JP2008519737A - Can closing device - Google Patents

Abstract

  In a closure device for a can of the type presenting a downwardly closed tubular body (10) with a circular or polygonal cross section, a peripheral side wall (11) provided with an upper edge (12), As well as the peripheral side wall (11) to define an upper opening (14) of the can and a seat (15) for seating the sealing element (20), which is internal with respect to the tubular body (10). And a structural annular part (13) hermetically coupled to the structural annular part (13) axially relative to the upper end (12) of the peripheral side wall (11) It is delimited by a circumferential rib (16) formed by a recess in the peripheral side wall (11) projecting radially in the tubular body (10), separated from the rear.

Description

  The present invention relates to a closure device applied to a can obtained from a metal sheet, the lower end portion attaching or incorporating a bottom wall presenting a peripheral side wall with a circular or polygonal profile, and the can A cylindrical body having an upper end portion bearing a structural annulus defining an opening for accessing the interior thereof, as well as a removable and re-molded stamped metal sheet or molded from a plastic material. A sealing element, usually in the form of a metal film, seated and held in the form of a closable lid or glued around the structural annulus and decisively removed when the can is first opened The present invention relates to a closure device of the type comprising a seating part.

  Certain products that are gradually consumed and packaged together, such as certain foodstuffs, paints, etc., should be stored in a sealed manner to ensure the sealing of the can and protect the contents of the remaining can In addition, the lid is required to be of a reclosable type so that it can be reclosed as many times as necessary during the gradual consumption of the stored product.

  Prior art cans with a press-fit lid are well known, where the lid is press-fitted into a structural annulus that is double stitched from the outside to the upper edge of the peripheral side wall of the can body. Is done. Sealing is ensured when the lid is fitted into a seat defined in the structural annulus. In some cases, particularly for food products, it is necessary to provide a hermetic seal that is clearly tapered until the can is first opened, which is usually defined by a thin aluminum sheet or other suitable material and the surroundings Double stitched together with the structural annulus at the upper edge of the sidewall.

  In other known solutions, such as those described in Brazilian Patent Nos. PI 0203950-8 and PI 0303833-5, the press-fit lid is constructed of a plastic material and is structurally annular. A sealing part removably seated and held in a seating part defined in the part, and a hand-breakable seal provided around the upper end part of the tubular body of the can.

  Another known solution is a structure in which the upper surface defines an annular surface for seating and adhering the peripheral portion of the seal, usually an aluminum foil, which is pulled apart by hand when the can is first opened. An annular portion may be provided. In this constructive solution, a plastic cover or cover is provided that is removably fitted over the upper end portion of the peripheral side wall of the tubular body to protect the contents of the can after the seal is removed.

  In any of the three types of closure devices described above, it presents a piece defining a structural annulus that must be double stitched externally to the upper edge of the peripheral side wall of the can body. It is necessary to provide regardless of various shapes. Providing a structural annulus provides the structural strength necessary to open the upper end portion of the cylindrical body of the can, and also a seat for seating a sealing element in the form of a metal lid, plastic lid or seal It is also essential to define

  However, in the known prior art arrangement, the structural annulus is defined as a separate piece with respect to the cylindrical body, consuming each amount of tinplate for its formation, and the peripheral side wall of the can Need to be double stitched together so that it is firmly attached to the upper edge of the. In addition to requiring additional additional raw materials, the double stitching of this known structural annulus greatly limits the potential for reducing can manufacturing costs.

  Due to the disadvantages described above and related to the raw materials for providing the structural annulus and the manufacturing costs, the object of the present invention is a closure device for a can of the type discussed herein, comprising a cylindrical body of a can In addition to providing a structural annular portion as a metal sheet different from the structural annular portion, the work of stitching the structural annular portion to the upper edge of the peripheral side wall of the cylindrical body of the can is also performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a closure device that eliminates the structural strength of the can and the characteristics of the formation of the seat for the sealing element.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a closure device as described above, wherein the structural annulus has a different pattern for the seat where different elements are seated to seal the opening providing access to the interior of the can. It is to provide a closure device that allows it to be shaped to define.

