[0001] This invention concerns a disposable spout for cans containing beverages, particularly
carbonated beverages.
[0002] Cans containing beverages, particularly carbonated beverages, generally have a metal
lid that provides a hermetic seal, and that is equipped with a pull-up tab that covers
the opening through which the liquid contained in the can is poured.
[0003] Among the consumers of beverages in cans, there is a widespread habit of drinking,
after pulling up the tab, directly from the can, applying the mouth to the top of
the can.
[0004] This is not hygienic, because the outside of the can, after the beverage has been
introduced and sealed, is not protected in any way and therefore dust and other contaminants
can deposit on the surface.
[0005] One of the purposes of this invention is to provide a disposable spout for cans containing
beverages, particularly carbonated beverages, that makes it possible for the consumer
to drink directly from the can in the most convenient way while avoiding direct contact
between the can and the mouth, thereby ensuring hygiene.
[0006] Another purpose is to provide a spout as indicated that can be associated to a can
containing a beverage in such a way that it can be stacked with other similar cans
and can also be placed on any flat surface.
[0007] Another purpose is to provide a spout as indicated with a simplified structure, easy
to use and convenient, at a low cost.
[0008] In view of these purposes, this invention provides a disposable spout for cans containing
beverages, particularly carbonated beverages, the essential characteristics of which
are the subject of claim no. 1.
[0009] Further advantageous characteristics are outlined in the subordinate claims.
[0010] The aforementioned claims are understood to be an integral part of the description
of the invention.
[0011] This invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the enclosed drawings,
that are supplied only by way of example, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a front view of the disposable spout for cans containing beverages, particularly
carbonated beverages, according to the invention;
- Fig. 2 is a view of the layout from below;
- Fig. 3 is a side view;
- Fig. 4 and 5 are views in enlarged scale and in cross section according to lines IV-IV
and V-V of fig. 1, respectively;
- Fig. 6 and 7 show a view in perspective and in a different scale of a can containing
a carbonated drink, in one case hermetically closed and with the spout according to
the invention applied, before use, on the outside of the bottom, and open, after removing
a pull-up tab on the lid, and with the spout applied in the position ready for use
for drinking through the aperture created in this way on the lid.
[0012] In the drawings, the spout for cans containing beverages, particularly carbonated
beverages, according to the invention, as shown in fig. 1, is marked no. 10.
[0013] This spout no. 10 consists of a flexible piece of plastic 11, bent in such a way
as to present two opposite faces, one concave 11.1 and the other convex 11.2. For
hygienic reasons this spout 10 is made of sterile material suitable for use for food
products and preferably recyclable.
[0014] This piece of plastic 11 has a basically rectangular border in the shape of an isosceles
trapezium, seen from the front in fig. 1, but the corners rounded in the manner of
a fingernail.
[0015] On the concave face 11.1 of the piece of plastic 11 there is a first stiffening rib
11.3 that runs along the trapezoidal edge and is higher along the side corresponding
to the longer base 11.30.
[0016] A second stiffening rib 11.4 is provided on the concave face 11.1 of the piece of
plastic 11, in the mid-point position between the inclined sides 11.40 of its outer
border, adjacent to the base line 11.30. This second rib 11.4 presents a thickening
11.5 in the central part.
[0017] On the convex face 11.2 of the piece of plastic a continuous linear slit 12 is formed,
running basically parallel and close to the side of wider base 11.30. This slit 12
runs along the part of the greater height of the first rib 11.3.
[0018] Between this slit 12 and the side of the larger base 11.30 of the outer edge of the
convex face 11.2, corresponding to the extreme corner zone, tracks 11.6 are provided
on the surface running downward toward the slit.
[0019] On the longer base side 11.30 of the outer edge of the concave face 11.1 a sliding
surface 11.31 is provided, running downward toward the outside of the spout 10.
