KR20000005137A - Re-sealed drink container and top for container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A re-sealed drink container is provided to simply store the contents of a container by sealing the container and to directly drink the contents through the improved open part of a mouth. CONSTITUTION: The re-sealed drink container is composed of:a neck part(11) having a lower edge including a peripheral wing part for combining a rim(20) of a can body, and an open part of a mouth possessing the usual cylindrical central upper part of smaller diameter than the wing part and having a peripheral curl part; a first set rug formed outwards with the first diameter to the upper part to corporate with the closed hat; a closed hat member(12) able to eliminate, including the rim(20) ended on the circular lower edge; and a second set rug formed inwards in the rim(20) of the hat member(12).

Description

Resealable beverage containers and covers for these containers

The general form of easy open containers at present is widely used in the conventional society, in particular in the beer / beverage market, but uses panels that are torn open with an integral or "sticky" tab, which is a rather luxury convenience item. While such containers are predominantly made of aluminum and can be recycled, a great deal of effort is required to revert to the original containers using reclosable devices or mechanisms, and for a variety of reasons, they are not used in the art. Thus, such containers are deferred to use once, such as discarding the package, and intermittently and partially dispense the contents after the first opening, but cannot safely store the liquid contents.

Before and during the opening of the easily open can end, a container form has been used which has a conventional frusto-conical top on the can body and is provided with a crown cap which cannot be reclosable. Some of the vessels had individual reclosable covers that covered the crowned caps, which were threaded in the neck portion and discarded once opened, as disclosed and typical of US Pat. No. 2,337,616. This container was not accepted on the market for several reasons.

Thus, there is a need for a reclosable container for liquids that can be resealed to maintain a portion of the contents in a sealed state as part of the original container construction or assembly. The inlet configuration of such a container may be more acceptable than an easy open container for drinking the container contents directly.

This reclosable form can be used in (non-metallic) plastic (conventional blow molding) containers for carbonated beverages in sizes of both 2 liters and smaller 1 and 1/2 liters (0.59 ml). Such containers have a cork cap that can be properly plastic molded, weakly sealed and simply resealed, but the loss of carbon dioxide through the plastic body material consequently shortens the life of the product and makes it difficult to regenerate. Decreases wide water solubility.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a container for fluids, in particular a container for pressurized liquids (ie beer / beverage containers), which may be composed of reclosable forms and metals, preferably aluminum.

The present invention relates to a liquid container, in particular a beverage container, comprising a reclosable lid or cap that can be applied to a variety of standard cans and the like by using a known interlock curl attachment system.

1 illustrates the top vessel in phantom and outlines two stack vessels incorporating the present invention.

2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a container end constructed in accordance with the invention, including a rim at the lower edge of the neck section that is part of the seam joint between the top rim and the end of the can body.

2A is an enlarged detail view of one of the lugs formed out at the upper neck section at the end.

3A, 3B and 3C are cross sectional views showing the operation of forming a hat or cap portion of a new container.

4A and 4B are advancing cross sectional views of the hat member showing their formation;

5A-5H are partial cross-sectional views of a punch and die tool around a typical press, illustrating the formation of a neck structure or dome at the vessel end;

6A to 6G are enlarged cross sectional views illustrating a process of forming a neck structure.

7 is a schematic diagram illustrating another method of forming a lug on a neck section.

8 is a diagram illustrating the effect of stacking the container on the seal and cap.

9 is a diagram showing the effect of loading on a seal and a cap.

The present invention provides a closure structure for a reclosable metal container, ie a metal can body, in which the dome container end having a neck portion having an inlet opening is reclosable. Caps or hats are provided. Preferably, the end with the attached sealing hat is attached to the open end of the filled can by conventional double rolled seam connection. The present invention includes a method of making such an end and a method of attaching the end to the can body.

The present invention provides a unique versatile container for fluids, in particular beverages, in which various standard can bodies have ends comprising a neck having an inlet opening, lug forming over the neck beneath the inlet opening, A reclosable cap or hat is provided having another lug formation that can be connected to the lug formation over the neck and including a seal surrounding the inlet opening so that the product can be maintained under pressure. The end can be connected to the can body by attaching a conventional double rolling seam between the bottom of the neck and the rim of the can body.

It is a primary object of the present invention, even though under pressure, to a removable cap structure that can be added to a metal container by conventional seaming to reseal and store the partial contents stored in the container (herein with a neck and a hat). A resealable end, including an improved mouth structure that is easy to pour and comfortable to drink directly from the container, and an improved method and apparatus for making the resealable hats and necks as described above. It is.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the claims.

