Patent Description:
Many solutions have become known for the packaging and storage of liquids, solids, lump and bulk materials. One group includes containers into which liquids are filled and offered for sale. Such liquid storage units are also formed by various glass, plastic and metal beverage containers. There are also a number of solutions for closing the opening of beverage bottles. Screw caps are also widely used for soft drinks and, more recently, for non-concentrated alcohols and beers.

Such a screw cap can be cognizable in, inter alia, industrial property document <CIT>.

The advantage of these is that they can be wound back on the neck of the bottle after the warranty closure has been removed and, due to the internal design of the cap, precludes the possibility of leakage at the pour opening of the bottle.

There are also "bottles" that can be filled with liquid for storage, and the top of the container can be closed with a specially designed lid. Such a beverage container is described in <CIT>. While the utility model description number HU U <NUM> can be screwed onto a bottle and describes a cap assembly with a straw.

However, there are also thin metal beverage cans, such as cola, beer and energy drink cans, which cannot be resealed after opening, as it cannot be re-placed after the closure plate at the pour opening of the can has been broken.

Also known a patent with registration No. <CIT>, which relates to an accessory that can be attached to the top of a metal can which containing beverages. It comprises a one piece lid base attached to a flippable lid and clamped to a container. In order to access the contents of the container, the whole lid has to be pivoted with respects to the base. The disadvantage of this solution is the due to its design, because it is easily can be damaged, and drink could leaves the metal can not only through the specified mouth opening, so it is not suitable for storing and moving beverages, when the can is already opened.

Consequently, the disadvantage of such beverage storage units is that the entire contents of the can must be consumed in a short time, otherwise its enjoyment value deteriorates rapidly. Another disadvantage of such cans is that the stored beverage can easily spill out of the storage space, which can cause contamination on the consumer's clothing or its surroundings.

The purpose of invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the known bottle closure solutions and to create a version which, on the one hand, is suitable to allow the can to be resealed without leakage after opening the can, even in the case of beverages with metal cans, as well as to allow the contents of cans to be consumed more hygienically.

It was also intended that the sample lid unit be reusable and can be used for containers that have a cap or lid but its repeated use does not meet the requirement for a leak-proof seal. For example, in case of pickles and mason jars, which available in stores.

The basic idea of the invention was that the circumferential surface of the metal cans can be gripped without displacement with a rim-like structural element stretched from the side, and thus the opening of the metal can could be closed with a lid placed on it.

Relying on this basic idea, the design according to the invention was led by the realization that if an adapter can be assembled from two specially shaped clamping members and connected to each other, the pieces can be clamped to the new surface the lid base tensioning the two clamping members is connected, the combination of the two clamping members and the lid base is able to seal the opening can be kept leak-free, and thus the task can be solved.

The removable lid according to the invention comprises the features of claim <NUM>.

In one possible design of the removable lid, the seal is partially pressed against the surface of the container in the closed position of the lid base.

In another variant of the invention, the locking piece has a pin, one join piece and the other join piece has the shape of a bent arm with a receiving socket, and the pin of locking profile is rotatably inserted into the receiving socket.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, one connecting member of one clamping member has a receiving socket, while the other connecting member of the other fastening element has a shape of a bent arm that fits into the receiving socket of one connecting member is inserted into its slit, and one clamping member and the other clamping member are thus connected to each other.

Again, in various embodiments of the invention, one of the clamping members has anti-slip profiles on the support side facing the container and the other side of the support member towards the container.

It may be advantageous for the removable lid if the lid base is provided with a closing projection and the closing projection has one locking member, while one of the gripping members and the other clamping member is one of the locking members connected to another locking member cooperating with one locking member of the closing projection is fixed to the adapter without displacement.

In another variant of the utility model, the lid base is provided with a pressure reducing valve.

The removable lid according to the invention has a number of advantageous features. The most important of these is that with an adapter made of specially shaped clamping members, as a pliers, the mantle surface of the container can be gripped so that the lid base connected to the connection body can be properly pressed onto the open surface of the container, and so that the container, especially the beverage cans made of metal, can be closed after opening.

