BEVERAGE CONTAINER

Abstract: A beverage can cap member (16, 100) is configured so that its exterior surface (28) extending radially inwardly from the rim (18) or rim forming portion (140) is substantially flat or continuous, or has a slight curve from a position adjacent from the rim (18) or rim forming portion (140). The cap member (16, 100) may have a countersink (160) which is filled with a filler material including a curable adhesive, an insert (180) of a natural or synthetic material or the like. The filler material increases the structural strength of the cap member (16, 100) to an extent that it can be made of a relatively thinner material and still complies with the minimum peaking pressure of the industrial standard.

Description: BEVERAGE CONTAINER TECHN ICAL FIELD THIS INVENTION relates to a beverage container having a cap of a suitable material and the cap is configured for easy cleaning; and in particular but not limited thereto the cap is arranged with a ring of countersink adjacent to its peripheral and a filler material is fixed in the countersink so that the cap has a relatively reduced cap material yet is able to withstand normal internal pressure exerted on the cap when the container is filled with a carbonated drink . BACKGROUN D OF THE INVENTION The applicant has observed that beverage containers, especially aluminium alloy drink cans, have a deep countersink in their caps at a position adjacent to their rims. As these containers are normal ly stored in an upright position, foreign materials such as dirt and other undesired matters find their way in the countersinks. Where the containers are kept with foods such as meat or fish in a refrigerator or cooler drips from such foods may fall in the countersinks. As the countersinks are relatively deep the foreign materials therein are not easily noticeable and are difficult to clean. Further, for containers with beverage pouring apertures in their caps, beverage spillage tends to settle in the countersinks and on other parts of the caps. Many people drink beverages directly from pour apertures in the caps. Bacteria, germs and diseases in the countersinks can come in contact with the drinkers. Accordingly these containers are not only unhygienic but also a health hazard. The appl icant has also noted that the caps of the beverage cans are normal secured to the can bodies by seaming with or without the assistance of an adhesive. For carbonated drinks the caps must have a minimum thickness in order that the seaming securement is sufficiently strong to prevent separation by internal pressures exerted by the carbonated drinks. This limitation is costly to can manufacturers as the use of thinner materials for the caps is currently not an option. OBIECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to alleviate or at least reduce to a certain level one or more of the above prior art disadvantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the present invention resides in a beverage container having a hollow body member with opposed ends, a bottom member at one end and a cap member covering an opening at the opposite end thereof. The cap member is sealingly fixed to the body member at said opposite end and in a manner forming a rim at about the periphery of said opposite end. The cap member is configured so that its exterior surface extending radially inwardly from the rim is substantially flat or continuous, or has a slight curvature from a position adjacent to the rim. In a further aspect therefore the present invention resides in a cap member for covering an open end of a beverage container. The cap member is configured with a rim forming portion at its periphery and so that its exterior surface extending radially inwardly from the rim forming portion is substantially flat or continuous, or has a slight curvature from a position adjacent to the rim forming portion. It is preferred that the cap member has a substantially ring-shaped countersink at a position adjacent to the rim or rim forming portion and a filler material arranged in the countersink. The cap member and the body member may be arranged for removably fixing the cap member to the body member. The removably fixing arrangement may include a thread on said opposite end and a complementary thread on a periphery of the cap member so that the cap member can be threadably fixed to the body member. The beverage container can be made of any suitable material. Aluminium, aluminium alloy, steel and plastic are examples of the suitable materials. Different components of the container can be made of different ones of the materials. For example the body member can be made of steel and the cap member made of plastic. Preferably the cap member is configured so that its mid-point is relatively higher than its portion adjacent to the rim or rim forming portion. The cap member may have one or more ribs or ridges formed on its interior surface and/or exterior surface for improving its structural strength. Other ribs or ridges may also be formed adjacent to a pour aperture in the cap member. The filler material preferably extends to about the same level as a region of the cap member radially inward therefrom. Typically the cap member has a scored region and means for assisting separation of the scored region from the rest of the cap member. When the scored region is separated the cap member presents the pouring aperture for dispensing beverage contained in the container. The assisting means can be a ring-pull tab, a press button or any other suitable means. One or more parts of the cap member surrounding the pour aperture may be shaped so that any spillage of beverage may flow automatically back into the container through the