ES2409275T3 - Metal lid for a container body, with stiffening moldings - Google Patents

Abstract

Metal lid for a container body, in particular for a metal tin can container, the lid (1) (i) comprising a peripheral part (2) for assembly on said container body and (ii) a central part ( 4) forming a central sealing panel, delimited and connected to said peripheral part (2) by means of a breaking start line (3), the central panel (4) being provided, at the level of one of its surfaces, with a clamping body (6) composed of two parts through which a longitudinal axis of symmetry (6 ') passes: - a first part (7) in solidarity with said central panel (4) and - a second clamping part (8) itself said, allowing the clamping element (6) to exert a traction on said central panel (4) to break said breaking start line (3) from a proximal area (3c) adjacent to said clamping body (6) to a zonadistal ( 3b2) on the opposite side of said clamping body (6) , the clamping member (6) being designed to progress, during this traction, at least approximately over the length of, and in front of, a general traction line (9) defined on said central panel (4) between said proximal areas (3c ) and distal (3b2), said central panel (4) also comprising one or several internal moldings (10) formed by demolding sections (10a, 10b), arranged to reinforce their resistance to folding at least along some transverse lines to said general line of traction (9), at least two of said internal sections of molding (10b1, 10b2) each arranged on one side of said general line of traction (9), characterized in that said internal sections of molding (10b) form two parts molding sides (13) which are each arranged on one side of said general traction line (9), said molding side parts (13) (i) comprising an inner molding section (10b1), on the side of the general line from trac tion (9), and (ii) an outer molding section (10b2), which extends into the space that separates said inner section (10b1) and said opposite breaking start line (3), and because said inner sections (10b1) and / or exterior (10b2) of the two lateral molding parts (13) extend divergently with respect to said general traction line (9) and also with respect to each other, constituting divergent sections of molding.

Description

Metal lid for a container body, with stiffening moldings.

The present invention relates to metal container lids according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular, metal containers. It refers more particularly to the covers of the type comprising an associated peripheral ring, through a breaking start line, to a central panel provided with at least one stiffening molding and equipped with a "ring-type clamping body" opening".

Some metal containers, mainly canned cans for the packaging of food products, are equipped with an opening system called "easy" that avoids the use of can opener tools. US 2004/0099665 discloses a cover according to the preamble of claim 1.

A particularly interesting solution consists of a monobloc cover comprising an associated peripheral ring, through a breaking start line, with a central panel equipped with a tension and tension member, commonly referred to as an "opening ring".

This type of clamping element usually comprises two parts in its length: - a peripheral part that supports a "spike", fixed to the central panel of the cover near the breaking start line, and - an inner part that forms a loop of grip that, before its opening maneuver, is applied against the upper surface of the associated central panel.

To open the container, the user holds the free part of the loop of the clamping body, and then separates the latter from the associated central panel. The clamping member then forms a kind of lever, set in rotation by the user at the level of its peripheral end in the form of a supporting peak, which will cause a break in the breaking start line.

Next, it is sufficient that the user exerts a convenient traction on the clamping member so that the opening continues at the level of the breaking start line and that the central panel is separated from its associated ring.

However, in practice, during the opening operation, the central panel generally undergoes folding phenomena along lines transversely oriented with respect to the general traction line (in other words, the torn part of the panel has a tendency to bend in front of to his part that has not yet been torn).

These phenomena have the effect of reducing the traction energy performance and thus increasing the effort necessary for the consumer to detach the breaking start line.

To limit this problem, it is usual to make stiffening moldings in the central panel, aimed at improving the resistance of this panel to these undesirable folding or bending phenomena. The traction energy to be exerted by the consumer for opening the lid is then reduced.

However, in practice, not all stiffening moldings are as effective with respect to each other to optimize the traction energy exerted by the consumer.

For this reason, the applicant has developed a new lid structure with opening ring, which provides for optimizing and reducing the traction energy necessary for opening.

