Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for sealing foodstuff containers, in particular drink containers, comprising: a sealing element adapted to engage on a wall of a foodstuff container around a wall opening arranged in the wall, and an operating element adapted to co-act with the sealing element for displacing the sealing element between an opened position leaving the wall opening clear and a closed position sealing the wall opening. The invention also relates to a foodstuff container provided with such a device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/536,082, filed Jan. 13, 2004, entitled “Device for Sealing Foodstuff Containers and Foodstuff Container Provided with such a Device”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a device for sealing foodstuff containers, in particular drink containers, comprising: a sealing element adapted to engage on a wall of a foodstuff container around a wall opening arranged in the wall, and an operating element adapted to co-act with the sealing element for displacing the sealing element between an opened position leaving the wall opening clear and a closed position sealing the wall opening, the operating element being provided with coupling means for coupling to the foodstuff container, wherein the relative orientation of the sealing element and the operating element can be changed such that the operating element can cause the sealing element in the closed position to engage under bias on the wall for substantially medium-tight sealing of the foodstuff container. The invention also relates to a foodstuff container provided with such a device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Reclosable liquid containers have already been known for a long time. The American patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,538 thus describes a reclosable can for drinks or other foodstuffs. The known can is closed at the top by a seam-folded upper wall or cover. The upper wall is herein provided with a wall opening for passage of drink held in the can. The can is further provided with a device connected to the upper wall for closing the can. The device herein comprises a rotatable sealing element and a standing operating element connected to the sealing element. The sealing element is preferably constructed from a non-permeable lip which, after rotation of the operating element, can cover or leave clear the wall opening whereby the passage of drink can thus be respectively prevented or made possible. The advantage of the known can is that the can is reclosable, whereby the content of the can does not have to be consumed all at once but can, if desired, be consumed in portions at different times. Closing the passage opening of the can by means of the lip does somewhat enhance conservation of the content of the can, but mainly prevents the content of the can leaving or being able to leave the can in simple manner. As well as the above stated advantage, the known can also has drawbacks. A significant drawback of the known can is that only mediocre sealing of the can is realizable. The sealing element cannot seal the can completely in liquid-tight manner, or can do so only briefly. In the sealing situation of the can the content of the can is however still accessible to micro-organisms and gas exchange can take place freely between the atmosphere surrounding the can and the local atmosphere prevailing in the can. Particularly when the drink held in the can is carbonated, whereby an internal pressure will be built up in the can, the sealing element will be unable to seal the can sufficiently, as a result of which the carbon dioxide can and will escape. As already generally known, a reduction in the carbon dioxide content of drink results in a—usually unwanted—change in the taste of this drink. 
     An improved device for sealing beverage containers, in particular beverage containers filled with a carbonated beverage, is disclosed in the American patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,314. This device comprises an operating element and a sealing element which are mutually coupled by means of a screw connection via a central wall opening in the wall of the beverage container. By rotating the operating element the sealing element can be lowered or raised thereby clearing respectively blocking another wall opening to open respectively seal the beverage container. Although with the known device a significantly improved closure for (carbonated) beverage containers is provided, the known device also has multiple drawbacks. A first major drawback of the device is that the device is constructively relatively complex. Due to this constructive complexity the prime costs to manufacture the known device are commonly considerable. Moreover, since the top wall of the beverage container is provided with multiple wall openings the device is relatively sensitive for leakage and which is to the prejudice of the reliability of the known device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention has for its object, while retaining the above stated advantage of the prior art, to provide a relatively simple device for sealing a foodstuff container, using which the foodstuff container can be sealed reliably in a substantially medium-tight manner. 
