Pressure equalization apparatus for a container and methods associated therewith

Abstract

A device is provided that assists with equalizing air pressure within a container with the atmospheric air pressure as liquid is being poured from the container and includes one or more relatively short air tubes. The device is provided with the ability to simultaneously equalize pressure in the container while also providing a drip collection mechanism. The device may be configured for unidirectional pouring or multi-directional pouring.

Claims

1. A container, comprising: a container body configured to retain a fluid, the container body including an end closure having a first opening spaced from a second opening; a channel formed by a cover interconnected to an outer surface of the end closure and an indentation in the end closure positioned below the cover and associated with the second opening; and a selectively-removable member adhered to the end closure, the member comprising first end configured to cover the first opening and a second end configured to cover the second opening; wherein the second end of the selectively-removable member includes a portion configured for selective insertion into the channel that blocks the second opening, the portion ending in a tab configured to extend out of the channel, wherein the tab is used to remove the portion of the second end from the channel while leaving the cover in place.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the channel is a generally rectangular-shaped indentation comprising a first end wall adj acent to the second opening and a second end wall that extends towards the first opening, wherein the cover is positioned over the second end.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the selectively-removable member is interconnected to the end closure by way of an adhesive, a heat seal, a radio frequency weld, an ultrasonic weld, or a friction stir weld.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the selectively-removable member is comprised of a pealable coating.

5. A container end closure, comprising: a center panel interconnected to a chuck wall, the chuck wall ending in a peripheral curl adapted to interconnect to a container sidewall; a fluid opening in the center panel; an indentation in the center panel spaced from the fluid opening; an air opening located in the indentation; a cover interconnected to an outer surface of the center panel and positioned over the air opening, the indentation and cover defining a channel; and a selectively-removable member adhered to the center panel, the member comprising first end configured to cover the fluid opening and a second end configured to cover the air opening.

6. The end closure of claim 5, wherein the channel is a generally rectangular-shaped indentation comprising a first end wall adjacent to the air opening and a second end wall that extends towards the fluid opening.

7. The end closure of claim 5, wherein the second end of the selectively-removable member includes a portion configured for selective insertion into the channel and to block the fluid opening, the portion ending in a tab configured to extend out of the channel, wherein the tab is used to remove the portion of the second end from the channel while leaving the cover in place.

8. The end closure of claim 5, wherein the selectively-removable member is selectively interconnected to the center panel by way of an adhesive, a heat seal, a radio frequency weld, an ultrasonic weld, or a friction stir weld.

9. The end closure of claim 5, wherein the selectively-removable member is interconnected to the cover, wherein removal of the selectively-removable member from the end closure leaves at least a portion of the cover interconnected to the center panel and positioned over the air opening.

10. The end closure of claim 5, wherein the selectively-removable member is comprised of a pealable coating.

11. The container of claim 5, further comprising a foil layer interconnected to a bottom surface of the end closure.

12. The end closure of claim 11, wherein the foil layer includes a removable portion defined by a plurality of perforations that generally correspond to the outer periphery of the fluid opening, wherein removal of the selectively-removable member from the center panel removes at least a portion of the removable portion from the foil layer.

13. A container, comprising: a container body configured to retain a fluid, the container body including an end closure having a first opening spaced from a second opening; a channel formed by a cover interconnected to an outer surface of the end closure and an indentation in the end closure positioned below the cover and associated with the second opening; a selectively-removable member adhered to the end closure, the member comprising first end configured to cover the first opening and a second end configured to cover the second opening; and wherein the selectively-removable member is interconnected to the cover, wherein removal of the selectively-removable member from the end closure leaves at least a portion of the cover interconnected to the end closure and positioned over the second opening.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the channel is a generally rectangular-shaped indentation comprising a first end wall adj acent to the second opening and a second end wall that extends towards the first opening, wherein the cover is positioned over the second end.

15. The container of claim 13, wherein the selectively-removable member is interconnected to the end closure by way of an adhesive, a heat seal, a radio frequency weld, an ultrasonic weld, or a friction stir weld.

16. The container of claim 13, wherein the selectively-removable member is comprised of a pealable coating.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a container end closure of one embodiment of the present invention that employs a selectively-removable member to seal a fluid opening.

(3) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 is another top plan view of FIG. 1 wherein a cover has been removed for clarity.

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5.

(8) FIG. 7 is a detail view of FIG. 6.

