WO1995021776A2

WO1995021776A2 - Sealed container with retractable neck

Info

Publication number: WO1995021776A2
Application number: PCT/FR1995/000155
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alphonse Arnone; Eric Guarnieri; Jean-Pierre Pin
Original assignee: Alphonse Arnone; Eric Guarnieri; Pin Jean Pierre
Priority date: 1994-02-10
Filing date: 1995-02-09
Publication date: 1995-08-17
Also published as: FR2715915B1; EP0742776A1; WO1995021776A3; FR2715915A1

Abstract

Container of the type containing a liquid such as a beverage or other fluid substance, comprising a neck (12) retracted into the container before use, and closed by a cap (16) including a gripping element (14), the neck being pulled up ready for use by said gripping element. A membrane (20) which closes the passage between the container and the retracted neck, is integral with the latter and seals the container before use. A membrane-opening means (22) integral with the container walls (18) includes an end which is secured to the inner membrane face. When the gripping member is used to pull up the retracted neck ready for use, at least one portion (20-2) of the membrane is held by the opening means, thereby freeing the passage between the container and the neck for the flow of liquid contents after the container has been opened.

Description

Hermetic container with retractable neck

Technical area :

The present invention relates to hermetic containers and in particular a container of the type containing a liquid or other fluent material comprising a neck retracted into the container before use and placed in the position of use by removing the container by means of a gripping element.

State of the art:

There are currently commercially available metal cans containing refreshing drinks, whether carbonated or not, the opening of which is effected by tilting a rigid tongue precut in the metal of the can. At the time of opening, the part of the tongue that causes the opening of the wall enters the liquid. However, this tab could have been exposed to dust, dirt and other contaminants which can introduce pathological germs into the drink. In addition, this type of container, once opened, is difficult to transport, and therefore requires the entire contents to be poured after opening. Otherwise, the liquid that may have spilled on the upper part of the container introduces pathogenic germs. When drinking directly, the user can also put his lips in contact with soiled and therefore contaminated places. Finally, in addition to the fact that this type of container is not practical to use for directly drinking the contents when there is no glass, its opening is not easy for children and the elderly, and can lead to projection of the liquid contained, mainly when it is a carbonated drink. Statement of the invention;

This is why the main object of the invention is to produce an airtight container of the retractable neck type which does not present a risk of contamination of the contents of the container or of contaminating contact when drinking or being sprayed outside the container. container during opening, and by simplifying the opening maneuver.

Another object of the invention is to provide an airtight container of the retractable neck type, the opening of which is done automatically when the container is first used.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an airtight container of the metal box type comprising a retractable neck avoiding any risk of projection outside the container during opening.

The object of the invention is therefore a container of the type with a retractable neck closed by a stopper comprising a gripping element for putting the neck in the pouring position, comprising a seal closing the passage between the container and the neck in the retracted position, integral with the latter and making the container hermetic before use, a means of opening a rigid lid, integral with the walls of the container and one end of which is fixed to the inner face of the lid, so that, when the element gripper is pulled so as to extract the retracted neck to put it in the position of use, at least part of the cover is retained by the cover opening means, thus opening the passage between the container and the neck and allowing the flow of the contents of the container after opening the cap.

Another object of the invention is a metal container of the type containing a liquid such as a drink or other fluid material, comprising a neck retracted into the container before use, and closed by a stopper comprising a gripping element, said container being formed of a container body and a cover crimped onto the container body, the cover having an opening in which said neck is placed. The retractable neck is composed of a flange-shaped portion in contact with the upper part of the cover and situated at the edge of the opening, of a suction cup-shaped portion whose periphery is in hermetic contact with the inner face of the lid, and a cylindrical portion connecting the flange-shaped portion and said suction cup-shaped portion, so that the edge of the opening in the lid cannot come into contact with the contents of the container avoid any migration of metal atoms into the contents of the container.

