WO1993002939A1 - Couvercle de protection pour boite metallique - Google Patents

Couvercle de protection pour boite metallique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1993002939A1
WO1993002939A1 PCT/AU1992/000370 AU9200370W WO9302939A1 WO 1993002939 A1 WO1993002939 A1 WO 1993002939A1 AU 9200370 W AU9200370 W AU 9200370W WO 9302939 A1 WO9302939 A1 WO 9302939A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hole
protector
openable
cover
top surface
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1992/000370
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Reginald George Mounsey
Original Assignee
Reginald George Mounsey
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 Reginald George Mounsey filed Critical Reginald George Mounsey
Publication of WO1993002939A1 publication Critical patent/WO1993002939A1/fr

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
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
    • B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
    • 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
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
    • B65D2251/0025—Upper closure of the 47-type
    • 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
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
    • B65D2251/0071—Lower closure of the 17-type
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65D2517/0098—Means for preventing dust contacting pouring opening, e.g. a cover over the tear panel

Definitions

  • a CAN PROTECTOR This invention relates to a can protector. It relates particularly to an openable can protector for use on the top of a drink can. Aluminium and steel cans are in widespread use in the packaging of drinks, particularly carbonated beverages.
  • Drink cans normally have a sealed hole on the top surface, and access to the drink is obtained by breaking the seal and opening the hole.
  • Some years ago the most common form of drink can included a metal ring on the top surface of the can. The can was opened by raising the ring, placing a finger inside, and pulling the ring away from the top surface, taking with it a portion of the top surface and leaving a hole.
  • this type of can is now considered environmentally unsound because of the pollution created by discarded rings.
  • the form of can that is now most common has a ring on its top surface and a portion which is surrounded by a seal.
  • the ring When the ring is raised, it acts as a lever and depresses the surrounded portion, breaking the seal and forcing the surrounded portion into the can, creating a hole.
  • the surrounded portion remains hingedly attached to the top surface of the can.
  • the first problem is that the top surface of a can is exposed in transit between the manufacturer and the consumer, so that there is no way of ensuring that the top surface is hygienically clean when a consumer's mouth is applied to it.
  • the second problem is that, once the top of the can has been opened, there is no convenient way of re-closing the hole, so that insects may enter the can if the entire contents of the can are not consumed immediately. European wasps have been known to cause serious injury when swallowed together with the contents of a can which has been left unattended.
  • Australian Patent Application 25880/88 describes a beverage container closure which is designed to overcome the second problem.
  • the closure disclosed comprises a disc with a hole in it, matching the hole in the top surface of a can. The disc is placed on the can after the can has been opened, and the hole in the top surface of the can can be closed when desired by rotating the disc.
  • the closure disclosed does not overcome the first problem, being the lack of certainty surrounding the hygiene of those parts of the can which come in contact with a drinker's mouth, because the closure is not suitable for installation on a can at the time of filling the can; instead, the closure is installed by the consumer after the can has been opened.
  • the closure of Australian Patent Application 25880/88 may in fact contribute to the spread of germs because the rotation of a closure pressed against the top surface of a drink can may urge foreign matter located on the surface into the can, or liquid from the can may seep between the top surface and the closure, combining with pollutants before being ingested by a drinker. Further, rotation of the tab on the top surface of the can as required by the closure may result in the breaking or scraping off of small pieces of aluminium from the tab or top surface, presenting an additional health risk to consumers.
  • a can protector for a drink can which has an openable hole and a hole opening device such as a pull-tab on its top surface, the protector comprising:
  • closure means for covering or uncovering the hole in the top surface of the can as required.
  • the openable area is large enough to expose both the openable hole and the hole opening device on the can top surface at the same time. It is preferred in this arrangement that the openable area be capable of opening and closing in two stages, a first stage covering the hole and a second stage covering the hole-opening device, such that both the first and second stages are opened to allow for opening of the can, whereafter the second stage is opened or closed to allow or deny access to the hole as required.
  • an access opening may allow access to either the openable hole or the hole opening device, but not both, at any one time, so that the can is opened by opening the access opening, rotating the protector to expose the hole opening device, using the hole opening device to open the hole, and rotating the protector to expose the hole.
  • the hole may then be opened or closed as required by further rotation of the protector or by opening and closing the access opening.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention showing the protector incorporating a two-stage openable area in a closed orientation.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 showing both the first and second stages in an open orientation.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the protector of Figure 1 showing the second stage closed and the first stage open.
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 1.
  • Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line V-v in Figure 1.
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 1.
  • Figure 7 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the protector of Figure 7.
  • Figures 9a to 9f are partial cross-sections of the protector of Figure 7, showing alternative shapes for the retaining means.
  • the can protector 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 is suitable for use on a drink can 2 which has an openable hole 3, and a hole opening device 4, on its top surface 5.
  • the hole opening device 4 shown is a pull tab.
  • the can protector 1 comprises a cover 6 which is designed to cover top surface 5 of can 2. Side walls 7 act as retaining means to hold cover 6 on can 2. Cover 6 has an access opening defined by a two-stage openable area 8,9. First stage 8 can be opened to expose hole 3 (as shown in Figure 3), and second stage 9 which can be opened to expose hole opening device 4 (shown in Figure 2) . Once hole 3 has been opened by device 4, second stage 9 can be left closed and first stage 8 can be opened or closed to allow or deny access to hole 3 as required.
  • the cover 6 may be of any suitable shape and configuration. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 the cover is substantially disc-shaped, but it may be of any other shape provided that it achieves the function of covering the top surface of the can.
  • Side walls 7 may be of any suitable shape and configuration. It is preferred that side walls 7 be substantially continuous around the periphery of the cover, although in some embodiments they may be discontinuous. The principal function performed by side walls 7 is to retain cover 6 on drink can 2. To this end, it is preferred that side walls 7 include inward projections 10 which sit under the top rim of can 2 and thus resist removal of can protector 1 from can 2. Inward projections 10 may be discontinuous teeth of the type suggested in Figure 9, or they may comprise a single continuous tight-fitting band of the type illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, or a combination of teeth and a band.