(9) FIG. 8 is another top plan view of FIG. 1, wherein the selectively-removal member and cover had been removed for clarity.

(10) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8.

(11) FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that employs a selectively-removal member that covers a fluid opening.

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention similar to that shown in FIG. 1.

(13) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 wherein the selectively-removable member and cover have been removed for clarity.

(14) FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11.

(15) FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 13.

(16) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that employs a selectively-removable member the covers a fluid opening and an air opening in an end closure.

(17) FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of FIG. 15 with the selectively-removable member removed.

(18) FIG. 17 is a resealable end closure of another embodiment of the present invention.

(19) FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the end closure shown in FIG. 17.

(20) FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the end closure shown in FIG. 17.

(21) FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the end closure shown in FIG. 17.

(22) FIG. 21 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the end closure shown in FIG. 17.

(23) FIG. 22 is a detailed view of FIG. 21.

(24) FIG. 23 is a detailed view of FIG. 21.

(25) FIG. 24 is a detailed view of FIG. 21.

(26) FIG. 25 detailed view of the resealable end closure shown in FIG. 17.

(27) FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a resealable end closure of another embodiment of the present invention.

(28) FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the end closure shown in FIG. 26, wherein a closure portion has been removed for clarity.

(29) FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the end closure shown in FIG. 26, wherein the closure portion is in a sealed position of use.

(30) FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the end closure shown in FIG. 26, wherein the closure portion is in an open position of use.

(31) The following component list and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided to assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention: # Component 2 Container 6 End closure 10 Sticker 14 Fluid opening 18 Center panel 22 Air opening 26 Air channel 30 Air 34 Fluid 38 Loop 42 Tab 46 Cover 56 Secondary sticker 60 Dimple 64 Wall 68 Foil panel 72 Opening 76 Perforation 80 Seal 102 Container 106 End closure 110 Flexible closure 114 Fluid opening 118 Center panel 122 Air opening 126 Air channel 138 Ring # Component 142 Head 146 Pocket 150 Track 154 Ramp 158 Bottom surface 162 Upper surface 202 Container 206 End closure 208 Riser 210 Closure 212 Grooves 214 Fluid opening 222 Air opening 242 Seal

(32) It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(33) One or more embodiments of the present invention include a pressure-equalizing device that allows fluid to be poured from a container while substantially equalizing air pressure within the container with atmospheric pressure. As a result, the fluid exits the container without the familiar glugging phenomena.

(34) FIGS. 1-9 show a container 2 of one embodiment of the present invention that employs an end closure 6 with a selectively-removable sticker 10 that seals a fluid opening 14. More specifically, the end closure 6 includes the center panel 18 with the fluid opening 14 and an air opening 22 blocked by the sticker 10. Because the fluid opening 14 is often larger than the air opening 22, sticker 10 may be tapered to save material. That is, sticker 10 may have a first, wide end for covering the fluid opening 14 and a second, narrow end for blocking air opening 22.

(35) An air channel 26 is also provided that allows air 30 to enter the container 22 in a direction of Arrow A while fluid 34 exits the container in the direction of Arrow B (see FIG. 9). Here, the air channel 26 is formed by an indentation in the container end and extends parallel to a plane defined by the end closure center panel 18. The second end of the sticker of one embodiment of the present invention employs a loop that seals at least a portion of the air channel 26 and blocks the air opening 22. As shown in detail in FIG. 7, a tab 42 is associated with the loop 38 that facilitates removal of the loop from the air channel 26 by providing the user with a gripping surface. Finally, a cover 46 is adhered to the center panel 18 and positioned over at least a portion of the loop 38, at least a portion of the air channel 26, and over the air opening 22. Accordingly, the side and bottom surfaces of the indentation and the underside of the cover 46 define the air channel 26, i.e., a tube, that communicates with the air opening as shown in FIG. 9.

(36) FIG. 3 shows an alternative method of sealing the fluid opening 14. Here, a secondary sticker 56 is provided that seals the fluid opening 14. The secondary sticker 56 may have a foil underside to maintain the integrity of the fluid within the container. The secondary sticker 56 of one embodiment is selectively-removable member that interfaces with the fluid opening 14 with adhesive only about its outer periphery. The secondary sticker 56 is held in place by the primary sticker 10. In operation, the secondary sticker 56 is placed over the fluid opening 14 and a dimple 60 is created by an external force applied perpendicular to the center panel 18 in the direction of Arrow C. The dimple 60 engages portions of the secondary sticker 56 to a wall 64 in the center panel 18 that defines the fluid opening 14. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this configuration creates a tight fluid seal. The primary sticker 10 helps maintain the seal by effectively preventing the secondary sticker 56 from bowing outwardly in response to fluid pressure within the container, which could cause the outer edge of the secondary seal 56 to move within the outer periphery of the fluid opening 14, thereby circumventing the seal.

