DE102016222309B4 - Hinged lid container and method for using and producing a hinged lid container - Google Patents

Abstract

Having hinged lid container (20)
a. a container body (3); and
b. a container lid (6), wherein the container lid (6) is pivotally hinged to a rear side of the container body (3); in which
c. the container lid (6) has at least a first locking tab (1) and a second locking tab (2) which protrude from the container lid (6); and
d. the first locking tab (1) has a first tab retaining nose (10) directed away from the container body (3) from the first locking tab (1) and engageable with a first container retaining tab (11) of the container body (3); and
e. the second locking tab (2) has a second tab retaining lug (10 ') directed towards the container body (3) from the second locking tab (2) and engageable with a second container retaining tab (11') of the container body (3) ,

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a hinged lid container and method for use and for producing a hinged lid container. In particular, the invention relates to a hinged lid container with a child-resistant closure.

State of the art

Containers are used in private and industrial everyday life for storing objects and parts. The containers often fulfill several functions. For example, they can protect your content from various environmental factors such as moisture, prevent unchecked or scattered hardware, or prevent unauthorized access to content.

Hinged lid containers have the advantage that the container body and the container lid are firmly connected to each other, so that the container can only be opened and closed by a pivoting or folding movement. Inadvertent laying of a part of the container is excluded. As a result, such containers are particularly suitable for situations in which the container should be opened only for input and output of objects or parts and should otherwise remain closed.

Nowadays a number of different chemicals are used in the household, among other things for cleaning clothes and dishes. These detergents or chemicals are often in the form of powders or pads or tabs and are usually harmful to the human body. Therefore, human contact, especially ingestion, should be avoided. Careless handling of the chemicals can have life-threatening consequences. Children are often unaware of these dangers, take items and household utensils to play in their hands, and bring the harmful substances into contact with the skin and / or mucous membranes, such as the eyes or mouth. Safe storage of these detergents or similar substances is therefore necessary.

The European legislator has issued a regulation under Regulation (EC) 1272/2008, according to which pharmaceutical and chemical-technical products are to be packed child-resistant. The ISO 8317 (2015 ) describes the requirements to be met for this. While for many packaging liquid products already appropriate screw caps have been developed and introduced, in particular with the known push-turn combinations, there is still no child-resistant packaging in the sense of the aforementioned legal requirements for packaged in hinged lid boxes household chemicals. The boxes for detergents or dishwashing detergents on the market have one or more retaining tabs or locking hooks and are therefore resealable, but not child-resistant, as these boxes can also be opened very easily by children. The second disadvantage of the existing boxes is their basically two-part construction, in which the lid is clipped together with a lid frame on the separate container. This bipartite is contrary to a functioning child safety, as the two components can be separated from each other with appropriate force, making the contents of the box is accessible.

The publication US 4,746,008 A discloses a child-resistant box with a hinged lid having a plurality of locking tabs. These are arranged on the sides of the box so that only the two hands of an adult can bridge the distance between the locking tabs to actuate them and thus open the box.

The publication US 2002/0185404 A1 discloses a packaging for medicines. The package includes a base and a hinged lid which is latched to the base with a plurality of locking tabs. The locking tabs must be pressed partly at the same time, partly in a correct order inwards to open the hinged lid.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a hinged lid container and a method for using a hinged lid container, which overcome the above-mentioned problems and provide child safety, which satisfies the above legal requirements, thereby effectively preventing accidental opening of the container by children. At the same time unimpeded use of the container by adults, especially by the elderly, should be easily possible. In addition, the container should be simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Summary of the invention

The above-mentioned problems are solved according to the invention by a hinged lid container according to claim 1 and a method for using a hinged lid container according to claim 11.

In particular, the above problems are solved by a hinged lid container comprising a container body; and a container lid, wherein the container lid is pivotably hinged to a rear side of the container body, the container lid having at least a first locking tab and a second locking tab protruding from the container lid and the first locking tab having a first tab holding nose extending from the first locking tab Container body is directed away and which can engage in a first container holding nose of the container body and the second locking tab has a second tab holding nose, which is directed from the second locking tab on the container body and which can engage in a second container holding nose of the container body.