  • can protector 1 may be rotatable about the top of can 2, it is preferred in this embodiment that can protector 1 be fixed relative to can 2 and orientated such that first stage 8 is located above hole 3 and second stage 9 is located above hole opening device 4.
  • First stage 8 may be of any suitable shape and configuration. As shown in the drawings, it is preferred that first stage 8 be slightly larger than the area of the can surface normally contacted by a consumer's lips. This allows a consumer to drink normally when first stage 8 is open as shown in Figure 3. It is preferred that first stage 8 includes bottom lip protector 11 extending downwardly from side walls 7. When first stage 8 is closed, bottom lip protector 11 protects the area of the can which is contacted by the consumer's bottom lip when the contents of the can are being consumed.
  • band 10 be separable from the rest of walls 7 and bottom lip protector 11. This permits band 10 to remain in place, holding the can protector firmly on the can, even when first stage 8 is open. Accordingly to an optional refinement illustrated in Figure 6, there is a gap between the top of band 10 and the top rim of can 2 in the vicinity of first stage 8, and rib 17 on the inside of bottom lip protector 11 fits resiliently into the gap when first stage 8 is closed, thus providing a snap-closure effect.
  • attachment means 12a, 12b be provided on first stage 8 and on some other portion of cover 6, allowing the openable area to be retained in an open position.
  • Attachment means 12a, 12b may be any suitable known attachment means such as velcro or a co-operating projection and hole.
  • Second stage 9 may be of any suitable shape and configuration. In the embodiment illustrated second stage 9 is in its preferred substantially rectangular shape. Second stage 9 may be independent of first stage 8, but it is preferred that stages 8 and 9 be contiguous and it is further preferred that second stage 9 be accessible only after first stage 8 has been opened. In the embodiment illustrated, first stage 8 is connected via membrane hinge 13 to second stage 9 which in turn is connected by membrane hinge 14 to the rest of cover 6.
  • first and second stages 8 and 9 both be reclosable. Reclosing may be effected by any suitable means, and one suitable means is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 the outer edges of stages 8 and 9 fit within grooves in corresponding edges of surrounding parts of cover 6, ensuring that stages 8 and 9 snap back into place when they are closed. Numerous other known ways of achieving snap closure may be used.
  • a thin plastic membrane may be placed over the edges of stages 8 and 9, and this membrane may be broken as stages 8 and 9 are opened for the first time.
  • a membrane of this type may be useful in ensuring that the can protector is watertight before it reaches the consumer, so that water or other liquids do not accumulate between the protector and the top surface of the can.
  • downwardly projecting skirt 16 may be provided on the underside of cover 6 surrounding stages 8 and 9. Skirt 16 prevents dirt and insects from migrating under cover 6 when one or both of stages 8 and 9 are open.
  • An outwardly projecting tab may be provided on part of stage 8 or bottom lip protecting area 11 to provide leverage for a consumer opening the can protector for the first time.
  • can protector 1 comprises cover 6, retaining means which includes walls 7, an access opening defined by openable area 18, and closure means, defined by parts of cover 6 other than openable area 18.
  • Openable area 18 allows access to either the hole or the hole opening device on the can top surface, but not to both, at any one time.
  • the can is opened by opening openable area 18, rotating protector 1 until the hole opening device on the can top surface is exposed, using the hole opening device to open the hole, and rotating protector 1 to expose the hole.
  • the hole may thereafter be covered or uncovered by rotating protector 1 or by closing openable area 18.
  • Openable area 18 may be wholly within cover 6, but it is preferred that openable area extend to the edge of cover 6. It is especially preferred that cover 6 be substantially disc-shaped, with openable area 18 being in the shape of a sector of the disc and including those parts of side walls 7 which depend from the arc of the sector.
  • openable area 18 Prior to opening, openable area 18 may be attached to the rest of protector 1 by any suitable means.
  • the openable area is made integrally with the rest of the protector, but separated by perforations 19, allowing openable area 18 to be partially or completely torn off.
  • the openable area may be attached to the rest of the protector by means of slide fasteners, magnets, or any other suitable sealing means.
  • openable area 18 remain hingedly attached by means of hinge 20 to the rest of the protector after opening so that the openable area does not get discarded and cause pollution.
  • the retaining means comprise inward projections 21 as well as side walls 7, to assist in holding the protector on the top of a drink can.
  • Inward projections 21 preferably comprise either an inwardly projecting ridge or inwardly projecting teeth, on the inside surface of side walls 7 of protector 1.
  • the inward projections are configured such that they sit beneath a lip on the edge of a drink can, tending to prevent the protector from being removed, although in this embodiment allowing the protector to be rotated.
  • inward projections 21 comprise teeth
  • those teeth may be of any suitable shape and configuration and they may be arranged at any suitable intervals around the inside surface of the side walls. Some suitable shapes are illustrated in Figures 9a to 9f.
  • downwardly extending region 11 is designed to cover the area of the drink can contacted by a person's lower lip, in order to preserve the hygienic nature of that area.
  • Downwardly extending region 11 may be provided opposite openable area 18, so that, when the protector is rotated into position to cover the hole, the lip-contacting portion of the can is covered by the downwardly extending region.
  • downwardly extending region 11 may be provided as part of openable area 18, rather than on the opposite side.
  • two downwardly extending regions 11 are provided, one on openable area 18 and the other on the opposite side.
  • the purpose of rib 22 is to facilitate stacking of cans by preventing slippage.
  • the rib may be continuous around cover 6 or it may be broken.
  • a groove in the surface of cover 6 may be provided as an alternative to the rib.
  • Downwardly projecting skirts may be provided on the underside of the protector around openable area 18. The purpose of such skirts, which are preferably resilient, is to prevent insects crawling between the top surface of the can and the undersurface of the protector once openable area 18 has been opened.
  • the protector may be made from any suitable material or materials. Although it is possible for the openable area to be made from a material which differs from that used for the rest of the protector, it is preferred that the materials be the same. Although various types of metal are suitable, it is preferred that a plastic material be used, with recycled plastics being especially preferred.
  • the protectors may be made out of suitably processed vegetable materials.
  • One suitable material is rice hulls which may be boiled and mixed with a non-toxic glue to provide a hardenable substance which can be placed in moulds and hardened to the appropriate shape.
  • Other vegetable matter such as stubble forms suitable substitutes for rice hulls.
  • the advantage of the use of vegetable matter is that the product produced will be biodegradable and environmentally harmonious. The used product is suitable for use as compost and toxic chemicals are not involved in its production.
  • the protector of the present invention be mounted on a drink can at the time the can is filled or shortly thereafter, thus maximising the protector's hygienic effect.
  • the protector particularly when made according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, may be sold separately from the drink can, and mounted on the drink can by the consumer.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

