EP1470053B1 - Dosing body with an external base covering, method and device for applying the base covering - Google Patents

Abstract

A can body with a jacket-like closed wall and a base constructed on one end of the can wall includes an external base covering in the form of a sheet material. The base covering is fixed into position on an annular connection region of the can body. The base covering can form a basically flat imprintable region in a main region that is surrounded by the connection region. If a bar code can be applied in this imprintable region, then a restriction of the configuration possibility of the can wall disappears. The base covering can form a stand region whereby a standing can body is only in contact with the support surface if necessary via the base covering, and consequently the occurrence of corrosion problems is prevented. A retaining device that leaves the base of a held can body free and a position fixing apparatus are used for fixing the base covering into position. A decorative foil on the exterior of the can wall can be overlapped by the base covering, which serves to prevent a detachment of the decorative foil on the base.

Description

The invention relates to a can body according to the preamble of claim 1, to a method according to the preamble of claim 11 and to a device according to the preamble of claim 14.

The invention relates to vessels or cans which comprise a bottom on the one end side of a jacket-shaped closed wall and in which preferably at least one layer of the wall and the bottom is formed from metal. Such vessels are formed, for example, as aerosol cans or beverage cans. Both cans made of aluminum and steel sheet are produced. To give the vessels a desired appearance and to provide the necessary information, the jacket-shaped wall is provided with a decor and a label. The decor is printed approximately directly on the tin. Optionally, however, the decor is printed on labels or foils, which are then attached to the can wall. With the usual printing methods, one printing cylinder must be used per color used. Accordingly, the printing costs increase with every needed color. In addition to decorative or graphically designed inscriptions, standardized information, such as a bar code, indications of dangers and the composition of the product, as well as, if applicable, promotion information, must also be affixed to the can. In this case, the bar code with dark color, preferably black, on a light background, preferably white, printed on the can wall, which greatly affects the aesthetic effect of the decor, especially in dark areas. In addition, the barcode usually requires two additional colors with the corresponding printing effort. Only the number of cans that is to be marketed with the current bar code or the current advertising information can be produced. If the same box is to go on sale with another barcode at a later date, then cans with the old decor and the new bar code, or the new advertising information, must be made again. Optionally, an adhesive is made with the new bar code, which is pasted over the old bar code or the old advertising information, but this is associated with much effort and aesthetically not satisfied. Also aesthetically unsatisfactory is that with doses with a curved transition region from the bottom of the can to the wall of the can, the decoration after the formation of the soil in the transition region can not be printed, which shows in a standing on the bottom can as ugly or unprinted lower edge.

Due to the lower manufacturing costs, more and more products are sold in tin cans today. It has now been found that such steel sheet cans, especially when used in wet cells, rust on the ground. The cans are about for a long time with their annular bearing surface on a moist possibly contaminated with other substances surface. Both moisture and these added substances as well as electrical effects can cause corrosion. Even with sheets provided with a thin chromium layer, undesired oxidation has already been observed. The corrosion leads to contamination of the surface on which the can stands, and weakens the bottom of the can. In aerosol cans, a weakened can bottom is dangerous, especially when using butane or propane as a propellant gas. To withstand the pressure inside the can, aerosol cans have a bottom curved against the inside of the can. This bottom is formed by a pressing operation and comprises an inwardly curved central region and a downwardly projecting annular edge region, in which the bottom of the can merges into the can jacket. The cans stand on the annular edge area, which can be weakened by corrosion along the support line so that the central area of the floor could break out. For can material with a thin chromium layer, the chromium layer along the support line may be damaged or removed by frictional movements on the filler's conveyor systems, so that the corrosion protection is partially absent, especially in the edge zone at risk of corrosion. Cans whose bottom is connected to the shell by a fold have a narrow, annular, downwardly-facing edge that is easily damaged or oxidized. The corrosion and possibly also other chemical or electrical effects lead to undesired discoloration of the surface on which the can stands.

In the case of the two-part and multi-part cans, EP 200 098 A2 and EP 208 564 disclose solutions in which the parts are connected with laser beams. The parts to be joined are pushed, overlapping or even arranged at right angles to each other. The laser weld is formed, for example, the front side, by a layer of continuous or throat-shaped. The described solutions are not aesthetically attractive and can not avoid possible corrosion at the bottom.