The hinged lid container of the present invention has a first and a second locking tab, which has the advantage that a user with both hands can open the hinged lid container in one step. The arrangement of the retaining lugs on two opposite sides of the first and the second locking tab has the advantage that an opposite movement of the locking tabs for unlocking the tabs is necessary. This countermovement requires deliberate consideration of usage and is atypical for opening a container. It thus provides effective protection against unauthorized access by children to the contents of the container. However, the opposite movement requires no great forces, so that the tabs can be easily unlocked by older people.

An advantage of a hinged lid container over a container with a separate lid is that, as already described above, no part of the container can be accidentally lost, because the container body and the lid are connected to each other even in the open state of the container. Thus, a hinged lid container is particularly suitable for storing articles or parts which must be stored predominantly in a sealed container, such as e.g. Cleaning supplies.

Preferably, the first and the second locking tab are in the pivoting direction of the container lid from a cover collar. The fact that the locking tabs are arranged on the cover collar, it is ensured that always a lock is possible. The arrangement of the tabs on the cover collar is clearly visible, thereby facilitating the insertion of the tabs in openings on the container collar.

Preferably, the first and the second locking tab are formed as resilient portions of the cover collar or are resiliently disposed on the cover collar. The formation of the locking tabs as portions of the lid collar allows easy production of the hinged lid container, in particular in one-piece form of a single material. Since the locking tabs are resilient, they are elastically movable without the need for additional moving elements such as hinges.

Preferably, the tab retention tabs are positive tab retention tabs and the tab retention tabs are negative tab retention tabs. A positive tab retention means that the retention tab forms an upwardly open shape, while a negative container retention tab means a downwardly open form. If the respective tab holding nose is in engagement with the corresponding container holding nose, the respective tab holding tab must first be moved downwards for unlocking, which can be done by pressing the container lid locally.

Preferably, the retaining lugs each have an undercut. By the respective undercut a secure engagement of the retaining tabs is ensured each other. In addition, an undercut prevents accidental release of the lock. Through the undercut a two-stage opening movement is required, first the container lid must be locally pressed down in the region of the locking tabs to overcome the undercut of Laschenhaltenasen, and then the locking tabs can be pressed or pulled to open the container lid.

Preferably, the container collar has a lower height at a front side of the container body in the region of the container holding tabs than at the other three sides of the container body. The reduced height of the container collar in the area of the container holding lugs forms therefrom lowered areas and allows a local elastic impressions of the container lid at these locations in order to move the locking tabs down and overcome the undercuts of Laschenhaltenasen.

Preferably, a height of the undercut is less than or equal to a height of a gap, between the lower height of the container collar in the region of the container holding lugs and the height of the container collar on the other three sides of the container body. The height of the gap determines how far the lid can be pushed down until it rests on the container collar. If the lid is pushed all the way down on the container collar, the user gets one Haptic feedback, that now the engagement of the retaining lugs can be unlocked each other by horizontal movements of the tabs, more precisely by pressing and pulling the respective tab. The material is spared because it is not unnecessarily deflected, and a user can work efficiently through the feedback. The additional priority depression of the lid before the tabs are pressed or pulled, an accidental release of the lock is excluded. To unlock and open the container, a conscious act by an adult is necessary, whereby the container is child-resistant.

Preferably, the container collar at the front of the container body in the region of the container holding tabs at least two openings through which each of the first locking tab and the second locking tab can pass to close the hinged lid container. The openings are easy to manufacture and form a guide for the tabs, whereby the tabs are located in the closed position of the container close to the container body and are protected from kinking or breaking. The container collar protects the container lugs from unwanted mechanical effects and provides privacy, so that the locking mechanism can not be recognized from the outside and can be easily unlocked by a child. Furthermore, the openings allow insertion of cores of an injection mold for injection molding of the undercuts of the retaining lugs.

