EP2149502A1 - Cover for containers with opening ring and container therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

The cover (1) has an annular ring (2) partially associated to a central closing panel (4) via a break start line (3). The panel has an upper surface (5) with a gripping member (6) to break the line and exert traction on the panel. A gripping loop (8) of the gripping member has a circular inner contour (8a) and an outer contour (8b) defining area of the loop. A hollow imprint (10) is provided at a side of the surface for gripping the loop, and is arranged outside the area of the loop. A portion of an oblong contour (10a) of the imprint extends directly adjacent to a portion of the area.

Description

The present invention relates to metal lids for containers, in particular metal containers. It relates more particularly to the covers of the type comprising an associated peripheral ring, through a breaking initiation line, to a central panel equipped with a gripping member type "opening ring".

Some metal containers, mainly cans for food packaging, are equipped with an "easy" opening system, avoiding the use of a can opener.

A particularly interesting solution consists of a one-piece cover comprising an associated peripheral ring, via a breaking initiation line, to a central panel provided with a gripping member commonly known by the name of "ring". opening ".
This type of gripping member conventionally comprises two parts along its length: a peripheral part, called a "beak", fixed to the central panel of the cover near the breaking initiation line, and a central part forming a gripping loop. which, before its maneuver for opening, is pressed against the upper surface of the associated central panel.

To open the container, the user grasps the loop portion of the gripping member, then removes the latter from the associated central panel. The gripping member then forms a kind of lever, rotated by the user around its peripheral end in the form of a support nose, which causes a break in the breaking initiation line.
It is then sufficient for the user to exert a suitable traction on the gripping member so as to continue the opening at the breaking initiation line and dissociate the central panel of its associated ring.

However, in practice, gripping the loop of the gripping member is not always easy, especially because of the small space between this loop of the associated panel for the passage of fingers or the nail of the user (this space is often less than a millimeter).
This user is thus often brought to slide a thin object and rigid under the loop, to achieve to initiate the rotating maneuver of the gripping member around its peripheral end.

To limit this problem, some lids with "opening ring" have a central panel provided, on the side of its upper surface, a hollow recess formed under the loop of said ring to form a space facilitating the passage of fingers and, hence, his grip.

However, the presence of this recessed impression is likely to hinder the stacking of the lids on each other during storage and transport, before being placed on a container body. This imprint must, in addition, not be too deep, which limits its effectiveness.
Indeed, during stacking, the imprint of a cover is likely to come to press the gripping member of the underlying cover, preventing optimal superposition.

To remedy this drawback, the Applicant has developed a new cover structure with "opening ring" which optimizes both the gripping characteristics of this opening ring and those of stacking the corresponding covers one by one. on others.

The present invention thus relates to a metal container cover, which consists of a peripheral ring portion at least partially associated, via a breaking initiation line, to a central shutter panel portion. , which central panel is equipped, at its upper surface, with a gripping member for breaking said breaking initiation line and for exerting traction on said removable panel, which gripping member comprises along its length two parts: a nose portion fixed to said panel near said breaking initiation line, and a central gripping portion which, before operation, is pressed against said upper surface of the central panel, which gripping portion comprises outlines defining its bulk. , which central panel further comprises, on the side of its upper surface, a cavity recess arranged to facilitate the gripping of said grasping tie.
The hollow impression in question, according to the invention, is arranged outside the bulk of said gripping portion, and a portion of the contour of said fingerprint extends directly adjacent to a portion of the bulk. of said gripping portion.

This particular imprint does not hinder the stacking of the lids on each other. It can thus be possibly deeper, and improve the positioning of the fingers of the operator, or any other suitable object, for the maneuvering of the gripping member.

Preferably, the gripping portion advantageously has the form of a complete loop, the size of which is delimited by internal and external contours.

• l'organe de préhension présente avantageusement un axe de symétrie longitudinal, passant par ses parties bec et centrale, et l'empreinte de préhension est ménagée sur ledit axe de symétrie et à l'extérieur de la boucle ; dans ce cas, l'extrémité centrale du contour extérieur de la boucle de l'organe de préhension comporte avantageusement une partie plane (ou au moins approximativement plane), l'empreinte de préhension présente un contour de forme générale oblongue dont une partie est adjacente à celle de ladite partie plane, et l'axe de symétrie médian est commun audit organe de préhension et à ladite empreinte de préhension ;
• le panneau central comporte, au niveau de sa surface supérieure, une seconde empreinte en creux, distincte, qui est ménagée en dehors de l'encombrement annulaire de la boucle de préhension et dans la zone délimitée par la bordure intérieure de ladite boucle de préhension ; cette seconde empreinte en creux est avantageusement ménagée de sorte qu'une partie de son contour soit directement adjacente d'une partie de la bordure intérieure de la boucle de préhension, du côté de la partie bec de l'organe de préhension.

