AU2005245119B2

AU2005245119B2 - Tamper-evident lid

Info

Publication number: AU2005245119B2
Application number: AU2005245119A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gianfranco D'amato
Original assignee: Seda SpA
Current assignee: Seda SpA
Priority date: 2004-05-19
Filing date: 2005-05-19
Publication date: 2008-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-19
Also published as: EP1747151B1; RU2351516C2; MXPA06013348A; ATE430701T1; CN101005995A; TW200600419A; BRPI0511284A; US20080099481A1; NO20065867L; DE502005007241D1; RU2006140792A; CA2566785A1; KR20070024588A; EP1747151A1; JP2007537940A; UA82155C2; WO2005113363A1; AU2005245119A1; KR100858908B1; DE202004008076U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a tamper-evident lid ( 1 ) for a container ( 2 ), said container comprising an opening edge ( 4 ) which runs around an upper container opening and, in particular, is flanged, with a lid piece ( 5 ) essentially covering the upper container opening and a lid edge ( 6 ), running essentially downwards from the lid piece towards the container, comprising, at least in some positions, a locking element ( 7 ) which grips below the opening edge, which may be definitively separated from the lid, in particular, together with a lower edge section ( 8 ) of the lid edge, for removal of the lid from the container. The lid edge runs essentially inclined downwards and outwards from the lid piece and the locking element is embodied as a locking edge ( 10 ), running in the circumferential direction of the lid.

Description

\VO 2005/113363 PCT/EP2005/005451 Tamper-evident lid Description Q The invention relates to a tamper-evident lid for a container, the container comprising an opening tr edge which runs around an upper container opening and is in particular flanged with a lid piece Sessentially covering the upper container opening, and a lid edge running essentially downwards from the lid piece towards the container, comprising, at least in some positions, a locking element which grips below the opening edge, which may be definitely separated from the lid in particular together with a lower edge end section of the lid edge for removal of the lid from the container.

Such a lid is known from US-A-5002198. The corresponding lid piece is placed on the opening Ci edge from above and covers the container opening. This lid piece is connected to the lid edge ln extending from the lid piece vertically downwards. The lid edge essentially tangentially abuts the Scurled or flanged container edge, and a locking element projects from its free end and ends below the opening edge essentially gripping below the same.

In order to release the lid from the container in a tamper-evident or break-open evident manner, a portion of the lid edge and in particular a lower edge end section is separated together with the locking element. Subsequently, the lid can be removed from the container. The definite separation of the edge end section with locking element from the rest of the lid essentially ensures that even if the lid is still or again placed on, one can find out whether the same had been already removed by another user or was at least prepared for removal. This permits to detect any manipulation or any attempt of breaking open or opening the container. Such a lid can, for example, prevent that the corresponding container is opened, the contents is somehow influenced or else partially taken out and the container is subsequently closed again without the opening of thc container being identifiable from outside.

In the above-mentioned lid, there is, however, the possibility that a manipulation takes place at the locking element, so that the same can be elastically deflected radially outside so far that the locking element no longer grips below the container edge and the lid can be released from the container even without definite separation of the lower edge end section. Furthermore, the vertically extending lid edge can be only slightly elastically deflected, so that when the lid is being placed onto the container, the locking element has to have a correspondingly high elasticity so that it can be sufficiently deflected radially outside in the region of the opening edge curled outwards. This relatively high elasticity of the locking element permits a corresponding manipulation for removing the lid in that due to this relatively high own elasticity of the locking element the same can be more easily deflected outwards and the lid can then be removed from the container.

It would be desirable for the invention to improve a tamper-evident lid of the type mentioned in the beginning, such that the same is secured against possible manipulations of the locking element for removing the lid in a constructively simple manner, and that on the other hand the closing function of the lid is ensured.

Embodiments of the invention include a the lid edge extending essentially inclined downwards and outwards from the lid piece and the locking element being designed as locking edge running in the circumferential direction of the lid.

