EP1640282A1 - Drink can top with a large opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The sheet metal lid (1) has a lid panel (10) surrounded by a folded edge (11). The panel has a large dimensioned opening (15) enclosed by a circumferential strip (16) which is axially offset opposite a plane (E) of the opening surface. A circumferentially and radially extending reinforcement plateau 20) runs along at least one circumferential section of the strip. The reinforcement plateau can be formed sickle-shaped with a central bulge (23) and two circumferentially extending arms (21,22).

Description

The invention relates to an easy-open lid made of sheet metal for closing containers whose contents are under elevated internal pressure, as is known from cans for carbonated beverages.

In order to be able to open such containers easily, it is customary to provide a limited area in the cover mirror of the sheet metal lid, which can be brought by pressure from the outside to break in and thus to expose the removal opening. Different designs of the tear-open area and different ways of applying the opening pressure are known.

This limited area is initially closed by sheet metal and is separated by action of a lever tab (Tab) at a line of weakness and pressed into the closed container. If you want to make the can, and this emphasizes the lid resealable, such a solution can not be used.

Many prior art solutions are concerned with the reclosability of beverage cans, particularly under external political pressure and with internal overpressure of the sealed container. The mutual pressure loading requires the solution of a metal lid from a variety of properties that can not be easily harmonized and made available on a small area. Many state-of-the-art solutions that suggest reclosability only achieve this by losing the stackability of a can. However, the stackability is an original feature of a sealed can, which must not be lost. A can has to be stackable over several floors without having to add additional elements. In particular, in the area of the sheet-metal lid, the can must also involve as little as possible modification during closing in order to make it easier for the bottler to engage in a new type or a new type of can lid. The principle of reclosability must therefore be fundamentally different, without a tab (usually SOT) being arranged on the lid mirror and thus providing additional space that was previously taken up by the tab. This additional space is located directly in the lid plane (slightly above it).

The object of the invention is to prepare a sheet metal lid for closing a beverage can to allow assembly of a first separate reclosing device and to allow their mounting on the sheet metal lid. The sheet metal lid is also designed to maintain its pressure stability, not losing stackability and being as close as possible to a standard shell in its at least peripheral design to minimize changes to a filling line. The resealability of the container should, however, be made possible by the lid, since the ironed, one-piece can body can not contribute to this solution (reclosability) due to its original properties.

This object is solved by claim 1, claim 2 or claim 26.

The invention is based on a solution in which an additional part (a reclosing device) is inserted into a large opening in the lid mirror. This additional part should not be the subject of this description and stress, but only the metal lid, which as such brings the aptitude, property and prerequisite for being combined with such a reclosing device, then as a cap at the bottler on a filled hull to be set up and folded.

The large-sized opening in the panel (the lid mirror) should be understood to provide a significantly larger opening than is the case with the frangible areas described above. These have only a relatively small dimensions in order to obtain the stability of the panel as a whole. Although there are known LOE-cap, especially for Gulp drinks (usually beer) provide a larger opening, which is oriented transversely and oval, nevertheless non-circular, due to the continued need to attach a tab on the cover plate outside (about a rivet).

With the invention, the opening area is larger, it is a hole introduced into the lid, whose opening dimension beyond the middle of the lid goes (claim 2). The large-sized perforation is not closed by a sheet metal part or a notch weakening line breakable, but remains open to be closed later with the reclosure device having a customized geometry. It allows the opening and closing of the flow path in the open area, so that here continues to be spoken by a large-sized opening, which on the one hand releases the flow of the beverage, controlled by the Reclosure facility, which is not explained here, cf. in detail PCT / NL2004 / 00024 of 13 January 2004 (WO ...).

The metal lid as such is still a derived from a manufacturing process, finished shaped metal lid. He is more than a shell (the raw form), he is prepared to be combined with the reclosable part, and then in this combination to replace a normal today, usual SOT cap with score line and sealed by him hulls, which also not here because they are available by default, resealable to close.

To the large-sized opening a Umfassungsstreifen is provided, which is offset in a plane. It serves to stabilize (claim 1). Along at least one peripheral portion of this Umfassungsstreifens a radially outwardly located stiffening plateau is provided, which additionally contributes to the stiffening of the sheet metal cover. Due to the relatively large-sized opening, a large loss of strength in the panel is to be expected, which is compensated by the enclosure strip and the stiffening area (stiffening plateau) extending partly around the enclosure strip.

