Container End-Closure Interlocks

Abstract

An interlocking container end closure which permits a plurality of containers to be joined together and the contents thereof mixed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not ApplicableFEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]Not ApplicableSEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field Of The Invention (Technical Field)[0005]This invention relates to a container design, and more specifically to container end closures.[0006]2. Background Art[0007]Containers equipped with “end closures” (or end closure containers) can be used to store materials in a variety of forms, but have historically been used on metallic containers to contain liquids such as soft drinks and other consumable liquids. These containers are generally comprised of materials such as aluminum and are interconnected to a beverage single “end closure” after being filled. The end closure is typically sealingly interconnected to an upper end of the beverage container by “double seaming” or other manners well known in the art. For these types of containers, the container is opened for consumption using an “ecolog...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]An embodiment of the present invention is the integration of two end closure interlock assemblies into one container—one interlock assembly located on the top end of the container, and the other located on the bottom end of the container. These interlocks are used to align and / or seal two stacked containers, and to create a fully contained opening between the containers to promote mixing of the container contents. As such, one aspect of the present invention preferably provides a container top interlock assembly that incorporates a stay-on tab; this interlock assembly can be used either for opening a single container, or for engaging the bottom interlock assembly on an adjacently stacked container. It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a bottom interlock assembly that can be engaged by the top interlock assembly of an adjacent, stacked container. It is yet another aspect of the present invention to create these interlocks such that the end closures do not prematurely leak or rupture when not engaged.

[0019]d. Providing catch bands on the TIA, catch band rings on the BIA, and a gasket on the BIA to facilitate irreversible coupling and sealing of two or more containers, and to create a leak proof seal at the interface;

[0025]j. Providing a BIA pivot tab stop and a TIA stay-on tab stop to prevent over-rotation of the adjoined containers once the openings are fully aligned;

[0027]Thus, the consumer can easily and conveniently join together two or more stacked containers, without damaging either container, and without spilling / leakage of the container contents, to promote mixing and dispensing of the container contents. This effort is limited to aligning the containers, coupling the containers by engaging the catch band and catch band rings, creating a sealed opening between the containers, and engaging the stay-on pull tab on the TIA to open the container. The present invention allows for minimal consumer education or effort in order to use this invention.

Problems solved by technology

The contents of these containers have always been at the discretion of the manufacturer, and the product options available to the consumer when purchasing a single container have always been limited to those provided by the manufacturer.

Due to the limitations of existing container designs, consumers cannot currently create their own mixture without first dispensing the products from their original containers.

This task is difficult when it is performed while in transit or when there is limited time or space.

Such are the constraints often posed when performing everyday tasks such as driving a car, biking, walking, etc.

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