GB2410740A

GB2410740A - Resealable can closure

Info

Publication number: GB2410740A
Application number: GB0402638A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Evenson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-06
Filing date: 2004-02-06
Publication date: 2005-08-10
Also published as: GB0402638D0

Abstract

A reclosable can having a top wall 2 having a score line defining a movable region of material, the movable region 4 being integral with the top wall 2 and movable between a closed position and an open position whereat the movable region is displaced from the closed position so as to create an opening in the top wall; the can further having an opening means and a mounting means for movably mounting the opening means (fig 2,7) on the top wall; the opening means having: <SL> <LI>(a) a manually grippable portion 1 having a downwardly depending portion that is capable of being inserted into the opening in the top wall so that the manually grippable portion closes the opening when the movable region is in the open position; <LI>(b) hinge means attached to the top wall by the mounting means; </SL> wherein the opening means is movable in two planes; and characterised in that the opening means further has a first projection 3 that is (i) integral with the manually grippable portion 1 and (ii) directed at an acute angle (x{) above the top wall when the depending portion is positioned in the opening in the top wall, so that when a downward force is applied manually to the first projection, the depending portion is forced out of the opening in the top wall. A second projection or spike may be provided and the manually grippable portion 1 and/or the depending portion may have a layer of sealing material.

Description

24 1 0740

RECLOSABLE CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a reclosable container particularly to reclosable cans that are suitable for storing drinks or any other liquids such as soft drinks, cordials, juices & soups.

Non-reclosable cans having so-called ring pulls that are suitable for storing beverages prior to consumption are well known and particularly are well known to a person skilled in this art. However, these cans suffer from the disadvantage that once they are opened they cannot be reclosed when saving the contents for later. This leaves at least three consumer needs unfulfilled: 1. spillages The consumer cannot stop spills from a can. For example, motorists particularly are at risk from spilling drinks from an open can in their cars while driving.

2. loss of fizz from carbonated drinks If the drink is carbonated, the loss of carbonation means that it is not desirable to leave a can partially full after opening.

3. contamination Consumers are aware of the importance to store food in a contamination free environment. For example, half full cans of soup are often kept in the fridge covered with foil or cellophane. A reclosable can would remove the need to use foil or cellophane to cover such cans.

In order to overcome the afore-mentioned problems and address consumer needs there is a need for a reclosable can.

Cans that are provided with lids are know. For example, US 4,609,123 discloses a beverage can provided with a reclosable lid. The lid comprises a top disk and a bottom disk both attached to the side walls of the can. An aperture is provided in the bottom disk and the top disk is provided with structure in the form of a depression or stopper to close the aperture. Further, US 5,085,339 discloses a reclosable closure for a container. The preferred closure includes an end panel and a ring shaped frame member which are fused together. Means are provided on the frame member for contacting an edge of the end panel, or an integral tab thereon, for restraining the end panel in a position for closing the container.

One general approach known for addressing this need is as follows: once the can has been opened, the "ring pull" section (that is commonly found on all drinks cans today and remains attached to the can after opening) is swivelled 180 degrees so that one end of the ring pull lies above the opening of the can. This end is made to match the size and shape of the opening of the can so that, by pushing it into the can opening the can is resealed. Various embodiments for the closure apparatus, based on this general approach are known in the art.

US 4,887,712 discloses a beverage container that can be selectively reclosed and reopened, A reclosable structure contained on an opening ring pull or separate from the opening ring pull removably engages the opening in the top wall of the container thereby reclosing the container. The ring pull and the reclosable structure lie in the same plane; parallel to the top wall of the container.

DE 4335709 discloses a reclosable can where the ring pull can be pivoted and inserted into the opening in the top wall of the can. The ring pull is wedge shaped with one edge of the wedge lying parallel with the top wall of the can.

WO 00/01587 discloses a can closure comprising a plate capable of rotating on the horizontal plane and oscillating on the vertical plane. The plate comprises a closure area for temporarily closing the opening in the top wall of a can.

US 6,059,137 discloses a reclosable ring-pull opener for a can. The ringpull has a grippable ring. A separate closure, not integral with the ringpull, underlies the ring. The closure can be rotated to overlie the opening in the top of the can and moved downwards to releasably seal the can.

All of the above suffer from disadvantages, including that once reclosed; the can is not easy to reopen. FR 2826940 discloses a reclosable container where the ring pull for opening the container is integral with the structure for closing the container. The structure for closing the container is provided with a tab (reference numeral 9) to ease reopening the container. However, this arrangement is not entirely satisfactory.

