EP0538094B1 - Metal container which can be partially opened by tearing along a line of weakness - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a metal or composite container (2) including a face forming a cover (4) with a partial opening comprising a fixed part in which an opening panel (16) is bounded by a line of weakness (8), a linking area (15) remaining, however, between the fixed part and the panel, so that by exerting, on the panel, pressure directed towards the inside of the container, the line of weakness (8) is broken and the panel is folded back towards the inside of the container around the linking area (15). The fixed part of the cover is shaped to delimit a cavity extending towards the inside of the container, the said cavity including a lateral wall (12) and a bottom in which the opening panel (16) is at least partially formed. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to quick-opening containers, in particular boxes intended to contain a drink.

Such boxes, generally cylindrical, have a radial end face forming a cover. The cover has a fixed part in which a partial opening panel is delimited by a line of least resistance, a connection zone remaining however between the fixed part of the cover and the opening panel.

A manual opening member is fixed to the outside of the fixed part of the cover.

During manual actuation of the opening member, the latter acts by leverage to break the line of least resistance and tilt the opening panel around said connection zone, towards the inside of the box. , without separation of the opening panel and the fixed part of the cover.

An orifice is thus created allowing the contents of the box to be poured into a glass, a cup, or directly into the mouth of the consumer.

The direct pouring into the consumer's mouth of the drink contained in the box is difficult and sometimes leads to cuts in the consumer's lips.

In addition, the opening panel being in contact with the surrounding environment, is generally covered by impurities which are found in the drink during the spill.

Such a box cannot be recapped after partial spillage of the drink.

Patent CH-A-446,092 discloses a container corresponding to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is to provide a container comprising a lid with rapid partial opening, in particular a drink can, ensuring better hygiene, facilitating the direct discharge into the mouth of a consumer, and which can be filled.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a metal or composite container comprising a face forming a cover with partial opening comprising a fixed part in which an opening panel is delimited by a line of least resistance, a connection zone remaining however with the fixed part and the panel, so that by exerting pressure on the panel directed towards the interior of the container, the line of least resistance is broken and the panel is folded back towards the interior of the container around the connection zone , the fixed part of the cover being shaped to delimit a cavity extending towards the interior of the container and comprising a side wall and a bottom in which the opening panel is formed at least partially, said container comprising opening means movable relative to the panel so as to exert on the latter said pressure directed towards the interior of the container, said means of o opening comprising a member rotatably mounted on the fixed part of the cover around an axis oriented obliquely relative to the bottom of the cavity, an active part of the rotary member extending inside the cavity, near the panel opening, characterized in that the side wall of the cavity is connected to the adjacent zone of the fixed part of the cover by a connection zone which forms a circular bead projecting towards the outside of the container and the rotary member comprises an elastically deformable cylindrical wall, provided with a rib projecting on its internal face, said rib cooperating with said bead to prevent axial movement of the rotary member during the rotation of this rotary member.

• ledit axe est l'axe de la cavité ;
• le fond de la cavité est constitué d'une paroi plane orientée obliquement par rapport à l'axe de cette cavité, la partie active des moyens d'ouverture étant un biseau qui forme avec ledit axe un angle inférieur ou égal à l'angle que forme la paroi plane avec l'axe, et qui s'étend jusqu'à proximité de la partie de la paroi plane la plus à l'intérieur de la boîte ;
• le panneau est constitué de deux parois planes symétriques orientées obliquement par rapport à l'axe de la cavité, la partie active des moyens d'ouverture comportant deux biseaux symétriques faisant avec l'axe de la cavité un angle inférieur ou égal à celui que forment lesdites parois avec l'axe, chaque biseau étant situé en vis-à-vis d'une paroi associée ;
• l'organe rotatif étant monté autour du bourrelet ;
• l'organe rotatif constitue un obturateur amovible de la cavité ;
• la nervure est reçue par encliquetage dans la zone reliant le bourrelet à la partie fixe du couvercle, la paroi cylindrique comportant à son extrémité opposée à la nervure une paroi transversale à partir de laquelle s'étend une partie cylindrique dont l'extrémité libre constitue la partie active des moyens d'ouverture;
• l'organe rotatif est en matière plastique.

