U.S. patent application number 12/025149 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-06 for closure for container.
Invention is credited to Donna Reed, Russell Reed.
Application Number | 20090194535 12/025149 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40930659 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090194535 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reed; Russell ; et
al. |
August 6, 2009 |
Closure for Container
Abstract
A closure for a container includes a cover plate adapted to be
removably secured to a top end portion of the container and a sip
hole configured within the cover plate and adapted to be positioned
on a dispensing opening configured in the top end portion of the
container. The closure further includes a reclosable lid comprising
a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion
of the reclosable lid is hinged to the cover plate for enabling a
pivotal motion of the reclosable lid. The pivotal motion enables
the reclosable lid to assume at least one of an open position and a
closed position. The closure also includes a rubber seal configured
on the second end portion of the reclosable lid, the rubber seal
adapted to be received in the sip hole for sealing the sip hole in
the closed position of the reclosable lid.
Inventors: |
Reed; Russell; (Tupelo,
MS) ; Reed; Donna; (Tupelo, MS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Russell Reed
328 Bradley Rd 328
Tupelo
MS
38801
US
|
Family ID: |
40930659 |
Appl. No.: |
12/025149 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.3 ;
220/796 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/0847 20130101;
B65D 2517/0041 20130101; B65D 2517/0098 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.3 ;
220/796 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18 |
Claims
1. A closure for a container, the container having a top end
portion and a bottom end portion, and a dispensing opening
configured in the top end portion of the container, the closure
comprising: a cover plate adapted to be removably secured to the
top end portion of the container, the cover plate having a top face
and a bottom face; a sip hole configured within the cover plate,
the sip hole extending from the top face of the cover plate to the
bottom face of the cover plate, wherein the sip hole is adapted to
be positioned on the dispensing opening of the container for
dispensing contents of the container; a reclosable lid configured
on the top face of the cover plate, the reclosable lid comprising a
first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end
portion of the reclosable lid is hinged to the cover plate for
enabling a pivotal motion of the reclosable lid, the pivotal motion
of the reclosable lid enabling the reclosable lid to assume at
least one of an open position and a closed position; and a rubber
seal configured on the second end portion of the reclosable lid,
the rubber seal adapted to be received in the sip hole for sealing
the sip hole in the closed position of the reclosable lid.
2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the cover plate is made of a
plastic material.
3. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism
configured on a peripheral surface of the cover plate for removably
securing the closure to the container.
4. The closure of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises
at least one wall portion, the at least one wall portion extending
downwardly from the peripheral surface of the cover plate.
5. The closure of claim 4, wherein the at least one wall portion
extending downwardly from the peripheral surface of the cover plate
configures an enclosure therebetween, the enclosure being adapted
to receive the top end portion of the container for removably
securing the cover plate to the top end portion of the
container.
6. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a seal disposed on
the bottom face of the cover plate, the seal adapted to prevent
spilling of the contents of the container upon overturning of the
container.
7. The closure of claim 6, wherein the seal is made of at least one
of a rubber material and a plastic material.
8. The closure of claim 1, wherein the first end portion of the
reclosable lid is hinged substantially at a central portion of the
top face of the cover plate.
9. The closure of claim 1, wherein the first end portion of the
reclosable lid is hinged substantially at a peripheral portion of
the cover plate.
10. The closure of claim 1, wherein the reclosable lid is made of a
plastic material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to closures for a
container, and, more particularly, to a closure adapted to seal
contents of the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various drinks such as juices, carbonated beverages, beer,
wine and the like are sold by packaging the drinks in a disposable
drink container, such as a can. Typically, the drink container
includes a dispensing opening provided on a top face thereof for
dispensing the drink contained therein. The dispensing opening may
be sealed with a removable tab. In use, a user may remove the tab
when he/she desires to consume the drink contained within the
container.
[0003] On some instances, the user may not wish to drink entire
contents of the drink container, for example, the can; and may wish
to store the remaining content of the container for future
consumption. However, once the tab is removed from the drink
container, the same tab cannot be reused for sealing the dispensing
opening of the container. Accordingly, the drink contained in the
container may remain uncovered for a long duration, thereby
exposing the drink to external environment. For example, the
uncovered drink may be exposed to dust particles, insects, snow,
and the like, resulting in the contamination of the drink.
