ES1275319U - One-turn opening system with hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

One-turn opening system with hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans characterized by the rotating opening movement that is carried out towards the outside of the container, opening and separating the die-cut sheet from the liquid without entering the interior. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

One-turn opening system with hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention, as indicated by the title of the present description, notably improves the opening system of any canned beverage, as well as its consumption, without the need for contact between the external part of the container with the inner product to be consumed, or with the consumer mouth.

The object of the invention is to facilitate consumption without the need for the external part of the can to be inserted inside the container when it is opened, nor for the consumer to drink directly from it, since it will be exposed to environmental conditions, as well as to microorganisms and viruses that may be in it. This project aims at a more hygienic consumption of the product and more ecological than other opening systems as it does not need a disposable external straw, so it is fully recyclable.

For this, the die-cut sheet that serves as the opening will come out when we open the can and will be inserted in the new design of the metallic external opener described in this document. In addition, the die-cut sheet will be attached to the laminar part in which a liquid pouring spout will rest, which will be inside the can protected from the outside.

Given the growing and justified concern about contamination and viral agents, microorganisms or animal waste (rats, cockroaches or other animals or insects) that may have had contact with the can, we created this new opening system with the foil stamped on the outside and leave the interior well protected from any external pathogen.

The fact that it is totally of the same material as the cans always ensures the same sanitation and the power to be recyclable in its entirety, as well as a lower cost when making them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current beverage containers or cans generally have an opening in the upper lid to bring the mouth closer, the lid having a die-cut that determines a line of weakness in order to obtain an orifice through which the liquid contained in the container can exit to the Exterior. The contact of the external area of the can with the consumer's mouth, favors the transmission of bacteria and infections towards him. In addition, the opening area ends inside the container, giving direct entry to the aforementioned pathogens, by having direct contact with the drink to be consumed.

With this design, a reliability of internal health is achieved, a recyclable pouring spout in accordance with the rest of the material used in the can, a simple design for the producer and a hygienic solution for the consumer.

There are multiple types of cans that contain a straw or cane inside, but they are based on deformable, disposable straws, loose inside the can or simply a cap with a built-in spout that attaches to the can in question, which practically means a high cost when making a change in the production chain.

There are a wide variety of devices, some very sophisticated and ingenious, but clearly room for improvement. Let's look at six examples:

1 CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDS WITH INCORPORATED INTERIOR STRAW.

(patent publication number ES 1078118, by Antonio Fernández Peláez). This document discloses a type of container for liquids with a built-in inner straw, in which the straw is loosely retained inside a tubular body that is provided inside the container, so that when the container is opened the straw comes out to its exterior being ready so that the user can use it.

2. PACKAGING FOR BEVERAGES, PRESERVES AND THE LIKE. (patent publication number WO 97/47529, by Gustavo Puente Pubill). It discloses a metal container with a tubular body on the inside, whose body extends in the form of a continuous sheet, from a folded position previously, when the upper membrane is opened.

3. SNACK CAN WITH STRAW. (patent publication number ES 1226664 , by Iliry SINA HADERI) It comprises a body destined to contain a refreshing drink and a flexible straw which includes the can itself that is provided on the inside of the container cylinder, a small cavity isolated from the liquid or drink, connected with a tube that goes down the wall of the can to the bottom of the can, and houses inside a straw made of corrugated flexo-type rings, which is accessed through a side tab.

4. Metal beverage can with built-in hygienic pouring spout.

(patent publication number ES 1249204 U and patent application number 201900503 U, by J. Alfonso Vela Moya and J. Carlos Rodríguez Vílchez, the same authors of this project). It comprises the same removable spout mechanism, but without the enhancements described in this document. It is intended to improve this previous model.

All these inventions contribute to a better sanitation of the consumption of liquids packed in containers or cans. But, unfortunately, the devices cannot cover all the cases, being sometimes too complicated in their elaboration, as well as in their opening or their final weight.

In addition, there are a multitude of other patents for the beverage can opening system, a field in which we will also deal in this document. Therefore, the following antecedents are exposed:

1. Beverage can with full opening lid. (application number E15151688, requested by CROWN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY, INC.) Conceived so that, when the can is opened, the entire upper face that includes the opening is torn and can be completely removed from the rest of the can. This system can cause cuts in the consumer by exposing the entire periphery of the sheet and, when detached, produces disposable parts that the consumer himself is forced to dispose of.

2. Ring-shaped tab to tear packaging strips. (US patent number US 3349949A, by Fraze Ermal). An incision on the aluminum surface defined the perimeter of the hole that, with the help of a ring riveted on the lid itself, could be made in the can. By means of a lever movement, the flange was completely withdrawn and discarded.

