EP2426058A1 - Selbstschließende Dose für ein Lebensmittelprodukt - Google Patents

Selbstschließende Dose für ein Lebensmittelprodukt Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2426058A1
EP2426058A1 EP10174888A EP10174888A EP2426058A1 EP 2426058 A1 EP2426058 A1 EP 2426058A1 EP 10174888 A EP10174888 A EP 10174888A EP 10174888 A EP10174888 A EP 10174888A EP 2426058 A1 EP2426058 A1 EP 2426058A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
shut
cap top
drinking
spring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10174888A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Erwin Vanderstraeten
Roland Van Haudenhuyse
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
E V D S bvba
Original Assignee
E V D S bvba
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by E V D S bvba filed Critical E V D S bvba
Priority to EP10174888A priority Critical patent/EP2426058A1/de
Priority to UAA201303922A priority patent/UA110625C2/uk
Priority to PCT/EP2011/052078 priority patent/WO2012028338A1/en
Priority to EA201390321A priority patent/EA024023B1/ru
Priority to EP11764694.3A priority patent/EP2611705B1/de
Priority to MYPI2013000636A priority patent/MY158987A/en
Priority to AU2011298346A priority patent/AU2011298346B2/en
Priority to BR112013004761A priority patent/BR112013004761B1/pt
Priority to JP2013526479A priority patent/JP5986087B2/ja
Priority to PL11764694T priority patent/PL2611705T3/pl
Priority to US13/820,185 priority patent/US9440767B2/en
Priority to CA2809717A priority patent/CA2809717C/en
Priority to MX2013002376A priority patent/MX358488B/es
Priority to KR1020137008007A priority patent/KR101878512B1/ko
Priority to ES11764694.3T priority patent/ES2625356T3/es
Priority to PCT/EP2011/065143 priority patent/WO2012028694A1/en
Priority to SG2013015334A priority patent/SG188348A1/en
Priority to CN201180041912.8A priority patent/CN103167988B/zh
Publication of EP2426058A1 publication Critical patent/EP2426058A1/de
Priority to ZA2013/02246A priority patent/ZA201302246B/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
    • B65D17/28—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness
    • B65D17/401—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall
    • B65D17/4012—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall for opening partially by means of a tearing tab
    • B65D17/4014—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall for opening partially by means of a tearing tab and provided with attached means for reclosing or resealing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/001—Action for opening container
    • B65D2517/0014—Action for opening container pivot tab and push-down tear panel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/0026—Means for preventing loss of removable element
    • B65D2517/0028—Means for preventing loss of removable element the element being part of the tab
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/0031—Reclosable openings
    • B65D2517/004—Reclosable openings by means of an additional element
    • B65D2517/0044—Reclosable openings by means of an additional element attached to the tear tab
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/0091—Means for venting upon initial opening
    • B65D2517/0094—Means for venting upon initial opening formed as a separate opening

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a container such as a can for a food product, especially a beverage as well as a method of manufacturing the container or can.
  • the container or can is especially suitable for carbonated beverages or drinks.
  • the container or can can be provided with means for automatically reclosing after the first opening.
  • Metal beverage cans usually have a pull tab (working as a lever mechanism) to allow for the opening of the can along a pre-determined shallow groove.
  • This design allows venting the excess pressure in the can when it is opened. As the tab is lifted, first a vent score is severed, allowing the gases in the can to be released, and then the aperture score is ruptured, which defines an aperture through which the contents of the beverage can may be dispensed.
  • the groove has the shape of a non-closed loop, so that when pressure is applied by the lever to rip the metal along the groove, the metal tab that is ripped off remains attached to the top of the can, even when the lever is returned to its original position.
  • Patents US4784283 and US5810189 disclose beverage cans that include a spring-loaded tab inside the can that is configured to reclose the drinking aperture after the can is opened for the first time.
  • carbon dioxide within the drink escapes, and thus the pressure of the gas within the container increases. This pressure increase becomes smaller as the amount of liquid in the can decreases, but the pressure can be quite high initially: depending on the temperature of the liquid, this pressure can be between 3 and 4 bar.
  • Such a high pressure on a closing surface of e.g. 2.5 to 3.5cm 2 results in a large force that needs to be counteracted when opening the can for drinking when the can still contains a large amount of beverage.