More recently, a design for a screw cap for a can (similar to those found on plastic bottles) has been suggested. Three examples are: (i)The "Cap Can" from Dayton Systems Group, which has a threaded dome with a removable lug cap.

(ii)The "Bottle Can" from Daiwa Can Company, which is a can provided with a bottle screw cap (iii)The "Aluminium Bottle,' developed by Alcoa Rigid Packaging Division that is simply a bottle made from aluminium Another recently proposed solution to the problem of providing a reclosable can is a simple plastic cap that can be bought separately and used multiple times. For example the Hyge-CapR consists of a PVC or PET cap which when fitted to the top of cans keeps the lid clean and offers protection after the can has been opened.

Never the less, there still remains a need for a preferably improved reclosable can. The present invention aims to at least partially address this need and to provide a new reclosable container.

Therefore, in a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a reclosable can having a top wall having a score line defining a movable region of material, the movable region being integral with the top wall and movable between a closed position and an open position whereat the movable region is displaced from the closed position so as to create an opening in the top wall; the can further having an opening means and a mounting means for movably mounting the opening means on the top wall; the opening means having: (a) a manually grippable portion having a downwardly depending portion that is capable of being inserted into the opening in the top wall so that the manually grippable portion closes the opening when the movable region is in the open position; (b) hinge means attached to the top wall by the mounting means; wherein the opening means is movable in two planes; and characterized in that the opening means further has a first projection that is (i) integral with the manually grippable portion and (ii) directed at an acute angle (x ) above the top wall when the depending portion is positioned in the opening in the top wall, so that when a downward force is applied manually to the first projection, the depending portion is forced out of the opening in the top wall.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an opening means for a reclosable can. The opening means according to the second aspect of the present invention is as described anywhere below in relation to the first aspect of the present invention provided that first projection is directed so that it makes an obtuse angle (x' ) with the manually grippable portion, so that when the depending portion is positioned in the opening in the top wall of a can and a downward force is applied manually to the first projection, the depending portion is forced out of the opening. In other words, the opening means is bent (i.e. not flat) with respect to the plane perpendicular to the walls of the can. This means that when the top wall of the can is in the plane perpendicular to the walls of the can and the manually grippable portion is positioned in the opening in the top wall, the first projection is directed at an acute angle (x ) above the top wall.

The reclosable can according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a simple and easy to use "pOp- up" mechanism for opening the can once it has been resealed. This is achieved by the combination of the first projection and the acute angle between the first projection and the top wall of the can.

Further, the present reclosable can in some embodiments is easier to open that conventional cans since a 'space' will be provided under the manually grippable portion, which makes it easier to grip the opening means to open the can.

When the depending portion is inserted in the opening in the top wall, the manually grippable portion overlies the opening and thereby closes the can. This position is the reclosed position. In this regard, the manually grippable portion has a surface area that is the same as or larger than the area of the opening in the top wall.

Referring to the shape of the manually grippable portion, this may be considered with reference to the two planes in which it is movable: the plane substantially perpendicular to the side walls of the can and the plane substantially parallel to the side walls of the can.

The manually grippable portion may itself be substantially flat in the plane substantially perpendicular to the side walls of the can or may be bent or curved. Preferably, the manually grippable portion is substantially flat in the plane substantially perpendicular to the side walls of the can.

Similarly, the manually grippable portion may itself be substantially flat in the plane substantially parallel to the side walls of the can or may be bent or curved.

Preferably, the manually grippable portion is substantially flat in the plane substantially parallel to the side walls of the can.

Preferably, the opening means resembles a conventional ring pull opener.

In one embodiment, the first projection also is capable of engaging the movable region when the movable region is in the closed position. In this embodiment, the first projection further is directed so that when the movable region is in the closed position, the first projection is capable of overlying the movable region and exerting a downward force on the movable region when an upward force is applied manually on the manually grippable portion.

In another embodiment, the opening means has a second projection that is capable of engaging the movable region when the movable region is in the closed position. In this embodiment, the opening means further has a second projection that is directed so that when the movable region is in the closed position, the second projection is capable of overlying the movable region and exerting a downward force on the movable region when an upward force is applied manually on the manually grippable portion.

One skilled in this art will be able to optimise the acute angle in order to balance effective "pop up" action against awkwardness of the opening means obstructing the consumer when drinking directly from the can. However, preferably the acute angle x is in the range of from 1 to degrees, more preferably in the range of from 1 to 45 degrees, more preferably in the range of from 5 to 25 degrees, most preferably in the range of from 5 to 15 degrees.

In the second aspect of this invention, the obtuse angle can also be optimised for the reasons given above.