The stiffening plateau does not extend more than teilumfänglich and in the radial direction, wherein it is oriented flat, in particular partially moon-shaped or arc segment-like design (claim 3). It may also be described as having a waist portion with a larger radial dimension and two arm portions extending circumferentially (claim 11). The plateau extends to more than 180 ° circumferential angle (claim 12).

Due to a staggered arrangement of the large opening (claim 2, 24) is on one side of the opening more remaining lid mirror than on the other side, where the opening comes closer to the circumferential groove. The center offset can be in the range between 5% and 25% of the diameter of the cover mirror (in each case in the unperforated state), depending on the dimensioning of the large, generally circular main opening provided (claim 24,21). Preferred is a range between 10% and 15%, based on the said diameter of the panel (cover mirror) within the circumferential groove.

This offset to one side makes it possible to attach on the other side of the additional stiffening by the stiffening plateau in teilmondförmiger or arc segment-like shape (short "half moon"). It roughly covers 180 ° of the opening and is - based on the lid mirror - formed more than 180 ° comprising (claim 12). By Mittenversetzung is created between the one edge of the opening and the circumferential groove space to arrange this stiffening.

To define a large opening, one can expect more than 30% of the area of the still unperforated lid mirror. This measure refers to the area that is square to the radius. If the size of the opening is based on diameter, the diameter of the opening (in the case of an annular design) is greater than 50% of the diameter of the mirror, correspondingly also in the dimensioning of the radii. Preferred is a range between 55% and 65% (claim 5).

Further details regarding the planar extent, in the radial direction of the cover mirror, lie in the circumferential strip which surrounds the large-dimensioned opening and defines between the edge of the opening and the beginning of the opening strip another edge strip which surrounds the opening. This edge strip and the aforementioned circumferential strip are in the axial direction (perpendicular to the radial extension) at two different levels, also called height or height level or altitude. The axial direction defines in cylindrical coordinates the direction perpendicular to the radial direction.

It is avoided to speak of a lid mirror of "inside" and "outside" after being described and claimed in the non-arranged on the fuselage state.

As far as the figures are concerned, it can be assumed that "outside" is "up" in the pictures, but this is not a limitation with regard to the description of the axial height relations.

By attaching the stiffening plateau partially circumferentially to the opening, which is surrounded by the at least one circumferential strip, a further teilumfängliche strip geometry is possible, which is referred to as a further intermediate strip (claim 15). It is located between the outer edge of the stiffening plateau and the circumferential groove.

The further intermediate strip and the circumferential strip preferably have a constant width on their circumferential extent (claim 16). Due to the arranged different, circumferentially extending structures, it is possible provide changing heights of these structures, which now refers to the axial direction of the previously described mainly in the radial direction geometries (claim 18,19).

Seen in cross-section, an up and down can be formed, which ensures by alternating height levels that a stiffening occurs, which can extend to the entire cover mirror despite the large-sized perforation (opening). Between each two adjacent areas creates a step. The step may have an at least partially oblique piece, which opens via respective radii in the respective next structure (claim 20). At the altitudes can be defined as a reference a ground plane (claim 4), which is placed on the plane of the hole, that is located in the plane of the opening. With reference to this ground plane, other height geometries can be defined (claim 4).

In such a design, the lid mirror receives despite the destabilizing large opening high pressure stability and additionally surprisingly a controlled 'buckling', which corresponds to a buckling of the lid at excessive internal pressure. But up to normal pressure and multiple normal pressure, the lid remains in its lateral stability so that with the reclosing device a secure sealing on the first circumferential strip can be achieved (claim 22). It is reliably at an equal altitude (at the same level along its circumference) to ensure a sealing function against a sealing lip of the reclosure device.

The loss of strength can be reliably compensated. The combination of all beads, in particular the exposed features of claim 1, 2 also achieve a controlled 'buckling' in terms of headspace enlargement by increased internal pressure in the sealed box. All of the above-mentioned demands on the lid, the pressure stability, the extensive reference to standard closures, the stackability and the possibility of reclosing are achieved.

The further edge strip may be at a different altitude (claim 7) than the first circumferential strip, preferably deeper (claim 8). The opening for said device may include two opposing flats (claim 10) for improving assembly. These extend radially inward (claim 10).

The plateau height may preferably be located above the ground plane (claim 13, 4). If the plateau is bounded radially inward and radially on the outside by the two boundary strips (intermediate strips and surrounding strips), different height levels of these three areas achieve improved stabilization (claim 14, 18). Circumferential strips and further intermediate strips may preferably be located at the same height (claim 18).

A confluence of the said further intermediate strip, which does not extend fully, but only teilumfänglich, as well as the stiffening plateau, takes place at the arm ends of the stiffening plateau (claim 17). Here, an orifice surface is formed, which is V- or Y-shaped.