A further advantage is that the removable lid can be used countless times due to the design of the adapter and its novel connection with the lid base. Easy to assemble and disassemble and easy to clean.

Another advantage is that with a suitable lid base design, it is possible to remove content from the container through a small opening, or to introduce it into the container. And so it does not have to open the entire lid base.

It is also an advantage that the design and closure of the connection body and the lid base prevent leakage, so that the liquid placed in the container can be easily and safely stored and transported even after the original closing plate of the pour opening has been removed.

It is also an important advantage, in case of carbonated beverages, the carbonic acid quickly escape from the beverage after the opening of the traditional metal can storage units, and thus its enjoyment value decrease rapidly and greatly, using the sample solution to close the can, the carbon dioxide in the container cannot escape from the interior. Thus, the drink retains its original enjoyment value for a much longer period of time. And this is an important aspect for the consumer. Thus, the use of a sample removable lid may also increase the demand for canned beverages in metal cans.

An advantage also, that the structural elements of the movable lid unit can be easily manufactured and sold without assembly, and thus sold in large quantities, which can keep entry costs at a favorable level.

Another advantage is that in the event of damage to individual components, its replacement can be easily solved, it does not require special expertise, so the lifetime of the product can be long.

It can also be considered an advantage that the removable lid can be used for promotional purposes in addition to its functional use, and thus can also be used as a marketing tool, e.g. to increase for sales of beverages in metal cans.

The movable lid unit according to the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and on the basis of a drawing. In the drawing is:.

<FIG> show a possible variant of the removable lid <NUM> according to the invention, which can be retrofitted to the beverage cans made of metal used as a container <NUM> and removably. It can be seen that the removable lid <NUM> consists of two main pieces, It can be seen that the removable lid <NUM> consists of two main parts, the lid base <NUM> and the adapter <NUM>. The lid base <NUM> is basically formed by a pour opening <NUM> which is surrounded by one of the fastening elements <NUM>. This pour opening <NUM> serves to secure the removable lid <NUM> after it has been fixed the liquid can be poured from the container <NUM> through it, if appropriate, introduced into the container <NUM> through the pour opening <NUM>. The pour opening <NUM> of the lid base <NUM> is closed by the cap <NUM>. To this end, the cap <NUM> has a second fastening element <NUM> cooperating with one of the fastening element <NUM>, by means of which the cap <NUM> can be fastened to one of the fastening element <NUM> surrounding the pour opening <NUM> in a liquid-tight manner.

Preferably, one of the fastening elements <NUM> to the other fastening element <NUM> forms a pair of threads, which is common with screw caps.

The lid base <NUM> also includes a pressure reducing valve <NUM>, which is optional but may be advantageous in order to reduce the pressure of the carbonated beverage in the container <NUM> by means of this pressure reducing valve <NUM> before the cap <NUM> is opened.

It can be clearly seen in <FIG> that the adapter <NUM> is composed of a first clamping member <NUM> and a second clamping member <NUM>. The first clamping member <NUM> is provided at one end 31a with a join piece 31b and at the other end 31c with a connector 32d. The second clamping member <NUM> is provided at one end 32a with a second join piece 32b and at the other end 32c with another connector 32d.

The connector 31d of the end 31c of clamping member <NUM> is releasably connected to the another connector 32d of the other end 32c of the other clamping member <NUM>. Join piece 31b of the endpiece 31a of clamping member <NUM> and the other join piece 32b of another endpiece 32a of the other clamping member <NUM> are connected to the locking profile <NUM> forming part of the lid base <NUM> in the position of use of the removable lid <NUM>.

