WO2002019878A1

WO2002019878A1 - The protection of a rim of a container

Info

Publication number: WO2002019878A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/003988
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew John Searle
Original assignee: Thermotic Developments Limited
Priority date: 2000-09-05
Filing date: 2001-09-05
Publication date: 2002-03-14
Also published as: AU2001284282A1; GB0021756D0

Abstract

A protective ring (52) is engaged around the rim (54) at the periphery of a top end member (14) of a container (10). The protective ring (52) has a substantially circular channel (60) defined between two spaced depending walls (62, 64). The protective ring is made of an insulating material so that a smooth drinking surface defined thereby protects a consumer's lips from the heat or cold of the can. The protective ring (52) may protect the rim (54) from damage and an extension (68) thereof protects the consumer against ingesting dirt or contaminants collecting in an annular groove (56) in the top end member.

Description

THE PROTECTION OF A RIM OF A CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a method of protecting a rim of a container, to a container having a protective ring, and to a protective ring for engaging around the periphery of a container.

There have been many proposals for self-heating or self-cooling beverage containers. WO 96/29255, for example, discloses a can having the same external dimensions and shape as conventional beverage cans, but having an indented base to define an external cavity in which means to cool or heat the contents of the can are received.

Increasingly, consumers will drink direct from a can rather than pouring out the contents. However, self-heating or self-cooling containers as shown, for example, in WO 96/29255 or in PCT/GB00/01865 are very effective at heating or cooling their contents, such that the can, particularly where it is made of metal, will be relatively hot or cold. This can be unpleasant to drink from and can also be hazardous in that the temperature of the can can injure the lips.

The present invention seeks to reduce the problems identified above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of protecting a rim on a container, wherein the container has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall within which its contents are contained, and top and bottom substantially circular end members each closing a respective one of the top and bottom ends of the container, and wherein opening means for the container are formed in said top end member, and said top end member is joined to the peripheral wall by way of a substantially circular connecting rim, the method comprising the step of securing a substantially circular protective ring to the container to substantially enclose said connecting rim, said substantially circular protective ring defining a smooth outer surface.

A method of the invention may be used, for example, to protect the connecting rim from damage, and/or to protect areas of the top end member against dirt and contaminants.

Where the container is a beverage container, for example, the protective ring may be made of an insulating material whereby the lips of a consumer drinking from a hot or a cold beverage container are protected.

A method of the invention, and a protective ring of the invention, have also been found to solve other problems which may arise, for example, where a consumer drinks directly from an opened can. Thus, most cans are made of metal and there is a risk that the connecting rim thereof will be sharp and unpleasant to drink from. The provision of the protective rim may provide a pleasant drinking rim for the consumer.

Generally, an annular groove is formed in the top end member of the can adjacent the connecting rim during manufacture. This annular groove can become filled with dirt or other contaminants which may be consumed where the can is drunk from directly. A protective ring of the invention may prevent a consumer from ingesting such dirt and contaminants.

In an embodiment, the smooth outer surface of the protective ring is annular.

Preferably, where the method is to protect a consumer drinking from the container, said protective ring is formed of an insulating material. For example, the protective ring may be formed of a plastics material.

The manner of securing the protective ring to the container may be chosen as required. For example, the protective ring may be clipped over, adhered or welded to, and/or shrunk onto the connecting rim to secure the protective ring on the container.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of heating the protective ring to expand it, applying the heated protective ring to enclose the connecting rim, and allowing the protective ring to cool and shrink whereby it is secured onto said connecting rim. The present invention also extends to a container having a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall within which its contents are contained, top and bottom substantially circular end members each closing a respective one of the top and bottom ends of the container, and opening means for accessing the contents of the container formed in said top member, wherein the top end member is joined to the peripheral wall by way of a substantially circular connecting rim, and a substantially circular protective ring is secured to the container to enclose said connecting rim and define a substantially smooth outer surface extending around the periphery of said top end member.

Preferably, the smooth outer surface of the protective ring is annular.

As with the method defined above, the invention finds particular utility where the container is a beverage container, and the smooth outer surface defines a drinking rim. In such a case, the protective ring is preferably formed of an insulating material. For example, the protective ring may be formed of a plastics material.