aperture. The filler material can be a natural or synthetic material. Desirably it is a material approved by the relevant authority for use in or on a drink container. The filler material preferably extends to about the same level as a region of the cap member radially inward therefrom. It is also preferred that the filler material is an adhesive material provided in the countersink and set therein. In an alternative form the filler material is a ring of rubber or plastic insert element adapted for insertion in the countersink and fixed therein by fixing means. The fixing means may include an adhesive and/or mechanical deformation of the cap at the countersink or of the filler material. In one form the mechanical deformation comprises one or wedge portions projecting into the filler material. The or each wedge portion may be arranged to project into one side or opposite sides of the filler material. The wedge portion or portions may also extend laterally or longitudinally or at any angular direction, or in a combination of alternate lateral and/or longitudinal directions and/or angular directions. In another form the mechanical deformation comprises one or more deformable portions on the filler material and the deformable portion(s) are arranged so that upon insertion of the filler material into the countersink they flow or deform in a manner which in cooperation with the sides of the countersink fixes the filler material therein. In a further form the mechanical deformation comprises a suction portion formed on the material. The suction portion upon insertion in the countersink fixes to a surface of the countersink and thereby fixes the filler material in the countersink. The applicant has found that the cap member with a filler material surprisingly increases the peaking pressure (i.e. a pressure at which the cap member fails or separates from the can body) substantially higher than the industrial standard peaking pressure of 620 KPa or 6.32 Kg/cm 2 for Aluminium alloy cap member. It follows that a relatively thinner material can be utilised for the cap member and at the same time complying with the industrial requirements. As millions if not billions of beverage containers are consumed each day. The applicant's invention will save the can manufacturers substantial material costs. It will also reduces energy consumption as aluminium alloy manufacturing which uses large amount of energy will have no need to maintain the current production rate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention can be clearly understood and put into practical effect the invention will now be described in reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, and wherein :- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a section view of the container shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the container shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a beverage container according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the container shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a beverage container according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the container shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a beverage container according to another further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the container shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a schematic view showing a cap member according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, with a form of the insert element about to be inserted in the countersink; Figure 1 1 is a section view of the cap member shown in Figure 10 with the insert element fully inserted in the countersink; Figure 12 is a blown-up partial cross sectional view of the cap member shown in Figure 2; Figures 1 3 to 1 5 are respectively similar to Figures 10 to 1 2 except for the mechanical deformation arrangement for fixing the insert element; Figures 1 6 to 1 8 are respectively similar to Figures 1 to 3 except for the mechanical deformation arrangement for fixing the insert element; Figure 1 9 is a partial schematic cross-section view of another form of a cap member for a beverage container according to the present invention, with a form of the insert element about to be inserted in the countersink; Figure 20 is a section view of the cap member shown in Figure 1 9 with the insert element fully inserted in the countersink; Figure 21 is a partial schematic cross-section view of a cap member for a beverage container as shown in Figure 1 9 except with the addition of a suction portion in the insert element; Figure 22 is a section view of the cap member shown in Figure 21 with the insert element fully inserted in the countersink; Figure 23 is a comparison chart showing deformation in the cap members with and without Araldite F as a filler material; and Figure 24 is a comparison chart showing deformation in the cap members with and without Araldite 201 5 as a filler material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring initially to Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a beverage container 10 which in this case is in the form of an aluminium alloy beverage can for beer, carbonated drink, fruit juice and the like. It should be noted that the container 10 can also be made of steel or plastic. The can 10 has a tubular body member 12 with a top end and a bottom end. As can be seen in Figures 2 an end member 14 is formed at the bottom end and a cap member 1 6 is sealingly fixed to the periphery of the top open end by seaming in this case. A rim 18 is formed at the seam. Alternative the top end may be threaded (not shown) and the cap member 1 6 may have a complementary threaded periphery (not shown) so that the