CN111032525A

CN111032525A - Storage box

Info

Publication number: CN111032525A
Application number: CN201880051807.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 克劳斯·霍斯特曼
Original assignee: EMSA GmbH
Current assignee: EMSA GmbH
Priority date: 2017-08-10
Filing date: 2018-08-01
Publication date: 2020-04-17
Also published as: RU2020106390A; DE202017104835U1; KR20200040235A; EP3665097A1; KR102604466B1; JP2020529951A; WO2019030068A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage box (100) having a container (20) and a lid (10), wherein the lid (10) has a circumferential protruding rim (11) extending around an upper rim (24) of the container (20), wherein the lid (10) has at least one locking projection (32), wherein the locking projection (32) extends below at least one locking web (21) in a closed position, wherein the locking web protrudes outward from a side wall (25) of the container (20). On the side wall of the container (20) a plurality of locking webs (21) are provided in a linear arrangement along the periphery. At least one locking strip (30) is provided on the lid (10), which locking strip (30) extends over the periphery of the protruding rim (11) and has a plurality of inwardly directed locking projections (32), which locking projections (32) engage with locking webs (21) on the container (20) by linear movement of the locking strip (30). The arrangement may also be reversed, i.e. the container is provided with a removable locking strip and the lid is provided with a locking web.

Description

Storage box

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a storage box according to the preamble of claims 1 and 8.

Background

Since such boxes can be closed gas-and liquid-tight, they are used, for example, in kitchens to keep food fresh. To this end, the lid is pressed onto the upper edge of the container, whereby an elastomeric sealing ring is arranged between them. Storage containers of this type have proven their worth in principle, but there is still a need to securely connect the lid and the container to each other by means of a clip lock which is connected to the side edge of the lid and which has to engage with a protruding web on the container, so that a reliable seal can be achieved.

For large storage containers with a relatively large circumference, the length of the clip lock cannot be extended on a large scale, but more clip locks must be provided to enable a tight closure with an acceptable locking force applied by the user. Thus, the user must engage or release a relatively large number of clip locks to close or open the arrangement of the container and lid.

Another disadvantage is that the elastomer sealing ring must have a high layer thickness in order to achieve sufficient spring deflection to achieve the sealing effect also in the region of the lid and the container which are not directly connected to one another via the clip lock. In determining the layer thickness of the sealing ring, it must also be taken into account that the restoring force of the sealing member decreases with ageing of the sealing member, so that in a new storage container the spring deflection must be sufficiently large to ensure a tight seal even when the expected service life of the storage container is reached. On the other hand, large deflections result in higher locking forces being applied by the user.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a well-sealable storage container to which the lid can be comfortably and securely locked with low locking forces and thereby ensure a gas-and liquid-tight seal over the entire service life.

This object is achieved by a storage case having the features of claims 1 and 8.

It is essential to the invention that for both embodiments, the locking projections are no longer placed on the pivotable clip lock as in the prior art, but a number of locking projections are positioned on the circumference in a chain-like linear arrangement and they are connected to one another via at least one common locking strip.

According to the invention, all locking projections are operated simultaneously by a common locking strip which is displaceable circumferentially. All of which are simultaneously locked to or released from respective locking webs on the respective portions.

Since the locking strip of the storage container of the invention extends over the entire circumference of the container or lid and the locking projections are evenly distributed over the entire circumference, a nearly even contact pressure can be obtained over the entire length of the seal. Thus, the thickness of the sealing ring or layer on the lid can be significantly minimized. The layer thickness can be reduced to less than half compared to the prior art, which correspondingly saves high-quality material for the sealing ring, such as silicone or thermoplastic elastomers.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the fixed and immovable locking web has a slightly rising slope during the linear displacement path, which is necessary for the closure, so that each locking projection on the locking strip slides onto the slope during the closure. Thus, there is always a firm contact pressure of the sealing ring between the container and the lid.

The linear movement associated with the ramp on each locking web creates an option for automatic adjustment. A tight seal can also be achieved by only a slightly longer linear displacement of the locking strip if the elasticity of the seal is reduced or the shape of the container and/or the lid with the seal deviates.

In the case of the storage box according to the invention, the length of the circumference of the container or lid is essentially irrelevant for the closing and sealing function, since even for very large containers with a relatively large circumferential length, the number of interconnected locking projections on the locking strip and the number of associated fixed locking webs need only be increased to produce a uniform contact pressure which is limited to the minimum necessary at any position of the circumference.

According to the invention, there are no remaining main areas where no locking elements are present. When the locking strip is displaced linearly along the circumference, all peripheral areas are simultaneously and uniformly locked.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that containers and lids made of different materials can be combined. For example, the container may be made of ceramic or glass and the lid may be securely locked by the locking strips, although the shape tolerances of these materials are much larger than for injection molded parts.

