WO2006032539A1

WO2006032539A1 - Combination of a can and a lid

Info

Publication number: WO2006032539A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/010441
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guy Druesne; Antoine Planque; Marc Langouet; Philippe Giminez
Original assignee: Impress Group B.V.
Priority date: 2004-09-24
Filing date: 2005-09-26
Publication date: 2006-03-30
Also published as: WO2006032539A8

Abstract

The invention relates to a combination (1, 15, 23, 45, 46) comprising: - a can (13, 22, 25, 48) having a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom and having a mouth edge defining a mouth opening; - a lid (4, 18, 24, 47) for closing the mouth opening of the can, said lid having an upstanding peripheral wall, wherein either one of the peripheral wall of the can and the upstanding peripheral wall of the lid is provided with at least one protrusion (7, 21, 32, 54) and that the other wall is provided with a peripheral depression (14, 20, 33, 49) in which the at least one protrusion can be arranged to lock the lid when or before closing the mouth opening of the can.

Description

COMBINATION OF A CAN AND A LID

The invention relates to a combination comprising: a can having a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom and having a mouth edge defining a mouth opening; and a lid for closing the mouth opening of the can, said lid having an upstanding peripheral wall.

Such a combination is for example known from EP-A-O 791 538. This document furthermore describes a method to lock the lid onto the can. According to this method the lid is arranged into the mouth opening of the can and subsequently the upstanding peripheral wall of the lid is provided with discrete protrusions, which cause corresponding depressions in the peripheral wall of the can. After opening such a combination it is difficult to position the lid and the can relatively to each other in order to reclose the combination. If the lid and can are misaligned the protrusions of the lid function as distance holders providing an air gap between the wall of the can and the lid.

It is an object of the invention to provide a combination according to the preamble which at least partially alleviates the above mentioned disadvantages.

This object is reached by a combination according to the invention, which is characterized in that either one of the peripheral wall of the can and the upstanding peripheral wall of the lid is provided with at least one protrusion and that the other wall is provided with a peripheral depression in which the at least one protrusion can be arranged to lock the lid when closing the mouth opening of the can.

CONRRMATION COPY By providing a peripheral depression and at least one protrusion, it is no longer necessary to orientate the lid relative to the can in order to reclose the combination. With a combination according to the invention, the lid can be randomly placed on the can and the at least one protrusion will always fall again in the peripheral depression.

Preferably the peripheral depression is a peripheral groove. A groove is easily made into a can. Especially when the combination is made out of tinplate, providing a groove can be done with regular equipment.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the

-.peripheral wall of the can comprises near the mouth opening a necked portion providing the peripheral depression and wherein the upstanding wall of the lid comprises the at least one protrusion. Some conventional cans are already provided with a necked portion. So with this embodiment, cans can easily be provided with a reclosable locking, without changing the appearance of the can.

The upstanding wall of the lid can be provided with an outwardly extending flange. Preferably a sealing compound is arranged on the flange. This sealing compound ensures an airtight sealing of the lid on the can, also after reclosing a combination according to the invention.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention the mouth edge of the can comprises a curl. Cans provided with curls are known and can easily be provided with a locking system of the invention.

It is especially preferred when the curl provides the peripheral depression, as this provides the known appearance of conventional cans, but with the advantages of the invention. In a very much preferred embodiment the flange at least partially envelopes the curl and the curl comprises at least one flattened portion for arrangement of a lever, such as a screw driver. With conventional can and lid combinations, wherein the can has a curl and the lid has a flange partially enveloping the curl it is difficult to pull off the lid. One usually uses a screw driver or the like to pry open the lid. To get the tip of the screw driver between the lid and the can is sometimes difficult. Now with the embodiment according to the invention, the flattened portion makes it easier to insert a lever, such as a screw driver and makes it easier to get a grip onto the curl of the can. With a round curl the risk is present, that the tip of the lever slips of the curl when exerting force to lift off the lid. A lid having a flange at least partially enveloping the curl of a can and the curl comprising at least one flattened portion defining a recess for arrangement of a lever, such as a screw driver can also be used as a separate invention. In such a case the protrusion and peripheral depression is not necessary. Furthermore, the presence of a recess between the lid flange and the can makes the insertion of the lever easier even in combination with round can curl . This recess shows clearly where safely and suitably to insert the lever.

In yet another embodiment the flange comprises at least one recess for access to the at least one flattened portion of the bead. This increases the simple insertion of a lever in between the lid and the mouth edge.

In a further embodiment, the at least one flattened portion is a peripheral depression arranged in the curl . According to a further embodiment the protrusion has a protruding closure guiding surface and a closure arresting surface, wherein the slope of the guiding surface to the wall is smaller than the slope of the arresting surface to the wall. Accordingly, the closure guiding surface will facilitate the lid closing on the can (particularly by the filler of the can) without damaging the lacquer. Separately or at the same time the closure arresting surface will increase the opening force in order to remove the lid from the can and thereby also improve the compound compression and the tightness of the closed can. In cross section, the protrusion will have an asymmetric form. Preferably, the peripheral depression has at least a surface cooperating with the closure arresting surface of the protrusion. Accordingly, the protrusion and the peripheral depression cooperate optimally.

