Method, device and system for production of a metal can with a decorative layer

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for producing a metal can ( 11 ), which metal can ( 11 ) has a can body ( 111 ) with a narrowed can neck ( 112 ) and a decorative layer ( 10 ) which has been attached to the can body ( 111 ). In the first phase of process steps a metal can preform ( 110 ) with an undecorated can body ( 111 ) and tapered can neck ( 112 ) is produced and in a second phase of process steps which takes place later or immediately follows the first phase of the process steps, the metal can preform ( 110 ) is provided with a decorative layer ( 10 ) which consists preferably of shrinkable material and which has a decoration ( 100 ) and is finished. The invention relates furthermore to a device for carrying out this process, to metal cans ( 11 ) which can be produced using this process or metal can preforms ( 110 ) which can be further processed and to a decorative layer ( 10 ) for use in this process.

1 . Process for producing a metal can ( 11 ), which metal can ( 11 ) has a can body ( 111 ) with a narrowed can neck ( 112 ) and a decorative layer ( 10 ) which has been attached to the can body ( 111 ), characterized in that in the first phase of process steps a metal can preform ( 110 ) with an undecorated can body ( 111 ) and tapered can neck ( 112 ) is produced and that in a second phase of process steps which takes place later or immediately follows the first phase of process steps, the metal can preform ( 110 ) is provided with a decorative layer ( 10 ) of preferably shrinkable material which has a decoration ( 100 ) and is completed.  
     
     
         2 . Process for producing a metal can preform ( 110 ) which can be further processed, wherein in the first phase of process steps the metal can preform ( 110 ) is shaped as an undecorated can body ( 111 ) from a metal blank and the can neck ( 112 ) of the undecorated can body ( 111 ) is tapered and wherein in the second phase of the process steps the metal can preform ( 110 ) can be provided with a decorative layer ( 10 ) of preferably shrinkable material which has a decoration ( 100 ).  
     
     
         3 . Process as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the can neck ( 112 ) or lower can edge ( 114 ) and the decorative layer ( 10 ) attached to the can body ( 111 ) are flanged at least in areas with a flange ( 12 ).  
     
     
         4 . Process as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) which is provided at least in areas with perforations ( 13 ) is attached to the can body ( 111 ) with these perforation ( 13 ) in the area of the flange ( 12 ) to be attached to the can neck ( 112 ) or to the lower can edge ( 114 ) such that the decorative layer ( 10 ) when damaged during flanging tears as far as a perforation ( 13 ).  
     
     
         5 . Process as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) is attached to the can body ( 111 ) with a two-dimensional decoration ( 100 ) or a three-dimensional decoration ( 100 ).  
     
     
         6 . Process as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) is provided with a decoration ( 100 ) on the back of the decorative layer and is attached with the back of this decorative layer to the can body ( 111 ) such that the front of the decorative layer is used as chemical and mechanical protection.  
     
     
         7 . Process as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) consists preferably of shrinkdown plastic tubing or a shrink film or foil which is joined into a tube and is positioned by being pulled over the can body ( 111 ).  
     
     
         8 . Process as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , with a can body ( 111 ) to which lubricants are applied for shaping from a metal blank, wherein the lubricants are also used to benefit for lubrication when tapering the can neck ( 112 ) or for at least one indentation ( 113 ) on the can body ( 111 ).  
     
     
         9 . Process as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the can neck ( 112 ) or an indentation ( 113 ) on the can body ( 111 ) is tapered after outside base enamelling of the can body ( 111 ) and wherein the can neck ( 112 ) which is provided with a smooth surface by base enamelling is used to advantage when the can neck ( 112 ) is tapered or for at least one indentation ( 113 ) on the can body ( 111 ).  
     
     
         10 . Process as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the can body ( 111 ) is internally enamelled before or after tapering of the can neck ( 112 ) or at least one indentation ( 113 ) on the can body ( 111 ).  
     
     
         11 . Process for production control in the manufacture of a metal can ( 11 ), which metal can ( 11 ) has a can body ( 111 ) with a narrowed can neck ( 112 ) and a decorative layer ( 10 ) which has been attached to the can body ( 111 ), wherein in the first phase of process steps at the metal can manufacturer a metal can preform ( 110 ) with an undecorated can body ( 111 ) and tapered can neck ( 112 ) is produced and  
       wherein in a second phase of process steps at the metal can manufacturer or at the cannery the metal can preform ( 110 ) is provided with a decorative layer ( 10 ) of preferably shrinkable material which has a decoration ( 100 ) and is completed.  
     
     
         12 . Process as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the order to produce a decorative layer ( 10 ) which has a decoration ( 100 ) is issued according to a marketing decision and wherein the order to start the second phase of the process step is issued according to a marketing decision.  
     
