U.S. patent application number 14/378799 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-29 for metal packaging with tubular part.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARDAGH MP GROUP NETHERLANDS B.V.. The applicant listed for this patent is Philippe Niec. Invention is credited to Philippe Niec.
Application Number | 20150027974 14/378799 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47882202 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150027974 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Niec; Philippe |
January 29, 2015 |
METAL PACKAGING WITH TUBULAR PART
Abstract
The metal packaging includes a tubular part (1) defining a
longitudinal axis (1'), which tubular part (1) includes a one-piece
annular structure (10) made up of one moulding (11) or of several
mouldings (11) which are formed on a plane (13) running
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (1') and on the
circumference of the tubular part (1) to form an annular lower
surface (12) against which a handling member is intended to
rest.
Inventors: |
Niec; Philippe; (Sable Sur
Sarthe, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Niec; Philippe |
Sable Sur Sarthe |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
ARDAGH MP GROUP NETHERLANDS
B.V.
Deventer
NL
|
Family ID: |
47882202 |
Appl. No.: |
14/378799 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2013/055431 |
371 Date: |
August 14, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/44 ;
413/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 51/38 20130101;
B65D 1/0246 20130101; B65D 1/0207 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/44 ;
413/23 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/02 20060101
B65D001/02; B21D 51/38 20060101 B21D051/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 15, 2012 |
FR |
1252335 |
Claims
1. A metal package including a tubular part (1) defining a
longitudinal axis (1'), characterized in that said tubular part (1)
includes an integral annular structure (10) consisted of one bead
(11) or several beads (11) that are formed in a plane (13)
extending perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (1') and at the
circumference of said tubular part (1), to form a lower annular
surface (12) against which a handling member is intended to
rest.
2. The metal package according to claim 1, characterized in that
the integral annular structure (10) includes one or several beads
(11) formed in protrusion towards the inside and/or towards the
outside of the tubular part (1).
3. The metal package according to claim 1, characterized in that
the integral annular structure (10) includes a continuous annular
bead (11) extending over the whole circumference of the tubular
part (1).
4. The metal package according to claim 3, characterized in that
the continuous annular bead (11) has the shape of an open rib,
opening towards the inside or towards the outside of the tubular
part (1).
5. The metal package according to claim 3, characterized in that
the continuous annular bead (11) has the shape of a closed rib,
constituting an integral collar, protruding outwardly, which is
formed of two planar annular flanges (16) in rest against each
other and connected by a peripheral folding line (17).
6. The metal package according to claim 1, characterized in that
the integral annular structure (10) includes at least one variation
of curvature (20) in the plane (13) passing through said annular
structure (10).
7. The metal package according to claim 6, characterized in that
the integral annular structure (10) comprises at least one bead
(11) extending over only a portion of the circumference of the
tubular part (1).
8. The metal package according to claim 7, characterized in that
the integral annular structure (10) includes several beads (11)
that are distributed over the circumference of the tubular part
(1).
9. The metal package according to claim 6, characterized in that
the integral annular structure (10) includes one or several notches
(20).
10. The metal package according to claim 9, characterized in that
the bottom (20a) of the notch (20) or of at least one of the
notches (20) extends in the circumference, or at least
approximately in the circumference, of the tubular part (1).
11. The metal package according to claim 1, characterized in that
it consists in a container including a neck (1) forming said
tubular part, and in that said neck (1) is ended by a mouth (2)
provided with an upper portion (2a) for receiving a plug and a
lower portion (2b) including the integral annular structure
(10).
12. A method for manufacturing a metal package according to claim
1, characterized in that it consists in: (a) manufacturing the
tubular part (1) of the package, and (b) locally deforming said
tubular part (1) to form the integral annular structure (10)
consisted of one or several beads (11).
13. The metal package according to claim 2, characterized in that
the integral annular structure (10) includes a continuous annular
bead (11) extending over the whole circumference of the tubular
part (1).
14. The metal package according to claim 2, characterized in that
the integral annular structure (10) includes at least one variation
of curvature (20) in the plane (13) passing through said annular
structure (10).
15. The metal package according to claim 7, characterized in that
the integral annular structure (10) includes one or several notches
(20).
