Ring pull can cap

Abstract

The present innovation is a dual purpose “ring-pull/can cap”, which performs as both a sealing cap for metal beverage cans in addition to its traditional usage as a can opener. The design is a modification of the U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,752 “easy open wall”, which is the current opening mechanism on most consumer beverage cans, also known in the industry as an “easy open end”. The “ring-pull/can cap” is an improvement of the well known ring-pull design found on most metal cans today, but also allows consumers to close and seal off the can when not in use. There are two popular opening methods that have been used for opening metal cans to date: The “full open” mechanism and the more recent “half open” mechanism, as described below. The present invention deals with the improvement of the popular “half open” method, which currently does not allow the beverage can to be resealed after opening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Approximately 76% of all the beer and soft drinks in the United States are sold in beverage cans. 95% of all beer and soft drink cans are made with an aluminum base which may contain small amounts of other metals as well. Typically, the can will contains 1% magnesium, 1% manganese, 0.4% iron, 0.2% silicon, and 0.15% copper with the rest of the can made from aluminum. While almost all food cans are made of steel, aluminum's unique properties make it ideal for holding carbonated beverages. The typical aluminum can weighs less than half an ounce, yet its thin walls withstand more than the 90 pounds of pressure per square inch exerted by the carbon dioxide gas in beer and soft drinks. Aluminum's shiny finish also makes it an attractive background for decorative printing, important for a product that must grab the attention of consumers in a competitive market. In addition, the modern aluminum beverage can is not only lighter than the old steel or steel-and-aluminum can, but also does not rust, chills quickly, prolongs shelf life, and is easy to recycle.

The top part of the modern beverage can is often called the “easy-open end”. There are two opening methods which relate to the easy-open end: “Full-open” which is a detachable pull tab found on many older cans, and the “half-open” found on most newer beverage cans. In the earlier full-open design, the metal ring-pull tab and the beverage tab were connected together by a rivet. After the initial opening action, both of those two parts were disconnected completely from the top part of the easy open can, and typically disposed of. The full-open method was presented by Ermal Cleon Fraze in 1962 and approved as a patent at 1967, with U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,949 and under the title “ring shaped tab for tear strips of containers”. The full-open was a major innovation compared to the old style cans which required the use of a special opener popularly known as a “church key”, but it also created much litter since consumers would often dispose of the ring pulls on the nearby ground.

The half-open method uses a non-detachable tab that keeps all the metal parts of the easy-open end attached together on the can top, in order to prevent the enormous environment contamination that the full-open opening method created.

This device was invented by Daniel F. Cudzik in 1975 and registered under the title “easy open wall”, and was also called the “stay on tab and/or colon tab and/or ecology tab”, with U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,752.

In order to manufacture the half-open easy-open end, the center of the lid is stretched upward slightly and drawn by a machine to form a rivet. The ring-pull, a separate piece of metal, is inserted under the rivet and secured by it. Then, the flat-lid can top is scored so that when the ring-pull is pulled by the consumer, the metal will detach easily inward into the can and leave the proper opening.

Many consumers prefer the beverage cans above plastic and glass beverage bottles, because in their opinion, the beverage's taste is better and its carbonation stronger. The conducting properties of the beverage can's metal body make it easier and faster to chill and keep a cold temperature for a longer time than the plastic beverage bottles. But despite all the advantages of the beverage cans, consumers who prefer cans will often buy beverages in bottles because they can be resealed with their caps and therefore consumers are not forced to drink the entire portion immediately. The present invention provides consumers the option of drinking a canned beverage at their leisure, and resealing it when finished, thereby allowing them to preserve carbonation and carry it around without fear of spilling.

Brewers and soft drinks manufacturers prefer the beverage can because of the ability to use the whole can's surface to promote brand recognition, and also because of the ease of handling and delivery of cans. The cans weigh less than glass bottles, and a truck could carry 400 cases of cans compared to only 200 cases of bottles. The beverage cans' manufacturers prefer the aluminum cans because they are also easy to recycle as well. 25% of the total American aluminum supply comes from recycled scrap, and the beverage can industry is the primary user of recycled material. The energy savings are significant when used cans are re-melted, and the aluminum can industry now reclaims more than 63% of used cans.

