Resealable can closure system

Abstract

Resealable containers comprising a closure system comprising a fixed element and a movable closure element are disclosed. The containers may be constructed to be resealable and improve sanitary conditions of a dispensing aperture and allow for easier opening with the ability to be reseal, over a conventional container. Methods of manufacturing the resealable container and components thereof are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure system for sealing and resealing a container, comprising:
 a fixed element comprising a can end comprising a first aperture, a second aperture spaced laterally apart from the first aperture, and a plate coupled to a bottom of the can end, the plate comprising an aperture aligned with the first aperture of the can end and a protruding shaft dimensioned to pass through the second aperture of the can end, the fixed element constructed and arranged to be secured to the container; and   a movable closure element comprising:
 a top cover comprising a lever portion, a slider portion, and a plug, the lever portion and slider portion constructed and arranged to be engaged at least partially with the first aperture of the fixed element and the protruding shaft of the plate to permit lateral movement of the top cover along at least a portion of the first aperture when the lever portion is engaged, the top cover covering the first aperture of the fixed element and the plug fitting in an opening in the protruding shaft of the plate in a first position; and 
 a sealing portion comprising a stem connected to the lever portion, the stem constructed and arranged such that, as the lever portion is lifted and the plug is removed from the opening of the protruding shaft of the plate, the sealing portion moves in a downward direction away from the fixed element to a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of the fixed element, and as the top cover is moved laterally from the first aperture of the fixed element to the second aperture of the fixed element, the sealing portion is moved laterally at the predetermined distance with the top cover and the first aperture of the fixed element is exposed. 
   
     
     
         2 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein at the first position the top cover covers the first aperture, the lever portion is resting on and secured to the slider portion and the sealing portion is in contact with the bottom surface of the fixed element. 
     
     
         3 . The closure system of  claim 2 , wherein at a second position, the top cover covers the first aperture, the lever portion is lifted from the slider portion to remove the plug from the opening in the protruding shaft and the sealing portion is spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the fixed element. 
     
     
         4 . The closure system of  claim 3 , wherein at a third position, the top cover and the sealing portion expose the first aperture of the fixed element and the sealing portion is spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the fixed element. 
     
     
         5 . The closure system of  claim 4 , wherein at a fourth position, the top cover and the sealing portion expose the first aperture of the fixed element, the lever portion is lowered towards the slider portion, and the sealing portion is in contact with the bottom surface of the fixed element. 
     
     
         6 . The closure system of  claim 5 , wherein at a fifth position, the top cover and the sealing portion expose at least a portion of the first aperture of the fixed element, the lever portion is lifted relative to the slider portion, and the sealing portion is spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the fixed element. 
     
     
         7 . The closure system of  claim 6 , wherein at a sixth position, the top cover and sealing portion cover the first aperture of the fixed element, and the sealing portion is spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the fixed element. 
     
     
         8 . The closure system of  claim 7 , wherein at a seventh position the top cover and sealing portion cover the first aperture of the fixed element, the lever portion is lowered to connect to the slider portion and insert the plug into the opening in the protruding shaft, and the sealing portion is in contact with the bottom surface of the fixed element. 
     
     
         9 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the first aperture has at least one pair of parallel sides. 
     
     
         10 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the plate is connected to the can end. 
     
     
         11 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the lever portion and the plug are a single component. 
     
     
         12 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the lever portion and slider portion are separate components. 
     
     
         13 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the lever portion, slider portion, and the plug are parts of a single component. 
     
     
         14 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the lever portion comprises a hinge that divides the lever portion into a fixed part and a movable part. 
     
     
         15 . The closure system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the fixed part of the lever portion and slider portion is constructed and arranged to at least partially secure the top cover to the fixed element. 
     
     
         16 . The closure system of  claim 15 , wherein the fixed part of the lever portion comprises a plurality of mating features to secure the lever portion to the slider portion. 
     
     
         17 . The closure system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of mating features of the fixed part of the lever portion contact a periphery of the first aperture to guide sliding of the top cover. 
     
     
         18 . The closure system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of mating features comprise snap hooks. 
     
     
         19 . The closure system of  claim 14 , wherein the plug is incorporated into the movable part of the lever portion. 
     
     
         20 . The closure system of  claim 14 , wherein the movable part of the lever portion includes a retention pin. 
     
     
         21 . The closure system of  claim 1 , at least one of the top cover and the sealing portion is made of a material that is compatible with fixed element. 
     
     
         22 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the lever portion, slider portion, plug, and sealing portion is made of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         23 . The closure system of  claim 22 , wherein the total weight of the polymeric material is less than 2.2 grams. 
     
     
         24 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the slider portion comprises an elongated slot dimensioned to permit sliding against the protruding shaft of the plate. 
     
     
         25 . The closure system of  claim 20 , wherein the sealing portion comprises a base connected orthogonally to the shaft and a polymer seal at the periphery of the base. 
     
     
         26 . The closure system of  claim 25 , wherein the stem of the sealing portion includes an aperture at a free end. 
     
     
         27 . The closure system of  claim 26 , wherein the aperture of the stem is constructed and arranged to be secured to the movable part of the lever portion by the retention pin. 
     
     
         28 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the stem of the sealing portion includes a hinge. 
     
     
         29 . The closure system of  claim 25 , wherein the sealing portion comprises a support operatively coupled to a bottom surface of the base. 
     
     
         30 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the lever portion is constructed and arranged to secure the sealing portion in a resting or sealing position. 
     
     
         31 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein further comprising a tamper-proof seal. 
     
