US20220144485A1 - Removable closure device for metal containers - Google Patents

Removable closure device for metal containers Download PDF

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Publication number
US20220144485A1
US20220144485A1 US17/524,005 US202117524005A US2022144485A1 US 20220144485 A1 US20220144485 A1 US 20220144485A1 US 202117524005 A US202117524005 A US 202117524005A US 2022144485 A1 US2022144485 A1 US 2022144485A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
peripheral edge
tab
lid
closure device
wall
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US17/524,005
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Fabio BOVE
Vito Giuseppe SCAROLA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Easytech Packaging SpA
Original Assignee
Easytech Packaging SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Easytech Packaging SpA filed Critical Easytech Packaging SpA
Assigned to EASYTECH PACKAGING S.P.A. reassignment EASYTECH PACKAGING S.P.A. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: Easytech Closures S.p.A.
Assigned to EASYTECH PACKAGING S.P.A. reassignment EASYTECH PACKAGING S.P.A. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BOVE, FABIO, SCAROLA, VITO GIUSEPPE
Publication of US20220144485A1 publication Critical patent/US20220144485A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
    • B65D17/28—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness
    • B65D17/401—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall
    • B65D17/4011—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall for opening completely by means of a tearing tab
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
    • B65D17/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions of curved cross-section, e.g. cans of circular or elliptical cross-section
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/001—Action for opening container
    • B65D2517/0013—Action for opening container pull-out tear panel, e.g. by means of a tear-tab
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/0058—Other details of container end panel
    • B65D2517/0068—Ribs or projections in container end panel
    • B65D2517/007—Ribs or projections in container end panel located within tear-out/push-in panel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/0058—Other details of container end panel
    • B65D2517/0068—Ribs or projections in container end panel
    • B65D2517/0071—Ribs or projections in container end panel located externally of tear-out/push-in panel or preformed opening
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
    • B65D2517/0001—Details
    • B65D2517/0058—Other details of container end panel
    • B65D2517/0074—Local recess in container end panel
    • B65D2517/0079—Local recess in container end panel located beneath tab hand grip to facilitate initial lifting

