Methods of making metal can ends with plastics closures.
Abstract
A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN EXTREME OF METAL CAN WITH A PLASTIC CLOSURE OF OPENING BY RASGADO, FOR A CAN DESTINED TO BE RESISTANT TO LEAKS WHEN SUBMITTED TO INTERNAL PRESSURES, SUCH AS THOSE THAT ARE PRODUCED IN THE CARBONATION OF A DRINK OR IN THE THERMAL TREATMENT, IN WHICH THE LOWER SURFACE OF THE END OF LATA IS PROVIDED WITH A PLASTIC COATING (14), AND THE END OF LATA IS DRILLED TO FORM AN OPENING (15) WITH A PERIPHERAL EYELASH TURNED DOWN (16) IN ANGLE FROM 80 TO 120 WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANE OF THE END OF LATA AND HAVING A FLAT END. A TRACTION RING CLOSURE OF ONE PIECE IS MOLDED BY INJECTION ON ELEXTREME (10) OF CAN FROM A PLASTIC MATERIAL RESISTANT TO THE SOFTENING UNTIL AT LEAST 65C, WITHOUT ADDITIONAL METAL WARMING, SO THAT FILLS THE OPENING (15), JOIN THE COATING (14) AND CLOSE THE EYELASH (16), WITH A RESIDUAL THICKNESS BELOW THE EYELID (16), WITH A RESIDUAL THICKNESS BELOW THE EYELASH OF 0.08 TO 0.5 MM. THE THICKNESS OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE CLOSURE IS SUCH THAT IT CAN BE SHEARED AGAINST THE EYELID WHEN YOU PULL THE TRACTION RING (26) MANUALLY. THE RESIDUAL THICKNESS OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL CAN BE VARIED TOWARDS THE OPENING TO INCREASE THE RESISTANCE OF THE CLOSURE TO DEFORMATION, AND THE OPENING MAY BE IN THE FORM OF A PEAR OR MAY BE CIRCULAR, WITH A SEPARATE VENTILATION HOLE.

Term
Term ended
Expired 17 September 2006, 20 years ago.
- Priority
- Filed
- Granted
- Expired
- Today
23 claims: 23 independent, 0 dependent
- 1REIVINDICACIONES 1. Un método para fabricar un extremo de lata de metal con un panel central y un cierre de plástico que se abre por rasgado en dicho panel, para una lata destinada a resistir las fugas cuando se somete a presiones internas, que comprende las fases de:(a) dotar a la superficie inferior del extremo de la lata de metal, de un recubrimiento de material plástico;(b) perforar el panel central del extremo de lata de metal para formar una abertura rodeada de una pestaña vuelta hacia abajo, extendida en torno a la periferia de la abertura y extendida separaándose del panel central en un aángulo de entre 80 y 120 con respecto al plano del panel central, y teniendo una superficie extrema sustancialmente plana;y (c) moldear por inyecciáon sobre el extremo de lata un cierre con anillo de tracciáon de una pieza, de un material plaástico que sea resistente al ablandamiento a temperaturas de hasta al menos 65 ° C, de tal manera que el material plaástico del cierre llene la abertura y la rodee por ambas superficies del extremo de lata, y se una con el material plaástico del recubrimiento, caracterizado porque el moldeo por inyeccioán se efectuáa sin caldeo adicional del extremo de lata de metal, y porque el grosor del material plaástico del cierre se elige de modo que encierre la pestana vuelta hacia abajo totalmente, con un grosor residual por debajo de la superficie extrema plana de la pestana dentro de un margen de 0,08 a 0,5 mm, de modo que permita al cierre resistir la distorsiáon resultante de la deformaciáon a temperatuuras de hasta al menos 35 ° C, pero que sea capaz de ser cizallado contra la superficie extrema plana de la pestana cuando se tire de anillo de tracciáon manualmente.
- 2Un máetodo seguán la reivindicacioán 1, caracterizado porque el extremo de lata se perfora para formar una uánica abertura relativamente grande, y el moldeo se efectuáa de tal manera que el grosor residual del material pláastico del cierre por debajo de la superficie extrema plana de la pestana o de cada una de ellas, es igual todo alrededor de la periferia de la abertura o de cada una de ellas.
- 3Un máetodo seguán la reivindicacioán 2, caracterizado porque el cierre estáa moldeado de un niláon.
- 4Un máetodo seguán la reivindicaciáon 1, caracterizado porque el extremo de lata se perfora para formar una uánica abertura en forma de pera, con unos extremos de radio diferente, y el moldeo se efectuáa de tal manera que el grosor residual del material pláastico del cierre, por debajo de la superficie extrema plana de la pestana, se varia en torno a la periferia de la abertura, siendo mayor en la parte en torno al extremo de la abertura que tiene el radio mayor.
