Abstract:
A container, particularly a drinks can, is closed by a lid having a tear-off opening. Additionally, a rotatable element is provided and used to close the tear-off opening for a consumption seal and/or which covers a symbol and/or a sign which is only visible after opening the seal.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 10/476,181, filed Nov. 5, 2003, incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention refers to a container lid as well to a container. 
         [0003]    From DE 296 16 133 a container lid is known, which is used for cans and especially for drinks cans, and is provided with a container opening, which with an originally sealed container is locked by a sealing latch. For opening the container, said sealing latch can be at least partly removed or can be pressed into the container by using an opening ring or a tear-off ring provided on said seal. The container lid is formed of two parts and consists of a first lid element to be fastened on a container or can body, which is also provided with the sealing latch or the container opening, and of a second lid element rotatably fastened on the outer surface or the upper side of the lid. In view of the two-part arrangement the container opening in its open position can be closed again by correspondingly rotating the second lid element. It is essential to design the second lid element shaped as a circular disk and on its periphery or rim is guided on the first lid element in a form-locking manner. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the invention to improve the container lid and to propose an improved and novel container. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Also with the container lid of the subject invention, the second lid element is designed similar to the shape of a circular disk, and its rim is guided along the first lid element in a form-locking manner so that it is fastened there against lifting from the first lid element. In this way a sealed closure is guaranteed also with an inner pressure of the container, which is closed again by the second lid element, especially if drinks including carbon dioxide are involved, such as soft drinks or beer. 
         [0006]    A special feature of the novel container lid is that the form-locking connection between the first lid element and the periphery or rim of the second lid element is provided on a rim area of the bottom of the lid surround the center axis of the lid concentrically, with a radial distance from the lid edge of the pot-like lid, which edge is formed preferably ring-type or as a conical ring so that the container lids can be stacked or nested one above the other when processed within a container closure machine in an optimum manner, and also allows processing of the container lid with the usual closure tools. 
         [0007]    With the container lid according to the subject invention, the first lid element is preferably made from sheet metal or from suitable plastic material, such as PET. For manufacturing the second lid element sheet metal can be used; however, the second lid element is preferably made from plastic, which allows optimum design and structure, especially also the formation of rounded edged, rims and openings. By using plastic material for at least one lid element scratching of the lid elements can be avoided, when the lid elements are rotated relative to each other so that an optically pleasant and also hygienic solution will be obtained. 
         [0008]    Guiding the second lid element in a form-locking manner at its periphery along the first lid element allows the second lid element with its edge to engage a ring-like catch on the first lid element, which catch concentrically surrounds the center axis, for example to engage a ring-type groove of the first lid element, which groove surrounds the center axis concentrically and is open radially outwardly in view of said center axis, or alternatively to engage a ring-like projection peripherally on the first lid element which surrounds the center axis of the lid concentrically and in an axial direction radially to said center axis extends beyond adjacent surfaces of the first lid element. The peripheral area of the second lid element engaging the ring-type catch on the first lid element can be formed to be continuous or alternatively can be formed with several segments joining each other in the peripheral direction. Furthermore, there is the possibility that the ring-type catch is formed by a plurality of projections provided on the first lid element, which projections are arranged in a consecutive manner along a circular line surrounding the center axis concentrically. 
         [0009]    A sealing element is provided at least on the first and/or the second lid element either by attaching or applying a corresponding sealing material, or by molding; said sealing material closes the gap between the lid elements at least around the container opening and effectively prevents filling material (drinks) from entering the gap between the lid elements. 
         [0010]    The second lid element of the container lid according to the invention is supported or guided also around the center axis on the first lid element by using a fastening element which can be of the same material as the first lid element, such as a rivet or a catching rivet or a catching pivot. 
         [0011]    According to a further embodiment of the invention the container lid and with a two-part structure of said container lid the lid elements are manufactured at least partly from plastic, preferably a transparent plastic, such as PET. With a container lid made of plastic, such as PET or of a first container element a sealing latch is formed for example by an insertion element, which can be made from sheet metal or from suitable plastic. 
         [0012]    With the subject invention the first and/or the second lid element of the repeatedly closeable lid is manufactured from metal or plastic. The second lid element which is rotatably arranged on the first lid element also can be made from metal (such as aluminum) or plastic, whereby the plastic material is chosen from food compatible plastic material. 
         [0013]    This invention is suitable as a container for liquid filling material, such as drinks. But it is also suitable for a container for powdered, granulated or particle-type filling material, such as cereal, nuts etc. 
         [0014]    In order to guarantee a safe sealing effect, the rotatable second lid element and/or the first lid element is provided with a suitable sealing element. This sealing element can be applied to said structural element subsequent to completing the first or second lid element by any suitable technique. If the structural element is made from plastic there is also the possibility to manufacture the seal by an injection molding or by an in-mold process. 
