can lid

Abstract

The present invention relates to a can lid (11) comprising a metal lid surface (13) in which an opening area is formed, a seal frame (21), a closure unit (25) pivotally attached to the metal lid surface via a first pivot support (27) and configured to close the opening area directly or via a closure element (19) of the metal lid surface supported by the closure unit, the seal frame (21) and the closure unit (25) cooperating to form a seal via at least one sealing rib (51) and an associated receiving groove (53), and a ring-shaped pull handle (29) connected to the closure unit (25) via a second pivot support (35), the ring-shaped pull handle being pivoted toward the closure unit in a basic position and projecting obliquely or laterally from the closure unit in a pulling position. The ring-shaped tension gripper (29) radially surrounds the closure unit (25) in the basic position, exerting a radially inward tightening action on the closure unit, thereby pressing the sealing rib (51) against the wall of the receiving groove (53).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to a can lid with a reclosable opening, in particular for beverage cans, comprising a metal lid surface in which an opening area is formed, a sealing frame made of plastic material connected to the metal lid surface and surrounding the opening area, a closure unit made of plastic material pivotally attached to the metal lid surface via a first pivot support, which is designed to close the opening area either directly or via a closure element on the metal lid surface supported by the closure unit, the sealing frame and the closure unit cooperating to seal via at least one sealing rib and an associated receiving groove, and a ring-shaped pulling handle connected to the closure unit via a second pivot support located opposite the first pivot support, which ring-shaped pulling handle is pivoted towards the closure unit in a basic position and protrudes obliquely or laterally from the closure unit in a pulling position. [Background technology]

[0002] Can lids of this type are widely used for producing beverage cans, food cans, and the like. The cooperation of the sealing rib and the receiving groove allows the corresponding can lid to be reclosed after opening. Before the can lid is first opened, the closure element may be separated from the surrounding lid surface by a microgap or weakened line extending at least partially along the edge of the lid surface, and a sealing film made of a plastic material provided on the inner surface of the can lid may cover the microgap or weakened line.

[0003] After the initial opening, the sealing of the reclosable can lid can be ensured exclusively via the sealing ribs and the receiving grooves.

[0004] However, in certain circumstances, for example when the can is subjected to vigorous movement, liquid leakage may occur through the contact area between the sealing rib and the receiving groove in the reclosed state, which is undesirable even if only a minimal amount of liquid escapes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to improve the sealing properties of reclosable can lids of the above-mentioned type, particularly in the reclosed state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by a can lid with the features of claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, the ring-shaped tension gripping body radially surrounds the closure unit in the basic position, exerting a radially inward tightening action on the closure unit, thereby pressing the sealing rib against the wall of the receiving groove.

[0008] The clamping action results in firm contact between the sealing rib and the receiving groove, thus improving the sealing of the cooperating plastic components of the reclosable closure, i.e., between the sealing frame and the closure unit. The ring shape of the pull gripping body ensures that the clamping action is effective all around, i.e., along the entire extension of the sealing rib. Therefore, a particularly secure seal is achieved with the inventive design. By utilizing the pull gripping body, which is already provided anyway, to create the clamping action, the need for costly separate clamping components is eliminated. Due to the dual function of the pull gripping body, the manufacturing costs of the inventive can lid are relatively low, despite the improved sealing performance.

[0009] The clamping action can be achieved relatively simply by selecting the inner diameter of the ring-shaped tension grip to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the closure unit.

[0010] The term "radial" is to be understood in this disclosure as "radial with respect to the ring axis of the ring-shaped tension gripper."

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing frame and the closure unit are configured such that, when the ring-shaped pull handle moves from the base position toward the pull position, the loosened clamping action allows air to pass through the system of sealing ribs and receiving grooves. This serves to pre-vent the can before full opening, also known as "venting." Venting prevents unwanted injection or excessive foaming, as well as unpleasant noise. For example, while certain geometric features on the metal lid surface may allow venting upon initial opening, conventional reclosable can lids do not vent when opening from a reclosed state. However, the pull handle, which surrounds the closure unit and clamps inward, can provide "reclosing venting" with appropriate flexibility.

