Opening device with integrated straw and method of manufacturing the device

Abstract

The invention relates to an opening device (1) for a container (100) that is able to contain a liquid, the device comprising a lid (10) configured to be crimped onto a border of a body (2) of the container so as to close the latter, the lid comprising a straw housing (12) and an orifice (14), an external straw (30) made of elastomer fixed to the lid (10) so as to communicate with the orifice (14) and being able to be deformed elastically from a straight position, a slide coupled to the lid (10) so as to be movable between an opening position and a closing position for uncovering or recovering the straw housing (12) and the orifice (14), the slide being able to fold the external straw (30) into the straw housing (12) by elastic deformation from its straight position while passing from the opening position to the closing position, and to keep the external straw (30) folded in the straw housing (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening device with integrated straw for a container capable of containing a liquid as defined in claim 1, for example a container of the food can type, as well as such a container provided with such a device as defined in claim 8 and a method of manufacturing such a device and container as respectively defined by claims 9 and 11. Prior art

[0002] In a known manner, a food can comprises a rim closed by a lid crimped onto said rim, an opening area formed on said lid, and a push ring that a consumer actuates to cut out the opening area and thus be able to drink the beverage contained in the can through this opening.

[0003] These cans have the advantage of being able to be manufactured in large series at very low cost. However, they are unsatisfactory in terms of hygiene and safety for the consumer.

[0004] Indeed, cans are handled several times and stored, for a more or less long period, in all sorts of places between their exit from the factory and their release for consumption. This results in an accumulation of various bacteriological agents on the top of the can, which come into contact with the consumer's mouth when the latter is drinking the contents. There is a real risk of bacteriological or viral transmission for the consumer.

[0005] Furthermore, cans often contain sugary drinks that can attract mosquitoes, flies, bees, and wasps when opened during hot or humid weather. Without the consumer noticing, bees or wasps can enter an open can and dangerously sting the consumer in the mouth, causing serious incidents.

[0006] There are also cans equipped with straws, housed inside or outside the latter, which, although they improve hygiene conditions for the consumer, require a substantial modification of the manufacturing process of the can, to the detriment of its cost, while not solving the aforementioned safety problem. Furthermore, in recent years, environmental issues have involved limiting the use of plastic materials in order to limit their release into nature, or even eliminating certain plastic objects such as non-recyclable individual straws, used until now, in particular in the aforementioned solutions. KR 200 182 113 Y1 discloses an example of a can comprising a straw and a lid with a movable part according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] There is therefore a need to develop a device for opening a container that provides good hygiene and safety conditions for the consumer and limits the impact on the environment, while remaining simple in order to maintain control over the manufacturing cost of such a container. Statement of the invention

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to an opening device for a container capable of containing a liquid, the device comprising: a lid configured to be crimped onto a rim of a body of the container so as to close the latter, the lid comprising a straw housing and an orifice adjacent to the straw housing, an outer elastomer straw hermetically attached to the lid so as to communicate with the orifice and being capable of elastically deforming from an upright position, a slide coupled to the lid so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position making it possible to uncover or cover the straw housing and the orifice, the slide being capable of folding at least partially the outer straw into the straw housing by elastic deformation from its upright position when passing from the open position to the closed position, and of keeping the outer straw folded into the straw housing, in the closed position.

[0009] In this disclosure, the terms "internal", "external" and their derivatives refer to the container, in particular to the interior and exterior of the container, when the lid is crimped to the container. It is therefore understood that the external straw is attached to the lid so as to extend outside the container, when the lid is crimped to the container. It is also understood that the orifice of the lid allows the interior of the container to be put in communication with the exterior. Thus, a user can drink the contents of the container via the external straw, the latter communicating fluidly with the orifice, and therefore with the interior of the container when the lid is crimped to the container.

[0010] Similarly, the terms "upper", "lower" and their derivatives refer to the orientation of the lid when it is crimped to the container. Thus, a lower lid face corresponds to the face of the lid facing the inside of the container, and an upper lid face corresponds to the face of the lid facing the outside of the container.

[0011] The outer straw is made of an elastomeric material, preferably with shape memory, such as silicone. The term "straight position" of the outer straw means a vertical position when the lid is crimped to the container, or a position in which the straw extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the lid extends. This straight position is the position allowing a user to consume the contents of the container by sucking into the straw, and corresponds to a "natural", or original, position of the straw, in the absence of any deformation.

[0012] The slide is an opening / closing slide coupled to the cover, and therefore integral with the cover but capable of sliding relative to it, in order to allow the device to be opened and closed. In other words, the slide is fixed to the cover in such a way that it cannot be detached from the cover, but it can move relative to it while remaining in a plane parallel to the cover.