     The invention provides for this purpose a device for sealing foodstuff containers with the feature that said coupling means being adapted to engage on a peripheral edge of the wall opening around which the sealing element may engage under bias. By adapting the device according to the invention to a single wall opening, instead of to multiple wall openings, a relatively simple device can be obtained, which can be manufactured in a relatively simple and inexpensive manner. Since the single joint (or common) wall opening has a multilateral functionality, whereas the same wall opening is adapted for both passage of foodstuff on one side and for passage of a part of the operating element to allow coupling of the device to the foodstuff container, a relatively efficient device is provided. Moreover, since the single, joint (or common) wall opening is applied, instead of the application of multiple wall openings, the risk of leakage is reduced considerably, thereby making the device relatively suitable and reliable to be applied in combination with beverage containers containing carbonated beverages. The coupling means can be formed for instance by a projecting flange adapted to engage on a side of the wall remote from another part of the operating element. However, preferably the coupling means comprises multiple resilient lips to achieve a solid connection between the operating element and the wall of the foodstuff container. The operating element will thus be partially situated in the wall opening such that the operating element engages bilaterally on the wall. The projecting flange(s) herein lock(s) the mutual position of the operating element relative to the wall. The flange(s) can herein engage on a part of the peripheral edge of the wall opening or can be positioned along the whole peripheral edge of the wall opening. Besides application of the single multifunctional joint wall opening, it is still important that sealing element engages under bias on the wall of the foodstuff container (provided with the wall opening). By causing the sealing element to engage under bias on the wall of the foodstuff container, the foodstuff container is sealed in substantially medium-tight manner. This not only prevents the possibility of the liquid and/or solid foodstuff leaving the foodstuff container in the closed position of the foodstuff container, but also prevents gas exchange being able to take place between an atmosphere surrounding the foodstuff container and an atmosphere prevailing in the foodstuff container. In the case the foodstuff is formed by a carbonated drink, the carbon dioxide will remain confined in the foodstuff container in the closed situation, whereby it will also be possible to maintain the carbon dioxide content in the foodstuff container, which enhances the preservation of taste and the like. Using a device according to the invention it is moreover possible to prevent micro-organisms being able to move, in the closed situation, from outside the foodstuff container to a location inside the foodstuff container. A constant composition of the foodstuff can therefore be guaranteed with the device according to the invention in closed position, wherein the foodstuff can also be conserved in relatively hygienic manner in the closed foodstuff container. In the opened situation of the sealing element, the sealing element is generally situated substantially at a distance from the wall, whereby removal of foodstuff along the sealing element and via the wall opening can take place freely and preferably unimpeded. After sufficient removal of the foodstuff, the sealing element can be displaced once again to the closed position, wherein a bias will be exerted directly or indirectly on the wall in order to realize the medium-tight sealing of the foodstuff container. The bias exerted on the wall by the sealing element can be adjusted in discrete or continuous manner by means of the operating element for a user. 
     The sealing element and the operating element can be located substantially on one side relative to the wall, but the sealing element and the operating element are preferably adapted to mutually enclose a part of the wall of the foodstuff container. The operating element generally has to be readily accessible to the user and will usually be positioned substantially on an outer side of the wall. The sealing element is preferably located at least substantially inside the foodstuff container. In this manner it is possible to prevent, or at least counter, the sealing part—usually a sealing edge—of the sealing element becoming dirty relatively easily, which is often at the expense of the reliability of the medium-tight sealing. 
     After removal of a quantity of foodstuff out of the foodstuff container commonly a residue of foodstuff remains within the single multi-purpose wall opening by sticking to the edge of the wall opening, which could easily lead to unhygienic situations. To prevent remaining of a foodstuff residue within the wall opening, the sealing element is preferably designed such that the sealing element is positioned partially within the wall opening in the closed position of the sealing element thereby pushing this residue out of the wall opening. The operating element is preferably provided with a passage opening for the foodstuff held in the foodstuff container. From a hygienic viewpoint the passage opening can more preferably be sealed by a screening element forming part of the sealing element and projecting in the direction of the operating element. This applies particularly in the case liquid foodstuffs, in particular drinks, are held in the foodstuff container. This screening element is preferably congruent to the passage opening formed in the operating element. To facilitate direct consumption of the foodstuff, both the passage opening and the screening element are preferably substantially reniform (or kidney) shaped. The passage opening bounded by the operating element will then generally result in an improved sensation the user when the drink is consumed directly from the foodstuff container, since the operating element—generally manufactured from plastic—will provide a better sensation than the generally sharp peripheral edge of the wall opening. Furthermore, injuries to the user resulting from cuts from the peripheral edge can thus be prevented, or at least countered. 
