MX2014005585A

MX2014005585A - Container and cap.

Info

Publication number: MX2014005585A
Application number: MX2014005585A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Martin John Watson; Solana Alejandro Graner
Original assignee: Crown Packaging Technology Inc
Priority date: 2011-11-08
Filing date: 2012-10-31
Publication date: 2014-09-25
Also published as: JP2015501762A; CN103987628A; AU2012334251A1; RU2623925C2; EP2592011A1; RU2014121072A; CA2865172A1; US20140374428A1; CN103987628B; EP2776329A1; WO2013068292A1

Abstract

A container (100) comprising: a substantially circular opening (406); and a radially projecting curled lip (408) extending around the opening for securing a substantially circular cap over the opening by way of a snap-fit, wherein the radial dimension of the curled lip varies around the opening.

Description

CONTAINER AND COVER TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a container comprising an opening in which a lid can be pressed. The invention also relates to a lid for snap fitting in a container opening. The invention also relates to a container and a lid, the lid is configured for press fit in an opening of a container.

BACKGROUND Storage containers may have openings from which the material stored inside can be dispensed. It may be convenient to fit a cover for such openings to avoid any unplanned exit of material from the container and also to seal the opening and prevent material degradation.

A particular type of container is used to store liquids and comprises a circular opening and a curled lip formed around the circumference of the opening. A cap can be snapped into the opening on the curled lip and thereby held in place.

The force required to press fit a cap in an opening comprising a curled lip may be large, in the region of 400 N. This may result in caps of incorrect adjustment or only partial. This may be because the machine used in the lid assembly may not deliver the force necessary to securely fit the lid in the container opening. Alternatively, if the force required to fit a lid in a container is too large, then the curled lip can be bent away from the lid during adjustment and prevent a snap fit from occurring. A cap incorrectly adjusted or only partially adjusted may result in the cap separating from the container allowing the material stored therein to exit the container. In addition, a cap incorrectly or only partially equipped can result in insufficient sealing between the cap and the opening allowing the material stored there to degrade.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, a container comprises a substantially circular opening; and a radially projecting curled lip extending around the aperture to secure a substantially circular cap over the aperture by means of press fit, wherein the radial dimension of the curled lip varies around the aperture.

The variable radial dimension of the curled lip allows a cap to deform out of alignment during adjustment Pressed with the opening. Perimeter regions of the lid can be deformed radially outwardly to fit over the regions of the curled lip having a greater radial dimension while other regions of the lid can deform radially inwardly. The force required to produce the offset deformation is less than the force required to deform the entire perimeter of the cap radially outwardly. Therefore, the amount of force required to adjust the lid to the opening is reduced without significantly affecting the safety of the lid adjustment in the opening. A reduction in the required adjusting force can lead to a larger proportion of lids that securely and fully engage the containers.

As used herein, the term "off-center" encompasses the distortion of a shape such that the perimeter geometry changes in shape. The deformation of the offset shape can result in the length of the perimeter of the substantially constant remaining shape. However, some increase in the length of the perimeter can be experienced. By way of example, a circle may be deformed off-center to form an ellipse having a circumference substantially equal to that of the circle.

Additionally, by varying the radial dimension of the curled lip, the container can be Used in conjunction with existing covers.

Optionally, the curled lip projects radially outward.

To avoid doubt, the expression "radially projecting" includes the radial extension inward and the radial extension outward.

Optionally, the variable radial dimension provides the curled lip with two or more wings projecting radially.

The wings may provide regions of the curled lip around which the perimeter of a lid may deform outwardly. The regions between the wings can provide areas between the curled lip and a wall of the lid in which the wall of the lid can be deformed inwardly. Therefore, the wings and the regions between the wings allow a cover to deform outwardly during the snap fit to the opening.

Optionally, the curled lip comprises two wings around the circumference of the opening.

The use of two wings can allow a large off-center deformation of the cover and, therefore, a large reduction in the force required for press fit a cover in the opening.

Optionally, the curled lip comprises four wings around the circumference of the opening.

The use of four wings allows for a secure fit of a lid in the opening since the curled lip can retain the lid in four places around the circumference of the lid.

