Claims
- 1. A metallic container end closure with a puncturable membrane adapted for receiving and venting a drinking straw comprising:
a substantially circular end wall adapted for interconnection to a container; a central panel integrally interconnected to said substantially circular end wall, and further comprising an aperture extending therethrough having a first diameter; a puncturable membrane sealingly engaged to said central panel and operably positioned within said aperture in said central panel, wherein when a downward force is applied to said puncturable membrane with a first end of the drinking straw, said puncturable membrane is opened to receive said drinking straw.
- 2. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, further comprising a vent area positioned proximate to said drinking straw to facilitate the removal of a beverage from the container.
- 3. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein said vent area has a cross-sectional area of at least about 0.05 square inches.
- 4. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein said puncturable membrane is comprised of a plastic material.
- 5. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein said puncturable membrane is comprised of at least one of a multi-layer laminate material, a polymer and a foil having gas barrier properties.
- 6. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein said puncturable membrane is comprised of a rubber material.
- 7. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein said aperture in said central panel has a diameter no greater than about 0.375 inches.
- 8. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein said puncturable membrane has a lower ring positioned below said central panel and an upper cap positioned above said central panel, said lower ring and said upper cap operably interconnected and having an exterior diameter greater than said first diameter of said aperture.
- 9. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein said puncturable membrane is comprised of:
a) a lower ring having an upper surface, a lower surface, an exterior circumference and an interior circumference, said exterior circumference having a diameter greater than said first diameter of said aperture; b) an upper cap having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an exterior circumference greater than said first diameter of said aperture, said lower surface of said cap integrally interconnected to said upper surface of said lower ring proximate to said interior circumference to create a junction, said junction operably positioned adjacent to said aperture in said central panel to form a sealing engagement; and c) at least one score line positioned in said upper surface of said upper cap which shears when a predetermined force is applied thereto.
- 10. The metallic container end closure of claim 9, wherein said upper cap has an arcuate shape.
- 11. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein said puncturable membrane shears to allow penetration of a drinking straw when a force of at least about 0.5 lbs. is applied to said score line and not to exceed 10 lbs.
- 12. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein said aperture is positioned substantially in a middle portion of said central panel.
- 13. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein the puncturable membrane can withstand an internal pressure of at least about 80 psi.
- 14. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, further comprising at least one score line operably positioned on said puncturable membrane to facilitate breaking the seal of said puncturable membrane.
- 15. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, further comprising a hinged plug positioned in a lower portion of said puncturable membrane, said hinged plug capable of substantially resealing said aperture in said central panel.
- 16. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein said puncturable membrane deflects inwardly or outwardly to identify whether there is a positive or a negative pressure within said container.
- 17. The metallic container end closure of claim 1, wherein said puncturable membrane has at least two distinct thicknesses to facilitate puncturing with the straw.
- 18. A metallic container end closure with a hinged plug membrane adapted for receiving and venting a drinking straw; comprising:
a substantially circular end wall adapted for interconnection to a container; a central panel integrally interconnected to said substantially circular end wall, and further comprising an aperture extending therethrough having a first diameter; a substantially impermeable membrane sealingly engaged to said central panel proximate to said aperture, said impermeable membrane comprising an upper portion hingedly interconnected to a lower portion, wherein when a downward force is applied to said substantially impermeable membrane with a first end of the drinking straw, said lower portion of said substantially impermeable membrane swings open to allow the drinking straw to enter the container.
- 19. The metallic end closure of claim 18, wherein said lower portion of said substantially impermeable membrane re-engages an upper portion of said substantially impermeable membrane when said drinking straw is withdrawn from said container.
- 20. The metallic end closure of claim 19, wherein said lower portion and said upper portion of said substantially impermeable membrane form a substantially sealing engagement after withdrawal of said drinking straw.
- 21. The metallic end closure of claim 1, wherein said substantially impermeable membrane is comprised of at least one of an elastomer, a plastic, a rubber, a polymer and combinations thereof.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/368,762 which was filed on Mar. 29, 2002, and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60368762 |
Mar 2002 |
US |