U.S. patent application number 09/776879 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for beverage container fitted with supplementary closure means.
Invention is credited to Naude, Johannes Jurgens.
Application Number | 20010032852 09/776879 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27391318 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010032852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Naude, Johannes Jurgens |
October 25, 2001 |
Beverage container fitted with supplementary closure means
Abstract
A tab type openable beverage container in the form of a can
fitted with a tear opening facility in the form of a tab is
generally indicated by reference numeral 10. In addition to being
used for gaining access to the contents of the can 10 via the
shearing of an integrally formed panel 14, the tab 12 is
swivellably mounted to a pin 20. It is thus swivellable along an
arc 26 into closing off the contents of the can against undesired
ingress of insects, bees and other undesired matter once the
integral panel 14 has been broken away. The tab 12 displays an area
of perforation 28. The contents of the can 10 thus remain
accessible without having to swivel the tab 12 out of registration
with the dispensing aperture 16. The tab 12 is formed with an
openable flap 30 of which the inward urging provides a straw access
opening.
Inventors: |
Naude, Johannes Jurgens;
(Pretoria, ZA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHANNES JURGENS NAUDE
102 Bronkhorst Street, Groenkloof
PRETORIA
ZA
|
Family ID: |
27391318 |
Appl. No.: |
09/776879 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60180692 |
Feb 7, 2000 |
|
|
|
60180690 |
Feb 7, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/258.5 ;
220/259.1; 220/269; 220/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2517/0025 20130101;
B65D 17/4012 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/258 ;
220/269; 220/906 |
International
Class: |
B65D 017/34 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A beverage container of which the contents is accessible via a
dispensing aperture of which the closure means is non-re-usable as
cover once removed to gain access, the container being fitted with
appropriately formed supplementary closure means displaceable from
an inactive condition, in which it does not obstruct conventional
use of the container in drinking beverage there from, to a
dispensing aperture covering condition in which the dispensing
aperture is closed off against the ingress of particulate matter
that tends to affect the comfort in drinking beverage from the
container if not rendering it hazardous.
2. A beverage container as claimed in claim 1 in which the
supplementary closure means is suitably arranged to enable its use
in also gaining access to the contents of the container in response
opening of the dispensing aperture by appropriately acting upon the
closure means.
3. A beverage container as claimed in claim 2 in which the
supplementary closure means is provided by a tab used for gaining
access to the contents of a conventional can type container by way
of conventionally shearing an integrally formed panel along a line
of shear, the tab, as of a size to effectively close off the
dispensing aperture of the container, being fitted to the container
to enable its displacement from its position in which it is used
for serving its panel shearing function in opening the dispensing
aperture of the container to a position in which it is used in
covering the dispensing aperture against undesired ingress.
4. A beverage container as claimed in claim 3 in which the tab, in
addition to conventionally enabling the shearing of the panel in
response to a lifting action against a mounting pin, is also
mounted to enable its swivelling about the axis of the mounting pin
thereby to swivel the tab into a dispensing aperture closing off
condition.
5. A beverage container as claimed in claim 4 in which the tab is
appropriately perforated to enable consumption of liquid there
along while in its dispensing aperture closing off condition.
6. A beverage container as claimed in claim 5 that makes provision
for securing the tab to the body of the container once the tab is
swivelled into its dispensing aperture closing off covering
condition.
7. A beverage container as claimed in claim 6 in which provision is
made for the securing of the tab to the container by the tab being
profiled to present a leading end catching lip that is receivable
below the corresponding end of the rim of the dispensing aperture
while the tab is furthermore profiled to permit the lip to become
so caught.
8. A beverage container as claimed in claim 7 in which the tab is
profiled to snugly fit the dispensing aperture while also being
formed with opposing shoulders along its periphery that limit the
tab from swivelling into the container once in its dispensing
aperture closing off condition.
9. A beverage container as claimed in claim 8 in which the tab
provides for a straw locating aperture that is openable in response
to the application of a small manually applied force and down which
a straw is snugly positionable, if not already being used to open
up the straw locating aperture, to gain access to the contents of
the container while effectively still rendering the interior of the
container inaccessible to particulate matter except along such
straw.
10. A beverage container as claimed in claim 8 in which the
discharge aperture closing off part of the tab is formed with a
concave indentation that forms a seat on the convex side that
promotes closing off of the discharge aperture once the tab is
swivelled to its closing off condition.
11. A beverage container as claimed in claim 3 in which the tab, in
addition to conventionally being employable for shearing the panel
along a line of shear, is mounted to the body of the container to
be displaceable into a closing off condition by being mounted to be
flipped over into an dispensing aperture closing off condition.
