U.S. patent application number 11/739323 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for hygienic beverage can lid.
Invention is credited to Joaquin Souza Legorreta, Eduardo Cortina Yepiz.
Application Number | 20070187410 11/739323 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37770859 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070187410 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Legorreta; Joaquin Souza ;
et al. |
August 16, 2007 |
HYGIENIC BEVERAGE CAN LID
Abstract
Hygienic lid intended to be used in a pop-top type can,
comprising an upper surface, where said upper surface covers
entirely the wall of the can, a skirt that detaches from said upper
surface in the shape of ring, where said skirt is not a closed ring
and where said skirt is hermetically sealed with said upper surface
by means of a scored line; a flange attached to the upper surface
where said flange is pulled so that said lid detaches from the
upper wall of said can; a link in the upper part of the lid; and a
rim formed as of a rung in the skirt. The closure of the lid is
completely hermetic according to the can.
Inventors: |
Legorreta; Joaquin Souza;
(Mexico D.F., MX) ; Yepiz; Eduardo Cortina;
(Mexico D. F., MX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Family ID: |
37770859 |
Appl. No.: |
11/739323 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/MX06/00017 |
Mar 14, 2006 |
|
|
|
11739323 |
Apr 24, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/375 ;
220/780; 220/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/20 20130101;
B65D 2251/0071 20130101; B65D 2251/0021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/375 ;
220/906; 220/780 |
International
Class: |
B65D 55/16 20060101
B65D055/16; B65D 41/18 20060101 B65D041/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 14, 2005 |
MX |
PA/U/2005/000066 |
Sep 29, 2006 |
MX |
PA/U/2006/000196 |
Claims
1. Hygienic lid intended to be used in a soda-type can, comprising
an upper surface, where said upper surface covers partially the
upper part of a can, a skirt that is detached from said upper
surface in the shape of more than half ring, where said skirt is
affixed to the can, a flange placed in the front part of the lid,
which is pulled from the upper surface of the lid to detach the
upper part of the lid by means of a scored line, a link in the
upper part of the lid placed in the opposite end to the flange,
where the lid is characterized because the skirt additionally
comprises a rim formed from a rung, where said rung is made as of a
first side panel that is held from the inner part of the upper part
of a can, an upper panel that rests over the upper part of a can,
and a second side panel that is held from the outer part of the
upper part of the can and from the side of the can, where the
second side panel contains at least one first stop; and where the
upper panel and the upper surface contain between them said scored
line.
2. Hygienic lid to be used in a soda-type can according to claim 1,
characterized because the upper surface of the lid is substantially
flat.
3. Hygienic Lid intended to be used in a soda-type can according to
claim 1, characterized because the skirt and the flange are long
enough to cover the part where the consumer places his/her lower
lip.
4. Hygienic lid intended to be used in a soda-type can according to
claim 1, characterized because the flange is in the shape of a
tab.
5. Hygienic lid intended to be used in a soda-type can according to
claim 1, characterized because the lid can be opened 270.degree. of
its original position.
6. Hygienic lid intended to be used in a soda-type can, according
to claim 1, where the lid contains a second stop.
7. Hygienic lid intended to be used in a soda-type can according to
claim 1, where the first stop is in the shape of a hook.
8. Hygienic lid intended to be used in a soda-type can according to
claim 1, where the first side panel contains a rough edge in its
outer part.
9. Hygienic lid to be used in a soda-type can according to claim 1,
where said link is comprised by an upper section with a
longitudinal groove, an upper section with a longitudinal groove, a
lower section with a lever that defines a hook in one of its
extremes, where the hook is inserted in the groove of the upper
section, keeping the lid fixed.
10. Hygienic lid to be used in a soda-type can according to claim
1, where the lid is made of a flexible material.