         [0015]    The tear-off latch can be made from metal or plastic or from a combination of both. Especially, when manufacturing the rotatable lid element and/or the tear-off latch there is also the possibility not only to manufacture the parts by a so-called assembly injection molding process, but at the same time to fasten the parts with each other. Such assembly injection molding process also can be combined with a two component injection molding process or an in-mold-process, which means that manufacturing the rotatable lid element from plastic with the tear-off latch made of a harder plastic material (such as PET), and the molding of the sealing element of a softer plastic material, which again is food-compatible, could be done in one operation step. 
         [0016]    If the tear-off latch is a separately manufactured structural element, said latch for example is connected with the lid bottom of the first lid element and the rotatable lid portion by means of the rivet or pivot pin formed from the material of the lid bottom of the first lid element. Basically, there is also the possibility to attach the tear-off latch pivotably to the rotatable lid element, for example by catching. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, there is the possibility to design the tear-off latch and/or the rotatable lid element in such a manner that the tear-off latch is fixed by being locked in a position extending parallel to the upper side of the rotatable lid element. 
         [0018]    Especially, if the central point of rotation of the rotatable lid element is formed by a trunnion, a pivot pin or a bearing element (also rivet) provided within the bottom of the first lid element it is useful to design the sealing element acting between the lid bottom and the rotatable lid element in such a manner that it surrounds said pivot pin etc. in a ring-like manner so that a sealing effect is obtained around the pivot pin. 
         [0019]    If the first lid element is manufactured from plastic there is the possibility that an insertion element from metal is provided or is injection molded within said lid bottom, whereby said insertion element made from metal then includes the area which is to be opened by impressing it in so that the drinking or discharge opening in the usual manner can be opened in the usual manner by tearing-off. 
         [0020]    With containers having a larger volume it is also possible to arrange the lid bottom of the first lid element with an enlarged diameter. This lid bottom of the first lid element then is provided with a section extending beyond the upper side of the lid bottom of the lid element to a certain extent, which upper side is facing away from the interior of the container, is formed in a circular manner and the central axis of which is staggered in view of the center axis of the container. This section is provided with the area to be opened by a tearing-off step. On this section the rotatable lid element is arranged, which allows for closing the discharge opening again in such a manner that the rotatable lid element at its rim engages the lid bottom of the first lid element in a form-locking manner, and in addition thereto is rotatably connected with the first lid element within the center of said section by means of a bearing element. 
         [0021]    The design described above has the advantage that in spite of a large diameter of the container and thus in spite of a large container volume for closing the container again a lid element with relatively small diameter can be used, which means a lid element the firmness and stiffness of which already in view of the smaller diameter is sufficiently high to obtain the required sealing effect of the container, if closed again, especially at a high inner pressure of the container, as it is for example with a carbon dioxide filling material (such beer, soft drinks, etc.). 
         [0022]    The container according to the invention is especially suitable for liquid and solid food, such as drinks, coffee, coffee beans, peanuts, pistachios, pastry, sweets like bonbons etc., salad oil, however, also for cosmetics such as shampoos, washing powder, cleaning material, gels and pastes, but also for technical filling material, such as motor and transmission lubricants etc. 
         [0023]    In general the lid according to the invention is designed in such a manner that it can be processed with the usual closing machines, especially by rolling the first lid element onto the upper rim of the container. For this purpose the lid is formed so that the edge of the first lid element is accessible for the tools used therewith. 
         [0024]    Furthermore, the lid according to the invention is formed in such a manner that it can be stacked or nested together with a plurality of equivalent lids within a magazine of the seaming apparatus by interlocking or interengaging. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0025]    In the following, the invention is explained in more detail by describing embodiments in connection with the figures, which show: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  in a simplified representation and in top view a reclosable lid for a drinks can, according to the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  a cross section along line I-I of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  a partial section through the lid of  FIG. 1  corresponding with line II-II; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  in a simplified representation a cross section through the upper part of a drinks can with the lid according to  FIG. 1  closed; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  a representation similar to  FIG. 2  of a further embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  a top view on the rotatable lid element of the lid according to the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  a cross section according to line III-III of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  a cross section according to line IV-IV of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 9-20  in top view and in cross-section additional embodiments of the lid according to the invention; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 21-24  a first lid element in bottom view, lateral view, in cross section as well a perspective top view; 
           [0036]      FIGS. 25-29  a rotatable second lid element matching the first lid element of  FIGS. 21-24  in top view, lateral view, in cross-section, bottom view and in perspective top view; 
           [0037]      FIGS. 30-34  a tear-off latch to be used with a container lid of  FIGS. 21-29  in top view, front view, cross section and bottom view; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 35-38  a rotatable lid element matching the first lid element of  FIGS. 21-24  in top view, lateral view, cross section, bottom view and a perspective top view of a further embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 39-42  a tear-off tongue to be used in connection with the rotatable lid element of  FIGS. 35-38  in top view, front view, lateral view and bottom view; 
           [0040]    FIGS.  43 + 44  in partial cross section and in top view a further embodiment of a container according to the invention; 
           [0041]    FIGS.  45 + 46  in cross section as well in top view the first lid element of the lid of the container according to FIGS.  43 + 44 ; 
           [0042]      FIGS. 47-49  a lid element in bottom view, in cross section and in top view of the container of FIGS.  43 + 44 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 50  in a simplified representation a partial cross section through a rotatable lid element and an embossed area at the non-rotatable lid element of a first embodiment of the invention, and 
           [0044]      FIG. 51  a view of the rotatable lid element of  FIG. 50  from the bottom. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]    In  FIGS. 1-4 , reference number  1  refers to a lid to be used for a drinks can, for example a can for soft drinks or beer which has a lid  1  and a cup-like can body  2  on its top side (see  FIG. 4 ). Lid  1  is sealingly attached to the can body  2  with the lid  1  in the usual manner and with the usual means, such as by a fold  3  along an upper rim of the can so that can  1  hermetically seals the interior space  4  of the can against the surroundings. 
         [0046]    Can body  2  for example is fabricated from metal (aluminum or aluminum alloy) by deep drawing processes or alternatively is fabricated from a suitable plastic, such as PET. 
         [0047]    Lid  1  comprises the lid element  5 , which for example is also fabricated in a cup-type shape from sheet metal of aluminum or aluminum alloy by deep drawing, namely with an even or substantially even lid bottom  6  formed as a circular disk, with a lid rim  7 , which tapers with increasing diameter towards the upper side of lid  1  and joins a rounded edge section  8  forming the fold  3  when closing the can body  2 . Between bottom  6  and rim  7  the lid is formed with a ring-like groove  9  which concentrically surrounds the center axis M of the lid and is open towards the upper side of the lid. 
         [0048]    Adjacent bottom  6  of the lid and radially staggered in view of the center axis M a sealing latch  10  is formed within the material of said bottom, which latch for opening the can or lid  1  can be pressed impressed so that when lid  1  is open latch  10  over a partial area still is connected with bottom  6  of the can and extends into the interior space  3  of the can for releasing an opening  11  for drinking, as shown in  FIG. 2  by an interrupted line  10 ′. Latch  10  is manufactured in one piece with bottom  6  so that the edge line of latch  10  at least over a partial area is formed by a breaking line, along which the material of the bottom of the lid has a reduced cross section. Latch  10  is reinforced by strengthening beads or ribs  12 . 
         [0049]    For opening lid  1  or the opening  11  for drinking the upper side of the lid is provided with an opening or tear-off ring  13 , which in top view of the lid ( FIG. 1 ) is a substantially oval ring  14  with a center web  15  with openings  16  and  17  at both sides of the central web  15 . A sealing latch  18  extends into that opening  17 , which is arranged nearer to the sealing latch  10 . The tear-off ring  13  is fastened to said latch  18  at the upper side of the lid element  5  adjacent the central axis M by a short clamping rivet  19  formed from the material of the bottom  6  of the lid. The ring body  14  and the central web  15  are rigidly formed. Latch  18  can be bent. At the side opposite to the opening  16  the tear-off ring  13  contacts the sealing latch  10  when opening the can. 
         [0050]    With an originally closed can the tear-off ring  13  with its ring plane is parallel or substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom  6  of the lid within the space surrounded by the lid ring  7 , which means below the lid edge  8  or the rim of the can formed by the fold  3 . 
         [0051]    A further lid element  20  is arranged rotatable around the center axis M on the upper side of the bottom  6  of the lid opposite to the interior space  4  of the container. Said lid element is shaped as a circular disk and has a peripheral rim  21 , which is drawn downwardly and rolled-in slightly; said rim  21  at its interior side facing the center axis M forms a section  22  which surrounds the center axis M concentrically and forms a groove opened towards the center axis M; across section  22  the lid element  20  overlaps an annular extension  23  surrounding the center axis M concentrically in a form locking manner; said extension is formed at the transition of the bottom  6  of the lid towards the joining ring groove  9  on the lid element  5 . By means of rim  21  and projection  23  the lid element  20  along its entire periphery is connected with the lid element  5  in a form locking manner, especially is also fastened against lifting from the lid element  5 . Inspite thereof the lid element  20  can be rotated around the central axis M relative to the lid element  5 . 
         [0052]    In the center of the lid the lid element  20  is rotatably supported on the lid element  5  by means of a rivet  19 . In order to obtain a low structural height and especially a small axial dimension for the rivet  19  the tear-off ring  13  is provided with an area having a crank  24  surrounding the rivet in such a manner that the lid element  20  with an aperture  25  is rotatably supported on said crank of the tear-off ring  13  or the latch  18 , and the tear-off ring  13  is rotatably connected with the lid element  5  by means of said crank  24  and said rivet  19  around the center axis M. 
         [0053]    The lid element  20  with the shown embodiment is fabricated from plastic, preferably a transparent plastic (such as PET) and has an opening  26  of the same size and in view of the center axis M also the same arrangement as the drinking opening  11 . With originally closed cans the opening  26  is coincident with the latch  10  so that by using the tear-off ring  13  the lid  1  can be opened in such a manner that the opening  11  for drinking formed subsequent to impressing the latch  10  is accessible through opening  26 . By rotating the lid element  20  relative to the lid element  5  the opening  11  can be closed again by means of the lid element  20 . 
