EP2242697B1 - Cover of a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lid (8) of a container, in particular a beverage can, having a substantially flat lid surface (9) and a preferably folded edge area, wherein at least one re-closable pour opening (10) is provided at the lid surface (9), a closure means (1) associated with the pour opening (10) is provided at the bottom side of the lid surface (9) and an actuation means (6) connected to the closure means (1) is provided at the top side of the lid surface (9) accessible from the outside, said actuation means penetrating the lid surface (9), and wherein the closure means (1) is able to be moved from a closed position to an open position through actuation of the actuation means (6), the closure means (1) being of one-piece construction and being attached rotationally fixed in its entirety to the bottom side of the lid surface (9), and that the actuation means (6) comprises a support element (12, 12', 14, 15) for cooperation with the lid surface (9) when the closure means (1) is in the open position, the one-piece closure means (1) comprising a fastening part (3) for non-removable connection to the lid surface (9) and a closure area (4) for closing the pouring opening (10) with fluid-sealing effect, wherein a hinge (2) is provided between the fastening part (3) and the closure area (4), said closure area (4) of the closure means (1) able to swivel about the hinge against a return force, characterized in that the hinge (2) is designed as an area with increased flexibility disposed between the fastening part (3) and the closure area (4).

Description

The invention relates to the lid of a container, in particular a beverage can, with a substantially planar lid mirror and a preferably folded edge region, wherein at least one resealable pouring opening is arranged on the lid mirror, a closure means associated with the closure means on the underside of the lid mirror and one with the closure means in connection and the lid mirror penetrating actuating means at the top of the lid mirror is arranged accessible from the outside, and the closure means from a closed position by actuation of the actuating means in an open position is adjustable, the closure means is integral and wholly mounted on the underside of the lid mirror rotationally and in that the actuating means comprises a retaining element which cooperates with the cover mirror when the closure means is in the open position, the one-piece closure a fastening part which is inseparable connection with the cover mirror, and a closure region which closes the pouring opening in a liquid-tight manner, wherein a joint is provided between the fastening part and the closure region, about which the closure region of the closure means can be pivoted against a restoring force.

There are numerous beverage cans have become known that have a resealable pouring. For example, the DE 196 13 246 A1 an applied on the existing lid closure means having substantially the same diameter, which closes by turning a pouring opening located in the lid. Similar devices, wherein some of these closure means only partially cover the lid are the DE 196 13 256 B4 , of the DE 197 06 112 C2 , of the EP 1 247 752 B1 or the US 6,626,314 B1 described. A disadvantage of these closures is their usually complicated structure, which also requires constructive changes of the lid portion of the can.

Another group of closure means for beverage cans consists of a pull tab, which is attached for example by means of a rivet on the can lid, wherein the handle portion of the pull tab is simultaneously formed as a closure means for the pouring opening, which after opening the pouring opening by twisting and / or folding the Pull-tab closes the pouring opening again. Such elements are inter alia in the DE 197 46 539 A1 , of the DE 203 19 105 U1 , of the EP 1 190 952 A2 , of the EP 1 097 086 B1 and the EP 0 433 502 A1 shown. These beverage cans all have a closure which is applied from the outside to the pouring opening is projecting and thereby partially over the edge of the lid, so that it can be removed accidentally and thus the can content is exposed to the environment.

The GB 2 331 284 A Finally, describes a closure system consisting of a pull tab for exposing a pouring opening, and a closure means which is arranged on the underside of the can lid in the interior of the can, wherein a spring element presses the closure means against the pouring opening. In order to be able to empty the can, parts of the closure means have to be displaced against the tear-open tab. This closure means has the disadvantage that it is extremely complicated and requires a change of the usual can lid. A slightly simpler in construction, also multi-part closure device can the US 3,889,842 be removed, which also requires a lavishly changed lid. In the US 4,746,032 A , of the WO 91/01253 A , of the US 2,031,845 A as well as in the US 345,695 A are similar, sometimes resealable closure means described.

It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome the above-described disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a lid for a can having a secure closure system for reclosing the can, which can be easily and inexpensively mounted in commercial lids.

This object is achieved by a cover of the type mentioned above in that the joint is formed as an area located between the fastening part and closure region area with increased flexibility. According to the invention, the one-piece closure means has a fastening part, which is inseparable connection with the lid mirror, and a closure region which closes the pouring opening in a liquid-tight manner, wherein a joint is provided between the fastening part and closure region, about which the closure region of the closure means can be pivoted against a restoring force.