The protective ring may be secured on the beverage container by any appropriate means. For example, the protective ring may be clipped over, adhered or welded to, and/or shrunk onto the connecting rim to secure the protective ring on the beverage container.

In an embodiment, an annular groove extends around the periphery of said top end member adjacent to said connecting rim, and said protective ring is shaped and configured to enclose said annular groove. This arrangement may prevent a consumer ingesting dirt and other contaminants when drinking from the container.

Preferably, the protective ring has a substantially circular channel defined between two spaced depending walls, said connecting rim being received within said channel, and the exterior surface of the channel defining the smooth outer surface or drinking rim.

The inner one of the two depending walls of the protective ring may be elongated to enclose and cover an annular groove extending around the periphery of said top end member.

In an embodiment, where an external annular groove extends in the peripheral wall of the container adjacent to the connecting rim, the outer one of the two depending walls of said protecting ring may carry a projection which engages in said external annular groove.

Preferably, the peripheral wall and said top and bottom end members of the container are made of the same material. For example, the peripheral wall and said top and bottom end members may be made of aluminium or steel.

In known manner, the container may be made in at least two pieces, with the top end member made as a separate piece, and with the top end member seamed to the top end of the peripheral wall after filling of the container.

Generally the seaming of the top end member to the peripheral wall defines the connecting rim.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a protective ring for engaging around the periphery of a top end member of a container, the protective ring having a substantially circular channel defined between two spaced depending walls, the exterior surface of the channel defining an annular rim with a smooth surface.

Where the protective ring is for a beverage container, the annular rim is a drinking rim.

In an embodiment, the inner one of the two depending walls of said protective ring is elongated for covering part of said top end member.

Preferably, the outer one of the two depending walls of said protective ring carries a projection for engagement in an external groove of said container.

The protective ring may be formed of an insulating material, for example, of a plastics material. In one embodiment, the protective ring is formed of a thermoplastics material. Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows, partly in section, a self-heating or a self-cooling container illustrating an external reactant cavity thereof and a closure for the cavity,

Figure 2 shows a section through the circled area of Figure 1 showing a protective ring on a top end member of a container of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 shows a plan view of a top end member of a container as in Figure 1 ,

Figure 4 shows a section through a protective ring of the invention, and

Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of part of the protective ring of Figure 4.

The invention is described hereinafter with reference to a self-heating beverage container having a particular design of heating mechanism. However, the invention is applicable not only to self-heating and self-cooling beverage containers but to containers generally, although it does find particular applicability to beverage containers. As described, the container has an external cavity in which heating or cooling means is received, the external cavity being closed by a closure. The invention is not limited to such an arrangement and can be used with other constructions of self-heating or self- cooling mechanisms.

The container shown in Figure 1 may be a metal or plastics material beverage container 10 having a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 12 which is closed at one end by a top end member 14. As described in WO 96/29255, a base end member 16 of the container is indented to define an elongate external cavity 20 which extends within the peripheral wall 12. It will be appreciated that the peripheral wall 12 and the top and base members 14 and 16 of the container together define an internal cavity 22 in which the beverage is received. It will be seen that the external cavity 20 extends within this internal cavity 22, but is separated therefrom by the wall of the base member 16. The container 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is configured to have the same external dimensions and shape as a conventional beverage can. This means that the can can be filled and treated on existing filling lines. The can 10 may be made of aluminium or steel, as is conventional, and have a ring-pull opening means 50 (Figure 3) in the top end member 14 as is also usual.

The external cavity 20 of the can 10 is to be utilised to contain a heating mechanism. In the embodiment shown, the heating mechanism comprises a first reactant material, which, for example, may be quicklime (calcium oxide). The cavity 20, incorporating the quicklime, is closed by a closure 30. For the self-heating can this closure 30 may contain water.

When it is required to heat the contents of the can 10, the can is inverted and stood on its top member 14 so that the base of the closure 30 is accessible. A button on the bottom of the base is depressed whereby a water chamber 42 within the closure 30 is opened so that water from the closure 30 flows over the quicklime in the reactant cavity 20 to cause the exothermic reaction.