         [0054]    In order to facilitate rotating the lid element  20  said element  20  is provided with two handles or followers  28  which extend slightly beyond the upper side of the lid element  20 . The followers  28  are arranged on both sides of a tear-off ring  13  on a common axis intersecting the central axis M. 
         [0055]    With the shown embodiment the tear-off ring  13  is rotated around the center axis M together with rotating the lid element  20 . Accordingly, the lid element  20  at its upper side has two catches or projections  29  which extend into the opening  16  and when rotating the lid element  20  take along the tear-off ring  13 . 
         [0056]    Assembling the lid  1  is performed by initially setting-up the lid element onto the upper side of bottom  6  of the lid and pressing it against the bottom  6  in such a manner that the section  22  on the ring-type projection  23  is resiliently locked. Subsequent thereto the tear-off ring  23  is set upon the preformed rivet  19  so that crank  24  is arranged within the bore  25  of the lid element  20 , and the projections  29  engage the opening  16 . In a further operation step rivet  19  is deformed so that the tear-off ring  13  and therewith also the lid element  20  is finally supported at the lid element  5 . 
         [0057]    As  FIG. 2  shows the lid element  20  with the shown embodiment is depressed at the top side, where the tear-off ring  13  is provided in order to reduce the structural height by this measure. 
         [0058]    A substantial detail of lid  1  is seen in that the annular groove  9  as well the entire height of the lid edge  7  is kept distant from the lid element, which means is not covered by said element so that lid  1  can be processed with the usual closure tools, which require the free accessible edge  7  of the lid along the entire height for rolling along the edge section  8  and for forming the fold  3 . 
         [0059]    For sealing the opened drinking opening  11  again by means of the lid element  20  the lid element  5  has an area with a peripheral seal  30  surrounding the drinking opening  11 , which seal is provided with an open groove on the upper side of the bottom  6  of the lid and formed into said bottom by applying a suitable sealing material. 
         [0060]    As a further embodiment  FIG. 5  shows a lid  1   a  which differs from lid  1  substantially in that instead of the seal  30  two seals  31  and  32  are applied onto the underside of the lid element  20  adjacent the bottom  6  of the lid portion  5   a , namely a peripheral seal  31  at the edge area surrounding the opening  26  and a peripheral seal  32  of the same shape, size and position in view of the center axis M at an area staggered in view of the opening  26  by a predetermined angle around the center axis M. In view of seal  31  and the released drinking opening  11  the intermediate space between the bottom of lid  6  and lid element  20  around said drinking opening is sealed. Seal  32  seals the transition between bottom  6  of the lid and lid element  20  when the latter has been rotated into a position in which the drinking opening  11  is closed. With this embodiment lid element  1   a  is provided with stops, which provide the defined end positions of the lid element  20  for the condition “drinking opening  11  released” and “drinking opening  11  closed”. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 6-8  show in individual representations as a further embodiment of the invention a lid element  20   a  which can be used instead of the lid element  20  of  FIGS. 1-5 . Lid element  20   a  differs from lid element  20  substantially in that the followers  28   a  corresponding to the followers  28  are arranged in depressions  33  at the upper side of lid element  20   a , which results in an extremely low structural height. Furthermore, the followers  28  are formed in such a manner that they widen towards their free end, and form tapered edges there so that the grip is improved. Instead of the applied seals  31  and  32  lid element  20   a  is provided with seals formed thereon; only one of said seals, namely seal  31   a  corresponding to seal  31  is shown. 
         [0062]    Applying the seals  30 ,  31  or  32  is performed by suitable techniques, for example by applying a suitable sealing material (elastomer) which cures subsequent to being applied. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show in top view as well in cross section further embodiments of a lid  1   b , which differs from lid  1  substantially in that it is to be used for a can body  2   b  fabricated from plastic, preferably PET. Instead of a metal lid element  5  a lid element  5   b  is used which is also fabricated from plastic, preferably of PET, and the shape of which corresponds substantially to the shape of the lid element, however, with the main difference that the drinking opening  11  in the originally closed condition of the drinks can or alternatively of the lid  1   b  is closed by an insert  10   b , which with the shown embodiment is manufactured from sheet metal and can be pushed inwards by means of the tear-off ring  13  when the can or the lid  1   b  is to be opened. Instead of the rivet  19  produced by deforming the material a rivet  19   b  is formed onto the lid element  5   b . Rivet  19   b  is formed as a latching rivet to which the tear-off ring  13  is fastened with the opening provided on the ring latch  18  by a snapping effect. A projection  34  is formed on the upper side of lid element  5   b  and engages a part- ring-type recess  35  at the underside of the lid element  20 . Recess  35  extends onto a partial circle extending concentrically to the center axis M across an angular sector, which corresponds with the admissible area of rotation of lid element  20  and is chosen so that opening  11  can be closed again by rotating the lid element  20 . 
