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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
3-PIECE STEEL CAN AND FABRICATION METHOD THEREOF
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2006/011739
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Provided are a 3-piece steel can and a fabrication method thereof. The 3-piece steel can includes: a can body (110) formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends to have a cylindrical shape, and having a neck (112) formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion, and having a plurality of slanting big beads (114) protruded from an outer circumferential surface of the neck (112); a lug cap having a bead groove (122) provided on its inner circumferential surface to be engaged with the big bead of the can body (110); and a bottom end seamed with a lower portion of the can body.

Inventors:
SON TAE-HYUN (KR)
Application Number:
PCT/KR2005/002404
Publication Date:
February 02, 2006
Filing Date:
July 26, 2005
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
SON TAE-HYUN (KR)
International Classes:
B65D8/00; B65D41/17; (IPC1-7): B65D8/00; B65D41/17
Foreign References:
DE3919835A11990-08-09
US4562930A1986-01-07
US5779086A1998-07-14
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Kim, Hee-so (1502-12 Seocho 3-don, Seocho-gu Seoul 137-870, KR)
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Description:
Description

3-PIECE STEEL CAN AND FABRICATION METHOD

THEREOF Technical Field [1] The present invention relates to a steel can and a fabrication method thereof, and more particularly, to a 3-piece steel can having three constituent elements of a cap, a body and a bottom end using a steel alloy, and welded in its end, and a fabrication method thereof. Background Art [2] In general, a plastic bottle, a glass bottle or a can is used as a container for keeping beverage or food for a long time. Among them, the can is mainly classified into a steel can and an aluminum can. The steel can with a predetermined strength is most suitable to a production process of beverage or food peformed at a high temperature/high pressure, such as a sterilization treatment for contents. [3] Further, the steel can is excellent in that light is shielded and transportation is convenient, and not only has an excellent sealing but also is strong against an external impact and is low in manufacture cost. Further, the steel can is flexible in shape owing to its good processibility and weldability, is excellent even in design through a printing process using the beauty of metallic luster, and is an environment friendly product owing to its recyclability much higher than other materials. [4] In fact, the steel can gets rusty in its characteristic, but in recent years, a steel sheet is plated and then coated with a sub material such as tin (Sn) harmless to the human body, thereby getting resistant against rust and compensating for a weakness. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [5] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a 3-piece steel can and a fabrication method thereof that substantially obviate one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. [6] An object of the present invention is to provide a 3-piece steel can which is strong in construction and much resistant against rust, and allows a user to have contents at any desired time without deterioration of the contents even after its first opening, and a fabrication method thereof. Technical Solution [7] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, there is provided a 3-piece steel can including: a can body formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends to have a cylindrical shape, and having a neck formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion, and having a plurality of slanting big beads protruded from an outer circumferential surface of the neck; a lug cap having a bead groove provided on its inner circumferenctial surface to be engaged with the big bead of the can body; and a bottom end seamed with a lower portion of the can body. [8] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 3-piece steel can including: a can body formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends to have a cylindrical shape, and having a neck formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion, and having a plurality of slanting small beads protruded from an outer circumferential surface of the neck; a PT cap having a compound layer formed on its inner circumferential surface to be in contact with the small beads of the can body; and a bottom end seamed with a lower portion of the can body. [9] In a further another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 3-piece steel can including: a can body formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends to have a cylindrical shape, and having a multi-stage neck formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion, and having a plurality of slanting big beads protruded from an upper and outer circumferential surface of the neck; a lug cap having a bead groove provided on its inner circumferenctial surface to be engaged with the big bead of the can body; and a bottom end seamed with a lower portion of the can body. [10] In a still further another aspect of the presetn invention, there is provided a 3-piece steel can including: a can body formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends to have a cylindrical shape, and having a multi-stage neck formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion, and having a plurality of slanting