Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
-im
W 2008/049420
A package with a sealiin region
T'he invention relates to a package with a sealing region which comprises a
cover
which is rigidly connected with the package and a sealing cap which traverses
the cover and is held relative to the cover, with both the cover as well as
the
sealing cap each comprising a discharge opening which can be brought into true
alignment and the sealing cap comprising a closing region which can be brought
into true alignment with the discharge opening.
A package of this kind is known from DE 197 06 112 C2. In this known package,
which is especially described as a beverage can, there is the problem that
after
the fiBiing of the can and after seaming of the cover, the fluid filled into
the can is
able to reach between the cover and the sealing cap because the opening in the
cover is not sealed prior to applying the sealing cap. Further problems of the
known package are the virtually impossible cleaning of soiled covers prior to
applying the sealing cap without contaminating the packaged material with
detergents or dirt and the highly difficult arrangement of a tamper-evident
closure which is understandable to end customers, especially without any
additional components. Such packages are especially suitable for pourable or
flowable products.
It is the object of the invention to provide the package in such a way that
after
the filling of the package and the application of the cover and the subsequent
application of the sealing cap, the filled product cannot reach between the
cover
and the sealing cap. Further objects of the invention are secure sealing of
the
cover already at the time of the cleaning after the filling of the package,
and
production of a tamper-evident c9osurea
Based on a package of the kind mentioned above, this object is achieved in
accordance with the invention in such a way that the discharge opening in the
cover is sealed by a sealing element which can be brought into an at least
partly
opened state of the sealing element for discharging the package.
When the package is filled excessively, as is partly the case during filling
with
fluids, in order to prevent any trapping of air or gas during the seaming of
the
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
-2-
cover, it is ensured in this embodiment in accordance with the invention that
no
fluid can reach the cover through the discharge opening because the discharge
opening is sealed by a sealing element.
No fluid can be situated between cover and sealing cap after the application
of
the sealing cap, so that all problems in connection with hygiene are avoided.
In
the case of pourable products, the invention is also especially advantageous
for
the reason that no product particles are present between cover and sealing cap
Rj~jhich might lead to a disturbance in the mobility of the sealing cap.
The cover which is connected with the package can have any desired shape. The
important aspect is that the shape is chosen in such a way that a sealing cap
can
be moved relative to the cover. In the case of an oblong package, an oblong
cover is appropriate in which the sealing cap is displaced laterally to the
cover. In
view of the large number of round cans used as package it is advantageous when
the cover connected with the package is circular. This allows twisting the
sealing
cap relative to the cover in order to expose or seal the discharge opening.
That is why it is proposed in a further development that the sealing cap is
held to
be rotatable.
The sealing cap can be fastened with grippers to the cover. For this purpose,
individual webs are sufficient in order to arrange functions of the sealing
cap
there. It is advantageous however when the sealing region comprises a sealing
cap which overlaps the entire cover. This helps ensure an especial stability
of the
sealing cap and offers a large number of possibilities for arranging the
sealing
cap in order to arrange a large variety of functions there.
It is especially advantageous in a constructional respect, especially in the
case of
a round cover, when both the cover and the sealing cap each comprise an off-
center discharge opening.
It is advantageous especially when using harder materials for the sealing cap
and
the cover when the discharge opening of the cover is associated with a sealing
region which encloses the discharge opening.
It is advantageous when the closing area of the sealing cap is associated with
a
sealing region which encloses the closing area. This sealing region can be
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
-3-
arranged both on the cover as well as on the sealing cap. It can lie between
cover and sealing cap or be arranged in an integral fashion with the cover
and/or
the sealing cap.
It is advantageous when the sealing region comprises a seal. Seals in the
present
case shall be understood not only as separate seals, but also as seals which
are a
specia6ly arranged area of the cover or sealing cap which cause a special
sealing
effect.
Even when a sealing region is mentioned within the scope of the invention,
then
this does not exclude that also the entire cover or the entire sealing cap can
be
arranged of a material which has sealing properties in order to achieve the
required sealing.
A special embodiment provides that a lifting apparatus with action between the
cover and the sealing cap is provided which causes a removal of the sealing
effect of a sealing region between cover and sealing cap on twisting the
sealing
cap.
It is advantageous when the sealing element is elastic. This allows a
deformation
as a result of an overpressure in the package or as a result of an applied
pretensioning in the connection of sealing cap and cover. The elastic sealing
cap
can extend into such opening if it reaches beneath an opening in the sealing
cap.
