Re-sealable can end for metal beverage cans

Abstract

This invention relates to a can lid, comprising a can lid base (1) having a weakened profile (10) defining a tear portion, wherein the can lid base (1) includes a flange (7), a rivet structure (2) disposed at the center of the can lid base (1), and a can-opening pull ring (3) connected to the rivet structure (2). The can lid according to the invention is characterized in that a lower rotatable can lid component (4) and an upper rotatable can lid component (5) are fixed to the rivet structure (2), the outer arcuate guide edge of the lower rotatable can lid component (4) is slidably fixed in a bottom groove (8) on the circumference of the flange (7) of the can lid base (1), and the outer arcuate guide edge of the upper rotatable can lid component (5) is slidably fixed in a top groove (9) on the circumference of the flange (7) of the can lid base (1). The can lid components (5) can rotate independently around the rivet structure, wherein the lower rotatable can lid component (4) includes a protrusion (12) disposed in the opposite direction to the side facing the can lid base, and the upper rotatable can lid component (5) includes another protrusion (13) on its side facing the can lid base. When the rotatable can lid components (12, 13) are in the same position, the protrusion (12) of the lower rotatable can lid component (4) and the protrusion (13) of the upper rotatable can lid component (5) fit together tightly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This patent application relates to a can lid made of sheet material for metal beverage cans, the can lid including a can lid base and a rivet structure disposed at the center of the can lid base, a can pull ring and a rotatable can lid component fixed to the rivet structure. Background Technology

[0002] Cylindrical containers (cans) made of sheet material have long been used for beverage packaging. Compared to earlier technological solutions, these cans have several advantages, including smaller size and weight, ease of opening, and recyclability.

[0003] The most common opening process for this type of beverage can involves lifting an auxiliary pull ring fixed to the lid, thereby generating force on the lid and causing the sheet material to tear along a pre-designed weakened contour, thus allowing access to the can contents through the created opening. This technical solution is also disclosed in prior art document WO2012112487 A1.

[0004] However, these solutions cannot reseal the inside of the can, so the beverage inside cannot be isolated from external influences (such as dust and insects) or prevented from splashing out.

[0005] One possible solution is disclosed in Hungarian Utility Model Patent No. 4647, which discloses an isolating can lid with a rotatable lid component, an opening pull ring attached to the can lid by a rivet structure, and a scratch line formed on the can lid. Another feature of this solution is that the rivet structure is located at the center of the can lid, a rotatable can lid component is rotatably attached to the rivet structure, the rotatable can lid component has an arc-shaped guide edge suitable for fitting into a groove in the can lid, the surface area of ​​the rotatable can lid component is at most 80% of the can lid, and the opening pull ring is attached to the rivet structure.

[0006] The disadvantage of this utility model is that the rotatable lid component used to reseal the can is prone to loosening when rotated repeatedly, and the sealing strip on it is prone to wear. This results in the inability to provide a waterproof seal even before the contents of the can are completely consumed, meaning the can ages prematurely.

[0007] Besides the limited resealing capability, another drawback of existing technologies is the uncertainty about whether the sealing strip can withstand excessive internal pressure caused by carbon dioxide (e.g., the internal pressure increases when the can is shaken). Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a resealable can lid made of sheet material, which aims to overcome the defects of existing technologies, thereby preventing premature aging of the can and providing waterproof sealing capabilities for a longer period of time.

[0009] The objective of this invention is based on the concept that a more complex structure consisting of two rotatable lid components can achieve stronger sealing performance, meaning that the compressive force required to achieve a waterproof seal is only applied to the rotatable lid component when it is positioned above the opening. This solution ensures the force and integrity of the waterproof seal at the required location and time without premature damage to the waterproof sealing strip due to wear.

[0010] The object of the present invention is achieved by providing a can lid comprising a can lid base having a tear portion defined by a weakened profile, the can lid base including a flange, a rivet structure arranged at the center of the can lid base, and a can-opening pull ring attached to the rivet structure. The lower and upper rotatable can lid components are fixed to a rivet structure. The outer arc-shaped guide edge of the lower rotatable can lid component is slidably fitted into the circumferential bottom groove of the can lid base flange, and the outer arc-shaped guide edge of the upper rotatable can lid component is slidably fitted into the circumferential top groove of the can lid base flange. The lower and upper rotatable can lid components can rotate independently around the rivet structure. The lower rotatable can lid component includes a protrusion with its direction opposite to that of its side facing the can lid base, and the upper rotatable can lid component includes another protrusion on its side facing the can lid base. When the two rotatable can lid components are in the same position, the protrusion of the lower rotatable can lid component and the protrusion of the upper rotatable can lid component are tightly engaged.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protrusions of the lower rotatable can lid component and the upper rotatable can lid component are formed by embossing of the can lid sheet material.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment of the can lid according to the invention, the outer arcuate guide edge of the lower rotatable can lid component and / or the upper rotatable can lid component covers up to 50%, preferably 33%, and more preferably 25% of the flange circumference.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the can lid according to the invention, corresponding stop members are arranged in the circumferential bottom and top recesses of the can lid base flange, and these stop members are angularly offset relative to each other.

