Sheet Metal Cover For A Beverage Can, Provided With A Large Perforation

Abstract

A sheet metal cover for sealing the body of a beverage enabling a high internally pressurized beverage can to be formed, wherein said cover is embodied in such a way that it is possible to mount an initially separate re-sealable device. The sheet metal cover can also be configured in such a way as to maintain pressure stability. It maintains stackability and it resembles as close as possible a standard shell, at least in the external edge design thereof, such that modifications in the filling line can be kept to a minimum. The sheet metal cover and a folding edge ( 11 ) which surrounds said panel and which is adapted such that it can be folded onto a peripheral edge of the body of the container and is suitable therefor. The panel has a large dimensioned opening ( 15 ) which is surrounded by an encircling strip ( 15 ) which is axially offset in relation to a plane (E) of the surface of the opening. A reinforcement plate ( 20; 21, 22, 23 ) extending in an extensive and radial manner is provided along at least one peripheral section of the encircling strip ( 16 ).

1 . Sheet metal lid ( 1 ) for closing a container, such as a drinks can body, under increased internal pressure in the closed state, 
 which sheet metal lid has a panel ( 10 ) and a folded edge ( 11 ) surrounding the panel, which is adapted and suitable for rebating on an annular edge of the container body; wherein    (a) the panel ( 10 ) has a large-dimension opening ( 15 ), which is surrounded by an enclosing strip ( 16 ), which is axially offset with respect to a plane (E) of the opening surface;    (b) a stiffening plateau ( 20 ;  21 ,  22 ,  23 )—extending peripherally and radially—is provided along at least one peripheral section of the enclosing strip ( 16 ).    
   
   
       2 . Sheet metal lid for closing a container, such as a drinks can body, under increased internal pressure in the closed state, and for mounting or for assembly of a reclosing device ( 90 ), but not containing this; 
 (c) wherein the sheet metal lid has a panel or a lid surface ( 10 ) radially within a peripheral groove ( 12 ) and an assembly edge ( 11 ) outside of the peripheral groove ( 12 );    (d) wherein the panel has an off-centre—relative to the panel—opening (15, ΔM), the opening dimension (d 15 , r 15 ) of which being greater than 50% of a diameter (d 10 , r 10 ) of the panel ( 10 ).    
   
   
       3 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 2 , wherein a part moon-shaped or arc segment-shaped stiffening surface ( 20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ) is arranged on one side of the opening ( 15 ), which is further away from the peripheral groove ( 12 ) due to the off-centre arrangement than an opposite side of the opening ( 15 ).  
   
   
       4 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the opening ( 15 ) establishes a datum plane (E) of the lid panel ( 10 ), with respect to which the folded edge or assembly edge ( 11 ) is raised axially and with respect to which the peripheral groove ( 12 ) is lying axially deeper.  
   
   
       5 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the size of the opening occupies more than 30% of the surface of the lid panel ( 10 ) within the peripheral groove ( 12 ), in particular its diameter has dimensions between 55% and 65% of a diameter of the lid panel.  
   
   
       6 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  4 , wherein the enclosing strip ( 16 ) has an inner edge portion, which has a radial distance from an outer edge of the opening ( 15 ), to form a further inner edge strip ( 16   a ).  
   
   
       7 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 6 , wherein the further edge strip ( 16   a ) lies at a different height position or plane than the first peripheral strip ( 16 ).  
   
   
       8 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1 ,  2  or  7 , wherein the first peripheral strip ( 16 ) lies axially higher than the datum plane (E) of the opening surface.  
   
   
       9 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 8  or  6 , wherein the first enclosing strip ( 16 ) runs on a peripheral angle of 360°.  
   
   
       10 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 6 , wherein at least two opposing surface regions in the further edge strip ( 16   a ) are flattened ( 15   a ,  15   b ) inwards.  
   
   
       11 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening plateau ( 20 ) is designed like a sickle, having a central bulge ( 23 ) and two peripherally extending arms ( 21 ,  22 ).  
   
   
       12 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening plateau ( 20 ) extends on more than 180° peripheral angle, in particular on a peripheral angle greater than 200°, relative to the periphery of the panel ( 10 ).  
   
   
       13 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  4 , wherein the stiffening plateau ( 20 ), observed in axial direction, is placed above the datum plane (E).  
   
   
       14 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  13 , wherein the stiffening plateau ( 20 ) has a height position, which lies axially deeper than that of the enclosing strip ( 16 ).  
   
   
       15 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1 ,  2  or  11 , wherein the or a stiffening plateau ( 20 ) borders 
 (i) on the or a first enclosing strip ( 16 ) towards the opening ( 15 );    (ii) borders on a further intermediate strip ( 17 ) towards the peripheral groove ( 12 ).    
   
   
       16 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 15 , wherein the further intermediate strip ( 17 ) has essentially the same width along its peripheral extension.  
   
   
       17 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 16  or  15 , wherein the further intermediate strip ( 17 ) on each peripheral end ( 21 ,  22 ) of the stiffening plateau ( 20 ) leads ( 17   a ,  17   b ) into the first enclosing strip ( 16 ).  
   
   
       18 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 15 , wherein the further intermediate strip ( 17 ) and the first enclosing strip ( 16 ) are placed in each case at a different axial height position than the stiffening plateau ( 20 ), in particular are both placed axially higher than the datum plane (E) of the opening ( 15 ).  
   