16. The metal package according to claim 8, characterized in that
the integral annular structure (10) includes one or several notches
(20).
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packages, and
in particular the field of metal packages.
[0002] The design of a package must take into account the
constraints linked to its manufacturing, but also to its numerous
handling operations at the filler, from its receiving to the final
packaging operations.
[0003] Moreover, the packages, according to their constitutive
materials, are obtained by techniques of manufacturing that
generate structural constraints leading to the implementation of
conveying installations that are respectively dedicated
thereto.
[0004] In this respect, the tubular part forming the mouth of the
packages (such as bottles or vials) made of plastic material
generally includes an annular flange, protruding from the
circumference, called "transport ring", useful for their individual
handling.
[0005] These plastic-material packages may hence be held, handled
and/or transferred thanks to the positioning of a generally
fork-shaped handling member, in rest under this transport ring.
[0006] In practice, for such plastic packages, the mouth and its
transport ring are formed simultaneously, for example on a preform
(semi-finished part obtained by injection) before an
injection-blowing or extrusion-blowing finishing.
[0007] The packages made of metal material, for example steel or
aluminium, are devoid of such an annular planar flange due to the
technical constraints linked to the metal shaping.
[0008] The manufacturing, the handling and the filling of such
metal packages hence lead to the implementation of dedicated
handling means.
[0009] Hence, for the filler, switching from plastic packages to
metal packages require important investments, in particular for the
transformation of the handling means.
[0010] Taking into account what is mentioned above, the applicant
has developed a new structure of metal package that is adapted to
be handled within an installation commonly dedicated to the plastic
packages.
[0011] For that purpose, the metal package according to the
invention includes a tubular part defining a longitudinal axis,
which tubular part includes an integral annular structure consisted
of one or several beads that are formed in a plane extending
perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and at the circumference of
said tubular part, to form a lower annular surface against which a
handling member is intended to rest.
[0012] The bead(s) are advantageously formed in protrusion towards
the inside ("inward") and/or towards the outside ("outward") of the
tubular part.
[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the integral annular
structure includes a continuous annular bead extending over the
whole circumference of the tubular part. In this case, the
continuous annular bead has the shape of an open rib, opening
towards the inside or towards the outside of the tubular part; as
an alternative, this continuous annular bead has the shape of a
closed rib, constituting an integral collar, protruding outwardly,
which is formed of two planar annular flanges in rest against each
other and connected by a peripheral folding line.
[0014] According to another embodiment, the integral annular
structure includes at least one variation of curvature in the plane
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passing through said annular
structure.
[0015] This integral annular structure has hence discontinuities of
curvature, with advantageously a variation of the horizontal radial
distance about the horizontal axis.
[0016] This embodiment aims to introduce, at one or several points
of the circumference of the tubular part, a geometrical
discontinuity at the integral annular structure, in particular a
geometrical discontinuity in the bead, in at least one of the beads
or between two beads, which allows to consolidate this part of the
package and to significantly increase the resistance to vertical
force.
[0017] This discontinuity may take the form of more or less complex
curves, and preferentially non-beaded sections of the tubular part
(or vertical segments) extending in the continuity of the shape of
the portions of the tubular part located above and below this
integral annular structure. In other words, the initial section of
the tubular part is deformed so as to form the bead(s) intended to
constitute the integral annular structure.
[0018] In this case, the integral annular structure comprises at
least one bead extending over only a portion of the circumference
of the tubular part.
[0019] This integral annular structure advantageously includes
several beads that are distributed over the circumference of the
tubular part, regularly or not-regularly (homogeneously or
not-homogeneously).
[0020] Preferably, the integral annular structure includes beads
that each protrude towards the outside, and that are regularly
distributed over the circumference of the tubular part, in the
plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passing by said
annular structure.
[0021] Preferably, the integral annular structure includes one or
several notches, formed on the bead and/or on at least one of the
beads and/or separating two beads; these notches have
advantageously a vertical or at least approximately vertical axis
and are advantageously formed by a non-beaded segment of the
tubular part.
[0022] Preferably, one notch is formed inwards for one or several
outward beads; one notch is formed outwards for one or several
inward beads.