This helps gripping the sealing element or acting with the sealing cap upon
the
sealing element.
Although the discharge opening in the cover as well as the sealing element are
hardly subject to any limitations concerning their shaping, it is advantageous
when the sealing element is bulged outwardly in a cap-like manner with respect
to the package in a further development of the invention and comprises at
least
one flange which protrudes radially to the outside.
The outwardly bulging configuration proves to be advantageous for example
when a handle for opening the sealing element is provided. It is advantageous
when the handle is rigidly connected with the sealing element or is integrated
in
the sealing cap. After the twisting of the sealing cap to the opened position,
the
outwardly bulging cap presses through the discharge opening in the sealing cap
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
-4-
to the outside, through which the handle for opening of the sealing element
can
be gripped with greater ease.
LLI"he transfer of the sealing element to an at least partly opened state will
be
facilitated when the sealing element comprises a predetermined breaking point.
It can be arranged in such a way that the sealing element is opened only
partly,
or the predetermined breaking point can also permit complete opening of the
sealing element.
'flhe presence of a predetermined breaking point is also advantageous in cases
where the handle is integrated in the sealing cap and is arranged especially
as a
shaped part of the sealing cap and comes into engagement with the sealing
element during the twisting of the same. As a result, the sealing element can
be
U'ansferred to an at least partly opened state already during the twisting of
the
sealing cap, especially in conjunction with the predetermined breaking point.
The handle can also be held in movable manner in the sealing cap as a punching
tool. For opening the sealing element, the punching tool needs to be pressed
down to the opened position after the twisting of the sealing cap, through
which
the sealing cap, depending on the configuration of the blade of the punching
tool,
is severed either partly or completely.
The sealing element can be fixed with a flange to the inside or the outside.
An advantageous embodiment is also obtained in such a way that the boundary
region of the opening is received in the cover between two flanges of the
sealing
element. This arrangement is advantageous for the reason because on the one
hand the sealing element can be arranged in an especially rigid manner on the
cover and on the other hand the upper of the two flanges can enclose the
closing
area of the same as a seal in the closed position of the sealing cap in this
arrangement. This type of arrangement of the sealing comes with the advantage
that in this case too there is an intimate connection between seal and cover.
When the sealing cap comprises in the closing area a recess for receiving the
sealing element at least in part, then this is especially advantageous in the
case
that the sealing element is outwardly bulged in the form of a cap. In this at
least
partly received position of the sealing element in a recess of the sealing
cap, the
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
-5-
sea6ing element can be destroyed especially easily for opening during the
twisting of the sealing cap.
The sealing cap can be made from such a material that it is advantageous to
ar-range both the seal enclosing the discharge opening as well as the closing
area
in an integral manner with the sealing cap.
It is also possible that both the seal enclosing the discharge opening as well
as
the closing area is fastened to the sealing cap. It is especially advantageous
in
this case when the seals are partly embedded in recesses of the sealing cap.
It is especially advantageous when the sealing element remains connected with
the cover in the opened state because it is thus prevented that the severed
seal
part is discharged with the content of the package, which would be especially
disadvantageous in beverage cans when the beverage is drunk directly from the
can.
It is advantageous in this embodiment that the sealing element protrudes with
pretensioning into the package after the opening, so that it is unable to
cause
any disturbance during the discharging of the package.
It is proposed alternatively or cumulatively that the sealing element comes
into
engagement with grippers fastened to the sealing cap during the movement of
the sealing cap relative to the cover. This allows keeping a severed or
severable
part of the sealing element on the sealing cap, so that it can fall neither
into the
package nor anywhere into the ambient environment. The grippers can grip the
sealing element or at least a part of the sealing element prior to its
severing,
hold the same during the severing and preferably even hold the same after its
severing.
It is advantageous when the sealing element is latched to the sealing cap
after
the opening. In this way, the sealing element or the severed part of the
sealing
element will hang rigidly on the sealing cap, where it is held in a manner as
captive as possible.
The lifting apparatus comprises a latching cam arranged on the cover or the
seaiing cap and a latching recess arranged on the respectively associated
part,
with the latching cam and the cooperating latching recess determining by their
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
-6-
geometric arrangement the two positions of the sealing cap in which the two
discharge openings on the one hand and the closing area of the sealing cap on
the other hand are in alignment with the discharge opening in the cover. This
arrangement ensures not only the necessary lifting of the sealing cap during
the
rrlovement of the sealing cap relative to the cover, but the two operating
positions of the sealing cap are determined simultaneously, so that it is
ensured
tiiat in the one position the package is completely opened and in the other
position completely closed,
In order to facilitate the discharging of the package, especially when a fluid
is
concerned, or to accelerate the discharging process, a second opening is
provided in a further embodiment of the invention which is sealed by a second,
preferably elastic sealing element. This second opening is used as a venting
opening when the sealing element has been destroyed.
