NL2000169C2 - Food container, in particular a beverage can, and method for manufacturing such a food container. - Google Patents

Description

Food container, in particular a beverage can, and method for manufacturing such a container

The invention relates to a food container, in particular a beverage can. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a food container.

A conventional metal beverage can is generally formed by a substantially cylindrical canister-shaped body and a top element that is folded onto the canister-shaped body. The beverage can is one of the most accepted disposable packaging for dosed quantities of drink worldwide. Consumers generally appreciate the size and design of the beverage cans, which benefits the handling of the cans. Moreover, drinks in the beverage cans can be preserved in a relatively sustainable manner. Worldwide, soft drinks and beer are packaged on a large scale in beverage cans that are particularly known in the standard dimensions of 330 ml and 500 ml. However, the beverage cans are also used in other standardized dimensions (for example, there are cans with a capacity of 200 ml, 225 ml, 250 ml, 300 ml, 330 ml, 350 ml, 500 ml, "smart cans," tall cans, etc.) ). With conventional, standardized beverage cans, a lip surrounded by weakenings is usually placed in the top element, which lip can be torn off by means of a ring attached to the lip. For these cans, use is made of aluminum or sheet steel as the starting material, on which a coating (“coating”) can optionally be applied. The existing beverage containers have the important disadvantage that they are difficult to open and cannot be resealed.

The invention has for its object to provide a food container, in particular a beverage can, provided with an improved closure.

To this end, the invention provides a food container of the type mentioned in the preamble, comprising: a can-shaped body adapted to receive a food, in particular a drink, a top element connected to the can-shaped body, which top element is provided with at least one passage opening for feed-through of the foodstuff, and a closing cover adapted to close the at least one feed-through opening, wherein an outer side of the closing cover is at least partially provided with coupling means, and an inner side of the can-shaped body and / or the top element at least partially is provided with counter-coupling means adapted for cooperation with the coupling means for releasable coupling of the closing cover with the can-shaped body and / or the top element. By using a separate closing lid, the food container, in particular the beverage can, can be opened and closed again in a relatively efficient manner. The advantage of this is that the content of the food container does not have to be consumed in one go, but can be consumed in portions at different times if desired. The feed opening for the food is generally completely surrounded by the top element. In an alternative embodiment, it is also conceivable that the passage opening connects to a peripheral side of the top element, whereby the passage opening is de facto bounded by both the top element and the can-shaped body. In the closed condition of the food container, the closing lid is generally located partially in the passage opening and preferably also projects relative to the top element in a direction away from the bush-shaped body, which detaches the closing element from the top element and / or the bush-shaped body, and thereby facilitates the opening of the food container. Preferably, only the top element (and not the canister-shaped body) is provided with the counter-coupling means, so that the food container can be manufactured in a relatively simple manner without it being necessary thereby to make (radical) adjustments in known production processes for manufacturing from conventional, standardized 25 cans. The manufacture of the can-shaped body and the coupling (often by sagging) of the top element to the can-shaped body can continue to take place in a conventional manner. The conventional production process will only have to be extended with production steps which comprise the forming of the counter-coupling means and the manufacture and fitting of the closing lid. Research has shown that the use of a closing lid provided with external (outward-facing) coupling means, and a top element and / or a body shaped with internal (inward-facing) coupling means according to the invention leads to a food container which can be closed and resealed in a relatively reliable and sustainable manner. The reliability and durability of closing the food container according to the invention in the aforementioned manner will be significantly better than the closing in case the closing lid would be provided with internal (instead of external) coupling means, and the top element would be provided with external (in location of internal counter-coupling means, in that the maximum permissible load to be exerted on the top element in a direction towards the center of the top element is substantially smaller than this load in a direction remote from the center of the top element. Moreover, positioning the coupling means and the counter-coupling means in accordance with the invention is generally advantageous from a production-technical and logistical point of view, since in this way hardly any adjustments have to be made in the conventional production process for the production of standardized food containers, in particular beverage cans. . The food container according to the invention can thus be realized in combination with preservation of (substantially) the complete information structure suitable for the food containers, in particular beverage cans, according to the state of the art, such as for instance filling lines, packaging equipment, transport means, storage containers, cooling means, vending machines, and so on.