The aluminum base, for beverage cans consists mostly of aluminum, but it contains small amounts of other metals as well. These are typically 1% magnesium, 1% manganese, 0.4% iron, 0.2% silicon and 0.15% copper. Therefore the fact that the new ring-pull can cap combines with a silicone sealing device will not interfere with the recycling process since the aluminum beverage can contain 0.2% silicon.

It is necessary to manufacture a carbonation beverage can with a built-in sealing cap that makes it resealable. The new dual purpose ring-pull can cap is a required evolution of the easy-open end of the beverage cans, which will perform as an “easy open-close end” that will allow consumers to reseal their beverages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improvement of the U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,752 “easy open wall”, which is the “stay-on tab/half-open” method. More specifically, the present invention relates to the improvements of the ring-pull—the ring shaped part of the tab that beverage drinkers pull in order to open the can—in order to perform as both a can opener and sealable can cap.

In all the previous inventions, the ring-pull performs as a can opener only, with no option to close and seal the beverage can when necessary.

The ability of the common ring-pull to rotate around the rivet that currently attaches it to the can is the driving force that stands behind the present invention. As anyone opening up a modern aluminum beverage can may notice, the ring pull can be rotated around the rivet like a clock-hand after it is opened, which is utilized in this invention.

By making small improvements to the ring-pull, it will become a dual purpose “ring-pull/can cap” which can perform as a built-in can opener and a sealing can cap for beverage cans, as disclosed at claims 1; 2; 3; 9; 10; 13; 14; 15; 16, and as showed at FIGS. 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10, and as described at the complexity parts 1; 10; 15; 19. [In the following explanations, I will utilize the term “complexity part” to refer to any part that is made up of several more basic parts].

The ring-pull itself will be the only component modified on the can top [easy open end]. The flat-lid top wall, the partial-open drinking hole, the stay-on tab and the annular out-ward chuck flange will not need modification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Parts Numbers & Figure Descriptions

The following are descriptions of all the figures presented in the appendix followed by descriptions of the part numbers featured in the attached drawings.