In this case, the cover advantageously comprises the following technical characteristics, taken in combination or independently of each other:

• the gripping member advantageously has a longitudinal axis of symmetry, passing through its beak and central parts, and the gripping fingerprint is formed on said axis of symmetry and outside the loop; in this case, the central end of the outer contour of the loop of the gripping member advantageously comprises a flat portion (or at least approximately plane), the gripping fingerprint has a generally oblong outline of which part is adjacent to that of said planar portion, and the median axis of symmetry is common to said gripping member and said gripping fingerprint;
• the central panel comprises, at its upper surface, a second indentation, distinct, which is formed outside the annular space of the gripping loop and in the area defined by the inner edge of said gripping loop; this second indentation is advantageously arranged so that part of its contour is directly adjacent to a portion of the inner edge of the gripping loop, the side of the beak portion of the gripping member.

According to another characteristic, the central panel also comprises, at its upper surface, at least one other complementary recessed indentation, which is formed outside the bulk of the gripping portion (advantageously in the form of a loop ) and arranged near the gripping member / first fingerprint assembly for opening.
In this case and preferably, the central panel comprises two complementary cavities, arranged on either side of the whole gripping member / first fingerprint, so as to allow the optimal positioning of the fingers of the user, left-handed or right-handed, during operation of opening the lid.

According to yet another characteristic, the fingerprint (s) of the central panel advantageously have a depth of the order of 1 to 1.5 mm.

The invention also relates to the container equipped with such a lid.

• la figure 1 est une vue générale et en perspective d'un premier couvercle conforme à l'invention, dont le panneau central comporte un groupe de deux empreintes particulières en creux ;
• la figure 2 montre deux couvercles conformes à la figure 1, selon une vue de côté et en coupe, convenablement superposés l'un sur l'autre ; et
• la figure 3 est encore une vue générale et en perspective d'un couvercle du type de celui représenté sur la figure 1, comportant ici deux empreintes en creux supplémentaires, pour faciliter le positionnement des doigts de l'utilisateur.

The invention is further illustrated, without being limited, by the following description in relation to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a general perspective view of a first lid according to the invention, the central panel comprises a group of two indentations hollow;
• the figure 2 shows two lids according to the figure 1 , in a side view and in section, suitably superimposed on each other; and
• the figure 3 is still a general and perspective view of a lid of the type of the one shown on the figure 1 , here comprising two additional indentations, to facilitate the positioning of the fingers of the user.

The lid 1, as shown on the figure 1 , is intended to be assembled on the upper edge of a metal container body (not shown).

This container body generally consists of a bottom element associated with the lower edge of a sidewall belt (circular section, square, rectangular, etc.).
The connection between the lid 1 and the container body is usually performed by a crimping technique.

This cover 1 consists, in a conventional manner, of a peripheral ring portion 2 which is associated, via a breaking initiation line 3, to a part 4 forming a central shutter panel, removable.
It is advantageously made monobloc by a stamping technique, that from a sheet metal material of the type aluminum, steel, etc..

The ring 2 is here of annular shape. It is adapted to allow the attachment of the cover 1 by crimping on a container body comprising in this case a cylindrical side wall (as indicated above, this general shape may be different).

The breaking initiation line 3 is here also circular. It is achieved by a thinning of material, obtained by the implementation of a suitable tool, during the manufacture of the lid.
This line of initiation of rupture 3 is here closed / complete, and advantageously of generally circular shape; alternatively, it could be only partial (for example in an arc).

The central shutter panel 4 is equipped, at its upper surface 5, with a gripping member 6 whose manipulation by a user will allow easy opening of the lid 1 (that is to say a separation, total or partial, of the central panel 4 relative to the peripheral ring 2 by breaking the thinning line 3).

This gripping member 6 is well known to those skilled in the art under the name of "opening ring".

• une partie bec 7 fixée au panneau 4, à proximité de la ligne d'amorce de rupture 3, et
• une partie centrale 8, formant boucle de préhension, qui est plaquée contre la surface supérieure 5 du panneau central 4.

