JP2003291967A - Seamless can having non-cylindrical barrel part - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry cans by a carrying turret similarly to cans having a cylindrical barrel part even when the barrel part of a seamless can is formed non- cylindrical so as to be convenient for storage in a carton case or for display of commodities. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of panel wall parts 41 are formed with predetermined intervals in the circumference of the barrel part at least over the entire barrel part 4. Each connection part 42 of a predetermined width to connect the adjacent panel wall parts 41 to each other is formed in an arc-shaped section forming a part of an imaginary cylindrical surface to connect the connection parts, each panel wall part 41 is formed not to be protruded outward of an imaginary plane with the imaginary plane to connect boundaries with both connection parts 42 to each other as a reference. The ratio in area of the entire connection parts 42 to the entire imaginary cylindrical surface to connect the connection parts 42 to each other is set to be at least 36%. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a seamless metal can whose body is thinned by drawing, ironing, etc. (there is no longitudinal seam in the body), and more particularly to a bottle-type can or a two-piece can. The present invention relates to a seamless can whose non-cylindrical shape is formed by forming a plurality of panel wall portions on its body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Aluminum plate, aluminum alloy plate,
DI cans (Drawn And Iron), in which a can body (can body) is integrally formed from a tin-plated steel plate or other metal plate for can manufacturing, and the body is stretched and thinned by drawing and ironing.
For so-called seamless cans such as ed cans, which have no longitudinal seams in the body of the can, traditionally used beer,
It is widely and generally used for beverage cans such as carbonated drinks, green tea, black tea, oolong tea, mixed tea, sports drinks, fruit juice drinks, coffee, etc. In particular, in recent years, it is a top cover for a bottomed cylindrical can body. Not only a two-piece can in which the easy open end is fastened by tightening, but also a can with a small-diameter cylindrical neck and neck to which a cap is attached, an inclined shoulder, and a large-diameter cylindrical body are integrally molded. Bottle-shaped cans that are resealable with a cap, in which a bottom lid is wound around and fixed to the neck formed on the lower end opening side of the body, have become widely used. ing.

[0003]

By the way, regarding the seamless cans that have been generally and widely used as described above, in both the two-piece cans and the bottle type cans,
The body, which has been thinned by drawing and ironing, has a cylindrical shape (circular cross-section). Therefore, for example, compared to PET bottles with a rectangular body that are widely used in the same beverage container field. And when it is stored in a carton case, the dead space (space not used) inside the case becomes large and a large carton case is required for a container of the same capacity, or it is displayed in a convenience store or the like. When arranging on a shelf, even if the cans are pushed out from the back side of the display shelf so that the surface displaying the trademark or the like is the front, there is a problem that the cans are rotated and it is difficult to align them in a predetermined direction.

From the viewpoint of solving such a problem, it is desirable that the body of the can has a polygonal tube shape such as a square tube shape or a hexagonal tube shape. Seamless cans having parts are conventionally known (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-50738, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-54611, and US Pat. No. 472368).
(See No. 1, etc.).

[0005] However, according to such a conventionally known can having a polygonal barrel-shaped body, it is possible to transport the can in the can manufacturing process. When the transfer turret is diverted, it may not be possible to hold the can body in a stable state in the turret pocket (can holding part). Therefore, different types of transfer may be used depending on the shape of the can body. If the turrets for use are prepared and used properly, problems such as increase in equipment cost and troublesome replacement work of the carrying turret occur.

[0006] The present invention is intended to solve the above problems. Specifically, for seamless cans such as bottle-shaped cans and two-piece cans, the cans are housed in carton cases and the products are displayed. Even if the body of the can is formed into a non-cylindrical shape, it can be handled in the same way as a can having a cylindrical body when the can is transported by the transport turret. Is an issue.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a metal seamless can having a thin and seamless body portion, which is compressed at the opening end side of the body portion. A neck portion having a diameter is formed in a circular cross section at least at a can lid winding portion, and a plurality of panel wall portions are formed at least in the entire body portion at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the body portion. , Each connecting portion having a predetermined width connecting adjacent panel wall portions is formed in an arc shape in a cross section which is a part of a virtual cylindrical surface connecting them, and each panel wall portion is connected to the connecting portions on both sides thereof. Of the imaginary plane connecting the boundary lines to each other is formed so as not to project outward from the imaginary plane, and the ratio of the entire connecting portion to the entire virtual cylindrical surface connecting the connecting portions is at least 36% or more. It is characterized by that.

