FR2875219A1 - Beverage intake enabling device for e.g. beverage bottle, has glass or plastic bottle presenting lip wall that exceeds only upper end of metallic box to prevent contact of consumer`s lip with upper part of box, in beverage intake position - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a glass or plastic beverage bottle (1) presenting a lip wall (19) that is fixed to a top peripheral edge of a metallic box in a sealed manner and emerges freely upwards by completely rotating around the metallic box at its top side. The lip wall exceeds only the upper end of the box to prevent the contact of consumer`s lip with an upper part of the box, in an beverage intake position.

Description

Device for the consumption of drinks.

  The present invention relates to a device or system for the consumption of beverages in metal cans or other materials, and boxes and bottles arranged to receive this device.

  Currently, beverages sold commercially and contained in bottles, flasks, cans or cartons do not allow a consumer to drink easily from these containers, and thus oblige the consumer to transfer the drink in a glass or tumbler. This is especially true for canned drinks, packaging becoming more widespread.

  The metal drink cans are provided with a tear-off lid on the upper face, thus providing an opening allowing the liquid to pass through; the liquid outlet being through this opening, this forces the consumer to wear his lips against this metal face; it is not easy, it is unpleasant and unhygienic. In addition, the open box must be consumed because, non-releasable, its transport is random. To overcome these drawbacks, several solutions have already been proposed and have proved unsatisfactory.

  The US patent. A. 13094250 discloses a bulky and complicated device having a cup-shaped upper portion capable of being fed by a passage from the container containing the liquid.

  US Patent A.13563413 discloses a cup-shaped complex device for inverting the bottle on which it is placed for delivery of a dose.

  The German application DOS.2641874 describes an open-bottomed cup which can be placed in the mouth of a bottle. Alternatively, it describes a cup of large size having a lower passage capable of being placed in communication with the opening of a box. It must be put in place after opening the box.

  Patent Application EP.A.0269580 discloses a device having a tall cup shape which can be attached to the top of a beverage can after opening thereof and having rotational sealing means. .

  Patent Application EP.A.0193250 discloses a beaker of considerable height, capable of being fixed at the top of a box with an opening in coincidence with the opening of the box, this beaker being reversible for transport, for surround the upper part of the box and offer a smaller allowance. It requires complicated handling.

  All these devices have in common the disadvantage of disfiguring the appearance of the box that is no longer familiar to the consumer, to present a large footprint, to require manipulations that consumers can hardly get used to and not to poorly solve the problems of sealing, filling and preservation of the cleanliness of the upper face of the box, which is in contact with the product to be consumed after opening.

  The present invention proposes to remedy these disadvantages.

  To this end, the invention relates to a device for the consumption of drinks in cans or similar containers (including bottles) provided with an opening in its upper face, characterized in that it has a wall, or drinking , being able to allow consumption, opening freely upwards, making a complete circle around the box on its upper face, said wall being capable of being displaced or deformed between a retracted position, or a low position, in which it only extends beyond a very low height, or even zero, the upper end of the box and an extended position, or high position in which it does not exceed said upper end of a preferably low height but sufficient to avoid contact with the mouth of the consumer with the metal from the top end of the box.

  The invention has several possibilities relating to beverage cans and provides several significant improvements.

  An improvement provided by the device of the invention is the appearance of the circular wall described above, in the upper position, by reversal of said wall piece drinking when the user has exerted a vertical thrust from bottom to top on the circumference of the drinking wall.

  The passage from this low position to the high position of this circular wall can be obtained only by the choice of the selected material to achieve it, either by the work done on the material.

  In the choice of the material, it must be extensible and tenacious. Tests, (prototypes) made allow, for example, to say that silicone is very suitable for this realization as well as polyethylene, food grade materials both. In another embodiment, it will be the work done on the material that will allow its extensibility.

  A fabric that has nothing elastic can become as soon as it is worked in a certain way. The gathers obtained by the work of specialists become, in the case of pleats embroidered on the spot, honeycombs or smocks. Another example is that of the pleated skirt.

