DE102008022810A1 - beverage can - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage can (1) having a substantially circular base (2) and an adjoining hollow cylindrical wall (3), wherein the hollow cylindrical wall (3) in the region of its free end (4) has a first latching means in which Closing the beverage can (1) a lid (5) can be latched with a second locking means. To reduce the manufacturing costs while maintaining the gas and liquid tightness of such a beverage can and to enable the formation of a Austrinkhilfe from the can material is provided that the first locking means (7) by an annular groove (8) in the inner circumferential surface (9) of the hollow cylindrical wall ( 3) is formed, and that the second latching means (10) as a radially outer edge (11) of the lid (5) is formed, the form-fitting and gas and liquid-tight in the annular groove (8) can be inserted. To improve the property of the beverage can (1) as a drinking container, this can additionally have a Austrinkabschnitt (19, 22) integrally formed on the can wall (3).

Description

The The invention relates to a beverage can with a substantially circular bottom and an adjoining hollow cylindrical wall, with the hollow cylindrical wall in the area its free end has a first locking means, in the for closing the beverage can a lid with a second locking means is latched.

beverage cans for gas and liquid-tight storage of beverages or other liquids have long been common knowledge. These usually consist of a thin metal sheet, which in a forming process to a pot-like container is formed, having a substantially circular bottom as well as an integrally adjoining hollow cylindrical Wall has. After filling such a container is This is closed from the top with a lid, usually has a radially larger diameter than the can wall at its free end. This radial projection the lid will go over the free end of the can wall flared, such that a liquid and made gas-tight connection between the wall and the lid is. To open the soda can is in the lid an area molded, which has a material weakening as well an opening means in the form of a pull tab. By a pull on the pull tab, the lid is in the range of said Material weakening opened, leaving the liquid then poured out of the beverage can or the same directly to the mouth set and from this the liquid can be drunk.

To improve the drinking properties of such a beverage can, some proposals have been made, for example, relate to a special shape of the can wall or the upper edge of the can ( US 5,301,830 ; US 2004/0040963 A1 ) or in addition to the beverage can attachable drinking caps include ( JP 2000 229 644 A . JP 20000 006 983 A ).

at All these known beverage cans are described above Principle used to connect the lid with the can wall. This restricts but a useful education of the upper edge of the can for improvement the drinking properties of such a beverage can considerably one.

Two other constructions for connecting the hollow cylindrical wall and the lid of liquid containers are known from DE 15 36 175 A1 and the US 4,705,186 known.

So revealed the DE 15 36 175 A1 an oil can made of a plastic, wherein the oil can, which is not known beverage can, a container wall having an opening at its upper end, which is closable with a specially shaped lid. This document describes that the closure lid is cup-shaped and that the side wall of the oil can passes in its upper region in a flared outer edge. The opening collar of the filling opening has in its lower region, ie in the transition region to the container wall, a bead-like constriction, followed by an annular groove formed from a vertical annular wall and a horizontal annular flange of the oil can. The lid, which has been pushed into the filling opening of the oil can, bears with its side wall under elastic self-deformation against the bead surface of the constriction in a sealing manner. In this case, the conically widened edge seals in the annular groove. Since the flared edge of the lid does not completely fill the annular groove, an annular, air-filled channel remains between the radially outer side of the lid and the radially inner surface of the closure means of the container wall. In addition, characterized in that the axially upper end of the container wall to form a sealing surface for the lid is formed horizontally, no pouring spout or Ausgießhilfe formed from the material of the container wall. Since this container is an oil can, no Austrinkhilfe is structurally provided.

The US 4,705,186 discloses a beverage container of the type described above, in which the lid for closing the beverage can with its radial edge is not crimped around the above free end of the container wall, but is locked with the radially inwardly guided container wall. For this purpose, the lid has at its radial end an annular flange with a circumferential annular groove into which engages in an injection of the lid into the cavity of the beverage can the annular free end of the radially inwardly and axially downwardly facing wall of the can. Even with this construction, there is no possibility to form the free end of the can wall to the formation of Austrinkhilfen.

In front In this background, the invention is based on the object Showcase beverage can, which is inexpensive in a simple way can be produced and while maintaining their gas and liquid tightness the formation of a Austrinkhilfe from the can material allows.

The Solution to this problem arises from the features of Main claim while advantageous embodiments and Further developments of the invention, the dependent claims are.

