Tin Lid With Guide Posts For a Container

Abstract

The invention describes a lid for a container comprising an edge region ( 2 ) for sealing and permanent connection to a container body comprising a body portion and a bottom, and a substantially flat central region as a panel or lid surface ( 3 ), on which at least one projecting pin-like or post-like guide element ( 7′, 7″, 8 ) is formed extending from the panel ( 3 ) towards one side or the other substantially parallel to an axis ( 9 ) perpendicular to the lid surface. The posts can guide additional elements which are intended to form a functional unit with the lid.

1 . A lid for a container comprising an edge region ( 2 ) for—sealing and permanent—connection to a container body comprising a body wall and a bottom,
 and comprising a substantially flat central surface region ( 3 ) as a panel or lid surface, on which at least one guide element ( 7 ′,  7 ″,  43   b′ ,  43   b ″,  8 ) projecting from the surface region ( 3 ) is formed in protruding relationship towards one side or the other.   
   
   
       2 . A lid for a container having an edge region ( 2 ) and a substantially planar central region ( 3 )
 in which there is provided a free opening ( 11 ) defined by an opening edge ( 10 ) for filling and/or removing a content of the container;   and in which in an intermediate region between the connecting edge region ( 2 ) and the opening ( 11 ) there is at least one guide element ( 7 ,  7 ′,  7 ″,  43   b,    43 ″,  8 ) of pin-like or post-like configuration extending from the central region ( 3 ) to one side and/or the other side;   which is designed to project from said central region substantially parallel to an axis ( 9 ) perpendicular to the central region.   
   
   
       3 . A lid according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the or each elongate guide element ( 7 ′,  7 ″,  8 ) is of a cross-section which remains substantially the same over its length. 
   
   
       4 . A lid according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the at least one guide element ( 7 ′,  7 ″,  8 ) extends from the lid surface in the form of the central surface region ( 3 ), over a length of more than 5 mm, in particular from substantially 5 mm to 15 mm. 
   
   
       5 . A lid according to one of  claims 1  to  3  wherein the at least one projecting guide element ( 7 ′,  7 ″,  8 ;  43   b ′) is arranged in the proximity of the or an opening edge ( 10 ). 
   
   
       6 . A lid according to one of  claims 1  and  2  wherein there are provided two guide elements ( 7 ′,  7 ″) which extend in parallel relationship from the same side of the panel ( 3 ) and which are arranged in approximately mutually diametral relationship with respect to a centre ( 9 ) of the or an opening ( 11 ). 
   
   
       7 . A lid according to  claim 1  wherein a longitudinal axis of the at least one guide element ( 7 ′,  7 ″,  8 ) is at an angle (a) of between about 75° and 90°, and in particular is inclined at less than 90°, with respect to a plane of the surface region ( 3 ). 
   
   
       8 . A lid according to one of  claims 1  to  6  wherein the at least one guide element ( 18   a ) is shaped out of a material ( 18 ) of the lid ( 15 ), in particular sheet metal. 
   
   
       9 . A lid according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  or  claim 8  wherein the lid is shaped out of a flexible material and the at least one guide element ( 18   a ) is shaped out of the lid material by bending. 
   
   
       10 . A lid according to  claim 8  wherein the lid is of metal sheet and the at least one and preferably two guide elements ( 7 ′,  7 ″,  8 ) are formed by deep drawing or stretching of the lid sheet metal. 
   
   
       11 . A lid according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein it is shaped as a whole or at least its lid panel ( 3 ) together with the at least one guide element ( 7 ′,  7 ″,  8 ) as a unit, are shaped by way of an injection moulding procedure ( 43 ,  43   b ′,  43 ″). 
   
   
       12 . A process for the production of a lid, in particular according to one of  claims 1  to  11 ,
 wherein in the production of the lid a continuous plastic material layer ( 43 ,  43   a ) with one or more (downwardly projecting) guide elements ( 43   b ′,  43   b ″) is shaped thereon or shaped therefrom by pressure shaping on one or both sides of the lid surface ( 40 ).   
   
   
       13 . A process according to  claim 12  wherein the layer is formed on one or both sides in the form of a peripherally extending strip at the edge of the opening ( 11 ). 
   
   
       14 . A process according to  claim 12  wherein the pressure forming operation is an injection moulding operation. 
   
