U.S. patent application number 10/582527 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for reclosable cap for a beverage container.
Invention is credited to James Lee Gardiner.
Application Number | 20070145055 10/582527 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34658482 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070145055 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gardiner; James Lee |
June 28, 2007 |
Reclosable cap for a beverage container
Abstract
Beverage container having a hollow body with an open end and a
cap closing the open end. The cap includes a panel member fixed to
the body member at the open end. The panel member has a main
portion and a partially or fully severable portion arranged for a
user of the container to severe the portion for opening a
dispensing aperture. The cap also has a closure member arranged
within the container and the closure member is movable relative to
the panel member between a closed position and an open position. A
handle is arranged on the closure member and is normally positioned
out of the way of the severable portion. The closure member has an
engagement projection configured to engage the portion following
severing same and further folding of the severed portion causes the
closure member to turn to position the handle to extending through
the dispensing aperture.
Inventors: |
Gardiner; James Lee; (North
Mission Beach, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
745 SOUTH 23RD STREET
2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
34658482 |
Appl. No.: |
10/582527 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
December 13, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU04/01753 |
371 Date: |
June 9, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.4 ;
220/269; 220/821; 220/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2517/0014 20130101;
B65D 17/4014 20180101; B65D 2517/0046 20130101; B65D 2517/0044
20130101; B65D 2517/0062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.4 ;
220/269; 220/906; 220/821 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18; B65D 17/34 20060101 B65D017/34; B65D 43/18 20060101
B65D043/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 12, 2003 |
AU |
2003906880 |
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. A cap for a beverage container having a hollow body member with
opposed ends, a bottom member at one end thereof and the cap is for
fixing to the other end thereof, the cap comprising a panel member
arranged for fixing to the body member at said other end and
configured to extend over said other end when fixed to said other
end, the panel member having a main portion and a partially or
fully severable portion arranged for a user of the container to
apply a pressure on said severable portion for severing same and
thereby forming a dispensing aperture in a zone defined by the
severed portion, the applied pressure further causing the severed
portion to move into the container, and a closure member arranged,
when the panel member is fixed to said other end, to be within the
container and the closure member is movable relative to the panel
member between a closed position for closing a beverage passage
through said dispensing aperture and an open position for
dispensing the beverage through the dispensing aperture, the
closure member having a handle and being arranged to engage the
severed portion while moving into the container to thereby be
caused to move to a position where the handle extends through the
dispensing aperture following forming thereof, the handle being
configured for the user to manually move the closure member in a
first direction towards the closed position and in a second
direction towards the open position to reveal the passage for
dispensing the beverage therein.
28. A beverage container comprising a hollow body member with
opposed ends, a bottom member at one end thereof and a cap at the
other end thereof, the cap having a panel member fixed to the body
member at said other end and configured to extend over said other
end, the panel member having a main portion and a partially or
fully severable portion arranged for a user of the container to
apply a pressure on said severable portion for severing same and
thereby forming a dispensing aperture in a zone defined by the
severed portion, the applied pressure further causing the severed
portion to move into the container, the cap having a closure member
arranged within the container and the closure member is movable
relative to the panel member between a closed position for closing
a beverage passage through said dispensing aperture and an open
position for dispensing the beverage through the dispensing
aperture, the closure member having a handle and being arranged to
engage the severed portion while moving into the container to
thereby be caused to move to a position where the handle extends
through the dispensing aperture following forming thereof, the
handle being configured for the user to manually move the closure
member in a first direction towards the closed position and in a
second direction towards the open position to reveal the passage
for dispensing the beverage therein.
29. The invention according to claim 27 wherein the panel member
being fixed to the body member at said other end by a seaming
process.
30. The invention according to claim 27 wherein the panel member
having a weakened section from which a perimeter of the severable
portion can be severed from the main portion by applying pressure
to the severable portion.
31. The invention according to claim 30 wherein the weakened
section is configured to extend fully or partly around the
severable portion.
