US3604588A

US3604588A - Can cover and sealer

Info

Publication number: US3604588A
Application number: US804913A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herman Winnick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-03-06
Filing date: 1969-03-06
Publication date: 1971-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 1988-09-14

Abstract

This disclosure is directed to a cover and sealing member primarily for use on cans adapted to contain carbonated beverages or drinks which will go flat once the can has been opened. The cover and sealer comprises a member having spaced apart depending skirt portions to define a circumferentially extending channel with means for frictionally receiving therein the projecting lip portion of the can in sealing relationship therebetween. The cover member is specifically formed to prohibit loss of gas when placed over an opened can wherein the pressure of the gas is utilized to enhance the sealing characteristics of the cover.

Description

United StatesPatent' 2,857,947 10/1958 Powers 220/42 C 3,372,832 3/1968 Yeater et a1. 220/29 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,489,742 6/1967 France l. 220/60 Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Attorney-Arthur T. Fattibene ABSTRACT: This disclosure is directed to a cover and sealing member primarily for use on cans adapted to contain carbonated beverages or drinks which will go flat once the can has been opened. The cover and sealer comprises a member having spaced apart depending skirt portions to define a circumferentially extending channel with means for frictionally receiving therein the projecting lip portion of the can in sealing relationship therebetween. The cover member is specifically formed to prohibit loss of gas when placed over an opened can wherein the pressure of the gas is utilized to enhance the sealing characteristics of the cover.

' PATENTEDSEPMISTI "SHE'EIIUFB I I G 0 6 FIG. 4.

INVENTOR. HERMAN WINNICK ATTORNEY PATENTEUSEPMISYI I sum 2 [IF 3 INVENTQ HE RMA N WlNNlCK FIG 9 A TORNEY PATENTEU SEP1 419m SHEET 3 [IF 3 F IG. I4

INVENTLOR.

HERMAN WINNICK ATTOR NEY CAN COVER AND SEALER PROBLEM IN THE ART Many different kinds of products such as soda, beer, drinks of various kinds and the. like are currently packaged in cans which generally have a circumscribing wall having a top connected thereto by a beaded edge or lip. Such cans are also provided with pull tab-type openers to facilitate the opening of the can without the usual can opener. When for example carbonated drinks or beer are sold in such cans it was necessary that the entire contents of the can had to be used because it was generally impossible to store or keep the contents from going flat once the can had been opened. For these reasons much of the canned carbonated drinks and the like would quickly spoil or go fiat unless promptly consumed. This was because there is not known a satisfactory manner to prohibit gas loss from the drink or beverage stored in an opened can.

OBJECTS It is an object of this invention to provide a cover and sealing member for use as a can cover for opened cans of carbonated beverages and the like to prohibit the loss of gas therefrom thereby permitting open carbonated beverage cans to be stored for a considerable period of time without the contents thereof going flat.

Another object is to provide a sealing can cover for carbonated beverage cans and the like in which the gas pressure of the fluid contents is utilized to enhance the sealing characteristics of the cover.

Another object is to provide a sealing can cover adapted to satisfactorily seal cans of conventional construction.

Another object is to provide a sealing can cover which can be readily formed as an integral molded member of suitable material, e. g. plastic.

Another object is to provide a sealing can cover which is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to make, and which is positive in operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained by a cover member having a top portion adapted to conform in shape to can tops of cans containing a beverage, e.g. soda or beer or other fluid. The top portion of the cover is provided with a pair of spaced-apart circumscribing skirt means to define therebetween a channel for receiving therein the raised beaded or lip portion of a can which normally extends above the can top. In position the inner skirt means is disposed contiguous to the inner surface ofthe bead. A sealing bead is formed on one of the skirt means to define a circumscribing seal about the wall of the can. With the can cover fitted to the can by the frictional engagement of the bead in the channel thus defined, the gas pressure of the contents of an opened can thus exerts a pressure on the inner skirt means so as to enhance the sealing effect of the frictional engagement of the can head or wall between the skirted means.

In one of the embodiments a holding nipple is provided to further resist the forces exerted by the gas pressure which may tend to lift the cover off the can.

Also means in the form of reinforcing ridges or webs are provided to strengthen the cover top.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top plan view of a cover embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation sectional view taken along line 2 2 on FIG. 1 illustrating the cover in operative position on a can top.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cover of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exaggerated sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a can top having a pull-type spout opening.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another modified form of cover construction.

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of the cover of FIG. 7 taken along line 8--8 thereon illustrated in position on a can top.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the cover construction of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged exaggerated detailed sectional view taken along line 10-10 on FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.

