U.S. patent application number 16/323047 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-30 for lid ring.
This patent application is currently assigned to Amcor Flexibles Singen GMBH. The applicant listed for this patent is Amcor Flexibles Singen GMBH. Invention is credited to Sven Bauer, Andreas Ziegler.
Application Number | 20190161263 16/323047 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56740049 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-30 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190161263 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bauer; Sven ; et
al. |
May 30, 2019 |
LID RING
Abstract
A lid ring (7) for sterilizable containers (1) is proposed which
is formed from a metal ring (40) coated on both sides with at least
one plastic layer (37, 43), a radially outer cut edge and a
radially inner flange (31). The radially inner flange (31) is
folded back on itself at least once.
Inventors: |
Bauer; Sven; (Steisslingen,
DE) ; Ziegler; Andreas; (Stetten, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Amcor Flexibles Singen GMBH |
Singen |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Amcor Flexibles Singen GMBH
Singen
DE
|
Family ID: |
56740049 |
Appl. No.: |
16/323047 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
August 2, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2017/025227 |
371 Date: |
February 4, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/202 20130101;
B65D 2517/0082 20130101; B65D 51/20 20130101; B65D 2517/5054
20130101; B65D 17/502 20130101; B65D 2517/5048 20130101; B65D 53/08
20130101; B21D 51/44 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 77/20 20060101
B65D077/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 2, 2016 |
EP |
16020293.3 |
Claims
1. A lid ring comprising; a metal ring having two sides, the metal
ring being coated on both sides with at least one plastic layer,
the metal ring having a radially outer cut edge and a radially
inner flange delimited by a cut edge, with a peripheral sealing
zone (30) arranged on the flange characterized in that the radially
inner flange is folded back on itself at least once and the fold
forming a lid opening is compressed.
2. The lid ring according to claim 1, characterized in that the
radially inner flange is folded back on itself at least twice, and
the cut edge is enclosed almost substantially air-free by the
plastic layers lying on the fold inside.
3. The lid ring according to claim 2, characterized in that a lid
ring core wall is formed radially on an outside on the folded
radially inner flange with a peripheral sealing zone arranged
thereon.
4. The lid ring according to claim 3, characterized in that the
radially inner flange is folded back on a side of the flange
opposite the sealing zone.
5. The lid ring according to claim 1, characterized in that a metal
of the metal ring is selected from the group consisting of steel,
tin plate, black plate, aluminium and aluminium alloys.
6. The lid ring according to claim 1, characterized in that a
plastic of the plastic layers is selected from the group consisting
of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate and
polyamide.
7. The lid ring according to claim 1, characterized in that a
plastic layer has a layer thickness of 5 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m.
8. The lid ring according to claim 1, characterized in that a lid
film closing a lid opening is sealed onto the sealing zone.
9. The lid ring according to claim 8, characterized in that the lid
film is a composite film selected from the group consisting of
plastic-coated aluminium, laminated aluminium, painted aluminium
and aluminium-free composite films.
10. The lid ring according to claim 8, characterized in that the
lid film is a composite film and has an embossing.
11. The lid ring according to claim 8, characterized in that the
lid ring is connected to a container body by a fold connection.
12. A method of producing a lid ring wherein the lid ring includes
two sides, a radially cut outer edge and a radially inner flange
comprising: single folding the radially inner flange in a radial
direction forming a multi-layer flange having a folded region, and
wherein after folding, the folded region is also compressed.
13. The method of producing a lid ring according to claim 12,
further including coating both sides with a plastic layer, double
folding the radially inner flange in the radial direction, forming
a multi-layer flange having an inside and the radially cut outer
edge is enclosed substantially air-free by the plastic layer lying
on the fold inside, and wherein after folding, the folded region is
also compressed.
14. The lid ring according to claim 8 characterized in that the lid
film is a composite film and has a printing.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the priority filing
date of PCT Patent application Serial No. PCT/EP2017/025227, titled
"LID RING," which has a priority filing date of Aug. 2, 2017 and
which includes the same inventor(s). That application is hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[0002] The present technology concerns a lid ring. The invention
technology furthermore concerns a container with a lid and a method
for producing the lid ring.
BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[0003] When packing cans and tins, it is known to provide these
with a metal lid permanently attached at the top on the can or
container body. The lid which is attached permanently to the
container body is formed by a lid ring and a lid film attached to
the lid ring by a hot sealing process. Lid films are metal films or
composite films. The lid film closes the extraction opening or lid
opening for the packaging contents which is formed by the lid ring
until opened for the first time. In some cases, an additional lid,
preferably made of plastic, is arranged over the metal lid so that
the container is reclosable. The latter is however only necessary
if the packaging contents are not completely consumed when the
container is first opened.
[0004] The requirements for a lid formed from a lid ring and a lid
film are the same as those imposed on conventional lids of
containers, in particular metal containers. These include
resistance to corrosion and resistance to environmental influences
and to the filling product. Such filling products are at least
sometimes chemically aggressive. In particular in the case of damp
or wet filling products such as occur in the field of foodstuff
packaging, in particular for retort foodstuff products, corrosion
constitutes a problem in relation to the lengthy storage period.
Corrosion of the metal packaging material may lead firstly to
visual problems in the form of discolouration and secondly to
flavour problems. In particular with preserved fish, the transfer
of iron oxide into the filling product, sometimes known as ironing,
leads to unacceptable flavour changes of the packed foodstuff. To
avoid corrosion, the sheet metal forming the container body or lid
ring or applied metal film is coated. The inside of the container
facing the filling product is usually coated with polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) or a lacquer which resists the mechanical
stress from production of the container, and also resists
aggressive filling products over the desired life of sometimes
several years. The outside the container is usually coated with
polypropylene or a polypropylene-containing material, since
polypropylene is preferably used as a sealing material for the lid
film. This means that the side of the lid film which is coated with
polypropylene and facing the filling product is sealed on the
outside of the polypropylene-coated lid ring facing away from the
filling product.
[0005] When the lid opening or extraction opening is punched out of
the lid ring blank, an uncoated cut edge is created. Such a cut
edge constitutes a certain risk of injury for the user of a
corresponding container. With regard to corrosion, such a rough cut
edge does not constitute a significant problem for a dry filling
product and short storage life. In such cases, however, corrosion
does regularly occur and leads to the disadvantageous changes
outlined above in the packed foodstuff. A conventional measure
which is known for preventing corrosion is to provide the lid ring
on its underside facing the filling product with a rolled edge
region at the cut edge, known as a retort curl. The cut edge is
bent inward in the form of a curl, i.e. towards the side of the
filling product, and hence covered by a surface region of the lid
ring. The cut edge is therefore usually no longer exposed to the
filling product. This solution however entails relatively high
costs in production of the corresponding tooling. It is
particularly disadvantageous that even minor deviations in
production entail an irregular formation of the retort curl and
lead to an irregular covering of the cut edge. Also, the retort
process, i.e. the sterilization of the filling product by heating
and cooling, may lead to the filling product itself, or liquid from
the filling product, entering the retort curl.
[0006] WO 01/07330 proposes coating the lid ring which is formed by
the sheet metal by powder coating after punching out of the
extraction opening. The powder coating of a geometrically very
complex body, such as a lid ring, in the desired quality is however
difficult to achieve. Coating methods other than powder coating
cannot be used.
[0007] WO 2006/092073 describes coating separately the cut edge of
a lid ring with a hot-melt material.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[0008] The disclosed technology may provide a lid ring, or a
corresponding lid and corresponding container, which avoids the
above-mentioned disadvantages. The technology may also concern a
method for producing a lid ring.
[0009] A lid ring may include a metal ring with a radially outer
cut edge and a radially inner cut edge forming a lid opening. The
metal ring is coated on both sides with at least one plastic layer.
The radially inner cut edge is folded back on itself at least once.
The fold is also compressed.
[0010] A lid ring may include a metal ring coated on both sides
with at least one plastic layer, with a radially outer cut edge and
a radially inner flange delimited by a cut edge. A peripheral
sealing zone is arranged on the flange. The radially inner flange
is folded back on itself at least once and the fold or folded edge
of the flange forms a lid opening. The fold is also compressed.
[0011] One or more embodiments may provide a lid ring including a
metal ring with a radially outer cut edge and a radially inner
flange forming a lid opening. The metal ring is coated on both
sides with at least one plastic layer. The radially inner flange is
folded back on itself at least twice, whereby the cut edge is
enclosed virtually air-free by the plastic layer lying on the
inside of the fold. The inside of the fold is the side of the fold
with a smaller fold radius.
