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
  • B65D79/00—Kinds or details of packages, not otherwise provided for
  • B65D79/005—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting
  • B65D79/008—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting the deformable part being located in a rigid or semi-rigid container, e.g. in bottles or jars
• • 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
  • B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
  • B65D11/02—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material of curved cross-section
  • B65D11/06—Drums or barrels
  • B65D11/08—Arrangements of filling or discharging apertures
• • 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
  • B65D15/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, sections made of different materials
• • 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
• • 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
  • B65D17/4012—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 partially 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
  • 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
  • B65D2517/0016—Action for opening container pivot tab, push-down and pull-out tear 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
  • B65D2517/0074—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 can, and to a body and a panel therefore.
• This can according to the invention may be of the type having a so-called easy opening closure.
• An easy opening closure is a metal closure for a can in which an opening may be formed by using one or more fingers and without the . requirement of a separate opening tool. To that extent the can is provided with a tab for forming an opening in the panel of the can. The tab functions as a lever.
• the tab comprises a rear tab part which is to be gripped by the user.
• the front tab part is actuated.
• Actuation by levering or tilting results in popping an initial opening in the panel.
• the opening is defined by a score line.
• the score line is generally circumferential. With the tab in an upright position a maximum popping opening is formed. Tearing the tab outwardly results in scoring out of the panel. Finally, by hinging the panel is torn apart from the can and the can opening is formed.
• the can according to the invention may also be provided with a smaller opening by the levering action of the tab, thereby forming a small opening just sufficient for emptying the content of the can.
• the invention has for its object to improve the initial gripping action by the user. This improvement is under the condition that other functions of the can and tab are not influenced, such as the manufacture, filling, handling and opening of the can by the tab.
• the present invention is based on the insight that cans may have, after filling and closure, an internal pressure, which is different from the surrounding atmospheric pressure.
• Such negative pressure difference may be the result of hot filling and/or cooking of the content of the can before closing it.
• After closure and cooling the gas phase above the content will reduce in volume, thereby forming a negative pressure difference over the panel and the surrounding.
• a positive pressure difference may result from a permanent or transitional pressure build up after closure due to desired or unwanted gas generation and/or volume expansion due to heating.
• This pressure difference is used to have the panel acquire a depressed or concave form at least beneath the rear tab part.
• This depressed or concave forms result in an increase of the space beneath the rear tab part.
• the increased space improves the gripping action.
• this panel change occurs after manufacture of can and panel, after filling and closing. There is substantially no interference with the traditional handling of such cans.
• the change from the concave form into the convex form may occur as a result the changed pressure difference.
• the invention also encompasses the alternative after the change in pressure the changed in form does not yet take place but requires an impact from the outside, such as a mechanical contact or other physical means (magnets) by which the change in from will be facilitated.
• the panel when the pressure difference is substantially zero the panel may be in the concave or convex form dependent on the structure of the panel.
• the pressure difference may result from internal and external pressures of which one or both are above or below atmospheric pressure.
• the panel At zero pressure difference the panel may be in a concave or convex form.
• the present invention provides a can, comprising a body provided with a panel, wherein the panel is provided with a tab comprising a front tab part and a rear tab part for gripping in forming by engagement of the front tab part with the panel of an opening in the panel, wherein the panel is provided with a flip panel area at least beneath the rear tab part, which panel area forms a depression beneath the rear tab part, which depression preferably has a concave form dependent on a pressure difference over the panel.
• the flip panel may be formed by providing the panel with a particular material (such as steel and aluminium), structure and/or by providing the panel in the flip panel area with a different thickness.
• the main influence factor, from all the material properties, is the Young modules (elastic) .
• two panel geometries may be identical but due to different manufacturing methods, their residual stress fields may be different which interacts with material properties.
• the flip panel area has a higher flexibility than other parts of the panel such that by the pressure difference the concave form beneath the rear tab part is provided.
• jars, cans and bottles for fruit juice and marmalades may be provided with a screw cap having a similar flip panel area.
• these screw caps are not provided with a tab.
• the flip panel area flips between a concave form and a flat form dependent on the pressure difference over the panel.
• the flip panel parts flips from a concave form to a substantially flap form.
• the flip panel area flips between a concave form and a convex form dependent on a pressure over the panel.
• the provision of a convex form to the flip panel part does not interfere with the opening action using the tab because the tab is than in a more tilted position remote from the flip panel area.
• the pressure difference may be
• the flip panel area is part of a terrace structure. Accordingly, there is a better controlled area in the terrace structure in which the flipping of the flip panel part could take place. In this respect it is preferred on a consumer perspective that the flip panel area is a central terrace structure.
• the panel is provided with a slanted or gradually depressing form (when the pressure difference exists) .
• the pressure difference when the pressure difference is completely or partially neutralized the flip panel area flips from the slanted concave form to a flat or convex form.
• the tab movement is limited by a panel rest structure.
• the panel structure has the form of a dimple on which the tab may rest or by which dimple the downward movement of the tab part is limited.
• the flip panel area is located in the central panel part, other locations off-centered are also suitable.
• the pressure difference at which the transition from convex to concave occurs is preferably a negative pressure difference.
• the panel may be connected to the body of the can by any known means.
• the panel may be unitary with the body or may be connected by any means, such as soldering, seaming and the like. It is preferred that the panel is seamed to the can body.
• An other aspect of the present invention relates to a body provided with a panel having a flip panel area, which has a concave form dependent on the pressure difference over the panel.
• a last aspect of the invention relates to a panel which has a flip panel area which has a concave form dependent on a pressure over the panel when part of a can described above.
• Figure 1 a perspective view of a can according to the invention
• FIGS. 2A and 2B a cross section following line II-II given in Figure 1 and showing the flipping of the flip panel area according to the invention
• Figures 4A/4B and 5A/5B show other alternatives
• Figures 6A/6B/6C show other alternatives of which figure 6D if an explanatory top view
• FIGS 7 and 8 shows still another alternatives of the easy opening panel of the invention.
• Figure 1 shows a can 1 according to the invention.
• the can comprises a body 2, a top panel 3 and a bottom panel 4.
• Top panel 3 and bottom panel 4 are seamed via a seam connection 5 to the body 2.
• the top panel 3 is provided with a traditional tab 6.
• the tab 6 comprises a front tab part 7 and a rear tab part 8.
• the rear tab part 8 is provided with an opening 9 into which a finger of the user may be inserted.
• the tab 6 is connected to the top panel 3 via a rivet 10.
• Other methods for connection of the tab 6 include welding with metal or plastic welding material.
• the rivet 10 may be a separate rivet or may have been formed of material originating from the top panel and formed into a rivet shape.
• the panel is provided with a score line 11 which is having a circular form. The score line defines the opening in the can 1.
• the can is opened by inserting a finger or nail beneath the rear tab part 8 in a so called gripping space 12. Levering or tilting the tab 6 results in a popping at the front tab part 7 in the score line 11 by a movement illustrated in figure 2B.
• FIG. 2A shows more in detail and in cross section the top panel 3 according to the invention.
• the top panel 3 is provided with a terrace structure 13 having three concentric terrace rings 14-16 at a lower position relative to the seam 5.
• the terrace structure comprises a central area, which is a flip panel area 17 according to the invention.
• the flip panel area 17 has a concave structure for reasons that there exists a negative pressure difference over the panel from the inside to the outside. That is, the atmospheric pressure at the outside is higher than the internal pressure at the interior 18 of the can 1 according to the invention.
• the can is provided with a panel 22 having a slanted form.
• the panel has a central area 23 (at least beneath the rear tab part 8 of the tab 6) , thereby forming the gripping space 12 under the rear tab part 8.
• the panel 23 is soldered to the body 24. Due to the hot content of the can 21 after closure there will be an internal pressure which is lower than the atmospheric pressure and accordingly there is a negative pressure difference over the panel 22. Due to this negative pressure difference the flip panel part 23 has a concave form.
• Popping opens the panel 22 by levering or tilting the tab 6, the flip panel area 23 flips over into a convex form.
• FIGS 4A and 4B show another can 25 according to the invention.
• the top panel 26 has a central flip panel area 27 which has in cross-section a wavy shape. This wavy shape defines a depression 28 beneath the rear tab part 8 thereby forming the increased gripping space 12.
• Figure 4B shows that upon opening the can 25 with the tab 6 and after pressure equilibration over the top panel 26, the flip panel 27 changed form such that the depression 28 is transformed in a more flat area 29.
• FIGs 5A/5B show another can 31 according to the invention.
• the can 31 has a panel 32 comprising a flip panel area which has an annular depression 34 and a central flat portion 35.
• the flip panel area 33 changes from the form depictured in figure 5A into the form depictured in figure 5B whereby the depression 34 has disappeared and the central portion 35 moved upwardly.
• the trendline 36 has changed from a substantially concave form into a substantially convex form.
• the can, body and/or panel may be made of metal, such as aluminium and steel.
• the cans may be round or non-round (oval and rectangular) .
• the can When round the can may have a diameter from about 52 to 153 mm.
• the panel having a terrace structure will have about 1 or 2 terraces but at higher diameters the number of terraces may increase.
• the advantage of such terrace structures is to provide stiffness in the terrace structures and to allow the best flexible flipping properties controlled and relied to the flip panel area which is generally the central panel area.
• the panel When made of steel the panel may have a thickness as from 0.13 to 0.30 mm. The thickness may be less in the area forming the flip panel area.
• Figure 6 shows three variations of an easy opening panel according to the invention having a diameter of 73mm or larger. Only the concave form is shown. The values for the various diameters and angles are shown in the following table 1.
• Rl is the diameter of the panel
• R2 is the diameter of the flip panel area
• R3 is the diameter of the central flip panel area
• R4 is the diameter at the flip panel transition
• R5 is the diameter at the flip panel transition groove
• R6 is the diameter at the inner radius of the flip panel ring rO is the central flip panel area radius rl is the flip panel transition radius r2 is the radius at the flip panel ring r4 is the radius at flip panel transition r5 is the radius of the transition groove r ⁇ is the inner radius of the flip panel ring al is the angle of the flip panel ring a2 is the angle of outer panel ring h4 is the height of the flip panel transition h6 is the height of the transition groove
• FIG. 6D shows the geometry due to the presence of the easy opening tab not symmetrical. Furthermore, the outer concentric area beyond R3 forms a secondary geometry which could be rigid (flat) or flexible (wavy) which may have an additional effect on the pressure difference.
• Figure 7 shows another variant of the easy opening panel according to the invention. In particular, for a can having a diameter of 65mm or larger. Table 2 shows the various diameters and angles.
• RO is the radius of the central flip panel
• Rl is the inner diameter of the central flip panel inner groove
• R2 is the outer diameter of the central flip panel inner groove
• R3 is the diameter of the central flip panel outer groove
• R4 is the panel diameter rO is the radius of the central flip panel rl is the inner radius of the inner groove r2 is the outer radius of the inner groove r3 is the radius of the outer groove hi is the height of the inner groove h2 is the height of the outer groove a2 is the angle of the panel outer ring
• figure 8 shows another variant for a easy opening panel having a diameter of 65mm or larger.
• the flex panel is shown in convex shape position and only the main geometry is represented.
• Table 3 shows the various diameters and angles .
• Rl is the diameter of the panel central part
• R2 is the diameter at the inner groove edge
• R3 is the diameter at the center of the groove R4 is the diameter at the outer groove edge
• R5 is the diameter at the outer ring transition
• R6 is the panel diameter rl is the radius at the panel central part r2 is the radius at the inner groove edge r3 is the radius of the groove r4 is the radius of the outer groove edge r5 is the radius at the outer ring transition hi is the height of the groove h2 is the height at the outer groove edge al is the angle of the outer ring
• the height difference due to the concave to convex transformation was 1.0 +/-0.5mm as a result of a pressure difference of 0.15 +/- 0.05bar (- 10%) .
• the tab used may be a conventional tab.
• the object of the invention is to provide an improved and larger space available for the user for inserting nail and/or finger tip under the rear tab part thereby improving the gripping action and the opening of the can.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Containers Opened By Tearing Frangible Portions (AREA)
• Gas Exhaust Devices For Batteries (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
• Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
• Storage Of Web-Like Or Filamentary Materials (AREA)
• Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
• Vehicle Step Arrangements And Article Storage (AREA)

