Can lid
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing can lids face challenges in maintaining stable stacking during high-speed processing and transport due to misalignment and tilting issues, exacerbated by plastic parts that prevent direct contact between lid surfaces and lack of precise contact surfaces.
The introduction of at least three embossed support knobs on the metallic lid surface, which act as spacers to provide stable multi-point storage and prevent wobbling or tilting, while also serving as markers for the optimal tilting direction during drinking.
The solution ensures reliable and cost-effective handling of resealable can lids by preventing tilting and misalignment, facilitating easier stacking and production without requiring additional components or process steps.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024055633_17102024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Can lid
[0002] The invention relates to a can end, in particular for beverage cans, with a metallic lid surface which has a first flat side and a second flat side facing away from the first flat side and in which an opening is formed, a sealing frame made of plastic material which surrounds the opening and is firmly connected to the first flat side of the metallic lid surface, and a closing unit made of plastic material which is attached to the first flat side of the metallic lid surface or to the sealing frame so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis and is designed to close the opening directly and / or by means of a closure piece of the metallic lid surface carried by the closing unit in a closed position pivoted towards the sealing frame and to release the opening in an open position pivoted away from the sealing frame.
[0003] Can ends of this type are used extensively in the production of beverage cans, food cans, and the like. They are simple and cost-effective to manufacture, allow for space-saving stacking of similar cans, and can be easily opened and closed again by manually pivoting the closing unit.
[0004] In the manufacture of beverage cans and the like, the can ends are generally prefabricated and stacked before being individually joined to the corresponding containers, for example by flanging. A row of stacked ends generally passes through various processing and transport areas of a production line at relatively high speeds and with multiple changes of direction. This can easily lead to misalignments, such as tilting of can ends in the stack, which must be avoided. In practice, however, preventing tilting is difficult to achieve because the plastic parts on the top or bottom of the lids, on the one hand, prevent the lid surfaces or lid edges from directly contacting one another, and on the other hand, do not themselves offer large-area, precise contact surfaces.Any existing surface structures such as reinforcement beads can further exacerbate the problem of uneven contact surfaces.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to enable easier and more reliable handling of resealable can lids in a manufacturing process.
[0006] The problem is solved by a can lid having the features of claim 1.
[0007] A can lid according to the invention has an arrangement of at least three separate support knobs which are embossed into the metallic lid surface in such a way that they form respective elevations of the same height with respect to the second flat side.
[0008] The at least three support studs therefore extend beyond the base plane of the can end by an equal maximum height offset. When similar can ends are stacked, the support studs of one can end rest on the subsequent can end, in particular on its sealing frame and / or closing unit, and thus act as spacers. The provision of at least three support studs enables stable multi-point support, in particular three-point support. This reliably prevents can ends from wobbling or tilting in the stack. The embossing of the support studs is simple and cost-effective and requires no additional components or additional process steps. The first flat side of the metallic end surface generally forms the top side of the can end. In principle, however, the sealing frame and / or the closing unit could also be arranged on the underside of the can end.
[0009] It can be provided that the metallic lid surface has a uniform or medium thickness and the height is at least as great as the thickness, with the height preferably being at least one and a half times and at most four times the thickness, particularly preferably at least twice and at most three times the thickness. This enables simple production and, on the other hand, ensures that the support nubs are more prominent than any unevenness or structures in the metallic lid surface, thus acting as spacers.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening has a border that runs in a base plane of the can lid, with at least one of the at least three support studs, preferably all support studs of the arrangement, having a flat support section that runs parallel and offset to the base plane. This has proven particularly advantageous with regard to stable mounting.
[0011] At least one of the at least three support studs, preferably at least two of the at least three support studs, can have a circular circumference. This enables particularly simple production.
[0012] It is preferred that the closure unit carries a closure piece of the metallic lid surface, and at least one, preferably exactly one, of the at least three support nubs is embossed into the closure piece. Even with can lids twisted relative to each other in the stack, there is a relatively high probability that the support nub located on the closure piece will strike the sealing frame or the closure unit of the subsequent can lid.