[0013] The closed position is the position in which the slider completely covers the straw housing and the opening. The straw housing and the opening are thus isolated from the outside. Furthermore, in the closed position, the outer straw is also covered by the slider, and is kept folded by the latter in the straw housing. This configuration also makes it possible to isolate the straw from the outside environment, before opening the container for consumption, or when the user does not wish to drink the entire contents of the container immediately. In the latter case, the consumer can temporarily close the container, for example for several hours. As a result, insects such as bees cannot land on the straw or enter the thus closed container, so that consumer safety is significantly improved.

[0014] Conversely, when the user wishes to drink the contents of the container, he simply slides the slider into the open position, for example by means of a gripping means arranged on the body of the slider. In doing so, the slider, then in its open position, reveals the straw housing and the orifice on which the straw is fixed. Thus, the external straw, previously held in a deformed position folded into the straw housing by the slider, can return to its original “natural” position, i.e. its straight position, by shape memory, allowing the consumer to bring his mouth to the straw and drink the contents of the container.

[0015] Again, the consumer can close the device by sliding the slider in the opposite direction, into its closed position. In its movement from the open position to the closed position, the slider pulls the outer straw into the straw housing.

[0016] Thus, this device allows a consumer to drink the contents of a container by sucking through the external straw, without direct contact with the container, the straw itself being able to be isolated from the outside when the user is not consuming the contents of the container. This configuration improves hygiene and reduces the risks of bacteriological or viral transmission. In addition, the opening device includes an integrated elastomer straw, the latter being attached to the lid. Thus, when the consumer throws away the empty container, the straw is still attached to the lid, and therefore to the container, and is therefore not released in isolation into nature. This configuration therefore makes it possible to limit the production of plastic waste, and thus reduce the impact on the environment.

[0017] In some embodiments, a bottom of the straw housing includes a vacuum vent extending through the lid.

[0018] The straw housing may be a recess in the lid, directed toward the inside of the container when the lid is crimped to the container. The vacuum vent allows the inside of the container to be connected to the outside when the slide is in the open position. This vent acts as a vacuum hole allowing air to pass through when a consumer sucks the contents of the container through the external straw.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the slide comprises on one of its faces at least one protuberance capable of crushing the external straw by elastic deformation against the bottom of the straw housing so as to block the vacuum vent, when the slide is in the closed position.

[0020] The protrusion extends from a lower face of the slider toward the bottom of the straw housing. Thus, when the slider is in the closed position, the outer straw is not only kept folded into the straw housing, but also crushed into the bottom of the housing by the protrusion. In other words, the protrusion exerts a force on the straw to press it against the bottom of the housing, in which the vacuum vent is formed.

[0021] This configuration thus allows, in the closed position, to hermetically reseal the vacuum vent via the external straw, then acting as a seal to ensure the device is watertight in the closed position. In addition, the protrusion exerting force on the straw firmly pinches the latter, which also allows the external straw to be hermetically sealed, thus isolating the interior of the container from the outside. Consequently, when the slide is in the closed position, the lid opening and the vacuum vent are hermetically isolated from the outside, which further improves hygiene and safety conditions for the consumer.

[0022] The device further comprises an internal straw attached to the lid so as to communicate with the orifice of the lid and with the external straw, and being adapted to be disposed inside the container when the lid is crimped to said container.

[0023] It is understood that, when the lid is crimped to said container, the inner straw extends from a lower face of the lid toward the interior of the container. Both the inner straw and the outer straw are hermetically secured to the lid, facing the opening of the lid. The inner straw preferably extends to a vicinity of the bottom of the container, thus allowing a consumer to easily drink the entire contents of the container, by sucking through the outer straw.

[0024] In some embodiments, one end of the slide is configured to abut against the outer straw when moving from the open position to the closed position so as to fold it into the straw housing, said end comprising a guide notch of complementary shape to the outer straw and being capable of receiving the outer straw when moving from the open position to the closed position.

[0025] The outer straw being preferably cylindrical, the notch has a curved shape, for example a semicircle, so that the straw is housed in the notch when the end of the slide abuts against the outer straw. This notch makes it possible to hold the straw laterally when it is folded into the straw housing. The guide notch thus makes it possible to guide the straw while folding it, allowing it to be stored appropriately in the straw housing.

[0026] In some embodiments, the lid is an intermediate lid, the device further comprising a top lid attached to the intermediate lid and comprising a window disposed opposite the straw housing, the slide being disposed between the intermediate lid and the top lid.

[0027] The upper cover can be fixed to the upper face of the intermediate cover, for example by welding. The assembly thus forms a double wall between which the slide is located, and between which the latter can slide to move from the open position to the closed position, and vice versa. It is understood that the window is arranged opposite the straw housing such that in the open position, the presence of the window in the upper cover allows the straw to be deployed in its upright position. The upper cover constitutes a simple means of keeping the slide secured to the intermediate cover, while allowing it to slide between the intermediate cover and the upper cover.

