MX2014003441A

MX2014003441A - Stay-on tab for a beverage container.

Info

Publication number: MX2014003441A
Application number: MX2014003441A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Randall G Forrest
Original assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Co
Priority date: 2011-09-23
Filing date: 2012-09-21
Publication date: 2014-10-13
Also published as: BR112014006711A2; EP2758192A1; US20130075401A1; WO2013044095A1; MX350328B

Abstract

A non-detachable pull tab (26) for a beverage container has a nose end (30), a lift end (32) opposite the nose end (30), and a central webbing (42) of a metallic material between the nose and lift end (32). The central webbing (42) has a hinge region (44), a rivet island (46) surrounding a rivet hole, a void region at least partially surrounding the rivet island (46), and a grab portion (54) between the first void region and the lift end (32). The grab portion (54) has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an aperture therethrough. The aperture is defined by a circumferential wall (80) of the grab portion (54) extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and includes a first segment (92) of a reworked portion of a burr (90).

Description

FIXED TONGUE FOR A DRINK CONTAINER DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to beverage containers. More particularly, the invention relates to fixed or inseparable tabs or rings for beverage can lids having a hint punched therethrough.

Typical end closures for beer and beverage containers have an opening panel and an attached leverage ring for pushing the opening panel into the container to open the end. The container is typically a stretched and pressed metal can, usually constructed from a thin plate of aluminum or steel. End closures for such containers are also typically constructed from a cut edge of the thin aluminum plate, formed at a template end, and manufactured at a finished end by a process often referred to as end conversion. These ends are formed in the process of first forming a thin metal cut edge, forming a template end of the cut edge, and converting the template into an end closure that can be joined by stitching onto a container.

These types of container ends have been used for many years, with almost all those extremes in use today are the "ecology" or "fixed ring" ends ("SOT") in which the ring remains attached to the end, then a release panel is opened, which includes large opening ends ("LOE"). "). The detachment panel is a portion of the end of the can defined by a dotted line length. The release panel can be opened, that is, the dotted line can be cut, and the release panel moved in an angular orientation relative to the remaining portion of the end of the can. The release panel is hingedly connected to the remaining portion of the end of the can by a joint segment, leaving an opening through which the user extracts the contents of the container. In an LOE, the opening is at least 3.2258 cm2 (0.5 square inches) in area.

The opening of the release panel is operated by the ring that is attached to the end of the can by a rivet. The ring is attached to the end of the can in such a manner that a nose of the ring extends over a proximal portion of the release panel. A lifting end of the ring is located opposite the nose of the ring and provides access to a user to lift the lifting end, such as the user's finger, to force the nose against the proximal portion of the release panel.

When the nose of the ring is forced against the detachment panel, the dotted line initially breaks in a vent region of the dotted line. This initial breaking of the dotted line is mainly caused by the lifting force on the ring resulting in the lifting of a central region of the can end, immediately adjacent to the rivet. As the ring rises further, the break propagates along the length of the dotted line, which eventually stops at the joint segment.

The rings are often also used to transmit information to users. This information can be found in the form of promotional materials, logos, or the like. Methods such as printing, incision, laser ablation, stamping, etc., have been employed to provide information on the rings. To date, none of these methods has been widely accepted.

Some publications devoted to methods for transmitting information to a user in conjunction with beverage containers include: United States Publication. No. 2006/0151501 which describes a sanitary protection film for coating a can lid; U.S. Patent No. 1,257,710 disclosing a flanged bottle cap; Patent of the United States. No. 4,380,129 that described rings that carry information; U.S. Patent No. 1,878,541 which describes a printed cover; U.S. Patent No. 4,203,240 which describes the placement of the indicia in a beverage container; U.S. Patent No. 4,459,910 which discloses an enhancement machine having superior tools that include multiple enhancement recording seals and inferior tools that only include an anvil; U.S. Patent No. 4,557,505, which discloses an evident tampering tape; U.S. Patent No. 5,191,695, which describes a tab that can be inserted into the finger hole of a ring, whose tab can be marked by molding, embossing, hot stamping die, or ink jet printing where only the recording by enhancement is used when the thickness of the ring is so great that the indications will not be shown through; U.S. Patent No. 5,316,166, which is similar to U.S. Patent No. 5,191,695; US-6, 080, 958, 6, 433, 302, 6,501,046, 6,706, 995 and 6,498, 318, which describe the rings marked with enhancements through the stamping or incision; U.S. Patent No. 6,105,806, which is primarily dedicated to an image recorded by laser on a ring; U.S. Patent No. 6,202,880, which discloses a second dotted line having a conformation and laser markings; U.S. Patent No. 6,777,098 which describes the marking anodized aluminum laser and U.S. Patent No. 6,868,627 which discloses indicia on a ring with indicia that may consist of a mark, shaping, depression, cutting, mold, printing.

