Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6386813?dq=7222078
Timestamp: 2016-05-28 06:52:17
Document Index: 117767170

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 128', 'art 130', 'art 166', 'art 166', 'art 190', 'art 190', 'art 186', 'art 190', 'art 190']

Patent US6386813 - Safe container end closure and method for fabricating a safe container end ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA safe container end closure includes an annular central lid portion, an annular peripheral lid portion, and a score line joining the annular central lid portion to the annular peripheral lid portion to permit removal of the central lid portion from the peripheral lid portion. A opening tab is secured...http://www.google.com/patents/US6386813?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6386813 - Safe container end closure and method for fabricating a safe container end closureAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6386813 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/838,202Publication dateMay 14, 2002Filing dateApr 20, 2001Priority dateAug 14, 1998Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2340413A1, CA2340413C, CN1094870C, CN1323272A, DE69924159D1, DE69924159T2, DE69937315D1, DE69937315T2, EP1202913A1, EP1202913A4, EP1202913B1, EP1514803A2, EP1514803A3, EP1514803B1, US6234337, WO2000009406A1Publication number09838202, 838202, US 6386813 B1, US 6386813B1, US-B1-6386813, US6386813 B1, US6386813B1InventorsWilliam Huber, Peter M. DouglasOriginal AssigneeH. J. Heinz CompanyExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (21), Referenced by (4), Classifications (12), Legal Events (15) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetSafe container end closure and method for fabricating a safe container end closure
US 6386813 B1Abstract
What is claimed is: 1. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure comprising:
positioning a shell in a fabricating machine, the shell including a bottom wall and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall; forming first and second folds in the sidewall of the shell, the first fold opening inwardly and the second fold opening outwardly; pressing a V-shaped die element having a rounded nose possessing a radius against the sidewall of the shell at a place on the sidewall located radially inwardly of the radially outermost extent of the first fold to form in the sidewall a V-shaped score line having a rounded nose possessing a radius, the V-shaped score line dividing the sidewall of the shell into a central lid portion positioned on an inner side of the score line and a peripheral lid portion positioned on an outer side of the score line, the V-shaped score line permitting the central lid portion to be severed from the peripheral lid portion; and securing an opening tab to the bottom wall of the shell so that a nose of the opening tab is positioned adjacent the score line. 2. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 1, including curling an outer peripheral portion of the shell, the shell having a vertically extending portion located inwardly of the curled outer peripheral portion, and forming a horizontal ledge adjacent the vertically extending portion.
3. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 1, including forming third and fourth folds in the peripheral lid portion, the third fold opening inwardly and the fourth fold opening outwardly, the fourth fold having a radially innermost portion that extends radially inwardly of the score line.
4. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 1, including forming a gap between the score line and a portion of the central lid portion underlying the score line during the forming of the first and second folds in the sidewall, and including increasing the gap over only a portion of a circumferential extent of the central lid portion.
5. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 4, wherein said step of increasing the gap over only a portion of a circumferential extent of the central lid portion includes increasing the gap at a location where the nose of the opening tab is positioned.
6. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 4, wherein said step of increasing the gap over only a portion of a circumferential extent of the central lid portion includes applying a force to the nose of the opening tab.
7. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 1, including forming a centrally located recess in the bottom wall of the shell and forming an upstanding ridge in the bottom wall, and using the recess and the linear ridge to radially position and rotationally orient the shell.
8. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure comprising:
positioning a shell in a fabricating machine, the shell including a bottom wall and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall; forming first and second folds in the sidewall of the shell, the first fold opening inwardly and the second fold opening outwardly; pressing a V-shaped die element with a rounded nose against the sidewall of the shell at a place on the sidewall located radially inwardly of the radially outermost extent of the first fold and positioning a rounded anvil on a surface of the sidewall of the lid that is opposite to a surface against which the V-shaped die is pressed to form in the sidewall a V-shaped score line having a rounded nose, the V-shaped score line dividing the sidewall of the shell into a central lid portion positioned on an inner side of the score line and a peripheral lid portion positioned on an outer side of the score line, the V-shaped score line permitting the central lid portion to be severed from the peripheral lid portion; and securing an opening tab to the bottom wall of the shell so that a nose of the opening tab is positioned adjacent the score line. 9. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure, comprising:
positioning in a fabricating machine a shell that includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall; forming first and second folds in the sidewall of the shell, the first fold opening inwardly and the second fold opening outwardly; forming a score line in the sidewall of the shell at a place on the sidewall located radially inwardly of the radially outermost extent of the first fold to divide the sidewall of the shell into a central lid portion positioned on an inner side of the score line and a peripheral lid portion positioned on an outer side of the score line, the score line permitting the central lid portion to be severed from the peripheral lid portion, the second fold defining a gap between the score line and a portion of the central lid portion lying below the score line, the gap extending around the circumferential extent of the central lid portion and said gap being greater over a portion of the circumferential extent of the central lid portion than at another portion of the circumferential extent of the central lid portion; and securing an opening tab to the bottom wall of the shell so that a nose of the opening tab is positioned adjacent the score line. 10. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 9, wherein said gap is formed to be greater over the portion of the circumferential extent of the central lid portion that includes a point at which the noise of the opening tab is located.
11. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 9, wherein said gap is formed to be greater over the portion of the circumferential extent of the central lid portion that includes a point at which the noise of the opening tab is located and regions on either side of said point.
12. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 9, wherein said gap is formed to be greater over the portion of the circumferential extent of the central lid portion by increasing the gap after said first and second folds have been at least partially formed.
13. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 12, wherein said step of increasing the gap includes applying a force to the nose of the opening tab after the opening tab has been secured to the bottom wall of the shell.
14. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 9, including forming third and fourth folds in the peripheral lid portion of the shell so that a radially innermost extent of the fourth loop is located radially inwardly of the score line.
15. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 9, wherein said step of forming a score line includes pressing a V-shaped die element having a radiused nose against one side of the sidewall of the shell.
16. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 15, including positioning a rounded anvil against the sidewall of the shell in opposing relation to the V-shaped die element.
17. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 9 including forming a centrally located recess in the bottom wall of the shell and forming a linear ridge in the bottom wall of the shell, and using said centrally located recess and said linear ridge to radially locate and rotationally orient the shell during the forming of the first and second folds.
18. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure, comprising:
placing a shell in a fabricating machine which successively advances the shell along a plurality of stations to form the shell into a safe container end closure, the shell having a bottom wall and a sidewall; forming a first locating means in the bottom wall of the shell; forming a second locating means in the bottom wall of the shell; forming a rivet form in the bottom wall of the shell; forming first and second folds in the sidewall of the shell, the first fold opening inwardly and the second fold opening outwardly; forming a score line in the sidewall of the shell at a place on the sidewall located radially inwardly of the radially outermost extent of the first fold to divide the sidewall of the shell into a central lid portion positioned on an inner side of the score line and a peripheral lid portion positioned on an outer side of the score line, the score line permitting the central lid portion to be severed from the peripheral lid portion; securing an opening tab to the bottom wall of the shell so that a nose of the opening tab is positioned adjacent the score line; and radially locating the shell at at least some of said stations through use of said first locating means and rotationally orienting the shell at at least some of said stations through use of said second locating means to ensure proper radial location and rotational orientation of the shell at the stations. 19. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 18, wherein said step of radially locating the shell and rotationally orienting the shell includes engaging the first locating means with a first element provided on the fabrication machine and engaging the second locating means with a second element provided on the fabrication machine.
20. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 18, wherein the step of forming the first locating means in the includes forming a centrally located recess in the bottom wall of the shell.
21. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 20, wherein the step of forming the second locating means includes forming a linear ridge in the bottom wall of the shell.
22. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 18, including curling an outer peripheral portion of the shell, the shell having a vertically extending portion located inwardly of the curled outer peripheral portion, and forming a horizontal ledge adjacent the vertically extending portion.
23. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 18, including forming third and fourth folds in the peripheral lid portion, the third fold opening inwardly and the fourth fold opening outwardly, the fourth fold having a radially innermost portion that extends radially inwardly of the score line.
24. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 18, including forming a gap between the score line and a portion of the central lid portion underlying the score line during the forming of the first and second folds in the sidewall, and including increasing the gap over only a portion of a circumferential extent of the central lid portion.
25. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 18, wherein said gap is increased over the portion of the circumferential extent of the central lid portion that includes a point at which the noise of the opening tab is located and regions on either side of said point.
26. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 18, wherein said step of forming a score line includes pressing a V-shaped die element having a rounded nose against one side of the sidewall of the shell.
27. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure according to claim 26, including positioning a rounded anvil against the sidewall of the shell in opposing relation to the V-shaped die element.
28. Method of fabricating a safe container end closure comprising:
positioning a shell in a fabricating machine, the shell including a bottom wall and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall; forming first and second folds in the sidewall of the shell, the first fold opening inwardly and the second fold opening outwardly; pressing a V-shaped die element against the sidewall of the shell at a place on the sidewall located radially inwardly of the radially outermost extent of the first fold to form in the sidewall a V-shaped score line, the V-shaped die element being oriented non-perpendicular to said sidewall during formation of the V-shaped score line so that the sides of the V-shaped score line are of different length, the V-shaped score line dividing the sidewall of the shell into a central lid portion positioned on an inner side of the score line and a peripheral lid portion positioned on an outer side of the score line, the V-shaped score line permitting the central lid portion to be severed from the peripheral lid portion; and securing an opening tab to the bottom wall of the shell so that a nose of the opening tab is positioned adjacent the score line.
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/134,435 filed on Aug. 14, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,337.
While these types of container lids are useful from the standpoint of providing easy access to the container interior, they suffer from certain drawbacks and disadvantages. Perhaps the most significant problem with these types of container lids is that they can be somewhat unsafe. Once the central portion of the container lid has been removed from the remaining peripheral portion, an extremely sharp edge exists on the removed central portion of the lid as well as on the peripheral portion of the lid remaining on the container. The sharp edge on the removed central portion of the lid is potentially hazardous to people handling the removed portion and also presents a danger to others if the removed central portion is discarded in the trash without special precautions being taken. Also, the sharp edge on the peripheral portion of the lid remaining on the container presents a potential hazard during removal of the contents from the container, particularly if the contents are consumed directly from the container. It has been found for instance that in the case of containers of relatively shallow depth, it is not uncommon for individuals to use their fingers to try to remove the entire contents from the container. Thus, the potential for individuals to cut themselves on the sharp edges of these types of containers is rather significant.
According to another aspect of the invention, a safe container end closure positionable on a container includes an annular central lid portion, an annular peripheral lid portion, and a score line joining the annular central lid portion to the annular peripheral lid portion and adapted to be severed to permit the central lid portion to be separated from the peripheral lid portion. An opening tab is secured to the central lid portion for pivoting movement relative to the central lid portion, with the opening tab including a nose positioned adjacent the score line so that upon pivoting the opening tab the nose of the opening tab causes a portion of the score line to sever. The central lid portion progressively defines in cross-section, from the score line, an outwardly opening intermediate fold and an inwardly opening bottom fold, with the bottom fold extending radially outwardly beyond the score line so that when the central lid portion is separated from the peripheral lid portion at the score line, the central lid portion includes a severed edge that is positioned radially inwardly of a radially outermost portion of the bottom fold. The intermediate fold is configured to define a gap between the score line and the portion of the central lid portion lying below the score line. This gap defines a distance through which the severed edge is able to move during pivoting of the opening, tab until the severed edge contacts the portion of the central lid portion lying below the score line. This gap is greater along one portion of the circumferential extent of the central lid portion than at other portions.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of fabricating a safe container end closure involves positioning a shell in a fabricating machine, forming first and second folds in the sidewall of the shell so that the first fold opens inwardly and the second fold opens outwardly, and forming a score line in the sidewall of the shell at a place on the sidewall located radially inwardly of the radially outermost extent of the first fold to divide the sidewall of the shell into a central lid portion positioned on an inner side of the score line, and a peripheral lid portion positioned on an outer side of the score line. The score line permits the central lid portion to be severed from the peripheral lid portion. The second fold defines a gap between the score line and the portion of the central lid portion lying below the score line, with the gap being greater over a portion of the circumferential extent of the central lid portion than at another portion of the circumferential extent of the central lid portion. An opening tab is secured to the bottom wall of the shell so that the nose of the opening tab is positioned adjacent the score line.