Vessel

The container end of the present invention comprises two main parts, a dome structure 10 and a cap or hat member 12, the hat member 12 being a portion of the hat member 12. It is a general form of an inverted cup that includes an outwardly curled rim 13 that depends from the cover panel 14. In FIG. 1, the pair of containers includes can type bodies 15 each having the ends, and such bodies with concave centers 16 at the bottom can stack containers while including new resealable ends. One body is shown stacked on top of another to show its ability. Such bottom shape of the can body is originally known.

In FIG. 2, the dome can be seamed at the rim or top of the can body and has a neck structure 11 having a winged lower rim 20, optionally comprising a sealing compound 21 on the underside of the rim 20. ). The rim 20 is a conventional conical truncated shape formed on a ledge 31 and formed on its upper edge a generally cylindrical upper neck section 25 which terminates at the upper edge of the enclosed sealing rim 30. It extends out from the lower edge of the center neck section 22. A good circular seal 32 of elastomer is provided around the seal rim 30, which may be of other forms, as will be described later, but is generally provided in the cap 12. As shown in FIG.

The first set of extension lugs 35 has a lower cam surface 36 extending at an angle to a general vertical outer surface of the neck section 25 and formed at an angle, which is a conventional triangle, from the upper neck section 25. Is extended out. The lug 35 cooperates with a second set of lug members 36 extending inwardly formed on the curl rim 30 of the hat member 12 to securely hold the cap on the dome structure, as described below. . When the hat member is attached to the upper neck portion, the cooperating first and second lug members 35, 36 pull the cover panel 14 toward the curl sealing rim 30, as shown in FIG. The seal 32 is compressed against the curl rim 30 and the ledge 31.

The seal 32 can take other forms. In a first form, the annular O-ring type seal is molded into a compliant periphery of a thin flexible disk attached to the underside of the lid panel 14. In another form, it is made of a circular thin member rim applied to the outside of the underside of the annular O-ring type seal cover panel 14. In any case, the compressible elastomeric sealing member is disposed in the hat member 12, as shown in FIG. 2. This arrangement maintains the initial pressurization of the product (if necessary), closes again and maintains residual pressure.

tool

Although the scope of the present invention includes other types of tools and operating procedures, the tools described herein are intended for use in reciprocating high speed presses. In general, in FIGS. 3A and 3B and 5A and 5B, a typical press includes an upper die plate UP, a lower die plate LP, a punch or punches on the upper die plate UP and the lower die. And a guide post GP that maintains alignment of the corresponding die or dies on the plate LP. Some of the figures show tools in a somewhat schematic manner at different stations within the press.

Hat formation

3A and 3B and 4A and 4B show two steps to form a hat or cap and a finished lug hat 12. The two steps can be accommodated in the same press as they are convenient in a high production environment, but the second operation can be carried out in an auxiliary piece of equipment.

In the first operation (at the first station I-H), the blank is cut from the sheet or coil material in the down stroke of the press by the blank punch 45. In a subsequent downstroke, the blank is drawn into the cup-shaped hat portion 40-1. In the bottom stroke, the panel shape 42 is formed above the hat portion 40-1 by the punch 45 and the cooperating die 46.

In the upstroke, the lower curling ring 48 under spring pressure rises with the blank punch. The edge 50 of the hat portion 40-1 is cut outward into the cavity formed by the curl ring 48 and the blank punch 45, so as shown in FIG. 4A, having the outer curl portion 55. Complete the hat or cap portion 40-1 formed.

In the second operation (which may be another station in the press or an auxiliary part of the installation, as mentioned), the second station II-H has an external collar which rests in the cavity 63 of the die 62. 55 is a die 62 and a punch 60 with a cavity for receiving the hat portion 40-1 in the opposite direction. A punch probe comprising a plurality of radially movable fingers 64 cooperating with a central tapered actuating cam 65 is provided for the hat portion 40-1 formed before the punch is closed against the hat portion 40-1. It is first inserted into the production side. Finger 64 is extended by cam 65 (to the position shown in FIG. 4B) and finger end 66 is formed with a portion of the cut section to size lug 36 such that it is formed from the material of curl portion 55. Extends into the hat portion 40-1 towards the interior of 55. The curl ring 67 on the punch has a set of cavities in the radially inward section, which set corresponds to the position and size of the lug 36. The radially contoured area of the ring 67 corresponds to moving the material from the outer curl portion 55 toward the interior of the hat portion 40-1 when the curl ring 67 is based on the finger end 66. It has an inwardly extending surface 68, which is the final form of the hat portion 40-2 including lugs 36 (preferably three or four) guided inward over the outwardly curled edge 50. Determine.

Neck structure forming

The neck / dome structure 11 is formed in seven operations as described below. However, if desired, the first station blank & drawing operation and the second station redrawing operation can be combined into a single station while reducing the total number of stations to six. The following description will describe the first and second stations separately.

At the first station I-N, the blank is cut from the sheet or coil material and drawn into the cup-shaped portion 70-1, as shown in FIGS. 5A & 6A.