PART DESCRIPTIONS

• 1. Ring-pull [complex]—A metal complexity structure, which comprises the parts 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9, as disclosed at claims 1; 3; 13; 16.
• 2. Big recess—Made by press process, performs as a drainage basin for the liquid silicone, and comprises the parts 4; 8, as disclosed in claims 1; 3; 13; 16.
• 3. Small recess—Made by a press process, comprises the parts 5; 6.
• 4. Two holes—Designed to connect between the upward and inward sides of complexity part 10. Two holes instead of one hole prevent the upward and inward silicone parts from swinging around its axle, in order to reinforce complexity part 10 in its place, as disclosed in claims 1; 3; 13; 16.
• 5. Hole—Designed to contain a rivet [part 18] which attached the ring-pull/can cap [complexity part 15] to the flat lid top surface.
• 6. Flat metal spring—Located around part 5, which provides flexibility to the ring-pull/can cap [complexity part 15] in order to allow it to move upward and downward.
• 7. Metal beak—Small and strong metal bending structure. Located at the lower part of the ring-pull/can cap [complexity part 15]. Performs as a can opener that pushes the stay on tab downward and inward into the partial-open drinking hole [part 16].
• 8. Plate—Performs as a base for the molded silicone sealing device. It designed as a mini version of the partial-open pouring/drinking hole [part 16], in order to give structural strengths to the molded silicone sealing device [complexity part 10]. As shown at FIGS. 6; 10, the plate is located between the upward and inward molded silicone parts, in a “sandwich” formation.
• 9. Curved margin—Made by a press process in order to give structural strengths and in addition performs as a stopper and anchor for the molded silicone sealing device, by containing and reinforcing the inward “male” silicone sealing device [complexity part 10], as shown in FIGS. 6; 10.
• 10. Silicone sealing device [complex]—The upward and inward “male” silicone sealing device is built as one inseparable and bonded solid unit. The upper surface performs as a surface area for advertisement and also as anti-slip surface for the fingers [part 14] in order to easily swing the ring-pull/can cap [complexity part 15]. Part 10 is a complex structure comprises the parts 11; 12; 13; 14, as disclosed at claims 1; 2; 3; 9; 10; 11; 14.
• 11. Two sealing pressure o-rings—Located around the silicone embossment [part 12], at upper and lower formation, designed to be wider then the partial-open pouring/drinking hole measurements [part 16], in order to activate upward pointed pressure on the parametrical margins edges' interior surfaces [part 17] for maximum sealing, as disclosed in claims 1; 2; 15.
• 12. Silicone embossment sealing device—Performs as a can cap. It is located between the two silicone sealing pressure o-rings [part 11] and is shaped exactly the same as the shape and measurements of the partial-open pouring/drinking hole [part 16]. The silicone embossment activates lateral pressure against the partial-open pouring/drinking hole margins [part 17], in order to achieve hermetic sealing, as shown at FIG. 10.
• 13. Guiding slope—Leads the silicone sealing devices [parts 11; 12] inward to the partial-open pouring/drinking hole [part 16], in order to easily insert the silicone sealing devices inward part 16, until complexity part 10 will lock into a sealing position [part 12 will insert inward part 16 and part 17 will insert between part 11].
• 14. Advertisement trademark logo—The logo will be created during the molding process. The prominent letters will perform also as anti-slip abrasive texture which will prevent from the fingers from slipping during the opening action.
• 15. Ring-pull/can cap [complex]—The entire complex of the ring-pull/can cap [complexity part 15] which is the metal ring-pull [complexity part 1] integrated together with the molded silicone sealing device [complexity part 10].
• 16. Partial-open pouring/drinking hole—Located on the flat lid top wall [complexity part 19].
• 17. Partial-open pouring/drinking hole margins—Parametrical inner margins which are located inward of the partial-open pouring/drinking hole [part 16] and perform as an anchoring point for 11; 12, by absorbing lateral pressure [which is activated by part 12] and upward pointed pressure [which is activated by part 11].
• 18. Rivet—formed into the material of complexity part 19, connecting complexity part 15 to the surface of complexity part 19, and also perform as an axle which provides the ability to swing the complexity part 15, like a clock hand.
• 19. Flat lid top wall—comprises the parts 15; 16; 17; 18. This entire complex is called an “easy open-close end”.

FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1—Upper view of complexity part 1.

FIG. 2—Lower view of complexity part 1.

FIG. 3—Cross-section of complexity part 1.

FIG. 4—Upper view of complexity part 15.

FIG. 5—Lower & side view of complexity part 15.

FIG. 6—Side view of complexity part 15 with a cross-section across the length.

FIG. 7—Upper view of complexity part 19 [part 16 is open].

FIG. 8—Upper view of complexity part 19, [complexity part 15 is sealing part 16].

FIG. 9—Lower view of complexity part 15 seals part 16. [Part 12 creates pressure 360 degrees inside part 16, and part 11—the lower silicone sealing o-ring creates pointed pressure on the interior side of part 17 and the upper silicone sealing o-ring creates pointed pressure on the exterior side of part 17 for maximum sealing], as shown in claims 1; 2; 15.

FIG. 10—Side view of complexity part 19 cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments is a metal structure [ring pull] and silicone [sealing device], integrated together during polymer molding process as disclosed at the claims 1; 2; 3; 9; 10; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17 and as showed at FIGS. 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10, and as described at the complexity parts 1; 10; 15; 19 [complexity part means that the part build from a combination of numerous parts].