It is advantageous for the process of venting when the second opening in the
cover is arranged in a sector which is substantially opposite of the discharge
opening. In this way, the air can be a9lowed to flow in especially
advantageously
during the discharging of the package.
For opening the sealing element for this second opening it is advantageous
when
the sealing cap is provided with a projection which penetrates the second
sealing
element in the opened position of the sealing cap and opens the same.
It is especially advantageous when the sealing cap comprises a further sealing
region which seals a second sealing element in the closed position. The second
sealing element, which is usually used as a venting means during the discharge
of fluids, is opened after its opening and thus allows fluid to exit. The
further
sealing region which is preferably arranged as a sealing allows sealing the
opened second sealing element, especially when the can is closed.
There are various possibilities to open the sealing element. In addition to
the
described possibilities of a handle that can be withdrawn or a punch that can
be
pressed in, there is also the possibility to sever the sealing element
horizontally.
It is proposed for this purpose that the sealing cap comprises a blade.
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
-7-
A simple embodiment provides that the blade is arranged in the discharge
opening. When the sealing element enters the discharge opening, it can be cut
off with the blade. Subsequently, the sealing cap is turn slightly back again,
whereupon the content of the package can pass out of the discharge opening.
In practical dealing with the package it has proven to be advantageous when
the
blade is arranged in a further opening of the sealing cap. As a result, the
functions of cutting off a part of the seal and the discharge of the content
of the
package are separated.
A simple embodiment provides that the further opening is an oblong hole. This
allows a sealing element which is in alignment with the oblong hole to enter
the
opening and to open the sealing element by a motion of the sealing cap
relative
to the cover.
Pressures of several bars are frequently obtained when pressurized fluids such
as
beverages containing COZ are transported in the package. When the closed area
of the sealing cap presses against the seal in the closed position of the
sealing
cap, a seal that is arranged in a less stable manner can withstand such
pressures.
An especially simple cooperation between a blade fixed to the sealing cap and
a
seal is achieved in such a way that a portion of the pretensioned seal
protrudes
into an opening of the sealing cap during a movement of the sealing cap
relative
to the cover, The seal can be pretensioned here by a special deformation or be
under a pretension by the pressure of the sealing cap against the seal until
the
seal protrudes into an opening of the sealing cap.
It is especially advantageous when the part of the pretensioned seal audibly
jumps into a position during the motion of the sealing cap relative to the
cover,
especially an opening of the sealing cap. The seal jumps into the opening with
a
"plop" sound in which it is subsequently cut off by a motion of the sealing
cap
relative to the cover. An acoustic signal can also be achieved in that the
seal
jumps into a recess in the sealing cap and thus indicates, preferably in an
audible
way, a special position of the cover reiative to the sealing cap.
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
In order to facilitate the cutting of the seal at a predetermined position it
is
provided that the sealing element comprises a circumferential weakened portion
for the engagement of the blade.
It is further advantageous when the opened seal forms a sealing region between
cover and sealing cap. Notice must be taken in this respect that even after
the
removal of a portion of the seal, sufficient seal material remains for opening
the
seal in order to ensure sufficient sealing between cover and sealing cap.
In order to prevent losing a cut portion of the seal, the sealing cap can
comprise
an opening with a cover. The cover then forms a cavity for receiving at least
a
portion of the seal This cover can be arranged integrally with, the sealing
cap or
be connected with the same as an additional part. It can preferably be
provided
that the opening with the blade comprises a cover. Especially in the case of
high
pressures in the package it is thus prevented that a seal in alignment with an
opening in the sealing cap will open by itself or in an uncontroiled manner
and
fluid will spray out or a portion of the seal will be ejected under
acceleration by
the pressure.
Especially when a special opening for cutting off the seal is provided it is
advantageous that the seal and the discharge opening in the sealing cap are
arranged in such a way that the seai is unable to penetrate the discharge
opening.
In order to ensure that the functions of opening the seal and discharging the
package are offered in the correct sequence by moving the sealing cap relative
to
the cover, it is proposed that the sealing cap can be moved in only one
direction
relative to the cover.
