THE S.H.E.S. SYSTEM

THE INNOVATING LID

The innovation consists of the redefinition of some of the form and operation characteristics of the easy-opening lid components. This is on top of the addition of a new dispenser, as mentioned above.


An open weakening line is implemented on the lid itself (Fig. 1b). This defines an operculum that has close and parallel end segments. These end segments originate an attachment of the operculum that has basically the same length as the thickness of the lever. Inside, next to the end segment, a bulge is provided.
As indicated above, the "environmentally friendly" opening has this bulge external to the operculum, while the first type (pull-off) has a closed weakening line.
The opening lever (Fig. 1a) has its first portion shaped in such a way as to facilitate the manual operation, in order to allow the end user to easily lift it. The opposite end has two adjuncts which protrude toward the lid. These can be replaced by small embossements on the lid.
Close to this second end, in its center portion, a small attachment is generated by cutting the metal on three out of four sides. This does not have bends of any sort, unlike the other portions of the lever, to which each segment is connected through the side where the manual operation has to take place. In this small attachment, a hole is prepared so as to receive the bulge on the lid.


In the "environmentally friendly" opening this opening hinge is attached to the lid. With the other opening type the pull-off mechanism is basically a ring rigidly connected to the operculum.

( The figures refer to the graphic definition selected by the system's promoters according to the patent description of the innovation. The chapter "Industrial production" shown a possible optimal shape )


The dispenser (Fig. 1c) is made within one piece of either aluminum, steel, or their alloys, by shear, funneling, and bending by means of multiple forming dies in several step operations. Its outgoing end is smaller while the other end is relatively larger. The outside walls are conveniently shaped, since no technical factors prevent any specific shape or envelope. In particular the wall opposite to the attachment, is substantially "S" shaped; it's hollow next to its outgoing end, with a bending radius similar to the average lower lip. The edge is turned inside, to prevent any sharp surface from being exposed during the can usage.

The larger end (of the dispenser) has a countersunk skirt, on its entire edge, shaped in such a way as to fit in the can opening, which cross-section matches the lid weakening line. Specifically, in such cross-section the length of the axis attachment-opposite wall is greater than the radius of the arc with its center on the origin of the attachment and passing per the edge of the "S" shaped edge on the opening extremity. Similarily the other axis shall have a length greater than the axis of the opening section of same direction.

The attachment is coplanar to the portion of the lateral wall from which it protrudes all the way to an angle, where such attachment is turned over against the wall itself. To increase its strength two tails are bent on its sides and at one of the ends. The lateral tails are specifically shaped so that the attachment gets an axial differentiated strength to predefine the axis where the bending shall take place. Its width matches the distance between the ends of the weakening line on the lid and its lateral tails, folded, touch each other between the wall and the predefined bending axis, assuming that a liquid proof lid is desirable also in proximity of the attachment. However, no matter how the packaged product is consumed, since such portion is usually facing up, a short separation between the lateral tails, folded, allows air to penetrate the can and a smoother downflow of the beverage.

Next to the end of the attachment a bulge is shaped with dimensions such as to allow its mating with its counterpart on the lid so that together, it can be inserted through the opening in the pull-off lever hinge. Their joint heading on top of the pull-off lever hinge anchors the lever and dispenser to the lid (Fig. 2).




The longitudinal axes of the dispenser and the lever are coplanar to the operculum axis. The dispenser larger section end and the lever end with appendices are both oriented facing the same side that the lid weakening line faces. Reciprocal positioning of the parts can be improved by small bulges and/or stiffening ribs on the lid, which would also permit measuring its stiffness / elasticity so to calibrate the consumer's effort required during the different opening phases.
Regarding the volume occupied by the dispenser, and the consequent reduction of available volume inside the can, we should consider that the surface needed for manufacturing a dispenser is 1.280 mm. Assuming a 0.3 mm thick sheet metal is used for the dispenser, this will occupy a volume of 0.384 ml. This volume decreases to 0.256 ml when a thickness of 0.2 mm is used. Since for volumetric filling machines with electronic level stop, the most precise equipment presently available for this function, allow for a tolerance of 1.5 ml for can it becomes evident that having the dispenser inside the can is totally irrelevant as far as available volume.