Introduction
The invention relates to a device for covering a container, for example that of the
type comprising a valve, such as a beer keg.
In one approach, as described in GB2211830 a heat shrink cover may be fitted onto a
beer keg. In another approach, as described in EP0950613 a snap fit cover may be
fitted onto a beer keg.
However, there is a need for an improved cover to provide improved ease of use and
improved security.
The invention aims to provide an improved cover.
Statements of Invention
According to the invention there is provided a device for covering a container
comprising a cup-shaped body with a covering top and a peripheral skirt, and a tear
band lock, wherein the device further comprises a seal for engaging the container to
prevent contamination from entering a space between the device and a container
surface.
In one embodiment the tear band lock is configured for snap-fitting engagement with
a container.
In another embodiment the tear band lock has a locking ring having a lower tapered
surface and an upper ledge for snap-fitting engagement.
In a further embodiment the tear band lock is located at the lower end of the skirt.
In one embodiment the tear band lock is integrally moulded with the peripheral skirt.
In another embodiment the device material is resilient.
In a further embodiment the seal comprises a resilient wall.
In one embodiment the seal wall extends from an inner surface of the cup.
In another embodiment the seal wall extends from the covering top of the device.
In a further embodiment the wall extends downwardly.
In one embodiment the seal wall extends inwardly and downwardly.
In another embodiment the device comprises a fastener for engagement with a
container.
In a further embodiment the fastener depends from the inner surface of the covering
top.
In one embodiment the fastener is substantially concentric with the peripheral skirt.
In another embodiment the fastener is threaded.
In a further embodiment the fastener comprises a plurality of sections.
In one embodiment the sections are arcuate, together forming a circular
configuration.
In one embodiment the fastener is flexible.
In another embodiment the seal wall extends from the fastener.
In a further embodiment the seal wall extends outwardly from the fastener.
In one embodiment the location of the seal relative to the tear band lock is such that
the seal is drawn into sealing engagement with the container upon engagement of the
tear band lock with a container.
In another embodiment the location of the seal relative to the fastener is such that the
seal is drawn into sealing engagement with the container upon engagement of the
fastener with a container.
In a further embodiment the device comprises a hand grip formed on the external
surface of the cover.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof
given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cover according to the invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views from below of the cover of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the cover of Fig. 1; Figs. 5 and 6 are partially cut away perspective views of the cover of Fig. 1; Figs. 7 and 8 are a cross sectional elevational view and a plan view from
above respectively of an alternative cover according to the invention; Fig. 9 is a cross sectional elevational view of an alternative cover according
to the invention; and Figs. 10 and 11 are a cross sectional elevational and a plan view from above
respectively of an alternative cover according to the invention.
Detailed Description
Referring to the drawings, and initially Figs. 1 to 6, a cover 1 comprises a cup shaped
body having a covering top 2 and a peripheral skirt 3 defining an opening 4. The
covering top 2 is disc-shaped and the peripheral skirt 3 depends from the covering
top 2 and has a substantially cylindrical form.
The cover 1 comprises a tear band 5 configured for snap-fitting engagement with a
container. The tear band 5 has a circumferential form and comprises a locking ring
12 on the inner side thereof. The locking ring 12 protrudes inwardly towards the
centre of the cover and has a lower tapered edge 13 and an upper horizontal ledge 14.
The locking ring 12 runs circumferentially around the inside of the tear band 5 and is
continuous in form.
The tear band 5 is connected to the peripheral skirt 3 at a frangible line of weakness
16 which forms a tear-off joint. The tear band 5 further comprises a pull tab 20. A
user grips the pull tab 20 to apply a force to remove the tear band 5. The tear band 5
is pulled away from the cover 1 at the frangible line of weakness 16, thereby
disengaging the ledge 14 from its snap-fitting position on the container.
The cover 1 comprises an internal seal 11. The seal 11 comprises a wall extending
downwardly and inwardly from the internal surface of covering top 2. The seal 11
extends radially inwardly towards the centre of the cover. The seal 11 is flexible and
is configured to press against a surface of the top of the container in use, to seal it.
The seal 11 prevents contamination for example dust which might pass between the
container top and cover from entering into the container. The seal 11 has a
continuous uninterrupted form.
The cover 1 further comprises an inner fastener 6 depending downwardly from the
internal surface of the covering top 2. The inner fastener 6 is formed of a plurality of
arcuate sections 7 in a pattern which is co-axial with the outer peripheral skirt 3. The
sections 7 are resilient. In this case, the external surface of the sections 7 of the inner
fastener 6 are threaded for engagement with an internal thread on the neck of the
container.
The cover 1 is connected to the container by pushing it down onto the container neck
so that the locking ring 12 of the tear band 5 snap fits into place onto the neck. By
this same action, the inner fastener 6 is pushed down into the neck of the container so
that it fits into place therein and the threads on the inner fastener 6 engage with the
threads on the internal surface of the container neck. A push-fitting action is
possible because of the resilience of the sections 7. The interengagement of the
threads prevents the inner fastener from being pulled out of the container neck. The
inner fastener 6 thus acts to secure the cover 1 in place on the container neck. The
inner fastener also interacts with the container neck to draw and hold the cover 1
against the container neck so that the seal 11 is held in sealing engagement with a
surface of the container to prevent contamination from entering the container.
