Container

Abstract

A substantially cylindrical beverage container where the container end ( 2 ) is hermetically sealed to the container ( 1 ) and provided with a pre-scored line ( 4 ) in the container end ( 2 ) surface defining a portal ( 5 ), and a protuberance ( 6 ). Also provided is an opening device ( 3 ) which can be fitted daring manufacture or by the consumer.

1 . A container comprising a container body, a container end and an opening device, said container end being sealed to the container body and provided with a pre-scored portal, wherein the opening device is rotatable relative to the container end and rotation of the opening device transmits force to the container end to open the pre-scored portal. 
   
   
       2 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the container end comprises at least one protuberances and the opening device is rotatable relative to the container body member between a first position and a second position, the opening device having a recess on its underside adapted to receive at least one protuberances in the first position so that the rotation of the opening device relative to the container body into the second position is restricted by at least one protuberances, and wherein rotational force applied to the opening device is transmitted to the container end to open the pre-scored portal. 
   
   
       3 . A container as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the container has a third position, whereby the opening device is rotated relative to the container body and a seal is created and maintained between the opening device and the container end for the purpose of temporarily isolating the-container contents from the atmosphere. 
   
   
       4 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the opening device has a preformed port that can be rotated into position above the portal in the container end to aid in the dispensing of contents in said container. 
   
   
       5 . A container as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the opening device port includes a perforated screen to restrict the ingress of foreign objects into the container interior and allow the dispensing of fluid from the container. 
   
   
       6 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the opening device defines at least one apertures such that the opening device can be rotated to obscure or reveal selected areas of the container end surface. 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the container end has means mounted thereon for emitting an audible message or sound effect when the opening device is rotated. 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pre-scored portal in the container end fully defines the portal so that upon opening of the portal the portion of the container end within the portal separates from the container end. 
   
   
       12 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the opening device is coupled to the container end and is able to rotate relative to the container end. 
   
   
       13 . A container as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the opening device is permanently mounted on the container end and able to rotate relative thereto. 
   
   
       14 . A container as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the opening device is temporarily mounted on the container end in said first position and able to rotate relative thereto, said opening device being separated from said container body in the second position. 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the container has a rim around the container end and the opening device can be placed over the container end and rotated into a temporarily mounted state via engagement under the container rim and able to rotate relative to the container end. 
   
   
       17 . A container as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the container rim is crimped, bent, crenulated and/or formed with protuberances that provide a surface for the opening device to engage with the container rim. 
   
   
       18 . A container comprising a container body, a container end and an opening device, said container end being sealed to the container body and provided with a pre-scored portal, said opening device being rotatable relative to the container end so that rotation of the opening device transmits force to the container end to open the pre-scored portal, wherein the opening device is couplable to the container end and able to rotate relative to the container end. 
   
   
       19 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the pre-scored portal allows for the complete separation of a substantial area of the container end, said opening device being couplable via coupling means to the container end to allow the removal of the detached container end section after the act of opening, said coupling means being taken from a group consisting of a suction cap, magnet, and clip. 
   
   
       20 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the opening device includes coupling means in the form of a temporary attachment and means for disengaging the temporary attachment and releasing the detached container end section. 
   
   
       21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A container as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said opening device is constructed to completely cover the container end and is provided with a seal on its underside that bears against the container end rim to create a temporary seal between the opening device and the container end rim. 
   
   
       23 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the opening device is constructed to completely cover the container end except for a small area containing perforations, and is provided with a seal on its underside that bears against the container end rim to create a temporary seal between the opening device and the container end rim, wherein the opening device when in position is capable of dispensing liquid contents of the container but retention solid contents within the container. 
   
   
       24 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the container end is provided with protuberances on its upper surface to allow the transmission of force to the container end by the opening device when the opening device is rotated relative to the container end. 
   
   
       25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the opening device includes at least one cam that transmits force to the container end when the opening device is rotated relative thereto causing the failure of the pre-scored portal opening the container. 
   
   
       27 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the opening device descends towards the container end during the act of rotation of the opening device. 
   
   
       28 . A container's claimed in  claim 18  wherein the container body comprises angled guides for guiding the descent of the opening device or element thereof. 
   
   
       29 . (canceled) 
   
   
       30 . (canceled) 
   
   
       31 . (canceled) 
   
   
       32 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  wherein a joint formed between the container end and the pre-scored portal is profiled to encourage a downward deflection of the pre-scored portal upon breaking thereof. 
   
   
       33 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the pre-scored portal comprises a plurality of pre-scored lines to allow for relative movement between different parts of the pre-scored portal during the act of opening. 
   
   
       34 . A container as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the score lines are interconnected. 
   
   
       35 . A container as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the plurality of pre-scored lines are orientated on the container end such that failure of the pre-scored lines occurs sequentially as the opening device is rotated. 
   
   
       36 . A container as claimed in any one of  claim 33  wherein the pre-scored lines are orientated such that during the act of opening, areas of the pre-scored portal overlap one another after separation from the container end to decrease the diameter of the pre-scored portal. 
   
   
       37 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising locators disposed on the container end and the opening device for locating the opening device at specific positions relative to the container end during rotation of the opening device around the container end. 
   
   
       38 . A container as claimed in  claim 37  wherein the locators provide pressure change feedback to the user to establish when a specific position has been achieved. 
   
   
       39 . A container as claimed in  claim 38  wherein the feedback comprises an audible sound. 
   
   
       40 . (canceled) 
   
   
       41 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  comprising protuberances formed on an outer surface of the container body below a continuous pre-scored line that encircles the container body. 
   
   
       42 . (canceled) 
   
   
       43 . (canceled) 
   
   
       44 . (canceled) 
   
   
       45 . A container as claimed in  claim 41  wherein said protuberances have a shape taken from a group consisting of semi-spherical, pyramidal or cuboid. 
   
   
       46 . (canceled) 
   
   
       47 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the container comprises sealing means for re-sealing the pre-scored portal once opened. 
   
   
       48 . A container as claimed in  claim 47  wherein the sealing means is disposed on the container end. 
   
   
       49 . A container as claimed  claim 47  wherein the sealing means comprises a compressible material. 
   
   
       50 . (canceled) 
   
   
       51 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said pre-scored portal defines a plurality of holes dimensioned to restrict the ingress of foreign matter. 
   
   
       52 . (canceled) 
   
   
       53 . A container as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the opening device includes a tamper seal. 
   
   
       54 . A container as claimed in  claim 53  wherein the tamper seal is integrally formed in the opening device. 
   
   
       55 . A container as claimed in  claim 53  wherein the tamper seal comprises first and second elements wherein said first element is disposed on the container end and the second element is disposed on the opening device. 
   
   
       56 . A container comprising a container body having a releasably sealed portal at one end and means for opening said releasably sealed portal, said means rotatably mountable on said container body whereby rotation of the opening means opens the portal. 
   
   
       57 . (canceled) 
   
   
       58 . A kit of parts comprising a releasably sealed container provided with a pre-scored portal and an opening device which is mountable to said releasably sealed container.