resealable lids for cans

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lid for a container, in particular a can, comprising a lid panel having a tear-open area at least partially surrounded by a predetermined break line and having a fixing element disposed thereon, and a lever tab rotatably attached to the fixing element for tearing open the tear-open area along the predetermined break line towards the underside of the lid panel, thereby providing an access opening in the lid panel, wherein the lever tab comprises a sealing element for tightly sealing the access opening, wherein the sealing element has a first portion attachable to an upper side of the lid panel and partially sealingly surrounding the access opening, and wherein the sealing element has a second portion attachable to the underside of the lid panel and partially sealingly surrounding the access opening. [Selected Figure] Figure 1B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid for a container, specifically for a beverage can, the lid comprising a lid panel having a break-open region at least partially surrounded by a predetermined break line and having a fixing element disposed thereon, and a lever tab rotatably attached to the fixing element for breaking open the break-open region along the predetermined break line in a direction below the lid panel, thereby providing an opening in the lid panel.

Background Art

[0002] Lids of the above type are known in the prior art and are used, for example, on beverage cans. The can is completely sealed by a lid made of a sheet material (aluminum) before being opened for the first time. To open the can, the user lifts the lever tab with one hand, thereby pressing the opposite side of the lever tab against the break-open region and breaking it open along an existing predetermined break line (usually formed as a recess on the lid material) and pushing it into the can. This provides an opening (pouring spout, drinking opening). A disadvantage is that the opening cannot be sealed again after the can has been opened for the first time.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0004] This problem is solved by a lid for a container according to claim 1.

[0005] A lid for a container, specifically for a can, according to the present invention, includes a lid panel having a break-open region at least partially surrounded by a predetermined break line and having a fixing element positioned above it, and a lever tab rotatably attached to the fixing element to break open the break-open region along the predetermined break line in the direction of the lower side of the lid panel, thereby providing an opening in the lid panel, wherein the lever tab includes a sealing element for tightly sealing the opening, wherein the sealing element has a first portion that is attachable to the upper side of the lid panel and partially seals and surrounds the opening, and wherein the sealing element has a second portion that is attachable to the lower side of the lid panel and partially seals and surrounds the opening.

[0006] According to the present invention, after the container is initially opened, the lever tab is rotated around a fixed element, guiding the second portion of the sealing element to the opening, so that the second portion partially surrounds the opening from the underside of the lid panel to partially cover and seal it, while the first portion of the sealing element is positioned on the lid panel to partially surround and seal the opening, so that the opening is sealed (or resealed). Reopening can be achieved by rotating the lever tab in the opposite direction, thereby lifting the second portion again.

[0007] The lid according to the present invention may be further formed such that a breaking element for breaking a breaking region is located at the first end of the lever tab, and a sealing element is located at the second end of the lever tab. Thereafter, the first and second ends may be positioned opposite each other with respect to a fixing element. Thus, the breaking element and the sealing element are spaced apart from each other, and the deformation of the breaking element when the container is first opened does not affect the sealing element and its sealing function.

[0008] The lever tab may include sheet material, specifically sheet material containing aluminum, and plastic material. Sheet material may be used, for example, for attachment to a fixing element. The breaking element may be formed from sheet material to provide excellent strength in the breaking operation. Alternatively, the breaking element may be formed from plastic material and preferably has a pressing portion that protrudes downward so that the breaking region is locally contacted and pressure is applied during the breaking operation. The sealing element can be made from plastic material. In the manufacturing process, the sheet metal flap can be at least partially surrounded with plastic material by injection molding.

[0009] In another embodiment, a second portion of the sealing element is provided to lock the sealing element when the dispensing opening is further sealed by the sealing element. By inserting the second portion under the lid panel, accidental opening of the sealing element is prevented, for example, by the internal pressure of the container.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the lever tab may include a fixing tongue for securing the lever tab to a fixing element. In relation to the sheet material of the lever tab, the fixing tongue may be formed of the sheet material.

[0011] In another embodiment, the dispensing opening can be resealed or reopened by rotating a lever tab around a fixing element. In this manner, rotation around the fixing element can position the sealing element to cover the dispensing opening with a second portion guided towards the dispensing opening so as to contact the dispensing opening from the underside of the lid panel, and a first portion that contacts the dispensing opening from the topside of the lid panel, so as to integrate the first and second portions to completely seal the dispensing opening.