Preferably, the cover collar overlaps locking tabs in the area of the tab holding lugs. As a result, the tab retention tabs are protected from unwanted mechanical effects. In addition, the lid collar forms a privacy so that the locking mechanism can not be recognized from the outside and can be easily unlocked by a child.

Preferably, the hinged lid container in a manufacturing step, in particular by an injection molding process, made in one piece. Manufacturing in only one manufacturing step saves time and money in manufacturing. An injection molding process also allows the production of a hinged lid container made of plastic, which can be made very inexpensive.

The above-mentioned problems are also solved by a method of using a hinged lid container having a container body and a container lid, the method of opening the hinged lid container comprising the steps of: pressing at least one first locking tab on the container lid which is in a closed position towards the hinged lid container; and pulling at least one second locking tab on the container lid, which is in a closed position, in a direction away from the hinged lid container; and moving the container lid relative to the container body in the opening direction to open the hinged lid container.

The opposite movement of the first and second locking tab requires an active action, so that accidental opening of the container is excluded. Furthermore, the countermovement does not require increased force, but only an understanding of the opening procedure, so that adults, and especially the elderly, can easily open the container, while children who have not been told the mechanism are denied access to the contents of the container , The counter-movement is an untypical action for opening a container, so it is also unlikely that children will achieve release of the latch simply by trial and error.

Preferably, the method further comprises depressing a cover collar in the region of the first and second locking tab in the closing direction of the container lid before the respective locking tab, which is in its closed position, is pressed or pulled. This additional step of depressing the lid collar provides additional protection against accidental or unwanted opening of the container. Despite the additional depression of the lid a deliberate opening of the container is still reach with two hands in one step.

Preferably, the method is performed manually without the use of tools. Thus, the opening of the hinged lid container of each adult who has understood the mechanism, easy to perform and the hinged lid container versatile applicable and applicable.

Preferably, the method for shooting the hinged lid container further comprises the following steps: moving the container lid in the closing direction; and depressing the lid collar in the region of the first and second locking tabs in the closing direction until an audible click indicates that retaining tabs of the associated locking tabs are engageable with each other to lock the hinged lid container. Closing the hinged lid container is simple and quick, in particular in one step, feasible. Closing is also possible with one hand, which is often helpful in the household.

list of figures

• 1 eine Frontansicht eines verschlossenen Klappdeckelbehälters mit erfindungsgemäßem Verschluss;
• 2 eine Seitenansicht eines verschlossenen Klappdeckelbehälters mit erfindungsgemäßem Verschluss;
• 3 eine Ansicht des vorderen Behälterkragens von oben;
• 4 einen Längsschnitt durch den Behälterkragen aus 3 entlang der Linie A-A;
• 5 eine Frontansicht des Deckelkragens und der Verriegelungslaschen;
• 6 einen Querschnitt durch den Deckelkragen und eine erste Verriegelungslasche aus 5 entlang der Linie B-B;
• 7 einen Querschnitt durch den Deckelkragen und eine zweite Verriegelungslasche aus 5 entlang der Linie C-C;
• 8 einen Querschnitt durch den Behälterkragen, den Deckelkragen und die erste Verriegelungslasche aus 1 entlang der Linie D-D;
• 9 die Ansicht aus 8 mit heruntergedrücktem Deckelkragen und vorentriegelter erster Verriegelungslasche;
• 10 die Ansicht aus 9 mit in Richtung des Behälterkörpers gedrückte erste Verriegelungslasche;
• 11 die Ansicht aus 10 mit geöffnetem Behälterdeckel; und
• 12 einen Querschnitt durch den Behälterkragen, den Deckelkragen und die zweite Verriegelungslasche aus 1 entlang der Linie E-E.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. Showing:

• 1 a front view of a closed hinged lid container with closure according to the invention;
• 2 a side view of a closed hinged lid container with closure according to the invention;
• 3 a view of the front container collar from above;
• 4 a longitudinal section through the container collar 3 along the line AA;
• 5 a front view of the lid collar and the locking tabs;
• 6 a cross section through the lid collar and a first locking tab 5 along the line BB;
• 7 a cross section through the lid collar and a second locking tab 5 along the line CC;
• 8th a cross section through the container collar, the lid collar and the first locking tab 1 along the line DD;
• 9 the view 8th with depressed lid collar and pre-unlocked first locking tab;
• 10 the view 9 with pressed in the direction of the container body first locking tab;
• 11 the view 10 with opened container lid; and
• 12 a cross section through the container collar, the lid collar and the second locking tab 1 along the line EE.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the hinged lid container 20 , The hinged lid container 20 preferably has a rectangular or square base. The dimensions of the hinged lid container 20 can be chosen freely. Preferably, the hinged lid container 20 made of a flexible material such as plastic. The hinged lid container 20 may also be formed of a thin metal or any other material which allows manual deformation of at least parts of the hinged lid container 20 in another embodiment. The material of the hinged lid container 20 is preferably shockproof to ensure a long life in everyday life. Furthermore, the hinged lid container protects 20 prefers its content before moisture entry, so that a storage of powdery or similar. Cleaning agents is possible.

3 shows a front portion of the container body 3 from above. This view would become a user with an open container lid 6 Offer. The openings 9 for the locking tabs 1 . 2 are clearly visible, so that the tabs 1, 2 easily when closing the container lid 6 in these openings 9 can be performed. The container holding lugs 11 . 11 ' are not identifiable from this perspective to prevent them from being damaged and to prevent a child from being able to analyze and understand the shutter mechanism, rendering the parental lock unusable. The relatively wide container collar 4 allows a reliable sealing of the closed container 20 , even if possibly a powder residue o. Ä. On the container collar 4 located.

4 shows a front view of the opened hinged lid container 20 , wherein the lowered container collar 4 in the area of the locking tabs 1 . 2 is apparent. Through the lowered area 8th or the lower height 8th of the container collar 4 at these points, lies the container lid 6 there in the closed state not on the container collar 4, but forms a gap 12 , The gap 12 causes a flexible lid collar 7 at these locations with closed lid container 20 from a user to the surface of the container collar 4 can be locally pressed to the hinged lid container 20 to open. The height difference 15 between the lower height 8th of the container collar 4 and the height of the container collar 4 on the remaining three sides of the container body 3 is greater than or equal to the height of the undercuts 14 the retaining lugs 10 . 10 ' . 11 . 11 ' , The height difference 15 is preferably 1 mm or more, preferably 2 - 5 mm, more preferably 2 - 3 mm. The container collar 4 is preferably formed so that it is in contact with the cover collar 7 forms a resistance. This resistance is perceived as haptic feedback by a user, signaling the user that he is not putting any further pressure on the lid collar 7 need to exercise the respective locking tab in the appropriate direction or away 18, 19 from the container body 3 to be able to move.

5 shows a front view of the container lid 6 , From this perspective, both see locking tabs 1 . 2 identical for the user, since the tab holding lugs 10, 10 'behind the front 13 the lid collar 7 are covered. By this occlusion the retaining lugs become 10 . 10 ' protected against mechanical effects. Furthermore, the user does not recognize the locking mechanism at first glance, so that its function and especially the release of the lock is not immediately apparent. The locking tabs 1, 2 are dimensioned so that they are easily accessible to an adult human, and yet not on the container body 3 with closed hinged lid container 20 survive.

6 and 7 show lateral cross sections through the first locking tab 1 ( 6 ) and the second locking tab 2 ( 7 ). The retaining lugs 10 . 10 ' are through the lid collar 7 covered. Furthermore, the lid collar 7 a partial area, which also in the vertical direction with the container collar 4 concludes. This prevents lateral penetration with mechanical tools or the penetration of moisture or greatly inhibited.

