DE69734257T2 - Method and device for closing a metal container - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves closing a metal container (1) by a lid (10) which has a bottom (11), a side wall (12) and a rim (13). A sealing joint (17) is placed in the rim on periphery of the container opening (16). The lid is placed on the container by applying a pressure on it in order to crush the joint between the container and the rim. The joint is then locked by stamping the lid side wall onto the container. The lid is stamped onto the container on segments divided along the container perimeter. Stamping of the lid side wall is also made onto the large walls of the container.

Description

The The invention relates to metal containers any shape, such as truncated pyramidal container, in particular for recording are provided by color. After filling these containers are usually closed with a lid.

The The invention particularly relates to a method for closing such Container. It also relates to a machine for carrying out this method.

In known manner are truncated pyramidal or cylindrical container by means of a lid closed, which is perpendicular to the plane of the lid Has tabs.

One container This type is described in document FR-2 248 097.

To the filling of the container the lid is placed on this, with a seal around the Circumference of the container opening between the container and the lid is arranged. It is applied pressure on the lid, to squeeze the seal, and this pressure is released by locking the tabs under the Edge of the container maintained.

This Closure has many Years the users satisfied.

however The lid is relatively difficult to mold. It is indeed necessary lift each tab to release the lid, which is awkward. About that In addition, it is difficult to ensure the tightness of the closure, you want to attach the lid again.

Finally is the presence of the flaps aesthetically not very appealing.

One other metal container is known from document GB-A-2 033 880. This container has a Cover on the container is fixed by deformation of the lid alone. To this Purpose is the edge of the container formed with a gain achieved by folding. The lid is made by molding only the lid to a height just below the reinforced edge of the container attached.

It appeared necessary to develop a new method of closing, which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

The Invention therefore has the task of a method for closing a Metal container with to create a lid that has a bottom, a side wall and a Edge, wherein a seal on the circumference of the opening of the container arranged and, when the lid is placed on the container, a pressure applied to the lid will be to seal between the container and the edge of the lid to press.

According to the invention Lid on the container by molding the wall of the lid and the wall of the container, causing a deformation of these walls to the outside of the container is effected.

advantageously, the lid and the wall of the container are formed at points or segments, the above the circumference of the container are distributed.

at a substantially rectangular shape of the opening is the molding preferably in each corner of the container.

In In this case, advantageously, a shaping of the side wall on the container located lid in the large walls of the container and preferably carried out substantially in the middle of these walls, when the kind of in the container product required.

Preferably takes place when the opening of the container is essentially round, the molding of the container located on the Lids on regularly distributed Points or segments.

Of the Edge of the lid advantageously has a bottom of the lid facing recess into which the seal is placed and in one to the outside the lid rolled out edge ends.

The The invention also relates to the performance of the closure process by means of a machine.

These Machine includes Means for applying a compressive force to the lid when this one on the container located, and means for performing the molding of the on the container on the cover.

One better understanding The invention and other objects, advantages and features of the invention result more clearly from the reading of the following description with reference to the associated Drawings, not limiting embodiments represent the invention and which show:

1 a side view of a pyramid frusto-conical container closed with a lid according to the prior art,

2 1 is a partial sectional view of an example of a lid for carrying out the sealing method according to the invention,

3 includes the 3a to 3c which show, in cross-section, partial perspective views of an example of the lid and of a container in the three steps of the closing method according to the invention,

4 a cross-sectional partial perspective view of a container which is closed by the closure method according to the invention with a lid, wherein a tool for opening the container is provided, and

5 includes the 5a and 5b , which show schematic and sectional partial views of an example of a machine for carrying out the sealing method according to the invention.

The the different figures common elements are the same Provided with reference numerals.

The 1 shows a known truncated pyramidal container with a bottom 2 and a bead 3 near it.

Such a container may also have a bead 4 at least in the corners to allow easy separation of stacked containers. A handle 5 may also be provided.

The container 1 is with a commonly used lid 6 closed. He has one in the 1 not shown soil and a border 7 on, passing through a series of tabs 8th continues substantially perpendicular to the level of the bottom of the lid. The free edge 9 the tabs is bent to the outside.

The lid 6 is on the container 1 by locking the tabs 8th attached under the edge of the container. One in the 1 not shown seal is between the container 1 and the lid 6 provided at the periphery of the opening of the container.