[0023] The bottom of the notch or of at least one of the notches
extends in the circumference, or at least approximately in the
circumference, of the tubular part.
[0024] According to a particular embodiment, the metal package
consists in a container (for example a bottle) including a neck
forming said tubular part; and this neck is ended by a mouth
provided with an upper portion for receiving a plug and a lower
portion including the integral annular structure.
[0025] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a
metal package as defined hereinabove, said method consists in:
[0026] (a) manufacturing the tubular part of said package, and
[0027] (b) locally deforming said tubular part to form the integral
annular structure consisted of one or several beads.
[0028] The invention will be further illustrated, without being
limited in anyway, by the following description in relation with
the appended drawings in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a general and perspective view of a tubular part
forming the neck of a package, the mouth of which is provided with
an integral annular structure consisted of a continuous annular
bead in the form of an open rib whose convexity is directed towards
the outside;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a side view of the mouth of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a vertical-section and partial view of a tubular
part similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2, at the integral annular
structure that is herein of curved section;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a vertical-section view of a variant of embodiment
of FIG. 3, in which the integral annular structure consists in an
open rib, herein of dihedral section;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a vertical-section view of another variant of
embodiment of FIG. 3, in which the integral annular structure
consists in a closed rib, herein of planar section, corresponding
to a "squeezed" bead, also called "compressed bead";
[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mouth of another possible
embodiment of a package according to the invention, herein provided
with several beads each extending over an angular sector of its
circumference;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a side view of the mouth of FIG. 6;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a detailed and enlarged view of FIG. 7, showing
the non-beaded segment of the mouth separating two beads;
[0037] FIGS. 9 to 14 are perspective views of a tubular part of a
metal package, each illustrating a particular arrangement of the
beads constituting the integral annular structure;
[0038] FIG. 15 is a top view of a tubular part of a metal package,
whose integral annular structure comprises beads separated by
regularly-distributed notches;
[0039] FIG. 16 schematically shows some possible shapes for the
notches, viewed from above;
[0040] FIG. 17 shows a variant of embodiment of the invention,
according to a vertical-section plane, in which the integral
annular structure comprises at least one bead consisting in an
outwardly-open rib.
[0041] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a part of a metal package.
[0042] Such a metal package is for example made of aluminium or
steel.
[0043] This metal package advantageously consists in a vessel or
container, intended to receive for example a product that is liquid
(in particular, drinks), pasty or solid (in particular, powders or
granulates).
[0044] Such a metal package consists for example in a bottle, a
vial or a can.
[0045] This package advantageously comprises a body or belly (not
shown), topped with a tubular part 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) forming a
neck, ended by a mouth 2 opening at a terminal opening 3.
[0046] The tubular part 1 has a longitudinal axis 1', herein
oriented vertically.
[0047] This tubular part 1 is consisted by an integral metal wall 4
that defines its circumference and that delimits an inner duct C
(FIG. 3).
[0048] The horizontal section of this tubular part 1, perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis 1', is herein circular in shape, but it
could also be oval, rectangular or square, for example.
[0049] The upper end 5 of the tubular part 1 is herein consisted by
a peripheral rim directed towards the outside, delimiting the
terminal opening 3 (FIGS. 1 and 2).
[0050] On the side of this upper end 5, an upper portion 2a of the
mouth 2 includes means for receiving a plug (not shown), herein an
helical thread 6.
[0051] Remote from this same upper end 5, a lower portion 2b of the
mouth 2 (located directly below the upper portion 2a) includes an
integral annular structure 10 consisted of a bead 11 to form an
annular lower surface 12 against which a handling member can come
in rest.
[0052] This handling member (not shown) has advantageously a fork
shape, of the type conventionally met in the field of the handling
of plastic bottles provided with a transport ring.
[0053] In this regard, the bead 11 is formed in a plane 13 (FIG. 2)
extending perpendicular to the above-mentioned longitudinal axis 1'
and over the circumference of the tubular part 1.
[0054] By "bead", it is meant in particular a ribbing in the
integral metal wall 4, recessed or in relief, obtained for example
by coining or embossing.