1 1 illustrating the cover in position on a can top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, there is shown therein a cover construction which is adapted to be utilized in conjunction with canned beverages, for example, carbonated drinks, soda, beer or other gassy products packaged, distributed and sold in cans. The conventional can constructions in which such products are packaged and distributed generally consist of a container 20 having an upright circumscribing wall 20A which is closed by a top 21. Generally the top 21 is secured to the circumscribing walls 20A by crimping or turning the circum ferential end portion of the top 21 with the end portion of walls 20A to form a head or lip 22 which extends beyond the top 21 of the can 20. Such cans are commonly referred to as beaded cans. To dispense the liquid contents, the cans 20 are generally punctured in the top 21 to define a spout opening. Such punctures are generally accomplished by a suitable can opener. Some cans 23 may be constructed so as to be opened without a can opener. As seen in FIG. 5 these constructions 23 are provided with a prescored portion 23A to define a spout. Such cans 23 are opened by pulling on a pull tab 24 which is operatively connected to the top by a rivet 25. Where such cans 23 are opened, the rivet securing the pull tab is pulled out of the can leaving a small opening therein as seen in FIG. 6 at 26.

When can 20 or 23 contains a carbonated drink or beverage, it was heretofore necessary that such contents be completely consumed as storage thereof within the open can was not practical. This was because the gases would tend to escape from the open can thereby rendering any remaining portion to become flat. Accordingly, any unused carbonated beverage which was permitted to stand in an open can soon Went flat due to the escape of the gas therefrom. This invention is particularly directed to a cover and sealer for use with such cans so as to permit the storage of the unused portions of such carbonated drinks and/or gassy fluids for a considerable period of time.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cover and sealing construction 27 comprises a member which is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the can adapted to be utilized therewith. As shown the cover 27 is provided with an imperforated top portion 27A which has connected thereto a pair of spaced-apart circumscribing skirt means 28, 29 which defines therebetween a circumscribing channel 30 therebetween. As best seen in FIG. 4, the inner skirt means 28 is made slightly shorter than the outer skirt means 29. There spacing or channel 30 between the spaced circumscribing skirt means 28, 29 is formed with a width sufficient to snugly receive the projected lip or bead 22 of a conventional can 20.

A sealing means in the form of a circumscribing head 31 is connected to the inner surface of the outer skirt 29. The head 31 extends inwardly of the channel 30.

When the cover 27 is thus fitted to the end of the can 20, the extended or projected bead portion 22 of the can is received between the skirt means 28, 29 and the sealing bead 31 is disposed in sealing relationship to the extended portion of the can. 1

The cover described is preferably formed of a resilient material, as for example, a suitable plastic such as polystyrene or the like in which the cover 27 can be frictionally secured to the projecting beaded portion 22 of the can.

As best seen in FIG. 2, it will be noted that the top portion 27A of the cover 27, when positioned on the end ofthe can, is spaced above the top 21 of the can a distance approximately equal to the height of the inner skirt 28. Preferrably the inner skirt 28 is slightly spaced above the top 21 of the can. The cover 27 is formed so that it will frictionally engage the projecting of the can with a force of to pounds so as to resist the gas pressures tending to act against the cover means as will be hereinafter described.

Whenever the top 21 of the can is punctured to dispense the gasified fluid content thereof, the remaining portion can be readily stored and kept in an effervescent state simply by frictionally securing the cap construction 27 described to the opened end of the can as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 4. Any tendency of the gas from the remaining portion to escape through the can opening 32 will become contained in the space 33 defined between the top 27A of the cover member 27 and the can top 21. Consequently the gas pressure which tends to build up in space 33 will exert a force on the inner surface of the inner skirt 28, thereby causing the frictional holding force of the cover 27 to the can to be increased by the amount of gas pressure being built up in the space 33 between the cover and the can. The internal gas pressure of the fluid content is then utilized to enhance the sealing characteristics of the cover hereinbefore described. The bead 31 effectively seals the gas pressure within the can. With the cover described it has been discovered that the contents of the unused portion of carbonated drinks and the like stored in such cans can be readily stored for an extended period of time without losing its effervescence or carbonation. If desired a lift tab 34 may be formed integral to the cover to facilitate removal of the cover 27 from the can 20.

A modified form of cover construction 40 is illustrated in FIG. 6. The cover construction of FIG. 6 is identical to that described with respect to FIGS. 1 through 4 with the exception that a centrally located nipple 41 is dependently connected to the under surface of the top portion 40A of the cover 40. As best seen in FIG. 6 the nipple 41 is provided with a barbed head construction or a conical head construction 41A which is adapted to be received in the rivet opening 26 of a can 23. As seen in FIG. 6, the base of the conical nipple head 41A has a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the rivet opening 26 adapted to receive it. Because nipple head 41A is formed of a resilient material it can be readily force fitted or inserted into the opening 26, and when inserted the barbed head 41A of the nipple 41 tends to increase the holding force of the cover 40 onto the end of the can. In this manner the cover 40 of FIG. 6 can resist a greater build up of gas pressures in the space 33 defined between the can top 21A and the cover 40. Thus with the construction of FIG. 6, a more positive holding action is afforded. In all other respects the operation and construction of the cover 40 of the modified form of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 6 is similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 1 through 4.

