab can design was introduced by the Scott Paper Company (now known as Kimberly-Clark Corporation). The company named the tab "pull-tab" to make it easy for consumers to recognize and understand how to open the cans. The two-piece tap design involved punching out an easy-to-peel tab on the top of the can that was later attached to a plastic ring. Initially, the pull-tab design faced resistance from soda can manufacturers who preferred a pull-ring design that required pulling the entire ring to open the can. However, the pull-tab design was marketed as being more hygienic and convenient than the pull-ring, as it required fewer fingers to open and did not leave any sharp edges or corners on the rim of the can. The pull-tab design quickly gained popularity and eventually replaced the pull-ring design as the preferred can opening method because it was easier to use and more cost-effective to manufacture. Today, the term "pull tab" has become a common phrase associated with opening beverages, and its simplicity and familiarity make it an iconic feature of modern canned beverages.