Patent Application
20210024241
The present invention generally relates the field of containers having a can body made of a metal material and a lateral wall of which includes at least one reinforcing moulding.
Some containers comprise a can body made of a metal material.
The walls of this can body must resist to different stresses to prevent deformations liable to deteriorate the mechanical properties of the container.
In particular, the lateral wall is particularly sensitive to two types of deformations:
Moreover, in case of initiation of a deformation, the latter is liable to propagate over the whole height of the lateral wall.
To remedy these phenomena, it is common to form at least one reinforcing moulding on the lateral wall, so as to define an annular reinforcing strip extending over at least part of the height of said lateral wall.
These reinforcing mouldings are straight, extending generally parallel to the transverse directing lines, or even parallel to the longitudinal generating lines.
But, in practice, such reinforcing mouldings are efficient to fight only one of the two above-mentioned deformations (either facet or axial crushing deformation).
The moulding depth allows choosing which resistance will be favoured: a shallow depth favours the resistance to axial crush deformation, whereas a deeper depth favours the resistance to facet deformation.
There hence exists a need for a new container structure that would be able to show an improved resistance to the two above-mentioned deformations.
It would also be interesting that, in the event of initiation of a deformation, the latter cannot propagate over the height of the lateral wall.
In order to remedy the above-mentioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a new container structure whose can body comprises a lateral wall whose resistance performances are improved against both facet deformations and axial crush deformations.
For that purpose, the container according to the invention comprises a can body made of a metal material; said can body comprising a lateral wall closed by at least one bottom wall.
The lateral wall includes at least one reinforcing area that extends over at least part of the height and the circumference of said lateral wall.
The reinforcing area has a plurality of virtual lines that are intended to form straight virtual lines on said reinforcing area set flat, advantageously longitudinal generating lines, transverse directing lines and inclined lines.
The reinforcing area includes at least one reinforcing moulding.
And said virtual lines of said reinforcing area are each intersected by said at least one reinforcing moulding.
The particular structure of the reinforcing area has for interest to provide an improve and simultaneous resistance to the facet deformations and to the axial crush deformations.
Likewise, compared with a can body of the prior art, the lateral wall hence shows an improved performance for a same thickness or a same performance for a reduced thickness.
This particular structure of the reinforcing area has also for interest to limit, or even to block, the propagation of deformations.
This structure also allows delaying the occurrence of the failure mode and hence provides a resistance for this failure mode.
Other non-limitative and advantageous characteristics of the container according to the invention, taken individually or according to all the technically possible combinations, are the following:
The invention also proposes a method for manufacturing a container according to the invention.
This method comprises a step of forming the lateral wall, in the flat state or after its 3D-shaping, to provide said at least one non-straight reinforcing moulding.
The following description in relation with the appended drawings, given by way of non-limitative examples, will allow a good understanding of what the invention consists of and of how it can be implemented.
In the appended drawings:
The container according to the invention, as shown in the figures, advantageously consists of a can, for packaging a foodstuff, for example.
The container comprises a can body 1 that is made of a metal material, for example aluminium or steel.
The can body 1 includes a lateral wall 2 that is closed by at least one bottom wall 3 (
In the case of a “two-part” can (
The lateral wall 2 has advantageously a generally cylindrical shape defining a longitudinal axis 2′, for example in the form of a straight circular cylinder.
The lateral wall 2 can advantageously be defined by different types of virtual lines:
These different virtual lines 2a, 2b and 2c are intended to form straight virtual lines 2a, 2b and 2c (advantageously straight lines or straight-line segments) on the lateral wall 2 set flat (or unfolded or with cylindrical projection).
The lateral wall 2 includes two edges 21, 22 defining the height thereof (
This upper edge 22 is also intended to receive a closing element (not shown) to finalize the container (for example a peelable membrane or a metal disk with, possibly, a score line).
The container, and in particular the can body 1 thereof, hence delimits an inner volume 6 for the packaging of the product of interest.
Reinforcing Moulding(s)
The lateral wall 2 includes at least one reinforcing moulding 7 defining at least one reinforcing area 8.
