Metal can body

Abstract: Metal can body, the outer surface of which is provided with a regular pattern of mutually alternating relatively rough and relatively smooth zones which are mutually adjacent with smooth transition zones such that the visual illusion is created of mutually alternating convex and concave zones and optionally a tactile selectivity, according to which the relatively rough zones and the relatively smooth zones cause different touch sensations.

Description: Techniques are known with which a generally very thin-walled can body is given a regular pattern of mutually alternating convex and concave zones by means of a so-called reshaping process. Such profiling can take very varying forms and generally serves a purely aesthetic and not technical purpose (see for example EP-A-0492860). Known for instance are recesses extending in lengthwise direction, more or less helically extending recesses, recesses in the form of the cells of a honeycomb structure, circumferentially extending recesses and so on. It should be appreciated that these recesses, which will generally have a concave form, are alternated with convex zones located further to the outside, for instance the relatively narrow separating zones between the described recesses. It is an object of the invention to provide a can body which is embodied such that the described aesthetic effect is realized without relatively complicated and expensive mechanical operations such as reshaping processes being necessary for this purpose. It is a further object of the invention to embody a can body such that the production process for manufacturing a can body can be modified very easily in order to arrange a different pattern. In respect of the above objectives the invention provides a metal can body, the outer surface of which is provided with a regular pattern of mutually alternating relatively rough and relatively smooth zones which are mutually adjacent with smooth transition zones such that the visual illusion is created of mutually alternating convex and concave zones and optionally a tactile selectivity, according to which the relatively rough zones and the relatively smooth zones cause different touch sensations. It has been found in tests that the can body according to the invention has a surprising effect on the unsuspecting user. On the basis of his optical perception he will expect when he takes hold of a can body in the hand to feel a mechanical pattern of zones which are more recessed and located further to the outside. As soon as he has taken hold the user realizes that the perceived pattern is only an optical illusion. This is an exceptionally surprising effect and therefore a very attractive aspect of the invention. The optional tectile selectivity also causes a sort of "shape-illusion" which is based not on visual but rather on touch-sensation aspects. A specific embodiment has the special feature that the can body is manufactured by pressing said outer surface against a shaping wall which is provided with a texture corresponding with said pattern. Another embodiment has the special feature that said pattern is situated on a foil arranged round the can body. This latter variant can for instance be embodied such that the foil is adhered to the outer surface of the can body. A preferred embodiment has the special feature that the foil is a sheath of shrink foil which is arranged round the body through shrinkage by an appropriate temperature increase. In this embodiment no seam is present, which contributes to the quality of the can body. In some conditions it may be desirable aesthetically or also for technical reasons for the can body to be additionally provided with a pattern of convex and concave zones corresponding with said pattern. The invention also provides a can body of the stated type which is provided with a bottom connected thereto or integrated therewith. The invention also relates to a can body of the described type provided with a bottom connected thereto or integrated therewith, a filling and a cover.

Claims: Metal can body, characterized in that the outer surface of the can body is provided with a regular pattern of mutually alternating relatively rough and relatively smooth zones which are mutually adjacent with smooth transition zones such that the visual illusion is created of mutually alternating convex and concave zones and optionally a tactile selectivity, according to which the relatively rough zones and the relatively smooth zones cause different touch sensations. Can body as claimed in claim 1, which can body is manufactured by pressing said outer surface against a shaping wall which is provided with a texture corresponding with said pattern. Can body as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pattern is situated on a foil arranged round the can body. Can body as claimed in claim 3, wherein the foil is adhered to the outer surface of the can body. Can body as claimed in claim 3, wherein the foil is a sheath of shrink foil which is arranged round the body through shrinkage by an appropriate temperature increase. Can body as claimed in claim 1, in which the can body is covered with a lacquer layer, in which the relatively rough zones are caused by the lacquer layer being of craquelé-type. Can body as claimed in claim 1, in which the can body is covered with a printed pattern. Can body as claimed in claim 1, comprising a pattern of convex and concave zones corresponding with said pattern. Can body as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, provided with a bottom connected thereto or integrated therewith. Can body as claimed in any of the claims 1-8, provided with a bottom connected thereto or integrated therewith, a filling and a cover.

Inventors: BRILMAN GERRIT W, BRILMAN, GERRIT W.
Applicants: BALL PACKAGING EUROPE GMBH
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B21D51
IPC codes: B65D1, B44C5, B65D25, B44F5