[0028] In some embodiments, the top cover includes a hole adjacent the window and disposed opposite a receptacle of the intermediate cover, and the slide includes a safety stud connected to a main body of the slide via a joint such that, in the closed position, the safety stud projects outwardly through the hole of the top cover, and upon transition from the closed position to the open position, the joint is configured to break, the safety stud then falling into the receptacle of the intermediate cover.

[0029] The receptacle may be a local recess in the intermediate cover, adjacent to the straw housing. The safety stud may have a substantially cylindrical or truncated cone shape, at least one upper end of which projects outside the hole in the upper cover. The safety stud thus makes it possible to hinder the movement of the slide towards the open position. It is necessary to exert sufficient force on the slide gripping means in the opening direction to allow the junction between the safety stud and the slide to break, and thus the slide to open. In doing so, the safety stud moves from a high position, in which it projects outside the hole, to a low position after the junction has broken, in which it falls by gravity into the receptacle in the intermediate cover.

[0030] The safety stud thus constitutes a safety device making it possible to limit unwanted openings of the slide, before the first use of the device, in particular during the transport or storage of containers. In addition, the low position of the safety stud makes it possible to indicate that the device has been opened at least once.

[0031] In some embodiments, the security stud has a frustoconical shape, with a larger diameter end of the security stud having a diameter larger than the diameter of the hole in the top cover.

[0032] It is understood that a larger diameter end is arranged on a lower side of the hole in the upper cover, and the smaller diameter end is arranged on an upper side of said hole. The diameter of the end of the larger diameter stud being greater than the diameter of the hole in the upper cover, the safety stud cannot therefore escape through the hole, even when the junction between the stud and the slide is broken, and even when the container is turned upside down. This makes it possible to further limit the production of waste, in particular the rejection of small plastic elements, thus limiting the impact on the environment.

[0033] The outer straw and the inner straw each include a base and a main body extending from the base, the base of the inner straw being secured to the lid, the base of the outer straw being sandwiched between the base of the inner straw and the lid.

[0034] The base of the inner straw can be fixed to the underside of the lid, for example by riveting. The base of the outer straw is also fixed to the underside of the lid by being inserted between the base of the inner straw and the lid. In this configuration, the body of the outer straw extends from its base outwards through the hole in the lid. Inserting the base of the outer straw between the base of the inner straw and the lid allows it to be compressed. The base of the outer straw, also made of elastomer, thus acts as a seal to improve the sealing of the device.

[0035] In some embodiments, the slide has an arcuate shape and is capable of moving from the closed position to the open position by rotation.

[0036] Since the opening device is preferably used on cylindrical containers of the can type, this shape of the arcuate slide is particularly suitable, and provides the necessary clearance for the deployment of the external straw when moving from the closed position to the open position.

[0037] The invention also relates to a container capable of containing a liquid and comprising a container body and an opening device according to the first aspect, a rim of the container body being closed by the lid of the opening device crimped onto said rim.

[0038] In some embodiments, the container may be of the metal food can type.

[0039] In some embodiments, the container is a first container comprising a body having a lower end, and an upper end on the rim of which is crimped the lid of the opening device, the upper end being configured to fit into a lower end of a body of a second container similar to the first container, when stacking the second container on the first container.

[0040] It is thus understood that the size of the opening device is such that it does not exceed the size of the devices usually used on can-type containers, and does not hinder the stacking, and therefore the transport and storage, of these cans.

[0041] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an opening device according to the first aspect, the method comprising: providing a lid comprising a straw housing and an orifice, an outer elastomer straw capable of elastically deforming from a straight position, and a slide, fixing the outer straw to the lid so as to communicate with the orifice of the lid, placing the slide on the lid so as to close the straw housing and to keep the outer straw folded in the straw housing by elastic deformation.

[0042] In some embodiments, the lid is an intermediate lid, the method further comprising attaching a top lid to the intermediate lid by placing a window of the top lid opposite the straw housing, the slide being disposed between the intermediate lid and the top lid.

[0043] The method further comprises attaching an inner straw to the lid so as to communicate with the orifice of the lid and with the outer straw, the inner straw being adapted to be disposed within the container when the lid is crimped to said container.

