EP2603437A1 - Lid attachment for metal can and method of attaching a lid to a metal can - Google Patents

Lid attachment for metal can and method of attaching a lid to a metal can

Info

Publication number
EP2603437A1
EP2603437A1 EP11743081.9A EP11743081A EP2603437A1 EP 2603437 A1 EP2603437 A1 EP 2603437A1 EP 11743081 A EP11743081 A EP 11743081A EP 2603437 A1 EP2603437 A1 EP 2603437A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lid attachment
metal
adhesive
abutment surface
plastic part
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Withdrawn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
EP11743081.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Dylan Edwards
Frank SCHREIVOGEL
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.)
Ardagh Metal Beverage Germany GmbH
Original Assignee
Ball Packaging Europe GmbH
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 Ball Packaging Europe GmbH filed Critical Ball Packaging Europe GmbH
Priority to EP11743081.9A priority Critical patent/EP2603437A1/en
Publication of EP2603437A1 publication Critical patent/EP2603437A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B65D15/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, sections made of different materials
    • B65D15/02—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, sections made of different materials of curved, or partially curved, cross-section, e.g. cans, drums
    • B65D15/10—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, sections made of different materials of curved, or partially curved, cross-section, e.g. cans, drums with curved, or partially curved, walls made of metal
    • B65D15/14—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, sections made of different materials of curved, or partially curved, cross-section, e.g. cans, drums with curved, or partially curved, walls made of metal with end walls made of plastics material
    • 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
    • B65D2517/0058—Other details of container end panel
    • B65D2517/008—Materials of container end panel
    • B65D2517/0083—Rigid plastic

Definitions

  • Lid attachment for metal can and method of attaching a lid to a metal can
  • the invention relates to a lid attachment for a metal can.
  • the invention further relates to a method of attaching a lid to a metal can.
  • a lid attachment for a metal beverage can and a method for attaching a lid to a metal beverage can are provided.
  • Lid attachments for metal cans usually comprise a metal lid that is secured to the metal can via a double seam.
  • manufacturing of this double seam is complex, time-consuming and expensive.
  • lid attachments comprising plastic materials from US 4,236,629, US 4,568,006, EP 0 320 808 A1 and EP 0 779 227 A1 .
  • the solutions disclosed in these documents are at least as complex, time-consuming and expensive to manufacture as the known metal to metal lid attachments using a double seam.
  • Further lid attachments comprising plastic materials are known from EP 0 620 160 A2, WO 2007/015752 A2, US 2008/0290105 A1 and WO 2009/060207 A1 .
  • the solutions disclosed in these documents show different kinds of projections on the outer periphery of the upper end of the can. But these projections are also complex, time-consuming and expensive to manufacture and are further not suitable for thin-walled contemporary metal beverage cans.
  • a lid attachment for a metal can having an open upper end with a flange forming an annular upper face and exhibiting an outwardly or inwardly curved flange edge that has an axial distance from the upper face measured in an axial direction of the metal can, wherein the lid attachment comprises a unitary plastic part and an adhesive, wherein the unitary plastic part comprises a hook- shaped annular snap-on ring with an upwardly facing abutment surface and a downwardly facing sealing surface, wherein an axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface corresponds to the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of the metal can, wherein the lid attachment is designed for such that the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring upwardly facing abutment surface initially elastically deforms outwards (in the case of an outwardly curved flange edge) or elastically deforms inwards (in the case of an inwardly curved flange) when the lid attachment is
  • the lid attachment according to the present invention comprises a unitary plastic part which is meant to be a one-piece-element made of plastic material.
  • the unitary plastic part is formed using injection molding.
  • the provision of such a unitary plastic part potentially has the advantage that fewer parts need to be handled during assembly of the lid attachment and the open upper end of the metal can, resulting in a manufacturing and assembly process that is less complex, time- and cost-intensive.
  • the unitary plastic part can for instance be a complete lid or it can be designed to be complemented to a lid, e.g. screw on neck that may be complemented by a screw on lid.
  • the invention provides for a hook-shaped annular snap-on ring with an upwardly facing abutment surface, i.e. a ring-shaped part of the unitary plastic part that is flexible enough to slip over the diameter of the outwardly curved flange of the open upper end of the can while being pushed over the upper end of the can in axial direction of the metal can during assembly.
  • this ring-shaped element of the unitary plastic part shows resilient characteristics and moves back into a shape with a diameter smaller than the upwardly curved flange edge.
  • the lid attachment and the open upper end of the metal form a positive fitting after assembly suitable to withstand an internal pres- sure in a can containing beverages, different kinds of food etc., particularly an internal pressure of up to 6.2 bar in a metal can containing carbonated beverages.
  • an adhesive bond between the two parts is provided for, more precisely between the sealing surface of the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring and the annular upper face of the flange of the open upper end of the metal can. This creates the bond strength between the lid attachment and the can in order to provide for an arrangement able to withstand internal pressure due to storage of carbonated beverages in the can.
  • a further advantage of the present invention is hat the upper end of a metal can receiving the lid attachment according to the present invention can be shaped as a flange project- ing outwardly and downwardly with respect to the opening defined by the open upper end of the can.
  • the open upper end of the metal can is curled.
  • the invention may be improved in that an inner diameter of the snap-on ring is smaller than a diameter of a flange edge of a metal can the lid attachment is adapted for.
  • the unitary plastic part, particularly the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring is flexible enough to expand such that the inner diameter of the snap-on ring in a non-expanded state can be enlarged to a diameter of at least the extension of the diameter of the flange edge during assembly.
  • the invention may be improved in that the axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface is slightly larger than the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of a metal can the lid attachment is designed for. This embodiment may be an addition or an alternative to the previously described embodiments.
  • the axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface does not correspond exactly to the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of a metal can the lid attachment is designed for. In this case, a clearance in the positive fit between the lid attachment and the metal can may occur.
  • This embodiment is particularly preferred in cases where an additional adhesive bond is provided for between the sealing surface and the upper face, particularly an adhesive bond as described with respect with the following embodiments.
  • the invention may be improved in that the adhesive includes an activation mechanism that activates an adhesive effect and/or an increase in volume of the adhesive in the presence of an activation trigger, wherein the activation trigger is pressure and/or air and/or moisture and/or heat and and/or a contact of at least two adhesive components and/or an absence of air. It is further preferred that the adhesive includes an expansive material and/or a material sensitive to pressure and/or air and/or moisture and/or heat and and/or a contact of another adhesive components and/or an absence of air.
  • the adhesive material only exhibits its adhesive characteristics after it is activated. This has the advantage, that the adhesive can be applied in an early stage of the production or assembly process without causing problems due to the adhesive characteristics. These characteristics are preferably only activated in a stage of the process where the adhesive effect is desired.