[0012] Since the radially inner flange is folded back on itself at
least twice, the radially inner cut edge is not exposed to contact
with the filling product of the container. The cut edge is enclosed
virtually air-free and air-tightly by the multiple fold between the
plastic layers lying on the top of the lid ring and the bottom of
the lid ring. In this way, in a simple fashion, an almost complete
protection from corrosion is achieved. This also gives protection
from injury when the user handles the container. The radially inner
cut edge may be folded both towards the underside of the lid ring,
i.e. towards a side facing the filling product, or towards the top
of the lid ring, i.e. the side facing away from the filling
product. If the radially inner flange is folded back on itself two
or more times, the fold is always made towards the same side.
Although it is considered within a scope of the technology that one
or more folds may be made towards a different side.
[0013] The radially inner flange may be folded back on itself
precisely twice. Furthermore, the single or multiple fold of the
radially inner flange may be compressed. This gives a better
protection of the radially inner cut edge against air and against
the filling product.
[0014] In one or more embodiments, a lid ring core wall is formed
radially on the outside on the folded radially inner flange with a
peripheral sealing zone arranged thereon. The peripheral sealing
zone may be arranged on the side of the flange facing away from the
filling product, i.e. on the top of the lid ring.
[0015] In one or more embodiments, the radially inner flange is
folded back on the side of the flange which is opposite the sealing
zone. This means that the folded part of the radially inner flange,
or the radially inner cut edge, lies on the side of the flange or
lid ring facing towards the filling product and hence on the
underside of the lid ring.
[0016] In one or more embodiments, the metal from which the lid
ring is formed is selected from aluminium, aluminium alloys, tin
plate, black plate and steel. Tin plate is cold-rolled sheet steel,
the surface of which is tin-coated. The metal thicknesses are at
present usually between 0.1 and 0.5 mm. Black plate is unalloyed
steel and is annealed, wherein it reacts with the oxygen in the
ambient air and obtains a dark appearance. On hot-rolling, black
plate is produced in thicknesses of 1.5 mm and more. Cold-rolled
black plate however may be produced more thinly with thicknesses of
0.4 to 1.5 mm, and with a better surface composition.
[0017] In one or more embodiments, the plastic with which the two
sides of the lid ring plate are coated is selected from
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate and
polyamide. The top and underside of the lid ring plate may be
coated with the same plastic or with different plastics. Usually
they are coated with different plastics. The underside of the lid
ring plate or lid ring means a side facing towards the filling
product. The top side of the lid ring plate or lid ring means the
side of the lid ring plate facing away from the filling
product.
[0018] The layer thickness of the plastic layers on the underside
and top of the lid ring are usually 5 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m,
preferably 10 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m, and particularly preferably 20
.mu.m to 40 .mu.m. The same plastic may be arranged on both sides
of the lid ring. The plastic layers which are arranged on the
underside and top side of the lid ring are however different, since
they may have different requirements. Whereas the plastic layer
which is arranged on the underside of the lid ring serves to
prevent corrosion of the lid ring plate, the plastic layer which is
arranged on the top of the lid ring is sealable since the lid film
is sealed onto a surface region on the top side of the lid ring,
the sealing zone. Polypropylene (PP) or a polypropylene-containing
material is used as a sealable plastic for the plastic layer on the
top side of the lid ring. The side of the lid film facing the top
side of the lid ring may be coated with PP or a
polypropylene-containing material.
[0019] In a further aspect of the technology, a lid with a lid ring
is described. The lid may include the lid ring and a lid film which
is sealed on in the sealing zone of the lid ring and closes the lid
opening. The peripheral sealing zone of the lid ring which is
arranged on the radially inner flange adjoining the lid ring core
wall is arranged on the top side of the lid ring or on the outside
of the flange of the lid ring. The side of the lid film facing the
filling product and hence the top side of the lid ring is
preferably coated with PP or a polypropylene-containing material.
It may, however, also be coated with another sealable material.
[0020] In one or more embodiments the lid film of the lid may be
made from a plastic-coated aluminium. The aluminium film is usually
plastic-coated on one side, wherein polypropylene (PP) is
preferably arranged on the sealable side of the lid film. The side
which is opposite the sealable side of the lid film is usually
printed and/or painted. As well as plastic-coated aluminium
composite films, other composite films may be used as lid films,
for example painted aluminium films and laminated aluminium films.