[0044] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a container capable of containing a liquid, the method comprising manufacturing an opening device by a method according to the third aspect above, and comprising crimping the lid of the opening device onto a rim of a body of the container, so as to close the latter. Brief description of the drawings

[0045] The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the detailed description given below of different embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples. This description refers to the appended pages of figures, in which: [ Fig. 1A-1B ] THE figures 1A et 1B are perspective views of a container conforming to this disclosure, in the closed position ( figure 1A ) and in the open position ( figure 1B ), [ Fig. 2A-2B ] There figure 2A is a top view of the container of the figure 1A , and the figure 2B is a top view of the container of the figure 1B , [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an opening device in accordance with this disclosure, [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a perspective view of a section of a container conforming to the present disclosure, [ Fig. 5A-5B ] THE figures 5A et 5B represent partial views of a section of the straw housing of a container conforming to the present disclosure, in the open position ( figure 5A ) and in the closed position ( figure 5B ), [ Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a perspective view of the slide of a container conforming to the present disclosure, [ Fig. 7A-7B ] THE figures 7A et 7B represent perspective views of the upper part of a section of a container conforming to the present disclosure, in the closed position before the first opening ( figure 7A ) and in the open position ( figure 7B ), [ Fig. 8A-8B ] THE figures 8A et 8B represent partial side views of the upper part of a section of a container according to the present disclosure, showing a first opening indicator before the first opening ( figure 8A ) and after the opening premiere ( figure 8B ), [ Fig. 9A-9E ] THE figures 9A à 9E represent side views ( figures 9A et 9B ) and from above ( figures 9C à 9E ) of an opening device in accordance with this disclosure, at different stages of the manufacture of the opening device, [ Fig. 10 ] There figure 10 is a perspective view of the slide of an opening device according to the present disclosure, at the end of its manufacture, [ Fig. 11A-11B ] THE figures 11A et 11B represent side sectional views of an upper portion of a container conforming to this disclosure, before crimping ( figure 11A ) and after crimping ( figure 11B ) of the opening device, [ Fig. 12 ] There figure 12 is a side of two containers conforming to the present disclosure, stacked on top of each other, [ Fig. 13 ] There figure 13 schematically represents the steps of the manufacturing process of a container conforming to this disclosure. Description of the embodiments

[0046] In the remainder of the description, the terms “internal”, “external” and their derivatives relate to the container 100, in particular to the interior and exterior of the container. Similarly, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below” and their derivatives relate to the orientation of the opening device 1 when the latter is crimped to the container body 2. Thus, a lower face of the intermediate lid 10 corresponds to the face of the lid facing the interior of the container 100, and an upper face of the lid corresponds to the face of the lid facing the exterior of the container 100.

[0047] THE figures 1A à 1B show a container 100 conforming to this disclosure, in a closed position when it has never been opened by a consumer ( figure 1A ), and in an open position ( figure 1B ). The container 100 comprises an opening device 1 fixed, more precisely crimped on a rim 2a (not visible on the figures 1A et 1B ) of a container body 2.

[0048] In this example, the container 100 is of the metal food can type. The opening device 1 comprises an intermediate cover 10, the edge 11 of which is crimped onto the edge 2a of the container body 2 to close said edge 2a. In particular, this edge 2a corresponds to the free edge of a side wall 2c of the container body 2, which is opposite the bottom 2b of the latter, often formed in one piece with the side wall 2c.

[0049] In this example, this can is therefore in every respect identical to any conventional can, and has dimensions corresponding to the standard dimensions of these conventional cans. It will be noted in this regard that the opening device according to the present disclosure applies to cans of all sizes and for all manufacturing materials that may exist, for example aluminum or varnished sheet metal. The container according to the present disclosure differs essentially from conventional cans in the structure and operation of the opening device.

[0050] The opening device 1 comprises the intermediate cover 10, an upper cover 40 fixed on the intermediate cover 10, and a slide 20 interposed between the intermediate cover 10 and the upper cover 40. The slide 20 is movable between an opening position ( figure 1B ) and a closing position ( figure 1A ).

[0051] An external straw 30 is fixed to the intermediate cover 10 and communicates with an orifice 14 of the intermediate cover 10. The external straw 30 is made of elastomer, for example silicone, and is capable of elastically deforming from its upright position, shown in the figure 1B .

[0052] In the open position, the slide 20 uncovers a straw housing 12 and the orifice 14 of the intermediate cover 10, and the outer straw 30 adopts its upright position when the slide 20 is in the open position, extending towards the outside of the container 100. In the closed position, the outer straw 30 is folded into the straw housing 12, i.e. elongated in the straw housing 12, and is held in this position by the slide 20. figures 2A et 2B represent a top view of the container of the figures 1A et 1B respectively.

[0053] In order to describe in more detail the operation of the opening device 1, the different elements constituting the opening device 1 are shown in the figure 3 , showing an exploded perspective view of the opening device.

[0054] The opening device 1 comprises an intermediate cover 10, a slide 20 arranged on the intermediate cover 10 and coupled thereto, an outer straw 30 fixed to the intermediate cover 10, an upper cover 40 fixed to the intermediate cover 10, and an inner straw 50 fixed under the intermediate cover 10.

[0055] The intermediate cover 10 is a stamped sheet metal, preferably made of aluminum, of circular shape, comprising a rim 11 intended to be crimped onto the upper rim 2a of the container body 100. The intermediate cover 10 comprises a main wall 11a surrounded by a rim 17 raised relative to the main wall 11a, and a central portion 11b generally circular, also raised relative to the main wall 11a, preferably by a height equal to the height of the raised rim 17 relative to the main wall 11a.

