GB2351072A

GB2351072A - Closure for drinks container

Info

Publication number: GB2351072A
Application number: GB9914296A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Long; F W Ward; T Alexander
Original assignee: NEW MILLENNIUM PACKAGING Ltd
Current assignee: NEW MILLENNIUM PACKAGING Ltd
Priority date: 1999-06-19
Filing date: 1999-06-19
Publication date: 2000-12-20
Also published as: GB9914296D0

Abstract

A container 20 21, eg for drinks, has a closure arrangement comprising a circular rim 10 defining an opening, and a closure 4 pivotally mounted to rotate trough 180{ about a diameter 18 of the rim 10 from a first position in which the opening is closed by the closure to a second position in which the opening is closed by the closure. As described the closure has an integral mouth piece such as a teat 6, or pivoted spout which is moved from within to outside the container as the closure is rotated. The container may comprise a flexible bag 20 within a bell-shaped outer casing 21, or may be a rigid drinks container of metal, plastic or cardboard. Prior to use the mouthpiece may lie within the container and be protected from the contents by a removable film. A tamper-evident film may also be provided on the exterior of the container.

Description

2351072 DRINKS CONTAINER The present invention relates to a drinks

container closure and is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with a disposable drinks container comprising a closure.

Known drinks containers such as aluminium cans are used extensively through out the world. When the cans are transported the outer surfaces of the cans are vulnerable to dirt and other contaminates. Following the sale of a can the customer is not always able to use a separate container from which to drink the contents of the can and may have to drink the contents straight from the can. This exposes the customer to any contaminates on the rim near the can opening.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a closure for a drinks container, the closure comprising an outer collar and a rotatable inner closure portion comprising a mouth piece, the inner closure portion being disposed radially within the collar, the arrangement being such that, in use, the closure is mounted over the container opening, and the inner closure portion is rotatable from a first position wherein the mouth piece is disposed within the container to a second position wherein the mouth piece is disposed outside the container.

The mouth piece of the inner closure portion provides a product discharge passage from the container when the inner closure portion is in the second position.

Preferably the mouth piece comprises an extension portion formed with the product discharge passage.

The extension portion is preferably of a tubular construction.

2 Preferably the inner closure portion is pivotally attached to the outer collar. The inner closure portion is preferably substantially disc shaped. It is also preferable that the outer collar is of substantially annular shape.

Preferably the arrangement is such that in use the rotation of the inner closure portion from the first position to a third portion being between the first position and second position provides access to the inside of the container.

It is preferable that in the first position and the second position the radially outermost surface of the inner closure portion forms a fluid tight seal with the radially innermost surface of the outer collar.

Preferably the inner closure portion is rotated about the pivotal attachments by substantially 90' when moved from the first position to the third position.

Preferably the inner closure portion is rotated by substantially 180 when moved from the first position to the second position.

It is also preferable that the inner closure portion is rotated by substantially 180' when moved from the second position to the first position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a drinks container comprising a closure according to the first aspect of the invention, the container comprises a collapsible tubular body the open end of which is attached to the outer collar of the closure, and the arrangement being such that the collapsible tubular body forms an expandable chamber.

3 Preferably the collapsible tubular body is a flexible bag.

The rotation of the inner closure portion between the first and second positions provides access to the expandable chamber and the mouth piece of inner closure portion provides a product discharge passage from the 5 chamber when the inner closure portion is in the second position.

The mouth piece preferably comprises removable protection means. The protection means is preferably a removable film adhered to the mouth piece. In use the film provides a barrier between the product held within the collapsible tubular body and the mouth piece. Before the product can pass through the product discharge passage of the mouth piece the film must be removed.

Preferably the container comprises tamper evident means. The tamper evident means preferably comprises a removable film that encases the outer collar and the inner closure portion. In use the film must be removed before the inner closure portion can be rotated from the first position.

The container preferably comprises a substantially rigid tubular section extending from the outer collar and radially surrounding the expandable inner chamber.

Preferably the tubular section is radially spaced from the expandable inner chamber.

The tubular section is preferably formed with one open end. Preferably the tubular section is substantially bell shaped.

4 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a drinks container comprising a closure according to the first aspect of the present invention mounted over the open end of the container body.

Preferably the container body is substantially rigid.

The invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but three embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure I shows a cross-section of a partially assembled drinks container and a closure comprising a mouth piece in the form of a teat; Figure 2 shows a side view of the closure shown in Figure 1 with the closure portion partially rotated, Figure 3 shows a plan view of the closure shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a partially assembled drinks container and a closure comprising a mouth piece in the form of a spout; Figure 5 shows a side view of the closure shown in Figure 4 with the closure portion partially rotated, Figure 6 shows a plan view of the closure shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 shows a cross-section of a partially assembled drinks container and a closure comprising a mouth piece in the form of a rotatable spout; Figure 8 shows a side view of the closure shown in Figure 7 with the closure portion partially rotated and the rotatable spout in the closed position; Figure 9 shows a plan view of the closure shown in Figure 7; and Figure 10 shows a cross-section of the closure shown in Figure 7 and a cross-section of a drinks can.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a drinks container 1, according to the second aspect of the invention, in the form of a disposable baby's bottle (BABYMAIDTM) comprises a closure, according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising an annular collar 2 and a rotatable inner closure portion 4. The inner closure portion 4 comprises an annular disc 5 and a teat 6. The annular collar 2 comprises a radially outer sleeve 8 and a radially inner annular ring 10. The outer sleeve 8 extends radially outwards from the radially innermost upper edge of the ring 10 and across the uppermost surface of the ring 10. At the radially outermost edge of the ring 10 the sleeve 8 extends downwardly across the radially outermost surface of the ring 10. The sleeve 8 is formed with a annular rim 12. The rim 12 extends radially outwardly from the lower region of the sleeve 8.

The lowermost portion of the disc 5 is formed with a annular recess 14.

The teat 6 is formed with a lower flange 16 that is received within the recess 14 and is bonded to the disc 5.

6 The drinks container I comprises a fluid impermeable collapsible bag 20 and an open ended outer bell shaped cup 21. The bag 20 extends downwardly from the lower region of the sleeve 8 so forming an inner chamber 22. The bell shaped cup 21 comprises a lower frusto-conical 5 open end portion 23.

The bell shape of the cup 21 substantially improves the stability of the container when it is placed on a horizontal surface.

In use, the inner closure portion 4 is rotatable from a first position, wherein the teat 6 is substantially disposed within the container 1, to a second position (shown by Figure 1) wherein the teat 6 is disposed outside the container 1.

An uppermost shoulder 24 of the cup 21 is formed with a radially inner annular step portion 30. In the assembled state the rim 12 is received by the step portion 30 forming a fluid tight seal therebetween.

The inner closure portion 4 is pivotally mounted to the an annular collar 2 via a pair of pivots 18. The closure portion 4 may comprise a protective film (not shown) that substantially covers the uppermost surface 32 of the disc 5 and the teat 6. The teat 6 may be substantially flattened when the protective film is covering the closure portion 4.

The container I may also comprise tamper evident means comprising a removable film (not shown) that encases the annular collar 2 and a rotatable inner closure portion 4 when the closure portion 4 is in the first position. The arrangement is such that the tamper evident film must be removed from the container I before the closure portion 4 can be initially rotated from the first position.

7 In the assembled state the chamber 22 is partially filled with a baby powder compound. A vacuum is formed in the chamber 22 and the bag 20 is in a partially collapsed state. The protective film (not shown) substantially covers the uppermost surface 32 of the disc 5 and the teat 6.

The closure portion 4 is in the first position with the teat 6 being inverted and disposed substantially within the chamber 22. In the first position the radially outermost surface of the disc 5 forms a fluid tight seal with the radially innermost surface of the ring 10. The protective film prevents the baby compound from coming into contact with the teat.

To use the baby bottle the tamper evident film must first be removed. The closure portion 4 is then rotated about the axis of the pivots 18 by 90' from the inverted first position so allowing access to the inside of the chamber 22. The vacuum within the chamber 22 is released and the bag 20 drops down to full extension. Fluid is then poured into the chamber 22 through the gap formed between the partially rotated closure portion 4 and the collar 2. The fluid is mixed with the powder compound. The closure portion 4 is then rotated a further 90' to the second position wherein the teat 6 is substantially outside the chamber 22. In the second position the radially outermost surface of the disc 5 forms a fluid tight seal with the radially innermost surface of the ring 10. The protective film is then removed from the closure portion 4 and the teat 6 springs upwardly so forming its natural shape (as shown in Figure 1). The baby's bottle can then be used in the usual way. It will be appreciated that the chamber could contain a ready made fluid compound.

