1121 UK Patent Application (19) GB (11) 2 136 775 A
`
`(43) Application published 26 Sep 1984
`
`(21) Application No 8307987
`
`(22) Date offiling 23 Mar 1983
`
`(71) Applicant
`Metal Box Public Limited Company (United Kingdom),
`Queens House, Forbury Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 3JH
`
`(72) Inventors
`Donald Kenneth Budd,
`Douglas James Jaques
`
`(74) Agent and/or Address for service
`R.A.Owen,
`Metal Box pie, Queens House, Forbury Road, Reading,
`Berkshire RG1 3JH
`
`(51) INTCL3
`B65D43/10
`
`(52) Domestic classification
`B8PL6
`B8T 120C HSB
`U1S 10751113 B8P B8T
`
`(56) Documents cited
`GBA2097769
`GBA2082552
`GBA2074140
`GBA2011869
`GB 1603668
`
`(58) Field of search
`B8P
`B8T
`
`GB 1511664
`GB1484517
`GB 1152096
`GB0191489
`US3749230
`
`(54) Lidded containers
`
`(57) A tubular body (6) of a container
`has protruding latching means (12),
`around the mouth, with which an
`inwardly directed curl (11) of the lid
`co-operates to retain the lid (5) on the
`body (6). The body (6) is round and the
`curl (11) is an elliptical hoop so that
`when a pinching force is applied along
`the major axis of the elliptical hoop the
`minor axis is spread to unlatch the lid
`from the body. The principle may be
`applied to other body shapes such as
`elliptical, oval and bow sided
`rectangular.
`
`FIG.2
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`If
`
`The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.
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`SPECIFICATION
`
`Containers
`
`5 This invention relates to containers having remov(cid:173)
`able and replaceable lids and more particularly but
`not exclusively to metal containers having metal
`lids.
`"Slip lid" metal containers are well known in
`10 which the tubular side wall ofthe body defines the
`mouth of the container and the metal slip lid
`comprises a cover panel spanning the mouth of the
`container and a skirt extending from the periphery of
`the cover panel to surround the side wall of the body
`15 so that the fictional forces, arising from this "tele(cid:173)
`scoping" engagement, retain the lid or the tin. One
`such tinplate container was used for dried milk and
`in order to achieve a secure frictionally retained lid
`the skirt was made quite long. Such lids were
`20 difficult to remove for two reasons; firstly the lid skirt
`had raw edge which was difficult to grip and
`secondly the frictional engagement was consider(cid:173)
`able in spite of control of the tolerance of lid fit.
`Drawn tinplate containers for shoe polish are
`25 known in which the body sidewall has a mouth
`defined by an inward curl supported on a peripheral
`barrelled portion which terminates at an outwardly
`extending bead. The shallow slip lid has a cylindrical
`skirt which engages with the barrelled portion of the
`30 body in a tight hoop of contact. The hoop of contact
`has to be tight to prevent loss of solvents from the
`polish so it is usual for these polish tins to have
`some means to assist removal of the from the body.
`In one known polish tin a double ended lever, called
`35 a wing opener, is rotated to apply pressure a curl on
`the lid skirt to lever open the tin. Provision of such
`levers is costly in time and materials.
`In another known polish tin the raw edge of the
`slip lid has a cam surface so that a pinching action
`40 applied to the top edge of the lid and bottom of the
`body causes the lid to swing open. The manufacture
`of lids with a cam surface is not always convenient,
`the tolerance of the lid to body fit requires careful
`control, and the raw edge at the cam surface is not
`45 entirely safe.
`Round tinplate containers for tobacco are known
`in which the shallow slip lid comprises a closure
`panel provided with a peripheral channel in which is
`located a gasket of lining compound. The peripheral
`50 skirt of such lids is curled to give a safe edge and
`includes inwardly directed beads to snap fit under a
`co-operating bead in the sidewall of the container
`body. The primary seal of such container is achieved
`by vacuum packing so that reduced pressure within
`55 the container pulls the lining compound into sealing
`engagement with a curl at the top of the sidewall
`defining the mount of the container. The reclosure is
`achieved by snap fitting the co-operating beads and
`if this reclosure is to be secure the fit must be
`60 controlled to tight tolerances and may still be
`somewhat difficult to overcome because the shallow
`lid has very little to grip and very little elasticity to
`facilitate the snap fit action.