Other publications that may be relevant for providing indicia on the inseparable rings include AU-784218, DE-19701547, DE-29716186, EP-0923457, GB-2105257, JP-3146174, WO-00/03832, WO-01/68460, O-98/10945, and W0-99 / 09853.

The co-pending and commonly assigned US Application No. 12 / 363,696 also describes methods of decorating and strengthening the ends of the can.

The co-pending and commonly assigned US Application No. 12 / 727,873 is directed to means that indicate the temperature that can be located in a ring at the end of the can.

The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed in the above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by the above rings of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred in the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a inseparable traction ring for a beverage container. The ring comprises a nose end, a lifting end opposite the nose end, and a central band of a metallic material between the nose and the lifting end. The central band comprises an articulation region, a rivet island surrounding a rivet hole wherein the rivet island is at least partially surrounded by a first vacuum region; and a grip portion between the first vacuum region and the lifting end. The grip portion has an upper surface and a lower surface and an opening therethrough. The opening is defined by a circumferential wall of the grip portion extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and comprising a first segment of a redesigned portion of a projection.

This aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics, alone or in any reasonable combination. The redesigned portion of the projection may be located adjacent to the lower surface of the grip portion. A second segment of the redesigned portion of the projection may be located radially outwardly from the first segment of the redesigned portion of the projection. The circumferential wall may comprise a polished section located adjacent to the upper surface of the grip portion. The circumferential wall may comprise a fractured section located adjacent to the polished section. The opening can be in the form of a clue to transmit information to a user. The redesigned portion of the projection can be flattened relative to the lower surface of the grip portion. The redesigned portion of the projection may be flattened against the lower surface of the grip portion.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an inseparable traction ring for a beverage container. The ring comprises a nose end, a lifting end opposite the nose end, and a central band of a metallic material between the nose and the lifting end. The central band comprises a hinge region, a rivet island surrounding a rivet hole wherein the rivet island is at least partially surrounded by a first vacuum region, and a grip portion comprising a hint. The indicia comprises an opening at least partially defined by a wall of a perforated segment of the metallic material extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the grip portion. The wall comprises a fractured portion of the metallic material and a redesigned portion of a projection located at least partially around the opening. The redesigned portion comprises a flattened segment. The redesigned portion of the protrusion can be located adjacent to the lower surface of the grip portion.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for forming an inseparable ring. The apparatus comprises a first tool having a drilling surface in a shaping to form a clue, a second tool in operable alignment with the first tool having an opening complementary to the shaping of the drilling of the first tool for receiving the surface of perforation therein, a third tool having a conformation similar to the retention surface of the drilling surface, and a fourth tool in alignment operable with the third tool.

This aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics, alone or in any reasonable combination. The drilling surface of the first tool may have a sharp edge defining a perimeter of the drilling surface. The retaining surface may have an edge defining a perimeter of an upper surface of the third tool having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the sharp edge of the piercing surface. The fourth tool may have an opening to receive the retaining surface of the third tool. The fourth tool may have a relatively flat engagement surface around the opening.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for forming an inseparable ring. The method comprises the steps of: (1) providing a sheet of a metallic material; (2) a first tool having a perforation surface in a conformation to form a cue; (3) a second tool in alignment operable with the first tool having an opening complementary to the shape of the perforation of the first tool; (4) passing the sheet of metallic material between the first and second tools; (5) forming a trace on the sheet of metallic material by perforating the sheet of metallic material through relative movement between the first and second tools; (6) provide a third tool; (7) providing a fourth tool in operable alignment with the third tool; (8) pass the clue between the third and fourth tools; and (9) redesigning a projection created in the index forming step by providing a relative movement between the third and fourth tools.

This aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics, alone or in any reasonable combination. The third tool can have a retaining surface that has a conformation similar to the drilling surface in the first tool. The method may comprise the step of inserting the retaining surface within the punctured sign in the sheet of metallic material. The method may further comprise the step of inserting the retaining surface within the puncture indicium in the sheet of metallic material and in an opening in the fourth tool wherein the aperture has a circumferential perimeter shaped similar to a circumferential shaping of the surface retention.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an inseparable traction ring for a beverage container. The ring comprises a nose end, a lifting end opposite the nose end, and a central band of a metallic material between the nose and the lifting end. The central band comprises a joint region, a rivet island surrounding a rivet hole, the rivet island is at least partially surrounded by a first vacuum region, and a grip portion between the first vacuum region and the lifting end. The gripping portion has an upper surface and a lower surface and a hint in the form of an opening having a perimeter at least partially defined by a redesigned portion of the metallic material.

This aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics, alone or in any reasonable combination. The redesigned portion of the metallic material may comprise a flattened segment which engages the lower surface of the grip portion. The ring may further comprise a circumferential wall defining a portion of the opening between the upper surface and the lower surface of the grip portion wherein the circumferential wall comprises a first portion of a polished depth, a second portion of a fracture depth , and a portion of the outgoing. The central band may further comprise a vacuum region that partially surrounds the rivet island. The grip portion may further comprise a recessed panel between the lifting end and the vacuum region where the indicia is located within the recessed panel. A radially outermost portion of the redesigned portion of the projection may be located radially outwardly of the circumferential wall relative to a central vertical axis of the grip portion.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To understand the present invention, it is now will describe by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a top view of an end of can, lid or closure having fixation, ecology, or inseparable opening system with a ring riveted to a central panel; FIGURE 2 is a top view of an inseparable ring; FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of the inseparable ring of FIGURE 2; FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inseparable ring of FIGURE 2; FIGURE 5 is a top view of a forming advance of a ring of the present invention; FIGURE 6 is a forming advance of a ring of the alternative present invention; FIGURE 7 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a partially perforated segment of a ring of the present invention, including tools for shaping a cue; FIGURE 8 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a perforated surface of a ring of the present invention; FIGURE 9 is a schematic view in partial cross-section of a perforated segment of a ring of the present invention subjected to a redesign process according to the present invention; FIGURE 10 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a perforated segment of a ring of the present invention subjected to a redesign process according to the present invention; Y FIGURE 11 is a schematic partial sectional view of the perforated segment of the fully formed ring.

Although this invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, it is shown in the drawings and will be described in detail in the present preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and it is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the illustrated embodiments.

The present invention generally relates to ends or can lids for a two-piece beverage can, typically produced from a metallic material. Referring to FIGURE 1, an end closure 10 for a container (not shown) has a central panel wall 12 having a seaming rim 14 for attaching the end closure 10 to the container. The container is typically a stretched and pressed metal can, usually constructed from a thin plate of aluminum or steel End closures for such containers are typically constructed from a cut edge of thin aluminum or steel plate, formed at a template end, and manufactured at a finished end by a process often referred to as end conversion. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the central panel 12 is attached to a container by a seaming rim 14 which is attached to a coupling flange of the container. The seaming rim 14 of the end closure 10 is integral with the central panel 12 by a downwardly extending wall 15 and a reinforcing member 16, typically either a countersink or a bend, which is attached to the outer edge 18 panel panel 12 central. This type of means for attaching the central panel 12 to a container, are currently the typical joining means used in the industry, and the structure described in the above is formed in the process of forming the template end from a cut edge. of metal plate, before the end conversion process. However, other means for attaching the central panel to a container can be employed with the present invention.

