Closing Element and Container Provided with Such a Closing Element
The present invention relates to a closing element (6) for a container, wherein the container comprises an end surface provided with a drinking or pouring opening, the closing element comprising: —a first element part (10) which is adapted to be fixedly mounted on the end surface along said drinking or pouring opening and which has an opening substantially corresponding to the drinking or pouring opening in the end surface; —a second element part (11) arranged with a first hinge (13) on the first element part, wherein the second element part is provided with a flexible closing part, wherein the second element part is pivotable between a closed position; —a third element part (12) arranged with a second hinge (14) on the second element part, wherein the third element part is embodied to be grasped.
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The present invention relates to a closing element for a container, particularly a beverage container, wherein the container comprises an end surface provided with a drinking or pouring opening. The invention also relates to a container into which such a closing element is integrated.
Numerous different types of container are known for storage of liquid substances, in particular optionally carbonated beverages or solid substances, including particles which can be sprinkled or poured. A commonly used type of container is a beverage can. Cans are substantially cylindrical containers of metal (particularly tin), wherein a metal press-in tab is mounted in one of the end walls of the container. The press-in tab can be arranged in rotatable manner on the end wall and is pivotable relative to the end wall such that a lower outer end of the press-in tab can press against a part of the end wall. This part is partially surrounded by a weakened tear line so that pressing down by means of the pressed-in outer end of the tab enables the associated part of the end wall to be partially torn away from the rest of the end wall and bent downward. This creates a drinking or pouring opening in the end wall along which the content of the can can be discharged.
Such a closure of a can is generally known and is used in practically all beverage cans. A drawback of the known closure is that once the press-in tab has opened the pouring or drinking opening, this opening can no longer be closed. Once a can has been opened it must thus in general be wholly emptied, and safe storage of the content of an already opened can is not readily possible in practice. In order to obviate this drawback constructions have been proposed in which the closing element is embodied such that it can reclose the drinking or pouring opening. Embodiments are for instance known in which an opening is created in the end wall of the beverage container using the above mentioned press-in tab, after which this opening can be reclosed by placing therein a separate sealing element, for instance a cap manufactured from flexible plastic. This cap can be pressed into and pulled out of the opening again in simple manner. In this way the container can be temporarily reclosed after having been opened. Such separate closures have the drawback however that the closure is not always very effective, and leakage may therefore occur. The closures are moreover often only suitable for closing the beverage container if the beverage container is not shaken too much. If the beverage container is shaken, for instance during transport (for instance distribution) of the beverage, it is possible, in the case of a carbonated beverage, for such a pressure build-up to occur in the beverage container that said separate closure tends to start leaking. A further drawback of the separate closure is that it must be supplied as a separate element along with the beverage container, for instance by temporarily adhering it to the upper side of the beverage container.
A further drawback of the known closure, optionally in combination with the separate closing element as described above, is that drinking users place their mouth on a part of the beverage container which has been exposed prior to consumption, i.e. during manufacture, transport and storage phases, to ambient influences. The relevant portion (around the drinking opening) thus tends to become dirty, which is often perceived as unhygienic, at least by the users. In some countries it is therefore even mandatory to provide such a beverage container with a plastic or paper protective cap covering for instance the whole end surface of the beverage container. This cap then has to be removed before use, only after which the press-in tab can create the pouring or drinking opening in the end wall.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved closing element for such a beverage container, wherein at least one of the above stated drawbacks and other drawbacks of the prior art are obviated.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a container with integrated closing element wherein at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art is obviated.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a closing element for a container, particularly a beverage container, is hereby provided, wherein the container comprises an end surface which is provided with a drinking or pouring opening, the closing element comprising:
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- a first element part which is adapted to be fixedly mounted on the end surface along said drinking or pouring opening and which has an opening substantially corresponding to the drinking or pouring opening in the end surface;
- a second element part arranged with a first hinge on the first element part,
- a third element part arranged with a second hinge on the second element part, wherein the third element part is embodied to be grasped; wherein the second element part or the third element part is provided with a flexible closing part, wherein the second or third element part is pivotable between a closed position, which substantially closes the opening in the first element part with the closing part, and an opened position which leaves the opening in the first element part substantially open.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the first hinge and second hinge are situated at opposite outer ends of the second element part. The pivot axes of the hinges moreover preferably extend parallel to each other. The element parts can be moved relative to each other here as a kind of concertina. Owing to the specific arrangement of the hinges use can be made of a relatively large lever when opening the second element part. When a user for instance pulls on the third element part, force is exerted on the second element part via the second hinge. The second element part, which is pivotable around the first hinge, can thus be easily pivoted to the opened position.