     In a preferred embodiment the mutual distance between the sealing element and the operating element can be changed. The mutual co-action of the sealing element and the operating element is herein such that, in the case of translation and/or rotation of the operating element in the closed situation of the device, the sealing element will displace in a direction away from the operating element. In a closed position the sealing element will then rest under bias against the wall around the wall opening, and in an opened position the sealing element will be positioned at least partially, but preferably wholly at a distance of the wall. Because the operating element—after mounting on a foodstuff container—will be coupled by means of coupling means to the foodstuff container, preferably to the wall, the possibility for translation of the operating element relative to the foodstuff container will generally be limited, and will usually even be minimized and become zero. In that case the operating element will only be rotatable relative to the wall. After rotation of the operating element relative to the wall and the sealing element, the sealing element will hereby be forced to displace relative to the wall and the operating element. It is noted that foodstuff container should be interpreted in a broad sense. Understood here are all kinds of conventional containers and packages which are used to conserve foodstuffs. The foodstuffs can herein be formed by (carbonated) drinks, syrups, tablets, sweets, consumable sprinkling materials, etc. 
     The sealing element preferably engages via a seal on the wall of the foodstuff container which is provided with the wall opening, in the closed position of the sealing element. In order to guarantee the medium-tight sealing in the closed situation of the device, a sealing layer will be advantageous. The seal will generally be formed by a flexible, sealing strip of material which is arranged on a part of the sealing element that is adapted to support under bias on the wall. It is also possible to envisage arranging the sealing strip of material on the wall itself at the location where the sealing element will support in the closed situation. Preferably, the sealing strip is provided with a projecting flange to give the sealing strip a non-planar geometry. It has been found that in this manner, an improved sealing effect can be obtained with the non-planar strip. Various conventional materials can be applied as sealing material. Preferably used is a thermoplastic rubber (TPR), such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and/or a flexible foam with a closed cell structure. Examples of applicable materials are: ethylene vinyl acetate rubber (EVA), ethylene vinyl ethanol (EvOH) and silicone rubber. The operating element and a remaining part of the sealing element may be made of plastic, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). 
     In a preferred embodiment the sealing element engages under bias on, or at least near, a peripheral edge of the wall of the foodstuff container provided with the wall opening in the closed position of the sealing element. In this manner the actual seal is not formed directly around the wall opening, but rather at or at least near the peripheral edge of the wall containing said opening. In this manner a stable, reliable seal can be obtained by means of the device according to the invention, while maintaining a relatively simple construction. 
     The coupling between the operating element and the sealing element can be of various nature. However, preferably the operating element and the sealing element are mutually coupled by means of a threaded connection. When the relative orientation of the sealing element and the operating element is changed, the mutual distance of the two components will thus also be changed. In addition to screw (thread) connections, the use of other types of co-acting connections can also be envisaged, such as for instance a bayonet connection (bayonet fitting). In a particular preferred embodiment the threaded connection is substantially enclosed by the sealing element and at least one of the wall of the food container and the operating element, at least in the closed position of the sealing element. In this way, fouling of the threaded connection by residue(s) of the foodstuff can be prevented, as a result of which unhygienic situations and malfunctioning of the threaded connection can be prevented. Optionally, at least a part of the threads of the threaded connection is interrupted to allow conditionally a certain degree of venting, in particular de-aeration, between the space within the foodstuff container and the surrounding atmosphere. 
     In another preferred embodiment the sealing element is provided with at least one receiving space for a pin projecting from the wall. The pin preferably projects in the direction of a space enclosed by the foodstuff container, so as to minimize the number of components protruding in the direction of the user. The pin is preferably formed by a cylindrical body, but can optionally also be designed in another manner. More preferably, the pin is provided with a elongated flattened part for facilitating receipt of the pin by the (substantially cylindrical) receiving space, since liquids eventually contained within the receiving space can be removed relatively easily when receiving the pin. The mutual co-action of the pin and the receiving space prevents rotation of the sealing element. The sealing element is however displaceable along the pin, whereby translation of the sealing element relative to the wall and the operating element, for instance after rotation of the operating element, remains possible. The pin can be formed by a bent and/or folded part of the wall, but may also form part of an intermediate element, for instance a stationary intermediate ring, placed separately between the sealing element and the operating element. The intermediate ring is then preferably connected fixedly to the wall, wherein the pin preferably projects via the wall opening in the direction of the sealing element. To this end, the intermediate ring can be attached by means of injection moulding directly onto the (aluminium) wall of the foodstuff container. The advantage of the intermediate ring is that the existing structure of a conventional foodstuff container need not be changed in order to apply the pin in order to prevent rotation of the sealing element. It is then possible to suffice with an intermediate ring or other type of intermediate element separately manufactured and arranged at a later stage. In order to further stabilize prevention of rotation of the sealing element, a plurality of (spaced-apart) projecting pins may be applied. Preferably, the intermediate ring is provided with a guiding projecting flange to facilitate removal of foodstuff out of the foodstuff container. 