  • This activation of the adhesive can be initiated by one or more of the following activation triggers:
  • One activation trigger may be pressure that is applied to the adhesive.
  • the adhesive preferably is microencapsulated such that the microcapsules brake when a certain pressure is applied.
  • the pressure needed for activating the adhesive corresponds to a pressure occurring during the assembly of the lid attachment to the open upper end of the metal can.
  • the adhesive might be of cyanoacrylate-type that is activated by the presence of air and/or moisture.
  • a further activation trigger might be the contact between two adhesive components that leads to a chemical reaction between the two components, e.g. a 2K-epoxy-adhesive.
  • an adhesive material might be activated by a heat source leading to a chemical reaction of the adhesive material (e.g. 1 K-epoxy-adhesive).
  • a heat source may activate an adhesive material also by melting e.g. hot melt adhesives or meltable plastic adhesives.
  • Fur- ther still, also the lack of air can be a preferred activation trigger for e.g. anaerobic adhesives. It is preferred that the material of the adhesive is adapted to the kind of activation trigger used.
  • an adhesive material that has an expansive effect.
  • the activation trigger initiates the expansion of the extensive material.
  • the provision of an expansive material has the advantage that this expansive material will fill up possible gaps between the lid attachment and the open upper end of the can when activated and thus provide for a particularly tight seal between the lid attachment and the open upper end of the can.
  • the invention can be improved in that the lid attachment, particularly the adhesive, is designed for a permanent fixation of the lid attachment, particularly the unitary plastic part, to a can.
  • the provision for a permanent fixation of the lid attachment to the open upper end of the can i.e. a non-removable attachment of the lid to the open upper end of the metal can, is particularly preferred because of the advantage that the fixing of the lid attachment to the open upper end of the metal can is permanent in a sense that during the general lifetime of a beverage can and during common handling conditions the lid attachment cannot be removed from the open upper end of the can applying common forces that apply during handling, transport, storage and sales or intended use of the beverage can.
  • the invention can be further improved in that the lid attachment and the flange are de- signed for such that the outwardly curved flange edge initially is compressed when the lid attachment is attached to a can and springs back behind the upwardly facing abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring when it is fully attached to a can.
  • This embodiment is preferred in order to reduce or eliminate the requirement of flexibility of the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring of the unitary plastic part of the lid attachment.
  • the outwardly curved flange edge When the outwardly curved flange edge is flexible in that it can be compressed during assembly of the lid attachment, the upwardly abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring needs to expand less or not at all while the annular snap-on ring is being pushed over the outwardly curved flange during the assembly process.
  • the outwardly curved flange edge In order to provide for a positive fit between the lid attachment and the open upper end of the can, the outwardly curved flange edge is resilient and moves back into its un-deformed shape after the upwardly faced abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring has passed the outwardly curved flange edge.
  • This embodiment allows for a balanced design of the outwardly curved flange edge and the annular snap-on ring with the upwardly faced abutment surface and the respective materials of the flange and the snap-on ring in order to provide the actual combination of flexibility and resilience in the two parts required for the inventive engagement and posi- tive fit in the assembled state as well as for an easy push-on assembly process.
  • the invention can be further improved in that the lid attachment further comprises a cap designed for closing an opening defined by the unitary plastic part.
  • the lid attachment In order to access the contents of the metal can, particularly a beverage contained in a metal beverage can, the lid attachment includes a cap in addition to the unitary plastic part.
  • the cap closes an opening in the unitary plastic part during handling, transport and storage of the metal can.
  • the cap is designed to be at least partly detached from the opening during intended use.
  • the cap may be fully removed or still be connected to the unitary plastic part after opening.
  • the cap might be a reselable cap i.e. the cap might be designed to open and close the opening defined by the unitary plastic part more than once.
  • the cap may comprise metal or plastic material or consist thereof.
  • the cap may comprise alloys of aluminum, steel etc.
  • This embodiment has the advantage that only the unitary plastic part needs to be specifically designed to engage with the open upper end of the metal can.
  • the cap however only engages with the unitary plastic part and thus a variety of caps designed for different purposes can be fitted onto one design of the unitary plastic part.
  • the assembly process of the lid attachment with the engagement of the unitary plastic part and the open upper end of the can can remain unchanged or nearly unchanged while at the same time providing for a variety of different opening mechanisms of the can.
  • the unitary plastic part comprises a downwardly facing second abutment surface designed for engaging with the cap.
  • the unitary plastic part is fitted with a second abutment service for a positive fit with the cap.
  • a particularly preferred embodiment provides for a flexible cap with an annular cap ring with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the downwardly facing second abutment surface of the unitary plastic part, wherein the annular cap ring initially expands when the cap is attached to the unitary plastic part and the annular cap ring springs back behind the downwardly facing second abutment surface of the unitary plastic part when the cap is fully attached to the unitary plastic part.
  • the annular cap ring can for instance be a tamper evidence ring.
  • the assembly of the cap and the unitary plastic part as well as the assembly of the unitary plastic part and the open upper end of the can can be realized in the same or succeed- ing assembly process steps.
  • a metal can having an open upper end with a flange forming an annular upper face and exhibiting an outwardly curved flange edge that has an axial distance from the upper face measured in an axial direction of the metal can, characterized in that the metal can comprises a lid attachment according to the invention as described herein.
  • a method of attaching a metal lid to a metal can comprising the steps providing a metal can having an open upper end with a flange forming an annular upper face and exhibiting an outwardly curved flange edge that has an axial distance from the upper face measured in an axial direction of the metal can, providing a lid attachment comprising a unitary plastic part with a hook-shaped annular snap-on ring with an upwardly facing abutment surface and a downwardly facing sealing surface wherein an axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface corresponds to the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of the metal can, applying an adhesive to the sealing surface, attaching the lid attachment to the metal can wherein the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring upwardly facing abutment surface initially expands and the upwardly facing abutment surface of the annular snap- on ring springs back behind the flange edge when fully attached to a can.
  • the method according to the invention can be improved in that attaching the lid attachment to the metal can comprises that the outwardly curved flange edge initially is compressed when the lid attachment is attached to a can and springs back behind the upwardly facing abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring when it is fully attached to a can.
  • the method according to the invention can be further improved by the step activating an adhesive effect and/or an increase in volume of the adhesive in the presence of an activation trigger, wherein the activation trigger is pressure and/or air and/or moisture and/or heat and and/or a contact of at least two adhesive components and/or an absence of air.
  • the method according to the invention can be further improved by the step providing a permanent fixation of the lid attachment, particularly the unitary plastic part, preferably via the adhesive, to a can.