- 5Un máetodo seguán la reivindicaciáon 1, caracterizado porque el extremo de lata se perfora para formar una abertura de vertido y una abertura de perforación más pequena, y el moldeo se efectuáa de tal manera que se varáa el grosor residual del material pláastico del cierre, por debajo de la superficie extrema plana de la pestana en torno a la periferia de la abertura de vertido, siendo mayor en la parte de la periferia opuesta a la abertura de ventilacioán.
- 6Un máetodo seguán la reivindicacioán 4 oá 5, caracterizado porque el cierre estáa moldeado de polipropileno.
- 7Un máetodo seguán cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 4 a 6, caracterizado porque el grosor residual se varáa de manera continua.
- 8Un máetodo seguán cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 4 a 6, caracterizado porque el grosor residual se varáa de manera escalonada o progresiva.
- 9Un máetodo seguán cualquiera de las reivindicaciones precedentes, caracterizado porque el material plaástico del recubrimiento es de un polámero similar al del cierre.
- 10Un máetodo seguán cualquiera de las reivindicaciones precedentes, caracterizado porque el extremo de lata de metal estáa formado con un borde elevado abocinado hacia fuera, con una periferia arrollada o curvada para su unioán a una pared lateral de la lata, y el cierre de pláastico se moldea por inyecciáon sobre el extremo de lata de modo que tenga un grosor total del material pláastico no mayor que la profundidad de la curvatura perifáerica sobre el extremo de lata, y de modo que no impida el apilado de extremos de lata encajados.
- 11Un máetodo seguán cualouiera de las reivindicaciones precedentes caracterizado porque el material pláastico del cierre se moldea para tener un grosor residual por debajo de la superficie extrema plana de pestana dentro de un margen de 0,15 mm a 0,40 mm.
- 12Un máetodo seguán cualquiera de las reivindicaciones precedentes, caracterizado porque la pestana o cada una de ellas está puesta hacia abajopara extenderse una distancia de 0,125mm a 2,5 mm por debajo del plano del extremo de lata.
- 13Un máetodo seguán la reivindicaciáon 12, caracterizado porque la pestana o cada una de ellas estáa vuelta hacia abajo para extenderse sustancialmente 0,75 mm por debajo del plano del extremo de lata.
- 14Un máetodo seguán las reivindicaciones 12 áo 13, caracterizado porque el material plaástico del cierre es moldeado por inyecciáon de modo que se extienda lateralmente desde la pestana o cada una de ellas sobre la superficie inferior del extremo de lata en 0,125 mm a 7,5 mm.
- 15Un máetodo seguán la reivindicaciáon 14, caracterizado porque el material pláastico del cierre es moldeado para extenderse lateralmente desde la pestana o cada una de ellas sustancialmente 1,25 mm.
- 16Un máetodo seguán cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 11 a 15, caracterizado porque el material plaástico del cierre es moldeado por inyecciáon de modo que el anillo de traccioán quede 2 000 902 contra la superficie superior del extremo de lata y tenga un grosor de 0,25 mm a 4,3 mm.
- 17Un máetodo seguán la reivindicacioán 16, caracterizado porque el material plaástico del cierre se moldea de modo que el anillo de tracciáon tenga un grosor sustancialmente de 1,0 mm.
- 18Un extremo de lata de metal con un panel central y un cierre de plaástico de apertura por rasgado en dicho panel, para una lata destinada a resistir fugas cuando se somete a presiones internas, en el que:(a) el lado inferior del extremo de lata de metal tiene un recubrimiento de material plaástico;(b) el panel central del extremo de lata estaá formadoo con una abertura rodeada por una pestanña vuelta hacia abajo, extendida en torno a la periferia de la abertura y extendida lejos del panel central en aángulo de entre 80 ° y 120 ° con respecto al plano del panel central, y teniendo una superficie extrema sustancialmente plana;y (c) el extremo de lata estaá dotada de un cierre de anillo de tracciáon de una pieza moldeado por inyecciáon de un material plaástico que es resistente al ablandamiento a temperaturas de hasta al menos 65 ° , llenando el citado material plaástico del cierre la abertura y rodeandola por ambos lados del extremo de lata, y estando unido al material pláastico del recubrimiento y encerrando totalmente la pestanña vuelta hacia abajo, caracterizado porque el grosor residual del material plaástico del cierre por debajo de la superficie extrema plana de la pestanña vuelta hacia abajo estaá dentro de un margen de 0,08 a 0,5 mm, de modo que permita al cierre resistir el corrimiento resultante de la deformacioán a temperaturas de hasta al menos 35 ° C, pero que sea capaz de ser cizallado contra la superficie extrema plana de la pestanña cuando se tira del anillo de traccioán manualmente.