Brief description of the drawings:

The objects, objects and characteristics of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description with reference to the drawings in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents the upper part of the container according to a first embodiment of the invention in which the neck is in the position for pouring the contents of the container, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the upper part of the container according to a first embodiment of the invention in which the neck is in the retracted position, showing the cover fixed to the means opening of the lid, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the upper part of the container according to a first embodiment of the invention in which the neck is in the pouring position, showing the lid torn in two parts, Figure 4 is a sectional view of the upper part of the container and its lid and the neck in the retracted position ready to be fixed by force in the work erture of the lid, according to a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 5 is a sectional view of the upper part of the container and its lid according to the second embodiment of the invention, in which the neck in the retracted position has been fixed in the cover, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the neck of the container in the retracted position with its stopper comprising the tongue, the end of which is attached to the container, and Figure 7 is a sectional view showing the neck in the retracted position as in Figure 4, but with the tongue detached from the wall of the container and forming a handle for exerting a pulling force on the neck.

Detailed description :

The hermetic container according to a first embodiment of the invention is advantageously a box of the type used to contain carbonated or non-carbonated drinks, fruit juices, etc. Instead of the conventional system which is currently found on this type of container which is partially pressed into the box at the location of the preformed opening when the end of a tongue is lifted, the container 10 shown on Figure 1 has a retractable neck. The neck is pulled into the pouring position (illustrated in FIG. 1) by pulling a handle 14 secured to a plug 16 screwed onto the neck 12.

When the container 10 is used for the first time, it is sealed, and it is only when the neck is pulled towards the outside of the container using the handle 14 that the cover is removed. In fact, as illustrated in FIG. 2 showing a section through the upper part 18 of the container and the neck in the retracted position, the neck 12 is closed in its lower part by a cover 20 which therefore makes the container hermetic and prevents the liquid from be able to be poured out of the container.

The cover 20 is fixed to one end of a rigid element 22, the other end of which is integral with the part upper 18 of the container. It should be noted that the element 22, although preferably in the form of a gallows, could have another shape and may not be rigid in so far as it will provide sufficient resistance during opening to allow tearing of the operculum. In addition, the point of attachment of the element 22 on the wall of the container could be located elsewhere in the upper part 18 or on other parts of the container than that illustrated in FIG. 2.

The cover 20 has a zone of least resistance shown in section in FIG. 2, by the two narrowing 24. The zone of least resistance is in the form of a closed curve, and preferably circular since the neck is generally circular.

When one wishes to open the container to pour the contents, one pulls on the handle 14. The neck being pulled upwards and the cover being retained downwards by the rigid element 22, the cover 20 is tears along the zone of least resistance illustrated by the narrowing 24 of FIG. 2.

The neck 12, driving the skirt 26 can therefore be put into the pouring position. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover is then separated into two parts, a part 20-1 which remains integral with the neck 12, and a part 20-2 which remains fixed on the rigid element 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the fixing of the cover to the rigid element 22 is in the immediate vicinity of the narrowing 24 marking the zone of least resistance where the cover will tear. This proximity of the point of narrowing relative to the end of the rigid element 22 allows the application of a large shear force when a force is exerted by pulling the handle 14 so as to put the neck 12 in pouring position, and consequently easier starting of the tearing of the cover.

The container according to the first embodiment of the invention can be assembled in several pieces, by example by manufacturing the assembly formed by the upper wall or a part of the upper wall, the skirt, the cover, the rigid element and the neck in a single plastic part, and by fixing this assembly on the walls 18 of the container (or the part of the upper wall integral with the container) which may be made of metal as are conventional drink cans. However, it is preferable that the container is made in a single piece of plastic material obtained by molding (this is the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3). Whether the container is in one piece or in several, the skirt 26 must imperatively be made of flexible material so as to be unfolded to pass from the position where the neck is retracted to the position where it is operational for pouring the contents of the container.

A second embodiment of a container meeting the objectives of the present invention is described with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

As mentioned above, the commercial cans containing refreshing drinks have the disadvantage that the opening by depressing a tab can introduce stains or other contaminants into the liquid contained in the box. This is why the applicants' idea is to use a retractable neck device adapted to a metal box.