  • the method according to the invention can be further improved by the step attaching a cap to the unitary plastic part such that the cap closes an opening defined by the unitary plastic part, wherein preferably the cap engages with a downwardly facing second abutment surface of the unitary plastic part. Plus a sealing ring, sealing disc or bead of sealant material applied inside the cap, so that is seals against the upper surface of the neck ring.
  • Fig. 1 shows a part of a cross-section of an open upper end of a metal can according to the state of the art
  • Fig. 2 shows a part of a cross-section of an open upper end of a metal can according to the present invention
  • Fig. 3 shows different alternative embodiments to the open upper end of a metal can shown in Fig. 2,
  • Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of a lid attachment attached to the open upper end of a metal can according to the present invention, The latest live design does not have a back wall! Please see new images I have sent for fig. 1 and fig. 2 (presentation attached to email),
  • Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of detail "D" in Fig. 4, The latest live design does not have a back wall! Please see new images I have sent for fig. 1 and fig. 2 (presentation attached to email),
  • Fig. 6-8 show different embodiments of the flange of an open upper end of a metal can and of the annular snap-on ring of the lid attachment
  • Fig. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a lid attachment with a mouthpiece
  • Fig. 10a, 10b and 10c show three-dimensional, perspective representations of the unitary plastic part according to figure 6,
  • Fig. 1 1 a, 1 1 b and 1 1 c show a further embodiment of the unitary plastic part without internal annular wall;
  • Fig. 12a, 12b show further details of the embodiment of figures 1 1 a to 1 1 c;
  • Fig. 13a and b depict further alternative embodiments of a unitary plastic part
  • Fig. 14a and b depict further embodiments of a unitary plastic part
  • Fig. 15a to 15c discloses an embodiment wherein a mechanical fixing ring is provided
  • Fig. 16a and 16b disclose an alternative embodiment where no hook-shaped annual snap-on ring is provided.
  • State of the art lid attachments for open upper ends of metal cans regularly involve a metal lid that is secured to the upper end of a can via a double-seam.
  • the open upper end, or neck, of a metal can 900 according to the state of the art as depicted in Fig. 1 therefore has a slightly outwardly curved flange 901 .
  • the flange 410 of the open upper end of a metal can 400 differs from the state of the art in that the flange 410 according to the invention has an annular upper face 41 1 with a radial extension S and an outwardly curved flange edge 412 that has an axial distance A from the upper face 41 1 measured in an axial direction of the metal can 400.
  • Fig. 3 depicts a variety of alternatives of flanges 41 Oa-I according to the present inven- tion. The details and advantages described herein apply accordingly to a variety of different flanges as exemplary depicted fig 3.
  • the flange 410 provides for easy, time- and cost-saving manufacturing on the one hand and, as will be understood from the following description with respect to the lid attachment 1 and its engagement with the flange 410 of the open upper end of a metal can 400, it also provides for a secure positive fit with the lid attachment 1 suitable for carbonated drinks as well as a time- and cost-saving assembly with the lid attachment 1 .
  • Fig. 4 depicts a lid attachment 1 according to the present invention including a unitary plastic part 100 attached to the open upper end of a metal can 400 and including a cap 300. Details with respect to the engagement of unitary plastic part 100 and open upper end of a metal can 400 as well as cap 300 after assembly are depicted in fig. 5.
  • the lid attachment 1 comprises a unitary plastic part 100 with a hook-shaped annular snap-on ring 105 with an upwardly facing abutment surface 101 and a downwardly facing sealing surface 102.
  • An axial distance between the abutment surface 101 and the sealing surface 102 corresponds to the axial distance (A as depicted in fig. 2) between the flange edge 412 and the upper face 41 1 of the metal can 400.
  • the hook- shaped annular snap-on ring 105 upwardly facing abutment surface 101 initially expands when the lid attachment 1 is pushed over the flange 410 of the can 400.
  • the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 of the annular snap-on ring 105 springs back behind the flange edge 412.
  • annular skirt 106 Extending from the annular snap-on ring 105 is an annular skirt 106, that encompasses neck of can from outside, when in use. Opposite to the annular skirt, an annular inner wall is provided so that metal can neck-wall 400 is situated between annular skirt 106 and annular inner wall 107.
  • the axial distance between the abutment surface 101 and the sealing surface 102 is slightly larger than the axial distance (A as depicted in fig. 2) between the flange edge 412 and the upper face 41 1 of a metal can 400 the lid attachment 1 is designed for.
  • the resulting gap is preferably filled by an adhesive 201 , 202, 203a, b as depicted in fig. 6-8.
  • outwardly curved flange edge 412 initially is compressed when the lid attachment 1 is attached to a can 400 and springs back behind the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 of the annular snap-on ring 105 when the lid attachment 1 is fully attached to the can 400 as shown in fig. 5.
  • the embodiment shown in fig. 4 and 5 further comprises a cap 300 designed for closing an opening 600 defined by the unitary plastic part 100.
  • the unitary plastic part 100 comprises a downwardly facing second abutment surface 103.
  • the cap 300 comprises a removable top part 301 and a tamper evidence ring 302.
  • tamper evidence ring 300 is encompassing the annular skirt 106.
  • the type of tamper evidence element shown in this embodiment is an example only and may be realized using other options and designs.
  • the top part 301 and the tamper evidence ring 302 Prior to use oft he can 400, i.e. prior to opening of the can 400, the top part 301 and the tamper evidence ring 302 are connected via one or several breakable straps 303.
  • the cap 300 can be removed from the unitary plastic part 100 preferably by twisting the top part 301 along a thread 500. Since the tamper evidence ring 302 is engaged with the downwardly facing second abutment surface 103, the straps 300 break on the first opening of the can 400 while the tamper evidence ring 302 stays on the can 400 and the only top part 301 of the cap 300 is removed. It is further preferred that the can is reclosable or resealable, i.e. that the top part 301 can be replaced to close the opening 600 defined by the unitary plastic part 100 again.
  • the cap 300 is flexible enough to be pushed over the downwardly facing second abutment surface 103 during assembly of the lid attachment 1 .
  • This allows for an easy production of the cap 300 since the top part 301 , the tamper evidence ring 302 and the straps 303 can be manufactured as one piece and assembled with the unitary plastic part 100 by pushing the cap 300 and the unitary plastic part 100 gainst each other.
  • the top part 301 of the 300 cap may comprise different solutions regarding mouthpieces, reclosable mechanisms and the like.
  • Fig. 6-8 depict three different exemplary embodiments of the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 of the unitary plastic part, the downwardly curved flange edge 412, and an adhesive 201 , 202, 203a, b between the sealing surface 102 and the upper face 41 1 .