[0056] The main wall 11a has two recesses 12, 16 arranged on either side of the central portion 11b, forming arcuate cavities partially surrounding the central portion 11b. The term “recess” means a part of the main wall 11a offset towards the inside of the container, relative to the rest of the main wall 11a. The first recess is a straw housing 12, intended to receive the straw 30 when the slide 20 is in the closed position. The second recess is a slide housing 16, intended to receive the slide 20, and the protrusions 26 thereof (not visible on the figure 3 but described in more detail in the remainder of the description) when the latter is in the open position. The housings 12, 16 also make it possible to guide the slide 20 in its opening and closing movements. In addition, the bottom of the straw housing 12 comprises a depression vent 13 (not visible on the figure 3 ).

[0057] Between the straw housing 12 and the slide housing 16, the intermediate cover 10 comprises an orifice 14 intended to communicate with the internal and external straws 30, 50 so as to allow a consumer to drink the contents of the container. The orifice 14 is surrounded by a fixing portion 18, on which the internal and external straws 30, 50 are fixed, by means of a plurality of riveting pins 19 (partly hidden on the figure 3 ), arranged on a lower face of the fixing portion 18.

[0058] Finally, the intermediate cover 10 comprises a receptacle 15, formed by a recess in the main wall 11a. The recess forming the receptacle 15 is preferably less deep than that forming the straw housing 12 and the slide housing 16. The receptacle 15 makes it possible to receive the safety stud 28 of the slide 20, described in more detail in the remainder of the description, after a first opening.

[0059] The slide 20 is made of plastic material, preferably of the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) type. It comprises a flat main body 21 having an arcuate shape so as to be able to slide by rotation around the central portion 11b of the intermediate cover 10. An upper face of the main body 21 comprises a gripping means 24, for example a handle, allowing a consumer to move the slide between the closed position and the open position. A circumferential end of the main body 21 comprises a guide notch 22, intended to receive the external straw 30 and to guide the latter during the passage from the open position to the closed position, so as to accompany the external straw 30 towards the straw housing 12.This circumferential end of the main body 21 also comprises a safety stud 28 adjacent to the guide notch 22 and connected to the main body 21 via a junction 29 (hidden on the . figure 3 ). Finally, the slide 20 includes protrusions 26 (hidden on the figure 3 ), arranged on a lower face of the main body 21.

[0060] The secondary cover 40 is a flat sheet preferably made of aluminum, of circular shape, and comprises a main body 41. An edge of the main body 41, on a lower face of the latter, is intended to be fixed to the edge 17 of the intermediate cover 10, so that the slide 20 is interposed between the intermediate cover 10 and the upper cover 40. The main body 41 comprises a window 42 in the shape of an arc of a circle, similar to the shape of the main body 21 of the slide 20. The window 42 makes it possible to leave the straw housing 12, the orifice 14 and the external straw 30 visible when the slide 20 is in the open position. The main body 41 further comprises a hole 44 adjacent to the window 42 with a diameter preferably less than 3 mm, intended to receive the safety stud 28.

[0061] The outer elastomer straw 30 comprises a main portion 31 and a circular base 32. A first end of the main portion 31 is a free end, allowing a consumer to suck up the contents of the container. A second end of the main portion 31 is fixed to the base 32. The base 32 comprises a plurality of orifices 33 intended to receive the riveting pins 19. The base 32 is thus fixed on the lower face of the intermediate cover 10, such that the main portion 31 projects towards the outside of the container, via the orifice 14 of the intermediate cover 10. The main portion 31 is shorter than the main portion 51 of the inner straw 50 described below, and is preferably less than 5 cm, for example approximately equal to 3 cm.

[0062] The inner straw 50 is configured to extend inside the container body 2. It is preferably made of metal, and comprises for example an aluminum alloy. It comprises a main portion 51, which extends between a first end fixed to a circular base 52, and a second free end 54. The base 52 comprises a plurality of orifices 53 intended to receive the riveting pins 19. The base 52 is thus fixed on the lower face of the intermediate cover 10, such that the main portion 51 is arranged inside the container. It will be noted that the respective orifices 53 and 33 of the inner and outer straws 50, 30 are not necessarily distributed at regular intervals on the base 52, 32 around the main portion 51, 31. Thus, taking into account the arrangement of the orifices 53 and 33 shown in the figure 3 , only one fixing position is possible. Indeed, the main portion 51 is not vertical, that is to say perpendicular to the plane comprising the base 52, but inclined relative to it. The irregular arrangement of the orifices 53, involving a single fixing position, therefore makes it possible to ensure that the position of the main portion 51 inside the container body 2 is appropriate ( figure 4 ).