According to the above-mentioned structure, the entire body of the can is formed into a non-cylindrical shape which is convenient for accommodating in the carton case or displaying products by the plurality of panel walls. However, when the can is transported by the transport turret, it can be handled in the same manner as a can having a cylindrical body by the connecting portion having an arc-shaped cross section that connects adjacent panel wall portions.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a seamless can having a non-cylindrical body of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Regarding a bottle-shaped can according to one embodiment of the seamless can of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a state viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 shows a state viewed from the upper surface (A) and a state (B).
The figure shows the state viewed from the bottom. Also,
FIG. 3 shows a bottle-shaped can according to another embodiment of the seamless can of the present invention in a state viewed from the front (A) and a state viewed from the top (B), respectively, and FIGS. B)
2 according to still another embodiment of the seamless can of the present invention.
Each of the two-piece cans is viewed from the front. Furthermore, FIG. 5 (A), (B)
Shows the cross-sectional shape of the bottle-shaped can shown in FIG. 1 and the bottle-shaped can shown in FIG.

A bottle type seamless can according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, in a bottle type seamless can 1, a small diameter cylindrical mouth / neck portion 2 and an inclined vertical section are provided. With respect to the can main body in which the surface arcuate shoulder portion 3, the large-diameter body portion 4, and the neck portion 5 whose diameter is reduced at the lower end opening side of the body portion 4 are integrally formed, Lower end (flange part formed at the lower end opening edge of the neck part 5)
In addition, the bottom cover 6 which is a separate member is fixed by double winding.

Although not shown, the screw necked neck 2 is provided with a metal pill fur proof cap having a resin sealing material after the beverage is filled in the can. By roll-on molding using a capper (cap mounting device) having a well-known structure, a screw is formed on the thread forming portion (screw portion) of the skirt portion of the cap while being resealable.

A ring-shaped curled portion 21 is formed in a ring shape along the upper opening edge of the mouth-neck portion 2 of such a bottle-shaped seamless can 1, and a continuous convex portion is formed below the curled portion 21. A threaded portion 22 is formed by a male thread of the thread. The shape of the screw formed on the screw portion 22 is not particularly limited, and includes a screw having a continuous groove wound around the cylindrical base portion of the screw portion 22, a ridge formed discontinuously, or a ridge formed discontinuously. The screw may be a groove, or may be a single-thread screw or a double-thread screw.

Below the screw portion 22 of the mouth / neck portion 2,
An annular bead portion (concave groove) 23 is formed. Regarding the annular bead portion 23, when the metal cap is attached to the mouth / neck portion 2 by the capper, the roller of the capper enters and the lower end portion of the pill fur proof band formed at the lower end of the skirt portion of the cap is fixed. The cap is locked to the mouth / neck portion 2 in a pill fur proof state by pressing and deforming the upper groove portion of the bead portion 23.

In the bottle type seamless can 1 as described above, the can body (can body) comprising the mouth / neck portion 2, the shoulder portion 3, the body portion 4 and the neck portion 5 (and the flange portion) is made of an aluminum alloy plate. Material of resin-coated metal plate in which thermoplastic resin coating such as polyester resin is applied on both sides of metal plate such as metal or surface treated steel plate (the thermoplastic resin layer may be adhered to the metal plate via an adhesive layer) As a bottom cover 6 that is integrally formed by stretching, drawing, ironing, etc., and that is fixed to the lower end (flange) of the neck 5 by double winding, is an aluminum alloy plate or a surface-treated steel plate. As a material, a resin-coated metal plate with a resin coating selected from one or more of thermosetting paint and thermoplastic resin film on both sides of
It is integrally molded into a circular dish by pressing.