Optionally, the radial dimension of the curled lip varies between a minimum dimension in the range of 0 mm to 1 0.5 mm and a maximum dimension in the range of 1 mm to 0.6 2.5 mm.

Optionally, the radial dimension of the curled lip varies between a minimum dimension in the range of 0.5 mm to 1 mm and a maximum dimension in the range of 1 mm to 0.8 mm 2.

Optionally, the radial dimension of the curled lip varies between a minimum dimension and a maximum dimension, where the minimum dimension is in the range of 0% to 75% of the maximum dimension.

Optionally, the minimum dimension is in the range of 20% to 55% of the maximum dimension.

Optionally, the variable radial dimension of the curled lip is arranged to require a maximum force of 300 N for press fit of a lid over the curled lip.

Optionally, the maximum force required can be 200 N.

Optionally, the maximum force required can be Optionally, the required force is in the range of 100 N to 150 N.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a substantially circular cap for press fitting in a substantially circular opening of a container comprises: a deformable elastic wall; and a radially projecting lip extending around the wall to secure the lid over a curled lip extending around the opening, wherein the radial dimension of the lip varies around the wall.

By varying the radial dimension of the lid lip, the lid is allowed to deform out-of-center when press fit into an opening in the container. That is, regions of lip are deformed to occupy the space between the curled lip of a container and the radially thinner regions of the lip. As discussed above with respect to the invention in a first aspect, this allows a reduction in the force required to adjust the lid.

In addition, by varying the radial dimension of the lip, the lid can be used in conjunction with the existing containers comprising the curved lips formed over an opening.

Optionally, the variable radial dimension of the lip provides the lip with two or more wings that are they project radially.

Optionally, the lid further comprises a substantially circular inner lid, configured to engage within a substantially circular aperture of a container, wherein an annular cavity is defined between the inner cap and the deformable elastic wall for fitting a curled lip formed around the cap. opening.

Optionally, the curled lip forms a continuous arc.

Optionally, a first section of the curled lip extends radially inwardly and a second section of the curled lip extends radially outwardly.

Optionally, in the wings of maximum radial projection, the second section of the curled lip continues until the curled lip extends vertically downwards.

Optionally, the curled lip forms a rounded inner edge of the substantially circular opening.

Optionally, in the radially protruding wings, the curled lip forms a rounded outer edge of the substantially circular opening.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a container and a lid are provided, the lid is configured for press fit into a substantially circular opening of the container, wherein the The container comprises a radially curled projecting lip extending around the opening, and the cap comprises an elastically deformable wall and a radially projecting lip extending around the wall, and wherein a radial dimension of the curled lip varies around the The opening or a radial dimension of the lip varies around the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure la is a perspective view of a known container; Figure Ib is a section through a top plate of a known container during manufacture; The Figure is a section through a top plate of a known container; Figure 2 is a section through a known cover; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a known cover adapted in a known container; Figure 4a is a plan view of the upper part of a first container according to the invention; Figure 4b is a first section through a top plate of a container according to the invention; Figure 4c is a second section through a top plate of a container according to the invention; Figure 5 is a partial section through a lid adapted in a container; Figure 6 is a plan view of the upper part of a second container according to the invention; Y Figure 7 is a plan view of the base of a lid according to the invention.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION The inventors have appreciated that a reduction in the force required to fit a lid to an opening of a container may be desirable without significantly reducing the security of the fit. The reduced force required to adjust the lid can lead to a greater proportion of the caps being adjusted correctly and completely. The inventors have further appreciated that the deformation of a substantially circular off-center lid requires less force than the deformation of a larger substantially circular-shaped lid (ie, larger diameter).

In view of the foregoing, the inventors have invented a container and a lid that result in a reduced force necessary to fit a lid to a container.

The Figure shows a perspective view of a vessel 100 known in the prior art. The container 100 can be for the storage of fruit syrup and comprises a top plate 102, a body 104 and a base (not shown). An opening 106 is formed in the upper plate 102. The opening 106 has a radially projecting lip 108 formed around it.