By “reinforcing moulding”, it is meant in particular a beading (or a bead or a variation of curvature of the lateral wall 2) formed in the lateral wall 2.
Said at least one reinforcing moulding 7 consists of a reinforcing moulding whose shape is different with respect to the conventional annular mouldings (i.e. a moulding extending over the whole circumference of the lateral wall 2 and in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2′ of this lateral wall 2).
Such a reinforcing moulding 7 is obtained, for example, by coining or embossing.
Such a reinforcing moulding 7 can be made:
Preferably, said at least one reinforcing moulding 7 is provided in protrusion towards the inside of the lateral wall 2 (towards its inner face and towards the inner volume 6).
In other words, said at least one reinforcing moulding 7 has advantageously the shape of an open bead, opening towards the outside of the can body 1.
The cross-section of this reinforcing moulding 7 is advantageously identical (or at least approximately identical) along its length, without geometric breaking.
A reinforcing moulding 7 advantageously includes (
In the case of a line 7a1, the cross-section of this reinforcing moulding 7 can have a curved shape, for example semi-circular or semi-oval.
For example, each reinforcing moulding 7 has the following dimensions:
By “depth”, it is advantageously meant the distance between, on the one hand, the bottom 7a of the reinforcing moulding 7 and, on the other hand, the lateral wall 2. It also corresponds to the distance between the staggered surface 25 and the remaining surface 26, described hereinafter.
By “width”, it is advantageously meant the distance of the segment measured transversely to a longitudinal line 7′ of the reinforcing moulding 7 (
The depths and widths can be different according to the reinforcing mouldings 7 and the positions thereof.
The phenomenon of facet deformations occurring more at the centre of the lateral wall 2, the reinforcing mouldings 7 in this region can then be deeper; conversely, the reinforcing mouldings 7 located towards the ends can be shallower to resist to the axial stress while reducing their sensitivity thereof to the presence of a potential crimp.
The lateral wall 2 hence includes two sets of surfaces (
The remaining surface 26 advantageously extends within the volume of the portions of the lateral wall 2 that are located at the two edges 21, 22 thereof.
After moulding, the staggered surface 25 is offset with respect to the remaining surface 26, according to a least one constant or variable level.
A reinforcing area 8 can include a single reinforcing moulding 7 or several reinforcing mouldings 7.
Said at least one reinforcing area 8 extends over at least part of the height of the lateral wall 2 (or even the whole height of the lateral wall 2) and over at least part of the circumference of the lateral wall 2 (or even the whole circumference of the lateral wall 2).
Preferably, a reinforcing area 8 extends over:
Said at least one reinforcing area 8 advantageously includes at least one non-straight reinforcing moulding 7 (not in straight line).
The term “non-straight reinforcing moulding” includes the reinforcing mouldings 7 that, advantageously set flat or unfolded or by cylindrical projection, are in the form of curves, advantageously in the sense of a non-necessarily aligned unit, having or not one tangency break or more.
By “non-straight reinforcing moulding”, it is also meant a reinforcing moulding 7 whose contour 7b or longitudinal line 7′ is non-straight (
By “longitudinal line 7′”, it is meant a line extending advantageously parallel and at equal distance from the two longitudinal edges of the reinforcing moulding 7.
The non-straight reinforcing mouldings 7 have advantageously a general shape chosen among:
The curved line or the curved line segment can include or not a tangency break.
The reinforcing moulding 7 can include at least one ramification (for example, H, X or Y-shaped), or be provided with such ramifications.
For example, as described hereinafter in relation with
Still to ensure an optimum performance, said at least one reinforcing area 8 includes at least one set of patterns 9 that are defined by said at least one reinforcing moulding 7:
By “pattern”, it is advantageously meant a set of geometric elements that are repeated.
The contour of these patterns 95, 96 advantageously corresponds to the contour 7b of the reinforcing mouldings 7.
And said at least one reinforcing area 8 advantageously includes several of these patterns 9, which are formed by one or several reinforcing mouldings 7.
