EP1951583B1

EP1951583B1 - Container

Info

Publication number: EP1951583B1
Application number: EP06807809A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Julian Parker; Andre Dawson Kristen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-11
Filing date: 2006-11-10
Publication date: 2011-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-10
Also published as: MX2008005981A; GB0522963D0; CA2629079A1; WO2007054568A1; CN101346286B; ATE512892T1; EP1951583A1; DK1951583T3; BRPI0618521A2; AU2006313713A1; JP2009515782A; US20100059516A1; CN101346286A; RU2008123124A

Abstract

A substantially cylindrical beverage container where the container end (2) is hermetically sealed to the container (1) and provided with a pre-scored line (4) in the container end (2) surface defining a portal (5), and a protuberance (6). Also provided is an opening device (3) which can be fitted daring manufacture or by the consumer.

Description

The present invention relates to a container having an opening device according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a container is know from the prior art documents DE 20004152U1 , DE 20114741U1 , US5,692,633 and EP0340835 A1 .
Food container and beverage container are often formed from a cup shaped metal or plastic body and a separate end of metal (also referred to as a lid).
Alternatively such containers comprise of an open ended cylinder and two ends. During contents packing the body and end(s) are permanently joined together to form a hermetically sealed container. The consumer accesses the contents by opening the end of the container.
It is common to open food and beverage container via the actuation of a pull-ring where the pull-ring is attached to the container end and located close to, or inside, a pre-scored aperture. The act of raising the pull-ring directs force onto a portion of the pre-scored aperture and creates a breach in the container end. Continued lifting of the pull ring either forces the pre-scored aperture cover into the container interior or allows for complete removal of part of the end as defined by the pre-scored aperture.
A perceived problem with the above methods of gaining access to the contents is that the container user is exposed to the risk of cutting themselves on the newly created opening, or in the case of food containers, the removed section of container end. Such injury can occur either during the act of opening the container or afterwards. This may include, specifically in beverage containers, the risk of consumer cutting a lip during the consumption of the beverage especially in the case of young children. Another injury risk is when consumers unwisely attempt to open a pull ring container after the pull ring has prematurely disconnected from the end, using any opportune sharp object.
It is also suggested that in food containers especially, the consumer can experience an anticipated risk of injury during the act of opening, especially during the final stages of detaching part of the end. Such anticipation of injury can cause unnecessary anxiety for the consumer. Anxiety is often manifested by the incomplete opening of the food container when the consumer decides that the act of opening is sufficiently complete to access the contents, while complete removal might result in injury or spillage. Incomplete opening has perceived advantages when accessing container contents, but results in a container with a sharp raised piece of container end which can represent a protracted risk if the consumer chooses or is obliged to recycle container separately and in a clean condition.
In addition, pull-rings are difficult to operate with long nails so that the act of instigating the opening of a pull-ring container can also cause unnecessary anxiety and cosmetic injury to those consumers who choose to keep their finger nails long or apply synthetic nail extensions.
Another perceived problem with containers and beverage containers especially, is that it is hard to reseal them. In early versions of the beverage container the pull-ring and aperture plate detached from the container end leaving an obstruction free, uniform aperture into which a bung, stopper or cork-like seal could be pressed. More recent versions of the pull-ring see the scored aperture plate and ring remaining attached to the container end, this precludes the insertion of a bung, stopper or cork into the open aperture.
The open port of a beverage container created during the act of opening the beverage container, presents the consumer with a container having unguarded opening to the atmosphere incapable of restricting the ingress or insertion of foreign bodies such as insects, drugs etc into the drinks container, which can have adverse consequences if consumed.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or alleviate one or more of the problems associated with the prior art.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container body, a container end and an opening device, where the container end is sealed to the container body and provided with a pre-scored portal, wherein the opening device rotates relative to the container end and rotation of opening device transmits force to the container end to open the pre-scored portal, wherein the pre-scored portal in the container end fully defines the portal so that upon opening of the portal the portion of the container end within the portal separates from the container end.
