Patent Publication Number: US-2023136489-A1

Title: Mechanism for opening and reclosing the outflow opening for emptying a container, especially a beverage container

Description:
The present disclosure relates to a mechanism for opening and reclosing the out-flow opening for emptying a container, especially a beverage container. In particular, the mechanism is intended for containers made of plastic. 
     Known from patent document WO 2014/003586 A2 is a reclosing mechanism for containers, particularly beverage containers, incorporating means for opening and reclosing the beverage outflow opening in the form of a latch fitted slidingly on the guides, where the latch touches on the bottom surface of the lid around the opening. On the top, the lid is fitted with a sliding pull tab on one side connected to the latch via a hinge and on the other connected to the latch via a connector which serves as the seal before the first opening, where on the side of the hinge and the pull tab front the lid features respective resistance surfaces which determine the initial position of the latch before the first opening. 
     Known from patent document WO 2010/094793 A2 is a container lid, particularly of a beverage can, incorporating a reclosing mechanism of elastic material, fixed entirely to the bottom side of the cover and partially integrated therewith in a way which prevents its twisting, featuring an actuating mechanism fitted on the top side of the lid via an adapter. When the actuating mechanism is moved, the part of the reclosing mechanism which covers the opening swivels in the plane perpendicular to the surface of the lid. The opening can be reclosed by moving the actuating mechanism. 
     The present invention disclosure solves the problem of friction between the elements which mutually cooperate when opening and reclosing the outflow opening for emptying a container by reducing the friction; at the same time the invention ensures tight reclosing of the said opening. Reduced friction increases reliability of the functioning mechanism, reduces the risk of damaging it, and eliminates generation of minute particles in consequence of abrasion of the cooperating surfaces, where the particles may contaminate the container content, e.g. beverage. 
     Another purpose of the invention is to reduce the number of structural elements in the mechanism and simplify the technological processes of their production and assembly, which will translate to substantially lower manufacturing costs. 
     The problem has been solved by developing the mechanism structure which will additionally ensure optimal flow of beverage through the outflow opening when emptying the container. 
     A mechanism for opening and reclosing the outflow opening for emptying a container, especially a beverage container, incorporating a latch to open and reclose the outflow opening in the container lid, where the latch is fitted with hatching elements connected slidingly to the container lid, and where the lid features technical means suitable for initiating movement of the latch, according to the invention is characterised in that it contains at least one pair of sliding surfaces, each of them incorporating at least one section in the shape of a convex arch, where moving on the said pair of sliding surfaces when shifting the latch is at least one pair of hatching elements, and where ends of the sliding surfaces are positioned at different heights with respect to the bottom surface of the lid around the opening so that the end of each sliding surface, from which the movement of the latch starts towards the opening of the outflow opening, is positioned higher than its other end, and where the latch in the closed position contacts the bottom surface of the lid around the outflow opening, and in the open position is distant from the bottom surface of the lid. 
     Preferably, the mechanism contains two pairs of sliding surfaces positioned one after another in the direction of movement of the latch, and two pairs of hatching elements, where one pair of the hatching elements cooperates with one pair of the sliding surfaces. 
     Preferably, the sliding surface of at least one pair is made up of two sections in the shape of a convex arch each. 
     Preferably, there are longitudinal ribs formed on the bottom surface of the lid, and there is an end part formed on the latch and placed in between the said ribs of the lid so that a slit is formed between the lid and the end part of the latch. 
     Preferably, formed on the bottom surface of the lid is at least one pair of distancing elements, and the latch features at least one distancing element on its bottom surface, where the distancing element of the latch cooperates with the said pair of the distancing elements of the lid. 
     Preferably, there is an element to initiative movement of the latch formed on the top surface of the latch. 
     Preferably, the latch is fitted with an additional sealing and actuating element connected to the said element which initiates movement of the latch, preferably in the form of a tongue or cap. 
     Preferably, the mechanism is made of plastic. 
     The mechanism for opening and reclosing of an outflow opening for emptying a container according to the invention serves the intended purposes. Thanks to the inclination of the convex arched surfaces which guide the latch hatchers when opening and reclosing the outflow opening for emptying a container with respect to the bottom edge of the outflow opening, the latch gets instantly moved away from the bottom surface of the lid when the movement of the latch intended to open the outflow opening is initiated, which eliminates the effect of friction between the latch and the bottom surface of the lid, and enables instant release of air from the container, which makes it possible to use the mechanism in containers for highly pressurized and strongly carbonated beverages. Instant moving away of the latch from the lid when the movement of the latch is initiated facilitates the movement of the latch. The structure of the mechanism makes it possible to simplify the processes of mechanism production and assembly, which reduces substantially the costs of mechanism manufacturing. 
     Moreover, the solution according to the invention is characterised by a high level of intuitiveness and ergonomics when opening and reclosing the outflow opening. All elements of the lid may be produced of the same material as the container, which is important in terms of recycling of waste containers. 
     The mechanism according to the invention is used in lids of various shapes, carton boxes included, and may be produced using the existing methods of moulding and assembling. 
    
