WO2016059606A1

WO2016059606A1 - Beverage can having a zipper type sliding closure

Info

Publication number: WO2016059606A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/057956
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabio Lettieri
Original assignee: Fabio Lettieri
Priority date: 2014-10-16
Filing date: 2015-10-16
Publication date: 2016-04-21
Also published as: ITMO20140290A1

Abstract

A beverage can (1) comprises a container body (2) able to contain a beverage and a dispensing mouth (3) of the beverage made on a portion of the outer surface of the container body (2). Opening/closing means (7) for opening/closing the dispensing mouth (3) are provided and have - a sliding guide (8) associated with the edges (9) of the dispensing mouth (3); - a slider (10) associated with the sliding guide (8) and movable between a closing configuration wherein the edges (9) are contiguous to form a continuous surface able to prevent the outflow of the beverage from the dispensing mouth (3), and an opening configuration wherein the edges (9) are spaced apart and able to allow the outflow of the beverage from the dispensing mouth (3). The opening/closing means can be of a zipper type.

Description

BEVERAGE CAN HAVING A ZIPPER TYPE SLIDING CLOSURE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an upgraded beverage can.

Background Art

It is well-known and widespread for a long time now the use of tin cans for carbonated and non-carbonated beverages.

Beverage cans of known type are typically made of aluminum and are composed of a cylindrical body made by means of a deep drawing process and of a substantially disc-shaped lid, made by molding and fixed to the border of the opening on the cylindrical body by crimping.

It is known, moreover, that over time different systems for opening beverage cans have been used.

A first opening system of known type, e.g., involved the use of a tear-off tab formed at a portion of the lid, to which a special grip ring was fixed.

By lifting and pulling the grip ring, it was therefore possible to completely remove the tab from the lid, thereby creating an opening for dispensing the beverage.

This opening system however was not without drawbacks.

In fact, the aluminum tabs, once separated from the can, were largely thrown in the environment, resulting in pollution of the environment itself.

To overcome this drawback a second opening system has been introduced, aimed in particular at preventing the removal of parts of the lid.

In particular, this second opening system, still being used, provides for a tear-off tab made on a portion of the lid and a grip ring which, once lifted, presses the tab towards the inside of the can itself.

The tab is not completely detachable in this case but, once the grip ring that presses the tab has been lifted, it is directed inwards and connected by means of a special appendix to the lid, at a stretch of the border of the dispensing opening. While being considerably widespread, this opening system too has some drawbacks mainly related to the hygienic-sanitary risk that is created.

Specifically, once the can is opened, the tab is directed inwards. This leads, inevitably, to a direct contact between the outer surface of the tab itself and the beverage contained in the can, resulting in a potential contamination of the beverage itself.

In fact, during the entire cycle from producer to consumer cans may be exposed, even for short periods, to weather agents in addition to organic pollutants, with a clear risk for the final consumers' health.

Moreover, in both the opening systems described above, the can once opened cannot be closed, with resulting waste of part of the beverage in the event this not being completely drunk.

In addition, it is known that the need is particularly felt in many sectors of industrial activity to renew one's products and search new ones in order to better distinguish oneself from competition.

Disclosure of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide an upgraded beverage can which allows to simplify the opening and reclosing operations, allowing consumers to open and reclose the can according to their needs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upgraded beverage can which allows to obtain an innovative and original product, as well as of excellent workmanship.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upgraded beverage can which allows to eliminate the contamination risks of beverage.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an upgraded beverage can which allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

The above mentioned objects are achieved by the present upgraded beverage can according to the characteristics described in claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an upgraded beverage can, illustrated by way of an indicative, but not limitative example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a can according to the invention in a first mode of use;

Figure 2 is an axonometric view of a can according to the invention in a second mode of use;

Figure 3 is an axonometric view of a lid for cans according to the invention in a first mode of use;

Figure 4 is an axonometric view of a lid for cans according to the invention in a second mode of use.

Ways of carrying out the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, an upgraded beverage can is globally indicated with reference numeral 1.

