Removable closure device for metal containers

Abstract

Removable closure device for metal containers comprising a lid delimited by a peripheral edge; a tab having a connecting end connected to the lid near a first portion of the peripheral edge and extending along a longitudinal direction towards a second portion of the peripheral edge opposite the first portion, and having a grip end opposite the connecting end located between the first and the second portions of the peripheral edge; two stiffening elements placed on the lid on opposite sides with respect to the tab, each of which comprises: an inner wall having a first curved section closely surrounding the grip end of the tab and having the concavity facing the tab, and an outer wall extending along the longitudinal direction between a first and a second tip, respectively facing the first and the second portions of the peripheral edge. The tangents to the outer walls of each stiffening element at the second tip converge near the second portion of the peripheral edge.

1 . A removable closure device for metal containers, the removable closure device comprising:
 a lid delimited by a peripheral edge and configured to close a metal container;   a pull tab having a connecting end connected to the lid near a first portion of the peripheral edge and extending in a longitudinal direction toward a second portion of the peripheral edge opposite to the first portion, the tab having a grip end opposite the connecting end, located between the first and second portions of the peripheral edge;   two stiffening elements placed on the lid on opposite side of the tab, each stiffening element comprising:
 an inner wall having a first curved section closely surrounding the grip end of the tab to prevent the tab from rotating relative to a plane containing the lid, the concavity of the first curved section facing the tab, 
 an outer wall extending along a curvilinear path mainly in the longitudinal direction between a first tip facing the first portion of the peripheral edge and a second tip facing the second portion of the peripheral edge, 
   
       wherein tangents lines to the outer walls of each stiffening element at the second tip converge proximate the second portion of the peripheral edge. 
     
     
         2 . The closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each stiffening element extends in the longitudinal direction between a first coupling end facing the first portion of the peripheral edge and a second coupling end facing the second portion of the peripheral edge, the outer wall being connected to the first coupling end at the first tip and being connected to the second coupling end at the second tip. 
     
     
         3 . The closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the outer wall of each stiffening element is curved and has a concavity facing the tab. 
     
     
         4 . The closure device as claimed  claim 1 , wherein the inner wall and the outer wall of each stiffening element are mutually connected by the first and second coupling ends to form a closed path. 
     
     
         5 . The closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a central cavity arranged between the stiffening elements and between the first and second portions of the peripheral edge, the inner wall of the stiffening elements comprising a second curved section extending entirely beyond the grip end of the tab in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         6 . The closure device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the second curved section of the inner wall closely surrounds the central cavity, and its concavity faces the central cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The closure device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the inner wall comprises a coupling portion connected to the first and second curved sections and whose concavity faces the outer wall of the stiffening elements. 
     
     
         8 . The closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral edge is circular in shape. 
     
     
         9 . The closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each stiffening element comprises ribs projecting out of the lid, each stiffening element rising to a greater extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the lid at the first tip of the outer wall. 
     
     
         10 . A metal container comprising a removable closure device and a container body defining an internal volume adapted to be accessed via an opening, the closure device being located in a position in which it closes the opening, the removable closure device comprising:
 a lid delimited by a peripheral edge and closing the container body;   a pull tab having a connecting end connected to the lid near a first portion of the peripheral edge and extending in a longitudinal direction toward a second portion of the peripheral edge opposite to the first portion, the tab having a grip end opposite the connecting end, located between the first and second portions of the peripheral edge;   two stiffening elements placed on the lid on opposite side of the tab, each stiffening element comprising:
 an inner wall having a first curved section closely surrounding the grip end of the tab to prevent the tab from rotating relative to a plane containing the lid, the concavity of the first curved section facing the tab, 
 an outer wall extending along a curvilinear path mainly in the longitudinal direction between a first tip facing the first portion of the peripheral edge and a second tip facing the second portion of the peripheral edge, 
   
       wherein tangents lines to the outer walls of each stiffening element at the second tip converge proximate the second portion of the peripheral edge. 
     
     
         11 . The metal container as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the peripheral edge of the lid is connected to the container body to close the opening, the lid being connected to the container body via a weakened region which is configured to fail when a user exerts a pulling force on the tab of the lid. 
     
     
         12 . The metal container as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the container body has a cylindrical shape.