  In the case of the invention, a pleating will be the work to be performed on the material to obtain an elasticity allowing deformation .. which will allow the inversion of the drinking wall positioned on the beverage can, thus ensuring the passage from the low position to the high position of the wall drinking when the user exerts a vertical upward upward movement on the circumference of the drinking wall.

  This pleating process vermet the invention to be performed in all types of materials when they are food grade. It can be steel, aluminum, wood, cardboard, plastic and all synthetic materials on the market. This pleating will allow the increase of the diameter of the drinking wall during its reversal. As a matter of fact, polishing from the low position to the high position, the wall being able to pass through the haunting position, extends to the form of a washer at half height, when it is horizontal, and returns to its original form as soon as it is turned upside down. It is therefore well in i that it the case of a non-elastic material, the work of pleating performed on the material used which vermet this operation. i 2

  In the case of an embodiment with a wall height of a medium order of 7 to 10 mm in height, the elongation of the material at its largest stage will be of the order of 1; a few tens of mm, which, distributed on the circumference of the drinking wall would be absorbed by a pleating having pleat heights of the order of a few tenths of a mm.

  These small folds would be quite imperceptible in the mouth of the consumer. These creases can be multiplied to make the wall almost smooth.

  Depending on the chosen option for realizing the invention, it is worth remembering that the material chosen to remind you that it has a memory which makes it resume its initial position or any other inclination. This precision is important in the case of realization for certain types of beverage cans 25, the great majority of which is 33c1 and 50c1.

  These models of boxes have both, the upper part identical, that is to say frustoconical with on the lid an opening ring.

  The invention can be drunk (as in a verrel with a drink can equipped with the drinking wall is therefore, in the low position, placed on the frustoconical portion of the beverage can, and, in the high position it can after reversing, follow the same inclination in low position or, conversely, any other inclination up to the vertical according to the choice of the designer, marketing or commercial department.This position is possible thanks to the memory of the material used.

  These explanations were necessary because it should be noted that for some time the market of the beverage can is complete with boxes of 25c1 and even 15c1_ The particularity of these beverage cans is to be completely cylindrical, without frustoconical part at the top.

  The invention, by design, has the advantage over all models of the market, to be able to position itself on these boxes without difficulty to position J cylindrical In this case, it should be noted that beverage cans equipped with invention do not change external appearance. In addition to the existing black packaging these boxes are not to 1 - 1 l change since in height or in diameter, nothing changes.

  The drunk can receive an advertising message. give the rules of a leu_ of a wall can V 1 - V J - contest or any other media action, for example an event.

  In the evoked forms of presentation of the invention, there is no mention of hygiene.

  For the basic model it can be solved simply by placing a film on the upper part of the drink box and we will detail further a more elaborate system.

  part 2 1 Y 1 This protection, too, does not make any extra thickness and does not hinder the stacking of boxes.

  In the case of a preferred embodiment of the invention, one can imagine the device cainsi: a ring coming to clip on the upper part of the beverage can. The upper part of this ring comprises a profiled part so as to cover the circular groove which exists on all the covers of the beverage cans thus preventing the liquid from stagnating in the groove.

  T, a lower part of this ring is extended by a drinking wall already described in the variants with a solid part that will allow its clipping, and a thin portion hinged to allow the flipping of the drinking wall. At a height located in the crimping zone, an arrangement is made to receive a complementary part. This complementary part is itself part of the other part that makes up the device making the invention. This is the lid or closure cap. This lid has a dual role 1) it ensures the refilling of the beverage can.

  2) it is designed in such a way that its lower part, provided with a skirt, covers the drinking wall. This skirt thus ensures total hygiene and as long as there is a bridging connection between the stopper and the drinking wall of the ring, it also ensures the safety side. There are many applications of this principle and this is quite achievable by those skilled in the art. Another advantage, when this plug has been removed, is to slide under the opening ring the file described above and use it as a lever arm to better grasp the ring. This operation is often difficult and feared, especially women and children.

  In a variant of the invention, mention must be made of two other possibilities deriving therefrom.

  1) integrate the drinking wall during the manufacture of the box, it then part of the box.