This joint is formed in a particularly simple and inexpensive embodiment of the invention as an area located between the fastening part and the closure region area with a smaller material cross-section. If the closure means is made of an elastic, in particular elastically flexible material, the closure means is folded away upon actuation of the actuating means, for which purpose a force corresponding to the elastic properties of the material of the closure means has to be applied.

By attaching the one-piece closure means in a rotationally fixed manner, for example by gluing or soldering to the underside of the lid mirror, a rapid mounting of the closure means on a commercially available lid is possible, with little or no change in the lid, for example, a simple punched-out for the implementation de actuating means through the lid, are necessary. In particular, the edge region of the lid remains unchanged, so that placing and securing the lid on the container, in particular on the beverage can, can be done in the usual way.

Particularly simple to manufacture and thus cost-effective, it is when the closure means is designed as a two-component injection molded part.

The actuating means associated with the closure means, for example, may also be integrally formed with the closure means, causes, upon actuation, the closure means to be folded away from the level of the pouring opening into the interior of the can, that is to move substantially perpendicular to the can mirror into the open position is, thereby released the pouring and thus the can contents can be removed.

In order not to require a constant force on the closure means when emptying the can, the retaining element of the actuating means is advantageously designed as a latching lug for receiving at least one edge of the lid mirror in the open position of the closure means. As a result, the closure means is fixed in the open position and the contents of the can can be removed without having to exert an additional force on the actuating means. Alternatively, the closure means may be held in the open position by a latching hinge.

The actuating means can be designed differently. So it is wedge-shaped in a preferred embodiment. The wedge surface can be formed straight or helical curved.

In another embodiment of the invention, the actuating means is disposed about its perpendicular to the lid mirror extending central axis rotatable on the surface of the lid mirror, wherein it acts upon rotation on the closure means, so that the closure portion is pivoted to the open position.

In a further variant of the invention, the actuating means is designed as a lever projecting substantially perpendicularly from the cover mirror and having a latching nose.

An improved sealing of the pouring opening by the closure means is provided if an additional sealing means is arranged between the closure region of the closure means and the lid mirror. This can be arranged for example on the pouring opening facing side of the closure means. Likewise, it may be attached to the underside of the can mirror, advantageously enclosing the edges of the pouring opening to prevent injury from, for example, drinking from the can.

Preferably, the sealing means forms the region of elastic material, thereby reducing the number of individual parts of the lid and thus according to the invention a higher stability of the closure of the pouring opening of a beverage can is achieved.

An essential aspect, especially in food packaging, is packaging safety. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term protection is understood to mean that the content of the food packaging, in the present case the content of the beverage can, is protected against manipulation or removal until it is opened by the end user. Thus, the pouring opening is preferably sealed with a seal prior to the first opening. This seal is in the simplest case, for example, a badge or label that the pouring hole must be hidden and removed before the can contents can be removed.

In another embodiment of the invention, the seal is formed as a pre-punched closure tab, which is withdrawn during the first opening of the container and thereby releases the pouring opening in the lid mirror.

In a further variant, the pouring opening is closed by the closure means before the first opening, the actuating means having a securing device. Thus, for example, the actuating means may be provided with a label that at least partially covers the lid mirror, so that the label breaks upon actuation of the actuating means and thus indicates a manipulation of the container.

Particularly preferred is that securing device which has a predetermined breaking point, which is broken when first opening the container. When using, for example, a label as a securing means, this may possibly be completely removed and reapplied to the container, without a glance at a difference to a virgin label being recognizable. A manipulation of the container contents would therefore not be recognizable at first glance. In a safety device with a predetermined breaking point however, a manipulation of the seal can not be made unnoticeable again and is therefore particularly safe for the end user.

In order to be able to safely transport these after the first opening of the beverage can, without releasing the remaining contents of the beverage can, for example by unintentional impressions of the closure means, in another preferred embodiment of the invention the actuating means covers the pouring opening in the closed position. This prevents that, for example, when transporting the re-sealed beverage can in a bag more in-bag items can move the closure means from its closed position to an at least partially open position and thus the can contents pour into the bag.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a ventilation device is provided in addition to the pouring opening, which is closable together with the pouring opening by the closure means. This ventilation device allows a particularly simple emptying of the contents of the can without interruption due to negative pressure in the beverage can.

It is particularly cost-effective if the closure means and / or the actuating means are made of plastic. Of course, in the case of food packaging, the material used must be food safe.

