US1834711A

US1834711A - Method of and means for sealing containers and the like

Info

Publication number: US1834711A
Application number: US232243A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jovignot Charles
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1927-05-06
Filing date: 1927-11-10
Publication date: 1931-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 1948-12-01

Description

Dec. 1, 1931.

c. JOVIGNQT METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 10. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 AAAA C. JOVIGNOT Filed Nov. 10, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T Q.

IIIIIIIIIHHHIHI/ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIl/l' Dec. 1, 1931.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE Patented Dec. 1, 1931 ES JOVIGNOT, OF MONTROUGE, FRANCE METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS .AND THE LIKE Application filed November 10, 1927, Serial No. 232,243, and in France May 6, 1927.

In pursuance of my invention 1 provide a metal sealing element comprising an annular flange formed on a basal or body portion constituting, preferably, the main body of a cap, which flange is essentially provided with a suitably disposedreinforc'ed section or sections conveniently produced by embossings, indentations, corrugations .or the like. This elcment is placed upon and supported by the rim of the container and vertical force is then applied to the flange in such a manner as, first, to turn over the flange and draw it against the opposing wall of the container until the downward flexure of the metal of the flange between the reinforcing zone and the base of the flange is overcome by the resistance of the reinforcement or reinforcements, and, second, to change the circumferential character of the reinforced area of the flange in a manner to effect and maintain the tight gripping relation of the flange to the wall of the container. In the preferred form of embodiment of my invention herein illustrated the reinforcement of-the flange is located circumferentially and parallel to the base of the flange, thus presenting a rigid encircling zone which serves, in effect, as a basal hinge portion about which the outer or free edge portion of the flange can be bent or turned during the sealing operation in order to impart to such edge portion a curl, bead or the like of any predetermined cross-section.

If desired a gasket, or liner, composed of paper or other suitable material, may be interposed between the sealing element and the container, .in order to contribute to the efficiency of the seal; and also, if desired, the flange may be formed with tongues, or similar means, to facilitate the manual rupturing of the flange to free it from the wall of thecontainer to which it has been applied.

The invention comprehends the novel method and means for sealing containers, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a metal sealing cap embodying a preferred form of my invention, showing the cap as located over the mouth of a container in co-operative relation to a sealing die.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the relation of the parts when the cap is in sealing position. 7

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, as on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are enlarged sectional views illustrating successive relative positions of the cap and die during the sealing operation.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the form of metal cap illustrated in the preceding figures.

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional elevations, similar to Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, of a modified form of sealing cap and die.

Fig. 11 is a section of a metal sealing cap having a corrugated reinforcin zone.

Fig. 12 is a partial sectional plan t ereof.

Fig. 13 is a section of a cap having a grooved reinforcing zone.

Figs. 14 and 15 are sectional elevations,

similar to Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, of another modified form of sealing cap and die. Referring to Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, of the drawings, 16 designates the u per or mouth ortion of a container, as, or example, a. elly glass, to which is applied a form of sealing cap embodying the principles of my invention. This cap may be made of thin hard metal, such-as sheet steel or tin plate, or of soft metal'such as sheet aluminum. As herein illustrated a metal blank of appropriate size and form is stamped and drawn to present a circular body portion 17 bounded by a circumferential upstanding flange 18, which body portion'is of substantially the same diameter as the rim of the container to be sealed. Encircling the flange, parallel with theplane of the body 17, is a succession of small semi-spherical protuberances'or knobs 19 which are conveniently formed by embossing the metal constituting the flange, thus providin a rein forced annular zone between the' ree edge and the base of the flange. The free edge may be of plain cylindrical form, or it may be curved inwardly or outwardly depending .on the final shape to be imparted to the flange 18 when it is finally turned over and set against the wall of the container as hereinafter described. In the form illustrated' in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, the free in the turning over of the flange during thesealing operation.

The cap hereinbefore described is placed over the mouth of the container, with the flange 18 upstanding, anda sealing die 22,

