EP1640282B1 - 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 a lid made of sheet metal for closing containers whose contents are under elevated internal pressure, as is known from cans for carbonated beverages. A method for manufacturing is also proposed and claimed.

In order to be able to open such containers easily, it is customary to provide in the lid mirror (= panel) of the sheet metal lid a limited area, which can be brought by pressure from the outside to break in and thus to expose the removal opening. In this case, various designs of the opening area and various ways of applying the opening pressure are known, inter alia US-A 3,361,261 (Fraze) with a trapezoidal Aufbrechbereich of about 10% of the size of the panel and a folded line stiffening as an oval around the Aufbrechbereich around.

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 other 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. The can, in particular in the area of the metal lid, may undergo as little as possible modification during closure in order to make it easier for the bottler to engage in a new type or a new type of can lid. Basically, the principle of reclosability must be different, without a tab (usually SOT) is arranged on the lid mirror and thus additional space is available, which was previously taken from the tab. This additional space is located directly in the lid plane (slightly above it).

The object of the invention is to prepare a metal lid for closing a beverage can to enable installation 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 (reclosable) due to its original properties.

This object is solved by claim 1 or claim 25.

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 cover, which as such brings the suitability, property and condition for it to be combined with such a reclosure 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 LOE closure covers are known (Large opening end), cf. WO-A 97/30902 (ANCC, Turner), which provide especially for Gulp drinks (usually beer) an enlarged opening, which is oriented transversely and oval, nevertheless non-circular, due to the continuing need to tab on the lid plate outside to attach (over a rivet).

With the invention, the opening area is larger. Preferably, a perforation is introduced into the lid, whose opening dimension extends beyond the middle of the lid (claim 2). The large-sized perforation is not closed by a sheet metal section and also not breakable over a score or line of weakness, but is and remains open to be closed later with the reclosure device having a customized geometry. It allows the opening and closing of the flow path through the perforation, so that it should continue to speak of a "large-sized opening", which is free on the one hand for the flow of the beverage, controlled by the reclosure device, but not to explain here is, cf. in addition, PCT / NL2004 / 00024, filed January 13, 2004 (now published under WO-A 2005/068312).

The claimed metal cover as such is still a derived from a manufacturing process, finished shaped metal cover. He is more than a shell (the raw form), he is prepared to be combined with the reclosure, 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 large-dimensioned opening (perforation), a large loss of strength is to be expected in the panel, which is compensated by the surrounding strip and the stiffening area (stiffening plateau) which extends partly around the surrounding strip.

Preferably, 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 in a circumferential angle of more than 180 ° (claim 12).

Due to a preferably center offset arrangement of the large opening (claim 2, 23) 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 range between 5% and 25% of the diameter of the lid mirror (each in the unperforated state), depending on the size of the large Preferably, 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. It comprises approximately 180 ° of the opening and is - based on the lid mirror - more than 180 ° comprising formed (claim 12). By Mittenversetzung is created between the one edge of the opening and the circumferential groove space to arrange this stiffening.

For the definition of a large opening one can save more than 30% of the. Surface of the not yet perforated lid mirror go out. 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-sized opening and leaves between the edge of the opening and the beginning of the circumferential 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-fuselage condition.

Looking to the figures, it can be understood that 'outside' appears as 'up' in the figures, but this is not a limitation on 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, is another teilumfängliche Strip geometry 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 to provide varying heights of these structures, which now refers to the axial direction of the previously mainly described in the radial direction geometries (claim 18,19).

Viewed in cross-section, an up-and-down can be formed, which ensures by alternating height levels that a stiffening occurs, which can extend despite the large-sized perforation (opening) on the entire lid mirror. 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 basic plane, other geometries can be defined in the other altitudes (claim 4).

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

The loss of strength can be reliably compensated. The combination of all beads, in particular the exposed features of claim 1 or 25 also achieve the controlled 'buckling' in terms of headspace enlargement by increased internal pressure in the sealed box. All requirements specified at the beginning the lid, the pressure stability, the extensive reference to standard closures, the stackability and the possibility to reclosure are achieved.

The further edge strip may be at a different altitude (claim 7) than the first peripheral strip, preferably deeper (claim 8). The opening for said device may include two opposite flats (claim 10). This is to improve the assembly. The flats 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 outward by the two circumferential strips (intermediate strips and circumferential strips), different height levels of these three regions achieve improved stabilization (claim 14, 18). Circumferential strips and further intermediate strips (claim 15) 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 22).

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 (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 will be explained and supplemented below with reference to exemplary embodiments.

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 bevels 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 M 15.