This ring 6 has two parts, arranged along a median axis of symmetry 6 ':

• a spout portion 7 fixed to the panel 4, close to the breaking initiation line 3, and
• a central portion 8, forming a gripping loop, which is pressed against the upper surface 5 of the central panel 4.

According to the invention and as shown on the figure 1 , the central panel 4 further comprises, on the side of its upper surface 5, a particular indentation 10, and preferably a second indentation 11 also special (these indentations 10, 11 are still projecting on the side of the lower surface of the central panel 4, as shown on the figure 2 ).
These cavities 10 and 11 are both outside the bulk of the gripping member 6, and more particularly outside the annular space E of the gripping loop 8.
This annular space S is defined by the two edges of this loop 8, i.e. its inner contour "circular" 8 a and 8 b outer contour (that is to say, even the full part of the loop 8).

The first impression 10 is provided in particular to facilitate the gripping of the gripping member 6 by one of the fingers or fingernails of the user (see by a suitable tool).

For this, this footprint 10 is formed on the central panel 4 so as to be placed here outside the loop 8 and in the extension of the gripping member 6 (the side of its loop 8).
This recess 10 is arranged such that a portion of its contour 10a extends directly adjacent to a portion of the annular space S of the loop 8, in this case the "central" end of its contour outside 8b (that is to say at the end of the loop 8 located on the central axis 6 'and opposite the spout 7).

In addition, the recess 10 has a contour 10 here has generally oblong shape slightly. It could also have another shape adapted to the positioning of one of the fingers of the user (for example circular).
Here, this imprint 10 comprises an axis of symmetry common to the median axis of symmetry 6 'of the gripping member 6.

The second cavity 11 is provided in particular to optimize the rotational indexing of the stacked lids, as shown in FIG. figure 2 ; it may also be possibly useful to facilitate the positioning of a finger during the gripping of the gripping member by the user wishing to open the lid 1.

To this end, this cavity 11 is provided on the central panel 4 so as to come here inside the loop 8, that is to say even in the area delimited by the inner contour 8 has this loop 8 .

In addition, the footprint 11 has here a contour 11a of generally oblong shape slightly. It could also have another shape adapted to the positioning of one of the fingers of the user.
Here, this impression 11 also comprises an axis of symmetry common to the median axis of symmetry 6 'of the gripping member 6. It is offset with respect to the central axis of the cover 1, and is adjacent to the part of the internal contour 8 a of the loop 8 oriented on the side of the spout 7.

Imprints 10 and 11 advantageously have a significantly greater depth than the imprints present on the lids known to date.
Indeed, during the stacking of several identical covers, the particular positioning of these two cavities 10 and 11 makes it possible to avoid, or at least limit, the contacts with the gripping member 6 of a cover 1 directly. underlying, as shown on the figure 2 described below.

As an indication, these impressions 10, 11 have a depth of the order of 1.2 mm. This depth is advantageously included, without being limiting, between 1 and 1.5 mm.

Moreover, the central panel 4 is still provided, on the side of its upper surface 5, several bosses 13 regularly distributed.
These bosses 13 have a height greater than that of the ring 6, and have the function of absorbing any shocks with the bottom of a finished superimposed container.

For their storage and transport, the lids 1 can be stacked in columns, or in other words stacked on top of one another.

Preferably, these stacked lids 1 are all oriented in the same direction, their gripping member 6 coming to align in a vertical plane.

In this case and as shown on the figure 2 , the imprints 10 and 11 of a cover 1 are placed on either side of the loop 8 of the lid 1 directly underlying.
More specifically, the first imprint 10 is placed against the central end of the outer contour 8b of the loop 8; the second imprint is received within the opening 8 of the loop defined by its internal contour 8a.

This particular cooperation of the imprints 10, 11 of a lid 1 with the loop 8 of the cover 1 directly underlying, has the advantage of ensuring the indexation and locking the lids in rotation relative to one another during the stacking operation.
The lids can thus be distributed by ensuring their orientation in the same direction (this being particularly advantageous for the operation of mounting the lids on the container bodies).

In addition, we notice on the figure 2 that the impression 10, positioned adjacent to the bulk of the loop 8 (more precisely here in the extension of the outer contour 8b of the latter), allows easy gripping or hooking of said loop by the end of the one of the fingers of the user.

The figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment for the cover described above in relation to the Figures 1 and 2 .

This cover is distinguished in that it comprises here two additional cavities 15 and 16, to facilitate the positioning of the fingers of the user, whether left-handed or right-handed, during the maneuvering maneuver of the organ grip 6.