A metal box is formed of a container body 30 of generally cylindrical shape on which is crimped a cover 32 having a circular opening preferably off-center (to facilitate the pouring of the contents of the container) in which is installed the retractable neck 34. As in the previous embodiment, when the container is used for the first time, the retractable neck 34 is pulled towards the outside of the container using a handle (not shown in the figure). The neck 34 then drives the skirt 36 into the pouring position as illustrated in the Figure 5. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the sealing of the container is no longer ensured by a cover, but directly by the cap.

The retractable neck is fixed in the cover 32 before closing the container as illustrated in FIG. 4. Because the retractable neck, made in one piece, is made of plastic, it is forced into the cover from bottom to top, the introduction of the collar-shaped portion 38 being facilitated by its chamfered edge.

The neck 34 includes, in addition to the collar-shaped portion 38 with a chamfered edge, a suction cup-shaped portion 40. As long as the neck 34 has not been placed in the cover 32, the outer edge of the suction cup 40 is more higher than the flange 38 (see Figure 4). When the neck 34 is forcibly inserted into the opening of the cover 32, the flange 38 is positioned above the edge of the opening of the cover while the base 46 of the suction cup 40 abuts against a circular rim 48 of the cover. The cylindrical portion 44 of the neck located between the flange 38 and the base of the suction cup 46 traps a cylindrical portion 42 of the neck. When the neck is placed in the opening, the suction cup retained by the inner face of the cover tends to move apart, exerting a force at its periphery against the cover and thus ensures a perfect seal.

The content of a metal can to which the invention applies is often a carbonated drink, causing pressure under the lid which can reach several bars. Consequently, because of this pressure, the suction cup-shaped portion 40 tends to exert a greater force against the cover 32, its edge remaining tightly pressed against said cover. However, the lowest part 46 of the flat suction cup portion is retained by the circular rim 48. Because of this pressure which keeps the suction cup portion 40 pressed against the cover 32, the liquid does not can penetrate between the cover and the suction cup portion and reach the flange 48 of the opening of the cover. This is an important characteristic of this embodiment insofar as, all the walls of the metal box and its cover having been protected by a varnish, only the edge of the rim 48 of the cover has metal without protection, and therefore contact between the rim 48 of the cover and the liquid could cause the metal atoms of the box to migrate into the liquid.

A plug 16 which can be used both for the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 as for the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, is shown in Figure 6. In this figure, the skirt 26 (or 36) and the neck 12 (or 34) are in the retracted position. The plug 16 is screwed onto the upper end of the neck 12 (or 34) by means of a thread (not shown). It should be noted that the plug could also be pressed in using a "clip" type closure.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the plug 16 has a tongue 50, which can be molded at the same time as the plug during manufacture. When the plug 16 (and the tongue) is placed on the neck 12 (or 34), the tongue is introduced into a loop 52. The end of the tongue 50 ends in a harpoon 54 extended by an element d anchor 56 connected to the harpoon 54 by a thinned portion. When the tongue is in place, the anchoring element 56 is fixed to the wall of the container by gluing or any other equivalent means.

When the container is used for the first time, the tongue is grasped by passing a finger below it, in the recess of the cap 16. Because the element 56 fixed to the container is connected to the harpoon 54 by a portion of lesser resistance, the tongue is easily detached from the element 56. The tongue then takes the form of a handle as illustrated in FIG. 7. The rear part 55 of the harpoon 54 is then retained by the loop 52. We therefore have indeed a handle which allows, while continuing to exert a tensile force, to remove the assembly of the skirt 26 (or 36) and the neck 12 (or 34) provided with its plug 16.

Although the tongue is preferably produced in accordance with the representation given in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is possible to produce a tongue having a harpoon at each end, the plug then comprising two loops in which each end of the tongue when mounting.

Although in the figures illustrating the invention the retractable neck shown has the dimensions of a bottle neck, it may have a different diameter. Thus, the retractable neck can have a diameter corresponding to that of a glass, which makes it easy to drink the contents of the container according to the invention when there is no glass at its disposal.