By the way, in the conventional bottle-type seamless can, the body has a cylindrical shape (circular cross-section), and the lower end opening side of the body is reduced in diameter to form a neck having a circular cross-section. On the other hand, the seamless can 1 of the present embodiment
Then, although the neck portion 5 formed on the lower end opening side of the body portion 4 has a circular cross-section with a reduced diameter from the cylindrical body portion as in the conventional can, The body part 4 of FIG. 1 includes a plurality of panel wall parts 41 and a connecting part 42 connecting the panel wall parts 41.
Are formed in an arcuate cross-section that is a part of a virtual cylindrical surface that connects them, and each panel wall portion 41 does not project outward from a virtual plane F that connects the boundary lines with the connecting portions 42 on both sides thereof. By being formed as described above, the non-cylindrical shape is convenient for accommodation in the carton case, display of products, and the like.

That is, in the seamless can 1 of the present embodiment, specifically, the entire body 4 above the neck 5 has a rectangular tubular shape as shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B). Four panel wall portions 41, which do not project outward from the plane F based on the virtual plane F corresponding to each side surface, are formed at predetermined intervals (all having the same width) in the circumferential direction of the body portion 4. ,and,
A connecting portion 42 having a predetermined width (all having the same width) that connects the adjacent panel wall portions 41 is formed in an arc-shaped cross section so as to be a part of an imaginary cylindrical surface that connects them.

The width of the connecting portion 42 (or the width of the panel wall portion 41) is determined by a trade-off between the problem of dead space when the carton case is accommodated and the problem of stable holding of the carrying turret in the pocket. But
Considering the stable holding property in the pocket (pocket having the same circumferential surface portion in the range of about 120 ° to 180 °) when the can is transported by the generally widely used transport turret for cylindrical can. , The ratio of the entire connecting portion (total of the connecting portions 42) to the entire virtual cylindrical surface connecting the connecting portions,
At least 36% or more is necessary (note that
In this embodiment, it is about 56%).

Regarding the shape of the panel wall portion 41, in the present embodiment, the shape is not merely the same plane as the virtual plane, but the edge portion of the panel wall portion 41 is virtual as shown in FIG. 5 (A). The panel wall portion 41 has a recessed structure that is generally recessed inward so that the inside of the edge portion of the panel wall portion 41 is recessed inward of the virtual plane F and is located on the plane F. ,
Specifically, it is composed of a peripheral portion 41b having an annular ridge (step portion) formed along the periphery of the panel wall portion 41, and a central portion 41a which is surrounded by the peripheral portion 41b and projects like a trapezoid. The central portion 41a projecting in a trapezoidal shape is generally positioned inward of the virtual plane F via a peripheral portion 41b surrounding the central portion 41a.

Regarding the molding of the panel wall portion 41 and the connecting portion 42 in the body portion 4, the cylindrical body portion (outer portion) of the can body (can body) molded into a bottle shape by a conventional method is used. (The diameter is about 66 mm), the opening end side is reduced in diameter to form the neck portion 5, and then the body portion 4 remaining in a cylindrical shape has a predetermined width (preferably a predetermined width). 8-2
The four panel wall portions 41 are formed so that only 6 mm (about 20 mm in this embodiment) is left as the connecting portion 42.

The seamless can 1 of this embodiment as described above
According to the above, since the body portion 4 has a non-cylindrical shape approximated to a square tube shape (quadrangular cross section) by the four panel wall portions 41, compared to the case where the body portion of the can is cylindrical. When storing canned goods in a carton case, the canned goods can be efficiently accommodated in the case, and the dead space in the case can be reduced, so that the carton case can be made smaller for the same capacity. By making the carton case compact, it is possible to save the amount of paper materials used, and when the cans are pushed out from the back side and placed on the display shelves at convenience stores or the like, the side displaying the trademark etc. should be the front side. In addition, the cans can be easily aligned and displayed in a predetermined direction without rotating.

Although the body portion 4 has a non-cylindrical shape approximated to a rectangular cylinder by the panel wall portion 41, the connecting portion 42 connecting the panel wall portions 41 to each other is part of the virtual cylindrical surface connecting them. Is formed in an arcuate cross-section so that the ratio of the connecting portion 42 to the peripheral wall of the body portion 4 is increased, that is, the connecting portion 42 is connected to the entire virtual cylindrical surface. Since the ratio of the entire part (the total of the connecting parts 42) is at least 36% or more (about 56% in the present embodiment), it is conventionally used when the cans are transported in the canning manufacturing process. Even if a carrying turret for a cylindrical can that is used is used, the can is stabilized by the portion of the connecting portion 42 in the carrying turret pocket (pocket having the same circumferential surface portion in the range of about 120 ° to 180 °). Hold be able to.