Claims

1. Dual purpose ring pull can cap [complexity part 15] assembled of: (a) Wherein said metal structure which is a new breed of ring pull made by press process [complexity part 1] perform as metal skeleton for molded silicone sealing device [complexity part 10], built as shown at FIGS. 1; 2; 3. (b) Wherein said metal structure and silicone, integrated together [complexity part 15] during polymer molding process. The metal structure will be placed inside a casting mold, then, liquid polymer will pour through special holes [part 4] which located at the bottom of part 2 [which is a part of complexity part 1], in order to create one solid bonded body, as shown at FIGS. 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 10. (c) Wherein said silicone embossment [part 12] located in the interior side of the metal structure [complexity part 1], faces towards the flat lid top wall [part 19], designed at the same shape and measurements as the partial open pouring drinking hole [part 16]. (d) Wherein said minimum two silicone sealing pressure o-rings [part 11], located around the silicone embossment [part 12], at formation of upper and lower silicone sealing pressure o-rings, one at the top of each other, designed to be wider then the partial open pouring drinking hole measurements. (e) Wherein said guiding slope [part 13] leading the “male” silicone sealing devices [parts 11; 12] inward to the partial open pouring drinking hole [part 16], until it locks in a sealing positions [at first part 12 will insert inward part 16, and part 17 will insert between part 11]. (f) Wherein said metal beak [part 7], performs as a can opener, builds as small and strong structure at the lower part of the ring pull can cap. (g) Wherein said elasticity hole [part 5] which gives the ring pull can cap the ability to move upward and downward, with the assistance of flat metal spring [part 6], also designed to contain a rivet. (h) Wherein said rivet [part 18], attached the ring pull can cap [complexity part 15], to the flat lid top wall [complexity part 19], and in addition performs as an axle which around him the ring pull can cap could turns.

2. As disclosed at claim 1, wherein said silicone sealing device [complexity part 10], will consider as “male” organ, and the partial open pouring drinking hole [part 16] and the parametrical open pouring drinking hole margins [part 17] which located on the flat lid top wall [complexity part 19] will considered as “female” organ. By pressing the ring pull can cap [complexity part 15] downward inward the partial open pouring drinking hole, the “male” silicone sealing organs [parts 11; 12] will enter into the “female” organs [part 16], until it will lock in the sealing positions [at first part 12 will insert inward part 16, and part 17 will insert between part 11] in a perfect matching. The friction between the “male” silicone sealing organs and the “female” organs will fixate and reinforce the ring pull can cap to its place. The “male” sealing parts will always design according to the “female” parts shape.

3. As disclosed at claim 1, wherein said sealing device made from silicone and/or rubber and/or any other polymer, integrated with the metal ring pull [complexity part 1] during the molding process, as one solid body, bonded on the interior and the exterior sides of the ring pull [complexity part 15]. The metal skeleton [complexity part 1] provides structural strengths to the molded silicone sealing device [complexity part 10]. The integration between complexity part 1 and complexity part 10, creates the ring pull can cap [complexity part 15], as shown at FIGS. 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 10.

4. Wherein said plastic skeleton. Instead of metal skeleton, as disclosed at claim 1; 3, the sealing device [complexity part 10] which made from silicone and/or rubber and/or any other polymer, will be molded with a polymer ring pull, during the molding process, as one solid body, bonded on the interior and the exterior sides of the plastic ring pull. The polymer skeleton provides structural strengths to the molded silicone sealing device [complexity part 10]. The integration between strong plastic skeleton and complexity part 10, creates the ring pull can cap [complexity part 15].

5. Wherein said sealing device made from silicone and/or rubber and/or any other polymer, which will be molded as one piece, separately from the ring pull, and will be attached by gluing and/or press process to the interior side of the ring pull, which faces towards the flat lid top wall.

6. Wherein said “male” and “female” parts, as disclosed at claims 1; 2, instead of “male” polymer sealing device, the “male” sealing device and the “female” part will be made only from metal, at penny lever lid formation, made by press process. The ring pull can cap will consider as “male” part and the flat lid top wall will consider as “female” part.

7. Wherein said “male” silicone sealing device and “female” part made from polymer and/or metal and/or a combination between them, such as “male” sealing device made from metal, created by press process, and “female” part made from polymer, created by molding process, as disclosed at claims 1; 2; 6.

