"ARRANGEMENT INTRODUCED IN INSERT FOR BEVERAGE CANS"

The present model discloses an insert especially- developed to be used in association with cans for bottling beverages in general, such as those used for selling soft drinks, beers, juices, etc, also known as "tiny cans".

Description of the Prior Art

As generally known, the matter involving the consumption of beverages sold in cans, also popularly known as "tiny cans" , has deserved special attention of departments and entities involved with public health, by virtue of the several cases where the consumers, when drinking directly in the can, are contaminated with bacteria and other disease microorganisms that, in some cases, may even lead to death. Generally speaking, the contamination of beverage cans occurs out of the manufacturer environment that uses this kind of container to sell their products, said contamination being almost always related to the sales stores where the cans are stored without the basic hygiene criteria. For practical reasons, many people prefer to consume the beverages directly in the tiny can, thus giving rise to the matter of hygiene. However, additionally to the hygiene, another drawback has been observed for several years . In case of carbonated beverages, more specifically beer, once the can is open, there is a metastable system, since carbon dioxide saturation concentration at atmospheric pressure is much lower than the concentration at the pressure the beer was canned. So as to reach equilibrium, the gas dissolved in the beer needs to form

nuclei (bubbles) and grow dragging more gas dissolved in the liquid phase to the gaseous phase. Another aspect refers to pouring the beverage from the can into the glass: when carefully- pouring the beer into a glass, it is possible to see the nucleation and the growth of grooves in the glass. Thus, the quick gas loss becomes a drawback to the consumer and this may also happen as a result of wet glasses, poorly washed glasses, etc.

Based on the above and in an attempt to solve the abovementioned drawbacks, the present insert was developed which is secured or firmly coupled to the upper portion of the can and is provided with means to equip the portion in which its opening is located, thus preventing said upper portion of the can to directly contact any kind of substance or disease organism that may endanger the consumer health. Some solutions were already developed, such as, patent application PI0303203-5 disclosing an insert for beverage cans .

The main structure of the insert of document PI0303203-5 for beverage cans is generally provided with a closure wall that is connected to the edge of said main structure by a tear or weakening line allowing, under pulling conditions using a tab, that a portion of said wall may be partially or fully detached by breaking the previously defined tear or weakening line. The insert is further provided with a material portion that is strategically positioned along all or part of the path the beverage flow is forced to follow when leaving the can once it is open, said material having several functions.

However, said solution does not allow the correct

orientation of the liquid, not even provides the material arrangement throughout the insert inner surface so that the liquid has increased contact with the coating material during pouring from inside the can into the glass. Object of the Model

The object of the present model is reached by securing, under pressure, an insert to the upper edge of the beverages can in general that protrudes an upper lid, this upper lid having a tab and an insert in its inner portion. The upper lid is secured to the circular edge of the can by means of a circular chute having the same shape of the can lid.

In order to solve the problem of losing gas from carbonated beverages, the main object of the present model is to provide, in the insert formed by the inner assembly of the upper lid, a coating basically consisting of about 80% of its total of cellulose slurry and the remaining 20% being made of a special material obtained from fibrous raw materials.

The upper lid is moved by the tab that, once pulled, allows the tear line or breaking wrinkle to partially or fully tear the upper lid of the insert, thus allowing access to the inside of the can and then to the liquid placed inside it.

When the tab of the upper lid is pulled, the upper portion of the upper lid is detached and torn and, by means of two side flaps attached to the upper edge of the can, it protrudes and forms a chute for the liquid to pass .

The upper portion of the upper lid and the side flaps have all their surfaces covered by a coating having the ability to change and form foam microbubbles by contacting the gas

used in the beverage, thus rendering the product soft. Flavor additives and color agents may be further added to the insert, thus imparting new aroma, texture, color and look by simple contact . Brief Description of the Drawings

The present model will be now described in detail based on an embodiment example represented in the drawings . In the drawings :

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the open insert object of the present model placed in the can;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the insert object of the present model being used;

Figure 3 is a side section view of the insert object of the present model; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the insert object of the present model;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the closed insert object of the present model placed in the can;

Detailed Description of the Figures and Model It can be seen from figure 1 an insert 1 for the beverages can 2 in general .

The insert 1 comprises a circular chute 3 to be secured in the can 2 , the circular chute 3 having a base 4 from which an upper lid 5 is protruded further having a tab 6, for example a ring and a coating 10 in the inner portion of the upper lid 5.

The upper lid 5 is secured to the circular edge of the can 2 by means of the circular chute 3 having the same

shape as the lid of the can 2.

Initially, the upper lid 5 is secured to the circular edge 3 by means of tear lines 5a. The use of the tear lines 5a will be explained below. The upper lid 5 is moved by means of tab 6 that, once pulled, allows the tear line 5a or breaking wrinkle to partially or fully tear the upper lid 5 of the insert 1, thus allowing access to the inside of the can 2 and then to the liquid 7 placed inside it by means of a second tab 2a. When the tab 6 of the upper lid 5 is pulled, the upper portion of the upper lid 5 is detached and torn that, by means of side flaps 9 attached to the upper edge of the can 2 , protrudes and forms a chute 8 (passageway system) for the liquid 7 to pass. This feature allows the liquid 7 to be poured with no squandering into the user's container.

Additionally, the upper portion of the upper lid

5 and the flaps 9 have all their surfaces covered by a coating 10 having the ability to change and form foam microbubbles by contacting the gas used in the beverage, thus rendering the product soft . Flavor additives and color agents may be further added to the coating 10, thus imparting new aroma, texture, color and look by simple contact.

Further, in the insert formed by the inner assembly of the upper lid 5, the coating 10 basically consisting of about 80% of its total of cellulose slurry and the remaining 20% being made of a special material obtained from fibrous raw materials .

Further, the insert 1 may be intended for hygiene purposes only. In this case, the upper lid 5 does not have to be pivotable .

Based on the above, the insert 1 object of the present model has several advantages, that is:

- it keep the upper portion of the can 1 always clean, thus avoiding it to be contaminated by microorganisms and other kinds of debris.

- when the upper lid 5 is pivoted, a liquid passageway system is formed, thus avoiding squander of liquid 7 placed inside the can, directing its flow to the desired container. the upper lid 5 has an inner coating 10 intended to change the conditions to form foam and the beverage softness or contain a number of substances that may be chemical additives having the ability to change the flavor, color or texture of the product by simple contact .

- the constructive arrangement of the insert 1, mainly of the base 4, the upper lid 5 and the chute 3, allows a perfect securement relative to the can 2 where the insert 1 will be installed.

With an example of a preferred embodiment been described, it should be understood that the scope of the present model includes other possible variations, being only limited by the attached claim also including the possible equivalents .