AU2022224702A1

AU2022224702A1 - Drink can and bottle capping devices

Info

Publication number: AU2022224702A1
Application number: AU2022224702A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Glen Gurney; Linda Gurney; Sharon Ward; Tim Ward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-08-29
Filing date: 2022-08-29
Publication date: 2024-03-14

Abstract

A can capping device has a major sector fixed portion having can lid engaging periphery and a minor sector shutter rotatably coupled to the fixed portion at a centroid of the device. The minor sector is rotatable with respect to the fixed portion between a closed position wherein the shutter closes a minor sector opening defined by the fixed portion and an open position wherein the shutter opens at least a portion of the minor sector opening. 12 1/6 11/2 Figure 1 Fiue Figure 2

Description

1/6

11/2

Figure 1

Fiue

Figure 2

Drink can and bottle capping devices

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to devices for selectively capping drink cans and bottles.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Single use drink containers are designed to be opened once and thereafter discarded.

[0003] Drink can lids typically comprise a pull tab which tears a strip from the lid to form an opening therethrough. Furthermore, glass drink bottles comprise a removable metallic lid which is pressed onto a mouth of the bottle and which is removed with a bottle opener.

[0004] However, once a single use drink container is opened, the lid cannot be closed. Closing a single use drink container may be useful to prevent insects flying or falling into the can, especially those attracted by sugary liquid contents. Swallowing a bee may be especially harmful for a child.

[0005] Specifically, the tear strip of a drink can lid goes inside the can when opened and which cannot be accessed thereafter to close the opening. Furthermore, a drink bottle lid is usually deformed during opening, thereby preventing replacement. Some drink bottle lids are threaded and which may be screwably reattached, but which however is inconvenient.

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide a way which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0007] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0008] There is provided herein a can capping device comprising a major sector fixed

portion having can lid engaging periphery.

[0009] The device further comprises a minor sector shutter rotatably coupled to the

fixed portion at a centroid of the device. As such, the shutter is rotatable with respect

to the fixed portion between a closed position wherein the shutter closes a minor

sector opening defined by the fixed portion and an open position wherein the shutter

opens at least a portion of the minor sector opening.

[0010] The fixed portion is a major sector (i.e., going through more than 180) so as

to be able to surround most of the rim of the can for proper attachment.

[0011] The device may be easily attached to commercially available drink cans and

opened and closed multiple times quickly and conveniently during drinking or pouring.

[0012] The device may be closed to prevent insects entering the drink can. However,

in other embodiments, the device may be used to prevent drink spiking, spillage and

the like.

[0013] The fixed portion may be slightly flexible (such as by being made of plastic) to

allow slight flexing when attaching to the rim of the can and which may comprise a

convenient prise tab to release the device.

[0014] A travel limiting mechanism may act between the fixed portion and the shutter

to prevent travel beyond the open or closed positions.

[0015] Furthermore, the shutter may comprise a finger tab which may stand proud of

an upper surface of the fixed portion to allow quick and convenient opening and

closing of the shutter with the forefinger.

[0016] The shutter may rotate within an interior of the can lid engaging periphery of

the fixed portion. The fixed portion may have an axle journalling an aperture of the

shutter and the shutter may comprise a rail travelling within interior rail guide of the

can lid engaging periphery of the fixed portion, thereby supporting the shutter both at

the centroid and the outer edge thereof as the shutter moves between the open and

closed positions.

[0017] Furthermore, the shutter may define an inner periphery which lies inside a rim

of the can whereas the can lid engaging portion lies outside the rim of the can. As

such, in the closed position, the fixed portion and the shutter may cooperate to seal

either side of the room, thereby reducing spillage.

[0018] There is also provided a bottle stopping device for glass drink bottles.

[0019] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present

invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of

example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a can capping device in accordance with

an embodiment;

[0022] Figure 2 shows a further perspective view of the device;

[0023] Figure 3 shows a magnified top perspective view of a centroid of the device;

[0024] Figure 4 shows a magnified top perspective view of a side of the device

[0025] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the device;

[0026] Figure 6 shows a side view of the device;

[0027] Figure 7 shows a top plan view of the device;

[0028] Figure 8 shows a bottom plan view of the device;

[0029] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a bottle stopping device in accordance

with a further embodiment;

[0030] Figure 10 shows a front view of the bottle stopping device; and

[0031] Figure 11 shows a side view of the bottle stopping device.

Description of Embodiments

[0032] A can capping device 100 comprises a major sector fixed portion 101 having

a can lid engaging periphery 102. The fixed portion 101 defines a minor sector

opening.

[0033]Thedevice 100 further comprises a minor sector shutter 103 rotatably coupled

to the fixed portion 101 at a centroid 104 of the device 100.

[0034] The shutter 103 is rotatable with respect to the fixed portion 101 between a

closed position wherein the shutter 103 closes the minor sector opening defined by

the fixed portion 101 and an open position wherein the shutter 103 opens at least a

portion of the minor sector opening defined by the fixed portion 101. In the

embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shutter 103 is partway between the open

and closed positions.