The metal lid according to the invention comprises (i) a peripheral part for assembly with the body of the container and (ii) a central part that forms a central sealing closure panel, delimited and connected to said peripheral part by means of a breaking start line, this central panel being equipped, at the level of one of its surfaces, with a clamping body composed of two parts through which a longitudinal axis of symmetry passes: - a first part in solidarity with said panel central, and - a second part of pretensions proper; this clamping element allows to exert a traction on said central panel to break said breaking start line from a proximal area adjacent to said clamping member, to a distal zone in the opposite part of said clamping member; it is intended to progress, during this traction, at least about the length and in front of a general traction line defined in said central panel between said proximal and distal zone; The central panel also comprises one or several internal moldings formed by sections, arranged to reinforce its resistance to folding at least along some lines transverse to said general line of traction, at least two of said internal sections of molding arranged on one side. of said general traction line.

In accordance with the invention, this cover is characterized in that said internal sections of molding form two side parts of molding, which are each arranged on the side of said general line of traction, the molding side parts comprising, each, (i ) an inner molding section, on the side of the general traction line, and (ii) an outer molding section, which extends into the space separating said inner section and said opposite breaking start line; and said inner and / or outer sections of the two side molding parts extend (advantageously on a part at least of its length) divergently with respect to said general traction line and also with respect to the other, constituting some divergent sections of molding.

5 This cover structure has the interest of reducing the phenomena of transverse folding (or curvature) and, therefore, further reducing the tensile energy necessary for opening. In particular, this advantage derives from the creation of a so-called "saddle" or "roof" effect, that is to say, a combustion phenomenon of the transversely oriented panel with respect to the general traction line on the clamping element .

Other advantageous characteristics that can be considered in combination or independently of each other are specified below:

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the inner sections of the two side moldings extend divergently

15 (advantageously on a part at least of its length) with respect to said general line of traction and also with respect to the other, and the outer sections of the two molding side parts extend divergently (advantageously on a part at least of its length) with respect to said general traction line and also one with respect to the other, the inner and outer sections of the two molding side parts constituting the divergent molding sections;

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the inner and / or outer sections of the two lateral molding parts extend divergently (advantageously on a part at least of its length) with respect to said general line of traction and also with respect to the other, in the direction to the distal zone of the rupture start line;

25 - the divergent sections of molding extend in a rectilinear manner, or at least substantially rectilinearly, over at least a part of its length;

-

the divergent sections of molding extend symmetrically, or at least substantially symmetrically, with respect to the general line of traction;

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the inner sections of the two molding side parts are advantageously connected at the level of a first end near the general traction line, by a first connecting section that extends at the level of the general traction line, and the two sections of each of said molding side parts are connected by a second connecting section, at the level of its second end located at a distance from the line

35 general traction and near the start line of rupture;

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the two sections of molding of the same side part of molding advantageously diverge with respect to each other, from their ends near said general traction line, to their remote ends of the general traction line;

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The general traction line is made up of at least two portions: (i) a proximal portion on the side of the proximal area of the breaking start line, and oriented coaxially or at least substantially coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the clamping body, and (ii) a distal portion on the side of the distal area of said start line, and oriented coaxially or at least substantially

45 coaxial with respect to a middle axis of the central panel passing through said distal zone; in this case, the divergent molding sections are arranged at the level of said distal portion of the general traction line; also in this case, at least two other sections of molding are each advantageously arranged on one side of the proximal portion of the general traction line, the proximal sections of molding extending near and along a part of the starting line of rupture; in the case of an internal molding with two side parts, the proximal molding sections are each connected to the first end of the outer section of one of said side molding parts;

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the two divergent sections of molding are separated in the direction of the general traction line from proximal to distal; in this case, the central panel advantageously presents a general non-circular shape,

55 delimited by a breaking start line comprising two longitudinal sections connected by two cross sections; The clamping member is fixed at an angle of said breaking start line corresponding to the joint between a first transverse section and a first longitudinal section of said breaking start line, to form its proximal rupture zone, and the two divergent sections of molding are separated from the general traction line, in the direction of the second transverse section of said breaking start line to form the distal rupture zone;

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alternatively, the two divergent sections of molding can be separated in an inverse direction from that of the general traction line (ie, they are divergent in a distal direction towards the proximal);

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The central panel also comprises molding sections called "peripheral" sections that extend along and at least a part of the length of the breaking start line, such that the distance between said peripheral sections of molding and said breaking start line is between 0.5 and 5 mm;

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the inner and peripheral sections of the central panel molding are connected to each other, so that 5 together form a single continuous molding;

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the internal sections of molding, and if necessary, the peripheral sections of molding, comprise a proximal end located at the level of a line that extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said clamping element, to favor the folding of the central panel to level of that line

10 transverse during a lifting maneuver of said clamping body.