By the use of a surrounding locking edge, there are no possibilities of coming laterally between the 005187870 WO 2005/113363 205/13363PCT/EP'2005/005451 S locking edge and the inclined extending lid edge and for example thereby releasing the locking edge 0 from the engagement below the container edge. By the inclined downward and outward extension Sof the lid edge, the same can also be elastically deflected when thile lid is being placed on, so that the Slocking edge as well as the lid edge are elastically deflected when the lid is being placed on, and Sthus the elasticity essentially does not only exist in the region of the locking element.

Moreover, with the inclined extending lid edge, the corresponding locking edge can not be brought into an essentially vertical arrangement without simultaneously manipulating the lid edge in order to possibly remove the lid from the container. Instead, by the inclined arrangement of the lid edge, the corresponding locking edge is held in a certain inclined position even if it abuts the lid edge from the inside, so that it is almost impossible to shift it past the opening edge for removing the lid without any visible traces.

N This increases the tamper-evidence of the lid according to the invention in a simple manner.

Simultaneously, placing on the lid onto the container is facilitated by the distribution of elasticity on 0 the lid edge and the locking edge, without the tamper-evidence or the tightness of the lid being N reduced thereby.

According to embodiments of the invention, it is possible for the corresponding lid piece to have various shapes. On the one hand, the geometric shape of the lid piece along the opening edge essentially corresponds to the shape of the container opening. On the other hand, it is possible that outside the opening edge the lid piece is, for example, curved, buckled or defornned in any other way towards the inside of the container, or else that it is correspondingly deformed away from the container. A simple lid piece that is also easy to manufacture can be essentially plane. It then rests on the container edge and covers the complete container opening in order to secure the same against external influences and simultaneously seal the contents of the container.

In order to facilitate for example the handling of the lid for removing it from the container, the lid piece can comprise an edge flange running in the circumferential direction and essentially vertically projecting upwards.

The lid edge can be directly connected to the plane lid piece or else to the edge flange.

In a simple example for a direct connection with the edge flange, the lid edge comprises an essentially inverted U-shaped upper edge end section, the edge flange being inserted into the Uopening and fixed there. The depth of the U-opening can essentially correspond to the vertical length of the edge flange. In this manner, the edge flange is gripped on both sides by the corresponding U-legs of the upper edge end section and can, for example, be fixed to them by gluing, heat sealing or otherwise.

There is the possibility for the lid edge to uniformly extend from the upper to the lower end inclined downwards and outwards. However, to facilitate or improve the placing on and simultaneously the sealing by the lid edge, the lid edge can comprise between the upper edge end section and its lower end at least one upper and one lower edge section which extend each inclined outwards away from the lid piece and which are then connected by an essentially vertical intermediate edge section. This intermediate edge end section can serve in particular for abutment with the opening edge from the outside, so that the lid itself can be securely placed onto the container and held there even if the edge end section is definitely separated.

This essentially stepped inclined extension of the lid edge results in an optically advantageous WO 2005/113363 PCIT/EP2005/005451 appearance for the lid, and the lid can be more easily gripped and placed onto the container.

The already mentioned lower edge end section can in this connection be designed such that it N essentially vertically extends between the lower edge section and the lower end of the lid edge. This results in the space between the lower edge end section and the container wall being smaller than in case of an inclined extension of this lower edge end section, so that there is less space for possible trn manipulations.

The essentially vertical extension of the intermediate edge section and the lower edge end section can also be replaced by a certain inclined extension of these sections, these sections extending inclined outwards with a smaller angle of inclination than the upper and lower edge sections.

For the optical appearance and for the manufacture of the lid, it is furthenmore considered to be C1 advantageous for the angles of inclination of the upper and lower edge sections and/or of the 1.C) intermnediate and lower edge end sections to be the same.

C A stabilisation of the lower edge end section and thus equally a stabilisation of the locking edge can result by designing at least the lower edge end section with two layers, i. e. an outer and an inner layer. Thereby, this lower edge end section has an increased stiffness which on the one hand complicates its manipulation for removing the lid and on the other hand reinforces the locking edge.

