EP1686066B1 - Reclosable can and process for making same - Google Patents

Abstract

The container has a container body (1) with a lid (2) including an attenuation region. An opening and closing unit is connected with a top side of the lid to design a pipe shaped removal region. The removal region is formed in a circular side wall (4). The wall descends into a connection region (7) for connecting the opening and closing unit with the top side of the lid, where the region (7) protrudes perpendicular to the side wall. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a reclosable container for foodstuff and beverage.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a resealable can for foods or drinks and to a method for the production thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to resealable cans having an opening and closing means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diverse containers such as jars, cartons, bags, bottles and cans can be used to store food and drink. In addition to the protection of the contents inside, the containers must meet additional requirements from influences by the outside world and vice versa. For reasons of cost, industry requires containers that can be filled quickly and easily, and consumers also require containers that can be easily opened, emptied and, if possible, safely resealed.

Beverage cans, for example, are quick and inexpensive to handle in a simple manner, since cans before they are closed have a very large opening diameter. Beverages are therefore preferably offered in beverage cans, in which a mostly formed of sheet metal bottom part is connected to a cylindrical wall part, at the upper edge after filling a lid is crimped.

In this case, the lid of beverage cans usually has an indentation in which a handle of a pull-tab is housed, which is riveted to the lid part, wherein a thinner lid portion is provided. By pulling on the handle part, the tab can be removed from the cover part and thus a removal opening can be formed in the cover.

In another embodiment of a beverage can, an open line of weakness with a complex line pattern is formed in the can lid, whereby the weakening line is broken by a lever associated with the lid and a portion of the lid is pressed into the can to form the dispensing opening through which the drink is taken.

With these doses, there is the danger that impurities, for example small insects or the like, reach the inside of the can via the unprotected removal opening, since these are not resealable. Furthermore, the weakening line is exposed to external environmental influences, which can lead to unwanted damage or even failure of the weakening line. An example of this is the stress corrosion cracking known in the art, which leads to unwanted failure of the weakening line.

WO 86/01488 discloses a resealable beverage can having a tearable tab for opening a dispensing opening. For removing the beverage, a plastic removal nozzle is provided, which is in the unopened state of the can inside the can and when opening the removal opening passes through the removal opening and projects outwards. The discharge spout can be closed again with optionally attachable closing parts. The beverage comes in the unopened state of the can in contact with the discharge spout. This results in the requirement for a sterile or heat-resistant removal nozzle before the first opening. Furthermore, the cover is constructed comparatively complex and it is occupied by the plastic removal nozzle in the unopened state, a certain volume in the interior of the can and thus displaced liquid, so that more material is needed for the production of the can. Again, there is a risk of unwanted failure of the line of weakness due to external environmental influences.

US 5,816,428 discloses a resealable beverage can, wherein in the unopened state of the can a folded plastic part is provided on the underside of the can lid and connected thereto. After rupture of the can lid, the plastic part bulges out to the top of the can to form a dome-shaped attachment, in which a removal opening is formed, which is reclosable with a closure. The preparation of such a can lid is relatively expensive. Furthermore, a certain volume is displaced from the plastic part inside the can, so that more material is needed to make the can. Again, there is a demand for a sterile or heat-resistant plastic part. Due to the large volume plastic part is a stackability of the lid before closing the can with conventional technology not possible.

US 5,692,633 discloses a resealable food or beverage can comprising a cylindrical can body having a bottom and an opposite opening through which the can is filled, and a lid connected to the can body with a crimping rim around the opening after filling to close the can. In the lid, eccentric to the main axis of the package, a circular, provided with a collection weakening area for forming a removal opening by impressing the weakened area is provided in the can. Further, the can includes a second lid which is rotatably mounted on the crimping rim at the upper end of the can. This cover also has a removal opening which can be positioned congruent to the removal opening of the first cover by means of a relative rotational movement to the first cover. The second lid has an indentation which cooperates in a certain rotational position of the second lid with the elevation of the first can lid to depress the weakened area and form the removal opening. By turning back the second lid, the removal opening can be closed again in contact with the second lid with the top of the can lid. The rotational range is thus limited by the size of the removal openings, their relative positions to each other in the unopened state and the relative position of the impression in the second cover to elevation in the first lid, ie the included angle of rotation is significantly smaller than 360 degrees.