32. The invention according to claim 31 wherein the weakened
section extends fully around the severable portion, and the severed
portion can thus be separated from main portion.
33. The invention according to claim 31 wherein the weakened
section is configured to extend partly around the severable portion
so that the severed portion remains connected to the main portion
and is pressed to move towards one side of the dispensing
aperture.
34. The invention according to claim 30 wherein the weakened
section is formed by a score line along said perimeter.
35. The invention according to claim 27 wherein the cap having an
opener arranged for the user to manually move the opener to apply
said pressure on the severable portion.
36. The invention according to claim 35 wherein the opener is in
the form of a pull tab pivotally mounted to the main portion, and
having an inner end lying over the severable portion and an outer
end, the outer end being movable upwardly to pivot the inner end to
move downwardly to apply pressure to the severable portion for
severing same.
37. The invention according to claim 36 wherein the main portion
having a top surface and a first rivet with an upper end extending
from its top surface, and the pull tab is pivotally mounted on the
first rivet and arranged above the top surface.
38. The invention according to claim 27 wherein the panel member
having an under surface and the closure member is arranged on or
beneath the under surface.
39. The invention according to claim 38 wherein the closure member
being arranged to be rotatably movable relative to the panel
member.
40. The invention according to claim 39 wherein the closure member
is in the form of a disk rotatably mounted on a rivet fixed to the
main portion or on a post extending from the rivet.
41. The invention according to claim 40 wherein the rivet or first
rivet having a hollow section and the post is fixed in the hollow
section.
42. The invention according to claim 41 wherein the rivet or first
rivet having a wedge shaped upper end configured to retain an
opener pivotally mounted thereto and movable to apply pressure to
sever the severable portion, and the post having an outer end
within said upper end of the rivet or first rivet and the outer end
is shaped to be retained by said upper end.
43. The invention according to claim 42 wherein the post having an
inner end opposite to said outer end and the inner end is an
enlarged head arranged to positively retain the closure member.
44. The invention according to claim 43 wherein the closure member
is in the form of a disk having its peripheral edge retained in a
retention groove formed in the body member or panel member.
45. The invention according to claim 44 wherein the disk having a
bent or curved peripheral edge and the groove is shaped to
accommodate the peripheral edge.
46. The invention according to claim 45 wherein the retention
groove is formed as a recessed section in the main portion of the
panel member and the recessed section is arranged to receive the
peripheral edge of the disk so that the disk is rotatably supported
therein.
47. The invention according to claim 45 wherein the cap member
having a countersink radially inwardly of a rim formed on the body
member, the retention groove being formed in the countersink and
the disk is configured to be rotatably supported in the groove.
48. The invention according to claim 39 where the disk has a closed
section and a through hole section, and the disk is arranged so
that in the open position the through hole section is in line with
the dispensing aperture and at the closed position the closed
section closing said beverage passage.
49. The invention according to claim 48 wherein the disk being
circular in shape and having a through hole section, and the disk
is arranged so that at the open position the through hole section
is in line with the dispensing aperture.
50. The invention according to claim 27 wherein a sealing member is
applied to the closure member or to the main portion surrounding
the dispensing aperture to substantially seal the aperture when the
closure member is in the closed position.
51. The invention according to claim 50 wherein the severable
portion is arranged to remain connected to the main portion when
severed and is foldable in a downward direction, the main portion
having a further sealing member applied to seal a gap between the
main portion and the severed and folded portion.
