GB2306937A

GB2306937A - Insect protector for easy open container

Info

Publication number: GB2306937A
Application number: GB9522719A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth George Barnes; Richard Gower
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-09-12
Filing date: 1995-11-06
Publication date: 1997-05-14
Also published as: GB2304673A; GB9522719D0; GB9518568D0

Description

1 1 SAFETY DRINK CONTAINER 2306937 This invention relates to a safety

drink container which incorporates a sieve or series of holes or slots which will inhibit the ingress of insects or other small animals into the container through the mouth aperture incorporated in the lid.

Drinks are often consumed directly from a cylindrical container commonly called tins or cans. The container lid has incorporated within it a pull tab which, when levered upwards, creates an aperture along a predetermined tear line. The aperture is usually an oval shape which, on regular size containers, is approximately 18mm x 15min.

Most soft drinks have ingredients which may include sugar, glucose, syrup and other artificial sweeteners. Contents like beer, lager, cocktail mixes. etc., will attract insects such as bees, wasps, spiders and other small animals which can stmig or bite. As these animals are attracted to the smell and taste of the contents they very easily enter the container through the aperture because of its size but cannot be seen by the consumer. The next mouthful can be very dangerous and painful and there are many instances of stings on the lips, in the mouth and the throat. This can cause an allergic reaction resulting in anaphylactic shock or the subsequent swelling can be fatal by blocking the airway to the lungs.

According to the present invention there is a drink container with a lid incorporating a pull tab, a rivet forming a leverage point and a 2 predetermined tear section which, when opened, creates the mouth/drinking aperture.

The mouth aperture is protected by a group of holes or slots which are preformed in the handle part of the pull tab lever. The holes or slots incorporated in the handle part of the pull tab lever will form a protective sieve area so that when repositioned over the drinking aperture small animals such as bees and wasps cannot enter the container even when attracted by the contents.

In this embodiment the pull tab lever will be formed from metal which ivill be moulded and shaped so that it will remain rigid enough to act as a lever and that there will not be any sharp edges or projections which could cause injury to the consumer. When the container is opened in the normal way the pull tab lever is pulled upwards and over to the maximum point which then creates the drinking aperture. The pull tab is then bent back to c' its original position. The pull tab lever is then swivelled 180 so that it is positioned to cover and protect the open drinking aperture. The drink is then consumed safely through the preformed sieve area which is incorporated in the pull tab handle.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a conventional drink container 1:

3 Figure 2 shows the lid 2 elevation of a conventional drinks container, pull tab 3, rivet 4, tear line 5, a grip hole 7. The grip hole 7 is approximately 1 Omm x 8nun and will not and is not designed to offer protection from small animals such as bees and wasps; Figure 3 shows the lid 2 elevation of a conventional drinks container after it has been opened with pull tab 3, rivet 4, aperture 6. grip hole 7.

The pull tab handle is returned to its original position for consumption; Figure 4 shows the lid 2 elevation of a drinks container in accordance with the present invention. The pull tab handle 8, incorporates slots 9, or group of holes which will form a perforated sieve area 10, instead of a single grip hole 7, as provided in a conventional drink container; Figure 5 shows the lid 2 elevation after the container 1 has been opened and the dn'nkm'g aperture 6 (hatched to show shadow). The pull tab handle 8 with slots 9 is in the returned position as in a conventional drinks container; Figure 6 shows the lid 2 after opening the container 1 in the normal way then swivelled 18Cf so that it covers and protects he drinking aperture 6. The slots 9 or group of holes incorporated 'm the pull tab handle 8 will then prevent the ingress of animals such as bees and wasps from entering the container. The drink is then consumed safely through the slots 9 or holes provided in the handle 8.

As will be readily appreciated, the provision of a sleved mouth 4 aperture stops the ingress of unwanted animals into the container and is therefore much safer, preventing very serious consequences of accidental stings. These are all too frequent, M'volvmg medical care from ambulances, doctors, nurses and ancillary staff which puts a fmancial burden on resources.

There have also been reported accidents where pieces of Vidgets' now being fitted into some beer and lager drink contaffiers have broken loose inside the container. People have swallowed and choked on this device. The perforated sleved area will also prevent this type of accident.

This is a worldwide problem.

Claims

1. A safety drink container which incorporates a sieve or a group of holes or slots which covers the drinking aperture and will inhibit the ingress of insects or other small animals through the mouth aperture into the container.

2. A safety drink container which incorporates a sieve or a group of holes or slots which covers the drinking aperture and will prevent debris such as pieces of 'widgefor parts of the opening mechanism from being swallowed by the consumer.

3 in 1 1M

3. A safety drink contai er as claimed in claim 1 and clai 2 where the pull tab handle has slots or a group of holes instead of a single 'finger grip' c' hole, which, when swivelled through 180, will cover the original drinkfflig aperture.

4. A safety drink container as claimed mi claim 1 and claim 2 and claim 3 where the drink will be consumed directly through the handle part of the pull tab lever after it has been positioned over the original drinking aperture.