FIG. 1 a top perspective view of the upper portion of a container on which is mounted the can end closure according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 cross-sectional view showing the way in which the container end closure is secured to a container;
FIG. 14D an enlarged cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 14C, but taken along a different portion of the circumference of the press bender;
As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom fold 40 (i.e., the inwardly turning loop portion 48) extends radially outwardly beyond the score line 32. That is, the bottom fold 40 extends radially outwardly beyond a vertical line passing through the score line 32. In addition, the top fold 58 (i.e., the outwardly turning loop portion 66) extends radially inwardly beyond the score line 32. That is, the top fold 58 extends radially inwardly beyond a vertical line passing through the score line 32. The purpose for this particular arrangement is to ensure that when the central lid, portion 36 is separated and removed from the peripheral lid portion 34 remaining on the container at the time of opening the container end closure, the sharp edge on the removed central lid portion 36 and the sharp edge on the remaining peripheral lid portion 34 are protected and safe from injurious contact with an individual.
It is also significant to note that the V-shaped score line 32 is not oriented perpendicular to the surface 33 of the portions of the end closure located on either side of the score line 32. Rather, the V-shaped score line 32 is inclined slightly from such a perpendicular orientation as will become more clear from the discussion below. This is advantageous as it makes the severing of score line easier during opening of the container end closure.
The shoulder 106 on the sidewall of the lower press member 100 forms the initial stage of what will ultimately become the horizontal ledge 68 shown in FIG. 2. The shell press also imparts a partial curvature to the outer periphery of the drawn shell as seen in FIG. 8. Once the formation of the drawn shell is completed, the drawn shell is removed from the shell press. The outer periphery of the drawn shell is then subjected to a spin curler operation through use of curler tooling in order to inwardly curve the outermost periphery of the drawn shell to form the curled end 74 shown in FIG. 2.
As seen with reference to FIG. 10B, the lower die part 128 is provided with an annular recess 134. This annular recess 134 receives the lower end of the shell 107 to begin formation of the bottom fold 40 of the central lid portion 36 shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the annular recess 134 causes the formation of a slightly raised central panel which imparts additional strength to the shell and helps support the bottom fold during formation. As also illustrated in FIG. 10B, the upper die part 130 is provided with a series of steps for maintaining formation of the horizontal ledge 68 formed during the shell tooling and to effect further folding of the intermediate fold 38 of the central lid portion 36. It can also be seen with reference to FIG. 10B that in this second station, the vertical portion 110′ of the shell sidewall is bowed outwardly slightly to just begin the initial formation of the upper fold 58 of the peripheral lid portion 34 shown in FIG. 2. This slight inward bowing of the vertical upper portion 110′ of the sidewall is achieved by configuring the lower die part so that the upper vertical wall 129 is slightly shorter than the corresponding potion of the wall in the first station.
As seen in FIG. 11C, the score former 154 is V-shaped and has a radiused or rounded nose 158. When the score former 154 is pressed into the material forming the shell, a score line having a configuration that is the mirror image of the score former 154 is formed. That is, the resulting score line is V-shaped and possesses a radiused or rounded vertex as previously described in connection with the illustration in FIG. 3. As can be seen with reference to FIG. 11B, the region of the shell sidewall at which the score line is formed is angled upwardly at the time the score line is formed. FIG. 11C shows in detail the arrangement of the score former 154 and the anvil 154 relative to the sidewall of the lid during formation of the score line. As can be seen, the portion of the lid in which the score line is formed is inclined at an angle P which can vary in small respects, but is typically on the order of about 12�. Thus, the penetration of the score former 154 into the metal on one side of the score former is different from that on the other side. This si shown in FIG. 11C where the penetration length L1 is less than the penetration length L2. The Resulting V-shaped score line possesses sides having the corresponding lengths L1 and L2, where L1 is less than L2. Forming the V-shaped score line with the score former 154 being non-perpendicular to the side 35 of the material so as to form unequal penetration legs L1, L2 is quite advantageous as the resulting score line is more easily severed. FIG. 11C also illustrates the rounded nose 158 on the score former having a radius R1.
