GB2395184A - Ring pull having a contaminant guard - Google Patents

Ring pull having a contaminant guard Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2395184A
GB2395184A GB0310387A GB0310387A GB2395184A GB 2395184 A GB2395184 A GB 2395184A GB 0310387 A GB0310387 A GB 0310387A GB 0310387 A GB0310387 A GB 0310387A GB 2395184 A GB2395184 A GB 2395184A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
container
ring pull
outlet
opening
pull
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0310387A
Other versions
GB0310387D0 (en
Inventor
Virginia Poole
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.)
BUZZOFF GUARD LIMITED
Original Assignee
BUZZOFF GUARD Ltd
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
Application filed by BUZZOFF GUARD Ltd filed Critical BUZZOFF GUARD Ltd
Publication of GB0310387D0 publication Critical patent/GB0310387D0/en
Priority to US10/616,470 priority Critical patent/US20040094550A1/en
Priority to AU2003283561A priority patent/AU2003283561A1/en
Priority to PCT/GB2003/004896 priority patent/WO2004043801A1/en
Publication of GB2395184A publication Critical patent/GB2395184A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • 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
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/001—Action for opening container
    • B65D2517/0014—Action for opening container pivot tab and push-down tear panel
    • 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
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/0022—Means for preventing insects from entering container
    • B65D2517/0023—Means for preventing insects from entering container formed as part of the tab and moved into position
    • 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
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/0022—Means for preventing insects from entering container
    • B65D2517/0025—Means for preventing insects from entering container connected to the rivet and rotated into position, but formed separately from the tab

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Containers Opened By Tearing Frangible Portions (AREA)

Abstract

A container having a ring pull 12 with an opening 20, the ring pull 12 being moveable over an outlet 6 of the container , the opening 20 being sized to prevent the ingress of specific foreign objects into the outlet 6 whilst enabling the contents of the container to be poured out. The ring pull 12 may be rotatably connected to the top surface 4 of the container by means of a rivet (fig 1, 14). The top edge (fig 1, 22) of the ring pull 12 may be provided with a recessed portion 24. The ring pull 12 may be provided with a pair of tangs (26,28,fig 5) to permanently engage in the outlet 6. The opening 20 prevents insects, drug pills or tablets and other Foreign bodies from being introduced into the container.