   
       15 . A lid according to  claim 1  wherein the guide element ( 7 ′,  7 ″,  8 ) is in the form of a pillar-shaped element or a pin-like or post-like configuration. 
   
   
       16 . A lid according to  claim 1  or  claim 15  wherein the guide element ( 7 ′,  7 ″,  8 ) is formed substantially parallel to an axis ( 9 ) perpendicular to the surface region ( 3 ). 
   
   
       17 . A lid according to  claim 1  wherein there are provided at least two post-shaped guide elements ( 7 ′,  7 ″,  8 ). 
   
   
       18 . A lid according to  claim 2  wherein the edge region ( 2 ) is provided and adapted for sealing and permanent connection to the container body ( 4 ) consisting of a body wall and a bottom. 
   
   
       19 . A lid according to  claim 5  wherein the at least one guide element ( 7 ′,  43   b ′) is arranged at a spacing of between 0 mm and 5 mm from the opening edge ( 10 ) of the free opening ( 11 ). 
   
   
       20 . A lid according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  or  claim 12  which is made from sheet metal. 
   
   
       21 . A lid according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  which carries two downwardly projecting pillar-shaped guide posts ( 43   b ′,  43   b ″;  7 ′,  7 ″) at the opening edge ( 42 ). 
   
   
       22 . A lid according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the at least one guide element ( 7 ′,  7 ″,  8 ) faces towards an interior (I) of the container body ( 4 ). 
   
   
       23 . A lid of sheet metal for a drinks can which is produced or which can be produced by a process according to one of  claims 12  to  14 ;
 wherein a continuous plastic material layer with two projecting guide elements ( 43   b ′,  43   b ″) is arranged near an edge of a free opening ( 10 ,  41 ).   
   
   
       24 . A lid according to  claim 1 ,  claim 2  or  claim 23  wherein the at least one guide element is integrally formed in the shape of a pillar, pin or post ( 43   b ′,  43   b ″) on a U-shaped profile portion ( 43 ,  43   a,    43   c ), the U-shaped profile portion at least partially embracing the opening edge ( 42 ) from the inside. 
   
   
       25 . A lid according to  claim 24  wherein the U-shaped profile portion is a continuous layer ( 43 ) of plastic material, for permanently mounting the guide element at the edge of the opening ( 10 ), in order not to be able to separate that layer and the guide element from the lid without destruction. 
   
   
       26 . A lid according to  claim 24  wherein two guide elements integrally formed on the plastic material layer ( 43 ) are in mutually diametrally opposite relationship. 
   
   
       27 . A sheet metal lid according to one of  claims 1  to  11  wherein the opening ( 11 ) is large relative to the central region and in particular is of a circular configuration in the central region ( 3 ). 
   
   
       28 . A sheet metal lid for a container body with an edge ( 2 ;  2   a,    2   b ) suitable for folded seam connection to a body edge and a substantially flat central planar region ( 3 ) in which there is provided a free opening ( 11 ) delimited by an opening edge ( 10 ) for performing at least one of the operations of filling and removing a content of the container ( 4 ,  5 );
 wherein in an intermediate region between the connecting edge region ( 2 ) and the opening ( 11 ), closer to the opening, at least two guide elements ( 7 ,  7 ′,  7 ″,  43   b ′,  43 ″,  8 ) which permit guided displacement in the heightwise direction ( 9 );   are designed to project from the central region substantially perpendicularly (α, phi) towards the one side of the central region ( 3 ).   
   
   
       29 . A lid according to  claim 28  wherein the guide elements are integrally formed in the shape of a pillar, pin or post ( 43   b ′,  43   b ″) on a U-shaped profile portion ( 43 ,  43   a,    43   c ), the U-shaped profile portion at least partially embracing the opening edge ( 42 ) from the inside. 
   
   
       30 . A lid according to  claim 29  wherein the U-shaped profile portion is a continuous layer ( 43 ) of plastic material, for permanently mounting the guide element at the edge of the opening ( 10 ), in order not to be able to separate that layer and the guide element from the lid without destruction. 
   
   
       31 . A lid according to  claim 29  wherein two guide elements which are provided on the plastic material layer ( 43 ) in integral relationship (lockingly by intimate joining of the materials involved) are disposed in diametrally opposite relationship.