11. Hygienic lid to be used in a soda-type can, according to claim
1, where the rung additionally contains a rim between the second
side panel and the upper panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT
application Ser. No. PCT/MX2006/000017, filed Mar. 14, 2006, to
which priority is claimed, and which claims priority to Mexican
Application No. PA/u/2005/000066 filed Mar. 14, 2005, to which
priority is also claimed. This application also claims priority to
Mexican Application No. PA/u/2006/000196 filed Sep. 29, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a can lid that allows a person to
drink from a hygienic can. Likewise, it refers to a can lid that
allows advertising media by both sides of the lid.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Millions of canned beverages, such as sodas, beers, teas,
juices and many more, are sold each year and drank by millions of
different persons. In fact, it is so much so that it would be
difficult to believe that a person had not drank a canned beverage
during the last year.
[0006] Currently, the health of the consumer is not protected by
the producers of canned beverages, because as the can is always
kept outdoors, either in its transportation and storage, it is
contaminated by dirt, liquids, organic disposals of animals that
live in the warehouses, and an endless number of organic and
inorganic contaminant elements that, as much as one cleans or
disinfects the surface that will contact the lips, a real hygiene
condition cannot be guaranteed.
[0007] These problems have been tried to be resolved in several
occasions. For example, the U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,358 describes an
accessory in the shape of a second lid for the "pop-top" type of
cans. The "pop-top" cans are those whose upper part has a lever
that creates a force against a pre-scored opening of said upper
part of the can, in order to open the can and be able to drink the
contents of the same. In the invention of the above-mentioned
patent the cap attachment is formed of a liquid-impervious,
elastically resilient material that has a skirt with a radially
inwardly directed lip at its outer periphery and with a drinking
port defined completely through its structure. The drinking port is
spaced radially inwardly from the periphery of the cap attachment
for alignment with the drinking opening in the pop-top beverage
can.
[0008] Usually, the conventional beverage cans are made of
aluminum, iron or any other metal, with a cylindrical shape in
general, with upper parts that are partially flat, and with hollow
lower parts. The upper part of the cans is generally round, the
side walls of the can are rolled with the upper part of the outside
wall of the can, in order to seal the internal contents.
[0009] Another intent to solve the problem in question, is the U.S.
Pat. No. 6,457,597. Said patent resolves the aforementioned hygiene
problem by means of a cap and a straw, where the cap includes a
ring in its lower part that adjusts to the edge of the upper part
of the can. This invention solves the hygiene problem, but the
production of the same is expensive and not very useful.
[0010] Another invention that solves this same problem, is U.S.
Pat. No. 5,947,324. This invention provides an adapter in the shape
of an upper part of a bottle, for the consumer to drink from the
can, as he/she was drinking from a bottle. The adapter may be
detached and fastened at any time. One of the objectives of said
invention is to provide greater hygiene to the product being
consumed, and such is achieved through the adapter. Now, the
problem with said invention is that when the can is poured in order
to consume its product, it touches the metal of the upper part of
the can, thus the organic or inorganic contaminants that could be
in the upper part of the can will be in contact with the
liquid.
[0011] Another intent to solve this problem is the U.S. Pat. No.
4,951,344. This device cleans contaminants of the upper part and
the upper side part of a can. Nevertheless, this device is very
expensive to manufacture by the packing company or for the
manufacturer of the can. Additionally, it is not practical to be
carrying with such cleaning device.
[0012] There is also the request of Mexican utility model number
PA/u/2004/000114, granted under Utility Model number 1441, of the
same inventors of the invention herein. The invention of the
request, also has as objective to keep the lower part of the
beverage can free of contaminants. One of the disadvantages that
the invention mentioned above presents, is the lack of seal of the
lid, same that this invention resolves, allowing that particles and
substances bigger than particles and not much hygienic are
introduced, same problem that this request resolves, as will be
later explained. Additionally, the way in which the lid is attached
to the can is different, providing even another hygienic advantage
over the prior art. Another advantage of this invention versus the
utility model requested, is the detachability of the lid, once the
guarantee seal is broken, as will be later explained. Finally,
another advantage of the invention herein is that the part where
the lower lip is placed to drink, is also free of contaminants, as
the guarantee seal is sealed in its lower part.
