MX2009002599A

MX2009002599A - Beverage container closure and dispensing device.

Info

Publication number: MX2009002599A
Application number: MX2009002599A
Authority: MX
Inventors: David Joseph Gran; Carl Brian Stufflet
Original assignee: D C Innovations Llc
Priority date: 2006-09-11
Filing date: 2007-09-06
Publication date: 2009-03-20
Also published as: WO2008033260A3; AU2007295015A1; EP2061705A4; JP2010502530A; US20080061062A1; CA2662009A1; WO2008033260A2; EP2061705A2

Abstract

A beverage container closure and dispensing device. An illustrative embodiment of the device includes a generally funnel-shaped device body having a neck portion, at least one wall portion extending from the neck portion and a lip portion flaring outwardly from the at least one wall portion; a device body interior defined by the neck portion, the at least one wall portion and the lip portion; a catch ring extending from the device body into the device body interior; at least one drip ring extending from the Hp portion into the device body interior; and a cap detachably engaging the neck portion of the device body.

Description

CONTAINER CAP FOR DRINKS AND SUPPLY DEVICE Field of the Invention The present description relates to beverage containers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a stopper of a beverage container and delivery device that can be detachably attached to a beverage container to selectively seal the container and deliver the beverage from the container. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Beverage containers include cylindrical aluminum cans containing a soft drink, beer or other liquid beverage. Typically, beverage containers are available in volumes of 355 mi (12 ounces) and 476 mi (16 ounces), although additional volumes of some beverages may be available. A conventional beverage container includes a removable tab that initially seals an opening in the upper portion of the container and can be removed to expose the opening and facilitate access to the contents of the beverage in the container. However, one of the limitations of can-type beverage containers is that the containers can not be resealed in the case where any of the beverages in the package are not consumed. This causes the carbonated beverages to lose their effervescence due to the escape of carbon dioxide from the beverage container. Ref. 200695 Brief Description of the Invention The present invention is directed generally to beverage container lids and the delivery device. In an illustrative embodiment of a device includes a generally funnel-shaped device body having a neck portion, at least a wall portion extending from the neck portion and a lip portion projecting outwardly from the neck portion. at least one wall portion; the interior of the body of the device defined by the neck portion, the at least one wall portion and the lip portion; a capture ring extending from the body of the device into the interior of the body of the device; at least one drip ring extending the edge portion into the interior of the body of the device; and a cap that detachably connects to the neck portion of the body of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of an illustrative embodiment of the beverage container cap and delivery device; , attached to the beverage container (illustrated in spectrum), with a lid separated from the device body of the device; Figure 2 is a side view of a modality illustrative of the cap of the beverage container and the delivery device; Figure 3 is a top view of an illustrative embodiment of the cap of the beverage container and the delivery device, with the lid separated from the device body of the device; Figure 4 is a bottom view of the illustrative embodiment of the beverage container cap and the delivery device; Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken along the lines of section 5-5 in Figure 2, with the device attached to the beverage container (illustrated in spectrum); Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of an illustrative embodiment of the cap for the beverage container of the delivery device, taken along the line of section 6 in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a sectional view of the cap attached to the neck of an illustrative embodiment of the beverage container cap of the dispensing device, more particularly illustrating a threaded configuration for attaching the cap to the neck; Figure 8 is a sectional view, taken along the line of section 6 in Figure 5, with the device attached to the beverage container (illustrated in FIG. spectrum); and Figure 9 is a side view of the illustrative embodiment of the cap for the beverage container and the delivery device, oriented in an inverted position to be used as a drink cup. Detailed Description of the Invention With reference to the figures, an illustrative embodiment of the cap of the beverage container and the delivery device, hereinafter referred to as the device, is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1. The device 1 includes a body of the device 2 which is adapted to be detachably and hermetically connected to a beverage container 36 in a press fit configuration to facilitate selective closure, and to seal the beverage container 36 and / or to supply a beverage (not shown) from the beverage container 36. The beverage container 36 can be a conventional can-type beverage container, for example, and typically includes an outwardly wrapped container edge 37 and a removable tab (not shown), as illustrated in Figure 1. device prevents insects, dirt, debris and other contaminants from entering the beverage container 36 and preserves the freshness and integrity of the beverage in the go for drinks 36 after the initial opening of the beverage container 36. The device 1 is typically reusable and can be separated from a container for drinks 36 and joining another beverage container 36 typically after the beverage content of the first beverage container 36 has been consumed. In some embodiments, the body of the device 2 of the device 1 is of any of several colors to differentiate the multiple devices 1 from each other and aid in the identification of the personal beverage container when multiple devices 1 are attached to multiple respective beverage containers 36 simultaneously . In some embodiments, the body of device 2 of device 1 is flexible plastic; however, the body of the device 2 can be of any alternative flexible material. The body of the device 2 can be a safe plastic for the dishwasher, for example. Examples of materials that are suitable for the manufacture of the body of the device 2 include, without limitation, polyethylene. However, some characteristics of the particular plastic that is used to manufacture the device 1 may vary depending on the specific nature of the efficient application of the device 1. For example, the characteristics that affect the ability of the seal; the flexibility, the stretching; the rigidity; the elasticity; the application of force; the transference; and the luminescence can determine the selection of the material used.

