A metallic container

Abstract

This application relates to metallic containers for containing liquids such as paint or varnishes, comprising a container body and a lid. The solution of the present disclosure provides an innovative container (1) having for preventing the accidental opening, through a bead (15) formed in a side wall (11) of a container body (10) which radially extends outwards beyond the sealing portion (21) of a lid (20), so as to prevent that the lid rims (22) of two containers (1) placed side by side may contact, only the beads (15) contacting.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A METALLIC CONTAINER

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] This application relates to metallic containers, for instance for containing solids or liquids, including paints, varnishes, powders or gels, the metallic container comprising a container body and a lid which couples to the container body.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] The metallic container solutions known in the art provide reliable and useful options for storing and transporting liquids such as paint or varnishes from the factory to the place of usage.

[0007] For instance, the European patent applications with publication numbers EP3530579 and EP4011797 provides a container having a container body and a lid, the container body having a side wall with an upper edge portion outwardly curled over to form the container rim and the lid having a sealing portion adapted to engage with a sealing surface of the container rim. These may be considered as the basic elements of a metallic container used for said purposes.

[0008] When two containers according to EP3530579 are placed side by side, their base and lid contact, as these are the sections of the containers which project outwards the most. When they are radially tightened, for instance when they are stored or transported in proximity of each other, they tend to push each other up, whereby they rise such that a part of the bases of the container bodies lifts from the floor, leading to the overlapping of the containers upper edge. When such tensions stop, for instance because a neighbouring container was removed, the other containers may then again sit on the floor, causing that the lid of one of the containers may push the lid of the neighbouring container upwards, causing it to be removed, i.e., the accidental opening of the lid. This leads to degradation of the content of that container, due to exposition to the elements (e.g. air, dust, other chemical substances, other elements).

[0009] In addition, the container body of EP4011797 further comprises a bead that radially projects outwards and around the side wall. Such feature or functionality allows that, when two such containers are placed side by side, most of the side wall of a container body does not contact with the side wall of another container body, except for the portion of the two beads. Specifically, the bead of EP4011797 projects outwardly or radially in the same extension as the upper rim of the lid. Thus, although such solution sought to address the accidental opening of the lids, it is not entirely successful.

[0010] In a first aspect, the solution of the present disclosure provides an innovative solution for preventing the accidental opening.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0012] The present disclosure comprises a metallic container for containing liquids such as paint, the container having a container body and a lid. The container body has a side wall defining an inner space for containing liquids, the side wall having i) an upper edge portion outwardly curled over to form a container rim and ii) a bead, the bead consisting of a radial protrusion from the side wall which is vertically adjacent to, but spaced apart of, the container rim (13). The lid has a sealing portion adapted to engage with the container rim so as to close the inner space for containing liquids of the container body and to couple the lid (20) to the container body (10), the sealing portion having an inwardly curled over part forming a lid rim, the lid rim thereby radially extending beyond the container rim. The container body (10) is substantially frustoconical, and the lid (20) is thereby substantially circular.

[0013] The bead forms a portion of the container which radially extends beyond the sealing portion in a further radial extension F, so as to prevent that the lid rims of two containers placed side by side may contact, only the beads contacting, and wherein a height H of a portion of the bead which radially extends beyond the sealing portion may be at least 10 times higher than F.

[0014] The height H may be at least 10 times higher than F, optionally at least 15 times higher than F, optionally between 10 and 25 times higher than F, optionally 15 times higher than F.

[0015] The further radial extension F may be such that it corresponds to at least 5 % of the width of the sealing portion, optionally at least 10 %, optionally between 5 and 20 %, optionally 10 %.

[0016] The bead may have a flat bead portion of constant radial extension.

[0017] The bead and the container rim may be longitudinally spaced apart by a spacing portion of the side wall from which both radially extend. The extension of the spacing portion may be such that for a first imaginary circumference centred in a centre of the sealing portion and extending until an upper edge of the lid rim, the first circumference having a diameter D, and for a second imaginary circumference with a perimeter tangential to a lower edge of the lid rim and tangential to the bead, the second imaginary having a diameter E, the diameter E is 0,3Z) < E < 0,7D.