`The problems may be summarised as being that,
`65 long skirted slip lids are difficult to open because of
`
`GB 2136 775 A
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`the extended zone of frictional engagement which
`costs extra metal; and short skirted slip lids require
`retention features which require close control of
`tolerances during manufacture and may require
`70 additional manufacturing operations such as provi(cid:173)
`sion of levers.
`This invention provides a container having a
`tubular body closed at one end by a slip lid having a
`closure panel and a skirt extending from the
`75 periphery of the closure panel to surround the
`tubular body, the lid and body being held together
`by co-operation of latching means of the body
`sidewall and skirt, characterised in that diametrically
`opposed pinching forces applied to the skirt or body
`80 disengage the co-operating latching means to per(cid:173)
`mit removal of the lid from the body.
`The latching means of the tubular body may be in
`the form of an outwardly directed curl defining the
`mouth of the container, or a groove in the sidewall
`85 adjacent the mouth, in which case the lid skirt would
`be provided with an inwardly directed curl to engage
`the under side of the curl or enter the groove, the lid
`curl being of a hoop length greater than the max(cid:173)
`imum hoop length of the tubular body but of a shape
`90 such that a first pair of opposed latching portions
`engage the body latching means and further pair of
`opposed unlatching portion extend outboard of the
`tubular body so that application of opposed pinching
`forces to the unlatching portions deforms the lid curl
`95 to disengage the latching portions from the body.
`In a preferred embodiment the latching means of
`the body is an outwardly directed annular bead
`which may be continuous or interupted.
`Various embodiments will now be described by
`100 way of example and with reference to the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings in which:-
`Figures 1aand 1b show diagrammatically the
`principle of lid retention;
`Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodi-
`105 ment of the principle;
`Figure 3 is an underplan view of a second
`embodiment;
`Figure 4 is a side elevation sectioned on line A-A'
`in Figure 3;
`Figure 5 is a side elevation sectioned on line 8-8'
`in Figure 3;
`Figure 6 is a sectional perspective view of a third
`part shown in section;
`Figure 7 is a side view of a fourth embodiment
`115 sectioned on a diameter; and
`Figure 8 is a perspective view of a fifth embodi(cid:173)
`ment when closed;
`Figure 9 is a perspective view of the fifth embodi(cid:173)
`ment when open; and
`Figure 10 is a perspective view of a sixth embodi-
`ment in which the lid is shown part cut away.
`In Figure 1 a an ellipse 1 represents an array of
`latching means of one container member adapted to
`co-operate with latching means of another container
`125 member depicted as a circle 2. Arcuate zones of
`interference 3 make it possible for the ellipse 1 to be
`lifted past the circle 2.
`In Figure 1 b diametrically opposed pinching forces
`F have been applied along the major axis of the
`130 ellipse 1 to change the shape to a circle 1' of girth
`
`110
`
`120
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`2
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`GB 2136 775 A
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`2
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`large enough to permit lifting of the originally
`elliptical shape past the circle so that the container
`members may be separated.
`In Figure 2 a tall container comprises a body 4
`5 closed at the top end by a slip lid 5. The body has a
`tubular sidewall 6 having a side seam (not shown)
`and bottom attached to the tubular sidewall 6 by
`means of a double seam 7. The top end of the
`sidewall 6 is in the form of an inwardly directed curl
`1 0 8 which defines the mouth of the container.
`The lid 5 comprises a closure panel 9, an annular
`channel portion 10 surrounding the closure panel,
`and a skirt 13 depending from the periphery of the
`channel portion. The skirt 13 has a cylindrical portion
`15 14 which is a slack fit on the body and extends from
`the channel portion 10 to an outwardly flaring
`annular portion 15 which terminates in an inwardly
`directed curl 11.
`The curl 11 is an elliptical hoop adapted to engage
`20 with a circular array of protrusions 12 on the tubular
`sidewall. Application of diametrically opposed pin(cid:173)
`ching forces, as indicated by arrows on the lid, along
`the major axis of the ellipse, at which there is a gap
`between the curl 11 and protrusion 12', deforms the
`25 hoop shape of curl 11 to a substantially circular
`shape of girth sufficiently large to permitthe lid 5 to
`be lifted past all the body protrusions 12.
`Various modifications of this first embodiment are
`possible, for example a gasket of lining compound
`30 may be incorporated into the channel portion 10 and
`the protrusion 12 may be replaced by a continuous
`bead in the form of a circular hoop. The skirt shape
`may also be simplified as is described by reference
`to a second embodiment.