The third element part can for instance be pivotable between a starting position, in which the third element part rests on the second element part, and a gripping position in which the third element part extends at an angle relative to the second element part. In the starting position the closing element therefore takes up little height, while in the gripping position the third element part can be readily grasped so that the second element part can be pulled away from the first element part.
In an embodiment the flexible closing part comprises a peripheral wall, preferably one manufactured from flexible material. The peripheral wall is formed here such that it is overdimensioned to some extent relative to the opening into which the wall is pushed in order to close the opening. A good, substantially liquid-tight or, in determined embodiments, even substantially gas-tight seal can hereby be realized. According to a further embodiment, the peripheral wall is further provided with a radially protruding anti-release edge. This anti-release edge protrudes so far in radial direction that, when the flexible closing part is pushed into the closed position, the anti-release edge remains adhered to the underside of the first element part. This prevents the flexible closing part sliding easily out of the opening in the first element part. The anti-release edge preferably extends all the way around the peripheral wall so that a good seal can be obtained.
In a further embodiment the flexible closing part comprises one or more radial protuberances for the purpose of holding the second element part in the closed position. These radial protuberances can be formed on the anti-release edge and/or on other parts of the flexible closing part. The function of the radial protuberances is once again to hold the second element part in the closed position. Certainly when the container comprises carbonated beverage and is subjected to violent movements during the transport phase, it may be necessary to provide both the protuberances and the anti-release edge in order to guarantee a good seal.
In determined embodiments the protuberance and/or anti-release edge can have a substantially rounded (under)side and an opposite, substantially flat (upper) side. When pressed the rounded form provides some measure of guiding, while the flat side prevents the closing element unintentionally springing open.
In a determined embodiment one or more strengthening ribs are provided on the inner side of the peripheral wall. The strengthening ribs make it for instance possible, in the case of a closing element with relatively great flexibility (in order to enable a good seal), to nevertheless provide the required degree of stability.
When the closing element is applied on a container with an upright edge, such as a beverage can, a determined embodiment of the invention can provide fixing means for releasable fixing of the closing element to said upright edge of the container. This means that an opened closing element can be fixed in the opened position. This is for instance convenient when drinking from the beverage container.
In a further embodiment the second element part comprises a notch. The second element part is further embodied such that it can be pivoted in the opened position such that it clamps fixedly with the notch to the upright edge of the container.
In yet another embodiment the second element part comprises a venting hole. This hole can be embodied such that no liquid can pass through, while gas (air, carbon dioxide etc.) can do so. This reduces the pressure difference occurring between the interior of the container and outside it. This can for instance reduce the chance of the content spraying out through the opening in the container when the closing element is opened. For the purpose of ensuring that the venting hole is closed during for instance the transport phase or storage phase (e.g. to prevent loss of too much carbon dioxide), the third element part comprises a venting hole closing member for closing the venting hole in the closed situation. When, following transport, the third element part is first pivoted from the starting position to the gripping position, equalization of the pressure difference can already begin to take place. After a time the pressure difference will have decreased sufficiently to move the second element part from the closed to the opened position.
According to a further embodiment, the closing element comprises a securing element mounted and/or formed on the first and second element parts for securing the first and second element parts in the closed position. This enables the user to see that the container has not been tampered with. The securing element can then be removed or broken (for instance torn off) to enable opening and closing of the closing element in the usual manner.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the third element part comprises one or more clamping parts which can be arranged fitting into one or more recesses in the second element part. This makes it possible to clamp the third element part fixedly to the second element part in the closed position. This prevents the third element part taking up an undesired position prior to use.
In a particular embodiment the closing element comprises an edge part provided on the third element part and formed in order to receive a fingertip therein. The closing element can hereby be opened easily with one fingertip.
The closing element is preferably manufactured wholly or partially from a flexible plastic. The material which is used can differ depending on the content of the can, for food products it could be (preferably “foolproof”) PP or PET. The material can be used in different hardness (Shore), for instance depending on the content of the container (for instance whether it is carbonated or not, so that pressure build-up does or does not occur in the container).
In particularly advantageous embodiments the closing element (including the hinges) is manufactured integrally, for instance in an injection moulding process. The element can be manufactured here from one material so that the element has the same hardness throughout and the cost price is moreover generally lower than when materials with two different hardnesses are used.
