EP2439147A1 - Closing device for a drink can - Google Patents

Abstract

The closure device (12) has a circular-cylindrical or truncated conical neck portion (20) having an upper, radially outwardly projecting circumferential bead (42). A retaining ring (34) is provided for securing the closure device to a beverage can (10), where the retaining ring surrounds the beverage can below the bead.

Description

The present invention relates to a closure device for a beverage can.

In addition to bottles, beverage cans today are the most important trade packaging for drinks and generally serve at the same time as a drinking vessel. Modern beverage cans usually consist of a one-piece, cylindrical container made of aluminum or tinplate and a lid made of aluminum. The lid is normally connected by crimping with the casing part of the container, wherein a circumferential, radially outwardly projecting bead in the neck region of the beverage can arises.

Typically, the lid has an oval embossing line and a riveted metal tab. The metal tab presses on lifting the scratched oval by leveraging into the can interior, thus creating a pouring or drinking opening. Such an arrangement is referred to as a "stay-on-tab." The most common beverage cans in Europe have a volume of 0.33 l and 0.5 l and a diameter of 67 mm and a height of 115 mm and 168 mm, respectively Aluminum cans have a weight of about 10 g (0.33 l) and a wall thickness of 0.097 mm.

Beverage cans are mainly used for carbonated drinks such as canned beer and soft drinks. The lid with the "Stay-on-Tab" allows easy opening of the beverage can and pouring or drinking the beverage contained therein. However, a commercial beverage can after opening can not be closed again. But this would be just with carbonated Drinks desirable, otherwise the carbon dioxide escapes from the beverage can. A gas-tight closure of an already opened beverage can also serves to avoid spillage of the still contained therein beverage, as well as the ingress of impurities or insects, especially wasps.

The German utility model no. 93 12 249.7 discloses an attachable cap having a circular cap bottom and a cylindrical side portion which encloses the cylindrical portion of the beverage can. The inside of the side part is slightly conical and thus ensures the adhesion of the cap on the can. In addition, on the inside of the cap base, an elastic sealant applied to seal against the can interior or the space between the cap base and can lid.

The German utility model no. 299 20 953 relates to a closure device for beverage cans and bottles having an upper circumferential bead. The closure device consists of an attachable cap with a circumferential, extending beyond the bead collar, which is provided on its inside with a likewise circumferential and behind the bead latchable projection. The cap itself is made of a hard, non-deformable material. The collar has on its inside a circumferential groove, in which a sealing ring made of an elastic material is used.

The known from the prior art caps allow easy closure of an already opened beverage can. However, the cap can when attaching to or removing from the beverage can, easily slide it out of the user's hand and fall off. This is particularly problematic when the user is in the process of steering a motor vehicle and can not simply pick up the dropped cap. In addition, the cap can easily get in contact with impurities.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a closure device for beverage cans, which not only allows easy and safe opening and closing, but in addition to which the risk of falling down is reduced.

This object is achieved by the closure device according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the inventive closure device are the subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention relates to a closure device for a beverage can with a circular cylindrical or frusto-conical neck region, which has an upper, radially outwardly projecting, circumferential bead. The closure device comprises a closure cap with a circular disk-shaped cap base and an associated, circular-cylindrical side part, which extends in the closed state beyond the bead and at its peripheral side at least in sections has a projection for forming a snap connection. The closure device according to the invention is characterized by a retaining ring for fastening the closure device to the beverage can, which the beverage can surrounds below the bead and is connected by a hinge with the circular cylindrical side part of the cap.

The inventive closure device allows in a simple manner a gas-tight closure of an already opened beverage can to prevent spillage of a beverage contained therein. In addition, thanks to the cap, no contaminants, insects or the like get into the can interior, and the escape of carbon dioxide from carbonated beverages can also be effectively avoided.

The inventive closure device can be opened and closed thanks to the snap connection with little effort and without technical aids. At the same time the cap sits in the closed state but so firmly on the beverage can that it does not unintentionally dissolves from the beverage can and that it prevents even when tipping the beverage can leakage of the drink.

