Schmalbach-Lubeca Ag

Ball Packaging Europe Gmbh

Lutz Strube

Dieter Heinecke

Peter Hoft

Hajo Rieck

Richard Reichinger

Peter Hoeft

In order to provide a reversible closure for containers which are subjected to an internal pressure in accordance with the invention there is proposed a closure device () comprising a deformable stretchable planarly extending cover () which can be moved into at least two operating positions, wherein the cover is aligned in a first operating position with the opening of the container and in a second operating position it undercuts the opening of the container over the entire periphery with a peripheral edge portion () so that the undercutting region () on the cover and the undercut region on the container form complementary sealing surfaces for gas-tightly and liquid-tightly closing the opening. The closure device further has an actuable means () for applying a force to the cover for deformation of the cover in such a way that it is deformable from one of the two operating positions into the other operating position.

Gas-tight and light-tight closure for a container

The invention pertains to a cover for a beverage can body () with an inner and an outer cover panel () that are spaced apart from one another (h) in the axial direction () such that an intermediate space () is formed which is able to accommodate an object () that is invisible from the outside&#x2014;from a viewing direction toward the outer cover panel (). The inner cover panel () is connected to a mounting edge () via a curved section () that forms a peripheral groove () around the cover panel in order to realize the attachment to the beverage can body. The outer cover panel () is clamped relative to the inner cover panel () with an essentially radial force component (f) such that a clamping point () is formed in order to fix its axial distance (h) relative to the inner cover panel ().

Closure lid with a dual panel and the production thereof

A can end made of sheet metal for containers which in a closed state has an increased inner pressure compared to an ambient pressure. The can end includes a substantially flat central panel, a portion in the central panel is smaller with respect to the panel, and is adapted to be broken out of the panel by tearing. The smaller portion is defined by a score line, and a tab that is adapted for gripping and serving for opening the smaller portion. The tab is mounted at the central panel. In a longitudinally limited section of the can end, following a starting portion of the score line, at least one of a metal structure and structure lines of the sheet metal below the score line have a substantially higher density compared to a metal structure of the sheet metal below at least adjacent score line sections for temporarily blocking the opening process, which is difficult to control, after initially breaking or tearing open the score line.

Temporary burst stoppage in a sheet metal top

A closure end is provided, particularly made of sheet material for beverage cans, in which an annular fringe region is radially coupled between the central panel portion and a radius of curvature coupled to a core groove with an inner leg. The central panel portion is squeezed such that material is displaced (flows) from the fringe region in a substantially radial outward direction towards the radius of curvature. The squeezing is accomplished by a coining tool having a coining surface operable to contact the closure end. The closure surface is pressed against the closure end causing the thickness of the sheet material of the closure end to be reduced in the annular fringe region. The reduction in thickness gradually decreasing in the direction of the radius of curvature. The material displaced by the squeezing flowing towards the radius of curvature. A ring tool which is finger like in cross section can be used to exert pressure on the core groove during or after the squeezing thereby causing the inner leg of the core groove to move towards a more vertical orientation.

Closure end made of sheet

An openable can end for a beverage can of usual type, having a first tear-out portion which seems to be openable, when a lever-type tab is operated. A second tear-out portion is also provided beside or outside the first portion, wherein the second tear-out portion tears out (or breaks in) instead of the expected first tear-out portion. Thus, it is possible to surprise the user upon opening such a beverage can, without impairing the simple and reliable opening of the beverage can.

Openable can end with surprising opening portion

A process for further treating a closure end made of sheet material is provided, particularly for beverage cans, in which an annular fringe region is radially coupled between the central panel portion and a radius of curvature coupled to a core groove with an inner leg. The central panel portion is squeezed such that material is displaced (flows) from the fringe region in a substantially radial outward direction towards the radius of curvature. The squeezing is accomplished by a coining tool having a coining surface operable to contact the closure end. The closure surface is pressed against the closure end causing the thickness of the sheet material of the closure end to be reduced in the annular fringe region. The reduction in thickness gradually decreasing in the direction of the radius of curvature. The material displaced by the squeezing flowing towards the radius of curvature. A ring tool which is finger like in cross section can be used to exert pressure on the core groove during or after the squeezing thereby causing the inner leg of the core groove to move towards a more vertical orientation.

Growing community of inventors

Cremlingen, Germany

Lutz Strube