     The operating element is preferably provided with a projecting engaging member for a user. The projecting engaging member generally facilitates opening and respectively closing of the foodstuff container. The engaging member is preferably formed by a fin-like member. This fin-like member is more preferably slightly curved to facilitate a user to engage the operating element. In addition to serving as a handle, the projecting member can also serve to bound the maximum rotation of the operating element, since in particular foodstuff containers, such as drink cans, the wall opening is arranged asymmetrically in the wall, wherein after a determined rotation the projecting engaging member will engage on a seam-folded part of the wall, whereby further rotation of the operating element can be prevented. An outer edge of the operating element can also be given a profiled form, whereby this outer edge can effectively also function as engaging member for the user. Preferably, substantially all tactile edges and other pointed parts of the operating element, in particular the engaging member, are rounded to prevent injuries by a user, in particular children, when operating the device according to the invention. 
     The foodstuff container is adapted to contain various kinds of foodstuffs. Certain foodstuffs, such as carbonated beverages, build up pressure within the food container in closed state. To facilitate opening of the pressurized food container, the device is preferably provided with venting means in particular for de-aeration of the foodstuff container via the wall opening. After this de-aeration the device and hence the food container can be opened relatively easily. Particularly in the case of liquid foodstuffs, usually drinks, a venting opening will also be advantageous, particularly during removal of the drink from the drink container. Gurgling removal of drink can thus be prevented, or at least countered. Since de-aeration also occurs via the (joint) wall opening, the wall opening obtains an additional functionality. It may be clear that the venting means can also be used for aeration, instead of de-aeration, of the food container, which may be conceivable in case a vacuum fraction is present within the food container. Preferably, the venting means comprises a first venting member making part of the operating element and a second venting member making part of the sealing element, said second venting member being adapted to co-act with the first venting member such that the mutual orientation of the first venting member and the second venting member can be changed to allow venting respectively block venting through the venting means. Commonly, the first venting member and the second venting member are mutually rotatable, wherein one venting member surrounds the other venting member. Both venting members are commonly provided with a flattened part. In that case, venting is solely possible in case both flattened parts are positioned in line, or are at least positioned such that both flattened parts are in mutual communication. 
     In a preferred embodiment the device is initially sealed in the closed situation of the device. In this manner a user can ascertain at the time of purchase whether the foodstuff container has previously been (improperly) opened, and whether the content corresponds to a content with specific quality standards guaranteed by the manufacturer. In a particular preferred embodiment the tamper-evident seal is formed by a mutual breakable connection between the sealing element and the operating element. The connection can for instance be formed by a rod and/or by a hook-shaped member. Said hook-shaped member is preferably applied in or near the wall opening to prevent or counter any tampering with the device, wherein the hook-shaped member may be coupled to both an upper surface of the sealing element and a lower surface of the operating element. Besides the functionality as tamper-evident seal, the hook-shaped member can subsequently be used to close the device in a locked member, by fixing the mutual orientation of the operating element and the sealing element. In this latter case, the device can merely be opened by firstly de-hooking the operating element relative to the sealing element. The seal is more preferably visible to the user, so that the user can see at a glance whether or not the device has been opened at an earlier stage. In a particular preferred embodiment, the rod is initially connected to the peripheral edge of the venting opening incorporated in the operating element. The rod is thus visible to the user. During initial opening of the device the rod will be permanently detached from the peripheral edge, whereby the seal is visibly broken and wherein the venting hole can actually function as aeration and venting of the foodstuff container. 
     In a preferred embodiment the operating element can be fixed relative to the top element in at least one preferred position, in which the sealing element, co-acting with the operating element, is at least substantially situated in the closed position. The device can thus be closed in locked manner, whereby undesired and unexpected changes of the relative orientation of the sealing element and the operating element from a closed position to an open position can be prevented. The device according to the embodiment can thus not be opened in uncontrolled manner by for instance a (slight) external load, but only by one or more controlled operations, which are performed—in an optionally specific sequence—by a user. If the user fixes the relative orientation of the operating element and the sealing element, further removal of the foodstuff, such as a beverage, from the device will thus only be possible after release of the sealing element fixed relative to the operating element. It is also conceivable that other states of the device, besides the closed state, may be lockable. It is therefore for example imaginable that the open state of the device is also lockable, or at least restricted, to prevent excessive opening of the device, which could lead to malfunctioning of the device. 
