ES2348934T3 - CAN, AND A BODY AND PANEL OF THE SAME. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a can, comprising a body provided with a panel, wherein the panel is provided with a tab comprising a front tab part and a rear tab part for gripping in forming by engagement of the front tab part with the panel of an opening in the panel, wherein the panel is provided with a flip panel area at least beneath the rear tab part, which panel area forms a depression beneath the rear tab part dependent on a negative pressure difference over the panel, and to a body and panel for such can.

Description

Can, and a body and panel thereof.

The present invention relates to a can, and to a body and a panel of it.

This can according to the invention can be the kind that has a so-called easy-close closure. A closure easy opener is a metal closure for a can in which you can form an opening using one or more fingers and without the need to An independent opening tool. For this the can is provided with a tongue to form an opening in the panel of the can. The tongue works like a lever. A can of this type is known from US 3930592.

The tongue comprises a rear part of the tab that must be grabbed by the user. Prying or tilting the tongue acts on the front of the tongue. The action by leverage or inclination produces the perforation of an initial opening in the panel. The opening is defined by a tear line. Normally tear line It is circumferential. With the tongue in an upright position you It forms a maximum perforation opening. Pull the tongue out produces panel tear. Finally doing turn the panel it separates from the can and forms the opening From the can.

The can according to the invention also you can make a smaller opening by the action of tongue leverage, thereby forming a small opening just enough to empty the contents of the can.

Users of can types previously described sometimes find a problem when grabbing the part rear of the tongue. Normally, this requires that it be inserted a nail or the tip of a finger between the panel and the back of the tongue to start the gripping action.

The invention aims to improve the action of initial grip by the user. This improvement occurs under the condition that other functions of the can and the tongue, such such as manufacturing, filling, handling and opening the can by the tongue, are not affected.

The present invention is based on the understanding that the cans can have, after filling and closing, an internal pressure that is less than the ambient atmospheric pressure. There is a negative pressure difference on the panel. This negative pressure difference may be the result of hot filling and / or cooking of the contents of the can before closing it. After closing and cooling, the gas phase above the content will reduce its volume, thereby generating a negative pressure difference on the panel and the surroundings. This negative pressure difference is used to make the panel acquire a sunken or concave shape. These shapes produce an increase in the space below the back of the tongue. The greater space improves the grip action. Obviously, this change in the panel occurs after the manufacture of the can and the panel, after filling and closing. Substantially there is no interference with the traditional handling of cans of this
kind.

Therefore, the present invention provides a panel according to claim 12, a body according to claim 11 and a can according to the claim 1.

The deformable panel can be shaped by providing to the panel of a particular structure and / or giving the panel a different thickness in the deformable area of the panel. In essence it is it is necessary that the deformable area of the panel has a greater flexibility than other parts of the panel so that by the negative pressure difference the concave shape is provided under the back tongue.

It is noted that jars, cans and bottles for Fruit juice and jams may be provided with a lid threaded having a deformable area of the similar panel. But nevertheless, These screw caps are not provided with a tongue.

According to a first embodiment the area deformable panel switches between a concave shape and a shape flat depending on the difference in negative pressure on the panel. In this way, when the pressure difference is neutralized negative the deformable panel changes from a concave shape to a shape substantially flat.

According to another embodiment, the deformable area of the panel changes between a concave shape and a convex shape depending on a negative pressure on the panel. Providing a convex shape to the deformable part of the panel does not interfere with the opening action using the tongue because said tongue is then in a more inclined position away from the deformable area of the
panel.

According to a preferred embodiment the deformable area of the panel is part of a stepped structure. By consequently, there is a better area in the stepped structure controlled in which deformation of the part could take place deformable panel. In this regard it is preferable from a consumer perspective that the deformable area of the panel is a central step structure.

According to another embodiment, the panel is provided with an oblique or gradually descending shape (when there is a negative pressure difference). However, when the pressure difference is neutralized the deformable area of the panel changes from the oblique concave shape to a flat or
convex

In order to precisely define or limit the substantial horizontal position of the tongue before opening the can, it is preferable that the movement of the tongue is limited by a support structure of the panel. According to one embodiment, the structure of the panel is in the form of a recess on which the tongue can be supported or by which the downward movement of the tongue part is limited. Although it is preferable that the deformable area of the panel is located in the central part of the panel, other positions are also suitable
off center

The panel can be connected to the body of the can by any known means. The panel can be unitary with the body or can be connected by any means, such as welding, tinning and the like. It is preferable that the panel is tinned to the body of the can.

The mentioned characteristics and others characteristics of the can, body and panel according to the invention will be illustrated in greater detail by means of the following examples, which are provided for illustrative purposes and not they intend to limit the present invention in any way, while They refer to the following drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a can according to the invention;

Figures 2A and 2B are a cross section. which follows the line II-II given in figure 1 and that shows the change of the deformable area of the panel according to the invention;

Figures 3A and 3B show an alternative of the can according to the invention; Y

Figures 4A / 4B and 5A / 5B show other alternatives.

Figure 1 shows a can 1 according to the invention. The can comprises a body 2, a top panel 3 and a bottom panel 4. Top panel 3 and bottom panel 4 are tinned to body 2 by means of a cord connection 5.

The upper panel 3 is provided with a tongue 6 traditional. The tongue 6 comprises a front part 7 of the tongue and a rear part 8 of the tongue. Part 8 rear of the tongue is provided with an opening 9 within which the user can insert a finger.

Tab 6 is connected to upper panel 3 by means of a rivet 10. Other methods for connecting the tab 6 include welding with metallic input material or plastic. The rivet 10 can be an independent rivet or can have been formed of material that comes from the top panel and having been shaped like a rivet.