From US 4 455 850 a beverage can is known in which the central inwardly curved portion of the bottom is coated with a matte paint. This is to prevent sunlight from being focused on the concave bottom of the can, thereby igniting a fire from outdoor cans. The coating does not extend over the annular transition region, so that the corrosion problem is not solved. In addition, the paint is sprayed onto the flat sheet, so that when punching the metal sheets and deep drawing the cans must be taken to ensure that the applied round color spots are hit by the punching tools exactly centered, which is associated with increased manufacturing costs. Even if the paint would extend beyond the annular transition region, the ink layer would not be continuous after the can is pulled down and the soil is pressed. The friction of the transition region on conveyors of bottling plants would lead to damage of the ink layer. Without continuous color layer but again there is the aforementioned risk of corrosion.

A beverage can is known from US Pat. No. 5,992,892 in which information is printed in the central, inwardly curved region of the bottom, which information is covered on the finished can with an abradable coating. This solution allows an advertising game in which the buyer of a can after rubbing off the coating can determine whether he has gained something according to the underlying information. The annular transition region with the support ring remains without coating, so that the corrosion problem is not solved. In addition, the abreib- or tear-off coating is not suitable to coat the support ring resistant. The removability of the coating is crucial for the advertising game.

No. 6,073,797 shows a lid which can be plugged onto a beverage can at the upper end side with the outlet opening. In order for the lid to latch onto the can, an outwardly projecting annular region must be formed on the can end, over which a corresponding elastic annular region of the lid can be slipped until it engages. Such a lid is very expensive to manufacture and attach. In addition, it can not be attached to the bottom of the can due to the lack of outwardly projecting ring area.

Another only screwed at the outlet opening of a beverage can lid is known from US 5,711,447. The screw cap of this lid needs on the beverage can outward ribs, standing with the lid on the inside Interacting elements. The necessary for the use of the lid features of the can and the lid are extremely expensive to manufacture. In addition, when tightening the lid on the can a great effort. Therefore, the possibility of arranging a promotional article in such a screw cap is associated with too much effort.

Beverage cans with removable cover elements are known from WO 96/24539 A1, wherein the cover elements cover the dome-shaped or concave up against the can interior bottom area. It creates a closed cavity at the bottom of the can. The cover element is located inside the original outer cans - boundary surfaces. In the closed cavity between the cover and the bottom of the can promotional items can be arranged, which can be removed after the tearing of the cover.

From DE 199 56 784 beverage cans are known in which the emptying takes place after opening the can lid hygienic. For this purpose, a protective film is placed over the closed can opening, so that neither dust nor liquids accumulate on the can lid.

The present invention has for its object to find a simple solution to allow cans at the bottom of the can aesthetically advantageous and damage. In particular, a possible corrosion should be prevented at the bottom.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1, or of claim 11, and of claim 14. The dependent claims describe preferred or alternative embodiments.

In solving the problem, it has been recognized that both corrosion problems and aesthetic problems can be solved by attaching an outer bottom cover in the form of a sheet. The flat material is fixed to an annular connecting portion of the can body. If the connection is formed along a closed circular line, the membrane-shaped bottom cover is given a high stability. The bottom cover is formed substantially flat in a main area surrounded by the annular connection area and preferably comprises the imprint of a bar code. If the bar code can be attached to a substantially flat bottom surface, the impairment of the design possibilities of the can wall is eliminated. Also, no printing rollers for the bar code are needed to print the decor of the can wall. It can be made large quantities of can bodies with an attractive standard decor on the can wall. Possibly changing information, or information that is not the same for all countries, such as the bar code or the date of filling, and / or aesthetically disturbing information is printed on the bottom cover. These possibly different bottom covers can be printed shortly before the filling time of individual product batches and fixed to the standard can body. This allows the same box to be used for all countries and all batches. Because the bottom cover can be made flat in the area of the bar code, the bar code is more readable than a bar code attached to the curved can wall. When the coating of the outside of the Can wall in the form of at least one color layer or a decorative film extends to the outer boundary of the bottom cover, it can be prevented that a metallic edge is visible at the bottom of the can end. The bottom cover optionally covers a downwardly protruding annular standing area of the can body and thus prevents the occurrence of corrosion problems.

The bottom cover is preferably formed in the form of plastic sheet material. It goes without saying that flat material with at least one metal, in particular aluminum or steel layer, or even with a cardboard layer can be used. The stability-imparting layer is optionally coated with plastic. The flat materials used are intended to ensure a robust bottom cover, which is not damaged on the conveyors of the filling systems and remains as stable as possible when standing on wet documents. The above-mentioned flat materials can all be provided with a sealing layer and thus sealed to the ground. If metal foils are used, the heat required for the sealing process may optionally also be introduced inductively. Instead of a sealing connection, a catch connection or a welded connection, in particular with at least three laser welding points, may also be formed to secure the bottom cover.