It has been seen in practice that it is advantageous when the distance between
the discharge opening and a further opening is smaller than the diameter of
the
seal. This allows placing the sealing cap in any desired position on the
cover.
Special possibilities for advertising or information on the conditions of the
package seal are offered when the sealing cap comprises an embossed portion
for informationm
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
-9-
It is advantageous for production when the sealing cap is made from a multi-
component material. This allows providing especially strong materials for
connecting sealing cap and cover, whereas other qualities of the material are
required for the sealing regions.
An advantageous embodiment therefore provides that the sealing cap comprises
a metal frame with a plastic insert.
Elasticity of the sealing element is not necessary for many embodiments. It is
advantageous however when the sealing element can be deformed for sitting
close to the sealing cap. This allows support the sealing element with the
sealing
cap in the closed state.
It is preferably provided in this respect that the sealing element comprises a
frame which seals against the sealing cap.
It is advantageous when the sealing element comprises a bellows. This allows
pressing a portion of the sealing element in a simple manner into the package
or
to extend a portion of the sealing element as a spout for example.
Another embodiment provides that the sealing element comprises a film hinge. A
film hinge or several film hinges enable the provision of predetermined
bending
points with which a bellows can be produced or which enable a defined
deformation of the sealing element.
Although the invention will be explained below by reference to a round can,
the
features of the invention can also be used for a package, depending on the
application, in which the sealing cap is displaceable.
The invention is now explained below in closer detail by reference to various
embodiments shown in the drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a top view of a cover with a sealing cap of a package arranged
as a beverage can for example;
Fig. 2 shows a sectional view along line II-II in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows a sectional view according to Fig 2, but with a sealing cap
twisted by 18000
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
- 10-
Fig. 4 shows a top view according to Fig. 1 with a position of the cover and
sealing cap arrangement which is twisted by approximately 300;
Fig. 5 shows a sectional view along line V-V in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 shows a sectional view according to Fig. 5 with a sealing cap twisted
by 180 ;
Figs. 7 to 10 show sectional views in sections in the area of a discharge
opening in the cover with various rotational positions of the sealing cap
disposed above the same;
Fig. 11 to 13 show sectional views in sections in the area of a discharge
opening in the cover with different arrangements of a sealing element
for the opening;
Figs. 14 to 16 show sectional views in sections of a further embodiment;
Figs. 17 to 19 show a top view of a cover with a sealing cap and a sectional
view of the engagement of the sealing cap on the sealing element;
Figs. 20 to 31 each show a sectional view through a can and a top view of the
can for explaining the opening of the can with a blade in the sealing
cap, and
Fig. 32 shows a sectional view through a can with a bipartite cover and a
sealing cap arranged thereon.
As is shown in the illustration in Figs. 1 to 6, a package 1 arranged in the
form of
a beverage can for example comprises a cover 3 in its closing area designated
in
its entirety with reference numeral 2 and a sealing cap 4 which is twistable
with
respect to the cover 3. Cover 3 comprises an off-center discharge opening 5
for
discharging the content. The sealing cap 4, which is twistable with respect to
the
cover but not liftable in this embodiment, also comprises an off-center
discharge
opening 6 which can be brought into true alignment with the discharge opening
5
in the cover in the rotational position according to Fig. 3.
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
- 11 -
The sealing cap 4 also further comprises an off-center closing area 7 which is
also arranged off-center like the discharge opening 6 and can be brought into
true alignment with the discharge opening 5 in the cover, as is shown in Fig.
2.
After the filling of the package 1, cover 3 is fastened for example by seaming
onto the package 1. In this respect it is possible to excessively fill the
package by
a srnal! percentage when fluids are concerned which are received by the
package,
so that after the placement of the cover 4 there will not be any trapped air.
The
sealing cap is applied thereupon. In the unused state, the closing area 7 of
the
sealing cap 4 is in true alignment with the opening 5 in the cover, as is
shown in
Fig. 2.
When applying the cover 3 to the package 1, the discharge opening 5 is sealed
in
a leak-proof manner by means of a sealing element 8. This sealing element 8
has
an outwardly bulging shape of a cap in the illustrated embodiment and
comprises
a radially outwardly protruding flange 9. This flange 9 is used to fasten the
seaiing element 8 to the inside of cover 4 by means of tight gluing for
example.