  2) integrate a drinking wall just before the filling and crimping phases.

  For the first option_ the upper part of the box would be elongated and worked in pleating - before being folded with the laying of the lid.

  In the second option, a drinking wall in the form of a ring is put on the neck of the box. Then follow the filling operations, crimping, which lead with them the p of the liquor pentru the top of the box and positioning wall taken cover and crimped with it.

  In another embodiment adapted to the bottles, a new ring serves as a guide for another sliding ring from bottom to top on the first, with a stop lug or a black studied cone to prevent it from coming out. i i

  In another embodiment still adapted to the bottles, it is very possible to clip on the bottle the ring comprising the drinking wall working by inverting the ring and in both cases it is possible to produce a cap equipped with a skirt, which covers the drinking wall obtained by drawing; either by flipping and thus ensure perfect hygiene.

  Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description which is given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings.

  Figure 1 schematically shows the. wall drinking in low position and in high position.

  Figure 2 schematically shows the drinking wall and its deformation during the inversion phase and the embodiment of the resulting wall obtained by pleating.

  3 shows a sectional view of the invention positioned on a standard frusto-conical beverage can (33 and 50 cl cans the largest market), and the hinged wall hinge at the bottom of the crimping.

  Figure 3A shows a sectional view of the invention positioned on a standard beverage box with a frustoconical top and a hinged butting wall, but this time at the top of the crimp, hence at the top of the beverage can.

  Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the invention positioned on a fully cylindrical beverage can (15 and 25 cl boxes on the market). 1 l

  Figure 5 shows a piece of plastic or other and which serves to facilitate the opening of the beverage can by helping the grip of the ring. Can be considered as an advertising object. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the invention with the wall in a downward position with the closure cap providing hygiene and tamper resistance in the case of tear-off bridges.

  Figure 7 schematically shows a beverage can with the rising wall making up / represents 1 1 part of the box.

  Figure R schematically shows the bending phases of the wall up to 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 crimping the lid.

  Figure 9 schematically shows a wall drinking side of the neck of the box / 1 L 1 posed drink.

  Figures 10 and 11 show schematically the bending phases of the wall drinking V t 1 1 V 1 during the periods before crimping.

  Figure 12 shows schematically a telescopic drinking wall on the left and a / 1 1 1 1 V drinking wall working by turning right, both mounted on a bottle.

  In the case of the invention, we now see the pleasant tasting side as in a glass. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  Figure 1 shows the drinking wall positioned on the box 1 and it can be seen in 12 how the. drinking wall is positioned after turning in 13.

  FIG. 2 shows how the drinking wall made of a material worked, here by pleating 15, which is seen in profile 17 when it is in the low 12 and high position 13 and this profile becoming flat 16 during the maximum extension 14 during the reversal phase. The asperities represented in 17 are important here, but in the. In reality, these asperities will only be of the order of a few tenths of a millimeter. considering the length of the elongation of the drinking wall distributed on the. circumference of it so imperceptible in the mouth of the drinker.

We refer to the. Figure 3.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the invention positioned on a so-called can drink can with the frustoconical upper part (13 and 50 cl boxes). The particularity of the invention, the aim of which is to allow a pleasant tasting, without the contact of the metal on the lips, this is particular, is that it is made in a single particular, 1 piece in its basic design, a ring 18 positioned on the beverage box 1.

  We find the lip 8 which covers the circular groove 3 thus avoiding any stagnation of liquid in it. The retention of the ring 1 R is ensured by the hooking protrusion a d has hooking It under the crimping 2 of the box. The drinking wall shown in the lower position 19 is figlrrée high position 20. This reversal is made possible by the hinge 21 obtained by a thinning of the material, which is found in many applications_ 1 1 In an embodiment of a great simplicity, the hygiene side is brought by the simple pose of a film 22E _ use nowadays very widespread.

  usage t Referring to Figure 3A.

