FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to covers for containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a protective seal which covers and improves the hygiene of the part of the can designated for contacting the mouth of a person drinking from the can.

BACKGROUND

The consumption of beverages from cans has become very popular over the years, and thus, the marketplace has provided a wide variety of beverages in both bottles and cans.

A universal problem of such beverage cans is the part of the can designated for contacting the mouth of a person drinking from the can. Most cans do not cover the tops of the cans to protect this area, but rather use pull-tab sealing and opening mechanism or stay-on tabs, in which a tab is used to tear off the can top for leaving an opening at the can top.

The non-protected area is almost always contaminated with dust, grime, and/or hand contact from persons handling the cans before final purchase, and thus, manufacturers of beverage cans keep searching for an optimal can design that allows a complete protection for beverage cans - a can design which keeps the part of the can designated for contacting the mouth of a person free from bacteria, chemical or environmental contamination.

US20160236838 describes safety cover mechanism for a container that comprises a sealer; tracks posit! onable over the upper surface of the container; and a slidable member slidable over the tracks such as to allow covering and revealing the opening by sliding die slidable member over the tracks. The safety cover mechanism is configured such that sliding of the slidable member over the tracks away from the location of the opening of the container causes at least a portion of the sealer to unseal die opening thereby indicating that the container has been opened.

A safety mechanism for containers with a pull or a stay-on tab and a press button sealer where the tab pivotally connects to the container upper surface via a connecting element, wherein the safety mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the tab over the axis of the connecting element for preventing unauthorized penetration to the container.

The described safety cover mechanism for a container is safe and easy to use. However, from a can manufacturing perspective, such mechanism may be cumbersome to manufacture. More specifically, such mechanism may be implementable and workable only if the components, the slidable member and the upper surface of the container containing the protruding tracks, are made integrally at the same time, If these components are manufactured separately, it would be very difficult/impossible to assemble them together, e.g., to position the slidable member within the protruding tracks. Such manufacturing limitations may require the implementation of some changes in the manufacturing process and the machinery used thereof, which in turn may increase the production cost of the container.

Therefore, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a simple, easy to use as well as easy to manufacture safety cover mechanism for a container.

SUMMARY

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a protective seal with resealing capability for keeping the hygiene of the mouth contact portion of the can.

The can top of the present invention is an innovative replacement of the existing pull-tab sealing and opening mechanism or stay-on tabs, in which a tab is used to tear off the can top. The can top of the present invention overcomes multiple drawbacks of the above- mentioned mechanism with respect to safety, hygiene, efficiency, quality, environmental considerations, re-sealing, and cost.

Safety - the existing pull-tab sealing includes soft areas through which a needle with dangerous or toxic substances may be passed (see Fig. 1A).

In contrast, the can top of the present invention is designed in such a way to prevents access and contamination of the can content.

Hygiene - unlike the existing pull-tab sealing (see Fig. 1B), in the present invention the area that comes in contact with the drink once the can is opened is clean as it is kept covered prior to the opening of the can, and thus, does not contaminate the beverage. More specifically, the piece of lid that bends in when the can is opened is always clean as it is never exposed to the surroundings during handling, shipping and storage. This prevents the spread of contaminants that may cause various illnesses including life threatening illnesses.

Quality - The can of the present invention may be opened and re-sealed where the sealing mechanism maintains the drink’s effervescence and prevents the infiltration of pests (see Fig. 1C).

Efficiency - Unlike existing tab openers that may detach and fall into the can, the tab of the can top of the present invention can not be detached.

In addition, unlike the can top of the present invention, existing tab openers have hazardous sharp edges in and around the opening which can lead to injuries (see Fig. 1D).

Environmental consideration - unlike the existing pull-tab sealing in which the tab can be removed and discarded separately after opening the can, the can top of the present invention can not be dismantled, and thus, prevents pollution and ensures that the entire aluminum can is recycled (see Fig. 1E).

Re-Sealing - unlike existing pull-tab sealing, the can top of the present invention may be re-sealed to prevent liquid spill when the can is tilted or dropped.

Cost - making the can top of the present invention requires less raw material compared to cans with the existing pull-tab sealing (see Fig. 1F).

