EP0535383B1 - Container made of metal or of metallic laminated sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

A container is provided, having a lower part and an annular lid part, connected permanently thereto, and a press-in lid which can be inserted releasably in the opening of said annular lid part, in which the press-in lid is additionally held directly on the lower part of the container by a securing ring which grips over the edge of the press-in lid as well as the edge of the lower part. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a container made of metal or a metal composite film, which consists of a one-part or multi-part lower part, a cover ring part permanently connected to it via a fold seam and determining the container opening, a releasable press-in cover which has a cylindrical area with friction in the opening edge of the cover ring part can be inserted, and from a retaining ring which grips over the edge of the press-in cover and the folded seam of the lower part.

US-A-1,847,245 shows a container of this type, in which the cover ring part between the fold seam and an edge curl that defines the opening edge on the one hand and the press-in cover between the portion engaging in the container opening and its flanged outer edge on the other hand each have axially recessed and frictionally engaging channels. The retaining ring engages over the fold seam and the flanged edge of the press-in cover and is supported in between via an axially recessed ring channel on a flat area of the cover ring part. This design moves the sealing frictional engagement outwards from the container opening into the area of the interlocking channels. This requires a lot of material. In addition, the retaining ring can only counteract forces that act on the lid in the opening direction, such as the resistance of its material to the size of the bending resistance.

In order to make the locking ring as effective as possible, the radial dimensions of the cover ring part have been kept very small, with the result that the container opening is only slightly smaller than the width of the container lower part, as is shown in GB-A-776 460 . Here the lid edge lies on the fold seam and is clamped to it by an additional lid. CH-A-133 354 shows a similar design. In this design, an additional sealing element is arranged between the cover and the cover ring part.

It is also known with a significantly reduced container opening to widen the lid edge so that it projects beyond the lid ring part and rests directly on the seam with which it is clamped by the retaining ring, as can be seen, for example, from FR-A-1 088 390 .

Conversely, a cross-sectionally U-shaped locking ring made of plastic of considerable radial width has been provided, which engages with its radially inner leg with friction in a correspondingly dimensioned axial channel of the lid and is supported with its other leg on the outside of the lower part of the container, as is described in EP -A-246 783 and EP-A-783 745 .

FR-A-547 063 shows a material-saving version . In this case, the radially extending edge flange of the push-in cover rests on an area of the cover ring part which is curved axially outward and is adjacent to the container opening. The locking ring spans the edge of the lid at a distance and is supported radially on the inside of the lid mirror itself. The circlip is only slightly flanged in the area of the seam. In this embodiment, the retaining effect of the locking ring is also essentially limited to the bending resistance of its material.

It is an object of the invention to design a container of the type mentioned in such a way that the push-in cover is held in its closed position even more effectively than with the usual retaining ring designs, so that even when the closed container is handled roughly, the push-in cover is pushed out or jumps out can be largely excluded from its closed position.

This object is achieved according to claim 1.

The material required for the solution is comparatively low. The edge flange of the push-in cover protrudes only slightly beyond the ring region of the cover ring part which is formed on the outer edge of the cover opening and is convexly curved in the axial direction. Nonetheless, this edge flange can be held in place on the convexly curved area with the aid of the retaining ring under considerable and permanent axial prestress and the lid can thus be secured in its closed position with considerable additional force, even if the width of the container opening is considerably reduced compared to the diameter of the seam is, the cover ring part thus has a considerable radial width. The retaining ring is positively and non-positively held on the fold seam (container edge) in such a way that its radially inwardly projecting and spanning the cover ring part exerts a lever-like pretensioning effect at least on the edge flange of the press-in cover, thus generating and maintaining the axial pretensioning force.

In this context, the training according to claim 8 is particularly advantageous.

According to the invention it is thus ensured with great certainty that the lid does not migrate or jump out of its closed position even if the container is pushed or dropped during handling. The arrangement can therefore be made such that the ring-shaped section of the circlip, which overlaps the cover ring part, acts like a relatively rigid ring-shaped membrane which, due to the way in which the circlip is fixed to the edge of the container, has a uniform, axially downward direction with its radially inner edge region Exerts preload pressure on the edge flange of the press-in cover.

The axial prestressing force of the retaining ring can advantageously be transferred to the edge flange of the cover in the development according to claim 3 or 4, since the inner edge is stiffened. This also prevents injuries on the edge.

The bead can represent an elastic connection between the engagement area of the lid in the container opening and its edge flange, which is held under axial prestress (claim 2). In this embodiment, further protection can be obtained if one of claims 5 to 7 is realized. It can thus be achieved that a further prestressed contact area is obtained between the cover and the securing ring, specifically in the area of the bead. This investment area not only increases the security forces - with only a small amount of additional material. Rather, the frictional engagement and the sealing in the area of the container opening itself are also improved.