In a preferred embodiment the coupling means are formed at least partly by an external thread, and the counter-coupling means are formed at least partly by an internal thread. In this way a screw connection can be realized between the closing cover, which in this preferred embodiment functions as a screw cap, and the top element and / or the bush-shaped body. In this context it should be noted that in addition to screw (thread) connections, it is also conceivable to use other types of cooperating connections, such as for example a bayonet connection (bayonet connection) or a snap connection. Preferably only the top element is provided with the counter-coupling means, in particular the internal screw thread, which is advantageous from a production point of view, as has already been explained above. The internal screw thread is thereby preferably preferably substantially positioned in the bush-shaped body, or at least in the volume enclosed by the bush-shaped body. The consequence of this is that the screw connection will be realized substantially in the can-shaped body, whereby the additional volume taken up by the food container according to the invention can be minimized relative to the volume standardized for corresponding food products. In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one screw thread is of the external thread and the internal thread are interrupted. By interrupting the screw thread, a pressure leveling can be realized between the internal and external pressure of the food container by means of aeration or concealment, whereafter the closing lid can be removed from the top element and / or the can-shaped body with relatively low resistance. The use of a venting arrangement is particularly advantageous if the food container according to the invention is filled with a carbonated beverage. In an alternative preferred embodiment, it is also conceivable that the food container is provided with closable venting means, which are preferably arranged at least partially in the closing lid. The design freedom of the closing lid will generally be considerably greater than the design freedom of the other components of the food container, which generally makes the fitting of the venting means in the closing lid advantageous.

The counter-coupling means are preferably formed at least in part by at least one deformation arranged in the top element. In this way the counter-coupling means form an integral part of the top element, which generally benefits the solidity of the counter-coupling means. Moreover, it is generally relatively efficient and inexpensive to have the counter-coupling means formed by deformed parts of the top element, because the number of components forming part of the food container can in this way remain relatively limited. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one deformation arranged in the top element is arranged by means of rollers. The top element is usually manufactured from a blank that is subsequently deformed by rolling into the top element. By also generating the counter-coupling means during the rolling process, the counter-coupling means can be manufactured in a relatively efficient manner. As an alternative to the deformation (s) used, it is also conceivable for the top element and / or the bush-shaped body to be provided with recesses (openings), in particular slots, in combination with or instead of the deformation, in order to counteract the contraction. to realize coupling means. The recess are herein arranged for projecting parts forming part of the coupling means, such as, for example, projecting pins.

5

In a preferred embodiment, the can-shaped body and the top element are mutually inseparably connected to each other. To this end, the top element will generally be connected to the bush-shaped body by means of seaming and / or welding, in order to cause the structural structure of the food container to deviate as little as possible from the structural structure of conventional, standardized food containers. In an alternative embodiment, the top element - for example by means of a screw connection - is detachably connected to the bush-shaped body.

10

The closing lid is preferably adapted for substantially medium-tight sealing of the food container. By allowing the food container according to the invention to be sealed in a medium-tight manner, the content of the food container can be preserved in a relatively hygienic and therefore sustainable manner. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the food container comprises sealing means for realizing the substantially medium-tight closure of the food container. The sealing means will preferably be arranged on a part of the closing lid which is adapted to cooperate with the top element and / or the can-shaped body. The application of the sealing means can then be effected by means of, for example, co-extrusion. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the sealing means are arranged on a part of the top element and / or the can-shaped body which is adapted for cooperation with the closing lid. The sealing means preferably comprise a substantially flexible, sealing material strip, in particular a sealing ring. In the closed condition of the food container, a prestress will generally be exerted on the flexible strip of material, as a result of which the substantially medium-tight seal can be realized. In an alternative preferred embodiment it is also conceivable that the sealing means form at least partially part of the coupling means and / or the counter-coupling means. An external screw thread of a closing cover made of plastic can, for example, be wholly or partly formed by a sealing material. Various conventional materials can be used as a sealing material. Preferably, an elastic material, such as rubber, is used and / or a flexible foam with a closed cell structure. Examples of applicable materials are: ethylene vinyl acetate rubber (EVA), ethylene vinyl ethanol (EvOH) and silicone rubber.