It will be appreciated that where the can 10 is made of metal the material of the can will also be heated by the heating action. This means that there is a potential hazard to the consumer if, having opened the can after heating, the consumer requires to drink from the can. To obviate this hazard, a protective ring, generally indicated 52, is provided around the upper periphery of the can as indicated in Figure 2. The protective ring 52, which is preferably of an insulating material, is arranged not only to insulate a consumer's lips from the heat, for example, from the can but also to provide a smooth drinking rim.

Figure 3 shows the top end member 14 of the can and shows opening means provided in the form of a ring-pull arrangement indicated generally at 50. There is also visible in Figure 3 the connecting rim 54 which is conventionally formed on a beverage can, and an annular groove 56 which is generally provided around the periphery of the top end member 14 adjacent to the connecting rim 54. In this respect, and as is known, a conventional metal beverage can may be made in two or three pieces. The substantially circular top end member 14 will be seamed or otherwise joined to the peripheral wall 12 after filling of the can and the substantially circular connecting rim 54 results from that seaming operation as does the annular groove 56. As is apparent from Figure 2, the protective ring 52 is engaged on the connecting rim 54 to enclose both the connecting rim 54 and the annular groove 56.

An embodiment of a protective ring 52 of the invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5. In Figure 4, a section through the whole ring 52 is shown whereas Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of part of that section.

The protective ring 52, which is preferably made of a plastics material, is moulded to have a substantially circular channel 60 defined between two spaced depending walls 62 and 64. The outer depending wall 62 is provided with a substantially circular projection 66 which engages, as indicated in Figure 2, in an annular exterior groove 70 in the peripheral wall of the can 10. The inner depending wall 64 has an extension indicated at 68 which, as is apparent in Figure 2, encloses the annular groove 56.

The protective ring 52 is affixed to the beverage container 10 as required. For example, it may be arranged to be fixed by a consumer at the point of use, or it may be fitted at an appropriate point in the supply chain. Thus, the protective ring may be fitted as part of the operations on a filling line or it may be fitted by a wholesaler or retailer.

The nature of the material of the protective ring 52 and the means by which it is secured on to the can 10 may be chosen according to circumstances. For example, the protective rim may be made of a thermoplastics material which expands on heating and contracts back to its original shape on cooling. Thus, the protective ring 52 can be shrunk fit on to the connecting rim 54 of the can and substantially permanently applied. Additionally and/or alternatively, the ring 52 may be clipped onto, or adhered to, the beverage can 10. Where it is intended that the protective ring 52 be applied, for example, at the point of use, the material of the protective ring 52 may be made to be resilient so that the ring can be clipped into position by way of the projection 66.

It will be appreciated that once the protective ring 52 is engaged on the connecting rim 54, it completely encloses the connecting rim 54. The exterior surface of the ring 52, and particularly of the channel 60 defines an annular surface which is arranged to be smooth and have a pleasant mouth feel and, for a beverage container, defines a drinking rim. The extended portion 68 of the inner depending wall 64 of the ring 52 encloses the annular groove 56 and thereby protects a drinker from contaminants. As the protective ring 52 is preferably made from an insulating material, it is able to protect the lips of the consumer from the temperature of the can.

Whilst it is currently thought that a protective ring of the present invention will have its main applicability as a drinking rim for a beverage container, it may be used on other containers, for example, to protect the connecting rim against damage.

It will be appreciated that other modifications to and variations in the embodiments as described and illustrated may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of protecting a rim of a container, wherein the container has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall within which its contents are contained, and top and bottom substantially circular end members each closing a respective one of the top and bottom ends of the container, and wherein opening means for the container are formed in said top end member, and said top end member is joined to the peripheral wall by way of a substantially circular connecting rim, the method comprising the step of securing a substantially circular protective ring to the container to substantially enclose said connecting rim, said substantially circular protective ring defining a smooth outer surface.

2. A method of protecting a rim of a container as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the smooth outer surface of said protective ring is annular.

3. A method of protecting a rim of a container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said protective ring is formed of an insulating material.