The patterns 9 may be identical to each other, or similar to each other, or different from each other (for example as regards the contours, the dimensions and/or the direction).
These patterns 9 are distributed, and repeated, within this reinforcing area 8.
A reinforcing area 8 can hence comprise a single elementary pattern 9, or even a sum of elementary patterns 9.
As developed hereinafter, the patterns 9 can be distinct from each other and juxtaposed to each other, or even imbricated to each other (
The patterns 9 can also form together a continuous reinforcing moulding 7, advantageously in the form of a frieze (
The staggered patterns 95 and/or the remaining patterns 96 have advantageously a concave contour; these concave staggered patterns 95 and/or remaining patterns 96 may be imbricated or not imbricated into each other.
By “concave pattern” (or “non-convex pattern”), it is advantageously meant a pattern in which there exist at least two points A and B, taken from this pattern, connected by a segment [A, B] that is not fully contained in said pattern.
The concave staggered patterns 95 and/or remaining patterns 96 hence include at least one concave portion.
For example, each staggered pattern 95 has a generally U-shape that includes a central straight-line segment 72 extended by two lateral straight-line segments 73.
The lateral straight-line segments 73 here extend, on the one hand, parallel to each other and, on the other hand, perpendicular and on a same side with respect to the central straight-line segment 72.
The U-shaped staggered patterns 95 hence comprise a concave portion delimited by the lateral straight-line segments 73.
As an alternative, the patterns 9 can also have a generally circle-arc or oval-arc shape (for example, a generally C-shape).
Still for example, the remaining patterns 96 can also comprise at least one concave portion.
In this respect, according to the example described hereinafter in relation with
By “imbricated”, it is meant a staggered pattern 95 or a remaining pattern 96 that extends within the volume of the concave portion, respectively, of another staggered pattern 95 or of another remaining pattern 96.
On this matter,
Still according to the invention, the non-straight contour 951, 961 of the staggered patterns 95 and/or of the remaining patterns 96 is non-straight.
This non-straight contour 951, 961 advantageously includes:
Still according to the invention, the reinforcing area 8 can be defined by several types of virtual lines (respectively merged with the above-mentioned longitudinal generating lines 2a, transverse directing lines 2b and inclined lines 2c), i.e.:
In other words, the inclined lines 8c form an angle other than 0° or 90°, with respect to the planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2′.
The different virtual lines 8a, 8b and 8c hence pass through the reinforcing area 8 (or pass through this reinforcing area 8).
These different virtual lines 8a, 8b and 8c are intended to form straight virtual lines 8a, 8b and 8c (advantageously, straight lines or straight-line segments) on this reinforcing area 8 set flat (or unfolded or with cylindrical projection).
And in each reinforcing area 8, the virtual lines 8a, 8b, 8c (advantageously the longitudinal generating lines 8a, the transverse directing lines 8b and the inclined lines 8c) are each intersected by said at least one reinforcing moulding 7, advantageously by said at least one non-straight reinforcing moulding 7.
These virtual lines 8a, 8b, 8c (advantageously the longitudinal generating lines 8a, the transverse directing lines 8b and the inclined lines 8c) are each intersected at least once, or even several times, by said at least one reinforcing moulding 7 (in particular by the contour 7b thereof).
In other words, the reinforcing area 8, set flat or unfolded or in cylindrical projection, is devoid of straight virtual lines 8a, 8b and 8c that are devoid of at least one intersection by said at least one reinforcing moulding 7 (in particular by the contour 7b thereof).
In still other words, the reinforcing area 8, set flat or unfolded in cylindrical projection, includes no straight virtual line 8a, 8b and 8c that is not intersected at least once by said at least one reinforcing moulding 7 (in particular by the contour 7b thereof).
Said at least one reinforcing area 8 advantageously extends over at least half the height of the lateral wall 2.
Still generally, the lateral wall 2 can include an annular reinforcing strip that comprises:
Distinct Mouldings
According to first embodiments shown in
As also shown in
Herein, each non-straight reinforcing moulding 7 forms a U-shaped staggered pattern 95 that comprises the central straight-line segment 72 extended by the two lateral straight-line segments 73.
