The invention relates to a hygienic protective membrane for a drink can.
Published patent document WO 99/37546 discloses a hygienic protective device for a drink can intended to be placed on the lid of a can. The device comprises a lower film portion covering a part of the can lid around the ring and the opening and an upper film portion superimposed and adhered to the lower portion. The two portions are interconnected by a hinge and the upper portion is intended to be separated from the lower portion by pivoting around the hinge to the can rim. The lower portion remains attached to the can lid thus forming a bearing surface of the upper lip of a consumer and the upper portion a bearing surface of the lower lip. However, the device does not fully protect the can lid. Thus, when a consumer drinks directly from the can or pours the drink into a container, the drink may come into contact with the unhygienic area and become contaminated. In addition, the hygienic surface formed by the upper portion does not fit the shape of the can rim which can favour the flow of drink on either side of the rim formed by the upper portion. The upper portion that tilts must also be maintained by the consumer when the consumer drinks directly from the can or pours the liquid into a container.
Published patent document WO 2012/087168 discloses a hygienic protective membrane for covering the upper face and the rims of a drink can. This membrane is composed of an aluminium film and a PET film interconnected and non-separable. This membrane does not comprise an easy opening to access the orifice of the can and requires that the lid and the rims of the can be perfectly hygienic before the membrane is fixed.
Published patent document WO 2007/043890 A2 discloses a hygienic protective membrane according to the preamble of claim 1.
The invention aims to provide a hygienic protective membrane for drink can overcoming at least one drawback of the prior art, more specifically the prior art mentioned above. More particularly, the invention aims to provide a hygienic protective membrane for drink can which allows to drink directly from the can or to pour the drink in a glass without any contamination. The invention also aims to provide a simple and economical solution.
The invention relates to a hygienic protective membrane for a drink can provided with a lid with a circular edge and a ring suitable to form an orifice in a detachable zone of said lid, the membrane comprising a first and a second film superimposed and adhered to each other, said membrane being configured to be disposed with the first film adhered to the lid, the second film being separable from the first in order to provide access to the orifice of the lid; remarkable in that the membrane has a central portion generally circular intended to cover the lid and a lateral portion forming a strip from the circular portion and suitable to cover the edge of said lid.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lateral portion comprises a distal end with a zone where the first and second films are not adhered to each other so that the second film forms a zipper tab in order to separate the two films.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the zone where the first and second films are not adhered to each other extends over several square millimeters, preferably at least 50 mm2, more preferably at least 100 mm2.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lateral portion extends over 20 mm from the central portion, so as to cover an upper portion of a vertical side of the can, adjacent to the lid.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second films has a thickness of less than 1 mm, preferably comprised between 0.01 and 0.75 mm, more preferably comprised between 0.05 and 0.5 mm.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and second films are attached to each other at one end of said membrane opposite to the lateral portion, so as to form a hinge during the separation of the second film.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first film comprises an orifice configured to fit the contours of the ring of the can.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first film comprises a line of weakening or precut corresponding to the detachable zone of the lid forming the orifice.
The invention also relates to a drink can comprising a lid with a circular edge and a ring suitable to form an orifice in a detachable zone of said lid and a protective membrane disposed on the lid, remarkable in that the membrane is according to the invention.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the detachable zone of the lid remains covered by the first film after formation of the orifice.
The measures of the invention are interesting in that the membrane ensures a hygienic surface of the can on the entire lid and on the rim of the can, where the consumer will put his lips. The presence of the two films makes it possible to isolate the lid and the rim of the can from an unhygienic environment and allows direct contact with the can without any risk of contamination. The membrane fits the shape of the can rim which allows the consumer to easily drink from the can or to easily pour its content into a container avoiding any contamination.
The membrane 2 is made of a material ensuring the integrity of the membrane facing the storage conditions of cans such as moisture or heat. The membrane 2 is preferably made of a flexible material, waterproof, resistant to tearing and more preferably recyclable. The membrane 2 may also be formed of a material on which it can be printed or written. In order to guarantee the hygiene of the membrane, the two films must adhere to each other in a sealed manner. The two films 4; 6 can be adhered to each other by heating for example. The two films are preferably adhered to one other along their edges. The lateral portion 10 comprises a distal end with a zone 28 where the first and second films 4 and 6 are not adhered to one other so that the second film 6 forms a zipper tab in order to separate the two films. The zone 28 extends over several square millimeters, preferably at least 50 mm2, more preferably at least 100 mm2. The first and second films 4 and 6 are attached to each other at one end of said membrane 2 opposite to the lateral portion 10, so as to form a hinge during the separation of the second film 6.
The first film 4 comprises an orifice 24, here shown in dotted line, with a size that allows the passage of the can ring adapted to form an orifice, said orifice 24 being configured to fit the contours of said ring. The first and second films 4 and 6 of the membrane 2 each have a thickness of less than 1 mm, preferably between 0.01 and 0.75 mm, more preferably between 0.05 and 0.5 mm, which allows the membrane to fit the shape of the can.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1653316 | Apr 2016 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2016/079498 | 12/1/2016 | WO | 00 |