As illustrated in FIG. 12B, when the upper die part 166 is moved downwardly, the further folding of the bottom fold 40 is effected and the folding of the intermediate fold 38 of the central lid portion 36 is advanced. By virtue of the inclined surface 170 on the upper die part 166, which is inclined at an angle of about 30� from the horizontal, the portion of the bottom fold underlying the score line is moved upwardly, thus causing the score line 32 to partially close. As noted above, because the score line 32 is configured as a V-shaped groove, upward movement of the portion of the bottom fold 40 underlying the score line 32 is permitted. Further, because the nose of the score line 32 is rounded or radiused, this partial closing of the score line 32 does not result in fractures.
The way in which the nose spread is increased in this region is by increasing the depth of the groove part 190 shown in FIGS. 14C and 14D. As can be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 14C and 14D, the groove part 190 is deeper in the area where the nose spread is to be increased (FIG. 14C) than it is in the remaining circumferential extent of the central lid portion (FIG. 14D). Thus, when the upper die part 186 presses against the opening tab 26, the groove part 190 of greater depth permits the nose spread to open up whereas the groove part 190 that is not of greater depth does not permit the nose spread to be enlarged. This thus provides a greater nose spread between points A and A in FIGS. 5 and 16. This is why the nose spread 31 is increased or opened up only in the limited region defined between the points A and A in FIG. 5.
Further, as discussed above, the horizontal ledge at the upper end of the container end closure provides several advantages such as facilitating the removal of process water by virtue of the more open space in the area of the score line and avoiding application of excessive pressure to the sidewall of the lid where the ledge is formed that might adversely affect the score line. It has been found that a container end closure in accordance with the present invention is much less susceptible to becoming damaged if dropped (i.e., it has a much greater abuse resistance) than typical lid structures provided with a non-safe lift and pull opening tab. The horizontal ledge also imparts versatility as it allows the container to be opened with either the opening tab or with a can opener.
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Heinz CompanyCan end closure apparatusUS5174706Jan 10, 1992Dec 29, 1992Keiji TaniuchiProcess for producing a safe opening container lidUS5738237Jun 7, 1995Apr 14, 1998Aluminum Company Of AmericaEasy open container end, method of manufacture, and toolingFR2281878A1 Title not availableReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8534485 *Aug 12, 2009Sep 17, 2013Impress Group B.V.Lid for a can and method for orientating such a LidUS20120125933 *Aug 12, 2009May 24, 2012Impress Group B.V.Lid for a can and method for orientating such a lidCN102171106BAug 12, 2009Sep 17, 2014印普瑞思集团有限公司Lid for a can and method for orientating such a lidWO2006112923A1 *Feb 14, 2006Oct 26, 2006Sonoco Development, Inc.Removable-panel metal end with cut protection* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification413/12International ClassificationB65D17/34, B21D51/38, B65D17/40, B65D17/353, B21D51/44Cooperative ClassificationB65D17/24, B21D51/383, B65D17/163European ClassificationB65D17/16B1, B65D17/24, B21D51/38BLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMay 5, 2005ASAssignmentOwner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., NORTH CAROLINAFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:DEL MONTE CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:016522/0908Effective date: 20050208Nov 10, 2005FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Oct 8, 2008ASAssignmentOwner name: DEL MONTE CORPORATION, CALIFORNIAFree format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:021640/0882Effective date: 20081006Oct 12, 2009FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Jan 14, 2010ASAssignmentOwner name: DEL MONTE CORPORATION, CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:H.J. 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