[0012] Preferably, the ring-shaped tension gripper is arranged at least substantially completely radially outside the closure unit in the basic position so as to be able to exert as pronounced a clamping effect as possible.

[0013] When the ring-shaped tension handle is in its basic position, the ring-shaped tension handle and the closure unit can extend in one common basic plane, so that the space required by the closure components is minimized in the basic position of the tension handle.

[0014] Preferably, a locking device is formed between the inner peripheral region of the ring-shaped tension gripper and the closure unit, the locking device having at least one retaining rib and a complementary recess, thereby ensuring a secure hold of the tension gripper on the closure unit. In particular, the locking device prevents unintentional movement of the tension gripper from the base position to the tension position and thus unintentional loosening of the clamping action.

[0015] Preferably, in order to ensure a particularly secure hold, the holding ribs and recesses extend along the entire inner peripheral area of ​​the ring-shaped tension gripper.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one operating protrusion is arranged on the outer peripheral region of the ring-shaped pull handle. The operating protrusion facilitates lifting the pull handle from its pivoted base position toward the closure unit, even when the pull handle is flush with the closure unit in the base position and / or rests against the metal lid surface. The operating protrusion is easy to grip or can be operated from below with one finger or a fingernail. Preferably, the operating protrusion is plate-shaped or protruding. As soon as the pull handle projects obliquely or laterally from the closure unit, it can be grasped directly or with two fingers for the opening process.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the seal frame and the closure unit further cooperate to seal via another seal rib located radially further inward than the other seal rib and an associated another receiving groove located radially further inward than the other receiving groove, and when the other seal rib and the other receiving groove have already begun to separate upon opening of the can lid, the other seal rib and the other receiving groove still cooperate to seal. This improves gas venting. In particular, the radially inner seal rib can retain foam entrained by the air flow.

[0018] Preferably, the ring-shaped tension gripper is made of a plastic material, the type of which may be selected depending on the desired flexibility.

[0019] In particular, the sealing frame, the closure unit and the ring-shaped tension gripper can be manufactured from the same plastic material, which allows for a particularly simple and inexpensive production, for example by injection molding.

[0020] According to a special feature of the invention, the sealing frame, the closure unit and the ring-shaped tension gripper are formed from a single plastic part, which allows for particularly simple production.

[0021] In this case, the first and second pivoting supports can be formed by flexible connection sections between the sealing frame and the closure unit on the one hand and between the closure unit and the ring-shaped tension gripper on the other hand, which allows for a particularly simple construction.

[0022] Further developments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims, the following description and the accompanying drawings.

[0023] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective partial view of a can lid according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 shows a plan view of the reclosable opening system for can lids according to FIG. 1 with the pull handle in its basic position; FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the opening system according to FIG. 2 along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of section B of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a can lid according to the invention, showing the plastic part consisting of the sealing frame, the closure unit and the ring-shaped pull handle; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] 1 and 2 show a can lid 11, particularly intended for beverage cans, which has a reclosable opening system 15 integrated into a metal lid surface 13. The can lid 11 can be connected to an associated container (not shown) via a crimped edge 17. The metal lid surface 13 is provided with an opening which, in the shipping condition of the can lid 11 shown in FIG. 1, is closed by a portion of the metal lid surface 13 in the form of a closure member 19. The closure member 19 is separated from the surrounding lid surface 13 by a microgap or line of weakness (not shown).

[0026] The metal lid surface 13 is formed from a sheet metal layer, preferably made of aluminum or tinplate. A plastic sealing film can be attached to the inside of the can lid 11, but this is not shown in the drawings.

[0027] The reclosable opening system 15 includes a sealing frame 21 made of a plastic material surrounding the opening, which is rigidly connected to the surrounding lid surface 13. Furthermore, a closure unit 25 made of a plastic material is provided, which supports the closure member 19 and is attached to the surrounding lid surface 13 via a first pivot support 27.

