EP0979197A1 - Couvercle hygienique de boite-boisson - Google Patents

Couvercle hygienique de boite-boisson

Info

Publication number
EP0979197A1
EP0979197A1 EP98906719A EP98906719A EP0979197A1 EP 0979197 A1 EP0979197 A1 EP 0979197A1 EP 98906719 A EP98906719 A EP 98906719A EP 98906719 A EP98906719 A EP 98906719A EP 0979197 A1 EP0979197 A1 EP 0979197A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rim
liquids
central portion
accordance
lid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP98906719A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0979197A4 (fr
Inventor
Charles Chang
Lucy Chang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/808,108 external-priority patent/US5813561A/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0979197A1 publication Critical patent/EP0979197A1/fr
Publication of EP0979197A4 publication Critical patent/EP0979197A4/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
    • B65D17/28—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness
    • B65D17/401—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall
    • B65D17/4012—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall for opening partially by means of a tearing tab

Definitions

  • This invention relates to beverage cans for soft drinks, beer, juices and the like, with pull off tabs on the upper lid thereof.
  • the invention is concerned with a sanitary lid wherein the individual drinking directly from the can does not come in contact with the rim groove wherein dirt and debris is likely to accumulate.
  • This invention is designed to provide a sanitary beverage can lid which eliminates the problems associated with can lids of the prior art.
  • the prior art is rather voluminous but it is not believed that the specific invention disclosed herein is anticipated by any of the prior art patents .
  • Patent 4,262,815 to Klein discloses a conical can with an opening tab at the cone apex merely for nesting purposes.
  • This patent discloses a rather complicated conical can end with a different type pull tab.
  • a critical problem with this conical can is the fact that the weight of stacked-up cases will borne by the conical neck in warehousing and shipping. This requires a very thick and strong material, such as steel, for the conical neck.
  • the design introduces stress to the crimped seal between the neck and the can body whereas in the present invention the cans are stacked on the crimped rim which eliminates the necessity of extra strong lid material and permits the use of recyclable aluminum lids.
  • less space is required in shipping and storage.
  • Patents 5,108,003 and 5,119,955 to Granofsky disclose the use of a complimentary cover for a beverage can in order to permit sanitary drinking from a can.
  • Patent 4,895,270 to Main discloses a sanitary cover for a pop top beverage container comprising an elastic membrane extending over the top and axially along a portion of the side wall of the container.
  • patent 3,946,895 to Pugh discloses a container lid with a tear closure and a straw.
  • Patent 4,114,778 to O'Neal which provides an inter- iorally attached sanitary drinking spout within the container.
  • the foregoing prior art patents disclose various can lids and means for providing a sanitary can opening for drinking directly from a container.
  • the unique concepts proposed by applicant are nowhere seen or suggested in these particular references.
  • the present invention relates to beverage cans and in particular to a new and improved sanitary drinking can.
  • the invention includes a lid which is spaced inwardly from the main exterior cylindrical surface of the container and includes a raised center portion or platform extending upwardly immediately adjacent a lid groove coupled to the rim on the can exterior.
  • the center portion of the lid includes a large pull tab which is mounted in the middle of the platform and extends substantially to the edge of the center portion. The aperture exposed by pulling the tab, therefore, starts adjacent the rim.
  • an individual places his lip against the raised center portion rather than against the crimped rim and lid which in the conventional configuration includes a groove extending inwardly from the rim to the center portion of the lid.
  • the center portion is positioned at a height close to or greater than the edge of the rim so that an individual places his lips directly against the center portion which may be wiped clean and does not accumulate the dirt and debris which tend to collect in the conventional rim groove.
  • the raised center portion includes a rim extending upwardly from the groove and sloping internally with a drain-back slope so that excess liquid flows back into the container aperture.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved lid for a beverage can which includes a raised center portion which extends outwardly a distance close to or greater than the rim and includes a groove along the rim which is small in relation to the circumference of the lid.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved beverage container including a raised center platform extending above the outer rim and a drain-back slope extending inwardly from the edge of the platform so that excess beverage flows back into the aperture in the center platform.
  • a more specific object of this invention is to provide a new and improved sanitary drinking can wherein the can includes a sloped upper portion terminating in a rim and a lid mounted to the rim and having a central portion extending outwardly a distance close to or greater than the height of the rim and including a pull tab mounted to expose an opening at the periphery of the central portion so that an individual's lip does not come in contact with the can body and groove but substantially only the center portion of the lid to eliminate the possibility of an unsanitary situation involving dirt which generally becomes lodged in the groove between the rim and the lid in conventional cans .