- 19Un extremo de lata de metal seguán una reivindicaciáon 18, caracterizado porque el grosor residual del material pláastico del cierre, por debajo de la superficie extrema plana de la pestanña se varáa, siendo mayor en la parte en que la tendencia a la distorsiáon del cierre es mayor cuando se somete a esfuerzos procedentes de la presiáon interna en la lata.
- 20Un extremo de lata de metal seguán la reivindicaciáon 19, caracterizado porque el extremo de lata estaá formado con una uánica abertura en forma de pera con extremos de radios diferentes, y el grosor residual del material plaástico es mayor por debajo de la parte de la pestanña en torno al extremo que tiene el radio mayor.
- 21Un extremo de lata de metal seguán la reivindicaciáon 19, caracterizado porque el extremo de lata estaá formado con una abertura de vertido y una abertura de ventilaciáon máas pequenña, y el grosor residual del material plaástico por debajo de la pestanña en torno a la abertura de vertido se varáa, siendo mayor por debajo de la parte de la pestanña en torno a la abertuura de vertido opuesta a la abertura de ventilacioán.
- 22Un extremo de lata de metal seguán cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 19 a 21, caracterizado porque el grosor residual se varáa de manera continua.
- 23Un extremo de lata de metal seguán cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 19 a 21, caracterizada porque el grosor residual se varáa de manera progresiva. 2 000 902 2 000 902 2 000 902 2 000 902 2 000 902 2 000 902 2 000 902 2 000 902 2 000 902 2 000 902 2 000 902 2 000 902
Independent claims23
101 paragraphs in 1 section, as filed
DESCRIPTION
This invention relates to methods for manufacturing can ends with plastic closures, particularly tear-opening plastic closures of the class incorporating a traction ring, for cans intended to be leak resistant when subjected to internal pressures, such such as those caused by the carbonatation of the beverage contained in the can, and / or the thermic treatment of the contents of the can. Examples of such thermic treatments include heating at 35 C of cans containing cold-filled carbonated beverages, to remove condensation before wrapping by shrinking the packages of said cans, pasteurization at 65 C of cans containing beverages, and sterilization at 121 ° C of cans containing food. Accordingly, the closures must be able to withstand a considerable internal pressure in the container, enough to cause distortion of the end of the can until it adopts a bulging shape.
The plastic materials used must therefore be resistant to softening or deformation, at the temperatures set for the thermic treatment. The closures must also be resistant to distortion due to deformation, when full cans are stored under internal pressure, at temperatures up to 35<sup>°</sup>C. In addition, in order to allow the ends of the cans to be manufactured quickly and economically, it is important that the plastics closure be made in one piece and be attached to the end of the can in the same operation. Finally, it is essential that the closures be designed so that they can be opened by tearing without difficulty, although it is required that the opening used to pour the beverage has to be relatively large.
Our British patent exhibition n<sup>° </sup>1,393,875 describes metal containers having at least one hole in a wall of the container, closed by a unit closure of elóastic plastics material, such as nylon or polypropylene, comprising an integral pull tab as a part of protruding tampon. transversely with respect to the plane of the traction tongue, the cover part extending through said hole and having a free end turned behind said wall to define a rivet head having a radial flange sealedly connected to said wall around the hole, being, for example, joined to an internal wall covering by means of heat and pressure applied during the return and overhaul operation. The examples described in the exhibition n<sup>°</sup> 1,393,875 made of polypropylene and are installed in relatively small holes that have a flange turned down around the periphery, so that when removing the tampon part, it is cut from the part of plastic material outside the flange turned down by the force exerted on the traction tongue. The disadvantage of the exhibition containers<sup>°</sup> 1,393,875, which makes them impracticable in economic terms, is that the plastics closure was necessarily molded in an operation separate from that in which it is attached to the wall of the container by turning and highlighting the free end of the tampon part . In addition, nothing is said as to how to combine distortion or deformation resistance with an easy manual opening of the relatively large openings required for beverage container cans.
In our UK patent exhibition n<sup>°</sup> 2,073,646B, a method and apparatus for forming a plastics molding on a metal base, in particular a plastic closure for a can, in which plastics material is injected into a cavity defined by the metal base is described open (for example, a can end) and a die or dies to form a plug closure that fills the opening, and the metal base is heated locally next to the plastics material by means of energy from an induction coil, to join the plastics molding to the metal base. Although it is claimed that a coating material to which the plastic material adhered, can be applied to the metal wall before the plastics material is molded therein, it is indicated that induction heating is necessary to prevent the plastic material from cool before a seal can be made between the plastics material and the metal or the coating material on oil. In this way, the closure is formed and placed at the end of the can in a single operation, but the induction heating arrangement is complicated and expensive. An illustrated example has a metal band formed around the opening, which was curved more than 180<sup>°</sup>, and the polyethylene material of the closure is formed with a circular groove in its lower side as a line of weakness, to allow the closure of the cap to be torn manually. Unfortunately, the harsh plastics that resist the thermal treatment, such as nylon and polypropylene, do not tear along this line of weakness, because the tensile forces orient the polymer chains to produce a resistance that cannot Be defeated manually.
