can end

Abstract

This invention relates to a can end having a metal end surface in which an opening is formed, the opening being defined by a closed edge of the end surface and closable by a closure member; it has a sealing frame connected to the end surface and surrounding the opening; it has a closure unit supporting the closure member and pivotally attached to the metal end surface, wherein the sealing frame and the closure unit are liquid-tightly releasable connected to each other via a sealing rib and an associated receiving groove, wherein corresponding latching protrusions are arranged at the sealing rib and the receiving groove, the corresponding latching protrusions extending around the opening and engaging behind each other relative to a vertical direction pointing laterally to the plane defined by the opening, wherein, in the initial position of the closure unit, the closure member is flush with or offset parallel to the end surface from the end surface by less than the thickness of the metal end surface. When the closure unit is in the initial position, the latching protrusions are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction by a predetermined vertical offset.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a can end, particularly a beverage can end, having a metal end surface in which an opening is formed, the opening being defined by a closed edge of the metal end surface and closable by a closure member of the metal end surface; the can end having a sealing frame made of plastic material, the sealing frame being connected to the metal end surface and surrounding the opening; the can end having a closure unit made of plastic material, the closure unit supporting the closure member and pivotally attached to the metal end surface via a pivot bearing, wherein the sealing frame and the closure unit are releasably connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner via at least one sealing rib and an associated receiving groove, wherein corresponding latching protrusions are arranged at the at least one sealing rib and the associated receiving groove, the corresponding latching protrusions extending around the opening and engaging behind each other relative to a vertical direction laterally pointing towards the plane defined by the opening, and wherein, at the initial position of the closure unit, the closure member closing the opening is flush with or offset parallel to the surrounding metal end surface by less than the thickness of the metal end surface. Background Technology

[0002] This type of can end is widely used in the manufacture of beverage cans, food cans, etc. Due to the cooperation of the sealing ribs and receiving grooves, the corresponding can end can be resealed after opening. Before the can end is opened for the first time, the closure can be separated from the surrounding end surface by micro-gap or weakening lines extending at least segmentally along the edge of the end surface, wherein a sealing film made of plastic material and applied to the inside of the can end can cover the micro-gap or weakening lines. After the first opening, the sealing of the can end can only be ensured via the sealing ribs and receiving grooves.

[0003] A pivot bearing can be formed directly between the enclosure unit and the metal end surface, for example, by attaching a flexible plastic strip to the enclosure unit at one end and to the metal end surface at the other end. However, a pivot bearing can also be formed between the enclosure unit and the sealing frame, wherein a pivot connection also exists between the enclosure unit and the metal end surface because the sealing frame is fastened to the metal end surface.

[0004] It has been found that removing the closure from the plane defined by the opening is not entirely reversible. Due to unavoidable deformation, it is difficult to reassemble the closure into the opening when resealing the can end. Pressing the closure into the opening requires undesirably large force. In some applications, it may even occur where the closure is adjacent to the edge of the opening and the latch protrusions no longer engage behind each other. In this case, the can end is only adequately sealed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to achieve easier and more reliable resealing of the can end of the aforementioned type.

[0006] The objective is achieved by means of a can end according to one aspect of the invention.

[0007] According to the present invention, when the closing unit is in the initial position, the latch protrusion of the sealing frame and the latch protrusion of the closing unit are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined vertical offset in the vertical direction.

[0008] Due to the vertical offset, there is some movement clearance in the latch protrusion. This clearance compensates for deformation and positional changes of the closure after the can end is first opened. Therefore, even if the closure cannot return to its original position, such as flush with the surrounding end surface, latch engagement between the sealing frame and the closure unit is possible. Thus, even after the first opening, the sealing and secure closure of the can end according to the invention can be ensured.

[0009] The latching protrusions preferably extend around the opening in an uninterrupted manner or in a manner with distributed interruptions, enabling stable latching engagement. More preferably, the vertical offset between the latching protrusions is present at least substantially at each point along the path of the latching protrusions, since the shape and position of the closure are typically uncertain after the can end is first opened.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vertical offset is at least as large as the thickness of the metal end surface, and preferably at least substantially as large as the thickness of the metal end surface. In this embodiment, a latching engagement between the sealing frame and the closure unit can be achieved even if the closure is regionally adjacent to the surrounding end surfaces.