[0018] The container body may be substantially frustoconical, and the lid may thereby be substantially circular.

[0019] The outwardly curling over of the upper edge portion of the side wall of the container body may be a single curling.

[0020] The inwardly curling over of the lid rim may be a double curling or a triple curling.

[0021] An external diameter of the container body as measured in the upper edge portion may be between 100 and 400 mm, optionally between 150 and 350 mm, optionally between 180 and 305 mm, optionally 180, 286, 292 or 305 mm.

[0022] The container body may further comprise a second bead, the second bead consisting of a radial protrusion from the side wall provided between the first bead and a base of the container body, the second bead forming a portion of the container which does not radially extend beyond the sealing portion in a further radial extension F.

[0023] The container further may comprise gripping means, the gripping means comprising a handle and connecting means, the connecting means optionally rotatably connecting the handle to two opposite points of the side wall of the container body.

[0024] The connecting means may rotatably connect the handle to two opposite points of the side wall of the container body, such two points being provided between the first bead and the second bead.

[0025] The metal may be carbon steel, particularly carbon steel for packaging, optionally with Tin or Chromium on both sides (tinplate). The sides refer to an inner side, facing the inner space for containing liquids, of the container body and of the lid and an outer side, opposite to such inner side. The thickness of the side wall of the container body may be constant and / or the thickness of the lid may be constant. The two thicknesses may be equal.

[0026] The thickness of the side wall of the container body may be between 0.15 and 0.40 mm, optionally between 0.18 and 0.36 mm and the thickness of the lid may be between 0.15 and 0.40 mm, optionally between 0.20 and 0.34 mm.

[0027] The present disclosure may further comprise the use of the container of the present disclosure for containing liquid paint or varnish.

[0028] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 - a container (1) according to the present disclosure, comprising a container body (10) with a substantially frustoconical shape, with a base and a container rim (13). The container (1) has a first bead (15) which radially extends outwards more than the container rim (13). gripping means (30) are provided adjacently, below the first bead (15). A second bead (16) is provided below the gripping means (30), such second bead (16) radially extending outwards as much as the container rim (13). a lid (20) is provided above, in a position such that it may proceed to engaging with the container body (10) through the container rim (13).

[0030] Figure 2 - a detail of a lid (20) according to figure 1. The lid (20) has a sealing portion (21) which is adapted to engage with a container rim (13) so as to close the inner space of the container body (10). The sealing portion (21) is formed as a section which projects outwardly in height, extends radially outwards, and projects inwardly in height, forming a section which couples to the container rim (13). In the end of the section inwardly projection in height, the curling over part is formed.

[0031] Figure 3 - a detail of a container rim (13) and first bead (15) of the container body (10) of figure 1. The bead (15) radially extends outwards more than the container rim (13). It is formed as a section which radially extends outwards and has a section of constant width. If following the side wall (11) of the container body (10) from down to up, it has a curved section which radially extends outwards with increasing width, then reaches a flat section of constant width, and then has another curved section which radially extends outwards with decreasing width.

[0032] Figure 4 - a detail representation of the lid (20) of figure 2 engaged in the container rim (13) of figure 3. As can be clearly send, the bead (15) radially extends outwards more than the sealing portion (21) engaged with the container rim (13). Figure 5 - the same representation as of figure 4, now representing a tool, particularly a screw driver engaged in the container rim (13) of figure 3. As can be clearly send, the bead (15) radially extends outwards more than the sealing portion (21) engaged with the container rim (13).

[0033] Figure 6 - the representation of figure 4, highlighting the radial extension outwards of the bead (15) beyond the sealing portion (21) of the lid (20), for a lid (20) engaged with the container rim (13). The letter A represents the radial extension of the sealing portion (21) of the lid (20), for a lid (20) engaged with the container rim (13), and the letter B represents the extension of the bead (15). The letter F corresponds to the further radial extension F and represents the difference between A and B, i.e., the extension of the bead (15) beyond the sealing portion (21) of the lid (20), and which may be within the range of 0.3 to 0.8 mm.