Each lateral straight-line segment 73 is ended, at the opposite of the central straight-line segment 72, by one of the free ends 71.
Each staggered pattern 95 is moreover directed so that its central straight line segment 72 and its lateral straight line segments 73 define angles comprised between 30° and 60° (preferably, angles between 40° and 50°, still preferably an angle of 45°) with respect to the longitudinal generating lines 8a and to the transverse directing lines 8b.
The central straight-line segment 72 and one of the lateral straight-line segments 73 form together the two longitudinal portions 9512 connected by a junction portion 9511.
As still illustrated in
The central straight-line segments 72 of a couple of staggered patterns 95 are hence juxtaposed to each other. The lateral straight-line segments 73 of the two juxtaposed staggered patterns 95 are aligned to each other.
For their imbrication into each other, a pair of lateral straight-line segments 73 of a couple of staggered patterns 95 is arranged between the lateral straight-line segments 73 of a staggered pattern 95 of another couple of staggered patterns 95.
Such a configuration of the concave and imbricated staggered patterns 95 is particularly efficient to provide an improved, and simultaneous, resistance to the facet deformations and to the axial crush deformations. This particular structure of the reinforcing area 8 has also for interest to limit, or even block, the propagation of the deformations.
As shown in
This marking area 10 is surrounded/limited by these reinforcing mouldings 7.
The marking area 10 here has an oval shape, but it could have any other desired shape.
This marking one 10 is particularly interesting for the readability of a visual element, such as a text, a logo or an image.
Continuous Mouldings
According to the second embodiments shown in
More precisely, each non-straight reinforcing moulding 7 here forms a repetition of staggered patterns 95, identical to each other, which are arranged along two lines, alternately and connected to each other.
Here again, as described hereinabove in relation with
The central straight-line segments 72 of the two lines are arranged parallel to each other; and the lateral straight-line segments 73 of the two lines are arranged parallel to each other.
The lateral straight-line segments 73 of two opposite staggered patterns 95 are connected by transverse straight-line segments 74 (here parallel to the central straight-line segments 72).
The staggered patterns 95 of a line are here directed so as to open towards the staggered patterns 95 of the other line.
Each staggered pattern 95 is moreover arranged so that each of its lateral straight-line segments 73 is located between the two lateral straight-line segments 73 of an opposite staggered pattern 95.
Each U-shaped staggered pattern 95 is moreover directed so that its central straight-line segments 72 and its lateral straight-line segments 73 are directed, respectively, parallel to the transverse directing lines 8b and to the longitudinal generating lines 8a.
The central straight-line segments 72 and the two lateral straight-line segments 73 form a staggered pattern 95 and a remaining pattern 96 whose contours 951, 962 each comprise, respectively, the above-mentioned junction portion 9511, 9611 and two longitudinal portions 9512, 9612.
The continuous reinforcing moulding 7 here also defines generally T-shaped remaining patterns 96 having two lateral concave portions.
The successive remaining patterns 96 are inverted with respect to each other and are imbricated into each other.
The lateral wall 2 hence includes annular reinforcing strips 8, each including a continuous non-straight reinforcing moulding 7, separated from each other by narrow and non-moulded annular strips 11 (
This configuration of the annular reinforcing strips 8 has for interest to receive a readable visual element, such as a text, a logo or an image.
According to a variant shown in
This marking area 10 here has the shape of a continuous annular strip.
Method
The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a container according to the invention.
This method advantageously comprises a step of forming the lateral wall 2, in the flat state or after its 3D-shaping, to provide said at least one reinforcing moulding 7.
This forming step is for example performed by means of tools liable to be composed of male and female parts, to imprint the shape to the metal.
Those tools may for example be in the form of planar parts (rails) or warped parts (mandrels).
This method allows obtaining a lateral wall 2 that hence includes two sets of surfaces:
said at least one staggered surface 25 and said at least one remaining surface 26.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1853181 | Apr 2018 | FR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2019/058972 | 4/9/2019 | WO | 00 |