small beads protruded from an upper and outer circumferential surface of the neck; a PT cap having a compound layer formed on its inner circumferential surface to be in contact with the small beads of the can body; and a bottom end seamed with a lower portion of the can body. [11] In a still further another aspect of the presetn invention, there is provided a lug-top steel can including: a can body formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends to have a cylindrical shape, and having a neck formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion, and having a plurality of slanting beads protruded from an outer circumferential surface of the neck; a lug cap having a bead groove provided on its inner circumferenctial surface to be engaged with the bead of the can body; and a bottom end seamed with a lower portion of the can body. [12] In a still further another aspect of the presetn invention, there is provided a lug-top steel can including: a can body formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends to have a cylindrical shape, and having a neck formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion, and having a plurality of slanting beads protruded from an outer circumferential surface of the neck; a one-touch cover having a cover body disposed at an upper portion of the can body, and a one-touch lever formed on an upper surface of the cover body; a lug cap having a bead groove provided on its inner circumferenctial surface to be engaged with the bead of the can body; and a bottom end seamed with a lower portion of the can body. [13] In a still further another aspect of the presetn invention, there is provided a lug-top type cover steel can including: a can body formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends to have a cylindrical shape, and having a neck formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion, and having a plurality of slanting beads protruded from an outer circumferential surface of the neck; a thin type cover disposed at an upper portion of the can body; a lug cap having a bead groove provided on its inner circumferenctial surface to be engaged with the bead of the can body; and a bottom end seamed with a lower portion of the can body. [14] In a still further another aspect of the presetn invention, there is provided a method for fabricating a steel can, the method including: a pre-processing step of coating, printing, and baking a steel alloy sheet being a raw material of the steel can; a welding step of welding an end being a non-coated and non-printed portion of the steel alloy sheet, and forming a cylindrical- shaped can body; a necking step of pushing the can body into a necking die, and forming a one or more-staged neck; a pre-curling/flanging step of widening and bending upper and lower ends of the can body outside; a final curling step of rolling down the upper end of the can body; a big bead forming step of protruding a plurality of big beads from an outer circumferential surface of the neck; and a seaming step of engaging a bottom end with the lower end of the can body. [15] In a still further another aspect of the presetn invention, there is provided a method for fabricating a steel can, the method including: a pre-processing step of coating, printing, and baking a steel alloy sheet being a raw material of the steel can; a welding step of welding an end being a non-coated and non-printed portion of the steel alloy sheet, and forming a cylindrical- shaped can body; a necking step of pushing the can body into a necking die, and forming a one or more-staged neck; a pre-curling/flanging step of widening and bending upper and lower ends of the can body outside; a final curling step of rolling down the upper end of the can body; a small bead forming step of protruding a plurality of small beads from an outer circumferential surface of the neck; and a seaming step of engaging a bottom end with the lower end of the can body. [16] In a still further another aspect of the presetn invention, there is provided a method for fabricating a steel can, the method including: a pre-processing step of coating, printing, and baking a steel alloy sheet being a raw material of the steel can; a welding step of welding an end being a non-coated and non-printed portion of the steel alloy sheet, and forming a cylindrical- shaped can body; a smooth necking step of pushing-up the can body using a roller, and forming a neck; a pre-curling/flanging step of widening and bending upper and lower ends of the can body outside; a final curling step of rolling down the upper end of the can body; a big bead forming step of protruding a plurality of big beads from an outer circumferential surface of the neck; and a seaming step of engaging a bottom end with the lower end of the can body. [17] In a still further another aspect of the presetn invention, there is provided a method for fabricating a steel can, the method including: a pre-processing step of coating, printing, and baking a steel alloy sheet being a raw material of the steel can; a welding step of welding an end being a non-coated and non-printed portion of the steel alloy sheet, and forming a cylindrical- shaped can body; a smooth necking step of pushing-up the can body using a roller, and forming a neck; a pre-curling/flanging step of widening and bending upper and lower ends of the can body outside; a final curling step of rolling down the upper end of the can body; a small bead forming step of protruding a plurality of small beads from an outer circumferential surface of the neck; and a seaming step of engaging