  The closure device is applied to a can of the type presenting a cylindrical body closed down and having a circular or polygonal cross-section and is internal to the peripheral side wall provided with an upper edge, as well as to the cylindrical body A structural annulus that is hermetically coupled to the peripheral side wall to define an upper opening of the can and a seat for seating the sealing element.

  According to the present invention, the structural annular portion is formed by a recess in the peripheral side wall that is spaced axially rearward from the upper end of the peripheral side wall, and is a circumferential rib projecting radially in the cylindrical body. Defined by

  The arrangement proposed by the present invention allows the structural annulus of the can to be defined by deformation of the peripheral wall of the can and punches out the double stitched structural annulus of the prior art. In addition to the materials used in the above, the work of sewing the annular portion to the structure of the cylindrical body of the can twice is omitted.

  The circumferential ribs defining the new structural annulus are punched out of metal sheet or molded with plastic material, or can be removed circumferentially on the annular upper surface of the circumferential rib Can be configured to define a seat for the seating of the sealing element, which can take the form of a clearly visible seal with a taper.

  The present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are listed as examples of possible embodiments of the invention.

  As shown in the accompanying drawings, the closure device of the present invention is shown below by a bottom wall (not shown) that presents a cylindrical body 10 with a circular or polygonal cross-section, typically made of tinplate. A can that is closed and has a peripheral wall 11 provided with an upper edge 12 and a structure hermetically joined to the peripheral side wall 11 so as to define an upper opening 14 of the can inside the cylindrical body 10 Applicable to cans with a central annular part 13 as well as a seating part 15 on which a sealing element 20 capable of presenting different configurations as described above is to be seated.

  FIGS. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings show a closure device wherein the sealing element 20 is removable on the upper surface 16a of the circumferential rib 16, which is generally of impervious material, preferably metallized. Relates to a closure device defined by a film 21 adhered to. The sealing element 20 is configured in such a way that when the can is first opened to give access to the interior of the can, it is decisively removed from its mounting position by the user. In this type of configuration, the circumferential rib 16 presents its upper surface 16a in a normal plane and perpendicular to the axis of the can to provide a stable and secure adhesion of the peripheral portion of the film 21 to the circumferential rib 16. make it easier.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the circumferential rib 16 presents a generally horizontal “U” shaped cross-section, its lateral legs are parallel to each other, and the base region is circumferential. The inner edge 16b of the rib 16 is defined and its shape can have different characteristics depending on the configuration used for the sealing element 20. In FIGS. 2 and 4, the circumferential rib 16 presents a generally horizontal “V” shaped cross section, which has a rounded top that defines an inner edge 16 a of the circumferential rib 16. A lateral leg, which defines the upper surface 16a of the circumferential rib 16 and is preferably arranged perpendicular to the axis of the can when the sealing element 20 takes the form of a film 21 which seals the can. Side legs.

  When using a sealing element 20 in the form of a film 21 removably glued on the circumferential rib 16, the closing device is a cover 30, which is cylindrical at a level higher than the level of the circumferential rib 16. Of the peripheral side wall 11 of the tubular body 10 of the can, which is formed of a single piece having a central recess 31 received inside the body 10 and has a section in the form of a generally inverted “U”. It further comprises a cover 30 formed by a peripheral portion 32 that is dimensioned to fit securely over the upper edge 12.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the upper edge 12 of the peripheral side wall 11 of the can is bent outward, downward, and inward, so that a cylindrical rib 17 incorporated into the upper edge 12 from the outside is provided. Defining and cooperating with the structural strengthening of the upper edge 12 to define the peripheral protrusions of this area of the can and serve as a seating means for the peripheral portion 32 of the cover 30 in addition to the can seat 15 serves as an axial holding stop for the peripheral part of another type of sealing element that can be fitted into the 15. As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the cylindrical ribs 17 on the upper edge 12 of the peripheral wall 11 of the can can present a circular or substantially circular cross section.