The invention is based on the finding that this object can be achieved if the lid is clipped in the upper interior of the beverage can in an annular groove of the can wall, and the Can wall is used to form a Austrinkhilfe or a Austrinkabschnitts.

The Invention is according to the features of the main claim Therefore, from a beverage can with a substantially circular bottom and an adjoining hollow cylindrical wall, with the hollow cylindrical wall in the area of its free end having a first locking means, in the for closing the beverage can a lid with a second locking means can be latched or einsprengbar. To solve the asked Task is also provided that the first locking means by an annular groove in the inner circumferential surface of the hollow cylindrical Wall is formed, and that the radially outer Edge of the lid is designed as a second locking means, the form-fitting as well as gas and liquid tight in the annular groove used is. By this construction, the axially free end of the can wall usable as Austrinkabschnitt.

In Another embodiment of the invention can be provided that to ensure the mentioned sealing functions of Edge of the lid at least partially with a sealing material coated or covered. When inserting the radial edge the lid into the annular groove of the container wall becomes the sealing material slightly deformed and thus with a defined contact pressure pressed the beverage can sealingly into the annular groove.

There when clipping the lid in the annular groove under certain circumstances comparatively large shearing forces on the applied the lid edge applied sealing material However, there will be another technical solution for sealing the beverage can preferred. It is envisaged that the annular groove at least partially coated with a sealing material or filled. In a further embodiment, this can be so Be realized that the sealing material at the radial bottom the annular groove, in the axially and radially outer corner the annular groove and / or on the axially outer wall the same is arranged.

Prefers is a seal in which the lid with its axially after outside facing sealing surface against a sealing surface in the annular groove of the can wall presses, as in the case, in the drink received in the beverage container is carbonated, which by partially outgassing the Carbonic acid in the container resulting gas pressure of inside also presses on the lid. This causes the Cover with its annular, axial sealing surface on the annular, occupied with the sealing material sealing surface the annular groove presses, causing an increase in the Gas pressure leads to an increasing tightness of the seal.

Preferably is itself as a sealing material a liquid and used gas-tight material, which comparatively large It can withstand peeling forces, is non-toxic and, for example, rubber-elastic Has properties.

According to one Another variant may be on a separate sealing material in the Ring groove and / or on the radially outer edge of the lid be completely dispensed with. Nevertheless, a desired seal The beverage can is reached in these cases provided that at the radial bottom or at least at a radial Wall of the annular groove radially or axially inclined Mandrels or at least a pointed ring web arranged or formed are, when inserting the lid edge in the annular groove pierce in the edge of the lid and this lid edge as far as plastic deform or press apart that the sealing function is guaranteed. Accordingly, the spines or spikes form Ring webs by their piercing in the radial edge of the lid an annular sealing lip on the lid, which opposes the surfaces of the annular groove lays.

The Ring groove is preferred in the range of a radial and annular Paragraph of the hollow cylindrical wall of the beverage container educated. This paragraph can be easily found in the shape of the Produce drinks container and serves at Einclipsen the lid in the container wall primarily as an axial stop for the lid, around its edge in the correct axial Position in the annular groove of the hollow cylindrical container wall threading.

According to one Another embodiment may be provided that on the inside the radial annular shoulder of the hollow cylindrical wall axially aligned tip ring lands formed close to the annular groove are, when inserting the lid in the annular groove of the hollow cylindrical wall in the inside of the beverage can facing side of the Cover penetrate and thereby the lid edge sealingly plastic deform. Also in this Vari ante the radial edge of the lid by means the pointed ring lands deformed such that the lid edge a circumferential sealing lip is formed, which is attached to sealing surfaces the hollow cylindrical wall or annular groove of the beverage can invests.

Characterized in that the connection of the lid with the hollow cylindrical wall of the beverage can not done by crimping the radially outer edge of the lid around the free axial end of the container wall, but by clipping the lid into an annular groove on the inside of the container wall at a distance from the free axial end this wall, sufficient space is created to form a drinking rim or Austrinkabschnitt axially above the annular groove in the sense of an axial extension of the hollow cylindrical wall, which at far continuous compliance with the commercial dimensions or useful space volumes of the beverage can offers the user a very advantageous Austrinkhilfe.