The locking profile <NUM> of the lid base <NUM> - in this embodiment - is the pin 13a, join piece 31b of one clamping member <NUM> and the other join piece 32b of the other clamping member <NUM> have a fork-like shape with jointing slot <NUM> which can be connected to the pin 13a. The pin 13a and join piece 31b and the other join piece 32b are connected to each other so that, on the one hand, the lid base <NUM> can pivot about the pin 13a in the jointing slot <NUM> join piece 31b and in the jointing slot <NUM> of the other join piece 32b. On the other hand, create a closure with a shape that excludes one of the clamping members <NUM> from opening randomly from endpiece 31a and the other clamping member <NUM> from another endpiece 32a.

Turning to <FIG>, it can be clearly seen that in a given embodiment, one connector 31d of the end 31c of one clamping member <NUM> consists of two curved forks spaced apart and having receiving sockets 31f. The another connector 32d of the other end 32c of the other clamping member <NUM> is the two-piece profiled anchor 32f which fits into the receiving sockets 31f.

In one of the clamping members <NUM> and the other clamping member <NUM> of the adapter <NUM>, the profiled anchors 32f of the another connector 32d abut into the receiving sockets 31f of one of the connector 31d, thus engage with the end 31c and the other end 32c in a closing manner into a structural unit.

Returning to <FIG>, it can also be seen that one of the clamping members <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> runs on the side support 31e facing the mantle 1b of the container <NUM>, and on another side support 32e of the other clamping member <NUM> facing the mantle 1b of the container <NUM> running all the way. The hook extensions <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, are ribs projecting from the side support 31e and another side support 32e.

Also shown in <FIG>, the side support 31e and another side support 32e can be provided with the anti-slip profiles <NUM> in addition to the hook extension <NUM>. The purpose of the anti-slip profiles <NUM> is to prevent the adapter <NUM> from rotating around the mantle 1b of the container <NUM> in the fixed position of the adapter <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows that the seal <NUM> is located on the side of the lid base <NUM> facing the adapter <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the seal <NUM> rests on the front side 1c of the container <NUM> on the one hand in the closed position of the lid base <NUM>. Alternatively, on the surface of one of the clamping members <NUM> and the other clamping member <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> facing the lid base <NUM>. As a result, in the closed position of the lid base <NUM>, the seal <NUM> prevents liquid from leaking out of the container <NUM> between the adapter <NUM> and the contact surfaces of the container <NUM> or the adapter <NUM> and the lid base <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows that the closing projection <NUM>, which has locking member 14a, is located in the part of the lid base <NUM> opposite the locking profile <NUM>. The closing projection <NUM> of the lid base <NUM> cooperates with another locking member <NUM> formed on the adapter <NUM> and is intended to prevent the lid base <NUM> from opening accidentally when the lid base <NUM> is closed and to tension the lid body seal <NUM> onto the adapter <NUM> and the container <NUM>. on the front.

A particular embodiment of the other locking member <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. In this case, the other locking member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, a shape formed at the end 31c of one of the clamping members <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> in the vicinity of one of the connector 31d, projecting from the end 31c of one clamping member <NUM> in a direction opposite to the side support 31e of one clamping member <NUM>.

The shape of this shape is adapted to the closing projection <NUM>, which has one locking member, i.e. an opening, formed according to the shape of the other locking member <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the closed position of the movable lid unit <NUM> according to the usage pattern mounted on the container <NUM>. Locking member 14a of the closing projection <NUM> of the lid base <NUM> surrounds another locking member <NUM> projecting from one of the clamping members <NUM> of the adapter <NUM>, thereby closing and tensioning the seal <NUM> on the front side 1c of the container <NUM> by means of the lid base <NUM>. In this position, the hook extensions <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> engage under the rim 1a of the container <NUM>, thus preventing the adapter <NUM> from detaching upwards from the container <NUM> in the position shown in <FIG>. While the anti-slip profiles <NUM> "clings" to the mantle 1b of the container <NUM> and thus do not allow the adapter <NUM> to rotate around the mantle 1b of the container <NUM>. To this end, the anti-slip profiles <NUM> may be spikes, surface roughness or other friction-increasing surfaces projecting from the side support 31e of one of the clamping members <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> and another side support 32e of the other clamping member <NUM>.

