FR2945794A1 - METAL COVER FOR A CONTAINER BODY WITH RIGIDIFICATION MOLDING (S) - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a metal cover (1) for a container body, in particular for a container of the metal cans type, which cover (1) comprises a central portion (4) forming a central closure panel, delimited by a breaking initiation line (3) and equipped with a gripping member (6) making it possible to exert traction on said central panel (4) in order to break said breaking initiation line (3) along a general line of traction (9) defined on said central panel (4) between the proximal (3c) and distal (3b2) areas. The central panel (4) according to the invention also comprises one or more internal moldings (10) formed of sections of molding (10a, 10b), arranged to strengthen its folding resistance at least along lines transverse to the general line of traction (9); at least two of the inner sections of molding (10b) are each formed on one side of the general traction line (9) and extend divergently with respect to said general traction line (9) and also the one in relation to the other, so as to generate an effect called "saddle" or "tile".

Description

The present invention relates to metal lids for containers, in particular metal containers. It relates more particularly to the covers of the type comprising an associated peripheral ring, by means of a breaking initiation line, to a central panel provided with at least one stiffening molding and equipped with a ring type gripping member. opening. Some metal containers, mainly cans for food packaging, are equipped with an easy opening system, avoiding the use of a can opener. A particularly interesting solution consists of a one-piece cover comprising an associated peripheral ring, by means of a breaking initiation line, to a central panel provided with a gripping and pulling member commonly referred to as a ring. opening. This type of gripping member conventionally comprises two parts along its length: a peripheral part carrying a spout, fixed to the central panel of the cover near the breaking initiation line, and an inner part forming a gripping loop which , before its maneuver for opening, is pressed against the upper surface of the associated central panel. To open the container, the user grasps the free portion of the loop of the gripping member, then it separates the latter from the associated central panel. The gripping member then forms a kind of lever, rotated by the user at its peripheral end in the form of a support beak, which causes a break in the breaking initiation line. It is then sufficient for the user to exert a suitable traction on the gripping member so as to continue the opening at the breaking initiation line and dissociate the central panel of its associated ring. However, in practice, during the opening operation, the central panel generally undergoes folding phenomena along transversely oriented lines relative to the general traction line (in other words, the torn portion of the panel tends to to curl up next to his part that is not yet torn). These phenomena have the effect of reducing the efficiency of the traction energy, and thus increase the effort required to tear the line of initiation of rupture by the consumer. To limit this problem, it is common practice to make stiffening moldings on the central panel, intended to improve the resistance of said panel against these undesirable bending or bending phenomena. The traction energy to be exerted by the consumer for opening the lid is then reduced.

However, in practice, it turns out that all the stiffening moldings are not as effective relative to each other, to optimize the traction energy exerted by the consumer. For this reason, the Applicant has developed a new cover structure with opening ring, which aims to optimize and reduce the traction energy required for opening. The metal cover according to the invention comprises (i) a peripheral part for its assembly on a container body and (ii) a central part forming a central closure panel, delimited and connected to said peripheral part via a rupture initiation line, which central panel is equipped, at one of its surfaces, with a gripping member composed of two parts through which passes a longitudinal axis of symmetry: a first portion secured to said panel central and - a second gripping part proper; this gripping member makes it possible to exert traction on said central panel to break said breaking initiation line from a proximal zone adjoining said gripping member, to a distal zone opposite said gripping member; it is intended to progress, during this traction, at least approximately along the length and facing a general traction line defined on said central panel between said proximal and distal zones; the central panel further comprises one or more internal moldings formed sections, arranged to enhance its resistance to folding at least along lines transverse to said general line of traction. According to the invention, this cover is characterized in that at least two of said internal sections of molding are each formed on one side of said general traction line, and extend divergently with respect to said general line traction and also relative to each other. This cover structure has the advantage of reducing transverse bending phenomena (or bending), and thus further reducing the traction energy required for opening. This advantage results in particular from the creation of an effect called saddle or tile, that is to say a bending phenomenon of the panel oriented transversely relative to the general line of traction on the gripping member. Other advantageous characteristics, which can be taken in combination or independently of each other, are specified below: the divergent segments of the molding extend in a rectilinear manner, or at least substantially rectilinearly, over at least a portion their length; the divergent sections of molding extend symmetrically, or at least substantially symmetrically, with respect to the general traction line;