The preparation of such cans with two specially shaped lids is relatively expensive, material and cost-intensive and requires special processing steps. For a hygienic resealing of the removal opening both the can lid and the rotatably mounted second lid must be provided under hygienic conditions, which is expensive. It must also be ensured that no impurities or moisture can get into the extraction openings before the first opening.

DE 32 01 469 A1 discloses a resealable metal lid for a can. With a flexible band, a mandrel for piercing the opening area formed in the lid is mounted outside an opening area. At the same time, the mandrel serves as a closure cap in order to close the once opened opening area. Overall, the formation of the lid is relatively expensive.

DE 198 11 528 A1 discloses a reclosable pouring spout for beverage packs. However, this is due to its operation, not for beverage cans in the context of the present application.

EP 0 538 094 B1 discloses a resealable beverage can, with a tubular withdrawal area, at the bottom of which a bevelled or dome-shaped trained weakening area is formed. This requires the placement of a cap-shaped opening and closing means with a mandrel formed thereon in a suitable angular position, which affects the ease of use.

US 6,206,222 B1 discloses a reclosable closure for a beverage can according to the preamble of claim 1. The top of the lid is domed and has a flattened central portion which merges via a slope into the dome-shaped portion. An opening and closing means is formed in two pieces and comprises a connectable to the top of the lid nozzle with an external thread on which a screw cap provided with an internal thread is screwed. The pipe socket can be snapped onto a formed on the slope locking lip. In order to ensure a reliable seal, a sealing adhesive must additionally be used in the connection area, which is expensive. The geometry of the lid requires comparatively complex manufacturing techniques. For sealing the tubular removal region formed by the pipe socket, the underside of the pipe socket must be precisely formed, which is also expensive.

According to a further embodiment, the top of the lid is formed substantially flat and the underside of the nozzle is zigzag-shaped and snapped onto the crimped upper edge of the box. A sealing of the removal area is realized by the engagement of the lower end of the closure cap with a slope on the top of the lid, which can not be easily achieved after opening the removal area.

US 4,403,709 discloses a drinking and pouring aid for beverage cans, which is cylindrical and can be placed on the removal area after its opening. A flange at the lower end of the drinking and pouring aid is flat, in adaptation to the top of the lid. The beverage can is opened by pulling on a pull tab which is riveted to the top of the lid in the known manner.

FR-A-1 496 616 discloses another drinking and pouring aid, which is connected via a flat flange at its bottom with the top of a lid of the beverage container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a resealable can for foods or drinks of the aforementioned type, which can be produced more easily and inexpensively and in a reliable, especially hygienic manner, opened and re-closed, with a discharge opening releasing material area in a simple and reliable way to be withheld. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is also to be provided a method of manufacturing such a can.

These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by a can having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 18. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Thus, the present invention is based on a resealable can for foods or drinks, comprising a can body with a bottom and an opposite opening and a lid which is connected to the can body to close the opening, the lid a weakening area for forming a Having removal opening and wherein an opening and closing means is provided, which is designed to form the removal opening by breaking the weakened area and to close the removal opening again. In this case, the opening and closing means is connectable at the removal opening with an upper side of the lid, which closes an opening through which the container has been previously filled or can be filled.

According to the invention the opening and closing means is connected to the top of the lid, that after breaking the line of weakness of the predetermined line of weakness of the material area is held back by the opening and closing means and does not fall uncontrollably into the can body or fall out of the can body. Such retention may be accomplished, for example, by a projection on the inside of the opening and closing means, as explained below.