[0011] One specific embodiment of the invention specifies that the metal end surface is laminated with foil on the inner side opposite the sealing frame, and the vertical offset is at least as large as the sum of the thickness of the metal end surface and the thickness of the foil, and preferably at least substantially precisely as large as the sum of the thickness of the metal end surface and the thickness of the foil. This achieves a latching engagement between the sealing frame and the closure unit even when the closure member has its lower foil adjacent to the upper side of the surrounding end surface.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the vertical offset is at least 0.05 mm and at most 2 mm, preferably at least 0.2 mm and at most 1 mm, and particularly preferably at least 0.35 mm and at most 0.55 mm. This has proven to be particularly advantageous in practice.

[0013] The latch protrusion is preferably formed by surface segments that are at least substantially parallel to each other and / or inclined to extend along the plane defined by the opening.

[0014] The metal end surface can be made of aluminum.

[0015] The sealing frame and the closure unit may have corresponding abutment surfaces that contact each other when the closure unit is in the initial position. In this embodiment, the vertical movement clearance of the closure unit is limited on the one hand by the abutment surfaces and on the other hand by latching protrusions that engage behind each other.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a can end, particularly a beverage can end, having a metal end surface in which an opening is formed, the opening being defined by a closed edge of the end surface and closable by a closure member of the metal end surface; the can end having a sealing frame made of plastic material, the sealing frame being connected to the metal end surface and surrounding the opening; the can end having a closure unit made of plastic material, the closure unit supporting the closure member and pivotally attached to the metal end surface via a pivot bearing, wherein the sealing frame and the closure unit are releasably connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner via at least one sealing rib and an associated receiving groove, wherein corresponding latching protrusions are arranged at the at least one sealing rib and the associated receiving groove, the corresponding latching protrusions extending around the opening and engaging behind each other relative to a vertical direction laterally pointing towards the plane defined by the opening.

[0017] According to the invention, the latching protrusion extends around the opening in a distributed, interrupted manner. This strengthens the web and increases the stability of the locking connection. The interruptions are preferably evenly distributed along the periphery of the opening. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Furthermore, further aspects of the present invention can be seen from the following description and drawings.

[0019] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the can end component according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 Displayed before first opening Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the tank end;

[0022] Figure 3 It comes from Figure 2 An enlarged view of section A;

[0023] Figure 4 The information displayed indicates that the device is in a re-closed state after being opened for the first time. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the tank end;

[0024] Figure 5 It comes from Figure 4 An enlarged view of section B; and

[0025] Figure 6 It is a plan view of the plastic component forming the sealing frame, closure unit and tear-off member of the can end according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The can end 11 is shown, specifically designed for beverage cans and integrating a resealable opening system 15 in the metal end surface 13 of the can end. The can end 11 can be connected to an associated container (not shown) via a rolled edge 17. An opening is provided in the metal end surface 13, in... Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the delivery state of the can end 11 shown, the opening is closed by a section of the metal end surface 13 in the form of a closure 19. The closure 19 is separated from the surrounding metal end surface 13 by a micro-gap or weakening line (not shown).

[0027] The metal end surface 13 is preferably formed of a sheet of aluminum or tin. A sealing film made of plastic may be applied to the inside of the can end 11, however, this is not shown in the figure.

[0028] The resealable opening system 15 includes a sealing frame 21 made of plastic material that surrounds the opening and is fixedly attached to the surrounding end surface 13. A closure unit 25 also made of plastic material is provided, which supports the closure member 19 and is attached to the sealing frame 21 via a first pivot bearing 27, and is thus pivotally attached to the surrounding metal end surface 13.

[0029] 29 ring-shaped tear-off component Figure 2 (It is preferably also made of plastic) attached to or directly molded to the closure unit 25, and thus fastened to the closure 19. By pulling at the tear-off member 29, the user can pivot the closure 19 out of the opening plane 33 defined by the opening and thus it is possible to release the opening while separating the sealing film. The connection between the tear-off member 29 and the closure unit 25 is provided by a second pivot bearing 35 ( Figure 1 The second pivot bearing is provided, and is configured to be diametrically opposed to the first pivot bearing 27. For better overview, Figure 1 The tear-off component 29 is omitted.

[0030] from Figure 3The enlarged detailed view also shows that radially outer sealing ribs 41 and radially inner sealing ribs 42 are formed at the sealing frame 21. Furthermore, radially outer receiving grooves 43 and radially inner receiving grooves 44 are formed at the sealing unit 25. The interlocking sealing ribs 41, 42 and receiving grooves 43, 44 achieve a releasable liquid-tight connection between the sealing frame 21 and the sealing unit 25. Therefore, the tank end 11 is resealable. It should be understood that sealing ribs 41, 42 can also be arranged at the sealing unit 25, and receiving grooves 43, 44 can also be arranged at the sealing frame 21. Depending on the application requirements, more than two pairs of sealing ribs 41, 42 and receiving grooves 43, 44 can be provided.