[0012] Therefore, according to another embodiment, when the lever tab rotates to seal the opening, the second portion of the sealing element can be guided through the opening to the underside of the lid panel.

[0013] In this case, the sealing element may have a contact portion that interacts with the edge region of the lid panel at the opening when the opening is sealed, thereby limiting the rotation of the lever tab during sealing.

[0014] In another embodiment, the sealing element has a user-liftable handle portion to cause pressure equalization between the internal and external spaces of the container before the sealed opening is reopened. This makes it possible to achieve a pressure reduction inside the container after the initial opening of the container, after the opening is subsequently sealed or resealed by the sealing element, and before the opening is reopened, thereby preventing, for example, sudden foaming or splashing of carbonated beverages.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the sealing element may have a lower portion to allow user engagement. This allows the lever tab to be easily gripped and rotated.

[0016] In another embodiment, the materials of the first and second parts of the sealing element are flexible enough to seal the opening, and with respect to the plastic material of the sealing element, the plastic material is sufficiently flexible. Thus, the opening can be tightly sealed without the need for any further sealing material.

[0017] According to another embodiment, a first portion of the sealing element that abuts the upper side of the lid panel when the dispensing opening is sealed, and a second portion of the sealing element that abuts the lower side of the lid panel when the dispensing opening is sealed, can define a first and second transition point from top to bottom, where the first and second transition points define a line across the dispensing opening, and where the area of ​​the second portion is larger than the area of ​​the first portion. This line divides the sealing element into a first section and a second section. Thus, when internal pressure is generated, for example in the case of a carbonated beverage, the pressure on the second section of the sealing element having the second portion is greater than the pressure on the first section of the sealing element having the first portion, thereby ensuring that pressure opening of the sealing element by partial rotation around the line as the axis of rotation is prevented.

[0018] In another further development, the first part includes a locking element for locking the sealing element when the outlet is sealed by the sealing element, specifically, this locking element is provided to be displaceable or rotatable and includes an actuating part and a latching part for user operation, the latching part being connected to the actuating part to lock the sealing element through mechanical interaction between the latching part and the underside of the lid panel. The locking element can be formed by an injection molding process (assembly injection molding) to match the shape of the sealing element (and also movable, specifically rotatable, within the sealing element).

[0019] The locking element may be slidable or rotatable and includes an actuating part and a latching part for user operation, the latching part being connected to the actuating part to lock the sealing element through mechanical interaction between the latching part and the underside of the lid panel.

[0020] The locking element can rotate around an axis at least partially parallel to the lid panel, thereby allowing the latch portion to fold and mechanically contact the underside of the lid panel, or to unfold and release the mechanical contact; or the locking element can rotate around an axis at least partially perpendicular to the lid panel, thereby allowing the latch portion to rotate and mechanically contact the underside of the lid panel, or to rotate and release the mechanical contact.

[0021] Furthermore, the operating part of the locking element can be positioned above the sealing element, and the latching part can be positioned below the sealing element. This allows the user to easily access the operating part of the locking element from above.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the locking element may include a vent.

[0023] In this case, the vent can be sealed during a locking process that can be performed by the locking element, and can be opened during an unlocking process that can be performed by the locking element. Thus, pressure equalization between the inside and outside of the container can be performed during the unlocking process.

[0024] The vent can be provided in the latch portion of the locking element. Specifically, this allows the vent to be sealed while the sealing element is locked by mechanical contact between the latch portion and the underside of the lid panel (the inside of the container's lid panel).

[0025] In another embodiment, the sealing element includes an elastic seal for at least partially sealing the outlet, specifically, the elastic seal only partially extends around the outlet when the outlet is sealed.

[0026] The elastic seal is installed above the lid panel (arranged in the first area) to partially seal and surround the outlet, and / or is installed below the lid panel (arranged in the second area) to partially seal and surround the outlet. Regarding the plastic material, this seal may be arranged on top of the plastic material or partially within the plastic material. The sealing effect is improved by the elastic seal. This seal can be simply arranged on top of the plastic material or within the plastic material by adhering, welding, or inserting / pressing the seal to the underside of the sealing element and / or the recess provided therefor.

[0027] In another embodiment, the seal surrounding the fixing element is provided below the fixing element. In connection with the plastic material of the lever tab, this seal may be arranged within the plastic material of the lever tab and / or integrally formed with the plastic material of the lever tab. This seal may be arranged within the plastic material of the lever tab and / or integrally formed with the plastic material of the lever tab. This seal (for example in the form of a rivet) is used to isolate contaminants from below the lever tab in the area of the fixing element.