Moreover, gases present in the drink, such as a carbonated
beverage, beer and the like, may escape upon prolonged exposure of
the drink to external environment, thereby affecting the taste of
the drink.
[0004] Therefore, based on the foregoing, there is a need for a
closure for a drink container, which is capable of sealing a drink
contained in the container. Moreover, there exists a need for a
closure for a container which is capable of preventing
contamination of a drink contained in the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior
art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a
closure for a container configured to include all the advantages of
the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a closure for a container, which is capable of sealing a
drink contained therein.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
closure for a container, which is capable of preventing
contamination of a drink contained therein.
[0008] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a
closure for a container, which is capable of sealing a drink
contained in the container. The closure includes a cover plate
having a top face and a bottom face. The cover plate is adapted to
be removably secured to a top end portion of the container. The
closure further includes a sip hole configured within the cover
plate and extending from the top face of the cover plate to the
bottom face of the cover plate. The sip hole is adapted to be
positioned on a dispensing opening configured in the top end
portion of the container. Moreover, the closure includes a
reclosable lid having a first end portion, a second end portion and
a rubber seal configured on the second end portion of the
reclosable lid. The first end portion of the reclosable lid is
hinged to the cover plate for enabling a pivotal motion of the
reclosable lid. More specifically, the pivotal motion enables an
open position and a closed position of the reclosable lid, such
that in the closed position of the reclosable lid the rubber seal
is adapted to be received in the sip hole for sealing the sip
hole.
[0009] In another aspect, the present invention provides a closure
for a container, such that the closure capable of preventing
contamination of a drink contained therein.
[0010] These together with other aspects of the present invention,
along with the various features of novelty that characterize the
present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims
annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a
better understanding of the present invention, its operating
advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses,
reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary
embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The advantages and features of the present invention will
become better understood with reference to the following detailed
description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols,
and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a closure for a container,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the closure of FIG. 1 seen
towards an axis X-X, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a closure secured to a
top end portion of a container, according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
description of several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for
illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure
and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present
invention is not limited to a particular closure, as shown and
described. It is understood that various omissions and
substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may
suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the
application or implementation without departing from the spirit or
scope of the claims of the present invention.
[0017] The terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not
denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to
distinguish one element from another, and the terms "a" and "an"
herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote
the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
[0018] The present invention provides a closure for a container.
More specifically, the disclosed closure may be used for
protectively sealing a container, for example, a beer can, after
the container is opened and contents of the container are not
consumed completely.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a closure 100 for a
container, for example, a beverage can, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. The closure 100 includes a
cover plate 102, which is adapted to be removably secured to a top
end portion (not shown) of the container (not shown) for securing
the closure 100 thereto. An arrangement describing the cover plate
102 secured to the container will be explained further in
conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0020] The cover plate 102 includes a top face 104, a bottom face
(not shown) and a sip hole 106 configured within the cover plate
102, such that the sip hole 106 extends between the top face 104
and the bottom face of the cover plate 102. The cover plate 102 is
adapted to cover a dispensing opening (not shown) of the container.
As described herein, the cover plate 102 is shown circular in
shape. However, without limiting the scope of the present
invention, the cover plate 102 may assume any other shape, such as
a square shape, a rectangular, shape, a pentagonal shape and the
like, to match the shape of the container. Accordingly, the
dimensions of the cover plate 102 may be varied for adapting the
cover plate 102 to containers of varied sizes.
[0021] The cover plate 102 may be placed on the dispensing opening
(not shown) of the container such that the sip hole 106 is
positioned on the dispensing opening of the container for enabling,
thereby a user to access the dispensing opening for consuming the
drink contained in the container. More specifically, the user may
consume the drink contained in the container through the sip hole
106 by bringing his/her oral cavity in direct contact with the sip
hole 106 and lifting the container to pour the drink out of the
dispensing opening and the sip hole 106. Alternatively, the user
may consume the drink by inserting a straw into the sip hole 106 of
the closure 100.
