1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to: 1) an airtight closure installed by pressure to protect containers closed by double seam, and open with the fingers, 2) a container and its airtight closure by pressure that is opened with the fingers and replaces the depressed double seam closure. The invention prevents that a depressed closure like the aluminum can for beverages, collects dirt during transport and storage. It also improves the esthetics and can be used as an advertising media. The lid is installed by the manufacturer.
2. State of the Art
Laminate metal containers like the aluminum can for beverages are closed by doubled seaming the closure to the container which creates a depressed sealing surface where dirt is accumulated that gets in contact with the product when emptying or drinking. This makes it prone to contaminate product and consumer, which has been caused of deceased. The invention proposes an airtight closure that protects from dirt containers with depressed closures. Although, the proposed lid is of low cost, it is additional to the can as it is used currently. The invention proposes additionally a modified container which is hermetically closed by a lid derived from the first, which closes by pressure and is opened without tools. The invention can be used with current containers, can be made and installed with the same machines, reduces cost and prevents contamination.
It is an object of the invention to provide a hermetic protecting lid on top of depressed closures of containers of beverages and food, machine installed by pressure after the filling, which is opened with no tools and closes the container after being opened. This lid can be printed, stamped and engraved and has a space for advertising inserts.
A second object of the invention is to provide a container that can be hermetically closed by pressure with a closure, which can be opened with no tools.
A third object of the invention is to provide an airtight closure by pressure, machine installed after the filling by the manufacturer of the beverage, that can be opened without tools, protects the contaminable surfaces from contacting the product when emptying and consuming and closes the container of the second object of the invention.
A fourth object of the invention is to provide a sealable receptacle for special inserts that can be accommodated in the space created in the aforementioned lids.
The double seam closure requires room for the internal roll, which leaves a depressed surface exposed to dirt and contamination, which can disseminate diseases. Although food and beverages are packed by the manufacturer with asepsis, this condition is lost during transport and storage, which can become a hazard for consumers. Manufacturers of canned beverages and food do not have an efficient and cost effective mean to protect the exposed areas of the container. They use for example an aluminum foil, which is fragile and is not airtight (Kronseder, US2004134913). They use also plastic wrappings all over the cans.
In the art there are various closures proposed to protect the container once it has been opened, to facilitate consumption and protecting for foreign elements, as in CA2262341 that is closed by pressure using L-shaped hooks. (Reusable Beverage Can Cap Robinson Kenton I). It also allows inserting a low disk-like in the inside rim of the can. Telmon (US2004226951 Pressure-applied lid for canned beverages) this lid can be opened by pulling on a handle and includes tear-off lines indicating that the lid has been opened.
A large number of arts can be cited with the objective of protecting the aluminum can. (2004060937 Protective covering for beverage cans with breakable opening in the lid), consists of a conical strip and cylindrical strip between the top surface and the conical strip. Schatz (WO2004014747, Protective device for beverage cans) this invention has a circular shape covering with an opening and fixing brim to the beverage can. Clarke (WO02092451, Lid). This lid comprises a flexible arm having a closure member that bends on the lid to close and opening. Ullmann (EP 1232953, Beverage can with neck collar) presents a lid forming truncate cone with a non or slightly expandable that is easily tom at least at one point, made of paper, card board, textile or laminate metal. Suh Dong-Yeol (WO2004110891, Cap of can for drinking and can for drinking having the same) proposes a lid hold by L-shaped hooks with a fixed and other movable portion that can be rotated and lifted to expose an opening. Chang C. (WO00/69734, Double groove beverage can lid) suggest a lid with four grooves on a depressed platform that can be mounted with a crimping tool. Tucker discloses several arts for beverage cans. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,132, U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,467, U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,525 Protective cap with seal for beverage container) disclose a gas-tight seal plastic lid that snaps on with a grate positioned to cover the opening in the top of the can with a hingeable cover having a seal. Dvoracek (U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,510, Sanitary lid for metal beverage container) discloses a spill-proof auxiliary top with a unitary molded piece of resilient material that includes a base and a pedestal-like mouthpiece. Kellner (U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,379, Cover for a beverage can) discloses a protective dish shaped plastic beverage can top cover having a meshed opening to prevent insects to enter. Boyd (U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,258, Snap-on lid for opened soft drink cans) discloses a lid with a dome and a skirt. A collar grips the bead, at least from the outer side of the bead, and preferably from both its inner and outer sides, sealing to keep in the beverage gas and which is seal by the pressure of the gas. It also has an element to open the container. Nabinger (U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,774, Removable and resealable lid for a container) discloses a resealable cover for snap-fitting on a container, and a spout cover pivotally mounted. Faltermeier (U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,023, Dust cover for flip top opening containers) discloses a dust cover which has multiple layers for integrating the ring pull of a flip top opener, which permits a user to simultaneously remove the cover and opener, and which utilizes the escaping carbonated gas to assist in removal of the cover. Knight U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,596, Scalloped paperboard insert for use with plastic lid. Discloses a plastic spout, a dispensing valve attached to the perforation element, and an accessory circular adaptor for rounded containers. Also U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,802. Dumestre 5,088,614 Canned drink cover apparatus, La Barge 4580692 Container Sealing Cap, Sorari 4125203 Twist can top, Wells 4039101 Clean cover for easy-open container tab, Kinain, Hanish, May.
The invention differs from the former ones on several traits. For example, this invention in besides using two rings that create a slot where the edge of the container inserts, the inner and outer sides of the brim have the same shape of this edge to secure hermeticity, essential for sanitary protection, still having the condition of being opened with the fingers. The lid of the invention is airtight even when the lower portion of this ring is torn off for security purposes. The lids of the invention have been designed to be machine installed by the manufacturer of the beverage or food, while most of the ones cited are designed to be put on by the consumer. The art cited does not include a ring with a salient or slot to retain inserts within the lid or a receptacle that can accommodate in such space. The space between the protecting cover and the upper surface of the container closure is variable and can take a variety of forms, depending on the advertising purposes. The invention includes several security means to show whether the lid was opened.
As for closure systems for containers using pressure the review of the art shows Uhlig (U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,326, Carbonate beverage package) proposing a plastic closure by pressure for a container specially designed. Hancocks (EP761557, Wide-mouthed pressurisable beverage container) proposes a threaded closure which withstands the internal pressure in the container. The present invention differs from the ones listed in that the invention is designed to be used on current containers, with modifications made and installed with the same equipment used for double seaming.
The airtight closure of containers like the beverage can is achieved with a design that takes advantage of some of its traits. Essentially the closure is made up of a protecting cover (2) affixed on top of the closed container by its depressed surface (02), unitfied to an outer rim (5) that accommodates with precision to the brim of the can (5). It has also an internal rim (4) which along with the outer rim (5) forms a slot (7) on the protecting lid. The protecting covering (2) prolongs downside forming a protecting skirt (8) adapted to the form of the container to be protected.
The lid is secure by pressure, with no glues, and covers and seals the upper part and the sides of the container that can be in contact with the consumer's lips. It has also a salient rim (3) in the internal side of the protecting cover to engage by pressure en groove (3A) of the container. The function of these three elements (3, 4 and 5) is to secure, without glue, the protecting lid to the upper part of the container, acting individually or cooperating.
The design also embodies an internal security ring (10) which is an extension of the internal rim (5) and a hinge (9). It also includes stack rims (6). The internal rim (4) has at least one salient rim or slot (4B). Forming part of the outer rim (5) the protecting lid has an inner surface (5B) with shape and dimensions matching the ones in the salient outer rim (05B) to secure airtight seal, in addition to a plane (05B″) that keeps it in position. The protecting skirt (8) has a sealing edge (8B).