Dispositif de protection (1) pour une boîte métallique (2) contenant une boisson et pourvue d'un trou (3) pouvant être ouvert ainsi que d'un dispositif d'ouverture (4) de trou sur sa surface supérieure (5). Ce dispositif de protection comprend un couvercle (6), des éléments de retenue (7, 10), une ou plusieurs ouvertures d'accès (8, 9) permettant d'accéder au trou (3), et des éléments de fermeture (8, 9) servant à couvrir ou à découvrir le trou (3). L'agencement est tel qu'il n'est pas nécessaire d'enlever le dispositif de protection (1) de la boîte (2) pour ouvrir le trou, et ce dispositif peut être utilisé pour couvrir ou découvrir le trou à volonté grâce à la fermeture de l'élément de fermeture (8, 9) ou la rotation du dispositif (1), ce qui permet de s'assurer à la fois que la surface supérieure de la boîte est hygiéniquement protégée, et que les insectes ne peuvent pas pénétrer dans la boîte.
PCT/AU1992/000370 1991-07-26 1992-07-24 Couvercle de protection pour boite metallique WO1993002939A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPK744091 1991-07-26
AUPK7440 1991-07-26
AUPK9073 1991-10-24
AUPK907391 1991-10-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1993002939A1 true WO1993002939A1 (fr) 1993-02-18