Figures Ib and show two sections through the upper plate 102 of the known container 100 in different manufacturing stages.

For the manufacture of the aperture 106 and the curled lip 108 in an upper plate 102 for a container 100 a piercing tool is passed through the upper plate 102. FIG. Ib shows a section through an upper plate 102 after that the drilling tool has been passed. The upper plate 102 of Figure 1 B comprises an inlet 110, which defines an opening 121. The opening 112 will form the opening 106 of the container 100. The wall of the inlet 110 is formed by the area of the upper plate 102 that has been forced out by the drilling tool when it is passed to through the top plate 102 to define the aperture 112. A folded region 114 is formed around the periphery of the top plate 102 and is used in conjunction with a region folded into the body 104 to create a double seam for attaching the top plate 102 to the body 104.

After the upper plate 102 has been perforated to define the inlet 110, the wall of the inlet 110 can be crimped downwardly by a curling tool to define a curled lip 108. The Figure shows a section through a plate 102 after the wall of the inlet 110 has curled downwards. Figure 1, therefore, shows the opening 106 and the curled lip 108. The curled lip has a radial dimension 109. The radial dimension is defined from the circumference of the opening to the radial limit of the curled lip 108.

Further details of the manufacture of containers of the type described above are disclosed in European Patent No. EP 0521637.

Figure 2 shows a section through a known circular cap 200. The cap 200 comprises an elastically deformable wall 202. The cap 200 further comprises an internal cap 204. The elastically deformable wall 202 is manufactured to have a diameter greater than or equal to equal to the outer diameter of the curled lip 108 of the container 100 in which the cover 200 is to be adjusted. A lip 208 extends around the elastically deformable wall 202. In Figure 2, the lip 208 is shown as an integral part of the wall 202. However, in other embodiments, the lip 208 may be formed separately and attached to the wall. wall 202. The lip 208 has a radial dimension 206. The radial dimension 206 is configured to define an inner diameter 209 of the cap 200 which is smaller than the outer diameter of the curled lip 108 of the container 100 to which the cap 200 is to be adjusted. The lip 208 is configured to be retained by the curled lip 108 of the container 100 when the cap 200 fits into the container 100.

The cap 200 snaps into the container 100 by applying a force to the cap to stretch the elastically deformable wall 202 of the cap 200 onto the curled lip 108 of the container 100. As the inner diameter 209 of the cap 200 is less than the outer diameter of the crimped lip 108, the wall 202 is forced radially outward by the force applied to the cap. The elastically deformable wall 202 of the lid 200 is stretched to increase its diameter such that the lip 208 of the lid 200 is able to pass over the curled lip 108 of the container 100. Once the lip 208 has passed over the end of the curled lip 108, the elastically deformable wall 202 returns to its original diameter. The lip 208 in this manner is retained by the end of the curled lip 108 preventing the lid 200 from being removed from the container 100.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a known cover 200 fitted in a known container 100.

Figure 4a shows a plan view of a container 400 according to one embodiment of the invention. The container 400 comprises an upper plate 402 and a substantially circular opening 406. A curved lip 408 that protrudes radially extends around the opening 406. The curled lip 408 projects radially outward from the center of the opening 406 as shown with more detail in Figures 4b and 4c. In alternate embodiments, the curled lip 408 projecting radially may project inward towards the center of the aperture 406. To avoid doubt, it is noted here that the radial extension may be one of outwardly from the center of the aperture 406 inwards to the center of the opening 406.

The curled lip 408 can be formed using the method described above in relation to Figure 1 but sections of the inlet can be cut before it is bent down to form a curled lip 408 having a variable radial extent. Alternatively, the curled lip 408 may be curled downward and then the sections may be removed to form a curled lip 408 having a variable radial extent.

The radial dimension of the crimped lip 408 that projects radially varies around the circumference of the opening 406. Specifically, the crimped lip 408 comprises two radially projecting wings 408a, 408b.

Two regions 408c, 408d between the wings 408a, 408b are defined in that way. The radial dimension of the wings 408a, 408c is greater than the radial dimension of the regions between the wings 408c, 408d.

