U.S. patent application number 11/816862 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-07 for easy open container and lid structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michel Philippe, Jean-Marc Andre Richeux.
Application Number | 20080185383 11/816862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34938803 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080185383 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Philippe; Michel ; et
al. |
August 7, 2008 |
Easy Open Container and Lid Structure
Abstract
A lid structure comprising a metal lid in the form of a disc
(20) and a plastics ring (1). A lug (6) on the ring is snap-fitted
around the exposed edge (25) of the lid. The lid structure can be
fitted onto a filled container by application of a downward force
until a lower profile (7) on the ring is forced around a curl or
other feature on the top edge of the container. Outward expansion
of the lid structure provides further retention on the container.
The plastics ring of the lid structure has one or more weakened
regions which can be torn to release the lid structure from the
container without the need for any tool.
Inventors: |
Philippe; Michel; (Bourg les
Valence, FR) ; Richeux; Jean-Marc Andre; (St.
Genis-Laval, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODCOCK WASHBURN LLP
CIRA CENTRE, 12TH FLOOR, 2929 ARCH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19104-2891
US
|
Assignee: |
Crown Packaging Technology,
Inc.
Alsip
IL
|
Family ID: |
34938803 |
Appl. No.: |
11/816862 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
January 17, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP06/50239 |
371 Date: |
September 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/276 ;
215/256; 53/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B44D 3/127 20130101;
B65D 43/02 20130101; B65B 7/2842 20130101; B44D 3/12 20130101; B65D
17/28 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/276 ;
215/256; 53/476 |
International
Class: |
B65D 17/40 20060101
B65D017/40; B65D 41/32 20060101 B65D041/32; B65B 7/00 20060101
B65B007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 24, 2005 |
EP |
05101399.3 |
Claims
1. A manually removable lid structure comprising: a metal lid
having a centre panel and an outer wall terminating in a generally
outwardly extending annulus; and a plastics ring comprising an
inwardly extending annular shoulder and a peripheral skirt
depending from the shoulder, the skirt having an inwardly extending
lug which clips against an edge of the lid with the shoulder
extending over the lid annulus, and a lower profile which is
complementary to a profile of an upper edge of a container body to
which, in use, the lid structure is to be fixed; a line of
weakening along which at least part of the lower profile of the
ring is manually deformable or tearable for opening a container to
which the lid structure is attached.
2. A lid structure according to claim 1, in which the centre panel
of the lid is joined to the outer wall by a generally U-shaped
channel.
3. A lid structure according to claim 2, further including sealing
compound around the lid annulus and adjacent the outer wall.
4. A lid structure according to claim 2, in which the line of
weakening defines a tamper evident strip or band.
5. An easy open container comprising: a metal can body having an
open top with an outward curl at the edge of the opening; a lid
structure that includes: a metal lid having a centre panel and an
outer wall terminating in a generally outwardly extending annulus;
a plastics ring comprising an inwardly extending annular shoulder
and a peripheral skirt depending from the shoulder, the skirt
having an inwardly extending lug which clips against the edge of
the lid with the shoulder extending over the lid annulus, and a
lower profile which is complementary to the profile of the upper
edge of a container body to which, in use, the lid structure is to
be fixed; and a line of weakening along which at least part of the
lower profile of the ring is manually deformable or tearable for
opening the container to which the lid structure is attached, with
the lower profile of the ring engaging the can body curl; in which
the outer wall of the metal lid is seated within the can body and
the outer wall and the can body have complementary outwardly
extending beads, and in which, in use, a weakened part is operable
manually removing the lid structure from the can body.
6. A method of sealing an easy open container, the method
comprising: providing a lid structure that includes: a metal lid
having a centre panel and an outer wall terminating in a generally
outwardly extending annulus; a plastics ring comprising an inwardly
extending annular shoulder and a peripheral skirt depending from
the shoulder, the skirt having an inwardly extending lug which
clips against the edge of the lid with the shoulder extending over
the lid annulus, and a lower profile which is complementary to the
profile of the upper edge of a container body to which, in use, the
lid structure is to be fixed; and a line of weakening along which
at least part of the lower profile of the ring is manually
deformable or tearable for opening the container to which the lid
structure is attached, placing the lid structure over the open end
of a metal container body; applying downward pressure to force the
lid and ring combination down onto the container body so that the
lower profile of the plastics ring engages the upper edge of the
container body and an outer wall of the lid is adjacent part of the
container body side wall; and maintaining the downward pressure
whilst applying a radially outward expansion force to deform the
outer wall of the lid and the adjacent body wall into a
complementary bead.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to an easy open container. In
particular, but not exclusively it related to a lid structure for
an easy open container for packaging liquids such as paint, or
solids such as powders.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] It is known to provide metal containers for packaging paint
in which the container has a body with seamed or integral base, a
metal ring which is seamed to the open end of the can body, and a
press-on lid which can be opened by inserting a lever into a
channel at the edge of the ring.
[0003] In an alternative design, the press-on lid has a U-shaped
channel for inserting the lever, and a flange, which extends
radially outwardly from the channel. A plastics ring is clipped
over the raw edge of the lid and extends around an outwardly rolled
circumferential edge flange of the can body when the lid is pressed
down onto the can body.