  The axial retention of the cover 30 on the upper edge 12 of the can is defined between the circumferential rib 16 and the upper edge 12 with the peripheral portion 32 of the cover 30 being a radially inner wall 32a. Is obtained by the fact that it has a wall 32a that is dimensioned and configured to be seated relatively tightly against the inner surface of a portion of the peripheral wall 11 of the can. The peripheral portion 32 further includes a base wall 32b seated on the upper edge 12 of the can and a radial outer wall 32c seated on and surrounding the cylindrical rib 17. The radially outer wall 32c of the peripheral portion 32 of the cover 30 presents a lower free edge that incorporates an external cylindrical curved portion 33 that provides sufficient structural strength to the peripheral portion of the cover 30 that is typically molded of plastic material or the like. .

  FIGS. 5a, 6 and 7 show a can configuration similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-4, but omitting the use of a film 21 glued on the circumferential rib 16, other types of seals. A configuration using element 20 is shown. In this manner of practicing the invention, the circumferential rib 16 presents its inner edge 16b, preferably configured to define a convex arc, and the sealing element 20 is defined by the lid 22, The lid 22 is a single piece of metal foil or plastic material, an upper edge defined above the base wall 23 and a portion of the peripheral side wall 11 of the tubular body 10, which is defined above the upper opening 14 of the can. A section 25 and a circumferential recess 26, the cross section of which is in the form of a concave arc directed radially outward, preferably in a circular deployment, and when the lid 22 is seated on the seating section 15, the circumference The inner edge 16b of the rib 16 is defined by a lid 22 with a peripheral wall 24 presenting a circumferential recess 26 configured to be fitted therein. Also, in this configuration of the press-fit lid 22, the circumferential ribs 16 can present any suitable form of cross-section that defines the seat that seats and holds the lid 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the circumferential rib 16 presents a cross section in the form of a generally horizontal “U” or “V”, and the inner edge 16b of the circumferential rib 16 is a base portion of a “U” shaped contour. Alternatively, it is formed by the top of a “V” shaped contour.

  In this configuration, when the lid 22 is fitted to the seating portion 15, the inner edge portion 16 b of the circumferential rib 16 is deformed by elastic deformation between at least one peripheral side wall 11 of the can and the peripheral wall of the lid 22. In addition to the fitting that fits inside the circumferential recess 26 of the peripheral wall and seals the lid 22 to the seating portion 15, the lid 22 can be efficiently and reliably held in the tubular body 10 in the axial direction. Make it possible to get.

  Considering that the cylindrical body 10 of the can is usually formed from a metal foil provided with longitudinal stitching obtained by welding and overlapping the longitudinal edges of the metal foil, the circumference of the stitching area There is a problem that an appropriate stitching between the rib 16 and the circumferential recess 26 is obtained.

  Thus, taking into account the reduced thickness of the metal foil that forms the can body 10, the elastic deformation that is compatible with the canned product in the area between the lid 22 and the circumferential rib 16 of the body 10. It is desirable to provide a sealing element 50 made of possible material to accommodate changes in the surface of the circumferential rib 16 in the longitudinally sewn area of the tubular body 10.

  As a possible configuration, as shown in FIG. 5b, the elastically deformable sealing element 50 takes the form of an annular gasket that covers at least a portion of the radial extension of the inner surface of the circumferential recess 26 of the lid 22, The gasket can be formed of any suitable material that is resinous or not, such as plastisol. The sealing element 50 is dimensioned so as to surround only the inner edge 16b of the circumferential rib 16 and also the upper surface 16a of the circumferential rib 16 and even a specific extension of the peripheral wall 24 of the lid 22. Can do.