3 - the internal sections of molding form two lateral portions of molding which are each formed on one side of said general line of traction, which lateral portions of molding each comprise (i) a section of internal molding, general traction line side, and (ii) an outer molding section, extending into the space separating said inner portion and the opposing tear initiation line; said inner and / or outer sections constitute the divergent sections of molding; in this case, the inner portions of the two lateral molding parts are advantageously connected at a first end close to the general traction line, by a first connecting section extending at the level of the general traction line, and the two sections of each of said lateral molding portions are connected by a second joining section, at their second end located at a distance from the general line of traction and close to the breaking initiation line. Still in this case, the two sections of molding of the same lateral part of the molding advantageously diverge, with respect to each other, from their ends close to said general traction line, to their remote ends. the general traction line; the general traction line is composed of at least two portions: a proximal portion on the side of the proximal zone of the rupture initiation line, and oriented coaxially or at least substantially coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the gripping member, and a distal portion on the side of the distal zone of said leader line, and oriented coaxially or at least substantially coaxially with respect to a central axis of the central panel passing through said distal zone; in this case, the diverging sections of molding are provided at said distal portion of the general traction line; always in this case, at least two other sections of molding are advantageously formed each on one side of the proximal portion of the general traction line, which proximal sections of molding extend in proximity and along a portion of the breaking line; in the case of an internal molding with two lateral parts, the proximal molding sections are each connected to the first end of the outer section of one of said side molding parts; - The two divergent sections of molding deviate in the direction of the general line of traction proximal to distal; in this case, the central panel advantageously has a generally non-circular shape delimited by a breaking initiation line comprising two longitudinal sections connected by two transverse sections; the gripping member is fixed at an angle of said rupture initiation line corresponding to the junction between a first transverse section and a first longitudinal section of said rupture initiation line, to form its proximal zone of rupture, and the two divergent sections of molding deviate from the general line of traction, towards the second transverse section of said breaking line to form the distal rupture zone; alternatively, the two divergent sections of molding may deviate in a direction opposite to that of the general line of traction (i.e. they are divergent in a distal to proximal direction); the central panel further comprises so-called peripheral molding sections extending along and close to at least a part of the length of the breaking initiation line, such that the distance between said peripheral sections 10 of molding and said breaking initiation line is between 0.5 and 5 mm; the inner and peripheral molding sections of the central panel are connected to each other so as to form together a single continuous molding; - The inner sections of the molding, and where appropriate the peripheral sections of molding, have a proximal end located at a line extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said gripping member, to promote the folding of the center panel at said transverse line during a lifting operation of said gripping member. The invention is further illustrated, without being limited, by the following description in relation to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a general view and from above of a lid whose central panel comprises a stiffening molding continuous according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view along a plane II-II of the lid of FIG. 1. The lid 1, as represented in FIG. 1, is intended to be assembled with the upper edge of a metal container body. (not shown) This container body generally consists of a bottom member associated with the bottom edge of a side wall belt (circular, square, rectangular, etc.). The connection between the lid 1 and the container body is usually performed by a crimping technique. The cover 1 consists, in a conventional manner, of a peripheral ring portion 2 which is associated, via a breaking initiation line 3, to a part 4 forming a central closing shutter panel. . It is advantageously made monobloc by a stamping technique, that from a sheet metal material of the type aluminum, steel, etc.. The lid 1 has, seen from above, a generally non-circular shape, in this case rectangular.

The ring 2 is thus rectangular. It is adapted to allow the attachment of the cover 1 by crimping, on a side wall of container also rectangular section (as indicated above, this general shape may be different).

The rupture initiation line 3 (hereinafter also referred to as the rupture line) is here also of generally rectangular shape, seen from above (FIG. 1). It comprises two longitudinal sections 3a1 and 3a2, connected by two transverse sections 3b1 and 3b2. This breaking line 3 is produced by a thinning material, obtained by the implementation of a suitable tool, during the manufacture of the lid. The break line 3 is here closed / complete (it extends around the entire periphery of the shutter panel 4); alternatively, it could be only partial. On the other hand, the central shutter panel 4 is also of generally rectangular shape, with a longitudinal axis of symmetry 4 '.