Unexpectedly we have verified that with an appropriate internal coating on the end of the can and an appropriate formation of the opening and the flange turned down, it is possible to mold by injection a tear-open plastic closure within the end of the can, using plastically resistant plastics material, without additional heating of the metal, that is, without additional heating (such as induction heating) on and above the heating effect on the metal produced by the molded plastics material used in the injection molding process, whereby a closure is produced that resisted distortion due to deformation, when the end of the can is distorted to a bulging shape due to the internal pressure in the can, but that can be opened manually when needed.
According to the invention, a method of manufacturing a metal can end with a central panel and a tear-open plastic closure in said panel, for a can intended to resist leaks when subjected to internal pressures, comprises the phases from:
000 902 (a) provide the bottom surface of the metal can end with a coating of plastic material, (b) pierce the center panel of the end of the metal can to form an opening surrounded by a turned downward flange extended around to the periphery of the opening, and extended away from the central panel at an angle between 80 ° and 120 ° with respect to the plane of the central panel, and having a substantially flat end surface, and (c) injection molding on the end of the can, without additional heating of the metal, a traction ring closure of a piece of a plastic material that is resistant to softening at temperatures of up to at least 65<sup>°</sup> C, such that the plastic material of the closure fills the opening and circles it on both surfaces of the end of the can, and joins with the plastics material of the coating, the thickness of the plastic material of the closure being chosen so as to enclose the flange turned down completely, with a residual thickness below the flat end surface of the flange of the order of 0.08 to 0.5 mm, so that the closure can withstand the distortion of this resulting from deformation at temperatures up to at least 35<sup>°</sup>C, but that is capable of being sheared against the flat end surface of the flange when the pull ring is pulled manually.
In this way, the can ends can be manufactured quickly and economically, and with a minimum risk of leakage due to the closure in the finished can. The joining of the plastic material of the closure to the plastic material of the coating produces a surprisingly effective and leak-proof seal, in spite of the absence of additional heating, while the formation of the flange with its flat end surface substantially substantially laterally extended, ensures that any burrs formed in the drilling operation also extend laterally and not through the residual thickness of the plastic material below the flange. The only critical dimension is the residual thickness of the plastic material below the end surface of the flange, which must be of the specific order of 0.08 to 0.5 mm, in order to ensure that the closure remains leakproof but It is easy to manually open by shearing against the eyelash. Shearing action is essential, because the plastic material, if subjected to tensile forces, is oriented and too strong to be torn manually. The residual thickness will be determined by the thickness of the plastic material (established by the dimensions of the mold cavity) and the amount by which the flange is turned down in the drilling operation, which is also fixed by the geometry of the tool of the press used, so that the residual thickness can be controlled within the next limits during production. The flange reinforces the central panel to compensate for the weakness introduced by the relatively large pouring opening and avoids the curvature of the metal around the opening, which will result in tensile forces, instead of shears, applied to the plastic material of the closure to the pull the traction ring. Hot molds can be removed from the mold without distortion, because they can be handled indirectly through the metal component of the end of the can and can complete its cooling out of the mold. This characteristic, in combination with the absence of an additional heating phase of the metal end of the can, makes it possible to achieve a rapid and economical production, with a reduction, for example, in the molding cycle time from approximately 10 seconds to approximately 2 seconds. .
When the closure is molded from a plastic material with a particularly high resistance to deformation, such as nylon, or the conditions of use of the can are not difficult, it has been proven effective to form the end of the can with a Uranic relatively large opening, for example, an opening having two straight parallel sides and semicircular ends, provide an equal residual thickness of the plastic material of the closure below the flat end surface of the flange all around the periphery of the opening.
Polypropylenes are generally less expensive than nylon, but have less resistance to deformation, although this property can be improved by incorporating suitable fillers or additives, such as talc.
