Patent ID: 6220471
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
In a container comprising a generally cylindrical container body defining top and bottom opposite end portions, top and bottom end closures attached respectively to said top and bottom container body end portions for closing and sealing the container with product therein, wherein said top end closure is of the easy-open type and comprises an end ring having an outside circular peripheral area seamed to said container body top end portion and having an inside circular peripheral area in the form of a downwardly and inwardly curved bead for defining a central opening of desired size to allow access therethrough to the interior of said container, and wherein said top end closure further comprises an easy-open membrane patch of sufficient size to cover said central opening and which is attached to said end ring for allowing detachment and removal when it is desired to open said container to obtain access to the product therein; the improvement of:a resealing overcap constructed for fitting over said container body top end portion and said top end closure before and after opening of said container and for snap fitting into said central opening of said top end closure after opening of said container and removal of said easy-open membrane patch for resealing of said container; said overcap comprising a circular central portion having an outer periphery and extending radially of said container in generally the same plane for covering said container top end portion, a downwardly depending circular flange portion integrally extending from and around said central portion outer peripheral area and axially of said container body and having an inside diameter approximately equal to an outside diameter of said container body to provide a friction fit around said end ring seamed to said container body top end portion, and a downwardly depending flexible ring portion integrally extending from an inside surface of said overcap central portion concentrically with said circular flange portion and axially of said container body to define a leading edge portion positioned over said inside peripheral area of said top end closure end ring before opening of said container and adapted to flex and snap fit around said downwardly and inwardly curved bead forming said inside peripheral area of said top end closure upon opening of said container and removal of said easy-open membrane patch and while said flange portion is positioned around said container end ring.