The body of the device 2 of the device 1 generally has an inverted funnel shape and includes a generally cylindrical neck portion 3. A generally cylindrical upper wall portion 8 extends from the neck portion 3. A middle wall portion 10 projects outwardly from the upper wall portion 8. A generally cylindrical lower wall portion 14 extends from the middle wall portion 10. An edge portion 16 having a lip edge 18 projects outwardly from the lower wall portion. 14. As illustrated in Figure 5, the neck portion 3, the top wall portion 8, the middle wall portion 10, the bottom wall portion 14, and the lip portion 16 define the interior of the device body 2a . In some embodiments, a capture ring 17 circumscribes the body of the device 2 and generally delineates the lip portion 16 from the lower wall portion 14. As used herein, relative terms such as "upper", "medium" , and "lower", are intended to be descriptive and limiting to terms that do not necessarily denote the position of the components indicated during use of the device 1. As illustrated in Figure 1, a lid 28 is removably attached to the portion of neck 3. Cover 28 typically includes a generally flat or flat top lid part 29 and a side of the lid generally cylindrical 30 extending towards the top of the lid 29. The lid 28 is removably attached to the neck portion 3 of the body of the device 2 according to any joining technique known to those skilled in the art. As illustrated in Figure 7, in some embodiments, at least one thread of the lid 32 is provided on the inner surface of the side of the lid 30 of the lid 28. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a thread of base neck 4 and three side neck threads 5, 6 and 6a, respectively, are provided on the outer surface of the neck portion. As illustrated in Figure 7, the at least one thread of the cap 32 is adapted to connect the neck-neck thread 4 and the side neck threads 5, 6 and 6a and removably secure the cap 28 in the portion 3. In some embodiments, the base neck thread 4 and the side neck threads 5, 6 and 6a define a quarter turn, a raised-inclined thread pattern wherein the cover 28 can be fully attached and removed from the neck portion 3 in a quarter turn of the lid 28. However, it is understood that any number of neck threads may be provided on the outer surface of the neck portion 3 in any desired configuration to detachably secure the lid 28 to the neck portion 3. A neck projection 7 may extend from the outer surface of the neck portion 3, between the neck thread base 4 and the upper wall portion 8 of the body of the device 2. As further illustrated in Figure 7, in some embodiments, a neck bevel 3a is provided on the inner top edge of the neck portion. An annular detent tab 31 extends from the bottom or interior surface of the top portion of the cap 29 of the cap 28 and sits against the bevel of the neck 3a when the cap 28 is attached to the neck portion 3. As illustrated in Figures 6 and 8, in some embodiments, an upper drip ring 20a, a lower drip ring 20c and a middle drip ring 20a are provided between the edge of the lip 18 and the capture ring 17. An annular top space 22a is defined between the upper drip ring 20a and the middle drip ring 20b, and a lower annular space 22b is defined between the middle drip ring 20b and the lower drip ring 20c. Because of the configuration projected outwardly of the lip portion 16, the multiple drip rings 20 and the respective adjacent annular spaces 22 have various diameters. In the embodiment of the device 1 illustrated in Figures 6 and 8, the middle drip ring 20b has a diameter that is between that of the upper drip ring 20a and that of the lower drip ring 20c. Similarly, the diameter of the upper space 22a is smaller than that of the lower space 22b. The drip rings 20 and the respective adjacent annular spaces 22 define a stepped cross section, as further illustrated in Figures 6 and 8. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 and 8, in use of the device 1, which will be described hereinafter, the device 1 is snapped into the beverage container 26. Accordingly, as illustrated in the Figure 8, the lower surface of the lip portion 16 of the body of the device 2 guides the edge of the rolled up top container 37 of the beverage container 36 (shown in phantom) beyond and in connection with the capture ring 17, which is connected from tight but soft way to the edge of the container 37 in a press fit to provide an airtight seal between the interior of the body of the device 2a and the beverage container 36. Referring to Figures 1, 5, 7 and 8 of the Figures, in typical application of the device 1, the beverage container 36 is initially typically opened by pulling the removable tab (not shown) in the conventional manner. The body of the device 2 of the device 1 is attached to the beverage container 36 by lowering the body of the device 2 onto the beverage container 36, and by snapping the capture ring 17 into the body