cap member 1 6 can be threadably fixed to the top end and easy removal of the cap member 1 6 from the top end. While it is not shown it should be understood that a sealing compound can be applied at the seam. The can 10 as shown is an easy open type. Its cap 16 has a separable portion 20 defined by a score line 22. A ring pull tab 24 fixed to the cap 1 6 by a rivet 26 is pivotally movable for separating the portion 20 and thereby presenting a pour aperture for dispensing the beverage in the can 10. Figures 2 and 3 clearly show that the exterior surface 28 of the cap 1 6 has a slightly convex curvature radially inward from the rim 18. Any foreign material on the exterior surface 28 and the portion 20 can be easily noticed and cleaned. Cleaning the surface 28 and the portion 20 is simply done by a wiping motion with a cleaning cloth or other suitable material for cleaning. A portion 30 of the cap 1 6 is shaped to allow spillage of the beverage to flow back into the can 10 through the pour aperture. As can be seen in Figure 1 the portion 30 extends from near the rim 18 and around to substantially embrace the portion 20 and to about the tip of the tab portion 24. The portion 30 (see Figures 2 and 3) slopes downwardly from the rim 1 8 to the score line 22. Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a beverage can 50 according to the present invention. The can 50 is substantially similar to the can 10 described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and features which are the same as or similar to those of the can 10 are given the same numeral references. In this embodiment the shaped portion 52 extends from near the rim 18 to about half way of the separable portion 20. Ribs or ridges may be formed on the interior surface and/or the exterior surface of cap members 1 6 of the cans 10, 50 for improving structural strength of the cap members 1 6 10, 50. One or more other ribs or ridges may also be formed adjacent to the score line 22 for preventing deformation when separating the portion 20. Figures 6 and 7 show a further embodiment 60 of the beverage can according to the present invention. The can 60 is substantially similar to the cans 10 and 50 described earlier except for the configuration of the cap member 16. The cap member 16 of the can 60 has a rib 62 on the exterior surface thereof. The rib 62 is radially inward of the rim 18 and extends from adjacent to one side of the scored portion 20 and around the tab 24 to adjacent the other side of the portion 20. The rib 62 joins to spaced further ribs 64 on either side of the portion 20. As can be seen in Figure 6 each further rib 64 is spaced from the scored portion 20 and follows substantially the shape of the scored portion 20 at each side thereof. Figures 8 and 9 show another further embodiment 70 of the beverage can according to the present invention. The can 70 in this case is substantially the same as the can 60 shown in Figures 6 and 7, except that it has its rib 72 and further ribs 74 on the interior surface of the cap member 1 6. It should be noted that the present invention anticipates that a can of the present invention can incorporate both ribs 62 and 72, and further bis 64 and 74 on a single cap member 1 6. Alternatively, the can may have either rib 62 or rib 72 and either further rib 74 or 64 respectively arranged on the cap member 1 6. Referring now to Figures 10 to 1 2 there is shown a cap member 100 for a beverage can (not shown for clarity). The cap member 1 00 has a cap body 120 with a peripheral 140 which is shaped to be positioned to position over an open end of a can body and seamed thereat to join to the can body for forming a rim of the can. Adjacent to the peripheral 140 is formed a countersink 160. An insert element 180 of a plastic material such as PET is inserted in the countersink 1 60 and fixed therein by wedge portions 200 which in this case are nibs pressed into the insert element 180. The insert element 1 80 when fully inserted is substantially level with the radial ly inner part 220 of the cap 10. The cap 10 can therefore be easily cleaned. It also allows a relatively thinner cap material to be used as it improves the overall strength of the cap 100. Figure 1 3 to 1 5 show another embodiment of the cap 100 according to the present invention. The only difference from the embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 12 is that the wedge portions 200 are now in the form of a combination of alternating laterally directed and longitudinally directed indentions. Figures 1 6 to 18 show yet another embodiment of the cap 100 according to the present invention. In this embodiment the insert element 1 80 has recesses 240 on both its sides and the wedge portions 200 are indentations pressed into the recesses 240. Figures 1 9 and 20 show an embodiment of the cap 100 according to the present invention. In this embodiment the insert element 180 has a stem position 260, a top portion 280 joined to an end of the stem portion 280 and a number of spaced rings 300 extending around the stem portion 260. In use the rings 300 are deformed upwardly as shown in Figure 20, when inserting into the countersink 160 and thereby fixing the insert 180 within the countersink 1 60. Figures 21 and 22 show another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is substantially similar to that shown in Figures 19 and 20. In this embodiment the free end of the stem portion 260 has a suction portion 320 which further assists in the fixing of the insert element 1 80 in the countersink 160. It should be noted that the cap 100 of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 9 to 22 can have their insert elements 1 80 inserted in the countersink 1 6 before or