Patent Publication Number: US-11383881-B2

Title: Panel, and a container body and a container provided with such panel

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the United States national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2012/076454 filed Dec. 20, 2012, and claims priority to European Patent Application No. 11194653.9 filed Dec. 20, 2011, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a panel, to a container body provided with such panel and to a container provided with such panel. 
     Description of Related Art 
     A panel is used for closing a container. Such panel if often provided with a tab for forming an opening in the container and thereby providing access to the content of the container. The tab is thereto attached to the panel. The attachment may be by via soldering or gluing but generally via a rivet. The rivet may be a separate element or formed from and is integral with the panel. 
     The tab comprises a rear tab part, a front tab part and a central tab part at which central tab part the tab is attached to the panel. The rear tab part is to be gripped by the user and to be lifted for forming the opening in the panel. The lifting of the rear tab part results in a pressing action of the front tab part onto the panel and the formation of an opening in the panel along a score formed in the panel. 
     The construction and the form of the panel may be such that the rear tab part is either in contact or at some clearance or distance from the panel surface. 
     The panel is mounted on the container (body) after filling. The filled and closed container may be subjected to a heat or sterilization treatment. The heating of the container will result in a pressure increase and bulging of the panel. This bulging may result in a lifting of the rear tab part from the panel surface, or if there is already a clearance between the front tab part and the panel surface, in an increase of the clearance or distance. 
     Applicant has been confronted with situations wherein such clearance between the rear tab part and the panel has resulted in an engagement or hooking of external can structures behind the rear tab part. Such external can structure may be another panel hooking with a panel peripheral edge or the rear tab part of the other panel. In case of filled cans the external structure may be a container body rim or the upstanding rear tab part of anther container, such as during a heat treatment. Also in case the penal connected to a container body prior to filling similar hooking problems could occur. 
     The present invention has for its object to provide a panel for which there exists substantially no risk for the above described engagement or hooking when the rear tab part is at some distance from the panel surface either as separate panels or as panels mounted on a container body or as part of a filled container. Still such panel should manufactured with standard manufacturing means, generally not requiring additional tools and not interfering with the production and with the function of the panel particularly with the gripping and lifting of the rear tab part for opening the container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This objective is met by the present invention with the provision of a panel comprising a peripheral edge to be connected to a container body of a container, and a tab connected to the panel, which tab comprises a front tab part and a rear tab part for gripping and forming an opening in the panel, wherein the panel is provided with means preventing an external can structure to engage with the rear tab part. 
     The present invention is based on the insight that by providing means that prevent an external can structure to penetrate into the clearance or space between the rear tab part and the panel surface that the hooking problem is substantially, if not fully, avoided. Thus, the prevention means extend in front of the clearance or also beneath the clearance. Under all circumstances in a manner that the external can structure cannot engage with the tab rear part. Since the prevention means do not extend outside of the (theoretical) envelope of the panel, there will be substantially no interference in the manufacturing process of the panel and not in the manufacture of the can. 
     In a first embodiment the prevention means comprise at least one emboss extending at least adjacent and preferably also beneath the rear tab part. Such an emboss can be formed with standard tools into the panel surface during its manufacture. Even before or after connecting the tab to the panel. The emboss is shaped and arranged such that external can structures, in particular other tabs or can rims and can edges cannot engage with the rear tab part. If such requirement cannot or less reliably met with one emboss, then the invention foresees the application of more than one emboss. It is noted that a finger access may not be required when the rear tab part can be reached by fingers via an opening in the tab between the rear tab part and the central tab part. 
     According to another embodiment the prevention means comprise at least two embosses extending spaced apart sidewise, thus adjacent and preferably also beneath of the rear tab part. When using two embosses spaced apart with an opening between the two embosses and free end of the rear tab part and the panel surface, this opening allows for a finger access for gripping the rear tab part. 
     Obviously, for the other embodiment the spacing between the two embosses is selected in view of external can structure. The spacing may be smaller for sharp forms of other tabs, and wider for curved parts of the can body and can, such as rims and peripheral edges. Accordingly, it is preferred that the spacing between the two embosses is such that the external can structure cannot penetrate beneath the rear tab part, but allowing finger access. 
