Device for sealing foodstuff containers and foodstuff container provided with such a device

1. Device for sealing foodstuff containers, in particular drink containers, comprising:

a sealing element adapted to engage on a cover of a foodstuff container around an opening arranged in the cover, and

an operating element adapted to co-act with the sealing element for displacing the sealing element between an opened position leaving the opening clear and a closed position sealing the opening, the operating element being provided with coupling means for coupling to the foodstuff container,

wherein the relative orientation of the sealing element and the operating element can be changed such that the operating element can cause the sealing element in the closed position to engage under bias on the cover for substantially medium-tight sealing of the foodstuff container, characterized in that said coupling means being adapted to engage on a peripheral edge of the opening,

wherein the sealing element is located at least substantially inside of the foodstuff container.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the operating element is partially situated in the opening such that the operating element engages bilaterally on the cover.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing element and the operating element are adapted to mutually enclose a part of the cover of the foodstuff container.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing element is positioned partially within the opening in the closed position of the sealing element.

5. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the mutual distance between the sealing element and the operating element can be changed.

6. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the relative orientation of the sealing element and the operating element can be changed by means of rotating the sealing element relative to the operating element.

7. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing element engages via a seal on the cover of the foodstuff container provided with the opening in the closed position of the sealing element.

8. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing element engages under bias on, or at least near, a peripheral edge of the cover of the foodstuff container provided with the opening in the closed position of the sealing element.

9. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the operating element and the sealing element are mutually coupled by means of a threaded connection.

10. Device as claimed in claim 9 , characterized in that the threaded connection is substantially enclosed by the sealing element and at least one of the cover of the foodstuff container and the operating element, at least in the closed position of the sealing element.

11. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing element is provided with at least one receiving space for a pin projecting from the cover.

12. Device as claimed in claim 11 , characterized in that the pin forms part of an intermediate element connected to the cover.

13. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the operating element is provided with a projecting engaging member for a user.

14. Device as claimed in claim 13 , characterized in that the projecting engaging member is substantially fin shaped.

15. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the operating element is provided with a passage opening for the foodstuff held in the foodstuff container.

16. Device as claimed in claim 15 , characterized in that the sealing element is provided with a screening element projecting in the direction of the operating element and adapted for positioning in the passage opening in a closed situation of the device.

17. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the device is provided with venting means in particular for de-aeration of the foodstuff container via the opening.

18. Device as claimed in claim 17 , characterized in that the venting means comprises a first venting member making part of the operating element and a second venting member making part of the sealing element, said second venting member being adapted to co-act with the first venting member such that the mutual orientation of the first venting member and the second venting member can be changed to allow venting respectively block venting through the venting means.

19. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the device is initially sealed in the closed situation of the device.

20. Device as claimed in claim 19 , characterized in that the seal is formed by a mutual breakable connection between the sealing element and the operating element.

21. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the operating element can be fixed relative to the sealing element in at least one preferred position, in which the sealing element, co-acting with the operating element, is at least substantially situated in the closed position.

22. Device as claimed in claim 21 , characterized in that the operating element can be fixed relative to the sealing element by means of a substantially hook-shaped member.

23. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing element is provided with reinforcement means.

24. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the device is provided with barrier means for substantially preventing scouring water and other compounds to enter the foodstuff container in the closed position of the sealing element.

25. Foodstuff container provided with a device as claimed in claim 1 .

26. Foodstuff container as claimed in claim 25 , characterized in that the foodstuff container is formed by a drink container.

27. Foodstuff container as claimed in claim 26 , characterized in that the foodstuff container is formed by a drink can.