     
         32 . A closure system for sealing and resealing a container, comprising:
 a fixed element constructed and arranged to be secured to the container, the fixed element comprising a can end comprising a first aperture and a protruding shaft spaced laterally apart from the first aperture; and   a movable closure element comprising:
 a top cover comprising a lever portion and slider portion, the lever portion and slider portion constructed and arranged to be mated together, the lever portion comprising a plug dimensioned to fit into an opening in the protruding shaft such that in a first position, the plug is disposed within the opening in the protruding shaft and the top cover is disposed over the first aperture; and 
 a sealing portion comprising a stem connected to the lever portion, the sealing portion disposed below the fixed element and constructed and arranged such that, at the first position, a top surface of the sealing portion is in contact with a bottom surface of the fixed element. 
   
     
     
         33 . A closure system for sealing and resealing a container, comprising:
 a fixed element comprising a can end comprising a first aperture, a second aperture spaced laterally apart from the first aperture, and a plate coupled to a bottom of the can end, the plate comprising a protruding shaft dimensioned to pass through the second aperture of the can end; and   a movable closure element comprising:
 a top cover disposed over the first aperture and comprising a lever portion, a slider portion, and a plug, the lever portion and slider portion constructed and arranged to be engaged with the protruding shaft of the plate to permit lateral movement of the top cover along the slider portion, the plug constructed and arranged to act as a valve when removed from an opening in the protruding shaft; and 
 a sealing portion comprising a stem connected to the lever portion, the stem constructed and arranged such that, as the lever portion is lifted and the plug is removed from the opening of the protruding shaft of the plate, the sealing portion moves in a downward direction away from the fixed element, permitting the top cover to be laterally moved along the slider portion to expose at least a portion of the first aperture. 
   
     
     
         34 . A resealable container comprising a container body and the closure system of any one of  claims 1-33 . 
     
     
         35 . A method of manufacturing a resealable container, comprising:
 providing a container body;   providing a closure system connectable to the container body, the closure system comprising:
 a fixed element comprising a can end comprising a first aperture, a second aperture spaced laterally apart from the first aperture, and a plate coupled to a bottom of the can end, the plate comprising an aperture aligned with the first aperture of the can end and a protruding shaft dimensioned to pass through the second aperture of the can end, the fixed element constructed and arranged to be secured to the container; and 
 a movable closure element comprising:
 a top cover comprising a lever portion, a slider portion, and a plug, the lever portion and slider portion constructed and arranged to be engaged at least partially with the first aperture of the fixed element and the protruding shaft of the plate to permit lateral movement of the top cover along at least a portion of the first aperture when the lever portion is engaged, the top cover covering the first aperture of the fixed element and the plug fitting in an opening in the protruding shaft of the plate in a first position, and 
 a sealing portion comprising a stem connected to the lever portion, the stem constructed and arranged such that, as the lever portion is lifted and the plug is removed from the opening of the protruding shaft of the plate, the sealing portion moves in a downward direction away from the fixed element to a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of the fixed element, and as the top cover is moved laterally from the first aperture of the fixed element to the second aperture of the fixed element, the sealing portion is moved laterally at the predetermined distance with the top cover and the first aperture of the fixed element is exposed; and 
 
   attaching the closure system to the container body, thereby manufacturing the resealable container.   
     
     
         36 . A method of providing a closure system attachable to a container, comprising:
 providing a fixed element comprising a can end comprising a first aperture, a second aperture spaced laterally apart from the first aperture, and a plate coupled to a bottom of the can end, the plate comprising an aperture aligned with the first aperture of the can end and a protruding shaft dimensioned to pass through the second aperture of the can end, the fixed element constructed and arranged to be secured to the container;   providing a movable closure element comprising:
 a top cover comprising a lever portion, a slider portion, and a plug, the lever portion and slider portion constructed and arranged to be engaged at least partially with the first aperture of the fixed element and the protruding shaft of the plate to permit lateral movement of the top cover along at least a portion of the first aperture when the lever portion is engaged, the top cover covering the first aperture of the fixed element and the plug fitting in an opening in the protruding shaft of the plate in a first position, and 
 a sealing portion comprising a stem connected to the lever portion, the stem constructed and arranged such that, as the lever portion is lifted and the plug is removed from the opening of the protruding shaft of the plate, the sealing portion moves in a downward direction away from the fixed element to a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of the fixed element, and as the top cover is moved laterally from the first aperture of the fixed element to the second aperture of the fixed element, the sealing portion is moved laterally at the predetermined distance with the top cover and the first aperture of the fixed element is exposed. 
   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising providing instructions to assemble the closure system from the fixed element and the movable closure element, the assembly comprising:
 connecting the lever portion and the slider portion to form the top cover;   connecting the top cover to the fixed element; and   connecting the sealing portion to the lever portion by passing the stem through a bottom of the fixed element and an aperture on the top cover and onto a retention pin of the lever portion.   
     
     
         38 . A closure system for sealing and resealing a can, comprising:
 a fixed element comprising a dispensing aperture and a vent aperture; and   a top cover disposed over the dispensing aperture and the vent aperture, the top cover comprising a seal that fits within the vent aperture when the top cover is closed and a sealing portion disposed beneath the fixed element, the top cover permitting the vent aperture to be opened such that the top cover and the sealing portion can be slid together to expose to dispensing aperture.   
     
     
         39 . The closure system of  claim 38 , wherein the seal is operably coupled to a movable portion of the top cover. 
     
     
         40 . The closure system of  claim 38 , wherein the seal is made from a material permitting formation of a hermetic seal.