     The sealing element is preferably provided with reinforcement means. The reinforcement means preferably comprises a single or multiple reinforcement ribs, thereby each rib extending in a radial direction of the sealing element. In this manner, the sealing element is provided sufficient strength and stiffness to resist internal pressures more than 7 bar. Moreover, the ribs can be used as gate during manufacturing of the sealing element by injection moulding. 
     In another preferred embodiment the device is provided with barrier means for substantially preventing scouring water and other compounds to enter the foodstuff container in the closed position of the sealing element. During manufacturing of the assembly of the foodstuff container and the device commonly the assembly is cleaned by scouring water. Moreover, the foodstuff contained by the foodstuff container is often pasteurised by the (hot) scouring water. To prevent the scouring water from entering the assembly, the barrier means are provided. This barrier means may be formed e.g. by a rubber strip, e.g. made of TPE or TPR, or by a labyrinth. Preferably, the operating element and the barrier means as a two-components-system is preferably manufactured in a single process step by particular injection moulding. Commonly, this barrier means is applied after filling of the container and before pouring or pasteurising (the content of) the container. 
     The invention also relates to a foodstuff container provided with such a device according to the invention. As already noted, the device can be applied in diverse types of (substantially) conventional foodstuff container. The device is preferably positioned in an upper wall of the foodstuff container, since removal of the relevant foodstuff generally takes place via the upper wall of the foodstuff container. The foodstuff container is preferably formed by a drink container such as, for instance, a bottle, carton or can. In a drink container the wall opening through which the drink can be removed is generally also situated on the upper wall, or at least one of the upper walls of the relevant drink container. The device will usually already be connected to the upper wall during the manufacturing process of the relevant drink container. During manufacture of a drink can, a cover will first of all be provided with the device according to the invention, before the cover is seam-folded onto a body filled with drink. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be elucidated on the basis of the non-limitative embodiments shown in the following Figs. herein: 
         FIG. 1   a  shows a perspective view of a device for closing a foodstuff container according to the invention. 
         FIG. 1   b  shows a semi-transparent, perspective top view of the device according to  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 1   c  is a semi-transparent, perspective bottom view of the device according to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b.    
         FIG. 1   d  is a semi-transparent side view of the device according to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c.    
         FIG. 2   a  shows a perspective view of another device according to the invention in the closed situation. 
         FIG. 2   b  shows a perspective view of the device according  FIG. 2   a  in the opened situation. 
         FIG. 2   c  is a perspective top view of the device according to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  in closed situation. 
         FIG. 3   a  shows a perspective cross-section of an alternative device according to the invention in closed situation. 
         FIG. 3   b  shows a perspective cross-section of the device according to  FIG. 3   a  in opened situation. 
         FIG. 3   c  is a perspective bottom view of the device according to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  in closed situation. 
         FIG. 3   d  is a perspective top view of the device according to  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  in closed situation. 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic cross-section of a soft drink can provided with a device according to the invention. 
         FIG. 5   a  shows a perspective view of an assembly of a wall of a beverage can and a part of a device according to the invention. 
         FIG. 5   b  shows a perspective view of an upper side of a complementary part of the device shown in  FIG. 5   a.    