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a removable closure device for metal containers.
  • a removable closure device is used in the packaging sector, in particular in food products such as tuna, sardines, jellied meat, tomato purée, beans and peas.
  • Canned food products such as tuna, sardines, and jellied meat have long been known in the state of the art.
  • the boxes or cans enclosing such food products are typically made of metal material, and comprise a hollow main body closed at the top by a lid.
  • Such a lid is removably connected to the main body of the can by means of a weakening zone, which breaking, allows the can to be opened.
  • the cans of the known type comprise a riveted pull tab on the lid, and having a ring termination configured to be grasped by a user.
  • the user exerts a pulling force on the lid by means of the tab, thus generating the progressive breakage of the weakening zone until the lid is completely separated from the main body of the can.
  • the user Before exerting the pulling force to open the can correctly, the user must ensure that the tab is properly oriented along a predetermined opening direction, as external bodies may accidentally strike the tab, rotating it with respect to the plane of the lid. If this occurs, before exerting the pulling force the user must appropriately rotate the tab, realigning it along the opening direction, in order to avoid opening failure and/or the detachment of the tab.
  • lids for cans comprising locking elements adapted to prevent the tab from accidentally rotating with respect to the plane of the lid.
  • EP 2 607 255 B1 discloses a lid for cans having a pair of ribs arranged near the ring termination of the tab to prevent the accidental rotation thereof.
  • the lid In order to facilitate the opening of the can, it is essential that during the pulling step the lid does not form sharp folds on its surface, as they result in a significant increase in the pulling force necessary to open the can.
  • the pair of ribs arranged near the ring termination of the tab concentrate the efforts generated by the user's pulling in the central area of the lid, thus leading to the formation of net folds during the opening procedure.
  • metal containers comprising lids having a series of protrusions and/or indentations adapted to locally increase the rigidity thereof, to reduce the risk of net folds during the opening step of the cans.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,378 comprises a pair of straight stiffening bands adapted to increase the stiffness of the lid.
  • the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a removable closure device for metal containers which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.
  • such removable closure device for metal containers comprises a lid adapted to close an upper opening of a metal container.
  • the lid has a peripheral edge connected to the metal container by means of a weakened zone configured to break when a user exerts a pulling force on the lid.
  • the closure device further comprises a tab having a connecting end riveted to the lid near a first portion of the peripheral edge, and extending along a longitudinal direction towards a second portion of the peripheral edge opposite the first portion.
  • the tab has a grip end opposite the connecting end which is configured to be grasped by a user to exert a pulling force on the lid to open the metal container.
  • the closure device further comprises a pair of stiffening elements, arranged on the lid on opposite sides with respect to the tab.
  • Each stiffening element in turn comprises an inner wall having a first curved section adapted to closely surround the grip end of the tab to prevent accidental rotation, and an outer wall extending along the longitudinal direction between a first and a second tip respectively facing the first and the second portions of the peripheral edge.
  • the outer walls of the stiffening elements have a particular shape configured to direct such stresses towards the second portion of the peripheral edge of the lid.
  • each stiffening element traced at the second tip, converge near the second portion of the peripheral edge.
  • the present invention makes it possible to avoid the formation of net folds which significantly increase the pulling force necessary to open the metal container.
  • FIG. 1 shows a top view of a removable device for metal containers in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a top view of the closure device of FIG. 1 without the tab
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the closure device of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 shows a partially sectional view taken from the side of the closure device of FIG. 1 .
  • the present invention relates to a removable closure device 1 for metal containers (not shown in the figures).
  • such metal containers are used to preserve the freshness of long-life food products such as tuna, sardines, jellied meat, tomato purée, beans and peas.
  • closure device 1 object of the present invention cannot be used to close other types of containers.
  • Such a closure device 1 comprises a lid 2 configured to close an opening of a metal container from above.
  • the lid 2 is delimited by a peripheral edge 20 which is connectable to the metal container by means of a weakened zone configured to progressively break when a user exerts a pulling force on the lid to open the metal container.
  • the closure device 1 comprises a pull tab 3 which the user grasps and pulls to open the metal container, progressively breaking the weakened zone.
  • Such a tab 3 has a connecting end 31 connected to the lid 2 near a first portion 21 of the peripheral edge 20 .
  • the connecting end 31 is constrained to the lid 2 by means of a riveted connection, which allows the tab 3 to lift with respect to the lid 2 to open the metal container, as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the tab 3 extends along a longitudinal direction X-X from the connecting end 31 , arranged at the first portion 21 of the peripheral edge 20 , towards a second portion 22 of the peripheral edge 20 , opposite the first portion 21 .
  • the tab 3 further comprises a grip end 32 opposite the connecting end 31 and arranged between the first and the second portion 21 , 22 of the peripheral edge 20 .
  • the grip end 32 preferably in the form of a ring, is configured to be grasped and pulled by the fingers of a user to open the container.
  • the first and the second portions 21 , 22 of the peripheral edge 20 are respectively the first and the last portion of the peripheral edge 20 to detach from the container.
  • the closure device 1 comprises two stiffening elements 4 adapted to prevent the formation of net folds on the lid 2 during the procedure of opening the container.
  • stiffening elements 4 are arranged on the lid 2 on opposite sides with respect to the tab 3 and each of them comprises an inner wall 4 a and an outer wall 4 b.
  • each stiffening element 4 has a first curved section 41 closely surrounding the grip end 32 of the tab 3 , to prevent the tab 3 from rotating with respect to a plane containing the lid 2 .
  • the curved section 41 of each stiffening element 4 has the concavity facing the tab 3 to closely surround the grip end 32 .
  • each stiffening element 4 extends along a curvilinear path mainly along the longitudinal direction X-X between a first tip 44 facing the first portion 21 of the peripheral edge 20 , and a second tip 45 facing the second portion 22 of the peripheral edge 20 .
  • the curvilinear path of the outer walls 4 b is such that the tangent lines T-T to the outer walls 4 b of each stiffening element 4 , traced at the second tip 45 , converge near the second portion 22 of the peripheral edge 20 .
  • this particular geometry of the outer walls 4 b makes it possible to direct the forces deriving from the pulling force exerted by the user towards the peripheral edge 20 , in particular towards the second portion 22 .
  • this particular geometry of the outer walls 4 b significantly reduces the risk of the lid 2 forming sharp folds during the opening of the container.
  • each stiffening element 4 is curved and has the concavity facing the tab 3 .
  • each stiffening element 4 extends mainly along the longitudinal direction X-X between a first and a second coupling end 40 a , 40 b.
  • first and second coupling ends 40 a , 40 b of each stiffening element 4 are arranged on opposite sides of the corresponding stiffening element 4 , i.e., the first and the second coupling ends 40 a , 40 b delimit the extension of the stiffening elements 4 along the longitudinal direction X-X.
  • first and the second coupling ends 40 a , 40 b respectively face the first and the second portion 21 , 22 of the peripheral edge 20 , and are connected to the outer wall 4 b respectively at the first and second tips 44 , 45 .
  • each stiffening element 4 is respectively connected by the first and second coupling end 40 a , 40 b so as to form a closed path.
  • each stiffening element 4 is peripherally limited by the corresponding inner wall 4 a and outer wall 4 b , mutually connected to form a closed path of the first and second coupling ends 40 a , 40 b.
  • the lid 2 further comprises a central cavity 6 arranged between the stiffening elements 4 along a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X-X, and arranged between the first and the second portion 21 , 22 of the peripheral edge 20 along the longitudinal direction X-X.
  • the central cavity 6 extends along the longitudinal direction X-X, at least in part at the grip end 32 of the tab 3 , so as to create a gap between the lid 2 and the grip end 32 which facilitates the user in grasping the latter.
  • each stiffening element 4 comprises a second curved section 43 which extends entirely beyond the grip end 32 of the tab 3 along the longitudinal direction X-X, and is located at the central cavity 6 .
  • each inner wall 4 a has the concavity facing the central cavity 6 and surrounds it in an approachable manner. In this manner, a central part of the lid 2 can be stiffened, to avoid the formation of sharp folds during the opening of the container.
  • each stiffening element 4 further comprises a coupling portion 42 configured to connect the first and the second curved section 41 , 43 .
  • the coupling portion 42 of each inner wall 4 a has the concavity facing the corresponding outer wall 4 b , i.e., a concavity opposite that of the first and second curved sections 41 , 43 to which it is connected.
  • each stiffening element 4 comprises ribs protruding from the lid 2 .
  • each stiffening element lifts higher with respect to the plane in which the lid 2 is contained, along a direction perpendicular to the latter, in particular at the first tip 44 of the outer wall 4 b.
  • the peripheral edge 20 of the lid 2 is circular in shape
  • the first and the second portions 21 , 22 are arranged on diametrically opposite parts of the peripheral edge
  • the central cavity 6 is arranged at a central area of the lid 2 interposed between the first and the second portions 21 , 22 of the peripheral edge 20 .
  • the metal container object of the present invention comprises a container body defining an internal volume accessible above by means of an opening.
  • the closure device 1 is configured to be positioned to close such an upper opening of the container body.
  • the closure device 1 comprises a lid 2 delimited by a peripheral edge 20 .
  • the peripheral edge 20 When the metal container is closed, the peripheral edge 20 is connected to the container body, closing the upper opening by means of a weakened zone 24 configured to progressively break when the user exerts a pulling force on the tab 3 to open the metal container.
  • the container body of the metal container is cylindrical in shape, and the peripheral edge 20 of the lid 2 is circular.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)
US17/524,005 2020-11-11 2021-11-11 Removable closure device for metal containers Abandoned US20220144485A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102020000026909 2020-11-11
IT102020000026909A IT202000026909A1 (it) 2020-11-11 2020-11-11 Dispositivo di chiusura amovibile per contenitori metallici