The manufacturing stages of the end 10 begin with matrixing the cut edge, typically a round or non-round cut edge of the thin metal plate. Examples of non-round cut edge templates include elliptical cut edges, curved cut edges and edges cut harmonics. A curved cut edge can be described as having generally three different diameters, each diameter being 45 ° in relation to the others. The cut edge is then formed at one template end by forming the seam rim, the countersink, the panel spokes and the center panel.

A means for opening the end of the can or accessing the contents of the container is typically formed in a conversion process for this type of end closure. This process includes the following steps: forming a rivet by first forming a projection bubble in the center of the panel and subsequently working the metal of the bubble into a button and into the narrower metal projection that is the rivet; forming the release panel by marking the metal of the panel wall; forming an internal cord or panel in the detachment panel; forming a panel in cross-relief by folding the metal of the panel wall in such a way that a central area of the panel wall is slightly smaller than the wall of the remaining panel; stack the ring on the rivet; and other subsequent operations, such as cleaning steps to eliminate sharp edges of the ring, etching on the wall of the panel when marking, cutting or enhancing (or deburring) and hitting the rivet island again.

The central panel wall 12 is generally centered around a longitudinal axis and has a displaceable detachment panel 20 defined by a broken dot line 22 and a non-breakable joint segment. The release panel 20 of the central panel 12 can be opened, that is, the broken dot 22 can be cut and the release panel 20 moved in an angular orientation relative to the remaining portion of the central panel 12, while the panel 20 of detachment remains articulated to the central panel 12 through the joint segment. In this opening operation, the release panel 20 is displaced by an angular deviation. More specifically, the release panel 20 is deflected at an angle relative to the plane of the panel 12, with the vortex of angular displacement being the joint segment.

The release panel 20 is formed during the conversion process by a marking operation. The tools for tapping the release panel 20 in the central panel 12 include an upper die on a public side 34 having a marking blade edge in the conformation of the release panel 20, and a lower die on one side of the product for Support the metal in the marked regions. When the upper and lower matrices are grouped, the metal of the panel wall 12 is punctured between the matrices. This results in the edge of marking blade that is embedded in the metal of the wall 12 of the panel, forming the dotted line that appears as a recess formed in wedge in the metal. The metal that remains under the wedge-shaped recess is the remainder of the dotted line 22. Therefore, the dotted line is formed by the marking blade edge causing the movement of metal, so that the fingerprint of the edge The marking blade is made on the public side 34 of the wall 12 of the panel.

The central panel 12 further includes a ring 26.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the ring 26 has a generally elongated body with a central axis AA defined by a central cross section through the nose 30 of the ring, and through a central band 42 and the lifting end 32 . The ends of the container typical of the prior art often have a ring 26 which is stacked in the final stages of the conversion process by stacking the area of the wall 12 of the panel adjacent to and under the rivet island 46 at an angle, to deflect the ring 26 in such a way that the lifting end 32 of the ring 26 rests near the wall 12 of the panel. The central panel 12 may also have a recess near the lifting end 32 of the ring 26 to allow easy access for the finger.

The opening of the release panel 20 is operated by the ring 26 which is attached to the central panel 12 by a rivet 28, generally through a rivet hole 29. The ring 26 is attached to the central panel 12 such that the nose 30 of the ring 26 extends over a proximal portion of the release panel 20. The lifting end 32 of the ring 26 is located opposite the nose 30 of the ring and provides access to a user to lift the lifting end 32, such that with the user's finger, the nose 30 is forced against the nose. proximal portion of the detachment panel 20.

When the nose 30 of the ring is forced against the release panel 20, the dotted line 22 initially breaks in the ventilation zone of the dotted line 22 of the release panel 20. This initial rupture of the dotted line 22 is caused mainly by the lifting force on the ring resulting in the lifting of a central region of the central panel, immediately adjacent to the rivet 28, which causes the separation of the residual metal from the dotted line 22. . The force required to break the dotted line in the ventilation region, typically referred to as the "pop" force, is a lower degree of force relative to the force required to propagate other regions of the line 22 dotted by the continuous survey of end 32 of lifting ring 26. Therefore, it is preferable that the panel 12 in the area around the rivet 28 only rises high enough to assist with the breaking of the initial dotted line, or "pop", and remains substantially rigid and flat to provide the necessary urge of the ring 26 to propagate the dotted line of the detachment panel 20. The present invention provides such optimum stiffness in the center panel, as explained below.