having in its under surface an annular recess 23 of appropriate cross-section, is imposed upon the outer free edge of the flange, asrepresented in Fig. 1.- Vertical pressure suflicient to depress and turn over the opposing .upstanding flange, in a manner generally similar to the operation of turning over the finger of a glove, is now applied to the sealing die, or relative upward pressure to the container. Under the influence of the initial vertical pressure the free edge of the flange 18 retains its normal shape, but the metal between such edge and the base of the flange, (which metal is materially reinforced bythe intermediate ring of protuberances 19) is forced over and downward bodily in such a manner that the metal from the base to a point adjacent the reinforcing zone is gradually drawnjagainst and pressed into close circumferential contact with the opposing rim and wall of the container, thus producing a depending locking skirt 24, as seen in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and'7. In this procedure the outer portion 25 of the flange, including the reinforced zone, is gradually caused to assume an inclinedposition with relation to the inner or'skirtportion ofthe flange, and as such portion 25 by virtue of the reinforcing zone, offers increased resistance to the downward pressure of the die, seal. This gasket or liner may cover the inns sa'rn the bend or curvature 20 of the free end of the flange is gradually increased. The pressure ofthe die can be adjusted to curl the opposing curved edge portion of the flange to or close-to the reinforced zone, so as to form a relatively close coil of thebead, as at 26, around the edge of the flange, or to form course relatively larger if the reinforcement is further away from the free edge of the flange. The shape given to the curl or coil and the amount of metal therein depend also on the thickness and resistance of themetal. This edge-forming step ceases when all the free metal above the reinforcing zone has been used up, whereupon the continued downward pressure of the die upon the flange overcomes the resistance of the reinforced zone, and depresses the inclined reinforced portion of the flange to a plane where it suddenly snaps or swings bodily to a substantially horizontal position, as seen in Figs. 2 and 6, at which instant the juncture of such portion with the skirt portion of the flange has a hinge action. This swinging movement produces two mechanical edicts, to wit, a close circumferential gripping ressure of the skirt 24 against the opposing wall of the container andamolecular deformation of the peripheral metal of the portion 25 of the flange which causes a circumferential extension or expan- 1 sion of the free outer edge of such portion and, coincidentally, a sud en circumferential shrinkage or constriction thereof at its uncture with the skirt. The resultant of these two mechanical eifects is a uniformly tight gripping of the wall of the container by and throughout the skirt portion of the inverted flange, in that the succession of embossed protuberances acts as a multiplicity of small clamping levers, thereby ensuring a complete sealing of the mouth of the container. The

outwardly positioned encircling portion of the flange constitutes a permanent unyielding protective ring that prevents expansion or of paper or other material, may be interposed between the cap and the rim of the container in order to contribute to the efliciency of the ner face of the body and flange of the cap, and may be cemented thereto if desired. Also, if desired, the flange may be formed with one or more tongues, as 28, Fig. 9, to facilitate the manual rupturing of the flange to free the cap from the mouth of the sealed container.

In Figs. 9 and 10 is shown a form of cap in which the free edge of the flange is flexed or curved inwardly, as at 20, the acting face of the die being recessed to accord therewith. In this form the reinforcing protuberances are represented as oblong.

In Figs. 11 and 12 is shown a cap similar to that illustrated in Fig. 9 but indicating the reinforcing zone as produced by circumfer entially corrugating the metal of the flange.

In Fig. 13 is shown a cap having the reinforcing zone in the flange produced by an annular groove and having the free edge of the flange horizontally deflected.

In Figs. 14 and 15 is shown a modified type of cap for use in connection with a container such as a goblet or barrel-shaped glass having inwardly inclined walls adjacent the rim. In this construction the body 17 of the cap is formed with a raised portion a having a depending cylindrical side portion 1) connected with the characteristic upstanding reinforced v flange 18 by a horizontal basal ring 0. The portion a rises slightly above the level of the upper edge of the flange, the exterior diameter of such portion being somewhat less than the inside diameter of the mouth of the container. The ring 0 is preferably provided with an annular groove d to facilitate the positioning of the cap on the rim of the contain- In this case the sealing die consists of a central cylindrical member 220 which overhangs the raised portion a of the cap when the latter is seated on the container, and a concentric under grooved ring member 22', which overhangs the upstanding flange 18 of the cap; said die members being vertically movable in a manner to act upon the opposing cap portions; that is to say, the cap portion a is forced down by the member 220 into the mouth of the container in such a manner as to bear tightly against the rim and the interior wall of the vessel, and the flange 18 is turned over and set against the outer wall of the container by the action of the member 22', substantially in the same way as pointed out with respect to the first described construction. The lower peripheral portion of the cap body thus seated in the container and encircling the inner side of the wall of the latter being of greater diameter than the opening or mouth of the container, co-operates with the turned over flange encircling the outer side of thewall to effect and maintain the tight locking of the cap to the container.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the precise forms and means herein illustrated and described, as the same may be modified in various particulars withcircumference of the flange, as in the construc tions illustrated. Moreover, in some cases the locking flange member may be employed to secure a separate top or cap portion to the container or other object to which the device is applied.

I claim- 1. A method of sealing containers and the like having smooth walls adjacent the rims thereof, which comprises providing a metal sealing element embodying a basal portion and an annular flange with a reinforced portion spaced from the base of the flange; )lacing said basal portion on the rim of a container; forcibly depressing said flange relatively to the container to turn over the flange and draw it against the opposin wall of the container until the downward Eexure of the metal of the flange between the reinforced portion and the base of the flange is overcome by the resistance of said reinforced portion; and continuing the force on the flange to change the circumferential character of the reinforced portion thereof, thereby eifecting and maintaining the tight gripping relation of the flange to the wall of the container. 4

2. A method of sealing containers and the like having smooth walls adjacent the rims thereof, which comprises providing a metal sealing element embodying a basal portion I and an annular flange with an encircling reinforcing zone spaced from the base of the flange; placing said basal portion on the rim of a container; forcibly depressing said flange relatively to the container to turn over the flange and draw it against the opposing wa l of the container until the downward flexure of the metal of the flange between the reinforcing zone and the base of the flange is overcome by the resistance of said reinforcing zone; and continuing the force on the flange to change the circumferential character of the reinforced portion thereof, thereby effecting and maintaining the tight gripping relation of the flange to the wall of the container.