Preferably, the surface of the sickle- or part-moon-shaped stiffener (claim 11) has no additional beads on its planar extension (claim 23).

It would be to say that the modified shell, so the finished product, which is prepared for receiving the reclosure device has a through hole, which is also called perforation, but is not covered by metal sheet (claim 21).

Figur 1

ist eine Aufsicht auf einen Deckel als erstes Beispiel.

Figur 2

ist ein axialer Schnitt A-A durch den Deckel nach Figur 1.

Figur 3

ist ein weiteres Beispiel mit zwei um 90° versetzten axialen Schnitten A-A, B-B durch den Deckel.

The invention is explained with reference to examples of execution below and completed.

FIG. 1

is a top view of a lid as a first example.

FIG. 2

is an axial section AA through the lid of Figure 1.

FIG. 3

is another example with two offset by 90 ° axial sections AA, BB through the lid.

The lid 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 as a first example of the invention is intended for a conventional beverage can body, which is not shown. The lid is made of sheet metal with a thin wall thickness, as is common practice.

It has a cover mirror 10 and a seaming edge 11 for connection to a corresponding container. Along the fold edge extends a damping bead 12 (circumferential groove) which limits the lid mirror 10 radially outward.

The folded edge 11 is located radially outside the damping bead 12, which is also called "peripheral groove", and projects beyond the lid mirror 10 at the axial height. The lid mirror 10, itself also referred to as a panel, has an overall circular shape, but is significantly larger in size protruding opening 15, which forms a cut-out, substantially circular hole in the lid mirror, only partially present.

The cylindrical coordinates are used for the description, in the radial direction (horizontal direction) the extension of the cover mirror and in the vertical or vertical direction, perpendicular to the plane E of Figure 2, the axial direction.

The hull itself is not shown, and the reclosing device 90 to be introduced into the opening 15 and to be mounted there at the edge is not shown separately. An ironed hull is well known and need not be described. It has an upper edge of the hull, which is formed radially outwardly as a flange and is closed with the seaming edge 11 by a folding device (folding roller) to a Mehrfachfalz, usually at the bottler.

The opening 15 in Figure 1 is shown in large dimensions in the view. It is arranged off-center, with respect to its center point M15, which is offset from the center point M10 of the panel 10. The transfer is between 5% and 25% chosen in several embodiments, in the embodiment shown, it is in the range between 10% and 12% to 15%, each based on the diameter d10 of the panel 10, which extends within the circumferential groove 12.

The diameter as an example of an opening dimension d15 with 2 · r15 of the opening shown here in a substantially circular manner in the example is smaller than the diameter d10 of the panel 10, but greater than 50% of this opening dimension, which underlines the clear size of the opening 15.

The opening 15 surround a first and a second circumferential strip. The first circumferential strip 16a is indirectly adjacent to the edge of the opening and has two segmental flats 15b, 15a which are opposite. They serve to improve the assembly of the reclosing device 90. The second circumferential strip 16 has a radial dimension r16 which is greater than that of the first circumferential strip. It is formed in the height direction above the plane E.

The plane E is located in the horizontal direction in the opening 15 and forms the benchmark for height comparisons.

The peripheral strip 16 passes over a gentle, in particular inclined step 16 'in the inner peripheral strip 16a. The raised peripheral ring 16 forms an annular, lying on the same level level printing and support surface for a sealing and sealing lip of the reclosure device 90th

The Umfassungsstreifen 16 extends completely around the opening 15 around and on the left side in Figure 1 is opposite to the circumferential groove. On the right side in FIG. 1, it forms the border to a sickle-shaped or partially moon-shaped plateau 20, which extends only partially around the perforation 15. It is located in the area (half) of the lid mirror from which the opening 15 has been shifted out of the center.

The partial enclosure is based on the opening 15 in a circular design substantially 180 °.

Based on the circumferential direction of the cover mirror and the circumferential groove 12, the circumferential extent of the crescent-shaped plateau 20 is greater than 180 °, in particular in the range between 200 ° and 240 °, in particular in the range of 210 ° ± 3%.

This results from two circumferentially extending arms 21,22 forming the ends of the stiffening plateau. The stiffening plateau has between these two ends 21,22 a belly 23, which has its greatest radial extent in the median plane A-A and is arched to the ends 21,22 out arcuately.

Between the plateau 20 and the circumferential groove 12, a further intermediate strip 17 is provided, which has a substantially equal width on its circumferential extent.