After the initial "pop", or ventilation of the release panel, the user continues to lift the lifting end 32 of the ring 26, which causes the nose 30 of the ring to be pushed downward in the release panel 20 to continue with the breaking of the dotted line 22, as an opening force. As the opening operation continues, the release panel 20 moves down and is rotated around the hinge region to deviate in the container.

Referring to FIGURES 2-4, the ring 26 has a central band 42 located between the nose 30 and the lifting end 32. The central band 42 includes a hinge region 44 and a rivet island 46 surrounding the rivet 28. An opening or vacuum region 48 of the band 42 of the ring can provide an exposed area of the central panel 12. Vacuum region 48 has a curvilinear geometry that delimits rivet island 46 and at least it partially surrounds the rivet 28, with a first end of the vacuum region 48 being generally disposed on one side of the rivet 28, and a second end being generally disposed on an opposite side of the rivet 28. The hinge region 44 of the web 42 of the ring includes a line of articulation that is defined by a substantially straight line passing between the first end and the second end of the vacuum region 48. It may also be necessary to add material to the band 42 of the ring, modify the radius of the flange, add flanges, or other reinforcement means to ensure that this area is strong enough where the ring 26 bends in the joint region 44 during the opening.

Vacuum region 48 is within band 42 of the ring. Vacuum region 48 may have a generally arc-shaped configuration. In this configuration, rivet island 46 again follows the general conformation of vacuum region 48. Alternatively, the vacuum region 48 may be no greater than a slit or cut through the central band 42.

The figures represent only one example of the configuration of rivet island 46. However, those individuals having ordinary skill in the art will understand that rivet island 46 and vacuum region 48 can take any number of conformations without departing of the spirit of the invention, including but not limited to all islands of notch or spear rivet.

The band 42 further comprises a grip portion 54. The grip portion 54 is adapted for user manipulation. Typically, the grip portion 54 may include a hole for the finger or the like. More recently, the rings have included fully closed grip portions 54 on which information or the like can be engraved, stamped or slit. The closed grip portion 54 may have a recessed panel or space 58 for the finger formed therein. In such a way that the space 58 for the finger is illustrated in FIGURES 2-4, which show a sign 60 in the form of an opening 64 extending from an upper surface of the ring 26 to a lower surface of the ring 26.

An example of a ring advancing manufacturing method is illustrated in FIGURE 5. The ring forming advance includes the steps of: (1) first providing an elongated strip of metal sheet 61 having a thickness at length of a central plane; (2) piercing the metal strip to form the vacuum region 48, the index 60, a rivet hole 62, a release notch 66 and ring retainers 70; (3) puncturing the metal tape to form a lance cut 74, approximately in the shape of the completed ring 26; (4) bend the metal around the empty region down towards the lower surface of the ring 26; (5) forming the rivet island 46 and the V-shaped coin 78 between the area that will be from the nose 30 of the ring 26 and the rivet hole 62; (6) forming the space 58 for the finger within the limits of the skewed bias cut 74 and around the index 60; and (7) winding or folding the slanting cut 74 to form a wound edge substantially defining a perimeter of the ring 26. It should be noted that the sign 60 may be punctured before or after the formation of the finger space 58.

In the case where the indicia 60 is perforated subsequent to the conformation of the finger space 58, as shown in FIGURE 6, the indicia 60 could be pierced within the area or at a limit of the space 58 for the finger. It is believed that by forming the indicia 60 subsequent to the formation of the finger space it achieves a better defined opening with less metal distortion, hence, an aesthetically pleasing cue 60.

At a certain point within the progression, after the perforation, depending on when the perforation is carried out, the sign 60 is redesigned or cold worked using a stamping, coining, compression or other cold working process to produce a structure as described below.