  • Patent application US 2008/0314904 discloses a closing device for a food product container, more particularly a drink container, that includes a wall part provided with an opening and a shield member sealing the opening.
  • the shield member is displaceable between a first, closed position sealing the opening in the wall part and a second, opened position leaving the opening at least partly open.
  • the shield member is provided with a locking member securing the shield member in the first, closed position, and the shield member oriented in the first, closed position can be unlocked by displacing a locking member.
  • the operations of unlocking and opening a (drinking) opening are separated such that both operations can be optimized independently of each other.
  • the food product container can be used for carbonated drinks, such as sparkling water.
  • the food product container can also be used for other food articles, such as for example non-carbonated beverages, instant soup, instant coffee, oil, honey, sauces, dairy products such as milk or yoghurt, et cetera.
  • the present invention provides an alternative container, e.g. can for food products, especially beverages such as carbonated drinks.
  • An advantage of embodiments of the container or can is that it is provided with means for automatically reclosing after it is opened for the first time. Thus, spilling food or liquid is avoided.
  • the reclosing is not only liquid tight but also gas tight. In case of a carbonated drink, the carbon dioxide will not escape from the can as is the case with a traditional can, since the can according to the present invention automatically recloses.
  • the present invention provides a metal can optionally for carbonated drinks, comprising a body and a can end, said can end comprising:
  • the container or can includes a body and a container or can end, the container or can end comprising a cap top, arranged in connection to a pull tab configured to remove the cap top along a pre-defined groove or other form of mechanical weakness, to thereby create a drinking aperture.
  • the cap top preferably comprises a raised lip-contact portion on its upper surface; and a resiliently operated, e.g. spring operated shut-off valve configured to open the drinking aperture under lip pressure during drinking and to seal off the drinking opening after drinking.
  • the sealing off may be liquid and/or gas tight sealing.
  • the cap top is preferably configured to remain located, after the removal, on top of the shut-off valve.
  • the shut-off valve preferably includes a relief valve, optionally actuatable by interaction with the cap top and e.g. configured to release gas pressure from inside the can, upon the first pressure exerted by the drinker's lips.
  • the container or can according to the present invention is suitable for mass production.
  • An advantage of a container or can according to the invention is that it can easily be produced. In comparison with a traditional can, only the can end is different.
  • a traditional production line of cans can be modified to produce the container or can, e.g. by replacing the production steps for the traditional can end by the production steps for the can end according to the invention; e.g. by adaptation of the tooling for the production line.
  • the production steps and tooling for the can body and for attaching the can end to the can body can remain unchanged.
  • the can end in accordance with the invention requires only a small number of parts.
  • the invention also includes a can end, and a method for producing a container or can.
  • the container of can will be described below especially when used for beverages, particularly carbonated drinks. It will be clear from the description however that the can may also be used for other food products, such as instant soup, instant coffee, oil, honey, sauces, dairy products such as milk or yoghurt, et cetera.
  • Figure 1 a shows a 3D view of the top portion of a container or can, e.g. a re-sealable beverage can in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the can includes a can body 1 and a can end 2 attached to the body.
  • the can body may be a standard can body, typically made out of steel, or out of aluminum.
  • the can end is often produced in aluminum. None of these materials represent a limitation to the invention, e.g. the can end 2 in accordance with the invention may be made from steel. If steel is used, for the can body 1, the can end 2 or for both, it is customarily coated.
  • the invention may be applied to different standard containers such as beverage cans and sizes, as well as to so-called “slim” and “super sized” cans.
  • slim standard containers
  • super sized cans.
  • the design is described for a large opening, e.g. drinking opening, but other designs of openings such as drinking or pouring openings may be used as well.
  • the edge of the can end 2 is standard, especially the way it has to be assembled on the can body 1 after filling with the food product.
  • the can end shown in Fig. 1 a has a circumferential collar 29, adjacent to a circumferential groove 30.
  • the central part of the can end 2 has a non-removable tear panel 3, called the cap top in this document, which is very similar to the pull-off part of a standard beverage can end.
  • the cap top 3 has in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 a a raised portion in the form of a bead 7, preferably formed by embossment, on its top surface.
  • the cap top 3 can be torn off along the pre-formed shallow groove 9 or a form of mechanical weakness, by pulling at the pull tab 4, which works as a lever.
  • the opening that is thus created serves as a pouring or drinking opening, as in a traditional beverage can.