When a plastic material with a deformation resistance of less than that of the nylon is used, and the can is subjected to difficult conditions, it has been found that distortion of the above-described utanic opening closure and the consequent leakage can occur as a result of the deformation of the plastic material at one end of the opening. To reduce the risk of such distortion and leakage, a method can be adopted in which the end of the can is perforated to form a pear-shaped opening with different radius ends, and the molding is carried out in such a way that the Residual thickness of the plastic material of the closure, below the flat end surface of the flange will be centered around the periphery of the opening, being greater in the part around the end of the opening having the greater radius. The greater residual thickness of the plastic material below the flange, around the greater radius end of the opening, effectively reduces the risk of plastic material torn from the flange due to deformation, although it does not affect the closing capacity of the be sheared against the eyelash for opening at the smallest radius end.
Alternatively, the end of the can can be perforated to form a pouring opening and a smaller vent opening, and the molding is carried out such that the residual thickness of the plastic material of the closure below the flat end surface of the flange in around the periphery of the discharge opening will be varied, being greater in the part of the periphery opposite the ventilation opening.
This method provides even greater security.
000 902 against distortion and leakage due to deformation, since it results in the production of a part of the closure by joining the parts that fill the two openings and remaining against the outer surface of the end of the can, which can act as a strip or seal to hold the closure parts in place when the end of the can is distorted domed under internal pressure. The opening of the closure can be initiated by the opening of the ventilation opening, which can be very small, in which case it does not need to be provided with a flange turned downwards around its periphery, because this does not substantially affect the rigidity of the central panel.
In any of the forms of the invention described in the three preceding paragraphs, the closure may be molded of polypropylene, and the residual thickness may be varied either continuously or progressively.
The plastics material of the lower surface coating of the end of the can is a polymer similar to that of the closure, in order to facilitate good adhesion.
When the end of the metal can is formed with a raised edge flared outward, with a curved periphery for joining to the side wall of a can, the plastic closure is preferably injection molded into the end of the can, so that it has a total thickness of the plastics material no greater than the depth of the peripheral curvature of the can end and so that it does not prevent the stacking of embedded can ends.
Preferably, the closure plastic material is injection molded to have a residual thickness below the flat end surface of the flange of the order of 0.15 to 0.40 mm.
Preferably, the flange was turned down to extend a distance of 0.125 mm to 2.5 mm below the plane of the can end, the most preferred dimension being substantially 0.75 mm.
Preferably, the plastics material of the closure was injection molded, so that it extends laterally from the flange on the bottom surface of the end of the can of 0.125 mm to 7.5 mm, with the preferred dimension being substantially 1.25 mm.
Preferably, the plastics material of the closure was injection molded, so that the traction ring is against the upper surface of the end of the can and has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 4.3 mm, the most preferred thickness being substantially 1.0 mm
Specific embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1
It is a cross-sectional view of a metal can end.
Figure 2
It is a similar view of the can end, after being punctured and stunned. Figure 3
It is a plan view of the can end of Figure 2.
Figure 4
It is a view of a schematic cross-section, illustrating the injection molding of a closure on the can end of Figures 2 and
3.
Figure 5
It is a cross-sectional view of the can end with the plastic molded closure over oil.
Figures 6A, 6B and 6C
They are detailed views of cross-sections on a larger scale, illustrating alternative forms of flange turned downward around the periphery of the opening.
Figure 7
It is a plan view of the can end of Figure 5.
Figures 8A and 8B
They are views of cross sections similar to those in Figure 5, showing the opening of the closure. Figure 9
It is a view similar to that of Figure 8A, but illustrating the effect of internal pressure on the can end.
Figure 10
It is a plan view similar to that of Figure 3, of an alternative can end with two perforated openings in oil.
Figure 11
It is a plan view of the can end of Figure 10, with a plastic molded closure on oil.
Figure 12
It is a cross-sectional view of the closure of Figure 11.
Figure 13
It is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 12, showing the opening of the closure of Figures 10 to 12.
Figure 14
It is a plan view similar to that of Figures 3 and 10, in another alternative can end.
Figure 15
It is a plan view of the can end of Figure 14, with a molded plastics closure on oil.
Figure 16
It is a cross-sectional view on line XVI-XVI of Figure 15.
Figure 17
It is a plan view similar to that of Figures 3, 10 and 14, in another alternative can end.
Figure 18
It is a plan view of the can end of Figure 17, with a molded plastics closure in oil.
Figure 19
It is a cross-sectional view on line XIX-XIX of Figure 18.
Figure 20
It is a view of a similar cross section of a modification.
Figure 21
It is a perspective view of a modified form of the can end of Figure 17.
000 902
Figure 22
It is a plan view of the can end of Figure 21 with a molded plastic closure on it.
Figure 23
It is a section on line XXIII-XXIII of Figure 22.
Figure 24
It is a perspective view of a modified can end shape of Figure 14. Figure 25
It is a partial cut through the can end of Figure 24, with a molded closure on it.