[0063] There figure 4 represents a perspective view of a section of the container 100, allowing the interior thereof to be viewed, when the opening device 1 is crimped onto the container body 2. In this example, the slide 20 is in the open position, and the main portion 31 of the external straw 30 projects outwards in its upright position.

[0064] Furthermore, the main portion 51 of the internal straw 50 extends inside the container body 2, up to the free end 54. The length of the main portion 51 is such that when the opening device 1 is crimped to the container body 2, of conventional dimensions, the free end 54 is located in the vicinity of the bottom 2b of the container body 2. The main portion 51 may for example have a length of approximately 10 cm. Furthermore, in a known manner, the bottom 2b has a curved shape, so as to form a gutter 2d on an external contour of the bottom 2b, making it possible to concentrate the remaining liquid in this region. Thus, the main portion 51 is not arranged vertically, but has an inclination allowing the free end 54 to be arranged in the vicinity of the gutter 2d, in particular opposite it, and closer to the side wall 2c than to the center of the bottom 2b of the container body 2.This arrangement makes it easier for the consumer to consume the beverage when the can is almost empty. Preferably, the main portion 51 forms an angle of between 5 and 10 degrees relative to a vertical direction.

[0065] THE figures 5A et 5B represent a detailed sectional view of the container 100, in particular of the slide 20 in the open position ( figure 5A ) and closing ( figure 5B ). In these figures, the cutting of the container 100 is carried out so as to cut the straw housing 12 at the level of the vacuum vent 13, arranged in the bottom of the straw housing 12. The vacuum vent 13 is a hole of small diameter, preferably less than 2 mm, allowing the interior of the container 100 to be connected to the exterior, when the slide 20 is in the open position. Thus, when a consumer sucks the contents of the container through the external straw 30, the vacuum generated inside the container 100 is compensated by this vacuum vent 13, allowing air to pass.

[0066] In the open position, the gripping means 24 abuts against an edge of the window 42 of the upper cover 40, preventing the slide 20 from moving further between the intermediate cover 10 and the upper cover 40. Furthermore, the guide notch 22 partially surrounds the main portion 31 of the external straw 30, then in its upright vertical position. When moving from the open position to the closed position, during which the slide 20 slides between the intermediate cover 10 and the upper cover 40, gradually closing the window 42 and gradually covering the straw housing 12, the guide notch 22 abuts against the main portion 31 of the straw 30. The guide notch 22 thus gradually accompanies the main portion 31 of the straw 30 by guiding it to the bottom of the straw housing 12, in the closed position.In the closed position, the main portion 31 is thus folded, the folding taking place in a region of the main portion 31 close to the base 32 (hidden on the . figure 5A ), in the gap existing between the fixing portion 18 and the slide 20.

[0067] In the closed position, the main portion 31 of the straw 30 is kept elongated in the straw housing 12, and pressed against the bottom of the latter, by means of the protuberances 26, visible on the figure 5B . In this example, the protrusions are three walls adjacent to each other, extending vertically from the lower face of the main body 21 of the slide 20. In the closed position, the protrusions 26 exert a force on the external straw 30, crushing the latter against the bottom of the straw housing 12, comprising the vacuum vent 13, which is thus blocked by the external straw 30 itself. The external straw 30 being made of elastomer, it acts as a seal allowing the vacuum vent 13 to be hermetically closed in the closed position, thanks to the action of the protrusions 26.

[0068] It will further be noted that the side walls of the central portion 11b, and of the rim 17 of the intermediate cover 10, act as radial stops, limiting the radial movements of the slide 20, and guiding the latter during its movements between the open position and the closed position. Furthermore, the central portion 11b and the rim 17 being raised by the same height relative to the main wall 11a, this height being substantially also equal to the thickness of the main body 21 of the slide, the side walls of the central portion 11b, and of the rim 17, the main wall 11a and the main body 41 of the upper cover 40 form a space E making it possible to enclose the slide 20, and guiding the latter in its movements.

[0069] A safety device and first opening indicator will be described in the following presentation, with reference to the figures 6, 7A, 7B And 8A, 8B . There figure 6 is a detailed perspective view of the slide 20. In this example, the safety stud 28 is connected to the circumferential end of the main body 21 also comprising the guide notch 22. The safety stud 28 is connected to the main body 21 via a junction 29. The junction 29 is a thin plastic portion, having a lower tensile strength than the rest of the slide. In this example, the safety stud 28 has a frustoconical shape, with a smaller diameter at the upper end than at the lower end.

[0070] After the opening device 1 has been manufactured, and before its first use, i.e. before the slide 20 is first opened, the slide is in the closed position. In this position, the safety stud 28 projects outwards, passing through the hole 44 in the upper cover 40, the hole 44 being arranged opposite the receptacle 15 in the intermediate cover 10 ( figures 7A And 8A ). The fact that the security stud 28 is visible protruding above the upper cover 40 indicates to the consumer that the device has never been opened before.