[0014] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower rotatable can lid component includes a sealing strip arranged along its edge, and / or is designed to correspond to the shape of a tear line defined by the can lid base, and is designed to contact the can lid base.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing strip is made of silicon material.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower rotatable lid component and / or the upper rotatable lid component include a surface pattern, such as Braille or other raised pattern, to facilitate lid rotation and identification. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 An exploded view of a beverage can is shown, illustrating the main components of the can lid of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A top view of a can lid according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 A perspective view of the can lid shown;

[0021] Figure 4 It shows along Figure 2 The sectional view taken from line AA in the diagram;

[0022] Figure 5a A bottom view of the lower rotatable can lid component is shown;

[0023] Figure 5b A bottom view of the upper rotatable can lid component is shown.

[0024] The reference numerals in the drawings of this invention are as follows:

[0025] 1-Can lid base

[0026] 2-Rivet Structure

[0027] 3- Pull tab

[0028] 4-Lower rotating can lid component

[0029] 5-Upper Rotatable Can Lid Component

[0030] 6-Through Hole

[0031] 7-Flange

[0032] 8- Bottom guide groove

[0033] 9-Top guide groove

[0034] 10-Weaken the outline

[0035] 11-Sealing strip

[0036] 12-First protrusion

[0037] 13-Second protrusion

[0038] 14-Stop component

[0039] 15-Surface Pattern Detailed Implementation

[0040] Figure 1 An exploded view shows a preferred embodiment of the can lid, revealing its main components. The can lid includes a can lid base 1, on which a lower rotatable can lid component 4, an upper rotatable can lid component 5, and a can-opening pull ring 3 are fixed, and they are secured by a riveting structure 2.

[0041] like Figure 2 The top view shown shows a weakened profile 10 defining the tear section on the can lid base 1. The rivet structure 2 is arranged at the center of the can lid base 1, and the lower rotatable can lid component 4, the upper rotatable can lid component 5, and the can opening pull ring 3 are arranged sequentially away from the can lid base in a direction perpendicular to the can lid base.

[0042] The pull tab 3 is configured according to existing technology, that is, it can be connected to any of the known technical solutions in an inclined manner; that is, by applying force to the surface area surrounded by the weakened contour 10, the opening on the can lid can be torn along the tear line to access the contents inside the can.

[0043] from Figure 3 It can also be seen that the can lid base 1 includes a flange 7, which has a bottom groove 8 and a top groove 9 on its inner surface. These two grooves can be formed during the initial forming process of the can lid, or by stamping the can lid base 1 when the can lid is installed onto the can body. Alternatively, these grooves can be formed after manufacturing by other machining or cutting techniques. Additionally, this structure can be achieved by optionally installing an additional centering flange on the can lid base.

[0044] The lower rotatable can lid component 4 and the upper rotatable can lid component 5, mounted on the rivet structure 2, are adapted to rotate about the rivet structure 2, thereby being slidably fixed in the bottom groove 8 and the top groove 9 provided on the flange 7. The rivet structure 2, located at the center of the can lid base 1, extends through the through hole 6 of the lower rotatable can lid component 4 and the upper rotatable can lid component 5. (The through hole 6 is in...) Figure 5a and Figure 5b (See the image.)

[0045] Stop members 14 are respectively provided in the bottom groove 8 and the top groove 9. The stop members 14 are configured to block the movement of the lower rotatable can lid component 4 and the upper rotatable can lid component 5 in their respective predetermined closed positions, and can optionally fix them in their respective predetermined closed positions. The so-called "predetermined closed position" means that the area defined by the weakened contour 10 of the torn portion of the can lid base 1 is completely covered by the lower rotatable can lid component 4 and / or the upper rotatable can lid component 5, so that the rotatable can lid components extend beyond the area defined by the weakened contour 10 in all directions.

[0046] The stop members are arranged in the groove so that one of them (e.g., the lower rotatable can lid member 4) can move clockwise to its predetermined closed position, while the other (e.g., the upper rotatable can lid member 5) can move counterclockwise to its predetermined closed position.

[0047] In the preferred embodiment shown in the figure, the stop members are preferably inclined at 45° along the circumference of the flange 7 relative to the opening centerline defined by the weakened profile 10 of the tear portion; however, according to the above method, the exact position of these stop members 14 may vary depending on the dimensions of the rotatable can lid components 4 and 5.

[0048] The lower rotatable lid component 4 includes a first protrusion 12, such as an embossing, in a direction opposite to the side facing the lid base 1, which is raised from the plane of the lower rotatable lid component 4 by a predetermined height. The upper rotatable lid component 5 includes a similar second protrusion 13 on its side facing the lid base 1.

[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, protrusions 12 and 13 are configured such that, when the rotatable lid components are in the same position, their total height is substantially greater than or equal to the distance between the bottom recess 8 and the top recess 9. Due to this design, in the assembled state of the lid, if the lower rotatable lid component 4 and the upper rotatable lid component 5 are in the same angular position, they will fit together tightly.