In embodiments, the container 400 can be made of metal. In particular embodiments, the container 400 can be manufactured from steel. The thickness of the steel of the upper plate 402 may be in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm. In particular embodiments, the thickness of the steel can be 0.24 mm.

Figure 4b shows a section 4b-4b through the upper plate 402 of the container 400. Referring to Figure 4c a section 4c-4c is shown through the upper plate 402 of the container 400. In Figure 4b, the regions 408c, 408d of curled lip 408 between wings 408a, 408b have a radial dimension 409. In Figure 4c, wings 408a, 408b have a radial dimension 410. Radial dimensions 409, 410 are defined from the circumference of the opening 406 to the outer radial dimension of the curled lip 408. Therefore, the radial dimension of the crimped lip 408 may vary between a minimum radial dimension 409 and a maximum radial dimension 410.

As can be seen in Figures 4b and 4c, the opening 406 is formed in the center of a circular upper plate 402 configured to fit in the upper part of the side walls of a container 400. A curled region is used to fix the circular top plate 402 to the side walls. As can be seen in Figures 4a-4c, the diameter of the opening 406 is smaller than the diameter of the upper plate 402.

The curled lip 408 may extend to form a continuous arc from one surface of the upper plate 402 to one end of the curled lip 408. The continuous arc may extend radially inward before arcing outwardly to extend radially toward the arc. Exterior. In exemplary containers, the regions 408c, 408d of the curled lip 408 between the wings 408a, 408b can extend in an arc until the curled lip 408 is horizontal (or parallel to the upper plate 402). In exemplary containers, the wings 408a, 408b of the curled lip 408 can be bent around in a continuous arc until the curled lip 408 is directed vertically downward (or parallel to the side walls). The curled lip 408, therefore, forms a continuous curve to the end of the curled lip 408. In specific embodiments, a section through the curled lip 408 follows a circular path at the end of the curled lip 408.

In exemplary containers 400, the sides of the opening 406 may comprise a circular chamfered region angled upward and radially toward the inward towards the curled lip 408. The chamfered region elevates the curled lip away from an upper surface of the upper plate 402 to allow room for fitting a lid. The curled lip 408 may extend from the inside edge of the chamfered region and curve around an arc to extend radially outwardly.

The curled lip 408 provides a rounded surface on the inside edge of the curled lip defining the opening 406. This helps that an inner cap 204 of a cap be easily located in the aperture 406, as any misalignment will be corrected by the curved inner surface of the cap 406. curled lip 408. On wings 408a, 408b, curled lip 408 provides a rounded outer surface. This reduces the amount of force required to adjust a cover by snap fit. Also, on the wings 408a, 408b, the curled end lip is oriented downward. This makes a safer fit of a lid than another lip arrangement, such as horizontal lips, since it increases the rigidity of the curled lip.

The minimum radial dimension 409 can be in the range of 0 mm to 0.5 mm. The maximum radial dimension 410 can be in the range of 1.6 mm to 2.5 mm. In other embodiments, the minimum radial dimension 409 may be in the range of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. The maximum radial dimension 410 can be in the range of 0.8 mm to 2 mm. In a specific modality, the maximum radial dimension can be 1,975 mm.

In other embodiments, the minimum radial dimension 409 may be in the range of 0% to 75% of the maximum radial dimension 410. More specifically, the minimum radial dimension 409 may be in the range of 20% to 55% of the radial dimension maximum 410.

A cover 200 may be configured for press fit to the opening 406 of the container 400. A wall 202 of the lid 200 may be configured to have a diameter greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the curled lip 408 defined by the wings 408a, 408b (or the largest dimension 410). A lip 208 extends around the inner face of the wall 202. The lip 208 defines an internal diameter 209 that is smaller than the outer diameter of the curled lip 408 defined by the wings 408a, 408b (or the largest dimension 410), but greater than the diameter of the curled lip 408 defined by the regions 408c, 408d between the wings 408a, 408b (or the minimum dimension 409). The wall 202 of the lid 200 can be formed of a deformable elastic material such as a plastic material.

By adjusting the cap 200 to the opening 406, the cap 200 can rest on the wings 408a, 408b and a force applied to the cap 200 for snap fit in the opening 406.