The can-shaped body and / or the top element are preferably made of metal, in particular aluminum. Metals are generally particularly suitable for preserving food. The use of aluminum is particularly preferred, since aluminum is relatively easy to process, is relatively strong and inexpensive, and has a relatively low specific gravity (27000 kg / m3). Moreover, aluminum has relatively good barrier properties, it is non-toxic, it has a relatively good oxidation resistance, and moreover it is generally relatively easy to recycle. Although it will generally be less preferred, it is also conceivable to manufacture the can-shaped body and / or the top element from other types of materials, such as, for example, plastic.

The closing lid is preferably made at least partially from plastic. Specific examples of plastics to be used are: PET, PE, PEN, PPE, and HDPE. Some important advantages of the use of plastic for the production of the closing lid is that plastic is generally relatively inexpensive, easily re-usable without having to be recycled directly, and relatively easy to recycle. In addition, a plastic has a relatively low specific gravity (relative to most metals), a relatively good oxidation resistance, and relatively good (thermal and electrical) insulating properties.

The invention then relates to a closing lid for use in a food container according to the invention. Embodiment variants and advantages of the closing lid have already been described in detail in the foregoing.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a food container according to the invention, comprising the steps of: A) filling the canister-shaped body with a foodstuff, B) applying the top element provided with counter-coupling means on the canister-shaped body, and C) closing the foodstuffs in a substantially medium-tight manner by arranging the closing lid provided with coupling means on the top element. The can-shaped 7 (often also referred to as sleeve-shaped) body is usually formed by the thinening of an aluminum blank, after which the bottom is stamped. After the optionally printing of the can-shaped body, the can is usually injected, as a result of which a narrower neck is created, in order to be able to realize a material saving, and thus weight saving. The top element is preferably deformed to enable the counter-coupling means to be generated before step B) is performed. The deformation can be done by conventional techniques, such as for example rolling or welding. In a preferred embodiment, the top element is provided on the bush-shaped body in accordance with step B) by means of seaming and / or welding. The fitting of the closing lid according to step C), and thereby closing of the food container, is usually effected by axially rotating the closing lid to cause the closing lid to be coupled to the top element and / or the can-shaped body. During the axial rotation of the closure cover, the closure cover will generally be moved in a vertical direction in the direction of the top element and the bush-shaped body. After closing the food container, a part of the closing lid is usually positioned in the volume enclosed by the can-shaped body.