In particular, the can 1 comprises a container body 2 able to contain a beverage and a dispensing mouth 3 of the beverage made on a portion of the outer surface of the container body 2.

Preferably, the container body 2 has a shape and dimensions that are completely similar to the shape and dimensions of the beverage cans of known type.

In particular, according to a preferred embodiment, the container body 2 comprises a substantially tubular cylindrical portion 4 and has a closed and substantially flat lower portion 5, usable for supporting the can itself, and a closed and substantially flat upper portion 6.

The dispensing mouth 3 is composed of an opening formed on the surface of the container body 2, at the upper portion 6.

Preferably, the dispensing mouth 3 is formed along the inner diameter of the upper portion 6.

Different positions of the dispensing mouth 3 cannot however be ruled out. Preferably, moreover, the container body 2 is made entirely of metal. In particular, the upper portion 6 can be made of metal.

For example, the container body 2 can be entirely made of aluminum. It is not excluded, however, the use of different materials.

In particular, the container body 2 can be made up of a first cup-shaped element made by means of a deep drawing process and of a substantially disc-shaped lid, made by means of molding and fixed to the border of the opening of the cup- shaped element by crimping to form the closed upper portion 6. Advantageously, the can 1 comprises opening/closing means 7 for opening/closing the dispensing mouth 3 having:

- a sliding guide 8 associated with the edges 9 of the dispensing mouth 3;

- a slider 10 associated with the sliding guide 8 and movable between a closing configuration, represented in Figure 1 , wherein the edges 9 are contiguous to form a continuous surface able to prevent the outflow of the beverage from the dispensing mouth 3, and an opening configuration, represented in Figure 2, wherein the edges 9 are spaced apart and able to allow the outflow of the beverage from the dispensing mouth 3.

in particular, with reference to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the can 1 , shown in the Figures, the closed upper portion 6 comprises the opening/closing means 7.

Advantageously, the upper portion 6 can be made at least in part of a metal material. For example, such upper portion 6 can be made of aluminum.

Different embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the upper portion 6 is made at least in part of a polymeric material.

The sliding guide 8 comprises a first toothed profile 11 and a second toothed profile 12 associable with one another by interlocking.

Advantageously, the slider 10 comprises a grip element 13 able to be gripped by a user during the sliding from the closing configuration to the opening configuration and vice versa.

In particular, the slider 10 during the sliding from the opening configuration to the closing configuration, is able to associate by interlocking the first toothed profile 1 1 with the second toothed profile 12.

On the contrary, the slider 10 sliding from the closing configuration to the opening configuration, is able to decouple the first toothed profile 11 from the second toothed profile 12.

Advantageously, the opening/closing means 7 are of the zipper type.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the opening/closing means 7 have different shapes.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, an upgraded lid for can is shown which comprises at least a covering element 15 associable with at least a portion of a can 16, at a dispensing mouth 17 of a beverage.

Preferably, the can 16 comprises a container body 18 having a shape and dimensions that are completely similar to the shape and dimensions of the beverage cans of known type.

In particular, according to a preferred embodiment, the container body 18 is substantially tubular cylindrical and has a closed and substantially flat lower portion 19, usable for supporting the can itself, and a closed and substantially flat upper portion 20.

In particular, the lid 14 comprises at least a dispensing opening 21 made on the covering element 15 and opening/closing means 22 of the dispensing opening 21 having:

- a sliding guide 23 associated with the edges 24 of the dispensing opening 21 ;

- a slider 25 associated with the sliding guide 23 and movable between a closing configuration, represented in Figure 3, wherein the edges 24 are contiguous to form a continuous surface able to prevent the outflow of the beverage from the dispensing opening 21 , and an opening configuration, represented in Figure 4, wherein the edges 24 are spaced apart and able to allow the outflow of the beverage from the dispensing opening 21.

Advantageously, the covering element 15 is made at least in part of a material selected from the list comprising: metal material, polymeric material and fabric. Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the covering element 1 is made of different materials.