A Beverage can according to the invention is on axial free end of said Austrinkabschnittes preferably provided with a bead-like thickening, the shaping the beverage can is easily moldable. This thickening causes the drinking rim is not sharp and good haptic Features. In addition, by an appropriately designed Thickening the stackability of such a beverage can be improved over known technical solutions.

Further can be provided that the Austrinkabschnitt bellows is trained. This is the Austrinkabschnitt before use the beverage can, so for the drinking or the pouring out of the liquid contained there, extendable and retractable after use. Through this constructive measure is a separate Austrinkabschnitt created at the beverage can, which in the inserted state the axial length of the beverage can is not detrimental extended. This is of particular advantage because a deviation of the axial length from the length a standard soda can filling them complicate the beverage factory and / or their transport would.

Although a beverage can according to the invention a metallic material, such as a tinplate or a sheet of aluminum is produced, so it is preferred, this beverage can made of a plastic, for example made of polyethylene (PET) or polypropylene in a cast or Manufacture glass process.

According to one Another embodiment may be provided that the bellows-shaped Austrinkabschnitt of the same plastic material as the can wall is formed, the foldability of the bellows-shaped Austrinkabschnitts by a correspondingly small wall thickness the same is realized.

To another variant is provided that the bellows-shaped Austrinkabschnitt consists of a plastic material other than the can wall, and the bellows-shaped Austrinkabschnitt to the can wall is formed.

After all is also a variant according to the invention possible, in which the bellows-shaped Austrinkabschnitt off a suitable plastic and the can wall is made of a metal, which are interconnected.

The Suggested beverage can is particularly easy and inexpensive can be produced as well as safe in use, as they are particularly in their production made of a suitable plastic unbreakable, low weight and recyclable is. In addition, the clipped into the annular groove cover only by Use of brute force from the hollow cylindrical container wall be removed, leaving a misuse of the in the soda can enclosed drink is excluded.

The Invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment further described. In the attached drawing shows

1 a longitudinal section through a beverage can according to the invention with a ready for connection to the can wall lid and with a clipped into an annular groove in the container wall lid

2 an enlarged longitudinal section through part of the axially upper end of the beverage can with a introduced into a corner of the annular groove sealing means,

3 a picture like in 2 with a sealant applied to the radial bottom of the annular groove,

4 a picture like in 2 without sealant in the annular groove, but arranged there with radially aligned mandrels or ring lands,

5 an illustration like 4 , but with radially aligned thorns or ring lands on a shoulder of the can wall, and

6 an edge of a soda can as in 4 , but with bellows-shaped Austrinkabschnitt in two end positions.

Accordingly, shows 1 in a schematic longitudinal section of a pot-shaped, about a longitudinal axis 23 mirror-symmetrical beverage can 1 from the commercially available plastic PET, which is useful, for example, for the inclusion of beer or non-alcoholic, carbonated drinks. The beverage can 1 is inexpensive to produce from a preform in a known injection molding or injection blow molding process. This beverage can 1 has a largely circular bottom 2 on, from which up a hollow cylindrical wall 3 integrally connects. In the area of their free end 4 shows the wall 3 a diameter reduction, in the axially further course of a paragraph 17 is trained. This paragraph 17 is formed by an annular surface extending from the reduced diameter portion of the wall 3 extends a short distance radially outward. Even before reaching the maximum Diameter of the wall 3 extends from the paragraph 17 a cylindrical Austrinkabschnitt 19 away from the tank bottom 2 , being in the area of the free end 20 the Austrinkabschnittes 17 a bead 21 or an edge reinforcement is formed.

Axial above the beverage can 1 is a lid 5 shown to close the same by means of a force F towards the ground 2 the beverage can 1 in the through the wall 3 or the Austrinkabschnitt 17 formed space used and with the wall 3 is clipped. This mechanical connection of cover 5 and wall 3 takes place such that the second locking means 10 forming radially outer edge 11 of the lid 5 in a first locking means 7 serving annular groove 8th on the inner circumferential surface 9 the Wall 3 is clipped. The position of the lid 5 in which this with the hollow cylindrical wall 3 Gas- and liquid-tight is connected by a dashed lid 5 shown.

1 further shows that in the area of the radially outer edge 11 of the lid 5 a sealing material 12 on the lid 5 is applied, which together with the lid edge in said annular groove 8th the Wall 3 is recorded. The sealing material 12 can only on the frontal outer circumference 6 of the lid 5 to be appropriate.

