U.S. patent application number 10/534027 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-23 for easy-openning lid.
Invention is credited to Estanislao Martinez Gomez.
Application Number | 20060060582 10/534027 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32309627 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060060582 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martinez Gomez; Estanislao |
March 23, 2006 |
Easy-openning lid
Abstract
Easy-open lids applicable to lids (1), provided with a cut line
(3) parallel and close to its contour, on which line a punch-tear
away ring tab (4) attached to the lid (1) by means of a rivet (9)
and provided with a punch vertex (6) acting on the cut line (3)
acts, entail arranging a cut line (3) in correspondence with the
theoretical actuation point (10) on the line for the punch vertex
(6) of the ring tab (4), an arcuate segment (8) with a curvature
center (9) coinciding with the imaginary axis of the rivet (4),
such that after an accidental rotation of the ring tab (4) during
the manufacturing process thereof or during handling of the
container in which it is integrated, its punch vertex (6) is kept
in place facing the cut line (3), ensuring optimal tearing
conditions for the lid in spite of the incorrect position of the
ring tab (4).
Inventors: |
Martinez Gomez; Estanislao;
(Murcia, ES) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Family ID: |
32309627 |
Appl. No.: |
10/534027 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
January 9, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/ES03/00006 |
371 Date: |
May 6, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/269 ;
220/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2517/007 20130101;
B65D 2517/0016 20130101; B65D 2517/0082 20130101; B65D 17/4011
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/269 ;
220/906 |
International
Class: |
B65D 17/34 20060101
B65D017/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 7, 2002 |
ES |
P200202554 |
Claims
1. An easy-open lid, specifically applicable in lids (1) which,
with a circular, elliptical or rectangular configuration with
rounded vertices, incorporate a cut line (3), parallel and close to
their perimeter for opening the lid with the collaboration of a
punch-tear away ring tab (4) attached to the body (1) of the lid by
means of a rivet (5) and provided with a punching vertex (6) acting
on said cut line (3), characterized in that said cut line (3) is
provided with a breakage segment (8) with a curved path, having a
curvature center (9) coinciding with the rivet (5) for attaching
the ring tab (4) to the body (1) of the lid, such that said punch
vertex (6) is kept in place on the breakage segment (8) after an
accidental rotation of said ring tab (4) throughout the process of
handling the lid (1) itself and the container which it is
associated to.
2. An easy-open lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the
amplitude of the arcuate breakage segment (8) of the cut line (3)
is greater than 1.degree..
3. An easy-open lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the
amplitude of the arcuate breakage segment (8) of the cut line (3)
ranges between 1.degree. and 80.degree..
4. An easy-open lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the
amplitude of the arcuate breakage segment (8) of the cut line (3)
is 20.degree..
5. An easy-open lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the
breakage segment (8) on the cut line (3) is symmetrical with regard
to the imaginary axis formed by the theoretical actuation point
(10) of the punch vertex (6) of the ring tab (4), coinciding with
the mid-point of the breakage segment (8), and the rivet (5) for
attaching the ring tab (4).
6. An easy-open lid according to claim 5, characterized in that
amplitude the arcuate breakage segment (8) of the cut line (3) is
10.degree. on each side of the theoretical actuation point (10) of
the punch vertex (6) of the ring tab (4).
7. An easy-open lid according to previous claims, characterized in
that the arcuate breakage segment (10) of the cut line (3), with a
curvature center (9) on the rivet (5), is joined the rest of the
cut line (3) by means of double, arcuate and counteropposing
inflections (11-11') for facilitating the tearing along said line.
Description
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention, an easy-open lid, applies to the
field of metal containers, specifically of those containers used
for food commercialization, such as tins, cans, etc., and
specifically focuses on the opening means of the lid thereof,
commonly called "easy-open".
[0002] The invention is specifically related to the classic groove
or cut which are provided on lids of this type of containers, for
facilitating the opening thereof by means of a punch-tear away ring
tab.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the preferred scope of practical application of the
invention, sealed food packaging, metal containers are
conventionally used, the lid of which is provided with a perimetral
groove or cut line, as well as a ring tab provided with a punch
vertex overlapping said cut line, such that in normal conditions,
the ring tab is parallel and adjacent to the lid, whereas during
the opening maneuver, it swings thereon such that initially, and
through its punch vertex, it causes the start of the tearing of the
lid, and then it causes the complete tearing away thereof by
pulling on said ring tab.
[0004] This solution, perfectly valid from the theoretical point of
view, presents drawbacks in practice derived from an incorrect
positioning of the ring tab. In this aspect, it happens quite
frequently that, during the ring tab manufacturing process, or in
the subsequent sealing, filling, sterilization, handling processes,
etc., of the container, said ring tab undergoes a slight rotation,
causing a modification of the theoretical position provided for its
punch vertex with regard to the cut of the lid, since the ring tab
rotates about the point where it is attached to the lid, noticeably
eccentric with regard to the latter, whereas the cut line defines a
path parallel and close to the contour of said lid, therefore more
or less spacing occurs between the punch vertex of the ring tab and
the cut of the lid, causing a significant increase of the force
necessary to begin the opening operation, i.e. for causing the
punching or breaking of the cut line, after which the lid is
subsequently torn away.
[0005] This increase of force contributes to significantly
increasing the number of lids in which the ring tab cannot overcome
the cut and does not open the lid, even occasionally causing the
ring tab to break since the hole which connects the ring tab to the
lid by means of a rivet, becomes deformed, with the subsequent
release of the ring tab and inability to use the container opening
mechanism.