Figure 26
It is a perspective view of another modified form of the can end of Figure 14. Figure 27
It is a partial cut through the can end of Figure 26, with a molded closure on it.
In the embodiments of the invention that are now to be described, one starts from a standard end-of-can type 10, as illustrated in Figure 1, which comprises a flat-panel part 11 with a raised and staggered edge part 12 outward, and a curved periphery 13 for its connection to a side wall of a can (not shown). The lower surface of the panel part 11 is provided with a coating 14 of plastic material. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the panel part 11 is perforated so that it forms an opening 15 with a flange 16 turned downwardly around its periphery. The flange 16 extends at an angle between 80 ° and 120 ° with respect to the plane of the panel 11, and preferably 90 ° as illustrated. The flange 16 has a substantially flat end 17, which extends approximately parallel to the plane of the panel
eleven. Any burrs 18 (Figures 6A, 6B and 6C) produced in the drilling operation will also extend laterally, as described below.
Figure 4 schematically illustrates the injection molding phase of the closure on the can end. The end 10 of the perforated and stamped can of Figures 2 and 3 is placed between an upper steel mold 19 having an injection passage 20 and a lower steel mold 21. Plastic molding material is injected through the passage 20 to form the closure 22, shown more clearly in Figures 5 and 6. It is an important and surprising feature of the present invention that no additional heating of the can end 10 is necessary, above and above the heating effect produced in the apparatus by the molten plastics material, before the injection of said plastic material. As can be seen in Figure 4, the plastic material fills the opening 15 and surrounds it on both surfaces of the can end 10. In addition, the plastic material is attached to the plastic material of the coating 14 on the lower side of the can end, so that it fixes the closure in a leak-proof manner.
Figures 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate drilling operation produces burrs 18 on the inner edge of the flange 16. Figure 6A shows the flange 16 formed so that it extends to 90<sup>°</sup> with respect to the plane of the panel 11, as preferred, but may extend in an angle of 80<sup>°</sup>, as shown in Figure 6B, or 120<sup>°</sup> as shown in figure 6C, or in any angle between 80<sup>°</sup> and 120<sup>°</sup>. It can be seen that the burrs 18 then extend substantially laterally, and do not cross the residual thickness 27 of the plastics material.
The shape of the closure is illustrated in more detail in Figures 5 and 7. It can be seen that the closure comprises a lid portion 23 that fills the opening 15, and on the bottom side of the can end 10, a surrounding portion 24 on the outside of the flange 16. The thickness of the plastic material is such that it completely encloses the flange 16, but is capable of being sheared against the flat end surface 17 of the flange when the closure is removed, as described below. The residual thickness 27 (Figures 6A-6C) of the plastic material below the end surface 17 of the flange is of the order of 0.08 to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.15 to 0.4 mm. The upper surface of the cover part 23 is lowered below the level of the surrounding part 25, which extends laterally to form a pull ring 26.
The total thickness of the plastic material is also chosen so that it is not greater than the depth of the peripheral curvature 13, such that when a certain number of can ends are stacked one on top of the other, the plastic material does not prevent stacking or prevent said can ends from fitting into each other.
To remove the closure, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the traction ring 26 is lifted to pull the tampon part 23 upwards, thereby tearing the surrounding part 24 against the flange 16, at along the line 161 (Figure 8A) next to the traction ring 26. The shearing continues along the sides of the opening 15, until the cover part 23 can be completely removed from the can end.
When the can is subjected to an internal pressure, for example, when used to contain carbonated beverages, the panel 11 adopts a convex shape, as illustrated in Figure 9. This produces a tension in the closure, which tends to pull the part 24 away from the flange 16, but does not affect the sealing of the closure at the end of the can, provided that the plastics material is sufficiently resistant to deformation and consequently distorted the closure. Nylon is a suitable material resistant to deformation.
Figures 10 to 13 illustrate a modified embodiment in which one end 10 of the can is perforated with two circular openings, namely a pouring opening 30 and a smaller ventilation opening 31, each surrounded by a flange 32 , 33 respectively, turned down, extended to 90<sup>°</sup> with respect to the plane of the panel part 11, and having a flat end surface 34.