Also, aluminium-free composite films may be used as lid films. All
lid films must, however, have a sealable side in order to be able
to create a seal in the sealing zone of the lid ring arranged on
the flange.
[0021] In one or more embodiments, the lid film has an embossing or
printing. The lid film may simultaneously have both an embossing
and a printing. Also, non-embossed lid films may be used.
[0022] In one or more embodiments, a container is described with a
lid or lid ring. The lid or lid ring is connected to the container
body preferably by a fold connection. The connection between the
lid and body may take place in other ways, purely mechanically by
form fit and/or friction fit, or by adhesion or hot sealing, or by
a combination of such fixing methods.
[0023] A method for producing the lid ring may contain the step of
folding the radially inner flange at least once. This gives a
region which is folded in the radial direction. A double or
multi-layer flange is formed in this folded region. After folding,
the fold or folded region is additionally compressed.
[0024] One or more embodiments of the technology may include a step
of folding the radially inner flange. The flange is folded at least
twice, wherein a flange which is folded three or more times is
formed over the region folded in the radial direction, and the cut
edge is enclosed almost air-free by the plastic layers lying on the
inside of the fold.
[0025] When folded in the radial direction, the flange is bent over
or folded, giving a circumferential fold. The radius of the surface
region which is folded in the radial direction is usually only a
few millimetres, preferably 1 to 3 mm. Due to the at least double
folding, the radially inner cut edge is enclosed almost air-free by
the plastic layers lying on the inside of the fold.
[0026] After folding, in a further step, the folded region may be
additionally compressed to achieve a better seal of the fold
against fluids, moisture and air, and hence to give even better
protection of the enclosed cut edge against corrosion.
[0027] Further advantages, features and details arise from the
following description of preferred embodiments and with reference
to the figures. The drawings show purely diagrammatically:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a container with a
tear-off lid;
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective partial view of a lid ring
blank;
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective partial view of a lid ring
blank in a further production stage;
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section through a first
embodiment of a flange of a lid ring according to the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section through a second
embodiment of a flange of a lid ring according to the
invention;
[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section through a further
embodiment of a flange of a lid ring according to the
invention;
[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section through the first
embodiment of a flange of a lid ring according to the invention
with lid film sealed on;
[0035] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section through the further
embodiment of a flange of a lid ring according to the invention
with lid film sealed on.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a container 1 with a container body 5, a
tear-off lid 3 itself comprising a lid ring 7 attached to the
container body 5, a lid film 10 and a tear-off tab 15. The lid film
10 closes the extraction opening of the tear-off lid 3. The lid
film 10 is provided with a tear-off tab 15 for opening the lid
3.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a perspective partial view of a lid ring blank
18. For the sake of clarity, only part of a complete lid ring blank
18 is shown. The figure shows the container-side form of the lid
ring blank 18 for the fold connection of the lid ring to the
container body (not shown). In the radial direction towards the
middle of the lid ring blank 18, the folded edge 21 may include a
fold radius 22 with which the folded edge 21 transforms into the
lid ring core wall 23. The lid ring core wall 23 is followed by the
lid ring depth radius 24 which transforms into the lid ring base
27. In this production stage of the lid ring blank, as evident from
the figure, no lid or extraction opening has yet been punched
out.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows a perspective partial view of a lid ring blank
18 in a further stage of production. The lid ring blank 18 may
include, on the container side, a folded edge 21, a fold radius 22,
a lid ring core wall 23 and a lid ring depth radius 24. In this
production stage, the lid ring blank 18 now has an extraction
opening 36. The lid ring depth radius 24 transforms into the flange
31 in the direction of the extraction opening 36. The extraction
opening 36 is formed by the radially inner cut edge 33 which is
produced during the punching step. A sealing zone 30 is arranged on
the flange 31 on the top side of the lid ring.