[0013] There is also the request of Mexican utility model number
PA/u/2005/000066, conferred with utility model number 1394 of the
same inventors of the invention herein. The subject of this utility
model also has as purpose to maintain free of contaminants the
upper part of the beverage can. One of the disadvantages present in
the utility model mentioned above, is the way in which the lid
seals, a problem, which the invention herein resolves. This
invention, by means of its technical configuration, does not allow
the entry of particles and substances that are not very hygienic,
by means of its novelty sealing, as it will be explained further
herein. Considering that the technical configuration of the sealing
of the lid is modified, the way in which the lid is attached to the
can is different, providing another hygienic advantage over the
prior art. Another advantage of the invention herein versus the
utility model mentioned above, is the detachability of the lid once
the guarantee seal is broken, as will be explained later. Finally,
another advantage of the invention herein is that the part where
the lower lip is placed to drink, is also free of contaminants, as
the guarantee seal is sealed in its lower part.
[0014] Thus, one of the objectives of this invention is to keep the
upper part of the beverage can free of contaminants.
[0015] Another of the objectives of the invention in question is to
keep the upper side parts of a beverage can free of
contaminants.
[0016] Even another objective of the invention herein is to keep a
reasonable cost for the producer, the distributor or the packager,
depending on who produces the invention in question.
[0017] Another objective of this invention is that the same can be
disposable.
[0018] Another objective of this invention is that such invention
is not to be an obstruction for the consumer when he/she is
drinking the liquid from the can.
[0019] Additionally, this invention has as purpose to provide the
consumer a guarantee that the lid is not broken, and therefore
there are no contaminants in the upper area of the can.
[0020] Another objective of this invention is that the sealing lid
may be easily detached.
[0021] The invention herein also has as its purpose to provide the
consumer the guarantee that the lid has not been broken, and
therefore there are no contaminants in the upper area where the
lower lip contacts the can.
[0022] Other objectives of the invention will be made evident along
the description of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] For a better understanding of the invention, we refer to the
following descriptions, and linking them with the attached
drawings, where:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a conventional exploded view of the upper part of
a "pop-top" type can, with the lid of the invention covering said
upper part of the can.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view of the lid of the invention
herein.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a front view of the semi-open lid.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a conventional exploded view of the can, where the
lid is semi-open.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a conventional exploded view of the upper part of
a can, with the lid of the invention semi-open.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a conventional exploded view of the upper part of
a can, with the lid of this invention totally open.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a conventional exploded view of the back upper
part of a can, with the lid of the invention closed.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a conventional exploded view of the back upper
part of a can, with the lid of the invention herein semi-open.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a conventional exploded view of the back upper
part of a can, with the lid of the invention totally open.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the back upper part of a
can, with the lid of the invention totally open.
[0034] FIG. 11 is a right side view of the device that connects the
upper part of the lid with the rim, where said device is
closed.
[0035] FIG. 12 is a conventional exploded upper view of the device
that connects to the upper part of the lid with the rim, where said
device is in closed position.
[0036] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the device that connects the
upper part of the lid with the rim, where said device is in a
semi-open position.
[0037] FIG. 14 is a right side view of the device that connects the
upper part of the lid with the rim, where said device is in totally
open position.
[0038] FIG. 15 is a back upper conventional exploded view of the
lid, where said device is separated.
[0039] FIG. 16 is a transverse cut view of the can's lid.
[0040] FIG. 17 is a transverse cut view of a first modality of the
can's lid.
[0041] FIG. 18 is a transverse cut view of a second modality of the
can's lid.
[0042] FIG. 19 is a transverse cut view of a third modality of the
can's lid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0043] In FIG. 1 we can observe the lid (1) of the invention
herein, and the upper part of a conventional "pop-top" can (2). We
can also observe the skirt (3) that fastens said lid (1) to said
can (2). In the front part of the lid (1) there is the flange (4)
from which the upper surface (6) of said lid (1) can be pulled, so
that said upper part (6) may be detached from said can (2) and that
said can (2) can be opened conventionally.
