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 resealed, 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 and a spaced laterally apart from the first aperture, 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 slider portion constructed and arranged to be engaged at least partially with the first aperture of the fixed element, the top cover covering the first aperture of the fixed element and the plug fitting in the second aperture of the fixed element 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 second aperture of the fixed element, 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 second aperture 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 second aperture, and the sealing portion is in contact with the bottom surface of the fixed element. 
     
     
         9 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the second aperture is incorporated into a protruding shaft extending above a top surface of the fixed element. 
     
     
         10 . The closure system of  claim 9 , wherein the protruding shaft extends about 1 mm to about 5 mm above top surface of the fixed element. 
     
     
         11 . The closure system of  claim 9 , wherein the protruding shaft secures and guides the top cover when in motion. 
     
     
         12 . The closure system of  claim 11 , wherein the protruding shaft limits the lateral motion of the top cover. 
     
     
         13 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed element has a thickness of about 0.208 mm to about 0.750 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the first aperture has at least one pair of parallel sides. 
     
     
         15 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the lever portion and slider portion are operably coupled to form a hinge. 
     
     
         16 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the slider portion comprises a plurality of mating features to secure the top cover to the fixed element. 
     
     
         17 . The closure system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of mating features of the slider portion guide the lateral motion of the top cover. 
     
     
         18 . The closure system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of mating features comprise tabs. 
     
     
         19 . The closure system of  claim 9 , wherein the slider portion comprises an elongated slot dimensioned to permit sliding against the protruding shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the lever portion includes a stem aperture adapted to receive the stem of the sealing portion. 
     
     
         21 . The closure system of  claim 20 , wherein the stem of the sealing portion includes a pin at a free end adapted to fit into the stem aperture of the lever portion. 
     
     
         22 . The closure system of  claim 20 , wherein the stem of the sealing portion includes an aperture at a free end adapted to secure the stem aperture to the aperture of the lever portion with a fastener. 
     
     
         23 . The closure system of  claim 21 , wherein the sealing portion comprises a base connected orthogonally to the stem and a polymeric seal at the periphery of the base. 
     
     
         24 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the stem is hinged to the sealing portion. 
     
     
         25 . The closure system of  claim 24 , wherein the sealing portion comprises a support operatively coupled to a bottom surface of the base. 
     
     
         26 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the top cover and the sealing portion is made of a material that is compatible with the fixed element. 
     
     
         27 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the lever portion and the slider portion are made from a metal. 
     
     
         28 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the plug and the sealing portion are made of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         29 . The closure system of  claim 28 , wherein the total weight of the polymeric material forming the plug and sealing portion is less than 2.5 grams. 
     
     
         30 . The closure system of  claim 28 , wherein the sealing portion is made of two or more different polymeric materials. 
     
     
         31 . The closure system of  claim 30 , wherein a body of the sealing portion is made from a first polymeric material and a seal of the sealing portion is made from a second polymeric material, the first polymeric material having a greater Shore hardness than the second polymeric material. 
     
     
         32 . The closure system of  claim 31 , wherein the plug and the seal of the sealing portion are made from the same polymeric material. 
     
     
         33 . The closure system of  claim 32 , wherein the plug, when inserted into the second aperture, maintains a seal. 
     
     
         34 . 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. 
     
     
         35 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein further comprising a tamper-proof feature in contact with one or more of the lever portion and fixed element. 
     
     
         36 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure system, when connected to a container body, can withstand an internal pressure up to about 10 bar. 
     
     
         37 . 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 and a second aperture spaced laterally apart from the first aperture, 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 slider portion constructed and arranged to be engaged at least partially with the first aperture of the fixed element, the top cover covering the first aperture of the fixed element and the plug fitting in the second aperture of the fixed element 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 second aperture of the fixed element, 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.   
     
     
         38 . A method of providing a closure system attachable to a container, comprising:
 providing a fixed element comprising a can end comprising a first aperture and a second aperture spaced laterally apart from the first aperture, 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 slider portion constructed and arranged to be engaged at least partially with the first aperture of the fixed element, the top cover covering the first aperture of the fixed element and the plug fitting in the second aperture of the fixed element 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 second aperture of the fixed element, 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. 
   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , 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 the bottom surface of the fixed element and an aperture on the top cover and into a stem aperture of the lever portion.