Beverage Containers

Abstract

A beverage container comprises a bottle ( 2 ) which has a central axis and is sealed by a lid ( 6 ) of resilient material. The bottle has a neck ( 8 ) defining an opening and the lid ( 6 ) includes a closure plate ( 30, 32 ), integral with which is a depending skirt ( 18 ) extending around the outer surface of the neck. The skirt ( 18 ) carries an annular flange ( 20 ) which is in sealing engagement with the underside of a downwardly directed shoulder ( 14 ) on the outer surface of the neck. The annular flange ( 20 ) is connected to the skirt ( 18 ) by a resilient hinge connection ( 22 ). The annular flange ( 20 ) is elongate in axial sectional view, the end surface of the free end of the flange ( 20 ) is in sealing engagement with the underside of the shoulder ( 14 ). The internal surface of the skirt ( 18 ) carries an annular protuberance ( 52 ) which is in sealing engagement with one side surface of the flange ( 20 ). The other side surface of the flange is in sealing engagement with the outer surface of the neck ( 8 ), whereby an annular chamber ( 54 ) is defined by the inner surface of the skirt, the said one side surface of the annular flange, the protuberance and the hinge. A gas passage ( 50 ) is provided which extends between the annular chamber ( 54 ) and atmosphere.

1 . A beverage container comprising a receptacle which has a central axis and is sealed by a lid of resilient material, the receptacle including a neck defining an opening and the lid including a closure plate, integral with which is a depending skirt extending around the outer surface of the neck, the skirt carrying an annular flange, which is in sealing engagement with the underside of a downwardly directed annular shoulder on the outer surface of the neck, characterised in that the annular flange is connected to the skirt by a hinge connection, that the annular flange is elongate in axial sectional view, that the end surface of the free end of the annular flange is in sealing engagement with the underside of the shoulder, that the internal surface of the skirt carries an annular protuberance which is in sealing engagement with one side surface of the annular flange, the other side surface being in sealing engagement with the outer surface of the neck, whereby an annular chamber is defined by the inner surface of the skirt, the said one side surface of the annular flange, the protuberance and the hinge, and that a gas passage is provided which extends between the annular chamber and atmosphere. 
   
   
       2 . A container as claimed  claim 1  in which the gas passage comprises one or more holes formed in the integral hinge. 
   
   
       3 - 5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . A container as claimed in  claim 2  in which the integral hinge is resilient and its resilience urges its said other side surface against the outer surface of the neck. 
   
   
       7 . A container as claimed in  claim 2  in which the closure plate is downwardly concave and thus extends into the neck and includes a base portion, integral with which is an upwardly extending wall portion, which is connected to the depending skirt. 
   
   
       8 . A container as claimed in  claim 7  in which the upwardly extending wall portion is connected to the depending skirt via an annular web, the underside of which extends over the surface of the neck and is retained in sealing engagement with it. 
   
   
       9 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  in which the integral hinge is resilient and its resilience urges its said other side surface against the outer surface of the neck. 
   
   
       10 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  in which the closure plate is downwardly concave and thus extends into the neck and includes a base portion, integral with which is an upwardly extending wall portion, which is connected to the depending skirt. 
   
   
       11 . A container as claimed in  claim 10  in which the upwardly extending wall portion is connected to the depending skirt via an annular web, the underside of which extends over the surface of the neck and is retained in sealing engagement with it.