In the seamless can 1 of this embodiment,
Each of the panel wall portions 41 is composed of a peripheral portion 41b having an annular ridge and groove and a central portion 41a surrounded by the peripheral portion 41b and protruding in a trapezoidal shape. Due to the recessed structure that is recessed in one direction, even if the internal pressure of the can changes after the beverage is filled and sealed, the internal pressure of the can changes due to the deformation of the panel wall portion 41 inside the virtual plane F. It can be fully absorbed without changing the contour of the entire can. Therefore, for example, even after the predetermined number of cans are stored in the carton case, even if the internal pressure of the cans during storage is reduced, there is no gap between the cans in the case.

That is, when used as a negative pressure can (negative pressure can), immediately after filling and sealing, the panel wall 41 may swell to some extent due to the internal pressure of the can, but the panel wall 41 may expand. Is formed in a concave structure as a whole,
The panel wall portion 41 does not project outward from the virtual plane F, and when the inside of the can is depressurized by cooling to room temperature, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Since the central portion 41a of the wall portion 41 is inverted inward and recessed, it is possible to sufficiently absorb the negative pressure in the can without deforming the other portions of the can (such as the connecting portion 42). The contour of the entire can does not change due to the change in the can internal pressure.

Even when it is used as a positive pressure can (positive pressure can), the internal pressure of the can increases due to the fact that the content is a foamable drink or the addition of liquid nitrogen, and the panel wall 41 is increased. Even if the portion of the panel wall swells, the panel wall portion 41 is entirely formed in the recessed structure, and the peripheral portion 41b of the panel wall portion 41 is reinforced by the annular ridges, so that the panel wall portion 41 does not project more outward than the imaginary plane F, and the contour of the entire can remains almost unchanged.

As to the seamless can having the non-cylindrical barrel of the present invention, one embodiment of the bottle type seamless can having the four panel wall portions in the barrel has been described above. However, the number of panel wall portions 41 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B), not only is the body 4 provided with the four panel wall portions 41 as shown in the above embodiment, but the body 4 has six panels. By providing the wall portion 41, the body portion 4 may be formed to have a non-cylindrical shape that approximates a hexagonal tubular shape (hexagonal cross section). In the embodiment approximated to the hexagonal cylinder, the width of each connecting portion 42 is about 10 mm, and the total width of the six connecting portions 42 is about 42% of the virtual cylindrical surface connecting the connecting portions 42. ing.

It should be noted that the number of the panel wall portions 41 can be set appropriately from a mere design point of view.
Although not shown, for example, two panel wall portions based on only virtual planes corresponding to a pair of opposite side surfaces of a rectangular cylinder are provided in the body portion, and the remaining body portion is mostly cylindrical surface. Although it may be a non-cylindrical shape that is left as it is, or the body portion 4 may be a non-cylindrical shape that approximates an octagonal tube shape (cross section octagonal shape),
Since it is almost cylindrical in such a case, it is not effective in reducing the dead space in the carton case, and the body 4 is a non-cylindrical shape similar to a triangular cylinder (cross-sectional triangle). However, doing so is not effective in aligning the cans in the same direction during display,
Also, it may be a non-cylindrical shape similar to a pentagonal tube shape (pentagonal cross section), but this is not effective in storing in a carton case and aligning the cans in the same direction at the time of display, Regarding the non-cylindrical shape of the body, it is desirable to approximate the shape to a square cylinder or a hexagon cylinder.

Regarding the shape of the panel wall portion, as long as it does not project outward from a virtual plane connecting the boundary lines with the connecting portions on both sides of the panel wall portion, the concrete shape as shown in the embodiment is used. Not limited to the structure, it may be implemented as an appropriate shape including a flat surface, and the range in the length direction of the panel wall portion is not strictly limited to the region of the body portion, and FIG. As shown in (A), the panel wall portion 41 may slightly enter the area of the shoulder portion 2 or the neck portion 5 (in the neck portion 5 having a reduced diameter, at least a portion to be fastened with the can lid). Should have a circular cross section).