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Verschlussmittel;

Fig. 2

ein keilförmiges Betätigungsmittel;

Fig. 3

das Verschlussmittel aus Fig. 1 mit dem keilförmigen Betätigungs- mittel aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

einen erfindungsgemäßen Deckel mit dem Verschlussmittel aus Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

eine Querschnittsansicht eines Deckels mit einer weiteren Ausfüh- rung des Betätigungsmittels mit verschlossener Ausgießöffnung;

Fig. 6

den Deckel aus Fig. 5 mit dem Verschlussmittel in der Offenstel- lung;

Fig. 7

eine alternative Ausführungsvariante eines erfindungsgemäßen Deckels in einer Schrägansicht von oben;

Fig. 8

den Deckel von Fig. 7 in einer Schrägansicht von unten;

Fig. 9

eine weitere Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Deckels in einer Schnittansicht;

Fig. 10a und Fig. 10b

eine Schrägansicht des Deckels aus Fig. 9;

Fig. 11a

eine alternative Ausführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlussmit- tels in einer Schrägansicht mit Dichtelement;

Fig. 11b

eine Ansicht von oben des Verschlussmittels aus Fig. 11a;

Fig. 12

eine Schrägansicht des Dichtelements;

Fig. 13a

eine Schrägansicht eines Kantenbereichs des Verschlussmittels aus Fig. 11a;

Fig. 13b

eine Schrägansicht eines weiteren Kantenbereichs des Verschluss- mittels aus Fig. 11a;

Fig. 14a und Fig. 14b

eine Schrägansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Deckels mit dem Verschlussmittel aus Fig. 11a; und

Fig. 15

eine teilweise explodierte Schrägansicht des Deckels aus Fig. 14a.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to non-limiting embodiments. Show in it

Fig. 1

an inventive closure means;

Fig. 2

a wedge-shaped actuating means;

Fig. 3

the closure means off Fig. 1 with the wedge-shaped actuating means Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

a lid according to the invention with the closure means Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

a cross-sectional view of a lid with a further embodiment of the actuating means with a closed pouring opening;

Fig. 6

the lid off Fig. 5 with the closure means in the open position;

Fig. 7

an alternative embodiment of a lid according to the invention in an oblique view from above;

Fig. 8

the lid of Fig. 7 in an oblique view from below;

Fig. 9

a further embodiment of a lid according to the invention in a sectional view;

Fig. 10a and Fig. 10b

an oblique view of the lid Fig. 9 ;

Fig. 11a

an alternative embodiment of the closure according to the invention in an oblique view with sealing element;

Fig. 11b

a view from above of the closure means Fig. 11a ;

Fig. 12

an oblique view of the sealing element;

Fig. 13a

an oblique view of an edge region of the closure means Fig. 11a ;

Fig. 13b

an oblique view of a further edge region of the closure means Fig. 11a ;

Fig. 14a and Fig. 14b

an oblique view of a lid according to the invention with the closure means Fig. 11a ; and

Fig. 15

a partially exploded oblique view of the lid Fig. 14a ,

As in Fig. 1 1, the closure means according to the present invention is a substantially flat plate which is divided by a bulge 2 into two regions. The area with the smaller area is the fastening part 3 of the closure means 1, which serves for the rotationally fixed attachment of the closure means 1 on the underside of a container lid. On the region with the greater extent, the closure region 4, there is a cross-sectionally T-shaped attachment 5, which is manufactured in one piece with the closure means 1. The closure means 1 is made in the illustrated embodiment of a flexurally elastic material, such as plastic.

On this essay 5, an actuating means 6, for example, according to Fig. 2 wedge-shaped, are attached. For this purpose, the actuating means 6 has a recess 7 whose cross-section substantially corresponds to that of the attachment 5. Fig. 3 shows the closure means 1 with attached actuating means. 6

According to the invention, the closure means 1 is fastened to the underside of a container lid 8, in particular to the underside of the lid mirror 9 of a beverage can. In this case, the closure region 4 closes a pouring opening 10 arranged eccentrically on the lid mirror 9. The T-shaped attachment 5 projects through a recess 11 located in the middle region of the lid mirror 4, on which the wedge-shaped actuating means 6 is placed. To release the pouring opening 10 by pivoting the closure portion 4 of the closure means 1 from the plane of the lid mirror 9 is the actuating means 6 in the arrow direction according to Fig. 4 moved so that the two legs 12, 12 'between lid mirror 9 and closure means 1 slide. At the same time, the wedge-shaped actuating means 6 is moved over the top 5, which engages in the receptacle 7 of the actuating means 6.