  • FIG. 1 discloses a beverage can, including the invention, from a front view
  • FIG. 2 shows an upper view of the beverage can of FIG. 1 and particularly the sanitary lid with the pull tab in position
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the beverage can with the explod- ed views 3A and 3B showing the details thereof;
  • FIG. 4 is a top view of the lid after the tab has been manipulated to expose an opening into the can;
  • FIG. 5 shows the prior art design;
  • FIG. 6A, B and C show variations in the lid design including a drain-back slope leading to the can aperture.
  • FIG. 1 discloses a front view of a beverage can 10 with a lid 20 comprising the invention.
  • the can 10 includes a base portion 11 which includes a concave recess 12 and a tapered transition portion 13 extending outwardly from the base 11 to the exterior cylindrical wall 14.
  • the top portion of the can 10 comprises a transition section 16 extending inwardly from the wall 14 and terminating at the rim 17.
  • the lid 20 is mounted to the transition portion 16 at rim 17 by crimping and sealing the lid 20 over the rim 17.
  • the lid 20 includes a recess or groove 21 formed by the crimping and extending circumferentially about the outer portion of the lid 20 adjacent to the rim 17.
  • a conventional pull tab 30 is mounted on the upper surface or center portion 31 of the lid 20 and includes an opening 32 which permits grasping by an individual and pivoting about the connector post 33 to drive the die-cut portion 34 of the lid 20 into the can 10 as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the opening 35 which, is positioned adjacent the inner portion 36 of the recess 21 and the platform 31 is equal to or higher than the outer edge or rim 17 of the lid 20.
  • Positioning the pull tab 30 in the middle of the center platform 31 and having the end 39 at the edge of the platform 31 facilitates opening the can 10 since it is easy to lift the pull tab 30.
  • the lower the platform aperture 35 the closer it needs to be to the center of the lid 10 while the higher the platform 31, the further away the aperture 35 can be located.
  • the opening can be adjacent the edge 37.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B depict details of the can 10 more clearly.
  • the tab 30 curves upwardly with a small gap 46 between the tab 30 and the drain-back slope 47 for ease of opening.
  • the rim height is sufficiently high to prevent unintentional lifting of the tab 30.
  • the 360° drain-back feature is shown which facilitates excess liquid flowing back into the can 10 rather than the groove 21.
  • the large radius of the slope 47 permits easy cleaning.
  • the rim 17 and central platform 31 are symmetrically round to facilitate stacking. In an alternate design, the central platform 31 would not be symmetrical through 360 ° .
  • FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate various versions of the drain-back slope 47 with the conventional groove 21 and crimped rim 33.
  • the pull tab 30 is shown in various locations and various configura- tions on the platforms 31. Since the indented groove formed by the slope 47 is shallower than the groove 21, it is much easier to clean. The positioning of the tab 30 is important so as to permit cleaning under the tab 30.
  • the center portion or platform 31 is reduced in diameter from conventional cans 10 to provide a greater spacing or gap between the edge 37 of the center platform 31 and the rim 17 of the can 10.
  • the object is to permit one's lower lip to rest along the center platform 31 when drinking.
  • one's lip and the beverage contents avoid contact with groove 21 when drinking directly form the can 10.
  • the new and improved container 10 facilitates stacking since the rim 17 and cylindrical wall portion 14 bear the weight of a second container.
  • Conventional cans 60 have a deep groove 53 which collects dust and dirt in the shipping and handling process.
  • a typical prior art lid 50 is shown in FIG. 5. The lid 50 has no raised center portion 31 and the surface 51 is below the rim 52 having a groove 53 adjacent the rim 52. This groove 53 is a problem with the accumulation of dirt and debris.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Containers Opened By Tearing Frangible Portions (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un couvercle (20) hygiénique de boîte-boisson, dont la plaque (31) centrale qui comporte l'anneau (30) remonte à partir d'un niveau situé sous la collerette (17) de la boîte-boisson (10), comme dans des boîtes-boisson classiques, jusqu'à une position proche de la collerette de la boîte-boisson, ou au-dessus du niveau de celle-ci. La plaque centrale présente un diamètre réduit, un espace supplémentaire étant crée entre l'extérieur du corps de la boîte-boisson et le bord de la plaque. On place l'anneau au milieu de la plaque centrale, de sorte que son extrémité se trouve au bord de la plaque centrale, facilitant ainsi l'ouverture de la boîte-boisson. La plaque centrale surélevée et la conception du couvercle empêchent que les lèvres d'un utilisateur n'entrent en contact avec la rainure (21) courant le long du bord du couvercle, dans laquelle de la saleté peut s'accumuler. Une autre caractéristique consiste à doter le plateau d'une collerette surélevée, avec une inclinaison (47) de réécoulement vers l'intérieur, de manière que tout excédent de boisson retourne dans la boîte-boisson.
EP98906719A 1997-02-28 1998-02-26 Couvercle hygienique de boite-boisson Ceased EP0979197A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US808108 1997-02-28
US08/808,108 US5813561A (en) 1997-02-28 1997-02-28 Sanitary beverage can lid
US938198A 1998-01-20 1998-01-20
US9381 1998-01-20
PCT/US1998/003779 WO1998038100A1 (fr) 1997-02-28 1998-02-26 Couvercle hygienique de boite-boisson