According to a further embodiment, the weakened region is formed as a non-circumferential weakening line, so that the area enclosed by the weakening line is additionally held by a cover section, in particular a material web, after breaking the weakening line and does not fall into the can body or fall out of the can body.

According to a further embodiment, the weakened region can also be designed as a peripheral weakening line, which allows great manufacturing advantages and cost advantages. Thus, in the case of a circumferential or continuous or closed weakening line, for example a circular, concentric weakening line without material web, aligning the opening and closing means with the material web, so that the opening and closing means placed in any rotational position on the lid and the Aufbrechvorgang through the opening element at any point of the line of weakness can begin.

Thus, the opening and closing means at any suitable time, especially after filling the can with the beverage or food, with the lid without breaking the removal opening can be connected. Thus, the portion of the can which contacts the beverage or foodstuff over the long period of storage may practically be an unopened and unaltered can, which is advantageous in storage, for example when stacking cans. Furthermore, the material is subject to the production of Opening and closing means less restrictions, since in particular less attention must be paid to a long-term compatibility of the material of the opening and closing means to be stored beverage or food.

Since the lid does not need to be provided with a lavish opening mechanism with a tab and the like, and the weakening range can be advantageous easily and material-saving. Essentially, only care must be taken that sufficient force can be applied by the opening and closing means to break the weakened area, for example by pressing down. In this case, a special embodiment of the weakened area, as is known, for example, from conventional beverage cans with riveted tabs, is not absolutely necessary.

Such a weakening region may be formed as a membrane, for example of a thin metal, paper or plastic material or a composite material formed therefrom, or as a total plate-shaped region. According to the invention, however, the weakened area is designed so as to allow a controlled break-up upon the action of force by the opening and closing means. For this purpose, a line-shaped weakening region can be formed in the cover, for example, so that when the weakened region is pressurized, in particular when punctiform force is applied by a depressing element, the cover is broken along the linear weakened region in order to form the removal opening. For this purpose, the opening and closing means may be formed in cross-section corresponding to the removal opening to be formed. Thus, if, for example, a circular removal opening is to be formed, then the opening and closing means are preferably likewise of circular design.

Expediently and preferably, the weakened region for forming the removal opening is provided centrally on the cover and covered by the opening and closing means. Thus, only a comparatively small area on the upper side of the lid needs to be provided or covered hygienically in the region of the removal opening to be formed later, which reduces the material costs and the production outlay. A centric arrangement in particular facilitates the alignment and centering of the opening and closing means for the lid and for the removal opening. By contrast, a non-centric arrangement can positively influence the emptying behavior.

Because the opening and closing means is connected to the top of the lid in the region of the removal opening to be formed, at the same time the removal opening to be formed is covered by the opening and closing means and protected from external influences. Thus, impurities or moisture during storage can not reach uncontrolled in the region of the extraction opening to be formed.

In this case, the opening and closing means is designed so that automatically by connecting the opening and closing means with the top of the lid, a tubular removal area is formed, which can be closed again, for example with a cap.

In particular, beverages can be removed in a very controlled manner by obliquely holding the can through the tubular removal area, since the tubular removal area serves as a guide for the beverage or the food. At the same time, such a tubular removal area can advantageously be easily hygienically sealed so that contaminants can no longer get to the removal opening to be formed or formed. Such a seal can be accomplished for example by a closure cap. Because only the region of the removal opening is to be sealed, the opening and closing means can be made comparatively small and thus cost and material-saving.

By the applied opening and closing means the edge of the removal opening is covered at the same time. After opening the removal opening offers a hygienic removal possibility for the respective can contents, further injury to the mouth on the edge of the can or on the sharp edge of the removal opening are turned off.

In this case, such a tubular removal region is formed by a circumferential side wall at an end of the opening and closing means facing the upper side of the cover. This side wall may rest against and be connected to the top of the lid, as stated above. Such a circumferential side wall may for example be formed from a suitable plastic.