The 8th to 11 show the essential steps for opening an embodiment of the hinged lid container 20 in a side sectional view. In 8th the hinged lid container 20 is closed and is in its "rest position", ie without the action of external forces. At the first locking tab 1 the tab holding lug 10 is engaged with the corresponding container holding nose 11 , causing a movement of the locking tab 1 , and therefore also a movement of the container lid 6 , is prevented to the top. The greater the height of the undercuts 14 of the retaining lugs 10 . 11 is, the safer the locking, as a larger displacement of the retaining lugs 10 . 11 is necessary to each other to release the lock. A lateral movement of the locking tab 1 is impossible, because the tab 1 in an opening 9 stuck, and both prefers flush with each other.

9 shows the hinged lid container 20 out 8th where the lid collar 7 at the lowered areas 8th locally down into the gap 12 was pressed, thereby increasing the gap 12 decreases or disappears. The lid collar 7 then lies directly on the container collar 4 on, with the container collar 4 creates a resistance perceived by a user as haptic feedback. The height of the intermediate space is preferred 12 , That is, the height by which the container lid 6 can be pressed down, greater than or equal to the height of the undercuts 14 of the retaining lugs 10 . 11 , so that in the fully depressed state of the undercut 14 the tab holding nose 10 at least a little in the vertical direction from the undercut of the container holding nose 11 is spaced.

By this spacing of the undercuts 14 the retaining lugs 10 . 11 For example, the tab holding nose 10 may be horizontal with respect to the container holding nose 11 be moved, and in particular in the direction of the container body 3 be pressed so that the undercut 14 the tab holding nose 10 below the opening 9 lies, as in 10 shown. By moving the locking tab 10 towards the opening 9, the tab can 10 through the opening 9 are moved and so the container lid 6 are opened, as in 11 shown. Simultaneously with the in 8th to 11 shown opening steps must the corresponding opening steps also on the second locking tab 2 be performed, wherein the second locking tab 2 in a direction away 19 of the container body 3 has to be moved.

12 shows the closed hinged lid container 20 in the region of the second locking tab 2. According to the first locking tab 1 will open the lid collar first 7 down on the container collar 4 pressed so that the gap 12 is reduced or disappears. In this position, then the undercuts 14 of the Laschenhaltenase 10 ' and the container holding nose 11 ' spaced at least a little in the vertical direction from each other. To the tab holding nose 10 ' below the opening 9 to move, must the tab holding nose 10 ' but now in contrast to the first locking tab 1 here at the second locking tab 2 in the direction 19 away from the container body 3 to be moved. The second locking tab 2 must be in the direction 19 away from the container body 3 , usually drawn to the user. Only when the tab retention 10 . 10 ' the first and the second locking tab 1 . 2 below the respective opening 9 lies, the two tabs can 1 . 2 up through the openings 9 are moved and so the hinged lid container 20 are opened.

In the opposite case, when closing the container lid 6 it is sufficient, the locking tabs 1, 2 through the respective opening 9 to lead and the lid collar 7 at the lowered areas 8th above the locking tabs 1 . 2 on the container collar 4 to press. This can also be done with one hand. When passing the locking tabs 1 . 2 through the respective opening 9, the Verrieglungslaschen 1 . 2 slightly by a curved surface on the top of the container collar 4 bent in one direction or away from the container body 3. Once the undercuts 14 the tab holding lugs 10 . 10 ' and the container holding nose 11 . 11 ' are spaced in the downward movement at least a little in the vertical direction, ie at the latest when the cover collar 7 at the lowered areas 8th completely on the container collar 4 rests, move the elastic Laschenhaltenasen 10 . 10 ' back to its original position, ie back to the unbent position. The undercuts 14 of Laschenhaltenasen 10 . 10 ' are then below the undercuts 14 of the container retaining lugs 11 . 11 ' , Will the pressure from the lid collar 7 at the lowered areas 8th reduced or removed, the lid, due to its bias in the open position, moves back up, causing the tab holding lugs 10, 10 ', with the container holding lugs 11 . 11 ' completely intervene. The hinged lid container 20 is then closed and locked.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

first locking tab

2

second locking tab

3

container body

4

container collar

6

container lid

7

lid collar

8th

lowered areas or lower height of the container collar

9

opening

10, 10 '