The 2 to 5 show the upper section of the beverage can 1 in the area of the paragraph 17 the can wall 3 in enlarged sections. So is in 2 recognizable that on the inner circumferential surface 9 the hollow cylindrical wall 3 trained annular groove 8th in a nut corner 14 , on the groove bottom 13 and on the axially outer wall 15 , with a gas- and liquid-tight sealing material 12 is provided. The arrangement of this sealing material 12 in the ring groove 8th has the advantage that the sealing material 12 already before clipping the lid 5 at the point to be sealed, and not only with the edge of the lid 11 in the ring groove 8th must be introduced. The risk of shearing the sealing material 12 from the lid edge 11 is thereby effectively avoided.

In the in 3 variant shown is the sealing material 12 at the radial bottom 13 the ring groove 8th arranged. A placement of the sealing material 12 on the axially outer wall 15 However, the annular groove is judged to be more effective, as a gas pressure within the beverage container 1 then the edge 11 of the lid 5 advantageously with a force against the sealing material 12 suppressed.

The 4 and 5 show that a gas and liquid tight connection from the lid 5 with the hollow cylindrical wall 3 can also be done without a separate sealing material, which is the manufacturing cost of such a trained beverage can 1 further reduced. In order to still be able to realize a seal, according to 4 in the ring groove 8th radially inwardly directed spikes 16 or pointed annular webs formed at an insertion of the radially outer edge 11 of the lid 5 deform in this intrusion and plastically to the effect that this in the sense of a sealing lip on the wall 3 presses and the ring groove 8th encloses. A comparable effect is achieved by the axially aligned pointed ring lands 18 scored on the heel 17 the Wall 3 are formed. Also these ring bridges 18 penetrate at an insertion of the radially outer edge 11 of the lid 5 in the ring groove 8th in the lid material and deform this plastically such that the material of the lid 5 as a sealing lip sealing in and / or around the annular groove 8th sets.

Next shows 5 that the annular groove 8th in all the embodiments explained by a radial material reinforcement B in the direction of the interior of the beverage can 1 is formed, wherein at the location of the annular groove 8th the material reinforcement B is not completed. By this constructive measure is avoided that the wall 3 the beverage can in the area of the ring groove 8th is weakened. In addition, this is the mechanical stability of the drinking edge 19 elevated.

Finally shows 6 in two partial illustrations a) and b) schematically shows the upper end of an inventive beverage can, in which the Austrinkabschnitt 22 bellows-shaped extendable and insertable is formed. This allows the Austrinkabschnitt 22 before the use of the beverage can, so for drinking or pouring out of the liquid contained therein, inserted or axially folded, whereby the length of the beverage can according to the invention substantially corresponds to the axial length of a commercial beverage can ( 6b ). Their filling in a beverage factory and their storage and their transport from there to the end user are not complicated. Before a use of the beverage can, ie for pouring or direct drinking of the liquid contained therein, the Austrinkabschnitt 22 axially pulled up or pulled out, so that the folds of the Austrinkabschnittes 22 smooth ( 6a ). The axially extended Austrinkabschnitt 22 or drinking rim then allows a much more pleasant drink of the drink. The two arrows in 6 illustrate the pull-out length 24 and the insertion length 25 the bellows-like Austrinkabschnittes 22 , Also in the 1 to 5 shown annular groove 8th for latching the lid 5 is in 6 clearly visible.

The bellows-shaped Austrinkabschnitt 22 is preferably of the same plastic material as the can wall 3 formed, with which elastic properties, ie the foldability, can be achieved by a correspondingly small wall thickness, as is known for example from plastic film hinges.

In a more expensive variant, the foldable Austrinkabschnitt 22 but also from a different plastic material than the can wall 3 exist, wherein the foldable Austrinkabschnitt 22 to the can wall 3 is formed. Finally, it can be provided that the foldable Austrinkabschnitt 22 made of a suitable plastic and the can wall 3 made of a metal that are connected together.