    
     
       The invention embodiments are shown on a drawing, where: 
         FIG.  1    presents the latch in a 3D view from the top, with a single pair of hatching elements; 
         FIG.  2   —presents the latch as in  FIG.  1   , in a 3D view from the bottom; 
         FIG.  3   —shows the part of the lid with the opening for emptying the container, for the latch as in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , in a 3D view from the top; 
         FIG.  4   —shows the part of the lid with the opening for emptying the container, as in  FIG.  3   , in a 3D view from the bottom; 
         FIG.  5   —depicts the mechanism incorporating the latch as in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , fitted on the lid as in  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4   , in closed position, in a 3D view from the top; 
         FIG.  6   —presents the mechanism in the closed position, as in  FIG.  5   , in a 3D view from the bottom; 
         FIG.  7   —presents the mechanism incorporating the latch as in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , fitted in the lid as in  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4   , in the open position, in a 3D view from the top; 
         FIG.  8   —presents the mechanism incorporating the latch as in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , fitted in the lid as in  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4   , in the open position, in a 3D view from the bottom; 
         FIG.  9   —shows the mechanism in the closed position, as in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   , in cross-section along the opening; 
         FIG.  10   —shows the mechanism in the open position, as in  FIG.  7    and  FIG.  8   , in cross section along the opening; 
         FIG.  11   —presents a schematic cross-section of the mechanism in the closed position, as in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  12   —presents a schematic cross-section of the mechanism on the open position, as in  FIG.  7    and  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  13   —depicts the mechanism in the closed position, as in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   , in a 3D cross-section across the opening; 
         FIG.  14   —depicts the mechanism in the open position, as in  FIG.  7    and  FIG.  8   , in a 3D cross-section across the opening; 
         FIG.  15   —shows the mechanism in the closed position, as in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   , with an additional sealing and actuating tongue, in a 3D view from the top; 
         FIG.  16   —depicts the mechanism in the open position, as in  FIG.  15   , in a 3D view from the top; 
         FIG.  17   —presents the mechanism in the closed position, as in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   , with an additional rotating sealing and actuating cap, in a 3D view from the top; 
         FIG.  18   —presents the mechanism in the open position, as in  FIG.  17   , in a 3D view, from the top; 
         FIG.  19   —depicts the latch in a 3D view from the top, with two pairs of hatching elements; 
         FIG.  20   —depicts the latch as in  FIG.  19   , in a 3D view from the bottom; 
         FIG.  21   —presents the part of the lid with the outflow opening for emptying the container, for the latch as in  FIG.  19    and  FIG.  20   , in a 3D from the top; 
         FIG.  22   —presents the part of the lid with the outflow opening for emptying the container, as in  FIG.  21   , in a 3D view from the bottom; 
         FIG.  23   —shows the mechanism incorporating the latch as in  FIG.  19    and  FIG.  20   , fitted in the lid as in  FIG.  21    and  FIG.  22   , in the closed position, in a 3D view from the top; 
         FIG.  24   —shows the mechanism in the closed position as in  FIG.  23   , in a 3D view from the bottom; 
         FIG.  25   —depicts the mechanism incorporating the latch as in  FIG.  19    and  FIG.  20   , fitted in the lid as in  FIG.  21    and  FIG.  22   , in the open position, in a 3D view from the top; 
         FIG.  26   —presents the mechanism incorporating the latch as in  FIG.  19    and  FIG.  20   , fitted in the lid as in  FIG.  21    and  FIG.  22   , in the open position, in a 3D view from the bottom; 
         FIG.  27   —shows the mechanism in the closed position, as in  FIG.  23    and  FIG.  24   , in cross-section along the opening; 
         FIG.  28   —shows the mechanism in the open position, as in  FIG.  25    and  FIG.  26   , in cross-section along the opening; 
         FIG.  29   —presents a schematic cross-section of the mechanism in the closed position, as in  FIG.  23    and  FIG.  24   ; 
         FIG.  30   —depicts a schematic cross-section of the mechanism in the open position, as in  FIG.  25    and  FIG.  26   ; 
         FIG.  31   —depicts the mechanism in the closed position, as in  FIG.  23    and  FIG.  24   , in a 3D cross-section across the opening; 
         FIG.  32   —presents the mechanism in the open position, as in  FIG.  25    and  FIG.  26   , in a 3D cross-section across the opening. 
     
    
    
     According to the first embodiment of the invention presented in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  18   , a mechanism for opening and reclosing the outflow opening  2  for emptying a container incorporates a latch  6  for opening and reclosing the said outflow opening  2  in the lid  1  of the container. The latch  6  is fitted with a single pair of hatching elements  7 , and the lid  1  features a single pair of sliding elements  3  formed on the side longitudinal walls of the opening  2  (as shown in  FIG.  3   ), or on the top surface of the lid  1  along the top longitudinal edges of the opening  2  (not shown on the drawing). The pair of the hatching elements  7  is fitted slidingly on the said sliding surfaces  3 , which serve as guides for the hatching element  7  when the latch  6  is in motion. The sliding surfaces  3  are parallel to each another and are given the shape of a convex arch, in addition they are formed so that their ends are positioned at different heights with respect to the bottom surface of the lid  1  around the opening  2 , where the ends  3   a  from which the movement of the latch  6  starts towards the opening of the outflow opening  2  are positioned higher than their other ends  3   b,  i.e. at a slope down in the direction in which the latch  6  moves towards the open position. When in the closed position, the latch  6  contacts the bottom surface of the lid  1  around the opening  2 , as shown in  FIG.  9   ,  FIG.  11   , and  FIG.  13   , and when in the open position, it is distant from the bottom surface of the lid  1 , as sown in  FIG.  10   ,  FIG.  12   , and  FIG.  14   . 
     Formed on the bottom surface of the lid  1  are longitudinal ribs  4 , where positioned in between the ribs is the end part of the latch  6   a,  so that between the lid  1  and the end part of the latch  6 , in between the said ribs  4 , formed is a slit  10  to supply air to the container during its emptying, as shown in  FIG.  10   .
 
Formed on the bottom surface of the lid  1  is a pair of longitudinal distancing elements  5  extending from the longitudinal ribs  4 , and formed on the bottom surface of the latch  6  is a pair of transverse distancing elements  9  which cooperate with the said longitudinal pair of the distancing elements  5  of the lid  1 .
 
Moreover, formed on the top surface of the latch is an element  8  for initiating movement of the latch, as shown in  FIG.  1   , and the latch can be fitted with an additional sealing and actuating tongue  11  with an gripping rib  11   a  formed thereon for setting the latch in motion, where the tongue  11   a  is fitted on the said element  8 , as shown in  FIG.  15    and  FIG.  16   ; optionally, the latch can be fitted with an additional rotating sealing and actuating cap  12  with an gripping rib  12   a  formed thereon for setting the latch in motion, cooperating with the said element  8  of the latch. Moreover, the said rotating cap  12  features an opening  13  for emptying the container, and an opening  14  for supplying air to the slit  10  when emptying the container, as shown in  FIG.  17    and  FIG.  18   .
 
     In the second exemplary embodiment of the invention, presented in  FIG.  19    to  FIG.  32   , the mechanism incorporates the latch  106  for the opening and reclosing of the said outflow opening  102  in the lid  101  of the container. The latch  106  is fitted with two pairs of hatching elements  107  (as shown in  FIG.  20   ), and the lid  101  features two pairs of sliding surfaces  103  formed on the side longitudinal walls of the opening  102 , serving as the guides for the hatching elements  107  when the latch  106  is in motion. The sliding surfaces  103  of each specific pair are positioned parallel to each another, and the pairs of the sliding surfaces  103  are positioned one pair after another in the direction of movement of the latch  106 , as shown in  FIG.  21   . Moreover, the sliding surfaces  103  in each pair are formed of two convex arched sections  103 ′  103 ″ of different radiuses, as shown in  FIG.  21   . Ends of the arched surfaces  103  of each pair are positioned at different heights with respect to the bottom surface of the lid  101  around the opening  102 , where the ends of the pair of the arched surfaces  103   a  from which the movement of the latch starts towards the opening of the outflow opening are positioned higher than the other ends  103   b  of the specific pair, i.e. at a slope down in the direction in which the latch  106  moves towards the open position, and where the end of the arched surface of each arched section  103 ′,  103 ″ from which the movement of the latch  102  starts towards the opening of the outflow opening  102  is positioned higher than its other end, i.e. at a slope down in the direction in which the latch  106  moves to the open position. In each pair of the sliding surfaces  103  the arched sections  103 ′ from which the movement of the latch  106  starts towards the opening of the outflow opening  102  are shorter than that of the immediately following arched sections  103 ″, and the radius of the arched sections  103 ′ from which the movement of the latch  106  starts towards the opening of the outflow opening  102  is smaller than the radius of the curve of the immediately following arched sections  103 ″. 
     Each pair of the hatching elements  107  is fitted slidingly on a single pair of the said sliding surfaces  103  which serve as guides for these hatching elements  107  when the latch is in motion, as shown in  FIG.  23    and  FIG.  25   . One pair of the hatching elements  107  cooperates with one pair of the sliding surfaces  103 .
 