It should be noted here, that one of the clamping members <NUM>, the other clamping member <NUM> and the lid base <NUM> forming the adapter <NUM> of the movable lid unit <NUM> according to the pattern can be formed of plastic, preferably by injection molding. The seal <NUM> is made of a flexible material, e.g. rubber plate with an annular shape. It is also important to note that, in a particular embodiment, the closing projection <NUM> protruding from the lid base <NUM> must also be capable of sufficient resilient deformation in order to open first during the closing of the lid base <NUM> so that another locking member <NUM> protruding from the adapter <NUM> can pass. Then, after leaving it, return to its original position - and, as shown in <FIG> - receives the other locking member <NUM> into the locking member 14a of the closing projection <NUM>.

The removable lid <NUM> according to the invention is used as follows. First, one clamping member <NUM> and the other clamping member <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> of the removable lid <NUM> are to be assembled. For this, one connector 31d at the end 31c of one clamping member <NUM> and another connector 32d formed at the other end 32c of the other clamping member <NUM> must be connected to each other. Then, the curved one clamping member <NUM> and the other clamping member <NUM> can be placed near the rim 1a of the mantle 1b of the container <NUM>, and then endpiece 31a of one clamping member <NUM> and another endpiece 32a of the another clamping member <NUM> are brought closer to each other one clamping member <NUM> and other clamping member <NUM> of the body, like two jaws of a plier, enclose the container <NUM>.

The hook extensions <NUM> projecting from the side support 31e of one clamping member <NUM> and another side support 32e of the other clamping member <NUM> engage in a groove formed by the transition between the rim 1a and the mantle 1b of the container <NUM>. While the anti-slip profiles <NUM> of the side support 31e of one clamping member <NUM> and another side support 32e of the other clamping member <NUM> rest on the mantle 1b of the container <NUM>.

When the hook extensions <NUM> of one clamping member <NUM> and the other clamping member <NUM> are fixed to the container <NUM>, the pin 13a of the locking profile <NUM> of the lid base <NUM> can be inserted into the jointing slot <NUM> of the join piece 31b formed at endpiece 31a other join piece 32b into jointing slot <NUM>. Thereby, one of the clamping members <NUM> and the other clamping member <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> is fastened to each other, and the adapter <NUM> is secured to the container <NUM> in one step.

It should be noted here that in the fully assembled position of the adapter <NUM>, the end 31c and the other end 32c of the adapter <NUM> are positioned relative to each other such that in the present embodiment one of the clamping member <NUM> is formed at the end 31c the locking member is in a suitable position to receive the closing projection <NUM> of the lid base <NUM>.

The lid base <NUM> connected to the adapter <NUM> can be rotated about the pin 13a of the locking profile <NUM>, so that it can be folded onto the front side 1c of the container <NUM> and it can be inverted from there. When the lid base <NUM> is rotated, the seal <NUM> attached to the lid base <NUM> seals the surface of one of the clamping member <NUM> and the other clamping member <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> and the part of the front side 1c of the container <NUM> around the rim 1a.

When, as the lid base <NUM> is folded in, the closing projection <NUM> projecting from the lid base <NUM> reaches the second locking member <NUM> projecting laterally from the adapter <NUM>, the resilient closing projection <NUM> slides slightly on the outer surface of the other locking member <NUM>. During further folding of the lid base <NUM>, the closing projection <NUM> slides on the second locking member <NUM> until the locking member 14a of the closing projection <NUM>, i.e. the opening formed in the closing projection <NUM> and conforms to the shape of the other locking member <NUM>, in front of a locking body. When the elastic deformation of the closing projection <NUM> ceases and the closing projection <NUM> recedes towards the mantle 1b of the container <NUM>.

Locking member 14a of the backwardly moving closing projection <NUM> receives the other locking member <NUM>, and the lid base <NUM> is locked in the closed position.