Turning to Figures 4 to 6, these show an alternative embodiment of the container according to the second aspect of the present invention. This embodiment (INFANT FEEDER TM) is substantially the same as that described with reference to Figures I to 3 of the accompanying drawings 8 and therefore similar numerals have been used to describe similar components and further description will not be given. However, with this embodiment the closure portion 4 comprises a disc 34 formed with a central drinking spout 36 extending perpendicularly therefrom. The spout 36 forms an internal fluid passage 38 having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The distal end of the spout 36 is formed with four holes 40 each of which extend through the end section of the spout 36. The spout 36 provides fluid discharge passage for the container 1.

This embodiment can be used for any type of drink or fluid product. The chamber 22 can contain a powder compound to be mixed with liquid once the container is opened or alternatively the chamber 22 can contain fluid read to drink.

Turning to Figures 7 to 9, these show a further alternative embodiment of the container according to the second aspect of the present invention.

This embodiment (SMOOTHTUBE TM) is substantially the same as that described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings and therefore similar numerals have been used to describe similar components and further description will not be given. However, with this embodiment the closure portion 4 comprises a disc 42 formed with a hole 43 and a rotatable spout 44. The rotatable spout 44 includes an arcuate rotator portion 46 and a nozzle portion 48. The nozzle portion 46 is receivable within a channel 50 formed in the disc 42. The rotatable spout 44 provides valve means. When the nozzle portion 46 is placed within the channel 50 the spout 44 does not align with the hole 43 formed in the disc 42 so preventing product discharge from the chamber 22.

Rotation of the spout 44 about axis 52 in a direction away from the disc 42 brings the lowermost end of the nozzle portion 48 in line with hole 43 so providing a product discharge passage form the chamber 22.

9 It will be appreciated that the invention also provides a container that is conveniently stackable. As the container according to the invention may comprise a dry compound, or flavoured liquid concentrate, the volume occupied is substantially less and the weight of the container is substantially less. A stack of the containers will therefore take up less room and be cheaper to transport. This is favourable when transporting drinks containers and when dispensing drinks containers.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention wherein the closure (FLIPTOPTM) according to the first aspect of the present invention, as shown in Figures 7 to 9, is mountable within the uppermost open end portion 66 of a cylindrical drinks container 60.

The main body of the drinks container 60 has a circular cross-section of substantially uniform diameter. The lowermost end 62 of the drinks container 60 is closed off by a circular base portion 64.

The drinks container 60 is made of any suitable rigid material, such as but not limited to, metal, plastic or cardboard.

The uppermost end portion 66 comprises an annular mounting rim 68 formed with a radially innermost annular shoulder 70 adapted to receive the annular rim 12 of the sleeve 8 so forming a fluid tight seal therebetween.

During manufacture the container 60 is filled with liquid and the closure is then fitted on to the open end of the container with the closure portion 4 in the first position.

The container 60 is transported and displayed for sale in the normal manner.

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Claims

A bell shaped container with open ended base including a rotating mechanism at the centre to form a seal with the outer rim of the top of the container to which is attached a collapsible bag within the main body of the container the sealing elements will be watertight.
2. A container as claimed in 1 where the rotating mechanism is attached to a rubber teat such as is used to feed babies.
J. A container as claimed in 1 where the rotating mechanism is constructed with a mouthpiece such as is used to feed infants.
4. A container as claimed in 1 where the rotating mechanism is constructed to accept a rotating spout which can act as a mouthpiece and a valve to prevent spillage or ingress of contaminants into the liquids.
5. A container as claimed in 1, 2, 3, 4, to be sealed over the rotating mechanism and the top of the container to prevent contamination and make tamperproof
6. A parallel container with closed base including a rotating mechanism at the centre to form a seal with the outer rim of the top of the container the sealing elements will be watertight.
7. A container as claimed in 6 to which may be attached a rotating spout as claimed in 4.
8. A container as claimed in 6 and sealed in the same manner as claimed in 5.
9. Containers as claimed in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, are stackable for economic use of storage space.

Ref: GB 9914296.0