In this case, the circumferential side wall merges into a connecting region projecting perpendicularly from this for connecting the opening and closing means to the upper side of the lid. In this way, even more material is available for a reliable connection of the opening and closing means with the top of the lid. At the same time, the upper edge of the removal opening is sealed even more reliably by the connection surface. Such a connection surface may be formed, for example, in the form of a flange with a through-hole, the cross-section of which is adapted to the cross section of the extraction opening to be formed, wherein the flange is connected in the manner described above with the top of the lid. Through the flange, additional material is available to more effectively seal the tubular removal area formed by the opening and closing means. At the same time, the flange allows the use of different joining techniques for connecting the opening and closing means to the top of the lid. It is expedient if an underside of the flange is formed corresponding to the top of the lid, so that a full-surface contact between the flange and the lid is readily ensured, in particular without that further deformation of the flange for sealing the tubular removal area required would.

According to a further embodiment, the opening and closing means can be connected in a material-locking manner to the top side of the lid without breaking the weakened area, in particular by means of an adhesive connection. Such a connection can be in a simple and cost-effective manner, in particular by gluing, sealing, RF welding, laser welding or induction heating accomplish. According to a further embodiment, the opening and closing means can be positively or non-positively connected to the top of the lid without breaking the weakened area, for example by means of a snap connection or a screw or rotary connection. For this purpose, a force or form-fitting region can be provided on the upper side of the lid, which is expediently designed so that the opening and closing means is completely received and surrounded by the force or positive-locking region. In this case, the connection is expediently such that the removal opening to be formed is completely enclosed by the opening and closing means, so that the food or beverage can not escape laterally uncontrolled upon removal.

According to a further embodiment, the opening and closing element comprises a movable opening element, which can be moved toward the lid, in particular pressed down, and finally comes into abutment with the weakened area in order to pressurize it and thus break it open. This movement of the opening element can be guided by a lower part of the opening and closing means, for example by the aforementioned tubular removal area. Appropriately, then the profile of the opening and closing means is formed corresponding to the cross section of the lower part or the tubular removal region. The movement of the opening element can be accomplished manually by the end user, for example by depression.

Expediently, the opening and closing means comprise a movable closure, which cooperates with the movable opening element and presses it down to break the weakened area. It is advantageous that the extraction opening to be formed is also covered by the closure during the entire process for breaking up the weakened area, so that impurities can not reach the removal opening to be formed. Furthermore, there is the possibility, by appropriate design of the opening and closing means under internal pressure standing doses slowly vent, so that no sudden pressure reduction takes place.

In principle, the opening element can be mounted loosely and displaceably in the opening and closing means. Suitably, however, the opening element is captively provided on the opening and closing means, so that it can not fall uncontrollably into the can body when the removal opening is broken. For this purpose, the opening element may be connected to the opening and closing means, for example with a circumferential side wall or a bottom of a sliding cap. According to a further embodiment, the opening element can also be connected to the removal area of the can lid.

A particularly advantageous controlled and energy-saving breaking of the weakened area can be achieved when the movable closure and the opening element are designed or cooperate with each other so that the opening element is moved by moving the shutter substantially axially to the weakened area to this break.

According to a further embodiment, the opening and closing means is formed in several pieces and comprises a lower part, which is connectable or connected to the upper side of the lid, and a closure for closing an inner bore of the lower part. Suitably, the closure is designed as a screw closure, which cooperates with the threaded lower part. Such a closure can be moved axially controlled in an advantageous manner.

According to a further embodiment, the opening element is connected to the underside of a screw cap or formed integrally therewith. According to the invention, the opening and closing means is delivered so that the opening element is not adjusted so far down to break the weakening area. In this state of delivery thus the extraction opening to be formed is hygienically covered by the screw cap. Due to the relative movement of the screw cap to the lower part, the end user can then break open the weakened area with the aid of the opening element in a controlled manner in order to form the removal opening.