a bottom end with the lower end of the can body. Advantageous Effects [18] According to the present invention, there is an advantage in that construction is strong against an external impact, rust is not generated, a process of high temperature/ high pressure such as a heat treatment is facilitated, and a separate cap is provided, thereby getting convenient in use. [19] Further, there is an advantage in that a structure such as the multi-stage neck, the smooth neck, the lug cap, and the PT cap can be applied to the 3-piece steel can without a high-priced foreign equipment such as a drawing ironing equipment. Brief Description of the Drawings [20] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can accoridng to the first embodiment of the present invention; [21] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the second embodiment of the present invention; [22] FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [23] FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; [24] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a construction of a lug cap applied to the first and third embodiments of the present invention; [25] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a construction of a Press-on Twist-off (PT) cap applied to the second and fourth embodiments of the present invention; [26] FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; [27] FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention; [28] FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention; [29] FIG. 10 is a whole process diagram illustrating a method for fabricating a 3-piece steel can according to a preferred embodimenet of the present invention; [30] FIG. 11 is a detailed diagram illustrating a welding process in a method for fabricating a 3-piece steel can according to the present invention; [31] FIG. 12 is a detailed diagram illustrating a multi-stage necking process in a method for fabricating a 3-piece steel can according to the present invention; and [32] FIG. 13 is a detailed diagram illustrating a smooth necking process in a method for fabricating a 3-piece steel can according to the present invention Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [33] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. [34] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can accoridng to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a construction of a lug cap applied to the first and third embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a construction of a PT cap applied to the second and fourth em¬ bodiments of the present invention. [35] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the 3-piece steel can 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a can body 110, a lug cap 120, and a bottom end 130. [36] The can body 110 is formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends (W) to have a cylindrical shape. The can body 110 has a neck 112, which is formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion. A plurality of slanting big beads 114 are protruded from an outer circumferential surface of the neck 112. The big bead 114 can be foremd keeping away from the end (W) being a welded portion. [37] The lug cap 120 has a bead groove 122, which is provided on its inner circum- ferenctial surface to be engaged with the big bead 114 of the can body 110. Further, the lug cap 120 can additionally include a compound layer 124 therein. [38] The bottom end 130 is seamed with a lower portion of the can body 110. [39] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the 3-piece steel can 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a can body 210, a PT cap 220, and a bottom end 230. [40] The can body 210 is formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends (W) to have a cylindrical shape. The can body 210 has a neck 212, which is formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion. A plurality of slanting small beads 214 are protruded from an outer circumferential surface of the neck 212. [41] The PT cap 220 has a compound layer 222, which is provided on its inner circum¬ ferential surface to be in contact with the small bead 214 of the can body 210. The bottom end 230 is seamed with a lower portion of the can body 210. [42] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the 3-piece steel can according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a can body 310, a lug cap 320, and a bottom end 330. [43] The can body 310 is formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends (W) to have a cylindrical shape. The can body 310 has a multi-stage neck 312, which is formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion. A plurality of slanting big beads 314 are protruded from an upper and outer circum¬ ferential surface of the neck 312. The big bead 314 can be foremd keeping away from the end (W) being a welded portion. [44] The lug cap 320 has a bead groove 322, which is provided on its inner circum- ferenctial surface to be engaged with the big bead 314 of the can body 310. Further, the lug cap 320 can additionally include a compound layer 324 therein. [45] The bottom end 330 is seamed with a lower portion of the can body 310. [46] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the 3-piece steel can 400 according to the fouth embodiment of the present invention includes a can body 410, a PT cap 420, and a bottom end 430. [47] The can body 410 is formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends (W) to have a cylindrical shape. The can body 410 has a multi-stage neck 412, which is formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion. A plurality of slanting small beads 414 are protruded from an upper and outer circum¬ ferential surface of the neck 412. [48] The PT cap 420 has a compound layer 422, which is formed on its inner circum¬ ferential surface to be in contact with the small bead 414 of the can body 210. The bottom end 430 is seamed with a lower portion of the can body 410. [49] FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the inventive 3-piece steel can 500 includes a can body 510, a lug cap 520, and a bottom end 530. [50] The can body 510 being a body member of the steel can is formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends (W) to have a cylindrical shape. The can body 510 has a neck 512, which is formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion. A plurality of slanting big beads 514 are protruded from an outer cir¬ cumferential surface of the neck 512. The big bead 514 can be foremd keeping away from the end (W) being a welded portion. Further, the can body 510 is curled inside at its upper end to have a curling portion 516. [51] The lug cap 520 being a lid member of the steel can has a bead groove 522, which is provided on its inner circumferenctial surface to be engaged with the big bead 514 of the can body 510. Further, the lug cap 520 can additionally include a compound layer 524 therein. [52] The bottom end 530 being a bottom member of the steel can is seamed with a lower portion of the can body 510. [53] FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the inventive 3-piece steel can 600 includes a can body 610, a one-touch cover 620, a lug cap 630, and a bottom end 640. [54] The can body 610 being a body member of the steel can is formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends (W) to have a cylindrical shape. The can body 610 has a neck 612, which is formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion. A plurality of slanting big beads 614 are protruded from an outer cir¬ cumferential surface of the neck 612. The big bead 614 can be foremd keeping away from the end (W) being a welded portion. Further, the can body 610 is curled inside at its upper end to have a curling portion 616. [55] The one-touch cover 620 includes a cover body 622 disposed at an upper portion of the can body 610, and a one-touch lever 624 formed on an upper surface of the cover body 622. [56] The lug cap 630 being a lid member of the steel can has a bead groove 632, which is provided on its inner circumferenctial surface to be engaged with the big bead 614 of the can body 610. Further, the lug cap 630 can additionally include a compound layer 634 therein. [57] The bottom end 640 being a bottom member of the steel can is seamed with a lower portion of the can body 610. [58] FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a 3-piece steel can according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the inventive 3-piece steel can 700 includes a can body 710, a thin type cover 720, a lug cap 730, and a bottom end 740. [59] The can body 710 being a body member of the steel can is formed of a steel alloy sheet, which is welded at its ends (W) to have a cylindrical shape. The can body 710 has a neck 712, which is formed at its upper portion to have a smaller diameter than a central portion. A plurality of slanting big beads 714 are protruded from an outer cir¬ cumferential surface of the neck 712. The big bead 714 can be foremd keeping away from the end (W) being a welded portion. Further, the can body 710 is curled outside at its upper end to have a curling portion 716. [60] The thin type cover 720 is a thin film-shaped cover member disposed at an upper portion of the can body 710. [61] The lug cap 730 being a lid member of the steel can has a bead groove 732, which is provided on its inner circumferenctial surface to be engaged with the big bead 714 of the can body 710. Further, the lug cap 730 can additionally include a compound layer 734 therein. [62] The bottom end 740 being a bottom member of the steel can is seamed with a lower portion of the can body 710. [63] FIG. 10 is a whole process diagram illustrating a method for fabricating a 3-piece steel can according to a preferred embodimenet of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a detailed diagram illustrating a welding process in the method for fabricating the 3-piece steel can according to the present invention, FIG. 12 is a detailed diagram il¬ lustrating a multi-stage necking process in the method for fabricating the 3-piece steel can according to the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a detailed diagram illustrating a smooth necking process in the method for fabricating the 3-piece steel can according to the present invention. [64] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the inventive fabrication method of the 3-piece steel can is classified into a multi-stage necking method and a smooth necking method depending on a necking manner, and is classified into a big bead method and a small bead method depending on a bead type. [65] Accordingly, the inventive fabrication method of the 3-piece steel can is classified into a total of four types of methods: 'multi-stage necking + big bead', 'multi-stage necking + small bead', 'smooth necking + big bead', and 'smooth necking + small bead'. [66] In order to prevent a duplicate description of each process of the fabrication method of the 3-piece steel can according to the present invention, a detail of each process will be first described, and a sequence of processing based on each of the methods will be described