HK1152559A - A top cover for sealing an open end of a cylindrical beverage container, a container, a method for providing a top cover an a method for producing a container - Google Patents

Description

Cap for sealing open end of cylindrical beverage container, method for providing cap, and method for manufacturing container

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a top cap for sealing an open end of a cylindrical beverage container. The overcap includes a plate having a scored portion and a tab (tab) attached to a first side of the plate for creating a hole in the plate by breaking the scored portion.

Background

Cylindrical beverage containers are widely used for storing soft drinks, beer, iced tea, and the like. In many cases, the user carries the beverage container to a location (e.g., outdoors) where there is no facility for cooling the beverage. Therefore, various containers capable of self-heating or self-cooling have been proposed.

A typical beverage container has a cylindrical peripheral wall defining two spaced-apart open ends, one closed by a top lid and the other closed by a bottom lid. Typically, the bottom cover is integrally formed with the cylindrical wall by an extrusion process. The cylindrical wall, top cap and bottom cap define a tubular body that forms a cavity for enclosing a beverage.

In self-cooling beverage containers according to the prior art, the bottom cap defines a body forming a cavity extending within the tubular body along the longitudinal axis of said container. The body of the bottom cap is spaced from the cylindrical wall of the container. Such a bottom cap may be provided in any conventional container without affecting the external structure or dimensions of the container. But will reduce the internal volume of the container.

Such self-cooling beverage containers are provided with a cooling process by an elongated insert held within the body of the bottom cap. The insert comprises icing material (freezable material). Typically, the material is one that melts below 5 ℃, such as water, heavy water or frozen gel (freezable gel). The insert may also be an electrically powered cooling unit or a cooling unit relying on chemical reactions. The cooling unit may also be a gas cylinder with a controllable gas discharge to discharge gas to the atmosphere during the cooling process.

Generally, the previously disclosed solutions provide entirely new container structures that cannot be used in existing filling lines. Such containers therefore require high investments from the beverage manufacturer.

Disclosure of Invention

In combination with the above and background, it is an object of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a self-cooling beverage container for reducing, alleviating or eliminating one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination.

An idea according to some embodiments is to provide a top cover for accommodating a temperature changing device.

A further idea according to some embodiments is to provide an overcap for a beverage container that can be manufactured on an existing manufacturing line, which beverage container can also be used in case a pasteurization process is used.

A further idea according to some embodiments is to provide an overcap for a beverage container that enables beverage to be cooled efficiently in a cost-effective manner.

It is a further idea according to some embodiments to provide an over-cap for a beverage container, wherein all components of the over-cap are recyclable.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cap for sealing an open end of a cylindrical beverage container. The top cover comprises a plate having a hollow body forming a cavity for the temperature changing device, the cavity extending from an open end on a first side of the plate to a closed bottom end.

The hollow body may have a tapered shape to facilitate stacking of multiple caps on top of each other to reduce the space required for transportation and storage.

The top cap may further include a second cap for sealing the open end of the hollow body, wherein the second cap includes a protrusion provided on a side of the second cap facing the inside of the hollow body and at least one through hole. Thus, it is possible to provide for discharging the cooling fluid and for starting the cooling process in a simple and efficient manner.

The tab may extend over the second cover to retain the second cover over the open end of the hollow body. Thus, the use of adhesives or other external fasteners can be eliminated, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

The internal volume of the hollow body may be less than 15% of the internal volume of the beverage container, which is advantageous in that only a small part of the beverage volume needs to be reduced to provide efficient cooling.

The outer surface of the hollow body may be roughened, which is advantageous in providing a larger contact area with the beverage, thereby improving cooling efficiency.

The cap may further include a temperature-varying device having a container enclosing a compressed fluid, an aerosol valve connected to an outlet of the container and movable between an open position and a closed position, and an actuator for initiating dispensing of the fluid spray. The actuator includes a first member connected to the aerosol valve and a second member connected to the container, the first member being fixedly connected to the second member when the valve is in the open position. The temperature change device is disposed within the hollow body of the cap such that the first member of the actuator is disposed adjacent an inner surface of the closed end of the cavity. Thus, an external cooling device can be provided within the top cover to improve the effective cooling.