In a simple embodiment, the locking edge can be designed as prolongation of the inner layer. In this case, it simply extends in prolongation of the inner layer towards the container in order to grip below the corresponding opening edge.

The locking edge can project directly as prolongation of the inner layer in the region of the lower edge end section. However, there is also the possibility for this inner layer to extend at least partially to the lower edge section and for the corresponding angle of inclination of this edge section to serve for deflecting the inner layer and thus the locking edge towards the container wall.

In this case, the angle of inclination of the lower edge section can equally be continued in the locking edge, so that this extends inclined upwards towards the container wall when the lid is placed on and grips below the opening edge.

It was already pointed out that according to embodiments of the invention the elasticity for deflecting the lid edge and the locking edge and thus for placing the lid onto the container is distributed to the lid edge and the locking edge. Just when the lid is being placed onto the container, it is an advantage for the locking edge to be elastically deflectable radially outwards. This at least concerns the portion of the locking edge projecting fromrn the lower edge section or the lower edge end section, respectively.

In order to ensure a space as small as possible between the free end of the locking edge and a container wall and simultaneously complicate a manipulation of the locking edge, the locking edge can have at its free end an end edge of cut essentially extending in parallel to the container wall .when the lid is placed on. This end edge of cut can also directly abut the container wall when the lid is placed on. The corresponding extension of the end edge of cut complicates a spreading and thus passing by of the free end of the locking edge at the opening edge.

For opening the lid, the definite separation of the lower edge end section and the locking edge from the rest of the lid is necessary. In order to be able to perform this in a simple manner, a tear device WO 2005/113363 PCT/EP2005/005451 can project from the lid edge. It is also possible that more than one tear device is arranged. The tear Sdevice can, for example, approximately perpendicularly project from the lid edge, so that it can be easily gripped laterally of the lid edge and can then be used for separating the corresponding portion of the lid. It is also possible that the tear device extends in prolongation of the lid edge at its lower 0 end.

tV' To permit a rupture in the lower edge end section in a secure and controlled manner by the tear device, in the region of the tear device and in particular at its front edge in the tearing direction, an essentially vertical tear aid can be formed in the lid edge. If the tear device is then gripped and moved into the tearing direction, first the lid edge is ruptured along the vertical tear aid, and subsequently a further separation of the corresponding portion of the lid edge essentially in the circumferential direction is effected.

C Such a tear aid can have various designs. In general, it is designed as material weakening line. Such a tmaterial weakening line can be a material thinning, a perforation or the like.

In order to also permit the further removal of the corresponding portion of the lid edge in a simple and controlled manner and simultaneously not to deteriorate the appearance of the lid even after this portion has been removed, an edge tear-off aid extending in the circumferential direction can be otbnned essentially perpendicularly to the tear aid in the lid edge spaced apart fromrn its lower end.

'T'his aid intersects the perpendicular tear aid, so that when the tear device is moved into the tearing direction, after the rupture of the tear aid subsequently the further separation of the corresponding portion of the lid edge is effected along the edge tear-off aid.

The edge tear-off aid can be designed as material weakening line similarly to the tear aid.

In order to ensure in this connection that even with a correspondingly separated portion of the lid edge a placing on of the lid onto the container and a holding of the lid by means of the lid edge at the opening edge are still possible, the edge tear-off aid can be arranged closer to the lower end of the lid edge than the opening edge when the lid is placed on the container. This ensures that after the corresponding portion has been torn off, a sufficient portion of the lid edge remains for it to essentially extend over the opening edge downwards and a replacing of the lid and secure holding of the lid at the container is possible.

For the lid, essentially various materials are conceivable. The lid can be completely or only partially made of a plastic material. This can be at least partially transparent or translucent. This can in particular apply to the lid piece. Thus, the contents of the container are visible. A lid easy to be manufactured and recycled can result from the lid essentially being made of one or more paper layers. Moreover, such a paper layer can be easily imprinted for advertising purposes or for giving an indication of the contents of the cup.