later. [67] (1) Pre-processing (Step 100) [68] In the pre-processing (Step 100), the steel alloy sheet being the raw material of the steel can is coated, printed, and baked. [69] When the steel alloy sheet is coated and printed in the pre-processing (Step 100), the ends of the steel alloy sheet are not coated and printed, thereby allowing the ends of the steel alloy sheet to electrically conduct at the time of welding. [70] (2) Welding (Steps 200a and 200b) [71] In the welding (Steps 200a and 200b), the ends being non-coating and non-printing portions of the steel alloy sheet are welded, thereby forming the cylindrical shaped can body. [72] As shown in FIG. 11, in the welding (Steps 200a and 200b), the steel alloy sheet (P) being the raw material of the steel can is rounded. After that, while copper wires (C) pass in contact with both sides of the non-coated and non-printed ends (W) of the rounded steel alloy sheet, the ends (W) are electrically conducted and seam- welded. Next, a lubricating oil is sprayed inside and outside of the welded portion to prevent rust and crack. [73] (3-1) Necking (Step 300a) [74] In the necking (Step 300a), the can body is pushed into a necking die to form a one or more- staged neck. [75] As shown in FIG. 12, in the necking (S300a), a cylindrical shaped can body 10 is put in and pushed into the necking die 20 using a punch 30. After that, the one or more-staged neck is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the can body 10. [76] (3-2) Smooth necking (Step 300b) [77] In the smooth necking (Step 300b), the can body is pushed up using a roller, and then the neck is formed on an upper portion of the can body. [78] As shown in FIG. 13, in the smooth necking (Step 300b), the can body is put on a lift pad 100 and lifted up to a chuck nose 300 and a control ring 400. If so, a neck roller 500 pushes the upper portion of the can body 200 while forming the slanting neck on the upper portion of the can body 200. [79] (4) Pre-curling/flanging (Steps 400a and 400b) [80] In the pre-curling/flanging (Steps 400a and 400b), the can body is widened and bent outside at its upper and lower ends. [81] (5) Final curling (Steps 500a and 500b) [82] In the final curling (Steps 500a and 500b), the can body is rolled down at its upper end. [83] (6-1) Big bead forming (Steps 600a and 600c) [84] In the big bead forming (Steps 600a and 600c), the plurality of big beads are protruded from the outer circumferential surface of the neck. [85] In the big bead forming (Steps 600a and 600c), the neck of the can body can be sensed at its circumference using the sensor to form the big bead at the circumference of the neck keeping away from the end being the welded portion. [86] (6-2) Small bead forming (Steps 600b and 60Od) [87] In the small bead forming (Steps 600b and 60Od), the plurality of small beads are protruded from the outer circumference surface ofthe neck. [88] The small bead forming (Steps 600b and 60Od) is performed irrespective of whether or not a small bead forming portion is the end being the welded portion of the can body. [89] (7) Seaming (Steps 700a, 700b, 700c, and 70Od) [90] In the seaming (Steps 700a, 700b, 700c, and 70Od), the bottom end being a bottom plate is engaged to a lower end of the can body. [91] (8) Post-processing (Step 800) [92] After the seaming (Steps 700a, 700b, 700c, and 70Od), in the post-processing (Step 800), the steel can is subjected to air testing (a), spraying of the lubricating oil (b), baking (c), and palletizing (d), thereby producing a final product. [93] After the post-processing (Step 800), capping is perforemd to mount the lug cap, the PT cap, and the like at an upper portion of the can body according to types of the emobdiments. [94] I. 'Multi-stage necking + Big bead' method [95] Pre-processing (Step 100) -> Welding (Step 200a) -> Necking (Step 300a) -> Pre- curling/flanging (Step 400a) -> Final curling (Step 500a) -> Big bead forming (Step 600a) -> Seaming (Step 700a) -> Post-processing (Step 800) [96] II. 'Multi-stage necking + small bead' method [97] Pre-processing (Step 100) -> Welding (Step 200a) -> Necking (Step 300a) -> Pre- curling/flanging (Step 400a) -> Final curling (Step 500a) -> Small bead forming (Step 600b) -> Seaming (Step 700b) -> Post-processing (Step 800) [98] III. 'Smooth necking + Big bead' method [99] Pre-processing (Step 100) -> Welding (Step 200a) -> Necking (Step 300a) -> Pre- curling/flanging (Step 400a) -> Final curling (Step 500b) -> Big bead forming (Step 600c) -> Seaming (Step 700c) -> Post-processing (Step 800) [100] IV. 'Smooth necking + small bead' method [101] Pre-processing (Step 100) -> Welding (Step 200b) -> Smooth necking (Step 300b) - > Pre-curling/flanging (Step 400b) -> Final curling (Step 500b) -> Small bead forming (Step 60Od) -> Seaming (Step 70Od) -> Post-processing (Step 800) Industrial Applicability [102] As described above, in the inventive 3-piece steel can and fabrication method thereof, there is an effect in that construction is strong against an external impact, rust is not generated, a process of high temperature/high pressure such as a heat treatment is facilitated, and a separate cap is provided, thereby getting convenient in use. [103] Further, in the inventive 3-piece steel can and fabrication method thereof, there is an effect in that a structure such as the multi-stage neck, the smooth neck, the lug cap, and the PT cap can be applied to the 3-piece steel can without a high-priced foreign equipment such as a drawing ironing equipment. While the present invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.