GB2156772A

GB2156772A - A beverage can

Info

Publication number: GB2156772A
Application number: GB08508260A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jorge Monjo Burcet
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-04-04
Filing date: 1985-03-29
Publication date: 1985-10-16
Also published as: GB8508260D0; ES278701U; JPS60188128U; FR2562512A1; ES278701Y; DE3512208A1

Abstract

A beverage can having a scored pull-out section 4 for forming an opening in the container is provided with an adhesive protective sealing strip 7,8 partially covering the pull- out section and a surrounding area of the can against which a user places his or her lips when drinking from the can, so that when the section is removed, the protective strip comes away as well and provides a clean and sterile surface for the user's lips. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hygenic protective sealing strip for beverage containers BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hygenic protective sealing strip for beverage containers.

Metal cans are being increasingly used for commercial packaging of beverages, e.g. soft drinks, beer, and the like. The increasing commercial success of beverage cans is attributable to a number of advantages which metal containers offer, such as maintaining the contents in excellent and well-preserved condition, easy storage and transportation, economy, easy opening, and convenient and comfortable consumption of the contents, since in a majority of cases once these containers are opened they are used directly and immediately for consumption of the contents.

In this particular application of such containers, however, namely as consumption vessels, a drawback afflicting beverage cans may be encountered. When one uses the can as a direct consumption vessel and thereby applies his lips to the surface of the can, basic principles of hygiene may be violated, in that, prior to the instant of such contact the can has been transported, stored, and handled without precaution against contact with a myriad of possible contaminating materials and agents. Analyses carried out to determine contamination on the surfaces of samples of such containers taken from the marketplace have yielded alarming results.

The present invention enables the abovementioned drawback to be fundamentally corrected, by means both simple and economical, without materially raising the cost of the container or making it more difficult for the consumer to use. The invention thus provides significant practical advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a beverage can is provided with a hygienic protective sealing strip, of a flat and naturally flexible strip material, e.g., a plastic, a waterproofed paper, a metal- foil, or the like, which is affixed to and conformed to the exterior surface of the can, for example by means of an adhesive which is not liable to alter the taste or any other characteristic of the contents of the can, which is resistant to temperature changes, and which is generally harmless to the consumer. Preferably, the adhesive is combined with the pretective strip during the process of fabrication of the strip, thus rendering the strip adhesive. Alternatively, it is possible for the adhesive to be applied during the process of positioning and fixing the strip on the container which is to be protected.

The positioning of the strip preferably is such that it covers a part of the top surface of the container, so as to cover and physically isolate the underlying exterior surface area of said top surface face as well as a part of the rim and the side wall of the container, covering at least a region to which a user will apply his or her lips when consuming the contents of the container. Accordingly, the covered region is isolated from the surroundings prior to use.

According to an important feature of the invention, the protective strip may be applied so as to cover at least part of a removable (or openable) tap used for creating an opening in the can, such that in order to separate and open up the tab one must also open up or separate the strip.

In this connection it may be arranged that when opening the can in the norrmal fashion, e.g., by pulling a ring or the like which is attached to the removable (or openable) tab, this simultaneously causes the protective sealing strip to open, thereby exposing a region of the surface of the can which is clean and sterile due to its having been previously covered and protected. The self-adhesive strip may, furthermore, be used after the container has been opened, for example to affix the removable tab to some point on the surface of the can with ensuing benefits in environmental protection.The hygienic protective sealing strip may also be used as a substrate for the imprinting of advertising text, instructions for use of the contents, etc.; and the underside, in particular, of the strip, which is hidden until the can is opened, may be imprinted with items such things as game items, contest items, coupons which confer the right to obtain specific premiums, and the like.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description and claims read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a can equipped with a protective sealing strip in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a part of the can.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODI MENTS The invention is applicable. for example to a common can of the type typically used commercially for packaging beverages as shown in the drawings. The can has a generally cylindrical shape, with a side wall 1 affixed to a top 2 by means of a rolled edge 3, the top including a tab 4 which is joined to the rest of the top along a scope line 5 and which can be easily torn away. The tab is provided with a ring or handle element 6 via which the appropriate tension can be applied to bring about opening of the tab and thus opening the can.

It is readily seen that the specific characteristics of the can (shape, proportions, structure, system of opening, etc.) are completely independent of and unaffected by the invention, such that they may be varied quite widely and still remain within the scope of the invention.

Further, the invention is also applicable to containers partially or completely comprised of nonmetallic materials, e.g. plastic, cardboard, etc.

Basically, according to the invention, a flexible flat strip is disposed on and affixed to the can having the described form, by means of a suitable adhesive. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the strip is comprised of two distinct pieces, identified as 7 and 8 respectively. One of these pieces, piece 7, covers part of the top 2 of the can and is disposed at least partially over the removable tab 4, while the other piece, piece 8, covers an area of the side wall 1. The piece also extends over a border zone of this wall and is overlapped by piece 8. Thus when the tab 4 is pulled up and out, automatically and necessarily the first piece 7 is also removed, and the latter in turn causes the second piece 8 to be removed.

There are a number of advantages associated with the division of the protective strip into two distince pieces, particularly with regard to automated positioning of the protective sealing strip on the can. However, it should be understood that the strip may alternatively be comprised of a single piece without sacrificing anything of critical importance.

Conceivably, also, it may be divided into three or more pieces, disposed such than when the first is removed the second and following pieces will be removed as well.

Finally, it should be understood that the can, or at least the regions of the can to which the strip is adhesively affixed, should be cleaned and possibly sterilized before the protective strip is placed on and affixed to said regions of the can. In this connection, it is possible to carry out the sterilization in the same process as that whereby the protective strip is applied by automatic means; and it is possible to select the adhesive employed to affix the protective strip such that the adhesive itself has sterilized properties. It is preferred to apply adhesive to the protective strip during manufacture of the strip whereby an adhesive-backed strip is produced.

It should be understood, that practical embodiments of the hygienic protective sealing strip described may also include modifications and additional features in the nature of details which do not affect or alter the essence of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1. In combination with a closed beverage container having tear away means for providing an opening in the container, a hygienic protective sealing strip adhered to an outer surface area of the container at least partially surrounding the rear away means for covering a part of the container against which a user places his or her lips when drinking from the container through said opening.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the strip at least partially covers the tear away means for removal thereof with the tear away means

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the container has a peripheral side wall and a top wall, the tear away means comprising a pull tab in the top wall.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the protection strip extends over the tear away portion of the pull tab and down a part of the side wall of the container.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the protective strip comprises a first piece covering the tear away portion of the pull tab and extending partway down the side wall, and a second piece partly overlapping the first piece and extending further down the side wall

6. The invention of claim 3 wherein the container is a metal beverage can.