EP1326780B1 - Can top having a space for separately storing a small quantity of a substance - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a can lid, in particular a beverage can lid, for flaring on a corresponding can body. Of the Can lid is designed so that it is separated from the rest of the can contents Keep additives that only when you open the box inside and if necessary, get in contact with the remaining contents of the can. The can lid is suitable in particular for the storage of flavoring additives for drinks.

For a long time there has been a need to add additives to the contents of cans, e.g. flavoring beverage additives, separated from the remaining canned contents so keep them until they are ready for the intended purpose Use is opened, come in contact with the remaining contents. Appropriate Inner containers for cans have already been proposed. Most of these Inner containers, however, are only for under gas pressure standing, foaming drinks suitable, since the mixing of the separately stored flavoring substance with is associated with generating a sudden pressure difference, which is between a gas-filled, connected by a very small opening with the remaining liquid Room within the inner container and the pressure of this liquid builds up. These Pressure difference is used to the wall of the space in the inner container, the the storage of the additive serves to blow up. Examples of this principle are shown in WO 99/54229 or in EP 965 536 A1.

Although it is known from US Patent 5,885,635 an inner container, which in at suitable arrangement in the can by contact with a tearing the can breaking tongue breaks and releases a second liquid, which then with can mix the beverage in the can, regardless of the gas pressure in the can. However, this inner container must be a rigid-elastic body act that is designed to store energy in the form of tension contains, so that it only needs a slight activation energy, so that this voltage is discharged by the bursting of the container. The body should Accordingly, the shape of a cylinder or a pea pod with a long have running bursting seam. As such prefabricated inner container, with Liquid filled and then could be closed, the US 5,885,635 Not.

In US Patent 5,290,574 the proposal is found below the lid of Beverage cans for foaming drinks a gas and liquid permeable To arrange membrane and this around in the area of the bead Fasten. After sealing the can fills up - either during pasteurization or in the upside-down places of the can - the space between the lid and the Membrane partly due to the pressure prevailing inside the can Liquid that rests on the membrane when the can is upright. Will the When the can is opened, the pressure in the lid and diaphragm first decreases compartment suddenly abrupt, which causes gas from the gas space between the liquid level of the beverage and the membrane by their Openings in the liquid located above the membrane shoots, resulting in a first foaming and the formation of nuclei for further gas bubble formation after pouring leads. Upon further opening of the tear tab through the lowering tongue can then tear the membrane, creating an outlet for the drink forms. Alternatively it can be provided that the membrane only a part the pouring opening covered. In this case she does not need to be ripped open or otherwise to be removed, as both the contents of the membrane through the membrane Cover formed compartment as well as the rest in the can beverage side by side can be poured directly through the opening in the can lid. Both liquids (the compartment separated by the membrane additional a foam stabilizer, e.g. a sugar solution, included) mix then when pouring.

FR 2 788 034 A discloses a beverage container having in its upper part a perforated insert or basket. This is with the closure of the lid with connected to the side wall of the beverage container. On the floor of the insert There is at least one capsule enclosing a flavoring agent. This one will held in place by special means. When you open the box lowers on a tab or the like attached "punch" inside and on the capsule, such that its shell is injured and fluid can leak, which then with mixes the drink. The realization of such a design is very complicated because It requires the additional provision of several different parts.

Object of the present invention is to use simple means a space within to create a can for the rest during storage of the can Canned contents provided separate storage of a small amount of a substance is, with this space when opening the box without further action also opens and possibly containing liquid or solid substances to the remaining can contents regardless of whether the can contents are under gas pressure and / or should foam or not.

The object of the invention is achieved by providing a can lid according to Claim 1 and a bag according to claim 13 solved. That means that at the Invention said space at least partially by a flexible, but in the Substantially non-stretchable, gas- and liquid-tight wall in the area of Cover of the box is formed. This wall does not need any internal tension or potentially stored kinetic energy. The room is near the Gießöffnung arranged such that its edge mounted in the lid mirror Scoring line crosses when opening the can lid with the help of a likewise torn open tear tab.

When opening the box, the tongue to which the tab is attached, as from the Prior art known pressed into the interior of the can. At the same time the wall becomes destroyed in the edge region of the said space; it forms an opening through which the previously trapped in the room material can escape.

In der Ausgestaltung der Figur 1 wird der Raum zum Doseninneren hin durch eine Folie begrenzt, zum Deckel hin durch das Deckelmaterial selbst.

Figur 1a zeigt eine Seitenansicht dieser Ausgestaltung mit nach innen gedrückter Aufreißzunge, Figur 1b zeigt diese Ausgestaltung von innen gesehen in schematischer Form, wobei der Kreuzungspunkt von Ritzlinie und Randbereich des Raumes zu erkennen ist.

Figur 2 bildet eine andere Ausgestaltung ab, in der der Raum durch zwei Folien gebildet ist, die in ihrem Randbereich so miteinander verbunden sind, daß sie eine Tasche bilden. Die Tasche ist im Inneren des Deckelspiegels befestigt.