According to a further embodiment, the opening and closing means is designed so as to gradually press the weakened area into the can body from an edge area on one side of the weakened area. The weakened area is thus pivoted into the can body in the manner of a lever, with a remaining material web acting as pivot axis between the weakened area and the remaining areas of the lid.

According to a further embodiment, a projection is provided on an inner side of the opening and closing means which projects beyond the weakening line into the weakened area and can be connected or connected to the upper side of the lid in the area of the lid portion, in particular in the area of the aforementioned material web such that the area enclosed by the circumferentially or non-circumferentially formed line of weakness is held by the projection after breaking the line of weakness and does not fall into the can body.

According to another embodiment, a cavity of the opening and closing means is filled with a substance which falls into the can body upon breaking the weakened area to mix with a can contents. For example, the opening and closing means applied after filling forms a cavity on its underside together with the can lid. In the cavity, a substance, for example a composition of one or more vitamins, amino acids, proteins such as keratin or minerals or a mixture thereof may be present, for example as a solid. Alternatively, a liquid can be located in the cavity, which contains, for example, the aforementioned substances in the form of a solution, an emulsion or in any other known form. It is particularly advantageous that only at the first opening of the can according to the invention, the additional substances get into the can contents and thus fresh for the consumer with the can contents be mixed. Among other things, it is advantageous that the substances can only be packaged with the can after the can is closed with the lid, ie after the actual filling process. This may be done by the filler himself or elsewhere by someone else. Furthermore, for example, biologically active substances which, when brought into contact with another substance, for example a liquid, lose their effectiveness or weaken their activity, can only be mixed precisely with the contents of the can shortly before consumption.

According to the invention, the can can be produced in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner if the opening and closing means is formed at least partially from a plastic, in particular at the sections to be connected to the top of the lid, and when the lid is formed from a metal sheet. In particular, thermal processes in which the plastic is melted by heating, if appropriate using a suitable adhesion promoter, in order to bond to the material of the cover are suitable for the connection.

The can of the present invention is similar in shape to conventional cans up to this manufacturing step after filling, except that the can lid has a simple weakened area for forming a dispensing opening instead of a complex, closed dispensing opening. Accordingly, the can according to the invention can be produced as far as possible with the same processing machines that are also used for conventional can production, quickly and inexpensively. The can after closure with the lid is even simpler than conventional cans, as the weakened area on the can lid of the can of the present invention is easier to manufacture than the current complex line shapes of the dispensing opening of conventional cans. Accordingly, unlike the resealable cartons or cans known in the art, the opening and closing means are applied to a lid which closes an opening through which the contents of the container were previously filled. The closure is therefore attached only after filling the container. This is advantageous because it does not change the outer shape of the container during filling and closure with the lid. Furthermore, the removal opening of the box according to the invention, for example, requires no rivet. All this leads to a cost-effective and rapid production of the can according to the invention and to a reduction of possible sources of error in production.

Another aspect of the present invention further relates to a process for producing a resealable can for foods or drinks, in particular for producing a can as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1

in einem schematischen Teilschnitt in Explosionsdarstellung sowie in einem Querschnitt eine Dose gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung darstellt.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, from which further features, advantages and objects to be achieved will result and in which:

Fig. 1

in a schematic partial section in exploded view and in a cross section of a can according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

According to FIG. 1, the can comprises a cylindrical can body 1, which merges at its lower end in the known manner into a bottom, not shown, and whose opening 8 is closed at its upper end by a substantially flat lid 2. The can is used to store drinks, in particular carbonated drinks, or food. According to FIG. 1, the diameter d1 of the cylindrical can body 1 is greater than the diameter d2 of the opening 8 at the upper end of the can body (d2 <d1). Nevertheless, the box can be filled quickly by the comparatively large opening 8. The lid 2 is connected in the known manner by a beaded edge to the can body 1. The can body 1 and the cover 2 may be formed from a metal sheet, for example, aluminum or tinplate.