4. A method of protecting a rim of a container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said protective ring is formed of a plastics material.

5. A method of protecting a rim of a container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said protective ring is clipped over the connecting rim to secure the protective ring on the beverage container.

6. A method of protecting a rim of a container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said protective ring is adhered to the connecting rim to secure the protective ring on the beverage container.

7. A method of protecting a rim of a container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said protective ring is shrunk onto the connecting rim to secure the protective ring on the beverage container.

8. A method of protecting a rim of a container as claimed in any preceding claim, the method further comprising the steps of heating the protective ring to expand it, applying the heated protective ring to enclose the connecting rim, and allowing the protective ring to cool and shrink whereby it is secured onto said connecting rim.

9. A method of protecting a rim of a container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container is a beverage container, and wherein the smooth outer surface of said protective ring defines a drinking rim.

10. A container having a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall within which its contents are contained, top and bottom substantially circular end members each closing a respective one of the top and bottom ends of the container, and opening means for accessing the contents of the container formed in said top end member, wherein the top end member is joined to the peripheral wall by way of a substantially circular connecting rim, and a substantially circular protective ring is secured to the container to enclose said connecting rim and define a substantially smooth outer surface extending around the periphery of said top end member.

11. A container as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the smooth outer surface of said protective ring is annular.

12. A container as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11 , wherein said protective ring is formed of an insulating material.

13. A container as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 12, wherein said protective ring is formed of a plastics material.

14. A container as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 13, wherein said protective ring is clipped over the connecting rim to secure the protective ring on the container.

15. A container as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 14, wherein said protective ring is adhered to the connecting rim to secure the protective ring on the container.

16. A container as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 15, wherein said protective ring is shrunk onto the connecting rim to secure the protective ring on the container.

17. A container as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 16, wherein an annular groove extends around the periphery of said top end member adjacent to said connecting rim, and wherein said protective ring is shaped and configured to enclose said annular groove.

18. A container as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 17, wherein said protective ring has a substantially circular channel defined between two spaced depending walls, said connecting rim being received within said channel, and the exterior surface of the channel defining the smooth outer surface.

19. A container as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the inner one of the two depending walls of said protective ring is elongated to enclose and cover an annular groove extending around the periphery of said top end member.

20. A container as claimed in Claim 18 or Claim 19, wherein an external annular groove extends in the peripheral wall of the container adjacent to said connecting rim, and wherein the outer one of the two depending walls of said protective ring carries a projection which engages in said external annular groove.

21. A container as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 20, wherein said peripheral wall and said top and bottom end members of the container are made of the same material.

22. A container as claimed in Claim 21 , wherein said peripheral wall and said top and bottom end members of the container are made of aluminium.

23. A container as claimed in Claim 21 , wherein said peripheral wall and said top and bottom end members of the container are made of steel.

24. A container as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 23, wherein said container has been made in at least two pieces, with the top end member made as a separate piece, the top end member having been seamed to the top end of the peripheral wall to define said connecting rim.

25. A container as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 24, wherein the container is a beverage container, and wherein the smooth outer surface of said protective ring defines a drinking rim.

26. A protective ring for engaging around the periphery of a top end member of a container, the protective ring having a substantially circular channel defined between two spaced depending walls, the exterior surface of the channel defining an annular rim with a smooth surface.

27. A protective ring as claimed in Claim 26, wherein the inner one of the two depending walls of said protective ring is elongated for covering part of said top end member.

28. A protective ring as claimed in Claim 26 or Claim 27, wherein the outer one of the two depending walls of said protective ring carries a projection for engagement in an external groove of said container.

29. A protective ring as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 28, wherein said protective ring is formed of an insulating material.

30. A protective ring as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 29, wherein said protective ring is formed of a plastics material.

31. A protective ring as claimed in Claim 30, wherein said protective ring is formed of a thermoplastics material.

32. A protective ring as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 31 for engagement on a beverage container, said annular rim defining a drinking rim with the annular smooth surface.

33. A method of protecting a rim of a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

35. A protective ring for engaging around the periphery of a top end member of a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.