However, preferably the obtuse angle x' is in the range of from 90 to 179 degrees, more preferably in the range of from 135 to 179 degrees, more preferably in the range of from 155 to 175 degrees, most preferably in the range of from 165 to 175 degrees.

One can envisage an embodiment where the top wall of the can is not at right angles with one or both of the side walls of the can. However, typically, the top wall of the can will be at right angles with both of the side walls of the can.

The nature of the depending portion is not important provided that it is capable of being inserted into the opening in the top wall to retain the manually grippable portion over the opening. Optionally, the depending portion is provided with a nib to secure the manually grippable portion in position over the opening.

In one embodiment, the depending portion is a depending skirt portion. The skirt portion may engage substantially the entire perimeter of the opening in the top wall and thus may have substantially the same outline as the opening in the top wall. Alternatively, the depending skirt portion may engage only one or more parts of the perimeter of the opening in the top wall.

In another embodiment, the depending portion comprises one or more depending projections. In this embodiment, the one or more depending projections also may act as nib(s) to secure the manually grippable in position over the opening.

In one embodiment it is desirable for the depending portion and/or the manually grippable portion to carry a layer of a sealing material. This can improve the seal that is formed when the manually grippable portion overlies the opening to the re-close the can.

In another embodiment it may be desirable for the manually grippable portion and/or the depending portion not to be of uniform depth. In this embodiment, one can envisage a wedge shaped or tapering manually grippable portion and/or depending portion. This will enable acute angle x to be reduced, thereby minimising obstruction to the drinker by the manually grippable portion after opening the container.

For ease of manufacture, it is preferred that the opening means is made from a single type of material. However, the present invention is not so limited. In fact, in some embodiments it may be preferable for the opening means to be made from more than one different material. In particular, it may be preferable for the hinge means or the mounting means to be made from a different material as discussed below.

Recycling is very important to many consumers and to the environment. Since the opening means at the top of the can is used to reseal the can, the material used in its construction may be in part or totally nonmetallic. In particular, the opening means may be made in part or totally from plastic. Therefore, when the opening means is not made completely from metal it can be advantageous for the opening means to be removable from the can. This enables the can per se to be recycled.

Two suitable mounting means for achieving an opening means that is removable from the can are: a) a screw b) a male / female fitting where the mounting means comprises a male member which push fits with a female member in the top wall.

In another embodiment, the mounting means may comprise a rivet.

With reference to the hinge means, several suitable hinge means are known in the art. For example, the hinge means may comprise a tab portion lying substantially parallel to the top wall. Alternatively, the hinge means may comprise a bar or a part or parts thereof, which is secured to the can by the mounting means.

The present invention now will be described in more detail with reference to the attached figures in which: Figure l shows a perspective view of the can according to one embodiment of the present invention with the movable region in the closed position. In this embodiment, the first projection is capable of overlying the movable region and exerting a downward force on the movable region when an upward force is applied manually on the manually grippable portion.

Figure 2 shows the can of Figure 1 with the movable region in the open position with the manually grippable portion partially rotated Figure 3 shows the can of Figure 1 with the depending portion inserted into the opening Figure 4 shows a side view of one embodiment of an opening means according to the present invention where the mounting means comprises a screw Figure 5 shows the opening means of Figure 4 being removed for recycling Figure 6 shows a top view of the can of Figure 1 Figure 7 shows a side view of one embodiment of an opening means according to the present invention where the mounting means comprises a male member Figure 8 shows a side view of one embodiment of an opening means according to the present invention with the movable region in the closed position and where the opening means comprises a second projection capable of overlying the movable region and exerting a downward force on the movable region when an upward force is applied manually on the manually grippable portion.

Figure 9 shows the opening means of Figure 8 with the movable region being moved from the closed position to the open position.

Figure 10 shows the opening means of Figure 8 in the reclosed position.

Opening the can With reference to Figure 1, with the movable region (4) in the closed position, the finger of the user is placed between the manually grippable portion (1) and the top wall (2) of the container beneath the manually grippable portion. By applying manually an upward force on the manually grippable portion (1) in the direction of the arrow shown, the first projection (3) will exert a downward force of the movable region (4). This downward force will move the movable region (4) to the open position where it is pressed inside the container. By pulling the manually grippable portion (1) to its full extent (again in the direction of the arrow shown), the movable region (4) will be fully depressed within the can. The opening (6) now is apparent in the top wall of the can. Thus, the movable region (4) now is in the open position. To return the opening means (7) to its original position, the user applies a force on the manually grippable portion (1) in the reverse direction of the arrow shown.