Tab holding noses

11, 11 '

Container holding noses

12

gap

13

front

14

undercut

15

Height of the gap

16

opening direction

17

closing direction

18

Direction towards the container body

19

Direction away from the container body

20

Hinged lid containers

Claims (14)

Having hinged lid container (20) a. a container body (3); and b. a container lid (6), wherein the container lid (6) is pivotally hinged to a rear side of the container body (3); in which c. the container lid (6) has at least a first locking tab (1) and a second locking tab (2) which protrude from the container lid (6); and d. the first locking tab (1) has a first tab retaining nose (10) directed away from the container body (3) from the first locking tab (1) and engageable with a first container retaining tab (11) of the container body (3); and e. the second locking tab (2) has a second tab retaining lug (10 ') directed towards the container body (3) from the second locking tab (2) and engageable with a second container retaining tab (11') of the container body (3) , Hinged lid container according to Claim 1 , wherein the first and the second locking tab (1, 2) project in the pivoting direction of the container lid (6) from a cover collar (7). Hinged lid container according to one of Claims 1 or 2 wherein the first and the second locking tab (1, 2) are formed as resilient portions of the lid collar (7) or are resiliently disposed on the lid collar (7). Hinged lid container according to one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the tab retention tabs (10, 10 ') are positive tab retention tabs and the container retention tabs (11, 11') are negative tab retention tabs. Hinged lid container according to one of Claims 1 to 4 , wherein the retaining lugs (10, 10 ', 11, 11) each have an undercut (14). Hinged lid container according to Claim 5 in that the container collar (4) has a lower height (8) at a front side of the container body (3) in the region of the container holding lugs (11, 11 ') than at the other three sides of the container body (3). Hinged lid container according to Claim 6 wherein a height of the undercut (14) is less than or equal to a height (15) of a gap (12), between the lower height (8) of the container collar (4) in the area of the container holding lugs (11, 11) and the height of the container collar (4) on the other three sides of the container body (3). Hinged lid container according to one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the container collar (4) at the front of the container body (3) in the container retaining lugs (11, 11 ') at least two openings (9) through which each of the first locking tab (1) and the second locking tab (2) for closing of the hinged lid container (20) can pass. Hinged lid container according to one of Claims 1 to 8th , wherein the lid collar (7) Locking tabs (1, 2) in the region of Laschenhaltenasen (10, 10 ') covered. Hinged lid container according to one of Claims 1 to 9 , wherein the hinged lid container (20) in a manufacturing step, in particular by an injection molding process, is made in one piece. A method of using a hinged lid container (20) comprising a container body (3) and a container lid (6), the method of opening the hinged lid container (20) comprising the steps of: a. Pushing at least one first locking tab (1) on the container lid (6), which is in a closed position, toward (18) the hinged lid container (20); and b. Pulling at least one second locking tab (2) on the container lid (6), which is in a closed position, in a direction away (19) from the hinged lid container (20); and c. Moving the container lid (6) relative to the container body (3) in the opening direction (16) to open the hinged lid container (20). Method according to Claim 11 further comprising depressing a lid collar (7) in the region of the first and second locking tabs (1, 2) in the closing direction (17) of the container lid (6) before the respective locking tab (1, 2), which is in its closed position, is pressed or pulled. Method according to one of Claims 11 or 12 The method is performed manually without the use of tools. Method according to one of Claims 11 to 13 wherein the method of firing the hinged lid container (20) further comprises the steps of: a. Moving the container lid (6) in the closing direction (17); and b. Pushing down the cover collar (7) in the area of the first and second locking tabs (1, 2) in the closing direction (17) until an audible click indicates that retaining tabs (10, 10 ', 11, 11') of the associated locking tabs (1, 2 ) can engage each other to lock the hinged lid container (20).

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