Sealed container

Abstract

A container (1) for the storage of a carbonated drink, comprising a container body with an opening that defines an axis and a removable closure (3) for closing the opening, the closure including a foil (2) for bonding to the container to close the opening in a gas-tight manner, the foil also being connected to, or interacting with, the closure, such that initial rotation of the closure in a loosening direction relative to the container body distorts or deforms the foil in a manner such that further rotation of the. closure results in a peel force being applied to the bond between the foil and the container.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to containers, and particularly relates to containers for supplying beverages to consumers. The invention has particular utility for the storage and supply of carbonated and other sparkling drinks, but may also be used with other types of drinks or other contents.BACKGROUND ARTFor many years there has been a desire among drinks suppliers and container manufacturers to provide practical wide-mouth beverage supply containers which consumers may drink from comfortably in the same manner as from a drinks glass or other drinking vessel, particularly in relation to carbonated drinks such as beers, etc. Despite the tremendous advantages that such a beverage container would provide for drinks suppliers, container manufacturers and consumers alike, no successful beverage container that fulfils these aims has yet been produced. Consequently, bottles and ring-pull cans currently remain the main practical beverage supply containers for consumers. Thi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Preferably, the closure means or cap provides physical support for the foil, e.g. by limiting the extent to which it can be distorted by pressure increases within the container and / or by reinforcing the connection between the foil and the container. The cap may be generally annular so it lies over the perimeter of the foil around the periphery of the opening and thus assists in holding the foil in contact with the container. In some cases this may also provide sufficient obstruction to limit bowing out of the foil due to internal pressure but, preferably, the cap extends across the entire foil both to provide further obstruction to deflection of the foil, particularly at the centre thereof, but also to protect the foil against damage from physical contact with external objects which might puncture the foil and / or impair its integrity. The cap thus strengthens and / or protects the connection of the foil with the container and provides puncture protection for the foil.

In a preferred embodiment, a projection is provided on the underside of the closure means to reinforce the bond between the foil and the container body. The projection may comprise a bore seal which presses the foil into contact with an internal surface of the container body. This also facilitates the formation of an induction weld therebetween.

References to foil herein include impervious laminates comprising one or more layers which give the foil strength and one or more layers for attaching the upper and / or lower surface of the foil to another article. Such foils are widely used in other fields. Where the foil is to be secured by induction heating, an electrically conductive layer is required. This is usually a metallic layer and most commonly a layer of aluminium. The electrically conductive layer is typically provided with one or more plastic coatings, e.g. of polyethylene, which melt when the electrically conductive layer is heated to bond the foil to an article held in contact therewith. Such foils can be bonded to both glass and plastic articles. Preferably, the foil is constructed so that it can be pre-shaped to facilitate easy assembly of the closure means and bonding to the container body.

The foil is preferably secured to the container in a manner capable of withstanding elevated internal pressures. Laminated foils comprising two or more layers of aluminium are now available which are capable of withstanding pressures of up to 5-6 bar (as might arise if a carbonated drinks container is subject to high temperatures). As well as preventing the egress of gas, the foil also protects the container from ingress of gas, so helps prevent contamination of the beverage and prevent it becoming stale. With such a foil, the beverage container can have a shelf-life of several months, eg 4 months or more (as typically required for beers and other carbonated drinks sold in containers).

In some embodiments, the foil may be constructed so as to reduce the amount by which it deflects under a given internal pressure. This may be achieved, for example, by suitable choice of materials for a laminate foil. In particular, if one layer of the laminate is more flexible or stretchable in one direction compared to a perpendicular direction, a crossed-laminate may be used, i.e. in which two such layers are orientated in different directions (preferably perpendicular to each other).

The foil may also provide tamper evidence in that if the foil is intact it provides the consumer with reassurance that the product has not been tampered with or previously opened or otherwise exposed to the external atmosphere. This function is further enhanced if the cap is formed of a transparent material.

Problems solved by technology

Despite the tremendous advantages that such a beverage container would provide for drinks suppliers, container manufacturers and consumers alike, no successful beverage container that fulfils these aims has yet been produced.

This is because there are significant technical problems associated with wide-mouth containers to overcome, and no practical solution to the problems has successfully been devised.

One of the problems with using a foil seal with a closure means that is designed to be moved by rotating relative to the container body, is that the bond between the foil seal and the container has a high shear strength so it is very difficult to break this bond by a twisting action which applies a shear force to the bond.

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