3. Easy-Open Wall. (US patent number US 3836038A, by Daniel F.

Cudzik). Similar to the previous one, but the opening sheet has a U-shape and makes it easier to open and remove it.

4. Double opening system for beverage cans. (application number P200802979, by Ramón Tamarit Rios). It is based on the same opening principle as conventional cans, with the exception that, by making the double movement of the ring, a lever is operated that tears the back of the opening with its second movement, allowing the passage of air to the interior for better liquid outlet.

5. Plug and valve. (application number P201131940, by Ramón Tamarit Rios).

In this patent it is comprised of an external cap in which the can is attached. This cap contains at least one orifice for the outlet of liquid from the container and at least one orifice for the entry of air into the container, said air inlet port incorporating a non-return valve that allows the entry of air, but not the exit of liquid through of the same.

Consequently, the state of the art proposes efficient, but not profitable solutions to carry them out on a large scale. The present invention offers a comfortable and hygienic solution by not introducing any part of the can inside it, devoid of obstacles or mechanisms. By which the user would not have to exert too much force or secondary movements to carry out the function of this patent, nor of disposable parts. Thus, in the recycling process stage, it is possible to opt for an easy and direct total reuse of the material.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

With regard to the product that we describe below and that we try to PROTECT as a UTILITY MODEL , it aims for maximum efficiency in the health of the consumer without fear of being infected by possible remains or bacteria deposited on the outside of the can.

This document is intended to protect, in whole or separately, the three key points of this utility model. The device is based on the classic can, although in this case it has the peculiarities that the lever opening mechanism of the opener or outer ring (1) is modified, the incorporation of a pouring spout (4) and the complementation of a secondary opening for the air inlet (6) (FIGURE 1) .

The classical opening is based on creating a first degree lever in which the support is found between the force exerted on the ring and the resistance offered by the stamped part of the opening. This type of lever offers less force to exert due to the difference in the lever arms, but it requires the insertion of the opening die-cut sheet into the can, producing direct contact of the external harmful agents with the liquid to be consumed.

Our utility model is based on an opening with a second degree lever, in which the support or axis of rotation is at one end and the force to be exerted at the other. The resistance to overcome is between the two. This characteristic is fundamental for our utility model as it will allow the extraction of our inner pouring spout (4) , as well as the reduction of movements of the ring (1) that we must do, since we will only need a single turn of it to create a double opening for both liquid and air.

Our external ring or opener (1) will be attached to the stamped detachment part (2) for the liquid through any type of union (5) such as a bolt, rivet or adhesive, which will be the resistance that we must overcome for the opening. In addition, this joint or bolt will also be attached below to the sheet of our pouring spout (4) on the inside of the can (Figure 1) .

When making the opening turn, the ring will pull the die-cut sheet that will make the sheet of the pouring spout move jointly in its turn, allowing it to come out (Figure 2) . While running, the other end of the opener or outer ring (1) will serve as a pivot for the turn. This support point can be used to puncture the secondary opening for air (6) (FIGURE 4B) , in case the union bolt (5) itself does not (FIGURE 4C).

To avoid cuts or wounds with the die-cut sheet once on the outside, the external opener (1) will have a concave shape so that this die-cut sheet (2) is housed inside (FIGURE 5) . This concave shape of the opener will need its negative shape on the upper face (9) of the can, creating a small mound (3) where the die-cut sheet for the liquid (2) will be housed and it will fit with the outer opener (1) when the can is closed (FIGURE 1).

When the spout has managed to come out in its fullness, the external opener (1) will still have a certain angular margin until it reaches its contact with the upper face of the can (9) (FIGURE 6) . This angular margin allows the outer opener to continue to be pushed into its housing (7) on the upper face of the can, which pulls the spout outwards. This effort allows the pouring spout (1) to be fitted with the opening mound (3) , through a small notch in the surface of the pouring spout (FIGURE 7A), either by a protrusion or a notch. This will ensure that this item never drifts inside.

When the rotation is completed, the outer opener (1) will be housed in the upper face of the can through an existing depression in the surface (7) , remaining attached to it (FIGURE 3) . This coupling may be arranged through a notch or projection between the opener (1) and the rear coupling area (7) (FIGURE 7B) , to prevent its movement once the rotation is completed.

To allow sealing and not evacuate the liquid while we drink, there will be a radial protrusion on the edge of the pouring spout sheet (4) , which will engage in a wedge shape with another protrusion made on the upper cover. of the can (9) , which will have the negative shape of the protrusion of the pouring spout (Figure 8) .

This sealing can also be carried out through the incorporation of any material in the form of a barrier (10) that is interposed between the upper sheet of the can (9) and the sheet of the spout (4) (Figure 9) .