  • the cap top remains attached to the can, whereas in the disclosed embodiment according to the invention the cap top 3 is torn completely from the can end along the groove 9.
  • the cap top 3 is not bent inside the can.
  • the cap top 3 remains attached to a shut-off valve 6, which is configured to reseal the pouring or drinking opening after drinking, by the action of a resilient member such as a spring 5 (shown in Fig. 1 b) , which is described in detail further below.
  • a resilient member such as a spring 5 (shown in Fig. 1 b) , which is described in detail further below.
  • the can before it is opened for the first time, the can is closed in the same way as a traditional can.
  • the bead 7 (see Fig. 1a ) has several functions. It stiffens the can end 2, and it serves as a contact point for the consumer's lips: when the consumer wants to drink, and puts the can to his or her mouth as with a traditional can, the consumer's lip touches bead 7, which opens the can, as will be explained further below.
  • the shut-off valve 6 is a plate-like element, which is resiliently biased, e.g. spring-biased against the underside of the can end 2, by the resilient force, e.g. spring force exerted by a resilient member such as a spring 5, and further, optionally, by any force resulting from the internal pressure that is built up when the can is filled with a carbonated drink.
  • the shut-off valve 6 is provided with a relief valve 8. Different embodiments of this relief valve are disclosed further below.
  • the consumer can drink or pour from the can by tearing open the cap top 3, as explained above, and by then putting his lips to the released cap top, normally to bead 7 or by tipping the can.
  • the consumer pushes the shut-off valve 6 away from the opening, against the resilient force, e.g. spring force.
  • the opening is automatically closed again by the resilient force, e.g. spring force.
  • the relief valve 8 is configured to release pressure built up in the can under the shut-off valve 6, by the first force exerted by the consumer's lips.
  • the resilient member such as spring 5 is a specially designed plate spring element, shown in Fig. 1b , which is a 3D view of can end 2, seen from below.
  • shut-off valve 6 is integral with the resilient member, e.g. spring 5, in that the spring and shut-off valve are formed from a single resilient element or spring element 10, which is shown separately in figure 2a and 2b .
  • Spring or resilient element 10 may be made of a type of material having good resilient properties, e.g.
  • shut-off valve 6 is connected to resilient portion or spring portion 5' by narrow strips 13. strips 13 and bent-back portion 5', with their elastic properties, make up the resilient member or spring 5, that biases shut-off valve 6 against the underside of the can end ( Fig. 1 b) .
  • the bent-back portion 5' preferably comprises a narrow end strip 14, which is positioned underneath rim 30 of can end 2 (see Fig. 1 b) . The function of narrow end strip 14 is discussed further below.
  • Figs. 3a and 3b which show respectively a 3D view and a side view of the assembly of cap top 3, shut-off valve 6, resilient member or spring 5 and pull tab
  • seal 19 is attached to shut-off valve 6, around the circumference of the valve 6.
  • Seal 19 may be made from silicone or another suitable material. Seal 19 closes the pouring or drinking opening of the can when the consumer does not drink or pour.
  • Cap top 3 is optionally connected to shut-off valve 6 via U-shaped wire portions 20, that are attached through holes 21 in the shut-off valve 6 ( Fig. 2a and 3d ).
  • Bead 7 (see Fig. 2a ) comprises a notch 22, while the wire portions 20 comprise a corresponding deformation 23, which may be hooked behind the notch, so as to secure cap top 3 to shut-off valve 6.
  • cap top 3 may be fastened in other ways to shut-off valve 6.
  • Release valve 8 functions as follows in this embodiment.
  • cap top 3 comprises a bulging portion 25, pointing downwards.
  • Shut-off valve 6 has a hole 26, positioned in front of bulge 25. Hole 26 may have a crater-shaped cross-section, in order to receive the bulge 25.
  • Bent-back portion 5' of resilient member or spring 5 is provided near its end with a portion 5" which is substantially parallel to shut-off valve 6 and which is provided with a seal element 27 which effectively closes off opening 26 when the consumer does not drink or pour, since bent-back portion 5' is biased against the underside of shut-off valve 6 when the can is not used by the consumer.
  • cap top 3 is pushed downward and bulge 25 pushes - through hole 26 - against seal element 27.
  • bulge 25 pushes bent-back portion 5' away from shut-off valve 6, before the shut-off valve itself opens.