The invention will now be illustrated, without being limited in any way, by the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

15 - Figure 1 is a general view from above of a cover whose central panel comprises a continuous stiffening molding in accordance with the present invention;

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Figure 2 is a sectional view according to a plane II-II of the lid of Figure 1.

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

This container body is generally composed of a bottom element associated with the lower edge of a waist of the side walls (circular, square, rectangular section, etc.). 25 The connection between the lid 1 and the container body is usually carried out by a crimping technique.

The cover 1 is composed, in a classical manner, by a part 2 that forms a peripheral ring that is associated, by means of a breaking start line 3, to a part 4 that forms a removable central sealing panel.

30 It is advantageously made monobloc by means of a stamping technique, from an aluminum, steel, etc. metal sheet.

The lid 1 has, as seen from above, a general non-circular shape, in this case rectangular.

35 Ring 2 is therefore rectangular in shape. It is adapted to allow the fixing of the lid 1 by crimping, in a container side wall, of rectangular section (as indicated above, this general shape may be different).

40 The breaking start line 3 (also referred to hereinafter as "breaking line"), is also generally rectangular, viewed from above (Figure 1). It comprises two longitudinal sections 3a1 and 3a2, connected by two transversal sections 3b1 and 3b2.

This break line 3 is made by thinning material, obtained using an appropriate tool, during the manufacture of the lid.

The break line 3 is in this case closed / complete (it extends over the entire periphery of the shutter panel 4); alternatively, it could be only partial.

On the other hand, the central shutter panel 4 also has a general rectangular shape, with a longitudinal axis of symmetry 4 '.

This panel 4 is intended to be equipped, at the level of the upper surface, with a clamping element 6 whose manipulation by the user will allow an easy opening of the cover 1 (ie, a total or partial de-consolidation of the panel center 4 with respect to peripheral ring 2 breaking line 3).

Generally, this clamping body 6 is known to the person skilled in the art as "opening ring".

The opening ring 6 is shown in broken lines in Figure 1, only by way of indication and schematically.

It is fixed in this case at the level of an angle of the break line 3, formed by the union between a first cross section 3b1 and a first longitudinal section 3a1 of said break line 3; this angle of the break line 3 corresponds to a break zone 3c called proximal or upstream.

This ring 6 comprises two parts, arranged along an axis of symmetry 6 'oriented coaxially to the bisector of the proximal area 3c:

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a peripheral part 7 fixed to the panel 4, near the break line 3, comprising a peak (not shown), and

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an inner part 8, which forms a clamp loop, which is applied against the upper surface of the central panel 4.

In practice, this ring 6 allows the user to exert traction on the central panel 4, so as to break the breaking start line 3 from the aforementioned proximal or upstream zone 3c (adjacent to the clamping element 6), to a distal or downstream zone located in the opposite part of said ring 6. This distal zone corresponds, in this case, to the second transverse section 3b2 of the breaking line 3, located in the opposite part to the first transverse section 3b1 mentioned above .

During this traction, the ring 6 progresses at least approximately over the length and in front of a general traction line 9 defined in the central panel between the proximal 3c and distal areas 3b2.

This general traction line 9 is shown in Figure 1 by means of a dashed line. It is composed in this case by two portions of general rectilinear form:

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a proximal portion 9a located on the side of the proximal area 3c of the breaking start line 3, and oriented coaxially or, at least, substantially coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis 6 'of the clamping member 6, and

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a distal portion 9b located on the side of the distal zone 3b2 of said rupture line 3, and oriented coaxially or at least substantially coaxially with respect to the middle axis 4 'of the central panel 4 passing through said distal zone 3b2 ( in this case, this middle axis 4 'extends parallel and between the two longitudinal sections 3a of the break line 3).