Reclosing the can Once the opening means (7) has returned to its original position, the can can be reclosed. By exerting a force on one side of the manually grippable portion (1), the opening means can be rotated (either clockwise or anticlockwise) in a plane perpendicular to the side walls (8a and 8b) of the can so that the manually grippable portion (1) overlies the opening (6). This is shown in Figure 2. The user then exerts a downward force on the manually grippable portion (1) so that it is inserted into the opening (6) in the top wall. The can now is in the reclosed position as shown in Figure 3. If

Reopening the can Starting with the can in the reclosed position as shown in Figure 3, by applying a downward force on the first projection (3) until it contacts the top wall (2), the manually grippable portion (1) will be forced out of the opening (6). By exerting a force on one side of the manually grippable portion (1), the opening means (7) again can be rotated (either clockwise or anticlockwise) until the first projection (3) overlies the opening (6).

The can has been reopened.

Recycling (A) Screw mounting means From the open position, a force is applied to one side of the manually grippable portion (1) to rotate the opening means (7) in a direction so as to unscrew the opening means from the top wall of the can. This is shown in Figure 5. The opening means (7) is rotated the required number of turns so as to fully separate the opening means from the top wall (2) and (5). The can is now in the recycled position and hence can be recycled.

(B) Male/Female mounting means The user grips the manually grippable portion (1) between two fingers and pulls the opening means (7) upwards away from the top wall (2) and (5). Once the required force is applied, the male member (9) as shown in Figure 7 is pulled out of the female member (10) that is attached to the top wall of the can (2) and (5). The opening means now is separate from the top wall. The can is now in the recycled position and hence can be recycled.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A reclosable can having a top wall having a score line defining

a movable region of material, the movable region being integral with the top wall and movable between a closed position and an open position whereat the movable region is displaced from the closed position so as to create an opening in the top wall; the can further having an opening means and a mounting means for movably mounting the opening means on the top wall; the opening means having: (a) a manually grippable portion having a downwardly depending portion that is capable of being inserted into the opening in the top wall so that the manually grippable portion closes the opening when the movable region is in the open position; (b) hinge means attached to the top wall by the mounting means; wherein the opening means is movable in two planes; and characterized in that the opening means further has a first projection that is (i) integral with the manually grippable portion and (ii) directed at an acute angle (x ) above the top wall when the depending portion is positioned in the opening in the top wall, so that when a downward force is applied manually to the first projection, the depending portion is forced out of the opening in the top wall.
2. A reclosable can according to claim l wherein the first projection further is directed so that when the movable region is in the closed position, the first projection is capable of overlying the movable region and exerting a downward force on the movable region when an upward force is applied manually on the manually grippable portion.
3. A reclosable can according to claim 1 wherein the opening means further has a second projection that is directed so that when the movable region is in the closed position, the second projection is capable of overlying the movable region and exerting a downward force on the movable region when an upward force is applied manually on the manually grippable portion.
4. A reclosable can according to any one of the preceding claims wherein x is in the range of from 1 to 45 degrees
5. A reclosable can according to claim 4, wherein x is in the range of from 5 to 25 degrees.
6. A reclosable can according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the opening means is bent or curved.
7. A reclosable can according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the depending portion comprises a depending skirt portion.
8. A reclosable can according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the depending portion comprises a depending projection.
9. A reclosable can according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the depending portion has a nib.
10. A reclosable can according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the manually grippable portion and/or the depending portion has a layer of a sealing material on its outer surface.
11. A reclosable can according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the manually grippable portion and/or the depending portion is not of uniform depth.
12. A reclosable can according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the opening means is made from a single material.
13. A reclosable can according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the opening means is not made entirely from metal.
14. A reclosable can according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the opening means is made from more than one different material.
15. A reclosable can according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the opening means is removable from the can.
16. A reclosable can according to claim 15, wherein the mounting means comprises a screw.
17. A reclosable can according to claim 15, wherein the mounting means comprises a male member that push-fits with a female member in the top wall.
18. A reclosable can according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the mounting means comprises a rivet.
19. A reclosable can according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hinge means comprises a tab portion lying substantially parallel to the top wall.
20. Opening means for a reclosable can having: (a) a manually grippable portion having a downwardly depending portion; and (b) hinge means; characterized in that the opening means further has a first projection integral with the manually grippable portion and directed so that it makes an obtuse angle (x' ) with the manually grippable portion and so that when the depending portion is positioned in the opening in the top wall and a downward force is applied manually to the first projection, the depending portion is forced out of the opening.
21. Opening means according to claim 20 wherein the opening means is as described in any one of claims 2 to 19.