This invention refers to a sealing device suitable for a drink can.

This covers the manufacture and distribution of drinks, such as fizzy, soft and similar and their consumption, either immediately or later, after opening said cans.

It is a well-known fact that, after opening a can of drink by pulling on the ring-tab that forms part of the sealing system on the top of the can, it is practically impossible to close it again. For this reason, if the contents are not drunk immediately or within a short space of time, there is the risk of losing the fizzy gas and the possibility of foreign matter entering, such as dust and insects etc.

This is why there is a requirement for a device that enables the can to be temporarily tightly closed again by the user, which also protects the contents from foreign matter.

Documents related to the state of the art are:

US 4883182 A, which discloses a sealing device according to the preamble of claim 1, describes a reusable beverage container closure comprising a hollow funnel-shapped housing whose application on the drink can is obtained by a recess in the skirt leaning over a crimp bead of the metal can.

US 5071042 A describes an adapter that provides a bottle-like spout for aluminium beverage cans in which a skirt embraces and coverts that the top rim of the can, and a cylindrical insert in the skirt leans on the top base of the can.

WO2006085779A, disclases a drinking vessel for a liquids packaging product, which has a frangibly linked potion engaged with bottle when the drinking vessel is fitted to the bottle to seal the bottle, and remains with the bottle when the drinking vessel is removed from the bottle.

EP1380515 A1, discloses a closure device for a beverage bottle which has lateral protrusions provided on a collar tab for latching a cap by its rim, through snap action.

US2005184433 A1, discloses a one piece closure for a carbonated beverage container which has an inner annular skirt suspended from a top which deforms to form a seal with a container top rim when the top is screwed tight.

In order to overcome the mentioned drawbacks, a device has been designed applicable to the top of a can of drink which, before opening the same, prevents contamination of the can top and, when opened, prevents foreign matter from entering the can.

In order to facilitate the explanation, this description is accompanied by drawings that illustrate a nonlimiting embodiment example of the invention of a sealing device suitable for a drink can according to claim 1.

• Figure 1 is a meridian section view of the new device before being applied to a drink can.
• Figure 2 shows the new device after being applied to a conventional drink can.

The numbered elements on the drawings correspond to the parts indicated below.

The new sealing device is suitable for a drink can and it presents a body 1 in the form of a hood, with suitable diameter and configuration for adapting to the top 2 of a can 3 of drink, precisely to the upper edge 4, neck 5 and the truncated cone section 6.

The base of body 1 derives into a cylindrical skirt 7 that corresponds to the body 3 of the can, the internal edge of which presents an interior annular rib 8 intended to be applied around the neck 5 and located below the slight annular projection formed by edge 4.

The device shall be advantageously constructed from a semi-flexible material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the limited elasticity of which permits perfect adaptation to the periphery of the head 2, thus ensuring device seating on the can body.

Firm coupling of the device the cylindrical skirt 7 is completed by an interior screw thread 10 on the inside surface of the skirt 7, a screw thread conjugated with an annular projection 9.

Exteriorly, the skirt 7 advantageously presents a fluting 11 parallel to the device axis that facilitates the positioning and separation of the device with respect to the can body

The inside surface of the body 1 presents a cylindrical projection 12 that is applied to the inside of edge 4 and contributes to device stabilisation.

The body 1 comprises a cylindrical mouth 13 with an exterior thread 14, intended to conventionally receive a closing stopper 15.

Thus, once the can of drink is opened and possibly after consuming part of its contents, it can be closed with the described device and its interior can be protected by stopper 15.