Description

A CONTAINER HAVING A GUARD
This invention relates to a container having a guard, and particularly although not exclusively relates to a; 5 modified ring pull for a beverage can which prevents the ingress of wasps into the can.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
10 Beverage cans with ring pulls are extremely widely used throughout the world. Certain insects are attracted to sweet beverages and can get into unattended beverage cans, so that the insect can be swallowed when a person drinks from the can. This experience is always 15 extremely distressing, but if the insect stings, the incident can become lifethreatening. The insect which is responsible for the largest number of serious incidents in Europe is the European wasp (Vespula Germanica). STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having an insect guard 25 comprising a ring pull with an opening, the insect guard being movable over an outlet of the container, the opening being sized to prevent the ingress of insects into the outlet whilst enabling the contents of the container to be poured out.
Preferably, the opening comprises a slot formed in the ring pull. Preferably the slot is arcuate.
Preferably, the slot is elongate and is longer than it is wide. Preferably, the width of the slot is no greater than 3.5 mm.
5 Preferably, the ring pull is moveable from a first position, in which the container can be opened to a second position over the said outlet.
Preferably, the opening comprises a recess which may be 10 formed in an edge of the ring pull.
Preferably, the ring pull is adapted to engage in the outlet of the container or to engage the can adjacent the outlet.
Preferably, the ring pull is provided with a tang which engages in the outlet when the ring pull has been moved over the outlet. Most preferably, the ring pull is provided with a pair of depending tangs, which tangs 20 may engage opposite sides of the outlet.
Preferably, the tang or tangs are provided with a circumferential recess into which a rim of the outlet seats, when the ring pull is moved over the outlet.
25 Preferably, the ring pull must be moved towards the outlet in order to seat the rim of the outlet into the recess or recesses. In this embodiment, the ring pull "snaps" into its locked position over the outlet.
30 According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a ring pull which can be positioned over an outlet of the container, to function as a guard to prevent the ingress of foreign objects into the container, whilst enabling the
contents of the container to be poured out, the ring pull being adapted to engage in the outlet of the container or to engage the can adjacent the outlet.
l 5 The said foreign objects may comprise insects, drug tablets, or other objects which present a health risk.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
10 For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing in which: 15 Figure 1 is a top view of a closed beverage can; Figure 2 shows a beverage can in the process of being opened; 20 Figure 3 shows a ring pull being rotated over a fluid outlet of the can; Figure 4 shows a ring pull acting as an insect guard by covering the fluid outlet from the can; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of ring pull/guard, provided with depending tangs; and 30 Figure 6 is a view on arrow A of Figure 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
For the avoidance of doubt, the term "ring pull" encompasses any type, shape or size of ring pull and may include a ring pull having a main body and a cover which is separate from, but attached to, the main body.
Figures 1 and 2 show a container in the form of a beverage can 2 having a top surface 4 in which is formed a fluid outlet 6. As is well known in the art, the fluid outlet 6 of the unopened can is closed by a 15 tab of material 8 which is integrally formed with the top surface 4 of the can, and which is defined by a line of weakening 10 which runs around the periphery of the tab 8.
20 A ring pull 12 is rotatably connected to the top surface 4 by means of a rivet 14. The ring pull 12 comprises a base portion 16 which is connected to the rivet 14 and a grip portion 18 which is gripped by a user when the can is opened. An elongate arcuate 25 opening 20 is formed substantially across the full width of the grip portion 18 of the ring pull 12.
Furthermore, a top edge 22 of the grip portion 18 is relieved, to form a recessed portion 24 of the ring pull 12.
The can 2 is opened with the ring pull 12 in the orientation illustrated in Figure 1. The grip portion 18 is pulled upwardly by a user, so that the base portion 16 is pivoted down onto the tab 8, causing the
line of weakening 10 to break and the tab to be pushed down into the drinks can, as illustrated in Figure 2.
Referring to Figure 3, the ring pull 12 is then pushed 5 back against the top surface 4 of the can 2 and is rotated through 180 , into the orientation illustrated in Figure 4. In this orientation the grip portion 18 covers the fluid outlet 6 in the top surface 4 of the can 2. The width dl of the arcuate opening 20, and the 10 width d2 of the gap between the recessed portion 24 of the ring pull 12 and the radially outer edge of the fluid outlet 6 are set, so that insects can not enter the can when the can is left unattended. In a preferred embodiment, intended to prevent the ingress 15 of European wasps, dl and d2 are less than or equal to 3.5 mm.
Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of ring pull 12 in which a pair of tangs 26, 28 project 20 downwardly from an underside of the ring pull 12 on opposite sides of the grip portion 18. The outer surface of each tang 26, 28 is provided with an arcuate recess 30, 32 and bevelled leading edge 34, 36.
25 In use of the can 2, in the orientation illustrated in Figure 4 (with the ring pull 12 disposed directly over the outlet 6 from the can 2), the bevelled leading edges 34, 36 of the tangs 26, 28 will be resting on the top surface 4 of the can adjacent the fluid outlet 6.
30 If the ring pull 12 is then pushed downwardly, a rim of the fluid outlet 6 will ride up the bevelled leading edge 34, 36 until it springs into the arcuate recesses 30, 32. This process is facilitated by slight elastic
deflection of the top surface 4 of the can, and/or by slight elastic deflection of the tangs 26,28.
Unfortunately, it is not unknown for a person to tamper 5 with an unattended can. For example, a drug tablet may be introduced into the can without the knowledge of the user of the can. This danger is greatly reduced with the above described can, because the shape and size of the opening(s) in the ring pull prevent a tablet being 10 introduced into the outlet 6. Furthermore, once the rim of the fluid outlet 6 is located in the arcuate recesses 30, 32, withdrawal of the tangs 26, 28 from the interior of the can is impossible, unless the ring pull 12 is levered by a tool such as a screwdriver.
15 This would cause damage to the ring pull, so if a third party forcibly removed the ring pull 12 from the fluid outlet 6, this tampering would be evident to the user of the can.
20 In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the bottoms of the arcuate recesses 30, 32 is substantially identical to the width of the fluid outlet 6 in the region of the tangs 26, 28, whereas the distance between the outer surfaces of the tangs 26, 28 at their 2 5 widest point would be greater than the width of the fluid outlet 6 in the region of the tangs 26, 28. The precise relationship between the above mentioned dimensions can of course be adjusted, for use in any particular application, dependent on the shape of the 30 components, and on the material from which the can, ring pull and tangs are made.
Although in the preferred embodiment, the ring pull 12 is provided with an arcuate opening 20 of a particular
shape, and the top edge 22 of the ring pull 12 is relieved to form a recessed portion 24, any combination of openings and/or recessed portions in the ring pull 12 are contemplated, provided that the contents of the 5 can can be drunk through the opening(s) and/or recess(es) whilst the ingress of specific foreign objects, such as insects, is prevented.