As the container remains watertight, the action of drinking worsens because it does not allow the entry of air to replace the liquid that comes out. Therefore, this document also includes the possibility of incorporating a second punched hole (6) through which air is allowed to enter to facilitate a more constant flow of liquid to the time to absorb (FIGURE 4A). For this, a punched hole will be available which will be opened by the push exerted by the bolt (5) on it (Figure 4C) or exerted by the same external opener (1) (FIGURE 4B).

For the opening of the die-cut sheet for air (6) through the push of the bolt, it is contemplated that the sheet is housed on a mound (8) to facilitate the arrival and the push of the bolt to it (FIGURE 4C). The size and shape of the mound will depend on the type of shape that the opener (1) has and its ease of approaching the bolt to the die-cut sheet.

For the opening of the die-cut sheet through the push of the external opener itself (I) while it rotates and performs its movement, it will be arranged so that it serves as a pivot for the rotation of the opener and opens when the opener pushes and performs its movement of coupling with its housing area (7) (FIGURE 4B), leaving the stamped area attached to the upper face of the can, preventing its total detachment, but allowing the entry of air flow.

The type of rotation may also be supported by axes incorporated into the lid of the can if the manufacturer so wishes.

The internal pouring spout may also be made of a material other than that used in the rest of the can, such as plastic, ceramic or other materials intended for this purpose.

As a complement, if the manufacturer so wishes, it will be possible to have a small cap (I I) incorporated into the pouring spout so that the user can close the can, leaving it totally watertight for better transport and health (Figure 10).

This cap may be made of plastic or metallic materials, as well as the characteristic of being attached or not to the pouring spout through any sheet, thread or wire that does not allow the loss of this cap. At the time of opening, it will be jointly and severally located in its closed position on the pouring spout and the consumer, once the can is opened, can easily remove this cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the above description, we now show a series of drawings that facilitate the understanding of the utility model. According to an example of a practical embodiment, the following is attached as an integral part of said description for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

FIGURE 1 shows a general exploded representation of the device of the invention formed by the ring (1) , the die-cut sheet of the liquid (2) , the mound (3) where the die-cut sheet of the liquid will be housed, the sheet with the pouring spout (4) , the bolt (5) , the second die-cut sheet for air (6), the depression in the upper face (7) where the opener or ring will be housed once opened, the mound where the punched sheet will be housed air (8) and the sheet itself or upper part of the can (9) . It shows the union between the ring (1), the die-cut sheet (2) and the sheet with the pouring spout (4), through the bolt (5) or any other type of union.

FIGURE 2 shows several views in action of the practical application of opening, turning and exiting the pouring spout (4).

FIGURE 3 shows several views of how the device would be in its final state, with the spout (4) remaining totally vertical on the outside, and of the geometric situation of the ring (1) totally housed in the coupling depression (7).

FIGURE 4A shows the different geometric positions of the mound (8) where the die-cut sheet for air (6) will be housed, depending on whether they are opened by the opener (1) or by the bolt (5).

FIGURE 4B is a view of the punching and opening of the punched sheet for air (6) actuated by the end of the opener (1) itself.

FIGURE 4C is a view of the punching and opening of the punched sheet for air (6) actuated by the bolt or rivet (5) itself.

FIGURE 5 shows how the die-cut sheet of liquid (2) is housed inside the opener (1).

FIGURE 6 shows in detail the angular travel of the opener (1) that still remains to be made up to its coupling zone (7), when the pouring spout is completely on the outside.

FIGURE 7A is a detailed view of the notch or protrusion that will be used to block the movement of the pouring spout (4) with the mound of the die-cut sheet (3).

FIGURE 7B is a detailed view of the notch or protrusion that will be used to block the movement of the outer opener (1) with the rear coupling zone (7).

FIGURE 8 is a detailed view of the overlap of the upper sheet (9) with the sheet of the pourer (4), in the form of curvature to create the stagnation of the liquid and not protrude when drinking from the can.

FIGURE 9 is a detailed view of the overlap of the outer sheet (9) with the sheet of the spout (4) using the watertight barrier (10) as connection and support for both sheets.

FIGURE 10 shows the coupling of a small plug (11) in the upper part of the pouring spout, which may or may not be attached to it.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen in the referred figures, the device of the invention is constituted from the new opening system for conventional beverage cans, in which the die-cut opening sheet (2) is not inserted inside the container, but that goes outside. In addition to the complementation of an internal pouring spout (4) , which will be attached to the die-cut opening sheet for the liquid (2) and to the outer ring (1) through a joint (5) . When the ring is pulled, it will allow passage to the outside of the pouring spout thanks to the turn produced.