  • This action releases pressure from inside the can through opening 26 and thereafter facilitates opening of the shut-off valve itself, when the drinker exerts further pressure.
  • the opening 26 together with the bulging portion 25 and seal 27 together act as the pressure relief valve 8 ( fig. 1 a) .
  • Fig. 3c is a side view of an embodiment of can end 2. It shows that the extended portion 14, or narrow end strip 14, of bent-back portion 5' extends outward so as to be positioned underneath the rim 30 of the can end.
  • shut-off valve 6 may be a separate piece connected to a resilient member or spring element comprising a bent-back portion similar to portion 5' in Fig. 1b .
  • Bent-back portion 5' preferably has an opening facing opening 11 in the bent-back position, so that it may easily be riveted to the can end.
  • Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate a second embodiment of a beverage can in accordance with the invention.
  • Fig. 4a shows a top view with see-through illustration of all the main parts of a self-closing re-sealable beverage can according to this second embodiment, while Fig. 4b shows a front view.
  • the container e.g. beverage can comprise a can body 101 which may be a standard can body, and a can end 102 attached to body 101.
  • the can body may be made of steel, for example but also aluminium.
  • the can end can be produced out of aluminum for example.
  • both the can body and the can end may be made out of other materials.
  • This second embodiment may be applied to different containers such as standard beverage cans and sizes, as well as to so-called "slim" and "super sized” cans.
  • the edge of the can end 102 is standard, especially the way it has to be assembled on the can body 101 after filling with the beverage or, in general, with the food product.
  • the central part has a cap top 103, which is provided with a raised portion in the form of a bead 107, preferably formed by embossment, on its top surface.
  • the cap top 103 can be torn off along the pre-formed shallow groove 109 or other mechanical weakness, by pulling at the pull tab 104, which works as a lever.
  • the opening that is thus created serves as pouring or drinking opening, as in a traditional beverage can.
  • the cap top remains attached to the can, whereas in the disclosed embodiment according to the invention the cap top 103 is torn completely from the can end along the groove 109.
  • the bead 107 has several functions.
  • cap top 103 cap top 103
  • pull tab 104 both made e.g. of a metal such as aluminum or of steel
  • resilient member such as a wire spring 105, made e.g. of spring steel
  • shut-off valve 106 with relief valve 108 made e.g. of HSS (High Strength Steel).
  • Shut-off valve 106 is a preferably rounded, such as a round or ellipse shaped plate-like element, which is resiliently biased, e.g. spring-biased against the underside of the can end 102, by the force exerted by resilient member e.g. spring 105, and further optionally through the internal pressure built up if the can is filled with a carbonated drink.
  • resilient member or spring 105 is a pre-formed wire with a specific shape (described in more detail further below), to which shut-off valve 106 and cap top 103 are attached. The consumer can drink or pour from the can by tearing open cap top 103, and manipulating the released cap top, e.g. by putting his lips to the released cap top 103.
  • shut-off valve 106 By exerting pressure on the cap top, the consumer pushes shut-off valve 106 away from the pouring or drinking opening against the resilient, e.g. spring force. In this way, the pouring or drinking opening is automatically shut off again by the resilient, e.g. spring force, after drinking or pouring.
  • Relief valve 108 is arranged to release pressure built up underneath the shut-off valve, by the first pressure exerted by the drinker's lips, so that the shut-off valve can be opened easily. This is described in detail further below.
  • Fig. 5 shows a cross section of an embodiment of a can that has just been opened.
  • Pull tab 104 with a specially designed penetrating nose 201, is in a lifted position, pushing down resilient member or spring 105 and cap top 103, which is torn from the can end along groove 109 or other mechanical weakness. In this position, it is possible to pour the liquid out of the can.
  • pull tab 104 is pushed back down, as for traditional cans.
  • the opening that is thus created serves as the drinking opening, as in traditional beverage cans.
  • the cap top remains attached to the can, whereas in the disclosed embodiment according to the invention the cap top 103 is torn completely from the can end along the groove 109.
  • the cap top 103 is not bent inside the can. After tearing off the cap top 103, the cap top 103 remains attached to shut-off valve 106.
  • cap top 103 attached to shut-off valve 106 may be realized, as shown in Fig. 5 , by fixing cap top 103 to shut-off valve 106 via resilient member or spring 105, by means of two hook-like ends 202, arranged at the ends of the wire spring 105 (which is described in detail further below).
