US20090194535A1

US20090194535A1 - Closure for Container

Info

Publication number: US20090194535A1
Application number: US12/025,149
Authority: US
Inventors: Russell Reed; Donna Reed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-04
Filing date: 2008-02-04
Publication date: 2009-08-06
Also published as: US20110297689A1

Abstract

A closure for a container includes a cover plate adapted to be removably secured to a top end portion of the container and a sip hole configured within the cover plate and adapted to be positioned on a dispensing opening configured in the top end portion of the container. The closure further includes a reclosable lid comprising a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the reclosable lid is hinged to the cover plate for enabling a pivotal motion of the reclosable lid. The pivotal motion enables the reclosable lid to assume at least one of an open position and a closed position. The closure also includes a rubber seal configured on the second end portion of the reclosable lid, the rubber seal adapted to be received in the sip hole for sealing the sip hole in the closed position of the reclosable lid.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to closures for a container, and, more particularly, to a closure adapted to seal contents of the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various drinks such as juices, carbonated beverages, beer, wine and the like are sold by packaging the drinks in a disposable drink container, such as a can. Typically, the drink container includes a dispensing opening provided on a top face thereof for dispensing the drink contained therein. The dispensing opening may be sealed with a removable tab. In use, a user may remove the tab when he/she desires to consume the drink contained within the container.
On some instances, the user may not wish to drink entire contents of the drink container, for example, the can; and may wish to store the remaining content of the container for future consumption. However, once the tab is removed from the drink container, the same tab cannot be reused for sealing the dispensing opening of the container. Accordingly, the drink contained in the container may remain uncovered for a long duration, thereby exposing the drink to external environment. For example, the uncovered drink may be exposed to dust particles, insects, snow, and the like, resulting in the contamination of the drink. Moreover, gases present in the drink, such as a carbonated beverage, beer and the like, may escape upon prolonged exposure of the drink to external environment, thereby affecting the taste of the drink.
Therefore, based on the foregoing, there is a need for a closure for a drink container, which is capable of sealing a drink contained in the container. Moreover, there exists a need for a closure for a container which is capable of preventing contamination of a drink contained in the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a closure for a container configured to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a closure for a container, which is capable of sealing a drink contained therein.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a closure for a container, which is capable of preventing contamination of a drink contained therein.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a closure for a container, which is capable of sealing a drink contained in the container. The closure includes a cover plate having a top face and a bottom face. The cover plate is adapted to be removably secured to a top end portion of the container. The closure further includes a sip hole configured within the cover plate and extending from the top face of the cover plate to the bottom face of the cover plate. The sip hole is adapted to be positioned on a dispensing opening configured in the top end portion of the container. Moreover, the closure includes a reclosable lid having a first end portion, a second end portion and a rubber seal configured on the second end portion of the reclosable lid. The first end portion of the reclosable lid is hinged to the cover plate for enabling a pivotal motion of the reclosable lid. More specifically, the pivotal motion enables an open position and a closed position of the reclosable lid, such that in the closed position of the reclosable lid the rubber seal is adapted to be received in the sip hole for sealing the sip hole.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a closure for a container, such that the closure capable of preventing contamination of a drink contained therein.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a closure for a container, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the closure of FIG. 1 seen towards an axis X-X, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a closure secured to a top end portion of a container, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present invention is not limited to a particular closure, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
The present invention provides a closure for a container. More specifically, the disclosed closure may be used for protectively sealing a container, for example, a beer can, after the container is opened and contents of the container are not consumed completely.
FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a closure 100 for a container, for example, a beverage can, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The closure 100 includes a cover plate 102, which is adapted to be removably secured to a top end portion (not shown) of the container (not shown) for securing the closure 100 thereto. An arrangement describing the cover plate 102 secured to the container will be explained further in conjunction with FIG. 2.
The cover plate 102 includes a top face 104, a bottom face (not shown) and a sip hole 106 configured within the cover plate 102, such that the sip hole 106 extends between the top face 104 and the bottom face of the cover plate 102. The cover plate 102 is adapted to cover a dispensing opening (not shown) of the container. As described herein, the cover plate 102 is shown circular in shape. However, without limiting the scope of the present invention, the cover plate 102 may assume any other shape, such as a square shape, a rectangular, shape, a pentagonal shape and the like, to match the shape of the container. Accordingly, the dimensions of the cover plate 102 may be varied for adapting the cover plate 102 to containers of varied sizes.
The cover plate 102 may be placed on the dispensing opening (not shown) of the container such that the sip hole 106 is positioned on the dispensing opening of the container for enabling, thereby a user to access the dispensing opening for consuming the drink contained in the container. More specifically, the user may consume the drink contained in the container through the sip hole 106 by bringing his/her oral cavity in direct contact with the sip hole 106 and lifting the container to pour the drink out of the dispensing opening and the sip hole 106. Alternatively, the user may consume the drink by inserting a straw into the sip hole 106 of the closure 100.
The sip hole 106 may be dimensioned for appropriate dispensing the drink without spillage or wastage of the drink. In the present embodiment, the sip hole 106 is dimensioned appropriately for being positioned over the dispensing opening of the container for dispensing the drink contained therein. In another embodiment of the present invention, the sip hole 106 may extend outwardly from an edge portion of the cover plate 102, thereby enabling a convenient contact between the oral cavity of the user and the sip hole 106. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the sip hole 106 may extend vertically upward from the top face 104 of the cover plate 102 for enabling easy access thereof by the user.
The sip hole 106 may be sealed by means of a reclosable lid 108 pivotally secured to the cover plate 102. As disclosed herein, the reclosable lid 108 includes a first end portion 110, and a second end portion 112 having a rubber seal 114 configured thereon. The first end portion 110 of the reclosable lid 108 is hinged to the top face 104 of the cover plate 102 for enabling a pivotal motion of the reclosable lid 108. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first end portion 110 of the reclosable lid 108 may be hinged substantially at a central portion of the top face 104 of the cover plate 102. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first end portion 110 of the reclosable lid 108 may be hinged substantially at a peripheral portion of the cover plate 102.
