STACKABLE CAN WITH LID
The present invention relates to a stackable and re-sealable can with a bottom and a lid fold, wherein, inside the lid fold, a peripheral opening line is formed along a web projecting inwardly from the lid fold, said peripheral opening line enclosing a removable can lid, the bottom being smaller than the lid fold, and wherein a can can be stacked with its bottom forming a positive fit in and on a lid fold of a further can, characterised in that there is associated with the can a lid which has a peripheral rim, the outer contour of which corresponds to an inner contour of the web and which, after the can lid has been removed, can be inserted into the web, sealing the can.
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The invention relates to a stackable and re-sealable can in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.
Many products are subject to accelerated decay if they are exposed to the atmosphere without protection. For this reason, products of this kind are often stored in sealed containers. After the container is opened, it is therefore expedient to provide a container seal with which it is possible to seal or re-seal the container hermetically.
Conventional lids for sealing or re-sealing containers are usually formed like caps and are slipped over the container to be sealed or are screwed onto it. Lids of this kind have the disadvantage that in the closed state, they project beyond the outer contours of the container and consequently increase the amount of space taken up by the sealed container. This results in higher storage and transport costs as a rule.
The problem of the invention therefore consists in providing a stackable and re-sealable can with a lid, which does not possess the disadvantages described above.
This problem is solved in accordance with the invention by a stackable and re-sealable can according to claim 1.
The lid may be arranged inside the lid fold of the can, especially in a position in which a top side of the lid is facing the can lid, or may be removably held on the can in some other way.
It is preferably contemplated that the lid has an upper portion which, when inserted into the web in a sealed state, extends laterally outwards beyond the web, the upper portion of the lid lying, in the sealed state, substantially inside the can interior located between the web and the upper rim of the can. This ensures that when the lid is inserted, the possibility of stacking the can is not impaired.
It may be contemplated in accordance with the invention that an outer contour, e.g. the diameter, of the peripheral rim of the lid is at least 1/10 mm larger compared to an inner contour, e.g. the internal diameter, of the web of the can. This ensures that the lid the can be hermetically sealed and has a firm fit in the web. At the same time, the fit is not made too firm, so that easy opening and re-sealing of the can is ensured.
In addition, it may be contemplated that the upper portion of the lid rests at least partially on the web of the can in the sealed state.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the upper portion of the lid has a preferably peripheral elevation on its rim or adjacent thereto. This peripheral elevation increases the stiffness of the lid in its edge portion and overcomes the risk of accidentally pressing the lid down into the portion of the can beneath the web.
It is preferably envisaged that the lid has a recess for receiving a pull ring of a can lid on an unopened can, in which the pull ring can be received when the lid is placed on the unopened can. It may also be envisaged that the recess of the lid corresponds substantially to the outer contour of the latter. It may be intended that the pull ring of the can lid presses the unopened can against the rim of the lid from the inside when the lid is resting on it, so that the lid rests eccentrically on the can. In this case, it may be advantageous for the lid to be held on the unopened can by a clamping effect between the pull ring and the can.
It is preferably contemplated that the upper portion has an extension located on the top side, preferably near the rim of the lid. That extension may, for example, take the form of a tab for raising the lid. It may further be contemplated that the extension with the pull ring of the can lid engages with the unopened can, so that the lid is held on the unopened can.
In an advantageous manner, it may be contemplated that an outer contour of the lid corresponds substantially to an outer contour of the bottom of the can. This makes it easier to stack the can with the lid on it.
A further variant of the invention envisages that the lid has a lower extension located on an underside opposite the top side, preferably in the vicinity of the rim of the lid. It makes sense in this connection that the lower extension takes the form of a tab for raising the lid.
In a further embodiment of the invention, it may be contemplated that the lid has an outer ring frame, the outer lateral surface of which can be brought into engagement with the inner contour of the web of the can in such a way that the frame is fixed to the can and seals it along the inner contour of the web. In this embodiment, it is contemplated that, in the sealed state, the lid rests with the rim of the lid on a peripheral inner surface of the ring frame. In this context, the invention envisages that the lid is mounted on the frame in such a manner that it cannot be lost. A mount of this kind could be implemented, for example, by means of a flexible tab.
In addition, it is preferably proposed that the lid consists at least partially of an elastic material.
Similarly, it is preferably proposed that the lid consists at least partially of plastic.
It may further be contemplated that the can has a circular base area and the base area of the lid is likewise circular.
The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of the following description of a worked embodiment, reference being made to a drawing, in which
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Claims
1-17. (canceled)
18. A stackable and re-sealable can with a bottom and a lid fold, wherein, inside the lid fold, a peripheral opening line is formed along a web projecting inwardly from the lid fold, said peripheral opening line enclosing a removable can lid, the bottom being smaller than the lid fold, and wherein a can can be stacked with its bottom forming a positive fit in and on a lid fold of a further can, characterised in that there is associated with the can a lid which has a peripheral rim, the outer contour of which corresponds to an inner contour of the web and which, after the can lid has been removed, can be inserted into the web, sealing the can.
19. The can as claimed in claim 18, wherein the lid has an upper portion which, when in a sealed state inserted into the web, extends laterally outwards beyond the web, the upper portion of the lid lying, in the sealed state, substantially inside a portion located between the web and the upper rim of the can.
20. The can as claimed in claim 19, wherein an outer contour of the peripheral rim of the lid is at least 1/10 mm larger compared to an inner contour of the web.
21. The can as claimed in claim 19, wherein, in the sealed state, the upper portion rests at least partially on the web.
22. The can as claimed in claim 19, wherein the upper portion has a preferably peripheral elevation on its rim or adjacent thereto.
23. The can as claimed in claim 19, wherein the lid has a recess for receiving a pull ring of the lid of the unopened can, into which the pull ring can be received when the lid is placed on the unopened can.
24. The can as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lid is resting on it, the pull ring presses from inside against the rim of the lid.
25. The can as claimed in claim 24, wherein the lid is held on the unopened can by a clamping effect between the pull ring and the can.
26. The can as claimed in claim 19, wherein the upper portion has an extension located on a top side, preferably in the vicinity of the rim of the lid.
27. The can as claimed in claim 26, wherein the extension is designed as a tab for lifting the lid off.
28. The can as claimed in claim 26, wherein the extension engages with the pull ring of the lid of the unopened can, so that the lid is held on the unopened can.
29. The can as claimed in claim 19, wherein an outer contour of the lid corresponds substantially to an outer contour of the bottom the can.
30. The can as claimed in claim 19, wherein the lid has a lower extension located on an underside, opposite the top side, preferably in the vicinity of the rim of the lid.
31. The can as claimed in claim 30, wherein the lower extension is designed as a tab for lifting the lid off.
32. The can as claimed in claim 19, wherein the lid has an outer ring frame, the outer lateral surface of which can be brought into engagement with the inner contour of the web of the can in such a way that the frame is fixed to the can and seals it along the inner contour of the web.
33. The can as claimed in claim 32, wherein, in the sealed state, the lid rests with the rim of the lid on a peripheral inner surface of the ring frame.
34. The can as claimed in claim 33, wherein the lid is mounted on the frame in such a manner that it cannot be lost, especially so that it can be pivoted.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 11, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 17, 2013
Applicant: Mars Incorporated (McLean, VA)
Inventor: Gerd Berger (Verden)
Application Number: 13/635,311
International Classification: B65D 21/036 (20060101);