A schematic conformation of the indicia 60 is illustrated in FIGURE 7. A schematic cross-sectional diagram of the perforated grip portion 54 is illustrated in FIGURE 8. Before redesigning, the indicia 60 is generally defined by a circumferential wall 80 comprising a separation depth DR adjacent to the upper surface of the sheet 61, a polished depth DB of material 84 cut below the depth of separation DR of a recessed portion of the sheet 82, a fracture depth DF of fractured material 86 below the polished depth DB, and a height of salient HB below the depth 86 of fracture. The height 88 of the projection comprises a projection 88 formed during the drilling of the metal. This structure is formed in accordance with the typically used metal forming practices that are well known in the art of ring forming and metal working.

The schematic drawings of a redesign process are illustrated in FIGURES 9 and 10; a schematic of a redesigned grip portion 54 is illustrated in FIGURE 11. Subsequent to redesign, the aperture of the index 60 at least is partially defined by a redesigned portion of the metal sheet 61. The circumferential wall 80 comprises a redesigned projecting portion 90 which includes a first height segment 92 of the projection HB. A second segment 94 of the The redesigned portion of the projection 90 is located radially outwardly from the first segment 92 relative to an imaginary vertical center axis of the index 60 perpendicular to the ring 26. Therefore, a radially outermost portion of the redesigned portion of the metal material in FIG. the sheet 61, such as a portion of the redesigned projection, is located radially outwardly of the circumferential wall 80, relative to the imaginary axis. The redesigned portion of the projection 90 is flattened, compressed, and / or wedged, such that the second segment 94 can be pressed or flattened against, and preferably coupled to, the lower surface of the grip portion 54. Therefore, the redesigned projection 90 is at least partially around the opening of the index 60, adjacent to the lower surface of the grip portion 54. It is contemplated that redesigning the projection may cause portions to be removed at the height of the projection by flaking or a mechanism of metal failure caused by cold working of the metal material. Although it is unlikely due to the physical properties of the metallic material, this would cause portions of redesign to partially orbit the opening and vacuum regions to occur along the lower, outermost perimeter of the opening.

Referring to FIGURE 7, the indicia 60 is pierced by the combination of a first tool 100 and a second tool 200. The first tool 100 has a piercing surface 104, which preferably has a shape adapted to form the desired indicia 60, in axial alignment with the metal foil 100. The piercing tool 100 is preferably polished wherein a shaped edge 108 defines a perimeter of the piercing surface 104 defining a piercing conformation. A second tool or die 200 is in operable alignment with the piercing tool 100, such that the relative movement between the first and second 100,200 tools pierces the metal sheet, producing the indicia 60 in the sheet 61 in the form of a opening. The second tool 200 has an opening 204 which is complementary in conformation to the perimeter of the piercing tool 100.

The tools 100,200 are hollowed out or spaced horizontally to produce the desired characteristics in the sheet 61. That is, the tools 100,200 are hollowed out to produce the circumferential wall 80 which substantially defines the shaping of the index 60 as described above. As the tools 100,200 wear out, the height 88 of the projection may become larger.

After the drilling operation and, either before or after the formation of space 58 for the finger, the height of the projection HB is compressed, wedged, and / or flattened. In this operation, illustrated in FIGURES 9 and 10, a third tool 300 and a fourth tool 400 are placed in operable alignment, and the sheet 61 with the index 60 punched therein passes between the tools 300,400 in such a way that the indicia 60 is located among the 300,400 tools. The relative movement between the tools 300,400 inserts the sheet 61 and the index 60 between the tools 300,400 so that the projection 88 is flattened, compressed, or wedged.

The fourth tool 400 has a retaining surface 404 adapted, in size and shape, to fit within the indicia 61. Accordingly, the retaining surface 404 has a conformation similar to the piercing surface 104 of the first tool 100. The surface Retention 404 has a border 408 defining a perimeter of retaining surface 404. The edge 408 has a rounded corner that has a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the edge 108 of the piercing surface 104. The retaining surface 404 extends outwardly / upwardly from a portion of the tool 400, and the main purpose of the retaining surface 404 is to retain the conformation of the indicia 60 during the redesign operation and to prevent excess metal from that enters the opening after the redesign operation.