When the force is applied to the cap 200, the deformable elastic wall 202 deforms radially outward in the regions of the wall 202 where the lip 208 is required to pass over the wings 408a, 408b. In the regions of the wall 202 where the lip 208 is required to pass over the regions 408c, 408d between the wings 408a, 408b, the wall 202 deforms radially inwardly. The circumference of the wall 202 can remain substantially the same before and after deformation. In practical embodiments, a certain extension of the circumference of the wall 202 can be achieved. However, the extension of the circumference decreases with respect to the lids and containers described above.

Therefore, the wall 202 of the lid is decentered to form a lobe shape or, in other words, a "squashed" circle. Such deformation of the offset wall 202 requires less force than the radial expansion of the entire wall 202 to define a larger diameter. Therefore, the container 400 requires that a reduced force be applied to a lid 200 in order to fit the opening 406 of the container 400.

Once the lip 208 of the lid 200 has passed the ends of the curled lip 408 on the wings 408a, 408b below, the wall 202 can return to its original substantially circular shape and the lip 208 of this The lid retains the lid 200 on the container 400 as previously described.

Figure 5 shows a section through a cover of 200 fitted in an opening 406. The lip 208 is shown below the end of the wings 408a, 408b of the curled lip 408. As such, the lid 200 can not be detached from the container 400 without application of significant force. A seal is provided by interference fit between the inner cap 204 of the cap and the crimped lip 408a, 408b. That is, the inner cap of the cap can be made larger in diameter than the opening 406 such that the crimped lip 408a, 408b is forced against the wall of the inner cap 204 to form a seal.

In embodiments, the variable radial dimension of the curled lip 408 of the container 400 may be arranged in such a manner that the maximum force required to adjust the cover 200 to the opening 406 is 300 N. In other embodiments, the maximum force required may be 200 N. In other embodiments, the maximum force required may be 140 N. In other embodiments, the force required for press fit of the cap 200 on the crimped lip 408a, 408b may be in the range of 100 N to 140 N.

The manufacture of the lid 200 can affect the force necessary to adjust the lid 200 to the opening 406. Therefore, the variable radial dimension of the curled lip 408 may be arranged depending on the manufacture of the lid 200.

Figure 6 shows a plan view of a container 600 of an additional embodiment in which there are four wings 608a-608D and four regions 608e-608H between the wings 608a-608D. The remaining characteristics of container 600 are the same as those of the embodiment of figure 4a and therefore are not repeated here.

When a lid 200 is fitted to the opening 606 of the container 600, the wall 202 of the lid will again be de-centered. The regions of the lip 208 required to pass over the wings 608A-608D are deformed radially outwardly, and the regions of the lip 208 required to pass over the regions 608e-608H between the projections 608a-608D are radially deformed into. The circumference of the wall 202 before and after deformation remains substantially the same. As discussed above, in practical embodiments there may be some extension of the circumference of the wall 202.

The invention is not limited to the container modes comprising two or four wings. In other embodiments, the curled lip may comprise three, five, six, seven or eight wings.

Figure 7 shows a plan view of the base of a lid 700 according to an embodiment of the invention.

The lid 700 is substantially circular and comprises a deformable elastic wall 702. A lip 708 extends around the circumference of the wall 702. The deformable elastic wall 702 and the lip 708 are configured for press fit with respect to and retained by a curled lip 108 formed around an opening 106 of a container 100. The radial dimension 706 of the lip 708 varies around the circumference of the wall 702. This variation of the radial dimension 706 allows the wall 702 to deform outwardly during press fit on the wall. curly lip 108.

For clarity, the lid 700 of Figure 7 includes only those features required to describe the operation of the invention. The skilled person will appreciate that other features of this type of lids known in the art may be added within the scope of the invention.

The cap 700 further comprises an internal cap 704 that fits within the opening 106 of the container 100. The internal cap 704 in certain embodiments is configured to be a tight fit within the aperture 106 and to engage therewith. An annular cavity 705 is defined between the wall 702 and the internal plug 704 for accommodating the curled lip 108 when the cap 700 fits into the container 100.