In the closed position, the latch  106  touches on the bottom surface of the lid  101  around the opening, as shown in  FIG.  27   , and in the open position it is distant from the bottom surface of the lid  101 , as shown in  FIG.  28   .
 
Formed on the bottom surface of the lid  101  are longitudinal ribs  104 , positioned in between which is the end part  106   a  of the latch  106 , so that formed between the lid  101  and the end part  106   a  of the latch  106 , and between the said ribs  104  is a slit  110  to supply air into the container during its emptying, as shown in  FIG.  28   . Formed on the bottom surface of the lid  101  is a pair of longitudinal distancing elements  105 , and formed on the bottom surface of the latch  106  are two transverse distancing elements  109  which cooperate with the said pair of the distancing elements  105  of the lid  101 . In addition, formed on the top surface of the latch  106  is an element  108  in the form of a gripping rib for initiating movement of the latch.
 
     In the invention embodiments described above, the container, lid, and mechanism are all made of the same plastic. 
     When the opening  2 ,  102  is being opened, the latch  6 ,  106  moves downwards, towards the inside of the container. When the movement of the latch  6 ,  106  towards the opening of the outflow opening  2 ,  102  is initiated, the latch gets immediately moved downwards, towards the inside of the container thanks to the arched shapes of the sliding surfaces  3 ,  103  which cooperate with the hatching elements  7 ,  107 , and the slit  10 ,  110  through which air is supplied into the container opens up to the opening  2 ,  102 . Further shifting of the latch  6 ,  106  towards the opening of the outflow opening  2 ,  102  causes further downward movement of the latch  6 ,  106  and increases the distance between the top surface of the latch  6 ,  106  and the bottom surface of the lid  1 ,  101  around the opening. The flow of air into the container through the slit  10 ,  110  ensures laminar flow of beverage out of the container. The shaping of the sliding surfaces  103  into two arched sections  103 ′ and  103 ″ makes it possible to reclose the opening  102  tightly. The first shorter arched section  103 ′ of the sliding surfaces  103 , the radius of which is smaller than that of the second section  103 ″, ensures immediate downward movement of the latch  106  during the opening of the outflow opening  102  and distancing the top surface of the latch  106  from the bottom surface of the lid  101 . 
     The mutually cooperating distancing elements of the lid and the latch stabilise the movement of the latch during opening and reclosing of the outflow opening. 
     LIST OF NUMERICAL REFERENCES 
     
         
           1 —part of the lid with the outflow opening for emptying the container 
           2 —outflow opening for emptying the container 
           3 —sliding arched surfaces 
           3   a,    3   b —ends of the sliding arched surfaces 
           4 —longitudinal ribs of the lid 
           5 —distancing elements of the lid 
           6 —latch 
           6   a —end part of the latch 
           7 —hatching elements of the latch 
           8 —element to initiate the movement of the latch 
           9 —distancing elements of the latch 
           10 —slit 
           11 —sealing and actuating tongue 
           11   a —gripping rib of the actuating tongue to initiate the movement of to shift?] the latch 
           12 —rotating sealing and actuating cap 
           12   a —gripping rib of the rotating cap to initiate the movement of the latch 
           13 —opening in the cap for emptying of the container 
           14 —opening in the cap to supply air to the container during the emptying of the container 
           101 —part of the lid with the opening to empty the container 
           102 —opening to empty the container 
           103 —sliding arched surfaces 
           103   a,    103   b —ends of the sliding arched surfaces 
           103 ′,  103 ″—sections of the sliding arched surfaces 
           104 —longitudinal ribs of the lid 
           105 —distancing elements of the lid 
           106 —latch 
           106   a —end part of the latch 
           107 —hatching elements of the latch 
           108 —element to initiate the movement of the latch 
           109 —distancing elements of the latch 
           110 —slit to supply air to the container during its emptying