US20100181314A1

US20100181314A1 - Closing lid

Info

Publication number: US20100181314A1
Application number: US12/664,706
Authority: US
Inventors: Eduardo Jose' Renda; Carlos Leandro Nunes
Original assignee: INDUSTRIAS REUNIDAS RENDA SA
Current assignee: INDUSTRIAS REUNIDAS RENDA SA
Priority date: 2007-07-05
Filing date: 2007-08-31
Publication date: 2010-07-22
Also published as: EP2164766A4; EP2164766A1; BRPI0701511A2; WO2009003253A1

Abstract

A closing lid disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container (200) fitted with an external ring (210), which comprehends a one-piece body that includes a circular central region (110) that presents, on the internal surface, a circumferential groove (121) next to the perimeter, and the ring (120) disposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region (110), the said ring (120) which presents an upper projection (127) over the external surface of the circular central region (110), and the internal surface of the said ring (120) following the format of the circular central region (110), the said ring (120) which presents, from the circumferential groove (121), a descending projection where the circumferential rims are disposed, followed by a circumferential furrow (123) with a weakening line (1231), if following a descending surface (124) that presents, in the intermediary portion, an arrangement of rims (125) disposed, segmented, and interconnected to the internal region of the descending surface (124) through a flexible connection (1251), the external surface of the ring (120) presenting a catch (126) interconnected to the weakening line (1231).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a closing lid for metallic, plastic, and glass containers, preferably, for conditioning products with or without vacuum treatment. More specifically, it comprehends a closing lid consisting of a one-piece body with a circular central region and a ring disposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region aggregating the functions of closure, sealing, and violability indication, thus eliminating the need to use aluminum seals or the like, and ensuring the re-use of the lid after opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The packaging has always been of fundamental importance for trade development. At first, it existed to contain, protect and make the transportation viable. Nowadays, new functions are incorporated and new roles are played: conserving, exposing, selling the product, and winning over consumers by means of visual communication are part of this new profile.
Modern life requires practicability and convenience to keep pace with its rhythm, and the packaging meets these needs incorporating versatility and simplicity of its use. The characteristics of the served markets boost the evolution of the sector in terms of ever increasing use of the high technology. The globalization also compels the technology to improve because products have to be transportable, light, and compact in addition to having a clear, beautiful, and easily understood aspect.
The metal packaging has evolved together with the modern world and is present in diverse segments of the industry of consumer products, advancing significantly the quality of the product, systems of opening and closing, new possibilities of printing in different colors and application of images, reduction in the thickness of the steel sheet, and fulfillment of projects that provide the packaging with greater resistance and easiness for storing due to its present formats.
The functionality of the closure of cans, which has been improving ever since, also interferes with the choice made by the consumer. The research reveals that after new systems of opening appeared, the consumption of some canned goods has increased. One of many examples is the easy-open type lid which has a plastic seal closing the central orifice of the can. After being removed, it allows the consumer to easily remove the lid. This alteration contributed to boosting the consumption of products in this kind of packaging.
The tendency is to improve the closure of the packaging and to avoid the use of knives, scissors, and other objects to open the product, thus diminishing the risk of consumers' injuring themselves while handling the packaging. In this aspect, the manufacturers have been using practical and safe systems in order to add one more quality to their product.
The state of the technique describes several closing lids applied to cans which have been continuously undergoing big constructive alterations in order to better meet the user's needs, and to provide conservation and adequate sealing of the contents of the packaging.
Firstly, the conventional type closing lids of cans were of metal and opened by using a can opener, thus eliminating the possibility of re-using the container and generating points of rust harmful to the conditioning of foodstuffs.
Later, the lids of the penny lever type had an aluminum seal fitted with rims that were juxtaposed with the can ring. In these lids, the removal of the seal sometimes caused fragments of aluminum to fall down on the product placed inside the can. Furthermore, the rim of the said seal made difficult the removal of the product and generated the accumulation of residues.
The lids of the peel-off type also had an aluminum seal fitted with a tab, thus eliminating the use of cutting tools and the consequent dispersion of aluminum fragments on the product placed inside the can. However, the ring disposed on the internal part of the can still retained residues.