52. The invention according to any claim 27 wherein the closure
member having an engagement projection arranged to engage the
severed portion of the panel member and an inward movement of the
severed portion causes the closure member to move to a position
where the handle extends through the dispensing aperture.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] THIS INVENTION relates to a reclosable cap for a beverage
container, the cap having a partially severable portion which can
be severed to reveal a dispensing aperture and a movable panel
selectively positionable for re-closing the aperture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The applicant has observed that beverage containers,
especially aluminium alloy drink cans, have a cap with a partially
severable portion that must be severed to reveal a dispensing
aperture for dispensing the beverage therein. The severed portion
cannot reclose the aperture. Many cans are designed to press the
severed portions into the interior of the cans and the severed
portions are not retrievable. In some known cans the severed
portions can be totally removed. In some containers, a tab opener
that is pivotally fixed to the cap is used to open a can by
pressing against the severable portion until severed. In some other
containers, the severable portion is severed by pushing in that
portion.
[0003] Once opened, the dispensing apertures of these containers
remain open. The opened containers allow insertion of undesirable
substances such as drugs into the containers without any need to
tamper with them. In addition, insects such wasps, flies and
undesired objects such as dusts can find their way into the
container.
[0004] Many people drink beverages directly from the aperture in
the cap. Wasps, flies and other foreign matters that have entered
the container after opening and left unattended, can be consumed by
drinkers, or may sting to cause pain or otherwise discomfort to
these people.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to alleviate or to
at least reduce to a certain level one or more of the prior art
disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect therefor the present invention resides in a
cap for a beverage container having a hollow body member with
opposed ends, a bottom member at one end thereof and the cap is for
fixing to the other end thereof. The cap comprises a panel member
arranged for fixing to the body member at said other end and
configured to extend over said other end when fixed to said other
end, the panel member having a main portion and a partially or
fully severable portion arranged for a user of the container to
apply a pressure on said severable portion for severing same and
thereby forming a dispensing aperture in a zone defined by the
severed portion. The cap also has a closure member arranged, when
fixed to said other end, to be within the container and the closure
member is movable relative to the panel member between a closed
position for closing passage of beverage through said dispensing
aperture and an open position for dispensing the beverage through
the dispensing aperture. The closure member has a handle arranged
to extend through the dispensing aperture following forming
thereof. The handle is configured for the user to manually move the
closure member in a first direction towards the closed position and
in a second direction towards the open position to reveal the
passage for dispensing the beverage therein.
[0007] In another aspect therefor the present invention resides in
a beverage container comprising a hollow body member with opposed
ends, a bottom member at one end thereof and a cap at the other end
thereof. The cap comprises a panel member fixed to the body member
at said other end and configured to extend over said other end. The
panel member has a main portion and a partially or fully severable
portion arranged for a user of the container to apply a pressure on
said severable portion for severing same and thereby forming a
dispensing aperture in a zone defined by the severed portion. The
cap also has a closure member arranged within the container and the
closure member is movable relative to the panel member between a
closed position for closing passage of beverage through said
dispensing aperture and an open position for dispensing the
beverage through the dispensing aperture. The closure member has a
handle arranged to extend through the dispensing aperture following
forming thereof. The handle is configured for the user to manually
move the closure member in a first direction towards the closed
position and in a second direction towards the open position to
reveal the passage for dispensing the beverage therein.
[0008] In preference, the cap has an opener arranged for the user
to manually move the opener to apply said pressure on the severable
portion.
[0009] The panel member may be fixed to the body member at said
other end by a seaming process.
[0010] The panel member may have a weakened section from which a
perimeter of the severable portion can be severed from the main
portion by applying pressure to the severable portion. The weakened
section may extend fully or partly around the severable portion.
Where the weakened section extends fully around the severable
portion, the severed portion can be separated from main
portion.
[0011] The weakened section extending partly around the severable
portion may be arranged so that the severed portion is pressed to
move towards one side of the dispensing aperture.
[0012] Preferable, the weakened section is formed by a score line
along said perimeter.
[0013] The opener may be in the form of a pull tab pivotally
mounted to the main portion. Preferably, the tab has an inner end
lying over the severable portion and an outer end. In use, the
outer end is pulled upwards to pivot the inner end downward to
apply pressure to the severable portion for severing same. It is
further preferred that the main portion has a top surface and a
first rivet with an upper end extending from its top surface, and
the pull tab is pivotally mounted on the rivet and arranged above
the top surface.