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, ie 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 (25)

1. Sheet metal lid (1) for closing a container body, in particular a drinks can body, under increased internal pressure in the closed state, which sheet metal lid has a panel (10) and a folded edge (11) surrounding the panel, which is adapted and suitable for rebating on an annular edge of the container body,
   characterised in that

   (a) the panel (10) has a large-dimension opening (15), which is surrounded by an enclosing strip (16), which is axially offset with respect to a plane (E) of the opening surface;

   (b) wherein the large opening (15) occupies more than 30% of a surface of the not yet perforated panel (10);

   (c) a stiffening plateau (20; 21, 22, 23) - extending peripherally and radially - is provided along at least one peripheral section of the enclosing strip (16).
2. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1, for mounting or for assembly of a reclosing device (90), but not containing this;

   (d) wherein the sheet metal lid has the surface as panel (10) radially within a peripheral groove (12) and an assembly edge (11), outside of the peripheral groove (12), as folding edge;

   (e) wherein the panel has the off-centre - relative to the panel - opening (15, ΔM), the opening dimension (d15, r15) of which being greater than 50% of a diameter (d10, r10) of the panel (10).
3. Sheet metal lid according to claim 2, wherein a part moon-shaped or arc segment-shaped stiffening surface (20, 21, 22, 23) is arranged on one side of the opening (15), which is further away from the peripheral groove (12) due to the off-centre arrangement than an opposite side of the opening (15).
4. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening (15) establishes a datum plane (E) of the panel (10), with respect to which the folding edge or assembly edge (11) is raised axially and with respect to which the peripheral groove (12) is lying axially deeper.
5. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1, wherein the size of the opening occupies more than 30% of the surface of the panel (10) within a peripheral groove (12), in particular the diameter has dimensions between 55% and 65% of a diameter of the panel.
6. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the enclosing strip as peripheral strip (16) has an inner edge, which has a radial distance from an outer edge of the opening (15), to form a further edge strip (16a).
7. Sheet metal lid according to claim 6, wherein the further edge strip (16a) lies at a different height position or plane than the first peripheral strip (16).
8. Sheet metal lid according to claim 7, wherein the first peripheral strip (16) lies axially higher than the datum plane (E).
9. Sheet metal lid according to claim 8 or 6, wherein the first peripheral strip (16) runs on a peripheral angle of 360°.
10. Sheet metal lid according to claim 6, wherein at least two opposing regions in the further edge strip (16a) are flattened (15a, 15b) inwards.
11. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1, wherein the stiffening plateau (20) is designed like a sickle, having a central bulge (23) and two peripherally extending arms (21, 22).
12. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1, wherein the stiffening plateau (20) extends on more than 180° peripheral angle, in particular on a peripheral angle greater than 200°, relative to the periphery of the panel (10).
13. Sheet metal lid according to claim 2 and 4, wherein an axial height of the stiffening plateau (20), observed in axial direction, is placed above the datum plane (E).
14. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1 or 13, wherein the stiffening plateau (20) has a height position, which lies axially deeper than that of the enclosing strip (16).
15. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1 or 11, wherein the or a stiffening plateau (20) borders

    (i) on the enclosing strip (16) towards the opening (15);

    (ii) borders on a further intermediate strip (17) towards the peripheral groove (12).
16. Sheet metal lid according to claim 15, wherein the further intermediate strip (17) has essentially the same width along its peripheral extension.
17. Sheet metal lid according to claim 16 or 15, wherein the further intermediate strip (17) on a particular peripheral end (21, 22) of the stiffening plateau (20) leads (17a, 17b) into the first enclosing strip (16).
18. Sheet metal lid according to claim 15, wherein the further intermediate strip (17) and the first enclosing strip (16) are placed in each case at a different axial height position than the stiffening plateau (20), in particular are placed axially higher than the datum plane (E) of the opening (15).
19. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1, wherein in radial direction, axial height levels of in each case adjacent areas (16a, 16, 20, 17, 12) are different, in particular radially inwards to radially outwards starting from a further edge strip (16a) around the opening (15), above the first enclosing strip (16), the stiffening plateau (20) or the part moon-shaped stiffening surface (20), a further intermediate strip (17) and the peripheral groove (12), wherein the height levels experience or have an up-and-down.
20. Sheet metal lid according to claim 18 or 19, wherein an in particular diagonally running step (20') is arranged between in each case two adjacent areas (16, 20; 20, 17).
21. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1, which has a pre-punched opening (15) in the lid which is not covered by sheet metal for mounting or assembly of a reclosing device (90), wherein the enclosing strip (16) has a constant height position along its periphery for sealing using the device.
22. Sheet metal lid according to claim 1, wherein the stiffening plateau or the stiffening surface (20) has no further beads or depressions on its flat extension.
23. Sheet metal lid according to claim 2, wherein the off-centre mounting (ΔM); M10, M15) of the opening (15) is between 5% to 25%, relative to the diameter (d10) of the lid panel (10).
24. Sheet metal lid according to claim 23, wherein the off-centre mounting lies in the range from between 10% and 15%.
25. Process for producing a sheet metal lid for closing a container body, such as a drinks can body, under increased internal pressure in the closed state, which sheet metal lid has a lid panel (10) and a folded edge (11) surrounding the panel, which is adapted and suitable for rebating on an edge of the container body;

    (a) wherein the lid panel (10) is arranged radially within a peripheral groove (12) and a free opening (15) extending over its axial central plane (B-B) is introduced as a perforation which is designed to be essentially round;

    (b) a stiffening plateau (20; 21, 22, 23) - extending peripherally and radially - is introduced between the peripheral groove (12) and the free opening (15) along at least a peripheral section of the peripheral groove (12), as a result of which the lid surface is stiffened between a perforation edge of the perforation (15) and the peripheral groove (12).

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