[0004] Numerous arrangements of recess have been described but
essentially all of these require the insertion of a tool to release
an interlock between the lid and container body or ring. These
designs rely on the lever opening principle and therefore require
some form of tool in order to lever open the container. In some
examples, the lever acts against a springy wall of the container,
ring or lid so that the container is reclosable and there is
minimal distortion of the container on opening.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a
manually removable lid structure comprising: a metal lid, having a
centre panel and a outer wall terminating in a generally outwardly
extending annulus; and
a plastics ring comprising an inwardly extending annular shoulder
and a peripheral skirt depending from the shoulder, the skirt
having an inwardly extending lug which clips against the edge of
the lid with the shoulder extending over the lid annulus, and a
lower profile which is complementary to the profile of the upper
edge of a container body to which, in use, the lid structure is to
be fixed; characterised by line of weakening along which at least
part of the lower profile of the ring is manually deformable or
tearable for opening the container to which the lid structure is
attached.
[0006] In contrast with lever lids of the prior art, the plastics
ring of the lid structure provides openability when the lid
structure is fixed to a container, without the need for any tool.
After tearing the lower ring profile, the lid structure is
removable from the container, such that the container appears to
the user to have only two parts.
[0007] The centre panel of the lid may be joined to the outer wall
by a generally U-shaped channel. This prevents excessive intrusion
of the lid structure into the headspace of the can body. Typically,
sealing compound may be provided around the lid annulus and
adjacent the outer wall.
[0008] The line of weakening is usually tearable and defines a
tamper evident strip or band.
[0009] According to a further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an easy open container comprising: a metal can
body having an open top; the lid structure as described above, with
the lower profile of the ring engaging the edge of the can body
opening; in which the outer wall of the metal lid is seated within
the container body and the outer wall and the container body have
complementary outwardly extending beads, and in which, in use, the
weakened part of the ring profile is operable manually removing the
lid structure from the can body.
[0010] Typically, the can body has an outward curl at the edge of
the opening so that the ring engages this can body curl.
[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method of sealing an easy open container, the
method comprising:
placing the lid structure over the open end of a metal container
body; applying downward pressure to force the lid and ring
combination down onto the container body so that the lower profile
of the plastics ring engages the upper edge of the container body
and an outer wall of the lid is adjacent part of the container body
side wall; and maintaining the downward pressure whilst applying a
radially outward expansion force to deform the outer wall of the
lid and the adjacent body wall into complementary beads.
[0012] Generally, the method may be used with a lid structure
having a U-shaped channel so that an expandable tool may be
inserted into the channel for applying radial force to the channel
outer wall to form the beads.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings,
in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of the plastics
ring;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the plastics
ring;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side section of the plastics ring, through the
cut in area `C`;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side section of the plastics ring, through the
cut in area `D`;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the plastics ring
and metal lid assembly;
[0019] FIGS. 6 to 9 are schematic side views showing the
application of the lid structure onto a can body; and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the closed
container.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
[0021] The plastics ring of FIG. 1 has an annular shoulder 2 and a
skirt having an inner wall 3 and an outer wall 4. A tab feature 5
on the outer wall is provided for gripping by a user when opening a
container as is described in more detail below. Lug 6 of the
example is a fully circumferential lug for engaging a metal lid to
form a lid structure and a lower profile 7 on the inner wall for
engaging the container body.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an underneath isometric view of the ring of FIG.
1, showing cut regions `A`, `B`, `C` and `D`. In the side sections
of FIGS. 3 and/or 4, the annular shoulder 2, lug 6 and tab 5 can be
clearly identified. Lower profile 7 includes teeth 8 in uncut
regions which assist in gripping the container body. The cut in the
`C` area is indicated by reference 9 in FIG. 3 that of the `D` area
by reference 10 which extends from the tab 5 of FIG. 4.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows the lid structure which combines the plastics
ring 1 with a metal lid 20. The lid 20 comprises a centre panel 21,
inner and outer walls defining a channel 22, the outer wall 23
leading into an outwardly extending annulus 24, and terminating in
a raw edge. As can be seen from the figure, the plastics ring is
clipped over the annulus 24 so the shoulder 2 covers annulus 24 and
lug 6 covers the edge of the lid at 25.
[0024] In FIG. 6, downward pressure is applied by tool 40 onto the
shoulder 2 to force the lid structure downwardly onto a filled
container 30. As the lower profile 7 contacts can body curl 31, the
ring 1 pivots outwardly and then snaps around the curl into the
position of FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the lid structure is fixed to the
can body 30, with sealing compound 26 between the annulus 24 of the
metal lid and the top of curl 31. The lower profile 7 of the
plastics ring has a shape complementary to that of the curl 31 and
provides even contact around the curl.
[0025] The next stage of applying the lid structure provides
further engagement between the outer wall 23 of channel 22. A
downwardly extending portion 41 of the tool 40 has a radially
outwardly extending bead 42 which is moved into contact with the
outer wall 23 by applying a radial expansion force. Downward
pressure is maintained whilst the expansion force is applied to
ensure correct positioning of the bead 42 against the outer wall
23. By maintaining downward pressure during expansion, the
compression of the compound is maintained during the expansion.
This compression is also maintained after the blocking of the lid
in the body and partly by the plastic ring. The combined forces are
applied until complementary beads are formed in the lid wall 23 and
can body wall 32, beneath the curl 31. The tool 40 is then
retracted radially, with downward pressure maintained (FIG. 9) and
tool 40 removed to leave the finished structure of FIG. 10.
[0026] The invention has been described above by way of example
only and changes may be made to the method of forming the lid
structure or of applying it to a container body without departing
from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For
example, although the complementary feature 32 has been described
as a "bead", clearly this feature could be series of beads,
independent lugs or other complementary feature.
* * * * *