In the unused state, the sealing element 8 reaches into a recess 10 in the
sealing
cap which is located in the closing area 7. The sealing element is provided
with a
handle 11 which protrudes from the discharge opening 6 of the sealing cap 4
after the twisting of sealing cap 4 from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the
position as shown in Fig. 9 and enables a tearing off of the sealing element 8
at a
predetermined breaking point 21, as shown in Fig. 9.
After the at least partial removal of the sealing element 8, the content of
the
package 1 can be discharged. Figs. 7 to 10 show the completely closed state in
the original state according to Fig. 7, an intermediate position according to
Fig. 8,
the end position according to Fig. 9 prior to the tearing off of the sealing
element
8 and the already partly torn state according to Fig. 10.
In the embodiments according to Figs. 1 to 12, the sealing cap 4 comprises a
single radially protruding flange which is designated with reference numeral 9
and is fixed to the bottom side of the cover 3. In all embodiments according
to
Figs. 1 to 12, both the area around the discharge opening 6 in the sealing cap
4
and the closing area 7 are enclosed by a seal 12 and 13 in order to ensure
that in
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
- 12-
the opened state according to Fig. 10 no product from the package can get
between the sealing cap 4 and the cover 3.
The closing area 7 reaches over the discharge opening 5 of the cover during
resealing. In this state too, the seal 13 seals the gap between the sealing
cap 4
and the cover 3, so that no fluid or other product particles can reach between
the
seaiing cap 4 and the cover 3.
In the embodiment according to Fig. 11, the flange 9 of the cap-like sealing
element 8 is fixed to the upper side of the cover 3.
The embodiment according to Fig. 12 differs from all previously shown
embodiments in such a way that the cap-like sealing element 8 comprises two
flanges 9 and 9' which receive the opening edge of cover 3 between themselves.
In the embodiment according to Fig. 13, the upper flange is designated with 9"
and is provided with a substantially wider and thicker configuration. As a
result,
this flange 9" can be used as a seal and replaces both the seal 12 enclosing
the
discharge opening 6 in the sealing cap 4 and the seal 13 enclosing the closing
area 7.
In order to ensure that during the discharge of fluids it can escape
relatively
quickly even with a relatively small discharge opening 5, a venting opening 22
is
provided which is sealed by a sealing element 14 as long as the package is in
an
unopened state. The venting opening and the sealing element are shown
especially in Figs. 4 and 5.
In order to open this venting opening, a projection 15 is provided on the
bottom
side of the sealing cap 4 which engages in a depression 16 in the cover in the
closed state of the entire closing area in order to prevent the sealing cap
from
lifting off in this closed state.
Fig. 5 shows the state in which the venting opening 22 is sealed by the
sealing
element 14. The area of the sealing cap 4 which is opposite of the sealing
element 14 is enclosed by a seal 17 which is used to seal the venting opening
22
after the resealing of the package, so that no fluid or product particles can
get
between cover 3 and sealing cap 4 via the venting opening 22. After the
twisting
of the sealing cap 4 from the position according to Fig 5 to the position
according
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
13-
to Fig. 6, the projection 15 penetrates the sealing element 14 and pierces the
same.
Figs. 14 to 16 show a modified embodiment which enables another type of
opening of the sealing element 8. Fig. 14 shows the state in which the closing
area 7 of the sealing cap lies above the sealing element. Fig. 15 shows a
sectional view in the area of the discharge opening 6 of the sealing cap 4 in
which a punching tool 18 is located which pierces the sealing element 8 by
pressing downwards to the position as shown in Fig. 16 on a partial
circumference of the cap-like region of the sealing element 8.
For this purpose, punching element 18 is provided over a partial section of
the
circumference with a blade 23 whereas another partial section 24 is provided
with a blunt configuration, so that no severing of the sealing element occurs,
as
is shown in Fig. 16. The non-severed part of the sealing element is arranged
in
such a way that it presses the severed part inwardly into the package with
pretension. This state is shown in Fig. 16.
The advantage of this arrangement of the sealing element is that in the case
of a
beverage can the punched-off part cannot be swallowed but protrudes inwardly
into the package without disturbing the drinking process.
To ensure that the seals are not destroyed during the twisting of the sealing
cap
5, a lifting apparatus is provided which comprises a latching cam 19 on the
bottom side of the sealing cap and, in the associated area of the cover, a
latching
recess 20.
The geometric arrangement of these two parts is made in such a way that the
sealing cap is lifted with the start of a rotation of the sealing cap 4 in
re6ation to
the cover 3, with the seals 12 and 13 being released from the cover. In the
case
of an arrangement according to Fig. 13, the sealing cap is released from the
flange 9" which is used as a seal.