[0035] The can lid engaging periphery 102 of the fixed portion 101 attaches to a rim

of a lid of a can in use. As such, the can lid engaging periphery 102 comprises an

inner diameter conforming to an outer diameter of a commercially available can rim,

such as that of a Coca-Cola drink can or the like.

[0036] The fixed portion 101 is a major sector (i.e., going through more than 180°) so

that the fixed portion 101 can surround more than half of the lid of the can for proper

attachment.

[0037] In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the fixed portion 101 may arc

through substantially 225. In accordance with this embodiment, the shutter 103 may

go through approximately 1350 to complete the circle, although would preferably arc

through just more than 135° to overlap with the fixed portion 101 in the closed

position.

[0038]The shutter 103 may define an inner periphery 105 having a smaller radius

than the can lid engaging periphery 102. As such, when the device 100 is attached to

a can in use, the can lid engaging periphery grips 102 and outside of the rim of the

lid of the can and the inner periphery 105 travels within the rim between the open and

closed positions. Figure 2 shows the gap defined for the rim of the lid of the can

between the inner periphery 105 and the can lid engaging periphery 102 of the fixed

portion 101.

[0039] The device 100 (or at least the fixed portion 101) may be made of a slightly

flexible material, such as plastic so as to be able to flex slightly when attaching to the

lid of the cam.

[0040] The fixed portion 101 may comprise a prise tab 106 which may conveniently

used to prise the device 100 from the lid of the can. As is best shown in Figures 7 and 8, the outer prise tab 106 may locate diametrically opposite the minor sector opening.

[0041] The fixed portion 101 may define a planar portion 107 and the shutter 103 may

also define a planar portion 108. In the embodiment shown, the planar portion 108 of

the shutter 103 lies underneath the planar portion 107 of the fixed portion 101.

[0042] In accordance with this arrangement, the shutter 103 rotate entirely within the

can lid engaging periphery 102 of the fixed portion 101.

[0043] The fixed portion 101 and the shutter 103 may comprise a travel limiting

mechanism therebetween to limit the travel of the shutter 103 beyond the closed

position. Furthermore, the fixed portion 101 and the shutter 103 may comprise a travel

limiting mechanism therebetween to limit the travel of the shutter 103 beyond the

open position.

[0044] In accordance with the embodiment shown, the travel limiting mechanism may

comprise the shutter 103 comprising a finger tab 109 extending orthogonally from an

upper surface thereof which strikes a minor sector opening edge 110 of the fixed

portion 101.

[0045] The finger tab 109 may accessibly extend proud of an upper surface of the

fixed portion 101 as is illustrated in Figure 6.

[0046] The minor sector opening edge 110 may comprise an indentation 111 shaped

according to the finger tab 109. In the embodiment shown, the finger tab 109 is

elongate and orientated along a radius coinciding with the centroid 104. As such, the

indentation 111 may have a length accommodating the length of the finger tab 109

therein. As is best shown in Figure 2, the finger tab 109 may be slightly wedge-shaped

so that opposite long edges thereof lie flat against the corresponding minor sector

opening edges 110.

[0047] The fixed portion 101 in the shutter 103 may further comprise an interference

mechanism therebetween which holds the shutter 103 in the open position. The fixed

portion 101 of the shutter 103 may further comprise an interference mechanism

therebetween which holds the shutter 103 in the closed position.

[0048] In accordance with the embodiment shown, the interference mechanism

comprises a rib 112 exposed on an outer surface of the shutter 103 which collocates

with a corresponding indentation or interior rib on an interior surface of the can lid

engaging periphery 102.

[0049] With reference to Figure 3 and 5, the fixed portion 101 may comprise an axle

journalling an aperture 113 of the shutter 103. As best shown in Figure 5, the distal

end of the axle 112 may comprise an arrowhead 114 for press fit engagement into

the aperture 113. As is further shown in Figure 3, an upper aspect of the aperture 113

may comprise a frustoconical entrance 115 to guide the arrowhead 114 into the

aperture 113.

[0050] The shutter 103 may comprise an outer rail 115 and wherein an inner surface

of the can lid engaging periphery 102 comprises a rail guide 116 for the rail 115. As

such, the shutter 103 is held at the centroid 104 by the axle 112 and the outer

periphery thereof by the rail travelling within the rail guide 116.

[0051] Using the capping device 100 to cap a drink can or the like would firstly

comprise opening the can by pulling the tab thereof. Thereafter, the device 100 may

be attached to the rim of the can by pressing the fixed portion 101 onto the rim of the

can wherein the can lid engaging periphery 102 thereof surrounds most of the rim of

the can, thereby attaching the device 100 to the can. As alluded to above, the slight

flexibility of the fixed portion 101 may allow the can lid engaging periphery to flex

around the rim of the can.

[0052] Alternatively, the device 100 may be attached to the can prior opening of the

can wherein there may be sufficient room within the minor sector opening to pull the

tab.

[0053] With the shutter 103 in the open position, liquid contents from the can may be

drunk or poured via the can opening through the minor sector opening defined by the

fixed portion 101.