         FIG. 5   c  shows a perspective view of a bottom side the complementary part shown in  FIG. 5   b.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1   a  shows a perspective view of a device  1  for closing a foodstuff container (not shown) according to the invention in closed situation. The device  1  comprises a sealing element  2  and an operating element  3  connected rotatably to sealing element  2 . Sealing element  2  is adapted to be positioned inside the foodstuff container, and operating element  3  (for a user) is adapted to be positioned outside the foodstuff container. Sealing element  2  and operating element  3  mutually co-act by means of a screw thread connection (see  FIGS. 1   b - 1   d ). The mutual distance between operating element  3  and sealing element  2  can be changed by means of rotating the operating element  3  relative to sealing element  2 . In order to prevent simultaneous rotation of sealing element  2  during rotation of operating element  3 , sealing element  2  is locked two-dimensionally by means of two stationary pins (see  FIGS. 1   c  and  1   d ). The pins herein form part of an intermediate ring (see  FIGS. 1   c  and  1   d ). Sealing element  2  is provided for this purpose with two receiving spaces  4  for the two pins. Operating element  3  is provided with a projecting coupling flange  5  for clamping the operating element  3  in a wall opening of the foodstuff container. Operating element  3  is provided with a moon-shaped passage opening  6  for the foodstuff held in the foodstuff container. In the shown closed situation of device  1 , the passage opening is filled by a likewise moon-shaped projection  7  in order to enable hygienic sealing of the space situated below operating element  3 . Operating element  3  is provided with a fin-like projection  8  to facilitate rotation of operating element  3  by the user. In the shown situation the device  1  is closed, whereby removal of foodstuff from the foodstuff container will not be possible. After arranging the shown device  1  on the wall of the foodstuff container, an edge  9  forming part of sealing element  2  will support under bias on the wall, whereby a medium-tight sealing of the foodstuff container can be realized. In the shown device  1  however, there is no physical contact present between the edge  9  of sealing element  2  and the wall, since a sealing layer  10  is arranged between the two. This layer  10  can be fixed by means of an adhesive to the wall or to the edge  9  of sealing element  2 . Operating element  3  is provided with a venting opening  11  in order to facilitate removal of—particularly liquid—foodstuff. In venting opening  11  a free end of a rod  12  connected to sealing element  2  is now visible. The rod will break and/or deform permanently once the operating element  3  is rotated relative to sealing element  2 . Rod  12  therefore functions in fact as an indicator of whether the device  1  is still sealed or not. Device  1  is arranged in the shown situation on the foodstuff container and marketed commercially as an assembly. Device  1  is preferably manufactured wholly, or in any case at least partially, from plastic. It is also conceivable to manufacture the device  1  from a different material, such as for instance metal. 
       FIG. 1   b  shows a semi-transparent perspective top view of the device  1  of  FIG. 1   a . In the present view the operating element  3  is shown semi-transparently. The other components are shown in the normal situation of device  1 .  FIG. 1   b  shows clearly that the sealing element is provided with a centrally located tubular member  11  provided with an internal screw thread  12 . The tubular member  11  is also provided with a protrusion  13  located at a distance from screw thread  12  for the purpose of bounding the maximum relative rotation of operating element  3  and sealing element  2 . In the present embodiment the maximum angle of rotation amounts to (substantially) 120°. An opposite boundary of this maximum angle of rotation is formed by the moon-like projection  7 , which is bounded in the closed situation by mutual co-action with passage opening  6 . The mutual distance between screw thread  12  and protrusion  13  is here minimally the wall thickness of a projecting tubular member which forms part of operating element  3  and which is provided with an external screw thread (see  FIG. 1   c ). Also shown clearly in  FIG. 1   b  is the intermediate ring  14 , which is positioned concentrically relative to sealing element  2 . The intermediate ring  14  is usually manufactured from plastic and is generally connected fixedly to the wall of the foodstuff container. 
       FIG. 1   c  shows a semi-transparent, perspective bottom view of the device  1  of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . In  FIG. 1   c  the sealing element  2  is shown semi-transparently. The other components of device  1  are however shown normally. In the present Fig. the projecting tubular body  15  forming part of operating element  3  is clearly shown. The body  15  is herein provided with an external screw thread  16  and is provided on an inner side with a projecting counter-protrusion  17 . Screw thread  16  is adapted to co-act with the screw thread  12  forming part of sealing element  2 . The counter-protrusion  17  is herein adapted to co-act with the protrusion  13  forming part of sealing element  2 , as already stated above. The intermediate ring  14  is now also clearly shown, wherein the intermediate ring is provided with the above mentioned pins  18 . Pins  18  are herein received in the receiving spaces  4  of sealing element  2 , whereby only one-dimensional displacement of sealing element  2  is possible during rotation of operating element  3 . 
       FIG. 1   d  shows a semi-transparent side view of the device  1  of  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c . Sealing element  2  is once again shown semi-transparently. The wall of the foodstuff container is now shown by means of a broken line  19 . After rotation of operating element  3 , sealing element  2  will be displaced linearly along the pins  18  in a (downward) direction away from operating element  3 , whereby sealing element  2  comes to lie at a distance from wall  19 . In this opened situation the foodstuff can be removed along the sealing element and via the wall opening (not shown). In an alternative embodiment the pins  18  are formed integrally by a deformed part of the wall of the foodstuff container. Pins  18  can thus be formed by downward deformation of (punched) parts of the foodstuff container, whereby a passage opening for the foodstuff is also provided situated between pins  18 . 