[0031] At the radially outer sealing rib 41 and at the radially outer receiving groove 43, corresponding latching protrusions 45, 46 are formed in the form of inclined surfaces, which engage behind each other relative to a vertical direction 47 that laterally points towards the opening plane 33. The latching protrusions 45 of the sealing frame 21 and the latching protrusions 46 of the closing unit 25 extend parallel to each other and extend around the entire opening.

[0032] Figure 3 This displays a resealable opening system 15 and, in particular, a closing unit 25 in its initial position prior to the first opening. In the initial position, the closure 19 is flush with the surrounding metal end surface 13. Figure 1 That is, the closure 19 extends in the opening plane 33. Furthermore, as in... Figure 3 As can be seen, when the sealing unit 25 is in the initial position, the sealing ribs 41 and 42 contact the base of the receiving grooves 43 and 44.

[0033] However, when the closure unit 25 is in the initial position, the latch protrusion 45 of the sealing frame 21 does not contact the latch protrusion 46 of the closure unit 25. Instead, the latch protrusions 45 and 46 are spaced apart from each other by a predefined vertical offset 49 in the vertical direction 47, such that there is free space 50 between the latch protrusions 45 and 46. The vertical offset 49 is preferably selected to be as large as the thickness of the metal end surface 13 plus the thickness of any foil. Specifically, the vertical offset 49 can be at least 0.35 mm and at most 0.55 mm.

[0034] Upon first opening the can, the user pulls on the tear-off member 29, thereby pivoting the closing unit 25 and the closure member 19 upwards out of the opening plane 33. In this action, the latching connection between the closing unit 25 and the sealing frame 21 is released, and the closure member 19 is lifted away from the metal end surface 13. The contents of the can can then be removed through the resulting opening. When the closing unit 25 and the closure member 19 are pivoted back, the latching connection between the closing unit 25 and the sealing frame 21 is re-established, thus re-sealing the opening tightly. The opening and closing process can then be repeated frequently as needed.

[0035] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This shows a resealable opening system 15 that has been reopened after its initial opening. Due to unavoidable deformation and positional changes, it is generally impossible to precisely re-fit the closure 19 into the opening and thus restore it to its initial flush state. Instead, the closure 19 is positioned abutting the edge of the opening and therefore remains slightly above the opening plane 33 overall. However, due to a vertical offset 49 in the initial position… Figure 3 Therefore, for the closing unit 25, there is sufficient clearance for movement in the vertical direction 47 to compensate for misalignment of the closing member 19. Despite the misalignment, the latching protrusions 45, 46 can still engage behind each other, so that even in the resealed state, the sealing frame 21 and the closing unit 25 can be securely latched to each other. Thus, the use of the can end 11 according to the invention avoids leakage and unintentional opening.

[0036] Figure 6 Showing a single plastic component 55, which includes a sealing frame 21, a closure unit 25, and a tear-off member 29. It can be seen that the radially outer sealing rib 41 and the radially outer receiving groove 43 (included in...) Figure 6 The invisible latch protrusions 45, 46 are interrupted by recesses 57 and reinforcing webs 59, respectively. That is, the radially outer sealing ribs 41 extend around the opening with uniformly distributed interruptions in the form of recesses 57. Similarly, the radially outer receiving grooves 43 extend around the opening with uniformly distributed interruptions in the form of reinforcing webs 59. The reinforcing webs 59 are fitted into the recesses 57. This is advantageous because material escape is counteracted, and thus the latch engagement is configured to be generally more stable and reliable, but completely surrounding the opening. However, the latch protrusions 45, 46 can also generally extend uninterruptedly around the opening.

[0037] In the initial state, the closure 19 does not need to be flush with the surrounding metal end surface 13. Instead, in the initial state, the closure 19 can be offset laterally from the metal end surface 13 by less than the thickness of the metal sheet, for example, up to 80% of the thickness of the metal sheet, to form a cutting edge for better cutting through the inner foil.

[0038] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0039] 11 cans

[0040] 13 Metal end surface

[0041] 15 Resealable opening systems

[0042] 17 rolls of edge trim

[0043] 19 closures

[0044] 21 Sealed Frame

[0045] 25 enclosed units

[0046] 27 First pivot bearing

[0047] 29 Tear-off components

[0048] 33 Opening Plane

[0049] 35 Second pivot bearing

[0050] 41 Radial external sealing rib

[0051] 42 radial internal sealing ribs

[0052] 43 Radial external receiving trench

[0053] 44 Radial internal receiving trench

[0054] 45. Latch protrusion of the sealing frame

[0055] 46. ​​Latch protrusion of the closed unit

[0056] 47 Vertical direction

[0057] 49 Vertical offset

[0058] 50 Free Space

[0059] 55 Plastic Parts

[0060] 57. Depression

[0061] 59. Strengthen the web plate.

