EP0340835A1

EP0340835A1 - Container for drinks

Info

Publication number: EP0340835A1
Application number: EP89201032A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hendrik Gerrit Heijting
Original assignee: Thomassen and Drijver Verblifa NV
Current assignee: Thomassen and Drijver Verblifa NV
Priority date: 1988-05-04
Filing date: 1989-04-20
Publication date: 1989-11-08
Also published as: NL8801179A

Abstract

Holder (1) with cylindrical wall (2), bottom and upper wall (3). Two cap-shaped portions (4,5) are arranged in the upper wall (3) roughly diametrically opposite one another. The cap-shaped portions (4,5) can be pressed in by the applying of a force. Placed on the upper wall (3) is a cover (6) in which openings (7,8) are arranged at the same angular distance relative to one another as the cap-shaped portions (4,5). Situated on the inside of the cover (6) is a stop (9) which, if the cover (6) is turned as far as a cap-shaped portion (4,5), presses this portion in and therefore opens the holder (1).

Description

The invention relates to a holder as described in the preamble to claim 1.
Such a holder is known from EP-A-0 000 091 amongst others.
By pressing in the cap-shaped parts such a can or holder can be opened easily. The one opening serves thereby for pouring the drink whilst the other serves for air release.
The use of such a holder for drinks which can easily have a soiling effect, for example by becoming encrusted, and which cause stains when spilled, for example coffee milk and the like, presents problems. Pressing in of the cap-like openings already involves the hazard of the milk squirting out of the can involuntarily or for example during storage in supermarkets, while there is further the considerable risk of spillage during pouring. There exists moreover a need for closing an already opened holder in the case, as with coffee milk, that the entire contents are not to be directly consumed.
The invention has for its object to offer a solution to the problems outlined above. This is achieved through the measures as described in the characteristic of claim 1.
According to the invention, arranging of the cover achieves not only that as a result of movement of the cover relative to the holder the holder can be opened easily, but also that the cover serves to close off the openings in the non-use position. In preference the stop part for pressing in a cap-shaped portion and thereby opening a holder is situated close to one of the openings. The contents of a holder are therefore accessible via the opening in the cover directly upon the holder being opened. To avoid spillage one of the openings preferably displays a pouring rim. The cover is preferably rotatable. Plastic is a suitable material for the manufacture of the cover. In order to prevent the holder being unintentionally opened as a result of turning of the cover, for example during transportation, the cover preferably displays a tear-off edge strip for blocking rotation. Once the edge strip has been torn off the cover can be rotated. This can also be achieved by for example a label.
The cover preferably further displays the characteristics as described in claim 8. By turning back the cover after opening of the holder the cylindrical parts come to lie in register with the openings in the holder, closing them off in a reliable manner. To this end the radius of the cylindrical parts is chosen somewhat greater than that of the cap-shaped portions.
It should be noted that the holder can consist of any suitable material, particularly tin, aluminium and the like (for example plastic).
The invention is elucidated with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a part of the holder according to the invention with the cover removed,
fig. 2 is a sectional view at the location of the cylindrical closing part in the cover, and
fig. 3 is a sectional view of the opening in the upper wall of the holder in the open position.

The holder 1 for drink, for example coffee milk, displays a cylindrical wall 2 and, as is usual, a lower wall (not drawn) and an upper wall 3. Arranged in the upper wall 3 are two approximately cap-shaped portions 4, 5. These capshaped portions are connected to the upper wall over only a part of their periphery with the respective lips 14 and 15, while the rest of the circular periphery displays a breaking line. The holder is hermetically closed on the inside by a circular plastic membrane.
According to the invention the cover 6 is placed on the holder 1. Arranged in the cover are two openings 7, 8 which are situated at the same angular distance relative to one another and at the same radial distance relative to the central point of the circular upper wall of the cover. When the cover is rotated in the direction of the arrow the openings 7, 8 move to the respective portions 4 and 5, whereby the rising stop edges, for example 9, connecting in each case to the openings 7, 8 run up against the cap-shaped portions and when further rotated press these open to the position drawn in fig. 3. Both cap-shaped portions 4 and 5 are hereby pressed open, whereby one, 5 in the embodiment drawn, serves as air release opening and the other, 4 in the embodiment drawn, serves as pouring opening. Of use thereby is the pouring rim 10 connecting to the opening 7.
After use the holder can be closed again by rotating the cover in a direction opposite to the arrow in fig. 1, such that the cylindrical parts 12, 13 fall into register with the respective openings 4, 5. Due to the flexibility of the material of the cover it can move easily over the relief surface of edge 16 joining onto the respective openings 4 and 5 (see fig. 2) and close behind it in reliable manner. For this purpose the radius of the cylindrical parts 12, 13 is preferably somewhat greater than that of the cap-shaped portions 4, 5 of the upper wall of the holder.

Claims

1. Holder (1) for drinks, comprising a cylindrical wall (2) and a closing lower wall and an upper wall (3) whereby in one (3) of said closing walls at least two approximately cap-shaped portions (4, 5) are arranged only fixedly connected with said upper wall (3) over a part of their periphery, and whereby a sealing membrane for example of plastic which is airtight relative to said upper wall is arranged on the inside at the location of said cap-shaped portion, having arranged on said upper wall (3) a cover (6) moveable relative thereto wherein openings (7, 8) are arranged at the same angular distance relative to one other as in the case of said cap-shaped portions (4, 5), characterized in that said cover (6) displays at least one stop part (9) on the inside for pressing in a cap-shaped portion.

2. Holder (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the opening (8) connects up to the stop part (9).

3. Holder as claimed in claims 1-2, characterized in that one of the openings (7) displays a pouring rim (10).

4. Holder as claimed in claims 1-3, characterized in that the cover (6) is rotatable.

5. Holder as claimed in claims 1-4, characterized in that the cover (6) is made of plastic.

6. Holder as claimed in claims 1-5, characterized in that the cover (6) displays a tear-off edge strip (11) for blocking rotation.

7. Cover (6) for use with a holder as claimed in claims 1-6, characterized by at least two openings (7, 8) in the upper surface at least one of which is connected with a rising stop part (9) protruding on the inside.

8. Cover (6) as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the cover (6) displays two approximately cylindrical parts (12, 13) of flexible material protruding from the upper wall and situated at the same angular distance and at the same radial distance as the cap-shaped portions (4, 5).

9. Cover (6) as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the radius of the cylindrical parts (12, 13) is chosen somewhat greater than that of the cap-shaped portions (4, 5).