This panel 4 is intended to be equipped, at its upper surface, with a gripping member 6 whose manipulation by the user will allow easy opening of the lid 1 (that is to say, a separation, total or partial, of the central panel 4 relative to the peripheral ring 2 by breaking line 3). This gripping member 6 is generally known to those skilled in the art as the opening ring. The opening ring 6 is shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, only as an indication and schematically. It is fixed here at an angle of the rupture line 3, formed by the junction between a first transverse section 3b1 and a first longitudinal section 3a1 of said break line 3; this angle of the rupture line 3 corresponds to a so-called proximal or upstream rupture zone 3c. This ring 6 has two parts, arranged along an axis of symmetry 6 'oriented coaxially with the bisector of the proximal zone 3c: a peripheral part 7 fixed to the panel 4, close to the rupture line 3, 30 having a beak ( not shown), and - an inner portion 8, forming a gripping loop, which is pressed 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, in order to break the breaking initiation line 3 from the above-mentioned proximal or proximal zone 3c (adjacent to the gripping member 6) to a distal or downstream zone situated opposite said ring 6. distal zone here corresponds to the second transverse section 3b2 of the rupture line 3, located opposite the first transverse section 3b1 above. During this traction, the ring 6 progresses at least approximately along the length and facing a general traction line 9 defined on the central panel 5 between the proximal 3c and distal 3b2. This general traction line 9 is shown in FIG. 1, by a line in broken lines. It consists here of two portions of rectilinear general shape: a proximal portion 9a situated on the proximal zone 3c side of the rupture leader line 3, and oriented coaxially or at least substantially coaxially with respect to the axis longitudinal 6 'of the gripping member 6, and - a distal portion 9b located on the side of the distal zone 3b2 of said break line 3, and oriented coaxially or at least substantially coaxially with respect to the central axis 4' of the central panel 4 passing through said distal zone 3b2 (this median axis 4 '15 extends here parallel and between the two longitudinal sections 3a of the break line 3). These two portions 9a and 9b of the traction line 9 form here an angle, relative to each other, because of the position of the ring 6 in an angle of the breaking line 3. They are connected by a junction portion 9c, generally in the form of a circular arc: the ring normally passes gradually from the proximal portion 3a to the distal portion 3b. The central panel 4 further comprises moldings or indentations, here hollow (or alternatively bump), adapted to stiffen the central panel 4. In this case, the central panel 4 comprises a first molding 10 said central or internal surrounded by a second so-called peripheral molding 11 extending along and close to the length of the breaking initiation line 3. These internal and peripheral moldings 11 are here continuous; alternatively, they may also be discontinuous with respect to one another and / or in themselves. These moldings are delimited by simple sections of molding (a single change of height); they may also be defined by sections of double molding, forming for example a simple hollow or humped rib. In accordance with the invention, at least some of the molding sections defining the central molding 10 are arranged to generate a saddle or tile effect on the central panel 4 when it is opened (i.e.

7 this panel 4 transversely to the general traction line 9, or in other words, incipient bending from the two longitudinal sections 3a of the break line 3 with a high point at its central axis 4 '. For this and as developed below, at least two of the sections of the inner molding 10 are each formed on one side of the general traction line 9, and extend divergently with respect to said general traction line 9 and also relative to each other. More specifically, the internal molding 10 is composed of so-called proximal or upstream 10a and other said distal or downstream portions 10b, respectively extending at and on either side of the proximal portions 9a and 9b of the distal portion. traction line 9. The distal sections 10b of internal molding 10 form two side portions of the generally loop-shaped mold 13 or U, which are each formed on one side of the distal portion 9b of the general traction line 9 .

These lateral molding parts 13 each comprise (i) an inner molding section 10b1, general traction line side 9, (ii) an outer molding section 10b2, extending in the space separating said inner section 10b1 and the line 3, and (iii) a junction section 10b3, connecting the two segments of moldings 10b1 and 10b2 at their downstream end, located at a distance from the general traction line 9 and close to the distal zone 3b2 of the rupture initiation line 3. These are the inner sections 10b1, and also outer 10b2, which constitute the divergent sections of molding, able to generate the desired saddle effect or tile.