According to the invention, the lid and the container need not be made of particularly ductile materials, since the force required for mutual engagement of the parts is only exerted by the tension-loaded locking strips. The locking strip can thus be made very thin and can be moulded from a durable plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene, but can be made for example from a metal strip.

According to a preferred embodiment, the locking strip is arranged on the lid, either on the outer periphery or on the inner periphery of the protruding rim of the lid. In the latter case, the actuating element, i.e. the thickening on the locking strip, is designed as a sliding latch, extends through a recess in the protruding edge of the cover to the outside, so that it is accessible from the outside. By sliding the latch, the locking strip arranged inside can be easily moved by the user.

In both embodiments, the locking web is arranged on the container, wherein the locking web is preferably designed as part of a continuous web molded on the side wall of the container. The webs are interrupted by recesses with equal spacing, by means of which the locking projections are arranged on the locking strips, so that the lid can be lifted vertically upwards from the container or placed back on the container.

The locking web may be moulded directly to the upper edge of the container, but preferably it is moulded at a lower level with a vertical offset relative to the upper edge of the container. Thereby forming a continuous smooth upper edge of uniform width which is unaffected by the locking web. Since the upper edge without lateral projections has only a narrow width, only a narrow sealing ring or sealing layer arranged on the inside of the lid is required.

Alternatively, the reverse arrangement may form a storage container according to the invention. In this alternative embodiment, the locking band is arranged on the outer circumference of the container and has outwardly projecting locking projections on the locking band. The corresponding part on the lid is formed by a locking web which is moulded perpendicular to the inside of the circumferential edge of the downwardly facing lid. The locking web may be molded directly to the lower edge of the rim of the cover or may be molded over the lower edge of the cover in a vertically offset manner therefrom.

For both alternative embodiments of the invention, in which the locking strip is arranged on the lid or on the container, it is advantageous to provide an additional safety bracket, which is pivotably mounted on the lid or on the container. The sliding latch of the locking strip in the closed position may be enclosed by the bracket and the safety bracket will securely lock the sliding latch when sprung up. Thereby avoiding accidental opening of the storage box.

It is also advantageous to form the locking strap of the strap to have two ends that are brought together via a positive locking means to form an annular locking strap. Thus, production and assembly are simplified.

Drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. These figures each show in perspective:

FIG. 1 shows a closed storage case;

fig. 2 shows the storage box in an exploded view;

FIG. 3 shows the storage container open and with the lid removed;

FIG. 4 shows the case in a closed position in partial cross-section;

fig. 5 shows the storage box and lid in an open position, partially cut away, in perspective view.

Fig. 6 shows the storage box in the open position with the lid removed, and

figure 7 shows the lid with the locking strip open.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1, a storage box 100 is shown in perspective view, which essentially consists of a container 20 and a lid 10 placed thereon.

The cover 10 has a downwardly projecting rim 11. The locking strip 30 is mounted on its outer periphery so that it is guided by the edge on the protrusion 15 of the lid 10 and does not slip off. The locking strap 30 has a sliding latch 31.

The container 20 has a box shape with smoothly rounded corners. The rounded corners are provided not only for design but also for functional aspects, as the locking strips 30 need to bend at the corners and the large radius causes less stress on the material.

In the closed position of the storage case 100 shown in fig. 1, the sliding latch 31 is secured by a further safety bracket 14, which safety bracket 14 is connected to the lid 10 by a living hinge and folded upwards. To hold the safety bracket 14 in a fixed position as shown in figure 1, it also engages with a locking projection 13 on the cover 10.

In fig. 2, the storage box 100 with all essential components is shown in an exploded view. The locking strip 30 with the sliding latch 31 is an integral part of the lid, but it is shown separated from the lid 10 in fig. 2. The locking strip 30 has a plurality of locking projections 32, which are each designed as a semicircular disk.

A recess on the outer periphery of the protruding rim 11 of the lid 10 is used to receive and guide the locking strip 30. The projecting edge 11 also has several slot-shaped recesses 12, through which recesses 12 the locking projections 32 of the locking strip 30 can project into the interior of the lid 10.

The upper edge region 23 can be seen in detail at the opened container 20: at the bottom of the edge region 23, a web is moulded which extends perpendicularly outwardly from the side wall 25 and is arranged below the upper edge 24. The web has semi-circular recesses 22 which are designated at regular intervals as locking projections 32 which receive locking strips. As the webs are interrupted by the recesses 22, a plurality of individual locking webs 21 is provided.

In fig. 3, the open storage container 20 is shown in the use position with the lid 10 fully assembled. The locking strip 30 is arranged on the lid 10. The locking projection 32 engages through the guide recess 12 in the projecting edge 11 and projects inwards. A sealing ring 16 is molded on the outer peripheral region of the interior of the cap 10.