For this, these cavities 15, 16 are arranged on either side of the gripping member assembly 6 / aperture impression 10, approximately on either side of the loop 8 (advantageously also symmetrically with respect to to the median axis 6 'of the gripping member 6).

• dans l'empreinte de préhension 10 : l'ongle du pouce, de l'index ou du majeur (voir le bout du doigt lui-même ou un outil adapté) ;
• dans une première empreinte complémentaire 15 : de préférence, le pouce, le majeur ou un outil adapté ; et
• dans la seconde empreinte complémentaire 16 : de préférence, le pouce, le majeur ou un outil adapté.

In practice and as an indication, the operator can position in each footprint the ends of the following fingers:

• in the gripping fingerprint 10: the thumb, index or middle finger (see the tip of the finger itself or a suitable tool);
• in a first complementary cavity 15: preferably, the thumb, middle finger or a suitable tool; and
• in the second complementary cavity 16: preferably, the thumb, middle finger or a suitable tool.

In general, the loop of the gripping member could be replaced by any other suitable form (partially open loop, arc, etc.).

The lid according to the invention has the advantage of allowing optimum gripping of the gripping member by the user, while maintaining characteristics of "stackability" optimal.

The cavity or cavities facilitate the positioning of the fingers of the user, or any tool (s) necessary (s), during the life cycle of the cover: from its manufacture to its recycling, through its opening.
By "tool positioning" is meant the search for the positioning of the cover in location in a plane and / or orientation.

Claims (10)

Metal lid for containers, in particular for containers of the metal cans type, which lid (1) consists of a peripheral ring portion (2) for assembling said lid (1) on the upper edge of a container container body, which ring (2) is associated at least in part, via a breaking initiation line (3), to a central closure panel portion (4), which central panel ( 4) is equipped, at its upper surface (5), with a gripping member (6) for breaking said breaking initiation line (5) and for exerting traction on said panel (4), which organ gripper (6) has on its length two parts: - a spout portion (7) fixed to said panel (4) near said breaking initiation line (3), and - a central gripping portion (8) which , before operation, is pressed against said upper surface (5) of the central panel (4), which part of the réhension (8) has edges (8 a, 8 b) defining a space (E), wherein the central panel (4) comprises, on the side of its upper surface (5), a hollow recess (10) formed to facilitate gripping said gripping portion (8),
characterized in that said indentation (10) is arranged outside the space (E) of said grip portion (8), and in that part of the contour (10a) of said cavity (10) extends directly adjacent to a portion of said bulk (E) of the gripping portion (8). Lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping portion (8) has the shape of a complete loop whose bulk (E) is delimited by inner contours (8 a ) and outer (8 b ). Lid according to Claim 2, characterized in that the gripping member (6) has a longitudinal axis of symmetry (6 '), passing through its spout (7) and central parts (8), and in that the impression gripper (10) is provided on said axis of symmetry (6 ') and outside said loop (8). Lid according to claim 3, characterized in that the central end of the outer contour ( 8b ) of the loop (8) of the gripping member (6) has a flat part, or at least approximately flat, in that the gripping recess (10) has a contour (10a) of generally oblong shape having a portion adjacent to said planar portion, and in that the axis of symmetry (6 ') is common to said gripper (6) and said gripping fingerprint (10). Lid according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the central panel (4) has at its upper surface (5) a second recessed indentation (11), which is arranged outside the annular space (E) of the gripping loop (8) and in the area delimited by the inner edge (8 a ) of said gripping loop ( 8). Lid according to claim 5, characterized in that the second hollow recess (11) is arranged so that part of its contour (11 a ) is directly adjacent to a part of the inner edge (8 a ) of the gripping loop (8), on the side of the beak portion (7) of the gripping member (6). Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the central panel (4) further comprises, at its upper surface (5), at least one other indentation (15, 16) complementary and distinct, which is arranged outside the bulk (E) of the gripping portion (8) and arranged near the gripping member assembly (6) / first fingerprint (10) for opening. Lid according to claim 7, characterized in that the central panel (4) has two complementary cavities (15, 16) arranged on either side of the gripping member assembly (6) / first gripping finger (10). ), so as to allow the optimal positioning of the fingers of the user, left-handed or right-handed, during operation of opening the lid (1). Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the fingerprint (s) (10, 11, 15, 16) of the central panel (4) have a depth of the order of 1 to 1.5 mm. Container provided with a lid (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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