of the device 2 over and then against the edge of the device. container rolled towards outside 37 of the beverage container 36, as illustrated in Figure 8. The inner surface of the lip portion 16 guides the edge of the container 37 in connection with the capture ring 17. Due to the elasticity of the portion of the lip 16 , the capture ring 17 is capable of elongating to accommodate the diameter of the rim of the container 37 and then rewinding against the rim of the container 37 to achieve a smooth, air-tight fit between the capture ring 17 and the edge of the container 37. Under circumstances where temporary storage of the beverage container 36 prior to dispensing the beverage (not illustrated) from the beverage container 36 is desired, the lid 28 may be attached to the neck portion 3 of the body of the device 2, as shown in FIG. Illustrated in Figure 7. Accordingly, in the case where the beverage in the beverage container 36 is a carbonated beverage, the gas or carbon dioxide of the beverage is unable to escape from inside the body of the device. ivo 2a through the capped neck portion 3 or the lip portion 16 of the body of the device 2 due to the air tight seal between the inside of the body of the device 2a and the edge of the container 37 of the beverage container 36. This prevents carbon dioxide from escaping from device 1 and maintains the integrity of carbonation and freshness of the beverage. In addition, the cover 28 prevents insects, dirt, debris and other contaminants enter the body of the device 2a and the beverage container 36 through the neck portion 3 of the body of the device 2. When it is desired to supply the beverage from the beverage container 36, the lid 28 is removed from the neck portion 3 of the body of the device 2. Accordingly, the beverage can selectively be supplied from the beverage container 36 through the interior of the body of the device 2a (Figure 5) of the body of the device 2, and from the neck portion 3, respectively, of the device 1 in a cup (not shown) or another receptacle. Alternatively the beverage can be absorbed directly through the neck portion 3. Under circumstances where the additional beverage remains in the beverage container 36 after the desired amount of beverage has been supplied from the beverage container 36, the lid 28 can again be attached to the neck portion 3 to seal the inside of the body of the device 2a of the body of the device 2. After the beverage has been fully supplied from the beverage container 36. The device 1 can be separated from the beverage container 36 and joining a second beverage container 36 for similar use. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that multiple devices 1 can be stacked for delivery purposes, for example, by inserting the neck 3 of the lower device 1 into the inside the body of the device 2a of the upper device 1, with the inner surfaces of the upper device 1 nested against the outer surfaces of the lower device 1. With reference to Figure 9 of the figures, the device 1 with the cover 28 therein can inverted and used as a drink cup. Accordingly, the beverage (not illustrated) is emptied into the interior of the body of the device 2a (Figure 5) of the body of the device 2 through the open lip portion 16. The lid 28 prevents the beverage from flowing out of the body. neck portion 3 of the body of the device 2. Since the illustrative embodiments of the description have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made to the description and the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the invention. spirit and scope of the description. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A plug for a beverage container and a delivery device, characterized in that they comprise: a generally funnel-shaped device body having a neck portion, at least a wall portion extending from the neck portion and a lip portion projecting outwardly from the at least one wall portion; the interior of a body of the device defined by the neck portion, the at least one wall portion and the lip portion; a capture ring extending from the body of the device into the interior of the body of the device; at least one drip ring extending from the lip portion into the interior of the body of the device; and a lid detachably connected to the neck portion of the body of the device.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one wall portion comprises a first wall portion. generally cylindrical extending from the neck portion, a second wall portion projecting outwardly from the first wall portion and a third generally cylindrical wall portion extending from the second wall portion, and wherein the portion lip extends from the third wall portion.
3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a neck projection extending from the neck portion.
4. - The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises at least one neck thread provided in the neck portion and at least one lid thread provided in the lid and detachably connected to at least one a neck thread.