In addition, it should be noted that the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the safety cover mechanism of US2016G236838. More specifically, in US20160236838 the slidable member is engaged with the tracks, i.e., the periphery of the slidable member is curved such as to allow engagement with the tracks. Such configuration is necessary in order to keep the slidable member in position on top of the can surface while sliding it back and forth over the opening. However, as noted in the above background section, such mechanism is highly cumbersome to manufacture and may he very difficult/impossible to implement. In contrast, in the present invention an upper swivelable sealing member is hingedly attached to the can top surface at a swivel axis for easy swiveling of the sealing member while its top edge is hingedly attached to the can surface. Such mechanism avoids the need for protruding tracks and can actually be implemented on a smooth trackless can top surface.

Thus, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the safety cover mechanism of US20160236838 simply by proposing a mechanism dial is much simpler easier to manufacture and use.

Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, there is provided A top of a food/beverage container having a closure mechanism for opening and re-covering an opening on top of a food/beverage container, the top of a food/beverage container is comprised of:

a bottom tearable member which seals said opening, and

an upper swivelable sealing member swivelable to at least one side and situated on top of said bottom tearable member, each of said upper swivelable sealing member and bottom tearable member comprises a 3D curved shape portion having a sloped configuration protmding from the surface of the top of said food/beverage container, said 3D curved shape portion of said upper swivelable sealing member is compatible with the 3D curved shape portion of said bottom tearable member to fit on top of said bottom 3D curved shape tearable member,

said upper swivelable sealing member is hingedly attached to the top of said food/beverage container and is swivelable about a swivel axis,

wherein when said upper swivelable sealing member is swiveled, the 3D curved shape portion of the bottom tearable member is teared apart revealing said opening.

, and

wherein due to its sloped configuration, the 3D curved shape portion of the bottom tearable member undergoes gradual tearing.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the top of a food/beverage container comprises at least one slit over which said upper swivelable sealing member is swivelable. Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one slit is substantially semi-circular in shape.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one slit is located on the top of said food/beverage container in proximity to the outer edge of said top and/or in proximity to the central point of said top.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the 3D curved shape upper swivelable sealing member comprises at least one protmding member swivelable over the at least one slit on the top of said food/beverage container.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the top of said food/beverage container further comprises at least one protmding member configured to maintain sealing when swiveling said upper swivelable sealing member over said protruding member.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the top of said food/beverage container further comprises at least one slit and said upper swivelable sealing member comprises a corresponding protmding member configured to maintain sealing when swiveling said upper swivelable sealing member over said at least one slit.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, when said upper swivelable sealing member is swiveled, the 3D curved shape bottom tearable member is being pushed inwardly into the interior of the food/beverage container.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, when said upper swivelable sealing member is swiveled, it causes partial tearing of the bottom tearable member forming an opening through which the content of the food/beverage container can flow out.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said upper swivelable sealing member is comprised of said 3D curved shape portion, an extension portion, a safety member and a safety pin.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said extension portion is hingedly connected at a central point on said can top.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, when the upper swivelable sealing member is swiveled, the safety pin is torn apart. Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the safety member is torn from the extension when the upper swivelable sealing member is swiveled. Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said upper swivelable sealing member is swivelable either in a single direction or in two directions. Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said upper swivelable sealing member is swivelable up to 90°.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the top of said food/beverage container, the upper swivelable sealing member and the bottom tearable member are made of a material selected from metal, alloy, polymeric material and a combination thereof.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the bottom tearable member is attached to the food/beverage container via techniques including adhesion, and soldering.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the upper swivelable sealing member has a shape configured to swivel about a swivel axis.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the upper swivelable sealing member is swivelable back to its original position to cover the opening formed in said top of the food/beverage container.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the upper swivelable sealing member is swiveled either to the left side or to the right side.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said at least one slit has an approximate semi-circular curved shape.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said at least one slit is either an integral or a non-integral part of the can top.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said at least one slit is made of a rigid or a semi-rigid material selected from metal, alloy, polymeric material and a combination thereof.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the top of a food/beverage container of claim having at least two slits, a first inner slits and second slit at the edge of container top. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figs. 1A-F are schematic illustrations of prior art can, such as a beverage can, having tearable closure.