Further, the seamless can which is the object of the present invention is not limited to the bottle type can of the type shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, and for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), A two-piece can in which the body portion 4 and the bottom portion 7 are integrally formed, and an upper lid (easy open end or the like) 6 is fixed by winding around the upper end of a neck portion 5 formed on the upper end side (opening end side) of the body portion. Also, although not shown, a screw having a small diameter cylindrical portion is formed by greatly reducing the diameter of the neck portion on the open end side of the bottomed cylindrical can, and a screw cap can be attached to the small diameter cylindrical portion. It may be a bottle-shaped can of the type that forms a part, or a can of the type in which a can lid in which the mouth and neck and the shoulder are integrally molded is fastened by being fastened to the open end side of a bottomed cylindrical can, and the like. Needless to say, the design can be changed appropriately.

[0029]

As described above, according to the seamless can having the non-cylindrical body of the present invention as described above, the can is efficiently accommodated in the carton case, and when the product is displayed, the can is easily oriented in a predetermined direction. Even if the body of the can is formed into a non-cylindrical shape by the panel walls so that the cans can be aligned, the connecting portion that connects the panel walls is formed in a circular arc shape with a cross section of a predetermined size or more. By doing so, it is possible to divert the turret for transportation, which has been widely used in the past, as it is, and to hold the can in a stable state in the pocket of the turret for transportation as in the case of the cylindrical can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a bottle-type can according to an embodiment of a seamless can having a non-cylindrical body of the present invention.

2A is a plan view and FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the bottle type can shown in FIG.

FIG. 3A is a front view and FIG. 3B is a plan view showing a bottle type can according to another embodiment of the seamless can of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing another embodiment of the seamless can of the present invention.
The front view which shows each 2 piece can (A), (B).

5A is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the panel wall of the bottle-shaped can shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the panel wall of the bottle-shaped can shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Seamless can (bottle type can or 2 piece can) 2 Mouth neck (bottle type can) 3 shoulders (of bottle type can) 4 Body (bottle-shaped can or 2-piece can) 5 Neck part (bottle type can or 2 piece can) 6 Can lid (top lid or bottom lid) 7 Bottom (2 piece can) 41 Panel wall 41a Central part (of panel wall part) 41b peripheral part (of panel wall part) 42 Connection F virtual plane

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a seamless can made of metal having a thin and seamless body, a neck portion having a reduced diameter on the opening end side of the body has a circular cross section at least at a can lid winding portion. Is formed, at least in the entire body, a plurality of panel wall portions are formed at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the body portion, each connecting portion of a predetermined width that connects adjacent panel wall portions. , A part of a virtual cylindrical surface connecting them is formed in an arc shape in a transverse cross section, and each panel wall portion is more than the plane based on a virtual plane connecting the boundary lines with the connecting portions on both sides thereof. A non-cylindrical body is formed so as not to project outward, and the ratio of the entire connecting portion to the entire virtual cylindrical surface connecting the connecting portions is at least 36% or more. Have a seamless can. 2. The seamless can having a non-cylindrical barrel according to claim 1, wherein the shape connecting the virtual planes serving as the reference of each panel wall is a square tube or a hexagonal tube. . 3. A body is formed into a non-cylindrical shape by molding a plurality of panel wall portions so as to leave a connecting portion having a predetermined width at a predetermined interval with respect to a cylindrical thinned body portion. A seamless can having a non-cylindrical body according to claim 1 or 2, which is formed. 4. The panel wall portion is entirely recessed so that the edge portion of the panel wall portion is located on a virtual plane and the inside of the edge portion of the panel wall portion is recessed inward of the virtual plane. 4. A seamless can having a non-cylindrical body according to claim 1. 5. The seamless can is a bottle-type can in which a mouth / neck portion, a shoulder portion, a body portion, and a neck portion are integrally molded, and a bottom lid is wound around the lower end of the neck portion. Item 6. A seamless can having a non-cylindrical body according to items 1 to 5. 6. The seamless can is a two-piece can in which a neck portion, a body portion, and a bottom portion are integrally molded, and an upper lid is wound around the upper end of the neck portion.
A seamless can having a non-cylindrical body as described in 1.