Abstract:
A light weight hinged top (top) is described to be used as a container top. This particular model provides ease of use and requires significantly less material for manufacturing. A novel way of connecting the top and the container is using a fork spring which has three fingers like structures. The two outer structures are smaller than the middle one. The fork spring due to its resiliency brings the container top back to closing position thus providing self closing and self reseal ability for the top. A guide member also helps to position the top when it opens and closes. The top can be made using metal, biodegradable materials or any flexible material. The top can be used for cans or bottles.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/195,372, filed on Aug. 20, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,215,513. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/195,372 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all of its teachings. 
    
    
     FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
     This disclosure relates generally to a light weight hinged top product that has self sealing quality and method of using the product as a container top. More specifically, this disclosure relates to using a hinged self sealing container top to prevent spillage, increase storage and use less metal to make the product. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The current market provides containers with hard top cap enclosure with an opening mechanism. Some cans once they are opened have to be consumed fully or stored in a separate container. The other tops used for bottles and cans do not provide the resealing opportunity. They are also very process intensive to make. In order to save process time, use of excessive and expensive metals, there is need to find a process that is easier and user friendly. 
     SUMMARY 
     The instant disclosure describes a low weight hinged top for a container as a product and method of using the product. In one embodiment, the container has a peripheral seam that is folded to receive the light weight hinged top and to cover the aperture of the container. In another embodiment, the peripheral seam connects with the light weight hinged top through a fork spring and a guide member. In another embodiment, the guide member enables the container and the light weight hinged top to be connected once the light weight hinged top is open. The guide member also helps realign, reclose and reseal when the pressure inside the can increases and the light weight hinged top is pushed upwards. 
     In one embodiment, the light weight hinged top is at least one of a one part top and/or two part top. In one embodiment, the two part top comprises of a panel and the dome top that can be used to seal a container filled with liquid, solid and semi-solid materials. In another embodiment, the light weight hinged top may comprise only of two part top that has no panel. In one embodiment, material that is being used to make light weight hinged top is biodegradable, synthetic (light weight hinged top for a container and container top are interchangeably used throughout the instant application). In one preferred embodiment, the light weight hinged top can be made up of aluminum and use 60-85% less aluminum than currently being used by the industry. In one embodiment, the container top should be able to withstand 40-95 PSI pressure to maintain its structural integrity. 
     In one embodiment, the use of less material may be accomplished by reducing the size of the light weight hinged top in the two part and/or the one part design. In another embodiment, the use of less material may be achieved for the two part and/or the one part design by eliminating the opening tab currently used by the industry. 
     In one embodiment, a guide member is incorporated to provide structural integrity to the junction and provide guidance for the fork spring and the convex fold of the two part top to open and close properly. In another embodiment, the panel may be offset on one side from the peripheral seam of the container. The guide member may be longer on this side than the side where there is no offset. In another embodiment, the panel may be close to the peripheral seam without any offset on any side. The guide member in this case may be equal in length on both sides. 
     In one embodiment, as an improvement to the pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/195,372 a fork spring is used as a hinge to help keep the low weight hinged top in place. In another embodiment, the fork spring has three finger like structures. Two of the outside finger like structures on the outside is of equal length and the middle finger like structure is longer than the two outside finger like structures. In one embodiment, the fork spring has a convex fold on the fingers to receive the convex fold of the side for the one part top or the two part top. In one embodiment, the fork spring enables attachment, correct alignment and positioning of the dome top&#39;s sides relative to the peripheral seam for the container top and convex fold for the one part top and/or the two part top. In another embodiment, the fork spring prevents the dome top from completely separating from the panel. In another embodiment, when the user uses pressure to open the container from the top, the two part top separates from the peripheral seam of the container and is held in place by a fork spring. In another embodiment, the guide member helps guides the two part top and the peripheral seam to be in correct alignment. 