[0034] Figure 7 - the representation of figure 4, highlighting the spacing between the bead (15) and the lid rim (22) of the sealing portion (21) when provided on the container rim (13).

[0035] Figure 8 - a detail view of the representation of figure 1, highlighting the positioning of the second bead (16).

[0036] Figure 9 - the same representation as of figure 3, highlighting the height H of a portion of the bead (15) which radially extends beyond the sealing portion (21), defined as the extension in height of the bead (15), from the two points from which it protrudes from the side wall (11) of the container (1).

[0037] Figure 10 - the same representation as of figure 3, highlighting the sections of the bead (15), specifically a first curved section (41) which radially extends outwards with increasing radial extension, reaching a flat section of constant constant radial extension (40), and a second curved section (42) which radially extends outwards with decreasing radial extension from the flat section (40).

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The solution of the present disclosure refers to a container (1) for containing liquids such as paints or varnishes, particularly having metallic elements. Comprising a container body (10), the walls defining the container body (10), e.g. the side wall (11) or walls and the base, are metallic. The same is applicable to the lid (20), which is also metallic.

[0040] The side wall (11) of the container body (10) defines an inner space for containing liquids. When the lid (20) is provided on the container body (10), sealing it, the inner space is also sealed.

[0041] Moreover, the side wall (11) has an upper edge portion (12) outwardly curled over to form a container rim (13). The curling over may be a single curling, as represented in the figures. This section - the container rim (13) - defines a simple way of radially enlarging the side wall (11) of the container body (10) for coupling to the lid (20).

[0042] The lid (20) has a corresponding sealing portion (21) which is adapted to engage with the container rim (13) so as to close the inner space for containing liquids of the container body (10) and to couple the lid (20) to the container body (10). The sealing portion (21) has an inwardly curled over part forming a lid rim (22), the lid rim (22) thereby radially extending beyond the container rim (13). In addition, the sealing portion (21) may also be defined as a section which projects outwardly in height, extends radially outwards, and projects inwardly in height, forming a section which couples to the container rim (13). Alternatively, it may be defined as having a cross section of an inverted U-shape. In the end of the section inwardly projection in height, the curling over part may be formed. The curling over may be a double or a triple curling.

[0043] These elements provide a fit coupling which seals the inner space of the container body (10).

[0044] In another aspect, the container body (10) further comprises a bead (15), the bead (15) consisting of a radial protrusion from the side wall (11) which is vertically adjacent to, but spaced apart of, the container rim (13). The bead (15) is vertically adjacent to, but spaced apart of, the container rim (13), provided inwards of the container rim (13).

[0045] In addition, the bead (15) radially extends - thus outwards - beyond the sealing portion (21) in a further radial extension F, so as to prevent that the lid rims (22) of two containers (1) placed side by side may contact, only the beads (15) contacting. Le., the bead (15) extends more outwards than the lid (20), than the sealing portion (21) of the lid (20) when provided on the container rim (13) in a coupled state. The further radial extension F, i.e. the extension of the bead (15) beyond the sealing portion (21) of the lid (20), may be within the range of 0.3 to 0.8 mm, as provided in Figure 6.

[0046] By extending more than the sealing portion (21) / lid (20), the bead (15) guarantees that it is the element of radial contact, reducing the risk of lifting between containers (1) and consequent accidental opening of containers.

[0047] If following the side wall (11) of the container body (10) from down to up, the bead (15) may be defined as having a first curved section which radially extends outwards with increasing width, then reaching a flat section of constant width, and then having a second curved section which radially extends outwards with decreasing width. The decreasing of width along the length of the second curved section is higher than the increasing of width along the length of the first curved section. Alternatively, this feature may be referred as that first curved section being longer than the second curved section.

[0048] By providing a height H of a portion of the bead (15) which radially extends beyond the sealing portion (21) in at least 10 times higher than F, the bead (15) is not only radially longer but also vertically longer. Thus, it provides a large region of contact between containers arranged side by side, guaranteeing that they can radially suffer larger pressures and still have no base lifting, thereby further reducing accidental opening.