  In a preferred variant of the invention, it should be noted in FIG. 3A that the ring 1 R fastened 1 to the V on the box 1 thanks to the hooking protrusion II, always has the lip 8 coming to cover the circular groove 3 and a wall dropping 19_ Tci_ the hinged thin portion 21 has changed position; it is at the top of the ring. This arrangement avoids having liquid between the ring IR and the upstanding wall 19 when the wall 1 is in the upper position 20. For hygiene, the simple installation of a film 22 provides a simple solution and effective. Under the hooking protrusion i 1 a part shown in dotted line at V part 1a shows an exemplary embodiment of the ring 18 to have a beautiful aesthetics thereof when the. drinking wall 19 is in the high position 20. 1 to 1

Referring to Figure 4

  FIG. 4 shows in the invention the invention positioned here on a cylindrical beverage can from bottom to top. On this type of boxes there is no frustoconical upper portion 23. The same elements as in the previous version are seen in FIG. 3. It is clearly seen that the drinking wall 19 which covers the frustoconical portion in FIG. represented inclined, is here, represented well vertical on the. Figure 4. In contrast, the drinking wall 19 is in the vertical position 20 after the reversal phase. It is obvious that this verticality wants to be modified at will and its inclination vary according to the work of the man of the art who realizes the ring. This is how it can be flared and recall the profile of a cut. Here too, the hygiene of the top of the drink can be ensured by the laying of a film.

Reference is made to FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a small part that can be made of plastic or any other small V 1, which can be used as a material, and whose purpose is to facilitate gripping of the opening ring of the beverage can.

  The notch 24 is slid under the ring and surrounds the fastening rivet. When the end of the ring appears in the light 25, it is sufficient to exert one pull up with the finger passed in the hole 26.

Referring to Figure f.

  Figure 6 shows in section, the invention in its most complete version.

  In fact, here the invention is positioned on a 33 or 50 cc can (beverage can), but it could equally well be a box of any other packaging (15 or 25cl for example) without a frustoconical portion to the part. higher.

  The ring 27 is positioned on the box 1 and covers the frustoconical part 23. The lip 8 covers the circular groove 3 and the assembly cleaves itself to the crimping 2 thanks to clipping v a .: the outgrowth 11. There is the drinking wall 19 and the thinned portion 21 which makes it possible to obtain the hinge effect of the drinking wall 19 in the upturn phase. In this version the ring 27comprend a cavity 28 whose geometry is represented here by a square shape 1 but any other new profile to suit 1 1 1 This ring 27 equipped with its drinking wall 19 allows a tasting of the drink as in a glass.

  But in addition, we can close the box, after drinking.

  The stopper 29 is positioned on the ring 27. This cap comprises a skirt 31 which covers the drinking wall 19 and a lug 30, which is housed in the cavity 28. The lug assembly 30, cavity 28, represents a connection which can be a screwing or any other system exerting a clamping, a blocking, and thus a closure of the ring 27 and plug 29_ assembly. The cap 29 may include projections, asperities, protuberances of all kinds, so as to facilitate gripping.

  For safety purposes, one can imagine a connection of the entire ring 27 and cover 29 by tearing bridges or inviolable tongues_ This highly visible part of the invention becomes, also, an excellent advertising medium.

Referring to Figure 7

  In Figure 7 we note that the metal part or other .. forming the body of the box 1 with its frustoconical portion 23 is much higher than the normal la. This upper part 1a is worked for example by smoothing in the manner of a pleated dune, which will necessarily give it an elasticity. This trick is the skirt, an integrated drinking wall.

Reference is made to Figure 8.

  Figure R shows that before filling the box sees its upper part 1 folded so that L: - 1 1 1 s do not interfere with the installation of the cover 32.1.

  Always figure R, it is clearly seen on the upper part of the box 1a or drinking wall V 1 1 1 rests on the frustoconical portion 23 and is trapped under the cover 32.1 with it will be crimped. In dotted line, it can be seen how, thanks to the elasticity of the part which part of the pleating may be from the lower position B to the upper position H. For the comfort of the tasting, this wall drinking For example, it can be coated with a thin film of teflon or any other material which annihilates the unpleasant effect of the metal.

  Referring to Figures 9, 10 and 11.