       FIG. 2   a  shows a perspective view of another device  20  according to the invention in the closed situation. The operation very largely corresponds with the operation of the device  1  shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d . Device  20  comprises a top element  21 , an intermediate layer  22  rotatably connected to top element  21 , and a cover element  23  co-acting with top element  21  and intermediate layer  22 . Arranged between intermediate layer  22  and cover element  23  is a sealing ring  24 , which is connected to intermediate layer  22 . Cover element  23  is provided with a receiving opening  25  for a pin  26  forming part of intermediate layer  22 . Top element  21  is provided with a handgrip  27  and a profiled edge  28  to facilitate rotation of top element  21 . Top element  21  is also provided with a venting opening  29  in which a flexible rod-like member  30  is received in the closed situation. The rod-like member  30  in fact seals the venting opening  29  in the closed situation. When top element  21  is rotated relative to intermediate layer  22  and cover element  23 , the rod-like member  30  will be removed from venting opening  29 . The cover element will simultaneously be displaced linearly along the pin  26 , whereby removal of the relevant foodstuff, usually drink, from the foodstuff container can take place along cover element  23  and via intermediate layer  22  and a passage opening  32  arranged in top element  21  (see  FIG. 2   b ). 
       FIG. 2   b  shows a perspective view of the device  20  of  FIG. 2   a  in the opened situation.  FIG. 2   b  shows clearly that top element  21  and cover element  23  are located a distance from each other, whereby removal of foodstuff from the foodstuff container can take place (see arrow A). Also shown is that rod-like member  30 , temporarily deformed, rests against an underside of top element  21  until top element  21  is rotated back to the situation shown in  FIG. 2   a , after which the rod-like member  30  will once again extend into venting opening  29 . 
       FIG. 2   c  shows a perspective top view of the device  20  of  FIG. 2   a  and  2   b  in closed situation. In the closed situation the passage opening  32  is sealed by means of a raised part  33  forming part of cover element  23 . Also shown is that handgrip  27  is provided with an eye  34  which co-acts with an elevated member  35  arranged in intermediate layer  22 . The elevated member  35  prevents the top element  21  from being able to rotate in undesired and simple manner. Only after overcoming a determined bias can the eye  34  be carried over the elevated member  35 , whereafter unimpeded rotation of top element  21  through a determined angle is made possible. Top element  21  can in fact therefore be locked in the closed position of device  20 . 
       FIG. 3   a  shows a perspective cross-section of an alternative device  36  according to the invention in closed situation. Device  36  is arranged on a cover  37  of a drink can. Device  36  comprises an internal element  38  and an external element  39  co-acting with internal element  38 . Internal element  38  is provided for this purpose with a cylindrical member  40  provided with an internal screw thread  41 , and external element  39  is likewise provided with a cylindrical member  42  provided with an external screw thread  43 . Rotation of internal element  38  is prevented by locking of internal element  38  on one side. The one-sided locking is realized by mutual co-action of an irregular portion  44  arranged in cover  37  on the one hand and two fixation protrusions  45  forming part of internal element  38  and engaging on either side on the irregular portion  44  on the other. A part of external element  39  is arranged with clamp fitting in a passage opening for drink arranged in cover  37 . External element  39  herein engages on cover  37  on two sides. External element  39  is provided for this purpose with a projecting flange  46  for engaging on the inner side of cover  37 , and a supporting edge  47  for engaging on an outer side of cover  37 . External element  39  is also provided with a drinking opening  48  for a user, which drinking opening  48  is filled in the shown, closed situation by a plunger member  49  forming part of internal element  38 . In the shown situation a sealing edge  50  forming part of internal element  38  engages under bias on cover  37 . A sealing edge (not shown) is preferably arranged between sealing edge  50  and cover  37  in order to ensure a long-term medium-tight sealing of the drink can. When external element  39  is rotated, internal element  38  will move linearly in a direction away from cover  37 , whereafter sealing edge  50  also comes to lie at a distance from cover  37 , whereby the can is thus opened and removal of drink is made possible. This opened situation is shown in  FIG. 3   b . In the shown situation the maximum rotation of external element  39  has been reached, as a lip  51  forming part of external element  39  engages on an edge  52  forming part of cover  37 .  FIG. 3   b  also shows that plunger member  49  of internal element  38  has a surface with an inclining orientation relative to a remaining part of device  36 . The higher situated part of plunger member  49  herein forms a boundary to excessive rotation of external element  39  in the direction of the closed position as shown in  FIG. 3   a.    
