Arrangement for resealing carbonated beverage containers

Abstract

A cap arrangement reseals a beverage container having a top with an aperture that can be opened to discharge the beverage and a rim with an inner surface around the top, in particular, carbonated soda can. The arrangement has a main cap for engagement over the beverage container top, for covering the beverage container top, a seal member connected hermetically to the main cap and extending toward the beverage container top and a locking mechanism connected to the main cap for fixing the main cap to the beverage can with sufficient force to resist pressure from, and to maintain pressure in the beverage container. The seal member has an annular pressure sealing portion adapted to engage against, and hermetical seal with the inner surface of the beverage container rim. The arrangement may also include an enclosure for receiving the beverage container. The enclosure may be insulated and form part of the locking mechanism which may be screw threads between the main cap and the enclosure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An arrangement for resealing a beverage container having a top with an aperture that can be opened to discharge the beverage, the arrangement comprising: 
 a main cap for engagement over the beverage container top for covering the beverage container top;    a seal member hermetically connected to the main cap and extending toward the beverage container when the main cap is over the beverage container, the seal member having a pressure sealing portion adapted to engage against and hermetically seal with the beverage container, for resealing the aperture, the sealing portion being positioned and shaped so that pressure from the beverage container presses the sealing portion against the container to increase the hermetic sealing effect;    locking means connected to the main cap for removably fixing the main cap to the beverage container with sufficient force to resist pressure from, and to maintain pressure in the beverage container;    an opening through the main cap for discharging beverage from the beverage container; and    a secondary cap removable engaged with the main cap for closing the opening through the main cap with sufficient force to resist pressure from, and to maintain pressure in the beverage container.    
     
     
         2 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , for beverage containers having an outer bead on the beverage container rim, the locking means comprising latch means for engaging the bead.  
     
     
         3 . An arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein the locking means for engaging the bead comprise at least one arcuate hook for engaging under the bead and means for resiliently moving the arcuate hook for engaging under and disengaging from the bead.  
     
     
         4 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking means comprises an enclosure having an open top for receiving the beverage container, and engagement means between the main cap and the enclosure for removable fixing the main cap to the enclosure, and with sufficient force to resist pressure from, and to maintain pressure in the beverage container.  
     
     
         5 . An arrangement according to  claim 4 , including means for insulating the enclosure.  
     
     
         6 . An arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the beverage container includes a rim with an inner surface extending at an angle to an axis of the beverage container, the pressure sealing portion being annular and having an outer surface which, with the main cap engaged over the beverage container, lies at least partially against the inner surface of the rim.  
     
     
         7 . An arrangement according to  claim 6  wherein the main cap includes an inner rim for engaging at least an upper part of the outer surface of the annular pressure sealing portion, the inner rim extending partially toward the inner surface of the can rim with the main cap engaged over the beverage container.  
     
     
         8 . An arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the beverage container includes a tab for opening the top of the beverage container, the main cap including a portion with an edge shaped to engage under the tab to help lift the tab and open the beverage container.  
     
     
         9 . An arrangement according to  claim 2  wherein the locking means comprise a pair of pivotally connected latches on opposite sides of the main cap, each having a lower portion for hooking the outer bead and upper projecting portions.  
     
     
         10 . An arrangement according to  claim 9  wherein the secondary cap has an outer diameter for engaging behind the upper projecting portions to prevent the latches from pivoting when the secondary cap is in a position to close the opening through the main cap.  
     
     
         11 . An arrangement according to  claim 9  wherein the secondary cap has an inner diameter for engaging around the outer surface of the latches for keeping the latches locked to the bead.  
     
     
         12 . An arrangement according to  claim 9  wherein each lower portion of the latches has a hook which extends around at least part of a circumference of the beverage container rim.  
     
     
         13 . An arrangement according to  claim 12  wherein each latch extends around about 90°-180° of the circumference of the bead.  
     
     
         14 . An arrangement according to  claim 12  wherein the main cap comprises a latch member which carries the latches, and a seal support member which carries the seal member, the latch member and the seal support member, being connected to each other to form the main cap.  
     
     
         15 . An arrangement according to  claim 14  wherein the latch member includes a cylindrical portion and a platform extending in the cylindrical portion, the platform having an aperture therethrough for receiving part of the seal support member, and a plurality of slots extending in the cylindrical portion for defining at least one live hinge between the latches.  
     
     
         16 . An arrangement according to  claim 15  including grooves in the platform for defining part of the live hinge.  
     
     
         17 . An arrangement according to  claim 15  wherein the seal support portion has a conical projection which is hollow and which carries the opening through the main cap, the aperture in the latch member having at least one conical portion for locking the conical projection to fix the seal support member to the latch member.  
     
     
         18 . An arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the sealing portion is annular and flexible.  
     
     
         19 . An arrangement according to  claim 18  wherein the annular flexible sealing portion extends downwardly and inwardly with respect to the main cap.  
     
     
         20 . An arrangement according to  claim 19  wherein the annular flexible sealing portion is positioned and shaped to engage onto the top of the beverage container.  
     
     
         21 . An arrangement according to  claim 19  wherein the annular flexible sealing portion is positioned to engage into a groove around the top of the beverage container and against the inner surface of the rim of the beverage container.  
     
     
         22 . An arrangement for resealing a beverage container having a top with an aperture that can be opened to discharge the beverage, and a rim with an inner surface, around the top, the arrangement comprising: 
 a main cap for engagement over the beverage container top for covering the beverage container top;    a seal member hermetically connected to the main cap and extending toward the beverage container top when the main cap is over the beverage container top, the seal member having a sealing portion adapted to engage against and hermetically seal with the beverage container;    an enclosure having an open top for receiving the beverage container, with engagement means between the main cap and the enclosure for removable fixing the main cap to the enclosure with sufficient force to resist pressure from, and to maintain pressure in the beverage container;    an opening through the main cap for discharging beverage from the beverage container; and    a secondary cap removable engaged with the main cap for closing the opening through the main cap with sufficient force to resist pressure from, and to maintain pressure in the beverage container.    
     
     
         23 . An arrangement according to  claim 22  wherein the enclosure is insulated.  
     
     
         24 . An arrangement according to  claim 23  wherein the engagement means comprises a thread engagement between the main cap and the enclosure.  
     
     
         25 . An arrangement according to  claim 24  wherein the sealing portion is annular and is positioned to engage into a groove on the top of the beverage container which is at the base of the inner surface of the rim.  
     
     
         26 . An arrangement according to  claim 24  wherein the sealing portion is annular and is positioned to engage against the top of the beverage container at a location inwardly of the inner surface of the rim.