  In the case of a lid 22 made of plastic material, as shown in FIG. 6, it may not be necessary to provide a sealing element 50 depending on the stitching of the plastic material of the lid and the characteristics of the product to be stored.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 a, 6, and 7, the peripheral wall 24 of the lid 22 is connected to an annular radial portion 24 a seated on the upper surface 16 a of the circumferential rib 16 and a portion of the peripheral side wall 11 of the can. An axial upper portion 24b seated against the inner surface can be configured to present an upper portion 24b defined between the circumferential rib 16 and its upper edge 12. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain an even more effective seal between the lid 22 and the area of the seat 15 of the can body 10.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5a, the upper edge 25 of the peripheral wall 11 of the lid 22 is located inside the circumferential rib 16 inside the circumferential recess 26 of the peripheral wall 11 of the lid 22 when the lid 22 is closed. By fitting the edges together, an external cylindrical rib 27 seated on the upper edge 12 of the peripheral side wall 11 of the cylindrical body 10 of the can is incorporated.

  3 to 7, the external cylindrical rib 27 of the lid 22 is seated on the cylindrical rib 17 of the peripheral side wall 11 of the cylindrical main body 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the upper edge 25 of the peripheral wall 11 of the lid 22 is a skirt 28 a that is seated relatively firmly around the cylindrical body 10 just below the cylindrical rib 17 of the peripheral side wall 11. The lower skirt 28a is incorporated into the upper edge 25 of the peripheral wall 11 of the lid 24 by a bridge 28b that is broken by hand when subjected to a specific force when the lid 22 is first opened. Is connected to the top.

  Note that the lower skirt 28a of the seal 28 is positioned under the tubular rib 17 and acts as a stop, which prevents the lid 22 from being removed without breaking the bridge 28b and opening the seal 28. I want to be.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a circumferential rib 16 is provided in the area of the peripheral side wall 11 of the tubular body 10 that presents a diameter substantially lower than the diameter of the remaining portion of the tubular body 10 of the can, The seal 28 of the lid 22 can remain contained within the axial protrusion of the remaining portion of the tubular body 10.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7, the cylindrical ribs 17 are shaped and dimensioned to be maintained above the level at which the circumferential ribs 16 are provided. A circumferential recess formed and defined in the peripheral side wall 11 makes it visible on the side visualization of the can.

  In addition to the problems related to the can finishing operation, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the shape of the cylindrical rib 17 has the effect of structural strengthening of the can in the open upper part of the cylindrical body 10, Limited to an extension defined between the circumferential rib 16 and the upper edge 12.

  FIG. 8 shows a structural alternative to the can cylindrical body 10 according to which the tubular ribs 17 serve as an aesthetic finishing element for the can and to the open upper part of the can cylindrical body 10. Serve as a structural reinforcement factor.

  According to this improvement, the cylindrical rib 17 is continuously incorporated into the upper edge portion 12 of the peripheral side wall 11 from the outside, but extends downward beyond the peripheral rib 16 so that the peripheral rib 16 of the peripheral side wall 11 extends. Cover the recess to be formed.

  As shown in the drawing, the cylindrical rib 17 is curved upward with its lower free end portion 17a facing inward, and is disposed below the circumferential rib 16 adjacent to the peripheral side wall 11 of the cylindrical body 10. Configured to be.

  In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8, the lower free end portion 17a of the cylindrical rib 17 presents an end region 17b that bends upward and is lateral to the peripheral side wall 11 of the cylindrical body 10 of the can. Sitting from.

  The configuration proposed herein allows the cylindrical ribs 17 to completely cover the recesses that form the circumferential ribs 16, giving the can a more unitary appearance and greater axial orientation. Produces structural reinforcement with breadth.

  The cylindrical rib 17 is generally configured in an elliptical shape in the axial direction of the can and presents a central extension 17c substantially parallel to the peripheral side wall 11 of the cylindrical body 10 in the area where the circumferential rib 16 is incorporated. Thus, the cylindrical rib 17 takes the form of a certain strap that surrounds the upper end portion of the can.