after the cap body 1 2 is seamed to the can body. The chart in Figure 23 shows that an industrial standard B64 alloy beverage can with a cap member of 0.25mm thickness currently in use in Australia subjecting to 50 KPa incremental internal pressures peaks at 675 KPa. When the countersink in the cap member of the same can is filled with a filler material of 5 part Araldite ® F (a Ciba-Geigy product) and 1 part hardener HY2404 (a Ciba-Geigy product), the same test shows that the peaking pressure increases to about 725 KPa. In fact the filled cap member has less deformation throughout the whole range of the test pressures. The test for the Figure 23 comparison is repeated with a filler material represented by Araldite ® 201 5 (a Ciba-Geigy product) which is a mixture of 1 part of AV 5308 adhesive to 1 part of HV 5309-1 hardener. As can be seen in Figure 24 the peaking pressure increases to about 800 KPa. The comparison results in Figures 23 and 24 support the finding that beverage cans with a thinner grade alloy cap member of the present invention can be used without degrading the peaking pressure requirement of the industry. Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative examples of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . A beverage container comprises a hollow body member with opposed ends, a bottom member at one end and a cap member covering an opening at the opposite end thereof, the cap member being sealingly fixed to the body member at said opposite end and in a manner forming a rim at about the periphery of said opposite end, the cap member being configured so that an exterior surface thereof extending radially inwardly from a position adjacent to the rim is substantially flat or continuous, or has a slight curvature. 2. A cap member for covering an open end of a beverage container, the cap member is configured with a rim forming portion at its periphery and in a manner so that an exterior surface thereof extending radially inwardly from the rim forming portion is substantially flat or continuous, or has a slight curvature . 3. The invention according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the cap member has a substantial ly ring-shaped countersink at a position adjacent to the rim or rim forming portion and a filler material arranged in the countersink. 4. The invention according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the cap member and the body member are arranged for removably fixing the cap member to the body member. 5. The invention according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the cap member is configured so that its mid-point is relatively higher than its portion adjacent to the rim or rim forming portion. 6. The invention according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the cap member having one or more ribs or ridges formed on its interior surface and/or exterior surface for improving its structural strength. 7. The invention according to claim 3 wherein the filler material extends to about the same level as a region of the cap member radially inward therefrom. 8. The invention according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the cap member has a scored region and means for assisting separation of the scored region from the rest of the cap member, when the scored region is separated the cap member presents a pouring aperture for dispensing beverage contained in the container. 9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein one or more parts of the cap member surrounding the pour aperture is shaped so that any spillage of beverage may flow automatically back into the container through the aperture. 10. The invention according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the filler material can be a natural or synthetic material or a material approved for use in or on a drink container. 1 1 . The invention according to claim 3 wherein the filler material is an adhesive material provided in the countersink and set therein. 12. The invention according to claim 3 wherein the filler material is a ring of rubber or plastic insert element adapted for insertion in the countersink and fixed therein by fixing means. 1 3. The invention according to claim 12 wherein the fixing means including an adhesive and/or mechanical deformation of the cap at the countersink or of the filler material. 14. The invention according to claim 13 wherein the mechanical deformation comprises one or more wedge portions projecting into the filler material, the or each wedge portion is arranged to project into one side or opposite sides of the filler material. 1 5. The invention according to claim 1 3 wherein the wedge portion or portions extends laterally or longitudinally or at any angular direction, or in a combination of alternate lateral and/or longitudinal directions and/or angular directions. 1 6. The invention according to claim 1 3 wherein the mechanical deformation comprises one or more deformable portions on the filler material and the deformable portion(s) are arranged so that upon insertion of the filler material into the countersink the deformable potions flow or deform in a manner which in cooperation with the sides of the countersink fixes the filler material therein. 1 7. The invention according to claim 13 wherein the mechanical deformation comprises a suction portion formed on the filler material and the suction portion upon insertion in the countersink fixes to a surface of the countersink and thereby fixes the filler material in the countersink.

Inventors: GARDINER JAMES LEE, GARDINER, JAMES, LEE
Applicants: GARDINER JAMES LEE, GARDINER, JAMES, LEE
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65D1
IPC codes: B65D1, B65D8, B65D17