CAN WITH LID

Abstract

A can (1) closed by a lid (2) having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the can (1). The lid (2) comprises (i) a ring having an outer portion (26) crimped onto one end of the can (1) and an inner portion embossed towards the inside of the can (1) and surrounding an opening in the can (1), and having (ii) a seal (24) covering the inner portion of the ring and closing the opening in the can (1), the seal (24) being fixed to the inner portion of the ring and the seal (24) having a tab (36) for pulling on the seal (24) to separate the seal (24) from the ring. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: CAN WITH LID technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of food containers and more particularly to the field of coffee containers. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] In a known manner, coffee is stored ground or in beans in bags or boxes.

[0003] Long-term storage in bags is generally achieved using multilayer bags made of alternating polymer and aluminum layers. This type of storage is expensive and complex to recycle.

[0004] To preserve the aromas of coffee, it is known to store coffee in vacuum-sealed bags. This method is also expensive and does not allow for satisfactory preservation of the coffee once the bag is opened.

[0005] To ensure better preservation of coffee before and after opening the packaging, it is also common to use steel cans. These cans are most often standard tin cans made of steel. However, it is known that long-term storage in contact with steel alters the taste of coffee. It is therefore common to use steel cans with an inner polymer lining. The use of a polymer lining helps preserve the taste of the coffee, but makes the can difficult to recycle.

[0006] Furthermore, it is well known that coffee degasses after roasting. Thus, coffee emits carbon dioxide and aromas after roasting. Degassing can occur several days or months after roasting and packaging. It is also common practice to integrate degassing valves into coffee packaging (bags or boxes). These valves allow the gases emitted by the coffee to escape, but block outside air from entering the packaging (as long as the packaging is hermetically sealed). The valves prevent degassing within the packaging, which would lead to its destruction. However, by releasing the carbon dioxide from degassing, the valve also releases some of the aromas, thus altering the taste of the coffee. In addition, the valve is an expensive system that combines several materials, making it difficult to recycle.

[0007] In this context, it is desirable to provide a coffee storage device that preserves the aromas of the coffee, while being inexpensive, simple to manufacture and easily recyclable. Description of the invention

[0008] To this end, according to a first aspect, a can closed by a lid having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the can is proposed. The lid comprises (i) a ring having an outer portion crimped onto one end of the can and an inner portion embossed towards the inside of the can and surrounding an opening in the can, and having (ii) a lid covering the inner portion of the ring and closing the opening of the can. The lid is fixed to the inner portion of the ring and has a tab allowing the lid to be pulled to separate it from the ring.

[0009] According to a particular arrangement, the operculum is glued onto the inner portion of the ring.

[0010] According to a particular arrangement, the operculum and the ring have a common frangible portion.

[0011] According to a particular arrangement, the can includes a removable cap adapted to cover the opening of the can and the inner and outer portions of the ring.

[0012] According to a particular arrangement, the removable cap is deformable to close the can by creating a depression in the can.

[0013] According to a particular arrangement, the removable cap is made of silicone. Brief description of the drawings

[0014] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0015] [Fig-1] illustrates a can with the lid covering an inner portion embossed towards the inside of the can and surrounding an opening in the can;

[0016] [Fig.2] illustrates a can without the lid;

[0017] [Fig.3] illustrates a can with a cap.

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

[0019] With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, a can 1 closed by a lid 2 is proposed.

[0020] Can 1 is a can of classic shape having a cylindrical form with a base 11 located at one end of the can 1, a side wall 12 and an opening 14 located at the other end of the can 1.

[0021] According to a particularly advantageous arrangement, the can 1 is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0022] The lid 2 has a diameter less than the diameter of the can 1.

[0023] The lid 2 mainly comprises a ring 22 and a lid 24.

[0024] The ring 22 has an outer portion 26 crimped onto one end of the can. More specifically, the outer portion 26 is crimped onto an edge of the side wall 12, which encircles the opening 14.