  The succession of these three figures clearly shows That here before the filling of a box - one places a ring 33 on the neck of the box. This ring may be made according to the pleating method already described or may be made of an extensible material such as silicone, polyethylene or any other synthetic material.

  T, Fig. 9 shows how the ring 33 is positioned, which will become the drinking wall.

  V 1 V 1 1 Figure I O shows the evolution of the ring 33 drinking wall when laying the lid, just before crimping_ Figure 11 shows the final position of the ring 33 wall just before the crimping phase. Rn B the ring 33 pbuvant is in bass and, _ always by V V wall position i reversal, the ring 33 drinking wall can be found in high position H. The cover 32.1 encloses and holds strongly.

Referring to Figure 12

  Fig. 12 shows here an application of the invention to bottles.

  Some time ago the packs of 6 bottles of 50cl. were sold with cups laid back on the bottles. These goblets were not holding and it was not hygienic. The invention provides a solution to this kind of problem.

  On the left-hand part G of FIG. 12, a profiled ring 35 is clipped on the bottle 34 and is firmly attached to the bottle by means of a hooking peg 36 which is housed under VVV iv the protrusion or prominence 37 existing on the bottle. all the bottles. On its upper periphery this ring 35 is provided with a stop 3R. Along the vertical wall 39 of the ring 35 V i V wall it slides a ring 40 which, in a vertical movement from bottom to top can be in the lower position 40 or in hate position 41. This ring thus becomes a drinking wall .

  1 1 V i To prevent it from leaving its housing, this ring is provided with a lug 42 which is placed under the abutment 3R during its extraction so that it takes its place in position i to take i position high 41.

  This new action also be performed by cone clamping. The assembly is rendered hygienic by the skirt 43 of the stopper 44.

  On the right side D of Figure 12_ we see a view in conne of the invention which is here part of an application quite comparable to the invention on the beverage cans.

  We find the ring I R the hooking protrusion 1 1 under the prominence of the bottle V V 1 37. The wall drinking 19 in the low position is shown in the high position 20. This phase of reversal there too. The hygienic side, on the other hand, is made possible by the cap of the bottle 44 which has simply undergone a transformation; the addition of the skirt 43 and 45 comes to protect the walls drinking 40 and 19.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS Apparatus for the consumption of beverages in a metal box or similar container, including glass bottles, or of plastic material such as this, having a drinking wall (1-1a-33) affixed to the gasket 1, 1 north peripheral and upper t of the box, opening freely upwardly by completely around the box on its upper face, characterized in that the wall) drinking li9-1a-) in the high position after-rollover, so in position consumption, exceeds the upper end of the box only a small height, or even zero, but sufficient to prevent the contact of the lips of the consumer with the upper part of the box.   2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the drinking wall exceeds said end with a distance or height of between 6 and 20mm.   3. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the drinking wall exceeds the upper end of the box with a distance between 6 and 1 mm. and in particular of the order of 7 to 10nim.   4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that qla. The wall is flush with the top end of the box.   5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the wall t that drinking may be positioned between a low position in which it exceeds very little or not at all depending on the chosen manufacturing option. upper end of the box, and a high position in which it exceeds said upper end of sufficient height so that the consumer does not touch the upper part of the box with his lips.   6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized by a cover, film or cap (22-29-43-45) initially covered, closed, to ensure cleanliness, hygiene of the box during storage, this cap or cap being substantially in contact with the upper part of the box and having only a very small extra thickness, in no way interfering with storage for example.   7. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the cap is formed in the form of a lid capable of being positioned on the drinking wall and after screwing for example, to ensure closure of the upper part of the box, thus avoiding any leakage of liquid.   8. Device according to claims 2 to 5 characterized in that the drinking wall (l 9-1 a-33) is mounted returnahle relative. at the box between the low position and the high position.   9_ Device according to claims 5-R characterized in that mue the drinking wall (19-5 1 a-33 = may be brought from its low position to its upper position, by a deformation of the wall drinking around its fixing none on the box.   10. Device according to claims 6 and 7 characterized in that the rehoiichage cap neu-be integral with the wall drinking through torn bridges ensuring V 1 1 inviolability of the box.