[0055] The bead 11 is continuous, extended over the whole
circumference of the tubular part 1.
[0056] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the continuous annular bead
11 is herein arranged in protrusion towards the outside of the
tubular part 1.
[0057] As can be seen in FIG. 3, this continuous annular bead 11
has the shape of an open rib, opening towards the inside of the
tubular part 1.
[0058] The vertical section of this continuous annular bead 11 is
identical or at least approximately identical over its
circumference, without geometrical break (FIG. 3).
[0059] According to FIG. 3, this vertical section is herein of
curved shape, for example a semi-circle or a semi-oval, whose
convexity is oriented towards the outside.
[0060] The lower annular surface 12 is hence formed by
approximately the lower half of this continuous annular bead
11.
[0061] FIG. 4 shows a variant of embodiment of a continuous annular
bead 11 constituting an integral annular structure 10.
[0062] The section of this continuous annular bead 11 is herein
consisted of two segments: [0063] an inclined upper segment 14,
diverging from the longitudinal axis 1' from the top to the bottom,
and [0064] a horizontal lower segment 15, extending perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis 1' and whose lower face forms the lower
annular surface 12 for the handling.
[0065] In other words, the continuous annular bead 11 is consisted
of an upper truncated portion and a lower portion in the form of a
horizontal flange.
[0066] According to still another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the
continuous annular bead 11 has the shape of a closed rib, forming
an integral collar protruding outwardly.
[0067] Such a continuous annular rib 11, also called "compressed
bead", is formed of two planar annular flanges 16 in rest against
each other, a lower one that forms the annular lower surface 12 for
the handling, and an upper one, the both being connected by a
peripheral folding line 17.
[0068] FIG. 6 to 8 show another embodiment of the invention, in
which the integral annular structure 10 includes, over the
circumference of the tubular part 1, at least one variation of
curvature in the plane 13 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1'
passing by said annular structure 10.
[0069] Such an embodiment allows to strengthen the mouth 2 of the
package, and to significantly increase the resistance to vertical
force at this integral annular structure 10.
[0070] For that purpose, the integral annular structure 10
comprises a "discontinuous bead" 11 extending over the
circumference of the tubular part 1.
[0071] This integral annular structure 10 hence includes several
distinct beads 11 that are distributed, homogeneously or regularly,
over the circumference of the tubular part 1. In this case, these
beads 11 each extend over a portion of the circumference of the
tubular part 1.
[0072] The integral annular structure 10 herein includes three
beads 11, each generally extending in a horizontal angular sector
of the order of 5.degree. to 120.degree., and preferably each in a
horizontal angular sector of the order of 60.degree. to
110.degree..
[0073] These beads 11 each protrude outwardly, and are regularly
distributed over the circumference of the tubular part 1 and in the
plane 13 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1'.
[0074] The beads 11 form together the lower resting surface 12; the
latter is herein discontinuous, formed by the lower surface of
these different beads 11.
[0075] The vertical section of these beads 11 may be customized,
for example curved or dihedral, as described hereinabove.
[0076] These beads 11 are separated, two-by-two, by a notch 20
consisting in a non-beaded segment of the tubular part 1 (herein
three in number).
[0077] These non-beaded segments 20 hence form strengthening zones
for the integral annular structure 10 relative to the vertical
forces.
[0078] Each non-beaded segment 20 consists in a segment of the
mouth 2 (or of the tubular part 1) extending according to a
vertical axis 20' (FIG. 8) and in the continuity of the section of
the portions located directly above and below this mouth 2 (without
discontinuity or break of the section).
[0079] These non-beaded segments 20 hence extend in the
circumference of the tubular part 1.
[0080] Likewise, the bottom 20a of each notch 20 hence
advantageously extends in the circumference of the tubular part
1.
[0081] Each notch 20 is delimited laterally by the opposite ends
20b of two juxtaposed beads 11.
[0082] In a horizontal section, the ends 20b of each notch 20
extends for example parallel relative to each other, or diverge
towards the periphery, as illustrated hereinafter in relation with
FIG. 16. Each notch 20 may also exhibit an arc-of-a-circle-shaped
section.