Due to the increasing cross section of the two legs 12, 12 ', the distance between the cover mirror 9 and closure means 1 increases, wherein the closure region 4 is pivoted about a pivot axis lying substantially in the bulge 2. The bulge 2 located in the closure means 1 thus functions as a joint, about the axis of which the closure region 4 is pivoted out of the plane of the lid mirror 9.

In Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 a further embodiment of the invention is shown. The closure means 1 is in turn arranged on the underside of the lid mirror 9 in order to close the pouring opening 10 with its closure region 4. Between the closure region 4 and the lid mirror 9, a sealing material 13 is arranged, which additionally seals and thus prevents leakage of the container contents. The closure means 1 is in the in Fig. 5 shown closed position on the one hand pressed by a resulting due to the shape of the sealant made of elastic material resulting bias against the pouring opening; On the other hand, the contact pressure further increases when, for example, carbonated beverages are bottled in the container.

In this embodiment, the actuating means 6 is a substantially cylindrical lever which is connected to the closure means 1 through a bore of the lid mirror 9. Here, the lever is either made in one piece with the closure means 1 or is attached, for example via a screw on this. At its lower end facing the cover mirror, the lever 6 has a constriction 14, which in turn is followed by a region 15 with the original diameter of the lever 6. When depressing the lever 6 moves, as in Fig. 6 shown, the closure means 1 in the container interior and releases the pouring opening 10. The acting as a latching portion 15 slides here below the lid mirror 9, while the edge of the lid mirror 9 engages in the constriction 14. In this way, the closure portion 4 is fixed in its folded-away position and the container can be emptied. In order to close the pouring opening 10 again, only the lever 6 must be pressed in the opposite direction of the pouring, so that the edge of the lid mirror 9 slides out of the constriction 14 again and the latch is released again.

The lid of FIGS. 7 and 8 differs from the covers described above in that an enlarged pouring opening 10 arranged laterally offset is and that in addition a ventilation opening 10a is provided. Both openings 10 and 10a can be closed by a suitably designed closure means 1.

It can be clearly seen in the figures that the closure means 1 is arranged only in the region of the lid mirror 9 and the edge area of the lid 8 remains free. To assemble the closure means 1, this only needs to be fastened with its fastening part 3 on the underside of the cover 8 such that the closure region 4 completely covers the pouring opening 10. Thereafter, the actuating means 6 is fastened to the closure means 1 by a recess 11 or bore located in the cover mirror 9. Subsequently, the lid 8 can be fixed in a known manner on the container without special precautions have to be taken or changes to the machines used for this purpose must be made.

Another variant of the invention is the FIGS. 9 to 10b refer to. Again, on the lid 8 of a beverage can an actuating means 6 with a hook-shaped extension 61, which penetrates the can mirror 9, arranged. The extension 61 engages in the closed position ( Fig. 9 respectively. Fig. 10b ) in a matching recess 11 of the arranged below the can mirror closure means 1 a. To open the drinking opening 10 by moving the actuating means 6 in the direction of arrow in a plane parallel to the can mirror 9, the extension 61 is moved along a chamfer of the recess 11, so that the closure portion 4 of the closure means 1 moves along the curved arrow in the can interior, said the pivoting via a joint 2, which is designed as a region with a smaller material cross-section takes place.

In the in the Fig. 11a to Fig. 13b illustrated variant is a closure means 1, which is designed as a two-component injection molded part. The injection-molded part consists of a closure region 4 of essentially rigid material and a three-part fastening part 3, two outer attachment regions 3 ', 3 "being available via a protrusion 31, via which the closure means 1 can be connected to the can mirror 9. The between the two attachment regions 3 ', 3 "located central part forms a spring element 32, which resets the closure portion 4 in the closed position. Here, a projection 35 is provided on the spring element 32, which causes a spacing of the spring element 32 to the can mirror 9, whereby the necessary for closing the pouring spout 10 bias on the preferably integrally formed with the spring element 32 Verschlussbereich4 of the closure means 1 is constructed.

The closure means 1 also has a sealing element 13, the structure of which in particular the Fig. 12 can be seen. This sealing element 13 of flexible material seals on the one hand the closure means 1 against the edge of the can lid 8, wherein it is arranged along the outer edge 13 of the closure means 1. On the other hand, it is arranged between fastening part 3 and closure region 4 and thus functions as joint 20. In the in Fig. 13b illustrated embodiment, the closure means 1 additionally has a region 2 with a reduced material cross-section, which also supports the pivoting of the closure portion 4 in the can interior. In another variant of the invention, this area acts as the sole joint, so that fastening part 3 and closure area 4 are designed as two separate parts (not shown).