The two circumferential strips 16 and 17 have a substantially equal width, designated r6 in FIG. They also have a substantially same altitude, in Figure 2 with respect to the plane E readily apparent.

Both the circumferential strip 16 and the circumferential strip 17 pass over a preferably inclined step into the plateau region 20, which lies at a lower level, preferably slightly above the plane E in FIG. 2.

An edge 20 'of the arcuate plateau 20 is formed as a preferably oblique step with at least one short oblique section and two radii for passing into the respective adjacent area. These slopes 20 'form additional stiffeners, as well as the alternation between higher and lower plies relative to a height direction, viewed in a radial direction, on a "traveling beam" from the center M15.

The opening of the outer circumferential strip 17 in the inner circumferential strip 16 takes place in the two mouth zones 17 b, 17 a, which are immediately adjacent to the arm ends 21, 22 of the plateau 20. Here, Y- or V-shaped zones are formed, which are wider than the respective strip shape of the peripheral strips 16,17.

To explain the dimension of the opening 15 reference should be made to the radii. The inner radius r15 of the opening is shown in comparison to the radius r10 of the lid mirror. The one or the other radius respectively starts from the middle M15 or M10. The radius r15 is greater than half the radius of r10, in particular in the range above 60% between 60% and 65% of the Hauptradius' of the lid mirror.

Based on areas, the radii can also be used to convert the areas (square influence), whereby the area of the opening 15 is greater than 30% of the panel area 10 relative to the original size (without perforation 15). Again, a large opening design is an area around 40%, preferably between 35% and 45% of the panel area.

These dimensions are also within the scope of the ΔM center offset, which can be seen from the midpoints M10 and M15. Here is a reference to the diameter d10 (double main radius) helpful for the size specification.

Between 5% and 25% is the center offset .DELTA.M in various embodiments, not all of which are shown separately. They change so far, as well as the size of the opening 15 has a scope and area, as well as the shape of the opening has a margin and area that may differ from the exact circular shape, such as polygonal or oval.

In a preferred range, the ΔM center offset is between 10% and 15%.

All of these dimensions indicate that it is a large opening 15 relative to such openings provided in normal beverage can lids.

To compensate for the stiffening loss, the geometries described above are used. In the radial direction arises an up-and-down, so a change in altitudes (level change), especially in that area of the lid, moved out of the opening 15 (center offset) and in which the crescent-shaped plateau surface 20 is introduced without further additional stiffeners or additional beads ,

The change of altitudes happens from radially inward to radially outward, starting from the inner edge strip 16a (around the opening 15), to the first enclosure strip 16, to the stiffening plateau 20, to the further intermediate strip 17 and finally over the peripheral bead 12 to the peripheral edge 11. Between the areas are preferably arranged inclined steps, as previously described with reference to the step 20 'of the Verstblungsplateaus 20.

The opening 15 is not covered with sheet metal, but open. It is between 5% and 25% center offset (based on the diameter of the panel) and the surrounding area first enclosure strip 16 reliably maintains an equal altitude to allow a sealing function.

The further embodiment of Figure 3 is similar to the first embodiment with two sections AA, BB. Here it is shown that in the transverse direction BB also a change of height levels takes place from radially inward to radially outward, as far as the sickle 20 extends. Unlike the center plane AA, the opening 15 is symmetrical in the transverse direction so that the left and right edges are formed uniformly toward the circumferential groove 12.

The remaining descriptions for FIG. 3 can be taken from the preceding exemplary embodiment.

The height difference h1 of the outer peripheral strip 17 and the inner circumferential strip 16 is measured with respect to the lower-lying crescent-shaped plateau surface 20 after the section A-A.

Claims (26)