At present, there are closing systems for foodstuffs that combine metal and plastic providing better sealing after the first opening. This characteristic makes the can especially recommended for progressive consumption products that are repeatedly consumed. Besides, the new packaging allows the product to be placed inside through the upper opening of the can, thus eliminating the re- thrusting operation that occurs in the conventional process. In the re-thrusting, the metallic rims of the body of the can, lid and the bottom are re-curved and compacted together forming a fold or hermetic junction between the body and the lid, and the body and the bottom.
The application for the invention patent PI0401239 of the same patent holder describes a can fitted with the external string and a plastic circular lid that has rims with re-entrances where there are a series of protrusions that compose a circular set of locks and a reduction of the section with a handle. The lid through pressure adapts itself to the external string formed by the body of the can with the safety locks contracting in the act of closure and tending to return to the initial position, thus causing the locking. The handle breaks the reduced section of the locks.
The addition certificate C0401239-9 describes a metal central lid wrapped by a plastic ring fitted with reentrance where there are a series of protrusions that compose a circular set of locks containing the reduction of the section, the said metal central lid that contains a cavity to receive an elastic sealer.
The invention patent BR4499/74 describes a lid that comprehends a metal disk-shaped cover enclosed in an external plastic ring that has a casing and an upper circular part. The spaced small protrusions are laid out and directed towards the inside of the casing of the lid with an indicating strip which may be disconnected totally or in part.
The application for the invention patent BR0403345 describes a lid that comprises a metal panel fitted with a peripheral rim, the said metal panel having a diameter adjusted to the mouth of the flask; and a plastic ring that has a circumferential groove on the internal surface projected to seat a circumferential rim of the metal panel, with a number of protrusions that configure the locking teeth, the said ring being fitted with a protrusion on the external rim bordered by weakening lines.
The patent FR2782700 describes a lid for a container where the neck has a peripheral strip consisting of a ring and a disk. The ring includes an elastic closing rim located below the strip of the neck, the upper rims arranged on the upper plane of the strip projected to be pressed at the extremity of the neck. The disk that rests on the rim of the neck is maintained between the upper rims and the retention reinforcements. When the lid is removed, the fragile connections are broken preventing the lid on the neck of the container to be replaced in its initial integrity.
The patent US20030141271 describes a closing lid that includes a ring and a disc. A contact surface propels descendingly towards the disc even when the ring moves longitudinally with relation to the disc or to the container. A protruding protection, which is pressed ascendingly towards the disc during the opening process, defines the opening in which the undulation of the disc is disposed.
Therefore, the technical literature presents closing lids fitted with the two independent structures—a metal or plastic disc, and a ring that contours the said disc, with the ring presenting the structures of retaining and fixing the lid on the extreme pouring opening of a container.
However, the technical literature neither describes nor suggests a closing lid fitted with the one-piece body with a circular central region and a ring disposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region aggregating the functions of closure, sealing, and an indicator of violability thus eliminating the need to use the aluminum seal or the like, and ensuring the re-use of the lid after opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a closing lid for metal, plastic and glass containers, preferably, for conditioning foodstuffs with or without vacuum treatment.
The characteristic of the invention is a closing lid that presents a one-piece body that includes a circular central region, and a ring disposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region aggregating the functions of closure, sealing, and indicating whether the container was violated.
The characteristic of the invention is a closing lid that eliminates the need for application of an aluminum seal for sealing and perfect closing of the lid.
The characteristic of the invention is a closing lid that allows multiple closings and continuous sealing, and the re-use of the container for other purposes.
The characteristic of the invention is a closing lid that ensures the inviolability and indicates that a container was violated when agents were inserted.
The characteristic of the invention is a closing lid that provides the conservation of the characteristics of the foodstuffs conditioned during the period of consumption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The FIG. 1 shows the first modality of the closing lid, the FIG. 1A being seen in detailed section of the closing lid, the FIG. 1B detailing the segmented rims disposed on the closing lid, the FIG. 1C representing the closing lid disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container, and the FIG. 1D representing the lid's closing sequence.

The FIG. 2 presents the second modality of the closing lid, the FIG. 2A seen in detailed section of the closing lid, the FIG. 2B detailing the segmented rims disposed on the closing lid, the FIG. 2C representing the closing lid disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container, and the FIG. 2D—the view from above of the closing lid fitted with a ring.