The invention further relates to a method for closing a combination according to the invention, which method comprises the steps of:

- providing a can having a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom and having a mouth edge defining a mouth opening;

- providing a lid for closing the mouth opening of the can, said lid having an upstanding peripheral wall;

- providing a peripheral depression in either the peripheral wall of the can or the upstanding wall of the lid;

- arranging, after filling the can, the lid into the mouth opening of the can; - providing, after arrangement of the lid, at least one protrusion in the other of the peripheral wall of the can or in the upstanding wall of the lid.

So after providing the lid and the can, the can must be filled with its content, after which the lid is put on the can and the protrusion is made in order to lock the lid relative to the can. Accordingly, the lid is locked on the can by using a closing machine. During which closing operation the lid and the can are held in an optimal vertical position.

In another method according to the invention for closing a combination according to the invention, the method comprises the steps of:

- providing at least one protrusion in the other of the peripheral wall of the can or in the upstanding wall of the lid;

- arranging, after providing the at least one protrusion and preferably filling the can, the lid into the mouth opening of the can.

In this case, the protrusion is arranged before the can is filled. After filling, the lid is pressed onto the can. Because the protrusion is already present, the mouth edge has to be deformed a bit, but this also provides a snapping action when the protrusion shifts into the peripheral depression. Accordingly, the use of a separate closing machine is avoided so a sufficient vertical positioning is enough.

It is noted that the number and shape of the protrusions will be selected by the skilled person such as to obtain a desired reclosing strength, tightness of the closure, and the effort required to open the can dependent on the dangerousity of the packed product. The selection of the circumferential length and number of the protrusions provides a desired regularity of the closure and tightness of the closed can.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a can or lid provided with at least one protrusion or peripheral depression and specifically designed for use in the combination of the can and the lid according to the invention.

These and other advantages will be elucidated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of combination according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a second embodiment according to the invention;

Figure 4 and 5 show a practical cross sectional view of another embodiment of the combination of the invention; and

Figures 6 en 7 shows still another embodiment of the invention.

In figure 1 a combination 1 according to the invention is shown. This combination 1 has a can with a bottom 2 and a peripheral wall 3. A lid 4 is arranged on the can 13. The lid 4 has an upstanding wall 5 and a flange 6 arranged to the wall 5. This flange 6 envelopes partially the mouth edge, which is defined by the peripheral wall 3.

The upstanding wall 5 has protrusions 7. The flange 6 has recesses 8, which enable a screw driver 9 or the like to be inserted between the lid 4 and the mouth edge defined by the wall 3 of the can (See also figure 2) .

In figure 2 a cross section is shown of the combination 1 according to figure 1. The upper edge of the peripheral wall 3 of the can has a curl 10 with a flattened portion 11. Due to this flattened portion 11, the tip of a screw driver 9 can easily be inserted between the mouth edge of the can defined by the curl 10 and the lid 4.

To ensure the airtight closure a compound 12 is arranged on the flange 6.

The protrusion 7 arranged in the upstanding wall 5 of the lid 4 grips under the peripheral depression of the can, which is embodied in this embodiment 1 as a necked portion 14. The protrusion 7 can be arranged in the upstanding wall 5 after putting the lid 4 on the can or before. The latter option is of benefit for the user who fills the cans with content, as the user does not need equipement for arranging the protrusion 7.

Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of a combination 15 according to the invention. This combination 15 has a can with a peripheral wall 16 and on top a curl 17. The mouth opening defined by the curl 17 is closed by a lid 18 having an upstanding wall 19, in which a peripheral groove 20 is arranged. To lock the lid 18 relative to the wall 16 of the can 22, a protrusion 21 is arranged in the peripheral wall 16. This protrusion 21 can be a peripheral protrusion groove 21, but is more preferable at least one discrete protrusion 21. An advantage of this embodiment 15 is that it is easier to arrange the depression 21 from the outside into the wall 16, than when the depression has to be arranged in the upstanding wall 19 of the lid 18. This depression 21 does however influence the appearance of the combination 15.

Figures 4 and 5 show another combination 23 of the invention comprising a lid 24 cooperating with the can 25.

The lid 24 comprises a lid groove 26 having an internal standing wall 27, a groove bottom 28 and an external wall 29. This external wall 29 has at its free end a flange bead 30 which is filled with compound 31. The amount of compound 31 is such that it extends beyond the flange bead 30.

The external wall 29 of the lid 24 is provided with protrusions 32 spaced apart over the circumference of the external wall 29. The number of protrusions 32 is such as to obtain sufficient strength on the compound 31 in order to provide a good tightness although the lid 24 may be removed by using a screw driver. The can 25 has a wall 34 which is provided with a peripheral depression 33. The wall 34 is further comprised of a curl 35 having a top edge 36, a support surface 37 and a distal curl portion 38.