As, if the lid is placed on, the lid piece is to protect the contents contained in the container from the penetration of undesired substances, but also from a leaking of the container contents, at least in the region of the lid piece, a fluid-tight plastic foil can be applied to its bottom side. Such a plastic foil additionally prevents that, for example in case of a liquid being contained in the container, the paper layer of the lid and in particular the lid piece is soaked by the liquid and possibly optically affected.

It is naturally also possible that the lid or one of its parts does not consist of only one paper layer, but of interconnected and in particular laminated paper layers. It was already pointed out that at least in the region of the lower edge end section the construction consists of two layers, where the WO 2005/113363 PCT/EP2005/005451 00 inner layer forms the locking edge. Here, too, the corresponding layer can be a paper layer.

C, In order to be able to store the lid in a simple manner for closing the container or after its manufacture, respectively, the lid can be stackable and unstackable.

O Such a stackability and unstackability can be achieved, for example, by an internal diameter of the lid edge being, at least at its lower end, larger than an external diameter of the upper edge end section. A corresponding relation between internal diameter and external diameter can also be present for the lower edge end section, possibly down to the region of the lower edge section which C improves the stackability of the lids.

tr For the lids not to get stuck when they are stacked such that an end stack, for example by a 't corresponding automaton, is complicated, the locking edge can be designed as stack stop element Swhich abuts the upper edge end section from outside and in particular from above when the lids are stacked.

Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides a tamper-evident lid for a container of the type having an upper container opening and having an outwardly directed flange extending around said opening, the tamper-evident lid comprising: a lid piece adapted to cover the upper container opening, and a lid edge extending downwardly from the lid piece, the lid edge comprising: an outwardly and downwardly flared edge section extending from the lid piece to a lower end located in use at a position below the flange, and a locking element which extends around the circumference of the lid and is connected to the lower end of the edge section and extends upwardly and inwardly so as to be adapted to grip the container below the flange; wherein the edge section comprises an upper edge section, an intermediate edge section, and a lower edge section; the upper edge section and the lower edge section are inclined outwardly and downwardly and the intermediate edge section is generally vertical; and the lower edge section and locking element are separable from the intermediate edge section so enable the lid to be removed from a container in use.

It will be understood that any reference to prior art herein does not constitute an admission regarding the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art at the priority date of the application.

In the following, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated more in detail with reference to the figures enclosed in the drawing.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows a partially sectional side view of a first embodiment of a tamper-evident lid according to the invention placed on the container; Figure 2 shows an enlarged representation of a detail of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a view analogous to Figure 2 with two lids stacked one upon the other; Figure 4a shows a first step when the lid is being placed onto a container; Figure 4b shows a second step when the lid is being placed onto a container; WO 2005/113363 PCT/EP2005/005451 00

O

Figure 4c shows a lid placed on the container after the steps of Figures 4a and 4b; o Figure 5 shows a partially sectional side view of two lids stacked one upon the other analogous to Figure 3; Figure 6a shows a partially sectional side view of an embodiment of a lid according to the invention with tear device; Figure 6b shows the lid according to Figure 6a in a partially torn open state, and 005187870 \VO 2005/113363 1 1 C''/EP12005/005451 Figure 7 shows a further embodiment for a lid according to the invention with another shape of the tear device.

Figure 1 shows a partially sectional side view of an embodiment of a lid I according to the D invention on a cup-like container 2.

In The container 2 has an upper container opening 3, also see the other figures, being surrounded by an opening edge 4 flanged to the outside. At its lower end, a bottom piece is inserted in the container 2 and held there and sealed in a manner known per se by an end section of a container wall 24 bent over inwards.

The lid I is placed on the top of the container 2. The lid comprises an essentially plane cover piece lying on the opening edge 4 from above in a sealing manner. The lid 1 furthermore has a lid edge C, 6 which extends from the lid piece 5 inclined downwards and outwards. The lid edge 6 extends t along the opening edge 4 in the circumferential direction 9 around the container. At the lid edge 6, C in particular at a lower end 14, also see Figure 2, a tear device 27 is arranged. This can be gripped by a user and moved along a tearing direction 29 essentially in the circumferential direction 9 around the container 2, also see Figures 6a, 6b and 7.