  • the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 can be in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a can 400 as depicted in fig. 6 or in a slanted plane to the axis of a can 400, i.e. in a plane at an angle different from 90° to the axis of a can 400, as depicted in fig. 7.
  • the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 also can have a curved shape as depicted in fig. 8.
  • the downwardly curved flange edge 412 can have a straight edge as depicted in fig. 6-7 or a slanted edge as depicted in fig. 8.
  • an adhesive 201 , 203a is applied to the sealing surface 102 as can be seen from fig. 6 and 8.
  • the adhesive 203b further reaches down to the space between the downwardly curved flange edge 412 and the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 .
  • adhesive 202 it is preferred to apply adhesive 202 to the downwardly curved flange edge 412 as depicted in fig. 7 so that an adhesive bond is formed between the downwardly curved flange edge 412 and the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 .
  • Fig. 9 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a mouthpiece 304 closing the opening 600 defined by the unitary plastic part 100.
  • the mouthpiece 304 can be part of a cap 300, preferably part of the top part 301 of the cap 300.
  • Fig. 10a, 10b and 10c reveal further details of an embodiment according to figure 6 and are three-dimensional, perspective representations of the unitary plastic part according to figure 6.
  • Fig. 1 1 a, 1 1 1 b and 1 1 c show a further embodiment of the unitary plastic part 100 wherein the internal wall 107 is omitted.
  • Fig. 12a and 12b reveal further details of the preferred embodiment according to figures 1 1 a to 1 1 c.
  • the unitary plastic part 100 of the embodiment of figures 1 1 and 12 lacks annular inner wall 107 as compared to the embodiments of figures 4 to 8.
  • the embodiment of figure 12 a otherwise corres- ponds to the embodiment of figure 4 and the embodiment of figure 12b corresponds to the embodiment of figure 5 except for the lack of the annular inner wall.
  • the lack of the annular inner wall in the embodiments of figures 1 1 and 12 leads to a preferred location of adhesive as indicated by 204.
  • Fig. 13a, 13b, 14a and 14b depict further embodiments of a unitary plastic part 100 wherein the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring 105 together with the annular skirt 106 extending there from are made pivotable so that they can flip from an orientation shown in fig. 13a, 13b, 14a and 15b to an orientation as shown in figures 15b and c.
  • Such flipping over of the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring 105 and the annular skirt 106 can e.g. be induced by screwing or pressing a cap like cap 300 on to a unitary plastic part 100; see figure 13b.
  • Slots 108 maybe provided in order to reduce the force required to flip down the hook- shaped annular snap-on ring 105 together with skirt 106; refer to fig. 14a and b.
  • Fig. 15a discloses an embodiment wherein a mechanical fixing ring 700 is provided that is permanently attached to the unitary plastic part 100 after attaching unitary plastic part 100 to a can.
  • the mechanical fixing ring 700 surrounds annular skirt 107 near the free end thereof and provides that the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring 105 and the annular skirt 106 are maintained in a position and/or orientation where they are securely and tightly attached to a can neck.
  • Fig. 16a and 16b disclose an alternative embodiment where no hook-shaped annual snap-on ring is provided but only an annualar skirt.
  • the unitary plastic part according to the embodiment of fig. 16a and 16b is attached to a can neck e.g. by a way of a adhesive.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a lid attachment for a metal can (400) having an open upper end with a flange (410) forming an annular upper face (411) and an outwardly curved flange edge (412), wherein the lid attachment comprises a unitary plastic part (100) comprising a snap-on ring (105) with an abutment surface (101) and a sealing surface (102) and an adhesive applied to the sealing surface wherein an axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface corresponds to the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of the metal can wherein the lid attachment is designed for such that the abutment surface initially expands when the lid attachment is attached to a can and the abutment surface springs back behind the flange edge when fully attached. The invention further relates to a method of attaching a lid to a metal can.

Description

Lid attachment for metal can and method of attaching a lid to a metal can
The invention relates to a lid attachment for a metal can. The invention further relates to a method of attaching a lid to a metal can. Particularly, a lid attachment for a metal beverage can and a method for attaching a lid to a metal beverage can are provided.
Lid attachments for metal cans, particularly metal beverage cans, usually comprise a metal lid that is secured to the metal can via a double seam. However, manufacturing of this double seam is complex, time-consuming and expensive.
It is also known to provide lid attachments comprising plastic materials from US 4,236,629, US 4,568,006, EP 0 320 808 A1 and EP 0 779 227 A1 . However, the solutions disclosed in these documents are at least as complex, time-consuming and expensive to manufacture as the known metal to metal lid attachments using a double seam. Further lid attachments comprising plastic materials are known from EP 0 620 160 A2, WO 2007/015752 A2, US 2008/0290105 A1 and WO 2009/060207 A1 . The solutions disclosed in these documents show different kinds of projections on the outer periphery of the upper end of the can. But these projections are also complex, time-consuming and expensive to manufacture and are further not suitable for thin-walled contemporary metal beverage cans. It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a lid attachment for a metal can, that provides for an alternative to current metal lids. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a lid attachment for a metal can, a metal can and a method of attaching a lid to a metal can that are suitable for thin-walled metal cans for storing carbonated beverages.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a lid attachment for a metal can is provided having an open upper end with a flange forming an annular upper face and exhibiting an outwardly or inwardly curved flange edge that has an axial distance from the upper face measured in an axial direction of the metal can, wherein the lid attachment comprises a unitary plastic part and an adhesive, wherein the unitary plastic part comprises a hook- shaped annular snap-on ring with an upwardly facing abutment surface and a downwardly facing sealing surface, wherein an axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface corresponds to the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of the metal can, wherein the lid attachment is designed for such that the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring upwardly facing abutment surface initially elastically deforms outwards (in the case of an outwardly curved flange edge) or elastically deforms inwards (in the case of an inwardly curved flange) when the lid attachment is attached to a can and the upwardly facing abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring springs back behind the flange edge when fully attached to a can, and wherein the adhesive is applied to the sealing surface.
The lid attachment according to the present invention comprises a unitary plastic part which is meant to be a one-piece-element made of plastic material. Preferably, the unitary plastic part is formed using injection molding. The provision of such a unitary plastic part potentially has the advantage that fewer parts need to be handled during assembly of the lid attachment and the open upper end of the metal can, resulting in a manufacturing and assembly process that is less complex, time- and cost-intensive.