The inner fastener 6 is normally fully engaged with the container neck simply by
pushing it into place so that the inner fastener fits into place in the container neck. In
some circumstances, after the inner fastener 6 is initially pushed into and engaged in
the container neck, the cover 1 may be rotated to screw the inner fastener further
home into to the container neck.
While in the embodiment described above the inner fastener 6 is threaded for
engagement with a container neck, it will be appreciated that the inner fastener may
comprise other suitable engagement means for example, a friction fit arrangement
with ridges or other surface features to engage with the inner surface of part of the
container neck.
The external surface of the peripheral skirt 3 comprises a knurl 8 which provides a
good hand grip to enable the user to grip and handle the cover with increased ease.
The cover 1 is manufactured of a plastics material, and the tear band 5 is integrally
moulded with the cover. The seal 11 and inner fastener 6 are also integrally formed
with the cover 1. The cover 1 will preferably be manufactured by injection moulding.
The cover 1 is suitable for covering the top of a keg for example, a beer keg. The top
of a beer keg comprises a metal seat comprising an internally threaded keg neck.
The keg neck comprises an external ring-shaped formation with which the tear band
lock engages.
In use, the cover 1 is placed over the metal seat at the top of a beer keg. The tapered
form 13 of locking ring 12 assists with placement of the cover 1 securely on the keg
top, allowing it to be pushed home. The ring 12 snap fits under a corresponding
ring-shaped formation on the keg top and the inner fastener 6 snap fits into the
internally threaded keg neck. Removal of the cover 1 from the top of the keg is
prevented as the ledge 14 of the locking ring 12 snap fits behind a corresponding ring
formation on the metal seat of the beer keg to which it is fitted. In addition, the
threaded inner fastener is securely engaged with the internal thread of the keg neck.
To remove the cover 1 a force is applied to the pull-ring 20 to tear off the tear band 5
and to remove the locking ring 12. With the locking ring removed, the cover 1 is
then turned to unscrew the inner fastener 6 from the keg neck to remove the cover I
from the keg.
The cover 1 may be used to cover kegs having kegs necks of different sizes and
forms. As noted above the tear band 5 engages with a corresponding ring formation
on the keg neck. However, if the distance between the top of keg neck and the ring
formation on the keg neck is less than the distance between the tear band locking
ring and covering top of the cover then the locking ring would not be permanently
engaged with the ring formation. Consequently the cover would be free to move up
and down on the keg neck and the seal would not be permanently engaged with a
portion of the keg neck. This potential problem is overcome by the inner fastener 6.
The inner fastener 6 engages with the keg neck to hold the cover 1 in position on the
keg neck and to ensure that the seal 11 is continuously engaged with a portion of the
keg neck in sealing engagement.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 a cover 21 is shown, similar features have been assigned
the same reference numbers. In this case, the tear band 5 further comprises a pull-hoop
22 extending externally of the tear band. The pull-hoop 22 is connected to the
tear band at a connector 23. A user grips the pull-hoop 22 and draws it up over the
top of the cover to pull the tear band 5 away from the cover 1 at the frangible line of
weakness 16 and to pull the locking ring 12 with it.
Referring to Fig. 9 the cover 21 comprises peripheral knurles 8 on the exterior of the
peripheral skirt 3.
Referring to Figs. 10 and 11 a cover 41 of an alternative embodiment is shown. The
cover 41 is similar to the covers 21 and 1 and similar features have been assigned the
same reference numerals in the drawings.
The cover 41 comprises a seal 11 and a tear band 5 as described above. The cover
41 is configured for use with a keg comprising a keg neck having a depth
corresponding to the depth of the cover. In this case, the seal is drawn into and held
in sealing engagement against a portion of the keg neck by the tear band locking ring
engaging an external ring formation on the keg neck. The cover 41 is suitable for
use with a particular keg neck having a height corresponding to that of the cover 41.
The covers according to the invention advantageously provide excellent security. If
the tear band is removed the cover cannot be subsequently replaced on a container,
or reused without it being immediately evident that the cover had been tampered
with. If the cover is tampered with, such interference will be evident from a simple
visual inspection of the tear band. The configuration of the cover ensures that any
interference or tampering with the cover will be immediately evident.
The covers of the invention have the further advantage of being easy to use. The
cover is simply pushed into place on a keg neck as required. The cover is suitable
for use with various kegs having necks of different heights. It is not necessary for a
user to select a particular cover for a particular type of keg. The inner fastener is
configured so that the cover may be correctly engaged with the keg neck to the
required level and the seal is drawn into place on keg neck to seal it.
It will also be appreciated that the cover of the invention provides excellent sealing
to prevent contamination particularly for the part of the keg's neck within the
diameter of the seal. The inner fastener provides both sealing and security by its
engagement with the keg neck. In effect, the inner fastener provides a second level
of engagement of the cover on the container.
The dimensions of the cover and the features of the seal and inner fastener may be
varied depending on the dimensions of the keg to be covered.
The cover of the invention has the advantage of providing increased security and a
sealed cover on the keg.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may
be varied in detail. For example, the contamination seal may be integral with the
skirt or inner fastener instead of or in addition to the covering top.