Manually Removable Lid Structure Including Metal Lid and Plastic Ring

Abstract

A lid structure comprising a metal lid in the form of a disc ( 20 ) and a plastics ring ( 1 ). A lug ( 6 ) on the ring is snap-fitted around the exposed edge ( 25 ) of the lid. The lid structure can be fitted onto a filled container by application of a downward force until a lower profile ( 7 ) on the ring is forced around a curl or other feature on the top edge of the container. Outward expansion of the lid structure provides further retention on the container. The plastics ring of the lid structure has one or more weakened regions which can be torn to release the lid structure from the container without the need for any tool.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . An easy open container comprising:
 a metal can body having an open top with an outward curl at an edge of the opening;   a lid structure that includes:   a metal lid having a center panel and inner and outer walls that define a generally U-shaped channel, the outer wall terminating in a generally outwardly extending annulus;   a plastic ring attached to the metal lid, the plastic ring having an inwardly extending annular shoulder that extends over the outwardly extending annulus of the metal lid, a peripheral skirt depending from the shoulder, the skirt having an inwardly extending lug which clips against an edge of the metal lid, and a lower profile which is complementary to the profile of the upper edge of a container body, wherein the lug is spaced apart from the lower profile such that the curl of the can body is spaced between the lug and the lower profile; and   a line of weakening along which at least part of the lower profile of the ring is manually deformable or tearable for opening the container to which the lid structure is attached, with the lower profile of the ring engaging the can body curl; in which the outer wall of the metal lid is seated within the can body and the outer wall and the can body have complementary outwardly extending beads, and   in which, in use, a weakened part is operable manually removing the lid structure from the can body.   
     
     
         8 . The easy open container of claim  5 , further comprising a sealant disposed between the outward curl of the metal can body and the outwardly extending annulus of the metal lid. 
     
     
         9 . The easy open container of claim  5  wherein the inwardly extending lug is a first inwardly extending lug, and the lower profile of the plastic ring further includes a second inwardly extending lug that has teeth configured to assist in gripping the container body. 
     
     
         10 . The easy open container of  claim 9 , wherein the teeth are located at discrete, radially spaced apart sections of the second inwardly extending lug. 
     
     
         11 . A method of sealing an easy open container, the method comprising:
 placing a lid structure over an open end of a metal container body, the lid structure including:
 a metal lid having a center panel and an outer wall terminating in a generally outwardly extending annulus; 
 a plastic ring comprising an inwardly extending annular shoulder and a peripheral skirt depending from the shoulder, the skirt having an inwardly extending lug which clips against the edge of the lid with the shoulder extending over the lid annulus, and a lower profile which is complementary to the profile of the upper edge of a container body to which, in use, the lid structure is to be fixed; and 
 a line of weakening along which at least part of the lower profile of the ring is manually deformable or tearable for opening the container to which the lid structure is attached, 
   applying downward pressure to force the lid and ring combination down onto the container body so that the lower profile of the plastic ring engages the upper edge of the container body and an outer wall of the lid is adjacent part of the container body side wall; and   maintaining the downward pressure whilst applying a radially outward expansion force to deform the outer wall of the lid and the adjacent body wall to thereby form complementary beads in the body wall and the outer wall of the lid.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of applying downward pressure further includes pivoting the ring radially outward and snapping the lower profile of the ring around the upper edge of the container body. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of maintaining the downward pressure comprises ensuring correct positioning of the complementary beads. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising a step of applying sealing compound to the metal lid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of maintaining the downward pressure whilst applying the radially outward expansion force includes maintaining compression of the sealing compound. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising radially retracting the outward expansion force whilst maintaining the downward pressure.