`In Figures 2, 3 and 4 a second embodiment of the
`container comprises a body drawn from a sheet
`metal such as a temper 2 or 3, tinplate. 2mm thick
`having an E2.8tin coating on both sides. The body
`has a bottom wall 17 integral with a sidewall 18. The
`40 sidewall extends from the periphery of the bottom
`wall and comprises a lower cylindrical portion 19
`and outwardly extending circular bead 20, an upper
`cylindrical portion 21 and an inwardly directed curl
`22. By virtue of the shape and materials chosen the
`45 body is substantially rigid.
`The lid comprises a closure panel 23, a channel
`portion 24 surrounding the closure panel and con(cid:173)
`taining a gasket 25 of lining compound, and a skirt 26
`depending from the channel portion 24 to terminate
`50 in an inwardly directed curl 27. The curl 27 compris(cid:173)
`es a pair of substantially arcuate latching portions 28
`which embrace the underside of the body bead 20,
`as is best seen in Figure 4, and a pair of substantially
`arcuate unlatching portions 29 held outboard of the
`55 body bead, as shown in Figure 5, at a clearance
`greater than the radial extent of the curl, by joining
`portions 30. A useful clearance tolerance is the
`thickness of bead plus .01 0" (2mm), however greater
`clearance will suffice. Each unlatching portion sub-
`60 tends, at the centre of the lid, an angle of about 70°.
`It is important that the lid be flexible and this may
`be achieved by use of a thinner material than the
`body. For example 0.17mm thick DR 8 tinplate with
`an E2.8 tin coating on both sides. Although flexibility
`65 may be achieved by choice of temper of sheet
`
`35
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`70
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`material used, the DR tinplates, (as defined in British
`Standard Bs 2920: 1973 and Euronorm 145.78; 150
`R1111 have desirable springlike qualities. Soft mate(cid:173)
`rials may fail to spring back for reclosure.
`In one form the lid is 4" diameter (100 mm) and the
`skirt is 5/16" (14 mm) long, these dimensions permit(cid:173)
`ting squeezing between fingers and thumb to open
`the container.
`In Figure 6 a container comprises a drawn body 31
`75 having a mouth defined by an external curl 32, and a
`slip lid 33 having a shallow skirt 34 terminating in an
`inwardly directed curl 35 of elliptical shape. It will be
`noticed that the skirt height is very small, demon(cid:173)
`strating the influence of skirt length on the leverage
`80 available when pinching forces are applied in the
`direction of the arrows.
`This problem may be overcome by providing a
`sidewall 36 having an inwardly directed bead 37
`which defines an external groove and a lid with
`85 longer skirt length as shown in Figure 6.
`The slip lid 23 depicted in Figure 7 works in the
`same way as the slip lid shown in Figures3, 4 and 5.
`Alternatively the external curl of Figure 7 may be
`replaced by an elongated curl which has an external
`90 surface extending alongside the tubular sidewall
`until sufficient curl height is provided to permit the
`use of an adequately long skirt length on the lid for
`easy opening. However, an elongated curl would
`require extra metal.
`95 Whilst the invention has been described in terms
`of round containers it is not limited thereto. The
`principle may, for example, be applied to containers
`of elliptical, oval or bow sided rectangular shapes,
`because, in each case compression in one direction
`100 can cause change in shape of the lid to unlatch
`latching means laterally disposed with respect to the
`direction in which compression is applied.
`In Figures 8 and 9 an oblong box comprises a body
`38 and a lid 39 hingedly connected to the body 38.
`105 The body has a bottom 40 and upstanding from the
`periphery of the bottom, a pair of opposed straight
`side walls 41, a straight rear wall 42 and a bowed
`front wall 43. Near the top of the front wall 43 an
`elongate latching bead 44 protrudes from the wall.
`110 The walls terminate in a continuous inwardly
`directed curl 45.
`The lid comprises a top panel 46, a pair of opposed
`straight sides 47, a back 48 having hinge members
`49 engaged with the rearwall 42 of the body, and a
`115 bowed front 50. The sides 47, back 48, and front all
`terminate in a continuous inwardly directed curl 51.
`The inwardly directed curl 51 of the lid is spaced
`apart at a clearance from the straight side walls 41 of
`the body when the inward curl 51, of the front of the
`120 lid, is in snap fitted engagement under the latching
`bead 44 of the body. A suitable side curl to body side
`wall clearance would be at least equal to the
`thickness of the lid curl 51.
`A pinching force applied into the sides 47 of the lid
`125 forces the curl 51 into the clearance space and bows
`the front of the lid to unlatch the lid curl 51 from the
`elongate latching bead 44 to permit opening of the
`lid.