Since the discharge opening 6 in the sealing cap 4 and the closing area 7 in
the
sealing cap 4 are precisely opposite of each other, a rotation of the sealing
cap
by 180 is required in order to make the latching cam 19 to engage in the
latching recess 20 again. In this position, the discharge openings 5 and 6 of
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
-14-
cover 2 and the sealing cap are in alignment with each other, whereas in the
second position twisted by 1801 the closing area 7 lies above the opening 5 of
the cover. The illustrations in Figs. 1 to 4 show that the venting opening 22
is
virtually opposite to the discharge opening 5 in the cover, leading to a
favorable
venting.
Fig, 17 shows a sealing cap 2 with a discharge opening 5. The schematic
illustration further shows an oblong hole 25, with a blade 26 being arranged
at
one of its ends. A sealing element 27 is indicated within the oblong hole 25
which
protrudes into the oblong hole 25. The sealing element 27 is held with two
flanges on cover 28, whereas the cap-like cover 29 of the sealing element 27
protrudes into the plane of a sealing cap 30. The sealing cap 30 comprises the
blade 26 at the one end of the oblong hole 25, which blade can be brought into
engagement with the sealing element 27 by twisting the sealing cap 30 relative
to the cover 28. The sealing element 27 has a circumferential weakening 31 for
this purpose which facilitates severing the cap 29 from the sealing element 27
with the blade 26.
A further embodiment in which a sealing cap cooperates with a sealing element
arranged in the cover is described in Figs. 20 to 31.
Fig. 20 shows the cover 40 of a can 41 with a sealing element 43 attached
eccentrically in an opening 42 of cover 40. The sealing element 43 is provided
with a pretension by its shaping, which ensures that a cap 44 protrudes
clearly
above the level of the cover 40.
Figs. 22 and 23 show how upon placement of the sealing cap 45 the cover 44 of
the sealing element 43 is pressed down. A flexible film hinge 46 in the
sealing
element 43 allows pressing the sealing element 43 to the inside into the
interior
space of the can, so that the cover 44 of the sealing element 43 lies directly
above the cover 40 of can 41. Sealing element 43 remains under tension in such
a way that it still has the tendency to jump outwardly. Since the sealing cap
45
in the placed position above the sealing element 43 does not have an opening,
the sealing cap 45 supports the sealing element 43 in holding an internal
pressure within the can 40. This is especially relevant for cans with
carbonated
CA 02670639 2009-05-26
- 15 -
beverages. The upper flange 47 of the sealing element 43 is used as a seal
between the cover 40 of can 41 and the sealing cap 45.
Fig. 23 shows how the sealing cap 45 covers the sealing element 43.
Figs. 24 to 27 show how the sealing cap 45 slides an oblong-hole-like opening
49
with a blade 50 over the sealing element 43 by twisting in the direction of
arrow
48. Once the sealing element 43 is able to completely penetrate the oblong
hole
49, it jumps with an audible "plop" sound into the oblong hoie 49 and thus
into
the plane of action of the blade 50. The user of the beverage can acoustically
and
optically recognizes the integrity of seal 43 within the oblong hole.
Figs. 28 to 29 show how the blade 50 severs the cover 44 of the sealing
element
43, in that it is slid by the sealing cap 45 beneath the cover 44.
When the sealing cap 45 is turned further relative to the cover 40 of the can
41,
the cap 44 is severed completely and the oblong hole is twisted beyond the
opening 42 in the cover 40. As a result, a discharge opening 51 reaches the
area
above the discharge opening 42 in the cover 40 of the can, so that the content
of
the can is allowed to emerge through the discharge openings 42 and 51. In this
position too, the upper flange 47 of the sealing element 43 provides sealing
between the cover 40 of the can 41 and the sealing cap 54.
A special embodiment of a can closure 60 is shown in Fig. 32. A bipartite
cover
62 is applied to can 61. Said bipartite cover 62 consists of an annular
element 63
which is made of metal and seamed onto the can 61 and of an inside part 64
which is made of plastic and is fastened thereto by means of flanges. A
sealing
element 65 is arranged in the inside part 64 made of plastic, which sealing
element cooperates with a recess 66 in a sealing cap 67 and which can reach
into
a discharge opening 68 when twisting the sealing cap 67 towards the cover 62.
An opening of the seal 65 can occur by means of a handle or a blade in this
embodiment too,