In the second station II-N, the portion 70-1 is redrawn to form a countersink area 72 and the edge 74 is curled to define the final outer diameter, which is later 70-2) allows it to be placed into a belt type transport system from this operation, resulting in higher productivity than other types of transport systems. It will be appreciated that the first and second stations are individual in a production atmosphere incorporating an automatic transportation system, but may be better combined to allow the parts to move immediately to a belt or other similar transportation system.

In the third station III-N, the portion 70-2 is redrawn so that the central section 75 is additionally enlarged, and the lip 76 [formed in the seventh operation, as described below]. It is formed at the fourth station IV-N where the curl portion is placed to form part 70-3 (FIGS. 5D & 6D).

In the fifth station (V-N), the hole or opening 78 penetrates the part, and in the sixth station VI-N, the opening 78 is extruded upwards to cover the portion 70-4. Get the ingredients you need.

At that time, at the seventh station VIII-N, a curl sealing ring 30 is formed around the drink opening. The curl is formed at 360 degrees such that the raw edge of the material does not come into contact with the user's mouth when drinking directly from the container, which forms part 70-5 (shown in FIG. 6G).

Lug 35 may be added to upper neck section 25 at another press station. The lugs can be formed in individual auxiliary devices using rolling screws or the like in thin walled metal cylindrical or cup shaped portions.

In the additional press station (VII-N), the portion 70-5 is placed in a die member 80 comprising a cavity 81 corresponding to the desired external shape and position of the lug 35. In the preferred embodiment, there are three or four cavities that are arranged around the upper neck section at the desired location of the lug 35. A punch 82 with radially deployable fingers 84, actuated by a tapered cam 85, is inserted into the portion 70-1 and the wall of the neck section extends the fingers out radially by the die cavity. Pressurized in. Fingers 84 have embossing parts 86 configured according to the size and shape of lugs 35 and are adapted to engage with cavity 81. As such, after the lug 35 is formed, the finger 84 retracts and the punch 82 and die 80 are separated and the completed neck portion 70-5 is removed. In this same station, the winged lower rim can be reshaped by preliminarily larger curl for sealing action when the end is attached to the filled can body.

Alternatively, by using an auxiliary part of the installation, the winged lower rim or sealing collar is finished molded and the lugs 35 will be formed simultaneously using a rotating technique. Portion 70-5 is gripped at rotation chuck 90 and rotates about a first axis 92 coincident with the center line of upper neck section 25. A cooperating rotatable ironing tool, ie an outer anvil 94 rotating at shaft 95 and an inner die 96 rotating at shaft 97, is in contact with the wall of the neck section. do. The anvil and the die cooperating with the anvil and their respective rotational drives can move radially and longitudinally towards the chuck / partial axis 92 and from the chuck / partial axis 92: the parts are thus chuck parts. It can also be moved from the surface to the surface of the upper neck section 25 of 70-5, and can also be moved towards and away from this surface of the upper neck section 25. The rotating anvil 94 and die 96 tool have a male / female shape of lugs 35 formed thereon. As the anvil and die rotate in engagement with the rotating portion 70-5, the lug shape is pressed against the wall of the upper neck section.

Industrial applicability

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing a container end of a neck and a hat member. The various punches, dies and associated equipment associated with the published progression station form a means for performing the various steps described for manufacturing the neck member and the cooperating hat member in the press and associated machine in a mass production environment.

FIG. 7 shows the modified geometry of the hat or cap at 90 PSI compared to the almost undeformed geometry, which is the act of guiding a stack of second containers and cans on top of another can. This is due to the application of an external vertical axial load on the container. Test and computer modeling indicate that the hat or cap descends to the minimum position where the dome is provided to the hat. The seal 32 is pressed into the gap between the hat member 12 and the outer surface of the opening to further press the seal.

FIG. 8 shows the modified geometry of the hat member 12 at 90 PSI compared to the almost undeformed hat member geometry. A load is applied to the center of the hat member and the hat member becomes flat due to the moment shown. This deformation results in an outward movement on the side of the hat member (shown enlarged), which presses the O-ring seal at a lower pressure that acts in the interference between the sealing member, the upper neck region of the dome and the cap. Can be alleviated considerably. Thus, the container installed in the seal according to the present invention will lower the hat member as will be apparent in the situation described above (FIG. 7) with the flattening process of the hat member, but will not lose its sealing action.

