Fluted Can Body With Resealable Closure And Method Of Forming

Abstract

A metal can for housing a food or beverage includes a cylindrical can body having a base and a sidewall extending upward from the base to a top end. The base and the sidewall define a generally enclosed space. A plurality of flutes are defined in the sidewall. An opening defined by the top end of the sidewall provides access to the generally enclosed space. A coupling arrangement is positioned at the top end of the sidewall and is structured to be selectively coupled with a corresponding coupling arrangement of a reseal closure for selectively sealing the generally enclosed space such that the generally enclosed space is a sealed volume.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The disclosed concept relates generally to cans, such as those commonly used in the food and beverage industries. More particularly, the disclosed concept relates to cans having fluted bodies and resealable closures. The disclosed concept further relates to methods of forming such cans.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Can bodies, such as those commonly used on the food and beverage industries, are typically formed in a bodymaker. That is, a bodymaker forms blanks such as, but not limited to, disks or cups into an elongated can body. A can body includes a base and a depending sidewall. The sidewall is open at the end opposite the base. The bodymaker, typically, includes a ram / punch that moves the blanks through a number of dies to form the can body. The can body is ejected from the ram / punch for further processing such as, but not limited to, trimming, washing, printing, flanging, inspecting, and then placed on pallets which are shipped to a filler. At the filler, the cans are taken off the pallets, filled, ends placed on them, and then the filled cans are repackaged in six packs and / or twelve pack cases, etc.

[0003] Environmental and financial concerns continuously push for improved can designs both in terms of the quantity of material used to create cans as well as the functionality of such cans. Hence, there exists a need for improved can designs.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] These needs, and others, are met by embodiments of the disclosed concept. As one aspect of the disclosed concept, a metal can for housing a food or beverage is provided. The can comprises: a cylindrical can body comprising: a base; a sidewall extending upward from the base to a top end, the base and the sidewall defining a generally enclosed space; a plurality of flutes defined in the sidewall; an opening defined by the top end of the sidewall providing access to the generally enclosed space; and a coupling arrangement positioned at the top end of the sidewall, the coupling arrangement structured to be selectively coupled with corresponding coupling arrangement of a reseal closure for selectively sealing the generally enclosed space such that the generally enclosed space is a sealed volume.

[0005] Each flute of the plurality of flutes may extend linearly between the base and the top end of the sidewall. Each flute of the plurality of flutes may extend between the base and the top end of the sidewall in a non-linear manner. The sidewall may be disposed about a central longitudinal axis of the can body, and an upper portion of each flute of the plurality of flutes may be disposed at an angle with respect to a reference axis disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0006] The coupling arrangement may be formed directly in the top end of the sidewall. The top end of the sidewall may comprise a ring-end coupled to the sidewall, and the coupling arrangement may be formed in the ring-end. The ring-end may be coupled to the sidewall via a seaming process. The coupling arrangement may comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced lug members. The coupling arrangement may comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced thread members.

[0007] The metal can may further comprise the reseal closure selectively coupled to the top end of the sidewall such that the generally enclosed space is a sealed volume. The can body may have a necked portion adjacent the coupling arrangement.

[0008] As another aspect of the disclosed concept, a method of forming a can body is provided. The method comprises: forming a cylindrical can body via a drawing process, the can body comprising: a base; a sidewall extending upward from the base to a top end, the base and the sidewall defining a generally enclosed space, an opening defined at the top end of the sidewall providing access to the generally enclosed space; forming a plurality of flutes in the sidewall; and forming a coupling arrangement at the top end of the sidewall structured to couple with a reseal closure for sealing the generally enclosed space such that the generally enclosed space is a sealed volume.

[0009] The method may further comprise performing a necking operation on the top end of the sidewall after forming the plurality of flutes and before forming the coupling arrangement.

[0010] Forming the plurality of flutes may comprise forming a plurality of flutes each extending linearly between the base and the top end of the sidewall. Forming the plurality of flutes may comprise forming a plurality of flutes each extending non-linearly between the base and the top end of the sidewall.