According to other characteristics:

• said axis is the axis of the cavity;
• the bottom of the cavity consists of a flat wall oriented obliquely to the axis of this cavity, the active part of the opening means being a bevel which forms with said axis an angle less than or equal to the angle that forms the plane wall with the axis, and which extends to near the part of the plane most innermost of the box;
• the panel consists of two symmetrical flat walls oriented obliquely to the axis of the cavity, the active part of the opening means comprising two symmetrical bevels making with the axis of the cavity an angle less than or equal to that formed by said walls with the axis, each bevel being located opposite an associated wall;
• the rotary member being mounted around the bead;
• the rotary member constitutes a removable obturator of the cavity;
• the rib is received by snap-fastening in the zone connecting the bead to the fixed part of the cover, the cylindrical wall comprising at its end opposite to the rib a transverse wall from which extends a cylindrical part whose free end constitutes the active part of the opening means;
• the rotary member is made of plastic.

• La figure 1 est une vue partielle en coupe d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un récipient selon l'invention, avant ouverture ;
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, le récipient étant ouvert ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un second mode de réalisation d'un récipient selon l'invention ;
• la figure 4 est une vue partielle en coupe du récipient de la figure 3 à l'état fermé ;
• la figure 5 est une vue partielle en coupe représentant le récipient de la figure 4 en cours d'ouverture partielle du couvercle ;
• la figure 6 est une vue analogue à la figure 5 dans laquelle le récipient est ouvert, les moyens d'ouverture ayant été retirés du couvercle ;
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique selon la flèche F de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue schématique analogue à la figure 4 d'une variante de réalisation du récipient représenté sur les figures 3 à 7 ;
• la figure 9 est une vue analogue à la figure 2 d'un troisième mode de réalisation d'un récipient selon l'invention ;
• la figure 10 est une vue partielle en coupe selon la ligne 10-10 de la figure 9.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention, before opening;
• Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, the container being opened;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention;
• Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of the container of Figure 3 in the closed state;
• Figure 5 is a partial sectional view showing the container of Figure 4 during partial opening of the lid;
• Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 in which the container is opened, the opening means having been removed from the cover;
• Figure 7 is a schematic view along arrow F of Figure 6;
• Figure 8 is a schematic view similar to Figure 4 of an alternative embodiment of the container shown in Figures 3 to 7;
• Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a third embodiment of a container according to the invention;
• FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

In Figure 1 is partially shown a metal or composite container 2 with easy opening, the cover 4 is shaped to define a cavity 6 directed towards the inside of the box.

An incision 8 constituting a line of least resistance is arranged on the external face 10 of the side wall 12 of the cavity 6.

A connection zone 15 remains however between the side wall and the bottom 16a of the cavity which constitutes an opening panel.

This configuration in which the line of least resistance is arranged on the external face 10 of the wall of the cavity 6 and not on the bottom 16a makes it possible to subject said line to compressive stresses of the made of internal pressure in the container and not to tensile stresses, which makes it possible to reduce the thickness of residual metal and therefore to reduce the force required for opening.

By pressing on the external face 17 of the opening panel, the incision is broken and the opening panel is folded inwards of the box around the connection zone 15 (see FIG. 2), thus opening the box .

Figures 3 to 7 show a second embodiment of a container 2 according to the invention, constituting a cylindrical box in which the cavity 6 partially protrudes outside of the cover 4, thus delimiting a neck 13 of axis YY parallel to the axis XX of the box 2.

As a variant, not shown, the Y-Y axis can be merged with the X-X axis.

The neck 13 (see FIG. 4) has an external wall 16 and an internal wall 18 constituting the side wall of the cavity 6, the walls 16 and 18 being connected by a neck 20.

The neck 13 defines on its outer face an annular groove 22, and a bead.

The cavity 6 has an open end 26 and an opposite end closed by a bottom 27 inclined at an angle α relative to the axis Y-Y.

An opening panel 28 is delimited in the bottom 27 of the cavity by a line of least resistance 30, a connection zone 32 however remaining between the wall 18 and the panel 28.

The connection zone 32 extends for example over an angular sector of approximately 90 °, the line of least resistance extending over approximately 270 °.

This angular value can be different according to the relative dimensions of the angles α and β, or according to the importance of the desired opening, its adaptation being the responsibility of a person skilled in the art.

A member 14 (see also FIG. 3) adaptable to the neck 13 has a double function: to constitute on the one hand a removable shutter of the cavity 6 and on the other hand an opening member by rotation around the neck 13.

To this end, the member 14 comprises a cylindrical outer side wall 34 of axis Y-Y, elastically deformable radially.

The wall 34 has, at a first open end, an annular rib 36 intended to be received in the groove 22 of the neck.

The second end of the wall 34 is closed by a radial wall 38, from which extend, towards the interior of the cavity 6 of the opening means.

The opening means consist of a tubular part 40 coaxial with the wall 34.

The tubular part 40 has a beveled end, that is to say a flat face 42 inclined at an angle β relative to the axis Y-Y.