It is possible to make a closure to replace the depressed one, avoiding contamination. The container of the invention does not have the depressed surface (02) and its brim (05) is salient in both sides (05A, 05B). This container has a closure derived from the former, which in its rim (5) has an internal salient (5A) with shape and dimensions matching the ones of the salient contour of the internal side of the brim (05A) to secure airtight seal. The surface (2) is an inverted arch like whose impost (05A′) contacts the plane (05A″), keeping the lid in position. The container and its closure are made with the equipment used to make the aluminum can.
The invention is embodied in the following drawings, which do not limit is scope:
The following embodiments broadly illustrate the invention but do not limit its scope:
Referring in general to
The lid snaps on a typical aluminum can, and covers and seals the upper part and the sides of the container that can be in contact with the product and the consumer's lips. It has also a salient rim (3) in the internal side of the protecting cover to engage by pressure in groove (3A) of the container. The function of these three elements (3, 4 and 5) is to secure the protecting lid to the upper part of the container, acting individually or cooperating.
The closure also embodies an internal security ring (10) which is an extension of the internal rim (5) and a hinge (9) to discard the lid along with the container. This security ring (10) can be located in various places. It also includes stack rims (6). The internal rim (4) has at least one salient rim or slot (4B) to keep in place advertising inserts in the void (11) created between the depressed surface (02) and the protecting cover (2), which also has the salient rim or slot (3, 3B). These rims (3B. 4B) are also useful to secure a sealable receptacle (1) that can be inserted in the void (11).
The outer rim (5) has an inner surface (5B) with shape and dimensions matching the ones in the salient outer rim (05B) of the container to secure airtight seal, in addition to an engaging plane (05B″) that keeps it in position.
In this invention it is essential that airtightness is achieved with the precise matching of the salient contours of the brim of the can and not just with a L-shaped hook that snaps the closure in. This is used to support and to retain, but not to seal, since it can be torn off as part of the inner security rim.
It also shows the stacking rims (6) which should be preferably no contiguous to prevent dirt and water to build up on the protecting cover. The figure depicts the outer rim (5) the inner surface (5B) with shape and dimensions matching the ones on the salient outer rim (05B) of the container to secure airtight seal, and the engaging plane (05B″).
The protected void (11) can hold advertising inserts hold in place with the salient rim or slot (4B) of the inner rim (4) or with (3B) of the rim (3). In this invention this space is of variable height (15) since the protecting cover (2) can have different heights with respect to the plane on the brim of the container, allowing for inserts of varying dimensions. As mentioned these rims or grooves (3B, 4B) are also useful to secure a sealable receptacle (1) that can be inserted in the void (11).
The gasket (24′) is to secure airtight contact between the planes (05 A″ y 05B″) and the corresponding ones on the lid (5 A′ y 5B′), must be of material that meets norms and can be a ring put on when seaming or perhaps more practically, the seaming is made with a co-extrude foil on one or both sides with a polymer, as is done currently, which gives more volume to the brim and more contacting area. In this case the brim of the container has a finishing that prevents direct contact of the lips with the metal. Neither the salient sides or its downside longitude have to be symmetrical, one can protrude more and be longer than the other and have different geometries on their surfaces. What is essential is that they match with the corresponding ones on the closure.
For an embodiment for a metal closure these elements prolong down side, forming an entrance (2A) and a plane (2B) which contacts the inner side (05B″) of the rim. This plane has a gasket (24′) to secure airtight sealing. The closing surface (2′) has an inverted arch like (25) shape, which by mechanical action and gas pressure of the content, renders airtight sealing on the contact planes (2B, 05B″). As it is known in the art, the alloy, rays and rings on the surface, enhance the capacity to withstand pressure and closing. The concavity is covered with a lid (2E) that accommodates in the entrance (2A), or is glued on the surface (2C). It can have a flange (2D) to remove it. This can also be accomplished with pre-cuts on (2E).
The grove (070) snaps on the rim (050) of the container and then the crimping rolls press and stamp their shapes to the rim and to the closure (
Several convenient arch-like shapes can be used.