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein: figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first beverage can according to the invention, figure 2a shows a perspective cross-section of the beverage can according to figure 1 in a closed state, figure 2b shows a perspective cross-section of the beverage can according to figure 1 in an opened state, figure Fig. 2c shows a perspective cross-section of the beverage can according to Fig. 1 in a disassembled state, Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a second beverage can according to the invention, Fig. 4a shows a perspective cross-section of the beverage can according to Fig. 3 in a closed state, Fig. 4b a perspective cross-section of the beverage can according to Fig. 3 in an opened condition, Fig. 5 a perspective cross-section of a part of yet a third beverage can according to the invention, Fig. 6a a perspective cross-section of a fourth beverage can according to the invention in an open Figure 6b shows a perspective cross-section of the beverage can according to Figure 6a in a closed state, Figure 7a shows a perspective cross-section of a fifth drink can according to the invention in a disassembled state, and Figure 7b shows a perspective cross-section of the beverage can according to figure 7a in a closed state.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a beverage can 1 according to the invention. The beverage can 1 is arranged for preserving beverages, in particular carbonated beverages, and more in particular beer or soft drinks. The beverage can 1 comprises a can-shaped body 2 which encloses a receiving space 3 for the drink. The canister-shaped body 2 is substantially cylindrical and is provided at the top with a tapered neck 4. The canister-shaped body 2 preferably has a standardized design and dimensioning in order to facilitate the assembly of the beverage can 1 with the aid of existing production. . An annular top element 5 is flanged on the neck 4 of the can-shaped body 2, whereby the mutual orientation between the can-shaped body 2 and the top element 5 is substantially fixed. The annular top element 5 is provided with a central passage opening 6 for passage of the drink. The annular top element 5 is further provided with an internal screw thread 7 which is positioned in a volume enclosed by the bush-shaped body 2. The beverage can 1 also comprises a screw cap 8 for closing off the beverage can 1 in a substantially medium-tight manner and resealing after initial opening, whereby the beverage can be preserved relatively sustainably in the beverage can 1 and can be removed by the consumer in desired portions from the beverage can 1. The screw cap 8 is provided with an external screw thread (see figure 2a). An outer side of a peripheral wall 9 of the screw cap 8 is profiled, so as to be able to facilitate axial rotation of the screw cap 8 relative to the top element 4, and thus the opening and closing of the beverage can 1 for a user. In the present exemplary embodiment, the can-shaped body 2 and the top element 9 are made of aluminum. The screw cap 8 is made of plastic by means of an injection molding process, but it is alternatively also conceivable to manufacture the screw cap 8 also from aluminum by means of a casting process. If the screw cap 8 is made of plastic, the screw cap 8 (including the external screw thread) can be formed in a single process step. The screw cap 8 is preferably provided with a venting arrangement (not shown), such as for instance a manually operable shut-off valve, in order to be able to remove an excess pressure built up in the beverage can 1, which will usually considerably facilitate the opening of the beverage can 1. The need to be able to bleed the beverage can 1 will be present in particular with consumers, if the beverage can 1 is filled with a carbonated beverage, such as for example beer or soft drinks.

Figure 2a shows a perspective cross-section of (an upper part of) the beverage can 1 according to figure 1 in a closed state, this figure clearly showing that the screw cap 8 is provided with an external screw thread 10, which in the shown state cooperates with the internal thread 7 forming part of the annular top element 5 for being able to close the beverage can 1 in a durable and stable manner. In order to be able to realize a medium-tight closure of the beverage can 1, the screw cap 8 is provided with a sealing edge 11 which in the shown condition cooperates with an upper edge 12 of the top element 5.

The external screw thread 7 and the sealing edge 11 of the screw cap 8 are now shielded by the skirt-shaped circumferential wall 9. Figure 2b shows a perspective cross-section of the beverage can 1 according to Figure 1 in an opened state. Figure 2b clearly shows that a multi-threaded, in particular three-threaded, internal thread 7 is used. In order to allow the internal thread 7 of the top element 5 to cooperate with the external thread 10 of the screw cap 8, the screw cap 8 is provided with a corresponding multi-threaded, in particular three-threaded, external thread 10. By using a multi-threaded thread 7,10 an improved closure of the beverage can 1 can be realized. Figure 2c shows a perspective cross-section of the beverage can 1 according to figure 1 in a state disassembled into parts 2, 5, 8. Figure 2c clearly shows that the top element 5 has a substantially annular shape. The internal thread 7 that forms part of the top element 5 is formed by a deformed part of the top element 5, wherein deformations forming the thread 7 are preferably arranged by means of a rolling process.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of another beverage can 13 according to the invention. The beverage can 13 comprises a sleeve-shaped body 14 on which an open top element (not shown) provided with an internal screw thread is arranged. The beverage can 13 is closed by means of a closing lid IS. The closing lid 15 is thereby provided with an external screw thread 16 which, in the shown condition of the beverage can 13, cooperates with the internal screw thread of the open top element.

Both the sleeve-shaped body 14, the open top element, and the closing lid 15 are made of aluminum in the present exemplary embodiment. The closing lid 15 is thereby formed by a forced deformed aluminum plate, which plate is often also referred to as blank. Optionally, the beverage can 13 can be provided with a decorative and / or informative print (not shown).