It goes without saying that the floor covering according to the invention is not limited to use in cans. There are also vessels in particular bottles made of plastic, the bottom of which comprise a downwardly projecting annular bottom portion and on which thus a bottom cover can be fixed. Although there is no risk of corrosion in the plastic containers, the use of the bottom cover for the arrangement of the bar code and advertising information on the vessel bottom is advantageous.

If a decorative layer in the form of at least one color layer, but preferably as a decorative film, is formed on the outside of the can wall, then the bottom cover can be formed such that the decorative layer extends at least to the outer boundary of the bottom cover. Preferably, however, the decorative layer is slightly overlapped by the bottom cover. This prevents when using decorative films that the films can solve at the lower end of the can body.

When using decorative films, a can body with can wall and bottom can be inexpensively manufactured according to the respective needs. If appropriate, a decorative film is then attached to the wall of the can, so that printing on the can body can be dispensed with. If the can wall and the bottom are pressed from a single piece, such as aluminum aerosol cans or steel sheet cans, the intensive cleaning and drying necessary for printing can be dispensed with. For circumferentially closed films which are overlapped by the bottom cover, peeling of the film may be precluded. If the can body is assembled from a shell and a bottom, then these two parts can be connected to each other via a seam optionally a folded seam, but preferably a welded seam, in particular a laser weld seam. A decorative film is preferably applied only after this bonding step, wherein preferably a narrow and in particular fixed contact of the film with the can body can be ensured by the use of a shrinkable film, in particular with a sealing layer facing the can body. If the can jacket and bottom are connected by means of a seam connection, the seam connection can optionally also be formed after the application of the decorative film, in which case the seam would take over the holding of the film at the bottom end of the can.

The bottom cover, or optionally also the decorative film, makes it possible to cover the connection between the jacket and the floor, so that no high aesthetic demands have to be placed on this connection. When using a weld or a laser connection, the annular connection region is preferably formed by an end region of the can jacket projecting above the bottom, this end region being pulled in in particular somewhat towards the can axis and forming the annular connection region. In the case of a folded seam, it can thus be formed in the area of the bottom of the can and optionally pressed against the inside of the can so that a curved jacket end region can be used as an annular connecting region. In these variants described, a bottom cover fixed to the annular connection area spans the respective connecting seam.

In order to provide an aesthetically attractive can body, the transition from the can wall to the bottom cover is formed in a longitudinal section circular segment, wherein it preferably has a radius of curvature in the range of 1 to 6mm, in particular of substantially 3mm.

Thanks to the bottom cover, it is now possible, for example, to provide a two- or three-piece aerosol can made of sheet steel, which has the appearance of a one-piece aluminum can. The execution options in the floor area have already been described above. In order to form the valve seat on the upper end side of the box, in the case of a two-piece box, a compression-narrowing process or, in the case of a three-part box, the insertion of an upper closure part with valve seat can be provided.

It goes without saying that the invention encompasses all solutions which result from the combination of the features described. Varying the features includes, for example, selecting between one, two, and three-piece cans, choosing between different parts, providing or omitting a decorative film, choosing a specific bottom cover and attaching it to the can body, and choosing the material for two and multi-part cans for the can and the bottom cover. Even unexpected combinations can lead to advantageous solutions. For example, a one-piece aluminum can with a bottom cover comprising magnetizable steel sheet has the advantage that it can be conveyed by magnetic conveyors utilizing magnetic holding forces with different axis orientations.

The possibility to clamp a decorative foil on the lower can end with the bottom cover opens up a versatile use of decorative foils. These films are optionally printed on the outside, but preferably on the side facing the can body. In the case of a transparent film which is printed on the back or on the side facing the can body, the print layer is protected by the film so that no impairment of the decoration due to friction can occur. A printed on the back of a transparent transparent film can be provided after printing on the print layer with a sealing layer, which also ensures a sealing compound through the print layer between the film and the can body. In order to be able to shrink the film to the can body, a piece of film is formed in a first step to a closed film jacket and connected to each other at the two associated side lines, preferably a seal connection is produced. This film jacket has a little larger cross-section than the can body and thus can be slipped over the can body and shrunk under heat to this and sealed. After attaching the decorative film, the bottom cover is set so that it overlaps the end of the film slightly at the bottom. It It goes without saying that the bottom cover may possibly also be annular, so that it holds the end of the film securely on the can body, but not completely covers the bottom of the can.