[0014] The panel member may have an under surface and the closure
member is arranged on or beneath the under surface.
[0015] The closure member may be arranged to be rotatably movable
relative to the panel member. In preference, the closure member is
in the form of a disk rotatably mounted on a second rivet fixed to
the main portion or on a post extending from the first rivet. The
post for the can be bonded to the under surface of the panel
member.
[0016] The first rivet may have a hollow section and the post is
preferably fixed in the hollow section. The upper end of the first
rivet is preferably wedge shaped in order to positive retain the
opener when the opener is moved to sever the severable portion.
Preferably, the post has an outer end within said upper end of the
first rivet and the outer end is shaped to be retained by said
upper end. More preferably, the outer end is formed in a compatible
wedge shape. The post may have an inner end opposite to said outer
end and the inner end is preferably an enlarged head to positively
retain the closure member.
[0017] Alternatively, the closure member is in the form of a disk
having its peripheral edge retained in a retention groove formed in
the body member or panel member. The disk may have a bent or curved
peripheral edge and the groove is shaped to accommodate the
peripheral edge. In preference, the retention groove is formed as a
recessed section in the main portion of the panel member and the
recessed section is arranged to receive the peripheral edge of the
disk so that the disk is rotatably supported therein. In another
form, the cap member may have the retention groove formed in the
countersink and the disk is configured to be rotatably supported in
the groove.
[0018] The disk may be circular in shaped and may have a through
hole section and the disk is arranged so that at the open position
the through hole section is in line with the dispensing
aperture.
[0019] The closure member can have printed matter thereon for
promotional purposes such as awarding a prize, so that when it is
pivoted across the dispensing aperture to close the aperture to
prevent foreign objects such as wasps and flies entering the
container the promotional matter can be clearly seen.
[0020] Typically, the closure member is arranged to seal said
dispensing aperture when it is in the closed position. In one form,
a sealing member is applied to the closure member or to the main
portion surrounding the dispensing aperture to substantially seal
the aperture when the closure is in the closed position in order to
assist in retaining the carbonation of the beverage in the can.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] In order that the invention can be clearly understood and
put into practical effect the invention will now be described in
reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate
non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, and
wherein:--
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the container shown in
FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the
container shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the
cap member shown in FIG. 3;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the beverage container shown
in FIG. 1 after the container has been opened and the closure
member is in a closed position;
[0027] FIG. 6 show the beverage container of FIG. 5 with the
closure member in the open position;
[0028] FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the underside of the cap
member before the container is opened;
[0029] FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the underside of the cap
member after the container is opened and the door in a closed
position;
[0030] FIG. 8A shows another form of the closure member for the
container shown in FIG. 7A;
[0031] FIG. 8B shows the container of FIG. 8A with closure member
in the closed position;
[0032] FIG. 9A is a further form of the closure member for the
container shown in FIG. 7A with the closure member in the open
position;
[0033] FIG. 9B shows the container of FIG. 9A with the closure
member in the closed position;
[0034] FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the
cap member shown in FIG. 9A;
[0035] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross sectional view of yet another
further form of the closure member and panel member for the
container shown in FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a different
form of the closure member and panel member shown in FIG. 11;
[0037] FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the
container shown in FIG. 11 after fixing to the body member;
[0038] FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the
tubular body member, an enlarged cross sectional view of the
closure member and panel member before the panel member is seamed
to the tubular body member;
[0039] FIG. 15 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the
closure member shown in FIG. 14;
[0040] FIGS. 16 and 17 are respective enlarged partial views of the
embodiments of the closure members and the panel members shown in
FIGS. 11 and 12;
[0041] FIG. 18 is a plan view of one form of the closure
member;
[0042] FIG. 19 is an under view of an embodiment of the cap member
having the closure member shown in FIG. 18;
[0043] FIG. 20 is a plan view of another form of the closure
member;
[0044] FIG. 21 is an under view of an embodiment of the cap member
having the closure member shown in FIG. 20;
[0045] FIG. 22 is a plan view of a further form of the closure
member for a cap member with a folded in severable portion;
[0046] FIG. 23 is a plan view of a further form of the cap member;
and
[0047] FIGS. 24 to 25 show certain positions of the closure member
shown in FIG. 22 fitted to the cap member shown in FIG. 23.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 7 there is shown a
beverage container 10 which in this case is in the form of an
aluminium alloy beverage can for a beverage such as any one of
beer, carbonated drink, fruit juice and the like. It should be
noted that the container 10 can also be made of steel or plastic or
any material that can be formed into a can.