Fig. 4 again shows the storage box 100 in the closed position as already shown in fig. 1. In this position, the locking strap 30 is positioned so that the sliding latch 31 is in a designated central position at the front of the storage container 20 where it can be secured by the additional safety bracket 14.

The partial cross-sectional view in fig. 4 shows the function of the locking mechanism of the invention: the lid 10 with its sealing ring 16 is located on the upper edge 24 of the container 20. Each locking projection 32 is located below one of the locking webs 21 extending between two adjacent recesses 22. By the engagement of the locking projections 32 with the locking webs 21, the lid 10 is positively secured to the container 20 and a gas-and liquid-tight seal is achieved and ensured.

In fig. 5, the open position of the storage case 100 is shown in a view similar to fig. 4. The safety bracket 14 is folded down so that the sliding latch 31 of the locking strap 30 is free to move. The sliding latch 31 in fig. 5 is moved clockwise by about the width of the latch compared to its position in fig. 4. Thus, the locking projections 32 of the locking strip 30 are located directly below the recesses 22 between the locking webs 21. Thus, the forced engagement between the container 20 and the lid 10 is eliminated.

The lid 10 can now be pulled vertically upwards as shown in fig. 6. Instead, it is also possible to replace the container 20 in this position of the locking strip 30, in which the locking projection 32 passes down through the recess 22, and then by pushing the locking strip 30 back into the closed position, the locking projection 32 engages again with the locking web 21.

Fig. 7 shows the lid 10 in a perspective view, wherein the locking strips 30 have been inserted into corresponding receptacles on the outer periphery of the protruding rim 11. The locking strip 30 is moulded as a plastics strip with interlocking means at both ends. A locking protrusion 31.2 is moulded at one end. At the other end a sliding latch 31 with an inner recess 31.1 is arranged. By snapping the locking projections 31.2 into the recesses 31.1, an annular locking strip 30 is made which is slidably mounted in a slight recess on the outer periphery of the protruding rim 11 of the lid 10 and cannot slip out therefrom.

Claims

1. A storage box (100) having a container (20) and a lid (10),

wherein the lid (10) has a circumferential protruding edge (11) extending around an upper edge (24) of the container (20), and

wherein the lid (10) has at least one locking projection (32), the locking projection (32) extending below at least one locking web (21) in the closed position, the locking web (21) projecting outwardly from a side wall (25) of the container (20),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

-a plurality of locking webs (21) are provided in a linear arrangement along the periphery of a side wall (25) of the container (20), and

-at least one locking strip (30) is provided on the lid (10), the locking strip (30) extending over the periphery of the protruding rim (11) and having a plurality of inwardly directed locking projections (32), the locking projections (32) engaging with a locking web (21) on the container (20) by linear movement of the locking strip (30).

2. Storage box (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one outwardly protruding web is molded on the side wall (25) of the container (20), said web having a plurality of side recesses (22), said side recesses (22) serving as a passage for the locking projections (32) when the lid (10) is placed on the container (20) or the lid (10) is removed from the container (20), wherein each locking web (21) is formed between adjacent recesses (22).

3. Storage box (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking web (21) is moulded on an upper edge (24) of the container (20).

4. Storage box (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking web (21) is moulded in a vertically offset manner with respect to the upper edges (24) of the side walls (25) of the container (20).

5. Storage box (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking strap (30) has at least one protruding sliding latch (31).

6. Storage box (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking strip (30) is arranged on the outer periphery of a protruding rim (11) on the lid (10).

7. Storage box (100) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the locking strip (30) is arranged on the inner periphery of a protruding rim (11) on the lid (10) and a sliding latch (31) protrudes outwards through a recess (22) in the protruding rim (11).

8. A storage case having a container and a lid, wherein the lid has a circumferential protruding rim extending around an upper rim of the container, and wherein the container has at least one locking projection extending below at least one locking web protruding from a side wall of the lid in a closed position,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

-a plurality of locking webs are provided peripherally on the lid in a linear arrangement, and

-at least one locking strip is provided on the container, which locking strip extends over the circumference of the side wall of the container and has a plurality of outwardly directed locking projections which, by linear movement of the locking web, engage with the locking web on the lid.

9. A storage case as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one inwardly projecting web is moulded on the projecting rim of the lid, the web having a plurality of rim side recesses for passage of the locking projections when the lid is placed on or removed from the container, wherein each locking web is formed between adjacent recesses.

10. A storage case as claimed in claim 9, wherein the locking web is moulded over a lower edge of the lid.

11. A storage case as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the locking web is moulded in a vertically offset manner relative to the lower edge of the lid.

12. A storage case as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the locking strap has at least one protruding sliding latch.

13. Storage box (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a safety bracket (14) for fixing a sliding latch (31) is provided, the safety bracket (14) being pivotably connected to the lid (10).

14. Storage box (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking strip (30) is formed by a plastic strip, the two ends of which are connected to each other by means of mutually engaging form-fitting means (31.1, 31.2).