The application of foils to a can body is known, for example, from EP 1 153 837 A1, but in this case the print layer must not be applied to the foil edge in each foil section, or an unprinted foil edge is required. According to this known solution, a sealing layer arranged between the film and the printing layer must be open during the formation of the closed film jacket for producing a sealed seam. Therefore, the printing and the subsequent cutting of the film web must be exactly matched to each other, which is not achievable with a simple effort in a thin film due to their elastic deformability. This results in a simplification by the present invention. Because a sealing layer is applied to the printing layer, the printing layer can be formed continuously. The cutting of the pieces of film does not have to be precise with the printing and the formation of a sealed seam is always guaranteed.

A sufficiently shrinkable film can ensure that the decorative film rests wrinkle-free on the body after the shrinking process in the retracted floor area and possibly also in a retracted upper termination area. Because welds and in particular laser connections can be formed so that the surface of the can body is also substantially smooth in the region of the seam, it can no longer be recognized after applying the decorative film and the bottom cover that the can body has been brought into the desired shape by means of seams , In cylindrical can bodies, for example, a rectangular sheet is formed with a longitudinal seam to the can jacket. However, it would also be possible to assemble the can sheath of two or more sheath pieces with two or more longitudinal seams, so that, if appropriate, a sheath deviating from the cylindrical shape is produced. The deviation from a circular cylindrical shape can occur both in cross section and in the longitudinal direction.

In order to be able to hold a decorative film extremely securely on the can body at the upper end of the can, an annular cover element may also be provided there. This upper cover is optionally formed in aerosol cans of a portion of the valve, or by a part attached to the valve seat. It goes without saying that it also analogous to the bottom cover via a sealed connection, a snap connection or a welded connection, in particular with at least three laser welding points, can be fixed at the upper end of the can, this part covers the upper end of the film and thus protects against tearing.

The covering of the film end at least at one can end, in particular at the bottom, makes it possible to dispense with an exact cutting of the film or of the film casing in the direction of the can axis, without it being possible for an unsightly end to appear. In addition, wrinkles that could form when shrinking at severely narrowed end portions, covered by the bottom cover and / or the annular cover.

Embodiments should also be encompassed in which the bottom cover, with a surface adapted to the shape of the floor, rests directly against the floor and, in particular, is injection-molded directly on the floor as an injection-molded part.

The inventive solution opens up new design options for cans. In addition, there are simplifications in the can production, which make it possible to assemble the cans directly at the bottler. This has the advantage that can be dispensed with the space-consuming transport of empty cans from a plant for the production of cans to the various bottling plants. The cans, for example, from a flat piece of sheet metal, from which the jacket is formed, composed of a bottom part, an upper end part and a bottom cover, and a decorative film. The bottom parts, the upper end parts and the bottom covers are stackable with little space and can thus be transported in a space-saving manner like the stacks of flat sheet metal pieces and the film rolls.

Fig. 1

einen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Aerosoldose gemäss dem Stande der Technik,

Fig. 2

einen Ausschnitt eines vertikalen Schnittes durch eine Aerosoldose mit einer Bodenabdeckung,

Fig. 3

einen Ausschnitt eines vertikalen Schnittes durch eine Aerosoldose mit einer Bodenabdeckung und einem Werbeartikel,

Fig. 4

einen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Aerosoldose und eine Vorrichtung zum Anbringen einer Bodenabdeckung,

Fig. 5

einen vertikalen Schnitt durch einer Aerosoldose mit einer Bodenabdeckung, wobei der Dosenkörper aus drei Teilen zusammengestellt ist,

Fig. 6

einen detaillierten Ausschnitt aus dem Bodenbereich einer Dose gemäss Fig. 5 mit einer Bodenabdeckung, die mittels Siegel- oder Schweissverbindung festgesetzt ist,

Fig. 7

einen detaillierten Ausschnitt einer Dose mit einer Bodenabdeckung, die mittels Einrastverbindung festgesetzt ist,

Fig. 8

einen detaillierten Ausschnitt einer Dose mit einer Bodenabdeckung, wobei Dosenboden und -mantel über eine Falzverbindung verbunden sind, und

Fig. 9

einen detaillierten Ausschnitt einer einteiligen Dose mit einer Bodenabdeckung, die mittels Einrastverbindung festgesetzt ist

The drawings explain the inventive solution using an exemplary embodiment. It shows

