Patent ID: 6206222
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: B65D,Y10S

Abstract:
An assembly for (i) closing and sealing a thin-walled metal can body containing a beverage, (ii) easily and quickly providing a passage suitable for pouring and drinking the beverage, and (iii) conveniently reclosing and resealing the can, which assembly comprises a sheet metal lid having (A) a periphery shaped for fastening to a rim surrounding the open end of the can body, and (B) a curved, rupturable, weakened line which (a) defines most of the periphery of a non-removable tear panel while leaving between the tear panel and the remainder of the lid an integral hinge, and (b) extends away from one end of the hinge, around a bight where it is distant from the hinge, and back to the other end of the hinge;a stationary closure element mounted on the lid so as to enclose the tear panel, which stationary closure element has an upwardly facing annular reseal surface and helical threads surrounding an axial pouring passage;a rotatable closure element having a downwardly facing annular reseal surface, helical threads, and a bottom bearing surface;the threads of the stationary element and rotatable element engaging so that rotation of the rotatable element in one direction drives the rotatable element downward toward the lid and rotation of the rotatable element in the opposite direction, if continued, results in disengagement of the threads and allows removal of the rotatable element from the stationary element;the bottom bearing surface of the stationary element being aligned with the periphery of the tear panel, whereby rotation of the rotatable element in said first direction, if continued, initially ruptures the weakened line at a predetermined place distant from the hinge, propagates the rupture in two directions toward the hinge, and eventually causes the tear panel to pivot downward about the hinge.