The first member of the actuator may comprise a central portion connected to the valve and at least two legs extending from the central portion towards the second member of the actuator, wherein each leg comprises a hook for engaging with the second member. This facilitates the manual start of the cooling process and enables the cooling process to be maintained by itself until cooling is complete.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a beverage container is provided. The beverage container comprises an overcap according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a cap for sealing an open end of a cylindrical beverage container is provided. The method includes the step of defining a hollow body in a panel of the header, wherein the hollow body forms a cavity extending from an open end to a closed end on the first side of the panel.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a container for a beverage, the container having a cylindrical wall, a closed top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is sealed by a first lid comprising an outer cavity having an open top end and a closed bottom end, the cavity extending within an inner cavity of the container, the container further comprising a second lid for sealing the top end of the outer cavity and temperature varying means for cooling the beverage, wherein the temperature varying means is arranged within the outer cavity.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a container for cooling a beverage contained within the container, the method comprising: fabricating the container having an open top end and a closed bottom end spaced from the top end; manufacturing a first header having a cavity with an open top end and a closed bottom end, the cavity extending a prescribed length from the top end; filling the container with the beverage; sealing the container by sealing the top end with the cap, wherein the cavity extends within the container; fabricating a second cap for sealing the open top end of the cavity; manufacturing a cooling device comprising an outlet valve; disposing the cooling device within an external cavity; sealing the top end of the cavity with the second cap.

Drawings

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, wherein embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a container according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a top cover according to a first embodiment;

fig. 3 is a top view of a second cover according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the second cover shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first member of the actuator according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a beverage container according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a top cover according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a temperature changing device according to a second embodiment; and

fig. 9 shows an installation process of a beverage container having a temperature varying device according to a second embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a top lid 14 of a beverage container 10. The lid 14 is designed such that the lid 14 can be used with a temperature varying device 11 for cooling different types of beverages (e.g. beer, soft drinks and iced tea) packaged in the container 10. A preferred embodiment relates to a portable container 10 (e.g. a common beer can), the portable container 10 comprising a top lid 14 and a temperature changing device 11. However, it should be understood that the present invention is equally applicable to larger beverage containers that are not portable. However, for clarity and ease of illustration, most of the embodiments described in this specification relate to a common beer can.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a container 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The container 10 has a generally cylindrical wall 16, the cylindrical wall 16 being closed at one end by a bottom cover 15. In addition, the container 10 has a top cover 14, the top cover 14 having a panel 20, a score portion 17, and a hollow body 12 defining a cavity. Tabs (not shown) are attached to the outer surface of the plate 20 and are used to open holes in the plate 20 by breaking the scored portion 17. The top cover 14 is formed from a sheet material and the hollow body 12 extends within the peripheral wall 16 along the longitudinal axis of the container 10. The peripheral wall 16 of the container 10, the top cover 14 and the bottom cover 15 together define a tubular body 18, the beverage being enclosed in the tubular body 18.

A temperature changing device 11 is provided inside the hollow body 12. The temperature-varying means 11 comprises a compressed fluid container 41 enclosing a fluid mixture containing CO₂As its main component. The outlet of the container 41 is provided with an aerosol valve 43. The actuator 45 is connected to the valve 43 and to the container 41.

Referring to fig. 2, the hollow body 12 is disposed at the center of the plate 20. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made to the position of the hollow body 12 within the overcap 14. The hollow body 12 has a closed bottom end 15 and an open upper end 21.

The body 12 is sealed by a second cap 30, which second cap 30 will be described further with reference to fig. 3 and 4. The second cover 30 is provided on the outer surface of the plate 20 and extends into the hollow body 12 by a circumferentially projecting edge 35 of the second cover 30. The protrusion 32 is provided at a central position of the inner surface of the second cover 30. The protrusion (e.g., knob) is integrally formed with the second cover 30. In addition, the second cap 30 includes at least one discharge hole 31 extending through the second cap 30.