         [0064]    Fastening lid  1   b  to the can body  2   b  is effected by suitable measures, such as ultrasonic welding and/or glueing adjacent a fold  3   b . Lid element  20  is made from plastic, preferably PET.  FIGS. 11 and 12  show the can body  2   b  with the lid element  5   b  again, however, with tear-off ring  13  and lid element  20  removed. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show representations similar to  FIGS. 9 and 10  as further embodiments of a lid  1   c  which also is intended to be used for a PET can, which means that it is made and is suitable for being used with the can body  2   b  made of plastic (PET). Lid  1   c  differs from lid  1   b  mainly insofar that instead of the insert portion  10   b  an insert portion  10   c  made from sheet metal is provided, which also forms the rivet  19 .  FIGS. 15 and 16  show lid element  5   c  of lid  1   c  when the tear-off ring  13  and the lid element  20  are not yet assembled. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 17 and 18  show in plan view as well in cross section a lid  1   d  for a PET drinks can, which means for being used with can body  2   b . Lid  1   d  substantially comprises lid element  5   d  only, which is fabricated from sheet metal, such as a sheet of aluminum or aluminum alloy, with a shape corresponding basically to the shape of lid element  5 . Lid element  5   d  is sealingly connected with the rim of can body  1   b  in a suitable manner, f.e. by glueing, welding or any other suitable process. Instead of latch  10  which can be teared-off, lid element  5   d  has an opening  36  forming the drinking opening, which forms a rim  37  extending into the interior space of can body  2   b . In order to enable emptying the content of the drinks can to a full extent, rim  37  is provided with slots or openings  38  adjacent the underside of the lid element  5   d . By a set-up or screwed-on closure element  39  the opening  37  can be closed. The associated threaded end can be provided with a single thread or a multiple thread, preferably with a high pitch so that the closure element  39  can be removed or alternatively fitted by a limited rotational movement. 
         [0067]    Because the thread for the closure element  39  is provided on the rim  37  extending into the interior of the can the closure element  39  only extends a small distance beyond the upper side of the bottom of lid element  5   d , when the can is closed so that the closure element  39  when closed extends only a small distance upwardly beyond the bottom of the lid, and in this manner several closed cans can be easily stacked. 
         [0068]    The sealing effect between lid element  5   d  and closure element  39  for example is guaranteed by the self-sealing thread or by an additional seal (not shown). Furthermore, there is the possibility to provide said closure element  39  so that safety for originality is obtained in such a manner that when opening the closure element  39  for the first time a plumbing element, such as a perforation is to be destroyed mechanically so that an already open can clearly can be realized as being open. 
         [0069]    Above, it has been explained that lid element  5   b  is manufactured from metal sheet. Of course, there is the possibility to manufacture this lid element also from plastic, such as PET; according to  FIGS. 19 and 20  the lid marked with le also can be manufactured in one piece with the can body  2   b  already when being manufactured. Filling the can with liquid (drink) is performed through opening  36 , which is closed by closure element  39  subsequent to being filled. 
         [0070]    Instead of insert portions  10   b  or  10   c  made of metal or sheet metal said parts also can be made of suitable plastic. 
         [0071]    Above, the invention has been described in connection with embodiments. It is understood that a plurality of alterations and changes will be possible without leaving the basic idea of the invention. 
         [0072]    The above description has started from the fact that lid element  20  or  20   a  has been fabricated from plastic. Of course, there is the possibility to fabricate such lid elements from metal or sheet metal. Furthermore, independent from the chosen material the rim  21  of the lid element  20  or  20   a  can be segmented or can be provided with cuttings so that latching this rim at the annular projection  23  will be easier, also by an especially effective form-locking engagement of the projection  23  by rim  21 . 
         [0073]    Furthermore, with a sufficiently long rivet  19  it is also possible to support the corresponding lid element  20  or  20   a  directly on said rivet in a rotatable manner, whereby the described embodiment with the rotatable support of lid element  20  or  20   a  on said crank has the advantage of a short rivet  19  and thus a small structural height, and also avoids an excessive stress of the material when forming the rivet  19 . 