Optionally, there is provided a container body, a container end with one or more protuberances and a pre-scored portal, and an opening device; the opening device being able to rotate relative to the container body member between a first position and a second position, the opening device having a recess on its underside adapted to receive the protuberances in the first position so that the rotation of the opening device relative to the container body Into the second position is restricted by the protuberances, and wherein: rotational force applied to the opening device is transmitted to the container end to open the pre-scored portal.
The one or more protuberances may be any suitable shape, for example, semi-spherical, pyramidal, cuboid, etc. Preferably, the protuberance is semi-spherical.
The one or more protuberances can be disposed at any suitable position on the surface of the container end. It will be apparent to the skilled person to determine the ideal location for the one or more protuberances to enable the opening device to transmit sufficient force to the container end to open the pre-scored portal.
Optionally there is provided in the opening device a third rotation position achievable through the rotation of the opening device relative to the container end, wherein a seal is created and maintained between the opening device and the container end for the purpose of temporarily isolating the container contents from the atmosphere.
Optionally, there can be provided in the opening device a preformed port that can be rotated into position above the portal in the container end to aid in the dispensing of the contents.
Optionally, the opening device port may contain a perforated screen to restrict the ingress of foreign objects into the container interior and allow the dispensing of fluid from the container.
Optionally, the opening device may be constructed in such a way that it obscures or reveals selected areas of the container end surface during rotation of the opening device relative to the container end, wherein: the container end contains messages, instructions or images that can be viewed dependant on the relative position of the opening device on the container end.
Optionally, the container end may contain an electronic device designed and constructed to produce an audible message or sound effect upon the act of rotating the opening device relative to the container end.
Optionally, the opening device may contain an electronic device designed and constructed to produce an audible message or sound effect upon the act of rotating the opening device relative to the container end.
Optionally, the opening device is attached to the container end and able to rotate relative to the container end.
Optionally, the opening device is permanently attached to the container end at the centre of the container end and able to rotate relative to the container end.
Optionally, the opening device is temporarily attached to the container end at the centre of the container end and able to rotate relative to the container end.
Optionally, the opening device is permanently attached to the container at the container end and able to rotate relative to the container end.
Optionally, the opening device is temporarily attached to the container at the container rim and able to rotate relative to the container end.
Optionally, the opening device can be placed over the container end and rotated into a temporarily attached state via engagement under the container rim and able to rotate relative to the container end, where the container rim can be crimped, bent, crenulated or have attached protuberances that provide a surface for the opening device to engage with on the inner or outer external faces of the container rim.
Optionally, the opening device is not attached to the container end and able to rotate relative to the container end when held in place by the user.
Optionally, with respect to a container end provided with a pre-scored portal that allows for the complete separation of a substantial area of the container end, the opening device shall be provided with a temporary attachment to the container end to allow the removal of the detached container end section after the act of opening, wherein: the attachment consists of a suction cap, magnet, clip or other temporary attachment.
Optionally, with respect to a container end provided with a pre-scored portal that allows for the complete separation of a substantial area of the container end, the opening device shall be provided with a temporary attachment to the container end to allow the removal of the detached container end section after the act of opening, wherein: the attachment consists of a suction cap, magnet, clip or other temporary attachment and the opening device is provided with a means of disengaging the temporary attachment and releasing the detached end section.
Optionally, the opening device is constructed to completely cover the container end and is provided with a seal on its underside that bears against the container end rim to create a temporary seal between the opening device and the container end rim.
Optionally, the container end is provided with protuberances on the upper surface to allow the transmission of force to the container end by the opening device when the opening device is rotated relative to the container end. The protuberances may extend away from the can interior or in where the opening device is designed accordingly; towards the can interior.
Optionally, the opening device contains a cam or cams that transmit force to the container end when the opening device is rotated relative to the container end, these cams may transfer force evenly over a select surface of the container end to deflect the container end and cause the failure of a pre-scored line or concentrate the force on a narrow contact point on the container end to fail a pre-scored line or transmit force to the container end so that it fails at the contact point.
