ES3055687T3 - Sealing system and tin for liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

A can for liquids, particularly paints, provided with a sealing system comprising a plug (8; 108), a lid (9), and a container (10; 110) for additives; the plug (8; 108) is configured to engage, in use, with the opening (7) of a cup-shaped body (2) of a can (1); wherein the lid (9) is configured to fit the plug (8; 108); wherein the container (10; 110) for additives is disposed, before the first opening, at least partially between the plug (8; 108) and the lid (9).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Liquid sealing and can system

[0003] Cross-reference to related requests

[0004] This patent application claims priority over Italian patent application no. 102021000023429, filed on September 10, 2021.

[0005] Technical field

[0006] This patent application for an invention relates to a sealing system for a can, in particular, a liquid can.

[0007] Previous technique

[0008] A liquid can, for example, paints, of a known type comprises a cup-shaped body having a longitudinal axis and an upper window surrounded by a basically tubular sealing rim.

[0009] A liquid can of a known type further comprises a sealing system configured to hermetically seal the can itself at the sealing rim.

[0010] A sealing system of a known type comprises, in turn, a plug and a cap.

[0011] The plug is configured to fit the sealing rim of the can. In general, the plug comprises: an annular rim configured to engage, under pressure, with the sealing rim of the can; a tubular flange configured to extend longitudinally and partially into the can; and an external neck projecting longitudinally from the annular rim to the outside of the can. Typically, the plug comprises a removable membrane that, in use, hermetically seals the can and is configured to be removed at the time of first use.

[0012] The cap is configured to be applied to the outer neck of the plug; in general, the cap can be applied by screwing or pressing.

[0013] In industry, it is known to automatically apply a pre-assembled sealing system of a known type to the sealing edge of a can. Such a sealing system is known, e.g., from FR2225355A, a document disclosing the preamble of appended claim 1.

[0014] Description of the invention

[0015] Once the can is opened, in particular once the removable membrane of the stopper has been removed, for some types of liquids, it is necessary to add an additive, which may be in a solid or liquid state, to obtain a specific mixture.

[0016] For this type of liquid, it is common practice to provide the user with vials or small containers holding the additive, along with the can. These vials or containers are typically attached to the outside of the can or provided separately. This type of solution has the disadvantage of being bulky, as additional space beyond that of the can is required to accommodate the external vial or container. Furthermore, this type of solution is often damaged or accidentally removed during storage and handling of the cans.

[0017] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sealing system and a can that overcome the problems identified above.

[0018] According to the present invention, a sealing system is provided, as described in the appended claims.

[0019] According to the present invention, a can is provided, according to the attached claims.

[0020] Brief description of the drawings

[0021] This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which:

[0022] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a can comprising a sealing system according to this invention;

[0023] - Figure 2 is an exploded view of a sealing system according to this invention;

[0024] - Figure 3 is a plan view of the sealing system according to this invention;

[0025] - Figure 4 is a section along line IV-IV of Figure 3;

[0026] - Figure 5 is a section along line V-V of Figure 3;

[0027] - Figure 6 is an enlargement of detail VI in Figure 5;

[0028] - Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of a plug of the sealing system according to this invention; - Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views of a cap of the sealing system according to this invention; - Figure 11 is a plan view of a variant of a plug of the sealing system according to this invention; - Figure 12 is a section along line XII-XII of Figure 11.

[0029] Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0030] In Figure 1, reference number 1 indicates, as a whole, a can according to this invention. The can 1 comprises a cup-shaped body 2 and a sealing system 3.

[0031] The cup-shaped body 2 comprises, in turn, a lower part 4 and a side wall 5 that delimit an inner cavity 6. The cavity 6 connects to the outside through an opening 7.

[0032] Sealing system 3 is configured to be applied to the side wall 5 to close opening 7. Sealing system 3 can be opened and closed, preferably, several times.

[0033] It should be noted that, henceforth in this document, the terms above/below, high/low and the like are used with reference to can 1 when it rests with its bottom 4 on a resting plane π.