[0006] Spanish utility model number ES0152778U discloses a
conventional lid, without a punch vortex, for cans that have a
curled cut line to facilitate the aperture of the can. The ring tab
included in said lid does not include means nor solutions that
would permit the opening of the lid in case the ring tab has a
slight rotation.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,596-B discloses a can lid having means
on it which prevent the rotation of the ring tab, said means
consisting of respective outward projections on both sides of the
ring tab. It also has a cut line the path of which in the ring tab
operation area is different from that of the rest of said cut line.
Specifically, the cut line in that initial breakage area is
elliptical in order to space the cut line from the edge of the can
and to facilitate the manufacturing process of the can. The devices
used for preventing the rotation of the ring tab do not ensure
that, daring the handling of the can in the different manufacturing
processes thereof, it will not slightly rotate, although it does
reduce said rotation. Due to the elliptical configuration of the
cut line in its initial breakage area, a minimum rotation of the
ring tab will prevent the punch vertex thereof from acting on said
initial breakage area, therefore originating the aforementioned
drawbacks in opening the can.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The improvements proposed by the invention satisfactorily
solve the drawback explained above, ensuring a proper operation of
the punch ring tab, even when said ring tab is significantly
rotated with regard to its theoretical correct position.
[0009] Therefore more specifically, the invention entails changing
the path of the cut line, specifically in the segment thereof
facing the punch ring tab, such that by said cut line maintaining a
general path parallel, and close to the contour of the lid, in said
area facing the ring tab it undergoes two symmetrical inflections
with regard to the theoretical punch point, which frame an
intermediate segment in which the path of the cut is arcuate,
specifically with a curvature center arranged in correspondence
with the rivet of the ring tab, such that after a rotation of the
ring tab, its punch vertex remains in place on said cut.
[0010] The amplitude of said arcuate segment with a curvature in
the rivet of the ring tab will vary according to different
constructive criteria, this amplitude necessarily being greater
than 1.degree., although it is convenient for said arcuate segment
to not exceed 80.degree..
[0011] Said arcuate segment will be join the rest of the cut
through also rounded inflections which "smooth" the path of said
cut and which, accordingly, favor tearing away the lid.
[0012] Evidently the improvements, of the invention are applicable
both to circular and elliptical or rectangular lids, which are the
three conventional configurations in this type of metal
containers.
[0013] In any case and according to the described structure, it is
achieved that, even due to a significant rotation of the ring tab,
which can reach 10.degree. to the right or left, said ring tab
keeps its punch vertex on the cut line, causing the proper punching
thereof with a minimum force.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] To complement the description that is being made and for the
purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the
invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a
set of drawings is attached to said description as an integral part
thereof which, with an illustrative and non-limiting character,
show the following:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an easy-open lid for
metal containers provided with the improvements object of the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail view of the lid of the
previous figure, in the area thereof in which said improvements are
made.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows, according to a view similar to FIG. 1, another
type of conventional easy-open lid, also provided with the
improvements of the invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0018] In view of the figures, and more specifically of FIG. 1, it
can be seen how the improvements of the invention are applicable to
a lid made of a laminar body (1), in this case having a
circumferential contour, as this lid is intended for a cylindrical
container, provided with a marginal strip (2) through which, by
seaming or by any other means, the body (1) is attached to the
opening of the container, not shown, and is provided inside said
marginal strip with a cut or perimetral groove (3) which is
intended for tearing away the lid (1) during the container opening
maneuver, opening which is carried out with the collaboration of a
ring tab (4) attached to the body (1) of the lid with the
collaboration of a rivet (5), and provided with, in opposition to
the ring tab (4) itself, a punch vertex (6) which must be located
on the cut line (3) on which it acts when the ring tab (4) is
manually swinged on the rivet (5) which fixes the ring tab to the
body (1) of the lid. The lid (1) can adopt the circular
configuration of FIG. 1, the rectangular configuration with rounded
vertices of FIG. 3, or any other configuration conventional in this
type of containers, such as an elliptical configuration, also
normally being provided with deep-draws (7) which stiffen its
structure.
[0019] Therefore, from this basic and conventional structure,
according already to the invention, the cut line (3), in its area
where it faces the ring tab (4), undergoes a variation in its path,
defining a breakage segment (8) in a circumference arc shape,
having a curvature center (9) arranged in correspondence with the
center of the rivet (5), as can particularly be seen in FIG. 2,
such that the mid-point of this arcuate breakage segment (8) is
located in correspondence with the theoretical point (10) provided
for operating the punch vertex (6) of the ring tab (4) when the
latter is correctly located in the context of the lid (1).
[0020] As previously mentioned, this results in that, after an
accidental rotation of the ring tab (4) at any time throughout the
container handling process, its punch vertex (6) is kept perfectly
in place facing the cut line (3), specifically along this breakage
segment (8), thereby ensuring that the tearing conditions are
optimal.
[0021] As was also mentioned above, the amplitude of said breakage
segment (8) with a curvature center (9) coinciding with the axis of
the rivet (5), can range between 1.degree. and 80.degree., the
amplitude of said arc preferably being 20.degree., 10.degree. on
each side of the theoretical point (10) provided for operating the
punch vertex (6) of the ring tab (4) when the latter is correctly
located in the context of the lid (1), and said breakage segment
(8) will join the rest of the cut line (3) by means of double,
offsetting and arcuate inflections (11-11'), which facilitate
tearing away the lid (1), preventing the existence of sharp
bendings in said cut line (3) which could negatively affect tearing
away the lid.
* * * * *