[0071] When first opened, the consumer must exert a sufficiently strong force on the gripping means 24 in the direction of the opening position, to be able to break the junction 29. After breaking the function 29, the safety stud 28, then separated from the main body 21 of the slide 20, falls by gravity, and is received by the receptacle 15 of the intermediate cover ( figures 7B And 8B ). In this position, the safety stud 28 no longer protrudes outwards via the hole 44. More precisely, the upper end of the safety stud 28 is arranged below the upper cover 40. This change in altitude of the safety stud 28 indicates to the consumer that the device has already been opened, even when the slider moves back into the closed position.

[0072] It will be noted, on the figures 8A et 8B , that the lower base of the safety stud 28 has a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the hole 44. This makes it possible to prevent the safety stud 28 from coming out through the hole 44, when the safety stud 28 is detached from the rest of the slide, and the container is placed upside down for example.

[0073] A method of manufacturing an opening device 1, and a container 100 in accordance with the present disclosure, will be described in the remainder of the disclosure, with reference to figures 3 And 9A à 11B .

[0074] The manufacturing of the container 100 firstly comprises the manufacturing of the opening device 1 (step S100), then the fixing of the opening device 100 to a container body 2 (step S200).

[0075] The manufacture of the opening device 1 firstly comprises the assembly of the different elements described above with reference to the figure 3 . More precisely, the external straw 30 is firstly assembled to the intermediate cover 10, by inserting the main portion 31 into the orifice 14 of the intermediate cover, from the lower face thereof (step S110). This assembly is carried out in such a way that the riveting pins 19 are inserted into the orifices 33 of the base 32 of the external straw 30.

[0076] The inner straw 50 is then assembled to the intermediate cover 10, on the lower face of the latter, in such a way that the riveting pins 19 are inserted into the orifices 53 of the base 52 of the inner straw 50 (step S120). At this stage, the riveting pins 19 are engaged both in the orifices 33 and in the orifices 53, the base 32 of the outer straw 30 being interposed between the base 52 of the inner straw 50 and the lower face of the fixing portion 18 of the intermediate cover 10 ( figure 9A ).

[0077] The riveting pins 19 made of aluminum sheet are then stamped (step S130), in other words crushed, allowing the riveting / riveting of the bases 32 and 52 to the intermediate cover 10 ( figure 9B ). Furthermore, the base 32 of the external straw 30, made of elastomer, crushed between the base 52 of the internal straw 50 and the intermediate cover 10, thus acts as a seal to ensure the sealing of this assembly.

[0078] Then, before assembling the slide 20 to the intermediate cover 10, the external straw 30, more precisely the main portion 31, is folded, for example manually, into the straw housing 20 (step S140). By holding the external straw 30 in this position ( figure 9C ), so that it does not deploy by itself by shape memory, the slide 20 is arranged on the main wall 11a of the intermediate cover 10, so as to cover the straw housing 12, the orifice 14, and also the external straw 30 kept folded in the straw housing 12 (step S150). The slide 20 is arranged so that the main body 21 is interposed radially between the central portion 11b and the edge 17 of the intermediate cover 10, and so that the safety stud 28 is arranged opposite the receptacle 15 ( figure 9D ).

[0079] The upper cover 40 is then arranged and fixed on the intermediate cover 10, so as to be surrounded by the edge 11 of the intermediate cover 10 (step S160). More precisely, an edge of the lower face of the main body 41 of the upper cover 40 is fixed on the edge 17 of the intermediate cover 10, for example by spot welding or welding bead. In addition to the edge 17, the upper cover can also be welded by its central part on the central portion 11b of the intermediate cover 10. The upper cover 40 is arranged so that the window 42 is opposite the main body 21 of the slide 20, the gripping means 24 passing through the window 42, and so that the safety stud 28 is engaged in the hole 44 ( figure 9E ).

[0080] There figure 10 represents a perspective view of the device 1 at the end of its manufacture and at the end of steps S110 to S160, after assembly and fixing of the various elements described above.

[0081] The manufacture of the container 100 then comprises the fixing of the opening device 1 to a container body 2, by crimping (step S200). More precisely, the figures 11A et 11B illustrate in detail an upper end of the side wall 2c of the container body 2. Initially, this upper end comprises a border 2a, then unfolded ( figure 11A ). The opening device 1 is arranged on the upper end of the container body 2, so that the edge 11 of the intermediate cover 10, also unfolded, rests on the edge 2a of the container body 2 (step S210).

[0082] Then the two edges 2a and 11 are folded and clamped together against the side wall 2c ( figure 11B ), so as to crimp the intermediate cover 10 to the container body 2 (step S220). At the end of these steps S210 and S220, a container 100 as illustrated in figure 1A for example, before the first opening, is obtained.