In embodiments of the invention the closing element is manufactured by incorporating the end surface of the container in the injection moulding process. Once the closing element has been formed round the end surface, the end surface can be fixed to the walls of the container. In order to enable a simpler manufacturing process for the container and closing element, in a further embodiment the closing element comprises:
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- a first element sub-part provided with one or more first mounting elements;
- a second element sub-part provided with one or more second mounting elements;
wherein the first and second element sub-parts can be coupled to each other via the mounting elements.
This embodiment enables the closing element to be formed separately of (the end surface of) the container so that the manufacturing process can be simplified.
It is further often the case (depending for instance on the intended content of the container) that the desired properties of the material of the part of the closing element situated in the container differ from the desired properties of the part of the closing element situated outside the container. In embodiments in which the closing element is formed from one material it is sometimes not possible to satisfy the often contradictory requirements made of the material properties. According to a further embodiment, the first element sub-part is manufactured from a different material than the second element sub-part. Each of the element sub-parts can be manufactured here from a material with the desired properties. In a further embodiment of the invention the second element sub-part is manufactured from the same material as the second and third element parts, or the second element sub-part, the second element part and the third element part are manufactured integrally from the same material.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the element sub-parts comprise peripheral edges which are formed, in the coupled situation wherein the element sub-parts extend on either side of the end surface of the container, to form a peripheral groove in which the edge around the opening in the end surface is received. The closing element can in this way be easily mounted on the container, i.e. by coupling the two element sub-parts to each other.
There are numerous possible ways of mounting the two element sub-parts. In one of the preferred embodiments of the invention the mounting elements form a bayonet coupling. Once the element sub-parts have been coupled to each other, it is recommended that uncoupling can no longer take place. In most embodiments it is after all the intention to keep the closing element permanently mounted on the container. The element sub-parts, preferably the mounting elements thereof, can for this purpose comprise locking means for locking the element sub-parts in coupled position. An example of such locking means is described in the following figure description, although it will be perfectly clear to the skilled person that numerous alternative solutions are possible for locking the closing element.
In an embodiment of the invention the central part of the second element part is open. This means that, when the second element part is folded open (and so no longer rests on the first element part) and the user wishes to consume the content of the container, the chance is small that part of the head of the user, for instance his or her nose, makes contact with the closing element in the second and/or third element part thereof. A further advantage is that the open space in the second element part can be used to receive parts of one or both other element parts therein when the closing element is closed. In a further embodiment the second and third element parts therefore have a form such that the third element part can be wholly or partially received in the second element part. The thickness of the closing element can be reduced by having the third element part received in the second element part.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment the element parts are embodied such that the second and third element parts can extend substantially aligned adjacently of each other in the closed situation. This means that the overall thickness of the second and third element parts, and thereby of the closing element, can be very small in the closed situation.
The second element part can for instance be substantially U-shaped. The hinges with the first element part are then preferably formed on the two outer ends of the U-shape. Other forms of the second element part are of course also possible. The third element part can preferably be pivoted to a position between the legs of the U-shape in more or less fitting manner so that a thin and narrow construction can be realized.
According to embodiments of the invention, the closing element comprises a fixing for releasable fixing of the closing element to an upright edge around the end surface of the beverage container so that the closing element remains fixed on the container during drinking. According to a determined embodiment, the fixing comprises at least one notch provided in the second element part. The second element part is adapted here to be fixedly clamped with the notch to the upright edge of the container in the opened position.
In a specific embodiment of the invention the first and/or second element can be embodied to pivot the third element part beyond the peripheral edge of the end surface of the beverage container in the fully opened position. In determined embodiments the third element part remains in this position under the influence of the force of gravity, in other embodiments the third element part can be fixed in this position by means of a fixing part provided on the third element part, for instance a hook-like member which can be fixed behind the upright peripheral edge of the container. It is possible in all cases to avoid the third element part (which also has the flexible closing part which can come into contact with the content of the container) coming into contact with the face of the user during drinking.
In determined embodiments the second element part is embodied such that the second element part comprises a protuberance at the position of the notch. By providing a notch in the first element part the protuberance of the second element part can be received by the notch in the first element part. A better fixation of the two element parts relative to each other can hereby be realized. This can moreover also ensure that the second element part can take a relatively thin form and that the overall height of the first and second element parts in the closed situation is extremely small. In the case of a beverage can with upright peripheral edge all around the end surface the closing element preferably does not protrude above the upright peripheral edge. This can be important in the further processing of the beverage containers.