These brims (5A and 5B) have also security rings (10) that tear off when the lid is opened, as the ones described, to protect the integrity of the product and of the insert. Besides this security mean of the inventive closure, it is possible to use external means known in the art, remove by pulling a flange (12). It is also viable to make pre cuts on the metal material or breaking points on other materials, to tear them off from the closure and remaining affixed to the container. As it is known in the art, it is possible to provide a hinge (9) to keep the closure affixed to the container.
For containers withstanding internal pressure the inventive closure can be of two types:
1. The arch like section is integral and a flat surface is added (
2. The flat surface is integral and the arch like section is added.
In a second embodiment no shown, the flat surface (2′) is an integral part of the closure and the entrance (2A) is in the inside to receive the arch like section (25), achieving the same effect of gas pressure. In both modalities the void (11) between the arch like section (25) and the flat surface (2E) can accommodate advertising inserts or a sealable receptacle (1).
The airtight closure of the invention meets standard norms for this type of containers, like gas pressure, keeping airtightness under different circumstances, normal mishandling in transport and of the final user, droppings, daily differences in temperature and atmospheric pressure. It also provides proper security for the integrity of the product and the advertising inserts. There are several means to meet these norms: design and construction to transmitting the tensions like convexities, rings and rays, appropriate thickness and complementing use of heat, pressure and laser.
An expert in the art will know that this airtight closure can be used for containers not withstanding gas internal pressure. For these containers the design is similar minimizing or not including the arch like shape, and hermeticity is achieved with grabs and pressure of the elements described.
Construction
The protecting lid is made separately with any material suitable for molding, for each type and dimensions of container. The airtight closure is made separately of plastics, metals, composites, paper, cardboard, synthetic paper. It can also be thermo fuse (blister) on the container. Several combinations are possible: container and closure made of aluminum, container of aluminum, plastic or glass and closure made of plastics. When the closure is made of aluminum it is fabricated with the equipment and methods currently used for the construction of the depressed closure.
The open container of the invention and its closure are made from any container currently in use. For example, for the aluminum can is sufficient to double seam a circular crown using the hook of the container that is used today to double seam the depressed closure. It is convenient that this hook bends in instead of out. This double seam is made with the same equipment and process currently in used, adapting the form of the rolls.
Installation
The closure is installed on the container with the machine and process currently used to double seam the depressed closure. The pressure on the brim is made is similar to the method and machine for double seaming of the depressed closure to the container, giving to the rolls a convenient geometric shape.
The process to make and install the new container and its closure, for an aluminum can is:
1. Double seam to the container a brim with salient surfaces on both sides,
2. Made a closure with geometry conforming the one in the container, as suggested in the invention,
3. On top of a container filled in, machine install the closure by pressing, or
4. If the container has been close empty, fill in the liquid using the valve.
For consumption
1. Verify that the container has not been previously opened
2. Open the container pushing up the lower edge of the skirt. Press down the valve if it is necessary to alleviate excessive gas pressure within the container, before opening
3. Take out advertising inserts or the sealable receptacle
4. From a wide mouth container, consume part of the content and close again by pressing down with bare hand.
Applications
The closure of the invention can be used for any open container on which a brim with salient on both sides can be made and whose geometry can be repeated on the closure. It can be useful to close containers of wide or narrow mouths as tin cans, aluminum cans, and glass bottles for wines, sparkling wines, pops, beer and the like. Also for plastic bottles currently using threaded closures. Using appropriate materials it can be used for products heated after closing.
The invention can be used as an advertising device. Most materials used for construction can be printed, imprinted, stamped with colors and are suitable for stickers. The void (11) is useful to insert advertising objects, like the ones used in similar means by the experts in advertising and promotion. The sealable receptacle widens these applications.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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05069010 | Jul 2005 | CO | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/IB2006/002523 | 7/12/2006 | WO | 00 | 3/5/2008 |