As shown in the lower cross-section according to FIG. 1, the lid 2 has a central weakening area 3, in which the material of the lid 2 is weakened such that, by breaking the weakened area 3, a removal opening for removing the food or drink from the Can be formed. According to FIG. 1, the weakened region is designed as a cover section whose material thickness can be equal to the material thickness in the other sections of the cover 2 and which is surrounded by a circular weakening line 3. Along the weakening line, the material of the cover 2 is weakened, for example by embossing the weakening line 3 on at least one cover side. Thus, the removal opening can be formed by breaking the weakening line 3 and depressing the lid portion enclosed by the weakening line 3 into the interior of the can body 1.

According to FIG. 1, the can further comprises an opening and closing means, which is formed in several pieces in the illustrated embodiment and comprises a cylindrical lower part 4 with an external thread, a closure cap 5 with an internal thread and an opening element 6. This opening and closing means is used to open the can by controlled breaking of the removal opening, as described below, as well as reclosure of the can.

According to FIG. 1, the lower part 4 is essentially cylindrical. In this case, the lower part 4 has a substantially vertical, circumferential side wall, which forms a tubular region whose profile substantially corresponds to the cross section of the removal opening to be formed in the cover 2. According to Fig. 1, the lower part 4 is connected to the upper side of the lid 2 so that the peripheral side wall of the lower part 4 along the edge of the weakening region 3, i. along the trainee removal opening in the top of the lid 2, runs. Thus, from the lower part 4, a total tubular removal area is formed, through which the drink or food can be removed from the can.

1, a flange-like connecting surface 7 is formed on the upper side of the lid 2 facing the end of the lower part 4, via which the lower part 4 with the Cover 2 is connected. In this case, the profile of the connecting surface is formed corresponding to the profile of the lid 2, so that a full-surface contact surface of the connecting surface 7 is ensured at the top of the lid 2 and the aforementioned removal area is sealed. In particular, cohesive compounds such as adhesive or heat seal compounds are suitable for the connection. If the lower part 4 is formed, for example, from a plastic, the lower part 4 can be connected to the cover 2 by gluing, sealing, HF welding, laser welding or induction heating. There are also positive or non-positive connections.

According to FIG. 1, a cap-shaped closure 5 is placed on the upper end of the lower part 4 in order to close the removal region. The closure 5 and the lower part 4 cooperate with each other so that the closure 5 is placed captively on the lower part 4. For this purpose, the closure 5 is designed as a screw in the known manner.

As the cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 can be readily removed, only a relatively small area on the top of the lid 2 is covered by the thus formed opening and closing means, namely substantially only the area immediately around the removal opening to be formed. This removal area is covered hygienically by the closure 5. Furthermore, the weakening line is protected from external influences. However, the remaining areas on the top of the lid need not be covered according to the invention, since they do not serve the removal of the beverage or food.

According to FIG. 1, a dome-shaped opening element 6 is formed on the lower side of the closure 5, which is moved axially onto the cover 2 by turning the closure 5 on the lower part 4 and finally in contact with the weakened area 3 on the upper side of the cover 2 By further rotation of the shutter 5, finally, an axially directed force is exerted on the weakening region 3, which is sufficient to break the weakening line 3, starting from an edge region on the in FIG. 1 right side of the weakening area. By further rotation of the shutter 5, the weakening line 3 is finally completely broken and the cover section enclosed by the weakening line 3 is pivoted into the inside of the can. If the weakening line is not formed circumferentially, then the lid section pivoted into the interior of the can also remains connected to the remaining area of the lid via a material web, so that the lid section does not fall into the can interior uncontrolled or is lost when the removal opening is open.

1 protrudes from the connecting surface 7, a nose 11 radially inwardly into the removal area. This nose 11 may be connected to the aforementioned web of material in order to keep the lid portion pivoted into the inside of the can even more reliably. In a continuous line of weakness a projection, for example, the nose 11 shown in FIG. 1, to connect with the lid portion so that it does not fall into the can after opening or fall out of the can.