These two pockets 9a and 9b of the traction line 9 in this case form an angle, one with respect to the other, due to the position of the ring 6 at an angle of the breaking start line 3. They are connected by a portion of union 9c, generally in the form of a circle arc: the ring normally passes progressively from the proximal portion 3a to the distal portion 3b.

Also, the central panel 4 comprises moldings or cavities, in this case in hollow (or alternatively in projection), adapted to stiffen the central panel 4.

In this case, the central panel 4 comprises a first molding 10 called "central" or "internal", surrounded by a second molding 11 called "peripheral" that extends along and near the length of the breaking start line 3.

In this case, these "internal" 10 and "peripheral" 11 moldings are continuous; alternatively, they can also be discontinuous, one with respect to the other, and / or in themselves.

These moldings are delimited by simple sections of molding (a single change in height); they can also be defined by double molding sections that form, for example, a simple hollow rib

or in highlight.

According to the invention, some at least of the molding sections defining the central molding 10 are arranged to generate a "saddle" or "tile" effect on the central panel 4 during its opening (ie, a sag of this panel 4 transversely with respect to the general traction line 9, or in other words, a sag that starts from the two longitudinal sections 3a of the break line 3 with a high point at the level of its mid-axis 4').

For this purpose and as explained above, at least two of the internal molding sections 10 are each arranged on one side of the general traction line 9, and they divergently extend with respect to said general traction line. 9 and also one with respect to the other.

More precisely, the internal molding 10 is composed of sections of moldings called "proximal" or "upstream" 10a and other so-called "distal" or "downstream" 10b that extend, respectively at level and on either side of the proximal 9a and distal portions 9b of the traction line 9.

These molding side portions 13 each comprise (i) an inner molding section 10b1, on the side of the general traction line 9, (ii) an outer molding section 10b2, which extends into the space separating said section interior 10b1 and the opposite breaking start line 3, and (iii) a connecting section 10b3, which joins the two sections

of moldings 10b1 and 10b2 at the level of its downstream end, located at a distance from the general traction line 9 and near the distal area 3b2 of the breaking start line 3.

In this case, it is the inner sections 10b1, and also outer 10b2, which constitute the divergent sections of molding, suitable for generating the desired saddle or tile effect.

These inner and outer sections 10b1 and outer 10b2 extend symmetrically, or at least almost symmetrically, with respect to the general traction line 9 and in particular its distal portion 9b.

They extend in front of and along almost the entire length of this distal portion 9b, in this case about half the length of panel 4.

The inner sections 10b1 extend in a rectilinear manner, or at least substantially in a rectilinear manner.

They are connected together at the level of their upstream end, near the general traction line 9, by means of a connecting section 10-4 (in the general shape of a circle arc) extending at the level of and transverse to said general traction line 9 .

These inner sections 10b1 thus form together a kind of V, open in the direction of the distal rupture zone 3b2 and whose axis of symmetry corresponds to the middle axis 4 'of panel 4.

These inner sections 10b1 diverge with respect to each other, in the upstream direction downstream (that is, in the direction of said distal rupture zone 3b2).

The inner sections 10b2 comprise two parts which extend in a rectilinear manner, or at least substantially in a rectilinear manner: - an upstream part 10b2 ', which diverges with respect to the opposite traction line 9, and - a downstream part 10b2 '' parallel or at least substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal sections of break 3a1.

The upstream parts 10b2 ’also also diverge with respect to each other, in the upstream direction downstream (ie, in the direction of said distal rupture zone 3b2).

Likewise, the two sections of molding 10b1 and 10b2 (in particular, at the level of the upstream parts 10b2 ') of the same side part of molding 13 diverge with respect to each other, from their upstream ends near the general line of traction 9 (upstream side of the distal portion 9b), to its downstream ends at a distance from the general traction line 9 (downstream side of the distal portion 9b).

This particular structure will further reinforce the “tile” or “saddle” effect that is sought.

On the other hand, as also shown in Figure 1, the proximal molding sections 10a are also each arranged on the side of the general traction line 9, mainly at the level of its proximal portion 9a and also of the joint portion 9c.