         [0074]    Above, it has been described, too, that the seal  30  provided at the bottom  6  of the lid has been designed as an annular seal surrounding the drinking opening  11 . Preferably, this seal in the rotational direction of the lid element  20  is of a width that in any rotational positions of the lid element, especially also in a position in which drinking opening  11  and opening  26  overlap each other only partly, the gap or transition between bottom  6  and lid element  20  or  20   a  are entirely sealed so that even if the drinking opening  11  and the opening  26  overlap each other only partly, which means when the drinking opening  11  is only partly open, filling material such as a drink cannot pass between the bottom  6  of the lid and lid element  20 . The shape and the path of seal  30  is shown by an interrupted line  30 ′ of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0075]      FIGS. 21-24  show in different representations the various elements of a repeatedly closable lid  1   f  of a further embodiment of the invention. The lid which can be used for the can body  2  again consists of the lid element  5   f  with bottom  6   f  of the lid, which element  5   f  is fastened to the can body by rolling-on, and corresponds to lid element  5  and bottom  6  of the lid; lid element  5   f  with bottom  6   f  of the lid for example is fabricated from metal (aluminum) with a shape corresponding to lid element  5 . Furthermore, lid  1   f  comprises the rotatable lid element  20   f  which in view of its function corresponds to lid element  20  and can be fabricated from plastic or metal. By means of rivet  19  formed centrally on bottom  6   f  of the lid, the lid element  20   f  is rotatably supported at the bottom  6   f  of the lid. Lid element  20   f  with its rim  50  corresponding to rim  22  is supported in a form-locking manner along its periphery by press-on and latching steps, however, is rotatably supported on lid element  5   f  or alternatively on bottom  6   f  of the lid. Rim  50  engages the annular projection  51  which corresponds to the projection  23 . Together with the rivet  19  the tear-off latch  52  is supported on the bottom  6   f  of the lid or alternatively on the lid element  20   f.    
         [0076]    On the underside facing bottom  6   f  of the lid, lid element  20   f  has two stops  53  starting from the edge  50 , which stops cooperate with a projection  54 , worked out from the material of bottom  6   f  of the lid and extending beyond the upper side of said bottom. The two stops  53 , which are 180° staggered against each other in view of the center axis of the lid element  5   f , restrict the rotational movement of the lid element  20   f  to an angle of about 180° or slightly less. 
         [0077]    The bottom  6   f  of the lid has an area  55 , which is impressed, and which when being impressed releases the drinking opening by means of the tear-off latch  52 . Within lid element  20   f  an opening  56  is provided, which corresponds to said area  55  or the drinking opening when opened. If lid  1   f  is closed (originally sealed) as well if the drinking opening is opened and released, the open area  55  and the opening  56  are coincident. If lid  1   f  is closed again, lid element  20   f  is rotated so that the open area  55  (drinking opening) is covered by lid element  5   f.    
         [0078]    At the underside facing bottom  6   f  the lid element  20   f  is provided with a seal  57  formed similar to a figure eight, which seal on the one hand extends along the edge of the opening  56 , namely along a section  57 ′ of the seal. Opposite to section  57  a sealing section  57 ″ is formed as a mirror image relative to the symmetrical axis SA. Also the two stops  53  are symmetrically arranged in view of the symmetry axis intersecting the center axis of lid element  20   f . With opening  56  arranged coincident with area  55  the seal with its section  57 ′ contacts the edge area at the bottom  6   f  of the lid surrounding area  55 . With the lid  1   f  closed again or with the drinking opening (open area  55 ) closed again section  57 ″ rests against bottom  6  of the lid with the rim surrounding said area  55 . As shown, seal  57  is also formed in such a manner that it surrounds the center opening  58  within the lid element  5   f  for the rivet  19  along section  57 ′″ so that especially with an originally sealed can the lid element  20   f  is sealingly closed adjacent rivet  19  so that for example no liquid can flow from the outer side of lid element  20   f  between the bottom of the lid and the lid element. The tear-off latch  52  is formed of sheet metal with the usual shape. In addition to projections  59  extending beyond the upper side, and having on its upper side the lid element  20   f  moulded and formed followers or handles, is provided with further projections  60 , which operate as locks for the tear-off latch  52  in such a manner that said tear-off latch subsequent to breaking up the area  55  is returned into a position, in which it is in flat contact with the upper side of the lid element  20   f  and is interlocked with the latch elements  60  by being locked. 
         [0079]    Lid  1   f  is designed so that it can be stacked within a seaming machine or within a magazine etc. together with a plurality of identical lids nested between each other, and accordingly can be processed by usual closure methods. Especially, lid element  20   f  is formed as a flat element. 
         [0080]    Seal  57  for example is applied in a suitable manner subsequent to manufacturing the lid element  20   f . Especially, when manufacturing the lid element  20   f  of plastic there is the possibility to mould the seal  57  or to manufacture it by an in-mould-process together with the lid element  20   f . The plastic material for lid element  20   f  preferably is a material such as PET, suitable for food. 
         [0081]    Above, there has been stated that the tear-off latch  52  is made of metal. Of course, there is the possibility to manufacture the tear-off latch partly or entirely of plastic. Furthermore, there is the possibility when manufacturing the lid element  20   f  to mould the tear-off latch onto said lid element by means of a section of material acting as a hinge. 
         [0082]      FIGS. 35-42  show various views of the lid element  20   g  as a further embodiment. This lid element preferably is made from plastic and differs from lid element  20   f  substantially in that at the upper side of the lid element at both sides of opening  58  two bearing elements  61  are provided, on which a tear-off latch  62  manufactured as a forming element or an injection moulded part of plastic with pivot pins  63  can be fastened by clicking-on. Bearing elements  61  are provided with bearing openings  64 , which are open on one side facing the opening  58 , which with pivot pins  63  clicked-on surround said pivot pin along a peripheral area of more than 180°. Because the bearing openings  64  are open towards the opening  56 , the pivot pins  63  when tearing-off the area  55  in order to release the discharge or drinking opening will not be pushed out from their bearing elements  61 . 