[0034] According to the illustrated example, the cup-shaped body 2 has a longitudinal axis X and is axisymmetric. According to unillustrated variants, the cup-shaped body 2 may have a plurality of physical features that are different from those illustrated in the example. For example, the side wall 5 may be conical and/or have flares and/or tapers and/or swellings and/or ribs and the like.

[0035] Similarly, too, the lower part 4 may have physical features that are different, for example, it may have: ribs and/or swellings and/or grooves and the like.

[0036] According to the unillustrated variants, on side wall 5, protrusions or rivets can be welded, in a known manner, to assemble one or more gripping handles.

[0037] Without any loss of generality, and in a known manner, the cup-shaped body 2 may be made in several pieces or in a single piece. The cup-shaped body 2 is preferably, but not necessarily, made of sheet metal, particularly tinplate.

[0038] According to an unillustrated variant, the cup-shaped body 2 may be made, at least in part, or entirely, of another type of material. For example, as an alternative, the cup-shaped body 2 may be made of plastic, glass, etc.

[0039] The sealing system 3 comprises, in turn, a plug 8 and a cap 9.

[0040] Advantageously, the sealing system 3 comprises a container 10 for an additive substance. The term "additive substance" refers to the substance that the user must mix with the liquid contained in the can 1. An additive substance according to this invention can be of any type and in any state. For example, the additive substance can be a solid material, e.g., granulated or powdered material, and/or a liquid and/or viscous material, or a combination of different materials.

[0041] Advantageously, before the first opening, the sealing system 3 contains the container 10 inside. Advantageously, the container 10 is located between the plug 8 and the lid 9.

[0042] The sealing system 3 further comprises a seal 11 located between the lid 9 and the plug 8. The seal 11 is configured to deform and/or break when first opened, to allow separation of the lid 9 from the plug 8 and allow the user access to the container 10.

[0043] According to the illustrated example in Figure 2, the sealing system 3 comprises a single container 10.

[0044] A container 10 can be chosen from a group of containers that have different shapes and/or dimensions. For example, a container 10 can be chosen from a group of containers that differ from each other in: type and/or material and/or shape and/or capacity.

[0045] By way of example only, a container 10 can be: a vial, a bottle, a sachet, or an equivalent container body. A container 10 can be made of any material or polymaterial.

[0046] Seal 11 is configured to seal sealing system 3.

[0047] When first opened, seal 11 changes sealing system 3 to make it visible, or recognizable from the outside, when sealing system 3 has already been opened.

[0048] According to the illustrated example in Figures 2 to 8, the plug 8 is configured to fit the opening 7 of the can 1. In particular, the plug 8 comprises (Figure 4): an annular rim 12 configured to engage, under pressure, with the sealing rim 7' (generally made by sheet metal crimping) that delimits the opening 7 of the can 1; a tubular flange 13 configured to extend longitudinally partially into the can 1; and an external neck 14 projecting longitudinally from the annular rim 12 to the outside of the can 1. According to the illustrated example, the neck 14 is externally threaded.

[0049] The neck 14 has a plurality of grooves 15 that protrude axially to the outside of the can 1 and are distributed radially around the longitudinal axis X.

[0050] According to the illustrated example, in figure 8, the plug 8 comprises a plurality of partitions 16, each of which is located between two adjacent grooves 15.

[0051] According to the illustrated example, the grooves 15 are identical and evenly spaced around the longitudinal axis X. According to an unillustrated variant, the dimensions of the grooves 15 may vary. The stopper 8 comprises a removable membrane 18 which, in use, hermetically seals the can 1, in particular, the cavity 6. The membrane 18 is configured to be removed upon first opening. According to the illustrated example, the membrane 18 has a removable portion 19 which is laterally delimited by a weakening line 20. The removable portion 19 is attached to a gripping element 21 which is configured to be grasped, in use, by the user to pull out the removable portion 19 and the membrane 18 upon first opening of the can 1. According to the example illustrated in the figures, the gripping element 21 is a ring configured to be hooked by a user's finger. According to the illustrated example, in figures 7 and 8, the weakening line 20 is made on the side of the membrane 18 that is oriented, in use, towards the inside of the cavity 6.