Figs. 2A &2B are schematic illustrations of a cylindrical can, such as a beverage can, with a can top in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates the can top with the swiveling tearing mechanism in a closed position in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the can top in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Figs. 5A&B illustrate the swiveling tearing mechanism with the upper swivelable sealing member in a closed position and in an open position respectively.

Figs. 6A&B illustrate a can top with an upper swivelable sealing member swiveled and with a bottom tearable sealing member partially tom.

Fig. 7A&7B are top view and cross-sectional view of the can top respectively.

Figs. 8A and 8B are perspective views of the swivelable sealing member in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 9A&9B are top views of a can top in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAIFED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figs. 2A &2B are schematic illustrations of a cylindrical can, such as a beverage can, with can top 200 having a closure mechanism in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2A illustrates a can having closure mechanism with a swiveling segment tearing mechanism 202 in a closed position, and Fig. 2B illustrates a can with a closure mechanism having a swiveling segment tearing mechanism 202 in an open position. Fig. 3 illustrates the can top 200 with the swiveling segment tearing mechanism 202 in a closed position in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

The closure mechanism ( swiveling segment tearing mechanism) 202 comprises an upper swivelable sealing member 204, a bottom tearable member (not seen in this figure), and a swivel axis 206 located at a central point on the can top 200.

The upper swivelable sealing member 204 comprises a 3 -dimensional curved shape protruding portion 204A, an extension 204B, safety member 206A and safety pin 206B. Extension 204B is hingedly connected to can top 200 at the swivel axis 208 for easy swiveling the upper swivelable sealing member 204 to both sides (up to 90° in each side).

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, when the upper swivelable sealing member 204 is swiveled to the right side or to the left side, the safety pin 206B is torn apart.

As noted above, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the upper swivelable sealing member 204 may be swiveled to both sides (up to 90° in each side).

In accordance with other embodiments, the upper swivelable sealing member 204 may be swiveled to one side only, i.e., either to the left or to the right side. In this case, the 3- dimensional curved shape protruding portion of the bottom tearable member 210 may be modified to fit tearing from a single side only.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of can top 200 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the 3 -dimensional curved shape protruding portion 204A of the upper swivelable sealing member 204 is compatible with the 3-dimensional curved shape protruding portion 210A of the bottom tearable member 210. Each of the 3 dimensional curved shape protruding portion 204 A of the upper swivelable sealing member 204 and the 3 -dimensional curved shape protruding portion 210A of the bottom tearable member 210 has a sloped configuration protruding upwards from the surface of the can top 200. The bottom tearable member 210 is connected to the can top 200 via a tearable connection allowing easy tearing thereof.

The sloped configuration of each of the 3 -dimensional curved shape protruding portion 204 A and the 3 -dimensional curved shape protruding portion 210A allows for a gradual and partial tearing unlike the sudden tearing characteristic of tearing mechanisms in cans available nowadays.

Seen in the figure, are both the upper swivelable sealing member 204 and the bottom tearable member 210 having a 3-dimensional curved shape fit, i.e., the 3-dimensional curved shape protruding portion 204A is compatible in shape and size to the 3-dimensional curved shape protruding portion 210A protruding from the can top.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, when the upper swivelable sealing member 204 is swiveled either to the right or the left side, it pushes the bottom tearable member 210 inwardly into the can interior for opening thereof. In addition, swiveling the upper swivelable sealing member 204 causes a partial tearing of the bottom tearable member 210 from its connection to the can top surface forming an opening through which the content of the can flow out.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the can top 200, the upper swivelable sealing member 204 and the bottom tearable member 210 may be made from the same material such as, for instance, aluminum, aluminum alloy and the like. The bottom swivelable sealing member 210 may be attached to the can top 200 by various techniques such as adhesion, soldering and the like.

As seen in the figure, the upper swivelable sealing member 204 may have a pizza shape or any other shape configured to swivel about the swivel axis 206.

When the can needs to be closed or“re-sealed” the swivelable sealing member 204 is swiveled back to its original position to create a temporarily closed can.

Figs. 5A&B illustrate the swiveling segment tearing opener 200 with the upper swivelable sealing member 204 in a closed position and in an open position respectively. Seen in Fig. 5B is safety member 206A torn from extension 204B as a result of the swiveling of swivelable sealing member 204.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the upper swivelable sealing member 204 may be swiveled either to the left side or to the right side and thus may be convenient to use by right handed as well as left handed people.

