Apparatus and method for packing, opening a hermetically sealed container, as well as for protecting the contents of an opened container and the cap of an unopened container from external contaminants

Abstract

A method and apparatus for packing, opening a soda can, for protecting the contents from contaminants during storage and shipping, the area on the container side covered by a cap being provided with an undercut zone, and elements being provided inside the twist-off cap for rupturing the undercut zone as the cap is rotated, the container presently beneath the cap opening along the undercut zone.

1 . A beverage can or the like container ( 1 ), wherein it is provided with a twist-off cap ( 4 ), which covers an entire end area of the container ( 1 ) and which has a skirt portion extending to protect the opening area from dirt; that the area protected by the twist-off cap ( 4 ) on the side of the container is provided with an undercut zone ( 3 ); and that elements ( 7 ) are provided inside the twist-off cap for rupturing the undercut zone ( 3 ) in the process of turning the twist-off cap ( 4 ), whereby the container ( 1 ) opens along the undercut zone ( 3 ), and the twist-off cap ( 4 ) is attached to the container ( 1 ), in a way that the twist-off cap ( 4 ) is secured for example by means of a flush rivet ( 2 ) to the container blank's bottom ( 5 ) produced in the deep drawing stage of a can.  
   
   
       2 . The container ( 1 ) and the twist-off cap ( 4 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the container ( 1 ) and the twist-off cap ( 4 ) are essentially nestable, rotationally symmetrical, cylindrical or conical bodies and the container has its undercut zone ( 3 ) on the outer side of the container, within the skirt portion of the twist-off cap ( 4 ).  
   
   
       3 . The container ( 1 ) and the twist-off cap ( 4 ) according to the  claim 1 , wherein the container ( 1 ) and the twist-off cap ( 4 ) are essentially nestable rotationally symmetrical, cylindrical or conical bodies and the container is provided around its openable end with a skirt ( 10 ) having an undercut zone ( 3 ) provided in its inner rim or in the proximity thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The container ( 1 ) and the twist-off cap ( 4 ) for opening the same, wherein the twist-off cap ( 4 ) is provided with one or several elements ( 7 ) for rupturing the undercut zone ( 3 ) and in line with said elements ( 7 ) the container is provided with indents ( 6 ) to prevent the elements from causing damage to the undercut zone ( 3 ) before the container ( 1 ) is opened.  
   
   
       5 . The container ( 1 ) according to claims  1  and the twist-off cap ( 4 ) for opening the same, wherein the twist-off cap ( 4 ) is provided with one or several elements ( 7 ) for rupturing the undercut zone ( 3 ) and associated with the twist-off cap ( 4 ) or the container ( 1 ) are means for keeping the rupturing elements inactive before the twist-off cap ( 4 ) is rotated.  
   
   
       6 . A method for opening a cylindrical container ( 1 ), wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing the cylindrical, rotationally symmetrical container ( 1 ) with an undercut zone ( 3 ) for rupturing or slicing the container therealong,    fitting the above-mentioned container ( 1 ) with a twist-off cap ( 7 ) in such a way that rupturing elements ( 7 ) included in the twist-off cap ( 4 ) are adapted to advance along the undercut zone ( 3 ) as the twist-off cap ( 4 ) is rotated,    rotating or twisting the cap, the above-mentioned rupturing elements ( 7 ) rupturing or cutting a container wall along said undercut zone,    removing, along with the twist-off cap ( 4 ), a portion ( 5 ) detached from the container ( 1 ).    
   
   
       7 . A method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the twist-off cap is connected with a flush rivet ( 2 ) to the portion ( 5 ) to be detached from the container ( 1 ).  
   
   
       8 . A method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the twist-off cap ( 4 ) is connected to the deep-drawn container ( 1 ) with the flush rivet ( 2 ) prior to filling the container by way of the opposite open end of the container and prior to closing the container with a detachable bottom ( 8 ) by means of a lap joint ( 9 ).  
   
   
       9 . A method as set forth in  claim 6 , characterized in that the twist-off cap ( 4 ) is connected to the container ( 1 ) by way of a bearing on the lip of the container or by way of slide elements.