[0052] Cap 9 is configured to screw onto the outer neck 14 of plug 8.

[0053] The cap 9 has a wall 30 having a perimeter in plan view that basically corresponds to that of the opening 7 of the cup-shaped body 2. The cap 9 further comprises a crown 31 that projects axially from the perimeter of part 30 to basically form a cup-shaped body. The crown 31 is fully threaded so that it can be screwed onto the neck 14 of the plug 8.

[0054] According to the illustrated example, wall 30 of lid 9 is circular.

[0055] Advantageously, seal 11 is integral with lid 9.

[0056] Seal 11 is configured to deform and/or break, in use, when can 1 is first opened.

[0057] According to the illustrated example, the seal 11 is formed by a strip 24 that protrudes from the wall 30 of the cap 9 on the side facing the plug 8 when it is screwed on. The strip 24 protrudes from the cap 9 and interferes with the plug 8. Rotation of the cap 9 relative to the plug 8 causes deformation and/or breakage of the strip 24.

[0058] Advantageously, seal 11 is visible from the outside; in this way, the user can check whether can 1 has already been opened, or not, simply by looking at lid 9.

[0059] According to the example illustrated in detail in Figures 5 and 6, the lid 9 has a window 26, and the seal 11 is positioned within the window 26 so that it is visible from the outside. In particular, the seal 11 occupies a large part of the area of the window 26; therefore, before first use, the lid 9 appears basically undamaged. In other words, on a can 1 that has never been opened, there are no visible holes through the lid.

[0060] According to the illustrated example in Figures 9 and 10, strip 24 is a portion of cap 9 cut into a U-shape and bent to form an angle α relative to a screwing/unscrewing direction. Cap 9 has a weakening line 28 in the bending zone of strip 24. The weakening line 28 favors bending or breakage of strip 24 relative to the remaining body of cap 9.

[0061] When first used, strip 24 protrudes into a groove 15. In particular, strip 24 has a free end 27 which, in the rest position, protrudes into a groove 15.

[0062] When the cap 9 rotates in the screw-in direction d1, the strip 24 is pushed close to the weakening line 28 against the partitions 16 and is pushed outward by the groove 15. In this way, the cap 9 can rotate freely in the screw-in direction d1. In this way, it is possible to prepare the sealing system 3 by screwing the cap 9 onto the plug 8 without breaking the seal 11.

[0063] As the cap 9 rotates in the unscrewing direction d2, the free end 27 is pushed against the side of a partition 16, hindering the translation of the strip 24 in the unscrewing direction d2.

[0064] Rotating the cap 9 in the unscrewing direction d2 then causes the deformation, in particular the bending, of the strip 24 that rests against the wall 30 of the cap 9 or is even pulled out.

[0065] In this case, the window area 26 is then completely open, leaving a visible hole through the wall 30 of lid 9.

[0066] According to unillustrated variants, seal 11 can be made according to different embodiments. For example, grooves can be provided connecting cap 9 to stopper 8, which break when first opened, similar to what happens with beverage bottles.

[0067] Advantageously, the sealing system 3 further comprises the container 10 that is housed between the lid 9 and the plug 8.

[0068] Advantageously, plug 8 has a housing to accommodate the container.

[0069] According to the illustrated example, in figures 2 to 8, the plug membrane is shaped to have a housing 33 to accommodate the container 10.

[0070] In particular, housing 33 is made in the center of membrane 18 to be, in use, basically coaxial to the longitudinal axis X of the cup-shaped body 2.

[0071] Housing 33 has a basically truncated cone shape.

[0072] Without any loss of generality, and according to unillustrated variants, accommodation 33 may have different shapes from those illustrated, for example, it may be cylindrical, parallelepiped-shaped, a truncated pyramid, or similar.

[0073] Advantageously, the gripping element 21 is arranged within the housing 33. Advantageously, the gripping element 21 is ring-shaped. In this way, the gripping element 21 does not interfere with the container 10, preventing possible damage to it.