The protrusions 32 are provided with a guiding surface 39 and an arresting surface 40. The guiding surface 39 has a slope or angle 43 with the wall 29. This angle or slope 43 is smaller than the angle or slope of the arresting surface 40 with the wall 29. Accordingly, during the closure of the lid 24 on the can 25 the guiding surface 39 slides over the top edge 36 downwardly until the protrusions 32 snap into the space in the peripheral depression 33 thereby arriving in the closed position. It is noted that the illustrated angles 42 and 43 are constant but may also gradually increase to a certain value. This closed position is illustrated in figure 5. The arresting surface 40 of the protrusions 32 and the cooperating surface 44 of the peripheral depression 33 cooperate and contact one another.

Figure 5 shows further the intrusion of the top edge 36 into the compound 31 present within the flange bead 30.

Compound 31 contacts the support surface 37 and fills it with compound 31. Thereby the tightness of the closure is further improved. The lid 24 is easily removed from te can 25 by a screw driver inserted over the support surface 37 which may be extended side wise by the extension 41.

Figure 6 shows a combination 45 alternative to the combination 23 illustrated in figures 4 and 5. The combination 45 comprises a peripheral depression 33 which is in cross section asymmetric. Furthermore, the curl 35 has a proximal curl portion 39 which supports on the peripheral depression 33 thereby increasing the stiffness of the curl 35. The lid 24 has a wall 29 which does not yet comprise the protrusions 32 or protrusion groove 32. This protrusion of protrusion groove is to be formed into the area 46 of the wall 29, after the can 25 is filled and the lid 24 brought in the closed position as illustrated in figure 5. In that area 46 using an appropriate closing tool the protrusions or protrusion groove 32 is formed in the wall 29 filling the space 45 and arresting with these protrusions or protrusion groove formed the lid 24 in the peripheral depression 32 on the can 25.

Figure 7 shows another combination 46 according to the invention. In figure 7A is shown the situation in which the lid 47 is placed on the can 48 while enclosing the compound 51 between the curl 50 of the lid 47 and the curl 52 of the can 48. The can 48 is provided with the peripheral depression 49. The wall 52 of the lid 47 has not yet been provided with the protrusions 54.

Figure 7B shows the combination 46 according to the invention wherein the lid 47 is locked on the can 48 after having formed the protrusions 54 in the wall 52. These protrusions 54 contact and cooperate in a locking manner with the peripheral depression 49.

The curl 50 of the lid 57 is provided over its circumference with spaced apart recesses 53. These recesses 53 indicate to the user where to insert a lever in order to remove the lid 47 from the can 48.

Claims

1. Combination of a can and a lid for closing the can comprising:

- a can having a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom and having a mouth edge defining a mouth opening;

- a lid for closing the mouth opening of the can, said lid having an upstanding peripheral wall, characterized in that either one of the peripheral wall of the can and the upstanding peripheral wall of the lid is provided with at least one protrusion and that the other wall is provided with a ^peripheral depression in which the at least one protrusion can be arranged to lock the lid when closing the mouth opening of the can.

2. Combination according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral depression is a peripheral groove.

3. Combination according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the peripheral wall of the can comprises near the mouth opening a necked portion providing the peripheral depression and wherein the upstanding wall of the lid comprises the at least one protrusion.

4. Combination according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upstanding wall of the lid comprises an outwardly extending flange.

5. Combination according to claim 4, wherein a sealing compound is arranged on the flange.

6. Combination according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mouth edge of the can comprises a curl.

7. Combination according to claim 6, wherein the curl provides the peripheral depression.

8. Combination according to claim 4-7, wherein the flange of the lid at least partially envelopes the curl and wherein the curl comprises at least one flattened portion for arrangement of a lever, such as a screw driver.

9. Combination according to claim 8, wherein the flange comprises at least one recess for access to the at least one flattened portion of the curl.

10. Combination according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the at least one flattened portion is a peripheral depression arranged in the curl .

11. Combination according to claim 1-10, wherein the protrusion has a protruding closure guiding surface and a closure arresting surface, wherein the slope of the guiding surface to the wall is smaller than the slope of the arresting surface to the wall.

12. Combination according to claim 11, wherein the peripheral depression has at least a surface cooperating with the closure arresting surface of the protrusion.

13. Method for closing a combination according to any of the preceding claims, which method comprises the steps of:

- providing a peripheral depression in either the peripheral wall of the can or the upstanding wall of the lid; - arranging, after filling the can, the lid into the mouth opening of the can; - providing, after arrangement of the lid, at least one protrusion in the other of the peripheral wall of the can or in the upstanding wall of the lid.

14. Method for closing a combination according to any of the preceding claims, which method comprises the steps of:

- arranging, after providing the at least one protrusion and filling the can, the lid into the mouth opening of the can.

15. Can or lid provided with the at least one protrusion or with the peripheral depression as defined in claim 1-14.