Fig. 1

a vertical section through an aerosol can according to the prior art,

Fig. 2

a section of a vertical section through an aerosol can with a bottom cover,

Fig. 3

a section of a vertical section through an aerosol can with a bottom cover and a promotional item,

Fig. 4

a vertical section through an aerosol can and a device for attaching a bottom cover,

Fig. 5

a vertical section through an aerosol can with a bottom cover, wherein the can body is composed of three parts,

Fig. 6

a detailed section of the bottom portion of a box according to FIG 5 with a bottom cover, which is set by means of sealing or welding connection,

Fig. 7

a detailed section of a box with a bottom cover, which is fixed by snap-in,

Fig. 8

a detailed section of a box with a bottom cover, with can bottom and jacket are connected via a rabbet joint, and

Fig. 9

a detailed section of a one-piece box with a bottom cover, which is fixed by snap-in connection

1 shows a can body 1 according to the state of the art with a jacket-shaped closed can wall 2 and a lower end face of the can wall 2 formed bottom 3. It is an aerosol can, the bottom 3 is curved with a central region 3a against the can interior , Around the central region 3a, a downwardly projecting annular edge region 3b is formed. The cans stand on a support line of the annular edge region 3b, wherein the support line can be weakened by corrosion, so that the central region 3a could break out. The can wall and the bottom comprise a metal layer 5. On the outside of the can wall 2, or the metal layer 5, a decorative layer 4 is arranged, which extends from a valve seat 6 on the butted neck and the majority of the can wall 2 to the transition region of the can wall 2 extends to the bottom 3. Below the lower boundary of the decorative layer 4, an uncoated can area is visible.

Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of an aerosol can 1 with an outer bottom cover 7, which is fixed in the form of a plastic sheet on the downwardly projecting annular edge portion 3b of the bottom 3 with a sealing compound 8. The edge region 3b thus forms a connection region on which the bottom cover 7 is fixed. The bottom cover 7 comprises a contact region 7b, which bears against the edge region 3b. The sealing compound 8 extends at least over a partial region of the contact region 7b and is preferably formed by a sealing layer arranged on the bottom covering 7 which has been sealed to the edge region 3b by a sealing device. It goes without saying that the connection between the edge region 3b and the contact region 7b can also be achieved with an adhesive.

The decorative layer 4 can be formed as a coating on the outside of the can wall 2 both in the form of at least one color layer and in the form of a decorative film. The decorative layer 4 preferably extends at least to the outer edge of the bottom cover 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the decorative layer 4 is slightly overlapped by the bottom cover 7. This can prevent the metal layer 5 from being accessible in the floor area. A risk of corrosion is thus excluded.

The plastic sheet material of the bottom cover 7 has a layer thickness of at least 0.02 mm, but preferably in the range of 0.08 to 0.8 mm, in particular from 0.2 to 0.6 mm. As a result, the necessary strength can be ensured for different mechanical stresses.

The bottom cover 7 comprises a main region 7a surrounded by the contact region 7b, or by the inner boundary of the sealing connection, which is preferably substantially flat and in particular comprises the imprint of a bar code. The bottom cover 7 optionally comprises a lifting device, which is formed approximately in the form of a weakened tear line in the main region 7a. By tearing along the tear line by means of a tab, a part of the main area 7a can be removed from the can or at least swung out. On the inside surface of this part a profit information can be attached, which becomes accessible by the tearing off. A rupturable bottom cover 7 allows advertising effective effects.

3 shows a bottom cover 7 with a first and a second cover part surface 7c and 7d, wherein the first cover part surface 7c is connected to the edge region 3b of the bottom 3 via the sealing connection 8 and the second cover part surface 7d is detachably fixed to the first cover part surface 7c. In order to be able to separate the cover part surface 7d, a gripping tab 7e is formed on the cover part surface 7d, for example. If the first cover part surface 7c has an opening in the central area, a promotional article 9 arranged between the central area 3a of the bottom 3 and the bottom cover 7 can be removed after the second cover part surface 7d has been separated off. The bottom cover 7 allows a variety of advertising effects. The cover part surface 7d can be formed, for example, as a collection part, which on one side a motif or image and on the other side optionally a name thereto having. The promotional item 9 and or the Abdeckteilfläche 7d may include collection points, luck or even recipes. If beverages are filled in the can body, then instead of the promotional product optionally a beverage additive, such as vitamins, alcohol, stimulants or sweetener, are arranged in the cavity between the can bottom and the bottom cover. It would also be advantageous to sell medicines directly with water, with the medicament being placed between the can bottom and the bottom cover of the vessel with the water.

Fig. 4 shows a device with which the bottom cover 7 can be festgesiegelt on downwardly projecting annular edge portion 3b of the bottom 3. The device comprises a holding device for holding the can body and a sealing device 10 with an annular sealing surface 10a, which is adapted to the edge region 3b of the bottom 3. In order to heat the sealing surface 10a to a desired temperature, the sealing surface 10a is associated with a heating device 10b. The holding device must be designed so that the sealing surface 10a is movable toward the bottom 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the holding device comprises a ring around the sealing device 10 extending centering device 11 for receiving the can bottom 3 and a hold-down device 12 which makes a desired contact force between the bottom cover 7 and the bottom 3 of the can body 1 achievable in cooperation with the sealing device 10. So that the bottom cover 7 does not have to be moved from the heated sealing device 10 to the bottom 3, the sealing device 10 preferably comprises a feed device 13, which is movable relative to the sealing surface 10a. When picking up a bottom cover 7, which can optionally be fed from the side, the feed device 13 is arranged above the sealing surface 10a. After inserting a can body 1 in the centering device 11, the bottom cover 7 is moved by the feeder 13 to the bottom 3. Subsequently, the annular sealing surface 10a presses the contact region 7b against the edge region 3b until the heat supplied has achieved the desired sealing connection 8. It goes without saying that the holding device and sealing device can be configured according to solutions of the prior art. In particular, it would also be possible to provide a holding device which only holds the can body from one end side and / or holds it with the bottom upwards. In order to carry out the sealing connection between the bottom of the can and the bottom cover, at least one processing station is provided which preferably comprises a turntable, to which co-rotating sealing devices are assigned. It can seal during the rotation of the turntable. Such a processing station can be arranged, for example, during filling operation before or after filling.

5 shows the can body 1 of an aerosol can 1, wherein the can body 1 is assembled from a casing part 1a and a bottom part 1b. The view of the connection between the bottom part 1 b and the jacket part 1 a is covered by the bottom cover 7. The jacket part 1a is provided with a decorative layer 4, which was optionally printed directly on the cylindrical can body. If the jacket part 1a is formed from a sheet by forming and attaching a weld, the decorative layer 4 can also be previously printed on the flat sheet. At the upper end of the can body 1, a valve seat is formed by upsetting constriction and deformation at the opening. Optionally, a decorative film is shrunk immediately after the constriction, which extends in particular substantially to the end edge of the shell part 1a, so that the film end is clamped after forming at the opening in the deformed edge of the can.

If the decorative layer 4, in particular the decorative film, does not extend as far as the upper edge of the can, then an upper cover part 14 can be arranged at the upper end of the can, covering at least the can end region without a decorative layer. If the can body is formed of three parts, then an upper end part with the valve seat must be fixed on the shell part 1a. According to the state of the art, this is done with a folded seam or optionally by means of welding (EP 208 564 B1). The resulting unattractive seam area between the upper end part and the shell part 1a can be covered by the upper cover part 14. In the case of an aerosol can, the upper cover 14 is a part connected to the valve which always sits on the can after insertion of the valve. By the provision of cover parts 7, 14 three-piece cans can be provided in which it is not recognizable to the consumer that the can body 1 is composed of different parts. In principle, all known types of connection can be used for tightly connecting can parts.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the bottom part 1 b is connected to the jacket part 1 a with an annular welded connection. At the bottom, an edge region of the bottom part 1b extends to the shell part 1a adjacent to the lower edge of the shell part 1a out. The welded joint may be formed throat-shaped or in the contact region of these two parts. It goes without saying that the parts can also be welded together, that at least one of the two connections could be formed as a hinge connection or that only below or only above a connection is provided. Without the use of an upper end part of the shell part 1a must be greatly narrowed to form the valve seat, which is associated with various materials with great effort, especially with many upsetting Einziehschritten, and possibly insurmountable problems. Due to the possibility of covering an optimized compilation of the can body can be selected without this being negative in appearance.

If the can body is provided with a decorative film, so the bottom cover 7 and possibly also the upper cover 14 for protecting or clamping the lower and the upper edge of the film can be used. As a result, the risk of detaching a decorative film can be substantially reduced. Welding seams in the longitudinal direction of the can can also be covered with a decorative foil. A can jacket, which is formed by bending and welding together, in particular laser welding, can already be given a special shape by the cutting of the assembled parts. Because the material of the at least one metallic sheet formed to the shell is not hardened by forming steps, the shell can be at least partially reshaped by changing the circumference. As a result, aesthetically attractive cans can be formed, which can be provided with a shrinking decorative film before or, if appropriate, even after the forming. This results in new design options.