  The foregoing describes and describes only a few embodiments of the present invention, but it will be appreciated that modifications to the form and configuration of the elements may be made without departing from the structural concepts defined in the appended claims. It can be carried out.

Partial perspective exploded view of an assembly formed by a can, a sealing element, and a cover, presenting the closure device of the present invention, wherein the sealing element is in the form of a film removably bonded to a circumferential rib FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective exploded view similar to FIG. 1 but showing another embodiment of a circumferential rib of the closure device. FIG. 2 is a partial diametrical cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 with both the sealing element and the cover lid attached to the cylindrical body of the can. FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing a closure device with circumferential ribs according to another embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial diametrical cross-sectional view of an assembly formed from a can and a press-fit lid attached and using the closure device of the present invention. FIG. 5b is an enlarged detail view of FIG. 5a showing a possible structural solution to the sealing gasket provided between the seat and the lid. FIG. 5b is a partial diametrical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5a, but showing another possible configuration for the lid used in the closure device of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the closure device applied to the upper part of the can with a reduced diameter in the upper region. FIG. 6 is a partial diametrical cross-sectional view of a tubular body of a can configured in accordance with another embodiment.

Claims (23)

In a closure device for a can of the type presenting a tubular body (10) closed in the downward direction, a peripheral side wall (11) provided with an upper edge (12), and an interior with respect to the tubular body (10) And is sealingly coupled to the peripheral side wall (11) to define an upper opening (14) in the can and a seat (15) for seating the sealing element (20) A closure device comprising an annular part (13),
A peripheral side wall (10) in which the structural annular portion (13) protrudes radially into the cylindrical body (10), spaced axially rearward relative to the upper end (12) of the peripheral side wall (11). 11) A closure device, characterized in that it is defined by a circumferential rib (16) formed by a recess in 11).   The circumferential rib (16) presents an upper surface (16a) that is planar, generally perpendicular to the axis of the can, and the sealing element (20) is an upper surface (16a) of the circumferential rib (16). 2. Closure device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is defined by a film (21) which is removably adhered to the device.   Closing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the circumferential ribs (16) have a generally horizontal "U" shaped cross-section and their lateral legs are parallel to each other.   The side defining the upper surface (16a) of the circumferential rib (16) with a rounded top and disposed perpendicular to the axial direction of the can 3. A closure device according to claim 2, characterized in that it has a generally horizontal "V" shaped cross section with a leg.   A cover (30), above the level of the circumferential rib (16), by a central recess (31) housed inside the cylindrical body (10) and also in the cylindrical body (10 ) With a cover (30) formed in a single piece by a peripheral part (32) dimensioned to fit tightly over the upper edge (12) of the peripheral side wall (11) of The closure device according to claim 2, wherein:   The upper edge (12) of the peripheral side wall (11) defines a cylindrical rib (17) that is incorporated from the outside into the upper edge (12) of the peripheral side wall (11) of the cylindrical body (10) of the can. The closure device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is bent outwardly, downwardly and inwardly.   7. Closure device according to claim 6, characterized in that the tubular rib (17) has a circular cross section.   A radial direction in which the peripheral portion (32) of the cover (30) is seated against the inner surface of a portion of the peripheral side wall (11) defined between the circumferential rib (16) and the upper edge (12) Inverted, having an inner wall (32a), a base wall (32b) seated on the upper edge (12), and a radial outer wall (32c) seated against the tubular rib (17) 7. A closure device according to claim 6, characterized in that it presents a cross-section in the form of a "U".   9. The radial outer wall (32c) of the peripheral part (32) of the cover (30) has a lower free edge that incorporates an external cylindrical curve (33). Closure device.   