Claims (12)

1. A container having a ring pull with an opening, the ring pull being moveable over an outlet of the 5 container, the opening being sized to prevent the ingress of specific foreign objects into the outlet whilst enabling the contents of the container to be poured out.
10
2. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the opening comprises a slot formed in the ring pull.
3. A container as claimed in claim 2, in which the slot is arcuate.
4. A container as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the slot is elongate and is longer than it is wide, the width of the slot being less than or equal to 3.
5 mm.
20 5. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the ring pull is moveable from a first position in which the container can be opened to a second position over the said outlet.
25
6. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the opening comprises a recess in an edge of the ring pull.
7. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding 30 claims, in which the said foreign objects comprise insects.
8. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which means are provided to fix the ring pull permanently over the outlet of the container.
5
9. A container as claimed in claim 8, in which the ring pull is provided with a tang which engages in the outlet when the ring pull is over the outlet.
10. A container as claimed in claim 9, in which the 10 ring pull is provided with a pair of depending tangs which engage opposite sides of the outlet.
11. A container having a ring pull which can be positioned permanently over an outlet of the container 15 to function as a guard to prevent the ingress of foreign objects into the container, whilst enabling the contents of the container to be poured out.
12. A container substantially as described herein with 20 reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
GB0310387A 2002-11-14 2003-05-06 Ring pull having a contaminant guard Withdrawn GB2395184A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/616,470 US20040094550A1 (en) 2002-11-14 2003-07-09 Container having a guard
AU2003283561A AU2003283561A1 (en) 2002-11-14 2003-11-12 Pull tab with insect guard for drinks can
PCT/GB2003/004896 WO2004043801A1 (en) 2002-11-14 2003-11-12 Pull tab with insect guard for drinks can

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0226625A GB2395183A (en) 2002-11-14 2002-11-14 Ring pull having an insect guard

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0310387D0 GB0310387D0 (en) 2003-06-11
GB2395184A true GB2395184A (en) 2004-05-19

Family

ID=9947852

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0226625A Withdrawn GB2395183A (en) 2002-11-14 2002-11-14 Ring pull having an insect guard
GB0310387A Withdrawn GB2395184A (en) 2002-11-14 2003-05-06 Ring pull having a contaminant guard

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0226625A Withdrawn GB2395183A (en) 2002-11-14 2002-11-14 Ring pull having an insect guard

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB2395183A (en)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4537326A (en) * 1983-12-13 1985-08-27 Morehead Clyde D Protector for drink opening
EP0514734A2 (en) * 1991-05-17 1992-11-25 Arthur A. Krause Captive tear tab with protective means for container opening
DE29505324U1 (en) * 1995-03-29 1995-06-08 Marschall, Peter, Dipl.-Ing.(FH), 97753 Karlstadt Wasp protection for beverage cans
DE29602458U1 (en) * 1996-02-13 1996-06-20 Oppenhäuser, Jörg, Dipl.-Ing. (FH), 56564 Neuwied Insect entry prevention device (for beverage cans)
US5555993A (en) * 1995-02-24 1996-09-17 Borkowski; James T. Beverage can and pivotal, screen guard opener system
BE1009640A3 (en) * 1995-09-27 1997-06-03 Schroyens Werner Safety device for drink cans
DE19757779A1 (en) * 1997-01-04 1998-07-09 Stephan Ahrens Can insect guard for ring-pull can tops such as drinks cans
DE19909861A1 (en) * 1999-03-08 2000-09-14 Tomas Cechura Drinks can has ring pull designed like a sieve which can be moved over opening to prevent swallowing of any foreign bodies in can

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29615277U1 (en) * 1996-09-03 1997-01-30 Rohrbach, Peter, 48308 Senden Can with lockable removal opening
DE19907033A1 (en) * 1998-02-21 1999-08-26 Hoof Drink container with insect-proof security seal

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4537326A (en) * 1983-12-13 1985-08-27 Morehead Clyde D Protector for drink opening
EP0514734A2 (en) * 1991-05-17 1992-11-25 Arthur A. Krause Captive tear tab with protective means for container opening
US5555993A (en) * 1995-02-24 1996-09-17 Borkowski; James T. Beverage can and pivotal, screen guard opener system
DE29505324U1 (en) * 1995-03-29 1995-06-08 Marschall, Peter, Dipl.-Ing.(FH), 97753 Karlstadt Wasp protection for beverage cans
BE1009640A3 (en) * 1995-09-27 1997-06-03 Schroyens Werner Safety device for drink cans
DE29602458U1 (en) * 1996-02-13 1996-06-20 Oppenhäuser, Jörg, Dipl.-Ing. (FH), 56564 Neuwied Insect entry prevention device (for beverage cans)
DE19757779A1 (en) * 1997-01-04 1998-07-09 Stephan Ahrens Can insect guard for ring-pull can tops such as drinks cans
DE19909861A1 (en) * 1999-03-08 2000-09-14 Tomas Cechura Drinks can has ring pull designed like a sieve which can be moved over opening to prevent swallowing of any foreign bodies in can

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0226625D0 (en) 2002-12-24
GB0310387D0 (en) 2003-06-11
GB2395183A (en) 2004-05-19

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
COOA Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application

Owner name: BUZZOFF GUARD LIMITED

Free format text: FORMER APPLICANT(S): POOLE, VIRGINIA

WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)