In embodiments of the invention the first hinge extends on or close to a first outer end of the second element part and the second hinge on or close to an opposite, second outer end of the second element part, and/or the first, second and third element parts are coupled concertina-wise to each other. This can achieve a compact construction which can be pivoted in simple manner between the closed and fully opened position and which moreover takes up a minimal amount of space in the fully opened position and therefore does not get in the user's way during drinking.
In an embodiment of the invention the flexible closing part is positioned adjacently of the second hinge of the second element part and the gripping part on the free outer end of the second closing part. In this way the force required to open a closed closing element can be exerted on the closing part in simple manner.
In order to ensure that the user can see whether the beverage container has been tampered with, the closing element is preferably provided with one or more seals. In determined embodiments the seal comprises at least one set of sealing elements which are present on different element parts and which are mutually coupled during manufacture and/or immediately after filling of the container. Such sealing elements can take different forms. A sealing element can for instance comprise a notch and/or a protrusion. It is for instance possible to provide both the first and second element part with a protrusion, wherein the protrusions are placed on one another in the closed situation. The protrusions are sealed by attaching the protrusions to each other, preferably by fusing them at least partially together. When the closing element is opened the protrusions are torn away from each other, which is immediately visible to the user. Other embodiments have additionally or alternatively sealing elements which are mutually coupled via a tear line. Other embodiments are of course also possible. All that is important is that, once a closing element has been opened, this must remain permanently visible.
In an embodiment of the invention a strengthening sleeve is provided. This sleeve is adapted to be placed over the free outer end of the third element part in order to strengthen the gripping part thereof. The strengthening sleeve is preferably manufactured from a material which is less elastic than the material of the third element part. In a specific embodiment the strengthening sleeve comprises a receiving space for receiving therein the free outer end of the third element part. The strengthening sleeve is fixed to the third element part by means of a fixing part, for instance a protuberance on the third element part which fits into a corresponding opening in the strengthening sleeve.
The flexible closing part can comprise a peripheral wall which is provided with one or more strengthening ribs. Pressure chambers which are open on the underside are defined between the ribs. If the pressure in a closed container increases, for instance under the influence of carbon dioxide gases, the construction of the pressure chambers ensures that the peripheral wall will begin to expand slightly in radial direction. This has a positive effect on the sealing quality of the closing element.
In embodiments of the invention a gasket is provided which is embodied to be placed on the inner side of the container against the edge of a drinking or pouring opening. When the first element part of the closing element is now a clamping part, the gasket can be clamped fixedly between the end wall of the container and the first element part. This results in a seal between the closing element and the container which can be easily realized and is operationally reliable. Formed on the gasket in a further embodiment is a closing flange embodied to be placed on the outer side of the container against the edge of a drinking or pouring opening. The gasket can in this way wholly enclose the edge of the drinking opening in the container so that a still further improved seal can be realized.
According to another aspect of the invention, a container with a closing element integrated therewith is provided. The closing element can be embodied here to remain permanently mounted on the container from the factory.
As already described above, the container described herein can assume numerous forms and dimensions, and the container can particularly be made suitable for different types of substance (solid/liquid). The container can comprise a beverage can, oil can and the like.
The invention also relates to the use of the closing element defined herein and/or of the container.
Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of the following description of several embodiments thereof. Reference is made in the description to the accompanying figures, in which:
Closing element 6 is mounted in permanent manner on the peripheral edge around a pouring or drinking opening (O) in upper end surface 3 of can 1. In the shown embodiment the opening is provided close to an upright collar 4 arranged between said end wall 3 and side wall 2 of can 1. In other embodiments the opening can of course be provided at a random other location in end wall 3. Referring to
A hinge 13 is provided between first and second element parts 10, 11 so that second element part 11 can be pivoted relative to first element part 10. A hinge 14 is likewise provided between second element part 11 and third element part 12 so that third element part 12 can be pivoted relative to second element part 11.
First element part 10 takes a substantially flat form and is provided at the outer end opposite hinge 13 with an opening, and in the shown embodiment the edge 20 of this opening has a shape corresponding to that of the pouring or drinking opening provided in can 1. Edge 20 comprises a mounting part 19 with which closing element 6 can be permanently fixed to the beverage container. Mounting 17 comprises a radially protruding first and second flange 15,16 between which a groove 17 is provided. Groove 17 is embodied for receiving therein the edge of the pouring or drinking opening in the beverage container so that the first closing element part 10 can be firmly attached to beverage container 1.