Preferably, the inventive closure device is used directly in the manufacture of the beverage can, i. after connecting the can lid with the neck part by crimping, placed on the beverage can. This allows the manufacturer to coat the drinking area of the beverage can immediately after filling with the cap and protect it from contamination. The closure device according to the invention thus also permits a hygienic sealing of the drinking area from the environment before use.

The retaining ring guarantees a safe whereabouts of the inventive closure device on the beverage can. Since the retaining ring is firmly connected to the beverage can both in the open and in the closed state of the closure device, the cap can not fall down. Slipping of the retaining ring of the beverage can is prevented by the radially outwardly projecting bead of the beverage can. Thanks to the arranged between the cap and the retaining ring film hinge the cap for opening and closing but can be pivoted relative to the retaining ring very easily and without much effort.

In a preferred embodiment, the projection on the inside of the circular cylindrical side part can be latched behind the bead to form the snap connection. The snap connection is thus formed directly between the cap and the beverage can.

Alternatively, it is also possible that the projection on the inside of the circular cylindrical side part to form the snap connection behind the retaining ring can be latched. In this case, slippage of the retaining ring is prevented by the beverage can through the radially outwardly projecting bead of the can, and the cap is thus indirectly connected via the retaining ring with the beverage can.

Preferably, the projection on the inside of the circular cylindrical side part is circumferential, that is, it extends over the entire inner circumference of the circular cylindrical side part. This creates a particularly stable snap connection. Alternatively, it would also be possible that the circular-cylindrical side part only partially has a protruding in the circumferential direction inward projection, for example, three to five sections, between each of which an area without a projection is arranged.

In a preferred embodiment, the hinge which connects the closure cap to the retaining ring is a living hinge. A film hinge can be, for example by injection molding, very easy to manufacture and inexpensive and ensures a secure connection between the cap and retaining ring.

In a preferred embodiment, the closure cap can be detached from the retaining ring by severing the hinge, in particular a film hinge. As a result, the cap, for example, after the complete emptying of a beverage can separated from the retaining ring and used for other beverage cans. The closure cap is thus reusable, which is especially advantageous from an ecological point of view. In this embodiment, therefore, the hinge serves not only as a connection and joint between cap and retaining ring, but also also has the function of a predetermined breaking point.

Preferably, the hinge can be severed without further aids by pulling apart the closure cap and retaining ring. It is particularly advantageous if the retaining ring is more stable than the hinge, so that the hinge can be severed while the retaining ring remains intact. The force necessary for severing the hinge should be chosen so that it is not accidentally severed when handling the closure device according to the invention, in particular when opening and closing. At the same time, the severing of the hinge should but also do not require excessive effort of the user, so that a child can easily separate the cap from the retaining ring.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the closure device according to the invention is configured such that the closure cap can be detached from the retaining ring by severing the hinge, in particular a film hinge, and the projection on the inside of the circular-cylindrical side part can be latched behind the bead to form the snap connection. As a result, the cap can be used independently of the retaining ring for other beverage cans. It is particularly advantageous if, in addition, the retaining ring is more stable than the hinge.

Alternatively, it is also possible that the hinge is not severed and thus the cap can not be released from the retaining ring. Such a closure cap is ideal for one-time use in the context of a disposable closure device.

In a preferred embodiment, a seal is arranged between the closure cap and the retaining ring. Such a seal allows the user to immediately recognize whether the closure device has ever been opened or not. So it serves as a kind of "Erstgebrauchschutz".

Preferably, the seal is formed by a perforated film integrally formed with the retainer ring and the circular cylindrical side member. Such a perforated film can be severed very easily during the first opening of the closure device and can subsequently not be formed again, so that the absence or presence of the perforated film clearly indicates whether the closure device has been previously opened or not. In addition, a closure device according to the invention with a seal in the form of a perforated film can be easily attached to a beverage can without the sealing function being impaired thereby: For attaching the closure device, it is slipped over the bead of the beverage can. This requires a compressive force. The perforated film, however, tears only when a tensile stress is applied to him, as is the case when opening the cap.