[0028] The present invention further provides a container, specifically a can, which includes a base body and a lid according to the present invention or a lid according to one of further embodiments.

[0029] The aforementioned further developments can be used individually or in suitable combination with each other according to requirements.

[0030] In addition to the further features and typical embodiments of the present invention, the advantages of the present invention are also described in the following detailed description together with the drawings. It will be understood that the embodiments are not restrictive (exhaustive) of the scope of the present invention. It will be further understood that some or all of the features described hereinafter may be combined in other ways.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1A] Figure 1A shows a first embodiment of the lid according to the present invention. [Figure 1B] Figure 1B shows a first embodiment of the lid according to the present invention. [Figure 1C] Figure 1C shows a first embodiment of the lid according to the present invention. [Figure 1D] Figure 1D shows a first embodiment of the lid according to the present invention. [Figure 1E] Figure 1E shows a first embodiment of the lid according to the present invention. [Figure 1F] Figure 1F shows a first embodiment of the lid according to the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or equivalent elements.

[0033] Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F schematically show a first embodiment of a lid (100) for a beverage can according to the present invention.

[0034] In this first embodiment, the lid (100) according to the present invention includes a lid panel (10) made of an aluminum sheet, which is provided with a break-opening area (11). The break-opening area (11) is partially surrounded by a predetermined break line (12). Furthermore, a fixing element (20) (rivet (20)) is positioned on the lid panel (10), and a lever tab (30) is rotatably attached to the fixing element (20), and the lever tab breaks open the break-opening area (11) along the predetermined break line (12) in the direction of the lower side (10b) of the lid panel (10), thereby providing an opening (15) in the lid panel (10). The lever tab includes a sealing element (40) for sealing the dispensing opening, the sealing element (40) being attachable to the upper side (10a) of the lid panel (10) and having a first portion that partially seals and surrounds the dispensing opening (15), and the sealing element (40) being attachable to the lower side of the lid panel (10) and having a second portion (42) that partially seals and surrounds the dispensing opening (15).

[0035] A breaking element (31) for breaking the breaking region (11) is located at the first end of the lever tab (30), and a locking element (40) is located at the second end (32) of the lever tab (30). The first end (31) and the second end (32) are provided facing each other with respect to the fixing element (20).

[0036] After the container is initially opened, the lever tab (30) rotates around the fixing element (20), guiding the second part (42) of the sealing element (40) towards the opening (15), so that the second part partially surrounds the opening (15) from the underside of the lid panel (10) to partially cover and seal it, while the first part (41) of the sealing element (40) is positioned resting on the lid panel (10) to partially surround and seal the opening (15), resulting in the opening (15) being sealed (or resealed). Reopening may also be achieved by rotating the lever tab (30) in the opposite direction, thereby lifting the second part (42) of the sealing element (40) again from the opening (15).

[0037] The lever tab (30) includes a sheet material such as an aluminum sheet material and a plastic material. The sheet material is used to attach the lever tab (30) to the fixing element (20), and the lever tab includes a fixing tongue (60) for fixing the lever tab (30) to the fixing element (20). The fixing tongue (60) is formed from the sheet material. The breaking element (31) is formed from a plastic material, and a pressing portion projecting downward applies pressure to break open the breaking area (11) during the breaking operation. The sealing element (40) is also made from a plastic material. In the manufacturing process, the sheet metal flap is at least partially surrounded with the plastic material by injection molding.

[0038] The sealing element (40) includes a contact portion (45) that interacts with the edge portion of the lid panel (10) at the opening (15) while the opening (15) is being sealed, thereby restricting the rotation of the lever tab (30) during sealing.

[0039] Furthermore, the sealing element (40) includes a user-liftable handle portion (47) to cause pressure equalization between the internal and external spaces of the container before the sealed dispensing opening (15) is reopened. Thus, for example, to prevent sudden foaming or spurting of carbonated beverages, it is possible to achieve a pressure reduction inside the container after the initial opening of the container, after the dispensing opening (15) is sealed or resealed by the sealing element (40), and before the dispensing opening (15) is reopened.

[0040] The locking element (40) may include a lower portion (46) to allow user engagement. This allows the lever tab (30) to be easily gripped and rotated.