[0011] Forming the coupling arrangement at the top end of the sidewall may comprise forming the coupling arrangement directly in the sidewall at or about the top end. Forming the arrangement at the top end of the sidewall may comprise coupling a ring-end having the coupling arrangement to the top end. Forming the coupling arrangement at the top end of the sidewall may comprise forming a plurality of circumferentially spaced lug members. Forming the coupling arrangement at the top end of the sidewall may comprise forming a plurality of circumferentially spaced thread members.

[0012] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the disclosed concept, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosed concept.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a can in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0015] FIG. 2 is an elevation side view of the can of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the can of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the can of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 4 as indicated in FIG. 4;

[0019] FIG. 6 is an elevation side view of another can in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a ring-end in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing general steps of a method in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; and

[0022] FIG. 9A-9C are schematic illustrations of steps of forming a plurality of flutes in a can body in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The specific elements illustrated in the drawings and described herein are simply exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept. Accordingly, specific dimensions, orientations and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting on the scope of the disclosed concept.

[0024] Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, clockwise, counterclockwise, left, right, top, bottom, upwards, downwards and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.

[0025] As used herein, the singular form of “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0026] As used herein, “structured to [verb]” means that the identified element or assembly has a structure that is shaped, sized, disposed, coupled and / or configured to perform the identified verb. For example, a member that is “structured to move” is movably coupled to another element and includes elements that cause the member to move or the member is otherwise configured to move in response to other elements or assemblies. As such, as used herein, “structured to [verb]” recites structure and not function. Further, as used herein, “structured to [verb]” means that the identified element or assembly is intended to, and is designed to, perform the identified verb. Thus, an element that is merely capable of performing the identified verb but which is not intended to, and is not designed to, perform the identified verb is not “structured to [verb].”

[0027] As employed herein, the term “can” refers to any known or suitable container, which is structured to contain a substance (e.g., without limitation, liquid; food; any other suitable substance), and expressly includes, but is not limited to, beverage cans, such as beer and soda cans, as well as cans used for food.

[0028] As used herein, “coupled” means a link between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs. An object resting on another object held in place only by gravity is not “coupled” to the lower object unless the upper object is otherwise maintained substantially in place. That is, for example, a book on a table is not coupled thereto, but a book glued to a table is coupled thereto.

[0029] As used herein, “operatively coupled” means that a number of elements or assemblies, each of which is movable between a first position and a second position, or a first configuration and a second configuration, are coupled so that as the first element moves from one position / configuration to the other, the second element moves between positions / configurations as well. It is noted that a first element may be “operatively coupled” to another without the opposite being true.

[0030] As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are coupled in direct contact with each other.

[0031] As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. The fixed components may, or may not, be directly coupled.

[0032] As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body.

[0033] As used herein, “associated” means that the identified components are related to each other, contact each other, and / or interact with each other. For example, an automobile has four tires and four hubs, each hub is “associated” with a specific tire.

[0034] As used herein, “engage,” when used in reference to gears or other components having teeth, means that the teeth of the gears interface with each other and the rotation of one gear causes the other gear to rotate as well.

[0035] As used herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).

[0036] As used herein, a “thread member” is a 3-dimensional element extending from a wall of a can body and having at least a portion that is angled with respect to a plane oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the can body that is structured to be coupled with a corresponding element of a closure for coupling the closure and the can body. Such a thread member is structured, upon rotation of one or both of the closure and / or the can body about the longitudinal axis of the can body in a first direction to draw the closure and the can body toward each other.

[0037] In contrast to a “thread member”, a “lug member” is a 3-dimensional element extending from a wall of a can body and is positioned within a plane oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the can body that is structured to be coupled with a corresponding element of a closure for coupling the closure and the can body. Such a lug member is not structured, upon rotation of one or both of the closure and / or the can body about the longitudinal axis of the can body in any direction to draw the closure and the can body toward each other.