The function of these sections 10a is to stiffen the panel 4, to optimize the start of the tearing of the break line 3.

Two of these proximal molding sections 10a1 extend near and along a part of the breaking start line 3. They have an identical shape, or similar, to the opposite break start line part 3.

In this case, one of the sections 10a1 ’(on the right in Figure 1, and in front of a part of the first longitudinal section of break 3a1) has a simple rectilinear shape; the other section 10a1 ’(on the left in Figure 1, and in front of a part of the first transversal section 3b1 and second longitudinal section of break 3a2) has a general shape of L.

These two proximal molding sections 10a1 are in this case connected, by a curved joint, to the upstream end of the outer section 10b2 of one of the molding side portions 13.

This connection is made in this case by a section of molding 10a2, rectilinear or at least substantially rectilinear, which converge towards each other in the direction from proximal to distal. These convergent sections 10a2 make it possible in particular to reinforce the divergent nature of sections 10b1 and 10b2 of the distal lateral parts 13.

On the other hand, and as explained above, the central panel 4 also comprises sections of peripheral molding 11 that extend along the break line 3.

By way of indication, the width separating these peripheral sections of molding 11 and said breaking start line 3 is advantageously between 0.5 and 5 mm.

These peripheral molding sections 11 are connected to the upstream end of the proximal inner sections 10a so that they form the single continuous molding together.

5 The two connections 14 between the inner sections 10 and the peripheral sections 11 (at the level of their proximal ends) are located at a distance from each other, and on either side of the traction line 9; they are also located outside the volume occupied by ring 6 and at a distance from the proximal rupture zone 3c.

These two connections 14 are positioned on a line 15 that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis 10 6 'of the clamping element 6, to favor the folding of the central panel 4 at the level of said transverse line 15 during a lifting maneuver of said organ of grip 6.

In figure 1, the presence of a circular molding 16, located between the proximal molding sections 10a and on the routing axis 9 of the ring 6. is also observed. This molding 16 is also intended to be located at 15 level of the loop 8 of the ring 6 to facilitate its grip by the consumer when the can is opened.

In practice, the opening of the lid is carried out in a conventional manner, by traction on the dedicated ring 6, and this in the proximal-distal direction.

20 During this traction, the ring 6 travels substantially along the general traction line 9 described in detail above.

In particular, it is at the level of the distal portion 9b of this traction line 9 where the two side moldings 13 will produce the saddle or tile effect that is sought.

The performance of the traction energy, as regards the tearing of the rupture line, is improved in particular with respect to the cover provided with moldings whose sections extend parallel to the traction line.

According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the ring 6 may be placed in the middle, or at least substantially in the middle of the transverse section 3b1 of the break line. This ring 6 is thus oriented so that its axis 6 ’is coaxial with respect to the middle axis 4’ of panel 4.

In this case, the routing line 9 of the ring 6 is rectilinear, or at least almost rectilinear. The internal stiffening moldings 10 can then be formed by the two lateral parts 13 that extend over almost the entire length of the panel 4, to obtain an optimal "saddle" effect.

Claims (11)