[0049] The can 10 has a tubular body member 12 with a top open end
and a bottom end. As can be seen in FIG. 2 a base 14 is integrally
formed at the bottom end to close this end, and a cap 16 is
sealingly fixed to the periphery at the top open end by seaming in
this case. A rim 18 is formed at the seam and a countersink 32 is
formed radially inwardly of the rim 18.
[0050] The can 10 as shown is an easy open type. The cap or panel
member 16 has a severable portion 20 with its severable perimeter
defined by a score line 22. A ring pull tab 24 fixed to the panel
member 16 by a rivet 26. The tab 24 has an outer end configured for
lifting or pulling with a user's finger and an inner end extending
over the severable portion 20. The tab 24 when pulled moves
pivotally so that its inner end presses against the portion 20 to
partially sever the portion 20 along the score line 22. The
partially severed portion 20 remains connected with the main
portion of the panel member 16 at a position shown as 71. Further
pulling of the tab 24 would bend the severed portion 20 into the
can 10 about the position 71. Thereby, a dispensing or pour
aperture 38 is presented for dispensing the beverage in the can
10.
[0051] FIGS. 2 and 3 show that the panel member 16 has a post 41
fixed in the hollow section of the underside of the rivet 26. A
closure member 67 in the form of a disk is rotatably mounted to the
post 41. The disk 67 has a handle 49 accessible through the
aperture 38, thereby allowing the disk 67 to be rotated by using
the handle 49.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows the post 41 has a head 90 and a recessed
section 91 to which the disk 67 is rotatably mounted. The recessed
section 91 and the head 90 prevent separation of the disk 67 from
the post. The rivet 26 is hollow and its top end is in the form of
a cam or wedge shaped section 37. The interior of the section 37 is
also wedge shaped. The inner end 29 of the post 41 is within the
wedge shaped interior and this end is flared to assist retaining
the post 41 in the rivet 26.
[0053] FIG. 6 shows that the handle 49 is above the top surface of
the cap 16 when the severable portion 20 is pressed to the position
as shown in this Figure. The handle 49 is positioned that it has
minimal interference with the severing action and the disk 67 is
made of a resilient material so that the handle 49 would extend
through the aperture 38 when the severed portion 20 moves past the
handle 49. The user can push the handle 49 to move the disk 67 to
the closed position as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows the disk 67 is
in the closed position after the panel member 16 has been opened by
severing the portion 20. The disk 67 has the word WIN 87 printed as
one example for the promotional use of the product.
[0054] FIG. 7A shows the underside view of the panel member 16
where the disk 67 is in a the open position and the severable
portion 20 is intact with the panel member 16. When the portion 20
is severed and pressed into the can 10, the handle 49 will be
exposed through the so formed aperture 38 as shown in FIG. 7B.
Returning to FIG. 6, the can 10 as shown is opened by severing the
portion 20 which is folded down and remained attached to the panel
member 16 in the position marked as 71. The handle 49 is exposed
through the aperture 38.