Figure 4a shows a perspective cross-section of the beverage can 13 according to Figure 3 in a closed state. In the situation shown it is visible that the top element 17 is provided with an internal screw thread 18 (see also figure 4b) with which the external screw thread 16 of the closing cover 15 cooperates. Preferably, the closing lid 15 closes the beverage can 13 substantially in a medium-tight manner. In order to be able to guarantee a medium-tight closure of the beverage can 13, it is often advantageous to use separate sealing means (not shown), for example formed by a ring made of an elastomer, in order to form a crack between the top element 17 and the closing lid 15, and thereby prevent leaks from the beverage can 13. Figure 4b shows a perspective cross-section of the beverage can 13 according to Figure 3 in an opened state. Figure 4b shows that the internal screw thread 18 and the external screw thread 16 are both multi-threaded and correspond to each other, and that both the internal screw thread 18 and the external screw thread 16 have a substantially constant pitch, which means a solid closure of the beverage can 13 will generally benefit considerably.

Figure 5 shows a perspective cross-section of a part of yet another beverage container, in particular a beverage can 19 according to the invention. The beverage can 19 is adapted to contain a carbonated beverage, such as for example beer or soft drinks. In figure 5 it is only shown that the beverage can 19 comprises a canister-shaped storage container 20 for drink, on which an annular top element 21 is arranged in a flanged manner. Both the storage container 20 and the top element 21 are made of metal, in particular aluminum. The top element 21 is provided with an internal thread 22 which is de facto formed by deformations arranged in the top element 21. The internal screw thread 22 is adapted for cooperation with an external screw thread forming part of a closing element (not shown). The internal thread 22 is multi-threaded and therefore comprises a plurality of turns 22a, 22b. The perpendicular distance (usually also referred to as the pitch) between the windings 22a, 22b is substantially constant. Each winding 22a, 22b is of interrupted design, in order to be able to realize an improved venting of the beverage can 19, and thereby an improved pressure leveling between the pressure in the beverage can 19 and the pressure outside the beverage can 19 during opening of the beverage can 19.

Figure 6a shows a perspective cross-section of a fourth beverage can 23 according to the invention in a disassembled state. The beverage can 23 is constructively similar to the beverage can 13 shown in Fig. 3, and comprises a sleeve-shaped body 24 on which an open top element 25 provided with an internal screw thread 26 is arranged. The internal screw thread 26 is thereby substantially positioned in the sleeve-shaped body 24. In order to be able to pour the beverage contained in the beverage can 23 from the beverage can 23 in a relatively unobstructed manner, the top element 25 is at the location of the substantially in the sleeve-shaped body. 24 internal thread 26 preferably provided with perforations (not shown). The perforations should herein preferably be large enough to allow substantially unimpeded passage of beverage. The beverage can 23 can be closed by means of a closing lid 27. The closing lid 27 is thereby provided with an external screw thread 28 adapted for cooperation with the internal screw thread 26 forming part of the top element 25. The screw connection will thus in fact be substantially the sleeve-shaped body 24 can be realized. The external thread 28 is provided on an outer side of a protruding inner casing 29 of the closing lid 27. The closing lid 27 is also provided with an outer casing 30 for shielding the top element 25 and the thread connection to be realized. In order to allow the beverage can 23 to close off in a substantially medium-tight manner through the closing lid 26, the beverage can 23 comprises an O-shaped sealing ring 31 adapted to be accommodated in a space 5 formed between the inner casing 29 and the outer casing 30 (see Fig. 6b). ). The sealing ring 31 is preferably made from an elastomer, such as, for example, Fluorocarbon (Viton®), ethylene propylene, Neoprene, and a perfluoro-elastomer, in particular Kalrez®. In the present exemplary embodiment, both the sleeve-shaped body 24, the open top element, and the closing cover 27 are made of aluminum. The closing lid 27 is thereby preferably formed by a forced deformed aluminum plate. Figure 6b shows a perspective cross-section of the beverage can 23 according to Figure 6a in a closed state. It is now clearly shown that the sealing ring 31 is accommodated in a space formed between the inner casing 29 and the outer casing 30, the closing cover 27 being coupled to the top element 25 in such a way that both by a flanged top edge 32 of the top element 25 and by the closing cover 27, a pre-stress is applied to the sealing ring 31 in order to be able to close the beverage can substantially in a medium-tight manner.