[0049] Advantageously, the height H may be at least 10 times higher than F, optionally at least 15 times higher than F, optionally between 10 and 25 times higher than F, optionally 15 times higher than F.

[0050] Advantageously, the further radial extension F may be such that it corresponds to at least 5 % of the width of the sealing portion (21), optionally at least 10 %, optionally between 5 and 20 %, optionally 10 %.

[0051] The bead (15) may have a flat bead (15) portion of constant radial extension, which enhances the referred resilience to radially pressures.

[0052] The bead (15) and the container rim (13) may be longitudinally spaced apart by a spacing portion (14) of the side wall (11) from which both radially extend, and which provides a spring effect, enhancing the flexibility of the lid (20) portion and again reducing the risk of accidental opening.

[0053] Advantageously, the extension of the spacing portion (14) may be such that for a first imaginary circumference centred in a centre of the sealing portion (21) and extending until an upper edge of the lid rim (22), the first circumference having a diameter D, and for a second imaginary circumference with a perimeter tangential to a lower edge of the lid rim (22) and tangential to the bead (15), the second imaginary having a diameter E, the diameter E is 0,3Z) < E < 0,7D. Such spacing enables that a tool such as a screwdriver may be used to remove the lid (20) from the container body (10), irrespective of the wider bead (15). The diameter E may specifically be of 0,35Z) < E < 0,6D, e.g. as provided in Figure 7. The container body (10) may be substantially cylindrical, and the lid (20) may thereby be substantially circular, as provided in the figures.

[0054] The container body (10) may be substantially frustoconical, and the lid (20) may thereby be substantially circular, as provided in the figures.

[0055] The outwardly curling over of the upper edge portion (12) of the side wall (11) of the container body (10) may be a single curling, as provided in the figures.

[0056] The inwardly curling over of the lid rim (22) may be a double curling - as provided in the figures - or a triple curling.

[0057] An external diameter of the container body (10) as measured in the upper edge portion (12) may be between 100 and 400 mm, optionally between 150 and 350 mm, optionally between 180 and 305 mm, optionally 180, 286, 292 or 305 mm.

[0058] The container body (10) may further comprise a second bead (16), the second bead (16) consisting of a radial protrusion from the side wall (11) provided between the first bead (15) and a base of the container body (10), the second bead (16) forming a portion of the container (1) which does not radially extend beyond the sealing portion (21) in a further radial extension F.

[0059] The container (1) further may comprise gripping means (30), the gripping means (30) comprising a handle and connecting means, the connecting means optionally rotatably connecting the handle to two opposite points of the side wall (11) of the container body (10).

[0060] The connecting means may rotatably connect the handle to two opposite points of the side wall (11) of the container body (10), such two points being provided between the first bead (15) and the second bead (16).

[0061] The metal may be carbon steel, particularly carbon steel for packaging, optionally with Tin or Chromium on both sides (tinplate). The sides refer to an inner side, facing the inner space for containing liquids, of the container body (10) and of the lid (20) and an outer side, opposite to such inner side.

[0062] The thickness of the side wall (11) of the container body (10) may be constant and / or the thickness of the lid (20) may be constant. The two thicknesses may be equal. The thickness of the side wall (11) of the container body (10) may be between 0.15 and 0.40 mm, optionally between 0.18 and 0.36 mm and the thickness of the lid (20) may be between 0.15 and 0.40 mm, optionally between 0.20 and 0.34 mm.

[0063] The present disclosure may further comprise the use of the container (1) of the present disclosure for containing liquid paint or varnish.