[0044] Said lid (1) can be manufactured of different materials,
such as plastic, plastified paper, metallic paper, laminated paper
or any other similar material. Likewise, the skirt (3) is made of
any of the materials mentioned above. That is, said lid (1) and
said skirt (30 can be made of any material that is flexible and
adapts to the needs of said lid (1) for said can (2).
[0045] As it can be observed in the same figure, the skirt (3) is
initially attached to said lid (1) and to said flange (4). It is
worth mentioning that the three elements, the skirt (3), the lid
(1) and the flange (4) are attached directly with the can (2). We
will explain later in detail how they are attached, and the way to
detach said lid (2) from said can (2).
[0046] Likewise, in said figure we can observe that said skirt (3)
covers incompletely the upper part of said can (2), as said skirt
(3) is cut by said flange (4). The skirt (3) is preferably made of
a flexible material, but it can be made of any type of
material.
[0047] As it can be observed, the flange (4) is in the shape of a
tab (4), where said flange (4) acquires that shape, with the
purpose of covering the side wall part (9) of the can (2) with
which the lower lip of the consumer will be in contact. The fixing
of the lid (1) to the can (2) is achieved whenever the skirt (3) of
the lid (1) has an inside diameter smaller than the outer bore of
the can (2) along the entire contact area. The material used for
the lid (1) which may be selected from high impact polyethylene,
has elastic properties that will allow, by means of a die, assembly
the lids (1) to the cans (2) and the memory properties of the
material will achieve the fixing. Along all this part there will be
a seal which shall ensure that no dust or any other substance
penetrates between the lid (1) and the can (2).
[0048] The material of said lid (1) and said skirt (3) is selected
preferably among materials that are flexible, light, cheap and not
very porous.
[0049] In FIG. 2 we can observe in more detail the scored line (5)
existing between said lid (1) and said skirt (3). It is clear in
this figure that the lid (1) can be placed in any direction
according to the can (2); that is, the direction in which said lid
is placed (1) does not affect how the lid (1) will be opened or how
said can (2) will be opened, as well as the way of grasping said
can (2).
[0050] From said scored line (5) that is located between said lid
(1) and said skirt (3), is hermetically sealed, therefore sealing
the lid (1), just as will be explained later.
[0051] This Figure shows how the flange (4) is directly attached to
the lid (1). We will later show how said lid (1) is attached to
said skirt (3).
[0052] It is clear that at the time of pulling said tab (4) from
its initial closed position, the scored line (5) existing between
said lid (1) and said skirt (3) is broken, and said lid (1) may be
open up to 270.degree. of its original position. Nevertheless, and
as will be shown further herein, said lid (1) can be opened in
different positions considering the integration of a new connection
(8) between the skirt (3) and the lid (1) integrated in this
invention, in the lid (1) and in the skirt (3).
[0053] In FIG. 3, we can observe that said lid (1) consists on an
upper surface (6) which is regularly flat, and a constant rim (7)
with round shape, which detaches from said upper surface (6). Said
upper surface (6) must have a diameter similar to the upper part of
said can (2). Said rim (7) is part of said upper surface (6) as
well as the flange (5).
[0054] In FIG. 3, we can also observe said flange (4) of said lid
(1). Said skirt (3) is affixed to the can (2) and thus said lid (1)
cannot be turned in different directions. Nevertheless, if the
consumer of said can (2) finds said lid (1) uncomfortable to drink
from the can (2) said consumer may remove said lid (1) to drink the
product from said can (2).
[0055] Additionally, as it is observed in FIG. 3, said lid (1)
contains in the lower part (26) of its upper surface (6), a rim
(19), which can be along the edge (7) or along the edge (7) and
along said flange (4).
[0056] As it can be observed from FIGS. 2 and 4, the rim (7) of the
lid is connected with the skirt (3) of said lid by means of a
scored line (5) that hermetically seals the upper part of the can,
in order for said lid (1) to be totally detachable from said can
(2), by means of the breaking of said scored line (5).