FIGS. 7 through 10 illustrate still another modified form of the invention. In the invention illustrated by FIGS. 7 through 10 the closure member 45 comprises a top which is provided with a central recessed portion 46 as indicated in FIG. 8. The cover member 45 is also provided with a spaced-apart inner and outer depending skirt means 47, 48 which are integrally connected to the top portion 46. As shown, the outer skirt 47 is rendered slightly longer than the inner skirt 48, similar to that described with respect to FIGS. I through 4. Also that the outer skirt 47 is provided with a circumscribing bead 49 extending inwardly of the channel 50 defined thereby so as to form a sealing ring about the end of the can when the cover is positioned thereon as seen in FIGS. 8 through it).

In this form of the invention an inverted circumscribing V- shaped ridge 51 integrally connects the recessed portion 46 of the cover to the inner skirt 48. With the cover construction 45 fitted to the end of a

can

20 or 23, the spacing 33A between the top of the can 21 and the central recessed portion 46 of the cover means is somewhat reduced as compared to that of FIG. 2. The utilization of the inverted ridge 51, connecting the recessed portion 46 of the cover 45 to the inner skirt means, provides the cover with sufficient flexibility to frictionally engage the bead of the can. The inner skirt portion 48 can be further urged into engagement with the lip or bead portion 22 of the can as the gas pressure tends to build up in the space 33A between the cover and the can. With the construction of FIG. 8 the spacing between the top 46 of the cover 45 and the can can be minimized by the extent of recess. Also the inner skirt 48 is provided the necessary flexibility for being urged into contiguous relationship with the inner bead portion of the can in the operative position thereof to further enhance the sealing characteristics of the cover with the beaded portion of the can. The sealing head 41 insures positive sealing and/or escape of the gas pressures.

FIGS. 11 through 14 illustrate still another modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention the cover member comprises a top portion 61 which is recessed and the recessed wall 61 defines the inner skirt portion of the cover member 60. The outer skirt portion 62 is connected to the raised portion 63 of the cover member so as to define the channel 64 for receiving the beaded end 22 of the

can

20 or 23. The outer skirt portion 62 intermediate the height thereof is provided with an inwardly extending bead 65 to define the seal with the end of the can adapted to be received within the channel 64 defined by

skirt portions

61A and 62 of the cover. To reinforce the cover 60 a series of circumscribing spaced webs 66 brace the recessed wall 61A or inner skirt of the cover.

In this form of the invention the beaded end 22 of the

can

20 or 23 is received in the channel 64 defined thereby, and the sealing is effected by the sealing created by the sealing bead 65 with the circumferential wall of the can 20.

Each of the respective embodiments are provided with a laterally projecting lifting tab 34 integrally formed to a circumferential portion of the outer skirt as shown in FIG. 1, and which tab is utilized to facilitate the removal of the cover member from the top of the can, when it is desired to dispense the unused contents.

In the various forms described and illustrated, the

respective closure

27, 40, 45 and 60 positively seals the upper end or open end of the can in a manner so as to prohibit the escape of the carbonation or gasses from the fluid contents of an open can so as to prevent such unused portion from becoming flat.

It has been discovered that the cap or cover constructed as described herein can satisfactorily seal the can against the escape of gasses, thereby permitting such unused portions to be stored for a considerable period of time. Consequently the cover portion minimizes the amount of waste heretofore encountered in carbonated or effervescent products of the type distributed in cans.

While the instant invention has been described with respect to several embodiments thereof it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications may be formed without departing from the spirit or scope of the in vention.

I claim:

I. A cover and sealer for a can having an upright circumscribing end wall and a conventional top extended therebetween, comprising a member having a top adapted to form a cover for said can when said can top has been opened,

said member having a pair of spaced-apart dependent skirt means forming a sealing channel therebetween circumscribing the top of said member, and

said channel being adapted to receive in sealing relationship the upper end portion of said can,

one of said skirt means comprises an outermost skirt, a sealing bead projecting inwardly of said channel defined 0y IOIOOI 0449 said skirt means to engage the upright wall portion of the can disposed between said skirt means,

said top of said member being recessed so that the central portion thereof is disposed intermediate the height of said skirt means,

and including means including a circumscribing ridge extending about the recessed central portion of the top of said member,

said ridge joining said recessed portion to the inner skirt means of said member.