12. A beverage container as claimed in claim 11 in which the tab,
in addition to conventionally being employable for shearing the
panel via a lifting action against a mounting pin, is also mounted
thereto in a way that enables an adequate extent of movement on
separation between the tab and its position of mounting pin
engagement to permit the flip over action while still being
retained to the body of the can by means of the pin.
13. A beverage container as claimed in claim 12 in which the tab
presents a zone of perforation along which beverage is consumable
despite the tab being located in its dispensing aperture covering
condition.
14. A beverage container as claimed in claim 13 in which the tab
makes provision for its being securable to the container body once
swivelled to its covering condition in promoting closing off of the
dispensing aperture.
15. A beverage container as claimed in claim 14 in which provision
is made for the securing of the tab to the container by the tab
being profiled to present a leading end catching lip that is
receivable below the corresponding end of the rim of the dispensing
aperture while the tab is furthermore profiled to permit the lip to
become so caught.
16. A beverage container as claimed in claim 15 in which the tab is
profiled to snugly fit the dispensing aperture while also being
formed with opposing shoulders along its periphery that limit the
tab from swivelling into the container once in its dispensing
aperture closing off condition.
17. A beverage container as claimed in claim 16 in which the tab
provides for a straw locating aperture that is openable in response
to the application of a small manually applied force and down which
a straw is snugly positionable, if not already being used to open
up the straw locating aperture, to gain access to the contents of
the container while effectively still rendering the interior of the
container inaccessible to particulate matter except along such
straw.
18. A beverage container as claimed in claim 11 in which the tab is
hingedly mounted to the body of the container about at least one
suitably located hinge pin extending from the body of the container
and in a way that enables the swivellable flipping of the tab
between an inactive condition and a dispensing aperture covering
condition while during performing the flipping action causing the
shearing panel to become sheared along its line of shear from the
body of the container owing to the tab being formed with an inner
section that comes to urge against the panel in sweeping there
along in the process of swivelling the tab into its dispensing
aperture covering condition.
19. A beverage container as claimed in claim 18 in which the tab
presents a zone of perforation along which beverage is consumable
despite the tab being located in its dispensing aperture covering
condition.
20. A beverage container as claimed in claim 19 in which the tab
provides for a straw locating aperture that is openable in response
to the application of a small manually applied force and down which
a straw is snugly positionable, if not already being used to open
up the straw locating aperture, to gain access to the contents of
the container while effectively still rendering the interior of the
container inaccessible to particulate matter except along such
straw.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention of this application relates to the field of
beverage containers of which the contents is accessible via a
dispensing aperture of which the closure means is non re-usable as
cover once removed to gain access to its contents.
[0003] The opening of beverage cans by way of a tab actuator in
shearing a panel that is integrally formed with the can along a
line of weakness is well known. The tab is conventionally fitted to
the can by way of a rivet pin. The riveted tab is sheared on three
sides from the body of the tab in being lifted on causing the
exertion of a shearing force on the panel. The panel is caused to
fold inward in the process of its becoming sheared from the
container. Once opened a can cannot be closed off again by closure
means forming part of the can, as compared with a bottle fitted
with a cap. In the case of sweetened contents a tendency exists for
insects and especially bees to be attracted to the can. In addition
to creating a nuisance this can in the case where, for example, a
bee finds its way into the can, be hazardous if a consumer that is
not aware of such ingress drinks from the can again.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is for a beverage container of which
the contents is accessible via a dispensing aperture of which the
closure means is non re-usable as cover once removed to gain
access, that is arranged to enable non-sealing closure of the
dispensing aperture once unsealed. To this effect the invention
makes provision for supplementary closure means that is fitted to
the container and employable for closing off the dispensing
aperture against the ingress of particulate matter that is at least
undesirable if not hazardous, such as insects or bees.
[0005] The invention furthermore makes provision for using the
supplementary closure means to still retain access to beverage in
the can despite being fitted to guard against the undesired ingress
of insects and bees.
