HK1018036B - A container assembly for liquid products and method of assembly - Google Patents

Description

Container assembly for liquid products and method for assembling same

The present invention relates to a container assembly for holding a liquid product and a prize, which may be distributed in an unscrupulous container. More particularly, the present invention relates to a prize-retaining subassembly that can be inserted into and accurately positioned within a lightweight, self-retaining beverage container.

An apparatus that can provide a prize when opening a beverage can has the great advantage of promotion. Such a device is disclosed in US patent 5,056,659 to Howes which relies on a system which requires welding or gluing of a device to the can end. Other known devices typically rely on means for securing the device to the can end, for example by welding. Welding requires a specially coated underside which prevents the use of the devices associated with conventional can ends. This is disadvantageous because the device must be secured in a conventional beverage can, requiring the use of a special can end, as this can provide a cue on a prize-bearing beverage can.

In some known devices, the prize is presented at the open end of the beverage container when the closure means of the beverage container is opened, either by a complex spring arrangement or by the buoyancy of the beverage. Such devices typically include a relatively large number of components, including a conduit, from which the prize is urged by a spring or buoyancy force.

In addition, misalignment in known devices can cause the can end to become stuck or unable to open, rendering the consumer inaccessible to a prize. Such failure of the device should not only be minimal, but should not prevent normal access to and consumption of the beverage.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a prize delivery device for insertion into a beverage can which avoids the limitations of prior devices and, in particular:

(1) the device enables the use of all beverage compatible materials that enable beverage cans to contain both prizes and drinkable beverages.

(2) Welding or other means limiting the application of a particular can end are avoided.

(3) When the device is installed in a beverage can and misalignment or other errors occur, the consumer will not be able to drink the beverage.

(4) A system is provided that cannot be detected before opening (e.g., by shaking or slapping a prize in a beverage can).

(5) A system is provided that can be easily applied to a filling line that does not spill and that does not require special equipment (unless it is possible to insert a prize holder into a beverage can, which can also be done manually).

(6) A container assembly is provided which has a simple construction with fewer parts, thereby increasing the reliability of the prize delivery function.

(7) A container assembly with a prize delivery device is provided that has a smaller volume and fewer components to reduce the impact of the article as a whole and the contents of the article.

(8) A prize delivery assembly is provided which is independent of the buoyancy forces generated by the liquid product, such that the operation of the prize delivery assembly is independent of the state and volume of the product.

(9) A prize delivery assembly is provided which is a small unitary member that passes through the beverage can opening so that the size of the beverage can opening and its opening function are not critical.

(10) A prize delivery function is provided that does not encourage the consumer to place a finger into the beverage can.

(11) A prize delivery assembly is provided that is readily adaptable to beverage cans of different heights.

(12) A prize delivery assembly is provided which extends upwardly at the end of the beverage container when the container is opened, thereby providing an increased surprising effect.

The present invention provides a container assembly for holding a liquid product and a prize comprising:

a can for containing a liquid product, the can having an open end, a closed end and a sidewall connecting the open end and the closed end, the sidewall having an inner surface defining an interior cavity; a closure means for opening and closing the open end of the can; a tether having a proximal end adjacent the closure device and a distal end connected to the prize assembly for supporting the prize assembly at a storage location within the lumen; a prize delivery assembly for exposing the proximal end of the tether juxtaposed with the open end of the canister when the closure is open; the consumer can manually grasp the proximal end of the tether to pull the prize assembly from the canister.

The tether has a clip-like resilient portion which is compressed within the canister in a cocked storage position until the closure is opened. The hair clip shaped portion includes a pair of spaced legs connected by a pair of continuous curved portions, and a pair of feet extending from the respective legs. The end of one of the feet forms the proximal end of a tether which is biased towards the closure device near the underside of the closure portion by the action of the hairpin elastic portion. The other leg extends from one leg of the clip to form the distal end of a tether that is secured to one end of the prize assembly.

A shutter or flap is provided on the underside of the closure. The gate secures the tether in a storage position within the tank prior to opening of the closure. When the closure is opened, the gate disengages the proximal end of the tether, allowing the proximal end of the tether to extend out of the opening of the can for grasping by the consumer.

The tether includes a foot supported in a guide channel which includes a suitable stop to prevent the tether from fully extending from the canister under the influence of the resilient portion. But allows the consumer to grasp the tether and pull the associated prize assembly from the canister.