[0028] A tearing mechanism in the form of a ring-shaped pulling gripper 29 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is coupled to the closure unit 25 and thus attached to the closure member 19. By pulling on the pulling gripper 29, a user can pivot the closure member 19 upward from the opening plane 33 defined by the opening, thereby releasing the opening and, optionally, separating the sealing film. The connection between the pulling gripper 29 and the closure unit 25 is provided by a second pivot support 35 located diametrically opposite the first pivot support 27. For clarity, the pulling gripper 29 is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] 2 and 3 show the ring-shaped tension handle 29 in its basic position. In this view, the tension handle 29 is pivoted toward the closure unit 25 and radially surrounds it. To save construction space, the tension handle 29 is positioned completely radially outside the closure unit 25 in its basic position. Furthermore, since the tension handle 29 has the same height as the closure unit 25, the ring-shaped tension handle 29 and the closure unit 25 extend within a common basic plane 39 when the tension handle 29 is pivoted toward the closure unit 25 in a space-saving manner as shown. Since the tension handle 29 is difficult for a user to grasp in this position, two plate-shaped operating protrusions 40 are provided on the outer peripheral region 41 of the tension handle 29, at positions spaced apart from the second pivot support 35. To lift and release the pull grip 29, the operating projection 40 can be engaged from below with one finger or fingernail.

[0030] As can be seen in Figure 4, an annular retaining rib 45 with a rounded cross section is located on the outer peripheral region 43 of the closing unit 25. This retaining rib engages in a similarly annular recess 47, which is complementarily shaped on the inner peripheral region 49 of the pulling handle 29, when the pulling handle is in its basic position. This ensures that the pulling handle 29 is held fixed in position on the closing unit 25 and can only be pivoted by manual force to a pulling position (not shown) in which it protrudes obliquely from the closing unit 25 and can thus be easily gripped. To facilitate the pivoting of the pulling handle 29 back from the pulling position to the basic position, a bevel 50 is provided on the upper edge of the closing unit 25.

[0031] As can also be seen in the enlarged detail view of Figure 4, the seal frame 21 is formed with a radially outer sealing rib 51 and a radially inner sealing rib 52. Furthermore, the closure unit 25 is formed with a radially outer receiving groove 53 and a radially inner receiving groove 54. The interlocking sealing ribs 51, 52 and receiving grooves 53, 54 enable a releasable, fluid-tight connection between the seal frame 21 and the closure unit 25. The can lid 11 is therefore reclosable. Of course, the sealing ribs 51, 52 may be arranged on the closure unit 25, and the receiving grooves 53, 54 on the seal frame 21. Furthermore, more than two pairs of sealing ribs 51, 52 and receiving grooves 53, 54 may be provided depending on the intended use.

[0032] The inner diameter of the tension gripper 29 is adapted to the outer diameter of the closure unit 25, but is selected to be slightly smaller. In the basic position, the tension gripper 29 therefore exerts an inward clamping action on the closure unit 25, thereby pressing the sealing rib 51 against the wall of the receiving groove 53. The clamping action acts along the entire circumference of the closure unit 25 in the direction of the ring axis 60 (FIG. 2). This results in a high level of tightness of the reclosable opening system 15.

[0033] When the user lifts the pulling ring 29 via one or both of the operating lugs 40, the clamping is released, causing deformation of the associated canister and, as a result, venting of the associated canister. The escape of liquid or foam is then prevented by the sealing ribs 51, 52, which are still engaged to a predetermined extent in the receiving grooves 53, 54. Thus, the reclosable opening system 15 allows venting of gas even after the initial opening.

[0034] 5 shows a one-piece plastic part 55 including the seal frame 21, the closure unit 25 and the ring-shaped tension gripper 29. In this case, the first pivot support 27 is formed by a flexible connection section 57 between the seal frame 21 and the closure unit 25, while the second pivot support 35 is formed by a flexible connection section 59 between the closure unit 25 and the tension gripper 29. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 11 Can lids 13 Metal lid surface 15 Reclosable opening system 17 Hemmed edge 19 Closure member 21 Seal Frame 25 Closure Unit 27 First swivel support 29 Pulling gripper 33 Opening plane 35 Second swivel support 39 Basic plane 40 Operation protrusion 41 Outer peripheral region of the pulling gripper 43 Periphery of the closed unit 45 Retaining rib 47 Recess 49 Inner circumference area of ​​the tensile gripper 50 Slope 51 Radial outer seal rib 52 Radial inner seal rib 53 Radial outer receiving groove 54 Radial inner receiving groove 55 Plastic parts 57 Flexible connection division 59 Flexible connection division 60 Ring axis

Claims

1. A can lid (11) with a reclosable opening, in particular for beverage cans, comprising: a metal lid surface (13) in which an opening area is formed; a sealing frame (21) made of plastic material connected to the metal lid surface (13) and surrounding the opening area; and a closure unit (25) made of plastic material pivotally attached to the metal lid surface (13) via a first pivot support (27), which is configured to close the opening area directly or via a closure element (19) of the metal lid surface (13) supported by the closure unit (25), and the sealing frame (21) and the closure unit (25) are connected to each other. A can lid (11) comprising a closing unit (25) in which a chain unit (25) cooperates to seal via at least one sealing rib (51) and an associated receiving groove (53), and a ring-shaped pulling grip (29) connected to the closing unit (25) via a second pivoting support (35) located opposite the first pivoting support (27), the ring-shaped pulling grip (29) being pivoted to approach the closing unit (25) in a basic position and projecting obliquely or laterally from the closing unit (25) in a pulling position, The can lid (11) is characterized in that the ring-shaped pulling gripping body (29) radially surrounds the closure unit (25) in the basic position, and in this case exerts a radially inward tightening action on the closure unit (25), thereby pressing the sealing rib (51) against the wall of the receiving groove (53).

2. 2. The can lid according to claim 1, wherein the sealing frame (21) and the closing unit (25) are configured in such a way that, when the ring-shaped pulling handle (29) moves from the basic position toward the pulling position, the loosened clamping action allows air to pass through the system consisting of the sealing rib (51) and the receiving groove (53).

3. 3. Can lid according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped pull handle (29) is arranged at least substantially completely radially outside the closure unit (25) in the basic position.

4. 4. The can lid according to claim 1, wherein when the ring-shaped pull handle (29) is in the basic position, the ring-shaped pull handle (29) and the closure unit (25) extend in a common basic plane (39).

5. 5. The can lid according to claim 1, wherein a locking device is formed between the inner peripheral region (49) of the ring-shaped pull handle and the closure unit (25) with at least one retaining rib (45) and a complementary shaped recess (47).

6. 6. A can lid according to claim 5, wherein the retaining rib (45) and the recess (47) extend along the entire inner peripheral area (49) of the ring-shaped pull grip (29).

7. 7. Can lid according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one operating projection (40) is arranged on the outer peripheral region (41) of the ring-shaped pull handle (29).

8. 8. The can lid according to claim 1, wherein the sealing frame (21) and the closure unit (25) further cooperate to seal via another sealing rib (52) located radially further inward than the other sealing rib (51) and an associated another accommodating groove (54) located radially further inward than the other accommodating groove (53), and wherein, when the can lid is opened, the other sealing rib (52) and the other accommodating groove (54) are still cooperating to seal when the other sealing rib (51) and the other accommodating groove (53) have already begun to separate.

9. 9. Can lid according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped pull grip (29) is made of a plastic material.

10. 10. Can lid according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sealing frame (21), the closure unit (25) and the ring-shaped pull grip (29) are made from the same plastic material.

11. 11. A can lid according to claim 1, wherein the sealing frame (21), the closure unit (25) and the ring-shaped pull grip (29) are formed from a single plastic part (55).

12. 12. The can lid according to claim 1, wherein the first pivot support (27) and the second pivot support (35) are formed by flexible connection sections (57, 59) between the sealing frame (21) and the closure unit (25) on the one hand and between the closure unit (25) and the ring-shaped pulling handle (29) on the other hand.

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