Family

ID=25644086

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1992/000370 WO1993002939A1 (fr) 1991-07-26 1992-07-24 Couvercle de protection pour boite metallique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1993002939A1 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996010523A1 (fr) * 1994-09-30 1996-04-11 Alfred Bogunski Capuchon de fermeture pour boite
WO1997033797A1 (fr) * 1996-03-13 1997-09-18 Serra Caselles Genoveva Maria Poignee-dispositif d'ouverture de boites et autres recipients
WO1999037546A1 (fr) * 1998-01-22 1999-07-29 Maggi S.P.A. Canette de boisson
US5984677A (en) * 1995-05-09 1999-11-16 Danville Engineering Air abrasive particle apparatus
WO1999067144A2 (fr) * 1998-06-24 1999-12-29 Giuseppe Arturelli Couvercle hygienique pour receptacles de boissons
WO2002026565A2 (fr) 2000-09-28 2002-04-04 Carlo Antonio Camorani Conteneur
WO2004014747A1 (fr) * 2002-08-08 2004-02-19 Schatz Balazs Dispositif de protection pour canettes
FR2853124A1 (fr) * 2003-03-24 2004-10-01 Akatoa Support publicitaire pour des cannettes de boisson
USD658980S1 (en) 2010-07-09 2012-05-08 Chapin Barry W Countersink groove cover for a beverage can
US8534490B2 (en) 2009-10-23 2013-09-17 Barry W. Chapin Beverage can marketing device

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3826400A (en) * 1972-08-31 1974-07-30 Continental Can Co Safety overcap for easy opening container
AU7765387A (fr) * 1988-02-25
US4927048A (en) * 1986-04-14 1990-05-22 Howard Roy T Beverage can having a sanitary cover
AU5617790A (en) * 1990-05-31 1991-12-05 Preferred Cantop Corporation A resealable flip-top can

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU7765387A (fr) * 1988-02-25
US3826400A (en) * 1972-08-31 1974-07-30 Continental Can Co Safety overcap for easy opening container
US4927048A (en) * 1986-04-14 1990-05-22 Howard Roy T Beverage can having a sanitary cover
AU5617790A (en) * 1990-05-31 1991-12-05 Preferred Cantop Corporation A resealable flip-top can

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996010523A1 (fr) * 1994-09-30 1996-04-11 Alfred Bogunski Capuchon de fermeture pour boite
US5984677A (en) * 1995-05-09 1999-11-16 Danville Engineering Air abrasive particle apparatus
WO1997033797A1 (fr) * 1996-03-13 1997-09-18 Serra Caselles Genoveva Maria Poignee-dispositif d'ouverture de boites et autres recipients
AU737183B2 (en) * 1998-01-22 2001-08-09 Maggi S.P.A. Beverage can
WO1999037546A1 (fr) * 1998-01-22 1999-07-29 Maggi S.P.A. Canette de boisson
US6378718B1 (en) 1998-01-22 2002-04-30 Maggi S.P.A. Beverage can
WO1999067144A2 (fr) * 1998-06-24 1999-12-29 Giuseppe Arturelli Couvercle hygienique pour receptacles de boissons
WO1999067144A3 (fr) * 1998-06-24 2000-02-10 Giuseppe Arturelli Couvercle hygienique pour receptacles de boissons
WO2002026565A2 (fr) 2000-09-28 2002-04-04 Carlo Antonio Camorani Conteneur
WO2004014747A1 (fr) * 2002-08-08 2004-02-19 Schatz Balazs Dispositif de protection pour canettes
FR2853124A1 (fr) * 2003-03-24 2004-10-01 Akatoa Support publicitaire pour des cannettes de boisson
US8534490B2 (en) 2009-10-23 2013-09-17 Barry W. Chapin Beverage can marketing device
US8708188B2 (en) 2009-10-23 2014-04-29 Barry W. Chapin Beverage can marketing device
USD658980S1 (en) 2010-07-09 2012-05-08 Chapin Barry W Countersink groove cover for a beverage can

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