5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one neck thread comprises a plurality of neck threads.
6. - The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the plurality of neck threads comprises a base neck thread and three side neck threads.
7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the capture ring delineates the lip portion from at least a portion of the wall.
8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid comprises a generally flat top part and a side of the generally cylindrical lid extending from the top lid of the lid.
9. - The device according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a neck bevel provided in the neck portion and an annular retaining tab provided in the upper part of the lid and connected to the neck bevel.
10. - The device according to claim 9, characterized in that it also comprises at least one neck thread provided in the neck portion of the body of the device and at least one cap thread provided on the side of the cover of the device. lid and detachably connected to at least one neck thread.
11. - The device according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one neck thread comprises a plurality of neck threads.
12. - The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the plurality of neck threads comprise a base neck thread and three side neck threads.
13. - A plug for a beverage container and a delivery device, characterized in that they comprise: a generally funnel-shaped device body having a generally cylindrical neck portion, a first generally cylindrical wall portion extending from the portion of neck, a second wall portion projecting outwardly from the first wall portion, a third generally cylindrical wall portion extending from the second wall portion and a lip portion projecting outwardly from the third portion of wall. wall; the interior of the body of the device defined by the neck portion, the first wall portion, the second wall portion and the third wall portion and the lip portion; a capture ring extending from the body of the device into the interior of the body of the device; a plurality of drip rings extending from the lip portion into the interior of the body of the device; wherein the plurality of drip rings vary in diameter; and a lid detachably connected to the neck portion of the body of the device.
14. - The device according to claim 13, characterized in that the lid comprises a generally flat lid top part and a generally cylindrical lid side extending from the top of the lid.
15. - The device according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises a neck bevel provided in the neck portion and the annular retaining tab provided in the upper part of the cover and which is connected to the neck bevel.
16. - The device according to claim 14, characterized in that it also comprises at least one neck thread provided in the neck portion of the body of the device and at least one lid thread provided on the side of the lid and connected separable to at least one neck thread.
17. - The device according to claim 16, characterized in that at least one neck thread comprises a plurality of neck threads.
18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that the plurality of neck threads comprises a base neck thread and three side neck threads.
19. A cap for a beverage container and a delivery device, characterized in that it comprises: a generally funnel-shaped device body having a generally cylindrical neck portion, a first generally cylindrical wall portion extending from the neck portion, a second wall portion projecting outwardly from the first wall portion , a third generally cylindrical wall portion extending from the second wall portion and a lip portion projecting outwardly from the third wall portion and having a lip edge; a capture ring extending from the body of the device into the interior of the body of the device; the interior of the body of the device defined by the neck portion, the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the third wall portion, and the lip portion; a plurality of drip rings provided in the lip portion inside the body of the device; a plurality of spaces between the plurality of capture rings, respectively; wherein the plurality of drip rings vary in diameter and the plurality of spaces varies in diameter; a plurality of neck threads provided in the neck portion of the body of the device; a lid having a generally flat lid top and a side of the generally cylindrical lid extending from the top of the lid; and at least one cap thread provided on the side of the cap and detacy connected to the plurality of neck threads.
20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that it further comprises a neck bevel provided in the neck portion and an annular retaining tab provided in the upper part of the lid, and which is connected to the neck bevel.