[0041] The plastic material of the first part (41) and the second part (42) of the sealing element (40) has sufficient flexibility (or elasticity) to seal the opening (15). Therefore, the opening (15) can be tightly sealed without the need for any additional sealing material.

[0042] Figure 1F shows the lower side (10) of the lid panel (10) where the sealing element (40) seals the outlet (15). The first part (41) of the sealing element that engages with the upper side (10a) of the lid panel (10) when the outlet is sealed, and the second part (42) of the sealing element that engages with the lower side of the lid panel when the outlet is sealed, define a first transitional part (43a) and a second transitional part (43b) from the upper side (10a) to the lower side (10b), where the first transitional part (43a) and the second transitional part (43b) define a line (43) that crosses the outlet (15). This line (43) divides the sealing element (40) into a first part (40a) and a second part (40b) that are subjected to pressure from below. Preferably, the area of ​​the second part is larger than the area of ​​the first part. Thus, when internal pressure is generated, for example in the case of a carbonated beverage, the pressure on the second part (40b) of the sealing element (40) having the second part (42) is greater than the pressure on the first part (40a) of the sealing element (40) having the first part (41). As a result, pressure opening of the sealing element (40) due to partial rotation around the line (43) as the axis of rotation is reliably prevented.

Claims

1. A lid for a container, in particular for a beverage can, comprising: a lid panel having a tear-open area partially surrounded by a tear line and having a fastening element disposed thereon; a lever tab rotatably attached to the fastening element for tearing open the tear-open area along the tear line in a direction downwardly of the lid panel, thereby providing an access opening in the lid panel; the lever tab includes a sealing element for sealing the access opening; the sealing element has a first portion configured to partially contact an upper side of the lid panel around the access opening and to partially seal and surround the access opening when the lever tab rotates about the fixing element; and the sealing element has a second portion configured to partially contact an underside of the lid panel around the access opening and to partially seal and surround the access opening when the lever tab rotates about the fixing element; A lid, wherein first and second transition points from upper side to lower side are defined by the first portion of the sealing element that abuts an upper side of the lid panel when the access opening is sealed and the second portion of the sealing element that abuts an underside of the lid panel when the access opening is sealed, the first and second transition points define a line across the access opening, and an area of ​​the second section of the sealing element that is subjected to pressure from below having the second portion is greater than an area of ​​the first section of the sealing element that is subjected to pressure from below having the first portion.

2. The lever tab further comprises:

2. The lid of claim 1, wherein a breaking element for breaking the break-open area is disposed at a first end of the lever tab, and the sealing element is disposed at a second end of the lever tab, the first end and the second end being disposed opposite each other relative to the fastening element.

3. A lid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever tab comprises sheet material and plastic material, the sheet material in particular comprising aluminium.

4. A lid according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second part of the closure element is further provided for locking the closure element when the access opening is sealed by the closure element.

5. A lid according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lever tab includes a locking tongue for locking the lever tab to the locking element, the locking tongue being formed from sheet material.

6. A lid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the access opening can be resealed or reopened by rotating the lever tab about the locking element.

7. 7. A lid according to claim 1, wherein the second portion of the sealing element can be guided through the opening and onto an underside of the lid panel when the lever tab is rotated to seal the opening.

8. 8. The lid of claim 7, wherein the sealing element has an abutment that interacts with an edge region of the lid panel at the access opening while the access opening is sealed, thereby limiting rotation of the lever tab during closure.

9. 9. The lid of claim 2, wherein the sealing element includes a handle portion that can be lifted by a user to cause pressure equalization between the interior and exterior spaces of the container before the sealed access opening is re-opened.

10. A lid according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the closure element has a recess to provide an area for a user to grasp and rotate the lever tab.

11. A lid according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the material of the first and second parts of the closure element is sufficiently flexible to seal the access opening.

12. 12. A lid as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first part includes a locking element for locking the sealing element when the access opening is sealed by the sealing element, in particular the locking element is displaceably or rotatably arranged and includes an actuating part for actuation by a user and a latch part, the latch part being connected to the actuating part for locking the sealing element by mechanical interaction of the latch part with the underside of the lid panel.

13. 13. A lid according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the sealing element comprises a resilient seal for at least partially sealing the access opening, in particular when the access opening is sealed, the seal only extending partially around the access opening.

14. A container, specifically a can, A substrate; A container comprising a lid according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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