Description Closing Device for Beverage Containers and the like
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a closing device for beverage containers and the like comprising: a cover disk hermetically engageable to a mouth of a beverage container; at least a detachable tab, said detachable tab being circumscribed by a pre- dinking that develops according to a closed line and delimits on the cover disk an emptying opening; at least an action ring engaged on the detachable tab.
More in detail the invention is applicable to aluminium cans or similar cylindrical containers for beverages in general, even carbonated, as well as for liquid or fluid products of other kinds.
Background Art
As is well known, the containers of the aforementioned type comprise a base body, obtained for instance by drawing, which generally presents a cylindrical shape open at the top. A closure device is engaged rigidly and hermetically in correspondence with the top mouth of the container.
In a first known solution, the closure device essentially comprises a cover disk, hermetically engaged on the mouth of the container and having sufficient thickness to withstand the pressure acting inside the container itself, particularly when the latter is filled with a carbonated beverage.
On the cover disk is fastened a detachable tab defined by a pre-dinking that develops along a closed line, to delimit on the disk itself, an emptying opening of appropriate dimensions and contour. The detachable tab presents two ends respectively located at the centre of the disk and in a peripheral area of the disk itself.
An action ring is fastened on the centre end of the detachable tab by means of
a hermetically sealed hinging element. By acting manually on the action ring, the tab is easily removed causing its detachment from the cover disk along the pre-dinking line. This solution presents a problem given by the dispersion of the tab in the surrounding environment. In order to solve this problem, a second solution has been developed, essentially comprising a cover disk, an action ring and a dropping tab. In this case, the action ring is engaged on the cover disk by means of a hermetically sealed hinging element and acts on the tab with an edge protruding slightly with respect to the hinging element. The dropping tab, being preliminarily die cut according to an open line, is detached from the corresponding emptying opening, remaining engaged to the cover disk by means of a retaining portion.
This second solution solves the problem of the dispersal of the tab in the environment, but it generates a further set of problems given by the insertion of the dropping tab inside the container. The tab, exposed to impurities of all kinds, comes in contact with the contained liquid. The only way to confront this undesirable situation is thoroughly to clean the cover disk before opening the container.
However, this operation cannot always be performed in the appropriate way and at the opportune time.
Disclosure of Invention
The aim of the present invention is substantially that of solving the problems of the prior art, proposing a closing device that does not insert the tab inside the container and that, at the same time, demonstrates its ability to maintain the tab fastened to the cover disk in such a way as not to hamper the user and cause injury hazards.
These aims are attained by a closing device characterised in that it further comprises fastening means, to maintain the detachable tab engaged to the cover disk after the detachable tab has been removed from the emptying opening.
Further features and advantages shall become more readily apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a closing device for containers of beverages in general, in accordance with the present invention.
The description shall be made below with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided purely by way of non limiting indication.
Description of the Drawings
- Figure 1 shows a plan view of the device;
- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device in open condition associated to a respective container;
- Figure 3 is a section of the device in closed condition performed according to trace πi-πi of Figure 1;
- Figure 4 shows a section of the device in open condition.
Description of the Illustrative Embodiment
With reference to the aforementioned figures, the number 1 indicates in its entirety a closing device for beverage containers, according to the present invention.
The device 1 comprises a cover disk 2 hermetically engageable to a mouth of a cylindrical beverage container la, for instance by means of seaming. In the illustrative embodiment the container shown is a common can.
On the cover disk 2 is present at least a detachable tab 3 circumscribed by a pre-dinking 3a which extends along a closed line, delimiting on the cover disk 2 an emptying opening 4. The detachable tab 3 presents a central end 3b located in proximity to the centre of the cover disk 2 and a peripheral end 3 c facing the edge of the cover disk 2.
At least an action ring 5 is engaged on the tab 3 by means of a first hermetically sealed hinging element 5a realised in a known, conventional manner. The action ring 5 presents a first edge 5b adjacent to the peripheral edge 3c of the detachable tab 3. On the opposite side of the first edge 5b the action ring 5 presents
a second edge 5 c wherefrom the can is opened. To the central end 3b of the detachable tab 3 are engaged fastening means 6 to maintain the detachable tab 3 fastened to the cover disk 2, after the tab itself has been removed from the opening 4. Advantageously, such fastening means 6 allow the detachable tab 3 to be moved according to a rotation around a predetermined axis, substantially but not necessarily perpendicular to the plane whereon the cover disk 2 lies.
More in detail the fastening means 6 comprise a junction flap 7 having a first end 7a engaged on the cover disk 2 by means of a second hermetically sealed hinging element 8. The hinging element 8 defines the axis of rotation 8a of the detachable tab 3.
A second end 7b of the junction flap 7 is engaged on the detachable tab 3, preferably by means of a third hermetically sealed hinging element 9.
Preferably, said junction flap 7 lies on a plane that is parallel and superimposed to the plane whereon the cover disk 2 lies. Alternatively, the junction flap 7 can be engaged rigidly, i.e. without any possibility of rotation on the cover disk 2, still allowing the translation of the detachable tab 3 as it moves away from the opening 4 as a result of bending the flap and/or the tab themselves.
The junction flap 7 can present an auxiliary portion 7c which extends from the junction flap 7 itself to the edge of the cover disk 2. This auxiliary portion 7c, once the junction flap 7 is rotated, can assume different positions such as a superimposed position on the emptying opening 4, thereby determining its occlusion.
The auxiliary portion 7c may be positioned below the cover disk 2, i.e. on the opposite side with respect to the junction flap 7, and rigidly engaged thereto for instance by exploiting the presence of the hermetically sealed hinging element 8.
For the purposes of opening the closure device 1, during a first phase the action ring 5 activated manually from the second edge 5c, rotates around an axis parallel to the plane of the cover disk 2 and located in proximity to the first hinging element 5a. The action ring 5 acts with its first edge 5b on the underlying peripheral end 3c
of the detachable tab 3, thrusting it towards the interior of the container 1, thereby causing it to tear along the previously die cut line 3 a. During a second phase the action ring 5, also manually, is pulled away from the cover disk 2. Since the aforesaid action ring 5 is fastened to the detachable tab 3, it drags it causing its detachment from the corresponding emptying opening 4. It is therefore possible to rotate the detachable tab around the axis of rotation 8a thus opening the can and placing the removable tab 3 in a position that does not interfere with the use of the can itself.
By exploiting the freedom of rotatory motion that the junction flap 7 and the detachable tab 3 have, the emptying opening 4 can be occluded positioning the possible auxiliary portion 7c of the flap 7 in correspondence with the opening itself.
The present invention thus attains the proposed aims. The subject closing device 1 solves the two problems observed in the prior art, maintaining the detachable tab 3 fastened to the cover disk 2 by means of a junction flap 7, whilst at the same time avoiding the insertion of the tab 3 inside the container la.
It should be noted that this invention allows the user to employ the can with no danger of being disturbed or injured by the detachable tab 3, since the latter can be positioned opposite to the emptying opening 4.
It should also be considered that this invention can be realised with costs of production substantially identical to the costs of production of the prior art.