[0025] The ring 22 also has an inner portion 30 embossed towards the inside of the can 1. The inner portion 30 surrounds the opening 14. According to a particular arrangement, the inner portion 30 forms a band with a width between 4 millimeters and 8 millimeters, preferably 5 millimeters. This arrangement maximizes the dimensions of the opening 14, which facilitates the insertion and retrieval of coffee (ground or whole bean) into the can 1 via the opening 14.

[0026] In addition, as previously stated, the lid 2 includes the operculum 24. The operculum 24 allows the opening 14 to be closed. As shown in [Fig.1], the operculum 24 covers the inner portion 30 of the ring 22 and thus closes the opening 14 of the can 1.

[0027] More specifically, the lid 24 is fixed to the inner portion 30 of the ring 22. This arrangement is particularly advantageous, since fixing the lid 24 to the inner portion ensures a sufficiently strong connection to withstand a pressure increase in the can 1 following the degassing of coffee contained in the can 1. Furthermore, as shown in [Fig. 2], this arrangement also allows the opening 14 to be freed when the lid 2 is removed, in order to recover coffee contained in the can 1.

[0028] According to a particular arrangement, the operculum 24 is glued onto the inner portion 30 of the ring 22. The bonding is particularly advantageous because it allows optimal strength of the attachment to be guaranteed, while being inexpensive.

[0029] According to another provision, the lid 24 can be welded.

[0030] According to another arrangement the operculum 24 and the ring 22 may have a common frangible portion (i.e. a common portion adapted to be broken, shattered, cut).

[0031] In addition, the operculum 24 has a tab 36 allowing traction to be exerted on the operculum 24 to separate the operculum 24 from the ring 22.

[0032] According to a particular arrangement, the lid 24 is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. According to a further particular arrangement shown schematically in [Fig. 1], the lid 24 may have an embossed surface. This arrangement advantageously increases the pressure resistance of the lid 24.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in [Fig. 3], the can 1 includes a removable cap 40. The cap 40 is adapted to cover the opening 14 of the can 1 and the inner 30 and outer 26 portions of the ring 22.

[0034] According to a particularly advantageous technical arrangement, the cap 40 removable is deformable to close can 1 by creating a depression in can 1.

[0035] More specifically, according to a particular arrangement, the cap 40 has a hemispherical shape with an apex 41 and an equatorial portion 42. The equatorial portion 42 is adapted to surround the outer portion 26 of the ring 22. To create a depression, the apex 41 is pushed towards the inside of the can 1.

[0036] Typically, the cap 40 is used to reseal the can 1 after the removal of the lid 24. In this case, the top 41 can be pushed through the opening 14.

[0037] According to a particularly advantageous technical arrangement, the cap 40 is made of silicone. Indeed, silicone combines the advantages of being flexible and suitable for food contact.

Claims

Claims

1. Can (1) closed by a lid (2) having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the can (1), the can (1) being characterized in that the lid (2) comprises (i) a ring (22) having an outer portion (26) crimped onto one end of the can (1) and an inner portion (30) stamped towards the inside of the can (1) and surrounding an opening (14) of the can (1), and having (ii) a seal (24) covering the inner portion (30) of the ring (22) and closing the opening (14) of the can (1), the seal (24) being fixed to the inner portion (30) of the ring (22) and the seal (24) having a tab (36) allowing traction to be exerted on the seal (24) to separate the seal (24) from the ring (22).

2. Can (1) according to claim 1, in which the seal (24) is glued to the inner portion (30) of the ring (22).

3. Can (1) according to claim 1, in which the seal (24) and the ring (22) have a common frangible portion.

4. Can (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a removable cap (40) adapted to cover the opening (14) of the can and the inner (30) and outer (26) portions of the ring (22).

5. Can (1) according to claim 4, wherein the removable cap (40) is deformable to close the can (1) by creating a depression in the can (1).

6. Can (1) according to claim 5, in which the removable cap (40) is made of silicone.

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