The sliding guide 23 comprises a first toothed profile 27 and a second toothed profile 28 associable with one another by interlocking.

Advantageously, the slider 25 comprises a grip element 26 able to be gripped by a user during the sliding from the closing configuration to the opening configuration and vice versa.

In particular, the slider 25 during the sliding from the opening configuration to the closing configuration, is able to associate by interlocking the first toothed profile 27 with the second toothed profile 28.

On the contrary, the slider 25 sliding from the closing configuration to the opening configuration, is able to decouple the first toothed profile 27 from the second toothed profile 28.

Advantageously, the opening/closing means 22 are of the zipper type.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the opening/closing means 22 have different shapes.

It has in practice been ascertained how the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular, the fact is underlined that the particular opening/closing means allow to simplify the opening and reclosing operations, allowing consumers to open and reclose the can according to their needs and to eliminate the beverage contamination risks.

Moreover, the particular opening/closing means allow to obtain an innovative and original product, as well as of excellent workmanship.

Claims

1) Upgraded beverage can (1), comprising at least a container body (2) able to contain a beverage and at least a dispensing mouth (3) of said beverage made on at least a portion of the outer surface of said container body (2), characterized by the fact that it comprises opening/closing means (7) for opening/closing said dispensing mouth (3) having:

- at least a sliding guide (8) associated with the edges (9) of said dispensing mouth (3);

- at least a slider (10) associated with said sliding guide (8) and movable between a closing configuration wherein said edges (9) are contiguous to form a continuous surface able to prevent the outflow of said beverage from said dispensing mouth (3), and an opening configuration wherein said edges (9) are spaced apart and able to allow the outflow of said beverage from said dispensing mouth (3).

2) Can (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said sliding guide (8) comprises a first toothed profile (1 1) and a second toothed profile (12) associable with one another by interlocking.

3) Can (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said slider (10), during the sliding from said opening configuration to said closing configuration, is able to associate by interlocking said first toothed profile (1 1) with said second toothed profile (12).

4) Can (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said slider (10), during the sliding from said closing configuration to said opening configuration, is able to decouple said first toothed profile (1 1) from said second toothed profile (12).

5) Can (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said opening/closing means (7) are of the zipper type.

6) Can (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said container body (2) is substantially tubular cylindrical and comprises at least a closed and substantially flat lower portion (5) and at least a closed and substantially flat upper portion (6). 7) Can (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said upper portion (6) comprises said opening/closing means (7).

8) Can (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said upper portion (6) is made at least in part of a metal materia],

9) Can (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said upper portion (6) is made at least in part of a polymeric material.

10) Upgraded lid for can ( 14), characterized by the fact that it comprises at least a covering element (15) associable with at least a portion of a can (16), at a dispensing mouth (17) of a beverage, at least a dispensing opening (21) made on said covering element (15) and opening/closing means (22) of said dispensing opening (21 ) having:

- at least a sliding guide (23) associated with the edges (24) of said dispensing opening (21);

- at least a slider (25) associated with said sliding guide (23) and movable between a closing configuration wherein said edges (24) are contiguous to fonn a continuous surface able to prevent the outflow of said beverage from said dispensing opening (21), and an opening configuration wherein said edges (24) are spaced apart and able to allow the outflow of said beverage from said dispensing opening (21).

1 1) Lid (14) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that said sliding guide (23) comprises a first toothed profile (27) and a second toothed profile (28) associable with one another by interlocking.

12) Lid (14) according to one or more of the precedmg claims, characterized by the fact that said slider (25), during the sliding from said opening configuration to said closing configuration, is able to associate by interlocking said first toothed profile (27) with said second toothed profile (28).

13) Lid (14) according to claim 1 1, characterized by the fact that said slider (25), during the sliding from said closing configuration to said opening configuration, is able to decouple said first toothed profile (27) from said second toothed profile (28). 14) Lid (14) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said opening/closing means (22) are of the zipper type.

1 5) Lid (14) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering element (15) is made at least in part of a material selected from the list comprising: metal material, polymeric material and fabric.