For its creation we must start from the creation of the metal can itself, to which the upper lid has not yet been attached. In this sense, various ways of creating the top cover are branched out, although the entrepreneur may contribute new ones and

1

adopt the one that suits you best, as long as you stay true to the purpose of this utility model.

At this point, we propose the creation of the upper cover by means of stamping to create the reliefs of the opening mound, the housing depression, the stagnation areas and the stamped areas that will allow the passage of liquid and air. For the union of the 3 essential parts (ring, die-cut sheet and spout sheet) it is possible to use a permanent union through bolts or by spot welding or, failing that, by a removable union with adhesives.

For the creation of the outer ring, any method that achieves the purposes presented in this document may be chosen.

For the creation of the pouring spout, it can be done by stamping or cold plastic deformation of a sheet, which must have the right shape for its best fit with the top sheet of the can. At this point, the possibility of incorporating the small cap attached to the mouth of the pouring spout described above may be considered, which may be made of plastic or metallic material.

Once each part of the can has been designed, it will only be necessary to incorporate the sheet with the pouring spout and the ring into the upper lid of the can through the joints previously described. Once the entire top lid of the can is created, you only have to join the lid to the can through the edges.

Claims (18)

1. One-turn opening system with hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans characterized by the rotating opening movement that is carried out towards the outside of the container, opening and separating the die-cut sheet from the liquid without entering the interior. 2. One-turn opening system with a hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to previous claims, characterized by the existence of an internal pouring spout that allows the consumption of the liquid in a hygienic way. 3. One-turn opening system with a hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to claim 1, characterized in that it allows the opening of the can and the extraction of the pouring spout with a single turning movement through the ring. 4. One-turn opening system with a hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to previous claims, characterized by presenting a permanent joint, such as bolts, rivets or any type of welding, or a removable joint, such as adhesives. , between the outer ring, the die-cut sheet of the liquid and the sheet of the pouring spout. 5. One-turn opening system with a hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to claim 4, characterized by the union of the die-cut sheet for the liquid with the rest of the container through the upper face of the can. 6. One-turn opening system with hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to previous claims, characterized by a coupling of the die-cut sheet of the liquid inside the external opener to avoid cuts and wounds. 7. One-turn opening system with a hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to claim 6, characterized in that the opener may have a concave shape so that the die-cut sheet of the liquid remains inside, once separated from the rest and opened the container. 8. One-turn opening system with hygienic pouring spout for cans of drinks, according to claim 7, characterized by the existence of a mound in which the die-cut sheet of the liquid with the negative shape of the opener will be housed so that they can be coupled to each other when the container is closed. 9. One-turn opening system with a hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to previous claims, characterized by the possibility of incorporating a second opening in the upper sheet of the can that allows air to enter the container to facilitate the consumption of the liquid and its constant flow. 10. One-turn opening system with a hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to claim 9, characterized in that the second opening for air can be opened by the push exerted by the external opener in its rotation or by the push of the bolt. tie when opener completes his turn. 11. One-turn opening system with a hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to claim 10, characterized in that the opening for air will also be arranged so that it serves as a pivot for turning the opener, in the case in which the opening is exerted by the own external opener. 12. One-turn opening system with hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to claim 11, characterized by the existence of a mound in which the die-cut sheet for air is housed, with any type of shape and height, to facilitate its punching. 13. One-turn opening system with hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to previous claims, characterized by having a notch or notch in the pouring spout that fits with the mound of the die-cut sheet for the liquid in its final position that allow immobilization of the spout itself. 14. One-turn opening system with a hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to claim 13, characterized by having a certain angular margin between the outer opener and its final housing position, which allows pulling the opener to its rear coupling area to achieve the total extraction of the pouring spout and its engagement with the mound of the sheet 1 die-cut of the liquid. 15. One-turn opening system with hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to previous claims, characterized by having a notch or notch with any possible shape, which allows the coupling and immobilization of the outer opener with its rear coupling area in your final position. 16. One-turn opening system with hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to previous claims, characterized by the incorporation of a stamped relief between the edge of the pouring spout sheet and the upper face of the can or by incorporating of any barrier-like material that is interposed between the sheets, allowing the opening to be completely watertight. 17. One-turn opening system with a hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to previous claims, characterized in that the choice of material for the pouring spout can be made of any plastic, metallic or ceramic material. 18. One-turn opening system with a hygienic pouring spout for beverage cans, according to previous claims, characterized by the possibility of incorporating a small cap to the pouring spout, to facilitate its transport once the can is opened. This stopper may be made of plastic or metallic material, and may be loose or attached to the spout through a wire or thread.