       FIG. 3   c  shows a perspective bottom view of device  36  of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  in closed situation.  FIG. 3   c  shows in particular the mutual co-action of the irregular portion  44  and the fixation protrusions  45  enclosing the irregular portion  44 , whereby rotation of internal element  38  relative to cover  37  and external element  39  can be prevented. 
       FIG. 3   d  shows a perspective top view of device  36  of  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  in closed situation. Passage opening  48  of external element  39  is now filled by plunger member  49 .  FIG. 3   d  also shows that external element  39  is provided with venting opening  53  to make it possible to prevent gurgling removal of drink. External element  39  is moreover provided with a profiled edge  54  to facilitate rotation of external element  39  for the user. 
       FIG. 4  shows a schematic cross-section of a soft drink can  55  provided with a device  56  according to the invention. Can  55  is filled with a carbonated soft drink  56 . Can  55  is constructed from a base element  57 , a body  58  connected to base element  57  and a cover  59  seam-folded round body  58 . Cover  59  is provided with a passage opening  60  for drink. Device  56  is coupled to cover  59  and is adapted for renewed medium-tight sealing of cover  59 . Cover  59  comprises for this purpose a guide means  61  connected fixedly to cover  59  and provided with a receiving space  62  for a slide  63  connected in guiding manner to guide means  61 . Slide  63  is coupled by means of a flexible element  64  to a sealing element  64  located in can  55 . By sliding the slide  63  along guide means  61  (arrow A) and positioning it on receiving space  62 , sealing element  64  can be pulled firmly against cover  59  (arrow B) such that a medium-tight sealing is created. Cover  59  is however now provided with a rubber ring  65  to ensure the medium-tight sealing. So as to stabilize the position of sealing element  64  to some extent, cover element  64  is provided with a pin  66  which protrudes with clamp fitting through an opening  67  arranged in cover  59 . A seal  68  is likewise arranged between pin  66  and opening  67 . In order to facilitate displacement of slide  63 , this latter is provided with a handgrip  69 . 
       FIG. 5   a  shows a perspective view of an assembly  70  of a wall  71  of a beverage can and a part of a device  72  according to the invention. The shown part of the device  72  comprises an operating element  73  provided with an external screw thread  74 . The shown part of the device  72  further comprises an intermediate ring  75  provided with two pins  76  extending downwards. Both the operating element  73  and the ring  75  are adapted to be coupled to a sealing element  77  as shown in  FIGS. 5   b  and  5   c . The ring  75  is provided with a rounded edge thereby forming a flange to optimise the sealing capacity of the ring  75 . The operating element  73  further comprises a protruding pen  78  provided with a flattened part  79 , said pen  78  being adapted to block or clear a venting passage  80  enclosed by the sealing element  77 . Said protruding pen  78  may alternatively be provided with a groove instead of a flattened part. As is shown in  FIG. 5   b , the sealing element  77  comprises a protruding hollow cylindrical body  81  adapted to receive said pen  78 . Said hollow body  81  is provided with a recess  82  to allow de-aeration of the beverage can via the flattened part  79  of said pen  78 . To secure substantially free, unhindered flow of gas during de-aeration of the beverage can an inner screw thread  83  of the sealing element  77  is interrupted. The sealing element  77  also comprises two slots  84  for receiving the pins  76  of the intermediate ring  75 . The sealing element  77  is provided with a sealing ring  86  to secure medium-tight engaging of the sealing element onto the wall  71 . Said sealing ring  86  is preferably made of a TPE or TPE, while the sealing element  77  is preferably made of a polymer like PE or PP. However, preferably, the sealing element  77  and the sealing ring  86  as a two-components-system is preferably manufactured in a single process step by particular injection moulding. A lower surface of the sealing element  77  is provided with multiple reinforcement ribs  85  to strengthen and stiffen the sealing element to resist relatively high pressures of above 7 bar. The working principle of the device as shown in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  is substantially identical to the working principle of the device  1  shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  and elucidated above in a comprehensive manner. 
     It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described here, but that numerous variants, which will be obvious to the skilled person in the field, are possible within the scope of the appended claims.