[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the metallic lid surface and the opening have respective geometric centers arranged at a distance from one another, with at least one of the at least three support nubs being arranged on a line connecting the two geometric centers. A decentralized arrangement of the opening facilitates direct drinking from the respective beverage can. The support nub arranged on the line connecting the two centers serves as a marker for the most favorable tilting direction and thus has a dual function. Thanks to the marker, a user immediately knows how to hold the can and in which direction to tilt it when drinking.
[0014] The at least three support studs can be distributed across the metallic lid surface such that there is a distance of at least 7 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, between all pairs of support studs and / or that there is an angular distance of at least 5°, preferably at least 15°, between all pairs of support studs relative to a rotation center of the metallic lid surface. A relatively loose distribution of the support studs across the lid surface ensures particularly stable multi-point support.
[0015] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the metallic lid surface is circular, and the at least three support studs are distributed over the metallic lid surface such that a distance of at least one quarter of the diameter of the circular metallic lid surface exists between all pairs of support studs. This reliably counteracts undesired tilting of stacked can lids. A further embodiment of the invention provides that at least one reinforcing bead is embossed into the metallic lid surface, which is the same height as the at least three support studs. In this embodiment, the reinforcing bead, together with the support studs, can act as a spacer and thus fulfill a dual function. Alternatively or additionally, at least one reinforcing bead can be embossed into the metallic lid surface, which is less high than the at least three support studs.In certain applications, it may be desirable for the bearing to be provided exclusively via the support studs and not via a reinforcing bead. Likewise, it may be desirable for the bearing to be provided, in addition to the support studs, only via a selected reinforcing bead or a selected subset of reinforcing bead.
[0016] The sealing frame and / or the closing unit can have a flat surface section which forms a counter surface to the support surfaces of the support knobs.
[0017] Preferably, an arrangement of exactly four separate support knobs is provided, which are embossed into the metallic lid surface in such a way that they form respective elevations of the same height relative to the second flat side. In general, the prefabricated can ends are not stacked in such a way that all can ends have the same rotational position relative to the stacking axis. Rather, the rotational positions are randomly distributed. If the opening is arranged off-center, the sealing frames and the closing units are in different positions. It has been shown that an arrangement of exactly four separate support knobs is sufficient in many practically important cases to provide at least three support points when two can ends arranged consecutively in a stack have different orientations.Further developments of the invention can also be found in the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.
[0018] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawings.
[0019] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a can lid according to the invention in a closed state.
[0020] Fig. 2 shows the can lid according to Fig. 1 in perspective view without closure components.
[0021] Fig. 3 shows a closure piece of the can lid according to Fig. 1 in a cross-sectional view.
[0022] Fig. 4 shows a stack formed from can ends according to the invention.
[0023] 1 and 2 show a can end 11 designed according to the invention for a beverage can or the like, having a metallic lid surface 13. The metallic lid surface 13 has a first, here upper, flat side 16 and a second, here lower, flat side 17 (Fig. 2) pointing away from the first flat side 16 and is preferably formed from a sheet metal layer of aluminum or tinplate. A coating of plastic material can be applied to the second flat side 17 of the metallic lid surface 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the metallic lid surface 13 is circular in plan view and has a circle center 20. The can end 11 can be connected to a beverage container via a flanged edge 18 of the metallic lid surface 13.An opening is provided in the metallic lid surface 13, which, in the illustrated delivery state of the can lid 11, is closed by a section of the metallic lid surface 13 in the form of a closure piece 19. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the closure piece 19 is separated from the surrounding lid surface by a border in the form of a micro-gap 21. The micro-gap 21 runs within a plane and defines the base plane 23 of the can lid 11, which can be seen in Fig. 3. As shown, the opening is arranged decentrally in the metallic lid surface 13, i.e., the geometric center of the opening is spaced from the circle center 20.
