Packaging Article

Abstract

A beverage container for the storage of a carbonated drink comprising a container body (10) including an opening (11) and removable closure means (12) for closing the opening (11), the closure means comprising a foil (20) which provides a gas tight seal for the opening (11). The arrangement may be such that a tendency of forces acting on the foil (20) due to pressure within the container to separate the foil (20) from the container body (10) by peeling away therefrom is reduced e.g. by the provision of a collar (12A) to limit deflection of the foil (20) adjacent the bond therebetween and / or by the shape of the rim (15) of the container body (10), so the closure is capable of withstanding higher internal pressures than would otherwise be the case.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to beverage 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.BACKGROUND ART[0002]For 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. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]A second aspect of the invention provides a beverage container comprising a container body including an opening and removable closure means for closing said opening, the closure means comprising a foil which seals said opening, the arrangement being such that a tendency of forces acting on the foil as a result of pressure within the container to separate the foil from the container by peeling away therefrom is reduced or inhibited whereby the closure is capable of withstanding higher internal pressures than would otherwise be the case.

[0007]If a cap is used, this preferably 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 circular 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 reduce its integrity. The cap thus strengthens and / or protects the connection of the foil with the container and provides puncture protection for the foil.

[0015]The foil is preferably secured to the container in a manner capable of withstanding elevated internal pressures, e.g. of 1-2 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 at least 9 months (as typically required for beers and other carbonated drinks sold in containers).

[0016]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.

[0017]Although the foil is preferably secured to a lip of the container around the mouth thereof, it may also be recessed within the container and secured to an inner surface thereof, e.g. at a position spaced from the mouth of the container, for example 5-10 mm below the lip of the container. This may be appropriate when the cap fits within the container and the foil is provided at the lower end thereof. If the container is not filled with beverage up to the lip, it also enables the foil to be positioned nearer the surface of the beverage so as to reduce the space left above the beverage. Removal of a foil recessed within the container may also be less prone to causing spillage as the surface of the beverage is at a lower level in the container and the container can be grasped at the level of the foil, or above this level, so enabling the foil to be peeled off in a more controlled manner.

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.

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