[0057] The purpose of the above is that said lid (1) in its general
group, that is, said skirt (3), said upper surface (6) and said rim
(7) cover the surface of said can (2) where the consumer drinks
his/her drink. This way, the upper surface of the can (2) or the
upper wall (10) and the upper part of the side wall (9) of the can
(2) where the consumer drinks his/her beverage is kept free of
organic and inorganic contaminants.
[0058] The lower part of said rim (7) has a bigger diameter that
said diameter of said upper surface (6). The purpose of said rim
(7) covering the upper part of the side wall (9) of said can,
specifically the part where said side wall (9) of said can (2) is
rolled with the upper wall (10) of said can (2) and where it is not
covered by said skirt (3).
[0059] In FIG. 4 of the invention herein, it can be observed how
said lid (1) is detached from said skirt (3). Considering that the
skirt (3) and the lid (1) are sealed hermetically by means of the
scored line (5) to detach to said lid (1) of said skirt (3) it is
necessary to pull on said flange (4) upward according to the can
(2) so that said scored line (5) of this invention, starts to break
evenly from each side, from an initial part (16) towards a final
part (17) of the scored line. When the entire scored line (5)
finishes breaking, the lid can be opened, then the can can also be
open and thus drank.
[0060] The lid (1) of FIG. 5 is in a semi-open position. As we had
mentioned before, one of the advantages of this lid (1) is that it
may remain in several positions. FIG. 5 shows that the lid (1) is
90.degree. from the skirt and to 0.degree. from the can. As it may
be observed in this Figure, the skirt (3) is kept attached to the
can (2), nonetheless the lid may be detached at the time the user
needs to do it.
[0061] Likewise, in FIG. 5 we may observe the rim (19) in the outer
end of the lower part (26) of the upper surface (6). Said rim (19)
will be explained in more detail by FIG. 16.
[0062] Additionally, in FIG. 5 we can observe that said skirt (3)
does not complete an entire ring, that is, the skirt (3) does not
cover the can (2) entirely.
[0063] FIG. 6 of the invention herein, shows said lid (1) in a
totally opened position. As previously mentioned, one of the
advantages of this lid (1) is that it may remain in several
positions. FIG. 6 shows that the lid (91) is a little more than
180.degree. from the skirt and a little more than 90.degree. from
the can. As it may be observed in this figure, and as previously
mentioned, the skirt (3) is kept attached to the can (92),
nevertheless said lid (1) may be detached from said can (92) when
the user needs to do it.
[0064] Additionally, in FIG. 5 we can observe that said skirt (3)
does not complete an entire ring, that is, the skirt (3) does not
cover the can (2) entirely.
[0065] In FIG. 7 of the invention herein, we can observe the upper
part of said lid (1) of the can. In the upper part, we can observe
the link (8) existing between the lid (2) and the skirt (3). As it
can be observed with more detail in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 15, said
link (8) has three main components: (a) an upper part (12), a lower
part (11) a handle (13). FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 only show the link
(9) in its different positions, such as closed, see FIG. 7, open,
see FIG. 8 and totally opened, see FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0066] The hermetic seal is achieved with the upper part (12) of
the link (8) and the lower part (11) of the link (8). The curvature
radius in the lid (1) force the same to be deformed when closing,
and that the upper part (12) is inserted in the lower part (11)
doing, therefore, a closing between the lower part (11) and the
upper part (12). When closing the lower part (11) and the upper
part (12), they cover entirely the scored line (5) applying force
over the same in all the circumference, achieving a hermetic
seal.
[0067] As it is observed in detail in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14, the
lower part (11) of the link (8) contains said handle (13). As it
may be observed in FIG. 12, the upper part (12) contains a hole
(14) in the part that is almost adjacent to the lower part (11).
The handle (13) contains a hook (15) in its end part. Said handle
(13) has a width a little smaller than the hole (14) of the upper
part (12) of the link (8). When the lid (1) is turned until the
upper part (12) stops with the handle (13) of the lower part (11),
said hook (15) can be assembled in said hole (14) in order for the
lid (1) to remain in a fixed position and does not return to the
initial closed position. That is, as said hook (15) and said hole
(14), said lid (1) may remain to more than 180.degree. from the
skirt (3), thus it is more comfortable for a user to drink from
this can, with the lid (1) of the invention herein, as he/she will
not need to be placing and moving the lid (1) of the can (2). If
the lid (1) is wished to be returned to the initial closed
position, just as observed in FIG. 8, the hook (15) and the hole
(14) are flexible enough to allow the hook (15) to detach from said
hole (14).