Second element part 11 is provided at the outer end opposite hinge 13 with a downward extending closing part 22. The outer periphery of the downward extending closing part substantially corresponds to the inner periphery of edge 20 of first element part 10. Closing part 22 is manufactured from flexible material so that when it is arranged in the opening of first element part 10 it lies under tension against edge 20 thereof for substantially liquid-tight closing of the opening. In order to ensure that closing part 22 remains in place in the closed position (as shown for instance in
In order to enable the downward extending closing part 22 to display the desired closing behaviour in the radial direction, closing part 22 is embodied as a substantially peripheral wall. Several strengthening ribs 26 are provided in the centre of the wall. These strengthening ribs are preferably made from the same material as closing part 22, but can be manufactured from a different material in other embodiments. The strengthening ribs can for instance be embodied in a harder plastic. Formed between the ribs are chambers in which a pressure build-up can occur (for instance carbon dioxide present in the empty part of the container). The pressure build-up in the chambers ensures that the peripheral wall of the closing part is pushed radially outward, which ensures that the closing element clamps more firmly against the outer edge. This enhances the closure of the closing element. Another function of the strengthening ribs can be that they prevent excessive deformation, for instance in the case of relatively soft materials and/or for instance in the case of larger surface areas (in the case of containers with a relatively large volume).
As shown in among others
As stated above, third element part 12 is pivotally mounted on second element part 11. In the shown embodiment a number of ribs 36 are arranged on the outer end opposite hinge 14 between the first and second element parts 11, 12 and on the upper side thereof in order to increase the grip on this outer end of third closing part 12. A number of ridges 38 are further also arranged on the underside of the third element part. A number of similar recesses 37 are present at corresponding positions in second closing part 11 in order to clamp third element part 12 to second element part 11 in the closed situation. This reduces the chance of undesired release of third element part 12 from second element part 11, for instance during transport of the beverage container.
In order to open closing element 6 a user grips the third element part 12, preferably at the outer end where the above stated ridges 36 are provided, and pivots the first element part 12 open via hinge 14 (direction P1,
In the opened position shown in
In order to increase convenience of use during pouring or drinking of the content from the beverage container by the user, second element part 11 can be fixed using the above-mentioned curved groove 35 to upper edge 5 of collar 4 of beverage container 1.
When use is made of flexible material to embody the second element part 11 it may be sufficient for the purpose of attaching the second element part to the beverage container to arrange a narrow groove 35 in the upper surface thereof. In the first embodiment of the invention shown in for instance
A hole 38 is preferably provided in the second closing part 11.
Another different aspect relates to the securing means with which the second embodiment of the closing element is provided in order to lock or secure the beverage container in the factory. In the shown embodiment the securing means comprise two upright protrusions 42 and 43 which are pushed into corresponding openings 44 and 45 respectively during manufacture in the factory. Protrusions 42, 43 are for instance fused by means of heat with the material of second element part 11. Further shown is that protrusions 42, 43 have respective narrowed portions 46, 47 close to their connection to first element part 10. This narrowed portion provides a breaking point for the (plastic) protrusion 42, 43. When protrusions 42, 43 are broken off at the position of said narrowed portions upon initial use, the user can easily visually determine that the closing element has already been opened in unauthorized manner.
When opening the closing element 10 the user first pulls the third element part 12 away from the second element part 11, wherein said pin 51 is then pulled out of hole 50. This makes it possible for any carbon dioxide gas in the beverage container to escape so that the can can be further opened with a reduced chance of the liquid being able to escape from the beverage container due to carbon dioxide gas pressure.
In the shown embodiment the first element part 54 is divided into two element sub-parts, i.e. an upper element sub-part 55 and a lower element sub-part 60. Both element sub-parts 55, 60 are in principle separate of each other but can be attached to each other in the manner to be described below.
The upper element sub-part 55 has a substantially annular element 56. Two bayonets parts 57 are provided on the radial inner side of the annular element. The lower element sub-part 60 comprises an annular upright (axial) edge 62 and an annular (radial) edge 61 formed thereon.
