Container Stacking And Sealing Overcap

Abstract

An overcap for container having a stacking flange for retaining stacked containers in alignment and a sealing flange insertable into the opened end of the container for sealing the opening.

Description

The present invention relates to a new and improved overcap for containers. Overcaps are currently used to reclose the opening remaining in the end of the container after removal of the end panel therefrom. In the easy opening type of containers these openings are formed by the formation of a weakening line which defines a removable panel portion. The removable panel is separated from the remainder of the panel by tearing along the weakening line to provide the opening through which the contents are emptied. In this type of easy opening container structure, the portion of the panel remaining on the end closure forms a ledge bounding the opening. This ledge is spaced below the chime of the end closure.

Heretofore, overcaps have been constructed with the interior wall structure spaced above the panel ledge bounding the opening. This may be objectionable because if the container is tilted or overturned, the container contents may be deposited on the ledge and create a spillage problem when the overcap is removed. This spillage problem is particularly troublesome when fluid products are packaged in the containers.

By the present invention, it is proposed to construct an overcap which is constructed and arranged so that the opening is sealed at the panel ledge bounding the pour opening.

This is accomplished generally by the provision of an overcap having an end wall and a sealing flange projecting therefrom. The sealing flange is seatable within the pour opening to prevent the container contents from being deposited on to the ledge. The overcap also includes a stacking flange disposed on the same side of the end wall as the sealing flange for nesting within the recessed end of a stacked container when the overcap is inverted on the container end prior to opening the end.

Further objects and features will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an easy-opening container and an overcap embodying the present invention assembled thereon prior to the opening of container end;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the overcap;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of stacked containers showing the manner in which the overcap serves to facilitate the stacking of containers; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a container after opening and showing the overcap in an inverted position for sealing the opening.

Referring now to the drawings, an overcap 10 embodying the present invention is shown applied on the end of a container 11. The container 11 includes a body 12 having a bottom end closure 13 attached to the lower end by means of a double seam. An upper end closure 14 is attached to the upper end of the container body 12 by a double seam 15.

The upper end closure 14 may be of the easy opening type including an end panel 16 having a removable panel portion 16a defined by a weakening line 17 formed as by scoring. The weakening line 17 may be concentric with and spaced from a chuck wall 18 so that upon removal of the removable panel portion 16a a ledge 19 bounds the resulting opening 20. It is to be noted that the ledge 19 is disposed below the chime 21 of the double seam 15.

For removing the removable panel portion 16a, a pull tab 22 is attached to the removable panel portion 16a lin the standard manner. The pull tab 22 is mounted for tilting movement to initially sever the weakening line 17, whereupon a pulling force is applied on the tab 22 to separate the removable panel portion 16a by tearing along the weakening line 17. For a more complete description of the easy opening structure reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,270.

The overcap 10 is made from plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene or the like and is formed by molding. The overcap 10 includes an annular end wall 23 having a peripheral skirt 24 which is adapted to overlie the chime 21 at the upper end of the container 11. The lower end of the skirt 24 is formed with an inwardly projecting lip 25 which is engageable with the lower edge of the double seam 15 to releasably secure the overcap 10 on the container 11 as shown in FIG. 3.

Projecting upwardly from the upper face of the overcap 10 is a stacking flange or bead 26. The stacking flange 26 is contoured so as to seat within the recessed end of the lower end closure 13. In this manner, the stacking flange 26 maintains a second container stacked thereon in alignment with the lower container as shown in FIG. 3. It is to be noted that the stacking flange 26 is accommodated within the chuck wall of the end closure and is spaced from the end panel thereof.

Concentric within and projecting beyond the stacking flange 26 is a second upstanding or sealing flange 27. Extending across and integral with the upper end of the sealing flange 27 is a top wall 28. The marginal edge portion of the top wall 28 projects outwardly of the sealing flange 27 to provide an annular lip 29.

As shown in FIG. 4 upon removal of the removable panel portion 16a, the overcap 10 may be inverted from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4 to seal the

opening. In this position, the sealing flange 27 extends downwardly into the opening 20 and is snugly engageable with the edge of the panel ledge 19 remaining on the end. Also, the projecting lip 29 underlies the end panel ledge 19. In this manner, the sealing flange 27 and the lip 29 seal the opening 20 and prevent the contents from spilling on the can ledge. Should the container contents be present on the can ledge 19 when the overcap 10 is inverted, the stacking flange 26 which is accommodated within the chuck wall 18 and the end wall 23 of the overcap 10 disposed on the chime 21 serve to prevent spillage over the latter.

From the foregoing, it should be readily apparent that the overcap of the present invention provides both a means for stacking container prior to opening and a closure for insertable into the open end after removal of the end for sealing the open end.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An overcap for an easy-opening container of the type having an end panel including a removable panel portion which when removed provides an opening bounded by a ledge and of predetermined contour in said end panel, said overcap comprising an end wall having an outer peripheral skirt adapted to overlie the seamed end of said container, a first flange extending from end wall in the opposite direction from said skirt and adapted to be nestingly received within the recessed end of a container stacked thereon, a second flange extending in the same direction as said first flange and contoured complementary to said predetermined opening so as to seal said opening when said overcap is inverted to a position in which said skirt is out of engagement with said seamed end, said second flange including an outwardly extending horizontal lip adapted to underlie the ledge bounding said opening.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which said skirt includes an inwardly projecting lip engageable with the seamed end of said container.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said horizontal lip is the marginal edge portion of a top wall integrally attached to said second flange.