If the tear device 27 is moved into the tearing direction 29, the lid edge 6 begins to break in the region of a front edge 29 of the tear device 27 in the tearing direction 29. In prolongation of this front edge 28 or else as edge itself, a tear aid 30 as formed as material weakening line 3 1 in the lid edge 6. It extends essentially vertically upwards towards the opening edge 4. Perpendicularly to the tear aid 30, in the circumferential direction 9 and also in the tearing direction 29, an edge tear-off aid 32 extends. This is also designed as material weakening line.

By moving the tear device 27 into the direction of the tearing direction 29, a lower portion of the lid edge 6 is separated along the edge tear-off aid 32 together with a locking edge 10 as locking element 7, so that the lid 1 can be removed from the container 2, also see Figures 6b and 7.

By separating the corresponding portion of the lid edge for removing the lid 1, one gets an indication that the container 2 with lid 1 is already being used, or that at least first attempts have been made for removing the lid 1 from the container 2. This makes the lid tamper-evident, as this attempt of opening cannot be undone and can be also detected by another user.

In Figure 2, a detail of Figure 1 is shown in enlargement. Same parts are always designated by the same reference numerals in all figures and are partially mentioned only in connection with one figure.

The container 2 has an opening edge 4 flanged outwards at the upper end of its container wall 24.

The lid piece 5 of the lid 1 rests on the upper side thereof with its bottom side 33. In the region of this opening edge, the lid piece 5 comprises an edge flange 11 essentially projecting vertically upwards. Along this edge flange as well as along the bottom side 33, a fluid-tight plastic foil 34 is applied to the lid piece 5. The lid piece 5 as well as the remaining part of the lid 1 is otherwise formed of one or several paper layers 38. Instead of one paper layer, two paper layers, in particular connected by means of lamination, correspondingly one or several cardboard layers and the like, can also be used.

A lid edge 6 of the lid 1 is connected with the lid piece 5 via its edge flange 1 1. This lid edge 6 extends from the lid piece 5 inclined downwards and outwards.

\VO 2005/113363 PCT/EP2005/005451

ID

The lid edge 6 comprises an upper edge end section 12. This has essentially the shape of an inverted U. The edge flange 11 is inserted into a corresponding U-opening 13 and there fixed between the O corresponding U-legs.

Q The lid edge 6 comprises, following the upper edge end section 12, an upper edge section 15, an irt intermediate edge section 17, a lower edge section 16 and a lower edge end section 8. The upper and lower edge sections 15, 16 extend outwards with an angle of inclination with respect to the container 2. The intermediate edge section 17 and the lower edge end section 8 are less inclined outwards and can also extend essentially vertically, see Figures 7a to 7.

The corresponding edge sections 15, 17, 16 and 8 of the lid edge 6 result in an approximately stepped extension of the lid edge to its lower end 14.

t The corresponding angles of inclination of the upper edge section 15, intermediate edge section 17, C lower edge section 16 and lower edge end section 8 are represented in Figure 3, see there reference Cl numerals 18, 19, 20 and 21.

With respect to the angles of inclination 20 and 21 for the upper and lower edge sections 15, 16, there is the possibility for them to be the same, also see Figures 4a to 7, as well as the angles of inclination 18, 19 of the intermediate edge section 17 and the lower edge end section 8. In another embodiment, also see Figure 3, the angles of inclination 20, 21 are different, and in particular the angle of inclination 21 can be larger than the angle of inclination The different angles of inclination result each from the corresponding angle between a vertical and the corresponding outward inclination of the corresponding edge section.

In the region of the intermediate edge section 17, the edge tear-off aid 32 can be seen below the opening edge 4. It is arranged at a smaller distance to the lower end 14 of the lid edge 6 than a bottom side of the opening edge 4. This ensures that even if a part of the lid edge 6 is separated along the edge tear-off aid 32, the lid I can still be placed onto the container 2, and correspondingly a holding of the lid at the opening edge 4 by its abutment to the corresponding inner side of the lid edge 6 is possible.