[0054] The interference mechanism between the fixed portion 101 and the shutter 103

may prevent the shutter 103 inadvertently closing.

[0055] When not in use, the shutter 103 may be closed to close off the minor sector

opening defined by the fixed portion 101. The user may use a forefinger to push the

finger tab 109 across to the opposite minor sector edge. The finger tab 109 extending

slightly above the upper surface of the planar portion 107 of the fixed portion 101

allows ease of pushing the shutter 103 open and closed with a forefinger.

[0056] In the closed position, the inner periphery 105 may lie within the rim of the can

and the can lid engaging periphery 102 may lie outside the rim, thereby reducing

likelihood of liquid spillage.

[0057] Figure 17 shows a bottle stopper 117 in accordance with an embodiment. The

bottle stopper 117 comprises a bottle neck engagement 118, a bottle stopper 119 and

a flexible stem 120 therebetween.

[0058] The bottle neck engagement 118 is designed to fit around a neck of a glass

bottle in use.

[0059] The bottle neck engagement 118 may comprise an annulus 121 which fits over

the mouth and neck of the bottle. The bottle neck engagement 118 may comprise an

interference tab 122 extending into an interior defined by the annulus 121. The

annulus 121 and the interference tab 122 are preferably sized according to

commercially available drink bottles so that the interference tab 122 interferes with a

rim of a mouth of the bottle, thereby preventing the annulus 121 from falling from the

neck of the bottle when the bottle is inverted.

[0060] With the bottle neck engagement 118 engaged around the neck of the bottle,

the stem 120 may be flexed to put the stopper 119 into the mouth of the bottle.

[0061]The stopper 119 may comprise a plug 123 which fits within an interior of the

mouth of the bottle. The plug 123 may comprise an outer diameter suited to fit

commercially available glass bottles and the like.

[0062] The plug 123 may comprise a plurality of flexible gasket projections 124 which

may frictionally engage an interior of the mouth of the bottle. As is best shown in

Figure 11, the projections 124 may be angled away from an interior of the bottle

thereby bias the frictional purchase thereof against opening.

[0063] The stopper 119 may further comprise a backplate 125 having a diameter

greater than the plug 123 and which lies on top of the mouth of the beer bottle in use.

[0064] The backplate 125 may comprise a grip enhancing scored edge 126.

[0065] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific

nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will

be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to

practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of

the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not

intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as

obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above

teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the

principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others

skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various

modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the

following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A can capping device comprising:

a major sector fixed portion having can lid engaging periphery;

a minor sector shutter rotatably coupled to the fixed portion at a centroid of the

device, and rotatable with respect to the fixed portion between a:

a closed position wherein the shutter closes a minor sector opening

defined by the fixed portion; and

an open position wherein the shutter opens at least a portion of the

minor sector opening.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shutter defines an inner

periphery having a smaller radius than the can lid engaging periphery so that, when

the device is attached to a can in use, the can lid engaging periphery grips an outside

of a rim of a lid of the can and the inner periphery travels within the rim between the

open and closed positions.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed portion comprises an outer

prise tab.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the prise tab is located diametrically

oppositely the minor sector opening.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed portion defines a planar

portion and the shutter defines a planar portion and wherein the planar portion of the

shutter is rotatably coupled underneath the planar portion of the fixed portion.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shutter rotates within the can lid

engaging periphery of the fixed portion.
7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed portion and the shutter

comprise a travel limiting mechanism therebetween to limit the travel of the shutter

beyond the closed position.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed portion and the shutter

comprise a travel limiting mechanism therebetween to limit the travel of the shutter

beyond the open position.
9. The device as claimed in claims 7 or 8, wherein the travel limiting mechanism

comprises the shutter comprising a finger tab extending orthogonally from an upper

surface thereof which strikes a minor sector opening edge of the fixed portion.
10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the finger tab extends proud of an

upper surface of the fixed portion.
11. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the minor sector opening edge

comprises an indentation shaped according to the finger tab.
12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the finger tab is elongate and

wherein the indentation has a length accommodating a length of the finger tab.
13. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the finger tab is wedge shaped and

orientated along a radius coinciding with the centroid.
14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed portion and the shutter

comprises an interference mechanism therebetween which holds the shutter in the

closed position.
15. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed portion and the shutter

comprise an interference mechanism therebetween which hold the shutter in the open

position.
16. The device as claimed in claims 14 or 15, wherein interference mechanism

comprises a rib exposed on an outer surface of the shutter which collocate with a

corresponding indentation or interior rib on an interior surface of the can lid engaging

periphery.
17. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed portion comprises an axle

journalling an aperture of the shutter.
18. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the axle comprises an arrowhead

for press fit engagement into the aperture.
19. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the aperture comprises a

frustoconical entrance for the axle.
20. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shutter comprises an outer rail

and wherein an inner surface of the can lid engaging periphery comprises a rail guide

for the rail.
21. A method of capping a can using the device as claimed in claim 1, the method

comprising attaching the can lid engaging periphery of the fixed portion to a rim of a

lid of the can and moving the shutter between the open and closed positions.