The plastic closure 35 is injection molded as described above with reference to Fig. 4, so that it has two tampon parts 36, 37 that fit respectively in the openings 30, 31, and surrounded on the lower side of the
000 902 can end 10 for surrounding parts 38. The plastic material encloses each flange 32, 33 completely, with a residual thickness below the flat end surface 34 of the order of 0.08 to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.15 to 0.40 mm. The closure 35 also incorporates a pull ring 39 which in this case is on the right side of the cap parts (as seen in Figures 11, 12 and 13) but is connected to them at the left end, that is, next to the cap 36 of the discharge opening. Accordingly, the opening procedure begins on the left side, as shown in Fig. 13, with the shear of the stopper 36 from its surrounding part 38 to open the pouring opening 30, followed by the shearing of the stopper 37 from its surrounding part 38 to open the ventilation opening 31. The use of two openings makes it possible to use openings of smaller area and smaller radius of curvature, than in the embodiment of Figures 2 to 9, and thereby reduce the tendency to distortion as a result of tension under deformation, when subjected to pressure internally in the can, so that a material with a deformation resistance slightly lower than that of the nilan, such as a polypropylene, can be used.
A modified shape of a cannulated opening can end is illustrated in Figures 14 to 16. This shape differs from that described above with reference to Figures 2 to 9, in that it has a pear-shaped opening 151, with a pouring end 152 of greater radius than the opposite ventilation end 153, and a flange 161 turned toward down around its periphery. The residual thickness 127 of the plastic material of the closure, below the flat end of the flange 161, will be centered around the periphery of the opening, remaining within a range of 0.08 to 0.5 mm. As can be seen in Figure 16, the residual thickness 127 will be continuously varied around the left half of the opening 151, being greater at the pouring end 142 having the greatest radius of curvature, and where the tendency to distortion is higher under the resulting pressure from internal pressure in the can. The increased residual thickness 127 at the pouring end 152 improves the resistance to deformation and distortion of the closure, so that a material with less resistance to deformation than the nylon, such as a polypropylene, can be used. In a specific example, the residual thickness 127 may vary from 0.4 mm at the pouring end 152 to 0.2 mm in the right half of the opening 151. If desired, an intermediate portion may have a constant residual thickness of 0.3 mm along the convergent straight sides of the opening. The transition from the thickest to the thinnest part may be gradual as shown in Figure 16, or it may be through a scallop on the bottom surface of the plastics material.
Figures 17 to 19 illustrate another embodiment with two openings, one of discharge 30 and another of ventilation 31, with the respective flanges 32, 33 turned down, as in Figures 10 a
13. The traction ring 261 is similar to that of Figures 7 to 9, so as to ensure that the ventilation opening opens earlier, but is provided with an additional thin edge 262 to facilitate finger engagement. The residual thickness 127 of the plastic material below the flat end of the flange 32 is continuously varied around the periphery of the pouring opening 30, as can be seen in Figure 19, while remaining within a range of 0, 08 to 0.5 mm, being greater in the part of the periphery opposite the ventilation opening 31, so as to provide an improved resistance to deformation where the tendency to distort is greater. It is not necessary to vary the residual thickness around the ventilation opening 31. The parts of plastic material that enclose the flanges 32, 33 are joined on the lower side of the can end by a straight feeding part 34, to facilitate the flow of the plastics material during the molding operation.
Another characteristic of this embodiment is that the part 40 of the closure that joins the tampon parts 41, 42 that fill the two openings 30, 31 act as a strip to hold the parts of the closure in place when the can end is distorted under internal pressure.
As previously stated, the residual thickness of the plastic material below the turned down flange may vary in the form of scallops, instead of continuously. This is illustrated in Figure 20, which depicts a modification of the embodiment of Figures 17 to 19 and shows a portion 43 of a stopper in the pouring opening 30 formed with a transverse step 44, so that a stepped increase results in the residual thickness on the left side of the pouring opening 30, opposite the ventilation opening 31.
As mentioned before, if the ventilation opening is small enough, it does not need to be fitted with a flange turned down. Figures 21 to 23 illustrate a modification of the embodiment of Figures 17 to 19, in which the ventilation opening 311 is of substantially smaller dimensions than the ventilation opening 31 of Figures 17 to 19, and has straight sides joined by curved ends 45, 46 of small radius of curvature. There is no flange arranged around the vent opening 311. When pulling the pull tab 261, the closure is easily sheared against the end 46 of the vent opening because the stiffness of the can end remains sufficient to avoid that is curved, due to the small area and sharp curvature of said ventilation opening. The residual thickness 127 below the flange 32 around the pouring opening 30 will vary as in the embodiment of Figures 17 to 19. The closure is again easily sheared on the right side of the pouring opening 30 due to the small residual thickness at this point, while the residual thickness increased on the side opposite the ventilation opening provides the necessary resistance to deformation.
Figures 24 and 25 illustrate a modification of the embodiment of Figures 14 to 16, in which the pear-shaped opening 151 has a flange 162 that extends around the widest end 152 but does not continue at the narrow end 153 of the opening, where the need for resistance to deformation is minimal. The part
000 902
154 The closure cap as shown in Figure 25 provides an increased residual thickness at the wider end 152 of the opening, as in Figures 14 to 16.