The lip 708 comprises two wings 708a, 708b and two regions 708C, 708D between the wings 708a, 708b. The wings 708a, 708b project radially inward towards the center of the lid 700. The radial dimension of the wings 708a, 708b is greater than the radial dimension of the regions 708C, 708D between the wings 708a, 708b.

As explained above in relation to the container, the invention is not limited to embodiments of the lid comprising two wings. In other modalities the lip may comprise three, four, five, six, seven or eight wings.

The inner diameter of the wall 702 is greater than or equal to the outer diameter defined by the curled lip 108 of the container 100. An inner diameter 709 of the lip 708 defined by the wings 708a, 708b is smaller than the outer diameter of the crimped lip 108 of the container 100. An inner diameter 710 of the lip 708 defined by the regions 708C, 708D is greater than the outer diameter of the curled lip 108 of the container 100. Therefore, when a force is applied to press fit the lid 700 to the opening 106 of the container 100, the wall 702 deforms radially outwardly on the wings 708a, 708b and the wall will deform radially inwardly in the regions 708C, 708D between the wings 708a, 708b. Therefore, the lid 700 is configured to deform out-of-center when it is adapted to a 100 container.

The person skilled in the art will be able to provide additional embodiments of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A container, comprising: a substantially circular opening; and a radially projecting curled lip, which extends around the opening for securing a substantially circular cap over the opening by means of press fit, wherein the radial dimension of the curled lip varies around the opening, to allow regions of a perimeter of a cap deforming radially outwardly, while other regions of the perimeter of the cap deform radially inwardly during press fit.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the curled lip projects radially outwardly.

3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the variable radial dimension provides the curled lip with two or more wings projecting radially.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the curled lip comprises four wings around the circumference of the opening.

5. A container according to the claim 3, in which the radial dimension of the curled lip varies: between a minimum dimension in the range of 0 mm to 1.5 mm and a maximum dimension in the range of 1.6 mm to 2.5 mm, or between a minimum dimension in the range of 0.5 mm to 1 mm and a maximum dimension in the range of 1.8 mm to 2 mm, or between a minimum dimension and a maximum dimension, where the minimum dimension is in the range of 0% to 75% of the maximum dimension.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the minimum dimension is in the range of 20% to 55% of the maximum dimension.

7. A container according to claim 1, wherein the variable radial dimension of the curled lip is arranged to require a maximum force of 300 N, or 200 N, or 140 N, or that is in the range of 100 N to 150 N to adjust the pressure of a lid with respect to the curved lip.

8. A container according to claim 1, wherein the curled lip forms a continuous arc.

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein a first section of the curled lip extends radially inwardly and a second section of the curled lip extends radially outwardly.

10. A container according to claim 9, wherein in the wings of maximum radial projection, the second section of the curled lip continues until the curled lip extends vertically downwards.

11. A container according to claim 1, wherein the curled lip forms a rounded inner edge of the substantially circular opening.

12. A container according to claim 3, in where in the wings projecting radially, the curled lip forms a rounded outer edge of the substantially circular opening.

13. A snap-fit lid with a substantially circular opening of a container, comprising the lid: a substantially cylindrical and deformable elastic wall; and a radially projecting lip extends around the wall to secure the lid over a curled lip that extends around the opening, where the radial dimension of the lip varies around the wall to allow regions of a wall to deform radially outward, while other regions of the wall deform radially inward during press fit.

14. A lid according to claim 13, wherein the variable radial dimension of the lip provides the lip with two or more wings projecting radially.

15. A container and a lid, the lid is configured to fit under pressure with a substantially circular opening of the container, wherein the container comprises a radially projecting curled lip extending around the opening, and the lid comprises an elastically deformable wall and a lip projecting radially extending around the wall, and wherein a radial dimension of the curled lip varies around the opening to allow regions of a perimeter of a lid to deform radially outward, while other regions of the perimeter of the lid deform radially inwardly during press fit or a radial dimension of the lip varies around the wall to allow the regions of a wall to deform radially outward, while other regions of the wall deform radially inwardly during press fit.