OVERCAP FOR A CONTAINER
An overcap (30, 40, 60, 70, 80, 140) for a container (10, 50, 90) closed by a flexible end panel (18, 54, 98) is snapped or twisted or threaded onto the container to lie closely adjacent to the flexible end panel for reducing the possibility of the end panel being separated from the container incident to retorting or impact loading. The underside of the overcap may be provided with one or more depending annular rings or leg members (38, 46, 64, 66, 76, 146) to be placed closely adjacent to or in contact with the flexible end panel to preclude undesirable movement thereof.
The invention relates to improved overcaps for use in conjunction with a container of the type having an end closure in the form of a flexible end panel secured, sealed or otherwise attached to the container along a peripheral portion of the end panel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is known in the prior art to provide overlaps for contains of the type including food and/or beverage products, and the like, primarily for the purpose of maintaining cleanliness of the container end panel prior to opening thereof and such overcaps may also be used for re-closing an opened container for precluding contamination and/or spillage and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an overcap for a container of the type including a closure having a flexible end panel. The overcap is snapped onto, or twisted onto, or threaded onto the associated container for lying closely adjacent to the flexible end panel for reducing the possibility of the end panel becoming separated from the container incident to retorting or impact loading, such as by mishandling or dropping of the container. The underside of the overcap may be provided with one or more depending annular ring members or depending leg members formed integral with the overcap and to be placed closely adjacent to or in contact with the flexible end panel of the container.
Referring to
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that several embodiments have been disclosed for overcaps for containers, but it should be understood that the foregoing descriptions are by way of illustration, and the invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Modifications and variations will be apparent from the disclosure and may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as those of skill in the art will readily understand. Accordingly, such variations and modifications are considered to be within the purview and scope of the invention as defined in the following claimed subject matter.
Claims
1. An overcap 30 for use with a container 10 having a flexible end panel 18 closing one end thereof, said overcap including a peripheral depending skirt portion 32 for adjustably positioning said overcap on an associated container, said overcap characterized by a central portion (36, 38) inwardly of said skirt portion being shaped to lie closely adjacent to the flexible end panel of the associated container for reducing the possibility of the end panel from being separated from the container during retorting and/or impact loading.
2. An overcap as defined in claim 1 wherein said overcap is provided with an annular ring means depending from an underside of said central portion for providing rigidity to said overcap and being disposed to contact the end panel of an associated container for restraining movement thereof.
3. An overcap as defined in claim 2 in combination with a container having a flexible end panel heat sealed along its periphery to a surface of said container, and said overcap including at least one ring member engaging said end panel around its periphery for securing said end panel to said container.
4. An overcap as defined in claim 3 wherein said overcap includes depending means engaging said end panel inwardly of said peripheral portion for minimizing outward movement of said end panel.
5. An overcap as defined in claim 4 wherein said depending means are comprised of leg members integrally molded with said overcap and depending therefrom.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 18, 2005
Publication Date: Mar 12, 2009
Inventor: William M. Heyn (New Canaan, CT)
Application Number: 10/586,722
International Classification: B65D 41/16 (20060101);