[0039] FIG. 4 shows in cross-section an extract of a lid ring 7. In
particular, the folded region d is shown with the cut edge 33
enclosed virtually air-free. In the embodiment shown, the lid ring
has a stacked layer structure with the following layers: a plastic
layer 37 arranged on the top side of the lid ring, a metal layer in
the form of a metal ring 40, and a plastic layer 43 arranged on the
underside of the lid ring. The plastic layer which is arranged on
the underside of the lid ring faces the filling product space (not
shown), and the plastic layer on the top side of the lid ring is
the side of the lid ring 7 facing away from the filling product
space and hence towards the outside of the container 1. In this
embodiment, the radially inner flange 31 has been folded back on
itself twice. Folding took place twice towards the underside of the
lid ring, so that the enclosed cut edge 33 comes to lie on the side
of the lid ring 7 facing the filling product space. The flange 31
is thus formed in three layers in the folded region d. On the top
side of the lid ring, the sealing zone 30 is also arranged which
extends beyond the folded region d up to maximally as far as the
lid ring core wall (not shown). The cut edge 33 is enclosed almost
air-free by the plastic layers 37, 43 lying on the fold inside 46,
47.
[0040] FIG. 5 shows in cross-section an extract of a lid ring 7. In
this embodiment, the double fold of the flange takes place towards
the lid ring top side, so that the enclosed cut edge 33 comes to
lie on the side of the lid ring 7 facing away from the filling
product space (not shown). In the folded region d, the flange 31 is
again formed in three layers. Since now in the folded region d, the
plastic layer 43 which is arranged on the inside of the lid ring
facing the filling product space comes to lie on the outside of the
lid ring, the plastic selected is preferably also sealable. If the
folded region d has a sufficient radius, the sealing zone 30 may be
limited to the folded region d. It is, however, also possible for
the sealing zone 30 to extend beyond the folded region onto the
further part of the flange 31 on the outside in the radial
direction, up to maximally as far as the lid ring core wall (not
shown). In this variant, the sealing zone 30 is, however,
interrupted by a gap 45.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows in cross-section an extract of a lid ring 7. As
in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the radially inner flange 31 is
folded back twice onto the top side of the lid ring. By way of a
shoulder 48 in region e, corresponding to double the thickness of
the lid ring 7 which is plastic-coated on both sides, in the folded
region d the lid ring top side comes to lie in the same plane as
the radially outer region of the flange 31. The sealing zone 30 can
thus in a simple fashion again extend over the entire radial length
of the flange 31 up to maximally as far as the lid ring core wall
(not shown). In the region of the shoulder 48, the sealing zone 30
is interrupted by a gap 45.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows lid ring 7 according to FIG. 4, wherein this
again is shown in extract. In the sealing zone 30, a lid film 51 is
sealed onto the upper plastic layer on the lid ring side and hence
onto the top side of the lid ring. In the exemplary embodiment
shown, the sealing zone 30 extends over the entire flange 31, i.e.
over the folded region d in which the flange 31 is formed in three
layers, then over the radially outer region of the flange 31 up to
maximally as far as the lid ring core wall (not shown). The double
fold of the radially inner flange 31 in this embodiment takes place
towards the underside of the lid ring and hence towards the filling
product space 55. The cut edge 33, which is enclosed almost
air-free by the plastic layers 37 and 43 which are arranged on the
metal layer in the form of a metal ring 40 and lying on the fold
inside (46, 47), therefore lies on the underside of the lid ring
facing the filling product space 55.
[0043] FIG. 8 shows the lid ring 7 according to FIG. 6, wherein
this again is shown in extract. In the sealing zone 30, a lid film
51 is sealed onto the upper plastic layer on the lid ring side.
Since in this embodiment the double fold of the radially inner
flange 31 takes place towards the top side of the lid ring, the cut
edge 33 which is enclosed between the plastic layers 37 and 43 lies
on the top side of the lid ring facing away from the filling
product space 55. Due to the shoulder 48 in region e, the plastic
layer 43 lying on the top side of the lid ring in the folded region
d lies in a plane with the plastic layer 37, which is arranged on
the metal layer 40 on the top side of the lid ring facing away from
the filling product space 55. The lid film 51 can therefore easily
be sealed in the sealing zone 30 arranged on the flange 31. The
sealing zone 30 extends over the folded region d and then over the
radially outer region of the flange 31 up to maximally the lid ring
core wall (not shown). The lid film 51 seals firstly the extraction
opening (not shown) and also the gap 45 formed by the shoulder 48
in region e.
* * * * *