Dutch inventor creates resealable beverage can closure for multi-use consumption
22 Mar 2021 --- Dutch startup Sav-Ty is releasing a patented closure cap that allows consumers to reseal beverage cans. The company asserts its invention will enable aluminum cans to compete with PET and glass bottles as packaging for multi-use consumption.
Conceived by Jeroen van Goolen, a “prolific inventor” from the Netherlands, Sav-Ty’s current prototype already has a suite of patents for its various parts.
The closure cap is formed from a two-part injection-molded plastic design that can be clip-assembled or molded into any beverage can end shell, in which an offset cut-out has been punched.
The plastic parts are simple to produce. At 3 g, they are much lighter than those used in resealable can ends currently on the market, says the company.
Simon Jennings, a partner at Sav-Ty, explains to PackagingInsights how the product was developed.
“The key challenges in developing The Sav-Ty Resealable End System were to ensure the cap met the requirements of beverage producers in terms of performance,” he details.
“This was particularly important in terms of being able to be kept under and opened under very high pressures of over 6.2 BAR/90PSI and to ensure there is no leakage once resealed.”
The current suite of patents is based on the novel venting thread and tab opening.
Ergonomically-designed can with a tab that twists a quarter turn to open and can be resealed after drinking.Fighting plastic with plastic
While Jennings says the company is currently working on future solutions that could further reduce the amount of plastic used in the Sav-Ty, the company hopes the invention will lower the need for plastic beverage packaging throughout the industry.
“The current prototype, we believe, brings the lightest resealable end, which will hold pressure,” he explains. “The amount of plastic – at 3.1 g – is much less than in an equivalent plastic container.”
The company’s R&D team is working on a concept that will further reduce the amount of plastic used by 60 percent.
Adding to cans
The Sav-Ty can be used on any type of can end shells for two-piece cans but also three-piece steel and aluminum cans, says Jennings.
“This opens up a realm of possibilities for brand owners to develop their sustainable products with, for example, a reusable fitment.”
Solutions could include spouts, sprays or an adaptor allowing easy can refilling for carbonated or still drinks in a home or retail environment.
The company expects the cost of a can with the current Sav-Ty resealable end will be around US$0.10 once in large-scale production.
By being pressure-resistant and leakproof, the closure also meets international beverage industry standards and demands for all beverage types, Jenning asserts.
The feature can be fitted to any of the current beverage can end shells or used on any can size. It is seamed onto standard beverage cans using existing filling equipment without the need to adjust the filling line with additional technology.
The screw cap can be tethered to the anti rotating support. Its integrated soft seal system can also accommodate a wide range of dispensing fitments. These can be reused to reduce single-use plastic.
By Louis Gore-Langton