Alternatively, it is also possible that the seal is formed by a coating film, a pull tab or a similar, well-known to the skilled person construction. These embodiments also allow the user to make a clear judgment as to whether the closure device has been previously opened or not.

In a preferred embodiment, the circular-cylindrical side part has a handle on its outside. This is preferably arranged diametrically opposite to the hinge. Such a handle facilitates the release of the snap connection, as the user can grip the cap easier and thus move better. The handle can be configured, for example, as a projection protruding radially outward on the circular-cylindrical side part of the closure cap.

The closure device according to the invention preferably consists of a food-grade plastic, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polystyrene (PS). Particularly preferably, the closure cap, the hinge and the retaining ring are made of polyethylene terephthalate or polystyrene.

Preferably, closure cap, hinge and retaining ring made of the same material. This allows a very simple production, for example by injection molding.

It is particularly preferred that the closure device additionally has a perforated film formed integrally with the retaining ring and the circular-cylindrical side part, which acts as a seal and likewise consists of the same material. A possible grip on the closure cap is preferably made of the same material.

The closure device according to the invention can be produced very simply, for example by injection molding. Preferably, all parts of the closure device are made integral.

Alternatively, it is also possible that closure cap, hinge and retaining ring made of different materials. This is particularly advantageous if the hinge is not a film hinge. In this case, the cap and the hinge are preferably made of a first material and the retaining ring of a second material, which is not affine to the first material and therefore does not bond with it by injection molding.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Getränkedose mit einer erfindungsgemässen Verschlussvorrichtung in Offenstellung;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Getränkedose und Verschlussvorrichtung aus Figur 1;

Fig. 3

eine gegenüber Figur 2 um 90° gedrehte Ansicht der Getränkedose und Verschlussvorrichtung aus Figur 1;

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt durch den oberen Teil der Getränkedose und Verschlussvorrichtung aus Figur 1 in Offenstellung;

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch den oberen Teil der Getränkedose und Verschlussvorrichtung aus Figur 1 im verschlossenen Zustand;

Fig. 6

eine Detailansicht des Schnitts aus Figur 5.

The present invention will be further clarified with reference to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings. It shows purely schematically:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a beverage can with an inventive closure device in the open position;

Fig. 2

a side view of the beverage can and closure device FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 3

one opposite FIG. 2 turned 90 ° view of the beverage can and closure device FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 4

a section through the upper part of the beverage can and closure device FIG. 1 in open position;

Fig. 5

a section through the upper part of the beverage can and closure device FIG. 1 in the closed state;

Fig. 6

a detailed view of the section FIG. 5 ,

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a commercial beverage can 10, on which a closure device 12 is mounted according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The beverage can 10 consists of a one-piece container 14 made of aluminum or tinplate and a so connected can lid 16 made of aluminum. The container 14 has a circular cylindrical central portion 18, at the upper end of a tapered neck portion 20 connects and at the lower end of a likewise tapered foot portion 22 connects, which finally merges into the can bottom 24. The can lid 16 is connected by crimping with the neck portion 20 and has an oval pouring or drinking opening 26 and a riveted metal tab 28 on.

In order to form the connection between the can lid 16 and the neck section 20, the edge of the neck section 20 is usually folded once and that of the can lid 16 twice in the manufacturing process, so that the connection consists of five metal layers comprising a form fit. This creates the in FIG. 4 visible, radially outwardly projecting, circumferential bead 42nd

In the FIG. 1 Shutter device 12 shown is open. It comprises a closure cap 30 and a retaining ring 34 connected thereto via a hinge 32, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a film hinge, which surrounds the neck portion 20 of the beverage can 10.

The cap 30 consists of a circular disc-shaped cap base 36 and a circular cylindrical side part 38 integrally connected thereto. On the circular-cylindrical side part 38, a handle 40 in the form of a radially outwardly protruding projection is formed, which is diametrically opposed to the hinge 32.

