Beverage containers

Abstract

A beverage container comprises a bottle ( 2 ) which has a central axis ( 3 ) and is sealed by a lid of resilient material. The bottle includes a neck ( 8 ) defining an opening and the lid 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 annular shoulder ( 14 ) on the outer surface of the neck. The annular flange ( 20 ) is elongate in axial sectional view and is connected to the skirt ( 18 ) by an integral hinge connection ( 22 ). The end surface of the free end of the annular flange ( 20 ) is in sealing engagement with the underside of the shoulder ( 14 ). The internal surface of the skirt carries an annular protuberance ( 52 ) which is in sealing engagement with one side surface of the annular flange ( 20 ). The other side surface is in sealing engagement with the outer surface of the neck of the bottle, whereby an annular chamber ( 54 ) is defined by the inner surface of the skirt ( 18 ), the said one side surface of the annular flange ( 20 ), the protuberance ( 52 ) and the hinge ( 22 ). A rip tab ( 24 ) is provided integrally connected to the integral hinge ( 22 ). An aperture ( 50 ) is provided in the integral hinge ( 22 ) adjacent the connection of the rip tab ( 24 ) to the integral hinge ( 22 ).

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, that a rip tab is provided integrally connected to the integral hinge and that an aperture is provided in the integral hinge adjacent the connection of the rip tab to the integral hinge. 
   
   
       2 . The container as claimed in  claim 1  in which the aperture is partially defined by two surfaces which converge in the direction towards the rip tab and meet at an acute angle immediately adjacent the connection of the rip tab to the integral hinge. 
   
   
       3 . The 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. 
   
   
       4 . The 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. 
   
   
       5 . The container as claimed in  claim 4  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. 
   
   
       6 . The 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 . The 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 . The container as claimed in  claim 3  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.