[0006] The object of the present invention is, amongst others,
found in the provision of closure means fitted to a container and
employable for closing off the contents of a container against the
ingress of undesired particulate matter. Although not limited to
cans fitted with tear can opening tabs the invention finds useful
application in such case especially because the tab used for
opening the can is also used as supplementary closure means in so
closing off the discharge aperture of such can.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 shows in dispensing aperture sealed condition a top
view one embodiment of a beverage container of which the contents
is accessible via a dispensing aperture of which the closure means
is non-re-usable as cover once removed to gain access, in the form
of a conventional dispensing opening tear-fashion openable can as
openable by means of a tab that also serves a supplementary closure
means function for closing off the dispensing aperture against the
ingress of particulate matter that is at least undesirable if not
hazardous,
[0008] FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 in the dispensing
aperture opened condition in response to conventional use of the
tab,
[0009] FIG. 3 shows the container of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the
dispensing aperture closed off condition in response to appropriate
displacement of the tab,
[0010] FIG. 4 shows in plan view an embodiment of a specific tab
configuration to promote effective covering of the dispensing
opening by enabling securing of the tab the can,
[0011] FIG. 5 shows in side view the tab of the FIG. 4,
[0012] FIG. 6 shows the tab of FIGS. 4 and 5 as viewed from the
front,
[0013] FIG. 7 shows in top view another embodiment of a
conventional beverage holding can fitted with a tab that is
displaceable into a dispensing aperture closing off condition, in
the dispensing aperture still sealed condition,
[0014] FIG. 8 shows the container of FIG. 7 in the dispensing
aperture closing off condition once unsealed and in response to the
tab being appropriately displaced.
[0015] FIG. 9 shows in top view yet another embodiment of a
conventional beverage holding can fitted with a tab that is
displaceable into a dispensing aperture closing off condition, in
the dispensing aperture still sealed condition,
[0016] FIG. 10 shows the container of FIG. 9 in the dispensing
aperture closing off condition once unsealed and in response to the
tab being appropriately displaced.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 to 6--One Embodiment of the Invention
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings a tab type
openable beverage container of which the tab also serves a
supplementary closure means function once the original sealing has
been removed for closing off the dispensing aperture against the
ingress of particulate matter that is at least undesirable if not
hazardous such as insects or bees is generally indicated by
reference numeral 10.
[0018] The can 10 is thus fitted with a tab 12 that is
conventionally used for gaining access to the contents of the can
10 via the shearing of an integrally formed panel 14 sealing off
the dispensing aperture 16 of the can 10 that is shearable along a
line of shear 18 provided by a line of weakness formed in the can
10 during its process of manufacturing. The tab 12 is fitted to the
body of the can 10 via a rivet pin 20 and is formed with a manually
grippable handle and covering portion 12.1 and a panel-engaging
portion 12.2. The portions 12.1 and 12.2 extend on opposite sides
of the location of tab riveting 22. The rivet pin 20 thus serves as
fulcrum when the portion 12.1 of the tab 12 is conventionally
lifted in causing the exertion of the required force for shearing
the panel 14 along the line of shear 18 via the tab portion 12.2 to
open up the dispensing aperture 16. Lifting of the tab 12 in
shearing the panel 14 from the can 10 involves raising the tab 12
along pre-formed cuts 24 formed in the tab 12 during manufacturing
of the can 10.
[0019] To also perform a dispensing opening closing off function
the handle portion 12.1 of the tab 12 is sized to be closely equal
to the panel 14 and thus the dispensing aperture 16. In addition to
serving as fulcrum in the process of shearing the panel 14 from the
can 10, the tab 12 is also swivellably mounted to the pin 20. It is
thus swivellable along an arc 26 from a non-closing off condition,
as shown in FIG. 2, to a closing off condition as shown in FIG. 3.
Closing off will naturally only be desired once the panel 14 has
been released.
[0020] The handle portion 12.1 of the tab 12, as serving a covering
function in closing off the dispensing aperture 16, displays an
area of perforation 28 thus rendering the contents of the can 10
accessible without having to swivel the tab 12 out of registration
with the dispensing aperture 16. The perforations 28 can be formed
in any desired pattern. It can for example represent a picture or
an emblem as long as the primary function of permitting the flow of
beverage there through while closing off the aperture 16 against
the ingress of undesired particulate matter such as insects and
bees is met. It will be appreciated that the tab 12 need not be
perforated to still perform its closing of function. In such case
appropriate swivelling of the tab will however be desired into
closing off or permitting access via the dispensing aperture
16.
[0021] Canned beverage is often consumed by way of a straw. In
using a straw to drink from the can 10 the tab 12 is thus simply
swivelled to its dispensing aperture uncovering condition, as shown
in FIG. 2, and the straw positioned along the dispensing aperture
16. Should the can 10 still contain beverage when drinking is
ceased the straw will have to be withdrawn before the tab 12 can be
swivelled into the covering condition of FIG. 3. This poses no
problem but holds some inconvenience. Also when access is gained in
this way the dispensing aperture 16 is uncovered rendering the
contents of the can 10 accessible for the ingress of undesired
matter. To address this inconvenience the tab 12 can be formed with
an openable flap 30 that is integrally secured to the remainder of
the tab 12 while permitting displacement along a pre-cut line 32.