It is noted that the unitary plastic part can for instance be a complete lid or it can be designed to be complemented to a lid, e.g. screw on neck that may be complemented by a screw on lid. To further facilitate the assembly of the lid attachment and the open upper end of the metal can the invention provides for a hook-shaped annular snap-on ring with an upwardly facing abutment surface, i.e. a ring-shaped part of the unitary plastic part that is flexible enough to slip over the diameter of the outwardly curved flange of the open upper end of the can while being pushed over the upper end of the can in axial direction of the metal can during assembly. When the hook-shaped annular snap-on-ring with the upwardly facing abutment surface has passed the outwardly curved flange edge during assembly, this ring-shaped element of the unitary plastic part shows resilient characteristics and moves back into a shape with a diameter smaller than the upwardly curved flange edge. This allows for an time- and cost-efficient production process of the unitary plastic part as well as a time- and cost-efficient assembly process of the lid attachment and the open upper end of the can, since a linear process pushing the lid attachment and the can against each other in axial direction of the can is sufficient rather than a process involving rotation of the can for forming a double seam. Since according to the invention the axial extension of the outwardly curved flange, i.e. the distance from the outwardly curved flange edge to the annular upper face, and the axial extension of that part of the unitary plastic part between the sealing surface and the upwardly facing abutment surface correspond, the lid attachment and the open upper end of the metal form a positive fitting after assembly suitable to withstand an internal pres- sure in a can containing beverages, different kinds of food etc., particularly an internal pressure of up to 6.2 bar in a metal can containing carbonated beverages.
In addition to this positive fit between the lid attachment and the open upper end of the metal can an adhesive bond between the two parts is provided for, more precisely between the sealing surface of the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring and the annular upper face of the flange of the open upper end of the metal can. This creates the bond strength between the lid attachment and the can in order to provide for an arrangement able to withstand internal pressure due to storage of carbonated beverages in the can.
A further advantage of the present invention is hat the upper end of a metal can receiving the lid attachment according to the present invention can be shaped as a flange project- ing outwardly and downwardly with respect to the opening defined by the open upper end of the can. In order to form the inventive shape of a flange with an annular upper face and an outwardly curved flange and with an axial distance from the annular upper face in axial direction of the metal can, the open upper end of the metal can is curled. Thus the can can be produced easily and time- and cost saving without significant changes to the can manufacturing process. This curl of the flange could feasibly also be inwards.
The invention may be improved in that an inner diameter of the snap-on ring is smaller than a diameter of a flange edge of a metal can the lid attachment is adapted for. According to this embodiment the unitary plastic part, particularly the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring, is flexible enough to expand such that the inner diameter of the snap-on ring in a non-expanded state can be enlarged to a diameter of at least the extension of the diameter of the flange edge during assembly. The invention may be improved in that the axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface is slightly larger than the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of a metal can the lid attachment is designed for. This embodiment may be an addition or an alternative to the previously described embodiments.
According to this embodiment, the axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface does not correspond exactly to the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of a metal can the lid attachment is designed for. In this case, a clearance in the positive fit between the lid attachment and the metal can may occur. This embodiment is particularly preferred in cases where an additional adhesive bond is provided for between the sealing surface and the upper face, particularly an adhesive bond as described with respect with the following embodiments.
The invention may be improved in that the adhesive includes an activation mechanism that activates an adhesive effect and/or an increase in volume of the adhesive in the presence of an activation trigger, wherein the activation trigger is pressure and/or air and/or moisture and/or heat and and/or a contact of at least two adhesive components and/or an absence of air. It is further preferred that the adhesive includes an expansive material and/or a material sensitive to pressure and/or air and/or moisture and/or heat and and/or a contact of another adhesive components and/or an absence of air.
To provide for the adhesive bond between the sealing surface of the lid attachment and the upper face of the metal can it is preferred that the adhesive material only exhibits its adhesive characteristics after it is activated. This has the advantage, that the adhesive can be applied in an early stage of the production or assembly process without causing problems due to the adhesive characteristics. These characteristics are preferably only activated in a stage of the process where the adhesive effect is desired.
This activation of the adhesive can be initiated by one or more of the following activation triggers: One activation trigger may be pressure that is applied to the adhesive. In this case, the adhesive preferably is microencapsulated such that the microcapsules brake when a certain pressure is applied. Preferably, the pressure needed for activating the adhesive corresponds to a pressure occurring during the assembly of the lid attachment to the open upper end of the metal can. Alternatively or in addition the adhesive might be of cyanoacrylate-type that is activated by the presence of air and/or moisture. A further activation trigger might be the contact between two adhesive components that leads to a chemical reaction between the two components, e.g. a 2K-epoxy-adhesive. Further still, an adhesive material might be activated by a heat source leading to a chemical reaction of the adhesive material (e.g. 1 K-epoxy-adhesive). A heat source may activate an adhesive material also by melting e.g. hot melt adhesives or meltable plastic adhesives. Fur- ther still, also the lack of air can be a preferred activation trigger for e.g. anaerobic adhesives. It is preferred that the material of the adhesive is adapted to the kind of activation trigger used.
Further, it is preferred to provide an adhesive material that has an expansive effect. In this embodiment it is preferred that the activation trigger initiates the expansion of the extensive material. The provision of an expansive material has the advantage that this expansive material will fill up possible gaps between the lid attachment and the open upper end of the can when activated and thus provide for a particularly tight seal between the lid attachment and the open upper end of the can.
The invention can be improved in that the lid attachment, particularly the adhesive, is designed for a permanent fixation of the lid attachment, particularly the unitary plastic part, to a can.
The provision for a permanent fixation of the lid attachment to the open upper end of the can, i.e. a non-removable attachment of the lid to the open upper end of the metal can, is particularly preferred because of the advantage that the fixing of the lid attachment to the open upper end of the metal can is permanent in a sense that during the general lifetime of a beverage can and during common handling conditions the lid attachment cannot be removed from the open upper end of the can applying common forces that apply during handling, transport, storage and sales or intended use of the beverage can.
The invention can be further improved in that the lid attachment and the flange are de- signed for such that the outwardly curved flange edge initially is compressed when the lid attachment is attached to a can and springs back behind the upwardly facing abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring when it is fully attached to a can. This embodiment is preferred in order to reduce or eliminate the requirement of flexibility of the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring of the unitary plastic part of the lid attachment. When the outwardly curved flange edge is flexible in that it can be compressed during assembly of the lid attachment, the upwardly abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring needs to expand less or not at all while the annular snap-on ring is being pushed over the outwardly curved flange during the assembly process. In order to provide for a positive fit between the lid attachment and the open upper end of the can, the outwardly curved flange edge is resilient and moves back into its un-deformed shape after the upwardly faced abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring has passed the outwardly curved flange edge.
This embodiment allows for a balanced design of the outwardly curved flange edge and the annular snap-on ring with the upwardly faced abutment surface and the respective materials of the flange and the snap-on ring in order to provide the actual combination of flexibility and resilience in the two parts required for the inventive engagement and posi- tive fit in the assembled state as well as for an easy push-on assembly process.