[0024] The can lid 11 comprises a sealing frame 27 made of plastic material, visible in Fig. 4, which encloses the opening and is firmly connected to the metallic lid surface 13. Furthermore, a closing unit 29 made of plastic material is provided, which supports the closure piece 19 and is pivotally connected to the sealing frame 27 about a pivot axis 30. By means of a locking device 28 (Fig. 4), which is formed by sealing and locking ribs and associated receiving grooves, a detachable, fluid-tight connection between the sealing frame 27 and the closing unit 29 is possible. Accordingly, the can lid 11 is resealable.
[0025] A ring-shaped tear-open element 37, preferably also made of plastic, is connected to the closing unit 29. By pulling on the tear-open element 37, a user can pivot the closure piece 19 upwards out of the base plane 23 and thus release the opening.
[0026] A first support knob 31 is embossed into the closure piece 19, which forms a depression with respect to the first flat side 16 and a raised portion with respect to the second flat side 17. The circumference of the first support knob 31 is circular. As can be seen in particular in Fig. 3, the first support knob 31 has a flat support section 33 which runs parallel and offset to the base plane 23. An elongated raised portion 36 is also embossed into the closure piece 19, which rises above the base plane 23 in the direction of the first flat side 16, i.e. is embossed in the other direction than the first support knob 31. Furthermore, a circumferential closure relief bead 38 is embossed into the closure piece 19 and extends along the micro-gap 21. The closure relief bead 38 has a lower height than the first support knob 31.
[0027] Furthermore, a second support nub 34 and a third support nub 35 are embossed into the area of the metallic lid surface 13 surrounding the opening. Like the first support nub 31, these support nubs have a circular circumference. However, the diameter of the second support nub 34 and the third support nub 35 is smaller than the diameter of the first support nub 31. A further support nub 39 embossed into the area of the metallic lid surface 13 surrounding the opening has a triangular border. This support nub 39 indicates the most favorable tilting direction when drinking from the beverage can.
[0028] Like the first support knob 31, the second support knob 34, the third support knob 35, and the fourth support knob 39 have respective flat support sections 33, which extend parallel to the base plane 23 and are offset by the same amount as the flat support section 33 of the first support knob 31. Thus, the can end 11 has an arrangement of embossed support knobs 31, 34, 35, 39, which form respective elevations of the same height 50 relative to the second flat side 17.
[0029] To prevent excessive material stress in the event of a pressure increase in the can, pressure relief ridges 47 are embossed into the metallic lid surface 13. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the pressure relief ridges 47 extend parallel to one another at least partially around the opening. Depending on the application, the height of the pressure relief ridges 47 can be less than the height 50 of the support nubs 31, 34, 35, 39, or at least one of the pressure relief ridges 47 can have the same height 50 as the support nubs 31, 34, 35, 39.
[0030] Fig. 4 shows a stack 45 of can ends 11 according to the invention. The support knobs 31, 34, 35, 39 rest against the closing units 29 and / or tear-open elements 37 of subsequent can ends 11 and act as spacers. During prefabrication of the can ends 11, no measures are usually taken to ensure uniform alignment of the can ends 11 to be stacked in the direction of rotation with respect to the stacking axis 55. Thus, the rotational positions of the stacked can ends 11 are statistically distributed, as can be seen in Fig. 4. Due to the number and arrangement of the support knobs 31, 34, 35, 39, it is ensured that stable multi-point support is provided for each pair of consecutive can ends 11.
[0031] The metallic cover surface 13 has a uniform thickness of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, preferably approximately 0.2 mm. The height 50 of the support nubs 31, 34, 35, 39 is preferably at least twice and at most three times the thickness, particularly preferably approximately two and a half times the thickness.
[0032] Furthermore, the four support studs 31, 34, 35, 39 are distributed over the metallic cover surface 13 such that there is a distance of at least 15 mm between all pairs of support studs 31, 34, 35, 39 and an angular distance of at least 15° relative to the circle center 20. Furthermore, the four support studs 31, 34, 35, 39 are distributed over the metallic cover surface 13 such that there is a distance of at least one quarter of the diameter of the circular metallic cover surface 13 between all pairs of support studs 31, 34, 35, 39.
[0033] Despite the lack of support via the flanged edge 18, any wobbling or tilting of can ends 11 in the stack 45 is reliably prevented. The stamping of the support nubs 31, 34, 35, 39 is simple and cost-effective and requires no additional components or additional process steps.