Sheet metal cover (1) for closing a container in the closed state under an increased internal pressure, such as a beverage can body,
which sheet metal cover has a cover panel (10) and a folding edge (11) surrounding the panel, which is adapted and suitable for being bound to a peripheral edge of the container body; (a) the panel having a large sized opening (15) surrounded by a perimeter strip (16) axially offset from a plane (E) of the opening area; (B) along at least one peripheral portion of the Umfassungsstreifens (16) has a - circumferentially and radially extending - stiffening plateau (20; 21, 22, 23). Sheet metal lid for closing a - in the closed state under increased internal pressure - standing container, such as a beverage can body, and for receiving or mounting a reclosure device (90), but not including; (c) the sheet metal lid having a mirror (10) radially inside a circumferential groove (12) and a mounting edge (11), outside the circumferential groove (12); (d) wherein the lid mirror has a - with respect to the mirror - off-center opening (15, .DELTA.M) whose opening dimension (d15, r15) is greater than 50% of a diameter (d10, r10) of the lid mirror. A metal lid according to claim 2, wherein a part-moon-shaped or arcuate-like stiffening surface (20, 21, 22, 23) is disposed on a side of the opening (15) which is further away from the circumferential groove (12) than an opposite side by the off-center arrangement the opening (15). Sheet metal cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening (15) defines a ground plane (E) of the lid mirror (10) against which the seaming edge or mounting edge (11) is axially increased and against which the circumferential groove (12) is axially deeper , Sheet metal lid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening in its size occupies more than 30% of the surface of the lid mirror (10) within the peripheral bead (12), in particular in a diameter between 55% and 65% of a diameter of the lid mirror is dimensioned. A metal lid as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein the peripheral strip (16) has an inner edge radially spaced from an outer edge of the aperture (15) to form a further marginal strip (16a). Sheet metal cover according to claim 6, wherein the further edge strip (16a) lies on a different altitude (plane) than the first circumferential strip (16). Sheet metal lid according to claim 7, wherein the first circumferential strip (16) is axially higher than the ground plane (E). Sheet metal lid according to claim 8 or 6, wherein the (first) circumferential strip (16) extends at a circumferential angle of 360 °. Sheet metal lid according to claim 6, wherein at least two opposite regions in the further edge strip (16a) are flattened inwardly (15a, 15b). Sheet metal lid according to claim 1, wherein the stiffening plateau (20) is sickle-shaped, with a central belly (23) and two circumferentially extending arms (21, 22). Sheet metal cover according to claim 1, wherein the stiffening plateau extends to more than 180 ° circumferential angle, in particular to a circumferential angle greater than 200 °, relative to the periphery of the panel (10). Sheet metal cover according to claim 4, wherein an axial height of the stiffening plateau (20) is located above the ground plane (E), viewed in the axial direction. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1 or 13, wherein the stiffening plateau (20) has an axial height position which is lower than that of the Umfassungsstreifens (16). Sheet metal cover according to claim 1, 2 or 11, wherein the or a stiffening plateau (20). (i) adjacent to the opening (15) on the first enclosure strip (16); (ii) adjacent to the circumferential groove (12) at a further intermediate strip (17). Sheet metal lid according to claim 15, wherein the further intermediate strip (17) has a substantially equal width along its circumferential extent. Sheet metal cover according to claim 16 or 15, wherein the further intermediate strip (17) at a respective circumferential end (21, 22) of the stiffening plateau (20) in the first enclosure strip (16) opens (17a, 17b). Sheet metal lid according to claim 5 or 8, wherein the further intermediate strip (17) and the first enclosure strip (16) are each located at a different axial height than the stiffening plateau (20), in particular axially higher than the ground plane (E) according to claim 4 , Sheet metal cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the radial direction axial height levels of respectively adjacent areas (16a, 16, 20, 17, 12) are different, in particular from radially inward to radially outward starting from the further edge strip (16a) around the opening (15 ), via the first enclosure strip (16), the stiffening plateau (20) or the part-moon-shaped stiffening surface (20), the further intermediate strip (17) and the peripheral bead (12), the height levels an up-and-down experience or have. Sheet metal lid according to claim 18 or 19, wherein between each two adjacent areas (16,20; 20,17) a particular inclined step (20 ') is arranged. A metal lid according to claim 1 or 2, which has a pre-apertured opening (15) in the lid which is not covered by sheet metal for receiving or mounting the reclosing means (90), the enclosing strip (16) being provided for sealing with the means , Sheet metal lid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the Umfassungsstreifen (16) along its circumference has a constant altitude. Sheet metal cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stiffening plateau or the stiffening surface (20) has no further beads or recesses on its planar extension. Sheet metal cover according to claim 2, wherein the eccentric attachment (ΔM), M10, M15) of the opening (15) between 5% to 25%, in particular in the range of between 10% and 15%, based on the diameter (d10) of the lid ( 10). Sheet metal lid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reclosing device (90) is "disclaimed" or is. Sheet metal lid for closing a container body which is under increased internal pressure in the closed state, such as a beverage can body, which sheet metal lid has a lid panel (10) and a seaming edge (11) surrounding the panel, which is adapted and suitable for ripping against a body rim of the container body; (A) wherein the cover panel (10) is arranged radially within a circumferential groove (12) and has over its axial center plane (BB) reaching free opening (15); (B) along at least one peripheral portion of the circumferential groove (12) has a - circumferentially and radially extending - stiffening plateau (20; 21, 22, 23) between the groove and the free opening (12,15).

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