[0022] The sip hole 106 may be dimensioned for appropriate
dispensing the drink without spillage or wastage of the drink. In
the present embodiment, the sip hole 106 is dimensioned
appropriately for being positioned over the dispensing opening of
the container for dispensing the drink contained therein. In
another embodiment of the present invention, the sip hole 106 may
extend outwardly from an edge portion of the cover plate 102,
thereby enabling a convenient contact between the oral cavity of
the user and the sip hole 106. In yet another embodiment of the
present invention, the sip hole 106 may extend vertically upward
from the top face 104 of the cover plate 102 for enabling easy
access thereof by the user.
[0023] The sip hole 106 may be sealed by means of a reclosable lid
108 pivotally secured to the cover plate 102. As disclosed herein,
the reclosable lid 108 includes a first end portion 110, and a
second end portion 112 having a rubber seal 114 configured thereon.
The first end portion 110 of the reclosable lid 108 is hinged to
the top face 104 of the cover plate 102 for enabling a pivotal
motion of the reclosable lid 108. In an embodiment of the present
invention, the first end portion 110 of the reclosable lid 108 may
be hinged substantially at a central portion of the top face 104 of
the cover plate 102. In another embodiment of the present
invention, the first end portion 110 of the reclosable lid 108 may
be hinged substantially at a peripheral portion of the cover plate
102.
[0024] The pivotal motion of the reclosable lid 108 enables the
reclosable lid 108 to assume at least one of an open position and a
closed position. More specifically, in the closed position of the
reclosable lid 108, the rubber seal 114 configured on the second
end portion 112 of the reclosable lid 108 is adapted to be received
in the sip hole 106, thereby enabling an air-tight sealing of the
sip hole 106. Accordingly, the gases contained in the drink may be
prevented from escaping thereof. The rubber seal 114 may also
prevent spillage of the drink from the container when the container
is overturned or dropped. Moreover, the rubber seal 114 effectively
seals the container, thereby preventing the contaminants and
insects from entering the container. For example, a container may
contain a sweetened drink so that once the container is opened; the
sweetened drink may be exposed to insects, for example, bees, ants
and the like. Accordingly, the rubber seal 114 prevents
contaminants, such as dirt particles; and small insects such as
ants from entering the container and spoiling the drink contained
therewithin.
[0025] As disclosed herein, the rubber seal 114 may have a shape
complementary to a shape of the sip hole 106, thereby enabling a
proper sealing of the sip hole 106. In an embodiment of the present
invention, various components of the closure 100, more
specifically, the cover plate 102, and the reclosable lid 108 may
be made from a plastic material. However, it will be evident to a
person skilled in the art that other materials such as rubber,
metal, wood, and the like, may also be utilized for configuring the
cover plate 102, the reclosable lid 108, and the sip hole 106 of
the closure 100.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the closure 100 seen
towards an axis X-X of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention. As seen towards the axis X-X, the closure
100 includes a locking mechanism 116 configured on a peripheral
portion (not shown) of the cover plate 102. The locking mechanism
116 is adapted to removably secure the closure 100 to the container
(not shown). More specifically, the locking mechanism 116 includes
two downward extending wall portions 118 and 120 configured on
opposite ends on a peripheral portion of the cover plate 102.
Moreover, the wall portions 118 and 120 extend from the cover plate
102 to configure enclosures 122 and 124, respectively, between the
cover plate 102 and the wall portions 118 and 120. The enclosures
122 and 124 are adapted to receive the top end portion of the
container, thereby securing the closure 100 to the top end portion
of the container. It will be evident to a person skilled in the art
that the present invention is not limited to the locking mechanism
116 as described herein. The closure 100 may also include any other
suitable locking mechanism, which is adapted to removably secure
the closure 100 to the container.