These inner 10bl and outer 10b2 sections extend symmetrically, or at least almost symmetrically, relative to the general traction line 9 and in particular its distal portion 9b. They extend opposite and along almost the entire length of this distal portion 9b, here about half the length of the panel 4.

The inner portions 10b1 extend rectilinearly, or at least substantially rectilinearly. They are connected together at their upstream end, near the general traction line 9, by a junction section 10b4 (in the general shape of a circular arc) extending at and across said general line of traction 9.

These inner portions 10b1 together form a kind of V, open towards the distal rupture zone 3b2 and whose axis of symmetry corresponds to the median axis 4 'of the panel 4.

The inner portions 10b2 comprise two parts extending rectilinearly, or at least substantially rectilinearly: - an upstream portion 10b2 ', diverging relative to the pulling line 9 opposite, and - a downstream portion 10b2 ", parallel or at least substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal sections of rupture 3a1. The upstream parts 10b2 'also diverge with respect to each other in the upstream to downstream direction. Similarly, the two molding sections 10b1 and 10b2 of a same lateral portion of molding 13 diverges relative to each other, from their upstream ends near the general traction line 9 (upstream side of the distal portion 9b), to their remote downstream ends of the general traction line 9 (downstream side of the distal portion 9b) This particular structure reinforces the effect of tile or saddle sought.

On the other hand, as further shown in FIG. 1, the proximal molding sections 10a are each also formed on one side of the general traction line 9, mainly at the level of its proximal portion 9a and also of the portion of junction 9c. The function of these sections 10a is to stiffen the panel 4, to optimize the initiation of tearing of the rupture line 3. Two of these proximal molding sections 10al extend near and along a portion of the 3. They have a shape identical to, or similar to, the portion of line of rupture leader 3 opposite. In this case, one of the sections 10a1 '(on the right in FIG. 1, and facing a portion of the first longitudinal section of rupture 3a1) has a simple rectilinear shape; the other section 10al "(left in Figure 1, and facing a portion of the first transverse section 3b1 and second longitudinal section of rupture 3a2) has a general shape of L. These two proximal molding sections 10al are here each connected, via a curved junction, to the upstream end of the outer portion 10b2 of one of the lateral molding portions 13. This junction is in this case formed by a straight or at least substantially rectilinear section of molding 10a2, converging towards each other in the proximal to distal direction.

These convergent sections 10a2 make it possible in particular to reinforce the divergent nature of the sections 10b1 and 10b2 of the distal lateral portions 13.

Furthermore and as discussed above, the central panel 4 further comprises peripheral molding sections 11 which run along the rupture line 3. As an indication, the width separating these circumferential sections of the molding 11 and the said breaking initiation 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 as to form together the single continuous molding. The two links 14 between the inner sections 10 and the peripheral sections 11 (at their proximal ends) are located at a distance from one another and on either side of the traction line 9; they are located further apart from the bulk of the ring 6 and away from the proximal rupture zone 3c. These two links 14 are positioned on a line 15 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis 6 'of the gripping member 6, to promote the folding of the central panel 4 at the level of said transverse line 15 during a maneuver. in FIG. 1, the presence of a circular molding 16, located between the proximal molding sections 10a and on the tracking axis 9 of the ring 6, is still visible.

This molding 16 is also intended to be located at the loop 8 of the ring 6 to facilitate its grip by the consumer when opening the box. In practice, the opening of the lid is implemented in a conventional manner, by pulling on the dedicated ring 6, that in the proximal-distal direction. During this traction, this ring 6 moves substantially along the general traction line 9 described in detail above. It is particularly at the level of the distal portion 9b of this traction line 9 that the two lateral portions of moldings 13 will produce the desired saddle or tile effect. In particular, the yield of the tensile energy in tearing of the tear line is improved compared with the molded cover whose sections extend parallel to the pulling line. According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the ring 6 can 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 median axis 4' of the panel 4. In this case, the path 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 which extend over almost the entire length of the panel 4, to obtain an optimal saddle effect.