[0068] Finally, FIG. 15 shows the lid (1) and the skirt (3)
separately. As it may be likewise observed in this Figure, the
upper part (12) of the link (8) is part of the lid (1), while the
lower part (11) of the link (8) is part of the skirt (3).
[0069] Now, at the time of joining the lid (1) and the skirt (3),
it is hermetically sealed, just as previously performed, creating
the scored line (5) between these two pieces. Taking into
consideration that at the time the lid (1) is placed on the can
(2), said lid (1) is fixed to its skirt (3) and in its upper
surface (6), just as mentioned previously, and considering that the
scored line (5) is sealed hermetically, the lid closes hermetically
to the upper wall (10) of the can (2) and the side wall (9) in its
upper part of the can (2).
[0070] With the lid (1) of the current invention, we prevent that
said lid (1) gets in contact with the internal product of said can
(2). Thus, the immediate contamination and probable later
contamination of said product of said can (2) is avoided.
[0071] It is hereby highlighted that FIGS. 7 to 15 are simple
modalities of how the lid can be connected, nonetheless it is not
the object of this invention, as the above was claimed in Utility
Model number 1394. There are other ways to connect the lid, just as
how it is shown in the Utility Model number 1441.
[0072] In FIGS. 16 to 19 the different configurations of the rim
(19) of the lid (1) that is in the skirt (3) of the same are
disclosed.
[0073] FIG. 16 shows a side rung (2) that is formed outside the
skirt (3). Said rung (20) is configured to clasp the upper wall
(10) of the can (1). The rung (20) is composed by three main
sections: a first side panel (21), which can be, in its preferred
flat modality, as shown in FIGS. 16, 18 and 19, or as a rough edge
(22), just as shown in FIG. 17; an upper panel (23); and a second
side panel (24) that, just as shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, may have
different configurations.
[0074] The function of the rough edge (22) in FIG. 17 is to make
easier to the user detach said lid (1) from the can (2).
Additionally, FIG. 17 shows another modality, a rim (28) that
arises from the internal part of the intersection between the
second side panel (24) and the upper panel (23). The rim (28) has
as its purpose to keep in position regarding axis the rung (19) and
the skirt (93) in general. Nevertheless, this is also achieved by
the design of the rung (19) in general.
[0075] In all modalities of FIGS. 16 to 19, there is a first stop
(25), where the first stop (25) may have different configurations.
The first stop (25) is intended to retain the lid (1) to the can
(2). While the lid is inserted (1) in the upper wall (10) of the
can (2), the lid (1) clasps the upper part (1) of the can (2)
considering that the lid is made preferably of a flexible material.
Considering that the can (2) is rolled in its upper part (10),
there is a space between the upper part (10) and the side wall of
the can. This space is used by the first stop (25). The distance
(A) between the upper part of the first stop (25) and the lower
part of the upper panel (23) of the lid of the lid, is the distance
between the upper part (10) and the side wall of the lid where
there is a space.
[0076] Therefore, when the lid is fully inserted (1) in the can
(2), the first stop (25) occupies the remaining space between the
upper part (10) and the side part, forcing the rung (20) to be
fixed to an horizontal axis of the lid (1) and fixed regarding a
vertical axis of the lid (1), nonetheless the lid (1) can still be
turned over its own axis, as it is not attached. If it is attached,
said lid (1) does not have any movement. The above allows that the
lid (1) cannot be opened unless using the tab (19) of the flange
(4) or that the tab (4) is opened.
[0077] In the modality of FIG. 19, the stop is different to the
rest. The first stop (25) consists on a semi-flexible material,
preferably a semi-flexible hard plastic material which is inserted
in the lower part of the upper part (10) of the can (2). The above
allows that said can is not removed from the lid. In the modality
shown by FIG. 19, the first stop (25) is in the shape of a
hook.