Priority Applications (11)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=38229643

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (22)

Cited By (6)

Families Citing this family (6)

Citations (4)

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• 2007
  • 2007-02-14 DK DK07075131.8T patent/DK1958882T3/da active
  • 2007-02-14 AT AT07075131T patent/ATE473928T1/de active
  • 2007-02-14 ES ES07075131T patent/ES2348934T3/es active Active
  • 2007-02-14 DE DE602007007724T patent/DE602007007724D1/de active Active
  • 2007-02-14 EP EP07075131A patent/EP1958882B1/en not_active Revoked
  • 2007-02-14 PL PL07075131T patent/PL1958882T3/pl unknown
  • 2007-02-14 PT PT07075131T patent/PT1958882E/pt unknown
• 2008
  • 2008-02-14 NZ NZ578987A patent/NZ578987A/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2008-02-14 US US12/526,704 patent/US20100108679A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-02-14 UA UAA200909379A patent/UA95340C2/ru unknown
  • 2008-02-14 BR BRPI0807628-6A patent/BRPI0807628A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2008-02-14 CN CN2008800049129A patent/CN101610955B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-02-14 KR KR1020097019019A patent/KR20090110876A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2008-02-14 WO PCT/EP2008/001124 patent/WO2008098761A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2008-02-14 AU AU2008214864A patent/AU2008214864C1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2008-02-14 MX MX2009008613A patent/MX2009008613A/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2008-02-14 JP JP2009549375A patent/JP2010517890A/ja active Pending
  • 2008-02-14 EA EA200970756A patent/EA200970756A1/ru unknown
  • 2008-02-14 GE GEAP200811473A patent/GEP20125555B/en unknown
  • 2008-02-14 CA CA002678440A patent/CA2678440A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-02-14 ZA ZA200905623A patent/ZA200905623B/xx unknown
• 2009
  • 2009-09-04 MA MA32205A patent/MA31241B1/fr unknown

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