[0034] List of reference symbols:
[0035] 11 can lids
[0036] 13 metallic lid surface
[0037] 16 first flat side
[0038] 17 second flat side
[0039] 18 Beaded edge
[0040] 19 Locking piece
[0041] 20 Circle center
[0042] 21 Micro gap
[0043] 23 Base Level
[0044] 27 sealing frames
[0045] 28 locking device
[0046] 29 Closing unit
[0047] 30 swivel axis
[0048] 31 first support knob
[0049] 33 flat support section
[0050] 34 second support knob
[0051] 35 third support stud
[0052] 36 elongated elevation
[0053] 37 Tear-off device
[0054] 38 Closure relief bead
[0055] 39 fourth support stud
[0056] 45 stacks
[0057] 47 Pressure relief shaft
[0058] 50 height
[0059] 55 Stacking axis
Claims
Claims 1. A can end (11), in particular for beverage cans, comprising a metallic lid surface (13) having a first flat side (16) and a second flat side (17) facing away from the first flat side (16) and in which an opening is formed, a sealing frame (27) made of plastic material surrounding the opening and firmly connected to the first flat side (16) of the metallic lid surface (13), and a closing unit (29) made of plastic material, which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis (30) on the first flat side (16) of the metallic lid surface (13) or on the sealing frame (27) and is designed to close the opening directly and / or by means of a closure piece (19) of the metallic lid surface (13) carried by the closing unit (29) in a closed position pivoted toward the sealing frame (27), and to release the opening in an open position pivoted away from the sealing frame (27).characterized by an arrangement of at least three separate support knobs (31, 34, 35, 39) which are embossed into the metallic cover surface (13) in such a way that they form respective elevations of the same height (50) with respect to the second flat side (17).
2. Can lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the metallic lid surface (13) has a uniform or medium thickness and the height (50) is at least as large as the thickness, wherein the height (50) is preferably at least one and a half times and at most four times the thickness, particularly preferably at least twice and at most three times the thickness.
3. Can lid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening has a border (21) which runs in a base plane (23) of the can lid (11), wherein at least one of the at least three support knobs (31, 34, 35, 39), preferably all support knobs of the arrangement, has a flat support section (33) which runs parallel and offset to the base plane (23).
4. Can lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the at least three support knobs (31, 34, 35), preferably at least two of the at least three support knobs, has a circular circumference.
5. Can lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing unit (29) carries a closure piece (19) of the metallic lid surface (13) and at least one, preferably exactly one, of the at least three support knobs (31) is embossed into the closure piece (19).
6. Can lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metallic lid surface (13) and the opening have respective geometric centers which are arranged at a distance from one another, wherein at least one of the at least three support knobs (39) on a connecting line between the two geometric centers.
7. Can lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least three support knobs (31, 34, 35, 39) are arranged distributed over the metallic lid surface (13) in such a way that there is a distance of at least 7 mm, preferably of at least 15 mm, between all pairs of support knobs (31, 34, 35, 39) and / or that there is an angular distance of at least 5°, preferably of at least 15°, between all pairs of support knobs (31, 34, 35, 39) with respect to a center of rotation (20) of the metallic lid surface (13).
8. Can lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metallic lid surface (13) is circular and the at least three support knobs (31, 34, 35, 39) are arranged distributed over the metallic lid surface (13) in such a way that there is a distance of at least one quarter of the diameter of the circular metallic lid surface (13) between all pairs of support knobs (31, 34, 35, 39).
9. Can lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one reinforcing bead (38, 47) is embossed into the metallic lid surface (13), which is the same height as the at least three support knobs (31, 34, 35, 39) or less high than the at least three support knobs.
10. Can lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the sealing frame (27) and / or the closing unit (29) have a flat surface section.
11. Can lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an arrangement of exactly four separate support knobs (31, 34, 35, 39) is provided, which are embossed into the metallic lid surface (13) in such a way that they form respective elevations of the same height (50) with respect to the second flat side (17).