8. As disclosed at claims 1; 2; 6; 7, wherein said “male” sealing device and “female” part location formation: (a) “male” sealing device located on the metal ring pull [complexity part 1], (b) “female” part located on the flat lid top wall [complexity part 19].

9. As disclosed at claims 1; 3; 4, wherein said the silicone and/or rubber and/or any other polymer sealing parts [complexity part 10], made with different colors, during the molding process, in order to perform as a promotional apparatus.

10. As disclosed at claims 1; 3; 9, wherein said the silicone and/or rubber and/or any other polymer sealing parts, will be made with different brands logo, which will be made during the molding process, in order to perform as a promotional apparatus.

11. As disclosed at claims 1; 2; 3, 9; 10, wherein said the silicone and/or rubber and/or any other polymer sealing parts, will be made with different shapes on the exterior side of the ring pull, such as lifting handle, and/or abrasive texture such as prominent logo which will be made during the molding process, in order to perform as an advertisement also as an anti slippery surface in order to assist turning the ring pull can cap.

12. Wherein said suction sealing cap, made from silicone polymer, located in the interior side of the ring pull [complexity part 1], faces towards the flat lid top wall [complexity part 19], which designed to be wider then the partial open pouring drinking hole [part 16]. By pressing the suction can cap ring pull downward toward the partial open pouring drinking hole, the suction will reinforce the suction cap ring pull to the flat lid top wall, around the partial open pouring drinking hole, in order to cover and seal the beverage can.

13. Wherein said metal ring pull [complexity part 1], perform as can opener and as metal skeleton for the molded silicone sealing device, built as shown at FIGS. 1; 2; 3; and functions as described at the complexity part 1, as disclosed at claims 1; 2; 3.

14. Wherein said “male” silicone sealing device [complexity part 10], built from the parts 11; 12; 13; 14, as shown at FIGS. 4; 5; 6; 9; 10 as disclosed at claims 1; 2; 3; 4; 8; 10; 11; 15.

15. Wherein said numerous sealing pressure o-ring as shown at FIGS. 5; 6; 9; 10, and as described at part 11, located around the silicone embossment [part 12], at upper and lower formation, designed to be wider then the partial open pouring drinking hole measurements [part 16], in order to activate upward pointed pressure on the parametrical margins interior surface [part 17]. Numerous o-rings will backup each other in order to maintain continually sealing, and if the upper o-ring will loose grip and will come out from part 17, the lower o-ring will take its place and so forth, for continuity sealing, as disclosed at claims 1; 2; 3.

16. Wherein said metal structure [ring pull] made by press process and molded silicone sealing device integrated together, as disclosed at claims 1; 2; 3, the ring pull metal structure [complexity part 1], and the silicone polymer [complexity part 10] integrated together during the molding process. The metal structure [complexity part 1] will be placed inside a casting mold; liquid polymer will pour through part 4 in order to create one solid bonded body, as shown at FIGS. 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 10. Combinations of the parts 1; 10, creates integrated complex structure, numbered and market as complexity part 15 in the drawings, which is the molded silicone sealing device named under the title “ring pull can cap”.

17. Wherein said the method to connect the molded silicone sealing device [complexity part 10] and the metal ring pull [complexity part 1] in order to create the ring pull can cap [complexity part 15] is via molding process, as disclosed at claims 1; 3; 16.

18. Wherein said the method to connect the molded silicone sealing device [complexity part 10] and the metal ring pull [complexity part 1] in order to create the ring pull can cap [complexity part 15] is via gluing process, as disclosed at claim 5.

19. Wherein said the method to connect the molded silicone sealing device [complexity part 10] and the metal ring pull [complexity part 1] in order to create the ring pull can cap [complexity part 15] is via press process, as disclosed at claim 5. During the press process the curved margin [part 9] will be squashed into complexity part 10 in order to reinforce the molded silicone sealing device to the ring pull.