  • pull tab 104 is pushed back by the consumer after opening the can, just as for a traditional can.
  • Spring or resilient member 105 then automatically closes the can, as shut-off valve 106 closes in this embodiment along a half ring torus 203 against a corresponding half-ring torus 204 on the underside of the can end.
  • Fig. 6 thus shows the can in the state wherein it is closed automatically by resilient member or spring system 105, the pull tab 104 being pushed back in a flat position.
  • the can is resealed, preventing spillage of the contents and optionally loss of any gas such as carbon dioxide.
  • Spring or resilient member 105 is designed and shut-off valve 106 is mounted to resilient member or spring 105 in such a way that shut-off valve106 has enough clearance in order to let the two ring torus surfaces 203 and 204 match perfectly, taking account of the manufacturing tolerances of the parts and the displacement of the parts due to pressure changes in the can. In this way, a very good sealing is obtained.
  • the seal can be liquid and/or gas tight.
  • a thin layer of coating applied to both torus surfaces 203 and 204 can still further improve the sealing.
  • a suitable coating material is a water-based varnish as customarily used to cover the inside surface of beverage cans.
  • Spring or resilient 105 is preferably pre-stressed so that the closing force suffices to prevent leakage of liquid or optionally gas, thus allowing the internal pressure to build up again after drinking.
  • the gas filling, e.g. carbon dioxide of the beverage cannot escape and builds up pressure in the can: the so called “maintained carbonation" of the liquid.
  • shut-off valve 106 Since after every sip of the beverage carbon dioxide within the drink escapes, the pressure of the gas within the can increases, and thus shut-off valve 106 will close even better, as a result of the consumer drinking of the liquid.
  • the pre-stress of resilient member or spring 105 is limited so that the consumer can easily reopen the can by exerting a small pressure with his lips, presuming that the internal pressure has been released before, by the pressure relief valve 108.
  • Relief valve 108 functions as follows (see especially Figs. 7a and 7b ).
  • cap top 103 is located on top of and in contact with shut-off valve 106.
  • cap top 103 is provided with a protruding pin 301 which can be a bulging portion of the cap top, pointing downwards in the direction of shut-off valve 106.
  • Relief valve 108 is so arranged in co-operation with pin 301 that pin 301, when pushed downwards, is capable of opening relief valve 108.
  • FIG. 7a shows a cross section of cap top 103 and shut-off valve 106, and a detailed cross section of pressure relieve valve 108 and pin 301 that shows that in this embodiment relief valve 108 is formed of a portion of shut-off valve 106, said portion being provided with incisions 601.
  • Pressure relief valve 108 is a self-closing, resiliently operated, e.g. spring operated valve. It may optionally be made from HSS (High Strength Steel), which has fairly good resilience, combined with good mechanical properties for stamping and distortion.
  • relief valve 108 is formed by a portion of shut-off valve 106, said portion being provided with one or more incisions 601. As illustrated by Fig.
  • relief valve 108 may be a dome-shaped spring with one or more very small incisions 601 (two incisions are shown in Fig. 7b ), made along a radial direction of the dome, and dividing the dome in a number of dome flanks 602.
  • Fig. 7b shows an embodiment with two radial incisions 601, so that there are four dome flanks 602 (according to another embodiment, three incisions are made, so that there are six dome flanks).
  • the incisions 601 By pushing down flanks 602 with pin 301, the incisions 601 are opened, relieving the internal pressure.
  • a small pressure by the consumer's lips on bead 107 on cap top 103 is sufficient to open relief valve 108 (see also Fig. 13 ), and thus to decrease the pressure in the can, so that immediately afterwards shut-off valve 106 is easily opened by further, low pressure from the consumer's lips on bead 107.
  • Fig. 8 which represents a cross section of a still unopened can end 102, shows an embodiment of pull tab 104.
  • pull tab 104 has a special bent design 403 that allows to tear off the low lying cap top 103.
  • Pull tab 104 has a specially designed penetrating nose 201. As shown in Fig. 8 , the end portion of the penetrating nose 201 is tilted upwards with respect to the portion of the nose that is attached by the rivet 401. This ensures than when pull tab 104 has been pushed back after opening the can, and may have been deformed in doing so, nose 201 does not prevent the shut-off valve from fully closing the drinking opening.
  • Groove 109 can be as for traditional cans, as can be rivet 401 which serves to attach pull tab 104 to the beverage can end 102.