The panel is equipped with a line 11 of tear, which has a circular shape. Tear line defines the opening in can 1.

The can is opened by inserting a finger or a nail through under the back 8 of the tongue in a so-called 12 grip space. The leverage or inclination of the tongue 6 produces a perforation in the front part 7 of the tongue in the tear line 11 by a movement illustrated in the figure 2B.

Figure 2A shows more in detail and in section transversal upper panel 3 according to the invention. The panel Upper 3 is provided with a stepped structure 13 which has three concentric staggered 14-16 rings in one lowest position with respect to the cord 5. The stepped structure it comprises a central area, which is a deformable area 17 of the panel according to the invention. As shown in Figure 2A the deformable area 17 of the panel has a concave structure due to that there is a negative pressure difference on the panel since The inside to the outside. That is, the atmospheric pressure in the outside is greater than the internal pressure inside 18 of the can 1 according to the invention.

It is observed that the downward movement of the tab 6 on its back is limited by the presence of a support structure in the form of a recess 19.

After drilling the panel 3 forming that way a perforation opening 20, the difference is neutralized of pressure producing a change in the deformable area 17 of the panel from the concave shape illustrated in figure 2A to the convex shape illustrated in figure 2B.

Obviously, having a concave shape as you illustrated in Figure 2A, there is a larger grip space 12 and improved below the rear part 8 of the tongue and the panel 3 in the position of the deformable part 17 of the panel.

Figures 3A and 3B show an alternative of can 21 according to the invention. The can is equipped with a panel 22 that has an oblique shape. The panel has an area 23 center (at least below the rear part 8 of the tongue 6), thereby forming the grip space 12 below the rear part 8 of the tongue.

Panel 22 is welded to body 24. Due to hot contents of can 21 after closing there will be a internal pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure and, by consequently, there is a negative pressure difference on the panel 22. Due to this negative pressure difference part 23 The deformable panel has a concave shape.

When drilling an opening in panel 22 by levering or tilting the tongue 6, the deformable area 23 of the panel changes to a convex shape.

Figures 4A and 4B show another can 25 of according to the invention. The upper panel 26 has an area 27 deformable central panel, which has a wavy shape in cross section. This wavy shape defines a depression 28 by under the rear part 8 of the tongue forming that mode the largest 12 grip space.

Figure 4B shows that after opening of can 25 with tongue 6 and after pressure balancing on top panel 26, deformable panel 27 changed shape in such a way that depression 28 was transformed into an area 29 more flat. However, trend line 30 changed in a way substantially concave to a substantially convex shape.

Figures 5A / 5B show another can 31 of according to the invention. Can 31 has a panel 32 comprising a deformable area of the panel having an annular depression 34 and a central flat portion 35. After neutralization of the negative pressure difference on panel 32, area 33 deformable panel changes as shown in figure 5A to the form represented in Ja figure 5B, whereby depression 34 has disappeared and the central portion 35 has moved upward. Again, trend line 36 has changed in a way substantially concave to a substantially convex shape.

The can, the body and / or the panel can be manufacture of metal, such as aluminum and steel.

The cans can be round or non-round (oval and rectangular). When the can is round it can have a diameter from about 52 to 153 mm. For the smaller diameters, the panel that has a stepped structure It will have approximately 1 or 2 steps but for larger diameters The number of steps may increase. The advantage of said staggered structures is to provide rigidity in these structures staggered and allow the best deformation properties flexible controlled and linked to the deformable area of the panel, which It is usually the central area of the panel.

When the can is made of steel the panel It can have a thickness from 0.13 to 0.30 mm. The thickness can be smaller in the area that forms the deformable area of the panel.

It is noted again that the tongue used It can be a conventional tongue. The object of the invention is provide an improved and larger space available for the user insert the nail and / or the tip of the finger under the back of the tongue thereby improving the gripping action and the can opening.

Claims (12)

1. Can, comprising a body provided with a panel (3), in which the panel is provided with a tongue (6) that it comprises a front part (7) of the tongue and a part (8) rear of the tongue for its grip, the tongue (6) such that gripping the rear part (8) of the tongue and prying with it you can make the part (7) front of the tongue make contact with the panel (3) and according to it an opening in which the panel (3) is provided with an area (17, 23) deformable panel at least below part (8) rear of the tongue, said panel area forming a depression below the back (8) of the tongue that It depends on a negative pressure difference on the panel. 2. Can according to claim 1, in which the deformable area (17, 23) of the panel has a shape concave that depends on a negative pressure difference on the panel. 3. Can according to claim 1 or 2, in which the deformable area (17, 23) of the panel changes between a concave shape and a flat shape depending on the difference of negative pressure on the panel. 4. Can according to claim 1 or 2, in which the deformable area (17, 23) of the panel changes between a concave shape and a convex shape depending on a pressure negative on the panel. 5. Can according to the claims 1-4, in which the deformable area (17) of the panel is part of a staggered structure (14-16). 6. Can according to claim 5, in which the deformable area (17) of the panel is a structure (14-16) central step. 7. Can according to the claims 1-4, in which the deformable area (23) of the panel It is made up of an oblique panel. 8. Can according to the claims 1-7, in which the movement of the tongue (6) It is limited by a support structure of the panel. 9. Can according to claim 8, in which the support structure of the panel (3) is a recess. 10. Can according to the claims 1-8, in which the panel is tinned to the body of the can. 11. Body provided with a panel in accordance with claims 1-9. 12. Panel according to the claims 1-9.