As described above, the lower part 4 forms with the lid a cavity in which a substance in liquid or solid form or a mixture of different substances can be stored. When opening the removal opening by breaking the line of weakness 3 thus the substance automatically falls into the can body 1 in order to mix there with the stored beverage or food.

To produce the can, first the can body with the bottom (not shown) and the lid are provided separately. The above-described opening and closing means can be manufactured separately and made available to the filler of the can and / or the end user.

According to a further embodiment, at least the lower part of the opening and closing means in the delivery state of the can already firmly connected to the lid. This connection can be made by the manufacturer of the lid, the manufacturer of the opening and closing means or the filler of the can. In this embodiment, the other elements of the opening and closing means of the filled can may also be separately attached or otherwise connected to it, for example by means of a tearable plastic bottle connected to the can. The joining of the opening and closing means can in principle also take place only at the end user, for example by screwing the screw cap with the opening element and breaking the weakened area, as described above.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, the opening and closing means is already fully assembled at the manufacturer of the lid or the filler and firmly connected to the lid in the manner described above. In this case, however, the opening element is arranged so that the weakened area is not broken. Thus, the lid of the can in the delivery state of the can is not yet broken, so that the can contents can be stored very hygienic. At the same time, care is taken to ensure that the removal area formed by the opening and closing means is hygienically covered. By operating the opening and closing means as described above, the end user can then break the weakened area and form the removal opening.

To fill the can, the beverage or food is first filled through the wide opening in the can body. Subsequently, the opening is closed by placing the lid and connecting with the can body. The opening and closing means can then be connected to the lid of the already filled can. Or the opening and closing means, at least the lower part, is already firmly connected to the lid before connecting the lid to the can body.

Thus, according to the invention, easy and rapid filling of the can as well as easy and hygienic opening, emptying and resealing are ensured.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

can body

2

cover

3

weakening region

4

lower part

5

cap

6

opening element

7

interface

8th

opening

9

ground

10

beaded

11

head Start

Claims (22)