The closure member comprises a two-piece structure including an outer disc which is a conventional cap end having a handle and an associated frangible tab. The conventional cap end or disk overlaps an inner disk that supports the gate and the guide for the tether. The peripheral edge portion of the inner disc is bent over the open end of the can flange and sandwiched between the overlapping can end portion periphery and the can flange periphery.

The invention is described below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of the can end assembly of the present invention with a portion broken away to show the location of the prize assembly of the present invention;

figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the can assembly of figure 1 with the top closure in an exploded condition showing the manner in which the can end and associated prize assembly are secured together and the storage position of the prize assembly in the beverage can prior to opening of the closure;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the canister assembly of FIG. 1, showing the position of the prize delivery assembly with the closure device in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the inner disk of the closure and prize delivery assembly secured to the underside thereof in accordance with the invention;

fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the inner circular disc of the closure device taken along line 5-5 of fig. 4.

See the drawings. There is shown a can assembly 10 having a cylindrical side wall 12 with a hollow interior formed therein. A closed bottom end 13 and an open top end 14. The open top end 14 terminates in a circumferential flange or bead 16.

The open end 14 is closed by a conventional can end assembly 18 which includes an annular groove 20 and a circumferential bead 22. The circumferential bead 22 is a conventional can end structure which is bent over the can sidewall flange 16 to form a seal around the periphery of the open end 14 of the can. The can end has a conventional pull tab 26 which is riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the inner disc 24 of the can end at 28. A frangible panel 32 is formed on the disc 24 and when the pull tab 26 is pulled, one end of the cam surface 30 presses downwardly against the panel 32, causing the frangible panel 32 to break and be pressed into the beverage can, as is known in the art. The prize assembly of the invention is supported on an inner disc 34 which has an aperture 35 through which the plate 32 can pass when the pull tab 26 is actuated to open the closure. The disc 34 has an annular groove 36 in which the lower surface of the peripheral groove 20 of the can end member 18 is located when the peripheral ends 22 and 38 of the can end member 18 and disc 34, respectively, are bent around the rim 16 of the beverage can. Therefore, the prize assembly support disc 34 may be conveniently assembled with the can end in a conventional filling process wherein a large number of beverage cans are quickly filled in a production line fashion.

The prize assembly of the invention has a snap-type gate or shutter 40 secured to the underside of the disc 34 and extending through the aperture 35. The shutter member is preferably a plastic strip including a base end portion 42 secured to the underside of the disc 34 by spot welding adjacent the opening 35, and a hinge portion 44. However, the gate may be integrally formed with the disc if desired. Hinge 44 is formed by a slot in the underside of the plastic strip, forming a living hinge. The gate member 46 includes a plate 46A which extends through the aperture 35 and has a rib 46B on its underside which terminates a short distance from the end of the plate 46A at the notch 46C. Notch 46C is to engage proximal end 62 of tether 60, as will be described further below. As shown in FIG. 2, the notch 46C in the gate 40 maintains the tether proximal end 62 in a stored or cocked position prior to the closure device being opened.

Tether 60 is preferably a thin rod or band of resilient plastic material having a clip-shaped resilient portion 66 defining a pair of legs terminating in feet 64 and 68, respectively. Foot 64 connects proximal end 62 to one leg of a hairpin-shaped elastic portion 66. The foot 68 connects the other leg to the distal end 70 of the tether. The distal end 70 has an integral transverse tab 72 which is secured to the end of the prize assembly 80.

The tether 60 is mounted for receipt in and movement within the guide slot 54 of the guide assembly 50. The guide assembly 50 is secured to the underside of the disc 34 by ribs 52. The top end of the guide member and associated slot 54 is juxtaposed with the aperture 35 of the inner disc 34 and therefore the overlying opening formed by the frangible tab 32 on the can end. The guide assembly 50 is angled downwardly and outwardly from the opening 35 so that the prize assembly 80 at the end of the tether 60 is supported adjacent the perimeter or side wall 12 of the canister assembly.

Each leg 64 and 58 is slidably received in the slot 54. Latches or stops 56 and 58 project from the side walls of the slot 54. Between the legs of the hairpin spring portion 66 are transitional bends 57 and 59. The transitional bend 57 engages the stop or latch means 56 when the tether is extended through the opening of the canister to the position shown in figure 3. In the storage position shown in figure 2 and the prize presenting position shown in figure 3, the transitional curved portion 59 is normally engaged with the stop or latch means 58. When the closure is opened, the force exerted by each latch 56, 58 on portions 57, 59 of tether 60 under the force of spring-shaped portion 66 is sufficient to prevent the tether from fully extending from the container. However, the ends of these latch means 56, 58 are rounded and sufficiently compressible so that when the proximal end 62 of the tether is extended from the beverage container (as shown in figure 3), which can be grasped by the consumer, the entire tether and prize assembly attached thereto can be manually pulled from the container through the associated opening formed by the aperture 35 and plate 32 pressing into the container interior.