The FIG. 3 presents the third modality of the closing lid, the FIG. 3A seen in detailed section of the closing lid, and the FIG. 3B representing the positioning seen in section of the external ring of the container in the circumferential groove of the closing lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of this invention, the following terms are adopted:
a) “weakening line” designates a furrowed region of a tenuous surface that allows tear and/or flexion;
b) “container” comprehends a receptacle capable of conditioning liquids or solids, and may be of metallic, plastic, glass material or the like;
c) “external ring of the container” comprehends a protrusion disposed on the external part of the extreme pouring opening of a container.
In the first modality, as shown in the FIGS. 1A and 1C, the closing lid (100) comprehends a one-piece body that includes a circular central region (110) and a ring (120) disposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region (110), the said closing lid (100) disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container (200) fitted with an external ring (210).
On the internal surface of the circular central region (110), a circumferential groove (121) is disposed next to the perimeter of the said circular central region (110) where the external ring (210) disposed on the rim of the container is fit.
The ring (120) presents an upper projection (127) over the external surface of the circular central region (110). On the internal surface, the ring (120) follows the format of the circular central region (110) and presents, from the circumferential groove (121), a descending projection where circumferential protrusions (122) followed by a circumferential furrow (123) that presents a circumferential weakening line (1231), are disposed.
From the circumferential furrow (123) projects a descending surface (124) that presents, in the intermediary portion, the arrangement of rims (125) disposed, segmented, and interconnected to the internal region of the descending surface (124) through a flexible connection (1251) as shown in the FIG. 1A.
As presented in the FIG. 1B, on the external surface of the ring (120), a catch (126) interconnected to the first weakening line (1231) is placed, which allows the rupture of the said first weakening line (1231) to completely remove the region of the ring (120) disposed between the weakening line (1231) and the lower extremity of the ring (120).
As presented in the FIGS. 1C and 1D, the lid (100), when pressed descending-wise next to the external ring (210) of the container (200), deforms the weakening line (1231) so that the lid is settled down and the rims (125) are bent approximately 90 degrees, the said rims (125) fitting in the lower part of the ring (210) disposed on the external surface of the container (200). The circumferential groove (121) fits the external ring (210) in the circumferential protrusions (122) involving the external ring (210) of the container (200), the said circumferential protrusions (122) allowing the lid (100) to be continuously closed and sealed.
In the second modality, as shown in the FIGS. 2A and 2C, the closing lid (100) comprehends a one-piece body that includes a circular central region (110) and a ring (120) disposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region (110), the said closing lid (100) being disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container (200) fitted with an external ring (210).
On the internal surface of the circular central region (110), a circumferential groove (121) is disposed next to the perimeter of the said circular central region (110) where the external ring (210) disposed on the rim of the container (200) is fit.
The ring (120) is an upper projection (127) over the external surface of the circular central region (110). On the internal surface, the ring (120) follows the format of the circular central region (110), and presents, from the circumferential groove (121), a descending projection where circumferential protrusions (122) followed by a circumferential furrow (123), which is a circumferential weakening line (1231), are disposed.
From the circumferential furrow (123) projects a descending surface (124) that presents, in the intermediary portion, the arrangement of rims (125) disposed, segmented, and interconnected to the internal region of the descending surface (124) through a flexible connection (1251) as shown in the FIG. 2A.
According to the FIG. 2B, on the external surface of the ring (120), a catch (126) interconnected to the first weakening line (1231) is disposed, which allows the rupture of the said first weakening line (1231) to completely remove the region of the ring (120) disposed between the weakening line (1231) and the lower extremity of the ring (120).
On the external surface of the lid (100), from the upper projection (127) of the ring (120) over the circular central region (110) towards the central portion of the lid (100), a ring-shaped step (111) and a passing eyelet positioned on the lower level of the circular central region (110) are disposed. From the upper projection (127) of the ring (120) towards the central portion of the lid (100), a tab (128) superposed on the fall of the circular central region (110) is disposed.
The passing eyelet (112) disposed in the circular central region (110) is covered with a plastic membrane which is extracted by lifting the tab (128) that allows the air to enter the container, and opens the lid (100) as shown in the FIG. 2D.
As seen in the FIG. 2C, the lid (100), when pressed descending-wise next to the external ring (210) of the container (200), deforms the weakening line of (1231) so that the lid is settled down and the rims are bent approximately 90 degrees (125), the said rims (125) that fit in the lower part of the ring (210) disposed on the external surface of the container (200). The circumferential groove (121) fits the external ring (210) the circumferential protrusions (122) involving the external ring (210) of the container (200), the said circumferential protrusions (122) allowing the lid (100) to be continuously closed and sealed.
In the third modality, as shown in the FIGS. 3A and 3B, the closing lid (100) comprehends a one-piece body that includes a circular central region (110) and a ring (120) disposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region (110), the said closing lid (100) being disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container (200) fitted with an external ring (210).
On the internal surface of the circular central region (110), a circumferential groove (121) is disposed next to the perimeter of the said circular central region (110) where the external ring (210) disposed on the rim of the container (200) is fitted.
The ring (120) is an upper projection (127) over the external surface of the circular central region (110). On the internal surface, the ring (120) follows the format of the circular central region (110), and presents, from the circumferential groove (121), a descending projection where circumferential protrusions (122) are disposed.
On the external surface of the lid (100), from the upper projection (127) of the ring (120) over the circular central region (110) towards the central portion of the lid (100), a ring-shaped step (111) and a passing eyelet positioned on the lower level of the circular central region (110) are disposed. From the upper projection (127) of the ring (120) towards the central portion of the lid (100), a tab (128) superposed on the fall of the circular central region (110) is disposed.
The passing eyelet (112) disposed in the circular central region (110) is covered with a plastic membrane which is extracted by lifting the tab (128) that allows the air to enter the container, and opens the lid (100).
As presented in the FIG. 3B, the lid (100), when pressed descending-wise next to the external ring (210) of the container (200), fits the external ring (210) of the container (200) in the circumferential groove (121) involving the external ring (210) of the container (200), the said circumferential protrusions (122) allowing the lid (100) to be continuously closed and sealed.
In all of the modalities, a sealing product is applied to the circumferential groove (121) of the lid (100).
In all of the modalities, when the ring (120) is of plastic material, and the circular central region (110) is of metal material, the ring (120) is injected into the circular central region (110).
Optionally, a microprocessing capsule or chip is inserted in the lid allowing the products and services to be traced and managed.