  • a deepening 402 allows to easily put a finger behind pull tab 104. The design of deepening 402 helps to strengthen can end 102 against elastic and plastic deformation due to internal pressure in the can.
  • bead 107 on cap top 103 permits a good contact with the lips as well as good drinking properties, including good air inflow into the can while drinking.
  • Fig. 9a shows a cross section of can end 102, after the first opening of the can.
  • the ripped-off cap top 103 is now leaning on shut-off valve 106.
  • the valve pushed by the resilient member or spring 105 against the underside 204 of the can end, blocks the inside can pressure from escaping.
  • the cap top is "loose" from the can end in such a way that mechanical clenching is avoided (see region 501, which indicates the region between the cap top and the can end)
  • Figs. 9a and 9b also illustrate details of resilient member or spring 105 according to the second embodiment.
  • resilient member or spring 105 is formed of a pre-formed wire, comprising a rounded portion 150, attached along a part of the circumference of the can end 102, and comprising first straight portions 151 extending from the circumference of the can end towards the center of the can end, and preferably inclined downwards as shown in Fig. 9a , and second straight portions 152 extending from said first ends and pointing substantially upward, and wherein shut-off valve 106 and cap top 103 are attached to the ends of the second straight portions 152.
  • the ends of the rounded portion 150, and thus the starting points of the first straight portions 151 are in contact at position 505.
  • This contact may be a point contact between the two sides of the wire that constitute the wire spring, when the wire itself has a circular cross-section.
  • the wire instead of having a circular cross section, the wire may have any other suitable cross-section.
  • it may have a section having straight vertical portions, so that the contact at position 505 may be along a line instead of in a point.
  • the two embodiments described above are illustrated in the two detailed wire cross sections in Fig. 9b .
  • Spring or resilient member1 05 may be fixed at the underside of the can end 102 (at position 502).
  • the resilient member or spring is simply pressed into the can end border during the assembly of the complete system.
  • can end border 504 is provided with a groove 901 along the circumference of the can end, in which groove the rounded portion 150 of the wire spring 105 can be fitted (as shown in Fig. 9a ). Because of the drinking opening at the drinking side, the groove 901 turns into a narrow notch 503 at that position (see Fig. 9a ).
  • the resilient member or spring is secured in groove 901 by the resilient, e.g. spring force itself (the two halves of the rounded portion 150 push against the side wall of groove 901).
  • a welded or glued joint may be provided between the contacting portions of the resilient member or spring in point 505 (other alternatives are described later).
  • Figs. 10 to 12 show assembly details of the resilient member or spring 105, cap top 103 and shut-off valve 106.
  • shut-off valve 106 is fixed on resilient member or spring 105 at position 701, where the upper portions 152 of the resilient member or spring protrude through the shut-off valve.
  • Shut-off valve 106 can pivot over a small angle on the second straight portions 152, which are part of resilient member or spring 105.
  • Fig. 11 shows how a tail end of resilient member or spring 105 and cap top 103 are "clicked" together with two specially designed hook-like ends 202, which may be formed as barbs or flukes, and which may be obtained by folding back the ends of the resilient member or spring.
  • bead 107 is formed as a hollow embossed portion (hereafter referred to as 'embossment'). While assembling shut-off valve 106 to the cap top, by pushing these hooks 202 into the cavity of the embossment 107, the two parts click together and stay connected.
  • the interior of the embossment 107 is provided with notches 801 (see Fig. 11 ), located so that the hooks 202 on the tail end of the resilient member or spring lock themselves behind these notches 801, so that the cap is prevented from loosening before or after first opening or during drinking or pouring. In this way, when the can is collected as waste, the parts made of one material e.g. in steel can easily be recovered and recycled.
  • Fig. 12 shows another embodiment for wire spring 105, where the ends of the rounded portion 150 do not touch. In this embodiment, the spring is kept in the groove by the spring force only (i.e. the spring force of the rounded portion 150, pushing outward against the groove 901).
  • Fig. 13 shows a consumer putting his lips to the can. As explained above, he thus automatically opens the relief valve 108, resulting in a fast decrease of the carbon dioxide pressure inside the can, so that the shut-off valve is easily opened again.
  • Fig. 14 shows the consumer drinking from the can by simply pushing back the shut-off valve by a small pressure of his lips to bead 107.