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20220144485A1 true US20220144485A1 (en) 2022-05-12

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ID=74669238

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US17/524,005 Abandoned US20220144485A1 (en) 2020-11-11 2021-11-11 Removable closure device for metal containers

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20220144485A1 (de)
EP (1) EP4001152B1 (de)
ES (1) ES3063335T3 (de)
IT (1) IT202000026909A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20250320024A1 (en) * 2022-05-19 2025-10-16 Pedro VIERA LEON Metal container for beverages

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140193223A1 (en) * 2010-10-18 2014-07-10 Stolle Machinery Company, Llc Can end with retort resistant panel, and tooling and associated method for providing same
WO2018172967A1 (en) * 2017-03-22 2018-09-27 E.V.D.S. Bvba Reclosable can end for a beverage can
WO2019194237A1 (ja) * 2018-04-03 2019-10-10 東洋製罐株式会社 缶蓋
EP3733542A1 (de) * 2019-05-03 2020-11-04 Trivium Packaging Group Netherlands B.V. Stapelbarer behälter

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4406378A (en) 1981-07-06 1983-09-27 Automated Container Corporation Metallic convenience closure
EP2607255B1 (de) * 2011-12-20 2016-04-20 Ardagh MP Group Netherlands B.V. Platte und Container mit solch einer Platte
EP3733543A1 (de) * 2019-05-03 2020-11-04 Trivium Packaging Group Netherlands B.V. Stapelbares endstück für einen behälter und stapelbarer behälter mit dem endstück

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140193223A1 (en) * 2010-10-18 2014-07-10 Stolle Machinery Company, Llc Can end with retort resistant panel, and tooling and associated method for providing same
WO2018172967A1 (en) * 2017-03-22 2018-09-27 E.V.D.S. Bvba Reclosable can end for a beverage can
WO2019194237A1 (ja) * 2018-04-03 2019-10-10 東洋製罐株式会社 缶蓋
EP3733542A1 (de) * 2019-05-03 2020-11-04 Trivium Packaging Group Netherlands B.V. Stapelbarer behälter

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20250320024A1 (en) * 2022-05-19 2025-10-16 Pedro VIERA LEON Metal container for beverages

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES3063335T3 (en) 2026-04-16
EP4001152B1 (de) 2025-12-31
IT202000026909A1 (it) 2022-05-11
EP4001152A1 (de) 2022-05-25
EP4001152C0 (de) 2025-12-31

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: EASYTECH PACKAGING S.P.A., ITALY

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:EASYTECH CLOSURES S.P.A.;REEL/FRAME:058535/0925

Effective date: 20211001

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION

AS Assignment

Owner name: EASYTECH PACKAGING S.P.A., ITALY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BOVE, FABIO;SCAROLA, VITO GIUSEPPE;REEL/FRAME:059527/0429

Effective date: 20220404

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION