Can lid

Description

1 / 8 can lid

[0001] The invention relates to a can lid for a beverage can, which has a resealable beverage opening, with

[0002] a metallic surface of the lid, which has a geometric central point and an outer contour, and an opening area is formed on the metallic surface of the lid,

[0003] a sealing frame made of plastic material, firmly connected to the metal surface of the lid and surrounding the opening area, and

[0004] a closing unit made of plastic material, which is rotatably mounted around a rotating axis on the metal surface of the lid or on the sealing frame, and is designed to, in a closed position rotated towards the sealing frame, close the opening area directly and / or by means of a closing piece, supported by the closing unit, from the metal surface of the lid and, in an open position rotated in a direction opposite to the sealing frame, release the opening area for a beverage operation,

[0005] wherein the opening area has at least one first edge point which is closer to the outer contour of the metal surface of the cover than at least one second edge point of the opening area,

[0006] with a beverage motion plane that extends perpendicularly to the metal surface of the lid, extending through the geometric center point of the metal surface of the lid and through the first edge point of the opening area,

[0007] and the rotating plane, which extends perpendicularly to the rotating axis, extending perpendicularly to the metal surface of the lid.

[0008] Beverage cans with this type of lid can be easily opened by manually twisting the closing unit and, if necessary, resealed. In principle, the contents of a beverage can can be poured into a container through the beverage opening. However, it is usually drunk directly from the can, with the lid placed at the first rim point, against the mouth. Petition 870250107789, dated 11 / 25 / 2025, p. 8 / 19 2 / 8 and then tilt the can upwards. The tilting motion usually occurs within the plane of motion of the drink, as the drinker strives to align the can lid so that the edge point of the opening area, which is closest to the outer contour of the lid, is below, to easily pour the liquid.

[0009] In the open state of the can lid, the closing unit, rotated in a direction opposite to the sealing frame, may be perceived as inconvenient by the user, as it interferes with drinking.

[0010] One objective of the invention is to provide a can lid for a beverage can that facilitates the drinking operation.

[0011] The objective is solved by a can lid with the characteristics of claim 1.

[0012] According to the invention, the rotating plane is at an angle other than 0° relative to the beverage movement plane. It has been observed that contact between the nose and the closing unit, which usually occurs when drinking from resealable cans, is particularly irritating. Because the beverage movement plane and the rotating plane do not coincide or extend parallel according to the invention, the closing unit moves away from the beverage movement plane when the can lid is opened and thus does not get in the way of the user's nose when tilting the can. This means there is no irritating contact with the nose when drinking, which is advantageous from an ergonomic point of view.

[0013] The opening area may have a geometric center point, and the rotating plane extends through the geometric center point of the opening area.

[0014] Preferably, the rotating plane is at an acute angle to the plane of movement of the drink.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the angle is at least 10° and at most 90°, preferably at least 40° and at most 70°, and particularly preferably about 60°. It has been observed that such an arrangement of the rotating plane is sufficient to avoid contact with the nose and, at the same time, ensure an ergonomic opening of the can by rotating the closing unit away. Petition 870250107789, dated 11 / 25 / 2025, page 9 / 19 3 / 8 of the user in the usual way.

[0016] Preferably, the rotating plane and the beverage movement plane intersect at a cutting line that extends perpendicularly to the metal surface of the lid.

[0017] It can be foreseen that the metal surface of the lid and the opening area are rotationally symmetrical, in particular circular, and their respective centers of rotation are in the plane of movement of the beverage. Preferably, the centers of rotation are arranged away from each other. The geometric central point of the opening area preferably does not coincide with the geometric central point of the metal surface of the lid. An off-center arrangement facilitates the flow of liquid when drinking.

[0018] Preferably, the opening area is fully cleared when the closing unit is in the open position. This means that the entire opening area can be used to remove the liquid.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the metallic surface of the lid has a marking that identifies an area of ​​the metallic surface of the lid that is opposite the first edge point in relation to the geometric center point. The user then knows immediately how to hold the can and in which direction to tilt the can when drinking.

[0020] The beverage movement plan may extend through the marking.

[0021] The marking can be embossed on the metal surface of the lid. This allows for particularly simple production and ensures that the tilt direction is permanently identified.

[0022] The closing unit may project at an angle relative to the sealing frame in the open position. An inclined projection is generally unavoidable if the rotating support between the sealing frame and the closing unit is formed by a flexible connecting section made of plastic. Even with an inclined projection, there is a possibility of nose contact with the closing unit.

[0023] In addition, the closing unit may protrude laterally beyond the outer contour of the metal surface of the cap in the open position, which also Petition 870250107789, dated 11 / 25 / 2025, page 10 / 19 4 / 8 increases the likelihood of unwanted contact with the nose.

[0024] The rotating axis is preferably stationary, that is, the closing unit preferably performs a pure rotation around the rotating axis during the opening operation, without overlapping other moving components. This ensures a particularly simple construction.

[0025] Another embodiment of the invention provides that a pull handle is provided for opening the locking unit, which is connected to the locking unit in a rotary manner around another rotary axis, wherein the pull handle is rotated towards the locking unit, in an initial position, and projects at an angle or transversely relative to the locking unit, in a pull position, and the other rotary axis extends perpendicularly to the rotating plane. A person can operate a pull handle to thus rotate the locking unit with the locking piece facing upwards. The ring-shaped pull handle, for example, can be easily gripped.

[0026] It can be predicted that the pull handle and the closing unit are rotationally symmetrical and their respective centers of rotation are in the plane of rotation. When the can is in the open state, the pull handle is even less in the way of the user's nose than the closing unit.

[0027] According to a special design, at least one handling protrusion is arranged in an outer contour area of ​​the pull handle, which is located in the plane of beverage movement when the pull handle is in the initial position. This handling protrusion facilitates lifting the pull handle from its initial position. The arrangement of the handling protrusion in the plane of beverage movement is ergonomically advantageous.

[0028] The sealing frame, the locking unit and the pull handle can be formed from a single injection-molded piece. This allows for particularly simple and economical production.

[0029] Further developments of the invention can also be found in the dependent claims, description and accompanying drawings.

[0030] The invention is described below by way of example, with reference to Petition 870250107789, dated 11 / 25 / 2025, p. 11 / 19 5 / 8 drawings. Figure 1 is a top view of a can lid according to the invention in the closed state. Figure 2 shows the can lid as per Figure 1 in a transitional state with a raised pull handle. Figure 3 shows the can lid as shown in Figure 1 in an open state. Figure 4 shows the open can lid, as shown in Figure 3, in a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 3.

[0031] Figures 1 to 4 show a can lid 11 intended for a beverage can, on whose metallic surface of the lid 12 a resealable beverage opening 13 is provided. The can lid 11 has a geometric center point 15 and an outer contour 17. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the can lid 11 is circular in top view, so that the geometric center point 15 is the center point of the circle. The can lid 11 can be connected to an associated beverage container, not shown, by means of the outer contour 17, for example, by a flange. An opening area 19 (Figure 3) is formed on the metallic surface of the lid 12, which is closed by a section of the metallic surface of the lid 12 in the form of a closing piece 21 in the closed state of the can lid 11 shown in Figure 1.

[0032] The metal surface of the cover 12 is preferably formed by a layer of aluminum sheet or tinplate, in which a coating of plastic material may be applied to an inner flat side of the metal surface of the cover 12.

[0033] By moving the closing piece 21 out of the plane of the lid 24 (Figure 4), defined by the opening area 19, the can lid 11 can be opened. For this purpose, the can lid 11 comprises a sealing frame 22 made of plastic material firmly attached to the metal surface of the lid 12 and surrounding the opening area 19. In addition, a closing unit 23 made of plastic material is provided which supports the closing piece 21 and is connected to the sealing frame 22, so that it can be rotated around a rotating axis 25. By means of a locking mechanism, which is not shown in detail and is formed by sealing and locking ribs, Petition 870250107789, dated 11 / 25 / 2025, page 12 / 19 6 / 8 as well as associated accommodation grooves, a detachable fluid-tight connection is possible between the sealing frame 22 and the closing unit 23.

[0034] A ring-shaped pull handle 27 is rotatably connected to the locking unit 23 around an additional rotating axis 29. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the sealing frame 22, the locking unit 23 and the pull handle 27 are formed from a single injection-molded piece.

[0035] In the closed state of the can lid 11 shown in Figure 1, the two rotating shafts 25, 29 are arranged diametrically opposite to each other with respect to the sealing frame 22. As shown, a handling protrusion 33 is arranged in an outer contour area 31 of the pull handle 27.

[0036] By means of the handling protrusion 33, a person can lift the pull handle 27 and rotate it away from the closing unit 23, as shown in Figure 2. By pulling the pull handle 27, the closing piece 21 can then be rotated upwards, away from the plane of the cover 24, in order to completely release the opening area 19, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0037] To facilitate direct consumption from the beverage can after opening the beverage opening 13, the opening area 19 is arranged off-center on the metal surface of the lid 12. This means that the opening area 19 has a geometric center point 35 that is arranged away from the geometric center point 15 of the metal surface of the lid 12. This results in a first edge point 39 of the opening area 19, which is closer to the outer contour 17 of the metal surface of the lid 12 than at least one second edge point 49 of the opening area 19. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the first edge point 39 is closer to the outer contour 17 than all other edge points of the opening area 19, that is, the first edge point 39 is the point on the edge of the opening area 19 that is closest to the outer contour 17 of the metal surface of the lid 12.

[0038] A beverage motion plane 40 extends perpendicularly to the metallic surface of the lid 12, that is, to the lid plane 24, and passes through the geometric center point 15 of the metallic surface of the lid 12 and the first edge point 39. A tilting motion of the beverage can for the purpose of drinking generally Petition 870250107789, dated 11 / 25 / 2025, page 13 / 19 7 / 8 occurs within the beverage movement plan 40.

[0039] Handling the can during consumption is aided by a marking 44 embossed on the metal surface of the lid 12, which identifies an area of ​​the metal surface of the lid 12 opposite the first edge point 39 in relation to the geometric center point 15 of the metal surface of the lid 12. The beverage movement plane 40 extends through the marking 44. When the pull handle 27 is in the initial position, according to Figure 1, the beverage movement plane 40 also passes through the handling ridge 33.

[0040] During the opening and closing operation, the closing unit 23 and the pull handle 27 are moved in a rotating plane 45 that extends perpendicularly to the two rotating axes 25, 29 and, moreover, perpendicularly to the metal surface of the lid 12, i.e., to the lid plane 24.

[0041] As can be seen, in particular, in Figure 3, the rotating plane 45 does not coincide with the beverage movement plane 40, but is arranged at an angle offset from it. Specifically, the rotating plane 45 and the beverage movement plane 40 intersect at an angle 47 other than 0° on a cutting line that extends perpendicularly to the metallic surface of the lid 12, i.e., to the lid plane 24, which, in this document, passes through the geometric central point 35 of the opening area 19. The angle 47 between the rotating plane 45 and the beverage movement plane 40 can be between 10° and 90°, depending on the application. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the angle 47 is sixty degrees.

[0042] Due to the design, according to the invention, of the can lid 11, when drinking from the associated beverage can, there is no risk of contact between the nose and the closing unit 23 which projects at an angle relative to the sealing structure 22 and protrudes laterally beyond the outer contour 17 of the metallic surface of the lid 12, or with the pull handle 27, as these are located outside the plane of movement of the beverage 40 when the beverage opening 13 is open. Thus, the invention allows for particularly comfortable drinking from resealable beverage cans. List of reference numbers: Petition 870250107789, dated 11 / 25 / 2025, page 14 / 19 8 / 8 can lid Metal lid surface. Resealable beverage opening. Geometric center point. Outer contour. Opening area Closing piece Sealing frame Closing unit lid plan Rotating shaft Pull handle Additional rotating axis Boundary area Handling protrusion Geometric center point First edge point Plane of drink movement Marking Rotating plane Angle Second edge point Petition 870250107789, dated 11 / 25 / 2025, page 15 / 19

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. A can lid (11) for a beverage can, having a resealable beverage opening (13), with a metal lid surface (12) having a geometric center point (15) and an outer contour (17), wherein the metal lid surface (12) forms an opening area (19), a sealing frame (22) made of plastic material, firmly attached to the metal lid surface (12) and surrounding the opening area (19), and a closing unit (23) made of plastic material, which is rotatably mounted around a rotating axis (25) on the metal lid surface (12) or on the sealing frame (22) and is designed to, in a closed position rotated towards the sealing frame (22), close the opening area (19) directly and / or by means of a closing piece (21), supported by the closing unit (23), of the metal lid surface (12) and,in an opening position rotated in a direction opposite to the sealing frame (22), releasing the opening area (19) for a beverage operation, wherein the opening area (19) has at least one first edge point (39) that is closer to the outer contour (17) of the metal surface of the lid (12) than at least one second edge point (49) of the opening area (19), wherein a beverage movement plane (40) extending perpendicularly to the metal surface of the lid (12) extends through the geometric center point (15) of the metal surface of the lid and through the first edge point (39) of the opening area (19), and wherein the rotating plane (45) extending perpendicularly to the rotating axis (25) extends perpendicularly to the metal surface of the lid (12), characterized in that the rotating plane (45) forms an angle (47) other than 0° with respect to the beverage movement plane (40).

2. Can lid, according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle (47) has a value of at least 10° and at most 90°, preferably at least 40° and at most 70° and, more Petition 870250087371, dated 09 / 26 / 2025, page 9 / 63 2 / 3 preferably, of about 60°.

3. Can lid, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotating plane (45) and the beverage movement plane (40) intersect in a cutting line that extends perpendicularly to the metallic surface of the lid (12).

4. Can lid, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metallic surface of the lid (12) and / or the opening area (19) are rotationally symmetric, in particular circular, and the respective centers of rotation lie in the plane of movement of the beverage (40).

5. Can lid, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening area (19) is fully released when the closing unit (23) is in the open position.

6. Can lid, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metallic surface of the lid (12) has a marking (44), which identifies an area of ​​the metallic surface of the lid (12) that is opposite the first edge point (39) in relation to the geometric center point (15).

7. Can lid, according to claim 6, characterized in that the beverage movement plane (40) extends through the marking (44).

8. Can lid, according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the marking (44) is engraved on the metallic surface of the lid (12).

9. Can lid, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing unit (23) projects at an angle relative to the sealing frame (22) in the open position.

10. Can lid, according to claim 9, characterized in that the closing unit (23) protrudes laterally beyond the outer contour Petition 870250087371, dated 09 / 26 / 2025, page 10 / 63 3 / 3 (17) of the metal surface of the lid (12) in the open position.

11. Can lid, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, to open the closing unit (23), a pull handle (27) is provided, which is connected to the closing unit (23) in a rotary manner around an additional rotary axis (29), wherein the pull handle (27) is rotated towards the closing unit (23) in the initial position and, in a pull position, projects in an inclined or transverse manner relative to the closing unit (23), and wherein the additional rotary axis (29) extends perpendicularly to the rotary plane (45).

12. Can lid, according to claim 11, characterized in that, in an outer contour area (31) of the pull handle (27), there is disposed at least one handling protrusion (33), which is disposed in the plane of movement of the beverage (40), when the pull handle (27) is in the initial position.

13. Can lid, according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the sealing frame (22), the closing unit (23) and the pull handle (27) are formed from a single injection-molded piece. Petition 870250087371, dated 09 / 26 / 2025, page 11 / 63

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