If one proceeds according to claim 7, a third contact area is obtained, via which further clamping forces can be transmitted from the retaining ring to the push-in cover and through which there is an additional positive engagement between the locking ring and push-in cover.

The invention is explained below with reference to schematic drawings of several execution examples .

Figur 1

im Ausschnitt und im senkrechten Schnitt einen Behälter gemäß der Erfindung;

Figur 2 und 3

in ähnlicher Darstellung wie Figur 1 jeweils Einzelheiten der Ausbildung im Bereich des Behälterrandes bzw. im Bereich der Behälteröffnung;

Figur 4

in kleinerem Maßstabe und in Draufsicht eine Ausführung des Sicherungsringes, der zur Erleichterung des Öffnens des Behälters einen Aufreißbereich aufweist;

Figur 5

in ähnlicher Darstellung wie Figur 3 eine abgewandelte, sich auf die Ausführung nach Figur 4 beziehende Ausbildung im Bereich der Behälteröffnung und

Figur 6 bis 11

weitere jeweils abgewandelte Ausbildungen des neuen Behälters.

Show it:

Figure 1

in section and in vertical section a container according to the invention;

Figures 2 and 3

in a representation similar to FIG. 1, details of the design in the area of the container edge or in the area of the container opening;

Figure 4

on a smaller scale and in plan view, an embodiment of the locking ring which has a tear-open area to facilitate opening of the container;

Figure 5

in a representation similar to FIG. 3, a modified design relating to the embodiment according to FIG. 4 in the area of the container opening and

Figure 6 to 11

further modified versions of the new container.

The lower part of the container can be formed in one part or two parts. The different parts of the container can be made of different materials or of the same materials. The new training is suitable for containers made of sheet metal as well as containers made of a composite film, e.g. a metal layer and a plastic layer or a paper or the like layer.

The cover ring part can be tightly and permanently connected to the lower part in various ways. For this purpose, a sealed seam, a weld seam, an adhesive seam or one of the usual seams, such as single fold, double fold or triple fold seam, can be provided. A connection is preferred which, like a fold seam, forms a reinforced edge in the region of the connection point.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lower container part 4 is permanently and tightly connected to the cover ring part 5 via a double seam. The lid ring part engages in the container edge with its core wall 7 and is so formed that it delimits a container opening which is significantly smaller than the diameter of the lower container part by a cylindrical collar 9, which can have an inner curl 10 on its lower edge and forms an annular region 8 which is convexly curved in the axial direction at the outer edge of the opening.

The container 1 is closed by a press-in lid 11, which engages with its cylindrical region 12 with friction into the collar 9 defining the opening and with a radially outwardly projecting, preferably approximately flat edge flange 13 in the closed position on the outwardly convex ring region 8 of the cover ring part 5 rests. The outer edge of the edge flange 13 can have an inner roll 14.

In the preferred embodiment, the edge flange 13 merges into the cylindrical section 12 of the press-in cover 11 via an annular bead 15 projecting radially inwards and convexly, the special meaning of which is explained in more detail below.

The press-in lid 11 is normally held in the container opening by the frictional forces between the cylindrical section 12 and the collar 9, that is to say non-positively. Nevertheless, there is a risk that the cover will loosen or jump out of the opening of the cover ring part in rough treatment.

To exclude this, a locking ring 16 is provided. This can also consist of a metal composite film, but preferably of a sheet. The material must be selected so that significant prestressing forces can be permanently transmitted to the push-in cover 11 via the locking ring.

The locking ring 16 has an upper, preferably substantially flat surface 17, which spans at least the radial distance between the connecting seam 6 between the lower container part 4 and the cover ring part 5 on the one hand and the contact surface of the cover flange 13 on the convexly curved ring region 8. The locking ring 16 is held in a non-positive and positive manner in the area of the connecting seam 6 and is clamped in such a way that it preloads on the edge flange which are directed axially downward (in FIG. 1) to the aforementioned contact point, which is designated 27 in FIG. 3 13 and the curved ring region 8 exercises. For this purpose, the securing ring has an apron-like edge region 19, which is supported axially on the double seam 6 with a ring region 18 that is lowered relative to the flat section 17, rests radially on the outside under pretension against the double seam 6, and engages under the fold 6 with a positive fit with an edge curl 20 and attacks it under tension. This mounting of the locking ring 16 on the seam 6 ensures that the locking ring assumes a predetermined position with respect to the other part of the container and is biased axially downward with its flat ring-membrane-like section 17, so as to act on predetermined elastic and axially directed securing forces to be able to transmit the first contact point 27.