     In order to avoid engagement or hooking of an external can structure with the rear tab part, it is preferred that either the emboss or an emboss part extending adjacent the rear tab part extends over a height at least equal to the height of the underside of the rear tab part or the emboss or an emboss part extending adjacent the rear tab part extends over a height maximally equal to the height of the upper side of the rear tab part. According to both embodiments any penetration of an external can structure beneath the rear tab part and the panel surface is obstructed by the dimension of the emboss or emboss part. 
     As indicated here and before the production of the panel or the production of the filled can may be such that the clearance or distance in between the rear tab part and the panel surface is not constant but may change during the manufacture of the panel or after the filling and closing of the can. Accordingly, the height of the rear tab part underside or rear tab part upper side is the relevant height during, production, filling, cooking, and storage of the panel and/or the can. The height of the emboss or emboss part is therefore adjusted to the maximum height the rear tab part may have during the production of the panel and/or after the closure of the can. 
     As indicated here and before the rear tab part may be gripped by a finger of the user via an opening which is generally present in the rear tab part. Evidently, gripping of the rear tab part may be improved or desired by the user not only via this rear tab part opening but also via the free end of the rear tab part. Accordingly, it is preferred that the free end of the rear tab part the panel is provided with an indent thereby forming a finger access. 
     According to another aspect the invention also relates to a container body provided at the container body end via a peripheral panel edge with a panel with a panel as described here and before. 
     Still, according to another aspect the invention relates to a container comprising a panel and/or container body as described here and before. Such a container being filled and closed with a panel according to the invention, may have a clearance between the rear tab part and panel, but still any engagement or hooking with an external can structure is avoided. Such a clearance may preferably be formed by a negative pressure difference between the inner pressure and the outer pressure there is a clearance between the rear tab part and the panel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Mentioned and other features of the present invention will be further discussed and illustrated by the following description of several embodiments of the present invention without the intention to restrict the invention to these embodiments. In this respect reference will be made to the annex drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a panel according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the panel of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are cross-sections of the line III-III of  FIG. 2  of various stages of the panel according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 4, 6, and 8  are top views of other panels according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 5, 7, and 9  are cross-sections of the panels shown in  FIGS. 4, 6, and 8 , respectively; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of still another embodiment of a panel according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a panel according to the invention mounted on a container body. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  discloses a panel  1  according to the invention. The panel  1  comprises a peripheral edge to be connected to a container body (see  FIG. 13 ) of a container. A tab  4  is connected to the panel  1  via a rivet  5  which is located in the central part  6  of the tab  4 . The tab  4  further comprises a front tab part  7  located near a score line  8 . The score line  8  has a circular form extending between the peripheral edge  2  and a central panel part  9  to be removed by actuating and pulling the tab  4 . 
     The tab  4  further comprises a rear tab part provided with a tab opening  11 . The rear tab part  10  is intended to be gripped by the user of the can. The tab  4  is generally gripped with two fingers via the tab opening  11  and the free end of the rear tab part with two fingers, or by extending with one finger via the tab opening, or by penetrating beneath the free end  12  of the tab  4  with one finger. 
     Lifting of the rear tab part  10  will result in a contact of the front tab part near or at the score line  8  thereby popping the score open and forcing an opening. Ultimately by lifting and pulling the tab  4  and moving it upwardly the central panel part  9  will be removed and an opening formed defined by the score line  8 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the central panel part  9  has a terrace structure having an outer terrace  13 , an intermediate terrace  14 , and a central terrace  15 . 
     The panel  1  according to the invention is provided with prevention means  16  for preventing engagement of hooking of an external can structure with the rear tab part. Thereto, the prevention means  16  have the form of 2 elongated embosses  17  and  18  extending spaced apart sidewise of the rear tab part  10 . The spacing  19  between the two embosses  17  and  18  is such, that an external can structure is not having such sharp or pointed structures that it could penetrate between the two embosses  17  and  18  into the spacing  19 . 
     The panel  1  is further provided in the central terrace  15  with an indent  20  forming a finger access to be used by the consumer when gripping the free end of the rear tab free end  12  of the rear tab part  10  of the tab  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the embosses  17  and  18  have an elongated and curved structure which aligns with the outer form of the rear tab part  10 . 