The angle β is less than or equal to the angle α.

The length of the tubular part 40 is such that when, after elastic deformation of the wall 34, the rib 36 is received in the groove 22, the zone 44 of the flat face 42 furthest from the radial wall 38 is located near immediately from the zone 46 of the panel 28 farthest from the opening 26 of the cavity 6.

Zone 46 is located at one end of the connection zone 32 (see also FIG. 6).

The member 10 is for example made of plastic.

This member 10 is removably attached to the neck 8 and it is rotatably mounted around the axis YY, the opening means consisting of the tubular part 40 therefore being rotatable about the axis YY.

The cover 4 having been produced by stamping and forming a thin sheet to delimit the neck 13, is fixed to the cylindrical body of the box 2, filled with its container.

The fixing of the cover 4 can be carried out for example by crimping.

This being done, the member 14 is removably attached to the neck 13.

For this purpose marks (not shown) can be provided on the opening member 10 and the fixed part of the cover 14 to ensure a predetermined angular positioning of the opening member 10 around the axis YY so that the zone 44 of the opening means is correctly located, as described above, and to allow the introduction of the groove 36 in the groove 22, which is not possible if the zone 44 is incorrectly angularly positioned.

To use the box thus produced, it suffices to rotate the member 14 so that the zone 44 of the opening means comes to bear on the panel 28 near the line of least resistance 30.

An arrow (not shown) can indicate on the external face of the wall 38 the direction of rotation to be applied to the opening member 10.

In fact, when the member 14 is rotated in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrow, the zone 44 of the opening means comes to bear on the panel near the connection zone 32, which causes the member 14 upwards, leaving rib 36 from groove 22.

During the rotation of the member 14, in the opening direction, the zone 44 of the opening means exerts a force on the panel 18 so that the line of lower resistance gradually breaks (see Figure 5), the rib 36 received in the groove 22 and the force exerted by the user preventing axial movement of the opening means towards the outside of the box.

The gradual rupture of the line of least resistance 30 is accompanied by a gradual tilting towards the inside of the box of the panel part 28 detached from the wall of the cavity 6 under the action of the flat face 42 forming way of opening.

This tilting takes place around a fold line 48 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) connecting the ends of the connection zone 32, when the opening has been completely carried out.

In this position the cavity 6 is open, the fluid contained in the box being able to flow in the space delimited between the panel 28 and the wall 18 (see the arrows in FIG. 6).

When the member 14, in the example shown, has made a rotation of about 270 °, the end 44 of the tubular part 40 comes to bear at 50 on the panel 28 near the connection zone 32 (see also figure 6) which has greater resistance and does not break.

The tubular part 40 is then subjected to an axial force directed towards the outside of the box and the opening means are subjected to a resulting axial movement, against the resistance opposed by the rib 36 received in the groove 22 .

The axial force exerted on the opening means is transmitted to the rib 36, which causes the radial deformation of the wall 34 and the exit of the groove 36 from the groove 22, thus separating the member 14 from the neck 13.

The box is thus partially open, the contained fluid can then be poured through the neck 13, either in a cup or directly in the consumer's mouth without risking injury to the latter.

The presence of the member 14 forming a shutter of the cavity 6 prevents the introduction of impurities on the opening panel.

After having spilled part or all of the fluid contained in the box, the member 14 forming a plug can be removably fixed again on the neck 13.

The member 14 can advantageously include a seal known per se, not shown, for example with a lip or an O-ring, to ensure sealing between the neck 13 and the member 14.

Such an arrangement has the advantage of allowing the transport of a partially emptied box without risk of accidental spillage.

In FIG. 8, a variant is schematically represented in which the side walls 16 and 18 extend entirely outside the box from the cover 4.

In this variant, the neck 13 has at its end remote from the cover 4 a rib 54 around which the member 14 is rotatably mounted and removably fixed by means of a groove 56.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, a third embodiment of a container according to the invention is shown, in which the opening is obtained by a rotation of the member 14 of an amplitude half as small as in the second embodiment already described.

Only the opening panel and the opening means have been modified to obtain this characteristic.

The opening panel 78 is formed of two flat half-walls 80 and 82, symmetrical with respect to a axial plane P of the cavity 6 (see FIG. 10). Each half-wall 80 or 82 forms the predetermined angle α already defined, with said plane of symmetry.

The line of least resistance is defined by first and second curves of least resistance 84 and 86 symmetrical with respect to the axis Y-Y of the cavity 6.

The connection zone between the panel 78 and the cylindrical wall 18 of the cavity 6 has first and second connection zones 88 and 90.