   
       19 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein in radial direction, axial height levels of in each case adjacent areas extending at least partially in peripheral direction ( 16   a ,  16 ,  20 , 17 , 12 ) are different, in particular radially inwards to radially outwards starting from a further edge strip ( 16   a ) around the opening ( 15 ), over the first enclosing strip ( 16 ), the stiffening plateau ( 20 ) or the part moon-shaped stiffening surface ( 20 ), a further intermediate strip ( 17 ) and the peripheral groove ( 12 ), wherein the height levels have an up-and-down.  
   
   
       20 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 18  or  19 , wherein a transition zone, in particular in the form of a diagonally running step ( 20 ′) in each case, is arranged between in each case two adjacent areas ( 16 ,  20 ;  20 , 17 ).  
   
   
       21 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  2 , which has the opening as a pre-punched opening ( 15 ) in the lid which is not covered by sheet metal for mounting or assembly of a reclosing device ( 90 ), wherein the enclosing strip ( 16 ) is adapted or provided for sealing using the device.  
   
   
       22 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the enclosing strip ( 16 ) has a constant height position along its periphery.  
   
   
       23 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the stiffening plateau or a stiffening surface ( 20 ) has no further beads or depressions on its flat extension.  
   
   
       24 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 2 , wherein the off-centre mounting (ΔM); M 10 , M 15 ) of the opening ( 15 ) is between 5% to 25%, in particular in the range of 10% to 15%, relative to the diameter (d 10 ) of the lid panel ( 10 ).  
   
   
       25 . Sheet metal lid according one of the preceding claims, wherein the reclosing device ( 90 ) is definitely disclaimed.  
   
   
       26 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the large opening—as understood by the man skilled in the art—is evaluated in relation to the “size normally expected in drinks can lids” and is in particular more than 30% of the surface of the as yet non-perforated overall surface of lid panel.  
   
   
       27 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein no rip-open flap is attached to the lid panel ( 10 ) to break open an opening region.  
   
   
       28 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the opening ( 15 ) is at least approximately circular or oval, in particular neither rectangular nor trapezoidal.  
   
   
       29 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  2 , not comprising a scored or weakened line surrounding an opening region which can be broke open in a portion.  
   
   
       30 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the size of the opening ( 15 ) is dimensioned such that it extends beyond the centre of the panel, the opening surface on this side of the centre (M 10 ) being greater than the remaining panel surface on this side of the centre (M 10 ).  
   
   
       31 . A method for producing a sheet metal lid for closing a container body, such as a drink can body, under increased internal pressure in the closed state, which sheet metal lid has a lid panel ( 10 ) and a folded edge ( 11 ) surrounding the panel, which is adapted and suitable for rebating on an edge of the container body; wherein 
 (a) the lid panel ( 10 ) is arranged radially within a peripheral groove ( 12 ) and a free opening ( 15 ) extending beyond its axial central plane (B-B) is provided;    (b) a stiffening plateau ( 20 ;  21 ,  22 ,  23 )—extending peripherally and radially—is stamped radially within the peripheral groove ( 12 ) between the peripheral groove and the free opening ( 12 , 15 ) along at least a peripheral section.    
   
   
       32 . Sheet metal lid ( 1 ) for closing a container body, such as a drinks can body, under increased internal pressure in the closed state, 
 which sheet metal lid has a lid panel ( 10 ) and a folded edge ( 11 ) surrounding the panel, which is adapted and suitable for rebating on an circumferential edge of the container body;    (a) wherein the panel has an opening ( 15 ) extending beyond both central planes (A-A, B-B) which are vertical to each other, the opening being surrounded by an enclosing strip ( 16 ) which is axially offset in relation to a plane (E) and has a height level remaining the same over its entire periphery for sealing and pressing purposes;    (b) comprises along at least a peripheral section of the enclosing strip ( 16 ) a stiffening plateau ( 20 ;  21 ,  22 ,  23 ) extending peripherally and radially, the peripheral extension being greater than 90° (C-C) and reaching in particular to at least 180°.    
   
   
       33 . Sheet metal lid for closing a container body, in particular a drinks can body, under increased internal pressure in the closed state, and for mounting or for assembly of a reclosing device ( 90 ), but not containing this; 
 (c) wherein the sheet metal lid has a panel ( 10 ) radially within a peripheral groove ( 12 ) and a rebatable assembly edge ( 11 ) is provided radially outside of the peripheral groove ( 12 );    (d) wherein the panel ( 10 ) has an off-centre—relative to the panel—opening ( 15 , ΔM), the opening dimension (d 15 , r 15 ) of which being considerable;    (e) the weakening in the panel region with a greater extent of remaining lid sheet metal caused by the considerable size of the opening ( 15 , r 15 , d 15 ) being counteracted by a staggered group of stiffenings ( 16   a ,  16 ,  20 ,  17 ) extending in peripheral direction, which have from inside to outside a change of height positions so as to form an up-and-down along a radial ray.    
   
   
       34 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein the opening ( 15 ) is provided by cutting perforation.  
   
   
       35 . A method according to  claim 31  or  34 , wherein the opening is essentially round.  
   
   
       36 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein around the opening ( 15 ) an enclosing strip ( 16 ) is stamped, which strip has a height position remaining the same over the periphery.  
   
   
       37 . Sheet metal lid according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the free opening ( 15 ) has a free inner edge ( 15   a ), in particular without a buckled web projecting downward from the inner edge.