[0074] According to the illustrated example, the weakening line 20 made in the membrane 18 engages with part of the lower surface 34 and part of the side surface 35 of the housing.

[0075] According to the example illustrated in Figure 2, the container 10 comprises a containment body 38 with a hemispherical shape.

[0076] Advantageously, the containment body 38 with the semi-spherical shape of the vessel 10 allows maximizing the containment volume by reducing the occupied volume as much as possible.

[0077] Container 10 further comprises a flat wall 39 with a basically circular cross-section.

[0078] Wall 39 has a side bevel 40 which facilitates, in use, the gripping of the container 10 by a user.

[0079] According to an unillustrated variant, container 10 comprises a sleeve made at least partially of paper for printing instructions.

[0080] At the time of first use, the container 10 is housed within the housing 33 to be positioned between the user and the gripping element 21.

[0081] Advantageously, on the wall surface 39 of the container 10 or, if present, on the paper sleeve, the instructions for use and any warnings are printed.

[0082] For the production of a can 1, according to this invention, the sealing system 3 of the type described above is pre-assembled and then hooked onto the opening 7 of the cup-shaped body 2. The operations for applying the sealing system 3 to the cup-shaped body 2 are basically known.

[0083] For the pre-assembly of the sealing system 3, the container 10 is inserted between the cap 9 and the plug 8 to properly place the container 10 in the corresponding housing 33 and thereby the cap 9 is screwed on.

[0084] At the end of the screwing of the cap 9, the seal 11 is positioned so that the strip 24 is placed inside a groove 15. In use, to access the liquid contained in the can 1, a user must unscrew the cap 9. During the rotation of the cap 9 in the unscrewing direction d2, the free end 27 of the strip 24 comes into contact with a partition 16 of the plug 8, preventing the rotation of the strip 24 itself.

[0085] Therefore, by continuing to rotate cap 9 in the unscrewing direction d2 and applying slight pressure, the user causes the strip to bend and/or break. In this way, window 26 is released, making a hole visible from the outside through cap 9.

[0086] Advantageously, after the lid 9 has been unscrewed for the first time, a hole is clearly visible from the outside through the wall 30. This allows for easy checking, for example, at the time of purchase, whether the can 1 has been opened/tampered with. The presence of the seal 11 is a guarantee to the user that the container 10 is inside the sealing system 3.

[0087] After unscrewing the cap 9, the user must remove the container 10 in order to access the gripping element 21. In this way, advantageously, the user is naturally prompted to notice any warnings (such as warnings about toxic, harmful, explosive, flammable materials, etc.) and/or instructions for use.

[0088] In Figures 11 and 12, reference number 108 indicates a variant of plug 8 according to this invention. In Figures 11 and 12, the elements common to plug 8 retain the same numbering and are not repeated herein for the sake of brevity. Plug 108 is configured to interact with a cap 9 according to the methods described above with reference to plug 8. In other words, a plug 8 and a plug 108 are interchangeable.

[0089] According to the variant illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, the sealing system 3 comprising the stopper 108 contains, in use, a plurality of containers 110; in particular, in the illustrated example, there are two containers 110. As mentioned above, the containers 10, 110 can be of any type or shape. The containers 110 illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 are elongated vials. In this case, the stopper 108 has two recesses 133 that are formed within a circular ring 140 of the membrane 18 of the stopper 108.

[0090] The housings 133 protrude, in use, into the interior of the cup-shaped body cavity 6 2.

[0091] According to one unillustrated variant, the number and type of containers 10, 110 may differ from those described above. For example, a container 10, 110 could be a sachet (such as a sachet of sugar, oil, sauce, or the like).

[0092] According to an unillustrated variant, the stopper may not have specific recesses for the container. In this case, the container is inserted into the space that normally exists between the stopper and the lid.

[0093] Advantageously, a sealing system 3 of the type described above allows a can 1, provided with additive material, to be supplied in an integrated and compact manner. In other words, a can 1 according to this invention does not need to be sold together with other containers separately; it does not need to include containers for an additive applied to the outside of the can itself.