[0078] Finally, the second stop (27), shown only in the modalities
of FIGS. 16, 17 and 19 is in the lower part of the rung (20)
according to the first stop (25), same that is used so that the
skirt (3) does not have a stretch without being in contact with the
can (2).
[0079] FIG. 18 shows a modality without the second stop (27).
Instead of having a second stop (27), the lid is configured to
follow the lines of the can (2) and thus having no stretch without
being in contact with the can (2).
[0080] The above allows the skirt (3) to be fixed according to the
can (2). Additionally, having a first seal for the lid of the can.
The second seal is created with the first stop (25), whenever it is
subject to pressure or is literally glued to the upper part (10) of
the can (2).
[0081] It is necessary to highlight that in the modalities of FIGS.
16 to 19, the upper surface (6) only covers a portion of the upper
part of the can (2) while the upper panel (23) covers the remaining
portion of the upper part of the can (2). Between the upper panel
(2) and the upper surface (6) there is a dividing scored line, so
that it is broken when the lid is pulled by the flange (4) or tab
(18).
[0082] In other words, the skirt (3) additionally comprises a rim
(19) formed as of a rung (20) where said rung (2) is formed as of
the first side panel (21) that is supported from the internal part
of the upper part (10) of a can (2), an upper panel (23) that rests
over the upper part (10) of the can (2) and the side of the can (2)
where the second side panel (24) contains at least a first stop
(25).
[0083] Now, said lid (1) can be made of a material such that, at
the time of being closed in the manufacturing facilities, creates
an hermetic or forced seal with said can (2), guaranteeing thus,
the hygiene conditions that prevail at the packaging plant until
the time of consuming the product, as it is detached exactly before
drinking the product. The material that better matches the
properties mentioned above, is high impact polyethylene, just as
previously commented; nonetheless, this does not limit the
materials to be used in the lid to this one.
[0084] Finally, another of the preferred modes, is where said rim
(7) contains the flange, where the flange has an oval shape being,
therefore, of the same shape than the lower lip of the users.
[0085] Therefore, the invention herein relates to an hygienic lid
which is intended for a pop-top type can, which comprises an upper
surface which covers all of the upper wall of the can, and where
said surface may be flat, a skirt which detaches from the upper
surface in the shape of a ring, where said skirt is a non-closed
ring as the skirt is cut from being a ring by the flange that comes
from the lid, and where said skirt is hermetically sealed with said
upper surface by means of a scored line, a flange attached to the
upper surface where said flange is pulled so that said lid detaches
from the upper wall of said can, and a link in the upper part of
the lid, which attaches to said upper surface and said skirt, where
said link contains a lever, a hole and a hook where the closing of
said can with said lid is hermetic, where said hole and said hook
are assembled to keep said lid in a specific position, and where
said hook can be disassembled from said hole, to return the lid to
the initial closed position.
[0086] As previously mentioned, the material of the skirt can be
the same or different to the rest of the components.
[0087] Likewise, the material of said skirt is preferably the same
material of the rest of the components.
[0088] The limits of the lid and the ring are made by means of an
initial part of the scored line, and a final part of the scored
line, where this same scored line provides a guarantee seal for the
lid. We also have that the lid can be opened in different
positions, and that the skirt and the flange are long enough to
cover the part where the lower lip of the consumer will be placed.
The skirt has an interior radius smaller than the outer bore of the
can along the entire contact area.
[0089] The material of said skirt and of said lid is preferably a
high impact polyethylene.
[0090] The hermetic closing is achieved by means of the radii of
the lid's curvature, forcing to deform the link when closing,
making the upper part insert in the lower part, covering the scored
line and applying pressure over said scored line.
[0091] Likewise, the hermetic closure is achieved by means of the
two different stops (25, 27), same that allows that no particles
penetrate through the skirt (3) of the lid (1).
[0092] The prior description is not limited to the invention.
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