         [0083]    By forming the pivot pins  63  and the associated bearing openings  64  in a suitable manner it is possible that tear-off latch  62  subsequent to breaking-up the drinking opening can be moved back by locking into the position, in which it is in flat contact with the upper side of the lid element  20   g . Assembling the lid element  20   g  with the bottom (not shown) of the lid, such as bottom  20   f  of  FIGS. 21-24 , can be performed by pressing-on the lid element  20   g  and subsequently rivetting with the rivet  19  formed from the bottom of the lid. Basically, there is also the possibility of the so called assembly injection moulding process with which the lid element  20   g  is injection moulded onto the bottom of the lid, whereby the tear-off latch  62  is assembled. There is also the possibility to manufacture lid element  20   g  with the tear-off latch  62  by the so called assembly jet moulding process, according to which initially one of two parts is formed by jet moulding, and subsequent thereto the other part will be moulded so that the articulated connection between the tear-off latch  62  and the lid element  20   g  is obtained. 
         [0084]    As especially shown in  FIGS. 41 and 42  the pivot pins  63  are arranged closer to the one end than to the other. On the one end tear-off latch  62  has a ledge-type projection  65  which when breaking-up the area  55  of the bottom of the lid releasing the discharge or drinking opening will be in contact with this area. The other end distant from the pivot pin  63  is used as a handle surface for the breaking-up operation. 
         [0085]      FIGS. 43-49  show various views, especially different views of the individual parts of a relockable container with larger volume and with a lid, which can be locked again. The container  66  comprises a container body or can body  2   h , which at its top side is sealed by means of lid  1   h . Lid  1   h  includes the lid element  5   h  with the bottom  6   h  of the lid, which is formed within an area  6   h ′ of bottom  6  displaced from the center axis BMA of the container by means of section  67  pressed-out from the material of bottom  6   h , which section  67  is annular in shape relative to the center axis M, and the shape of which corresponds to the center area, such as bottom  6  of the lid, and especially has a rim  51  corresponding to rim  23  which peripherally overlaps the rotatable lid element  20   h . Section  67  comprises area  68  corresponding to the area  55 , and can be compressed so that the drinking opening will be released. Lid element  20   h  is designed similar to lid element  20   b , is rotatably supported around axis M on section  67 , and is fastened against being lifted by a rivet formed from the material of bottom  6   h  adjacent the center axis M. So far as it concerns function and structure lid element  5   h  is equivalent to lid element  20   g . Of course, lid element  20   h  also can be formed similar to lid element  5   f  or any other lid element described above, especially also in view of the tear-off latch  69  which corresponds to tear-off latch  62 . The embodiment of  FIGS. 43-49  can be described so that for the large volume container  66  bottom  6   h  of the lid has an increased diameter and that the relockable section  67  of the bottom of the lid providing the drinking and discharge opening is designed according to the lid of a can with a smaller diameter, namely with the rotatable lid element used in connection with cans and containers of smaller diameter. 
         [0086]    Above, there has been described that the rotatable lid element  20 ,  20   f ,  20   g ,  20   h  can be rotatably connected with the lid portion by riveting, whereby rivet  19  is formed from the material of the non-rotatable lid portion. However, there is also the possibility of fastening the rotatable lid element as well on its periphery as also centrally by latching and clipping onto element  19   b  formed as a stopping pin so that subsequent to the latching step element  19   b  again operates as a pivot pin for the rotatable lid element  20 - 20   h.    
         [0087]    As shown in  FIG. 50  the seals provided on the rotatable lid element, namely seal  57  formed as a narrow web or alternatively sections  57 ′ and  57 ″ thereof cooperate with an edge area  55 ′ which is embossed and above its upper surface of the bottom  6   f  of the lid points away and surrounds the discharge or drinking opening subsequent to impressing the area  55  or  58 , as well in the start position of the rotatable lid element if the area  55  is not yet opened, in which (condition) section  57 ′ of the seal  57  contacts the edge area  55 ′, as also if the container is closed again, when section  57 ″ of seal  57  contacts edge area  55 ′. In this case seal  57  according to  FIG. 50  is concave in cross section at its lower, free side, namely with a groove  70 , which extends along the seal and is open at its underside so that rotating the rotatable lid element  20 - 20   h  can be obtained with little effort, and at the same time it is possible to obtain a sealingly closed lid element. 
