Can top having a space for separately storing a small quantity of a substance

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a can top ( 1 ) for crimping onto a can body that, in its top surface ( 12 ), comprises a tongue ( 2 ) for forming a pouring opening along a slit line ( 3 ). This [can top] is characterized in that it has, on its side pointing toward the interior of the can, a separate space ( 8 ) provided for accommodating solid, liquid or gaseous substances, which [space] is formed by at least one flexible, but essentially non-expandable, essentially gas-tight and liquid-tight wall ( 4, 4′, 4″ ) and extends over a portion of the top surface ( 12 ) so that its lateral edge ( 10 ) crosses the slit line ( 3 ) at at least one point (11) in such a manner that, when opening the can, the portion of the tongue ( 2 ) moving toward the interior exerts a force on the wall ( 4 ), by means of which an opening is made for the space ( 8 ). The separate space may be used, e.g., for accommodating food supplements and/or liquid or gaseous aromatics.

1 . Said can top ( 1 ) for crimping onto a can body, which comprises in its said top surface ( 12 ) a said tongue ( 2 ) for forming a said pouring opening along a said slit line ( 3 ), characterized in that 
 it has on its side pointing toward the interior of the can a said separate space ( 8 ) for accommodating solid, liquid or gaseous substances, which [space] is formed by at least one said flexible, but essentially non-expandable, essentially gas-tight und liquid-tight wall ( 4 ,  4 ′,  4 ″) and extends over a portion of the said top surface ( 12 ), so that its said lateral edge ( 10 ) crosses the said slit line ( 3 ) at at least one said point ( 11 ) in such a manner that, when opening the can, the portion of the said tongue ( 2 ) moving toward the interior exerts a force on the said wall ( 4 ), by means of which an opening is made for the said space ( 8 ).    
     
     
         2 . Can top in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the said wall ( 4 ,  4 ′,  4 ″) is formed from a plastic film, a metal foil, especially an aluminum foil, or a liquid-repellent paper or cardboard.  
     
     
         3 . Can top in accordance with  claim 1  or  2 , in which the said wall ( 4 ) consists of a flexible foil that is connected with the said top via its said lateral edge ( 6 ).  
     
     
         4 . Can top in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the foil is glued to the top on its said lateral edge ( 6 ) with an adhesive permitted according to food laws or is sealed there on the top.  
     
     
         5 . Can top in accordance with  claim 1  or  2 , in which the said wall ( 4 ) has a said top surface ( 4 ′) and a said bottom surface ( 4 ″), which are connected laterally ( 6 ′) with one another with the formation of a said pocket ( 9 ), which is applied to the top.  
     
     
         6 . Can top in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that the said lateral connection ( 6 ′) of top surface and bottom surface in the area or at least one of the areas, in which it extends over the said slit line ( 3 ), is provided with a said notch ( 7 ).  
     
     
         7 . Can top in accordance with  claim 5  or  6 , characterized in that the said lateral connection ( 6 ′) in the or at least in one area, in which it extends over the said slit line ( 3 ), is formed by a gluing of the said wall top surface ( 4 ′) and the said wall bottom surface ( 4 ″).  
     
     
         8 . Can top in accordance with one of the claims  5  through  7 , characterized in that the said lateral connection ( 6 ′) is 1.0 to 3.0 mm wide.  
     
     
         9 . Can top in accordance with one of the claims  5  through  8 , characterized in that the said bottom surface ( 4 ″) of the wall is glued to the top surface with an adhesive permitted according to food laws or is sealed with a sealing wax.  
     
     
         10 . Can top in accordance with one of the above claims, characterized in that the said separate space ( 8 ) contains a solid, liquid or gaseous substance.  
     
     
         11 . Can having a can body and a can top in accordance with one of the claims  1  through  10 .  
     
     
         12 . Can in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that it is a beverage can and a substance is present in the interior of the separate space, which is used as a food supplement and/or for taste and/or smell flavoring of the beverage located in the can.  
     
     
         13 . Said pocket ( 9 ) for connecting with the side of a said can top ( 1 ) pointing toward the interior of the said can, which comprises in its said top surface ( 12 ) a said tear-open tongue ( 12 ) for forming a pouring opening along a said slit line ( 3 ), characterized in that the said pocket has a wall with a said top surface ( 4 ′) and a said bottom surface ( 4 ″), which are connected to one another laterally, whereby the said lateral connection ( 6 ′) is formed by the said bottom surface ( 4 ″) and the said top surface ( 4 ′) made of a material glued or heat-sealed or sealed with one another at least in one area, which should extend over the said slit line ( 3 ) after applying the pocket to the top.  
     
     
         14 . Pocket in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that the said connection ( 6 ′) in the area, which shall extend over the said slit line ( 3 ) after applying the pocket to the top, is provided with a said notch ( 7 ), which is less wide than the said connection ( 6 ′).