Referring to fig. 1 and 5, the actuator 45 includes a first member 46 connected to the valve 43 and a second member 47 connected to the container 41. The first member 46 has a central portion 48 and three legs 49, the central portion 48 being disposed on the stem 44 of the valve 43, the three legs 49 extending from the central portion 48 towards the second member 47, as shown in fig. 1. The end of each leg 49 is provided with a hook 50. The legs 49 are arranged along the circumference of the central portion 48, evenly spaced at an angle of 120 °. The outer portions of the legs are aligned with the inner surface of the container 41 of the temperature changing device 11 so that the space provided between the legs 49 acts as a spray guide when dispensing the fluid mixture. The second member 47 includes a ring-shaped portion disposed at a lower portion of the container 41. The upper part of the ring-shaped portion is provided with a recess 51.

A method for cooling a beverage according to one embodiment will be described below.

When the breaking or opening mechanism for the beverage container 10, i.e., the tab for breaking the scored portion 17, is pressed on the second cover 30, the shape of the second cover 30 is changed to a concave shape that pushes the container 41 of the temperature changing device 11 downward toward the bottom of the hollow body 12 by the protrusion (knob)32 of the second cover 30. This movement forces the push rod 44 of the valve 43 to retract to the release position, which causes the valve 43 to open. Thus, the spray can be discharged through the valve 43. When the push rod of the valve 43 is moved towards the release position, the first member 46 of the actuator 45 will be moved in an upward direction towards the container 11. When the legs 49 of the first member 46 reach the recesses 51 of the second member 47, the hook 50 of each leg 49 will engage the recess 51. Thus, the user pushing on the tab will hear a clicking sound, also preventing the push rod of the valve 43 from moving back to the extended position (i.e. the valve closed position) when the user releases the tab. Thus, the valve 43 will remain open until the pressure inside the container 41 of the temperature varying device 11 is low enough to stop dispensing the spray.

CO when contained inside the container 41 of the temperature changing device 11₂Or any other fluid mixture, flowing through valve 43, CO₂Gasify and enable an outlet temperature of about-73 ℃.

CO₂It does not exist in a liquid state at a pressure of 5.1atm. or less. At a temperature below-78 ℃ under 1atm, CO₂Is solid. In its solid state, CO₂Commonly referred to as dry ice. In its gaseous state, CO₂Is 1.5 times the weight of air, so if CO is mixed with₂Released into the air, CO₂Will accumulate at a lower elevation. The cooling capacity of 1kg of dry ice is about that of 2kg of ordinary ice. Gaseous or liquid CO stored under pressure if rapidly compressed₂Dry ice is formed through an automatic cooling process. Thus, theoretically (if optimally released), 6.69g CO₂The temperature of the 45cl beverage can be lowered by 15 c in about 60 seconds.

The beverage container 10 shown in fig. 1 is designed to have the same external dimensions and shape as a standard 50cl portable beverage can. However, the presence of the hollow body 12 reduces the internal volume of the beverage container 10. The hollow body 12 will occupy 10% of this volume, which in the case of a 50cl beverage container is equivalent to a 5cl beverage. In other embodiments, the volume of the hollow body 12 may be 5% -15% of the internal volume of the beverage container 10. Since the outer dimensions are the same as for conventional beverage cans, each can be used and filled on existing filling lines. Accordingly, the hollow body 12 may be 115mm in length and 38mm in diameter.

Other sizes of beverage containers 10 may also be used. This size may be consistent with the size of commercially available containers, such as 33cl, 33.5cl (12u.s.fl.oz.) or 44cl (14.9 u.s.fl.oz.).

The diameter of the spray container 41 of the temperature varying device 11 may be 20mm to 35mm, preferably 22mm, and the container 41 may contain a 5cl fluid mixture containing CO₂As its main component. The spray container 41 is capable of handling an internal pressure of at least 70 bar. The aerosol valve 43 connected to the aerosol container 41 is capable of handling an internal pressure of at least 50 bar. As a precautionary measure, the aerosol valve 43 is formed to automatically release when the internal pressure exceeds 50 bar.

In one embodiment, the spray container 41 of the temperature varying device 11 comprises a fluid mixture containing CO₂As its main component. The fluid mixture can be designed to be non-toxic according to current environmental requirements. In addition, the fluid mixture can be designed to have a mixture with pure CO₂Close boiling point, but critical point ratio to pure CO₂High.