[0027] The wall portions 118 and 120 are configured to be resilient
in nature, thereby enabling a convenient decoupling of the closure
100 from the top end portion of the container. More specifically,
the wall portions 118 and 120 press against the top end portion of
the container when the closure 100 is secured to the container,
thereby firmly fixing the closure 100 thereto. For removing the
closure 100 from the container, the wall portions 118 and 120 may
be displaced in a direction away from the top end portion of the
container. As shown in FIG. 2, the wall portions 118 and 120 may be
displaced in a direction of arrows `a` to release the closure 100
from the container. Thereafter, the closure 100 may be lifted such
that the top end portion of the container is released from the
enclosures 122 and 124, thereby removing the closure 100 from the
container.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the closure 100
may further include a seal (not shown) disposed on a peripheral
portion of a bottom face 126 of the cover plate 102. The seal is
adapted to prevent spilling or wastage of contents of the container
due to overturning of the container. More specifically, the seal
closes any gaps present between the closure 100 and the top end
portion of the container, thereby preventing gases present in the
drink contained in the container from escaping. It will be evident
to a person skilled in the art that the seal may be made from
rubber or any other suitable material which provides sufficient
structural integrity to the seal.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a closure 200 secured to
a container 300, according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. The container 300 includes a top end portion 302
and a bottom end portion 304. The top end portion 302 of the
container 300 includes an opening, herein after referred to as the
dispensing opening, for dispensing the contents of the container
300. Moreover, the top end portion 302 of the container 300 is
capable of receiving a cover plate 204 for covering the dispensing
opening. The closure 200 is removably secured to the top end
portion 302 of the container 300. Moreover, the closure 200 is
configured similar to the closure 100, as described in conjunction
with FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the closure 200 includes additional
extension portion 202 on a peripheral surface thereof for
facilitating convenient consumption of the drink from the container
300. The closure 200 includes the cover plate 204, a sip hole (not
shown) and a reclosable lid 206. The sip hole is configured within
the cover plate 204. Moreover, when the closure 200 is disposed on
the container 300, the sip hole may be positioned over a dispensing
opening (not shown) of the container 300, thereby facilitating the
dispensing of the drink from the sip hole.
[0030] As disclosed herein, the reclosable lid 206 includes a first
end portion 208 and a second end portion 210. The first end portion
208 of the reclosable lid 206 is hinged to the cover plate 204 for
enabling a pivotal motion of the reclosable lid 206. Moreover, a
rubber seal 212 is configured on the second end portion 210 of the
reclosable lid 206.
[0031] With reference to FIG. 3, the reclosable lid 206 is shown to
assume an open position. More specifically, in the open position,
the reclosable lid 206 may be pivotally moved away from the upper
surface (not shown) of the cover plate 204, thereby removing the
rubber seal 212 on the reclosable lid 206 may be removed from the
sip hole. Similarly, the reclosable lid 206 may assume a closed
position by moving the reclosable lid 206 towards the upper portion
of the cover plate 204 in a direction specified by arrow `b`. In
the closed position of the reclosable lid 206, the rubber seal 212
configured on the second end portion 210 of the reclosable lid 206
may be received in the sip hole (not shown) of the closure 200.
Accordingly, the pivotal movement of the reclosable lid 206 to the
closed position thereof may seal the sip hole.
[0032] As disclosed herein, the closure 200 includes the extension
portion 202 extending outwardly from a peripheral edge portion of
the cover plate 204. The extension portion 202 facilitates a user
to conveniently consume the drink from the container 300 through
the sip hole. More specifically, the extension portion 202 may
enable the user to place his/her oral cavity directly over the
extension portion 202. Thereafter, the container 300 may be lifted
to pour out the drink from the sip hole of the closure 200, thereby
enabling the user to easily consume the drink being dispended from
the sip hole.
[0033] Various embodiments of the present invention offer following
advantages. The closure, as described herein, is capable of
configuring an airtight reclosable sealing on a dispensing opening
of a container. The airtight sealing prevents escape of gases from
drink contained in the container, thereby retaining taste, flavor
and freshness of the drink. Moreover, the closure is adapted to
seal the dispensing opening of the container, thereby preventing
dust particles, insects, and the like from contaminating the drink
in the container. Additionally, the closure provides a seal capable
of preventing spillage and wastage of the drink contained in the
container upon overturning or toppling of the container.
[0034] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously
many modifications and variations are possible in light of the
above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order
to best explain the principles of the present invention and its
practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the
art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and
substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may
suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions
are intended to cover the application or implementation without
departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present
invention.
* * * * *