The invention can be further improved in that the lid attachment further comprises a cap designed for closing an opening defined by the unitary plastic part.
In order to access the contents of the metal can, particularly a beverage contained in a metal beverage can, the lid attachment includes a cap in addition to the unitary plastic part. The cap closes an opening in the unitary plastic part during handling, transport and storage of the metal can. During intended use of the metal can, its contents need to be accessed and therefore the cap is designed to be at least partly detached from the opening during intended use. The cap may be fully removed or still be connected to the unitary plastic part after opening. Further, the cap might be a reselable cap i.e. the cap might be designed to open and close the opening defined by the unitary plastic part more than once. The cap may comprise metal or plastic material or consist thereof. For example, the cap may comprise alloys of aluminum, steel etc.
This embodiment has the advantage that only the unitary plastic part needs to be specifically designed to engage with the open upper end of the metal can. The cap, however only engages with the unitary plastic part and thus a variety of caps designed for different purposes can be fitted onto one design of the unitary plastic part. Thus, the assembly process of the lid attachment with the engagement of the unitary plastic part and the open upper end of the can can remain unchanged or nearly unchanged while at the same time providing for a variety of different opening mechanisms of the can.
The invention can be further improved in that the unitary plastic part comprises a downwardly facing second abutment surface designed for engaging with the cap. In a particularly preferred embodiment the unitary plastic part is fitted with a second abutment service for a positive fit with the cap. A particularly preferred embodiment provides for a flexible cap with an annular cap ring with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the downwardly facing second abutment surface of the unitary plastic part, wherein the annular cap ring initially expands when the cap is attached to the unitary plastic part and the annular cap ring springs back behind the downwardly facing second abutment surface of the unitary plastic part when the cap is fully attached to the unitary plastic part. The annular cap ring can for instance be a tamper evidence ring. In this way a time- and cost-efficient procedure to assemble the cap and the unitary plastic part can be provided by pushing both parts relatively against each other. Should also mention use of a sealing ring or a sealing 'disc of material' or a sealing 'bead of sealant' between the cap and the neck ring. This is essential to create a tight seal between the cap and the plastic ring.
The assembly of the cap and the unitary plastic part as well as the assembly of the unitary plastic part and the open upper end of the can can be realized in the same or succeed- ing assembly process steps. Alternatively, it can be preferred to assemble the cap and the unitary plastic part separately and provide a lid attachment of the cap already assembled to the unitary plastic part to the further process of assembling this pre-assembled lid attachment to the open upper end of the can.
According to a further aspect to the invention, a metal can is provided having an open upper end with a flange forming an annular upper face and exhibiting an outwardly curved flange edge that has an axial distance from the upper face measured in an axial direction of the metal can, characterized in that the metal can comprises a lid attachment according to the invention as described herein.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of attaching a metal lid to a metal can is provided comprising the steps providing a metal can having an open upper end with a flange forming an annular upper face and exhibiting an outwardly curved flange edge that has an axial distance from the upper face measured in an axial direction of the metal can, providing a lid attachment comprising a unitary plastic part with a hook-shaped annular snap-on ring with an upwardly facing abutment surface and a downwardly facing sealing surface wherein an axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface corresponds to the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of the metal can, applying an adhesive to the sealing surface, attaching the lid attachment to the metal can wherein the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring upwardly facing abutment surface initially expands and the upwardly facing abutment surface of the annular snap- on ring springs back behind the flange edge when fully attached to a can.
The method according to the invention can be improved in that attaching the lid attachment to the metal can comprises that the outwardly curved flange edge initially is compressed when the lid attachment is attached to a can and springs back behind the upwardly facing abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring when it is fully attached to a can.
The method according to the invention can be further improved by the step activating an adhesive effect and/or an increase in volume of the adhesive in the presence of an activation trigger, wherein the activation trigger is pressure and/or air and/or moisture and/or heat and and/or a contact of at least two adhesive components and/or an absence of air. The method according to the invention can be further improved by the step providing a permanent fixation of the lid attachment, particularly the unitary plastic part, preferably via the adhesive, to a can.
The method according to the invention can be further improved by the step attaching a cap to the unitary plastic part such that the cap closes an opening defined by the unitary plastic part, wherein preferably the cap engages with a downwardly facing second abutment surface of the unitary plastic part. Plus a sealing ring, sealing disc or bead of sealant material applied inside the cap, so that is seals against the upper surface of the neck ring.
As to the advantages, preferred embodiments in details of these further aspects and preferred embodiments, reference is made to the corresponding aspects and embodiments described above. Preferred embodiments of the invention shall now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which
Fig. 1 : shows a part of a cross-section of an open upper end of a metal can according to the state of the art,
Fig. 2: shows a part of a cross-section of an open upper end of a metal can according to the present invention,
Fig. 3: shows different alternative embodiments to the open upper end of a metal can shown in Fig. 2,
Fig. 4: shows a cross-section of a lid attachment attached to the open upper end of a metal can according to the present invention, The latest live design does not have a back wall! Please see new images I have sent for fig. 1 and fig. 2 (presentation attached to email),
Fig. 5: shows an enlarged view of detail "D" in Fig. 4, The latest live design does not have a back wall! Please see new images I have sent for fig. 1 and fig. 2 (presentation attached to email),
Fig. 6-8: show different embodiments of the flange of an open upper end of a metal can and of the annular snap-on ring of the lid attachment,
Fig. 9: shows an exemplary embodiment of a lid attachment with a mouthpiece;
Fig. 10a, 10b and 10c: show three-dimensional, perspective representations of the unitary plastic part according to figure 6,
Fig. 1 1 a, 1 1 b and 1 1 c: show a further embodiment of the unitary plastic part without internal annular wall;,
Fig. 12a, 12b: show further details of the embodiment of figures 1 1 a to 1 1 c;
Fig. 13a and b: depict further alternative embodiments of a unitary plastic part, Fig. 14a and b: depict further embodiments of a unitary plastic part,
Fig. 15a to 15c:: discloses an embodiment wherein a mechanical fixing ring is provided,
Fig. 16a and 16b: disclose an alternative embodiment where no hook-shaped annual snap-on ring is provided. State of the art lid attachments for open upper ends of metal cans regularly involve a metal lid that is secured to the upper end of a can via a double-seam. The open upper end, or neck, of a metal can 900 according to the state of the art as depicted in Fig. 1 therefore has a slightly outwardly curved flange 901 .