Figure 7a shows a perspective cross-section of a fifth beverage can 33 according to the invention in a disassembled state. The beverage can 33 comprises a storage container 34 for drinks, and a coupling ring 35 which is foldable on the storage container 34 and provided with an internal screw thread 36, and a closing lid 37 provided with an external screw thread 38, the external screw thread 38 being adapted to cooperate with the internal screw thread 36 The beverage can 33 further comprises a sealing rubber ring 39 for allowing the beverage can 33 to close substantially medium-tightly through the closing lid 37. An upper side 40 of the closing lid is profiled so as to open and close the beverage can 33 for a consumer. can facilitate. It is special that the outer diameter of the closing lid 37 is smaller than the outer diameter of the coupling ring 35, whereby the sealing lid 37 in an assembled and closed state of the beverage can 33 will be substantially enclosed by the coupling ring 35 (see Fig. 7b) . Figure 7b also shows that the closing lid 37 does not protrude in an upward direction relative to the coupling ring 35, which is generally particularly advantageous from a logistical and production point of view, since the dimensions of the beverage can 33 can in this way be at least substantially the same be kept to the dimensions of corresponding standardized beverage cans. In figure 7b it is further shown that the outer diameter of the closing lid 37 is smaller than the smallest inner diameter of a narrowed neck 41 of the storage container 34. Optionally, the beverage can 33 is provided with a breakable or otherwise removable seal (not shown) , often referred to as a 'tamper-evident' provision, in order to guarantee the contents of the beverage can 33 for a consumer. During initial opening of the beverage can 33, the seal will usually be irreparably damaged by a consumer.

It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described here, but that within the scope of the appended claims, countless variants are possible which will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims (16)

A food container, in particular a beverage can, comprising: - a can-shaped body adapted to receive a food, in particular a beverage, - a top element connected to the can-shaped body, which top element is provided with at least one passage opening for passage of the foodstuff, and - a closing lid adapted to close the at least one passage opening, wherein an outer side of the closing lid is at least partially provided with coupling means, and an inner side of the can-shaped body and / or the top element at least partially is provided with counter-coupling means adapted for co-action with the coupling means for releasable coupling of the closing cover to the can-shaped body and / or the top element. 2. Food container according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling means are formed at least partially by an external screw thread, and in that the counter-coupling means are formed at least partly by an internal screw thread. Food container according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one screw thread of the external screw thread and the internal screw thread is interrupted. 25 Food container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter-coupling means are formed at least partially by at least one deformation arranged in the top element. Food container according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one deformation arranged in the top element is arranged by means of rolling. Food container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the can-shaped body and the top element are mutually inseparably connected to each other. Food container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing lid is adapted for substantially medium-tight closure of the food container. 8. Food container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the food container comprises sealing means for realizing a substantially medium-tight closure of the food container. 9. Food container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the food container is provided with closable venting means. Food container according to claim 9, characterized in that the venting means are arranged at least partially in the closing lid. Food container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the can-shaped body and / or the top element are made of metal, in particular aluminum. 12. Food container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing lid is at least partially made of plastic. 13. Closing lid for use in a food container according to any one of claims 1-12. A method for manufacturing a food container according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising the steps; A) filling the canister-shaped body with a foodstuff, B) applying the top element provided with counter-coupling means to the canister-shaped body, and C) sealing the foodstuffs substantially in a medium-tight manner by arranging the closing lid provided with coupling means on the top element. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the top element is deformed before step B) to realize the counter-coupling means. 16. Method as claimed in claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the top element is applied to the bush-shaped body according to step B) by means of seaming and / or welding.