The closure device 12 shown is in one piece and consists of polyethylene terephthalate or polystyrene. Alternatively, the closure device 12 could also consist of another food-grade plastic or be multi-part and made of different materials.

To remove the cap 30 from the beverage can 10, the hinge 32 can be cut relatively easily by hand, the cap 30 is released from the retaining ring 34. As a result, the closure cap 30 can also be used for other beverage cans 10 'with an upper peripheral bead 42', preferably formed by crimping.

Alternatively, it would also be possible that the closure cap 30 is intended for disposable use and the hinge 32 is not severable.

The FIGS. 2 and 3 each show a schematic side view or view of the beverage can 10 and the closure device 12 from FIG. 1 , where the in FIG. 3 shown view opposite those FIG. 2 rotated by 90 ° about the longitudinal axis of the beverage can 10.

The inventive closure device 12 is in turn open. It was previously brought into the open position by pivoting the closure cap 30 about the film hinge 32. The retaining ring 34 is arranged below a circumferential bead 42 which projects radially outward at the upper end of the neck portion 20. The bead 42 is formed by the crimping of can lid 16 and neck portion 20 and consists of several layers of aluminum and possibly tinplate.

The pouring or drinking opening 26 in the can lid 16 is also open. The beverage can 10 shown has a so-called "stay-on-tab", in which the pouring or drinking opening 26 is generated by lifting the riveted metal flap 28. In this case, a provided in the closed beverage can 10 by means of a stamping line oval 44 is pressed by leverage into the can interior.

The can bottom 24 has a bulge 46 into the can interior. Thanks to this curvature 46, the bottom of the can 24 can deform in the event of a pressure increase in the interior of the beverage can 10, so that the can volume is increased and the internal pressure is reduced.

FIG. 4 shows a section through the upper part of the beverage can 10 with the closure device 12 according to the in FIG. 1 shown preferred embodiment of the present invention. Both the closure device 12 and the pouring or drinking opening 26 in the can lid 16 of the beverage can 10 are open.

The can lid 16 is substantially circular disk-shaped and has in its outer region a circumferential, annular recess 48. In the can lid 16 also the pouring or drinking opening 26 is arranged, which has been previously opened by lifting the lid attached to the can 16 metal tab 28.

The retaining ring 34 of the closure device 12, which in the illustrated embodiment has a circular cross section, is attached to the beverage can 10 and surrounds the neck portion 20 below the bead 42.

The closure cap 30 comprises the substantially circular disc-shaped cap base 36 and the thus connected, circular cylindrical side part 38, which is intended to surround the bead 42 of the beverage can 10 in the closed state.

The cap base 36 also has a circumferential bead 50 in its outer region. This bead 50 is in the closed state towards the can lid 16, i. down, directed and comes to rest above the annular recess 48 in the can lid 16.

Between the bead 50 and the circular-cylindrical side part 38, the cap base 36 has a circumferential groove 51, which in the closed state away from the can lid 16, i. upwards, is directed. The groove 51 is in the closed state at the top of the beverage can 10 and thus seals it from the environment.

The circular cylindrical side part 38 has on its inside a circumferentially extending projection 52 which is intended to form a snap connection with the bead 42 in the closed state. The projection 52 is at the bottom, i. in the closed state the can lid 16 trimmed end of the circular cylindrical side part 38 is arranged.

FIG. 5 shows a section through the upper part of the beverage can 10 with the closure device 12 from the FIGS. 1 to 4 However, the closure device 12 is closed in contrast to the previous figures. The beverage can 10, ie their Ausgiess- or drinking opening (not visible) is closed. FIG. 6 shows a detail view of the cut FIG. 5 ,

In the illustrated, closed state, the circumferential projection 52 of the circular cylindrical side part 38 forms a snap connection with the bead 42 of the beverage can.

Between the side part 38 and the retaining ring 34, a seal 54 is also arranged in the form of a perforated film. This seal 54 immediately notifies the user that the closure device 12 has not previously been opened.