The third tool 300 has a working surface 304 generally smooth or flat, and / or the third tool has an opening 308 that has a conformation complementary to that of the retaining surface 404, such that the opening adapts, in size and shaping, to receive the retaining surface 404 therein. The working surface 304 is coupled to the upper surface of the sheet 61 during the redesign operation.

In operation, the indicia 60 is placed in alignment between the third and fourth tools 300,400. The relative movement between the tools 300,400 causes the retaining surface 404 to enter the index opening 60 and possibly, although not necessarily, into the opening 308 in the third tool 300. Furthermore, the relative movement between the tools 300,400 causes the height of the projection HB is reduced by compression of the projection 88 between the tools 300,400 against the blade 61. The retaining surface 404 preferably enters the opening after coupling the coupling surface 304 of the third tool 300 with the surface upper of the sheet 61, which forces the opening downwardly around the retaining surface 404 until the height of the projection engages a portion 412 circumferential, generally an annular concave curved portion joining the retaining surface 404 with a flat portion 416 of the fourth tool 400 about the lower portion of the retaining surface 404.

The terms "first", "second", "superior", "lower", "" upper part "," lower part ", etc., are used for illustrative purposes only in relation to other elements and are not intended to limit the modalities in any way.The term" plurality "as used in the present, intends to indicate any number greater than one, either disjunctive or conjunctively as necessary, up to an infinite number.The terms "together", "joined", and "connected" as used herein are intended to put or carry two elements together to form a unit, and any number of elements, devices, fasteners, etc., may be provided between the joined or connected elements unless otherwise specified by the use of the term "directly" and / or supported by the drawings. The term "flattened" is intended to encompass or describe any portion of the redesigned portion of the height of the overhang in a location so described.The term "flattened" is not intended to limit the description to a supe particular size of the height of the ledge, unless so described. For example, a "flattened" portion of the height of the redesigned ledge may couple the lower surface of the portion of grip; alternatively or additionally, a "flattened" portion of the height of the redesigned boss may be separated from the bottom surface of the grip portion by a thickness of the metal material in the boss. Therefore, it follows that in the claims, a "flattened" portion of the metallic material can be located anywhere, unless further limited by the language of the claims.

Although the specific modalities have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without departing significantly from Although the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without departing significantly from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of the protection is limited only by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims

1. An inseparable traction ring for a beverage container, characterized in that it comprises: one end of nose; a lifting end opposite the nose end; Y a central band of a metallic material between the nose and lifting ends, the central band comprises: a region of articulation; a rivet island surrounding a rivet hole, the rivet island is partially surrounded by at least one first vacuum region; Y a grip portion between the first vacuum region and the lifting end, the grip portion having an upper surface and a lower surface and an opening therethrough, the opening defined by a circumferential wall of the grip portion that it extends from the upper surface to the lower surface and comprises a first segment of a redesigned portion of a projection.

2. The inseparable traction ring according to Claim 1, characterized in that a second segment of the redesigned portion of the projection is radially outwardly from the first segment of the redesigned portion of the projection.

3. The inseparable ring according to claim 1, characterized in that the circumferential wall comprises a polished section located adjacent to the upper surface of the grip portion.

4. The inseparable ring in accordance with the Claim 3, characterized in that the circumferential wall comprises a fractured section located adjacent to the polished section.

5. The inseparable ring according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening is in a sign form for transmitting information to a user.

6. The inseparable ring according to Claim 1, characterized in that the redesigned portion of the projection is flattened relative to the lower surface of the grip portion.

7. The inseparable ring according to Claim 1, characterized in that the redesigned portion of the projection is flattened against the lower surface of the grip portion.

8. The inseparable ring according to claim 1, characterized in that the circumferential wall of the grip portion comprises a perforated portion of the grip portion comprising: a first portion of a polished depth (D_); Y a second portion of a fracture depth; wherein the redesigned portion of the projection comprises a flattened portion of the projection which engages the lower surface of the grip portion.

9. The inseparable ring according to Claim 1, characterized in that the redesigned portion of the projection is adjacent to the lower surface of the grip portion.