Although the method described herein and the form of the apparatus for carrying out the method constitute a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the form of the method and apparatus defined above, but is defined in the appended claims. It should be understood that modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

A lower edge comprising a peripheral wing portion for incorporation into a rolling seam with a rim of the can body, the inlet opening having a generally cylindrical central upper portion of smaller diameter than the wing portion and having a peripheral curl With the neck part to say, A first set of lugs formed outwardly with a first diameter with respect to said upper portion for cooperating with a closing hat, A removable closure hat member covering the inlet opening and including a rim shaped to extend down from the lid panel around the lid panel and the upper neck portion and terminate at a conventional circular lower edge; The hat member to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the first set of lugs to be latched under the first set of lugs to hold the hat member in a sealed relationship with the peripheral curl of the inlet opening. A resealable container end for attaching to a liquid storage container, the second set of lugs formed inwardly within the rim. The method of claim 1, further comprising a sealing member in the hat member, And the first set of lugs to attach to a liquid reservoir having a downwardly inclined cam surface of the neck portion to compress the sealing member against the inlet opening. The upper portion of the neck portion includes a ledge relative to the peripheral curl, And the sealing member has an inner diameter larger than the peripheral curl portion, whereby the sealing member is attached to a liquid storage container compressed against the ledge and the peripheral curl portion. 4. The resealable container end of claim 3 wherein the sealing member is an elastomeric ring-shaped member stored in the rim of the hat member adjacent to the junction of the lid panel and the rim. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an outwardly cut portion formed on the lower edge of the rim of the hat member, And the second set of lugs for attaching to a liquid reservoir that extends inwardly from the outwardly cut portion. The resealable container of claim 1, further comprising a sealing compound applied to the lower portion of the wing portion of the neck portion for coalescing in a rolling seam formed from the can body and the wing portion. End. A neck portion having a lower edge suitable for incorporation in a seam with a rim of the can body, the neck portion comprising an inlet opening having a peripheral cylindrical portion and having a generally cylindrical central upper portion of a diameter smaller than the wing portion; An outwardly first set of lugs formed with a first diameter relative to the upper portion for cooperating with the closing hat, A removable closure hat member covering the inlet opening and including a rim shaped to extend down from the lid panel around the lid panel and the upper neck portion and terminate at a conventional circular lower edge; A circular sealing member in the rim of the hat member adjacent the cover panel; The hat member to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the first set of lugs to retain the hat member and to latch under the first set of lugs in a sealed relationship with the peripheral curl of the inlet opening. A resealable container end for attaching to a liquid storage container, the second set of lugs formed inwardly within the rim. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the upper portion of the neck portion includes a ledge relative to the peripheral curl, And the sealing member has an inner diameter larger than the peripheral curl portion, whereby the sealing member is attached to a liquid storage container compressed against the ledge and the peripheral curl portion. 8. The resealable container end of claim 7, wherein the sealing member is an elastomeric ring member stored in the rim of the hat member adjacent to the junction of the lid panel and the rim. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the peripheral curl is an outward curl formed on the lower edge of the rim of the hat member, And the second set of lugs for attaching to a liquid reservoir that extends inwardly from the outwardly cut portion. 11. The resealable container end of claim 10, further comprising a ledge formed on the upper neck portion, wherein an outward curl surrounding the inlet opening is attached to a liquid reservoir formed from the ledge. In the manufacturing method of the container end containing the neck member for joining to a can body, and the hat member which forms the resealable closure part with this neck member, Forming a neck member comprising a can body and a peripheral wing portion suitable for bonding to a conventional cylindrical upper neck portion, Forming an outward collar on the upper neck portion defining the inlet opening; Forming a first set of lugs projecting outwardly of the upper neck portion to a predetermined first diameter and forming a cam surface on the first set of lugs; Forming a generally inverted cup-shaped hat member comprising a lid panel and a rim dependent from the lid panel and an outwardly cut portion formed against the edge of the rim, A second set of lugs extending inward from the rim to interact with the cam surface on the first set of lugs on the neck member to propel the lid panel towards the outward curl surrounding the inlet opening. Forming a predetermined second diameter smaller than the lug diameter. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: forming a sealing member comprising a ring having an inner diameter sized to be installed against an outwardly curled portion around the inlet opening; And placing the sealing member in the hat member such that when the lug on the hat member is fully engaged with the lug on the upper neck portion, the ring is pressed against the outward curl on the inlet opening. In the manufacturing method of the container end containing the neck member for joining to a can body, and the hat member which forms the resealable closure part with this neck member, Means for forming a neck member comprising a can body and a peripheral wing portion suitable for joining to a conventional cylindrical upper neck portion, Means for forming an outward collar on said upper neck portion defining an inlet opening; Means for forming a first set of lugs protruding outwardly of the upper neck portion and comprising a cam surface to a predetermined first diameter, Means for forming a generally inverted cup-shaped hat member comprising a lid panel and a rim that depends from the lid panel and an outwardly cut portion formed against the edge of the rim; A second set of lugs extending inward from the rim to interact with the cam surface on the first set of lugs on the neck member to move the lid panel toward the outward curl surrounding the inlet opening. And a means for forming to a predetermined second diameter smaller than the lug diameter of the set.