In the FIGS. 14a to 15 is the closure means 1 of the FIGS. 11a to 13b shown with associated actuating means 6, wherein the closure means 1 is arranged below the can mirror 9. The actuating means 6 is in the Fig. 14a shown in the closed position, while it closes the pouring opening 10 at the same time. In the Fig. 14b the actuating means 6 is pivoted parallel to the plane of the can mirror 9 such that it releases the drinking opening 10, but the closure region 4 of the closure means 1 is not yet folded into the inside of the can. By further rotation of the actuating means 6, for example, in a clockwise direction towards the fasteners 31, causes a projecting through the can mirror 9 mandrel 61 ( Fig. 15 a pivoting of the closure region 4 into the can interior to release the drinking opening 10 Fig. 15 again three positions of the rotatable in this embodiment of the invention along the can mirror actuator 6 are shown. In position 41, the actuating means 6 completely covers the pouring opening 10, so that the closure area 4 of the closure means can not be inadvertently pressed into the can interior. In position 42, the pouring opening 10 is exposed, but still closed by the closure region 4 of the closure means 1. Finally, in position 43, the drinking opening 10 is completely exposed and the contents of the can can be removed.

It should be understood that the embodiments described above are to be considered in a non-limiting manner for the invention. In particular, the shape of the closure means can be adapted to the respective opening to be closed. Likewise, the shape of the actuating means is not limited to the shapes described, but may take any shape that is suitable for a fixation of the closure means in a folded-away position. Furthermore, additional return elements can be provided which force the closure means into a closed position.

Claims (15)

1. A lid (8) of a container, especially a beverage can, having a substantially flat lid surface (9) and a preferably folded edge area, with at least one re-closeable pouring opening (10) being provided on the lid surface (9), a closure means (1) associated with the pouring opening (10) being provided on the bottom side of the lid surface (9) and an actuation means (6) which is connected with the closure means (1) and penetrates the lid surface (9) being arranged on the upper side of the lid surface (9) accessible from the outside, and the closure means (1) being movable from a closed position to an opened position through actuation of the actuation means (6), the closure means (1) being of integral configuration and being fixed entirely in a torsion-proof manner to the bottom side of the lid surface (9), the integral closure means (1) comprises a fastening part (3) for non-detachable connection with the lid surface (9), and a closure area (4) for closing the pouring opening (10) in a liquid-tight manner, with a joint (2) being provided between fastening part (3) and closure area (4), about which the closure area (4) of the closure means (1) can be swiveled against a restoring force, characterised in that the joint (2) is arranged as an area with increased flexibility disposed between the fastening part (3) and the closure area (4), the actuation means (6) comprising a support element (12, 12', 14, 15, 61) which cooperates with the lid surface (9) when the closure means (1) is in the opened position.
2. A lid (8) according to claim 1, characterised in that the area with increased flexibility is arranged as an area with a lower cross section of the material.
3. A lid (8) according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the area with increased flexibility is arranged as an area which is made of an elastic material.
4. A lid (8) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the closure means (1) is made of a flexibly resilient material.
5. A lid (8) according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the closure means (1) is arranged as a two-component injection-molded part.
6. A lid (8) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the closure means (1) can be moved from the closed position to the opened position substantially perpendicularly to the lid surface (9).
7. A lid (8) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the closure means (1) is arranged to be integral with the actuation means (6).
8. A lid (8) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the holding element (14, 15) is arranged as a latching nose for accommodating at least one edge of the lid surface (9) in the opened position of the closure means (1).
9. A lid (8) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the actuation means (6) is arranged as a lever with a latching nose, which lever protrudes upwardly in a substantially perpendicular way from the lid surface (9).
10. A lid (8) according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the actuation means (6) is designed in a substantially wedge-shaped manner.
11. A lid (8) according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the actuation means (6) is arranged to be twistable on the surface of the lid surface (9) substantially about a central axis extending perpendicularly to the lid surface (9), and acts on the closure means (1) during twisting so that the closure area (4) is swiveled to the opened position.
12. A lid (8) according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that an additional sealing means (13) is arranged between the closure area of the closure means (1) and the lid surface (9).
13. A lid (8) according to claim 12, characterised in that the additional sealing means forms the area made of elastic material.
14. A lid (8) according to one of the claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the pouring opening (10) is closed before the first opening with the closure means (1), wherein the actuation means (6) consists of a securing device, the securing device preferably having a predetermined breaking point which is broken open during the first opening of the container.
15. A lid (8) according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the actuation means (6) covers the pouring opening (10) in the closed position.

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