Two arrangements similar to the second embodiment are thus obtained, but extending over substantially 180 ° instead of 360 °, and symmetrical with respect to the Y-Y axis.

In FIG. 10, it can be seen that starting from a point A of the cylindrical wall 18 situated in an axial plane Q perpendicular to the plane of symmetry P, and turning in the direction of the arrow D, successively extends the first curve 84 of less resistance, the first connection zone 88, the second curve 86 of less resistance, the second connection zone 90.

As a variant, one of the connecting zones 88 or 90 can be provided with an incision.

Each connection zone 88 and 90 extends over approximately 45 °.

The half-wall part 80 farthest from the opening 26 is located in the immediate vicinity of point A, while the symmetrical part of the half-wall 82 is located near point B which is symmetrical with A with respect to the plane P .

Referring now to FIG. 9, it can be seen that the opening means comprise first and second flat end faces with bevels 92 and 94 respectively, each making the angle β previously indicated, smaller, with the plane P that the angle α.

In the storage position, the innermost part of the cavity of the first plane face 92 is located near point A and the symmetrical part of the second plane face 94 is located near point B (see Figure 10 ).

Each curve of least resistance 84 or 86 extends over approximately 135 °, this value being able to be easily modified by a person skilled in the art.

By turning the member 14 in the direction of the arrow D in FIG. 10, the edge of the first planar face 92 breaks the first curve of least resistance 84 and flaps towards the inside of the box first of all the part of the half-wall 80 located near said first curve 84, then the part of the half-wall 82 located near said first curve 84, and finally comes into contact with the first connection zone 88 which resists action of the opening means, axially displaces the latter towards the outside of the box and releases the member 14 from the neck 13.

The second planar face 94 acts simultaneously and in the same way on the second curve 86 and the second connection zone 90.

A box according to the invention is thus obtained, the cover of which is partially open by a 180 ° rotation of the opening member and having the same advantages as the box described with regard to the second embodiment, the opening of which is obtained by a 360 ° rotation of the member 14.

Claims (8)

1. Metal or composite container (2) having a aide which forms a lid (4) for partial opening, comprising a fixed part in which an opening panel (16; 28; 78) is bounded by a line of least resistance (8; 30; 84; 86), a connecting zone (15; 32; 88; 90) still remaining with the fixed part of the panel, so that when pressure is exerted on the panel in the direction of the interior of the container, the line of least resistance is broken and the panel is folded towards the interior of the container around the connecting zone, the fixed part of the lid being shaped so as to define a cavity (6) extending towards the inside of the container, and comprising a side wall (12; 18) and a base (16a; 27) in which the opening panel is formed at least partially, the said container comprising opening means which are displaceable relative to the panel so as to exert on the latter the said pressure directed towards the inside of the container, said opening means comprising a member (14) which is rotatably mounted on the fixed part of the lid about an axis (Y-Y) oriented obliquely relative to the base (27) of the cavity, an active part of the rotary member extending inside the cavity, close to the opening panel, characterised in that the side wall (18) of the cavity is connected to the zone adjacent to the fixed part of the lid (4) by a connecting zone which forms a circular bead projecting towards the outside of the container and the rotary member (14) comprises an elastically deformable cylindrical wall provided with a rib (36) projecting on its inner surface, said rib cooperating with said bead to prevent axial displacement of the rotary member (14) during rotation of said rotary member.
2. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that the axis is the axis of the cavity.
3. Container according to Claim 1, characterised in that the bottom (27) of the cavity consists of a flat wall oriented obliquely with respect to the axis of this cavity, the active part of the opening means being a chamfered edge (42) which forms with said axis an angle (β) which is less than or equal to the angle (α) formed by the flat wall and the axis, and which extends nearly to the part of the flat wall which is furthest inside the container.
4. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the panel (78) consists of two symmetrical flat walls (80, 82) which are oriented obliquely with respect to the axis (Y-Y) of the cavity, the active part of the opening means comprising two symmetrical chamfered edges (92, 94) which form with the axis (Y-Y) of the cavity an angle (β) which is less than or equal to the one (α) formed by said walls with the axis, each chamfered edge being located opposite an associated wall.
5. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised ink that the rotary member is mounted around the bead.
6. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotary member constitutes a removable seal for the cavity.
7. Container according to claim 6, characterised in that the rib (36) is accommodated by latching in the zone connecting the bead to the fixed part of the lid, the cylindrical wall (34) comprising at its end opposite the rib a transverse wall (38) from which a tubular part (40) extends, the free end of which constitutes the active part of the opening means.
8. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotary member is made of plastics.

Images