         [0088]    Within  FIGS. 50 and 51  reference numeral  71  shows a precessing seal, which also surrounds seal  57  and is provided at the underside of the rotatable seal portion  20   f , for example is moulded thereto. Seal  71  has a tapering cross section towards its free end ( FIG. 50 ) so that the inclination of the outside surface  71 ′ opposite to seal  57  relative to a vertical line in view of the plane of the rotatable lid portion is about 5°, and the inclination at the inner surface  71 ″, namely that side facing seal  57  with the shown embodiment is about 15°. As shown in  FIG. 51 , seal  71  is radially inwardly displaced between the two stops  53  so that stop  54  in each rotational position of the lid element referenced to the rotational axis in view of the seal  71  is displaced radially outwardly, and the seal will not be damaged by stop  54 . Seal  71  guarantees that for example also in view of the usual washing and drying operation subsequent to the filling and closing of a container, no cleaning fluid can pass between the non-rotatable and the rotatable lid elements. Because the seal per se cooperates with a defined area of the non-rotatable lid element, an optimum sealing effect is obtained. The height of the seal  71  is chosen so that peripherally it is only slightly in contact with the non-rotatable lid element  5   f , however, the sealing effect is obtained so that an increased force is not required for rotating the rotatable lid element by means of the seal  71 . In order to simplify rotating the rotatable lid element  20   f , a lubricant is added to the material for the used seal  57  and  71 . 
         [0089]    As mentioned above, the area  57  forming the discharge opening subsequent to the tearing-off step is provided with an embossed rim  57 ′. There is the possibility that said embossed rim with an originally closed container extends into opening  56  of the rotatable lid element, supported by the fact that the non-rotatable lid element in view of an interior pressure of the originally closed container, such as by the CO 2  pressure of the originally closed container, is curved outwardly. Only when breaking-up section  57  the interior pressure escapes so that the curvature of the non-rotatable lid element is reduced to such an extent that rotating the rotatable lid element  20   f  will be possible. 
         [0090]    In addition, there is the possibility to provide different symbols or information at the upper surface of the non-rotatable lid element  5   f , such as profit or lottery numbers for profit games, symbols, can characterising numbers and the like. Said symbols and statements are applied so that they will only be visible subsequent to rotating the rotatable lid element from the original position into the lockable position. 
         [0091]    Above, there has been described that the corresponding container lid is fastened in a ready assembled condition to the container body, for example with a lid element rotatably assembled at the bottom of the lid of the non-rotatable lid element, such as by rolling on. Basically, there is also the possibility to design the bottom of the lid and the rotatable lid element in such a manner that the rotatable lid element only can be applied subsequent to closing the container by means of the non-rotatable lid element, for example by pushing on and latching or in any other suitable manner. Also in this case it is guaranteed that the rotatable lid element is guided at its periphery in a form-locking manner, however, is rotatable at the bottom of the lid of the non-rotatable lid element, and is rotatably connected with this bottom of the lid by means of a pivot pin or the like in the center position. 
         [0092]    Again referring to  FIGS. 50 and 51 , the seals  57  and  71  form sealing means which are arranged in between the first lid element  5   f  and the second lid element  20   f  and especially in between the lid base of the first lid element  5   f  and the second lid element  20   f . At the depicted embodiment, the seal  57  is fixed to that surface side of the second lid element  20   f , which faced the first lid element  5   f  or the lid base of the first lid element. The seal  71  is also provided on this surface of the second lid element  20   f , although there may be embodiments, in which at least one of these seals is fixed to the first lid element  5   f  or the lid base of this led element. 
         [0093]    The seals  57  and  71  are made from a flexible or elastic material, for example from an elastic or flexible plastic material (elastomer) which is suitable for seals. Preferably the seals  57  and  71  are made from a foamed material or plastic material with a closed skin at the outer seal surfaces. 
         [0094]    As shown in the figures, the seals  57  and  71  are also made in a strip-like form, that means the seals or sealing material does not cover the complete surface of the lid base of the first lid element  5   f  or the surface of the second lid element neighboured to said lid base. This is very important feature which enables the second lid element  20   f  to be rotated around the centre axis M relative to the first lid element. 
         [0095]    The seal  57  with the sections  57 ′ and  57 ″, which provide for a shape of the seal  57  similar to the figure or number “8” is necessary, in order to get a tight closing of the container lid or of the opening  55  in the first lid element  5   f  by the seal section  57 ″ when the sealing tab is removed or pressed in for opening the container and the second lid element  20   f  is in its position in which the sealing tab or the container opening  55  is covered or sealed closed by means of the second lid element  20   f.    
         [0096]    The section  57 ′ is provided to avoid a liquid contained in the container (for example a soft drink) to flow into the gap in between the lid elements  5   f  and  20   f , when the second lid element  20   f  is in its position in which the opening  56  is concurrent with the opening  55  in the first lid element  5   f . The sealing  71  is necessary to prevent water or other cleaning liquids to flow in the gap in between the first and second lid elements  5   f  and  20   f . It is usual that containers are washed with water or other cleaning liquids after filling and closing with the container lid. For this reason, it is necessary to provide the seal  71  and to prevent any liquid from entering the gap in between the first and the second lid elements  5   f  and  20   f . It is also necessary, that the seal  71  surrounds the seal  57  as well as the sealing tab and the opening  56 .