The prize assembly 80 may include a pouch or cylinder 82 having a cavity 84 at its top end in which the transverse panels 72 are received. The cavity 88 beneath the plate 86 is a prize 90 which may be a roll of banknotes or other form of prize such as a keepsake, coupon or the like. The housing 82 may comprise a plastic bag with heat sealed edges.

The operation of the prize delivery assembly of the present invention is best understood by reference to fig. 2 and 3, with the tether 60 and spring portion 66 of the prize assembly of fig. 2 in a cocked, storage position wherein the proximal end 62 of the tether engages in the notch 46C of the gate 46. When the pull tab 26 on the can end is lifted, as shown in figure 2, it presses the frangible tab 32 through the aperture 35 into the beverage can, the tab 32 pressing the gate 46 down into the interior of the container about the hinge 44, thereby releasing the proximal end 62 of the tether 60 through the can end. As shown in fig. 3, the consumer can grasp the proximal end 62 and manually remove the associated prize assembly 80 from the beverage container altogether. The end or any portion of the tether 60 may be striated or colored so as to attract the attention of the consumer when it extends from the open end of the beverage can. Any suitable color or surface decoration may be provided to attract the attention of the consumer.

All of the components of the prize assembly of the present invention, including the disc 34, gate 46, tether 60, guide assembly 50 and prize container, may be made of lightweight plastic.

Many variations of the invention are possible within the spirit of the invention.

Claims (43)

1. A container assembly for holding a liquid product and a prize comprising:

a can for containing a liquid product, the can having an open end, a closed end and a sidewall connecting the open end and the closed end, the sidewall having an inner surface defining an interior cavity;

a closure means for opening and closing the open end of the can;

a tether having a proximal end adjacent the closure device and a distal end connected to the prize assembly for supporting the prize assembly at a storage location within the lumen;

a prize delivery assembly for exposing the proximal end of the tether juxtaposed with the open end of the canister when the closure is open;

the consumer can manually grasp the proximal end of the tether to pull the prize assembly from the canister.

2. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein: comprising a resilient means for urging the proximal end of the tether towards the closure means.

3. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein: the elastic means comprises a portion of a tether.

4. The container assembly of claim 3, wherein: the section includes a curved portion in the form of a hairpin with spaced legs.

5. The container assembly of claim 4, wherein: also included is a first foot of a tether connecting the proximal end to the one leg and a second foot connecting the distal end to the other leg.

6. The container assembly of claim 5, wherein: also included is a channel means in which the first and second feet are slidably received, the channel means being oriented toward the open end of the container so as to guide the proximal end of the tether toward the open end.

7. The container assembly of claim 6, wherein: a stop means is included for limiting movement of the proximal end of the tether due to the biasing force of the resilient means, but allowing the consumer to manually remove the tether completely.

8. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein: a stop means is included for limiting movement of the proximal end of the tether due to the biasing force of the resilient means, but allowing the consumer to completely remove the tether by hand.

9. The container assembly of claim 3, wherein: a stop means is included for limiting movement of the proximal end of the tether due to the biasing force of the resilient means, but allowing the consumer to completely remove the tether by hand.

10. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in the storage position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

11. The container assembly of claim 3, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in the storage position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

12. The container assembly of claim 4, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in the storage position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

13. The container assembly of claim 5, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in the storage position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

14. The container assembly of claim 6, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in the storage position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

15. The container assembly of claim 7, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in the storage position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

16. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein: the closure means comprises an inner disc which is attachable to the side wall of the can around the open end, an outer disc which overlaps the inner disc and closes the open end of the can, a frangible tab on the outer disc, and a pull tab which, when subjected to a manual force applied thereto, causes the frangible tab to bend into the inner chamber, the inner disc having an aperture for receiving the frangible tab therethrough for movement and removal of the prize assembly.

17. The container assembly of claim 16, wherein: the tether and prize assembly are supported by the inner disc.

18. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein: the closure means comprises an inner disc which is attachable to the side wall of the can around the open end, an outer disc which overlaps the inner disc and closes the open end of the can, a frangible tab on the outer disc, and a pull tab which, when subjected to a manual force applied thereto, causes the frangible tab to bend into the inner chamber, the inner disc having an aperture for receiving the frangible tab therethrough for movement and removal of the prize assembly.