`In Figure 10 an oblong container comprises a
`130 rectangular body drawn from sheet metal to have a
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`GB2136775A
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`5. A container according to claim 4 characterised
`in that the co-operating latching means of the body
`in an outwardly extending bead or interupted bead.
`6. A container according to claim 4 characterised
`70 in that the co-operating latching means of the body
`is an annular groove into which opposed portions of
`the curl of the lid may enter.
`7. A container according to claim 4 characterised
`in thatthe inwardly directed curl of the lid is a
`75 latching means in the form of an elliptical hoop
`adapted to co-operate with an outwardly directed
`annular bead of the tubular sidewall, said elliptical
`hoop being of minor axis less than the maximum
`diameter of the body bead and major axis greater
`80 than the body bead by a distance greater than twice
`the radial height of the body bead.
`8. A container according to claim 4 characterised
`in that the inwardly directed curl of the lid has
`latching means in the form of a pair of opposed
`85 arcuate latching portions which, when closed,
`embrace the underside of an outwardly directed
`bead of the body, and a pair of opposite arcuate
`unlatching portions held outboard of the body bead
`by joining portions.
`9. A container according to claim 8 characterised
`in that when the lid is closed the joining portions
`hold each unlatching portion outboard of the body
`bead at a minimum radial distance equal to the
`height of the bead measured radially of the body
`95 plus .010 inches (.0004 mm).
`10. A container, substantially as hereinbefore
`described with reference to Figure 2, or Figures 3, 4
`and 5, or Figure 6, or Figure 7 or Figures 8 and 9 or
`Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.
`
`90
`
`Printed in the UK for HMSO, D8818935, 7/84, 7102.
`Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London,
`WC2A 1AY, from which copies may be obtained.
`
`20
`
`first pair of opposed bowed sides 52 connected by a
`second pair of bowed sides 53 longer than the first
`pair. The sides of the body terminate in an inwardly
`directed curl 54. Each of the longer sides is provided
`5 with an elongate latching bead 55 protruding from
`the side wall 53.
`The lid comprises a flat central panel 56 sur(cid:173)
`rounded by a channel portion 57 from which de(cid:173)
`pends a skirt comprising a pair of shorter sides 58
`10 and a pair of longer sides 59. The sides 58,59
`terminate in an inwardly directed curl 60 which, at
`the longer sides engage with the underside of the
`latching bead 55. When the lid is closed the curl 60A
`at the shorter sides is held apart from the first
`15 opposed sides 52 of the body by a clearance of at
`least the curl thickness so that when a pinching
`pressure is applied to the shorter sides 58 of the lid
`the longer sides bow outwardly to unlatch the curl 60
`from the latching bead 54.
`The channel portion 57 may be provided with a
`gasket, such as a lining compound, to effect an
`airtight seal with the curl 54 of the body in which
`case the container will be suitable for vacuum
`packing to protect products such as tobacco and
`25 confectionery.
`It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
`the various skirt shapes and latching features,
`described with reference to each embodiment, may
`be replaced by equivalent working features of the
`30 other embodiments.
`It is apparent from the geometry of Figures 1a and
`1 b that both deformation of the ellipse 1 to circle or
`deformation of the circle 2 to an ellipse will unlatch
`the container from the lid. Whilst, in the packaging
`35 industry it is most convenient to make the container
`body rigid and the lid flexible, it may be useful in
`other applications to use a rigid lid and a flexible
`body. For example the body may be cover or guard
`for a component which requires mechanical protec-
`40 tion.
`
`CLAIMS
`
`1. A container having a tubular body closed at
`45 one end by a slip lid having a closure panel and a
`skirt extending from the closure panel to surround
`the tubular body, the lid and body being held
`together by co-operation of latching means of the
`body and skirt, characterised in that diametrically
`50 opposed pinching forces applied to the skirt or body
`disengage the co-operating latching means to per(cid:173)
`mit removal of the lid from the body.
`2. A container according to claim 1 characterised
`is that the lid is made of sheet metal and the skirt is
`55 flexible under the influence of the diametrically
`opposed forces.
`3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2
`characterised in that while the diametrically opposed
`forces are applied to the skirt of the lid, the girth of
`60 the latching means of the lid exceed the girth of the
`co-operating latching means of the body.
`4. A container according to any preceding claim
`characterised in that the skirt of the lid terminates in
`an inwardly directed curl which co-operates with
`65 latching means of the body.
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