Fig. 6 shows a section of a can body 1 in which the shell part 1a a dome-shaped upstanding bottom part 1b is firmly welded. Between a ring portion 15 and a circumferential line of the shell part 1 a, a welded connection 16 is formed, which extends for example through the annular region 15 to the shell part 1 a and is preferably produced by means of laser welding. For aerosol cans, the inside of the can has to absorb increased pressure. A fold-shaped reinforcement of the annular region 15 prevents detachment of the bottom part 1 b from the jacket part 1 a. At an impermissibly high internal pressure, the curvature of the bottom part 1 b can transform to the outside and so indicate the overpressure and prevent bursting. The bottom cover 7 comprises a main area 7a surrounded by the contact area 7b, which is preferably substantially flat and in particular can receive the imprint of a bar code. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact area 7b fixed to a corresponding annular connecting portion 3b 'at the lower end of the casing part 1a. For setting, for example, an adhesive or sealing compound 8 can be provided. If the material of the contact region 7b comprises metal, the connection can also be ensured by welding points 17, in particular at least three laser welding points.

In the illustrated embodiment, there is a decorative layer 4 in the form of a decorative film 4 'on the outside of the can body 1. The decorative film 4' is shrunk tight before setting the bottom cover 7 on the can body 1. The lower edge of the decorative film 4 'does not have to be cut exactly because it is covered by the bottom cover 7. It extends at least somewhat into the connecting region 3b ', but may also protrude somewhat below the edge of the jacket part 1a. In the case of a sealed connection between the contact region 7b and the connecting region 3b ', the sealing connection must therefore be formed at least partially between the outer side of the decorative film 4' and the contact region 7b. The decorative film 4 'should therefore adhere well enough to the connecting region 3b'. For this purpose, for example, in the connection region 3b 'on both sides of the decorative film sealing layers are present, which ensure a firm connection due to the sealing process. The transition from the shell part 1a and from the can wall 2, to the bottom cover 7 is formed in a longitudinal section circular segment or retracted inward and preferably has a radius of curvature in the range of 1 to 6mm, in particular substantially 3mm. This radius allows unhindered conveying even over small steps compared to edges. Optionally, the bottom cover 7 forms a standing surface, wherein a stationary can body 1 is in contact only via the bottom cover 7 with the support surface.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment in which the bottom part 1 b is attached via a weld seam 16 in the form of a fillet weld on the shell part 1 a. The bottom cover 7 is fixed with a latching connection at the lower edge region of the jacket part 1a. The connecting region 3b 'is formed by the lower or free edge region of the jacket part 1a. The contact region 7b of the bottom cover 7 is positively connected to the connecting region 3b 'and is preferably formed by spring lips 7f, so that the bottom cover 7 can be attached to the underside of the can body 1 under resilient deformation of the spring lips 7f. The decorative film 4 'extends between the jacket part 1a and the bottom part 1b beyond the connecting region 3b' and is thus clamped by the bottom cover 7 on the can body 1.

Because a sealing or welding connection can be dispensed with, the bottom cover 7 need not be sealable or weldable. Any plastics or even metals, in particular coated and / or magnetic metals, can therefore be used to produce the floor covering. The spring lips 7f can be formed in any shape and are provided in the circumferential direction at least at three substantially equally spaced locations. Because the attachment of a latching member without sealing or welding device can be performed only by the linear movement of a pressed part, both the method and the device for setting a latching bottom cover is extremely simple.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment in which the bottom part 1 b is connected via a rabbet joint 18 with the jacket part 1a. The seaming connection 18 is preferably formed and deformed against the inside of the can so that the transition from the shell part 1a or from the can wall 2, to the bottom part 1a in a longitudinal section is circular segment-shaped or retracted inwards, and a connection region 3b 'for fixing the bottom cover 7 includes. For fixing the bottom cover, a sealing or welding connection is formed between the connecting region 3b 'and the contact region 7b. The seam connection 18 is covered by the bottom cover 7. Optionally, a decorative film 4 'extends along the casing part 1a to below the contact region 7b.

9 shows an embodiment in which a can body 1 has been formed by means of pressing, in particular cold extrusion, in such a way that the bottom 3 merges into the upwardly standing can wall 2 and into a downwardly projecting wall section 2 '. Immediately after pressing, the can wall 2 together with the wall section 2 'form a cylindrical jacket surface which can be printed, for example, with a decorative layer 4. The wall portion 2 'is slightly retracted to be able to set the ground cover thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the decorative layer extends substantially to the bottom cover. This means that the entire area of the can body 1 visible from the side has a décor. Optionally, a film that extends to below the bottom cover is provided. If the can body is formed of aluminum, it can be provided by inserting a bottom cover 7 with magnetizable metal a can body, which can be funded with magnetic conveyors.