This clamped mounting of the locking ring 16 on the fold seam can also be done by other means, e.g. be formed by an inwardly projecting, continuous circumferential bead 25 on the collar 19 or by inwardly circumferentially distributed knobs or bead sections, as is indicated by the dashed continuation of the collar 19 at 26 in FIG. 2.

The lowered annular surface 18 of the securing ring 16 can also be provided as a stacking groove for a similar container 1a lying thereover, which in the example shown has a base 2 which is connected to the body part of the container 1a via a seam 3.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show various exemplary embodiments of the securing ring when it ends radially inward too close behind the first contact point 27.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 6, the surface 36 of the retaining ring lies at a slight axial distance above the edge flange 13 of the push-in cover and ends radially on the inside in a radially downwardly directed collar 37, which on or as shown in the radial direction is just behind the first contact point 27 Edge flange 13 attacks and applies elastic prestressing forces.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, a downward curl 30a is provided on the inner edge of the securing ring instead of the collar.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 7 and 8, the flat area of the securing ring engages at the first contact point 27 via a downward peripheral bead 39. This can also be formed in the circumferential direction by a plurality of bead sections or knobs which are separate from one another. The embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8 differ in that in FIG. 8 the inner free edge of the securing ring is covered by a curl 41, while the edge 40 in FIG. 7 is exposed.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, an inner collar 21 adjoins the top 17 of the securing ring 16 radially on the inside, which overlaps the radially inwardly projecting bead 15 of the cover 11 and bears radially outward on the bead 15 and thus a second Contact point or contact area 28 forms. This second non-positive connection further improves the engagement of the locking ring on the cover 11. At the same time, the cylindrical section 12 of the cover is displaced radially outwards under tension, as a result of which the clamping forces between the section 12 and the collar 9 of the cover ring part are increased.

To protect against contact, as shown in FIG. 9, the free edge of the collar 21 can be folded over at 42. The same causes a curl in the edge.

Such an edge curl is preferably designed in such a way that, as shown at 22 in FIG. 1, it engages under the bead 15 and bears against it under tension and thus forms a third contact point 29 according to FIG. 3, via which the securing ring 16 with the cover 11 additionally is positively and non-positively connected.

FIG. 10 shows that these three force transmission areas 27, 28, 29 can also each be designed in different ways. 10, in contrast to FIGS. 1 and 3, the first contact point 27 is formed by two interlocking beads in the securing ring on the one hand and in the edge flange at 43 of the cover on the other hand. Such a bead 43 in the edge flange can also be provided in the embodiments according to FIGS. 5 to 8.

Through the reallocations or curls in the radially inner area of the circlip 16, the relevant sections of the circlip are additionally stiffened, which supports the function of the circlip.

To open the container, it is useful if the locking ring can be opened. For this purpose, it can have a tear-open area. This can be designed in different ways.

FIG. 4 shows in dashed lines at 35 a possibility of the securing ring 30 being able to be opened by attaching a tool to the area of one or more parallel radially running notches 35. The pre-weakening notch 35 can have a depth that increases radially from the outside inwards.

The tear-open area can, however, also be formed by a radial tear strip 32 in the retaining ring, which is delimited by two radially extending weakening lines 31. The tear strip 32 expediently extends radially inward to form a tongue or tab 33 which makes it easier to grasp. Such a configuration is particularly suitable in the embodiments according to FIGS. 5 to 8. The tear strip can, however, also continue over the apron section 19 from FIG provide a grip tongue in the area below the curl 20. An extension of the tear strip into the collar 21 and a grip tab in the area below the rolled edge 22 in FIG. 1 or the folded edge 42 in FIG. 9 is also possible. In the last-mentioned places, the edge curl or edge folding in the area of the grip tab is interrupted, as is also the case for the curl 30 or the embodiment according to FIG. The tear strip only needs to extend into the apron section 19 or the collar 21.

The various different details can also be combined with one another in a different way than shown in the figures.

In this way you get a guarantee closure that identifies any unauthorized opening and is also effective as a child lock.

Furthermore, the design of the locking ring ensures simple recycling of the old container, since all of its elements consist essentially of the same material.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 11, further modifications are provided. Thus, the cover ring part 55 is channel-shaped in the area of the body of the container 54 and the cylindrical indentation area of the cover 56. Between the convexly curved ring area 58 of the cover ring part 55 and the radially extending edge flange 59 of the push-in cover 56 there is a sealing element 60, e.g. made of expanded rubber or foam rubber or the like, which is attached to the underside of the edge flange 59.