As can be seen from Fig. 2, according to the invention the flange 410 of the open upper end of a metal can 400 differs from the state of the art in that the flange 410 according to the invention has an annular upper face 41 1 with a radial extension S and an outwardly curved flange edge 412 that has an axial distance A from the upper face 41 1 measured in an axial direction of the metal can 400.
Fig. 3 depicts a variety of alternatives of flanges 41 Oa-I according to the present inven- tion. The details and advantages described herein apply accordingly to a variety of different flanges as exemplary depicted fig 3.
The flange 410 provides for easy, time- and cost-saving manufacturing on the one hand and, as will be understood from the following description with respect to the lid attachment 1 and its engagement with the flange 410 of the open upper end of a metal can 400, it also provides for a secure positive fit with the lid attachment 1 suitable for carbonated drinks as well as a time- and cost-saving assembly with the lid attachment 1 .
Fig. 4 depicts a lid attachment 1 according to the present invention including a unitary plastic part 100 attached to the open upper end of a metal can 400 and including a cap 300. Details with respect to the engagement of unitary plastic part 100 and open upper end of a metal can 400 as well as cap 300 after assembly are depicted in fig. 5.
The lid attachment 1 comprises a unitary plastic part 100 with a hook-shaped annular snap-on ring 105 with an upwardly facing abutment surface 101 and a downwardly facing sealing surface 102. An axial distance between the abutment surface 101 and the sealing surface 102 corresponds to the axial distance (A as depicted in fig. 2) between the flange edge 412 and the upper face 41 1 of the metal can 400. During assembly the hook- shaped annular snap-on ring 105 upwardly facing abutment surface 101 initially expands when the lid attachment 1 is pushed over the flange 410 of the can 400. In the assembled state shown in fig. 5, the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 of the annular snap-on ring 105 springs back behind the flange edge 412.
Extending from the annular snap-on ring 105 is an annular skirt 106, that encompasses neck of can from outside, when in use. Opposite to the annular skirt, an annular inner wall is provided so that metal can neck-wall 400 is situated between annular skirt 106 and annular inner wall 107.
As can be further seen from fig. 5, the axial distance between the abutment surface 101 and the sealing surface 102 is slightly larger than the axial distance (A as depicted in fig. 2) between the flange edge 412 and the upper face 41 1 of a metal can 400 the lid attachment 1 is designed for. The resulting gap is preferably filled by an adhesive 201 , 202, 203a, b as depicted in fig. 6-8.
It is further preferred, that outwardly curved flange edge 412 initially is compressed when the lid attachment 1 is attached to a can 400 and springs back behind the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 of the annular snap-on ring 105 when the lid attachment 1 is fully attached to the can 400 as shown in fig. 5. The embodiment shown in fig. 4 and 5 further comprises a cap 300 designed for closing an opening 600 defined by the unitary plastic part 100. For engagement with the cap 300 the unitary plastic part 100 comprises a downwardly facing second abutment surface 103. The cap 300 comprises a removable top part 301 and a tamper evidence ring 302. In the embodiment of figures 4 and 5, tamper evidence ring 300 is encompassing the annular skirt 106. The type of tamper evidence element shown in this embodiment is an example only and may be realized using other options and designs. Prior to use oft he can 400, i.e. prior to opening of the can 400, the top part 301 and the tamper evidence ring 302 are connected via one or several breakable straps 303. The cap 300 can be removed from the unitary plastic part 100 preferably by twisting the top part 301 along a thread 500. Since the tamper evidence ring 302 is engaged with the downwardly facing second abutment surface 103, the straps 300 break on the first opening of the can 400 while the tamper evidence ring 302 stays on the can 400 and the only top part 301 of the cap 300 is removed. It is further preferred that the can is reclosable or resealable, i.e. that the top part 301 can be replaced to close the opening 600 defined by the unitary plastic part 100 again.
Further, it is preferred that the cap 300, particularly the tamper evidence ring 302, is flexible enough to be pushed over the downwardly facing second abutment surface 103 during assembly of the lid attachment 1 . This allows for an easy production of the cap 300 since the top part 301 , the tamper evidence ring 302 and the straps 303 can be manufactured as one piece and assembled with the unitary plastic part 100 by pushing the cap 300 and the unitary plastic part 100 gainst each other. The top part 301 of the 300 cap may comprise different solutions regarding mouthpieces, reclosable mechanisms and the like.
Fig. 6-8 depict three different exemplary embodiments of the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 of the unitary plastic part, the downwardly curved flange edge 412, and an adhesive 201 , 202, 203a, b between the sealing surface 102 and the upper face 41 1 . The upwardly facing abutment surface 101 can be in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a can 400 as depicted in fig. 6 or in a slanted plane to the axis of a can 400, i.e. in a plane at an angle different from 90° to the axis of a can 400, as depicted in fig. 7. The upwardly facing abutment surface 101 also can have a curved shape as depicted in fig. 8. The downwardly curved flange edge 412 can have a straight edge as depicted in fig. 6-7 or a slanted edge as depicted in fig. 8.
According to the invention, an adhesive 201 , 203a is applied to the sealing surface 102 as can be seen from fig. 6 and 8. In fig. 8 the adhesive 203b further reaches down to the space between the downwardly curved flange edge 412 and the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 . Alternatively or in addition it is preferred to apply adhesive 202 to the downwardly curved flange edge 412 as depicted in fig. 7 so that an adhesive bond is formed between the downwardly curved flange edge 412 and the upwardly facing abutment surface 101 .
Fig. 9 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a mouthpiece 304 closing the opening 600 defined by the unitary plastic part 100. Alternatively to being directly attached to the unitary plastic part 100 the mouthpiece 304 can be part of a cap 300, preferably part of the top part 301 of the cap 300. Fig. 10a, 10b and 10c reveal further details of an embodiment according to figure 6 and are three-dimensional, perspective representations of the unitary plastic part according to figure 6.
Fig. 1 1 a, 1 1 b and 1 1 c show a further embodiment of the unitary plastic part 100 wherein the internal wall 107 is omitted.
Fig. 12a and 12b reveal further details of the preferred embodiment according to figures 1 1 a to 1 1 c. As can be taken from figures 12a and 12b, the unitary plastic part 100 of the embodiment of figures 1 1 and 12 lacks annular inner wall 107 as compared to the embodiments of figures 4 to 8. It is noted that the embodiment of figure 12 a otherwise corres- ponds to the embodiment of figure 4 and the embodiment of figure 12b corresponds to the embodiment of figure 5 except for the lack of the annular inner wall. The lack of the annular inner wall in the embodiments of figures 1 1 and 12 leads to a preferred location of adhesive as indicated by 204.