[0094] Therefore, advantageously, a can 1 provided with a sealing system 3 according to this invention is easy to store and there are no problems related to possible damage from external elements.

[0095] Advantageously, a sealing system 3 according to this invention makes it immediately visible from the outside whether or not an initial opening has occurred, or whether the lid 9 has already been unscrewed. In other words, the sealing system 3 according to this invention, through the seal 11, allows the user to be assured of the integrity of the can 1 upon its first use.

[0096] Therefore, advantageously, a can 1 provided with a sealing system 3 according to this invention can be sold in places that are not continuously monitored (e.g., on shelves in department stores) guaranteeing to the user the integrity of its contents and, in particular, the presence and integrity of the container 10, 110 containing the additive substance housed between the lid 9 and the stopper 8, 108.

[0097] Advantageously, the sealing system 3 according to this invention is particularly compact and has external dimensions, in particular the thickness or extension along the longitudinal axis X of the cup-shaped body 2, basically the same as those of sealing systems already on the market.

[0098] Therefore, advantageously, the sealing system 3 according to this invention can be manipulated both individually and assembled into the cup-shaped body 2 precisely using the same commonly used methods and equipment.

[0099] Advantageously, a can 1 provided with a sealing system 3 according to this invention does not require more storage space than those already in use, although it contains, in an integrated manner inside, a container 10, 110 for an additive.

[0100] A sealing system 1 of the type described above is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS 1. A sealing system for a can (1) for liquids, in particular paints, comprising a plug (8; 108), a lid (9), and a container (10; 110) for additives; the plug (8; 108) is configured to be engaged, in use, in a cup-shaped body (2) of a can (1); wherein the lid (9) is configured to engage with the plug (8; 108); wherein the container (10; 110) for additives is housed, prior to first opening, at least partially between the plug (8; 108) and the lid (9); characterized in that the plug (8; 108) comprises a removable membrane (18), which is configured to be removed when the sealing system (3) is first opened; in particular, the membrane (18) has a removable portion (19), which is laterally delimited by a weakening line (20); wherein the plug (8; 108) comprises a gripping element (21) that is configured to be gripped, in use, by the user to pull and extract the removable portion (19) with the membrane (18) when the sealing system (3) is first opened. 2. A sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the plug (8; 108) comprises: an annular rim (12) configured to be press-fitted, in use, to a sealing rim (7') delimiting an opening (7) of the can (1); and an external neck (14) projecting axially, in use, outward from the annular rim (12) of the can (1); wherein the neck (14) is externally screwed on; wherein the lid (9) is configured to be screwed, in use, onto said neck (14). 3. A sealing system according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising a seal (11) interposed between the lid (9) and the plug (8; 108); wherein the seal (11) is configured to deform and/or break when the sealing system (3) is first opened. 4. A sealing system according to claim 3, wherein said seal (11) is visible from the outside; in particular, said cap (9) has a window (26) and the seal (11) is disposed within said window (26), to open a hole through the cap (9) once the cap (9) has been unscrewed. 5. A sealing system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the neck (14) has a plurality of grooves (15) that, in use, project axially outward from the neck (14); wherein the neck (14) comprises a plurality of partitions (16), each of which is interposed between two adjacent grooves (15); wherein said seal (11) comprises a strip (24) that is integral with the cap (9) and is housed, at the time of first opening, within a groove (15) of said neck (14). 6. A sealing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plug (8) has a housing (33) for at least partially housing a respective container (10); wherein said gripping element (21) is housed within said housing (33); wherein the container (10) comprises a containment body (38) and a circularly shaped wall (39) having a lateral bevel (40); wherein said containment body (38) is housed within said housing (33) and the wall (39) is interposed between the containment body (38) and the lid (9). 7. A sealing system according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising a plurality of containers (10; 110). 8. A sealing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each container (10; 110) is selected from a group of containers that differ from each other by: type and/or material and/or shape and/or capacity. 9. A can for liquids, in particular paints, comprising the sealing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.