Figur 2a stellt eine Seitenansicht dieser Ausgestaltung dar, ebenfalls mit nach innen gedrückter Aufreißzunge, Figur 2b zeigt diese Ausgestaltung in Aufsicht auf die Innenseite des Deckels, wobei im Kreuzungsbereich zwischen der Ritzlinie und dem verbundenen Randbereich der Tasche eine Einkerbung zu sehen ist.

In Figur 3 ist eine räumliche Darstellung einer vom Deckel durch die Zunge teilweise abgelösten Folie zu sehen.

The figures show various embodiments of the invention:

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the space towards the interior of the can is bounded by a foil, towards the lid by the lid material itself.

FIG. 1 a shows a side view of this embodiment with a tear-open tab pushed inwards, FIG. 1 b shows this embodiment, seen from the inside, in a schematic form, wherein the crossing point of the score line and the edge area of the room can be seen.

Figure 2 depicts another embodiment, in which the space is formed by two foils, which are interconnected in their edge region so that they form a pocket. The bag is fixed inside the lid mirror.

FIG . 2 a shows a side view of this embodiment, likewise with an inwardly pushed tear tab, FIG. 2 b shows this embodiment in a plan view of the inside of the lid, wherein a notch can be seen in the crossing region between the score line and the connected edge area of the pocket.

FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional representation of a film partially detached from the cover by the tongue.

The invention is particularly applicable to beverage cans, e.g. made of metal, suitable because of Open the previously stored separately stored substance, whether it be gaseous, solid or liquid, in enter the drink or the atmosphere surrounding the drink and a Flavoring or enrichment of the drink can cause. So can a solid in the form of powder or crystals or a liquid when opening the can with the come in contact with other beverage content and possibly mix with it, z. B. a Concentrate, flavor, dye or the like. Also a gaseous or light volatile perfume can be stored in said room. This stimulates the Sense of smell when eating the contents of the can, especially if directly from the can is drunk. In addition to or instead of odor or flavor Substances can also be used to hold the space provided on the can lid used by dietary supplements. For example, this can be the means of Choice if the stability of these substances in the liquid is not long term is guaranteed or the additive with ingredients of the drink Implementation reactions could go down. An important field in this regard is Sportoder Health drinks containing prebiotic or prebiotic substances, as well as The muscle-building supplement creatine, can be enriched. It is advantageous to mix such substances with the drink just before consumption.

The wall through which the additional substance to be stored is separated from the rest of the contents Can be separated, should be flexible and for liquids and gases at least be largely impermeable; "largely impermeable" is intended to mean that also a gaseous substance with which the inventively arranged space can be filled, remains effectively in this room for a long time while the Wall for oxygen must be a moderately effective barrier, but possibly also gas-tight with respect to oxygen. The material for this Wall can be chosen arbitrarily, unless it is so stretchable that it the pull of the pull tab gives when opening. Examples of suitable materials are metal foils, such as aluminum foils, plastic films or possibly with a Material coated cardboard or paper containing the main content the can and / or the separately stored substance rejects.

In a simple embodiment of the invention, the space for storing the said substance formed by a film or other flexible material is fastened around the cover mirror with the formation of a cavity all around. Of the Outer outline of the film can be chosen arbitrarily, for example, round, oval or even polygonal, provided that connected to the lid mirror edge of the body or the film crosses the score line at least at one point. Exemplary for this Embodiment of the invention is called a round or oval aluminum foil, the arranged centrally in the lid mirror and at its outer edges on the lid mirror is attached. She crosses the scribe line in two places. But it should be clear that it is sufficient if the film crosses the score line in one place only.

In this embodiment of the invention, the separated material to be stored on the Inner side of the otherwise preferably preformed preformed cover applied and if necessary fixed with the help of cold or another measure. The lid mirror can possibly have a small, circumferential projection to a drop or to hold the same in position. Subsequently, the film is applied and sealed attached, e.g. glued, welded or sealed, leaving the room to Storage of this substance is sealed. He will not be opened until the can - after filling and closing with the lid, for example by flanging - is opened by pulling on the pull tab.

In another simple embodiment of the invention, the space for recording of the substance to be stored separately through a bag or other flexible material Hollow body formed, which is fixed in the lid of the can lid. A Bag is obtained when a film-like material is used. As a material are suitable e.g. the films that were mentioned above for the simple design.

The bag or other flexible hollow body can be completed and complete be filled attached to the inside of the lid, with the attachment For example, by gluing with a food approved adhesive or can be done by sealing. To make the bag can For example, two foils are joined together in their edge area, e.g. glued, be sealed or welded, between which the separately stored Fabric is arranged. Alternatively, for example, half of a foil on the other Half laid and sealingly connected to this, for example, glued or by Be connected. The compound preferably has a width of just under 1 mm (e.g., 0.5 mm) to a few millimeters (e.g., 5 mm). Preferably, the Pocket or the hollow body relatively flat, e.g. Lenticular designed. Regarding the the rest of the geometry is the expert in his choice free, provided that the lateral edge of the Bag or other flexible hollow body at least at one point the scribe line crosses. "Crossing" does not necessarily mean in this embodiment that the Edge itself is connected to the scribe line with the lid; it is enough if the Connection area arranged sufficiently close to the scribe line and the Agility of the material at this point is sufficiently low that when opening the tear tab is forced into a tear in the film or the like.