Claims (16)

1. Can body (1) with a closed can wall (2) that extends around a can axis in the form of a jacket, and a base (3) constructed on one end of the can wall (2), wherein at least in one sub-region of the base (3), an external base covering (7) is constructed in the form of a sheet material and is fixed on an annular connection region (3b, 3b') of the can body (1), characterized in that a decorative foil (4') is constructed on the exterior of the can wall (2) in the form of at least one coat of paint, preferably as a decorative foil (4'), and extends at least to the outer edging of the base covering (7).
2. Can body according to claim 1, characterized in that the decorative layer (4) is overlapped somewhat by the base covering (7).
3. Can body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one layer of the can wall (2) and the base (3) is made of metal and wherein the base covering (7) has a layer thickness of 0.08 to 0.8 mm, particularly from 0.2 to 0.6 mm.
4. Can body according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the can wall (2) and the base (3) are joined to one another via a seam, if necessary a folded seam (18), preferably, however, a welded seam (16), especially a laser welded seam.
5. Can body according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a sealed connection (8) or a latching connection (7f), is constructed between the base covering (7) and the can body (1).
6. Can body according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transition from the can wall (2) to the base covering (7) in the longitudinal section is preferably in the shape of a segment of a circle and in particular has a curvature radius in the range from 1 to 6 mm, preferably basically 3 mm.
7. Can body according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the base covering (7) forms a standing region, wherein a standing can body (1) is only in contact with a support surface through the base covering (7).
8. Can body according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the base covering (7) has a layer giving stability, is constructed basically flat in a main region that is surrounded by the annular connection region (3b, 3b') and preferably includes a inprintable region, especially with a bar code.
9. Can body according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the base covering (7) includes a tear apart means, preferably be in the form of a weakened tear apart line and a strap.
10. Can body according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a hollow space is constructed between the base covering (7) and the base (3).
11. Method for applying an external base covering (7) in connection with the base (3) of a can body (1) with a can wall (2) that extends like a jacket around the axis of the can, and a base (3) constructed on one end of the can wall (2), wherein at least one layer (5) of the can wall (2) and the base(3) is made of metal and the external base covering (7) is constructed in the form of a sheet material and is fixed on an annular connection region (3b, 3b') of the can body (1), characterized in that a decorative foil (4') is constructed on the exterior of the can wall (2) in the form of at least one coat of paint, preferably as a decorative foil (4'), and the base covering (7) is fixed so that the decorative foil (4') extends at least to the outer edging of the base covering (7).
12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that before the base covering (7) is fixed into place, the can wall (2) and the base (3) are joined to one another via a seam, if need be a folded seam (18), but preferably a welded seam (16), especially a laser welded seam,.
13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that before the base covering (7) is fixed into position, a decorative foil (4') is arranged on the exterior of the can wall (2) and an end region of the decorative foil (4') is covered over by the base covering (7) when the base covering (7) is being fixed into position.
14. Device for applying an external base covering (7) on the base (3) of a can body (1) that includes a closed can wall (2) that extends like a jacket around an axis of the can and a base (3) that is constructed on the one end of the can wall (2), with a retaining apparatus (11, 12) for retaining the can wall (1), characterized in that the retaining device (11, 12) holds the base (3) of a retained can body (1) free, and a position fixing apparatus makes the base covering (7) movable toward the base (3) and able to be fixed into position there a decorative foil (4') is constructed on the exterior of the can wall (2) in the form of at least one coat of paint, preferably as a decorative foil (4'), and the base covering (7) is fixed so that the decorative foil (4') extends at least to the outer edging of the base covering (7).
15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the position fixing apparatus comprises a feeding apparatus (13) for feeding a base covering (7) to the base (3) of a can body (1) held by the retaining apparatus, and includes a sealing apparatus (10) and/or a pressing apparatus and/or a welding device, especially a laser welding device.
16. Device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the retaining device (11, 12) includes a centering apparatus (11) for accommodating the base (3) and a hold down apparatus (12), wherein the hold down apparatus (12), in interaction with the position fixing apparatus, makes a desired contact force attainable between the base covering (7) and the annular connection region (3b, 3b') of the can body (1).

Images