(37) As eluded to above, some embodiments of the present invention employ a sticker having a portion made of a material such as plastic or foil that directly contacts the pressurized fluid within the container, wherein the adhesive bond provided by the remainder of the sticker is sufficient to secure the sticker to the center panel and to maintain fluid pressure within the container. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, a foil panel 68 is employed that engages the underside of the central panel 18. The foil panel 68 may have an opening 72 to accommodate the air channel 26 and air opening 22 as the internal fluid pressure at the air opening can normally be accommodated by the loop 38/cover 46 configurations described above. The fluid opening 14 of some end closures is large and, thus is blocked by the foil panel 68. In operation, the user breaks the foil by depressing the sticker 10 at the fluid opening before or after sticker removal. In other embodiments, removal of the sticker 10 removes and maintains a small foil disk from the foil panel 68. In this example, the foil panel 68 may employ micro-perforations in a location associated with the fluid opening 14 to facilitate removal of the foil disk when the sticker 10 is removed.

(38) FIGS. 11-14 show yet another embodiment of the present invention that employs an end closure 6 having a horizontally-oriented air channel 26. In the embodiment shown, the sticker 10 is interconnected to the end closure 6 and covers the fluid opening 14, air channel 26, and air opening 22. This embodiment is very similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-9, but wherein the sticker 10 and cover 46 are integrated. Here, the sticker has a tab 42 that facilitates removal of a portion thereof to expose a portion of the air channel 26 as shown in FIG. 13 while leaving another portion, i.e., the cover 46, in place. Separation of the sticker 10 may be facilitated by a perforation 76 provided between tab 42 and the cover 46. Again, the end closure 6 may include a foil backing panel that creates a secondary closure that must be removed by the user or which tears away when the sticker is removed, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10. In operation, removal of the primary portion of the sticker 10 creates an air passage into the container defined by the cover 46 and walls of the air channel 26 that is created by the indentation into the end closure. Accordingly, air enters the container through the air channel 26 in the direction of Arrow A as fluid exits the fluid opening 14 in the direction of Arrow B. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that this embodiment and the embodiments described above may employ a plurality of fluid openings instead of the single opening shown.

(39) FIGS. 15 and 16 show another embodiment of the present invention similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-9, wherein an end closure 6 is provided having a fluid opening 14 spaced from an air opening 22 a predetermined distance (D), which may be critical to ensure a smooth pour from the container. Here, a seal 80 that covers the majority of the end closure 6 is provided. The seal 80 is adhered to the end closure 6 and may include a tab 42 to facilitate removal thereof. The entirety or portion of the seal 80 may be made of a material that does not affect the contents of the container 2, wherein fluid pressure at the fluid opening is directly in contact with the seal. Alternatively, a foil panel (not shown) may be positioned on the underside of the end closure that must be punctured near the fluid opening to allow fluid to escape from the container as in some of the embodiments described above. Ideally, the area under the air opening 22 is free of foil, wherein the seal 80 maintains pressure at that location. The air opening 22 may be associated with a tube that extends into the container. Also, as described above, the seal 80 may selectively remove a small foil disk associated with the fluid opening when the seal 80 is removed from the end closure 6.

(40) Although the foregoing describes the use of stickers or adhesives to selectively interconnect a sealing member(s), or associated components, to a container end closure, those of skill in the art should appreciate that other methods of selective attachment may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, heat sealing, radio frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, friction stir welding, or any similar method may be used. Further, a peelable coating may be used, which may allow for the omission of a separate sealing member, i.e., a sticker, or foil to protect the contents of the container.