2. A cover and sealer for a can having an upright circumscribing end wall and a conventional top extended therebetween, comprising a member having a top adapted to form a cover for said can when said can top has been opened,

one of said skirt means comprises an outermost skirt, a sealing bead projecting inwardly of said channel defined by said skirt means to engage the upright wall portion of the can disposed between said skirt means,

said top of said member being recessed so that the central portion thereof is disposed intermediate the height of said skirt means, and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced webs for reinforcing the recessed portion of said top to the inner skirt means.

3. In combination with a can having an upright circumscribing end wall and a connected can top extending therebetween wherein said upright end walls extend beyond said can top to define a circumscribing lip about said can top, and said can being adapted to contain gassy fluid, the improvement of a sealing cover to seal an opening formed in said can top comprising a cover member having an imperforated top portion conforming substantially to the shape of said can top,

a pair of spaced-apart defining skirt means connected to said imperforated top portion,

said skirt means defining an outer skirt and a spaced inner skirt forming a channel therebetween circumscribing the periphery of said imperforated top portion,

said channel being adapted to receive the circumscribing lip of said can when the cover member is fitted thereto, means defining a sealing bead formed on one of said skirt means, said sealing bead extending inwardly of and circumscribing said channel to bear against the lip of said can received within said channel to define therewith a gastight seal,

and said inner skirt means being disposed contiguous to the inner surface of said circumscribing lip.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 and including a means defining a nipple depending from the top portion of said cover member, I

said nipple having a barbedlike head portion adapted to be received in an aperture formed in said can top,

said barbed head having dimensions slightly greater than the aperture adapted to receive the same whereby said barbed nipple will tend to resist the forces acting on said cover member tending to lift said cover off the can top.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said outer skirt means is longer than the inner skirt means,

and said sealing bead is connected to the inner surface of said outer skirt means intermediate the height thereof.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 and including a lift tab formed integral with and projecting laterally outwardly of said outer skirt means.

7. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein the width of said channel is sized so that the lip of the can is frictionally received between the circumscribing skirt means defining said channel.

8. The invention as defined in claim 3 and including reinforcing means for strengthening the top portion of said cover member.

Claims

1. A cover and sealer for a can having an upright circumscribing end wall and a conventional top extended therebetween, comprising a member having a top adapted to form a cover for said can when said can top has been opened, said member having a pair of spaced-apart dependent skirt means forming a sealing channel therebetween circumscribing the top of said member, and said channel being adapted to receive in sealing relationship the upper end portion of said can, one of said skirt means comprises an outermost skirt, a sealing bead projecting inwardly of said channel defined by said skirt means to engage the upright wall portion of the can disposed between said skirt means, said top of said member being recessed so that the central portion thereof is disposed intermediate the height of said skirt means, and including means including a circumscribing ridge extending about the recessed central portion of the top of said member, said ridge joining said recessed portion to the inner skirt means of said member.

2. A cover and sealer for a can having an upright circumscribing end wall and a conventional top extended therebetween, comprising a member having a top adapted to form a cover for said can when said can top has been opened, said member having a pair of spaced-apart dependent skirt means forming a sealing channel therebetween circumscribing the top of said member, and said channel being adapted to receive in sealing relationship the upper end portion of said can, one of said skirt means comprises an outermost skirt, a sealing bead projecting inwardly of said channel defined by said skirt means to engage the upright wall portion of the can disposed between said skirt means, said top of said member being recessed so that the central portion thereof is disposed intermediate the height of said skirt means, and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced webs for reinforcing the recessed portion of said top to the inner skirt means.

3. In combination with a can having an upright circumscribing end wall and a connected can top extending therebetween wherein said upright end walls extend beyond said can top to define a circumscribing lip about said can top, and said can being adapted to contain gassy fluid, the improvement of a sealing cover to seal an opening formed in said can top comprising a cover member having an imperforated top portion conforming substantially to the shape of said can top, a pair of spaced-apart defining skirt means connected to said imperforated top portion, said skirt means defining an outer skirt and a spaced inner skirt forming a channel therebetween circumscribing the periphery of said imperforated top portion, said channel being adapted to receive the circumscribing lip of said can when the cover member is fitted thereto, means defining a sealing bead formed on one of said skirt means, said sealing bead extending inwardly of and circumscribing said channel to bear against the lip of said can received within said channel to define therewith a gastight seal, and said inner skirt means being disposed contiguous to the inner surface of said circumscribing lip.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 and including a means defining a nipple depending from the top portion of said cover member, said nipple having a barbedlIke head portion adapted to be received in an aperture formed in said can top, said barbed head having dimensions slightly greater than the aperture adapted to receive the same whereby said barbed nipple will tend to resist the forces acting on said cover member tending to lift said cover off the can top.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said outer skirt means is longer than the inner skirt means, and said sealing bead is connected to the inner surface of said outer skirt means intermediate the height thereof.