Optionally, the opening device, or elements of the opening device, descend towards the container end during the act of rotation of the opening device relative to the container end to transmit force to the container end. Descent can be controlled and established in the entire opening device by provision of angled guides (screw thread style). Elements of the opening device can be made to descend towards the container end by utilising a two piece opener where the act of turning the outer portion forces the downward descent of elements of the interior portion.
Optionally, the pre-scored line defining the future port in the container end can be either on the inner or outer faces of the container end.
Optionally, the container end may be formed from for example metal such as steel or aluminium.
Optionally, the opening device may be formed from for example, metal, plastic or a rigid biodegradable material or a combination of materials.
Optionally, the pre-scored line in the container end may consist of two or more pre-scored lines to allow for relative movement between different parts of the pre-scored portal during the act of opening, when a plurality of pre-scored lines are provided the opening device may be constructed so that the failure of the pre-scored lines occurs in a specific order, initially to equalise the interior of the cans pressure with atmospheric pressure via a small breach and ultimately to separate the pre-scored aperture from the container end.
Optionally, the pre-scored line in the container end may consist of two or more pre-scored lines to allow for relative movement between different parts of the pre-scored portal during the act of opening so that areas of the pre-scored portal overlap each other after separation from the container end to decrease the diameter of the pre-scored portal section in one or more directions.
Optionally, the container and container end are sealed during the act of packaging of the container and the container is distributed in its sealed state to consumers without a compatible opening device.
Optionally, the opening device is a reusable device and distributed separate from compatible containers.
Optionally, the opening device is a reusable device constructed to fit container ends with several different diameters.
Optionally, the protuberances can be placed on the outer surface of the container wall below a continuous pre-scored line that encircle the container body, and an annular opening device is provided capable of interacting with the protuberances during the act of opening to open the pre-scored line and allow the removal of the opening device, container rim and container end.
Optionally, the container comprising a container body having a releasably sealed portal at one end and means for opening said releasably sealed portal, said means rotatably mountable on said container body whereby rotation of the opening means opens the portal.
The opening means preferably comprises an opening device.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the invention for use in food containers, where a substantial portion of the container end contains a pre-scored portal.
FIG. 1b is an assembled perspective view of FIG. 1a where the container is in an unopened state.
FIG. 1c is an assembled perspective view of FIG. 1b after rotation of the opening device relative to the container end to open the pre-scored portal.
FIG. 1d is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1c revealing the detached pre-scored portal, the newly created portal in the container end and the opening device.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the underside of an embodiment of the opening device, detailing the line of cross section shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 is a cross section through FIG. 2 and a complimentary cross section through the container end if the opening device as shown in FIG. 2 was in place on an unopened container.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the underside of an embodiment of the opening device, detailing the line of cross section shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 is a cross section through FIG. 4 and a complimentary cross section through the container end if the opening device as shown in FIG. 4 was in place on an unopened container.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the underside of an embodiment of the opening device, detailing the line of cross section shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 is a cross section through FIG. 6 and a complimentary cross section through the container end if the opening device as shown in FIG. 6 was in place on an unopened container.
FIG. 8 is a view of FIG. 7 after opening and shows the opening device and detatched section of container end raised away from the container to reveal the new port.
FIG. 9 is a cross section through an embodiment of the invention and shows the opening device attached to the container end in an unopened state.
FIG. 10 is a view of Fig. 9 after opening and shows the opening device and detached section of container end being raised away from the container to reveal the new port.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the top of an embodiment of the invention showing the opening device fixed to an unopened container end, also detailed is the line of the cross section shown in Fig. 12.
FIG. 12 is a cross section through Fig. 11.
FIG. 13 is a view of Fig. 12 after opening and shows the opening device and detached section of container end raised away from the container to reveal the new port.