The pivotal motion of the reclosable lid 108 enables the reclosable lid 108 to assume at least one of an open position and a closed position. More specifically, in the closed position of the reclosable lid 108, the rubber seal 114 configured on the second end portion 112 of the reclosable lid 108 is adapted to be received in the sip hole 106, thereby enabling an air-tight sealing of the sip hole 106. Accordingly, the gases contained in the drink may be prevented from escaping thereof. The rubber seal 114 may also prevent spillage of the drink from the container when the container is overturned or dropped. Moreover, the rubber seal 114 effectively seals the container, thereby preventing the contaminants and insects from entering the container. For example, a container may contain a sweetened drink so that once the container is opened; the sweetened drink may be exposed to insects, for example, bees, ants and the like. Accordingly, the rubber seal 114 prevents contaminants, such as dirt particles; and small insects such as ants from entering the container and spoiling the drink contained therewithin.
As disclosed herein, the rubber seal 114 may have a shape complementary to a shape of the sip hole 106, thereby enabling a proper sealing of the sip hole 106. In an embodiment of the present invention, various components of the closure 100, more specifically, the cover plate 102, and the reclosable lid 108 may be made from a plastic material. However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that other materials such as rubber, metal, wood, and the like, may also be utilized for configuring the cover plate 102, the reclosable lid 108, and the sip hole 106 of the closure 100.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the closure 100 seen towards an axis X-X of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As seen towards the axis X-X, the closure 100 includes a locking mechanism 116 configured on a peripheral portion (not shown) of the cover plate 102. The locking mechanism 116 is adapted to removably secure the closure 100 to the container (not shown). More specifically, the locking mechanism 116 includes two downward extending wall portions 118 and 120 configured on opposite ends on a peripheral portion of the cover plate 102. Moreover, the wall portions 118 and 120 extend from the cover plate 102 to configure enclosures 122 and 124, respectively, between the cover plate 102 and the wall portions 118 and 120. The enclosures 122 and 124 are adapted to receive the top end portion of the container, thereby securing the closure 100 to the top end portion of the container. It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the locking mechanism 116 as described herein. The closure 100 may also include any other suitable locking mechanism, which is adapted to removably secure the closure 100 to the container.
The wall portions 118 and 120 are configured to be resilient in nature, thereby enabling a convenient decoupling of the closure 100 from the top end portion of the container. More specifically, the wall portions 118 and 120 press against the top end portion of the container when the closure 100 is secured to the container, thereby firmly fixing the closure 100 thereto. For removing the closure 100 from the container, the wall portions 118 and 120 may be displaced in a direction away from the top end portion of the container. As shown in FIG. 2, the wall portions 118 and 120 may be displaced in a direction of arrows ‘a’ to release the closure 100 from the container. Thereafter, the closure 100 may be lifted such that the top end portion of the container is released from the enclosures 122 and 124, thereby removing the closure 100 from the container.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the closure 100 may further include a seal (not shown) disposed on a peripheral portion of a bottom face 126 of the cover plate 102. The seal is adapted to prevent spilling or wastage of contents of the container due to overturning of the container. More specifically, the seal closes any gaps present between the closure 100 and the top end portion of the container, thereby preventing gases present in the drink contained in the container from escaping. It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the seal may be made from rubber or any other suitable material which provides sufficient structural integrity to the seal.
FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a closure 200 secured to a container 300, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The container 300 includes a top end portion 302 and a bottom end portion 304. The top end portion 302 of the container 300 includes an opening, herein after referred to as the dispensing opening, for dispensing the contents of the container 300. Moreover, the top end portion 302 of the container 300 is capable of receiving a cover plate 204 for covering the dispensing opening. The closure 200 is removably secured to the top end portion 302 of the container 300. Moreover, the closure 200 is configured similar to the closure 100, as described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the closure 200 includes additional extension portion 202 on a peripheral surface thereof for facilitating convenient consumption of the drink from the container 300. The closure 200 includes the cover plate 204, a sip hole (not shown) and a reclosable lid 206. The sip hole is configured within the cover plate 204. Moreover, when the closure 200 is disposed on the container 300, the sip hole may be positioned over a dispensing opening (not shown) of the container 300, thereby facilitating the dispensing of the drink from the sip hole.
As disclosed herein, the reclosable lid 206 includes a first end portion 208 and a second end portion 210. The first end portion 208 of the reclosable lid 206 is hinged to the cover plate 204 for enabling a pivotal motion of the reclosable lid 206. Moreover, a rubber seal 212 is configured on the second end portion 210 of the reclosable lid 206.
With reference to FIG. 3, the reclosable lid 206 is shown to assume an open position. More specifically, in the open position, the reclosable lid 206 may be pivotally moved away from the upper surface (not shown) of the cover plate 204, thereby removing the rubber seal 212 on the reclosable lid 206 may be removed from the sip hole. Similarly, the reclosable lid 206 may assume a closed position by moving the reclosable lid 206 towards the upper portion of the cover plate 204 in a direction specified by arrow ‘b’. In the closed position of the reclosable lid 206, the rubber seal 212 configured on the second end portion 210 of the reclosable lid 206 may be received in the sip hole (not shown) of the closure 200. Accordingly, the pivotal movement of the reclosable lid 206 to the closed position thereof may seal the sip hole.
As disclosed herein, the closure 200 includes the extension portion 202 extending outwardly from a peripheral edge portion of the cover plate 204. The extension portion 202 facilitates a user to conveniently consume the drink from the container 300 through the sip hole. More specifically, the extension portion 202 may enable the user to place his/her oral cavity directly over the extension portion 202. Thereafter, the container 300 may be lifted to pour out the drink from the sip hole of the closure 200, thereby enabling the user to easily consume the drink being dispended from the sip hole.
Various embodiments of the present invention offer following advantages. The closure, as described herein, is capable of configuring an airtight reclosable sealing on a dispensing opening of a container. The airtight sealing prevents escape of gases from drink contained in the container, thereby retaining taste, flavor and freshness of the drink. Moreover, the closure is adapted to seal the dispensing opening of the container, thereby preventing dust particles, insects, and the like from contaminating the drink in the container. Additionally, the closure provides a seal capable of preventing spillage and wastage of the drink contained in the container upon overturning or toppling of the container.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A closure for a container, the container having a top end portion and a bottom end portion, and a dispensing opening configured in the top end portion of the container, the closure comprising:

a cover plate adapted to be removably secured to the top end portion of the container, the cover plate having a top face and a bottom face;

a sip hole configured within the cover plate, the sip hole extending from the top face of the cover plate to the bottom face of the cover plate, wherein the sip hole is adapted to be positioned on the dispensing opening of the container for dispensing contents of the container;

a reclosable lid configured on the top face of the cover plate, the reclosable lid comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the reclosable lid is hinged to the cover plate for enabling a pivotal motion of the reclosable lid, the pivotal motion of the reclosable lid enabling the reclosable lid to assume at least one of an open position and a closed position; and

a rubber seal configured on the second end portion of the reclosable lid, the rubber seal adapted to be received in the sip hole for sealing the sip hole in the closed position of the reclosable lid.

2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the cover plate is made of a plastic material.

3. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured on a peripheral surface of the cover plate for removably securing the closure to the container.

4. The closure of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one wall portion, the at least one wall portion extending downwardly from the peripheral surface of the cover plate.

5. The closure of claim 4, wherein the at least one wall portion extending downwardly from the peripheral surface of the cover plate configures an enclosure therebetween, the enclosure being adapted to receive the top end portion of the container for removably securing the cover plate to the top end portion of the container.

6. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a seal disposed on the bottom face of the cover plate, the seal adapted to prevent spilling of the contents of the container upon overturning of the container.

7. The closure of claim 6, wherein the seal is made of at least one of a rubber material and a plastic material.

8. The closure of claim 1, wherein the first end portion of the reclosable lid is hinged substantially at a central portion of the top face of the cover plate.

9. The closure of claim 1, wherein the first end portion of the reclosable lid is hinged substantially at a peripheral portion of the cover plate.

10. The closure of claim 1, wherein the reclosable lid is made of a plastic material.