As in 2 shows an example of a lid 10 for carrying out the sealing method according to the invention substantially on: a soil 11 , a side wall 12 and a border 13 whose depression is the Bo 11 is facing. The bottom ends in an edge rolled towards the outside of the lid 14 , The rolled edge forms a stiff point when opening the container.

The lid 10 has no fastening tab, but the rolled edge 14 limits the scope of the lid.

Preferably, a shoulder 30 in the sidewall 12 of the lid 10 intended. This shoulder is advantageously provided to allow a good stackability of the lid when they are delivered and thus to facilitate the automatic distribution of the lid.

The 3a to 3c allow the representation of the closure method according to the invention.

The 3a shows a part of a conventional metal container 1 of for example truncated pyramidal configuration. He has a rolled to the inside of the container towards free edge 15 as well as a bead 4 for facilitating the separation of stacked containers.

The container 1 is changed over the known containers in any way. In addition, the sealing method according to the invention, as will be seen below, is directed to containers of any shape and in particular to cylindrical containers.

The container 1 is of the full-opening type, that is to say that there is no element in the interior of the container at its mouth. In this type of opening, the inner edge of the container is unable to retain a portion of the material contained in the container so that it is easy to clean. This simplifies the eventual recycling of the container.

In the in the 3a illustrated step of performing the method is the lid according to the invention 10 in the opening 16 arranged the container, wherein a seal 17 in the recess of the edge 13 is arranged. This step ends when the seal 17 in contact with the rolled edge 15 of the container 1 arrives.

The 3b shows the following step of carrying out the method according to the invention, in which the seal 17 by applying a force represented by the arrow F, substantially parallel to the walls of the container and to the bottom directed towards the force is compressed.

The last step in the implementation of the closure process is through the 3c shown.

In the course of this step, the force F is maintained to seal 17 keep it pressed together and the lid 10 will be on the container by shaping the wall 12 of the lid 10 and the wall 18 of the container 1 attached to the outside of the container, wherein a deformation of the walls takes place. The molding takes place at appropriately distributed points 19 by applying a force represented by the arrow F1, which is substantially parallel to the ground 11 the container and from the inside of the container to the wall 18 is directed.

Consequently allows the inventive method the closing of the container with a lid by molding it directly on the Container, without one other closing device would be required.

The Ausformpunkte 19 are suitably distributed depending on the shape of the container.

at a truncated pyramidal container the Ausformpunkte are preferably formed in each of the four corners. The corners form the stiffest areas. In addition, the wall of the Container in the general in these zones slightly bent and the Ausformpunkte thus help to ensure the tightness of the container.

It can with this type of container, depending on the product contained in it, prove necessary, Ausformpunkte in the big ones Sides of the container train. This is especially the case when the internal pressure of that contained in the container Product after filling elevated (For example: in a warm or degassing product). These Ensure Ausformpunkte thus a good hold of the lid.

at a cylindrical container the wall has a substantially equal rigidity at each point. The Ausformpunkte can thus regularly over the Circumference of the container be distributed.

Preferably the shaping takes place in segments, for example, from each other connected points. This allows an increase in Safety of the lock. Furthermore can the lid after opening of the container snap easily into the segments. The Ausformsegment are more regular and more accurate than the dots.

Of the obtained by the process according to the invention Closure became subjected to numerous checks. The tests carried out have shown that this Lock that generally required quality level achieved in terms of tightness and drop resistance.

Further allows the inventive method a change the quality of the lock. The tightness of the closure is by squeezing the Gasket reached. The pressure of squeezing the Seal allows, is regulated in such a way that the Guaranteed tightness in any case is. In contrast, in carrying out the method according to the invention the molding are controlled so that the container a more or less size Strength against shocks and against the Internal pressure has.

The lid used to carry out the method according to the invention 10 has only a rolled edge on the circumference. There is no need for a fastening tab to secure the closure of the container, thereby improving the appearance of the closed container.

4 shows how to open a previously closed by the inventive method container.

The rejuvenated end 21 a tool 20 by the nature of a screwdriver is first under the edge 13 of the lid 10 guided.

The handle 22 of the screwdriver 20 is then rotated about its axis, whereby the detachment of the lid is effected.

If the container has corners, the screwdriver will become 20 preferably at a corner or bend under the edge 13 guided. Once a corner is unlocked, the lid opens completely.

The opening of the container can thus be done in a single operation. This represents a significant advantage over conventionally sealed containers, such as those in US Pat 1 illustrated container which can only be opened by lifting each of the tabs. The opening of such containers thus requires exactly as many operations as tabs are present, which is expensive for the user.

