AU2006251211B2

AU2006251211B2 - Tin lid with guide posts for a container

Info

Publication number: AU2006251211B2
Application number: AU2006251211A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Wolfgang Kasper
Original assignee: Ball Packaging Europe GmbH
Current assignee: Ardagh Metal Packaging Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2005-05-25
Filing date: 2006-05-22
Publication date: 2012-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-22
Also published as: JP5328347B2; US20080190934A1; WO2006125772A2; CN101203435B; EP1899231A2; CN101203435A; JP2008542133A; RU2386574C2; WO2006125772A3; BRPI0611417A2; RU2007148385A; AU2006251211A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a lid for a container, comprising a boundary region (2) for sealed permanent connection to a container body, made from a wall and a base and with an essentially planar central region as a panel or lid surface (3), on which at least one projecting pin- or post-like guide element (7',7",8) is embodied extending from the panel (3) to one or the other side essentially parallel to an axis (9) perpendicular to the lid surface. The posts guide additional elements which are to from a functional unit with the lid.

Description

1 Sheet metal lid with guide posts for a container Technical Field The invention relates to a lid, and more specifically a lid for containers comprising an edge region for - preferably sealing and permanent - connection to a 5 container body comprising a body wall and a bottom. The invention also preferably relates to sheet metal lids for closing beverage can bodies. Background of the Invention There are containers for many different purposes, for example for filling with foodstuffs or beverages. The lids which serve for closure purposes can for that purpose io have tear-open regions provided with a gripping tab (tab), for non-reversibly opening an outlet opening, as is known in particular from drinks cans. DE-U 202 19 794 (Blechwarenfabrik Limburg) illustrates a stackable container with an edge region 5 for sealing and permanent connection to the container body consisting of the body 2 and the bottom 4 (the references are taken from that publication). Is That design has a substantially planar central region (reference 3 therein) in which there is an opening delimited by an edge, for introducing or removing the filling material (the opening is identified by reference 17 therein). Arranged in the region between the edge and the opening is at least one element with which a gripping means (reference 18 therein and Figure 3) is held to the lid surface. Those gripping elements are only visible there in 20 Figure 3 are not described in greater detail, but at best the handle portion 18 is described as being present, see page 10, last paragraph thereof, and that handle portion is mounted at a considerable spacing from the opening there, in the lid surface (referred to as the upper end). The essential concept of that publication is concerned with simplified or improved labelability of the wall and for that purpose proposes restricting the variation in 25 cross-section to a short upper region and a short lower region, and in other respects leaving the cross-section of the container the same, see therein page 8, paragraph 1.

2 DE-U 19 34 945 is also concerned with shaped portions in the lid surface, being shown as a plan view in Figure 2 thereof and as a sectional view in Figure 1 thereof. They are in the form of curved or bent beads which extend around the corners substantially in the form of a circular arc and in staggered relationship. The purpose and aim is that of s stiffening the lid surface. CH-C 494 165 operates with similar stiffening means. At another location, outside the lid surface, in accordance with EP-A 1 361 164 or associated WO-A 03/089 167, there is a variation in the peripherally extending damping bead (anti peaking bead), which is varied in respect of its width or position. Once again as a departure from the anti-peaking bead, US-A 2 822 952, therein column 1, lines 53 to 70, io addresses improved stackability of cans, for which purpose a wave-shaped configuration for the lid surface is used, see Figure 4 thereof. A comparable structure which however extends rather in a triangular shape in cross-section is known form US-A 3 070 257, also for stacking the container or for improving stackability. GB-A 518 778 dating from the Thirties discloses a metallic container, the aim of which is to improve the ease with which 15 the content thereof can be taken therefrom, see therein page 1, left-hand column, central paragraph; an opening, reference 4 therein, is provided, while formed around a recess in the lid surface is a channel which opens into the above-mentioned opening. A usual handle or a gripping portion is identified by reference 8 therein and is also arranged in the lid metal, see therein page 2, right-hand column, paragraph 3. 20 Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative. Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lid for a 25 container comprising an edge region for sealing and permanent connection to a container body comprising a body wall and a bottom, 3 and comprising a substantially flat central surface region as a panel, on which at least one guide element projecting from the surface region is formed in protruding relationship towards one side or the other, said at least one guide element being designed to project from said central region substantially parallel to an axis perpendicular to the central region, said at least one guide element having a pin-like or post-like configuration, said at least one guide element being configured to reliably guide a scaling closure element linearly relative to the lid surface and approximately in the direction of the axis, said at least one guide element extending from the lid surface in the form of the central surface region, over a length of more than 5 mm, said at least one guide element having a cross-section which remains substantially the same over its length, and said at least one guide element allowing for displacement of the sealing closure element away from the surface region in a heightwise direction. Preferably, said at least one guide element extends from a bottom side of the central region, inwardly relative to an interior of the container body. Preferably, in the planar central region there is provided a free opening defined by an opening edge for filling and/or removing a content of the container; and wherein the at least one guide element is arranged in an intermediate region between the connecting edge region and the opening. Preferably, the at least one guide element extends from the lid surface in the form of the central surface region, over a length of 5 mm to 15 mm. Preferably, the at least one projecting guide element is arranged in the proximity of the opening edge. Preferably, there are provided two guide elements which extend in parallel relationship from the same side of the panel and which are arranged in mutually diametral relationship with respect to a centre of the opening. 5674S33 3LKM 4 Preferably, a longitudinal axis of the at least one guide element is at an angle of between 75* and 90* with respect to a plane of the surface region. Preferably, the at least one guide element is shaped out of a material of the lid. Preferably, the lid is shaped out of a flexible material and the at least one guide element is shaped out of the lid material by bending. Preferably, the lid is of metal sheet and the at least one guide element is formed by deep drawing or stretching of the lid sheet metal, Preferably, the lid is shaped as a whole or at least the panel together with the at least one guide element as a unit, are shaped by way of an injection moulding procedure. Preferably, the edge region is provided and adapted for sealing and permanent connection to the container body consisting of a body wall and a bottom. Preferably, the at least one guide element is arranged at a spacing of between 0 mm and 5 mm from the opening edge of the free opening. Preferably, the lid carries two downwardly projecting pillar-shaped guide posts at the opening edge. Preferably, the at least one guide element faces towards an interior of the container body.

4a Preferably, the opening is large relative to the central region and is of a circular configuration in the central region. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet metal lid for a container body with an edge suitable for folded seam connection to a body edge and a flat central planar region in which there is provided a free opening delimited by an opening edge for performing at least one of the operations of filling and removing a content of the container, wherein in an intermediate region between the connecting edge region and the opening, closer to the opening, at least two guide elements, which permit guided displacement of at least a sealing closure element away from the central region in a heightwise direction, are designed to project from the central region perpendicularly towards one side of the central region. Preferably, at least one of the at least two guide elements extends away from a bottom side of the central region, inwardly relative to an interior of the container body, 5 Preferably, the guide elements are integrally formed in the shape of a pillar, pin or post on a U-shaped profile portion, the U-shaped profile portion at least partially embracing the opening edge from the inside. Preferably, the U-shaped profile portion is a continuous layer of plastic material, 5 for permanently mounting the guide element at the edge of the opening, in order not to be able to separate that layer and the guide element from the lid without destruction. Preferably, two guide elements which are provided on the plastic material layer in integral relationship are disposed in diametrally opposite relationship. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process 1o for the production of a lid as described in any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein in the production of the lid a continuous plastic material layer with one or more guide elements is shaped thereon or shaped therefrom by pressure shaping on one or both sides of the lid surface. Preferably, the layer is formed on one or both sides in the form of a peripherally is extending strip at the edge of the opening. Preferably, the pressure forming operation is an injection moulding operation. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lid of sheet metal for a drinks can which is produced or which can be produced by a process as described in any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein a continuous plastic material 20 layer with two projecting guide elements is arranged near an edge of a free opening. Preferably, the at least one guide element is integrally formed in the shape of a pillar, pin or post on a U-shaped profile portion, the U-shaped profile portion at least partially embracing the opening edge from the inside. Preferably, the U-shaped profile portion is a continuous layer of plastic material, 25 for permanently mounting the guide element at the edge of the opening, in order not to be able to separate that layer and the guide element from the lid without destruction.

6 Preferably, two guide elements integrally formed on the plastic material layer are in mutually diametrally opposite relationship. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter by means of examples 5 with reference to diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a view in axial section of a container, closed with a lid which is produced in accordance with an example of the invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view on a larger scale of the lid of Figure 1, with a free opening in the panel; 10 Figure 3 shows a view in cross-section of the lid of Figure 2; Figure 4a shows a plan view of a portion of a lid surface with a filling and/or removal opening, prior to shaping of the guide elements; Figure 4b shows a perspective view of the portion of the lid of Figure 4a after shaping of the guide elements; is Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show perspective views of three guide elements with various examples of their cross-sectional configuration; and Figure 6 shows a cross-section of portions of further embodiments of a lid with guide elements. Detailed Description 20 Figure 1 shows a typical container body 4 (which can be referred to just as the 'body'), as is usual for example made of sheet metal by deep drawing or stretching for beverages. It includes a cylindrical body wall 5 7 with a longitudinal axis 9 and a bottom 6 connected in one piece to the body wall. A lid which is manufactured or designed in accordance with a number of examples of the invention is connected to the container body 4 by a sealing permanent seam which is formed over the edge of the body 5 and the edge of the cover 2, being in the form of a folded join 2a. A damping bead 2b (anti-peaking bead) is disposed between the folded join 2a and the panel 3, as a surface region. The lid 1 has a 'lid surface' (in the form of a panel or central planar region 3) which is substantially flat and which is connected by the lid edge 10 2 by way of a damping or anti-peaking bead 2b (to the chuck wall). In the illustrated example the lid panel has three guide elements 7', 7" and 8. The two guide elements 7 extend parallel upwardly while the guide element 8 extends from the panel 3 downwardly (or inwardly of the container). All three guide elements are arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the 15 axis 9 of the lid 1. They are in the form of pillars, posts or pins. They can extend over a length of between 5 mm and 15 mm. One or two of those guide elements are sufficient, for example the two pins 7', 7" also being directed inwardly. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3 the cross-section of the guide 20 elements is approximately circularly round. As shown in Figure 5 by means of examples 31, 32 and 33 however, the cross-section may also be quite different. The shape of the cross-section depends on the purpose of use, that is to say the nature of the device which is to be guided at the guide elements, that device itself not being subject-matter of the invention. 25 The cross-section remains the same over the (guiding) length of the two guide elements 7', 7" or 7' and 8. The axis of each guide element is at an angle a of between 75*, preferably between 800 and 900, to the plane of the lid surface, that is to say in the limit case of the angle p = 900 (phi is 900) the axis is substantially parallel to the axis 9 of the lid. 30 The at least one guide element can also be oriented at less than 90* with respect to the plane of the lid surface, for example between 750 and below 900, as symbolically shown by the angle a in Figure 3. The guide element 8 or also the guide element 7" is oriented at an angle of less than 8 90*, corresponding to that angular orientation. That applies, for a parallel orientation of the guide elements 7', 7", also for the guide element 7' which has hitherto not been mentioned. The guide elements represent respective ldngitudinal axes which then no longer extend parallel, with respect to the 5 longitudinal axis 9. The longitudinal axis 9 has hitherto been referred to as the container axis, but is also a congruent longitudinal axis with respect to the lid, as shown in Figure 2 at the centre point of the lid panel 3. The lid shown in Figures 2 and 3 is produced with a filling and/or removal opening 11 which is delimited by an opening edge 10 and which is 10 arranged eccentrically in the lid surface 3. The two outer guide elements 7', 7" are arranged near the edge opening 10 and in mutually diametrally opposite relationship. Their spacing from the opening edge 10 is advantageously from 0 to 5 mm. Nonetheless they are disposed between the opening 11 and the edge flange 2. In this case, the guide element 8 at 15 the underside is placed in aligned relationship with the guide element 7" on the outside. The opening is relatively large. In an example which is not shown, the guide elements 7', 7" project downwardly/inwardly, 8 becomes 7" and 7' is in diametrally opposite relationship. The guide elements can be produced or shaped in different ways in 20 manufacture of the lid. Figures 4a and 4b, by reference to the example of a lid of sheet metal, show the operation of shaping the guide elements by bending the sheet metal of the lid. For that purpose, in the illustrated example, when producing the opening 16 in the lid panel 15, the opening being defined by 25 an opening edge 17, two mutually oppositely disposed sheet metal flaps 18', 18" are left. At the location at which they are attached to the opening edge 17, cuts are made thereinto at both sides at 19', 19", leaving a bridge region 20. The flaps are bent away at the bridge region 20 through about 90* relative to the lid surface (bend location 20a) and rolled in to form a 30 respective cylinder indicated at 18a. The guide elements can also be produced by deep drawing or the like directly from the lid material.

9 Pressure processes, for example injection die casting or moulding processes can also be used, in the context of manufacture of the lid, for producing the guide elements. Thus, when using a plastic material, the guide elements can be applied to the material of the lid surface by using 5 pressure and increased temperature, together with a continuous plastic material layer, by 'pressure shaping' thereon. The lid and the guide elements can also be shaped as a unit from a non-metallic material. As an example of one of those 'pressure' procedures, Figure 6 - in section and as a portion from the metallic lid panel 40 - shows a 10 continuous plastic material layer 43 which is applied along the edge 42 of the opening 41 in the panel 40 in production of the lid by pressure shaping, wherein the plastic material layer 43 in the illustrated example also at least partially embraces the opening edge 42 (at 43) and, fitted in one piece, has the at least one and preferably both guide elements 43b', 43b". 15 In addition - as shown in broken lines in Figure 6 - the opening edge can also be embraced in a U-shape in cross-section so that the layer 43, in the form of the U-shaped configuration 43a, 43c, provides that the guide posts 43b' and 43b" are permanently mounted to the edge of the opening, which cannot be separated from the lid without destruction. That 20 manufacturing process, involving pressure and plastic material, mounts the U-shaped profile portion 43, 43c to the opening edge 42 and therewith provides the pillars, pins or posts 43b', 43b" as the guide elements (for axially guided movement) on the sheet metal of the lid. The outwardly facing side 43c is only shown in broken line as an option in Figure 6. The 25 pillars/posts preferably project inwardly into the space I in the body. The shapes in Figure 5 or the pins 7', 7" or 8 are correspondingly also arranged 'at the edge' 10 (in adjacent relationship with that edge). The entire lid surface with the guide elements can also be formed from plastic material and can be fixedly joined by pressure shaping to a 30 ring portion of metal, which has the lid edge, in the above-described manner. The lid can be varied easily and with a high level of precision without involving major complication or expenditure, for any corresponding purpose 10 of use. It is preferred for the field of closing drinks cans, which defines its panel, its size (under 60 mm in diameter) and its edge flange 2 which is suitable for the folded seam connection. Likewise the thin sheet metal thickness.

Claims

1. A lid for a container comprising an edge region for sealing and permanent connection to a container body comprising a body wall and a bottom, and comprising a substantially flat central surface region as a panel, on which at least one guide element projecting from the surface region is formed in protruding relationship towards one side or the other, said at least one guide element being designed to project from said central region substantially parallel to an axis perpendicular to the central region, said at least one guide element having a pin-like or post-like configuration, said at least one guide element being configured to reliably guide a sealing closure element linearly relative to the lid surface and approximately in the direction of the axis, said at least one guide element extending from the lid surface in the form of the central surface region, over a length of more than 5 mm, said at least one guide element having a cross-section which remains substantially the same over its length, and said at least one guide element allowing for displacement of the sealing closure element away from the surface region in a heightwise direction.

2. A lid according to claim 1, wherein said at least one guide element extends from a bottom side of the central region, inwardly relative to an interior of the container body.

3. A lid according to claim 1, wherein in the planar central region there is provided a free opening defined by an opening edge for filling and/or removing a content of the container; and wherein the at least one guide element is arranged in an intermediate region between the connecting edge region and the opening.

4. A lid according to claim I or claim 3, wherein the at least one guide element extends from the lid surface in the form of the central surface region, over a length of 5 mn to 15 mm, $,'74S33_3:[KM 12

5. A lid according to claim 3, wherein the at least one projecting guide element is arranged in the proximity of the opening edge.

6. A lid according to claim 3, wherein there are provided two guide elements which extend in parallel relationship from the same side of the panel and which are arranged in mutually diametral relationship with respect to a centre of the opening.

7. A lid according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the at least one guide element is at an angle of between 750 and 90' with respect to a plane of the surface region.

8. A lid according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide element is shaped out of a material of the lid.

9. A lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid is shaped out of a flexible material and the at least one guide element is shaped out of the lid material by bending.

10. A lid according to claim 8, wherein the lid is of metal sheet and the at least one guide element is formed by deep drawing or stretching of the lid sheet metal,

11. A lid according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the lid is shaped as a whole or at least the panel together with the at least one guide element as a unit, are shaped by way of an injection moulding procedure.

12. A process for the production of a lid according to any one of claims I to 11, wherein in the production of the lid a continuous plastic material layer with one or more guide elements is shaped thereon or shaped therefrom by pressure shaping on one or both sides of the lid surface.

13. A process according to claim 12, wherein the layer is formed on one or both sides in the form of a peripherally extending strip at the edge of the opening. 5674833 3:LKM 13

14. A process according to claim 12, wherein the pressure forming operation is an injection moulding operation

15. A lid according to claim 3, wherein the edge region is provided and adapted for sealing and permanent connection to the container body consisting of a body wall and a bottom.

16. A lid according to claim 5, wherein the at least one guide element is arranged at a spacing of between 0 mm and 5 mm from the opening edge of the free opening.

17. A lid according to claim 3, which carries two downwardly projecting pillar-. shaped guide posts at the opening edge.

18. A lid according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the at least one guide element faces towards an interior of the container body.

19. A lid of sheet metal for a drinks can which is produced or which can be produced by a process according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein a continuous plastic material layer with two projecting guide elements is arranged near an edge of a free opening.

20. A lid according to claim 1, claim 3 or claim 19, wherein the at least one guide element is integrally formed in the shape of a pillar, pin or post on a U-shaped profile portion, the U-shaped profile portion at least partially embracing the opening edge from the inside.

21. A lid according to claim 20, wherein the U-shaped profile portion is a continuous layer of plastic material, for permanently mounting the guide element at the edge of the opening, in order not to be able to separate that layer and the guide element from the lid without destruction.

22. A lid according to claim 20, wherein two guide elements integrally formed on the plastic material layer are in mutually diametrally opposite relationship.. 5674833_3.LKM 14

23. A sheet metal lid according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the opening is large relative to the central region and is of a circular configuration in the central region.

24. A sheet metal lid for a container body with an edge suitable for folded seam connection to a body edge and a flat central planar region in which there is provided a free opening delimited by an opening edge for performing at least one of the operations of filling and removing a content of the container; wherein in an intermediate region between the connecting edge region and the opening, closer to the opening, at least two guide elements, which permit guided displacement of at least a sealing closure element away from the central region in a heightwise direction, are designed to project from the central region perpendicularly towards one side of the central region.

25. A lid according to claim 24, wherein at least one of the at least two guide elements extends away from a bottom side of the central region, inwardly relative to an interior of the container body.

26. A lid according to claim 24, wherein the guide elements are integrally formed in the shape of a pillar, pin or post on a U-shaped profile portion, the U-shaped profile portion at least partially embracing the opening edge from the inside.

27. A lid according to claim 26, wherein the U-shaped profile portion is a continuous layer of plastic material, for permanently mounting the guide element at the edge of the opening, in order not to be able to separate that layer and the guide element from the lid without destruction.

28 A lid according to claim 26, wherein two guide elements which are provided on the plastic material layer in integral relationship are disposed in diametrally opposite relationship. Dated 30 July 2012 Ball Packaging Europe GmbH Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON 56748333:LKM.