[0083] The method for manufacturing the metal package according to
the invention advantageously comprises the following steps:
[0084] (a) manufacturing the tubular part 1 of the package, and
[0085] (b) forming the integral annular structure 10 in said
tubular part 1, to form the bead(s) 11, for example by an operation
of local and discontinuous shaping of the different beads.
[0086] FIGS. 9 to 14 show examples of variants of embodiment of
this integral annular structure 10 including several beads 11
directed outwardly, and separated two-by-two by a non-beaded
segment 20 of the tubular part 1.
[0087] In these figures, the integral annular structures 10
respectively include: [0088] FIG. 9: three beads 11 each extending
in a horizontal angular sector of the order of 60.degree. to
100.degree., separated by non-beaded sections 20 each extending in
a horizontal angular sector of the order of 20.degree. to
60.degree.; [0089] FIG. 10: six beads 11 each extending in a
horizontal angular sector of the order of 30.degree. to 55.degree.,
separated by non-beaded sections 20 each extending in a horizontal
angular sector of the order of 5.degree. to 30.degree.; [0090] FIG.
11: three beads 11 each extending in a horizontal angular sector of
the order of 30.degree. to 60.degree., separated by non-beaded
sections 20 each extending in a horizontal angular sector of the
order of 60.degree. to 90.degree.; [0091] FIG. 12: six beads 11
each extending in a horizontal angular sector of the order of
30.degree. to 50.degree., separated by non-beaded sections 20 each
extending in a horizontal angular sector of the order of 10.degree.
to 30.degree.; [0092] FIG. 13: three beads 11 each extending in a
horizontal angular sector of the order of 10.degree. to 30.degree.,
separated by non-beaded sections 20 each extending in a horizontal
angular sector of the order of 90.degree. to 110.degree.; [0093]
FIG. 14: six beads 11 each extending in a horizontal angular sector
of the order of 10.degree. to 30.degree., separated by non-beaded
sections 20 each extending in a horizontal angular sector of the
order of 30.degree. to 50.degree..
[0094] FIG. 15 still shows, in top view, a peripheral annular
structure 10 including several beads 11 separated by notches
20.
[0095] In this FIG. 15, it can be seen that the bottom 20a of each
notch 20 extends advantageously in the circumference of the mouth
2.
[0096] As an alternative, this bottom 20a of each inward notch 20
may extend: [0097] in a first case, in the annular space defined by
the beads 11 and remote from the circumference of the mouth 2,
corresponding to a kind of partial embossing, as shown by the
bottom denoted by the reference 20a1, or [0098] in a second case,
in the inner volume defined by the tubular part 1, as shown by the
bottom denoted by the reference 20a2.
[0099] In the first case, the integral annular structure 10
consists in a kind of continuous annular bead 11 in which is
arranged a plurality of notches 20.
[0100] In the second case, the integral annular structure includes
an alternation of beads protruding inwardly and outwardly; it is
hence obtained a combination of inward/outward beads with respect
to the tubular part.
[0101] The manufacturing of such an integral annular structure
advantageously comprises--an operation of shaping a continuous
annular bead, followed by--an operation of shaping the notch(es),
for example by embossing.
[0102] It is hence obtained a kind of continuous annular bead 11
that is interrupted locally, and over its circumference, by notches
20.
[0103] These notches 20, viewed from above, may have any other
shape obtained by a suitable tooling, as illustrated in FIG.
16.
Hence, these notches 20 may have, for example, a rectangular shape
(A or B), a trapezoidal shape (C or D) or an arc-of-a-circle shape
(E).
[0104] FIG. 17 shows a variant of embodiment of the invention, in
which the integral annular structure 10 comprises a bead 11
consisting in an outwardly-open rib.
This bead 11 is herein in the form of a continuous annular bead,
generating a lower rest surface 12. In variations of embodiment, it
may also be contemplated a plurality of outwardly-open beads, which
are arranged in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the
mouth and which are separated by non-beaded segments or by
outwardly protruding beads.
[0105] Generally, the metal package according to the invention is
simple to handle, in particular in an installation that is usually
dedicated to the handling of plastic packages.
* * * * *