[0055] FIGS. 8A and 8B shows another form of the closure member or
disk 67. As shown in FIG. 8A, the disk 67 is circular in shape and
has an outer peripheral edge 105 and a hole 52 in the disk 67 is
partially covering the underside of the severable portion 20 before
opening the can 10. When opening, the severable portion 20 passes
through the hole 52 and the portion 20 contacts a downward curved
section 172 and pivots the disk 67 to allow the handle 49 to be
exposed through the dispensing aperture 38. FIG. 8B shows the disk
67 is a closed position covering the aperture 38. FIG. 13 shows
that the tab 24 being lifted to sever the severable portion 20. The
severed portion 20 is then folded down about the position 71. The
disk 67 has a curved projection 172 positioned so that the severed
portion 20 is in contact with the curved projection 172 when it is
being folded. The severed portion 20 thus causes the disk 67 to
rotate while it is being folded. The disk 67 is configured so that
when the severed portion 20 rotates the disk 67 through a certain
degrees to an open position the handle 49 is in line with the
dispensing aperture 38 and due to resiliency of the disk 67 would
then projects above the top surface of the panel member 16.
[0056] FIGS. 9A to 10 shows a further form of the invention. In
FIG. 9A, there is shown that the panel member 16 has a score line
93 to allow the tab 24 and severable portion 20 to be totally
removed from the panel member 16 when opened. An indent or stop 152
is formed in the panel member 16 to prevent the disk 67 from moving
to an inaccessible position. FIG. 10 shows another rivet 132 formed
with the wedge section 58 in the panel member 16 to which the post
41 is applied. In another form the post 41 is bonded to the
underside of the panel member 16. FIG. 9B shows the panel member 16
after it has been opened and the disk 67 has been pivoted to close
the aperture 38.
[0057] FIGS. 11 to 12 shows another embodiment of the invention. As
shown in FIG. 11, the panel member 16 has a groove 34 formed in the
inner wall of a countersink to receive a curved section 54 on the
disk 67. The curved section 54 is configured so that it is
supported in and can rotate in the groove 34 to thereby allow the
user to move the disk 67 to the closing and opening positions. FIG.
12 shows the panel member 16 having a groove 47 formed on the outer
wall of the countersink to receive the curved section 97 of the
disk 67. The curved section 97 can rotate in the groove 47 to allow
the disk 67 to be positioned for closing and opening of aperture
38. Details of the groove 34, 47 and the curved section 54, 97 are
clearly shown in the enlarged views in FIGS. 16 and 17
respectively.
[0058] FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the invention where the
disk 67 is fixed between the tubular member 12 and the cap member
16. The disk 67 has an outer peripheral portion 95 to be fixed
between the tubular body member 12 and cap member 16. The tubular
member 12 has a turned edge 95 at said other end and the panel
member 16 has a curved edge 102 configured for wrapping around the
turned edge 42 and fixed thereto by a seaming process. As such, the
outer edge 95 of the disk 67 is retained between the curved edge
102 and the turned edge 42, and the disk 67 is free to rotate. FIG.
15 shows the disk 67 having grooved section 5 to receive the curved
section 7 on the outer peripheral portion 95 allowing the disk 67
to rotate.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 18, there is shown a closure member 67 in
the form of a disk with a semi-circular shaped through hole 52 and
a curved peripheral edge 54. A handle 49 is provided adjacent to
the through hole 52 at a position which is slightly off centre.
FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of the cap member having the panel
member 16 fitted with the disk 67 shown in FIG. 18. The curve edge
54 of the disk 67 is retained in the groove 34 which is configured
to allow edge 54 of the disk to be movable while being retained
therein. The groove 34 is in the inner wall of the countersink 32.
A strip of sealing member 178 is applied around the score line 22.
Using the handle 49, the user can turn the disk 67 between the
closed position and the open position. In the closed position, the
sealing member 178 engages the solid section of the disk 67 and
thereby seals the gap between the disk 67 and the panel member 16
adjacent to the dispensing aperture 38. As such, the flow passage
through the aperture 38 is closed.