[0083] The opening device 1 according to the present disclosure is such that, after crimping onto the container body 2, the final size of the container 100 thus obtained is equivalent to the size of conventional cans. In other words, the elements such as the upper cover 40, the gripping means 24 or the safety stud 28 remain under a plane comprising the edge 11. In other words, the total height of the container 100, between its lower end and its upper end, is equivalent to the height of conventional cans. It is thus possible to stack two or more containers 100 on top of each other, by fitting the bottom 2b of the container body 2 onto the upper end of another container 100, in the same way as conventional cans ( figure 12 ). This fitting is also facilitated by the curved shape of the base 2b of the container body 2.

[0084] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it is obvious that modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various illustrated / mentioned embodiments may be combined in additional embodiments within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

1. An opening device (1) for a container (100) suitable for containing a liquid, the device comprising: - a lid (10) configured to be crimped onto an edge (2a) of a body (2) of the container so as to close the latter, the lid comprising a straw housing (12) and an orifice (14) adjacent to the straw housing, - an external straw (30) made of elastomer hermetically attached to the lid (10) so as to communicate with the orifice (14) and being able to deform elastically from a straight position, - an internal straw (50) attached to the lid (10) so as to communicate with the orifice (14) of the lid and with the external straw (30), and being able to be placed inside the container when the lid (10) is crimped to said container, - a slide (20) coupled to the lid (10) so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position allowing the straw housing (12) and the orifice (14) to be uncovered or covered, the slide (20) being able to at least partially fold the external straw (30) into the straw housing (12) by elastic deformation from its straight position when passing from the open position to the closed position, and to keep the external straw (30) folded in the straw housing (12), in the closed position, characterized in that the external straw (30) and the internal straw (50) each comprise a base (32, 52) and a main body (31, 51) extending from the base, the base (52) of the internal straw (50) being attached to the lid (10), the base (32) of the external straw (30) being sandwiched between the base of the internal straw and the lid.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a bottom of the straw housing (12) comprises a vacuum vent (13) passing through the lid (10), and the slide (20) comprises, on one of its faces, at least one protuberance (26) capable of crushing the external straw (30) by elastic deformation against the bottom of the straw housing so as to block the vacuum vent (13), when the slide is in the closed position.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of the slide (20) is configured to abut against the external straw (30) when passing from the open position to the closed position so as to fold the latter into the straw housing (12), said end comprising a guide notch (22) of a shape complementary to the external straw (30) and being capable of receiving the external straw during the passage from the open position to the closed position.

4. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lid is an intermediate lid (10), the device further comprising an upper lid (40) attached to the intermediate lid (10) and comprising a window (42) arranged facing the straw housing (12), the slide (20) being arranged between the intermediate lid (10) and the upper lid (40).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the upper lid (40) comprises a hole (44) adjacent to the window (42) and disposed facing a receptacle (15) of the intermediate lid (10), and the slide (20) comprises a safety stud (28) connected to a main body (21) of the slide (20) via a junction (29) such that, in the closed position, the safety stud (28) protrudes outwards through the hole (44) of the upper lid (40), and that when passing from the closed position to the open position, the junction (29) is configured to break, the safety stud (28) then falling into the receptacle (15) of the intermediate lid (10).

6. The device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the safety stud (28) has a frustoconical shape, one end of greater diameter of the safety stud (28) having a diameter greater than the diameter of the hole (44) of the upper lid (40).

7. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the slide (20) has the shape of an arc of a circle and is able to pass from the closed position to the open position by rotation.

8. A container (100) suitable for containing a liquid and comprising a container body (2) and an opening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, an edge (2a) of the container (2) being closed by the lid (10) of the opening device (1) crimped onto said edge (2a).

9. A method of manufacturing an opening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising: - providing a lid (10) comprising a straw housing (12) and an orifice (14), an external straw (30) made of elastomer able to deform elastically from a straight position, and a slide (20), - attaching the external straw (30) and the internal straw (50) on the lid (10) so as to communicate with the orifice (14) of the lid, and so that the base (32) of the external straw (30) is interposed between the base (52) of the internal straw (50) and the lid (10), - placing the slide (20) on the lid so as to close the straw housing (12) and to keep the external straw (30) folded into the straw housing (12) by elastic deformation.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the lid is an intermediate lid (10), the method further comprising attaching an upper lid (40) to the intermediate lid (10) by placing a window (42) of the upper lid facing the straw housing (12), the slide (20) being arranged between the intermediate lid (10) and the upper lid (40).

11. A method of manufacturing a container (100) suitable for containing a liquid, the method comprising manufacturing an opening device (1) by a method according to claim 9 or 10, and comprising crimping the lid (10) of the opening device (1) on an edge (2a) of a body (2) of the container, so as to close the latter.

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