     In one embodiment, the two part top may comprise of a panel with an aperture and a dome top. In another embodiment, the two part top may comprise of just the dome top. In one embodiment, the dome top is convex in the center and on the two ends folds into a convex fold to receive a guide member and sit on the convex finger bend of the fork spring. In another embodiment, a fork spring forms a hinge to hold the dome top to the peripheral seam. In another embodiment, the fork spring may also be attached to the panel. In one embodiment, the peripheral seam of the container and the two part top come together to form a junction. 
     In one embodiment, the one part top comprises of a peripheral seamed panel with a two-fold separable seam designed as an inverted flange that integrates the dome top to the peripheral seam of the container. In one embodiment, one part top has a tear line that joins the one part top and the peripheral seam and helps seal the container. In one embodiment, the one part top is made up of two components a dome top and inverted flange that make up the separable seam. In one embodiment, the two-fold separable seam comprises of a curved lip. The curved lip helps create a weakened indentation for the inverted flange to open the dome top. The one part top separates from the container peripheral seam using a tear line and helps seal/reclose and leak proof the contents of the can once it is in closed position. 
     The method of using, in one embodiment is by sealing the container using the light weight hinged top. In another embodiment, a user if they need to open they will simply press on the center of the light weight hinged top downwards. The pressure, in one embodiment, separates the light weight hinged top from the peripheral seam of the container top for two part top or the one part top. The tear line in one part top, in one embodiment, around the dome top periphery is broken and the dome top separates from the panel completely. In one part top the mechanism is a bit different. In one embodiment, to open the two part top pressure is applied in the center. The guide member is loosened from the fork spring convex flange and the convex fold of the two part top. The second side of the dome top is released and the first side of the dome top is still attached to the fork spring. The only physical connection, in one embodiment, that the dome top has is with the fork spring after is has been opened. The fork spring keeps the dome top in place and helps to bring it back up when the pressure from within raises the dome top to the mating surface. Once the dome top is in position the one part top and/or the two part top using the fork spring become flush with the container peripheral folded seam the can is resealed. 
     In one embodiment, a lip actuated self closing light weight hinged top is disclosed. The light weight hinged top may also perform a function of self closing because of the fork spring attachment. 
     A novel product for closing a container using a light weight hinged top and the method of using the said product, disclosed herein, may be implemented in any means for achieving various aspects. Other features will be apparent from the accompanying figures and from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  is a top view of the two part top  100  for a container. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the two part top  100  for a container. 
         FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D shows a mechanism of opening the two part top  100  on a container. 
         FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C shows a mechanism of closing the two part top  100  on a container. 
         FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 A,  8 B and  8 C shows a view of the improved one part top  2500 . 
         FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12  and  13  shows the view of the fork spring structure  600  implemented using one part top for a container. 
     
    
    
     Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Several product embodiments and method of operating the container top are disclosed. Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. 
     Referring more particularly to the drawings,  FIG. 1A  is a top view of the two part top  100  with a container. The container  108  has an opening surrounded by a peripheral seam  104 , a panel  106  and a light weight hinged top  102 . If the container top has an offset then it is shown in  FIG. 1B  as  110 . The container may be a bottle, can, jar or any container that may carry solids, liquid or semisolid. The peripheral seam  104  may be raised or flush with the container  108 . The peripheral seam  104  allows the ene two part top  102  or two one part top  500  to seal the container opening by connecting and/or sealing. The one part top  102  and/or two part top  500  may be made up of a metal, biodegradable material and/or any material that can be molded to form the shape. The light weight hinged top may have an offset  110  as shown in  FIG. 1B  or may not have an offset as shown in  FIG. 1A . Further description of the one part top and two part top are described below. The one part top may cover the opening of the container by 100-90%, 90-20% and 80-25%. 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross section view of the two part top and container  200 . The container  108  has a raised peripheral seam  104  that houses the fork spring  204 , guide members  202  and  208  along with light weight hinged top  102 . The peripheral seam  104  is curved (convex) and is a tight fit molded part to house various components. The peripheral seam  104  houses the  202 B part of the guide member and the other end  202 A of the guide member helps in opening and closing of the dome top  102  A convex end and the fork finger  204  convex end. The structure and size of the opening surrounded by the peripheral seam  104  may be as big as the standard soft drink cans or may be as small as a standard bottle top. There is no burden on the current industry to retool or change their manufacturing processes since the instant product is compliant with industry tooling and manufacturing standards. The product design is flexible to scale according to the shape and size of a container. 