Figs. 6A&B illustrate a can top 200 with an upper swivelable sealing member 204 swiveled and a bottom tearable sealing member 210 partially torn.

Figs. 7A&7B are top view and cross-sectional view of the can top 700 respectively. As seen in the figures, the top surface of can top 700 may comprise at least one slit, such as, inner slits 702, and outer 706 over which upper swivelable sealing member 204 may swivel. Slit 702 and slit 706 each has an approximate semi-circular shape. Slit 702 is located on can top 700 in proximity to the outer edge of the can top 700 and thus its curvature is almost same as that of the outer edge of the can top 700.

Slit 706 is located closer to the central point in the can top 700, and thus, has a curvature that is much greater than the curvature of slit 702.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the upper swivelable sealing member 204 may comprise protruding members (not seen in the figures) which fit in inner slit 702 and outer slit 706. Such protruding members may have curvatures compatible with the curvatures of slit 702 and slit 706. Alternatively, such protruding members may be flexible enough to allow swiveling over the curved slits 702 and 706.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the sealing member 204 is configured to maintain sealing while swiveling the upper swivelable sealing member 710 makes the swiveling more comfort. In accordance with some embodiments, sealing may be created when the can top 700 includes slit 704A and slit 704B, and the upper swivelable sealing member 710 includes protruding members compatible with shape if the slits

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each of such slits 702, and 706 may be either an integral or a non-integral part of can top 700 and may be made from any rigid or semi-rigid material such as metal, alloy, polymeric material and the like. The upper swivelable sealing member 710 may comprise a protrusion (not seen in the figure) for comfort swiveling thereof.

Fig. 7B is a cross sectional view of can top 700 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Seen in the figure, are both the upper swivelable sealing member 710 and a bottom tearable member 712 having curved compatible shapes to enable upper swivelable sealing member 710 to fit on top of the bottom tearable member 712.

Upper swivelable sealing member 710 is swivelable along slit 702 and/or 706 to open and to reseal the can top 700 and thus to cover and improve the hygiene of the part of the can top 700 designated for contacting the mouth of a person drinking from the can. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, can top 700 may be designed to produce a clicking noise - when swivelable sealing member 700 is swiveled all the way through and reaches either the left or the right edge of slit 702 and/or slit 706.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, inner slit 702, and outer 706 are the sealing borders of upper swivelable sealing member 710 as clearly shown in magnified views“C” and“D” of Fig. 7B. View Έ” of Fig. 7B illustrates the axis of swiveling segment rotation made by top can punching.

Figs. 8A and 8B are perspective views of the swivelable sealing member 710 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

As seen in the figures, the upper swivelable sealing member 710 may comprise a 3- dimensional curved shape protruding portion 802 and an extension 804.

As seen in the figures, the upper swivelable sealing member 710 may comprise protruding member 806 corresponding to the shape inner slit 706 and protruding member 808 corresponding to shape of the inner slit 702 configured to ease the swiveling motion when upper swivelable sealing member 710 is being pushed, while maintaining the seal and swiveled within corresponding slits on a can top.

Fig. 9A&9B are top views of can top 900 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Can top 900 is free of slits, and thus, the upper swivelable sealing member 802 is being swiveled on a slit-less surface.

Fig. 9A illustrates a slit-less can top 900 with the upper swivelable sealing member 902 in a closed position, and Fig. 9B illustrates the slit-less can top 900 with the upper swivelable sealing member 902 in an open position.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a sealing strip may be attached to either the periphery bottom edge of swiveling segment tearing opener 902 or to the surface of can top 900 to allow resealing the opened can.

The mechanism of the present invention can be used and integrated to any container type top and not just specifically to a can container. For example, a box, a package and the like containing therein any type of material in any state liquid, gas or solid (powder etc.). Embodiments of the safety and sealing mechanism described above may be integrated onto the container top or added on thereto by adding on the tracks and slidable member. Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following invention and its various embodiments and/or by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the invention is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the invention.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub combination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention.

Although the invention has been described in detail, nevertheless changes and modifications, which do not depart from the teachings of the present invention, will be evident to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are deemed to come within the purview of the present invention and the appended claims.