The lower edge end section 8 is essentially designed in two layers of an outer layer 22 and an inner layer 23, also see Figure 3. This two-layer construction results from folding or bending a prolongation of the outer layer as inner layer to the inside of the outer layer and a corresponding connection of both layers at least in the region of the lower edge end section 8. As to the other parts, the inner layer 23 is a continuation of the outer layer 22. The inner layer 23 extends to the lower edge section 16 at an angle of inclination 21 and correspondingly extends inclined inwards and upwards towards the lid piece 5. The inner layer essentially extends following the lower edge section 16 separate from the rest of the lid edge 6 towards the container wall 24 and thereby forms the locking edge 10 as locking element 7. The locking edge 10 extends around the complete container 2 in the circumferential direction 9.

A free end of the locking edge 10 grips below the opening edge 4 and is arranged closely to an outer side of the container wall 24 when the lid 1 is placed on the container 2, or else it is possibly in abutment with the container wall.

The abutment of the free end 25, also see Figure 3, of the locking edge 10 at the outer side of the WO 2005/113363 PC'I/EP2005/005451 container wall 24 can be effected such that after a corresponding placing on of the lid 1 onto the 0 container 2, the free end 25 is further deflected by the abutment with the container wall 24 towards the opening edge 4 in order to increase the tamper-evidence of the lid 1. The deflection can be effected in this connection so far that the free end essentially at least partially engages a gap 39 between the opening edge 4 and the container wall 24.

Irt) When the lid 1 is placed onto the container 2, the lid edge 6 can be elastically radially expanded outwards at least with the lower edge end section 8, the lower edge section 16 and the intermediate edge section 17 as well as the locking edge 10 so that it can be passed along the opening edge 4. As soon as the firee end 25 reaches the bottom side of the opening edge 4. it is pressed towards the container wall 24 and in particular into the gap opening 39 between the flanged opening edge 4 and the container wall 24 due to the elasticity of the lid edge 6 and the locking edge In Figures 4a to 4c, various steps of placing a corresponding lid 1 onto a container 2 are shown. In these steps, in particular the deflection of the locking edge can be seen.

C1 In the lid I according to Figures 4a to c, it can in particular be seen that the angles of inclination of the upper and lower edge sections as well as of the intermediate edge section and the lower edge end section are each the same, the intermediate edge section and the lower edge end section essentially extending vertically.

Furthermore, in Figures 4a to c a structuring of the lid I on its outer side in the region of the upper edge end section 12 can be seen. This structuring is formed by a plurality of indentations and elevations, respectively, arranged in the circumferential direction 9.

In Figure 3, two lids 2 arranged one upon the other and being stacked are depicted. With respect to the description of the corresponding details, reference is made to the other figures as well as the corresponding description.

In Figure 3, one can in particular still see that an internal diameter 35 of the lower edge end section 8 is larger than an external diameter 36 of the upper edge end section 12. This permits to stack the two lids 2 at least so far that the upper edge end section 12 of a lower lid is inserted into the upper lid up to the bottom side of the locking edge 10, also see Figure 5. The locking edge 10 fonns at least in the embodiment according to Figure 3 a stack stop element 37 resting on the upper edge end section 8 of the lower lid 2 from above and essentially from outside.

In the embodiment according to Figure 5, the lower edge end section 8 and the upper edge end section 12 essentially extend vertically, so that the stacked lids are arranged one upon the other so as to precisely fit, and the lower lid is inserted into the upper lid until it approximately abuts the lower end 14 of the upper lid with the upper edge section In Figures 6a and b as well as 7, further embodiments of a tear device 27 are shown. In Figure 6b, the separable portion of the lid edge 6 is at least partially already separated.

This analogously applies to Figure 7, in this embodiment the tear device 27 being essentially not forined as a separate part of the lid edge 6 but by a part of the lid edge 6 arranged adjacent to the tear line With respect to the container cross-sections and equally the corresponding shapes of the lid, it should be moreover pointed out that these can be round, oval, elliptical, square, rectangular or the WO 2005/113363 PCT/EP2005/005451 like. In cornered embodiments, rounded edges are advantageous.