3. A method of sealing containers and the like having smooth walls adjacent the rims thereof, which comprises providing a metal sealing element embodying a basal portion and an annular flange with a continuous sucbasal portion on therim gt a container; ap-

cession of protuberances constituting an encircling reinforcing zone spaced from the base of the flange; placing said basal portion on the rim of a container; forcibly depressing said flange relatively to the container to turn over the flange and draw it against the opposing wall of the container until the downward fiexure of the metal of the flange between the reinforcing zone and the base of the flange is overcome by the resistance of said reinforcing zone, and continuing the force on the flange to change the circumferential character 'of the reinforced portion thereof, thereby effecting and maintaining the tightgripping relation of the flange to the wall of the container;

4. A method ofsealing containers and the like having smooth walls adjacent the rims thereof, which comprises providing a metal sealing element embodying a basal portion and an annular flange with'a deflected free edge and with a reinforced portion spaced from the base of the flange; placing said plying upon and around said edge vertical pressure effective to depress said flange relatively to the container to turn over the flange and draw it against the opposing wall of the container until the downward flexure of the metal of the flange between the reinforced portion and the base of the flange is overcome by the resistance of said reinforced portion; and continuing the downward force on the flange so as to bend or curl the free edge of the flange and then to change the circumferential character of the reinforced portion ina manner to effect and maintain the tight gripping relation of the flange to the Wall of the container.

and then to bend or curl the free edge a 5. The step in the art of sealin g a container with a sheet metal element having a circumferential flange provided with an encircling reinforcing zone, consisting in applying to said flange vertical pressure effective'to turir over the flange and draw it against the wall of the container until the downward movement of the element is arrested by the resistance of the said reinforcing zone, and then effective to cause a variation of the circumferential character of the metal to clamp the flange against the wall of the container.

6. The step in the art of sealing a containor with a sheet metal element having an upstanding circumferential flange provided with a deflected free edge and with an encirthe wall of the container.

its outer face and a circumferential flange enclosing the face of the base opposite that engaged by the container, said flange being provided with a reinforcing portion spaced from the base or body portion, said element being adapted to be placed over the mouth of a container and the upstandin flange then forcibly depressed and turned over and ,against 8. A sheet metal sealing element comprising a circular base or body portion having a concentric container receivin' depression in its outer face and a circum erential flange enclosing the face of the base 0 posite that engaged by the container, said ange being provided with a continuous succession of protuberances spaced from the base or body portion and constituting a reinforcing zone, said element being adapted to be placed over the mouth of a container and the upstanding flange then forcibly depressed and turned over and drawn'against the wall of the container.

9. The combination with a container, of a sealing element thereon including a turned over annular flange having a reinforcing zone spaced from the rim of the container, said flange presenting a circumferential skirt drawn against theopposing wall of the container and terminating in an externally projecting reinforced annulus which effects and rrlliaintains inward clamping force on the s irt.

10. The combination with a container, of a sealing element thereon including a turned over annular flange having a reinforcing zone spaced from the rim of the container, said flange presenting a circumferential skirt drawn against the opposing wall of the container and terminating in an externally pro-' jecting reinforced annulus having a peripheral curl 01",b6I1d, said annulus effecting and nlliaintaining inward clamping force on the s irt.-

11-. A method of sealing containers hav-' ing'smooth walls adjacent the rim thereof, which comprises placing a sheet metal sealing element thereon having a basal portion and a flange extending upwardly from the container and substantially perpendicular to the basal portion, applying pressure to stretch the outer portion of the flange and turn its upwardly extending portion outwardly into a plane substantially parallel with the basal portion, whereby'outer portions of the flange are increased in diameter and thereby press the inner portion of the flange against the walls of the container.

12. A method of sealing containers having smooth walls adjacent the rim thereof, which comprises placing a sheet metal sealing element thereon having a basal portion and a flange extending upwardly from the container and substantially perpendicular to the basal portion, applying pressure to open the flange outwardly to stretch the outer portion and to press the inner portion against the Wall of the container.

1'3. Asheet metal sealing element having a 5 basal portion and a flange provided with a reinforced portion spaced from the junction between the basal portion and the flange, the flange extending substantially perpendicular to the basal portion before application and arranged to be opened outwardly to stretch the outer portion and contract the inner portion of said flange.

CHARLES .TOVIGNOT.