If the space for the separately stored substance in the form of a bag or another cavity is provided, it is preferred that in the Edge region extending across the scribe line, a notch provided is, which weakens the wall at this point and acts as a predetermined breaking point.

Below, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures:

Figures 1 a and 1 b show an embodiment of the invention, in which for the space to be stored separately provided space 8 formed by a film 4 is fixed with its side edge 6 on the inside of the lid 1. In Figure 1a is a side view to see, while Figure 1b is a plan view of the Inside of the lid there. From a combination of the two views can be recognize that when opening the can, in which the tongue 2 in the interior of the can is pressed, the film approximately from the intersection 11 between the scribe line 3 and its edge 6 into the region of a vertical line 13 to the symmetry axis S through the rivet 12 is replaced to the scribe line 3. This detachment region 5 is shown in FIG. 1 b hatched shown.

FIG. 3 shows the result of this detachment process in a spatial representation. It is denoted by 14 the lid mirror.

In Figure 2, an embodiment of the invention is shown in which the space for the separated material to be stored as a bag 9 is configured. This is through two Foils 4 ', 4 "formed, the connected at their side edges in the area 6' are. The cover mirror facing film 4 'is with this over the largest part connected to their bottom, but not in the region of the edge 6 '. The bag is in Example of this figure shown around; but she could also, for example, only with help an oval or round foil by folding the left half on top of each other be formed right half. In Figure 2b, the notch 7 can be seen, which in the Region is arranged, in which the edge 6 'of the pocket crosses the score line 3. The Notch is less wide than the edge width, such that a narrow bridge to the Outer edge 10 of the interior remains. Figure 2a shows that this web when opening the can and pushing the tongue 2 is torn inwards, so that the Contents of the bag in the area, for example, the drink can get. If it is the substance is a liquid and / or gaseous flavor, feels the consumer an intense olfactory experience, because the aroma directly on the lid and thus when drinking directly from the can near the nose of the consumer is released.

Claims (13)

1. A lid (1) of a tin for flanging on to a tin body, the lid surface (12) comprising a tongue (2) for forming a spout along a slit line (3), characterised in that on its side facing the interior of the tin, the lid has a separate compartment (8) for holding solid, liquid or gaseous substances, which is formed by at least one flexible but substantially non-expandable and substantially gas-tight and liquid-tight wall (4, 4', 4") and extending over a part of the lid surface (12) so that its side edge (10) intersects the crack line (3) at at least one place (11), such that when the tin is opened the inwardly moving part of the tongue (2) exerts a force on the wall (4) so as to open the compartment (8).
2. A lid according to claim 1, characterised in that the wall (4, 4', 4") is made of a plastic sheet, a metal foil, especially an aluminium foil, or a liquid-repellent paper or cardboard.
3. A lid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wall (4) is formed of a flexible sheet or foil connected at its edge (6) to the lid.
4. A lid according to claim 1, characterised in that the edge (6) of the foil is stuck or sealed to the lid by an authorised edible adhesive.
5. A lid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wall (4) has a top surface (4') and an under-surface (4") connected at the edges (6') so as to form a pocket (9) which is attached to the lid.
6. A lid according to claim 5, characterised in that the edge connection (6') between the top and bottom surface is formed with a notch (7) in the region or in at least one of the regions in which it extends over the crack line (3).
7. A lid according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the edge connection (6'), in the or in at least one region in which it extends over the crack line (3) is formed by sticking the top surface (4') to the under-surface (4").
8. A lid according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the edge connection (6') is 1.0 to 3.0 mm wide.
9. A lid according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the under-surface (4") of the wall is stuck to the lid surface by an authorised edible adhesive or sealed thereto by a sealing lacquer.
10. A lid according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the separate compartment (8) contains a solid, liquid or gaseous substance.
11. A tin comprising a body and a lid according to any of claims 1 to 10.
12. A tin according to claim 11, characterised in that it is for drinks and the separate compartment contains a substance serving as a food supplement and/or for improving the taste and/or smell of the drink in the tin.
13. A pocket (9) for connecting to the inner surface of the lid (1) of a tin, the lid surface (12) comprising a tear-open tongue (2) for forming a spout along a crack line (3), characterised in that the pocket has a flexible but substantially non-expandable and substantially gas and liquid-tight wall with a top surface (4') joined at its edge to an under-surface (4") wherein the edge connection (6'), which is adapted to extend over the crack line (3) when the pocket is attached to the lid, is formed by the stuck-together or welded or sealed material of the under-surface (4") and the top surface (4') and is also formed in this region with a notch (7) which is narrower than the connection (6').

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