Figures 1-3 show a specific embodiment of the invention in use in, for example, food containers, where the container end 2 is provided with a pre-scored line 4 defining a future portal 5 and several raised protuberances 6 fully encircled by the pre-scored line 4. Also shown is an opening device 3 which can be fitted by the consumer over the top of the container end 2 and the rim 8. The opening device 3 can move within the plane of the container end 2 by rotation around the long axis of the container 1, movement is guided by the rim 8. Fig. 2 shows the underside of the opening device 3, the opening device 3 has on its under surface recesses 10 which, when the opening device 3 is in place, as shown in Fig. 3, accommodate the protuberances 6 without transferring force onto the container end 2. Fig 1c shows rotation of the opening device 3 by the consumer while holding the opening device 3 in close contact with rim 9, during which the opening device 3 comes into contact with the protuberance 6 and force is applied to the protuberances 6 by the opening device 3. In this embodiment the applied force causes the breaking of the pre-scored line 4 and the downward deflection of that portion of the container end 2 previously defined as portal 5, to create the port 11. Fig. 1d illustrates the relative separation of the components after opening and the created port 11 through which the container 1 contents can be accessed. Figs. 2-3 show optional seal 19 on the underside of opening device 3 designed to press against the upper face of rim 8 and manufactured from a suitable material, such as for example rubber, this feature if provided allows for the re-covering of the container end 2 for temporary storage of the contents of container 1, provided the opening device 3 entirely encompasses container end 2 as shown in the example in Fig. 2. Figs 2 and 3 additionally display an optional embodiment of the invention where the recesses 10 in the opening device 3 are of different dimensions and offsets, this feature allows force to be applied to different protuberances 6 at different stages in the rotation of opening device 3 relative to container end 2, pre-scored line 4 may include additional pre-scored lines than those illustrated in Fig. 2 to accommodate relative vertical movements in the pre-scored portal 5 as force is applied to different areas of the container end 2 at different stages of the rotation of the opening device 3 in relation to container end 2.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a variation on the embodiment displayed in Figs. 1-3 where the opening device 3, has on its under surface a protuberance 20 which upon the rotation of the opening device applies force to the container end 2 through the protuberances 6 to create port 11 as described for Figs. 1-3.
Figs. 6-8 shows a preferred feature of embodiments of the invention for use in, for example, food containers, and can be combined with other features previously illustrated in Figs. 1-5 or described later in this disclosure. With the separation of portal 5 from the container end 2 by the opening device 3 to create port 11, it is advantageous to provide a means of removing the separated portal 5 from the container 1. One way of achieving this is by the use of a connection between portal 5 and the opening device 3 established prior to the opening of container 1. In this example, for steel container ends, a magnet 21 is used to establish a temporary connection. Magnet 21 holds onto portal 5 during to opening process where opening device 3 is revolved around container end 2 and upon the removal of the opening device 3 is removed from the container 1. Many other methods of establishing a temporary connection can be envisaged and additionally methods of breaking this connection after the removal of the opening device 3 and portal 5 to allow for the disposal of portal 5 and the re-use of opening device 3, these may include but are not restricted to mechanical linkages, magnetism or suction.
If the opening device 3 is not required to be reusable, the removal of the portal 5 from the container 1 can be ensured by permanently joining the opening device to the portal 5 using a mechanical linkage such as for a example spot welded a pin 22 onto the centre of the upper face of the container end 2 and corresponding clip 23 in the centre of the opening device 3. This is illustrated in Fig. 9-10, where the separation of portal 5 as previously described enables the removal of both portal 5 and the opening device 3. The method of permanent connection and the form of the opening device 3 can be any that achieves the desired result. Figs 11-13 show another version of a permanently attached opening device 3 that detaches from the container 1 with portal 5, this version is attached to container end 2 via rivet 24 and revolves around container end 2 to apply force to protuberance 6, where the applied force opens portal 5 and creates port 11.
It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that many variations may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein that are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A container comprising a container body (1), a container end (2) and an opening device (3), where the container end (2) is sealed to the container body (1) and provided with a pre-scored portal (5), wherein the opening device (3) is rotatable relative to the container end (2) and rotation of the opening device (3) transmits force to the container end to open the pre-scored portal (5), characterised in that the pre-scored portal (5) in the container end (2) fully defines the portal (5) so that upon opening of the portal (5) the portion of the container end (2) within the portal (5) separates from the container end (2).