[0038] An example can 10 for housing a food or beverage in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept is shown in FIGS. 1-5. Can 10 is formed from metal such as aluminum or other suitable material and includes a can body 12. The can body 12 includes a base 14 and a sidewall 16 extending upward from the base 14 about a central longitudinal axis 18 to a top end 20 of the sidewall 16. In such example embodiment, the can body 10 is a generally circular and / or an elongated cylinder, and thus may be generally characterized as being cylindrical. It is understood that this is only one exemplary shape and that can body 10 can be of other shapes without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. Base 14 and sidewall 16 define a generally enclosed space 22 for housing the previously mentioned food or beverage. An opening 24 defined by top end 20 of sidewall 16 provides access to generally enclosed space 22.

[0039] Can body 12 further includes a plurality of concave flutes 26 formed / defined in sidewall 16. As previously mentioned above, the inclusion of such flutes 26 uses less material to achieve container loading & pressure magnitudes as compared to an un-fluted arrangement of thicker gauge material. Accordingly, such design reduces overall manufacturing costs over time from the aspect of using less material. In the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, each flute 26 of the plurality of flutes extends linearly (i.e., in a straight line) between the base 14 and the top end 20 of the sidewall 16 parallel to the central longitudinal axis 18, however, it is to be appreciated that flutes 26 may collectively, or individually, be arranged in other manners without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. For example, FIG. 6 shows an example of a can 10′ in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept in which flutes 26′ extend between the base 14 and the top end 20 of the sidewall 16′ in a non-linear manner (e.g., without limitation, a wave pattern). In such example, example, an upper portion 28 of each flute 26′ is disposed at an angle θ with respect to a reference axis A disposed parallel to the central longitudinal axis 18 to add torsional stiffness to the can body 12.

[0040] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the top end 20 of sidewall 16 is structured to be selectively coupled with a reseal closure 30, provided as another element of can 10, for selectively sealing the generally enclosed space 22 of can body 12 such that the generally enclosed space 22 is a sealed volume structured to house / contain a food or beverage therein. In order to provide for such selective coupling between the closure 30 and the can body 12, the can body 12 includes a coupling arrangement 32 positioned at the top end 20 of the sidewall 16 that cooperatively engages a corresponding coupling arrangement 34 of the closure 30. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the coupling arrangement 32 comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced thread members 36 formed in a ring-end 38 coupled to the top end 20 of the sidewall 16. In such example, the ring-end 38 was coupled via a seaming process, however, it is to be appreciated that other suitable coupling arrangements may be employed without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. It is also to be appreciated, that coupling arrangement 32 may also be formed directly in the top end 20 of the sidewall 16 without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. Additionally, in addition to, or in place of thread members 36, circumferentially spaced lug members 40 may instead be employed (either provided in a ring-end 38′ or directly formed in sidewall 16), such as shown in FIG. 7, to secure closure 30 to can body 12.

[0041] Having thus described some example embodiments of cans 10, 10′ in accordance with the disclosed concept, an example method 100 of forming the can 10 in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept will now be described in conjunction with FIG. 6, as well as FIGS. 1-3. Method 100 generally begins at 102 by forming the cylindrical can body 12 via a drawing process, such as commonly carried out via a can bodymaker or other suitable arrangement. During such forming process, sidewall 16 and base 14 are formed, with base 14 provided with a domed arrangement 42 (FIG. 3). Next, as shown at 104, the plurality of flutes 26 are formed in the sidewall 16 via any suitable process. FIGS. 9A-9C show schematic illustrations of steps of forming flutes 26 in a can body in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. In such steps, a blank can body 50 formed using a bodymaker (such as previously discussed) is positioned on a push pad 52 and held in place via a vacuum pressure (such as commonly known), as shown in FIG. 9A. Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the blank can body 50 is positioned about a ceramic profiling mandrel 54 that is structured to rotate in a first direction R1 about a first rotation axis 56. Once positioned about the mandrel 54, the blank can body 52 is engaged by a rubber roller 58 which is structured to rotate in a second direction R2, opposite the first direction R1, about a second rotation axis 60. Such engagement of the rubber roller 58 forces portions of the blank can body 50 into grooves 62 of the profiling mandrel 54, thus forming the flutes 26. Although shown as forming linear flutes 26, it is to be appreciated that the shape of the grooves 62 in the forming mandrel 54 may be varied to provide for forming flutes of other shapes without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. After the plurality of flutes 26 have been formed, the now partial complete can body 64 is removed from the profiling mandrel 54 by the push pad 52 and on to one or more further forming operations. Such further forming operation(s) include forming the coupling arrangement 32 at the top end 20 of the sidewall 16, such as shown at 106. As previously discussed, the coupling arrangement 32 may be formed directly in the sidewall 16 or in a ring-end 38 coupled to the sidewall 16. It is to be appreciated that the method 100 shown in FIG. 9 provides for a high level overview of steps in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept and that other steps may be included without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. For example, in forming the example can bodies 12 and 12′ described herein, a necking operation on the top end 20 of the sidewall 16 was carried out using a convention necker machine after the plurality of flutes 26, 26′ were formed (such as shown at 104) and before forming the coupling arrangement 32 (such as shown at 106), thus forming a necked portion 66 adjacent the coupling arrangement 32.