(41) FIG. 17-25 show a reclosable container end 106 suited for interconnection to a contaner 102, such as cup, e.g., a coffee cup, or a beverage can. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the features described with respect to this embodiment can be used on other container types without departing from the scope of the invention. A flexible closure 110 is provided that employs downwardly-extending rings 138. The rings possess bulbous heads 142 that fit within corresponding pockets 146 of tracks 150 found in the end closure 106. Once interconnected, removal of the closure 110 is prevented because the tracks 150 narrow near the container end's center panel 118. One method of manufacturing comprises forming tracks 150 of constant width in the center panel 118 that receive corresponding rings 138 (with bulbous heads) extending from the closure 110. Thereafter, a forming operation is performed to narrow portions of the tracks 150 adjacent to the center panel 118, thereby creating the pockets 146 and trapping the heads 142. The closure 110 is able to rotate relative to the container (see, Arrow E in FIG. 18) end closure 110 but not escape therefrom.

(42) As shown in FIG. 20, the end closure 106 employs ramps 154 on either side of fluid and air openings 114/122. The ramps 154 are generally formed of thicker or deformed portions of the center panel 118 configured to interact with the bottom surface 158 of the closure 110 as it is rotated. FIG. 25 illustrates how the ramps increase the distance between the pockets 146 and the upper surface 162 of the center panel 118 adjacent to an air channel 126 and fluid opening 114, which stretches the flexible rings 118 extending from the closure 110. An equal and opposite force is created within the rings (shown by Arrow F that urge the closure 110 into tight engagement with the material of the center panel surrounding the air channel 126 and the fluid opening 114. The seal is enhanced by the serpentine path created between the pockets and the rings. Although this embodiment shows tracks formed within the center panel, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the center panel may include outwardly-extending rings received by corresponding tracks incorporated into the end closure.

(43) FIGS. 26-29 show a resealable end closure 206 of yet another embodiment of the present invention. Here, the end closure 206 employs a riser 208 that operatively receives a closure 210. The closure 210 may have a plurality of grip-enhancing grooves 212 that help users rotate the closure as it travels on the riser 208. A seal 242 may be provided that interconnects a portion of the closure the end closure 206. In this example, rotation of the closure 210 will tear or otherwise alter the seal 242, which is an indication that the container 202 has been open.

(44) The end closure 206 has a portion within the riser that is bound by a floor that extends into the container. This portion also has threads or tracks to receive an annular protrusion extending from a complementary portion of the closure. Accordingly, when the closure is rotated, interaction between the annular protrusion and the threads move the closure upwardly or downwardly depending on the direction of rotation. Movement of the closure upwardly opens the container as shown in FIG. 29 and movement of the closure in the opposite direction closes the container as shown in FIG. 28. The closure may have sealing material on a lower surface thereof that engages a fluid opening 214 and air opening 222 of the end closure to maintain the integrity of the fluid within the container. The end closure also may employ an air tube that extends into the container that prevents fluid egress while allowing air ingress. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the tube may be replaced with other means that provides this function.

(45) As alluded to above, the riser of the end closure includes a fluid opening and an air opening, similar to the embodiments described above. Again, the distance between the fluid opening and the air opening may be critical in some embodiments of the present invention to provide smooth flow from the container while preventing fluid egress from the air opening. With specific reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, operation of one embodiment of the present invention can be appreciated. Here, rotation of the closure in one direction separates the bottom surface of the closure for the top surface of the riser. The thread/annular protrusion configuration is designed to ensure a tight seal between the closure and the riser once closed and prevents over-rotation of the closure such that it stays on the container. Separating the closure from the riser opens a fluid opening and air opening, wherein tilting the container will allow fluid to exit the container. The fluid will exit smoothly from the container and onto the end closure and associated countersink. Rotation of the closure in an opposite direction will again engage the bottom surface of the closure to the top surface of the riser, thereby sealing the container.Exemplary characteristics of embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring embodiments of the present invention, the preceding description may omit several known apparatus, methods, systems, structures, and/or devices one of ordinary skill in the art would understand are commonly included with the embodiments of the present invention. Such omissions are not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the claimed invention. Specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. It should, however, be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific detail set forth herein.

(46) Modifications and alterations of the various embodiments of the present invention described herein will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. Further, it is to be understood that the invention(s) described herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. That is, the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. The scope of the various embodiments described herein is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. And all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

(47) The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed inventions require more features than expressly recited. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention. Further, the embodiments of the present invention described herein include components, methods, processes, systems, and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various sub-combinations and subsets thereof. Accordingly, one of skill in the art will appreciate that would be possible to provide for some features of the embodiments of the present invention without providing others. Stated differently, any one or more of the aspects, features, elements, means, or embodiments as disclosed herein may be combined with any one or more other aspects, features, elements, means, or embodiments as disclosed herein.