  • the spring will automatically reclose the shut-off valve.
  • Figs. 15 to 19 show a number of variations of some of the components of the second embodiment described above.
  • wire spring 105 is leaning against a small strip 160 which is connected to the (adapted) shut-off valve 106 via a connection strip 161. This prevents the spring from becoming separated from notch 901.
  • the strip 160, connection strip 161 and shut-off valve 106 are preferably formed as a single part.
  • the two straight legs 151 may be pushed together to make the diameter of the resilient member or spring smaller, so that the resilient member or spring may pass the outside of the groove 901 of the can end. While pushing the wire spring legs together, the small strip 160 on the shut-off valve is pushed down by the 2 spring legs 151.
  • the small strip 160 is made of the same material as the shut-off valve 106, and thus also has resilient properties. Therefore it will jump back and will arrive between the two curves of the resilient member or spring 151 at the moment the resilient member or spring is mounted in the notch. From that moment on, the wire spring is fixed onto the can end.
  • shut-off valve 106 has two protrusions, which may have the form of pointed jags 170, which fit into the cavity of the cap top embossment 107. Two small narrowings 171 in this cavity prevent the pushed-in jags 170 from becoming detached, but still allow a small movement of the cap top.
  • Shut-off valve 106 itself is not fixed on the wire spring 105, which has no hooks as in the previous embodiments, but straight ends 172. The shut-off valve simply lies on the spring, balancing on the two wire ends 172 at the inside of the pointed jags 170. Also, different designs of the pointed jags with corresponding narrowings in the cavity are possible (see e.g. Fig.
  • shut-off valve 106 is pushed and thus fixed in the cap top, by pushing the jags 170 into the cavity of the embossment 107.
  • wire spring 105 is pushed and fixed in the can end.
  • the wire spring and the shut-off valve are replaced by one part 180.
  • This is a plate spring.
  • the plate spring comprises a round portion which may be in the form of a torus shaped ring 181 arranged around the bottom of the notch 182 in the can end, so as to fix the spring to the can.
  • the spring comprises two plate spring elements 183 extending from the round portion 181.
  • Shut-off valve 106 is now an integral part of the spring 180.
  • the elasticity of the material of part 180 preferably HSS steel
  • cap top 103 is fixed to the shut-off valve (and thus to the spring 180) with two pointed jags 185.
  • This connection is similar to the one described with reference to Fig. 17 , though the form of the jags is different: the jags are formed as arrowheads that fit into the similarly formed interior of the embossment 107.
  • the wire spring is replaced by a plate spring 190 with the same functions.
  • the plate spring has a round portion 191 fixed around the notch of the can end, as described in Fig. 18 .
  • the spring further comprises plate elements 192 protruding from the round portion, and carrying upstanding portions 193 at the end.
  • Shut-off valve 106 leans on the upstanding portions 193, as in the embodiment of Fig. 14 .
  • Shut-off valve 106 further comprises jags which fit into the cavity of the embossment 107, as in the embodiments of Figs. 17 and 18 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
EP10174888A 2010-09-01 2010-09-01 Selbstschließende Dose für ein Lebensmittelprodukt Withdrawn EP2426058A1 (de)

Priority Applications (19)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10174888A EP2426058A1 (de) 2010-09-01 2010-09-01 Selbstschließende Dose für ein Lebensmittelprodukt
UAA201303922A UA110625C2 (uk) 2010-09-01 2011-01-09 Банка для харчового продукту, яка повторно закривається
PCT/EP2011/052078 WO2012028338A1 (en) 2010-09-01 2011-02-11 Self-closing can for a food product
PL11764694T PL2611705T3 (pl) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 Puszka na produkt spożywczy do ponownego zamykania
MX2013002376A MX358488B (es) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 Lata resellable para producto alimenticio.