A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the container end comprises one or more protuberances (6) and the opening device is rotatable relative to the container body member between a first position and a second position, the opening device having a recess (10) on its underside adapted to receive the protuberances (6) in the first position so that the rotation of the opening device relative to the container body into the second position is restricted by the protuberances (6), and wherein rotational force applied to the opening device is transmitted to the container end to open the pre-scored portal.
A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the container has a third position, whereby the opening device is rotated relative to the container body and a seal (12) is created and maintained between the opening device and the container end for the purpose of temporarily isolating the container contents from the atmosphere.
A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the opening device has a preformed port that can be rotated into position above the portal in the container end to aid in the dispensing of the contents thereof.
A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein the opening device port comprises a perforated screen to restrict the ingress of foreign objects into the container interior and allow the dispensing of fluid from the container.
A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the opening device has one or more apertures such that the opening device can be rotated to obscure or reveal selected areas of the container end surface.
A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the container end comprises a means for emitting an audible message or sound effect when the opening device is rotated.
A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the opening device is coupled to the container end and able to rotate relative to the container end.
A container as claimed in claim 8 wherein the opening device is permanently mounted on the container end at and able to rotate relative thereto.
A container as claimed in claim 8 wherein the opening device is temporarily mounted on the container end in said first position and able to rotate relative thereto, said opening device separated from said container body in the second position.
A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the container has a rim (8) around the container end and the opening device can be placed over the container end and rotated into a temporarily mounted state via engagement under the container rim and able to rotate relative to the container end.
A container as claimed in claim 11 wherein the container rim is crimped, bent, crenelated and/or has protruberances that provide a surface for the opening device to engage with the container rim.
A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening device is couplable to the container end and able to rotate relative to the container end when held in place by a user, and wherein the pre-scored portal allows for the complete separation of a substantial area of the container end, the opening device is couplable via coupling means (21, 22, 23) to the container end to allow the removal of the detached container end section after the act of opening, wherein the coupling means comprises a suction cap, magnet, clip or other temporary attachment.
A container as claimed in claim 13 wherein the opening device comprises means of disengaging the temporary attachment and releasing the detached end section.
A container as claimed in claim 14 wherein the means of disengaging the temporary attachment comprises a suction bulb, rolling or rocking magnets and/or levers.
A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the opening device is constructed to completely cover the container end and is provided with a seal (19) on its underside that bears against the container end rim to create a temporary seal between the opening device and the container end rim.
A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the container end is provided with protuberances on its upper surface to allow the transmission of force to the container end by the opening device when the opening device is rotated relative to the container end.
A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the opening device comprises at least one cam that transmits force to the container end when the opening device is rotated relative thereto causing the failure of the pre-scored portal opening the container.
A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the opening device or elements thereof descend towards the container end during the act of rotation of the opening device.
A container as claimed in claim 19 wherein the container body comprises angled guides for guiding the descent of the opening device or element thereof.
A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the pre-scored portal comprises a plurality of score lines to allow for relative movement between different parts of the pre-scored portal during the act of opening and wherein the pre-scored lines are orientated such during the act of opening areas of the pre-scored portal overlap one another after separation from the container end to decrease the diameter of the pre-scored portal.
A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims comprising protuberances on a outer surface of the container body below a continuous pre-scored line that encircles the container body.
A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 containing a food stuff.
A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 containing a beverage.
A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 containing merchandise.
A container as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 25 wherein the one or more protuberances are semi-spherical, pyramidal or cuboid.
A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26 wherein the container comprises sealing means for re-sealing the pre-scored portal once opened.
A container as claimed in claim 27 wherein the sealing means is disposed on the container end.
A container as claimed in any one of claims 27 or 28 wherein the sealing means comprises a compressible material.
A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a tamper seal disposed over the portal deformable as the opening device is rotated to open the container.
A container as claimed in claim 30 wherein the opening device comprises a tamper seal.
A container as claimed in claim 31 wherein the tamper seal is integrally formed in the opening device.
A container as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 32 wherein the tamper seal comprises first and second elements wherein said first element is disposed on the container end and the second element is disposed on the opening device.