According to the shown embodiment use can be made of a bayonet coupling to couple the upper and lower element sub-parts to each other. As stated above, the upper element sub-part 55 is provided for this purpose with bayonets parts 57 extending radially inward. Upright edge 62 of the lower element sub-part 60 is similarly provided with radial notches 64. Each of the notches 64 comprises an insert part 65 along which bayonet parts 57 can be pushed into the notches and a coupling part 66 into which bayonet parts 57 can slide by rotating the lower and upper element sub-parts relative to each other. Notch 64, and more particularly coupling part 66 thereof, has a conical portion. This means that edge 69 is thinner at the outer end of coupling part 66 than at the position of the start 68 of the coupling part. This results in the upper and lower element sub-parts being pressed extra firmly against each other. This makes the closing element better able to withstand the pressures which may occur in the beverage container.
In order to prevent the upper and lower sub-element parts detaching from each other once they have been coupled, for instance during the transport phase of the beverage container or as a result of improper use of the closing element, the shown embodiment provides a securing or locking for the purpose of locking the closing element in the coupled position shown in
It is also simple to embody the lower element sub-part 60 in a material (more particularly a material with different material properties) other than that of the upper element sub-part 55. Because the two sub-parts are formed separately of each other, the lower sub-element part 60 can for instance be embodied with a hardness (usually a greater hardness, for instance to prevent the closing element being pulled in its entirety out of the opening in the beverage container) other than that of the upper sub-element part 55. The upper sub-element part 55 is preferably formed integrally with the other element parts 11 and 12, and element parts 11, 12, 55 are therefore then manufactured from the same material. This material generally has an optimal hardness which is lower than the hardness of the lower sub-element part. A correct choice of the two hardnesses can ensure that the pressure tightness (as a result of carbon dioxide gas) is enhanced.
Further provided is a ring 84. The ring is formed such that it can be pushed over the connecting part. Ring 84 is manufactured from relatively flexible material (material with a relatively low hardness) and is adapted to realize an improved seal between the closing element and the beverage container.
A second connecting part 85 can be attached to the first connecting part 82. The second connecting part is substantially annular and comprises screw thread 86 which provided on the inner peripheral surface and with which the second connecting part 85 can be screwed fixedly to the first connecting part 82. A peripheral groove 87 is provided on the upper side of the second connecting part 85 between two upright edges 86 and 88. This peripheral groove is formed such that the above stated ring 84 can be arranged at least partially therein. In the assembled situation ring 84 is enclosed between the underside of the end surface of the beverage container and the second closing part 85, and ring 84 (which is manufactured from relatively soft material compared to the material of connecting parts 82,85) provides for an excellent seal between the beverage container and closing element 80.
The above-mentioned first ring 98 and second ring 102 are manufactured from relatively soft material (more particularly plastic with a low Shore value). This means that the material has a lower hardness than the material of the remaining part of closing element 94. The two rings 98, 102 have the important function of providing a good seal between the interior of the beverage container and the outside world.
The plastic closing element can be clamped over said flange 112 and fixed thereto. As a result of a correct dimensioning of the closing element and a correct degree of flexibility thereof, it is only necessary in determined embodiments to slide the closing element into the pouring opening for sufficiently firm mounting of the closing element on the beverage container. In other embodiments an adhesive material, for instance a “foodproof” adhesive, can additionally further be arranged between the closing element and flange 112. A further advantage of flange 112 is that it can have a positive effect on the strength of the closing element because the collar of the closing element acquires more support surface.
Referring to
A hinge 213 is provided between the first and second element part 210, 211 so that second element part 211 can be pivoted relative to first element part 210. A hinge 214 is likewise provided between second element part 211 and third element part 212 so that third element part 212 can be pivoted relative to second element part 211.
First element part 210 takes a substantially flat form and is provided at the outer end opposite hinge 213 with an opening 220, and in the shown embodiment the edge of this opening has a shape corresponding to that of the pouring or drinking opening provided in can 201. The edge comprises amounting part 219 with which closing element 206 can be mounted on the beverage container. Mounting 219 comprises at least a flat part 262, a radially protruding lower rib or edge 264 and a groove 263 provided therebetween. Groove 263 is embodied to receive therein the edge of the pouring or drinking opening in the beverage container so that the first closing element part 210 can be firmly attached to beverage container 201.