MYPI2013000636A MY158987A (en) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 Reclosing can for food product
AU2011298346A AU2011298346B2 (en) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 Reclosing can for food product
BR112013004761A BR112013004761B1 (pt) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 lata que pode ser fechada mais de uma vez para produto alimentício
JP2013526479A JP5986087B2 (ja) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 食物製品のための再閉缶
EA201390321A EA024023B1 (ru) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 Повторно закрываемая банка для пищевого продукта
US13/820,185 US9440767B2 (en) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 Reclosing can for food product
CA2809717A CA2809717C (en) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 Reclosing can for food product
EP11764694.3A EP2611705B1 (de) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 Wiederverschliessbare dose für ein lebensmittelprodukt
KR1020137008007A KR101878512B1 (ko) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 식료품용 재폐쇄 캔
ES11764694.3T ES2625356T3 (es) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 Lata que se puede volver a cerrar para producto alimenticio
PCT/EP2011/065143 WO2012028694A1 (en) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 Reclosing can for food product
SG2013015334A SG188348A1 (en) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 Reclosing can for food product
CN201180041912.8A CN103167988B (zh) 2010-09-01 2011-09-01 金属饮料罐的罐端部、具有该罐端部的金属饮料罐及其制造和使用方法
ZA2013/02246A ZA201302246B (en) 2010-09-01 2013-03-22 Reclosing can for food product

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10174888A EP2426058A1 (de) 2010-09-01 2010-09-01 Selbstschließende Dose für ein Lebensmittelprodukt

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2426058A1 true EP2426058A1 (de) 2012-03-07

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ID=43384621

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10174888A Withdrawn EP2426058A1 (de) 2010-09-01 2010-09-01 Selbstschließende Dose für ein Lebensmittelprodukt

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2426058A1 (de)
UA (1) UA110625C2 (de)
WO (1) WO2012028338A1 (de)

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CN112173352A (zh) * 2020-10-10 2021-01-05 砀山欣宇铁艺有限公司 一种便于开盖的食品级铁罐
US20220024638A1 (en) * 2018-12-17 2022-01-27 Re-Lid Engineering Ag Can lid, can and method for manufacturing a can lid
US11465827B2 (en) * 2017-11-13 2022-10-11 Seidel GmbH & Co. KG Container closure for a beverage can
US20230089079A1 (en) * 2021-09-17 2023-03-23 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Sealing structure and material containing device including the same

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KR20230071119A (ko) * 2020-07-13 2023-05-23 오씨 비이브이 엘티디 물질의 용기용 뚜껑, 및 상기 뚜껑을 포함하는 물질의 용기

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US4747511A (en) * 1986-07-10 1988-05-31 Sun Coast Plastics, Inc. Plug-type openers for plastic can ends
US4784283A (en) 1988-01-21 1988-11-15 Paul Cantu Self-closing beverage can
US5810189A (en) 1995-11-22 1998-09-22 Baker; Anthony Leonard Container seal
WO2007147542A1 (de) * 2006-06-17 2007-12-27 Horst Heigl Behälterverschlussvorrichtung
US20080314904A1 (en) 2003-09-11 2008-12-25 Revocan B.V. Closing Device for a Food Product Container, More Particularly a Drink Container, Cover and Food Product Container

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US4190174A (en) * 1979-01-29 1980-02-26 Thermo-Seal, Inc. Drinking receptacle cover with a lip operated valve
US4361249A (en) * 1981-02-25 1982-11-30 Tuneski Richard J Beverage container lid
US4747511A (en) * 1986-07-10 1988-05-31 Sun Coast Plastics, Inc. Plug-type openers for plastic can ends
US4784283A (en) 1988-01-21 1988-11-15 Paul Cantu Self-closing beverage can
US5810189A (en) 1995-11-22 1998-09-22 Baker; Anthony Leonard Container seal
US20080314904A1 (en) 2003-09-11 2008-12-25 Revocan B.V. Closing Device for a Food Product Container, More Particularly a Drink Container, Cover and Food Product Container
WO2007147542A1 (de) * 2006-06-17 2007-12-27 Horst Heigl Behälterverschlussvorrichtung

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11465827B2 (en) * 2017-11-13 2022-10-11 Seidel GmbH & Co. KG Container closure for a beverage can
US20220024638A1 (en) * 2018-12-17 2022-01-27 Re-Lid Engineering Ag Can lid, can and method for manufacturing a can lid
US11884449B2 (en) * 2018-12-17 2024-01-30 Re-Lid Engineering Ag Can lid, can and method for manufacturing a can lid
CN112173352A (zh) * 2020-10-10 2021-01-05 砀山欣宇铁艺有限公司 一种便于开盖的食品级铁罐
US20230089079A1 (en) * 2021-09-17 2023-03-23 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Sealing structure and material containing device including the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2012028338A1 (en) 2012-03-08
UA110625C2 (uk) 2016-01-25

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