Inward urging of the flap 30 thus results in the provision of a
straw access opening 34 (as shown in FIG. 3). This can be achieved
by simply pressing the flap 30 into the can 10 by means of a straw
(not shown). As the aperture along a straw is small its fitting
through the tab 12 will still retain the dispensing aperture 16
effectively closed off against undesired ingress.
[0022] While the tab 12 when swivelled to its aperture covering
condition, as shown in FIG. 3, will perform its closing off
function it will be appreciated that it will not necessarily lie
flush against the upper face 10.1 of the can 10, especially as it
is lifted about the pin 20 in the process of releasing the panel 14
from the can 10.
[0023] Referring also and more particularly to FIGS. 4 to 6 the tab
12 is shown profiled with opposite shoulders 36 and a catching lip
38. The remainder of the portion 12.1 is shaped to snugly fit into
the discharge aperture 16. The body of the tab 12 is formed to be
concave on the outside and accordingly convex on the inside. The
central portion 12.3 of the tab 12 is thus sunken with respect to
its peripheral region. Being so profiled the tab 12 of FIGS. 4 to 6
is received within the aperture 16 but is prevented from passing
through the aperture 16 as the shoulders 36 come to urge against
the peripheral edge of the aperture 16 once the tab 12 is
positioned in its closing off condition. In the process the lip 38
becomes clipped below the leading end 16.1 of the aperture 16
thereby engaging the tab 12 against undesired release from its
closing off condition. If the aperture 16 is for some or other
reason desired to be fully exposed again the tab 12 can lifted from
its closing off condition by way of the shoulder 36 also serving as
lifting handles.
[0024] When closing off fashion fitted the concave inside zone 12.3
of the can 12 promotes the comfortable drinking of the beverage
from the can 10.
FIGS. 7 and 8--Another Embodiment of the Invention
[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention it differs from the
FIGS. 1 to 3 embodiment in that the tab 12 is mounted to be moved
between the dispensing aperture 16 uncovering and covering
conditions in response to its being flipped over in stead of a
swivelling action. In so far as the same as the FIGS. 1 to 3
embodiment like references carry the same reference numerals.
[0026] The tab 12 in this embodiment is secured to the pin 20 via
an integral tab panel 42 that, in addition to enabling the normal
tab lifting action on releasing the closure panel 14, as discussed
in FIGS. 1 to 3 embodiment, also permits the further displacement
of the panel 42 along pre-severed cuts 44 on flipping over of the
tab 12 into an aperture covering condition, as shown in FIG. 8.
Once so flipped the tab 12 still remains attached to the can 10 via
an attachment strip 46 that maintains the panel 42 attached to the
pin 20.
[0027] It will be appreciated that the tab 12 of this embodiment,
as is the case with the FIGS. 1 to 3 embodiment and perhaps even to
a larger extent, will not necessarily lie flush against the upper
face 10.1 of the can 10 once flipped over to its aperture closing
off condition. This situation can also be addressed by way of the
specific configuration of the tab 12 as discussed above with
reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
FIGS. 9 and 10--Yet Another Embodiment of the Invention
[0028] In yet a further embodiment of the invention the tab 12 is
also mounted to be moved between the dispensing aperture uncovering
and covering conditions in response to its being flipped over. In
so far as the same as the FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 7 and 8
embodiments like references carry the same reference numerals.
[0029] The tab 12 is in this embodiment is hingedly mounted to the
can 10 by way of hinging arms 48 forming part of the tab 12 and
fitting swivellably to hinge pins 50 extending above the face 101
of the can 10. The tab 12 is mounted to swivel about the axis 52
passing along the hinge pins 50. Forceable release of the panel 14
in opening the dispensing opening 16 of the can 10 is achieved by
simply lifting the tab 12. In swivelling about the axis 52 its
panel-engaging portion 12.2 thus exerts a progressively increasing
force on the panel 14 until it is sheared along its shearing line
18.
[0030] While the tab 12 can be of unitary construction it can also,
as specifically shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, be of outer frame
construction presenting a circumferentially extending frame 54 of
which the enclosed zone 56 is fitted with a perforated insert 58
rendering it permeable. Although not shown the insert can also make
provision for the fitting of a straw to the tab 12, as discussed
with reference to both the FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 7 and 8
embodiments.
* * * * *