[0064] As will be clear to one skilled in the art, the present disclosure should not be limited to the embodiments described herein, and a number of changes are possible which remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0065] Of course, the preferred embodiments shown above are combinable, in the different possible forms, being herein avoided the repetition all such combinations.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A metallic container (1), the container (1) having a container body (10) and a lid (20), the container body (10) having a side wall (11) defining an inner space for containing liquids, the side wall (11) having i) an upper edge portion (12) outwardly curled over to form a container rim (13) and ii) a bead (15), the bead (15) consisting of a radial protrusion from the side wall (11) which is vertically adjacent to, but spaced apart of, the container rim (13), the lid (20) having a sealing portion (21) adapted to engage with the container rim (13) so as to close the inner space for containing liquids of the container body (10) and to couple the lid (20) to the container body (10), the sealing portion (21) having an inwardly curled over part forming a lid rim (22), the lid rim (22) thereby radially extending beyond the container rim (13), characterised in that the bead (15) forms a portion of the container (1) which radially extends beyond the sealing portion (21) in a further radial extension F, so as to prevent that the lid rims (22) of two containers placed side by side may contact, only the beads (15) contacting, wherein the container body (10) is substantially frustoconical, and the lid (20) is thereby substantially circular.

2. A container (1) according to the previous claim wherein the bead (15) is a flat bead (15) portion of constant radial extension.

3. A container (1) according to the previous claim wherein the bead (15) has a first curved section (41) which radially extends outwards with increasing radial extension, reaching a flat section of constant constant radial extension (40), and a second curved section (42) which radially extends outwards with decreasing radial extension from the flat section (40).

4. A container (1) according to the previous claim wherein the decreasing of radial extension along the length of the second curved section (42) is higher than the increasing of radial extension along the length of the first curved section (41), the first curved section (41) thus being longer than the second curved section (42).

5. A container (1) according to the previous claim wherein a height H of a portion of the bead(15) which radially extends beyond the sealing portion (21) is at least 10 times higher than F.

6. A container (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the height H is at least 10 times higher than F, optionally at least 15 times higher than F, optionally between 10 and 25 times higher than F, optionally 15 times higher than F.

7. A container (1) according to the previous claim wherein the further radial extension F is such that it corresponds to at least 5 % of the width of the sealing portion (21), optionally at least 10 %, optionally between 5 and 20 %, optionally 10 %.

8. A container (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the bead (15) and the container rim (13) are longitudinally spaced apart by a spacing portion (14) of the side wall (11) from which both radially extend.

9. A container (1) according to the previous claim wherein the extension of the spacing portion (14) is such that for a first imaginary circumference centred in a centre of the sealing portion (21) and extending until an upper edge of the lid rim (22), the first circumference having a diameter D, and for a second imaginary circumference with a perimeter tangential to a lower edge of the lid rim (22) and tangential to the bead (15), the second imaginary having a diameter E, the diameter E is 0,3Z) < E < 0,7D.

10. A container (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the outwardly curling over of the upper edge portion (12) of the side wall (11) of the container body (10) is a single curling.

11. A container (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the inwardly curling over of the lid rim (22) is a double curling or a triple curling.

12. A container (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein an external diameter of the container body (10) as measured in the upper edge portion (12) is between 100 and 400 mm, optionally between 150 and 350 mm, optionally between 180 and 305 mm, optionally 180, 286, 292 or 305 mm.

13. A container (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container body (10) further comprises a second bead (16), the second bead (16) consisting of a radial protrusion from the side wall (11) provided between the first bead (15) and a base of the container body (10), the second bead (16) forming a portion of the container (1) which does not radially extend beyond the sealing portion (21) in a further radial extension F.

14. A container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, the container (1) further comprising gripping means (30), the gripping means (30) comprising a handle and connecting means, the connecting means optionally rotatably connecting the handle to two opposite points of the side wall (11) of the container body (10).

15. A container (1) according to claims 13 and 14, the connecting means rotatably connecting the handle to two opposite points of the side wall (11) of the container body (10), such two points being provided between the first bead (15) and the second bead (16).

16. A container (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the metal is carbon steel, optionally carbon steel for packaging, optionally with Tin or Chromium on both sides.

17. A container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the side wall (11) of the container body (10) is constant and / or the thickness of the lid (20) is constant, optionally the two thicknesses being equal.

18. A container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the side wall (11) of the container body (10) is between 0.15 and 0.40 mm, optionally between 0.18 and 0.36 mm and the thickness of the lid (20) is between 0.15 and 0.40 mm, optionally between 0.20 and 0.34 mm.

19. Use of the container (1) of any of the preceding claims for containing liquid paint or varnish.

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