19. The container assembly of claim 18, wherein: the tether and prize assembly are supported by the inner disc.

20. A method of assembling and using the container assembly of any of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, wherein: including disposing the prize assembly and the tether within the interior cavity, closing the container assembly with the closure device, and randomly distributing the container assembly within the non-prize holder container.

21. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein: which is a beverage package, further comprising a consumable liquid product in its inner cavity.

22. The sealed device of claim 21, wherein: comprising a resilient means for urging the proximal end of the tether towards the closure means.

23. The sealed device of claim 22, wherein: the elastic means comprises a portion of a tether.

24. The sealed device of claim 23, wherein: the section includes a curved portion in the form of a hairpin with spaced legs.

25. The sealed device of claim 24, wherein: also included is a first foot of a tether connecting the proximal end to the one leg and a second foot connecting the distal end to the other leg.

26. The sealed device of claim 25, wherein: also included is a channel means in which the first and second feet are slidably received, the channel means being oriented toward the open end of the container so as to guide the proximal end of the tether toward the open end.

27. The sealed device of claim 26, wherein: a stop means is included for limiting movement of the proximal end of the tether due to the biasing force of the resilient means, but allowing the consumer to completely remove the tether by hand.

28. The sealed device of claim 22, wherein: a stop means is included for limiting movement of the proximal end of the tether due to the biasing force of the resilient means, but allowing the consumer to completely remove the tether by hand.

29. The sealed device of claim 23, wherein: a stop means is included for limiting movement of the proximal end of the tether due to the biasing force of the resilient means, but allowing the consumer to completely remove the tether by hand.

30. The sealed device of claim 22, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in a stored position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

31. The sealed device of claim 23, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in a stored position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

32. The sealed device of claim 24, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in a stored position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

33. The sealed device of claim 25, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in a stored position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

34. The sealed device of claim 26, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in a stored position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

35. The sealed device of claim 27, wherein: a gate is also included and is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in a stored position within the lumen, and a second position in which the gate is disengaged from the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end.

36. The sealed device of claim 21, wherein: the closure means comprises an inner disc which is attachable to the side wall of the can around the open end, an outer disc which overlaps the inner disc and closes the open end of the can, a frangible tab on the outer disc, and a pull tab which, when subjected to a manual force applied thereto, causes the frangible tab to bend into the inner chamber, the inner disc having an aperture for receiving the frangible tab therethrough for movement and removal of the prize assembly.

37. The sealed device of claim 36, wherein: the tether and prize assembly are supported by the inner disc.

38. The sealed device of claim 22, wherein: the closure means comprises an inner disc which is attachable to the side wall of the can around the open end, an outer disc which overlaps the inner disc and closes the open end of the can, a frangible tab on the outer disc, and a pull tab which, when subjected to a manual force applied thereto, causes the frangible tab to bend into the inner chamber, the inner disc having an aperture for receiving the frangible tab therethrough for movement and removal of the prize assembly.

39. The sealing device of claim 38, wherein: the tether and prize assembly are supported by the inner disc.

40. A method of assembling and using a sealing device according to any of claims 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, wherein: comprising disposing a prize assembly and a tether within the interior chamber, closing the canister with a closure means, and randomly distributing the sealed means within a container of the non-prize holder.

41. A prize delivery assembly for insertion into an open end of a beverage container, comprising:

a tether having a proximal end adjacent the closure device and a distal end connected to the prize assembly for supporting the prize assembly at a storage location within the lumen;

said tether having a hairpin-shaped elastic portion with spaced legs, one leg of which is connected to said proximal end by a first foot portion and the other leg of which is connected to said distal end by a second foot portion;

a disc attachable to the open end of the beverage can, the disc having an aperture through which the proximal end of the tether is exposed for grasping by a consumer;

guide slot means for slidably receiving the first and second feet, said guide slot means facing the open end of the canister and the aperture in the disc to guide the proximal end of the tether towards said open end, said guide slot means being secured to said disc.

42. A prize delivery assembly according to claim 41, wherein: a stop means is included for limiting movement of the proximal end of the tether due to the biasing force of the resilient means, but allowing the consumer to completely remove the tether by hand.

43. A prize delivery assembly according to claim 42, wherein: a gate is also included that is movable between a first position in which the gate engages the proximal end of the tether and secures it in a storage position in the canister, and a second position in which the gate disengages the proximal end to move the proximal end to an exposed position juxtaposed with the open end of the canister.