Fig. 13a, 13b, 14a and 14b depict further embodiments of a unitary plastic part 100 wherein the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring 105 together with the annular skirt 106 extending there from are made pivotable so that they can flip from an orientation shown in fig. 13a, 13b, 14a and 15b to an orientation as shown in figures 15b and c. Such flipping over of the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring 105 and the annular skirt 106 can e.g. be induced by screwing or pressing a cap like cap 300 on to a unitary plastic part 100; see figure 13b.
Slots 108 maybe provided in order to reduce the force required to flip down the hook- shaped annular snap-on ring 105 together with skirt 106; refer to fig. 14a and b.
Fig. 15a discloses an embodiment wherein a mechanical fixing ring 700 is provided that is permanently attached to the unitary plastic part 100 after attaching unitary plastic part 100 to a can. The mechanical fixing ring 700 surrounds annular skirt 107 near the free end thereof and provides that the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring 105 and the annular skirt 106 are maintained in a position and/or orientation where they are securely and tightly attached to a can neck.
Fig. 16a and 16b disclose an alternative embodiment where no hook-shaped annual snap-on ring is provided but only an annualar skirt. The unitary plastic part according to the embodiment of fig. 16a and 16b is attached to a can neck e.g. by a way of a adhesive.

Claims

A lid attachment (1) for a metal can (400) having an open upper end with a flange (410) forming an annular upper face (41 1) and exhibiting a curved flange edge (412) that has an axial distance (A) from the upper face measured in an axial direction of the metal can,
- wherein the lid attachment comprises a unitary plastic part (100) and an adhesive (201 , 202, 203a, b),
- wherein the unitary plastic part comprises a hook-shaped annular snap- on ring (105) with an upwardly facing abutment surface (101) and a downwardly facing sealing surface (102),
- wherein an axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface corresponds to the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of the metal can,
- wherein the lid attachment is designed for such that the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring upwardly facing abutment surface initially elastically deforms when the lid attachment is attached to a can and the upwardly facing abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring springs back behind the flange edge when fully attached to a can, and
- wherein the adhesive is applied to the sealing surface.
The lid attachment (1) of claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter of the snap-on ring (105) is smaller than a diameter of a flange edge (412) of a metal can (400) the lid attachment is adapted for.
The lid attachment (1) of claim 1 , wherein the axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface is slightly larger than the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of a metal can the lid attachment is designed for.
The lid attachment (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive (201 , 202, 203a, b) includes an activation mechanism that activates an adhesive effect and/or an increase in volume of the adhesive in the presence of an activation trigger, wherein the activation trigger is pressure and/or air and/or moisture and/or heat and and/or a contact of at least two adhesive components and/or an absence of air. The lid attachment (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive (201 , 202, 203a, b) includes an expansive material and/or a material sensitive to pressure and/or air and/or moisture and/or heat and and/or a contact of another adhesive components and/or an absence of air.
The lid attachment (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid attachment, particularly the adhesive (201 , 202, 203a, b), is designed for a permanent fixation of the lid attachment, particularly the unitary plastic part (100), to a can (400).
The lid attachment (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid attachment and the flange are designed for such that the outwardly curved flange edge initially is compressed when the lid attachment is attached to a can and springs back behind the upwardly facing abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring when it is fully attached to a can.
The lid attachment (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid attachment further comprises a cap (300) designed for closing an opening (600) defined by the unitary plastic part.
The lid attachment (1) of the preceding claim, wherein the unitary plastic part (100) comprises a downwardly facing second abutment surface (103) designed for engaging with the cap (300).
Metal can (400) having an open upper end with a flange (410) forming an annular upper face (41 1) and exhibiting an outwardly curved flange edge (412) that has an axial distance (A) from the upper face measured in an axial direction of the metal can, characterized in that the metal can comprises a lid attachment (1) of any one of the preceding claims.
Method of attaching a lid to a metal can (400) comprising the steps
- providing a metal can having an open upper end with a flange (410) forming an annular upper face (41 1) and exhibiting an outwardly curved flange edge (412) that has an axial distance (A) from the upper face measured in an axial direction of the metal can, providing a lid attachment (1) comprising a unitary plastic part (100) with a hook-shaped annular snap-on ring (105) with an upwardly facing abutment surface (101) and a downwardly facing sealing surface (102) wherein an axial distance between the abutment surface and the sealing surface corresponds to the axial distance between the flange edge and the upper face of the metal can,
applying an adhesive (201 , 202, 203a, b) to the sealing surface, attaching the lid attachment to the metal can wherein the hook-shaped annular snap-on ring upwardly facing abutment surface initially expands and the upwardly facing abutment surface of the annular snap-on ring springs back behind the flange edge when fully attached to a can.
The method of the preceding claim, wherein attaching the lid attachment (1) to the metal can comprises that the outwardly curved flange edge (412) initially is compressed when the lid attachment is attached to a can and springs back behind the upwardly facing abutment surface (101) of the annular snap-on ring (105) when it is fully attached to a can (400).
The method of any one of the two preceding claims, comprising the step
- activating an adhesive effect and/or an increase in volume of the adhesive (201 , 202, 203a, b) in the presence of an activation trigger, wherein the activation trigger is pressure and/or air and/or moisture and/or heat and and/or a contact of at least two adhesive components and/or an absence of air.
The method of any of the preceding claims 1 1 -13, further comprising the step
- Providing a permanent fixation of the lid attachment (1), particularly the unitary plastic part (100), preferably via the adhesive (201 , 202, 203a, b), to a can.
The method of any of the preceding claims 1 1 -14, further comprising the step
- attaching a cap (300) to the unitary plastic part (100) such that the cap closes an opening (600) defined by the unitary plastic part, wherein preferably the cap engages with a downwardly facing second abutment surface (103) of the unitary plastic part.
EP11743081.9A 2010-08-13 2011-08-12 Lid attachment for metal can and method of attaching a lid to a metal can Withdrawn EP2603437A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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EP11743081.9A EP2603437A1 (en) 2010-08-13 2011-08-12 Lid attachment for metal can and method of attaching a lid to a metal can

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10172816A EP2418157A1 (en) 2010-08-13 2010-08-13 Lid attachment for metal can and method of attaching a lid to a metal can
PCT/EP2011/064001 WO2012028443A1 (en) 2010-08-13 2011-08-12 Lid attachment for metal can and method of attaching a lid to a metal can
EP11743081.9A EP2603437A1 (en) 2010-08-13 2011-08-12 Lid attachment for metal can and method of attaching a lid to a metal can

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EP2603437A1 true EP2603437A1 (en) 2013-06-19

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EP11743081.9A Withdrawn EP2603437A1 (en) 2010-08-13 2011-08-12 Lid attachment for metal can and method of attaching a lid to a metal can

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