The securing ring 57 has an apron section 62 which overlaps the double fold seam 63 and which is radially clinched at 61 at the level of the lower edge of the double fold seam. As a result, the pretension of the securing ring 57 is increased, so that the portion lying above the edge flange 59 can exert a relatively high axial pressure on the edge flange, as a result of which the push-in cover 56 is held in its pressed-in position and the sealing element 60 between the edge flange 59 and the convexly curved ring region 58 is axially compressed while reinforcing the seal. The arrangement of this seal can also be provided in the other exemplary embodiments and is particularly recommended for containers of larger diameter.

With the retaining ring 57, a support bracket for the container can also be inserted and held in the depression of the push-in cover, as is indicated by the broken line at 65.

Measures can also be taken in the embodiment according to FIG. 11 in order to be able to tear open or break through the locking ring for opening, as has already been explained in connection with the other exemplary embodiments.

Claims (8)

1. A container made of metal or of metallic laminated sheet, comprising a lower part (4, 54) in one or several parts;

   a cover ring part (5, 55) permanently connected therewith via a folded seam (6, 63), which cover ring part (5, 55) has a cylindrical collar (9) to define a container opening distinctly smaller compared with the lower part (4, 54) and which cover ring part (5, 55) forms on the outer edge of the container opening a ring region (8, 58) which curves outwards in a convex manner in an axial direction;

   a detachable press-in cover (11, 56), which with a cylindrical region (12) is able to be pressed under friction into the cylindrical collar (9) of the cover ring part (5, 55) and has a substantially flat rim flange (13, 59), which - in the closed position of the press-in cover (11, 56) - lies on the region (8, 58) which curves outwards in a convex manner;

   and a retaining ring (16, 57) of a metallic laminated sheet, preferably, however, of sheet metal, which has an apron-like edge region (19, 62) extending over or under the folded seam (6, 63) and further has a region (17, 31, 36) in the manner of a ring diaphragm spanning the distance between the folded seam (6, 63) and the bearing region (27) of the rim flange (13, 59) of the press-in cover (11, 56) onto the ring region (8, 58), curved axially outwards in a convex manner, of the cover ring part (5, 55); in which the retaining ring (16, 57) is held against the folded seam (6, 63) in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner so that its region (17, 31, 36) in the manner of a ring diaphragm constantly acts upon the rim flange (13, 59) of the press-in cover (11, 56) in its bearing region (27) on the ring region (8, 58), curved axially outwards in a convex manner, of the cover ring part (5, 55) with an axially inwardly directed initial stressing pressure.
2. A container according to Claim 1, characterised in that
   the substantially flat rim flange (13, 59) of the press-in cover (11, 56) is connected with the cylindrical region (12) via a radially inwardly projecting bead (15) or the like.
3. A container according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that
   one or more axially directed projections, such as collar (37), rolling (30a), corrugation (39) or the like are provided sitting on the rim flange (13, 59) of the press-in cover (11, 56) in the bearing region (27) of the rim flange (13, 59) of the press-in cover (11, 56) on the ring region (8, 58), curved axially outwards in a convex manner, of the cover ring part (5, 55) or less radially inside thereto on the retaining ring (16, 57).
4. A container according to Claim 3, characterised in that
   the rim flange (13, 59) of the press-in cover (11, 56) has a circumferential corrugation (43) into which engages the axial projection (303, 37, 39) of the retaining ring (16).
5. A container according to any one or more of the preceding Claims, characterised in that
   the region (17, 31, 36) of the retaining ring (16, 57) which is like a ring diaphragm extends radially inwards beyond the bearing region (27) between the rim flange (13, 59) of the press-in cover (11, 56) and the ring region (8, 58) of the cover ring part (5, 55), curved axially outwards in a convex manner, and has a radially inner collar (21) which engages with radial prestressing against the bead (15) of the press-in cover (11, 56).
6. A container according to Claim 5, characterised in that
   the radially inner collar (21) of the retaining ring (16, 57) is constructed so as to be reinforced by bending around the rim (42) or rolling in the rim (22).
7. A container according to Claim 6, characterised in that
   the rolling in of the rim (22) is arranged and constructed on the radially inwardly arranged collar (21) of the retaining ring (16, 57) so that it lies under prestressing in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner axially inwardly against the bead (15) of the press-in cover (11, 56).
8. A container according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterised in that
   the radially outer, apron-like edge region (19, 62) of the retaining ring (16, 57) rests with an axially countersunk ring region (18) axially on the folded seam (6, 63), lies radially externally under prestressing against the folded seam (6, 63) and extends beneath the folded seam (6, 63) in a form-fitting manner and under prestressing with a radially inwardly projecting rolled-in rim (20), circumferential corrugation (25), radially inwardly projecting nub-or corrugation sections (26) or through a radially inwardly projecting clinching (61).

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