In the closed condition of the lid base <NUM>, by rotating the cap <NUM>, the other fastening element <NUM> twists around one of the fastening elements <NUM> surrounding the pour opening <NUM> of the lid base <NUM>, the cap <NUM> becomes removable and the contents of the container <NUM> can be extracted from the container <NUM>.

If the material in the container <NUM> is under pressure and in the meantime the gas absorbed therein can be released, the pressure in the container <NUM> can be reduced by means of the pressure reducing valve <NUM> before unscrewing the cap <NUM>. It should be noted here; that the pressure reducing valve <NUM> can be any commercially available component, so it is unnecessary to describe it.

When the container <NUM> is emptied, by removing the closing projection <NUM> of the lid base <NUM> from the mantle 1b of the container <NUM>, locking member 14a also moves and protrudes from the other locking member <NUM> and allows the lid base <NUM> to be rotated around the pin 13a. The lid base <NUM> can then be rotated over the front side 1c of the container <NUM>, which also allows the locking profile <NUM> to be pushed out of the jointing slot <NUM> forming join piece 31b of the endpiece 31a of one clamping member <NUM> and the other join piece 32b of another endpiece 32a of the other clamping member <NUM> consisting of jointing slot <NUM>. After separating the lid base <NUM> and the adapter <NUM>, one clamping member <NUM> and the other clamping member <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> can be removed from each other and the adapter <NUM> can be removed from the emptied container <NUM>.

It should be noted here that the join piece of one clamping member <NUM> and the other clamping member <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> can be realized not only by join piece 31b and another join piece 32b as described in the illustrated embodiment, but also by one connector 31d and another connector 32d a form-fitting bond may also be suitable. In each case, however, an important requirement is that the adapter <NUM> consist of two structural elements which can be releasably connectable to one another, the shape of which adapts to the external shape of the container <NUM>.

It is also understood that the seal <NUM> can be connected not only to the lid base <NUM> but also to one of the clamping members <NUM> and/or the other clamping member <NUM> of the adapter <NUM>, but the variant described in the embodiment is more advantageous in terms of manufacturability and handling.

The removable lid according to the invention can be used in all cases where it is not possible to close the container after opening it, or it is expedient to use a gas-tight seal, especially in case of canned beverages containing carbonated drinks.

Claim 1:
A removable lid to close the opening of a container, in particular to reclose metal cans used for beverage after opening, which features a lid base (<NUM>) complete with a pour opening (<NUM>), a cap (<NUM>) to cover the pour opening (<NUM>), as well as connecting body (<NUM>), to connect the lid base (<NUM>) to the container (<NUM>); the lid base (<NUM>) has a first fastening element (<NUM>) located near the pour opening (<NUM>) while the cap (<NUM>) has a second fastening element (<NUM>) working in combination with the first fastening element (<NUM>), and the cap (<NUM>) is removably fastened to the pour opening (<NUM>) of the lid base (<NUM>) in a removable and replaceable manner by means of the second fastening element (<NUM>), wherein the connecting body (<NUM>) comprises a first clamping member (<NUM>) with a join piece (31b) on a first end (31a) and a connector (31d) on the second end (31c), and to a second clamping member (<NUM>) with a join piece (32b) on a first end (32a) and a connector (32d) on the second end (32c), wherein the connector (31d) of the first clamping member (<NUM>) is connected to the connector (32d) of the second clamping member (<NUM>) in a separable manner, and wherein the lid base (<NUM>) comprises a locking piece (<NUM>) rotatably coupled with the join piece (31b) of the first clamping member (<NUM>) and the join piece (32b) of the second clamping member (<NUM>), the first end (31a) of the clamping member (<NUM>) and the first end (32a) of the second clamping member (<NUM>) being interconnected through the locking piece (<NUM>) of the lid base (<NUM>), the side of each clamping member (<NUM>/<NUM>) facing the container (<NUM>) being a side support (31e/32e) wherein one or more hook extensions (<NUM>) are installed on each side support, and wherein the lid base (<NUM>) carries a seal (<NUM>) for closing on the connecting body (<NUM>) and/or container (<NUM>).