In another embodiment, the spray container 41 of the temperature varying device 11 is packaged with about 6, 7g of the fluid mixture. The vessel 41 is dimensioned such that the pressure inside the vessel 41 does not exceed 50bar at temperatures above 50 ℃.

Different embodiments of the top cover 14, the second cover 30 and the temperature changing device 11 will be explained below.

The hollow body 12 may have a tubular shape and the closed bottom end 22 of the hollow body 12 may be planar, convex, concave, or any other shape. The hollow body 12 may also have a tapered profile such that the bottom end 22 is smaller in size than the upper open end 21. In addition, the hollow body 12 may be integrally formed with the plate 20. In another embodiment, the plate 20 has a punched hole around which the hollow body 12 with the upper open end 21 is attached.

The outer surface of the hollow body 12 (i.e., the surface that contacts the beverage enclosed within the container 10) may be roughened. In addition, the inner surface of the hollow body 12 may also be rough.

The plate 20 may include a slot (not shown) around the open end 21 of the hollow body 12. The groove is used to mount a second cap 30 to seal the open end 21. The second cover 30 may be fixedly attached to the slot or the second cover may be attached to the plate 20 by the tab extending over the second cover 30 to retain the second cover 30 on the open end 21.

The second cover 30 may be recessed such that the second cover 30 does not extend over the exterior of the top cover 14. This is advantageous to prevent accidental activation of the drive member 32 during handling or storage, for example.

The valve 43 may include a diaphragm (not shown) for providing vibration during the bleeding of the gas mixture. Thus, the diaphragm will prevent clogging of the valve outlet. The valve 43 may also be formed to dispense a substantial portion of the contents of the aerosol container 41 of the temperature varying device 11 in approximately 60 seconds. In a preferred embodiment, 51% of the gas mixture content is dispensed within 60 seconds, preferably between 30 and 60 seconds.

The aerosol container 41, the valve 43 and the actuating member 45 of the temperature-varying device 11 are each made of known conventional materials, preferably plastic and/or aluminium alloys, to accommodate current recycling processes.

Other embodiments of the top cover are shown in fig. 6-9. Wherein the valve is indicated with reference numeral 13. Other elements in these embodiments are the same as the reference numerals used with reference to fig. 1-5.

The top cover 14 may be provided by a method according to the first embodiment. The method includes the step of forming a plate 20 having a scored portion 17. A tab is then attached to the first side of the plate 20, wherein the tab is used to open a hole in the plate 20 by breaking the scored section 17. After this, a hollow body 12 is defined in the plate 20, wherein the hollow body 12 forms a cavity extending from an open end 21 on a first side of the plate 20 to a closed bottom end 22.

The beverage container 10 may also be assembled by providing a tubular body 18 having a closed bottom end and an open upper end. Next, the beverage container 10 is filled with a certain beverage. The overcap 14 is then installed on the beverage container 10 and the beverage container 10 is sealed with the overcap 14. The temperature changing device 11 including the valve 43 and the actuating member 45 is separately installed and inserted into the hollow body 12 of the top cap 14. Thus, the legs 49 of the actuator 45 are aligned with the inner surface of the bottom end 22 of the hollow body 12. Then, the second cap 30 is disposed on top of the open end 21 of the hollow body 12. Finally, the tab, which has been connected to the plate 20, is rotated so that the tab extends over the second cover 30. Thus, the second cover 30 is held in place by the tabs.

The manufacturing method is advantageous in that the method can be used in existing production lines using pasteurization treatment. This is because the temperature changing device 11 is inserted after filling the beverage container 10 with the pasteurized beverage and is sealed by the top cover 14. In addition, the beverage is exposed only to the inner surface of the top cover 14, which is made of the same material as the covers used for the prior known beverage containers.