[0020] The shape and size of the spout 10 are suitable for fitting it easily, before use,
in the external cavity that is provided in the bottom of a can CA (fig. 6). The spout
10 should preferably be protected in a sterile envelope B that is applied to the cavity
with an adhesive strip so as not to hinder stacking of the can CA with other similar
cans and standing it on any flat surface.
[0021] Use of the spout 10:
[0022] After opening the can by pulling the tab T, the spout 10 is inserted in the opening
A on the lid CO, by holding the spout between the fingers of one hand loosely bent
into a "U" shape (as seen from above) like a spring strip with its convex face 11.2
toward the lid CO, its longer base 11.30 downward, aligning its slit 12 with the lid
CO. The operation of bending the spout 10 correctly into a "U" shape is facilitated
by the arrangement of the stiffening ribs 11.3, 11.4 and 11.5 described above, while
the sliding surface tracks 11.6 on its convex face 11.2 facilitate insertion of the
spout 10, bent as described, into the opening A on the can.
[0023] When the spout 10 is released, after inserting it in the opening A, it springs open
and automatically fits itself, with its slit 12, to the lid CO, adhering to it permanently
in a fixed position suitable to facilitate the outward flow of the beverage in the
can CA. The spout 10 is ready for use, facilitating drinking and ensuring hygienic
conditions for the consumer.
1. Disposable spout for cans containing beverages, particularly carbonated beverages,
closed by a hermetically sealed lid equipped with a pull-up tab that covers an opening
in the lid for pouring the liquid, characterized in that it consists of a flexible
strip (11) in a plastic material, bent so as to present two opposite faces, one concave
(11.1) and the other convex (11.2), and provided on this convex face (11.2) with a
continuous linear slit (12), this spout (10) -- after the can (CA) has been opened
by pulling up the tab (T) -- being inserted in the opening (A) thereby created on
the lid (CO) of the can by holding it elastically bent between the fingers of one
hand, basically in a "U" shape (as seen from above) like a spring strip and with its
convex face (11.2) toward the lid so as to align its slit (12) with the lid, afterwards
it is released and springs outward so as to automatically fit itself, with its slit
(12) into the lid (CO) of the can where it is permanently held in a fixed position
suitable to facilitate the outward flow of the beverage from the can and facilitating
drinking while ensuring hygienic conditions for the consumer.
2. Spout according to claim 1, characterized in that the strip (11) on its concave face
(11.1) is provided with a first stiffening rib (11.3), that runs along its outer edge
and has its greatest width at the slit (12) provided on the other face (11.2), and
a second stiffening rib (11.4) placed in a basically middle position between the two
opposite edges (11.40) of its outer edge, adjacent to the two ends of the slit (12),
respectively, serving to facilitate the operation of correct manual bending in a "U"
shape of the spout (10) by the arrangement of these stiffening ribs (11.3, 11.4).
3. Spout according to claim 2, in which the second stiffening rib (11.4) includes a thickening
(11.5) in the central part.
4. Spout according to claim 1 characterized in that, between the slit (12) and the nearest
and basically parallel outer edge (11.30) of the convex face (11.2) of the strip (11),
tracks are provided on the surface (11.6) running downward toward the slit (12) to
facilitate the insertion of the spout (10), when bent basically into a "U" shape,
into the opening (A) on the can (CA).
5. Spout according to claim 4, characterized in that on the edge (11.30) of the concave
face (11.1) of the strip (11) there is a sliding surface (11.31) that runs downward
toward the outer edge of the strip in order to facilitate the flow of the beverage
out of the can (CA).
6. Spout according to claim 1 characterized in that the strip (11) has a basically quadrangular
edge in the form of an isosceles trapezium as seen from the front (fig. 1), with rounded
corners resembling a fingernail.
7. Spout according to claim 1 characterized in that it is made of sterile material suitable
for use with food products, preferably recyclable, and is fitted, before use, in an
external cavity provided on the bottom of the can (CA), preferably protected inside
a special packet consisting of a sterile envelope, applied to this cavity by means
of an adhesive strip so as not to hinder stacking the can (CA) with other similar
cans or standing it on any flat surface.