1

beverage can

2

ground

3

hollow cylindrical Wall of the beverage can

4

Free end of the wall 3

5

cover

6

facing side Outer circumference of the lid

7

first Latching means, wall side

8th

ring groove

9

Inner surface of the wall 3

10

second Latching means, cover side

11

Radially outer Edge of the lid

12

sealing material

13

ground the ring groove

14

corner in the ring groove

15

Axial outer Wall of the ring groove

16

mandrel

17

paragraph

18

ring land

19

Austrinkabschnitt

20

Free End of the Austrinkabschnittes

21

bead

22

Foldable Austrinkabschnitt

23

longitudinal axis the beverage can

24

Extraction length of the Austrinkabschnittes 22

25

Insertion length of the Austrinkabschnittes 22

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 5301830 [0003]
• - US 2004/0040963 A1 [0003]
• JP 2000229644 A [0003]
• - JP 20000006983A [0003]
• - DE 1536175 A1 [0005, 0006]
• US 4705186 [0005, 0007]

Claims (16)

Beverage can ( 1 ) having a substantially circular bottom ( 2 ) and a subsequent hollow cylindrical wall ( 3 ), wherein the hollow cylindrical wall ( 3 ) in the region of its free end ( 4 ) has a first latching means, in which for closing the beverage can ( 1 ) a lid ( 5 ) can be latched with a second latching means, characterized in that the first latching means ( 7 ) by an annular groove ( 8th ) in the inner circumferential surface ( 9 ) of the hollow cylindrical wall ( 3 ) is formed, and that the radially outer edge ( 11 ) of the lid ( 5 ) as a second latching means ( 10 ) is formed, the form-fitting and gas and liquid-tight in the annular groove ( 8th ) can be used. Beverage can according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge ( 11 ) of the lid ( 5 ) at least partially with a sealing material ( 12 ) is coated or occupied. Beverage can according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the annular groove ( 8th ) at least partially with a sealing material ( 12 ) is coated or filled. Beverage can according to claim 3, characterized in that the sealing material ( 12 ) at the radial bottom ( 13 ) of the annular groove ( 8th ) is arranged. Beverage can according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the sealing material ( 12 ) in the axially and radially outer corner ( 14 ) of the annular groove ( 8th ) is arranged. Beverage can according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the sealing material ( 12 ) on the axially outer wall ( 15 ) of the annular groove ( 8th ) is arranged. Drinks can according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at the bottom ( 13 ) or at least one radial wall ( 15 ) of the annular groove ( 8th ) radially or axially obliquely aligned mandrels ( 16 ) are arranged, which at an insertion of the lid edge ( 11 ) in the annular groove ( 8th ) in the lid edge ( 11 ) and pierce this lid edge ( 11 ) deform sealingly plastic. Beverage can according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the annular groove ( 8th ) in the region of a radial and annular shoulder ( 17 ) of the hollow cylindrical wall ( 3 ) is trained. Beverage can according to claim 8, characterized in that on the inside of the radial annular shoulder ( 17 ) of the hollow cylindrical wall ( 3 ) axially aligned pointed ring lands ( 18 ) formed during insertion of the lid ( 5 ) in the annular groove ( 8th ) of the hollow cylindrical wall ( 3 ) into the interior of the beverage can ( 1 ) facing side of the lid ( 5 ) and thereby the lid edge ( 11 ) deform sealingly plastic. Beverage can according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at the free end ( 4 ) of the hollow cylindrical wall ( 3 ) axially above the annular groove ( 8th ) as an axial extension of the hollow cylindrical wall ( 3 ) a Austrinkabschnitt ( 19 . 22 ) is trained. Drinks can according to claim 10, characterized in that the Austrinkabschnitt ( 19 . 22 ) at its free end ( 20 ) a bead-like thickening ( 21 ) having. Drinks can according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the Austrinkabschnitt ( 22 ) bellows-like extendable and is designed to be inserted. Drinks can according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the beverage can Made of a plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene in one Casting or glass method is made. Drinks can according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that bellows-shaped Austrinkabschnitt ( 22 ) made of the same plastic material as the can wall ( 3 ), wherein the foldability of the bellows-shaped Austrinkabschnitts ( 22 ) Is realized by a correspondingly small wall thickness thereof. Drinks can according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the bellows-shaped Austrinkabschnitt ( 22 ) made of a plastic material other than the can wall ( 3 ), and the bellows-shaped Austrinkabschnitt ( 22 ) to the can wall ( 3 ) is formed. Drinks can according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the Austrinkabschnitt ( 19 . 22 ) made of a suitable plastic material and the can wall ( 3 ) consists of a metal, which are interconnected.