[0050] The force generated by this tight (compression) fit causes the lower rotatable lid component 4 and the upper rotatable lid component 5 to undergo minimal elastic deformation, so the lower rotatable lid component 5 fits tightly against the lid base 1, which provides better sealing and closure.

[0051] However, this tight (compression) fit can also be applied to angular positions different from the opening position, in which case both rotatable lid components can be fixed in any position by a fastening force and cannot rotate.

[0052] Everyday experience also shows that users don't always need a waterproof seal on the jar; it's sufficient to cover the jar opening to prevent insects, small objects, and dust from getting in. In this case, simply place the lower rotatable lid component 4 or the upper rotatable lid component 5 to cover the opening defined by the tear line weakened contour 10.

[0053] To facilitate easy rotation of the lower rotatable can lid component 4 and the upper rotatable can lid component 5, their arc-shaped guide edges cover up to 50% of the perimeter of the flange 7, and in an ideal and ergonomic implementation, 20-30%, preferably 25%.

[0054] To facilitate user identification of the lid and easy rotation of the lid components, the lower rotatable lid component 4 and / or the upper rotatable lid component 5 include surface patterns 15, such as Braille or other raised patterns.

[0055] Figure 5a and Figure 5b A bottom view of the rotatable can lid components 4 and 5 is shown. To provide a waterproof seal, the lower rotatable can lid component 4 includes a sealing strip 11. (As shown...) Figure 5a As shown, the sealing strip is arranged along the side edge of the rotating can lid component, and for the lower rotating can lid component that directly contacts the can lid base 1, it is also arranged along a contour corresponding to the shape of the weakened contour 10 defined on the can lid base.

[0056] The sealing strip is preferably made of silicon material, but it can also be made of other sealing materials that can be used in the food industry.

[0057] A major advantage of this invention is that by providing a resealable canister made of sheet material that offers improved sealing performance compared to existing solutions, it eliminates the shortcomings of prior art, prevents premature aging of the canister, and provides multi-directional sealing operation that meets functional requirements.

[0058] Another major advantage of the technical solution of this invention is that the closure formed by the double-lid structure provides better waterproof sealing, which can resist mechanical impact and internal pressure, thus firmly sealing the can, and the beverage contained therein can maintain freshness and carbon dioxide content for a longer period of time.

[0059] Another advantage of this technical solution is that when using the can lid of this invention, the familiar "hissing" sound of opening is still retained, so the comfort and familiarity of using existing solutions are not lost. At the same time, the solution of this invention can be implemented in an economical and efficient manner.

[0060] Another advantage of the technical solution of the present invention is that, in addition to providing a waterproof seal, the solution using a rotatable sealing strip also provides other hygiene-related advantages, such as the ability to regularly wipe the "drinking surface" of the can to keep it clean, and the ability to prevent bacteria and viruses spread by aerosols from entering the can.

Claims

1. A can lid, comprising a can lid base (1) having a weakened profile (10) defining a tear portion, the can lid base (1) including a flange (7), a rivet structure (2) arranged at the center of the can lid base (1), and a pull ring (3) fixed to the rivet structure (2), characterized in that: The lower rotatable can lid component (4) and the upper rotatable can lid component (5) are fixed to the rivet structure (2). The arc-shaped guide edge of the lower rotatable can lid component (4) is slidably fixed in the circumferential bottom groove (8) of the flange (7) of the can lid base (1), and the arc-shaped guide edge of the upper rotatable can lid component (5) is slidably fixed in the circumferential top groove (9) of the flange (7) of the can lid base (1). The lower rotatable can lid component (4) and the upper rotatable can lid component (5) can rotate independently relative to the rivet structure. The lower rotatable can lid component (4) has a first protrusion (12) on its side facing away from the can lid base, and the upper rotatable can lid component (5) has a second protrusion (13) on its side facing the can lid base. When the rotatable can lid components (4,5) are in the same position, the first protrusion (12) of the lower rotatable can lid component and the second protrusion (13) of the upper rotatable can lid component are tightly engaged.

2. The can lid according to claim 1, characterized in that... The arcuate guide edges of the lower rotatable can lid component (4) and / or the upper rotatable can lid component (5) cover up to 50% of the perimeter of the flange (7).

3. The can lid according to claim 2, characterized in that... The first protrusion (12) of the lower rotatable lid component (4) and the second protrusion (13) of the upper rotatable lid component (5) are formed by embossing lid material.

4. The can lid according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that... Stopping members (14) are respectively provided in the bottom groove (8) and top groove (9) of the flange (7) of the can cover base (1), and the stopping members (14) are set at an angle offset relative to each other.

5. The can lid according to claim 1, characterized in that... The lower rotatable can lid component (4) includes a sealing strip (11) arranged along the edge of the lower rotatable can lid component and / or along a contour corresponding to the shape of the weakened contour (10) of the tear portion defined on the can lid base, and adapted to contact the can lid base (1).

6. The can lid according to claim 5, characterized in that... The sealing strip (11) is made of silicon material.

7. The can lid according to claim 1, characterized in that... The lower rotatable lid component (4) and / or the upper rotatable lid component (5) include surface patterns (15) to facilitate lid rotation and identification.

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