[0042] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

[0043] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” or “including” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In any device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.

Claims

1. A metal can for housing a food or beverage, the can comprising:a cylindrical can body comprising:a base;a sidewall extending upward from the base to a top end, the base and the sidewall defining a generally enclosed space;a plurality of flutes defined in the sidewall;an opening defined by the top end of the sidewall providing access to the generally enclosed space; anda coupling arrangement positioned at the top end of the sidewall, the coupling arrangement structured to be selectively coupled with corresponding coupling arrangement of a reseal closure for selectively sealing the generally enclosed space such that the generally enclosed space is a sealed volume.

2. The metal can of claim 1, wherein each flute of the plurality of flutes extends linearly between the base and the top end of the sidewall.

3. The metal can of claim 1, wherein each flute of the plurality of flutes extends between the base and the top end of the sidewall in a non-linear manner.

4. The metal can of claim 1, wherein the sidewall is disposed about a central longitudinal axis of the can body, and wherein an upper portion of each flute of the plurality of flutes is disposed at an angle with respect to a reference axis disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis.

5. The metal can of claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement is formed directly in the top end of the sidewall.

6. The metal can of claim 1, wherein the top end of the sidewall comprises a ring-end coupled to the sidewall, and wherein the coupling arrangement is formed in the ring-end.

7. The metal can of claim 6, wherein the ring-end is coupled to the sidewall via a seaming process.

8. The metal can of claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced lug members.

9. The metal can of claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced thread members.

10. The metal can of claim 1, further comprising the reseal closure selectively coupled to the top end of the sidewall such that the generally enclosed space is a sealed volume.

11. The metal can of claim 1 wherein the can body has a necked portion adjacent the coupling arrangement.

12. A method of forming a can body comprising:forming a cylindrical can body via drawing process, the can body comprising:a base;a sidewall extending upward from the base to a top end, the base and the sidewall defining a generally enclosed space,an opening defined at the top end of the sidewall providing access to the generally enclosed space;forming a plurality of flutes in the sidewall; andforming a coupling arrangement at the top end of the sidewall structured to couple with a reseal closure for sealing the generally enclosed space such that the generally enclosed space is a sealed volume.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising performing a necking operation on the top end of the sidewall after forming the plurality of flutes and before forming the coupling arrangement.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the plurality of flutes comprises forming a plurality of flutes each extending linearly between the base and the top end of the sidewall.

15. The metal can of claim 12, wherein forming the plurality of flutes comprises forming a plurality of flutes each extending non-linearly between the base and the top end of the sidewall.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the coupling arrangement at the top end of the sidewall comprises forming the coupling arrangement directly in the sidewall at or about the top end.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the arrangement at the top end of the sidewall comprises coupling a ring-end having the coupling arrangement to the top end.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the coupling arrangement at the top end of the sidewall comprises forming a plurality of circumferentially spaced lug members.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the coupling arrangement at the top end of the sidewall comprises forming a plurality of circumferentially spaced thread members.

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