The container according to the invention is preferably used to contain liquid such as a drink or the like, but can also be used to contain a fluid material such as powder, granules, etc.

Unlike cans containing drinks of the prior art, the container according to the invention is hygienic in that there is no depression of a part which can be soiled in the liquid during opening. Unlike conventional beverage cans, there is no danger that the liquid will spill over the top of the container and introduce pathogenic germs. When drinking, the user is not likely to put his lips in soiled places. In addition, it is possible to retract the neck again after closing with the cap when the contents of the container are not poured in one go, without exposing oneself to the risk of contamination by dirt, dust or the like. this is the case of the boxes of the prior art, and thus of transporting the container without problem.

Claims

1. Container of the type containing a liquid such as a drink or other fluid material, comprising a neck (12) retracted into the container before use, and closed by a cap (16) comprising a gripping element (14), said neck being withdrawn from the container to put it in the position of use by means of said gripping element characterized in that it comprises: a cover (20) closing the passage between the container and said neck in the retracted position, integral with the latter and rendering the airtight container before use, and a means (22) for opening the lid, integral with the walls (18) of the container on the one hand, and fixed to the inner face of said lid on the other hand, so that, when said gripping element is pulled so as to extract said retracted neck and put it in the position of use, at least part (20-2) of said cover is retained by said cover opening means, thus opening the passage between e the container and said neck and allowing the flow of the contents of the container after opening of said cap.

2. Container according to claim 1, wherein said means (22) for opening the lid is rigid.

3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said cover (20) has a portion of least resistance (24) so as to facilitate the tearing of said cover when a pull is exerted on said neck (12) in the retracted position by means of said gripping element (14).

4. Container according to claim 3, in which said means (22) for opening the cover is fixed to said cover (20) in the immediate vicinity of a part of said portion of least resistance (24) so as to obtain a shear. from the seal to said part when one exerts traction on said neck (12) in the retracted position.

5. Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said neck (12), said skirt (26), said cover opening means (22) and said cover (20) are produced in a single assembly by molding, said assembly then being fixed to the container.

6. Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the walls of the container, said neck (12), said skirt (26), said cover opening means (22) and the cover (20) are produced in a single assembly by molding.

7. Container according to claim 6, wherein said assembly produced by molding is made of plastic.

8. Metal container of the type containing a liquid such as a drink or other fluent material, comprising a neck (34) retracted into the container before use, and closed by a plug (16) comprising a gripping element (14), said container being formed by a container body (30) and a cover (32) crimped on said container body, said cover having an opening in which said neck is placed; said container being characterized in that said neck comprises: a collar-shaped portion (38) in contact with the upper part of said cover and situated at the edge of said opening, a suction cup-shaped portion (40) whose periphery is in hermetic contact with the inner face of said cover, and a cylindrical portion (42) connecting said collar-shaped portion and said suction cup portion, so that the edge of said opening in said cover cannot come into contact with the contents of said container so as to avoid any migration of metal atoms into said contents.

9. Container according to claim 8, wherein the rim of said opening in said cover (32) comprises a flange (48) on which rests said suction cup portion (40) when the content of said container is a carbonated drink. producing a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure tending to push said suction cup portion against said cover.

10. Container according to claim 8 or 9, in which said retractable neck (34) is placed in said opening of said cover (32) by forcing it under said cover before the latter is crimped on said container body.

11. Container according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which said gripping element (14) is a tongue (50), one end of which is integral with said plug (16) and the other end of which is introduced into a loop ( 52) integral with said stopper, said tongue comprising at its free end a harpoon (54) retained by said passer-by when a pull is exerted on said tongue to remove the neck and put it in the position for pouring the contents of the container.

12. Container according to claim 11, in which said harpoon (54) is connected by a narrowed portion to an anchor piece (56) which is fixed to the wall of the container after the installation of said tab, so that that said harpoon is easily detached from said anchoring piece when a pull is exerted on said tongue (50).

13. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said neck (12, 34) is fixed to said container by a skirt (26, 36) of flexible material so as to be able to fold easily when said neck is placed in position retracted.