In one embodiment, the exterior surface of the beverage container 10 may be sprayed with a heat sensitive coating that will indicate when the cooling process is complete. Such a coating may be provided, for example, circumferentially on the beverage container 10. Accordingly, the user can perceive whether the temperature distribution is uniform and whether the temperature reaches a predetermined value before opening the beverage container 10.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The foregoing has described the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention. The present invention should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described above. The different features of the various embodiments of the invention may be combined in other combinations than those explicitly described. It will therefore be appreciated that variations may be made in those embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. A cap (14) for sealing an open end of a cylindrical beverage container (10), the cap (14) comprising:

a plate (20), the plate (20) having a scored portion (17); and

a tab attached to a first side of the plate (20) and adapted to open a hole in the plate (20) by breaking the scored portion (17);

the method is characterized in that:

the plate (20) comprises a hollow body (12), the hollow body (12) forming a cavity for a temperature changing device (11), the cavity extending from an open end (21) to a closed end (22) located on the first side of the plate (20).

2. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the hollow body (12) has a tapered profile.

3. The overcap of claim 1 or 2, the overcap (14) further comprising a second cap (30) for sealing the open end (21) of the hollow body (12), wherein the second cap (30) comprises a protrusion (32) and at least one through hole (31), the protrusion (32) being provided on a side of the second cap (30) facing the interior of the hollow body (12).

4. The overcap of claim 3, wherein the tab extends over the second cap (30) to retain the second cap (30) on the open end (21) of the hollow body (12).

5. Overcap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner volume of the hollow body (12) is less than 15% of the inner volume of the beverage container (10).

6. An overcap as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface of the hollow body (12) is roughened.

7. An overcap as in any one of the preceding claims, the overcap (14) further comprising a temperature-varying device (11), the temperature-varying device (11) having a container (41), an aerosol valve (43), and an actuator (45), the container (41) enclosing a compressed fluid, the aerosol valve (43) being connected to an outlet of the container and being movable between an open position and a closed position, the actuator (45) being for initiating dispensing of a spray of the fluid, wherein:

the actuator (45) comprises a first member (46) and a second member (47), the first member (46) being connected to the aerosol valve (43), the second member (47) being connected to the container (10), the first member (46) being fixedly connected to the second member (47) when the valve (43) is in the open position, and

the temperature change device (11) is arranged within the hollow body (12) of the cap (14) such that the first member (46) of the actuator (45) is arranged adjacent to an inner surface of the closed end (22) of the cavity (12).

8. Cap according to claim 7, wherein the first member (46) of the actuator (45) comprises a central portion (48) and at least two legs (49), the central portion (48) being connected to the valve (43), the at least two legs (49) extending from the central portion (48) towards the second member (47) of the actuator (45), wherein each leg (49) comprises a hook (50) for engaging with the second member (47).

9. A beverage container (10), the beverage container (10) comprising:

a cylindrical wall (16), the cylindrical wall (16) forming a tubular body;

a closed bottom end (15); and

overcap (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

10. A method of providing a top closure (14) for sealing an open end of a cylindrical beverage container (10), the method comprising:

forming a plate (20) having a scored portion (17);

-attaching a tab to a first side of the plate (20), wherein the tab is adapted to open a hole in the plate (20) by breaking the scored portion (17); and

a hollow body (12) is defined in the plate (20), wherein the hollow body (12) forms a cavity extending from an open end (21) located on the first side of the plate (20) to a closed bottom end (22).

11. A container (10) for beverages, the container (10) having a cylindrical wall (16), sealed top and bottom ends (14, 15), wherein the top end is sealed by a first cap (14), the first cap (14) comprising an outer cavity (12), the outer cavity (12) having an open top end (21) and a closed bottom end (22), the cavity (12) extending within an inner cavity (18) of the container, the container further comprising:

a second cap (30), the second cap (30) being for sealing the top end (21) of the outer cavity (12);

temperature changing means (11), the temperature changing means (11) being for cooling the beverage;

wherein the temperature changing means (11) is arranged within the outer cavity (12).

12. A method of manufacturing a container for cooling a beverage contained within the container, the method comprising:

fabricating the container having an open top end and a closed bottom end spaced from the top end;

manufacturing a first header having a cavity with an open top end and a closed bottom end, the cavity extending a prescribed length from the top end;

filling the container with the beverage;

sealing the container by sealing the top end with the cap, wherein the cavity extends within the container;

fabricating a second cap for sealing the open top end of the cavity;

manufacturing a cooling device comprising an outlet valve;

disposing the cooling device within an external cavity;

sealing the top end of the cavity with the second cap.