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0979197A1 true EP0979197A1 (fr) 2000-02-16
EP0979197A4 EP0979197A4 (fr) 2001-04-04

Family

ID=26679406

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98906719A Ceased EP0979197A4 (fr) 1997-02-28 1998-02-26 Couvercle hygienique de boite-boisson

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0979197A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002514993A (fr)
CN (1) CN1113786C (fr)
TW (1) TW356461B (fr)
WO (1) WO1998038100A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6247608B1 (en) * 1997-02-28 2001-06-19 Charles Chang Double groove beverage can lid
JP4853926B2 (ja) 2007-07-05 2012-01-11 麒麟麦酒株式会社 イージーオープン缶蓋及びその缶蓋の製造方法並びにそれを用いた缶容器に充填されている飲料製品
CA2886643A1 (fr) * 2012-10-01 2014-04-10 Crown Packaging Technology, Inc. Couvercles de canette de boisson appropries pour petits diametres
US20240109698A1 (en) * 2022-09-30 2024-04-04 CB Brand Strategies, LLC Squeeze lid for a container

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2547059A (en) * 1946-03-22 1951-04-03 American Can Co Container
DE1189911B (de) 1963-09-13 1965-03-25 Mauser Kg Behaelter
US4047634A (en) 1973-08-21 1977-09-13 Mcgeehin Robert Lid having a separable panel
US3946895A (en) 1974-05-30 1976-03-30 Pugh William A Container lid with tear-out closure and straw
US4114778A (en) 1975-09-25 1978-09-19 Neal Chester L O Sanitary drinking spout for liquid container with tear tab
US4247014A (en) * 1979-12-10 1981-01-27 Karl Walz Self-storing permanently attached opening means
US4262815A (en) * 1980-03-10 1981-04-21 Klein Gerald B Conical can end with a gate and opening tab at the cone apex
US4318493A (en) 1980-09-26 1982-03-09 The Continental Group, Inc. Easy opening container
US4407425A (en) 1982-02-22 1983-10-04 Marvin Combs Container closure lid including drinking spout means
US4895270A (en) 1989-02-06 1990-01-23 Main Daniel M Sanitary cover for pop-top beverage container
US5119955A (en) 1990-05-23 1992-06-09 Granofsky Barry P Sanitary can closure
US5108003A (en) 1991-06-10 1992-04-28 Granofsky Barry P Cover for beverage can
US5415313A (en) 1994-02-14 1995-05-16 Sang-Seo; Hong Can
NL1001111C2 (nl) * 1995-08-31 1997-03-03 Josephus Ignatius Matthias Jan Drankverpakking.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1113786C (zh) 2003-07-09
JP2002514993A (ja) 2002-05-21
EP0979197A4 (fr) 2001-04-04
CN1248948A (zh) 2000-03-29
TW356461B (en) 1999-04-21
WO1998038100A1 (fr) 1998-09-03

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