[0060] In FIG. 20, the disk 67 has a strip of sealing member 178 on
the solid section thereof. The strip of the sealing member is
shaped and positioned to surround the dispensing aperture 38 when
the disk 67 is placed in the closed position. FIG. 21 shows the
disk 67 in the open position to allow the severable portion 20 to
be severed so that beverage can flow through the aperture 38 formed
following severing of the portion 20. To close the dispensing
aperture 38, a user simply engages the handle 49 which is now
projecting through the aperture 38 and above the top surface of the
panel member 16, with a finger or fingers and turns the disk 67 in
a counter clockwise direction to the closed position. In this
position, the through hole 52 is no longer in line with the
aperture 38. Instead, the sealing member 178 is in position to
surround the aperture 38 and thereby sealing the gap between the
disk 67 and the panel member 16 adjacent to the dispensing aperture
38. Accordingly, the flow passage through the aperture 38 is
closed.
[0061] FIG. 22 shows a closure member 67 in the form of a disk with
a substantially semi-circle shaped through hole 52. The disk 67 has
a curved peripheral edge 54 arranged for retention in the groove 34
in the panel member 16, tubular member 12 or between the curved
edge 102 and the turned edge 42 as hereinbefore described. A
contoured portion 55 is provided along the inner edge of the
through hole 52. The contoured portion 55 is shaped to
substantially match that along the inner edge of the score line 22.
A strip of sealing member 178 is applied to the disk's top surface.
The sealing strip 178 is shaped to encircle a score line 22 on a
top panel member 16 (see FIG. 23). The sealing strip 178 has an
enlarged sealing part 147. The disk 67 also has a handle 49
extending outwardly and an engagement projection 114 directed into
the through hole 52. Referring to FIG. 23, the panel member 16 has
a countersink 32 arranged with a groove 34 (see FIGS. 16 and 17)
for retaining the peripheral edge 54 of the disk 67. The panel
member 16 also has a score line 22 defining a severable portion 20
which is to be severed therefrom to form a dispensing aperture 38
(see FIG. 25). The score line 22 terminates at a position 71 so
that when a severable portion 20 is severed along the score line 22
the severed portion remains connected to the panel member 16. A
sealing pad 142 is applied at a termination point of the score line
22. The pad 142 is arranged for sealing a gap between the folded
down portion 22 and the panel member 16 as shown in FIGS. 24A and
25. The panel member 16 has a rivet 26 foe rotatably supporting a
lift opener 24 as aforedescribed.
[0062] In FIG. 24, the disk 67 shown in FIG. 22 is fitted to the
panel member 16 shown in FIG. 23. As shown, the severable portion
20 is yet to be severed and the disk 67 is positioned so that its
engagement projection 114 is under the portion 20 and the through
hole 52 is in place to allow the portion 20 when severed to be
folded downwardly in to the container 10. As shown in FIG. 24A, the
portion 20 is severed along the score line 22 as the severed
portion 20 is being folded downwardly it engages the projection 114
and causing the disk 67 to rotate in an anticlockwise direction.
The handle 49 extends through the now formed dispensing aperture
38. The sealing pad 142 seals a small gap behind the folded portion
20.
[0063] When the user desires to close the aperture 38, the handle
49 is moved from one side of the aperture 38 to the opposite side.
In doing so, the disk 67 rotates to the position where the sealing
strip 178 is in line with the aperture 38 and seals the gap between
the panel member 16 and the disk 67. The disk 67, if made of a
resilient material, would apply pressure to positively seal the
gap. To open the aperture 38 for dispensing beverage, the handle 49
is moved to said one side of the aperture 38 to move the disk 67 so
that the through hole 52 is in line with the aperture 38 to thereby
allowing a passage through the aperture 38.
[0064] Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative
example of the present invention many variations and modifications
thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without
departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein
set forth in the following claims.
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