     
         13 . Device for producing a metal can ( 11 ), which metal can ( 11 ) has a can body ( 111 ) with a narrowed can neck ( 112 ) and a decorative layer ( 10 ) which has been attached to the can body ( 111 ), wherein there is an applicator ( 22 ) in order to position a decorative layer ( 10 ) of preferably shrinkable material which is provided with a decoration ( 100 ) on the undecorated can body ( 111 ) with a narrowed can neck ( 112 ).  
     
     
         14 . Device for producing a metal can preform ( 110 ) which can be further processed, wherein there is a pressing device to shape a can body ( 11 ) out of a metal blank and wherein there is a tapering device to taper the can neck ( 112 ) of the undecorated can body ( 111 ).  
     
     
         15 . Device as claimed in  claim 13  or  14 , wherein there is an applicator ( 22 ) for pulling the tubular decorative layer ( 10 ) consisting preferably of shrinkdown plastic tubing or flat shrink film or foil over the can body ( 111 ).  
     
     
         16 . Device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein there is a fixing device ( 23 ) to shrink the decorative layer ( 10 ) of shrinkable material with heat or steam onto the can body ( 111 ).  
     
     
         17 . System consisting of a metal can preform ( 110 ) produced in a first phase with an undecorated can body ( 111 ) with a narrowed can neck ( 112 ) and of a decorative layer ( 10 ) of preferably shrinkable material which has been provided beforehand with a decoration ( 100 ), the system comprising an applicator ( 22 ) to position the decorative layer ( 10 ) on the can body ( 111 ).  
     
     
         18 . Metal can ( 11 ), produced using the process as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) consists preferably of shrinkable material and a tube which has been attached and positioned on the can body ( 111 ) is preferably shrinkdown plastic tubing or a flat shrink film or foil.  
     
     
         19 . Metal can ( 11 ), with a can body ( 111 ) which has a narrowed can neck ( 112 ) and with a decorative layer ( 10 ) provided with a decoration ( 100 ), wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) consists preferably of shrinkable material and a tube which has been attached and positioned on the can body ( 111 ) is preferably shrinkdown plastic tubing or a flat shrink film or foil.  
     
     
         20 . Metal can preform ( 110 ), which can be produced using the process as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein it has an undecorated can body ( 111 ) with a narrowed can neck ( 112 ) and at least one indentation ( 113 ) on the can body ( 111 ).  
     
     
         21 . Metal can preform ( 110 ), wherein it has an undecorated can body ( 111 ) with a narrowed can neck ( 112 ) and at least one indentation ( 113 ) on the can body ( 111 )  
     
     
         22 . Metal can ( 11 ) as claimed in  claim 18  or  19  or metal can preform ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 20  or  21 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) consists preferably of shrinkable material and is provided at least in areas with perforations ( 13 ).  
     
     
         23 . Metal can ( 11 ) as claimed in  claim 18  or  19  or metal can preform ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 20  or  21 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) consists of plastic.  
     
     
         24 . Metal can ( 11 ) or metal can preform ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) consists at least in part of modified vinyl compounds and/or of polyvinyl alcohol and/or of vinyl copolymers and/or of maleic acid anhydride and/or of urethane and/or of styrene and/or of polyurethane and/or polyurethane copolymers and/or polyolefins like polyethylene.  
     
     
         25 . Metal can ( 11 ) as claimed in  claim 18  or  19  or metal can preform ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 20  or  21 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) has a two-dimensional decoration ( 100 ) or a three-dimensional decoration ( 100 ).  
     
     
         26 . Metal can ( 11 ) as claimed in  claim 18  or  19 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) attached to the can body ( 111 ) is flanged at least in areas by a flange ( 12 ).  
     
     
         27 . Metal can also claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) which is provided at least in areas with perforations ( 13 ) is attached to the can body ( 111 ) with these perforations ( 13 ) in the area of the flange ( 12 ) to be attached to the can neck ( 112 ) such that when damaged during flanging of the can neck ( 112 ) it tears as far as a perforation ( 13 ).  
     
     
         28 . Metal can ( 11 ) as claimed in  claim 18  or  19 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) is provided with a decoration ( 100 ) on the back of the decorative layer and is attached with the back of this decorative layer to the can body ( 111 ) such that the front of the decorative layer is used as chemical and mechanical protection.  
     
     
         29 . Metal can ( 11 ) as claimed in  claim 18  or  19  or metal can preform ( 110 ) as claimed in  claim 20  or  21 , wherein the can body ( 111 ) consists of aluminum or steel or an alloy of aluminum or steel.  
     
     
         30 . Metal can ( 11 ) produced as claimed in one or more of  claims 1  to  12 .  
     
     
         31 . Decorative layer ( 10 ) for use in the process as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  12 , wherein the decorative layer ( 10 ) consists preferably of a shrinkable material and if necessary can be positioned and attached to the can body ( 111 ).