       FIG. 3A  shows that the two embosses  17  and  18  extend adjacent (not beneath) the rear tab part  10 . The height  h  of the embosses  17  and  18  is such that they are extending over height which is larger than the height of the underside of the rear tab part during production filling cooking and storage. In this respect it is noted that  FIG. 3A  shows the panel in its original shape during manufacture during which the rear tab part  10  lies on the surface  21  of the central terrace  15 . However, after filling and closure of the panel  1  onto the container, as shown in  FIG. 3B , then the free end part  10  is extending above the surface  21  leaving a clearance between the free end part  10  and the surface  21 . Still, penetration of any external can structure is avoided because the embosses  17  and  18  still extend above the underside of the rear tab part  10  and prevent such penetration. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show another panel  25  according to the invention. It is noted that constructural features similar or identical to those of panel  1  as described in  FIGS. 1-3  will be referenced by the same reference number. 
     In this case the terrace  15  is provided with embosses  26  and  27  extending adjacent and beneath the free end part  10  of the tab  4 . The embosses  26  and  27  have an elongated and curved structure adapted to the structure of the free end part  10 . As shown more clearly in  FIG. 7 , the embosses  26  and  27  comprise an outer emboss part  28  extending adjacent to the rear tab part  10 , and an emboss part  29  extending beneath the rear tab part  10 . Thus, the rear tab part is nested in the embosses  26  and  27 . Again, the spacing between the embosses  26  and  27  is such that hooking or engagement with an external can structure is avoided. Also is avoided a hooking or engagement along the lateral part of the rear tab part  10 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show another panel  30  according to the invention. The panel  30  comprises prevention means  16  according to the invention which have the form of dimples  31  (in total 8) extending adjacent to and along the rear tab part  10  of the tab  4 . The height h of the dimples  31  is larger than the height of the underside of the rear tab part  10  but smaller than the height of the upper side of the rear tab part  10 . Still, penetration of an external can structure is avoided along the entire outer circumference of the rear tab part  10 . Obviously, and similar to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the two middle dimples  31  may be removed in order to improve the finger access. Also, the dimples  31  may not only extend adjacent to the rear tab part  10  but may extend also only beneath the rear tab part, or both beneath and adjacent to the rear tab part  10 . Still, under all situations the prevention means  16  avoid the engagement or hooking of the external can structure beneath rear tab part  10  of the tab  4 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the indent  32  extends only within the opening  11  of the tab and beneath the free end  12  of the rear tab part  10 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show another panel  33  according to the invention. In this case, the panel  33  is provided with prevention means  16  in the form of an emboss  34  which is elongated and curved in shape, such that the emboss  34  extends generally and substantially along the rear tab part  10  inclusive the free end  12 . 
       FIG. 10  shows another panel  35  according to the invention. The panel  35  is provided in the central terrace  15  with prevention means  16  having the form of an emboss  36  which is curved and elongated, a emboss  37  having the form of a dimple  37 , and an emboss  38  which is short elongated and straight. Still, the embosses  36 - 38  extend along the rear tab part  10  adjacent or at its outside. Between the embosses  36  and  37  is a spacing  39  allowing for a finger access where is also provided an indent  40 . It is noted that the prevention means  16  are asymmetrical such that the finger access  41  is also asymmetric which may be elegant for promotion or particular advertisements such as pictures or illustrations formed in at least the central part  15 . 
     Finally,  FIG. 11  shows the panel  1  mounted with its peripheral edge  2  on a container body  3 . The container body  3  may have a bottom or may be without a bottom. With bottom it forms a container according to the invention, and without a bottom allows the filling of the container and subsequently closing the container after having been filled with a (non shown) bottom. 
     The skilled will appreciate that the panel according to the invention is primarily made of metal, such as aluminum, steel and tinplate. But also suitable plastics or combination of plastic elements and metal elements are in principle suitable. Also the diameter and the thickness of the panel may be selected within wide ranges as long as the function and suitability is not hampered. Thus, a panel diameter in the range of 20-180 mm, such as 35 to 120 mm, like 96 mm is suitable. The thickness dependent on the type of material may be in the range of 0.10 to 2 mm, such as 0.18 to 1 mm or 0.22 to 0.8 mm.