Figures 26 and 27 illustrate another modification of the embodiment of Figures 14 to 16, in which the pear-shaped opening 151 has a flange 163 which varies continuously in depth from a maximum at the widest end 152, to zero at the narrowest end 153 of the opening. The buffer part 155 in this case is thickened in a stepped fashion in 156 but on the contrary it varies in thickness in proportion to the depth of the flange 163, so that the residual thickness below the flange is greater around the maOS end width 152, but is constant around the narrowest end 153 of the opening. The greater depth of the flange 163 at the widest end 152 of the opening, helps the residual thickness to provide the necessary resistance to deformation.
The can ends illustrated and described are intended for use in beverage cans that require a thermic treatment, that is, a heating at 35 C to eliminate condensation before shrinking, and / or pasteurization at 65 ° C , so that it is necessary that the plastic material used for closing be resistant to softening at temperatures up to 65<sup>°</sup>C. The plastic material used for coating 14 on the inner side of the can end is preferably a similar polymer, in order to ensure a suitable bond.
It is essential that the thickness of the plastics material of the closure be such that it encloses the flange 16 completely, but that it is capable of shearing against the flat end surface 17 of the flange when the pull ring is pulled to open the closure. To achieve this, it has been proven that the optimal dimension of the turn down of the flange is 0.75 mm, although it can vary from 0.125 mm to 2.5 mm. The lateral extension of the surrounding parts 24 and 38 is also important. The preferred lateral extension from the flange of these parts is 1.25 mm, although it can vary from 0.125 to 7.5 mm.
The residual thickness 27, 127 of the plastics material of the closure below the flat surface 17 of the flange 16 is of considerable importance in order to ensure that leakage is avoided, but that the tampon portion can shear against the flange when it is opened the closure. The optimum residual thickness for shearing is between 0.15 and 0.40 mm, although other considerations may make it preferable to use a thickness of from 0.08 mm to 0.50 mm.
The preferred thickness of the traction ring is substantially 1.0 mm, although it can vary from 0.25 mm to 4.3 mm.
Alternative forms of closure according to the invention may be provided with plugs adapted for installation within openings of a larger diameter than those illustrated in the drawings, for example, for use in cans of solid or semi-solid food products.
000 902
12 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9 Sheet 10 Sheet 11 Sheet 12
30 members in 19 offices
Priority claims3
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8523263 | United Kingdom | A | |
| 8523263 | – | – | – |
| GB19850023263 | – | – | – |
Members30
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8523263D0 | United Kingdom | D0 | |
| NO863726D0 | Norway | D0 | |
| GB8622261D0 | United Kingdom | D0 | |
| GR862395B | Greece | B | |
| NO863726L | Norway | L | |
| EP0215671A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| AU6257786A | Australia | A | |
| GB2180520A | United Kingdom | A | |
| JPS6278050A | Japan | A | |
| BR8604497A | Brazil | A | |
| CN86107457A | China | A | |
| ZA866897B | South Africa | B | |
| NZ217628A | New Zealand | A | |
| ES2000902A6This record | Spain | A6 | |
| EP0215671A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| TR22950A | Türkiye | A | |
| US4813837A | United States of America | A | |
| AU585644B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| MY100035A | Malaysia | A | |
| SU1491328A3 | Soviet Union (until 1991) | A3 | |
| GB2180520B | United Kingdom | B | |
| US4893725A | United States of America | A | |
| CA1266838A | Canada | A | |
| CN1007232B | China | B | |
| EP0215671B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| AT52235T | Austria | T | |
| ATE52235T1 | Austria | T1 | |
| DE3670618D1 | Germany | D1 | |
| IN167884B | India | B | |
| JPH0329671B2 | Japan | B2 |
1 legal event, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Events
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Patent lapsedLapsedFD1A | FD1A |
Numbers
- Publication
- 2000902
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2000902
- Publication, EPODOC
- ES2000902
- Application
- 8601946
- Application, DOCDB
- 8601946
- Application, EPODOC
- ES19860001946
Titles2
- Spanish
- UN METODO PARA FABRICAR UN EXTREMO DE LATA DE METAL CON UN PANEL CENTRAL Y UN CIERRE DE PLASTICO
- English
- A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN EXTREME OF METAL CAN WITH A CENTRAL PANEL AND A PLASTIC CLOSURE
Classification
- CPC, 3
- B65D17/4012
- B65D17/508
- B29C45/14344
- IPC, 12
- B65D17 34
- B29C45 14
- B29C45 16
- B29L31 56
- B65D17 00
- B65D17 347
- B65D17 353
- B65D17 50
- B65D39 00
- B65D41 32
- B65D47 36
- B65D51 18