Claims

1. A can end (11) having a metal end surface (13) in which an opening is formed, the opening being defined by a closed edge of the metal end surface (13) and capable of being closed by a closure member (19) of the metal end surface (13); the can end having a sealing frame (21) made of plastic material, the sealing frame being connected to the metal end surface (13) and surrounding the opening; the can end having a closure unit (25) made of plastic material, the closure unit supporting the closure member (19) and being pivotally attached to the opening via a pivot bearing (27). Metal end surface (13), wherein the sealing frame (21) and the closure unit (25) are releasably connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner via at least one sealing rib (41) and an associated receiving groove (43), wherein corresponding latching protrusions (45, 46) are arranged at the at least one sealing rib (41) and the associated receiving groove (43), the corresponding latching protrusions (45, 46) extending around the opening and engaging behind each other relative to a vertical direction (47), the vertical direction laterally pointing towards the plane (33) defined by the opening, and wherein, At the starting position of the closing unit (25), the closing member (19) that closes the opening is flush with or offset parallel to the surrounding metal end surface (13) by a amount less than the thickness of the metal end surface (13). Its features are, When the closing unit (25) is in the starting position, the latch protrusion (45) of the sealing frame (21) and the latch protrusion (46) of the closing unit (25) are spaced apart from each other by a predefined vertical offset (49) in the vertical direction (47).

2. The can end according to claim 1, Its features are, The latch protrusions (45, 46) extend around the opening either without interruption or with distributed interruptions (57, 59).

3. The can end according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The vertical offset (49) is at least as large as the thickness of the metal end surface (13).

4. The can end according to claim 1, Its features are, The vertical offset (49) is substantially as large as the thickness of the metal end surface (13).

5. The can end according to claim 1, Its features are, The metal end surface (13) is laminated with foil on the inner side opposite to the sealing frame (21), and the vertical offset (49) is at least as large as the sum of the thickness of the metal end surface (13) and the thickness of the foil.

6. The can end according to claim 1, Its features are, The metal end surface (13) is laminated with foil on the inner side opposite to the sealing frame (21), and the vertical offset (49) is substantially as large as the sum of the thickness of the metal end surface (13) and the thickness of the foil.

7. The can end according to claim 1, Its features are, The vertical offset (49) is at least 0.05 mm and at most 2 mm.

8. The can end according to claim 1, Its features are, The vertical offset (49) is at least 0.2 mm and at most 1 mm.

9. The can end according to claim 1, Its features are, The vertical offset (49) is at least 0.35 mm and at most 0.55 mm.

10. The can end according to claim 1, Its features are, The latch protrusions (45, 46) are formed by surface segments that are at least substantially parallel to each other and / or inclined to the plane (33) defined by the opening.

11. The can end according to claim 1, Its features are, The metal end surface (13) is made of aluminum.

12. The can end according to claim 1, Its features are, The sealing frame (21) and the closing unit (25) have corresponding adjacent surfaces that are in contact with each other when the closing unit (25) is in the initial position.

13. A can end (11) having a metal end surface (13) in which an opening is formed, the opening being defined by a closed edge of the metal end surface (13) and capable of being closed by a closure member (19) of the metal end surface (13); the can end having a sealing frame (21) made of plastic material, the sealing frame being connected to the metal end surface (13) and surrounding the opening; the can end having a closure unit (25) made of plastic material, the closure unit supporting the closure member (19) and being pivotally attached via a pivot bearing (27). To the metal end surface (13), wherein the sealing frame (21) and the closure unit (25) are releasably connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner via at least one sealing rib (41) and an associated receiving groove (43), wherein corresponding latching protrusions (45, 46) are arranged at the at least one sealing rib (41) and the associated receiving groove (43), the corresponding latching protrusions (45, 46) extending around the opening and engaging behind each other relative to a vertical direction (47), the vertical direction laterally pointing towards the plane (33) defined by the opening. Its features are, The latch protrusions (45, 46) extend around the opening in a manner with distributed interruptions (57, 59).

14. The can end (11) according to claim 1 or 13, characterized in that The can end (11) is suitable for beverage cans.

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