Claims (1)

1. A metal lid for a container body, in particular for a container of the metal cans type, which cover (1) comprises (i) a peripheral portion (2) for its assembly on said container body and ( ii) a central portion (4) forming a central shutter panel, delimited and connected to said peripheral portion (2) via a breaking initiation line (3), which central panel (4) is equipped , at one of its surfaces, a gripping member (6) composed of two parts through which a longitudinal axis of symmetry (6 ') passes: - a first portion (7) secured to said central panel (4) and - a second gripping portion (8) proper, which gripping member (6) makes it possible to exert traction on said central panel (4) to break said breaking initiation line (3) from a proximal zone 15 (3c) adjoining said gripping member (6), up to a distal zone (3b2) opposite said gripping member (6), which gripping member (6) is intended to progress, during this traction, at least approximately along the length and facing a general line traction device (9) defined on said central panel (4) between said proximal (3c) and distal (3b2) zones, which central panel (4) further comprises one or more internal moldings (10) formed of molding sections (10a). , 10b), arranged to increase its folding resistance at least along lines transverse to said general line of traction (9), characterized in that at least two of said internal molding sections (10b1, 10b2) are each provided with one side of said general traction line (9), and extend diverging with respect to said general traction line (9) and also with respect to each other. 2. Lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the divergent segments of the molding (10bl, 10b2) extend in a rectilinear manner, or at least substantially rectilinearly, over at least a part of their length. 3. Cover according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the diverging sections of molding (10bl, 10b2) extend symmetrically, or at least substantially symmetrically, relative to the line 35. general traction (9). 4. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the internal sections of the molding (10b) form two lateral portions of the mold (13) which are each formed on one side of said general line of traction ( 9), which lateral molding parts (13) each comprise (i) an inner molding section (10b1), general traction line side (9), and (ii) an outer molding section (10b2), extending in the space separating said inner section (10b1) and the opposite rupture initiation line (3), and in that said inner (10b1) and / or outer (10b2) sections constitute the divergent segments of the molding. 5. Lid according to claim 4, characterized in that the inner sections (10b1) of the two side molding parts (13) are connected at a first end near the general line of traction (9), by a first junction section (10b4) extending at the general traction line (9), and in that the two sections (10b1, 10b2) of each of said side molding portions (13) are connected by a second junction section (10b3), at their second end located at a distance from the general traction line (9) and close to the breaking initiation line (3). 6. Lid according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the two sections of molding (10b1, 10b2) of the same side molding portion (13) diverge, one relative to the other, from their ends near said general traction line (9), to their ends remote from the general traction line (9). 7. Lid according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the general traction line (9) consists of at least two portions: a proximal portion (9a) on the side of the proximal zone ( 3g) of the breaking initiation line (3), and oriented coaxially or at least substantially coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis (6 ') of the gripping member (6), and - a distal portion (9b ) on the side of the distal zone (3c2) of said initiation line (3), and oriented coaxially or at least substantially coaxially with respect to a central axis (4 ') of the central panel (4) passing through said distal zone ( 3c2), and in that the diverging portions of the molding (10b1, 10b2) are provided at the level of said distal portion (9b) of the general traction line (9). 8. Lid according to claim 7, characterized in that at least two other sections of molding (10a) are each formed on one side of the proximal portion (9a) of the general line of traction (9), which sections proximal molding members (9a) extend proximate and along a portion of the breaking initiation line (3). 9. Lid according to claim 8 in combination with claim 4, characterized in that the proximal molding sections (10a) are each connected to the first end of the outer section (10b2) of one of the lateral molding parts (13). ). 10. Lid according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the two divergent sections of molding (10b1, 10b2) deviate in the direction proximal to distal of the general line of traction (9). 11. Lid according to claim 10, characterized in that the central panel (4) is of a generally non-circular shape, delimited by a breaking initiation line (3) comprising two longitudinal sections (3a) connected by two transverse sections (3b), in that the gripping member (6) is fixed at an angle of said breaking initiation line (3) corresponding to the junction between a first transverse section (3b1) and a first longitudinal section (3a1) of said breaking initiation line (3), to form its proximal rupture zone (3c), and in that the two divergent segments of the molding (3b1, 3b2) deviate starting from the general traction line (9), towards the second transverse section (3b2) of said breaking initiation line (3) forming the distal rupture zone. 12. Lid according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the central panel (4) further comprises molding sections (11) extending along and near at least a portion of the length of the breaking initiation line (3), and in that the internal (10) and peripheral (11) portions of the central panel (4) are connected to one another so as to form together a molding continuous unique. 25