The in the FIGS. 1 to 6 shown preferred embodiment of the inventive closure device 12 is preferably produced by injection molding. It is particularly preferred that the closure cap 30, the hinge 32 and the retaining ring 34, together with the seal 54 are integrally made of the same material.

The closure device 12 is preferably manufactured by the manufacturer directly after attaching the can lid 16 to the beverage can 10, i. directly after the crimping, put on. As a result, the drinking area of the beverage can 10 is protected from contamination and thus ensures its hygiene.

The closure device 12 according to the embodiment shown can easily be slipped over the bead 42 of the beverage can 10 without damaging the perforated film serving as a seal 54, so that the retaining ring 34 comes to lie below the bead 42 and the encircling projection 52 of the closure cap 30 with the bead 42 forms a snap connection.

For opening a beverage can 10, which is provided with a closure device 12 according to the invention, a user typically grips the handle 40 and thus exerts a pulling force on the closure cap 30. In this case, the seal 54 is destroyed and the cap 30 can be pivoted relative to the retaining ring 34 about the hinge 32. As a result, the closure device 12 is brought into the open position.

Subsequently, the user can open the pouring or drinking opening 26 of the beverage can 10 by lifting the metal tab 28 and pressing the scored oval 44. The beverage contained in the beverage can 10 can now be poured or consumed directly from the beverage can 10.

If the user wants to close the beverage can 10 again, for example, to prevent spillage of the beverage, escape of carbon dioxide or ingress of impurities, he can the closure device 12 by pivoting back the cap 30 and closing the snap connection between the circumferential projection 52 and the Bring bead 42 back to closed position. As a result, multiple opening and closing of the beverage can 10 is made possible.

In addition, the user can use the closure cap 30 shown also for closing further beverage cans 10 '. For this purpose, the user cuts the hinge 32 and thus releases the cap 30 from the retaining ring 34. It is particularly advantageous if the hinge 32 is less stable than the retaining ring 34, so that the latter remains on the first beverage can 10. The severed cap 30 may, if desired, be cleaned and then placed on another beverage can 10 'with an upper circumferential bead 42' become. By forming a snap connection between the projection 52 and the bead 42 ', the further beverage can 10' can be closed (again).

Claims (13)

Closure device (12) for a beverage can (10) having a circular-cylindrical or frustoconical neck region (20) which has an upper, radially outwardly projecting, circumferential bead (42), comprising a closure cap (30) with a circular disk-shaped cap base (36) and an associated, circular-cylindrical side part (38) which extends in the closed state beyond the bead (42) and at its inner side in the circumferential direction at least in sections a projection (52) for forming a snap connection, characterized by a retaining ring (34). for fastening the closure device (12) to the beverage can (10), which surrounds the beverage can (10) below the bead (42) and is connected by a hinge (32) to the circular-cylindrical side part (38) of the closure cap (30). Closing device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection (52) on the inside of the circular cylindrical side part (38) to form the snap connection behind the bead (42) can be latched. Closing device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection (52) on the inside of the circular cylindrical side part (38) for forming the snap connection behind the retaining ring (34) can be latched. Closing device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the projection (52) on the inside of the circular cylindrical side part (38) is circumferential. Closure device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hinge (32) is a film hinge. A closure device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the closure cap (30) by severing of the hinge (32) is detachable from the retaining ring (34). Closure device (12) according to claim 6, characterized in that the retaining ring (34) is more stable than the hinge (32). Closure device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that between the closure cap (30) and the retaining ring (34) a seal (54) is arranged. Closure device (12) according to claim 8, characterized in that the seal (54) is formed by a perforated film formed integrally with the retaining ring (34) and the circular-cylindrical side part (38). Closure device (12) according to claim 8, characterized in that the seal (54) is formed by a coating film or a Abziehlasche. Closing device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the circular-cylindrical side part (38) on its outside, the hinge (32) diametrically opposite a handle (40). Closure device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that closure cap (30), hinge (32) and retaining ring (34) consist of food-safe plastic, in particular of polyethylene terephthalate or polystyrene. Closure device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the closure cap (30), hinge (32) and retaining ring (34) consist of the same material.

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