1. A reclosable can for food or drinks, comprising a can body (1) with a base (9) and an opening (8) located opposite, and also a lid (2) which is connected to the can body (1) in order to close the opening (8), wherein the lid (2) has a weakened area (3) for forming a removal opening, and wherein an opening and closing means (4-7) is provided which is designed to form the removal opening by breaking open the weakened area (3) and to re-close the removal opening, wherein the opening and closing means can be connected to an upper side of the lid (2) at the removal opening, wherein the opening and closing means (4-7) is designed in such a way that, by connecting the opening and closing means to the upper side of the lid, a tubular removal region can be formed which is reclosable and is formed by a circumferential side wall (4), wherein the circumferential side wall (4) merges with the upper side of the lid (2) in a connection area (7) protruding from said side wall for connecting the opening and closing means, characterised in that the opening and closing means is connected to the upper side of the lid in such a way that, after breaking open the line of weakening, the region of material defined by the line of weakening is held back by the opening and closing means and does not fall in an uncontrolled manner into the can body or out of the can body.
2. The can according to claim 1, wherein the weakened area is designed as a circumferential line of weakening (3) and provided on an inner side of the opening and closing means (4-7) is a protrusion (11) which protrudes over the line of weakening (3) into the weakened area and can be connected to the upper side of the lid (2) so that the area enclosed by the line of weakening (3) is held by the protrusion after breaking open the line of weakening (3) and does not fall into the can body (1) or out of the can body.
3. The can according to claim 1, wherein the weakened area is designed as a non-circumferential line of weakening (3) and provided on an inner side of the opening and closing means (4-7) is a protrusion (11) which protrudes over the line of weakening (3) into the weakened area and can be connected to the upper side of the lid (2) in the region of the lid section so that the area enclosed by the line of weakening (3) is held by the protrusion after breaking open the line of weakening and does not fall into the can body (1) or out of the can body.
4. The can according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the protrusion is formed in one piece with the opening and closing means or can be connected to the opening and closing means as a separate part in order to at least partially close the removal opening.
5. The can according to one of the preceding claims, in which a connection surface is formed on an underside of the opening and closing means in the form of a flange with a through-hole, the cross section of which matches the cross section of the removal opening to be formed.
6. The can according to claim 5, in which an underside of the flange is designed to correspond to the upper side of the lid (2) in order to ensure full contact between the flange and the lid (2).
7. The can according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening and closing means (4-7) can be materially connected to the upper side of the lid (2) without breaking open the line of weakening (3), in particular by means of an adhesive bond.
8. The can according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the opening and closing means (4-7) can be connected to the upper side of the lid (2) in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner without breaking open the line of weakening (3).
9. The can according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening and closing means (4-7) comprises a movable closure (5) and a movable opening element (6) which cooperate with one another in such a way that, by moving the closure (5) relative to the lid (2), the opening element (6) is moved in such a way that the weakened area (3) is broken open and the removal opening is formed.
10. The can according to claim 9, wherein the movable closure (5) and the opening element (6) are designed in such a way that, by moving the closure (5), the opening element (6) is moved axially onto the weakened area in order to break open the latter.
11. The can according to claim 9, wherein the movable closure (5) and the opening element (6) are designed in such a way that, by moving the closure (5), the opening element (6) carries out a lever movement in order to break open the weakened area.
12. The can according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the opening element (6) is provided on the underside of the closure (5), in particular is formed in one piece with the latter.
13. The can according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the opening element (6) is provided on the lower part (4), in particular is formed in one piece with the latter.
14. The can according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the movable closure (5) is a screw closure which cooperates with a lower part (7) of the opening and closing means (4-7) which is provided with a thread.
15. The can according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening and closing means (4-7) is designed in such a way as to gradually push the weakened area into the can body starting from an edge area at one side of the weakened area.
16. The can according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a hollow space of the opening and closing means (4-7) is filled with a substance which falls into the can body (1) when the weakened area (3) is broken open in order to mix with the contents of the can.
17. The can according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening and closing means (4-7) is made of plastic at least in some sections, and wherein the lid is formed from a sheet of metal.
18. A method for producing a reclosable can for food or drinks, in particular for producing a can according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:

    providing a can body (1) with a base (9) and an opening (8) located opposite;

    closing the opening (8) by placing a lid (2) onto the opening (8) and connecting the lid to the can body (1), wherein the lid (2) is provided with a weakened area (3) for forming a removal opening by breaking open the weakened area (3); and

    providing an opening and closing means (4-7) for forming the removal opening by breaking open the weakened area (3) and for re-closing the removal opening; wherein

    the opening and closing means (4-7) is provided and is connected to an upper side of the lid (2) at the removal opening in such a way that a tubular removal region is formed which is reclosable and is formed by a circumferential side wall (4), wherein the circumferential side wall (4) merges with the upper side of the lid (2) in a connection area (7) protruding from said side wall for connecting the opening and closing means; and wherein

    the opening and closing means is connected to the upper side of the lid in such a way that, after breaking open the line of weakening, the region of material defined by the line of weakening is held back by the opening and closing means and does not fall in an uncontrolled manner into the can body or out of the can body.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the opening and closing means (4-7), after filling the food or drink into the can body (1) and after closing the opening (8) of the can body (1) with the lid (2), is connected to the upper side of the lid (2) without breaking open the weakened area (3).
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein at least part of the opening and closing means (4-7) is not connected to the upper side of the lid (2) until immediately before a first opening of the can.
21. The method according to claim 19, wherein at least part of the opening and closing means (4-7) is connected to the upper side of the lid (2) before closing the opening of the can.
22. The method according to one of claims 18 to 21, comprising the further step that a substance is introduced into a hollow space of the opening and closing means (4-7) so that, at the time of first opening of the can, the substance falls into the can body (1) in order to mix with the contents of the can.

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