1. Metal lid for a container body, in particular for a canned metal container 5, the cover (1) (i) comprising a peripheral part (2) for assembly on said container body and (ii) a central part (4) forming a central sealing panel, delimited and connected to said peripheral part (2 ) via a break start line (3), 10 the central panel (4) being provided, at the level of one of its surfaces, with a clamping element (6) composed of two parts through which a longitudinal axis of symmetry (6 ') passes: - a first part (7) in solidarity with said central panel (4) and - a second part (8) of proper pressure, 15 allowing the clamping member (6) to exert traction on said central panel (4) to break said breaking start line (3) from a proximal zone (3c) adjacent to said clamping member (6) to a distal zone (3b2) on the opposite side of said clamping body (6), the clamping body (6) being designed to progress, during this traction, at least approximately 20 over the length of, and in front of, a general traction line (9) defined on said central panel (4) between said proximal (3c) and distal (3b2) zones, said central panel (4) also comprising one or several internal moldings (10) formed by sections of molding (10a, 10b), arranged to reinforce its resistance to folding at least along some lines 25 transverse to said general traction line (9), at least two of said internal molding sections (10b1, 10b2) each being arranged on one side of said general traction line (9), characterized in that said internal sections of molding (10b) form two side parts of molding (13) which are each arranged on one side of said general traction line (9), said lateral parts comprising 30 molding (13) (i) an inner molding section (10b1), on the side of the general traction line (9), and (ii) an outer molding section (10b2), which extends into space which separates said inner section (10b1) and said opposite breaking start line (3), and because said inner (10b1) and / or outer (10b2) sections of the two molding side parts (13) extend divergently with respect to said general traction line (9) and also one with respect to the other, constituting divergent sections of molding. 2. Cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner sections (10b1) of the two side moldings (13) extend divergently with respect to said general traction line (9) and also one with respect to the other , and because the outer sections (10b2) of the two side moldings (13) extend divergently with respect to said general traction line (9) and also one with respect to the 40 another, constituting the inner (10b1) and outer (10b2) sections of the two molding side parts (13) the divergent molding sections. 3. Cover according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner (10b1) and / or outer (10b2) sections of the two side moldings (13) extend divergently with respect to Said general traction line (9) and one with respect to the other, in the direction of the distal zone (3b2) of the breaking start line (3). 4. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner sections (10b1) of the two molding side parts (13) are connected at the level of a first end near the general line of 50 traction (9), by a first connecting section (10b4) that extends at the level of the general traction line (9), and because the two sections (10b1, 10b2) of each of said molding side parts ( 13) they are connected by a second connecting section (10b3), at the level of its second end located at a distance from the general traction line (9) and near the breaking start line (3). A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two sections of molding (10b1, 10b2) of the same side part of molding (13) diverge, with respect to each other, from their ends near said line general traction (9), to its remote ends of the general traction line (9). 6. Cover according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the divergent sections of molding 60 (10b1, 10b2) extend in a rectilinear manner, or at least substantially rectilinearly, over at least a part of its length. 7. Cover according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the divergent sections of molding (10b1, 10b2) extend symmetrically, or at least substantially symmetrically, with respect to the general line of traction (9). 8. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the general traction line (9) is composed of at least two portions:

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a proximal portion (9a) on the side of the proximal area (3c) of the breaking start line (3), and oriented

5 coaxially or at least substantially coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis (6 ’) of the clamping element (6), and

-

a distal portion (9b) on the side of the distal zone (3c2) of said start line (3), and coaxially oriented

or at least substantially coaxial with respect to a middle axis (4 ’) of the central panel (4) that passes through said distal zone (3c2),

and because the divergent molding sections (10b1, 10b2) are arranged at the level of said distal portion (9b) of the general traction line (9).

A cover according to claim 8, characterized in that at least two other sections of molding (10a) are arranged on one side of the proximal portion (9a) of the general traction line (9), said proximal sections of molding extending (9a) near and along a part of the breaking start line (3).

10. Cover according to claim 9 in combination with claim 1, characterized in that the sections 20 proximal molding (10a) are each connected to the first end of the outer section (10b2) of one of the molding side parts (13). 11. Cover according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the two divergent sections of molding (10b1, 10b2) are separated in the direction from proximal to distal of the general traction line (9). 25 12. Cover according to claim 11, characterized in that the central panel (4) is of a general non-circular shape, delimited by a breaking start line (3) comprising two longitudinal sections (3a) connected by two transverse sections (3b ), 30 because the clamping element (6) is fixed at the level of an angle of said breaking start line (3) corresponding to the joint between a first transverse section (3b1) and a first longitudinal section (3a1) of said line of beginning of rupture (3) to form its proximal rupture zone (3c), and because the two divergent sections of molding (10b1, 10b2) are separated from the general traction line (9), 35 towards the second transverse section (3b2) of said breaking start line (3) that forms the distal rupture zone. 13. Cover according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the central panel (4) comprises also some sections of molding (11) that extend along and near at least a part of the length 40 of the breaking start line (3), and because the internal (10) and peripheral (11) sections center panel molding (4) are connected to each other so that they form a single continuous molding together.