If the user wants to close the container again, it also satisfies the lid 10 again in the opening 16 to insert the container. This replacement is easy to perform, with a good tightness is guaranteed.

This is a further advantage of the lid obtained by the method of the invention over containers that have been conventionally closed, as in 1 shown. After opening, the lid can be placed back on the opening of such a container, but it ensures its tightness only to the extent that each tab 8th of the lid 6 again un is locked to the edge of the lid. These operations are never performed in practice by the users. The container is thus no longer sealed after opening, which generally entails an impairment of the product contained therein.

5 shows an example of a machine for carrying out the sealing method according to the invention.

The 5a corresponds to that in the 3b illustrated step of the closing process.

The machine 23 has a plate 24 with a shoulder 25 on the periphery. The dimensions and shape of the plate and the shoulder are chosen such that the lower part 26 the plate in the opening 16 the container enters while the shoulder 25 on the edge 13 of the lid 10 supported.

In the 5a not shown devices are then operated to the plate 24 to press on the container. The pressure force is represented by the arrow F. The magnitude of this force is chosen so that the tightness regardless of the thickness of the seal 17 is guaranteed.

The machine 23 also has facilities 26 for forming the Ausformpunkte 19 or the segments. The facilities 26 consist of several arms 28 attached stamps 27 in that the arms are pivotable about the plate about an axis parallel to the plane of the plate 24 are attached. In the 5b are just one arm 28 and a stamp 27 shown, with the arm 28 around the axis 29 is pivotally mounted.

The machine 23 has so many stamps 27 on, like Ausformpunkte 19 are provided. An arm 28 can carry one or more stamps.

As in 5b shown, which in the 3c illustrated last step of the closing process, stops the machine 23 the pressing force F and the Ausformeinrichtungen 26 are added to perform a molding process 19 actuated. To do this, the facilities swivel 26 around the axis 29 and the stamp 27 contributes 19 a force represented by the arrow F1.

Preferably, all Ausformpunkte and segments are formed simultaneously by the Ausformeinrichtungen 26 be actuated in a suitable manner.

As previously mentioned, The degree of locking can be adjusted by The number the Ausformpunkte or segments is changed, in particular to the requirements of the container contained product.

The The reference numerals inserted according to the technical features in the claims merely serve the relief of understanding same and restrict these in no way.

Claims (7)

Method for closing a metal container ( 1 ) with a lid ( 10 ), which has a floor ( 11 ), a side wall ( 12 ) and a border ( 13 ), according to which a seal ( 17 ) at the periphery of the opening ( 16 ) of the container and, when the lid ( 10 ) on the container ( 1 ), a pressure on the lid ( 10 ) is applied to the seal ( 17 ) between the containers ( 1 ) and the edge ( 13 ) of the lid, characterized in that the lid ( 10 ) on the container ( 1 ) by forming the wall ( 12 ) of the lid ( 10 ) and the wall ( 18 ) of the container ( 1 ) is fixed, which is a deformation of these walls ( 12 . 18 ) to the outside of the container ( 1 ) causes. Closing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid ( 10 ) and the wall of the container ( 1 ) at points ( 19 ) or segments which are distributed on the outer circumference of the container. A closing method according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the opening ( 16 ) of the container is substantially rectangular, characterized in that the molding is carried out in each corner of the container. Closing method according to claim 3, characterized in that a shaping of the side wall ( 12 ) of the lid on the container ( 1 ) is also carried out in the large walls of the container and preferably substantially in the middle thereof. Method for seaming according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the opening ( 16 ) of the container has a substantially round shape, characterized in that the shaping of the lid ( 10 ) on the container ( 1 ) at points ( 19 ) or segments that are regularly distributed. Closing method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the edge ( 13 ) of the lid ( 10 ) one to the ground ( 11 ) of the lid facing concavity, in which the seal ( 17 ) and with a border ( 14 ), which has rolled to the outside of the lid. Closing method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it carried out with a machine, the facilities ( 24 ) for applying a compressive force to the lid ( 10 ), if this on the container ( 1 ), and facilities ( 26 ) for carrying out the molding of the cover ( 10 ) on the container ( 1 ) by a deformation of the wall ( 12 ) of the lid ( 10 ) and the wall ( 18 ) of the container ( 1 ) to the outside of the container ( 1 ).