The circumferential rib (16) has an inner edge (16b) configured to define a convex arc, and the sealing element (20) includes a base wall (23) and an upper opening (14 A peripheral wall (24) presenting an upper edge (25) seated on a portion of the peripheral side wall (11) of the cylindrical body (10), defined on the And has a cross-section in the form of a concave arc, wherein the lid (22) is configured to fit into the inner edge (16b) of the circumferential rib (16) when seated on the seat (15). 2. Closure device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is defined by a lid (22) comprising a circumferential recess (26) as a single piece.   11. The inner edge (16b) of the circumferential rib (16) is configured as a circular convex arc, and the cross section of the circumferential recess (26) is defined by a circular concave arc. Closing device.   The circumferential rib (16) presents a generally cross-section of either flat “U” or “V” profile, and the inner edge (16b) of the circumferential rib (16) is “U”. The closure device according to claim 10, wherein the closure device is formed on one of a base portion of the contour of “” and a top portion of the contour of “V”.   The circumferential rib (16) has an upper annular surface (16a) and the circumferential wall (24) of the lid (22) is seated against the upper surface (16a) of the circumferential rib (16). Having a portion (24a) and an axially upper portion (24b) seated against a peripheral side wall (11) defined between the circumferential rib (16) and its upper edge (12). 11. A closure device according to claim 10, characterized in that   Characterized in that it comprises a sealing element (50) of elastically deformable material attached between the circumferential rib (16) of the tubular body (10) and the circumferential recess (26) of the lid (22). The closure device according to claim 10.   Closing device according to claim 10, characterized in that the sealing element (50) is in the form of an annular gasket covering at least part of the radial extension of the circumferential recess (26) of the lid (22).   External cylindrical rib (33) with the upper edge (12) of the peripheral wall (24) of the lid (22) seated on the upper edge (12) of the peripheral side wall (11) of the cylindrical body (10) of the can 14. A closure device according to claim 13, characterized in that   The upper edge (12) of the peripheral side wall (11) of the cylindrical main body (10) has the cylindrical rib (17) on which the outer cylindrical rib (33) of the peripheral wall (24) of the lid (22) is seated. The closure device according to claim 16, which is incorporated from the outside.   The upper edge (12) of the peripheral side wall (11) of the cylindrical main body (10) incorporates the cylindrical rib (17) from the outside, and the upper edge (12) of the peripheral wall (24) of the lid (22) Hands when seated firmly around the cylindrical body (10) just below the cylindrical ribs (17) of its peripheral side wall (11) and receiving a specific force when the lid (22) is first opened Incorporating an extension of the seal (28) with a lower skirt (28a) joined upwardly to the upper edge (12) of the peripheral wall (24) of the lid (22) by a bridge (28b) broken at The closure device according to claim 13, characterized in that:   The upper wall (12) of the peripheral side wall (11) of the cylindrical body (10) extends downward beyond the circumferential rib (16), which is incorporated into the upper edge (12) of the peripheral side wall (11) from the outside. 2. Closure according to claim 1, characterized in that it is bent outwards, downwards and inwards so as to define cylindrical ribs (17) covering the recesses forming the circumferential ribs (16). apparatus.   A lower free end portion in which the cylindrical rib (17) is bent inwardly and upwardly and is disposed under the circumferential rib (16) and adjacent to the peripheral side wall (11) of the cylindrical main body (10) 20. Closure device according to claim 19, characterized by presenting (17a).   The lower free end portion (17a) of the tubular rib (17) presents an end region (17b) that is bent upward and is seated from the side with respect to the peripheral side wall (11) of the tubular body (10). The closure device according to claim 19, characterized in that:   20. Closure device according to claim 19, characterized in that the cylindrical rib (17) is elliptical in the axial direction of the can.   A central extension (17c) in which the cylindrical rib (17) is substantially parallel to the peripheral side wall (11) of the cylindrical body (10) in the area of the peripheral side wall (11) in which the circumferential rib (16) is incorporated. 21. A closure device according to claim 19, characterized by:

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