O

Furthermore, it should be pointed out that not only due to the elasticity of the lid edge 6 and N correspondingly of the locking edge 10, a placing of the lid 1 onto the container 2 is possible.

Normally, also the container 2 is at least partially elastic in the region of the opening edge 4 or the container wall 24, respectively, so that the container, too, can elastically be deformed when the lid It" is placed on.

In the embodiments according to Figures 4a to 7 it should be noted that there a corresponding angle of inclination of the locking edge 10 is essentially the same as the angle of inclination 20, 21 from the upper and lower inclined edge sections 15, 16. Here, the corresponding angles of inclination 21 are also essentially the same, while the other edge sections 12, 17, 8 arc not inclined and essentially extend vertically.

S In the embodiments according to Figures 4a to 7, another difference exists in that there the lid piece 0 5 essentially extends to the lower end of the upper edge section 15 radially outwards and C1 approximately ends with the outer contour of the opening edge 4. This results in an improved seal of the container 2 by the lid piece 5. Moreover, a smaller gap remains between the lid edge 6 and the opening edge 4, see for example Figure 2 in comparison with Figure 4c.

In the embodiments of Figures 4a to 7, it is in particular shown how the free end 25 of the locking edge 10 engages with the gap opening 39 between the container wall and the opening edge 4.

It is to be understood that the term "comprise" (and its grammatical variants) as used in this specification is equivalent to the term "include" and should not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.

Claims

2. Lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid piece is essentially plane.
3. Lid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid piece comprises an edge flange running in the circumferential direction and essentially vertically projecting from it upwards.
4. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid edge is connected to the edge flange. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid edge comprises an essentially inverted U-shaped upper edge end section, the edge flange being inserted in the U-opening and fixed there.
6. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid edge comprises between the upper edge end section and its lower end at least one upper and one lower edge section which extend each inclined outwards away from the lid piece and are connected by an essentially vertical intermediate edge section.
7. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, WO 2005/113363 PCT/EP2005/005451 00 wherein O the lid edge comprises the essentially vertically extending lower edge end section between the lower edge section and the lower end. 0 8. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, 0 wherein the intermediate edge section and the lower edge end section extend inclined outwards with a smaller angle of inclination than the edge sections.
9. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein t' the angles of inclination of the edge sections and/or of the intermediate and edge end sections are each the same. (Ni Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein N at least the lower edge end section has a two-layer design with outer and inner layer.
11. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking edge can be designed as prolongation of the inner layer.
12. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner layer furthermore extends essentially along the lower edge section with the corresponding angle of inclination.
13. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking edge essentially extends inclined upwards towards the container wall with the same angle of inclination as the lower edge section when the lid is placed on the container.
14. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking edge can be elastically deflected radially outwards. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking edge comprises an end edge of cut at its free end essentially extending in parallel to the container wall when the lid is placed on.
16. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a tear device projects from the lid edge.
17. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the region of the tear device and in particular at its front edge with respect to the tear direction, an essentially vertical tear aid is formed in the lid edge. WO 2005/113363 PCT/EP2005/005451 00 O 18. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, Swherein the tear aid is designed as material weakening line. O 19. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an edge separation aid extending in the circumferential direction is formed essentially perpendicularly to the tear aid in the lid edge spaced apart from its lower end. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, tt wherein the edge separation aid is arranged closer to the lower end of the lid edge than the opening edge of the container when the lid is placed on the container.
21. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid is essentially formed of one or several paper layers.
22. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least in the region of the lid piece, a fluid-tight plastic foil is applied to its bottom side.
23. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid is stackable and unstackable.
24. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an internal diameter of the lid edge and in particular of the lower edge section is larger than an external diameter of the upper edge section at least at its lower end. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking edge is designed as stack stop element which abuts the upper end section from outside when the lids are stacked.
26. A tamper-evident lid for a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 7.