Third element part 212 is provided at the outer end opposite hinge 214 with a downward extending closing part 222. The outer periphery of the downward extending closing part substantially corresponds to the inner periphery of opening 220 of first element part 210. Closing part 222 is manufactured from flexible material so that, when it is arranged in the opening of first element part 210, it lies under tension against edge 220 thereof for substantially liquid-tight closing of the opening. In order to ensure that closing part 222 remains in place in the closed position (as shown for instance in
In order to enable the downward extending closing part 222 to display the desired closing behaviour in the radial direction, closing part 222 is embodied as a substantially peripheral wall. Several strengthening ribs 226 are provided in the centre of the wall. These strengthening ribs are preferably of the same material as closing part 222 but can be manufactured from a different material in other embodiments. The strengthening ribs can for instance be embodied in a harder plastic. Formed between the ribs are 50 chambers in which pressure build-up can occur (for instance carbon dioxide present in the empty part of the container). The pressure build-up in the chambers ensures that the peripheral wall of the closing part is pushed radially outward, which ensures that the closing element clamps more firmly against the outer edge. This enhances the closure of the closing element. Another function of the strengthening ribs can be that they prevent excessive deformation, for instance in the case of relatively soft materials and/or for instance in the case of larger surface areas (in the case of containers with a relatively large volume).
As mentioned above, third element part 212 is pivotally mounted on second element part 211. A grip in the form of a number of ridges 238 is arranged on the underside and upper side of the free outer end of the third element part so that the pull-tab can be firmly grasped by the user.
In the closed situation (as shown in
As shown for instance in
In the fully opened situation shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The notches or grooves 235 in second element part 212 are arranged in a piece of material which is so thin that a protuberance 270 (
Determined embodiments of the invention are further provided with one or more sets of sealing elements for sealing the closing element, and as a result also the container, prior to use.
A similar seal is achieved by the anti-tamper notches 276, 276′ and 277, 277′ in respectively the first and second element parts 211, 212. The remaining material of the first and second element parts is mutually adhered or fused together to some extent so that the element parts are locally sealed. For sealing of the second and third element parts use can be made of a tongue 278 which is attached to both the second element part and the third element part. The tongue is provided with a tear line, for instance in the form of an elongate local weakening (for instance as a result of the presence of a row of perforations). As long as the tear line is still intact the user knows that the second and third element parts have never been opened relative to each other.
For the purpose of attaching strengthening sleeve 254 to pull-tab 212 the outer end of pull-tab 212 is provided with an oblique protrusion 258 and the strengthening sleeve is provided with an opening 259 corresponding therewith. The oblique protrusion 258 is embodied such that the strengthening sleeve can slide easily over the pull-tab. Once the protrusion has come to lie in said opening 259, the strengthening sleeve remains fixed to pull-tab 212. The strengthening sleeve is further provided with ridges 239 on the upper side and underside and protrusions 240 on the end surface in order to enhance grip when grasped by the user.
Referring to
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment thereof described herein. The rights sought are rather defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications and adjustments and changes can be envisaged.
Claims
1. Closing element for a container, particularly a beverage container, wherein the container comprises an end surface provided with a drinking or pouring opening, the closing element comprising:
- a first element part which is adapted to be fixedly mounted on the end surface along said drinking or pouring opening and which has an opening substantially corresponding to the drinking or pouring opening in the end surface;
- a second element part arranged with a first hinge on the first element part; and
- a third element part arranged with a second hinge on the second element part, wherein the third element part is embodied to be grasped; wherein the second element part or the third element part is provided with a flexible closing part, wherein the second or third element part is pivotable between a closed position, which substantially closes the opening in the first element part with the closing part, and an opened position which leaves the opening in the first element part substantially open.
2. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible closing part comprises a peripheral wall, and the peripheral wall is provided with a radially protruding anti-release edge for releasable attachment of the associated element part to the first element part.
3. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anti-release edge extends all the way around the peripheral wall.
4. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible closing part comprises one or more radial protuberances for the purpose of holding the second element part in the closed position.
5. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein a protuberance and/or anti-release edge has a substantially rounded side and an opposite, substantially flat side.
6. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more strengthening ribs are provided on the inner side of the peripheral wall and/or wherein the flexible closing part comprises one or more open pressure chambers for allowing the peripheral wall to expand in radial direction when pressure increases.
7. Closing element as claimed in claim 6, comprising two or more strengthening ribs extending substantially parallel relative to each other.
8. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container has an upright edge and wherein the closing element comprises fixing means for releasable fixing of the closing element to said upright edge of the container and/or wherein the second element part comprises a notch and wherein the second element part is adapted in the opened position to clamp fixedly with the notch to the upright edge of the container.
9. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, manufactured from a flexible plastic, in particular manufactured integrally, and more particularly manufactured in an injection moulding process.
10. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first element part comprises:
- a first element sub-part provided with one or more first mounting elements;
- a second element sub-part provided with one or more second mounting elements; and
- wherein the first and second element sub-parts can be coupled to each other via the mounting elements, wherein the element sub-parts preferably comprise peripheral edges which are formed, in the coupled situation wherein the element sub-parts extend on either side of the end surface of the container, to form a peripheral groove in which the edge around the opening in the end surface is received.
11. Closing element as claimed in claim 10, wherein element sub-parts, preferably the mounting elements thereof, comprise locking means for locking the element sub-parts in coupled position, wherein in the coupled position the first element sub-part extends preferably in the container and the second element sub-part extends outside the container.
12. Closing element as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first element sub-part is manufactured from a different material than the second element sub-part, wherein the second element sub-part is preferably manufactured from the same material as the second and third element parts.
13. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central part of the second element part is open.
14. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second and third element parts have a form such that the third element part can be received in the second element part.
15. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the element parts are embodied so that the second and third element parts extend substantially aligned adjacently of each other in the closed situation.
16. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second element part is substantially U-shaped, wherein hinges are preferably formed on the two outer ends of the U-shape.
17. Closing element as claimed in claim 16, wherein the third element part can be pivoted to a position fitting between the legs of the U-shape.
18. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and/or second element are embodied to pivot the third element part beyond the peripheral edge of the end surface of the beverage container in the fully opened position.
19. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third element part comprises a fixing part for fixing thereof to the beverage container in the fully opened position.
20. Closing element as claimed in claim 19, wherein the fixing element comprises a hook-like member provided on the closing part.
21. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closing element comprises a fixing means for releasable fixing of the closing element to an upright edge round the end surface of the beverage container, wherein the fixing comprises at least one notch provided in the second element part, and wherein the second element part is adapted to be fixedly clamped with the notch to the upright edge of the container in the opened situation, wherein the second element part preferably comprises a protuberance at the position of the notch and wherein a notch is preferably provided in the first element part for receiving therein the protuberance of the second element part in the closed position.
22. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first, second and third element parts are coupled concertina-wise to each other.
23. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one set of sealing elements provided on different element parts in order to seal the container prior to use, wherein a sealing element comprises at least one of a notch in an element part and a protrusion from an element part and/or wherein sealing elements of different element parts are at least partially fused together and/or wherein the sealing elements are mutually coupled via a tear line.
24. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, comprising a strengthening sleeve adapted to be placed over the free outer end of the third element part in order to strengthen the gripping part thereof, wherein the strengthening sleeve preferably comprises a receiving space for receiving therein the free outer end of the third element part, wherein the strengthening sleeve is preferably manufactured from material which is less elastic than the material of the third element part.
25. Closing element as claimed in claim 24, comprising a fixing part for fixing the strengthening sleeve to the outer end of the third element part.
26. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first element part adapted to be placed on the inner side of the container against the edge of a drinking or pouring opening, wherein the first element part comprises a clamping part for clamping the gasket fixedly between the end wall of the container and the first element part.
27. Closing element as claimed in claim 26, wherein the gasket comprises a substantially round and substantially elastic ring and/or wherein there is formed on the gasket a closing flange embodied to be placed on the outer side of the container against the edge of a drinking or pouring opening.
28. Closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first hinge part and a second hinge part are arranged between the first and second element parts, wherein the hinge parts extend obliquely relative to the plane of the first element part and/or relative to each other.
29. Container with a closing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container preferably comprises a liquid-tight and/or gas-tight closable can packaging, in particular a beverage can or oil can.
30. Closing element for a container, particularly a beverage container, wherein the container comprises an end surface provided with a drinking or pouring opening, the closing element comprising:
- a first element part which is adapted to be fixedly mounted on the end surface along said drinking or pouring opening and which has an opening substantially corresponding to the drinking or pouring opening in the end surface;
- a second element part arranged with a first hinge on the first element part; and
- a third element part arranged with a second hinge on the second element part, the third element part comprising a flexible closing part and being pivotable between a closed position, in which the closing part is arranged in said opening in the first element part for substantially closing the same, and an opened position which leaves the opening in the first element part substantially open, the third element part further being configured to be grasped;
- wherein the first, second and third element parts are coupled concertina-wise to each other and wherein the central part of the second element part has an open space to receive at least partly the third element part when in the closed position.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 17, 2012
Publication Date: Oct 16, 2014
Applicant: SAVE-TY CAN CAP B.V. (Galder)
Inventor: Corstiaan Johannes Van Goolen (Hoogblokland)
Application Number: 13/985,993
International Classification: B65D 43/16 (20060101);