     The guide member  208  is fixed length part and fits snugly with the folded seam  104  on one end ( 202 B) and on the other end  202 A provides a guidance path for the light weight hinged top  102  when is in closed position or open position or reseals and/or recloses. The guide member  202  provides the same functionality as the guide member  208  but has additional features. The guide member  202  is housed on one end in a curved convex end  102 A of the light weight hinged top  102 . The distance and insertion of the guide member  202  and its proximal end  202 A is critical to guide the light weight hinged top during opening and closing. It also provides extra support to the fork spring  204 . The length of the guide member  202  may vary depending on whether the light weight hinged top has an offset or not. This guide member by having variable length allows the sealing of the container  108  to be more efficient. 
       FIG. 3  shows a light weight hinged top  102  sealing the container  108  completely. In  FIG. 3  A the pressure  306  is being applied on the light weight hinged top  102  (one part top) to open the container top. The fork spring  204  connected side is frangible and the fork spring  204  is lowered to release the junction for the light weight hinged top  102  to severe from the fork spring hinged side in  FIG. 3B . In  FIG. 3C  the opening starts happening on the non fork spring hinged side and the separation happens completely on the peripheral seam  104 . Once the separation is complete the fork spring  204  holds the light weight hinged top  102  in place and the light weight hinged top  102  floats in the liquid freely with no attachment to  202  as shown in  FIG. 3D . The peripheral seam  104  of the container  108  holds the guide member  202 , the fork spring  204  attached to the light weight hinged top  102  in place by using the manufactured curve fit snug. Since the fork spring  204  has three pronged grip (described later) the light weight hinged top  102  stays in place. 
       FIG. 4  shows the closing of the two part top  400 . The pressure  402  is generated by the carbonated beverage once it is opened and the gases try and escape out ( FIG. 4A ). CO 2  pressure is not present until the convex shape dome of the light weight hinged top  102  flange fully re-mates with the guide member  202  and  208  in that order. Until re-mating of the flanges on both sides after opening, pressure  402  is the sole responsibility of the resilient fork spring  204 . After flange re-mating the CO 2  escapes in a controlled leak (doesn&#39;t reseal) which allows the gentle touch of the user&#39;s upper lip to easily reopen the light weight hinged top  102 . Only by agitating (shaking) the carbonated content can one create excessive CO 2  which overwhelms the “controlled leak” and forces the mated flanges further upward into a gas tight seal by force wedge fitting the two flanges together (eliminating the controlled CO 2  leak). The rising gases as shown by arrows of  402  lift the light weight hinged top  102  upwards ( FIG. 4B ). The fork spring  204  helps in retraction of the light weight hinged top  102 . The guide member  202  helps guide the upward moving light weight hinged top  102  to align and guide member  208  helps seal the container top on the other end at  FIG. 4C . The sealing or tamper proofing may be done using chemical, mechanical or visual methods and may not be limited to just these inspection methods. For example for chemical methods one may use change of color once it is opened or the seal is compromised and one may label that if the color has changed the consumer should be aware that the content of the container  108  may be tampered with. The consumer may also realize that once they open and drink a portion of the drink and want to store the color change on the periphery of the opening may be a good indication that they have to consume that container content first as it has been opened before. 
       FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 A,  8 B and  8 C shows an inverted cross section and the interior view of the one part top  500 . One part top  500  is just a variation of two part top  100 . The difference is in the way it is sealed with the container  108  and how it opens using two-fold separable seam  510  (inverted flange) that comprises of a curved lip. The curved lip has multiple parts such as the breakaway parts  521 , two curved surfaces  522  and  523  beaks with a narrow indentation  524 . The one part top inverted flange  510  is a contiguous structure attached to top  510 A by joining structure  521 . The raised ridge  520  houses the joined structure of  521  and inverted flange  510 . One part top inverted flange  510  helps the light weight hinged top  102  to open and reseal the container  108 . Once the pressure  515  is applied to the indentation  524  via beaks  522  and  523 , the pressure separates bottom of the indentation  524  at  525  and the light weight hinged top  102  is separated along the tear line  525  and the fork spring structure  600  holds the light weight hinged top  102  in place with the help of peripheral seam  104 . In this architecture there are is no guide member that aids the opening and closing. While opening, the center finger  616  via its arc when going downward, guides  102  toward the center of the can to aid in tearing the remaining 180 degrees of the tear line until completely open. That is why finger  616  is straight and not curved like  614  &amp;  618 . This arc is an important functional necessity. The one part structure two-fold separable seam inverted flange  510  is designed in such a way that it is strong enough to maintain the integrity of the structure. 
       FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12  and  13  shows the fork spring structure  600  in detail. This feature is an improvement over the pending application. The fork spring structure comprises of the fork spring  204 , an attachment section  611 . The fork spring  204  has three fingers. The side fingers are  614  and  618  which are shorter than the center finger  616 . This design of fork spring  204  enables the structure to either hold or bounce back the light weight hinged top  102  when open and closed.  FIG. 6  also depicts a person&#39;s lip  630  lowering the light weight hinged top  102  by force and opening the container to consume the content. The pressure of the lip  630  keeps the light weight hinged top  102  open and as soon and the user releases the pressure from the lip  630  the fork spring  204  brings the light weight hinged top  102  back to closed position which effectively recloses the container. The tight design of this junction and the light weight hinged top  102  enables the containers to remain closed/resealed and the contents are kept uncontaminated. The carbonated beverages do not go flat (get decarbonated and taste bad). The instant product and the method of using is novel and consumes less material to manufacture and reduce capital expenses and reduce recycling burden. 
     Some exemplary methods of use are stated as follows: The container  108  is filled with content of preference such as a carbonated beverage in a can or a bottle. The container is then closed using the light weight hinged top  102  either with two part top  100  or fork spring structure  600 . If the container is sealed with two part top  100  then the user just needs to apply pressure using a finger or any instrument to suppress or any other means to apply pressure to lower the light weight hinged top  102 . The light weight hinged top  102  then breaks from the cover panel completely and goes horizontally downwards and then slowly becomes angularly situated in inside the container. It is held together by the guide member  202  and fork spring  204 . The other side of the light weight hinged top  102  is released by peripheral seam  104  and guide member  208  (convex). Once the sufficient content is consumed and the container is left self closed for some time then pressure  402  created by the carbonation of the beverage would lift the light weight hinged top  102  upwards and with the help of the guide members  208  and  202 , and fork spring  204 , it is resealed into the same position when it was initially reclosed/sealed. Even if you turn the can (container) up side down the liquid would not spill out. 
     The container  108  when filled with carbonated beverage of choice the one part top  500  essentially works the same way until resealing. However, the light weight hinged top  102  has a slightly unique breaking point for the start. The user presses the thumb or the finger against the filled container  108  at the dome top area and the junction that contains the two fold two-fold separable seam inverted flange  510 . The two-fold separable seam inverted flange  510 , which in form of a inverted flange, breaks at its indentation  525  and separates the curved structures  522  and  523  apart to release two-fold separable seam inverted flange  510  from top  510  A. The light weight hinged top  102  is further anchored by fork spring  204 . The light weight hinged top  102  may also be used for beverages filled in bottle like structures or bottles. 
     In addition, it will be appreciated that the light weight hinged top, different design fork springs, and methods of use disclosed herein may be embodied using means for achieving the various combinations of sealing and resealing the container may be achieved. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.