10. An inseparable traction ring for a beverage container, characterized in that it comprises: one end of nose; a lifting end opposite the nose end; Y a central band of a metallic material between the nose and lifting ends, the central band comprises: a region of articulation; an island of rivet that surrounds a rivet hole, the island of rivet is at least partially surrounded by a first region of emptiness; Y a grasping portion comprising a clue, the clue comprises an opening at least partially defined by a wall of a perforated segment of the metallic material extending from the upper surface to the surface lower portion of the grip portion and comprising a fractured portion of the metallic material, and a redesigned portion of a projection located at least partially around the opening, the redesigned portion comprises a flattened segment.

11. The inseparable ring in accordance with the Claim 10, characterized in that the redesigned portion of the projection is adjacent to the lower surface of the grip portion and flattened against it.

12. An inseparable traction ring for a beverage container, characterized in that it comprises: one end of nose; a lifting end opposite the nose end; Y a central band of a metallic material between the nose and lifting end, the central band comprises: a region of articulation; an island of rivet that surrounds a rivet hole, the island of rivet is at least partially surrounded by a first region of emptiness; Y a gripping portion between the first vacuum region and the lifting end, the gripping portion having an upper surface and a lower surface and a hint in the form of an opening having a perimeter at least partially defined by a redesigned portion of the metallic material.

13. The inseparable ring according to Claim 12, characterized in that the redesigned portion of the metallic material comprises a flattened segment which engages the lower surface of the grip portion.

14. The inseparable ring according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises a circumferential wall defining a portion of the opening between the upper surface and the lower surface of the grip portion, wherein the circumferential wall comprises: a first portion of a polished depth (DB); a second portion of a fracture depth (DF); Y a portion of the projection.

15. The inseparable ring according to claim 14, characterized in that the central band further comprises: a region of emptiness that partially surrounds the rivet island.

16. The inseparable ring according to claim 15, characterized in that the grip portion further comprises: a panel lowered between the lifting end and the vacuum region where the index is located inside the reduced panel.

17. The inseparable ring according to Claim 16, characterized in that a radially outermost portion of the redesigned portion of the projection is located radially outwardly of the circumferential wall relative to a central vertical axis of the grip portion.

18. An apparatus for forming an inseparable ring, characterized in that it comprises: a first tool having a perforation surface in a conformation to form a clue; a second tool in alignment operable with the first tool having an opening complementary to the forming of the perforation of the first tool to receive the perforation surface therein; a third tool having a retention surface conformation similar to the piercing surface; Y a fourth tool in operable alignment with the third tool.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the perforating surface of the first tool has a sharp edge defining a perimeter of the perforation surface.

20. The apparatus according to the claim 19, characterized in that the retaining surface has an edge defining a perimeter of an upper surface of the third tool having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the sharp edge of the perforation surface.

21. The apparatus according to the claim 20, characterized in that the fourth tool has an opening located radially inwardly of a coupling surface.

22. The apparatus according to the claim 21, characterized in that the coupling surface is relatively flat.

23. A method for forming an inseparable ring, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: provide a sheet of a metallic material; a first tool having a perforation surface in a conformation to form a clue; a second tool in operable alignment with the first tool having an opening complementary to the shape of the perforation of the first tool; passing the sheet of metallic material between the first and second tools; form a trace on the sheet of metallic material by perforating the sheet of metallic material through of the relative movement between the first and second tools; Y provide a third tool; provide a fourth tool in operable alignment with the third tool; pass the clue between the third and fourth tools; Y redesigning a projection created in the shaping stage of a clue by providing a relative movement between the third and fourth tools.

24. The method according to the claim 23, characterized in that the third tool has a retaining surface having a shape similar to the perforating surface in the first tool.

25. The method according to the claim 24, characterized in that it also comprises the step of: Insert the retaining surface into the perforated index on the sheet of metallic material.

26. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that it also comprises the step of: inserting the retaining surface within the indicia drilled into the sheet of metallic material and compressing the projection against an annular concave curved portion joining the retaining surface with a portion of the third tool.