Claims

1. The closing lid disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container fitted with an external ring comprising a one-piece body that includes:

a) a circular central region that presents, on the internal surface, a circumferential groove next to the perimeter;

b) A ring disposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region; the said ring that is an upper projection over the external surface of the circular central region, and the internal surface of the ring that follows the format of the circular central region, the said ring that presents, from the circumferential groove, a descending projection where the circumferential protrusions followed by a circumferential furrow with a weakening line are disposed, if following a descending surface, which presents, in the intermediary portion, an arrangement of rims disposed, segmented, and interconnected to the internal region of the descending surface through a flexible connection, with the external surface of the ring presenting a catch interconnected to the weakening line.

2. The closing lid disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container fitted with an external ring, comprising a one-piece body that includes:

a) a circular central region that presents, on the internal face, a circumferential groove next to perimeter with a ring-shaped step disposed next to the upper projection of the ring including a passing eyelet covered with a plastic membrane positioned on the lower level of the circular central region and a tab which projects from the upper projection towards the central portion of the lid, the said tab being superposed on the fall of the circular central region;

b) A ring disposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region; the said ring that is an upper projection over the external surface of the circular central region, and the internal surface of the said ring following the format of the circular central region; the said ring that presents, from the circumferential groove, a descending projection where the circumferential protrusions followed by a circumferential furrow with a weakening line are disposed, if following a descending surface , which presents, in the intermediary portion, an arrangement of rims disposed, segmented, and interconnected to the internal region of the descending surface through a flexible connection with the external surface of the ring presenting a catch interconnected to the weakening line.

3. The closing lid disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container fitted with an external ring characterized by a one-piece body that includes:

a) a circular central region that presents, on the internal face, a circumferential groove next to perimeter with a ring-shaped step disposed next to the upper projection of the ring including a passing eyelet covered with a plastic membrane positioned on the lower level of the circular central region and a tab which projects from the upper projection towards the central portion of the lid, the said handle being superposed on the fall of the circular central region;

b) A ring placed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region, the said ring being an upper projection over the external surface of the circular central region, and the internal surface of the said ring following the format of the circular central region, the said ring presenting, from the circumferential groove, a descending projection where the circumferential protrusions are disposed .

4. The closing lid, in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lid comprises a microprocessing capsule.

5. The closing lid, in accordance with claim 2 wherein the lid comprises a microprocessing capsule.

6. The closing lid, in accordance with claim 3 wherein the lid comprises a microprocessing capsule.